Weekend Buzz : Events for June 17-18, 2017

This is going to be a hot holiday weekend, but we’ve got some great ways to pass the time both outdoors and in some cool (both senses of the word!) air conditioned places.

For the early risers, Saturday morning this week holds at least one yard sale and a big estate sale.

First up is a yard sale at 200 S. Lucerne, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday (no early birds!), which offers mid-century modern furniture, a girls beach cruiser, housewares, American Girl dolls, and “tons of great kids and tween books for summer reading, toys, clothing and much, much more!”

Speaking of clothes, and more specifically vintage clothing, the estate sale at 890 S. Bronson (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday) promises a “5,000 square foot home filled with LOTS of stuff,” including closets full of vintage clothing.  Also, a Chevrolet Venture mini van, Honda 2003 (1st generation, only 1,500 made) Rav4 EV (both in “as-is” condition with dead batteries), hundreds of books on music theory and musical composition (mostly classical music), a fully working Johannus “Opus 30” concert organ with speakers, four violins, three keyboards, speakers, antique furniture, lots of books, lawyers’ bookcases and more.  For full list and pictures, see https://www.EstateSales.NET/CA/Los-Angeles/90005/1562508

As the day warms up, you can always count on our local libraries for some cool fun on hot summer days.  From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Wilshire Branch Library, 149 N. St. Andrews Pl., will hold one of its Summer Science Saturdays, perfect for kids ages 5-9.  This week’s topic will be rocks…and next week, they’ll explore minerals. Signups are encouraged – call (323) 957-4550 to register or for more information.

Meanwhile, over at the John C. Fremont library, 6121 Melrose Ave., you can make crafts with STAR reader Frances from 12-2 p.m. in the Children’s department. String colorful round cereal pieces on pipe cleaners to make bird feeders, bracelets, or necklaces, and of course Frances will also read books to anyone who would like to hear a story. The event is free of charge and children of all ages are welcome.  Then at 2:00 p.m., for adults, retired psychiatric nurse Mary Accurso continues her health series at the Fremont Library with Deep Breathing, De-Stressing & Nutrition. This program will focus on achieving optimum health with continued instructions on stretching, deep breathing, meditation, and nutrition, especially The Body Type Diet.

And finally, at Memorial Library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., you can get some great deals at the Friends of the Library Used Book Sale, from 4:00-5:15 p.m.

For a fun late lunch or early dinner option on Saturday, head downtown for the annual Tacolandia event, which runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at El Pueblo de Los Angeles.  The price of admission gives you unlimited taco samples from more than 120 taco vendors from L.A., Mexico and elsewhere.  Tickets availalble at https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1455258.  Please note though, that this is an adult event, ages 21+ only.  Children (even babies in strollers) will not be admitted.

Getting back to family fun, our local museums will also be very active this weekend, and offering a number of options for air-conditioned activities.

First, at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, the Los Angeles Knit Graffiti Collective will hold its monthly Yarn Bombing Los Angeles meeting from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.  Find out what your local guerrilla knitters are up to, share projects you’re working on, and enjoy some good conversation.  It’s free and open to the public, and all skill levels are welcome and encouraged.  For more information, see http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com

Across the street at LACMA, from 4 to 7 p.m. you can attend the Bon Vivant Studio One Day Gallery Workshop.  This adult class combines some of the best things in life — art, wine, creativity, and friendship—in a lively, artist-led experience. Explore a work of art from LACMA’s collection through fun dialogue, and then retreat to the studio to create your own work in a supportive, positive atmosphere, while enjoying a glass of wine and small bites. This installment focuses on Alexander Calder-inspired works of art…and you’ll leave with a kinetic geometric sculpture to hang in your home and the knowledge of how to make these on your own. Tickets are $45 for LACMA members and $55 for the general public. See the link above for reservations and further information.

Later, as the day begins to cool, head outside the museum to Hancock Park for a LACMA-sponsored concert by Opa Opa at 5 p.m. Formed in 1987 by Oswaldo Bernard and Anthony Apollo, Opa Opa features a distictive blend of rich percussive rhythms, remarkably unique vocals and brassy horns. One of L.A.’s premier salsa bands, the group has shared the stage with such artists as Celia Cruz, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and Charlie Palmieri.  The concert is free and open to the public.

For another great free concert option on Saturday night, Leavitt Pavilion MacArthur Park begins its free summer concert season at the park (Wilshire and Alvarado) at 7 p.m. with The Mexican Standoff, Nancy Sanchez and Sin Color.   Bring a picnic basket and/or lawn chair and enjoy a great summer evening. (And on Sunday, Cumbia Cosmica will perform at the park at 7:30 p.m.)

Of course, one of the very best things to do on a hot summer night is go to the movies.  And there are some great opportunities this weekend.

At Hollywood’s Egyptian Theater, the American Cinematheque is presenting its “82 Blowup” series – a celebration of some of the most memorable movies of 1982, blown up to big, bold, beautiful 70mm film.  Offerings this weekend include Tron (7:30 p.m. on Friday), The Thing (7:30 p.m. on Saturday), Poltergeist (10:00 p.m. on Saturday) and E.T. (5:00 p.m. on Sunday).  “82 Blowup” continues next week, too – for the full schedule see http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/82-blowup

Meanwhile, the New Beverly, on Beverly just west of La Brea, features a very dad-friendly sci-fi and western lineup this weekend:  a midnight show of Death Proof on Friday, Buck Rogers: Planet Outlaws at 2 p.m. Saturday, RoboCop at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Starship Troopers at 8:45 p.m. Saturday, The Girl from Starship Venus at midnight on Saturday, another screening of Buck Rogers at 2 p.m. Sunday, Shootout at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, and Showdown at 8:35 p.m. on Sunday.

As Sunday dawns, Father’s Day means “Hoods Up” at the Petersen Museum, with a special Fathers Day program filled with special activities and exclusive offers. Events include the opportunity to take a family photo inside a classic Petersen vehicle, explore engines with Hoods Up on select vehicles and crafts in the Discovery Center, where children can create a trophy for their #1 Dad. Drago Ristorante will also be offering a special rooftop experience where you can enjoy snacks in the William E. Connor Penthouse from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with a live DJ, drinks, and food such as tacos, sliders, and more with the purchase of Father’s Day food vouchers.  There will also be a special Father’s Day general admission discount at the museum: buy 1 adult ticket and get 1 child ticket for free (ages 3-12), available at the door.

And several other museums will also be getting into the dad groove on Sunday.

Over at the California African American Museum in Exposition Park, from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., you can bring the whole family to tour the exhibitions, enjoy live music and a mobile game lounge, dine on tasty fare from LocoL and Rodney’s Ribs food trucks, check out a Resource fair, try woodworking with Side Street Projects, take part in interactive art-making and toy-making activities, and more.  There will also be a kite-making and flying workshop, in which you can assemble a basic kite, make it your own with colorful decorations and test it out in the park. Call (213) 744.2024 for more information or to RSVP.

Back at LACMA, you can drop in any time between 12:30 and 3:00 p.m., for the Andell Family Sundays — Follow the Rainbow event,which combines gallery tours with a make-your-own art experience. See how modern and contemporary artists like Wassily Kandinsky, Henri Matisse, and Polly Apfelbaum experiment with color in paintings, prints, and a spectacular installation of fabric in the An Irruption of the Rainbow: Color in 20th-Century Art exhibit…and then try your own hand at some colorful creations. The workshop is free with general museum admission; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Later, you can close out your fun Father’s Day with some music at LACMA’s Bing Theater, where pianist Daniel Schlosberg will perform Beethoven: Six Bagatelles, Opus 126, Ruggles: Evocations (4 Chants for Piano), and Poulenc: Les soirées de Nazelles at 6 p.m.  Schlosberg, who has been described as an “expert pianist” (Boston Globe), enjoys a multifaceted relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, appearing on numerous chamber music and new music concerts. In 2012, he was a featured soloist in subscription performances of Messiaen’s “Trois Petites Liturgies,” for which John von Rhein in the Chicago Tribune wrote: “Daniel Schlosberg played the daunting piano part splendidly”; and Lawrence A. Johnson of the Chicago Classical Review wrote of “a prominent, challenging piano part, played here with great fire and conviction by Daniel Schlosberg in a notable CSO debut.” He has been on faculty at the University of Notre Dame since 2005. The event is free and open to the public.

Finally, as you’re traveling in, through or around the Miracle Mile area this weekend, please note that from 8 p.m. Friday, June 16, through 6 a.m. Monday, June 19, Wilshire Blvd. between Fairfax Ave. and Crescent Heights Blvd. will be fully closed for the installation of surface-level concrete decking to prepare for Purple Line subway construction.  See https://www.metro.net/projects/notices/notice_purpleline_041917/ for full details and detour information.

Have a great weekend…and Happy Father’s Day!