Weekend Buzz: Events for June 24-25, 2017

OK, if you’re bored this weekend, it’s definitely not our fault…because this is one of the longest local events lists we’ve had in a while.  Have fun out there!

If you have young children with a bent toward big trucks (moms of four-year-olds…we’ve been there!), Saturday is one of the biggest days of the year for you:  the annual open house at the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation’s truck yard in West LA (2027 Stoner Ave.).  Yes, that’s right…we said “GARBAGE TRUCKS!”  From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., kids and their chaperones can watch big trucks in action, learn about LA Sanitation’s residential curbside collection programs (with an emphasis on proper recycling practices and bulky item collection), tour the facility and – yes – probably even climb on a truck or two.  But get there early, because it does tend to be super crowded.  (Somehow, word of such things travels fast on the toddler grapevine.)

Meanwhile, for more adult sensibilities, Dwell Magazine hosts the annual Dwell on Design event at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  The first two days, Thursday and Friday, are open to design industry professionals only, but on Saturday and Sunday, all design enthusiasts are welcome.  The event includes exhibits for modern interiors and exteriors, continuing education classes for design professionals, and seminars for design-seeking consumers. See the link above for the full schedule and list of vendors.

Later, at 2:00 p.m., fans of noir fiction and film can head over to the John C. Fremont Library, 6212 Melrose Ave., for a free roundtable discussion called Darkness Under the Light: Noir Writing and Film in Los Angeles, with writer and noir buff David Kendrick – who also happens to be the former drummer of Devo, Sparks, and Empire of Fun. Joining David in the discussion on film noir, its creators, crime writing, and related music are Les Bohem (author of the novella Flight 505 and creator of the Hulu series Shut Eye) and Richard Lange (author of the Hammett Prize winning novel Angel Baby and upcoming novel The Smack). No reservations required, but do note that space is limited.

If you prefer vintage sci fi to film noir, grab a big box of popcorn because the New Beverly Cinema has a fun lineup on Saturday, starting with a kiddie matinee of 1980’s Flash Gordon (along with a 1936 Flash Gordon short) at 2 p.m. on Saturday.  Later, at 7:30 p.m. there’s a screening of X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes (with special guest Roger Corman), a 9:30 screening of The Man with Two Brains, and a midnight showing of the camp sci fi classic Barbarella.

Or, if you prefer, the American Cinematheque and the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles will host an event at the Egyptian Theater on Saturday that combines both design and vintage film.  First, at 2 p.m., is an illustrated presentation by the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing’s Lisa Schoening, on the life and work of French artist Sonia Delaunay (1885-1979). The first living female artist to be given a retrospective at the Louvre, Delaunay was one of the Art Deco era’s leading fashion designers as well as a co-founder of the Orphism art movement.  The presentation will be followed, at 3 p.m., with a screening of 1923’s A Woman of Paris, one of the rare Charlie Chaplin films directed by but not starring Chaplin. The romantic drama stars Edna Purviance as a woman who bounces back and forth between the security of a wealthy lover (played by the great Adolphe Menjou) and the passion of a poor artist.  (Do note, though, if you plan to attend this event, that a cultural festival and parade will result in closures of Hollywood Blvd., near the theater, at various times between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.)

As afternoon rolls into evening on Saturday, come back to Hancock Park, between LACMA and the Tar Pits Museum in Miracle Mile, for a LACMA-sponsored 5 p.m. concert by Ciro Hurtado. Hurtado is a guitarist-composer from Perú who has been actively performing since the early seventies. He’s one of the founding members and musical director of the Latin American group Huayucaltia, and as a solo artist has produced and recorded seven albums. The concert is free and open to the public.

Also on Saturday evening, just across the street at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, from 5 to 8 p.m., check out a one-day pop-up shop of jewelry by Konzuk and ceramics by Enubi. Konzuk’s newest series of jewelry is made from black concrete, diamond dust, and stainless steel. Eunbi architectural ceramic pieces are functional and playful. Meet the creators and enjoy some champagne while you shop “after hours.”  Admission is free.

Later, back in Hollywood, the Hollywood Bowl stages one of its all-time favorite summer events, the Sing-Along Sound of Music.  You can sing along with Maria and wave your Edelweiss (from the complimentary Fun-Pack), bark at Rolf, snuggle up with Gretel and join in choruses of “My Favorite Things,” along with thousands of fans who love the Oscar®-winning movie as much as you do.  Pre-show activities start at 6:30 p.m., and the film starts at 8.

Meanwhile, back on the very active Miracle Mile, the Petersen Museum gets into the movie act with the exclusive LA premiere of McLaren at 7 p.m.  The new film illustrates race car driver Bruce McLaren’s life from his humble beginnings at his father’s auto shop in Auckland, to revolutionizing Formula One racing by becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Grand Prix, to his untimely death at 32 in a racing accident. Featuring interviews with McLaren’s closest friends and family members, the documentary is an “unprecedented window into the life of a true genius.”  See the above link for tickets.  Members can bring up to three guests free (with free parking); non-member tickets are $5 per couple, with $10 parking.

Also at 7 p.m., over in Griffith Park, you could attend the summer premiere of the Independent Shakespeare Company’s Shakespeare in the Park performances, with Measure for Measure, running both Saturday and Sunday at the Old Zoo.  (Free parking is available in the parking lots near the Merry-Go-Round – look for the pink signs.  Lot 2 is closest to the performance site, but you will still have to walk up a hill to get there.)  For those who need to brush up their Shakespeare, Measure for Measure recounts regime change in a decadent Vienna. The Duke’s gone AWOL, and in his place sits a joyless man determined to take back the city. His first order of business? Executing a man whose only crime is love. When the pious Isabella comes to plead for her brother’s life, she soon finds that unyielding morality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and that human appetite is not so easily controlled. The dark comedy is one of Shakespeare’s most modern plays, full of eccentric characters and wild surprises.  The performance is free, though donations are appreciated.

And finally on Saturday, there’s more sci fi cinema fun, as the American Cinematheque, back at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, continues its series of 1982 blockbusters blown up to 70mm greatness, with a showing of TRON at 7:30 p.m. The film follows hacker Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), as he’s digitally abducted into the inner realm of the ENCOM computer, where he must compete in virtual gladiatorial games in order to survive.

Sunday morning dawns with the monthly Breakfast Club Cruise-In on the third floor of the Petersen Museum’s parking structure, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Enjoy strolling through rows of classic, custom, exotic cars, trucks, motorcycles and more…with complimentary parking, coffee and bagels for all attendees.  Petersen members will also have Early Access to the museum from 9 a.m.–10 a.m., by showing their membership cards.

Later on Sunday morning, the Velaslavasay Panorama, 1122 W. 24th St., will host The Minnow Show! Episode #3: Masks & Animation from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Participants will watch a variety of vividly animated films from local Los Angeles artists, expertly curated by illustrator and Professor Fran Krause, author of The Creeps: A Deep Dark Fears Collection. Krause’s selected films from a variety of artists are rare, independent and a sight to behold for all ages. After the films, artist Anna Tanner will lead a workshop on mask making in the garden, where masked creatures can roam and gather among the flora for a colorful garden celebration. The event is open to all ages, and designed to engage both children and adults. See http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2912097 for tickets and more information.

On Sunday afternoon, you can join the Mid-City Neighborhood Council for the Mid City Art & Music Festival, from 2-7 p.m. on Washtington Blvd., between Harcourt Ave. and Vineyard Ave.  The event features music (salsa, world and R&B), live art, a skate park, activities for the kids, and a beer garden (not for kids) hosted by the Nate Holden Center for the Performing Arts.

This being the prime season for community celebrations, Sunday is also the day of the Brookside neighborhood’s 38th Annual Block Party, running from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the 800 block of S. Muirfield Ave.  Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy music, a potluck, live auction, watermelon and pie-eating contests, Zorb balls, bounce house, pony rides, a petting zoo…and more. Tickets for a barbecue will also be for sale.

And finally on Sunday, because you may now have gone almost 24 hours without seeing a movie, you can return to the American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theater for a 5:30 p.m. double feature of Tyrus – a documentary about Tyrus Wong, one of the most celebrated Chinese-American artists of the 20th century (he worked as a production designer, illustrator painter, muralist, ceramicist and lithographer)…and Disney’s 1942 classic, Bambi, one of Wong’s most famous films. Tyrus director Pamela Tom will also appear at the event.

Have a great weekend, everyone!