Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

Weekend Buzz – Events for March 4-5, 2017

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It’s been feeling a lot like spring this week, and our outdoor events are starting to look more spring-like, too.

HPGCPlantsaleFor example, there’s nothing more spring-ish than getting your garden in order for the coming year, and today you can get a big head start on that task at the Hancock Park Garden Club’s Pop-Up Plant Sale and Tomatomania event. Running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Ebell of Los Angeles (700 block of S. Lucerne Blvd., on the east side of the street), the event will feature plant vendors (Greenwood Gardens, Theodore Payne Foundation, Tomatomania and Zuma Canyon Orchids), as well as expert talks on how to plant more sustainable gardens, and how to grow tomatoes, daylilies and irises.  There will also be potters, linen purveyors, cactus and succulent suppliers, and more.

easthollywoodfarmersmarketTo go straight from planting to harvest, there’s also a new local-ish farmer’s market debuting today at the southeast corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Western Ave.  The new East Hollywood Certified Farmer’s Market will now be open every Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring fresh produce, cooking demonstrations and much, much more.

256px-John_C._Fremont_Branch_Library,_Los_Angeles,_CaliforniaAfter your plant and food trips, you can forage for another kind of sustenance, the literary kind, at the monthly John C. Fremont Library Friends of the Library book sale, 6121 Melrose Ave..  Items include new and used books, DVDs and CDs of all types.  Hours are 12 to 5 p.m. today, prices are very low (less than $1 for most items!) and all proceeds benefit the library.

lanternfestivalsmallAs day winds down into evening, it would be a good time to check out the 16th Annual Los Angeles Lantern Festival at the Chinese American Museum, 425 N. Los Angeles Street. Running from noon to 7 p.m., the free event culminates the Museum’s Lunar New Year festivities with community booths, museum tours, live entertainment, music, arts & crafts, and food trucks.  The goal is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of America’s diverse heritage by sharing and celebrating the history, cultural legacy and continuing contributions of Chinese Americans.

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And finally on Saturday, it’s time to get your “swellegant” on, with the Makin’ Whoopee ball, sponsored by the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles and the Ebell of Los Angeles. The event runs from 6 to 11:30 p.m. at the Ebell (743 S. Lucerne Blvd.), and includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a three course gourmet dinner by Ebell Executive Chef Ron Armendariz, and then dancing to Dean Mora’s California Poppies band.  1920s attire or black tie suggested.  Tickets are $65 for Ebell and ADSLA members, $80 for non-members.

valleyconOn Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., head over to the Petersen Museum for Valley Con 2017, the largest model competition, swap meet, and miniatures exhibition in Los Angeles. This year’s theme is “Sci-Fi Armor and Ships!,” but the event showcases everything from tiny Automobiles to Zombies…and everything in between, for both hobbyists and professionals.   You can view the the collections of others, or enter your own models to win. Awards will be presented to the best aircraft, diorama, figures, armor, ships, automotive, science fiction, collections and juniors. Entry to the event is included with general museum admission (or free to members) and includes 10 model entries. The winner of the Best of Automotive Division award will receive the opportunity to display their winning model in the Petersen lobby until Valley Con 2018.

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If you prefer cats to cars, head over to The Urban Pet store, 7515 Beverly Blvd., which will be hosting a visit from the Moon Cat Cafe – the world’s only mobile cat cafe – from 12 to 4 p.m.  $12 admission includes gourmet coffee or bottled water, a pastry, and a free coaster in the comfortable sit-down cafe environment…with two resident cats, a selection of adoptable kitties (special to this event), and an array of fine hand-made artisan goods for sale from independent female artists and female-founded small businesses, both local and global.  10% of all proceeds will benefit LUXE Paws to support its cat rescue and TNR (trap/neuter/release) efforts.

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Later, it’s back to the Ebell, for a 5 p.m. staged reading of this year’s winner of the Ebell Playwright Prize competition:  “Tribal Life in America,” by Jody Gehrman.  In the play, the Plum family’s youngest daughter gets entangled in a destructive cult. Her older sister and mother abduct and hold her captive in the remote family cabin, hoping to convince her to never go back.  The reading is directed by Elina de Santos, and there will be a celebratory dinner afterward.  Tickets are $35 for Ebell members and $40 for non-members.

stayhomeandreadFinally on Sunday, you could also participate in a truly unique fundraiser, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles‘ 29th Annual Stay Home and Read a Book Ball.  All you have to do is grab a book (your own, one from the library, or one of the treasures you just picked up at Saturday’s John C. Fremont event), sit down to read it…and then donate what you would have spent on clothes, food, transportation, child care, etc. for a gala night out (or whatever amount you would like to give) to help fund the Los Angeles Public Library’s educational and cultural programs, award-winning ALOUD series, Adult Literacy Services, and Student Zones.  Jammies, cocoa and a comfy chair by the fire are recommended to enhance the festive experience.  Fun for the whole family!

metroconstructionheaderAnd last but not least, our traditional update on Metro street closures…which brings good news this week:  due to unexpected utility work on Wilshire Blvd., decking for the Wilshire/Fairfax station will be postponed this weekend,  so there will be no street closures, detours or other major inconveniences and you can move about as usual.  Enjoy!

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Elizabeth Fuller
Elizabeth Fuller
Elizabeth Fuller was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN but has lived in LA since 1991 - with deep roots in both the Sycamore Square and West Adams Heights-Sugar Hill neighborhoods. She spent 10 years with the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, volunteers at Wilshire Crest Elementary School, and has been writing for the Buzz since 2015.

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