We’ve already covered Mother’s Day and the Miracle Mile Small Business Stroll – two of the weekend’s biggest events – but there’s still a lot more going on today and tomorrow, rain or shine (but we can’t help hoping it rains – we still need it!).
Saturday morning dawns with one of Hope Lutheran Church’s terrific rummage sales. from 8 a.m. to noon at 6720 Melrose Ave. (just west of Highland). The organizers say members have been doing their spring cleaning, and the rummage sale is full of things they no longer need. Just in time for summer shopping!
Later, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the LAPD would like to people clean house in another way, at their anonymous Gun Buyback at the LA Sports Arena, 3939 S. Figueroa. Guns can be exchanged, no questions asked, for $100 and $200 Ralphs gift cards (depending on the kind of gun). Click on the flier for full details.
From noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine, downtown’s Grand Park is hosting its huge annual BookFest. The theme this year is “Literary LA: Places, Spaces and Faces,” a celebration and reflection of where Angelenos love to read and write – past, present and future. The event will feature a pop-up book shop featuring books by local authors and publishers, a children’s book shop, bookish activities for participants of all ages, readings, performances, storytelling, music and more. See the links above for the full schedule.
Over at the California Science Center, it’s the last day to visit the big “Journey to Space” exhibit, which closes after today. The highly interactive exhibit, with hands-on exhibits and immersive experiences, gives visitors a chance to experience some of the most fascinating and challenging aspects of living and working in space and to learn how we are preparing for bolder and more distant missions. You can try managing the energy of a simulated orbiting space station, operate a robotic arm, and find out how astronauts eat, sleep, and even go to the bathroom in space. Admission to the Space Shuttle Endeavor exhibit is included.
Then, as long as you’re in the neighborhood, check out Unfolding, a showcase of this year’s MFA thesis projects from USC’s Interactive Media and Games program. The exhibit is open to the public through May 11, at Sound Stages 1 and 2 (12 to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday) at USC’s School of Cinematic Art Complex, 900 W. 34th Street , 90089.
Moving to Sunday, the big event, of course, is Mother’s Day…but if your mom likes books, crafts or both, she’d probably love Anthropological Anthology, a CraftLab Family Workshop with Lisa Occhipinti at the Craft and Folk Art Museum. The free workshop, to which you can drop in between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., takes inspiration from Ray Bradbury’s book Fahrenheit 451, (this year’s Big Read choice). Participants will create their own pages using writing, drawing, collage, and other creative forms, which will later be bound into a handmade hardcover tome by Lisa. Space is limited, so an RSVP is required.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our Buzz-area moms!