Not a lot of big events this weekend, but what there is is (to quote an old Spencer Tracy line) “cherce.”
First up on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is the annual fall kick-off sale at Two Dog Organic Nursery, a small, home-based nursery in Miracle Mile. Take 10% off all certified organic fall veggie & herb seedlings, plus all organic potting soil, amendments, EarthBoxes and Smart Pots, as well as fruit trees and berry bushes. This is a great time to start your fall and winter gardens. Street parking is available, and there will be cookies & lemonade, too. No tickets or appointments needed.
Just a few blocks away, at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, check out ClayLA, “the second annual sale and fundraiser showcasing emerging and established ceramic makers in the greater Los Angeles area.” You can meet and shop from some of LA’s most vibrant and dynamic makers, celebrated for their accomplishments and often-unexpected approaches to art making and design. There will also be fun air-dry clay making activities, music, and drinks (including complimentary beer from Angel City Brewery). The event runs both Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is free with museum admission.
For the younger set, head over to the John C. Fremont branch library, 6121 Melrose Ave., on Saturday afternoon for the monthly BARK – Kids Read to Dogs event from 2-3 p.m. BARK is an all-volunteer program that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Studies show that reading to these dogs actually leads to improvement in reading skills. All dogs are super gentle and specially trained to work with children, and the owner is present at all times. All ages welcome, and of course, this and all other library programs are always free.
A bit later, with the family still in tow, you could also head up to the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, where this year’s Beyond Fest (“the highest attended genre film festival in Southern California, delivering the best horror, sci-fi, fantasy and badass cinema to Los Angeles”) kicks off with a screening of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The screening will begin with a clip show saluting the career of casting director Andrea Romano (who has cast voices for more than 1,600 episodes of television, 50 movies, and 20 video games, including such favorites as “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Animaniacs” and “Batman: The Animated Series”). Romano will also stay for a Q&A and discussion following the film.
Sunday should be extra yummy this week, with the La Feria de los Moles in downtown L.A.’s Grand Park, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The festival celebrates the traditional Mexican favorite featuring complex flavors and up to 30 ingredients. There will be tastings of 13 different moles (along with debates and judging of mole styles from both Puebla and Oaxaca), along with pastries and other foods to accompany the dish. The event is free; food will be available for purchase. For more information, see the link above or the recent LA Times story about the event.
And finally on Sunday, it’s time for the opening of one of the city’s premiere Halloween-themed events, Boo at the Zoo, in which the L.A. Zoo treats visitors to “fang-tastic fun” throughout the month of October. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the month (October 1-31). Daily activities will linclude an all-new “Nocturnal Adventure” maze, where guests can learn about nocturnal creatures, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the Zoo’s tarantulas, scorpions, snakes and more at “Animals and Boo” encounters. Special weekend events will also inclued a “Swazzle’s Monster Menagerie” puppet show, pumpkin carving demonstrations, special animal feedings and other family fun. See the above link for full schedule and event information and – of course – costumes are encouraged!
Have a great weekend!
