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Earth Day approaches, and while some of you might be enjoying the benefits of a certain plant today (ahem… happy 4/20), we’ve curated a weekend list that has a bit more mass appeal than grass appeal.
For April 21-23 in Los Angeles, you’ll find a Grunion Fish-tival at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, a Cherry Blossom Festival in West Covina, the L.A. Festival of Books, Record Store Day, a Very Special Arts Festival Community Day, Preview Night at ESMoA, YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, 626 Golden Streets, and MUCH more. And don’t forget if you want to explore L.A. car-free, Metro is offering free rides on all services (buses, rail, Metro Bike, and Metro Micro) on Earth Day, April 22. Hope you have a terrific weekend!
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Things To Do This Weekend
Grunion Fish-tival -> On Friday, The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro celebrates the grunion an evening affair featuring arts and crafts, grunion hatchings, and after-hours access to exhibits, all capped by a trip to the beach to (hopefully) observe a spawning in real-time. Adult tickets are $7, children, students and seniors are $3. More info here.
The Poetry Brothel: Forbidden Fruit -> If the term “word orgy” gets your blood pumping, head to El Cid this on Friday for an all out poetry blitz featuring three hours of staged spoken word performances along with out one-on-one private poetry readings, Tarot readings, poetic souvenirs, live typewriter poetry, and a sprinkling of dance and musical performances. GA tickets are $50. Starts at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
Odd Nights at The Autry -> Odd Nights at the Autry return every third Friday of the month from April through September. Expect an indie bazaar populated by funky vendors, food trucks, and live music. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 and parking is free. More info here.
gRUNion Party 2023 -> This Friday and Saturday, Venice Oceanarium’s annual gRUNion party is back this time for two nights to double the chances of seeing Grunion spawn in mass near the Venice Breakwater. Free to attend. More info here.
World of Barbie -> World of Barbie has debuted at Santa Monica Place with an immersive experience that puts fans neck deep into Barbie’s fantastic world of plastic. The 20,000 square-foot attraction features a number of life-size spaces like a Barbie Dreamhouse and Camper Van, plus a salon filled with products and other various interactive rooms. Runs Wednesday to Sunday through June 30. Hours vary. Tickets start at $34.50. More info here.
PCH Movies & Moonlight -> This Friday’s edition of PCH Movies & Moonlight features a showing of Disney’s Strange World. There will be children’s face painting from 5 to 8 p.m., and the movie starts at sunset. Free to attend. More info here.
Cherry Blossom Festival -> Celebrate the arrival of the cherry blossom season at Plaza West Covina this Saturday with an afternoon of unique Japanese culture, vendors, performances, and food. Free to attend. Runs noon to 6 p.m. More info here.
Record Store Day -> The nationwide, annual celebration of indie record stores returns this Saturday with a day of deals, discounts, special product and exclusive vinyl and CD releases. Check for participating records stores and get more info here.
The Los Angeles Pancakes & Booze Art Show -> This underground art show features over 750 works of art from 100+ local artists. Saturday’s event at Catch One includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, live music, and live body painting. Pre-sale tickets are $15 online. More info here.
Very Special Arts Festival Community Day -> The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival is an annual free, inclusive event celebrating the artistic achievements of students with all abilities. This Saturday’s event features student and professional performances, visual and performing arts workshops and a student art exhibit created around a theme that is introduced to the students each year. Runs 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. More info here.
Healthy Kids Day -> The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles hosts their annual Healthy Kids Day: A Day of Play for LA at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this Saturday. There will be a rock climbing wall, live bands, and representatives from local sports teams including the LA Rams, LA Dodgers, LA Clippers, LA Sparks, LA Kings, Angel City Football Club, and LA Galaxy. Free to attend. Runs 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. More info here.
Smog City Anniversary -> Smog City Brewing is pulling out all the stops for their 12th Anniversary Bash this Saturday with day-long schedule featuring a charity dunk tank, prize raffles, live music, food trucks, and 20+ brews on tap, including a few special releases. General admission starts at noon is free, and VIP hour tickets are available for $25. More info here.
New Art at Corey Helford -> On Saturday, Corey Helford Gallery hosts an opening reception for Ephemeral Existence, a new solo show from Japanese oil painter Mayuka Yamamoto popping up in the main gallery. In gallery two, graffiti and street artist HERA of herakut will host her first solo show in the U.S. since November of 2021. The opening reception for both exhibitions takes from 7 to 11 p.m., and the works will be on view through May 27. Get more info here.
Preview Night at ESMoA -> This Saturday, El Segundo Museum of Art hosts a preview night for their latest exhibition, BELONGING, a showcase of women artists created in collaboration with bestselling author Cornelia Funke. The exhibition runs from April 27 to September 16. Saturday’s reception runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Get more info here.
Bewilder Basecamp: Earth Day Extravaganza -> Outdoor nonprofit Bewilder is teaming up with kids’ bike brand woom for an Earth Day event in Culver City this Saturday. Kids can learn how to garden and plant flower, design crafts, pedal a woom bike through Rainbow Tunnel, munch on snacks, and more. Free to attend. Runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More info here.
Family Garden Workshop -> This Saturday at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, Garden School Educators hosts a Family Garden Workshop guests will learn the art of caring for succulents and methods to create a thriving indoor succulent collection. Runs 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free to attend. Get more info and RSVP here.
Keep It Clean, Keep It Green Earth Day Celebration -> Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier hosts an in-person Earth Day celebration on Saturday featuring interactive and hands-on activities that promote sustainable living, all taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Grand Park Easy Mornings -> Grand Park’s Easy Mornings returns this Saturday with selection of relaxing, family-friendly activities focused on deepening relationships with self, community, and the park. Runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free to attend. More info here
LA Times Festival of Books -> On Saturday and Sunday, The 28th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returns to the campus of USC this April featuring over 300 book and merchandise exhibitors, a number of outdoor stages and activity areas, expert panels, performances, demos, and more. More info here.
Earth Day Regenerative Wine Fair at Esters -> On Saturday, Santa Monica wine shop and cafe Esters invites their favorite planet-friendly winemakers for a special Earth Day Regenerative Wine Fair. Happening from 2 to 5 p.m., the Earth Day walk-around tasting will take place in the outdoor parklet with tickets available for $40 per person via Resy. A portion of the sales will be donated to OOM (Our Only Mission—Earth) to support their goal of eliminating single-use packaging waste in everyday consumer goods, including wine bottles.
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Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie -> This Saturday and Sunday, New York Times best-selling author Kwame Alexander brings two of his beloved children’s books, Acoustic Rooster and Indigo Blume to The Wallis stage for a two-day engagement perfect for the littlest members of your families. Recommend for ages 3-5, and tickets start at $10. Get more info here.
626 Golden Streets-> On Sunday, this San Gabriel Valley’s signature open streets initiative returns with a route focused on the Foothills, allowing bicyclists and pedestrians to navigate the roads car-free over a five mile course through San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont. There will be hubs featuring live entertainment, food and special activities along the way. Free to attend. Runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
Topanga Vintage Market -> Happening on the fourth Sunday of every month, the Topanga Vintage Market is packed with close to 200 sellers from antiques to vintage clothing and local artisan goods. Runs 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. $5 to get in. More info here.
Salt Marsh Open House -> Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s Salt Marsh Open House gives you an up-close chance to observe native flora and fauna in a wetlands habitat, all with CMA Educators on hand to answer questions. The next edition of the free, all-ages event takes place this Sunday. Get more info here.
826LA@Hammer: Cuentos From Mi Barrio -> Educator and multi-disciplinary artist Giovanni Ortega leads a free workshop at The Hammer where students will create stories from scratch, casting themselves as the main characters and reflecting on their own life experiences. Starts at 11 a.m. Reservations encouraged to make sure you get a spot. More info here.
Raw Wine Los Angeles -> Raw Wine L.A. takes over City Market Social House in San Pedro for two days (this Sunday and Monday) of organic and biodynamic wine discovery, talks and tutored tastings. Tickets start at $70. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Holey Grail x Chef Akira Akuto Donut Collab -> Hawaiian and taro based donut operation Holey Grail continues their “Breaking Bread” series with chef Akira Akuto’s (Konbi) limited edition Yuzu Creamsicle Donut. Made with a taro donut fried in coconut oil, the treat is hand dipped in a golden glaze made with cold-pressed yuzu juice from YUZUCO, strawberry and vanilla. The donut is finished with a hojicha mocha swirl topped with a candied yuzu peel from Oita Japan. A portion of sales for this donut will be donated to Enrich LA, a nonprofit organization building regenerative gardens in Los Angeles schoolyards. Available now at their Larchmont & Santa Monica locations.
Last Crumb x Alfred -> To celebrate their latest cookie drop, Los Angeles based cookie brand Last Crumb will be hosting a pop-up at Alfred’s Melrose Place Cafe this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The viral cookies usually come in a luxury box by the dozen for $160. The pop-up at Alfred’s is a chance to enjoy cookie tastings, snagging a few treats from the new gluten free series and gain access to exclusive merch. More information about the pop-up will be released on Last Crumb’s Instagram page.
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Free Coffee at Verve -> On Earth Day (Saturday, April 22) Verve will be pouring complimentary brew to all guests who bring in their own reusable mug. The offer is available at all Verve Coffee locations from open to close. After Earth Day all customers who bring their own mugs into Verve cafes will receive 25 cents off their purchase.
Looking Ahead…
Pizza classes at Donna Jean -> On Monday, April 24 Chef Roy Elam will host a Pizza 101 class at his newly opened seasonal plant-based Italian restaurant, Donna Jean. Taking place in the evening, the hands-on class will teach you everything you need to know about the pizza making process from baking a crispy chewy dough to mastering the art of toppings. Tickets cost $85 per person and includes dinner and drinks. More info here.
KCRW’s Good Food PieFest & Contest -> Mark your calendars Angelenos cause KCRW’s PieFest is back at Royce Quad at UCLA on Sunday, April 30. Featuring hundreds of pies, baking demos, a marketplace, beer garden, kids activities, and more the event is free to attend and a perfect excuse to satisfy all sweet tooth’s. More info here.
Pizza City Fest -> Twenty pizza vendors are expected to fire up their signature pies for Pizza City Fest (April 29-30) a new food festival happening at L.A. Live. It’s not just pizza, a number of salad vendors, dessert participants, collaborations as well as panels and demos from respected pizza masters will be part of the festival. Tickets start at $95. More info here.
Montrose Craft Beer Fest -> The Montrose Craft Beer Fest (April 30) showcases brewers and breweries from the Los Angeles area. Guests can enjoy beers paired with delicious food samples, various booths, lawn games and music. Tickets start at $55. More info here.
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