Thursday, June 26, 2008

LAaLALand List::: End of the JuneBoom!!!!


LAaLALanders,
Some of the highlights this week are the LA Film Festival free screening at downtown’s Grand Performances, free Native American plays at the Autry, Brazil’s Gilberto Gil gracing the Hollywood Bowl, various eco/green fests, free pilates and Zumba classes, and the commemoration of Chinatown’s 70th anniversary, a Warehouse sample sale, amongst many other options.
Enjoy!
LAaLA


FRIDAY, 6.27.08

Free LA Film Festival Screening of “Made in America”
Documentary filmmaker Stacy Peralta explores the dominant male subcultures that have formulated South Central Los Angeles’ formidable reputation. While telling the neighborhood’s development from a historical perspective, this fish out of water considers whether or not its distinct gang warfare is an American phenomenon.
Free
8pm
Grand Performances
California Plaza
300-350 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles 90071
http://lafilmfest.com/
www.grandperformances.org


Downtown Film Festival - Los Angeles Summer Screening Mixer
Check out the Festival Headquarters at Barker Block while enjoying a series of free short and feature film screenings prior to 8.13-17.08 festival.
Free
6pm
Barker Block
510-530 Hewitt St.
Los Angeles
http://www.dffla.com/


Teach Africa Program
Hosted by the UCLA African Studies Center in partnership with The Africa Society, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, and USAID, my former NYU professor/Kenyan writer/activist Ngugi wa Thiong’o and other illustrious speakers (The Honorable Amadou Ba, Senegal’s Ambassador to the US, Bernadette Paolo of The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, Sarah Moten of USAID Africa Bureau, and Gail Ifshin of Discovery Channel Global Education Fund) will discuss the importance of learning about Africa in US school curriculums. Resource materials will also be available. RSVP required.
Free with required RSVP @ africa@international.ucla.edu or 310-825-3686.
6-8:30pm; 6-7pm reception with discussion beginning at 7pm
UCLA James West Alumni Center: West Alumni Center is next to Pauley Pavilion @ Westwood Blvd. & Strathmore Ave
$8 parking @ structure 6
http://www.international.ucla.edu/africa


SATURDAY, 6.28.08

Free First Zumba Dance Fitness Workshop/Class
Try this fat blasting, 600 calorie-burning, high energy, cardio workout all set to diverse Latin beats under the guidance of charismatic teacher Maruca Medina. It’s a non-stop easy workout that can get you prepped for your next Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Bachata or Reggaeton club experience. Held at Hip Hop choreographer Fatima Robinson’s Los Feliz studio, this free first class should not be missed. And if you like it, the subsequent classes are $10/each. No class on Saturday 7.5.08.
First class free, $10 after
11am-12pm
Forsight Studios
3501Q West Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles 90026
323.823.9513


Summer Bazaar, Health Day & Free Class @ Pilates Studio City
Support LA Love’s “THE WORST CRIME Campaign” that’s bringing urgent attention to help end the sexual exploitation of children in America. Tryout a Pilates Mat, Nia Movement, Hip Hop, Belly Dancing, and or Drumming workshop/circle with Marla Leigh class for FREE/suggested donation of $10-15. There are also vendors offering fabrics, food, body products, clothing, jewelry, and even variety of holistic healing professionals.
9am–5:30pm
Pilates Studio City
11650 Riverside Drive
North Hollywood 91602
818.509.0914
http://www.pilatesstudiocity.com/


Divabetic Expo
Enjoy a fabulous day of free salon and spa services while becoming more informed about diabetes (in a fun way) at this event sponsored by Novo Nordisk and Divabetic.
Free
1-4pm
Register @ www.divabetic.org or 800.634.8888
Paramount Studios Sound Stage 10
5555 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood 90038
www.changingdiabetes-us.com.
http://www.divabetic.org/


Venice Eco-Fest
In the spirit of its location, this ecologically-themed festival takes over Venice Beach.
Free
10am-7pm
1594 Pacific Ave.
Venice 90291
866.220.2370
http://www.earthdayla.org/


Pounder-Koné Artspace & ART AIDS ART PRESENTS: Bead by Bead, Brick by Brick Opening Reception
Fabulous thespian CCH Pounder and talented her husband Boubacar Kone open this serene Atwater Village gallery for this unique exhibit features a giant glass-beaded sculpture by South Africa’s Monkeybiz Bead Project. They are a collective of 450 women from the impoverished townships surrounding Cape Town with a unique reinterpretation of traditional beading styles. Internationally, they’ve even sold out Sotheby’s of London and have fans like singer Annie Lennox, and Nobel laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. This show also highlights photographs and documentation by Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design team of students project Khayelitsha. Altadena’s Art Aids Art’s American organization’s activities focus on educating the public about South African culture and the HIV/AIDS crisis through presentations at universities, faith communities and private home gatherings. Proceeds from the exhibit will fund construction of eKhaya eKasi (Xhosa for “Home in the ‘Hood”), currently in progress. Annually, they lead an intergenerational group of volunteers to Cape Town to provide education and training in Khayelitsha.
Opening Reception: 6.28.08 from 6-9pm
Exhibition dates: 6.26-7.10.08
Gallery hours- Thursday-Sunday, 1 -7 pm
Pounder-Koné Artspace
3407 Glendale Blvd
Atwater Village
Los Angeles 90039


70th Anniversary of New Chinatown
Commemorate the milestone anniversary of “New Chinatown” with a 1940’s style big band music and dancing, projected montages of historic photos and movies shot in the district, and traditional period soda and cocktails. Why not dress-up in ‘30s and 40s dapper garb and participate in the "Best Costume Contest"?
Also, honor our Chinese American heroes who helped construct the West at the re-dedication of one of the original lost Central Plaza plaques and its original replica on which is inscribed the words “Dedicated to the Chinese Pioneers Who Participated in the Constructive History of California.” This is a family event!
Free
7-11pm
Central Plaza
943-951 N. Broadway
Los Angeles 90012
http://www.chinatownla.com/


Space is the Place
Bounce, rock and skate with afro wigs, disco funk, and Xanadu projected on the wall at this monthly rollerjam. Get your drank on and act the fool which working it out. Knee-pads and helmet recommended – just kidding! No rollerblades with brake-stoppers allowed!
$10
10pm-2am
Every 4th Saturday of the month
World on Wheels Roller Rink
4645 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles 90019
323.933.3333
http://spacerollerdisco.com/


The Bronx Zoo at La Cita
Get your drink specials while every hour on the hour there will be an APE ESCAPE where 4-7 bilkini-clad girls in gorilla masks will be released to pose for quick figure drawing sketches. How avant garde and reminiscent of art school?! LOL. Enjoy cocktails, figure drawing, and couture on the back patio. Here’s the catch: no cameras are allowed but you can bring your own drawing supplies, paper, clipboard, pencils, charcoal, etc. All this in funky Silverlake! This is a weekly event.
$5
2-8pm
La Cita
336 S Hill Street
Los Angeles 90013
enter through back entrance
213.687.7111
http://www.ghettogloss.com/


6th Annual Native American Inter-Tribal Fellowship Pasadena Pow Wow
Experience traditional indigenous dancing, frybread/NDN food, vendors and family fun at this non-alcoholic/drug-free event sponsored by NAITF and Native Hope International.
Free
10am-10pm
William Carey International University
1539 E. Howard St.
Pasadena


SUNDAY, 6.29.08
SHADES OF GRAY Art Exhibit Opening
Each artist explores life’s subtle and not-so-subtle ambiguities, from couture to the streets of Cuba.
Free
Reception 6.29.08 from 6-9pm
Exhibit from 6.29-8.3.08 – Exhibit hours are by appointment
Two Roads Gallery
4348 Tujunga Avenue
Studio City 91604
http://www.tworoadsgallery.com/


Caracol Marketplace
Visit the Boyle Heights neighborhood marketplace featuring books, jewelry, seed transplanting lessons, and an afternoon Rumba around 2pm every last Sunday of the month.
Free
10am-3pm
Proyecto Jardín
1718 Bridge Street
Los Angeles 90033
323.555.5212
www.myspace.com/caracolmarketplace


Playa Vista Concert Series featuring the Spazmatics
Pull out your lawn chairs, hoodies and blankets and settle down picnic style for The Spazmatics as they play their throwback classic 80s hits. Only in California!
Free
5:30pm
Playa Vista Concert Park
13020 Pacific Promenade
Los Angeles 90094

Pasadena Jazz Institute presents: Dos Maestros (Two Masters), pianist Haakon Graf (Nu-Jazz, Latin, Funk) & Afro-Cuban percussionist Jesus Diaz
Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, pianist, keyboardist, composer and producer Haakon Graf and accomplished Afro-Cuban Master percussionist and vocalist, Jesus Diaz perform together for the very first time. This is a rare opportunity to hear world music right in our backyards.
$10
10pm
Pasadena Jazz Institute
260 East Colorado Blvd. Suite 206
Pasadena 91101
http://www.lucumiyque.com/
http://www.pasjazz.org/
Gilberto Gil & Devendra Banhart @ the Hollywood Bowl
This unique double bill Brazilian tones thru the pioneers of samba, tropicalia and bossa nova. Enjoy Gil’s style and Banhart’s more traditional rhythms as they make a rare musical connection.
7-11pm
21+
Hollywood Bowl
2301 N. Highland Avenue
Hollywood 90068
323.850.2000
http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/

South Park Flea Market
Come Downtown for over 200 vintage, contemporary and collectible vendors offering varied fashions including clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes, and accessories. There’s also live music and food at this child and pet friendly weekly downtown LA event.
$2, Students with ID, Kids Under 12 & Seniors are free
9am-4pm
8th St. & Grand Ave.

MONDAY, 6.30.08:::::::::::::::::::::::

J.A.M. Sessions: Bollywood in Hollywood @ the Ford Amphitheatre! Listen to this Bollywood bhangra dance party with the stars of August's KHEL! There will also be live DJ, drums, and dance lessons provided by the blue13 dance company.
Free Entry & Parking
7pm
Ford Amphitheatre
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East
Hollywood 90068
http://www.fordtheatres.org/en/home/index.asp


ONGOING:::::::::::::::::

Marina del Rey WaterBus
Try something totally different and ride the Marina del Rey WaterBus for only $1/each way.
Service dates: 6.27-9.1.08 – Fridays 5pm-midnight; Saturdays 11am-midnight; and Sundays 11am-9 pm
$1 per person, one way
Burton Chace Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey 90292
marinadelrey.lacounty.gov


Free Shakespeare in Barnsdall Park 2008
The Independent Shakespeare troupe presents Twelfth Night, Henry IV parts one & two and Dr. Faustus this summer. Reservation directions: email which day you’ll attend, which play, and how many attendees you’re coming with to: boxoffice@independentshakespeare.com or call 323.836-0288 with the same info. In the event that a performance is full, up until 7 pm only those with reservations will be seated but after 7pm, it’s a free-for-all.
Free
6.26-8.24.08; Thursdays-Sundays 7:30pm
Barnsdall Park
4800 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood 90027
http://www.independentshakespeare.com/box-office/box-office.html


ALL WEEKEND:::::::::::::::::::::

2008 Native Voices at the Autry’s Festival of New Plays
View four innovative theatre pieces by emerging and established Native American playwrights held by the fabulous Autry resident Native Voices Theatre Company. There will be two plays per day.
Reservations requested: 323.667.2000, ext. 354.
Free
Saturday, 6.28.08 & Sunday, 6.29.08, 1pm & 4pm
Autry National Center, Museum of the American West
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles 90027
www.autrynationalcenter.org


32nd Annual Home Remodeling & Decorating Show & Eco-Expo
This touring exhibit is hosted by Steven J. Whittle, one of the nation’s most renowned renovation specialists, who will share his expertise through green living demos and tours. It shows consumers how to easily fully experience how being green can be quite convenient and applicable in daily life.
There’s even a 2,500 square foot “Living Green Home” that features four functional eco-friendly rooms, integrated throughout with green products, materials and appliances. HGTV’s “Small Space Big Style” resident interior designer and lifestyle enthusiast Libby Langdon created the rooms. Environmental experts will also be on hand for consultations and educated advice. And as the hunger strikes, Smokin’ Willie’s premium, all-natural barbeque sauces and rub award-winning chef Bill Kelley will do grilling demos and tastings on the Cooking Stage. Get your sample on!
For free passes, register at http://www.thehomeshow.com/register2.html
Friday, 6.27.08, 12-8pm; Saturday, 6/28/08, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 6.29.08, 10am-6pm
Los Angeles Convention Center: South Hall (Kentia)
1201 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles 90015


The Warehouse Sale @ The LA Convention Center
Happy shopper alert: 2 days of opportunity to buy high-end women’s and men’s designer jeans dirt cheap at up to 80% off! There’s Diesel, True Religion, Frankie B, Citizens of Humanity, 575 Denim, Joe's Jeans, Antik Denim, J & Company, etc, etc. There will also be luxurious 2B Free, Penguin, Paul Frank, BCBG, ABS, Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier, etc. hoodies, sweats, shirts, and tees. Don’t miss this chance! There will be a communal dressing room available on the premises.
Saturday, 6.28.08 & Sunday, 6.29.08 @ 10am-5pm
Friday, 6.27.08 VIP Private Sale with advance VIP Ticket for $15 or at the door for $25 and a GIFT BAG for the first 200 VIP Day customers at the Structured Parking at the West Hall - entrance from Cherry St
Los Angeles Convention Center - Petree Hall
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles
http://www.thewarehousesale.com/