CicLAvia’s 25th Car-Free Streets Event “Heart of the Foothills”
Perfect for the cyclist, walkers, joggers, skateboarders or scooterers! This car-free event has four hubs: in San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont. You can start anywhere and ride at your own pace through. From the old west flavor of downtown San Dimas, to the small town charm of La Verne, to the Midwestern vibe of Pomona, to the elegant tree-lined boulevards of Claremont, discover each town in a new way, or for the first time. In addition to the car-free streets, set against the magnificent backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, there will be food trucks and activity booths galore, art stations, two farmers’ markets and Earth Day celebrations.Free; Sunday, kick off: 8:30, streets car-free: 9 am – 4 pm; San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont. Participants may enter and exit the 6.5 miles of car-free streets anywhere along the route. (map attached or download here)
Festival of Books
I am such a book worm, so this festival is right up my alley. The LA Times Festival of Books returns to USC with panels, games, food trucks, and a book sale. Storytellers include the Black Eyed Peas, Dave Eggers, Vivica A. Fox, Patton Oswalt, Jorge Ramos, Maria Shriver and more. The festival’s Newstory zone, in its inaugural year, will showcase creative storytelling including podcasts, virtual reality, music, film and television. If you take Metro and keep your stub, you can save 10% on official merchandise. Festival highlights include nine outdoor stages and activity areas; Newstory zone: virtual reality and 360 experiences, variety shows, live improvisation, television and film screenings, conversations and other creative forms of expression; expert panels; art installations: a series of original murals curated by Branded Arts and the community Crenshaw District Hieroglyph Project from artist Lauren Halsey; over 200 exhibitors with books and merchandise for sale, activities and giveaways; musical performances, food trucks and more. On Friday, The Times’ 38th annual Book Prizes will honor novelist John Rechy with the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement, Glory Edim, founder of Well-Read Black Girl, with the Innovator’s Award, and 11 outstanding literary works published last year. $35+; Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm; University of Southern California (USC), University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90089
KCET’s Earth Focus Environmental Film Festival
The 2nd annual Earth Focus Environmental Film Festival in Los Angeles starts with an environmental shorts screening from UCLA’s Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies(LENS) program followed by four acclaimed films including March of the Penguins 2: The Next Step (10 am), The Last Animals (11 am), Evolution of Organic (noon), Jane (2:30 pm) and closing with a screening of two back-to-back episodes from KCET and Link TV’s new season of Earth Focus (5 pm), exploring how environmental changes are forcing all living creatures to adapt in order to survive. Each screening is introduced by a celebrity environmental activist and is followed by a panel Q&A. The full-day event that will also showcase green organizations in Los Angeles that include Heal the Bay, River LA, Sierra Club, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Project Save Our Sur, and L.A. Works. Enjoy a discounted deal of $5 for a popcorn and soda all day to attendees of the festival. Go Metro and take the Expo Line to the last stop: Downtown Santa Monica Station and walk a quick ten minutes to the festival. Attendees will receive a free KCET hat by showing a TAP card at check in. Tickets are available here; Saturday, 9:30 am-5 pm; Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Wild for the Planet
Kicking off on Earth Day weekend, learn about protecting the environment and animals at this annual event. The Zoo houses 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, giving you the opportunity to connect with animals through workshops, activities, keeper talks and more. All activities free with Zoo admission. $21, $18/ages 62+, $16/ages 2-12; Saturday through May 18; L.A. Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA
Celebrate Earth Day at Spinfish
Spinfish, known for putting a healthy “spin” on the favorite Hawaiian comfort food, will be offering $5 Green Bowls on Earth Day, at all Spinfish locations. The small signature Green Bowl” contains tofu and a mixed greens base, with the option to add various other toppings such as edamame, avocado, seaweed salad and more. Sunday; Santa Monica: 808 Wilshire Blvd Ste 100, Santa Monica, CA 90401; Pasadena: 36 W Colorado Blvd #7, Pasadena, CA 91105; La Cañada: 2265 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Earth Day Chalk Art Challenge
The King Harbor Association presents the 8th annual Earth Day Chalk Art Challenge. Taking place at the Sea Wall at the Redondo Beach Marina, participants of all skill levels are invited to create a chalk art drawing to celebrate Earth Day. The Sea Lab mobile touch tank will be on site or visitors to learn about local sea life. On the Wing Falconry will also be joining the event this year to showcase their amazing birds.The first 100 kids will receive non-toxic chalk, a recycled canvas bag, and paint to decorate the bag. Free; Saturday, 10 am–2 pm; Redondo Beach Marina – Sea Wall, 181 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (between Samba and the sport fishing pier)
Art, Music, Purpose
Celebrate the launch of TOMS’ Venice Collection with a community event featuring L.A.-based bands, short talks with community leaders and creatives, and interactive artwork. The event is a The Unlikely Florist with Everytable providing bites and The Dreaming Tree proving wine. Reameber to stay hydrated with planet-friendly company Boxed Water. Free; Saturday, 2 – 7 pm; The Unlikely Florist, 715 Hampton Dr, Venice, CA
Clean Made
Discover nontoxic goods, healthy foods and more at this brand new lifestyle festival from the people behind Artisan LA and LA Food Fest. Throughout the weekend enjoy a shopping marketplace filled with health and wellness products, interactive activations, cooking demonstrations, talks from industry leaders and much more. $20-$75; Saturday & Sunday; California Market Center, 110 E. 9th St. a727, Los Angeles, CA
Cherry Blossom Festival
Learn about Japanese culture with dancing, taiko drumming, tea ceremonies and more at Monterey Park’s 21st annual Cherry Blossom Festival. An array of international food vendors will also be on-site, including many authentic Japanese vendors. Free; Saturday 11 am-7 pm, Sunday 11 am-6 pm; Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave, Monterey Park, CA
57th Annual Wildflower Show
For over half a century this Wildflower Show has been one of the largest on the Northern and Western Hemispheres with over 600 species and varieties of wildflowers. The Museum partners with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) to hold this annual event. Over 30 members of the Native Plant Society spend over a week scouring Monterey County and beyond collecting the finest specimens of wildflowers blooming that spring. $8.95, $5.95/ages 4-18/students with ID/military, Free /3 years old and under/Museum Members and CNPS Members, $5 admission for Monterey County residents; Friday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm; 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
420 at Brack Shop Tavern
Brack Shop will offer Lagunitas’ “420 Ale” on tap, and has invited a representative to bring 420 schwag for you to meet. Plus, Brack Shop will also offer the Stoner Challenge – a $50 feast that is free if you finish the challenge in 42 minutes and 0 seconds. The $50 Stoner Challenge includes 8 sliders, 16 atomic wings, Heap o’ fries, and 1 doughnut. Friday; 525 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.232.8657
The WhiskyX Los Angeles
Sample from more than 40 distilleries at this expansive whisky tasting experience. There will also be food trucks, lifestyle activations and live music by acclaimed American folk band Dawes. $20-$125; Friday, 6- 10 pm; Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA
Horse Thief BBQ Launches Tap Takeover Series with Stone Brewing Co.
Horse Thief BBQ and Beer Garden’s Tap Takeover Series returns with Stone Brewing Co. The Escondido-based brewer will be taking over four taps at Horse Thief BBQ, located on the patio of Grand Central Market in DTLA. This week, Horse Thief will be serving Punk in Drublic, a collaboration between Fat Mike of NOFX and the Stone Brewing team, a hoppy lager that is extremely bold and flavorful. Inspired by the coastal cultures of Southern California and Australia, Stone’s Ripper Pale Ale will please lovers of both frothy peaks and hoppy green buds. This pale ale has an Aussie twist, with notes of juicy grapefruit and passion fruit. Stone’s VirtuALE IPA, a unique West Coast IPA, is full of big citrus notes of tropical fruit and highlights the resin qualities of Citra & Mosaic. Stone Tangerine Express IPA is made with tangerine purée, adding a pithy bitterness to the citrus flavor. This IPA also features a hint of pineapple to add complexity to the beer, creating a big and bold IPA. Future takeovers include Fort Point Beer Company (5/18); Avery Brewing Co. (6/15); Boulevard Brewing Company (7/20); Shiner (8/17); Concrete Jungle Brewing Project (9/21); and Modern Times (10/19). Friday, 5 pm – close; 324 Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Café Gratitude Larchmont’s 7 Year Anniversary
The plant-based gourmet restaurant will be hosting The Colorful Community Anniversary event with hosted, Justin Willman, food, drinks, music and a ton of fun activities including a photo booth, coloring wall and a discussion on gratitude. The event will feature a pop-up art gallery by artist Jon Marro, as well as his new book, Keepers of Color, with readings and performances by Ben Lee, Josh Radnor and Jason Mraz! Your ticket includes “I Am Colorful,” colorful tacos made with blue corn tortillas, served alongside GT’s Kombucha, juice flights and parfait style drinks. The festivities will be capped off with Café Gratitude’s version of a “funfetti” birthday cake. $25/advanced tickets, $30/door, $45/admission with a copy of the book; Sunday, 1 – 5 pm; 639 North Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Le Bon Garçon Opens
From pastry chef Justin Chao, Le Bon Garçon, a hybrid café/confection shop is now offering handmade, French-style caramels. You will find caramel filled waffles with a selection of coffee and additional breakfast items coming down the line. Eventually, Chao also plans to host events such as caramel making classes in the whimsical space. Chao, a lifelong food and dessert lover, pivoted from the corporate sector and moved to Paris to learn the art of French pastry. While training at Michelin-rated Le Meurice, he fell in love with and learned the art of French caramel, and began the company shortly upon his return to LA in 2010. Since then, he’s been selling his handcrafted treats online and at various specialty stores throughout Southern California. Le Bon Garçon’s brick & mortar location will offer seven flavors of caramels, including Mango Passionfruit, Macadamia Nut, Salted Caramel, Honey Lavender, Yuzu, Matcha, and Lemon Elderflower. Each caramel is cooked to smooth, creamy perfection in small, artisan batches, and stirred in traditional copper pots in order to get its optimal flavor. You will also be able to take home jars of caramel sauce from the shop’s in-house caramel fountain. La Bon Garçon is inspired by relaxing, lazy Sundays in Paris and the space recreates that feeling of a traditional Parisian café. Friday; 5158 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 424.272.6677
C Results with Brand Founder, Ole Henriksen at Sephora
Get your burning questions answered by Ole Henriksen himself and receive a complimentary mini facial from a brand expert that’s suitable for all skin types. You’ll also get a personalized skincare consultation featuring picks from the fan-favorite, vitamin-c-infused Truth Serum line. Free; Sunday, 12-7 pm; Sephora Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Renegade Craft Fair
This celebration of the DIY and maker spirit features around 250 artisans selling their wares, plus food and drink, workshops, music and more. Free; Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-6 pm; Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St, Los Angeles, CA
Little Tokyo Mini Golf Open
The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) is hosting this inaugural DTLA event. Each hole on the course showcases an art installation by local artists celebrates the past, present and future of Little Tokyo. Take a break from the tees and explore delicious bites in the area or opt for a stroll through the James Irvine Japanese Garden. See website for full lineup and mini golf pricing. Saturday & Sunday (also April 28th and 29th)
