Events
Festival of Books
April 22-23. The 28th annual LA Times Festival of Books, Stories, and Ideas showcases over 500 writers, poets, artists and storytellers. Notable highlights include appearances by Meghan Trainor, Laura Dern, Max Greenfield, Jennifer Garner, Roxane Gay, Stacey Abrams, and many more. Free; indoor panel reservations include a fee. Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. USC Campus, 850 West 37th Street, Los Angeles. events.latimes.com
Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival
April 21-23. Lace up your boots and get ready for The Cowboy Festival, making its grand return to Main Street in Old Town Newhall. This event will have over 20 live music performances, western swing dancing, vintage vendors, and a variety of other western-themed festivities. Take a stroll through a western-town environment, participate in activities such as hatchet throwing and gold panning, and treat yourself to a Dutch oven peach cobbler and barbecue. Times vary per day. 22400 13th Street, Santa Clarita. Get Tickets Now
PetSpace Earth Day
April 22. Join the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace for an Earth Day celebration and interact with amphibians and reptiles from the SW Herpetologists Society, learn about conservation efforts from guest speakers, and more. Food truck provided by Energy Smoothie Bar. Free admission. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 12005 Bluff Creek Drive, Los Angeles. annenbergpetspace.org
Pancakes & Booze Art Show
April 22. One of the largest pop-up live music and arts movements to date showcasing a lineup of over 100 local artists and 750+ pieces of art. Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, groove to the beats of live audio performances by local DJs and music producers, and witness live body painting demonstrations. Starts Saturday, 8 p.m. 4067 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. pancakesandbooze.com
Food + Drinks
New Pop-Up Food Series at The Aster
April 23. The Aster introduces a culinary pop-up series called “Food as Art,” featuring guest Chef Mads Refslund from NOMA. The three-day event offers an exclusive five-course dinner experience with seasonal ingredients plated as art and providing interactive opportunities with Chef Mads himself. Wine and cocktail pairing options will also be available. Starts Sunday, 6 p.m. 1717 Vine St., Los Angeles. Get Tickets Now
BIKE TO CARE Walk Around Tasting
April 23. Redbird is organizing a unique tasting event in support of chefs dedicating their talents to BIKE TO CARE, benefiting emerging talent in the hospitality industry. Renowned chefs Elizabeth Falkner, Neal Fraser, Mary Sue Milliken, Aarón Sánchez, and Sandra Cordero will be present for a walk-around tasting in the scenic Redbird Garden. Sunday, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. 114 E 2nd Street, Los Angeles. Get Tickets Now
Wine Flights and Bites with Tooth & Nail Winery
April 20. Discover the full backstory of Tooth & Nail and meet it’s creators at SALT Restaurant & Bar for a wine tasting event. Enjoy charcuterie, cheese, tuna sashimi, and oysters on the half shell as well. Starts Thursday, 7 p.m. 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey. Get Tickets Now
Hot Dog on a Stick Reopens in Muscle Beach
April 22. The iconic Hot Dog on a Stick at Muscle Beach is hosting a grand reopening celebration to coincide with the brand’s anniversary month. The event will feature free small Original Lemonades, a lemon-stomping station, complimentary limited-edition swag, and more. Saturday, 2 -4 p.m. 1633 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica. More Info
Arts + Culture
Lea Salonga at The Soraya
April 22-23. Lea Salonga, the singer famous for her Disney-animated roles as Mulan and Princess Jasmine, will be returning to The Soraya with her Broadway hits, Disney classics, pop favorites, and more. Saturday, 8 p.m. and Sunday, 3 p.m. 18111 Nordhoff St., Los Angeles. thesoraya.org
Earth Day and Spongebob at NHM
April 22. The Natural History Museum of LA County presents an Earth Day-themed event featuring live music, hands-on activities, and up-close encounters with museum collections. In partnership with Nickelodeon, the event will also include live drawing demonstrations and photo opportunities with Spongebob and Patrick, exploring the science of the show Spongebob. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Exposition Park 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. nhm.org
Party/After-Party at MOCA Geffen Contemporary
Now Open. Detroit techno DJ and producer Carl Craig presents Party/After-Party, 2020, an immersive environment that offers a visceral sound and somatic experience. Taking from Craig’s 30-year career as a DJ, this installation takes visitors on a sound journey through a night club, from the anticipation before the crowd arrives to the pulsing apex of the party, and finally to the melancholic embrace of the after-party. Times vary, check website for details. 152 North Central Ave., Los Angeles. moca.org
A Cinematic Eye at KP PROJECTS
Opens April 22. Photojournalist and photographer Henri Dauman celebrates his 90th birthday with the opening of his latest solo exhibition, “A Cinematic Eye,” at KP PROJECTS. Dauman’s evocative images depict celebrities, musicians, politicians, pop culture icons, and pivotal events ranging from Brigitte Bardot to the ERA movement of the 60s. Opening reception is on Saturday, 6-9 p.m. 633 North La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. RSVP to svp@kpprojects.net, for more information click here.
Photo credit: Chef Mads photo by Purple PR Lifestyle. Andy Warhol by Hijinx Artist Management. Redbird by © Sierra Prescott 2018. Cowboy Festival Santa Clarita, Kevin Stanchfield. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
