From Earth Day celebrations to wine dinners and new theater shows, check out the top LA weekend events for April 19-22.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
EVENTS
Earth Day L.A.
Apr. 19. The Music Center and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power join forces with Grand Park for the city’s largest Earth Day celebration. Expect performances, plant giveaways, e-waste drop off stations, arts and crafts, composting workshops and much more. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown. grandparkla.org
The Taste of the Valley
Apr. 19. Explore indulgences from local restaurants, wineries and microbreweries at the San Fernando Valley’s largest wine-tasting and food festival. Net proceeds will benefit the Valley Cultural Center. 21+. 5-8 p.m. $50+. Westfield Topanga, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. valleycultural.org
The WhiskyX Los Angeles
Apr. 20. Sip your way through more than 40 distilleries at this expansive whisky tasting experience. To balance the bout of booze, grab a bite at a myriad of food trucks, explore lifestyle activations or take in live music by acclaimed American folk band Dawes. See website for full list of participating distilleries and food trucks. 6-10 p.m. $20-$125. Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. Tickets
Art, Music, Purpose
Apr. 21. 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 Unlikely Florist plays host to the gathering while Everytable provides bites and The Dreaming Tree keeps the wine flowing; planet-friendly company Boxed Water will be on-hand to keep guests hydrated through the day. 2-7 p.m. Free. The Unlikely Florist, 715 Hampton Dr., Venice. Info
Earth Day Chalk Art Challenge
Apr. 21. This 8th annual event invites participants of all ages to create Earth Day-inspired drawings. The Sea Lab mobile touch tank and Waterfront Education will also be on-site for visitors to learn about local sea life, plus the first 100 kids will receive non-toxic chalk, a recycled canvas bag and paint to decorate the bag. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Redondo Beach Marina Sea Wall, 181 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach. visitkingharbor.com
Cherry Blossom Festival
Apr. 21-22. 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. Sa 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park. montereypark.ca.gov
Clean Made
Apr. 21-22. Discover nontoxic goods, healthy foods and more at this brand new lifestyle festival from the visionaries 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. See website for hours. $20-$75. California Market Center, 110 E. 9th St. a727, downtown. cleanmade.com
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Apr. 21-22. Authors, booksellers and readers mingle on the USC campus during this two-day celebration of the written word. Expect conversations with high-profile authors, live bands, poetry readings, chef demos, cultural entertainment, artists creating work on-site, a photography exhibit, film screenings followed by Q&A’s and discussion panels on hot topics. Check website for lineup and schedule. Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free, parking $12. University of Southern California, University Park Campus, L.A. events.latimes.com
Little Tokyo Mini Golf Open
Apr. 21-22, 28-29. The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) plays host to this inaugural DTLA event. Each hole on the course showcases an art installation by local artists paying tribute to 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. visitlittletokyo.com
Wild for the Planet
Apr. 21-May 18. Kicking off on Earth Day weekend, learn about protecting the environment and its creatures at this annual event. The Zoo itself is home to 1,100 animals representing 250 different species—many of which are rare or endangered—providing the perfect opportunity for adults and kids alike to connect personally with animals through workshops, activities, keeper talks and more. All activities free with Zoo admission. $21 ages 13-61; $18 ages 62+; $16 children ages 2-12. L.A. Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr., L.A. lazoo.org
CicLAvia Heart of the Foothills
Apr. 22. Several miles of L.A.’s normally congested streets turn into a car-free park for a walk and bike tour of the city. For the first CicLAvia of 2018, the event celebrates Earth Day with a brand-new route through San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont. See website for additional route details. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 213.355.8500. ciclavia.org
FOOD + DRINK
Citizen Mustard Pop-Up
Apr. 19. This Thursday, chef Megan Marlow kicks off a weekly, upscale plant-based dining pop-up. The menu—which rotates each month—features the likes of miso-beet and tahini tartare, and Meyer lemon cheesecake. 7-10 p.m. $245 (includes tax and gratuity); 5 percent of proceeds will be donated to charity: water. Location to be revealed. citizenmustard.com
Sunset & Symphony
Apr. 19. Wine and dine under the stars at SoCal historic landmark The Langham Huntington, Pasadena. The hotel’s exceptional culinary team whips up a multi-course family-style feast—complete with wine pairings—while the Pasadena Symphony serenades throughout the evening. 10 percent of proceeds from all ticket sales will benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a nonprofit that helps homeless families rebuild their lives. 6-9 p.m. $150 (includes tax, gratuity and valet parking). 1401 South Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, 626.568.3900. langhamhotels.com
Wine Dinner with Qupé Vineyards
Apr. 19. Sit back and relax in the Santa Monica Mountains at this special one-night-only dinner. Qupé Vineyards’ winemaker Bob Lindquist will be on-hand pouring while chef Adam Horton dishes up a masterful four-course menu. Pairings for the evening include olive oil poached salmon (spiced butter, shiitake, sorrel, bok choy) with Qupé Grenache and “filet mignon” of buffalo paired with Qupé Syrah. 7 p.m. $125 (excludes tax and gratuity). The Library, Saddle Peak Lodge, 419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas, 818.222.3888. saddlepeaklodge.com
The Monterey Bay Bowl
Through May 31. SoCal fast-casual poke concept Sweetfin joins forces with The Monterey Bay Aquarium for its new seasonal bowl. The Monterey Bay Bowl features lemongrass ginger glazed Spanish octopus (wild and sustainably-caught), forbidden rice, charred Chile mayo, avocado purée, Napa cabbage, carrots and cucumber with wasabi crispy onions. See website for all L.A. locations. $13.95. sweetfinpoke.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
Renegade Craft Fair
Apr. 21-22. This celebration of the DIY and maker spirit features around 250 artisans selling their wares, plus food and drink, workshops, music and more. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., L.A. renegadecraft.com
Spa Week
Through Apr. 22. This biannual event sees participating spas around the city offer signature treatments (massages, scrubs and facials that usually cost $100-$500) for just $50. See website for full list of spas and wellness locations. 212.352.8098. spaweek.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Getty Villa: New Renovations and Exhibitions
Opens Apr. 18. The picturesque Getty Villa—a real-life replica of Villa dei Papiri, buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.—rings in the spring season with a complete reinstallation of its antiquities collection. Complementing the reinstallation are 100+ new objects on display, plus two new long-term exhibitions: Palmyra: Loss and Remembrance highlighting funerary portrait sculptures from Syria, and Plato in L.A.: Contemporary Artists’ Visions featuring works by some of today’s most celebrated contemporary artists. W-M 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free, $15 parking. The Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades. getty.edu
“Cheech & Chong: Still Rolling — Celebrating 40 Years of Up in the Smoke”
Opens Apr. 20. Explore the makings of cult stoner film Up in the Smoke at the Grammy Museum’s latest exhibition. 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the Grammy-winning comedy duo’s classic hit; the original marked-up script, master tape, comedy sketches and select items from Cheech Marin’s personal collection Chicano art will be on view. Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.765.6800. grammymuseum.org
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Apr. 20-21. Founded nearly 50 years ago, the Dance Theatre of Harlem brings a thrilling and eclectic program of neo-classical and contemporary ballet for a special two-night performance at The Broad Stage. Program highlights include Brahms Variations, choreographed by Robert Garland (2016), Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven, choreographed by Ulysses Dove (1993) and Vessels, choreographed by Darrell Grand Moultrie (2014). F 7:30 p.m., Sa 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $60+. The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.com
“Love Never Dies”
Through Apr. 22. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera is a story of boundless love, passion and drama. This new touring production reflects an extensive reworking of the material by an Australian creative team. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
“Belleville”
Through May 13. The official State Theater of California welcomes a new thriller to the stage this month. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog, this Hitchcock-style drama follows a young American couple living in what appears to be the perfect ex-patriot life in Paris. But when Abby finds Zack at home one afternoon when he’s supposed to be at work, their marriage begins to show cracks as an ordinary night becomes not so ordinary. See website for showtimes. $25+. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Ave., Pasadena, 626.356.7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
Earth Day Chalk Art Challenge photo courtesy of Visit Redondo. Wild for the Planet photo by Jamie Pham. Citizen Mustard photo courtesy of the pop-up. Getty Villa photo by Christina Wiese. “Love Never Dies” photos by Brinkhoff/Moegenburg.
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