Los Angeles

Weekend roundup

Los Angeles Weekend Events Roundup April 11-14

The L.A. Times Festival of Books returns to USC.

Art, film and book fests plus Game of Thrones cocktails and lots more…Here’s our top Los Angeles weekend event picks for April 11-14.

Edited by William Yelles.

EVENTS

Backstreet Boys: The Experience
Now Open. Relive the ’90s at the Grammy Museum’s interactive exhibition that pays tribute to the legendary boy band’s nearly three-decade career. Record a message directly to the group in the fan confessional booth. Plus band memorabilia, wardrobe, photos, artwork and more. Su-M and W-Th 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., F-Sa 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $15 GA; $13 students, children and seniors. 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.765.6800. grammymuseum.org

 

 

The Wonder World
Now Open. Following a successful run in New York, this pop-up art installation has set up shop in Hollywood. Explore a mushroom garden, steep in a giant teacup, splash in a bubble swimming pool and soar to the moon plus more Instagrammable moments. Su-M and W-Sa 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $19-$30. 7080 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. Tickets

 

 

 

Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles
April 11-14. The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) will present a diverse and prestigious lineup of narrative and documentary features and shorts during its 17th annual event. Opening and closing night galas begin with a screening of a feature film followed by receptions that include Indian food, music and dance performances. Opening night includes a tribute to famed Indian actress Tabu. See website for film titles, schedule and ticket prices. Regal Cinemas L.A. Live 14, 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown. indianfilmfestival.org

 

TCM Classic Film Festival
April 11-14. Now in its 10th year, the event brings beloved movies and the people who made them to iconic venues in the heart of Hollywood, including the Egyptian Theatre, TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Roosevelt. This year’s theme is “Follow Your Heart: Love at the Movies,” celebrating love in all of its forms. See romantic classics including From Here to Eternity, Gone With the Wind and a special 30th-anniversary screening of When Harry Met Sally with Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal and director Rob Reiner in attendance. See website for show times and ticket prices. filmfestival.tcm.com

 

Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
April 12-14. Expect car races, concerts, a Grand Prix 5K run, car displays, rock-climbing walls, racing simulators and more fun, family-friendly options, plus a lifestyle expo featuring green technology, at this 45th annual event. See website for schedule. One-day admission $27-$90; three-day pass $65-$147. 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 888.827.7333. gplb.com

 

 

Artists & Fleas Spring Fest
April 13. The weekly marketplace featuring 50+ art, design, clothing merchants and food trucks celebrates creativity with special added workshops, demonstrations and more. Make your own necklaces and Easter baskets, get your aura photographed or enjoy a sensory herbal tea experience. The mobile Moon Cat Cafe will be there with adoptable cats, cat-themed artisan goods and coffee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. artistsandfleas.com

 

 

Record Store Day
April 13. The annual global celebration of the culture of the independent record store includes dozens of participating merchants in the L.A. area. Special vinyl releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day. Many stores feature pop-up performances and other festivities. See website for a complete list of stores and schedule of events. recordstoreday.com

 

 

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
April 13-14. Authors, booksellers and readers mingle on the USC campus during this celebration of the written word, billed as the largest literary festival in the world. Expect conversations with high-profile authors, live bands, poetry readings, chef demos, cultural entertainment, artists creating work on-site, over 200 exhibitors, film screenings followed by Q&A’s and discussion panels on hot topics. This year’s lineup of over 500 authors includes Chelsea Clinton, Roxane Gay, Dave Barry and Eva Chen. See website for schedule. Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Parking $12. latimes.com

 

Hop Into Trancas
April 14. Take a scenic road trip up the coast to western Malibu as the Trancas Country Market shopping center welcomes guests to celebrate spring with family-friendly activities, an epic Easter egg hunt, arts and crafts, sweet spring treats, and festive in-store giveaways. In addition, Vintage Grocers and Chabad of Malibu will be hosting a matzoh-making and springtime arts and crafts table for kids. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 30745 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 818.817.0550. trancascountrymarket.com

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

Chocolate Bunny Ice Cream
Now Available. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams hops into Easter season by launching a limited-time, in-store only release of its Chocolate Bunny flavor: milk chocolate ice cream scented with vanilla and marshmallow. It’s like biting the head off a chocolate bunny—only better. 123 N. Larchmont Blvd., Hancock Park, 323.745.0407; 1954 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz, 323.928.2668; 540 Rose Ave., Venice, 310.314.2024; 4751 Commons Way, Suite A, Calabasas, 818.912.6490. jenis.com

 

Flower Crown Pie Holes
Now Available. Get into the festival spirit with The Pie Hole LA’s Flower Crown Pie Holes — fruit flavor pie bites topped with whipped cream and a colorful, edible spring flower. $1.50 each. 714 Traction Ave., Arts District, 213.537.0115; 658 Americana Way, Glendale, 818.945.5249; 6314 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.963.5174; 59 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626.765.6315; 324 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, 310.314.3114. thepieholela.com

 

 

Game of Thrones Cocktails
April 12. Big Bar salutes the final season of Game of Thrones with a month-long GOT-themed cocktail menu—kicking off with a party that is sure to be a hit across every house of Westeros. The bar will transform into the different realms of Westeros, including a real ice wall and specialty cocktails inspired by the show. One cocktail called “Little Bear” is inspired by Lady Lyanna Mormont of Bear Island. It features Aberfeldy Scotch, berries, honey, rosemary and a grain powder rim and is served in a small bear glass. 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. 1929 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. Info

 

ARTS + CULTURE

Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite
Opens April 11. Through 40+ iconic images, this new exhibition at The Skirball shows how Brathwaite—a key, under-recognized figure of the second Harlem Renaissance—used his art to popularize “Black Is Beautiful,” now considered one of the most influential cultural movements of the 1950s and 1960s. Tu-F noon-5 p.m., Sa-Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $12 GA; $9 students and seniors; $7 children; free to all on Thursdays. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Bel-Air, 310.440.4500. skirball.org

 

The Gloaming
April 12. CAP UCLA presents The Gloaming, an Irish band that enhances traditional Irish music’s rich, melancholic tones with modern hues of jazz, contemporary classical, and experimental music. Passed down the generations, the songs cover historical events, love poems or bittersweet accounts of loss and emigration. 8 p.m. $29-$59. The Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, downtown, 310.825.2101. cap.ucla.edu

 

 

LA Art Book Fair
April 12-14. Nearly 400 exhibitors from 31 countries including artists, galleries, booksellers and publishers come together to host workshops, performances and other programs. The event draws more than 35,000 individuals including book lovers, collectors, artists, and art world professionals each year. See website for schedule. F 1-7 p.m., Sa 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 N. Central Ave., downtown. printedmatterartbookfairs.org

 

Black Super Hero Magic Mama
Through April 14. Los Angeles-based playwright Inda Craig-Galván’s new play—world-premiering here—follows Sabrina, a mother who copes with her teenage son’s police-shooting death by getting lost in the comic-book fantasy world he had created. See website for show times and ticket prices. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.org

 

 

Valerie Jarrett
April 14. The longest-serving senior advisor in the Obama White House shares her personal story as a daughter, mother, lawyer, business leader and public servant in conversation with CNN political commentator Angela Rye. All ticket buyers will receive a copy of Jarrett’s memoir Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward. VIP tickets include a post-performance reception. 3 p.m. $55-$125. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org

 

Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín
Upcoming | April 17. This unique multimedia concert-drama tells the story of the courageous Jewish prisoners in the Terezín concentration camp who performed Verdi’s monumental Requiem Mass while experiencing the depths of human degradation. Murry Sidlin conducts the Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale, with actors David Prather and Tony Award winner John Rubinstein. 8 p.m. $45-$133. Royce Hall, UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, Westwood. Tickets

 

 

Photos: Backstreet Boys: The Experience courtesy Grammy Museum. Indian Film Festival (Tabu) courtesy IFFLA. When Harry Met Sally courtesy TCM. Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach courtesy Grand Prix of Long Beach. Artists & Fleas Spring Fest courtesy Artists & Fleas. Hop Into Trancas courtesy Trancas Country Market. Chocolate Bunny Ice Cream courtesy Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Flower Crown Pie Holes courtesy The Pie Hole. Game of Thrones Cocktails by Eugene Lee. Black Is Beautiful (Kwame Brathwaite. Sikolo Brathwaite wearing a headpiece designed by Carolee Prince, AJASS, Harlem, 1968) courtesy the artist and Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles. The Gloaming by Rich Gilliga. LA Art Book Fair courtesy @printedmatter_artbookfairs/Instagram. Black Super Hero Magic Mama by Chris Whitaker. Valerie Jarrett ©️ Pete Souza, Courtesy Barack Obama Presidential Library.

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