-Weekend-Whaddup – August 8th & 9th
Family Art Stops at The Getty
when: Aug 7 at 11:30 a.m.
where: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, Ca
how much: Free
who: Five and Over
the Whaddup:
You like museums and art, but can’t figure out how to get your little ones to quit yawning and asking for their next snack. Family Art Stops has a plan for you:
A gallery teacher (someone who knows how to deal with kids) will greet you in the Museum Entrance Hall and lead you to a family-friendly work of art. You might meet a Renaissance oil painting, a 45-foot-tall steel sculpture, or an opulent tapestry adorned with scampering exotic animals. You and your family will look and learn together as you participate in fun activities such as puzzles, drawing, role-playing, and even an artistic version of Mad Libs. Activities and works of art change frequently, making each visit a new experience.
The tours are free, but you need to sign up at the Information Desk beginning at 11 a.m. for the 11:30 a.m. program on the day you’d like to participate.
more info: website
Hollywood Children’s Festival of the Arts
when: Aug 9 at noon to 4:30 p.m.
where: Paramount Studios
how much: free
who: everyone
the Whaddup:
This is a day of fun for the whole family, filled with cultural arts performances, music, and activities for children of all ages. There are workshops like wand-making (Harry Potter fans?), dreamcatchers, masks, puppets, calligraphy, improv, and more. Performers will be the Stunt Kids of Hollywood, Alfonso from the Magic Castle, Karmagraphy, the Double Dutch House and more. Kids can also fulfill a lifelong dream of being a cat (or ice queen) for a day with a talented face painter, or hit the bubble station for endless bubble-popping fun!
more info: website
CicLAvia: Culver City Meets Venice
when: Aug 9 at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
where: Culver City to Venice, Washington and Venice, Los Angeles, Ca
cost: Free
ages: All Ages
the Whaddup:
For this edition of CicLAvia, the route for participants goes from Tara (the old Culver Studios) to Muscle Beach in Venice! Grab your wheels, of just about any sort (or shoes), for LA’s biggest block party. The route from downtown Culver City to Venice Beach is closed to cars.
This route is a six-mile variation of the previous CicLAvia Westside route, it allows folks to explore more of Culver City’s charming neighborhoods, eclectic businesses and delicious restaurants, as well as connect with such Westside treasures as the Mar Vista Farmers Market, Abbot Kinney and Venice Beach.
Check the detailed map to see where you can take the metro to or bike to to get started.
more info: website
Harry Potter Hamlet
when: Weekends in August
where: Media Park, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City
how much: Free
who: everyone
the Whaddup:
There are plenty of fabulous Shakespeare shows happening all over town this summer. But if you’re a kid, there is only one you absolutely won’t want to miss. It’s this one –Harry Potter Hamlet brought to you by The Actors’ Gang. This production crosses the two beloved stories to create a magical and suspenseful journey of family, friendship, justice, and coming of age. Never has the bard been so contemporary – or so concise! To cast a spell or not to cast a spell, that is the question…
Shows run every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. for the month of August. Bring a picnic, lawn chairs, sunscreen (plenty of it, as shade is sparse) and blankets!
more info: website
Summer Star Festival
when: Aug 8 at 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
where: Paramount Ranch, 2813 Cornell Rd., Agoura Hills, Ca
how much: free
who: everyone
the Whaddup:
Astronomers, like everyone with a passion, love to share information. In this case, it’s about our solar system and beyond. Telescopes will be directed towards the Moon, Saturn, and other objects in the Milky Way Galaxy.
Learn about nocturnal animals and ecology from naturalists. Bring a flashlight with a red lens or a red cellophane filter so that your eyes stay ready to see everything the sky has to offer.
more info: website
Friday Night Jazz at LACMA
when: Fridays through Sep 25
where: Miracle Mile, LACMA, 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca
how much: Free
who: All Ages
the Whaddup:
Bring something warm, you may find there’s a nip in the air. Snacks are a necessity, something to help entertain the little ones. You’ll want something to sit on, blankets and folding chairs are a great place to start. This is every Friday from April 18th through the end of October.
Bring the kids early to snag great seats and let them run around Hancock Park, rolling down the hill and exploring the tar pits before the concert starts. And remember that the museum is free to all Los Angeles County residents after 5 p.m. on Fridays (Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays too!), so be sure to check out the latest exhibits.
more info: website
Polo Match at Will Rogers
when: Aug 8 at Various times
where: Will Rogers State Park, 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd., Pacific Palisades, Ca
cost: Free
ages: All Ages
the Whaddup:
Have your kids ever seen the “Game of Kings” played live? It’s majestic and relaxing to lounge on a blanket with a picnic brunch or lunch and watch horses pound up and down the field right before you. (Players often let the kids on the field between matches to meet the horses.) Learn a little bit about polo, watch a match and then hike the park or tour Will Rogers old house (he was a huge horse and polo fan).
Matches are free and open to the public all summer. There are matches most Saturdays from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
more info: website
Two Milk Minimum
when: every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
where: Flappers, 102 East Magnolia Blvd., Burbank
cost: $10 (and 2 items)
ages: All Ages
the Whaddup:
Grab your kids and come on down for a funny, family friendly comedy show. There aren’t many of those around. That’s okay, but this is something for the whole family.
There’s a full grown up menu and also a super cool kids menu (feed ’em for $5!). The resident host and emcee, Michael Rayner, has performed his comedy juggling show at all over the world. His television appearances include: The Late Show with David Letterman, 30 Seconds to Fame, The Extreme Gong Show and The Gong Show with Dave Attell, Attack of the Show, numerous Nickelodeon shows and Sesame Street. His Bananas one-hour comedy special is currently airing in syndication nationwide.
more info: website
Getty Garden Concerts: Lisa Loeb
when: Aug 8 – Aug 9 at 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
where: The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, Ca
cost: Free
ages: 2-8
the Whaddup:
This free outdoor music series for kids and their families takes place in the Getty Center’s Central Garden. This is a great place to visit even without entertainment, but the Getty is featuring some of the best children’s musical artists from across the nation—like Lisa Loeb!
Twenty years after her platinum-selling hit song “Stay (I Missed You),” the Grammy-nominated pop star Lisa Loeb has channeled her wit, humor, and sparkling creativity into the world of children’s music.
more info: website