-Weekend-Whaddup-
Once again, this is your handy-dandy -Weekend-Whaddup-… your not so insider’s guide to what’s up around Studio City and the Los Angeles area…
The Long Beach Grand Prix
when: Apr 11 – Apr 13 at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
where: Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, Ca
cost: $28 and up adults, kids free
the Whaddup:
This is a favorite of mine, a local institution. If you haven’t been, get there. I have great memories of this as a kid. My dad raced cars and seeing these guys lap the track at unbelievable speeds, on a closed course, with all that power and noise has to be seen to be believed.
The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is an open-wheel race held on a street circuit in Long Beach. The Long Beach Grand Prix is the longest running major “street” race held on the North American continent.
Ticket prices vary depending on date and seating, but you can check it out with the kids on the cheap side. General admission tickets for adults start at $28, and kids 12 and under are free with a ticketed adult.
more info:
The L.A. Times Festival of Books
when: Apr 12 – Apr 13 at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
where: Exposition Park, USC, Exposition Blvd. and S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, Ca
cost: Free
ages: All Ages
the Whaddup:
I got tired just reading through the website about all the activities going on at this fair, this one’s a keeper!
This year authors include Jon Klassen (This is Not My Hat), Oliver Jeffers (The Day the Crayons Quit), Levar Burton does Reading Rainbow Live!, David Shannon (Bugs in My Hair), and kids friendly cooks and sports stars and more. And in between readings and book signings with these authors, cool music acts for kids will take the stage. Don’t miss Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, Jose Luis Ortega, and more. There are tons more authors on this stage alone – remember to check the schedule so you don’t miss your favorites. Oh yeah, there’s some other stuff for grown ups, too.
The event is free. Parking at the USC campus is $10.
For more info:
Butterfly Pavilion
Open April 13 through September 1, 2014
The Whaddup:
More than 30 native North American butterfly species and an array of plants take up residence every summer for our much-anticipated living habitat, the Butterfly Pavilion. Wander through a unique changing ecosystem, witness free-flying creatures interacting with plant life, and emerge with a better understanding of the environment needed for the survival of these spectacular animals.
Tickets Click here.
Showcase for Butterflies
The Butterfly Pavilion showcases hundreds of butterflies and the plants that surround them, each visit to the Butterfly Pavilion throughout the summer can be a different experience!
Butterflies from Near and Far
- 20 species of California natives such as the Monarch, Mourning Cloak, and Buckeye
- 10 species of subtropical varieties from south Florida and Texas, such as the Malachite and the Grey Cracker
More about our Monarchs citizen science project here!
Puppet Festival
A Family Celebration of the Wonders of Puppet Theater
Sunday, April 13, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
ADMISSION
- $10 General
- $7 Seniors and Children over 12
- $5 Children 2–12
- FREE to Members and Children under 2
Walk-up tickets will also be available at the door on festival day, subject to availability.
Carpooling and early arrival are highly recommended.
Download a full schedule of activities and campus map here!
There is a whole lot going on at Skirball that day, check their website for a complete schedule.
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Pacific Opera Project. Photo: Martha Benedict
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Family Festival celebrating:
A Royal
Passion: Queen Victoria and Photography
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Admission: Free; no reservations required.
Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Celebration
Saturday, April 12
The Whaddup:
This year’s 16th annual Chumash Day Powwow will celebrate Native Americans from all over the country, representing hundreds of tribes who will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park. Native American food, craft vendors, tribal ceremonies and dances will be a part of the event on both days.
Saturday, April 12
11am-7:30pm
Grand Entry at 1pm
Sunday, April 13
10am-5pm
Grand Entry at 12pm
Admission and parking are both free. Parking and free shuttle will be on the corner of Civic Center and Webb Way; parking onsite at Malibu Bluffs Park will not be available.
Malibu Bluffs Park
24250 Pacific Coast Highway
Kids Rhythm Club @ Remo
Saturday, April 12
The Whaddup:
LA Puppet Fest Parade
Sunday, April 6
2nd Saturday at the Adobe
Saturday, April 12
The Whaddup:
Critters n’ Kids: Loveable Lemurs @ LA Zoo
Monday, April 7 through Saturday, April 12
Exciting Elephants – May 12, 13, 14, and 17
Non-members: $26 per child/adult pair
Peter Rabbit Day
Saturday, April 12
The Whaddup:
For more info: Event Website
LAKE SHRINE
AVOCADO FESTIVALS:
So, you like green things and avocados are on the short list… you’ve got a couple of places to visit this weekend. One is a bit of a haul but sounds like good time, come on… be adventurous and head down to Fallbrook in San Diego County for a big ol’ street fair with the green fruit at its center.
It’s that time again! The first avocado festival of 2014 is nearly here, which means avocado enthusiasts from all over the world will be heading to Fallbrook in San Diego County to celebrate the California Avocado. Fallbrook is a natural fit for the avocado festival as its roots go deep into California agriculture. The Fallbrook/Bonsall area has been an agricultural-based community since the earliest settlers arrived in the 1800
This street fair-style festival, taking place on Main Street, is accommodating to all ages (note: pets are prohibited in the main festival area, but there is a designated pet area – shown on the map below) with many activities happening throughout the day including:
- A Fallbrook Farmers Market
- A Guacamole Contest
- The Art of the Avocado Contest
- The Avo 500 Children’s Car Race
- The Best Decorated Avocado Contest
Additionally, the festival attracts all kinds of vendors, including:
- California Avocado growers
- Avocado Packers
- Arts and Crafts (art and jewelry)
- Breweries
- Food (including the famous avocado ice cream!)
Los Angeles AVOCADO Festival
The Whaddup:
- La Placita Olvera is located right across the street from Union Station and one block from Chinatown.
It’s the host of many beautiful traditions held by our Latin Community. Also known as El Pueblo de Los Angeles is a traditional Mexican style plaza area with shops for handcrafted Mexican souvenirs. Olvera Street is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles in 1781.The avocado fruit was introduced from Mexico to California in the 19th century. Some 90% of United States avocado production is located in Southern California, with 60% in San Diego County.While dozens of cultivars are grown, the Hass avocado is today the most common. It produces fruit year-round and accounts for 80% of cultivated avocados in the world. Peru, Chile and Mexico are the avocados exporter to USA.The avocado is very popular in cuisine dishes, meats, sandwiches, Seafood, California sushi rolls, salads as well as a spread on corn tortillas or toast served with spices like the Mexican dip known as guacamole.
Generally, avocado is served raw and is also often eaten as a fruit, eaten alone, or mixed with other fruits. They are generally available throughout the year, they are the most abundant and at their best during the beginning of spring in California.
At the “Los Angeles AVOCADO Festival” (free entrance to the public) in La Placita Olvera more than 15,000 people will taste a variety of Dishes serve with lots of Avocado or Guacamole provided by all type of ethnicity food vendors and local Restaurants of Los Angeles area. Attendants can also enjoy Crafts, live entertainment, free ruffle to win gifts, cooking recipe books, Commercial Products, free health screenings, services and information provided by all type of exhibitors.
- Official Website
- Sunday, April 13, 2014 10:00am-6:00 pm
Olvera Street
845 N Alameda StLos Angeles, CA 90012
DESPICABLE ME MINION MAYHEM:
Universal Studios Hollywood is debuting its splashy ride for the warm-weather season. By the way, expect to see minions. Personally I’d wait a couple of weeks to check this one out, for two reasons.
1. Crowds are brutal when this sort of thing first opens.
2. Wait for the heat, any wet ride is best tried when it’s hotter than 80 degrees out.
DEATH VALLEY FLOWERS:
The national park is expecting a much bigger wildflower bloom than expected, right now, this minute, so if you want to see petals in the desert, go, go, go.