Things to Do This Easter Weekend in L.A. [4-15-2022 to 4-17-2022]

Coachella weekend you say? Well, if you’re heading out to the desert valley you don’t need us pointing the way. You’ve got your tickets in hand. You know which parties you’re going to. What the rest of us need is an anti-Coachella guide. An Easter guide. This guide.

To that end, for April 15-17 in Los Angeles you’ll find new exhibitions at Skirball, a Moonrise Listening experience at LA Historic State Park, the debut of the Venice Art Walk Gallery, Odd Nights at The Autry, Your (Un)Natural Garden at Descanso Gardens, the Blessing of the Animals on Olvera Street, a BBQ book launch, a massive Easter Egg Hunt at Santa Anita, and plenty of Easter brunch ideas. Start below to scan your options. Enjoy your weekend.

Things to Do

New Exhibitions at Skirball -> Two new exhibitions open today at the Skirball Cultural Center, both firmly rooted in the immigrant experience. “I’ll Have What She’s Having”: The Jewish Deli traces the Jewish immigrant experience in America through the lens of the delicatessen, while Talking Back to Power: Projects by Aram Han Sifuentes centers on stories of immigrant garment workers in the United States. You can find a photo preview of the new exhibitions here.

Listening By Moonrise -> Clockshop’s quarterly Listening By Moonrise program returns to LA State Historic Park this Friday with a performance and immersive sound experiences featuring multiple multi-disciplinary sound artists. Free to attend, with a $5 suggested donation. More info here.

Venice Family Clinic Art Walk + Auction -> Starting this Friday, check out (and bid on) over 200 artworks at the Venice Art Walk Gallery (395 Santa Monica Place) as part of the benefit auction for Venice Family Clinic. The gallery is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. through May 1. Admission is free. More info here.

For Race and Country: Buffalo Soldiers in California -> A new exhibition opened this week at the California African American Museum explores the Golden State ties to members of the all-Black US Army regiment often mythologized in popular culture, film and music. Admission at CAAM is free. More info here.

Odd Nights at The Autry -> Odd Night at the Autry will run every third Friday of the month starting in April. Expect an indie bazaar populated with 80+ unique vendors, food trucks, and live music. More info here.

‘El Rey de Las Rancheras’ -> This Friday, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes will host a musical tribute to late Mexican Singer Vicente Fernandez. Enjoy mariachi music featuring Mariachi Angeles de Pepe Martinez Jr. and Las Colibrí, plus drinks and bites for sale on-site. Doors open at 6:30pm. Free to attend. More info here.

Euphoria Dance Party -> There’s a Euphoria themed dance party on Friday at Boardner’s in Hollywood. Expect two rooms of live DJs and a live performance by Doll Klaw, all presented by Club Decades.

The Association’s Cocktail Classes -> Mixologists at The Association in DTLA guide guests through a one-hour cocktail course that includes tastings of three to four craft cocktails, plus a social hour to follow featuring speciality pricing on cocktail offerings. Classes are $40. More info here

Art on Montana Avenue -> Looking for an evening walk destination? Illuminated art has taken over the Montana Business District this month, with ficus trees along Montana Avenue transformed (one per block) into pop-up art installations. Scope works that everything from whimsical butterflies and flowers to hanging lanterns, chandeliers, and colored panes. The installations will remain in place through September, so you’ve got plenty of time to plan a summer stroll. More info here.

Your (Un)natural Garden -> This Saturday, a new experience opens at Descanso Gardens created by Adam Schwerner, and offering colorful, interactive pop-up works located inside the Sturt Haaga Gallery, Boddy House, and throughout the rest of the garden grounds. Opens April 16 and runs through Jan. 8, 2023. Included with garden admission. More info here.

Blessing of the Animals -> This Saturday, The annual Blessing of the Animals on Olvera Street is back with an in-person for the first time since the pandemic struck. Archbishop Jose Gomez will be on hand to offer a blessing from 2 to 3 p.m., and entertainment runs from noon to 4 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.

Earth Day Festival -> April 22 is officially Earth Day this year, but you can celebrate this Saturday with a free festival held at Will Rogers State Park. Expect vegan food trucks, live music, free yoga classes, children’s activities, and special vendors. Entry is free, but parking will be charged at $3 per hour or $12 all day. More info here.

San Fernando Outdoor Market -> 25 storefronts and 70+ vendors will participate in this monthly night market in the City of San Fernando, beginning this Saturday April 16 and continuing on May 21 and June 25. More info here.

Hells Belle’s Burlesque -> North Hollywood cocktail bar Idle Hour welcomes a performance by Hells Belles Burlesque on the patio this Saturday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. More info here.

Renaissance Pleasure Faire -> Continuing this Saturday and Sunday, Ren-Faire enthusiasts can expect over 100+ artisans, merchants, and vendors, plus costume contests, games, rides, a food court and more, all taking place at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area from April 9 through May 22. This weekend is Pirate Weekend. Adult single-day admission starts at $38. More info here.

Easy Mornings at Grand Park (Starting April 16) -> Ease into your Saturdays with a little family-friendly programming at Grand Park starting at 10 a.m.. Pop-up activities are scheduled for April 16, 23, and 30. More info here.

Easter Egg Hunt at Santa Anita-> This Sunday, Santa Anita Park will host an Easter egg hunt featuring over 35,000 Easter eggs. Easter Sunday event will also include arts and crafts, egg decorating and sand art, carnival rides, a pony ride and a baby goats exhibit. Admission to the infield is $5, and each Easter Hunt package is $4. Get more info here.

Dining

Bludso’s Book Launch & Dinner Party -> In celebration of the release of his first cookbook, “Bludso’s BBQ Cookbook: A Family Affair in Smoke and Soul”, Kevin Bludso will host a launch event at Bludso’s Bar & Que this Saturday, April 16. Kevin will be joined by industry friends to cook items straight from the new cookbook. A look at the Bludso’s Instagram post shows there are at least 10 delectable items on the party menu including Wagyu Brisket, Smoked Leg of Lamb in gravy and Kevin’s legendary Rib Tips. Tickets are going fast for this event and cost $95 a person. Each guest will also receive a signed copy of the new Bludso’s Cookbook with their ticket.

Put An Egg On Everything Day at Smorgasburg LA -> Smorgasburg is open on Easter Sunday and will host their annual “Put An Egg On Everything Day” where a number of vendors will add egg-themed specials to their menus. Highlights include a chilaquiles burrito from Evil Cooks’ famous stuffed with potato flautas made by Los Dorados; egg topped bungkus from Bungkus Bagus; a breakfast sandwich from Picnic Sandwich; and a Vietnamese egg coffee from Be Bright Coffee. In addition, Compton pit-master Kevin Bludso will be on site selling and signing copies of his brand new cookbook “Bludso’s BBQ Cookbook” (see above) while offering BBQ specials of his own to the public.  

Workshop Kitchen  Bar and Mauro Café Pop Up -> In anticipation of Workshop Kitchen & Bar opening in Los Angeles next month, the highly acclaimed Palm Springs hot spot will partner with Mauro Café on a couple specialty pizzas on Saturday, April 16. Workshop Kitchen & Bar’s executive chef and owner, Michael Beckman will be transporting his wood burning oven just for the pop-up. Each pie is priced at $24, natural wines will be flowing at $13 a glass, fun starts at 5 p.m.

Wags & Brunch at the Viceroy Santa Monica -> Sugar Palm at the Viceroy Santa Monica launches “Wags & Brunch” this weekend in honor of National Pet Day. While owners sip on a cocktail their four legged friends can enjoy a “Pup-tail” like the Lady & The Tramp made of coconut water, sliced pink lady apples and parsley. A selection of main courses for dogs is also available including a Puppy Scramble made of eggs, spinach and shredded chicken. The new dog menu will be available Saturday and Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Easter Menus For Your Consideration

Caldo Verde -> Caldo Verde at Downtown L.A.’s  Proper Hotel will host a special Easter Sunday brunch menu, curated by James Beard Award-winning culinary partners Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. Guests are treated to a vibrant pre-fixe menu of Portuguese-inspired plates that start with market fruit, deviled crab eggs and chorizo manchego scones for the table, a choice of main course like a Spring Frittata or Brisket Hash and a holiday dessert extravaganza of multiple sweet bites. Brunch is offered exclusively from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and costs $95 per person, $45 for children under 12.

FIG Restaurant & the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows -> On Easter Sunday FIG Restaurant and the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica will host ‘Miramar Gardens Easter Egg Hunt’ along with a spring time inspired brunch menu. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. reservations can be made by calling 310.319.3111.

AYCE at Le Jardin at Riviera 31 -> Celebrate Easter Sunday at Sofitel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills, the hotels whimsical outdoor garden space Le Jardin at Riviera 31 will host Easter-themed activities and an all-you-can-eat brunch menu that includes Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Omega Deviled Eggs to Carnitas Eggs Benedict and Basil Crusted Lamp Chops. AYCE brunch cost $65, for $95 adults can add on bottomless drinks like Mimosas or Bellinis, children between 5-12 cost $45 and children under five eat for free.

Cork Dork -> Cork Dork will be hosting Easter brunch on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The meal includes an all-you-can-drink champagne bar featuring Chandon Champagne and three juice options for $20 per person. Cork Dork’s curated Easter menu of al la carte items includes Challah French Toast with mixed berries; Shakshouka with toasted flatbread and Sage Gruyere Biscuits and Gravy. 

Redbird -> Easter Sunday Brunch at Redbrid in Downtown Los Angeles takes place in the open-air main dining room, indoor lounge and outdoor garden. Chef Neal Fraser and team will be preparing a two course prix fixe menu that includes starters like a White Asparagus in a yuzu hollandaise and main courses that include Duck Confit Chilaquiles and Main Lobster Congee. Children also get their own menu for the holiday. Brunch runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $65 per person and $21 for children 10 and under.

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Any notes or corrections? Want to suggest an event we should add to an upcoming list? Hit us up at [email protected].