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No joke. Some of our favorite events of the spring season are lined up for the coming SoCal weekend.
In view from April 11-13 in L.A., you’ll find the City of STEM Festival and LA Maker Faire at Expo Park, Bob Baker Day at L.A. State Historic Park, Reading by Moonrise, Marina del Rey’s 60th Anniversary celebration, a pair of jazz concerts at The Getty, a day of Bonzai Demos at The Japanese Garden, Touch-A-Truck at Discovery Cube LA, and more.
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Make Metro Part of Your Weekend
City of STEM Festival and LA Maker Faire – > City of STEM, the biggest festival of science, technology, engineering and math in Los Angeles and Los Angeles Maker Faire, the region’s largest gathering of creative thinkers will both converge on Exposition Park this Saturday for a day of science and creativity. The event features free STEM activities, workshops, lectures and special appearances by famous creators and science celebrities. Runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
Go Metro: Take the E Line to Expo Park / USC Station.
Things To Do This Weekend
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Back From the Ink: Restored Animated Shorts – FA > On Friday, The Hammer and the UCLA Film & Television Archive present an evening of 12 classic animated shorts 1920s to 1940s, all restored by Seth MacFarlane Foundation. The lineup includes nine animated pictures from Max and Dave Fleischer, who created Betty Boop and Koko the Clown. The screening event begins at 7:30 p.m., and is free to attend. More info here.
The Bruin Flea – FA > This Friday, The Bruin Flea is back at Broxton Plaza in Westwood Village, wrangling a collection of local vendors offering everything from jewelry and collectibles to vintage clothing, streetwear, pins, stickers and more. And (just about) everything is $30 or less! Runs 3 to 8 p.m. Get more info here.
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Spring Market at Ivy Station – M FA > Ivy Station’s monthly night market morphs into a Y2K inspired “spring break” this Friday featuring over 25 local vendors mixed with food trucks and DJ-spun 90s-’00s hits. Runs 5 to 10 p.m. Free to attend. More info here.
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach – M > This Friday to Sunday, the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach brings three days of racing action to DTLB, all accompanied by a lifestyle expo and a variety of fun activations. Tickets start at $54. More info here.
L.A. Dance Project at Lightscape – M FA -> On Saturday, the L.A. Dance Project takes over Lightscape at Marciano Art Foundation with a site-specific, kinetic performance presented by Doug Aitken Workshop and KCRW. Featuring dancers Lorrin Brubaker, Jeremy Coachman, Courtney Conovan, Daphne Fernberger, Audrey Sides, and Hope Spears, the performance unfolds in real time, responding to shifting light and immersive sound. With movement direction by Daphne Fernberger, this electrifying experience transforms the space into a living, breathing work of art. More info here.
Reading by Moonrise – FA > April is National Poetry Month, and Clockshop is celebrating the art of the verse with an afternoon of readings at Los Angeles State Historic Park this Saturday, all curated by Ivanna Baranova, Co-Director of the Poetic Research Bureau The program is free and open to the public, but a $5 donation is gently encouraged. Runs 4 to 6 p.m. More info here.
Touch-A-Truck at Discovery Cube LA -> Beginning this Saturday, “Touch-a-Truck” is back at Discovery Cube Los Angeles for a week-long pop-up offering children a very hands-on educational experience. Kids can climb inside these vehicles to explore and learn about what it takes to provide essential services to the public, from police cars and firetrucks to construction rigs, garbage haulers and city buses. Included with general admission. More info here.
Self Help Graphics & Art Family Workshops – FA > Self Help Graphics host their monthly Family Workshop this Saturday at the East Los Angeles County Library. For April, instructor Cayetano Talavera leads tutorial on painting with natural dyes workshop where participants will be introduced to the magic of natural dyes, gaining insights into the methods and techniques that transform botanicals into beautiful hues. Starts at 1 p.m. and free to attend with registration. More info here.
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Marina del Rey’s 60th Anniversary – FA > Catch a huge, free community celebration this weekend in Marina del Rey as the city marks its 60th anniversary with two full days of entertainment and activations treats at Fisherman’s Village. Expect free 45-minute historic harbor tours, DJ-spun tunes, historical exhibits, face painting for kids, and balloon art, all taking place this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
Earth Month Yoga -> This Saturday, Culver City’s Parks Project Discovery Center is a hosting a special Earth Month-inspired, Vinyasa-style yoga session featuring poses designed to connect your heart chakra to the healing energy of nature. Tickets are $15 and proceeds go to the National Park Foundation. Starts at 10 a.m. More info here.
Sounds of L.A.: Celebrating the jazz legacy of Altadena – FA > This weekend, the Getty spotlights the musical heritage of Altadena with a two-day concert event featuring celebrated jazz artists from the city whose innovative work continues to push boundaries and inspire generations. Both concerts will take place at the Harold M. Williams Auditorium, with shows on Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.) They are both free, but advanced reservations are required. More info here.
Bob Baker Day – M FA TP > The 11th annual Bob Baker Day brings a festive carnival atmosphere to Los Angeles State Historic Park this Sunday. Here you’ll find a festive blend of music, games, and puppetry performances from the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The event is free to attend, but suggested donations of $20 are happily accepted to support the theater’s mission. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP is required. More info here.
The Japanese Garden Bonzai Demos – FA > On Sunday, The 6.5 acre Japanese Garden in Lake Balboa will host a full day of Bonsai demonstrations. The garden’s plant and engineering staff will be on hand discuss caretaking of the garden, then guests can enjoy a leisurely stroll to enjoy springtime blooms of Cherry Blossoms, Plum Blossoms, Peach Blossoms, and more. It all runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and is free to attend. More info here.
An Evening with Dr. Z! at Dynasty Typewriter – M > The legendary Dr. Z (alter ego of comedian Dana Gould) pops up at Dynasty Typewriter this Sunday for an evening of storytelling with his Hollywood pals including Paul F. Tompkins, Maria Bamford, and Broadway Barbara. Tickets are $30. Show starts at 6 p.m. More info here.
Breath work & Sound Bath at Compound -> On Sunday, integrative wellness practitioner Sabrina Rollo comes to The Compound in Long Beach for a healing workshop that combines breath work and sound bathing to elicit a healing and restorative experience. The session starts at 10 a.m. Tickets are $17.85. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Pizzana Launches a Pickle Pizza -> In partnership with beloved pickle brand Kaylin + Kaylin at the Original Farmers Market, Pizzana has rolled out a limited-time pie inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s iconic mortadella sandwich. The Pickle Pizza layers mortadella, provolone, Calabrian ranch, and a tangy honey mustard pickle relish for a bold, savory-sweet bite. Available at all Pizzana locations from April 9–29. More info here.
Salad (Bar) Forever -> On Saturday, April 12, food journalist and salad enthusiast Emily Wilson teams up with Chef Balo and Biite Club to throw a salad bar celebration at Little City Farm in Mid-City. They honor the glory days of Souplantation, Sizzler, and Bob’s Big Boy with a fresh, seasonal spread featuring snap peas, gem lettuces, confit tuna, and a herby green goddess dressing—all made from scratch. Sip on kombucha and shrubs while you load up your plate, and since you’re dining on an actual farm, feel free to pluck a little something extra straight off the vine. Tickets run $65 via Biite Club.
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