ArtsMonth: www.info@artsforla.org April offers a month-long series of events and opportunities for dialogue between the arts community and local representatives. A voice for the arts in Greater Los Angeles.
Art of Motion Picture Costume Design and Acquiring Beauty: FIDM Museum, 919 S Grand Ave., 1st level, Los Angeles (213/623-5821 x3275) More than 125 costumes from 25 films from 2017 including all five Academy Award nominees for Best Costume Design. Thru July 7.
Art Past and Present: Wende Museum of the Cold War, 10808 Culver Bl., Culver City. (310/216-1600) www.wendemuseum.org. A dynamic season of public events, many of them free of charge. Discussion series..renowned artists speak with the community about the connections between history and and current events.
Car Free Streets Event: www.CicLAvia.org CicLAvia’s 25th Heart of the Foothills, perfect for the cyclist, walker skateboarder or scooter, this car free event has four hubs: San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont. Participants can start anywhere and ride at their own pace thorough adjacent neighborhoods Food trucks and activity booths, art stations, farmers markets and Earth Day celebrations. April 22, 9am-4pm.
Champions of Magic: Microsoft Theater, Downtown Los Angeles (888/929-7849) www.microsofttheater.com, www.AXS.com Five world-class illusionists, coming from London, England, make up this mind-bending theatrical production. Nov. 23 & 24.
Cinema Tuesdays: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda B., Los Angeles (310/440-4500) www.skirball.org Free movies featured on the first two Tuesdays of each month, 1:30 p.m.
Culinary Events at the Gettys: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Drive off the 405. Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades (310/440-7300) www.getty.edu/visit The J. Paul Getty Museum is offering a number of culinary events in the coming months spotlighting the lush gardens and bountiful herbs at both locations. Tea by the Sea, at the Villa, ongoing Thursdays and Saturdays. Limited tickets.
Davis Hockney: 82 Portraits and 1 Still-life: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles (323/857-6000) www.lacma.org This exhibition features recent portraits, a genre that has long been part of the artist’s career and provides insight into the artist’s life, his connection to the art world and the people who have recently crossed his path. The works were executed between 2013 and 2016 in the artist’s Hollywood Hills studio. The collection is considered to be a single body of work. April 15-July 29.
European Film Fest: Egyptian Theater for opening and closing nights https://www.fandango.com/egyptian-theatre-hollywood-aaofx/theater-page May 3 & 9. Aero Theater https://www.fandango.com/american-cinematheque-at-the-aero-theatre-aacpd/theater-page May 4-8. New films from the EU Festival, a 6-day cinematic treat featuring some of the most charismatic and thought provoking films of the European Union. Starring Europe presents feature films from the following European nations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland and Romania.
Exhibitions and Events at the Norton Simon Museum: Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Bl., Pasadena www.nortonsimon.org
Getty Villa Reinstallation: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades (310/440-7300) www.getty.edu/visit This reinstallation of the Getty Villa’s collection allows visitors to follow the historical development of Greek and Roman art from prehistory to the late Roman Empire. New displays showcase masterpieces of sculpture, vase painting, bronzework, jewelry, mosaic and glass, tracing the evolution of styles, iconography and technology throughout antiquity. A new gallery devoted to the Classical World in Context illuminates the many artistic connections with other cultures of the Mediterranean and Near East. (Pictured: The Getty Bronze)
Harald Szeemann: Museum of Obsessions: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Drive off the 405 (310/440-7300) www.getty.edu/visit One of the largest collections the Getty Research Institute has ever acquired has led to a major exhibition surveying the extraordinary practices of Harald Szeemann (1933-2005) the world renowned curator of modern and contemporary art who championed radical art and was a fascinating art world figure.The life and career of this exhibition maker from his groundbreaking involvement with the avant garde movements of the ’60s and 70s and his global contemporary exhibitions of the 90s and 2000s to his personal reading of early 20th century modernism. Feb. 6-May 6.
Imaginology: Orange County Fair & Event Center 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa ocfair.com With its cool steampunk theme and lots of hands on activities, Imaginology brings free family friendly fun with a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math, April 13-15.
IRIS Nights Lecture Series: Annenberg Space for Photography, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City (213/403-3000) www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org Attendees can hear first hand from photographers featured in the newest exhibition. Call for specifics.
Jasper Johns: Something Resembling Truth: The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles (213/232-6200) thebroad.org/art This landmark exhibition features more than 120 works by the iconic American artist. John’s artistic achievements will be illuminated through the juxtaposition of early and late works throughout the exhibition. More than 120 of the artist’s most significant paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings are featured with loans from more than 50 public and private collections from around the world. The exhibition traces the evolution of the artist’s six-decade career through a series of thematic chapters. The Broad will present a series of programs over the exhibition’s 13-week run, including Cross-Hatched, a series consisting of three live performances of music, vocal performances and dance films programmed with live accompaniment and Fluxus performances. Tickets on sale now. Feb. 10-May 13.
Jewish Film Festival: Music Hall Theater, April 28 and Encino Towne Center, April 30. www.lafilmfest.org The world premiere Jewish Film Festival presents a world premiere red carpet screening for The Samuel Project. An outcast teen bonds with his isolated grandfather. When the teen discovers his Grandfather has a Holocaust past the teen connects the story with a school project. In this touching film the teen acts more adult that the adults in the story. The film is relevant today while it tackles the original meaning of #NeverAgain. Additionally: Gloria Allred in Person, The Last Suit, The Driver is Red, Reinventing Rosalee, The Land of Milk and Funny.
Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda B., Los Angeles (310/440-4500) www.skirball.org Features more than 100 objects and 25 historic puppets including Kermit the Frog, Ernie and Bert, Grover and other popular favorites. The exhibition illuminates Henson’s unique contributions to the moving image. An unparalleled body of work that continues to delight and inspire people of all ages to create a kinder and gentler world. June 1-Sept. 2.
Jazz at LACMA: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles (323/857-6000) www.lacma.org Free jazz concerts every Friday night at 6pm at the Grand Entrance.
Last Remaining Seats: (213/623-248) info@laconservancy.org/last-remaining-seats A summer series of classic films in historic theatres. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, State Theater, downtown L.A. June 2. Kiss of the Spider Woman, Million Dollar Theater, downtown L.A. , June 9. In The Heat of the Night, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, June 13. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Los Angeles Theatre, downtown L.A., June 16, matinee. Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, Los Angeles Theatre, downtown L.A., June 16. Steamboat Bill, Jr., Orpheum Theatre, downtown L.A. June 20. The Joy Luck Club, San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, San Gabriel, June 23.
Leonard Bernstein at 100: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda B., Los Angeles (310/440-4500) www.skirball.org A celebration of the life and work of the great American composer and conductor who dedicated his life to making classical music a vibrant part of American culture. Encompassing half a century of activity by the “Renaissance man of American music” (New York Times), the exhibition is the most comprehensive retrospective of Bernstein’s life and career ever staged in a museum setting. More than 150 objects — including photographs, papers, scores, correspondence, costumes, furniture and films as well as interactive displays, April 26-Sept. 2.
Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Awards: laconservancy.org/awards Millennium Biltmore Hotel, downtown Los Angeles, May 2.
Meet and Greet Series: Skylight Studios, Annenberg Space for Photography, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City (213/403-3000) www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org Multi-media venue located directly across from the Space for Photography offers a free lecture series with attendees given the opportunity to interact one on one with the featured guest speakers. Free. No reservations necessary.
Natural History Museum Events: 900 Exposition Bl., Los Angeles (213/763-DINO) www.nhm.org First Fridays — Walk on the Wild Side after hours features cocktails, KCRW DJ lounge, LA bands, tours and talks…a unique adventure. Live music and discussion series continues. www.nhm.org/firstfridays
Not an Ostrich: And Other Images from America’s Library: Annenberg Photo Space, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City (213/403-3000) www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org For the first time in its 218-year history, the Library of Congress is heading to the West Coast for the first major exhibition of photographs from its collection of over 114 million images. The result of Anne Tucker’s excavation of nearly 500 handpicked works from the world’s largest library. Opens April 21.
Ojai Playwrights Conference Benefit: www.ojaiplays.org The 21st Gala Benefit celebrates cultural champions Perla Batalla, Jane Deknatel and Charlayne Woodard. Festivities begin at 4:00 with a special show featuring dramatic scenes and sensational songs performed by special guest artists. The evening continues with cocktails al fresco featuring fine wines, craft cocktails, appetizers and a farm to stable dinner showcasing local ingredient and chefs. All proceeds support the development of new plays for the American theatre during the company’s acclaimed annual Summer Conference and New Works Festival in Ojai. May 19. Tickets are $250 for Show and Dinner.
Outcasts: Prejudice & Persecution in the Medieval World: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Drive off the 405 (310/440-7300) www.getty.edu/visit Medieval manuscripts preserve stories of faith, romance and knowledge but their luxurious illuminations can sometimes reveal hidden prejudices as well. The exhibition presents individual case studies that examine the way art, like language, was used to articulate a rhetoric of exclusion whether for reasons of race, class, gender, religious identity or sexual difference. The vivid images and pervasive subtexts in illuminated manuscripts can serve as stark reminders of the power of rhetoric and the danger of prejudice. Jan. 30-April 8.
Paper Promises: Early American Photography: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Drive off the 405 (310/440-7300) www.getty.edu/visit The exhibition features rare 19th century paper negatives and paper photographs from an era of American experimentation including portraits of some of the country’s most notable political and cultural figures as well as searing images from the Civil War. Feb. 27-May 27.
Public Gardens of Santa Barbara: Tour these spectacular gardens but check websites in advance. Casa del Herrero www.casadelherrero.com; Ganna Walska Lotusland www.lotusland.org; Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden www.santabarbaraca.gov/Parks/parks_passive_main.html; Santa Barbara Botanic Garden www.sbbg.org
Public Programs and Exhibitions at The Huntington: The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., www.huntington.org An assortment of fascinating topics and displays with talks and book signings, garden tips, music, film, lectures, exhibitions and tours.
Rembrandt and the Inspiration of India: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Drive off the 405 (310/440-7300) www.getty.edu/visit Among the most surprising aspects of Rembrandt’s prodigious output are 23 surviving drawings closely based on portraits made by artists working in Mughal India. Rembrandt’s drawings are exhibited alongside the Mughal paints that inspired them to assess the impact of Indian art and culture on Rembrandt’s artistic interests and working process as a draftsman. March 13-June 24. On May 23, in the Museum Lecture Hall, the curator of Indian art at Jawaharlal Nehru University discusses his recent exhibition India and the World, which presented extraordinary masterpieces to place Indian history in a global context.
Rick Bartow: Things You Know But Cannot Explain: Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles (323/667-2000) www.theAutry.org Artist Rick Bartow’s work transcends the notions of Western and Native art, realism and abstraction and the traditional and contemporary. The first comprehensive exhibition on this important American artist and member of the Mad River Band Wiyot tribe this exhibition examines forty years of the artist’s work across a variety of media. May 12-Jan. 6, 2019.
Robert Polidori Photographs Exhibition: Getty Museum: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Drive off the 405 (310/440-7300) www.getty.edu/visit In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Getty Center, an exhibition of 20 works by renowned photographer Robert Polidori, the first public exhibition photographs showing the first installation of the Getty Center in the month leading up to its opening in December 1997. Thru May 6, 2018.
South East European Film Festival: Writers Guild Theater, 135 S, Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills info@seefilmia.org Gala presentation of the 2018 SEEfest Legacy Award to Academy Award nominated Romanian-Austrian director Robert Dornhelm followed by the international premiere of Romanian feature Hawaii with Spanish director Jesus del Cerro introducing the film. SEEfest presents cinematic and cultural diversity of South East Europe to American audiences and creates cultural connections. This year’s festival takes place April 26-May 3 and will bring a large selection of feature documentary and short films to the Writers Guild Theater, Laemmle Music Hall and West Hollywood Council Chambers/Library campus.
The Wende Cold War Museum Opens: 10808 Culver B., Culver City www.wendemuseum.org The 1949 National Guard Armory Building has begun a second life as the headquarters for this newly opened museum preserving and displaying a vast collection of Soviet and East German artifacts to illuminate the complexities of our fraught Cold War past. The building housing the collection paradoxically designed to fight the enemy showcases the objects of the enemy. The philosophy of the newly opened museum is to allow people to think about different layers of history.
UCLA Public Arts Program: UCLA Westwood campus (310/825-2101) www.arts.ucla.edu/calendars and www.tickets.ucla.edu Programs include distinguished lectures by luminaries such as Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne and Phillipe Vergne, student exhibitions showing work from UCLA’s top ranked fine arts programs, student performances directed by renowned faculty and the rich offerings of the Fowler Museum, the Hammer Museum and the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA. Many of the events are free and all are open to the public.
Your Ticket to Santa Barbara Car Free Experiences: www.SantaBarbaraCarFree.org The City’s award winning project with more than 100 community partners dedicated to making car free vacations care-free.