What You're Doing This Week: April 15
Enjoy the arts? There's something for you this week. Love to eat and drink? There's a lot for you do this week. Love racing? Oh, you're going to be happy this week. Just want to get out there and walk? We've got something for you, too.
April 15
Westside Connections: Mona Simpson
Eli & Edith Broad Stage
1310 11th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 434-3414
www.thebroadstage.com
Join UCLA English Professor, Mona Simpson "whose most recent book is the classical music-heavy '2011 My Hollywood,' as she talks about how Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major (the Kreutzer Sonata, named in honor of the composer's contemporary violin maestro Rodolphe Kreutzer, who scorned the work when he heard it) inspired Tolstoy's incredibly depressing novella The Kreutzer Sonata, which itself was an inspiration for Czech composer Leoš Janáček's String Quartet No. 1." Whew! That's a mouthful. But its this creative inspiration of one artist to another which is the very essence of what the Westside Connections series is all about. Come and find out for yourself. Tickets available online.
April 16
Evening With Anthony Bourdain and Roy Choi
Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 468-1770
www.ticketmaster.com
Get in on the foodie conversation with the acerbic host of Travel Channel's "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" and food truck revolutionary and entrepreneur Roy Choi. The two chef authors will share stories and muse on the place of food in personal, community and global life. Tickets start at $35.
April 17
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-0711
www.musiccenter.org
You may have seen the banners hanging from light poles along Wilshire or Olympic with the striking image of a dancer leaping up from the ground, her left leg high up in the air, strong, powerful, impressive. This is Alvin Ailey's statement. When you attend this performance, "you don't just see an Ailey performance, you feel it," according to Essence Magazine. Drawing from company classics and featuring new works that demonstrate the power of the human body the show is sure to be an impressive experience. Tickets available online.
April 18
14th Annual Summer Food, Wine & Micro-Brew Festival
Westfield Promenade
6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91303
(818) 594-8740
valleycultural.org
Sample tasty bites from local restaurants such as Kate Mantilini, Ruth's Chris Steak House and Fleming's and sip on libations from more than 50 vendors such as Caymus Vineyards and The Lab Brewing Company as you listen to live music from the L.A. Rhythm Crew. The event, which will take place in a 20,000-square-foot garden venue, is 21 and over only and ID is required. All tastings are included in the ticket price, which start at $75 per person.
April 19
Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach
Downtown Long Beach
Linden Avenue and East Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.gplb.com
Start your engines and head over to downtown Long Beach, where the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach takes over the streets starting Friday and ends Sunday. Get your cameras ready for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, the Formula Drift and other spectacular racing events. Don't forget to strap the kids in – there will be an expanded Family Fun Zone with rock climbing walls, games, video games and racing simulators. Older kids and adults can also race in go-karts on top of the Long Beach Arena's parking garage. Admission starts at $25.
April 20
Al Fresco Street Festival
28714 North Iron Village Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 724-6638
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
valencia.com
Check out the gorgeous new homes in West Hills at the Al Fresco Street Festival with live music, giveaways, model home tours and the Radio Disney road crew! If you are looking for a new home in the Saugus Unified School District, this event features homes in Highgate, Belmont and Monument developed by D.R. Horton. Join some of LA's top Mom bloggers for a day of fun and festivities and learn about the latest tips and trends in home building.
April 21
CicLAvia "To The Sea" Event
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
www.ciclavia.org
Take to the streets, on your feet, on your bike, with your dog or with friends and join in the CicLAvia "To The Sea" event as a route from downtown LA to Venice Boulevard leads you to the water. This car-free, day-long event grows in popularity every year! Based upon Ciclovias that started in Bogota, Colombia more than 30 years ago as a response to congestion and pollution of city streets, CicLAvia offers a historic tour of LA as participants stroll, bike and play along the 15-mile route that connects the city's historic center at El Pueblo de Los Angeles to the busy boardwalk of Venice Beach. More than 100,000 people are expected to participate so check the route map as it will affect traffic!
Pasadena Restaurant Week
Participating Restaurants
www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com
Pasadena Restaurant Week kicks off April 21 and runs through April 26. For a full two weeks, indulge at some of Pasadena's best restaurants – like Arroyo Chop House, El Cholo, Pie 'n Burger and so many more – for prix-fixe prices starting at $15 for a two-course lunch and $26 for a three-course dinner.
Laura Gerson loves to discover things about Los Angeles and share them with your family. She blogs about kids activities and resources for Moms at www.MomAngeles.com.
