What You're Doing This Week: July 29
From music and art to Shakespeare and premiere action sports, there are a number of family-friendly activities across the Southland. Here is what's happening in Los Angeles this week!
July 29
Summer Sounds: World Music For Kids
Hollywood Bowl Museum Patio
2301 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90078
(323) 850-2058
www.hollywoodbowl.com
The second in this summer concert series for kids features American Bluegrass Music with performances by The Get Down Boys. Deemed one of the most popular children's festivals in Los Angeles, the six-week event features live music, dance, art workshops and musical performances in the designated genre for the series. The art workshops are offered before or after each performance and give children the opportunity to get creative while learning about art and culture. Performances and workshops are presented at 10 and 11:15 a.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Box Office. Bonus: Purchase tickets to three Summer Sounds programs and receive two free tickets to the Hollywood Bowl.
July 30
Elizabethan Festival
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
www.descansogardens.org
A visit to Descanso Gardens is a retreat to some of the rarest and often undiscovered beauty in the Southland. Situated on 160 acres of preserved gardens, woodlands, and chaparral, the locale features internationally renowned botanical collections and holds historical significance to Southern California. To introduce families to the beauty of the gardens, the facility introduced Family Tuesdays which feature hands-on activities and performances. Their Elizabethan Festival takes place at 6 p.m. at the Under the Oaks Theatre and features interactive music, dancing, and games presented by members of Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum. The performance is free with admission and seating is first come, first served. Families are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy during the performance.
July 31
Shakespeare By The Sea - All's Well That Ends Well
Schabarum Regional Park
17250 E. Colima Road
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
www.shakespearebythesea.org
Celebrating its 15th year, Shakespeare By The Sea is the only free summer repertory that offers productions in the South Bay, Los Angeles, and parts of Orange and Ventura Counties. This year's 10-week theatrical run includes performances of "All's Well That Ends Well" and "King John." Most of the productions take place at local parks throughout the Southland, many with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Be sure to bring a blanket or chairs, snacks or even a picnic, and dress warmly for the evening performances. Seating is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and coffee, hot chocolate, and sweets are sold at each performance. Performance times vary (7 or 8 p.m.) and guests are encouraged to come early for optimal seating and a pre-show.
August 1
ESPN X Games Los Angeles
STAPLES Center (including L.A. Live and Club Nokia)
1111 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 742-7340
xgames.espn.go.com
Irwindale Event Center
500 Speedway Drive
Irwindale, California 91706
(626) 358-1100
www.irwindalespeedway.com
For the 11th and final year, X Games will be held in Southern California, featuring 200 of the world's premiere action sports athletes. This year, fans can watch their favorite athletes compete at both STAPLES Center and the Irwindale Event Center over four days. Some of the most popular events include BMX Street, Women's Skateboard Street and Skateboard Vert. Street League Skateboarding will debut at X Games this year and will be held at the L.A. LIVE Event Deck.
In addition to the sporting competitions, guests will experience interactive parks, appearances and demos from the athletes, and more during X Fest which is free to the public at L.A. LIVE and included with tickets purchased at the Irwindale Event Center. Finally, X Games seeks to highlight the arts and culture that are an important part of the action sports lifestyle. X Games Music will feature performances by a variety of top musical performers at both venues. Performances at the Irwindale Event Center are included with the days' competition tickets and tickets for L.A. Live's Club Nokia performances are $30.
August 2
Monrovia Family Festival
Old Town Monrovia
Myrtle Avenue from Lemon Avenue to Chestnut Avenue
www.ci.monrovia.ca.us
This free family festival happens every Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and features food, crafts, rides for kids, live entertainment and a certified farmer's market. Free parking is available in Old Town.
Barnsdall Fridays Summer Wine Tastings
Barnsdall Art Park
4800 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
www.barnsdall.org
Family-friendly wine tastings seem like an oxymoron, but not at Barnsdall Art Park. The foundation is leveraging their Summer Wine Tastings as a platform to use the profits towards programs and projects which include Free Sunday Art Classes for children. For $25, adults can enjoy four selections of boutique, artisanal wines from Silverlake Wine and a limited edition wine glass. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic and a blanket or purchase food from local food trucks on-site; however, no outside alcoholic beverages are permitted inside the venue. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Free parking is available at the top and bottom of Barnsdall Art Park.
August 3
Big Bear Renaissance Faire
39115 Rim of the World Drive
Fawnskin, CA 92333
bbvrsinc.org
Relive the Medieval Era with royal adventures, entertainment, and feasts at the 12th annual Big Bear Renaissance Faire. This year, the faire has expanded to run over three consecutive weekends and includes music, comedy acts, belly dancers, strolling street performers and full-contact joust tournaments. Families with small children can visit Scalawags Cove for games and activities hosted by entertaining pirates. Be sure to fuel up on period foods including turkey legs and chowder!
In addition to the fun and fanfare offered this year, guests can enjoy three new royal experiences including Tea with the Queen at the new Tea Pavilion, a royal treat with the Knights of Mayhem and other dignitaries at the Warrior's Table, and premium joust viewing with the Queen and her royal court at The Royal Gallery. Each of these experiences requires an additional fee and most have limited seating so be sure to plan accordingly.
August 4
City of Sierra Madre Free Concert in the Park Series
Memorial Park Bandshell
222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-5278
cityofsierramadre.com
With just about a month or so left of summer, it's the perfect time to spend outdoors enjoying the warm summer nights. Grab a blanket or your favorite lawn chair and head to Memorial Park Bandshell for a free Rock and Roll Concert sponsored by L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Undercover Girls will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Meet N Potatoes Food Truck will be on-site for food and refreshments. The weekly concert series is presented by Kensington Assisted Living Facility and will end on Sunday Aug. 11.
Caryn Bailey is a Southern California-based writer and LA native who can be found writing daily on her lifestyle blog Rockin' Mama or on Twitter @RockinMama.
