If creepy crawlies make you want to look closer instead of run away, you'll want to head to the Natural History Museum of LA County's annual Bug Fair this weekend. It's the largest celebration of insects in the country with hundreds of things to see and do and over 70 exhibitors showing and selling all things related to the creepy-crawly and winged creatures including books, art and preserved and live specimens. In addition to live animal presentations and workshops, there will be buggy performance artists, bug chef demonstrations and cook-offs and the perennial favorite, the cockroach races. The museum's resident entomologists will be on hand to talk about the NHM collection of arthropods and arachnids.
A Taste of Bug Fair is a special Saturday evening event in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Bug Fair featuring cocktails, insect appetizers and a but talk with Dr. Art Evans.
When: May 19-20, 2012, 9:30 am - 5 pm
Where: Natural History Museum of LA County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Cost: Adults $12, students & seniors w/ID $9, Youth 13-17 $8, Children 5-12 $5, under 5 Free
Parking: $8, see Parking
Info: www.nhm.org/site/activities-programs/bug-fair
From hotel discounts to saving on meals and attraction tickets, there are many ways to stretch your travel dollars in LA.
Memorial Day Weekend Events
Still haven't made your plans for Memorial Day Weekend? There are plenty of activities from silly to somber to help commemorate the day or celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer.
Bugs Rule at the Natural History Museum's Bug Fair
Queen Latifah Headlines 2012 Long Beach Pride Festival and Parade
Long Beach has the third largest Gay Pride Parade and Festival in the country, and it kicks off Pride season with the earliest event of the year. The two-day festival fills up Shoreline Drive in Long Beach from Alamitos to Pine Avenue, most recently part of the Long Beach Grand Prix circuit. Queen Latifah will headline the popular bands gracing the main stage, appearing Saturday night. There will also be a Spotlight Stage, Dance Stage with DJs, a Country Music Stage and Urban Soul Stage. The Parade Sunday will include over 200 floats and marching groups.
There are three entrances to the festival, MAIN GATE (on Shoreline Drive south of Ocean) PINE GATE (On Shoreline Drive & Shoreline Village) LINDEN GATE ( From the Convention Center parking lot.)
Friday night kicks off the weekend with the annual Pink Party in the Long Beach East Village. Sunday is the Annual St. Luke's "Pride Communion on the Bluff"Featuring Bishop Mary Glasspool (1st open-lesbian bishop). It takes place at 9 am before the Pride Parade at Bluff Park on Ocean Blvd near Redondo Ave.
When: Festival May 19-20, 2012, 11 am - 10 pm, Parade, Sunday May 20, 10:30 am
Where: Festival on Shoreline Drive from Pine Avenue to Alamitos Blvd., Long Beach.
Parade is on Ocean Blvd. from Temple west to Alamitos.
Cost: festival $20, free for children under 12 (no children under 12 on the festival grounds after 5:30 pm), free for active military with ID upon request at the gate. Parade is free.
Metro: Blue Line to the 1st Street Station
Info: www.longbeachpride.com
Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl
Tickets are now available for the Playboy Jazz Festival hosted by Bill Cosby at the Hollywood Bowl June 16 and 17, 2012 . This year's event will feature Sheila E., Robin Thicke, Ozomatli, The Preservation Jazz Band and many more.
When: June 16-17, 2012, Saturday 3 - 11 pm, Sunday 3 - 10:30 pm
Where: The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA
Cost: $20-$160 + fees at www.ticketmaster.com. Check for discount tickets at Goldstar.com.
Info: www.playboyjazzfestival.com
More:
Free LA Harbor Tours
As part of 2012 World Trade Week, the Port of Los Angeles is offering free hour-long boat tours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday May 19, 2012. The narrated tours of the nation's busiest harbor keep people up to date about what's going on at the port and relate the importance of international trade to everyday living. Lines can be long, so get there early.
While you're in the neighborhood, check out the other fun Things to Do in San Pedro.
When: May 19, 2012, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Tours depart from Berth 75 - 79 at Ports O' Call Village, 1200 S. Nagoya Way
in San Pedro and Banning's Landing, 100 E. Water Street in Wilmington.
Cost: Free, on a first come basis
Parking: Free at both locations
Info: 1 (800) 831-PORT (7678), for a 24-hour special-events line, www.portoflosangeles.org
Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com
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