Bugs Rule at the Natural History Museum's Bug Fair
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
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
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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
Tole Mour Tall Ship Open House Saturday
The romantic tall ship, the Tole Mour docks in Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach when she's not out teaching young sailors seafaring and leadership skills. Unlike her neighbor, the American Pride, she's not regularly open to visitors. However, this Saturday, the Tole Mour is hosting a free open house. It's a unique opportunity for visitors to come aboard and explore the triple-masted topsail schooner superyacht and learn about her summer programs.
When: Saturday, May 12, 2012, 10 am - 4 pm
Where: Tole Mour, Berth 6, Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach (near Shoreline Village, behind Tokyo Wako, across from the Pike)
Cost: Free
Parking: Validated at the Pike Parking Garage
Info: www.cimi.org
In other tall ship news, the Californian in San Diego is taking reservations for summer sailings to Catalina.
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Tour the Historic Egyptian Theatre
You can visit Sid Grauman's Chinese Theatre any day, but you have to pay attention to schedule a tour at his other great movie palace across the street. The Egyptian Theatre is offering a historic tour Saturday, May 12 at 10:30 am. Visitors will see the old dressing rooms and singers boxes and some of the original furnishings from when the theatre held live performances and view the short documentary Forever Hollywood . For more information, visit www.americancinemathequecalendar.com.
Photo © 2004 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
A Day Off from Mothering on Mother's Day
If you're not spending the day with your own mom and you want to give your wife a break from mothering on Mother's Day , hire a babysitter (most hotels can help you out with that), and give her a romantic treat. Here are 25 Romantic Things to do in Los Angeles (you have to continue from #15), whether it's Mother's Day or any other day of the year.
Mother's Day Brunch at the Aquarium of the Pacific and More
You don't normally think of the Aquarium of the Pacific as a place to go for brunch, but this Sunday, they'll be hosting a family-friendly Mother's Day brunch with a varied menu, live entertainment and activities for the kids. Buffet includes an omelet station, Baron of Beef carving station, risotto station, salads, deserts, coffee, tea, milk and mimosas.
When: Sunday, May 13, 2012, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Aquarium open 9 am - 6 pm)
Where: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Cost: $42 Adults, $32 Children 3-11, includes Aquarium admission)
Parking: $8 in the Aquarium structure or at The Pike with validation. Beware: Streets are metered 9 am - 9 pm daily with 1 and 2 hour limits.
Metro: Blue Line to 1st and Pine Long Beach Transit Mall. Walk 5 blocks south or take the free red Passport bus.
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org/newsevents/eventsdetail/mothers_day/
More:
- Mother's Day Events in LA from festivals to opera and more
- Aquarium of the Pacific Visitors Guide
- Things to Do in Long Beach
- Long Beach Shopping
Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles
The Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of May) holiday is celebrated in Mexican communities all over the Southland. El Pueblo Historic Monument, a downtown block that includes the oldest building in LA, is a great place to join in the festivities. The event will include carnival rides, food, crafts and music and dancing in a variety of Mexican traditions. This is just one of many Cinco de Mayo celebrations you'll find in my guide to Cinco de Mayo Celebrations Around LA.
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Photo © 2005 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com
What Is There for Non-Designers at the Pacific Design Center?
If you're an interior designer for the hospitality industry, you can get in to this week's panel on the future of interior design for hotels and resorts on May 3 at the Pacific Design Center. Interior designers can also shop at over 130 suppliers' showrooms for the latest in furnishings, floor coverings and interior accessories. But what about the rest of us? Well, we can shop too, with the assistance of an on-site designer, or we can explore a variety of other attractions within and around the Pacific Design Center. Just seeing it to take a souvenir photo is pretty cool. Check out the options and photos in my Guide to the Pacific Design Center.
Photo © 2012 Kayte Deioma, used with permission