Check Out These Local Events
GET INTO THE GROOVE - Folklórico Dance and Mariachi Festival, hosted by SMMUSD, Santa Monica outh Orchestra and DanzAlianza, is on May 4 at the John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center, starting with food trucks at noon, the first performance at 1 p.m. and running through the final performances at 7 p.m. Among the performing groups, SMMUSD will be showcasing students enrolled in grades three through five currently attending bi-weekly classes at four SMMUSD elementary schools: Edison Language Academy, McKinley Elementary, Will Rogers Learning Community, and Roosevelt Elementary. Full details here.
READ ALL ABOUT IT - Book lovers rejoice - there's a YA author fair at SaMo this weekend called Yallwest with panels, book signings and giveaways. Check out the schedule here.
CELEBRATE CINCO - The annual Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival is Saturday, May 4 from 10a-6pm. Dancers, music and tacos--sign us up!
LITTLE TOKYO FOR LITTLE KIDS - Celebrate the Japanese holiday, Children's Day, at this fun, free event with art, games and snacks, Saturday, 5/4 from 11a-4pm.
GET YOUR DEEP FRIED TWINKIES HERE - It's LA County Fair time again, so go before the weather gets too hot! Pomona Fairgrounds, Thurs-Sun through May 27.
THE WILD THINGS ARE AT SKIRBALL - The Skirball Center is celebrating the life and art of Maurice Sendak, author/illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are, Alligators All Around and many more. "Comprised of over 150 artifacts—including original paintings, drawings, videos, and objects—this landmark exhibition showcases the depth and breadth of his creativity." See the website for special storytimes. Now through 9/1.
FREE FLICKS AL FRESCO - Catch an outdoor movie at the Third Street Promenade. The screenings are held the second Friday of each month on the 1200 Block between Arizona & Wilshire. Mamma Mia is on 5/10. Low chairs and blankets are allowed.
MAKE MUSEUM-WORTHY ART - There's a free drop-in art workshop at the Hammer Museum in Westwood, Saturdays, 1-4pm. We suggest working in lunch at Lulu, the newish Alice Waters restaurant with a big patio right on site.