BY KAREN YOUNG
MUSEUMS FREE-FOR-ALL: Los Angeles museums are banding together for Free Admission Days this weekend. January 28 and 29. The list of museums includes The Getty, Skirball, The Autry, Californa Science Center and more. Click here for the full list.
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL: It’s a musical Dr. Seuss with an inimitable cast of characters. The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to a butter battling military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton’s attention to the speck of dust and his “loitering” care of Mayzie LaBird’s egg has elicited taunting and accusations from the rest of the animal kingdom, except for Gertrude McFuzz, who longs for his attention, and JoJo, whose “thinks” save them all in the end. Through January 29, 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., The Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge. $27.50; For tickets and information, please call 818-892-2959 or e-mail met2sfv@met2.org
The Biggest Chinese celebration of the year is downtown this weekend. Seen here:The Golden Dragon Parade Photo: Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
A SKY FULL OF PLANETS – ASTRONOMY WALK: January is the best month to see lots of planets, even with the naked eye. The new moon and dark sky give of the busy world of outer space extra sparkle. Join our local astronomer, volunteer naturalist Pat, on a moderate ½-mile hike to the viewing platform. All programs meet at the Victory Blvd. entrance trailhead. Friday, January 27, 6:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m.(Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve) North of US-101 and West of Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. Admission free; parking $3. Click here for directions.
SEARS SATURDAY FAMILY FUN: Bring your kids ages 4 -10 and build a wooden basketball court with a basket. Saturday, January 28, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sears, 9301 Tampa AveNorthridge.: Each kit costs $5 and can be purchased the day of the event. A kit includes: 1 kit, goggles, and an apron.
BWP COMMUNITY FAIR & DEDICATION CEREMONY : Burbank Water and Power will host a community celebration and special dedication ceremony to commemorate the completion of California’s first comprehensive, sustainable utility eco-campus. Burbank Mayor Jess Talamantes, Senator Carol Liu, US Department of Energy representatives Kelly Opatz and Daniel Stricker, and Discovery Planet Green’s Sarah Backhouse will be among the special guests. Get a bird’s eye view of the new campus, which is normally closed to the general public. The site has been transformed from an industrial relic into a state-of-the-art, award-winning sustainable campus and a model for other public and private entities around the nation. It’s a fun, family-friendly day, complete with a self-guided tour of the longest Green Street in Southern California. Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., Burbank Water and Power, 164 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank. Free
RETURN OF THE LAST HIPPIE: Back for one night only, “The Last Hippie: A Western Novel” was one of the longest running shows of 2009 at the Whitefire Theatre. As part of the theater’s 30th anniversary celebration, actor/writer Vincent Mann is presenting his collection of monologues that asks the question: “What happened to the last of the Baby Boomers?” Mann explores the first baby boomers who changed the world: fought for civil rights, fought against the Vietnam war, fought old stereotypes and ways of thinking. These monologues humorously chart the journey through the decades since and what happened. Sunday, January 29 at 8 p.m., Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. $15; Cash only at the door. Email: mannv312@sbcglobal.net for reservations.
WORTH THE DRIVE OVER THE HILL:
Chinese New Year: LA Chinatown kicks off the Year of the Dragon this weekend, January 28 and 29, beginning with the 113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade. See hundreds of spectacular floats, decked-out cars, dancers and bands as they parade down the heart of Chinatown. This year’s Grand Marshals include Disney’s Mulan and Mushu and international bestselling author Lisa See. Event goers will also get a chance to experience 500,000 firecrackers in action during a unique firecracker ceremony. Enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine offered at many Chinatown restaurants as well as non-traditional dishes offered by food vendors and some of LA’s hottest gourmet food trucks. Additionally, the wildly popular show Cupcake Wars will be on hand with 1,000 Chinese New Year-themed cupcakes for people to enjoy. Cultural performances will be on the main stage in Central Plaza. Central Plaza at 943-951 N. Broadway, Los Angeles 90012. The event will be at. Jan. 28 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun. Jan. 29 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The 113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade is on Sat. Jan. 28 beginning at 1 p.m.
Hollywood Talent Up-Close: Directors John Landis and Joe Dante will appear together to discuss their films, book, the industry and sign autographs at Larry Edmunds Bookshop in Hollywood this Saturday, January 28 at 7 p.m. 6644 Hollywood Boulevard. info@larryedmunds.com
The Saturday Sale: Over 100 exhibitors will be showing upscale fashion for women, men and children at 50%-80% off. Saturday, January 28 from 10 a.m.-3 :30 p.m. California | Market Center. 110 East 9th Street, Los Angeles(Entrance on Olympic).
3rd Annual Pinot Days: This annual event is courtesy of the Bay Area Wine Project. On Saturday, January 28, from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., partake in the Grand Tasting at Santa Monica’s Barker Hanger. Tickets are $60-$100. The event will showcase over 80 producers of pinot noir. Approximately 300 pinots will be available to sample — from every important pinot noir region, from the Russian River Valley to the Santa Rita Hills, Oregon to the Anderson Valley, Burgundy to New Zealand to the Sonoma Coast. Meet the winemakers and learn about the pinot noir industry first hand. Le Pain Quotidien and Whole Foods will serve food that pairs well with pinot. For more information and tickets, go to www.pinotdays.com.
Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of MyDailyFind.com. Got news? Email karen@mydailyfind.com
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