School's out, it's Juneteenth week, and the summer Solstice is today! In this issue of the Insider, we look at fun activities to do with the kids, Juneteenth events, and Solstice celebrations, as well as a round-up of art openings and other cool cultural happenings on our radar...

Gallery & Museum Exhibitions

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Lisson Gallery | Hollywood
Sarah Cunningham: Flight Paths
June 20—August 24, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 20 | 6–8pm
In this series of paintings, the British artist explores aerial and bodily movements through flowing spontaneous gestures.

MOCA Grand Avenue | DTLA
Josh Kline: Climate Change
June 23, 2024—January 5, 2025
Opening Day Artist Talk: Sunday, June 23 from 3:30 to 5pm
Layered immersive installations comprising video, sculpture, photography and architecture by the NY-based artist confront the issue of climate change. On opening day, the artist will join Johanna Burton, the Maurice Marciano Director of The Museum of Contemporary Art, in conversation. Free with RSVP.

Luis de Jesus | DTLA
Melissa Huddleston: Primordial Spring
June 22—August 3, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 22 | 6–8pm
A new series of paintings on paper that immerse the viewer in a luminous, prehistoric swamp populated with single-celled organisms, imaginary archaic life forms and humanoid amphibian figures. Opening concurrently: Phung Huynh: Return Home, and Luis Emilio Romero: Fortaleza de Luz / Fortress of Light.

Night Gallery | DTLA
Kemi Onabulé: False Spring
June 22—August 31, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 22 from 5–8pm
Paintings by the Nigerian London-based artist feature humanoid figures set in vivid, post-apocalyptic landscapes. Pulling from her lived experience, Onabulé paints bodies in shades of brown while undermining Western landscape tropes. Also opening at the gallery, American Gothic, a two-person exhibition of new work by JPW3 and Grant Levy-Lucero.

Film, Music, Theatre, Festivals & Dance

FILM: Janet Planet / Spirit of the Beehive
Aero Theatre | Santa Monica
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 | 7:30pm
Filmmaker Annie Baker presents her debut film, Janet Planet, about the cracks in a mother-daughter relationship. The film will be followed by a screening of Víctor Erice’s The Spirit of the Beehive (1973), which centers on the haunted inner life of a six-year-old girl following Spain’s devastating civil war. Tickets: $15

FILM: Problemista
The Art Theatre | Long Beach
June 22–23, 2024 | 6pm
Julio Torres’s surreal comedy follows an aspiring toy designer navigating the treacherous worlds of NYC and the U.S. Immigration system. Tickets: $13.50

MUSIC: Joe Jackson Solo and the Music of Max Champion
The Orpheum | DTLA
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 | Doors Open @ 7pm | Concert @ 8pm
Joe Jackson first hit it big in the late 70s / early 80s with his track, Is She Really Going Out With Him? followed by, Steppin' Out. Catch the English singer-songwriter on his The Two Rounds Of Racket tour. Tickets starting at $85

FESTIVAL: Pasadena Chalk Festival
Plaza at the Pasadena Convention Center
June 22—23, 2024 | 10am–7pm
Check out 200 murals by more than 500 artists at the 31st annual Chalk Festival. There will be music, a beer garden, a silent art auction and more. 

A Day in LA

Fern Dell Expedition with Kids!

Summer officially starts today with the Solstice and the kids are out of school. During the next couple of months, we're featuring an occasional series highlighting places to go in and around LA with kids-in-tow.

This week, we take you on a fun expedition to the area of Griffith Park accessible from Fern Dell Drive off Los Feliz Boulevard – just one of many parts of the marvelous recreation area of the vast park.

Turn north off Los Feliz onto Fern Dell Drive and park on the street. For school-age kids, walk up the path on the right (east) side of Fern Dell Drive toward the trails, and climb up the steep but navigable route to the Griffith Park Observatory, about a one-mile hike. Once you arrive, explore the astronomy exhibits and catch one of the regularly rotating shows in the Planetarium. Pack a blanket and some sandwiches and have a picnic on the Observatory lawn while enjoying the fabulous view – or grab a snack in the Café at the End of the Universe downstairs at the Observatory. If the Observatory hike is too steep, take the left-hand fork halfway up the trail, which gently loops back down. Don't miss the playground at the end of the loop.

For younger kids, take a walk on the left side of Fern Dell Drive along the Fern Dell Nature Trail (entrance on Black Oak Drive). An easy less than half-mile walk, it winds through a lush preserve built in the 1930s. Overgrown with ferns (of course), elephant ear, ivy and other vegetation, including a grove of calla lilies, the trail borders a stream that hosts turtles and other creatures. After the winter rains, the water level has been high and there are mini waterfalls along the way. At the end of the trail, cross the bridge and go past the ranger's house on the left to the Trails Café. Find a picnic table under the trees and treat the kids and yourself to a sandwich, scone or cookie. Our favorite (for grown-ups) is the chai tea with a buttermilk biscuit. The lavender shortbread is delicious too.The café is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

A fun adventure full of discoveries!

Literary, Readings & Book Launches

Cecé Telfer + Rook Campbell
Reparations Club | Jefferson Park
Friday, June 21, 2024 | 7pm
Cecé Telfer is the first openly trans woman to win a NCAA title. She will discuss her new memoir, Make It Count, alongside scholar and community leader, Rook Campbell. Tickets: $30 (includes a signed book)

Miriam’s Garden Poetry Series
Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library | Hyde Park
Saturday, June 22, 2024 | 2pm
Featured poets Cesar K. Avelar, Jenise Miller and Luivette Resto will join Sesshu Foster for a reading in the garden of Hyde Park Library. 

Things To Do & Workshops

826LA@Hammer: Chopping Beats & Writing Poems
Hammer Museum | Westwood
Sunday, June 23, 2024 | 11am
Create your own poetry inspired by the musical production styles of hip hop legends J Dilla, Missy Elliot, and Metro Boomin at this free kids’ workshop led by writer Camille Hernandez! Ages 8 to 14. (Reservations recommended. Limited to 20 people). Visit 826la.org

feMMMes A Happening presented by LA Freewaves
LA State Historic Park | DTLA
Saturday, June 22 | 7:30–10:30pm
Twelve artists working with music, light, scent, motion, sculpture, botanicals, drumming, roller skates and more, will channel feMMMe energy as they transform Los Angeles State Historic Park into a multi-sensory and multicultural environment for the Solstice and Full Moon. RSVP

Moon Market
Fourteen Studios | East LA
Sunday, June 23, 2024 | 11am–5pm
Moon Collective presents the first ever Moon Market, featuring 27+ AAPI  artists and vendors sharing their work, along with food, beverages and more. 

Pride Night at the Aquarium of the Pacific
Aquarium of the Pacific | Long Beach
Friday, June 21, 2024 | 6:30–9pm
Join the Aquarium of the Pacific in partnership with the LGBTQ Center Long Beach, in celebrating the City’s LGBTQ+ community for Pride Month. There will be drag queen storytelling, activities, food, drinks and more. Tickets: $24.95

Thank you for reading!

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LA Insider is the digital newsletter that connects us to the city we love. Join us on a trek from the Hollywood Hills to downtown, Malibu and beyond, as we uncover a curated selection of standout art exhibitions, cultural events, eateries and fun experiences in the City of Angels.

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