This week we're intrigued to check out new exhibitions bridging science, art, politics and society at the Autry – and a new permanent exhibition opening at the Academy Museum, which delves into the genesis of Hollywood. Also, don't miss the new COLA exhibition opening at LA Municipal Art Gallery. While you're there, enjoy the views at Barnsdall Art Park. Plus, experience some exciting new twists in theatre and dance, fun literary events, more flowers and... bugs!

Gallery & Museum Exhibitions

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Louis Stern Fine Arts | West Hollywood
Matsumi Kanemitsu: Traction Avenue
May 18—June 29, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 18 | 5–7pm
This exhibition by influential Japanese American artist and educator Matsumi Kanemitsu features works created at 800 Traction Avenue in the last years of the artist’s life.

1301PE | Mid-Wilshire
Kirsten Everberg
May 18—June 22, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 18 | 6–8pm
A new body of work by the LA-based artist focuses on the Hudson River Valley, with rich, luscious oil and enamel paintings inviting the viewer to reconsider conventional perceptions of the American wilderness.

Academy Museum | Mid-Wilshire
Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital
Opens May 19, 2024
Opening Reception: Sunday, May 19, 2024
The Museum’s first permanent exhibition presents the origin story of filmmaking in early 20th-century Los Angeles and the largely Jewish immigrants who established the American film studio system.

LACMA Party | Mid-Wilshire
Smidt Welcome Plaza
Wednesday, May 22 | 6–8pm
Catch LACMA's current exhibitions, explore the museum after hours and listen to beats by DJ Rashida! Treat yourself to light bites and sunset drinks from the museum’s café, marketplace and cash bars. On view:
• Korean Treasures from the Chester and Cameron Chang Collection
• Simone Leigh
• ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN
Free with RSVP.

LAMAG | Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood
COLA 2024
May 18—July 20, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Installations of ceramic, sculpture, photography, video, painting and drawing by five LA-based artists – the recipients of this year’s City of Los Angeles Independent Master Artist Project (COLA IMAP) grants in design and visual arts: Jane Brucker, Mariah Garnett, Janna Ireland, Debra Scacco and Bari Ziperstein.

Autry Museum | Griffith Park
Out of Site: Survey Science and the Hidden West, and
Nancy Baker Cahill: Mushroom Cloud
May 18, 2024—January 5, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 18 | 4–6pm
Concurrent exhibitions: Out of Site looks at three technological revolutions to examine how visual technologies, artistic interventions and the workings of state power have evolved in tandem with the Western landscape; Mushroom Cloud Is an augmented reality public art project focused on rising to the occasion to combat the climate crisis.

Wilding Cran | DTLA
Vanessa Beecroft: Broken Arm
May 18—June 22, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 18 | 4–6pm
A group of paintings and smaller sculptures selected from dozens of figurative works the artist produced between 2013 and the present, centered around her looming nine-foot sculpture Sad Body (2024).

Baert Gallery | DTLA
Sofia Nifora: Nostos
May 18—June 22, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 18 | 6–8pm
A series of oil paintings and drawings in which the London-based artist conjures images of a mental realm teeming with the presence of departed memories, hopes and dreams.

Film, Music, Theatre, Festivals & Dance

FILM: Woman of Fire
Academy Museum | Mid-Wilshire
Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 8pm
The second installment of Kim Ki-Young’s “Housemaid Trilogy,” Woman of Fire is a lurid cult classic buoyed by Youn Yuh-jung’s mesmerizing performance. Tickets: $10

DANCE: Herald In, Examine Throughout
Broadway Street (between 11th and 12th) | DTLA
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Heidi Duckler Dance presents its biggest performance of the year, taking place against the backdrop of the Herald Examiner Building and inside the Downtown LA Proper Hotel. Tickets: $80

THEATRE: Little Women Spring Immersive Experience
Heritage Square Museum | Montecito Heights
May 17—19, 2024
Meet the characters from the classic tale by Louisa May Alcott in this immersive experience. There will be a walking tour, sweets and refreshments, Victorian dancing and more. Tickets: $60

THEATRE: The Last Five Years
Sierra Madre Playhouse | Sierra Madre
May 17—June 16, 2024
Jason Robert Brown’s acclaimed play is a emotionally charged musical that charts the rise and fall of a romantic relationship. Tickets: $12-45

THEATRE: Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days
ISC Studio | Atwater Village
May 18—June 8, 2024
Samuel Beckett’s play centers on Winnie and Willie, a couple stranded in a mysterious and unrecognizable world. Tickets: $27.50-47.50

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Flowers that Bloom in the Spring!

It's springtime, we love flowers and wedding season is coming up... so here's part 2 of our round-up of specialty floral purveyors around the LA area. If you missed part 1, here you go!

Ann’s Flowers | Santa Monica
A Santa Monica standard since 1937, Ann’s offers a range of florals from exotic and tropical designs to European and modern-pave.

Twigs & Thyme | Beverly Hills
Floral designs reflecting the client’s style – whatever the occasion – created from a selection of seasonal flowers and foliage.

Huābyma | Hollywood Hills
Boutique floral designer with exquisite flair, offering custom bouquets, arrangements and curated wedding florals to complement your vision. Hua means flower in Mandarin.

The Conservatory Florist | Hollywood
Hollywood floral and event studio driven by the pursuit of beauty, for everything from the most intimate wedding to the most extravagant soirée.

Bloom & Plume | Echo Park
The brainchild - or dare we say flower child – of LA-based artist Maurice Harris, this bespoke floral design studio is located in Echo Park.

Literary, Readings & Book Launches

Zine Workshop
Chevalier’s Books | Larchmont Village
Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 6–8pm
Led by bookseller and zine artist Nat Eastman, this workshop will go over the radical history of zine culture. Participants will then create their own handmade zine. Tickets: $5

BGT’s Free Community Book Fair
Avenue 50 Studio | Highland Park
Sunday, May 19, 2024 | 1–5pm
Brown Girl Travels presents this free book fair for all ages. There will be free books, a clothing swap, DJs and mariachis, photo booth and more.

Yumi Sakugawa + Fariha Róisín
North Figueroa Bookshop | Highland Park
Sunday, May 19, 2024 | 5pm
Artist and author Yumi Sakugawa will discuss her newest book, There Is No Right Way To Meditate. She will be joined by writer Fariha Róisín. 

Things To Do & Workshops

Venice Family Clinic Art Walk + Auction
910 Abbott Kinney Boulevard | Venice
Continues through May 19, 2024
Back after a pandemic hiatus, the 45th (mostly annual) Venice Art Walk plus auction celebrates the extraordinary talent of LA-based artists including giants like Arthur Jafa, Larry Bell, Ed Ruscha, Alison Saar, Ed Moses and Fred Eversley. Benefiting the Venice Family Clinic.

Beverly Hills Art Show
Beverly Hills
Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, 2024
Returning for its 51st year with 235 local, regional, national and international artists, the show will run along four blocks of Santa Monica Boulevard, from Rodeo to Rexford Drives. Artist demonstrations, kids’ activities, beer and wine garden with live music, food trucks and more.  

Keystone Art Space: Open Studios
Keystone Art Space | Lincoln Heights, DTLA
Saturday May 18, 2024 | 4–9pm
Get a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process and purchase works directly from the source. More than 50 studios of emerging and established artists producing painting, illustration, printmaking, jewelry, photography and sculpture.

Bug Fair 2024
Natural History Museum | Exposition Park
May 18—19, 2024
Join NHM this weekend for a two-day festival celebrating our winged, multi-legged and squirmy friends. Free with museum admission.

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