Free Willy

    
Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets. He stayed in the studio longer than Tupac and like both men, we're still intrigued by their lyrics and words today. Dost thou know of a greater time than the summer to check out Willy's work?

    There are two great ways to see Shakespeare this summer for FREE. The Independent Shakespeare Company's season starts Thursday, June 28th in Griffith Park and will continue every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Sept. 2. All performances are at 7pm. If Shake n Surf is more your style, The Salty Shakespeare Company's edited version of Hamlet at The Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica will suit thine own theatrical appetite. Shows are July 11, 12, 13, 17, 18 & 20 @ 3:30pm! The shows are free but Salty Shakespeare requires you to make reservations on line at http://annenbergbeachhouse.com/beachculture

When: Throughout the summer. Check both websites for dates and times
 http://www.iscla.org/
http://www.saltyshakespeare.org/

Where: Independent Shakespeare Co. performs at The Old Zoo at Griffith Park. Parking is free but a bit tricky. Check the ISC website for more details on exactly how to find the stage.

            Salty Shakespeare Company performs at The Annenberg Community Beach House

415 Pacific Coast Hwy

Santa Monica, CA 90402

        

Why: Shakespeare is the king of eloquent communication and since communication is so important when you're dating, enjoy the outdoors, cozy up and thank me later.

Cost: FREE. Reservations are necessary for Salty Shakespeare Co. and you can just show up for Shakespeare in Griffith Park. Parking at The Annenberg is $8 during the week and $10 on the weekend

          

The Great Outdoors, a Movie, & Grub

As much as I love eating a gourmet Chicken Apple Sausage while watching the hottest new indie flick at The Arclight, shelling out $16 per ticket can get old, fast. And since this town is known for it’s love of movies and the movie industry, an Outdoor Summer Movie Series is a great way to fall in love with some of your favorite oldies and enjoy some goodies at the same time. On top of showing recent cinema classics, you’ll find some of the best food trucks in LA, & LIVE bands performing before every movie; giving you one of the most unique “Dinner & A Movie” experiences ever.

Bringing a comfortable blanket for the ground is ideal, but bringing the low lawn chairs is gonna give you some premium comfort. And the people behind you will appreciate it. And for you serial texters, even though its outdoors, take an SMS break. If you’re important, people will wait. : ) There are two outdoor film series that both start running this Saturday, May 26th. Check out their websites for film schedules and more detailed info.

streetfoodcinema.com 

http://eatseehear.com/

Details:

Outside Food & Drinks ok        

Dogs are allowed(leashed)

Buy Tickets Online

Cost: $10 entrance fee & food ranges in cost depending on the                      food truck. Limited amount of VIP $20 tickets available for reserved seating.

Where: Locations vary(see websites)

When: Saturday nights during the summer(doors open 5:30, Live Band @ 6:30, & Movie @ 8:30)

Higher Learning

        Food shows on television cover just about everything you’ve ever thought about eating or drinking. And like shopping at Abercrombie it’s not very interactive. Emeril can “Kick it up a notch” all day long but will you ever know how it smells or tastes?

         The Association is one of the sexiest bars to pop up in downtown LA. It’s a little hard to find, like a person under 50 with a checkbook. But that’s part of what makes it unique. It’s lower level entrance and unmarked Ebenezer Scrooged door have all the tell tale signs of a secret club. Yet you’ll always find an interesting crowd and a diverse variety of music playing. Every Wednesday at 7pm they offer a free 2 hour introduction to cocktails class. And yes you get to do a little tasting too.This class will walk you through the process of cocktail design, mixology and history of their most popular cocktails. A date at a bar is pretty standard. Why not “Sip it up a notch” and upgrade from the Fuzzy Navels and Apple Martinis you’re so famous for making at Rotary Club meetings. Reservations through Eventbrite.com are necessary. (Next available class is April 25^th)

Details:

Website:  http://www.theassociation-la.com/

                http://associationcocktailclasses.eventbrite.com/

                (Make reservations here)

 

When: Wednesdays 7-9pm

Where: The Association

             110 E 6th St

             Downtown LA

Why: Because getting some Mixology 101 knowledge is a huge step up from your first chemistry kit in 4th grade.

Cost: Free

99 Bottles of Beer on The Wall…And a Bunch of Art

      Unless you live in a cave or have been collecting prison tats for the last 6 to 8 years, you know that downtown LA is one of the hottest places in the city to hang out. But just beyond the downtown borders there’s a unique community of artists who live in a former Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery complex. Twice a year they open their doors to the public to display and sell their art. With over 100 participating resident artists, it’s the world largest art complex. Imagine a live version of Mtv Cribs, but instead of seeing Master P's gold elevator, you get to see how local artists live and create. If that’s not enough, there’s good food, including an on sight restaurant that’s a great spot to kick back, music, and plenty of fun people watching.

 

         The Brewery Artwalk is happening this Saturday & Sunday (March 31st & April 1st)from 11am-6pm. It’s free and there’s plenty of parking. If you’re just looking or thinking of buying, it’s one of the coolest places in LA to check out art. There’s everything from the stuff you think your nephew Nathan could do(on or off his meds), to detailed beautiful masterpieces. Come, have fun, open your mind, and a cold one.

Details:

When: March 31st and April 1st(Saturday & Sunday)

Where: 2100 N. Main St, LA, CA 90031

Why: Really cool art and you can finally be the one who introduced someone in LA to somewhere they’ve never been.

Cost: Free

Parking: Free

These Sketchers actually look good

(Rosetta Stone not necessary for translation. That is certifiable sarcasm.)   

 Whenever I even think of picking up a pen to draw something, I can hear Mike Meyers, during his SNL days singing, "Well you know my name is Simon and I like to do drawerings!" I like to do drawerings too. The problem is they look as good as Steven Tyler in those Stretch-Mants. Hard to look at and begging for some aesthetic intervention.

      If you're at all artistically challenged like me, you're in luck. The Getty Drawing Hour is hosted by an artist who can give you a few pointers.  Just bring your own drawing pad and pencil. All experience levels are welcome. Hey, even if what you end up wouldn't be frame-worthy for a 4th grader, you and your date can laugh about it and enjoy experiencing a museum in a more creative way. And be honest; when you have seen a person sketching away in a museum, you think they're the coolest person ever; IN THAT ROOM. I forgot to mention its FREE and the next one is this Sunday, March 18th from 3:30-5:30pm. Registration begins at 2:30 @ the Museum Information Desk. The Getty Drawing Hour happens every first and third Sunday of the month. After this Sunday the next one is April 1st.

Details:

Website: http://www.getty.edu/index.html

When: The first and third Sunday of each month from 3:30-5:30

Where: The Getty Center(off the 405 freeway)
             Entrance is free and no reservations required

Why: Wearing Sketchers could make getting a 2nd date a bit of a challenge but sketching together guarantees it. I haven't done a survey but trust me.

Cost: Entrance and The Drawing Hour are free. Parking is $15 and based on availability

Tip: Get there early so you can check out the museum and register to make sure you get a spot.

It's Your Party, In The Sky If You Want To

       There's been a long standing beef between the two Paparazzi factions in Los Angeles-the ones who crowd LAX and The Grove begging to ask celebrities mundane questions and the other who points their lenses a little higher; beyond our stratosphere. The former definitely gets more television time but so do Pajama Jeans and Latisse. Its a good thing this town is big enough for the two of em. But consider taking a break from your day to day star gazing infatuation and head up to the Griffith Observatory. After a $93 Million dollar renovation it reopened in 2006 as one of the most impressive observatories in the world. Nearly 40,000 sq feet of new public space was added during the 4 year re-construction. My favorite addition is the new state of the art 300 seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium theater. They added a new dome, star projector, digital laser projectors, seats, sound system, and lighting to make it the finest planetarium in the world. They currently have 3 presentations showing that run a few times per day. Another great thing to try is the Star Party(Free). It happens once a month from 2:00pm-9:45pm. It's a chance to look at the sun, moon, visible planets, and other objects, and try out a variety of telescopes. The next one is this Saturday, February 25th, and check their website for upcoming Star Party dates.

      Two other things you shouldn't miss while you're there is the original Zeiss refracting telescope that's been viewed by more than 7 Million people making it the most viewed telescope in the world. It's free and open to the public on clear days/nights. And last but not least is the incredible view of the LA skyline. Take the time to absorb our city skyline from the ocean to East LA, and beyond.

Details:

Website: http://www.griffithobservatory.org/index.html

When: Closed Monday & Tuesday
            Weekdays (Wed-Fri)12 Noon-10pm
            Weekends (Sat & Sun)10am-10pm

Where: 2800 East Observatory Road
             Los Angeles, CA 90027
             (213) 473-0800

Why: Your tax dollars paid for $67.4 Million of the renovation and it goes without saying that any date that includes the term "Celestial" has to end well. And guys, please no Big Dipper jokes. I'm serious!!

Cost: Free; Planetarium shows are $7 for adults and $5 for kids

Tip: Bring comfortable shoes. You'll probably end up parking on the road leading up to the planetarium since their parking lot isn't very big.

The Dark Arts

It's scientifically true that, no matter your ethnic preference, we are all black when the lights go out. Thankfully the same doesn't apply to art. And a happy Black History Month to you too. This Saturday check out the opening reception of In The Dark.Its from 7-10pm at The LA Mart(downtown). In The Dark showcases the work of 17 different artists and displays them in a darkened gallery. All the artists are working with light emitting or reactive materials. ie: LED's, fiber optic cables, luminescent plastics, etc. Some even require viewer participation. In The Dark runs from February 4-March 31, 2012.

Details:

When: The opening reception is this Saturday from 7-10pm, but the exhibit runs through March 31, 2012

Where: LA Mart Bldg., 12th Floor, 1933 S Broadway, Suite #1245, LA, CA 90007

Cost: Free

Why: Most of you were conceived in darkness and look at the art you've become. Bad example. Everything there is better than your best Light Brite creations.