W.3rd St. Holiday Street Party: December 9th: The shops of West 3rd St. in West Hollywood will be offering great bargains & refreshments to create a holiday party atmosphere to shop in! Plan to find some pretty unique gifts in the many small shops, or just go to browse and dine at some of the yummy restaurants on 3rd (yes, they will have specials too)!

Holiday Walk on the Avenues: December 10th & 11th: Similar to the W. 3rd shopping party, the Melrose Village area of West Hollywood will also be throwing a party of their own! Even if you’re not looking to do much shopping, this sounds like a fun event to check out to get in the holiday spirit. There will be food trucks (duh), carolers, live entertainment, and refreshments for all!

Stila Warehouse Sale: December 11th: I’m a big fan of Stila Cosmetics but their stuff is just WAY too pricey for me. Luckily, the annual Stila warehouse sale is a great opportunity to stock up on some of your favorite quality make-up at crazy discounts (up to 80% off)! Sale starts at 8am but the line was a couple blocks long last year so get there early if you want the good stuff!

.
Unique LA: December 11th & 12th: Check out LA’s ultimate independent design & gift show for a guaranteed way to get all your holiday shopping done in one swoop! And what’s more guaranteed is that your gifts will truly be one of a kind  and you’ll be supporting local independent designers. There will be hundreds of independent vendors to choose from! Admission is $10 but that includes free drinks (cocktails & soft drinks).

Renegade Craft Fair: December 11th & 12th: This free craft fair takes place at the LA State Historic Park and features indie-craft artists selling their goods. There will also be fun holiday themed craft workshops running throughout the day… from make your own mistletoe and ornaments to DIY shopping bags. Let’s hope the weather looks good for next weekend, because this outdoorsy event sounds like a great time!!

Saturday, 2/6
Echo Park PDA (Public displays of ART) – This is kind of like an art walk but instead of bouncing from gallery to gallery the art will be on on display in driveways and hanging from fences. Instead of bringing the public to the art, they’re bringing the art out into public! From 12pm-6pm starting at the corner of Echo Park Ave. and Sunset Blvd. (where you can pick up a map) you can explore the neighborhood all the while enjoying driveway drive-ins, garage band concerts in garages, Chain link fence galleries, and many other creative public displays of art.
Cost: FREE

Hawaii at the Grove – Every Saturday in February from 12pm-7pm The Grove is going to be turned into a Hawaiian paradise with food, drinks, music, and lots of activities to keep you busy! (Hula lessons, anyone?) Each weekend they’ll be focusing on a different Island and  this weekend they kick it off with Kaua’i! Relax to Hawaiian music performed by Kaua’i's own Nick Castillo and the graceful hula of one of the island’s top talents, Noelani Kau’i. Enjoy delicious Kaua’i Coffee and explore the variety of Kaua’i Made products on display.
Cost: FREE

Sunday, 2/7
Super Bowl Sunday Round-up – Our friend EstarLA put together this great list of things to do on Super Bowl Sunday so if you don’t already have plans you should really check this out!

All Weekend
Bank of America Free Museum Admission – Enjoy Free admission to select museums just for flashing your BoA card!
Cost: FREE

Harvesting fruit trees is very dangerous work...

Fallen Fruit’s Tree Giveaway - Fallen Fruit is celebrating their upcoming EATLACMA exhibit by giving away fruit trees. Their whole deal is the belief that fruit should be communal so they’re sharing fruit trees with people in the hopes that they’ll plant them in a place where everyone can enjoy them! They’ll be handing out saplings Saturday at the Watts Towers Arts Center & Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center and on Sunday at LACMA both starting at 12pm. Get there early to make sure you get a tree!
Cost: FREE

Friday
Hello Kitty Exhibition – Need a little more Kawaii in your life? Today is the opening of the Hello Kitty Exhibition at Royal/ T cafe in Culver City. Stop by and check out some of the many products and art that have featured Hello Kitty over the past 35 years!
Cost: FREE

Saturday
Cake Truffles Tasting – Essential Chococlate Desserts is holding a tasting of some of their delicious cake truffles. Stop by from 3pm – 4pm and for only $7 you get 6 cake truffles, water, soda, coffee, or tea, and you can get 15% off anything you buy or order in the store that day. The catch is there’s only room for 30 people so make a reservation quick by emailing melissa@essentialchocolate.com or calling (310) 287-0699.
Cost: $7

Free Belly Dancing & Zumba Classes - Heartbeat House in Atwater Village is holding not one but two free classes this Saturday! First at 12pm join Oceana for Bellydance Burn then come back at 5pm for Zumba with Marisa.
Cost: FREE

BevMo Tastings –  Bevmo just opened a new store in Rolling Hills and they’re having a Mega Tasting benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs to celebrate. Try Beer, Wine, and Spirits from over 70 different vendors. Your $15 donation gets you a tasting glass, 10 taste tickets, and a goody bag. Not to mention there will be free hors d’oeuvres served all day long. The event runs from 11am – 5pm and you can see a list of who’s pouring when here.
Cost: $15

Sunday
Bedrocktoberfest – Bedrock is a new music compound in Echo Park and they’re having their grand opening this Sunday. There will be live music, free food and drink, prizes, and surprises. The event runs 2pm – 6pm but you must RSVP by emailing rsvp@bedrockla.com.
Cost: FREE

Farmer’s Market Fall Festival – It’s the Fall Festival we’ve been waiting for all month! The Farmer’s Market will be shutting down an entire street (Gilmore Lane) from and filling it with fall festivities like a petting zoo, crafts demonstrations, a pie-eating contest, and live music! The website has a full schedule so you can plan which events you’d like to go to and maybe do research on the music acts.
Cost: FREE

Friday
Free Coffee Bean – We love that Coffee Bean is always giving out a free drink. This time it’s a pumpkin based beverage in honor of fall, or as I like to call it Thank-God-the-valley-won’t-be-unbearably-hot-for-much-longer.
Cost: FREE

Saturday
Pico Art Walk & Car Show – The Pico Improvement Organization is holding their 4th annual Art walk and Car show from 10am to 5pm. In addition to the obvious art and classic cars, there will also be music and food. Sounds like a good time to me.
Cost: FREE

Free Food @ Stonefire Grill – Stonefire Grill is celebrating the opening of its new Pasadena location by offering FREE Meals from 5pm to 9pm and not only is it free but all tips from the event will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Southern California. It’s reservation only so call up Meredith McWade at (818) 991-4054 Ext 0 and ask her to save seats for you and up to three friends.
Cost: FREE

Zombie Pub Creep - Starting at the V Room at 8pm the living dead will be taking over Long Beach. Dig out your most gruesome outfit and head out for a night of unruly, undead drinking. Good times, Good times.
Cost: Subjective

Sunday
Sherman Oaks Street Fair – This Sunday the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce will be closing down Ventura between Van Nuys and Kester for the annual Sherman Oaks Street Fair. There will be music, shopping, beer and wine, as well as some rides and attractions. I’m not sure what kind of rides and attractions they’ll have but I’d be willing to pay the FREE admission to find out.
Cost: FREE

Each location has their own reservation start date and LA’s isn’t until October 12th so we’ll give you a quick reminder when it gets closer but for now take a look at the list of shows and decide what you’d like to see. Perhaps you could strike up a conversation with the cute girl at your office and casually mention that you’re going to see a performance of Steel Magnolias but none of your friends want to go….just a thought.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to see all the cool stuff you’ve been missing out on because you don’t want to shell out $10 for a ticket. Below is a list of the participating museums and which day(s) they’re participating.

Big ups to LA Freebee for compiling this list.

• Armory Center for the Arts – Both Days Free
  
• The Autry National Center – Sunday, October 4th ONLY
• Bowers Museum – Sunday, October 4th Only
• California African American Museum – Both Days Free
  
• California Heritage Museum – Saturday, October 3rd Only
• California Science Center – Both Days Free
  
• Craft and Folk Art Museum – Both Days Free
  
• Fowler Museum at UCLA – Both Days Free
  
• The Getty Center – Both Days
• The Getty Villa**- Both Days
• The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live – Sunday, October 4th Only
• Hammer Museum at UCLA – Sunday, October 4th Only
• Japanese American National Museum – Saturday, October 3rd Only
• Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial – Saturday, October 3rd
• The Museum of Contemporary Art,
  Los Angeles (MOCA) – Sunday, October 4th Only
• Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) – Both Days
• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Sunday October 4th Only
• Norton Simon Museum – Sunday, October 4th Only
• Orange County Center for Contemporary Art – Both Days
• Orange County Museum of Art – Both Days
• The Paley Center for Media – Both Days
• Santa Monica Museum of Art - Saturday, October 3rd Only
• Skirball Cultural Center – Sunday, October 4th Only
• The Studio for Southern California History – Both Days

Friday

Los Feliz Art Walk -  This art walk comes around on the first Friday of every month. Support the arts by visiting participating galleries and studios. Makes for a great cheap date! Hours are gallery-dependent but most are open from 7pm to 11pm. 
Cost: FREE

Saturday
Free Bowling Day - Help break the world record for most games bowled in a single day. Make sure you bring your printed coupon and some money for those sexy bowling shoes!
Cost: FREE (plus cost of shoes) 

Monday
Labor Day Potluck - Fancifull Gift Baskets on Melrose is holding a community potluck dinner as part of a National Day of Action. Thousands of people across the nation will share a meal to show their support for the passage of a better Child Nutrition Act. Bring some food to share and enjoy the homemade dishes from local restaurants and your fellow neighbors! 
Cost: FREE 

Free Chick-Fil-A - The nearest Chick-Fil-A is a bit of a drive, but if you’re dedicated enough to head over there anytime after 10:30am wearing your favorite team logo, you’ll get a free chicken sandwich!
Cost: FREE 

All Weekend
Coffee at Borders - Visit your local Borders for a free small cup of Seattle’s Best Coffee with coupon!  We especially like this coupon because it lets you add a flavor to your brew, choose from: Vanilla Crème, Cinnamon Swirl, or Hazelnut. The coupon is good through Monday 9/7 and is valid at any Border’s with a Seattle’s Best Coffee cafe.
Cost: FREE 

L.A. County Fair - The L.A. County Fair is in town (well, in Pomona) from Sept.5th – Oct.4th! The fair sounds like a blast but tickets are typically kind of pricey ($17/adult). However, to celebrate opening weekend and Labor Day they are lowering admission prices this weekend only to $1! You have to enter the fair between 10am-1pm to qualify for the discounted admission, so set your alarm clocks. The only downfall is that fair parking is $10…but we’re hoping for street parking or unofficial lots nearby that will be cheaper.
Cost: $1 + Parking

The opening reception runs from 8pm to 10pm and will not only feature beautiful art but also free food and drinks. So head on down to Ocean Avenue and get some culture!

Friday, July 24th
Gagosian Gallery

La Luz de Jesus brings you Post Mortem showcasing the works of the deceased Gidget Gein. Gein, former bassist for Marilyn Manson, passed away from a drug overdose on October 8 2008. His work plays heavily in the satirical traditions of fellow artists Michael Ray Charles and Andy Warhol. This is the most extensive gallery exhibition of his art to date and touches on important breakthroughs in his art career spanning 1993 to 2008.
Time: 8pm – 11pm
Place:  Map, 4633 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles CA

Saturday, July 25th
Corey Helford Gallery showcases the work of three very diverse and talented artists. In Heavy Petting , David Burke uses acrylic-on-canvas to paint fantastical narratives of opposites and extremes. The other featured artist, Mia, presents Riddles in the Dark, a series of acrylic-on-panel works about loss, exploration, and discovery based on the myth of “Pandora’s Box”. There will also be works from guest artist Sarah Folkman in the loft titled Keep it Down.
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Place: Map, 8522 Washington Boulevard, Culver City CA

Jeanie Madsen Gallery is having an opening reception featuring three unique Los Angeles photographers: Kristine Ambrose, Casper Brindle and Julia Ransom. The gallery combines original works from Los Angeles based artists with fashion from Jeanie Madsen’s latest clothing line. Situated in an art deco high rise just steps away from Ocean Park, the gallery currently displays the work of 13 artists, and over 50 works of art and fashion including mixed media, oil, sculpture, drawings, and photography.
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Place: Map, 1431 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica CA
Serving: Wine and Appetizers

Scion Installation LA Presents the 2009 Vice Magazine Photography Exhibition.  This is the 9th annual exhibition by Vice Magazine. Best known for documenting youthful excess, questionable street fashion and powerful scenes of political unrest around the world, Vice presents this exhibition in conjunction with “The 2009 Vice Magazine Photo Issue” and is curated by the magazine’s managing editor Amy Kellner.

Time: 7pm – 10pm
Place: Map, 3521 Helms Avenue, Culver City CA

Friday, July 3rd
G2 Gallery has puppies! And Kitties too! Paws is a group show featuring the photography of Harry Giglio, Genaro Molina and Sharon Montrose and sculptures by Audrey Lynne Cook and Norton Latourelle. The exhibit takes a closer look at the instincts and idiosyncrasies of our four legged companions.
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Place: Map, 1503 Abbot Kinney, Venice CA

HAPPY brings you Never Odd or Even. HAPPY is not only a gallery but also a resource for well designed home and lifestyle accessories. Tonight they’ll be featuring works by Jim Gentry. According to the press release: “Gentry uses image and language to lure the viewer into his “drawings” of birds. Creating idiosyncratic gestures with sewn thread and contrasting this erratic style with subversive and stealth messages…” There will also be an installation by Leia Jervert. Jervert will be creating a life sized hedge built out of discarded materials. Viewers are encouraged to “Trim the hedge”.
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Place: Map, 4675 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles CA

C.A.V.E. Gallery loves Lemurs...

C.A.V.E. Gallery hosts a new group show titled Just Because. This reception will be a party featuring not only great artwork but great tunes from LA DJ, DJ Farina, and DJ T as well as live painting by Yuki Miyazaki.
Time:  7pm – 11pm
Place: Map, 507 Rose Avenue, Venice CA

First Fridays is practically a national holiday. All over the country art studios open their doors, offer free drinks or snacks and encourage you to enjoy the arts. I first heard of this while living in Boston’s South End and thought it was only a Boston thing until I moved out here. I know Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice participates as do certain places in Los Feliz. These are the only ones I’ve heard of so if you know any others leave a comment and I’ll be sure to include it.

Saturday, July 4th
Jancar Gallery is doing a special one week only show for the 4th. Again, there’s not a lot of information about the works except a list of artists… a very long list of artists. Check out their website for that list.
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Place: Map, 961 Chung King Road, Los Angeles CA

As always, this is my short list of the art openings this week. For everything happening this week check out The Mag LA.