Ongoing Events — April 1 through April 30, 2019

Prior Pleasures by Ellen Cantor — Exhibition runs through Tuesday, May 7

Prior Pleasures is a photographic exhibition created using a multiple exposure technique (without Photoshop). Artist Ellen Cantor photographs the end pages, illustrations, and text in a way that shows the excitement of a book fluttering open and coming to life for readers of all generations. This exhibition explores the artist's memory and preservation of the past as the books are the same ones the artist has carried with her since childhood. Admission is free. This exhibition is presented by the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division. For more information, visit www.weho.org/arts or follow @WeHoArts on social media.

Through Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at the West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Beverly Park, the Kiddieland that Inspired Walt Disney Exhibition — Through January 2020

Photographs from the new book: Beverly Park, the Kiddieland that Inspired Walt Disney by Jay Jennings will be exhibited at the West Hollywood Library through January 2020. Admission is free during regular library operating hours. Beverly Park holds a special place in the hearts of Los Angeles area natives who frequented this special amusement park from 1943 to 1974. Located on the border of West Hollywood at the corner of Beverly and La Cienega Boulevards where the Beverly Center now stands, Beverly Park was a then-unique experience that touched the lives of anyone who went there. For more information, contact Mike Che at
(323) 848-6377 or mche@weho.org.

Through January 2020 at the West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

April is National Poetry Month

The City of West Hollywood will celebrate National Poetry Month in April with a variety of events and exhibitions honoring poets and poetry. National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, municipalities, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture. The City of West Hollywood began its City Poet Laureate program in 2014, with each poet serving for two years. The City Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador of West Hollywood’s vibrant literary culture and leads the promotion of poetry in the City, including its annual celebration of National Poetry Month.

 

National Poetry Month Street Pole Banner Display — Through April

Throughout the month of April, the City of West Hollywood will honor living poets by featuring selections of their poetry on street pole banners along Santa Monica Boulevard. Currently there are 36 poets honored, and each year, the West Hollywood City Poet Laureate selects two additional poets to honor. This year’s honorees are Garrett Hongo and Robin Coste Lewis.

Throughout April 2019 along Santa Monica Boulevard.

 

L.A. Get Down Festival — Fridays and Saturdays throughout April

With the support of the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division, Greenway Arts Alliance will present the annual L.A. Get Down Festival on Fridays and Saturdays through the month of April. The festival is a celebration of hip hop and spoken word, presented in association with Da Poetry Lounge.  Most events are $10.  For tickets, please visit http://greenwaycourttheatre.org/lagetdown2019.

Fridays and Saturdays throughout April 2019

 

Poetry Reading & Conversation with the Poets: Kim Dower and Richard Blanco — Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m.

As part of the City’s WeHo Reads series, there will be a poetry reading and conversation between Inaugural Poet for President Barack Obama Richard Blanco and former West Hollywood City Poet Laureate Kim Dower. The event celebrates the launch of two new poetry collections: Richard Blanco’s How to Love a Country and Kim Dower’s Sunbathing on Tyrone Power’s Grave. Richard Blanco is the youngest and the only openly gay and Latino poet to have read at a presidential inauguration. Kim Dower, who has been a West Hollywood resident for more than 30 years, was the City’s second City Poet Laureate and has published four poetry collections. Following the conversation, there will be a book-signing with books available for sale by Book Soup, and a reception hosted by the Friends of the West Hollywood Library. Admission is free. For more information and to RSVP: www.weho.org/wehoreads.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at the West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Lingua Franca Poetry Reading — Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m.

As part of the City’s WeHo Reads series, there will be a poetry reading entitled Lingua Franca in the City’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Inspired by Adrienne Rich’s Dream of a Common Language, West Hollywood City Poet Laureate Charles Flowers has curated a reading of international poetry by poets from Belgium, India, Iran, and Poland, among other countries. The event features poets Kazim Ali, Laure-Anne Bosselaar, Elena Karina Byrne, Blas Falconer, Piotr Florczyck, and Vandana Khanna. Admission is free. Free parking is available in the adjacent five-story structure with validation at the event. A small reception will follow the event. Books by the poets will also be available for purchase. For more information and to RSVP: www.weho.org/wehoreads.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at the West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Lambda Lit Book Club — Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m.

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the monthly Lambda Lit Book Club will read and discuss Midnight in a Perfect World by Collin Kelley. The book club is moderated by Steven Reigns, inaugural City of West Hollywood Poet Laureate. Admission is free. For more information please visit www.lambdaliterary.org/book-clubs/lambda-lit-book-club.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 7 p.m. at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

April 2019

Women and Books, First Tuesday of Each Month, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones — Tuesday, April 2 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Women and Books is a book club that meets on the first Tuesday of each month to discuss books written by women authors. This month features An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. Women And Books is co‐sponsored by the City of West Hollywood through its Women’s Advisory Board and by the West Hollywood Library. Admission is free, but space is limited so RSVPs are encouraged. Free parking will be available at the adjacent five-story structure with validation. For more information, visit www.meetup.com/womenandbooksinweho.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Be Well WeHo: Memory Training — Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, and 23 from
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This four‐week Be Well WeHo class will teach strategies and exercises to improve long‐term memory and the ability to retain and recall information. Developed by UCLA, this memory class provides practical ways to help people keep track of keys, phones, and other items as well as retain and recall dates, phone numbers, addresses, and people’s names. Everyone over 18 is welcome, and classes are just $3. To register, visit www.weho.org/recreation. For more information, call (323) 848‐6843. New students may not join after the 2^nd session.

Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Plummer Park’s Community Center, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.

 

Be Well WeHo Mindfulness Series: Power of Acceptance — Wednesday, April 3, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

As part of the Be Well WeHo Mindfulness Series, we’re offering two opportunities to join our Be Well WeHo classes where we’ll be covering the topic of the Power of Acceptance. We will discuss that acceptance is the key to moving forward and detaching from the past to eliminate suffering. During this class, participants will learn how to mindfully, and joyfully, accept themselves as they are, without giving their power away to others. Everyone over 18 is welcome. Admission $3 per class.  To register, visit www.weho.org/recreation. For more information, call (323) 848-6843.

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Plummer Park’s Community Center, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.

 

City of West Hollywood Rec ‘n’ Roll Mobile Recreation Event — Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy recreation in the great outdoors at Kings Road Park this winter when the Rec ‘n’ Roll team rolls into your neighborhood park. Kids ages 4 to 10 will have fun with board games, sidewalk chalk, sports equipment, craft projects and much more. Please note: Parental supervision is required in order to participate. Admission is free. For more information, call (323) 848-6534.

Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kings Road Park, located at 1000 N. Kings Road.

 

City of West Hollywood Kids Fair — Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The City of West Hollywood presents the 24^th annual West Hollywood Kids Fair, a free day of fun, education and information for young children and their families. The event will feature Sheriff’s and Fire Department equipment and demonstrations, community services/school information, environmental education, health information, face painting, arts and crafts, games, and more!  For more information, contact Corey Roskin at croskin@weho.org or (323) 848-6403.

Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plummer Park, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard

 

West Hollywood West Design Guidelines Update — Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Join the City of West Hollywood and your neighbors to learn about updates to the 2014 West Hollywood Design Guidelines and Zoning Overlay which was based on feedback received from the community. Come learn about proposed improvements to the guidelines, and provide feedback on what you’d like to see included in the 2019 update.  For more information, contact Garen Srapyan, Associate Planner at (323) 848‐6827 or gsrapyan@weho.org.

Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

West Hollywood Aesthetics and Politics Lecture Series: Jack Z. Bratich — Friday, April 12 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

WHAP! — the West Hollywood Aesthetics and Politics lecture series — was launched in fall 2011, and is co‐hosted by the City of West Hollywood and the CalArts MA Program in Aesthetics & Politics. Jack Z. Bratich is associate professor in the journalism and media studies department at Rutgers University. His research takes a critical approach to the intersection of popular culture and political culture. His work applies autonomist social theory to such topics as craft media, reality television, social movement media, and the cultural politics of secrecy. He is currently writing about cultural forms emerging from the failure of neoliberalism and the mobilization of communications warfare. He will present: “The Aesthetics of Decline: Necro-Populism, Downsurgency, and Wars of Restoration” at this edition of the lecture series. For additional information, please contact Joy Tribble at (323) 848-6360 or jtribble@weho.org.

Friday, April 12, 2019 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

City of West Hollywood Spring Fest in the Park — Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m.

Hop into Spring Fest in the Park on this City of West Hollywood Family Fun Saturday! Bring your family and friends for an exhilirating day of outdoor games and prizes, carnival games, music, and more at West Hollywood Park. An old fashioned Egg Hunt on the Great Lawn is sure to be the highlight of the day! Attendance is free. There is no registration required just come on out and have some fun! For more information, call West Hollywood Park at (323) 848‐6534.

Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard

 

Rubbish and Dreams: The Genderqueer Performance Art of Stephen Varble in 1970s New York — Saturday, April 13 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Curator David J. Getsy’s public lecture, “Rubbish and Dreams: The Genderqueer Performance Art of Stephen Varble in 1970s New York” is presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division and will provide a behind the scenes overview of Varble’s dynamic and disruptive career as a performance artist, playwright, filmmaker, and video artist. Antagonistic to commercialism and art’s institutions, Varble stormed galleries, boutiques, and banks in glamorous gender-confounding costumes made from trash. Admission is free. Validated parking available in the five story public parking structure. For more information, visit www.calgbtartsalliance.com

Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the West Hollywood Park Public Meeting Room/Council Chambers, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Pawsapalooza — Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With support from the City of West Hollywood, PAWS/LA (Pets Are Wonderful Support Los Angeles) announces its annual PAWSAPALOOZA Festival & Marketplace that celebrates all things canine! This festive family‐friendly event will include dozens of exhibitors featuring pet‐friendly products and services. A selection of food trucks will serve up a delectable variety of food choices, drinks, snacks, and goodies. Other fun activities include a Canine Costume Contest and raffle. Prizes will be awarded to the dogs with the best Easter‐themed costumes. The contest will take place at noon, so come on down with your favorite dog dressed to the ‘k'nines!!  Admission is free.  Festival attendees are encouraged to bring their canine companions on leash.  For more information visit www.pawsla.org or call John Meeks at (213) 741-1950, ext. 116. 

Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Ethics Reform Task Force — Monday, April 22, at 6 p.m.

As directed by the West Hollywood City Council, the Ethics Reform Task Force will recommend reforms that will assure strong and comprehensive ethics rules consistent with the City’s commitment to open and fair government. The three key issue areas identified by the City Council are: Government Ethics, Lobbyists Regulation, and Enforcement.  For more information, contact Melissa Crowder, Assistant City Clerk, at MCrowder@weho.org.

Monday, April 22, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the Community Conference Room at West Hollywood City Hall, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard at Sweetzer Avenue.

 

Women In Film Speaker Series: Crowdfunding for Film — Monday, April 22  from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Supported by the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division, join Women In Film for a panel discussion about how crowdfunding empowers filmmakers to fund their shorts and feature films and builds a strong fan base. Emerging and established filmmakers will learn the benefits and opportunities of crowdfunding including:  crowdfunding vs traditional film financing; choosing a crowdfunding platform; setting fundraising goals; tools and tactics of a successful crowdfunding campaign.  Panelists include: Emily Best (Seed & Spark) and Fanny Veliz (Avenida Productions).  Admission is $10; Women In Film members are free. To RSVP and for more information, visit https://womeninfilm.z2systems.com/np/clients/womeninfilm/event.jsp?event=174&.

Monday, April 22, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Seniors in Action: Community + Connection + Conversation — Tuesday, April 23 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Seniors in Action: Community + Connection + Conversation offers activities that provide engaging opportunities for participants to learn something new, contribute their talents and experience, and deepen their connection to the West Hollywood community. This is an interactive experience, so be prepared to participate. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. For more information, contact Valentina Aleksandrova of the West Hollywood Comprehensive Services Center at  valeksandrova@jfsla.org or (323) 876-1717.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Tour the City of West Hollywood’s Public Facilities — Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Mark your calendars for an exciting morning! Everyone is invited to jump on the Public Facilities Commission’s shuttle bus for an exciting tour of the City of West Hollywood’s Public Facilities. The tour route will include the following locations: Laurel Park, Plummer Park, Formosa Park, and the Werle Building where participants will view the progress of the West Hollywood Park Phase II Construction Project. The bus will depart from City Hall at approximately 8:15 a.m. and drop‐off will be approximately 12 p.m.

Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting at West Hollywood City Hall, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard at Sweetzer Avenue.

 

Arbor Day: Plant a Tree and Celebrate Laurel Park — Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Community members are invited to participate in tree planting activities and a formal dedication at Laurel Park in celebration of Arbor Day.  For more information, contact Debbie Gonzalez, Facilities and Field Services Administrative Coordinator at (323) 848‐3116 or degonzalez@weho.org.

Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Laurel Park, located at 1343 N. Laurel Avenue.

 

Low Cost SPCA-LA Pet Vaccination Clinic — Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Any kind of regular protective vaccines your dog or cat needs, including kitten and puppy packages that include microchips, will be available at the SPCA-LA low-cost pet vaccination clinic. Also, learn more about the Canine Influenza Virus while you’re on site – this vaccination requires a booster with your regular vet 2-4 weeks after the initial vaccine. All dogs on leash or carrier, all cats in carriers. Bring medical records if you have them. Cash, debit/credit accepted.  For more information, call 888-spcaLA-1 or visit www.spcaLA.com.

Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Plummer Park Community Center, rooms 5 and 6, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.

 

Artists Connect at the Artists Roundtable — Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Artists connect! The Artists Roundtable is a gathering of the arts organizations, individual artists, arts and creative businesses, and community members committed to West Hollywood’s artistic and cultural vitality. It offers a place for information sharing, networking, interactive presentations, and other special programming. The Roundtable is a direct outcome of WeHo Arts: The Plan, the City’s community‐based cultural planning process.  Admission is free.  To RSVP, visit https://wehoarts‐artistsroundtable‐april2019.eventbrite.com.

Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Plummer Park’s Great Hall located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.

 

Calling Children of All Ages! Drag Queen Story Hour — Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m.

Start Saturday morning off on the right uh… high heel, with our fun and fabulous Drag Queen Story Hour. Children are invited to bring their parents and guardians and join the City of West Hollywood at the West Hollywood Library for Drag Queen Story Hour, which is exactly what it sounds like: glittering, magical drag queens capturing the imagination, playfulness, and gender fluidity of childhood, while giving kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. At Drag Queen Story Hour, children are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people present as they wish — a world where dress up is real. For children of all ages. No registration necessary. Admission is free. Co‐sponsored by the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division. For more information, please visit www.colapublib.org/libs/whollywood.

Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

 

Il Barocco: The Italian Influence in Two Parts — Saturday,
April 27 at 8 p.m.

Presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division, the baroque orchestra, Kontrapunktus makes its West Hollywood concert debut featuring the new classical music production, Il Barocco: The Italian Influence in Two Parts. Under the direction of esteemed harpsichordist Ian Pritchard, Kontrapunktus will present music by composers Vivaldi, Corelli, Avison, Marecello, and more.  The concert is free and tickets can be reserved by visiting www.kontrapunktus.com. 

Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, located at 1281 N. Fairfax Avenue.

 

Global Musical Bridges: Piano Recital by Vladimir Khomyakov — Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m.

Presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s Russian Advisory Board, Vladimir Khomyakov will perform a solo piano recital. He is a top prizewinner of numerous prestigious international piano competitions and his performances are broadcast on radio and television around the world. Dr. Khomyakov is an on-going jury member of LANSUM International Music Festival and Competition (Los Angeles, CA), ISAM International Piano Competition (Michelstadt, Germany), Pacific Musical Society Music Competition (San Francisco, CA), Yuri Yegorov Open Piano Competition (Kazan, Russia), and numerous national MTNA competitions in the United States.  This program will feature: Mussorgsky’s  Pictures at an Exhibition, Tchaikovsky’s Dumka Op.59 and Stravinsky’s Three Movements from Petrushka.  Suggested donation $20.  For more information, visit

https://www.globalmusicalbridges.com or call (424) 345-6123.

Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Plummer Park’s Fiesta Hall located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.

 

City of West Hollywood Aging in Place Program Workshop: Making My Smartphone Work for Me — Tuesday, April 30 at 4 p.m.

Let us help you customize your phone to make it work the way you want as the City of West Hollywood’s Aging in Place/Aging in Community Program present the workshop: Making My Smartphone Work for Me. Topics covered in this free workshop will include: how to create and update your contacts; how to set speed dials and select ringtones; adjusting volume controls;  choosing on‐screen text size; organizing your app icons; and, more. In this hands‐on workshop, we’ll help you take the mystery out of this technology!  Participants will need to bring their cell phones to the class. Please be sure your phone is fully charged and try to bring a mobile charger if possible.  Everyone over 18 is welcome. Admission is free.  To register and for more information, contact Jenny Ivanova at (323) 848-6302.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Plummer Park’s Great Hall located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.