Ice cream is a definitely much-needed treat when it comes to surviving these hot days in LA. Wanderlust Creamery is opening just in time to bring relief this weekend.  It is all over the news but I just have to put in my 2 cents about Big Balls, an amazingly creative floating public art exhibit bringing attention to the forgotten MacArthur Park. Each fall the Getty Villa features a classical tragedy/comedy under the stars and “Mojada”, a modern adaption of Euripides’s Medea opens September 3rd. I’ve got 7 words for you: The Glass Armonica at The Velaslavasay Panorama.

Aug. 28-30. FREE Ice Cream at Wanderlust Creamery

Wanderlust Creamery is where high quality ice cream is made from scratch & every flavor is inspired by global travels!  You have an array of special flavors for the ice cream and the cones that are off the charts with tastes like Sweet Cream + Coconut Beurre Noisette, Palo Santo + Fresh Mint + Dark Chocolate Freckle, Roasted green tea + darkened California honey. Boggles my mind tomatoes.  The grand opening this weekend is free but you still need to make reservations for the opening. They’ll be handing a free second scoop to the first 50 each day. Woo hoo!

All flavors are hand-made by Adrienne Nicole Borlongan, a food scientist by trade, an ice cream maker by blood. Her grandfather was a flavor chemist at Magnolia Ice Cream. Wanderlust’s ice creams are made in-house, completely from scratch. It is a California certified micro-dairy plant with an in-house pasteurization room. Each flavor is created with its own custom base and crafted with local ingredients.

Sept 3rd – October 3rd.  Mojada (Medea in LA)

What if…Medea was transported to modern day East Los Angeles? Ergo Medea in LA, an idea well worth investigating. Award-winning author Luis Alfaro’s has written a fascinating contemporary adaptation of the Greek classic “Medea” called “Mojada”. How apropos tomatoes that it will play the Fleischmann outdoor theatre at the Getty Villa which just happens to be modeled after Greek/Roman theaters.  This play in this theatre under the stars overlooking the Pacific Ocean has got to be splendidly and breathtakingly dramatic gals.

There are also dining options before the performance which is a super addition to this experience. Before Thursday evening performances, join the Nectar of the Gods Sunset Celebration on the South Balcony. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., guests can enjoy a selection of light hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer on the Museum’s south balcony, overlooking the Outer Peristyle garden. Super cool!

Now – Sept. 30. Big Balls

Now that I have your attention… I’m talking about “The Spheres of MacArthur Park”. This is the largest art project in the country, spearheaded by Ed and Bernie Massey of Portraits of Hope. The hand painted 4-6 feet vinyl beach balls remind of psychedelic hippie designs of the 60’s. With iconic MacArthur Parks’ history, it is the perfect choice to float 3,000 (yes you heard me) super colorful balls that are symbols of creativity, community, revitalization and hope. It must be an awesome sight tomatoes. It is only there 4 weeks so make a visit soon.

I just want to thank the City of LA for approving and supporting this project.  I sure hope this also brings notice to this park in the heart of LA that has frankly has been forgotten ladies. After the exhibit closes, the spheres will be donated to schools, hospitals and other organizations. Portraits of Hope was formed in 1995 by Ed and Bernie Massey with the goal of creating unique motivational art projects that combine, “the production of dynamic public art works with creative therapy for hospitalized children and civic education for students of all ages.”  Today they continue that mission of utilizing art for large-scale projects of social consequence across the globe.

Aug. 28-29. Glass Armonica Lecture and Concert

What’s a Glass Armonica? I certainly have never heard the name tomatoes. Music Historians may know. The Glass Armonica was invented by Benjamin Franklin (yes that Ben) in the early 1760’s as a musical instrument to replicate the enchanting sound you get when you put water in glasses and manipulate the rims or “singing glasses”.  Cool huh? The Velaslavasay Panorama Theatre is hosting “Enchantment of the Glass Armonica”, a lecture by Professor Mesmer on the history of the Armonica and a concert on the Armonica. Should definitely be a unique and intriguing experience ladies.

The Velaslavasay Panorama is an exhibition hall, theatre and garden near downtown that is dedicated to the production and presentation of unusual visual experiences, including those of the 360-degree variety.