“Dear LA, I Love You” from LA Life Photographer, Lorraine Devon Wilke, pays homage to our beautiful City of Angels with Valentine’s Day around the corner. I’ve got the skinny on several ways to celebrate the Valentine’s season. Lady Penelope serves up another dose of wit in Sonnets from Suburbia and Felicia Arlin is rockin’ with new looks and advice in LA Style Stories. There’s a new art fair in town, LA Art Show is back, there’s three walks that might tickle your fancy and Black History is front and center this month, Tomatoes.

Dear LA, I Love You

This week’s cover photo, from our LA Life photographer Lorraine Devon Wilke, captures a literal “love letter” to Los Angeles that appears on the ground floor of The Bloc in DTLA. Though the piece’s official title is, “Heart LA,” Lorraine decided her photograph of the work deserved its own title, simply: “Dear LA, I love you.”

The work of art is just one of eight pieces in a permanent collection by street artist, WRDSMTH. This particular piece was created in collaboration with Antigirl, who designed the multi-colored heart which perfectly accompanies the words. Tomatoes might want to stop by and see this collection in person at The Bloc.

Valentine Love

Love is definitely in the air, Tomatoes, and your loved one might enjoy celebrating that love at South Coast Botanical Garden or Descanso Gardens, receiving a hug virtually or rockin’ out at Grand Park, Tomatoes. Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day however you choose to celebrate, Tomatoes!

You can find “Love in the Garden” at South Coast Botanical Garden February 11^th & 12^th. February is peak Camelia Season so what better way to celebrate love than being surrounded by a vibrant Camelia Forest at Descanso Gardens. Grand Park’s “Lovers Rock” on Valentine’s Day February 14, sets the evening for love’s big day with a beautiful and romantic urban oasis. Sometimes your special love doesn’t want flowers but a “Cow Hug.” Yes, that’s right cow hugs are available to send virtually from The Gentle Barn. What a cool idea!

LA Style Stories

How do you create broader shoulder and a longer leaner body for a flattering look? Well, I sure want to know and I’m sure you do too, so check out Felicia Arlin’s LA Story, “Today’s Letter is T”.  “More Wine” illuminates how a cool statement tee can be a game changer.  Remember, I only highlight a snippet of Felicia’s amazing and inspirational cur8edme posts so be sure to follow her on Instagram, Ladies. GET THE DETAILS.

 Sonnets from Suburbia

Yes, diversity of thought is a prickly pear. So says Lady Penelope as she bemoans the burden of always being right. Yeah….right. WATCH NOW.

Feb 18-19. Photo Forward

It’s a first, Tomatoes!  Produced by the non-profit Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles (PAC LA) , “Photo Forward Los Angeles” at Bergamot Station Art Center is a new and FREE art fair that will be consistent with PAC LA’s mission to further an evolving and public conversation about photography and lens-based arts.

This free art fair will feature both vintage and contemporary works, offering an expansive exhibition of photography, books, and ephemera, presented by exhibitors established in their field. Participants were selected based on the diversity of their curatorial focus and engagement with historical and contemporary representations of the medium. And don’t worry if you are a beginner collector because the art works presented range for beginning to advanced collectors.

February 15-19. LA Art Show

The most comprehensive international contemporary art show in America, “LA Art Show” is back. The “DIVERSEartLA” program, returns as well and will explore, and raise awareness of climate change. I love that! See the entire civic celebration of arts for yourself, Tomatoes, and enjoy this very special art show and art lovers’ paradise.

The LA Art Show showcases the very best of Modern, Contemporary, Historic and Traditional art at the LA Convention Center. It brings art to the masses and was designed with the viewers in mind, exposing people to something new and making digital art and technology more accessible. DIVERSEartLA, curated by Marisa Caichiolo, represented by guest museums, institutions, and Non-Profit Organizations brings together leading art experts and thought-provoking scientific figures to generate innovative ideas and drive social change through art.  In 2023 the DIVERSEartLA program will focus on climate change, water and record breaking drought in CA and its effect in all areas of our lives and innovative ways to support climate action..

Walks

There are a variety of unique walks coming to get your heart pumping and your steps in; the “The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Luna New Year Run/Walk/Bike Ride” on February 18 & 19 in the historic Chinatown Plaza, “Snowy Plover Beach Walk” in Santa Monica on February 26th, and “Walk for the Wild” at the LA Zoo on February 25th. You will need to jump quickly to register for these fun walking events, Tomatoes.

Feb. 18 & 19. Celebrating 45 years, “The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Run/1K Kiddie & PAW’er Dog Run/Walk & 20/40-Mile Bike Ride is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. You can also participate virtually. It’s great they get doggies involved! LACFRC continues to give back with proceeds reinvested in the community providing service and programs benefiting elementary schools and local nonprofit organizations.

Feb. 26. “The Snowy Plover Beach Walk” is a guided walk exploring the restored dune habitat and life cycle of the small, white snowy plovers that make this stretch of Santa Monica beach their winter home. It is hosted by the Annenberg Community Beach House along with the Santa Monica Audubon and Nature Nexus Institute,

Feb. 25. Go the distance for wildlife with GLAZA and the LA Zoo’s “Walk for the Wild”. This is a first Tomatoes! Presented by Skechers, it is the first-ever in-person fundraising walk in support of the Zoo and GLAZA’s shared mission to save animals from extinction and create meaningful and lasting connections with nature.

Black History Celebrations

These two Black History Month events, “Curatorial Walkthrough: because I am that” and the “Prosperity Market”, really piqued my interest as one is a lively, thought provoking and multi-faceted guided exhibition walkthrough and the other focuses on well-being, food and prosperity. What’s not to like? Both offerings are hosted by the esteemed California African American Museum (CAAM), Ladies.

February 22. “Curatorial Walkthrough: because I am that” is a walkthrough the exhibition, “Adee Roberson and Azikiwe Mohammed: because I am that” and will be guided by curator Essence Harden.  The exhibition is presented in CAAM’s atrium featuring screenprints, paintings, video, window vinyl, and a mix of sculptural works.

Feb. 25.  “The Prosperity Market” celebrates Black farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs with fresh farmers market goodies, deliciously prepared foods, handcrafted artisan goods, and enjoy a DJ, cooking demonstrations, a kids corner and even a Sound Bath. Sounds yummy, fun and there’s shopping, Tomatoes.