Hey, Tomatoes! I’m baaaack! From my vacay, that is, to give you the scoop on cool happenings in LA. This week I’ll share with you why you should consider “Going Native.” It doesn’t get any better than a big screen classic movie under the stars at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Speaking of outdoor events at famous places, the city of LA is hosting free concerts at MacArthur Park.  The “Freedom Portraits” Exhibit increases the beauty of Grand Park and groovin’ in a garden is the name of the game at “Disc Oasis,” Tomatoes.

Going Native

LA is number 1 again! The entire city of Los Angeles has just been designated a certified wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and our LA is the largest city in the US to receive that status. Say what? I’ll tell you the what and why along with the reason I’m happily obsessed with native plants, Tomatoes. Get the details.

Through September.  Hollywood Forever Movies

For its 20^th year Cinespia is back at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery screening movies. A blanket spread across the Fairbanks Lawn with a Hollywood classic film projected on the side of a mausoleum certainly sounds like a truly unique evening. They are selling out fast, hint…hint.

Bring a picnic basket, along with blankets and low lawn chairs to enjoy the preshow and the main attraction, a fantastic classic film.  Hollywood Forever is both a world-famous landmark cemetery in the heart of Hollywood and an important cultural event center in Los Angeles and a place unlike any other. One of the world’s most visited landmarks, Hollywood Forever is the final resting place of hundreds of Hollywood’s founders and stars, along with thousands of neighborhood residents and individuals from throughout the globe.

Through August.  MacArthur Park Summer Concerts

And they are Free, Free, Free!  All 50 concerts are FREE! What a great way to experience the historic MacArthur Park with the power of live music at the Levitt Pavilion. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays the heart of LA will be rocking, Tomatoes.

Another event where all you need is a picnic and a blanket.  The mission of Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles is to make live music accessible to all, creating stronger and more connected communities while celebrating the diversity of our city and beyond. The concerts feature acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning performers in a broad range of music with over 20 genres. Enjoy free live music under the stars, Tomatoes.

Through July.  Portraits of Freedom

The month-long installation of “Portraits of Freedom: Building a Life in LA,” now on view at Grand Park, celebrates home and freedom and the contributions and reflections of immigrants, BIPOC communities and Indigenous stewardship. Angelenos across LA define home and freedom through their diverse stories.  I love that and it makes me so proud of LA, Tomatoes.

Featuring photography and video exhibitions, as well as a nighttime projection on the Hall of Records. Within this large-scale digital art installation, you will experience the many ways Angelenos define what home is today. Let these words become the many reasons why we champion fair housing and livelihood for all. Let us find commonality and compassion from our perspectives of the home—from the good to the unstable. Wow! I can’t wait to experience “Portraits of Freedom” and feel it’s powerful impact. 

July 16 – Labor Day. Disc Oasis

Glitter, grow, glow and groove at the “Disc Oasis” in the magnificent South Coast Botanic Garden. It’s the first roller disco in a garden. Whether you skate or dance, you can rock on’ with music curated by the Groovemaster, Nile Rodgers. And that ain’t all that’s happening at SCBG, Tomatoes.

If you haven’t visited the “SOAR Tropical Butterflies”exhibit  then get a move on because July is the last month. Boo-Hoo. In the newly built Pavilion, you’ll see butterflies in every stage of the life cycle, and you might just have an up close and personal encounter. And SCBG’s “Special Dog Walking Hours” with the pups is back. Next up July 25 where you can stroll through 87 beautiful acres with your dear doggie. And don’t forget “Disc Oasis” will do your soul good too, Tomatoes.

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