Well, spring has sprung with lavender fields at Grand Park, Tomatoes! What a delight! Speaking of Grand Park “Lunch a la Park” has just returned to Grand Park. Yahoo! Five world-class voices – one virtual stage is LA Opera’s “Signature Recital Series” that is a big “Wow”! The “Live Virtual Tour of Westwood Village” is filled with surprising history details. “Kritzerland” is back for its 112^th Show! And there’s a new “Butterfly Pavilion” in town just waiting to welcome you, Tomatoes. And if you missed our Women’s History Month celebration, you can watch it now.

Embrace Your Crazy: Celebrating Women’s History Month

You will love this empowering, inspiring, and entertaining event that included musical performances in honor of Women’s History Month. Watch the video or listen to the podcast.

Watch now on video. Or Listen now to the Podcast.

Tues. Wed. Thurs.  Lunch A LA Park

Lunchtime at Grand Park is grand now that “Lunch A LA Park’s” Food Trucks are returning with safety protocols in place. Delish food while taking in the sunshine and beauty of Grand Park all while supporting local business.  Sounds refreshing and yummy, Tomatoes.

It happens every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Grand Park, aka “Everyone’s Park”, with trucks parked on Olive Court (between Grand and Hill, near Starbucks). Practice ongoing safety protocols to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 by wearing a mask, continued hand washing and practicing 6 ft apart social distancing.  It will be worth it, Tomatoes.

^{Starting April 9. LA Opera}

This looks fantastic, Tomatoes. LA Opera will be presenting five of opera’s brightest stars as part of their new LA Opera “Signature Recital Series.” Kicking off on April 9 with Tenor Russell Thomas , your spring can be filled with glorious song.

And there are 4 awesome women singers being featured with subsequent recitals and intimate performances. The talented artists include Mezzo-Soprano J’Nai Bridges , Soprano Christine Goerke, Susan Graham and classical singer Julia Bullock.  Filmed in performance venues across the country and in Europe, the five full-length recitals will be available for on-demand viewing for several weeks after their initial streaming dates, through July 1. Save yourself a digital seat and buy your ticket for one or all five recitals, Tomatoes.  Whatever floats your boat.  laopera.org/signature.

April 1– July 31. SOAR Exhibit

SOAR is a new exhibit at South Coast Botanical Gardens featuring lovely tropical butterflies and a newly built butterfly pavilion including an emergence chamber and a newly planted and blooming garden area. You will be soaring with the thrill of this new butterfly experience, Tomatoes.

You will witness butterflies at every stage of life and learn all about these precious creatures. The company, Spineless Wonders and its owner Kraig Anderson,  is responsible for helping the South Coast Botanical Gardens make their dream of a Butterfly Pavilion come true.  Spineless Wonders has been designing and building insect and butterfly exhibits for more than 25 years. Soak it all in and enjoy, Tomatoes.

April 7. Live Virtual Tour of Westwood Village

Visit one of the earliest planned suburban shopping villages in the world live on Zoom, Tomatoes.  There is a lot more historic value to Westwood Village than you might think. You will be surprised and learn a lot about UCLA’s neighboring village.

On this tour you will visit sites like the Bruin Theatre and learn more about why Westwood Village became the entertainment destination for west L.A.

The Tour will also unearth some history, and unique architectural flourishes and secrets that connect this quaint Mediterranean-style district to its neighbor UCLA.

Must register, Tomatoes. Information on how to attend will be sent following your registration.

March 28. Kritzerland Show

After a couple months hiatus, the Kritzerland Show is back with “All the Weill,” celebrating the brilliant music of Kurt Weill.  With performances by 8 amazing singers and the multi-talented Bruce Kimmel hosting and producing, it will be a very entertaining evening, Tomatoes. 

Where? Facebook Live or You Tube Live and it’s free, Tomatoes. Weill was a unique composer with his own particular musical sound and in “All the Weill” you get a potpourri – not only his classics, but some of his rarer material, all performed by a cast that includes Brittney Bertier, Gregory Jbara, Judy Kaye, Maegan McConnell, Kerry O’Malley, Adrienne Stiefel, Robert Yacko, and Mackenzie Wrap.

And there are more shows on the horizon now that Kritzerland is back in the saddle again, Tomatoes.