Weekend Update, Still time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Fiesta Broadway, my Pick of the Week!

 If you did not get to celebrate Cinco de Mayo yesterday, Thursday, there is still time to party!!!

My Pick of the Week, is Cinco de Mayo’s biggest celebration, Fiesta Broadway which is happening SUNDAY May 8th….Gotta go, enjoy this fun festival! Though I did do my share of celebrating on Thursday, I am always up to continuing the Party!

But remember, wherever you decide to go, pick a designated driver or take a taxi. You can always bus it to your designation and cab it home. HAVE FUN, cause CINCO DE MAYO only happens once a year,,,ok this time it is extended till the weekend. So Party ON!!!

The FREE Fiesta Broadway Festival is celebrating the 22^nd year and runs from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.  

This 12 block festival (on Broadway, fifth and Temple Streets) features L.A. favorites Ozomatli, the lauded and original Mexican Institute of Sound and traditional regional artists Diana Reyes and Carmen Jara. This Free event also includes traditional dancers, food and vendor booths. Come hungry, they always have great food and get there early. http://www.fiestabroadway.la/; To print out a map, for exact location, go to http://bit.ly/jAyl13.

Friday May 6th^th

What? Is it time for First Fridays on Abbot Kinney again?

Before heading to Abbot Kinney, stop into Venice Arts for their Friday night exhibition preview. This exhibit includes student films, photographs, animations, and mixed- and multi-media pieces from the 2010-11 workshops. Enjoy a glass of wine previewing this exhibition on your way to Abbot Kinney for First Friday (adults only please). Venice Arts is located at 1702 Lincoln Blvd., between California and Venice Blvd. Preview reception runs from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm. http://www.venice-arts.org/.

In case you have never been to First Fridays on Abbot Kinney, the festivities start around 6:30 pm. Stores stay open till around 9:00 pm.….With the recent arrival of food trucks upon the boulevard, some stores have decided to close early. However, here is a list of some shops that have confirmed with me that they will indeed be open and participating in the event. So start with these, and I’m sure you will stumble on more.

You may want to start here since it’s located on the North end.  Get there early and snag a table (call to reserve) while you enjoy a delicious dinner with some drinks and dancing. Or pop in later for standing room only. Still fun, but a bit crowed.

Joe's Restaurant invites you to a night of hot Jipsy jazz with the Icy Hot Club of California n this charming French speakeasy. 7:30 to Midnight.

Reservations are suggested. RSVP at Joe's Restaurant, Call (310) 399-5811, or email joesevent@yahoo.com. Joe's Restaurant is located at 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice CA 90291.  http://www.joesrestaurant.com/.

Now continue on, there is a lovely shop called Altered Space Gallery 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open  featuring the new arrival of Todd Reed’s beautiful, eco-conscious, innovative jewelry and serving refreshments, as well. 310-452-8121; http://www.alteredspacegallery.com/.

Mystic Journey Bookstore 1319 Abbot Kinney, a wonderful new age bookstore, is having an art opening and reception from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm. 310.399.7070; http://www.mysticjourneybookstore.com/.

Then across the street, stop in You Need a Sofa 1344 Abbot Kinney Blvd who will be open as well serving cheese and crackers.. 310 399-3928; http://www.youneedasofa.com/.

Back again across the street off Santa Clara, is Nitespa,1301 Abbot Kinney who will be open and offers all kinds of little treats and specials during the evening. They always create a fun festive vibe. Enjoy their handpicked spa soundtrack, rosemary water and organic teas. There will also be art and jewelry for sale. Open till 10:00 pm. mini-makeovers and specials on all treatments. The entrance is on Santa Clara. 310.396.5122; http://www.nitespa.com/.

Keep going north and on right side is Ananda 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd is offering Cup Cup and coffee cart, tasty food for sale. in their back yard. - Skylark 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd will also be open. (310) 399-41861356.

Right next door, is Bohemian Exchange who sells beautiful clothes and accessories. Bohemian Exchange is located at 1358 Abbot Kinney, at California 310.396.3044; http://www.bohemianexchange.com;

Back across the street again, The G2 Gallery (1503 Abbot Kinney) presents J.J. L'Heureux: Faces from the Southern Ocean. This work is from a series of photographs of the Weddell Sea and the Continental ice of Antarctica from Atka Bay to Halley Station. Eric Hanson and Greg Downing will be showing their photography as well. Eric kuf will be performing as well. A $5 Admission at the door will directly support environmental charities. 310-452-2842; http://www.theg2gallery.com.

Right next door, you have to stop into Zingara Trading 1507 Abbot Kinney for their Fiesta First Friday event. Now, owner, Donna Humphrey knows how to get into the spirit, offering chips and salsa and their famous S'mores…Yum! They have one of-a-kind clothing and accessories….simply gorgeous and are also have great sales too. 310 392-6424;  http://www.zingaratrading.com/

And across the street at one of my favorite furniture stores, Tumbleweed and Dandelion 1502 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open with wine and snacks and a Furniture sale too!  310-450-4310.

Gumbo Kinney in conjunction with Robin Murez, will be having a lovely event in the beautiful glass garden known as Robin’s Sculpture Garden. There will be live music. Robin’s Sculpture Garden, is located at 1362 Abbott Kinney. This one tends to start later.

Hey, you may as well continue the evening, by jumping in the car to Silver Lake. La Luz De Jesus Gallery presents the landmark survey of Modern Era comic book art titled Pop-Sequentialism. The opening reception starts at 8:00 pm and will run till 11:00 pm.

La Luz De Jesus Gallery is located 4633 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027. Phone 323-666-7667;  http://www.laluzdejesus.com/.

Saturday, May 7th

Soooo much going on tonight….hard to pick and there is even more that I did not list. I try to give you a couple things from each neighborhood. So in case one is not working for you, there is always another.

But during the day, pop over to Windward Avenue in Venice where the first annual VENICE SPRING FLING, is happening. Let’s hope they were able to get the proper permits, unlike Earth Festival, which was shut down a couple weeks ago. A free music and art festival to be held at Windward Plaza Park in Venice. Springtime is here so come out and enjoy a full day of music and art and celebrate the creative spirit of the Venice community. Live music will be performed on the Ocean Stage from 11 am-7 pm. Windward Plaza Park is at the west end of Windward Avenue, between the boardwalk and the bike trail in Venice, CA, 90291.The art show features paintings, sculpture, and photography from local and national artists www.VeniceSpringFling.com.

The Getty’s new season of Saturdays Off the 405 is here! Enjoy free outdoor music from 6:00pm-9:00 pm your soon-to-be favorite bands and DJs against the backdrop of evening views of the city. Avi Buffalo kicks off the Saturdays Off the 405 series along with DJ Kevin Bronson.

Plus, explore the galleries in Spotlight after Dark tours with a Getty Museum educator. Tours depart at 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

There used to be a parking charge for the music events, but if you check the website, free parking after 5:00 pm. Amazing. However, if you want to spend the day, go early ($15.00 all day), it is definitely worth it. Grab some friends, bring a picnic (stash the wine well) NO alcohol inside, and pile in the car, $5.00 a piece and you are transported to a wonderful evening up in the hills with brilliant views. The Getty Museum is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, 90049.310 440-7300; http://bit.ly/lFkpJ2.

If you have never been, Bergamot Station is a wonderful art complex which has a several openings this Saturday. Bergamot Station is located at 2525 Michigan Ave 90404. As always other galleries will be open….just make sure to fill up your wine glass and enjoy the lovely art/wine buzz.

Start off early, at Copra Gallery, (T-5) for their closing party of “'Der Wilden Mann:Thus Sprach Flotsam; Metamorphosis 3' featuring the artist, Mike Shine. An eclectic exhibit, it has received quite a bit of attention. Mike Shine’s videos will also be screened, as well as the art of Billy Norrby. Reception runs from 2:00 pm till 7:00 pm. 310 829-2156   http://www.copronason.com/.

Right next store is The Lora Schlesinger Gallery (T-3) who will be presenting "South American Paintings", a new series of works by Ann Chamberlin. The show is her second solo exhibition at Lora Schlesinger Gallery.  The opening reception is from 5pm - 7 pm and is on view through June 18, 2011. In addition, the work of Adonna Khare will also be featured at this reception.310-828-1133; www.LoraSchlesinger.com.

Then next stop should be the Richard Heller Gallery (B-5A) since it ends early at 6:00 pm. This is Hideaki Kawashima’s first U.S. solo exhibition entitled “Turning” This Tokyo based painter, Hideaki Kawashima speaks of her own images of floating ghost-like faces as a reference to herself, like self-portraits. The opening starts at 4:00 pm and will be open till 6:00 pm. 310 453-9191   http://richardhellergallery.com/.

The Samuel Freeman (B-7) is starting their opening at 5:00 pm featuring artist Margaret Nielsen in her new show, “States of Mind”. This one runs till 8:00 pm. 310.449.1479
http://www.samuelfreeman.com

Frank Pictures Gallery (A-5), lends its space to a guest curator, Juliet McIver who welcomes the latest abstract creations of native New Yorker, Deborah Salt. This opening reception runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. (310) 828-0211; http://www.frankpicturesgallery.com.

Since you are in Santa Monica, stop into the Christopher Grimes Gallery offers a group exhibition featuring Ginny Bishton, Ingrid Calame, and Scott Short. Also showing is the debut of Flashback (POV), by Marco Brambila. Reception runs from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm. Christopher Grimes Gallery, 916 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, 90401 310.587.3373; http://www.cgrimes.com/.

Stay in Santa Monica, for a fun art scene at 18^th Street Arts, who be presenting artists, Andrew Rogers, as well as a group show from LA Istanbul Connection.  18^th Street Arts is located at 1639 18^th Street 90404, and the event runs from 6pm-9:00pm.  (310) 453-3711; http://www.18thstreet.org.

Or you can always hop back to Venice to the new gallery, Marine Contemporary for the opening of Bad News, the debut U.S solo show for U.K based collective littlewhitehead. Using unashamedly appropriate media images littlewhitehead represents them as hyper real sculptures. The reception runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Venice Marine Contemporary is located at 1733A Abbott Kinney Blvd., between Venice Blvd and Washington Blvd. 310.399.0294; http://www.marinecontemporary.com/.

Now if you are looking for fun in the downtown area, there are a couple of galleries having openings. From 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Norbertellen Gallery presents Samuel Dana Pottish, a solo exhibition of over 50 works in painting, illustration and sculpture by a skilled master of visual storytelling. Norbertellen Gallery is small, yet is full of spunk. They usually have wine and cheese and offer a wonderfully warm atmosphere. I always have a great time. It is located at 215 W. 6^th St. #110. 818 662 5041; www.norbertellengallery.com.

Right around the corner, The Hive Gallery presents Philippe Fernandez, Michael Nikolas, Japanda, Christopher Lyles, Tanya Maiboroda, Simon Estrada and many more incredible artists.

Located at 729 South Spring St, there is a charge of $8.00 for this one, but they have live bands, DJ’s etc. Runs 8:00 pm – 12:30 am.

There is lots of things happening tonight at Hive. Ink Pen Mutations Press is launching their new book at the Hive's May group show.   "Fragile Bodies" is written by Stephanie Greenquist and illustrated by one of Hive's past residents, Emily Steigerwald. As well as SEXY ELVES roam the gallery (Say What?): It’s all about promote their new Iphone/ipad App…which includes magical world of elves, humor and fun! Hey the first 50 folks who try out "FANTASY VILLAGE" will receive a Free Bag of Magical Schwag (courtesy of Fan Vixens and Ink Pen Mutations Press)! Come dressed up as your favorite fantasy character and join the party realm! Check their website for the full list of artists and performers. Lots of bands tonight and Burlesque performances by Feminine Oddities. http://hivegallery.com/.

Sunday May 8^th,

It’s my PICK OF THE WEEK…, Come out and PARTY!

The FREE Fiesta Broadway Festival is celebrating the 22^nd year and runs from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. This 12 block festival (on Broadway, fifth and Temple Streets) features L.A. favorites Ozomatli, the lauded and original Mexican Institute of Sound and traditional regional artists Diana Reyes and Carmen Jara.

This Free event also includes traditional dancers, food and vendor booths. Come hungry, they always have great food and get there early. http://www.fiestabroadway.la/;  

To print out a map, for exact location, go to http://bit.ly/jAyl13.

Have a great time and I'll see you next week Cha Cha Cha!