Events | Citybuzz - A Vidicom and Christy Ferer Guide to Travel

Los Angeles

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+ Check Out Vintage LA At The Getty: In Focus: Ed Ruscha

In Focus: Ed Ruscha Ed Ruscha's art is characterized by graphic simplicity, playful humor, and a keen interest in the vernacular as it applies to both language and architecture. This exhibition explores his photography, including well-known photo-based book projects, and it runs through September 29, 2013. Ruscha moved to Los Angeles in 1956 to study design at Chouinard Art Institute. Throughout a career of more than fifty years, he has produced paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, and films that often reflect on the city's vernacular architecture, urban landscape, and car culture. Photography has always been central to his artistic practice, most notably for the slender, pocket-sized volumes that he began publishing in 1963 and his extensive documentation of Los Angeles streets, beginning with Sunset Boulevard in 1965. Several of the photographs that appeared in these publications became source material for works of art that he would realize in other media, either at the same time or years later—for example, the photograph of Standard Station, Amarillo, Texas, published in Twentysix Gasoline Stations and later abstracted in a well-known painting now in the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College. The works in this show are drawn from recent acquisitions of vintage prints by the Getty Museum and of Ruscha's Streets of Los Angeles Archive by the Getty Research Institute. Click here for more information.

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+ Take a ride on PCH that you will never forget

The first thing to know about this drive is that locals never call it Pacific Coast Highway; it’s PCH. A sun-drenched road hugging the coastline, this is LA’s signature drive — the one people envision when they think of LA. Look to one side and you’ll see beaches full of pickup volleyball games, sun worshippers and surfers waiting for the next set. Turn to the other side and you’ll see multimillion dollar homes from the pages of People magazine set atop rugged mountains. This is one drive that’s beautiful any time of day, from sunrise to sunset. You don’t need a map to navigate; just head north from Santa Monica and then head back the way you came.

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+ Summer Art Night August 7th

On Saturday August 7, 2010, 18th Street Arts Center throws its annual Summer ArtNight with opening receptions for its newest exhibitions: Martin Durazo’s Pain Management 100 in the 18th Street Gallery and Ana Guajardo’s Tianguis in the Project Room. Visitors to ArtNight can experience the electrifying tunes of sound artist and master guitarist, Massaro on 18th Street’s Outdoor Stage.

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+ 1. Celebrate the Late Dennis Hopper at MoCA July 11-31

Perhaps the best way to mourn the recent loss of acclaimed actor Dennis Hopper is to celebrate and acquaint ourselves with his encompassing oeuvre of work as an artist. Double Standard is the first museum show to highlight his achievements in art; his inter-disciplinary work will certainly have something for everybody. Ranging from sculpture to photography, his pieces are highly influenced by pop art, even featuring some early photos of his friend Andy Warhol. As if there weren’t enough star power involved, renowned filmmaker/artist Julian Schnabel curates the show and it has already drawn much controversy. Whether you like it or not, this is sure to be the talk of the town.

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+ 2. Cinespia Cemetery Screenings July 3-31

In the land of Hollywood, anything is possible, like viewing the films of past directors and actors… with them. Every Saturday night and some Sundays through July, flicks will be shown at the Forever Hollywood Cemetery, where the likes of director Cecil B. Demille, actress Marion Davies, and producer, actor, director Douglas Fairbanks Sr. are buried. Live DJs spinning before and after the screenings makes this all-night affair even more irresistible. The one-of-a-kind setting has made it a popular tradition amongst Angelenos, and the space does fill up. So get there early with food and drinks before settling back with the stars.

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+ 3. Shakespeare by the Sea July 2-31

Two of the best aspects of LA- the warm weather and theater scene- combine in Shakespeare by the Sea’s summer program. Throughout the whole summer, the comedy Twelfth Night and the tragedy Julius Caesar will be put on in number of parks close to the ocean for free. In July, coming from audiences and critics’ rave reviews in New York, Chicago, and Austin, Impro Theater will be putting on Shakespeare Unscripted. Using your suggestions and Shakespearean characters, every performance is unique and makes for a fun and creative night out. Located a few blocks from the beach, it’s the perfect end to day out in the sun and surf.

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+ 1. Bill Cosby Hosts the Playboy Jazz Festival June 12-13

Adding to Hugh Hefner’s already “eclectic” range of tastes, this June marks the 32nd year of the star-studded Playboy Jazz Festival. Not only will Bill Cosby be presiding over the event, but the legendary lineup contains some of the biggest names in jazz, including George Benson, Manhattan Transfer, Marcus Miller, Los Van Van and Chick Corea. For the diehard jazz fan, there are also a few silver screens reserved to give some intimate coverage of each and every artist at the festival. This is going to be a great event, because there’s no better way to listen to jazz is in full Hef style: with a tobacco pipe and a room filled with bunnies.

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+ 2. Father’s Day at Rodeo Drive’s Concours d’Elegance June 20

Calling all car connoisseurs, in honor of Jaguar’s 75^th anniversary, Rodeo Drive is the place to be this Father’s Day for the Concours d’Elegance. Not only will attendees be able to see over 100 collector cars from Jaguars to muscle cars to hot rods to Woodys, but this event is also the premiere of Jaguar’s new classic, the XJ. This is the perfect event for dads who really dig the finer points of auto appreciation, because it was recently named one of the “300 Unmissable Events & Festivals Around the World" by Frommer’s Magazine. If your family is not as pumped about horsepower as you, Rodeo Drive is filled with plenty of shops and sightseeing for the rest of the family- so you can enjoy those beauties in peace.

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+ 3. Arshile Gorky Begins At MOCA June 6-30

Wild abstract expressionist Arshile Gorky’s paintings are headed to Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) this June. Gorky’s paintings, which have been lauded as having a style and sense of color comparable to Picasso, are gritty and chaotic, and this retrospective is perfect for starting up deep conversations about pain and heartbreak, especially since Gorky died of suicide at a young age. The colorful paintings that were at the extremely popular retrospective in Philadelphia are now making their way to LA, and will be available for intense contemplation starting in the first week of June.

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+ 1. Food, Entertainment & Racing at LA Marathon May 16

Experience the streets of Los Angeles in a completely different way at the LA Marathon. The usually congested streets are blocked off for runners and bikers as they race past some of LA’s most famous landmarks and diverse neighborhoods. As the largest marathon expo in the world, over 1,000,000 spectators come to cheer on over 25,000 runners every year. The main marathon is 26.2 miles long with block parties spaced along the route. Spectators can enjoy food and entertainment at the block parties as they watch the runners pass by. This year, the route goes from Dodger Stadium and ends at the Santa Monica Pier. Other events include the Finish Line Festival, the Health & Fitness Expo and the Win Forever Motivational Dinner with Pete Carroll.

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+ 2. A Green Mother’s Day at Santa Monica Fest May 8

Now in its nineteenth year, the Santa Monica

Festival highlights the connections between community, culture, business, environment and art. It takes place over Mother’s Day weekend and every year is a great place to bring Mom for a relaxing day filled with music, dance, visual arts, food, information and, of course, shopping! The festival celebrates Mother Earth and focuses on preserving the environment. As a near zero-waste event, the vendors feature earth-friendly artistic wares, while local eateries bring fresh foods. There are also art workshops using recycled and re-purposed materials, as well as talks, discussions, and entertainment that focus on environmental sustainability. It’s a fun and educational experience for Mom and the family.

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+ 3. Party at Cinco De Mayo Festival May 1-2

Celebrating Mexico’s victory over French forces in Puebla, Mexico in 1862, this free festival takes place during one of Mexico’s most important holidays. The Cinco de Mayo festival is located along LA’s oldest street that was first settled by Mexican immigrants in the 1780s, and today attracts thousands to partake in traditional food, drinks, music, entertainment and art. There are plenty of twirling folklorico dancers, mariachi music and sizzling Mexican food to be found here. The vendors also offer a variety of authentic items and carnival rides and games. There are also community-service oriented booths and arts and crafts stations. This year, the headliner is still being kept a secret, but other groups that will be playing include Roncovacoco and La Santa Cecilia.

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+ 1. Star Studded LA Antique Market April 21-25

The exquisite invitation-only Opening Night Preview Party for the LA Antique Market will host some of Los Angeles’ most prominent architects, designers, artists and actors. Some of the guests include Courtney Cox and Spiderman Toby Maguire who will be admiring the world’s finest art and antiques at this elegant cocktail party kick-off. Don’t’ worry if you can’t score an invite, as the main event is open to the public and will be attended by more than 1,000 of the communities most influential professionals and the weekend long event attended by more than 2,500 patrons of the art and antique world. This year’s host committee includes Maria Bell, Courtney Cox, Dita von Teese, and Tobey Maguire.

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+ 2. Glamorous Newport Beach Film Festival April 22-29

Set against the backdrop of beautiful Newport Beach, just a few blocks away from the spectacular Pacific coastline, the Newport Beach Film Festival annually hosts several premieres, galas, and yacht parties creating a film festival that is truly one of a kind. And don’t forget that the Newport Film Festival offers attendees a rare opportunity to meet the directors, screenwriters, and cinematographers of some of the films.; they will share their work and provide a unique look from inside the industry during post-screenings Q&A sessions. Featuring over 350 international independent and studio film screenings, actor showcases, music and arts events, fashion shows, red carpet events and galas, this is a film festival that is not to be missed.

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+ 3. Angels Home Opener April 5

After a disappointing loss to the eventual world champions, the New York Yankees, in the American League Championship game last year, the Angels will return to Angel Stadium. For the first time since the road to World Series, the Angels are due to start their 2010 campaign for another AL Western Division Championship of April 5. With the return of Kendry Morales, Erick Aybar, Jered Weaver, and the addition of slugger (and former Yankee) Hideki Matsui, this might be the year for championship number three.

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+ 4. New Getty Exhibit: Leonardo da Vinci’s Sculptures April 1-30

Leonardo da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, architect, engineer (military, civil, and aeronautical), inventor, anatomist, cartographer, musician and undoubtedly one of the greatest minds of the last thousand years. That’s definitely quite a list! To celebrate one of this incredible person, the Getty Center is putting on “Leonardo da Vinci and the Art of Sculpture: Inspiration and Invention,” where the focus is on one of his many talents, his achievements as a sculptor. Though no sculptures can securely be attributed to Leonardo himself, the exhibit features the work of da Vinci’s inspiration, Donatello, and his trusted associate, Rustici, whom he closely worked with on many sculptures. These works, some of which have never left Italy until now, along with Leonardo’s many surviving drawings, give us a glimpse into his artistic accomplishments.

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+ 5. SoCal’s Largest Carnaval Primavera Celebration April 9-11

For the last 17 years, the Carnaval Primavera has been one of the largest Mardi Gras festival celebrations in Southern California. Spanning nine (!) full city blocks and lasting for three days, Carnaval Primavera will feature food from around the globe, as well as arts, crafts and commercial booths. As for entertainment, there will be live family entertainment on two stages, special exhibits, rides, and games. And don’t worry; the rides are for all ages. With upwards of 350,000 people expected to attend, the Carnaval Primavera is free to the public and a guaranteed good time for all.

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+ 1. Patience Pays for Golden Seat at Oscars! March 7

There’s no debate that the Oscars is the event in Hollywood. The whole world sits in front of their screens, mesmerized by the world’s most beautiful and talented actors and actresses as they compete for the ultimate award: the golden Oscar. But if you’re in LA you may have the chance to see all of this in person! For those who planned in advance (or those who want a heads up for next year), registration for bleacher seats closed on September 2009. But if you have a lot of patience and get there early, there is a possibility patience can pay by waiting in line for a golden ticket to the bleachers. Of course, there are plenty of Oscar themed parties across Los Angeles where you can enjoy the 82^nd Annual Academy Awards Show from the comfort of a swanky lounge or killer house party.

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+ 2. Post Valentine Comic Venting at Love Hurts March 1

If you’re still suffering from the Valentine’s Day blues, dust them off at the start of the month with “Love Hurts: An Expert Panel on Love, Sex and What Shoes Not To Wear on a First Date.” One part panel, one part mixer, the relationship “experts” are none other than comedians who can make even the most pathetic dating mistake absolutely hilarious: Greg Behrendt, Joel Stein, Sascha Rothchild and Lori Gottleib. Not only will this be a fun love event, all proceeds go to a good cause. The event is hosted by 826 LA, a non-profit dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills.

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+ 3. True Celtic Celebration at Irish Fair & Music Fest March 6-7

They say when one door closes another one opens. Well that’s the case for the St. Patrick’s Day. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled in LA, meaning you’ll just have to celebrate it for not one, but two days at the LA Country Irish Fair and Music Festival. Enjoy a truly Celtic weekend filled with local Irish dance groups, clan gatherings, sheep herding demonstrations, highland-style athletic games, food, products and lots of music on multiple stages. Of course, there will be the fair share of beer as well! There’s not better way to truly experience some old time Irish celebration than at the LA County Irish Fair.

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+ 4. Roam Traffic-Free Streets for LA Marathon March 20-21

Incredi

ble weather, beautiful people, what’s there to hate about LA? Traffic! Well once a year the cars clear for runners and bikers for the 25^th annual LA Marathon. Unlike many major cities where the marathon is a one-day event, in LA it’s a weekend long event. On Saturday, check out (or join!) the manageable 5K race at Dodger Stadium. After the hearty run, there’s the Win Forever Motivational Dinner hosted by none other than legendary sports figure, USC head coach Pete Carroll. Of course, let’s not forget the big day. On Sunday, the marathon, with a brand new course this year, will start at Dodger Stadium and end, where else, than the beach at Santa Monica Pier. The course runs through some of LA’s most diverse neighborhoods and famous landmarks, and an added bonus will be the “Block Parties,” or live performances space along the route to entertain the spectators.

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+ 5. Griffith Observatory Star Party March 20

This month may be the month for the ultimate Hollywood star party, the Oscars, but for those who can’t get a ticket to that event, there’s one for another kind of star: The Griffith Observatory Star Party. Held once a month, the curious public and the Los Angeles Astronomical Society meet to talk the sun, moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects. Not only is it free, you also get to pick the brains of knowledgeable astronomers- and get to use their equipment! Yes, you can try out to telescopes to see your favorite star or planet with your own two eyes.

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+ 1. LA Times Travel & Adventure Show Feb. 13-14

With scuba diving lessons, rock wall climbing, a zip line and adventure ropes course you may think you boarded a plane at LAX but you really just went to the LA Times Travel & Adventure Show. The 2010 show will feature 500 exhibitors, travel giveaways and appearances from travel gurus Rick Steves and Arthur and Pauline Frommer. Cultural performances will also take the Global Beat Stage where you can see the Lion Dance come alive. The variety of travel destinations presented at the show is enough to peak the interest of any jetsetter and may just make you book your 2010 trip a little sooner.

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+ 2. Out of the Box Venice Valentine Event Feb. 13-14

Make your honey work for their Valentine’s Day gift this year at the Venice Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt organized by Out of the Box Events. You’ll challenge you and your partner’s mind and legs as your team of two bikes around Venice searching for clues. The hunt is specifically designed to get you to know your partner’s intellectual side. So if you’re with someone who is all brawns and no brains you’ll quickly find out, but if you compliment each other mentally you’ll have a chance to win a prize for the top 3 performing teams.

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+ 3. Kilts & Whiskey at Queen Mary Fest Feb. 13-14

We all get excited about men in kilts, but a haggis-eating contest is really a sight to see at the Queen Mary Scottish Festival. A tribute to the heritage of Queen Mary, this festival will be rocking with music, crafts and highland dancing. The event commences Friday night with a Men of Worth concert and gets even more interesting at the Whiskey Tasting event Saturday evening. Those that want to show off their athletic chops can partake in the Tossing the Caber or the Sheep Herding competition. Saturday night closes with Plaidpalooza and the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band taking center stage.

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+ 4. 111th Annual Golden Dragon Parade Feb. 20

Firecrackers will be cracking, dragons will be dancing, and bands will be marching in celebration of the Year of the Tiger. The Chinese New Year marks an important date in the Asian calendar and thus is a cause for some serious festivities. For its 111^th year, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles will host The Golden Dragon Parade. Drawing over 110,000 people, this festival is one of the biggest and most impressive. The plethora of colors that make up the exquisite floats alone is eye candy. Hopefully the innumerable dragons lining the street will help bring good luck for the New Year. Make sure to get to the parade early to hold your spot.

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+ 5. Mardi Gras Brazilian Style! Feb. 20

It’s not fair that Brazilians get to have all the fun during Carnaval (the international equivalent to Mardi Gras) so Brazilian Nites Productions is allowing West Coasters to share in on the festivities. The 10^th Annual Brazilian Carnaval brings an authentic representation of the Brazilian tradition to Club Nokia at LA Live. Over 3,000 people will pack the house with samba beats, costumes, and parading, making it the largest Carnaval on the West Coast. DJ Garth Trinidad, Trio Electrico and Caso do Samba will bring that Brazilian spirit to the dance floor.

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+ 1. Attend the Golden Globes 1/17/10

The Golden Globes Award Show is one of the events that gives LA its glamorous image and makes the world envious that they aren't on the red carpet. Well, every award show needs an audience and that means every year Golden Globes tickets go on sale. There are two ways to see the show, by buying tickets online or grabbing a bleacher seat. Golden Globes ticket purchasing requires a good amount of research and possibly a few scams or two, so the bleacher seat is a safer bet. The Golden Globes are held at the Bevery Hills Hilton Hotel, so of course they offer a package for a weekend stay at the luxurious hotel complete with front row seats to the red carpet. Tickets are limited, meaning one most buy them early and be willing to pay the price. But, we're sure every penny is worth it to see- and possibly talk to- the most beautiful and famous people in the world.

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+ 2. FADA LA Art Show 1/20-1/24/10.

The Fine Arts Dealers Association (FADA) presents the 15th annual LA Art Show. At the venue downtown, there's over a hundred galleries from all across the world who have come to showcase what's new and hot in painting, sculpture, photography, video and more. This translates to over 15,000 works from periods as diverse as historical to modern art. To kick off the internationally acclaimed event, there's an Opening Night Gala and all throughout the weekend there are various events, displays, and activities to get you inspired.

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+ 3. Tournament of Roses: Rose Parade & Rose Bowl 1/1/10.

The Tournament of Roses is so big that it's broken into two major events, with each having their own n

ickname. The Rose Bowl Parade is affectionately known as "America's New Year's Celebration" and the Rose Bowl Game as "The Grandaddy of Them All." Celebrating the culmination of the college football season, the Tournament of Roses brings together the top of the Big Ten and Pacific-10 teams and is consistently the highest attended football game. If you're not a fan of football, but still want to celebrate, the Parade is an internationally televised event featuring universally loved floats, marching bands, and celebrities. So get up and smell the Roses!

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+ 4. Everything’s New at artLA 1/28-1/31/10

The sixth annual artLA is completely getting a makeover to kick off the new decade. The highly acc

laimed art show has a new director, new location, and new selection committee that will make this show unique from all the rest. ArtLA focuses on contemporary art and is meant to inspire not only art lovers, but also collectors, curators, and the artists themselves. ArtLA is a great venue for LA based exhibitors and also features a wide range of international galleries from Auckland to Berlin.

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+ 5. Meet the Greats at photo l.a. 1/14-1/17

The 19th annual photo l.a. is one of the leading photo-based events in the country- and for goo

d reason. Not only are attendees given access to never before seen photographs and exhibitions, throughout the weekend people can attend seminars from photography stars. For example, renowned, surreal photographer David LaChapelle, who has photographed everyone from Pamela Anderson to Marilyn Manson, will be hosting a seminar as well as well-known curators who will be hosting collecting seminars. This event is for those who want to see and learn the incredible art form. Don't miss the opening reception that is hosted by David LaChapelle and Christopher Lowell.

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+ 1. A Show Stopping New Year at Social Hollywood 12/31/09

Social Hollywood, Hollywood’s only Mansion style venue, invites you to join in on the major social event for New Year’s Eve. Enjoy a spectacular dinner, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts prepared by Citrus’ Celebrity Chef Michel Richard. This is the same Citrus Restaurant that was voted Best Restaurant in the United States by Traveler Magazine. With three different dance floors and music, there’s something for every taste. Top off the night with a spectacular midnight countdown show with aerialists, performance artists, pyro-displays, special effects, lighting, and much more. In Hollywood they definitely know how to put on a show.

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+ 2. Last Chance for Rare Picasso & More 12/1-12/12/09

Picasso is known for his abstract paintings, but he was also a talented ceramic artist. Having one of the largest collections of Picasso ceramics to be offered by a private gallery, The Andrew Weiss Gallery is proudly presenting Picasso Ceramics (1947-1969). For the first time, more than 50 rare ceramic works are being made available to collectors. Picasso’s quest to master all mediums is demonstrated through this exhibition that also includes his drawings, etchings, and lithographs. Additionally, the exhibit includes works by Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and other 20^th century masters.

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+ 3. Christmas meets Cirque Du Soliel at Hunky Santa 12/1-12/24/09

Look no further for an alternative to the traditional Santa Claus you have long out-grown. Hunky Santa and the Candy Cane Girls put on a “Vegas-Style” production complete with Cirque du Soleil styled dance routines and acrobatics combined with a fashion show vibe with the star of the show being a Santa Claus with a six-pack (they do exist!). With no intention of replacing Santa, this is a fun way to have a grown-up spin on the holiday in a chic - and interesting- Beverly Hills style.

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+ 4. Venetian Holiday in Long Beach 12/19/09

You don’t have to go to Venice to enjoy a well-decorated, romantic

canal. Kick start the holiday season by taking a stroll along the canals of Naples Island, where people take pride in decorating their homes that line the water. Better yet, take a romantic gondola ride to view them in style. On December 19^th, people line the bridges and streets to view the small boat parade. The larger vessels that don’t fit in the canals can be viewed from the 2^nd Street Bridge and along Alamitos Bay Marina. Throughout the holiday season, Naples Island in Long Beach is a sure bet for taking in the holiday spirit.

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+ 5. Homage to LA in Dreamers Exhibit 12/1-1/3/2010

Harry Chandler’s exhibition, Dreamers in Dream City, is an homage to the men and women of Los Angeles. Chandler found inspiration in the men and women who come to this city to chase their dreams and mixed his passion to photography to create an exceptional and thought-provoking art exhibit. View over 55 large-scale portraits created by Chandler of the most accomplished men and women in the city. Chandler uses “post visualization’ to merge past and present. His technique confirms that the effect of Dream City is timeless.

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+ AFI’s Los Angeles International Film Festival

Los Angeles is the place for movies and the American Film Institute's Los Angeles International Film Festival, or AFI Fest, holds the record as L.A.'s longest-running film festival. Expect to see Hollywood's elite on the red carpets and plenty of media buzzing about the hottest new movies.

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+ 16th Annual Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza

Sometimes there's nothing better than relaxing with a nice scotch and at the 16th Annual Single malt & Scotch Whiskey Extravaganza there are over 100 rare and exceptional whiskeys to choose from. There is a wide range of sampling at the event including single malt, premium Scotch, Irish, and even Japanese whiskeys for both the novice and expert consumer.

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+ 5th Annual International Tamale Festival

The 5th Annual International Tamale Festival is expected to draw over 50,000 hot tamales the second weekend of November. Come to see fun contests like the Tamale Cook-Off, Tamale Eating Contest, and Best Homemade Tamale Contest, or just relax at the beer garden over a freshly made tamale.

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+ Stars of Cabernet at the Peninsula Beverly Hills

The Stars of Cabernet lives up to its namesake, showcasing wines from elegant and outstanding wineries like Paul Hobbs, Sequoia Grove, and much more. The event is not limited to wine, with food selections from host The Peninsula Hotel and a silent auction benefiting the TJ Martell Foundation. The event is limited to 125 guests, so make sure you get your tickets in advance.

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+ 36th Annual Dia de Los Muertos Celebration

Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Meso-American tradition and no other event honors this day like L.A.'s Dia de Los Muertos Celebration. The festival that includes a procession, art, and music has become so popular it has moved to the large L.A. Civic Center.

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