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.

The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club features live stand-up comedy by some of the hottest national headlining comedians. The club's 3 floors open to a perfect view of the stage and the casual tropical décor makes visitors feel as if they’re on an island vacation. In addition, the club also boasts a state-of-the-art sound and video system, as well as a full bar and gourmet menu.

If the streets of Venice weren’t crowded enough, First Fridays at Abbot Kinney are bringing in hoards of people to take their wine and food truck finds to the streets of Venice as businesses stay open late for this particular occasion. First Fridays at Abbot Kinney have become a popular event that occurs every first Friday of the month. From 6pm-10pm, merchants, vendors and small businesses alike open their doors to pedestrians who along with strolling the streets, can listen to live music, visit various gourmet food trucks and mingle with Venice locals and visitors. Not only has First Friday become a Venice tradition, it has become a way for local merchants and vendors to gain support and a following from those looking to have a fun Friday night out. From great food to great art, First Fridays at Abbot Kinney have everyone saying, T-G-I-F!

Though it looks like it belongs on a movie set in a small town where everyone knows your name, Larchmont Boulevard brings a certain charm to upscale boutiques, high-end eateries and popular shops you have come to love. When it comes to shopping on Larchmont Boulevard, Noni Boutique is an absolute must when it comes to designer clothing, jewelry and accessories that can’t be found in department stores. Men looking to shop on Larchmont Boulevard should visit Legion Los Angeles, a rock ‘n’ roll type clothing store with popular and European finds for the most fashionable of men. The restaurants on Larchmont Boulevard have also begun drawing people in, from a visit to Larchmont Village Wine Spirits & Cheese for a freshly made sandwich or Panini or a trip to Crumbs Bake Shop for a homemade cupcake concoction. Along with great shopping and restaurants, the sheer beauty and elegance of the boulevard makes strolling the street just as exciting as a visit into a shop.

The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is truly noteworthy when it comes to its artwork and exhibits. Featuring Asian Art, European Art, and anything that is remotely Modern or contemporary, is featured in this hideaway. Current exhibitions at the Norton Simon include Hiroshige: Visions of Japan, while future exhibitions will be Raphael’s “The Small Cowper”. The vast amount of exhibitions and collections keeps tours and memberships alive. The Norton Simon, known for relatively inexpensive admission rates, has multiple levels of membership for active visitors as well as same-day admission for $8.00. Tours are also encouraged from those at Norton Simon who administer guided tours as well as spotlight talks featuring twenty minute discussions free to visitors. Along with guided tours and visits to the Museum, Norton Simon frequently features adult drawing and art history classes as well as lectures and dance performances. With multiple ways to enjoy the exhibits and collections, Norton Simon makes it easy for anyone to become fascinated by the works around them.