February 2019 Los Angeles Culture Challenge

February offers many opportunities to discover and explore the richness of Los Angeles. Especially plentiful this month are Lunar New Year celebrations and events celebrating and honoring African American history.

For Scandinavian enthusiasts, this month features the annual Nordic Spirit Symposium, a unique lecture and performance program presented by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation and California Lutheran University. The symposium will take place Friday, February 8, and Saturday, February 9, in Thousand Oaks.

This year’s topic is Vikings, Sagas and Runestones: New Findings Change History. “Many exciting Viking era discoveries have been made by archaeologists in recent years, giving a new understanding of the Viking Age… This symposium will treat many of these discoveries and their interpretations. In addition, Icelandic sagas will be treated in two ways new to the symposium series, namely a live drama presentation of The Saga of Gudridur and discussion of putting the sagas to film, illustrated with film clips representing The Saga of Gisli the Outlaw.” For more details on the program and registration, visit their website.

How will you explore the richness of Los Angeles this month?

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 2 & 3 *

Museums Annual Free-For-All Day, Saturday, 2/2, & Sunday, 2/3. Dozens of museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history, and science—open their doors and invite visitors to attend their museums free of charge. This offer is for general museum admission only and does not apply to specially ticketed exhibitions. Regular parking fees apply at each museum. Consult individual museum websites for hours, directions, and other visitor information. Visit website to see which museums are participating Saturday only, Sunday only, or both Saturday and Sunday.

Undiscovered Chinatown Walking Tour, Chinatown, Downtown LA, Saturday, 2/2, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Offered every first Saturday of the month). Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more! The 2 1/2 hour walking tour will take visitors to a number of off-the-beaten-track points of interest and will guide those interested in shopping to some of Chinatown’s best bargains and its trendiest shops. Be prepared to wind your way through a myriad of alleyways, plaza stalls, and classical courtyards to discover the charm of LA’s Chinatown.

China: New Year Dragon Puppet and Treats (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 2/3, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. All materials are provided.

Lunar New Year Festival, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Sunday, 2/3, 10:00 a.m. Rain or shine, celebrate Lunar New Year at the USC Pacific Asia Museum. The main stage performances include a Lion Dance and martial arts presentation from the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Association, classical musicians from the Pasadena Symphony, and a special delegation from the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music performing a variety of traditional and contemporary music and dance pieces. There will also be art activities, food trucks, and a musical petting zoo.

Asian Lunar New Year Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday, 2/3, 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Welcome the year of the brave, sincere, and lucky pig! Celebrate with lion, dragon, and classical Asian dance, music, and art projects. Enjoy painting a paper lantern, getting your face painted, and eating a delicious egg roll treat. Fun activities for the entire family. Visit website for complete program.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 9 & 10 *

Pan African Film + Arts Festival, Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw, Thursday, 2/7, through Monday, 2/18. Experience the largest Black film festival in America. From a $100 million blockbuster premiere to newly emerging Hollywood talent, the Pan African Film + Arts Festival (PAFF) showcases a broad spectrum of Black creative works from all over the globe, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. Special programs include StudentFest, Saturday Children’s Festival, SpokenWord Fest, LOL Comedy, PAFF Fashion Show, and more.

20th Annual Nordic Spirit Symposium: Vikings, Sagas and Runestones: New Findings Change History, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Friday, 2/8, & Saturday, 2/9. Many exciting Viking era discoveries have been made by archaeologists in recent years, giving a new understanding of the Viking Age. This symposium will treat many of these discoveries and their interpretations. In addition, Icelandic sagas will be treated in two ways new to the symposium series, namely a live drama presentation of The Saga of Gudridur and discussion of putting the sagas to film, illustrated with film clips representing The Saga of Gisli the Outlaw. For details on program and registration, visit website.

Undiscovered Chinatown *Highlighted* Walking Tour, Chinatown, Saturday, 2/9, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This is a special walking tour preceding Chinese New Year festivities. Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more! The 1 1/2 hour walking tour will take visitors to a number of off-the-beaten-track points of interest and will guide those interested in shopping to some of Chinatown’s best bargains and its trendiest shops. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to wind your way through a myriad of alleyways, plaza stalls, and classical courtyards to discover the charm of LA’s Chinatown. Please rsvp online here.

African-American Art Festival, STAR Eco Station, Culver City, Saturday, 2/9, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Enjoy African drumming and dancing, art exhibits, interactive art projects, BBQ, games, and local vendors at this outdoor festival at STAR Eco Station, an environmental science museum and exotic wildlife rescue center.

Chinese New Year Festival @ Central Plaza, Chinatown, Downtown LA, Saturday, 2/9, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. There will be artisan booths featuring brush painting, calligraphy, candy sculpture, clay sculpture, and face painting; arts and craft workshops; a craft and vintage market; a culinary stage; entertainment on Central Plaza Main Stage; live music; roaming performances; food trucks and food booths; a craft beer garden; and more.

120th Annual Golden Dragon Parade, Chinatown, Downtown LA, Saturday, 2/9, 1:00 p.m. In celebrating over one hundred years of tradition, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles presents the 120th Annual Golden Dragon Parade. With over thousands of individuals lining the parade route and thousands viewing the telecast each year, this colorful celebration along North Broadway in Chinatown has become the premiere cultural event in the Southern California Asian-American Community. The parade includes almost two dozen floats, multiple marching bands, government officials, various dignitaries, entertainers, local business leaders, and cultural groups.

Morocco: Mirrors – Valentine’s Day (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 2/10, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. All materials are provided.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 16 & 17 *

Pan African Film + Arts Festival, Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw, Thursday, 2/7, through Monday, 2/18. This is the last weekend of PAFF where people from around the globe gather to attend the largest Black film festival in the United States. From a $100 million blockbuster premiere to newly emerging Hollywood talent, the Pan African Film + Arts Festival (PAFF) showcases a broad spectrum of Black creative works from all over the globe, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes.

Star System Jewelry Workshop (Kids, Teens & Families Programs), California African American Museum (CAAM), Exposition Park, Saturday, 2/16, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Magical Afro-futuristic themes in Robert Pruitt’s work celebrate the creative potential of the African American community in science, technology, and culture. Taking inspiration from these grand themes in Robert Pruitt – Devotion, make your own astronomy-based beaded necklace or bracelet and learn more about our place in the universe. Ages 5 and up. Space is limited; RSVP required.

Japan: Jomon Clay Pottery (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 2/17, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. All materials are provided.

What the World Needs Is… (Kids, Teens & Families Programs), California African American Museum (CAAM), Exposition Park, Sunday, 2/17, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Protest posters played an important role in the Civil Rights rallies and marches depicted in the exhibition Los Angeles Freedom Rally, 1963. Whether mass produced or put together with house paint and cardboard scraps, these posters are iconic for their use of dynamic symbolism and heartfelt—sometimes humorous—language that delivered the movement’s message. Think about how you would complete the phrase “What the world needs is…” with a symbol or words, then make it into a poster. Ages 7 and up.

Lunar New Year Celebration, The Original Farmers Market, 3rd & Fairfax, Sunday, 2/17, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Join Farmers Market and The Grove for a spectacular Lunar New Year Celebration. Festivities include Chinese Dragon and Lion dances, K-pop dance performances, martial arts demos, a pig statue unveiling and other Year of the Pig themed activities.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 23 & 24 *

African-American Festival, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Saturday, 2/23, & Sunday, 2/24. Join the Aquarium of the Pacific as it hosts its 17th annual African-American Festival, celebrating the rich diversity of African-American and African cultures. The festival will feature live entertainment and arts and crafts. Festival performers include Mardi Gras second line dancers, hip hop and break dancers, jazz musicians, interactive drum circles, West African dancers, and storytellers.

Little Tokyo Walking Tour, Japanese American National Museum, Downtown LA, Saturday, 2/23, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Learn about past and present-day Little Tokyo on a walking tour led by an in-the-know JANM docent. From murals to monuments, explore both the popular and lesser-known gems of this bustling neighborhood. $12 members, $15 non-members. Museum admission included. Comfortable walking shoes recommended. Weather permitting. Limited to 20 participants.

Mali: Bamana People Animal Cloth (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 2/24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. All materials are provided.

Edible Adventures: Vegetarian Little Tokyo, Japanese American National Museum, Downtown LA, Sunday, 2/24, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Take a healthy stroll through Little Tokyo and listen to neighborhood stories while learning about Japanese vegetables from daikon to gobo to maitake, capped off by a macrobiotic lunch at Shojin, a Japanese vegan/macrobiotic restaurant. $48 members; $60 non-members. Food and museum admission included. Limited to 14 participants.

Fowler Families: World Travelers, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Westwood, Sunday, 2/24, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Decorate your very own passport before taking an imaginative journey across the globe! Explore and learn about artworks from countries around the world with Fowler Educators while gathering stamps for your passport at each stop.

Feel free to add events for the current month in the comments below. If you have suggestions about future events and celebrations to include in upcoming months, please email the details. Thank you!


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One thought on “February 2019 Los Angeles Culture Challenge

  1. So pleased to see that you included the annual Nordic Spirit Symposium that the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation provides for the community each year–under the leadership of Howard Rockstad. it’s not too late to register.

    Anita Londgren

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