Many of us are back to the grind with school and after-school and weekend activities, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to seek out opportunities to explore other cultures or visit new-to-us areas of Los Angeles to broaden our horizons.

September offers many such opportunities. Chinatown offers walking tours and a moon festival, Olvera Street celebrates Mexican Independence Day with a multi-day event, and Watts is hosting a multicultural Day of the Drum Festival.

I’m happy to report that Scandinavia is well represented this month with AutumnFest & Höstmarknad Celebration in Agoura, Vista Viking Festival in North San Diego County, the benefit concert Nordic Noir LA at the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park, and a family art workshop featuring Norse gods at Barnsdall Art Park. See below for more details on those events.

Before moving on to this month’s events, I’d like to include a heads-up about a Norwegian music artist coming to town in October. Kygo, an up-and-coming electronic music artist, has two shows at Hollywood Bowl – Friday, October 14, and Saturday, October 15. I first learned about Kygo when he performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo in December 2015 and then I heard him again at Rio Olympics’ Closing Ceremony in August. His music is described as tropical house, “a slowed-down style heavy on piano melodies,” according to Rolling Stone.

How will you explore the diverse richness of Los Angeles this month? Continue reading →

May is a month eagerly awaited and anticipated by Norwegians worldwide. We celebrate our constitution signed on May 17, 1814. Norwegians in LA can celebrate on the day itself at the Norwegian Church in San Pedro, or they can join festivities on the Sunday closest to the 17th at Nansen Field in Rolling Hills Estates (details below).

For those interested in cultures beyond Norway, there are plenty of opportunities this month. And my favorite LA event, CicLAvia, returns to Los Angeles this month, this time to Southeast Cities. Unfortunately, it overlaps with the Norwegian festivities that weekend. It will be a hard choice for me. Continue reading →

Usually, April means the annual Scandinavian Festival is around the corner. Sadly, this year it is not happening. In November 2015, the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation Board of Directors voted to postpone the 42nd Annual Scandinavian Festival until 2017. It seems they found themselves with not enough time to plan properly for this year. They promise to be back in 2017 “with a 42nd Festival of which we will all be proud!” However, there are many other events and activities to broaden your cultural understanding and appreciation of our area, and another of my favorite LA events is also on this month, the Los Angeles Times’ Festival of Books.

* WEEKEND OF APRIL 2 & 3 *

Celebrate/Demonstrate: Photographs of Global LA by Cindy Bendat, Fowler Museum at UCLA, ongoing until May 8, 2016. Featuring compelling images of festivals and political rallies, this exhibition highlights the extraordinary cultural diversity of the greater Los Angeles area. California-based photographer Bendat has documented community events in Southern California and throughout the world for several decades. Her photographs offer visitors an intimate view of three kinds of annual celebrations held in and around Los Angeles: a late-October fiesta for the Guatemalan folk saint San Simón, mid-January Orthodox Ethiopian Timket (Epiphany) festivities, and the mid-April Cambodian New Year or Chaul Chnam Thmey. These images illustrate the ways in which immigrants maintain homeland traditions in the United States and express their ethnic and cultural identity.

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Downtown, Saturday 4/2, 10:30am-1pm. Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures–not to mention great bargains–to be found in Chinatown. 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 L.A.’s Chinatown. This tour is offered every first Saturday of the month.

Barnsdall Art Sundays—Austria: Hundertwasser Inspired Painting, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday 4/3, 10am-12pm. Join instructor Quan Trang for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday 4/3, 11am-3:30pm. Join the Bowers Museum in celebrating the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival with art, music, and dancing.

Andell Family Sundays—Poetic Printmaking, LACMA, Sunday 4/3, 12:30pm-3:30pm. After exploring how Japanese printmakers added poems to their scenes of life and landscape in 18th- and 19th- century Japan in the special exhibition Living for the Moment: Japanese Prints from the Barbara S. Bowman Collection, write poetry, make music, and learn printmaking in art workshops. Also 4/10, 4/17, and 4/24.

* WEEKEND OF APRIL 9 & 10 *

Festival of Books, USC Campus, Downtown LA, Saturday 4/9 and Sunday 4/10. Enjoy two days of not only books and authors, but also music, food, art, culture, and fun. The Festival of Books is Los Angeles Times’ annual celebration of ideas, creativity, and the written word. The Festival brings book lovers and fun seekers of all ages together with their favorite authors, artists, chefs, musicians, and entertainers. Go Metro and avoid the hassle of finding parking. You’ll also save 10% on your total purchase of official 2016 Festival of Books merchandise, including mugs, T-shirts, and more. The Expo Line will drop you directly at the south end of the festival. For more information, see the Program Guide, the official program for the festival with articles, a map, schedule, exhibitor list, and more.

Renaissance Pleasure Faire, Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale, Saturdays & Sundays, April 9 to May 22. Travel back to the 16th century and experience the glory of life during the Renaissance era. There will be artisans of all media, entertainment galore, food trucks and booths, games and rides (including pony and camel rides), a Kids Kingdom (with games, crafts, story-telling, song, shows, and characters), and a gnome quest!

International Children’s Day Festival, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Saturday 4/9 & Sunday 4/10. Celebrating the amazing talents of children of all cultures, this festival features West African, Mexican, Pacific Islander, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Persian dance performances. Enjoy performances by a children’s choir and martial arts demonstrations. Kids of all ages can partake in an international percussion circle, face painting, and Native American and Pacific Islander traditional children’s crafts and games.

18th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Inter-Tribal Gathering, Malibu Bluffs Park, Saturday 4/9 & Sunday 4/10. This year’s 18th annual Chumash Day Powwow will celebrate Native Americans from all over the country. Hundreds of tribes will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park. Native American food, craft vendors, tribal ceremonies, and dances will be a part of the event on both days. Grand Entry will take place 1pm at Saturday and 12pm on Sunday.

Barnsdall Art Sundays—Thailand: Thai New Year Elephant Patch, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday 4/10, 10am-12pm. Join instructor Sofia Mas for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—Poetic Printmaking, LACMA, Sunday 4/10, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Check out how Japanese printmakers added poems to their scenes of life and landscape in 18th- and 19th- century Japan in the special exhibition Living for the Moment: Japanese Prints from the Barbara S. Bowman Collection. Then write poetry, make music, and learn printmaking in art workshops. Also 4/17 and 4/24.

* WEEKEND OF APRIL 16 & 17 *

44th Annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival, Ken Miller Recreation Center, Torrance, Saturday 4/16 & Sunday 4/17. Come enjoy Japanese culture at the Bunka-Sai Festival sponsored by the Torrance Sister City Association. There will be an anime contest; Kamishibai storytelling; Aikido, Judo, Kendo, Naginata, and Karate; Koto, Taiko, Minyo, Shamisen, and Odori; Ikebana and Bonsai; Shodo calligraphy and tea ceremony; Origami, Roketsu, and Kimekomi Ningyo Dolls; arts and crafts boutiques, games for children, hourly drawings; and food.

Andell Family Sundays—Poetic Printmaking, LACMA, Sunday 4/17, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Check out how Japanese printmakers added poems to their scenes of life and landscape in 18th- and 19th- century Japan in the special exhibition Living for the Moment: Japanese Prints from the Barbara S. Bowman Collection. Then write poetry, make music, and learn printmaking in art workshops. Also 4/24. 

* WEEKEND OF APRIL 23 & 24 *

REFUGEE, The Annenberg Space for Photography, Century City, opens April 23 and continues until August 21. Through images created by five internationally acclaimed artists, REFUGEE explores the lives of refugees from a host of diverse populations dispersed and displaced throughout the world. The exhibit features photographs taken in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Colombia, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Myanmar, Serbia, Slovenia, and the United States.

New Americans, Skylight Studios, Century City, opens April 23 and continues until August 21. In conjunction with the REFUGEE exhibit, the New Americans installation at Skylight Studios features a collection of stories on refugees who were resettled  in the United States to start a new life through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The installation features “The Refugee Project,” an interactive visual narrative created from 40 years of UNHCR refugee data; New Roots, a long-form multimedia experience by visual journalist Sarah Ann Jump featuring a Congolese refugee family resettling in Rochester, New York; several short films of refugee families sharing their experiences as they resettle in California and adapt to their new lives; and a photo series by blogger and photographer Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York which features the personal stories of refugees recently cleared for resettlement in America.

Barnsdall Art Sundays—Armenia: Pomegranate Vase, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday 4/10, 10am-12pm. Join instructor Sarah Hage for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Art of the Austronesians: The Legacy of Indo-Pacific Voyaging, Fowler Museum at UCLA, opens Sunday 4/24 and continues until 8/28. Art of the Austronesians explores the history and development of the arts and cultures of the Austronesian-speaking peoples—from their prehistoric origins in what is now Taiwan to their successive seafaring migrations over millennia throughout the Philippines, Indonesia, the Pacific, and beyond. The first major exhibition in the United States to examine the visual arts of the entire Austronesian world comparatively in a single project, it features a number of important pieces from the Fowler’s. Additional works borrowed from private California-based collections, many on view to the public for the first time, contribute to the remarkable breadth of the installation.

Andell Family Sundays—Poetic Printmaking, LACMA, Sunday 4/24, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Check out how Japanese printmakers added poems to their scenes of life and landscape in 18th- and 19th- century Japan in the special exhibition Living for the Moment: Japanese Prints from the Barbara S. Bowman Collection. Then write poetry, make music, and learn printmaking in art workshops.

Kids in the Courtyard: Let’s Go Sailing, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Sunday 4/24, 1pm-4pm. Take a look at the beautiful boats in Art of the Austronesians: The Legacy of the Indo-Pacific Voyaging and imagine going on your own journey. Create a mini sailboat and test it out in the fountain. You’ll even have the chance to paddle around the courtyard in the Fowler’s land-faring “boat.”

March offers many opportunities to explore all that Los Angeles has to offer. There’s an ongoing photography exhibit that highlights the cultural diversity of the area. Tours, festivals, and workshops offer the opportunity to explore cultures more deeply. Guatemala, Ethiopia, China, Iran, South American cultures… where will you go this month?

* WEEKEND OF MARCH 5 & 6 *

Celebrate/Demonstrate: Photographs of Global LA by Cindy Bendat, Fowler Museum at UCLA, ongoing until May 8, 2016. Featuring compelling images of festivals and political rallies, this exhibition highlights the extraordinary cultural diversity of the greater Los Angeles area. California-based photographer Bendat has documented community events in Southern California and throughout the world for several decades. Her photographs offer visitors an intimate view of three kinds of annual celebrations held in and around Los Angeles: a late-October fiesta for the Guatemalan folk saint San Simón, mid-January Orthodox Ethiopian Timket (Epiphany) festivities, and the mid-April Cambodian New Year or Chaul Chnam Thmey. These images illustrate the ways in which immigrants maintain homeland traditions in the United States and express their ethnic and cultural identity.

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Downtown, Saturday 3/5, 10:30am-1pm. (Offered every first Saturday of the month). Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures–not to mention great bargains–to be found in Chinatown. 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 L.A.’s Chinatown.

Chinese American Museum’s Lantern Festival, El Pueblo Historical Monument, Saturday 3/5, 12pm-7pm. Join Angelenos beneath Chinese lanterns in the vibrancy of Downtown L.A. for the 15th annual Los Angeles Lantern Festival. The free signature event marks the closing of the Lunar New Year festivities with engaging community booths, live entertainment, music, arts & crafts, and food trucks.

Carnival Family Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday 3/6, 11am-4pm. Celebrate at the Bowers Museum with Carnival-inspired art projects, music, and live performances. All day there will be face painting, art projects (Carnival masks), and beignet tasting. Highlights of scheduled events include a fashion show of Bolivian Carnival dresses, Brazilian martial arts, and dance and music performances.

Barnsdall Art Sundays, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday 3/7, 10am-12pm. Celebrate culture and creativity at the Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park. Come for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Visit their website to see schedule.

Andell Family Sundays—Art of China, LACMA, Sunday 3/6, 12:30pm-3:30pm. From ancient pottery and jade carvings to exquisite furniture and landscape paintings, check out the variety and beauty of Chinese art. Then, make your own artwork inspired by the collection in workshops.

* WEEKEND OF MARCH 12 & 13 *

Fowler on the Town: Botánica and Injera: A Guatemalan and Ethiopian Experience, Saturday 3/12. Cindy Bendat’s images capture the diverse populations of Los Angeles, such as the Guatemalan and Ethiopian communities. During this off-site program, join Curator of Latin American and Caribbean Popular Arts Patrick A. Polk to explore a Guatemalan botánica (a religious goods store) in the mid-Wilshire district and then enjoy an Ethiopian lunch in nearby Little Ethiopia. See website for reservation information.

Nowruz: Celebrating Iranian New Year, LACMA, Sunday 3/13, 11:30am-7pm. Join Farhang Foundation as they celebrate Iranian New Year (Nowruz) and the first day of spring with a full day of activities throughout LACMA’s campus. The event will feature live performances, music, dance, storytelling and calligraphy for children, a traditional Iranian costume parade, and more.

Family Jam: Masks, Drums, and Song, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Sunday 3/13, 2pm-4pm. Feel the beat and experience the colorful power of a masked-dancing performance from Guatemala. Learn about the inspiring way of Wanaragua, where warriors of indigenous and African descent disguised themselves and fought for survival against British invaders. Afterward, make your own mask. Search the gallery for photos of Guatemalan celebrations in Celebrate/Demonstrate: Photographs of Global LA by Cindy Bendat and enjoy the final day of Disguise: Masks and Global African Art.

Barnsdall Art Sundays—Ancient Rome: Lares Altars, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday 3/7, 10am-12pm. Celebrate culture and creativity at the Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park. Come for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

* WEEKEND OF MARCH 19 & 20 *

Andell Family Sundays—Art of China, LACMA, Sunday 3/20, 12:30pm-3:30pm. From ancient pottery and jade carvings to exquisite furniture and landscape paintings, check out the variety and beauty of Chinese art. Then, make your own artwork inspired by the collection in workshops.

Barnsdall Art Sundays—Japan: Koi Fish Wind Sock, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday 3/7, 10am-12pm. Celebrate culture and creativity at the Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park. Come for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

* WEEKEND OF MARCH 26 & 27 *

Blessing of the Animals, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, Downtown LA, Saturday 3/26. This tradition of blessing the animals for the benefits they provide mankind dates back to the 4th century, when San Antonio De Abad was named the patron saint of the animal kingdom and began to bless animals to promote good health. It has been celebrated in the Plaza since 1930. Bring your pets to be blessed. Blessing begins at 2pm and lasts for an hour. Line-up for the blessing begins at 1pm. There will be live entertainment, a petting zoo, and free pony rides from 12pm to 5pm.

In the upcoming month, Angelenos have a lot to choose from if they want to experience something out of the ordinary. Not only are there several Lunar New Year and African American History celebrations coming up, but there are also events highlighting Mardi Gras and Scottish customs. What will you choose to explore? I welcome feedback on any events you attend…

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 6 & 7 *

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Downtown, Saturday 2/6, 10:30am-1pm. (Offered every first Saturday of the month). Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures–not to mention great bargains–to be found in Chinatown. 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 L.A.’s Chinatown.

27th Annual Mardi Gras Celebration, The Original Farmers Market, 3rd & Fairfax, Saturday 2/6, 5pm-10:30pm. L.A.’s favorite Mardi Gras celebration returns for its 27th year straight. It features the finest New Orleans and Zydeco music, strolling parade bands, down home Southern cooking, activities for kids, bead throwing, and much more.

China: New Year Dragon Puppets (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday 2/7, 10am-12pm. Join instructor Quan Trang for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. This particular Sunday, special Chinese sweets will also be offered.

Chinese New Year Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday 2/7, 11am-3:30pm. Celebrate the Year of the Monkey at the Bowers Museum’s Chinese New Year Festival with art projects, music, performances, and more!

6th Annual Lunar New Year Festival, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Sunday 2/7, 11am-5pm. Experience how the Lunar New Year is celebrated in China, Korea and Cambodia. At this year’s festival, celebrate with music, dance, art making, storytelling, and a host of other family-friendly entertainment that explores the arts and cultures of Asia and more.

Family Day: A Day of Global Disguise, Fowler Museum, UCLA, Sunday 2/7, 1pm- 4pm. Participate in a special program for all ages inspired by Disguise: Masks and Global African Art and Celebrate/Demonstrate: Photographs of Global LA by Cindy Bendat. Disguise yourself in the spirit of Mardi Gras and Carnival celebrations, participate in a commedia dell’arte workshop, and enjoy performances of masked art. At 3pm, witness the Baile del Torito (Dance of the Little Bull), a Mayan dance drama practiced throughout Guatemala and southern Mexico.

A Path Appears: Actions for a Better World, Skirball Cultural Center, ongoing until February 21. Inspired by the bestselling book A Path Appears by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the exhibition is both a gallery installation and a community engagement project—a place where every visitor can take practical, results-driven steps to bring about social change. Get inspired inside innovatively designed pavilions exploring four critical humanitarian issues: education, health, good jobs, and empowerment. Tap into the power of grassroots action as you learn of organizations—both local and around the globe—that are developing workable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. Then join in building a better world as you engage with ActionLab, a mobile-friendly tool that uses storytelling to promote social change and spark a commitment to human rights.

 * WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 13 & 14 *

117th Annual Golden Dragon Parade, Chinatown, Downtown, Saturday 2/13, 1pm. The parade includes almost two dozen floats, multiple marching bands, government officials, various dignitaries, entertainers, local business leaders, and cultural groups.

Queen Mary ScotsFestival, Queen Mary, Long Beach, Saturday 2/13 & Sunday 2/14, 9am-6pm. The Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXIII in Long Beach kicks off the Scottish Festival and Highland Games season offering guests a glimpse into Scotland’s rich culture and history featuring an array of activities from Highland athletics and dancing to Lowlands music and cuisine.

Symbols of Kindness, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Sunday 2/14, 10am- 6pm. Join as the museum celebrates the many ways the people of Asia express kindness to others. Admission to the galleries and the day’s programming are FREE all day. Special activities include Silk Road Story Time (10:30am & 11:30am), Art Activity (10:30am–4:30pm), and Spotlight Tours (11am & 1pm).

Celebrating Black History Month, California African American Museum (CAAM), Exposition Park, Sunday 2/14, 11am-5pm. Join CAAM as they celebrate Black History Month with a slate of exciting programs.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 20 & 21 *

African-American Art Festival, STAR Eco Station, Culver City, Saturday 2/20, 11am-4pm. Enjoy African drumming and dancing, art exhibits, interactive art projects, BBQ, games, and local vendors.

Chinese New Year Celebration, The Huntington, Pasadena, Saturday 2/20 & Sunday 2/21, 10:30am-4:30pm. Celebrate the Lunar New Year at The Huntington as the Year of the Monkey begins. This two-day family event includes lion dancers, plus crowd-pleasing mask-changing performances, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese music, calligraphy and brush painting demonstrations, displays of penjing (Chinese bonsai) and scholar’s stones, and more.

African-American History Month: Aaron Douglas Collage (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday 2/21, 10am-12pm. Celebrate Black History Month with Jose Sanchez. Learn about Aaron Douglas, an African-American painter and graphic artist who played a leading role in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, and create collages.

Kids in the Courtyard: Feast your Eyes, Fowler Museum, UCLA, Sunday 2/21, 1pm-4pm. Let the tortilla be your canvas for this very tasty day. Watch as artists in the Great Tortilla Conspiracy silkscreen images on tortillas with chocolate. Make edible art with corn (maize), cheese, and chocolate; sample “corny” foods; and learn all about the social history of maize and the many ways this delicious food can be prepared in celebration of the opening weekend of José Montoya’s Abundant Harvest: Works on Paper/Works on Life.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 27 & FEBRUARY 28 *

Musical Explorers, The Broad Stage, Santa Monica, Saturday 2/27, 11am or 1pm. Bring the whole family to experience the international sounds of LA with this one-of-a- kind music program direct from Carnegie Hall. After its Broad Stage debut last season, Musical Explorers returns for another action-packed weekend of cultural discovery and sweet-sounding adventure. From Bluegrass ballads to Yiddish folk tunes, you and your children will learn songs, share stories, and explore the rich musical histories that live right in our own backyard. For ages 5 and up. To buy tickets, visit website.

African-American Festival, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Saturday 2/27 & Sunday 2/28. The aquarium hosts its 14th annual African American Festival celebrating the rich diversity of African American and African cultures. The weekend will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts, ethnic food, and more. Festival performers include Mardi Gras second line dancers, hip hop and break dancers, tap dancers, jazz musicians, interactive drum circles, West African dancers, and storytellers.

December is always a busy time with the winter holidays approaching, but if you have some time left over, there’s plenty of special events happening to either explore your own heritage or open your mind to new cultures and traditions or global concerns. Another of my favorite Scandinavian events happens this month, the Swedish Christmas Fair. It’s a busy, festive one-day affair which always leaves me with a cozy Christmas feeling.

* WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 5 & 6 *

A Path Appears: Actions for a Better World, Skirball Cultural Center, ongoing until February 21, 2016. Inspired by the bestselling book A Path Appears by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the exhibition is both a gallery installation and a community engagement project—a place where every visitor can take practical, results-driven steps to bring about social change. Get inspired inside innovatively designed pavilions exploring four critical humanitarian issues: education, health, good jobs, and empowerment. Tap into the power of grassroots action as you learn of organizations—both local and around the globe—that are developing workable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. Then join in building a better world as you engage with ActionLab, a mobile-friendly tool that uses storytelling to promote social change and spark a commitment to human rights.

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Downtown, Saturday, 10:30am-1pm. (Offered every first Saturday of the month). Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures–not to mention great bargains–to be found in Chinatown. 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 L.A.’s Chinatown.

Kids in the Courtyard: Try on a New Face!, Fowler Museum Courtyard at UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Marvel at the ways artists in Disguise: Masks and Global African Art have transformed themselves and their surroundings. Then try your hand at disguising your appearance. Take on a whole new persona as you paint your face or have designs drawn on your face by artists in attendance at the event.

* WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 12 & 13 *

Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival, LACMA, Saturday & Sunday. The 11th annual Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival returns to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The festival will present more than 100 films from around the world—full-length and short animation, live action, and documentary films—organized for different age groups, from toddlers through teens. Select filmmakers and actors will be present for Q&A sessions after each screening.

36th Annual Swedish Christmas Fair, Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Torrance, Sunday, 10am-5pm. The fair features artisans and stands presenting the best of Swedish fine art, handicraft, books, jewelry, toys, decorations, and much more. Enjoy a traditional Swedish lunch or “fika” (coffee break) with delicious home baked sweets. You can even enjoy an invigorating glass of hot glögg (mulled wine). The radiant Lucia Pageant is performed twice during the day, at noon and at 3pm. Make sure to time your visit so you’ll be there for the Lucia procession. There’s also a children’s corner with crafts, games, and a possible visit with Santa.

Hanukkah Family Festival, Skirball Cultural Center, Sunday, 11am-4pm. The light of hope, courage, and perseverance that burns in each of us makes it possible to achieve amazing things together. At this year’s Hanukkah Family Festival, celebrate with music, dance, art making, storytelling, and a host of other family-friendly activities that explore this theme and more. Families of all backgrounds welcome!

Free Day at USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, every 2nd Sunday of the month. Established in 1971, the museum is one of a few U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The museum’s mission is to further intercultural understanding through the arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. In addition to the permanent and special exhibitions, there is a special interactive family-friendly exhibition called Journeys: The Silk Road where visitors can explore the legendary trade route that linked Europe and Asia for more than a thousand years. Also, every second Sunday of the month is a special storytime and with a hands-on craft. This Sunday’s theme is Philippines.

* WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 19 & 20 *

Debbie Allen’s The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Downtown, Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 1pm and 7pm. Following the idea of the original, it’s Christmas Eve and the Johnsons are having a grand party. The Christmas gifts are shared and young Kara receives a Nutcracker filled with hot chocolate – her favorite. She falls asleep and the journey begins when the Nutcracker comes alive! Kara takes the audience on a mystical, magical journey, from Candy Cane Land, Egypt, the Indian Rainforest, Bollywood, Jazzland, and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. Must buy tickets in advance.

Las Posadas at Olvera Street, El Pueblo Historical Monument, Downtown, Saturday and Sunday, 5:30pm-8:30pm. Every evening beginning December 16th and continuing through Christmas Eve, a procession depicting Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem is presented by Olvera Street merchants. Visitors are encouraged to join the candlelight procession singing Christmas carols in English and Spanish. There is a children’s piñata breaking and live entertainment each evening, along with complimentary champurrado and pan dulce.

* WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 26 & 27 *

This seems to be a quiet weekend for events.

* WEEKEND OF JANUARY 2 & 3 *

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Downtown, Saturday, 10:30am-1pm. (Offered every first Saturday of the month). Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures–not to mention great bargains–to be found in Chinatown. 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 L.A.’s Chinatown.

Oshogatsu Family Festival – Year of the Monkey, Japanese American National Museum, Sunday, 11am-5pm. Ring in the New Year and the Year of the Monkey with fun arts ‘n crafts, food, exciting cultural activities, and performances.

In November, Angelenos can experience a variety of cultures and partake in some unique celebrations before focusing on their own Thanksgiving. And Norwegians can kick off the holiday season with the Norwegian Church’s annual Christmas Fair, a highlight of the year and a favorite event of mine. Throughout the month, walking tours, performances, workshops, fairs, and festivals all provide more opportunities to gain a fuller appreciation of what our area has to offer. What will you attend this month?

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1 *

Dia de los Muertos Celebration on Olvera Street, El Pueblo Historical Monument, Downtown LA, Saturday & Sunday 10am-8pm and Monday 4pm-8pm. Dia de los Muertos is one of the most celebrated holidays in Mexico. It is a celebration of the belief that on October 31 and November 1 the spirits of beloved family members come to be with us once again. Enjoy face painting, street theater performances, strolling mariachi bands, Aztec dancers, art workshops, puppets, ballet folklorico, piñatas and other fun family activities, followed by a Novenario procession.

Day of the Dead Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday, 10am-4pm. At this time of remembrance and celebration of life, come to the Bowers to enjoy the romantic music of Latin America, face painting and sugar skull decorating, ballet folklorico, mariachi music, and Aztec dance. See website for schedule.

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 7 & 8 *

Japanese Garden Festival, Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge, Saturday & Sunday. Descanso celebrates the art and culture of Japan with this family-friendly festival. On Saturday at 10 a.m. take an in depth tour of Descanso’s Japanese Garden with Dr. Kendall Brown, professor of Asian art history and author of Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America. On both days, there will be an Ikebana display where you can view examples of ikebana, the art of flower arranging, and Taiko drummers will perform heart-pounding feats of percussion in the Under the Oaks Theater. The Camellia Lounge will offer Japanese-inspired cuisine and sake cocktails crafted by Patina for purchase.

Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Downtown, Saturday, 10am-6pm. The 24th annual festival will feature contemporary and traditional Filipino food, music, dance, crafts, and culture. This year’s theme for the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event is “Balik tanaw, Pananaw bukas” a Tagalog phrase meaning “looking backward, looking forward.” While rooted in the native tongue of the motherland, this year’s theme celebrates the rich experiences of being Filipino American.

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Downtown, Saturday, 10:30am-1pm. Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures–not to mention great bargains–to be found in Chinatown. 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 L.A.’s Chinatown. This tour is offered every first Saturday of the month.

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

In the Spirit of Gratitude, California African American Museum, Exposition Park, Sunday, 1:30pm-4pm. Come enjoy a Gospel and inspirational show for all ages. Tour CAAM’s galleries and take in their new exhibitions. Exhibitions and programs at CAAM are always free.

Family Jam: Fascinating Rhythm!, Fowler Museum Courtyard, UCLA, Sunday, 2pm-4pm. Admire the beautiful ancient ceramics from Colombia in Encountering Ancient Colombia—A Journey through the Magdalena Valley and then fast forward to the present to learn the basic steps of Cumbia, a popular dance in Colombia (2pm-3pm). Afterwards, decorate a pair of claves and keep the beat (3pm-4pm)—it’s a day for rhythm!

Free Day at USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, every 2nd Sunday of the month. Established in 1971, the museum is one of few U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The museum’s mission is to further intercultural understanding through the arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. In addition to the permanent and special exhibitions, there is a special interactive family-friendly exhibition called Journeys: The Silk Road where visitors can explore the legendary trade route that linked Europe and Asia for more than a thousand years. Also, every second Sunday of the month is a special storytime and with a hands-on craft. This Sunday’s theme is Diwali Festival.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 14 & 15 *

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

Kids in the Courtyard: Digital Disguise: Lights, Camera, Action!, Fowler Museum Courtyard, UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Disguise: Masks and Global African Art is full of exciting new media art. In this drop-in activity, experiment with simple technology to make a symbol that lights up and represents what makes you special. Then create your very own avatar. Take a picture of yourself and watch it transform before your very eyes!

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 21 & 22 *

Norwegian Christmas Fair/Julebasar, Sjømannskirken/Norwegian Church Abroad, San Pedro, Friday through Sunday. It’s the Norwegian Church’s annual Christmas Fair, a highlight of the year. You are warmly welcomed with gløgg and ginger snaps, and then Christmas decorations, music, candles, and the smell of freshly baked goods set the mood as you wander the booths filled with Scandinavian goods of all kinds. There are raffle drawings with wonderful prizes, traditional foods served in the church’s cafe, and baked goods for sale in the church’s bakery. You can also buy Norwegian Christmas food in the church’s store. There will also be a children’s Christmas Workshop from 12pm to 2:30pm on Saturday.

A Path Appears: Actions for a Better World, Skirball Cultural Center, ongoing from November 19 to February 21, 2016. Inspired by the bestselling book A Path Appears by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the exhibition is both a gallery installation and a community engagement project—a place where every visitor can take practical, results-driven steps to bring about social change. Get inspired inside innovatively designed pavilions exploring four critical humanitarian issues: education, health, good jobs, and empowerment. Tap into the power of grassroots action as you learn of organizations—both local and around the globe—that are developing workable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. Then join in building a better world as you engage with ActionLab, a mobile-friendly tool that uses storytelling to promote social change and spark a commitment to human rights.

25th Annual Mariachi Festival and Community Fair, Mariachi Plaza, Boyle Heights, Sunday, 9:30am-5pm. The 25th Annual Mariachi Festival will be held at the 40-year-old landmark, Mariachi Plaza, in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. Local mariachi groups will perform during the day-long program. There will also be arts activities, photo opportunities, art exhibitions, food, and information booths.

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 28 & 29 *

Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured. Join instructors for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Themes of art workshops weren’t posted yet when this post was published. Check their website for updated details.

During the month of October, many of the special events revolve around fall and Halloween, but there are still plenty of opportunities to explore cultures of your own heritage or maybe something beyond your comfort zone. I’m interested in checking out a new-to-me Norwegian event that happens close to home. Also this month one of my favorite LA events, CicLAvia, returns! It is the perfect opportunity to venture to parts of LA you might otherwise not have a reason to visit. With so much to choose from this month, what will you mark on your calendar?

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 3 & 4 *

Los Angeles Korean Festival, Seoul International Park, Normandie & Olympic Blvds, October 1 to 4. This is a free four-day festival whose mission it is to provide the community with the best possible outlet to learn about the roots and traditions of Korea. Entertaining performances will lighten up the festival’s main stage. Thoughtful cultural exhibitions will educate visitors about Korea’s history and traditions. Local restaurants as well as vendors from South Korea will present a wide variety of food in one space. The shopping space will consist of booths selling Korean products such as cosmetics, appliances, apparel, and accessories.

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Saturday, 10:30am-1pm. (Offered every first Saturday of the month). Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures–not to mention great bargains–to be found in Chinatown. 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 L.A.’s Chinatown.

Southeast Asia Day, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Saturday. The Aquarium of the Pacific will celebrate its eleventh annual Southeast Asia Day. The festival’s program will highlight the beauty and diversity of the cultures of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Indonesia. Guests will enjoy live performances, including music, dance, and cultural craft demonstrations. Ethnic dishes will be available for purchase, and children will have the opportunity to participate in arts and crafts.

Celebrate Italy Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday, 10am-4pm. It is Italian Heritage month. The Columbus Ceremony will begin at 10am with a color guard, anthems, and a wreath ceremony at the Christopher Columbus Monument. After a big Italian lunch ($10 for non-members), the festivities will continue with free Italian Ice and live performances of romantic and uplifting traditional Italian music and a marionette puppet show.

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 10 & 11 *

Middle East: Khamsa Symbol of Protection (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Join instructor Quan Trang for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Free Day at USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, every 2nd Sunday of the month. Established in 1971, the museum is one of few U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The museum’s mission is to further intercultural understanding through the arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. In addition to the permanent and special exhibitions, there is a special interactive family-friendly exhibition called Journeys: The Silk Road where visitors can explore the legendary trade route that linked Europe and Asia for more than a thousand years. Also, every second Sunday of the month is a special storytime and with a hands-on craft. This month’s theme is Korean Cultural Festival.

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 17 & 18 *

Norwegian Heritage Fair, Peer Gynt Hall, Culver City, Saturday, 11am-5pm. Come enjoy homemade Norwegian food and pastries, peruse Scandinavian gifts and imports for sale, watch Scandinavian craft demonstrations (rosemaling, lefse baking, Hardanger embroidery, bobbin lace, and knitting), and receive assistance with genealogy and language needs.

Bali: Demon Mask (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Join instructor Quan Trang for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

CicLAvia: Heart of LA, Downtown LA, Sunday, 9am-4pm. Leave your car behind and explore LA like you never have before. The Heart of LA route will take you through Boyle Heights, the Arts District, Little Tokyo, Civic Center, Chinatown, Historic Core and as far west as MacArthur Park. You will enjoy the sights, music, food, and culture that make LA such a vibrant city. For more information on past CicLAvia events, you can read about my experiences here.

Kids in the Courtyard: A Costume Party, Fowler Museum Courtyard, UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Come to the museum dressed in your favorite costume in celebration of Disguise: Masks and Global African Art. Inspired by the disguises on view, create a companion mask and accessories to express your alter ego.

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 24 & 25 *

Mexico: Day of the Dead Bread Dough Sculpture (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Join instructor Jose Sanchez for a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Novenario Procession, El Pueblo Historical Monument (Olvera Street), Downtown LA, Sunday, 7pm. The candlelight Novenario processions will be held nightly from October 25 to November 2 beginning at 7pm on Olvera Street. This traditional pre-Columbian procession evokes special memories of deceased loved ones with colorful pageantry and indigenous blessings. Before the procession, ceremonial cleansings and blessings will be offered. Following each procession, free pan de muerto (sweet bread) and champurrado (a Mexican hot beverage) will be served in the spirit of the community.

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1 *

Dia de los Muertos Celebration, El Pueblo Historical Monument (Olvera Street), Downtown LA, Saturday & Sunday 10am-8pm and Monday 4pm-8pm. Enjoy face painting, street theater performances, strolling mariachi bands, Aztec dancers, art workshops, puppets, ballet folklorico, piñatas and other fun family activities, followed by a Novenario procession.

Day of the Dead Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday, 10am-4pm. Dia de los Muertos is one of the most celebrated holidays in Mexico. It is a celebration of the belief that on October 31 and November 1 the spirits of our beloved family members come to be with us once again. At this time of remembrance and celebration of life, come to the Bowers to enjoy the romantic music of Latin America, face painting and sugar skull decorating, ballet folklorico, mariachi music, and Aztec dance. See website for schedule.