School and extra-curricular activities are back for many of us, but if you’re an Angeleno still yearning for far away places and find yourself with some weekend time to spare, there’s plenty of opportunities this month to visit and explore other cultures without traveling too far. Events and activities taking you to China, Japan, Africa, Greece, Thailand, and Norway are on the calendar. Check it out and see what your family might enjoy. I welcome news of events that I missed. Please share them in the comments.

* LABOR DAY WEEKEND, SEPTEMBER 5 & 6 & 7 *

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. RSVP is required. Submit request online here.

Leimert Park Village African Art & Music Festival, Los Angeles, Saturday & Sunday & Monday, 10am-7pm. Visit historic Leimert Park Village and enjoy this free, family-friendly event with entertainment and activities for all ages. There will be jazz, blues, reggae, r&b, Afro-beat, traditional African drumming, spoken word, hip hop, comedy, a fashion show, and hair show. Special events will take place in the surrounding area after 7pm. Food vendors will be on hand offering a wide variety of options. The Village Marketplace will feature vendors, shops, and boutiques offering fine art and quality crafts and general merchandise.

* WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 12 & 13 *

17th Annual L.A. Greek Festival, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Pico & Normandie, Friday to Sunday. The LA Greek Fest is your passport to Greece. Each day of festivities is a celebration of food, wine, dance, games, performances, and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences.

Mexican Independence Day, Olvera Street, Downtown LA, Saturday & Sunday, 10am-10pm. Celebrate Mexican Independence from Spain with popular and traditional entertainment, cultural activities, historic displays, food, artisan exhibits, and more. There will be an entertainment program on Wednesday, September 16, 2015.

Congo: Tribal Masks (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in 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.

* WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 19 & 20 *

Kids in the Courtyard: Make Your Map, Fowler Museum Courtyard, UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Maps can guide us, tell a story, or make a statement. They can even transform the way we see the world. Map your world after admiring paintings in the exhibition, A:shiwi A:wan Ulohnanne—The Zuni World, and other examples of maps from across the globe.

Pasadena GreekFest, Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, Pasadena, Saturday & Sunday. Enjoy performances of Greek folk dancing and music; talks on cuisine, history, and travel; and tastes of authentic Greek foods such as gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, and baklava. A special Kid’s Zone entertains kids with bouncy inflatables, rides, and carnival games.

Japan: Composite Animals Drawing (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Thai Cultural Day, Barnsdall Art Park, Los Angeles, Sunday, 11am-5pm. This year the festival celebrates the culture of Northern Thailand. It will be a day of traditional dance, music, and art.

* WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 26 & 27 *

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Saturday, 3pm-4:30pm. This tour was added to coincide with the Moon Festival which follows. 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. RSVP is required. Submit request online here.

77th Annual Moon Festival, West and Central Plazas, Chinatown, Saturday, 5pm-11pm. Join in the festivities of this harvest festival celebrated by the Chinese dating back over 3,000 years. There will be artisans and an artisan market, music performances, children’s craft workshops, an outdoor kitchen stage, moon viewing with telescopes, and plenty of food trucks.

Vista Viking Festival, Vista (North San Diego County), Saturday & Sunday. Make your way to Vista to see, share, and sample all things Viking and Scandinavian. Spectators can enjoy a variety of entertainment all day long on two stages. In addition to fine musical performances and acts, there are also arts and crafts and games for children, delicious Nordic food throughout the grounds, fine spirits, Viking competitions (Fish Fling, Log Toss, Horn Blowing, and Battle Cry!), ax throwing, spear throwing, archery, and Viking villages and encampments. There will also be plenty of opportunities to peruse and purchase beautiful Nordic merchandise and arts and crafts, both handmade and imported.

Baja Splash Cultural Festival, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Saturday & Sunday. In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its 14th annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival featuring live entertainment, crafts, educational programs, and ethnic cuisine. Mariachi music, Mexican folkloric and Aztec dance troupes, interactive mural painting, Salvadoran dance,  and Guatemalan performances are some featured programs.

China: Fall Festival Dream Motif (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. All materials are provided. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Kids in the Courtyard: Clay Day, Fowler Museum Courtyard, UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Explore beautiful ceramics in Fowler in Focus: Encountering Ancient Colombia—A Journey through the Magdalena Valley and create imaginative figures and vessels out of clay.

Summertime is here! There is no school nor school homework, and maybe weekend activity schedules are less demanding. You may have time to drive just a little farther than you normally would want to. Make time this summer to explore Los Angeles and discover the richness of where we live. Many regular cultural programs take a break this time of year, but there are also many programs that are unique to summer. Take a look and see if something appeals to your family, and let me know what catches your eye.

* WEEKEND OF JUNE 6 & 7 *

Children’s Workshop: Chinese Brush Painting, The Huntington, Pasadena, Saturday, 9:30am-12pm. In this workshop for kids ages 7 to 12, participants can learn the expressive art of Chinese brush painting in a workshop led by artist Peifang Liang, using the Chinese Garden as their creative muse. Register online.

The Undiscovered Chinatown Walking Tour, Chinatown, 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 walking tour takes place every first Saturday of the month.

Kids in the Courtyard: Craft a Comb, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. African combs are often delicately carved with symbolic messages of love in the form of vines and hearts made from two joined hands. Get inspired by the beautiful combs on view in The Art of Hair in Africa and then create your own lovely hair adornments.

France: Robert Delaunay Geometric Painting (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

International Mask Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, 10am-4pm. This festival includes face painting, art projects featuring masks in paper and foil, and food treat sampling (as supply lasts). There are also performances such as Bolivian Caporales Folk Dance; Mexican Danza de los Viejitos; Chinese Changing Faces; and Dafra, Drums of West Africa, and Caribbean Jems Dance Troupe. See website for performance schedule.

Pacific Islander Festival, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Saturday & Sunday. Discover the rich and diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands through traditional craft demonstrations, ethnic cuisine, educational programs, storytelling, and an ocean of entertainment, including music and dance performances. The festival will feature various cultures, including Hawaiian, Fijian, Marshallese, Chamoru, Tahitian, Samoan, Tokelau, Tongan, and Maori. See website for festival programming and discount ticket information.

* WEEKEND OF JUNE 13 & 14 *

Celebrating Black Music Month, The California African American Museum, Exposition Park, Sunday, 11am-4pm. Come and enjoy performances and presentations celebrating Black Music Month. There’s even a bonus workshop activity: make your own drum!

Silk Road Story Time: Ramadan, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Sunday. Join storyteller extraordinaire Sunny Stevenson in the Silk Road exhibition room for Silk Road Storytime. Each Free Second Sunday of the month, she reads stories from across the world, delighting children and parents alike. Storytime begins at 10:30am and 11:30am and is followed by a hands-on activity. Come early or stay afterwards to experience Journeys: The Silk Road, an interactive family-friendly exhibition where visitors can explore the legendary trade route that linked Europe and Asia for more than a thousand years. Also July 12: Cambodian Cultural Festival and August 9: Pacific Islands.

Kids in the Courtyard: Pop-Up Book Making, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Books have super powers! Many artists use messages in books to change the way we think about the world. Explore the exhibition The Sahmat Collective: Art and Activism in India since 1989 and read the children’s book created by the Sahmat artists. Then, discover the joys of book binding and pop-up book techniques as you create your very own family book.

* WEEKEND OF JUNE 20 & 21 *

29th Annual Long Beach Bayou Festival, Rainbow Lagoon Park, Long Beach, Saturday & Sunday. Experience the Bayou with this two-day family festival featuring authentic Cajun and Creole food, cultural music, dance lessons, crawfish eating contests, a children’s corner with arts and crafts and other activities, and a Mardi Gras parade. There will also be live performances at the Zydeco Stage, Blues Stage, and Children’s Stage.

The Big Irish Fair & Musicfest, El Dorado Park, Long Beach, Saturday & Sunday. This festival features 16 areas of music, song, and dance; sports such as Irish football and hurling; a walk through the legends and lore of ancient Ireland at Tara Village; a Children’s Leprechaun Kingdom; Irish Art Show; a marketplace with Irish import and gift shop vendors; and special events such as a Grand Parade of the Irish, a sheep herding show, and an Irish dog show.

Summer Concerts on the Green: Duende Flamenco, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Sunday, 3pm. Summer Concerts on the Green kicks off with a spectacular summer solstice performance by Duende Flamenco. The sounds of guitar music and pounding flamenco dance steps in the amphitheater will transport you to sunny Spain as you take in images of fantastical art environments in the exhibition Singular Spaces. Much like the varied inspiration of the Spanish art sites, flamenco developed from Romani, Moorish, and Andalusian artistic traditions. Duende Flamenco will surely bring the fire of guitar, the excitement of percussion, and the beauty and passion of dance. Grab a picnic and your friends and family for this sizzling concert.

* WEEKEND OF JUNE 27 & 28 *

The Highlighted Undiscovered Chinatown Walking Tour, Chinatown, Saturday, 3pm-4:30pm. 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 has been added in conjunction with Chinatown Summer Nights series (see below for details).

* ONGOING SUMMER PROGRAMS *

Chinatown Summer Nights, Chinatown, 4th Saturdays in June (27th), July (25th), and August (22nd), 5pm-12am. Part food event, part summer party, Chinatown Summer Nights presents an exciting hot spot for Angelenos this summer. Taste the many culinary offerings of Chinatown and LA’s gourmet food trucks; sample the neighborhood’s wares; watch Chinese chefs perform cooking demonstrations; experience large-scale, outdoor video projections; take part in hands-on, Chinese cultural activities presented by local organizations and museums; sip on craft brews and dance in Central Plaza with 89.9 KCRW’s DJs!

Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition, California Science Museum, Exposition Park, ongoing until September 7. Come discover the most significant archaeological find of the last century—the Dead Sea Scrolls. This special exhibition explores the science and significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls, manuscripts written and hidden in caves 2000 years ago and not discovered until 1947. Additional highlights include a three-ton stone from Jerusalem’s Western Wall, limestone capitals from the first temple period (1000-586 BCE), ossuaries from the early Roman period, and an ancient signature preserved for millennia on the Archer Seal. Enhance your experience with a viewing of Jerusalem 3D at the IMAX theater.

Family Art Workshops, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Every Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. Every Sunday a different culture and media are featured. This summer your family can explore art and culture from France, Mexico, Russia, USA, Mongolia, Italy, Thailand, Austria, and Brazil. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. You can read about our experience here.

SummerSounds: World Music for Kids, Hollywood Bowl, weekday mornings, July 13 – August 7. SummerSounds is a four-week series of lively concerts combined with art workshops that takes place on weekday mornings. Dynamic hosts lead you on a journey to discover music, dance, and art from cultures around the world. This summer’s program includes music from New Orleans, Polynesia and Hawaii, Middle East, and Brazil. See website for schedule and ticket information.

Grand Performances, California Plaza, Downtown LA, June – August. Grand Performances’ summer series of free outdoor concerts celebrates our City’s rich diversity through performing arts. Reflecting the best of global culture through an eclectic line-up of world music, dance, and theater at a stunning outdoor venue in Downtown LA, Grand Performances is where Angelenos make summer GRAND. See website for schedule of performances.

Family Amphitheater Performances: A Musical Road Trip Through America, Skirball Cultural Center, Saturdays and Sundays, June 27 – September 6. Buckle your seatbelts! This summer’s Family Amphitheater Performances at the Skirball takes family visitors on a ramblin’ musical “road trip,” inspired by the exhibition Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution. Rev up the engine and head down to the bayou, a jazz club in the Windy City, a juke joint in St. Louis, a Latin hip-hop club in L.A., a honky-tonk in the Appalachian hills, the Fillmore in San Francisco, and the Grand Ole Opry. It’s a musical road trip through America, and the whole family is invited along for the ride! Performances run every Saturday and Sunday from June 27 through September 6. See website for full schedule.

Are you ready for another culture challenge? If you live in Los Angeles, you can “visit” and learn about the cultures of Ireland, Colombia, China, Israel, England, Italy, Iran, and Mexico this month. Will you attend an art workshop, a festival, a musical performance, or visit a museum? So many choices, so little time. I would love to hear in the comments what you and your family would like to do. Have you already attended something in the past? I’d love to hear how you liked it.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 28 & MARCH 1 *

Ireland: Clover Stained Glass, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—Art of Ancient Colombia, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Also on the 8th and 29th. View the special exhibition Ancient Colombia: A Journey through the Cauca Valley for an opportunity to see works of art from an ancient culture. Check out instruments—such as ocarina and flutes and clay vessels—and objects that reflect the lives of the people that made them. Then make your own instruments in art workshops.

* WEEKEND OF MARCH 7 & 8 *

The Undiscovered Chinatown Walking Tour, Chinatown, 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.

Chinese American Museum’s Lantern Festival, El Pueblo Historical Monument, Saturday, 12pm-7pm. Join Angelenos beneath Chinese lanterns in the vibrancy of Downtown L.A. for the 14th 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.

Israel: Purim Masks, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—Art of Ancient Colombia, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Also on the 29th. View the special exhibition Ancient Colombia: A Journey through the Cauca Valley for an opportunity to see works of art from an ancient culture. Check out instruments—such as ocarina and flutes and clay vessels—and objects that reflect the lives of the people that made them. Make your own instruments in art workshops.

China’s Lost Civilization: The Mystery of Sanxingdui, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, closing March 15, 2015. Bowers Museum presents the latest in its series of exhibits highlighting important treasures from around the world. China’s Lost Civilization: The Mystery of Sanxingdui includes objects from the discovery termed “the ninth wonder of the world” and acknowledged by many scholars as one of the greatest archaeological finds ever to be unearthed.

* WEEKEND OF MARCH 14 & 15 *

International Children’s Day Festival, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Saturday & Sunday. Celebrating the talents of children of all cultures, this festival features West African, Mexican, Pacific Islander, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Persian cultures. 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.

Musical Explorers, The Broad Stage, Santa Monica, Saturday, 11am & 1pm. In this interactive and musical journey direct from New York’s legendary music venue, audiences (ages 5+) will celebrate the diversity of our international city. This high-energy West-Coast debut of Musical Explorers will invite audiences to discover a great big world of music right in their own backyards. Playful and informative, this inventive program will get children listening, singing, and thinking about musical traditions both familiar and yet to be explored. See website for ticket information.

Ireland: Celtic Tree of Life, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

* WEEKEND OF MARCH 21 & 22 *

England: Family Crests, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

World City Series: Musicàntica & Studio Zanni, W.M. Keck Children’s Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Sunday, 11am &12:30pm. Musicàntica performs a collection of folk music passed down from generation to generation by the fishermen, shepherds, peasants, and street vendors of Southern Italy. Studio Zanni brings a classical art form to life for modern audiences. They perform original physical comedy in the style of the Commedia dell’Arte, a form of popular theatre that arose in Renaissance Italy. Free visual arts workshops, designed by Music Center Teaching Artists, are available during each World City engagement. See website for ticket reservation information.

Nowruz: Celebrating Iranian New Year, LACMA, Sunday, 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. The official Nowruz program “The Sounds of a Persian Spring” by Zohreh Jooya begins at 1pm (tickets required). At 5 o’clock, enjoy a free outdoor concert by Kiosk, pioneers of the underground music scene in Iran.

* WEEKEND OF MARCH 28 & 29 *

Mexico: Tin Art Spring/Easter Motifs, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free family art workshop in a real art studio. We’ve attended one of these art workshops and can attest to the value and fun of them. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Andell Family Sundays—Art of Ancient Colombia, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. View the special exhibition Ancient Colombia: A Journey through the Cauca Valley for an opportunity to see works of art from an ancient culture. Check out instruments—such as ocarina and flutes and clay vessels—and objects that reflect the lives of the people that made them. Make your own instruments in art workshops.

February is always a busy month for multicultural and diverse events in the Los Angeles area. It’s the month dedicated to honoring the achievements and contributions of African Americans to society, and we welcome the Lunar New Year. These events provide the backdrop for a multitude of opportunities to explore the richness of where we live. There are walking tours, live performances, art festivals and workshops, parades, museum exhibitions, and even an urban adventure race. What will you try this month?

* SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 *

Chinese New Year Celebration, Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills, Sunday 2/1, doors open 7:30pm, performances 8pm-9:30pm. The fourth annual Beverly Hills Chinese New Year event will feature a full production of internationally acclaimed performances from Beijing Performance & Arts Group, including Chinese acrobatics from the China National Acrobatic Troupe, a Peking Opera piece by the renowned Chen Junhua, and other extraordinary dance and musical acts. Guests will also enjoy an art exhibition from Beijing Association for Cultural Exchanges (BACE). See website for mandatory advance ticket reservations.

China’s Lost Civilization: The Mystery of Sanxingdui, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, ongoing until March 15. Bowers Museum is proud to present the latest in its series of exhibits highlighting important treasures from around the world. China’s Lost Civilization: The Mystery of Sanxingdui will include objects from the discovery termed “the ninth wonder of the world” and acknowledged by many scholars as one of the greatest archaeological finds ever to be unearthed.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 7 & 8 *

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Saturday 2/7, 10:30am-1pm. Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures (and great bargains!) to be found in Chinatown. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to wind your way through a myriad of alleyways, plaza stalls, and classical courtyards to discover the charm of the area.

African-American Art Festival, STAR Eco Station, Culver City, Saturday 2/7, 11am-4pm. Enjoy African drumming and dancing, art exhibits, interactive art projects, BBQ, games, and local vendors.

Brazil: Mardi Gras Masks & Hats (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday 2/8, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

Celebrating Black History Month, California African American Museum (CAAM), Exposition Park, Sunday 2/8, 11am-4pm. Join CAAM as they kick off Black History Month with a full day of programming which will feature live performances, spoken word, and art workshops for all who wish to explore their creative side.

Kids in the Courtyard: Chocolate Sunday/e, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Sunday 2/8, 1pm-4pm. Chocolate is everywhere at the Fowler: a Mayan chocolate vessel in Intersections, silver chocolate services in Reflecting Culture, and Tayou’s chocolate-dipped sculptures in World Share. Eat and draw with chocolate, see where it comes from, and hear stories about chocolate from the Aztec, Maya, Louis XIV’s Versailles, and Hershey, Pennsylvania. Everything is better with chocolate!

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 14 & 15 *

China: New Year Dragon Puppets (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday 2/15, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture and media are featured.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 21 & 22 *

African-American Festival, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Saturday 2/21 & Sunday 2/22, 9am-5pm. Join the Aquarium as it hosts its thirteenth 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.

Chinese New Year Festival, The Huntington, Pasadena, Saturday 2/21 & Sunday 2/22, 10:30am-4:30pm. Celebrate the Lunar New Year at The Huntington as the Year of the Ram begins. This two-day family event will include lion dancers (at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.), martial arts demonstrations, mask changing performances, traditional music, authentic Chinese cuisine, and more. Many of the activities will take place in and around the Huntington’s gardens.

The Highlighted Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Saturday 2/21, 10:30am-12pm. 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. Be prepared to stay for the Golden Dragon Parade (1pm) and Chinese New Year Festival.

116th Annual Golden Dragon Parade, Chinatown, Saturday 2/21, 1pm. The parade includes almost two dozen floats, multiple marching bands, government officials, various dignitaries, entertainers, local business leaders, and cultural groups.

Black History Celebration: Romare Bearden (Family Art Workshop), Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Sunday 2/22, 10am-12pm. Celebrate Black History Month with professional artist Howard Marshall. Listen to jazz and learn about Romare Bearden, African-American artist who worked in several media and focused on unity and cooperation in the African-American community. Create posters with Romare Bearden inspired collage, mixed media, and print-making.

The Great Chinatown Hunt, Chinatown, Sunday 2/22, 11am. Get ready for a clue-solving adventure during the weekend of Chinatown’s exciting Lunar New Year festivities! Search for clues throughout this lively neighborhood of contrasts: discover ancient traditions alongside experimental art; explore picturesque alleyways and traditional temples, bustling shops and hidden courtyards. You’ll also be sent on two challenging Mini-Quests, where you must successfully complete a series of unique tasks to win extra bonus points. Discover the sights, smells and sounds of Asia…all right here in Los Angeles! This hunt is moderately challenging.

World City Series: Gamelan Sekar Jaya, W.M. Keck Children’s Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Sunday 2/22, 11am and 12:30pm. Enjoy music and dance from Bali. Gamelan Sekar Jaya is an internationally recognized gamelan ensemble. “The orchestra is composed of bronze metallophones, bamboo marimbas, tuned gongs, drums and flutes which the musicians play with technical precision and collective spirit. Sekar Jaya’s dancers wear elaborate guilded costumes and headpieces as they reveal the resplendent delicacy and striking nuance of Balinese movement.” Free visual arts workshops, designed by Music Center Teaching Artists, are available during each World City engagement. See website for ticket reservation information.

* WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 28 & MARCH 1 *

Celtic Family Festival, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Sunday 3/1, 10am-4pm. Festival schedule will be announced mid-February. The Bowers’ vision is to celebrate world cultures through their arts. On the first Sunday of every month, the Bowers offers free tickets to the museum, Kidseum, and all activities.

The new year opens with many opportunities to explore Los Angeles and the diverse cultures and neighborhoods and museums that make it such a unique metropolitan area. With the approach of the new lunar year, there are of course many events featuring Asian cultures, but you can also find opportunities to explore other cultures through film screenings, museum visits, art workshops, performances, and even a cooking class. Where will your family venture this month?

* WEEKEND OF JANUARY 3 & 4 *

Pompeii: The Exhibition, California Science Center, Exposition Park, daily 10am-5pm, closing January 11. Pompeii: The Exhibition features over 150 precious artifacts on loan from the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy, which offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle and tragic end of this ancient Roman society forgotten for centuries until its rediscovery over 250 years ago. Tickets are timed and valid only for a specified admission date and time with entry times starting at 10am. The last entry time is 3:30pm. Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. There is no guarantee that same-day tickets will be available on the day of your visit.

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, 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.

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

Andell Family Sunday—Art of the Samurai, LACMA, Sunday (also 11th, 18th, and 25th), 12:30-3:30pm. Samurai were revered and feared warriors of Japan. Check out magnificent swords and images of samurai in the installation of Art of the Samurai: Swords, Paintings, Prints, and Textiles. Then, in artist-led workshops, make your own samurai-inspired helmet and other projects.

* WEEKEND OF JANUARY 10 & 11 *

Barnsdall Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is Mexico: Colima Clay Vessels.

Family Jam: Up in the Air, Fowler Museum Courtyard at UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-3pm. After you explore Cameroonian Pascale Marthine Tayou’s World Share installations, watch a performance of spinning and balancing objects by a master juggler and learn some tricks of your own.

Andell Family Sunday—Art of the Samurai, LACMA, Sunday (also 18th and 25th), 12:30-3:30pm. Samurai were revered and feared warriors of Japan. Check out magnificent swords and images of samurai in the installation of Art of the Samurai: Swords, Paintings, Prints, and Textiles. Then, in artist-led workshops, make your own samurai-inspired helmet and other projects.

* WEEKEND OF JANUARY 17 & 18 & 19 *

Chinese Brush Painting for Children, The Huntington, Pasadena, Saturday, 9:30am-12pm. Kids can learn the expressive art of Chinese brush painting in this workshop led by artist Peifang Liang. The Chinese Garden will serve as their creative muse. Ages 7–12. Register online.

Barnsdall Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday,10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is USA: MLK Quilt, a Collaboration.

World City Series: Samite & H’Sao, W.M. Keck Children’s Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Downtown, Saturday, 11am and 12:30pm. Enjoy music and personal history stories from renowned Ugandan flutist Samite and Montreal-based band H’Sao originally from Chad.

Scandinavian Film Festival, Writers Guild Theater, Beverly Hills, Saturday and Sunday (also next weekend). This is a yearly showcase of films from northern Europe and its Baltic neighbors. The festival screens not only films submitted by Nordic countries to the Academy for consideration in the “Best Foreign Language Film” category, but also other Nordic feature films, short movies, and documentaries.

Andell Family Sunday—Art of the Samurai, LACMA, Sunday (also 25th), 12:30-3:30pm. Samurai were revered and feared warriors of Japan. Check out magnificent swords and images of samurai in the installation of Art of the Samurai: Swords, Paintings, Prints, and Textiles. Then, in artist-led workshops, make your own samurai-inspired helmet and other projects.

CAAM’s Annual Open House, California African American Museum, Exposition Park, Monday the 19th, 11am-4pm. CAAM invites the entire LA community to visit their galleries, attend special performances, and participate in an art workshop to celebrate the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day culminates with servings of birthday cake.

* WEEKEND OF JANUARY 24 & 25 *

Barnsdall Family Art Workshop, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood/Los Feliz, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is USA: Folk Art Washboards.

Chinese Cultural Arts Celebration, The Huntington, Pasadena, Sunday, 10:30am-4:30pm. Explore the folk arts of China in a day-long event that celebrates the approach of the Lunar New Year. Artists from Guangdong Province, China, will demonstrate ancient crafts such as intricate paper cutting, figurine sculpting, jewelry making, and embroidery. Enjoy a display of contemporary photography and savor the flavors of authentic Chinese cuisine.

Andell Family Sunday—Art of the Samurai, LACMA, Sunday, 12:30-3:30pm. Samurai were revered and feared warriors of Japan. Check out magnificent swords and images of samurai in the installation of Art of the Samurai: Swords, Paintings, Prints, and Textiles. Then, in artist-led workshops, make your own samurai-inspired helmet and other projects.

* WEEKEND OF JANUARY 31 & FEBRUARY 1 *

Children’s Cooking Class: Breakfast in the UK, The Huntington, Pasadena, Saturday, 9:30am-12:30pm. Get a taste for life in the United Kingdom through the exhibition “Bruce Davidson/Paul Caponigro: Two American Photographers in Britain and Ireland,” then cook up a delicious morning meal with chef and art historian Maite Gomez-Rejón. Ages 7–12. Register online.

Lunar New Year Festival, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Saturday, 11am-5pm. Celebrate the Year of the Sheep with a free day of performances, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and gallery admission. Food trucks will be close by to satisfy hungry and thirsty visitors. The festival takes place inside the museum and in the tented parking lot, rain or shine.

Chinese New Year Celebration, Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills, Sunday, doors open 7:30pm, performances 8pm-9:30pm. The fourth annual Beverly Hills Chinese New Year event will feature a full production of internationally acclaimed performances from Beijing Performance & Arts Group, including Chinese acrobatics from the China National Acrobatic Troupe, a Peking Opera piece by the renowned Chen Junhua, and other extraordinary dance and musical acts. Guests will also enjoy an art exhibition from Beijing Association for Cultural Exchanges (BACE). See website for mandatory advance ticket reservations.

Happy New Year! I wish you a year filled with delightful exploration of our city. Resolve to visit somewhere new this year.

For Angelenos, December brings a multitude of opportunities to continue exploring other cultures and celebrations while staying close to home. Many of the events are part of an ongoing series, others are special to the season. I personally am a great fan of CicLAvia and the Swedish Christmas Fair, which unfortunately happen to fall on the same day this year. I’ve also seen I AM ELEVEN with my soon-to-be eleven-year-old son, which I highly recommend. This month I would love to see some of the films at the International Children’s Film Festival and maybe even make it to the Barnsdall Art Sunday when they focus on Scandinavian folk motifs for holiday cards. Continue reading to see what other cultures and celebrations are highlighted this month. What strikes your interest and may be worth an outing?

* WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 6 & 7 *

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, 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.

Silk Road Story Time: Pakistan, Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Saturday, 10:30am. Gather in the travelers’ tent for fabulous tales from along the Silk Road, plus a fun hands-on craft, Asian snack, and balloon.

Fowler on the Town: Tastes of Indonesia, Saturday, 3pm-6pm.  The flavors of Indonesia are as vibrant and diverse as the archipelago itself. On this off-site adventure with a Fowler Museum curator, you will sample a selection of traditional Indonesian dishes, learn about the ingredients used, and receive recipes to make the dishes at home. Expect funky furnishings and fabulous food at a West Los Angeles establishment! Not recommended for those with restricted diets.

CicLAvia – South LA, Various hubs, Sunday, 9am-3pm. Leave your car behind and explore a new area of LA by bike, foot, skateboard, or stroller. The South LA route connects beautiful Leimert Park with historic Central Avenue, traveling along Martin Luther King Boulevard. You will enjoy the sights, music, food, and culture that makes South LA such a vibrant part of Los Angeles.

Barnsdall Art Sunday: Italy, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is Italy: Deruta Motif Plates.

35th Annual Swedish Christmas Fair, Los Angeles Theater, Downtown, Sunday, 10am-5pm. The fair features artisans and stands presenting the best of Swedish crafts, culture, and cuisine. You can enjoy traditional Swedish home baked sweets, meatballs, hot glögg (mulled wine), and many other foods. Don’t miss the radiant Lucia pageant which performs twice during the day, at noon and at 3 pm. There’s also a children’s corner with crafts, games, and a possible visit with Santa.

Kids in the Courtyard: Holiday Charm, Fowler Museum Courtyard at UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Take inspiration from Cameroonian Pascale Marthine Tayou’s Black Diamonds and manipulate wire and other materials in creative ways to make your own holiday charm.

* WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 13 & 14 *

Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival, LACMA, Saturday and Sunday. The 10th 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—clustered for different age groups, toddlers through teens. Select filmmakers and actors will be present for Q&A sessions after each screening. See website for schedule.

Barnsdall Art Sunday: Japan, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is Japan: Giant Origami Cranes.

Hanukkah Family Festival: Luz y Libertad, Skirball Cultural Center, Sunday, 11am-4pm. This year’s Hanukkah Family Festival highlights two major themes of the holiday—light and freedom (luz y libertad)—through the lens of Latin American culture. Enjoy live performances, storytelling, art making, and a host of other family-friendly activities. See website for ticket information and performance schedule.

I AM ELEVEN, LACMA, Sunday, 1pm. Australian filmmaker Genevieve Bailey travelled the world for six years talking with 11-year-olds to compose this insightful, funny and moving documentary portrait of childhood. From an orphanage in India, to a single-parent household in inner-city Melbourne, to bathing with elephants in Thailand, I AM ELEVEN explores the lives and thoughts of children from 15 countries. It is presented here as part of the LACMA’s International Children’s Film Festival.

* WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 20 & 21 *

Las Posadas, El Pueblo Historical Monument, Downtown, Saturday and Sunday, 5:30pm-8:30pm. Every evening beginning December 16th and continuing through Christmas Eve, 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.

Barnsdall Art Sunday: Scandinavia, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is Scandinavia: Folk Motif Holiday Cards.

* WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 27 & 28 *

Kwanzaa Dance Concerts, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Saturday at 3pm and 7pm and Sunday at 3pm. The Lula Washington Dance Theatre presents an exuberant celebration of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration open to people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and religions. It is a community-focused festival and not a religious holiday.

In November, Angelenos can experience a variety of cultures (even Scandinavian!) and partake in some unique celebrations before focusing on their own Thanksgiving. The month kicks off with numerous Día de los Muertos celebrations, a Mexican holiday honoring friends and family who have died; and throughout the month, walking tours, performances, workshops, fairs, and festivals all provide more opportunities to gain a fuller appreciation of our local area and heritage. What will you attend this month?

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 1 & 2 *

The Undiscovered Chinatown Tour, Chinatown, Saturday, 10:30am-1pm. Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more when guided to the unique treasures to be found in Chinatown. Offered every first Saturday of the month, this tour takes 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 L.A.’s Chinatown.

Hollywood Forever’s 15th Annual Dia de Los Muertos, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Saturday, 12pm-12am. Spend an eventful day watching as the cemetery comes to life with joyful celebrations. There will be musical and dance performances on three stages. Enjoy fine Mexican cuisine, a wide variety of Day of the Dead arts and crafts, and an art exhibition in the Cathedral Mausoleum. There will be a vibrant traditional procession with Aztec blessings and regional musical-dance group dedications. View 100+ altar exhibits created to honor ancestors and loved ones. See website for complete schedule and ticket information.

Dia de los Muertos Celebrations, El Pueblo Historical Monument, Downtown, Saturday and Sunday. Olvera Street’s annual Dia de los Muertos celebrations continue this weekend with street theater performances, strolling mariachi bands, Aztec dancers, art workshops, puppets, ballet folklorico, piñatas, face painting, and other fun family activities. On Saturday from 9am to 1pm, a children’s workshop (mask coloring, necklace making, and flower painting) will provide kids with a history of this colorful and beloved Mexican celebration. Both Saturday and Sunday at 7pm, there will be a candlelight Novenario procession. Also, an art exhibit which explores Dia de Los Muertos and other rituals memorializing the dead will be on display at Pico House.

Andell Family Sundays—Story of Two Cities, LACMA, Sunday (also the 9th and 16th), 12:30pm-3:30pm. Check out the special exhibitions Edward Biberman, Abbot Kinney and the Story of Venice and The Painted City: Art from Teotihuacan to see how art can tell the story of a city. Paint a mural inspired by Venice and Teotihuacan in this workshop. Children under 17 can get a free membership to LACMA through the NexGen program, which offers them and one accompanying adult free admission every time they visit.

Kids in the Courtyard: Dia de los Muertos, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. In celebration of Día de los Muertos, kids can create a personal altar/assemblage with paper, sequins, and other materials and contribute to a large installation/altar in the Fowler’s Davis Courtyard. Visitors can bring photos of loved ones and unopened canned food to leave on the community altar. All canned food will be donated to a Los Angeles shelter.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 8 & 9 *

World City Series: Git-Hoan Dancers, W.M. Keck Children’s Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Downtown, Saturday, 11am and 12:30pm. Come and enjoy the music and dance of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. The Git-Hoan Dancers (The People of the Salmon) perform with stunning, hand-carved masks, authentic skin and wood drums, and colorful handmade regalia emblazoned with symbols of their culture. A visual art workshop will give children the opportunity to explore the featured culture through a unique art-making project.

American Indian Arts Marketplace, The Autry in Griffith Park, Saturday and Sunday. The largest Native American arts fair in Southern California, the Autry’s American Indian Arts Marketplace features 200 Native American artists who represent more than 40 tribes. The weekend also includes performances, children’s activities, informative talks and demonstrations, and the annual short play festival from Native Voices, the Autry’s resident theatre company. Acclaimed Auntie’s Fry Bread will be cooking up their must-try, light and fluffy Native American fry bread. The Autry’s cafe, Crossroads West, will offer a full menu that honors the unique culinary traditions and flavors of the American West.

Japanese Garden Festival, Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge, Saturday and Sunday. Descanso Gardens celebrates the art and culture of Japan with this annual family-friendly festival. Visitors can enjoy an ikebana display, Taiko drumming, and distinctive Japanese cuisine, sake, and beverages. On Saturday at 10am there will be an in-depth tour of the Japanese Garden.

Barnsdall Art Sunday, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is Mali: Chiwara Headdress of the Bamana.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 15 & 16 *

Family Art Workshop, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Barnsdall Park, Hollywood, Saturday, 11am-2pm. Explore the origins, symbols, patterns, designs, and colors used as the foundation for the artworks showcased in both Doris Duke’s Shangri La: Architecture, Landscape, and Islamic Art and Shangri La: Imagined Cities. Families are invited to work with diverse materials to create vibrant artworks influenced by the traditional motifs and contemporary images from these two exhibitions.

Barnsdall Art Sunday, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is Morocco: Lanterns.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 22 & 23 *

Norwegian Christmas Fair/Julebasar, Sjømannskirken/Norwegian Church Abroad, San Pedro, Friday through Sunday. 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.

Barnsdall Art Sunday, Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Art Park, Hollywood, Sunday, 10am-12pm. Participate in a free art class in the park. Each Sunday a different culture is featured. The focus of this week’s workshop is Kenya: Samburu Bead Work.

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!