It’s Norwegian Christmas Time!

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

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I’ve gotten used to the fact that the Norwegian Christmas Fair happens before I’ve even had a chance to plan my Thanksgiving. I look at it as a way to begin the whole holiday season. This year I was grateful to have an American friend whose other half is Norwegian join me for the excursion to San Pedro. We headed down Friday morning to be there when the fair opened.

I love the warm welcome we receive as we enter, and the offer of gløgg (mulled wine, in this case non-alcoholic) and pepperkaker (ginger snaps) certainly helps put you in the mood for what’s waiting inside. The inside of the church is festive with Christmas lights and decorations.

Just as you enter, you’ll see The Bakery. Don’t delay buying baked goods because they run out. I especially like the ones that come right out of the oven. I always buy to bring home. The after school treat that day for my boys was a fresh skolebolle each along with saft I’d bought from the church store.

In the nave of the church you’ll find all the booths. They offer Scandinavian goods of all kinds, both imported from Scandinavia and homemade by members of the church. We arrived when the fair had just opened so the area around the booths was packed with eager shoppers. There was no way to take a picture that would actually show anything. I had to return and take pictures when all the first attendees were enjoying their lunches from the café. Continue reading →

CicLAvia: Heart of LA (2015)

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

Last month I completed another successful and fulfilling CicLAvia experience. It was my fourth one, and each one has always been such a different and unique experience. I’ve gone through various iterations of family joining me: 6-year-old Doobie the first time in 2013, me alone the second time in 2014, the whole family the third time earlier this year, but it was just 11-year-old Sonny and me for this experience.
On October 18, 2015, CicLAvia celebrated its 5th anniversary with CicLAvia: Heart of LA, a route in Downtown LA. I studied up on the route so I wouldn’t miss anything of interest and had a great plan for the day. I had never planned and prepared so much for a CicLAvia experience as I did for this one, but it was such a new area for me to explore. Now that it’s over, I learned it was certainly helpful to have a general overview of how I hoped to proceed that day, but that an overly detailed plan was not necessary nor feasible and it’s just best to go with the flow.

Other than we didn’t get out as early as I would have liked since Sonny had been at a sleepover, all started well as we rode our bikes to the Metro Rail and took it to the end of the line downtown. We first headed out to MacArthur Park as planned and saw the The Spheres as I had wanted. They didn’t disappoint, but it was kind of an odd experience walking through the park—there was the energy and excitement of all the CicLAvia participants, but at the same time homeless people were going about their business as if nothing special was happening.

Our first stop at MacArthur Park was also where I realized all my plans would not work out as planned, in particular the geocaching ones. There were four geocaches in this area that I had wanted to search for. I quickly dropped two of them since they were on the opposite side of the park. We made half-hearted, unsuccessful attempts to find the other two; there were just too many “muggles” around to search without drawing too much attention to us. Sadly, I figured that would probably be the case for all, if not most, of the geocaches I had picked out along the route.

Before moving on, we checked out the many food trucks at MacArthur Park Hub. Sonny gave The Pudding Truck a try. The butterscotch pudding with brownie bites hit the spot before hitting the road again.

On the way towards Grand Park Hub, I had planned to stop by Clifton’s Brookdale Cafeteria, The Last Bookstore, and the Globe Lobby of the LA Times building to see their unique interiors, but they were all on the wrong side of the street and the flow of the bike traffic just carried us along past them. Same was the case for a couple of geocaches along the way as well. There was still the chance we might be able to check them out on the way back.

Before we knew it, we had reached Grand Park Hub. We continued on towards Little Tokyo, which was my next planned stop. On the outskirts of Little Tokyo, however, was a puzzle geocache I had prepared for and wanted to try if at all possible.

For this geocache, I had been given an old photo of City Hall from the 1950’s and had to figure out the spot from which the photo had been taken. The container would be in an “obvious spot” just a few feet from that location. If I had solved the puzzle correctly, ground zero was right along the route, too tempting to let pass by.

Luckily, the spot was on our side of the street and it wasn’t busy. We were able to locate and make the grab easily😀. Interesting to see the differences and similarities in the area between then and now!

We parked our bikes when we got to the historic district of Little Tokyo. It wasn’t an official hub, but it was very busy with people exploring the area. We took a little stroll in Japanese Village Plaza and felt like we were in Japan. We enjoyed a drumming demonstration outside the Japanese American National Museum. We even ventured a little beyond the crowds to the Go For Broke Memorial which commemorates Japanese Americans who served in the United States Military during World War II (where we also had a some time to ourselves and were able to search for a traditional geocache😀).

Time was quickly passing and Sonny was beginning to get a little impatient about all the time he’d already spent out on the streets with me. We got back on our bikes and pedaled through the Arts District, over 4th Street Bridge, and on towards Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights.

We enjoyed lunch from a food truck at Hollenbeck Park. What struck me right away was how green the park was! These days, with the drought and cutbacks in watering, so much grass is usually brown, but not here for some reason.

Riding 4th Street Bridge was my favorite stretch of the day. There was something about riding on this historic bridge built in 1931—with its Gothic Revival details, over all the railroad tracks and cemented LA River underneath, with the openness and views of the mountains and city around us—that awed me. It was a popular place for cyclists to get off their bikes and admire their surroundings. And I loved that we got to ride it twice, once in each direction coming back and forth from Hollenbeck Park.

After lunch we pretty much peddled straight back to the downtown Metro stop to go back home. Sonny passed up a stop at a frozen yogurt place because he was eager to get home, but he did humor me with a quick stop right along the route near City Hall to take a picture of a sign post listing all the sister cities of Los Angeles. This was part of the requirement for a virtual geocache that I wanted to log (the other half was posting a picture from a visit to one of LA’s sister cities, which in our case was Athens, Greece😀).

He also agreed to stop at The Last Bookstore to get a glimpse of that. I enticed him with the promise of a book. We browsed the downstairs, in particular the vinyl records section (a cultural history lesson for Sonny!) and the children’s and young adults’ book sections, before we headed upstairs and walked through the labyrinth. It was a short but sweet visit, and we learned it’s worth another visit if we’re in the area.

At the end of the day, we had cycled 13 ½ miles and been out from about 10am to 4pm. We had explored a great part of Downtown that until now had been unknown and unfamiliar to us. I can’t say I now know it like my own neighborhood, but I am certainly more interested and open to going back and revisiting and exploring some more. Downtown LA is no longer a big, unknown area to me. Now when I drive along the freeway past the high rises and surrounding areas, I’ll have a new understanding and appreciation for the area. I’m always looking for new activities to do with my family when they visit. Now I can put some places in Downtown LA on our list.

For those interested in participating in a future CicLAvia, there are two events coming up in the next few months. The first one is CicLAvia: The Valley on March 6, 2016, and the next one is CicLAvia: Southeast Cities on May 15, 2016. Are you tempted to mark either of those on your calendar? I hope to be able to do the Southeast Cities one.

Los Angeles Culture Challenge for November 2015 & Norwegian Christmas Fair

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

November 2015 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.

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 *

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.

* WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 28 & 29 *

Wishlist for CicLAvia: Heart of LA

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

CicLAvias have become one of my favorite LA events. I’ve participated in three and am eagerly looking forward to the next one which is around the corner. CicLAvia is an opportunity to venture out and explore neighborhoods on streets that are totally closed to traffic. It also provides the perfect playground for another of my favorite activities, geocaching. Bicycling is my preferred way to experience CicLAvia, but you can also participate by foot or in any other non-motorized way. CicLAvias are fun urban adventures in our own backyard with an amazingly diverse group of people from all over the city.

The next CicLAvia is on Sunday, October 18, and will take place in downtown LA, in the heart of LA. It will go through many varied and distinct districts: Historic Core, Civic Center, Little Tokyo, the Arts District and as far west as MacArthur Park and east as Boyle Heights.

MacArthur Park at CicLAvia: Iconic Wilshire (April 2014)

Some of those areas I’ve been to before. For example, at CicLAvia: Iconic Wilshire I rode through MacArthur Park, I’ve taken visiting family to Chinatown, and I’ve been to the Civic Center area for visa and citizenship appointments. But others, such as the Arts District, Historic Core, Little Tokyo, and Boyle Heights, I could hardly place on the map until I looked more closely at downtown LA in preparation for this CicLAvia.

I’m putting together a little wishlist of sorts to make sure I don’t miss any fun and unique experiences and sights on the day of the event. As I know from my experiences at previous CicLAvias, the best laid plans often go awry, but planning is half the fun. Continue reading →

Los Angeles Culture Challenge for October 2015

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

October2015 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.

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns, a fun fall experience

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is around the corner! And I feel like it wasn’t that long ago since we attended last year’s event. When we went, I had heard about it but really had no idea what it was. I actually thought it was more of a haunted house kind of thing since it took place leading up to Halloween, but it’s really more of a special fall outdoor art exhibition. It was certainly a unique experience and one that I recommend. For us, it was the perfect low-key, not too time-consuming outing that fit nicely into our fall schedule.

We had tickets for Saturday, November 1, at 6:30pm, at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, which if it wasn’t the very last day of the event, it was certainly near the very end of it. Being a Saturday evening, the drive to La Cañada Flintridge from West LA wasn’t too bad (23 miles, about 30 minutes). Once we arrived, the parking was easy and the crowds were reasonable since it was still early in the evening.

The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns experience consists of a short walk along a path where thousands of hand-carved lit jack o’lanterns are creatively displayed, and there is background music which adds to the ambiance. The event takes place in the evening, and it happens rain or shine!

We began our visit with a stop at the refreshment booth. We bought the boys some hot cider and popcorn before we moved on. Next, we observed a sculptor in action as he was carving a pumpkin. With headphones on and his back to us, he seemed oblivious to all of us watching him work.

Then we walked along the path a bit before we came to the beginning of the jack o’lantern displays. Sometimes it was the wide view that was impressive; others times it was the close-up of carved pumpkins that amazed. You never knew what was coming up around the next bend which made it all the more exciting. Rounding one corner, we particularly enjoyed suddenly seeing the dinosaurs appear.

The jack o’lantern displays were organized into different themes. Last year some of the themes were video games, the solar system, dinosaurs, sports, celebrities, Dia de los Muertos, along with many more.

A note of interest, not all the jack o’lanterns are made from real pumpkins, but that doesn’t diminish the experience. All 5,000 jack o’lanterns are still intricately hand-carved. They use “literally TONS” of real pumpkins, but they also use carvable foam pumpkins (because they last longer). They have no secret trick to keeping the real pumpkins from rotting during the monthlong event. Each week they have to replace the rotting jack o’lanterns with fresh ones.

The 2015 Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns seems like it will be another interesting experience. According to their website, “New themes this year include a safari with larger-than-life animals carved from dozens of jack o’lanterns, an auto show featuring classic cars that have been re-imagined in a gourd-geous new way, and a dragon that’s over 50 feet long and contains hundreds of jacks! You’ll also see our talented artists hand-paint and hand-carve the images of some of your favorite TV and movie stars into giant 100 pound pumpkins at our live carving station!”

If you’re considering going, I recommend searching for discount codes. I’ve been getting emails from The Rise with information on discounted tickets (you can sign up on their site to receive promocodes), and some deal sites like Groupon will also offer deals, if they aren’t already. And remember, fall evenings in Southern California can get chilly. Bring warm clothing so you don’t have to rush through it but instead can enjoy it fully.

And for my readers outside of the Los Angeles area, they also have events in San Diego, CA, and on Long Island, NY. For details on locations and tickets, click here.

A Glimpse of Oslo: A Picasso Mural

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

My husband and I were leisurely making our way by foot from the food hall Mathallen to the center of town to take the metro back home. I wasn’t very familiar with this part of Oslo. Suddenly, we found ourselves in the area pictured above. I didn’t know anything about it but thought the view worthy of a picture before moving on.

Once back in the States several weeks later and catching up on back issues of the Norwegian American Weekly newspaper, I suddenly saw a photo of the mural we’d seen on our walk. I quickly searched through my photos from the summer to look more closely at it.

The article was about the Norwegian artist Carl Nesjar who as it turns out had created the mural in 1970 based on a design by Pablo Picasso. Nesjar had passed away at the age of 94 on May 23, 2015. The mural is called “Fiskerne” (The Fishermen) and is on a government building known as the Y Block. (The church to the left is Trefoldighetskirken, or The Trinity Church, consecrated in 1858.) And now I understand why the street was blocked off and I could cross it so easily to take my picture—it was the government quarter targeted in the July 22, 2011, bombings. The Y Block along with the H Block next to it sustained heavy damage in the bombing.

As I learned from the Norwegian American Weekly July 3 article, Nesjar “was for many years Picasso’s chosen fabricator, the artist who took the master’s drawings and models and gave them physical form as immense public sculptures.” Nesjar and Picasso began working together in the 1950s and continued until Picasso’s death in 1973. Their collaboration resulted in many sculptures and building decorations around the world: Norway, Sweden, France, Spain, Israel, The Netherlands, and various university campuses in the USA (Princeton, MIT, and NYU).

There is another Picasso-designed, Nesjar-created mural called “Måken” (The Seagull) in the reception area of the Y Block. Sadly, the future of these Picasso/Nesjar murals is uncertain. There are discussions to demolish the building as part of a redevelopment plan for the government quarter. The murals would be secured and preserved, but there were no plans for them beyond that. There is public debate about the issue so we’ll see what eventually happens.

I wish I knew all this when we passed through the area this summer. I would have spent a little more time looking at the mural and taking it all in. I’m very grateful for coming across the article in the Norwegian American Weekly and having the chance to research Nesjar a little bit more. Now I have a much greater appreciation for that area for the next time we pass through.

Los Angeles Culture Challenge for September 2015

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

September_2015 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.

Celebrating America’s Fourth of July in Oslo

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

I always make a point of celebrating Norway’s national day, the 17th of May, here in Los Angeles. This summer I actually had the chance to do the opposite, celebrate USA’s national day in Oslo. Having experienced Norwegian culture on display in Los Angeles, I thought it would be interesting to see what aspects of American culture would be highlighted abroad.

Every year the American Coordinating Council of Norway (ACCN) organizes an Independence Day Celebration in Frognerparken. 2015 was actually the 30th anniversary of the event. The celebration started off with all due pomp and circumstance with Opening Ceremonies where the acting ambassador (since the US has had trouble finding a qualified candidate) had some opening remarks and the Marine Guards from the US Embassy presented the colors.

Then the day proceeded with folks visiting vendor booths and activity areas, browsing a classic American car exhibition, and enjoying American food, all while they were entertained by live entertainment on a big stage in the middle of it all. A Norwegian bluegrass band was on stage first and a rock band continued later with Norwegian cheerleading squads performing in between.

Sonny and Doobie were immediately drawn to the American sports area where baseball and football were featured. We were given gloves and balls for a lesson in how to throw and catch a baseball. We chuckled when the volunteer started to explain since baseball is a sport we’re quite familiar with. She seemed relieved when she didn’t have to explain any more. When the batting cage opened, the kids were quick to get in line. They were a little disappointed, though, since the pitches were very weak and low, and they weren’t able to show off all they could really do.

The American classic car exhibition took up as much space as the rest of the festival. There was an interesting and varied assortment of cars and trucks. We especially enjoyed the ones with unique paint jobs and interesting interior detailing. There was something for everyone to enjoy.

And of course, there is no cultural festival without an abundance of food to choose from. Various American restaurants in Oslo were on hand offering sought after meals—The Nighthawk Diner, Texas BBQ Cafe, Opland Burger & Steak, and Domino’s Pizza were some we saw offering such items as burgers (BBQ Bacon Cheddar and Santa Fe), rib plates, pulled pork, and chili dogs…

Photo Credit: Facebook/ACCN Community

We ended up at Domino’s Pizza (which I learned first opened its doors in Norway in August 2014), not the most exciting for us but it had the shortest line. To drink we had none other than American Coca-Cola, and for dessert, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

There was a baked goods booth, too, of course. I thought it funny that they included Norwegian specialities in addition to the bagels, cookies, muffins, and brownies. Apparently, there was a cotton candy stand too, but we missed that. And a watermelon eating contest which happened after we had left.

In addition to indulging in American food favorites and admiring classic cars, folks could discuss politics at the Democrats’ and Republicans’ booths and browse the used book booth for their next English read. And kids could have pony rides and participate in hands-on activities provided by Oslo Children’s Museum. The ACCN made sure to have something of interest for visitors of all ages and nationalities. I’m sure American expatriates and folks interested in American culture were thrilled at all the offerings.

A highlight of the festivities was the raffle ticket sales and drawings. There was an impressive list of prizes, and the sale of raffle tickets was brisk. Grand prizes were 2 sets of round-trip tickets from Oslo to USA. Other prizes included a hotel stay, food and candy (from Heinz, Wrigley, Mars, Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola just to name a few), restaurant certificates, vacation tour tickets, and various other gifts and services. For those who wanted to guarantee a win, there was an instant win Lucky Wheel, and this appealed more to Sonny and Doobie. They were thrilled to walk away with Pringles cans and an assortment of American candy (and relieved that they didn’t win Heinz ketchup and BBQ sauce bottles).

It was a fun and relaxing outing to the park, especially since the park was so close to my parents’ home and we could ride our bikes. We had just come from the US a few days earlier so we weren’t as homesick for American culture as many of the people there, but we still thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. And it was a lovely summer day which makes all the difference, too.

CicLAvia: Culver City Meets Venice (2015)

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Patricia Zanuck

From our Backyard to the Beach

CicLAvia was recently back in our neighborhood, and I was finally able to corral the whole family to join me for a CicLAvia experience! It was my third attempt to get the whole family going. For my first CicLAvia, it ended up just being Doobie (age 6) and me, and the second time I did it alone.

But my success this time wasn’t without hurdles. First, I had to explain why I really wanted to do this again and have the whole family along. Then, the night before, when I had finally convinced all to join me and had planned the day, we discovered my husband had a totally flat tire that was beyond just pumping at home. Luckily, a local bike shop replied to my email overnight and confirmed they could fix it upon opening. We were good to go, just a couple of hours later than planned. Continue reading →

A Viking in LA

All things Scandinavian through books, films, and events in the Los Angeles area and virtually

It’s Norwegian Christmas Time!

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CicLAvia: Heart of LA (2015)

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Los Angeles Culture Challenge for November 2015 & Norwegian Christmas Fair

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Wishlist for CicLAvia: Heart of LA

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Los Angeles Culture Challenge for October 2015

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 3 & 4 *

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 10 & 11 *

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 17 & 18 *

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 24 & 25 *

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1 *

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Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns, a fun fall experience

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A Glimpse of Oslo: A Picasso Mural

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Los Angeles Culture Challenge for September 2015

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Celebrating America’s Fourth of July in Oslo

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CicLAvia: Culver City Meets Venice (2015)

From our Backyard to the Beach

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* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 3 & 4 *

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 10 & 11 *

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 17 & 18 *

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 24 & 25 *

* WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1 *

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From our Backyard to the Beach

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