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!