Yesterday, I visited the Museum of Latin American Art (molaa). If you haven’t already been, make sure you head down to Long Beach before May 18.

Walter Goldfarb: D + Lirium is on view in the Exhibition Gallery through May 18 and it is a truly inspiring exhibit to say the least. Contemporary Art at its finest!

Here’s a description from molaa’s Web site about the exhibit that showcases the art of a contemporary Brazilian artist who is emerging on the international art scene:

“The selection of 24 mixed-media paintings by Walter Goldfarb offers a tantalizing visual journey into Goldfarb’s vibrant artwork created between 1995 and the present. The exhibition begins with his early works drawn from a series of works titled, Black and White Series and leads to his most recent works that are saturated with intense color and layered with textures. This series is titled Lysergic Garden and is the primary focus of the exhibition. With his electric palette and psychedelic undertones, the Lysergic Garden works are reminiscent of the 1960’s hallucinogenic designs and emotions of ecstasy. Goldfarb uses color, floral motifs and plant forms to exude a sense of delirium and delight in his art. The exhibition is curated by Augustine Arteaga, Director of Museo de Arte de Ponce. A full color catalog accompanies the exhibition.”

If you miss this exhibit, other mesmerizing displays are on the horizon and their permanent collection is worth the trip alone:

WIFREDO LAM in North America
June 15 – Aug. 31, 2008

CARLOS LUNA: El Gran Mambo
June 15 – Aug. 31, 2008

About the museum:

The Museum of Latin American Art underwent a significant expansion that more than doubled its original size. Completed in 2007, the museum now features expanded exhibit and art education areas, a new research library on Latin American art, a new film screening area and a new sculpture garden.

www.molaa.org
628 Alamitos Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90802

Bringing together leading scientists and emerging artists, the highly successful forum and concert series First Fridays continues on March 7 with an evening of exploration entitled “Discovery in the Age of Mammals: Building Brains and Making Minds” at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM).

Each Friday evening begins with a curator-guided gallery tour illuminating the NHM’s renowned collections. Following the tour, guests are able to participate in a forum led by distinguished scientists, conservationists and authors. Neuroscientist Michael W. Quick, who also organized the discussions, moderates these forums.

After delving into the science of the mind, the series shows creative expression in action with live performances by musicians and DJs at the end of each event.

Music for March 7:

WHY?Yacht

DJ sets in the African Mammal Hall by ale and matthewdavid (dublab.com)

Advanced tickets for First Fridays are sold via Ticketweb.com. Admission is free for NHM members. Tickets are $9 for adults, $6.50 for children. Curator-led tours, films, discussions and performances are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and early purchase is recommended.

For more information, visit http://www.nhm.org/firstfridays/

At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Nancy Reagan — A First Lady’s Style will illustrate the important roles Mrs. Reagan played in the White House — from hostess and ambassador, to public servant and spokesperson, to loyal and caring wife — by exhibiting over 80 of her dresses, suits and gowns. The dresses displayed span over fifty years - beginning with her March 4, 1952 wedding dress and ending with the skirt suit she wore to President Reagan’s funeral in June of 2004. This historic exhibit not only honors Mrs. Reagan, but also pays tribute to the men and women who helped define her style. The exhibit will display designs by Geoffrey Beene, Bill Blass, Valentino Garavani, James Galanos, Carolina Herrera, Adolfo Sardina, Yves St. Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Jean Louis and Chanel. The exhibit runs through Nov. 10, 2008. The exhibit was designed by WRJ Design Associates, LLC. in collaboration with the Reagan Library staff. www.reaganlibrary.com

www.averybradymusical.com

The Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) is now open at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The $56-million, three-story museum is the first new art museum built in LA since the world-famous Getty Center opened in 1997. Boasting 60,000 square feet of exhibition space, BCAM is one of the largest column-free art spaces in the U.S. BCAM’s opening installation includes works by such esteemed artists as Richard Serra, Jeff Koons, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The opening of BCAM marks the completion of LACMA’s first phase of a multi-year transformation to expand, upgrade and unify its six-building, 20-acre campus. Budgeted at $156 million, the first phase also features the completion of a 15,375-square-foot, glass-enclosed BP Grand Entrance Pavilion, a covered concourse linking the western and eastern sections of the one-third-mile-long campus and public artworks designed by internationally acclaimed artists. With the opening of BCAM, LACMA now leads the field in devoting a greater share of its space and programming to contemporary art than any other encyclopedic museum.
www.lacma.org

I’ve been getting a lot of great e-mails about my post yesterday with the map of Abbot Kinney. One comment specifically led me to a Web site titled: www.abbotkinneyonline.com.

I highly recommend visiting for a more in-depth look at this great community.

According to the Web site designer:

“Abbot Kinney Online provides visitors with an opportunity to see information for shops and restaurants on Abbot Kinney. The visitor then is easily able get to phone numbers and addresses, then click on the shop/restaurant website if they have a site. We have just about every store and restaurant on Abbot Kinney listed.”

In the early 1900s it was the posh summer playground for LA’s wealthy. By the 1960s it was mecca for the hippie movement. Today, Venice, CA wears its history proud and meshes well with today’s current trends. Beyond its famed Oceanfront Walk, where Muscle Beach meets tarot card readers and henna tattoos converge with distinctive artists of all backgrounds, there is a part of Venice that visitors will feel lucky to discover… Abbot Kinney Boulevard.

View Larger Map

The 10th anniversary of the Method Fest independent film festival - the nation’s only major film festival honoring the actor - will take place March 27 - April 3, 2008 in Calabasas. Named after a famous school of acting, this indie fest is a “discovery festival” and puts its focus on acting, looking to discover breakthrough performances by bold new actors and help launch the works of young, fresh filmmakers. “We also delight in sharing career-defining performances of established performers and in showcasing outstanding indie projects by well known directors,” said Don Franken, Method Fest executive director. Tenth anniversary highlights include a celebration of the top 10 films and 10 finest performances from Method Fest films, and a first-ever Community Day showcasing community-oriented films and localized short film programs, in addition to 30 feature films, 50 shorts, filmmaking seminars, workshops, parties, Indie Music events and the Youth Outreach program. Method Fest has launched more than 85 films and brought attention to actors including Naomi Watts.
www.methodfest.com

LA’s rich history and entertainment leadership inspires a year-round agenda of world class performances, exhibits and festivals. Here’s a sampling of what’s next:

Bob Dylan’s American Journey, 1956 – 1966
Skirball Cultural Center
Feb. 8 – June 8, 2008
Featuring more than 160 artifacts, including handwritten drafts of classic songs, the exhibit chronicles the rock star/poet’s first 10 years as an artistic innovator and compelling voice of social conscience. www.skirball.org

Festival of New American Musicals
March 4 - July, 2008
Among the dozens of performances and venues spread throughout Southern California, “Klemperer’s New Clothes” will be at Birmingham High School (May 2-10) and the LA Master Chorale will perform “The Grapes of Wrath” at Walt Disney Concert Hall (May 18). www.lafestival.org

78th Blessing of the Animals
Olvera Street, Downtown
March 22, 2008
Festively adorned animals and their human companions gather in the historic Plaza for a procession and blessing by Roger Cardinal Mahony. Everyone is invited to bring their pets. Cultural entertainment and a petting zoo add to the festivities of this age-old pre-Easter ceremony. www.elpueblo.lacity.org

“Keep Your Pantheon”– World Premiere
Kirk Douglas Theatre
May 11 – June 8, 2008
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, playwright and screenplay writer David Mamet, this is a rousing comedy about the fortunes and misfortunes of an acting troupe in ancient Rome. www.centertheatregroup.org

“9 to 5” — World Premiere
Ahmanson Theatre
September 3 – October 19, 2008
Starring multiple Emmy Award-winner and Tony Award-nominee, Allison Janney, the musical follows the plot of the much-loved 1980 motion picture; featuring new songs, music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. www.centertheatregroup.org

LA Opera 2008/09 Season
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Sept. 6 – June 21, 2009
LA Opera Company general director Placido Domingo has announced the 2008/09 Season, featuring seven new productions to be staged by acclaimed directors, including Woody Allen, David Cronenberg and Robert Wilson. Productions include Il Trittico, The Fly and Madama Butterfly. www.laopera.com