LA Life: The April Good Stuff
Happy Eastover, Tomatoes! Hope you’re enjoying your respective Easter, Passover, extended April Fools or whatever other holiday you may be celebrating this Springy month. One thing I’m pretty sure you’re not celebrating: tax time. Luckily, there’s a plethora of events this month to keep you peppy and positive, even as you’re writing that dreaded check to the IRS. From a medieval musical to trekking for trolls, a book-lover’s bonanza, a Pasadena food orgy, a chance to see heavenly Jon Hamm up close, and a sound-bath that’ll make you feel like you’re in heaven… and one of LA’s Tomatoes is this year’s Renewal Summit keynote speaker. Here’s your Guide to the Good Stuff.
LA’s Business Oracle to Keynote Renewal Summit
We’re thrilled that Dr. Theresa Ashby will bring her intuitive clarity to this year’s Renewal Summit keynote, sharing transformative insights on purpose, growth, and impact as a business leader and a non-profit leader with She Angels Foundation. Another reason to head to New York City in May! GET THE DETAILS.
Now – April 12. Always Look on The Bright Side Of Life
If you’re an Eric Idle/John Cleese fan, you know that adage is not just good advice, it’s a song from the comedy classic “Monty Python’s Life of Brian,” which found its way into the smash hit musical “Spamalot” – which is actually based on another classic, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Yeah, it’s confusing, but you never let a great song go to waste. You can hear that ditty – and see all the medieval madcap-ness that is “Spamalot” – at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. The Washington Post called this Tony-winning “Best Musical” a “tightly packed clown car speeding to musical theater nirvana.” That pretty much says it all. The show runs through April 12 at the Pantages, 6233 Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood. Knights, camp, action! GET YOUR TICKETS.
Now thru Oct. 4. Troll Trek
Attention, garden-walk lovers – here’s something you likely haven’t ever seen on a nature stroll: trolls. Make that 12 trolls. No, not those little dolls you had as a kid. I’m talking big giant creatures, crafted of reclaimed wood. The South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes is currently featuring “Thomas Dambo’s Trolls: A Field Study,” which transforms their 87 acres into “a playful storybook landscape where guests can wander beside these charismatic creatures in immersive locations spread across the grounds.” The exhibit runs thru October 4, and the Garden is open daily 8:00am to 5:00pm, except Christmas Day. South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Peninsula. Enjoy these trolls – just remember, you can’t bring them home for your collection. GET THE DETAILS.
April 11. Poetry Tyne
I don’t know about you, but I loved “Cagney and Lacey,” the seminal 80’s TV drama about lady cop partners starring Sharon Gless (Cagney) and Tyne Daly (Lacey). I never did a deep dive on either of these fine actresses, but 40+ years later, I’ve discovered that Lacey loves poetry! Hmmm…Tyne, who as a cop fought crime-in’, now enjoys more Keats and Byron (sorry, couldn’t resist). And if you love La Daly as much as I do, you can see her read a curated collection of her favorite poems at “American Voices,” part of the 10th Annual Get Down Festival, which “celebrates L.A. artist communities through the spoken word in honor of U.S. National Poetry Month.” Performance runs one night only, Saturday April 11th at 8:00pm. So get down at the Greenway Court Theater, 544 N. Fairfax Ave in West Hollywood. Disco shoes not required. GET TICKETS.
April 18-19. Bookstravaganza
It’s time for the umpteenth annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Woo-hoo! Happening this year on Saturday and Sunday, April 18th and 19th, the festival makes for an interesting, enlightening, entertaining and fun (take your pick) day for folks of all ages. There’s always plenty of children’s book readings and activities if you want to go with your kids/grandkids.
And if you’d rather head there for a grown-up day, you’ll have plenty to do, hear and see – including a pretty impressive line-up of stars: Sarah Jessica Parker, David Duchovny, Valerie Bertinelli, Lisa Rinna, Susan Lucci, Tom Selleck, and Larry David…to namedrop a few. They’re all hawking a book or a business or both – like every Regular Joe author featured at the festival (minus the selfie requests). Events run throughout the day Saturday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 4:00 pm at numerous venues around the USC campus, so wear comfy shoes. Come for the mind expansion, stay for SJP — to ask her if Carrie ever gets back together with Aidan. GET THE DETAILS.
Now thru April 12. Paley Fest
For everyone who can sing the lyrics to TV show theme songs, or who’s watched every episode of “Seinfeld” at least twice, or who binges streaming shows like “The Pitt” and “Shrinking” like they’re cocaine in the 80’s (not that I would know), your TV-geek dream has come true with “Paley Fest.” Named for the man who basically built CBS, William Paley, the ‘fest’ is an annual tribute/celebration/fan appreciation event that brings the stars and creators of the season’s hottest and most-revered shows to an audience of the faithful, for their giddy enjoyment. In addition to the ones mentioned above, this year’s shows and luminaries include those from “Pluribus,” “Nobody Wants This,” and “Your Friends and Neighbors” – the last of which stars Jon Hamm…who I wish was my friend or neighbor. Hubba-hubba. Paley Fest happens through April 12th at the Dolby Theater (home of the Oscars), 6801 Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood. Happy drooling! GET THE DETAILS.
April 19. Chow Down for Charity
Indulging your food fantasies is always fun, but here’s a chance to add a little higher purpose to the experience. “Masters of Taste” is L.A.’s premier food festival, bringing together the region’s most talented chefs, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and spirit brands for one unforgettable evening at the Rose Bowl Stadium,” says the event website. And you’ll be feasting for a good cause – 100% of net proceeds from the event benefit Union Station Homeless Services, which provides housing solutions and critical services to those in need.
So even if you eat or drink too much, you can still feel good about it. “Masters of Taste LA” takes place on Sunday, April 19th from 3:00 to 7:00pm at the Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive in Pasadena. Admission price includes unlimited food and beverage tastings – and the joy of knowing you’re helping others with every bite. Mangia! GET YOUR TICKETS.
Now thru June 14. Architecture… In Motion
I’m a big fan of amazing architecture; the Flatiron Building in NYC comes to mind, along with Disney Hall right here in DTLA. But I found something else that’s amazing: architecture made of people. DIAVOLO, the brainchild of French-born choreographer Jaques Heim, is a “creative movement production company” that uses “evocative, custom-made architectural structures to explore innovation and movement in unique, live cinematic and multi-media experiences.”
You might’ve seen them on “America’s Got Talent” several years back, but either way, now’s the time to catch their current show, “Escape,” live and up close. In residency at the Brewery Complex and ready to dazzle, the show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 6:00pm through June 14, at 616 Moulton Ave in Lincoln Heights. Prepare to be aMAZEd! GET THE DETAILS.
April 26. Moon Soul Soundbath
After all the above activity, you’re gonna need a little chill time. And for my money, nothing’s more relaxing than a sound bath. For the uninitiated, a sound bath is a “meditative experience where you’re immersed in healing sound vibrations created by instruments like crystal singing bowls, ocean drums, and chimes” – all designed to slow down your brain frequencies, “promoting deep relaxation, energetic balance, and emotional release.”
That’s the mission of Alice Moon, curator/guide of Moon Soul Sound Baths. But here’s her real value prop – Ms. Moon runs her sound baths in a mattress store. I mean, it can’t get much more relaxed than that. You can rest easy at Moon Soul Sound Baths on April 26th from 7:00-8:00 pm at Mattress Central in Atwater Village. Namaste…and maybe you’ll even come home with a memory foam queen. GET THE DETAILS.
Stefanie Novik
From Midwest roots to Hollywood hustle, Stefanie Novik has spent the past 40 years soaking up the sunshine and stories of Los Angeles. She came for summer school at UCLA and stayed for the earthquakes, traffic, and endless inspiration. Her path has zigzagged through showbiz—casting assistant, talent manager, sitcom writer, and TV marketing pro—before pivoting to real estate, where she now helps Angelenos find their dream homes (cue the tearful key handoffs). As your Guide to the Good Stuff, she’s thrilled to share the delicious, delightful, and downright dazzling sides of L.A. Life’s a wild ride—let’s enjoy the view.
