nhmla Archives - Page 2 of 2

Have you ever wondered why we carve pumpkins and get dressed up for Halloween? Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. The Irish brought the tradition of carving jack-o-lanterns to America. But the original jack-o-lantern was not a pumpkin at all, because pumpkins did not exist in Ireland! Ancient Celtic cultures carved turnips and placed an ember in them to ward off evil spirits. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of fun activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes, and eating treats.

So let’s get spooked with LA’s best Halloween celebrations!

LA Opera Psycho Live Ace Hotel 929 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015

Experience Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Psycho, featuring the LA Opera Orchestra, on the big screen with live violins taking the shower scene to a whole new level of creep! You know the story: a secretary on the run, an isolated motel, and an awkward guy with some serious mother issues. Shown in the cavernous Spanish-Gothic Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown LA, LA Opera’s got the spooky vibes fit for your perfect Halloween. Norman invites you to a killer after-party on October 25th and October 31st, included with your ticket. Are you brave enough to enter our costume contest on October 31st? The top three winners will receive a prize (if you make it out alive).

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Organist Clark Wilson sets a haunting scene as he accompanies the 1923 silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, featuring a legendary performance from Lon Chaney. Get a guided tour of the evening’s music before your concert at Upbeat Live! Key thinkers and guest musicians – including members of the LA Phil – share their expertise and offer historical and cultural context for your program’s pieces, giving you a deeper understanding of the music. This free event is held in BP Hall, accessible after your ticket is scanned.

The Natural History of Horror Natural History Museum 900 W Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007

Just in time for Halloween, the Natural History Museum is presenting a spooky, homegrown Hollywood exhibition that reveals the science of the scary. Walk into the museum’s Grand Foyer, past a pair of dueling dinosaurs, toward the building’s northeast corner, and you’ll soon find yourself in a dark room flickering with hidden surprises. Your senses will tingle as you hear about the scientific experiments and discoveries that inspired filmmakers to create four of the world‘s most iconic movie monsters: the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and Dracula. Whether these classics spotlighted sinister figures lurking in the shadows or creatures waiting unseen beneath the water, one thing is true: Each larger-than-life character had a surprisingly rich real-world backstory.

Hallows Masquerade Redbird 114 East Second St. Los Angeles, CA

Redbird is presenting a Halloween Masquerade featuring food & drink, dancing & reverie, and music & theatrics for an unforgettable Halloween night! Redbird is carved into one of the city’s most historic architectural gems, inside the former rectory building of Vibiana. Set in the upper chambers of Redbird, the Hallows Masquerade promises to be elegant evening of mystery and delight. Each ticket includes hors d’oeuvres by Redbird/Vibiana chef/owner Neal Fraser and cocktails by bar director Tobin Shea (cash bar). Music by Adam Freeland (The Acid), Jessica Tonder, Jonny Cota, Little Dinosaur, Metal Mother, Sorne and more. Costumes and masks are highly encouraged!

House of Spirits 2218 S Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018

Step inside the House of Spirits — a haunted cocktail soiree that is unlike any other party in town! Freely roam a mysterious mansion and experience a night of themed cocktails, macabre magic, sinister séances, tarot readings, strange roaming specters, live music, hidden secret games, giant Ouija boards and so much more! Within the walls of a decrepit and decaying house, a mad man nearing the end of his life painted six disturbing portraits depicting peculiar figures. Those paintings have become known as the Spirit Paintings, and that mad man was famed artist Francisco Vega. According to fragmented notes scribbled in his journals, Vega believed these paintings were the key to opening a doorway to another world. Perhaps he was right, for when he completed the sixth Spirit Painting, Vega disappeared somewhere inside the house and his remains have never been discovered.

Dia de los Muertos Olvera Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

For over 30 years, the merchants on Olvera Street have celebrated Dia de los Muertos. The celebration has evolved to incorporate the pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic rituals surrounding death. Dia de los Muertos at Olvera Street is the only celebration of its kind in Los Angeles – a nine day festival with altars on display, food, face painting, and entertainment throughout. Each night, a vibrant and colorful procession sets the stage for the ceremony. Dia de los Muertos is, in fact, a celebration of life – it is not a time to mourn our loved ones, rather it is a time to remember the lives they lead and the many things they enjoyed during that life.

Día de los Muertos Altars + Art Installations Grand Park 200 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Grand Park celebrates the traditions of Día de los Muertos with an immersive display of compelling installations and artwork.! Guests can experience, discuss and learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos and stroll through 40+ altars, curated by Self Help Graphics located throughout Grand Park, as well as the newly renovated Music Center Plaza. At the Music Center Plaza, view colorful swags of papel picado designed by artist Maricela Sosa as they adorn the Grand Avenue stairs and welcome visitors to the Plaza. The newly-renovated Plaza fountain will be lit in orange and yellow for the week as a nod to marigold flowers, ubiquitous on altars and throughout Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

A New Día Wisdome.LA 1147 Palmetto St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Estrella Jalisco presents A New Día. Día de Muertos reimagined at Wisdome.LA, the world’s first immersive art park. As you make your way from dome to dome and travel through this immersive art experience, you’ll be surrounded by stunningly vivid, colorful recreations of Día de Muertos. Learn about this respected holiday and share an experience with those around you, and put a new spin on Día de Muertos. When you’re done exploring, head around the corner to Zinc Cafe & Market, and show your A New Día ticket for access to exclusive cocktails and discounted appetizers!

Creep LA ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Creep LA is back! Presented by Just Fix It Productions, you are invited into the dark-heart of downtown with their fifth installment: HAUS OF CREEP. The roughly 60-minute multi-sensory exhibit brings you into the world of Creep L.A., a darkly satirical and terrifying send-up of social media-driven culture. With the growing popularity of “grammable museums,” businesses and consumers are devouring art as a commodity. HAUS OF CREEP sets out to remind us that art is alive, and it can’t be restricted to a little square photo without dangerous consequences. HAUS guests will spend the hour roaming an avant-garde and nightmarish playground of over a dozen installations, witnessing grand shocking scenes as well as intimate scares. HAUS OF CREEP tells its story with a cast of 20 provocative characters and features a sultry lounge, small dark spaces, shadow plays, deranged puppet shows, and innovative analog installations by MEDIA POLLUTION.

We’ve all sprung forward with Daylight Saving Time, and March 20 – the first day of Spring – is right around the corner. It’s time to get out and celebrate the season with a Spring Fling!

Take a hike and commune with the wildflowers – after all the heavy rains, Southern California is experiencing a Super Bloom! Explore downtown LA’s hidden treasures on a walking tour or bicycle adventure. Shop for fresh produce at a local farmers market. You can even spend a day of fitness working out with your pooch! You’ll always find inspiration when you live in DTLA1

Natural History Museum 900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Discover L.A.’s wild side at L.A. Naturefest, a fun-filled two-day festival at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. There’s a surprising amount of nature in Los Angeles, and the more you know how to look for it, the more you’ll see. You’ll be blown away by the plants, animals, and the people devoted to protecting and studying them. Festival highlights include over 35 exhibitor booths with local organizations; hands on nature crafts and activities; free giveaways from Tree People; and seed packets from Big Green. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet live animals and talk face to face with scientists and nature experts.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve 15101 Lancaster Rd, Lancaster, CA 93536

Thanks to the recent rains, California is experiencing a Super Bloom – a rare happening in which all the desert flowers bloom at once! Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May, with a variety of wildflowers creating a mosaic of color that changes daily. Eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills make the park a wonderful place to hike and smell the flowers. Poppies open up in mid morning, and curl up in the late afternoon/evening or if it’s cold, so check the weather forecast before arriving. No dogs, bikes on trails, drones, or picking flowers.

Theodore Payne Foundation 10459 Tuxford St. Sun Valley, CA 91352

Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants is a true force for change in Southern California. While preserving the legacy of Theodore Payne – a pioneering Los Angeles nurseryman and horticulturist – their goal is to transform the region into sustainable, healthy communities. Located on 22 acres of canyon land in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley, the full-service native plant nursery, seed room, bookstore, art gallery, demonstration gardens, and hiking trails are open to the public year round. Friendly on-leash dogs are welcome, and there is no admission charge.

Huntington Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, CA 91108

In 1903 Henry E. Huntington purchased the San Marino Ranch, a working ranch with citrus groves, nut and fruit orchards, alfalfa crops, a small herd of cows, and poultry. Today, the estate is home to 16 spectacular themed gardens spread across 120 acres, including Desert Garen, Camellia & Rose Gardens, Japanese Garden, Jungle Garden, Herb Garden and more. They also offer popular botanical programs such as 2nd Thursday Garden Talks, Garden Tours, Music in the Chinese Garden, Japanese Tea House Tours. Don’t miss the Annual Spring Plant Sale, coming up Sunday April 28.

Green Muffin Walking Tour Freehand Hotel 416 W 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Modeled after the popular European walking tours, Green Muffin Walking Tour is LA’s newest tour servicing historic downtown Los Angeles. Their mission is to provide an educated and humorous tour of downtown Los Angeles that anyone can afford (all tours are free and the guides work on a donations only basis). Green Muffin gives 5% of all their donations to aid the homeless on Skid Row and provide warm clothes and food. The tour kicks off at the Freehand Hotel lobby every weekend at 10AM and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Highlights include The Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, Walt Disney Concert Hall and more! Look for your guide wearing a shirt with a green muffin on it. No need for reservations. They can accommodate up to 20 people per tour. Bring comfortable shoes, money for lunch, sunglasses, and a popular joke from wherever you are from.

The Crafty Pedal: A Woke Bike Shop 520 E 15th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

The Crafty Pedal is DTLA’s only late night cycling and craft boutique. With a love for traditional craftsmanship and elegance, along with an appreciation for new and innovative modern designs, The Crafty Pedal provides the best of both worlds, integrating classic vintage charm with modern day durability, performance and comfort. By offering reclaimed high end brands, they make owning a nice bike obtainable. Every bicycle is uniquely one of a kind and custom built to your specifications. Ready to put the pedal to the metal? Check out their L.A. Bike Friendly Directory.

Puppies & Planks L.A. State Historic Park 1245 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

National Puppy Day is March 23, 2019! To celebrate, Puppies & Planks is putting on the first ever outdoor fitness festival for humans and dogs!. Created by YouTube fitness guru Cassey Ho of Blogilates, and presented by PETCO, this outdoor event will feature a full day of fitness, pups, shopping, food, and more! Bring all your friends and fam for a fun day in the park with vendor booths, Instagram photo stations, giveaways, and lots of cute dogs. Start the day off with a 3K dog walk around LA Historic Park! General admission is free. Buy one class and get an all-access pass to all of the classes on the schedule. The first 500 people who reserve an all-access pass will receive an exclusive swag bag filled with goodies from the sponsors. Your entire ticket purchase (100%) will be donated directly to LA Animal Services and other local rescue organizations.

Historic Core Farmers Market 5th St. (between Broadway and Spring)

Historic Core Farmers Market, LA’s newest addition to the DTLA farmers market scene, is held every Sunday from 9AM – 2PM. In addition to fruits and vegetables, you’ll find farm-fresh eggs (free range and sprout-fed); breakfast and brunch items; sweet pastries and empanadas; Mediterranean dips and spreads; flowers and floral arrangements; natural homemade skin care products; and dog food and pooch products. Along with fresh local groceries, there’s a selection of prepared food and drinks including fresh juices and lemonade; coffee; tacos and breakfast burritos; pupusas, barbecue, curry, and much more!

Certified Farmers Market @Pershing Square 532 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Every Wednesday, Pershing Square Farmers Market, presented in partnership with Raw Inspiration, sells garden fresh fruits, vegetables, and special delicacies. Raw Inspiration’s mission is to educate children and adults on the importance of a healthy diet, especially on the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables daily. To accompany that mission, they have set up a program where growers can distribute their produce at neighborhood farmers markets. In and around Los Angeles, it is estimated that nearly 2,000,000 visitors enjoy Raw Inspiration’s farmers markets every year, and that number continues to increase with every new market opening.

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Get Spooked! LA’s Best Halloween Celebrations!

Get Spooked! LA’s Best Halloween Celebrations!

Spring Fling! Celebrate the Season in LA

Spring Fling! Celebrate the Season in LA