The first Saturday of April (April Fool’s day) offers a huge amount of art parties, I have tried to list even more that usual if they are located in neighborhoods where several are taking place….good luck, we also have two Top Ten art parties on the SAME day. Don’t forget to check this list of additional art and entertainment events for April 2017. Remember, to check our update on the 15th of each month, as we add more events for the latter half of the month. – Hope to see you at the art parties! For you theater lovers, one of our staff writers reviewed the play Elevator – which is currently running through April 30, 2017. See the bottom of this post and the Upcoming Event Feature for more info. Go to our Review Page to read our review.
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April 1, 2017: (there are several taking place in Culver City – see below)
In Culver City…Thinkspace presents “Short Stories,” featuring new works by Canadian painter Jacub Gagnon. In the artist’s third solo exhibition with the gallery, Gagnon stages impossible sequences of the known.
Concurrently on view in the project room are new works by Kari-Lise Alexander in WAKE, the artist’s first solo exhibition with the gallery. Art Party: 6-9pm; Thinkspace Gallery, 6009 Washington Blvd. | Culver City, CA 90232; http://thinkspacegallery.com
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April 1, 2017:
dnj Gallery is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition of “Prior Pleasure” by Ellen Cantor. In her photographs, she examines the joy and delight of reading, emphasizing the physical book. On view: My 13, 2017; Reception: Art Party: 6-8pm; dnj Gallery, Bergamot Station, J1, 2525 Michigan Ave., SM,
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April 1, 2017:
In the Miracle Mile area…Jill Joy Gallery is pleased to announce Illumination, recent paintings by Jill Joy. In Illumination, Jill continues her exploration into the interplay of the unseen worlds of spiritual and emotional energy as an individual soul evolves towards a higher state of consciousness. This exhibition includes poetry by Jill paired with the paintings. On view thru May13; Art Party: 6-9pm; Jill Joy Gallery, 456 S La Brea Ave., LA, 90036; http://www.jilljoy.com/
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April 1, 2017:
Just across the street…the Loft at LIz’s throws an art party for “TEXT MESSAGE.” The group show features the work of Fred Feldmesser, Michael Flechtner, Stuart Kusher, Theodore Svenningsen, Senon Williams. Art Party: 7-10pm; The Loft at Liz’s, 453 S. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036; http://www.theloftatlizs.com/
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April 1, 2017:
Head South on La Brea to Jefferson…The Landing presents “Signifying Form,” showcasing the sculptural work of Beulah Woodard, Elizabeth Catlett, Samella Lewis, Betye Saar, Senga Nengudi, Maren Hassinger, Alison Saar, Dominique Moody and Brenna Youngblood. The opening reception will feature a live performance of “Women’s Work” by Maren Hassinger. On view: June 3, 2017; Art Party: 6-9pm; The Landing, 5118 Jefferson Blvd., LA 90016;
http://www.thelandinggallery.com/
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April 1, 2017:
In Boyle Heights…Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) is proud to premiere “Immersion,” the new collection from Welsh-born, Los Angeles-based pop surrealist painter Richard J. Oliver.
The gallery will also feature a U.S. debut solo exhibition from multi-disciplinary Madrid-based artist Okuda San Miguel — titled “Mayan Renaissance.” The exhibition features a new series of his vibrantly colored synthetic on enamel paintings, sculpture, and tapestry. Also opening “Art Collector Starter Kit.” On view: April 29, 2017; Art Party: 7-11pm; COREY HELFORD GALLERY, 571 S. Anderson St. (Enter on Willow St), LA, 90033; http://www.coreyhelfordgallery.com/
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April 1, 2017:
Nearby…Chimento Contemporary is pleased to announce our first solo exhibition with artist Adam Ross. On view: May 20; Art Party: 5-8pm; Chimento Contemporary, 622 South Anderson Street, Space 105, LA 90023;
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April 7, 2017:
La Luz De Jesus Gallery proudly presents the first Los Angeles exhibition of paintings by former Avengers frontwoman, Penelope Houston with a full room of dyptich paintings culled from the muzzlers she foun in the mugbooks at the S.F. Public Library. The work of Karen Hsiao will be on exhibit…featuring hand-altered fetish photographs as well as her Miso creations. On view: April 30; Art Party: 8-11pm; LA LUZ DE JESUS GALLERY, 4633 Hollywood Blvd, LA 90027; http://www.laluzdejesus.com
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April 8, 2017:
In Culver City…Edward Cella Art+Architecture hosts an art talk: In Conversation: Jill Moniz & Kendell Carter. Please join Dr. Jill Moniz, Founder of Transformative Arts and former Head Curator at the California African American Museum of Los Angeles for a discussion with Kendell Carter about changing artistic practices and community engagement strategies. The talk is in conjunction with the exhibition “Kendell Carter: Marvel.” On view: May 7; Art Talk: 4pm; Edward Cella Art+Architecture, 2754 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034;
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April 8, 2017:
Shoshana Wayne Gallery presents “People I Saw But Never Met” by Zadok Ben-David. This is the London-based artist’s third solo exhibition with the gallery. On view: May 27; opening: Art Party: 5-7pm; Shoshana Wayne Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave. Suite B1, Santa Monica, 90404; http://shoshanawayne.com/
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April 8, 2017:
bG Gallery presents “Blessing the Animals,” an exhibition by artist John Kilduff curated by Daniel Rolnik. Email an image of your pet to info@bgartdealings.com if you would like it blessed with portrait. Art Party: 6:30-10:30pm; bG Gallery, G-8 2525 Michigan Ave. Suite B1, Santa Monica, 90404; http://www.santamonica.bgartdealings.com
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April 13, 2017:
Fahey/Klein Gallery presents Lauren Greenfield’s incredible documentary project and newly released monograph, Generation Wealth (Phaidon 2017).
Acclaimed documentary photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield has been working for the past twenty-five years to chronicle a previously unprecedented global obsession with wealth and materialism. On view: June 3, 2017; Reception 7-9pm; Fahey/Klein Gallery, 148 N. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036; http://www.faheykleingallery.com/
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April 14, 2017
Art Critic Peter Frank hosts an art talk at the Loft at LIz’s in conjunction with its current exhibition “TEXT MESSAGE.” The group show features the work of Fred Feldmesser, Michael Flechtner, Stuart Kusher, Theodore Svenningsen, Senon Williams. Art talk: 7-9pm; The Loft at Liz’s, 453 S. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036; http://www.theloftatlizs.com/
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April 14-16, 2017:
Hope you’ve already got your tix to Coachella…cause its sold out kids. My fav – Lady Gaga is headlining along with other acts such as Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar and lots more performing at the weekend festival. https://www.coachella.com/
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April 15, 16, 2017:
PAM presents resident artists Thinh Nguyen and Skip Snow in “D-centering Whiteness” in an improvisationally scored conversation to dismantle whiteness as an ideological oppression. Performanced on two nights only, Saturday April 15th and Sunday April 16th starting, 8:30 PM at 5810 ½ North Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90042; http://thinhstudio.com/
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April 15: 2017:
Shulamit Nazarian offers an opening reception for “The Powder Room,” the gallery’s second solo exhibition with Los Angeles-based artist Genevieve Gaignard. Navigating the intersections of race, gender, age, and religion, “The Powder Room” builds upon Gaignard’s practice of character-driven self-portraiture in photography as she introduces a new cast of women, each played by her. On view: May 20, 2017; Reception 6-9pm; Shulamit Nazarian, 616 N. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA 90036; http://www.shulamitnazarian.com/
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April 20, 2017:
Santa Monica Playhouse presents the latest devised play to develop from its Actors’ Workshop Short Burst® Theatre project, IN SEARCH OF INTIMACY: Make Love, Not Walls.
Dancing the eternal dance of lies and truths, hiding behind walls of our own making, battling the ever-present prejudice that threatens to shut down our sensuality and our search for intimacy, how do we find our place, our position, our passion, in a city as vast as Los Angeles? IN SEARCH OF INTIMACY will play for two performances only, Thursday April 20 at 8pm and 9:30pm. Santa Monica Playhouse,1211 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401; http://www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/
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April 22, 2017:
Head to Bergamot Station today for its annual Spring Fling (one of our Top Ten Picks. The events runs from 10am – 4pm. Then later, several galleries will be hosting opening receptions.
bG Gallery (G8a) celebrates “Day Dreamers,” a group show featuring modern and contemporary surrealist works from 5:00-8:00pm. bG Gallery, G-8 2525 Michigan Ave. Suite B1, Santa Monica, 90404; http://www.santamonica.bgartdealings.com
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April 22, 2017: This exhibition will also be open during Spring Fling. The opening takes place at the end of the event.
Leslie Sacks Gallery offers a reception for an exhibition of two new bodies of work by accomplished Los Angeles artist Alex Weinstein. Known for his immersive and entrancing paintings, Weinstein combines several past experiments with new explorations in methodology and themes resulting in a series of exciting new works. The Burst abstractions explore mark making and revisit a near-death experience the artist had while surfing. The Double Negative nocturnes combine previous compositional aspects of the diptych, but utilize a distinctly new color palette, stretching the horizon into infinite dusk. On view: June 10, 2017; Art Party: 5-7pm; Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, B-6, Santa Monica, 90404; http://www.lesliesacks.com
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April 22, 2017: This exhibition will also be open during Spring Fling. The opening takes place at the end of the event.
Skidmore Contemporary Art presents two new exhibitions…”Pools” featuring the paintings of Melissa Chandon and “Mirrored Imagination” by Isabel Emrich. An opening reception will be held on April 22, 2017 from 5-7pm. For additional info about this event, see our Upcoming Event Feature.
Image: Post Modern Pool with Diving Board, 2016, Acrylic on canvas, 61″ x 85″
Melissa Chandon is an incredible artist. See my review on the Huffington Post about a past exhibition at Skidmore Contemporary Art. Chandon memorializes classic American imagery with a vibrant palette and an exquisite sense of composition. Her paintings of water, sky and the American landscape call to mind Hockney’s pools and Diebenkorn’s strong lines and shapes. Simple geometric forms cast shadows and conjure mystery; portraits of iconic cars pull on an emotional register of days gone by; mid-century architecture is memorialized with lush color and rich surface treatment. Hers is a roadside vernacular of images that are fading from public view.
Isabel Emrich works in an Expressionistic style that straddles both abstraction and figuration. Her brushwork is both strong and fluid—qualities that echo the nature of water, itself. With zeal, Emrich captures the ‘special effects’ water presents to the eye: chaotic refractions in multi-planar space, sparkling light effects, distorted shadows, rippled reflections, etc.—much of it in thick impasto paint, contrasted by passages of smooth vitality. On view: May 13, 2017; Opening reception 5-7pm; Skidmore Contemporary Art, Bergamot Station 2525, Michigan Avenue, B-4 Santa Monica, 90404; 310-828-5070; http://www.skidmorecontemporaryart.com/
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Performances run through April 30, 2017;
The hit play ELEVATOR, written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and playwright Michael Leoni, returns to Los Angeles for a special limited engagement at The Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood. The cast features Devon Werkheiser (Nickelodeon’s “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide”) William Stanford Davis (Showtime’s “Ray Donovan”), Deborah Vancelette (FX’s “Terriers”), David Abed (Blue Man Group), Karsen Rigby, Erica Katzin and Kristina St. Peter.
The creative team includes scenic and lighting designer David Goldstein (Off Broadway’s Soul Doctor, Stalking the Bogeyman, Ghostlight) and original music and sound designer Mario Marchetti (who has collaborated with such artists as Demi Lovato, JoJo, Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez, among many others). ELEVATOR runs through Sunday, April 30, 2017.
Performances take place from Sat, Mar 25 – Sun, Apr 30, 2017 ( 8pm; Sat 8pm; Sun 3pm); Single tickets are now available for $40 on the website; Ticket prices subject to change. No late seating will be accommodated. Coast Playhouse 8325 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90069;
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Remember to check back close to the 15th of the month for an updated list of events taking place in the latter half of April!
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