May 11, 2018: *Date of this event was changed (originally scheduled May 12)
In Boyle Heights…Chimento Contemporary presents its first exhibition with artists David Donald Sutherland and Chas Schroeder: Affinity and Distance. On view: May 12 – June 16, 2018; Art Party: 4 -7pm; Chimento Contemporary 622 South Anderson Street, Space 105, LA 90023; 

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May 12, 2018:
Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles honors Los Angeles artist Henry Taylor  at the second annual Benefit Brunch today at noon. A special tribute to celebrate the honoree will be presented by Mark Bradford. Proceeds from the Benefit Brunch support ICA LA’s roster of dynamic exhibitions and education programs–all of which are free to the public. Admission starts at $750 per ticket. For further program information and to reserve tables and tickets, please contact brunch@theicala.org; Event begins at 12:pm; Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, 1717 E. 7th Street, LA, 90021; https://www.theicala.org

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May 12, 2018:
Time for A Window Between Worlds’ annual family art festival, Art in the Afternoon, brings together over 700 people from all over Southern California for a day of hands-on art experiences, carnival games, silent auctions, delicious food, music, celebrity appearances and many more fun-filled activities.

Admission runs from $15/25 (kids and teens) to $60 per adult; Event runs: 12- 4pm; Venice Skills Center, 611 5th Ave, Venice, 90291; https://awbw.org/

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May 12, 2018:
Santa Monica Art Studios hosts “nonagon,” which represents the nine women artists who have come together to showcase their work in this 1 night only pop-up event. From painting, photography and printmaking to fiber arts and sculpture, this group of nine have an eye for color and creativity. There is ample free parking. The artists include Janine Brown, Suzanne Budd, Josiane Cohanim, Faina Kumpan, Sandra Lauterbach, Rachelle Mark, Peta Orbach and Mara Zaslove; Art Party: 6-9pm; Santa Monica Art Studios, 3026 Airport Avenue, Studio #4, Santa Monica, CA 90405; http://www.santamonicaartstudios.com/

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May 12, 2018:
Culver City’s LA Cienega Boulevard features some events tonight…From 5-8pm, Zevitas Marcus (2754 S. La Cienega Blvd), celebrates John O’Reilly: A 40-Year Survey, an exhibition of photographic montages by the Boston-area artist spanning from 1977 to 2016.

Luis De Jesus Los Angeles is pleased to announce “DEBORAH ROBERTS: Fragile but Fixable,” the artist’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles. Art Party: 6-8pm; Luis De Jesus Los Angeles, 2685 S La Cienega Blvd., LA 90034;

Also on La Cienega, from 6-8pm…Anat Ebgi (2660 La Cienega Blvd.) offers an opening for “Martin Basher: Strawberry Coconut Cream Pie.” And its annex Anat Ebgi II (2680 La Cienega Blvd.), showcases “Gideon Rubin: Comrade.”

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May 12, 2018: 
Here are a couple in Boyle Heights…Ghebaly Gallery and Ramiken present an exhibition of photographs and videos by iiu Susiraja (b. 1975, Turku, Finland). On view: May 12 – June 16; Art Party: 6-8pm; Ghebaly Gallery, 2245 E Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90021; http://ghebaly.com

May 12, 2018: 
Next door…Corey Helford Gallery unveils three new shows, with pop surrealist queen Camille Rose Garcia leading the way in the main gallery with “The Wonderful World of Dr. Deekay.” In Gallery 2, Polish artist Ewa Prończuk-Kuziak is making her solo debut at Corey Helford with “True Colors.” Two artists are premiering new solo shows side by side in Gallery 3: “Aged, Fresh, Renaissance and a Lie” by Japan-born, Las Vegas-based artist Sush Machida, and “Heavy Whispers” by British artist Jon Fox. Art Party: 7-11pm; COREY HELFORD GALLERY, 571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033; http://www.coreyhelfordgallery.com/

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May 13, 2018:
Happy Mother’s Day to all you fabulous mothers!! Time to treat your Mom right…no cooking today.
Take her out to enjoy some fine dining…after all she deserves it!

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May 13, 2018:
Take Mom to the legendary Queen Mary in Long Beach to enjoy a special Mother’s Day Champagne Sunday Brunch in the Grand Salon. The brunch includes a full breakfast buffet (pancakes, waffles) with an omelet station, in addition to non-breakfast items, a carving station is also featured, as well as International food choices, desserts, and lots more. Live entertainment; Reservations recommended. $69.95 per person (plus tax and gratuity), Children $24.95; Parking: $8 with validation for up to 3 hours; Event runs: 9:00pm – 4:00pm; Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802; 

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May 13, 2018:
Ocean Prime Beverly Hills offers some brunch specials for Moms to celebrate. Specialty items such as crab and eggs, french toast and quiche will be served. Visit the website for a full menu. Ocean Prime Beverly Hills, 9595 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 859-4818, https://www.ocean-prime.com/

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May 13, 2018:
Take Mom to one of my favorite restaurants…the Upper West for some Ahi Tuna crispy tacos – delish! The Hope Ranch mussels appetizer (garlic-saffron broth, chorizo sarta, cilantro, grilled ciabatta, preserved lemon) is out of this world. It’s quite a large serving, and can be shared or ordered as an entree. The sauce is fantastic and a great dipping sauce with bread. Let Mom indulge in Chef Nick Shipp’s famous Chicken Tawook (tomato & yogurt marinated pittman farms chicken, chana masala, herbs, mango, salsa verde, labneh), or Pan Roasted Seabass (green lentil mujadara, tahini, lemon, tomato chutney).

My favorite is the Braised Prime Short Rib – see image above – (6 hour braised rib, creamy cheddar polenta, tarragon pesto, and fresno)…Yum!! Impress your Mom at the Upper West, 3321 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica CA 90405; Reservations can be made by calling 310-586-1111; http://theupperwest.com

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May 17, 2018:
5 Art Gallery celebrates its grand opening tonight. Founded by Parisian entrepreneurs and art collectors Jean-Jacques & Julie Darmon, the gallery will feature French street artists. The current inventory features many never-before-seen works by BABS, Christophe Catelain, L’Atlas, Pro176, Richard Orlinski, Tanc, MonkeyBird, DON, Xare and Zenoy, as well as RISK, Coinslot and Russian-born artist Elena Bulatova’s vibrant candy sculptures. Art Party: 6pm – 9pm; RSVP to gallery@5-art.com; 5 ART GALLERY, 8250 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90046; http://www.5-art.com

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May 19 & 20, 2018:
The Beverly Hills artSHOW, is celebrating its 45th year. The show is held in the historic Beverly Gardens, at the City’s center, along four park blocks of Santa Monica Boulevard. The FREE event brings 250 artists from all over Southern California, the Southwest and the rest of the United States. Visit the Upcoming Event Feature for more info. The event takes place over two days…Saturday and Sunday, May 19 & 20, from 10am-6pm; (310) 285-6830; http://www.beverlyhills.org/artshow

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May 19, 2018:
18th Street Arts Center holds its third major Pico Block Party community festival focused around youth artists and empowering youth voices today from 3-6pm. The family-friendly artistic festival will feature youth-led art-making workshops, performances, open studios with resident artists, exhibitions, food trucks, and other creative activities. The Pico Block Party series grew out of 18th Street Arts Center’s in-depth community outreach programs, including its bilingual neighborhood oral history project. That project spurred the creation of a Neighborhood Advisory Council in 2018, who helped shaped the content for this Pico Block Party along the theme of “Empowering Youth Voices.” Check out the exhibitions currently on view at the arts center. Event runs: 3:00pm – 6:00pm; 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St Santa Monica, CA 90404;  http://18thstreet.org/

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May 19, 2018:
Tonight, a special preview for the Venice Art Walk and cocktail reception takes place at Google Los Angeles. Gain early access to the Venice Art Walk’s legendary silent auction and secure works by leading contemporary artists. Note: This event is exclusive to Venice Art Walk Angels. Art Party (See website to find out about ANGEL sponsor): 5:00pm – 7:00pm; Google Los Angeles, 340 Hampton Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90291; 

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May 19, 2018:
Enjoy an art talk with Aline Mare in conjunction with her solo exhibition “Requiem: Aching for Acker” currently on view at Beyond Baroque. See the Upcoming Event Feature for more info on this exhibition.

On view: May 6 – May 30, 2018; Art talk: 2:00pm; The Mike Kelley Gallery at Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291; http://www.alinemare.com
http://www.beyondbaroque.org

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May 21, 2018:
Attend a reception for the “Bunker Opens Doors” tonight. Work with both the stylistic tendencies characteristic of Bunker and the spirit of free expression, intellectual and artistic liberty will be on view. Event runs: May 20, 12 – 3 pm(coinciding with the Annual Russian Cultural Festival). On view: April 1 to May 25, 2018; Art Party: 12-3pm; The Long Hall at Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046; https://larkgallery.com/

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May 21, 2018:
The Broad Stage and Sotheby’s Institute of Art at Claremont Graduate University present “ARTISTS TALK: A Conversation with L.A. Artists, Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Charles Gaines.” Moderated by Anne Ellegood, the event is the second program in a series of talks with influential California-based artists. The series, produced by William Turner was established to explore the living legacy of Los Angeles’ vibrant contemporary art scene. Reception: 6:30pm; On-Stage Conversation: 7:30pm; Admission ranges from $35-$75; The Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, Santa Monica, CA; http://www.thebroadstage.org

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May 26, 2018:
Building Bridges Art Exchange holds an opening reception for “HOX Zodiac,” a collaborative project between an artist and neuroscientist since 2008. Based on the Chinese animal zodiac and the Hox gene, it has evolved into a “dinner” that addresses through experience and dialogue our deep relationship with animals as companions, food and lab experiments. The project brings up issues of GMO and food in a very personal way and also points to the growing influence of Chinese culture in the West. On view: May 27 – July 9; Art Party: 5pm; RSVP: buildingbridgesax@gmail.com; Building Bridges Art, Exchange, Bergamot Station Arts Center,2525 Michigan Ave., Unit F2, Santa Monica, CA 90404; https://www.buildingbridgesartexchange.org

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