Kohn Gallery is pleased to present “Wallace Berman—American Aleph,” the artist’s first comprehensive Los Angeles retrospective in almost four decades.

See image: Wallace Berman, Untitled #124, c. 1964-76, single verifax collage with acrylic, 6 x 6 1/2 inches

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Berman’s accidental death at age 50, the exhibition surveys the entire oeuvre of this seminal American artist from the late 1940s until 1976. Berman has been long heralded as one of the most significant and influential artists to emerge in Southern California. Spiritually inclined, yet steeped in popular culture and the political events of the day, he conducted reconnaissance far beyond the borders of Southern California, mining the American psyche and broadcasting his ideas through mysterious letters, publications, and multi- layered art works. Curated by Claudia Bohn-Spector and Sam Mellon, the exhibition seeks to recast Berman as an American rather than a strictly Californian artist, whose importance far transcends the regional context in which he is traditionally seen.

On view: May 6 – June 25, 2016

What: Opening reception
Where: Kohn Gallery, 1227 N. Highland Ave., LA 90038
When: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Phone: 323.658.8088
Website: http://www.kohngallery.com/

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In Santa Monica…

The Depressed Cake Shop Pop Up returns the Santa Monica. The event will benefit the St. Joseph Center in Venice. The Depressed Cake Shop’s pop-up will sell gray cakes to raise money and awareness for mental health issues; this deliciously fashionable one-time event will feature a curated photo gallery by the Broken Light Collective, a limited edition t-shirt created by Wear Your Label and baked goods by local artisans.

“The Depressed Cake Shop believes that mental health issues will be more effectively managed when there is an open dialogue and that is what we are working to create,” says Van Galder.  “Our gray cakes are a visual metaphor for the cloud that can descend during a depressive episode. The energy and community created at our shops have proved transformative for the organizers as well as our customers.” – Depressed Cake Shop’s Valerie Van Galder.

The pop up shop will host a gallery opening reception tonight… filled with cake, photography, music and wine. The pop up will be open tomorrow (but there is NOT a reception on Saturday). 

What: Benefit
Where: Streetcraft LA, 2912 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
When: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Website: http://depressedcakeshop.com/

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In the Miracle Mile area…

The Loft at Liz’s hosts a very important fundraiser for the nonprofit HoldYou Foundation.  Enjoy an evening of food, festivity and fine art and support a great cause.

Featured Artists Include: Joyce Aysta, MB Boissonnault, David Buckingham, Suzanne Budd, Kate Carvellas, Dani Dodge, Emma Ferreira, Helen K. Garber, Michael Giancristiano, Gregg Hill, Jill Joy, Elana Kundell, Linda Kunik, Nicole Landau, Sandra Lauterbach, Aline Mare, Ted Meyer, Max Neutra, Paul Papanek, Raksha Parekh, Bertil Peterson, Miles Regis, Gay Summer Rick, Alain Rogier, Catherine Ruane, Mike Saijo, Diane Silver, Anna Stump, Daphne Hill, Hill & Stump, Joan Tucker, Richard Turner and Linda Vallejo, and Mara Zaslove.
 
The Loft at Liz’s hosts a silent auction (May 6th & 7th) to benefit a recently established local charity (HoldYou.org). A recently established charity, the HoldYou Foundation offers support to families with a child in situations of medical crisis, providing critical financial support and providing opportunities for the parents to care for their child in their time of need.

Silent Auction and Raffle will take place Friday May 6th starting @ 7pm. Bidding for fine art will commence Friday May 6th and close Saturday May 7th @ 4pm. Fine art will be offered with reserve bid set at 50% of current market value.

Auction gifts, food, beverage and desserts provided courtesy of the event’s sponsors: Trader Joe’s, Milk Jar Cookies, The Den Meditation, Kenny Nakaji Massage, Lance Lanza Hair Salon, Massage Therapy Center, Jen Green – Wine Consultant (PRP Wine International), Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management,  Traci Sutton – Body, Mind & Spirit Care, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, Brigitte Tolson Skincare  & Esthetics, Orchard Supply Hardware, Wilshire Beauty, and Ralphs.

Suggested donation $10 at the door

What: Opening reception
Where: The Loft at Liz’s, 453 S. La Brea Ave, above Liz’s Antique Hardware, 90036
When: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Phone: (323) 939-4403
Website: http://www.theloftatlizs.com/  http://www.holdyou.org/

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Downtown…The Pancakes & Booze Art Show kicks off tonight (see Saturday’s page for the full info). The event will feature over 150 artists and of course pancakes and booz and runs from 8pm to 2am! See FB Event Page for additional info.

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In Santa Monica…

Club TUBTHUMP is bringing the best of the ’90s to Santa Monica with the top rock, grunge and pop hits, along with costume contests, games, themed drink specials, photo booth and more for the inner Cher Horowitz and Fresh Prince in everyone.
 
Between hair bands and boy bands was a beautiful mess of timeless pop and rock music, and TUBTHUMP is a tribute to that era. For the “MMM-Boppers,” “Hotsteppas,” dancing “No Rain” butterflies and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” teenagers, sounds of the ’90s kid’s Discman will get a second chance at revival at this decade-inspired party.
 
TUBTHUMP features an assortment of ’90s favorites from classic bands to one-hit-wonders, ranging from hip-hop (Tupac, Snow), to grunge (Nirvana, Sponge), pop (En Vogue, P.M. Dawn) to rock (Hootie, Spin Doctors) spun by DJ Cool Whip.
 
Hosted at V Lounge, dancers will be “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” until “Closing Time.” The party will also feature 90’s-themed drink specials from 9-11 p.m.

Music by DJ Cool Whip – Drink Specials 9-11pm – ’90s attire suggested

No Cover before 11pm. Must RSVP to guarantee entry – CLICK HERE to RSVP 

What: Dance Party
Where: V Lounge, 2020 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90019
When: 9:00pm – 11:00pm
INFO: http://clubtubthump90s.eventbrite.com