Community Corner
A Soapbox Race, Whale Watching and Museum Activities
Hollywood Patch's best weekend bets for the family.
This should be a great weekend to enjoy the outdoors, head to Downtown L.A. and be inspired by the creativity behind innovative race cars and their drivers, try TMZ's new celebrity hot spot tour or set out on a whale watching trip. For indoor fun, check out Frank & Stine a wacky musical about a girl who creates the perfect boyfriend. Have fun!
Where/When: Downtown L.A. Between Grand Avenue and W 5th Street, near Pershing Square Park; Saturday, May 21. Pits open at 11 a.m. Opening ceremony festivities begin at 12:45 p.m.
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Why go: This is a fun event where people design, create and drive their dream derby mobile in a downhill race on Los Angeles streets competing for bragging rights. The teams behind the non-motorized cars will be judged on speed, creativity and showmanship. No pre-fabricated cars are allowed.
Price: Free to the public and participants.
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Where/When: Bootleg Theater 2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, 90057; May 20-21, 7 p.m.; and May 22, 2 p.m.
Why go: This quirky musical theater performance brought to you by the Silverlake Children's Theatre Group is sure to be a winner with the whole family. A teenager moves to the sticks and doesn’t fit in. She creates the perfect boyfriend in a re-animator way after a car crash, then goes crazy with jealousy when he begins to change.
Price: $15 adults; $10 children, 12 years and under
Where/When: Newport Landing Whale Watching 400 Main St, Newport Beach, 92661; Everyday in May tours depart at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. 6 p.m.
Why go: Giant blue whales swim up the California coast May through June when the waters are warmer. Going whale watching is a great way to teach your children about the importance of protecting our beautiful oceans and it’s exciting too. Blue whales grow up to 80 feet and are spectacular in action. There are also chances to see sharks, dolphins, killer whales and seals.
Price: $30 adults, $25 juniors
Where/When: Grauman's Chinese Theater, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, 90028; 3 tours daily 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Why go: If you love seeing stars, TMZ, who has a daily celebrity gossip show on Fox, a website and iPhone application, has launched a tour bus. It’s brand new and Harvey Levin himself (creator of TMZ) has been acting as tour guide. Who knows better where celebrities hang out than the guys who pays paparazzi to get the best photos and videos around?
Price: Adults $55, children $45, 12 and under
Where/When: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, 90049, Saturday 10 a.m.– 9 p.m.; Friday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Why go: This weekend is the last of "Family Art Stops" where you and your kids over 5 get a tour with a gallery teacher who spend time with select pieces of art using puzzles and games to make learning fun. On Saturday, a Baroque classical music concert sounds like a relaxing event for young audiences starring San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players, joined by soprano Catherine Webster.
Price: Museum is Free. Baroque concert tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors.
