Long Beach Mardi Gras Parade

Long Beach Mardi Gras

February 6, 2016

I went to check out the Mardi Gras parade being held at Shoreline Village in Long Beach which was benefiting Ronald McDonald House.  Ronald McDonald was the Mardi Gras King, and the Ronald McDonald House charity was selling special beads for $2 each with the proceeds going to their charity.  There was also a vendor selling event t-shirts in which a portion of the sales were also benefiting Ronald McDonald House.  The shirts were very reasonably priced and screenprinted on site.  

Pirates heading to the parade starting point

It looked like anyone could sign up to participate in the parade, but there were specific local groups (most were local Shoreline Village businesses) at the head of the procession.  There was a mask-making activity for the kids, and live music followed the parade.  

Front of the parade

The parade route began near the Aquarium of the Pacific and proceeded towards Shoreline Village (turning right at the Yard House restaurant) curving around the shore.  There was a small set of bleachers set up near the Yard House restaurant which is where I sat. 

Parade Queen and King

The parade is a fun family-friendly event, but it’s really short lasting about 10 minutes.  I hope the parade will grow as word gets out about this event.

Mrs. Long Beach

Rocky Horror Picture Show

This was amazing to see in person. The detail was incredible.

Spectators catching beads

There are a few more free events coming up at Shoreline Village so be sure to check their website and Facebook pages for details.

Have Fun Los Angeles!

Veronica

Recap: Night on Broadway 2016

Night On Broadway

January 30, 2016

Los Angeles Theatre

I went to the Night on Broadway event this past Saturday in downtown Los Angeles.  This was the 8th Annual Night on Broadway, but it was the first time I had heard of it.  The reason for this event is to bring awareness and support for the revitalization of the Broadway district.  (Check out BringingBackBroadway.com for more information.)

The Spazmatics

Several blocks of Broadway are closed to traffic, and there are free shows in the various historic theaters.  The shows are brief, about 30 minutes, which gives you plenty of time to check them all out and still have time to catch some live music at the Festival Stage. 

Art Installation

I managed to catch The Spazmatics at the Festival stage, and I highly recommend seeing them if you like 80s cover bands.  There were many food trucks along the street so there is something for everyone.  There were several art displays as well as artists creating art of various types along the way.  The ferris wheel was $5, and children under 13 years of age were free with an adult. 

Ferris Wheel

I was able to see 3 shows and my favorite had to be at the Zen Arts at the Orpheum Theatre and the Million Dollar Caberet at the Million Dollar Theatre. 

Cabaret at Million Dollar Theatre

Closing Bow @ Million Dollar Theatre

Zen Arts @ Orpheum Theatre

Closing Bow @ Orpheum Theatre

Star Education also had students performing, and I really loved these kids' cover of Guns n Roses' "Sweet Child 'o Mine." 

There were photobooths, hula hoops, and robots to play with as well.  I highly recommend going to this event, and next year's Night on Broadway is already scheduled for January 28, 2017.

Music playing at the International House of Music

Robots!

Black Light Art

Giant Lite Brite!

Stilts!!

Hula Hoops

More information:
BringingBackBroadway.com
NightonBroadway.la

Hope to see you there next year!

Veronica

Free Movies at the Santa Monica Pier

Front Porch Cinema

Santa Monica Pier 

Santa Monica Pier's Front Porch Cinema returns October 9th with some great films.  October 9th features Disney/Pixar's hit, Big Hero 6, perfect for the whole family.  October 16th, features a great film The Imitation Game. Another family favorite, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is being shown on October 23, with Ghostbusters concluded the series on October 30, 2015.  There will be food available for purchase and DJs

See the Santa Monica Pier website,  Front Porch Cinema for details.  RSVPs are requested at each movie's Facebook event page:

Big Hero 6 - October 9, 2015: Facebook page

The Imitation Game - October 16, 2015: Facebook page

Guardians of the Galaxy - October 23, 2015: Facebook page

Ghostbusters - October 30, 2015: Facebook page

Have fun, Los Angeles!

Free Concerts: September 5, 2015

Free Concerts

Los Angeles

September 5, 2015

Here are a few concerts happening around Los Angeles on Saturday, September 5, 2015.  Be sure to check the event's website for details on how to attend.  Check our event calendar below for more events.

Concert - Music for Children with soundSpark

When: Sat, September 5, 12pm – 1pm

Where: West Hollywood Library, 625 North San Vicente Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (map)

Description: Live music for kids at the library. 

Info: http://www.colapublib.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=76974

  

Concert - Chico's Bail Bonds Blues Band

When: Sat, September 5, 4pm – 6pm

Where: Redondo Beach Pier, United States (map)

Description: Live performance by Chico's Bail Bonds Blues Band 

Info: http://www.redondopier.com/event/summer-of-music-free-concerts-on-the-pier-featuring-chicos-bail-bonds-blues-band/

Concert - West Swells

When: Sat, September 5, 6pm – 8pm

Where: Redondo Beach Pier (map)

Description: Live performance by West Swells 

Info: http://www.redondopier.com/event/summer-of-music-free-concerts-on-the-pier-featuring-west-swell/

Concert - Rita Coolidge

When: Sat, September 5, 6:30pm – 10:00pm

Where: Levitt Pavilion Pasadena, 85 East Holly Street, Pasadena, CA 91103 (map)

Description: Festival begins at 6:30pm, live performance by Rita Coolidge begins at 8pm. Info: http://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org/events/september/rita-coolidge/

Concert - The Podunk Poets

When: Sat, September 5, 7pm – 10pm

Where: Farmers Market, 6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (map)

Description: Live performances by The Podunk Poets and Anth Purdy's Swing Jazz Guitar Info: https://www.reverbnation.com/venue/ranchpartycountrynigh


Get out and have fun, Los Angeles!

Remember to keep checking our event calendar below.  New events added daily.  You can follow us on Twitter @FreeFun_LA for last minute events.

Free Concerts: September 4, 2015

Free Concerts

Los Angeles,

September 4, 2015

Here are a few free concerts happening around Los Angeles on Friday, September 4, 2015.  Be sure to check the event's website for details on how to attend.

Concert - Kenny Burrell

When Fri, September 4, 6pm – 8pm

Where Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States (map)

Description Live performance by Kenny Burrell Info: http://www.lacma.org/event/kenny-burrell-0

Concert - Leftover Cuties

When Fri, September 4, 6:30pm – 10:00pm

Where Levitt Pavilion Pasadena, 85 East Holly Street, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States (map)

Description Festival begins at 6:30pm, live performance by the Leftover Cuties begins at 8pm. Info: http://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org/events/september/leftover-cuties/


Get out and have fun, Los Angeles!
Veronica

Free Concerts in Los Angeles: September 3, 2015

Free Concerts

Los Angeles

September 3, 2015

Here are a few of the free concerts happening on Thursday, September 3, 2015 in and around Los Angeles.  Be sure to check the event's website for information on how to attend.

Concert - Angelou

When Thu, September 3, 6pm – 8pm

Where Redondo Beach Pier, United States (map)

Description Live performance by Angelou Info: http://www.redondopier.com/event/summer-of-music-free-concerts-on-the-pier-featuring-a-special-guest/

Concert - Rebirth Brass Band

When Thu, September 3, 7pm – 10pm

Where Santa Monica Pier (map)

Description Performances by Rebirth Brass Band with Miles Mosley and the West Coast Get Down Info: http://tcs.santamonicapier.org/events/2015/9/3/rebirth-brass-band-with-miles-mosley-the-west-coast-get-down

Get out and have fun, Los Angeles!

Veronica

Free Movies in Los Angeles: September 3, 2015

Movie Screenings

Los Angeles.

September 3, 2015

Here are a few of the free movies screening around Los Angeles on Thursday, September 3, 2015.  Be sure to check the event's website for more information on how to attend.

Movie - Singing in the Rain

When: Thu, September 3, 2pm – 4pm

Where: West Hollywood Library, 625 North San Vicente Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069, United States (map)

Description: Screening with refreshments at the library. Info: http://www.colapublib.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=75477

Movie - Miracle at St. Anna

When: Thu, September 3, 4pm – 6pm

Where: Echo Park Branch Library (map)

Description: Screening for teens and adults at the library. Info: http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/miracle-st-anna

Movie - Homeward Bound

When: Thu, September 3, 7pm – 11pm

Where: Sunset Triangle Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States (map)

Description: Free screening of Homeward Bound Info: http://www.silverlakepictureshow.com/show/homeward-bound/

Get out and have fun Los Angeles!

Veronica