January is L.A. Arts Month and the Santa Monica Museum of Art is a partner in this annual initiative. Several new exhibits are currently housed at the museum, at 2525 Michigan Ave., Bergamot Station G-1, Santa Monica.
Registration is now open for five-man, all-passing flag football leagues in the San Fernando Valley, South Pasadena, Van Nuys/Balboa Park and Santa Fe Springs. Evening and weekend leagues begin this month and interleague playoffs with neighboring counties. Participants must be age 18 or older to play. Referees are also needed.
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium invites the community to start the new year by exploring low tides on the rocky shore Jan. 2, 3 to 4:30 p.m.; Jan. 9, 10:30 a.m. to noon; Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Jan. 16, 2:30 to 4 p.m.; Jan. 17, 3 to 4:30 p.m.; Jan. 30, 2 to 3:30 p.m.; and Jan. 31, 2:30 to 4 p.m. There will also be a slide show followed by a walk to the Point Fermin State Marine Park. This event will be at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro. Reservations are appreciated.
Registration is under way for the 2010 season of weekend excursions to Camp Seely in the San Bernardino mountains. The trips give families and other residents an opportunity to experience two days of outdoor activities, including hiking and other exploring, spending time with nature, or just relaxing. Indoor activities will also be available. Outings will be offered in 2010 on the weekends of March 13 to 14; April 17 to 18; May 15 to 16; June 5 to 6; Sept. 11 to 12; and Oct. 16 to 17. There are fees involved that cover the cost of meals as well as a heated sleeping cabin for each group and many activities.
Afro-Caribbean dance classes with dance ethnologist Kimberly Miguel Mullen are held on Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Crenshaw Yoga and Dance, 5426 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, and on Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. There is live drumming, and the class is for all levels.
"Master Your Mind for Success in 2010" is the theme of the Goal Achiever's Workshops that will be held Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at the House of RA, 7823 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles.
KRST Unity Center of Spirituality will sponsor African-centered activities and programs including empowerment sessions, black gnostic studies, and more, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. The center is at 7825 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles.
The Pan African Film and Arts Festival will hold its 2010 volunteer orientation meetings Jan. 9, 16, and 23, 2 to 3:30 p.m., in the Media Conference Room of the Yvonne Burke Senior and Community Center, 4750 W. 62nd St., Los Angeles. Light refreshments will be served, and women, students, and seniors are encouraged to apply. Volunteer applications can be submitted online by logging onto www.paff.org.
Free classes on writing business plans and entrepreneurial training will be available Jan. 9 to Mar. 27, 2010, through the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corp. Classes start the first Saturday of each month and are scheduled to run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Classes will be held at the Business Enterprise Center, 6109 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles.
"Orpheus Descending" is a modern version of Tennessee Williams' rarely produced classic, the story of "Orpheus and Eurydice," set in the American South of repressed desires. The work explores the power of passion, art, and imagination to redeem life and return it to meaning. The play opens Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 21 at Theatre/Theater, 5041 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Showtimes are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., and general admission is $25.
"Vessels" is a selection of works from a dozen artists approaching the idea of the vessel in individual ways. The exhibit features the work of artists from Southern California and Ohio and is produced in partnership with Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio. This exhibit will take place Jan. 17 through March 7, at the Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro. The opening reception will be held Jan. 17, 2 to 4 p.m., in the center's main gallery.
Several planning workshops will be held for a new park at Monitor Avenue and 114th Street. Discussions will include potential amenities and people's ideas for the park. The first workshop, which will be about park design, will be held Jan. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Macedonia Baptist Church, 1755 E. 114th St., Los Angeles. The second workshop, also regarding park design, will take place Jan. 30, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the same location. The third workshop, which will be about design review, is slated for Feb. 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the church. Child care will be provided, and tamales and chicken will be served.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles is sponsoring a low-cost vaccine and microchip clinic Jan. 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the spcaLA's Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. Low-cost rabies and other vaccinations will also be offered.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Los Angeles will present "Tidepool Wonders" Jan. 31, 2:30 to 4 p.m. During the event, participants can explore low tides on the rocky shore with the aquarium. Admission is free, but reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. Non-slip shoes and outdoor clothing are recommended for navigating the slippery, rocky shore. The aquarium is at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro.
The Pan African Film and Arts Festival has announced that it will continue its Black History Month programming that draws more than 18,000 Los Angeles city and county students annually. Known as the PAFF's STUDENTFEST, each year city and county students and their teachers attend this free program featuring age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and relevant films. The PAFF takes place Feb. 10 to 15, 2010. It will present and showcase a broad spectrum of black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African Americans.
Hands for Hope will present the 10th annual Starlight Jazz Serenade Concert Feb. 5, 8 p.m., at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, 5220 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. The event will feature top smooth jazz artists, an art auction, and VIP reception. General admission is $50. VIP admission is $75. Ring of honor seating, which includes a gift bag and VIP treatment, is $100.
Tickets may be purchased through all Ticketmaster locations including: The Long Beach Arena Box Office, F.Y.E., Ritmo Latino and Select Macy's locations.To charge by phone: (800) 745-3000 or order online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Performing on Saturday, February 20:
Shaggy • Don Carlos • Frankie Paul • Yellowman • Big Youth • Gramps Morgan • Ken Boothe • Lloyd Brown • Bajah &the Dry Eye Crew • Mystic Roots Band • Yellow Wall Dub Squad •plus more artists to be announced...
Performing on Sunday, February 21:
Barrington Levy • Gregory Isaacs • Capleton • Cocoa Tea • Tarrus Riley • Alborosie • The Mighty Diamonds • Konshens • The Aggrolites • David Kirton • The Lions • Detour Posse •plus more artists to be announced...
The Line-up is Subject to Change
Ticket prices: $38-$60 plus applicable service charges
