Best Of LA - Week Of May 18
This week offers Los Angelenos an array of exciting entertainment opportunities. From the 24-hour kickoff of Disneyland's Diamond Celebration 60th Anniversary to celebrity panels in Beverly Hills, and a brand-new themed land at Universal Studios, this week is sure to excite with activities abound. Live theater, music, and culinary experiences are also available this week, offering something for just about every resident.
The Comeback Panel
The Paley Center for the Media
465 N. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
www.paleycenter.org
After a nearly decade-long hiatus, audiences were thrilled to welcome back "Valerie Cherish," one of television's most singularly fascinating characters and the centerpiece of HBO's acclaimed series The Comeback. Join Lisa Kudrow, Creator & Executive Producer, Michael Patrick King, Creator & Executive Producer, as well as actors Dan Bucatinsky, Robert Michael Morris, Laura Silverman, and Lance Barber as PaleyLive LA opens the doors to the behind the scenes action of this fantastic show.
Springfield
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(800) 864-8377
www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Head to Universal Studios to celebrate the opening of "Springfield," the hometown of America's favorite family, The Simpsons. The themed land, which has officially opened at the amusement park, is situated adjacent to the theme park's award-winning mega-attraction, "The Simpsons Ride." The new themed environment captures the spirit of Springfield, immersing visitors and fans in the world of "The Simpsons" like never before including iconic landmarks like Springfield Elementary School, Android's Dungeon Comic Book Store, the cooling towers of Mr. Burns' Nuclear Power Plant, Springfield Police Station, Aztec Theater and, of course, Kwik-E-Mart.
Restaurant Opening: Pure by Michele La Porta
Pure by Michèle La Porta
252 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
www.purebymichele.com
Health-driven, fast-casual concept Pure by Michèle La Porta, recently opened its dooring bringing fresh, locally-sourced lunch options to Los Angeles' South Beverly Drive The vision of Michèle La Porta, creator of France's famous Starlette Cake, and Isabelle Azoulai, Pure offers an assortment of grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, soups and low-calorie desserts, all of which are freshly prepared in-house each day, including The Original Starlette Cake, Smoked Salmon Baguette, Zucchini Spaghetti, and many more mouthwatering items.
"Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up"
Kirk Douglas Theatre
9820 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(213) 628-2772
www.centertheatregroup.org
A work-in-progress presentation of Lucy Alibar's "Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up" will commence this evening at Culver City's Kirk Douglas Theatre. Written and performed by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Alibar, "Throw Me On the Burnpile and Light Me Up" blends a lecherous goat, Pentecostals on the radio, Daddy's .38 special and a house full of dogs, cats and Febreze, and countless other rich ingredients into a delicious and magical stew of stories about a singular childhood in Grady County, Florida. Through May 31.
Disneyland's Diamond Celebration
Disneyland
1313 Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 781-4636
www.disneyland.com
Kick off Disneyland's 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration with a dazzling 24-hour party running today through early tomorrow morning. Three brand new nighttime spectaculars will debut tonight at the party including "Paint the Night" parade, the groundbreaking and immersive "Disneyland Forever" fireworks show, and a new presentation, "World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney." The 60th anniversary event continues through the rest of 2015 with special food offerings, prizes, and events, but today's 24 hour event will offer the first glimpse at the park's diamond décor, special dancing and character parties, and much more.
ShipKicker
The Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy.
Long Beach, CA 90802
(877) 342-0738
www.queenmary.com
Long Beach's Queen Mary is going country this weekend with their installment of an all-new country music festival, ShipKicker, taking place at the Waterfront Event Park. Country music star, Dustin Lynch will headline the festival and multiple top country artists including Eric Paslay and Jukebox Mafia will also perform during the two-day fest. In addition to some of the greatest live music the country scene has to offer, ShipKicker will offer concert-goers food vendors, a beer garden, cocktails, yard-games and a wild bucking bull ride.
2nd Annual MAINopoly: The Taste of Main Street
Main Street (Between Pier Ave. & Bay St.)
2820 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.mainopolysm.com
The 2nd Annual MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street event will take place on the streets of Santa Monica today as some of the street's best food and beverage establishments raise funds for Summer SOULstice and Heal the Bay. MAINopoly is a fun, interactive community event that mirrors the classic board game and gives participants a culinary walking tour of Main Street's finest restaurants, juiceries, ice cream stores, coffee shops and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress in "Monopoly"-inspired or patriotic attire and to hit all of the locations on their game board to be entered to win a "Taste of Main Street" prize package.
