LA Cultural Gems

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If you’re new to LA or just looking for something to do…

here is a list we’ve compiled to get you started.

DOWNLOAD A PDF of current and upcoming events compiled from the venues on this list

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REDCAT

http://www.redcat.org/

One of CalArts’ main connections to the LA art community. Great student discounts. A variety of local and international artists.

Also, check out the STUDIO SERIES- a space for new artists to develop original work.

Directions: 631 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 237-2800

http://redcat.org/visit/directionsparking.php

UCLALive

http://www.uclalive.org/

Host a world renowned International Theatre Festival.

Directions: 340 Royce Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095, (310) 825-2101

http://www.uclalive.org/visit_directions.htm

LA Opera

http://www.losangelesopera.com/

Directions: 135 North Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 972-8001

http://www.losangelesopera.com/learn_more/directions.htm

The Mark Taper Forum

http://www.centertheatregroup.org/theatres/mtf/

Directions: At the Music Centre in Downtown L.A., 135 North Grand Ave at Temple Street, LA, CA 90012

http://www.centertheatregroup.org/visit/directions.aspx

The Geffen

http://www.geffenplayhouse.com/

Directions: 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024, (310) 208-6500

http://www.geffenplayhouse.com/

Black Dahlia

http://www.thedahlia.com/

“…dedicated to the development and production of new plays by both established and emerging writers.” – Mission Statement

Directions: 5453 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019, (323) 525-0070

http://www.thedahlia.com/index.php?entityType=HTML&id=79

Bootleg Theater

http://www.bootlegtheater.com/

CalArts Alums often use this space, including the Evidence Room Theater.

Directions: 2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90189; (213) 389-3856

24th St. Theater

http://www.24thstreet.org/home.html

“24th Street Theatre is a professional theatre that has been bringing music, theatre, dance and visual art to the Exposition Park and Greater Los Angeles since1997.” – from website.

Run by CalArts Alums!

Directions: 1117 W. 24th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007, (213) 745-6516

Cornerstone

http://www.cornerstonetheater.org/content/index.php

“We began with only an idea of the diversity of our nation, and we have been welcomed into a rich and specific tapestry of human lives, cultural realities and community connections that continue to humble us with its breadth…” – from website.

Directions: 708 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013, (213) 613-1700

LATC

http://www.thenewlatc.com/

“The New LATC programming captures the creative vitality that comes from people telling their own stories and digging deep into their own traditions to address important issues of our day.” - from website.

Directions: 514 South Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, (213) 489-0994

City Garage

http://www.citygarage.org/

Small space in Santa Monica headed by director Frederíque Michel (who won the LA Weekly Award for Best Direction of a one-act in 2005 & 2008). There is a focus on European texts.

Sundays are “Pay what you can.”

Directions: 1340 1/2 4th St. Alley, between the Third Street Promenade and 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, (310) 319-9939

http://www.citygarage.org/contact.html

East West Players

http://www.eastwestplayers.org/

“As the nation’s premier Asian American theatre organization, East West Players produces outstanding works and educational programs that given voice to the Asian Pacific American experience.” – mission statement on website.

Directions: 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 625-7000

Highways Performance Space

http://www.highwaysperformance.org/

“Southern California’s boldest center for new performance. In its nineteenth year, Highways continues to be an important alternative cultural center in Los Angeles that encourages fierce new artists from diverse communities to develop and present innovative works.” – website.

Directions: (at the 18th Street Arts Center) 1651 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404

East LA Rep

http://eastlarep.com/

Mission: “to take root in the culturally rich communities of East Los Angeles and establish it as the epicenter of Latino theatre by staging the work of playwrights of Latino heritage, a repertory company of actors, the Youth Rep Programs, productions devised through the Community Series, collaborations, commissions and the touring presentation of the classics by way of Free Shakespeare at East LA Parks.”

Watts Village Theater Company

http://www.wattsvillagetheatercompany.com/

http://www.myspace.com/wattsvillagetheater

“Watts Village Theater is a multicultural-urban theater company that seeks to inspire positive social change through innovative theatrical work. We infuse our culturally diverse community with tolerance for differences and create an appreciation for al cultures, through the collaborative art of theatrical play production.” – Mission Statement.

Directions: 1827 E. 103rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002

Celebration Theatre

http://www.celebrationtheatre.com/

“Celebration Theatre is a company of artists dedicated to creating a dynamic outlet for progressive gay and lesbian voices in contemporary theater and performance in Los Angeles, We intend to create a broader involvement in our community, conduct a rigorous exploration of our society’s changing sentiments and values, and share these explorations with a wider audience.”

Directions: 7051 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, (323) 957-1884

Pasadena Playhouse

http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/

“Pasadena Playhouse is under the guidance of Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, whose commitment to cultural and theatrical diversity brings vitality and direction to the theatre. This commitment is reflected in seasons featuring Tony and Pulitzer award-winning plays as well as in outreach and artistic programs, which have doubled in size in the last two years.”- website.

Directions: 39 S. El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, (626) 792-8672

Boston Court Performing Arts Center

http://www.bostoncourt.com/

“The Theatre at Boston Court houses and produces passionate, artist-driven theatre that challenges both artist and audience. The Theatre at Boston Court urges its artists to fearlessly and passionately pursue their unique voice and vision.” – Mission Statement.

Directions: 70 North Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA; Box Office (626) 683-6883

La Jolla Playhouse

http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/

Directions: 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037, (858) 550-1010

http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/About the Playhouse/Directions %26 Parking/

The Getty Villa Amphitheatre

http://www.getty.edu/

The Getty Villa is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.

Directions: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway Pacific Palisades, California 90272. Take PCH north.

ArcLight Cinema

http://www.arclightcinemas.com/

Great combination of new films and classics. And you must check out the Dome!

Directions: 6360 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA,90028 (323) 464-4226

Nuart Theatre

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/LosAngeles/NuartTheatre.htm

Small arthouse cinema in West LA.

Directions: 11272 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, (310) 281-8223

The Landmark

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/LosAngeles/TheLandmark.htm

Like a smaller arthouse Arclight.

Directions: 10850 West Pico at Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

Showtimes: (310) 281-8233; Information: (310) 470-0492

Silent Movie Theater- The Cinefamily

http://www.silentmovietheatre.com/

Great programming.

http://www.silentmovietheatre.com/calendar/index.html

Directions: 611 N. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 655-2510

The New Beverly Cinema

http://www.newbevcinema.com/

Directions: 7165 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 938-4038

American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre

http://www.americancinematheque.com/indexegyptian.html

The American Cinematheque is a non-profit, viewer-supported cultural organization dedicated exclusively to the public presentation of the Moving Picture in all its forms. The Cinematheque presents the best of film and video – ranging form the classics to the outer frontiers of the art form.

Directions: 6712 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028 (323) 461-2020

American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre

http://www.americancinematheque.com/Aero/aeromastercalendar.htm

Directions: 1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310) 260-1528

The Museum of Jurassic Technology

http://www.mjt.org/

On my list of top 5 places in LA. A museum that questions what a museum is. There is also a fantastic tea room upstairs. Open Thurs 2:00-8:00pm, and Fri, Sat, & Sun from 12:00pm - 6:00pm. They also have a website that is packed with useful information, enlightening facts, and random trivia.

Directions: 9341 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, (310) 836-6131

The Hammer

http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/

Directions: 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90024 (310) 443-7000

http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/information_planning.htm

The Getty

http://www.getty.edu/

Directions: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, California 90049

http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/

The Getty Villa, Malibu

Directions: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/

Skirball Cultural Center

http://www.skirball.org/

Directions: 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049, (310) 440-4500

http://www.skirball.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27

LACMA

http://www.lacma.org/

Directions: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 857-6000

http://www.lacma.org/info/HoursDirections.aspx

MOCA

http://www.moca.org/

Directions: 250 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 626-6222

http://www.moca.org/museum/visit_home.php

Bergamot Station, Santa Monica

http://www.bergamotstation.com/

“Southern California’s largest art gallery complex and cultural center.”

Directions: 2525 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90404

Hollywood Bowl

http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/

Directions: 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90068, (323) 436-2827

http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/index.cfm

The Greek Theatre

http://www.greektheatrela.com/

Directions: 2700 North Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90027

http://www.greektheatrela.com/directions/directions.asp

The Echo

http://www.attheecho.com/

Many exciting new bands come through here.

Directions: 1822 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, (213) 413-8200

The Roxy

http://theroxyonsunset.com/

Directions: 9009 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, (310) 278-9457

The Smell

http://www.thesmell.org/

“Since 1998 The Smell has been a community oriented art and music space open to people of all ages who are interested in participating in and supporting an environment of creativity and artistic innovation and freedom.” – website

Directions: 247 South Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 (enter in back)

http://www.thesmell.org/maps

Amoeba Music

http://www.amoeba.com/

Also on my top 5 in LA list. A vast array of new and used CDs, DVDs, vinyl, and posters. You could spend a week in this place and never get bored.

Directions: 6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028 (323) 245-6400

KCRW 89.9FM

http://www.kcrw.com/

LA Weekly

http://www.laweekly.com/

You can check it out online, or pick up a hard copy in front of Student Affairs.

LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/

Check out the “Calendar” section online or in print to find out what’s going on in LA.

Los Angeles Magazine

http://www.lamag.com/

Great resource for finding local restaurants and shops, as well as what’s going on around town.

American Theatre Magazine

http://www.tcg.org/

Available in the magazine and journal section of the CalArts library. Also available online through the Theatre Communications Group website. Read an article by CalArts’ own Carl Hancock Rux (Head of Writing for Performance Program) in this month’s issue.