Here's what's going on this weekend in "The SoCalendar," with some more local reopenings.
SoCal museum reopenings
We are excited to report the Museum Galleries in the gorgeous Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens will be reopening this weekend, including a new exhibit, "Made in LA 2020," featuring artists from around the Los Angeles area. Get your reservations now.
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is now fully open for visitors to explore all exhibits, including sea otters, sharks, sea jellies and many other species. Advance reservations are required to visit. They are also offering virtual exhibits and scientific talks online.
Ready to see larger-than-life art without leaving your car? Take a drive around town to see the LA Billboard Project, bringing large-format art to 30 billboards across Los Angeles. Visit their website for an interactive map to find each spot.
LA Times Festival of Books
Calling all you bookworms! The LA Times Festival of Books kicks off this weekend, in association with USC. It's all virtual this year, but they have some cool panels and virtual readings with some of your favorite authors.
Soothing sounds
And looking ahead, Mark your calendars for April 23 — The Los Angeles Master Chorale's annual High School Choir Festival will premiere their virtual Festival Day video. In one you don't want to miss, hundreds of high school students from 26 schools will perform several songs, including "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.
Need to relax with a virtual festival of calm? All-day, this Sunday, KCRW is hosting 24 hours of serenity dedicated to wellness and relaxation, guided meditation, and soothing sounds… And it's free. All you need to do is sign up and register for the Zoom invite for what DJ's are calling "the chillest party you've ever been to."
At the movies
On Saturday, the team behind the Oscar-nominated short documentary "A Concerto is a Conversation" will host a special event at Bowers & Son's Cleaners in South Los Angeles.
The facade of the cleaners will be transformed to how it appeared when Horace Bowers first opened its doors in 1950. Guests will have a photo opportunity in front alongside classic cars and a curbside piano player. You can also meet the directors of the film, and of course, bring your best outfit to get pressed.
Are there any other documentary or animation short Oscar nominees you want to see but can't? You can watch some or all of them at the Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro starting Sunday night, which will definitely give you the upper hand in your Oscar pool.
Or, if you want to stay at home, all eight Best Picture nominees are available to stream to your favorite device on the comfort of your sofa. Here's a site that shows you how to stream each film now.
And finally, next Thursday, April 22, Spectrum News 1's Bianca Rae joins "The SoCal Scene" host Melvin Robert to turn back the clock to the 1930s with "The SoCal Scene's Oscar Special," featuring a special nod to Oscar front-runner, "Mank," including how to see some of the actual locations from the film around Southern California. Watch next April 22 at 9 p.m. on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News app.
Watch The SoCal Scene every Wednesday at 9 p.m. on Spectrum News 1 and on the Spectrum News app.