This place is an honest, hand to van Gogh, sensation! I went there as part of bigger Westwood/UCLA…read moreday, and this place was the surprise I am most happy to document. The Fowler is located within UCLA, and it is free, so it is a wonder for most to access, which makes it even more special. The art within is accessible, intriguing, invites engagement, and most of it all wonderfully modern. It can engage the person who views art as pretentious, old drawings of people who died in the past. My favorite piece was in the Fire is Kinship exhibit. I did not get the name of the art piece, but I did take both a picture and a video of the work. The video also captured the music that surrounds the artwork. It was the perfect music to underscore the work. The artwork is roses in fire colors--- red orange, and yeloow mostly. While you lay down in a big circle red couch, you could look above and feel the flowers fall gently. They did not, they were held by strings. But, still, I felt a gentle rain of fire flowers fall. But instead of burning my skin, the fire cleansed. I can imagine the rapture changing with these falling flowers. Direct flames will consume the evildoers of the world, and after the first wave of flames cleansed, the second wave would be this gentle rain of fire flowers that healed and soothe the ones who remained. Overall, the fire flower rain was meant for a purpose that was good, it was a warm light, not fire with ill-duties to complete. This place had three or four pieces that invited flights of imagination because they were small spectacles that arrested the attention and then released to worlds unknown. Another example of art that arrests, is the thumping fire heart amidst different colored maracas. The thump, thump of the heart was life's noise making itself known. Another great piece of work, was the replica of a sand ritual. It was guarded by a student who worked at Fowler. Young kinds, ran into the sand, and tried to play with it. Makes sense, kids know sandboxes in parks, if they see a sandbox in a museum one can easily assume why they want to play inside. I stood outside the sand circle. And meditated with the help of the music surrounding the work. The work compelled me to imagine myself in a desert, while I sat in heat that did not scorch, and prayed to a turquoise blue sky. The sand and its rock and other geometric intricacies, worked together to create the ease of flow of the piece, that allow my words to reach the sky. This museum offered escape of though, the works were that eye-catching and thought-provoking. The museum also had this outdoor space. It is not a garden, but more of a courtyard. In the middle was a fountain. Inside the fountain, there was a fly that probably went into the water and likely drowned. I took a picture and posted it to the Yelp. For some reason I thought that the moment created art sponsored by nature and humanity's work. The fly, the water, the hands's of people, created a small moment of death. Me noting it here creates a funeral. The fly will be remembered. Two were there, just chatting, drinking tea, and eating pastries. The courtyard in the middle of Fowler can be used for different reasons. The museum has also wonders. For instance, in the Fire exhibition, I heard a news segment from the mid 90s (I think) about a fire that was started by a lost hiker. The hiker was lost and wanted to use a fire to signal his location. But the fire was not spread. The fire did its worst. The police gave people minutes to evacuate. The television segment explained how different laws, weather conditions, and the Santa Ana winds all conspired to make the first strong and unstoppable. In a museum new segments become informative and educational, in my bedroom news become depressing. Why? Obviously, context matters. This place is not huge but it has a lot to see. It had a Coco-eseque dia de los muertos wedding, with a dog too. It had black and white Japanese koi with red eyes. Spooky in a non frightening way. It hard art from around the world in the form of statues, clothes, weapons and rings. The more I think of what i saw, the more I feel like I did not see or explore it enough. It is a wonder and a sensation and definitely a visit., and for me at least a second and a third. After I will assess., anew.

If I went to a university that had an on campus museum, I'd never graduate…read more Fowler had been on my list of LA museums to visit for a while. While smaller than I thought (which is in part because a couple of the exhibits were closed), I enjoyed my time there. There was an extensive display of silver from different centuries from various parts of Europe and America, and it was interesting to see the differences between Irish, Russian, and American silver designs. My favorite exhibit was Intersections, because it shows comparatively how various cultures use art to memorialize and process life stages. It's beautiful to see how cultures meld the tangible (art and creative expression) with the intangible (prayers, grief, etc.) UCLA is already a beautiful campus, so it's no surprise that there is a lovely courtyard in the middle of Fowler. Parking structure 4 will be the closest lot to this museum.

The Hammer Museum is a must-visit. The exhibits are eclectic, unique, and definitely give you…read moresomething to think about. And the best part? It's free, y'all... you can't beat that.

My second time coming here, with my first time a few years back for one of the free events they…read morehosted. What I like most about this museum (other than that it's free admission) is that the inner courtyard is clean and modern with a nice breath of outdoor air!!! The iconic pieces from this museum is the roundtop chairs that are fun for anyone of all ages to sit and enjoy. We came here unplanned and only walked in to enjoy some art in the middle of the Cicla Via West LA event. If I remember correctly, there's garage parking. Lots of different art buildings to walk into. Good time to kill time and also to study at the courtyard. Well-maintained!!!

A hidden gem. Let's jump right into this review…read more The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles is a renowned, non-profit theater known for intimate productions of classic and contemporary plays, new works, and educational programs. Two main spaces, the 500-seat Gil Cates Theater and the smaller Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater. My son and I attended a play - Table 17 and sat in the balcony box of the Gil Cates Theater. Box seats $139pp Pros 1. Very nice venue. An intimate space with every seat being a good seat. Great acoustics also. 2. Bathrooms are clean and grounds are well-kept. 3. Small bar area that sells food items and drink, including alcohol. 4. Patio area and seating in the lobby if you arrive early. Doors usually open 1 hour before showtime. Theater doors open 30 minutes before curtain time. Cons 1. Parking can be a challenge but not impossible. Metered street parking. Use the text to pay function because you can add additional time from your phone and receive reminders via text when your time is about to expire. There are also paid parking lots within walking distance. Prices will vary. I was impressed with Geffen Playhouse and will definitely be back. BTW - Table 17 was an amazing play - funny, thought provoking, and an attention grabber.

Still a great venue for great performances. Great staff & great intimate room with great comfort…read moreseat. Love the courtyard for drinks prior & intermission period. Big and clean restrooms. Great refreshment choices. Parking can be tricky, you can park in the garage next door for pay, or street parking for pay (depending on the hours of the day & day of the week), or you can park in neighborhood street parking (free) couple blocks away. The venue is close by market with food vendors or nearby restaurants and museum. Really enjoy every time I'm here seeing a play.

I took some really fun and educational "Lingua Viva" Italian classes here. You can take them online…read moreor in person and they offer private and semiprivate classes as well. A lot of opera students study here, and they also offer exam preparation. The Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles promotes Italian culture in the USA. They organize and support special events, exhibitions, and festivals, aid in the publication of Italian works, and advance the study of the Italian language. It's housed in a striking modernist building designed in 1963 by Robert E. Alexander, a contemporary of Richard Neutra. The building used to be the UCLA International Student Center. The colored illumination at night is especially stunning.

Los Angeles is one of the cultural nerve centers of our ever growing multicultural world where…read morefashion, fads, memes can travel at the speed of light via the internet. Los Angeles hosts the likes of Japan Foundation, Göthe Institut, Alliance Français. Through the sponsorship of Los Angeles Times' Food Bowl for the month of May at such places as Shibumi where master Sushi chef Kōji Kimura aged fish for Sushi & Sashimi that amplified the complexity of Umami multifold,  I was introduced to another government sponsored cultural organization, the Italian Cultural Institute of L.A. in the heart of Westwood Village. Istituto Italiano di Cultura has classes in Italian language, cookIng, events in art, fashion, regional food & wine appreciation, music, opera, theatre, movies, etc. There is gallery space in which to feature contemprary artists from all over Italy. There is also an outdoor patio space where all the action took place on May 30, 2019 that featured cuisine from Emilia-Romagna, home to Prosciutto di Parma, Aceto Balsamico di Modena, Parmigiano Reggiano. Guide Michelin starred chef, Luigi Fineo, and wine historian, raconteur, consummate sommelier Giammario Villa presided over this sumptuous degustazione con vini e piatti. 1) Erbazzone Emiliano alle Bietole: Bietole/Swiss Chard, wild onion braised in broth & finely puréed lookIng dark green sandwiched between leathery, rustic millefeuille scented by premium quality, fragrant butter, golden brown on top that became creamy as one chewed leaving a pronounced dairy sweetness. 1a) Rimosso Ancestrale DOC (Denomiazione d'Origine Controllata) Lambrusco by Cantina della Volta (100% Sarbara): Scent of wild cherry, red lipstick waxy, light woodiness. Taste of agrodolce, acidic, touch bitter, sour cherry, chalky, dry. Soupçon of frizzante/fizziness. Such complexity comes from its being unfiltered looking like a murky, bright crimson cloud still full of yeast & must. 2) Piadina Romagnola Crescenza e Prosciutto di Parma Rambela IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tìpica) Ravenna: Two thick, finely grained dry textured, grilled flour "tortilla" half moons sandwiching porky, salty, air dried, aged Prosciutto slathered with viscous cream cheese. 2a) "Rambela" Ravenna Bianco IGT by Randi Vini (100% Famoso): Deep golden glowing yellow like the legendary golden fleece. Fragrances of citron, faint baked flour & butteriness perhaps due to Malolactic fermentation. It's like drinking golden liquid Panettone. Bit astringent, citrusy, acidic to clear the palate. 3) Ravioli di Zucca Parmigiano, Burro e Salvia: Soft, pillowy Ravioli stuffed w/ soft mush of sweet, earthy squash. Dressed w/ the same sweet, dairy scented butter & earthy, dusky, herbal, fresh sage leaf dusted by ground sweet, woody, medicinal nutmeg. 3a) Rosa Ceparano IGT Romagna Rosato by Fattoria Zerbina (100% Sangiovese): Clean, neutral subliminal scent. Extra dry, astringent, touch skunky, bitter wild strawberry, raspberry. Good clean sharp contrast to all the soft, mellow tones of the pasta to awaken the palate. 4) Brasato di Manzo al Sangiovese: Slow cooked "chuck" beef in rich broth & Sanviovese red wine well noted for an undertone taste of tar, creosote, green wood as well as sweet dark fruitiness & acidity. Texture is moist, grainy, stringy, lush. The au jus is swirled in w/ ultra soft, buttery mashed potato. 4a) Antitesti IGT Ravenna Rosso by Fattoria Zerbina (50% Sangiovese 50% Merlot): Plummy, dark cherry, tasting of juicy blackberry, blueberry, oaky, woody, cigar, "moth ball", agrodolce. 5) Ternerina al Cioccolato e Pistacchio (pees tah kee oh): For want of a better word, it's a brownie topped w/ a dollop of heavy whip cream, scattering of pistacchio, powdered sugar looking like fresh fallen snow. 5a) Antitesti paired well w/ this simple chocolate dessert. Thanks to gracious, hospitable, welcoming Ina Cohen of Istituto Italiano who notified me of a last minute open seat to this elegant already fully booked soirée. Love the tales of history, tradition, culture, legends, myths, facts relating to food & wine of Italia by Master Taster Giammario Villa. This Istituto Italiano di Cultura L.A. Times Food Bowl Cena al fresco was hyper educational full of 5 star, sophisticated Vita Dolce.

Here is my ode to good ol' Broad. (Yes; ode and Broad rhyme.)…read more The façade | Spectacular. White, teak, steel, glass, all the benchmark components of a building dedicated to art. The "T.E.U.C.L.A." Serra sculpture is the first to be on permanent view in a public space in Southern California. Proximity to the Sculpture Garden provides this looming, structured, clinical building balance with good ol' nature. And more art. The interior | Clean, no-nonsense, spacious. Classrooms are very easy to find. The fourth floor, for Design | Media Arts, has a "lobby" that serves as a game room with a ping pong table and about three game controllers. The balcony (4th floor) | Very cute cacti and succulents on show atop the teak beams, serving as a sort of shelf. It's pretty precarious, but I haven't seen a thing fall yet. Untitled, | The second floor houses a small overpriced café called Untitled,. The comma just compounds on the pretense? or the artsiness? the inflated prices already convey pretty well. The Shoot Room | If I could live here, trust me--I would. Lights, check. Softbox, check. Dem Canon DSLRs, check. Five backgrounds to choose, check. Photogasm, check... EDA | Stands for Experimental Digital Arts. Basically small but well-equipped exhibition room with a large projection screen for showcasing.

Interesting gallery inside on the lower level. No one around on the morning I was there, so it was…read morea bit eery. Still, interesting art is always fun to look at...

How many hundreds of times have I driven by the Tarzana Community & Cultural Center? It has been…read moremany years, way back to the time there was a pottery store on the property. I finally had a chance to visit for a Tarzana Music Night last week. What a fun event! Because the weather was being forecasted to be cool with the potential of rain, the event was held indoors. Things were comfortable, but we were in close quarters with the other attendees. The sound was great and the performances were a lot of fun. I was primarily there to see a good friend perform, but I also had the chance to see some other talented musicians. I think each one was a singer songwriter, and I enjoyed each performance. Each one of the people that was working at the venue, which I imagine may have been on a volunteer basis, was friendly and a lot of fun. Normally the music nights are held outdoors, and I can imagine that most of the year, it is a lot of fun being in the open air.

What a cool place I never knew was here! Check out their events on their website! If you write them…read morethey will write you back too. They have a small outdoor stage with string lights hanging beautifully all around, a few picnic tables and fold out chairs for when there's an event to watch. When the chairs aren't there I imagine thats what they use for the outdoor dance floor under the stars, too! A few people brought their dogs on leash. I saw a few people brought in their own food, chilled out and ate while they watched the live band. They do have a very small amount of drinks, chips, and cookies for sale at a stand but thats it so if you don't want junk food def bring what you do want. They do have an indoor bathroom. PARKING - Def uber/LYFT to them. There are only a few spots in the back you can get to from the side street (not from Ventura blvd) and thats it! So do yourself a favor and get a ride. Lyft must know about this place because the driver knew exactly where to meet us in the back when we booked our return. For us it was a calm but fun summer evening hang outside! I don't know what its like without a band playing but hope I get a chance to check that out too.

Best little college theater in Los Angeles! UCLA's student productions are pretty stellar!!!…read more Support the kids and COME ON OVER!!!

This is a small 198 seat theater in McGowan Hall opposite from the Freud Playhouse…read more They have wonderful, quirky little productions here like Andrew Dawson's "Quatre Mains" last winter. The whole production was just one and sometimes two pairs of hands on a table. You'd think that would get old after a few minutes but you would be wrong. They did the moon landing. It was fantastic. Too bad they didn't stage it again a few weeks back at the 40th anniversary.

This is one of those awesome hidden opportunities LA has to offer! This is a FREE tiny museum that…read moreis in a single room in the UCLA campus. It's very small, but it's pretty amazing! You get a chance to see some meteorites up close and personal, touch them and even use a provided magnet to prove their magnetism! You probably won't spend too long here, but the campus is beautiful. I'd recommend seeing the (also free) Fowler Museum which is a short 8 minute walk away also on campus. There are other things to see here too like the botanical gardens and a sculpture garden. We also did the (again FREE) Hammer museum a short drive away.

Horrible management, especially for the University. They invite you to park, pay a parking fee,…read morethen wander around the campus looking for information. Turns out despite the website indicating otherwise, the gallery is closed. If they manage their specimens like they manage their gallery, I question their qualification to do either. It literally takes thirty seconds to go on to Google and onto your company website and update information. Pure incompetence..

I found Aakansha to be very unpleasant. Judgmental and condescending, she dispensed criticism in a…read moreway that felt unfair and somehow more demeaning than necessary. I unfortunately cannot recommend.

Aakansha is full of energy and smiles. And her energy is so contagious…read more Her dance fitness classes are lots of fun. A fantastic way to get your exercise. You can take private lessons for special events like weddings. Highly recommended.

The best art teacher. Rama is very talented! I am so appreciative of the space Rama has given my…read moredaughter. A personal experience no one can duplicate. You will not find a better art teacher. Her and her son are truly loving and good people.

Rama and West LA Art Center is truly amazing. This place is life changing and transformational…read more Rama, the owner and art teacher has been a mentor, support system, and the most amazing art teacher. I have been going to her for over 10 years and the level of respect I have for her is unmatched. She not only is an amazing human being, but she is an amazing artist herself who teaches you the fundamentals of drawing, painting, and beyond. I have made masterpieces with her and she guides you through it all! She puts her students first and makes sure they succeed in every single way. It is a privilege to be one of Rama's long standing students. I have also been able to help her grow her business and she is such a pleasure to work with. Her energy, her calming presence, and love for her job makes painting so enjoyable. I am so ever grateful for Rama and her work! I only want to see Rama succeed and grow her business even more. I am so grateful for her and I hope anyone has the privilege to take at least one of her classes!