CELEBRATE: Thai New Year: Songkran!

Thai Town hosts the Fifth Annual Thai New Year Festival this Sunday April 13th from 8 a.m. till 7 p.m. Head over to East Hollywood for a day of Thai food, Muay Thai boxing, a New Year Parade, and the Curry King contest. Hollywood Boulevard will be shut down between Western and Normandie and booths selling traditional Thai clothes and food will be set up for the day. So head out to this free festival and put away a little Pad Thai and Curry. Sa-wat-di pi mai!

DISCOVER: Los Angeles Art Weekend

The Los Angeles Art Weekend, April 10 – 13, is a new annual festival launching this year that highlights work by artists in all genres. Events are planned through-out the city at galleries, museums and stores to bring awareness to the Los Angeles art scene. One event I highly reccomend is “An Evening with Albert Maysles” at the Hammer Museum. Mr. Maysles (director of Grey Gardens, and Gimme Shelter) will be there screening “filmed portraits” of people such as Truman Capote and Marlon Brando in conjunction with the publication of his book, A Maysles Scrapbook.

For more info go to: http://laartweekend.com

RELAX: Bodega Wine Bar

The Bodega Wine Bar gives wine lovers a unique experience at both its locations in Pasadena and Santa Monica. It’s the love of wine without the pretension, and with unwavering prices (each glass of wine is $8, carafes are $20, and bottles are $30), you can mix it up without worrying about emptying your wallet.

814 Broadway Santa Monica 90401
For more info go to: http://www.bodegawinebar.com

WATCH: The Visitor Screening with Q&A

You’ve seen the previews (it’s ok to cry during a 2-minute trailer right?), the ones with the drums, immigrants, New York City, and heart-wrenching jail visits. Well this Saturday and Sunday there will be two special screenings of the film at Arclight in Hollywood. The film, a follow up to actor/ writer/ director Thomas McCarthy’s The Station Agent, will be followed by a Q&A with producer Michael London and actors Richard Jenkins and Haaz Sleiman.

For more info go to: http://www.arclightcinemas.com

CONTRIBUTE: Malibu Mountain Restoration

Tree People is organizing a restoration in Malibu to clear away invasive weeds and plants that are destroying the native California habitat. So this Sunday why not head out to Malibu for a morning of volunteering and then to the beach? It’s going to be a beautiful day!

To get involved contact Lisa Sotelo (818) 623-4879
For more info go to: http://www.treepeople.org