Cheap & Cheerful Jazz - Century City

KJAZZ and Westfield Century City (Santa Monica Blvd. and Avenue of the Stars) have joined forces to create the Jazz it up Series every Thursday night in the Central Court from 6-8pm

Make plans now to catch Emile Poree's solo guitar work.

Other acts include:

• April 26 - Luis Conte
• May 3 No Concert
• May 10 - Jeff Young
• May 17 - John Egizi (trio)
• May 24 - John Egizi
• May 31 - Emile Poree
• June 7 - Luis Conte

Admission is free. And your first three hours of parking is free. (Hey! That works out nicely.)

http://www.westfield.com/centurycity/news-and-events

Cheap & Cheerful Rock Sighting --Mid Wilshire

Okay, it's here. The big old rock, or as it is know in the art world, Levitated Mass, arrived at LACMA (5905 Wilshire) last night.

Be a part of history, pack a picnic, look at the rock, enjoy the day and have bragging rights for life.

Metered parking on 6th and Wilshire.




http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/levitated-mass

Cheap & Cheerful Mardi Gras - Fairfax & Downtown

F0r one of the most lively Mardi Gras in town..get over to Farmer Market. (3rd & Fairfax) Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros strikes up at 6:30pm at the west Patio. And you just have to get some jambalaya from The Gumbo Pot cajun food stall.

Admission is free, but be sure to get you parking ticket validated.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/special_events/index.asp

If you have little ones, Olvera Street is having a children's Mardi Gras with a mask making class, parade and pinata. The fun runs from 9:30 a.m.- 1:00 pm. All activities are free to the public.
Metered street parking and adjacent parking lot.

http://calleolvera.com/events/flyer1/
213-713 1373

Cheap & Cheerful Grammy Arrival Viewing- Downtown

It's award season in Los Angeles and one if the really fun things to try, at least once, is to squeeze your way into a good viewing spot for the arrivals of an award show.

This week it's the 54th Grammy Awards. The Grammys will be held at the Staples Center (1111 So Figueroa between 11th and Pico) this Sunday, February 26. The broadcast begins at 8:00pm local time, but there are rehearsals Saturday and arrivals begin around 6:00pm.

I would recommend not taking a car into the area, check a Metro subway map -- you can take the Red Line/Purple line to 7th/Metro then transfer to the Blue line for 1 stop to Pico Station and the Staples Center is right there. Or park further east into the city and walk in--you will thank me at the end of your evening.

While you are waiting for your favorite artists, you could check out the Grammy Museum. At $12.95 for an adult ticket, not the cheapest admission, but definitely worth it if you have never been before. Or just check out everything that is going on on the LA Live "campus."

http://www.grammymuseum.org/interior.php?section=tickets&page=ticketsindex

Can't get downtown? Here's the info-packed websites

http://www.cbs.com/shows/grammys//

http://www.eonline.com/redcarpet/2012/grammys


____

Cheap & Cheerful Chinese New Year - Chinatown

Dragons of the world unite! The 113 annual Golden Dragon Parade & Chinese New Year Festival kicks off at noon tomorrow, Saturday January 28.

The fun runs from 12 noon till 8:oo pm Saturday and 12 noon to 5:00 pm on Sunday.

The parade is great, the food, amazing and performances, astounding.
Kid friendly, but a mob scene.

For a complete schedule of events and important information on
street closures and parking, ( I say take the Metro) visit:


http://chinatownla.com/calendar.php?eventId=80

(213) 680-0243.

Cheap & Cheerful Thursday Farmer's Markets - Downtown

Get out of that stuffy office!
Stretch your legs, soak up some sun and buy something fresh for lunch for a change. Both the City Hall Farmer's Market (200 N. Spring Street) and 7th & Fig Market are open for business on Thursdays.

I'll cover the phones...buy me some caramel corn will ya?

City Hall Farmer's Market 10:00 am - 2:00pm

http://findlocal.latimes.com/listings/city-hall-farmers-market-los-angeles

7th & Fig Farmer's Market 10:00am - 4:00pm

http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=81


Enjoy!

Cheap & Cheerful Movie - Santa Monica

If you haven't seen Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, head over to the Santa Monica Library. (601 Santa Monica Blvd.) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 17th.

A first run movie, in a beautiful building, for free? Hard to beat.

If you need more info, I would recommend calling the library directly.


310) 458-8600
http://smpl.org/MainLibrary.aspx

Cheap & Cheerful National Parks - all over

Here's a great way to enjoy the amazing weather we've been having. This weekend Saturday January 14 through Monday January 16 (Martin Luther King Day) are free days not only in California--but across this great land of ours.

Admission fees will be waived for all three days, so pack a picnic, grab a back pack and go explore your great outdoors. Pretty hard to beat free.

Don't know which way to head? Here is a list of National Parks in driving distance from Los Angeles.

http://usparks.about.com/od/travelitineraries/tp/Driving-Distance-And-Drive-Times-From-Los-Angeles-To-Selected-National-Parks.htm

Cheap & Cheerful Skiing - Mountain High/Wrightwood

What?! you say. Cheap and Skiing are mutually exclusive terms. Well here is the best deal I've found.

Mountain High offers a free 8 hour lift ticket on your actual birthday. That's a $59 -$69
dollar value depending on what day of the week you go. Now if you need equipment, you are still on the hook for $34 to rent skis and poles. If you have your own stuff, I'd recommend bringing $15.00 for lunch.

This is about as good as it gets.

http://www.mthigh.com/deal/birthday

(888) 754-7878.

Cheap & Cheerful Drawing Hour - West La

While I love the holidays, if you are feeling a little burnt out from it all, here is a really peaceful, interesting and inexpensive way to spend a Sunday.


Getty Drawing Hour is offered at the Getty Center(1200 Getty Center Drive) on the first and third Sunday of every month (so January 2 and 16), and moves outdoors to the Central Garden in summer. Sign-up opens at 2:30pm at the Getty Information Desk. Drawing kicks off at 3:30 p.m. You are welcome to bring your own materials or use those provided.

It's a drop in program, first come first serve, so make sure you allow enough time.

Remember,admission is free at the Getty Center, no parking reservation required, but parking does cost $15.00.

(310) 440-7300

http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/learning-from-the-old-masters-at-getty-drawing-hour/

Cheap & Cheapful Ice Skating, Santa Monica, Downtown

Stop complaining about the cold weather and make the most of it! Now is a great time to go ice skating and there are several places to check out.

Ice at Santa Monica (1324 5th St. - Corner of 5th St. & Arizona Ave.) just opened yesterday, offering an 8000 square foot main rink and a smaller 400 square foot rink (for children 8 and under). Hours are Mon-Thurs 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm, Fri noon - midnight, Sat 10am to midnight, Sun 10 am to 10 pm.

$10 includes skate rental. Skating lessons and season passes are available.

Metered parking is available on Santa Monica Blvd.

If you live closer to downtown there are two rinks to check out:

Downtown on Ice (Pershing Square)is right in front of the famed Biltmore Hotel and is is open for business until Jan 16, 2012. Hours are Mon-Thu noon - 10 pm, Fri-Sun 10 am - 10 pm, Dec 19 - Jan 2: 10 am - 10 pm,New Year's Day and MLK Day noon - 10 pm.

Rates are $6 per 1 hour skating session plus $2 skate rental


Here's a new kid on the block: LA Kings present Holiday Ice at LA LIVE (800 W. Olympic Blvd.)

Hours are Monday through Friday: 5 PM - 11 PM Saturday & Sunday: 3 PM - 11 PM
$12 includes admission and skate rental.


For more info about these rinks as well as rinks in woodland Hills and Irvine, visit

http://golosangeles.about.com/od/losangelesoutdoors/ss/Outdoor-Skating-in-Los-Angeles_2.htm

Cheap & Cheerful Twilight Cruise - Pomona

If you're think how does one cruise in Pomona, well it ain't on a yacht!

The Twilight Cruise I'm talking about is an amazing showcase of cars from 1970 or earlier and it is held the first Wed of every month at the Pomona Fairgrounds (1101 W McKinley Ave) December 7 of this coming week is the last of 2011.

Twilight Cruise admission is free. Hosted by Cal-Rods Car Club, the Cruise runs from 4:00p.m - 8:00 p.m. and features the Celebrity Picks for participating cars, great raffle prizes and a huge 50/50 drawing. Food and beverages are available. It's a fun evening and a great chance to see some of the coolest cars in Southern California. Proceeds generated by the 50/50 drawing go to support the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.


For more information, contact Cruise Coordinator John Duran at 626-252-3060 or johnduran@verizon.net.

Cheap & Cheerful Holiday Shopping - Mid Wilshire

Not a fan of Black Friday crowds?

Next Saturday from 12 noon to 4:00pm The Craft and Folk Museum (5814 Wilshire Blvd.) hosts its Holiday Global Bazaar. Hand made, fair trade, free and open to public. Tough to beat that!

Then check out the museum $7.00 /Seniors and student $5.00



http://www.cafam.org/

Cheap & Cheerful Holiday Tradition - Hollywood

Santa Claus is going Hollywood! Celebrating it's 80th year, the Hollywood Christmas Parade kicks off at 6pm this Sunday, Nov 27. Having a parade a night is a whole different experience...Bundle up and bring some blankets and enjoy the show.

The parade route is Hollywood Blvd. east from Orange to Vine Street, then Vine south to Sunset Blvd, then west on Sunset to Orange.

Your best bet for parking, both cost wise and logistically speaking would be the Hollywood and Highligh shopping center ($2.00 for two hour/$10.00 Maximum ) but get there E A R L Y!

Street closures started today so check the website for best approach,if possible take the red line in to the Hollywood and Highland Station.



http://www.thehollywoodchristmasparade.com/
www.metronet.com

Cheap & Cheerful Auto Show -Downtown

S it's a rainy, crappy day. Not really feeling like a movie....what about going downtown and seeing all the new 2012 models at the LA Auto Show! Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center (1201 S. Figueroa Street ) the LA Auto show is the world introduction site for many new designs and innovations.

The best ticket price is $10.00 for the E-ticket that you have to buy online, good through November 24. Otherwise $12.00 for adults, $8.00 for Seniors, Free for kids 12 and under.

Parking is $12.00 per vehicle, so carpool it. It will be more fun and you will be environmentally sensitive.

http://www.laautoshow.com/HoursAdmission.html

Cheap & Cheerful Halloween

If you are too old to get away with trick or treating, there are still some great ways to catch the spirit...

Tim Burton at LACMA
If you haven't seen it yet, this is your last chance! On Sunday, October 30th, the Tim Burton exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art will remain open all night, and on Monday, October 31st, it will be open until midnight. Tickets will be half-price from 12 am to 9 am on Monday morning.

http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/tim-burton


West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
This is one loud street party, 500,000 strong. (Santa Monica Blvd. Between La Cienega and Doheny) Once a spontaneous happening, now an unabashed commercial exercise, it is still home to the most amazing costumes in the city. Parking is available at the Pacific Design Center, the New WeHo Library's lot and surface street(but read the signs first. Parking tickets are no treat.)

The actual event runs from 6pm-11pm, but the bars party on. It is a upbeat, fun vibe. Many say it is a family-friendly scene, but leave the stroller set at home. Too hard to negotiate the crowds and who really wants to have explain why Snow White has chest hair?


http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=845


Hollywood Blvd.
Second only to New Year's, Hollywood becomes jammed-packed on Halloween. While the restaurants, bars and clubs have all kinds of promotions (for plenty of money) the street scene is alive. Local lots range in price but plenty of metered street parking for early arrivals.


Olvera Street
For the purists in the audience, the actual Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is November 1 corresponding with the Anglo All Saints day. But the energy of Olvera street is a nice change of pace.How bout an authentic Mexican dinner and stroll to the plaza. "Fear not dying, fear not having lived."


http://www.olvera-street.com/html/fiestas.html

Houdini Mansion

The so-called “Houdini Mansion” ( 2435 Laurel Canyon Blvd.) by Lookout Mountain is said to be the site of the famous magician’s eventual reappearance. Legend has it, famed escape artist Harry Houdini told his wife that he would return. So every year on Halloween, some faithful fans and the curious park on neighboring side streets and hike down to the site, gathering around the property to pay homage to the legend...and maybe even catch a glimpse of the elusive escapist. Dress warmly and bring some food, it hasn't happened....yet!




Halloween Pub Crawl

October 31, 2011 5pm-10pm
O'Briens Irish Pub & Restaurant ( 2941 Main St)is hosting the Halloween Pub Crawl featuring the World's largest Halloween Costume Contest! 10 cities, 10,000 people, $10,000 in prizes! And to get you into the Halloween Spirit, $3 draft beers, $4 well mixers and $5 shots.


4th Annual Montana Avenue Halloween Hop

If you just want to enjoy and crisp fall evening, then get home in time to answer the door, the Montana Avenue Halloween Hop (Montana Ave from 6th to 17th Streets)makes sense.

It runs from 3:00pm-6:00pm and is basically an informal costume parade in which some businesses give out treats to the kids.

Cheap & Cheerful Night of Art -Miracle Mile

You've probably heard of Pacific Standard Time, the city-wide collection of art exploring post war work of California-based artists. Well, here is an opportunity to experience one of the many shows.

"Gallery Night Out" will be held Thursday, October 20 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, featuring five contemporary Miracle Mile galleries (Wilshire Blvd. between Fairfax and La Brea)

So avoid rush hour, stroll down Wilshire Blvd., take in the art and grab a bite to eat.

Want to see more? Return to the scene of the crime this Saturday the 22nd for the Miracle Mile Art Walk.

For more info:



http://www.miraclemileartwalk.com/mmaw_blog/mmaw_blog.html

323-651-3512

Cheap & Cheerful Harvest Festival -Ventura

Fall is always a busy time with numerous festivals, but the mother of all fall festivals is the Harvest Festival which travels up and down the coast but lands in Ventura's Seaside Park (10 W Harbor Blvd.) this weekend.

200 exhibitors will present more than 24,000 handmade items to shop. Specialty foods live entertainment, kid zone...all with constant sea breezes from the Pacific Ocean.

The Fair is open Friday and Saturday from 10:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm

Admission tickets are good for all three days of the fair. Adults are $9.00, Seniors (62+) $7.00, Youth (13-17) $4.00. Kids 12 year old and younger can attend free of charge when accompanied by an adult.




http://www.harvestfestival.com/Visitors/shows/ventura/index.aspx

Cheap & Cheerful Car Parts - Pomona

If you can't find it here, I don't think it exists.

The Pomona Auto Swap Meet is enormous: Hundreds of vendors of hard to find car parts and accessories and thousands of display vehicles all at the Pomona Fairplex (1101 W. McKinley) With affordable prices and one of the most comprehensive selections ever, you should be able to find what you are looking for.

Admission is $8.00 for adults, Children under 12 can attend for free.


http://www.pomonaswapmeet.com/

(714) 538-7091

Cheap & Cheerful Soul - Crenshaw Blvd.

Now this sounds like FUN!

The 6th Annual Taste of Soul Los Angeles Festival (Crenshaw Blvd. Between Martin Luther Ling Jr. and Rodeo Blvds.) takes place this Saturday, October 15th from 10am-6pm.

This is one huge party/fundraiser with bragging rights of "Los Angeles's largest street festival." Food, music, art, exhibits, a flash mob as well as an attempt at the World's Longest Soul Train Line. I think they have a shot at it as last year 250,000 people attended.

Admission is free, but I'd get there early as with so many people coming, parking will be a trick.

http://www.tasteofsoulla.org/

(323) 299-3800
Los Angeles Sentinel (founding sponsor)