Free Fun in L.A. - December 2010

This month is teeming with great free films and musical performances, some by world-class performers.  The holidays set the tone with holiday-themed movies (classic and contemporary), holiday music and tree-lighting ceremonies with winter treats!  Happy Holidays! 

FILM AND CINEMA

12/2 (Thurs):  Babes in Toyland film showing, 2-4pm, North Hollywood Regional Branch Library in North Hollywood, free popcorn, More info

12/3 (Fri): Strictly Ballroom film showing, 3-4:30pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium of Santa Monica Main Library in Santa Monica, More info

12/4 (Sat): Double Feature: The Grinch and Elf film showings, 1-5pm, Ocean Park Branch Library in Santa Monica, More info

12/6 (Mon): The Shop Around the Corner film showing (with James Stewart), 2-4pm, Montana Avenue Branch Library in Santa Monica, More info

12/9 (Thurs):  Polar Express film showing, 2-4pm, North Hollywood Regional Branch Library in North Hollywood, free popcorn, More info

12/15 (Wed): Flux Screening Series + Reception w/ Live DJs, 8pm, Armand Hammer Museum, parking under the museum is $3 after 6pm, More info

12/16 (Thurs):  Topper Returns film showing, 12:30-2:30pm, Memorial Branch Library in Los Angeles, complimentary snacks, More info

Also, Elf film showing (starring Will Ferrell), 2-4pm, North Hollywood Regional Branch in North Hollywood, free popcorn, More info

12/17 (Fri):  West Side Story film showing, 1pm, Palisades Branch Library in Pacific Palisades, More info

12/18 (Sat):  A Christmas Carol film showing (starring Jim Carrey), 3-4:30pm, Main Library in Santa Monica, More info

Also, Toy Story 3 film showing, 2-4pm, Sherman Oaks Branch Library in Sherman Oaks, popcorn served, More info

12/21 (Tues):    A Christmas Carol film showing (starring Jim Carrey), 6-8pm, Memorial Branch Library in Los Angeles, More info

12/23 (Thurs):  It's a Wonderful Life film showing (starring James Stewart), 2-4pm, North Hollywood Regional Branch Library in North Hollywood, free popcorn, More info

12/29 (Wed): Toy Story 3 film showing, 3-4:45pm, Main Library in Santa Monica, More info

12/30 (Thurs):  The Express film showing (starring Dennis Quaid), North Hollywood Regional Branch Library in North Hollywood, free popcorn, More info

GRAPHIC AND VISUAL ARTS

12/2 (Thurs):  2^nd Reception for Form vs. The Abyss exhibit, 6-8pm, Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock, More info

12/4 (Sat): Sculpture exhibit + talk with artists, 12pm-5pm (gallery), 2pm (artists' talk), L.A. Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Park in Los Angeles, More info

12/12 (Sun):  Opening Reception for ArtZone 2010, 2-5pm, Offramp Gallery in Pasadena, offrampgallery.com

12/13 (Mon):  Oceans Four: Mixing Media exhibit, 10am-4pm, Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, More info

12/19 (Sun):  M.A. Peers: Project Series 42 exhibit, 1-5pm, Pomona College Museum of Art in Pomona, More info

12/22 (Wed):  Iannis Xenakis exhibit, 11am-5pm, MOCA Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, More info

PERFORMING ARTS

12/1 (Wed): A Night with GRAMMY nominated Pop Violinist CARA-C, 7-8:30pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium of Santa Monica Main Library in Santa Monica, More info

12/3 (Fri):  Pomona College Choir Concert, 8pm, Bridges Hall of Music in Pomona, More info

Also, Classical Guitar Concert, 4-5pm, Memorial Branch Library in Los Angeles, More info

12/4 (Sat):  UCLA Gluck String Quartet Concert, 12-1pm, Valley Plaza Branch Library in North Hollywood, More info ; Also, 4-5pm, Arroyo Seco Branch Library in Highland Park, More info

Also, Concert by Los Angeles Flute Orchestra and Los Angeles Clarinet Choir, 12-4pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium of Santa Monica Main Library in Santa Monica, More info

12/5 (Sun): Pomona College Orchestra Concert, 8pm, Garrison Theatre in Pomona, More info

12/8-12/9 (Wed-Thurs): Eagle Rock Comedy Festival, 8-10pm, Various locations throughout Eagle Rock,More info

Also, Brass Quintet from UCLA performing arts program,  6:30-7:30pm, Sherman Oaks Library in Sherman Oaks, More info

Also, Pacific Tones Flute Ensemble, 6:30pm, R.L. Stevenson Branch Library in East Los Angeles, More info

12/11 (Sat): Staged Reading: The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, 2:30-4:30pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium of Santa Monica Main Library in Santa Monica, More info

Also, Award-winning guitar virtuoso Taro Wayama, 4-5pm, Mid Valley Regional Branch Library in North Hills, More info

OTHER EVENTS

12/1 (Wed):  Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, 5:30-6:30pm, Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles,live holiday music, gingerbread, hot cider and eggnog; to avoid parking fees, take the Metro Red Line which stops 1 block away, More info

12/1 (Wed):  Christmas Tree Lighting Extravaganza, 6pm, Sherman Oaks Galleria in Sherman Oaks, live music, face painting, treats, free pix with Santa; plan to have a meal or snacks at the galleria to get your parking validated; More info

12/7 (Tues): Free Family Night, 4-8pm, Kidspace Museum in Pasadena, parking is also free, More info

12/9 (Thurs):  Concert by Lyric Chorus of SMC Emeritus College, 11am-12pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium of Santa Monica Main Library in Santa Monica, More info

12/10 (Fri):  Free Admission and Shark Lagoon Night, 6-9pm, Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach; while parking in the Aquarium's structure can cost up to $15, with a validation from a local business, the 1st 90 minutes are free and up to 3 hours is only $3.50, More info

12/14 (Tues):  Pasadena Farmer's Market, 8:30am-12:30pm, Villa Parke Center in Pasadena, More info

12/17 (Fri):  Music Center Holiday Sing-Along, 6:30-8pm, Music Center Plaza, event is free but tickets are required, More info

12/24 (Fri/Xmas Eve):  Las Posadas procession & festival, 6pm, Olvera Street/Avila Adobe in Downtown Los Angeles, music, entertainment and children's pinata breaking, More info

12/25 (Sat/Xmas Day): Pasadena Cruisin' Old Car Show, 3-8pm, Annia's Kitchen/El Monte Airport in El Monte, gobananas.net/pasadenacruisin/