Downtown Art Walk
April 8. (2nd Thursday of every month). 12 – 9pm. Gallery Row. 5th Street and Main Street,
Downtown Los Angeles.  If you’re ready to feel the cultural explosion of Downtown Los Angeles (that’s DTLA to those in-the-know), then the monthly Art Walk is not to be missed.  This is LA at its best.  The participating galleries offer up viewings of some of the latest and craziest art in the area, live music, drinks, and admission is totally free.  Each art gallery has its own operating hours, but most Art Walkers arrive after 6pm, and the streets are crowded till 10ish.  Then the party moves into neighborhood restaurants, bars, and private spaces.  Grab all the info you need online (including a map of the galleries).  downtownartwalk.org.
Wheelchair Accessible.

First Fridays
April 2. (1st Friday of the month, through June 4). 5:30 – 10pm. Natural History Museum.
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles.  Wanna have a drink with dinosaurs?  No, seriously.  Each evening during First Fridays, the museum stays open late, features live music, exciting scientific discussion, and custom curatorial tours.  Gaps are bridged between contemporary science, culture, and the individual experience; young and adult audiences commingle; and you can literally have a cocktail with a T. Rex.  This month’s tour is Living on the Edge: Coping with Earthquakes in California, the discussion is Living in the Plate Boundary: Our Torn, Twisted (and Shaky) Landscapes, and featured performers include Breakestra, Them Jeans, Cosmic Kids, and our personal favorite, Fitz and the Tantrums.  213-763-DINO. nhm.org.
Wheelchair Accessible.

Dreamgirls
Through April 4. Ahmanson Theatre. 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles.  Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells the rags-to-riches story of an up-and-coming, 1960s girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune.  213-628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.
Wheelchair Accessible.

Luisa Lambri: Being There
Through June 13. (Closed Mondays). Hammer Museum. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.  Luisa Lambri travels the world photographing architectural interiors, often spending extended periods of time investigating notable Modernist buildings.  Over the course of a year, Lambri made several visits to Southern California to photograph the iconic homes designed by renowned architect John Lautner.  Inspired by Lautner’s desire to connect his buildings to their natural surroundings, Lambri trained her lens on Lautner’s windows.  The resulting images move effortlessly between landscape and architectural photography, exploring the boundaries between the built environment and the natural world.  310-443-7000. hammer.ucla.edu.
Wheelchair Accessible.

Newport Beach Film Festival
April 22 – 29. Edwards Big Newport (Opening night film). 300 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. Regency Lido Theatres. 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach. Edwards Island Cinemas. 999 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.  Celebrated as one of the leading film festivals in the U.S., the 11th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival has evolved into a prestigious multicultural event, attracting over 51,000 attendees to SoCal.  The festival focuses on showcasing a fresh and diverse collection of studio and independent films from around the globe.  You’ll find an action packed slate of film screenings, red carpet galas, international spotlights, nightly receptions, compelling conversations with filmmakers, fashion shows, music performances, and industry seminars.  What’s more, it’s all set along the pristine OC coastline.  949-253-2880. newportbeachfilmfest.com.
Wheelchair Accessible.

Shark Lagoon Nights
April 2, 9, 23, and 30. 6 – 9pm. Aquarium of the Pacific. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach.  You’re invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for free during Shark Lagoon Nights.  This is your opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks like sandtigers, plus rays, in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon.  Coffee, hot cocoa, beer, wine, desserts, and snacks are available
for purchase. 562-590-3100. aquariumofpacific.org.
Wheelchair Accessible.

All information subject to change. Please contact each individual event for up-to-date schedules, prices and more information.