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Monday, February 2, 2015
5
FEATURE
Culture on the Cheap: Venues Offer Free Days
clude “Man-Made: Contemporary Male Quilters,” and “Focus Iran: Contemporary Photography housands of Los Angeles and Video.” County residents turned out The California Science Cenfor Museums Free for All Day ter is always free (excluding spelast Saturday, taking advantage cial ticketed events) and is home of free admission to 20 museums to the space shuttle Endeavor in the area. This well-publicized and a kelp forest contained in an event is an incentive for locals to 188,000-gallon saltwater aquaritake advantage of Southern Cali- um. fornia’s bountiful cultural sites Next door to the Science Cenand activities, but what is less ter, the Natural History Museum well known is that most of these of Los Angeles County, charges museums offer free admission at $9 for student admission, but is least one day per month. free on the first Tuesday of every It has been said that Los Ange- month. The newly remodeled diles is a cultural desert, but this is nosaur hall is breathtaking and absolutely not the case. LA offers classic exhibits such as the hall world-class art, exhibits, antiqui- of African mammals and the gem ties, fossils and gardens — even a vault never fail to impress. “Bestarving student can enjoy all of coming Los Angeles” is a great these amenities without breaking exhibit to take out-of-towners the budget. to and showcases many facets For example, the Page Muse- of LA’s history including one of um at the La Brea Tar Pits is the Scarlett O’Hara’s gowns from only site of its kind in the world. “Gone with the Wind.” Exhibits and research laboratoThe Museum of Contempories are open to the public and rary Art has three locations in cost $9 for students with ID. LA; The Geffen Contemporary However, on the the first Tuesday is closed for remodeling, but the of every month, visitors can mar- Pacific Design Center location vel at a Columbian mammoth or is free and the main campus on a saber-toothed South Grand cat for free Avenue is and ponder the free every TIPS FOR VISITORS wonders of life Thursday 20,000 years from 5 to 8 • Wear comfortable shoes. ago on what p.m. • Hours and admissions would eventualFor those are subject to change. ly become “the who would miracle mile.” Please call ahead. rather walk Close by at • Bring your student ID around lovethe LA County ly manicured and driver’s license to Museum of Art, gardens and take advantage of student admission for look at exdiscounts. students (exotic flowers, • Most locations allow cluding special the Los Anphotography, but some ticketed events) geles County have special photo is $10. After 3 Arboretum policies. p.m. on Monand Botanic • Free admission usually does day, Tuesday, Garden ($6) not include special ticketed Thursday, and and Descanexhibits and events. Friday, general so Gardens admission is ($6) are both free to Los Angeles County resi- free on the third Tuesday of the dents with proof of residency, and month. February is camellia seafree all day on the second Tuesday son! of every month. Certain federal The Autry National Center of holidays are also free. February the American West charges $6 is the last chance to see Eugène for student admission but is free Delacroix’s masterpiece “Greece on the second Tuesday of the on the ruins of Missolonghi “and month. The Autry has a fine col“Haunted Screens: German Cin- lection that showcases both hisema in the 1920s,” has gathered toric and contemporary art of the rave reviews. American West, including Native The Craft and Folk Art Mu- American art. The Southwest seum is $5 for students and free Museum campus is open on Saton Sundays. Current exhibits in- urdays and is free to the public.
By Jane Pojawa
EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER
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Pasadena Art Night is a great way to experience a variety of local museums and galleries. Shuttle busses whisk visitors between locations and some venues offer wine and cheese or other snacks. Save the date: March 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. On The Museums of the Arroyo Day, six museums: The Autry’s Historic Southwest Museum Mt. Washington Campus, the Gamble House, Heritage Square Museum, the Los Angeles Police Museum, the Lummis Home and Garden and the Pasadena Museum of History open their doors to the public for free. Visitors are encouraged to use the shuttle service and public transportation for this popular event. This year’s MOTA Day is Sunday, May 17 from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. One exciting feature is getting a mugshot snapped at the Los Angeles Police Museum.
Photo by Jane Pojawa
THE FLINTSTONES DREAM HOME: Lummis House, also known as Jane Pojawa can be reached at elvquero.editor@gmail.com
El Alisal, is a Rustic American Craftsman stone house built by Charles Fletcher Lummis in the late 19th century.