Museums, Art & Culture

NEWS FEATURE

MUSEUMS,

By Michele E. Buttelman

Signal Staff Writer

Summer is a great time to visit museums, admire art, learn the history of where you live or take in a show. Most of the year, families find themselves on a hectic schedule of work, school, after-school sports, lessons and other activities.

This summer, plan a few weekend or midweek excursions to discover all the cultural richness Southern California has to offer. Most locations have reopened without restrictions. Take advantage of everything we’ve missed the last few years.

Museums Antelope Valley Indian Museum 15701 East Avenue M (between East 150th & 170th streets), Lancaster 93535

Info Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults. Kids age 12 and under are free. (661) 946-3055 or www.avim. parks.ca.gov

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum is a unique and eclectic folk art structure in Lancaster. The museum houses objects created by the Native American cultures of the western Great Basin, California and the Southwest.

Howard Arden Edwards, a selftaught artist, became enchanted with the desert scenery around the buttes while visiting the Antelope Valley. He homesteaded 160 acres on Piute Butte and, in 1928, Edwards, his wife and teenage son began building a home. That home included a special area he

Antelope Valley Indian Museum

called his Antelope Valley Indian Research Museum. In it he displayed his collection of prehistoric and historic Native American artifacts.

The state of California acquired the museum in 1979 and it is now managed by the California State Parks system.

The Broad 221 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles 90012

Info Advanced ticket reservations are required. General admission is free but some special art exhibitions have an entry fee. www.thebroad.org

The Broad was founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. Their collection of contemporary art has more than 2,000 pieces, including some of the most famous art of the genre, such as Jeff Koons’ “Balloon Dog Blue” and an extensive collection of Andy Warhol art.

Children of all ages are welcome to visit The Broad and will be enchanted by many of the art installations including my favorites, “Under the Table” by Robert Therrien and his epoxy-stacked plates piece in the lobby.

In addition, a new family guide available on the mobile museum guide (no download required) includes activities for kids and adults to do together. The mobile museum guide also has a free kids’ audio tour featuring LeVar Burton, host of the children’s educational program, “Reading Rainbow,” which encourages young art lovers to look, listen and learn.

Moulin Rouge at the Pantages Live Theater

Enjoying live theater is a special treat. This summer you can see the family-friendly show “Lionel Bart’s Oliver!” at the Canyon Theatre Guild in Newhall, or visit Hollywood to see the National Broadway Touring Company of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Take in a matinee or splurge for a memorable night on the town with dinner and a show.

‘Lionel Bart’s Oliver!’ July 23 - Aug. 27 Canyon Theatre Guild 24242 Main St., Newhall 91321

Info For tickets, call (661) 799-2702. $23 Adults, $19 Juniors (-18) / Seniors (62+). www.canyontheatre.org

Lionel Bart’s classic musical based is based on the Charles Dickens novel, “Oliver Twist.”

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.

The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance among a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow, takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.