**Ultimate Showdown of Eight Extreme Monster Jam Teams

Going Head-to-Head in Seven Endurance Competitions

Driving Three Different Vehicles: Monster Jam Trucks, Speedsters & ATVs**

After five record-breaking stadium events playing to packed crowds at Angel Stadium earlier this year, Monster Jam^® is revving it’s way up to Downtown Los Angeles with an all-new action-packed weekend of events for the first time ever at STAPLES Center, featuring the SoCal debut of the indoor arena-based Monster Jam Triple Threat Series™ that will keep motorsport fans on the edge of their seats with adrenaline-charged, high-flying, four-wheel excitement that is fun for the entire family!

Unlike any other Monster Jam event seen in SoCal before, the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series features eight of the most intense Monster Jam athletes in a fierce battle for the championship that tests the versatility and endurance of the athletes as they go head-to-head in a points-based format with seven different competitions driving three customized high-powered vehicles:  the larger-than-life 12,000 lb. Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs.  These extreme athletes battle for points in challenging Racing and Freestyle events that push themselves and their machines to the limit – delivering what fans want to see the most… more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action!

Monster Jam Triple Threat Series world-class athletes vying to become champions will be:

• Grave Digger® driven by Brandon Vinson
• Max-D® driven by Jared Eichelberger
• El Toro Loco® driven by Mark List
• Megalodon driven by Travis Groth
• Zombie™ driven by Tyler Groth
• Wonder Woman driven by Collette Davis
• Pirate’s Curse™* driven by 2017 “Rookie of the Year” Camden Murphy
• Alien Invasion driven by Bernard Lyght

WHEN:           Friday, August 17, 2018                  

• Event Time – 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 18, 2018

• Event Times – 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, August 19, 2018

• Event Times – 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE:         STAPLES Center – 1111 S. Figueroa Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90011

 TICKETS:      Tickets are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at just $25 each*

Tickets are now available for purchase online at AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or visit the venue Box Office.                  *ticket prices subject to change – additional venue/ticketing fees may apply

 Unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable, Monster Jam takes center stage in the world’s most iconic venues, sporting meticulously manicured dirt tracks created with the sole purpose of pushing these perfectly engineered, larger-than-life trucks to the limit.   Monster Jam is one of the only sports where male and female world-class drivers, some generational rivals, are equals competing for the same championship on the same track. New in 2018 across all Monster Jam events, fans in every city will have the chance to vote for the truck winner in the donut, wheelie and freestyle competitions by real-time, in-arena fan voting on their smartphones.

Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc. Photos were also provided.

Dress in your best red, white, and blue and celebrate Independence at the Queen Mary’s All-American 4th of July Celebration from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. The day-long celebration offers live entertainment from the nation’s top tribute bands including Tom Petty and the Heartshakers, The Long Run (Eagles Tribute band) and DSB (Journey Tribute Band). The popular patriotic celebration is a ship-wide event offering family-friendly games, activities, a 4th of July parade, strolling performers, and multiple stages of live entertainment culminating with SoCal’s top fireworks display.

Independence Day revelers will voyage throughout the Queen Mary’s many decks, ballrooms, and salons for a day of multiple celebrations with live music performances, DJs, dueling pianos, dancing, and more! On the Verandah Deck, Tom Petty and the Heartshakers will pay homage to the late Tom Petty as the band lights-up the stage with Tom Petty’s top hits, and the nationally known Eagles tribute band, The Long Run, will electrify the crowd with Eagles hits like ‘Hotel California’, ‘Take it Easy’ and ‘Take it to the Limit.’ Festival goers will Keep on believin’ into the night as Journey tribute band, DSB, rocks the Verandah Deck with a nostalgic concert experience.

Stroll into the Queen’s Salon to put your singing skills to the test with Rock Hero Karaoke, or sing along with the crowd as the dueling pianos light up and dazzle the salon stage. Attendees can kick-up their boots with DJ Coral and Kaitlyn Weathers in the Royal Salon for some country fun, and watch in amazement as an aerialist swirls and dances in the air on the Sports Deck.

Grab the kids and board the majestic vessel to be greeted by a full day of fun with strolling jugglers, stilt walkers, balloon artists, and more. Traverse the multiple decks and salons to the KID ZONE which will be packed with carnival games, inflatables, face painters, music, food, and much more. Above the Queen Mary, attendees will be treated to a spectacular air-show by the Flight Team of John Collver, professional pilot, and Brad Lang, professional pilot and airline captain. Together the two will demonstrate the sights and sounds of past generations in salute to Independence Day in the WWll era Marine Corps T-6 Texans.

VIP ticket holders will have access to premium firework viewing and two exclusive VIP-only parties in the Verandah Grill and Britannia Salon. The Verandah Grill will invite VIP guests to travel back in time to the 1940’s with the Fabulous Forties Band, and dance the night away to California’s freshest swing band, Swing Cats Lil Big Band. The Rock-Pop-Disco band, Blackwells, will have attendees shaking a tail feather, and then enjoying the funky sounds of Rhythm Blues and Motown in the Britannia Salon.

Dubbed Southern California’s top 4th of July fireworks display, the 15-minute long mega fireworks show will culminate the red, white, and blue festivities at 9 p.m. as bright colors light-up the Long Beach sky in sync to patriotic music.

The Queen Mary’s All-American 4th of July Celebration runs from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. Tickets start at $24 online for children ($39 day-of) and $44 online per adult ($59 day-of). The VIP-patriot pass is $99 for ages 4+ and includes additional access to Verandah Grill, Britannia Salon, and premium firework viewing. Hotel and cabana packages are also available, guest who purchase a cabana will have additional access to the Capstan Deck. In honor of the holiday, The Queen Mary will offer active, reserved, and retired service men and women free access to the 4th of July celebrations with proof with ID card. Families of active, reserved, and retired service men and women will receive a 20% discount with proof of ID card and ticket purchase on-site. For more information, schedule of activities and to purchase tickets visit queenmary.com/events/july-fourth/.

Credit: The Queen Mary.

The Los Angeles Zoo’s annual WILD FOR THE PLANET celebration kicked off on Earth Day weekend, Saturday, April 21st and runs through Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 18, 2018. On weekends, the event features animal feedings, keeper talks and demonstrations; a conservation-themed aerialist show, puppet shows and other activities, fun and information focusing on the importance of protecting the environment and its creatures. In honor of international Year of the Bird, this year’s Wild for the Planet spotlights native plants and other plant species that support local birds and highlights the Zoo’s bird conservation achievements with five bird gardens throughout the grounds. Adults and youngsters can enjoy a day at the Zoo, home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered, with special opportunities, entertainment, information and tips about everyday ways to sustain and preserve. All activities are free with paid Zoo admission. The full Wild for the Planet schedule is available at www.lazoo.org/wildfortheplanet

My son and I had the opportunity to check out the event on Earth Day weekend and loved it!

Our favorite part of the day was seeing all the amazing animals! But we loved checking out the fun booths for Earth Day too!

Among Wild for the Planet’s weekend activities are special animal feedings/ keeper talks and enrichment demonstrations at 1 and 2 pm featuring okapis and elephants (April 21), snow leopards and trumpeter swans (April 22); red river hogs and rattlesnakes (April 28), gorillas and cassowary (April 29); gorillas and pronghorn (May 5), Chacoan peccaries and Komodo dragons (May 6); bear and zebras (May 12) and tigers and condor (May 13). New this year is a spectacular aerialist show about bird conservation (11 am, 1 and 3 pm). Children and families can also learn how to make a positive impact on the environment during an interactive puppet show, presented by Swazzle, inspired by the L.A. Zoo’s own conservation efforts (11:30 am, 12:30 and 2:30 pm). An animal character makes guest appearances between 10 am and 3 pm, and “Meet-and-Greets” with the Zoo’s contact yard animals take place at 12 noon. Nature Journaling stations, open 10 am to noon and 2 to 4 pm, show guests the ins and outs of nature journaling and how to make new discoveries by looking closely at the plants and animals all around us, with focus on zebras (4/21), pronghorn (4/22), gorillas (4/28), orangutans (4/29), elephants (5/5), birds in the Zoo’s aviary (5/6), giant river otters (5/12) and markhor (5/13). Other activities include a “condor wings” photo op, a succulent station to learn about drought-tolerant plants and how to grow them, a bird-strike prevention station and an urban wildlife activity. Guests can find details about participating in the City Nature Challenge, a project organized by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences involving over 60 cities competing to see who can make the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people.

On Saturday, May 12, when the Audubon network in the greater Los Angeles area holds “Bird L.A. Day” celebrating the biodiversity of the city’s birds, Wild for the Planet presents an education station introducing guests to birding as an important and tried-and-true form of citizen science. This activity emphasizes the Zoo’s mission to encourage people to care about the natural world around them by connecting them with animals in a personal and direct way.

A Conservation Expo with vendors on the weekends of April 21 and 22, April 28 and 29, May 5 and 6 and May 12 and 13 emphasizes local conservation efforts for the planet and animals. Participant booths include organizations such as City of LA Stormwater Program, LA County Smart Gardening Program, Earthwatch, L.A. Conservation Corps, Catalina Island Conservancy, California Condor Recovery Program , Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles County Public Works, Farm Fresh To You, The Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area – Ranger Troca, Heal the Bay, National Wildlife Federation, Ventana Wildlife Society, Aquarium of the Pacific, Friends of the L.A. River (River Rover) and Friends of Griffith Park.

Among daily activities during Wild for the Planet are the Zoo’s close-up “Animals & You” encounters as well as special feedings, intriguing talks and guided experiences. Visitors receive a Wild for the Planet “Activity Guide” that includes a map to the bird gardens, bird-themed activities, and other conservation information. Guests can also participate in the L.A. Zoo’s electronic device recycling program by donating an unwanted cell phone, smartphone, iPod, iPad, tablet or MP3 player at the green ECO-CELL bin in the Zoo’s Entry Plaza. Each contribution directly benefits animal conservation programs and reduces the demand for mineral mining that threatens the natural habitats of endangered animals such as the western lowland gorilla.

Wild for the Planet is among many events and activities embodying the L.A. Zoo’s commitment to conservation and sustainability. This spring’s Sustainable Wine+Dinner series features four unforgettable evenings at which the Zoo partners with local, environmentally friendly wineries whose wines serve as the inspiration for custom four-course, farm-to-table dinners set in a different location within the Zoo. Along with spectacular views, guests look at sustainability – from agriculture to food and wine production to wildlife conservation – and enjoy conversations with a curator or keeper, up-close animal encounters, and wine introductions from winery representatives. The Zoo’s annual Beastly Ball showcases the enormous impact the Zoo has on animal conservation both locally and internationally. This year’s signature fundraiser on May 19 takes place on the heels of national Endangered Species Day to underscore the Zoo’s commitment to saving animals from extinction. Animal expert Jack Hanna receives the prestigious Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award, and the evening features an exclusive concert under the stars with top-name performers and special animal experiences, including animal feedings, keeper chats and up-close interactions. Beastly Ball guests enjoy a rare after-hours stroll through the Zoo while dining on bountiful fare provided by some of L.A.’s most popular restaurants. Also featured is a mobile-bidding silent auction comprised of hundreds of remarkable items and one-of-a-kind opportunities.

Programming is subject to change.

The landmark Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, drawing nearly 1.8 million visitors each year, is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. Its responsibility toward wildlife conservation not only encompasses safeguarding the animals in its care but also actively participating in the preservation of some of the world’s most critically endangered species and their habitats. The Zoo’s many conservation successes include having led the charge in saving California condors from extinction and restoring populations of these critically endangered animals to their native habitats. The Zoo’s lush grounds on 113 acres feature Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States; Red Ape Rain Forest, where visitors can walk among orangutans; the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles); Elephants of Asia; Campo Gorilla Reserve; and one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world. Among other highlights are an extraordinary, hands-on Hippo Encounter and face-to-face Giraffe Feedings; the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo and Muriel’s Ranch animal contact area; the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel; a variety of daily opportunities to learn more about animals, including close-up visits, special feedings and intriguing talks; and much more. The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), which has supported the Zoo in partnership with the City of Los Angeles for more than five decades and provides funding for and operates seven essential Zoo departments, has 60,000 member households representing more than 240,000 adults and children. As evidence of the Zoo’s popularity, GLAZA attracts one of the largest membership bases of any cultural organization in Los Angeles.

Zoo admission, which includes all Wild for the Planet activities, is $21 for general admission (ages 13 to 61); $18 for seniors (ages 62+), and $16 for children (ages 2 to 12). No ticket is required for children under age two. Admission for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members is free.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.  5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA  90027.  Free parking is available.  For additional information, contact (323) 644-4200 or visit www.lazoo.org/wildfortheplanet

Credit: The Los Angeles Zoo. Photo Credit: SoCal City Kids.

The Los Angeles Times today announced the lineup for the Festival of Books, the nation’s largest literary festival, held the weekend of April 21-22 at the University of Southern California. More than 500 writers, musicians, artists and chefs, hundreds of exhibitors and an expected 150,000 attendees will transform the 226-acre campus into a vibrant cultural festival in the heart of the Downtown Arts and Education Corridor.

Laila Ali, Reza Aslan, Ed Asner, Mayim Bialik, Black Eyed Peas members will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo, Roshani Chokshi, Junot Díaz, Kate DiCamillo, Dave Eggers, Jenna Fischer,Vivica A. Fox, Diana Gabaldon, Juan Felipe Herrera, Tayari Jones, Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Dennis Lehane, Moby, Janet Mock, Natalie Morales, Walter Mosley, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Joyce Carol Oates, Leslie Odom Jr., Patton Oswalt, Jorge Ramos, Rick Riordan, Maria Shriver, Jake, Jazz, Jurnee and Jussie Smollett, Nic Stone, Gabrielle Union and Lawrence Wright are scheduled to appear with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Newstory, a series of multimedia programs highlighting creative forms of storytelling, will debut at this year’s festival.

“Los Angeles is the world’s epicenter of storytelling,” said Suzy Jack, Times vice president of public affairs and events. “We’re excited to launch our 23^rd annual celebration of books and literature, and go beyond the book with Newstory, which will showcase some of today’s creative storytellers through alternative forms and unique experiences.”

BigSTORY, Creative Visions, Grammy Museum, The Second City, SeriesFest, Spotify, Two Bit Circus, the Universal Hip Hop Museum and Vortex Immersion Media are among dozens of Newstory programming partners and musician Beatie Wolfe has curated a day of talks and performance across music, art and technology.

“It’s such an amazing and fun time for storytellers, as well as for readers, viewers and listeners,” said Clint Schaff, Times vice president of strategy and development and, with Kim Garner, co-producer of Newstory. “Humans have always found shared meaning through stories, and now we can do that through not only books, but also video, audio and emerging platforms that incorporate new media that allow for new voices to be heard. That’s what Newstory is all about.”

Additional festival highlights:

• Nine outdoor stages and activity areas: L.A. Times Central Stage, L.A. Times en Español Mommy & Me Time / Mama y Yo Pavilion, L.A. Times Main Stage, Newstory Stage, Pacific Sales Cooking Stage, Poetry Stage, Reading by 9 Children’s Stage, USC Stage and YA Stage presented by HS Insider
• Newstory zone: virtual reality and 360 experiences, variety shows, live improvisation, television and film screenings, conversations and other creative forms of expression
• Dozens of expert panels on a variety of subjects ranging from politics to pop culture
• Spanish-language programming and English to Spanish translation services available in select festival venues
• Art installations: a series of original murals curated by Branded Arts and the community Crenshaw District Hieroglyph Project from artist Lauren Halsey
• More than 200 exhibitors with books and merchandise for sale, activities and giveaways
• Musical performances, food trucks and more

On the eve of the festival, Friday, April 20, The Times’ 38^th annual Book Prizes will honor novelist John Rechy with the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement, Glory Edim, founder of Well-Read Black Girl, with the Innovator’s Award, and 11 outstanding literary works published last year.

The 23^rd annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is presented in association with USC and Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home. The festival and Book Prizes are sponsored by Medium. Admission to the festival is free. Pre-sale passes (which provide advance reservations for up to 20 indoor conversations) and all-access passes (access to all indoor conversations, plus valet parking) are available for purchase now. Individual conversation tickets will be available Sunday, April 15. Schedule, location, ticket and transportation information can be found on the festival website, Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram feed (#bookfest).

Credit: The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Images were also provided.