I love going to the L.A. Zoo and I have to admit I don’t always eat there but that has now definitely changed with the opening of Bean Sprouts Cafe!

The Los Angeles Zoo is excited to debut its newest dining concept—Bean Sprouts Cafe—a kid-friendly dining option that specializes in healthy foods for visitors of all ages. Bean Sprouts’ award-winning children’s menu, with items like Grilledzilla and Do-Re-For-Me, empowers kids to make their own healthy choices through a visual menu display. Guests can order a variety of pizza, smoothies, and sandwiches as well as “Imaginibbles,” a signature line of themed, hand-held foods designed to make eating healthy fun. Bean Sprouts adheres to strict ingredient guidelines and features organic and sustainable foods, compostable packaging, and eco-friendly design.  

“The Zoo is thrilled to refresh its dining experience and provide Angelenos with healthy, accessible, and family-friendly food for all,” said Denise M. Verret, CEO & Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo. “We could not have accomplished this worthwhile partnership with Bean Sprouts without the initiative and tenacity of our concession partner, the SSA Group. Our guests will now be able to enjoy even more delicious and sustainable food options when visiting their Los Angeles Zoo.” 

The brightly colored cafe is located in the South America section of the Zoo and will feature Bean Sprouts’ line of signature themed, hand-held foods, including Do-re-for-me, sunflower butter and organic jam;  Grilledzilla, gooey grilled cheese and vegetables; Flutter Bite, turkey, cheese, mayonnaise, and vegetables; as well as sandwiches, The Great Turkado and Chicken Pesto Chango; cheese and pepperoni pizza; snacks; smoothies; classic and raspberry lemonades; and more. Adults, discerning eaters, and those with food restrictions will delight in the deliciously fun food offerings now available at the Los Angeles Zoo.  

I actually had the opportunity to taste some of their items and was quite impressed! The sandwiches are amazing! I love how fresh they taste!

To learn more, visit https://www.lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/food-shopping/. 

Self Disclosure: I had the opportunity to visit Bean Sprouts Cafe to facilitate this post. Photo Credit: SoCal City Kids.

Making Scents of the Ancient World: Perfumes of Persia

Saturdays, August 6, and August 20, from 11am to 3pm

Perfume was everywhere in the ancient world. In ancient Persia alluring scents were made from natural materials such as flowers, herbs, resins, and more. Learn the history of perfume making, then create your own scent inspired by the aromatics of ancient Persia in this free, drop-in workshop. This event complements the exhibition Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World.

Getty Center programs:

Garden Concerts for Kids 

Returning to the Getty Center’s Central Garden this August is Garden Concerts for Kids, a free outdoor music series for kids and their families featuring some of the best children’s musical artists from across the nation. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic basket and blanket, though lawn chairs are not permitted. This is the first time this series is returning since the pandemic.

• The Lucky Band – Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7 at 4pm
• Inez Barlatier Quintet – Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14 at 4pm
• Jazzy Ash & Red Yarn – Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21 at 4pm

Fantasy of the Middle Ages programs

To complement the Getty Center exhibition The Fantasy of the Middle Ages, on view through September 11, 2022,the Getty is hosting several Middle Ages-themed programs including:

• Artist-at-Work: Medieval Arms and Armor – Sunday, August 28 
• Coat of Arms: Family Workshop – Sundays, August 14, and August 28 
• Artist-at-Work: Medieval Martial Arts – Sunday, August 14

Credit:  Getty Museum. Images were also provided.

On Sunday, July 31, Rubio’s is celebrating National Avocado Day by giving out free, freshly made chips and guacamole to all Rubio’s Rewards members with any purchase. To receive the offer, sign up for Rubio’s Rewards at Rubios.com, or download the app by Saturday, July 30. Then, simply place your order online, through the app, or scan your in-app QR code at the register.
Rubio’s guacamole is made fresh daily, using rich Hass avocados, cilantro, garlic, lime juice and natural sea salt. Tortilla chips are also prepared fresh daily with a light sprinkling of all-natural sea salt.

Rubio’s locations across California, Arizona and Nevada are open and guests are encouraged to order through the Rubio’s app and Rubios.com. Rubio’s is offering curbside or express pick-up and free delivery with a minimum order of $15. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’s, Instagram and Facebook.

Credit: Rubio’s. Information and images were provided. Some form of compensation was received to post.

Laguna Art Museum (LAM), the premiere museum of California art, is bringing art to life with a full schedule of programming for all ages. From hands-on workshops to discussions and programs for children, the museum makes art easily accessible for art lovers.

Get in touch with your artistic side during LAM’s Artist Workshop series, where participants create their very own work of art while receiving instruction from expert artists. Each Artist Workshop event focuses on a specific medium such as figure drawing, collage, and more. Join the museum for Artist Workshop: Collage–An Artistic Composition Made of Diverse & Unexpected Materials on July 17 and Artist Workshop: Comic Book Art on July 30.

Every month, join Laguna Art Museum Curatorial Fellows Jean Stern and Rochelle Steiner for in-depth discussions and artist talks that educate participants on a variety of art-related topics. Stern’s programming will pull from his expertise on the California art movement, examining the achievements of pioneering artists through a series of lectures. Steiner’s programming will feature in-depth and approachable discussions with living artists who have exhibitions on display at the museum or whose artwork relates to LAM’s permanent collection.

Kids can explore their creative side with the museum’s kid-friendly programming such as Storytime Saturday, a monthly program designed for making and moving. On the fourth Saturday of every month, families enjoy read-alouds supplemented with mindfulness exercises, art-making projects, or in-gallery activities that promote meaningful connections. Join the museum on July 23 for Storytime Saturday at LAM: A Fox Found a Box and on August 27 for Storytime Saturday at LAM: Mole in a Black and White Hole.

Parents can take a break and let their kids take over the museum during Outside the Lines Summer Day Camps and Kids’ Night Out events. Outside the Lines Summer Day Camps will offer four sessions during July and August for ages 6-9 and 10-12. These single-day summer camps transform the museum into a space specifically for kids to enjoy a day of making, exploration, and play that isn’t usually offered at the museum. Parents can enjoy a night out during Kids’ Night Out on August 19 and 26, when kids take over the museum for a special, fun-filled night of art-making and learning about the museum’s permanent collection. The Laguna Art Museum education team will provide young learners with dinner, art-related activities, and opportunities to explore exhibitions.

Merging visual art with musical performance, LAM will present two collaborative events in August including Space for Art: The Soprano Voice on August 6 and Live! At the Museum: Andrew Harrison & Jason Lo on August 11. In collaboration with local nonprofit Thirty Three Forty, LAM will present an intimate recital unlike any other. Surrounded by art, soprano Deanna Breiwick, and pianist Cheryl Lin Fielding, will fill the museum’s space with sound for an unforgettable performance. Each month, LAM and Laguna Beach Live! partner to present Live! at the Museum, a program that brings diverse musical experiences to the museum’s galleries for an evening celebrating music, art and community.

To learn more about upcoming programs and events at Laguna Art Museum, visit lagunaartmuseum.org/events.  

For more information about Laguna Art Museum visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum.

This summer the Festival of Arts is celebrating a major milestone: its 90th anniversary. On Saturday, August 13th,1932 the Festival of Arts opened its doors for the very first time as two dozen artists hung their paintings on fences, trees, and buildings along Laguna’s main street hoping to lure tourists to the first Festival of Arts. This summer, on Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, the world-renowned Festival of Arts Fine Art Show will open its doors to celebrate 90 years of art, welcoming hundreds of patrons to relish in one of the nation’s top fine art festivals. The Festival of Arts is sponsored in part by Volvo, Fidelity Investments, Celebrity Cruises, KOST Radio 103.5, and The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel.

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the Festival of Arts will host 120 award-winning artists from July 5th through September 2nd. This professionally juried fine art show features a diverse selection of artwork including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and more from artists around Orange County. Since its opening in 1932, thousands have shown and sold their artwork at the Festival and many have their work featured in the private collections of leading art collectors, celebrities, and museums around the world. For a full list of the 2021 participating artists, please visit www.foapom.com/exhibitor-gallery.

The Festival has been rated one of the top festivals in the nation and each year hosts over 100 of Orange County’s most talented artists. Recent accolades include Orange County Register’s Best Place to Buy Original Art, Art Fair Calendar’s Top Five Art Fairs in the West, and Top 5 Art Festival in the nation voted by USA Today readers.

“Avid art collectors and festival-goers will have an outstanding variety of fine art to browse and purchase as they walk among the artists’ displays,” says Marketing and Public Relations Director Sharbie Higuchi.

In addition to the variety of artwork, the Festival of Arts offers a wide range of daily activities that the whole family can enjoy. The calendar includes nightly live music, guided art tours, art workshops, and weekly series including Concerts on the Green, and Art, Jazz, Wine, and Chocolate (sponsored by Charles Schwab and Cambria Estate Winery). Several special one-day events will return this year, including the very popular Festival Runway Fashion Show and Family Art Day. On August 13, the Festival of Arts will celebrate it’s 90^th anniversary with a Birthday Bash filled with fun activities including a concert with Stray Cat Lee Rocker in partnership with the City of Laguna Beach. The Festival’s Art Center, sponsored by Bank of America, will be a buzz with creative energy with art classes for all ages Friday – Sunday and free drop-in art workshops offered daily.

SPECIAL EVENTS

For a complete list visit LagunaFestivalofArts.org. Free with admission unless otherwise noted.

• That Girl Can Sing! Music Series
  • Tuesdays, July 12 – Aug 30, 5:30pm
• Laguna’s Finest Music Series
  • Wednesdays, July 13 – Aug 31, 5:30pm
• Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate
  • Thursdays, July 7 – Sept 1, 5:30pm
  • $20 additional fee for tastings
  • Sponsored by Charles Schwab & Cambria Estate Winery
• Tremendous Tributes Music Series
  • Fridays, July 8 – Aug 26, 5:30pm
• Concerts on the Green
  • Saturdays, July 9 – Aug 21, 1pm
• Spotlight on the Grand Piano Music Series
  • Sundays, July 10 – Aug 28, 5:30pm
• 90^th Anniversary Birthday Bash
  • Saturday, Aug 13, 12pm
• Family Art Day
  • Sunday, July 10, 12pm
• Festival Runway Fashion Show
  • Sunday, Aug 21, 12pm
• Special Fundraising Event
  • Saturday, August 27

ART WORKSHOPS FOR EVERYONE

For schedule and reservations visit LagunaFestivalofArts.org.

• Creativity runs wild at the Festival’s Adult and Teen Art Classes where students will make their own masterpieces under the instruction of professional artists. ($65)
• Uncork your creativity Friday nights at Wine and Painting Nights or Saturday nights at Pints, Pinots and Prints. Create a work of art with easy to follow instruction by Festival artists and enjoy complimentary wine or beverages. Must be 21 and up. ($80)
• Friday through Sunday, the Festival hosts Youth Art Classes, art classes for children ages 5 to 12. Classes include sculpture, printmaking, painting, and much more. ($25)
• The Festival Art Center, sponsored by Bank of America, will be open weekdays from 4pm to 8pm and weekends from 12noon to 8pm for hands-on artistic fun. Reservations not required, drop in anytime!

ART TOURS

Free art tours are held Monday through Thursday at 4:30pm and Friday through Sunday at 12noon and 4:30pm. Meet the artists and learn firsthand about their techniques through discussions and artist demos.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

• The Festival’s Junior Art Exhibition, sponsored in part by the FOA Foundation, California First Leasing Corporation and Mark Porterfield of Laguna Beach, will comprise almost 400 pieces of artwork from Orange County school children (grades PK to 12). The quality of art represented in the exhibit will astound art lovers of all ages.
• Support the arts by purchasing artwork from the Art-to-Go Exhibit themed “What the World Needs Now” donated by Festival artists with proceeds benefiting The Artists Fund at the Festival of Arts.

DINING OPTIONS / GIFT SHOP

• Terra Laguna Beach is the on-property dining destination and focuses on California cuisine with sustainable food practices and utilizes farm stand fresh ingredients and artfully crafted meals. For reservations, call (949) 494-9650.
• Intermission by Terra is a grab-to-go concession stand where patrons can purchase food to enjoy on the Festival grounds.
• The Festival of Arts boutique-style gift shop is the perfect place to find t-shirts, art books, posters, and many other items to remember your visit.

GENERAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION

DATES & TIMES

July 5 – September 2, 2022

Open Mon – Thurs: 4pm – 11:30pm

Fri – Sun: 10am – 11:30pm

Early closing August 27 at 1pm

TICKET INFORMATION

General Admission:   Weekdays $10, Weekends $15

Students & Seniors:  Weekdays $7, Weekends $11

Children 6 – 12:   Daily $5

Free Admission for Children 5 and under, Military, and Laguna Beach Residents.

FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS

(800) 487-3378

www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org

Credit: Laguna Festival of Arts.

The Los Angeles Zoo invites Angelenos to enjoy rare after-hours access of the zoo for four Friday evenings in July. As the sun goes down, the zoo will come alive with musical performances, a family dance party and games, tasty treats, full bars, and more. Guests will have the opportunity to roam the entire grounds to experience zoo life at dusk. The event is happening Friday, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. For more information, visit: https://www.lazoo.org/zoofridaynights. 

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS 

July 15: Pulp Vixen 

July 22: Wayne Vaughn presents Three Generations of Groove, featuring Wanda of The Emotions and The Fam 

July 29: The Brobots 

COST 

• $25 per adult (18+); $20 per child (2–17); $15 for members 
• Carousel rides, food, and beverage are available for purchase onsite
• Full bars will be available for guests 21 and older 

WHEN 

• Friday, July 15, 22, and 29 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

MORE INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS  Please visit, https://www.lazoo.org/zoofridaynights

Credit: The Los Angeles Zoo.