Trade talks lift stocks – Stocks rose by over 2% this week as volatility continued in the financial markets. Huge swings have continued over the last 8 weeks as investors weigh new information and speculation on global trade, political uncertainty, monetary policy, a new Federal Reserve Chairman, a new Treasury Secretary nominee, and corporate profits. This week, negotiations with China led investors to believe that a trade war may be averted. Stocks made up most of the previous week’s loses when stocks were rocked by China’s response of placing tariffs on U.S. goods in retaliation to the Trump administration’s tariffs placed on Chinese goods. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 24,103.11, up from last week’s close of 23,533.20. It is down 2.5% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,649.87, up from 2,588.26 last week. It’s down 1.2% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 7,063.44, up from 6,992.67 last week. It is up 2.3% year-to-date.
Stocks were down for the second consecutive month – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the month at 24,103.11, down from its February 28, 2018 close of 25,029.20, which was down over 1,000 points from its January 31, 2018 close of 26,076.89. It has dropped almost 2,000 points in two months. The S&P 500 closed the month of March at 2,649.87, down from its February 28, 2018 close of 2,713.83. The NASDAQ closed the month at 7,063.44, down form its February 28 close of 7,273.01. Treasury Bond Yields – Bond yields lower this week – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.74%, down from 2.82% last week. It was 2.87% on February 28, 2018. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 2.97%, down from 3.06% last week. The 30-year was 3.13% on February 28. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates. Mortgage Rates almost unchanged this week – The March 29, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.44%, unchanged from last week’s 4.45% The 15-year fixed was 3.90%, unchanged from 3.91% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.66%, unchanged from 3.68% last week. Rates were slightly lower on Friday. Expect next week’s survey to have rates slightly lower. For the month, rates were unchanged from rates on March 1. U.S. existing home sales bounce back in February – Prices continue to rise – The National Association of Realtors reported that total existing home sales, which are recorded transactions of all single family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops, grew 3% in February. In the first two months of 2018, sales are 1.1% above the same period last year. The median price paid for a home in the U.S. increased by 5.9%, from February 2017. That marked the 72nd straight month of year-over-year price increases. The unsold inventory index stood at a 3.4 month supply in February, down from 3.8 months in February 2017. Year-over-year inventory levels have fallen for 33 consecutive months. California existing home sales pick up in February – The California Association of Realtors announced that existing home sales totaled 422,910 on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in February. That represented a 3.3% increase from the number of sales in January, and a 5.4% increase from last February’s number of sales. Prices also increased with the statewide median price $522,440, an increase of 8.8% from one year ago. After hitting a 14-year low in December, the number of homes for sale increased for a second straight month. The unsold inventory index rose to a 3.9-month supply of homes in February, up from a 3.6-month supply in January. There was a 4 month supply of homes for sale in February 2017. Author, Syd Leibovitch
0 Comments
Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.
Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!). This weekend in L.A. (March 30 to April 1) includes a free LEGION Chamber installation, Disco Dining Club at the Ace in DTLA, San Fernando Street Festival, Blessings of the Animals in Olvera Street, 420 Games L.A., Easter egg hunts, Easter brunch, Brewery Yoga and MUCH more. Enjoy! Friday March 30th, 2018 1. LEGION returns to FX on April 3 and to celebrate, there will be animmersive installation in Hollywood that guests can enjoy for free. The 360-video installation LEGION Chamber will run March 30 through April 1. FREE 2. Celebrate springtime and the Easter bunny during Big Bunny’s Spring Fling at the Los Angeles Zoo on March 30-31 and April 1. This annual celebration offers lots of family fun, including appearances by the Easter Bunny, a family dance party, crafts and live performances. 3. Decompress at Mystic Journey Crystals in Venice with a crystal sound bath that combines original compositions and performances with crystal singing bowls. 4. ‘The Garden’ is a new series by the LA Phil offering complimentary pre-concert drinks and views of the DTLA Skyline followed by masterful performances. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase to the actual concert. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 5. The Slurring Bee makes its way to The Virgil this Friday for a bar spelling bee with a money prize, bee-themed prizes and guaranteed slurring if you choose to participate. 6. Center Theatre Group’s second annual Block Party shines a spotlight on remarkable theater works created throughout L.A. with new productions of three previously staged shows. See all three works will be performed at Culver City’s Kirk Douglas Theatre from March 29-May 20. 7. The VOID’s virtual reality experience Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire is now open in the Glendale Galleria. The “hyper-reality” experience puts players in a 360 virtual world allowing them to touch, smell, and sensing their surroundings. 8. Hangout at the Aquarium of the Pacific at night and see sharks, jellyfish and more in a different light! Happening multiple times this week. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 9. 260 LA will host a Rent The Runway sample sale at their Beverly Hills location from March 20 to April 1. 10. The new swan-shaped paddle boats are making a big splash with Angelenos. Start the weekend right with a ride on a Swan in Echo Park Lake. 11. Step inside The Museum of Illusions in Hollywood and find yourself in a classic painting, part of a cartoon, part of current events, inside movies and much more. Highlights include watching the Titanic go down, “climbing” a sheer cliff and other eye popping visuals. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar 12. The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show is a hilarious improv show by the cast of the Groundlings’ Main Company. Audience shout suggestions throughout the night for improvisational scenes performed by some of the best in the business. It’s also a testing ground for brand new material for the Groundlings’ main show. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 13. Take an afternoon yoga class in beautiful Grand Park. The 45 minute workout is complimentary to the public every. After yoga, checkout the many food trucks lining the park and grab lunch al fresco style. FREE 14. All’s Well That Ends Well is performed by The Independent Shakespeare Co. at Atwater Crossing Arts + Innovation Complex from Thursday – Sunday. Saturday March 31st, 2018 15. There’s a free immersive rooftop party at the Ace Hotel this Saturday to celebrate the launch of its spring menu with Flora & Fauna, curated by Disco Dining Club. The theme of the night will be pagan celebrations with floral installations, roaming pagan Spring characters, tarot readings and DJ sets from Sindri Galvan and Bathhouse. 16. This Saturday Metro presents the San Fernando Street Festival. Folks are encouraged to bike, skate, rollerblade, walk, play and dance. Play in car-free streets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. FREE 17. There’s a Blessing of the Animals happening at Olvera Street by Archbishop Jose Gomez. All pets are welcomed four-legged, scaly, water-bound, and the list goes on! FREE 18. Esotouric Bus Adventures hosts a four-hour luxury coach tour of Downtown Los Angeles featuring tales of hotel horrors and main street vice as far back as 100 years ago. Check for discount ticketsbefore making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 19. Street artist CHASE will premier a new solo show titled “Into Light & Space” at Castelli Art Space this Saturday. The artists emblematic “Chase Eye” can be found on many walls in L.A. but for this show he has captured his street art style into the phenomena of light, volume and scale, and created new pieces using glass, neon, fluorescent lights, resin and acrylic for the first time. Opening reception is from 6-10 p.m. FREE 20. 3rd Annual 420 Games Los Angeles will take place on the Santa Monica Pier will feature yoga, basketball, CBD massages, a 4.20 mile boardwalk course, athletics, vendors and much more. 21. Pasadena’s Egg Bowl will be held at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium with more than 6,500 people expected to attend. The spring festival will feature a hunt of 80,000 Easter eggs, games, face painting, live entertainment, food, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and more. FREE 22. Kevin & Bean’s April Foolishness will take over the Microsoft Theater in Downtown with acts like Gabriel Iglesias, Adam Devine, Brad Williams, Bryan Callen, Doug Benson, Jeff Garlin, Sarah Tiana and Mike Relm. All proceeds from the comedy show are donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and Cedars-Senai NICU. 23. The Santa Monica Jaycees 26th Annual Peter Rabbit Day takes place at Douglas Park this Saturday. Free to the public the community event will feature egg hunting, face painting, egg dyeing, sack races, spring gardening, appearances by Peter Rabbit and more. FREE 24. The Museum of Failure returns at a new location on Hollywood and Highland with new exhibits and products that include Juicero, Facebook Gifts, RCA SelectaVision, Pets.com, and Google Wave. There’s also an entire section dedicated to Hollywood with some of the industry’s biggest fails. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 25. Zombie Joe’s presents a F*CKED UP EASTER EGG HUNT not for children but for adults who like scary, weird and totally wrong situations. The special limited performance will only take place on Easter weekend. 26. City of Whittier’s Eggxtravaganza at at Michigan Park will feature a helicopter egg drop, pictures with the Easter bunny, crafts and more. 27. Take a Downtown Los Angeles foodie walking tour and savor what the bustling neighborhood has to offer. The tour is three hours long, participants will stop at six popular spots to eat and the tour guide will take folks through the history of DTLA. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 28. Head to The Americana at Brand in Glendale for Yoga on the Greenhosted by Samsung Mobile and lululemon the free yoga class will be followed by a complimentary bottle of Pressed Juicery to get your day going right. FREE 29. There’s an Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt hosted by the city of Redondo Beach. Bring your own basket to partake in the free Easter Egg Hunt of 75,000 eggs and enjoy games, treats and more at Franklin Park. FREE 30. Head to Simi Valley for the Margarita Taco Festival where you’ll quench your thirst on a variety of margaritas and get stuffed with tacos galore. The event will benefit the Welcome Home Soldier Foundation providing sleeping bags to homeless veterans. 31. The city of Rosemead will host their annual Easter Eggstravaganzathis Saturday at Garvey Park with free game booths, moon bounce, egg hunts and photo opps with the Easter Bunny. FREE 32. Greenbar Distillery has teamed up with The Burrito Project and a select list of local bars and restaurants, to provide thousands of burritos to those in need in the Los Angeles area. Simply go to a bar on the list and order a CITY Bright gin cocktail from there Greenbar Distillery will donate a burrito to The Burrito Project. Get more info here. 33. King’s Harbor Community Church will host a Community Egg Hunt for kids 5th grade and under. There will be over 10,000 candy stuffed eggs hidden and everyone will be able to enjoy music, dance, crafts and other Easter related activities. FREE 34. Visit Virtual Room in Hollywood for a group VR adventure in which you’ll go back in time to ensure a better future. 35. Enjoy three blocks of antique vendors during Downtown Pomona Collectors St. Faire. The event will take place on The Antique Row from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday April 1st, 2018 36. Happy Easter! Check out last minute options for a killer Easter brunch here. 37. Downward Grog presents Brewery Yoga this Sunday in Downtown Los Angeles at Iron Triangle Brewery. 38. Museum of Selfies opens on April 1 and will run till May 31 with 10 interactive exhibits that welcomes visitors to take a closer look into the cultural phenomenon. The curators of the Glendale musueum have also collected an array of Instagram-inspired art as well as an Iron Throne made of selfie sticks for guests to enjoy. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 39. There’s an adult Easter egg hunt for people 21+ at Eagle Rock Brewery this Sunday. You can win all kinds of prizes like swag and sugary treats. 40. Visit Angel City Brewery for the podcast Go Fact Yourself it quizzes comedians, actors and musicians about topics they claim expertise in. If they slip up, real experts on hand share the actual facts. 41. Cocobella Creamery will celebrate their one year anniversary by serving $1 scoops starting at noon. 42. Vidiots presents Movie Trivia Night at the Ace Hotel in Downtown this Sunday. Participation is free and takes place at Segovia Hall. FREE 43. Friendship Buddies is a weekly stand-up comedy show at the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park. Come hangout in the back patio, enjoy a cocktail, and LOL to outstanding stand-up comedians in Los Angeles. FREE 44. The Great Rock and Roll Flea Market will take over The Regent Theater in DTLA with an impressive selection of vintage collectors, antiquities dealers, vintage clothing, jewelry makers, music memorabilia, vinyl, local food vendors, food trucks, craftsmen and used musical instruments dealers. FREE 45. On the first Sunday of every month Pasadena Community College hosts a flea market featuring over 450 vendors from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Schedule provided by We Like LA Stocks drop 6% in the worst week since January 2016 – U.S. stock markets fell 6% this week as investors feared that new tarriffs on imports could start a global trade war. The Federal Reserve also raised their benchmark interest rates. This was expected just a few weeks ago, but many experts felt the Fed would hold off on an increase because stocks have been so volatile in the last couple of weeks. Stocks have dropped 10% in just a month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 23,533.20, down from last week’s close of 24,946.51. It is down 4.8% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,588.26, down from 2,752.01 last week. It’s down 3.2% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 6,992.67, down from 7,484.99 last week. It is up 1.3% year-to-date.
Treasury Bond Yields – Bond yields lower this week – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.82%, down from 2.85% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.06%, down from 3.08% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates. Mortgage Rates stable this week – The March 22, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.45%, unchanged from last week’s 4.44%. The 15-year fixed was 3.91%, unchanged from 3.90% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.68%, unchanged from 3.67% last week. California existing home sales pick up in February – The California Association of Realtors announced that existing home sales totaled 422,910 on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in February. That represented a 3.3% increase from the number of sales in January, and a 5.4% increase from last February’s number of sales. Prices also increased with the statewide median price $522,440, an increase of 8.8% from one year ago. After hitting a 14 year low in December, the number of homes for sale increased for a second straight month. The unsold inventory index rose to a 3.9 month supply of homes in February, up from a 3.6 month supply in January. There was a 4 month supply of homes for sale in February 2017. Author, Syd Leibovitch Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.
Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!). This weekend in L.A. (March 23-25) includes Bach in the Subways, a Mermaid Museum, Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk, Waffles and Beer Festival, Torrance Cherry Blossom Festival, The Return Of Vaudeville, César Chávez Day and MUCH more. Enjoy! Friday March 23rd, 20181. In honor of J.S. Bach’s birthday, Bach in th te Subways returns to L.A. March 21-25 with free performances at Union Station, North Hollywood, Glendale, and other public venues. The events are highlighted by a 10-hour Bach Marathon at Union Station on March 24. 2. The Siren-inspired POPSUGAR x Freeform Mermaid Museum will feature a photo spot that allows guests to look as though they’re floating in an underwater garden plus a 360-degree animated underwater projection and soundscape. It’s free to attend and runs March 22-25. 3. The VOID’s virtual reality experience Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire is now open in the Glendale Galleria. The “hyper-reality” experience puts players in a 360 virtual world allowing them to touch, smell, and sensing their surroundings. 4. Premiere TV festival PaleyFest LA returns to Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre March 16-25 for another year of cutting-edge programs and panels connecting television fans with the stars of their favorite shows. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 5. WonderCon returns to Anaheim Convention Center March 23-25 for the ultimate comic book convention weekend that also focuses on TV, film, animation, and more. 6. The 2018 Latin Food Fest is two days of food, beer & wine booths, celebrity chef demos, a michelada bar, a spirits expo, live performances and more. Happening in Santa Monica March 23-24. 7. Movie Under The Guns is a movie night aboard the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro. Free to the public they’ll screen 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. FREE 8. There’s a Milk Bar Pop-Up at Night + Market Sahm in Venice this Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. Treat yourself to an after-dinner bite of b’day truffles, cookies, crack pie and more. 9. A free, interactive Ready Player One pop-up maze lands in Hollywood March 18 to April 1. The pop-up is part of the promotional run-up to Stephen Spielberg’s Ready Player One movie. Taking place at Hollywood and Vine the experience is a “choose-your-own adventure” maze with audio/visual installations, interactive displays, video games, film props, actors, music, and set replicas. Keep in mind the reservations are booked full but they are accepting walk ups and have a stand by line. FREE 10. The grand opening of ART Up! will take place at Beyond The Lines Gallery and Event Space in Downtown Los Angeles. The pop-up art show will host four shows in a row, live music, food, drinks and comedy shows. 11. Step inside The Museum of Illusions in Hollywood and find yourself in a classic painting, part of a cartoon, part of current events, inside movies and much more. Highlights include watching the Titanic go down, “climbing” a sheer cliff and other eye popping visuals. Happening all weekend. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar 12. Palm Desert Food & Wine returns to the El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert for three days of tastings from leading chefs, breweries, and wineries; live cooking demonstrations; celebrity chef appearances; and other dining experiences. 13. The Museum of Failure returns at a new location on Hollywood and Highland with new exhibits and products that include Juicero, Facebook Gifts, RCA SelectaVision, Pets.com, and Google Wave. There’s also an entire section dedicated to Hollywood with some of the industry’s biggest fails. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 14. 260 LA will host a Rent The Runway sample sale at their Beverly Hills location from March 20-25. 15. 4th Fridays on 4th Street activates the “Retro Road” business district in Long Beach on the fourth Friday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m. through extended hours, dining specials, discounted merchandise, pop up shops, art shows, live music, double decker bus rides and more. 16. There’s a Blues Brothers screening in 35mm at the Vista this Friday. 17. Greenbar Distillery has teamed up with The Burrito Project and a select list of local bars and restaurants, to provide thousands of burritos to those in need in the Los Angeles area. Simply go to a bar on the list and order a CITY Bright gin cocktail from there Greenbar Distillery will donate a burrito to The Burrito Project. Get more info here. 18. The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show is a hilarious improv show by the cast of the Groundlings’ Main Company. Audience shout suggestions throughout the night for improvisational scenes performed by some of the best in the business. It’s also a testing ground for brand new material for the Groundlings’ main show. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) Saturday March 24th, 201819. 12th Annual Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk will host art exhibits and demonstrations, alongside various theatre and music workshops. The ArtWalk is free and open for all ages. FREE 20. The Norton Simon Museum celebrates French artist Edgar Degas with a night of interactive workshops like sculpting and drawing, live entertainment including harp and cello performances and more. 21. The new Waffles and Beer Festival debuts at Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles March 24-25 to celebrate the Swedish tradition known as Waffle Day. The festival will offer a wide variety of savory and sweet waffles and an array of craft beers for sale along with live music and more. 22. Esotouric Bus Adventures presents Pasadena Confidential a four-hour luxury coach tour in the City of Roses. From the Sphinx murder at Masonic Hall to the strange death of Eraserhead star Jack Nance the tour will make your toe’s curl with it’s shocking stories about the beautiful and seemingly normal town. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 23. adidas teams up with Na-kel Smith for 3 Rooms, a multi-sensory shopping experience taking place at HNYPT in Downtown Los Angeles. The one-day pop-up will feature limited releases and exclusive collaborations in three distinctive, unpredictable environments, all of which were conceptualized by Na-kel. 24. Pasadena Heritage presents the Better Homes and Gardens Spring Home Tour. Inspired by the magazine, Pasadena Heritage’s BH&G tour invites guests to learn about the area’s noteworthy architecture and landscape design going back more than 130 years. 25. 7th Annual Winner’s Circle BBQ Championship at Santa Anita Park is a delicious competition featuring BBQ from local and national restaurants, chefs and grillmasters. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 26. NewFilmmakers is hosting the Los Angeles Women Directors & Narratives Film Festival a celebration of independent cinema in spotlighting female filmmakers and stories. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 27. Brennan’s will host a Hula Hoop Dance Class with Tika Moini at 9 a.m. this Saturday and Yoga with Maha on Sunday. Both classes are $15 and includes a beverage of your choice after class when brunch starts. 28. There’s a free presentation at the Studio City branch of the Los Angeles Public Library with Historian Mary Mallory about the 1938 flood and its aftermath in Studio City. FREE 29. It’s opening night for All’s Well That Ends Well performed by The Independent Shakespeare Co. at Atwater Crossing Arts + Innovation Complex. 30. The city of Whittier will host an Eggxtravaganza this Saturday at Parnell Park. This free event will include a helicopter egg drop at noon, pictures with the Easter bunny, train rides, a family fair, and more. FREE 31. An All-Girl Car Show & Vintage Fashion Exchange comes to the El Segundo’s Automobile Driving Museum this Saturday. 32. Checkout Balanced Delirium the first Los Angeles solo exhibition by abstract art and graffiti artist Smurfo Udirty at de Plume Gallery. Exhibit runs till April 19. Sunday March 25th, 201833. Target is hosting The Ultimate Family Festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this Sunday. The free concert will feature chart topping acts like One Republic, Charlie Puth, DJ Questlove, Charli XCX, and Troye Sivan. Though all of the free tickets are booked up, festival organizers tell us interested parties can still sign up for the waitlist. Should additional tickets become available, guests will be removed from the waitlist and notified via email. FREE 34. Torrance Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival is a free day of cultural performances, crafts by local artisans, food vendors and more at Columbia Park. FREE 35. What’s the weirdest thing you can do this weekend in L.A.? Exercise your inner demons at L.A.’s creepiest sound bath. Dark Ambient Sound Bath includes primal screaming and an ‘exorcism’ theme. Yikes! 36. Relive the glory days of vaudeville with The Return Of Vaudeville at The Wiltern. This glamorous soiree will offer Prohibition-style cocktails and a vintage variety show brimming with classic acts like aerial acrobatics, burlesque, comedy, snake charming, and live music. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar) 37. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes celebrates César Chávez Day with a day of educational and interactive workshops, Xipe Totec Aztec Dance Group, The César Chávez Foundation and much more this Sunday. FREE 38. La Carretera is a unique vintage car and music gathering harkening back to the La Carrera Panamericana races in Mexico of the ’50s. Taking place in Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District the event will feature gorgeous vehicles from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s in a retro party atmosphere. 39. Vegan Street Fair returns to North Hollywood for another year of plant-based eats from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Bay area, and as far as Chicago and New York. Entrance is free. 40. Trashfish will collaborate with Imperfect Produce for an Elevating Underloved Foods dinner party at Feastly in Venice. The evening will celebrate the seafood and produce that often get overlooked. See the full menu here. 41. There’s a staged play reading of “The Last Seder” followed by a dinner prepared by Chef, Dan Cincis at Ebell of Los Angeles, LA’s oldest women’s club located in Hancock Park. Schedule provided by We Like LA. What’s the perfect way to ring in May 4, otherwise known as Star Wars Day? Possibly by checking out Disneyland After Dark’s special late-night Star Wars event on Thursday, May 3.
According to Disney Parks Blog, Star Wars Night is the park’s second Disneyland After Dark. Guests will buy a special ticket for the after-hours event, which grants them access as early as 6 p.m. By 9 p.m., however, the Star Wars will be in full effect until 1 a.m. Star Wars elements of the evening include a “galactic dance party,” immersive photo backdrops with unlimited PhotoPass downloads, Star Wars-themed merchandise and food, and a souvenir lanyard. Guests may also take a spin on Hyperspace Mountain (that’s the Star Wars version of Space Mountain), witness Captain Phasma leading the First Order through Tomorrowland, and meet Rey at the Star Wars Launch Bay (the park character, not Daisy Ridley). The park also dangles another tempting carrot: shorter wait times for non-Star Wars attractions including Jungle Cruise and It’s a Small World. Tickets are $99, parking not included. Disneyland annual pass holders can purchase them starting March 29, while the rest of us will have to wait until March 29. Costumed are encouraged. More info here. For those wanting to immerse themselves in a galaxy far, far away without taking the trip to Anaheim, there’s always The VOID’s Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire. Story by We Like LA. E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood is one of the prettiest patios if you’re looking for a cocktail and a view, so it’s only fitting that they host a rooftop cinema series. Melrose Rooftop Theatre comes to E.P. & L.P. starting on May 1 with a screening of Pretty Woman.
MRT will take place every Sunday through Thursday from May 1 through November 15, screening over 100 different films, with a mix of genres, including cult classics and new-ish releases. There’s comedy (10 Things I Hate About You), horror (IT), drama (Moonlight), sci-fi (Blade Runner 2049), and romance (The Notebook). You can catch something like Coming to America or Pulp Fiction, or a more modern film like Black Panther or Star Wars: The Last Jedi. And if you missed the most recent Academy Award contenders, they’ll be screening some of those too. For instance, Best Picture She Shape of Water is on June 25. Guests will head up to the rooftop, where they’ll grab a cushy bean bag seat and a pair of wireless, noise-canceling headsets. Differing this year from previous iterations is that all 100 seats are “VIP” bean bag chairs. Tickets for just the film are $27.50. Or, for $65, guests will receive not only a ticket to the film, but a three-course, Southeast Asian meal at E.P. beforehand. (That price also includes tax and tip.) Dinner starts at 6 p.m., while the films start at sundown. Concession-style snacks, including popcorn and candy, and cocktails are available during every screening. Check out the full schedule and tickets here. Also, if rooftop movies are your jam, you may consider Rooftop Cinema Club, which is back for its fourth season in Los Angeles starting in April. Story by We Like LA. The first day of spring is here, and there’s no better time to start making plans in the city of angels! This season you’ll have the chance to visit a mermaid museum, put yourself in the shoes of a drug kingpin or a CIA recruit, sketch like Degas, watch classic films outdoors or in 1920s Hollywood movie palaces, or steer a swan boat. Also on the docket: Attend a food festival inside the Rose Bowl, see Flying Lotus at the Hollywood Bowl, or participate in a hyper-reality Star Wars experience.
This list of some of the best spring events in Los Angeles will remind you of why this city is such a great place to live. 1. Visit the Mermaid Museum – The interactive, Insta-worthy pop-up Mermaid Museum is coming to Hollywood from March 22-25 as part of a promotion of Freeform’s new series, Siren. -> More information 2. Suit Up for The VOID’s Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire – This hyper-reality experience combines virtual reality with physical environments to simulate a rebel mission to infiltrate a secret Imperial base. Now at the Glendale Galleria. -> More information 3. See What’s it Like to Work for a Drug Kingpin – Los Angeles’ newest escape room, Stash House, will allow you and your friends to get actively involved in a crime drama — with zero chance of going to prison. -> More information 4. Learn Degas’ Artistic Technique – During the Norton Simon Museum’s Night in Focus: Degas on March 24, view Taking Shape: Degas as Sculptor, sketch dancers in the style of Degas while surrounded by his work, and more. -> More information 5. Drink a Bunch of Beer – During the 9th Annual LA Beer Fest on April 7, sip a variety of unlimited samples of 200 beers from 80 different breweries. -> More information 6. Savor Delectable Food While Helping to Fight Homelessness – At Masters of Taste, taking place on the field of the Rose Bowl on May 7, some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, wineries and more will offer up handcrafted cocktails, exquisite bites, decadent desserts, fine wines and more, with 100% of the proceeds helping the homeless. -> More information 7. Take to the Streets – The latest CicLAvia event, Heart of the Foothills, will close certain streets to traffic on April 22, allowing Angelenos to bike, walk, and explore the off-the-beaten-path streets of San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, and Claremont. -> More information 8. Spend Time with Grunions – Go to Cabrillo Beach to watch a grunion run, attend the Grunion Fish-tival, or go to a Meet the Grunions event on various dates during spring 2018. -> More information 9. Improve Your Health – Check out Clean Made L.A. on April 21-22 for a vast marketplace, numerous speakers, yoga, a meditation hut and much more to help you create a healthier lifestyle. -> More information 10. Celebrate Bach’s 333rd Birthday – Visit Union Station on March 24 for a ten-hour marathon celebrating the music of the German baroque master — and enjoy free Starbuck’s coffee if you arrive early enough. -> More information 11. Fill up on Pancakes, Booze, & Art – When the Los Angeles Pancakes & Booze Art Show returns on April 28, check out the work of over 150 artists, listen to music, dine at the pancake bar, and sip some hooch. -> More information 12. Check out Art in Grand Park – At the Our L.A. Voices Arts Festival in DTLA, enjoy dance, music, theater, and visual art during a free public event April 27-29. -> More information 13. Celebrate The Dude – Watch a The Big Lebowski screening at the Wiltern or attend a Lebowski-inspired Bowling Party in Fountain Valley during Lebowskifest on May 25-26. -> More information 14. Party Like It’s 1977 – At the new immersive theater show Safehouse ’77, taking place at a Los Feliz bungalow until April 1, attend a “party” that’s actually a CIA recruitment. -> More information 15. Watch a Movie From a Rooftop – Rooftop Cinema Club is back in April, with screenings of both recent releases (Get Out, The Shape of Water) and enduring classics (Casablanca, All About Eve) atop the Montalban in Hollywood or LEVEL in DTLA. -> More information 16. Listen to Stories From a Secret Society of Women – Every month on the night of the full moon, the Secret Society of the Sisterhood (whose members include Pamela Des Barres and Mara Wilson) comes to the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to share their most personal stories. -> More information 17. Watch Classic Films at Hollywood Movie Palaces – The TCM Classic Film Festival returns to the Chinese Theater, the Egyptian Theater, the Cinerama Dome, and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel April 26-29 for four days of classic films, talks with the likes of Martin Scorcese and Mel Brooks, rare nitrate film screenings, and other events perfect for the classic film nerd. -> More information 18. See Neil Young, Jack White, Belle & Sebastian, Pretenders & More in Pasadena – Arroyo Seco Weekend returns to Pasadena June 23-24 for two days of live performances from some of the greatest bands of the past few decades. -> More information 19. Save the World (Virtually) – Visit Virtual Room in Hollywood for a group VR adventure in which you’ll go back in time to ensure a better future. -> More information 20. Ride a Swan in Echo Park – Savor the simple charm of steering a swan-shaped paddle boat around Echo Park Lake. -> More information 21. Enjoy the Return of Street Food Cinema – Listen to live music, dine from food trucks, and watch a movie screening outdoors when Street Food Cinema returns to parks all across the city. -> More information 22. (Finally) Visit Candytopia – After a months-long delay, Candytopia finally brought its immersive, oh-so-sweet Insta-friendly experience to Santa Monica, where it will remain till July 4. -> More information 23. View Cherry Blossoms – Celebrate spring’s fragrant beauty during Los Angeles’ various cherry festivals. -> More information 24. Shop at an Immersive Pop-Up – Get stimulated during Na-Kel Smith’s multi-sensory adidas shopping experience in Downtown Los Angeles on March 24. -> More information 25. Watch a Vintage Fashion Show as You Genteelly Sip Tea – Heritage Square Museum in Montecito Heights will host a Victorian tea and fashion show spotlighting 300 years of fashion history on April 14. -> More information 26. Decompress at a Sound Bath – Get bathed in healing sounds at Mystic Journey Crystals in Venice. -> More information 27. Purchase Limited-Edition Vinyl at Record Store Day – Buy limited-edition vinyl and more created especially for Record Store Day, an annual “holiday” for lovers of vinyl and indie record stores. -> More information 28. Visit a Shrine to Epic Fails – The Museum of Failure enjoyed a successful run in Downtown L.A. and has now made its way to Hollywood & Highland, where it will continue to celebrate such flops as Trump: The Game, Colgate brand lasagna, and Google Glass. -> More information 29. Step Back in Time to the Vaudeville Era – Watch a show featuring burlesque, snake charming, comedy, and aerial acrobatics, follow by a Speakeasy After Party, during The Return of Vaudeville at The Wiltern. -> More information 30. Stand up for Science – Support the environment, healthcare and scientific facts during The March for Science, returning to Downtown Los Angeles on April 14. -> More information 31. Listen to World Music at the Hollywood Bowl – KCRW is hosting six events making up the World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl this spring (and summer). The first event, on June 17, will feature Flying Lotus, Little Dragon, and another act to be announced. -> More information Article courtesy of We Like LA. Stocks down in another volatile week – Uncertainty led to another volatile week in U.S. stock markets. Volatility has caused the S&P 500 to lose or gain 1% or more in 9 out of the first 11 weeks of 2018. In comparison, the S&P 500 lost or gained 1% or more in just 13 weeks in all of 2017. Along with political uncertainty, fears of consequences from tariffs, and possible retaliation from other countries against our exports, led to the drops this week. For example, Boeing’s stock dropped nearly 10% this week based on increased steel and aluminum costs, and a possiblity of tariffs being place on Boeing jets by other governments.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 24,946.51, down from last week’s close of 25,335.74. It is up 0.9% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,752.01, down from 2,786.57 last week. It’s up 2.9% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 7,484.99, down from 7,596.81 last week. It is up 8.4% year-to-date. Treasury Bond Yields – Bond yields lower this week – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.85%, down from 2.90% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.08%, down from 3.16% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates. Mortgage Rates slightly lower this week – The March 15, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.44%, down slightly from last week’s 4.46%. The 15-year fixed was 3.90%, down from 3.94% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.67%, up from 3.63% last week. Next week’s report will include both housing sales data for February and the results of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting, where it is expecting that The Fed will increase short term interest rates. Author, Syd Leibovitch Have you made your St. Patrick’s Day plans in Los Angeles yet? March 17 falls on a Saturday this year, making St. Paddy’s an even more carefree holiday than usual. Get the party started early with a Leprechaun 25th anniversary screening in Los Feliz, or begin your day the healthy way and engage in a 5K in Redondo Beach. Or, check out a pub crawl — they’re happening in Hollywood, Downtown L.A., Santa Monica and Newport Beach. Elsewhere you can swing dance in Orange, visit DTLA’s art deco jewel, the Cicada Club, for a show that includes ’30-style tap-dancing chorus girls, enjoy corned beef, four different stouts and horse-racing at Santa Anita, chow on corned beef tacos at Angel City Brewery, or sip green beer in Marina del Rey.
Check out our rundown below for some of Los Angeles’ best St. Patrick’s Day events! 1. St. Paddy’s with a Tiki TwistWhat’s even better than $5 Guinness and Jameson specials? Change things up at Tiki No in North Hollywood on St. Patrick’s Day, where you can sip those enduring Irish potations, along with tiki classics like the Scorpion Bowl, Navy Grog, and the Suffering Bastard. 2. Listen to Pogues & Guns N’ Roses Tribute Bands in HollywoodProclaiming itself “the biggest party in Hollywood,” the Cahuenga Block Party at Hollywood and Cahuenga will feature live music all day (including Dirty Old Town, a Pogues tribute, and all-girl GNR tribute band Paradise Ktty), along with outdoor lounges, about a dozen DJs, an outdoor stage and a free drink with your early-bird ticket purchase. 3. Swing Dance While Surrounded by Art Deco SplendorDowntown’s gorgeous Cicada Club, an art deco restaurant/nightclub built in the ’20s (it began as a posh haberdashery) is hosting a special St. Patrick’s Day show led by Johnny Holiday. A singer who performs in the style of Bing Crosby (Holiday’s uncle), this modern-day crooner will perform with his 11-piece dance orchestra. The show also features The Honey Taps, a charming troupe of ‘30s-style chorus girls. 4. Stout Tasting & Horse Racing at Santa Anita ParkThe SGV’s landmark horse-racing track will celebrate the luck of the Irish in style with their Trackside Celebration. Your ticket gets you four 3 oz. stout tastings, a full craft beer, clubhouse admission, and access to trackside seating. Get more info and access to Goldstar (affiliate) discount tickets here. The day will also feature a special Irish trackside menu. 5. Run a 5K in the South BayWork up a sweat instead of (or before) carousing during the St. Patrick’s Day 5K in Redondo Beach. The course winds its way through Redondo’s scenic waterfront area. 6. Nosh on Corned Beef Tacos & Listen to Irish Music in a Downtown BrewerySt. Patrick’s Day at Angel City Brewery in Downtown Los Angeles will feature corned beef tacos, Irish coffee stout, Irish music from Opera on Tap Los Angeles, Americana rock band The Sound of Ghost… and NO COVER CHARGE! 7. Casey’s St. Patrick’s Day Street FestivalCasey’s St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival will shut down four blocks in downtown featuring DJs, dancing, Irish whiskey and beer, and more. The street fest will run from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 8. Party at a Westside Irish PubThis 15-hour party at The Irish Times Pub in Palms begins at 9 a.m., allowing customers time to savor a hearty Irish breakfast. In addition, listen to hours of live music (including Celtic tunes from Red Wing Social Club), partake of Irish stew or corned beef and cabbage, play games and enjoy other festivities. 9. Vegan Food, Green Beer & Live Music in Marina del ReyThe St. Paddy’s bash at Brennan’s in Marina del Rey will feature both vegan and non-vegan food specials, along with green beer and live music from five bands. 10. 7th Annual Rock & Reilly’s St. Paddy’s Day Block PartyCelebrate St. Patrick’s Day while benefiting a good cause (MVP: Merging Vets & Players) at this Sunset Strip pub’s back lot shindig, back for a seventh year, which will offer partygoers 100 kegs of green beer, DJs, food, and lots of games. 11. Imbibe at Seven of Hollywood’s Coolest BarsVisit seven of Hollywood’s coolest Bars during MiniBar’s “Hollywood Crawl of Fame.” Attendees will enjoy cocktail specials at this well-curated selection of Hollywood’s finest bars, with live Irish music and a party at the finish line. Buy a ticket for $25 — participating venues include MiniBar Hollywood, Ever Bar, The Parker Room, Sassafras, Sunset & Vinyl, Lost Property and Three Clubs. 12. Bagpipes, Guinness, Pac Man & More in DTLABrack Shop Tavern’s St. Patrick’s Day will include live bagpipes from 3-6pm, corned beef sliders, $7 Guinness pints, $5 green Budweiser, $10 Irish car bombs and $8 Jameson shots, along with Brack Shop’s usual game room fun: Pac Man, ping pong, darts and more. 13. Get Terrorized by a Leprechaun in Los FelizStart St. Patrick’s Day bright and early with a midnight screening of Leprechaun at the Vista Theatre — a beautiful 95-year-old vintage cinema in Los Feliz — in honor of the cult classic’s 25th anniversary. 14. Ten-Venue Hollywood Block Party & Pub CrawlThis pub crawl starts at St. Felix in Hollywood, then continues on to The Outpost, The Room, Pig ‘n’ Whistle and much more. Tickets are $18 and earn you some free welcome shots, amazing drink specials and access to the St. Pat’s photo booth. 15. Watch Burlesque in Long BeachEnjoy the art of the tease when the Dirty Little Secrets burlesque troupe titillates and tantalizes guests at their “Getting’ Lucky” St. Paddy’s-themed show at Harvelle’s in Long Beach. 16. Engage in a Pub Crawl Through Downtown Los AngelesEnjoy welcome shots with drink purchases, along with other tempting bargains, during this DTLA crawlthat includes Library Bar, Broadway Bar, Crocker Club, Beelman’s, Golden Road Brewing, The Association, Sixth Street Tavern, Los Angeles Biergarten and other watering holes. 17. Ten-Venue Hollywood Block Party & Pub CrawlHappening both the day before St. Patrick’s Day and on the day itself, you can sip drink specials like $2 beers, $3 well drinks, and $4 shots during this crawl that begins at either the classic Pig ‘n’ Whistle or The Outpost. Goldstar is offering a limited number of discount tickets to this crawl, so grab ’em while they last. 18. Swing & Latin & Ballroom Dance Party in OrangePhil’s Ballroom Dance Studio in Orange is hosting a festive St. Patrick’s Day dance with live music. Don’t know how to dance? No worries — a pre-party swing dance lesson is part of the fun. In addition, this celebration at the oldest dance school in the O.C. will include giveaways, light refreshments and punch. Goldstar is offering discounted tickets while supplies last. 19. Bar Hop in Newport BeachEngage in a day and night of Newport Beach bar hopping this St. Paddy’s. Your pub crawl map will guide you to numerous area clubs and bars where you’ll encounter specials on Irish whiskey and more, along with plenty of music. Our friends at Goldstar are offering some discounted tickets to this Luck of the Irish crawl. 20. Waterfront Patio Party at Whiskey Reds in Marina del ReyBreathe in the ocean air and enjoy the views of MDR and the Pacific Ocean during the 5th Annual St. Patty’s Patio Party at Whiskey Red’s. For $20, you’ll enjoy small bites, dancing, DJs, party favors and drink special access: $4 green beer, $5 Jameson Shots, $7 Guinness, and $8 Irish Car Bombs 21. Feast on Dark Beers at the Stout Festival in TorranceAre you bored with IPAs? At the N’owt but Stout Festival, taking place at Yorkshire Square Brewery in Torrance, enjoy exceptional dark beers, on cask and keg, from breweries hand-selected by the venue’s head brewer, Andy Black. You’ll sip pour after pour and get a stout beer education along the way. 22. Imbibe at Golden Road BrewingBeginning at 10 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day and continuing until 2 a.m., Golden Road Brewing will offer $5 pints of Irish Red Ale and Nitro Stout or $15 select pitchers. Live music begins at 2 p.m. with the band Green With Envy. 23. Party at One of L.A.’s Oldest RestaurantsOne of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles — a longtime favorite of Walt Disney — the Tam O’Shanter will be home to an epic St. Patrick’s Day party. The party and live music begin at noon in a special tented area in the parking lot, with entry to the music tent is just $5. Or spring for VIP entry — it’s $175, but that gets you exclusive seating on the newly restored patio, five drink tickets, two hours of buffet access, VIP-only drink specials, and special VIP-only raffles with prizes from Tullamore Dew Whiskey, Carlsberg Brewery and Lawry’s Restaurants. 24. Pub Crawl Along Main Street in Santa MonicaThis famed Santa Monica pub crawl happens on both March 16 and 17 includes drink specials at around a dozen venues along Main Street. The crawl will feature $3 beers, $4 well drinks and $5 shots. |
AuthorGenna Walsh Archives
February 2020
Categories
All
|