Category: Featured this Week

You never know what you might pick up at Coastal Cleanup Day — a waterlogged wedding dress, Santeria offerings wrapped in velvet, or a briefcase stuffed with graham crackers — but you can almost certainly bet that doing so will help the environment. Last year more 13,000 volunteers removed nearly 60,000 pounds of trash and debris from Los Angeles County beaches and watershed areas on Coastal Cleanup Day, according to sponsor Heal the Bay, and e-scooters became the latest addition to the nonprofit organization’s list of unusual finds. Yes, mankind keeps coming up with creative ways to irresponsibly dispose...

Mindy Smith visits McCabe’s for the 15th anniversary of “One Moment More” In 2004 barely anyone knew who the hell Mindy Smith was, yet suddenly music industry tastemakers were dropping her name all over the place. Smith was still savoring accolades for her rendition of Dolly Parton’s classic ballad “Jolene” on Parton tribute “Just Because I’m a Woman” (which also featured heavyweights like Alison Krauss and Me’shell N’Degéocello) when Vanguard released the Long Island native’s debut album “One Moment More” to enthusiastic reviews. Opening track “Come to Jesus,” partly inspired by her mother’s death, was a hit with country,...

Fiesta La Ballona celebrates local culture with music, food and family fun By Danny Karel Culver City’s biggest community party of the year stages an entire weekend of family-friendly fun at Veterans Park. The annual Fiesta La Ballona features carnival rides and games, a petting zoo, dozens of food trucks, a beer-and-wine garden, more than two outdoor concert performances, and even an aquacade at The Culver City Municipal Plunge. The festival is free to attend, but carnival rides require a $30 wristband. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a performance by “yacht rock” band Harbor Party,...

Expect R&B star Leela James to deliver a fiery free concert in the marina Back in March, L.A.-raised R&B diva Leela James made a splash at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center when she stepped out at the Black Girls Rock festival and introduced a new song, “That Woman”: “I’m not ‘that woman’,” she howled. “Bitch ain’t my name/ Don’t start this fire/ ’Cause I’ll bring the pain.” A righteous declaration of self-respect and purpose, “That Woman” is the statement-making centerpiece of the EP “Are You Ready,” a taut collaboration with the Truth Band that gives James space to rock out...

“On the Edge of Society” @ Venice Beach House Step into Venice’s past at the historic Venice Beach House (15 30th Ave., Venice), once the seaside getaway of L.A. newspaper owner and Abbot Kinney’s good pal Warren Wilson. Through Aug. 15, the historic landmark turned boutique hotel hosts “On the Edge of Society,” featuring photography of classic beach culture by Jim Ganzer, Anthony Friedkin and Wynn Miller. The exhibit is open by appointment only. Book a tour ($20) of the gallery and grounds with complimentary tea, coffee, beer or wine at lacountyhistoricalsociety.com, or call (310) 382-6190. — Christina...