THIS SUNDAY is your chance to learn something new about the cultural pockets of LA! On Sunday, October 19, 2014, the non-profit L.A. Commons (www.lacommons.org) will host its 4th annual Found L.A: Festival of Neighborhoods, and its first based on a mayoral theme, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Great Streets Program. Explore the main arteries of neighborhoods in the city and meet the people in the center of all activity in these neighborhoods. Visit historic boulevards, sample delicious foods, hear little known stories, and more! Explore murals of Pacoima, see Northridge through the eyes of a 4th generation native, check out one of LA’s oldest neighborhoods, Hyde Park, and see what Central Avenue is up to (aka Jazz Park)! You never know what you may see, taste or hear! Found L.A. is a FREE event that showcases culturally dynamic neighborhoods through tours provided by people who volunteer to share their passion for their neighborhood. RVSP now for the FREE tours!
“Los Angeles is a city filled with neighborhoods built around Great Streets that have vibrant activity and identity,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “I invite you to join LA Commons for this year’s series of tours that focus on the cultural assets in our communities.”
Found L.A. is a FREE, citywide event that showcases culturally dynamic neighborhoods through the eyes of residents, public figures and renowned artists, who generously volunteer to share their unique perspective and passion for their neighborhood. Found L.A. is open to anyone who wants to organize a tour of their neighborhood, and anyone who wants to learn more about the vast expanse that is Los Angeles.
Connecting Angelenos to the people and places that make up the city is central to LA Commons’ mission and this annual day of tours is a keystone event in raising the awareness of L.A. Commons’ goals.
Los Angeles culture seekers will be able to explore historic boulevards, sample delicious foods in unknown corridors, and hear little known stories, among many other adventures in communities all around the city. This October 19th, explore the celebrated Central Avenue, sample tacos along iconic Cesar Chavez, stroll the backyard of vibrant Cal State Northridge along Reseda Boulevard, and get to know Gaffey Street, the historic gateway to L.A.’s Harbor.
Last year, with the event theme of the L.A. River, participants visited a traditional Japanese garden, heard from artists who created the Great Wall of Los Angeles, learned about the Arroyo Seco, and explored Compton Creek and its surroundings. Past installments of Found L.A. have included a walk down Central Avenue with former Councilwoman Jan Perry, a visit to the L.A. River via Atwater with now-Mayor Eric Garcetti, and a presentation by Compton’s new Mayor Aja Brown on her urban planning goals.
This year’s tour sites and schedules are listed below; detailed information can be found here.
10am – 11am: Northridge Village
Meet at Joyce’s Cafe, 8826 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324
10am – 12pm: Historic North Figueroa Street
Meet at Future Studio, 5558 N. Figueroa St., LA, CA 90042
11am – 1:30pm: Our Renaissance, Our River, Our Reseda!
Meet at Magnolia Science Academy, 18238 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335
11am – 2pm: Mar Vista’s “Great Street” Venice Blvd.
Meet at Vintage on Venice, 12218 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
11am – 2pm: Pacoima Mural Tour
Myke’s Café, 13171 Van Nuys Blvd. (cross street is Pala)
12pm – 1:30pm: A Sunday Stroll Through Hyde Park
Zion Hill Baptist Church, 7860 10th Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043
4pm – 5pm: Westwood Village
Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., LA, CA 90024
All tours are open and FREE to the public; people may sign up for multiple tours. For information on how to sign up to offer a tour, please contact Karen Mack at LA Commons: [email protected].
To get more information on signing up for tours, please “Like” the LA Commons Facebook page or visit the website www.lacommons.org/programs/found-la.
This program is made possible by funding from The California Endowment and the California Arts Council, a state agency, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
