Events & Activities

For upcoming Oxy events check out the Calendar of Events.

Looking for Free Things to do in LA? Check out some of these cool options! Have suggestions? Let us know: sac@oxy.edu.

Museums

• Getty Center: Overlooking the California coastline and the L.A. skyline, the Getty Center surrounds guests with breathtaking views and a world-class art collection including European paintings, contemporary photographs and decorative arts.
• California Science Center: Through hands-on experiences in the galleries at the California Science Center, you'll learn about human inventions and innovations, the processes of living things and more. Also features a seven-story IMAX theater.
• FIDM: The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s collection of more than 10,000 costumes, accessories and textiles from the 18th century through the present day includes film and theater costumes.
• Fowler Museum at UCLA: Exhibitions from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas, past and present, lend a unique and intriguing atmosphere to Fowler Museum events.
• Hollywood Bowl Museum: New exhibit of the renovation of the Hollywood Bowl bandshell and great moments in classical music, jazz, and rock & roll.
• The Paley Center for Media: More than just a museum, the Paley Center is an institution dedicated to educating the public and exploring the intersection between media and society. It leads discussions about television, radio and emerging platforms and the cultural, creative and social significance of these expressions.
• Santa Monica Museum of Art: The Santa Monica Museum of Art organizes dynamic exhibitions of contemporary art in all mediums and across disciplines, complemented by outstanding educational programs for people of all ages.
• Banning Residence Museum: The 1864 Greek Revival residence, the Banning Residence Museum, is the former home of General Phineas Banning, the "father" of the Los Angeles Harbor.
• California African American Museum: The California African American Museum’s exhibitions enhance public knowledge of African-American contributions to society.
• Annenberg Space for Photography: Nestled within the Century Park office complex, inside the former Shubert Theatre space, these galleries are dedicated to celebrating both digital and print photography.
• Travel Town Museum: Located in Griffith Park, this museum is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of railroading in the western United States, featuring displays of historic steam locomotives, passenger cars and trolleys.
• The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising: FIDM's collection of more than 15,000 costumes, accessories and textiles from the 19th century through the present day includes film and theater costumes.

Attractions

• Self-guided tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall: Take a brief tour of the concert hall's highlights, complete with architectural facts and historical trivia to look for when you visit.
• Tour the Los Angeles Central Public Library: The Los Angeles Central Public Library reflects the Egyptian-style architecture mania that swept the country in the 1920s post-King Tut discovery.
• Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels: This is one of LA’s most innovative buildings, and although it’s the third-largest cathedral in the country, it’s able to inspire visitors with its warm, inviting interior perfect for introspection.
•  Korean Bell of Friendship: Intricate reliefs represent spirits and goddesses of liberty, victory and peace, while architectural details impart the colorful nature of Korean culture. Best visited on a clear, sunny day for a picnic and a stroll, the area features pristine views complemented by the yachts and charter boats of the harbor below.
•  Discover fossil fun: At La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park, the site of the richest discovery of Ice Age fossils in the world, more than 100 tons of fossilized bones representing nearly 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish have been unearthed from pools of sticky asphalt dating back to prehistoric time.
• Stroll the historic Farmers Market: The LA Farmers Market opened at the corner of Third and Fairfax in 1934 and retains much of its original flavor — the freshest produce, made-to-order peanut butter, gourmet meats and cheeses, corned beef and hot donuts — while adding a few modern touches (Brazilian barbecue, Cajun chicken, sushi).
• Venice canals: Winding through quaint little (and very expensive houses), the canals feature arched bridges and beautiful landscaping. It's a great place to cruise along on a bike. Start between Washington Avenue and Venice Boulevard.  
• Bradbury Building: The one-of-a-kind interior features a five-story atrium finished with glazed bricks and wrought-iron grillwork (including the cage elevator that will be familiar from the many movies filmed here).

Recreation

•  Free archery lessons in Pasadena: Pasadena Roving Archers offers free lessons every Saturday. Visit www.rovingarchers.com for more information.
• Wander around Griffith Park: With over 4,210 acres of both natural chaparral-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is the largest municipal park with urban wilderness area in the country, and provides a mix of free activities for the whole family. Picnic on one of the broad lawns or hike one of the park’s many free trails.
• Birdwatching at Audubon Center at Debs Park: The new Audubon Center at Debs Park is the first LEED Platinum-certified building, which alone might be reason enough for a visit, but the true gem is getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnecting with nature.
• Hike the Urban Trail: At any given time of day or night, the renovated walking path around the Silver Lake Reservoir is filled with joggers, walkers, strollers and dogs on leashes. With a crushed granite surface, the flat, two-mile path has become an outdoor gym for residents of the artsy neighborhood.
• Relax on LA’s own “Riviera": The Marina del Rey harbor offers spectacular views and many outdoor activities, including jogging, roller-skating, bicycling or just relaxing in the park.
• Palisades Park: Palisades Park features some of the city’s most magnificent sunsets and views of the ocean. It’s one of the city’s oldest parks, and also one of the most beautiful. A jogging and biking path runs along steep cliffs overlooking the ocean, while palm trees are scattered throughout, adding to the peaceful landscape.
• Stop and smell the roses: On UCLA’s campus you can enjoy three beautiful gardens for the price of nothing. Check out the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens, the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden and the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden, as well as Exposition Park’s Rose Garden near USC.
• Point Fermin Park and Lighthouse: Perched above the Pacific Ocean, Point Fermin is often overlooked by visitors. But the 37-acre park and its coin-operated telescopes offer some of the best views along the coast, while the 1874 lighthouse makes for picture-perfect photo-ops. Picnic, go for a jog or just sit and lose yourself.
• Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve: Located in Van Nuys, the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve debunks the myth that LA is a concrete jungle. In the reserve, it’s difficult to tell that you’re in the city at all. Groves of trees fill out the landscape, while a variety of wildlife — waterfowl, ducks, herons and more — go about their day.

Health and Beauty

• Get self centered: Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center in Sherman Oaks offers free weekly meditation classes in English, Spanish or Farsi. The free 90-minute workshops and guided meditations are scheduled three nights a week and once on Saturdays. For a schedule, check out http://sahajayogala.org/FreeClasses.htm.
• Neat market: The network of free farmers markets throughout Los Angeles has helped bring fresh-from-the-field produce to urban neighborhoods. One of the most popular is the famous original Los Angeles Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax. Other great markets include the Hollywood Farmers Market (Ivar and Selma Avenue), the Hermosa Beach Farmers Market (Valley Drive and 11th Street), the Studio City Farmers Market (Ventura Place and Laurel Canyon Boulevard) and the Santa Monica Farmers Market (Arizona Avenue and Second Street).
• Start “stairing:" The hills of Los Angeles inspired early housing developers to connect streets via sets of stairs, which often led to now-defunct trolley car stops. An online search with keywords “Silver Lake Stairs" connects you to several online communities that share tips and locations of favorite climbs.
• Get fit with Fido: The city of Los Angeles operates nine dog parks where your canine friends can roam off leash. These fenced areas within parks offer a variety of facilities for humans and animals.
• Ramp it up: The city also operates 19 skate parks that are a haven for skateboarders seeking challenging terrain.
• Build your beach body: Venice Beach is world famous for its funky folks, but it’s at least as well known for Muscle Beach, home to amateur and professional bodybuilders alike.
• Night hike: For years, the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has been leading guided hikes through the many trails of Griffith Park.

Activities

• Experience the Sunset Strip: Few other roads have the multiple personalities of this legendary 1.5-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard.
• Step into Hollywood history: The forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre has been one of the most popular free attractions since the 1920s, when actress Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped in wet cement during the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s King of Kings. Movie fans from around the world compare their hands and feet to those of stars past and present.
• Get photographed with a star: Speaking of movie stars (and other pop culture figures), at Madame Tussauds Hollywood you never know which famous wax figure will be on display near the box office entrance off Hollywood Boulevard, a free photo opp waiting to happen.
• Treepeople: This LA-based nonprofit organization has helped spearhead the ecotourism industry by offering numerous opportunities for visitors to volunteer. For more than 30 years, Treepeople has helped plant and care for trees, while educating people about the environment.

Arts and Culture

• Enjoy LA’s murals: These city treasures tell stories of the cultural past, present and future, of the hopes and dreams of the City of Angels. Visitors can find many of LA’s murals in Metro Stations, or visit the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles for complete information.
• Olvera Street: Visitors shop, listen to mariachi music, watch folklore dances and dine at several authentic Mexican restaurants. Tour the Avila Adobe, the oldest existing house in LA. Other restored historic buildings include the Old Plaza Church and the Old Plaza Firehouse.
• Leimert Park Village: Located in the heart of the Crenshaw district, Leimert Park Village lures tourists with the distinct African American culture of its shops, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and jazz clubs.
• Downtown LA Art Walk: Check out the latest and hippest at the Downtown LA Art Walk, which occurs the second Thursday of the month. Get the scoop on the top galleries.
• Chung King Road Art Walk: Discover the modern side of Chinatown by checking out the art walk at Chung King Road. The scene is surprisingly hip and young. See what galleries to visit.
• San Pedro Art Walk: San Pedro’s 1st Thursday Art Walk has flown under the radar since its conception in 1996, but in the last few years, both locals and cruise-ship tourists from the nearby Port of Los Angeles have flocked to the area to experience San Pedro’s tight-knit artists’ community, impromptu street performances and conversation-worthy art — all classic ingredients for a great art walk.
• Little Ethiopia: Discover the refreshingly authentic scene in Little Ethiopia, where you can smell tumeric and paprika, and hear colorful African pop blaring from store radios.
• Little Tokyo: Lovers of all things Japanese will have to make Little Tokyo a stop. Take a self-guided tour of the National Historic Landmark District’s cultural sights.
• Chinatown: For many, the best way to approach Chinatown is as an urban adventure — not into China, but into a distinct culture both Chinese and American. As the first established Chinatown in America, the area quivers with cultural history, woven into a now-modern and bustling community.
• NoHo: The NoHo (for North Hollywood) Arts District is a square-mile area that is quickly turning into one of LA’s artsier communities, with several galleries, public art, live theaters, boutiques, vintage clothing stores, ethnic restaurants and outdoor cafes. Check out the must-sees.
• Watts Towers: Watts Towers represent 33 years of work by an Italian immigrant construction worker who made the project his life. Similar in many ways to the style of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the 17 interconnected structures represent a striking example of the American Naive art movement.

Descriptions credited to: http://discoverlosangeles.com/play/activities-and-recreation/activities/100-free-things-to-do-museums.jsp

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"Everyday is MLK Day!"

Looking for places to volunteer? Here's a list of great places to donate your time! Have additional recommendations? Email us at sac@oxy.edu!

Area of Interest

Animals

1. Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA
Volunteers participate in all aspects of the shelter, from the veterinary clinic or the front office, to the Mobile Outreach Unit or adoption program.
If you are interested in information about volunteering, please read the Volunteer FAQs on the website and contact them at volunteerinquiries@phsspca.org.

2. Glendale Humane Society
If you are interested in volunteering with GHS, please visit the website and follow these steps:

1. Submit an application. Tell us a bit about yourself so we can see if your skills and availability fit our needs. Our application is available during select times of the year. If it is not available now, check back in a few months.
2. Attend an orientation. If you match up well with the current needs of GHS, the volunteer coordinator will be in contact with you regarding our next orientation.
3. Get involved. While you wait, check out other pages on our website to find additional ways you can help GHS accomplish our mission.

Homelessness/Low Income Families

1. Cause for Celebration
Provides birthday parties for low-income children currently living at a shelter. Volunteers can help at parties or events, and also join the leadership team to help plan events and parties.

Children/Tutoring/Mentoring

1. CoachArt
Teach a 12-week session in arts or sports to a group of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Volunteers must attend an orientation and fill out an application.

2. Aviva Family and Children’s Services
Provides services to at-risk youth and families, including residential treatment programs, Foster Family Agency, after school programs, non-public special education high school, community mental health services and independent living skills. Volunteers are needed to lead recreation activities with youth, tutor, assist in after school programs and independent living programs. Clerical volunteers help with research for funding sources and data.

3. Children’s Nature Institute
Serves children,parents, teachers, family shelters and individuals with disabilities. Volunteers may become docents and lead nature for two hours. They may assist in garden maintenance in Griffith Park, trail clean ups, fundraising events, office administration. Volunteers are needed on a continuous basis.