(Ongoing) Special Events
OSCARS / Feb 25, 2007
With every new calendar year, the buzz of the entertainment community is all about Awards Season And while the Academy Awards ceremony may take place at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, all the action really happens in West Hollywood. Winners descend upon West Hollywood for exclusive after-parties like the Elton John party at the Pacific Design Center and Vanity Fair’s soiree held at Morton’s on Melrose. Several other viewing parties that raise money for a good cause are held all within walking distance from each other. For more information about this year’s Academy Awards visit www.oscars.org.
WEST WEEK / March 28-29, 2007
The Pacific Design Center hosts West Week, an internationally-recognized design trade event that welcomes thousands of design professionals each spring. The event includes top industry keynote speakers, showroom programs, book signings, exhibitions, product launches and the 13th annual 'Stars of Design' ceremony. Experts discuss and present such items as trends graphic & interior design, urban landscape, photography, contemporary art and architecture. Highlights of the event include programs hosted by Architectural Record, Elle Décor, House & Garden, and Metropolitan Home.
RUSSIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL / May 20, 2007
Russian Cultural Month in West Hollywood is a month of unique, family-friendly events celebrating the rich culture and the heritage of the over 300,000 members of the Los Angeles region’s Russian-speaking community.
The culmination of Russian Cultural Month is the Russian Cultural Festival. The Festival is free and includes a day of entertainment, music, food sampling, Russian crafts, jewelry and more. . For additional information, please visit our web site at www.weho.org/russianculturalmonth or call 323-848-6501.
AVENUES OF ART & DESIGN ART WALK / June 2, 2007
The Design Walk held in the Avenues of Art & Design district showcases the latest in interior design, fine art, fashion and cuisine on the streets of Melrose Avenue, Robertson and Beverly Boulevards in West Hollywood. Visitors will find a sophisticated environment, unique displays and live entertainment taking place in many of the areas 30 art galleries, 100 antique and contemporary furniture and interior design stores. The Art Walk is the perfect chance to explore and stroll through the galleries and enjoy food or wine as offered by individual stores.
LA GAY PRIDE / June 8-10, 2007
West Hollywood is proud of its dynamic gay and lesbian population and it shows at the annual Christopher Street West GLBT Pride Parade and Festival! The two-day festival is the largest on the West Coast, celebrating diversity and culture with booths, dance tents, food, exhibits, and performances. The parade on Sunday draws over 300,000 to Santa Monica Boulevard where Grand Marshals in the past have included Cyndi Lauper and Paris and her mom, Kathy Hilton. Visit www.lapride.org for more information on Gay Pride in West Hollywood.
OUTFEST / July 12-13, 2007
With attendance of nearly 40,000 people, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (OUTFEST) is the largest film festival in Southern California and the region’s largest gay & lesbian arts event. Since 1982, Outfest has presented more than 4,000 film and video titles for audiences of well over half a million people. Many West Hollywood venues are host to after-parties and celebrations throughout the screenings and activities. For more information visit www.outfest.org.
WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR / September, 2007
The West Hollywood Book Fair was founded by the City of West Hollywood as a means of encouraging reading, writing, and literacy and to heighten the community’s awareness of books. Visitors are encouraged to join more than 300 authors, 100 exhibitors, and 25,000 guests as festivities include an eclectic group of authors, poets and entertainers from a variety of genres. Participate in interactive activities hosted by exhibitors, enjoy theatrical performances, slam poetry, book signings and diverse programming for all ages! Authors for the event have included Carol Channing, Bill Maher, Christopher Rice, Heidi Fleiss, and other celebrity guests. Visit www.westhollywoodbookfair.org for more details.
AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES / October, 2007
A fundraising event for AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and other AIDS service organizations across LA County, the AIDS Walk begins at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood with over 25,000 people walking 6.2 miles to raise money for this very important cause. Founded by four friends in 1982, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national and global reach. Visit www.aidswalk.net/losangeles for more information.
WEST HOLLYWOOD HALLOWEEN CARNAVAL / October, 2007
The largest Halloween street party in the world happens in West Hollywood, located in the Los Angeles County Region. The 20th Annual West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval is scheduled for October 31, 2007. Each year, more than 500,000 people take to the streets of Santa Monica Boulevard to enjoy the craziest, most eccentric costume creations ever. The big draws of the evening are the Halloween Costume Contest and crowning of an Honorary "Queen of the Carnaval." Visitors can also expect fantastic live entertainment, food vendors, pumpkin-carving contests and children’s activities throughout the week previous. Admission is free and the event starts at 6 PM and runs until midnight.
