Skip to main content

Your Complete Guide to Current:LA Food, L.A.'s Public Art Triennial

A pile of beans | Still from "Artbound" Current LA
Support Provided By
L.A. State Historic Park, Chinatown, Council District 1
Dive deep into popcorn with Adrià Julià’s A Very White Flower and learn about L.A.’s indigenous past and the agricultural history of the area. Also, visit Current: LA Food’s headquarters.
Learn More
Valley Plaza Recreation Center, North Hollywood, Council District 2
Visit Shana Lutker’s Contemporary Museum of Temporary Containers, learn about recycling and explore hunger, food marketing and consumption with two 15-minute performances by Christopher Reynolds.
Learn More
Reseda Recreation Center, Reseda, Council District 3
Celebrate eating with your hands as you watch a tortillero make tortillas by hand with Comida a Mano by Eva Aguila & Coaxial Arts Foundation and enjoy the Foodscapes Festival with food and dance.
Learn More
Pan Pacific Park, Fairfax District, Council District 4
Bake breads from around the world with international bakers and visit acclaimed artist Michael Rakowitz’s Beneath the Date Palms, a reconstructed room of Iraq’s Northwest Palace of Nimrud.
Learn More
Palms Park, West L.A., Council District 5
Celebrate breastfeeding with installations by Babsi Loisch, including the creation of a giant burp cloth, and reflect on consumption with Ry Rocklen’s Food Group: The Body Palms performance.
Learn More
Delano Recreation Center, Van Nuys, Council District 6
Participate in Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs & Annie Gimas’ ALL AGAIN, learn how to turn food waste into soil with and see a film about the problematic history of bananas sold to Western countries.
Learn More
Roger Jessup Park, Pacoima, Council District 7
Participate in Emily Marchand’s A Thousand Lunches and pack lunches for the homeless with your community. Take home seeds of edible plants to grow your own food and learn to cook in a solar box.
Learn More
Martin Luther King Jr. Park, South L.A., Council District 8
Explore the lack of access to fresh food in disenfranchised communities with Jazmin Urrea’s Imperishable, made of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and learn how to practice backyard growing and composting.
Learn More
Exposition Park Rose Garden, Council District 9
See Michael Queenland’s Untitled, a sculpture of cereal on a rug inspired by the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. Learn about endemic plants and enjoy vegetable printmaking and chocolate making.
Learn More
Leimert Plaza Park, Council District 10
Reflect on the services food truck vendors provide to L.A. with Nari Ward’s Enchanted Servers sculpture made of food plate covers and jacks and enjoy some of the best vegan food in the city.
Learn More
Venice Beach Recreation Center, Venice, Council District 11
Experience Cooking Sections’ Mussel Beach, a choreographed audio tour of the beach to explore humanity’s effects on the ocean and see theatrical performances of artworks turned into recipes.
Learn More
Orcutt Ranch Horticultural Center & Community Garden, West Hills, Council District 12
Visit Nonfood’s algae greenhouse, Algae Bioreactor 1, taste an algae protein bar, learn how to cook familiar recipes with algae at home and learn how to transform your garden with endemic plants.
Learn More
Barnsdall Park, East Hollywood, Council District 13
Celebrate East Hollywood’s immigrants at Julio César Morales and Max La Rivière-Hedrick’s New Shores: The Future Dialogue Between Two Homelands and learn about fermentation and survival-based foods.
Learn More
Pershing Square, Downtown L.A., Council District 14
See Nancy Lupo’s Open Mouth, representing the 32 teeth in a mouth reimagined as benches, and a enjoy a rainbow feast incorporating food and sound and a tea ceremony with sonic rainbows.
Learn More
Ted Watkins Memorial Park, Watts, Council District 15
Contribute a recipe to a crowd-sourced cookbook and learn about the history of open-fire cooking in communities of color at Torolab’s Watts Cookbook and enjoy an annual parent appreciation picnic.
Learn More
Eva Aguila | Paul Mpagi Sepuya
Celebrate eating with your hands as you watch a tortillero make tortillas by hand and join Eva Aguila for experimental videos by international artists whose cultures also practice eating with one’s hands at "Comida a Mano." Read more about what inspired it here.
What Is Current:LA Food?

Current:LA Food is a city-wide triennial presenting art projects by 15 national and international artists and teams, who have taken on the global issue of food. See Currrent:LA Food all over the 15 council districts of Los Angeles. This article was made in partnership with The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA). Find out more about Current:LA Food on our coverage here.

Food isn't just about staying alive, it is a lens through which we understand ourselves. From modern scientific experiments to the revival of local ethnic traditions, food gives us a window into other cultures and shed light on current issues. This year, the city's triennial, Current:LA, will explore food and its multiplicities. Plan your visit to each of the council districts using the event listing and artist guide below.

Council District 1, L.A. State Historic Park, Chinatown

Eating in Yaanga presented by L.A. Food Policy Council

Wednesday, October 9, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Join tribal biologist Matt Teutimez as he talks about the history of food at the park and its indigenous past. Learn about traditional cultivation. Guests will get to taste edible plants. Capacity is limited to 30; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

A Very White Flower presented by Adrià Julià

Friday, October 11, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Dive deep into popcorn with two films about the global corn industry’s history at this former cornfield. Bring a blanket and snacks. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Learning from L.A. presented by Diana Nawi

Tuesday, October 15, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Listen in on a conversation between artists and event organizers about their experiences working in the city at the HUB in L.A. State Historic Park. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Cows to Concrete, Rail Yard to Cornfield presented by L.A. Food Policy Council

Wednesday, October 16, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Join author Rachel Surls as she talks about the agricultural and industrial history of neighborhoods around L.A. State Historic Park — Solano Canyon, Elysian Park and Chinatown, and how this has influenced the way Angelenos eat and farm. Capacity is limited to 30; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Dreaming of Food Sovereignty in L.A. presented by L.A. Food Policy Council

Wednesday, October 23, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

An exploration on food justice with music and art from the Toypurina Youth Arts & Action program, Tongva musician Kelly Caballero and artist Joel Garcia. Food samples provided. Capacity is limited to 30; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Open Hours @ the HUB presented by Dyson & Womack

Wednesdays – Fridays, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (closed Mondays & Tuesdays)

Current: LA Food’s headquarters is a meeting place with information about the triennial. RSVP appreciated.

Council District 2, Valley Plaza Recreation Center, North Hollywood

Waste Not: Opening Celebration presented by Shana Lutker

Saturday, October 5, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Artist Shana Lutker will open her installation, a collection of single-use food containers donated by the Valley Plaza Community, to teach recycling and zero waste in an accessible, family-friendly way. RSVP appreciated. Register here.

Performance: Appetite Monument Movement #1 (Suppressant) presented by Christopher Reynolds

Saturday, October 5, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Explore food marketing and consumption with a 15-minute performance at the recreation center pool. Performances start at 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Spaces are limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

The Temporary presented by Lauren Mackler

Saturday, October 26, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Start your afternoon by enjoying a science fiction monologue by Shana Lutker and end with a conversation about her work led by curatorial advisor Lauren Mackler. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Sonoran corn tortillas | Flickr/guepardo lento/Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Sonoran corn tortillas | Flickr/guepardo lento/Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

What’s Going on with Recycling?! Closing Celebration & Conversationpresented by Shana Lutker

Sunday, November 3, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Get practical information on how to recycle and reduce waste in your community. Family friendly and accessible. Capacity is limited to 40; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Performance: Appetite Monument Movement #2 (Stimulant)presented byChristopher Reynolds

Sunday, November 3, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

A cathartic performance exploring hunger. Performances begin promptly at 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Council District 3, Reseda Recreation Center, Reseda

Comida a Mano

presented by

Eva Aguila & Coaxial Arts Foundation

Saturday, October 5, 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Celebrate eating with your hands as you watch a tortillero make tortillas by hand and join Aguila for experimental videos of cultures around the world that also practice eating with one’s hands. Comal turns on at 5:00 p.m. Screenings at 7:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. Register here.

Foodscapes Festival: Art, Cultural & Ecological Histories

presented by

Across Our Kitchen Tables

Saturday, October 26, noon – 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy a pop-up marketplace, a traditional arts workshop, cooking demos, family fun and a dance performance in this afternoon-long event. RSVP appreciated. Register here

Council District 4, Pan Pacific Park, Fairfax District

Michael Rakowitz will recreate a room from the Northwest Palace of Nimrud. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food
Michael Rakowitz will recreate a room from the Northwest Palace of Nimrud. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food

The Town Oven: Azerbaijan & Turkey presented by

Leyna Lightman

Saturday, October 19, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Learn bread’s history and heritage as you join Azerbijiani author Feride Buyruran, chef Aliye Aydin of Turkish heritage and women from around the world as they prepare and share bread from Azerbaijan and Turkey. Capacity is limited to 18; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Sukkot Dinner presented by

Michael Rakowitz

Sunday, October 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot with a meal at a recreation of a room in the Palace of Nimrud featuring California dates gathered by members of L.A.’s Iraqi community, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Michael Rakowitz’s studio. Capacity is limited to 50; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

The Town Oven: Costa Rica & El Salvador

presented by

Leyna Lightman

Sunday, October 20, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Learn bread’s history and heritage with food writer Karla T. Vasquez and chefs Roxana Jullapat and Michelle Lainez as they prepare and share bread from Costa Rica and El Salvador. Capacity is limited to 18; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

The Town Oven: Ethiopia

presented by

Leyna Lightman

Saturday, October 26, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Learn bread’s history and heritage with bakers the Legesse sisters while they prepare and share bread from Ethiopia. Capacity is limited to 18; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Beneath the Date Palms

presented by

Michael Rakowitz

Saturday, October 26, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Join a dinner cohosted by Iraq Veterans Against the War featuring California dates gathered by members of L.A.’s Iraqi community, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Michael Rakowitz’s studio. Capacity is limited to 50; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

The Town Oven: Armenia

presented by

Leyna Lightman

Sunday, October 27, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Learn bread’s history and heritage with baker Kristine Jingozian while she prepares and shares Armenian bread. Capacity is limited to 18; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

House with a Date Palm Will Never Starve presented by Michael Rakowitz

Saturday, November 2, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Join a dinner cohosted by Iraqi American chef Sara Ahmad featuring California dates gathered by members of L.A.’s Iraqi community, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Michael Rakowitz’s studio. Capacity is limited to 50; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Council District 5, Palms Park, West L.A.

Ry Rocklen's Food Group: The Body Plams will incorporate song and dance from costumed characters. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food
Ry Rocklen's Food Group: The Body Palms will incorporate song and dance from costumed characters. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food

Nip & Draw: Feeding Portraits in the Park presented by Babsi Loisch

Sunday, October 6, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Take home a custom portrait of yourself to celebrate nurturing others. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Giant Burp Cloth (ongoing production)

presented by

Babsi Loisch

Sunday, October 6, 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.; Sundays, October 13, 20, 27, noon – 2:00 p.m.

Donate feeding-related fabrics such as bibs, nursing tops and pads and burp cloths to contribute to the piece: a giant burp cloth as a symbol of the many parts that make feeding happen. RSVP appreciated. Register here.

The Architecture of Nourishment presented by Babsi Loisch

Sunday, October 13, 10:00 a.m. – noon

Join a group of women experts to discuss breastfeeding in public spaces and in different communities. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Food Group: The Body Palms, a performance presented by Ry Rocklen

Sundays, October 13, 20, 27 & November 3, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Palms Park is reimagined as a digestive system. Food group characters representing popular American fast food will sing about how our bodies are affected by what we eat. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

The Lactation Club

Breastfeeding Support Group Meets Current: L.A.

presented by Babsi Loisch

Sunday, October 20, 10:00 a.m. – noon

Join Susan Martin of La Leche League for a conversation about breastfeeding. Capacity is limited to 25; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Breast/Milk: A Discussion of Support, Access and Class

presented by

Babsi Loisch

Sunday, October 27, 10:00 a.m. – noon

Join experts in a panel that discusses the complicated history of breastfeeding surrounding race and class. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Feed-In: A Gathering presented by

Babsi Loisch

Sunday, November 3, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Picnic on a giant burp cloth created with donated feeding textiles to celebrate feeding infants and toddlers in public. Adults with children welcome. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Council District 6, Delano Recreation Center, Van Nuys

Going Bananas presented by Women's Center for Creative Work

Sunday, October 6, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

See "Going Bananas" by gloria galvez, an animated film about the problematic history of bananas sold to Western Countries and enjoy a discussion of the film and banana snack foods prepared by historian Susan Park.  Spaces are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Workshops with LA Compost presented by

Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs & Annie Gimas

Saturdays, October 12, 19, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Learn how to turn food waste into rich soil with L.A. Compost. Provided in English and Spanish. Capacity is limited to 40; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Turn! Turn! Vocal & Movement Performance Workshop #1

presented by

Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs & Annie Gimas

Saturday, October 12, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Participate in one or more of three Saturday workshops (October 12, 19, 26), this time with soprano Tany Ling, plus the afternoon rehearsal November 2 and be eligible to perform in ALL AGAIN the evening of November 2. Comfortable clothing is recommended and light refreshments will be provided. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Wheel of Life: Vocal & Movement Performance Workshop #2

presented by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs & Annie Gimas

Saturday, October 19, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Participate in this workshop or the one on October 26, plus the final rehearsal November 2, and be eligible to perform in ALL AGAIN the evening of November 2. Comfortable clothing is recommended and light refreshments will be provided. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Ring: Vocal & Movement Performance Workshop #3

presented by

C

arolyn Pennypacker Riggs & Annie Gimas

Saturday, October 26, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Participate in one or more of three Saturday workshops (October 12, 19, 26), alongside soprano Tany Ling, plus the afternoon rehearsal November 2 and be eligible to perform in ALL AGAIN the evening of November 2. Comfortable clothing is recommended and light refreshments will be provided. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

ALL AGAIN: Final Rehearsal presented by

Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs & Annie Gimas

Saturday, November 2, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Final rehearsal for October workshop participants before two performances. Light refreshments provided and comfortable clothing is recommended. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

ALL AGAIN: Two Performances presented by

Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs & Annie Gimas

Saturday, November 2, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. & 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Experience an experimental performance that explores food justice, ecology and the environment featuring a chorus, professional ensemble and community participants. Performances start at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Council District 7, Roger Jessup Park, Pacoima

Emily Marchand's A Thousand Lunches will bring people together to feed homeless. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food
Emily Marchand's A Thousand Lunches will bring people together to feed homeless. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food

A Thousand Lunches presented by Emily Marchand

Saturday, October 5, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Pack lunches for homeless services with fellow community members. Then, picnic on an oversized compostable blanket embedded with seeds of edible plants that you can take home to grow your own food. Spaces are limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Solar Cooking

presented by

Bed & Breakfast

Sundays, October 6, 20, 26, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Learn how to make and cook with a solar box and enjoy bread baked in the box cooker. Capacity is limited to 25; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Council District 8, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, South L.A.

Imperishable Talk featuring Ruth Galaviz, Karla Vasquez and Emily Marchand presented by Jazmin Urrea

Thursday, October 10, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Join artist Jazmin Urrea in conversation with artists and activists as they talk about food insecurity and community building. Bringing a blanket is recommended. Capacity is limited to 30; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Imperishable Workshop with Angela Means Kaay

presented by

Jazmin Urrea

Thursday, October 24, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Join artist Jazmin Urrea in a vegan food workshop with Angela Means Kaay, the owner and chef at Jackfruit Café from Jefferson Park. Capacity is limited to 30; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

SEE-LA Change: Anyone Can Grow presented by

SEE-LA

Saturday, October 26, 2019 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A daylong event of workshops and talks about food access and backyard growing featuring composting classes. Follow @SEELAORG for more details and schedule updates. More registration info here

Mmm! presented by

Marco Rios

Tuesday, October 29, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Explore who you are based on what you eat with artists and curatorial advisor Marco Rios. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Council District 9, Exposition Park Rose Garden

California Food Chains

presented by

Michael Queenland

Saturday, October 12, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Get native California seedlings for free and learn the importance of endemic plants. Capacity is limited to 15; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

The Art of Food: A Recipe for Community

presented by

Center for the Arts Eagle Rock

Sunday, November 3, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Dive deep into the city’s food and art cultures in this all-ages daylong event with picnicking, painting, poetry, vegetable printmaking and chocolate making. More schedule info here. Register here. RSVP appreciated.

Council District 10, Leimert Plaza Park

 A collage of seashells and beach bodies. Part of Cooking Sections' Mussel Beach. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food
A collage of seashells and beach bodies. Part of Cooking Sections' Mussel Beach. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food

Enchanted Servers presented by Nari Ward

Saturdays, October 5, 12, 26 & November 2, noon – 5:00 p.m.

See a sculpture made of metal food plate covers and jacks used to raise cars. The S.H.I.N.E. Mawusi Women’s African Drum Circle will perform at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Several South L.A. food trucks and a photo booth will also be onsite. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

SÜPRFEST presented by

SÜPRSEED

Saturday, October 19, noon – 5:00 p.m.

Vegans rejoice! Vegan vendors will showcase some of the best vegan food in the city in an accessible way. RSVP appreciated. Register here

Council District 11, Venice Beach Recreation Center

Performance: Muscle House Cookbook presented by Human Resources L.A.

Saturday October 19 and November 2, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

See theatrical performances of artworks turned into recipes by a group of artists. Everyone is invited to participate. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Mussel Beach

presented by

Cooking Sections

Saturdays & Sundays in October, noon – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 3, noon – 6:00 p.m.

Download a 30-minute audio narration here to experience a mixed-media artwork that explores humanity’s effects on the ocean. Mussel Beach merchandise available. Download the free app at musselbeach.org. RSVP appreciated. Register here.

Council District 12, Orcutt Ranch Horticultural Center & Community Garden, West Hills

Nonfood's algae greenhouse. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food
Nonfood's algae greenhouse. | Courtesy of Current: L.A. Food

Embracing Localism in the Landscape presented by

Nonfood

Sunday, October 6, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Join The Theodore Payne Foundation’s Director of Horticulture, Tim Becker, to learn how to transform your garden with endemic plants. Capacity is limited to 13; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Grow Your Own Algae presented by

Nonfood

Sunday, October 13, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Learn how to harvest and grow your own algae on a small scale. Capacity is limited to 13; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Eating Green?

presented by

Nonfood

Sunday, October 20, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Learn how to cook familiar recipes with algae at home with artist Bettina Yung. Capacity is limited to 13; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

From Seed to Earth presented by

Lucia Fabio

Sunday, November 3, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Picnic and learn the similarities in the cycle of life of plants and humans. RSVP appreciated. Register here

Algae Bioreactor 1: Open Hours

presented by

Nonfood

Wednesdays to Fridays from Wednesday, October 10 to Friday, November 1, noon – sundown; Saturdays and Sundays from October 5 to November 3  10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (closed Mondays & Tuesdays)

Visit an algae greenhouse to observe growing practices and learn the benefits of algae as a food source. Register here.

Council District 13, Barnsdall Park, East Hollywood

MRE Classic: Workshop with Tony Banuelos presented by L.A. Eats Itself

Saturday, October 5, 11:00 a.m. – noon & noon – 1:00 p.m.

A discussion and exploration of survival-based foods. From military MREs (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) to sailors’ hardtack to Native American pemmican. Capacity is limited to 15; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Chapter 1: Armenia of New Shores

presented by

Julio César Morales & Max La Rivière-Hedrick

Sunday, October 6, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate East Hollywood’s immigrant communities, especially the Armenian community, at a party featuring a meal and interactive performance. Children and outside beverages welcome. Food will be provided. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Fermentation: Workshop with David Anthony David

presented by

L.A. Eats Itself

Saturday, October 12, 11:00 a.m. – noon

Learn about fermentation while making sauces that symbolize nostalgia and the preservation of culture. Capacity is limited to 15; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Chapter 2: Thailand of New Shores

presented by

Julio César Morales & Max La Rivière-Hedrick

Sunday, October 13, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate East Hollywood’s immigrant communities, especially the Thai community, at a party featuring a meal and interactive performance. Children and outside beverages welcome. Food will be provided. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Fermentation: Workshop with Jessica Wang

presented by L.A. Eats Itself

Saturday, October 19, 11:00 a.m. – noon & noon – 1:00 p.m.

Fermenter Jessica Wang of Picklé teaches basic food preservation techniques using veggies and salt. Samples for tasting and jars for bringing pickles home provided. Capacity is limited to 15; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Chapter 3: Korea of New Shores

presented by

Julio César Morales & Max La Rivière-Hedrick

Sunday, October 20, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate East Hollywood’s immigrant communities, especially the Korean community, at a party featuring a meal and interactive performance. Children and outside beverages welcome. Food will be provided. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

SHOOK: A Survivalist Last Supper

presented by

L.A. Eats Itself

Saturday, October 26, 5:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Experience a light supper focused on foraged and fermented foods accompanied by a drum circle performance and spoken word poetry. Capacity is limited to 60; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Chapter 4: Mayan of New Shores presented by

Julio César Morales & Max La Rivière-Hedrick

Sunday, October 27, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate East Hollywood’s immigrant communities, especially the Mexican and Salvadoran communities, at a party featuring a meal and interactive performance. Children and outside beverages welcome. Food will be provided. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Registerhere.

Chapter 5: Futuro of New Shores

presented by

J

ulio César Morales & Max La Rivière-Hedrick

Sunday, November 3, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Consider the future of the global environment at a party featuring a meal and interactive performance. Children and outside beverages welcome. Food will be provided. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis.Register here

Council District 14, Pershing Square, Downtown L.A.

Notes from a Bench presented by Nancy Lupo

Saturday, October 5, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Artists Nancy Lupo and Alvin Li will gather and perform at a set of noteworthy benches from Shanghai. Enter the park at 6th and Hill Streets. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Rainbow Transmissions presented by The Golden Dome

Sunday, October 6, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy a rainbow feast incorporating food, sound and performances by the Rainbow Chorus, Fawntisse Finesse and Breadwoman. Capacity is limited to 40; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.

Toothtone with Nour Mobarak

presented by

Nancy Lupo

Sunday, October 13, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Join Artist Nour Mobarak as she performs by playing the cavities in Nancy Lupo’s "Open Mouth" installation at Pershing Square. Enter the park at 6th and Hill Streets. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Rainbow Transmissions presented by

The Golden Dome

Sunday, November 3, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Take part in a tea ceremony with healing sounds and sonic rainbows. Tea and fruit will be served. Capacity is limited to 60; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Crown, Neck, Root

presented by

Nancy Lupo

Sunday, November 3, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Readers are invited to explore the idea of teeth as a way form of meditation. Featuring writings by David Rattray and Norman M. Klein. Enter the park at 6th and Hill Streets. Capacity is limited; RSVP preferred, space given on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here

Council District 15, Ted Watkins Memorial Park, Watts

Watts Cookbook Fire-Up & Barbecue Workshop presented by Torolab

Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26, noon–5:00 p.m.

Contribute a recipe for a crowd-sourced cookbook and learn about the history of open-fire cooking in modern communities of color as you get a taste of Watts. Capacity is limited to 50. Register here.

Family + Food = Love: A Parent Appreciation Picnic presented by LA Commons

Saturday, October 12, noon–5:00 p.m.

Take part in a celebratory barbecue and picnic with games designed by local youth. Capacity is limited. Register here.

Meet the featured artists and the issues they tackle below:

Adrià Julià | Courtesy of the artist
Dive deep into popcorn with "A Very White Flower," featuring two films about the global corn industry’s history at a former cornfield. Read more about Adrià Julià's inspiration for the work here. | Courtesy of the artist
Shana Lutker | Courtesy of the artist
Reflect on the omnipresence and impact of disposable food containers with "Contemporary Museum of Temporary Containers" (CMTC), an installation comprised of thousands of them. Read more about why Shana Lutker wanted to work with disposable food containers here. | Courtesy of the artist
Eva Aguila | Paul Mpagi Sepuya
Celebrate eating with your hands as you watch a tortillero make tortillas by hand and join Aguila for experimental videos by international artists whose cultures also practice eating with one’s hands at "Comida a Mano." Read more about what inspired it here. | Paul Mpagi Sepuya
Michael Rakowitz of Beneath the Date Palms | Daniel Asher Smith
From Michael Rakowitz, visit a reconstructed room of Iraq’s Northwest Palace of Nimrud featuring a banquet space designed for L.A.’s community to share California dates in and talk about what connects the U.S. and Iraq at Beneath the Date Palms. Learn more about what the reconstructed palace is made out of here.
Ry Rocklen | Courtesy of the artist
Palms Park is reimagined as a digestive system. As audiences sit on picnic blankets and gaze at bronze fast food sculptures, Food Group characters representing popular American fast food will sing about how our bodies are affected by what we eat at Food Group: The Body Palms. Find out how Ry Rocklen developed his performance here. | Courtesy of the artist
Annie Gimas overlooking the ocean and Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs in a garment created in collaboration with Roxy Jamin. | Gimas' photo courtesy of the artist and Pennypacker Riggs' by Ry Rocklen
Watch ALL AGAIN, an experimental choral and movement performance that explores food justice, ecology and the environment. Read more about the artists and ALL AGAIN here. Photo: Annie Gimas overlooking the ocean and Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs in a garment created in collaboration with Roxy Jamin. | Gimas' photo courtesy of the artist and Pennypacker Riggs' by Ry Rocklen
Emily Marchand | Sam Widaman
Join fellow community members for a massive lunch packing session to benefit Pacoima’s homeless community at A Thousand Lunches. Learn more about Emily Marchand's approach to creating a conversation about access to food here. | Sam Widaman
Jazmin Urrea | Tyler Lumm
Explore the lack of access to fresh food in and pervasiveness of artificial food dyes and additives in disenfranchised communities with Jazmin Urrea’s Imperishable featuring Flamin’ Hot Cheetos-filled sculptures. Find out why Urrea picked Flamin' Hot Cheetos as the center of her piece here. | Tyler Lumm
Michael Queenland | Michael Rashkow
East and West, perishable and artisanal meet in Michael Queenland’s Untitled, a sculpture of scattered breakfast cereal piled atop a hand-knotted rug inspired by the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. Learn more about Queenland's work here. | Michael Rashkow
Nari Ward | Courtesy of the artist
Celebrate food truck vendors’ contributions to far-flung communities with "Enchanted Servers," an installation featuring metal food plate covers and auto jacks. Read more aboout why Nari Ward wanted to focus on food truck vendors here. | Courtesy of the artist
Cooking Sections' Daniel Fernández Pascual and Alon Schwabe | Paul Plews
Cooking Sections' Daniel Fernández Pascual and Alon Schwabe present "Mussel Beach," a series of mixed-media artworks including performances, installations, food tastings and a choreographed audio tour of the beach to explore humanity’s effects on the ocean. Learn more about the duo here. | Paul Plews
Nonfood's logo | Courtesy of Lucy Chinen
Visit Algae Bioreactor 1, an algae greenhouse to observe growing practices, learn about the benefits of algae as an environmentally-sound food source and get a taste of Nonfood’s algae-based nutrition bar. Find out how Nonfood's artist collective set out to change nutrition here.
Max La Rivière-Hedrick and Julio César Morales by Matt Martinez | La Rivière-Hedrick's photo by Heimo Schmidt and Morales' by Matt Martinez
From Max La Rivière-Hedrick and Julio César Morales, the immigrant experience in East Hollywood is explored through food, conversation, installation and interactive public performances inspired by night markets at "New Shores: The Future Dialogue Between Two Homelands." Learn more about the inspiration for the work here. | La Rivière-Hedrick's photo by Heimo Schmidt and Morales' by Matt Martinez
Nancy Lupo | Courtesy of the artist
Pershing Square will be transformed into a mouth with teeth represented by custom benches that will serve as a stage to think about a city’s metabolism in "Open Mouth." Read more about Nancy Lupo's artistic benches here. | Courtesy of the artist
Torolab founder Raúl Cárdenas Osuna | Ana Martínez Ortega
Drop by a reimagined barbecue area to share a recipe for a crowd-sourced cookbook and reflect on food deserts in urban communities of color and the rich history their inhabitants have of cooking in open fires in Torolab's "Watts Cookbook." Learn more about Torolab and the inspiration for "Watts Cookbook" here. | Photo of Torolab founder Raúl Cárdenas Osuna by Ana Martínez Ortega

Support Provided By
Read More
An 8mm film still "The Kitchen" (1975) by Alile Sharon Larkin. The still features an image of a young Black woman being escorted by two individuals in white coats. The image is a purple monochrome.

8 Essential Project One Films From the L.A. Rebellion Film Movement

For years, Project One films have been a rite of passage for aspiring filmmakers at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. Here are eight Project One pieces born out of the L.A. Rebellion film movement from notable filmmakers like Ben Caldwell, Jacqueline Frazier and Haile Gerima.
A 2-by-3 grid of Razorcake zine front covers.

Last Punks in Print: Razorcake Has Been the Platform for Punks of Color For Over Two Decades

While many quintessential L.A. punk zines like "Flipside," "HeartattaCk," and "Profane Existence" have folded or only exist in the digital space, "Razorcake" stands as one of the lone print survivors and a decades-long beacon for people — and punks — of color.
Estevan Escobedo is wearing a navy blue long sleeve button up shirt, a silk blue tie around his neck, a large wide-brim hat on his head, and brown cowboy pants as he twirls a lasso around his body. Various musicians playing string instruments and trumpets stand behind him, performing.

The Art of the Rope: How This Charro Completo is Preserving Trick Roping in the United States

Esteban Escobedo is one of only a handful of professional floreadores — Mexican trick ropers — in the United States, and one of a few instructors of the technical expression performing floreo de reata (also known as floreo de soga "making flowers with a rope"), an art form in itself and one of Mexico's longest standing traditions.