What’s Happening Highlights: July 14-18

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Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages….

Yes, the world famous Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey’s Circus is setting up its tents in Southern California again. The Circus will be at the Staples Center from July 14-18, and later it will be at Ontario’s Citizens Business Bank Arena (July 21-25) and Anaheim’s Honda Center (July 28-Aug. 8). This year’s show, entitled “Barnum’s FUNundrum,” will celebrate P.T. Barnum’s 200th anniversary with an entertaining array of acrobatics, animals, clowns and more. Tickets run from $12-$100.
When: various times, Wed. July 14-Sun. July 18
Where: Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., L.A.
Contact: www.ringling.com, www.ticketmaster.com

Sleeping Beauty Awakens The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

The heralded American Ballet Theatre will be performing the classic ballet work, Sleeping Ballet at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion July 15-17. Utilizing Tchaikovsky’s renowned score, the ABT will have a different pair of lead dancers for each of its five performances. But, undoubtedly, beautiful ballet will be experience at each performance. Tickets range from $30-$120.
When: 7:30 Thur.-Fri., July 15-16, 2 p.m and Sat. 7:30 p.m. July 17 and 2 p.m. July 18.
Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N Grand Ave., L.A.
Contact: 213-972-7211, www.ticketmaster.com

A Wonderful Weekend of Free Arts

As part of the Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Festival, there will be free events around Southern California at places like LACMA, California African American Museum, Japanese American National Museum, the Museum of Latin American Art. Perhaps the biggest event is the two-day festival taking place at San Pedro’s Peck Park. This free festival features live music (from Afro-Cuban to Zydeco), arts & crafts, food and other multi-cultural entertainment.

When: 2-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun, July 17-18.
Where: Peck Park, 560 N. Western Ave., San Pedro.
Contact: www.grandvision.org, www.target.com/arts

What’s Up Doc

One of the most fun times for families at the Hollywood Bowl is its Bugs Bunny At the Symphony show. This year marks the 20th year of Bugs at the Bowl and this all-new show features the orchestra accompanying classic and new Bugs Bunny cartoons along with some ‘toons features his animated pals, Tom & Jerry, the Flintstones and Scooby-Doo. Tickets are $30-$120.
When: 8:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., July 16-17
Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A.
Contact: 323-850-2000, www.hollywoodbowl.com

What’s Happening Highlights: July 7-11

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Those Dashing Dachshunds

Los Alamitos Race Course will be hosting a unique type of dog racing on Saturday. The 15th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals pits nearly 100 dachshunds in a race for canine glory. The top dogs from a dozen 50-yard trial sprints will compete against each other in a grand finale. The winning weiner dog will receive $1,000 for its owner, a crystal trophy and a red doghouse as well as a trip to participate in the National Grand Finale in San Diego. Los Alamitos admission is $3 for adults with children 17 and younger getting in free. Proceeds will benefit the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
When: 4 p.m. (gates open), Sat. July 10
Where: Los Alamitos Race Course, 4961 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos
Contact: 714-820-2800, www.losalamitos.com

Pop Over To LACMA For Pop Art

The L.A. County Museum of Art currently is showcasing the work of one of Southern California’s top Pop artists, John Baldessari. The exhibition, entitled “Pure Beauty,” serves as a marvelous retrospective of his conceptual art pieces from the ’50s to the present. There are a lot of playful, fun qualities to his work that children can relate to. Appropriately, this month’s Andell Family Sundays art programs will be inspired by Baldessari’s artwork. The workshop is free but museum admission is $12 for adults, and children 17 and younger are free.
When: 12:30-3:30 p.m., Sun., July 11, 17 and 25
Where: LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.
Contact: 323-857-6000, www.lacma.org

The Twilight Dance Series Rises Again

Since 1983, the sound of music has been filling the air at Santa Monica Pier every summer. This year’s season begins this Thursday night with a performance of exotic “Congolese Trance Dance-Tronica” by Konono No.1. The series, which runs through Sept. 1, offers music from around the world: India, Italy, England, Australia, New Orleans and right here in Southern California. Rickie Lee Jones (Aug. 5) might be the biggest name, but you don’t need much of a reason to picnic on the beach and listen to the free music.
When: 7 p.m. Thurs., July 8-Sept. 1
Where: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
Contact: 310-458-8900, www.santamonicapier.org

You Can Feel the Love Friday Night

Lion King lovers will want to flock to the Grove Friday night for a special free performance from the majestic Disney musical, featuring the show’s cast from Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay, including several of the lead actors (Kissy Simmons, Buyi Zama and Jelani Remy). Los Angeles’ FAME Church Choir will be singing as well. Also, you can create your own Lion King-related mask, out of recycled material at a crafts workshop led by Ann Closs-Farley Designs between 3-7 p.m.
When: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Fri., July 9
Where: The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr., L.A.
Contact: 323-900-8080, www.thegrovela.com