What’s Happening Highlights: June 2-6

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Fun On a String

It will be a puppet-palooza at the McGroarty Arts Center on Saturday with the annual Celebrate Puppetry Festival. Scheduled performers include Bob Baker’s Marionettes, Mr. Fabulous, Nancy Mitchell’s Miniken Puppet Productions and Johanna Smith’s Oh So Silly Animal Stories. At this free festival, you can also learn how to operate different types of puppets, make our own puppet and check out other marionette merriment.
When: 4-9 p.m. Sat., June 5
Where: McGroarty Arts Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga
Contact: 818-352-5285, www.balibeyond.com/cp.html

Veni, Vidi, da Vinci

The Getty’s exhibit “Leonardo da Vinci and the Art of Sculpture” is closing later this month (June 20, to be precise). If you have been meaning to see it, this Saturday would be a fine time to make your way to the Getty, which will be throwing a Family Festival that day. This daylong event features Italian opera, folk music and folk tales as well as interactive workshops. It promises to be an entertaining glimpse into Renaissance Italy. While admission to the Getty is free, the parking costs $15.
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat., June 5
Where: Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Dr., L.A.
Contact: 310-440-7300, www.getty.edu

Tahiti Via Santa Ana

Experience the Pacific Island at the Bowers Museum on Sunday. This Target First Free Sunday celebration will be transporting visitors to the Pacific Rim. Enjoy Tahitian drums and dance by Nonosina, the unique sounds of the didgeridoo by L.A. Outback and the dances of the Marianna Islands by Kutturan Chamoru. Please note that due to the safety concerns and space limitations, the museum is only allowing the first 1,500 people entrance into the “Secrets of the Silk Road” exhibit.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun., June 6
Where: Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana
Contact: 714-550-0906, www.bowers.org

What’s Happening Highlights: April 14-18

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Enter the (Golden) Dragon

The Golden Dragon Acrobats combine traditional Chinese artistry with modern-day showmanship. The troupe has been impressing American audiences with thrilling stunts and captivating contortions since 1978. Entitled “Cirque D’Or,” the Golden Dragon family-friendly show mixes acrobatics with music, dance, sports and martial arts to create an amazing celebration of Chinese culture and history. Tickets run from $26-$50.
When: 8 p.m. Fri., April 16; 2 and 8 p.m. April 17; 3 p.m. April 18
Where: Cerritos Center For the Performing Arts, 12799 Center Court Dr., Cerritos
Contact: 562-467-8818, www.cerritoscenter.com

Everyone In the Pool

Swim With Mike is a fundraising swim-athon that is also something of a pool party. It started 30 years ago to help All-American collegiate swimmer Mike Nyeholt, who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. So much money was raised at the first swim-athon that a Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund was started at USC. While there is no fee to participate, swimmers can raise money through donations. Also check out the silent auction and an all-day raffle along with live music, a barbecue and a Kids’ Corner. Swimmers of all ages and abilities are invited to dive into this charity event.
When: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., April 17
Where: McDonald’s Swim Stadium, USC, W. 34th and McClintock Ave., L.A.
Contact: www.swimwithmike.org

Earth Day Extra

We included a number of Earth Day activities in our April issue, but one that came in too late for print is the South L.A. Earth Day Festival. The California Greenworks has organized SouthLA EarthFest to help to inform residents (particularly those in South L.A.) about environmentally safe and sustainable products and services that all go with its “Think Green Go Green” motto. There will be an environmental film festival, live music, a healthy lifestyles pavilion, a children eco artwork and storytelling area and more. This year, too, the free festival has teamed up with the Red Cross to help victims in Chile and Haiti, so bring medical supplies, new shoes, clothing or financial contributions to donate.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., April 17
Where: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr., L.A.
Contact: www.southlaearthfest.org, www.californiagreenworks.org