Upcoming events from Los Angeles Visionaries Association

THURSDAY APRIL 8 *

Naming of John Fante Square & free walking tour (NOTE TIME CHANGE!):
Come celebrate the 101st birthday of the great downtown novelist as the corner of 5th & Grand is renamed in his honor, then join LAVA founder Richard Schave on a free lunchtime walking tour (with historic food/drink stops) of Fante's lost downtown. The location of John Fante Square has been carefully chosen for its symbolism. 5th Street and Grand Avenue is the foot of the old Bunker Hill neighborhood where he lived and of which he wrote, and it was in the adjacent Central Library that the poverty-stricken young writer drank deeply of fiction and poetry. Years later, a young Charles Bukowski discovered “Ask the Dust” on the shelves at Central Library, and was himself inspired to become a writer. Fante Square's nomination was initially proposed by LAVA founder Richard Schave, and made possible through the support of Councilmembers Jan Perry and Jose Huizar. Free, Central Library, 11am. Info http://lavatransforms.org/johnfantesquare

Just the Facts:
Chief William Parker's War on Mickey Cohen and the Los Angeles Underworld-- John Buntin, author of the best-selling social history "L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City"(Random House), returns to Los Angeles to host his Esotouric bus adventure based on the book. As a special preview of his bus tour through the twin histories of mobster Mickey Cohen and crusading cop Bill Parker, LAVA exclusively presents John Buntin in a night of reading, discussion and curated vintage film and TV clips in the historic Los Angeles Athletic Club. Reservations are required for this free event, visit the link below for more info. http://lavatransforms.org/lanoir

* SATURDAY, APRIL 10 *

John Buntin's L.A. Noir Crime Bus Tour:
A collaboration between LAVA founders Richard Schave and Kim Cooper of Esotouric and visiting author Buntin, this tour uncovers the secret criminal history of Los Angeles that inspired writers and filmmakers for generations and profoundly shaped the city we live in today. Get on the bus as the whole filthy truth is spread out before you, as John Buntin's acclaimed book comes to life in visits to the LA Police Academy, Lincoln Heights Jail, Mickey Cohen's Boyle Heights and many more scenes of fascination and infamy. $62, departs from Clifton's Cafeteria, downtown LA, 12pm. Info http://lavatransforms.org/buntin0410

Right Palm Up, Left Palm Down:
The Log of a Cross-Country Scavenger Hunt--An art opening at Visionary Amy Inouye's Future Studio Gallery, featuring Gabriel Aldaz., an engineer by day, and muffler man tracker by, well, when he has the time. Over the course of several years, Gabriel tracked down various Paul Bunyan/muffler men/tall guy statues, discovering their histories. He compiled the stories of over twenty big guys that he visited. This exhibit will feature photos from his journeys, and also a book launch for the book of the same name and subject. And speaking of journeys, he's since moved to Denmark, so he will be our "artist who traveled the furthest to show at Future Studio Gallery." A title that we imagine he will hold forever. Info http://lavatransforms.org/rightpalmup

* SUNDAY, APRIL 11 *

Maja's Magic School:
second lecture in the new Second Sundays @ 6 For Sorcery series from Visionary, White Witch and esoteric scholar Maja D'Aoust is onthe theme of "Incantations: Sound and Music's Ability to Transform Physical Wavelengths." $5, Besant Lodge, Hollywood, 6pm. Info http://lavatransforms.org/mms410

* TUESDAY, APRIL 13 *

Spirits with Spirits:
the monthly gathering of G.H.O.U.L.A., the Ghost Hunters of Urban LA, will be at the historic Tam O'Shanter Inn, Walt Disney's favorite restaurant, to celebrate the publication of Visionary Richard Carradine's new book "Disneyland after Dark: An Unauthorized Guide to the Happiest (Haunted) Place on Earth." Spirits with Spirits is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters and those interested in ghost stories. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, and toast a ghost! Let's put the “Boo!” back into “booze.” Free to attend, Tam O'Shanter, Atwater Village, 7-9pm. http://lavatransforms.org/spiritsapril10

826LA:
home of Visionary Christina Galante, hosts the only L.A. screening ofthe new science fiction romance DRONES, with all proceeds going directly to 826LA's FREE creative writing programs for Los Angeles students ages 6-18. The exclusive screening will be followed by a Q&A with cast and crew, moderated by Kevin Pollak. $15-$100 sliding scale, Egyptian Theater, Hollywood, 7:30pm. http://lavatransforms.org/drones

* SATURDAY, APRIL 17 *

John Fante's Dreams from Bunker Hill bus and walking tour:
an Esotouric bus adventure exploring the lost downtown celebrated by the novelist John Fante, and the issues of preservation and public space that surround any look at old Bunker Hill, subject of the largest eminent domain land seizure in United States history. This is a special edition of this once-a-year tour, coming one week after the dedication of John Fante Square alongside the Central Library, and with Angels Flight Railway running again and now a part of the tour experience. $58, departs from Clifton's Cafeteria, Downtown, 12pm. Info http://lavatransforms.org/fanteapril10

* SATURDAY, APRIL 24 *

Haunts of a Dirty Old Man:
Charles Bukowski's L.A. bus tour focuses on Bukowski’s great passions: writing, screwing and Los Angeles. Come take in the canonical locations of his life and myth: the Postal Annex Terminal where he gathered the material for “Post Office,” the De Longpre apartment where he briefly experimented with marriage and fatherhood, one of his favorite bars and liquor stores, and many other spots. Along the way, we’ll explore the people and ideas that made up the warp and weft of Buk’s rich inner life. This Esotouric bus adventure is hosted by LAVA founder RichardS chave. $58, departs from Philippe's, Chinatown, 12pm. Info http://lavatransforms.org/buk0410

* SUNDAY, APRIL 25 *

Sunday Salon:
LAVA's monthly brunch gathering on the third floor of historic Clifton's Cafeteria in Downtown Los Angeles is a loosely structured conversational Salon featuring short presentations and opportunities to meet and connect with one another. If you're interested in joining LAVA as a creative contributor or an attendee, we recommend Salon attendance as an introduction to this growing community. Stay tuned for announcements of special Salon programming. Free! Clifton's Cafeteria, Downtown, noon-2pm. Info http://lavatransforms.org/salon410

* MONDAY, APRIL 26 *
McSweeney's Issue #34 Launch Party:
Pre-reserve your copy of the venerable quarterly, then pick it up at a party with food and drink at Stories, featuring discussion with contributors Nick McDonell and Teddy Wayne, and musical guest The Blasting Company Issue 34 features new stories of shipwrecks, kidnappings and bad vacations, by Anthony Doerr, Daniel Handler, and T. C. Boyle, letters about wine and Hawaii from John Hodgman and Sarah Vowell, self-portraits drawn by the likes of Michael Martone, Michel Gondry, and Sarah Silverman, and, in a stand alone volume, Nick McDonell's stunning exploration from within the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq. Free! 826LA/Echo Park Time Mart/Stories, Echo Park, 7:30pm. Info http://lavatransforms.org/mcsweeneys34

* SATURDAY, MAY 1 *

Visionaries collide:
as Crimebo the Clown makes an incredibly strange, yet somehow endearing, guest turn on Esotouric's Pasadena Confidential crime bus tour, hosted by Visionaries Kim Cooper, Joan Renner and Richard Schave. The Crown City masquerades as a calm and refined retreat, where well-bred ladies glide around their perfect bungalows and everyone knows what fork to use first. But don't be fooled by appearances. Dip into the confidential files of old Pasadena and meet assassins and oddballs, kidnappers and slashers, Satanists and all manner of maniac in a delightful little tour you WON'T find recommended by the better class of people! $58, departs from South Pasadena, 12pm-4pm. Info http://lavatransforms.org/pasadena0510

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Visit the LAVA Calendar for full details on all of these and other provocative events added regularly -
http://lavatransforms.org/lavacalendar

Subscribe to LAVA's community blog for a steady stream of Things We Love About LA and LAVA event reviews -
http://lavatransforms.org/blog

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http://astore.amazon.com/lavatransforms-20

Are you a prospective LAVA Visionary interested in joining our creative community and sharing your events on our calendar? Visit the link below for application materials.
http://lavatransforms.org/apply