By Michele E. Buttelman
Summer is a great time to visit museums, admire art, learn the history of where you live or take in a show. Most of the year, families find themselves on a hectic schedule of work, school, after-school sports, lessons and other activities.
This summer, plan a few weekend or midweek excursions to discover all the cultural richness Southern California has to offer. Most locations have reopened without restrictions. Take advantage of everything we’ve missed the last few years.
Antelope Valley Indian Museum
The Antelope Valley Indian Museum is a unique and eclectic folk art structure in Lancaster. The museum houses objects created by the Native American cultures of the western Great Basin, California and the Southwest.
Howard Arden Edwards, a self-taught artist, became enchanted with the desert scenery around the buttes while visiting the Antelope Valley. He homesteaded 160 acres on Piute Butte and, in 1928, Edwards, his wife and teenage son began building a home, which included a special area he called his Antelope Valley Indian Research Museum. In it he displayed his collection of prehistoric and historic Native American artifacts.
The state of California acquired the museum in 1979. The museum is now managed by the California State Parks system.
The Antelope Valley Indian Museum is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults. Kids age 12 and under are free.
Antelope Valley Indian Museum
15701 East Avenue M (between East 150th & 170th streets)
Lancaster, CA 93535
Information: 661-946-3055 or www.avim.parks.ca.gov
The Broad
The Broad was founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. Their collection of contemporary art has more than 2,000 pieces, including some of the most famous art of the genre, such as Jeff Koons’
“Balloon Dog Blue” and an extensive collection of Andy Warhol art.
Children of all ages are welcome to visit The Broad and will be enchanted by many of the art installations including my favorites, “Under the Table” by Robert Therrien and his epoxy-stacked plates piece in the lobby.
In addition, a new family guide available on the mobile museum guide (no download required) includes activities for kids and adults to do together. The mobile museum guide also has a free kids’ audio tour featuring LeVar Burton, host of the children’s educational program, “Reading Rainbow,” which encourages young art lovers to look, listen and learn.
Children must be well-supervised and no one should touch any of the art.
General admission is free but some special art exhibitions have an entry fee.
All visitors must reserve timed tickets in advance. The best selection of available tickets is released one day a month. Check the website for release dates. There is no longer a daily standby line for same-day entry. However, a limited supply of same-day tickets will be made available online.
The Broad
221 S Grand Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Live Theater
Enjoying live theater is a special treat. This summer you can see the family-friendly show “Lionel Bart’s Oliver!” at the Canyon Theatre Guild in Newhall, or visit Hollywood to see the National Broadway Touring Company of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Take in a matinee or splurge for a memorable night on the town with dinner and a show.
“Lionel Bart’s Oliver!”
Canyon Theatre Guild
July 23-Aug. 27
Tickets: $23 Adults, $19 Juniors (-18) / Seniors (62+)
Tickets on sale beginning June 28.
Lionel Bart’s classic musical based is based on the Charles Dickens novel, “Oliver Twist.”
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance among a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow, takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.
Canyon Theatre Guild
24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321
Call the box office for reservations: 661-799-2702
Visit www.canyontheatre.org
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
Pantages Theatre
June 30-Sept. 4
Tickets start at $39 and run to $199. Expect to pay around $85 for decent seats.
Recommended for children ages 12 and older.
The winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” offers theater-goers a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory. It’s a world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza.
Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90028
