Weekend Activities: Live This No. 2

Micol AzcarateStaff WriterIf “Bike It Day” doesn’t cut it for you, and you crave more bicycling opportunities, no worries I’ve got you covered. This upcoming weekend is the perfect excuse (if one is even needed) to explore the city on two wheels because it is (drum roll) Carmageddon II! If you’re unfamiliar with Carmageddon, in a few words the L.A. Metropolitan Transportation Authority is closing down a ten-mile stretch of the I-405, between the 101 and the 10, for 53 hours so they can demolish a bridge that runs over the 405. So, instead of being pessimistic take advantage of this and put your bikes to use because there are quite a few events happening!Friday, if you are the kind of person that is already counting down the days till Halloween, bike to PARANOIA, a Halloween event that includes haunted mazes, clowns, evil nurses and much more! Try and weave your way through from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Santa Monica Place.Not a fan of terror? It’s understandable. So, bike over to the Santa Monica Pier where Oz is back! Yes, you heard me. Front Porch Cinema is showing “The Wizard of Oz” at 7:30 p.m. Make sure to check it out, there will be food and music starting at 6 p.m. on Friday night.On Saturday, bus or bike to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. where they are offering general admission for half price for anyone who comes via an alternate mode of transportation (bus, bike, skate, walk, etc.). Cash in on this discount and tour the Highlights of the Museum and LACMA’s Architecture + Art at 12 p.m. or European Painting and Sculptures at 1 p.m.If you aren’t interested in spending money, there are many beautiful parks ideal for picnics, hanging out with friends, or simply taking a day off from the world and reading. Ashland Park at 16th St. & Ashland Ave., Marine Park at 1406 Marine St. and Mary Hotchkiss Park at 2302 4th St. are just a few. Make sure to bike or walk there!Sunday, if you didn’t have time to go visit the LACMA museum on Saturday, don’t miss out on their Tour of Modern Art at 1 p.m., or if you’re a fan of indie rock, Mojave 3’s live concert starts at 6 p.m.But, if Sundays are usually lazy days for you, and you want to stay local, check out the Sunday Main Street Farmers’ Market on Main Street in Heritage Square. It's open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market features some of California’s freshest produce as well as musical entertainment by a variety of bands. Get on your bikes, and bring your younger siblings because there’s also going to be face painting!Whatever you do this weekend, forget your car and bike away!mazcarate@thesamohi.comFor more information on these events, check out these links:

• http://www.paranoiahalloween.com/
• http://santamonicapier.org/frontporchcinema/
• http://www.lacma.org/event/carmaggedon-ii-lacma
• http://www.smgov.net/Portals/Farmers_Market/Market_Days/Sundays/Sunday_Main_Street.aspx