You'll never be short of things to see and do in Los Angeles on any day of the week, but some of the area's most delightful places and attractions can only be experienced on Sundays. That's when the energy level in this hectic metropolis drops to a more relaxed, casual pace. It's a day to tune into live music, poke around outdoor markets, share laughs with friends or spend time with kids.
Sundays Live is a free weekly chamber music series offered year-round by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Wilshire Boulevard. These one-hour concerts in the Leo S. Bing Theater showcase local, national and international soloists and ensembles. Past performers have included the Brasil Guitar Duo, the Triple Helix Trio and pianists Bruce Brubaker, Inna Faliks and Abbey Simon. No reservations are needed. From late June through the end of September, the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, offers a Sunday Sunset concert series. Genres include orchestral music, opera, musical theater and mixed-media performances. Tickets are required.
Befitting one of the world's entertainment capitals, there's more on display at L.A.'s leading farmers' markets than fresh produce and prepared foods. The Hollywood Farmers' Market between Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard stages cooking demos. Special events at the Beverly Hills Farmers' Market include a kids' zone, cooking classes and storytelling. You'll find the market on Civic Center Drive between Santa Monica and Third Street. At the Studio City Farmers' Market on Ventura Place between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Radford Avenue, kids can take pony and train rides and interact with animals at a petting zoo. The market is held every Sunday, regardless of weather.
For L.A.'s flea market aficionados, all days of the week lead to Sunday. Melrose Trading Post, held every Sunday in the parking lot of Fairfax High School on Melrose Avenue, adds interest to the offerings of about 250 vendors with live music and a food court. On the first Sunday of every month, about 450 sellers set up shop inside and outside the multi-level parking garage at Pasadena City College. On the second Sunday of the month, Pasadena's Rose Bowl Stadium hosts more than 2,500 vendors. The month's third Sunday belongs to Long Beach Antique Market's 800 vendors. And on the fourth Sunday, four vacant lots on South Spring Street are transformed into Downtown Flea, showcasing the wares of some 250 vendors.
ASSSSCAT, an acronym for Automatic Sprinkler System Shutdown Siamese Connection Alternative Theater, is the improvisational comedy arm of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Every Sunday, a group of improv comedians share the stage with a guest monologist, none knowing ahead of time what they're going to say and do until after the audience points the way. The monologist riffs on the suggested topic first, then the improv artists develop their sketches from there. The UCB's Franklin Avenue theater starts allowing people inside about 15 minutes before showtime, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
From the beginning of June to the end of September, Dodger Stadium hosts Celebrate Sunday with Viva Los Dodgers, opening its gates two hours before game time for live music, games, giveaways and even autograph sessions with players. After most Sunday games, kids aged 14 and under are allowed to head to center field and run the bases. On Kids Eat Free Sunday, 19 participating Los Angeles area restaurants and chains allow children age 10 and under to order a free meal from the kids' menu when the accompanying adult orders a full-price meal from the regular menu. Depending upon individual restaurants, other restrictions may apply.
