Downtown Culture Jaunt
Downtown LA Culture Jaunt
Culture specs at the ready as you head Downtown to explore LA’s edgiest exhibitions and attractions. There’s plenty of art, music and foodie hotspots to traverse; here’s our pick of the bunch.
LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) serves a smorgasbord of innovative installations, exhibitions and talks. Comprising three venues: Downtown, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and the MOCA Pacific Design Center, the West Coast equivalent of MoMa hosts works by some of the art world’s brightest stars, counting Schnabel, Pollock and Mondrian among them. Better yet, a no photo rule means you can peruse the wall works without being interrupted by blinkin’ selfie takers.
Its Grand Avenue locale and magnificent stash of contemporary art make The Broad a bucket-list must for visiting art aficionados. Local philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad amassed more than 2000 works, including Haring, Koons and Lichtenstein, which are exhibited in the striking, architectural ‘cheese grater’ building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro Gensler. Entrance is free if you book ahead online – sm-art!
If you need a foodie pit-stop post gallery jaunt then hit up Etchea Café Bakery & Catering, a quirky patisserie serving French Basque-inspired treats, plus soups and salads. The artisan bread (don’t miss the speciality sourdough) and freshly baked savouries will keep energy levels sustained during any art-scapade.
Musos should make tracks to the Los Angeles Music Center, one of the city’s most lauded performing-arts venues. There are four top-notch theatres, with a slew of shows frequented by the four resident companies: Center Theatre Group, the LA Master Chorale, the LA Opera and the LA Philharmonic. David Bowie fan? Don’t miss the tribute show by Complexions Contemporary Ballet, which runs 20-22 April. Stardust optional.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) / 250 S Grand Ave / +1 213 621 2766 / 11am-6pm Mon, Wed, Fri, till 8pm Thu, till 5pm Sat & Sun / www.moca.org
The Broad / 221 S Grand Ave / +1 213 232 6200 / 11am-5pm Tue & Wed, till 8pm Thu-Fri, 10am-8pm Sat, 10am-6pm Sun / www.thebroad.org
Etchea Café Bakery & Catering / 254 S Hope St / +1 213 626 0157 / 6am-5pm Mon-Fri / www.etcheabakery.com
Los Angeles Music Center / 135 N Grand Ave / +1 213 972 0777 / various opening times depending on programmes / www.musiccenter.org