Check Out These Local Events

JOIN THE CIRCUS - Cirque du Soleil is bringing their Big Top to the Santa Monica Pier! Get tickets now for KOOZA, running 10/19 - 12/1. Groups of 10 or more can get a 25% discount, and Franklin PTA has its own ticket concierge if you need help booking groups - Sarah.Hudson@cirquedusoleil.com.

THE BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK - Get up close and personal with hundreds of tropical butterflies at South Coast Botanical Gardens' SOAR exhibit. For an extra $6 you can even feed them nectar.

GOLDEN TICKETS SOLD HERE - Bring your young theater fans to see Willy Wonka Jr. at the Morgan Wixson, weekends at 11am through the month.

GET YOUR DEEP FRIED TWINKIES HERE - It's LA County Fair time again, so go before the weather gets too hot! Pomona Fairgrounds, Thurs-Sun through May 27.

THE WILD THINGS ARE AT SKIRBALL - The Skirball Center is celebrating the life and art of Maurice Sendak, author/illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are, Alligators All Around and many more. "Comprised of over 150 artifacts—including original paintings, drawings, videos, and objects—this landmark exhibition showcases the depth and breadth of his creativity." See the website for special storytimes. Now through 9/1.

MAKE MUSEUM-WORTHY ART - There's a free drop-in art workshop at the Hammer Museum in Westwood, Saturdays, 1-4pm. We suggest working in lunch at Lulu, the newish Alice Waters restaurant with a big patio right on site.