For Immediate Release

Los Angeles, CA

February 5, 2008

Press Contact:

David Sommers

Phone: (213) 974-1095

Fax: (213) 626-6941

DSommers@lacbos.org

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) welcomes all of L.A. to its Free Community Weekend, celebrating the opening of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), and other key features of Phase I of LACMA’s ongoing transformation.

During the weekend-long extravaganza—Saturday, February 16 through Monday, February 18 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm—visitors will explore BCAM, the BP Grand Entrance, outdoor works by Chris Burden, Robert Irwin, Jeff Koons, and Charles Ray, as well as LACMA’s newly installed modern art galleries and the reconfigured Atrium in the Ahmanson Building. The rest of LACMA’s galleries of European, American, Asian, Islamic, and Indian art will also be open free of charge for all to enjoy. A full schedule of entertainment is planned as well. LACMA’s Free Community Weekend is sponsored by Target.

While all three days of LACMA’s Community Weekend are free, tickets are required. Tickets can be reserved by calling the LACMA box office at 323 857-6010, or by visiting www.lacma.org

The following entertainment will be presented throughout LACMA on all three days of the Free Community Weekend:

11:00 am–4:00 pm
Live music & performance, sound artists, artist-led workshops - Hancock Park
 

LACMA’s backyard comes alive with a variety of sights and sounds. Artist Hadley Holliday will be holding a weekend-long workshop where she’ll ask participants to engage in a special group sculpture. On Monday, artist Peggy Hasegawa will lead an origami-like paper architecture workshop.

Monday will also feature live musical performances by bands “Ars Poetria” at 11:00 pm and the “Aquabats” at 2:00 pm. All weekend long visitors can enjoy and participate in the eclectic sounds of Alan Nakagawa and his fellow sound artists who have made unique instruments out of recycled materials. While guests are in the park, they can also sign kids up for LACMA NexGen, the nation’s only free youth membership program.

11:00 am–4:00 pm
Los Angeles Contemporary Dance - South Plaza
 

This innovative, culturally influenced dance troupe will be performing short, art-inspired dance sets in response to Chris Burden’s outdoor artwork, Urban Light, and Robert Irwin’s palm garden.

All Day
Roaming Performers - Throughout LACMA
 

Avant Garde stilt-walkers, head-dress-making balloon artists, and magicians will wander LACMA’s campus. Visitors will also see intricate, artist-designed bird puppets soaring through the crowds.

All Day
Photo Booth - Los Angeles Times Central Court
 

Guests can make their museum memories last by hopping into LACMA’s specially designed photo booth for commemorative snapshots.

All Day
Live Deejays - North Plaza
 

Deejays will spin throughout the day for those who love to dance or just relax to the sounds on LACMA’s outdoor plaza.

All Day
Construct - Boone Children’s Gallery
 

Kids’ imaginations can run wild in Construct; an exhibition that lets children paint, sculpt, draw, and even design buildings in the Renzo Piano-inspired architectural square.

###