Universal CityWalk’s Summer Block Party

Are you tired of the rising gas prices? Are you looking for fun and affordable activities to do with your family without having to go far from home?Well, you’re in luck! Universal CityWalk’s Summer Block Party is your one-stop shop for fun and entertaining events right in your own neighborhood.

CityRock Live!” Local Indie Bands

WHAT: CityRock Live! jump starts Monday nights as L.A. ’s top alternative and Indie bands hit CityWalk’s outdoor stage to jam for enthusiastic crowds.

WHEN: Monday, 7:30-10 p.m.

June 30 – “Dogs and Bones,” “Paperback Hero”

July 7 – “Stewboss,” “Paperback Hero”

July 14 – “CARBON 9,” “Go Betty Go”

July 21 – “Jana Lee,” “Brad Colerick

July 28 – “Letters Buring,” 2nd Band TBD

August 4 – “Renaissance Blvd,” “Cipes and the People”

August 11 – “Kevin Cameron,” “ECOTONIC

August 18 – “Intruder – A Tribute To Van Halen” (both sets)

August 25 – “Norman Kelsey,” “Val Grant”

Rumba Room Presents “Summer Night Salsa”

WHAT: Rumba Room presents free Salsa dance lessons by

professional dance instructor Marco Antonio with a live Salsa band to capture the suave moves of the popular Latin dance.

WHEN: Tuesday, 7:30-10 p.m.

July 1 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

July 8 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

July 15 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

July 22 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

July 29 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

August 5 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

August 12 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

August 19 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

August 26 – “Marco Antonio y la Esencia

“Wannabe Wicked Wednesdays”

WHAT: In this first-ever U.S. competitive performance series, “Wannabe Wicked” challenges aspiring performers to sing ‘til they’re green in the face to win a walk-on appearance in the Los Angeles blockbuster production of “Wicked.”

WHEN: Wednesday, 7-9 p.m.

July 2 – Semi-Finals: Round 1

July 9 – Semi-Finals: Round 2

July 16 – Semi-Finals: Round 3

July 30 – Semi-Finals: Round 4

August 6 – Semi-Finals: Round 5

August 20 – Finals

“ Hollywood Launch Teen Talent Search“

WHAT: The CityWalk stage is set for young talent as Hollywood Launch Teen Talent Search returns, kicking off with an open audition on Saturday, June 28 from 1-3 p.m. One lucky winner will enjoy a scholarship to Hollywood Launch’s elite performance training program and a recording contract.

WHEN: Wednesday, 7-9 p.m.

June 26 (6-8pm) – Talent Showcase featuring current Hollywood Launch students

June 28 (1-3pm) – Open Auditions for Teen Talent Search

(5-8pm) – Talent Showcase featuring current Hollywood Launch students

July 23 – Semi-Finals: Round 1

August 13 – Semi-Finals: Round 2

August 27 – Finals

“Big FREE Outdoor Movie” Night

WHAT: The very popular “Big FREE Outdoor Movie” night returns to CityWalk’s giant outdoor screen showcasing family favorite films under the stars.

WHEN: Thursday, 7:30 – 10 p.m.

July 3 – Dr. Suess’ “Horton Hears a Who”

July 10 – “Hairspray” (2007 version)

July 17 – “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything –
A VeggieTales Movie”

July 24 – “The Simpsons Movie”

July 31 – “Transformers”

August 7 – “Shrek the Third”

August 14 – “Annie”

August 21 – “Curious George”

August 28 – “Grease”

“Flashback Fridays”

WHAT: Guests may need to do a double take on “Flashback Friday’s” as popular ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s tribute and cover bands turn heads and beg the question: are they or are they not?

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 – 10 p.m

June 20 – “Lights,” the Premiere Tribute to Journey

June 27 – “Face to Face,” a Tribute to Billy Joel and
Elton John

July 4 – “Surfin Safari,” the Ultimate Tribute to the Music of the Beach Boys

July 11 – “Bad Medicine,” a Bon Jovi Tribute Show

July 18 – “Metal Shop,” Glam Rock Band

July 25 – “Fast Times,” The 80’s Flashback

August 1 – “Spazmatics,” an 80’s Cover Band

August 8 – Olympic Opening Ceremony Viewing Party

August 15 – “Bonfire – a Tribute to Early ACDC”

August 22 – “ Hollywood U2”

August 29 – “KISS Army”

* Additional entertainment between sets from “Stilt Circus”

“Celebrity Band Saturdays”

WHAT: The stars shine bright on CityWalk as Saturday nights rock to the rhythmic sounds of popular Celebrity Bands who act or dance by day and sing by night.

WHEN: Saturday, 7:30 – 10 p.m.

June 21 – “Letters Burning” / “Almost Amy” with Mark Ballas and Derek Hough

June 28 – “Paperback Hero” / Lucy Lawless with musical director Michael Orland

July 5 – “Go Betty Go” / “Born as Ghosts” with
Eric Balfour

July 12 – “Paperback Hero” / Bill Mumy

July 19 – “The Pipers Down” / Thomas Ian Nicholas

July 26 – “Redstone Hall” / Justin Guarini

August 2 – “Go Betty Go” / “Zero 1” with Hal Sparks

August 9 – “Malbec” / “Smith & Pyle” with Shawnee Smith
and Missi Pyle

August 16 – “Folio” / E.G. Daily

August 23 – “Go Betty Go” / Lucy Walsh

August 30 – “The Pipers Down” / Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s “Miles Long”

* Additional entertainment between sets from “Stilt Circus”

“Descarga en CityWalk con Telemundo y mun2”

WHAT: Sundays on CityWalk have a Latin appeal with the popular Descarga en CityWalk con Telemundo y mun2, featuring a dynamic mix of live Latin band performances and celebrity guest appearances.

WHEN: Sunday, 6-8pm

June 29 – “AZUR”

July 6 – “Epoca”

July 13 – “Montecristo,” “Raul Hernandez,” “Akwid”

July 20 (Columbian Independence Day) – Yolanda Perez “La Potranquita,” “La Internacional Sonora Show”

July 27 – n/a – Special Event TBA

August 3 – “Ivannkie,” “Tommy Torres”

August 10 – “Leny,” “Luis Fonsi”

August 17 – “Mariana Vargas,” “Sonido Mr. Chuy,”
“Grupo Con Pacto”

August 24 – Rock En Espanol DJ’s, “Curanderos”

August 31 – “Crooked Stilo,” “KUDAI,” “Frankie J”

Universal CityWalk

1000 Universal City Plaza

Universal City, CA 91608

(818) 622-1111

www.UniversalCityWalk.com

The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood invited us out to experience their newest attraction, The Simpsons Ride. The ride is housed in the former location of the Back to the Future ride. The rides are similar in that they both use an Imax screen and simulator ride vehicles. A big difference was that while BTTF always gave me a headache, the new Simpsons ride was actually comfortable.

The ride features the Simpsons animated in 3 dimensions, al’a Shrek or Toy Story. The action is fast and funny. The movie is hilarious and one that would require multiple rides to catch all the jokes, both audio and visual. You have to wonder why it took this long to get a ride featuring the Simpsons created. It features all the original voices from the television show – including Kelsey Grammer as Side Show Bob!

This ride is definitely not for those who suffer from motion sickness. Children must be 40″ tall to ride. However, there is a well planned and organized child trade-off area for parents with small children. Just ask a ride host where to go and they’ll gladly point you in the right direction. Check out the fun website at simpsonsride.com.

Free Admission Days at Southern California Museums

I’ve decided to compile a list of Free Admission Days to local popular museums- With summer upon us and kids out of school it’s the perfect time to visit one of our local museums and what better way than on a free day!!

La Habra Children’s Museum- Free First Saturday of the month
Kidspace Children’s Museum- Free First Tuesday of the month from 4-8pm
Natural History Museum- Free First Tuesday of the month
Huntington Library- Free First Thu of the month with advanced tickets
La Brea Tarpits– Free First Tuesday of the month
Skirball Cultural Center- Free every Thursday
Norton Simon Museum- Free First Friday from 6-9pm
Los Angeles County Museum of Art- Free the 2nd Tuesday of the month