Big Sunday happily welcomes you to Our Really Big Community Calendar.
We try to include all kinds of volunteering and helping opportunities for all kinds of interests, talents, passions, and ages! As you’ll see, these include volunteering opportunities (one-time and long-term) as well as the chance to support a nonprofit by attending fundraising events. Plus, of course, we include all of Big Sunday’s homegrown events, too! Whoever you are, and whatever you do, there is someone out there who could use your help.
If you have questions about our calendar, or would like to add a listing, please contact calendar@bigsunday.org or submit your event/opportunity via the button below.
Celebrate America’s largest annual Latin culinary celebration at ¡Latin Food Fest!’s 2017 action-packed line-up March 24-25, adjacent the Santa Monica Pier (1550 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, 90401), featuring tastings, a celeb chef dinner, parties, and workshops.
The signature event, Gran Tasting, is an all-inclusive tasting festival. Guests pay one price to enter and indulge in a variety of local and international Latin food, wine and spirits; meet acclaimed chefs who will conduct demos, and you won’t want to miss the Best of Fest Awards – the fest’s showcase of culinary excellence.
For more information, visit www.latinfoodfest.com.
Fee: $30
Instructor: Dewey Tafoya
On March 24, don’t miss DIY Screen-printing with Dewey Tafoya at Self Help Graphics & Art! Attendees are required to bring two transparency copies of an original black and white image, no bigger than 8 1/2" X 11". A limited number of screens are available for purchase. Bring paper and a blank t-shirt or 2 to print your work of art on! Click HERE to secure your spot.
Oil Painting: Capture the Beauty of Nature
Saturdays, (6 week sessions):
January 14 – February 18
February 25 – April 1
April 8 – May 13
May 20 – June 24
1:00pm – 3:30pm
Ron Pettie, Instructor
$69 Arboretum members / $79 non-members (includes Arboretum admission)
All materials are included.
Capture the beauty of nature! The instructor will guide a beginner to draw and paint with confidence. More advanced students will be able to paint independently at their own pace and will be able to choose their own subjects.
Each subsequent six-week class will explore other areas of painting such as landscape, still life, domestic animals, structures, deserts, and seascapes. Master artist Ron Pettie will guide you on this adventure.
At the end of a six-week session students will learn the following:
- Composition styles
- How to read a color chart
- Color mixing
- How to use the grid system and the rule of thirds
- Use of dark and light values and gray scales
- Learn a variety of techniques for painting , including using different brushes and the palette knife for texture and depth
- How to use the magic frame on photographs
- Self-Critiquing – Standing back and squinting
- Choosing a signature
Reservations REQUIRED; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.
Join Create Now on Friday, March 31st from 6 – 9 
pm for a relaxing and memorable evening at Kiehl’s. For only $50, you will receive a rejuvenating mini-facial, a goodie bag with samples, scrumptious refreshments, raffle prizes, and intuitive readings for ten people. Come have fun and party with Create Now! Space is limited! Click this link to purchase your tickets.
All proceeds enable abused, neglected and homeless children ages 2-21 to heal through Create Now, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that helps youth find their voices through arts mentoring and education.
The Theodore Payne Foundation 2017 Native Plant Garden Tour will be held April 1-2, packed with curated tours through the county's most beautiful private and public landscapes. From the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, gardens will be open for visitors. LA boasts some of the most unique native plants, landscape design, and wildlife.
Visit nativeplantgardentour.org to learn more and grab tickets.
Instructor: Dr. Robert Tager
Pre-registration preferred; Please call 626-821-4623 or pay at the door
Discover what your brain needs to function at its peak. Neurologist and Arboretum volunteer, Dr. Bob Tager will provide an introduction to memory, learning and the brain, before leading a tour through the LA Arboretum gardens and discussing ways of preserving and enhancing brain function. You will learn what recent research says about improving brain health and ways you can enjoy the process.
Robert Tager is currently Clinical Professor of Medical Education at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, and he gives tours to medical students to enhance their observational skills and to learn the health benefits of the garden environment.
Oil Painting: Capture the Beauty of Nature
Saturdays, (6 week sessions):
January 14 – February 18
February 25 – April 1
April 8 – May 13
May 20 – June 24
1:00pm – 3:30pm
Ron Pettie, Instructor
$69 Arboretum members / $79 non-members (includes Arboretum admission)
All materials are included.
Capture the beauty of nature! The instructor will guide a beginner to draw and paint with confidence. More advanced students will be able to paint independently at their own pace and will be able to choose their own subjects.
Each subsequent six-week class will explore other areas of painting such as landscape, still life, domestic animals, structures, deserts, and seascapes. Master artist Ron Pettie will guide you on this adventure.
At the end of a six-week session students will learn the following:
- Composition styles
- How to read a color chart
- Color mixing
- How to use the grid system and the rule of thirds
- Use of dark and light values and gray scales
- Learn a variety of techniques for painting , including using different brushes and the palette knife for texture and depth
- How to use the magic frame on photographs
- Self-Critiquing – Standing back and squinting
- Choosing a signature
Reservations REQUIRED; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.
Come join AbilityFirst for a fun-filled day as they Stroll & Roll through the Universal Studios Backlot to benefit AbilityFirst programs and services to help children and adults with disabilities. Stroll through NewYork, Whoville, Jaws, and other movie backdrop sets, meet Universal Studios characters, enjoy complimentary coffee and continental breakfast, and eat from delicious food trucks! Don’t miss your chance to walk through the expo for giveaways, massages and more. For more information, please call 626-396-1010 or email stroll@abilityfirst.org. Register at www.strollandroll.org or www.abilityfirst.org.
The Theodore Payne Foundation 2017 Native Plant Garden Tour will be held April 1-2, packed with curated tours through the county's most beautiful private and public landscapes. From the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, gardens will be open for visitors. LA boasts some of the most unique native plants, landscape design, and wildlife.
Visit nativeplantgardentour.org to learn more and grab tickets.
Don’t miss the Front Yard Spring Beer & Wine Block Party! Besides live music, food, beer, and wine, ticket proceeds give back to TreePeople, an LA-based nonprofit keeping our urban environment sustainable and healthy.
Tickets are $30. Grab ‘em here!
