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.
Instructor: Master Arnold Chien
Tai Chi is a martial art based on the theory of an ancient classic called “I Ching”. Kinetic Tai Chi is created by Master Chien based on this foundation coupling with contemporary Physics of potential & kinetic energy. The training sessions include striking, throwing & submission techniques. There are 10 levels of form to advance. Combining this advanced physical routine with Tai Chi’s rich thinking, students will benefit lifelong health, achieve mental superiority and enjoy high level combat skills.
Thursdays
9:00am-10:30am
Winter 1st: 1/26, 2/02, 2/09, 2/16
Winter 2nd: 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16
Spring 1st: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/04
Spring 2nd: 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/01
Cost for Classes:
- $35 per month – members
- $45 per month – non–members
- $15 Drop In – per day
- 10% discount if you sign up for 2 sessions
Pre-registration preferred; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.
Grandmaster Arnold Chien is the founder of Kinetic Tai Chi, 2012 & 2014 Kungfu master at USC Pacific Asia Museum & 2008 Chinese idol in martial art category. In 2013, he became the first instructor to teach Tai Chi at the legendary Gold’s Gym Arcadia, CA. Chien’s heavy focus on the principle of softness to conquer hardness has helped students to achieve not only the physical limitations, but their mental ones as well, thereby reach the ultimate level of “soft as silk and hard as steel”.
Garden School Foundation hosts monthly Community Garden Days. These days are a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people from all over the city and spend a morning outdoors helping create and maintain garden classrooms for students at underserved schools. You don't need any experience to join in, just a love of nature and a willingness to get dirty! In the garden, participants will build, plant, weed, water, mulch, and more. GSF will also host workshops, demos, and fun-filled arts and crafts activities for the whole family.
For more info, please contact Elizabeth Hall, Volunteer Coordinator, at elizabeth@gardenschoolfoundation.org.
San Diego River Days
Back Country Land Trust’s list of spring events is now available! This year, their theme is "spring cleaning" for Alpine. With heavy winter rains, there has been an unusual amount of erosion on the trails, and trash washing down local creeks and streams. BCLT, in partnership with San Diego Park Foundation, is recruiting volunteers to help clean up this winter's mess and improve local habitats for wildlife and recreation.
Join this community cleanup event this spring and help BCLT to keep Alpine looking it's best for residents and visitors alike. Please plan to arrive 15 – 20 minutes early for event check-in. Certified volunteer hours available for students / community service projects, etc.
Create Now is hosting an arts festival on Saturday, May 13th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Venice Hope Park, located across the street from Create Now’s facility near STAPLES. Dozens of kids will perform in a Talent Show and earn prizes.
There will be a DJ, fun arts and crafts activities, face painting, balloon twisters, popular children's characters and giveaways for the disadvantaged families in the local neighborhood.
Come cheer on young performers, and then attend Create Now’s After-Party from 12:00-2:00 pm at their center where you can meet some of the youth and learn more about Create Now. For information about sponsorships, call 213-747-2777 x 1. If you'd like to have a table and share your company's products, please fill out the form at this link.
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.
Barlow Respiratory Hospital partners with the American Lung Association to present a free, eight-session smoking cessation workshop Freedom from Smoking on the historic Barlow campus next to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
FREE “Freedom From Smoking” workshop – dates for this session are:
Dates: Wed., May 10, 17, 24, 31 / Fri., June 2 / Wed., June 7, 14, 21
Time: 5 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: American Lung Association, 310-735-9180
Register online or request information by contacting the American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking facilitator.
Email to: quitsmokingnow17@gmail.com
Instructor: Master Arnold Chien
Tai Chi is a martial art based on the theory of an ancient classic called “I Ching”. Kinetic Tai Chi is created by Master Chien based on this foundation coupling with contemporary Physics of potential & kinetic energy. The training sessions include striking, throwing & submission techniques. There are 10 levels of form to advance. Combining this advanced physical routine with Tai Chi’s rich thinking, students will benefit lifelong health, achieve mental superiority and enjoy high level combat skills.
Thursdays
9:00am-10:30am
Winter 1st: 1/26, 2/02, 2/09, 2/16
Winter 2nd: 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16
Spring 1st: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/04
Spring 2nd: 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/01
Cost for Classes:
- $35 per month – members
- $45 per month – non–members
- $15 Drop In – per day
- 10% discount if you sign up for 2 sessions
Pre-registration preferred; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.
Grandmaster Arnold Chien is the founder of Kinetic Tai Chi, 2012 & 2014 Kungfu master at USC Pacific Asia Museum & 2008 Chinese idol in martial art category. In 2013, he became the first instructor to teach Tai Chi at the legendary Gold’s Gym Arcadia, CA. Chien’s heavy focus on the principle of softness to conquer hardness has helped students to achieve not only the physical limitations, but their mental ones as well, thereby reach the ultimate level of “soft as silk and hard as steel”.
Tickets are now available for LA’s biggest gala on the pier! On May 18, come party for a purpose at Heal the Bay’s annual Bring Back The Beach Awards Gala on the upper decl of the Santa Monica Pier.
Once you step onto the classic wooden planks of the iconic Santa Monica Pier – and walk down Heal the Bay’s famous blue carpet – you will be transported to a playful, cozy pier paradise for an enchanting evening of live performances, beautiful sunset views, dinner, dancing, special guests and so much more.
While the famous faces and fruity cocktails are sweet, it's everyone’s shared passion
for the ocean that makes this night so special.
The Gala typically raises over $1 million for research, advocacy, and education programs that have led to cleaner coasts and increased public awareness about the challenges facing L.A. County's beaches and watersheds. In addition, Heal the Bay centers the evening around an awards ceremony that recognizes honorees who have made a big impact on the Bay.
Will you attend the Gala?
Please buy your tables or individual tickets as soon as possible. This event sells out every year. If you have any questions or are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Danie Eley at 310-451-1500 or bbb@healthebay.org. For tickets and info, please click HERE.
On May 18th, come hear the entire Youth Orchestra Los Angeles at HOLA orchestra! For more info or to RSVP, please email ecurtis@heartofla.org.
The Westside Coalition is in search of a few hardworking volunteers to pitch in on their May 19 Lawn Bowlathon. Duties will include assistance with bowling, games, parking, registration, etc.
The Westside Coalition is an alliance of 45 organizations, public agencies and faith communities addressing issues of housing, hunger and health through service coordination, public education and advocacy.
The Bowlathon is one of two annual fundraisers the Coalition hosts to support its work and the work of the Coalition’s member agencies.
Two volunteers shifts are available:
- Shift 1: 10 am – 3 pm
- Shift 2: 3 pm – 8 pm
