1) Pavilion of Wings at Natural History, The real Butterfly Effect:

Procrastinators, stand tall and proud! I know you've been meaning to get to this incredible exhibit of butterflies flying free; you can't help it if you're a busy little bee. Its okay, you have until September 3rd to get there. For a mere $3 bucks you can have a Snow White moment as butterflies flutter around you in the exquisitely landscaped temporary exhibit. Feel a connection? Slap down a Benjamin and you can adopt one of your very own and you even get a certificate. In fact, Angelina, you can adopt as many as your pocketbook will sustain. You have over 30 species to choose from but only a few days left to experience nature, art, beauty and tranquility combined. So this is what happens when a butterfly flaps its wings.

Exhibit runs thru September 3rd

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles, Ca 90007
(213) 763-DINO
http://www.nhm.org/exhibitions/butterflies/
Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and students, $1 for children ages 5 through 12. Museum members receive free admission.
Museum Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9:30am-5pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm

If your schedule gets too hectic, you can still be a butterfly parent:
Adopt a Butterfly

2) Long Beach Blues Festival, 28 Years of Wondering Why My Baby Left:

The Long Beach Blues Festival is a West Coast Labor Day weekend tradition. Also known as The Granddaddy, this year's lineup illustrates why it demands so much respect: Little Richard, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, and Dr. John will each take the stage at the yearly musical Mecca. So get ready for some Tutti Frutti Natch'l Blues because there won't be a better place to work your dancing shoes for Labor Day. Ohhhh, and don't miss the ribs! The states that brought you the music you're grooving to will also fill you belly and they aren't the fattest states for no good reason. Don't worry, you'll boogie the cholesterol away.

September 1st and 2nd (Saturday and Sunday) 10:30am-6pm

California State University, Long Beach
Athletic Field
1250 N Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, Ca 90840
http://www.jazzandblues.org/index.aspx

3) The Nines, $9 bucks that actually makes a difference:

"Follow the Nines" is the tag line. "Follow the Nines to Ryan Reynolds' Fine Behind" is how I've been lovingly referring to it. But don't get distracted by the beauty that is Mr. Blade 3, this is a film birthed by some of the most creative minds American cinema has today. Produced by Bruce Cohen (American Beauty, Big Fish, and the new show "Pushing Daisies"), written and directed by John August (writer of Go and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and starring Hope Davis (is there a bigger Indie darling?), Elle Fanning (the slightly less creepy sister of Dakota "I'm a 40 year old trapped in an 13 year old body" Fanning), and the aforementioned Smokeshow, Mr. Ryan Reynolds, the film premiered at Sundance to rapturous ovations and has slowly made it's way to a theater near you. In truth, two theaters kinda near you: Sunshine Cinema in New York City and the Nuart in Los Angeles. It has one weekend to prove its mettle. So get down to the Nuart and support independent filmmaking at its best. Or don't...and sit through more Rush Hour 3's and Daddy Day Camps. The choice is yours. For a special treat, Friday August 31st at 7:30pm, the Nuart screening will be followed by a Q&A with John August and Melissa McCarthy. You can ask him what Katie Holmes was like pre-Cruisification. 

"The Nines" at The Nuart
11272 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, Ca 90025
(310) 281-8223
Buy tickets to see this movie
http://johnaugust.com/
http://www.lookforthenines.com/

4) Scion Presents To the Masses, Playground for the Young and Talented:

Scion doesn't just make funky boxy cars that cut you off on the 405, they foster bourgeoning new artists and give them a space to explore and express their creativity. The concept has been so successful they had to move to new digs and this is the first show in their brand spanking 4500 square foot home in Culver City. Curated by Giant Robot, a slew of undiscovered and up n' coming artists are given free reign in mediums that range from pen and paper drawings to screen printing and everything in between. You may be viewing the new Basquiat on their way to the top.

Scion Installation LA
3521 Helms Ave (at National)
Culver City, Ca 90232
310.815.8840
http://www.scion.com/space/
Gallery Hours:
Wed-Sat 11am-6pm

5) Tinto, Barcelona in a bottle:

They opened on August 22nd and have had just enough time to work out the kinks...or have they? This brand new addition to the suddenly wildly hip Santa Monica corridor is gearing up to give Winston's and Lubitsch a run for their money. Don't count on it being because of the cuisine. The tapas are passable but the ambience is fantastic. Settle in at the bar for glass of their exceptional sangria and be one of the people who gets to say "I used to go there when..." because this place will be popping in a matter of weeks. They have a wine list of over 100 bottles and cozy booths to call home. Our one suggestion? Grab something at Astro Burger before heading in. Brought to you by the boys of Holly's and Tokio, this place is all about the see and be seen scene, not the grub. You look cuter without your mouth full anyway.

7511 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, Ca 90046
323.512.3095

By: Sasha Perl-Raver