Go ahead, make her day

Still looking for the perfect Mother’s Day excursion? This weekend, Los Angeles County venues will host some events almost as unique and colorful as the women we’re celebrating. Here are some highlights:

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Does your mother incessantly feed you (and anyone else in her path) every time you visit? If the answer is “yes,” Los Angeles County Museum of Art may be the perfect destination this Mother’s Day.

Find out how to best integrate trips to the farmer’s market with cooking plans as culinary author Amelia Saltsman hosts a show-and-tell. You and Mom will learn how to use the season’s best ingredients to make simple, healthy meals and snacks. Author of many foodie articles and books, most notably The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook, Saltsman received the Santa Monica Library 2008 Green Prize for Sustainable Literature for her Earth-friendly publications.

The free presentation begins at 2 p.m. Sunday at LACMA’s Plaza Store. A book signing will be held following the event. Make a day of it by visiting the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market in the morning, and, if you play your cards right, you could be enjoying a locally-grown, sustainable meal together by dinnertime.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

If Mom is a music-lover, a matinee performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic may be just the ticket. The exciting Gustavo Dudamel will conduct a program of Brahms and Dutilleaux at the Walt Disney Concert Hall at 2 p.m. this Sunday. Reserve seats by calling (323) 850-2000.

You might also plan a pre-performance brunch in Disney Hall’s Blue Ribbon Garden or one of several other downtown locations. The brunch takes place from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (213) 972-3058.

There is a lot happening downtown this Mother’s Day, so you may want to plan your trip with Metro to avoid the traffic.

John Anson Ford Amphitheatre

If your mother’s musical taste is a little funkier, swing by the Ford Amphitheatre for the 8^th Annual Jazz & Blues Extravaganza.

The show is Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m., and promises lots of dancing, singing, and laughing with their lineup of musical acts. Advance tickets are available online, $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP admission. All seats are within 96 feet of the stage at the famous Hollywood venue, which is accessible by car or Metro.  On-site parking costs up to $10 per vehicle.

Descanso Gardens

Green-thumbed mothers might appreciate a peaceful day in Descanso Gardens, a quiet 160-acre site that is home to over a million plants, a 5.5-acre rose garden, a Japanese garden, and North America’s largest camellia collection.

This Mother’s Day, Descanso will have a brass quintet and a guided “Stroll through the Roses” at 1 p.m. Other attractions include the Boddy House, a “green” tram, and a kid-friendly Enchanted Railroad. Admission prices, park hours, and directions are available online.

Reservations for the brunch have been snapped up, but bring a picnic, enjoy barbecue offerings from the Spring Tailgate, or lunch at the Descanso Café.

LA County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

Want to give your mother more than just a bouquet of flowers? This weekend the LA County Arboretum and Botanical Garden will present their annual Mother’s Day Geranium Show, free with the price of admission to the Arboretum. The show, presented by the International Geranium Society, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Geraniums displayed will also be available for purchase.

In addition to the geranium show, the site is home to plant collections from across the globe, historical buildings and artifacts, and plenty of other attractions you can check out on their online site map.

Posted 5/5/11