A Celebration of California Women Who Shift Culture • April 29 – May 4, 2025

The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Performing Arts Division’s (PERF) EMPOWERMENT project returns for its third year. Honoring women artists and activists who have impacted and redefined the human experience.  EMPOWERMENT is a six day festival-style week of performances, social action, creative workshops, and documentary screenings. In 2025, EMPOWERMENT will honor the work of Academy Award winner Edith Head and Grammy Award winner Etta James. Both American born and rooted professionally in Los Angeles, Edith Head is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential costume designers in the film industry while Etta James is an American singer songwriter famous for her deep and earthy voice bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll is considered to be one of the greatest voices of her century.

The EMPOWERMENT: Edith + Etta celebration will include six days of performing arts celebration for all ages at DCA’s Lankershim Arts Center, located in the heart of the NoHo Arts District at: 5108 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601. All festival events are free and open to the public. For more information, please call: (213) 270-8200.

The Six Day Line-Up:

Edith Head Film Fest

Tuesday, April 29, 8:00 p.m. • All About Eve(1950)
Wednesday, April 30, 8:00 p.m. • The Emperor Waltz (1948)
Friday, May 2, 9:00 p.m. • To Catch a Thief (1955)

Live Music

Thursday, May 1 and Saturday, May 3, 7:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 3:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Sips & Sounds: PopUp Music Coffee House

Friday, May 2, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Youth Activities

Saturday, May 3
2:00 to 2:30 p.m. • Etta James Sing-a-long
2:30 to 4:00 p.m. • Designing a Superhero Costume
4:00 p.m. • Afternoon Animation Association: The Incredibles (2004)

Documentaries with Talk Backs

Saturday, May 3, 12:30 p.m. • ETTA
Sunday, May 4, 2:00 p.m. • EDITH

Live Dance & Spoken Word

Saturday, May 3, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 4:00 p.m.

Learn more about the 2025 Commissioned Artists performing the LIVE DANCE & SPOKEN WORD performances on DCA’s Initiatives page, click here!

Christmas Holiday display of our finest antiques, Santa Clauses, angels, choir boys, and village scenes that depict Dickens’s Victorian Christmas. Our Christmas tree will be decorated with our collection of antique ornaments and there will be a display of vintage Christmas cards.

Christmas Holiday display of our finest antiques, Santa Clauses, angels, choir boys, and village scenes that depict Dickens’s Victorian Christmas. Our Christmas tree will be decorated with our collection of antique ornaments and there will be a display of vintage Christmas cards.

Christmas Holiday display of our finest antiques, Santa Clauses, angels, choir boys, and village scenes that depict Dickens’s Victorian Christmas. Our Christmas tree will be decorated with our collection of antique ornaments and there will be a display of vintage Christmas cards.

Christmas Holiday display of our finest antiques, Santa Clauses, angels, choir boys, and village scenes that depict Dickens’s Victorian Christmas. Our Christmas tree will be decorated with our collection of antique ornaments and there will be a display of vintage Christmas cards.

Friday Night Family Flicks at 6:00 p.m. provides free popcorn and movies in our 44 seat micro cinema featuring classic favorites like the Wizard of Oz, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, The Princess Bride, Hook, Speed Racer, and Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse.