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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

 Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, in collaboration with the NEA Big Read: Los Angeles initiative, invites you to a two-part workshop that brings together literature, creative writing, photography, and an exploration of the neighborhood of Boyle Heights.

On Saturday, April 19, the first day of the program, a discussion of selected chapters from The House on Mango Street showcase how Sandra Cisneros painted a picture of the story’s protagonist, Esperanza’s, life and neighborhood, which was  informed by her own culture, through vivid imagery in her writing.

Participants will then be invited to walk around the neighborhood of Boyle Heights to capture examples of scenes reflecting their own upbringing and cultural identity through photography.

Cameras will be supplied for participants.

Then on Saturday, April 26, the second day of the program, the photos from the previous week will be printed for participants to view. Discussion and a guided writing exercise will prompt personal reflection of their own life experiences and upbringing. Participants will consider the topics of cultural and personal identity in storytelling through words and images. Participants will share their work with the group and take their personal writing and photos home with them.

For more information, please contact Julian Montenegro, at julian@bharts.org or visit bharts.org

 Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, in collaboration with the NEA Big Read: Los Angeles initiative, invites you to a two-part workshop that brings together literature, creative writing, photography, and an exploration of the neighborhood of Boyle Heights.

On Saturday, April 19, the first day of the program, a discussion of selected chapters from The House on Mango Street showcase how Sandra Cisneros painted a picture of the story’s protagonist, Esperanza’s, life and neighborhood, which was  informed by her own culture, through vivid imagery in her writing.

Participants will then be invited to walk around the neighborhood of Boyle Heights to capture examples of scenes reflecting their own upbringing and cultural identity through photography.

Cameras will be supplied for participants.

Then on Saturday, April 26, the second day of the program, the photos from the previous week will be printed for participants to view. Discussion and a guided writing exercise will prompt personal reflection of their own life experiences and upbringing. Participants will consider the topics of cultural and personal identity in storytelling through words and images. Participants will share their work with the group and take their personal writing and photos home with them.

For more information, please contact Julian Montenegro, at julian@bharts.org or visit bharts.org

DEVISE FEST is the presentation of two original short plays, written and performed by the students of San Fernando High School as part of The Unusual Suspects’ flagship Youth Theatre Conservatory. Students will share a public performance of their shows, Different Angle and The Secret of a Wolf, on Friday, April 4, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  at the Cesar Chavez Auditorium at San Fernando High School.

This free, in-person event will be followed by a moderated discussion with the student writers/performers covering their creative process and the themes of their play.

Plays written during The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company’s residencies are completely created by the young participants. Participants are not censored, and work collaboratively as an ensemble to create each character, story line, and bit of dialogue that makes up their original scripts.

Questions? Please contact The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company at 323-739-0768.

America’s suburbs are undergoing significant transformation. The traditional view of suburbs as predominantly white, middle-class areas no longer reflects reality. Today, they encompass a diverse mix of residents—rich and poor, Black, Latino, Asian, immigrants, and the unhoused. This shift is especially evident in Los Angeles, where many suburbs have become majority-minority. The New Suburbia explores the experiences of Asian Americans, Black Americans, and Latinos who moved into formerly exclusive neighborhoods.

A weekend of events celebrating performances by female solo performers in drama, dance, and music. The festival also awards distinguished women of theatre.