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!

As part of Suhn Lee: Memento Mori, visitors are invited to participate in Stitching Grief, Folding Memories, a quiet, drop-in art-making space that reflects themes of memory, grief, and transformation. Designed to be meditative and open-ended, this program encourages visitors, at all ages and walks of life, to take part at their own pace—whether for a few minutes or a longer stay. The artist will be present periodically to provide demonstrations and guidance on two reflective activities:

Embroidered Memories
Use thread, beads, and fabric to create small embroidered pieces within embroidery hoops. Choose from patterned guides or design freely. These small patches of remembrance will become part of a collaborative textile work by the artist.

Origami Notes
Write a note on the back of origami paper to someone you’ve lost—through death, distance, or time. Notes will be collected in a box and later folded by the artist into cranes, with fragments of the writing visible but obscured, preserving both privacy and emotion in form.

This is a self-guided, introspective space open to all. Materials will be provided.

This event is free and open to the public, on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., in the Pine Grove at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (LAMAG).

Let LAMAG know you’re attending, RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/drop-in-art-activity-stitching-grief-folding-memories-tickets-1329201721129?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-source=cp&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing.

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!

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