July 14th is Bastille Day, a national holiday in France, celebrated there much like the 4th of July in the US.

If you are in Los Angeles looking for a way to celebrate, you might enjoy Bastille Day L.A. Festival on Sunday, July 15 (technically the day after Bastille Day) from noon to 8 pm at the Kenneth Hahn State Recreational Area, located at 4100 South La Cienega Blvd.  There will be L.A. Street performers, Parisian Waiters Race, a Provencal Petanque Tournament and French food.  The cost is $5; Children ages 12 and younger: Free.  For parking costs and shuttles, visit Bastille Day L.A. Festival.

On July 14th, Bastille Day itself, there are some other events around town that, although not necessarily related to the French holiday, could be a great way to celebrate the day:

Woody Guthrie Centennial Event in Echo Park–Celebrating the 100th birthday of American folk music legend Woody Guthrie, this event begins at 10 AM with a casual brunch where musician and Guthrie historian Darryl Holter will be giving a presentation on Woody’s early years in Los Angeles.  He’ll talk about the radio show, The Woody and Lefty Lou Show, which was one of the most popular shows at the time, especially for listeners who had emigrated from the Dust Bowl regions to LA.  At 1 PM Holter will perform a solo set of Guthrie songs, mostly songs that have never been heard since the radio show ended in 1939.  History Brunch: 10:00 AM to 12 PM
.  Day-long Activities: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Where: El Centro del Pueblo, located 
1157 Lemoyne Street, Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Rockin’ Truck Grub–A variety of gourmet food trucks and performances by a juggler, a steel drummer and a DJ.  Located at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu.  11:30 am-5 pm, Free admission and free parking.

Summer Fun at the Reyes Adobe Historical Site–Bring a picnic lunch and explore the adobe through a tour and crafts for children. A jazz concert starts after dinner. The adobe will be open during that time as well for tours. Located at the Reyes Adobe, 5464 Reyes Adobe Rd., Agoura Hills.  Activities for kids: 1:30-3 pm; Jazz Concert: 5:30-7 pm.

Movies on the Green in Warner Park–Outdoor, family-friendly movies have become a tradition at Warner Park. Bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic!  Located in the park at the corner of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Califa in Woodland Hills.   The movie starts a half hour after sunset.  Although the movie is free, parking at nearby lots may cost $8.

Whether you celebrate by wrapping yourself in the French flag and singing the La Marseillaise, or listening to Woody Guthrie music, we here at “Carolyn Fox’s Hollywood Spotlight” hope you have a great Bastille Day and a wonderful weekend.