Entertaining LA Events Calendar for May and June

The biggest celebrations, events and fundraisers of the year are vying for attention during May and June around the Hollywood and Los Angeles area.

At the El Capitan Theatre in the heart of Hollywood, they are celebrating the blockbuster film Marvel’s The Avengers playing there from May 4 to June 21. What makes the screenings special at the El Cap is the opportunity to get a peek into the private collection of Stan Lee, the legendary writer of Marvel Comics.

On display at the El Cap are rare comic books, original helmets of Thor and Loki from the film production of Thor, a statue of the Iron Man suit from Iron Man 2, and an array of action figures Lee has acquired throughout his career. Guests can also take their picture with the Tony Stark wax figure from Madame Tussauds Hollywood.

The One Strong Kick event Saturday, May 12 benefits the 2012 Darfur United All-Refugee Soccer Team from Darfur, Sudan, which will compete for the coveted Nelson Mandela Trophy in the 2012 Viva World Cup to be held in Kurdistan (from June 5-9). The One Strong Kick is a special fundraising celebration will be held at a private residence in Manhattan Beach, California.

Did you know that My Three Sons Day in Los Angeles will be proclaimed at City Hall on Wednesday, May 16?  Attending the event will be sons Barry Livingston, Stan Livingston and Tim Considine. Other cast members, series regulars and guest stars are expected to attend the ceremony as well.

The TV comedy classic My Three Sons was an American institution from 1960 to 1965 on ABC, and then CBS until 1972. The show chronicled the life of a widower, played by Fred MacMurray, raising his three sons. The sons were played by Tim Considine, Don Grady, Stanley Livingston and later Barry Livingston.

The Art Directors Guild Film Society and The American Cinematheque kick off the Guild’s 75th anniversary year and its 2012 Film Series on Sunday, May 20 with a special screening of The Iron Mask (1928 film starring Douglas Fairbanks), at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

A panel discussion will follow the film with authorities on Fairbanks, film history and film restoration. For ticket information go to the American Cinematheque website.

A big event on Tuesday, May 22 is the “Big Fighters, Big Cause” third annual charity boxing night held at the Santa Monica Pier to benefit the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation. Of course, Sugar Ray will be there with lots of his celebrity friends and sports legends. Toni Braxton is scheduled to sing the national anthem. There will be rock’em sock’em fights and a live auction. Go to www.sugarrayleonard.com for more details.

Lupus LA celebrates the 12th annual Lupus LA Orange Ball on May 24 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The star-studded event will feature a special musical performance by Natasha Bedingfield. Hollywood’s best-ever celebrity auctioneer Sharon Stone (she really could get blood from a stone) will use her charms as host of the live auction. And singer Toni Braxton, who has Lupus, will be among the famous guests who support the cause. Worthy honorees include Dr. Soram Khalsa and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, which will get the Medical Visionary Award. Go to www.lupusla.org for more information.

The tenth annual Night of Comedy to benefit the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation and Keep A Child Alive will be held on Saturday, June 2 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Host Doris Roberts and emcee Ray Romano will be joined by Brad Garrett, Bryan Callen, Kathleen Madigan and Fred Willard, among others.

For one night only, on Sunday, June 3 there will be a star-studded event, The Blank Theatre Presents, 20 Years of Winners: Scenes, Songs, and Speeches from 20 Years of the Young Playwrights Festival. It will be held at the Avalon Theatre in Hollywood with Jennifer Garner as the honorary host. Included among the theater-loving crowd scheduled to attend are Ed Asner, Barbara Bain, Gordon Clapp, Peri Gilpin, Allison Mack, Virginia Madsen, Rex Smith, Jennifer Stone, DB Sweeney, Gedde Watanabe, and Noah Wyle.

These great performers and many others will do scenes, songs and speeches taken from the 20 year history of The Blank’s Young Playwrights Festival. Visit www.TheBlank.com to learn more about the non-profit arts organization committed to developing excellence in artistic talent, and providing the opportunity for artists to take bold risks.

By the way, if you still haven’t sent off a Mother’s Day gift, you might want to check out www.KeepAmerica.com, which is having tremendous specials on their site. KeepAmerica wants to become the ultimate Mother’s Day shopping destination, all year round, as it is a wonderful source for all things made in the USA.