This spring, two new arts and culture events will debut in Beverly Hills: the inaugural Festival Beverly Hills on March 12, and “MADE in Beverly Hills,” a four-day festival beginning May 4 that celebrates the city’s architecture and culture. Presented as a new signature event from the Arts and Culture Commission as part of the city’s embrace and celebrate culture initiative, Festival Beverly Hills is a craft-type fair that will be held at the Farmers Market with booths from local artisans and international food vendors, cooking demonstrations, music and dance performances from local talent, and more. Billed as a satellite version of the annual Modernism Week held in Palm Springs, the festival is presented in partnership with MADE (Modern Architecture Design Experience), the nonprofit organization responsible for producing the event.
At its Feb. 7 Study Session, the Beverly Hills City Council unanimously supported the partnership with MADE to produce the arts festival, and with only a few weeks to plan, directed city staff to move forward with the first Festival Beverly Hills. Scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 12, the community and food-based celebration honors Beverly Hills history and will showcase the many cultures within the community. Taking place the same day as the 95th Academy Awards in Hollywood, organizers hope to capitalize on the influx of out of towners. “We will have a lot of people in our city for that week, and I think it’s a great way to showcase our city and the focus that we really want to have on culture and diversity,” Mayor Lili Bosse said.
Staff were directed to produce the first iteration of the festival at the size and scale of a Farmers Market special event, hosting up to 1,000 guests with an estimated budget of $10,000-$15,000. First envisioned as a one-day free outdoor event, the intention is to make it an annual happening that can be expanded to a park festival or a one-day street festival.
“I do feel for the first year, it’s going to be very successful,” said Bosse. “And to the question about what we do in future years, whether we continue at a farmers market or decide we want to change it and do it elsewhere…I think that’s what the advantage of a first year is, is to learn what to do.”
Another cultural event planned for the city will take place May 4 -7. An estimated 6,000 people are expected for the inaugural “MADE in Beverly Hills,” to explore the landscapes that make Beverly Hills one-of-a-kind. The family-friendly festival features over 20 events that include lectures, tours, films, a luncheon fashion show, rides on the iconic Beverly Hills trolley with architectural stops throughout the city and more.
“As a city that cherishes our incredible history, culture, architecture and art, we are proud to share our magical city while welcoming our community and visitors to explore our city’s restaurants, shops and parks together in such a unique and exciting way,” Bosse said in a statement. According to MADE CEO Lisa Vossler Smith, the festival will highlight the city’s collection of civic, residential, and commercial architecture, “ranging from the early 1920s through the midcentury era and beyond.”
While the event is open to the public, activities will be ticketed, with both free and paid admission options. Tickets will go on pre-sale for Beverly Hills residents starting March 1 at noon, before opening to the general public at noon on March 15.
“The City of Beverly Hills offers its residents and visitors more than 100 years of architecture and design history to explore,” said William Kopelk, Chairman of MADE and co-founder of Modernism Week. To learn more about MADE in Beverly Hills, visit https://modtix.com/event/made-in-beverly-hills/.
