The memorial is intended to inspire L.A. City residents and visitors to think about their connections with P-22, and how the mountain lion’s legacy transformed conservation efforts. The National Wildlife Federation’s #SaveLACougars campaign and Friends of Griffith Park are leading the project in partnership with the L.A. City Department of Recreation and Parks and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman.

To receive submission guidelines for the sculptures, artists can email p22mountainlion@nwf.org to be considered for the process. Emails should be sent by Dec. 31.

In 2012, Friends of Griffith Park first discovered P-22, the mountain lion living in the park after crossing two busy L.A. freeways. P-22 changed how residents view the importance of living alongside wildlife, prompting the building of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

The mountain lion remained at the park for 10 years, monitored by a radio collar. P-22 was later captured in December 2022 and euthanized after tests revealed he suffered from traumatic injuries and long-term health issues.    

“P-22 is still deeply missed by people all over the world, and his loss is especially felt in Los Angeles. This remarkable cat deserves a memorial that recognizes his incredible legacy and gives people a chance to reflect upon their love for him,” said Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation and lead at the #SaveLACougars campaign.

Gerry Hans, president of Friends of Griffith Park, said the proposed memorial will be a reminder to visitors far into the how future of how P-22 “triggered a sea of change.”

“P-22 led an incredible life as our resident Griffith Park mountain lion,” Raman said in a statement. “His improbable journey to Griffith Park, and the life he built here, reminds us that our great park was also his park.”

For the first time ever, a naturalization ceremony will be held on the Hollywood Sign Terrace at the Griffith Observatory. 

Naturalization ceremonies are typically held at museums, schools, and libraries to celebrate the end of an immigrant’s journey to citizenship and honor the commitment they have shown along the way. 

“Special venues not only make these events meaningful for those who have voluntarily chosen to participate in American democracy and dedicated themselves to the country’s future, but they also reflect the strength and spirit of the United States,” the USCIS said. 

The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Oct. 21 at the Griffith Observatory Hollywood Sign Terrace.

Day-to-day chitchat in Southern California frequently turns to the topics of heat waves, June Gloom, the Santa Ana winds, and, yes, traffic.

But one of the more enduring topics that easily arise in regional conversations involves the critters we’ve spotted in our neighborhoods. It seems like every Southern Californian has a story or two, with people sharing raccoon or bobcat sightings from hikes, picnics, or even in their own front yards.

For this place we call home has some major urban wildlife energy, and you don’t even need to head into the hills or canyons to pick up on it: The vibrant and ever-present energy thrums throughout Los Angeles, day and night.

P-22, the beloved and oh-so-missed mountain lion, was a prominent ambassador of urban wildlife energy, and, with this in mind, we take time to pay tribute to him each fall at a special festival.

The P-22 Day Festival is trotting into its ninth outing in 2024, and, as in years gone by, the Griffith Park gathering will serve as a celebratory conclusion to Urban Wildlife Week.

Swing by the picturesque spot on Oct. 19 and enjoy activities, displays, and odes to P-22, as well as the countless other critters that live in and around us, around the clock and all year long.

Hollywood Oct 16

Muralist honors legendary mountain lion P-22 with artwork in Hollywood

Animals and Wildlife Oct 16

Raise a howl: Wolf Awareness Week trots into the Natural History Museum

It’s an educational event, too; conservation matters and living gently among the animals of our region is at the happening’s heart.

No RSVP is needed, just twitch a tail and pad into Shane’s Inspiration, if you’d like to bask in the beastie-inspired love.

You won’t be too far from the new P-22 mural by artist Corie Mattie in Hollywood, if you’d like to create a day out that’s fully devoted to all things P-22.

And if you drive under the new Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills, a wildlife bridge that is expected to open in just over a year or so, give or take a couple of months?

Pay a kind thought to P-22, his legacy, the hardworking builders, and all of the wildlife advocates who are making this crossing a reality.

Southern California’s impressive variety of Halloween-inspired and autumn-hued events is, well, huge.

There are so many monstrously entertaining adventures around Los Angeles in October that finding your frightful fit can be, well, terrifyingly trying.

Do you want super-scary, a little merry, or somewhere in the macabre middle?

Our region even boasts marketplaces that have a light Halloween overlay, the sort of not-too-spooky shopping events that have handmade items, food trucks, and a scintillating stroll-around scene.

A new Fright Night Market, presented by the Valley Vibes crew, will “haunt” the grounds of the Autry Museum of the American West on the final Friday of October.

Entry is free for the evening affair — the “Night” in the name isn’t just for show, it is actually taking place from 5 to 11 p.m. — and parking is free, too. If you’d like to visit the on-site beer garden, the price to enter is $23.

Shop “over 50 horror-themed vendors” at the market, and enjoy a few October-ish photo spots, the kind that invite you to strike your best vampiric and/or werewolfian pose.

Costume contests, thematic music, food trucks, desserts for sale, a trick-or-treat element, and other in-the-season offerings will crop up during the six-hour revelry. Oh yes: Your on-leash pup is invited, too.

Fly like a bat by this site to find out more on this lighthearted, shop-ready approach to autumn fun, one that has a bit of horror love in its heart but an easygoing, come-eat-a-taco-and-shop spirit.

Haunted Events Aplenty: There’s a sudden chill in the air — quite literally — as we head for the start of fall, which must mean some of the biggest Halloween-themed events in SoCal are impishly revving up. We’re not (too) scared: Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park, the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, and Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park are all ghostily floating into the first weekends of their 2024 runs.

Kidspace Halloween Bash: Seeking some daytime family fun inspired by the fall occasion? This Pasadena educational museum will have daily — yes, daily — costume parades made for the littlest Halloween fans as well as autumn activities. There are two parades on weekdays and three on weekends; it all begins Sept. 20, concludes Oct. 31, and advance tickets? Very much recommended.

California Coastal Cleanup Day: If you’re especially sweet on a particular stretch of spectacular sand, riverbank, or lakeshore, you’re invited to spend the morning of Sept. 21 giving it a good tidy-up. This huge volunteer event is happening up and down the coast and inland, too. Check the map to find and join an event (there are oodles), then check the supplies you’ll need to bring along.

Frogtown Artwalk: Frogtown is always pretty darn fanciful, as its wonderful name so strongly suggests, but when this art-forward happening comes back around, the imagination flows like the river that the community famously borders. Enjoy gallery shows, musical moments, hands-on activities, and plenty of creative fun Sept. 21. And, oh yes, it’s free.

Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off: Send out summer in a big way — make that a gargantuan way — at Irvine Park Railroad, where some of the most sizable squashes around will hit the scales (gently, of course). Major prizes and cash are involved in this charming tradition, which pays admiring tribute to a cavalcade of tenacious growers. Get “pump”-ed Sept. 21 in Orange.

The Department of Recreation and Parks held a public hearing Monday to receive feedback on a variety of proposals – all gathered by a consulting firm from surveys and focus groups with people who live in the city.

“People are very passionate about it because these are so many families’ memories that have been there over 75 years,” said Wendy Nowak of PlaceWorks, which organized the hearing.

Some the alternatives that were discussed include installing an outdoor climbing wall, a community garden, an animal rescue facility and a museum telling the stories of indigenous people.

Griffith Park Dec 3, 2022

Historic Griffith Park Pony Rides Shutting Down

Griffith Park Dec 11, 2022

Protestors Clash at Griffith Park Over Closing of Pony Rides

In December of 2022, the city decided not to renew the operating contract of a company that ran the pony ride attraction due in part to animal rights protests over alleged mistreatment of the animals.

The three-plus acre site has been sitting empty save for dirt tracks, wooden fences and chain link enclosures. The animals and the queues of excited schoolchildren waiting for a ride disappeared long ago.

And yet, another similar attraction is still on the proposal list, said Nowak, based on support from people who responded to PlaceWorks’s surveys.

  “Pony rides were on there,” she said. “They’re one of the uses as well.”

Zohra Fahim, founder of Los Angeles Alliance for Animals, called that fact “absolutely disgusting” at the hearing.

“We, as constituents, are deeply troubled by the data that was presented today,” she said, “I know that constituents don’t want animal cruelty in the parks.”

Other attendees made clear that an animal attraction didn’t have to include “cruelty.”

Todd Laverne of the Compton Cowboys, an equine riding group, said an installation that would allow disadvantaged children access to horses would be perfect for the location.

“It has purpose,” he said. “It can help, especially, children develop and get a sense of purpose and get a sense of confidence.”

Input from the public hearing will go back to a committee in the weeks to come, before a plan will be submitted to the Los Angeles City Council.

“All the world’s a stage” are, without quibble, some of the most famous words spoken in “As You Like It,” the sweet sylvan adventure penned by William Shakespeare.

But what sort of high jinks take place adjacent to a real-life stage, specifically an open-air stage where the frolicsome foibles of “As You Like It” mirthfully unfold?

The answer, in short, is “bunches of stuff.”

That’s not very Shakespearean of us — “bunches of stuff” can be worded far more wittily — but the gleeful goings-on at Shakespeare in the Park truly deserve a big and boisterous term like “bunches.”

The free theater series, presented by the Independent Shakespeare Co., alights near the Old Zoo at Griffith Park over several nights each summer. And, indeed, you guessed it: “As You Like It” is the comedic confection treading the boards in 2024.

But beyond the stage and you’ll see more: More to do, more to join, more to savor.

In short: Bunches of stuff, all created to delight, and draw in, enthusiastic audience members.

The theatrical troupe is known for weaving wonderful happenings through its schedule each season, and a number of notable events are coming up.

The “Players in the Park” workshop, created for families or anyone who’d like to know more about the “characters, plot, and artistic choices” of the play, will pop up before the show July 21.

Other special and sparkly-of-heart nights will soon glitter at the leafy Griffith Park glen, including the Artistic Director’s Salon July 27, a chance to dress in your quirky cottagecore best Aug. 1, Pride Night Aug. 9, and a dressy “Swingin’ Soiree” Aug. 17.

The colorful calendar, which details each event and what to expect, is listed on this page.

And should we break out one more rousing “huzzah” over the fact that these audience-centered events, and the celebrated play, too, are free to attend?

“Huzzah” we shall say, yet again, as we love upon this summertime gem and all of the free fun it brings to Southern California’s theater-loving community.

Few regions are more vibe-y than the Valley, that vast and vivacious patchwork of panache-filled places. It’s a scintillating spread of cities, is what we’re saying, and few destinations boast as much cool and character. (That goes for regions within California and regions that are not in California, both.)

So to bestow a vibe-centric name on a new outdoor marketplace, one that gives a nice nod in the direction of the Valley, feels right and full of light (that’s something else that the San Fernando Valley does perfectly: sunshine).

The Valley Vibes Market, a new event, is landing at The Autry Museum of the American West on what just may be one of the calendar’s sunniest days: Sunday, July 14.

We make that sun-laden statement because, well, July. In Southern California. You get us.

The daytime happening — it rolls over six (probably) sunny hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 o’clock — will features several vendors, live music, and food trucks, too, like FryDay and Sabrossa.

The Caffeinated Cart will also be on the grounds — yes, we said “grounds” — while visitors 21+ can visit the pop-up bar for a specialty cocktail

As for the shopping aspect of Valley Vibes? Think artisanal and handmade; small and local businesses will be the focus, the makers that possess their own particular vibes and cleverly transmute those vibes into the goods they create.

Also super vibe-tastic? Entry is free, as is parking. Oh yes, and dogs are welcome, too.

You can subscribe to the market’s updates learn more and/or follow on Instagram, Valley-obsessed vibe-seekers of SoCal.

Entering a woodsy world, a realm that festively fizzes with an enchanting promise as adventures and escapades unfold, sounds like the throughline of a pastoral comedy penned by one William Shakespeare.

It may even bring to mind “As You Like It,” one of the Bard’s most beloved plays, a forested frolic that features elaborate disguises, cousinly closeness, pluck, fortitude, and love.

You may have enjoyed this bucolic bonbon indoors, which is always a treat. But audiences can enter the Forest of Arden in a lush location that is full of real trees this summer, thanks to the latest offering by the Independent Shakespeare Company.

The group just unveiled its 2024 play, and, indeed, it has Rosalind and Celia at the lively leads. “As You Like It” will open the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival on July 10, giving fans of outdoor theater, picnicking and plays, and offbeat experiences much to anticipate.

The company has had a few recent jump-arounds, in terms of actual location, due to construction, but the Old Zoo at Griffith Park has long been its venue of choice.

The play’s the thing, as Shakespeare so succinctly put it, but regulars of this pay-nothing summer series know that special evenings will pop up throughout a play’s run, with costume events, dances, and other effervescent, join-in jamborees on the calendar.

Call them complementary happenings to this complimentary happening, a way to up the air of whimsy and wonderfulness that playfully permeates the Free Griffith Park Shakespeare Festival.

And if you’ve never heard the speech featuring “all the world’s a stage” live before, enjoying a performance of “As You Like It” will remedy that; it’s the play that contains this wise and oft-referenced observation.

Pictured: Jacqueline Misaye and Bukola Ogunmola, photo by Grettel Cortes

A bounty of beautiful local landmarks will be marking their centennials over the next decade, with the party already beginning at places like The Egyptian, which turned 100 in 2022.

While several other movie palaces will roll into their century celebrations in the later part of this decade, there is one cultural gem that is setting its gaze on 2030: It’s the glorious Greek Theatre, one of the storied and sound-strong jewels of Griffith Park.

Looking lovely at a nifty 94, the alfresco amphitheater, which is overseen by the City of Los Angeles, has been home to countless incredible concerts and dramatic productions.

But getting to know more about its fascinating history, the architects who fashioned it after a classical Greek theater, and its recent restoration isn’t always possible when you’re quickly dashing to your seat minutes ahead of a much-anticipated show.

Good news: Los Angeles Conservancy is here to help us with our Greek-centered curiosity and questions.

A series of one-hour tours on Sunday, March 17 will focus on the fabled space’s reputation as a world-class performance venue, some of the greats who performed there, and, yes, the elegant refurbishment that gave the historic theater a fresh and fabulous new beginning.

The tour isn’t simply about roaming the seating tiers, however, or the public areas you might already know; you’ll get to head backstage and peek inside dressing rooms, the very spots where Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, and Bruce Springsteen warmed up, strummed a few strings, and sang a few bars before stepping onto the iconic stage.

And, for sure, you’ll want to keep a lookout for the architectural details that were “not visible for decades” but now are, thanks to the “extensive historic renovation.”

A general ticket is $35, and there are a few spots left; if you’re a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy, your admission is $25.

When will you get to hang out backstage at the Greek again? Maybe if you have a hit record in the works and a major concert tour down the road, it is a possibility.

But even then, you’ll be busy ahead of your performance, perhaps too busy to soak in the splendor of this legendary venue.

Best buy a ticket for the March 17 tour and get to know one of our city’s superstar structures, a longtime favorite of live music lovers, architecture enthusiasts, Los Angeles history, and fans of Griffith Park’s enduring icons.

Going for a short gadabout in your neighborhood? You likely know your route well, from the shops you might pass to the names of your neighbors’ dogs to all of the interesting points of interest, be they a pretty tree, mural, or Little Free Library.

But a far longer gadabout — say, one that’s around 15 miles — requires some forethought and planning, even if you’ll be with a larger group of urban explorers.

And that just happens to be the impressive length of the upcoming Great Los Angeles Walk, which will once again set out on the streets of Southern California on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

It’s free to join, as it has been for the last 18 years, and participants are welcome to cover any or all of the route, keeping in mind that transportation to and from the start/end points will need to be considered.

Mike Schneider, the founder of The Great Los Angeles Walk, has shared some commonly asked questions, along with the answers, on social media.

Around 300 people are expected to join the Nov. 18, 2023 event, which begins at the beloved bear statue in Griffith Park. There’s a “pep talk” just ahead of the 9 a.m. start, so arriving at the meeting place well ahead of that early hour is a must.

The full map, which is sort of a sizable square — you might even call it slightly Arizona-ish in shape — is available, along with the mostly north-south route (a first for The Great Los Angeles Walk, which has traditionally followed east-west pathways, from DTLA to the ocean).

What to wear, what to expect, and info on the group photo — it will happen at the end of the event, back at Griffith Park — are also explained in delightful detail.

When asked why he puts this together, Mr. Schneider joyfully answered “Why not? There’s no special reason, no charity, no protest, no issue we’re promoting — other than a passion for Los Angeles.”

In a season that can often be associated with obligations, there is something rather free about The Great Los Angeles Walk, beyond its fee-free entry. Or rather “freeing”: You can experience your city by the sides of other curious strangers, keeping to your own wandering daydreams or chatting with new friends along the way.

For the entire summary of this SoCal-championing charmer, a nice November tradition that continues to shine bright in the season of shorter days, visit the questions-answered page now.

The memorial is intended to inspire L.A. City residents and visitors to think about their connections with P-22, and how the mountain lion’s legacy transformed conservation efforts. The National Wildlife Federation’s #SaveLACougars campaign and Friends of Griffith Park are leading the project in partnership with the L.A. City Department of Recreation and Parks and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman.

To receive submission guidelines for the sculptures, artists can email p22mountainlion@nwf.org to be considered for the process. Emails should be sent by Dec. 31.

In 2012, Friends of Griffith Park first discovered P-22, the mountain lion living in the park after crossing two busy L.A. freeways. P-22 changed how residents view the importance of living alongside wildlife, prompting the building of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

The mountain lion remained at the park for 10 years, monitored by a radio collar. P-22 was later captured in December 2022 and euthanized after tests revealed he suffered from traumatic injuries and long-term health issues.    

“P-22 is still deeply missed by people all over the world, and his loss is especially felt in Los Angeles. This remarkable cat deserves a memorial that recognizes his incredible legacy and gives people a chance to reflect upon their love for him,” said Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation and lead at the #SaveLACougars campaign.

Gerry Hans, president of Friends of Griffith Park, said the proposed memorial will be a reminder to visitors far into the how future of how P-22 “triggered a sea of change.”

“P-22 led an incredible life as our resident Griffith Park mountain lion,” Raman said in a statement. “His improbable journey to Griffith Park, and the life he built here, reminds us that our great park was also his park.”

P-22, the late, great, and oh-so-inspirational big cat, has been much on our minds over the past year.

Of course, the mountain lion, an iconic animal that spent years roaming Griffith Park and its closest neighborhoods, is often on people’s minds, thanks to the critical legacy he so movingly helped to create, just by simply living his noble life.

But thanks to the on-the-rise Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills, the bridge that will one day allow animals to trot over the 101 freeway safely, and cameos by cute P-22 puppets — one was seen at the Skirball Cultural Center’s Puppet Festival last spring — the much-missed mountain lion has felt ever-present.

That shining presence will grow stronger on Sunday, Oct. 22 when P-22 Day returns to Griffith Park.

It’s a sunshiny chance for fans of the famous feline, and all of the wild critters of Southern California, to gather for music, craft-making, outdoorsy activities, and opportunities to learn about our splendid natural wonderland, the one that flourishes all around us.

“Our festival promises a treasure trove of captivating exhibits and activities that will ignite your curiosity and deepen your connection to the wild world around us,” shares the festival announcement.

“From interactive displays to immersive experiences, there’s something for everyone, young and old.

The fall tradition is part of the larger Urban Wildlife Week, a celebratory, education-focused stretch that honors “our majestic wildlife and the remarkable ecosystems that thrive right in the heart of our bustling metropolis.”

Making a reservation or finding a ticket to the furry fun in Griffith Park on Oct. 22? Not necessary: It’s totally free and everyone is welcome.

Take a spin on the rails around town — think a quick trip to Santa Monica or Pasadena — and you just might spy a family or two spending some time at a local Metro station, all to give a train-loving tot the chance to experience the on-the-go action.

Trains and kids are a powerful and charming combination, but adults love trains, too, and finding a free festival honoring locomotives, railcars, and everything that makes these magnificent modes of transportation move so elegantly can be as simple as keeping an eye on Travel Town Museum.

The history-filled Griffith Park destination is, after all, a major must-visit for train lovers, thanks to the stately engines and cars that fill the expansive property.

But Depot Day, which is chugging into Travel Town on Oct. 15, is something rail-y special: It’s a free celebration, one featuring model train displays, intriguing demos, and opportunities to step inside some vintage cars.

It’s circling back around for a multi-hour happening, one that begins at 10:30 in the morning.

On the schedule? Chances to see restoration work as it happens — so cool — as well as small trains, the kind of detailed models that consistently stoke the imaginations of so many enthusiasts.

A look inside the Hunter’s Point and Rose Bowl sleeping cars is also on the itinerary.

Live tunes — the high school bands from Hoover and Crescenta Valley will be on the grounds — and food trucks will add to the autumnal, outdoorsy, come-one-come-all air of the affair.

Watching Metro trains zip around town, and the super-big Amtrak and Metrolink engines, too? That can be such a thrill for a youngster obsessed with all things train.

Add Depot Day at Travel Town to that mix and you’ve got both modern modes of train technology and the retro locomotives of yore well-covered.

Witches sail through the clouds via their ensorcelled broomsticks while ghosts float diaphanously because that is what ghosts so famously do. (According to legend, of course.)

But when humans move through a Halloween-inspired atmosphere, and a tractor-pulled hay ride is part of the eek-filled equation, well, seats can be quite sweet.

After all, people don’t require broomsticks and we can’t fly, but a place to comfortably park yourself during a nighttime hayride is a pretty handy addition.

And that addition will soon debut at the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, which begins its 15th year on Sept. 22.

The Griffith Park haunt, a major player on the scene that involves thrills both October-y and outdoorsy, will be back to play in the hay over several select nights, concluding on Halloween night.

There are fresh updates to the 2023 event, which is produced by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, including wagons with seating, a longtime wish of the fans.

“We listened to your feedback, and are proud to announce that the Haunted Hayride is getting a significant refresh in 2023,” said Chris Stafford, CEO and Founding Partner of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group.

“I’m really excited to announce that we have added all new wagons for the Hayride experience which feature seating for the first time. This is something our guests have been requesting each year, and we’re thrilled to make it happen.”

“We have a lot of new and exciting updates and we look forward to welcoming you all back to Midnight Falls!”

The name “Midnight Falls” will feel frightfully familiar to returning guests; this is the little pop-up town that arises near the park’s Old Zoo area over several fall weeks, and it is well-known to be filled with an assortment of pumpkin-headed, possibly-probably-undead characters, the extremely active Spirits of the Underworld.

The Witch of the Woods has summoned this snarly, scary lot, so don’t be too rattled if you encounter her along the way. (Or, be rattled, which is an appropriate response to a figure of such superior supernatural abilities.)

Look also for updated effects around the hayride, pluse new scenes, a new maze, and more horror-riffic details to make their debut.

Are you brave enough to traverse these wicked woods and the haunted hamlet of Midnight Falls? Tickets begin at $29.99 on select weeknights.

Disco-y dress is most often seen indoors, at the dance halls and vibrant venues associated with the festive phenomenon. That’s because disco dancing, which hit its zazziest zenith in the late ’70s, often took place beneath a mirror ball, the sort of decoration that requires a ceiling.

But another decade that bore the ’70s mantel, the 1570s, wasn’t known for its dazzling disco scene. Rather, it was the time period when William Shakespeare was a child and surely dreaming up fanciful worlds, the sorts of remarkable realms that would one day appear on a stage.

One of those stories, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” feels like a fun and offbeat fit for disco-style vibes, thanks to its playful and Puckish nature.

So it is no surprise that the 1570s will meet the 1970s at the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival on Thursday, Aug. 17. The Independent Shakespeare Co., the troupe behind the ebullient annual offering, has dubbed Aug. 17 as “Disco Night,” meaning guests are invited to arrive in bell bottoms, wide-collared shirts, and all the glitter they like.

“Midsummer” is indeed the night’s play, with eye-catching costuming and live music to fit its fabulous characters and themes.

But much of the scene will also take place around the grounds of Griffith Park’s Old Zoo, where revelers will be rocking their best throwback looks.

Which prompts us to ponder this: How does one dress disco-ish with a sartorial nod to Shakespeare? Ye olde tights and neon platform shoes? You’re invited to go the outlandish distance with whatever outfit you choose.

Just be sure to pre-register. Tickets are, yes, free, but the company would love to know if they should expect you. Also? Here’s what to expect when you attend, from food to blankets to everything else.

The fire that ignited near 5400 W. Zoo Drive was reported around 6 p.m., according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

The department dispatched 50 firefighters and a water-dropping helicopter to the scene. The flames were contained in about half an hour, Humphrey said.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Two county fire department hand crews were expected to join in the mop-up operations, he said.

Police set up a perimeter around Los Feliz Boulevard and the southbound Golden State (5) Freeway, LAPD Officer Tony Im Told City News Service.

The report about the gunman came in from a member of the public at 2:45 p.m., Im said. He was described a white male with a black bandana, black shirt and black pants.

The LAPD also brought in K-9 units to aid in the search.

It was not immediately clear where in the park the gunman was believed to be, nor was it clear if shots were fired. No arrests were reported.

Several of William Shakespeare’s most moving plays touch on touching reunions, yes, as well as characters returning to places or situations that figured prominently early in the story.

So when an acclaimed Bard-loving troupe bounds back into a location it has long been synonymous with after some time away, it seems fitting to view the return as something rather festive.

And “festive” is an apt and ebullient way to describe the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival, a big-hearted gift marking its 20th anniversary in 2023.

If you know this long-running series, you know that A) the Independent Shakespeare Co. is at the board-trodding helm and B) Griffith Park’s Old Zoo has long been the spot to see terrific productions each summer.

Alas: Construction prevented the troupe from performing at the Old Zoo in recent years — the plays unfurled a bit up the hill — but now the festival is back in the leafy place that fans remember from awhile back.

There are a few important things that thouest should know before attending, including the fact that registration is recommended (yes, it is free, but this helps the team know how many people to expect).

Parking is also free, huzzah! (Typing “huzzah!” without an exclamation point feels rather mirthless and unShakespearean.)

Coming up on July 5? “Julius Caesar” is the first play of the season — the company traditionally offers two treats each summer — while “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” begins its effervescent engagement in mid-August.

“Julius Caesar,” with its “power struggles and intrigue,” is an intense offering with “adult themes,” do note, while “Midsummer” will be lush with love, live music, and the lively loquacity that fans do so ardently adore.

Feeling Puckish?

Register now and let the Independent Shakespeare Co. know what nights you’ll be there.

You may also want to peruse the special activities happening before the shows, including discussions (look for the “Salon Series” evenings), dress-up events, and more cultural convivialities of the most vibrant varieties.