Destination: the Getty Center, Brentwood
Cost: $10 parking fee (after 5:00 p.m.), $9.00 wine, plus gas
There’s plenty to do in LA on a Saturday night, but when you’re
on a budget – the options diminish. I visited the “Time Out” calendar page and learned about Saturdays Off the 405 – The Getty Center’s
free (except for parking fee) Saturday night offerings, featuring live music and DJ's.
It seemed simple to just bop up the San Diego Freeway and show up for a lovely
evening watching the sunset over the Pacific while enjoying some good live
music.
The reality wasn’t quite as smooth. Miraculously, there was
no traffic on the 405. But there was an accident near the Getty Drive turnoff on
Sepulveda, which backed up traffic considerably. The line of cars entering the
museum parking structure was substantial and I wondered if they’d run out of spaces.
Fortunately, I snagged a parking spot and made my way to the line for the tram
up the hill.
There were LOTS of people here – mostly young date-nighters,
but also plenty of European tourists. After some time, I arrived at the plaza
where Caught A Ghost was playing.
They had funky good energy – very danceable music. The sax player
made it happen for me – he had some great wailing grooves going on. I grabbed a
Pinot Grigio (after waiting in another queue) and the music got even better.
The band stopped just after the late midsummer sunset, so I
finished my wine while strolling the terraces and watching the lights of LA
come on in the basin below. To top off the evening, I visited a few select
galleries and was inspired by works of Rubens, Hals and Rembrandt.
To make the beautiful night last a bit longer – I shunned
the tram and walked back down to the parking structure, enjoying the
conversations of the young folks surrounding me. Despite the time it took to
get in and out of parking, the Getty put on a great event. Next time, I’ll come
and go a bit earlier and hopefully avoid the traffic crush.
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