April is right around the corner and, with it, the centennial of the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. There are a few events taking place here in Southern California to mark the 100th anniversary of this historic event. You may want to consider attending one of them.
> The Steamship Historical Society of America will host a commemorative event on April 14 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. The event includes a luncheon aboard the Sapphire Princess, a Titanic film festival and late-night candlelight vigil.
> On April 12, the Pasadena Museum of History will feature an illustrated lecture by Kevin Jones, curator of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum, entitled Ad-dressing the Titanic: Appearance and Identity in 1912. The lecture will explore the four categories of travelers on the ill-fated ship: First Class, Second Class, Steerage, and Crew.
> If you don’t mind the drive, then you may want to consider attending the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, taking place now until September. The exhibition showcases 200 artifacts retrieved from the wreckage site, Titanic-themed films, and magnificent re-creations of the ship’s interior. Special events are planned for the centennial week of April 9 – 15.
> Interested in viewing homes that were being built when the Titanic took her maiden voyage? Then plan on attending Bungalow Heaven’s 23rd Annual Home Tour on April 29. Eight Pasadena homes will be included on this self-guided tour.
> Grab some popcorn and Junior Mints! On April 14, the Los Angeles Conservancy presents a special screening of the 1974 classic film Chinatown in partnership with the American Planning Association’s 2012 National Planning Conference in Los Angeles.
> Spring is a great time of year for a stroll, and the Los Angeles Conservancy’s monthly walking tours is the perfect way to simultaneously enjoy the warmer weather and discover some amazing architecture. Eight regularly scheduled tours range from Angelino Heights to Union Station to Downtown Modern Skyline.
Will you be attending any events in April? We’d love to hear how you’ll be spending this first full month of Spring.
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