Museum Mania

Fall is traditionally a time of mega museum exhibitions and programs, and this season doesn’t disappoint. So why not spend the weekend taking in a museum or two or three?

Friday

Start early with a heavy dose of museum-going in Exposition Park, where three museums are within walking distance of one another. One of America’s most politically engaged artists is the subject of the California African-American Museum’s current exhibition, “Paul Robeson: Artist and Citizen.” 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. Free. (213) 744-7432. At the Natural History Museum, “Hunters of the Sky” examines birds of prey, from eagles to owls, falcons, hawks and condors. 900 Exposition Blvd. Adults, $8; children, $2; seniors and students, $5.50. (213) 763-DINO. Adults and children can learn about the Holocaust at the California Science Center’s “Remember the Children, Daniel’s Story,” an exhibit that chronicles the life-changing events of one Jewish child and his family in Nazi Germany. 700 State Drive. Free. (213) 724-3623.

Opening Friday at the Science Center’s Imax Theater: “Everest,” the true story of the Everest Expedition’s journey to the summit, just days after the 1996 tragedy in which eight climbers died in a storm. Friday show times: noon, 2, 3, 5 and 8 p.m. $3.75-$6.25. (213) 744-2019 for advance tickets and other show times.

Saturday

Visit the Carole and Barry Kaye Museum of Miniatures beginning Saturday for a small (and we do mean small) preview of the Amsterdam Van Gogh exhibition coming to Los Angeles in January. The museum has commissioned miniaturist Paul Saltarelli to replicate some of Van Gogh’s works, including “Self-Portrait of an Artist,” “Sunflowers” and “The Potato Eaters,” for “Van Gogh in Miniature.” 5900 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Adults, $7.50; seniors, $6.50; students, $5; children, $3. (323) 937-6464.

The eagerly anticipated “Sunshine & Noir: Art in L.A. 1960-1997” exhibition arrived two weeks ago at the UCLA Armand Hammer Museum of Art, where the schedule of family programming goes on. Saturday, the museum celebrates the beat generation with a performance by Advanced Dance Theater Group at 11 a.m., “Beat Tales” at noon and a re-creation of a beat generation happening by the Pacific Composers Forum at 2 p.m. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. Adults, $4.50; seniors and students, $3; free for members and children 17 and under. (310) 443-7000.

Sunday

The Museum of Contemporary Art opens its doors to families with children ages 7 to 18 for a Fall Family Festival, 1 to 5 p.m. Activities will include a bilingual family audio tour of “Timepieces: Selected Highlights From the Permanent Collection, 1945-1975,” an art-making workshop, a lecture-demonstration and music. 250 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Free. Free shuttle transportation available from several sites. (213) 626-6222 for information.

Another family-friendly event is the Skirball Center’s second annual Intergenerational Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Capping off a weekend of longevity seminars, the festival is intended to link the ages through art projects, literary readings, interactive exhibits and family museum tours. Highlights: storytelling by We Tell Stories at 1 p.m., House of Blues “Living Legends” concert at 12:30 p.m.; a swing concert and dance lesson with Mora’s Modern Rhythmists at 3:30 p.m.; and “When a Movie Was a Nickel,” 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with screenings of Laurel and Hardy’s “Helpmates” (1931), Shirley Temple’s “Kid in Hollywood” (1933), “You Try Someone Else” (1932) with Betty Boop and Ethel Merman and other films. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Free. Free parking with shuttle service available at Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500.