Itinerary: Mother’s Day

Though it may seem as if a greeting card company or flower store created Mother’s Day, it was actually first observed in 1907 at a church in Philadelphia on the anniversary of the death of a congregant’s mother. A presidential proclamation in 1914 officially turned the second Sunday in May into Mother’s Day. If you’re looking for something to do with Mom, there are plenty of ways to spend time together this weekend.

Friday

Psychoanalyze your relationship with your mother during a visit to “Freud: Conflict and Culture” at the Skirball Cultural Center (2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. $8; $6 students/seniors. Under 12, free. [310] 440-4500). The exhibit examines the history of Freud’s theories, such as the Oedipal complex, Freudian slip and anal retentiveness.

Saturday

Share some of your favorite children’s stories with Mom during Mother Goose Story Time and Mother’s Day Tea at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Eagle Rock Branch (5027 Caspar Ave., [323] 258-8078). Storytellers will read classics like “Humpty Dumpty” and “Jack and Jill.” They’ll also help kids make Mom a flower basket or picture frame during an arts and crafts session. Tea and refreshments will be served at the end. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Free.

If you want to make Mom laugh, take her to “Heroine Addicts,” an all-female variety show at Bang Improv Studio (457 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. $8. [323] 653-6886). The comics are putting on a Mother’s Day-themed variety show at 8 p.m., featuring wacky mommies singing songs and performing monologues by women.

Or check out the Four Bitchin’ Babes, a female cabaret that will take the stage at 8 p.m. at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center (Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. $18-$23. [562] 985-4274). The four have beautiful voices and biting lyrics. Their folksy, bluesy, country-type songs touch on life, love, motherhood, talk shows and even Viagra.

Sunday

Make Mom an orchid corsage at the third annual Orchid Festival at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens (1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. $8.50; seniors, $8; students, $6; under 12, free. [626] 405-2141). See orchid displays, including a golden orchid exhibit, browse educational displays, attend a lecture on orchid care or watch the corsage-making demonstration. The festival will be Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The festival is included in museum admission.

You can also treat Mom to English tea and finger food in the Huntington’s Rose Garden Tea Room from 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: adults: $11; under 7, $5.50.

In the evening, take Mom to the beach to watch “May Mother Sea” by the TRIP Dance Theatre (at the north end of Topanga State Beach, on Pacific Coast Highway north of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and the Chart House. $10. [323] 468-9938). “May Mother Sea” is part of the group’s Sacred Spaces Dance Project, which uses nontraditional locations.

This weekend’s event pays tribute to mothers, women and the Earth with drum rhythms, singing and dance. The performances start at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, but an area will be set up at 3:30 p.m. on both days for picnicking and to create a garland of flowers for moms. A garland wreathing ceremony will be performed before the show. Audience members are encouraged to wear colorful clothing and bring flowers of offering for the ocean.