CALA 2017 Photo Gallery: Indie Comics Art Anyone?

 Comic Arts LA had another fun romp over the weekend with two days of great indie comics to buy for friends or more than likely your self.

Pockets Filled With Sprinkles: Our Visit To The Museum of Ice Cream

How did I get here? I wake up in a pool of tiny rainbows. I feel like I've been turned to ice cream soup. Was it something I ate. Was it all the pictures I took.

Nah, it was just that I went to The Museum of Ice Cream.

The Museum of Ice Cream
2018 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021
$30
Sold Out for May
*I heard from staff that they're adding three months of being open, because the place was so popular, so if you missed out, wait for an update, because tickets will go fast.
Parking
Valet $6 for two hours
Pay lots, be sure to check how much they charge for more than two hours

Check out all the photos of the place going up on Instagram.

Going through The Museum of Ice Cream is sort of making yourself into the beloved frozen dessert. You're gonna get all the extras put on you, you might consider another frozen goodie and along they way you might sample something else.

The pink painted building has a waiting area outside to play some simple outdoor games if you arrive early. Then it's into a line and groups of 15 or less can come in, they want to time entry so there's no build-up. You go from room-to-room and when you're done, you can't come back.

First up, some free chocolate from Dove than a strange telephone call about ice cream. After that you get some free samples from the well-known ice cream maker McConnell's; the flavor should switch every two weeks. It's a tasty tidbit that starts your hungry for more ice cream.

The first tasting room itself looks like a set from a music video, as does every room at The Museum of Ice Cream. The background, the stars on the ground with ice cream changed names. It's what an ice cream shop should dream to be.

Next on the path is the banana swings and banana room. You'll go bananas and quickly tire of the puns, but will want to take shot after shot of the hanging fruit.

After is the mint room, which smells nice and fresh. Here you'll get some chocolate chip mint mochi.

Next is the rainbow room, which as a straight guy didn't appeal to me as much as the ladies who were on a non-stop shot for shot of everything in that room.

Beyond that was one of my favorites, the popsicle room or popsicle paradise. You'll just have to stop and take as many fun photos with these treats in the walls and on the floor. They're really everywhere.

On your next space go get some gummy bears and take pictures with them. They creeped us out though.

After is another nice treat in a room that mixes classic art with a food fight.

Then and only then will you enter the Sprinkle Pool. A glorious feeling of your ice cream about to enter your hands when they put the sprinkles on top. Now that feeling can overwhelm you as you enter the pool of rainbow treats. Inedible I might add, so you won't have any problems in worry about that at least.

The Sprinkle Pool was our favorite attraction. The feeling of them on you, the sight of them, it's like an adult ball pit. And the photos you can take can never be without a slight smile on someones face.

After you have the other feeling and sight of seeing sprinkles shake off you and even later you might discover sprinkles still left in your pockets or some that have sneaked into your car.

That's the end of ice cream museum, almost as you're given one more treat, small pink pancakes smooshing together vanilla ice cream.

We would have loved some better products at the gift shop. They're kind of nothing special. We would have liked a little bit more ice cream on the tour. Or having at a disadvantage at least had some more ice cream to buy .


The Museum of Ice Cream is a photo-takers promised land. Filled with different rooms of such nice sights we assume a music video will be filmed there eventually. It reminded us of some of the fun MOCA's had with big ensemble shows in the past with a different room for a different artist, in this case, it was a different topping. It's a must-do for anyone in the LA area, just for bragging rights.

Be Whatever You Want At The Renaissance Pleasure Faire

A hero, a thief, a white mage and a warrior could make their way through the crowds and all they would get would be nods. That same RPG party could go on such a quest and on their journey they could meet Marty McFly, Bill & Ted, Stargate Team SG-1, Rick and Morty and some Starfleet officers as all our welcome at the returning Renaissance Pleasure Faire.

What makes the faire so inviting is just that, it's very inviting. A crowd welcomes you, a roving procession of Scotsman with bagpipes maybe around another turn, you may saunter through arches of flowers being carried through as did my party and I as we went opening day for the festivities.

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire returns once again to Irwindale in a park that magically transforms to another time, another realm, a place where you can dress in leggings and wear fashion that would not be questionable on any runway in LA. The event takes on the feel of a village with artisans of old selling all sorts of wares to entice. Games to play, that could be considered most bad-ass. Hurling ninja-stars, axes and knives is always a fun way to train for your next action movie marathon.  You can see the passing parades or folks who decided to dress up. And then watch the joust!

With a big party this time around, it was hard to stay one minute at any location, which is a shame, because there's so many shows to see. We did somehow all get together at the end of our time their for the Joust, which there are three daily. Watching knights ride horses and the cheer of the crowd, that's a fun festivity to shout about and get behind. And we did, we shouted for our Green Knight, but alas, he sucked. So much that we came up with a back story about alcoholism and his wife and kids leaving him. Thank goodness he "died" as the the final joust is to death. A bit harsh? It's just in good fun.

The jousts are one of many shows going on throughout the faire, just sit down and watch the Washing Well Wenches, plays, tricks and magic. As stated, we looked around so much we only got the joust, but they echoes and sounds in the background everywhere we looked and walked had us hearing the shows going on.

For those inclined for something to drink of the adult variety they have a wide selection and even a drinking tour. My friends did partake of the mead- honey wine and said it was quite tasty. It was nice to see some Starfleet Officers a little intoxicated, but more than friendly enough to take some picture with us.

You should probably go easy on the mead if you're trying your luck at any of the games. They have all manner of festival games there, though with a bit more edge. Throwing weapons means steady aim and some good luck.

They have too long a list for kid activities or add-ons for your kids to try. There's a Kid's Militia, kiddie training for the queen and a Gnome Hunt to name a few. Don't forget a Pirate-themed quest, that I sort of wish I could do as an adult.

You can come dressed already in whatever cosplay or can rent outfits from their costume shop. Look online to see pricing.

The faire isn't with out somethings that could be better.

Parking- It's simply $10, when I arrived all a sign read was they wanted an extra $20 on top of the $10 for preferred, yeshh.

Food- They have a big ol' turkey leg for your Instagram pic. Meat pies a plenty, other fine treats. When it comes to main courses or real meals...they need to rethink the menu. Priced with the knowledge you're stuck there and you're getting most things on par with a cafeteria, not a great cafeteria either, they need to try harder.

Whatever you want to dress as, whatever you want to do, whatever quest you want to go on the faire is inviting you to enjoy yourself. We recommend having your own adventure while it's in town.






The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire

Saturdays and Sundays April 8 thru May 21, 2017 · 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Only minutes from Pasadena at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA
Tickets
* Tickets can be bought at a cheaper price at certain Walgreen's starting April 1st
Adult single day – $29.95
Child (ages 5-12) single day – $15
Children 4 and younger are FREE!
Adult Season Pass – $150.00
Child Season Pass (ages 5-12) – $60.00
A Vehicle Entry fee of $10 is charged upon entry to the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area by Los Angeles County.
Valet Service is available for an additional $20.