Now in its 18th year, the Los Angeles Art Show delivers lots of art bang for the (relatively low) buck.  The four-fairs-within-a-fair have a strong international presence and are divided into: the Modern and Contemporary Section; the Historic Modern and Traditional Section; the IFPDA Fine Print Fair and the Vintage Poster Section.

Note: the latter will not include “cat on a rope/hang in there, baby” posters.

There will be panel discussions on topics such as being an artist in L.A. and the city’s often confounding mural policy.  On-site exhibitions include contemporary painting from Launch L.A. and L.A. Art Association, Chinese Fusion (emerging Chinese artists), ADC (notable Latin American artists) and an installation featuring five decades of text in visual art and its relevance to L.A. culture.

There’s hope for your illustrated Dear Diary pages yet.

LOS ANGELES ART SHOW — Th, Jan 24 – Sat, Jan 26, 11am – 7pm and Sun, Jan 27, 11am – 5pm; $20 per show/$40 for weekend — L.A. Convention Center, South Hall J and K, 1201 S. Figueroa St., DTLA .. (310) 822-9145, www.laartshow.com

ALAC(rity)

Across town at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Art Los Angeles Contemporary (ALAC) may be a relative baby in the L.A. art fair world but  it has plenty of sexy kick thanks to its association with Ceci n’est pas… Art Between France and Los Angeles.  The five-month arts and culture exchange program between France and Los Angeles started in November, continues through April, and features 30 French-American collaborations in contemporary art.

That’s a lot of ooh-la-la.

ALAC’s formula of 50% local and 50% national and international galleries keeps the L.A. love strong while still broadening horizons.  In addition to the 70 galleries, programming includes a screening of director Jodi Wille’s documentary The Source Family, about 70’s tantric-sex-and-health-food cult, and Guru Rugu, the host of KCHUNG Radio’s Experimental Meditation Hour.

Presented by East of Borneo, Guru Ragu  is available to pray for artists, dealers, and collectors in need.

Yes, you can leave your art collector rosary at home.

ART LOS ANGELES CONTEMPORARY — Opening reception, Thu Jan 24, 7-9pm, Fri Jan 25 & Sat, Jan 26 11am – 7pm, Sun, Jan 27, 11am – 6pm; Opening night, $50; One day, $20; 3-day pass, $30 — The Barker Hanger, 3021 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, 90405, www.artlosangelesfair.com

Whisky, Words, and Sheep Intestines

Scottish bard Robert “Robbie” Burns was the national heartthrob of his day, which is no mean feat considering one of his most famous poems was Ode to a Haggis, which is basically oatmeal and sheep intestine pudding.

Maybe it’s because he also wrote poems about whisky.

So it’s fitting that the Morrison — Atwater’s newest, most Scottish drinking spot — is holding the best Robbie Burns Night celebration on the bard’s actual birthday.  Here’s the dealio: bring a poem to the Morrison and read it aloud and Whisky Ambassador Johnnie the Scot Mundell will trade you whisky for your words.

Translation: a free shot of Bowmore single malt for a brief bit of verse.

Nothing like whisky to cure fear of public speaking.

Additionally, the Morrison’s drinks master Steve Calabro will create special poetry-inspired cocktails and GM Brian Shober promises the gastropub will feature traditional Burns night fare.  In addition to haggis, cock a leekie soup and “neeps and tatties” (turnips and ‘taters, for the uninitiated) will be available along with the Morrison’s delish twist on Scottish staples such as Scotch eggs and fish and chips.

Per tradition, the haggis will be “slain”.

The “execution” will be accompanied by bagpipes.  Of course.

ROBBIE BURNS NIGHT CELEBRATION —  Fri, Jan 25, 8pm SHARP to 10 pm; 21+ — The Morrison, 3179 Los Feliz Blvd, LA (Atwater Village) http://www.facebook.com/morrisonpubla   For reservations, call Brian Shober @ (323) 667-1839

Gratis Art

You’ve crawled through the big art shows and you’re still craving more?  Feed your insatiable hunger for art with Museum Free-For-All when nineteen of L.A.’s best museums open their doors for free this weekend.

Prime your GPS now.

LACMA, MOCA, and the Getty are participating but consider the weekend a great opportunity to check out new-to-you spaces and exhibitions such as “Cambodian Shop Signs” at UCLA’s Fowler Museum or “No Strangers” at the Annenberg Space for Photography (see right).

Bet you can’t try just one.

MUSEUM FREE-FOR-ALL — Sat, Jan 26 & Sun, Jan 27th; various times NOTE: Some museums are only open one day and some exhibits aren’t free so CHECK WEBSITE for RESTRICTIONS, TIMES, etc. @  http://www.MuseumsLA.org/news.asp

Ready?  U Know U Want 2 Go Go….