Kicking off April 30 and running through May 21, the Venice Design Series is being produced by the creative team behind the Venice Garden & Home Tour, along with leaders like landscape designer Jay Griffith; Venice Community Housing (VCH) board member Dana Newman; movie/television producer Eric Newman; and community leader Linda Lucks. The series, focused on six site-specific special events hosted by architects, artists, chefs, designers, civic leaders, entrepreneurs and performers, is supporting VCH, a nonprofit housing and community development organization, and follows last year’s sold-out event.

“As Venice changes, it becomes more and more important to show compassion to the most vulnerable members of our community,” says event co-chair Dana Newman. “The Venice Design Series is a terrific way to experience L.A.’s architectural heritage, including many normally private locations—and to help solve the homelessness and housing crisis by supporting the work of Venice Community Housing.”

Learn more, and find tickets. Check out a selection of highlights below, courtesy of the organization:

Saturday, April 30  
DTLA: A Downtown Experience
Celebrate the history of Downtown L.A. with a dynamic coach/walking tour of living, working and dining spaces in the Historic Core and the Arts District. Guests will visit iconic L.A. sites with civic leaders.

Saturday, May 7 
A Sullivan Canyon Walking Tour (morning)
Meander through Brentwood’s rustic neighborhood visiting Cliff May- and Peter Choate-designed midcentury ranch homes—including the former home of actress Bea Arthur—and the Jay Griffith-redesigned community equestrian center. Lunch provided by Hans Röckenwagner’s 3 Square Bakery and Café. Tour leaders: Patricia Choate and Jay Griffith

Moveable Feast on Appleton Way (evening)
Stroll a Venice neighborhood of architectural homes and savor cuisine by outstanding local chefs—Rose Café’s Jason Neroni and Leona’s Nyesha Arrington, with desserts by Sugar Rush by iisha. Entertainment will include Venice’s own Orson Bean performing excerpts from “Safe at Home,” his award-winning solo show at Pacific Resident Theater. The four featured homes are designed by Tom Carson, Dennis Gibbens, Santiago Ortiz and Sylvia Aroth. Hosts: Sylvia Aroth, Nic Bettauer and Tom Carson, Mimi Wheeler and Santiago Ortiz, Dana and Jerry Solomon

Saturday, May 14  
SWLA: The Vibrant Southwest Los Angeles Tour
Experience the rich heritage of Leimert Village at Art + Practice: The Exhibition Space, a nonprofit co-founded by artist Mark Bradford, philanthropist and collector Eileen Harris Norton and social activist Allan DiCastro. Jazz and Blues great Barbara Morrison will perform at her nearby Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center.

Sunday, May 15  
Saddle Peak Soiree
Enjoy sunset at a private hilltop home on five acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The catered event includes cocktails and fine cuisine with a performances by Robert deMaine, principal cellist of the L.A. Philharmonic, and guitarist Mak Grgić. Hosts: Architect/owners Michael and Kristin Sant

Saturday, May 21
THE Party
Event co-founder Jay Griffith welcomes guests to his historic Pacific Palisades home overlooking Santa Monica Canyon to celebrate the series with event co-chairs, hosts, sponsors, homeowners, artists, architects, donors and friends. Enjoy music, refreshments and fine food catered by Hal’s and CasaLinda and Venice’s Joe Miller of Joe’s Fare with a Latin Flair.