Close-to-home events for March 2-4

Dancing, swimming, running and getting muddy are all part of next weekend’s activities.

West Los Angeles

Celebrate Women’s History Month by watching Women Rising contemporary dance at the sixth Los Angeles Dance Festival, choreographed by women and performed at the Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz. Five critically acclaimed award-winning female companies will be featured each evening.

When: 8 p.m. March 1-3.

Cost, info: $25. Family-friendly. No dogs permitted. (310) 286-0553

Ojai

Bees are important to life on our planet — about 30% of the world’s crops are pollinated by the winged creatures — and visitors can follow the resident beekeeper for honey-tasting at Ojai Valley Inn. Visitors don beekeeper outfits, but the real beekeeper will show bees and tell fun facts about the important little critters. Reserve at least 48 hours ahead.

When: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 1 through summer

Cost, info: $150. Family-friendly but is intended for people 12 and older. Venue is pet-friendly but dogs not permitted near apiary. (805) 640-2026

Los Angeles

The Japanese Food Festival at the InterContinental Hotel Los Angeles Downtown is expected to have more than 50 exhibitors (some offering food samples), Japanese cultural performances, exhibits about travel to Japan, and beer and sake tasting (adults 21 and older only).

When: 5 p.m. March 2 and 1 p.m. March 3.

Cost, info: Adults $50, children (4-12) $25, children 3 and younger) free. No pets permitted. (213) 688-7777

Big Bear Lake

Be cool and join the Polar Plunge into Big Bear Lake at Veterans Park. Run, jump, hop, walk, swim or dance into the lake to raise money for the Special Olympics of the Inland Empire. If you’re too chicken to plunge, you can still register, raise some green and stay dry in the “chicken coop.”

When: Pre-party 6 p.m. March 2; plunge, 10 a.m. March 3

Cost, info: Pre-party plungers free, non-plungers $5. Plunge donation from $50. Plungers younger than 18 must have waiver from parent/guardian. Dogs on leash OK. (951) 703-6502

Palm Desert

Celebrate spring at the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. The festival will have guided hikes, exhibits from conservation partners and artists, live music, a 5K run, a climbing wall, vendors, a beer and wine garden and displays about the hidden sides of the desert.

When: March 3.

Cost, info: Free. Family-friendly. Dogs on leash OK at festival but not on trails. (760) 862-9984

Acton

Are you tough? Do you like mud? Take the challenges at the Tough Mudder at Polsa Rosa Ranch: a 10-mile run with at least 20 obstacles, five-mile run with 13 obstacles or eight-hour overnight endurance event.

When: March 3 and 4.

Cost, info: $179. Participants must be at least 14, but spectators can be any age. Dogs permitted in base area and on official Ruff Mudder course but not on other courses. (718) 619-8658

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