Bloomsday in LA, California
“all perfume yes”: Bloomsday 2026 Ulysses Smelling Session
(5.30-7.30pm, Institute of Art and Olfaction (932 Chung King Rd Los Angeles, CA 90012)
Explore scents from James Joyce’s beloved novel, Ulysses, in an in-person smelling session that draws from the IAO library and organ.
The library at the Institute for Art and Olfaction contains a perfume archive of over a thousand fine fragrances, pieces of olfactory art, and more.
Smell through the pages of this classic novel as we smell aromatics and perfumes mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses. The novel follows the interconnected meanderings of Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and a cast of hundreds over the course of one day in Dublin — June 16. Bloomsday is a worldwide celebration of the novel and the author. Join us at the Institute for Art and Olfaction for our own olfactory meandering through this masterpiece of modernism. (We might even provide cheese sandwiches.)
The Institute for Art and Olfaction team leads a guided smelling session of notable aromatics discussed in the novel. We will read out key passages concerning scent and perfume to enhance our smelling session. Scent strips will be handed out by your instructors, before we spend time smelling and discussing our impressions of the scents.
Our discussion will focus on the impressions of aromatics, perfumes and their concordance with the accompanying text. Familiarity with the original novel is not necessary but is highly recommended!
This smelling session will be a special opportunity to smell aromatics and fine fragrances from our library archive to which we otherwise do not allow everyday access.
This session will be guided by Minetta Rogers.
Location: We are located in Los Angeles’ historic Chinatown neighborhood, on a pedestrian street that also hosts galleries, souvenir shops, production companies, design studios, and two very cool parrots. The IAO is wheelchair accessible.
Street Address: 932 Chung King Road Los Angeles CA. 90012 (213) 616-1744 hello@artandolfaction.com
To find us: Chung King Road is a pedestrian-only road that runs parallel to Hill Street, between Hill St and Yale St. See more information here: http://artandolfaction.com/visit
Attendance and Cancellation Policy: Please note that you must reserve your space in advance. If you just show up without reserving a spot, there is no guarantee we will be able to accommodate you. This sessions is 18 and up.
This is an in person class that will take place at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds or credit for this class. Note also that event tickets are non-transferable. Thank you for understanding!
Film Screening: The Dead
(7-9pm, Libros Schmibros Lending Library, 103 North Boyle Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033)
To celebrate Bloomsday in Boyle Heights we will be screening John Huston’s ethereal adaptation of Joyce’s 1914 short story “The Dead.”
John Huston’s 1987 adaptation of James Joyce’s final and longest story. Bloomsday (June 16th) is a celebration of the life and work of the Irish writer James Joyce. Observed annually on June 16th and marking the exact date in 1904 that his modernist masterpiece Ulysses takes place. To celebrate Bloomsday in Boyle Heights we will be screening John Huston’s ethereal adaptation of Joyce’s 1914 short story “The Dead.” Huston’s final film, with a screenplay by his son Tony and starring his daughter Angelica, explores themes of love, memory, and mortality through the interactions of its characters during an Epiphany dinner party in Dublin
FREE EVENT
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United States
When
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16 June, 2026
Where
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