Friday, Friday, Friday

Catch These Friday Nights: Summer Songwriters’ Series at the Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon. "Los Angeles-based songwriters share their stories, creative influences and music. From the famous to the newly established, the evening offers audiences wonderful music under the stars and a glimpse into the life of a professional songwriter." Tonight features Michelle Shocked and guests; the show starts at 8:00 PM.

The Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror series continues at the Egyptian Theatre with Daughters of Darkness and Malpertius: History of a Cursed House. Under the helm of Flemish director Harry Kümel, both films have become somewhat legendary—Daughters for it's treatment of Countess Elisabeth Bathory and Malpertius because of the heavily edited version of the film that was shown at its original (and subsequent) screenings. This print has been fully restored by Kümel and the Belgium Cinémathèque Royale to create the director's cut in all its unedited glory, starring Orson Welles. Daughters screens at 7:00 PM, followed by a discussion with director Harry Kümel and actor John Karlen. Malpertius begins at 9:30 PM and will be introduced by director Harry Kümel.

The New Beverly Cinema hosts a double feature: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring at 7:30 PM, followed by The Twilight Samurai at 9:30 PM.

At LACMA, enjoy the Art Davis Quintet at 5:30 PM, part of the Friday Night Jazz series, followed by an outdoor film on the West green. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on, as tonight's film is The Wizard of Oz.

There's been a lot of talk surrounding Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism, which will also be the topic of conversation at Vidiots in Santa Monica. Producer-Director Robert Greenwald will screen clips from the film and participate in a question and answer session starting at 8:00 PM.

Up the hill at The Skirball, the Center and AFI host a screnning of Steven Spielberg's 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, hosted by Roland Emmerich. The movie begins at 7:30 PM and tickets are $10.00 general, $8.00 members and $6.00 students.