Pencil This In: Friday

FILM
”Cinema Legacy” – a series in its 7th year by the American Film Institute and the Skirball Cultural Center – brings in filmmakers, actors, writers to discuss the origins of their own artwork. Tonight, director Jason Reitman introduces 1999’s Election – starring Reese Witherspoon-Matthew Broderick – as the film that inspired him to become a director.

7:30 pm // Skirball Cultural Center – Magnin Auditorium // 2701 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles // $6-$10.

ART
So we’ve already told you that the Los Angeles Art Show happens this weekend, but tonight’s another big night for art (and sounds a lot less stuffy). The Bagavagabonds Art Explosion: Pop! will have tons of orginal works for $50 or less as well as films, live music, interactive art exhibits, a photo booth, video booth, DJs and silk screening. Best of all, drinks are compliments of Newcastle and Kronenbourg.

8 pm // The Grand Ballroom at the Pacific Electric Lofts // 610 S. Main St., Downtown Los Angeles // $10 (Bring cash for the art).

PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Dawson Gallery hosts Japanese photographer Hiromi Tsuchida’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles. Tsuchida’s work showcases Japanese culture and society from 1969-2004. The show’s opening reception is tonight.

7 pm // Michael Dawson Gallery (housed inside Dawson’s Book Shop) // 535 Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles // Free.

FILM (OPTION 2)
The So Bad It’s Good Film Festival continues tonight at the Vista with Plan 9 from Outer Space, directed by Ed Wood (yes, that Ed Wood) and starring Bela Lugosi and Vampira. The plot is simple, yet so so sublime: Aliens invade earth with a plan to resurrect the dead. Raffles and prizes will be given away before the film. And the Café at the Vista next door is offering a free coffee with purchase until Saturday at noon to anyone who goes up to the counter and says: “Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!”

11:55 pm // Vista Theatre // 4473 Sunset Drive., Los Angeles // $10. Cash only.

THEATRE
The word “bump” can mean many things. It can be sexy, gross, violent…and tonight, it becomes the centerpiece for Theatre West’s latest show – Bump – an evening of 12 new short plays inspired by the multidimensional four-letter word.

8 pm // Theatre West // 3333 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles // $12.