The Bent Festival kicks off tonight with a concert. / Photo by PPDigital via flickr.

FOOD TALK
Los Angeles Times food critic and historian Charles Perry discusses all things food with other chefs and critics during the museum’s “Los Angeles and California: A Fusion of Tastes” series. Tonight’s subject is “Los Angeles Landmarks.” Sample dishes will be prepared by the Autry’s chef Carolyn Baer.

7 pm // Autry National Museum // 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles // $30-$40.

FILM
The Aero’s screening a sneak preview of David Mamet’s latest film – a martial arts/ultimate fighting flick – Redbelt as part of a Mamet retrospective. The master himself will be available for discussion post-screening tonight.

7:30 pm // Aero Theatre // 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica // $9.

MUSIC*

People luuurve Young@Heart, a movie about a bunch of seniors who interpret and sing rock tunes. This ain’t your grandma’s music: We’re talking Sonic Youth, the Clash, Coldplay and James Brown. Tonight, the chorus makes one appearance in Beverly Hills.

7:30 pm // Wilshire Theatre // 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills // $28.50-$58.50.

TALK
Former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw speaks tonight at USC as part of the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series. He may have retired from the news desk, but don’t put him out to pasture yet.

7 pm // Bovard Auditorium @ USC // University Park, Los Angeles // $20 general admission, $10 for USC faculty and staff and $5 for USC students.

FESTIVAL
The Bent Festival kicks off tonight with a concert by der warst, Aimee Norwich, Univac, Leeane Berger and embarker. The festival brings together art, music and lessons and lectures on hardware hacking, DIY electronics and circuit bending.

7 pm // Grand Performances // 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles // $10, but $25 for a festival pass.

SPA WEEK
It’s Spa Week this week (April 14-20) and dozens of spas and salons across LA are giving would-be customers discounts to lure them in for the rest of the year. Some deals are better than others.

Your call // Spas throughout LA // Price varies.

*Pencil pick of the day

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2009 Toyota Corolla.