Pencil This In: Home Movies in Echo Park, Jerry Thill's Video Launch and Art Around Town
Jim Darling, Piggy, Oil on Small Found Piggy Bank, $150 (with approx. $50 in pennies cash back) / Courtesy of Carmichael Gallery
FILM
Tonight is “Home Movie Night” at the Echo Park Film Center beginning at 8 pm. This is a new quarterly celebration of “the most humble yet heartwarming genre of them all: HOME MOVIES!” Everyone’s welcome to bring family footage on 8mm, Super 8, 16mm, VHS or DVD and share it with the community. It’s a free event.
ART
Phantom Galleries LA places temporary art installations in vacant storefront windows
throughout Los Angeles county. Tonight, PGLA hits Long Beach with the show "Super Elastic" with an artist reception from 5-9 pm at Long Beach on the Promenade. Artists on display are Julia Latané, Rebecca Niederlander, Timothy Nolan and Carrie Ungerman.
LAUNCH PARTY*
Ghettogloss hosts the world premiere of the music video "Hey Jerrie!" by Grammy-winning, Emmy- and Tony- nominated songwriter/artist/world renown party impresario Allee Willis and Jerry Thill, a 91-year-old woman drummer on an oxygen tank who's led her own all-girl bands since being discovered by the Capone boys in the 1930's. There will be a bar and oxygen bar for revelers from 6 pm to midnight. RSVP by calling 323.912.0008.
MUSIC TALK
The GRAMMY Museum hosts an evening with New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, who’ll be in conversation with Museum Executive Director and music historian Robert Santelli. They’ll talk about Toussaint’s long and varied career; harrowing escape from Hurricane Katrina; Sea-Saint Recording Studio; and his new album, The Bright Mississippi; and more. Toussaint will also take questions from the audience and play a little music. The event starts at 8 pm in the GRAMMY Sound Stage, on the second floor of The GRAMMY Museum. Tickets are $14.95.
ART TALK 
There’s a free LACMA Lecture tonight at 7:30 pm featuring Milton Esterow, editor and publisher of ARTnews, who’ll talk about the international art scene, the art market, art journalism, art criticism, and changes in taste and fashion, followed by questions from the audience. His title? “How to Look at Art without Feeling Inferior.” This event is being held at the Bing Theater. No reservations are necessary.
BOOK TALK
There’s a book launch party at Diesel in Brentwood for local author and seasoned TV writer, George Mastras, as he discusses and signs his debut novel, Fidali's Way.
ART
Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art in West Hollywood presents the group exhibition‘Lifeline,’ featuring the work of Alex Hornest, Ilia of Btoy, Jim Darling and Sesper. Artwork featured in the exhibition will include watercolor on paper, oil and acrylic on wood, acrylic on canvas, and mixed media collage. The preview reception's tonight from 7-10 pm, and the exhibit runs to Feb. 26.
CONDO PARTY
There's a preview party tonight from 6-9 pm to peek at a new 8-unit condo/loft project at 7917 Willoughby Avenue in WeHo, designed by Lorcan O'Herlihy. There will be a selection of works by LA artist Daniel Maltzman, live models wearing Deborah LaFranchi's innovative bridal couture, and live music by The Bobby Haynes Blues Band...plus cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and valet parking. Space is limited, so RSVP here: info@valeriefitzgerald.com or call 310-777-6250.
DESIGN
Join de LaB tonight in Lincoln Heights from 7-10 pm with a tour at 8:30 pm of architect and writer Joseph Giovannini's Daly Lofts (2450 Daly St.). The building's a former telephone trucking garage transformed into a "series of trippy, sculptural modern live-work lofts that defy definition." There are still a few spaces available for rent and Giovannini will be onhand to talk to you about them.
*Pencil pick of the day