Pencil This In: Reggae Beats, Downtown Culver City Streets, Short Film Screenings & Artist Speakings
Youssoupha Sidibe performs at past Reggae Meets Africa event. Courtesy of Dub Club.
Come one, come all, come enjoy L.A.’s Wednesday offerings! Dub Club brings Reggae Meets Africa to the ears. Mindshare LA brings enlightenment to the mind. NewFilmmakers LA brings short film, and Gallery 825 brings conversations in art. First Wednesdays in Downtown Culver City brings it all, so pick one, primp and bring yourself out and about.
NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMER SERIES*
Downtown Culver City’s first Third Wednesdays event launches tonight and invites locals to sip cheap margaritas, chow-down on all-you-can-eat mussels, sing Frank Sinatra karaoke and groove to JACK FM’s live outdoor DJ. Art galleries, historic buildings, boutiques, theaters and unique restaurants line the streets, begging for visitors. Tonight’s event features Julio Jimenez, a renowned chalk artist who will transform Downtown Culver City sidewalks. Additional highlights include food and drink specials, free samples, discounts and prize giveaways. 5pm-9pm. Free.
MUSIC
Jam with African music talents and the resident Dub Club DJs as part of Dub Club’s Reggae Meets Africa two-room musical event at both The Echo and Echoplex. This third installment showcases musical guests Big Youth, backed by Fully Fullwood Band, Arise Roots, Khaira Arby and her band, Sabar All Stars and Danny Holloway. 9pm-2am. Tickets are $10 in advance plus before 10pm and $15 at the door.
FILM
NewFilmmakers LA, a nonprofit dedicated to showcasing fresh filmmaking talent, hosts a night of short film programming, organized into three batches - Documentary Program, Short Program #1 and Short Program #2 - each preceded by a prereception and followed by a Q&A session then after party. All films will be screened at Sunset Gower Studios. 6pm-Midnight (possibly later as last after party begins at 11:30pm). Tickets are between $6-$16 and can be purchased online.
ART SPEAK
Gallery 825 hosts "Conversations with the Artists" tonight as part of Los Angeles Art Association’s ongoing ArtSpeak programming. Artists Susan Sironi and Larry Villarin will discuss their current exhibitions. Attendees may also experience Rote, an all-media exploration of multiples, patterns and repetition in contemporary art practice juried by Adam Gross, Director of Art Platform LA. An additional solo exhibition by Jennifer Dozier is also on view. 7pm-9pm. Free.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Mindshare LA prepares for its monthly night of inspiration, social networking and libations at The LA Theatre Center. Tonight’s roster includes Guest Host Jamye Waxman, M.Ed Human Sexuality Education & Author, and Guest Presenters Dr. Marvin Belzer, Associate Director, Mindful Awareness Research Center, UCLA; Alex Leavitt, PhD student, Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, USC; and Reid Mihalko, Sex and Relationship Expert. Presentations include An Experience of Mindfulness, Social Disruption: How We Complicate Technology and Date Your Species: Pragmatic Tools for Navigating Love, Lust and Intimacy. Come prepared to drink, eat (from food trucks!), dance and play games. Let the overstimulation begin! 6:30pm-Midnight. Regular Admission: $25. At the door: $30. Tickets can be purchased online.
*Pencil pick of the day
Want more events? Follow Christine on Twitter (@christineziemba).
Want more Wednesday events? Follow me on Twitter (@LadyyyLloyd).
