Pencil This In: '70s Film, Chocolate Film, Stress Management & More
Royal/T Cafe. Photo courtesy of Royal/T.
When you leave work this evening, don't go home. Attend one of tonight's local events. If you're a chocolate fiend, Royal/T's night of sweets will undoubtedly satisfy that sweet tooth. Cults, an indie band, performs tonight at the Echoplex, and the New Beverly Cinema hosts a double feature of two acclaimed films from the 1970s. Feel like partying? VidCon's pre-party transpires tonight. You can also get your party on while lowering stress levels at the Downtown Independent Theater.
FOOD/FILM/CHARITY*
Chocoholic? Charity-giver? Anime fanatic? Indulge in Chocolate Underground Chocolate Party at Royal/T, hosted by Royal/T and the Japan Film Society. The night begins with a special chocolicious menu of drinks, appetizers and dinner. “Bittersweet Decadence: A Political History Of Chocolate,” a lecture by Japanology host Jordan A Yamaji Smith, begins at 7pm, immediately followed by a screening of the anime film Chocolate Underground, directed by Hamana Takayuki Suzuki at 7:30pm. A truffle raffle (not truffle shuffle) for charity from local boutique chocolatiers is also slated for this evening. 6pm-9pm. $10 (includes a sweet treat!). Proceeds are donated to the Japan Film Society and Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fundraiser.
MUSIC
Indie band Cults performs tonight at the Echoplex. “The talent behind the up-and-coming, unsuspecting success story is Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin, two film students transplanted from California to New York, who modestly admit to recording a little music just to share with their friends,” says Echoplex. Laura Gatewood of Flavorpill says, “The compilation of songs generate a sound both dulcet and real, like eating '60s pop cotton candy served on a contemporary steel stick.” This show is 18+. 8:30pm. $12 in advance/$15 at the door.
FILM
Flashback to the ‘70s: Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven and Badlands both screen tonight as part of the New Beverly Cinema's Wednesday night double feature. Days of Heaven, 1978, won the Academy Award for Best Cinematographer and stars Richard Gere. 7:30pm. Badlands, 1973, stars Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. 9:25pm. Can’t make tonight’s screenings? Do not fret. Both films also screen tomorrow night. $7. Tickets can be purchased online.
LECTURE
Mindshare and MARC/UCLA present An Intro to Mindfulness for Self-Care and Stress Management tonight at the Downtown Independent Theater. Dr. Marvin Belzer, Associate Director of MARC/UCLA and Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education at MARC/UCLA, will lecture and lead experiential practice (both meditation and interactive exercises). Doors open at 7pm. Happy hour includes half-priced drinks plus a food truck serving up treats starting at 6:45pm. Lecture begins at 8:30pm. Following the workshop are rooftop drinks starting at 9:30pm and lasting until 11pm. 7pm-11pm. Tickets can be purchased online, and prices are tiered. Students: $5. Regular: $10. Door: $15.
PRE-PARTY/GO KARTS
The Digitour and K1 Speed are hosting the official VidCon 2011 pre-party tonight at K1 Speed in Gardena. “Come join us, relive your memories from The Digitour, eat some yummy food and race some awesome cars!” Kogi BBQ is supplying the eats and offering a $6 food and beverage deal. 7pm-10pm. Free. A few tickets remain, per the site, but apparently online sales have ended.
*Pencil pick of the day
Want more events? Follow me (@LadyyyLloyd) and Christine Ziemba (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
