Arts & Entertainment

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Jimmy Kimmel Asks: "How can the most plastic city in America turn its back on plastic bags?"

Jimmy Kimmel Asks: "How can the most plastic city in America turn its back on plastic bags?"

Jimmy Kimmel used Los Angeles' aggressive new plastic bag ban as fodder for a segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week. more ›

Eat|See|Hear: New Traveling Outdoor Film Series Begins Tonight

Eat|See|Hear: New Traveling Outdoor Film Series Begins Tonight

LA loves to screen its movies outdoors—from rooftops (Devil's Night Drive In) to cemeteries (Cinespia). Beginning tonight, there's a new player in the game: Eat|See|Hear, which combines movies, food trucks and live music into an evening of entertainment. more ›

PHOTOS: Trekking L.A.'s Port Town; Next Up - Little Tehran

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Last weekend we trekked San Pedro, a port town at the Southern-most tip of Los Angeles. It was the first neighborhood tour in a summer series organized by L.A. Commons, a non-profit group that shines a light on some of the city's lesser-know cultural gems. more ›

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Pets of the Week: Manny & Holly

Pets of the Week: Manny & Holly

Little Manny is a one-year-two-month-old tan Chihuahua. Meet Holly, a cat looking for a new home: Meow! I may be an older girl, but I still have lots of love to give. more ›

Get Out: Silver Lake Jubilee, California Noir & Psychedelic Noise Rock

Get Out: Silver Lake Jubilee, California Noir & Psychedelic Noise Rock

Get out so you can jam to psychedelia or indie rock, sip some booze in the Getty Gardens or watch some classic mid-century noir. more ›

Friday, May 25, 2012

Reminder: L.A. to Lay Smack Down on Unregulated Tattoo and Piercing Artists

Reminder: L.A. to Lay Smack Down on Unregulated Tattoo and Piercing Artists

Come July, that new wrist tattoo or clitoris piercing that you've been wanting so desperately wanted may be a little bit safer to get: the L.A. County Board of Supervisors is reminding us all that new statewide standards for body art will be enforced beginning July 1. more ›

With Frenemies Like These: A Vibrantly Creative Dive into 'Pool (No Water)'

With Frenemies Like These: A Vibrantly Creative Dive into 'Pool (No Water)'

Monkey Wrench Collective’s new production features brilliantly dark writing, protean choreography, confident direction and a superb ensemble. All that, and did I mention it’s funny to boot? more ›

Nikki Sixx to Throw First Pitch at Dodgers Home (Sweet Home) Game

Nikki Sixx to Throw First Pitch at Dodgers Home (Sweet Home) Game

If you're heading to Dodger Stadium this Sunday, you'll be in for more than just a delicious hot dog and fearing for your life in the parking lot -- Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx is throwing the game's ceremonial first pitch. more ›

Video: Beck's Son Gets Down With Adorable Dance Moves

Video: Beck's Son Gets Down With Adorable Dance Moves

Beck played his first real show in years last night at the Santa Barbara Bowl—and the highlight of the night came with the final song of the night, when Beck's 8-year-old son Cosimo danced his butt off. more ›

Only You Can Save the World in "Transformers: The Ride - 3D"

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When the call is issued for Americans of good conscience to join with the Autobots in defending our planet against the evil forces of Megatron ...where will you be? If you have any idea what we're talking about here, there's a good chance you're already standing in line to enter Universal Studios' new 3D Transformers ride. more ›

Pencil This In: John Cage Tribute Concert, French Stewart as Buster Keaton, Estonian Dancers and Surreal Poetry

Pencil This In: John Cage Tribute Concert, French Stewart as Buster Keaton, Estonian Dancers and Surreal Poetry

Happy Memorial Day weekend, all! If you're sticking around town, we found a few great events happening tonight. Check out: a a John Cage tribute concert in a window on Third Street; the debut of a new comedy show Lyrical Gangster at NerdMelt, Estonian dancers; French Stewart at Buster Keaton; and surreal poetry. Read on for all the details. more ›

Freewheelin': The Hammer Museum Will Host Its Fourth "Bike Night"

Freewheelin': The Hammer Museum Will Host Its Fourth "Bike Night"

Biding your time between CicLAvia events? Head over to the Hammer, which will be hosting a "Bike Night" next month. more ›

Angeles National Forest Reopens 41K Acres for Memorial Day Weekend

Angeles National Forest Reopens 41K Acres for Memorial Day Weekend

If sipping martinis and strolling through the Getty's newly improved Central Garden is too stuffy for your taste, the Angeles National Forest is announcing a reopening for Memorial Day weekend too. About 41,000 acres will be open for hiking, picnicking and camping. more ›

Stars, Heists, & Swimmers: 100 Years of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Vintage Photos

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The Beverly Hills Hotel has definitely got a longstanding rep as being the playground of the rich and famous, with its pink-and-green decor, beautiful grounds, sparkling pool, and secluded bungalows. The Elmer Grey-designed property located "halfway between Los Angeles and the sea" is celebrating a major milestone this year: Its 100th anniversary. more ›

Grauman's Chinese Theater Will Celebrate 85th Birthday By Telling Young'Uns Its History

Grauman's Chinese Theater Will Celebrate 85th Birthday By Telling Young'Uns Its History

theater officials are offering up tours of the building this weekend for $20 a pop. According to a statement released today by the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation, tours will go from 8:30 a.m. till noon this Saturday and Sunday, and will include views of rarely seen parts of the theater. more ›

Porn Star Jenna Jameson Hits Pole...With Her Car [UPDATED]

Porn Star Jenna Jameson Hits Pole...With Her Car [UPDATED]

Jenna Jameson was arrested this morning after driving her car into a pole [insert childish penis joke] somewhere in Los Angeles. According to TMZ, the porn superstar was taken into custody at about 1:30 a.m. on misdemeanor suspicion of DUI after cops gave her a sobriety test and decided that she seemed a little drunk. She was released at about 7:30 a.m. more ›

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Hollywood Filmmakers Given Access to Secret Info About Bin Laden's Killing

Hollywood Filmmakers Given Access to Secret Info About Bin Laden's Killing

A political watchdog organization recently found out that Hollywood director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal were granted access to highly secret information about Osama bin Laden's capture, and they're not happy about it. more ›

Getty's Central Garden Reopens for Memorial Day Weekend

Getty's Central Garden Reopens for Memorial Day Weekend

If you'd like to spend your Memorial Day weekend strolling through a park and enjoying "specially priced" martinis, you're in luck. Options have been limited, but the Getty's Central Garden will re-open this weekend after being closed since February for maintenance to the walkways and planters. more ›

Jillian Reynolds Pretends to Cry While Bidding Adieu to 'Good Day L.A.' Co-Anchor

Jillian Reynolds Pretends to Cry While Bidding Adieu to 'Good Day L.A.' Co-Anchor

Anchorwoman Dorothy Lucey is leaving KTTV's morning talk show "Good Day L.A.," and as co-hosts Steve Edwards and Jillian Barberie Reynolds bid her farewell today, Reynolds launched into what has to be one of the phoniest cryfests ever televised. The brunette reporter forced some tears down her face as she apologized for all the shitty things she's ever said about Lucey. more ›

Pencil This In: Hel-Mel Art Walk, Sit 'n Spin Storytelling, Eating Our Words Food + Lit Series

Pencil This In: Hel-Mel Art Walk, Sit 'n Spin Storytelling, Eating Our Words Food + Lit Series

Tonight in LA, the Hel-Mel neighborhood holds a mural unveiling and an art walk; Ghettogloss parties at the (golf) club; a cheese class in Santa Monica; comedic storytelling during Sit 'n Spin; words and food unite at Taylor de Cordoba; and La Luz de Jesus hosts a Fish Fry salon. Read on for all the details. more ›

John Wayne's 'True Grit' Eye Patch Could Grace Your Very Own Face

John Wayne's 'True Grit' Eye Patch Could Grace Your Very Own Face

Western fans -- particularly Western fans with vision problems -- your time to rejoice has arrived. The eye patch that John Wayne wore as Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit" is going on the auction block, and experts believe that for a mere $35,000, it could be yours. more ›

AIDS Organization Wants Condoms in Porn, But Says Someone Else Can Monitor Film Sets

AIDS Organization Wants Condoms in Porn, But Says Someone Else Can Monitor Film Sets

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation was one of the primary backers of recent legislation requiring porn stars to wear condoms in adult films. But the L.A.-based organization has now announced that they aren't interested in being responsible for monitoring film sets to ensure compliance. more ›

Molly Ringwald Named Grand Marshal of Pride 2012

Molly Ringwald Named Grand Marshal of Pride 2012

Molly Ringwald has been named the Grand Marshal of this year's pride parade on June 10. The 1980's teen queen would be an appropriate choice solely based on her work with director John Hughes in "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink." more ›

Drug That Killed Michael Jackson to be Used in Executions

Drug That Killed Michael Jackson to be Used in Executions

Propofol, the drug that killed Michael Jackson, will now be used to execute death row inmates in Missouri, reports the New York Post. The drug made headlines in June of 2009 when it was discovered that a lethal dose of it caused the King of Pop to stop breathing, after he allegedly requested that he be given it in order to sleep. more ›

Mobile Library of Artists' Sketchbooks Rolls Into Echo Park

Mobile Library of Artists' Sketchbooks Rolls Into Echo Park

Get inspired as you browse through thousands of artists' sketchbooks at a mobile library rolling through Echo Park this weekend. more ›

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Sharon Stone Called Her Kids' Nanny Stupid, Lawsuit Alleges

Sharon Stone Called Her Kids' Nanny Stupid, Lawsuit Alleges

Sharon Stone might need to tweak some of her most basic of instincts -- her children's former nanny claims that while employed by the actress, she was berated, insulted and denied overtime pay. more ›

'BitchSlap!' Resurrects Hollywood Divas Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, and Hedda Hopper With A Vengeance

'BitchSlap!' Resurrects Hollywood Divas Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, and Hedda Hopper With A Vengeance

In this coup de camp, Hagen retells the well-known but never tiring story of the jealousy-charged Davis-Crawford feud through the eyes of powerful gossip columnist, Hopper. BitchSlap! offers its audience lots of silver screen history, memorable What Ever Happened to Baby Jane moments, and extravagant belly laughs all wrapped up nice and tight in a barrage of juicy gossip and catty bitchiness. more ›

'Lightning in a Bottle' Envisions a Greener Festival

'Lightning in a Bottle' Envisions a Greener Festival

The scene after a three-day festival is hell. Strung out, red-eyed soldiers stumbling around in a stupor after 72 hours straight of chaotic madness. But the grounds themselves are the real victim. An orgy of plastic, torn-up grass and urine-soaked mud is hardly the best way to honor the location of the greatest weekend of your life. more ›

Why Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse Would Cost Just $18K If It Were Real

Why Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse Would Cost Just $18K If It Were Real

Little girls all over the world grew up dreaming of living a very Barbie life. Slammin' body, hunky boyfriend, a pink sports car, and that posh multi-story dream house. So if the Barbie dream house were real, and in Malibu, how much would it go for in this real estate market? more ›

 Pencil This In: 'Daily Show' Co-Creator Lizz Winstead, 'Happy Days' Creator Garry Marshall & A Green Workshop

Pencil This In: 'Daily Show' Co-Creator Lizz Winstead, 'Happy Days' Creator Garry Marshall & A Green Workshop

While we're always excited about local happenings, we're especially pumped for three presentations this evening: Lizz Winstead promises a night of political satire at Trepany House, Garry Marshall will share his memoir at the Aero Theatre and Kate Payne, co-founder of the LA Food Swap, will teach Angelenos how to go green while they clean. more ›

How to Lick Hollywood Forever: Postal Service Releases Famous Movie Director Stamps

    

A group of iconic film directors who made their mark on Hollywood and the movie industry can now make their mark on your envelopes. Today the U.S. Postal Service is releasing four stamps in honor of well-known classic cinema directors: Frank Capra, John Ford, John Huston, and Billy Wilder. more ›

John Travolta Offered $125K to Shut Up Masseur, Source Says

John Travolta Offered $125K to Shut Up Masseur, Source Says

John Travolta offered $125,000 to the second masseur who accused him of creepy antics on the massage table. A source close to the Atlanta masseur revealed as John Truesdale told the New York Daily News that Travolta's legal team offered him $125,000 to withdraw his lawsuit and keep quiet. more ›

"Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit" Honors Legend's Birthday and 50th Anniversary of Her Death

       

A new exhibit opening on what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 86th birthday will take a look at the life and career of the silver screen legend who died 50 years ago this summer. more ›

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Photos: A Jeep & Hiking Tour of Palm Springs' Indian Canyons

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In Palm Springs, while you might first think about lounging by the pool or grabbing some cocktails in a Rat Pack haunt of days gone by, the majesty of the desert and mountains is embracing the city as far as the eye can see. Recently we got to go on a short Jeep and hiking tour of Indian Canyons, and experienced the beauty of the challenging terrain firsthand. more ›

Meet the Anonymous Creator of the 'Hollywood Assistants' Blog

Meet the Anonymous Creator of the 'Hollywood Assistants' Blog

Hollywood assistants have a raw deal. While people around them rake in cash and celebrity, they're left dealing with the never-ending shitstorms of their high-powered bosses. But a little humor goes a long way in such trying situations, so one assistant took to the internet and created an aptly titled Tumblr called "Hollywood Assistants." more ›

L.A. is Bringing Sexy Back with Condom Design Contest

L.A. is Bringing Sexy Back with Condom Design Contest

New York has their subway condoms, and now, Los Angeles County officials are looking for safe-sex sheaths to represent our very own city. The L.A. County Department of Public Health announced today that the search is on for condom wrapper designs to appear on rubbers distributed by L.A., for L.A. more ›

One Sorta Manly Night With Justin Bieber in L.A.

One Sorta Manly Night With Justin Bieber in L.A.

The June issue of GQ has a two-for-one we couldn't resist: Justin Bieber. In Los Angeles. So basically the writer, Drew Magary, gets to roam our fair city with the teen dreamboat the little ladies cream their panties for. more ›

Pencil This In: Sherlock Holmes Discussion; Eli Broad in Conversation; and Charlene Kaye and Team StarKid

Pencil This In: Sherlock Holmes Discussion; Eli Broad in Conversation; and Charlene Kaye and Team StarKid

Here's what's going on around LA tonight: A panel discussion at the Hammer on the influence of Sherlock Holmes in contemporary culture; Eli Broad in conversation with LA Times Jim Newton; Charlene Kaye and Team StarKid at the HOB; Indian art and poetry discussion at LACMA and TAG Gallery opens a new group show. Read on for all the details. more ›

Video: Because Your Day Needs a Merengue-Dancing Dog

Video: Because Your Day Needs a Merengue-Dancing Dog

What's your day missing so far? How about a video of merengue-dancing dog? Okay? Okay! The dog, named Carrie, is actually headed to Los Angeles this week. She's just been added to the participating talent at the 14th Annual Los Angeles Salsa Congress. more ›

Put Out By Levitated Mass' Long Journey? You Might Get Free Admission to LACMA

Put Out By Levitated Mass' Long Journey? You Might Get Free Admission to LACMA

Hey, remember when that 340-ton boulder was dragged through Los Angeles as part of a hugely publicized trip to LACMA? Well, so do a lot of people who were impacted by that loud and cumbersome journey, and so as a token of their gratitude, the museum is offering free admission to residents whose homes happened to be in the path of Levitated Mass. more ›

Donna Summer Will Be Laid to Rest Tomorrow in Nashville

Donna Summer Will Be Laid to Rest Tomorrow in Nashville

After losing her battle to cancer last week at the age of 63, Donna Summer will be laid to rest tomorrow at a funeral in Nashville, Tennessee. According to TMZ, the church service won't be open to the public, but it will be a capacity attendance with a crowd of nearly 1,000 people. more ›

Monday, May 21, 2012

Camille Grammer is Returning to 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'

Camille Grammer is Returning to 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" fans, REJOICE. After devastating the world by dropping out of season three, Camille Grammer has announced that she was totally joking, and will be returning to the show. more ›

Five Fun Facts About the Second Annual Hudson Block Party

Five Fun Facts About the Second Annual Hudson Block Party

Yesterday, The Hudson Block Party took over the corner of Santa Monica and Crescent Heights for 12 hours of fashion, food, music, and spirits. We were invited to attend and we had a blast! Here are five things we learned at yesterday's event. more ›

LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy

LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy

It's a big week for The Little Modern, the semi-new mixed use venue on Santa Monica Blvd. They've got the usual slate of variety shows, stand up nights and podcast tapings, plus a weekend devoted to the LA Indie Improv Festival. It should be a great week for all sorts of comedy, so get out and enjoy some shows. If you've got a show in the future that you'd like to see listed here, just email me! more ›

Leonardo DiCaprio's Malibu House Available for $75,000 a Month

Leonardo DiCaprio's Malibu House Available for $75,000 a Month

Looking for a place to live? Well, fellow Angeleno, you need look no further, because for the low price of $75,000 a month, you can rent Leonardo DiCaprio's Malibu home. more ›

UCLA JazzReggae Fest Returns Memorial Day Weekend

UCLA JazzReggae Fest Returns Memorial Day Weekend

The two-day JazzReggae music festival at UCLA's intramural field returns for the 26th year this weekend to entertain those of us not hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend. As always, Sunday May 27 is Jam Day and Monday is billed as Reggae Day. more ›

Pencil This In: Content for New Media Panel Discussion, Experimental Accordion Music, New Day Films Screening

Pencil This In: Content for New Media Panel Discussion, Experimental Accordion Music, New Day Films Screening

We found an eclectic array of events in LA tonight: There's a panel on original, scripted content for new media; It's a School Night takes over Bardot; authors Imran Ahmad, Gideon Lewis-Kraus and Tom Bissell hold readings around town; there's experimental accordion music at the beach and REDCAT screens New Day Films. Read on for all the details. more ›

2012 Silver Lake Jubilee: Full Lineup & Set Times!

2012 Silver Lake Jubilee: Full Lineup & Set Times!

The Silver Lake Jubilee is on this weekend, and while the popular music fest and community gathering has already teased out who is on the lineup, the event has released a full list of participating bands and acts, complete with set times. more ›

Watch The First Trailer For P.T. Anderson's <em>The Master</em>

Watch The First Trailer For P.T. Anderson's The Master

Joaquin Phoenix "returns" to acting in the first teaser trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson's hotly-anticipated new film The Master, which also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Dern. Neither of those two stars are seen in the trailer, which features Phoenix being interrogated by a naval officer. It's been widely reported that Anderson's film is some sort of thinly-veiled biopic inspired by the life of creepy Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and one could speculate that this trailer is drawing from Hubbard's checkered career in the Navy. more ›

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Overheard in L.A.: What We're Forcing Ourselves to Eat

Overheard in L.A.: What We're Forcing Ourselves to Eat

This week's edition of Overheard in L.A. features snippets of conversation overhead at Whole Foods, the L.A. Zoo and that crazy place known as CAA. more ›

The Bee Gees' Robin Gibb Dies of Cancer At Age 62

The Bee Gees' Robin Gibb Dies of Cancer At Age 62

Bee Gees member Robin Gibb, 62, passed away today after a long battle with cancer, according a representative for his family. more ›

Actor Nick Stahl Checks Into Rehab, Finally Calls His Wife

Actor Nick Stahl Checks Into Rehab, Finally Calls His Wife

Actor Nick Stahl, whose disappearance worried his wife, finally checked in with her more than a week after going MIA. Stahl had emailed his friends yesterday to let them know that he was doing alright, but he didn't include his wife Rose Murphy in the e-mail. more ›

Video: Will Smith Leads Crowd In 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Rap

Video: Will Smith Leads Crowd In 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Rap

Will Smith was on BBC's "The Graham Norton Show" this week taking it back...all the way back to the world-famous rap that opens the "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Smith has been on a worldwide tour (dodging kissy reporters) and promoting the third Men in Black movie. more ›

Actor Timothy Busfield's Date Accuses Him of Sexual Battery at the Sherman Oaks ArcLight

Actor Timothy Busfield's Date Accuses Him of Sexual Battery at the Sherman Oaks ArcLight

Actor Timothy Busfield is in hot water after he took a woman on a date at the Sherman Oaks ArcLight theaters. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that his date is accusing him of sexual battery. more ›

Get Out: Nerdist Writers Panel, 'Hymns to Aphrodite' and Folk Art Walk in MacArthur Park

Get Out: Nerdist Writers Panel, 'Hymns to Aphrodite' and Folk Art Walk in MacArthur Park

Get out so you can take a walk (or a hike), learn something about early 20th century immigration or learn something from TV writers. more ›

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Project Aims to Tell the "Untold" History of West Adams

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Photographer and TV director Jett Loe said he stumbled upon West Adams by accident when he was apartment-hunting. Almost immediately, he fell in love with the neighborhood and its gorgeous architecture but he was dismayed to learn that few others shared his passion or knew anything about its long history. more ›

John Travolta's Alleged Groping Victim in Atlanta Revealed

John Travolta's Alleged Groping Victim in Atlanta Revealed

The identity of the second masseur who has filed a suit against John Travolta has been revealed. The New York Daily News managed to track down the masseur who is known as John Doe No. 2 in court documents. more ›

Nick Stahl Emails His Friends (But Not His Wife) To Let Them Know He's Alive

Nick Stahl Emails His Friends (But Not His Wife) To Let Them Know He's Alive

"Terminator 3" star Nick Stahl, who has been missing since May 9, sent out an email to his friends yesterday to let them know that he's totally okay and he's planning to go to rehab. Stahl's estranged wife Rose Murphy was left out of the email loop. Ouch. more ›

Pets of the Week: Simba & Esther Bunny the Terrier

Pets of the Week: Simba & Esther Bunny the Terrier

Meet Simba, a 3-year-old male who is a friendly boy who ended up at the shelter when his owners could no longer keep him. Esther Bunny is a one-year-old terrier mix who is very social, loves to hang out with people and is currently in foster care. more ›

Get Out: Dum Dum Girls at the Getty, Santa Monica Festival & Lawrence Weiner Exhibition

Get Out: Dum Dum Girls at the Getty, Santa Monica Festival & Lawrence Weiner Exhibition

Get out so you can listen to the Dum Dum Girls, check out a new Lawrence Weiner exhibition, learn about sustainability at the Santa Monica Festival, learn how to yarn-bomb or go shopping with the Broke Girls. more ›

Friday, May 18, 2012

Teen Bride Courtney Stodden's New 'Hello Kitty' Video Will Make You Want To Claw Your Eyes Out

Teen Bride Courtney Stodden's New 'Hello Kitty' Video Will Make You Want To Claw Your Eyes Out

Beware: the Courtney Stodden video above that pays homage to Hello Kitty is disturbing—even by Courtney Stodden standards. The almost-famous Twitter poet and aspiring reality TV star gets dressed up and then down on all fours to act like a cat. more ›

Medea's Kids Get Underwhelming Story in "The Children"

Medea's Kids Get Underwhelming Story in "The Children"

The new production at Boston Court, a modern take on the Medea story by playwright Michael Elyanow called The Children, is not a classic. In fact, it’s a bad play with the odd grace note of a strong conclusion that points clearly to how strong the show could be if rewritten extensively. more ›

Hollywood Throws Its First Block Party, Free To Locals

Hollywood Throws Its First Block Party, Free To Locals

You don't have to be a tourist to get a kick out of Hollywood's most touristy tourist attractions. Although, if you have friends visiting from out of town this weekend, you'll definitely want to take note. more ›

Christie Brinkley Puts Her Skills to Use in 'Chicago' at the Pantages

Christie Brinkley Puts Her Skills to Use in 'Chicago' at the Pantages

Everyone likes to watch the beautiful fall, and no doubt there were more than a few schadenfreude hopefuls in the audience on Wednesday night at the Pantages for the opening performance of “Chicago,” starring Christie Brinkley as Roxie Hart. But sadly for the ill-wishers among us, Brinkley didn’t fall at all - in fact, as the murderous adulterer who briefly captures the Windy City’s heart, she was right on point. more ›

Trek L.A.'s Coolest 'Lesser Known' Neighborhoods, Starting in San Pedro

Trek L.A.'s Coolest 'Lesser Known' Neighborhoods, Starting in San Pedro

Los Angeles is such a vast metropolis with so many under-the-radar neighborhoods that it's difficult to get a taste of what all is out there. Fortunately, L.A. Commons will kick off another summer series of walking tours to help string together the city of cities a little tighter. more ›

Pencil This In: Kina Grannis at the Ford; Will Sergeant's Art Show; 'The Mystery of the Double Cross' and a 'Slake' Reading

Pencil This In: Kina Grannis at the Ford; Will Sergeant's Art Show; 'The Mystery of the Double Cross' and a 'Slake' Reading

We've combed through tons of listings so you don't have to. Here's what's going on around town tonight: A silent serial screening of the first episodes of The Mystery of the Double Cross; Will Sergeant's (Echo & the Bunnymen) first solo U.S. art show; Kina Grannis at the Ford Amphitheatre; Slake readings and more. Read on for all the details: more ›

LA Times Receipt of $1 Million Grant Draws Mixed Reactions

LA Times Receipt of $1 Million Grant Draws Mixed Reactions

Yesterday, the battered-but-still-standing Los Angeles Times announced that it's receiving a $1 million grant from the Ford Foundation. The grant is good for two years, and with the money, the Times says that it plans to "expand its coverage of key beats, including immigration and ethnic communities in Southern California." Specifically, they'll be adding five new reporters dedicated to writing about state prisons, Brazil, immigrant communities like the local Vietnamese and Korean populations, and the border area. more ›

Check Out These Stepping, Breakdancing First Graders

Check Out These Stepping, Breakdancing First Graders

We got an email about these talented and driven six-year-olds from Inglewood who are trying to step and breakdance their way to a trip to Florida to take part in a national empowerment summit. more ›

Photos: Riding The Historic Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

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Featured in several films and television shows over the years, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a pretty stunning introduction to the dynamic desert landscape. It might be 90 degrees on Palm Canyon Drive, but once you get two and a half miles up Chino Canyon in the rotating (yes, they rotate!) tramcar, it's just plain cooler up at the top, from the temperature to the stunning views. more ›

UCLA Moves Forward With Plans to Sell Its Bel Air Landmark

UCLA Moves Forward With Plans to Sell Its Bel Air Landmark

Los Angeles preservationists filed a lawsuit against UCLA last week in a battle to save the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden in Bel Air. more ›

Video: Hilarious "Outtakes" From Zooey Deschanel's Siri Commercial

Video: Hilarious "Outtakes" From Zooey Deschanel's Siri Commercial

This parody goes behind the scenes of Zooey Deschanel's real-life Siri commercial—and it's exactly as we'd imagine. more ›

Nick Stahl Still Missing, Police Will 'Keep an Eye Out' For Him

Nick Stahl Still Missing, Police Will 'Keep an Eye Out' For Him

After a Wednesday sighting in West Hollywood turned out to be a false report, the search is still on for missing actor Nick Stahl. Stahl, who has struggled with drug and alcohol addition throughout his adult life, hasn't been seen since May 9, and Rose Murphy, his estranged wife, thinks the 32-year-old actor might be somewhere on Skid Row. more ›

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Photos: Los Angeles Zoo Welcomes Ridiculously Adorable Baby Animals

        

This spring the Los Angeles Zoo welcomed a newborn crew of animals that includes a baby chimp, river otters, lambs, sifakas and lizards (oh my!) more ›

Gloria Allred Swears She Didn't Steal Clients in John Travolta Sexual Battery Cases

Gloria Allred Swears She Didn't Steal Clients in John Travolta Sexual Battery Cases

Gloria Allred has managed to snag not one but two of the clients who are accusing John Travolta of coming onto them while they tried to give him a massage. But she swears she didn't poach the clients from their original attorney. more ›

Red Hot Chili Peppers Bring Global Awareness to 'I'm With You' Tour

Red Hot Chili Peppers Bring Global Awareness to 'I'm With You' Tour

The Red Hot Chili Peppers sent out a call to action today asking German authorities to stop extradition of Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson to Costa Rica. more ›

New L.A. Opera Company Hits with "Crescent City" Hurricane

New L.A. Opera Company Hits with "Crescent City" Hurricane

More "Eraserhead" than "Ernani" in its visceral impact, the world premiere of composer Anne LeBaron's challenging, discordant "Crescent City" introduces Los Angeles to its brand new opera company The Industry this month in Atwater Village. more ›

Retired Battleship Will Be Floating Museum at Port of L.A.

       

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission voted unanimously today to bring the USS Iowa to the Port of Los Angeles where it will permanently reside as a new floating maritime museum. It will open July 7. more ›

Tourists Come to Los Angeles for the Culture

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When America isn't hating on Los Angeles, they're coming here to soak up the culture. A higher percentage of visitors who come to Los Angeles end up going to museums compared to any other major U.S. city. more ›

Pencil This In: Mah Jongg Exhibition, SoundCloud Meetup, JuntoBox Screening and Pico Iyer Talks about Unplugging

Pencil This In: Mah Jongg Exhibition, SoundCloud Meetup, JuntoBox Screening and Pico Iyer Talks about Unplugging

We found an amazing array of events tonight, including a mah jongg exhibition; a SoundClouders meetup; Justin Halpern reads from his new book, I Suck at Girls; Pico Iyer talks about The Joy of Quiet; Lucha Va Voom holds another Heino Happy Hour; JuntoBox holds a screening party; and LACMA kicks off a hip-hop music series. Read on for all the details. more ›

The Real Woman Behind Donna Summer's Hit "She Works Hard For The Money"

The Real Woman Behind Donna Summer's Hit "She Works Hard For The Money"

The passing of disco legend Donna Summer is as good an excuse as any to go and revisit her many, many classic tracks and live performances. But did you know that one of her most famous songs was directly inspired by one of the singer's experiences in Los Angeles? more ›

L.A. Times OKs PETA Ad Featuring Dead Horse "Shot" on Location

L.A. Times OKs PETA Ad Featuring Dead Horse "Shot" on Location

PETA got the greenlight from the Los Angeles Times to run an ad that shows an image of a dead horse that was "shot"—as in killed—on location. PETA says that the entertainment biz is especially deadly for horses, who are very commonly injured or killed on the set. more ›

Sorry Kids: Coachella 2013 Advance Passes Just About Totally Sold Out* [UPDATED]

Sorry Kids: Coachella 2013 Advance Passes Just About Totally Sold Out* [UPDATED]

If you wanted to rock out Coachella 2013 on an advance pass, your options are slim, and getting slimmer. There's already been official announcements about tickets selling out for Weekend #1. more ›

John Travolta Shelled Out Nary a Penny to Get Accusers to Drop Suit

John Travolta Shelled Out Nary a Penny to Get Accusers to Drop Suit

So, the lawsuit against John Travolta has been pretty much dropped, and obviously we're all now thinking the same thing: he paid off his multiple accusers. Right? Well, not so fast, there, Tonto -- Travolta's lawyer claims that the suit droppage was done without a dime being handed out to anyone. TMZ reports that Travolta's lawyer, Marty Singer, roundly denied that anyone got paid. more ›

Queen Of Disco Donna Summer Dies At Age 63

Queen Of Disco Donna Summer Dies At Age 63

Donna Summer, the silky-voiced singer whose songs "Last Dance," "Love To Love You Baby," "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls," and "I Feel Love" were staples of the 1970s, died today. According to TMZ, the 63-year-old was in Florida, battling cancer. more ›

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

IMDB Writer Calls Kim Kardashian Shallow, Talentless in Online Bio

IMDB Writer Calls Kim Kardashian Shallow, Talentless in Online Bio

The internet is abuzz today with the news that an IMDB writer penned a scathing bio of Kim Kardashian, which was up for at least a few days on the entertainment information site and then promptly removed. The bio, written by Jon C. Hopwood, called Kardashian shallow, talentless, and then some. more ›

In Palm Springs? Now You Can Look Up Giant Marilyn Monroe Statue's Massive Skirts!

       

She's 34,000 pounds and 26 feet tall, was last seen on the streets of Chicago, and now Marilyn Monroe--in statue form--is lifting her skirts for all to see in Palm Springs. more ›

Pencil This In: $10 All-You-Can-Drink Mimosas, Female Arm Wrestling & Burlesque, The Belle Brigade and Couch Surfing

Pencil This In: $10 All-You-Can-Drink Mimosas, Female Arm Wrestling & Burlesque, The Belle Brigade and Couch Surfing

Eight flexing females will arm wrestle to support local theaters, author Ben Fountain will discuss his war novel, the Million Dollar Theater will screen a double feature of the hunted and the hunter and Downtown Culver City celebrates Mother's Day. more ›

Public Invited to Search for Fox Executive Who Disappeared Mysteriously Two Weeks Ago

Public Invited to Search for Fox Executive Who Disappeared Mysteriously Two Weeks Ago

20th Century Fox executive Gavin Smith went missing over two weeks ago—and now his family is asking for the public's help finding him. The sheriff's department will be coordinating a search this weekend to look for Smith in undisclosed "remote areas." more ›

Coachella 2013 Lineup Leaked (To Funny Or Die)

Coachella 2013 Lineup Leaked (To Funny Or Die)

Our mole tells us that Pure MDMA has backed out, and will be replaced with White Powder You Paid $20 To A Dude Named Chico For But Tastes Like Frowns & Doesn't Make You Trip. more ›

Hotel Masseur Who Claims He Slept With John Travolta Says "he likes sex with men...and he's experienced at it"

Hotel Masseur Who Claims He Slept With John Travolta Says "he likes sex with men...and he's experienced at it"

John Travolta was really good at having gay sex, according to a former hotel masseur who claims he had sex with the star back in the 1990s. Luis Gonzalez's work as a massage therapist at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel brought him into contact with Travolta. more ›

How to Ride a Bike & Feel Like You're In an Old French Movie

How to Ride a Bike & Feel Like You're In an Old French Movie

Did someone say mid-century modern, French-influenced, and pop-up store in a single sentence? Count us in. more ›

Sponsored Post: Save on Better-Fitting Man Shorts

Sponsored Post: Save on Better-Fitting Man Shorts

The following post is from our advertiser, Bonobos. more ›

Tupac's Family Says He Was Friends With Versace, Not a Homophobe

Tupac's Family Says He Was Friends With Versace, Not a Homophobe

Tupac Shakur's family members insist that the late rapper, who appeared in an apparition-like hologram at Coachella, could not be a homophobe because he was friends with Gianni Versace! more ›

Actor Nick Stahl Missing, Wife Fears He's On Drugs & Skid Row

Actor Nick Stahl Missing, Wife Fears He's On Drugs & Skid Row

Actor Nick Stahl, who may be best known for his role as John Connor in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, is missing. Stahl's wife, Rose, filed a missing person report with the Los Angeles Police Department Monday. more ›

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Already Legendary "Follies" Revival Offers Another Look at The Great Postmodern American Musical

Already Legendary "Follies" Revival Offers Another Look at The Great Postmodern American Musical

Though its celebrated original Broadway production was a bit before our time, this is clearly the definitive "Follies" production of our age, and with a 41-member cast and 28-piece orchestra, we may question whether we'll ever see it replicated on a comparable scale again. Perfectly cast from top to bottom, the show offers an ongoing stream of one high point after another. more ›

James Franco Channels James Dean in 'Rebel'

     

James Franco, the actor-academic-Oscar host adds curator to his growing list of accomplishments by conceiving a MOCA exhibition and accompanying book that serves as an ode to James Dean in Nicholas Ray's 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause. more ›

First Masseur to Sue John Travolta Drops Case

First Masseur to Sue John Travolta Drops Case

The case of John Travolta and his multiple massage manhandlings is quickly falling apart. According to People, a masseur who accused Travolta of trying to have sex with him during a rubdown at the Beverly Hills Hotel -- the accusation that launched the shitstorm of other, similar accusations -- has decided to drop out of a lawsuit against the "Saturday Night Fever" star. more ›

The Getty Helpfully Demonstrates How to Protect Your Priceless Sculptures During an Earthquake

The Getty Helpfully Demonstrates How to Protect Your Priceless Sculptures During an Earthquake

It's safe to say that in the event of an earthquake, most Southern Californians are going to be primarily worried about the well-being of their priceless ancient Greek statues. Fortunately, the Getty has our backs, and they've created a video to show you exactly how to preserve your life-sized rendition of a nude man after the hunt. more ›

So Dang Cute: Penguins Prep for New Home in the LBC

So Dang Cute: Penguins Prep for New Home in the LBC

The penguins are coming! The penguins are coming! This week, the new June Keyes Penguin Habitat at the Aquarium of the Pacific will open its doors, giving rescued Magellanic Penguins a new permanent home, and visitors a chance to learn about their lives and the environmental issues that threaten their survival. more ›

Pencil This In: Gregg Allman in Conversation; 'Chicago' Opens; A Fracking Discussion, and Greg Proops

Pencil This In: Gregg Allman in Conversation; 'Chicago' Opens; A Fracking Discussion, and Greg Proops

Here's what's going on around town tonight: Rocker Gregg Allman talks about his new memoir and we bet he has a few stories to tell. Chicago opens for a two-week run; Greg Proops is at NerdMelt; and the Hammer Forum takes on fracking and the environment; and David Eagleman and Susan Orlean are at ALOUD. Read on for all the details: more ›

Legalizing Online Poker May Be Virtual Jackpot for California

Legalizing Online Poker May Be Virtual Jackpot for California

Senate leader Darrell Steinberg and state Senator Roderick Wright bet that their bill to legalize Internet poker will bring $200 million per year into the dilapidated state economy. more ›

Monday, May 14, 2012

LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy

LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy

The Little Modern on Santa Monica Blvd. has put together another great week of indie comedy shows, while the Elephant Theater just down the street hosts The Apple Sisters' album release party. The Dan Band is downtown, Jeselnik is in Irvine, and the regular shows you've come to know and love in LA are all going strong. This is a great week for comedy. more ›

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato Join X Factor Judges

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato Join X Factor Judges

Britney Spears and singer/songwriter Demi Lovato will join L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell at the judges table on the upcoming season of Fox's The X Factor. more ›

Pencil This In: California Design Talk at LACMA, NewFilmmakers LA Screening and the Henry Clay People at Bardot

Pencil This In: California Design Talk at LACMA, NewFilmmakers LA Screening and the Henry Clay People at Bardot

Here's what's going on around LA tonight. We found a number of events under $10—or better yet, free. LACMA presents a lecture on California design; Beach=Culture series hosts an evening of salsa dancing; NewFilmmakers LA screens features and shorts at tonight's monthly screening; a classical concert; and It's a School Night. Read on for all the details. more ›

Video Spoof Re-enacts Seminal Travolta Massage Encounter

Video Spoof Re-enacts Seminal Travolta Massage Encounter

It was the masseur's objections heard 'round the world...and echoed soon after by not one, not two, but three follow-up claims: John Travolta allegedly enjoys getting a little hands on with the people who help him. more ›

OMG, WTF? Coachella 2013 Dates Set, Tickets On Sale THIS WEEK!?

OMG, WTF? Coachella 2013 Dates Set, Tickets On Sale THIS WEEK!?

Yeah, we also wondered if May 14 was some sort of secret prank-making day, because, hey, didn't Coachella 2012, like, just happen? But it's true: Coachella 2013 will happen over two weekends next spring, and advance tickets go on sale Thursday, May 17. more ›

"The Avengers" Breaks $1 Billion Worldwide

"The Avengers" Breaks $1 Billion Worldwide

"The Avengers" superhero blockbuster dominated the box office again this weekend earning $1 billion worldwide and breaking the record for the biggest second-week ever. more ›

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Classical Pick of the Week: There's A New Hyperopera in Town

Classical Pick of the Week: There's A New Hyperopera in Town

Lots of fun vocal works are on schedule for this week! First up, the Industry, which bills itself as "a new home for opera in Los Angeles", recently premiered a new hyperopera (meta-collaborative, contemporary), "Crescent City". more ›

Queen Latifah Will Headline Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival

Queen Latifah Will Headline Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival

Long Beach Pride has its own queen: Dana Owens aka Queen Latifah will be heading the 2-day festival next weekend. "For Queen Latifah to make her worldwide pride debut here in Long Beach is a tremendous testament to the popularity of our celebration and the strength of our community," Pride co-President Pat Crosby said, in a statement. more ›

Get Out: Sound of Music Cast, MCA Tribute & Spanish Language Book Fair

Get Out: Sound of Music Cast, MCA Tribute & Spanish Language Book Fair

Get out so you can meet the cast of the Sound of Music, pay tribute to MCA or check out the Down N Sound Lit Fest. more ›

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Bret Easton Ellis Will Read Your Novel If You Pony Up $5,000 For His New Film (Probably) Starring Porn Star James Deen

Bret Easton Ellis Will Read Your Novel If You Pony Up $5,000 For His New Film (Probably) Starring Porn Star James Deen

If you follow Bret Easton Ellis on his prolific (and sometimes maligned) Twitter account, you'd have read endless tweets about his latest screenplay written with porn star James Deen in mind. more ›

'Cafe Vida' Brings Realities of Gang Life and Food Politics to the Stage

'Cafe Vida' Brings Realities of Gang Life and Food Politics to the Stage

The non-professional cast culled from Homeboy Industries lends not only their own personal stories and experiences to the script, but brings passion to their stage performances that is easy to appreciate and root for. Their line delivery may not be perfect or of professional caliber, but it is indeed heartfelt and comes from a place of knowing, intuition, and love. more ›

Pets of the Week Barrette the Cat & Princess Pittie Amanda

Pets of the Week Barrette the Cat & Princess Pittie Amanda

Barrette is perfect for any home in need of a happy kitty. Princess Amanda is a petite 8-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier that makes new friends wherever she goes. She is always ready for a party and has a wardrobe of dresses for any occasion. What she doesn't have is a place to call home. more ›

Get Out: LitFest in Pasadena, Hitchcock at Hollywood Forever, Electric Roots Music Festival & More

Get Out: LitFest in Pasadena, Hitchcock at Hollywood Forever, Electric Roots Music Festival & More

Get out so you can listen to classical, punk or country music, go to the museum, watch a movie or see some art. more ›

Friday, May 11, 2012

Video: Jack Black's Kids Get Inspired By Caine's Arcade

Video: Jack Black's Kids Get Inspired By Caine's Arcade

Jack Black took his kids for a visit to Caine's Arcade, the elaborate cardboard and duct tape creation of the coolest 9-year-old in America. more ›

Buggin' Out! Are You Brave Enough for NHM's Bug Fair?

       

They flitter, flutter, crawl, and creep...and they can be a whole lot of fun. That's why the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) is buggin' out with their 26th annual Bug Fair on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, 2012. more ›

Of Moby, Mustaches, & Literary Death Matches (Plus Why L.A. is "the next Berlin")

           

Wednesday night marked the 9th episode of Literary Death Match LA; a wonderfully difficult to define, category-defying variety show dedicated to witty one-liners, obscure literary trivia, and spectacular short fiction. more ›

Whitney Houston's Sister-In-Law Gets Reality TV Show

Whitney Houston's Sister-In-Law Gets Reality TV Show

If you were wondering how Whitney Houston's family is faring in the wake of her untimely and tragic death, you need look no further than reality TV -- sorry, documentary television. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Lifetime has ordered up ten episodes of what they're calling a docuseries following the late singer's relatives as they come to terms with her passing. more ›

Pencil This In: Supernatural Storytelling, LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, the Mindshare 50 and an Unusual LA Guidebook

Pencil This In: Supernatural Storytelling, LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, the Mindshare 50 and an Unusual LA Guidebook

Here's what's going on in LA tonight: An evening of storytelling set to music tonight at the Velaslavasay Panorama; a book signing with Laura Pulido and Wendy Chang; the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Festival; and the Mindshare50 weekend. Read on for all the details. more ›

Awesome MCA and Beastie Boys Graffiti Tribute Goes Up Along Venice Beach Boardwalk

Awesome MCA and Beastie Boys Graffiti Tribute Goes Up Along Venice Beach Boardwalk

Graffiti artists Pike 169 and Serf One of TCF created an awesome tribute to MCA and the Beastie Boys along the Venice Beach Boardwalk. more ›

Thursday, May 10, 2012

CalArts Producers' Show: A Sneak Peek at the (Cartoon) Future

CalArts Producers' Show: A Sneak Peek at the (Cartoon) Future

Twenty-five of the finest student short animated films made their debut at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater last night in Beverly Hills as part of CalArts' Character Animation program's Producers' Show. Entertainment industry folk, intrepid students, and proud family members crowded the 1,000 seat theater to capacity. Chris Miller, director of Puss in Boots and a CalArts alum offered an introduction, mentioning that the students "delivered work from the heart," a statement handily verified by the evening's entertainment. more ›

Hudson Block Party Set to Rock the Streets May 20

Hudson Block Party Set to Rock the Streets May 20

Have you heard about The Hudson Block Party? Well it’s back for round two on Sunday, May 20th. After last year’s hugely successful but ‘crazy’ year, the organizers have doubled the block party’s capacity and have also brought in bigger musical acts. Check out what bands we're excited to see. more ›

Real Housewives All Invited to Andy Cohen's L.A. Party

Real Housewives All Invited to Andy Cohen's L.A. Party

Bravo TV's Andy Cohen debunked rumors today that he needs space from his Real Housewives and that his gal pals are all invited to his L.A. book launch party on Monday. more ›

Look Who's Touching, Too: Third Man Says John Travolta Sexually Harassed Him

Look Who's Touching, Too: Third Man Says John Travolta Sexually Harassed Him

Zoinks! A third man has publicly revealed he believes he was a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of actor John Travolta. more ›

Pencil This In: Golf Clubbing in Griffith Park, Craig Ferguson, Alison Bechdel and a New Hyperopera

Pencil This In: Golf Clubbing in Griffith Park, Craig Ferguson, Alison Bechdel and a New Hyperopera

There are a number of lit/graphic novel events happening around town tonight. Alison Bechdel is in conversation at ALOUD; Heather Rutman talks about getting laid without getting screwed; Craig Ferguson gets personal at the Paley Center; Ghettogloss goes (golf) clubbing and a new "hyperopera" launches in Atwater Village. Read on for all the details. more ›

Reality TV Show About Kids from Malibu is Totally Groundbreaking

Reality TV Show About Kids from Malibu is Totally Groundbreaking

In a stroke of creative genius, a reality TV producer wants to make a show about high school kids that live in the Malibu area, documenting what happens over their summer vacation. This staggeringly original idea comes to us courtesy of executive producer Sean Travis ("The Hills," "The City"), and the show -- called "Our Summer" -- is described as follows on Facebook. more ›

Electric Motorcycle Debuts at Sunset Strip Nightclub

Electric Motorcycle Debuts at Sunset Strip Nightclub

Nothing says L.A. like a motorcycle cruise down the Sunset Strip. Unless maybe… the motorcycle was as high performance as it was environmentally friendly. more ›

Photos: Insanely Cute Jaguar Cubs Born At San Diego Zoo

   

Last month, the San Diego Zoo welcomed its first jaguar cubs since 1989! Two cubs were born on April 27 and the zoo says, "The two unnamed siblings will remain in the den for a couple of months until they are able to walk outdoors on their own. Keepers have yet to determine the sex of the cubs." more ›

Video: 1940s-Era Gangster Squad Movie Trailer Features Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Sean Penn... And Jay-Z?

       

Warner Bros. just released a trailer for The Gangster Squad, the period-set film about the LAPD trying to keep out East Coast mobsters. Sean Penn plays mafioso Mickey Cohen, while Ryan Gosling plays a cop trying to take him down. And it looks like Gosling's character falls for Cohen's girl, played by his previous on-screen romantic interest Emma Stone—what do you think the 1940s vernacular for "Hey Girl" is? more ›

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Motocross Pro Riders Freestyle on Venice Beach

Motocross Pro Riders Freestyle on Venice Beach

Freestyle motocross riders performed high-flying stunts at the Venice Beach Boardwalk today. more ›

Not Psycho Enough: 'Psycho Beach Party' at Morgan-Wixon Theatre

Not Psycho Enough: 'Psycho Beach Party' at Morgan-Wixon Theatre

While most are probably familiar with the cult-destined, drag-driven film version from 2000, Psycho Beach Party was originally envisioned by Busch as a stage venture. The work opened Off-Broadway in 1987, with Busch himself leading the cast as Chicklet. At the time, Stephen Holden's New York Times review basically called the production a little slice of campy heaven. more ›

Britney Spears Will Be "The X-Factor" Judge For $15 Million

Britney Spears Will Be "The X-Factor" Judge For $15 Million

Britney Spears, teen pop icon-turned-trainwreck-turned comeback kid, has apparently finalized a deal to be a judge on The X-Factor alongside Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid. According to E!, "Spears will get $15 million for one season's worth of work. She had agreed in principle to the deal weeks ago and had spent the last several days working out the fine print." more ›

Vidal Sassoon, Legendary Hair Stylist And Entrepreneur, Dies At 84

Vidal Sassoon, Legendary Hair Stylist And Entrepreneur, Dies At 84

Vidal Sassoon, the iconic hair stylist, died at his Mulholland Drive home in Los Angeles. Sassoon, who grew up in poverty in the East End of England, rose to fame when he created a geometric version of the bob cut in 1963, a move away from the overworked hairsprayed bouffant hairstyles of the time. Sassoon said, "My idea was to cut shape into the hair, to use it like fabric and take away everything that was superfluous. Women were going back to work, they were assuming their own power. They didn’t have time to sit under the dryer anymore." more ›

Video: Singer Meg Myers Declares War on Hipsters in Echo Park and Silver Lake

Video: Singer Meg Myers Declares War on Hipsters in Echo Park and Silver Lake

The fierce Meg Myers is armed with a nerf gun, and she's taking aim squarely at the hipsters in her new music video "Tennessee." more ›

Pencil This In: Moby Judges a Literary Death Match, 'Some Like It Hot' & UCLA Game Art Fest

Pencil This In: Moby Judges a Literary Death Match, 'Some Like It Hot' & UCLA Game Art Fest

The UCLA Game Art Festival entertains at the Hammer, "Some Like It Hot" screens at the Million Dollar, another Literary Death Match takes the ring at Busby's East and the cast of "Days of Our Lives" boasts their long-lasting success at the Paley. Read on for the details. more ›

eBay Me, I'm Yours: Pianos Decorated for Public Art Project Go Up for Auction

eBay Me, I'm Yours: Pianos Decorated for Public Art Project Go Up for Auction

For the past three weeks, Angelenos have had the opportunity to sit down and play the piano at 30 locations around town as a part of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" public art exhibition. Now you can take one of the pianos home—for the right price. more ›

Rare Photos: LIFE at Paramount Studios, 1970

       

As Paramount Studios marks its 100th anniversary, LIFE has put online some images from the shoot, including those never released. more ›

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

From the Indecency of Prejudice, the Narratives of "Camp Logan" at LATC Recount Extraordinary Events

From the Indecency of Prejudice, the Narratives of "Camp Logan" at LATC Recount Extraordinary Events

Wallace's Camp Logan is full of richly-crafted, touching, and earnest soldier narratives that serve as a humanizing anchor to the off-the-handle discrimination depicted in the play. She uses typical men and everyday encounters as a vehicle to recount extraordinary events borne out of the common indecency of prejudice. more ›

Pencil This In: Danny Elfman Talks Music; Don Cheadle on Acting; 'Up All Night' Panel and Radiolab Live

Pencil This In: Danny Elfman Talks Music; Don Cheadle on Acting; 'Up All Night' Panel and Radiolab Live

There's lots of star power in today's event picks: Danny Elfman talks about his Tim Burton collaborations; the cast and creative team of Up All Night talk about the show and each other; Don Cheadle talks about acting and activism; choreographers and dancers gather for night of dance entertainment; and the Radiolab guys talk about being "In the Dark." more ›

Monday, May 7, 2012

LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy

LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy

There's no stopping comedy in LA. So don't even try. Remember that video of the guy that stole the tank? He tried to stop comedy, and look what happened to him. more ›

Oscars Outdoors: New Open-Air Movie Theatre Will Screen Flicks Under Summer Skies

Oscars Outdoors: New Open-Air Movie Theatre Will Screen Flicks Under Summer Skies

Movie lovers, you will have one more venue at which to feast your eyes on favorite flicks this summer thanks to the impending debut of a new open-air theatre in Hollywood run by the folks who bring us the Oscars. more ›

"The Avengers" Breaks Hollywood Record Earning $207.4 Million on Opening Weekend

"The Avengers" Breaks Hollywood Record Earning $207.4 Million on Opening Weekend

"The Avengers" movie made Hollywood history raking in a record-breaking $207.4 million at the box office during its opening weekend. more ›

Pencil This In: Reminiscing about 'Must See TV,' Tim and Eric In Person and Artists Play Creative Telephone on Stage

Pencil This In: Reminiscing about 'Must See TV,' Tim and Eric In Person and Artists Play Creative Telephone on Stage

It's a fun night tonight in LA. Here's what's going on: Tim & Eric screen their Billion Dollar Movie with live commentary; former NBC exec Warren Littlefield and friends talk about the days of "Must See TV"; there's a game of creative telephone on stage at the Bootleg; and It's a School Night with live music and DJs. Read on for all the details. more ›

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Classical Pick of the Week: New York Philharmonic with Yefim Bronfman and More!

Classical Pick of the Week: New York Philharmonic with Yefim Bronfman and More!

Alan Gilbert and the New York Phil are in town this week, and Camerata Pacifica's 2012 season is drawing to a close. more ›

Get Out: The Grand Ole Echo, Everything Under the Sunday and Jewish Film Festival

Get Out: The Grand Ole Echo, Everything Under the Sunday and Jewish Film Festival

Get out so you can listen to country music, watch Jewish films or catch the last day of Transmission LA. more ›

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Street Art: Cardboard Cutout of Latino Laborer Pops Up in Beverly Hills

Street Art: Cardboard Cutout of Latino Laborer Pops Up in Beverly Hills

The artist Ramiro Gomez Jr. has a new piece up on the streets of Beverly Hills just in time for this fifth day of May when Americans celebrate all things Mexican (especially tequila, mariachis and unfortunate stereotypes). more ›

Dazed Nurses Duke it Out with an Evil Doll in 'Sukie and Sue: Their Story'

Dazed Nurses Duke it Out with an Evil Doll in 'Sukie and Sue: Their Story'

The script is far from genius, but Sanderson hones in LaChiusa's cynical silliness to craft an entertaining night of theatre. The giddy-squeal inducing special effects by Matt Falletta are extremely fun, and definitely worth the price of admission. more ›

Octomom Heads to the Valley Where She's Learning How to Masturbate Like a Pro

Octomom Heads to the Valley Where She's Learning How to Masturbate Like a Pro

We're happy nauseous to report that the first day of Octomom's solo venture into the porn industry went well. more ›

Your Guide to the Guides: Cinco De Mayo

Your Guide to the Guides: Cinco De Mayo

Heading out for Cinco De Mayo? Here's your guide to the guides whether you want to eat, shoot tequila or catch a movie or show. more ›

Pets of the Week: Kitty Luna and Chihuahuas Lady & April

Pets of the Week: Kitty Luna and Chihuahuas Lady & April

Luna is a 2-year old cat who's sure to blossom in a home where she is the center of attention. Lady and April are Chihuahua mixes. Lady who is 5 years old, is the mother to April, who is 2 years old. They are incredibly bonded and need to be adopted together. more ›

Get Out: Hike Under the Supermoon, Transmission L.A.'s Last Weekend, Free Comic Book Day

Get Out: Hike Under the Supermoon, Transmission L.A.'s Last Weekend, Free Comic Book Day

Get out so you can hike, check out the end of Transmission L.A. or go to an international children's film festival. more ›

Video: To Honor MCA, Coldplay Covers "Fight For Your Right"

Video: To Honor MCA, Coldplay Covers "Fight For Your Right"

The death of Beastie Boys founder Adam Yauch, who was also an independent film producer and an advocate for Tibetan freedom and less fortunate people, has upset legions of fans and their fellow musicians. Last night, during their concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Coldplay performed a cover of "Fight For Your Right (To Party)". more ›

Friday, May 4, 2012

United Talent Agency Drops Bid for Eponymous Street Signs

United Talent Agency Drops Bid for Eponymous Street Signs

Hollywood agents are notorious for being a bit on the self-important side, and nothing underscored that better than United Talent Agency's recent bid to get ceremonious street signs erected with its name near the agency's new offices in Beverly Hills. UTA is moving from its current location at 9560 Wilshire Blvd. to 9336-9346 Civic Center Drive in the fall, and had put in a request to the city to install signs that read "United Talent Agency Drive." more ›

What Cinco De Mayo Looked Like in L.A. in 1925-1954

            

In Los Angeles, Cinco de Mayo was once a day of civic pageantry. We combed the Los Angeles Public Library's archives and found some images from celebrations from days of yore, when dancers, musicians, political figures, and every day Angelenos gathered in the community to pay tribute to the rich Mexican heritage. more ›

New Deaf West and Fountain Theatre Coproduction of "Cyrano" Is Skillful and Impressive

New Deaf West and Fountain Theatre Coproduction of "Cyrano" Is Skillful and Impressive

I’ve never seen a production of Cyrano de Bergerac I didn’t like. Although certain details of character and the plot have changed, the original heart of the play still beats steadfastly, buoyed up by terrific performances and dazzling video design. more ›

Pencil This In: 'Slake' Readings, 'Memes' Art Show, First Fridays and a Rogue Taxidermy Show

Pencil This In: 'Slake' Readings, 'Memes' Art Show, First Fridays and a Rogue Taxidermy Show

There are a number of great events tonight, including a Memes art show at Gallery1988 (Melrose); a Rogue Taxidermy Show at La Luz de Jesus; Slake readings at ATX; music and science mix at the Natural History Museum's First Fridays; La Cuevita opens just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Read on for all the details and more. more ›

Disney Offering Membership To Fancy Exclusive Club for First Time in 10 Years

Disney Offering Membership To Fancy Exclusive Club for First Time in 10 Years

For the first time in ten years, Disney is sending out invitations to a people that are vying to become members at its exclusive Club 33. The club has been closed to new members for the past decade, reports the OC Register, despite an 800-person waiting list. more ›

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Past & Present: Celebrate 73 years of Union Station with Cocktails and a Free Tour

Past & Present: Celebrate 73 years of Union Station with Cocktails and a Free Tour

This week marks the 73rd anniversary of the opening of Union Station, and to celebrate the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles is hosting Cocktails in Historic Places along with a free tour of the downtown landmark this Friday evening, 6 to 8 pm. more ›

The Bay Area's Robert Moses' Kin Brings Multimedia Dance Performance To The Luckman

The Bay Area's Robert Moses' Kin Brings Multimedia Dance Performance To The Luckman

Coming down to our neck of the woods from the Bay Area, Robert Moses’ Kin will fill The Luckman for one formidable performance this Saturday evening. Presenting critically acclaimed work from their repertory, the production includes accompaniment by the San Francisco Boys Chorus, under the direction of Ian Robertson, and a host of other contributing art-makers. more ›

Carson McCuller's Only Play, 'The Square Root of Wonderful,' Revived at Raven Playhouse

Carson McCuller's Only Play, 'The Square Root of Wonderful,' Revived at Raven Playhouse

Overall, this production of The Square Root of Wonderful is watchable and offers some truly superb performances, but it falls short of reaching it full potential through some distracting theatrical missteps by its lead. more ›

Suddenly Seymour: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Eyes "Little Shop Of Horrors" Reboot

Suddenly Seymour: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Eyes "Little Shop Of Horrors" Reboot

500 Days of Seymour? The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that former 3rd Rock From The Sun actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is developing a remake of Little Shop of Horrors. more ›

Pencil This In: Paley Center Tribute to Johnny Carson, Seth Greenland Book Signing, James Morrison and Julie Andrews

Pencil This In: Paley Center Tribute to Johnny Carson, Seth Greenland Book Signing, James Morrison and Julie Andrews

We found a theme running through our event picks tonight. Local filmmakers get to screen their films at Echo Park Film Center; local author Seth Greenland signs his new book at Skylight; and local band honeyhoney opens for James Morrison in Hollywood. Julie Andrews signs her latest book in Pasadena, and last, but not least, is a tribute to Johnny Carson. Read on for all the details. more ›

Robin Williams Gives Impromptu Show at Meltdown Comics

Robin Williams Gives Impromptu Show at Meltdown Comics

Robin Williams showed up to Meltdown Comics last night for an impromptu set that lasted about an hour. Reportedly, the comedian didn't give any warning that he was coming to the weekly NerdMelt comedy show. more ›

Ashton Kutcher's Brownface Ad for PopChips Gets Yanked

Ashton Kutcher's Brownface Ad for PopChips Gets Yanked

PopChips announced that it was yanking an ad that featured Ashton Kutcher dressed up in brownface as a Bollywood star looking for love. Kutcher's portrayal of the character stereotype Raj was criticized by the New York group Das Racist and blogger Anil Dash. more ›

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Perez Hilton Gets Hit With Libel Suit by Brangelina's Engagement Ring Designer

Perez Hilton Gets Hit With Libel Suit by Brangelina's Engagement Ring Designer

Blogger Perez Hilton has been hit with a libel suit by the jeweler who designed the engagement ring Brad Pitt gave to Angie. The Beverly Hills jeweler Robert Procop filed a suit in court today saying that Hilton wrongly accused him of committing fraud in connection with the sale of a 1985 diamond necklace. more ›

New Doggie Hotel in Hollywood Caters to Canines' Every Whim

New Doggie Hotel in Hollywood Caters to Canines' Every Whim

The stretch of Highland Avenue between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave. is quickly becoming canine corridor. Already home to upscale doggie daycare and boarding facilities including LA Dogworks and D Pet Hotels, as of this weekend the area will welcome another high-class canine facility, Pooch Hotel. more ›

Marilyn Monroe Will Soon Grace Palm Springs

Marilyn Monroe Will Soon Grace Palm Springs

Palm Springs is set to be the recipient of a gigantic statue of Marilyn Monroe that, while at its former home in Chicago, was repeatedly vandalized and roundly panned by locals and critics alike. more ›

Hey Girl, Documentary Film Narrated by Ryan Gosling Premieres Thursday in DTLA

Hey Girl, Documentary Film Narrated by Ryan Gosling Premieres Thursday in DTLA

It's true. RyGo is coming to Downtown Los Angeles Thursday, May 3 -- kinda. The revered documentary "#ReGENERATION" will premiere at Downtown Independent, and the film is narrated by the man who should've been named 2011's Sexiest Man Alive. more ›

Quadruplets Graduating Together This Week Talk About Life After College

Quadruplets Graduating Together This Week Talk About Life After College

The siblings known as the The Abellas, The Four or The Quads all went to college together at Azusa Pacific University. Now the quadruplets are graduating this weekend together and heading their separate ways for the first time. more ›

Photos: Scarlett Johansson Gets Her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

          

Starlette Scarlett Johansson has become one with the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, having received the 2,470th star during an 11:30am ceremony. The curvy blonde arrived clad in Preen and reportedly drew an impressive crowd. more ›

Pencil This In: David Sedaris at UCLA, Free Pizza in DTLA & A CalArts Showcase at REDCAT

Pencil This In: David Sedaris at UCLA, Free Pizza in DTLA & A CalArts Showcase at REDCAT

The CalArts Film/Video Showcase kicks off at REDCAT, acclaimed writer David Sedaris entertains UCLA's Royce Hall, Two Boots Pizza celebrates its new location with free pizza, the Million Dollar Theater screens a Brian DePalma double feature and The Moth tells stories of education. more ›

LAist Interview: Tech Marketing Guru Chris Winfield

LAist Interview: Tech Marketing Guru Chris Winfield

For two days last week, Internet marketing experts, SEO specialists and tech nerds from around the world huddled in a darkened conference room at the Standard Hotel Downtown for the BlueGlass LA conference to listen to presentations and panel discussions on the best ways to cut through the online clutter and reach the right audiences. more ›

The Shins: KCRW's Berkeley Street Sessions

       

KCRW invited The Shins and a few lucky guests for an intimate "Berkeley Street Session" at Apogee Studios, and the set and interview with KCRW's Jason Bentley, is airing Thursday May 3 on the station. more ›

Octomom Readies for Masturbation Video, Rejected Porn Company Announces $100,000 Standing Offer

Octomom Readies for Masturbation Video, Rejected Porn Company Announces $100,000 Standing Offer

Vivid Entertainment, the porn production company that's been soliciting Suleman for years to bare all and that lends its dollars to her ballooning mortgage payments, announced a standing offer of $100,000 for Suleman to perform in one of its videos. more ›

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

'Dogs in Cars: California' Video Stars 8 Golden State Pooches Riding Shotgun, Loving Life

        

Keith Hopkin of "Dogs in Cars," the irresistible viral video showcasing canines riding shotgun with their heads protruding from open passenger side windows, has taken his dog-friendly videography to a whole new local level. A Golden State spinoff, "Dogs in Cars: California," captures pooches enjoying the rush of playing human once again, only this time in L.A. and San Diego. more ›

Alex Trebek: Master of Trivia & Tending Studio City Sprinklers

Alex Trebek: Master of Trivia & Tending Studio City Sprinklers

"He mentions, as he has in previous interviews, that he likes to fix his property’s aging sprinkler system. L.A.’s gurgly water pressure - which varies from 105 to 155 pounds per square inch, he says - strains the system’s old rubber diaphragms. Trebek talks about the sprinklers like Lennie talks about the rabbits or Norman Thayer talks about the loons on Golden Pond." more ›

Film Lore, Dark 'N Stormies, & Killer Prose: Black Clock 15 Reading at The Mandrake

           

Sunday afternoon marked the celebration of literary journal "Black Clock 15"—a robust, full-color issue devoted to all things cinema. The brainchild of novelist Steve Erickson, Black Clock is self-ascribed as “singular, idiosyncratic, and a little mysterious”—a mantra that precisely mirrors the tone of Sunday’s reading. more ›

Pencil This In: 'A Person of Interest' Panel, 'Transparent Cities' at REDCAT, Writer Alain Mabanckou in Conversation

Pencil This In: 'A Person of Interest' Panel, 'Transparent Cities' at REDCAT, Writer Alain Mabanckou in Conversation

Tonight in LA, we found a number of film, performance and literature events tonight. At REDCAT, there's a film and audio portrait of LA; the Paley Center welcomes the cast and crew of A Person of Interest; writer Alain Mabanckou is at the Hammer and a one-night only performance by Rogelio Douglas Jr. Read on for all the details. more ›

Dov Charney Closing American Apparel Factory for May Day Strike

Dov Charney Closing American Apparel Factory for May Day Strike

Depending on who you ask, Dov Charney is either executing a clever PR campaign or fighting for the rights of the people today by closing down his American Apparel factory in Los Angeles to allow -- nay, encourage! -- workers to participate in the May Day strikes. more ›

Pleasure Principle: Octomom to Star in Masturbation Video

Pleasure Principle: Octomom to Star in Masturbation Video

The moment we've all been fearing has arrived, the one where Octomom Nadya Suleman embarks on another self-deprecating endeavor for money. She recently posed topless to pay her rent and provide for her 14 children, and she's been known to have charity ties with the porn industry. She always promised, however, she would not star in an adult film. Well, the times they are a-changin'. more ›

Jessica Simpson's Epic Pregnancy Over: Singer Gives Birth in L.A.

Jessica Simpson's Epic Pregnancy Over: Singer Gives Birth in L.A.

After approximately three years of pregnancy, Jessica Simpson has given birth to a bouncing baby girl named Maxwell Drew Johnson. Maxwell was born at an L.A. hospital this morning -- no word on exactly which hospital it was -- and she weighed in at a hearty 9 lbs. 13 ounces. more ›

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