We've uncovered some great events around LA tonight. Most are arts related, including an opening reception for Paul Insect's show at Post No Bills; Geek girls unite at Meltdown Comics; writer Adam Gopnik is in conversation with director and producer Ed Zwick; Bill Murray tribute art at Gallery 1988 in Melrose; and AFI Fest kicks off with a gala screening. Read on for all the details. more ›

A trio of Santa Barbara organizations has teamed up to launch a balloon into near space this weekend, just for kicks. Santa Barbara's Natural History Museum, Amateur Radio Club and Hackerspace have partnered to launch a high-altitude weather balloon to 100,000 feet on Saturday. more ›

As new media consumption goes mainstream, so goes the geekfest; this week's Twiistup includes panels featuring the likes of Brooke Burke (of Wild on E! and Dancing with the Stars fame) discussing her new-found success as an online entrepreneur and Chamillionaire (he of the many mixtapes and much Patron) talking digital music. Since 2007, Twiistup, has served as both a memorable party for the entrepreneurs and media savants and a matchmaking event for select SoCal startups and wide-eyed venture capitalists. But this week Twiistup, now in it's sixth version, is expanding to add a day-and-a-half conference with top speakers to complement a night of open bar mingling. more ›

Steve Martin’s playing the banjo tonight at 8 pm to raise money for the Los Angeles Public Library. The comedian-bluegrass musician will be in conversation with Dave Barry to launch the ALOUD at L. A. LIVE series. Held at L.A. LIVE’s Club Nokia, Martin will be performing songs from his musical debut CD, The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo. The Steep Canyon Rangers band will appear with Martin and the CD’s producer, John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder) will join the group on stage during the performance. Tickets are $25-$250. more ›

The sixth BarCamp Los Angeles is underway, with discussions, presentations, drinks, games, and more for -- and by -- the nearly 300 freaks, geeks, techies, and media mavens who registered for free via the BarCampLA wiki. more ›

Twiistup is hosting its third event tonight at the Air Conditioned Supper Club on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. What is Twiistup? It's the brainchild of Mike Macadaan who was seeking to fill a need for a fun, tech-focused event that would showcase up-and-coming companies, while providing a casual environment for discovery and networking. Geeks are cool. Southern California tech company startups are hot and Twiistup is the place to be to bring those elements together. The event is sold-out, but never fear, LAist will be there to fill you in on all the excitement and news to come out of the evening.
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Wired Nextfest in Los Angeles. more ›

At last week's Digital Hollywood, I spent a few moments speaking wih Don Rose, Editor in Chief of the LA Report on the subtle but important difference between the monikers "geek," "dork," "nerd" and "dweeb." Having probably been called each one of these at various points in my life, I concurred with Don that by far geeks are where it's at . And so I feel compelled to share one of LA's best kept... more ›

The third iteration of BarCamp LA is in full effect with a record number of attendee/participants. BarCamp is an ad-hoc un-conference produced, attended and presented by enterprising media/tech/Internet junkies, worker-monkeys, and inquiring civilians as an alternative to the overly-corporate, overpriced mega-conferences that commonly occur at the Convention Center, Loews Hotel, or somewhere-in-the-Bay Area. Still don't get it? Just come on down, BarCamp is free (thanks to sponsors) and its fun. Day one is winding down... more ›