Last night, a crowd of vinyl nerds, fledgling record labels and artists looking to self-produce packed the Grammy Museum for a free panel discussion called From Vision to Vinyl: A Step-by-Step Look At Album Production hosted by Dublab. The panel, selected by Origami Vinyl owner Neil Shield, was composed of people who helped him put out his first record. They included Pete Lyman of Infrasonic Sound, a recording studio and CD/vinyl mastering suite, Kevin Smith of Bill Smith Custom Records, a pressing plant in El Segundo, Jennifer Freund of Dorado Press, that specializes in album covers and jackets, and Peanut Butter Wolf, a DJ and founder of Stones Throw Records. From the mastering to the pressing to the album art, these were the people to turn to if you wanted to put out a record, and they offered a comprehensive, step by step instruction on how to do it yourself. Each of them was very passionate about their part of the process lovingly describing each step in jargon that I had never heard of. However, from what I did glean I comprised this list. more ›

Hitchcock's masterpiece Vertigo is playing tonight at the Hammer Museum as part of Julian Hoeber's Demon Hill installation that is "an homage to the anxiety-producing, perception-warping" spots of the American roadside tradition. Sounds hoity-toity but...come on...it's Vertigo! Jacque Tati's Playtime will also be screened. Tickets required, but they're free. more ›

When Bitches Brew came out in 1970, the critics were split and many fans were turned off to hear Miles Davis turn toward a definitively more electric sound. But it became Davis' first gold record -- probably because so many people just had to hear it for themselves. more ›

Open the front doors of the Grammy Museum to discover the most colorful Porsche covered in rainbows, blue moons, dark starry night, and trippy landscapes. According to the information displayed with The Queen of Rock's car, "Janis Joplin bought this used 1965 Porsche from a Beverly Hills car dealer for nearly $3500 in September 1968. Dave Richards, a roadie for Joplin's former band, Big Brother and the Holding Company painted the car in a swirling psychedelic design which included the image of Joplin and Big Brother on the front fender." more ›

One Chick prefers roosting right now--at least that's the story behind the birth of the Court Yard Hounds-- two-thirds of the popular country-folk-pop trio the Dixie Chicks. The new side project by sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison allows the two to take center stage, which has been occupied for years by the dynamic (and opinionated) vocalist Natalie Maines. more ›

Tonight the Grammy Museum hosts The Drop--a series that previews new music before its release--with the Brooklyn-based The Hold Steady. Following the interview, the band will take questions from the audience and perform several songs acoustically.  Doors at 7:30 pm. The program begins at 8 pm. Tickets are $15. more ›

Have you checked out the sound stage at the Grammy Museum yet? If not, here is a great opportunity to do so. The quaint venue will host legendary guitarist George Thorogood tonight, starting at 8:00 PM. The program will include renditions of his classics interspersed with a casual interview where he will touch on his guitar work, career and other topics. The venue only holds 200 people, so if you are interested, you better get a ticket ASAP. more ›

Tonight the Lomography Gallery Store is holding a workshop on Light-Painting 101 from 7-9 pm. Learn the basics and techniques of Light Painting. A range of Lomographic cameras will be used to achieve amazing analogue results; borrow a Diana F+, Fisheye 2, or Colorsplash camera and hit the neighborhood for hands on instruction. Cost: $10 (students only $7) includes a roll of film, a loaner camera and a 10% coupon to use at the Lomography Gallery Store. more ›

Happy Mardi Gras, everyone! Check out LAist's suggestions on where and how to celebrate tonight before Lent starts tomorrow. more ›

Which music dominates the L.A. radio airwaves? Some folks might be surprised to learn that regional Mexican outlets like La Nueva 101.9 FM have long dominated the scene. The phenomena dates back a good 15 years when La X 97.9 FM (now La Raza) broke into the top spot in the ratings, a first for a Spanish language station. Since then, the popularity of such stations has only grown, a reflection of not only the increasing Spanish speaking Latino population in the area, but also the appeal of the music. more ›

21 can be a great year for just about anyone. Especially if that ‘anyone’ is Elvis. more ›

Last year, Crumbs released an Elvis cupcake, complete with fried peanut butter, in honor of his birthday, which is today. This year, along with the traditional laying of flowers at his Hollywood star, the Grammy Museum is opening a photography exhibit featuring pictures of the king in 1956 when he was 21. more ›

Following next week's release of Ringo Starr's self-produced album, Y Not, the Beatles drummer be making an appearance on January 19th at the Grammy Museum's intimate 200-seat theatre for an on-stage interview and performance, backed by Ben Harper and the Relentless 7. The museum's Executive Direcotr, Robert Santelli, will interview Starr, followed by audience questions. Then Starr, Harper and the band will play a few songs. The event is part of the “An Evening With…" series, which in the past has included Brian Wilson, Annie Lennox, Dwight Yoakam, Smokey Robinson. In addition to Harper, Y Not features Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart, Don Was, Joss Stone and Richard Marx. more ›

The GRAMMY Museum and Ozomatli teamed up on Saturday afternoon to give area kids a musical treat. Ozomatli's performance was part of the GRAMMY Museum's Musical Explorations initiative which aims at teaching families about music. more ›

It’s time for The Moth’s Westside storytelling edition tonight at 7:30 pm at the Air Conditioned Supper Club. Hosted by Brian Finklestein, people have a chance to tell a story--not standup or a reading--on the subject of “Ambition.” Admission is $7. more ›

Since February, the Grammy Museum has hosted a special exhibit featuring some of Michael Jackson's glitzy clothes. It was scheduled to come down this summer, but following his death, the media storm jumped onto the museum--even Larry King did a live episode from there--and the exhibit turned into one of the city's various ad hoc memorial points (other ones included his Hollywood Star and the Encino family compound). more ›

Colombian musician-songwriter Marta Gomez headlines the inaugural Latin Recording Academy Showcase at The GRAMMY Museum's Sound Stage at 7:30. Gomez's repertoire incorporates a variety of musical styles ranging from cumbias to the Cuban son. Tonight's interactive, acoustic performance will give audience members a chance to not only hear her music, but also ask questions about her influences, career or other matters of interest. Concert is FREE, but you do need to call/e-mail in advance to reserve a spot: 1.213.765.6830 or programs@grammymuseum.org more ›

The Grammy Museum hosts bandleader and music icon Herb Alpert and singer Lani Hall tonight at 8 pm. The duo will talk about their careers, collaborative work and their new album together, Anything Goes. There will be a Q&A after the discussion, and they’ll perform a few songs. Tickets are $20; $15 for members. more ›

Matthew Sweet and Bangles vocalist Susanna Hoffs head to the GRAMMY Museum tonight to unveil their newest project “Under The Covers Vol. 2,” as part of the Museum’s program “The Drop.”; The duo will take part in an onstage interview, participate in an audience Q&A and perform selections from their new CD. The new release features 16 of their favorite tunes from the 1970s. The event begins at 8 pm, and tickets are $14.95. more ›

Up to a million people were expected to be hanging around the perimeter of Michael Jackson's memorial service this morning at the Staples Center. But walking downtown streets a few blocks away, the scene was relatively normal, save for the heavy police presence, the constant drone of helicopters and a handful of vendors selling Michael Jackson buttons and t-shirts. more ›

On the heels of the Grammy Museum's attendance spike--thanks to their Michael Jackson exhibit--today its operators and curators celebrated, along with City Councilmembers Richard Alarcon, Tom LaBonge and Jan Perry, the declaration of the first Ritchie Valens Day. more ›

Tonight at Family, Jacob Ciocci (of the Paper Rad art collective) presents a new 20-mix of original videos and animations, and will perform 'I Let My Nightmares Go' featuring video and dance moves that “grapple with mental demons, web 2.0, G.O.D., 21st-century breakdown, real lies and fake truths, cartoon violence, and awareness bracelets.” Music will be provided by David Wightman/Fortress of Amplitude. The free screening/performance starts at 7 pm. more ›

In light of Michael Jackson's death, a small and recently closed exhibit featuring some of the pop star's wardrobe selections made a return yesterday at the Grammy Museum in downtown LA. Fans, the media and even one impersonator flocked the museum Friday, increasing the usual attendance and drawing more interest for the weekend when even larger crowds are expected. Michael Jackson: HIStyle features the suit worn on the Thriller album cover, two gloves and more. In the same rotunda, an original Grammy documentary repeats throughout the day. more ›

LAist is stoked about the three-day style and design event Dwell on Design, taking place today, tomorrow, and Sunday. Exhibits, panels, and special events are taking place all over town, and while we're most excited about some of the on stage speakers and panels this weekend and tomorrow night's movie & mobile food event, things get underway today at the Convention Center for the Dwell on Design Exhibition, open to Trade and Dwell Conference Plus ticket holders only until 8 p.m. more ›

The Grammy Museum welcomes veteran singer-songwriter Marshall Crenshaw for “The Drop” -- a program where musicians talk about their recently or upcoming releases. Crenshaw will discuss and perform selections from his newest album Jaggedland. He’ll be in conversation with Museum Executive Director Robert Santelli about the songwriting, collaboration, and production behind his first new studio recording in six years. He’ll also take a few questions from the audience. The event begins at 8 pm tonight, and tickets are $14.95 ($12 for members). more ›

This summer marks the 40th anniversary of Woodstock and across the nation, museums will be opening exhibits about the famous event. The Grammy Museum downtown is taking a new twist and when their exhibit opens this August, it will be through the eyes of festival goers--the people's history of Woodstock, in a sense. more ›

The Wooster Group returns to REDCAT tonight with La Didone, a daring production of Francesco Cavalli's 1641 Baroque opera mashed up with elements of Italian director Mario Bava's 1965 sci-fi cult film Terrore nello spazio (Planet of the Vampires). This West Coast premiere of La Didone runs through June Tonight’s performance begins at 8:30 pm, and tickets are $40-55, with student discounts available. more ›

There's an amazing number of events going tonight for a Tuesday. Check 'em out: TALK* Legendary film director/producer Roger Corman, whose works include the original Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and Deathrace 2000 (1975), has written his autobiography How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime. He’ll talk about his filmmaking, his book and other topics with Aïda Ruilova, a filmmaker known for her "gothic aesthetic." This free program begins at 7 pm. more ›

“Occupation Dreamer: The Photography of Moshe Brakha” is on display at the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE now through Aug. 9. The exhibit--the first one ever for the museum--includes 30 photographs of now-famous musicians taken by Brakha between 1976 and 1986 in New York, London, Beverly Hills, Dallas and Hollywood. Among the subjects: Madonna, The Beastie Boys, Black Flag, Miles Davis, Sting, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, Madness, The Ramones, Run DMC, Sammy Hagar, Neil Young and The Thompson Twins. more ›