Comic Jimmy Pardo hosts the behind-the-Coco-scenes series, The Pardo Patrol, opens “Conan” for Mr. O’Brien’s live audience, hosts the long-running podcast, Never Not Funny, and is a frequent performer at the UCB Theatre. All efforts are smart and consistently hilarious. And, oh yeah, he's a charitable gentlemen. more ›

Jesse Thorn and his national public radio program, The Sound of Young America, are back from Sundance. This Thursday at 8 p.m., Thorn and a host of his stand-up friends present Laugh Night: A Benefit for Art Share Los Angeles. more ›

Last month, the family-friendly Kidrockers presented a show at The Echo, hosted by comedians Matt Dwyer and Greg Behrendt, with music by The Henry Clay People and the newly Grammy-nominated Silversun Pickups. "Two hometown favorites returning from their respective fall tours, performed together... filling the room with a wall-to-wall mass of kids and their rock-savvy parents, with the Henry Clays modifying their rock 'n roll classicism for the under 18-crowd (lyrical references to beer were quickly and humorously ad-libbed to Hi-C) and the Pickups playing a full-band acoustic set," reported Travis Woods from Web In Front. more ›

Since LAist's last report on Kidrockers, the monthly event entertaining families with live music and stand-up comedy, two more shows have taken place -- a Dangerbird Records presentation with The One AM Radio and Eulogies on April 26th at The Echo, and a special pre-Mother's Day Spa Retreat benefiting Kid's Play International with Le Switch and Afternoons on May 9th at Castle Ivar in Hollywood. more ›

It is no surprise that Jon Brion did not ask for any requests last Tuesday evening. The last time he did that to warm up the crowd for Greg Proops, some wise acre asked for Free Bird. It does not matter that Brion rose to the challenge and melted our faces off with, get this, a piano solo, what matters is that Brion was not going to allow the audience to choose his song again. To be honest, I don't know what he was thinking the first time. Who does he think attends the Greg Proops Chat show, if not smart ass goobers? (For anyone who is offended by that, know that I include myself in this category.) So instead he chose the safe course and sat down at the piano without so much as a glance at the audience, and promptly stunned us all into awed silence with his playing. It must be very handy being able to do that on command. I would even possibly qualify it as a minor superpower. Nothing as flashy as moving objects with your mind, but still very impressive. more ›

Last Sunday was the second edition of Kidrockers, hosted by comedians Seth Herzog (MySpace) and Greg Behrendt (MySpace), with performances by local indie bands The Henry Clay People (MySpace) and The Parson Red Heads (MySpace). more ›

Black Friday, Schmiday. Even with the impending recession, we know you dragged/dragging/will drag your kids to the various malls and outlets in the LA area the whole damn weekend. While you may enjoy the thrill of sabotaging your neighbors shopping cart in hopes of snagging whatever Elmo incarnation is hot this year (call me when he can do my taxes and empty the cat box), your poor offspring cannot be placated with more than one Hot Dog on a Stick. Trust us. more ›

Rocket @ Spaceland Yo La Tengo @ Henry Fonda Civet, Hollowpoint @ The Scene Johnny Polanco @ El Floridita Metal Skool, Damage Inc. @ Key Club Margaret Cho, Greg Behrendt @ Largo Abe Vigoda, National Sunday Law @ Il Corral Wheatus, Melee, Mayday Parade @ Safari Sam's Serenade Me Kaedance, Less Than Zero @ Whisky Kind Hearts & Coronets, I Make the Music @ The Echo Miracle Dolls, VxPxC, Sleepwalkers Local 242 @ Mr.... more ›

Aside from the Vice Presidential debates, there are some events going on around town. If you decide to go out rather than remain home, glued to the TV as Cheney and Edwards duke it out, you can always catch the highlights on the radio while on your way to one of these fine events. more ›