Bill Bene, a former amateur draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, had agreed to plead guilty on federal charges he operated a counterfeit karaoke business and didn't pay taxes on sales. more ›

If dinner and reruns of Pretty Woman don’t sound appealing to you love birds, here are some alternative options to woo your significant other. To everyone else, these events are a wonderful opportunity to wash out that depression with some hard liquor and like-minded individuals as you try to fall in bed with a stranger. more ›

It's the first Monday of October, and Pacific Standard Time is now in full effect. While some of the art fairs continue today, we found a few non-art-related events tonight, including live music and DJs at Bardot, cosplay karaoke, Santa Monica history lesson and an event with cast of The League. more ›

Good old fashioned game night fun isn't relegated to the basement anymore thanks to Vodvil, Fairfax's new kid on the block restaurant and bar. Combining the style sensibility of a well-appointed 1960s ultimate swingin' rec room and modern amenities like screen displays, Vodivil creates an instant community while you eat and drink thanks to rounds of group games led by an engaging host. more ›

A 24-year-old man suspected in the shooting death of a man outside a Koreatown karaoke bar was sentenced to 54 years to life. In June 2009, Louis Woo Lee was called by friends after a fight broke out outside M2 Cafe & Karaoke on 6th St. at Manhattan in K-town. Lee showed up with a gun and fired away, killing one and wounding another. more ›

Inattention to songbook detail has reached a new low in Eagle Rock. All Star Lanes, you're not even trying. But language is interpretive, like science and evolution, and we at LAist respect an inspired typo. So go forth and take liberties with music publishing credits and spelling. This is your world, All Star Lanes. We're just living in it. Ten amazing points for keeping it dive. more ›

If you need a break from shopping or the bustle of December, then here are a few of tonight's options: SCREENING Tonight at 8 pm, the ArcLight Hollywood screens the Billy Bob Thornton heart-warming holiday classic Bad Santa. Thornton is a conman who as a cussing and vile mall would rather steal (and drink) the good cheer of the holidays -- until he meets a pudgy kid that he nicknames the Kid. 8pm. more ›

Let me get this straight, Jewel’s Catch One--comfy sofas surrounding the stage area? Bauhaus in the song book? Goths and Dodgers fans alike uniting over a mutual love of Robert Smith? A cupholder on the microphone? A cupholder on the freaking microphone?! You trying to get me to move in or something? It’s a good thing this only goes down once a week. Mark your calendars, creatures of the night--every Monday night the overlords of Ground Control take over the venerable Jewel’s Catch One for what must surely be the most offbeat karaoke night in town. more ›

Booth, bar or bar mitzvah—there’s more than one way to enjoy (or merely endure) karaoke, and what better place to explore this cherished international pastime than the entertainment capital of the world? Singing in public is daunting enough without having to worry about compromising your vocal cords and your blood alcohol level in pursuit of the ultimate karaoke experience, so we’re taking some of the guess work out of it for you in our series, Is This Thing On? So far, we’ve rocked the mic at The Cottage and the Smog Cutter. This week’s pick: The Happy Ending Bar. more ›

Before the Smog Cutter was East Hollywood’s most infamously decrepit karaoke joint, it was reportedly one of Charles Bukowski’s dives of choice. While this has yet to be corroborated by the ninety-year-old hunchbacked regular who apparently takes a vow of silence between spirited performances of Clarence Carter’s “Stroke It,” one look at the dingy, faux-wood paneled interior and world-weary patrons seems like evidence enough. You may not be as lucky as I am and live spitting distance from the place, but if you share old Hank’s penchant for stiff drinks, small time hustlers and hard women, you just may have found yourself a home away from home. more ›

If The Cottage’s proximity to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles and Oki’s Dog is a deterrent rather than a boon, then I would caution you against setting foot in this unpolished gem of a dive bar. If, however, you are one of the elite few who crave trans fats and public humiliation in equal measure, then where the hell have you been, soul mate? Pull up a stool, plug that frown with a Miller High Life and prepare to be awed by the breadth of the bar’s song selection, the enthusiasm of the crowd and the lenience of the conspicuously posted “No dancing” policy. more ›

A late night shooting in Koreatown has claimed one life, and left another person wounded. The incident took place just after 2:00 in the morning at the M2 Cafe & Karaoke bar at 4001 W. Sixth Street, according to KTLA. "One of the victims was shot in the head and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was declared dead. The other victim suffered a graze wound to his head and was expected to survive." No arrests were made at the scene. M2 is described by one Yelp reviewer as being a bar/lounge up front with the karaoke rooms in the rear; it is not clear from available reports if the shooting took place in or outside the venue. more ›

Los Angeles Times Editorial Board Member John Healey moderates the Zócalo discussion “How Will Labor Discord Change Hollywood?” tonight at 7:30 pm at the ArcLight Sherman Oaks. Zócalo’s panel of Hollywood and high-tech experts will explore why talent unions are having so much trouble reaching a deal with the studios, what it means for talent unions in future negotiations, and how Hollywood will fare during the economic crisis and in its transition to the digital age. The event is free, but reservations are recommended. more ›

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If you're at any LA Film Festival events this weekend, keep your eyes and ears open for the RVIP Lounge. The ridiculously fun, pimped-out ride, is appearing outside film festival venues and events, Friday through Sunday. more ›

It's the last week of the Los Angeles Comedy Festival in Hollywood. There are two shows tonight (one at 8:00 p.m., another at 9:30 p.m.) that include 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors, Dry Hump and The Comedy Jesus Show. more ›

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LACMA hosts the Seventh Annual Young Directors Night featuring eight short films competing to win the Art of Film award. It's a very important night for these eight new filmmakers hoping to get their name out there and present their work to a creative audience. more ›

Anatomy Riot is an almost-monthly series of dance/performance works and videos in a casual atmosphere. Tonight is the 21st installment curated Meg Wolfe and featuring Rebecca Alson-Milkman, Catch Me Bird Dance Theater, d. Sabela Grimes, Arianne Hoffmann, Tekla Kostek, Dance Good Damn it, Sohini Ray and Mitsu Salmon. more ›

"The ghost of Stephen Foster" - Squirrel Nut Zippers Flogging Molly, The Bouncing Souls, Dead to Me, Punk Rock Karaoke @ The Avalon Dead Sara @ Knitting Factory Fuel @ The Grove of Anaheim Squirrel Nut Zippers @ El Rey Theatre Blues Traveler @ Galaxy Concert Theater Eilen Jewell, Rich Wyman, Evan Stone & His Translucent Ham Sandwich Band @ The Mint Pete Yorn, Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, Donavan Frankenreiter, Phantom Planet, Peter... more ›

Burbank is not exactly known for its nightlife. Most people head into Hollywood and Los Feliz when the weekend comes. But Burbank is not completely devoid of watering holes should the need for a stiff drink or a little bit of entertainment hit you midweek. (More after the jump)... 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 ›

Last week I went to check out Bar Star Karaoke at Play Nightclub on Yucca and Cahuenga in Hollywood. I've been to Play a bit before, usually on Thursday nights (and a couple of times during it's previous incarnation as Red Buddha). The vibe is always very chill and relaxed for a club smack dab in the middle of Hollywood and frequented by the future rulers of Tinsletown. Play is run by managing partner,... more ›

People don't realize until they show up and then leave empty-handed, but most who show up at the Grammys tonight will lose. So for all you losers, and all your loser friends who might not want to go to those glitzy glamorous chi-chi award parties, here are some alternatives where you'll find some locals rocking out and dancing to actual music ZZ Top @ House of Blues Smith's Night @ The Echo Kinky Karaoke... more ›

- The outcome of Long Beach Halloween beatings came out today and some people are not happy (LA Times) more ›

Theres lots of places I've been with friends this year and lots of places I've made my Dad take me when he's out here on business, but dates? Well, 2006 was a pretty dry year for this gal... So here are a few date places I've heard about through my friends who actually do things like..date....So I guess here's my wishlist for 2007... more ›

I still want a hula hoop. But I'll settle for a sweet stash of new music and reissues. Here are the newbies for this festive holiday week. [via All Music] more ›

Everyone loves an outlaw and David Allen Coe is as bad as they get. Practically born in prison, Coe has been slinging around racial epithets and dirty songs before it became trendy. And thanks to Red Peters and the fact that he can't be fined, Howard Stern has been playing one of Coe's classics "Fuckin in the Butt". Beneficiary of an opening spot from a recent Kid Rock tour, DAC is showing a new... more ›

With the robust music scene here in the City of Angels, LAist always tries to keep you abreast of all the talent to grace our local venues, in particular the diamonds in the rough that don’t necessarily have the name recognition of a Top 40 act but still maintain the purity of their musical genius. There’s another group of performers that doesn’t get often mentioned but is also a vital part of the musical... more ›

Like Karaoke? Like live music? Like to dress up and embarrass yourself in front of friends and strangers alike? Fantastic, then. Live-band karaoke is for you. The fine folks of S.W.E.A.T. bring you, the people, a special, SKARYOKE! edition of their righteous phenomenon. Safari Sam’s is the place to be tonight. Dress for success and rock, rock on. $5 Photo by trussmonkey via Flickr... more ›