Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays is an event that could only happen in a city like Los Angeles. Since Dec. 6, this weekly performance has combined the talents of actors and playwrights to shine a spotlight on the issue of marriage equality. The writing is compelling, thought-provoking, humorous and relatable—regardless of one's background. more ›

Tig Notaro, Craig vs Wild Kyle Dunnigan and Sarah Silverman are the hookers n' coupe de villes of comedy. They will never disappoint. Ever. If fall down a fight of stairs funny is what you crave in your live comedic experience, it is essential to suit up for tonight's special Thanksgiving edition of Tig & Friends at Largo at the Coronet. The ridiculous round-up of performers also includes Maria Bamford, Jen Kirkman and musical guest Jill Sobule, the original girl who kissed another girl and liked it and wrote a song. more ›

Friday night's lineup at Largo at the Coronet will bring together a journalist, a whistleblower and a singer/songwriter, and the results will be nothing less than riveting. In addition to the intellectual stimulation, a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Veterans Project, a local non-profit committed to helping military veterans reintegrate into society when they come home. more ›

Englishman Bert Jansch, for nearly fifty years considered one of the world’s great practitioners of the acoustic guitar, has been spending an unusual amount of time in the United States this year, much of it as the guest and opening act of Neil Young. Young not only acknowledged Jansch’s “Needle of Death” as the source of an untintentional/ subliminal rip in his own “Ambulance Blues” years ago, he’s brought Jansch on stage to perform as a duet, as if to erase any lingering doubts: even I rip off some stuff once in a while, and some of it was from this guy. (One only wishes Jimmy Page might be as generous with the acknowlegements.) more ›

It's going to be a great couple of months for book lovers in LA. In addition to the Festival of Books this weekend, it's just been announced that David Mamet, Chuck and Bret Easton Ellis will be taking the stage at Largo at the Coronet this May and June. These won't be your average book readings--they'll include special guests, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit PEN Center USA. more ›

The holidays seem to start earlier and earlier with each passing year. Soon after the Halloween decorations are taken down, cities become wrapped in tinsel and holiday music takes over the airwaves. However, amidst the grand seasonal spectacle, sometimes Hanukkah receives only a token decoration or the occasional play of the "The Dreidel Song." It is for that reason that Rob Tannenbaum and David Fagin formed Good for the Jews, a musical comedy group determined to "put the Ha! in Hanukkah." more ›

When couples celebrate a major anniversary, it's often said that they've been making beautiful music together for a long time. In the case of Over the Rhine, that description is literally as well as figuratively true. The core of the group, which was named after a neighborhood in Cincinnati, is comprised of songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Linford Detweiler and his wife, songwriter/vocalist Karin Bergquist. This year marks the band's 20th anniversary. more ›

For the last 15 months, "Largo: A Film" has traveled the worldwide film festival circuit, and next week it's finally coming home. This award-winning documentary captures the spirit of the old Largo on Fairfax Ave., offering up the venue's signature blend of music and comedy. The event will take place Thursday, Oct. 29, at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are only $10, and the proceeds will support Autism Speaks. more ›

In the years since Joel Hodgson's departure from Mystery Science Theater 3000, rumors of his return to riffing have continued to surface. Then in 2007, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of dreadful B-movies, Hodgson and members of the original MST3K team returned to the riffing game under the name Cinematic Titanic. Thus far, they've released seven DVDs and expanded into live events Later this month, they will take over Largo at the Coronet to riff on five films in five nights. more ›

LAist has just gotten word that a handful of tickets just became available for the three sold-out Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers bluegrass performances at Largo at the Coronet next week. These exclusive LA concerts will take place Tuesday (Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.) and Wednesday (Sept. 30 and 8:30 p.m.) Martin, who released his first full-length banjo CD earlier this year, recently performed with the Steep Canyon Rangers on A Prairie Home Companion. And as the New York Times highlighted earlier this year, among country and bluegrass musicians, Martin is "regarded as a master of a difficult five-fingered playing style." To reserve your tickets, call Largo at the Coronet at (310) 855-0350. more ›

Christina Courtin first captured attention as a Juilliard-trained violinist, playing everything from the classics to a piece that ends with a smashed violin. Yet all the while, she harbored a secret desire to sing, and as she branched out into this arena, she began building a fan base that started with fellow musicians and quickly grew. Courtin will be playing Largo at the Coronet on Tuesday night, and LAist spoke with her earlier this month to get the scoop on her new CD. more ›

Largo at the Coronet has hosted many benefits over the years, and the one this Saturday will feature Largo's first-ever evening of duets, with the proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Largo owner Mark Flanagan told LAist that the evening will include a number of duets that Fiona Apple and Jon Brion have been working on, in addition to pairings featuring artists such as John C. Reilly, Tom Brosseau, Mike Viola and a surprise guest or two. more ›

In Los Angeles, being a Largo person is much like being a Mac person--those who experience it can't help but buy into its philosophy and talk about it to everyone they know. Under the watchful eye of Belfast-born owner Mark Flanagan, this music and comedy venue has evolved through the years, with each iteration nudging it closer to Flanagan's ideal. One year ago, Largo moved from its previous location on Fairfax to the Coronet Theatre on La Cienega. The historic theater, which features both a large and a small stage more ›

Last year, LAist sat down with singer/songwriter/film composer Peter Salett, to discuss his solo albums and his scoring work on films such as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Role Models." Salett's new project is a collaboration with celebrated jazz musician Larry Goldings, who has released 10 solo records and worked with everyone from Madeleine Peyroux to James Taylor. The Salett/Goldings partnership got a kick-start when they met up one day to "maybe write a song," and it quickly turned into a full record. Their upcoming "Carriage House Sessions" album is a collection of originals with a few American songbook selections sprinkled throughout the record. Tonight, Salett and Goldings will begin a weekly residency in Largo at the Coronet's Little Room. LAist caught up with Salett earlier today for a mini interview about this new collaboration. more ›

It's not often that an accomplished Grammy-winning musician waits two decades to release a solo album, but in the case of Sara Watkins, the timing has worked out perfectly. Watkins has been performing professionally since the age of eight, and in the years since, people the world over have fallen in love with her emotive voice and adept fiddle playing. In addition to the 18 years she spent in the band Nickel Creek with brother Sean Watkins and Chris Thile, LA residents may also know her work from one of the best shows in town--the Watkins Family Hour evenings at Largo at the Coronet. When Nickel Creek went on hiatus in 2007, Watkins crossed paths with John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, who told her he wanted to be the one to produce her first solo record. The result of this effort is Watkins' self-titled solo debut, which combines original songs and instrumentals with inspired covers. Her voice absolutely shines throughout this disc, and her most brilliant moments are those when she is somehow able to convey a sense of hopeful melancholy. LAist spoke with Watkins last week to learn about the new album, where she likes to shop for clothes in LA, and her gig at Largo this Thursday night. more ›

It's always fun to spot the first-timers at one of Jon Brion's Friday night shows. They're usually the ones with their jaws hanging open as they try to figure out how he's looping instruments into a 10-layered live performance, or how he's using the piano as percussion. Perhaps the greatest moments of awe occur as they realize he's improvising something that's never been heard before, and will probably never be heard again. It's no wonder some people have seen his show hundreds of times and keep coming back for more! LAist's two-part interview with Brion followed the same pattern as his live show--which often starts with a solo set, then incorporates other musicians during the second half. In part one of the interview, Brion discussed his early experiences with music and improvisation. In this second part, he talks about some of his favorite musicians--from the 60s to the modern day. In addition, LAist asked him about his sock collection, how he discovers new music and why he loves Los Angeles. more ›

Describing the breadth of Jon Brion's career can be a trying task. He's a man who wears many hats--among them multi-instrumentalist, producer (Aimee Mann, Kanye West, Dido), film scorer (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Punch-Drunk Love) and singer/songwriter (Meaningless). But to Brion, it's all one body of work, and he's most happy when he's making music. Brion is also one of the reasons why LA residents can call themselves geographically fortunate, thanks to his weekly gigs at Largo. Each Friday night show is its own animal--a chemistry of sound that includes everything from one-man-band live looping to special guests. It's a rare opportunity to hear new takes on old classics, as well as to witness the creation of new music on the spot. Earlier this month, LAist sat down with Brion a couple hours before he took the stage at Largo. As the venue began to come to life for the night, he opened up about his early experiences with music, his first night at Largo and his love of improvisation. more ›

Although it sometimes takes two or three listens to truly appreciate and feel familiarity with an album, Lisa Hannigan’s debut, Sea Sew, is a different story. Hers is a rare record that feels comfortable on the first listen—sort of like slipping on a pair of warm, fuzzy slippers and curling up next to the fire on a blustery day. LAist caught up with Hannigan last week to chat about sewing, venn diagrams and what it feels like to be drenched in chocolate. more ›

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Although many people know Largo at the Coronet as a music venue, their comedy lineup has always been strong—and over the years the venue has hosted everyone from Tenacious D to Flight of the Conchords. In November, Largo will feature comedian and Forgetting Sarah Marshall star Russell Brand, who quickly became an audience favorite during a Greg Proops Chat Show last summer. Brand's upcoming gigs are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, Nov. 2 and 3 and reservation information is available via the Largo website. more ›

On her sixth solo studio album, The Works, Jonatha Brooke lends her unmistakable timbre and solid songwriting skills to lyrics penned by Woody Guthrie more than 50 years ago. With the blessing and assistance of Guthrie’s daughter, Nora, Brooke scoured the Guthrie archives to create one of the most intriguing albums of the year. Throughout the 13 tracks, Brooke’s style intertwines with Guthrie’s words to reveal a man who was at once passionate and flawed, frightened and brash. more ›

If you haven't caught a show at Largo at the Coronet yet, now might be a good time. Their recently posted, insanely good schedule for the next three months includes performers such as Randy Newman, Loudon Wainwright III, Joan as Police Woman, Maya Rudolph & Fred Armisen, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo, Jon Brion, The Ditty Bops, Colin Hay, The Watkins Family Hour feat. Fiona Apple & Dan Wilson, Greg Proops and Flight of the Conchords. more ›

As LAist announced yesterday, rumors have been swirling that the Flight of the Conchords will be joining Jon Brion during one of his Largo at the Coronet shows tonight. Today's message on the Largo phone line confirmed that Brion's first show at 8:30 p.m. will also feature "a couple of crazy bastards from New Zealand." Some tickets will be available for $30 cash at the door, and those wanting a confirmed seat should probably arrive when the ticket booth opens at 7:15 p.m. Should be a great night, and those who have never seen a Brion show (and those who have, for that matter) will be in for a treat. more ›

Saturday night’s inaugural Greg Proops Chat Show at the new Largo at the Coronet Theater was a fun three-hour ride featuring music, storytelling and, of course, comedy. more ›