There's a launch party for a new skate exhibit tonight in Silver Lake. / Photo by C-Monster via LAist's flickr pool. KAYAKING + LA River: Supporters are welcome to watch a group of fearless kayakers navigate the LA River – from the Valley to Long Beach. At 3 pm today, there’s a kick-off ceremony/"launch" at the LA River Headwaters on the overpass @ Owensmouth in Canoga Park. The kayakers will demonstrate to developers and......

On Monday the NY Times reported that ABC and Cox Communications are collaborating on a video-on-demand service with disabled fast-forward, meaning, yeah, that you can't skip the commercials. This isn't that new an idea as Time Warner Cable has been doing the equivalent with two features called "Start Over" and "Look Back" (after using them IMHO they stink). This is another example of old media protectionist attitudes that think the strategy is to avoid being......

Lots of cross-town and intrastate rivalry in sports this weekend but precious little else. If you like dogs, check out the dog show on Discovery Saturday and Sunday Tonight - Friday "White Christmas" (TCM, 5:00 p.m.) Miracle Legion had it right about the wish to be Danny Kaye, a whole night of his flicks on TCM including "Wonder Man" and "Up In Arms" "Ice Wars 2006: USA vs The World" (CBS, 8:00 p.m.) US......

FRIDAY • Dead Meadow, Silversun Pickups and The Clean Prophets are at the Troubadour tonight at 8 PM. Tickets are $10 advance, $12 day of. • Spaceland features The 88, Derby and Rocco Deluca, plus a late night happy hour, with drink specials and no cover after 12:15 AM. • The Echo has the Los Abandoned Winter Formal, also featuring Gitch and DJ Santi, tonight at 8 PM. Tickets are $8. • Baritone Mattias......

THURSDAY • Collective Soul and Driveblind are at The Roxy tonight at 8 PM. Tickets are $10. • Local band Nest will be taking the stage at The Mint at 8 PM sharp. Cover is $8. • The Egyptian Theatre is screening Kurosawa's classic The Seven Samurai at 7:30 PM. Click here for our list of events for the week.......