A number of literature and film events are happening around town tonight: Author Keshni Kashyap discusses her new graphic novel at USC; actor Man von Sydow takes part in a discussion in between a double feature of his films; Jonah Hill and Brad Pitt discuss Moneyball at LACMA; and Wael Ghonim talks about the Arab Spring. Read on for all the details. more ›

It's Friday! Finally. Let's kick the weekend off right with an eclectic slate of events in LA tonight. We found out that StoryCorps founder Dave Isay reads at Skylight Books; Slake gets a little dirty (with audience participation!); La Luz de Jesus opens a new group show; and a little opera in Santa Monica. Read on for all the details. more ›

TGIF! We found a few events around town that piqued our interest, and might tempt you as well. There's an exhibition on Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Trio: The Creation of the Universe," and an event with Reed himself at CSULB; Pauline Kael's biographer speaks, and there's yet another Cirque in town. Read on for all the details. more ›

TGIF! We found a few art and theater events happening tonight, including fairy tales for grownups, a site-specific performance at the Getty, and a new Cirque comes to town, under a big top in Santa Monica. Read on for all the details. more ›

Here's what's on our radar tonight: An art show inspired by "Adult Swim"; a Zombie Joe's theater production; a panel on L.A.'s Emerging Alternative Creative Economy; and Andrea Cremer signs her final book in the "Nightshade" series. Read on for the details. more ›

We've uncovered some great events around LA tonight. Most are arts related, including an opening reception for Paul Insect's show at Post No Bills; Geek girls unite at Meltdown Comics; writer Adam Gopnik is in conversation with director and producer Ed Zwick; Bill Murray tribute art at Gallery 1988 in Melrose; and AFI Fest kicks off with a gala screening. Read on for all the details. more ›

Here's what LA has in store for us on a Monday night: Joan Osborne and Dar Williams team up at the El Rey, It's a School Night at Bardot, learning Samoan and Tahitian music and dance at the Ford Amphitheatre and hear a lecture about the intersection of Hollywood and politics. Read on for all the details. more ›

It’s a School Night features an evening of both live music and DJ sets at Bardot in Hollywood. On tonight’s bill are DJs Chris Douridas (9 pm), Gayngs (11 pm) and Them Jeans (12:30 am). Live sets by Agnes Obel (10:30 pm) and The Elected at midnight. Free with RSVP. Set times subject to change. more ›

The second installment of The Los Angeles Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats welcomes LA historian/pop culture enthusiast Charles Phoenix and actress Susan Luckey to a screening of The Music Man at the Los Angeles Theater tonight at 8 pm. The Technicolor version of the Broadway hit musical stars Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett and a young Ron Howard. The theater is normally closed to the public, so tonight might be your chance to check it out first-hand. Doors at 7 pm. Tickets going fast: $20. more ›

Magician Ricky Jay and playwright David Mamet are back together on stage at 7 pm at the Hammer Museum tonight. The long-time friends and collaborators—who met up at Largo last year—will probably discuss their works, their friendship and the road to “success” (but who really knows?) The program is free, but tickets are required and available one hour prior to start time. Limit one ticket per person on a first come, first served basis. Parking is available under the museum for $3 after 6 pm. more ›

Gallery1988: Melrose presents the solo exhibit Baggage & Freedom with works by Kansas City artist D. Ross aka Scribe. The opening reception will be held tonight from 7-10 pm, when G1988 unveils his paintings and sculptures. This show will run through July 1.
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Tonight in LA: Karen Russell and Salvatore Scibona at the Hammer Museum; the LA premiere of 'The Writer'; a new exhibition opens at the LAXART annex, and the LA Conservancy's Last Remaining Seats movie series starts tonight. more ›

Mindshare—the monthly meeting where brain power meets beer—takes over the Los Angeles Theatre Center tonight. There are a number of talks, installations, games and music planned, including TV producer Dan O'Shannon (Cheers, Frasier, Modern Family) speaking on Just What the Hell Are You All Laughing At? The Science of Comedy; and porn journo Marty Barrett (AKA Gram Ponante) on Oh The Things You Didn't Know About Porn Valley! Tickets: $20 and $25 at the door. more ›

Culture in the Canyon at the Chautauqua Series presents the program A Sustainable Future for Los Angeles tonight at 7:30 pm. Jessica Hall, landscape planner and co-author of Seeking Streams: A landscape framework for the upper Ballona Creek Watershed, discusses the relationship between landscape, waterways and urban areas to help bring a sustainable future Los Angeles. Meet at Woodland Hall at Temescal Gateway Park. Free. more ›

Tonight at 7 pm, Book Soup hosts Comedy Central’s Demetri Martin who’ll discuss his new book: This Is a Book. The collection of essays, poetry, musings, miscellany and drawings gently skewers contemporary society and life in general. We heard gems from the book during an NPR interview with Martin: "The bird, the bee, the running child are all the same to the sliding glass door" or “May no man’s deathbed be a futon” more ›

The Middle East has been a hotbed of sociopolitical activities as of late, from the uprisings in Egypt--spawning similar uprisings in countries such as Libya--to the continued conflicts surrounding the “war on terror,” which reached a pinnacle this past weekend with the killing of Osama bin Laden. However, some issues, including the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, have been put on the back burner in the media. This Saturday, May 7th, Noam Chomsky will be giving a talk at UCLA discussing the Palestine-Israel conflict. more ›

The dance-theater experience Burn the Floor opens tonight at the Pantages Theatre for a two-week run. The show features 20 dancers who take the audience through dance history from the waltz to the paso doble to swing. Choreographed by Jason Gilkison, a guest choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance in the US & Australia. Tonight at 8 pm. Tickets: $25-$78. more ›

TEDxManhattanBeach (an independently organized Ted event) comes to El Camino College tonight in Torrance from 6-9:30 pm. The topic? Vitality and living longer and better. There are “blue zones” worldwide that have the highest concentrations of people 100-year-old and older. But how, why and what’s the secret to creating more zones? Tickets: $18. more ›

I think the first thing that impressed me about Andrew Gibbs was his youth and energy. I’ve been reading his blog, thedieline.com, for the last couple years, and it’s so comprehensive, professional, and full of content, I somehow assumed he had to be older than 25. But he’s been ahead of the curve since he graduated high school early at 16, so he’s been out and about longer than most guys his age. more ›

As a graphic designer, I’ve been reading Alissa Walker in various design publications for years. She’s been somewhat of a household name for designers and architects, but when I started seeing her name pop up with other credits, like Good, Fast Company, Longshot Magazine, helping produce DnA for KCRW, speaking on and moderating panel discussions—it seemed like she was suddenly everywhere. This is a great thing, however, because she writes about the things I love: Los Angeles, design, walking & gelato! I got my complimentary Coolhaus bacon ice cream sandwich (yum!), poured myself a coffee and got settled in for her talk as part of the Creative Mornings Los Angeles series. more ›

Suffer from last-minute indecision and need a little help getting some plans made for tonight? If so, you might be interested in a community boutique shopping event in Melrose Village, or a Frank Perry double feature at the Egyptian, or even the chance to listen to a pro opera singer...talk. We have all the details! more ›

The release of the new book JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters by James W. Douglass has been timed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s election. The book presents a “compelling account of why JFK was assassinated—and why the unmasking of this truth remains crucial for the future of our country and the world.” Tonight Douglass joins filmmaker Oliver Stone, author Lisa Pease, and Orbis Books Publisher Robert Ellsberg for a discussion, Q&A and book signing on JFK’s assassination and legacy. At the Saban Theatre at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 without book and $32 with a copy of the book. more ›

Tonight at 7:30 pm, Cinema Speakeasy holding a screening of The Two Escobars at Laemmle Music Hall 3. The documentary covers the worlds of politics, drugs and sports and how the lives of two Columbians named Escobar--one a criminal and one a soccer star--became intertwined with tragic results. There will be a Q & A with director Jeff Zimbalist following the movie. Tickets: $7 and $1 for a small popcorn. more ›

The Reprise Theatre Company is holding a one-night only benefit performance with A Party with Marty tonight at 8 pm at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. It’s a evening of comedy and song with Martin Short featuring Jason Alexander. Additional performers include Jeff Babko, (pianist from The Jimmy Kimmel Show), Mary Birdsong (Reno 911) and Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm). Tickets: $40-$150. more ›

The Abbey, The Trevor Project, Pristine Videos and the city of West Hollywood want to let gay teens to know that suicide doesn’t have to be the only option. The Abbey’s turning its side bar into a video studio for three nights--beginning tonight--as it encourages the people to come in and film videos of support for Dan Savage’s It Gets Better Project. The Abbey also will hold raffles to benefit The Trevor Project. Videos will be filmed from 4-9 pm through Wednesday night. For more information about The Trevor Project, please visit. more ›

MEATBALLS* Central SAPC (Social Aid and Pleasure Club) inaugurates Meatball Mondays tonight beginning at 5 pm. Each week, they’re pairing gourmet meatballs from the Great Balls On Tires Food Truck with craft beer. There will also be... more ›

Nerd Night is a new informal gathering of the minds, where people drink while listening and learning from scheduled speakers. Love their slogan “Be there and be square.” Tonight’s presentations are: The not-so ancient art of Karaoke, Imaging the Total Synthesis of Diurea and Jim Henson, The Great Muppet Capo. 7:30 pm at the Air Conditioned Supper Club in Venice. Cover charge: $10 at the door. more ›

Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company, stars in the musical They’re Playing Our Song, which opens tonight at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse. Directed by Lonny Price, there’s an all-star case behind the show: Book by Neil Simon, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager. Runs through Oct. 10. A handful of seats are available for tonight’s opening performance. Tickets: $66.75. more ›

Tonight at 7:30 pm, Rosanne Cash presents and signs her book Composed at the Saban Theate in Beverly Hills. In her memoir, Cash writes about her upbringing in Southern California as the child of country legend Johnny Cash and of her relationships with her mother and her famous stepmother, June Carter Cash. Tickets: $20 without book / $35 with book. Tomorrow, she’ll be appearing at Borders in Torrance at 7pm (free). more ›

There’s a launch party for McSweeney's Issue #35 at 826LA and Stories books in Echo Park. Enjoy food and drink while listening to a discussion and signing with McSweeney's contributor, Ellie Kemper (The Office) and others. The new issue also features new stories from Steven Millhauser, Roddy Doyle, Hilton Als and a number of Norwegian writers. 8 pm. Free to attend, but McSweeney's Quarterly #35 is $20+tax. more ›