You know it's summer when you can spend all evening strolling through the grounds of The Getty, and folks, that time is upon us. In a statement released today, the museum announced that it will be keeping its doors open until 9:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, beginning June 1 and going until September 21. more ›

It's safe to say that in the event of an earthquake, most Southern Californians are going to be primarily worried about the well-being of their priceless ancient Greek statues. Fortunately, the Getty has our backs, and they've created a video to show you exactly how to preserve your life-sized rendition of a nude man after the hunt. more ›

One of the best parts of an L.A. summer is heading up the hill to The Getty Museum for a night of free, fun music and a dance floor full of diverse people shaking it steps away from an incredible art collection. more ›

Los Angeles isn't exactly lacking when it comes to premiere art venues, a thriving gallery scene, and arts-oriented communities. But according to a recent Top 100 list published by Art Newspaper, only two our museums rank among those around the globe for attendance. more ›

Looking for something cool to do in Los Angeles tonight? We've got a few suggestions, including a double feature of Cool Hand Luke and Dirty Harry at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Plus, we've got a happy hour that will have your first chance to get a discount on tickets to one of the best food events of the year, plus a lecture at the lovely Getty. See what there is to Pencil In tonight... more ›

Firefighters continue to battle the brush fire that is burning in the hills adjacent to the Getty Center, though they are limited to working from the air due to the terrain. more ›

8:00 pm // Wilshire Theatre // 8440 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills // $25 more ›

Do you long for your carefree days taken up by playing Donkey Kong, Pong and other '80s video games? You can't have those days back, but if you are feeling nostalgic, check out the I am 8 bit exhibit. I am 8 bit features works created by over 100 varied artists and inspired by the classic video games of the '80s. Through September 7th. more ›

Last Friday I trundled up in the tram at The Getty Center to see a 'sold out', intimate performance. For the mere cost of parking and a little bumper-to-bumper on the 405, I and my brother from another mother, MX, got to sit in a comfy auditorium and listen to the laconic stylings of ex-punk (no pun intended) troubadour, John Doe. Now, ain't yah jealous? more ›

If you're looking for something free and chill, then catch old school acoustic jazz at Crane's Hollywood Tavern or ride the tram uphill for reggae at The Getty. For jazz of a crazier brand (yet still classic), try the Art Ensemble of Chicago at REDCAT. Speaking of Chitown, three hip-hop artist from there will be at Echoplex. Hip-hop of a different brand can be found at the weirdest space in LA, pehrspace. And for some rock that's just good, check Spaceland and Safari Sam's. more ›

Haven't you always wanted to grow your favorite fruit in your own backyard? more ›

This week, Fodor's online published a little Q & A with editor Jennifer Paull who recently spent a long weekend in our dear city. She wanted to catch up on all that's been recently new to her as a frequent(ish) tourist. Among that was the Griffith Observatory, The Getty Villa, restaurants Osteria Mozza and Röckenwagner Café in Venice and Moss, the high-design housewares store on Melrose. What caught our attention the most, though, was her... more ›

Edward Weston. One of the most brilliant photographers of the 20th Century. Viewing the LACMA exhibit many years ago, I was enamored instantly. The buildings, the nudes, the everyday objects, and his link to Los Angeles stirred up emotions in me that I’ve never forgot. more ›

If you haven't been to The Getty Museum in a while, now may be the time to plan another visit. L.A.-based contemporary artist, Tim Hawkinson, has been showcasing his latest work, Zoopsia (Visual hallucinations of animals) which will be on display until Sept. 9th. The exhibit is anchored by the gargantuan installation of Hawkinson's Uberorgan. Don't confuse this towering work of art for Stephen Baldwin's kidney, built with giant biomorphic balloons and tentacle-like horns that... more ›

Hadrian over at Cinefile in West L.A. just sent us the heads-up for a great event going on at the Silent Movie Theatre this Wednesday, 8/15 at 9pm. Brent Green is an animator from rural Pennsylvania whose unique style has drawn comparisons to Tim Burton and Adam Jones. Hadrian blogs: Brent Green an untrained, completely original animator from rural Pennyslvania, who plays music along with his short films, while narrating them live in freeform,... more ›

The Germs, Dr. Know, Black President, The Diffs, The Politicians @ Safari Sam's The Knitters @ The Getty (rsvp: 310 440-7300) Aimee Mann, Paul Bryan @ Largo Mike Watt & the Missing Men, Bizzart @ The Troubadour The Submarines @ The Echo Lovelikefire, Eskimohunter, Mezzanine Owls @ El Cid Groovy Rednecks, Cheatin' Kind @ JD's Sports Bar Mustard Plug, Buck-O-Nine, Satori, Los Kung Fu Monkeys @ The Knitting Factory Murderland, The VooDuo, Funeral Director... more ›

Sometimes LA is like a bad romantic comedy. You know the one, where the fiance comes to meet the weird-ass parents and the protagonist tries, unsuccessfully, to hide just how crazy they are. (see “The Birdcage”, “Meet The Fockers”, et al). I live a quiet, unassuming writer’s life here. Yet whenever friends from out of town travel through, despite my assurances that I live a perfectly normal life in our sunny, smoggy city, LA seems to go out of its way to roll out an assembly line of “only in LA” clichés the moment they step off the plane. Only when out of town guests are here does that 80s hair rocker with the Skid Row t-shirt come stumbling, stoned, into In-N-Out at 11pm. Every Angelyne sighting I’ve ever had has been while in the company of an out-of-town guest. more ›

Bang Sugar Bang, Present Tense, Underwater City People @ Safari Sam's more ›

“The known center of the universe is Ikea… the whole world is built on consuming and shopping,” local photographer Bill Owens quipped yesterday during a discussion of his photographic odyssey of 1970s suburban sprawl. more ›

La America Tropical, the once-controversial, then painted over mural is coming back to Olvera Street thanks to the city and The Getty: The mural, one of three done during Siquieros' six-month stay in Los Angeles, depicts an Indian being crucified on a double cross topped by an American eagle. The piece, depicting the struggle against imperialism, was considered so controversial at the time that it was painted over shortly after it was finished. Here... more ›

We're just not able to get upset by another story of fat salaries and benefits for museum heads. The latest kerfluffle in the LA Times is about the housing expenditures for the new Getty Museum director, whose rental is $15,000 per month, which is $180,000/year. The Getty purchased a house for him that (oops) was mold-ridden so they're putting him up elsewhere. But if we want to have world-class museums we have to pay world-class salaries & bennies, just like they do in sports, right? The director of MOMA in NY made $617,000 in 2004 and had more than $100,000 in expenses. That same year, NY's Met spent almost $250,000 in expenses for its director, footnoting that most of that was for housing. So we're in the ballpark. What's the big deal? more ›