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Pencil This In: Cirque du Soleil in Santa Monica, Coffin Joe Triple Feature
CIRQUE
Cirque du Soleil’s latest show Kooza camps out under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) at the Santa Monica Pier through Nov. 29. Kooza tells the story of The Innocent, a sad loner searching of his place in the world. The show combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning.Tickets are $60-$135 depending on time and day of performance.
WEBISODES ON THE BIG SCREEN
Tonight the Egyptian Theatre hosts a double feature of popular webisodes on the big screen tonight at 8 pm. Up first is The Guild Season 2. Felicia Day writes, stars, directs and produces this comedic multiplatform online series that pokes fun at MMORPG culture (e.g., World of Warcraft). Following up is Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, a web musical of a superhero, a villain and a girl, starring Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day. Discussion in between with Felicia Day and Joss Whedon (schedule permitting). A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door, first come, first served for those waiting in line. $10 tickets, $8 students/seniors, $7 Cinematheque members.
MUSICAL
We reviewed and enjoyed a shortened version of Sally Spectre The Musical: A Children’s Horror Story for Adults last year, and now we’ll see how the full-length production holds up. The story of a little girl caught in a nightmare, and the unlikely guides that help her through it. Theproduction premieres tonight at 8 pm at Theatre West and runs until Nov. 29. Tickets for tonight’s show are $35 (includes reception). Some imagery might not be suitable for young children.
FILM*
José Mojica Marins is a Brazilian filmmaker, director/actor, screenwriter, television and media personality who may be better known by his alter ego Coffin Joe. He spent his childhood living in a movie theatre, and -- with almost no education or financial support -- began making awesome and outrageous horror movies on a small budget. There’s a triple feature tonight of Coffin Joe films tonight at the Silent Movie Theater: Damned: The Strange World of José Mojica Marins (2001), The Strange World of Coffin Joe (1968) and Strange Hostel of Naked Pleasures (1975).
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BENEFIT
Dubspot and The Rhythm Section join the nonprofit NextAid to host a Funk Aid for Africa record release party that raises awareness and funds for African children affected by the AIDS crisis. Tonight’s party will feature DJ sets by Glenn Red, Jeremy Sole, J-Boogie, DJ OBaH and live performances by Simple Citizens and Pleasuremaker at The Dakota Lounge (formerly Temple Bar). The show starts at 8 pm and admission is $12 ($20 for admission + CD -- a collage of funk, soul, and Latin tunes created by DJ OBaH).
THEATRE
The Black Dahlia Theatre and the Chalk Repertory Theatre Company join forces to present Ruth McKee’s international adoption drama, Stray. Here’s the plot synopsis: “Rachel and James move from Uganda to Ohio, hoping to provide a better life for their newly adopted African son, Daniel. Suffering from a severe case of PTSD, Daniel struggles desperately in the public school system, overwhelming his inexperienced teacher and threatening to unravel Rachel and James’ marriage.” The last preview night is tonight and tickets are $20. The play runs through Nov. 22.
PERFORMANCE
A local group of Asian Pacific Americans artists are producing the musical Songs for a New World beginning tonight at 8 pm at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo. It’s a show about the relationships and connections that we all have in our lives. The vignettes range from a young man who has determined that basketball is his ticket out of the ghetto to a woman who marries rich, but into a soulless marriage. The show runs through Oct. 25. Tickets are $20-$35.
MUSIC
For one night only: Elvis Prestello and The Tractionaires performs at the Sacred Fools Theater. He’s a an Elvis Presley imitator who only sings the music of Elvis Costello! There’s music, dancing, comedy, and beer -- for only $5. The set starts tonight at 11 pm.
*Pencil pick of the day
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