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Pencil This In: 'American Idiot' Opens; Jonathan Lethem Reading; and Art, Politics and Poetry at ALOUD
'American Idiot' opens tonight at the Ahmanson. (Photo: Doug Hamilton)
We found a number of events that might convince you to head out on a Tuesday night, including a discussion on art, poetry and politics at ALOUD; The Moth storytelling takes over Busby's East; author Jonathan Lethem reads at the Hammer and American Idiot opens at the Ahmanson. Read on for all the details. THEATER*
The musical American Idiot opens tonight at the Ahmanson Theater featuring the music of Green Day and the lyrics of lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The rock opera features the bands hits such as “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and “Holiday.” The show runs through April 22. Tickets: $25-$95.
TALK
The Hammer Museum presents the program Some Favorite Writers: Jonathan Lethem tonight at 7 pm. Lethem has several best-selling novels, including Chronic City, The Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn. His newest book, The Ecstasy of Influence, is a “constellation of provocative previously published pieces and new essays that shed light on an array of topics, from sex in cinema to drugs, graffiti, Bob Dylan, cyberculture, 9/11, book touring, and Marlon Brando, as well as on his literary models and contemporaries.” After Lethem’s reading, there will be a discussion with series curator Mona Simpson, author of Anywhere But Here and Off Keck Road. Free. Reservations not required.
STORY
Got a story on “resourcefulness”? Then try your storytelling skills at The Moth tonight at Busby’s East. Prepare a 5-minute true story and get behind the mic. No notes and no standup. 7 pm: Sign up to tell a story, volunteer to be on a judging team or just sit back and listen. The stories begin at 7:30 pm. The teller with the highest score becomes the next StorySLAM winner to compete in the next GrandSLAM Championship. $8 at the door. Pre-sold tickets guarantee early admittance and cost $16. This is a 21+ venue.
TALK
ALOUD at the Central Library presents the program The Rocket's Red Glare: Politics in Art and Poetry. Artist and activist Edgar Arceneaux, director of the Watts House Project, and poet-performer Douglas Kearney, discuss the confluence of art, poetry and politics. They’ll be in conversation with Darrel Alejandro Holnes of the Poetry Society of America. Free but RSVPs required. 7 pm.
*Pencil pick of the day
Want more events? Follow me on Twitter (@christineziemba). Or follow Lauren Lloyd—who takes care of Pencil on Wednesdays (@LadyyyLloyd).
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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