This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
We sort through a lot of events and happenings around LA so you don’t have to. Tonight, we found a few film items of note, including the opening of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; Sarah Polley’s documentary screens; Doug Benson interrupts Safe Haven; and a screening of John Carpenter’s The Thing. There’s also an Etsy Craft Night; book signings with Fabio Vivian and Paul Pender and music performances by Alice Russell and Caitlin Rose. Read on for all the details.
FILM FESTIVAL
The 29th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival opens tonight at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) with the LA premiere of the 2013 Sundance Festival Hit Linsanity. Produced by Visual Communications, the festival runs through May 12 with a slate of more than 140 films from both Asian Pacific American and Asian international filmmakers from more than 20 countries. Screenings will be held at the DGA, CGV Cinemas and The Art Theatre of Long Beach.
CLASSIC FILM*
Director John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982) screens tonight at 7:30 pm the Egyptian as part of Entertainment Weekly’s CapeTown Film Festival. Carpenter took Howard Hawks’ 1951 sci-fi classic The Thing from Another World and turned it into a film that’s “darker, fiercer and altogether more disturbing, pitting sombrero-wearing helicopter pilot Kurt Russell and a crew of Arctic scientists (Wilford Brimley, Donald Moffat, Richard Dysart) against a ravenous, shape-shifting alien being.” Carpenter is scheduled to appear in person for a discussion before the film. Tickets: $11.
FILM
Tonight at 7:30 pm, Film Independent at LACMA presents a free screening of Stories We Tell, written and directed by Sarah Polley. The film is her documentary directorial debut, examining who it is we think we’ve become. “Turning the camera on herself and her immediate family—her father even narrates the film—in Stories We Tell, Polley takes a frank look at the personal histories they share, and, in the process, uncovers some astounding revelations.” The evening includes a conversation with Polley. Standby-tickets only.
CRAFTS
It’s time for an Etsy Meet & Make: Craft Night at CAFAMtonight from 7-9 pm. Learn wire projects with craft artist Holly Jerger in the Craft and Folk Art Museum courtyard. There are project demonstrations at 7 and 7:30 pm where participants can learn to bend, weave, tie, wrap wire to create functional objects or small sculptures. Workshop fee is $7 / free for CAFAM members (includes materials, drinks and snacks). RSVP preferred to: cafametsymay2013.eventbrite.com
BOOK SIGNINGS
We found two book signings of interest tonight: Fabio Viviani (Top Chef Season 5 “Fan Favorite” and host of Yahoo’s Chow Ciao!) is doing a cookbook signing at Vroman’s in Pasadena at 7 pm. His latest book Fabio’s Italian Kitchen is filled with recipes inspired by his mother and grandmother's traditional Italian recipes. At 7 pm at the Barnes & Noble on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Hollywood screenwriter Paul Pender signs copies of his new book The Butler Did It: My True and Terrifying Encounters with a Serial Killer. It’s a darkly humorous book about his friendship with serial killer Roy Fontaine, who served a life sentence from 1978 until his death in 2002.
FILM
Cinefamily presents Doug Benson's Movie Interruption, in which the comedian and his friends sit in the theater’s front row couches and do running commentary during the film. It’s like a live version of MST3K. Screening tonight at 7:30 pm is Lasse Hallström’s Safe Haven (2013), based on a book by Nicholas Sparks and starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough. Tickets: $14/free for members
MUSIC
We found two notable performances by powerful women vocalists tonight. The UK-based soul and blues singer Alice Russell plays a free set at Amoeba at 6 pm in support of her fifth solo album, To Dus.’ And singer-songwriter Caitlin Rose, brings her mix of Americana, pop and country to the Bootleg tonight. Daniel Romano opens. Tickets: $12. This show is 21+.
*Pencil pick of the day
Follow me on Twitter (@christineziemba). Or follow Lauren Lloyd—who takes care of Pencil on Wednesdays (@LadyyyLloyd).
