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17 Awesome Things To Do In Southern California This Week
Indian Catholic devotees pay their respects and decorate the grave of a deceased family member at a cemetery during All Souls Day in Hyderabad on November 2, 2018. (NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images)
Ask a mortician about death. Check out a doc about Los Tigres Del Norte playing Folsom Prison. Taste wines from the Valle de Guadalupe. Watch an animated film about Luis Buñuel. Learn Latin history from John Leguizamo.
John Leguizamo stars in 'Latin History for Morons' at the Ahmanson. (Matthew Murphy)
THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT. 20
Latin History for Morons
The Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center -- 135 N. Grand Ave, downtown L.A.
After a Tony-nominated hit Broadway run, John Leguizamo's one-man play comes to L.A. The funny and frenzied show was "inspired" by the utter lack of Latinos Leguizamo saw in his son's American history books. He breaks down three millennia of history, from the Mayans to Pitbull.
COST: $35 - $145; MORE INFO
Through THURSDAY, SEPT. 12
Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles
The Frida Cinema -- 305 E. 4th St., Ste 100, Santa Ana
In advance of Hispanic Heritage month, which begins on Sept. 15, the Frida screens Salvador Simó's animated film about Luis Buñuel. After Buñuel's first solo film ended in scandal and shattered his reputation, his friend Ramón Acin offered to fund his next film, a short documentary. Simó's animated film mixes surrealism and reality and is based on a graphic novel about the filming of Buñuel's Las Hurdes.
COST: $7 - $10.50; MORE INFO
A skeleton is displayed alongside altars and art installations at Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events in downtown Los Angeles, California on November 1, 2018. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
MONDAY, SEPT. 9; 8 p.m.
Ask a Mortician Live with Caitlin Doughty
Regent Theatre DTLA -- 448 S. Main St., downtown L.A.
The author, blogger and mortician holds a stage version of her popular YouTube series, Ask a Mortician, in which she answers audience questions about death and funerary practices. The night also celebrates the release of her new book, Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death. Tickets include a copy of the book. All ages.
COST: $35 - $45; MORE INFO
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Are you ready for the premiere of music from Beck & Gabe? This week at Dynasty Typewriter (Courtesy of the artists)
MONDAY, SEPT. 9; 10 p.m.
Beck and Gabe: Are Very Good Friends
Dynasty Typewriter -- 2511 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake
The actor-producer-comedian Beck Bennett (SNL) and musician Gabe Noel have been making music together since 2004. The duo are finally ready for musical stardom and will perform their music live for the first time. This show is 18+.
COST: $10 - $15; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10; 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Times Book Club presents George Takei
The Montalban Theatre -- 1615 Vine St., Hollywood
Actor and author George Takei discusses his new book, They Called Us Enemy. Takei's memoir, done in the form of a graphic novel, tells the story of his childhood years spent in Japanese-American internment camps during WWII. Takei, best known for playing helmsman Sulu on the OG Star Trek series, can currently be seen on AMC's haunting series, The Terror, which is set in a Japanese-American community during WWII.
COST: $20; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10; 9 p.m.
John Early
The Satellite -- 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake
The comedian (known for 555, Search Party and Wet Hot American Summer) hosts a night of comedy with special guests and house band Sam Buck. The Satellite is a 21+ venue.
COST: $8; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10; 7:30 p.m.
Reel To Reel: Los Tigres Del Norte At Folsom Prison
Grammy Museum LA -- 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A.
Nearly 50 years after Johnny Cash, the legendary Latin band played for inmates in Folsom prison. The accompanying documentary, which will be released later this year on Netflix, isn't just a concert film. It's an examination of Latinx imprisonment, told through music and interviews with prisoners. The evening includes a sneak peek screening of the film followed by a panel discussion with Los Tigres del Norte. Also on the panel: Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla (who produced the music for the film and live album); director Tom Donahue and co-writer/producer Zach Horowitz.
COST $25; MORE INFO
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10; 8 - 10 p.m.
Pub Quiz with Brits in L.A.
The Cat & Fiddle -- 742 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
British journalist and writer Sandro Monetti hosts a weekly trivia night for cash, swag and prizes at the storied pub. First place earns $75 cash and a $40 Cat & Fiddle gift card.
COST: FREE (with $8 minimum purchase from the bar menu); MORE INFO
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TUESDAY, SEPT. 10; 8:30 p.m.
The Cambridge Footlights International Tour Show 2019: Look Alive
UCB Sunset -- 5419 W. Sunset Blvd., East Hollywood
Footlights, the comedy troupe from Cambridge University in the U.K., has helped launch the careers of Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, John Cleese, etc. The sketch group presents a show in which five humans take the audience on a tour of a "Welcome to Earth" exhibit where "Scenes from human life are presented and subverted in an hour of eclectic sketch comedy."
COST: $7; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11; 7:30 p.m.
Greg Proops Film Club: Ministry of Fear
Aero Theatre -- 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
Proops hosts a live recording of his podcast before the 8 p.m. screening of Fritz Lang's 1944 thriller. Ray Milland plays a Londoner traumatized by his wife's murder. After spending two years in an asylum, he stumbles into a Nazi spy network trying to undermine the British war effort.
COST: $12; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11; 7 p.m.
The Secret Society of The Sisterhood LA
The Masonic Lodge in Hollywood Forever Cemetery -- 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
Enjoy a night of stories and performances inspired by the statement, "If at first you don't succeed...." Hear from Sisterhood storytellers including the Runaways' bassist Jacloe Fuchs, author and actor Mara Wilson, comedian Cameron Esposito, YouTuber and author Akilah Hughes and Letters to Cleo's Kay Hanley. Trish Nelson hosts. Stick around for a post-show reception in the Easter Star Room. Free parking. All ages.
COST: $20; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11; 7 p.m.
Leif Vollebekk
Moroccan Lounge -- 901 E. 1st St., downtown L.A.
The Montreal singer-songwriter is back with a new album, New Ways, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017's Twin Solitude, a Polaris Prize finalist. RIYL: Damien Rice, Ryan Adams. This show is 18+.
COST: $12 - $15; MORE INFO
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11 - SUNDAY, OCT. 13
A Play is a Poem
Mark Taper Forum at The Music Center -- 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
Filmmaker Ethan Coen delves back into theater with the world premiere of his play, a collection of five one-acts. Directed by Neil Pepe, the production looks at America's eccentricities. It's set in the "hillbilly hollows of Appalachia, the executive suites of Hollywood, a New York tenement apartment, the smoke-filled office of a Los Angeles P.I. and a magnolia-scented gazebo in Natchez, Mississippi."
COST: $25 - $110; MORE INFO
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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11; 7 p.m.
Third Annual 9 to 11 minute Plays and Stories: Inspired by the Events of 9/11
Loft Ensemble Theater -- 13442 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks
On July 24, 2016, playwright and producer Elizabeth Regensburger lost her father to several 9/11-related cancers. She and Michael Hennessey established a reading night of remembrance to pay homage to people who died in the Sept. 11 attacks and to the lives that are still being affected by it. The evening benefits the the Feal Good Foundation for first responders.
COST: $19.11; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, SEPT. 12; 7 p.m.
Explosions in the Sky
Hollywood Palladium -- 6215 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
The Austin band, best known for its stylized guitar instrumentals and the Friday Night Lights soundtrack, celebrates its 20th anniversary. (Team Riggins!) Sessa opens.
COST: Tickets start at $39; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, SEPT. 12; 7 - 9 p.m.
Pláticas y Pruebas: Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes -- 501 N. Main St., downtown L.A.
Learn about the history of the Guadalupe Valley and methods of wine production in Baja while sampling different wines from the region. Sommelier Pedro DPoncelis Arygoza and Gil Gutierrez will guide attendees through México's best vintages. 21+.
COST: $40; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, SEPT. 12; 8 p.m.
An American in Paris
The Hollywood Bowl -- 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
The digitally restored classic film, directed by Vincente Minnelli, features unforgettable music by George Gershwin ("S' Wonderful," "Love Is Here to Stay," "I Got Rhythm"). The music will be played live to a film of Brett Mitchell leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The movie builds to a 17-minute sequence (choreographed by star Gene Kelly) that features Kelly and Leslie Caron dancing to Gerswin's " An American in Paris."
COST $1 - $162; MORE INFO
THURSDAY, SEPT. 12; 9 p.m.
Motherland
Kusina Filipina -- 4157 Eagle Rock Blvd., Glassell Park
The weekly show in NELA features comics from NBC, Comedy Central, HBO, MTV, CBS and FOX. Seating is first-come, first-served with food, beer and wine available for purchase. College students get 10% off food with their valid student ID. The show is 18+. This week's lineup features Jak Knight, Danny Palumbo, Andy Haynes, Puterbaugh Sisters, Butt and host C.J. Toledano from The Bleacher Report.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
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How are you spending your week? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat.
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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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