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Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop play the Fonda on Tuesday night.
Here are 17 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this week. We’ll be back later this week with our June Guide, too.
MONDAY, MAY 30
VIVIANE ALL-DAY LUAU (Food )
Viviane Restaurant at the Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills celebrates Memorial Day on Monday with an all-day, all-you-can-eat luau from 11 am to 10 pm. Join in the festivities at the poolside grill and enjoy dishes like Kalua pork, Tombo Tuna Poke, Toasted Nori, Grilled Mahi Mahi and more. Price: $55 per person plus tax and gratuity.
TERRINE’S BACKYARD BBQ (Food)
On Monday, Chef Kris Morningstar’s Terrine kicks off its summer series of all-day, all-you-can-eat Backyard BBQs on the patio from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm. Morningstar will offer traditional bbq classics with a French-California twist (for Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day). Price: $45 (excluding alcohol, tax and tip). Reservations are strongly recommended.
THE FIVE MINUTES GAME (Film + BBQ)
Cinefamily hosts The 5 Minutes Game to wrap up the Memorial Day Weekend. They're busting out the grill while screening the first five minutes of 15 films that usually aren't available on DVD. Then the audience votes on which film to watch in its entirety. Feel free to bring something to cook on the grill, too. The game begins at 5 pm, BBQ and vote tallying happens from 6:30-7:30 pm, and screening of the winning film begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $12.
VELVET TOM CABARET HOUR (Music + variety)
Join Velvet Tom and The Velveetahs as they perform mashups of pop and classic tunes at 3 Clubs during the Velvet Tom Cabaret Hour. Additional performers include Aryiel Hartman, Leo James and burlesque. The bar opens at 7 pm, show at 7:30 pm and show ends at 8:30 pm. Tickets: $10 in advance; $12 at the door.
TUESDAY, May 31
WARP ZONE (Comedy)
Warp Zone is a free monthly stand up show that takes place the last Tuesday of the month at the Virgil. Hosted by comics TK Kelly and Keith Carey, this week’s lineup includes Ali Wong, Hampton Yount, Jamar Neighbors, Maria Shehata, Joe Sib, Jack Robichaud and surprise guests. Doors at 8 pm, show at 8:30 pm.
The documentary 'Burden' screens at the Getty on Tuesday night. (Image: Courtesy of the Getty)
BURDEN (Film + talk)
The Getty Research Institute presents the Los Angeles film premiere of Burden (2015, 87 mins.), an examination of the life and work of artist Chris Burden (1946-2015), whose “radical performances, monumental installations, and provocative videos consistently pushed the limits and nature of contemporary art.” There’s a post-screening conversation with directors Timothy Marrinan and Richard Dewey, who’ll be interviewed by the Getty Research Institute’s Rani Singh. 7 pm at the Getty Center’s Harold M. Williams Auditorium. Free, but ticket required.
SAM BEAM & JESCA HOOP (Music)
Sam Beam (of Iron & Wine) and Jesca Hoop play the Fonda Theatre on Tuesday night as part of the Love Letter For Fire Tour. Marlon Williams opens. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. Tickets: $30. All ages.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1
KEVIN GARRETT (Music)
Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/producer Kevin Garrett headlines The Echo on Wednesday in support of his debut EP Mellow Drama EP. (He also wrote and produced the first song on Beyonce's new album Lemonade.) Also on the bill are: Gordi and Baby Alpaca. 8 pm. Tickets: $12-$13.50.
MY DIARY (Comedy)
Comedian Lindsay Ames hosts the show My Diary at the Upright Citizens Brigade (Sunset) on Wednesday night at 7 pm. The Mortified-esque show features performers revealing private, cringeworthy moments. This week’s lineup features Rosa Salazar (Maze Runner) and Jackie Tohn (A Futile and Stupid Gesture) reading from their diaries alongside comedians Nichole Bagby, Katie Willet and Erin McGathy.
MOON (Music)
The synth pop-rock duo Moon headlines The Satellite on Wednesday with The TenFiveSixty and Garden Echo opening in support. Doors at 8:30 pm. 21+.
https://soundcloud.com/moontransmissions/were-so-close
DIRTY DANCING (Outdoor movie)
Who What Wear and The Grove team up to screen classics under the stars Thursdays in June, pairing the films with shopping, DJs, themed cocktails, photo booths, delicious bites, snacks and more. There’s a photog on the ground taking pics of the best outfits for a chance to be featured on Who What Wear. Screening this week is Dirty Dancing. Doors at 6:30, movie at 8 pm. RSVP needed. Space is limited.
HARD ROCK RISING (Music)
On Wednesday, more than 425 local artists and music acts will perform live at 107 Hard Rock Cafe and Hotel locations worldwide as part of Hard Rock Rising—the biggest international one-day music showcase. Local L.A. bands participating include: The Bash Dogs, High Sunday and Brandon Wildish. One winner will be selected at each location by a panel of local judges and the local winners will be narrowed down to four regional finalists and one global winner.
THURSDAY, JUNE 2
TELL ME A STORY( Words)
On Thursday night at the Wiltern, the nonprofit literacy organization 826LA teams up with the li.st app to present a live event, Tell Me A Story, with BJ Novak, Kristen Schaal, Bob Odenkirk, Maria Bello, Dave Eggers, music by Best Coast and others to benefit 826LA’s programs. The performers will be sharing stories, readings or jokes. General admission tickets: $50 in advance or $65 the day of event. VIP tickets are $500 and include a seated dinner and cocktail reception. Recommended for those 21+.
Eddie Huang's memoir is 'Double Cup Love.' (Image: Random House/Facebook)
EDDIE HUANG (Book talk)
The Library Foundation and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center present the ALOUD program: Double Cup Love: On the Trail of Family, Food and Broken Hearts in China, An Evening with Eddie Huang on Thursday at 7:30 pm at the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo. Huang, a chef, author of Fresh Off the Boat, and inspiration behind the hit television show of the same name, Huang will discuss his new memoir about “love, meaning, and returning to your ancestral homeland. Double Cup Love takes readers on a cultural romp from Williamsburg dive bars to the skies of Mongolia, from Michelin-starred restaurants to street-side soup peddlers in Chengdu.” He’ll be in conversation with Fresh Off the Boat star, Constance Wu. DJ SOSUPERSAM joins for a pre-show set at 7 PM. Tickets: $32-$55 (includes a copy of the book).GOLD PANDA (Music)
UK electronic music producer Gold Panda plays the Echoplex on Thursday night to support of his new album Good Luck and Do Your Best. Also performing: Geotic, Anenon. Doors at 8 pm. Tickets: $18-$20. Ages 18+.
EMILY KINNEY (Music + talk)
On Thursday at 7:30 pm, singer-songwriter Emily Kinney plays The Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Theatre. Kinney’s best known for playing Beth Greene on AMC's The Walking Dead, and on Thursday, she’ll participate in an intimate performance and a conversation on her career.
DON’T CALL IT HAPPY HOUR (Food + drink)
Upstairs at the Ace Hotel presents Don't Call It Happy Hour on Mondays through Fridays from 12-5:30 pm. There are $1 oysters, $5 PBRs and wine spritzers. Upstairs also launches a new Transit-Themed Cocktail Menu to celebrate the extended Expo Line connecting Santa Monica to DTLA.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
