Here are 20 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this week. If you need additional suggestions, then check out our May Guide, too.
MONDAY, MAY 16
WEINER (Film)
Film Independent at LACMA and the New York Times Film Club presents a free screening of Weiner (2016) on Monday at 7:30 pm at the museum’s Bing Theatre. The documentary, written by Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg and Eli Despres; directed by Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg features disgraced former U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner and his wife Huma Abedin, a close Hillary Clinton confidant. “Kriegman and Steinberg start their film by catching New York congressman Anthony Weiner at his peak, a crusading liberal politician with the kind of media savvy and quick, coruscating wit that would make him a natural for higher office... The filmmakers also happen to be aboard as Weiner’s image crashes loudly with the infamous sexual selfies that ruined his profile.” The event includes a conversation and Q&A with directors Kriegman and Steinberg. Free, but tickets required.
TUESDAY, May 17
VICTORY LAP (Variety + Comedy)
The Victory Lap comedy/variety show returns to the Virgil with a new format: A favorite performer brings in their friends for a night of fun. On Tuesday at 8 pm, Second City's Ithamar Enriquez hosts Andy Kindler, Drennon Davis and more. Free.
COURTNEY A. KEMP // POWER (Master class)
The Writers Guild Foundation presents a master class with Power creator Courtney A. Kemp on Tuesday from 7:30-9 pm. The showrunner of the Starz Original Series shares her experiences creating and running her first show, which premieres its third season this summer. The discussion takes place at the WGAW Headquarters. Tickets: $10-$15.
IMPROV DIARY SHOW (Storytelling + comedy)
M.i.'s Westside Comedy Theater presents a new storytelling/comedy show—the Improv Diary Show—in the vein of Mortified on Tuesday from 8:45 to 10 pm. Three people read from their teen diaries and then a team of improvisers turns the entries into hilarious scenes. This week’s readers are Leah Knauer, Jimmy Murn and Timmy Tamisiea and the improv cast includes: Courtney Barnett, Shaun Boylan, Sean Casey, Elaine Chu, Jeff Feazell, Mary Gutfleisch and Ryan Timmreck.Tickets: $5.
ROBERT LONGO AND HENRY ROLLINS (Art talk )
The Broad presents its latest public program on Tuesday night at The Orpheum Theatre in DTLA at 8 pm. The Un-Private Collection series is part of the Broad collection’s 30-year mission to make contemporary art accessible to the public, and this week’s program presents artist Robert Longo who’ll be in conversation with musician and journalist Henry Rollins. Tickets: $15. If you can’t make it in person, conversations are livestreamed.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
GOSH PITH (Music)
The Detroit-based alt-R&B duo Gosh Pith plays an intimate set at No Vacancy on Wednesday in support of the band’s debut EP Gold Chain. Doors at 8 pm, music at 10 pm. (They’re also playing a set at School Night at Bardot on Monday.)
WALK THE TALK (Art + history)
The Los Angeles Poverty Department presents Walk the Talk, an exhibition that opens with a reception at 5 pm on Wednesday at the Skid Row History Museum and Archive. The exhibition, which remains on view through July 31, features portraits, interviews, transcripts and performance scripts and videos of 52 people who have lived and worked in Skid Row. The subjects have been “instrumental in creating a neighborhood in which the interests of its low income residents are prioritized and their voices heard.”
THE SUPER SERIOUS SHOW (Comedy)
The Super Serious Show takes over The Virgil at 7 pm on Wednesday featuring sketch comedy, music and videos. Host Emmy Blotnick is joined by Kevin Camia, Nancy Friedrich, Andy Kindler, John Mulaney, Eddie Pepitone, Alex & Jude and videos by Thomas R. Wood. Tickets: $7 in advance/ $10 at the door (cash only). 21+. Pre-show music by DJ R-Rated, Taqueria El Huracan Food Truck, Happy Hour drink specials, Specialty Whiskey Cocktails & $15 whiskey flights.
LIVE ART NIGHT (Art)
NWO Art Gallery has a bimonthly live art show at Pour Vous, and painting on Wednesday at 9 pm are Black Brain & Rina Morales. 90s music spins all night. Free entry. 21+ Dress code enforced. RSVP to: nwoartgalleryrsvp@gmail.com.
THURSDAY, MAY 19
FANTASTIC NEGRITO (Music)
Fantastic Negrito, fronted by Bay Area musician/songwriter Xavier Dphrepaulezz, plays a special show on Thursday at the Viaduct underneath the Buena Vista Bridge to celebrate the band’s full-length album The Last Days of Oakland (out June 3). Fantastic Negrito’s sound fuses blues, rock, soul and roots music for a singular sound. RSVP required for the Viaduct show; $20 donation per person. “Doors” at 6 pm.
FCANCER (Benefit)
FCancer is a Canadian nonprofit that throws FCancer parties to help advocate for prevention, early detection and support for those affected by cancer. The FCancer LA (#FCELA) party is being held on Thursday at Exchange Nightclub, featuring music by Martin Garrix. Tickets are available for $40, which includes admission and t-shirt for the event.
FESTER: THE MINDF#CK FESTIVAL (Film)
Fester: The Mindf#ck Festival is a film screening series specializing in plot-twisting, genre-bending, mind-fucking movies that aren’t on Netflix, iTunes or anywhere else. The next installment is at the California Institute of Abnormalarts in North Hollywood. To "honor" the 17th anniversary of the release of The Phantom Menace, organizers are holding a Star Wars-themed evening with lots of strange Star Wars material playing between the film. Doors at 8:30 pm, screening at 9 pm. Tickets: $10.
BOWIE UNSEEN (Art)
Mr. Musichead Gallery presents works by photographer Markus Klinko who shows rare photographs of the late legend David Bowie. His photos of Bowie include the album cover of Heathen, as well as Bowie’s GQ photo shoot with live wolves. All proceeds from sales of his work benefit Gabrielle Angels Foundation, a nonprofit organization battling children’s cancers. The special event takes place on Thursday, from 7-10 pm.
RAW (Arts fest)
The mini-arts festival RAW: Los Angeles presents its latest installment Trend on Thursday at the Globe Theatre in DTLA. The international organization spotlights indie artists in the first 10 years of their careers in visual arts, filmmaking, fashion design, music, performing art, hair styling, makeup artistry, accessory and jewelry design and photography. Tickets: $20-$25. 21+.
PURPLE RAIN (Film)
The Wiltern hosts Purple Rain: A Free Special Tribute Screening on Thursday night. All ages, full bar and food. Free entry; first come first serve. All ages, full bar and food. RVSP needed. First-come, first-served for seating.
MILES DAVIS TRIBUTE (Film)
Grammy-nominated producer/musician Terrace Martin joins Grammy-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper for a tribute to Miles Davis on Thursday at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw. The celebration honors what would have been Davis 90th birthday on May 26. The concert takes place on the Macy’s Bridge from 6:30-9 pm. Free.
LUCKYRICE (Book talk)
Danielle Chang, creator of the Luckyrice brand, launches her debut cookbook, Lucky Rice: Stories and Recipes from Night Markets, Feasts and Family Tables, with a book signing at Break Room 86 on Thursday from 8-10 pm at the Line Hotel in Ktown. Cocktails presented by Bombay Sapphire East. RSVP to labooklaunch@luckyrice.com.
CINEMA AT THE EDGE (Film festival)
The Fourth Annual Cinema at the Edge Independent Film Festival (CATE) returns to the Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica from Thursday to Sunday. The festival screens innovative, boundary-pushing “films of all genres that feature a distinct vision, a unique voice or a challenge to what is expected and accepted in the medium.” CATE includes more than 50 narrative feature, documentary and short films along with opening and closing night parties, an award ceremony and a series of filmmaking panels. The festivities open with a cocktail party at 5 pm on Thursday, followed by the L.A. premiere of The Tail Job, directed by Bryan Moses and co-director Daniel Millar. The adventure romp follows a man who hires a cabbie to help him catch his fiance cheating. Tickets: $12; VIP festival badge $250.
AD-LIB LIT (Poetry)
Ad-Lit Lab: A mad experiment in improv poetry takes place on Thursday at 8 pm at Art Share LA. The night features improv, live poetry executions and audience games. The first half of the night features performances of new work by the Melrose Poetry Bureau, while the second half asks the audience to join in on the typewriters. Poets on the program include Terence Leclere, Ary Katz, Brian Sonia-Wallace, Linda Ravenswood, Nicelle Davis and Nayeli Adorador-Knudsen. Tickets $10 at the door.
INSIDE BASEBALL WITH LARRY KING AND TOMMY LASORDA (Talk)
Media personality and baseball fan Larry King teams up with legendary Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda (leading the team to the World Series twice) for a conversation about baseball in L.A. King, who penned the book Why I Love Baseball, has been a Dodgers fan since the team was based in Brooklyn. A Q&A follows the program, which begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $12-$20. Come earlier to view the exhibitions Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Becoming American and The Unauthorized History of Baseball in 100-Odd Paintings: The Art of Ben Sakoguchi.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
