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Here are 20 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this week. If you need additional suggestions, then check out our May Guide.
MONDAY, MAY 23
PRINCESS SHAW (Film)
Film Independent at LACMA presents a free screening of Presenting Princess Shaw (2016) on Monday at 7:30 pm at the museum’s Bing Theatre. Through his film, director Ido Haar reveals the double life of New Orleans caregiver Samantha Montgomery and her YouTube musical alter ego Princess Shaw. Israeli producer and composer Kutiman stumbles upon her videos and reaches out to “create a song that becomes an unforgettable journey for the two subjects.” The evening includes a conversation with Haar, Montgomery and Kutiman. Free, but limit of two tickets.
GODDAMN COMEDY JAM (Comedy + Music)
The Goddamn Comedy Jam takes over The Lyric Theatre on Monday night. Almost every comic wants to be a rock star, and GDCJ lets guests perform a fav cover song in front of a live audience. Hosted by Josh Adam Meyers and the Goddamn Band, this week’s performers include Dane Cook, Erik Griffin, Ali Wong and Dan St. Germain. Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm. 21+. Tickets: $10-$20.
TUESDAY, May 24
SOCIAL IMPACT CINEMA (Film Series)
Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA) and the Skirball Cultural Center continue its monthly series of documentary films and panel discussions that showcase the best “global impact cinema.” SIMA Impact Cinema: 2016 Winners Series screens the fourth Tuesday of every month from April through August, and this Tuesday at 7:30 pm at the Skirball, there’s a screening of The True Cost, a film that asks us to think about who really pays the price for the clothing we wear as well as the the people who make them, and the impact the fashion industry is having on the world. Come early because Beyond the Label’s TEDxLA series hosts a T-shirt Exchange: Bring an old, gently worn T-shirt to exchange for a new T-shirt that is sustainably made with Beyond the Label’s “Nutritional Label” printed on the front. Screening tickets: Tickets: $6-$10.
SO YOU DO COMEDY…? (Comedy Talk)
On Monday at 8:30 pm at UCB Sunset, Chris Witaske brings back another installment of his So You Do Comedy…? show. He sits down with well-known comedians and asks how they got their start. This week’s guest is David Koechner (Anchorman). Tickets: $5.
NOT SAFE WITH NIKKI GLASER (Sex Talk + Comedy)
There’s a special live edition of Comedy Central's Not Safe with Nikki Glaser on Tuesday at 7 pm. Glaser loves to talk about sex, dating and relationships on her show with her comedian friends, and she wants help in picking out what makes the cut before the new season of Not Safe airs. See a few pieces from the show before the rest of America does. Free with RSVP.
FRIGHTENED RABBIT (Music)
The Scottish rock band Frightened Rabbit, led by frontman Scott Hutchison, plays the Fonda Theatre on Tuesday night to support its latest release Painting of a Panic Attack. Caveman opens in support. Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm. Tickets: $25. All ages show.
MARC MARON (Live Comedy)
Comedian and podcaster extraordinaire Marc Maron is doing a series of standup benefit shows the Trepany House at The Steve Allen Theater that continues on Tuesday night at 8 pm (and Tuesday nights through June). It’s a small room, so all seats are sold out, but there will be a limited number of standing room tickets for sale the night of the show, sold on a first come first serve basis only.
QUIET LOS ANGELES (Book Talk)
On Tuesday at 7 pm at Book Soup, Rebecca Razo discusses and signs her book Quiet Los Angeles, the latest in a series of city guides (that include London, Paris and New York) where one can find quiet places in the middle of the busiest cities in the world. There are more than 120 quiet places to meet, drink, dine, sleep, read or wander throughout the city.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25
JANE THE VIRGIN (TV Talk)
The Writer’s Guild of America Foundation presents the program Writing and Acting with Jane the Virgin on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. Show developer/showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman is joined by staff writer Carolina Rivera and cast members Justin Baldoni, Jaime Camil and Andrea Navedo to talk about the writing and acting process for the comedy’s second season on the CW. The event is moderated by Jarett Wieselman from Buzzfeed. Held at WGAW Headquarters. Tickets: $20-$75.
RAW FABRICS (Music)
After the release of Raw Fabric’s second EP, Plastic Joy, frontman Jack Bruno nearly lost everything—bandmates and other relationships—as he was consumed by drug and alcohol addiction. After getting help, Franco has reemerged as Raw Fabrics and handles production, guitar, bass, vocals and drum programming himself. Raw Fabrics headlines a show at The Roxy on Wednesday night with Beachwood Coyotes, Room 8, DJ Lil Texas and Skyler Stone on the bill. Tickets: $12-$15. All ages. 7 pm doors open.
ATTRAC'TIF from Marion Ichard on Vimeo.
FLUX SCREENING SERIES (Film)
Flux Screening Series returns to the Hammer Museum on Wednesday at 7:30 pm, featuring short films, music videos and visual art from around the world. This week’s program features David Shane's new short The Board, Marion Ichard's animated short Attrac'tif, Daniel Cloud Campos and Spencer Susser’s Shiny and the premiere of Sisters from director David Chontos. The evening will also include new music videos from Auditorium, The Kills, Major Lazer, Pollyn, RY X and more. Special guests joining us include filmmakers Campos, Chontos, Dugan O'Neal, Spencer Susser, Adam Jay Weissman and others. Filmmaker presentations and a courtyard after-party, with DJ set by Pollyn, follow the screening. Free.
THE TWILIGHT SAD (Music)
The Scottish trio The Twilight Sad brings its melodic rock to the Teragram Ballroom on Wednesday night as headliner. [They’re opening for The Cure’s two sold-out Hollywood Bowl shows on Monday and Tuesday this week.] Sisu opens on Wednesday's show. Tickets: $15. Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm. All ages.
DEAD PILOTS SOCIETY (Comedy)
Ben Blacker (creator, The Writers Panel podcast) and Andrew Reich (Friends; Rules of Engagement) team up with the ATX Television Festival to present Dead Pilots Society on Wednesday night at 8:30 pm at Largo. With special guests Rachel Bloom, Steve Agee, Craig Cackowski, Kiernan Shipka, Andrew Daly, Marc Evan Jackson and others, pilots passed over by the networks are finally shown some love, performed by professional actors and comedians. Doors at 7 pm. Tickets: $30.
TEELING WHISKEY PAIRING DINNER (Food + Drink)
On Wednesday, May 25, Tam O’Shanter presents a four-course meal created by executive chef Juan Escamilla paired with selections from the Teeling Whiskey Company (based in Dublin, Ireland). Teeling’s ambassador Aiden McNally will be on hand to talk about each pairing and the distillery’s history and offerings. The courses are: First Course (head cheese & toast with Dijon mustard paired with a single malt); Second Course (melon salad with pork cracklins and chili pepper paired with small batch); Entrée Course (porchetta with summer squash and corn pudding paired with single grain); and Dessert (devils on horseback cake with bacon caramel and chantilly paired with traditional Irish Coffee). Price: $59 per person plus tax and tip.
THURSDAY, MAY 26
INSIDE THE WRITERS ROOM: BETTER CALL SAUL (TV Talk)
On Thursday at 7:30 pm, the Writers Guild Foundation presents the program Inside the Writers Room with Better Call Saul. Co-Creator and showrunner Peter Gould and members of the writing staff discuss the journey behind creating new arcs and stories for memorable world established by its predecessor Breaking Bad. The talk is moderated by Stacey Wilson Hunt from Vulture. Tickets: $20-$75.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (TV Talk)
On Thursday at 7 pm, The Paley Center for Media presents the program PaleyLive LA: An Evening with Orange is the New Black. The Netflix series launches its next season June 17, and the Paley Center hosts creator Jenji Kohan and cast members Taylor Schilling, Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne, Taryn Manning, Selenis Leyva and Michael Harney who’ll reflect on favorite moments from season 3 and what to expect from next season. Tickets: $15-$25.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY (Photo)
Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey is a traveling photo exhibit that makes a one-month stop at the Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE, beginning on Thursday. The exhibition features more than 40 iconic images of The Boss taken by Springsteen photographers Danny Clinch, Ed Gallucci, Eric Meola, Pamela Springsteen and Frank Stefanko at different points during his legendary career. The photos will remain on view through June 19. Adult admission to the Grammy Museum: $12.95.
SAN FERMIN (Music)
NYC's pop rock masters in San Fermin headline LA's Teragram Ballroom on Thursday night in support of the eight-piece’s latest LP Jackrabbit. Ivan Alyosha opens. Doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8:30 pm. All ages. Tickets: $18.
AMERICAN TOWN HALL (Comedy)
American Town Hall is a live sketch comedy show that finds humor in small town, local politics (though we think year’s presidential campaign is plenty funny enough). Held at the Copper Still Bar on Thursday night, the show takes place "in" Pocomoke City, Maryland, which is nicknamed “The Friendliest Town on the Eastern Shore.” The show is hosted and produced by Cass Bugge, Mary Grill and Matt Hobby, and this week’s guests are Tim Baltz, Allison Fields, Alison Rich and Blaine Swen. Doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm. Tickets: $5 cash only at the door, 21+ (minors allowed if accompanied by parent).
TEA BY THE SEA (Tea + Art)
On Thursdays and Saturdays at 1 pm, the Getty Villa (not museum) presents a Tea by the Sea.Held in the Founder’s Room overlooking the Villa, guests can indulge in a “Mediterranean-inspired menu” of savory panini, sweet scones and tea breads, and gourmet cakes and tarts—along with fruits, cheeses, and a varied selection of teas. (Wine and prosecco are available for a little extra.) Admission: $36 per person, plus tax and 18% gratuity. Reservations requested at (800) 369-3059 or email BonAppetitReservations@getty.edu.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
