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Here are 20 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this week. Check out other options in our just released August Guide, too.
MONDAY, AUGUST 15
NICO YARYAN RESIDENCY (Music)
Nico Yaryan continues his monthlong Monday residency at the Bootleg Theatre this Monday night. Joining him on the bill this week are Gold Star, Korey Dane and Tres. 8:30 pm. This event is 21+.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16
DIGITAL STORYTELLING (Panel discussion)
Writers Guild Foundation presents the panel discussion, Careers in Digital Storytelling, on Tuesday at 7:30 pm with panelists who have worked on/created web series, video games and virtual and augmented reality. The panel includes: Dean Orion, Executive Creative Director of VR company Spaces, former head of creative writing at Disney Animation; Anne Toole, writer of video game The Witcher and web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries; John Zuur Platten, video game writer (Fear Effect, Ghostbusters) and Creative Director at Niantic Labs (Pokemon Go); Evette Vargas, executive producer and writer of digital series Dark Prophet; moderated by Richie Solomon, video game writer (Zynga Slots, The Godfather: Gangland). Tickets: $15-$20.
MIKE POSNER (Music + talk)
The Grammy Museum presents The Drop: Mike Posner on Tuesday at 8 pm. The singer/songwriter and producer Posner, currently on tour with Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas, is at the museum to discuss his career and new album At Night, Alone. The conversation is moderated by Scott Goldman, Vice President of the Grammy Foundation and MusiCares and will be followed by a special performance. Tickets: $20.
CHARCOAL BBQ (Food)
Charcoal BBQ in Silver Lake has a new Tuesday All You Can Eat Ribs deal for $19. Obvs, no sharing, no combining with other offers. It gets crowded so call for reservations: 323.300-5500.
JEN KIRKMAN (Comedy)
Comic Jen Kirkman headlines the LA Improv on Tuesday at 8 pm, performing new material in advance of her next comedy special that she tapes this fall. “She’s back to talk about getting her first tattoo at 41, a newfound hypochondria, the stupidity of long distance relationships, road rage, talking to strangers, and more!” Doors at 7:30 pm. 18+. Also on the bill: Sharon Houston & Allison Castillo. Two item minimum. Tickets: $15.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17
Kurt Sutter, creator of 'Sons of Anarchy,' holds a signing for his new 'Lucas Stand' comic book series. (Image: Facebook)
KURT SUTTER (Comic Books)
Kurt Sutter, creator of the Sons of Anarchy, is atThe Comic Bug comic book store in Manhattan Beach on Wednesday. Sutter signs copies of Lucas Stand, his first original comic book series, published by BOOM! Studios from 6-9 pm.
THIRD WEDNESDAY (Street party)
Downtown Culver City holds its Third Wednesday series—a Spiked Tropical Punch Tasting—on Wednesday from 5-9 pm. Shop, browse and taste samples of spiked tropical punch (non-alcoholic samples available) and listen to music from the steel drum band Island Rhythms (performing live in the heart of Downtown at the corner of Washington and Culver).
WRITERS BLOC: JEFFREY TOOBIN (Lecture)
On Wednesday at 7:30 pm, Writers Bloc presents Jeffrey Toobin on Patty Hearst.Legal analyst Toobin tackles Hearst’s story in American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst. He’ll be in conversation with Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the creators of the highly acclaimed FX series, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. The program will be held at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. Tickets: $25.
FORTUNA (Comedy + tarot)
Fortuna: A Comedy Show with Tarot Magic is at the Hollywood Improv on Wednesday night at 8 pm. Comedian and Spiritual Consultant Kristin Rand brings her standup friends to perform a set and then have their Tarot cards read live on stage. Guests this week are Kyle Kinane, Asif Ali, Debra DiGiovanni and David Gborie. Ages 21+. Tickets: $5.
SPECTRA BOLD! (Art)
Art Share L.A. opens its Fall/Winter gallery season with the group show Spectra! Bold.Featured artist: Kelly Brumfield-Woods, Chenhung Chen, Kaori Fukuyama, Jeff Iorillo, Amy Kanka Valadarsky, Nancy Goodman Lawrence, Tanya Nolan, Melissa Reischman, Carl Shubs, Stephanie Sydney and The Perez Bros. “Saturated color and finely detailed pattern animate the work of these artists, offering painting, drawing, and photography that tends toward the abstract, as though the whole world were a kaleidoscope.” The show opens on Wednesday and runs through Sept. 4. The artist reception is on Aug. 27 from 7-10 pm.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18
MAVIS STAPLES (Music)
Santa Monica’s free Twilight Concert Series continues on Thursday night from 7-10 pm at the Santa Monica Pier. Performing this week are Mavis Staples with The Suffers. Hosted by KCRW DJ Gary Calamar. Free.
CALL YOUR GIRLFRIEND (Podcast taping)
The podcast Call Your Girlfriend, hosted by Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, tapes at the Theatre at Ace Hotel DTLA on Thursday at 8 pm before a live audience. Every other week, the long-distance besties call each other to “discuss the intricacies of pop culture and the latest in politics.” This week, however, they’re chatting live and talking to great guests, including Stephanie Beatriz from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Caroline Goldfarb from Official Sean Penn and This Week Had Me Like and Lindsey Weber from Who? Weekly. The night promises witty conversation and “unapologetic feminism.” Tickets: $30-$100.
ASPERGER'S ARE US (Comedy)
The comedy troupe Asperger’s are Us—four friends who all fall along the autism spectrum—performs at Nerdmelt on Thursday night at 7 pm. The comics are also celebrating the premiere of their documentary Asperger’s Are Us, directed by Alex Lehmann and produced by the Duplass Brothers. All ages. $10.
THE JIMMY PARDO PODCAST (Comedy Podcast)
The Burbank Comedy Festival continues this week, and on Thursday, there’s a live taping of Never Not Funny: The Jimmy Pardo Podcast at 5 pm at Flappers. Hosted by comedian and TV personality Jimmy Pardo, his podcast features conversation between Pardo and his funny friends. This week’s guest is Matt Belknap. Tickets: $20.
FESTER LA (Screening)
On Thursday, the Fester LA screening series returns with a slate of weird films. This week’s theme is nudity, featuring a selection of short films from around the world, all with nudity or near-nudity. Says Fester: “If you love seeing the human body... you won't when this is over.” Doors at 8:15 pm, screening at 8:45 pm. Tickets: $10.
ECHO PARK RISING (Music)
The sixth annual Echo Park Rising—the free, all ages festival—takes places at various venues throughout Echo Park from this weekend from Thursday to Sunday. The 2016 lineup includes: Chicano Batman, Egyptian Lover and the Weirdos as well as a focus on women-fronted bands like, La Luz, Dorothy, Feels, Sex Stains, Shannon Lay and Jaime Wyatt. The outdoor main stage at the intersection of Liberty and Reservoir will turn into a street fest with viewing areas, craft beer gardens, vendors and food trucks. VIP tickets ($21-$30) include VIP viewing areas, line-hopping, easy bar access and a goodie bag (while supplies last).
SIZZLING SUMMER NIGHTS (Music + dance)
The Sizzling Summer Nights series, which features the best salsa and Latin fusion bands at the Autry Museum, concludes for the summer this week on Thursday night. Dance under the stars, browse the museum collections or take lessons with salsa instructor Enio Cordoba. Live music by Colombian Latin Soul. Admission: $12, $8 for students and seniors, $6 for kids 3 to 12 years of age. Reservations recommended.
LUDLOWS x COOLHAUS @ SILVERLAKE WINE (Drinks + Ice Cream)
On Thursday from 5-9 pm, Ludlows and Coolhaus ice cream invade Silverlake Wine for an afternoon of Spritz cocktail floats and boozy ice cream.
TINKLE TWINS (Variety)
Arden Myrin and Dana Gould are the Tinkle Twins, and they bring a night of comedy, music, variety and more to Nerdmelt on Thursday night at 9 pm. Joining them on the bill are comics Anthony Jeselnik, Mo Mandel, Mike Lawrence, Alison Leiby, Caleb Synan, Karl Herlinger with special guest host Eddie Pepitone. The music’s provided by the house band The Lampshades, which is Kate Flannery of The Office & Scot Robinson from Anchorman. Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
BINGO (Games)
The Americana at Brand finishes its popular gaming night series—Bingo Under the Stars on The Green—on Thursday. Check-in starts at 6 pm and bingo runs from 7-9 pm. Hosted by Bingo Boy and Deven Green, tickets are $15 per person, and includes a dinner from Katsuya, Trattoria Amici or Frida Mexican Cuisine. Beer and cocktails are available for purchase on The Green, cash bar. Tickets are available online; they are not available at the door.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
