This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Here are 20 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this week.
MONDAY, APRIL 3
DODGERS OPENING DAY (Baseball)
It’s time for Dodger baseball. The L.A. Dodgers take on the San Diego Padres today at 1:10 pm in Chavez Ravine for opening day on Monday. Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to pitch. What more could you ask for? If you don't have tickets for the game, check out places nearby like the Spring Street Smokehouse and Boomtown Brewery to celebrate.
THE BUSINESS: LOS ANGELES (COMEDY)
The Business: Los Angeles is a free weekly comedy show at Little Joy in Echo Park. Hosted by Bucky Sinister, Sean Keane, Megan Koester, Anna Seregina and Chris Garcia, the lineup features: Jon Daly, Debra DiGiovanni, The Puterbaugh Sisters, Casey Ley and Danielle Radford. Doors at 8 pm, show at 9 pm. Ages 21+.
KALIBORATION 2.0 DINNER (Food)
Michael’s chef Miles Thompson teams up with Kali's Kevin Meehan on Monday at Kali to celebrate California cuisine and ingredients. Diners will enjoy a 5-course dinner for $70 with items from both restaurant menus as well as new items created for the evening. Reservations are available between 6-10 pm; tables must be reserved by calling Kali at 323.871.4160.
GIFTED (Film)
On Monday night, Film Independent at LACMA presents a free screening of Gifted, a film directed by Marc Webb from a Black List film script written by Tom Flynn. The film stars Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate and Octavia Spencer, about a man (Evans) raising his child prodigy niece and the external forces that try to separate them. The free screening starts at 7:30 pm.
TUESDAY, APRIL 4
EMO NITE (Sad AF Music)
The monthly Emo Nite returns to the Echo and Echoplex on Tuesday, bringing together people through a shared love of emo music from the ‘90s to today. Bands playing at the Echo are: This Wild Life, Romance & Rebellion, Arlington and Gardenside. Doors open at 8:30 pm. The first 100 people in line get in for free, $10 after that. Ages 21+.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
ANDREW MCCARTHY AND PICO IYER (Book talk)
Live Talks L.A. presents actor/director/author Andrew McCarthy in conversation with essayist/novelist Pico Iyer to discuss the writing life and McCarthy’s debut novel Just Fly Away on Wednesday at 8 pm at the Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre at the New Roads School in Santa Monica. Tickets: $20-$95.
ASTRO DOUGHNUTS & FRIED CHICKEN (Food)
On Wednesday, Washington DC’s famous Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken opens in Downtown Los Angeles (516 W. 6th St). They’re giving away a free doughnut to everyone who follows @astrodoughnuts on Instagram (and shows them at the register).
SCI-FI AT UNION STATION (Film)
There’s a Sci-Fi at Union Station film series that begins this week with classic films screened for free inside the historic ticketing hall. On Wednesday, the series presents Blade Runner (1982), which has scenes filmed in the same hall. Doors at 7 pm and the screening begins at 7:30 pm with an introduction by former Los Angeles Times entertainment reporter Susan King. Them! Screens on May 12 in the station’s North Patio and Her screens June 9 in the Historic Ticketing Hall. Admission is free and seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.
ROOFTOP CINEMA CLUB (Film)
Rooftop Cinema Club returns this week to the rooftop of the Montalbán Theater in Hollywood for screenings under the stars with wireless headphones,lounge chairs, food from Heritage LA and more. On Wednesday Blade Runner (1982) screens; on Thursday, Donnie Darko (2001). Screenings are 18+. Tickets: $17-$25.50.
JOHN JOSEPH (Book talk)
The Last Bookstore presents hardcore legend John Joseph who reads from his memoir, The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon, on Wednesday at 7:30 pm. The book recounts his youth spent in foster homes and his time in the underground punk scene in the Cro-Mags. He also discusses his homelessness, addiction, betrayal and insanity. A Q&A follows the chapter reading.
SIEL JU (Reading)
On Wednesday at 7:30 pm, Skylight Books presents Siel Ju, who reads from her debut novel-in-stories, Cake Time, with guests. The book was the 2015 Red Hen Press Fiction Manuscript Award. Joining Ju are Jim Ruland, Victoria Patterson and Janice Lee.
HISTORY’S GREATEST CAT (Lecture and slideshow)
There’s a free lecture and slideshow by feline history expert Dr. Paul Koudounaris on Wednesday at Hyperion Tavern in Silver Lake at 9:45 pm. Learn about Humphrey, a British cat, and enjoy performances by Dame Darcy, The Lodestones, a DJ set by Don Bolles. Free.
TRAILER - Fight the Power from Cinefamily on Vimeo.
TICKLING GIANTS (Film + discussion)
Tickling Giants is a documentary by director Sara Taksler that follows Bassem Youssef, a former heart surgeon-turned-comedian who became known as “Egypt’s Jon Stewart.” Youssef fought for free speech that is still being fought. Cinefamily presents a special screening at the Vista Theatre on Wednesday at 7:30 pm. The screening’s followed by a Q&A with director Taksler and Youssef, moderated by Larry Wilmore (The Daily Show, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore). DJ set by Chris Holmes. Tickets: $18.Youssef also has a book talk, presented by Book Soup, at the Freud Playhouse on Thursday at 8 pm. Tickets: $15-$38.
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL (Classic film)
The eighth annual TCM Classic Film Festival opens in Hollywood on Thursday. The festival’s Opening Night Gala celebrates the 50th Anniversary of In the Heat of the Night (1967) with the film’s director Norman Jewison, producer Walter Mirisch, actors Lee Grant and Scott Wilson, composer Quincy Jones and casting director Lynn Stalmaster appearing. Individual tickets (which run $20) will not be sold for the Opening Night Red Carpet Gala screening, the poolside screenings or panels—as they’re passholder exclusive events. (Passes: $299-$2,149.)
AMA-ZINE WORKSHOP (Craft night)
The Craft and Folk Art Museum presents Craft Night: Ama-Zine Workshop with Rhea Tepp on Thursday from 6:30-9 pm in the museum courtyard. Learn to craft zines while drinking, and then stick around for the free screening and reading with Snatch Power! — the "afrofuturistic women's liberation artist collective." Admission: $7, free for members.
BANNED IN TUCSON (Comedy)
Banned in Tucson is a half-hour sketch comedy show that combines news, sketches and videos from a Latino point of view. The show takes its title from the banning of ethnic studies in Arizona—and it takes place at UCB Sunset on Thursday at 5:30 pm. Tickets $5.
BUSTY & THE BASS / LAWRENCE (Music)
Two pop/soul bands Busty & The Bass and Lawrence co-headline the Troubadour on Thursday night. The Young Wild opens. Tickets: $15. Doors at 7:30 pm.
YARN CRAWL (Craft)
More than 2,000 knitters, crocheters, weavers and spinners are expected to participate in the L.A. County Yarn Crawlfrom Thursday to Sunday. Yarn stores across the country are welcoming fiber artists to browse, learn new skills, buy yarns, patterns and supplies and hang out with other fiber enthusiasts.
THE MYSTERY OF OUR HUMAN STORY (Science lecture)
On Thursday and Friday, National Geographic Live presents The Mystery of Our Human Story with National Geographic Explorer-In-Residence and Paleoanthropologist Lee Berger at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Learn about how the discovery of a trove of bones hidden deep within a South African cave led to a classification of a new species of human ancestor. The program, which begins at 7:30 pm each night, runs about 70 minutes and includes a Q&A with Berger. Tickets start at $50.
LACHSA BENEFIT (Comedy)
There’s a benefit for the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts on Thursday night at Largo. Hosted by Jeff Garlin, guests include Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman, Tom Papa, Tommy Chong and others. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. Tickets: $50-$100.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
