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 24
MOTH GRANDSLAM (Story)
It's time once again for the LA Moth’s GrandSLAM at The Regent on Monday night at 8 pm. Ten past StorySLAM winners take on the theme “curveballs,” telling stories of the unexpected or unanticipated adventures. Hosted by Brian Finkelstein, storytellers include: Brittany Ross, David Marlett, Josh Silberman, Kevin McGeehan, Moses Storm, Rich Tackenberg, Ruby Cooper, Tom Crawford, Torye Anthony and Vicki Juditz. Doors at 7 pm. Tickets: $20-25. 18+ event.
BLIND BARBER (Comedy) (Music)
Every last Monday of the month, The Blind Barber in Culver City offers a night of comedy at the secret speakeasy bar behind an old-timey barbershop. People can email barbersecretshow@gmail.com to get on the list. The next show is Monday at 9:30 pm. 18+. Tickets are $10, and there’s a two-drink minimum.
TUESDAY, APRIL 25
GENIUS (TV screening + Q&A)
The Los Angeles Times presents an evening with the creator and cast of Genius on Tuesday at 7:30 pm at the ArcLight in Sherman Oaks. Guests watch an episode(s) of the new series on Albert Einstein, followed by a Q&A with cast and creatives including actors Geoffrey Rush, Johnny Flynn and Samantha Colley, showrunner Kenneth Biller, executive producer and director Ron Howard, and executive producers Brian Grazer and Gigi Pritzker. Moderated by Yvonne Villarreal of the L.A. Times.
LEIF VOLLEBEKK (Music)
The Ottawa, Canada-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Leif Vollebekk plays The Echo on Tuesday night in support of his new record Twin Solitude. Nico Yaryan opens. 8:30 pm. Tickets: $11.50-$13.50. Ages 18+.
DENIM DAY (Music + awareness)
If there were ever a reason to bust out the Canadian tuxedo, it’s this Wednesday for Denim Day. Wear denim and jeans to raise awareness of and help end rape and sexual assault. At 6 pm, Peace Over Violence and the GUESS Foundation present a special event at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica that recognizes and honors survivors of sexual assault with a free concert from Maya Jupiter and Aloe Blacc.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
FILM FESTIVALS (Film)
There are several film festivals happening in L.A. this week. Among them: The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival begins Wednesday and runs through May 3, showcasing contemporary and classic films highlighting the best in Jewish Cinema at several venues around L.A.; Visual Communications’ 33rd Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival runs Thursday, April 27-May 4 also at several venues throughout L.A.; the 17th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival runs Wednesday, April 26 to April 30, showing non-studio films at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood; the 5th Annual Cinema at the Edge Film Festival runs from Thursday, April 27 to 30, at the Edgemar Center for the Performing Arts in Santa Monica, screening indie films of all genres.
HAMMER FORUM: KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE (Discussion + politics)
The Hammer Forum series presents the program, Keeping the DREAM Alive on Wednesday at 7:30 pm at UCLA’s Hammer Museum. The evening focuses on the DREAMers—undocumented immigrants under the age of 35 who arrived as children—seeking a pathway to citizenship. From the Hammer: “While Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), signed by President Obama, grants legal recognition and amnesty to some, their future is tenuous under the Trump administration.” Hear from a panel of experts on ways to navigate the current immigration landscape and how to advocate for support programs and undocumented student policies. Free.
LOUISIANA SEAFOOD BOIL (Food)
Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks holds its quarterly Louisiana Seafood Boil on Wednesday beginning from 4:30 pm. The family-style meal includes slaw, corn, potatoes, sausage and the combo platters—ranging from small to sharable plates for four ($35-55 per person). The seafood platters feature Louisiana Crawfish, Venus Clams, White Shrimp, Jumbo Louisiana Gulf Shrimp, PEI Black Mussels, Opilio Snow Crab Clusters, Alaskan King Crab Legs, as well as Maine Lobster Tails (4-oz.).
TALES FROM TINSELTOWN (Storytelling show)
The storytelling show Tales from Tinseltown, hosted by Megan Hayes and Oscar Sagastume, returns to Three Clubs on Wednesday at 8 pm. The lineup shares Hollywood's dirty secrets and a few of their own. Performers are: Pablo Marz, Beowulf Jones, Aaron Fullerton, Will Link, Bobbie Oliver. There will be no recording devices allowed to protect everyone's careers. Tickets: $5.
LIVE TALKS L.A.: KELLY OXFORD WITH BUSY PHILLIPS (Book talk)
Live Talks L.A. presents author Kelly Oxford in conversation with actress Busy Phillips to discuss the writing life, Twitter and her new memoir When You Find Out the World Is Against You on Wednesday at 8 pm at the Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre at the New Roads School in Santa Monica. Tickets: $20-$46.
VERY FORWARD (Progressive comedy)
The progressive standup comedy show Very Forward is at the Lyric Hyperion Café in Silver Lake on Wednesday at 8:15 pm. Hosted by Teresa Lee and Claire Downs, the lineup features weird and experimental comedy by Ian Abramson, Marcia Belsky, Marlena Rodriguez and others. Tickets $5 online and $10 at the door.
THE STANDING ROOM BEER DINNER (Food + drinks)
The Standing Room in Hermosa Beach hosts a fun-sounding Beer Dinneron Wednesday from 6-8 pm. Diners partake in four different beers from The Strand Brewing Company to accompany a four-course meal. The dishes are all off-menu and kept a secret until guests arrive. Tickets: $40. To reserve tickets, please call (310) 318-1272.
THURSDAY, APRIL 27
SUSTAINABLE WINE + DINNER SERIES (Food)
As part of its 50th Anniversary festivities, the L.A. Zoo continues its Sustainable Wine+Dinner Series to celebrate a continued commitment to conservation on Thursday from 6-9 pm. The series begins on Thursday night with a five-course dinner served with wine from local vineyards (this week: Malibu Family Wines), held on terraces of the L.A. Zoo's Mahale Mountains. Sip and taste wine while learning from wildlife ecologist Anthony J. Giordano, founder and director of S.P.E.C.I.E.S., The Society for the Conservation of Endangered Carnivores. 21+ event. Tickets: $130-$150.
CRAZY IN LOVE (Dance party)
There’s a Crazy in Love dance party on Thursday night at Resident in DTLA from 10 pm to 2 am. The Beyonce and Jay-Z tribute / party celebrates the hits of Queen B and Hov. Tickets: $10-$15. 21+.
ROBERTA’S x DI ALBA = PORCHETTA (Food pop-up)
Carlo Mirarchi of Roberta’s Pizza pops up at di Alba, a new focacceria + counter spot in DTLA’s Arts District, fora one-night-only Porchetta Dinner on Thursday from 7-10 pm. Guests can taste the roasted Red Wattle pork (brined & seasoned with fennel pollen, fennel seed, rosemary and salt), a market-driven seasonal vegetable side featuring produce from the Santa Monica Farmers' Market and a beer. For dessert, The Smile’s di Alba executive chef/partner Nina Clemente and sous/pastry chef Zena Scharf offer strawberry rhubarb polenta cake. Tickets: $24 per person.
VOCAL DOPPELGÄNGER (Comedy)
Vocal Doppelgänger is a night of stand-up comedy featuring comics/podcasters Ophira Eisenberg and Jackie Kashian. For years, their fans have been commenting on the similarity of their voices—hence they’re each others’ vocal doppelgängers. On Thursday at NerdMelt at 7 pm, you’ll have a chance to hear for yourself as the women do their separate acts (but in that same voice). Tickets: $10.
THE RENDEZVOUS (Film + discussion)
The Rendezvous is an upcoming romantic thriller starring Stana Katic and Raza Jaffrey. On Thursday at the Laemmle Royal Theatre in Santa Monica, there’s a special benefit advanced screening and interfaith Q+A to support reGeneration, a nonprofit that establishes early development and education programs for children in crisis zones afflicted by conflict, natural disaster and poverty. After the screening, there’s a panel that explores the timely issues in the film such as extremism, prejudice and narrative perspectives. The discussion includes: The Rendezvous director Amin Matalqa; author and producer of The Rendezvous, Tricia Gibbs, MD (pen name Sarah Isaias) and others. 7 pm. Tickets: $10.
DINING OUT FOR LIFE (AIDS Fundraiser)
There’s an easy way to fight HIV/AIDS on Thursday: Eat out at one of the restaurants participating in Dining Out For Life. The establishments have agreed to donate a portion of the day’s receipts to APLA Health and Project Angel Food. Participating restaurants include: Stout Burgers and Beers (in three locations), Taste (in two locations), Ago, Spring, Connie & Ted’s, Rockwell, Tiato Kitchen + Venue, Jar, The Larchmont and many others. A full list of participating restaurants is available at the Dining Out for Life site.
COAST MODERN (Music)
Coast Modern headlines the Alt Nation Advanced Placement Tour and stops at the Troubadour on Thursday night with 888, Sundara Karma. The show is all ages, and doors are at 6:30 pm. Be sure to get there early because we’re digging the sounds of opener and UK-based newcomers Sundarna Karma. Tickets: $15.
NE-HI (Music)
The Chicago band NE-HI plays the Bootleg’s Bar Stage on Thursday night, in support of its second album Offers. We’re digging the band’s jangly guitar riffs and post-punk sounds. Moaning, Weird Love open the night. Tickets: $10-$12. 21+. 8:30 pm.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
