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Here are 20 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this week.
MONDAY, APRIL 10
AMERICAN GODS (TV preview)
On Monday at 7:30 pm, Film Independent at LACMA presents a free screening of the first episode (“The Bone Orchard”) of the new Starz TV series, American Gods. The show is based on a Neil Gaiman book, and Gaiman himself serves as a producer and writer for the show. In the series, an ex-convict becomes the bodyguard of a powerful old god looking to reclaim his past glory. The event features a conversation with executive producers and showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, and actors Ricky Whittle and Ian McShane. Free, but RSVPs/tickets required.
HAWAI / IRONTOM (Music)
The OC alt-rock band Hawai plays The Satellite in LA on Monday night (9 pm set). After taking a timeout for life stuff, the band’s back together and prepping in their new EP, which is due out this summer. The band’s playing as part of Irontom’s April Residency at The Satellite. He Monster and Arms Akimbo open the night. Free.
TUESDAY, APRIL 11
VINCE STAPLES (Music)
Rapper Vince Staples’ The Life Aquatic Tour stops at the Fonda Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 pm. Kilo Kish opens. Read LAist’s interview with Staples. Tickets start at $25.
THE UNRULY FERMENTATIONS OF BRETTANOMYCES AND BACTERIA (Beer + education)
Eagle Rock Brewery presents the Beer Education Series event: The Unruly Fermentations of Brettanomyces and Bacteria on Tuesday night at the Brewhouse at 7 pm. The brewers and guests will discuss and sample beers before and after the “unruly fermentations” of Brettanomyces (yeast) and Bacteria. Learn how beers are made using these organisms, and how flavors are transformed during the process. Tickets are $18 and include include (4) 5-oz beer samples. Ages 21+.
WHAM CITY (Comedy + videos)
Wham City, a Baltimore-based comedy and video collective, is currently on tour and stops by NerdMelt on Tuesday night at 7 pm. The troupe is known for its bizarre videos and “absurdist presentational performances.” The night features Ben O'Brien, Alan Resnick, Robby Rackleff, guest Cricket Arrison and special guest Jamel Johnson. Tickets are $10. 7 pm.
JOHN EARLY (Comedy)
The Satellite presents an evening of comedy with John Early, Claudia O'Doherty, Marcella Arguello, Solomon Georgio, Penis, Tashi & Amanda Blank and DJ Seth Bogart on Tuesday at 9 pm. 8 pm. Ages 21+. Partial proceeds from this show will benefit the International Refugee Assistance Project. Advance tickets are sold out, but there will be a limited number available at the door night of show.
EXPLORING COUNT BASIE: THE KING OF SWING (Presentation)
In conjunction with The Grammy Museum’s exhibit Count Basie: The King Of Swing, which closes on April 16, the museum presents a panel discussion on Basie, his music and its place in history on Tuesday at 7:30 pm. The event also celebrates the release of The Savory Collection, launched by the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and Apple Music, which features music by Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins, Fats Waller and Lionel Hampton, among others. Panelists are: moderator and KJAZZ host Bubba Jackson, Senior Scholar of the National Jazz Museum, Loren Schoenberg, IP and Memorabilia Manager for Count Basie Trust Darryl Porter, Count Basie drummer, previous owner Concord Music Gregg Field and jazz journalist Scott Yanow. Tickets: $10.
MY ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL SINKING INTO THE SEA (Film screening)
Dash Shaw’s animated feature My High School Sinking into the Sea opens this weekend, and there’s a special preview screening on Tuesday at 7:30 pm at the Landmark Nuart. The film, which incorporates drawings, paintings and collage in its animation, combines disaster films, high school comedies and satire. In the film, an earthquake causes a high school to float into the sea, where it begins to slowly sink to the bottom. The voice cast of actors includes Jason Schwartzman, Lena Dunham, Reggie Watts, Maya Rudolph and Susan Sarandon. A Q&A follows the screening with Schwartzman, producer Kyle Martin and writer/director Dash Shaw.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12
FIONA GREY / MADELINE SPOONER (Music)
LA-based singer-songwriter Fiona Grey celebrates the release of her new single "Money," while raising money for programs defunded by the current administration. Grey’s night and music fundraiser takes place at Tenants of the Trees on Wednesday night joined by Madeline Spooner, ½ of the Orchid Quartet and La Bouquet spinning tunes. The party-fundraiser continues on April 19 with an all-girl Planned Parenthood Los Angeles night. Tickets: donations for charity of the night at door. Ages 21+. 9 pm.
SUSTO (Music)
The five-piece, Charleston, S.C.-based Susto performs on Tuesday night at the Bootleg Bar. The band’s currently on the road to promote its latest release, & I'm Fine Today. Cat Clyde, Izaak Opatz open the show. 8:30 pm. Tickets: $10-$12.
LA BREA BAKERY GRILLED CHEESE NIGHT (Food)
La Brea Bakery Grilled Cheese Night returns on Wednesday night from 7-10 pm. Sample passed grilled sandwiches that include: Havarti, house-cured Gravlax, and Red Onion compote on Pumpernickel Bread; Roquefort and Spicy Apple Chutney on Walnut Bread; Gruyere and “French Onion Soup” Shallots on our French Baguette; Taleggio, Wood Roasted Mushrooms and Roasted Garlic on Kalamata Olive Bread; Tomato Soup Shooter topped with a Cheddar, Brie and Fontina Grilled Cheese; and Spanish Ossau Iraty Cheese, Piquillo Peppers, Fennel, and Pickled Raisins on La Brea Bakery Reserve Pain De Campagna. Wines will be available from Navarro Winery, Opolo Vineyards, Tablas Creek Vineyards and Moet Chandon. Cheese samples, bread and cheese giveaways and a music turn the night into a real cheese fest. Tickets: $35.
BANDS & BEER (Release party)
Time Out Los Angeles throws a party at The Hi Hat in Highland Park to celebrate the release of its third issue of Time Out Los Angeles magazine on Wednesday night. The evening highlights the upcoming summer music festival season and more. There are three bands curated by Sofar Sounds playing and the night’s beer sponsor is Peroni Nastro Azzurro.
MINUS THE BEAR (Music)
Seattle’s Minus the Bear plays the Belasco Theater on Wednesday night. The band’s currently on tour to support its recently released album Voids (the band’s first new LP in five years). Beach Slang and Bayonne open the night. Doors at 7 pm. Tickets: $28.50+ fees. All ages.
VANESSA CARLTON (Music)
After leaving L.A. for Nashville, Vanessa Carlton returns to play a couple of intimate venues around town. She plays Largo on Wednesday night and at Sainte Rocke in Hermosa Beach on Thursday night. Carlton is playing in support of Earlier Things Live, a collection of live versions of her earlier works. Her Largo solo show is at 8 pm, tickets: $39. Carlton is joined by Tristen and Skye Steele on Thursday night at Saint Rocke. Doors at 6 pm, show at 8 pm. $25-$30. Ages 21+.
THURSDAY, APRIL 13
ATLANTIC CITY (Comedy)
Atlantic City, a new monthly all-sketch comedy showcase, takes place on Thursday at 8 pm at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater - Franklin. L.A. comedians perform their own sketches and characters for the show. This month’s performers are: Scott Thompson, Joe Wengert, Ego Nwodim, John Reynolds, Marques Ray, Drew Tarver, Natalie Palamides and others. Tickets: $7.
BAND AND A MOVIE: SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL (Film + music)
On Thursday at 7:30 pm, the Band and a Movie film series continues at Cinefamily with a screening of Somewhere Beautiful (2016) by director Albert Kodagolian. The film is set in Patagonia and Los Angeles, and follows two people through the “creative process and the half life of romance.” The film, which is inspired by Atom Egoyan's 1993 film Calendar, features songs by Andrea Silva and Avi Buffalo. The musicians will be in attendance and play a live set after the screening. Also, directors Egoyan and Kodagolian will be at Cinefamily for a conversation, too. Tickets - $18/free for members.
BISHOP BRIGGS (Music)
On the strength of her hit single “River,” which topped the charts, Bishop Briggs now headlines the El Rey Theatre on Thursday night, playing in advance of the release her self-titled debut EP (which drops the next day). She also plays Coachella Saturdays (15th and 22nd). SHAED & Manatee Commune open for Briggs at the El Rey. Tickets: $22.50. All ages.
KOSHER/SOUL: BLACK AND JEWISH FOODWAYS (Food + talk)
The Skirball Cultural Center presents Kosher/Soul: Black and Jewish Foodways, a two-part food program on Thursday. At 2 pm, African American Jewish food writer, culinary historian and TED Fellow Michael W. Twitty examines “race, culture, food, faith, and history through what he calls ‘Kosher/Soul.’” Twitty shares his experience on being Jewish and African American. At 8 pm on Thursday, the Skirball presents the talk/demonstration of Kosher/Soul in the Kitchen with a tasting of Twitty’s recipes. Inspired by the Passover Seder, Twitty prepares food from his forthcoming cookbook, The Cooking Gene: A Journey through African-American Culinary History in the Old South. The 2 pm talk is free, but the tasting tickets for the evening program are $10-$20.
SIGUR RÓS (Music)
As part of the LA Phil’s Reykjavík Festival, Sigur Rós plays three nights (April 13-15) at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, featuring new string arrangements by guests that include Dan Deacon, Nico Muhly, Owen Pallett and Anna Meredith. The shows will mark the first time the band has played publicly with an orchestra since performances in more than a decade. While each night is slightly different, each program is preceded by Nordic Affect chamber music program and a cappella choral works by Schola Cantorum Reykjavík. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the LA Phil each night.
ANNABETH GURWICH (Book talk)
Annabeth Gurwich presents her new collection of essays Wherever You Go, There They Are: Stories About My Family You Might Relate To on Thursday at 7:30 pm at Skylight Books. NYT bestselling author Gurwich writes about her “family of bootleggers, gamblers and philanderers, as well as the sisterhoods, temporary tribes, communities, and cults who have become surrogates along the way.” She’s in conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
