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LAist gets a lot of press releases, and we go through most of them to curate a list of our favorite events happening in L.A. Here are 22 events you should know about this week. Read on for all the details.
MONDAY, JULY 28
MUSIC: Voices of LA: The Krupnick Festival of the Arts is a citywide, cross-cultural collaborative music and art series that brings together art forms and people from different cultures and communities. Throughout July and August, these artistic and musical collaborations will be featured in different venues across LA, from Boyle Heights to Beverly Hills. On Monday at the Pico Union Project, La Santa Cecelia and Oscar-winning composer Yuval Ron and the artists of the Yuval Ron Ensemble, collaborate in a concert that features both songs from La Santa Cecelia’s latest album and a few originals, weaving Latin and Middle Eastern music. Free but RSVP needed.
BEER + FOOD: Chloe's at Golden Road Brewing holds a four-course, prix-fixe Brewers Supper on Monday night with a meal based on seasonal ingredients and beers. The non-vegan menu features as its main course, a pan-seared rack of lamb paired with an Almond Milk Stout, while the vegan menu features a spring vegetable polenta paired with the same beer. The price is a bargain at $40, which includes both food and beer. Reservations: Email chloes@goldenroad.la.
CONVERSATION: Zócalo/UCLA presentsA Conversation with Randy Newman at The Getty Center at 7 pm on Monday. Moderated by Gregory Rodriguez, founder of Zócalo Public Square, he’ll discuss Newman’s prolific music career. The prolific songwriter of L.A.’s unofficial anthem (“I Love L.A.”), Newman has won Oscars, Grammys, Emmys and is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Newman is also known for scoring and composing films, most notably, The Natural, Ragtime, and a number of Pixar films like Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and A Bug’s Life. Free, open to the public. Reception to follow. Parking is $10 per car or motorcycle after 5 pm. There is currently a waitlist for this event.
LIT: Deborah Harkness discusses and signs The Book of Life at Vroman’s on Monday at 7 pm. It’s the third book in her paranormal/historical fiction best-selling All Souls trilogy. The USC history professor and wine expert has blended magic, history and romance—between a witch and a vampire—into a compelling series.
STORY: The LA Moth GrandSLAM Championship XXIII: Never Againis at the Echoplex on Monday night at 8 pm. The GrandSLAM presents 10 StorySLAM winners who tell “cautionary tales, roads less traveled for a reason and isolated incidences.” Hosted by Brian Finkelstein, the stories will be told by Steve Brady, Tamra Brown, John Flynn, Ryan Flynn, Theo Greenly, Carlos Kotkin, Bill Ratner, David Rodwin, Moses Storm and James Williams. Doors at 7 pm, stories at 8 pm. Tickets: $18. 18+.
LIT: Buffalo indie-pop band The Tins plays two shows on Monday night in support of its new EP Young Blame (out July 29th). Up first, the band plays an 8:30 pm set at The Bootleg(free 21+ show, part of Hi Ho Silver Oh’s residency). It’s followed by another free set at 11:15 pm at The Mint(with Boyfriend, Gold and Eddie Cole). The Mint is an 18+ show.
TUESDAY, JULY 29
MUSIC: The Hold Steady plays the El Rey on Tuesday to promote Teeth Dreams, the band’s sixth album. They’re supported by the power pop of Cheap Girls. 9 pm. Tickets: $25.
COMEDY: On Tuesday at 7 pm, NerdMelt presents Curt Neill in This SHOW Will Require Dinosaurs. Neill is the brains behind tumblr’s Untitled Screenplays, which he turned into his first, just released book, This Movie Will Require Dinosaurs. Tuesday’s event features live performances of some of his fav scenes from the book—which chronicles the struggles of screenwriters (aka half of LA’s population)—as well as standup from a couple special guests. Copies of the book will be on sale, too. Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
COMEDY: Good Looks is a free monthly comedy show that takes place every last Tuesday at play in DTLA’s Arts District. Standup comedy by Pete Holmes, Eric Andre, Kate Berlant, Chris Garcia and Allen Strickland Williams. Doors at 7 pm. Show at 8 pm. Cash bar available and ice cream for sale by Cream Dream.
MUSIC: Skybar’s outdoor acoustic music series, Tunesday, continues on Tuesday with a live acoustic music set by Samsaya. The Indian-born Norwegian singer cites Mary J. Blige, TLC, OutKast and Indian singer Asha Bhlosle among her influences. Doors open at 7 pm, performance begins at 9 pm. Free, but RSVPs needed: SkybarLA@mhgc.com.
COMEDY: There’s a free comedy show at the Straight Jacket Society Theatre (6470 Santa Monica Boulevard) on Tuesday at 8 pm. Headliner Icky Pep joins in-house improv teams PEW PEW PACHOO, Family Van and Big Yellow Taxi.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
MUSIC: Singer-songwriter Andy Grammer plays a free show on Wednesday as part of the Summer Stage Series at The Grove. He’ll be performing from his upcoming album Magazines or Novels (Aug. 5) as well as from his 2011 self-titled debut album. Tyrone Wells brings his folk pop style to The Grove, too, opening for Grammer. If you can’t make it, both sets will be streamed live on Wednesday beginning at 7:30 pm. (The page will only be live for 72 hours.)
COMEDY: Comedy Central Stage presents a free show on Wednesday featuring the sketch team The Mutiny at 8 pm. One of the longest-running housesketch teams at iO West, the show features writing and performances by Amy Albert, Jeramy Belanger, Blake Hogue, Gina Ippolito, Aaron LaPlante, Alex Logan, Rob O'Connor and Madeline Wager. Tickets are free, but reservations are needed by calling 323-960-5519.
THURSDAY, JULY 31
MUSIC: The Skirball Center’s free Sunset Concert Seriescontinues on Thursday at 8 pm featuring Cuban “son” music by Conjunto Chappotín y sus Estrellas, making their California debut. Bring dance shoes to dance the night away to Afro-Cuban beats, Latin jazz and salsa sounds. Parking: $10 per car (cash only) or take Metro Rapid 761.
COMEDY: On Thursday at 8 pm, UCB Theatre presents Santina Muha in her one-woman show, The Girl in the Wheelchair. The show focuses on Santina's her experience in a wheelchair (since she was six years old) and the “challenges and hilarity that come with her day-to-day life.” Her chair never got in the way of pursuing her dream to do comedy and TV and Thursday is proof positive. Tickets: $5.
COMEDY:
NerdMelt presents The Wheel Show on Thursday at 7 pm. It’s basically a smorgasbord of choices placed on a big wheel and the audience never knows what to expect. There’s a chance for specific sketches, stunts and other surprises. The secret lineup features Maurice LaMarche (the voice behind The Brain from Pinky and the Brain, Toucan Sam and others). Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
MUSIC : Endless Nights, a new concert series that highlights artists on the cutting edge of fashion, music, art and technology, makes its debut at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel at 7 pm. Check out live fashion and music poolside with performances by Top Rock, Belmont Lights, Sabrina Antoinette and more! as well as other installations/performances and vendors. Free, but RSVP needed: Events@ERELAInc.com.
BINGO : The Americana at Brand holds an evening of Bingo Under the Stars filled with fun and prizes, hosted by Jeffery "Bingo Boy" Bowman. Check-in starts at 6 pm and bingo runs from 7-9 pm. At the Green. Tickets: $10, includes taco bar from Frida Mexican Cuisine (three tacos). Other foods, margaritas, sangria and beer for purchase at cash bar.
MUSIC: KCRW and the Hammer Museum continue their free summer shows on Thursday at the Hammer with live performances and DJ sets. Made in L.A. Music begins with a happy hour at 6:30 pm and the music begins at 7:30 pm with live music by DEEP featuring Marques Wyatt and Doc Martin. KCRW DJ Raul Campos spins through the night, too.
TRAVELOGUES + FILMS : My Atlasis a summer series that pairs live travelogues by women travelers with films. Curated by Julia Meltzer, Sasha Archibald and Courtney Stephens, the films are preceded by a speaker that recounts “a specific travel story and/or discuss travel as a mode of self-understanding.” The series continues every Thursday at the Elysian Courtyard until August 22. On Thursday, July 31, LA-based writer Andrea Richards (author of Girl Director: A How-To Guide for the First-Time, Flat-Broke Film & Video Maker) will talk about female friendship, and the film screened outdoors is Thelma & Louise (1991). The talk and Q&A begins around 7:30 pm with the film screens at approximately 8:15 pm.
MUSIC: Free music for the Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday beginning at 7 pm. Headlining the night is Syrian artist Omar Souleyman with De Lux, along with KCRW’s DJ Aaron Byrd. Organizers’ tip: Park on the lots on 4th Street/Colorado to help avoid traffic on the way out.
THEATER: Eclect-a-Festis a short play festival that begins its run on Thursday at 8 pm at the Eclectic Company Theatre in Valley Village. Several new short plays will be staged over two evenings with Program A on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Program B plays on Fridays and Sundays at 7 pm. Tickets are $18, $25 for both A + B nights. The festival runs through Sept. 1.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
