Coronavirus is wreaking havoc on schools, stores, businesses and events. With in-person concerts, talks, comedy shows, food festivals and other gatherings cancelled, we have turned our events column into a "nonevents" column. It will remain this way as long as social distancing and stay-at-home orders are in effect.
During this difficult time, please consider contributing to your local arts organizations or to individual artists and performers.
Between The Moth, Homeward Live, Literary Death Match and KPCC's own Unheard L.A., virtual literary events rule the week. The Pacific Opera Project holds a Madama Butterfly watch party. And Tamales Elena opens a brick-and-mortar location.
Literary Death Match
The literary competition makes its online debut, pitting four authors who duel it out with words in front of a panel of judges. Listen to readings of five minutes (or shorter) by authors Roxane Gay, Rebecca Traister, Kimberly Jones and Andre Perry. The judges -- including comedian Aparna Nancherla and actor Gabby Sidibe -- will also comment on the readings.
COST: FREE, but RSVP required; MORE INFO
Sunstorm Podcast at CAAM: A Moment of Sanctuary
The California African American Museum presents a live recording of the Sunstorm podcast, hosted by Alicia Garza and Ai-jen Poo. During the episode, they'll talk with guests, friends and "sheroes" about how women can stay powerful and joyful in today's chaotic world. The event is being held in conjunction with Sanctuary: Recent Acquisitions to the Permanent Collection and features exhibiting artist Sadie Barnette.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Paul McCarthy Exhibitions
Hauser & Wirth presents an online exhibition of new works by McCarthy, which coincides with a show of historical works in Gstaad, Switzerland. A&E Drawing Session, Santa Anita is a new series of large scale drawings from McCarthy's latest multidisciplinary project, A&E. On Saturday, Alpine Stories and other Dystopias opens at Tarmak 22 in Gstaad with a selection of the artist's drawings, photographs, sculptures and video work from Heidi, White Snow, Caribbean Pirates and PROPO.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Well Beings Virtual National Town Hall
Washington, D.C.-based public radio station WETA teams up with the National Alliance on Mental Illness to launch a campaign addressing the health needs of Americans, beginning with the Youth Mental Health Project. The kickoff features a panel discussion on mental health and remarks from Kid Cudi, Jewel, Bill Pullman, Billy Porter, Ariel Winter and LeVar Burton.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Black Panther
Paramount Drive-In Theatres
7770 Rosecrans Ave., Paramount
Michael B. Jordan curates a slate of films this summer for a free drive-in movie series from Amazon Studios and Prime Video. This week's selection stars Jordan as Killmonger in the Marvel superhero flick. All attendees will receive refreshments provided by Black- and Brown-owned businesses, including Path Water, Pipcorn Popcorn and Partake Cookies. COVID guidelines are in effect.
COST: FREE, but RSVP required; MORE INFO
Pacific Opera Project Live Watch Party
Join other opera fans for a broadcast of POP's bilingual, true-to-story production of Madama Butterfly. The evening includes interviews with the artistic directors, thematic drink recipes and Japanese restaurant recommendations from the cast. Throughout the stream, POP will highlight organizations that are fighting COVID-related racism against Japanese Americans. Watch on Facebook or YouTube.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Homeward Live
Since 2018, Homeward L.A. has organized theater events with actors performing monologues based on the stories of real people who've experienced homelessness. The efforts have raised $180k for the Midnight Mission. For the next five weeks, the project will present virtual live readings, followed by a conversation between the actor and the person who lived the tale. This week, actor Judy Reyes (Claws, Devious Maids, Scrubs) shares Bobbie Jo's story. Streams on Facebook Live.
COST: FREE, but donations accepted; MORE INFO
The Moth: Virtual Mainstage
The virtual night zooms into living rooms with people telling tales on the theme of "Fight or Flight: Stories of Paths Forward." Hosted by Dame Wilburn, storytellers include Phill Branch, Elan Cadiz and Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton. Music provided by Dayren Santamaria. Arrive (virtually) on time as the event will be locked at 4:45 p.m. PDT.
COST: $15, but RSVP required; MORE INFO
Red Hen Press Poetry Hour
The poetry hour returns to The Broad Stage (virtually) with a slightly different focus. Moderated by actor and writer Sandra Tsing Loh, artists and poets delve into social justice themes connected to the Broad Stage's 2020-21 season. This week's episode, "Finding Truths and Creating Art in Exile," includes Iranian American poet/writer/playwright Sholeh Wolpé, Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour, poet and playwright Nathalie Handal and award-winning Armenian poet Lory Bedikian.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
How Can Humans Coexist With Monster Wildfires?
Megafires -- wildfires that burn more than 100,000 acres of land -- have scarred the earth, from the Amazon to Australia and they're becoming more common. Which fire management techniques can address them? How can people plan for them? Hear from historical ecologist Jared Dahl Aldern, CSU Long Beach American Indian Studies professor Theresa Gregor, Fernanda Santos, author of The Fire Line and a professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Unheard LA - A Deeper Listen (Part 1)
As the nation reckons with systemic racism, KPCC's community-centered storytelling series, Unheard LA, is taking a deeper listen. Bruce Lemon Jr. hosts this virtual event featuring the stories of Candace Nicholas-Lippman, Dante Mitchell and Janae Williams, followed by a live conversation -- all in collaboration with our Race In LA initiative. Dana Amihere, co-editor and developer of Race In LA, will also join in for a live conversation. COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Deconstructing Little Richard
The Museum of Pop Culture's annual Pop Conference (Pop Con) has offered various perspectives (from academics, musicians, critics and fans) to music discourse since its inaugural conference in 2002. The 2020 conference will move online later this year, but organizers present teaser event: a panel discussion on Little Richard, the "originator, emancipator and architect of rock 'n roll," who passed away in May.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
Parks After Dark
Select L.A. County Parks
Last week, the LA County Board of Supervisors proclaimed July "Parks Make Life Better" month and introduced a number of activities for kids and families. Offerings include splash pads, swim beaches, overnight camping and fishing, day camps and PAD In Motion, a new event that merges Parks After Dark with an "open streets" concept. The county closes off streets so that families can safely walk, ride or skateboard with physical distancing in place. On July 16, Jesse Owens Regional Park in the Gramercy Park neighborhood and George Washington Carver Park in Willowbrook are open for nighttime play.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Spiky, Hairy, Shiny: Insects of L.A.
Volunteers and Natural History Museum scientists have been collecting and photographing samples of L.A.'s diverse insect population since 2012. Part of the BioSCAN (Biodiversity Science: City and Nature) project, the collection also documents environmental changes over time. The online exhibition lets you see the hairy, six-legged bugs up close ... maybe a little too close for those with entomophobia.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
John Ridley's N�? Studios Events
Ridley, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker and Wisconsin native, has created a series of events for both his member-driven physical space in Milwaukee and on a digital platform for artists and art lovers. Select events are open to all, while others are exclusive to members ($5 a month). This week, on Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. PDT, Regina King chats with Ridley for a members' event.
COST: Varies; MORE INFO
Who doesn't miss going out to eat? (Outdoors only, of course.) Here are a few options from restaurants and bars as we work our way back toward normal.
