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Pencil This In: Celebrating Mr. Rogers, David Hockney Documentary and Book of Revelations Discussion

If you didn’t get a chance to go out this weekend because of all the rain, we’ve picked out several events tonight that may entice you to venture out. There are two documentaries of interest: The Paley Center celebrates Mr. Roger’s birthday with a screening and panel discussion; LACMA screens a David Hockney documentary; author Elaine Pagels examines the Book of Revelations; Wellness Week kicks off in LA; and A Fine Frenzy headlines It’s a School Night. Read on for the details.
TV TALK
To mark what would have been Fred Rogers’ 84th birthday, the Paley Center for Media presents the program Mister Rogers and Me: Mister Rogers Birthday Celebration tonight at 7 pm. Benjamin Wagner screens his documentary about how his life as an MTV producer was transformed after meeting the iconic TV host, immediately after his retirement. Wagner documents his journey to understand Rogers’s mantra: “deep and simple is far more essential than shallow and complex” by traveling across the country who were also touched by Rogers. Free. Wagner will be joined in a panel discussion by Christofer Wagner, filmmaker; Davy Rothbart, contributor, This American Life; and Tim Madigan, author of I'm Proud of You: Life Lessons from My Friend Fred Rogers.
WELLNESS WEEK
Wellness Week—when spas, yoga studios, health clubs and other wellness businesses offer spa treatments, private trainings and more for either 50% off or flat-rate $50 deals—begins today. Spas participating include: Amadeus Spa in Pasadena, Cure Spa in Malibu, Vida Emanuel in Beverly Hills and The Massage Garage in Culver City. Check out wellnessweek2012.com for a full participant list.
ART FILM
Tonight at 7 pm, LACMA screens the documentary David Hockney: A Bigger Picture, followed by a discussion with director Bruno Wollheim. Filmed over a three-year period, the film captures Hockney creating recent work—inspired by digital photography and iPad applications. At the Bing Theater. Tickets: $10, $7 LACMA members, students with ID and seniors (62+).
LIT TALK*
Elaine Pagels discusses her book Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation tonight at 7:30 pm at CalTech’s Baxter Lecture Hall. Dr. Pagels explores the most controversial book of the Bible from a historical perspective, as an attack by author John of Patmos on Rome’s decadence. Tickets: $10 at the door, first come, first served at the door. $8 for Skeptics Society members and the JPL/Caltech community. If you can’t make it tonight, she will also be reading/discussing the book at the J. Paul Getty Museum tomorrow.
MUSIC
It’s a School Night takes over Bardot in Hollywood for an evening of live music and DJs. Performing live tonight are A Fine Frenzy, Birdy and Ben Von Wildenhaus.The night opens with KCRW’s Chris Douridas spinning tunes. Free with RSVP for those 21+; $10 for 18+ with RSVP. 9 pm.
*Pencil pick of the day
Want more events? Follow me on Twitter (@christineziemba). Or follow Lauren Lloyd—who takes care of Pencil on Wednesdays (@LadyyyLloyd).
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