There's a ton of events happening around LA tonight, including salons at Mindshare LA, Rubix Hollywood; an ALOUD performance by Mark Salzman; Risky storytelling at NerdMelt; food-inspired classical music on the Westside with J. Gold and book signings at Vroman's and Family. Read on for all the details.
SALON
Mindshare LA presents the ocean-themed salon, The Vast Blue, tonight at the Mezz Bar, Alexandria Hotel. The evening begins at 7 pm with happy hour and a full taco bar by the Taco Project. Presentations start at 8:30 pm with Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides, science & project coordinator, Virgin Oceanic, on "Diving to the Bottom of the Ocean (and Getting Back Again)"; Casson Trenor, senior markets campaigner with Greenpeace USA, on So Long And Thanks for All the Fish; Brian Moffat, CEO, Spindrift Energy, on The Pursuit of Wave Energy; and Patrick J. Krug, associate professor, Cal State LA Department of Biological Sciences, on Hugs and Drugs from Sea Slugs. Stay for the art, games and entertainment at 9:30 pm. Tickets: $30 at the door.
PERFORMANCE
Tonight, ALOUD at the Central Library welcomes local author Mark Salzman (Iron and Silk, The Soloist, Lying Awake) in a special one-man performance of The Man in the Empty Boat. As he approached midlife, Salzman confronted a catastrophic year filled with panic attacks, writer’s block and dealing with the sudden death of his sister. The Empty Boat chronicles his journey to find peace as a father, writer and individual. 7 pm. Free.RSVP.
RISKY STORIES
Tonight at 8 pm, NerdMelt presents the RISK! Storytelling Show in which people tell true stories they never thought they'd dare to share in public. Hosted by comedians Kumail Nanjiani and Pete Holmes, special guests (writers, performers, stand-up comedians) will drop by and reveal a side of themselves that you’ve never seen. $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
MUSIC
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) continues its Westside Connection chamber music series tonight at 7:30 at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Tonight's special guest is LA Times food columnist Jonathan Gold. Music selections include works by Bach, Bernstein, Bolcom, Andres and Dohnányi. Gold will discuss the food-themed music, followed by audience Q&A. Tickets: $45.
BOOKS
Family bookstore helps Nick Haymes launch his new book of photos Gabe TM tonight at 7:30 pm. Haymes conducts a slideshow presentation followed by a signing. Haymes first met teenager Gabe Nevins in 2007 after Nevins wrapped up his lead role in Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park. “This volume tracks the highs and lows of Gabe's teen years to adulthood, from stardom to emotional breakdown and homelessness.”
ART
Night Gallery holds a launch party tonight at 10 pm for the group show Night Papers II featuring the work of Sarah Wang, Cara Benedetto, Robert Kelley, Mark Verabioff, Jocko Weyland, Misha Bower, Spencer Douglass, Justin Thomas, Schaefer, Ariane Vielmetter, Barry Johnston, Shawn Kuruneru and Mira Darcy. DJ Geoff Tuck spins the tunes. BYOB.
SALON
The Rubix Hollywood apartment community launches its Culture+Music+Art+Talk series with prominent artists and musicians sharing their thoughts on the creative process. Featured speakers include: John Van Hamersveld, Graphic Design Innovator and Icon; Timur and the Dime Museum, Glam Cabaret Performance; and Shana Nys Dambrot, Contemporary Art Critic, Curator and Author. 7-10 pm tonight. RSVP to rsvp@shinyobjectco.com for tickets, as seating is limited to 80 and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free parking onsite. ***The RSVP list is now officially closed.***
HISTORY TALK
The Autry Museum chats with Lisa Kudrow for the program Who Do You Think We Are? Kudrow is executive producer of the NBC show that follows celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery and trace their family trees. In a discussion with Stephen Aron, Chair of Western History at the Autry Institute, they’ll talk about the challenges of presenting history on network television. 7:30 pm. Adults: $10, students/seniors: $6, Autry members free.
BOOKS
Tonight at 7 pm, Vroman’s welcomes classically trained chef Chloe Coscarelli to discuss and sign Chloe’s Kitchen. She’ll talk about reinterpreting 125 of America’s favorite foods into healthful vegan cuisine. The book also includes the first publication of the recipes from her win on Cupcake Wars.
*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).
