Pencil This In: 'Slake' Readings, 'Memes' Art Show, First Fridays and a Rogue Taxidermy Show

There are a number of great events tonight, including a Memes art show at Gallery1988 (Melrose); a Rogue Taxidermy Show at La Luz de Jesus; Slake readings at ATX; music and science mix at the Natural History Museum's First Fridays; La Cuevita opens just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Read on for all the details and more. ART
Tonight, Gallery1988 (Melrose) celebrates it's 8-year anniversary with Memes, in which more than 100 artists creating paintings, prints, sculptures and other art in under the theme of Internet memes. “Whether it's Nyan Cat, I Like Turtles, Cat Breading, Star Wars Kid, Hipster Ariel or LOL cats, some of our favorite artists pay homage to our favorite way to waste time online.” Opening reception from 7-10 pm tonight. The show runs through May 26.

LIT
Slake: Los Angeles celebrates the release of its fourth issue, Dirt, tonight at 7:30 pm at Atwater Crossing. The evening includes DJ sets by the music collective Ojo and a performance by The Edwardo Showr. The latest issue features such writers as Lauren Groff, Aimee Bender, Luke Davies, and Lauren Weedman, and artists such as Brendan Monroe, Brenna Youngblood, Elisa Linda Saether and others. Tickets: $8 at the door.

FIRST FRIDAYS
It's First Fridays at The Natural History Museum featuring a mix of science and music. At 5, 5:30 and 6 pm, there are tours of "Lovely Bugs" with Weiping Xie, collections manager. At 6:30, there’s a discussion, "Wicked Bugs-Fearsome and Ferocious Creatures" in Your Backyard and Beyond” with Amy Stewart. Anthony Valadez featuring Valida DJ in the African Mammal Hall from 5:30-10pm and live performances by AA Bondy and Father John Misty take place from 8-10 pm. Concert and lecture tickets: $18. Available starting at 5 pm at the door. Museum admission and DJ lounge only $5-12 (these are available online).

DRINK
The 1933 Group (Thirsty Crow, Bigfoot Lodge, Oldfield’s Liquor Room and Bigfoot West) opens its newest bar La Cuevita today in Highland Park. The new bar, in the space of Little Cave, puts the emphasis of traditional agave spirits—tequila and mescal. A perfect bar to usher in Cinco de Mayo.

TAXIDERMY
La Luz de Jesus holds an opening reception tonight from 8-11 pm for the Rogue Taxidermy 2012 Biennial, curated By Robert Marbury. The show features 24 artists working in mixed-media art using taxidermy materials. “The work in this show spans genres and materials to expresses the individual artist's approach to and love of Natural History and preservation.”

COMEDY
The Groundlings comedy troupe opens the Annie spoof, the St. Groundlings Orphanage tonight at 8 pm. “Join evil orphan master Damon Jones and orphaned Groundlings Scott Beehner, Timothy Brennen, Laurel Coppock, Ryan Gaul, Steve Little, Jill Matson-Sachoff, Edi Patterson, Lisa Schurga, Annie Sertich and Alex Staggs as you laugh your troubles away. The sun will surely come out tomorrow with this comedic cast.” Runs through July 7. Tickets are $20, but tonight is VIP opening night with tickets at $50. The price includes Melrose Avenue’s Mao's Kitchen, with wine from Cult and beer from Karl-Strauss.

BURLESQUE
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Lucha VaVoom takes over the Mayan Theatre for two nights for an evening of Mexican masked wrestling/burlesque/comedy. The “Cinco de Mayan” show features quick Lucha Libre matches with burlesque acts in between matches. Shows at 8 pm. Sold out, but tickets may be available from your friendly neighborhood scalper.

CAUSE
It’s First Friday on Abbot Kinney and the clothing boutique Gossamer holds a shopping event benefiting Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Sip and shop cocktails for a cause from 7-10 pm as the store’s donating 10% of all sales to the the foundation.

*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).