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Pencil This In: Anime Expo, 'Arrested Development' Art, Dance Bollywood and Bhangra Downtown, and a Window Concert

TGIF! We found a few great events happening around town tonight. Check out: Craft in America's Window Concert; the Anime Expo at the Convention Center; Daily Show's Kevin Bleyer in conversation; an Arrested Development tribute art show; Bollywood and Bhangra dancing; and Shakespeare in Glendale. Read on for all the details. ART+MUSIC
The Craft in America Study Center continues its 2012 Window Concert Series tonight at 8 pm with Amilia Spicer and friends playing, yes, in the storefront window. The songwriter, musician and long-time SxSW veteran plays a selection of songs from her unconventional repertoire, including a traditional weaving song that ties in with the Center’s exhibition and lecture series, "Looming Election: Woven Works."
ANIME EXPO
North America's largest anime, manga and pop culture party—the Anime Expo—has taken over the LA Convention Center this weekend. Fans of Japanese animation, manga, music, games and fashion can meet artists from both the US and Japan, shop at the more than 300 vendors or attend panels, concerts, screenings, dance parties, karaoke and video competitions, and of course, lots of cosplay. Adult general admission tickets: $45-$75.
TALK
Tonight at 7:30 pm, Writers Bloc presents Daily Show writer Kevin Bleyer, in conversation with MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell. Bleyer has decided to rewrite the Constitution of the United States, and explains why, in his new book, Me The People. Bleyer has decided to improve on James Madison, Ben Franklin and the others who thought they knew what they were doing when they wrote and signed the constitution. At the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. Tickets: $20.
MUSIC
Tonight from 7-10 pm, Gallery1988 (Melrose) opens its latest group show There's Always Money In The Banana Stand! It’s an homage to Arrested Development with more than 80 artists presenting paintings, prints, plush and sculptures. The show runs through July 21.
THEATER
Tonight at 8 pm at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, Little Candle Productions presents Shakespeare's rarely-produced play, The Winter's Tale, for one night only. Presented in Shakespearean English, the play follows several generations across two countries and almost 20 years. “When suspicion and jealousy tear family and friends apart, only the miraculous workings of time can eventually bring them back together.” Tickets: $20-$35.
DANCE
Dance Downtown presents an evening of free dance tonight from 6:30-10 pm at the Music Center Plaza. Celebrate the joy of dancing to live music and DJ sets and learn Bollywood and Bhangra for free.
*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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