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Arts & Entertainment

Pencil This In: Local Artists' Holiday Shopping Event, 'Singin' in the Rain,' Jazz at LACMA and an 'Alien: Resurrection'

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Here are some Black Friday suggestions, including local artists setting up shop in a downtown loft; 'Singin' in the Rain and 'Alien: Resurrection' on the big screen; jazz at LACMA; and a tree lighting hosted by Charles Phoenix. Read on for all the details.

SHOP
In addition to ourBlack Friday guide to indie shops, there's a seasonal shopping event opening today from 2 pm-1 am at Syrup Loft (939 Maple Ave., 3rd Floor) in Downtown LA. Local artists, including present art, photography jewelry, sculpture ceramics and other one-of-a-kind gifts, all priced between $25-$250. Tonight, there’s free music by Cosmico with sets at 9 and 11 pm. Free parking after 6 pm. Through Dec. 23.

FILM
Cinefamily hosts an 11:59 pm screening tonight of Alien: Resurrection (1997) in 35mm. In the film, 200 years after her death, a cloned Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is revived as a human/Alien hybrid who needs to continue her war against the Aliens. The fourth installment of the Alien franchise was directed by French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet, with a screenplay by Joss Whedon. Tickets: $12/free for members.

HOLIDAYCharles Phoenix, the LA historian and storyteller, hosts One Colorado’s Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Pasadena from 6-8:30 pm tonight. The evening’s festivities include seasonal songs from the Friendship Baptist Music Ministry, appearances by the 2013 Rose Queen and Her Royal Court, free cookies and hot cocoa and music by Roland & Adriane.

JAZZ
Jazz at LACMA closes its 2012 season tonight at 6 pm with music by the Phil Norman Tentet. The band mixes sounds from big band music, the Birth of the Cool and presents modern West Coast jazz with contributions from arrangers and composers like Bob Florence, Dave Pell, Alan Broadbent, Roger Neumann and Kim Richmond, among others. Outdoors at the Central Court. Free.

MUSICAL*
It’s the 60th anniversary of Singin’ in the Rain, and to celebrate, the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica screens it on the big screen tonight at 7:30 pm. Bring the whole family for one of our favorite movie musicals with Gene Kelly as a silent movie star. His career is being threatened by a new-fangled movie gimmick—talking picture—until he gets a little help from an up-and-comer Debbie Reynolds. The film also features dancing by Cyd Charisse and the singing, dancing and comedic stylings of Donald O’Connor. Tickets: $11.

*Pencil pick of the day

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Want more events? Follow me on Twitter (@christineziemba). Or follow Lauren Lloyd—who takes care of Pencil on Wednesdays (@LadyyyLloyd).

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