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Arts & Entertainment

Pencil This In: David Misch Comedy Lecture, Westside Comedy Anniversary Party, Chaya DTLA Celebrates Cherry Blossoms

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Here’s what’s happening in LA tonight, and it’s no April Fool’s: Comedy TV writer David Misch lectures at Pepperdine; a history of electricity in LA during the latter half of the 20th century; Westside Comedy Theater celebrates its fourth anniverary; Chaya Downtown celebrates cherry blossom season; and Gavin Turek opens a Bootleg residency tonight. Read on for the details.

COMEDY AND MORALITY
Pepperdine University presents a free lecture tonight with David Mischat 7:30 pm at Payson Library. Misch, author of Funny: The Book / Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Comedy, has worked on several TV classic comedies, including Mork & Mindy, Saturday Night Live and Duckman. In his lecture, Misch explores the relationship between comedy and morality throughout the ages—from ancient Rome to The Daily Show.

ELECTRIC LECTURE
The Huntington Library presents a moderated historical lecture and discussion—Better Living Through Electricity: Los Angeles, 1940-1990—inspired by the exhibition, Form and Landscape: Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Basin, 1940-1990. Tonight’s panelists explore the distribution of electricity in industrial, commercial, infrastructural, and residential sites throughout LA. Free.

MUSICGavin Turek opens a month-long residency at the Bootleg Bar tonight, joined on the bill by Western Scene, Hustle Roses and Channel One (Downtown Lobby). Doors at 8 pm and the show starts at 8:30. The music’s free, but it’s a 21+ show.

COMEDY
The Westside Comedy Theater holds its Fourth Anniversary Extravaganza tonight with a free show featuring sketches from their house improv teams, a performance by Mission IMPROVable and a roast hosted by Ed Galvez (History of the Joke, MTV's Paris Hilton's My New BFF). Neal Brennan (co-creator of Chappelle's Show, Get Him to the Greek) also joins in the fun. Also: karaoke and adult beverages. 21+ only. Doors at 7:45 pm, show at 8 pm.

CHAYA CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Chaya Downtown celebrates the arrival of the cherry blossoms for the next three weeks with an assortment of shareable small plates and special cocktails. In Japanese culture, the blossom signifies the transience in life and the beginning of spring. Guests can create their own Hanami Bento ($22 for 3 items; $28 for 4 items) with special dishes like Japanese eggplant baba ganoush with yuzu pepper and coffee BBQ mini pork shank with chipotle miso. Chaya is also serving up a cherry bellini, cherry sorbet and a variety of sake flights. Available today through April 19, Monday through Friday, from 4 pm to close.

*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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