Here’s the short list of what’s happening in LA tonight: There’s a great panel discussion on The Graphic Canon, which recreates great works of literature in comic/visual forms; music shows tonight by Nina Storey and Thirty Seconds to Mars; a Victory Lap variety show; a burlesque history lesson from Leslie Zemeckis; and a cinematic salute to Morton Downey Jr. Read on for all the details.
MUSIC
Two music picks tonight: First up is the “future retro” sounds of Nina Storey, who plays the Hotel Cafe tonight at 9 pm. Her voice has been compared to Diana Ross/Eartha Kit with a more pop edge. She’s currently touring in support of her new CD Think Twice. Tickets: $12.50. 21+. Also tonight is a free, acoustic “Church of Mars” show in honor of Thirty Seconds to Mars’ latest record release. The show takes place at 8 pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church Of Los Angeles. Tickets are free, but requests must be placed at officialmarstickets@gmail.com.
GRAPHIC NOVEL(S) TALK *
Tonight at 7:15 pm, ALOUD at the Central Library presents the program The Graphic Canon: Illustrating the World's Great Literature. The Graphic Canon is a three-volume visual anthology, crafted by illustrators, that re-imagines great literature from around the world in comic and visual forms. The Canon spans Greek tragedy to David Foster Wallace. There’s a panel discussion tonight and presentation with artists Frank M. Hansen, Milton Knight, Sharon Rudahl and Zak Smith that is moderated by Russ Kick, writer and editor of The Canon. Free, but RSVPs recommended.
BOOKS
Tonight at 7 pm, filmmaker and author Leslie Zemeckis (and wife of Robert, too), visits Barnes & Noble at the Grove to read from her new book Behind the Burly Q: The Story of Burlesque in America. Zemeckis tells the history of the entertainment form from performers’ diaries, letters albums, memorabilia and first-person accounts.
TV TUESDAYS
Cinefamily’s TV Tuesdays series continues with the program A Tribute to Morton Downey Jr., tonight at 9:45. Remember that guy? He was one of the pioneers—for better or worse—of in- your-face talk shows and trash TV. Cinefamily toasts the host tonight with show high-/lowlights, followed by the LA premiere of the documentary Évocateur: The Morton Downey, Jr. Movie. Special guest: Évocateur co-director Jeremy Newberger in person for Q&A after the film. Tickets: $12.
VARIETY
Victory Lap, a variety show of "comedy, music, magic and feats of strength" is at the Virgil tonight at 9 pm. Hosted by Seth W. Owen (Movie Night @ The Roosevelt) and Stuart Jenkins (Associate Producer, BBC America’s The Nerdist), it’s an evening of “slightly unhinged entertainment” with a lineup that includes musician Craig Wedren (Shudder to Think), who’s scored films like The School of Rock and Wet Hot American Summer and comedian Ron Funches (Conan, New Girl). There’s no cover, and the Virgil has great $6 cocktails starting at 7 pm. Show at 9 pm. There’s valet so you don’t have to worry about finding parking in the area.
*Pencil this in pick of the day
Want more events? Follow me on Twitter (@christineziemba). Or follow Lauren Lloyd—who takes care of Pencil on Wednesdays (@LadyyyLloyd).
