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In addition to the AFI Festhappening this weekend, we've combed through A LOT of press releases to find 16 really great events happening in LA, from DesignerCon to Bent-Con to Mike Doughty singing new/old Soul Coughing songs. Check out the massive list:
FRIDAY
MUSIC: One of our favorite musicians Mike Doughty returns to LA with a gig at The Fonda Theatre. For the longest time, Doughty distanced himself from the songs he wrote for his old band Soul Coughing. But now he’s embraced the past with a full set of reinvented Soul Coughing songs the way he wanted them to be done. Special guest Moon Hoochopens. 8 pm. $25.
COMIC BOOKS: Now in its fourth year, Bent-Con 2013 (Nov. 8-10) is a convention for gay comic book, sci-fi, fantasy and horror fans, bringing them together with LGBT and LGBT-friendly comic-book artists, writers, creators, publishers, directors and producers. In addition to the vendors in the exhibition hall at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center, hear panels exploring LGBT storylines and characters. Passes: $25-$30 for single days; $60 for all three.
LIT: At 7:30 pm The Last Bookstore in DTLA features a great double bill at 7:30 pm: Jerry Stahl reads from his newest book Happy Mutant Baby Pills (HarperCollins) and comedian Marc Maron reads his latest work, Attempting Normal (Spiegel & Grau). Guaranteed to be uncomfortably funny at times.
WRITING WORKSHOP: There’s a Travel Writing Workshop with Erin Byrne & The Voyage Vixens from 7:30-9:30 pm at Writers Junction in Santa Monica. Learn how to make a buck or two travel writing and the ins and outs of pitching publications. As a bonus, an artisan wine and chocolate tasting, compliments of Kendall Jackson Winery and Daphne Chocolatier, accompanies the workshop and Q&A with the veteran travel writers. Tickets: $15.
VARIETY: The comedy and music troupe Lost Moon Radio premieres its latest episode “Community” at a found space in Atwater Village this weekend (4520 Cutter St., LA) this weekend. Through irreverant bits and sketches, the show hones in on what exactly the word means in the world of ultra-connectedness. The show features actors Ryan Harrison, Lauren Flans, Martha Marion, Jen Burton, Connor White and Dan Oster, as well as musicians Michael Wells, Dylan Ris and Brenton Kossak. “Community” is co-written by Ryan Harrison and Frank Smith. Nov. 8-9, 14-16 at 8 pm. Nov. 20 at 8 pm at Mi’s Westside Comedy Space. Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door; $20 on Nov. 9 (includes the Harvest Festival party).
ART: There’s an opening reception for gallerist Kana Manglapus' first solo exhibition, #beatourist, from 6-9 p.m. at The Cadillac Hotel in Venice.
FILM: American Cinematheque presents An Evening with Forest Whitaker at the Aero Theatre tonight at 7:30 pm. There’s a discussion with the actor/producer, followed by a double-feature screening of Lee Daniels’ The Butler and Fruitvale Station. Tickets: $11.
SATURDAY
DESIGN/COLLECTIBLES: Designer Con takes over the Pasadena Convention Center this weekend. The annual art and design convention brings together collectible toys, designer apparel, underground and pop art. The show makes for great holiday shopping, btw. Check out more than 150 vendors as well as some of the exclusive releases during Dcon. The show runs 9 am-6 pm on Saturday and 9 am-5 pm on Sunday. Tickets online are $5 per day or $7 at the door.
OPERA: In honor of Verdi’s 200th birthday, LA Opera opens a new production of the composer’s bawdy comic masterpiece Falstaff at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. James Conlon directs a production that features Italian baritone Roberto Frontali. Tickets: $43-$294. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. 7:30 pm.
ART/MUSIC: The arts organization Create:Fixate holds its 12-year anniversary celebration at at Lot 613 in Downtown Los Angeles. The one-night only show features more than 25 visual artists, from the fine arts to street art, fashion/jewelry designers and art installations. The gallery preview begins at 4 pm, with the main festivities and music at 7 pm. Admission is $15 before 9 pm and $20 for the rest of the night.
GO-GO: WeHo holds its third annual Go-Go Dancer Appreciation Day Festival & Competition that honors the city’s go-go dancing origins. Guest judges for the evening's male go-go dancing competition include Andy Dick (Dancing with the Stars, The Andy Dick Show), Gerald McCullouch (CSI, Bear City films), David Moretti (Dante's Cove, The Lair) and others. The red carpet gets rolled out at 7:30 pm and the dancing begins at 8:30 pm. The fun takes place at Larrabee Street at Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood. An after-party at Micky’s follows.
ART: ARTCRANK is a poster party for bike people with an exhibition at Space 15 Twenty from 4-10 pm.
MOVIE NIGHT: Tonight at 9 pm, NerdMelt hosts another Horrible Movie Night where you’re allowed to shout at the screen and roast the heck out of the action. The best one-liners win prizes, too. Hosts John Mathot (Disney's Phineas & Ferb) and Susan Wright (The Because Show podcast) are joined by special guest co-host Bobcat Goldthwait tol present 1979's C.H.O.M.P.S.—featuring a robot dog. Tonight’s guests include one of the film’s stars Wesley Eure and legendary film critic Bill Harris. The night includes stand-up comedy and free popcorn. Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
FILM: The Getty Museum screensthree Alfred Hitchcock filmsNov. 9 and 10 to complement the museum’s current exhibition At the Window: The Photographer's View. The works selected feature Hitch’s penchant for using windows onscreen: Rear Window (1954), The Lodger (1926) screen Saturday and Foreign Correspondent (1940) on Sunday. Free, but reservations are required.
SUNDAY
ART TOUR: The Los Angeles Conservancy presents a tour that celebrates the downtown Los Angeles’ historic Arts District. The Arts District Tour: History and Architecture is a self-guided tour that takes place between 10 am and 4 pm. Walk the route or ride a bike with sites that include Angel City Brewery and the Toy Lofts. Tickets: $30 conservancy members; $35 general public, $15 students, $10 children 12 and younger.
THEATER: Native Voices at the Autry, America’s leading Native American theatre company presents the Autry Short Play Festival featuring six short plays with legal themes: “Legal Briefs: Lawmakers & Activists.” 1:30 pm. Tickets, free with admission to the Autry’s American Indian Arts Marketplace ($12 for adults; $8 for students, seniors, and children; free for Autry members).
Want the 411 on more events? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
