LAist gets a lot of event announcements, and we comb through them all to bring you a curated list of what’s happening in LA this weekend, including these 18 events. Now, no more excuses...so get out there and play. Read on for all the details.
FRIDAY, FEB. 7
BOOKS: Calling all bookworms: The 47th California International Antiquarian Book Fair—an exhibition of rare books—takes over the Pasadena Convention Center Feb. 7-9. On view are antique books, original manuscripts, autographs, maps, graphics and photographs, including a $1 million book. More than 200 booksellers from around the world will have their goods on display. Tickets/passes: $10-$23.
GRAPHIC NOVELS: Skylight Books hosts two graphic novelists from the awesome Canadian publisher Draw+Quarterly. At 7:30 pm, Anders Nilsen reads from and presents Rage of Poseidon “a darkly funny meditation on religion and faith with a modern twist.” And Michael Deforge reads from Ant Colony, which is described as “darkly existential, with false prophets, unjust wars, and corrupt police officers, as it follows the denizens of a black ant colony under attack from the nearby red ants.” Free.
ART: Gallery1988 (West) holds an opening night reception from 7-10 pm for Such Pixels, the debut solo show from UK artist Aled Lewis, who’ll be in attendance. The collection of works on view is inspired by video games and pop culture in general. The show runs through March 1.
READINGS: The Skirball Center hosts an evening of storytelling in Say the Word: Bleeding Heartsat 8 pm. Comedy writers step behind the mic to skewer Valentine’s Day a little early. Scheduled writer-performers are Cindy Chupack (Modern Family, Sex and the City), Stirling Gardner (Opposite Sex and the City), Merrill Markoe (TV Nation), Lauren Weedman (Hung, The Daily Show, Looking) and Richard Kramer (thirtysomething, My So-Called Life). The evening is hosted by UnCabaret’s Beth Lapides. Tickets: $15, $10 members. $8 full-time students. 21+ show.
FILM: The ArcLight and The Modern School of Film (MSF) present a 7:30 pm screening in the Cinerama Dome of the Kristen Wiig comedy Bridesmaids. The evening also features a discussion after the film with Grammy-winner Alanis Morissette, who selected the film for the MSF series. Tickets: $18.
ART: La Luz de Jesus Gallery opens two shows—Dave Lebow’s Weird Tales and GERMS’ Visual Cacophony. Lebow’s work is inspired by the darker side of children’s lit while GERMS’ work channels the surrealists with a distinctly modern LA twist. The opening receptions are tonight (Friday) from 8-11 pm and the works remain on view through March 2.
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
SHOP: On Saturday from 11 am-6 pm, Mack Sennett studios in Silver Lake presentsiHeartSilverlake, a Valentine’s Day gift market featuring a variety of local brands that includes jewelry, lingerie, chocolate, flowers, gift items and more. Shop directly from more than 50 local artists and designers. In addition, there’s tarot card readings, a love advice booth, a photobooth and more. Admission: $5.
CRAFTS + COCKTAILS: The Classroom LA and El Cid Present an Afternoon of Crafting and Cocktails from 2-5 pm at El Cid. Choose a workshop, from Salvaged Jewelry Making ($40) or Terrarium Building ($40) or both ($60). The no-host bar is open for soft drinks or something on the harder side. Register https://www.eventbrite.com/e/craft-club-tickets-9677943991, then email kelsey@theclassroomla.com to let her know what class you’re taking.
ZINE: Pygmy Hippo Shoppe‘s DIY Valentines party marks the beginning of LA’s Zine Week. Attendees are welcome to put something together for your favorite people; LA-based illustrator Esther Kim has designed FOUR different Valentines for you to choose from to give you a head start if you’re not artistically inclined. 1-5 pm.
MORE ZINES: Dum Dum Zine releases its 4th issue Lost & Bound at the official release party at the Last Bookstore on Saturday at 8 pm. The issue includes lost and discarded objects from around LA with 15 narratives. In addition to readings from the issue, music will be provided by Alina Cutrono (Body Parts), the zine resident band TÜLIPS, and the local collective HOTT MT. DJ Dan Collins of LA Record will spin throughout the night. Free.
FOOD LECTURE: The Culinary Historians of Southern California present Liz Williams and Philip Dobard, who’ll speak on the topic, Eating New Orleans: The Crescent City’s Evolving Cuisine. The lecture, which begins at 10:30 am at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium, is free and open the public. A reception with themed refreshments will follow the talk at approximately 11:30 pm.
CASINO MODERNE: The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles presents its annualCasino Moderne event, a night of vintage gambling at Los Angeles' oldest operating private club. The Los Angeles Athletic Club, still a private club, was founded in 1880, so it’s a rare opportunity to see how the other half lives. Play the vintage style-(legal) gaming tables and sip prohibition-era cocktails from 7-11 pm. 1920s dress in encouraged, but not required. Tickets: ADSLA and LAAC Members are $50 and $65 for nonmembers. Tickets go up $10 at the door.
BALL: Paradox Media & Vau de Vire present the 2014 Edwardian Ball at the Fonda Theatre on Saturday at 8 pm. The “elegant festival” includes music, art, dance, theater, circus, oddities, vending, fashion, ballroom dancing, and a presentation of Edward Gorey’s The Curious Sofa. Only a few general admission tickets remain. $45.
PRINT: The Work Magazine holds a celebration of all things printed on Saturday. Print’s Not Dead is a marketplace of printed material and art held at The Art Gristin Highland Park from noon-5 pm. Artists on the bill: Ashkahn Shahparnia, Michael Coleman, Collage Art by Mary Herrera, Sarah Faith, Sujey Lee, the WOMEN group, Dana Reiko Barenfeld, Katherine Aplin, Harley Prechtel-Cortez, Repel Industries, Our Sacred Geometry, Joe King & Little Friends of Printmaking, David J Weissberg & others. Entry is free and all printed art is under $50. Cash only.
THEATER: Zombie Joe’s Underground presents its 13th annual 50 Hour Drive-by Theatre Festival on Saturday, Sunday (and Monday) at 8:30 pm. The plays mounted this weekend were all written, directed and performed in two days. Makes for some interesting scripts and performances, we think… Tickets: $15.
FILM: It’s time for another Horrible Movie Night at the NerdMelt Showroom at 9 pm. Hosted by John Mathoth (Disney's Phineas & Ferb), Susan Wright (The Because Show podcast), and special guest co-host JAY THOMAS (Sirius XM's The Jay Thomas Show, Cheers), the trio screens 1984's C.H.U.D.,in which the NYC populace is being mutated into cannibalistic monsters. The audience is welcome to roast the film and the best zingers win prizes. There’s also comedy by Ryan Singer and free popcorn to boot. Tickets: $8 in advance/$10 at the door.
SUNDAY, FEB. 9
WRITING: At 5 pm, Nerdist Writer’s Paneltakes over NerdMelt’s stage featuring an informal chat moderated by Ben Blacker (co-creator ofThe Thrilling Adventure Hour) with professional writers about the process and business of writing. The evening’s guests includes Phillip Iscove (co-creator, Sleepy Hollow), Dawn Prestwitch & Nicole Yorkin (The Killing; The Riches; Carnivale), and Paul Redford (Newsroom, West Wing)! The line-up is subject to change. Proceeds from the live panels benefit 826LA. Admission: $15.
CHOCOLATE: On Sunday, Fancifull Fine Food & Baskets presents For the Love of Chocolatefrom 4-6 pm. It’s a Valentine Celebration of Chocolate, Cheese, Wine and Fine Foods with a chocolate tasting with Terry August, sampling chocolates from Ecuador, Venezuela, Madagascar and places. RSVPs required for the short class, either at 4:30 or 5:30 pm. Admission is only $5.
Related: Your Ultimate Guide To February: 20 Cool Events Happening In Los Angeles
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
