Here are 19 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this week. Need more suggestions? Check out our January Guide, too.
MONDAY, JAN. 11
NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON (Science)
On Monday at 7:30 pm, join astrophysicist, author and Cosmos host Neil Degrasse Tyson at the Pantages for an engaging talk on science, exploration and the world at large. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Tickets: $49-$225.
BILLY WOODBERRY (Film)
Film at REDCAT presents the U.S. premiere of the feature-length documentary And When I Die I Won’t Stay Dead (89 min., 2015) by Billy Woodberry, a member of the L.A. Rebellion filmmaking collective. The feature-length documentary examines the life and work of beat poet Bob Kaufman. The long-awaited film is Woodberry’s first feature-length work in 30 years. Tickets: $6-$11.
THE CONTENDERS (Film)
Each year, the Museum of Modern Art’s Film Department selects a handful of films to include its screening series, The Contenders. These films, made in the last 12 months, are ones MoMA believes will stand the test of time and include both studio and independent releases. Each of the screenings includes a conversation with the filmmaker. The series continues at the Hammer this week with 99 Homes, Carol, Tangerine, The Martian and Taxi. Tickets: $15.
THE MERMAID COMEDY HOUR (Comedy)
The Mermaid Comedy Hour is at iOWest on Monday night at 8 pm. It’s a monthly stand-up show that brings the best known and soon-to-be-known names of women in comedy. Hosted by Valerie Tosi, this week’s guests include Jude Shelton, Heather Marulli, Julianne Simitz, Smaranda Luna, Maria Shehata and special guest Maria Bamford. Tickets: $5.
TUESDAY, JAN. 12
RHETT MILLER (Music)
Rhett Miller plays Largo on Tuesday nightand brings along a few friends. He’s joined by actress, artist and musician Kate Micucci. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. Tickets: $30.
12 ANGRY MEN: THE ONE MAN SHOW (Musical comedy)
Actor and writer Mike Leffingwell brings his one-man musical version of 12 Angry Men to UCB Franklin on Tuesday night at 9:30 pm. The 30-minute musical features a full backing band. Also sharing the joint comedy bill is No Hard Drugs. Tickets: $5.
JAZZ NIGHTS (Film + Music)
There’s a benefit screening at Canon USA in Hollywood for the new documentary Jazz Nights: A Confidential Journey on Tuesday at 7:15 pm. The film explores a word-of-mouth-only jazz residency at an illicit hash-bar Hollywood. The screening’s followed by a Q&A with cast and crew followed by live jazz. The night’s a fundraiser to obtain music licensing rights to allow the film be released. Suggested minimum donation of $15 per seat. All donations are tax-deductible via the International Documentary Association.
OH HAL NO (Art)
Oh HAL No: 2001: A Space Odyssey Tribute Show has a soft opening on Tuesday night at EWP Gallery in Monterey Park from 8-9 pm to coincides with HAL 9000’s birthday (from Stanley Kubrick’s classic film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The show features artists who have worked with major brands and studios including Disney Interactive, Marvel Studios, 20th Century Fox, Microsoft, Lego Dimensions and many others. While the soft opening features cupcakes for HAL’s birthday, the main opening and reception takes place on Saturday with a Virtual Reality installation, a guest speaker from the Griffith Observatory, 2001-themed costumed model drawing sessions, live music,and refreshments.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13
THE HOWLING (Film)
There’s a one-night only 35th anniversary screening of Joe Dante’s The Howling on Wednesday night at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood at 9 pm. There’s a pre-screening Q&A with director Dante and film stars Dee Wallace and Robert Picardo. The werewolf film is based on the 1977 novel by Gary Brandner and won the 1980 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. Tickets: $13.
DUNGEON WEST OPEN HOUSE (Dungeon Tour)
Dungeon West holds an open house and Domme Meet & Greet on Wednesday night at 7 pm. The space, owned and operated by Mistress Justine Cross, the space has been featured in music videos, commercials and some of the wildest parties. Here’s your chance to tour the entire facility and see all of our toy closet. Also, if you or your partner have been too shy to meet a domme, now’s your chance to meet a few of them in person. Free.
SOFAR LA (Music)
Sofar LA hosts indie bands and artists at secret locations around the city. The shows have become so popular that they’re doing four shows a month. (Past acts have included The Colourist, Mystic Braves, Hunter Hunted and Eagle Rock Gospel Singers.) Sofar LA's next show is on Wednesday at 8:30 pm somewhere in Chinatown to celebrate its fifth anniversary. We think it’s already sold out so sign up to apply to other dates this month. There are opportunities to buy tickets or to apply for free ones. You’ll be notified by email if you get in and sent the address. But you won’t know who’ll perform until you get there.
RADIO PICTURE SHOW (Storytelling)
Radio Picture Show is a storytelling show at The Virgil, in which participants base their tales on a particular song or image and then incorporate it into the performance. Hosted by Shauna McGarry and Lauren Cook, with DJ Marion Hodges (KCRW) spinning the tunes, the next show is on Wednesday at 8:30 pm and features guests Sara Benincasa, Amber Tozer, Bridgid Ryan, Lakshmi Sundaram, and Annie Mebane.Tickets: $6 online or $8 at the door.
PEGGING 101 (Sex talk)
Yep. You read that title right. Thanks to the Broad City girls, pegging became a buzzworthy conversation topic. On Wednesday, the Pleasure Chest welcomes Dr. Charlie Glickman who leads a lecture / workshop Pegging 101. The workshops are free, and no RSVP necessary. Get there early for a set.
11TH ANNUAL FOCUS ON FEMALE DIRECTORS (Film)
American Cinematheque’s 11th Annual Focus on Female Directors is at the Egyptian on Wednesday at 7:30 pm. There’s a screening of shorts that celebrate the directorial work of Academy Award winners, cinema pioneers and emerging filmmakers from around the world. Films include: Lisze Bechtold’s “Moon Breath Beat” (1980, USA, 5 min.) in 35mm, Catherine Hardwicke’s “Fed Head” (2014, USA, 7 min.) and more. Post-screening discussion with several of the directors. Tickets: $11.
THURSDAY, JAN. 14
METALACHI (Music)
The Ciudad Juárez, Mexico-based heavy metal mariachi band Metalachi plays The Federal Underground in Long Beach on Thursday night. Albatross Overdrive opens. Doors at 8 pm. Show at 9 pm. 21+. Tickets: $15.
VINEGAR SYNDROME (Film)
On Thursday at 8 pm, the Echo Park Film Center presents Vinegar Syndrome, it's a monthly Gong Show-style grab bag of short educational and ephemeral films selected from EPFC’s own 16mm library. This night is for fans of found footage and collage films, and the ones picked for this week’s show are selected by title around the specific theme of “Growing Up.” They won’t pre-screen the films, so everyone will be surprised. They’ll cram as many film as they can into a 90-minute screening. Tickets: $5.
SUN KIL MOON (Music)
Spaceland presents An Evening with Sun Kil Moon on Thursday night at The Regent in DTLA. The folk-rock stalwart Mark Kozelek plays in support of his and Justin Broadrick’s collaboration Jesu/Sun Kil Moon, due out on Jan. 22 through Caldo Verde Records/Rough Trade. 8 pm. Tickets: $19-$58.
BANJEE BALL (Dance)
Banjee Ball relaunches at Los Globos on Thursday at 10 pm. The organizers have partnered with the Los Angeles LGBT Center to throw a miniball / competition with categories such as Vogue, Runway, Sex Siren, Realness and a Lip Sync Battle. Emceed by Enyce Chanel and DJ Purple Crush (aka Isla Chanel and Dj Air Jared). Tickets: $5 before 11 pm and $10 afterwards.
WHAT THE EYE HEARS (Tap dancing history)
New York Times dance critic Brian Seibert has written What the Eye Hears, a history of tap dancing. He’s discussing the book at ALOUD at the Central Library on Thursday night with Sasha Anawalt, Director, USC Annenberg Arts Journalism Program. As an added bonus, there’s a performance by Sarah Reich and saxophonist Danny Janklow of the Tap Music Project. 7:15 pm. Free, but online reservations are full. Standby tickets may be available.
Related: January Guide
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
