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Here are 20 of our favorite events happening right here in L.A. this weekend. Think we missed something or you want other options? Check out the September Guide, too.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 9
DEMON (Film and Q&A)
Friday marks the U.S. release of Demon, a creepy film by the late Polish director Marcin Wrona, who updated the Jewish legend of the dybbuk—a spirit that possesses the body of a person. On the eve of his wedding, Peter (Israeli actor Itay Tiran, Lebanon) falls into a pile of human remains at the old farmhouse he’s renovating for himself and his fiancée Zaneta (Agnieszk Zulewska, Chemo). Strange things start to happen during the wedding...and go bump in the night. Demon opens at the Nuart Theatre in West L.A. with opening weekend Q&As scheduled with producer Olga Szymanska, Wrona’s widow. Former L.A. Times writer Susan King moderates a Q&A with Szymanska after the 7:30 pm show and an intro before the 9:55 pm show. On Saturday, Film Critic Debbie Lynn Elias moderates Szymanska’s Q&A after the 7:30 pm show, and the intro before the 9:45 pm show. Tickets: $11.
PANCAKES AND BOOZE (Art)
The Pancakes & Booze Art Show returns to DTLA on Friday and Saturday at Lot 613. In addition to the art, the free pancakes and beer, the pop-up hosts a Zombie Fashion Show on Sept. 10. Additional activities include: live painting, live body painting, music and more. Tickets are $10 at the door. $21+.
STAR TREK AT 50 (Film + TV celebration)
The American Cinematheque, Geek Magazine & Paramount Home Video present Star Trek at 50, an ultimate fan experience from Friday through Sept. 16. The U.S.S. Enterprise first embarked on its five-year mission on Sept. 8, 1966, with the premiere of the Star Trek series by Gene Roddenberry on NBC. It’s continued on in some form or another for another five decades. The American Cinematheque kicks things off on Friday at 7:30 pm with a screening of Star Trek: The Motion Picture at the Egyptian Theatre; on Saturday at 7:30 pm, there’s a screening of the doc For the Love of Spock with a Q&A with director Adam Nimoy (Leonard Nimoy’s son). On Sunday at 7:30 pm, there’s a double feature of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek II: The Search for Spock. Tickets: $11.
DON’T TELL MY MOTHER (Storytelling)
The storytelling show Don't Tell My Mother returns from a summer break on Friday at Busby’s East with The Back to School Show. Created and hosted by Nikki Levy, the night includes stories that you’d never want mom to know from YouTube personality GloZell. lesbian author Michelle Tea (Valencia), Idiotest host and comic Ben Gleib, actor Mary Hollis Inboden (The Real O’Neals), Dani Klein Modisett (Afterbirth) and Levy (Frost/Nixon). Music by Abby and The Myth. Bar, food menu and party (complete with class photos) begins at 7 pm and the storytelling begins at 8 pm. Tickets: $16-$25.
PLACEINVADERS (Food)
PlaceInvaders, a pop-up dining experience, throws intimate dinners in other people's quirky, interesting residences (while no one's home). On Friday at 8 pm, PlaceInvaders takes over a Hollywood Hills Bachelor Pad off of Laurel Canyon. In the kitchen will be Chef Brandon Zarb from Detroit's Imperial and Public House. Tickets: $125.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 10
Giant Robot 2 opens a solo show of sculptures by Kozyndan. (Image: Courtesy of the gallery and the artist)
FROM WHENCE WE CAME (Art)
Giant Robot 2 (GR2) in West L.A. is proud to present From When We Came, a solo sculpture exhibition by Kozyndan. It opens on Saturday with a reception from 6:30-10 pm, with the exhibition on view through Sept. 28. From GR2: “[Kozyndan presents] a ceramic sculptural exploration of a primitive world before our own inhabited by sentient creatures attuned to magic and the power of their ancestors and the prime creators.”
MAINFEST ALHAMBRA (Music)
Alhambra, here we come! Yep, you read that right: MainFest Alhambra, a new music festival on Saturday brings a great lineup to L.A.’s suburbs with Capital Cities, Miami Horror, Dead Sara, !!! (Chk Chk Chk) and others. Food trucks will be on hand, but LAist writer Tim Loc, who grew up in Alhambra recommends Chengdu Taste, Szechuan Impression or 101 Noodle Express as dinner options, too. Tickets: $30-$60. 1 pm.
MORE THAN A CONE (Party)
More Than a Cone presents its 3rd annual charity art auction gala on Saturday from 7-11 pm at The Autry in Griffith Park. The Avant Garden Party features live painting, an art auction, a runway cone fashion show, a short film fest and pet adoptions. Live music by riot-pop band, Wasi, indie electronic duo, Mrch, indie pop rockers, DWNTWN, and synth-pop singer, Chela. More than a comb asks artists to transform the “cone of shame,” to call attention and awareness about pet adoption, wellness and recovery. Proceeds will benefit Angel City Pit Bulls, Kitten Rescue Los Angeles and Priceless Pets. Tickets: $20.
NEWFILMMAKERS LOS ANGELES (Film)
On Saturday in Hollywood, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles(NFMLA) teams up with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a Latino & Hispanic Filmmaker program screening at The Academy’s The Mary Pickford Center/Linwood Dunn Theater. The curated program will include two short film programs featuring talent from Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and Germany as well as local Latino artists. The night closes with a Peruvian feature film, Just Like the Movies. There are pre- and post-receptions for each program as well as audience Q&A sessions. Admission to the individual programs are $5-$7 or $16 for all three. Doors at 4:15 pm.
DEMDIKE STARE (Music + Art)
The Getty and Spaceland continues the seriesSaturdays off the 405 on Saturday from 6-9 pm with U.K.-based Demdike Stare (a collaboration between DJ/producers Sean Canty and Miles Whittaker) performing in the Museum Courtyard. The will perform an original live set designed specifically for the Getty’s courtyard stage to complement the exhibition London Calling: Bacon, Freud, Kossoff, Andrews and Kitaj. Admission is free; no reservation required.
PAGAN DAY FESTIVAL (Tolerance festival)
Calling all pagans and mainstream believers: There’s a Pagan Day Festival on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm at the Burbank Marriott. The event is a tolerance festival that focuses on Ancient Religions and features lectures, author signings, ancient altar presentations, film screenings and shopping from more than 50 vendors. The festival is open to the public during the day, with ticketed nighttime events. From the festival organizers: “This year’s focus is on world peace and turning the hatred and self righteous anger into inner peace to ripple forth into the world.” While the festival is free, tickets required for: Masquerade Ball ($15) and $35 for Michael and Marti Parry Gallery.
Mark Moore Gallery in Culver City opens a solo show of works by Mark Bennett on Saturday. (Image: Mark Bennett, 'Home of Mr. Norman Bates (near) Fairvale, CA, 2016.'
ZEMER PELED // MARK BENNETT (Art)
Mark Moore Gallery in Culver City opens two solo shows this weekend. In the Main Gallery, there’s Nomad by Israeli born artist Zemer Peled, featuring large-scale sculptures and objects; in Gallery 2, there’s Family Tree by Mark Bennett, who specializes in designing TV- and movie-inspired home blueprints. The opening receptions for both shows are on Saturday from 6-8 pm. The works will remain on view through Oct. 29.
VENICE WAVE FEST (Music)
The 2016 Venice Wave Fest (VWF) takes place on Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm at Windward Plaza in Venice. The VWF features more than 20 indie and up-and-coming musical artists from all genres, including Linney, Iamwe, Chris O’Bannon, Quinn Archer, Leven Kali and many others. Free and all ages.
CHICANO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Film)
The Chicano International Film Festival (ChIFF) takes place on Saturday and Sunday for a celebration of Chicano culture on celluloid and IRL. On Saturday at Plaza de La Raza in DTLA, there’s a day-long festival with live music, art, and food and drink vendors. Screenings begin at 10:30 am. On Sunday, ChIFF moves to the ArcLight Hollywood for a special screening of the Other Barrio, starring Richard Montoya. The ticket price includes screening and Q&A with filmmakers, ChIFF Awards presentation, live music and a VIP reception following the film. Tickets: $10-$50.
THE WALLIS WELCOMEFEST (Festival)
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills begins its 2016-17 season with a WelcomeFest on Saturday (2-10 pm) and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. The weekend features free performances and other activities including dance, music, theater performance, family-friendly entertainment and classes. There’s a KCRW dance party on Saturday night, a hip-hop dance class on Saturday, a salsa dance class led by Debbie Allen on Sunday, and many more activities. Food trucks and a (cash) bar will be available throughout the weekend.
SEXY BEAST 2016 (Fundraiser)
Sexy Beast 2016 is a night of entertainment, cocktails and live and silent auctions to support Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and, in turn, women’s health and reproductive rights. The festivities run from 6:30-10:30 pm at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on Saturday night. The main stage entertainment begins at 8 pm, hosted by Andy Richter. Tickets: $525+ fees. The ticket includes valet parking, cocktails, wine, passed canapes and entertainment.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 11
BARNSDALL OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHTS (Fundraising series)
Barnsdall Art Park teams up with Cinefamily for its fundraising Outdoor Movie Night series on Sundays at 5:30 pm. This week, the series features a Jules et Jim Picnic, co-presented by Cinefamily’s La Collectionneuse, Décadanse Soirée and Zebulon LA. Patrons watch one of the best films ever while sipping on wine under the stars. The picnic also features pre-show music from Tortoise. Tickets: $25 (21+ only). Gates at 5:30 pm.
YOGA + BEER (Workout)
Joel King, a yoga instructor, leads a 60-minute yoga workout at the Brewyard Beer Company in Glendale on Sunday at noon. After the class, stick around for a free pint of beer (if you’ve taken the class)> Cash or credit accepted. Tickets: $10.
PUNK ME TENDER (Art show)
An immersive art experience takes place at The Historic Beckett Mansion in DTLA this weekend showcasing Punk Me Tender’s new collection. (The mansion was built by Architect John C. Austin, who designed Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles City Hall and the Shrine Auditorium, so that’s an added bonus.) The show is open to the public on Sunday from noon to 11 pm.
RAY LAMONTAGNE (Music)
Troubadour Ray Lamontagne plays the Greek Theatre on Sunday night, touring in support of his latest album Ouroboros (2016). Tickets: $39.50-$79.50. 8 pm.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
