Here are 20 of our favorite events happening in L.A. this weekend. Check out the November Guide for even more suggestions.
FRIDAY, NOV. 11
MODERN WAYS OF BEING EXPOSED (Art show)
The group art show, Modern Ways of Being Exposed, features new work by Arvida Byström, Michele Bisaillon, Molly Bounds and Ambar Navarro, and opens at Nous Tous in Chinatown on Friday night with a reception from 7-10 pm. The show explores identity in the digital world and includes photography, painting and video.
PROHIBITION ERA COCKTAIL CLASS (Drinks + history)
Greenbar Distillery in DTLA holds a Prohibition Era Cocktail Class on Friday from 7:30-9 pm. Guests will learn about the history of bootlegging, rum-running and speakeasies in LA while creating fresh twists to 1920s-era classic cocktails using Greenbar’s organic spirits, bitters, liqueurs, homemade syrups and juices, fresh produce, herbs and more. Tickets: $40. RSVPs required. 21+.
AMOS LEE (Music)
Folk-soul troubadour Amos Lee plays two nights (Friday and Saturday) at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. He’s touring in support of his latest album, Spirit. Shel opens the show. Tickets: $35 - $59.50. 8 pm.
SATURDAY, NOV. 12
GHOST RIDER: MY FAVORITE FILM (One-man show)
At 3 pm on Saturday at the Nerdist Showroom, podcast host Marc Calderaro presents his one-man show/film criticism of Nic Cage's Ghost Rider. He argues the case why it's a film that should be given serious study and not filed in the so-bad-it’s-good category. Calderaro has also created a drinking game for the show. (BYOB is encouraged.) Special guest for the show is Ghost Rider actor Jonathan Oldham. Tickets: $10
BLACK LIST LIVE! (Film read)
Black List Live! presents a live read of Max Schwartz’s New Coke—a script from the Black List online scriptwriting community—on Saturday night at the Montalban Theater in Hollywood. The script takes the audience behind the scenes of the “1980s Cola Wars as two legendary rivals duke it out to see who will be the ultimate victor in America's taste test: Coke... or Pepsi?” The cast includes: Bob Odenkirk, Donald Faison, Jacob Vargas and Jaime Camil. Doors at 7:30 pm and reading at 8 pm. This is the last reading for the 2016 season. Tickets: $25-$35.
STATE OF THE ART (Film + Tech)
One of the awesome sounding programs at AFI Fest, which is currently running in Hollywood, is “State of the Art Technology Showcase: Innovation and Immersive Storytelling.” The two-day event presents a selection of 360-degree, VR and immersive short film experiences to show what’s possible with the new tech. Dark Corner is one of the studios presenting VR experiences, including three creepy titles, “Catatonic” and “Mule,” directed by Guy Shelmerdine, and “Burlap,” directed by Justin Denton. The screenings run at the Hollywood Roosevelt from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
AMERICAN INDIAN MARKETPLACE (Arts + Crafts)
The Autry holds its American Indian Arts Marketplace on Saturday and Sunday (10 am to 5 pm each day) featuring work from 200 established and emerging Native American artists representing more than 40 tribes. The marketplace is the largest Native American arts market in Southern California. Visitors can purchase sculpture, pottery, beadwork, baskets, photography, paintings, jewelry, textiles, wooden carvings and mixed-media works. There will also be artist demonstrations, performances, music, food and other treats throughout the weekend. On Saturday at 5:30 pm, there’s a free screening of Native documentary shorts presented by the Sundance Institute and UCLA American Indian Studies Center. On Sunday at 1:30 pm, Native Voices Artists Ensemble presents the annual Short Play Festival that features seven works from Native American playwrights. Admission to the marketplace: Free for Autry members; $14 for nonmembers; $10 for students (with ID) and seniors (60+); and $6 for children ages 3-12. Free for kids younger than 3.
WISHLIST (Art)
Wishlist Gabba Gallery ’s Fourth Annual Exhibition of Affordable Art opens on Saturday. The gallery’s most popular show of the year features art for sale with works from more than 75 artists, with nothing more than $1,000. It’s a cash-and-carry show so when something sells, they’ll take it down and replace it with a new piece for a constantly changing show. Street parking available or $8 at 3001 Beverly Blvd or Uber/Lyft.
BAKED (Music + comedy)
Steve Agee and Brendon Small host Baked, a night of comedy and music at the Hollywood Improv Comedy Club on Melrose at 10 pm. Performing comedy sets are Arden Myrin, Eliza Skinner, Jon Daly and special guests, with music by the “greatest house band of all time”: Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa) Joe Travers (Zappa Plays Zappa) and Pete Griffin (Zappa Plays Zappa). Tickets: $15 with two-item minimum.
HINDSIGHT IS 30/40 (Art)
There’s an opening reception on Saturday from 7-9 pm at The Salon (at Automatic Sweat) on La Cienega for 30/40: A Group Photo Exhibition. The show features works by Norman Reedus, Moby, Suki Waterhouse, Derek Hough and others. The works, which are primarily scenic or landscape, will remain on view through Dec. 10.
THE MELROSE BELLOW (Lit fest)
The Melrose Bellow is a free lit fest that takes place on Saturday from 5-9 pm (on Melrose from Poinsettia Place to Gardner Street) at several locations. Poets, storytellers, comedians, fiction writers and musicians who will participate in various readings, art workshops and other various activities. Things kick off at 5 pm with a free rubber block carving workshop; at 6:30 pm, there’s an open mic at the Standup Bus and at 8 pm there’s an edition of Tongue and Groove at Sal's Restaurant. Check out the event website for a full schedule.
LATE LATE BREAKFAST (Comedy)
The comedy show Late Late Breakfast is at the Silverlake Lounge on Saturday at 5 pm. Comedians delivery their material while playing games and taking on challenges that are designed to keep them and the audience on their toes. The show changes each month, and no one knows what to expect until they step onstage. The show’s lineup includes Clare O’Kane, David Gborie, Ryan Singer, Caitlin Gill, The Puterbaugh Sisters, Josh Androsky and others. Free (but donations accepted.)
FK A GENRE (Music)
Producer Mija's FK a Genre show makes a stop at Union Nightclub on Saturday night. She's playing with Dave 1 of Chromeo (DJ Set), Joey Purp and Durante bringing a mix of hip-hop, electronic, indie dance and more. Ages 19+. Tickets: $15-$30. 9 pm.
BEINGS & THINGS // TOTORO MASH UP (Art)
On Saturday, Giant Robot Store presents a Totoro Mash Up Exhibition, a group show curated by Cassia Lupo that includes art by Flat Bonnie, Jon Lau, Jesse Tise, Patrick Hruby, Nikki Longfish, Kevin Luong, Mari Inukai, Leonardo Santamaria, Jeff McMillan, Junyi Wu, Dany Paragouteva, Lisa Kogawa, Nikko de Leon, Christy Saguanpong, Brian Luong, Michael Fleming, Joey Stupor, Aaron Brown, Ray Young Chu, Sean Chao, Eunice San Miguel, Bryan Wong, and Vanessa Ramirez. Down the street, GR2 presents Beings & Things that features sculptures by Godeleine de Rosamel. The opening receptions are Saturday from 6:30-10 pm. Works will be on view at the gallery through Nov. 30 and Jan. 15, 2017, respectively. SUNDAY, NOV. 13
NICK OFFERMAN (Woodworking and book signing)
On Sunday, Nick Offerman and the Offerman Woodshop are holding a woodworking pleasure faire at Angel City Lumber in DTLA to wrap up Offerman’s book tour for his latest New York Times bestseller, Good Clean Fun. The faire includes corn hole, art displays, woodworking demos and more. The book offers a peek into his real-life woodshop, projects and guest appearances. The woodworking event is free to the community and begins at 2 pm. There’s a ticketed book event that follows at 6 pm. Tickets ($42-$57) include a signed copy of the book.
L.A. FOOD STUDIOS AT THE SKIRBALL (Food + talk)
The Skirball presents an intimate food gathering on Sunday, setting up “open studios” and hosting six L.A.-based culinary artists from 2-5 pm. L.A. Food Studios at the Skirball will feature cooking demos, talks and sampling of foods from Kwang Uh of Baroo, Steve Samson of Sotto, Top Chef winner Mei Lin, Wes Avila of Guerrilla Tacos, Pawan Mahendro of Badmaash, and Rose Lawrence of Red Bread. Ticket prices: $25 for general admission, $20 for Skirball members and $18 for full-time students. Free parking.
IN THIS TOGETHER FESTIVAL (Mental health awareness fundraiser)
In This Together Festival is a nonprofit mental health awareness event that takes place at Avalon in Hollywood on Sunday. The festival features comedians, podcasters and musicians who are “known for their mental health advocacy, authenticity, and vulnerability.” Kimya Dawson of The Moldy Peaches and Daniel Johnston are headliners with live podcasts by The Mental Illness Happy Hour (with guest former NBA player Royce White) and Mortified. Stand up comedy by Beth Stelling, too. Tickets to the comedy and podcast portion (4:30-7 pm) are $30; the music portion at 7 pm is $40 or get an all-day pass for $65. VIP tickets are $95.
TONI ERDMANN (Film + Q&A)
German filmmaker Maren Ade (Everyone Else) latest film Toni Erdmann is a "sadcom" about the lengths a prankster father will go to to win his daughter’s love and respect. There’s a free screening of the film at Cinefamily on Sunday at 4 pm with actors Sandra Huller & Peter Simonischek in person. Tickets are free, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP is mandatory.
OYSTER RETREAT (Food + fundraiser)
Materials & Applications (M&A), a nonprofit dedicated to building a public culture of experimental architecture in L.A., holds its fall fundraiser—an Oyster Retreat—on Sunday from 4-7 pm at the Oyster Gourmet at Grand Central Market. The ticket price includes a oysters curated by Christophe Happillon (Los Angeles' only écailler and owner of The Oyster Gourmet), delights from Silver Lake Wines and a copy of the M&A's 10-year catalog. Tickets: $100-$150.
FEAST FRIENDLY WINE TASTING (Wine)
Esters Wine Shop & Bar in Santa Monica holds a casual Feast Friendly Wine Tasting on Sunday from 3-6 pm. Just drop in anytime during the event from 3-6 pm and the staff will guide guests at their own pace through a flight of wines and a spread of cheese. Tickets: $25. All wines from the tasting lineup available for a 10% discount that same day. No reservations necessary.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
