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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 21 events. Now, no more excuses...get out there and play. Don’t forget to check out other picks in our monthly column, too. Read on for all the details.
FRIDAY, MAY 2
FILM + PODCASTS: Geoff Boucher (formerly of the LA Times’ Hero Complex and Entertainment Weekly) and Nerdist Industries team together for their latest venture: Humans from Earth, a new monthly screening and stage-interview series with the biggest names in Comic-Con culture. It all kicks off Friday (tonight) at the Egyptian with a screening of the Nathan Fillion-led cult classic, Slither. Boucher will interview writer-director James Gunn (who directed the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy), and a few surprise guests might pop in, too. The Humans from Earth podcast tapings kick off on Saturday (also at the Egyptian) with guests Jon Favreau, Gerard Way, the Russo Brothers and more. Screening tickets: $11, podcast taping tickets (Sat.) are $7.
STORYTELLING: The storytelling/reading series Say the Word is back at the Skirball Cultural Center tonight with the theme: "The Petting Zoo." Hosted by UnCabaret’s Beth Lapides, the evening features Dylan Brody, Carlos Kotkin, Suzanne Whang, Evan Handler and Carol Leifer for an evening of tales about pets, wild animals, spirit animals or even animal magnetism. Cocktails and snacks available for purchase. 8 pm. Tickets: $8-$15. 21+.
FILM: Theodore Bezaire’s indie comedy The Birder starring Tom Cavanagh (Ed, Scrubs) makes its U.S. premiere on Friday as part of the LA Comedy Festival at the Let Live Theater at 7 pm. In the film, which also stars Mark Rendall, Jamie Spilchuk, Tommie-Amber Pirie, Graham Greene and Fred Willard, Cavanagh plays a mild-mannered birder who seeks revenge after a he loses a prestigious birding job at a national park to a younger rival. Tickets: $10+ fees.
COMEDY : The MisMatch Game!returns to the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre for two performances this weekend (Friday and Sunday nights). The show is a parody of the 1970s game show The Match game with producer Dennis “Gene Rayburn” Hensley serving as host. He’ll be joined on stage by a panel of comics impersonating celebs. Cast for Friday’s show: Ted Biaselli as “Stan Lee”; Patrick Bristow as “Tim Gunn”; Tom Lenk as “Zooey Deschanel”; Sam Pancake as “Rue McLanahan”; Nicol Paone as “Arianna Huffington” and Tony Tripoli as “Charles Nelson Reilly.” General admission: $15. 8 pm on Friday and 7 pm on Sunday. Free parking.
PARTY: It seems like only yesterday when we first wrote about Coolhaus. Now the little company that could celebratesfive delicious years with one helluva party tonight in DTLA. The $65 ticket price helps raise money for 9 Dots, an after-school tutoring program that works with underserved kids to focus on innovation and technology. The night includes and open bar with craft cocktails, beer floats or just plain beer from Golden Road Brewing, jelly shots by Ludlows Cocktail Co., and, of course, ice cream and ice cream sandwiches. Attendees also get a pre-ordered copy of the Coolhaus Ice Cream book. At the Unique Space. Festivities begin at 8 pm.
PANCAKES + BOOZE + ART:The Pancakes & Booze Art Showis a pop-up art show for more than 150+ local artists and musicians to “showcase their talent without the politics & stuffiness that is commonly found in traditional galleries.” The show takes over Lot 613 in DTLA’s Arts District on Friday and Saturday from 8 pm to 2 am. Live music each night, too, Cover: $5. 21+. Oh, and there’s all-you-can-eat pancakes sponsored by Myke’s Cafe.
Lesbian puppet noir from artist Susan Simpson in Chinatown. (Image: Courtesy of the artist)
PUPPET THEATER: Concrete Folk Variations, a puppet drama written, directed and designed by Susan Simpson, begins its run at Automata in Chinatown on Friday, through May 11. Set in “lesbian bars, cop shops and street-cars of McCarthy-era Los Angeles,” the drama follows butch detective Loretta Salt who must uncover the murderer of a prominent socialite. Originally a three-part serial, the performance will be presented in its entirety. The production runs Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, and Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm. Tickets: $18.
SATURDAY, MAY 3
EARTH FEST:The Pasadena Earth & Arts Festival takes place on Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm at the Armory Center for the Arts and Memorial Park. The free, all ages event includes live music, dancing, drum circles, family-friendly art workshops and an eco-friendly marketplace. Food for sale from local restaurants and a craft beer garden with Pasadena's own Craftsman Brewing Company.
MURAL RIDE: L.A. County Metro sponsors The Street Mural Ride on Saturday, led by the C.I.C.L.E. organization. Explore DTLA on a curated art tour of street murals. The event is being held in conjunction with Union Station’s 75th Anniversary, so the approximately six-mile ride begins and ends at Union Station, with stops in El Pueblo de Los Angeles and the Arts District.
MUSIC: The legendary Goblin—the Italian masters of the horror movie soundtrack—have worked with directors from George A. Romero and Dario Argento, as well as on their own prog-rock sound that “veers into nightmarish and atmospheric territory, making them a truly original and iconic entity.” Goblin plays a one-night-only show in L.A. on Saturday at the Henry Fonda Theater, featuring tunes from their classic soundtracks and albums. Doors: 8 pm, show at 9 pm. Tickets: $25- $65. Pinkish Black opens. All ages.
ART: The Kohn Gallery holds the inaugural exhibition in its new, expansive 12,000-square foot space. L.A.-based pop surrealist artist Mark Ryden presents new work in the show, The Gay 90s: West, featuring works on paper, paintings, sculpture and installation. The opening artist reception is on Saturday from noon to 6 pm. The show remains on view through June 28.
BOOKS + COMIC BOOKS: Hot on the heels of Record Store Day is California Bookstore Day—a celebration of independent bookstores across the state. Various bookstores in L.A. have all kinds of treats set up for visitors, from live music to special limited-edition items. Get out there and patronize your local bookstore. If you’re not so much into books books, then remember it’s also free comic book day.
ART: Steve Turner Contemporary presents two solo exhibitions on Saturday. El Sueño De La Razón Produce Monstruos (The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters) features work by artist Camilo Restrepo, who “creates drawings based on his proximity to the epicenter of drug-related violence in Colombia.” In addition, the gallery opens a show of computer-generated drawings by artist Yung Jake. Opening receptions from 6-8 pm.
CELLOS: The "cello rock" band Break of Reality plays the Hotel Cafe at 8 pm on Saturday to celebrate their latest release, Ten. They perform both original music and covers, and by far our favorite is still the cover video of The Game of Thrones theme. Advance tickets: $12+ service charge. 21+.
FESTIVAL: Angel City's 2nd Annual Heritage Festis an event that celebrates L.A. culture and the brewery’s second anniversary. In addition to an outdoor music and beer oasis, food trucks, beer popsicles, pairings, there will also be art exhibitions, demonstrations, arcades, tours and tastings, artisan vendors and a chill-out zone. Sounds heavenly. Admission is free.
FILM + MUSIC : Classical Revolution L.A.presents Movie Night with Helix Collective on Saturday night from 6-8 pm at the Silverlake Lounge. The collective and indie film composers have collaborated for a movie night, in which six short films are screened with the ensemble performing live, original soundtracks to each one. The films include Raj Jawa's “Driving Thought,” Darwin Carlisle's “Suspended Ballet” and Gregory J.M. Kasunich's “Monroe.” Film composers include Eugene Micofsky, Elliott Goldkind, George N. Gianopoulos, Phil Popham and Kevin Wilt. Guest cellist Michael Kaufman and film conductor Joshua Roach join Helix Collective for the new project. Free.
FEST: The Broccoli City fest is an all-ages celebration of community wellness through music. Live performances by hip-hop, EDM, and alternative acts like JoJo, Dizzy Wright, Vashtie, Chuck Inglish and BJ the Chicago Kid, among others. In addition to the music, festival attendees have access to a pop-up market, group yoga and fitness sessions, acupuncture and massage stations, and live art installations. www.BCfestival.com. Noon to 8 pm at the L.A. Mart. Tickets: $29-$45.
TOTSTOCK: Totstock is a day-long event featuring food, wine, music, games, prizes for the whole family. Musical entertainment this year comes from Moby, Laura Marling, Dylan Gardner and a “very special” surprise guest. Tickets are $10 for a family of four purchased in advance by calling 323.663.8049 or $20 the day of the event at the L.A. Family School in Silverlake. Proceeds benefit L.A.F.S.
SUNDAY, MAY 4
FILM: The UCLA Film & Television Archive presents a family screening of the beloved novel Charlotte’s Web (1973), about the story of Wilbur the baby pig and Charlotte, the spider who weaves a plan to save Wilbur before he gets turned into bacon. 11 am at the Hammer Museum. Free. Tickets are available at the Box Office one hour before each program and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
BOOKS: Skylight Books holds the launch party for Unlovable, Vol. 3 (Fantagraphics Books) by cartoonist and artist Esther Pearl Watson. The book features all the ‘80s essentials: too much mascara, leg warmers with heels, and huge hair—all from a teen perspective. 5 pm on Sunday.
COMIC BOOK STORIES: The variety troupe Captured Aural Phantasy Theatre puts on Crime Story Confidential, a new noir-ish show of “vintage crime stories that were banned by the Senate 60 years ago.” The evening also features live music by Laurel and Adriene Biondo. At El Cid. Doors at 7:30 pm. Show at 8:30 pm. Admission: $10.
Related:
Your Ultimate Guide To May: 20 Cool Events Happening In Los Angeles
Your Guide to Outdoor Movie Screenings in Los Angeles
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
