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If you need something to do post-Thanksgiving, never fear. We found 20 of cool events happening in L.A. this week.
MONDAY, NOV. 28
NOCTURNAL INFLUENCES: TOM FORD SELECTS (Film)
Fashion designer-film director Tom Ford curates a four-day series of favorite films, Nocturnal Influences: Tom Ford Selects, which screen this week (Monday through Thursday) at ArcLight Hollywood. The films are: A Clockwork Orange (Mon.), Psycho (Tues.) and In Cold Blood (Weds.). Ford does a Q&A at the culmination of the series after the 7:15 pm screening of his latest film Nocturnal Animals on Thursday. Tickets: $14.75- $17.75.
KATHY GRIFFIN (Comedy)
The L.A. Times’ Ideas Exchange presents intimate conversations with intriguing personalities and culture makers. On Monday at The Wiltern, the series welcomes Kathy Griffinwho’ll be in discussion with Mary McNamara, the Times’ assistant managing editor for arts and entertainment, as they discuss Griffin’s latest book Celebrity Run-ins. Griffin gabs about the famous people she’s met, dishing on the good, bad and the bizarre. Tickets start at $15.
COMEDY BANG! BANG! WRITERS SHOW (Comedy)
The writers of IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang! are at UCB Sunset on Monday at 10:30 pm. They’ll perform a fully improvised show for your pleasure. Tickets: $5.
SCHOOL NIGHT (Music)
School Night returns to Bardot in Hollywood on Monday night with live music and DJ sets from both up-and-coming and seasoned artists. Playing live this week are: Leon Else, Ocean Park Standoff and Soto Voce. DJ sets by Isle & Fever, Chris Hires and others. Free with RSVP for those 21+; $10 for 18+ with RSVP. Doors at 8 pm.
PORTER ROBINSON & MADEON (Music)
Electronic artists Porter Robinson and Madeon wrap up their L.A. stand with a third and final show at the Shrine Auditorium On Monday night. Their new single "Shelter" earned more than 10 million streams in less than a month. Playing in support: San Holo and Robotaki. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. Tickets: $28.50-$49.50. Ages 18+.
LET IT BE KNOWN: SHORT FILMS INSPIRED BY OCTAVIA BUTLER (Film)
Film at REDCAT presents Let It Be Known: Short Films Inspired by Octavia Butler on Monday at 8:30 pm. The experimental films selected by guest curator Erin Christovale presents a works by contemporary artists who were informed by the work of science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006). The African American writer “helped set the literary cornerstone of Afrofuturism.” The screening is as part of Radio Imagination: Artists and Writers in the Archive of Octavia E. Butler, a yearlong celebration of Butler’s career coordinated by the arts organization Clockshop. Tickets: $8-11.
MORGAN SPURLOCK + W. KAMAU BELL (Conversation)
The Grammy Museum presents A Conversation With Morgan Spurlock And W. Kamau Bellon Monday at 8 pm. The evening features a discussion between filmmaker and satirist Spurlock and comedian Bell to discuss the Showtime special W. Kamau Bell: Semi-Prominent Negro. The evening also features a special performance from Bell. Tickets: $20.
TUESDAY, NOV. 29
MAGGIE NELSON (Reading)
The Hammer Museum presents author, critic and educator Maggie Nelson on Tuesday at 7:30 pm as part of its Hammer Readings series. She’s a recent recipient of a MacArthur Foundation grant and a National Book Award winner. Her latest book is the critically acclaimed 2015 genre-bending memoir The Argonauts. Her other works include: The Art of Cruelty: A Reckoning; Bluets; The Red Parts; Something Bright, Then Holes; Jane: A Murder; The Latest Winter; and Shiner. A conversation follows with author and UCLA professor Mona Simpson. A coffee and tea reception also follows.
ROBBIE ROBERTSON (Book talk)
Book Soup presents an evening with Robbie Robertson off-site at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on Tuesday at 8 pm. The lead songwriter and guitarist for The Band has written his memoir Testimony to coincide with the 40th anniversary of The Band’s legendary The Last Waltz concert. The book recounts his personal and professional journey through rock’s music history. Tickets: $35 and includes a copy of the book.
THE MOTH (Storytelling)
The Moth storytelling series is at Los Globos on Tuesday with storytellers spinning tales on “food." Anyone can toss their hat into the ring for a chance to be selected. All you have to do is prep a 5-minute story about eats, vittles, meals, fast food—anything related to food. No notes and no standup. Doors and storytelling signups at 7 pm and tales begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $8 at the door, $16 in advance (guaranteed admission). Hosted by Jessica Lee Williamson. The venue is 21+.
VANCOUVER SLEEP CLINIC (Music)
Australian bandVancouver Sleep Clinic led by Tim Bettinson plays the Bootleg Theatre on Tuesday night. The sound is RIYL Bon Iver. Just listen to the track “Someone to Stay.” Opening acts: Lo Moon and MTNS. Tickets: $15. 18+. 8:30 pm.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30
AIR SEX CHAMPIONSHIPS (Fun)
On Wednesday at 8 pm, the Satellite plays host to the 6th annual Los Angeles Air Sex Championships. It’s like air guitar, but with less guitar and probably a lot more thrusting. Before the competition, there’s a warm up comedy set Foreplay! featuring Barbary Gray, Allen Strickland Williams, Kate Willett, Steve Hernandez and Paige Waldon. Hosted by Erin Lampart. Come early for $2 PBR from 8:30-9:30 pm. 21+. Tickets: $10-$12.
FUNNY WOMEN FEST (Comedy)
Funny Women Fest is a comedy festival/block party running from Wednesday through Sunday at various venues in Highland Park. There are more than 400 female comics performing improv, stand up, sketch, or telling stories, at the Hi Hat, Sonny’s Hideaway and the Highland Theater. Proceeds from the fest benefit the Downtown Women’s Center. Tickets: $10 for a nightly pass and $40 for a festival pass. All shows are general admission seating on a first-come, first served basis.
RABBIT HOLE WITH JAY AND RORY (Comedy)
The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail ended its six-year run in October, and now there’s a new comedy show ready to fill that big Wednesday night slot at the Nerdmelt Showroom. Comedians Rory Scovel and Jay Larson present the weekly Rabbit Hole with Jay and Rory every Wednesday at 8:30 pm beginning this week. The debut showcase features the talent of Joe Mande, Kate Berlant, Todd Glass, Bridey Elliott, Baron Vaughn and a surprise guest. Tickets: $10.
MONDO COZMO (Music)
Mondo Cozmo performs an early set at the Hotel Cafe on Wednesday at 7pm. The up-and-comer is on a bit of a roll with the release of his recent single, "Shine" performances at School Night, Entertainment Weekly's Popfest and also on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. He performs with Matt Maeson. Ages 21+. Advance tickets sold out. Some tickets may be available at the door.
THURSDAY, DEC. 1
The Irish musician James Vincent McMorrow brings his R&B-tinged sound to The Wiltern on Thursday night. Allan Rayman, nicknamed the "The Most Mysterious Man In Music" opens the show.
ANDY COHEN WITH RUPAUL (Book talk)
Live Talks Los Angeles presents Andy Cohen with RuPaul on Thursday at 8 pm at Santa Monica High School’s Barnum Hall. Cohen, host and executive producer of Watch What Happens: Live and executive producer of The Real Housewives, discusses his upcoming book, Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries. He’ll be interviewed by actor, musician, drag queen, model, author and TV personality RuPaul. Tickets: $40-$75.MOONFAZE FEMINIST FILM FESTIVAL (Film)
The Moonfaze Feminist Film Festival screens 20 short films—including standalone, episodic and music videos—at its 2016 festival taking place on Thursday at Conduit DTLA. Founded last year by Premstar Santana, Moonfaze’s mission is “to engender an all-encompassing peaceful activism that elevates marginalized voices, shedding light on the pervasiveness of misogyny, racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism and ableism in our everyday experiences.” Doors open at 5:30 pm. The night includes an food and an open bar, DJs and, of course, films. Passes: $15-$100. All ages.
AIDS QUILT (Remembrance)
In honor of World AIDS Day, The Advocate, Michael J. Libow and The NAMES Project Foundation bring present three installation panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt to L.A. for display at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and The Beverly Hills Public Library from Nov. 28-Dec. 4. For those who may not remember, The AIDS Memorial Quilt was sewn together by friends, lovers and family members as a memorial to those who had died of AIDS. On Thursday, The Advocate hosts a community event “Voices of Hope” at the Wallis from 5:30-7 pm. Guests can view the panels and hear from speakers including actor and advocate Mel England and Olympic gold medalist and advocate Greg Louganis. RSVP requested for the event.
Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @LAist or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.
