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Free weekend? '80s rock, graffiti art and Cheeseburger Week
“Mötley Crüe,” 1983 — Gary Leonard Collection. Donning war paint and ready to conquer the world , Mötley Crüe led the first of the wave of 1980s heavy metal bands on the Sunset Strip and were the first to achieve major national success.
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The Los Angeles Public Library
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You’ve worked five full days. Congrats. Didn’t think you’d make it, did you? With everyone back in town, the city is alive. And that means lots of free stuff to do.
From psychedelic art to cheap cheeseburgers, here's everything you need to know:
1. 'Inherent Vice' exhibition and soundtrack
"Contemporary Psychedelic Art LA" is now on display at Ace Hotel. It's a part of the "Inherent Vice" movie release, which takes place in 1970s L.A. and is based on the book with the same name. The Paul Thomas Anderson flick was scored by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. You can listen to his music at the Ace accompanied by hallucinatory art from artists such as John Van Hamersveld, The Haas Brothers, Steven Harrington and Alia Penner. Pro tip: If you book a room, you'll also get a limited edition vinyl copy of Jonny Greenwood's psychedelic soundtrack.
When: Noon to 8 p.m. through Sunday
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Where: Segovia Hall at Ace Hotel | MAP
Price: Free
2. L.A. Public Library celebrates '80s rock
(Photo: “Mötley Crüe,” 1983, from Los Angeles Public Library)
Mötley Crüe , The Go-Go's, Social Distortion, The Runaways, Red Hot Chili Peppers — the Los Angeles Public Library has culled from various photo archives to give us a glimpse into L.A.'s music scene in the '70s and '80s.
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Here's some history from Central Library:
...The free press did chronicle the local music scene, with papers such as the L.A. Weekly, the L.A. Reader, BAM, Rock City News and Music Connection providing weekly recaps on the nightly gigs around town. Photographer Gary Leonard, a regular contributor to the Weekly and the Reader, helped us fill in the gaps by generously donating images from his club days for the exhibit, including a never-before published portrait of Mötley Crüe from 1983.
When: Library hours through June 28, 2015
Where: History & Genealogy Department at Central Library | MAP
Price: Free
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3. Artist in the OR
Pete Morris is know for sketching Angelenos on the Metro. That's why they call him The Metro Da Vinci. Most recently, he traveled to Guatemala to create "Artist in the OR," a series of watercolor paintings that depicts a surgical mission with the nonprofit Mending Kids. The exhibit is on display at SPACE art gallery, located on South Pasadena's quaint Mission Street. Pro tip: Bring the fam to the nearby Dinosaur Farm to scope out cool toys and to Buster's for delicious ice cream before or after.
When: Runs through January 24; opening reception 6 to 8 p.m. Friday
Where: SPACE | MAP
Price: Free
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4. Rob Sevier DJ set at Amoeba
Put your dancing shoes on and get ready for a night of music from the 1960s through the 1990s. Rob Sevier, a cofounder of the Numero Group, will preform a DJ set featuring tracks from the Numero Group's upcoming album, "The Universal Togetherness Band." The album, which will be released Jan. 20, is compiled from fives semesters of a Chicago group's musical explorations through soul, jazz, funk, new wave and much more.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Amoeba, Hollywood | MAP
Price: Free
— Daniella Segura
5. Graffiti art walking tour
(Photo: The Container Yard taken by KPCC's Kristen Lepore)
The Container Yard is one of the Art District's latest spots adorned with cool street art. See that and more at the Downtown L.A. Graffiti and Mural Guided Tour Saturday morning. Graffiti artist Hector H. Calderon, aka Shandu One, will lead you along this two-mile trek that includes stops at surrealistic murals and street scribblings, as well as the new Arts District Flea. Clear space in your iPhone — you'll one to be Insta-ready for this one.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: 901 E 2nd Street | MAP
Price: $12 | Purchase tix here
6. Golden Globe foreign film chat
Are you a movie buff? Love Filmweek? Then check this out. Join directors of the five Golden Globe nominees for Best Foreign-Language Film during a free roundtable seminar at the Egyptian Theatre Saturday. Nominated flicks include "Ida," a drama about a Jewish nun in 1960s Poland, and "Force Majeure," a dramedy about a family on a ski holiday in the French Alps. Brought to you by the American Cinematheque and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the event will be followed by a reception with the filmmakers. Pro tip: You can also stream it live here.
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Egyptian Theatre | MAP
Price: Free | RSVP here
7. Get in on that Cheeseburger Week
Start drooling. Pasadena's Cheeseburger Week kicks off Sunday. Forty restaurants, lounges and burger joints will offer signature burgers, deals and special creations. The Dog Haus will even have a slider eating contest. Here's everything you need to know.
(Photo: Umami Burger)
And if that's not enough, check out Umami's new burger: The Throwback Burger, which combines two beef patties, white cheddar cheese, house ketchup, miso mustard, soy pickles and minced onions with a Portuguese style bun. It's available at all locations (except LAX) for $8.
When: Sunday through January 16
Where: Various restaurants | List here
Price: Prices vary, call for details
8. Future Zombee Apocalypse: Bee Prepared and Stick Together!
Interested in urban beekeeping? Matt Comfort founded Anarchy Apiaries, which maintains 500 bee hives from New York to Florida, and he wants to share his knowledge. You'll learn about do-it-yourself methods, hive designs, queen-raising, self-reliant beekeeping — all that and more at this workshop Sunday morning.
When: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Grow Native Nursery in the Veterans Garden | MAP
Price: $10 suggested donation
What'd we miss? Let me know on Twitter @KristenLepore.
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