Michele Reverte

In the years since Joel Hodgson's departure from Mystery Science Theater 3000, rumors of his return to riffing have continued to surface. Then in 2007, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of dreadful B-movies, Hodgson and members of the original MST3K team returned to the riffing game under the name Cinematic Titanic. Thus far, they've released seven DVDs and expanded into live events Later this month, they will take over Largo at the Coronet to riff on five films in five nights.

Chances are, the music of Fisher has made a major contribution to the soundtrack of your life--whether you've realized it or not. The band first made their mark 10 years ago when they became the most downloaded band on the Internet when MP3.com released their song "I Will Love You." In July, Fisher released their fourth studio CD, "Water." Recorded after the tragic death of Fisher's father, the album tackles grand themes with a personal touch, and Fisher's velvet-laced vocals bring it all together.

If you want to see the epitome of collaboration, you need look no further than the band Works Progress Administration (WPA). This new folk-pop supergroup, named after FDR's New Deal agency, was born out of many Largo at the Coronet shows and impromptu post-show jam sessions. Over the last year, it has evolved into an "expandable collective" of musicians who can individually and collectively make your jaw drop with their skill and improvisation.

Although one could spend days exploring the LA County Fair, LAist was surprised to find just how much can be packed into one afternoon. In the past, we've shared images of fried food, ice cream and a massive brick of cheese fries. This time around, we turned our attention to rides, games and engaging activities for kids, such as the Jurassic Planet and Under the Sea buildings.

LAist has just gotten word that a handful of tickets just became available for the three sold-out Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers bluegrass performances at Largo at the Coronet next week. These exclusive LA concerts will take place Tuesday (Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.) and Wednesday (Sept. 30 and 8:30 p.m.) Martin, who released his first full-length banjo CD earlier this year, recently performed with the Steep Canyon Rangers on...

One of the songs on Pink Martini's forthcoming album, "Splendor in the Grass", includes the line, "Life's a lot richer with a healthy mixture...not to mention lots more fun!" In addition to capping off a great musical romp, this statement also encapsulates the essence of Pink Martini. Over the course of 15 years, four albums and one live DVD, this little orchestra has crafted a sound that's both modern and retro, and Saturday night they'll take the stage at the Hollywood Bowl.

It's that time of year again, when many LA residents (along with others from around the world) make the trek to Comic-Con in San Diego. Given that 125,000 people are attending the convention this year, navigating the Comic-Con exhibit hall is an event in itself. And although the main costume spectacle will take place during Saturday night's masquerade, today's crop didn't disappoint!

This year has been a busy one for Jewel. She recently released her first independent album, "Lullaby," which is an ethereal collection of three classic tracks and 10 originals. The self-penned material holds its own among the standards, and after listening to this disc, it's hard to imagine a voice better suited for lullabies than Jewel's. Last week, LAist spoke with her to learn why she hopes her new album appeals to adults and children alike, and what she has in store when she takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl this Friday and Saturday.

Christina Courtin first captured attention as a Juilliard-trained violinist, playing everything from the classics to a piece that ends with a smashed violin. Yet all the while, she harbored a secret desire to sing, and as she branched out into this arena, she began building a fan base that started with fellow musicians and quickly grew. Courtin will be playing Largo at the Coronet on Tuesday night, and LAist spoke with her earlier this month to get the scoop on her new CD.

Largo at the Coronet has hosted many benefits over the years, and the one this Saturday will feature Largo's first-ever evening of duets, with the proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Largo owner Mark Flanagan told LAist that the evening will include a number of duets that Fiona Apple and Jon Brion have been working on, in addition to pairings featuring artists such as John C. Reilly, Tom Brosseau, Mike Viola and a surprise guest or two.