Defamer: To Do

Of Scientology, Herbal Boner Remedies And Wango Tango

Mark Graham — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:25:00 PDT

The following email, which was sent to me by Intrepid Defamer Videographer™ Molly McAleer, arrived in my inbox sometime during the middle of last night. That is all the context you need at this point:

Grambone,

Last night I wanted to film the To Do's outside of the Celeb Center, so me and my friend rolled up around 12-something AM to stand in front of the sign and do my bit. We were there for all of two minutes maybe, just figuring out the lighting and stuff when a Scientology bike cop rolled up to us and was all "What are you doing?" and we were all "Taking a picture" and he was all "Why are you doing that?" and then we were like "'Cause of celebrities and stuff." And then he came back with "Are you guys celebrities?" and then I reality checked myself and I was all "No, but this is a popular place for them to hang out". So he was looking at us like we were insane at that point, and honestly, I wasn't exactly hitting grand slams with my lies, I was trying to play up the whole "I'm in town from Yeehaw Junction! I don't know any better!" vibe, but let's face it, I radiate "Old Pro", you know what I mean? So then he's looking at us and he just says "Well, ya know, people don't normally do that" and I was just all "Well, we didn't realize it was off limits. I apologize for worrying you" and then we walked off down the street like "Whatevskis" but he was totally on our tail the whole way down the street.

Basically, this is a long-winded way of saying two things:
1) I wound up buying male sex stimulant at 7-11 and attempted to give myself a boner.
2) If I don't come into work on Monday, it's because I'm dead. Please send someone to collect my dog and hide my pot before my mom gets here to send my mortal possessions back to Boston.

Thanks,
Molls

After that introduction, how could you NOT want to watch the video for this weekend's To Do's?

FRIDAY
·The Lost Plays of Tennessee Williams at the LA Gay and Lesbian Center.
· Freak Dance: The Forbidden Dirty Boogaloo @ UCB.
·Kids in the Hall at the Orpheum.

SATURDAY
·3D @ Cinespace.
· Slick Rick @ The Roxy.
· Wango Tango @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

SUNDAY
· Blood & Glitter @ Bandini Art.
· Scene Monkeys @ The Improv.
· The Warlocks @ Alex's Bar.

I Love Your Smile

Mark Graham — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:05:00 PDT

When we launched the shiny new To Do's on Monday, we promised you intrigue, excitement and the occasional intoxicatingly adventurous location shoot. Well, Molly McAleer sure delivered on the last point today, as she and a friend deliver this evening's event listings straight to you from the cereal aisle at the Ralph's on Wilshire and Western (which, btw, has apparently been overrun by "hot hipster boys"). As always, the listings are available in the oh-so-handy written word form after the jump.

· Mother F****r! tonight at UCB.
· Tapes n' Tapes at The Troubadour.
· Camp Freddy will be at The Roxy.
· And who could forget that it's Experimental Video Night at the Echo Park Film Center? Not us, that's for sure!

Getting The Facts On Star Jones

Mark Graham — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:25:00 PDT

Little known fact about Defamer Videographer Molly McAleer ... she is a Barbara Walters superfan. When she decided that she couldn't choose between putting together tonight's To Do's and reading Babs' new book, Audition, she pulled a page out of The Hours and did both. Take that, Stephen Daldry!

For those of you that are video-averse, here are tonight's To Do listings in handy dandy print form.
· Atmosphere (the band, not the layer of gasses that surround the Earth) is going to be performing at The Henry Fonda.
· When it's $5 drink night, everyone feels rich. If you bring a fat roll of Abraham Lincolns to Rage tonight, you're bound to make some new friends.
· Human Giant's Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer will be playing host at UCB for the venue's popular MySpace night, in which three audience members are plucked at random and mocked mercilessly based upon whatever appears on their MySpace page. We have never been more glad to be Facebook users.

Dat Phan, AFI's Music Documentary Series, The Heavy

Mark Graham — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:35:00 PDT

· Dat Phan, who you may or may not recall as the Season 1 winner of Last Comic Standing, will be performing his stand-up set at The Improv tonight.
· AFI's Music Documentary Series is nearing the end of its six week run at the ArcLight tonight. We'd love to tell you what they're showing, but alas, the ArcLight's website contains no info. Anyway, what would life be if we never took any chances?
· And if it's music that you're looking for (or, as Molly McAleer describes, a night out with your "homies" and a few "brewskis"), might we suggest checking out The Heavy at Cinespace?

Cinco De Mayo, Polaroid Picture Party, Alicia Keys

Mark Graham — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:50:00 PDT

As we briefly mentioned in this space on Friday, we are switching up the way we are delivering our daily To Do's to you, the loyal Defamer reader. While we will continue to list that evening's event list in print, we thought it might add a little somethin' somethin' to have Defamer's resident videotrix, Miss Molly McAleer, present the items to you in video form. Somedays, like today, she'll be shooting them from the comfort of her secret lair, which rests high above the Hollywood Hills (if you recognize her room, that's because it doubled for Tony Stark's bachelor pad in Iron Man). On other days, though, she'll be taking the show on the road, where she'll be in search of the most (or perhaps the least) majestic place from which to relay to you that day's To Do's. So, with that in mind, please enjoy the debut installment of our brand new feature! (Event listings follow after the jump.)

· Cinco de Mayo Rooftop party at the Standard Downtown hosted by Los BPMS DJs.
· Garage Comedy 4 Year anniversary show followed by Polaroid Picture Party at El Cid.
· Alicia Keys with special guests Jordin Sparks and Ne-Yo at the Staples Center.

Your Weekend To Do's

Mark Graham — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:35:00 PDT

Before we get started with this weekend's To Do's, Defamer would like to bid a fond farewell to Intern Kerry, who has been writing the copy you have seen in this space for darn near the last four years. Everyone at Defamer, both past and present, would like to thank her for not only keeping us all abreast of what we should and should not be doing on a nightly basis in Los Angeles, but also for making us laugh. Don't fret, though, To Do's will be back on Monday, albeit in a slightly different form. Now, on with the weekend activities...

FRIDAY
· Your evening's musical selections include Blind Melon at the El Rey (we're not sure how that is possible, unless The Bee Girl is now on lead vox), Stiff Little Fingers at the House of Blues, Berlin at Crash Mansion.
· Maria Shriver will be signing her book, Just Who Will You Be?, at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove. If you're looking to answer that question, we suggest that you don't choose "the governor's mistress" ... she won't be pleased. Those cheekbones will cut a bitch!
· Funny dudes Dave Holmes (a recent PrivacyWatch star!) and Scott Gimple are hosting The Friday Forty over at IO West. It's part comedy, part game show and all awesome.

SATURDAY
· Tonight's musical lineup includes Nortec Collective at the Echo, The Warlocks at the Smell and John Doe at McCabe's Guitar Shop.
· Out of the Box Events presents the Downtown Scavenger Hunt. As Flavorpill describes, "the game leads teams of six throughout downtown, as they follow clues to hidden gems of LA history and architecture." It should be fun, not boring! Location given with registration, which means you may have to bring an egg to a convenience store to find out where it all goes down, 90210 style.

SUNDAY
· If you're the type of cat who likes to close the weekend off with a nice beer buzz and ringing ear drums, try Duran Duran at the Nokia Theater, Lyrics Born at the Key Club and Blood on the Wall at the Echo. You won't be disappointed.
· John Malkovich directs and stars in "Seduction and Despair," a multimedia concert presented in collaboration with Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra at Barnum Hall. It's about murder, prostitution, incarceration and writing. But not necessarily in that order. [via]

[Photo Credit: Brad Elterman]

Does It Offend You, Yeah, Comedy Fest, Jennifer Weiner

Seth — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:56:49 PDT

· Music round-up: Does It Offend You, Yeah at the El Rey, Voodoo Glow Skulls at the Key Club, Camp Freddy at the Roxy.
· The Los Angeles Comedy Festival kicks off at the at McCadden Place Theater with "three weeks of nonstop improv, sketch, and standup comedy." Who couldn't use a laugh? We know we sure could!
· Jennifer "In Her Shoes" Weiner reads and signs from her newest book, Certain Girls, at Barnes & Noble in Santa Monica.

James Ellroy, Andy Garcia, Seal

Mark Graham — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:50:00 PDT

· Jack O'Connell and James Ellroy present and sign The Resurrectionist at Book Soup. We will award Star Commenter Status to anyone who goes and gets video of the Demon Dog opining about what he really thought about Keanu Reeves ruining his screenplay (or, for that matter, what he thought about Josh Hartnett's wooden performance in The Black Dahlia)...
· Meanwhile, over at the ArcLight Cinemas, the AFI's Music Documentary Series offers up a screening of Cachao: Uno Mas, followed by Q&A with producer Andy Garcia.
· And if you are looking to hit a concert, try Seal at the Avalon, Mike Doughty at the El Rey (and this time, we definitely do not mean the Glass House) or David Garza at Largo.

The Breeders, Nick Kroll, Mudcrutch

Mark Graham — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:00:00 PDT

· Even though their new record is less than impressive, we still recommend going to see The Breeders ~~at the El Rey~~ (oops!) at the Glass House out in Pomona because, well, Kim Deal is about as cool as they come. Also, Mudcrutch (featuring Tom Petty, Tom Leadon, Randall Marsh, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench) at the Troubadour is a great option. Or, if neither of those sound enticing, we still recommend seeing She & Him, especially if you messed up and didn't go last night like we told you to.
· Hollywood Improv provides a night of chuckles w/ host Rob Delaney, Nick Kroll (Best Week Ever), Jen Kirkman (Acceptable TV, ASSSSCAT), Chris Hardwick (Hard & Phirm, G4's Attack of the Show) and more.
· Giulia D'Agnola Vallan presents and signs the new biography of director John Landis, with Landis on hand to sign as well at Dark Delicacies.

[Photo Credit: Stereogum]

She & Him, Hot Chip, 'Pulp Fiction'

Mark Graham — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:15:00 PDT

· Tonight's musical options include She & Him at the Vista Theater (in case you don't know the people behind the pronouns, "She" is Zooey Deschanel and "Him" is M. Ward), Hot Chip at the Mayan Theater and Colin Meloy of Decemberists fame at the Henry Fonda.
· The Samuel Goldwyn Theater continues its hosting gig of the "It's Great To Be Nominated" series with a screening of Pulp Fiction, followed by a discussion with executive producers Richard N. Gladstein, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher, costume designer Betsy Heimann, editor Sally Menke, set decorator Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, actress Julia Sweeney, production designer David Wasco and casting directors Ronnie Yeskel and Gary Zuckerbrod.
· The Red Cat pays tribute to the annual Ottawa International Animation Festival by highlighting festival favorites and award-winners from the 2007 edition. We're sure there is a hockey joke in here somewhere.

Your Weekend To Do's

Mark Graham — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:25:00 PDT

FRIDAY
· Coachella weekend is finally upon us. Too much will be said about it, so we will not waste everyone's time with more about it here.
· Chelsea Handler will continue her impressive streak of not being funny tonight at the Wiltern.
· The Egyptian hosts a Fangoria Convention and screens Night of the Living Dead at the witchy hour of midnight with members of original cast there in the flesh.

SATURDAY
· Speaking of zombies, Max Brooks presents and signs World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide at the UCLA BookZone.
· On a semi-related note, the 12th Annual LA Times Festival Of Books takes place this weekend at UCLA.
· Anglophiles all over LA get ready to bust out your best "jumpers" and "trainers" so you look "fit" enough while trying to say "cheers" in normal conversation without sounding like a "wanker." Brit Week is here with various cultural offerings from the motherland including music (Duran Duran), sports (Football, but really they mean soccer) and, of course, drinking (pints).
· Intrepid Defamer Videographer™ Molly McAleer will be among the artists whose work is on display at the Photo Fictions narrative photography exhibit at The Show Cave downtown. Show up between 7-11pm and, if you're lucky, you might just be able to be able to get Molly's autograph!

SUNDAY
· It appears that Downtown LA can't hold off their excitement for Cinco de Mayo. They holding their annual Fiesta Broadway this weekend instead of next. Happy veintisiete de Abril everybody! [via]

Flight Of The Conchords, Russ Stanton, 'Standard Operating Procedure'

Mark Graham — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:30:00 PDT

· The Hiphopotamus will be taking on the Rhymenocerous in a fight to the death when Flight of the Conchords play at Amoeba today. Also on tap, The Black Heart Procession at the Troubadour, Caribou at the El Rey. Bonus video of our favorite FOTC song after the jump!
· The L.A. Times "innovations expert"-turned-editor Russ Stanton speaks tonight about the slipping circulation and slashed budgets that face not only the LAT, but newspapers around the country. At the Steve Allen Theater. Ten bucks says he blames blogs.
· As loyal Defamer readers are well aware, director Errol Morris' Standard Operating Procedure examines the 2004's Abu Ghraib prison scandal. The Hammer screens it tonight, complete with some Q&A action with producer Julie Ahlberg & executive producer Diane Weyerman. [via Flavorpill]

NME Awards, Bob Dylan Tribute, Cookies

Mark Graham — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:10:00 PDT

· Your evening's musical selections include Architecture in Helsinki at the Echo, Her Space Holiday at the Troubadour and Nellie McKay at Largo. Or, you could head over to the NME Awards, which boast The Lemonheads, Mick Jones' Carbon/Silicon, Does It Offend You Yeah? and Jane's Addiction - reuniting for the umpteenth time - at the El Rey.
· The Skirball, whose Bob Dylan retrospective has been going on for what seems like years at this point, gives the man props again with a tribute concert featuring Zack de la Rocha, John Doe, Michael Franti and Lucinda Williams performing covers of his work.
· Nothing warms our heart more than men cooking. UCB presents Cookies! A Cooking Show "for guys who don't cook by guys who barely cook."

Chris Rock, Oliver Future, Cartoon Dump

Mark Graham — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:30:00 PDT

· Fresh off his rousing, one night only performance at the Pellicano Playhouse, Chris Rock will be serving up the yuks tonight at the Gibson Ampitheater. Just don't ask him what he thinks of the "Chippendales" sketch.
· Tonight's concerts include Oliver Future at the Troubadour, Trainwreck at Spaceland and Kayne West's second night at the Nokia Theater.
· It’s the fourth Tuesday of the month. Therefore, it is time once again for the Cartoon Dump at the Steve Allen Theater.
· Did you know: “In terms of its ticket sales and the number of movies released, the Indian film industry is the largest in the world.” The Arclight celebrates this worthy contributor to the medium with the Indian Film Festival.

Kanye West, John Lasseter, Curtis Hanson

Mark Graham — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:45:00 PDT

· Kanye West brings his Glow In The Dark Tour to the Nokia Theater, You, Me & Iowa will be at the Echo (with Radars to the Sky!) and indie wuss Jonathan Rice will be performing at Spaceland.
· Animation pro and Academy Award winner John Lasseter (of Pixar fame) screens and discusses Dumbo with Curtis Hanson as part of the UCLA Archive’s “The Movie That Inspired Me” series at the Billy Wilder Theater. [via]
· Marya Hornbacher discusses and signs Madness: A Bipolar Life at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena.

Your Weekend To Do's

Mark Graham — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:00:00 PDT

FRIDAY
· It's Friday. Go grab a root beer or two and enjoy Ghostland Observatory at the Henry Fonda, Helmet at the Key Club or The Sword at the El Rey.
· Zombie Strippers at the Nuart. Mind = blown.
· Alex P. Keaton doppelganger Dana Vachon presents Mergers + Acquisitions at Book Soup. Now in convenient paperback form!

SATURDAY
· Lactose intolerants stay away from Griffith Park, where the Annual National Grilled Cheese Invitational is being held. You've been warned.
· The South Toward Home Benefit at the Troubadour has Sarah Silverman, Foreign Born, Tim and Eric Thomas Lennon from Reno 911, Bob Odenkirk and Patton Oswalt.

SUNDAY
· The American Cinematheque has you covered regardless if you go west to the Aero or hang with the crazies in Hollywood at the Egyptian. Both theaters over double features with discussions in-between.
* Aero Theatre presents a Claude Lelouch Double Feature of Roman de Gare followed by A Man and a Woman with an appearance by Claude himself.
* Egyptian Theatre hosts the 10th Annual Festival of Film Noir featuring The Clay Pigeon followed by Nora Prentiss. Actress Barbara Hale will be showing up to pay lip service towards the former.

Nick Stoller, Jason Segel, Bent Festival

Mark Graham — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:40:20 PDT

· See his naughty bits, then see him in the flesh. The Forgetting Sarah Marshall screening at the Arclight tonight includes a Q&A with director Nick Stoller and star Jason Segel.
· We don't know where to begin describing the Bent Festival at the California Plaza, so we'll just let Flavorpill do it: "An international movement attracting musicians, artists, performers, noiseniks and mad scientists, circuit bending typically involves the manipulation of simple electronics — especially those found in children's toys like talking dolls — into avenues of sonic expression that Playskool just wouldn't understand. This year's Bent Festival is LA's fifth and most ambitious to date, with concerts by celebrity benders from all over the world, plus workshops, demonstrations, and parties over three days at two downtown locations." Yes, what they said.
· Western States Motel at Spaceland, Arlo Guthrie at Royce Hall, Oliver Future at Safari-Sams.

Paul Wall, June Casagrande, Vilmos Zsigmond

Mark Graham — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:05:00 PDT

· Grab yo grillz and go see Paul Wall at Crash Mansion, Subhumans at the Echo or Rocco DeLuca at Spaceland (for the latter two, grillz are optional only).
· June Casagrande is signing Mortal Syntax: 101 Language Choices that Will Get You Clobbered by the Grammar Snobs: Even if You're Right at Vroman's in Pasadena. Too bad she's going to be attacked by the punctuation snobs for having a book title that includes two colons.
· New Beverly Cinema screens The Sadist, followed by The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover. The Sadist's legendary cinemtographer, Vilmos Zsigmond (The Deer Hunter), will also be appearing in person.

Sloane Crosley, Pattie Boyd, NOFX

Mark Graham — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:30:00 PDT

· "Most popular publicist in New York"-turned-memoirist Sloane Crosley presents her first book, I Was Told There Would Be Cake, at Book Soup. We've read this collection of short stories and would like to relay that it's well deserving of all the hype that's been bestowed upon it. Definitely recommended.
· Check out "The Photography of Pattie Boyd", who was the former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, at the Morrison Hotel Gallery (which is named after a rock star she didn't bang — at least that we know of).
· Punk rock legends NOFX will be performing at the Knitting Factory tonight, Radars to the Sky are at the Echo, Jonathan Rice is at Spaceland and Apocalyptica will be at the Roxy.

Your Weekend To Do's

Mark Graham — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:45:00 PDT

FRIDAY
· It's Friday! What better to way to kick off the weekend than by pounding a couple of rootbeers and going to see some rock music? Check out Enon at Spaceland, Nick Lowe/Robyn Hitchcock at the El Rey, Rhett Miller at Largo or Glenn Frey at the Roxy.
· Crimes and Misdemeanors screens at the New Center for Psychoanalysis. [Insert your own Woody Allen shrink joke here]

SATURDAY
· Meat Beat Manifesto at the El Rey, Hotel Café tour not at the Hotel Café but instead at the Henry Fonda, Eddie Vedder at the Wiltern.
· Be your own Top Chef - learn to cook South American Style at Ciudad.
· The Aero Theatre hosts a Helen Hunt tribute by offering a screening of Then She Found Me, followed by discussion with director/actor Helen Hunt in the flesh.

SUNDAY
· Morcheeba at the Henry Fonda, Eddie Vedder and Liam Finn at the Wiltern (again!), Safari-Sams celebrates year two!
· Because internet jobs are the wave of the future (or so we hear): Sound Angel Productions is holding a free seminar for those of you who'd like to learn more about internet radio broadcasting.

Human Giant, Julie Andrews, Laurie Anderson

Mark Graham — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:30:00 PDT

· The cast of MTV's Human Giant will be appearing in-store at Amoeba on tonight. If anyone goes, please be sure to pepper them with questions regarding the fate of Shutterbugs!
· Julie Freaking Andrews presents her autobiography, Home: A Memoir Of My Early Years, at the Borders in Westwood. Hopefully it's not a depressing tell-all where we find out that Mary was Poppin(s) pills.
· Icon/performance artist/she-who-bangs-Lou-Reed Laurie Anderson presents "Homeland" at Royce Hall.
· Los Angeles punk legends X will be at the Henry Fonda, Mia Doi Todd at the Echo and Go Betty Go will be tearing up the Bordello.

Bruce Yonemoto, RJD2, Porn Star Comedy

Mark Graham — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:20:00 PDT

· Iconic multimedia artist Bruce Yonemoto "leads a scintillating survey of historic underground video art by his contemporaries from the early '80s" intended for mature audiences only at the Getty. Mature audiences, eh? That can only mean one thing — nudity!
· Tonight's musical selections include RJD2 at Henry Fonda Theater, Supersuckers at Safari Sams and War Tapes at the Troubadour.
· Hopefully the porn stars who are on deck to perform their stand-up routines at Sardo's Grill and Lounge in Burbank will be better than Clint Black!

Paula Poundstone, Unsinkable Molly Brown, Living Legends

Mark Graham — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:10:00 PDT

· Legendary comedienne Paula Poundstone and less legendary comedian Bobby Collins aim to make people laugh tonight in order to benefit McKinley School at Shutters on the Beach. For the low low price of $40 you get access to the after-party with dinner buffet and live music, which includes your chance to chat up both Paula and Bobby (if you are into that sort of thing).
· As part of the The Egyptian Theatre's 85th Anniversary, they will be screening the The Unsinkable Molly Brown tonight, which stars the spunky and funky Debbie Reynolds. We're pretty sure Carrie Fisher won't be there.
· Shake your hipster groove thang at Living Legends at Amoeba, Rocco DeLuca at Spaceland or The Meemies at the Silverlake Lounge.

Jose Canseco, Mark Burnett, Jonathan Rice

Mark Graham — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:20:00 PDT

· Jose Canseco presents his "I told you so" book, otherwise known as Vindicated, at Book Soup.
· An evening with television superproducer Mark Burnett at the Luxe Hotel not only includes free wine and cheese, but also a chance to win a Wii! Since when do they give away gaming equipment at industry events like this? Guess Survivor and The Apprentice aren't as hot as they used to be...
· Your evening's musical choices include Radars to the Sky at the Echo, Jonathan Rice at Spaceland and Finch at the Roxy.

Your Weekend To Do's

Mark Graham — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:25:10 PDT

FRIDAY
· Adam Carolla will be hosting what is sure to be an uproarious Q+A after the 7:30 screening of his film The Hammer at the Regency Fairfax 3. The Hammer is definitely worth checking out, as our own guest-blogger Nick Malis says it's one of the best sports comedies of the decade.
· King Britt at the Getty, The Watson Twins at the Natural History Museum, Les Claypool at the Wiltern.
· The G2 Gallery hosts an opening reception for Tom Mangelsen's wildlife photos.

SATURDAY
· Groove Armada at the Los Angeles City Hall, Ministry at the House of Blues, preggo Minnie Driver at the Hotel Café.
· Find love, hockey style.
· The always entertaining, sometimes depressing Artie Lang at the Gibson Amphitheater.

SUNDAY
· Jason Mraz at the Troubadour, Rademacher at Spaceland, Part Time Punks at the Echo.
· Infamous architect Frank Gehry talks it out with classical-music scholar/conductor Leon Botstein at the Hammer. Go and ask him how they keep the Disney Hall so shiny.

Ani DiFranco, Susan Faludi, Big Head Todd,

Mark Graham — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:30:00 PDT

· Ani DiFranco is a singer songwriter loved by the Lilith Fair set. Susan Faludi is the best-selling author of Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women, which won the 1992 National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, and Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man. Tonight they meet at the Hammer. Men, attend at your own risk.
· Break out the hackysack and your finest patchouli-scented cologne for Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the Troubadour. Or, if you abhor hippies, try Schuyler Fisk at the Hotel Café, Sleeping Boy at the Echo.
· See Encounter Point in a Director's Screening Featuring a Q & A with Ronit Avni & Jihad Turk at Laemmle's Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
· Go see the play Sexy Laundry at the Hayworth Theater. It's about middle-aged people getting down.
· The Birthday Boys will be performing at UCB.

Bruce Vilanch, Gutter Twins, Fools Fest Films

Mark Graham — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:30:11 PDT

· Lainie Kazan and Bruce Vilanch co-host "An Evening of Legendary Bingo" to benefit Media City Ballet at Hamburger Mary's. The listing says of the hosts: "one was Barbra Streisand's understudy for Funny Girl on Broadway; the other a child model for Lane Bryant," but we can't, for the life of us, figure out which one is which.
· This evening's musical offerings include The Gutter Twins at the Avalon, The Nightwatchmen at the Hotel Café, Jucifer at the Knitting Factory.
· 7 Dudley Cinema at Sponto Gallery presents the Fools Fest Films, which boasts rare films, poetry and history to inaugurate the second annual art and performance festival.

The Black Keys, Gallery 1988, A.M. Homes

Mark Graham — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:46:27 PDT

· Out on supporting their totally bad-ass new album, Attack & Release, The Black Keys are at the Wiltern (and we highly recommend taking this dude up on this offer), Abbot Kinney rocks Spaceland and Lili Haydn will be at the Roxy.
· Gallery 1988 allows you to relive your childhood through its "nostalgia-fueled exhibition devoted to the toys of yesteryear." [Via Flavorpill]
· Author A.M. Homes presents the autobiographical The Mistress's Daughter at Skylight Books. The book tells about her experiences being given up for adoption by a woman who conceived her through an adulterous affair with an older man, as well as her account of what happened when they came back for her 30 years later.

Dodgers, Tori Spelling, Darjeeling Limited

Mark Graham — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:15:38 PDT

· Even though the game has already started, it's worth noting that today is Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. Dodger dogs all around, play ball!
· We all know that Donna Martin graduated, but can she read? Check out Tori Spelling presenting sTORI telling at Book Soup to find out.
· The New Beverly is presenting a double dose of Wes Anderson this evening; they'll be showing The Darjeeling Limited and The Royal Tenebaums back-to-back.
· Bring your dancing shoes if you decide to hit up Justice and Diplo at the Mayan Theater, Pete Rock at Amoeba or Voxhaul Broadcast at Spaceland.
[Photo Credit: AP]

Your Weekend To Do's

Mark Graham — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:20:38 PDT

FRIDAY
· Get your weekend started off on the right foot with the sweet, folky sounds of Beth Orton at the El Rey. Or, if that's not your style, try Citizen Cope at the Wiltern or Gods and Monsters at Safari Sams.
· Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy will screen at the Nuart, which will be followed by a Q&A with original Kids in the Hall cast member Scott Thompson.
· The documentary American Zombie "tackles the real, day-to-day struggles zombies face in their, uh, "lives"" at Laemmle's Sunset 5.

Follow along for your Saturday and Sunday To Do's, after le jump:

SATURDAY
· Your evening's musical selections include GZA at the El Rey, Rosie Thomas at the Troubadour, Ray Davis at the Wiltern.
· CUT! 2008 - A benefit and celebration of cinema dedicated to the art and imagination that goes into the creation of film taking place this weekend at the New Beverly Cinema offers screenings and interactive Q&A panels with special guests Gerard Butler, David Arquette and more. The festival kicks off with two documentaries: Shadow Company and Wrath of Gods.
· For $125, someone who writes a whopping 3 posts a day on Mediabistro will teach you to blog!

SUNDAY
· Nothing will get you into your Monday morning faster than spending all night with the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the Wiltern. Also, Bad Manners at the Key Club, Sound of Music at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
· It's funny night at Spaceland with Neil Hamburger and Andy Daly.

Daniel Lanois, The Datsuns, Dayna Steele

Mark Graham — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:00:16 PDT

· A screening of Here Is What Is w/ Daniel Lanois and Brian Blade at the Vista Theater chronicles music producer Lanois' collaborations with U2, Brian Eno and Brian Blade through concert footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Note: Blade performs live with Lanois after each screening.
· The Datsuns at Spaceland, another opportunity to see the Tokyo Police Club at the Troubadour, Pennywise celebrates a CD release at the Key Club.
· Radio personality Dayna Steele presents and signs Rock to the Top - "a collection of lessons about the importance of passion, confidence, organization, networking, knowledge, the need for appreciation and the power of a brand" - at Book Soup.
· This little known formula comes from comedienne Beth Littleford: Bad Sex + Time = Comedy. This formula provides the basis for tonight's show at the UCB Theater called Worst Laid Plans.

Id Vicious, Tokyo Police Club, Lisa Lutz

Mark Graham — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:28:00 PDT

· Id Vicious, "improv comedy with a punk rock attitude", will be at The Next Stage at 9:00 p.m. We can only hope that they bring out a whole bunch of Ex Pistols with them, for that would make for one helluva Harold.
· Break out your skinny jeans for Tokyo Police Club at the Troubadour, Alberta Cross at Spaceland and Jessica Fichot at Tangiers.
· Lisa Lutz presents Curse of the Spellmans at Vromans.
· Eye Mouth Graffiti Bodyshop & 20 Plays in 20 Minutes at the Theatre of NOTE has — from what we can tell — poetry brought to life with actors and dancers. It's been described by the LA Weekly as "invigorating and discomfiting as standing in the cold breeze of an alleyway," whatever the heck that means. Writers!

Jose Gonzalez, Stephanie Palmer, Comedy Death Ray

Mark Graham — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:35:00 PDT

· Dance, dance to the soothing sounds of José González at the Wiltern, Saul Williams at the Troubadour, Bob Mould at the El Rey or Ace Frehley at the House of Blues.
· Business consultant and former MGM Director of Creative Affairs Stephanie Palmer will present GOOD IN A ROOM at the Barnes and Noble @ The Grove and reveal "the techniques used by Hollywood's top writers, producers, and directors to secure financing for their projects."
· UCB Tuesday nights can't be beat. Go for the "Comedy Death Ray" show but stay for "See You Next Tuesday."

David Schwimmer, The Chapin Sisters, Tex Avery

Mark Graham — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:35:47 PDT

· Reel Talk with Stephen Farber at ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood screens Run, Fat Boy, Run, followed by discussion with director David "Ross" Schwimmer.
· Get into the groove with The Chapin Sisters at the Echo, Bell X1 and the Submarines at the Troubadour, AJ McLean (of Backstreet Boys fame, obvs) at the Roxy or Voxhaul Broadcast at Spaceland.
· Tex Avery and Michael Maltese, creators of iconic cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd, are subjects of a tribute at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The evening includes a screening of some their most popular cartoons, along with some rare recorded audio interviews with the two men. [Via Flavorpill]

Your Weekend Of Giant, Fearsome Bunnies

Seth — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:32:29 PDT

Friday
· Jens Lekman at the Henry Fonda, Jon Brion at Largo, The Presidents of the United States of America at the Roxy.
· Horror ~~shlockmeister~~ auteur Eli Roth will be at the Egyptian tonight introducing A Bay of Blood (Twitch of the Death Nerve, a.k.a. Reazione a Catena), followed by Four Times That Night (Quante Volte ... Quella Notte).

Saturday
· Celebrate World Pillow Fight Day with some organized chaos down at Pershing Square.
· Music round-up: The Mooney Suzuki at the Roxy, Gravy Train at the Troubadour, The Black Ghosts at the Echoplex.
· Help relocate Margaret Cho's turtle at the Orpheum.
Sunday
· Safari Sams presents vaudevillian freakshow 999 Eyes Carnival Of The Damned.
· Echo Park Film Center presents You Pick 'Em 2!: A Selection of Experimental Films from Canyon Cinema.
· Dive into some honey-roasted ham in honor of Jesus's resurrection.

Eskimohunter, Companion, McClure

Seth — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:01:51 PDT

· Music Round-Up: Proof that your band name is half the battle Vampire Weekend are at the El Rey, The English Beat (to whom the Vampires owe a great debt of gratitude) are at the Henry Fonda, Film School are at Spaceland, and Eskimohunter with Low vs. Diamond are at the Troubadour for an all-ages show.
· A Prairie Home Companion comes to Royce Hall, but if you're looking for a Lohan hoedown, you're just setting yourself up for disappointment.
· Beat poet Michael McClure reads from his first-hand observations of Bob Dylan as part of the Talking Dylan ongoing exhibition at the Skirball.

Nada Surf, David Hadju, Amelie

Mark Graham — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:07:51 PDT

· Fresh off of releasing one of the best albums of this still young year, Nada Surf will be headlining over at the Henry Fonda. If they don't float your boat, try The Vines at the Troubadour or Born Ruffians at the Echo.
· ALOUD offers a convo with David Hajdu about his book, The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America at the Mark Taper Auditorium at Central Library - OR- you could see Col. Lawrence B. Wilerson speak about the "Legacy" of George W. Bush at the Hammer Museum.
· American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre has an Audrey Tautou Sneak Preview of Priceless followed by a screening of Amelie.

Jim Henson, Kinky, Scott Harrison

Mark Graham — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:25:21 PDT

· A whole mess of Jim Henson rarities, including shorts, commercials, and other experimental ditties, will screen at the Silent Movie Theatre.
· Kinky at the Mayan Theater, The Velvet Teen at the Knitting Factory, Rachael Yamagata at the Hotel Café, The Sword at the El Rey.
· NYC party promoter and nonprofit Charity:Water founder Scott Harrison will be at Theory for a thirst-quenching perspective on community service.

Gene Wilder, The Rutles, Junot Diaz

Mark Graham — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:00:57 PDT

· Gene Wilder presents The Woman Who Wouldn't at the Barnes and Noble at the Grove.
· The Egyptian Theatre continues their ode to the Mods & Rockers by honoring The Rutles 30th Anniversary with two screenings of All You Need Is Cash tonight. The first showing includes a discussion with Rutles Eric Idle, Neil Innes and Ricky Fataar and is moderated by producer Martin Lewis. The second showing has an introduction by Rutles members, but no Q&A to follow.
· Junot Díaz reads from The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao at the Hammer Museum.
· And, in closing, your music selections for the evening include Explosions in the Sky at the Wiltern, Neon Neon at Amoeba and Jason Collett at the Troubadour.

Your Weekend To Do's

Mark Graham — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:00:18 PDT

FRIDAY
· Old rockers night in LA! Camp Freddy at the Knitting Factory, Winger at Crash Mansion, Fishbone at the Key Club.
· If you love therapy so much, you also want to include it in your Friday night entertainment. The New Center for Psychoanalysis hosts "Friday Night at the Movies" and will screen The Treatment, followed by discussion with screenwriter Daniel Saul Housman and psychologist Joan Lachkar [via LA City Beat]

SATURDAY
· Creepy or cool? Check out the Good Doll Bad Doll exhibition at the Armory Center for the Arts and decide for yourself. The show features modern and contemporary artists who use dolls as stand-ins.
· According to Craigslist, Mark Montano is a celebrity. If you agree, you probably want to go to Skylight Books to meet him.

SUNDAY
· Thank you India! Alanis Morissette will be appearing with matchbox twenty and Mute Math at Staples Arena, The Boredoms at the Henry Fonda, John Pizzarelli at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
· Black Clock, CalArts' acclaimed, semi-annual literary journal has a launch party for its eight edition at The Mandrake.