Today would have been artist and filmmaker David Lynch’s 79th birthday.
Although it was sad to hear of his passing, it was such a joy to spend the weekend looking through his artwork, reading the tributes from those who knew him, and rewatching his films and the documentary about him, The Art Life.
He also wrote Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity, a short book filled with his thoughts on transcendental meditation, his films, digital video, creativity and more- worth checking out. Below is a short clip from one of his interviews with The Atlantic.
He also acted occasionally, both in his Twin Peaks series and in other projects. Below he plays another famous director, John Ford, in a clip from Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans.
And here he is on Louis C.K.’s show Louie.
David Lynch’s creative legacy will continue to influence and inspire people for many years to come. He was one of the greats.
@griefxhope has set up a fundraiser and information on mutual aid for artists and artworkers impacted by the fires
Anti-Recidivism Coalition is taking donations to support the incarcerated fire crews that have worked tirelessly to help put out the fires (write “firefighter fund” on the donation)
Pasadena Humane has been caring for animals injured in the fires and those needing to be sheltered, as well as providing supplies to pet owners in need
I’ve recently decided to add a weekly newsletter using Substack. It’s a place to put some of the ideas and discoveries that don’t make it here. It also recaps the week’s blog posts.
Bill Baird- Your Dark Sunglasses Won’t Make You Lou Reed
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (7/18-7/21/19)-
Thursday
Italian composer , sound artist, and performer, Drum & Lace will be at Bootleg Theater for her semi songs EP release show that will include visuals, a light installation, and a dance performance
Goon are having an LP release party at the Echoplex with Draag and Kevin also playing
Tyler Ramsey (former lead guitarist from Band of Horses) will be playing with My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel at Highland Park Ebell
Hammer Museum’s free Summer Concert Series continues this week with Wild Belle performing
Will Fox and Mara Connor are playing an early free show at Gold-Diggers
Thursday through 7/28/19
OUTFEST Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival opens Thursday with an Opening Night Gala and a screening of Circus of Books, about the recently closed WeHo store directed by the daughter of the store’s owners. It continues in various locations with screenings that include shorts and television episodes.
Friday
UCLA Film & Television Archive is screening the double feature Roman Holiday and Three Coins in a Fountain at Hammer Museum’s Billy Wilder Theater ($9)
21 Savage is performing at Shrine Expo Hall with Calboy and Young Nudy
Dean Wareham will be performing the Galaxie 500 album On Fire at the Teragram Ballroom
Potty Mouth and Colleen Green are opening for Dressy Bessy at Moroccan Lounge
It Looks Sad. are playing at The Hi Hat with Derek Ted opening
Saturday
Bill Baird is playing a free show at Highland Park Bowl with Manhattan Murder Mystery and Mirrorball
ICA LA is hosting Reading the News-a 34,000 Pillows workshop with artist collaborative Díaz Lewis. 34,000 is the quota of detained immigrants per day in 250 facilities around the country mandated by the US Congress and enforced by ICE. Pillows from recycled clothing will be created and added to the 34,000 Pillows project to be sold for $159 (an amount that reflects the average amount of taxpayer money spent each day by Congress to detain one person daily) with 100% of proceeds donated to national and local immigration organizations. While the pillows are made there will also be a reading of news, literature, and poetry. (free)
Union Station is hosting Magic & Mystery, a free night of performances by magicians on the South Patio
Independent Shakespeare Co. is having free performances of the play Twelfth Night in Griffith Park all weekend and tonight as part of their Salon Series, Invertigo Dance Theatre Artistic Director Laura Karlin will lead an exploration into creating story through choreography.
Saturday and Sunday
Hauser & Wirth is hosting LITLIT: Little Literary Fair, a free two day book fair celebrating independent booksellers, book publishers, and book makers from Los Angeles and beyond. While you are there, make sure to check out the excellent David Hammons and Guillermo Kuitca exhibitions.
Sunday
Sculptor Liz Larner will be discussing artist Chris Burden at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA as part of their Artists on Artists series
Turn It Up!, a new group advocating for gender parity in music, is hosting an afternoon concert fundraiser at the Echoplex, with performances by Solvej Schou, Phranc, and The Groans as well as the Turn It Up House Band featuring Abby Travis (Sumo Princess), drummer Tosha Jones (the Randies), bassist Gere Fennelly (Redd Kross), and guitarists Blare Bitch & Sharon Needles (both from Betty Blowtorch) with vocalists Lisa Kekaula (Bellrays), Nina Diaz (Girl in a Coma), Drew Arriola Sands (TrapGirl), Kristine Nevrose (the Tissues), Alice Bag, Adele Bertei, and Abby Travis.
Later at the Echoplex, Ringo Deathstarr, Tennis System, Blushing and The Meeting Places will be playing for Part Time Punks night
UCLA Film & Television Archive’s screenings at the Hammer Museum continue with three 1990s DIY indie films- Sarah Jacobson’s I Was A Teenage Serial Killer and Mary Jane’s Not A Virgin Anymore and Tina Krause’s Limbo ($9)
Singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade will be performing with maestro Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl
We Were Promised Jetpacks are playing at the Teragram Ballroom with Catholic Action opening
She was the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, the first black major party candidate to run for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
This portrait is from the First Street Community Garden in NYC.