M. Ward- The First Time I Ran Away
This song is from M. Ward‘s 2012 album A Wasteland Companion. The video was directed by Joel Trussell who also directed Electric City, an animated project created by and starring Tom Hanks.
At 3pm on Friday 3/5/16 M. Ward is playing a free show at Amoeba Records in Hollywood and signing his new album, Transistor Radio.
Lower Dens- To Die In L.A.
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (3/3-3/6/16)-
Thursday
Los Angeles–based artist Laura Owens and art critic and historian Suzanne Hudson discuss the landscape of painting in our city at MOCA Grand Ave (free)
Mar Vista Art Walk is back on Venice Boulevard from Inglewood Boulevard to Beethoven Street
Upset is headlining a free show at Harvard & Stone (free)
La Santa Cecilia is performing live at Amoeba Records and signing their new album
Friday
Lower Dens are playing First Fridays at the Natural History Museum with Gardens & Villa
Every Friday in March in Union Station, dublab and Metro Art are having Music for Train Stations. Inspired by Brian Eno’s 1978 ambient masterpiece, “Music for Airports“ every week there will be a DJ set and live performance- this week it is a DJ set by Ale and a live performance by The Tenses.
At 3pm M. Ward is playing a free show at Amoeba Records in Hollywood and signing his new album
Candis Cayne is hosting Le Bal, a night of drag performances at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel
Friday-Sunday
Outfest Fusion LGBT People of Color Film Festival is screening films all weekend at the Egyptian Theatre
Saturday
The Chinese American Museum is hosting the Los Angeles Lantern Festival with performances, arts and crafts and more (free)
Artists & Fleas is opening its second location (the other is in the Arts District) in Venice
The Theatre at the Ace Hotel is having a special screening of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch Drunk Love with 50 members of Wordless Music Orchestra and wild Up ensemble performing a live orchestral accompaniment
Sunday
Machine Project’s UFO and alien abduction theme continues this Sunday night with a Double Feature with Winona Bechtle and Joe Merrell giving lectures on famous abduction cases and a screening of The UFO Incident starrring James Earl Jones and Estelle Parsons ($10)
L.A. Zine Fest is at The Majestic Downtown (free)
Le1f is performing at The Echo with Junglepussy
Ciclavia returns and this time is in The San Fernando Valley
Kid Cudi- Day ‘N’ Nite
This song was Kid Cudi’s lead single off his debut album from 2009, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, although it was released in 2008 before the album. The video was directed by So-Me, who has also directed videos for Major Lazer, Justice and Nero, as well as doing animation for Cudi collaborator Kanye West’s Good Life video. The video features numerous places in Los Angeles including Smog Cutter bar, and also a cameo by Travis Barker.
Kid Cudi is playing a sold out show at the Observatory in Santa Ana tonight 2/25/16.
Metric- The Shade
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (2/25-2/28/16)-
Thursday
It’s time again for the Hammer Museum’s Open Projector Night where anyone can show their films (free)
Zócalo/ Metro Art is showing classic noir film The Third Man at Union Station (free)
Artist and writer Walead Beshty is speaking about artist Michael Asher as part of the Artists on Artists program at MOCA Grand Ave
Show creator Joe Merrell and “alien scent-designer” Saskia Wilson-Brown will discuss their current exhibition at Machine Project, The Eyes are Always There, as well as the process of developing scents for the installation based on first hand accounts of alien abductions (free)
Palehound are playing at The Echo
Feels are playing at Basic Flowers downtown to celebrate their debut LP release
Beacon are performing at Club Bahia
Redbull Sound Select Presents: Holy F*ck at Club Bahia. If you sign up and RSVP with them the tickets are $3 otherwise $12
Friday
Metric are playing at the Hollywood Palladium
The Egyptian Theater is showing all of the Oscar nominated documentary shorts with filmmakers Jerry Franck (“Chau, Beyond the Lines”) and Haya Fatima and
Asad Faruqi (“A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness”) introducing them
Writer George Saunders is reading from his recent work at REDCAT ($10)
Goldlink is playing at the Fonda Theatre
Saturday
REDCAT and The Broad present Callings Out of Context– with Tyondai Braxton (from Battles) and Daniel Wohl, both of whom are experimental composers- Wohl’s pieces will have a live video artist ($20)
If it’s Oscar time it’s also time for the Razzies where you can see some of the worst films of the year take home awards as well as catch a musical number and comedy sketches . It’s happening at the Palace Theater downtown and courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes you can get tix for 35% off by using the code “tomatoes”
Cœur de Pirate are playing at the El Rey Theatre with Haunted Summer and Smoke Season
Sunday
A Conversation and Book Signing with Firooz Zahedi and Special Guests, actress Kate Burton and director Charles Shyer is happening at LACMA’s Bing Theater. Zahedi will be discussing his 35 year friendship with Elizabeth Taylor, and the photos he took of her for his book My Elizabeth. (free)
Make your own ‘zine at Ama-ZINE Workshop at the Craft & Folk Art Museum ($10-includes materials)
Ace Hotel is having an Oscar party in their theater with bingo, prizes, DJs and more while the show streams live. ($12-15)
Vanity 6- Nasty Girl
This song is from Prince’s protégé girl group Vanity 6’s 1982 self-titled album. Denise Katrina Matthews, also known as Vanity, quit Vanity 6 after the first album and went on to record two solo albums and later contributed songs for the film Action Jackson, which she also starred in.
Vanity died on Monday at the age of 57. Prince, who she dated during the time of Vanity 6, recently paid tribute to her at his show in Australia, telling a story about their time together and dedicating the song Little Red Corvette to her.
Dr. Dog- Bring My Baby Back
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (2/18-2/22/16)-
Thursday
SPEED SHOW LA: Manifesto is a one night art show all taking place on the computers in an internet cafe. This time in Koreatown with over 20 artists participating including Petra Cortright and Yung Jake (free)
Aram Moshayedi and Hamza Walker are discussing their collaborative work curating Made in L.A. 2016, the Hammer Museum’s biennial, at MOCA Grand Ave (free)
Avid Dancer are playing with Gothic Tropic and Banta at The Echo
Poet Paisley Rekdal is reading at The Hammer Museum (free)
Friday
Dr. Dog are playing at The Wiltern with Hop Along
The Chocolate and Art Show is at KGB Studios in Chinatown with DJs, bands, henna tattoos and of course, chocolate and art (also Saturday)
Human Resources is hosting Meet & Greet 2016 which describes itself as “somewhere in between a party and a science fair: an opportunity meet some of the new & independent arts organizations in Los Angeles” with each participant giving 2-minute presentations (free)
The Dream is playing at The Troubadour
The Seth Bogart Show is a “televisual performance” at The Echo with Seth (formerly of Hunx & His Punx), Geneva Jacuzzi, Chela and Cold Beat
Film School are also playing at The Echo
Saturday
homeLA’s dance performance will take place this time in a private home in Angeleno Heights
For part of their John Sayles weekend programming, Cinefamily is hosting Master Class for which Sayles will be discussing his work before a screening of City of Hope
Questlove will be performing at The Globe Theatre with The Gaslamp Killer opening
Saturday and Sunday
The Air + Style Festival is at Expo Park with J.Cole, HAIM, Danny Brown, A-Trak, Incubus and more over the two days (Goldstar has discount tix)
Sunday
Artist Wyatt Mills is speaking with curator, art critic and author Shana Nys Dambrot at Project Gallery
Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant will be discussing their collaborative book Shadows at LACMA’s Art Catalogues (free)
The Festival of (in)Appropriation is back at the Egyptian Theatre with its collection of new film and video artworks made from already existing media
Expert Alterations and Future Death are opening for Ringo Deathstarr at The Echo
Lianne La Havas- Forget
This song is from Is Your Love Big Enough?, British artist Lianne La Havas’ 2012 debut album. She is currently on tour for her 2015 album Blood.
She is playing Thursday, 2/11/16, at Largo in Los Angeles.
James Supercave- Better Strange
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (2/11-2/14/16)-
Thursday
James Supercave are playing at Resident in DTLA
The Downtown Art Walk has a music theme and includes a mini tribute to producer J Dilla. While at the art walk there will be shuttles to LERATA’s SKYLINE 2016 Preview Event which features an interactive architecture installation as well as a DJ, free cupcakes and hot chocolate. Also nearby is Oddwalk 2.0, a one night only show from Oddville. A Creative Space that includes over 100 local artists
It’s also the opening night of a four night event at the new Project Space on 7th Street. Tonight is the opening of Aaron Rose’s La Rosa Social Club, an art bar/installation with a group of artists contributing work (free but RSVP required)
The Hammer Museum is screening The Haunted Sword, a film of a live kabuki performance. Afterwards there will be free food and free limited-edition Kabuki-inspired Uniqlo t-shirts and tote bags.
Frank Gehry is in conversation with Michael Govan at LACMA (free but standby)
Naughty by Nature are at the Regent Theater with A-F-R-O
Friday
EVERBOOKS: Artists and Writers Read from Their Favorite Books includes artists Eleanor Antin, Lisa Anne Auerbach, John Baldessari, Miranda July and more reading short passages from books they think are inspiring at The Million Dollar Theatre. Free- RSVP with promo code ForYourArt or Goodreads
Meat Wave are playing at the Bootleg Theater with Young Jesus and Slothrust (solo) opening
The Egyptian Theatre is showing Blade Runner
Howler are playing at El Cid
Super Furry Animals are playing at the Roxy (also on Thursday)
Friday through Sunday
LA Art Book Fair returns to The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA with exhibits, talks and live music as well as loads of cool printed items to buy (free entry)
While downtown check out Rob Pruitt’s Flea Market presented by LAND (Los Angeles Nomadic Division) where over 150 artists will have tables set up to sell their work ($5 donation for Friday preview, free Saturday and Sunday)
Saturday
Celebrate The Year of the Monkey in Chinatown– The Golden Dragon Parade runs from 1-3pm and there is also a festival all day with performances, workshops and more
Blum and Poe gallery in Culver City is premiering A Portrait of Henry Taylor, a film by August Blum which will be accompanied by live music sets by Detachable Men and The Florida Mistakes
John Waters new one-man show This Filthy World: Dirtier and Filthier, is at The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State
For his show Hydration at Steve Turner gallery in Hollywood, Yung Jake is having his opening from 10pm-2am with DJs Softest Hard, Sonny Digital and Lil Yachty
Mrs.Magician are playing with Dead Heavens at The Hi Hat in Highland Park
Sunday
The LA Marathon is this Sunday so get out and cheer the runners or take a good look at the map and plan accordingly, it will be challenging to get around
The Metro is having a special free art tour of the works and architecture in their train stations for Valentine’s Day. The Independent Shakespeare Company
will be accompanying the tour and performing love scenes from select Shakespearean plays. First-come, first-served leaving from Union Station and ending at Hollywood/Western.
The Egyptian Theatre is showing Harold and Maude
Vampire Weekend- Giving Up The Gun
With Vampire Weekend member Chris Baio on tour for his solo project Baio, and lead sing Ezra Koenig most recently performing at a Bernie Sanders rally in Iowa, it felt like a good time to revisit one of the band’s best videos. This one is from their 2010 album Contra. It features RZA, Joe Jonas, Jake Gyllenhaal and Lil Jon and was directed by The Molloys.
Baio is at the El Rey Theatre tonight 2/4/16.
Baio- Endless Rhythm
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (2/4-2/2/7/16)-
Thursday
Baio is playing at the El Rey Theatre with Elohim
For the third in LACMA’s program series focusing on Frank Gehry’s three areas of interest—art, science, and music- the architect’s process and collaboration during the planning and construction of Walt Disney Concert Hall will be the focus. Gehry will be in conversation with two people with whom he worked closely during the years leading up to the hall’s opening: Esa-Pekka Salonen, former music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Deborah Borda, who came to Los Angeles in 2000 as LA Phil president and chief executive officer. They will be joined by LACMA’s senior curator of modern art, Stephanie Barron, curator of the Frank Gehry exhibition. This conversation will take place off site at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. ($25)
The New York–based art critic Ben Davis is speaking at Hammer Museum for his first book, 9.5 Theses on Art and Class (free)
Charlie Jane Anders, editor-in-chief of io9.com, is reading from her debut novel, All the Birds in the Sky at Skylight Books
Friday
Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours is back with DJs, art installations, musical performances, and more from 11:30 pm- 3am. Reservations are closed but tickets will be released for walk-ups after midnight
First Fridays returns to the Natural History Museum with music, lectures and cocktails- this time with music from The Hood Internet and Boulevards
Friday and Saturday
From Berlin to LA is a free electronic music festival taking place at various venues around LA. It also includes panels and workshops about DJing or digital production all related to Berlin or Berlin- influenced electronic music.
Saturday
The team who created the teahouse in Griffith Park will be showering flower petals for Petal Drop LA in the alley between two 1910 theaters on Broadway between 5th and 6th
To celebrate Black History Month, WordTheatre is presenting And All That Jazz an evening of jazz themed stories, poetry and music, at The Hall of Liberty in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Several famous actors are performing in the production. (free)
Ebony Repertory Theatre is having a free film screening of An Evening of Dance on Film, which focuses on early dancers of color in film with a talk afterwords with jazz archivist Mark Cantor
San Gabriel is having a Lunar New Year Party to celebrate the Year of the Monkey (free)
Lolipop Records is hosting a night at Teragram Ballroom with several of their bands performing including Mystic Braves, Corners and Peach Kelli Pop
Sunday (if you are not watching the Super Bowl)
The Rock n Roll Flea Market is at The Regent Theater downtown and you could go after a Boozy Brunch Bingo -$25 gets you bottomless mimosas, food and a cookie (or $40 for two people)
The monthly flea market at Pasadena City College is also this weekend (free)