Richard Linklater’s 1990 film Slacker, is a wonderful trip back in time to the pre-Internet days and a celebration of American eccentricity. If you haven’t seen it, the film follows various different Austin locals in brief scenes and conversations, all within a 24 hour period in 1989.
The film opens on a monologue from Linklater himself describing his dream to a taxi driver and then moves on to a man who hits his mother with a car. The scenes flow from one character or group to a new one almost seamlessly. Conspiracy theorists, coffee shop philosophers, a man who collects televisions and disaster footage, a group of housemates reading a story on postcards from a former housemate left behind, and on and on as the day turns to night and then back to day again.
Linklater wrote these interactions and many of them are based on stories or projects from the people seen in the film. In his director’s commentary he gives the background for many of the involved participants. He also explains how he directed them not to treat any of the people speaking as if they are strange or odd. It’s another aspect of the film that makes it special, and a reminder of the way we should try to treat people.
Sadly Teresa Taylor (pictured in the above two photos center), aka Teresa Nervosa, one time drummer for the Butthole Surfers, died last month. Her image was used for the movie poster and promotional materials. Her scene in Slacker is one of the most memorable as well. She tells a story of a highway suicide and then attempts to sell what she claims is singer Madonna’s pap smear.
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (12/5-12/8/19)-
Thursday
Artist Catherine Opie is giving a walk-through of Lari Pittman’s exhibition at Hammer Museum at 6pm
The Make-Up are playing at Zebulon with Seth Bogart
If you missed Visual AIDS’s screening of STILL BEGINNING for Day With(out) Art you can see it tonight at MOCA Grand Avenue (free)
Director Jazmin Garcia will be speaking at The Broad as part of their series The Logic of Poetry and Dreams (free but reserve ticket)
Lisa Prank is playing at the Bootleg Theater with Rose Melberg, and Worriers
Protomartyr and Show Me The Body are opening for Daughters at the Belasco Theater
Sasha Sloan is playing at the Fonda Theatre with Winnetka Bowling Club
Friday
Constitution Happy Hour returns to Hammer Museum with UC Irvine political science and law professor Rick Hasen discussing the First Amendment and campaign misinformation.
The Theatre at The Ace Hotel with CAP UCLA is screening Dawson City:Frozen Time with a live score composed by Alex Somers and performed by Wild Up. The film tells the story of the discovery of over 500 silent film reels from the 1910s and 20s in Dawson in north western Canada in the 1970s by a construction crew who found it buried in a subarctic swimming pool.
Cocoa Concerts continue at Union Station with latin jazz group Conganas. There will also be a cocoa bar, Santa selfies, a Candy Cane Lane and more (free)
Surfbort are playing at Lodge Room with Dumb Fucks and Nice
Sonny & The Sunsets are playing at The Hi Hat with The Gonks and The Flusters
Saturday
Queen of Jeans are opening for From Indian Lakes at the Moroccan Lounge
Earl Sweatshirt will be at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA for a conversation on art, music, and life with Cheryl Harris (his mom). (free, 1-3pm)
Artist Frank Ockenfels 3 will be signing his book at Fahey Klein from 2-4pm
Photographer Todd Hido will be signing his book, House Hunting (Remastered) at Arcana Books from 4-6pm
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (5/16-5/19/19)-
Thursday
The Chemical Brothers are playing at The Greek Theatre with The Black Madonna opening
Architect and scholar Sylvia Lavin will at MOCA Grand Avenue to discuss the work of Arata Isozaki (who designed the MOCA building). The museum and this lecture are free this evening.
Odd Nights returns to The Autry with live music, a market, food and drink, and night access to the museum
Coucou Chloe is performing at El Cid with Minimal Violence
Hala and Pageants are opening for Hellogoodbye at the Echoplex
Saturday
Sasami is playing a free show in the courtyard of The Getty for the summer concert series Saturdays Off The 405
Artist Vanessa German will be discussing her exhibition at Gavlak gallery following a performance of soft:the longest kiss, in which the artist will perform a 6 hour kiss with her partner Janae Brown
Photographer Rohina Hoffman will be in conversation with artist, photographer, and educator Aline Smithson, as well as signing her book Hair Stories, at Arcana Books
Ryan Pollie of LAPD is playing at The Love Song with Will Fox
Black Star featuring Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey will be performing at The Novo
Dum Dum Zine is having a release party for their 6th issue at The Echo with Taleen Kali, Potty Mouth, and Space Kelly performing
Butthole Surfers are having a Q&A session with David Yow of Jesus Lizard moderating, and signing their book Butthole Surfers: What Does Regret Mean?, a visual history of the band, at Zebulon. Gibby Haynes will also be performing a DJ set. ($8)
Hearty Har are playing at The Hi Hat with The Bash Dogs and Dream Phases
Saturday and Sunday
The Beverly Hills Art Show returns for its Spring edition. Over 245 artists will participate in the free outdoor show
Downtown Burbank is also having an Arts Festival that will include work by top animators and an indie craft section curated by Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair
Sunday
For Museums of the Arroyo Day there is free admission to Lummis House, Heritage Square, L.A. Police Museum, Pasadena Museum of History, The Autry, and The Gamble House- start early to see them all
LACMA is having a screening (get free tickets online) of the 1958 film Anna Lucasta starring Earth Kitt and Sammy Davis Jr. which also features the artwork of Charles White whose work is currently being shown at the museum
Union Station is having a free outdoor daytime concert with Sudan Moon, Sam Gendel, Ami Dang, and Ana Roxanne
Classic British punk band The Exploited are playing at The Novo with D.I. and Total Chaos
The Regent Theater is screening the film The Damned- Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead with a Q&A to follow with Damned drummer Andrew “Pinch” Pinching and director Wes Orshoski
Zebulon has a free screening of Luis Bunuel’s The Phantom of Liberty
