Get with THE PROGRAM
THURSDAY, AUG. 8
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| The Heavy (Andrew de Francesco) |
MUSIC
The Heavy, The Silent Comedy @ The Fonda (Hollywood)
The British quartet wind up their North American headline tour in support of their third album, The Glorious Dead, here on the West Coast with an intimate show at the Fonda. I've long extolled the virtues of the band and their eclectic blend of soul and rock elements, and their live show is just as exciting. San Diego's Americana/folk rockers the Silent Comedy, headed by brothers Joshua and Jeremiah Zimmerman, open the show. I can't think of another band whose sound can be explained by the phrase "rocking banjo" as evidenced on tracks like "God Neon" off their just-released EP, Friends Divide. Should be a helluva night.
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars @ The Skirball (Bel Air)
The cultural center's free sunset concert series continues with the electrifying West African musicians who came together 16 years ago in a Sierra Leone war refugee camp. With their latest album, Radio Salone, they continue to inspire with their uplifting beats and rhythms. KCRW's Tom Schnabel sits in on the 1s and 2s before their performance, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m, and make sure to visit all of the Skirball galleries, including The Door Is Always Open, an exhibit from one of my favorite L.A. artists, Gary Baseman.
FRIDAY, AUG. 9
FILM
In Theaters This Week
It's been a while since I've anticipated the release of a film as much as Elysium. Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9), Elysium is set in 2154 as the wealthy live on a space station and the rest of humanity lives in the ruins of Earth and stars Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Diego Luna; Lovelace shows the glamorous side of the porn phenomenon Deep Throat then delves into the real story with a cast that includes Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard and Sharon Stone; Disney gives a glimpse into the world above Cars with Planes, featuring the voices of Dane Cook, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and John Cleese; We're the Millers stars Jason Sudeikis as a pot dealer who recruits a fake family (Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Will Poulter) to be his cover when he picks up a shipment in Mexico. Also in theaters: Chennai Express; I Give it a Year; In a World…; Jug Face; Off Label; Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters; Prince Avalanche
MUSIC
Drowners @ The Wiltern (Koreatown)The New York four-piece formed last year and signed with Frenchkiss in this spring. The catchiness of their indie pop is quite evident on songs like "Long Hair" and "You've Got It All Wrong," which just burst with energy. Look out for their debut full-length in the near future, but in the meantime check them out at the Wiltern with the Foals.
SATURDAY, AUG. 10
MUSIC
Willie Nelson @ Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood)
My dad was a huge fan, so I've seen Willie Nelson perform more times than I can count. Watching the legendary troubadour perform never gets old, though. It's incredible how many classics he can pack into just one set, and his witty banter is not to be missed. Tonight he performs favorites along with the beloved standards from his Stardust album – "Georgia on My Mind," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "Someone to Watch Over Me," among others. Add in the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Lyle Lovett and His Large Band as openers, and you've got the show of the week.
SUNDAY, AUG. 11
COMEDY
Nick Offerman's "American Ham" @ Largo at the Coronet (Mid-City West)
From Manwich and We're the Millers commercials to the return of Chance Briggs in last week's episode of "Childrens Hospital" and "Axe Cop" debuting on Fox, it seems like there's no escaping the "Parks and Recreation" star. If you're still hungry for more, you can experience him in the flesh tonight. This one-man show promises anecdotes, musical whimsy and woodworking tips – with nudity. Ack.
FOOD
The LA Weekly Pancake Breakfast @ Vibiana (Downtown)
Oh, Evan Kleiman, how I love thee. The fabulous "Good Food" host, chef, author and all-around L.A. food expert curates the third annual event benefitting Project Angelfood. For $30 you get beverages from the hosted bar, sampling from over 20 restaurants that include Nickel Diner, Chego, Canelé and Square One and a limited edition coffee cup while being serenaded by Lynda Kay.
TUESDAY, AUG. 13
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| Molotov (Dale May) |
MUSIC
Molotov @ Conga Room (Downtown)
Undeniably the heaviest show of the week, the Mexican rock band thunders into town as the headliners of this year's Jägermeister Tour (Whoa, it's the 11th one!). The Latin Grammy-winning group has sold over 3.5 million albums worldwide over the span of their 18-plus years together but haven't toured the states in some time. So now's your chance to see why they've been called "the most important band in Latin America" up close and personal at the Conga Room.
THEATER
"Rapture, Blister, Burn" @ Geffen Playhouse (Westwood)
This West Coast premiere of Obie Award-winning playwright Gina Gionfriddo's ("Becky Shaw") latest work that The New York Times hails as "intensely smart and immensely funny." In the comedy, three generations of women share their experiences navigating work, love and family as they find happiness and conquer disappointment. The stellar cast is comprised of Amy Brenneman, Beth Dixon, Virginia Kull, Kellie Overbey and Lee Tergesen.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14
MUSIC
Nicholas David @ The El Rey (Miracle Mile)
My son is addicted to "The Voice," and while most of the contestants fail to woo me, I absolutely fell in love with Nicholas David's pipes. His unique blend of soul, folk, R&B and country shines on his new EP, Say Goodbye, anchored by the buoyant title track. He heads out on the road with the Avett Brothers in the fall, but make sure to experience his performance in this intimate venue first.
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