Events for Nov. 14-20, 2013

Get with THE PROGRAM

THURSDAY, NOV. 14

MUSIC

Haroula Rose @ Troubadour (West Hollywood)
The L.A. based singer-songwriter also produced and did the music supervision for this year's Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, Fruitvale Station. She released the follow up to her full-length debut, These Open Roads, in 2012, the So Easy EP, and has finished a sophomore album with Andy Lemaster (Bright Eyes, Now It's Overhead), Jim White and Luke Top (Fool's Gold, Foreign Born). With her busy schedule, she rarely plays hometown shows so Angelenos should take the opportunity to see her perform live whenever they can.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15

BOOKS

David Sedaris @ The Pasadena Civic (Pasadena)
The humorist, comedian, radio contributor and author of such bestselling essay collections as Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day and the most recent, Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls, is as compelling on stage as he is on the page. He often recounts anecdotes from his childhood in North Carolina, interactions with fans and other personal experiences as he reads from his work. And he does so in a thoroughly unique, humorously sarcastic and cynical way. He also performs Saturday night at Valley Performing Arts Center.

FILM

In Theaters This Week
It's been 14 years since the release of The Best Man, and all of the film's stars – Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan and Nia Long – return for the sequel, The Best Man Holiday; Charlie Countryman stars Shia LaBeouf, Evan Rachel Wood and Mads Mikkelsen; Bruce Dern and Will Forte in Alexander Payne's Nebraska; Directed by Laurie Collyer (Sherrybaby), Sunlight Jr. stars Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon as a couple dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. Also in theaters: Ram Leela; The Christmas Candle; Dear Mr. Watterson

MUSIC

Aokify America Tour @ Shrine Expo Hall (South Los Angeles)
If you listen to KROQ at all, then you've probably heard the collaboration between Steve Aoki and Linkin Park, "A Light That Never Comes." Fans are sure to be treated to a performance of the song when the producer/DJ's national tour makes a stop in his hometown tonight, since Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington are listed as special guests performers. The lineup also includes Pharrell, Borgore, Waka Flocka Flame, as well as Iggy Azalea, Keys N Krates and Kryoman. Just don't stand too close to the stage if you don't want to be hit in the face with champagne, cake or crowd surfers.

Beats Antique @ The Fonda (Hollywood)
The San Francisco trio just released a new album, A Thousand Faces - Act 1, which features an awesome collaboration with Primus' Les Claypool on a track called "Beelzebub," and its supporting tour is like nothing you've ever seen. Just as Beats Antique's music is an amalgamation of various cultural genres, the multi-dimensional, custom-designed stage show, directed by Ivan Landau, combines film clips, graphics, puppetry, dancers and unique lighting effects to create optical illusions that will blow your mind.

Cash'd Out @ Spike's Bar & Billiards (Rosemead)
If you're a fan of Johnny Cash and have yet to check out the SoCal treasure known as Cash'd Out, then here's your chance. Vocalist Douglas Benson sounds just like Cash as he belts out the Man in Black's hit songs, but the entire band's musical prowess and showmanship pushes their performances from mere tributes to capturing the energy and spirit that is associated with the legend. You don't just have to take my word for it, members from Cash's inner circle from W.S. Holland to Loy Robin and even Cindy Cash have all endorsed Cash'd Out. So head out to the 626, and see them for yourself.

SATURDAY, NOV. 16

MUSIC

Long Beach Folk Revival @ Old Pine Avenue District (Long Beach)
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of artists that include Willie Watson (formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show), Rose's Pawn Shop http://www.jigsawmagazine.com/2012/08/roses-pawn-shop.html, Frank Fairfield, RT N the 44's, Charlie Parr and D.D. Wood, among others. If you get hungry, there is a special farm-to-table lunch being catered by Primal Alchemy going on aside from the food-truck action, with several craft breweries offering their finest libations. Also on the schedule are a banjo contest, beard and mustache contest, pie eating contest (with pies from Polly's Pies, a childhood favorite of mine), a bluegrass jam session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and plenty of vintage and handmade/up-cycled vendors for you to start doing some holiday shopping early in between music sets.

SUNDAY, NOV. 17

Wire (Marylene Mey)

MUSIC

Wire @ Echoplex (Echo Park)
The British post-punk legends released their latest album, Change Becomes Us, earlier this year. The album is composed of songs that sprouted from ideas that were never developed beyond being hatched in 1979 and 1980, and expect to hear many of these new tracks tonight. Let's see if jaded Angelenos will let go of their inhibitions and form a moshpit in honor of these musical pioneers.

MONDAY, NOV. 18

MUSIC

Kings of Chaos @ Avalon (Hollywood)
The new touring band is every rock lover's fantasy, featuring former Guns N' Roses members (Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour) and Steve Stevens (Billy Idol). They are set to play a two-hour set spanning the hits from all of their former groups at tonight's benefit concert, along with special guest performances from Juliette Lewis, Les Stroud and Gary Dourdan.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20

BOOKS

Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) @ Barnes & Noble (The Grove)
The forever classy anchorman is releasing his autobiography, Let Me Off at the Top!: My Classy Life and Other Musings, Nov. 19, and has decided to grace Angelenos with his presence at a signing event at the Grove. The book tells of his humble beginnings in an Iowa coal-mining town and all of the other odds he had to overcome before turning into America's most trusted and beloved news man. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues releases in theaters Dec. 20, so the book and the event might have a little something to do with that, too.

Events for July 11-17, 2013

Get with THE PROGRAM

THURSDAY, JULY 11

CULTURE

Lucha VaVoom "Cinco in July!" @ The Mayan (Downtown)
Were you totally bummed when you didn't get tickets for Lucha VaVoom's sold-out Cinco de Mayo show? Well, you're not the only one, so the organization decided to meet the public's demand for another Cinco show tonight. Take advantage of this second chance to get your fill of Mexican-style lucha libre wrestling, traditional burlesque and comedic commentary because they won't be back for a while. No other event mixes sex and violence quite as well.

MUSIC

Surfer Blood, Terraplane Sun @ Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica)
The 29th annual Twilight Concert Series returns to the pier for a kick-off show featuring the Florida foursome of Surfer Blood, who just released their sophomore effort, Pythons. Also performing is local band, Terraplane Sun, and their single "Get Me Golden" couldn't be a more apt song to usher in the pier's free summer series that takes place every Thursday, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m., through Sept. 12.

FRIDAY, JULY 12

CULTURE

OC Fair @ Orange County Fair & Event Center (Costa Mesa)
Like most children, the county fair was always a highlight of my summers growing up, so the OC Fair will always hold a special place in my heart. Aside from the carnival games, rides and wacky food concoctions to sample, I loved checking out who was awarded the blue ribbon for best jam or quilt out of the many artists, farmers and craftspeople who enter the various competitions. As I got older, the concerts at Pacific Amphitheatre became the fair's big attraction. This year's lineup includes Colbie Caillat, Weezer, Flaming Lips, ZZ Top and Roger Daltrey.

FILM

Michael B. Jordan in Fruitvale Station

In Theaters This Week
Fruitvale Station is one of my most anticipated films of the season. It tells the true story of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan) and the tragedy of his experiences on New Year's Eve 2008 in the Bay Area, and also stars Octavia Spencer and Melonie Diaz; Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock and David Spade reunite for Grown Ups 2; I am a Guillermo del Toro fan beyond words, yet I'm not sure if all the giant robot battles of Pacific Rim are for me. However, the fact that it stars Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi could persuade me to check it out. Also in theaters: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag; Crystal Fairy & The Magical Cactus; The Hot Flashes; The Hunt; Pawn Shop Chronicles; Still Mine; V/H/S/2

Old Pasadena Film Festival
The free film series returns to Old Pas through July 27. Tonight's programming includes Woody Allen's gorgeous 2011 time-travel romp, Midnight in Paris, starring Owen Wilson as a screenwriter who gets to hang out with the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein every evening at the stroke of midnight. It screens at 8 p.m. at Distant Lands (20 S. Raymond Ave.), while Fantastic Mr. Fox plays at 8:30 p.m. in the One Colorado Courtyard (41 Hugus Alley). The 2009 stop-motion animated fantasy-comedy from Wes Anderson features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman, and is based on the classic by Roald Dahl.

SATURDAY, JULY 13

FILM

Grease Sing-A-Long @ Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood)
The Bowl once again transforms into the world's largest movie theater for the family-friendly tradition, which coincides with the film's 35th anniversary. Hosted by Didi Conn ("Frenchy"), the pre-show features a performance by Sha Na Na followed by a screening of the film, complete with subtitles so that everyone can sing along with the lyrics to each song. From "Summer Nights" to "Greased Lightnin'" and "You're the One That I Want," the entire night is sure to be a blast.

Edgar Wright Double Feature @ Exposition Park (South Los Angeles)
In anticipation of Edgar Wright's Aug. 23 release of The World's End, Street Food Cinema presents an evening dedicated to the director's other works with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg. Up first is a performance from local band Fallen Riviera, then make sure to get a bunch of munchies from trucks like Mercedes Binge, Rollin' Rib BBQ and Ta Bom before settling in for the screenings of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

MUSIC

Cash'd Out @ Saint Rocke (Hermosa Beach)
If you're a fan of Johnny Cash and have yet to check out the SoCal treasure known as Cash'd Out, then here's your chance. Vocalist Douglas Benson sounds just like Cash as he belts out the Man in Black's hit songs, but the entire band's musical prowess and showmanship pushes their performances from mere tributes to capturing the energy and spirit that is associated with the legend. You don't just have to take my word for it, members from Cash's inner circle from W.S. Holland to Loy Robin and even Cindy Cash have all endorsed Cash'd Out. So head out to the South Bay, and see them for yourself.

SUNDAY, JULY 14

 

CULTURE

Bastille Day @ Bouchon (Beverly Hills)
If you're a Francophile like me, then you know that today is French National Day, otherwise known as Bastille Day, commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1789. While France celebrates with parades and fireworks, Thomas Keller and Co. pay tribute to the event with a special day at Bouchon, featuring $2 oysters, grilled treats, wine and cocktails, live music and a screening of Baz Luhrnmann's 2001 musical Moulin Rouge in the Beverly-Canon Gardens, part of their ongoing Sunday Movie Nights series.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

MUSIC

Mayer Hawthorne @ The Troubadour (West Hollywood)
Even though this show is sold out, I'm hoping you can score some tickets on Craigslist or at the door, because it's definitely the show of the week. My fellow L.A. transplant via Michigan has carved a niche for his thoroughly unique sound and celebrates the release of his third album, Where Does This Door Go, tonight with this hometown show. NPR is currently streaming the album, so you can practice dancing to the 14 tracks, which feature assists from Pharrell Williams, Jack Splash, Oak and Greg Wills.

Cash'd Out

Cash'd Out's Kevin Manuel, George Bernardo, Douglas Benson and Ryan Thomas at Folsom State Prison

DOUGLAS BENSON of CASH'D OUT

Artists all over the world cover the songs of Johnny Cash. Bands of every genre know at least one of the country legend's tunes, and audiences recognize "Folsom Prison Blues," "A Boy Named Sue" and "Walk the Line" from their very first notes. With the popularity of his catalog and his being one of music's most iconic singing voices, reproducing Cash's sound as a tribute band is quite a daunting task. However, San Diego's Cash'd Out have dedicated the past eight years to paying homage to the Man in Black by playing his songs at venues across the nation.

No matter the town, the four members of Cash'd Out – vocalist Douglas Benson, guitarist Kevin Manuel, bassist Ryan Thomas and drummer George Bernardo – consistently win crowds over with their energetic performances of a repertoire of over 150 songs that span Cash's entire career. Cash'd Out has even been named Best Tribute Band four times by the San Diego Music Awards. 

In addition to the band's skilled musicianship in recreating Cash's catalog, a huge factor in their success is the stunning precision with which Benson impersonates the artist's voice. What's so incredible is that Benson didn't even begin to hone his vocal abilities or even play guitar until a short time before forming Cash'd Out in 2005. The band's tale starts as Benson embarks on a camping trip to Baja California with some friends.

"The first Johnny Cash album that I ever listened to was a cassette tape of Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. A friend had brought it down to San Felipe where we were camping for the weekend. He left it in the tape player, and it played for 24 hours a day, all weekend long," Benson recalls. "It was during this trip when we were singing around the fire that someone first said that my voice sounded like Johnny Cash's. The song might have been 'Orange Blossom Special.' It's crazy, back then I didn't even know how to play a guitar. Everything really does happen for a reason."

After that camping trip and his friend's comment about the similarity of his voice and Cash's, Benson began teaching himself some chords on the guitar, became inspired with an idea to form a tribute band and placed an ad for band members in a local newspaper.

"When I first met Kevin and interviewed him to join the band, I only knew how to play and sing like four songs. I don't know what I was thinking," admits Benson with a laugh. "I played a song for him, and he said, 'That was pretty good, but you know you're playing it in the wrong key.' I said, 'Show me how to play it in the right key, and we'll go from there.' Even after all these years, I look at Kevin and wonder, 'What were you thinking when you decided to start this band with me?!"

Eventually Manuel, who was born in San Francisco but moved to San Diego at an early age, and Benson enlisted East Coast transplants Thomas and Bernardo to join the group.

"They give me a lot of grief, but I love them. They like teasing me a lot," chuckles Benson. "George has played with so many different bands and styles of music I can't even begin to name them all. Ryan plays bass with us but is a super good guitar player as well. He has another band called the Buzzbombs, and they do a lot of covers, a couple of originals that are 1950s style, Elvis kind of stuff. He's also an accomplished author. He writes mystery/horror novels."

When they're not traveling up and down the coast playing shows, Benson has a favorite bar that he likes to hang out at.

"The bar that I go to a lot is called Cherry Bomb. It's a dive bar with a great jukebox," he says. "I've been going there for almost 15 years."

As a native of San Diego County, Benson grew up surfing and listening to his favorite band at the time, the Smiths.

"Someday I would like to do a couple of their songs," Benson shares. "I want to try to figure out how Johnny Cash would have done them. I've been fiddling with some."

While Cash'd Out do perform some of the unique covers that Cash released in the American series, like Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt," they mostly stick to his original material. Since 2005 they've performed for over a million people, and the thrill Benson experiences each time from sharing a passion for Johnny Cash's music with the audience never gets old.

"Every time we do 'Ring of Fire,' we get a huge crowd singing along with us. When the audience sings, the emotion that they give me, makes me tear up a lot of times," he confesses. "I love all of his songs though. It just depends what mood I'm in, [determining] which one's my favorite at that time. One I always tell people is my favorite is 'Wreck of the Old 97.' I just love the story that it tells and the way that he sang it, the emotion. I just like the way that he, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings tell a story every time they sing a song. Another thing I love about Willie Nelson is that it seems like he's always on tour."

Relentless touring is definitely a standard that Cash'd Out has set for itself. In this month alone, they played at two shows every weekend. Some of the most memorable performances they've given have been in front of Cash's family and friends. Cash's longtime drummer W.S. Holland sat in with the band for a Johnny Cash birthday celebration hosted by Bill Miller, Cash's friend and owner of JohnnyCash.com, at the Fender Museum in Corona, Calif.

"One show that really stands out the most is when Bill Miller brought one of Johnny's daughters, Cindy Cash, to a show in Hollywood a few years back," Benson remembers. "We performed the song 'Cindy, I Love You.' When I walked into the green room backstage, she turned around and said, 'My dad wrote that song for me when I was 18 years old, and I've never heard anybody cover it. You made me cry.' She took a necklace with a crystal locket on it from around her neck, put it on my neck and said, 'I want you to have this. There's a lock of my dad's hair inside of it.' She had cut some hair off his head when he was on the hospital bed during his last few days."

Moments like those fuel Benson's fire to entertain audiences with electrifying performances of  Johnny Cash's music even more. Plans for the future include a Cash'd Out album and tours to the East Coast, Europe, Australia and Japan, a country where they've already caught the attention of a few new fans.

"My cousin that owns a surf company brought some of his Japanese reps to a show. When they went back to Japan they were telling people that they had seen Johnny Cash. Their friends were like, 'Dude, Johnny Cash has been dead for a while,'" Benson laughs, "but it was a pretty nice compliment."

Cash'd Out perform Feb. 15 at Spikes in Rosemead and Feb. 22 at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach. For more information, visit cashdout.com.