Events for Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2014

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THURSDAY, JAN. 30

Lolawolf (Michael Leviton)

MUSIC

Lolawolf @ The Echo (Echo Park)
The New York band, fronted by Zoë Kravitz and featuring Reputate's James Levy and Jimmy Giannopoules, makes its L.A. debut tonight at the Echo. The evening is set to include tracks from their forthcoming self-titled EP (available Feb. 4), including the cheeky "Drive (Los Angeles)," sweet "What Love Is" and 80s-tinged "Chainz." All of the songs I've heard so far from Lolawolf are incredibly danceable, so this should make for a fun outing.

FRIDAY, JAN. 31

ART

Cat Art Show @ 101/exhibit (6205 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood)
Catch the final days of this feline-focused art show that everyone was meowing about after its opening reception last weekend. From Shepard Fairey, Buff Monster and Gary Baseman to Mercedes Helnwein, Tim Biskup and Incubus' Brandon Boyd, artists interpret the role of cats as not only domesticated companions but as muses and inspirations. Even if you aren't a kitty lover, their renderings are sure to bring a smile to your face. Through Sunday afternoon.

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Andy Garcia, Vera Farmiga and Taissa Farmiga in At Middleton; Labor Day, directed by Jason Reitman, takes places over the holiday weekend that changes the lives of 13-year-old Henry Wheeler (Gattlin Griffith), his mother (Kate Winslet) and a stranger who needs their help (Josh Brolin); Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller are three best friends navigating the dating world in That Awkward Moment. Also in theaters: California Scheming; Tim's Vermeer

MUSIC

Mayer Hawthorne @ Palladium (Hollywood)
The soulful L.A. singer-songwriter released his third studio album, Where Does This Door Go, over the summer, boasting some of the best tracks of his career thus far. Songs like "Her Favorite Song," "The Only One" and "Corsican Rosé" are so smooth, they can give the most timid a boost of bravado to ask the hottie standing over at the bar for a spin on the dance floor with just one listen. If you have yet to experience Mayer Hawthorne live, please go to this show. Although your feet will be sore from dancing all night, you will definitely thank me later for all the fun you had.

SATURDAY, FEB. 1

Johnathan Rice

MUSIC

Johnathan Rice @ Bootleg Bar (Westlake)
Last year, the L.A. singer-songwriter released his third solo album, Good Graces, his first work since putting out the critically lauded I'm Having Fun Now album under the moniker of Jenny & Johnny with Jenny Lewis. He also collaborates with Lewis on the score for Song One, which stars Anne Hathaway and Johnny Flynn and just premiered at Sundance. Lewis also appears on Good Graces, along with Z Berg, the Watson Twins, Farmer Dave Scher and Chad Marshall, so it's safe to assume at least one of the guests will make an appearance for a song tonight at Bootleg.

CULTURE

Chinese New Year Festival @ Chinatown
The Year of the Horse is said to be one of exuberance, so celebrate all that the year ahead holds in store at the oldest New Year spectacular in the country taking place through Sunday afternoon. The 115th Annual Golden Dragon Parade begins Saturday's festivities at 1 p.m. with floats, dancers and bands streaming down the streets, led by this year's Grand Marshal, Mayor Eric Garcetti. After the parade, enjoy cultural performances and workshops, traditional and gourmet street food, craft beer fem Eagle Rock Brewery and a live music stage curated by Buzz Bands LA's Kevin Bronson with local acts like the Happy Hollows and Raw Geronimo.

SUNDAY, FEB. 2

ART

Fútbol: The Beautiful Game @ LACMA (Miracle Mile)
While American football celebrates its two top teams today, fútbol fans still have a few more months until the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Brazil. Never fear, though, soccer lovers. LACMA has something to help pass the time, a new exhibit that examines the sport and its influence on nationalism, globalism and the common human experience through video, photography, painting and sculpture from around 30 international artists. Works from Miguel Calderon, Robin Rhode, Kehinde Wiley and Andy Warhol are just a few of the stunning pieces to take in as the exhibit runs through July 20.

MONDAY, FEB. 3

Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club (Focus Features)

FILM

Jared Leto Double Feature @ Egyptian Theatre (Hollywood)
Jared Leto has scooped up several awards and is the frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the role in Dallas Buyers Club that lured him out of temporary acting retirement. Whether it was in that film, Prefontaine, Chapter 27 or Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream (2000), Leto immerses himself completely into character. American Cinematheque celebrates the actor with a double feature Dallas Buyers Club and Requiem for a Dream, featuring two of his greatest performances, and a discussion with him between the two films.

FOOD

National Frozen Yogurt Day @ Yogurtland (Citywide)
Honor the goodness that is frozen yogurt with a visit to your local Yogurtland. They celebrate their third annual event today with free yogurt and toppings from 4 p.m. to 7p.m. today. Not to be outdone, Menchie's is celebrating on Thursday (Feb. 6) with your first 6 ounces free. You just have to like their Facebook page, and they'll send you a coupon.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5

MUSIC

Mother Falcon @ The Echo (Echo Park)
The Austin-based orchestral band begins a monthlong, Wednesday night residency at the Echo tonight. Mother Falcon is composed of 15 to 20 members that play strings, trumpets, saxophones and even a bassoon, Greek bouzouki and glockenspiel, and the songs on their sophomore effort, You Knew, are mesmerizing. I'm not sure how all of them are going to fit on the Echo stage, but a thoroughly unique and entertaining experience is guaranteed to be in store. If you can't make it tonight, do try to check them out one of these Wednesdays in February.

New Release Tuesday 7/16/13

July 16, 2013

MUSIC RELEASES

Beach – In Us We Trust (Short Story)
Up until this album, Bitch's birth name of indie-electro artist Karen Mould was a secret. With In Us We Trust, the songwriter, vocalist and electric violinist sheds her previous persona and embraces the new moniker of Beach, a place where she describes everything shifts: "Rocks become sand, water meets earth, birds screech, tides turn and colors collide." Mould in turn left Brooklyn, her home of 15 years, behind for Los Angeles, and the city breathes its energy into the album's 11 tracks, from thundering opener "Ibuprofen" and sultry "Love Was a River" to the bubbling title track and ukulele-filled closer "O' Packaging." Change has unquestionably done her good.

Dreamers Dose – At Least We're Happy (Vector)
It's not that surprising to find out how young the four Angelenos of the psych-rock group are after listening to their debut since each track explodes with youthful energy and seethes with angst. Produced by Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures), At Least We're Happy puts Dreamers Dose's influences on display – you can especially hear echoes of QOTSA on "The Calm" and garage-rock tones of Black Rebel Motorcyle Club throughout–  and firmly asserts that the band is beginning to make their own mark on the L.A. scene. Catch their performance at the Sunset Strip Music Festival Aug. 1.

Mayer Hawthorne – Where Does This Door Go (Republic)
With the release of Where Does This Door Go's first single, "Her Favorite Song," back in May, it seemed like everyone and their mama started jumping on the Mayer Hawthorne train, but I'm not complaining. It's high time the soulful singer-songwriter receives the attention he deserves. The songs that fill his third studio album are the perfect introduction to his modern take on the classic style of his native state's signature Motown sound, Curtis Mayfield and Barry White, and at the same, time they cull from his more contemporary influences like J Dilla and the atmosphere of his current home base of Los Angeles. The album's release show tomorrow at the Troubadour is sold out, so most Angelenos will unfortunately have to wait a while for another hometown performance. They will, however, have plenty of time to get acquainted with the new standout tracks like "The Only One," "Wine Glass Woman" and "Corsican Rosé."

San Cisco – self-titled (RCA)
There's been buzz surrounding the Australian quartet ever since they started making waves in 2011, and they are finally releasing their debut. The members range in age from 18 to 20, and the album reflects their collective sunny outlook on life, whether the lyrics deal with relationships, growth or just life in general. Tracks like "Fred Astaire," "Awkward" and "No Friends" are just a sampling of the fun and carefree times to be had with the Aussies. San Cisco wrap up their current U.S. tour on Aug. 13 at the Echoplex.

White Dove – The Hoss, The Candle (RSRCH + DVLP)
The L.A. trio formerly known as Monster perfectly encapsulate the feel associated with modern California rock on their new album produced by Dave Trumfio (Wilco, Grandaddy, My Morning Jacket). Echoes of psychedelia, classic rock and soft rock can all be heard in White Dove's dark-pop sound. Alex Johnstone's ethereal vocals soar over the wails of a pedal steel on tracks like "I Saw You" and "Come On In To Hell," while songs like "Cold Mountain" and "Old French Clothes" get your toes tapping. Join them for The Hoss, The Candle's release show this Thursday (July 18) at El Cid.

Also available – Ace Hood's Trials & Tribulations; AP.9's Pursuit of Perfection; The Aristrocrats' Culture Clash; BURNTmd's The Green Invasion; Candice Glover's Music Speaks; CARO's Letchworth Village; Cherry Poppin' Daddies' White Teeth, Black Thoughts; Cody Simpson's Surfers Paradise; Court Yard Hounds' Amelita; David Lynch's The Big Dream; Dead Boots' Verónica; Desert Stars' Habit Shackles; Gauntlet Hair's Stills; Hieroglyphics' The Kitchen; La Machine's Phases & Repetition remaster; Luke Rathborne's Soft; Matt Nathanson's Last of the Great Pretenders; Mayday's Believers; Patrick Sweany's Close to the Floor; Pet Shop Boys' Electric; Pony Bwoy's self-titled; Robert Randolph and the Family Band's Lickety Split; Sara Bareilles' The Blessed Unrest; Sarah Miles' One; Soft Metals' Lenses; Tallhart's We Are the Same

DVD RELEASES

Film – Brian Helgeland directs Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42; The documentary Bidder 70 tells the story of Tim DeChristopher, who disrupted a BLM oil and gas leasing auction in 2008 in the name of the climate justice movement; Evil Dead is the fourth installment of the franchise and was co-written and directed by Fede Alvarez

TV – Alphas: Season Two; Damages: The Complete Fifth Season; Femme Fatales: The Complete Second Season; Hell on Wheels: The Complete Second Season; Masterpiece Mystery: Endeavour Series 1; Misfits: Season Three; Orphan Black: Season One; Regular Show: Season 1 & 2

Music – Rick Springfield's An Affair of the Heart; U.P. Wilson's Live at the 100 Club London 1998

Also available – 5 Shells; Arlington Road; Bert Stern: Original Mad Man; Bullet to the Head; The End of Love; Erased; Eve of Destruction; From the Head; The Fruit Hunters; Good Life; Hecho En Mexico; Hiding in Plain Sight; Ice Road Terror; The Life After Death Project; The Prize - An Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power; Solomon Kane; The Sweeter Side of Life; White Frog; Wild Bill

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.