Events for July 18-24, 2013

Get with THE PROGRAM

THURSDAY, JULY 18

Run Run Run

CULTURE

Sunset Strip Market @ 8755 Sunset Blvd. (West Hollywood)
Every Thursday night through October, the seasonal market offers produce from farmers like Denny's Organic Farm and Cuyama Orchards and products from local artisans such as Alex's Fruits & Nuts and Farmhouse Kitchen. After shopping, you can grab some dumplings from Red Dot, fries from the Belgian Fry Shack, tacos from this week's visitors Kogi Truck, as well as beverages from the craft beer and wine garden then grab a seat for a screening of Karate Kid at 8:15 p.m. Throughout the night there are also musical performances from Tru Cisco, Xander Smith (acoustic) and Run Run Run.

FOOD

dineLA Restaurant Week @ Various restaurants throughout the city
Although the event is technically 12 days (running through July 26), dineLA Restaurant Week is definitely one of the best times of year to visit the city's best establishments, especially if you're on a budget. Places from Bouchon, Willie Jane, Rivera and Mo-Chica to El Cholo, Season's 52 and Mohawk Bend are serving prix-fixe meals from $15 to $45. Now is your chance to try a new restaurant or visit an old favorite at a special price.

FRIDAY, JULY 19

FILM

In Theaters This Week
The terrifying The Conjuring stars Vera Farmig, Patrick Wilson and Ron Livingston; Kirsten Wiig plays a failed playwright who is forced to move back home with her family in Girl Most Likely; Only God Forgives reunites Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn with Ryan Gosling, who stars as a drug kingpin out to avenge his brother's death in Bangkok; Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and Mary-Louise Parker returns for Red 2; R.I.P.D. stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds as officers policing otherworldly spirits. Also in theaters: The Act of Killing; Big Words; Blackfish; Dealin' with Idiots; Grabbers; Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp; The Rooftop; Terms and Conditions May Apply; Turbo

SATURDAY, JULY 20

My Gold Mask (Todd Diederich)

MUSIC

My Gold Mask @ Bootleg Bar (Westlake)
The trio, led by vocalist/percussionist Gretta Rochelle and guitarist Jack Armondo, bring their unique brand of dark pop to town via their headlining national tour with fellow Chicagoans California Wives. In addition to their latest album, Leave Me Midnight, which came out earlier this year, My Gold Mask just released a new single, "Dangerous," that is just as menacing as the title promises.

Rogue Wave @ El Rey Theatre (Miracle Mile)
I absolutely love Nightingale Floors, the Bay Area band's fifth studio album that released last month, and since this is their first tour in three years, there is really no reason to miss this show. Just listen to the album's first two tracks, and you'll see what I mean. Whether you love their dreamy, psychedelic, somber or more poppy songs, the night is sure to be a memorable one.

FILM

Mean Girls @ Poinsettia Park (Mid-City West)
Street Food Cinema projects Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried on their oversized inflatable screen in the 2004 comedy Mean Girls, which had a screenplay penned by Tina Fey. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m., but come early for a set from Elle Rae, a contest hosted by Grant Cotter and food and drink from the Grilled Cheese Truck, Waffles Deliege and Perk Up Coffee.

SUNDAY, JULY 21

BOOKS

Jeff Garlin's Reading Group @ Book Soup (West Hollywood)
If you love books and are currently experiencing "Curb Your Enthusiasm" withdrawals, then kill two birds with one stone and join Jeff Garlin's Reading Group for an evening. The subject for this discussion is Gillian Flynn's bestselling suspense novel from last year, Gone Girl, which centers around a Missouri couple, Nick and Amy Dunne, celebrating their fifth anniversary when Amy suddenly disappears. Comedian Garlin is also hosting a conversation with "Breaking Bad" director Vince Gilligan at Largo on Monday, but unfortunately that event is sold out.

MONDAY, JULY 22

MUSIC

Roadkill Ghost Choir @ Bootleg Bar (Westlake)
The folk rockers just released a new EP, Quiet Light, and cross the country from their Florida home base in its support. From the banjo twang of opener "Beggars' Guild" to the thundering bass drum and soothing horns of closer "In the Lion's Mouth," the six-piece pulls from their wide range of influences (Gram Parsons, Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead) to appeal to all ears, and their live show promises to be just as pleasing.

TUESDAY, JULY 23

 

MUSIC

The Postal Service @ Greek Theatre (Griffith Park)
I was lucky enough to catch the supergroup's first tour back when Give Up was released in 2003, and it is hands-down one of my favorite concerts ever. I was so excited when they decided to reissue the album for its 10th anniversary this year and officially reunite for a world tour that includes this two-night stand at the Greek. This is, of course, my pick for show of the week, so don't miss the opportunity to see Ben Gibbard, Jimmy Tamborello and Jenny Lewis on stage together at one of my favorite outdoor venues in the country.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

MUSIC

Happy Hollows @ The Satellite (Silver Lake)
Celebrate Hump Day and the July 30 release of the L.A. trio's sophomore album, Amethyst, with a party of a show at the Satellite. You know I'm a sucker for a song with sing-along-able "ooh ohhs" such as "Galaxies" from the album that was recorded with producer Lewis Pesacov (Best Coast, Fools Gold). Vocalist/guitarist Sarah Negahdari is the touring bassist for Silversun Pickups, and it will be fun to see her assume the frontwoman role with Happy Hollows.

New Release Tuesday – 1/22/13

Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello of the Postal Service

JAN. 22, 2013

MUSIC NEWS

The Postal Service 2013
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the release of Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello's synth-pop project, the Postal Service's, one and only album. Give Up is not only its label, Sub Pop's, second-highest selling album (Nirvana's Bleach is the highest.), it's also one of my favorite albums of all time. In commemoration of the anniversary, Sub Pop plans to release a deluxe edition of Give Up, and a tour – including an appearance at Coachella – is rumored to be in the works.

MUSIC RELEASES

Bad Religion – True North (Epitaph)
It's been about 34 years since they formed and this is the band's16th studio album, yet Bad Religion are still as relevant as ever. True North is chock full of their trademark biting yet eloquent lyrics, and songs like "Robin Hood in Reverse" and "Land of Endless Greed" are sure to get mosh pits going. They play s sold-out show at the Echo tomorrow night, but at 3 p.m. (PST) today you can watch a short live set and Q&A being broadcast from KROQ's Red Bull Sound Space via their website.

Big Harp – Chain Letters (Saddle Creek)
I've seen Stefanie Drootin-Senseney perform with Bright Eyes, She & Him and the Good Life – the band she was playing with when she met future husband and Big Harp musical partner, Chris Senseney. Her vibrant energy is undeniable on stage and no less palpable on Chain Letters, while his sensual, sonorous voice drips lyrical stories. See them at a free in-store tonight at Origami Vinyl or Friday night at Hotel Café.

FIDLAR – Self-titled (Mom & Pop)
One of the year's most anticipated albums, the L.A. quartet's self-titled debut explodes with frenetic screams, howls and screeches underlined and accentuated with infectious basslines and drum beats to get any crowd moving. Since 2009, FIDLAR has cultivated their sound, relentlessly touring with the likes of Black Lips, OFF!, Japanther and the Hives and releasing two EPs. Catch them at the LA Fort in Downtown tonight or at Amoeba for a free in-store on Thursday.

He's My Brother, She's My Sister – Nobody Dances in This Town (Park the Van)
Hands down one of the hottest new acts in Los Angeles, the fivesome – headed by sibling vocalists Robert and Rachel Kolar and featuring tap-dancing drummer Lauren Brown – is completely unique. From foot-stomping blues and cabaret, clap-along folk and all-out glam rock, He's My Brother, She's My Sister does it all – and they do it all very well. Trust me, you're going to love them.

The Joy Formidable – Wolf's Law (Atlantic)
The Welsh trio broke out in 2011 with "Whirring" off The Big Roar and decided to hunker down in a tiny town in Maine to write a follow-up, resulting in Wolf's Law. Boasting tracks like "Maw Maw," "This Ladder Is Ours" and "Bats," the Joy Formidable is poised to make turn even more heads with this release.

The Night Marchers – Allez Allez (Swami)
With a pedigree that includes the likes of Hot Snakes, Rocket from the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu and Beehive and the Barracudas, the Night Marchers return with a sophomore effort that pulsates with a seething energy. Allez Allez kicks off with the blues-heavy "Tropical Depression," gets in-your-face during "Loud, Dumb and Mean," reflective in "Pain" and snarling with "Fisting the Fan Base."

Pillowfight – Self-titled (Bulk) 

Whether it's his work with Handsome Boy Modeling School, Detron 3030, Gorillaz or Head Automatica, Dan the Automator is one of my favorite producers. Pair his prowess with the sultry lead vocals of hip-hop violinist Emily Wells, Kid Koala on the 1s and 2s and Lateef the Truthspeaker contributing backing vocals, and you have a bona fide supergroup in Pillowfight. Their self-titled debut's tracks will have you head-nodding, while it's artwork by David Choe will have you oohing and aahing.

Also available – Aaron Neville's My True Story; Adam Ant's Adam Ant Is the BlueBlack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner's Daughter; Alasdair Roberts & Friends' A Wonder Working Stone; Arbouretum's Coming Out of the Fog; Camper Van Beethoven's La Costa Perdida; Carrie Rodriguez's Give Me All You Got; Foxygen's We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic; Gary Allan's Set You Free; The Growlers' Hung at Heart; Guided By Voices' Down By the Racetrack; Hilly Eye's Reasons to Live; Jeffrey Novak's Baron in the Trees; The Lone Bellow's Self-titled; Love and Death's Between Here & Lost; Nightlands' Oak Island; Nosaj Thing's Home; Otep's Hydra; Petra Haden's Petra Goes to the Movies; Poppy Ackroyd's Escapement; Ra Ra Riot's Beta Love; Randy Houser's How Country Feels; Say Anything's All My Friends Are Enemies: Early Rarities; The Shadowboxers' Red Room; Shugo Tokumaru's In Focus?; Speck Mountain's Badwater; This Town Needs Guns' 13.0.0.0.0; Toro Y Moi's Anything in Return; Trapt's Reborn; Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown's Wild Child; The Used's Vulnerable (II); Widowspeak's Almanac

DVD RELEASES

Film – Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña star as L.A. cops in David Ayer's edgy End of Watch; For a Good Time, Call… stars Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller and Justin Long; Patton Oswalt and Johnny Knoxville in Nature Calls; John Krasinski and Olivia Thirlby in Nobody Walks; Precious' Lee Daniels adapts Pete Dexter's The Paperboy with a cast that includes Nicole Kidman, John Cusack, Matthew McConaughey, David Oyelowo and Zac Efron; Searching for Sugar Man is the story of '70s rock icon Rodriguez

TV – Kendra: Season 4; The Men Who Built America; Scarecrow & Mrs. King: Complete Fourth Season

Also available – Death Race 3: Inferno; Fat Kid Rules the World; Hansel & Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft; Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai; Keep the Lights On; Officer Down; Pina (Criterion Collection); Tai Chi Zero