STREET SIGNS - We Never Die

This is another mural at the Branded Arts complex at 8810 Washington Boulevard in Culver City, which is scheduled to be torn down at the end of this month. Several of the pieces, including this one by Los Angeles' Cyrcle collective, are going to be preserved and put on display at Culver City High School. Warren Brand, curator of the project, is working on a documentary to capture the entire process. You can watch the trailer and contribute to the film's completion here.

New Release Tuesday 10/8/13

Oct. 8, 2013

MUSIC

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – The Speed of Things (Warner Bros.)
One of my favorite things about Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott is that they rarely take take anything too seriously, which isn't to say that they aren't serious when it comes to crafting infectiously good, indie pop gems. There is a carefree effortlessness and humor in all of their tracks, though, and these traits infuse their sophomore full-length with joy and fun. Just try listening to first single from The Speed of Things, "If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't on the Dancefloor)," or "Hiding" without breaking into dance with a smile on your face. It's impossible. They'll be swinging through Los Angeles at the Wiltern on Nov. 6, so make sure to bring your dancing shoes.

Deap Vally – Sistrionix (Cherrytree/Communion/Interscope/Island)
Drummer Julie Edwards and guitarist Lindsey Troy may have met at a crochet class in the L.A. neighborhood of Atwater Village, but their music is far from relaxing or tranquil. Their vocal howls and screeches join together on their debut for one powerful rock roar that is the all-female answer to duos like the White Stripes and the Black Keys. "If our mothers only knew the trouble that we get into," they sing on Sistrionix's "Bad for My Body," and their mothers, as well as the rest of the world, are about to find out just what kind of mayhem the two can create.

Glasser – Interiors (True Panther Sounds)
After releasing her debut, 2010's Ring, Cameron Mesirow (aka Glasser) left Los Angeles for the crowded sidewalks of Manhattan and experienced the end of a longterm relationship, two events that sparked an exploration on the theme of space, both within and without an individual, that influenced the dozen tracks that appear on her second album. Prone to bouts of mild agoraphobia, the close confines of downtown Manhattan helped ease Glasser into her new city so she could focus on creating Interiors with her partner and producer Van Rivers. The resulting songs are gorgeous, intricately layered sonic landscapes that you'll be happy to get lost in. She performs at Hollywood Forever's Masonic Lodge on Thursday (Oct. 10) and as part of KCRW's annual Halloween Masquerade on Oct. 26.

The Fratellis – We Need Medicine (BMG)
After a few years apart, the Scottish trio reunite with a new album full of songs chock full of the energetic guitar-pop that put them on the map with the release of Costello Music in 2006 and its follow-up, Here We Stand. While tracks like "This Old Ghost Town" and "Seven Nights Seven Days" will undoubtedly get you moving, it's the darker "Rock 'n' Roll Will Break Your Heart" that leaves a lasting impression. See all the Fratellis live on Nov. 12 at the Fonda.

Lissie – Back to Forever (Fat Possum)
If you listened to "Morning Becomes Electic" yesterday, you probably caught Lissie performing tracks from her sophomore effort, the follow-up to 2010's Catching a Tiger. The Ojai-based singer-songwriter spoke of her continuing evolution as an artist and working with Jacknife Lee (R.E.M., Silversun Pickups) on Back to Forever, which indeed sees her injecting more rock into her folk- and country-laced songs. Standouts include "Further Away (Romance Police)," "Sleepwalking" and "I Don't Wanna Go to Work." Can't wait to see the new songs performed live when Lissie visits the Fonda on Dec. 9.

Sleigh Bells – Bitter Rivals (Mom + Pop)
It's crazy how fast vocalist Alexis Krauss and guitarist-producer Derek Miller churn out new material. The Brooklyn duo only came together in 2008 and release their third album today. Just because they produce tracks fast and furiously doesn't mean that they aren't always striving for even better and more creative paths. Whether it's the snappy title track, smooth as silk "Sugarcane" or the breathy pop ballad "To Hell With You," Sleigh Bells are as in your face as ever with their uncompromising melding of genres on Bitter Rivals. Make sure to catch their Oct. 18 show at the El Rey, because if you like their albums you will love their live performances.

Also available – Alex Chilton's Electricity By Candlelight; Alter Bridge's Fortress; Amos Lee Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song; Anna Calvi's One Breath; The Basement Chronicles compilation; Blacklisters' BLKLSTRS; Born Gold's I Am an Exit; Cage the Elephant's Melophobia; Chase and Status' Brand New Machine; Clara May's American Desi; Darkside's Psychic; Dave Hause's Devour; Ezra Furman's Day of the Dog; Fast Romantics' Afterlife Blues; Fronds' self-titled; Jason Derulo's Tattoos; Kenny Rogers' You Can't Make Old Friends; Kodaline's In a Perfect World; Korn's Paradigm Shift; Lee Ranaldo and the Dust's Last Night on Earth; A Loss for Words' Before It Caves; Miley Cyrus' Bangerz; of Montreal's Lousy with Sylvianbriar; Panic! at the Disco's Too Weird to Love, Too Rare to Die; PAPA's Tender Madness; Patty Griffin's Silver Bell; Pusha T's My Name Is My Name; Richie Ramone's Entitled; RJD2's More Is Than Isn't; Save Your Breath's There Used to Be a Place for Us; SWF's Let It Be Told; Tim Kasher's Adult Film; Tony Dekker's Prayer of the Woods; The Toxic Avenger's Romance & Cigarettes; Turin Brakes' We Were Here; VV Brown's Samson & Delilah

BOOKS

The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz (Abrams)
Award-winning film and television critic Matt Zoller Seitz puts forth the first extensive examination of filmmaker Wes Anderson's career thus far. The book includes unpublished photos, artwork and interviews with the writer-director behind such films as Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Moonrise Kingdom and, my favorite, The Royal Tenenbaums, as well as an introduction by Michael Chabon. If you are a lover of the auteur then you will love that the work successfully captures his unique flair for the original, and if you have yet to see any of his film, perhaps the book will encourage you to see what all the fuss is about.

Also available – The Can't Cook Book by Jessica Seinfeld; The Circle by Dave Eggers; Confessions by James Patterson; Eat to Live Cookbook by Joel Fuhrman; Focus by Daniel Goleman; Four Blood Moons by John C. Hagee; Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson; Hitler's Furies by Wendy Lower; The House of Hades by Rick Riordan; I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai; League of Denial by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru; My Story by Elizabeth Smart; Raise the Bar by Jon Taffer; The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch; Rose Kennedy's Family Album by Caroline Kennedy; Solo by William Boyd; Starry Night by Debbie Macomber; Storm Front by John Sandford

DVDS

Film – Joss Whedon's wonderful, modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing was filmed in only 12 days at his L.A. home and stars Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker and Nathan Filliion; After Earth, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, centers around Jaden and Will Smith crash-landing on Earth, years after humanity has abandoned the planet; Jacob Hatley's documentary, Ain't In It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm, follows the Band founding member as he created his first album in 25 years; Todd Phillips reunites the gang (Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms) in The Hangover Part III; Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey are parents trying to keep their family safe during the 12-hour period of The Purge

TV – 90210: The Fifth Season; Alaska: The Last Frontier; American Horror Story: Asylum; Bones: The Complete Eighth Season; The Middle: The Complete Third Season; Psych: The Complete Seventh Season; Robot Chicken: Season Six; White Collar: Season Four

Also available – After Effect; The Beautiful Beast; Curse of Chucky; Europa Report; The Guild: Season Six; Hello Herman; Home Run; How to Seduce a Virgin; In the Flesh; In Hell; Lifeguard; The Look of Love; Midnight's Children; Nothing Left to Fear; Oral Generation; The Secret of Crickley Hall; Shiver; Stuck in Love; Studio C; Vampira and Me; Virgin and the Lover + Lustful Feelings; Zombie Hunter

Events for Oct. 3-9, 2013

Get with THE PROGRAM

 

THURSDAY, OCT 3

Director Derek Cianfrance (middle) on the set of
The Place Beyond the Pines (Atsushi Nishijima)

 

FILM

Derek Cianfrance @ Aero Theatre (Santa Monica)
The director/screenwriter discusses his films in between an American Cinematheque double feature of his last two works, The Place Beyond the Pines and Blue Valentine. First up is The Place Beyond the Pines, a crime drama centered around carnival motorcycle stuntman Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling) who turns to bank robbery as a way to provide for his son. Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes also star. 2010's Blue Valentine was Cianfrance's first time working with Gosling, who, along with Michelle Williams, is part of a married couple whose relationship is documented over the course of several years. Both films are fantastic character studies that explore familial relationships in powerful ways.

FRIDAY, OCT. 4

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Adam Scott is a seemingly well-adjusted Adult Child of Divorce in A.C.O.D.; All is Bright stars Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd as Christmas tree salesmen in NYC; "Childrens Hospital"'s Ken Marino stars as a man with a demon living in his intestine in Bad Milo!; The amazing Alfonso Cuarón directs Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts who, during a routine space walk, are stranded in space in Gravity; Parkland, with Zac Efron, Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton and Jacki Weaver; Runner Runner stars Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake and Gemma Arterton. Also in theaters: Argento's Dracula 3D; Besharam; Concussion; Grace Unplugged; Let the Fire Burn; Linsanity; Nothing Left to Fear; Pulling Strings; Running Wild: The Life of Dayton O. Hyde; The Summit

FOOD

Thai and Korean Street Market Festival @ Heirloom LA (Eagle Rock)
Heirloom LA and Poketo are throwing an event to celebrate Korean and Thai street food and drink from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m in Heirloom LA's salon garden. Aside from the delicious Kyochon-style chicken wings, grilled Kalbi Beef and Bulgogi Pork, there are Boat Noodle Soup, meatballs, a lettuce wrap station (with Larb, crispy pork and spicy eggplant options) and sweet treats to round out the menu. The evening promises music, movies and a photo booth, too.

SATURDAY, OCT. 5

BOOKS

Nick Offerman @ New Beverly Cinema (Mid-City West)
The "Parks and Recreation" funnyman made his literary debut with Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living this week and celebrates the release with an event where he presents and signs copies of the book. The $31.95 admission fee includes a copy of the book, which offers tales from his childhood, early days in theater and as a carpenter, as well as his courting of wife Megan Mullally. Expect hilarious anecdotes and life lessons concerning "manliness, love, style, religion, woodworking and outdoor recreation."

CULTURE

BEDROCKtoberfest @ Bedrock L.A. (Echo Park)
The studio and rehearsal space hosts its first annual music, magic and beer block party. Musical performers include Wu-Tang Clan mastermind RZA, Liam Finn, Twin Shadow & Wynn and Vanaprasta, while the magic stage features Jon Armstrong, David and Leeman and Rob Zabrecky. The $30 general admission ticket includes one drink ticket ($50 VIP includes food and a hosted bar), and festivities run from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

MUSIC

Way Over Yonder @ Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica)
The legendary Newport Folk Festival heads west for the first time with two days of musical greatness. Each day features acts on two stages with Neko Case, Brett Dennen, Justin Townes Earle, Calexico, Shovels & Rope and the Eagle Rock Gospel Singers on the Main Stage and Dave Simonett, Jessica Pratt, Neal Casal and Jenny O. on the acoustic Carousel Stage Saturday. Sunday's Main Stage lineup includes Conor Oberst, First Aid Kit, the Felice Brothers, Jonathan Wilson, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down and Joel Rafael, while Hurray for the Riff Raff, Spirit Family Reunion, Aaron Embry and Frank Fairfield are set for the Carousel.

SUNDAY, OCT. 6

FILM

Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records @ Exposition Park (South Los Angeles)
If you're a music lover living in Los Angeles, then you know of Stones Throw and its stable of artists that includes Mayer Hawthorne, Aloe Blacc, Dam-Funk and Madlib among many others. Founded by DJ Peanut Butter Wolf in 1996, the story of the label is being told to the world in a new feature-length documentary from director Jeff Broadway with plenty of concert footage, home video and interviews with the likes of Common, Mike D, Kanye West, Talib Kewli and Flying Lotus. Street Food Cinema screens the film at 7:30 p.m., but come early for DJ sets from PBW and KCRW's Garth Trinidad and food from food trucks that include Hungry Nomad, Romolo's and Bollywood Bites.

TUESDAY, OCT. 8

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside (Liz Devine)

MUSIC

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside @ The Satellite  (Silver Lake) 
Listening to songs like "Party Kids" and "They Told Me" from the Portland, Ore. quartet's latest album, Untamed Beast, that released earlier this year, it's hard to concentrate on anything other than having fun. It's a good thing they're swinging through Los Angeles again, because I'm in need of a good party with their soulful and gritty brand of rock that's anchored by the witty lyrics and powerful vocals of Sallie Ford.

THEATER

"Wait Until Dark" @ Geffen Playhouse (Westwood)
The world premiere of this new adaptation of Frederick Knott's 1966 play and 1967 film (starring Audrey Hepburn) of the same name puts a twist on the classic placing the story in a different time and setting. The production is just as full of chills and thrills, though. Alison Pill, from HBO's "The Newsroom," stars as Susan, alongside a cast that also includes Adam Stein, Mather Zickel, Rod McLachlan, Matt McTighe and Brighid Fleming. Running through Nov. 17.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9

MUSIC

Dan Croll @ Troubadour (West Hollywood)
The Liverpool singer-songwriter made his US debut with the From Nowhere EP earlier this year, and with tracks like his latest single, "In/Out," Croll continues to capture acclaim across the country. As we await his first full-length release, he's touring the states with a stop at the Troubadour this evening. It's impossible not to smile while dancing to his fun songs that run the gamut genre-wise. I can't think of a better way to get through the mid-week slump than this show.

SHOW REVIEWS - Pokey LaFarge 10/1/13

Pokey LaFarge at the Echo

Pokey LaFarge

Oct. 1, 2013 @ The Echo

Walking into a Pokey LaFarge show is like going to Dapper Day at Disneyland and joining a campfire gathering in 1800s Appalachia all at once. Bearded men wearing flannels and suspenders, and women in 1940s dresses and hairdos peppered the audience at the Echo as the Illinois native and his band kicked off the evening with their rendition of "St. Louis Blues" in honor of his adopted hometown in Missouri. Anyone who hadn't already broken into a sweat to the foot-stomping tunes of openers RT N' the 44s, including their ode to their L.A. neighborhood of "El Sereno" anchored by the Johnny Cash-reminiscent vocals of RT Valine, soon became drenched as bodies began shimmying to LaFarge's melodies.

With a blend of ragtime, country, swing, blues and jazz, LaFarge artfully crafts timeless songs that simultaneously make you feel as if you're in a glamorous scene from "Boardwalk Empire" (It's no wonder that he was asked to contribute to the show's soundtrack.) and simply stumbled into his living room to witness an impromptu jam session. This music is for everyone, and there is nothing forced or contrived about his stage presence or performance.

The set primarily consisted of songs from his latest album, a self-titled effort that released in June. Tracks like "Bowlegged Woman," "What the Rain Will Bring" and "Central Time" had the crowd swinging and singing along in no time flat. He treated the audience to Hoagy Carmichael and Lefty Frizzell covers and a song he composed for the 2011 documentary Brick By Chance and Fortune, as well as tunes like "Claude Jones" from his first release with the South City Three, 2010's Riverboat Soul.

Members from that trio, bassist Joey Glynn and percussionist Ryan Koenig, still shine as part of LaFarge's ensemble, particularly Koenig, whenever he picks up his washboard or harmonica. Guitarist Adam Hoskins electrifies songs with his seemingly effortless skill, although many were a bit disappointed when he didn't take up LaFarge's challenge to break into a punk rock song in the middle of their set. Clarinetist Chloe Feoranzo is a joy to watch as she and TJ Muller (on cornet and trombone) add Dixieland flair to the numbers.

The spotlight never fails to find their lead troubadour, though, as he breaks into a frenetic riff on his acoustic guitar or belts out a chorus. Just listening to his albums at home, it's sometimes hard to believe that LaFarge is only 30 years old. With his witty between-song banter and boundless energy, he really comes to life on stage. LaFarge is a masterful storyteller who pulls an audience into the palm of his hand after just a few bars of a song – the mark of a truly great bandleader of any genre or era.

New Release Tuesday 10/1/13

Oct. 1, 2013

MUSIC

Beatles Reimagined (Community)
This new album commemorates the 50th anniversary of Beatles songs from 1963-4, such as "From Me to You," "She Loves You" and "And I Love Her." With contributions from Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros ("I Saw Her Standing There") and Leftover Cuties ("There's A Place"), as well as eight up-and-coming artists, Beatles Reimagined unites acts from various genres to not only cover but put their own stamp on the classic tracks.

Brianna Lea Pruett – Gypsy Bells (Canyon)
The Northern Californian singer-songwriter draws from a wide range of influences – from the Leonard Cohen, Roberta Flack and Jimi Hendrix albums of her parents' vinyl collections and songs from her Cherokee and Choctaw heritage to her discovery of artists like Mazzy Star and Neko Case. Her debut is an artful blend of the many genres (folk, jazz, rock, blues) that have peppered her musical experiences in 12 deeply honest tracks. Gypsy Bells captivates, from opener "No Diamond Ring" through the sweet "Shine for You" and on to the haunting "Live Wire."

Dr. Dog – B-Room (ANTI)
The latest album from the Philly fivesome is their first to be created in their brand-new studio of the same name. They used the space that was formerly an abandoned silversmith factory to record each track live, attempting to capture their stage energy and talents on B-Room. They definitely succeeded on songs like "Broken Heart," "Distant Light" and "Phenomenon." Don't miss the opportunity to see the new tracks actually performed live: Tickets for their Feb. 27 show at the Wiltern go on presale this Thursday (Oct. 3) at 10 a.m.

HAIM – Days Are Gone (Columbia)
The only excuse I might permit any Angelenos for not already being fans of the Haim sisters (Este, Danielle and Alana) is that you've spent the past few years in a music-barren coma. You would have had to be in isolation to have not heard of the San Fernando Valley trio, as they've shared the stage with everyone from Julian Casablancas and the Bird and the Bee to Ke$ha and Group Love. HAIM finally release their debut, Days Are Gone, which boasts favorites like "Falling," "Forever" and "Don't Save Me" along with new tracks that include first single "The Wire" and "Days Are Gone," co-written with Kid Harpoon and Jessie Ware. Sorry to all latecomers, but their next hometown date at the Fonda on Oct. 16 is already sold out.

Lorde – Pure Heroine (Universal)
Another female who has several sold-out L.A. dates under her belt unveils a debut album this week. Ella Yelich-O'Connor, aka Lorde, turns 17 next month, but I have a feeling that she will remember 2013 for many reasons beyond that. If you haven't already succumbed to the aural addiction that is "Royals," which has gone triple Platinum in her native New Zealand, there is plenty more to love from Lorde on Pure Heroine. You'll be head nodding along to the album from the opening bars of "Tennis Court" to "Team," while sitting back as her clear vocals shine on tracks like "Ribs" and "Buzzcut Season." Hopefully Lorde will continue to inject her inventive lyrics and infectious beats into the musical landscape for many years and albums to come.

Also available – Agnes Obel's Aventine; Alpaca's Demimonde; Black Moth's The Killing Jar; The Blind Boys of Alabama's I'll Find a Way; Blitzen Trapper's VII; The Blow's self-titled; Boogarins' As Plantas Que Curam; Brendan Canning's You Gots 2 Chill; Cumulus' I Never Meant It To Be Like This; Deep Dark Woods' Jubilee; Deltron 3030's Event II; Elf Power's Sunlight on the Moon; FUZZ's self-titled; Gambles' Trust; Grails' Black Tar Prophecies Vol. 4, 5 & 6; Hank3's Brothers of the 4x4 and A Fiendish Threat; The Illumination's Departures; Jef Barbara's Soft to the Touch; Joan Jett's Unvarnished; Jucifer's There Is No Land Beyond the Volga; Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2; Land of Kush's The Big Mango; The Melismatics' Rising Tide; Melt-Banana's Fetch; Moby's Innocents; Nelly's M.O.; Oddisee's The Beauty in All; Okta Logue's Tales of Transit City; Oneohtrix Point Never's R Plus Seven; Phèdre's Golden Age; Polvo's Siberia; Quasi's Mole City; Raccoon Fighter's Zil; Ransom & Statik Selektah's The Proposal; Saint Rich's Beyond the Drone; Static Jacks' In Blue; Sub Focus' Torus; Tancred's self-titled; Teen Daze's Glacier; Those Darlins' Blur the Line; Tired Pony's The Ghost of the Mountain; TriBeCaStan's New Songs from the Old Country; Yuck's Glow & Behold

BOOKS

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (Viking)
Best known for her 2006 memoir, Eat Pray Love, the author returns to fiction with a new novel that The Wall Street Journal calls "the most ambitious and purely imaginative work in her 20-year career." The Signature of All Things follows Alma Whittaker, a 19th-century botanist researching evolution. When she falls in love with an artist named Amrbose, the avid scientist is drawn into the realm of the spiritual, divine and magical.

Also available – Break Out! by Joel Osteen; David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell; Egghead by Bo Burnham; Expatriates by James Wesley Rawles; Like Dreamers by Yossi Klein Halevi; One Summer by Bill Bryson; Paddle Your Own Canoe by Nick Offerman; The Story of the Human Body by Daniel Lieberman; There's More to Life Than This by Theresa Caputo; Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller; Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph

DVDS

Film – Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson face the apocalypse at James Franco's house in This Is the End; 'Tis the season for all things terrifying. Get into the spirit with The Amityville Horror Trilogy; The Croods features the cavemen voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds and Catherine Keener; Nicolas Cage is an Alaska State Trooper helping a young woman (Vanessa Hudgens) bring a serial killer (John Cusack) to justice in The Frozen Ground

TV – Beauty & the Beast: The First Season; Glee: The Complete Fourth Season; How I Met Your Mother: Season Eight; New Girl: The Complete Second Season

Music – Al Green's Golden Hits Collection; Bob and the Monster (with score and soundtrack by Josh Klinghoffer); Frankie Miller's Live at Rockpalast; Going Underground: Paul McCartney, the Beatles, and the UK Counter-Culture; The Hollies' In Performance 1968; Linda Ronstadt's Love Has No Pride; Nine Inch Nails' Sound & Vision; RPWL's A Show Beyond Man and Time

Also available – 100 Bloody Acres; Abandoned Mine; Amy; Beast: A Monster Among Men; Beyond the Heavens; Big Parade; Book of Daniel; Cold War; Dead Before Dawn; A Fierce Green Fire; Fright Night 2: New Blood; Hallows Eve; My Father and the Man in Black: Growing up with Johnny Cash; An Oversimplification of Beauty; Season of Miracles; So This Is Christmas; Underground: The Julian Assange Story; The Undershepherd

Events for Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2013

Get with THE PROGRAM

THURSDAY, SEPT. 26

EXHIBITS

John Fogerty: Wrote a Song for Everyone @ The Grammy Museum (Downtown)
The new exhibit, named for the singer-songwriter/guitarist's latest solo album, commemorates its opening with a sold-out performance from the former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman tonight. Running through January 2014, the exhibit features Fogerty's personal scrapbook from his time with CCR, the handwritten lyrics for "Proud Mary," their original recording contract, special guitars, photographs, costumes, posters and much more from his time with the band and as a solo artist.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 27

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Baggage Claim stars Paula Patton, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Luke and Taye Diggs; Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Neil Patrick Harris and Andy Samberg reprise their voice roles in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2; Don Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's screenwriting and directorial debut, focuses on a good, old-fashioned guy addicted to porn, who meets his match in a good, old-fashioned girl (Scarlett Johansson); Morning stars Leland Orser and Jeanne Tripplehorn as a couple dealing with the tragic death of their only child; A documentary about the influential music of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Also in theaters: GMO OMG; Herb & Dorothy 50X50; Inequality for All; Metallica: Through the Never; The Secret Lives of Dorks; We Are What We Are; Wedding Palace; Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon

THEATER

"The Human Spirit" @ Stella Adler Theatre (Hollywood)
After the deaths of her husband, brother and mother, Carole Eglash-Kosoff dedicated her life to working in the black townships of South Africa where she interviewed over 50 people about their experiences under apartheid. While Nelson Mandela was in prison and citizens had to deal with clean water and sanitation issues, as well as the explosion of the AIDS epidemic, individuals of all colors and religions worked tirelessly to make South Africa a better place. Eglash-Kosoff published these inspiring stories in a book called The Human Spirit, which is adapted for the stage at Stella Adler for four performances through Sunday afternoon.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28

FILM

The Princess Bride @ Glendale Central Park (Glendale)
Although it was released 26 years ago, The Princess Bride's unforgettable characters, like Buttercup and Westley, Inigo Montoya, Fezzik and Prince Humperdinck are still so beloved. Street Food Cinema screens the Rob Reiner adaptation of the William Goldman novel on its inflatable screen after a performance from local band Grey Eastern. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., so you have plenty of time to grab some grub from the Currywurst, FryGirl or Umami Burger Truck, among others, and find the perfect place to set down your blanket.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 29

AM & Shawn Lee

CULTURE

Abbot Kinney Festival – on Abbot Kinney Blvd. between Brooks Ave. & Venice Blvd. (Venice)
The annual community festival continues to grow bigger each year, and its 29th installment is no exception. There are free musical performances from the likes of AM & Shawn Lee, Chain Gang of 1974, Y Luv, and Victory on two stages, one at Brooks Avenue and the other at the Brig (Palms Ave.). Downtown Dogs, Kogi, Border Grill and Baby's Badass Burgers are just a few of the food trucks that will be hanging out at Main Street and Rialto Avenue, while Firestone Walker, Stella Artois and Newcastle host beer gardens to quench your thirst.

West Hollywood Book Fair @ West Hollywood Park (West Hollywood)
The 12th annual festival features literature, art, film, culinary and music events on 12 outdoor stages and indoor venues. Christopher Rice, Sally Kellerman and Debbie Reynolds (with a screening of Singin' in the Rain afterwards) are all scheduled to discuss their current books. There are discussions panels on the city and its stories with Jonathan Gold, Laurie Ochoa and Joseph Mattson; punk music with D.H. Peligro, Jack Grisham and Dave Markey; and love and lust with Allison Gee, Diana Raab and Shohreh Aghdashloo. Evan Kleiman, Aida Mollenkamp and Claire Thomas are set to appear in the Culinary Pavilion. In addition, there's a poetry corner, artist workshops and LGBT-centric discussions.

FOOD

Thai Food Festival @ Paramount Studios (Hollywood)
If you love the intricacies of Thai cuisine, then this the event for you. Join L.A. chefs such as Sang Yoon (He should have won "Top Chef Masters"!), David LeFevre and Susan Feniger, along with Portland's Andy Ricker, for a culinary tour of Thailand's four regions. Restaurants like Jitlada, Siam Sunset and Ruen Pair will also offer a sampling of authentic, traditional fare. Immerse yourself further in the culture with classical and folk dancing, umbrella painting and Muay Thai martial arts demos.

MUSIC

Menomena @ Echoplex (Echo Park)
Multi-instrumentalists Justin Harris and Danny Seim released Moms, the fifth Menomena album – their first as a duo – last year, and it's been called their heaviest and most aggressive to date. The guys are joined on the bill by another Portland duo, the Helio Sequence. Should make for quite a night.

TUESDAY, OCT. 1

MUSIC

Frightened Rabbit @ Avalon (Hollywood)
The Scottish fivesome just released a new EP, Late March, Death March, a few weeks ago, and frontman Scott Hutchinson says of the title track: "This song takes a fairly commonplace, mundane event (an argument on the way home from a night of drinking) and adds a fair bit of melodrama, mimicking the gasoline effect of pouring a drink on an argument, I suppose. I've always loved elevating 'the everyday' into something larger and louder than it actually is. These small things can seem so serious and earth shattering at the time, then you wake up and you can see how daft you both were." It's a sure bet that you'll hear some of these new tracks, as well as many from their fourth album, Pedestrian Verse from earlier this year at the show tonight.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2

MUSIC

Moby @ The Fonda (Hollywood)
Moby marks this week's release of his 11th studio album, Innocents, with a three-night celebration at the Fonda. The album, his first endeavor with an outside producer (Mark "Spike" Stent), concentrates on collaborations with the likes of Wayne Coyne, Damien Jurado and Inyang Bassey. Innocents also features contributions from Mark Lanegan, Cold Specks and Skylar Grey, who will all be appearing on the Fonda stage. Each night will be divided into two parts: songs from Innocents during the first half and selections from Moby's entire catalog in the second. These shows aren't just the debut of the new tracks, they're the only ones that he's planning to do worldwide in the near future. So, don't miss out!

L.A. HAVENS - Vista Hermosa Park

VISTA HERMOSA NATURAL PARK

100 N. Toluca St., Los Angeles (Westlake)

Many people wouldn't believe that one of the most serene places in Los Angeles could be found nestled between a bunch of apartment buildings, homes, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater and the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center just a few minutes northwest of Downtown. Opened in 2008 by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), Vista Hermosa, which translates to 'beautiful view' in Spanish, provides exactly what its name promises and more.

Part of Vista Hermosa's walking trail

The views of the Downtown skyline are unparalleled during the park's sunrise to sunset hours. You can't really enjoy the skyscrapers from this close in as clean and pleasant atmosphere as Vista Hermosa. It's hard to imagine that the site, full of lush green meadows and native plants like sage, chaparral, manzanita, toyon and deer grass, was once part of the abandoned Los Angeles City Oil Field.

As the first new public park built in the area since 1895, it was designed by Mia Lehrer + Associates with sustainability and conservation in mind. All 10.5 acres of the park act as a self-contained watershed: Every drop of rain is filtered by its meadows and bioswales for collection in the city's underground aquifer or for irrigating the park. The ranger station and restroom buildings have "green" roofs with plants that capture rainwater and provide insulation. There are no lighting fixtures in the restrooms because they're lit by the sun's rays, and the park isn't open after dark.

I found out about the park a few years ago when my son's soccer team practiced on the turf field that is located on the side of the park that faces 1st Street. You can still find me at Vista Hermosa at least once a week, enjoying the Downtown view in peace and quiet on my favorite bench that is perched on a grassy knoll at the far east side of the Upper Field. The park is never that crowded. You'll see people lounging on the grass or walking their dogs on the trail; since the park is next to a high school there will often be high-school couples whispering and holding hands on weekday afternoons.

There are plenty of tables to enjoy a picnic and a waterfall that provides the perfect setting for sitting down to read a book. While you won't find a traditional playground area with a swing set or monkey bars, children can climb and slide down replicas of a giant turtle and snake that were constructed with the help of film studio prop artists.

There is also a grotto amphitheater with rock benches jutting from patches of grass, which is often used for MRCA's educational community programs. Vista Hermosa is the gateway for the Santa Monica Mountains' Transit to Trails program that offers free transit to places like Charmlee Wilderness Park on Oct. 12 or Temescal Gateway Park on Nov. 2. There are also fun events such as Oct. 23's Howl-een at the Moon with campfire songs, roasting marshmallows and stories about local critters like snakes, owls and bats and Nov. 13's Fall Campfire.