Alela Diane – About Farewell (Rusted Blue) Hailing from Nevada City, Calif., but currently based in Portland, Ore., the folk singer-songwriter spent a year putting finishing touches on her latest album, which serves as a firm goodbye to former lovers, including her experiences in a recent divorce. Needless to say, the songs are somber, yet there is beauty in her complete truthfulness as evidenced in the black-and-white video for the title track. The stripped-down tracks are ideal for showcasing her emotional vocals. About Farewell served as her ultimate catharsis and can help listeners let go of their own pasts as well.
Buddy Guy – Rhythm & Blues (RCA) It's no secret that Buddy Guy is one of my all-time favorite guitarists, and the Chicago bluesman celebrates his 77th birthday today with the release of a new double album. He co-wrote most of the tracks with drummer/producer Tom Hambridge, save for standards like "Poison Ivy," "Well I Done Got Over It" and "Messin' with the Kid," which is a duet with Kid Rock. Rhythm & Blues also contains guest appearances by Keith Urban, Beth Hart, Gary Clark, Jr. and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. Guy's shows are always amazing, so make sure not to miss the debut of some of these songs when he plays at the Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 21.
Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines (Interscope) Even if you don't listen to Top 40 radio, it's been quite hard to avoid the title track from the R&B singer-songwriter's sixth album, Blurred Lines. The single, which features T.I. and Pharrell Williams, hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 back in June and has remained in the top spot ever since, propelling the crooner to worldwide superstardom. The album also boasts tracks produced by Timbaland and will.i.am, as well as a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, the heavily electro club banger "Give It 2 U," that is admittedly not one of my favorites. However, longtime fans will enjoy "Ooo La La, "Ain't No Hat 4 That," and "The Rest of My Life," a love letter to his love since age 16, his wife Paula Patton.
T. Hardy Morris – Audition Tapes (Dangerbird)
The co-founder of Dead Confederate and Diamond Rugs unveils his debut solo album, a collection of songs that he spent the past year crafting from his experiences over the past six years of touring. The singer-songwriter traveled from his home base in Athens, Ga. to producers Adam Landry and Justin Collins' studio in Nashville to record Audition Tapes, which Morris says is "largely about the hometown me and the other guys in Dead Confederate grew up in and the way a lot of the friends we had down there slipped away into their vices." You hear traces of country and new Southern Rock in the album's 10 tracks, from plaintive opener "Lucky" to the straight-forward beauty of closer "Own Worst Enemy."
Also available – AlunaGeorge's Body Music; Backstreet Boys' In A World Like This; Chimaira's Crown of Phantoms; Emblem3's Nothing to Lose; Five Finger Death Punch's The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1; Fortune Howl's Earthbound; Happy Hollows' Amethyst; Heaven's Telepathic Love; Joan of Arc's Testimonium Songs; Kendra Morris' Mockingbird; The Mallard's Finding Meaning in Deference; Michael Franti & Spearhead's All People; Missing Monuments' self-titled; Moreland & Arbuckle's 7 Cities; Pastor Troy's The Streets Need You; Robin Nolan's Gypsy Blue; Russell Howard's City Heart +; Tech N9ne's Something Else; Vince Gill & Paul Franklin's Bakersfield
DVD RELEASES
Film – With a screenplay by Mark Duplass, Black Rock stars director Katie Aselton, Kate Bosworth and Lake Bell, as three childhood friends whose girls' weekend on a remote island turns into a deadly fight for survival; Julia Stiles, Melissa George, Taye Diggs and David Harbour in Between Us; G.I. Joe: Retaliation, the sequel to 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, stars Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, RZA, Adrianne Palicki and Bruce Willis.
TV – The Angry Beavers: The Complete Series; Banshee: Season One; Don Matteo: Set 5 & 6; Kendra on Top: Season 1; Touched By an Angel: The Eighth Season
Music – Bee Gees' One Night Only; Scorpions' Moment of Glory
Also available –55 & Older; An Awkward Sexual Adventure; Assault on Wall Street; Blaze You Out; Dark Minds; The Demented; Filly Brown; Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox; Flying Lessons; Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh; Night Across the Street; A Night for Dying Tigers; Robert Williams: Mr. Bitchin'; Rushlights; Space Warriors; Teen Beach Movie; Under the Bed; Unlucky Charms; War on Whistleblowers: Free Press & The National Security State
Kim West added some pink-hued butterflies fluttering amidst the carnage of a coyote fight captured in her Welcome to Hollywood, Everyone's Gotta Dream. Some Come True, Some Don't. piece from 2009 for this mural located near the main entrance of Wurstküche Restaurant on Traction Avenue (at South Hewitt Street) in the Downtown Arts District. Doesn't it make you hungry for a gourmet sausage and some beer?
The Uncluded @ First Unitarian Church (Koreatown) The duo of rapper Aesop Rock and singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson released their first album of collaborative tracks, Hokey Fright, in the spring and are in the midst of a North American tour, stopping in Los Angeles tonight. You might not expect two such seemingly polar opposite artists' styles to mesh well, but his abstract, spitfire raps married with her childlike vocals, but they make for a endearingly quirky mix. They may have started out as pen pals, but they've developed into a harmonious partnership that is sure to be exciting on stage.
SPORTS
US Open of Surfing @ Main Street & PCH (Huntington Beach) I have so many awesome memories from past outings to this event, and it's the one time of year I truly love returning to my OC roots to be in Huntington. Whether you're there to cheer on your favorite pros in the surf, BMX or skate contests, catch a movie or band (The Faint, Modest Mouse and Matt Costa among others) on the beach or simply to people watch, there is tons of fun to be had for those of any age.
FRIDAY, JULY 26
FILM
In Theaters This Week Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine stars Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Louis C.K. and Bobby Cannavale; Aubrey Plaza is so funny, and she's the only reason I would even consider reliving the early '90s through The To Do List, which also stars Bill Hader, Alia Shawkat and Rachel Bilson; The Wolverine (Hugh Jackman, duh) is pushed into the Japanese world of yakuza and samurai as he battles new enemies and the ghosts of his past. Also in theaters: Breaking the Girls; Frankenstein's Army; Stranded; The Time Being
THEATER
"Chicago" @ Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood) For all the hoopla surrounding Anne Hathaway's performance in Les Mis, I think UK stage fixture Samantha Barks' turn as Eponine was just as remarkable. Barks stars as Velma in the Brooke Shields-directed production of "Chicago" running through Sunday at the Bowl, and I can't wait to see her version of "All That Jazz." Drew Carey, Lucy Lawless, Stephen Moyer (aka vampire Bill of "True Blood") and Ashlee Simpson also get their 1920s razzle-dazzle on in the musical, which the Bowl promises will steam up the night with "sass, brass and ass!"
SATURDAY, JULY 27
"SYTYCD" all-star Twitch
DANCE
National Dance Day @ Grand Park (Downtown) Yes, I was one of those little girls who dreamed of becoming a ballerina, and there is one TV show that I never miss, "So You Think You Can Dance," to revisit my childhood fantasies. In 2010, the show's co-creator Nigel Lythgoe launched National Dance Day, an annual celebration encouraging Americans to embrace dance as a way to maintain health and combat obesity. Each year, his Dizzy Feet Foundation creates instructional videos for people to learn and eventually perform the routine together as part of National Dance Day. The dance event starts at 10 a.m., and Nigel will be on hand along with other "SYTYCD" regulars. That night is also a Celebration of Dance at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, featuring several amazing dance troupes, as well as "SYTYCD," Step Up and "Dancing with the Stars" dancers.
FOOD
LuckyRice Feast @ BookBindery (Culver City) Hosted by Sang Yoon (Father's Office, Lukshon), the second annual event puts the spotlight on innovative and traditional Asian-style dishes from some of the city's brightest chefs and benefits the Center for Asian American Media. The tasting menu includes Chicken Adobo Tacos and Ube Bread Pudding from Barbara Batiste (B Sweet), Shiitake Sliders from R23 and Chili Crab Gumbo with a Buttermilk Beer Beignet and Black Sesame Panna Cotta/Green Tea Lemon Latte Cookie from the Starry Kitchen mavericks. YUM.
MUSIC
Bruno Mars @ Staples Center (Downtown) You may try to deny it, but deep down I think everyone is a Bruno Mars fan. Whether you hum "Just the Way You Are" to yourself in the mirror, have one-person dance parties to "Treasure" and "Locked Out of Heaven" or cry yourself to sleep with "When I Was Your Man," it's like his songs are ingrained in our culture's subconscious. Unleash your inner Hooligan with thousands of others during his two-night stand at the Staples Center with the fabulous Ellie Goulding.
SUNDAY, JULY 28
MUSIC
Legends of Summer Tour @ Rose Bowl (Pasadena) Many say that Bruno Mars is the new JT, but I'm sorry, there is only one Justin Timberlake. So this is unquestionably the show of the week. If you don't trust my judgment about JT, then just take a gander at who his partner is for this tour, Jay (no longer with a hyphen) Z, who on his own would make this a don't-miss concert. You probably don't want to wear heels with your "Suit & Tie" to successfully navigate the Rose Bowl steps and grass, but regardless of your attire, you are undoubtedly going to be required to throw some diamonds in the sky.
FOOD
Chaya Summer Festival @ Chaya Brasserie (Beverly Hills) The Japanese and French fusion restaurant celebrates its 30th anniversary with a summer celebration that includes fire dancers, DJ Eric Sharp, Taiko drummers, bands, a magician, tarot card reader, photo booth, glitter tattoo artists, festival games and unlimited food and beverages. Yes, I said unlimited!
MONDAY, JULY 29
MUSIC
System of a Down @ Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood) The L.A. foursome haven't released a new album since 2005's Hypnotize, but they've continued to maintain a presence at music's forefront through Scars on Broadway and various solo endeavors, as well as continuing awareness campaigns for the Armenian community. After reuniting to perform at various European festivals, SOAD are putting on their lone US show here in their hometown, and they couldn't have picked a better venue to show off their explosive brand of rock at than the Bowl.
"I don't like to call this a project – I call it a band," begins Frankie Anthony, drummer for the Stick People. "I hate the word project. If you want a project, go work on a jigsaw puzzle."
"You wouldn't call a marriage a project, and I consider a band [to be a marriage of sorts]. When you say the word 'project,' it assumes that your full focus is not on it, that it's something you do in your off time. With a band, you live, eat and breathe it," agrees the group's lead guitarist, Bernie Godwin. "I've never considered the Stick People a project, it's what I do. When I'm engineering or anything else with other people, that's a project; it's what I do on the side. This is the bread and butter."
"We all have our own studios and do little things aside from the Stick People, but the Stick People is the main consensus of [our focus]," Frankie adds. "When it's a band of these pop players that's just thrown together, people pick up on it. They also pick up on Green Day, for instance, who have been together for a long time. They've been through a lot of stuff together, and it makes for great material and presence to an audience."
The Stick People, which also includes vocalist Stephen Duffy, guitarist Mike Stone and bassist M.', d'Ziur formed in Los Angeles five years ago, and although its members have formerly been associated with other projects – Frankie with W.W. III, Mike with Queensrÿche/Klover/Criss and Bernie did the soundtrack of Bruce Campbell's My Name is Bruce – all five musicians emphasize that the Stick People is their main priority. Currently gearing up for the release their debut album, Madness, Frankie gathers Stephen, M.'., Bernie and I at one of his favorite sports bars, Game Changers, in Hermosa Beach.
"It's a Steelers bar, and I'm originally from Pittsburgh, so I'm a huge Steelers fan," Frankie confesses, provoking avid Houston Texans fan Stephen to proudly proclaim, "I never come here!"
With several banks of flat-screen televisions blanketing its walls, Game Changers is a sports lover's heaven. Just a short walk from the beach and pier, the social house boasts 54 taps, a full menu of wings, burgers, salads and delectable entrees, providing a welcome respite from the hot summer sun. As we take a seat around a table near the bar's four billiard tables, the guys share some of their other L.A. haunts with me.
"I love to jog in Lake Balboa. I love to work and run, that's pretty much my life," admits Valley native Bernie. "I went to Hollywood Palladium and saw the Deathklok/Machine Head concert. That was an awesome show: great bands, and the place was packed. I got to push around some people in the pit, so that was fun. I have a lot of awesome memories from the Key Club, the Roxy's always killer, and the Viper Room. Even just walking down the Sunset Strip to people watch or going to the Rainbow, you're always going to see somebody there."
"When I was growing up, the only shows I went to were the ones I played at all those places he just named – the Roxy, the Whisky, Gazarri's which became the Key Club – all up and down the Strip. It was my only exposure to venues, these little clubs," remembers M.'..
"I like the food at Canter's Deli," says Stephen. "Especially when we tracked Madness, it was our go-to place after every session, which was usually at midnight or 2 a.m. It's the one place that's always open, and they have a great menu. Whether you want a turkey burger or avocado melt—"
"Or just about anything," continues Bernie. "It's a typical but great Jewish deli that happens to be one of the more famous Hollywood landmarks. Much like Guns N' Roses, it's a Stick People haven."
"Also what we call the Stand, a little taco place on Vine," Stephen adds.
"It's called Cactus Taqueria," corrects Bernie. "You can't go there and have two tacos, you go there to have five or six tacos. You can't hold back, it's just too good."
"We would get out of the studio at 2 a.m., get in the car and go to the Stand," Stephen recalls. "We'd get a plate of tacos, take 'em back to the hotel and pass out."
Madness was recorded at several Hollywood studios with producer Dito Godwin (No Doubt, Kiss, Mötley Crüe) at the helm over the course of a year. When I ask the Stick People what the title refers to, they're quick to respond.
"Madness was the year of having to get the record done," Stephen replies.
"They say there's no such thing as when a record is done, it's just a release date," Bernie continues.
"As far as an artist is concerned, you're never happy with it," clarifies Frankie. "If you're any kind of musician at all, you always go back in and critique yourself, 'I could have done this or this different.'"
"Except for me, I always say damn that's perfect," laughs Stephen. "No, I'm kidding. You constantly listen back, but at some point, you're eventually out of time, and it has to be mastered and be done."
"You just have to take it as inspiration for the next record, and take everything to the next level," sums up Bernie.
Producer Dito, who is also Bernie's father, actually served as matchmaker for the members, playing a pivotal role in the Stick People's formation.
"I started working with Dito, so I met Bernie early on. We jammed together, and he eventually came in on the first original songs that we put together. Dito also brought Frankie in, and we instantly started clicking. A couple of songs later we went this could work, we could form this into an actual band," tells Stephen. "It's one thing when you're in the studio, and we had our differences just like anyone else. But once we hit the stage, all that goes out the window."
Dito also introduced the guys to Mike, but Frankie is responsible for M.'. coming into the fold.
"Frankie contacted me online, and it just went from there," M.'. remembers. "I've been playing music all of my life, but this is the first band that's actually doing something."
M.'. has always been a music lover and clearly recalls buying his first records.
"The first five albums that I bought were all of the Black Sabbath albums from their first one up through Sabbath Bloody Sabbath when I was 9. I saved up my money to buy them all," he says. "Up to that point I was playing piano then I switched over to guitar because I was like, 'How is he doing that?'"
"Yeah man, [Tony] Iommi," sighs Bernie, who was, of course, born into the music industry with Dito as a father.
"A lot of the bands my dad worked with all over the world inspired me in music, but it took me longer to get into it, wanting to make it a profession. I always loved playing music. I did jazz in high school, but for the first 10 years of me playing guitar, my dad would walk into my room and say, 'You're horrible!' He still doesn't sugarcoat things in music; it's very tough love with him. For the past few years I've been engineering and playing guitar for him, so I can take that as a compliment."
As far as cementing his aim of becoming a professional musician, Bernie also attributes inspiration to Black Sabbath.
"When I saw Black Sabbath reunite after Ozzy Osbourne crashed in an ATV and was still alive and killing it, that pretty much told me that if I don't do music then I'm wasting my breath," he says. "Seeing Black Sabbath live is probably what pushed me over the most."
Ozzy Osbourne appears in Frankie's musical history as well.
"I auditioned for Ozzy then got a second call back, but didn't get the gig. At least I got to play with him twice, which was really cool. He's just like you see him on TV, a trippy guy," he smiles. "I started out like Bernie did, though, my father played drums, so from the earliest time I can remember I was always tinkering around his set. I was playing with my dad's jazz and cover bands when I was about 9, he would let me sit in. When I was 14, I went down to Nashville and recorded a gospel album. That was my first experience in a real recording studio and when I learned that there's a big difference between playing live and actually being under the microscope in the studio. Up until that point, I had never played with a metronome or click track. I've always been surrounded by music, everything from country to jazz and big band. I love everything."
Stephen's household growing up was dominated by gospel music, with some classical and country thrown in.
"My uncle conducted the Washington Symphony and toured all over the states, so I got exposed to that. My aunt is a gospel writer, who has had some hits on the top 10. She, my uncle and my father did church tours as a trio," he says. "I was around music from the get-go. I started playing piano when I was 5. My cousin and I would get to church early just so we could play Beethoven and Bach. Growing up I listened mostly to gospel and country (not by choice), and eventually I migrated into reggae and other genres. I didn't really get into rock until the mid-'90s. I was really discouraged to pick up a guitar even though I kept asking for one. I continued complaining, but it wasn't until I was 10 that they said, 'Alright, here.'"
Although they come from different backgrounds, once they were bit by the music bug, determination has been a constant in all of their lives. That drive to succeed bleeds into the lyrics of their first single, "Think About That."
"The basis of 'Think About That' is if you just sit there and never try anything that you're dreaming about, if you don't ask then it's always going to be a no," Frankie tells. "At least if you try, if you go ask, you might get a yes."
"If you get down on yourself, you have to imagine things can always be worse," says Bernie. "There is always someone who has it worse than you – there's so much motivation in that."
The Stick People have hit the road with Quiet Riot and Vince Neil, but a major motivation for going on tour again soon in support of Madness is their change in food choices while traveling.
"With our new tour bus, we're going to be cooking all of our food," M.'. reports.
Frankie laughs, "I can't cook worth a damn, so these guys will take turns cooking."
"We'll not only have a full kitchen, we'll also have a grill we're taking with us," Stephen says. "Prior to that, it's been whatever fits in a bag, like chips, and fast food."
Of course my next question is what their specialties are, to which they reply:
M.'.: I'm really good at soup Stephen: Fajitas and Carne Asada Bernie: I'm good with a grill. I love working with vegetables and different kinds of meat. I live for the flame. If I have an open flame and some food in front of me, I'm going to make it happen.
Frankie won't be doing any of the cooking, and he also won't be doing any of the driving when the band hits the road.
"We have some really good stories about cops pulling us over. Almost every fly-in date, if I was driving I would get a ticket," he frowns. "What's funny is, I've never gotten a ticket in L.A. I finally told them I'm done. I'm not driving anymore!"
Even though Madness has yet to be released, the band continues to work on new material. Since they've grown together as a band over the past few years, the writing process has definitely changed.
"Initially I did 90 percent of the writing, and now that's evolved to everybody contributing ideas. I usually start the process, putting together a full thing, then stripping it down to the basic guitar part I've come up with from the vocals. Frankie adds some of the back-end section and percussion, then Bernie will add his pieces and Mike," Stephen details. "That's one of the interesting things about the album we're writing now, that we've been together for a while. Madness is great, and I think one of the reasons it took so long to record is initially we had the first couple of songs down like that, but as we were together longer, like Bernie would come in with a great idea—"
"And we would just go do it. There was initially a first few songs, but as the members came in it started changing the color of the picture that it was going to be, and that's something that I'm really grateful about what the Stick People do. You can take away the colors and just have a blank canvas with black lines, and it's still a great picture. If you take away the colors on other things, and there's not a great picture – the lines don't work then you're building something that doesn't work from the beginning. This, [the Stick People] has a solid base." For more information, visit thestickpeople.com.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – self-titled (Community) The L.A. group chose to release their third album as a self-titled effort, and frontman Alex Ebert – also the producer of the 12 tracks – calls the songs the "rawest, most liberated, most rambunctious stuff we've done." For those who are already fans, you'll love the intimacy of "Remember to Remember" and "This Life," while newbies can get acquainted with the 10-member troupe's folksy sing-alongs with "Better Days" and "Two." If you can't attend their Aug. 4 show at the Hollywood Bowl but want to see them perform one of the new songs, tune in to "The Late Show with David Letterman" tomorrow night.
Filligar – Hexagon If you've not yet heard of this quartet of three brothers and their childhood friend, their latest album, Hexagon, would be a perfect introduction before delving into their extensive catalog. The album caps off a whirlwind year for the Chicagoans, who in addition to endorsements from the likes of SPIN, American Songwriter and RSL Music, were handpicked by the U.S. State Department to perform in the Middle East as representatives of the "Best of the US Arts Community." From the gorgeous piano intro of opener "New Local" and infectious beat of "Knock Yourself Out" to the searing "Pacific Time" and mesmerizing guitar work on "El Trepador," the album is full of gems.
Kyle Andrews – Brighter Than the Sun (Elephant Lady) I must confess that the Nashville-based singer-songwriter's new album has been in constant rotation on my playlist since I first listened to it. Aside from the fact that his lyrics are tongue-in-cheek clever and fun, his beats are incredibly catchy and danceable. Exhibit A: "Crystal Ball." It's so hard not to get up and dance whenever I hear that song. Album closer, "The Way to Wonder," is my favorite track, however. I just can't resist the handclaps and Andrews' stripped-bare delivery of utterly sweet words.
Leftover Cuties – The Spark & The Fire Upon first listen, you may think the Leftover Cuties hail from a New Orleans during a bygone era, but after closer inspection you find that their jazzy sound – complete with upright bass, accordion, piano, brass, brushed drums, ukulele and Shirli McAllen's silky vocals – is tinged with noir. Their sophomore full-length continues to put their unique brand of noir-pop on display with the pulsating "One Heart," catchy "If Only It Could Be" and show-stopping ballads "Clarity" and "I've Been Waiting." The L.A. quartet is in the midst of a cross-country tour in support of The Spark & The Fire, but swing through their home base Aug. 21 at Bootleg Bar.
Sombear – Love You in the Dark (Trans-) It's quite hard not to get swept up in the sonic creations from Minneapolis producer and songwriter Brad Hale (aka Sombear), as evidenced in the 10 songs of his debut album. Some may know him for his work with Now, Now or remixes of Tegan & Sara and Antwon tracks, but Sombear breaks out on his own with exploding drum machine beats, a barrage of synth effects and surprisingly intimate lyrics. Give "Incredibly Still" and the title track a spin, and you'll want to consume the rest of Love You in the Dark as well.
Also available – A. Tom Collins' Stick & Poke; Big French's Downtown Runnin; Birdman's Rich Gang; The Cairo Gang's Tiny Rebels; Chamillionaire's Reignfall; Circumambulation's True Window; Counterparts' Difference Between Hell & Home; Drug Church's Paul Walker; Eric & Magill's Night Singers; Factor's Woke Up Alone; Fight or Flight's A Life By Design?; Fuck Buttons' Slow Focus; Gogol Bordello's Pura Vida Conspiracy; Grant Hart's The Argument; Guy Clark's My Favorite Picture of You; Half Moon Run's Dark Eyes; Hands Like Houses' Unimagine; Hunx & His Punx's Street Punk; Jackson Scott's Melbourne; The Jim Jones Revue's The Savage Heart; Joe Silva's Blue; The Love Language's Ruby Red; Lustmord's The Word as Power; Marc Anthony's 3.0; Misery Signals' Absent Light; Nadine Shah's Love Your Dum and Mad; The New Bomb Turks' !!Destroy-Oh-Boy!!; Relient K's Collapsible Lung; Secrets' Fragile Figures; Selena Gomez's Stars Dance; Shot Down Stay Down's Dodge This; U God's Keynote Speaker; Van Dyke Parks' Songs Cycled; Wallpaper.'s Ricky Reed Is Real; We Came As Romans' Tracing Back Roots; Weekend's Jinx; The Winery Dogs' self-titled; Zorch's Zzoorrcchh
DVD RELEASES
Film –Trance, Danny Boyle's follow-up to 127 Hours, centers around an art auctioneer (James McAvoy) who gets mixed up with ruthless criminals. Also starring: Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel; Austin Stowell and Liam Hemsworth are two young soldiers during the summer of '69 in Love and Honor
TV –Dragons: Riders of Berk – Part 1 & 2; How the States Got Their Shapes: Season 2; The Jack Benny Program: The Lost Episodes; Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXVII; Superjail: Season Three
Music – Aerosmith's Rock for the Rising Sun
Also available – Craig Ferguson's I'm Here to Help; Arcadia; The Bitter Buddha; Defiant Requiem; Detention of the Dead; Ginger & Rosa; Hunky Dory; Improper Conduct; The Jeffrey Dahmer Files; Kiss of the Damned; New World; Redline; The Silence; Starbuck; Twixt; Vehicle 19; Viking Saga: The Darkest Day; The Wedding Chapel; Welcome to the Punch; Will
Thought I would share this one in honor of the upcoming National Dance Day on Saturday, July 27. It's hard to resist the temptation to follow the directions for the dance moves in this sidewalk stencil whenever I walk by it at the corner of Glendale Boulevard and Reservoir Street in Echo Park. If you're so inclined, feel free to follow the directions and do the steps to turn yourself around at home. It's guaranteed to bring a little smile to start off your Monday morning.
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.
