GO L.A.: Survival of the Fittest: Persian Comics, Russian Avant-Garde, Darwin's 200th and Some Tango

Maz Jobrani performs at the Comedy & Magic Club, 1018 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach; Fri.-Sat., Jan. 30-31. (310) 372-1193.

—Libby Molyneaux

COSTUME BALL

Who's Gorey Now? Of corset!
The Edwardian Ball does not honor King Edward VII but rather is inspired by the art and writings of Edward Gorey. The event, started in costume-crazed San Francisco, where it runs for three days, is making its L.A. debut. I will be coming as one of Gorey’s many pseudonyms, Madame Goreda Weyrd. Performers and show-offs include Cirque Berzerk, Rosin Coven, Vau De Vire Society, Helios Jibe. Yes, there will be an absinthe bar, plus a portrait studio, ballroom dancing and much more. Tower Theater, 802 S. Broadway; downtown; Sat., Jan. 31, 8 p.m.; $30, $75 VIP. (323) 931-2997. —L.M.

FILM

“Step Right Up and Call Me Speedy!”
Want action? Want comedy? Want NYC in glorious 1928 black-and-white? Want Babe Ruth? Do I ask enough questions? Huh? Do I? Here’s today’s no-brainer — Harold Lloyd’s Speedy with live organ accompaniment, part of the Royce Hall Organ & Film series. Just go and you can thank me later. Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood; www.uclalive.org; Sat., Jan. 31, 2 p.m.; $25, $15 children. (310) 825-2101. —L.M.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE

Ladies and Gentlemen — The Earth Harp!
In the mood for some “cosmic human drama”? No, I’m not talking about the Super Bowl, which is also today. Here’s something you may or may not enjoy: Mystic “is a visceral theatrical experience exploring the mystery of human origin, the evolution of consciousness, and galactic destiny through provocative video art, cutting-edge modern dance, and live music featuring The Earth Harp in complete narrative form.” What exactly is the Earth Harp? Bill Close, inventor of the Earth Harp, explains, “The Earth Harp transforms architectural environments into giant musical instruments that connect everyone with sympathetic resonance. The context of the Mystic show, the amazing dancers, and the intimate space of the Electric Lodge will create a truly mystical experience for all who are lucky enough to see it.” Just like the Super Bowl! Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice;  Thurs., Jan. 29-Sun., Feb. 1; $30 & $50. (310) 306-1854 or visit www.electriclodge.org. —L.M.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2

BOOKS

Attention Milk-heads
Did you love Milk? Then you’ll want a signed copy of the screenplay. Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black signs Milk: The Shooting Script. Then go home and act out the whole movie for your cats. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; Mon., Feb. 2, 7 p.m.; free, book is $19.95. (310) 659-3110. —L.M.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

FILM

Charlie Don’t Surf
He’s hot, he’s sexy, and he’s dead. That’s right, I’m talking about Charles Darwin. The Skirball Center celebrates the 200th birthday of the great scientist who gave us The Origin of Species with a series of lectures and films.  Who knew Darwin was such an influence on filmmakers? The Skirball know-it-alls, that’s who. As part of “Classic Films: Evolution in Cinema,” Inherit the Wind, director Stanley Kramer’s dramatization of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, is screening. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.;  L.A., Tues., Feb. 3, 1:30 p.m.; free. (310) 440-4500. —L.M.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4

READINGS/PERFORMANCE

F U CN RD THS U CN B AVNT GRD 2
Your cut ’n’ paste event of the week is Explodity: An Evening of Transrational Sound Poetry. “This event provides a rare opportunity to hear both dramatic readings by the Russian scholar Oleg Minin of Russian Futur­ist zaum’ (‘beyonsense’) and performances by Christian Bök and Steve McCaffery of their own contemporary sound poetry. Gerald Janecek, an expert on 20th-century Russian avant-garde poetry, will introduce the evening. By bringing together sound poetry of the historical and contemporary avant-garde, the program will chronicle the singular influence of poets Velimir Khlebnikov, Alexei Kruchenykh, and Vladimir Mayak­ovsky on subsequent experimentation, particularly that of Bök and McCaffery, including the use of invented words, the sensical and nonsensical, and the creation of “meaning” through sound. This event is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Tango with Cows: Book Art of the Russian Avant-Garde, 1910–1917.” The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., L.A.; Wed., Feb. 4, 7-8:45 p.m.; free, resv. required. (310) 440-7300.

DANCE

Wango Tango
Argentine dancer Guillermina Quiroga took up tango after a career in classical ballet. With her long lines, flexible back and regal carriage, Quiroga quickly became the partner of choice for many of that country’s premier tango artists, won first place in the first Buenos Aires Tango competition, and starred in various touring tango shows and films before forming her own company. The Guillermina Quiroga Dance Company’s 2006 New York performances drew rave reviews. Now L.A. gets to sample Quiroga’s brand of tango, which injects balletic elements and expands the traditional tangvocabulary. Tango, Historias Breves, consists of three intertwined stories told through a series of group and solo works. In addition to the actual performance, the company offers a Milonga (tango session) with live music and tango instruction on February 3, from 7 to 10 p.m.; the performance at UCLA is free but requires tickets. Call (310) 206-1144. UCLA Royce Hall, Westwood, Wed.-Thurs., Feb. 4-5, 8 p.m.; $38-$60. (310) 825-2101 or www.UCLALive.org.  —Ann Haskins