GO LA: Lebowski, Tom Arnold and Other Big Events
What to do in L.A., May 8-14
FRIDAY, MAY 8
Pow-Wow
Mama-Ooh-Pow-Wow
Before Southern California was colonized by imperious human beings whose primary achievements are conceiving new ways to re-tell trite stories that waste celluloid, navigate vehicles that destroy the environment, or simply shopping maul the landscape for profit, indigenous people with a flourishing culture inhabited the area (along with the rest of the continents called the Americas). The 14th annual Northern Southern Winds Pow-Wow celebrates that same pre-conquistador, pre-auto, pre-mogul culture for three days, and Native Americans and guests gather in friendship to honor traditions that extend back many centuries. One of the central rituals of these traditions are contests in which dancers bedecked in fantastically colored plumage and costume compete to the sound of “drum singers” (who literally sing and drum for the contestants). Apparently Deadheads did not invent drum circles and there will be reserved moments for the spectators to participate and shake, rattle and roll. There’s even a “switch dance” for men in women’s regalia and vice-versa, speaking to a certain open-mindedness absent from the colonial world. More than 40 vendors will sell arts and crafts and food, including Indian fry bread, tamales, tacos and roasted corn. The third day of the festival falls on Mother’s Day and given that one of the pow-wow’s themes is “Honoring Our Mothers,” any mom who shows up will be showered with “flowers, treats, and special dances!” Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St.; Fri., May 8, 6-9 p.m.; Sat., May 9, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., May 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; free. (323) 377-3523, e-mail info@nosowinds.org or www.nosowinds.org.
Exhibit
Linians? Is That You?
In yet another one of their riveting inroads into the insularity of the human imagination, the Panorama presents “The Cognomic Theory of the Antarctic Interior” a journey to the center of the dearth — Antarctica, to be precise, and the supposed realm of Linia that existed (or exists) in its wintry wastes. The premise: Giuseppe Cognomi, lost at sea, returned to a truly and duly skeptical 18th-century world with news of the fantastical Linians — a hidden civilization living by a sea in a heretofore undiscovered country below everything at the bottom of the planet. Though science has proved this to be positively fabulous as an assertion — like Earths Flat and Hollow before and after Cognomi — a devoted few have kept the flag of Linia flying, having championed his stories and created a schedule of dioramas (hello science class) about life, culture and time in the strange land to better illustrate what many — possibly Linia included — would rather believe did not exist. Lyman Emery, director of the Society for Linian Studies and exhibition curator, holds much in common with the Museum of Jurassic Technology with his chosen field of geographic inquiry, so expect Asperger-level attention to detail and presentation as well as a Gandalf-level scope of creativity and magic when it comes to this could-be world that, like most great art, need not exist solely on film or canvas to fire up a flight of fancy that turns a good afternoon into a great one. Velaslavasay Panorama, 1122 W. 24th St.; open Fri.-Sun., noon-6 p.m.; through Aug. 9; free. (213) 746-2166.
Festival
Okay, Everybody, All Together, Now: “Shomer Fucking Shabbos!”
One has to wonder what Jeff Lebowski would think of Lebowski Fest. We’re not talking about the Jeff who inspired the character (Dowd) or the Jeff who played the role (Bridges); both have appeared at the fests. But the actual fictional Jeff Lebowski, the onscreen embodiment of the word “slouch” who endures beatings, endangers his member and takes direction from an affected Vietnam vet on a quest to simply get back his beloved rug. He’d likely require a couple white Russians to make it through the Thursday screening; the film records a tumultuous — the tumultuous? — period in his life, and he’s likely put quite a few jibbers between now and those anxious days. But he’d settle down the next night at the bowling party, his mind eased by the percussive soundtrack of balls hitting pins. He’d probably rather bowl than carouse with the legion of costumed enthusiasts who will be there, reciting lines and debating arcana the way only Big Lebowski cultists can. So if you see him at a lane off to the side, it’d be best to just let the man roll. Screening, preceded by Yuto Miyazawa: the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; Thurs., May 7, 7 p.m.; $20. Bowling party: Cal Bowl, 2500 Carson St., Lakewood; Fri., May 8, 9 p.m.; $27.50. www.lebowskifest.com.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Singles
My Oh Mayo!
Judging by the event flier — two bra-less babes wearing see-through tank tops in a sexual embrace — this year’s lesbian singles event will be a steamy one. Launched by a group of girlfriends in 1999, Single de Mayo, an annual festive bash, aims to bring women and transgender men together in a safe environment, conducive to mingling and drinking in the free spirit of Cinco de Mayo. Proceeds from the non-profit event benefit organizers, Jewish Queers International, a freshly blossoming group slighted by a wilting economy and donor pull outs. Heated over recent Prop. 8 battles, JQ advocates that being Jewish and queer are not mutually exclusive and welcome women of all religious denominations, shapes and sizes. Politics aside, these girls can throw a hell of a party. Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave., Hlywd.; Sat., May 9, 2-7 p.m.; $20 in advance, $25 at door. www.singledemayo.com.
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