LA Weekly

FRIDAY, April 11

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I'll have the omelet, hold the ape. See Saturday.

There are loads of components to Los Angeles Art Weekend (which actually kicked off yesterday). Today, Storefront for Art and Architecture opens its first Pop-Up Storefront at 7176 Sunset Boulevard. There’s the opening of Brent Stewart’s Mister Lonely Portraits, photographs taken on the set of the new Harmony Korine film; a rare show by singer-songwriter Iris DeMent at the Getty; and a talk with filmmakers Heinz Emigholz and Thom Andersen. And that’s just Friday’s offerings. April 10-13. For full schedule of citywide events, see www.laartweekend.com.

 
SATURDAY, April 12

Saturday’s gone to the dogs — and monkeys. First we have The Sixth Annual Haute Dog Poetry Contest portion of the Long Beach Poetry Festival. Bring your dog and your dog ode, and they will provide the microphone for you to spill your dog-eared heart. Prizes awarded! Dog Beach Zone, on the sand between Roycroft & Argonne aves., Long Beach; Sat., April 12, 2 p.m.; free. (562) 439-3316 or www.hautedogs.org/poetry.html.

Did you know we have a sanctuary for wild apes just up the road? Breakfast With the Gibbons is an opportunity to observe the endangered (please don’t tell them that) species. Your ticket price goes to their care and the furthering of the Gibbon Conservation Center’s work. GCC, 19100 Esguerra Road, Santa Clarita; Sat., April 12, 8:30 a.m.-noon; $35, $20 ages 13-17, $10 ages 3-12 ($5 less if purchased in advance). (661) 296-2737.

 
SUNDAY, April 13

L.A. Curry Festival claims to be the “very first international curry festival in California.” What? We have some curry eatin’ to catch up on. It’s part of the big, multiblock Songkran Festival (that’s Thai New Year, kids). So along with mouth-searing, lip-vibrating, palate-busting curries, there will be Thai culture in every form: dance, music, jewelry, clothing — and smells, lots and lots of incredible smells, all free. Hollywood Blvd., between Western & Vermont aves.; Sun., April 13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; free; www.thaicdchome.org/cms/la-curry-festival.

 
MONDAY, April 14

Some top local musical humorists, cabaret singers and monologuists, including Marie Cain, Ray Jessel, Betsy Salkind, Kenny Kane and Stephanie Satie, are lending their talents to Carla-bration for Carla Zilbersmith: A Special Variety Night. Zilbersmith, best known for her one-woman show Wedding Singer Blues — about her quest to capture the “Canadian dream” as a singer in New York City — has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and the proceeds will go toward medical services not covered by her insurance. Zilbersmith will perform both nights. The Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; Mon., April 14, 8 p.m. $25. (800) 838-3006. Also at Steinway Hall at Fields Pianos, 12121 W. Pico Blvd., W.L.A.; Sat., April 12, 8 p.m.; $35. (310) 471-3979.

 
TUESDAY, April 15

Have you noticed that everything sucks and is bad? Get used to it. The World Today: Dangers New and Old, From Terrorism to North Korea is the subject of a talk by journalists and university professors Tom Plate and Mike Chinoy. Part of Santa Monica College’s “Global Connections Lecture Series.” And one more thing — taxes are due tonight at midnight. Art Complex Room 214, Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; Tues., April 15, 11:15 a.m.; free. (310) 434-4303.

 
WEDNESDAY, April 16

ZZalgern0n Presents: The Secret World of Human Science, a show we’d better leave to the press release for description: “A scientific variety show, culling hyperactive information about the hidden world of human science — featuring a miniature science fair, interesting facts, videos, live science music, food, experiments and plenty of guest speakers — including rocket scientists, inventors, bridge engineers, residents of Antarctica, morticians and much more.” At least I know what they mean by “much more.” The Steve Allen Theater at the Center for Inquiry–Los Angeles, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Wed., April 16, 8 p.m.; $10. (323) 666-4268.

 
THURSDAY, April 17

Your loudest event of the week: the all-new Thursday Free-View Day at the 34th Annual Toyota Grand Prix. You don’t need a ticket to watch cars and drivers from the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series burning up the streets. The loudness starts at 3 p.m., followed by Thursday Thunder on Pine with car displays, bands, pit-stop contests and much more. Considering tickets for the weekend races go up to $125, this is a great way to get your fill of exhaust for nuthin’. Just follow the din, streets of downtown Long Beach; Thurs., April 17, 3 p.m.; free. (888) 82-SPEED.