LA Weekly
A Frida Kahlo art show, an immersive haunted house, a taping of Anna Farris' podcast and more fun stuff to do and see in L.A. this week.
fri 9/9
It was an unusual era in rock music when Chris Amouroux began shooting photos for her fanzine Beyond the Blackout in 1984. The punk scene still overlapped with the goth and deathpunk subcultures, and the previously hidebound denizens of the hard-rock and metal worlds were starting to grudgingly acknowledge the influence of underground music. It was a nexus in time when Nick Cave was still opening for The Cramps, and a then-unknown Guns N' Roses were supporting their idol, Johnny Thunders. Most of the local photographer's images of such disparate figures as Lemmy Kilmister, John Waters, Specimen and Girlschool were seen only in the ephemeral black-and-white pages of her zine, but they reappear in their proper, fully garish color in her new exhibition, "Beyond the Blackout: The Color Photos of Chris Amouroux." Lethal Amounts, 1226 W. Seventh St., downtown; Fri., Sept. 9, 8-11 p.m.; free. (213) 265-7452, lethalamounts.com. —Falling James
A writer of erotica who counted several husbands and lovers including competitively erotic Tropic of Cancer author Henry Miller, an inveterate diarist and a luminary in the literary and artistic circles of Paris and New York, Anaïs Nin's life provides rich subject matter. Director-choreographer Janet Rosten and composer-librettist Cindy Shapiro mine that wealth of material for Anaïs, a Dance Opera, with dancer Micaela DePauli and vocalist Marisa Matthews sharing the complicated then-and-now perceptions of the persona of Anaïs. It's another laudable dance theatre production that has found a home at this venue. Greenway Court Theater, 544 N. Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax; Fri.-Sat., Sept. 9-10, 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 11, 7 p.m.; runs thru Sun., Sept. 18.; $25-$30, $15-$25 students. anaisdanceopera.com, greenwaycourttheatre.org/anais. —Ann Haskins
The Egyptian opens its doors to Trekkies all weekend long, commencing the festivities with 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture. If you're not on the same wavelength as the J.J. Abrams–produced series of films currently in theaters, now's your chance to reconnect with the old-school version — followed by parts II, III, IV and VI (sorry not sorry, The Final Frontier) and Adam Nimoy's new documentary about his father, For the Love of Spock. To make the experience fully retro, most of the movies are being screened on actual film. Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Fri., Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.; $11. (323) 466-3456, americancinemathequecalendar.com. —Michael Nordine
Said to be the first film to be rated X due to violence rather than nudity, I Drink Your Blood is the concept of a midnight movie made flesh. The Nuart presents David Durston's newly restored cult classic in its uncut form, all the better to take in its bizarre plot mixing Manson-inspired hippie murderers and a rabies outbreak. If you really want to burn the midnight oil, seek out I Eat Your Skin for an impromptu double feature. Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A.; Fri., Sept. 9, 11:59 p.m.; $11. (310) 473-8530, landmarktheatres.com. —Michael Nordine
sat 9/10
Frida Kahlo is, without question, one of the most fascinating figures of the 20th century: a self-taught artist, a communist, a lover to both men and women and, yes, wife of muralist Diego Rivera, a relationship that (sadly) overshadowed her own contributions to Mexican art until many years after her death at age 47. In celebration of Kahlo's timeless self-portraits, Picture This in Long Beach hosts the 16th annual Frida Kahlo Artists Exhibit, a collection of artists' tributes to Kahlo in all media. The exhibit is up from Sept. 1 through Oct. 1, but on Saturday, the gallery hosts a reception for the participating artists, replete with a look-alike contest and traditional Spanish music from Casi Son. Unibrows are sure to abound. Picture This Gallery & Custom Framing, 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach; Sat., Sept. 10, 4-8 p.m., exhibit runs through Oct. 1; free. (562) 233-3726, facebook.com/events/731617586979366. —Gwynedd Stuart
In the last year, politicians in at least 24 states have taken action or threatened to end access to care at Planned Parenthood. Obama vetoed the U.S. House's last attempt to defund the organization, but it remains in danger of losing resources. Sexy Beast: A Benefit for Planned Parenthood aims to harness the art world's power to catalyze positive change and protect women's (and men's) healthcare. The fundraiser for Los Angeles' chapters of PP will be hosted by comedian Andy Richter and feature performances by WIFE, DJ Rashida and Mutant Salon. There will be a live and a silent auction of 42 works donated by notable artists. The Theater at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, downtown; Sat., Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m.; $440-$500. (213) 623-3233, acehotel.com/calendar/losangeles. —Neha Talreja
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts' 2016-17 season of theater, classical music, jazz, dance and children's entertainment spans from the live soundtrack show For the Record: Scorsese in September to Hershey Felder's play with music Our Great Tchaikovsky in July. To preview its upcoming lineup, the Wallis hosts the Wallis WelcomeFest, an inaugural open house, which offers more than two dozen teaser shows staged throughout the venue. Saturday features Deaf West Theatre, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, the Foshay Jazz Band and Combo, Lorenzo Johnson & Praizum gospel choir and Michael Arden's Pop-Up Sondheim. Sunday's lineup includes Street Symphony Chamber Choir; Invertigo Dance Theatre; Phat Cat Swinger; choreographer Matthew Bourne, discussing his career with the Wallis' artistic director, Paul Crewes; and Self-Help Graphics & Arts' Barrio Mobile Art Studio. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; Sat., Sept. 10, 2-10 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; free. (310) 746-4000, thewallis.org. —Siran Babayan
If you're a 20-something struggling to adapt to adulthood, it may come as cold comfort to learn that Reality Bites tackled that exact issue back in the '90s — especially since that's probably the era you're longing for. Electric Dusk adds to the feeling of a bygone era by allowing you to take in this Gen X document from the comfort of your car, preferably with a Lisa Loeb cassette loaded in the tape deck. Electric Dusk Drive-In, 2930 Fletcher Drive, Glassell Park; Sat., Sept. 10, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30); $10 lawn, $14 car, $60 VIP. (818) 653-8591, electricduskdrivein.com. —Michael Nordine
sun 9/11
If you love FX's wonderfully odd sitcom Baskets, which is gearing up for its second season, you'll get to see not one but two of its stars at Largo's Louie Anderson & Special Friends. At 63, Anderson received an Emmy nomination for supporting actor for his role as an overweight, Costco-loving mother living in Bakersfield with two sets of twin boys, one of whom is a down-and-out rodeo clown, played by series co-creator Zach Galifianakis. Anderson based the character on his own mother and other women in his family. (Listen to Anderson discuss growing up with 11 brothers in the Midwest on a recent episode of Marc Maron's WTF podcast.) Of course, fans of the funny man know he's been a touring comic for more than 30 years. Tonight he returns to his stand-up roots, joining fellow comic and show co-star Martha Kelly, who's equally funny in her portrayal of a deadpan insurance adjustor. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Grove; Sun., Sept. 11, 7 p.m.; $30. (310) 855-0350, largo-la.com. —Siran Babayan
Thousands of festivalgoers enjoy 1- and 2-pound Maine lobsters steamed in the "World's Largest Cooker" at the annual Long Beach Original Lobster Festival. Even if you're not into lobster, it's a bustling event with two stages, a children's area, a dance floor — and live music so you can put that floor to use. But really, everyone's there for the lobster. The meal setup includes the lobster, of course, with coleslaw, a dinner roll, watermelon, lemon wedges and butter dipping sauce. VIP tickets include a covered seating area, your choice of the biggest lobsters and drink tickets. Fri., Sept. 9, 5-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., Sept. 10-11, noon-10 p.m.; $13-$107. originallobsterfestival.com. —Katherine Spiers
Breathless is très bien, but Jules et Jim is a French New Wave benchmark par excellence. Cinefamily presents François Truffaut's classic outdoors, accompanied by John Herndon and Jeff Parker of Tortoise along with Decadanse Soirée. Preceded by a picnic, the screening is part of the newly launched Cinefamily Everywhere series; as such, it's 21 and over. Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., East Hollywood; Sun., Sept. 11, 5:30 p.m.; $25. (323) 655-2510, cinefamily.org. —Michael Nordine
Eddie Murphy is set to make his return to the silver screen next week with Mr. Church, an occasion the Aero is marking with a double feature of Trading Places and Bowfinger. The former has long been considered a comedy classic, but only recently has Bowfinger started getting its due — another example of Murphy playing multiple roles, it's both weirder and more subtle than some of his better-known works. Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; Sun., Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m.; $11. (323) 466-3456, americancinemathequecalendar.com. —Michael Nordine
mon 9/12
When it was released in 1991, Gus Van Sant's gritty, dreamy drama My Own Private Idaho drew comparisons to classic works of literature, even though the plot revolves around a pair of grunge-era male hustlers. Roger Ebert said in his review, "Here is a movie about lowlife sexual outlaws, and yet they remind us of works by Shakespeare or Dostoyevsky." Van Sant appears for a screening of the film, plus two restored shorts — Flea Sings and Four Boys on the Road in a Volvo — all on 35mm. The event is sold out, but there will be a stand-by line at the west doors; they'll start handing out numbers at 5:30 p.m. Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Samuel Goldwyn Theater, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Mon., Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m.; $5, $3 members/students. oscars.org/events/my-own-private-idaho-1991. —Gwynedd Stuart
tue 9/13
Last year's Straight Outta Compton pretty much reignited everyone's obsession with West Coast rap (not that it ever really waned in L.A.). With N.W.A and affiliated acts' legendary status further solidified, former L.A. Weekly music editor Ben Westhoff's new book, Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap, delves deeper into the cultural legacy of classic gangsta rap. The launch party will feature readings by Westhoff, a panel discussion moderated by HipHopDX.com editor-in-chief Justin Hunte featuring "Godfather of Hip-Hop Radio" Greg Mack and legendary producer Chris "The Glove" Taylor, and special guest DJ sets. Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, downtown; Tue., Sept. 13, 6 p.m.; free with RSVP. (213) 623-3233, acehotel.com/calendar/losangeles. —Neha Talreja
This fall, the Hammer Museum launches Bureau of Feminism, a multifaceted initiative that aims to "bring a feminist perspective to a range of activities at the museum," including feminist-themed performances, talks and films. For its kickoff event, museum senior curator Connie Butler hosts "Bad" Feminism, a panel discussion that addresses the "political, social and cultural relevance of contemporary feminism" with Roxane Gay and Andi Zeisler. Gay is a writer and associate professor at Purdue University, who wrote the 2014 collection of essays Bad Feminist. Zeisler is a fellow author and co-founder of Bitch Media, a Portland, Oregon–based nonprofit feminist media organization. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood; Tue., Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.; free. (310) 443-7000, hammer.ucla.edu/programs-events/2016/09/bad-feminism. —Siran Babayan
Even sitcom actresses have caught the podcasting bug. Launched in November, Anna Faris Is Unqualified is a weekly podcast on which the funny lady and her co-host Sim Sarna interview comedians and big-name actors, and dole out practical advice to callers asking about online dating, sex and friendship. Guests have included Chris Pratt (aka Mr. Faris), Jennifer Lawrence, Shaquille O'Neal, Rosie O'Donnell, Chelsea Handler, Ellen Page, Courtney Love, Julia Stiles, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Jenny Slate and Faris' Mom co-star, Allison Janney. (The two demonstrated their orgasm voices and joked about camel toes, moose knuckles and testicles.) For the podcast's first live taping, Faris will be joined by fellow comedian and writer Whitney Cummings. The show is a precursor to EW PopFest in October, Entertainment Weekly's two-day, pop culture festival at the Reef downtown, featuring screenings, panels, performances and appearances by Jodie Foster, Ryan Murphy, James Corden, Nick Jonas and many others. Nerdist Showroom at Meltdown Comics, 7522 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; Tue., Sept. 13, 8-10 p.m.; $10. (323) 851-7223, nerdmeltla.com. —Siran Babayan
LACMA's Guillermo del Toro–curated Fuel for Nightmares series continues with The Spirit of the Beehive, and it's easy to see why: Víctor Erice's masterwork concerns a little girl who becomes obsessed with Frankenstein after a mobile cinema brings it to her small town in 1940. Set in the wake of the Spanish Civil War and Franco's rise to power, it makes her simple questions somehow haunting: "Why did he kill the girl," she asks, "and why did they kill him after?" LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire; Tue., Sept. 13, 1 p.m.; $5. (323) 857-6000, lacma.org. —Michael Nordine
wed 9/14
For the past two years, CNN's documentary series This Is Life With Lisa Ling has followed the TV journalist as she investigates unconventional subcultures in America, from a gay rodeo in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Satanists in Detroit to the adult children of convicted polygamist cult leader Warren Jeffs in Salt Lake City. Ling, who previously hosted Our America With Lisa Ling on OWN, is also the author of two books, including 2011's Somewhere Inside: One Sister's Captivity in North Korea and the Other's Fight to Bring Her Home, which she co-wrote with her sister, Laura. As part of Live Talks Los Angeles, Ling discusses and screens clips of This Is Life's upcoming season with Michaela Pereira, host of HLN's new morning news program, Michaela. Ann & Jerry Moss Theater, New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica; Wed., Sept. 14, 8 p.m.; free with RSVP. (310) 828-5582, livetalksla.org. —Siran Babayan
School's no longer out for summer, but you still gotta keep L-I-V-I-N. This summer's Everybody Wants Some!! was a worthy spiritual successor to Dazed and Confused, but there's still nothing like the original. Richard Linklater's last-day-of-school saga may be the definitive "hangout movie," an overused term of late but one that perfectly describes this banter-heavy ode to youth. ArcLight Culver City, 9500 Culver Blvd., Culver City; Wed., Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.; $15. (310) 559-2416, arclightcinemas.com. —Michael Nordine
thu 9/15
Much more than a mere haunted house, CreepLA: Entry is a psychological horror experience that takes audience members inside the terrifying, twisted world of a troubled 1970s artist named Erebus Burwyck. Beginning in the seemingly innocuous preshow lounge, guests embark on a dark journey through a 12,000-square-foot environment, in which a series of disturbing scenarios emerges. CreepLA debuted last year, but for this year's installment, founder Justin Fix expanded not only the space but also the storyline, which he says is inspired by the likes of David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick. What could go wrong? 2316 N. San Fernando Road, Glassell Park; Thu., Sept. 15, 7-9:30 p.m.; runs through Oct. 31; $40-$50. creepla.com. —Tanja M. Laden
Last year, actor, director and Kids in the Hall alum Bruce McCulloch appeared at UCB to read from his 2014 book, Let's Start a Riot: How a Young Drunk Punk Became a Hollywood Dad. The collection of essays covers growing up in Calgary, forming the famed Canadian comedy troupe and now living in the Hollywood Hills as a 50-something father. (Based on his semiautobiographical stage show, Young Drunk Punk is also the name of a short-lived Canadian sitcom McCulloch starred in and directed last year.) On a recent episode of fellow comedian Steve Agee's podcast, McCulloch discussed writing another book and directing TV (including Brooklyn Nine-Nine), as well as doing more stand-up. For tonight's Bruce McCulloch: Tales of Bravery and Stupidity, the funny man returns to the club to perform stand-up and selections from a new theatrical show, Tales of Bravery and Stupidity. UCB Franklin, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood; Thu., Sept. 15, 7-8 p.m.; $5. (323) 908-8702, franklin.ucbtheatre.com. —Siran Babayan
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