L.A. WeeklyFrom the artistic marriage of donuts and robots to Outfest Fusion, here are the nine things to do in Los Angeles this week.
fri 3/6
DANCE
Tragic Teens on Tiptoe
Those Italian teens Romeo and Juliet may be the touchstone tale of tragic young love, but choreographer Alexei Ratmansky draws from an earlier Greek story of doomed romance in Of Love and Rage, his latest for American Ballet Theatre. Derived from a first-century Greek novel, the plot centers on a woman who realizes her beauty, stealthily backed by her brains, are her only power and makes use of both in a story rife with love, betrayal, forgiveness and all the familiar ballet emotions that the title strongly suggests won’t end “happily ever after.” Ratmansky has provocatively chosen music by Aram Khachaturian, who provided the sweeping score for the ballet Spartacus, and an ABT visit is always a chance to see beautiful dancers. Scheduled casting is at the website. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa; Thu.-Fri., March 5-6, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., March 7, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., March 8, 1 p.m.; $29-$189. scfta.org/. —Ann Haskins
Catherine Hurlin and Aran Bell in American Ballet Theatre’s Of Love and Rage (Erin Baiano)
“The Red Envelope” (Eric Joyner)
sat 3/7
ART
When Robots Meet Donuts
Two of the greatest achievements in human history have been the invention of the donut and the creation of toy robots, and Bay Area–artist Eric Joyner has long celebrated the curious relationship between such totemic images in his work. When he adds adorable little kittens to the mix, the cuteness factor just goes off the charts. In Midnight Stroll, from “Machine Man Memories,” Joyner’s latest exhibition of paintings at Corey Helford Gallery, a benevolent vintage robot cradles a curious tabby in its arms under a moonlit sky in a snowy forest. The interactions of Joyner’s robots with wizards, sentient donuts, Rudoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Creature From the Black Lagoon might seem kitschy, but there is also a strangely compelling poignancy in his fantastic images. Corey Helford Gallery, 571 S. Anderson St., Boyle Heights.; opening reception: Sat., March 7, 7-11 p.m.; through Sat., April 11; free. (310) 287-2340, coreyhelfordgallery.com. —Falling James
ART
California, Coming Home
Nearly 50 contemporary photographers join forces with curator and artist Michael Rababy for this year’s edition of the Hive’s epic annual photography invitational. This year’s theme is California Love, and all the artists contribute to an eclectic, symphonic love letter to the pleasures and terrors of life in the Golden State. All the Hive studio residents will be manning their indie-art spots as well, and at 9 p.m. a spoken word convocation by beloved poet and L.A. historian Mike the Poet amplifies our appreciation for local beauty. The Hive Gallery and Studios, 729 S. Spring St., downtown; opening reception: Sat., March 7, 8-11p.m.; exhibition through March 28; free ($5 suggested donation opening night). facebook.com/pg/
CULTURE/COMEDY
The Ex-Presidents Return
Point Break Live! is back, bruh. The madcap live-action stage show, which made a name for itself back in 2007, was one of the first movie spoof hits, ushering a slew of similarly raucous theatrical renditions that remain popular in L.A. to this day. Parodying the 1991 blockbuster starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves, the PBL twist invites someone from the audience to play Keanu’s role (FBI agent Johnny Utah), proving no rehearsal is necessary for the role. The atypical theater experience meshes an anything-can-happen feel with interactive elements that “break” into the crowd — expect water, blood, fake guns, and food — as it passes the point of no return and then some as a laugh-filled evening of alternative theater. Los Globos, 3040 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; Sat., March 7, 6 p.m.; Saturdays through May 30; $25. pointbreakla.com. —Lina Lecaro
mon 3/9
FOOD
And the Award Goes To…
This year’s best achievements in food, fashion, health, travel and lifestyle programs in television, film, online and streaming video, radio and podcasts, and photography will be revealed at the Taste Awards. Celebrity award presenters, including Top Chef’s Joe Sasto, will join hosts Nyesha Arrington from Bravo’s Top Chef and YouTube star Jolene Sugarbaker in handing out awards to outstanding creators, producers, hosts and directors of lifestyle programs, series, shows and cinema. The Cooking Channel and Food Networks’ chef Jernard Wells will be making an appearance as well. Nominees include The Trailer Park Cooking Show with Jolene Sugarbaker, The 3 Julias on 30A Television and MasterClass: Aaron Franklin Teaches Texas-Style BBQ.
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills; Mon. March 9, 6-9:30 p.m.; $95. thetasteawards.com/. —Michele Stueven
Elena Manferdini: Portraits and Landscapes
ART
She Wrote the Book on Design
These days ideas about integrated design across art, architecture, landscape and objects are all the rage in schools and design studios alike — and renowned practitioner of all this and more, Elena Manferdini has been an important and influential part of blending the categories. From her position as chair of graduate programs at progressive design school SCI-Arc, to running her own Venice-based atelier, Manferdini’s work is all about moving toward a more holistic, interdisciplinary, expressive built environment. Her new monograph, the two-volume Elena Manferdini: Portraits and Landscapes, chronicles her work of the last six years — an especially inspired and productive time in her creative career. Knappe Library, SCI-Arc, 960 E. 3rd S., downtown; Mon., March 9, 6 p.m.; free. sciarc.edu/events/events/
tue 3/10
LGBTQ/FILM
Empowering Filmmakers
An offshoot of Outfest, Outfest Fusion showcases and empowers LGBTQ people of color in film, music and art, showcasing their work and supporting their careers. Fusion aims to spotlight and nurture the next generation of storytellers and recognize them as cultural ambassadors via screenings and awards. After a week full of presentations and activities (see website for schedule), Fusion concludes with closing night festivities featuring “One Minute Movie Premieres” (inviting the public to submit films made via their phones), as well as live music, performance, food and drink. Reflecting the inclusiveness and talent seen all week during the event, Fusion’s final fete promises to be one of L.A.’s most diverse film events of the year. Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S Broadway, downtown; Fri.-Tue., March 6-10; see schedule for showtimes and prices. outfest.org/fusion2020. —Lina Lecaro
wed 3/11
COMEDY
Flying High
Australian comedian/writer Caroline Reid brings her alter-ego, self-proclaimed “International celebrity air hostess” to L.A, with Pam Ann Returns, a new comedic cabaret that will leave audiences flying high on thematic hilarity. Skewering the audacious and sometimes just plain (plane?) awful elements of air travel, Ann’s aerial-themed shows uncover airline gaffs and travel travails with sharp wit and uncensored commentary. The jet set jams together storytelling with standup, shouting-out celebs such as Elton John and Cher, and sharing the fun and frolic of flight like only she can. Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 West Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; Wed., March 11, 8:30 p.m.; $25-35. catalinajazzclub.com/. —Lina Lecaro
Melissa Aldana (Fanny Delsol)
thu 3/12
MUSIC
Embracing the Universe
Frida Kahlo wrung out of her tortured body fantastic and beautifully transformative imagery, which continues to resonate across multiple artistic disciplines in numerous and unexpected ways today. The Mexican painter used surrealism not as an airy escape but as a way of focusing on heavy themes, and yet she also subverted realism to uncover the richly magical world of nature that surrounds and is within us. Based in New York, Chilean-born saxophonist-composer Melissa Aldana is the latest musician to become enraptured by Kahlo’s way of seeing things, and she brings to town an homage — featuring a jazz suite inspired by the artist’s life and paintings, including Love’s Embrace of the Universe, Earth, (Mexico), I, Diego, and Mr. Xólotl — she calls “Visions for Frida Kahlo.” The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Thu.-Fri., March 12-13, 8 p.m.; $44-$66. (818) 677-8800, thesoraya.org. —Falling James
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