To people who say that L.A. sucks: Fuck you! (Full disclosure: I think and often say that L.A. sucks.) FRIDAY, JULY 15
What would Serge Gainsbourg say about Les Sans Culottes, the Franco-American
pop troupe? Probably something like, “Why the hell are you living in Brooklyn?”
which he would pronounce “Bruke-leen.” Named for the “ill-clad and ill-equipped
volunteers of the French Revolutionary army,” as the press materials put it, Les
Sans Culottes, which means “without underpants,” take on the ’60s French pop sound
of Gainsbourg and add arrangements à la the 5th Dimension, to ridiculously groovy
effect. The Fold at El Cid, 4212 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; Fri.-Sat., July
15-16, 9 p.m.; $10. (323) 666-2407.
SATURDAY, JULY 16
Do Pasadenans appreciate the finer things in life more than the rest of us? It
seems that way; just compare the food at their summer festivals with the food
at the Sunset Junction and you’ll get the picture. At this year’s Celebration
on the Colorado Street Bridge, you won’t find a single corn dog, but you will
find nibbles from McCormick & Schmick and Big Mamma’s Rib Shack. What else? Vintage
automobiles, three stages of bands, including Snotty Scotty & the Hankies — who
have played every Doo Dah Parade — and loads of kiddie entertainment. Warning:
pet adoptions. Proceeds help Pasadena Heritage. That pretty bridge off the
134 freeway (Colorado Street), Pasadena; Sat., July 16, 6-11 p.m.; $15, $7 children.
(626) 441-6333.
Betty Boop would have been 75 this year (that’s only 15 years older than Deborah
Harry). Voiced by Mae Questel, also the voice of Olive Oyl, Ms. Boop made over
80 cartoons in the ’30s. Celebrate her life of coyly posing to the cameras and
having no real talent (Paris Hilton, anyone?) at the Betty Boop Festival in
— where else? — Montebello. Attention Silver Lake women: There’ll be a look-alike
contest and Betty Boop Tattoo Show and Tell. BB memorabilia galore, too. Heavenly
Choice Plaza, 534 N. Montebello Blvd.; Sat., July 16, 8:30 a.m.-noon; free. (323)
728-2728.

SUNDAY, JULY 17

Brassy Brazilian pop and like-now electronica come together, strike a pose and
dance the night away when the eight-piece Bossacucanova take the stage
at the Hollywood Bowl. Part of KCRW’s Planet Electronica, with Basement
Jaxx and Röyskopp. Jonathan Gold tips us off with the perfect Brazilian accompaniments
for your picnic basket: “Stop by Café Brasil [10831 Venice Blvd., Culver City,
(310) 837-8957] and pick up some beef risole, heart-of-palm pastis and
chicken empadinhas, plus maybe an order or two of grilled shrimp if you
have a high tolerance for garlic. Try a delicious Brahma beer. A few cans of buzzy
guarana soda will ensure that you stay awake until the other end; otherwise we
suggest a well-chilled bottle of Edna Valley Chardonnay from your local supermarket.
Believe us, we’ve tasted Brazilian wines, and there is a reason why you probably
haven’t.” Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave.; Sun., July 17, 7 p.m.; $34-$12.
(323) 850-2000.
MONDAY, JULY 18
The Black Watch play the Echo for free tonight. Why is this excellent L.A.
band so loved in the U.K.? “Innercity Garden,” the title track from their new
EP, has my vote for best song of the summer — like a giant swing that lands you
on your own secret party in a cloud. Like Andy Prieboy (speaking of, where the
hell has he been?), they survived notoriously lame-o Dr. Dream Records and the
grunge era, a breakup and even the departure of signature violinist J’Anna Jacoby.
Lead singer–guitarist John Andrew Fredrick has a Ph.D. in English and has written
novels to boot. An L.A. treasure? You bet. The Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo
Park; Mon., July 18, 10 p.m.; free.
Stephanie
Escajeda went to
Yale for this? See Tuesday.



TUESDAY, JULY 19
Lesley Wolff is a comic who also books some of the funniest names you’ve never
heard of but one day will. She’s also a graduate of Penn, a fact she continually
reminds us of every month with her All-Ivy Comedy Night at the Improv.
Only comics who’ve attended Ivy League schools are on the bill (plus a few special
cases). This month it’s a birthday party for Josh Fadem and features Andrea Savage
(Cornell), Stephanie Escajeda (Yale), Steven Hofstetter (Columbia), plus posers
Melissa Paull, Melinda Hill, Matt Dwyer & Mike O’Connell, and more. If your SAT
scores were less than perfect (i.e., like normal humans), you might still get
the jokes. The Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; Tues., July 19, 7:30
p.m.; $10, plus two-drink minimum. (323) 651-2583.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
If it’s Wednesday, it must be — Vegas Bowl! Yep, Sin City comes to Glendale,
which we’ve always suspected was a bad, bad fun town. An Elvis impersonator (
. . . or is he?) will be in the building singing his hits, while bowlers have
the chance to win $$$$ if they draw certain colored pins at the setup. Yeah, it
sounds a little confusing to us, too. There’s also the “5-Ball Poker Shot,” where
you bowl five balls for the best poker hand! The Jewel City Bowl, 135 S. Glendale
Ave.; every Wed., 9:30 p.m.; $20, includes two games of bowling and shoes. (818)
243-1188.
THURSDAY, JULY 21

L.A. in 2009 under the regime of Jeb Bush is the setting for Nic Bettauer’s film
Duck, which follows a suicidal elderly man (Philip Baker Hall) and
his duck (many, many real ducks) around town. Let’s hope they don’t go to the
Grove. There’s an awful lot about the film’s premise that actually sounds too
real — but who doesn’t love a movie with ducks? The cast and filmmakers discuss
working with poultry after the screening. And the duck will be there! Part of
American Cinematheque’s Alternative Screen Independent Film Showcase. Egyptian
Theater, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Thurs., July 21, 7:30 p.m.; $9. (323)
466-FILM.

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