From 1983 through 2005, writer Dave Barry's gently chortlesome column appeared in over 500 newspapers — so what's he been doing for the past seven years besides spending even more time with his family? Find out when Live Talks LA presents “An Evening with Dave Barry in Conversation with Matt Groening.” Barry's new novel Insane City ($26.95, Putnam Adult) follows the adventures of wedding-bound Seth Weinstein as he's waylaid by all manner of darkly comical menaces, not the least of which is a pimp as big as a Death Star. Barry wears the “professional humorist” tag with as much verve as you'd expect anyone who's done something for more than 40 years. He and Groening co-founded the Rock Bottom Remainders, the all-author band that folded last year within weeks of Groening's final, seminal Life in Hell strip. Creative inertia, the incessantly anticipated death of print media, and major life changes — what, you thought tonight was just going to be about laughs? Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave.; Santa Monica; Thurs., Feb. 7, 8 p.m., $20, $45 includes Barry's book, $95 pre-event reception. (310) 260-1528, livetalksla.org

Thu., Feb. 7, 8 p.m., 2013

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.