FRIDAY, September 12

Who said the drive-in movie is dead? Oh, yeah, it pretty much is. But Amit Itelman, the impresario of ingenious theater programming at the Steve Allen Theater, brings us The Humans Are Such Easy Prey: Drive-In Movie Series. You pull into the parking lot behind the theater, tune in to a supersecret radio signal and watch sicko flicks, such as this week’s God Told Me To. As described: “Led by a mysterious cult leader, random New Yorkers go on killing sprees, claiming to follow the orders of God.” (It’s also Andy Kaufman’s first film role). Director Larry Cohen appears in person. Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Fri., Sept. 12, 9 p.m.; $5. (800) 595-4849.

 

SATURDAY, September 13

Sing to the tune of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?”: Wouldn’t it be nice to pack a picnic/and remember the corkscrew for once/And wouldn’t it be nice if Brian Wilson/played some old songs and some new ones, too? God only knows why they let me have a job here. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., Sept. 12-13, 8:30 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.; $10-$114. (213) 480-3232.

 

SUNDAY, September 14

What makes any music sacred? What makes music unsacred? Why 16 days and nights of the 2008 World Festival of Sacred Music? Why not 17, or 12? Will listening to sacred music make me more popular with God? Will it turn me against wicked music? Can you dance to it? Who put the bomp in bomp-de-sacro-bop? Will the festival try to convert me? Will I have to wear a robe? Can I keep the robe? Do I have to pray during the performances? Can I sneak in a flask of vodka? What if it’s Trader Joe’s Vodka of the Gods? Are the festival T-shirts blessed by monks? Can I sing along? Can I score any frankincense? When and where is the festival taking place? All over town: 1,000 artists perform in 41 sacred events of music and movement; Sept. 13-28; www.festivalofsacredmusic.org.

Sunset Strips should give you plenty of va-va for your voom. The benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles and the Actors Fund features 100 dancers in styles ranging from modern jazz to whatever Bruce Vilanch calls his shtick. Hoofers include Leslie Jordon, Jai Rodriquez, Wilson Cruz and most likely plenty of star drop-ins. Boulevard3, 6523 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; Sun. Sept. 14, 8 p.m.; $40-$160. (866) 679-0958, www.apla.org or www.actorsfund.org.

 

MONDAY, September 15

Are rock musicals better suited to a theater setting or an actual rock club? This is the question many wondered about several years ago in regard to Andy Prieboy’s wholly magnificent White Trash Wins Lotto. And while that masterpiece sits somewhere like an abandoned, gifted child (Andy? ANNNNN-DEEEEE??!!), we now have Be Bop a Lula, a rock & roll play about Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent in England. The Cat Club, 8911 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; Mon., Sept. 15, 22 & 29, 8 p.m.; $8. (310) 657-0888.

 

TUESDAY, September 16

Dear “¡Ask a Mexican!”: Is it true that those cute, dirt-smudged moppets hawking Chiclets on the streets of Tijuana are actually members of a highly organized gum syndicate? And that they pocket up to $1,000 day, are hired from central casting and commute from Point Loma luxury apartments with bay views? That’s what I was always told, though I cannot reveal my source. Mr. “¡Ask a Mexican!” himself, Gustavo Arellano, has a new book, Orange County: A Personal History, which he will be reading from with barely any accent at all. Borders Pico Rivera, 8852 Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera; Tues., Sept. 16, 7-9 p.m.; free (buy the book; alternative-journalism jobs pay crap). (562) 942-9919.

 

WEDNESDAY, September 17

Of all the tortured brows on all the tortured-brow rockers out there, is there any more tortured than Nick Cave’s? Just look at him. He must have been a difficult child for his mother. “Oh, Nicholas! Not again. Must you be so dreadful to poor Thomas the Tank Engine?” Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ latest album, Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!, is more explosive, head-scratching genius — truly sacred music. Give him a big, warm Hollywood Bowl welcome. (And see our Q&A with him later in this issue.) With Spiritualized and Cat Power. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; $25-$55. (213) 480-3232.

 

THURSDAY, September 18

Fresh & Easy sounds like a lady product, not a place you can get salmon kebabs and hummus. The chain market, along with Indie 103.1, introduces the Blank Canvas Concert Series, where you might even get a free shopping bag with your tunes. Tonight: Meiko; next week (September 25): Greg Laswell. Fresh & Easy, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Thurs., Sept. 18, 7 p.m.; free. (323) 466-0097.

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