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FRIDAY, March 24

The Silver Lake Film Festival is underway, and tonight it’s a screening of Jane Cantillon’s The Other Side, a fascinating documentary about the venerable Silver Lake watering hole — previously known as Patino’s, the Toy Tiger, Daddy’s, Houston’s — and last remaining gay piano bar in L.A. The film introduces us to numerous delightful and candid regulars who share their stories about what it was like to be gay in the ’40s and ’50s. Interweaving interviews and archival footage of some luscious singers, the film gives a much-overlooked history lesson on L.A. nightlife and gay culture as the bar patrons recount how raids and entrapment by the LAPD drove out many of the gay bars from Silver Lake and downtown to the then-unincorporated West Hollywood area. “I used to ride my bicycle and see these older men go into the Other Side. I became fascinated by this leftover crowd,” says Cantillon. “I lost so many friends to AIDS; I never got to see them turn 40, 50, 60. These men are a real subculture; they have so much to teach us about how to grow old.” The filmmaker, wife and mother adds with a grin, “I’m just a gay old man.” Aren’t we all, Jane. Aren’t we all. ArcLight Cinemas, 6360 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; Fri., March 24, 7:15 p.m.; $11, or call ArcLight Cinemas, (323) 464-422 or www.silverlakefilmfestival.org. See Film & Video Events for full festival schedule.

SATURDAY, March 25

Jim Beam, meet Jack Russell. Yes, there are bars with patios that allow dogs. But none that we know goes as far as SkyBark. Artsy downtown “art club” Hangar 1018 is the new hot spot for dogs and the boozehound owners who love them. The large rooftop deck has a doggy night-care area with room to sniff and PetaPottys. And now, let the K9 jokes begin! Guess Hooch & Pooch was taken. “Barkeep, there’s a flea in my drink!” “Is that a Mexican hairless, or are you just glad to see me?” “Nice whippet bitch.” Now it’s your turn. Meanwhile, I’ll have a pint of Guinness at home with my 70-pound shaggy mutt named Guinness. 1026 & 1018 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown; Sat., March 25, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; $30, $15 per dog ($20/$10 in advance), benefits New Leash on Life animal rescue. (213) 891-1722.

Okay, no one’s going to take their dog downtown to go a bar. Instead, hip people we know and trust report that Rewind 1987 is a real hoot. It’s your big chance to wear your most horrifying ’80s duds and join the “hilarious interactive homecoming party,” complete with homecoming photo, ’80s party favors and more mousse than Taylor Dayne’s dressing room. The Larchmont Club & Sushi Bar, 5657 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; Sat., 7 p.m.; thru April 8; $25. (877) 725-8849.

SUNDAY, March 26

Note to self: Make friends with folks in show biz. This Benefit for Charlotte McGinnis Woffinden — former Groundling and actress whose credits include Hardcore and Billy Jack Goes to Washington — is hosted by Paul Reubens and features entertainment by a slew of her talented pals: John Fleck, Kristian Hoffman, Ann Magnuson, the Mums, Mink Stole, Abby Travis and others, plus a live and silent art auction with fab items like cutting your own single in a fancy studio. Proceeds go to help with Woffinden’s cancer treatment. Immaculate Heart, AFI campus, 2021 N. Western Ave., Hollywood; Sun., March 26, 5-8 p.m.; $25. www.healthforcharlotte.com?.

MONDAY, March 27

Ringling Bros. Clown College graduates Mark Gindick, Ambrose Martos and Matthew Morgan are collectively known as the comedy trio Happy Hour. The three NYC goofballs have been getting all kinds of attention with their show, It Takes 3, a flipped-out slapstick play where they pull off a cheeky striptease and do things that have never been done with Pop Rocks and Coke, as well as embarrass several members of the audience foolhardy enough to sit in the front row. And though they hold clown degrees, they promise no red noses or balloon animals. Comedy Central Stage, Hudson Theater, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; Mon., March 27, 8 p.m.; free, resv. required. (323) 960-5519 or www.happyhourclowns.com?.

TUESDAY, March 28

True story: New York City, September 1999. Hurricane Floyd is drenching the city, and the streets are deserted. I somehow catch a lone cab and make it to the Hotel Riverview for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, where the title role is being played by Donovan Leitch. Though many other events around town are canceled, the show goes on, and Mr. Leitch will prove himself, to me and my more-than-game father-in-law, to be just as compelling — if not more so — as the show’s founder, John Cameron Mitchell. Leitch should have done the movie. Bijou Phillips co-stars as Yitzak. The Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; March 26-April 19 (call for schedule, too confusing), 8 p.m.; $30 & $35. (310) 278-9457.

WEDNESDAY, March 29

Did Crash let you down for its lack of severe head wounds, medical-emergency footage and Margaret Cho? The Art of Bleeding (what happens when hipsters from Silver Lake play doctor) presents The Poison Show, featuring Abram the Safety Ape, the aforementioned Cho, Jewel of Denial, Penny Starr, Dr. Crosscut and the Magic Ambulance Crew doing God knows what in the name of God knows what. El Cid, 4212 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; Wed., March 29, doors open at 10:15 p.m.; $7, $5 with emergency-room attire (staff or patient). www.artofbleeding.com.

THURSDAY, March 30

If Dame Edna is to be believed, her image will soon appear on Australian postage stamps. As for her new show, Dame Edna: Back With a Vengeance!, the woman who inspires more gladiola waving than Morrissey, guarantees “at least one major laugh per half-minute and one falling off YOUR SEAT howling and crying every 3 minutes and 23 seconds. These statistics have been compiled by the Royal British Society of Theatrical Statistics.” Speaking of Moz, now that we think of it, he would make a perfect opening act for the great Dame. Ahmanson Theater, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; March 28-April 9; $45-$80. (213) 480-3232.?

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