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FRIDAY, June 8

Highways is 18 years old. Though it can’t drink legally, it can join the Army and volunteer at the Humane Society of Missouri. To celebrate, artistic director Leo Garcia has put together Highways’ 18th Birthday Celebration: Barely Legal — a Benefit. On Friday’s “Outlaws of Outlaugh!” night of subversive comedy, performers include the Gay Mafia, Jason Stuart and Bob Smith. Saturday’s more diverse lineup includes actor-writer-director Roger Guenveur Smith, choreographer Victoria Marks, the Hysterica Dance Co. and Nut Hill Radio’s Gregory Moore. Highways, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., June 8-9, 8:30 p.m.; $30, $25 students & seniors. (310) 315-1459.


SATURDAY, June 9

Pride — what is it good for? Absolutely Cotton — Josie, that is. The entertainment at L.A. Pride this year features Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Berlin with Terri Nunn, Ann Magnuson, Shitting Glitter, Erin Hamilton, the Dollyrots and more beats than you can shake a leather dildo at. And speaking of leather dildos, this is the only event this week that has a children’s area and men in chaps. West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Sat., June 9, noon-mid.; Sun., June 10, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; $20, $15 in advance. Parade is along Santa Monica Blvd. starting at La Cienega Ave.; Sun., June 10, 11 a.m.; free. (323) 969-8302 or www.lapride.org.


SUNDAY, June 10

They’re just as proud in Topanga Canyon as those WeHo folks, though Topangans are more likely to use sunscreen to avoid sunburned nipples. Now we have Topanga Nights, a series of outdoor movies and picnics. This month it’s Ghostbusters, which you no doubt have seen before, but probably not with as many bugs. Topanga Community Center, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga Canyon; Sun., June 10, live music & picnicking at 6 p.m.; donation suggested for events at Topanga Community Center. www.topanganights.com.

MONDAY, June 11

Fractured Broadway 2 boasts a slew of show-biz pros taking on roles they are completely wrong for. See Bruce Vilanch, Kathy Garrick, Ty Giordano, Adrian Zmed and others yuk it up to benefit the Valley Musical Theater’s Programming and Educational Programs. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., N. Hlywd.; Mon., June 11, 8 p.m.; $50 & $75. (818) 768-7974.


TUESDAY, June 12

What’s a conscientious hipster to do on a Tuesday night? If you have $20, you can catch kinda-now/kinda-wow rockers The Cold War Kids and The Little Ones in a benefit for 826LA and African Water Wells. And the world will be a better — not to mention louder — place. The EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park; Tues., June 12, 7:30 p.m.; $20 (two tickets per purchase). www.attheecho.com.


WEDNESDAY, June 13

Los Angeles Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats classic films series continues with a screening of Yankee Doodle Dandy. Brush up on your “Over There” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” Prepare to have both those songs take over your brain for at least a week. “My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you.” Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S. Broadway, dwntwn.; Wed., June 13, 8 p.m.; $18. www.laconservancy.org.


THURSDAY, June 14

Lots of scary new phrases in the following blurb, including “micro theater,” “experimental puppets” and “Silver Lake.” Filmmaker/performance artist (always a good tip-off) Susan Simpson opens the Manual Archives, “micro theater and newly invented folklore of Los Angeles,” with Lead Feet and Nothing Upstairs: A History of the Lifelike. More: “The multilayered performance, with puppets playing dummies, pixels resembling puppets, and puppets mimicking people invoking automata is a complex exploration of — and entertaining indulgence in — fakery and the willing suspension of disbelief [are you still reading?], set lovingly in Los Angeles.” The Manual Archives, 3320 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; mat Sat., 2 p.m.; thru June 30; $15, $10 seniors. (323) 667-0156.

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