Shana Nys Dambrot
This would be a great week to discover you have magic powers. In the meantime, enjoy teen witches, queer film pioneers, photography about the beauty of nothing, sculpture about the power of community, an analog arts journal on sustainability, a post-classical ode to Sunset Strip music history, forward-looking ballet, and a conversation with designing women.
Mr. Wash (Fulton Leroy Washington): Shattered Dreams, 2020. (Courtesy of the artist)
Thursday, March 10
5 Questions, 5 Artists: Representing Legacy with Mr. Wash at LACMA (Virtual). Presented in conjunction with Black American Portraits, this series of conversations between artists and LACMA curators and educator presents the artists with the same five key questions about their practice and the challenges of representing significant figures and their legacies. Today’s edition features Fulton Leroy Washington, aka Mr. Wash, whose teardrop paintings — which show photorealistic portraits of people with big tears rolling down their faces and miniature scenes inside the teardrops — chronicle his life and times. Thursday, March 10, noon; free w/ rsvp; lacma.org.
Sex Witch: The Musical!
Sex Witch: The Musical! at Lyric Hyperion Theater. A one woman musical comedy that tells the story of comedian Maggie Lalley’s demented and hilarious journey through teenage witchcraft and sexuality. At the mercy of her then best friend Bethany’s cultish charm, Maggie became convinced that both she and Bethany were teen witches. Maggie was excited, but soon realized that being a teen witch was mostly centered around…cunnilingus. Using stand up, storytelling, original music, and dancing, Maggie manages to turn this honest and vulnerable tale into a hysterical musical. 2106 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake; Thursday, March 10, 7pm; $18; lyrichyperion.com.
Nitrate Kisses (dir. Barbara Hammer, 1992)
Friday, March 11
Pioneers of Queer Cinema at UCLA Film & Television Archives. An evening of important works and conversations featuring: Fireworks (1947, 35mm, color, 13 min. Director: Kenneth Anger. With: Kenneth Anger, Gordon Gray, Bill Seltzer; Seascape (1984, Digital, color, 10 min. Director: Mike Kuchar); At Least You Know You Exist (2011, Digital, color, 16 min. Director: Zackary Drucker. With: Flawless Sabrina); and Nitrate Kisses (1992, 16mm, color, 67 min. Distribution: Strand Releasing. Director: Barbara Hammer. With: Jerre, Maria, Ruth, Sandy Binford, Peter Cramer). The evening includes a live Q&A with filmmaker Zackary Drucker and Florrie Burke, widow of Barbara Hammer. Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood; Friday, March 11, 7:30pm; free; cinema.ucla.edu.
Kate Peltey at Von Lintel Gallery
Saturday, March 12
Kate Peltey: Chances Are at Von Lintel Gallery. Peltey’s image-making process involves assembling sculptures from quotidian materials — cardboard, tape, paper, film and “stuff out of the trash” — before selectively applying paint to these makeshift objects. They are then photographed, manipulating lighting, scale, and layers of colored gels until she achieves her desired effect. The subsequent images defy description. Elevated to mythical proportions, her sculptural forms become luminous topographies: distinct from and obscured by overlapping geometries and finely gradated fields of color. Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave. #A7, Santa Monica; Opening reception: Saturday, March 12, noon-7pm; On view through April 6; free; vonlintel.com.
Lauren Halsey: they got lil bit, 2013 (Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery, Los Angeles)
Lauren Halsey at CalState Dominguez Hills University Art Gallery. The artist’s latest venture in funkified placemaking, this exhibition extends Halsey’s architectural mappings, materializing itself in objects, names, remembrances, and colors of home. Red, black, and green (the colors of the Pan-African flag) sit parallel with orange, yellow, pink, and blue hyper pigments (the colors of South Central). Together, this spectrum etches out decelerations, provocations, the naming of the dead, and the aesthetic genius of Black people. These objects float in the mirrored floor and aluminum-draped foregrounds, orienting themselves as structures simultaneously taking off and landing. After all, we are in a land of funk — and with funk, the only direction is free. 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson; Opening reception: Saturday, March 12, noon-6pm; On view through December 10; free; gallery.csudh.edu.
Visual Contrast at HD Buttercup
Visual Contrast Pop-Up at HD Buttercup. An afternoon of live painting demonstration from artist Erin Hammond, live music, fresh blooms from FlowertruckLA, free Moonjuice, and HD Buttercup’s own famous Spring Sale kicks off a monthlong series. Highlighting Visual Contrast’s art and design program, for this edition they’ve partnered with abstract expressionist painter Erin Hammond for her unique use of color, line, and pattern. While you’re there, catch the final day of the impactful exhibition, Decoding Asian Futures — a design-centric look at possible future humanisms. 3225 Helms Ave., Culver City; Saturday, March 12, noon-4pm; free; helmsbakerydistrict.com.
David Schafer at Royale Projects
David Schafer: Displayer at Royale Projects. Displayer addresses the nature of selfhood within the realm of artificial intelligence and real life, and that appropriates the form of a commercial point-of-purchase merchandise display rack. Also on view, a gold-tipped group show featuring work by Karen Lofgren, Alejandro Diaz, Joel Otterson and Ruben Ortiz Torres. 432 S. Alameda St. (enter on Seaton), downtown; Opening reception: Saturday, March 12, noon-5pm; on view through; free; royaleprojects.com.
Jim Houser at Subliminal Projects
Jim Houser: ISO BALL at Subliminal Projects. A collection of new works focusing on an associative theme of interconnectedness, presented in paintings, collage, sculpture, and displayed in Houser’s distinct site-specific installation method. Houser is a self-taught artist, musician, designer, and original member of the renowned artist collective Space1026 in Philadelphia. He is celebrated for his iconic patchwork paintings, color theory, stylized figures, and for challenging the definition of object versus painting. 1331 W. Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; Opening reception: Saturday, March 12, 7-10pm; On view through April 9; free; subliminalprojects.com.
Fidia Falaschetti
Fidia Falaschetti: Loss Angeles. Fidia Falaschetti is a self-described “contemporary art“missionary.” He is a creative, peaceful soldier, a visual clown against the obviousness of life. In short, Fidia is somebody who is evidently tired of being passively eaten by the increasing stupidity of modern society. What’s the challenge? To wake up from an evident emotional slumber and speak strongly… even (or perhaps especially) about silly things. His latest project is an ambitious solo presentation opening in the downtown arts district this weekend. 1313 Palmetto St., downtown; Saturday, March 12, 6-10pm; free w/rsvp; fidiafalaschetti.com.
Forecast Journal: Issue 9
Forecast Journal: Sustainability Launch Party. With contributions from 75 artists over the last 18 months, Issue 9 presents a collection of 14 new essays, articles, and poems confronting that which withstands the test of time, remains relevant, solves problems, creates legacy, and considers interspecies coexistence. This issue is accompanied by an experimental short film directed by Marizó Siller on Super8 film for “Paleozoic Plate Tectonics,” written by Katy Gurin and featuring performances by Charissa Kroeger, Melanie Au-Yeung and Sara D, and an original music score by Kin Cassini. The photography from Issue 9 as well as the super8 film will be presented along with live performances choreographed by Kroeger. 1443 W. Jefferson Blvd., West Adams; Saturday, March 12, 7-10pm; free; forecastjournal.us/sustainability.
MUSE/IQUE
MUSE/IQUE and Rachael Worby: Sunrise on Sunset at Wallis. MUSE/IQUE creates transformative musical adventures and illuminates the music that shapes our lives. In this program, they take inspiration from Sunset Boulevard as the birthplace of the music, stars and stories of Los Angeles. From Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Laurents poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel, to Pearl Bailey and Louis Bellson wowing crowds at Ciro’s, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss’ A&M Recording Studios to Tower Records, the Beach Boys and the Byrds… By reimagining the traditional format of the live classical orchestral experience, Artistic Director Rachael Worby blends musical performances with researched curation. 9390 N. Santa Monica., Blvd., Beverly Hills; Saturday, March 12, 7:30pm; Sunday, March 13, 3pm & 7pm; $29-$79; thewallis.org.
The Black Box at the Fowler Museum
Sunday, March 13
Staged Reading of Black Box at the Fowler. The Fowler and Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel co-present an in-person staged reading of the play Black Box, adapted by Nomi Sharron and based on a novel by award-winning late Israeli writer Amos Oz. The play debuted at the Israeli National Theater Habima in 2003. Directed by Yonatan Esterkin, this passionate love story between a man and a woman is set against the backdrop of Israel undergoing its most profound political, societal, and cultural changes. These changes are still very much a part of the contemporary reality and discourse in Israel today. Stay for an audience Q&A and reception after the reading. 308 Charles E. Young Dr., Westwood; Sunday, March 13, 2-5pm; free; fowler.ucla.edu.
92nd Street Y
Monday, March 14
Pay Up: The Future of Women at Work (and Why It’s Different Than You Think) at 92Y (Virtual). Join Liz Plank and activist, bestselling author, and founder of Girls Who Code Reshma Saujani on the myths of corporate feminism and her plan to address inequity for working women. Saujani’s new book, Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different Than You Think) is a carefully researched and powerful rallying cry for women in the workforce. Hear her discuss her personal story in the workplace, the ways in which the American office is still built for men, how to change the culture of work to empower women and save our economy, and much more. Monday, March 14, 4:30pm Pacific; $20; 92y.org.
Wine & Design at Neuehouse
Wednesday, March 16
Women in Wine & Design at Neuehouse Bradbury. Wine & Design is a monthly series that honors the human potential of design by translating the conceptual practices of architecture, design, and landscape into the built environment where we live, sleep, eat, and create every day. This edition features Jackilin Hah Bloom — Design Faculty at SCI-Arc and founding principal of JHB Studio, an LA-based architecture practice that works locally and globally — and Florencia Pita is founder and principal of Florencia Pita & Co., a design platform dedicated to the pursuit of novel forms and eccentric color hues. THIS X THAT is an agency representing progressive architects, dedicated to bringing architecture & design to broader audiences. 304 S. Broadway, downtown; Wednesday, March 16, 7pm; free w/ rsvp; womeninwinedesignmarch16.splashthat.com.
ABT Forward at Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Photo: Rosalie O’Connor)
Dance: ABT Forward at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. America’s National Ballet Company arrives with three dazzling short programs highlighting not only their incredible artistry and athleticism, but also the inspiring visions of three of today’s most exciting choreographers. ZigZag celebrates the legendary career of Tony Bennett, using both his songs and his visual artwork to highlight the authentic humanity of his vocal performances. Bernstein in a Bubble is an exciting reflection of artistic creativity in these challenging times, inspired by the variety, charm, and quintessentially American spirit of Leonard Bernstein’s Divertimento. The third ballet will be a new work choreographed by the illustrious Alonzo King, whose namesake company recently delighted audiences in September 2021. 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Wednesday-Saturday, March 16-19, 7:30pm; Saturday, March 19, 2pm; from $39; scfta.org.
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