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FRIDAY, May 18

Because they sing real purty — that’s why people love America. Since Simon de-Garfunkeled and Croft un-Sealsed, hardly anyone does folk-rock harmonies anymore (thank you, Indigo Girls). When I saw Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley perform on Letterman recently, their new song really blew. But their voices still sounded beautiful, and old chestnuts like “Ventura Highway” and “A Horse With No Name” should take you back to a happy place. Smothers Theater, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; Fri., May 18, 8 p.m.;$50. (310) 506-4522.

SATURDAY, May 19

There’s no way I can describe what Semiscon sounds like that would make you actually want to go see them, but here goes anyway: First of all, there are eight members. The name means “semi-losing control.” They are from Taiwan and do a cappella versions of songs by the Bangles, ’N Sync, John Denver, the Rembrandts, along with traditional Aboriginal and Taiwanese folk. Still not sold? They sing in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese, Aborigine and German. Just check out a few of their videos on YouTube (www.youtube.com/semiscon). The Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., Hlywd.; Sat., May 19, 8 p.m.; $25 & $40. (323) 461-3673.

SUNDAY, May 20

(Sung to the tune of “California Here We Come.”) “Santa Monica, here we come/Right back where we started from/Where Beemers and Hummers park in compact spots/Your rent can top two grand, but SaMo’s still tops/The Santa Monica Festival really has it all/Bollywood, African and Brazilian sounds will all be a ball/So let’s all head for the salty air!/’Cause we sure can’t afford to live there!” (What rhymes with “free bike valet”?) Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica; Sun., May 20, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; free. (310) 458-8350 or www.arts.santa-monica.org.

MONDAY, May 21

Who said, “Do you think you have a problem when you refer to all alcohol as ‘pain-go-bye-bye juice’”? If you said Patton Oswalt, you are right. Along with Paul F. Tompkins, Oswalt is the name that has appeared in the Weekly’s listings more than Marty and Elayne’s, and it even comes up twice in this week’s column. The Hammer Museum’s series titled “Black Sphinx: On the Comedic in Modern Art” focuses on standup comedy with Live Sphinx, featuring host Murray Hill, Michelle Biloon (subject of a fairly well-written feature a few weeks back), Jessi Klein, Al Madrigal and the aforementioned Oswalt. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Wstwd.; Mon., May 21, 8 p.m. (310) 443-7000.

TUESDAY, May 22

He’s delightful. He’s delicious. And he’s dead. Cole Porter received his star on Hollywood Boulevard yesterday, and a weeklong music tribute, A Swell Party! RSVP Cole Porter, starring K.T. Sullivan and Mark Nadler, begins today. Both are well qualified to take on “From This Moment On” and “Night and Day,” having performed a C.P. cabaret show at NYC’s Algonquin Hotel. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Tues.-Thurs., May 22-24, 7 p.m.; Sat., May 26, 7 & 9:30 p.m.; $35. (866) 215-1026.

WEDNESDAY, May 23

The Watson Twins’ dreamy, hypnotic alt-country music goes down well with the angry but cute comedy of Patton Oswalt. Also on the bill for Night Three of the Book-Smart Nightclub series is Found magazine founder Davy Rothbart. Proceeds benefit 826LA. Largo, 432 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A.; Wed., May 23, 8 p.m.; $25. (323) 852-1073.

THURSDAY, May 24

Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher are back with their fascinating Found Footage Festival. You guessed it — more oddities, such as an instructional video for a cosmetic device “so frightening that it will forever haunt you”; exercise videos with O.J. Simpson; rapping pregnant ladies — all clips were rummaged from warehouses and Dumpsters from all over the land. M Bar, 1253 N. Vine St., Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., May 24-26, 8 p.m.; $15. (323) 993-3305.

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