Shana Nys DambrotThe more of these art-party posts we compile, the more the offerings have an uncanny way of self-organizing into these awesome micro-trend theme sets. This week it's all about sex, drugs, and the supernatural — we have magic spells for fixing your love life, a celebration of the seven deadly sins (I always forget one…), a photographer’s intimate documentary project on weed farming and a trip to the Twilight Zone to support your local roller derby. And just to mix things up a little, Hollywood is making a serious play to steal some of DTLA’s recent art-party thunder.
Thursday, March 5: Lola Rose Thompson's "Spells For Improving Your Sex Life" at LAST Projects
Thompson is making new work for this show — and not only the feverish and swirling gestural compositions she is known for painting, but also drawings, sculpture, neons and “site-specific black-light and installation works inspired by LAST's location above the fray of Hollywood Boulevard.” A recurring theme in Thompson’s work has been her fascination with the sordid pop culture that Hollyweird embodies. The opening reception features a special performance by actress and art impresario Jena Malone. LAST Projects, 6546 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Thu., March 5, 7-10 p.m; free. (323) 356-4225, lastprojects.org. Exhibition continues Thur.-Sat., 2-7 p.m., through March 28.
Friday, March 6: 7 Deadly Sins at the Hustler Store
The Hustler Store on the Sunset Strip has been making a serious bid to get in on the city’s culture circuit lately, arting-up its cheeky lifestyle and apparel design parties, adding music and cocktail sponsors and just generally going for it. Tonight’s launch party for model and cosmetics maven Masumi Max’s IAMSIN makeup line features all that plus burlesque dancers, performers enacting the seven deadly sins and DJ action by the L.A. Weekly’s own Lina Lecaro. Hustler Hollywood, 8920 Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Fri., March 6, 8:30 p.m.; free. (310) 860-9009. hustlerhollywoodstores.com.
Saturday, March 7: "Eat Your Art Out 08: Next Stop, the Twilight Zone" at Titmouse Studios
Angel City Derby Girls and Titmouse Animation Studios, in partnership with Eat More Art Out Productions, is bringing back their annual roller derby fundraiser. It’s a benefit for the Angel City Derby Girls, a flat track roller derby league that is entirely skater-owned and operated and currently ranked as one of the top ten leagues in the world. (I know, right? Give it up for the ladies!) Organizer Jane Dope explains, “We want to bring art to the people in a crazy fun and different way, while raising funds to support the kick-ass sport that brought us together.” Aside from Twilight Zone-themed original artwork by Dave Pressler, Jim Mahfood, Sarah Elise Abramson and scores of other beloved local talents, the event features live painting, music, food trucks, photo ops, and cocktails. #KeepRollerDerbyWeird Titmouse Animation Studios, 1121 Seward Ave., Hlywd.; Sat., March 7, 7 p.m.; $5. (323) 466-7800. angelcityderby.com.
Saturday, March 7: H. Lee's "Grassland" at Spot Photo Works.
After living in a Northern Cali community of cannabis growers between 2010-2013, photographer H. Lee (not her real name) documented both the farmers’ uber-secretive way of life and the business side of the greenest of industries in her 2014 book, Grassland — selections from which will be shown for the first time back on the West Coast beginning this weekend at Spot Photo Works. Weed is part of California’s history, in social and cultural circles, and increasingly in economic circles as well. This particular variety of farm-to-table activity is becoming more and more mainstream — once you can get a permit and have to pay payroll and inventory taxes, you’re not really underground anymore, right? So the clandestine harvest documented in Grassland is becoming something of an endangered way of life. Spot Photo Works, 6679 W. Sunset Blvd., WeHo; Sat., March 7, 6-9 p.m.; free. (310) 275-2820. spotphotogallery.com. Exhibition continues Mon.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., through April 28.
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