As part of The Actors' Gang's WTF?! Festival, curated by Gang co-founder Tim Robbins, PEN Center USA is hosting A Conversation With Gore Vidal and David Ulin, a civilized conversation between the legendary essayist/author/playwright/screenwriter/political analyst/activist and honorary president of the American Humanist Association and renowned author and L.A. Times book editor David Ulin. Fisticuffs are not expected. Two highly intelligent, insightful and verbally gifted men will simply sit near each other in comfortable chairs, sipping water and talking about whatever they feel like talking about, hopefully for at least an hour or so; and although (or because) many wise things will be said, at the end we'll almost certainly feel depressed as hell. The Actors' Gang at the Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City; Tues., Nov. 3, 8 p.m.; $20 (310) 838-GANG; https://wtffestival.com. –Dave Shulman

Tue., Nov. 3, 8 p.m., 2009

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