Spiffy East Coast web magazine Slate.com has a podcast called Culture Gabfest, wherein its cadre of highly educated critics wittily discuss timely cultural and pop-cultural topics, their shelf lives and whatnot. (Seriously, peep their virtual masthead — even the assistant went to Yale.) Said critics Dana Stevens, Stephen Metcalf and Julia Turner will be joined by actress Elizabeth Banks for their first live-taped event, which they're traveling across the country to share with us. They will discuss what the world is watching, listening to, reading and talking about right now. Turner, also the site's deputy editor, assures me that the event's title, Who Says L.A. Has No Culture?, was not their choice but rather the organizer's — an Angeleno notion of what New Yorkers think of L.A. Unbeknownst to many listeners, all of Slate's podcasts are produced right here in town, by a fourth-generation Angeleno, no less — exec producer Andy Bower. Gabfest listeners weren't miffed by the unintentional diss — reservations hit capacity quickly (stand-by still available), and the gang likely will return, considering the overwhelming response. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd.; Tues., March 20, 7:30 p.m.; free; resv. required; stand-by list will be available. zocalopublicsquare.org/upcoming.php?event_id=518.

Tue., March 20, 7:30 p.m., 2012

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