Things to Do in L.A. This Week: December 23-29

Seth MacFarlane

Monday, December 23, 2019 / 8:30–11 p.m. / Vibrato Grill Jazz

Seth MacFarlane is best known for the high jinks that ensue on his show, “Family Guy” and for the very naughty bear he created and voiced for the film “Ted,” but most folks are unaware that the writer-director-producer-animator-filmmaker is also a talented singer. Indeed, he’s been releasing albums since 2011. He’s even got a few Grammy noms under his belt. Channeling from the Great American Songbook, MacFarlane can really make it swing to the tune of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole.

Tickets: $25-$50 / More Information

‘Die Hard’ Screening

Tuesday, December 24, 2019, / 2–4:30 p.m. / The New Beverly

Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie? The film’s writer, Steven de Souza, says it is. To quote him, “If ‘Die Hard’ is not a Christmas movie, then ‘White Christmas’ is not a Christmas movie.” But the film’s star, Bruce Willis, disagrees. “‘Die Hard’ is not a Christmas movie! It’s a goddamn Bruce Willis movie!” he told the Hollywood Reporter. Valid point.

Whatever side you choose, this action thriller about a cop who takes on a gang of robbers holding his wife hostage at her office party has earned a place in the holiday canon; right up there with “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Home Alone.”

“Die Hard” screening at 2 p.m. / “Die Hard” and “The Silent Partner” double feature at 7:30 p.m. / More Information

Project Blowed XXV Anniversary

Thursday, December 26, 2019 / 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. / Los Globos

Project Blowed’s annual end-of-the-year bash goes big for the hip-hop collective’s 25th anniversary, featuring no less than its co-founders Aceyalone and Abstract Rude performing with Myka 9 as their supergroup trio Haiku D’Etat.

From its early days at the South Central health food center Good Life Cafe, what began as an open-mic workshop for rappers blossomed into an influential network with iterations in Las Vegas and the Inland Empire. The massive anniversary show lineup includes OG members 2Mex, Medusa, Ellay Khule and many, many more.

Tickets: $25 / More Information

Brainstory Record Release Show for ‘Buck’

Friday, December 27, 2019 / 8 p.m. to midnight / Moroccan Lounge

Brothers Kevin and Tony Martin and longtime friend Eric Hagstrom used music to fight back against the boredom of their hometown. After the trio moved to Los Angeles and formed Brainstory, they released two EPs on Chicano Batman’s El Relleno Records.

Their stony, smooth blend of jazz, soul and 1960s pop got them the attention of NY-based, retro-inspired Big Crown Records, who flew them out to record “Buck,” their debut full-length album. According to the band, “Buck is a state of mind, a way of life, a demeanor that gets you through the good times and the bad.” While the album came out last month, the band’s throwing the release show now, accompanied by Los Retros and Xin Xin.

Tickets: $8 / More Information

The Aquabats

Saturday, December 28, 2019 / 7:30–10:30 p.m. / The Fonda Theatre

Formed in Orange County in 1994 as the antithesis to the macho punk popular at the time, these masked ska crusaders, aka The Aquabats, continue their heroic enterprise of producing silly rock overflowing with joy, terror and absurdity. This L.A. show is the final hurrah of the band’s 25th-anniversary tour, and they’re joined by primal rockers PPL MVR, a mysterious ensemble that’s hidden its members’ true identities behind furry, nightmarish animal costumes. Things will definitely get weird.

Tickets: $28-$32 / More Information

Neil Hamburger

Sunday, December 29, 2019 / 8:30 p.m. to midnight/ The Satellite

When Gregg Turkington created his comedic alter ego Neil Hamburger back in the 1990s, he couldn’t have imagined that he’d be playing a grumpy, old school, C-list funnyman for the rest of his life. “But that’s my life!” he would say, as anyone who’s attended his variety night over the years knows. For his last show of the decade, Hamburger’s joined by Open Mike Eagle, bodily-function obsessed Sarah Squirm, musical twin brothers Max & Nicky, The Comedy Garage’s Paul Danke and a “special” guest.

Tickets: $8 / More Information