The Strokes take the stage, a weekend of banjo plucking and square dancing, a freaky flea market, lively discussions at Lit Fest Pasadena and more.
The Strokes Play Benefit Show for L.A. Homeless
Monday, May 13, 2019 / 7-11 p.m. / The Wiltern
It may be surprising that alt-rockers from New York have become champions for combating L.A. homelessness, but heroes come in all sizes of leather jackets. Rock it out for a good cause with The Strokes, as they perform together for the first time since 2017. While the price tag isn’t cheap, the cause is more than worthy.
All proceeds from the concert will be donated to The Center in Hollywood and FoodCycle LA. The Center is a community-based non-profit that provides access to health and mental care, housing and activity resources. Foodcycle LA is dedicated to feeding the homeless by redirecting perfectly good food that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
Tickets: $125-$150 / More Information
‘Keep It’ Live
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 / 7-11 p.m. / The Regent Theater
“Keep It” is a weekly podcast from Crooked Media about the explosive intersection of pop culture and politics at a time when it seems the two are entangled in a disastrous tango.
They’re taking the show on a nation-wide tour, including a stop at The Regent. Hosts Ira Madison III, Kara Brown and Louis Virtel will converse with comedians, actors, journalists, musicians, politicians and activists about the most current sensational news or gossip that people are obsessing over, be it music, film, celebrities, social justice or something from the Twitterverse.
Tickets: $27.50 in advance; $35 at the door / More Information
Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival
Wednesday, May 15, 2019 / 5-11 p.m. / Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE 14
From May 15-24, the IFS Film Festival will host screenings, parties and talks, while also awarding the best independent films released over the past year. More than 200 films will screen at L.A. Live - this year’s main site—as well as various historic theaters across Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.
Today’s screenings include best comedy winner “Rebound Sex” directed by Umari Jason and best documentary winner “Float” from director Karl Preusser.
Previous IFS premieres have included Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Inherent Vice,” Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight,” Lars von Trier’s “Nymphomaniac,” Harmony Korine’s “Spring Breakers” and many more. The festival is a must for a true cinephile.
Double Feature: ‘Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom’ and ‘Pigsty’
Thursday, May 16, 2019 / 7:30-11:15 p.m. / Aero Theatre
One of the most controversial and censored films ever made, “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom” is director Pier Paolo Pasolini’s searing critique of consumerism. The film actually premiered shortly after Pasolini was brutally murdered, and the mystery of his violent end and the depravity portrayed in this film seem to go hand in hand. The film is a pretty gross onslaught of unsettling images as the rich abuse their slaves for merriment.
It’s supposed to be a little bit funny, actually. You’ll never look at poop the same.
Also screening is Pasolini’s satirical “Pigsty,” released in 1969, which features fascism, cannibalism and rolling around in a pigsty.
Tickets: $8 for American Cinematheque members; $12 for general public / More Information
Friday Night Concert at the Los Angeles Old Time Social
Friday, May 17, 2019 / 8-11:30 p.m. / The Velaslavasay Panorama
It’s that old-timey time of the year when fiddlers, banjo pluckers and dance callers descend upon the city for a weekend of American folk and country fun. From May 16-18, the Los Angeles Old Time Social takes over multiple venues with live music, workshops, square-dancing and a cakewalk aka a pie contest. Then, to top it all off everyone heads over to Sunday’s Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest at Paramount Ranch.
A night of traditional and rare tunes at the Velaslavasay Panorama has become part of the Social’s annual events. This year’s lineup features Fresno’s Dos Valley Trio, fiddlers Casy Meikle and Austin Derryberry and the Have More Fun Stringband, with Frank Fairfield’s Temple Street Quartet serving as the house band.
Tickets: $20 / More Information
The Oddities Flea Market
Saturday, May 18, 2019 / 10 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. / Globe Theater
This market of curiosities curated by Brooklyn-based Ryan Matthew Cohn offers three floors of the strangest, most unusual objects collected across the country. Peruse medical ephemera, osteological specimens, taxidermy, strange home decor, jewelry and art sure to satisfy the darkest of tastes. It’s like Halloween and a freak show on a shopping spree. Each floor will feature a bar, which is great since alcohol always leads to sensible purchase decisions.
Tickets: VIP early access (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.) $40; General admission $10 / More Information
The Future of L.A. Media: Hyped Up on Hyper Local Stories
Sunday, May 19, 2019 / 4:30-5:30 p.m. / Vroman’s Bookstore
As part of LitFest Pasadena, Los Angeleno’s Editorial Director Sophia Kercher will moderate a discussion on the importance of local media and what it takes to keep it thriving. In the wake of corporate media layoffs and struggling newspapers, L.A. news outlets like The LAnd, Los Angeleno and L.A. Taco are emerging with fresh perspectives and impactful, creative stories about our diverse city.
Panelists include KPCC/LAist Senior Digital Editor Melissa Leu, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Julia Wick, LA Taco Editor Daniel Hernandez and Alhambra Source Senior Writer Phoenix Tso.
Attendance is free. / More Information