August 20, 2008

MARIACHI REYNA DE LOS ANGELES: AMERICA’S 1ST FEMALE MARIACHI ENSEMBLE

August 20, 2008

Take in the passionate sounds of “America’s first all female mariachi ensemble,” Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, at MacArthur Park’s free outdoor concert series. Over the last fifty years numerous mariachi chick bands have claimed to be the first ever. Regardless of Mariachi Reyna’s ranking in female mariachi history, their energized and original pieces, played on the violin, trumpet, vihuela, guitar, guitarrón and acoustic harp, offer a fresh take on this traditional art form.

WHEN: 7:30pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Levitt Pavilion at MacArthur Park
ADDRESS: 2230 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
WEBSITE: www.levittpavilionlosangeles.org
MARIACHI REYNA DE LOS ANGELES: www.reynadelosangeles.com

August 20, 2008

WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

August 20, 2008

Take a walk down memory lane at the Alex Theatre’s one-night screening of the 1971 scrumdiddlyumptious cinematic delight “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” With Gene Wilder starring as Mr. Willy Wonka in Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel, enjoy the surreal insanity of the factory’s Oompah-Loompah workers, the prosperity awarded the nice poor boy (though he stole some fizzie lifting drink) and the satisfying demise of the obnoxious kids around him. 1971, Warner Bros, 100 min.

It’s everybody’s non-pollutionary, anti-institutionary, pro-confectionery factory of fun!

WHEN: 7:30pm
ADMISSION: $10
TICKETS: www.alextheatre.org
WHERE: Alex Theatre
ADDRESS: 216 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203
PHONE: (818) 243-2539
WEBSITE: www.alextheatre.org

August 21, 2008

BOB LOG III AT THE ECHO

August 21, 2008

With a monkey paw, a jumpsuit, a bubble-mask motorcycle helmet wired for vocals and a lap full of adoring women while he plays, Bob Log III churns out the fastest lo-fi punk and delta sounds around. The one-man band pulls off an infectious set with a single snare drum, distorted vocals, random percussion and a fiery slide guitar. According to Bob Log III fan Tom Waits, “it’s the loudest strangest stuff you’ve ever heard — that’s what I aspire to basically.”

WHEN: 8:30pm
ADMISSION: $12
TICKETS: www.ticketweb.com
WHERE: The Echo
ADDRESS: 1822 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
WEBSITE: www.attheecho.com

August 22, 2008

DOROTHY PARKER                               BIRTHDAY PARTY

August 22, 2008

Dorothy Parker’s words, “I like to have a martini, Two at the very most. After three I’m under the table, after four I’m under my host,” should be put to example at her birthday party at the Culver City Hotel bar. Come for a night of ribaldry, epigrams and aphorisms, meet the people who use these words in sentences, as well as those who just want a stiff drink on a Friday night.

WHEN: 7pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Culver City Hotel bar
ADDRESS: 9400 Culver City, CA 90232
PHONE: (310) 838-7963
CULVER CITY HOTEL: www.culverhotel.com
DOROTHY PARKER SOCIETY: www.dorothyparker.com

August 22, 2008

SUMMER NIGHT WALK AT                   THE DESCANSO GARDENS

August 22, 2008

Experience two rare LA qualities - quiet and darkness - at the Descanso Gardens Summer Night Walk. Notice how bright the stars appear, become aware of the awakening wildlife and walk through the 25-acre estate filled with oaks and seasonally blooming roses. Docent Jim Jackson will lead a tranquil tour through the Gardens, which in Spanish translates as “ranch of rest.”

WHEN: 7:15pm
ADMISSION: $15 General/$10 Members
TICKETS: Space is limited, early registration recommended
WHERE: Descanso Gardens
ADDRESS: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
PHONE: (818) 949-4200
WEBSITE: www.descansogardens.org