Kristin's List: A Guide to Cultivated Los Angeles

Meet legendary filmmaker and one of my personal heroes, Werner Herzog, for the signing of his recently released English translation of “Conquest of the Useless: Reflections from the Making of Fitzcarraldo.” Though Herzog once remarked, “Film is not the art of scholars, but of illiterates,” he managed to write a diary from 1979-1981 filled with poetry and prose about the excessive and insane process of shooting “Fitzcarraldo.”

WHEN: 5:00pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Book Soup
ADDRESS: 8818 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
WEBSITE: www.booksoup.com
PARKING: Limited parking behind store & street parking

The time has come to out the summer’s best kept secret: the Echo Park Film Center’s free outdoor screenings on the Filmmobile. As part of its program to show films in the locales they were shot, the Filmmobile will be parked by Echo Park Lake for “A Salute to Edendale.” The celebration of the 100th anniversary of Echo Park’s first film studio will include such gems as Charlie Chaplin’s “Mabel’s Married Life,” Harold Lloyd’s “Lonesome Luke” and the Keystone Cops in “A Muddy Romance.” These locally filmed classics will be brought to life with live musical scores by Professor Cantaloupe, The Grizzly Owls and Magic Gas. The evening will be topped off with free snacks, bingo, a giant bunny and general Echo Park Film Center tomfoolery.

WHEN: 7pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: The Echo Park Film Center’s FILMMOBILE
ADDRESS: Filmmobile will be parked at the north end of Echo Park beside the lake
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ECHO PARK FILM CENTER: www.echoparkfilmcenter.org
NOTE: bring a chair or a blanket to sit on

Guided by Esotouric’s keen L.A. scholars, take a tour of Raymond Chandler’s hard-boiled times in the City of Angels. Using screenplays, film adaptations and private correspondence, Esotouric shows us Chandler’s influences and the locales of his anti-hero Philip Marlowe. Best described by its tagline - “Bungalows. Crime. Hollywood. Blondes. Vets. Smog. Death.” - “Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles” tour is a must see for anyone with an interest in how L.A.’s mean streets shaped a literary giant.

WHEN: 11:30am check-in, 12:00pm departure
ADMISSION: $58
TICKETS: www.esotouric.com/chandler-7-11-09
MEET AT: Lincoln Heights/ Cypress Gold Metro Line station
WEBSITE: www.esotouric.com

In memory of author David Foster Wallace, 826LA invites folks to come read their favorite Wallace passage or simply listen to his words. Best known for his 1996 novel “Infinite Jest,” the American novelist, essayist and short story writer passed away on Friday, September 12th at the age of 46. Attend readings at either 826LA East (Echo Park) or 826LA West (Venice).


WHEN: 8pm
WHERE: 826LA East
ADDRESS: 1714 W. Sunset Blvd, Echo Park, LA 90026
PHONE: (310) 305-8418
WEBSITE: www.826la.org

WHEN: 8pm
WHERE: 826LA West
ADDRESS: 685 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
PHONE: (310) 305-8418
WEBSITE: www.826la.org

For a nation that’s produced eighteen “Law and Order” series, this story should prove both familiar and irresistible: on October 1, 1910, a bomb reduced the Los Angeles Times building to ashes, leaving twenty-one dead and dozens more injured. But who did it, and why? In “American Lightning,” Howard Blum unravels the true-life mystery from crime to trial, exposing unseen political forces at work and introducing us to the high-profile players along the way, including “America’s Greatest Detective” William J. Burns, famed attorney Clarence Darrow and even film pioneer D.W. Griffith. Part historical nonfiction, part gripping crime thriller, “American Lightning” is an engrossing look into America’s original “crime of the century.”
-Juliet Small Ernst

WHEN: 7pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Vroman’s Bookstore
ADDRESS: 695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
PHONE: (626) 449-5320
WEBSITE: www.vromansbookstore.com

With the sad closing of Dutton’s Brentwood Books in April, a ray of light in the independent bookseller world is shining through as DIESEL, A Bookstore opens its third location at the Brentwood Country Mart. At a time when mega-bookstores are monopolizing the market, Diesel is willing to take a risk. As co-owner John Evans says, “People told us in 1989 that it was a terrible time to open a bookstore, but we did it. Less critiquing and more joy, that’s what I say.” To celebrate this joyful event, join Emmy Award-winning actor Alan Alda in the courtyard for a reading and signing of his new book, “Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself.”

WHEN: 7pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Diesel, A Bookstore
ADDRESS: 225 W 26th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402
PHONE: (310) 456-9961
WEBSITE: www.dieselbookstore.com

With the belief that storytelling and learning about science are an important marriage, physicist and author Brian Greene has blended the traditional Icaraus myth with black hole research in his new book “Icaraus at the Edge of Time.” Accompanied by full-color images from the Hubble Space Telescope, “Icaraus” is an all-ages book that aims to explain the mind-blowing scientific discoveries around black holes – “regions of space threaded by such powerful gravity that anything venturing too close is unable to escape.” Join Greene for a discussion and book signing of “Icaraus” at CalTech.

WHEN: 8pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Beckman Auditorium @ CalTech
ADDRESS: 332 S. Michigan Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
PHONE: (626) 395-3834
CALTECH WEBSITE: www.events.caltech.edu/events/event-5641.html

From his time as a Freedom Rider in the 60s to his career as a US Senator (1992-2000), Tom Hayden has been a tireless advocate for the anti-war, environmental and civil rights movements. Join Hayden at Vroman’s for a discussion about his new book, “Writings for a Democratic Society,” a collection of personal, political and cultural essays that span over fifty years of political activism. Described by the NY Times as the “single greatest figure of the 1960s student movement,” Hayden has never abandoned his fight for social justice. Hayden’s other recently published book “Voices of the Chicago Eight: A Generation on Trial” will also be touched on.
-Juliet Small Ernst

WHEN: 7pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Vroman’s Bookstore
ADDRESS: 695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101
PHONE: (626) 449-5320
WEBSITE: www.vromansbookstore.com

On the eve of the national party conventions, the acclaimed literary journal Black Clock releases its ninth, politically themed installment. Black Clock 9 includes political allegory, subversive satire, and secret presidential histories. Falling immediately after both conventions, this reading will feature four of its contributors: Seth Greenland, Anthony Miller, David L. Olin and Black Clock editor Steve Erickson.
-CalArts Calendar

WHEN: 3pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Hammer Museum
ADDRESS: 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
PHONE: (310) 443-7000
CONTACT: www.hammer.ucla.edu

Though John Steinbeck’s 1939 classic “The Grapes of Wrath” quickly became the nation’s number one bestseller, the citizens of Bakersfield, CA, were not impressed. The world witnessed the Nazi book burnings of 1939 but would soon learn that this small American town joined the trend and publicly burned and banned Steinbeck’s novel. Coinciding with Banned Book Week, author and journalist Rick Wartzman will discuss his new book “Obscene in the Extreme: The Burning and Banning of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath” and reveal the background story of this disturbing chapter of U.S. history.

Rick Wartzman will be in conversation with William Deverell, professor of history at USC and Director of the USC-Huntington Institute on the West.

WHEN: 7pm
ADMISSION: Free, reservations recommended
RESERVATIONS: www.lfla.org/aloud
WHERE: Mark Taper Auditorium @ the Central Library
ADDRESS: 630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
WEBSITE: www.lfla.org/aloud
PARKING: 524 S. Flower Street Garage

Let the champagne spill forth and the chocolate cake be aplenty for all those at the christening of Skylight Books 1814. Adjacent to the original Skylight Books, the spacious 1814 gives such sections as film, theatre, art, photography and design the luxury to spread out and flourish. In addition to the all-day store discount of 18.14% at both locations, a specially formed staff band, Skylight Juice, will play a wicked brand of improvised “cacophonous soft rock.” In more ways then one Skylight Books dares to go where no independent bookstore has gone before.

OPENING PARTY: 3pm Grand Opening Party
STORE HOURS: 10am-10pm
ADMISSION: Free
WHERE: Skylight Books
ADDRESS: 1814 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
WEBSITE: www.skylightbooks.com
ADDITIONAL INFO: 18.14% discount is valid all day at both stores

Despite the US media’s depiction of Iran as a country solely interested in developing a nuclear program, a vibrant Iranian literary community abounds. Outside of such books as “Reading Lolita in Tehran” and “My Uncle Napoleon,” the Iranian literary identity is little known to the Western world. Join editor/translator Niloufar Talebi for a presentation of her recently published anthology “Belonging: New Poetry by Iranians Around the World.” Bringing together the work of Iranian poets of all styles - erotic, political, experimental and formal - Talebi offers Western readers the chance to hear the nuances of contemporary Persian voices.

The evening will also feature author Joyce Zonana discussing her new memoir, “Dream Homes, From Cairo to Katrina, an Exile’s Journey,” about growing up Egyptian, American and Jewish.

A light buffet of Egyptian and Persian appetizers will be served. The event is free but donations are welcome.

WHEN: 6pm
ADMISSION: Free, rsvp (310) 657-5511 as space is limited
WHERE: Levantine Cultural Center
ADDRESS: 1012 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
WEBSITE: www.levantinecenter.org

The Islamic Republic of Iran is at the center of world attention, yet it remains largely unknown to the West. Join award-winning photographer Mark Edward Harris for a narrated presentation of “Inside Iran,” the first contemporary photographic book on a place seldom seen or understood by outsiders. Harris’ work offers a fascinating look at a society of juxtapositions—ancient and modern, commercial and spiritual, serene and intense, political and personal. “Inside Iran” is a crucial look at a country whose future will undoubtedly influence our own.
- Chronicle Books

WHEN: 7:30pm
ADMISSION: $7 General Admission/$5 Seniors & Students/Free Members
WHERE: Pacific Asia Museum
ADDRESS: 46 N. Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
WEBSITE: www.pacificasiamuseum.org

John Fante’s novels (Ask the Dust, Dreams of Bunker Hill, The Road to Los Angeles) offer a Technicolor glimpse into the lost world of 1930s downtown LA. Though the “federal bulldozer” has destroyed most of the remnants from this vibrant time, a few embers remain. Guided by Esotouric’s expert LA scholars, hop on the tour bus and travel back in time to such Fante locales as Angels Flight, the Goodwill where his anti-hero Arturo Bandini shopped, the Grand Central Market and the King Edward Cafe where b-girls nabbed his royalty checks.

WHEN: 10:30am check-in, 11am departure
ADMISSION: $58
TICKETS: www.esotouric.com/fante-8-23-08
MEET AT: Skylight Books
ADDRESS: 1818 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
WEBSITE: www.esotouric.com/fante-8-23-08

To celebrate its three-year anniversary That Yarn Store is hosting poet Dottie Grossman and trombonist Michael Vlatkovich for a special “Call and Response” night. After Grossman reads her original work, Vlatkovich will interpret her poems with the language of the trombone. Join local knitters, crocheters and yarn shop groupies for a festive night at this down home Eagle Rock institution.

WHEN: 6pm
WHERE: That Yarn Store
ADDRESS: 5028 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
PHONE: (323) 256-9276
WEBSITE: www.thatyarnstore.com