Film

• Eraserhead: Peter Ivers Memorial | Tuesday August 12th | 7:30pm | $12 | Egyptian Theater  - 6712 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood  (Map) | Come see the film that made Lynch the creepy, artistic genius that we all know him as today. At 6:30 there will also be a book signing to celebrate the release of the Peter Ivar biography In Heaven Everything Is Fine, with author Josh Frank.

Comedy

• Comedy Death Ray - Maria Bamford and Patton Oswald, and SPECIAL GUESTS | Tuesday, August 12th | 8:30pm | Tickets $5 | Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater (Map) | This is a great place to go for amazing and CHEAP comedy. Tonight they will have Maria Bamford, with special host Patton Oswald, and other secret “special featured” guests they have yet to name. Sounds exciting!

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FASHION

• Hollywood Shop Til’ You Drop | Saturday, August 9, 2008 | 11 a.m. | Free | Republic - Map | L.A’s top photographers, models, designers, stylists and editors will be at Hollywood Shop Til’ You Drop, which features clothing, jewelry, product giveaways, complimentary eye brow treatments, massages and more. Music provided by Celebrity DJ Q (Pharrell Williams and LA Clippers) RSVP To: shopmelroseave@yahoo.com to reserve free tickets or reply to this email.

FESTIVAL

• Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival | Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10, 2008 | 5 p.m. (Friday), 12 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday) | $1 donation | Sunland Park Recreation Center - Map | The 47th annual Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival takes place all weekend, sponsored by the Lions Club of Sunland-Tujunga. The event features free watermelon for all, watermelon carving display, eating contest with prizes and a watermelon seed spitting contest and much much more

FILM

• Samurai Rebellion | Saturday, August 9, 2008 | 7 p.m. | $10 | Silent Movie Theatre - Map | From Masaki Kobayashi and directed by Toshiro Mifune, Samurai Rebellion is a story of feudal-era political intrigue, vengeance and loyalty. The story revolves around a warlord’s retainer (Mifune) who has happily promised his beautiful daughter to her true love, but his decadent master has claimed the girl as his own. After his attempts to negotiate backfire, Mifune has no choice but to turn to his sword in a beautiful and brutal climactic showdown. 1967, 35mm, 128 min.

Photo by pinkspleen

This Saturday August 9th, from 10am to 11:30am is the LA drum circle in Downtown LA. Beat a bongo, shake a maraca, or ring a triangle. Drum Downtown is a unique outdoor group drumming experience on the Music Center Plaza. A fun, entry-level experience for all ages creating improvised rhythms and music in the moment. You don’t have to be a professional, you just have to want to have a good time. The event is free to all, no reservations need, and instruments will be provided for those who don’t have any. It starts at 10am and goes until 11:30, if it can be stopped at all!

The event is located at the Music Center Plaza:

135 North Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-7211

If you have any questions www.musiccenter.org or call 213-972-3660

• Julian Marley | Thursday, August 7, 2008 | 8 p.m. | $12.50 | The Malibu Inn - Map | Watch Julian Marley (son of Bob) showcase his album “A Time and Place.” The album features production by Julian and brothers Ziggy and Rohan play percussion on the album’s opening track, “Where She Lay” and Bunny Wailer contributes percussion to “Father’s Place.”

• La Perla Sale | Thursday, August 7 through Friday, August 8, 2008 | 10 a.m. | Luscious La Perla - Map | Mark your calendar for this, girls. Luscious La Perla in Beverly Hills is hosting a 2 day summer sale on lingerie, swimwear and ready to wear at 75 percent off.

• The Magical Rainbow Pony Show | Thursday, August 7 through Saturday, August 9, 2008 | 8 p.m. | Free | L’KEG Gallery - Map | A magical group art show featuring paintings, video, and installation work. Collaborations between LA and Bay Area artists including Nancy Chan, Walt Gorecki,Chihiro Higaki, Mike Poll, Allison Smith, Paul Solis and Jasper Wong

Photo by Manish Bansal

Comedy

• Eddie Izzard: Stripped | Wednesday August 6th | 8pm | $35-$65 - Buy Now | 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood (Map) | In my mind, one of the best stand up comedian’s of our time. Izzard is sharp, witty, and is great for a good history lesson. This is the last week to see him in LA, so don’t miss out catch him while you can! Izzard will have you rolling in your seat with wave of finely manicured hand.

Music

• Peanut Butter Wolf vs. LA: 888 Tour | Wednesday August 6th | 7pm | 21+ | The Echoplex - Map | Price Varies | “888″ is the third in a yearly series by Peanut Butter Wolf: he did a heavy metal set  on6-6-06, and a 7-day gospel-themed set for the number of the savior,  7-7-07. We’re not sure what the theme is for 8-8-8, except it’s the year of AWESOME. Tonight he will be doing Reggae videos at the Dub Club at The Echoplex. Check out the rest of the week here.

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Burlesque

• Lucky Devil Burlesque at Forty Deuce | Tuesday August 5th | Cost $10 | 9pm-1am | Forty Deuce - 5574 Melrose Ave Los Angeles (Map) | All male burlesque show… oh la la! “Lucky Devil” at Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce will consist of three different shows featuring cutting edge songs ranging from George Michael’s ‘Father Figure’ to Kylie Minogue’s ‘Slow’ and M.I.A.’s “Bamboo Banga.” In only the first few weeks, already celebrities such as Dita von Teese, Macy Gray, choreographer Jamie King, Amazing Race’s Reichen Lehmkuhl as well as members of the Pussycat Dolls have joined the packed crowd at Lucky Devil! Sexy.

Comedy

• Comedy Death Ray | Tuesday, August 5th | 8:30pm | Tickets $5 | Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater (Map) | Pretty good line-up for tonight. Bruce McCulloch, Dana Gould, Nick Kroll, Jessi Klein, TJ Miller and hosted by The Birthday Boys. Enjoy some good laughs, good beer, at a VERY reasonable price.

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The weather has been pretty darn pleasant this week. Take advantage of this treat by getting outside and exercising while you can still breathe without keeling over - something I feel like doing when running in 95 degree, smog-filled heat. Since, at the moment, at least a good chunk of the LA area is NOT atrociously hot like this, celebrate  by getting outside and moving!

One thing I can claim some level of expertise for is running routes. Considering the fact I’ve only lived in LA for 3 (school) years, I’ve run quite a few different routes and decently far distances. So for those interested in exploring more of the city on foot, read (and run or walk) on. I have a beautiful place to go.

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VISUAL ART

• Yoko Ono Wish Trees | Saturday, August 2 through Sunday, November 11, 2008 | 10 a.m. | Free | One Colorado Courtyard - Map | I haven’t been this excited about an event in a long time! Yoko Ono will present a major installation of her work, Wish Trees, in the large central courtyard at One Colorado in Pasadena. The installation will consist of living trees, selected by Ono, which are identified with the environment or history of Southern California. What’s the best part? Visitors are invited to write their wishes on pieces of paper and hang them on the tree branches (see photo to your right). There’s nothing better than interactive art.

FILM

• When Animals Attack: Bug | Saturday, August 2, 2008 | 10 p.m. | $10 | Silent Movie Theatre - Map | After an earthquake cracks the surface of a earth, a new species of spontaneously combusting and smart cockroaches emerge and are hell bent on destroying anything in their path. Whether you have a fear of bugs or not, films at the Silent Movie Theatre rarely disappoint. This is a great and unusual event for a Saturday night.

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VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT

• What it is: What it is | Thursday, July 31, 2008 | 6 p.m. | Free | Barker Block - Map | Filter Magazine presents their Sunset Series at Barker Block. With word by Paul G. Maziar, drinks from Colt 45 and special Write Bloody guests Derrick Brown and Amber Tamblyn with a live performance The Antiques

FASHION AND CHARITY

• Souls Shoe Drive by Twenty Two Shoes | Thursday, July 31, 2008 | 7 p.m. | Free | Twenty Two Shoes - Map | Today is your last day to bring in a gently worn pair of shoes for donation to get 50 percent off a new pair. Twenty Two Shoes hosts the Soles4Souls shoe drive every year. [ Read The Full Story -> ]

Books

• Used Book Sale | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 | 12:00 pm | Fairfax Branch Library - Map | I can easily recall the one of the best feelings in the world: when I found out that a “book sale” at the library really meant that the books were free. Whether or not that’s the case here, it’s still probably worth a look for your budding personal library. For more info, call (323) 936-6191.

Amoeba

• Amoeba Charity Auction hosted by Brently Heilbron | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 | 4pm | Amoeba Record - 6400 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood - Map | Amoeba will be hosting their weekly Charity Auction to benefit gulf relief efforts! Brently (voted Austin’s Best Comic and Creator of Richard Simmons Mysteries & Star of Trapped in the Closet Live!) will be auctioning off a bevy of cool items - from Hollywood Bowl tickets to Slayer underwear.

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Located on the second floor on the 6700 block on Hollywood Boulevard is the home of International Dance Academy. Nestled snugly above and across the Ripley Museum between Highland and McCadden Place, it is conveniently accessible to those looking for it. Having arrived fresh off the Metro Red Line last Wednesday evening, I didn’t know what to expect - other than perhaps leotards, gym bags, and some good beats - but let’s just say that the first impression most definitely delivered.

Passing through its narrow unassuming entrance and up two flights of stairs is revealed to the public a different view than that which could be suggested from standing on the street. If Heaven were a dance studio, this would be the place. With many rooms and glistening wooden floors, crystal clear windows with a view of the city, and a central hub with which to run into fellow students from all walks, it is easily a place that any burgeoning talent could call home. Of course, any reputable studio is entitled to its share of self-acknowledged splendor, but a highlighted feature was pleasing to this observant femme - while its name graces every other wall in red-and-black print, the message and aura is simple: ‘It’s so nice to have you here with us. Let’s dance’.

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Comedy

• Comedy Death Ray- Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo and more | Tuesday, July 29th | 8:30pm | Tickets $5 | Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater (Map) | They’re really going all out tonight. Sarah Silverman, Bob Odenkirk, Janeane Garofalo, Arj Barker, Rob O’Reilly and hosted by Brett Gelman. Wow. Tonight is really a night worth getting your sorry ass out of bed and over to the Comedy Death-Ray.

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