Los Angeles, CA. 7.13pm. Dusk drops over the Doll Factory. Rain beats down like a pervert pissing in a pantry. Fog enshrouds the Factory entrance, thicker than your Aunt Petunia’s peanut butter porridge. A figure emerges from this fog. It is not DF. It is an opossum feasting on Hot Dog on a Stick-related detritus. Near this opossum, however, DF lurks, clad in rain slicker and Bogart-esque fedora, eyes cast earthward, sucking sullenly on a cigarette and soaking to the bone. Why doesn’t DF split for the cozy confines of the factory? Because I’m trying to set a goddamn noir-y mood, if the freaking title didn’t already make that clear enough. Jeez.
All right, screw this, it’s freezing and wet. Or rather: DF ditches the downpour. Derby awaits. This ain’t just any bout. It’s an extra-league installment. It’s another chapter in the growing LA/SD rivalry. It pits LADD’s finest against all-stars from their sister team to the south. And more: Delicious and distinguished derby dames from around America have competed for three coveted additional roster spots on each team. LA and San Diego are each talent-stacked on their own, so piling on the ringers seems almost obscene. It’s like giving Shaq elevator shoes, or letting Pacquiao in the ring with a pair of brass knuckles.
Actor Corey Haim, who starred in beloved ’80s films including The Lost Boys and License to Drive, died early this morning in Los Angeles of a suspected drug overdose. He was 38. According to reports, Haim was found unresponsive in an Oakwood apartment and taken to Burbank, California’s St. Joseph Hospital at around 3:30 a.m. PST, where he was pronounced dead. Police are calling Haim’s death “accidental,” the Los Angeles Times reports. The actor was reportedly at home with his mother at the time of his death
Four prescription bottles were found at Corey Haim’s North Hollywood apartment, Los Angeles Coroner assistant chief Ed Winter confirms to UsMagazine.com.
The Greek & Gibson Amphitheater’s 2010 season schedules are now out. As usual, a bunch of great shows for the summer. Yes & Frampton and Styx, Foreigner & Kansas. Levon Helm, Band of Horses, some guy called Ringo and this gal Norah Jones. Premiere Marquee Club (PMC) members get first dibs on the hot seats. All the info on that is at PMCla.com.
May 2 | Gibson Amphitheatre | Magneto
May 6 | Gibson Amphitheatre | Celtic Woman
May 7 | Gibson Amphitheatre | L.A. Salsa Festival: Gilberto Santa Rosa / Luis Enrique /Willy Chirino / Oscar D’Leon
May 9 | Gibson Amphitheatre | Mother’s Day 2010 Concert featuring Patti LaBelle plus special guest Ashford & Simpson
May 14 | The Greek Theatre | Wavefest 2010
May 15 | The Greek Theatre | Thirty Seconds to Mars plus special guests Shiny Toy Guns / Neon Trees May 18 | Gibson Amphitheatre | Styx / Foreigner plus special guest Kansas
There’s a nice remembrance piece in the USA Today on the occasion of today’s 20-year (!?) anniversary of the death of Hank Gathers. The Loyola Marymount Lions basketball star, he died–on-court–on March 4, 1990 at just 23-years old, the result of a known heart condition.
If you weren’t around back then or don’t remember him, his story is well worth checking out. (There’s even a new book out about him.) That tournament run Loyola went on, making the Elite Eight just days after his death, remains one of my all-time favorite memories, sports-related and in general.
PHOTO: Greenspan’s in the foreground, Ludo’s in the background.
Greenspan to Ludo: I believe I Can Fry. Ludo to Greenspan: Let’s Fry Away, Together.
Last night, to add a little intrigue to Bluesy Tuesdays at The Foundry on Melrose, the famed Ludo Lefebvre shacked up with Foundry chef Eric Greenspan to fry up some chicken. Interestingly, the genesis of this chicken dinner came on Friday, when Lefebvre swung by The Foundry for dinner, only to find that Greenspan had been called away from his stoves (apparently Greenspan was moving a couch at the time). A Twitter exchange later, and Lefebvre had booked himself for a night of cooking.
As is de rigueur these days, word spread like wildfire via the Twitterverse, causing foodies, bloggers and critics alike to scramble for a coveted reservation to experience two great chefs play chicken. And I was one of them.
Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Mohr, Joe Rogan, Kevin Smith, Aziz Ansari, Sarah Silverman, Jeffrey Ross, Adam Carolla, Bill Burr, Craig Robinson and more
Apparently Kevin & Bean are still on the air–who knew? This thing will probably be hit (Aziz, Sarah, maybe Jeff Ross) and miss (everyone else) but it involves Aziz, so we are obligated to plug it. Let’s just say he has stuff on us.
OK GO acoustic performance
+ screening of new video for “This Too Shall Pass” (left) along with earlier videos, followed by Q&A with the band.
Display pieces of the Rube Goldberg machine, built by Syyn Labs for the new video.
DJ set by Tim Nordwind Tickets & Info
Young Directors Night
Saturday, March 6, 2010. 8PM – Midnight
LACMA’s Bing Theater and A+D Museum Tickets & Info
Young Directors Night highlights the emerging talent of Los Angeles’s film community. A celebration of film and the art of cinema, the showcase features six short films screened in the unique setting of an art museum:
What is music? Many of today’s top artists and scholars grapple with the question in this cinematic look at a uniquely human obsession.
The Heart is a Drum Machine is a new feature documentary film project from the producers of Moog directed by Christopher Pomerenke.
The Flaming Lips’ Steven Drozd wrote and performed the film’s original score and covered Elton John’s “Rocket Man” with Maynard James Keenan on vocals.
Featuring Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, Jason Schwartzman, Elijah Wood, Britt Daniel of Spoon, Kimya Dawson, Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, Maynard James Keenan, Tim & Eric, Silversun Pickups and more.
March 4th 7:30 pm
Regency Lido Theatre
Presented by The Orange County Film Society & Newport Beach Film Festival
3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach Tickets & Info
March 10th 7:30 pm
Egyptian Theater
6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028 Tickets & Info
From 
The Greek & Gibson Amphitheater’s 2010 season schedules are now out. As usual, a bunch of great shows for the summer. Yes & Frampton and Styx, Foreigner & Kansas. Levon Helm, Band of Horses, some guy called Ringo and this gal Norah Jones. Premiere Marquee Club (PMC) members get first dibs on the hot seats. All the info on that is at 
HEADS UP 
HEADS UP
What is music? Many of today’s top artists and scholars grapple with the question in this cinematic look at a uniquely human obsession. 
