Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza”
October 16th- November 29th at the Santa Monica Pier
After seeing a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s newest spectacular, “Kooza”, I have decided that if at all possible, everyone should see one Cirque show before they die. Cirque du Soleil has been revered since it’s inception for their crème de la crème performers, brilliant visuals, and otherworldly musical arrangements, and “Kooza” gives new Cirque audience members a taste of what everybody has been raving about.
Last Halloween, a friend came into work raving about a party that featured Mexican Wrestling and Burlesque. My immediate reaction: Who spiked the punch bowl?
Thus began my fascination with Lucha VaVOOM, the cult theater sensation that co-creator Rita D’Albert touts as being “unabashedly LA.” The show is back on it’s home stage at the Mayan Theatre in Downtown this Wednesday and Thursday, October 28th and 29th. Titled “Creature Feature,” this raucous brand of sexo y violencia is sure to make you think twice about the phrase trick or treat.
The playbill and tix are available at http://LuchaVaVOOM.com. Losanjealous will be on hand to witness the spooky spectacle so check back for a review, video, and photos from the show. Official show flyer after the jump.
Phish Festival 8
3-Day Event
Oct 30, 31 & Nov 1
Empire Polo Field, Indio Tickets & Info [ENTER TO WIN 3-DAY PASSES] Contest closed. Thanks to all the many of you that entered!
Hat tip to Ice Cream Man for sending this our way; this is pretty cool. In the above video Glen Hansard decides to entertain the people who are waiting in line in order to hear him play inside the store. He ends by grinning and saying, “See you all inside.” The outside, cars-driving-by aspect of the impromptu performance reminds me a bit of that video we shot for John Vanderslice a while back, wherein John was chased away from the hour-plus line outside Pink’s hot dogs.
File under shame they can’t keep it going. Following Sunday if you want to check out the Knitting Factory you’ll need to be in Boise, Spokane, Brooklyn or, coming soon, Reno. Join us as we bid farewell to the venue and its three stages in the heart of Hollywood.
We have a few pairs of tickets to hand out at this time – and one grand prize winner will win a pair of tickets, free Hit The Lights merch and get to meet and greet the band if so desired (note: hitting the actual lights as you exit the Knitting Factory not included, though who’s to say that doesn’t happen as well). Simply put, if you’ve never been to the Knitting Factory over the last decade, this is your final opportunity. Entry instructions after the jump.
“I don’t know how to talk about music,” admitted lead singer Victoria Legrande halfway through Beach House’s set at The Hollywood Palladium last night. Even though her between song stage banter could have been slightly more articulated (it was still pretty amusing), Legrande instead spoke to the audience through her band’s ever-alluring, dreamy indie-pop ballads. Her enchanting vocals carried the bands otherwise minimal live set-up (3 piece, no bass guitar), with little to no back-ups.
I had previously seen the band in festival settings, including 2008’s Siren Fest at Coney Island and this summer’s Jelly Pool Party in Williamsburg (also with Grizzly Bear). With music better suited for a small indoor venue, the change of setting made a world of difference for the band’s live sound, which seemed a bit overly washed out from the end of Stillwell Avenue. The addition of a live drummer succeeded in bulking up the drum machine lead tracks, adding a slow, steady punch to the band’s earlier material.
Rarely does one think of Ballet and in the next thought think twisted, perverse and sadistic. These rare combinations of thoughts were combined for me last week at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse’s one-night production of the Lost Angels Ballet “Burn” & “Bathing for Beauty”.
The Decemberists Here Come The Waves: The Hazards Of Love Visualized
UCLA Royce Hall
Monday, October 19 Info
THIS WEEK’S TICKET GIVEAWAYS
Why?
w/ Au & Serengetti & Polyphonic
Tuesday, October 20
Echoplex Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
Jay Reatard Shattered Records Tour
w/ Box Elders & more
Wednesday, October 21
El Rey Theater Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions
w/ Dirt Blue Gene
Thursday, October 22nd
Mayan Theater Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
Michael Ian Black & Michael Showalter
Thursday, October 22nd
Henry Fonda Theater Moved from Orpheum–Orpheum tickets honored Show canceled.
Daniel Johnston
w/ Hymns
Saturday, October 24th
Henry Fonda Theater Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
The Fab Four
The Ultimate Tribute
Saturday, October 14 Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
Jello Biafra
and the Guantanamo School of Medicine
Sunday, October 25th
El Rey Theater Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
Tegan and Sara
w/ Laura Viers
Monday, October 26
Orpheum Theater Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
(Untitled)
A film by Jonathan Parker
Starring Adam Goldberg & Mary Shelton
Premiere screening
Monday, October 19
Bing Theater at LACMA
[ENTER TO WIN] HEADS UP
Los Angeles, Tenacious D is playing Culver City tomorrow and we’ve got your tickets covered. The duo will perform tomorrow as part of a multi-month-long series of events and performances intended to buck the slumping economy, cumulatively titled the WTF?! Festival at the Actors’ Gang space; said fest is curated by nonprofit gang founder Tim Robbins.
This is your chance to see The D in a small, intimate venue (100 seats). But wait! Your free tickets also allow you unfettered access to the comedic stylings of Sarah Silverman and surprise guests. Doors at 7, cocktails at 7:01, show at 8:30pm. Don’t snooze on this one. For those readers averse to gambling, a very small handful of tickets are still available here at $150/seat at press time. Remember: The Actor’s Gang is a nonprofit organization. These shows benefit children’s outreach programs; nobody is taking a dime. Entry instructions after the jump.
HEADS UP
Phish Festival 8
Soulico
Bouncing Souls 
HEADS UP
The Decemberists
Why?
Jay Reatard Shattered Records Tour 
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions 
Daniel Johnston
The Fab Four 
Jello Biafra 
Tegan and Sara
(Untitled)
