All Hallows Eve, or Hallowe’en as it came to be known, marks the beginning of the Christian holiday All Saints Day. But what they don’t tell you in grade school is that the celebration is rooted in the Pagan tradition of honoring the dead. The ancient Celts believed the barrier between this world and the spirit world grew thin at summer’s end, allowing souls (both good and bad) to walk amongst the living.

The modern interpretation of Halloween is characterized by a breakdown in the barrier between our innermost desires and demons, and external displays of decorum. There’s only one day of the year when it’s socially acceptable to dress like the lead in a tacky porno, a serial killer, a superhero, or a serial killing superhero pornstar (I think I just hit on next year’s costume). And there’s no better time to indulge in Lucha VaVOOM, the hit stage show that mixes Mexican wrestling with burlesque.

Mexican wrestling is a soap opera for men. It pits the good guys (tecnicos) against the bad guys (rudos) in a battle for honor. But instead of utilizing manipulation and gossip, competitors wage war on one another with man-handling and grunts. In between matches in this macho telenovela (Lucha), show creators Liz Fairbairn and Rita D’Albert have woven sultry strip tease (VaVOOM). D’Albert hand selects dancers based on athleticism and mastery of a unique skill. Watch the videos below to get a glimpse of how the show plays out.

»continue reading What’s Halloween without a little Sexo y Violencia?

I speak Urdu, Tagalog, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Esperanto, Mandarin, Norwegian, C++, Java, HTML, Snark, Blog, Quechua and North Korean, but not French. We get about 50,000 music press releases per day and even though this one originated from Hudson Street, New York, NY, I will be goddamned if I know what’s going on other than I dig the photo. “En concert blah blah blah, tck tck tck” indeed. Please, somebody help me (and Dan Black Sound) so that I can determine if I should post it, add one or more of his shows to our concert calendar, delete it or just what the hell, here.

Merci
Ryan

Vampire Weekend’s self titled debut marked the first time in recent memory that my Album of the Year was decided in January. After nearly two years of missing the band in NY (even having to give away a ticket to go to a company Christmas party), I managed my way to Long Beach last night for the kick off of their California Mini-Tour (stopping in one Starbucks towns like Pioneertown, Lomita, and Visalia) in promotion of their upcoming sophomore, Contra. The Art Theater of Long Beach had been converted into an unconventional music venue, with first come first serve seating and some limited standing area by the stage.

In front of a crowd of about 200, the young New York City band wasted no time getting into new material, opening with long-time live staple, “White Sky,” which will appear on Contra. Other new tracks included “Holiday,” “California English,” “Run,” and “Cousins,” which is heavy on the surf guitar and quickly becoming my new favorite. The new single, “Horchata” (’dedicated to Lola’s across the street,’ where they apparently have really good horchata), sounded particularly tight for a new addition.

»continue reading Vampire Weekend Bring Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa to Long Beach Movie Theater

PICK OF THE WEEK

Pixies
Doolittle Tour
Wed 11/4 w/ No Age
Thurs 11/5 w/ Black Gold
Fri 11/6 w/ Rain Machine
Hollywood Palladium
 

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THIS WEEK’S TICKET GIVEAWAYS

Ian Anderson
Performs the Acoustic
Jethro Tull
Fri 11/6
The Wiltern
Info | [ENTER TO WIN]

Bostich + Fussible
Nortec Collective Presents
Thurs 11/5
Echoplex
Info
[ENTER TO WIN]

Múm
w/ Sin Fang Bous & Hildur Gudnadottir
Fri 11/6
El Rey Theater
Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
 

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The Cribs
Johnny Marr’s first L.A. Cribs appearance
w/ The Blood Arm
Mon 11/9
Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
 

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HEADS UP

The Books @ Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge Mon 11/23
Cold War Kids @ The Wiltern Fri 1/22
Fishbone, Less Than Jake, Cage, The Swellers & screening of the Warped Tour 15th Anniversary Movie @ Glass House Sat 12/5
The Start w/ Mellowdrone @ Troubadour Sat 12/12
Tom Morello, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Tom Gabrel, Shirley Manson, Butch Walker, Jarrod Gorbel, Charlotte Martin and more @ Avalon (Pablove Foundation Benefit) Sat 11/21
U2 @ Anaheim Stadium Sun 6/6/10 (On sale 11/9/09 10 am)
U2 @ Oakland Alameda County Colosseum (On sale 11/2/09) Wed 6/16/10
City and Colour @ Henry Fonda Sat 1/23
Squirrel Nut Zippers @ El Rey Fri 1/1
Lady Gaga w/ Kid Cudi @ Nokia Theater Wed 12/23
Lady Gaga w/ Kid Cudi @ Nokia Theater Tue 12/22
Fat Freddy’s Drop @ The Roxy Fri 11/20
The Cribs w/ The Blood Arm @ The Roxy Mon 11/9
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Miquel Atwood-Ferguson Quintet, DJ Sets by Madlib, Coleman & B+ @ Echoplex Fri 11/6
Deftones @ Avalon Thu 11/19
50 Cent, T-Pain, Pitbull, Fabolous, Jeremih and Jay Sean @ Gibson Amphitheatre (Power 106 Cali Christmas) Wed 12/16
Them Crooked Vultures @ The Wiltern (Dave Grohl, Joshua Homme and John Paul Jones) Tue 11/17
Slash, Ozzy Osbourne, Perry Farrell, Billy Idol, Travis Barker, Chester Bennington (Linkin Park), Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother), Dave Navarro & more @ Avalon (Layn Rocks: Los Angeles Youth Network Homeless Benefit hosted by George Lopez) Sun 11/22
We The People Festival @ L.A. Center Studios (Bad Religion, Suicidal Tendencies, Madvillian, Flobots, Anti-Pop Consortium, Daedelus, Blu&Exile, Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds & more) Sat 11/21
Lizz Wright @ Luckman Theatre Sat 11/7
 

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MONDAY
Shonen Knife w/ Ty Segall @ The Echo
Vampire Weekend @ The Art Theater of Long Beach
White Rabbits @ El Rey

TUESDAY
Devo @ Henry Fonda (Performing “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” )
LA Weekly’s LA 101 w/ Silversun Pickups, Dandy Warhols, Dengue Fever & Matt and Kim @ Gibson Amphitheatre
Minus The Bear @ Glass House
Ojos Rojos, Jason Simon (Dead Meadow) @ The Press (129 Harvard Ave, Claremont) (free)

»continue reading Losanjealous Concert Picks: Nov. 2 – 8

Set list below.

»continue reading Dirty Projectors, Jensen Rec Center, Halloween 2009

This past Halloween, thousands of Angelenos gathered at the beautiful Legendary Park Plaza near MacArthur Park for KCRW’s Masquerade: A Halloween Costume Ball & Dance Party.  With one look at the massive two-story venue (several large wings and two outdoor areas for lounging and dining at some of LA’s premier food trucks), the set list (DJ Shadow, Sea Wolf, Little Dragon, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, various KCRW DJs) and the full costume participation of the guests, we knew this was going to be a stellar night. 

»continue reading KCRW’s Masquerade: A Halloween Costume Ball & Dance Party, October 31, 2009

A costumed Vampire Weekend played a secret show on Halloween at a loft apartment in Chinatown. The location was fitting since the building was home to the legendary Madame Wong’s night club in the 70’s and 80’s. Keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij dressed up as a unicorn, drummer Chris Tomson was Ace Ventura, bassist Chris Baio wore a giant shrimp costume, but I could never quite make out who singer Ezra Koenig was supposed to be. The band tore through a full set of new and old songs with Mansard Roof and Oxford Comma sounding better than ever. It was a relaxed house party atmosphere with the main room crowded only during the performance. Throughout the night guests mingled around the kitchen turned DJ & bar area, the smaller family room space, and the rooftop terrace. The latter I discovered through climbing a long second stairway and half expecting to see Kareem Abdul Jabbar around the corner at the top as in Game of Death. Free Colt 45’s were served and, in a shoe store that was open on the ground level, free Tecates were offered. Ironically, no Horchata was to be found.

A reduction linocut by artist Dave Lefner. Studio 212, Moulton Ave.

LA is home to the largest art colony in the world. That’s right, the world. It’s one of our city’s best kept secrets. Twice a year, the Brewery Art Association near downtown LA opens its doors to art aficionados, collectors, students, curious onlookers, and those who only wish they could support themselves based solely on creative genius. I fit into those last two categories.

The following photo collection reflects my first experience at the Brewery Artwalk, which took place this past Saturday and Sunday, October 24 & 25. It is in no way a comprehensive representation of the work that was on display (the complex boasts roughly 300 work/live studios). But it’s a taste of an authentic, thriving art scene unique to LA—a must-try for all Angelenos.

»continue reading Brewery Artwalk Autumn ‘09: A Free Pass To LA’s Creative Common

Der Golem, Wie Er In Eie Welt Kam

Direction, analog synths and miscellany by Brian LeBarton (Beck)
Percussion by Carla Azar (Autolux)
Cello by Vanessa Freebairn-Smith

Over the course of 90 minutes in a darkened room under Disney Hall last night Brian LeBarton, clad in a fur-and-rubber wolf mask, made enough improvised bleeps, blurps and flatulent noises to equal the output of six men with an array of vintage synths surrounding his workspace. Supporting musicians Carla and Vanessa were tastefully subdued, never at the forefront for any extended period of time. Nothing was rehearsed beforehand.

Golem, the movie itself, 90+ minutes of shadowy lighting and fantastic 1920 surrealist sets by Hans Poelzig (playbook of which Theodore Geisel must surely have taken a page from), has been scored a variety of ways over the ages (fun and notable example: dig the brief death metal montage by Mike Patton’s Fantomas, here). I’m not exactly sure the reason, but spacey free jazz and analog sounds lend themselves to silent German Expressionist films quite well, and last night’s performance was well-executed and no exception, drawing parallels for myself to the scoring of Murnau’s Nosferatu by the venerable Tortiose a couple of years ago up in Chicago.

»continue reading Brief Notes on Last Night’s Live Golem Score, REDCAT, Brian LeBarton & Guests

Bestselling UK import Florence Welch treated a few Angelenos to a small, acoustic (albeit harp-inclusive) set inside the Roosevelt Hotel, evening last. Those with tickets for tonight’s show, please let me know if she skips around the Troubadour stage. I was told that she generally skips all over the stage while belting out those long sustained notes, but last night’s tiny alcove allowed for zero skipping. Seriously want to know if she skips, guys. -R

HEADS UP
Florence & The Machine @ Troubadour Fri Oct 30 (tonight) (long sold out; good luck)

HEADS UP
The Golem w/Live Score @ REDCAT Fri Oct 30
The Golem w/Live Score @ REDCAT Sat Oct 31 (ALL HALLOWS’ EVE)

Creepy German Expressionism at its finest: The Golem: How He Came Into the World gets the musical treatment it deserves this evening and tomorrow, downtown ‘neath the Disney Hall. These two screenings will feature a live score by Brian LeBarton (Beck’s music director and keyboardist) with special guest Carla Azar (Autolux) and more. Personally I’m stoked; these shows have been on the calendar ever since Brian told us about them! If you have no plans for Halloween, or your plans run on the late side Saturday, why not enter to win a pair of tickets to the Saturday screening by sending me your first and last name right here. Winner will be notified EOD; the film starts promptly at 830pm both nights. I’ll be there as well, so come say hello and if you’re in costume, go ahead, see if you can earn one of five existing pieces of our beyond-limited-edition-at-this-point Losanjealous 2009 OkiTaffy. Huzzah!

Olympic Gold Medalist and ten-time World Champion Fighter Oscar de la Hoya officially cut the ribbon on the Oscar de la Hoya Ánimo Charter High School in Boyle Heights today, the first public high school built in Boyle Heights in 80 years. The school is situated at the location of de la Hoya’s former boxing gym. Big congrats and thanks to Oscar; full press release and more photos by Nicholas Alan Cope after the jump.

»continue reading De La Hoya Cuts Ribbon on Namesake Boyle Heights Charter High School

Thu 10/29 Built To Spill w/ Disco Doom @ Echoplex | [ENTER TO WIN]
Fri 10/30 Bouncing Souls w/ Bayside & Broadway Calls @ El Rey | [ENTER TO WIN]
Fri 10/30 Built To Spill w/ Disco Doom @ Echoplex | [ENTER TO WIN]
Sat 10/31 Bouncing Souls w/ Bayside & Broadway Calls @ El Rey | [ENTER TO WIN]
Thu 10/29 Land of Talk @ Spaceland | [ENTER TO WIN]
Fri 10/30 Amy Millan (of Stars) @ Spaceland | [ENTER TO WIN]

HEADS UP
Charles Phoenix Presents Halloween @ Bob Baker Marionette Theater Thu Oct 29
Charles Phoenix Presents Halloween @ Bob Baker Marionette Theater Fri Oct 30

Celebrate Halloween at LA’s legendary Bob Baker Marionette Theater, now in its 50th year. This Thurs & Fri night I’m thrilled to present … BOB BAKER’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR! … a vintage puppet show extravaganza starring dozens of bizarre one-of-a-kind marionettes…

Get the back story! …with slides and classic TV and film clips I’ll tell the story of Bob’s unparalleled career, which began in 1932…

»continue reading Charles Phoenix’s Slide of the Week: BOB BAKER’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR! OCT 29 & 30

Dear Father’s Officers,

There is only one thing worse than spotting your parents downing a pint in your favorite burger and beer joint: finding your aunt and uncle instead.

And, I’m reluctant to report, this recently occurred at Father’s Office in Culver City. At first I thought I was seeing shit. But, nope, they were there. Eating and drinking and being merry. And when I approached I quickly found out this was not their first visit. In fact, they consider themselves “semi-regulars.”

It is with this pronouncement I make another: Father’s Office has officially jumped the culinary shark.

Look, I love my aunt and uncle. I even crashed at their house for two summers back in college. And I know my freaking mom is going to email them a link to this post so I’m going to be in trouble. But, let’s be honest, no one wants to see their middle-aged aunt and uncle at the bar you frequent. It simply makes the place so un-cool I can no longer go there.

»continue reading Beacon: The Culver City Father’s Office Solution

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.

»continue reading The Cirque is in Town: Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza” @ Santa Monica Pier (Review)

Full photo gallery below.

»continue reading U2, Rose Bowl, October 25, 2009

HEADS UP
Lucha VaVOOM @ Mayan Wed Oct 28
Lucha VaVOOM @ Mayan Thu Oct 29

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.

»continue reading Lucha VaVOOM Returns to Mayan This Week

El Segundo Strip Mall Parking Lot
26 Oct ‘09