For the next two weeks in and around Los Angeles...

Friday, April 28
Auction of things from the estate of Patrick Swayze (i.e. e.g. cf. the leather jacket he wore in Dirty Dancing and the surfboard he used in Point Break, among others. Through Saturday.)
Julien's Auctions, 9665 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. #150, Beverly Hills; 10 a.m.; free. (310) 836-1818.
WERD: A Live Magazine Celebrating Music and Activism ("Featuring music and conversation with Shepard Fairey, Perry Farrell, Shirley Manson, John Densmore. Rock superstars from the ‘60s to today will come together in music and dialogue for a once-in-a-lifetime bill celebrating the very timely relationship between music and activism. Benefits PS Arts and their quest to provide arts education for underserved schools and communities.")
The Theater at Ace Hotel, 929 Broadway, downtown Los Angeles; 7:30 p.m.; $33-55. (213) 623-3233.
Fear Based Life Live ("A live version of the hit Feral Audio podcast Fear Based Life. Artists join Mel Stephens to do something they are afraid of or scared to do. Stories, characters, stand up, music, etc. They might just do something that makes them smile. It's a win-win situation. At the end of the show, just like the podcast Mel will be interviewing a audience member about their fears, religious and spiritual beliefs.")
Lyric Hyperion Theater, 2106 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake; 8 p.m.; $7. (323) 928-2299.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Puddles Pity Party ("The 'sad clown with the golden voice' captivated audiences and media from around the world, building a fan base of more than 182,000 on Facebook. Today, the softhearted crooner continues to wander the world with melancholic pop anthems and free hugs for all the party people.")
The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Dr., Agoura Hills; 6 p.m., 21+; $20. (818) 879-5016.
Joe Baiza / Jason Kahn / Devin Sarno perform improvised guitar and electronics experiments
NowSpace, 5390 Alhambra Ave., El Sereno; 7 p.m., a/a; free.
Dirty Laundry TV and KXLU present Beach Bums, Jurassic Shark, Pity Party
The Smell, 247 S. Main St., downtown Los Angeles; 9 p.m., a/a; $5. (213) 625-4325.
Weather today?

Saturday, April 29
Writing The Simpsons ("What goes into pitching a perfect Troy McClure movie? Who was the ideal celebrity voice guest? How in the hell do you generate new ideas 28 seasons in? Welcome to the NerdMelt Lecture Series: grad school for landing gigs, sharpening your skills, and standing out in the vast landscape of the Hollywood hustle. Featuring past showrunners, executive producers, and all-around cool weirdos Mike Scully (showrunner, seasons 9-12), Josh Weinstein (showrunner, seasons 7-8) and Matt Selman (writer/executive producer, season 9 to present).")
NerdMelt, 7522 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 4 p.m.; $8. (323) 851-7223.
Tabitha Soren signs copies of Fantasy Life ($45, Aperture) ("The former MTV News VJ spent 15 years photographing the lives of draft picks for the Oakland A's. Once she realized the unprecedented access she’d been granted, what emerged over the course of that time were photographs not just of the players, but of fans, ballparks, the lonesome road, and the evocative American sky - all of it conjuring the sweeping feelings of hope and endless possibility that marked the young men's lives.")
Arcana Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City; 4 p.m.; free. (310) 458-1499.
Remembering the L.A. Riots ("April 29, 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the 1992 L.A. Riots. Please join us for poetry, dance and discussion. Hosted by Tanya Ko Hong and Julayne Lee followed by a reception and opportunity to meet the artists.")
Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice; 4 p.m.; $10 general / $6 students & seniors / members free. (310) 822-3006.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Colleen Green, The Wedding Present
The Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; 6 p.m., a/a; $17.50-19.50. (213) 413-8200.
Zakir Hussain & Rahul Sharma ("Renowned santoor player Sharma and Hussain - one of the finest tabla players in the world - are teaming up yet again. Hussain’s playing is marked by uncanny intuition and masterful improvisational dexterity, founded in formidable knowledge and study. Sharma learned music and the Santoor from his father, Guru Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who is a music legend in India and throughout the world.")
Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Plaza, UCLA, Westwood; 8 p.m., a/a; $29-59 general / $25 UCLA staff & faculty tickets / $15 UCLA students. (310) 825-2101.
Krishna Das "On the Road Again" ("Referred to as yoga’s "rock star," chant artist Das returns with his call-and-response chanting that layers traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation.")
Wilshire Ebell Theater, 4401 W. 8th St., Mid-Wilshire; 8 p.m.; $45. (323) 939-1128.
Weather today?

Sunday, April 30
Melina Sempill Watts talks about Tree ($18, Change the World) ("When it comes to the literature of the environment, since The Monkey Wrench Gang and Ishmael, our shelves are nearly empty. Tree is a bold new candidate in this category: a dive into the imagined interior realm of plants and the animals and people who love them, into the culture, history and ecosystems of the Santa Monica Mountains.")
Diesel Books, 225 26th St., Ste. #33, Brentwood; 3 p.m.; free. (310) 576-9960.
Damon Krukowski signs The New Analog: Listening and Reconnecting in a Digital World ($25, The New Press) ("Having made his name in the late '80s as a founding member of the indie band Galaxie 500, Krukowski has watched cultural life lurch from analog to digital. Rather than rejecting the digital disruption of cultural life, however, Krukowski wants to re-examine what we have lost as a technological culture, looking carefully at what was valuable in the analog realm so we can hold onto it." In conversation with Jonathan Lethem.)
Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 4 p.m.; free. (310) 659-3110.
The Act Like a Girl Show! ("Brings you a night of interviews, stand-up, sketch comedy, and musical comedy written and performed entirely by women and gender non-conforming humans in a fun, inclusive and safe space for all of us to laugh at ourselves! Our show always passes the Bechdel tests! Performances by Britt Ashley, Cheap Smokes, Fizaa Dosani, A.B. Farrelly, Helen Hong, Kira Morrison. Hosted by Suzee Dunn and Tracie Walker.")
NerdMelt, 7522 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 7 p.m.; $10. (323) 851-7223.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
UCLA Philharmonia ("Founded in 1936, Philharmonia's music directors have included Lukas Foss, Richard Dufallo, Mehli Mehta, Samuel Krachmalnick, Alexander Treger, and Jon Robertson. Philharmonia's programming focuses on both the core symphonic and operatic repertoire, and the best in contemporary and rarely-performed works.")
Bing Theater, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire; 6 p.m.; a/a; free. (323) 857-6010.
Minty Boi One Year Anniversary feat. L.A. Drones, Pauline Lay, Rail (Las Vegas), Young Lovers
The Smell, 247 S. Main St., downtown Los Angeles; 8 p.m., a/a; $5. (213) 625-4325.
Weather today?

Monday, May 1
May Day Women’s March ("May 1st has been historically recognized as International Worker’s Day since May 1, 1886 as 35,000 workers struck for an 8-hour workday. The California-based SEIU USWW comprised of the hard working men and women janitors, bank security officers, baggage handlers, hospital staff, hotel workers, stadium and amusement park workers are calling for a General Strike on Monday, May 1. Women’s March LA Foundation will present a Voter Registration and Education Initiative premiering at the SEIU USWW event in Downtown L.A. They will stand in solidarity and to bring attention to the importance of worker’s rights and working with Rock the Vote provide voter registration tools so that workers can make an impact on the issues that concern them, and the people that support them.")
Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., downtown Los Angeles, 90013; 9 a.m.; free. (818) 783-4071.
Reyna Biddy presents I Love My Love ($15, Andrews McMeel) ("In short, poignant verses, debut collection from 22-year-old poet Biddy's poems explore pain, emotional reckoning, and the power of self-love. Tells the story of Reyna's childhood, her parents' toxic relationship, and how, against all odds, she learned to love herself.")
Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 7 p.m.; free. (310) 659-3110.
Sherry Lansing in conversation with Stephen Galloway discussing his book Leading Lady: Sherry Lansing and the Making of a Hollywood Groundbreaker ($27, Crown Archetype) ("Lansing has worked in the motion picture business for almost 30 years where she was involved in the production, marketing, and distribution of more than 200 films, including Academy Award winners "Forrest Gump" (1994), "Braveheart" (1995), and "Titanic" (1997).")
Ann and Jerry Moss Theater, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica; 8 p.m.; $95 reception + reserved + book / $45 reserved + copy of book / $20 general. (310) 855-0005.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Fatso Jetson, The Obsessed, Primitive Man, Weedeater
The Regent, 448 S. Main St., downtown Los Angeles; 6 p.m., a/a; $20-25. (323) 284-5727.
Weather today?

Tuesday, May 2
22nd Annual UCLA Research Conference on Aging ("Research topics ranging from basic biology to public policy will be presented. The event provides the opportunity to network with others conducting and interested in aging research and will feature oral and poster presentations from a diverse group of researchers in aging. Research faculty, fellows, graduate students, and community research partners are invited to submit abstracts for the poster session.")
Ackerman Grand Ballroom, Ackerman Union, 308 Westwood Plaza, Westwood; 8 a.m.; free. (310) 206-0812.
Talk: Cur-ATE: Picasso and Rivera ("Enjoy a special evening dedicated to the love of food and art while exploring the museum after hours. Explore the special exhibition Picasso and Rivera: Conversations Across Time with Maite Gomez-Rejon of ArtBites before enjoying a four-course meal at Ray’s & Stark Bar by chef Fernando Darin.")
LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire; 6:30 p.m.; $110 general / $100 members. (323) 857-6000.
Food Waste: Solutions Informed by Science (and What to Do With Your Leftovers) ("World-renowned chef Massimo Bottura, UCLA professor Jenny Jay, and Zero Waste Consultant Amy Hammes will discuss food waste in a panel discussion moderated by Evan Kleiman. The discussion will focus on measuring the environmental effects of food waste, how policy influences food waste and its relationship to hunger and the environment, and practical solutions.")
Freud Playhouse, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood; 7 p.m.; $25 general / $5 student. (310) 825-4373.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Bird of Youth, Okkervil River
Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Westlake; 8:30 p.m., 18+; $20. (213) 389-3856.
Weather today?

Wednesday, May 3
36th Annual L.A. Conservancy Preservation Awards Luncheon ("Over 600 community and business leaders will attend this event, one of the most inspiring awards programs in town. Help us honor some of the best preservation projects in L.A. County! They reflect a range of outstanding efforts to preserve and revitalize the historic places that make Greater Los Angeles unique.")
Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles; 11:30 a.m.; $150-5000. (213) 624-1011.
Film Preservation in Latin America: Pasado, Presente, Futuro ("As film labs are closing worldwide, funding remains an ongoing challenge, and restoration efforts often need to be done collaboratively with support from multiple outside organizations. This event will bring together representatives from Latin American archives to showcase restored films and new archival "discoveries" from their collections as well as to discuss challenges in maintaining their countries' cinematic legacy.")
Harold M. Williams Auditorium, Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood; 7 p.m.; free (but advance tickets required; parking $15 / $10 after 3 p.m.). (310) 440-7300.
Witch Taint: The Black Metal Dialogues ("Dave Hill is obsessed with Norwegian Black Metal, brought to international prominence in the early '90s thanks to a series of church burnings, murders, suicides, and other surefire attention-getting devices. His desire to become part of the scene reached such a fever pitch that he couldn't help but reach out to a longtime member of the Norwegian Black Metal community. Fearing for his own life, however, he wrote not as himself, but as his alter ego - a 19-year-old from Gary, Indiana named Lance, the frontman and sole member of the self-proclaimed greatest Black Metal band ever, Witch Taint.")
The Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood; 8 p.m., 21+; $10. (310) 358-1881.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Kiefer Sutherland (also Thursday)
The Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 7:30 p.m., a/a; $25. (310) 276-2222.
Robyn Hitchcock
The Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; 8 p.m., a/a; $25. (310) 276-1158.
"Storywriter Songteller" with performances by Veronica Bianqui, St. Ranger, Johnzo West
Stories Books & Café, 1716 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; 8:30 p.m.; free. (213) 413-3733.
Weather today?

Thursday, May 4
Nick Offerman: Full Bush ("The handmade-ukulele-wielding comedic artist best known for portraying Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation unveils a veritable smorgasbord of cautionary tales, tunes, and tips for prosperity. From lessons in manliness, to high-spirited singalongs, to the occasional bout with nudity, Offerman's stage performances are inspirational experiences for those lucky enough to attend.")
Largo at The Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Grove; 6 p.m.; $30-100. (310) 855-0350.
Lucha VaVoom Cinco de Mayan ("Ahora en su décimo 15 año, Lucha VaVoom continúa sorprendiendo y sorprendiendo con su constante atención a la emoción del espectáculo que es horror y hilaridad. ¿Quién es más macho - Rey Escorpion o Laredo Kid? ¿Magno o Rey Horus? Averigüe cuando vaya al Lucha VaVoom Cinco de Mayan, el más grande de todas las fiestas mexicanas aparte del Día de los Muertos y varias quinceañeras. También puede ser la única vez que se puede encontrar lucha, burlesco, comedia, locura electro-punk de Silverio, tamales y lowriders en un cómodo partido de tequila y margarita empapado de una vez." Also Friday.)
The Mayan, 1038 S. Hill St., downtown Los Angeles; 7 p.m.; $48.50, (213) 746-4287.
The Short Films of David Lynch ("A program of David Lynch’s earliest, rarest, lowest budget work, including: Six Men Getting Sick, 1967, 4 min.; The Alphabet, 1968, 4 min.; The Grandmother, 1970, 34 min.; The Amputee (V. 1), 1974, 5 min.; The Amputee (V. 2), 1974, 4 min.; Premonitions for Following an Evil Deed, 1995, 1 min.")
Cinefamily, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., Beverly Grove; 10 p.m.; $12 / members free. (323) 655-2510.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Dedekind Cut, Sondre Lerche, Alexander von Mehren
The Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; 8 p.m., a/a; $20. (310) 276-1158.
Sir Richard Bishop (of Sun City Girls), Robert Millis (of Climax Golden Twins)
Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Westlake; 8:30 p.m., 21+; $12. (213) 389-3856.
Weather today?

Friday, May 5
W. Kamau Bell gabs with author Roxane Gay about The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6’4”, African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama’s Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian ($28, Dutton) ("Tackles a wide range of evergreen issues, such as race relations; fatherhood; the state of law enforcement today; comedians and superheroes; right-wing politics; failure; his interracial marriage; why he never seemed to fit in with the Black comedy scene...or the white comedy scene; how he was a Black nerd way before that became a thing")
Largo at The Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Grove; 6 p.m.; $40 includes copy of book. (310) 855-0350.
Kathy Shorr discusses Shot: 101 Survivors of Gun Violence in America ($40, powerHouse) ("The increasing ubiquity of gun violence has become the norm particularly in the U.S., where we have begun to hear horror after horror on a daily basis. "Shot" is about people who have been shot and survived the experience. It portrays 101 survivors, aged 8 to 80, from all races and many ethnicities. They are the representatives of survivorhood. Most were photographed in the location where they were shot.")
Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 7 p.m.; free. (310) 659-3110.
Comedians Cinema Club ("The show where stand up comedians attempt to recreate your favorite films live on stage! There's chaos, audience participation, and possible nudity! It's Time Out London's Comedy Critics Choice every month, and The Guardian named it one of the best audience participation comedy shows at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. This month, we're taking on Disney's Aladdin!")
NerdMelt, 7522 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 8:45 p.m.; $8. (323) 851-7223.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Feist (also Saturday and Sunday)
Palace Theater, 630 S. Broadway, downtown Los Angeles; 7 p.m.; $45-55. (213) 999-5067.
Los Angeles Philharmonic (Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano) performing Schubert's "Symphony No. 1," Mahler's "Songs of a Wayfarer," Schubert's "Symphony No. 2"
Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles; 8 p.m., a/a; $65-201. (323) 850-2000.
Velvet Tinmine ("DJs Don Bolles and Noah Wallace will be on hand, spinning a stomp-worthy melange of nonstop Junkshop Glam Crunchers and Bubblegum Rave-Ups that will have you dancing those platforms down to little smoking nubbins all night long, or at least until they throw us all out on our sequin-covered arses at 2 a.m.! Prizes for the best '70s glam looks, so don't forget to dress to excess!")
Monty Bar, 1222 W. 7th St., Westlake; 9 p.m., 21+; free. (213) 228-6000.
Weather today?

Saturday, May 6
Free Comic Book Day (signings by Christos Gage, Marguerite Bennett, Gustavo Vasquez, Karl Altstaetter, Joshua Henaman, Ambrose Quintanilla, George Ford, David Davis, Jamie Sullivan, Russell Nohelty, and Josh Siegel at Hi De Ho in Santa Monica, as well as other artists in various other comic book stores)
Throughout Los Angeles
32nd Annual UCLA Pow Wow ("Everyone is invited to come and learn about Native culture via song, dance, food and native arts and crafts." Also Sunday.)
UCLA Wilson Plaza, 120 Westwood Plaza, Westwood; 9 a.m.; free. (310) 206-7513.
Wait Wait, Don't Kill Me! ("A night of unforgettable comedy and entertainment that will hilariously take on the year in animal news, views and other topical animal events. Panelists, including Lily Tomlin, June Diane-Raphael, Casey Wilson, Whitney Cummings and Craig Ferguson will compete in our quiz show formatted live event by fielding questions from our host, Paul Scheer. All the proceeds of this event will benefit the Voice For The Animals Foundation.")
Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Plaza, UCLA, Westwood; 8 p.m.; $100 / $75 / $25. (310) 825-2101.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Refractor Piano™ Immersion ("Peter Manning Robinson - dual concerts, one-night-only - plays his, and Klaus Hoch's, creation, The Refractor Piano™ ("Robinson is pioneering a new music form called “refracted music.” Without using prerecorded tracks, triggered samples, external sounds, or MIDI instruments, the Emmy and multiple BMI award-winning composer creates a vast spectrum of new musical environments with just a refracted acoustic piano. The music combines elements of neoclassical composition and jazz improvisation that, when acoustically refracted, produce an original and transcendent live music experience.")
Vortex Dome, 1201 W. 5th St., Ste. #185, downtown Los Angeles; 7:30 p.m., a/a; $10-20. (213) 534-3720.
cleaninglady (Australia), Philip Mantione (L.A.), Moment Trigger (L.A.), b (L.A.) in a night of noise, nonsense and nothing
Coaxial, 1815 S. Main St., downtown Los Angeles; 8 p.m., a/a; free. (213) 536-8020.
Bebe McPhereson MindPowerRecitements, Fancy Space People, L.A. Drones at HM157's 10-Year Anniversary Party ("So many incredible DIY spaces have have risen & fallen all around us over the years. On May 1, 2015 HM157 suffered a terrible fire from or back door to the alley gate...our resident artists lost a great deal...we were lucky that the house was spared! Let's get decked out in finest extraterrestrial attire & FREAK OUT. This is a costume dance party -  use your imagination! Come as any sort of futuristic space creature you can conjure!")
hm157, 3110 N. Broadway, downtown Los Angeles; 9 p.m., a/a, $10. (562) 895-9399.
Weather today?

Sunday, May 7
Rose-Lynn Fisher offers up "The Topography of Tears ($20, Bellevue Literary Press) ("Does a tear shed while chopping onions look different from a tear of happiness? Fisher trains her optical microscope and camera on her own tears and those of men, women, and children, released in moments of grief, pain, gratitude, and joy, and captured upon glass slides. Duotone photographs reveal the beauty of recurring patterns in nature and present evocative, crystalline imagery for contemplation.")
Hennessey + Ingalls, 300-M S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown Los Angeles; 2 p.m.; free. (213) 437-2130.
Opening of the "Latin Wave: Exploring Myth, Illusion and Cultural Appropriation" series ("Looks at the treatment of Latino culture from Hollywood’s beginnings and beyond. Events include a screening of The Gaucho (1927) starring Douglas Fairbanks & Lupe Velez with live accompaniment from Bob Salisbury on our 1924 Wurlitzer Theatre Organ; a screening of The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema (2002); the exhibition "Exploring Myth, Illusion and Cultural Appropriation"; live performance by members of the Grammy-winning band Quetzal; and "They Shoot Mexicans, Don't They?", a special immersive theater experience by Rose Portillo and Theresa Chavez." Through May 21.)
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel; 2:30 p.m.; $12 doors / $10 advance (cash only). (626) 308-2865.
2 Girls 1 Pup ("An actual psychic will do readings for the dogs in the audience! The night is full of hilarious comedy, games, and segments plus free PUPcorn and beer, and raffle prizes. All proceeds benefit The Tailwaggers’s Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides funding to qualified 501c non-profit organizations who supply life saving treatment to sick and injured animals.")
Tailwaggers, 1929 N. Bronson Ave., Hollywood; 7 p.m.; $7 (cash only). (323) 464-9600.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
The 2nd Annual Gardena Mohican Love & Jazz Festival (featuring Kevin O'Neal & The GML Gardena All Stars; also featuring compositions of Gardena Alumni)
Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 7:30 p.m., a/a; $65. (323) 466-2210.
Sondheim & Jazz: Side by Side featuring Bill Charlap, Ann Hampton Callaway, and Renee Rosnes; Dave Grusin presents: Jazz from West Side Story
Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles; 7:30 p.m., a/a; $51-80. (323) 850-2000.
Daniel Rosenboom Quintet (Kai Kurosawa - beartrax, Alexander Noice - guitar, Daniel Rosenboom - trumpet, Dan Schnelle - drums, Gavin Templeton - alto sax)
bluewhale, 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., Suite #301, Little Tokyo; 9 p.m., 21+; $15 general / $10 students. (213) 620-0908.
Weather today?

Monday, May 8
Gabourey Sidibe, star of Precious and American Horror Story, signs her memoir This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare ($25, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) in conversation with Roxane Gay, author of The New York Times best-selling essay collection Bad Feminist.
Barnes & Noble, 189 Grove Dr., Ste. K-30, Fairfax; 7 p.m.; free. (323) 525-0270.
Stephen Sylvester, Mary Mallory, & Donovan Brandt present Hollywood at Play: The Lives of the Stars Between Takes ($25, Lyons) ("Images of celebrities enjoying dancing, bike-riding, roller skating, bowling, and playing tennis; among the photos are eight rare photos of a young Marilyn Monroe at play; Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland frolicking at a pool party; Steve McQueen and James Garner astride McQueen's iconic motorcycle between takes of "The Great Escape".")
Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 7 p.m.; free. (310) 659-3110.
Mainardtown ("Inspired by elementary school plays and parliamentary procedure! Join the residents of rural Mainardtown as they hold their quarterly town-hall meeting. This rowdy show incorporates the audience as active members of Mainardtown and encourages them to weigh in and voice their opinions on important matters such as: What to do with the town snake, Can a dog be an electrician, and what will be the theme of this year's parade?")
NerdMelt, 7522 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 8:45 p.m.; $8. (323) 851-7223.
Weather today?

Tuesday, May 9
Chris Pegula unveils Diaper Dude: The Ultimate Dad's Guide to Surviving the First Two Years ($15, TarcherPerigree) ("An easy-to-read resource for new dads, combining hard-won lessons learned, pitfalls to avoid, and practical advice from a dude who hasn't lost his identity (or his sanity). Covers everything from bonding, babyproofing, and when you'll have sex again, to toddlerhood, tantrums, and tag-teaming with your partner to cover all the bases while staying (somewhat) sane.")
Diesel Books, 225 26th St., Ste. #33, Brentwood; 6:30 p.m.; free. (310) 576-9960.
Art Battle Los Angeles ("Art Battle is live competitive painting. Painters create the best work they can in 20 minutes. As they work, patrons move around the easels, closely watching the creative process. The medium is acrylic paint and the tools allowed are brushes, palette knives or any non-mechanical implements. At the end of the round, the audience votes democratically for their favorite painting and bids in silent auction to take the work home.")
Boomtown Brewery, 700 Jackson St., downtown Los Angeles; 7 p.m.; $20 general / $15 advance. (213) 617-8497.
From L.A. to the Outback: Two Novelists (David Francis and Jane Smiley) in conversation ("Francis’ latest novel Wedding Bush Road ($25, Counterpoint) follows the visceral journey of a young L.A. lawyer called back to his family’s horse farm in rural Australia when his mother falls ill. Discussing this psychological portrait of a divided family and their complicated roots, Francis is joined by master storyteller and fellow horse aficionado Jane Smiley.")
Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., downtown Los Angeles; 7:15 p.m.; free. (213) 228-7500.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Los Angeles Philharmonic (Gustavo Dudamel, conductor - with Boris Allakhverdyan, clarinet; Andrew Bain, horn; Nathan Cole, violin; Whitney Crockett, bassoon;  Robert deMaine, cello; Ingrid Hutman, viola; Johnny Lee, violin; Gloria Lum, cello; David Allen Moore, bass; Akiko Tarumoto, violin; Ben Ullery, viola) perform Chamber Music: All-Schubert - Schubert's String Quartet No. 13, D. 804, "Rosamunde" and Schubert's Octet in F, D. 803
Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles; 8 p.m., a/a; $20-58. (323) 850-2000.
Bob Holz and A Vision Forward (feat. Chet Catallo & Ralphe Armstrong) perform a tribute to Larry Coryell and Alphonse Mouson
Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 8:30 p.m., a/a; $20. (323) 466-2210.
Weather today?

Wednesday, May 10
Spontaneous Collective Action: Peripheral Mobilization During the Arab Spring ("Who is responsible for protest mobilization? Models of disease and information diffusion suggest that those central to a social network (the core) should have a greater ability to mobilize others than those who are less well-connected. To the contrary, Steinert-Threlkeld argues that those not central to a network (the periphery) can generate collective action, especially in the context of large-scale protests in authoritarian regimes.")
UCLA Charles E. Young Research Library, Main Conference Room 11360, 280 Charles E. Young Dr. E., Westwood; 3 p.m.; free. (310) 825-4732.
Yumi Sakugawa blabs with Krista Suh about Sakugawa's The Little Book of Life Hacks: How to Make Your Life Happier, Healthier, and More Beautiful ($20, St. Martin's Griffin) ("Comic book artist Sakugawa offers the perfect reference guide for these know-hows - plus loads of other tips for improving your life - complete with her unique hand-drawn illustrations accompanying every clever tip,")
Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz; 7:30 p.m.; free. (323) 660-1175.
Ludo Lefebvre and Phil Rosenthal: Hollywood at the Table ("Join award-winning celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Petit Trois) and Emmy-winning Hollywood producer and television star Phil Rosenthal (of Everybody Loves Raymond) for an intimate conversation about life in the creative and culinary spotlights. Lefebvre’s book Crave: The Feast of the Five Senses ($15, William Morrow) will be available for purchase. A Q&A and book signing follow the program.")
Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood; 8 p.m.; $15 general / $12 members. (310) 440-4500.
Weather today?

Thursday, May 11
The Birth of the Museum in Latin America ("In some countries, governments established national museums following their independence from Spain in an effort to define a new national identity; in other instances, museums arose primarily from private collections. This event foregrounds the important scholarly contributions from Latin America to the history of museums." Also Friday.)
Museum Lecture Hall, Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood; 10 a.m.; free (advance ticket required; parking is $15 / $10 after 3 p.m.). (310) 440-7300.
Wallace Shawn and André Gregory: The Designated Mourner ("As their rapidly changing country slips into totalitarianism, three artist-intellectuals try to make sense of their changing lives in this searing and prescient drama. When their government brutally cracks down on anyone suspected of subversion, the three observe the flagrant transformations of everyday life, public affairs and personal relationships, realizing they are each made of very different moral fiber despite their shared highbrow background. Audiences marveled at the remarkable relevance of the 1996 play when it was revived during the George W. Bush years. Now the artists revisit the work, which is frequently heralded as a masterpiece of political theater, during the first months of a new and controversial U.S. administration." Through Sunday, May 21.)
REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown Los Angeles; 8 p.m. (Sunday performances at 3 p.m.; $25-55. (213) 237-2800.
Ultra-rare screening of The Spook Who Sat by The Door ("Actor-turned-director Ivan Dixon’s Spook harnesses racial frustrations into a biting heist-thriller - couched in the newly-fashionable cinematic language of Blaxploitation. In a politically-motivated attempt at "integration" (what can be read as not-so-subtle "tokenism"), Spook’s subjugator Dan Freeman is one of several dozen African-American recruits hauled in by the hyper-white brass at the CIA for instruction in espionage. Newly armed with training in explosives, ballistics, conversion tactics, and jujitsu, Freeman transposes his knowledge to an eager community of Black Freedom Fighters on Chicago’s South Side - to the chagrin of his former employer. It can be assumed that, in real life as in the film, the U.S. government does not appreciate being made for a fool, which is why the FBI evoked COINTELPRO strategy and systematically seized and destroyed every print they could find…except one. In an incredible stroke of foresight and artistic rebellion, Dixon archived the original negative under an alternate title, the only reason we’re able to experience Spook today.")
Cinefamily, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., Beverly Grove; 10 p.m.; $12 general / members free. (323) 655-2510.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Timber Timbre, The Wooden Sky
The Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; 8:30 p.m., 18+; $15.50-17.50. (213) 413-8200.
Weather today?

Friday, May 12
Will We Ever Eliminate Ghettos? ("On March 29, 1516, the city council of Venice issued a decree forcing Jews to live in il ghetto - a closed quarter named for the copper foundry that once occupied the area. How did the ghetto go from being a word associated mainly with the segregation of European Jews to a concept used to describe the lives of poor blacks in U.S. cities? Princeton sociologist Mitchell Duneier, winner of the seventh annual Zócalo Book Prize for Ghetto: The Invention of a Place, the History of an Idea ($16, Farrar, Straus and Giroux) visits Zócalo to examine why the ghetto endures.")
MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles; 7:30 p.m.; free. (213) 626-6222.
Conjuring Cabaret with Cabernet: A Magic Class with a Twist (Come learn magic whilst drinking wine! Magician Dan Perez brings you a evenings worth of fun, chicanery…and magic. Grab a glass, and be ready to learn some of the most up-to-date tricks a working magician has to offer. No prior experience necessary - all wine, props and notes on your lesson are included.")
Book Show, 5503 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park; 8 p.m.; $75. (213) 438-9551.
Metro Art screens Them! (1954) under the stars ("Deemed a pioneer of the "nuclear monster" genre, it culminates in a climactic battle scene set in L.A., following the accidental creation of man-eating ants that threaten mankind and stars James Whitmore and Joan Weldon. Features scenes shot in Union Station's railroad yard and at the nearby L.A. River. Former Times entertainment reporter Susan King, who specializes in “Classic Hollywood,” will introduce the film.")
Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., downtown Los Angeles; 8 p.m.; free. (213) 484-8846.
What Do You Mean, "In Concert"?
Charles Owens Quintet ("World-class tenor sax, soprano sax, and flute player Owens is a fearless virtuoso with his own distinctive musical voice. A featured soloist with the Clayton Hamilton Orchestra, he also serves as conductor of the Luckman Jazz Orchestra.")
BP Grand Entrance, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire; 6 p.m.; free. (323) 857-6000.
PJ Harvey
Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Griffith Park; 7 p.m., ages 5 and up; $35-79.50. (844) 524-7335.
further adventures of experimental music in Los Angeles with Matt Carlson (Thrill Jockey), Infinite Body, Gregg Kowalsky, Preferred Pronouns
Coaxial, 1815 S. Main St., downtown Los Angeles; 9 p.m., a/a; $7. (213) 536-8020.
Weather today?