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DEC 14 - DEC 20
If the prospect of endless family dining has you mortified, and if you're steeling yourself to be declaimed as the dark sheep of the group, we have plenty of happy-making events to keep your iconoclastic heart nice and warm. No conflict is too hard for the loving nutcracker to break. So before you freak out, ask yourself what's up and bless the bounty — let's spread it! |
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Some say she could withstand fire. Others say she gave a man her eyes — just because he said they were pretty. Either way, it's cause for celebration. So join all of Sweden in honoring St. Lucia on December 13th. Leave work early. Carry a candle. And toast one tough Sicilian with the miraculous flavor of ABSOLUT RASPBERRI. |
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| | Joseph Arthur's latest release, Our Shadows Will Remain, is a denser sonic affair than past efforts from the innovative singer/songwriter, but perhaps better conveys what it's like to see the man play live. On stage, Arthur is a true one-man band. Working with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and an array of effects, he builds his songs, layer upon layer, by successively playing and looping the individual parts, from percussion to guitar riffs to vocal atmospherics. Employing everything from electronic harmonies to backwards guitars, he single-handedly creates an intense symphony of melody and sound. Recent collaborator Joan Wasser (aka Joan as Police Woman) precedes Arthur with a set of her own, as well as accompanying him on violin and backing vocals. (DL)
  
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| | With more piss and swagger than a demolition derby, Jennifer Herrema's RTX is a high-octane, tire-screeching rock fiasco. Born from the wreckage of now-defunct Royal Trux, her new band has, in part, taken up the moniker: "I took the letters RTX and gave [ex-husband] Neil OYALU," says Herrema. Her drug days are behind her (hopefully), but some scars remain, adding a gritty, dark side to the band's muscular garage sound. While she's had her fair share of heartache (the latest batch of songs are dedicated to her recently deceased father), there's still plenty of beer-swilling, head-banging fun to be had by all. (JCF)
 How many stars did Rolling Stone give RTX's Sweet Sixteen? Fifth and sixth correct answers each win a pair of tickets to the show.
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| | The Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel formed Blackalicious in the early '90s as part of the same fertile, beat-digging Davis underground that also spawned Latryx, Lifesavas, and DJ Shadow. The duo broke into their own (and the majors) with the earnest, organic positivity and verbal calisthenics of their fourth LP, Blazing Arrow. While a new record is slated for next year, they've kept themselves busy and fresh with side projects. Tonight, Gab spits rhymes from this year's 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, while Xcel returns to the decks after solo jaunts of his own, which included a reverential Fela Kuti mix CD and production for the debut album from Lateef — who also blesses the mic tonight. (TW)
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COMEDY
Mortified w/ John Kricfalusi
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| when: | Wed 12.15 (8pm) |
| where: | M-Bar (1253 N Vine St, Hollywood, 323.856.0036) |
| price: | $5 |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | If you're itching for a big dose of schadenfreude (the enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others), the folks at Mortified have your fix. In the name of "personal redemption through public humiliation," performers read their most embarrassing, shocking, and hilarious excerpts from old diaries, poems, and love letters. Topics range from fumbly make-out sessions and schoolyard crushes to darker tales of drug experimentation and abuse. Sure to provoke gasps and laughs in equal proportions, these stories of adolescent misfortune and hubris remind us all of our inner nerd. Ren and Stimpy creator Jon Kricfalusi kicks off the cringe-fest with some "damn fine yodeling." (JCF)
Tell us your own mortifying story. The most embarassing answer wins a pair of tickets to the show.
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FILM
What's Up Doc? (1972)
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| when: | Wed 12.15 (8pm) |
| where: | 7 Dudley Cinema at Sponto Gallery (7 Dudley Ave, Venice, 310.306.7330) |
| price: |  FREE |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | Director Peter Bogdanovich's classic screwball comedy What's Up Doc? was a huge commercial success, riding on the cachet of early '70s hot couple Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. Though some critics felt that Bogdanovich didn't quite match Bringing Up Baby, the '30s film this remake was based upon, this good-hearted, wacky romance delivers some great cinematic moments — thanks to the inimitable Madeline Kahn, and a predictably happy but satisfying ending. 7 Dudley Cinema is a Venice community film series, which typically features more experimental fare in a gallery setting — still, this flick could be considered avant garde for its craft alone. (TCR)
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| | Japanther's noisenik credentials are impeccable. The band debuted in 2001 with a seven-minute set supporting Lightning Bolt and Pink & Brown, bursting forth with horrorcore beats and (by their own admission) "falling down a lot." Since then, they've gone on to release diabolical noise on hipper-than-thou labels like Tapes Records, Menlo Park Recordings, and even Vice, where they share seven inches of mayhem with the like-minded Panthers. For the unforgettably titled Dump the Body in Rikki Lake, Japanther recruited Pixeltan's Devin Flynn — whose twisted animations grace Lightning Bolt's Power of Salad DVD — to man the controls and draw the gory cover. Japanther may not be pretty, but they're pretty intense. (PS)
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MUSIC: Jam Punk
Banyan
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| when: | Wed 12.15 (9pm) |
| where: | The Roxy Theatre (9009 Sunset Blvd, W Hollywood, 310.278.9457) |
| price: | $12 / $10 advance |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | Anyone who thinks that noodling all-star jams are the exclusive province of '60s dinosaurs and nouveau hippies should check out Banyan, one of the Southland's punk-jazz treasures. Drummer Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), bassist Mike Watt (the Minutemen, fIREHOSE, the re-united Stooges), and experimental guitarist Nels Cline (Wilco's current ringer) hold down a rotating improvisational roster, which at times also includes trumpeter "Memphis" Willie Waldman (a one-time Dr. Dre session musician) and keyboardist "Money" Mark Nishita. The ensuing musical conversation veers from psychedelic noise and live hip-hop grooves to new age lullabies in one groovy blink of an eye. (PO)
Note: Improvisational performance artist Norton Wisdom paints with the band.
Describe your ultimate jam session, featuring musical ringers alive or dead. The ten most mind-melting answers each win a pair of tickets to the show.
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DISCUSSION: Photography
How the Media Covers the Israeli-Palestine Conflict
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| when: | Thur 12.16 (7pm) |
| where: | Sherry Frumkin Gallery (3026 Airport Ave, Studio 21, 310.397.7493) |
| price: | FREE |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | Barbara Grover's new show of photography, This Land to Me, captures the eerie beauty of one of the most war-torn places on earth — Palestine/Israel. As a complement to the exhibition, tonight's panel discussion focuses not on the details of the conflict itself, but rather on the impact of the international media coverage. By examining the dynamic role the press has in forming world opinion, this panel of distinguished experts adds another facet to our understanding of this complex, intractable region. (SND)
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| | The LA Film Lab — a film school collective that nurtures the nascent careers of artists who boast slashes in their professional titles — has concocted DARK, a lively multimedia event benefiting the Make A Wish Foundation. Under the Avalon's gilded roof, fashion designer Guy Blews, whose threads have (actually) covered the likes of Tara Reid and Uma Thurman, will show his line alongside fellow couture creator Kiki Stash, while famed live painters Jenny Ryf and Troy Cox make the evening a bit more colorful. It is the season of giving — so why not reap the goodness of charity while staring at some hot pieces. (HC)
What's darker than dark? The five most creative answers each win a pair of tickets to the show.
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| | Rising female hip-hop star Brevi (aka Kory Garnett) serves up some fighting words at the Alterknit Lounge tonight. This shorty has some serious battle skills, and when she gets on stage she knows how to turn the party out. Her unique lyrical flow blends soulful singing, a bold hip-hop delivery, and tight rhymes dropped over deep, minimal beats. Brevi is currently putting the finishing touches on her debut album, but this show celebrates the launch of her new website. Expect her in top form, electrifying the crowd with old favorites and new heaters alike. (SN)
What's your idea of fighting words? The most pugnacious answer wins a pair of tickets to the show.
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| | LA underground hip-hop continues to foster some interesting personalities. In fact, MCs such as Declaime can nurture two alter egos simultaneously. Best known as soul songster Dudley Perkins, Declaime is this shapeshifter's lackadaisical rap persona. Originally heard on albums by tha Liks crew, this schizoid rhyme sayer came up in the local hip-hop revival alongside Lootpack, Quasimoto, and Madlib. His latest quirky Oh No-produced offering, Conversations with Dudley, might add to the name confusion but it's a testament to the state of left coast hip-hop. Tonight, he's joined by beatbox troubadour Pigeon John, as well as West Coast up-and-comers Z-Man, Mr. Cleen, and special guest Lexicon. (TCR)
Tell us a story about multiple personalities. The three best answers each win a pair of tickets to the show
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MUSIC: World Beat
Osunlade
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| when: | Fri 12.17 (11:30pm) |
| where: | Temple Bar (1026 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, 310.393.6611) |
| price: | $15 / $12 advanced |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | Of all the head-scratching circumstances in life, the fact that a Yoruban priest produced Gerardo's megasmash "Rico Suave" inches near the top. In fact, Osunlade crowns many lists, mainly for his soulful remix skills — his deft hands have freaked the likes of India.Arie, Musiq, and Eric Benet. The Yoruba Soul Mixes, his latest, is a mishmash of unreleased and rare reworks spanning numerous cultures. Consistent throughout are deep house grooves, accompanied by the gorgeous voices of Malian Salif Keita and Cape Verdean Cesaria Evora, and hipsters like 4Hero and Spacek. Tonight at the Temple Bar, he makes the whole world feel at home on the dance floor. (DB)
Who was Osunlade's musical hero while he was growing up? The sixth, seventh, and ninth correct answers each win a pair of tickets to the show.
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| | Art Prostitute is more than just another subversive magazine. With sumptuous production quality and an eclectic approach to launch parties, it's like a raucous scene in two-dimensional form. To send off their fifth issue in style, they're hosting a party featuring artwork by contributors and block-rocking DJs at Culver City's newest art gallery, BLK/MRKT. Think Paris Review meets CBGB's. This issue features Cody Hudson, Kozyndan, the ubiquitous Gary Baseman, and the gallery's own Tiffany Bozic, who's slated for a solo show early next year. Bring $20, because you'll want to take a copy home. (SND)
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DJ
Kenny Larkin
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| when: | Sat 12.18 (10pm-6am) |
| where: | Downtown Loft Space, TBA |
| price: | RSVP is mandatory: $10 / $5 before 10:30pm |
| links: |
Kenny Larkin | Droid Behavior |
| | After spending the early '90s establishing himself as a Detroit techno legend alongside Richie Hawtin and Carl Craig, Kenny Larkin moved to Los Angeles a few years ago to switch careers. Nowadays, Angelenos are more likely to see him honing his stand-up routine at the Comedy Store than throwing down records on the decks. Thankfully, the good techno-philes at Droid Behavior convinced Kenny to don the headphones once more for a holiday loft party at a secret location. The space is said to be "intimate" and the crowd expected to be "mature," so if an old-school adult rave is what you crave, it doesn't get much better. (PO)
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| | Attention househeads: if you've been too tired to make it out on Sunday nights, you best save up your energy for this weekend's installment of Marques Wyatt's long-running Deep night at 1650, when Miguel Migs drops his signature soul-driven deep house sounds. Even more enticing is the live addition of Lisa Shaw's sweet and sultry voice, which is the perfect complement to Migs' jazzy house rhythms. In one of LA's most tried-and-true dance spots — and one of the few where the drinks are still affordable — you'll forget that Monday is just around the corner. (MG)
What was Migs' first release for Naked Music? The first five correct answers each win a pair of tickets to the show.
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| | If Turbonegro's story were a FOX TV special, it would be titled "When Irony Attacks!" A Norwegian cross between the Village People and Spinal Tap, this glam metal band have definitely inspired their fair share of incredulous gasps and whispers. What began as a smiling nod to Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, and the like has become a juggernaut of spandex-clad sincerity. With tunes too well crafted to be written off as novelties — and enough mustaches and leather to outfit West Hollywood — it's hard to do anything but grin and hang on for the ride. These boys are living proof that if you keep your tongue planted in your cheek long enough, it will stick. (JCF)
Note: Turbonegro also plays w/ Mondo Generator at the HoB on Sun 12.19 (9pm).
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ART
The Iconoclast Store
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| when: | Now through Sat 12.18 (Tue-Sat: 11am-6pm) |
| where: | Roberts & Tilton Gallery (6150 Wilshire Blvd, 323.549.0223) |
| price: | FREE |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | An extension of the massive Beautiful Losers art exhibition set to hit Orange County in February '05, the Iconoclast Store presents new works and products by twenty of the artists featured in the groundbreaking show. It's a glorified museum gift shop, if you will — except the store offers rare and previously unreleased pieces. The silkscreen portfolio — published in an edition of 200 and numbered and signed by the artists — is the centerpiece of this sale. With each print priced at a very reasonable $150, you can own your own Chris Johanson, Mike Mills, Geoff McFetridge, or Evan Hecox. The shop also includes Terry Richardson photography books, Phil Frost ink pens, and many more gems. (DN)
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ART
Thaddeus Strode: Stories My Father Told Me and Other Folktales
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| when: | Now through Sat 12.18 (Wed-Sat: 12-6pm) |
| where: | Happy Lion (963 Chung King Rd, 213.625.1360) |
| price: | FREE |
| links: |
Event Info | Thaddeus Strode |
| | Los Angeles painter Thaddeus Strode's large scale mixed-media paintings reflect the fact that life is a cacophonous structure built of stories — from a father's heartfelt or misguided advice for his son to urban legends to the collective unconscious. Strode employs a compelling mixture of styles from the cartoonish to the classic, powerful washes of color, and expressive line work to evoke the symphony of voices in and outside of his head — which happen to be just plain gorgeous. (SND)
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| | A doctor's experiment succeeds beyond his wildest expectations, transforming a dog into a human being. This newly minted man is rather churlish — is it his dog's nature or has the experiment created some reasonable resentments? Mikhail Bulgakov's Heart of a Dog poses these and other, deeper questions, but the satire keeps you laughing throughout. Written in Russia in 1925, the work remained unpublished until 1987 because it was critical of the Soviet regime. While the play is long, and has about nine too many scene changes, strong performances and production choices (whimpering dogs as stagehands and risqué silhouettes) bring this very entertaining work to life. (LB)
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| | You could call Charles Phoenix the king of kitsch. But the collector-turned-performance artist does more than just covet vintage curios. The aptly named humorist resurrects a vanished America of the '40s-'70s — as contained in hundreds of thousands of found Kodachrome slides. Flashing the best of his collection, Phoenix manages to create a laugh-packed evening centered around amateur snapshots of other people's holidays: tinsel-drenched Christmas trees, plastic-wrapped couches, outrageous lawn decorations, and gifts of drills for Dad and irons for Mom. These slide shows would be coma-inducing but for Phoenix's wry observations, keen commentary, and narrative sense. Here's a natural performer who knows that the biggest laugh can come from the smallest detail. (PXC)
Give us a snapshot of your funniest holiday memory. Our two favorite answers each win a pair of tickets to the show.
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| | Leave it to Britain's Matthew Bourne to blow the dust off this blighty old Christmas classic. Skip the stage-mothered, community theatre-based productions around town and immerse yourself in Bourne's updated and opulently colorful take on this timeless tale. Best known for his bold retelling of Swan Lake, Bourne serves up this Nut with cheeky, irreverent, and youthful charm. Think Busby Berkeley on ice skates, with costumes out of Dame Edna's glitter-filled wet dreams, performed by a cast of Britain's best dancers. Thankfully, Bourne keeps Tchaikovsky's lush score intact, leaving us with our fondest childhood Nutcracker memories while shattering the tired old visuals of yesteryear. (ASM)
What book is the Nutcracker ballet based on, and who penned it? The fifth correct answer wins a pair of tickets to the show.
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| CD/DVD REVIEW: Wire, On The Box: 1979 |
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Pink Flag
Released October 2004
$20.99 (Insound)
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Wire's refusal to give the audience what it wants (i.e. cheap nostalgia for nostalgia's sake) is virtually legendary; on a US tour a few years back, they employed a cover band to play their older material because they couldn't be bothered. It's therefore surprising that they've issued a DVD/CD containing a complete concert from 1979, taped for the German TV show
Rockpalast. Focusing almost entirely on material from their seminal Chairs Missing and 154 albums, this terse and tension-filled performance finds Wire at the height of their powers — aggressive, challenging, and provocative. While some might gripe about the omissions in the set list (no "Outdoor Miner" or "Reuters"), most Wire fans will agree that this is an important document from one of punk's most essential bands. (KM)
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| SKETCH COMEDY: Week in Review |
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Once upon a time, the news took months to arrive, spreading only as quickly as the mode of transportation it took. Now that the news has become more and more high-tech, we experience current events as they happen. Week in Review, a groovy, progressive review of headlines, takes a step both backwards and forwards in time. Their considerably low-fi representations of the state of the world are actually drawn by hand at a bar, during a weekly happy hour, then posted to their website, which has been live for a year this week. Saturday night they host a "Year in Review" party at Echo Park's Shortstop bar, where attendees are invited to submit their favorite headlines for a massive version of the weekly drawing. (TCR)
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| STREAMS: Fabric |
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Not content with just providing DJs with one of the world's best venues for forward-thinking dance music, Fabric's taken things a step further. The superclub's record label features exclusive sets from its residents and others who they think are pushing the envelope in mixing and/or production skills. There are no mandated play lists and no outside interference; just DJs with a box of tunes for your listening pleasure. Here we have the Freestylers' exclusive radio set previewing their urban breakbeat sounds, followed by Nitin Sawhney's South Asian breaks and electro-fusion. Finally, Jacques Lu Cont (of Les Rhythmes Digitales fame) throws down a playful party fusion of disco and electro. (CJN)
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| CREDITS |
| Header Design: |
| Spiking everything | Jemma Gura | | |
| Editors: |
| Bubble baths | Shana Nys Dambrot | | Chesnuts | Paul Laster | | Envy | Jane Lerner | | Yoga | Sascha Lewis | | Wish lists | Mark Mangan | | Death metal | Piotr Orlov | | Mistletoe | Colin J. Nagy | | Naughty gingerbread | Lauren Ragland | | Preempting resolutions | Todd C. Roberts | | Ricardo Villalobos | Philip Sherburne | | Grinchiness | Peter D. Stepek | | Festive benders | Toby Warner | | |
ABOUT US
flavorpill LA is a free weekly mailer covering music, arts, and cultural events in Los Angeles. All listings are pure editorial, researched and written based on what we think has flavor. No money is accepted from venues, artists, or promoters. Find out more.
FEEDBACK
As always, feel free to send in any and all feedback — comments, questions, ideas, or rants. Spread the flavor...
EVENT SUBMISSIONS
Please send all interesting event information (press releases, links, etc.) to events. |
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| Contributors: |
| Nostalgia | Derek Beres | | Hot bath | Lee Bradley | | Going abroad | Phat X. Chiem | | Aqua V | Hilary Craven | | Knitting | Quinn Doan | | Smug livejournaling | Suzanne Ely | | Trivial Pursuit | Josh C. Forbes | | Seclusion | Menaka Gopinath | | Little cousins | Liam Gowing | | Shoplifting | Jonathan Heit | | Boxing day fantasies | Doug Lerner | | Manic card writing | Nicole Levine | | Collecting candy canes | Amanda M. | | Unwrapping early | Karl Meier | | NYE planning | Allen S. Moon | | Ulrich Schnauss | Steve Nalepa |
| Egg nog | Drew Neuhues | | Tanning | Andrea Neustein | | Leonard Cohen | Michael Shawver | | Stocking snooping | Patrick Sisson | | Cookies | Eve Smilack | | Elf tossing | Laura Tepper | | |
| Production: |
| Big headphones | Anjuli Ayer | | Exercise | Jamend Riley | | Mantra | David Morrow | | Subversive caroling | Todd Goldstein | | Santa PJs | Sebastian Rasp |
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