Performances at The Broad, edgy theater, É Arenas (of Chicano Batman) live, Lit Lit: The Little Literary Fair and more
Celeste Barber
Monday, July 15, 2019 / 7:30-9 p.m. / Hollywood Improv
Celeste Barber started off as an Instagram star, but she’s much more than that now. Propelled by an ebullient personality and a hot husband, Barber has jumped off the small (handheld) screen and onto the world stage. Self-described quintessential anti-influencer, Barber parodies celebrity and model photographs by putting herself in the same awkward positions they do, but with ugly underwear and household objects as props.
In this stage show, the Aussie comedian shares the story behind some of her most beloved images, how she became friends with people she’s mocked, what it’s like to have stalkers and other weird things that happen to famous people.
Tickets: $30 / More Information
‘Friends! The Musical Parody’
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 / 8-10 p.m. / Kirk Douglas Theatre
This off-Broadway delight makes its debut in Los Angeles for a three-week run. Relive the adventures of this affable group of 20-somethings as they traverse life and love while guzzling a lot of coffee at Central Perk, seemingly the only coffee shop in New York City. The fun begins when a runaway bride shows up and things get wacky. The musical recreates memorable moments from the show’s 10-year run, including Monica with a turkey on her head and plenty of Joey exclaiming “Whoa!”
Tickets: $15-$65 / Show runs from July 16 to August 4 / More Information
Black Fire Session: Roscoe Mitchell, Busdriver, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Teebs and More
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 / 8:30-11:30 p.m. / The Broad
The Broad presents an evening of music to complement its current exhibit, Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983, which highlights the work of more than 60 artists from this significant period in civil rights and activism.
Tonight it’s all about jazz, with a special performance by master saxophonist and co-founder of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Roscoe Mitchell in collaboration with pianist Brett Carson. The lineup also includes fast-action, word-wrangling rapper Busdriver, a magical entanglement of sounds performed by Georgia Anne Muldrow and Declaime, beat music in the lobby by Teebs and finally movement pieces throughout the galleries choreographed by Mecca Vazie Andrews.
Tickets: $25 / More Information
‘Good Boys’
Thursday, July 18, 2019 / 8-10:30 p.m. / Pasadena Playhouse
Betsy Brandt, of “Breaking Bad” fame, takes the lead role in this drama about a prep school sex scandal. The play is directed by Carolyn Cantor and written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa — the man behind “Riverdale” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” The play is set in 1988 and was inspired by a real-life scandal that took place at Aguirre-Sacasa’s alma mater.
In this moral thriller, a mother must decide what’s more important: the truth or protecting her family’s reputation.
Tickets: $25+ / The show runs from June 26 to July 21 / More Information
É Arenas, Bardo and Los Retros
Friday, July 19, 2019 / 8:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. / Echoplex
A few years ago, Eduardo Arenas, best known as the bassist for psychedelic soul quartet Chicano Batman, introduced É Arenas, a solo project described as stoner party music for reptiles. Experimenting with punk energy, tropicalia, psych, soul and whatever gets him moving, Arenas released his debut solo album, “Nariz,” last November. It can be enjoyed sitting in a cloud of smoke, or on one’s feet doing a freestyle, tripped-out cumbia. Tonight’s lineup includes Chicano Batman lead singer Bardo and Oxnard-bred Los Retros.
Tickets: $16-$20 / More Information
LITLIT: The Little Literary Fair
Saturday, July 20, 2019 / 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Hauser & Wirth
Affectionately nicknamed “LITLIT” by co-presenters the Los Angeles Review of Books and Hauser & Wirth, The Little Literary Fair is a two-day event dedicated to L.A’s thriving small-press book scene. An eclectic selection of local and Cali-based independent booksellers, publishers and community organizers will be setting up shops, including Not a Cult, Unnamed Press, Angel City Press, Kaya Press, Rare Bird Books, the Los Angeles Public Library, Words Uncaged and the LARB/USC Publishing Workshop, to name a few. The fair’s programming includes interviews and panel discussions on topics like activism, art and absurdity.
Attendance is free / More Information
Honey Child Salon
Sunday, July 21, 2019 / 7-10 p.m. / Madeline Garden Bistro
Honey Child is a choir-based music project helmed by Claire Mckeown, a singer with operatic range who occasionally dresses up like she’s headed to an 18th-century ball. On one such occasion, she stumbled into the Madeline Garden Bistro and instantly fell in love with the historic Pasadena tea house.
Today’s event is the third in a series of salon nights hosted by Mckeown, featuring acoustic performances by Honey Child and Daniel Crook, poetry and a lecture on nuclear war etiquette by Alaska Lynch, as well as talks by Ernest Gibson and Dawn Garcia on rocket engineer Jack Parsons and Russian Cosmism respectively. Enjoy some hidden history with a scone and a cup of tea.
Attendance is free / More Information