An evening featuring punk godmother Patti Smith, ‘Natural Born Killers’ screening with a Woody Harrelson cameo, Hassan Hajjaj’s live show, L.A. Comic Con and more.
Healing Gems Residency
Monday, October 7, 2019 / 8:30 p.m. to – 12:00 a.m. / The Echoplex
Last seen performing at Los Angeleno’s Creative Ritual event, the self-described “trash-lounge lava-pop” mini-orchestra Healing Gems headlines a residency at the Echoplex every Monday this month, serving their unique take on kitschy cinematic exotica, the kind found swirling at the bottom of one too many psychedelic tiki drinks. Tonight’s lineup also offers music by The Mumfees, Fake Jazz and Sonoda.
Attendance is free / More Information
Beyond Fest Presents: ‘Natural Born Killers’ Screening Plus Q&A
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 / 7:30–10:30 p.m. / Egyptian Theatre
Beyond Fest closes out the seventh edition of its horror, sci-fi and fantasy film festival with a 25th-anniversary screening of Oliver Stone’s 1994 dark comedy “Natural Born Killers.” Adapted by David Veloz and Stone from a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, the story follows two lovers on a crime spree of mass murder and destruction and the media frenzy that glorified them as twisted American heroes for the entertainment of a culture obsessed with scandal. The screening is followed by a conversation with the director, actors Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis and producer Don Murphy.
Tickets: $25 / More Information
Patti Smith Discusses New Memoir ‘Year of the Monkey’
Wednesday, October 9, 2019 / 7:30–9:30 p.m. / Alex Theatre
In conjunction with the release of her new book, “Year of the Monkey,” the L.A. Times presents a conversation with godmother of punk and accomplished author Patti Smith. A stirring balance of guts and sensitivity, Smith’s seminal album, “Horses,” stands the test of time, and her foray into novels serves to expand upon the life experiences and wisdom that trickle through her songs. “Year of the Monkey” is her third memoir, following “Just Kids” and “M Train.” It hones in on one year of her life, her 70th, tracing events and emotions from New Year’s Day 2016 to a few days after Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Tickets: $40-$100 / More Information
‘Jueves de Horror’ Screens ‘Santo Contra Hombres Infernales’
Thursday, October 10, 2019 / 8–10 p.m. / Bob Baker Marionette Theater
“Jueves de Horror” takes over the Bob Baker Marionette Theater every Thursday in October for a screening of a beloved classic scary movie paired with a performance by the marionettes. Scary is a flexible term, particularly when applied to “Santo Contra Hombres Infernales,” the 1961 film directed by Joselito Rodriguez starring famed lucha libre wrestler El Santo, a man so dedicated to his craft he was actually buried in his signature silver mask.
Across his film career, the legendary wrestler battled all kinds of evildoers: vampire women, mad scientists, monsters, you name it. In this particular flick, El Santo helps an undercover agent take on drug-smuggling criminals who’ve been turned into zombies by an evil scientist.
Tickets: $20 / More Information
Hassan Hajjaj: My Rockstars Experimental – Live
Friday, October 11, 2019 / 8–11 p.m. / Ford Theatre
Moroccan photographer, designer and filmmaker Hassan Hajjaj is currently immersed in “rock stars,” creating multidisciplinary work revolving around international musicians that combines portraits, fashion, installation and performance. Bringing his photos to life, Hajjaj has assembled some of his rock stars from around the world for a live show, including London-based grime MC Afrikan Boy; Morocco’s Simo Lagnawi, who works with trance spiritual shamanic sounds; African acoustic jazz-folk-soul songwriter Bumi; songwriter, producer and violinist Marques Toliver from Daytona Beach, Florida; David Bowie’s bass player Gail Ann Dorsey; and L.A.-based Syrian American spoken word artist Omar Offendum.
The “My Rockstars Experimental Vol. 2” installation will be on display at the Ford before moving on to its permanent home at the new Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Tickets: $25-$50 / More Information
L.A. Comic Con
Saturday, October 12, 2019 / 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. / Los Angeles Convention Center
L.A. Comic Con attracts about 100,000 attendees who come dressed as their favorite superhero and mingle with other fans, creators and vendors of all things related to the vast world of comics. In addition to the 800+ exhibitors, the weekend overflows with panels, reunions and special presentations. On Saturday, experience the “Musical History of Batman,” the Women on the Dark Side Film Festival, a reunion of “The Office,” a fictional roast of Thanos, Tommy Wiseau in person for a screening of “The Room,” the original 1980s-era “GLOW” female wrestlers, a “Maleficent” inspired cosplay competition and so much more.
Tickets: $25-$85 / Comic-Con runs Oct. 11-13 / More Information
Secret Project Music Festival
Sunday, October 13, 2019 / 2–11 p.m. / 1756 Naud Street
This two-day festival is dedicated to highlighting underground dance music as well as street and digital art while hosting an eclectic lineup of L.A.-based and international electronic music acts on two outdoor stages amid the warehouses of Chinatown. Sunday’s lineup includes producer duo Adriatique from Zürich; Bears In Space, best known for their parties at Silverlake’s Akbar; back to back performances by Âme and KiNK and Nina Kraviz and Helena Hauff; local guardian of modern funk Dam-Funk; Far Away party host Cooper Saver; a live set by long-standing German electronic music duo Modeselektor; and at least a dozen more techno specialists that will make you party so hard it won’t even matter how broken you will be at work Monday morning.
Tickets: $79-$129 / More Information