Kamashi Washington live, Cafe NELA’s final concert, a night with Malcom Gladwell, a Dublab/Bedrock L.A. bash and more.
An Evening with Author Malcolm Gladwell
Monday, September 16, 2019 / 8-10 p.m. / Robert Frost Auditorium
Some love him and some love to pick him apart, but most want to know what he thinks anyway. Author and “Revisionist History” host Malcolm Gladwell discusses his sixth book, “Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know,” his latest probe into human behavior. Drawing on historical anecdotes and news scandals, Gladwell explores the profound and catastrophic effects our inability to make sense of and talk to strangers has on our lives.
Tickets: $55 / More Information
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at the Pasadena Playhouse
Tuesday, September 17, 2019 / 8-10:30 p.m. / Pasadena Playhouse
Mike Donahue directs a revival of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s comedic sci-fi musical from 1982 about a nerdy florist, the woman of his dreams and a man-eating plant that wants to take over the world. The production promises a new puppet concept for Audrey II, a new take on the original setting of Skid Row and a very cool cast.
After recently wrapping a four-year-run in “Be More Chill” on and off Broadway, George Salazar flies over from NYC to play Seymour, “Pose” lead actress Mj Rodriguez stars as his love interest Audrey and “Glee” alumna Amber Riley provides her voice as the evil plant from another planet.
Tickets: $62-$106 / Performances run Sept. 17 – Oct. 13 / More Information
RuPaul’s Drag Race ‘Werq the World’ Tour
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 / 8-11 p.m. / The Orpheum Theatre
“Mission leader” and longtime Drag Race judge Michelle Visage takes on the universe with her team of intergalactic queens: Aquaria, Kameron Michaels, Asia O’Hara, Detox, Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls, Violet Chachki and more favorites from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” including this year’s winner Yvie Oddly. Their mission is to save the galaxy with the largest, most major, over the top drag production ever conjured on this or any other planet.
Tickets: $52+ / More Information
‘Women Of Wrestling’ Live
Thursday, September 19, 2019 / 6:30-10:30 p.m. / The Belasco Theater
Get right up close to the action and possibly see your face screaming on TV during this live taping of “Women of Wrestling.” “Glow” may be fun and cute and all, but here’s a chance to experience the real/unreal spectacle in person as “Superhero” pro wrestlers fling themselves across and over the ring in conquest of the glorious title.
Tickets: $30-$125 / More Information
Kamasi Washington in Concert
Friday, September 20, 2019 / 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. / The Theatre at Ace Hotel
A gifted musician whether he’s at the helm of his own big band or contributing to the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat, Flying Lotus and Snoop Dogg, saxophonist Kamasi Washington is undoubtedly a hero of the progressive jazz renaissance. Bridging soul, jazz, hip hop and transcendent improvisation, Kamasi and his band, which often includes his father Rickey Washington, deliver an elevated serving of cosmic catharsis punctuated by a message of hope and unity.
Tickets: $29.50-$89.50 / More Information
Decades Celebration: Dublab 20th + Bedrock.LA 10th Anniversaries
Saturday, September 21, 2019 / 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. / Bedrock.LA
Non-profit radio station Dublab and rehearsal space/recording studio Bedrock.LA join forces to celebrate milestones in their ongoing legacies. Dublab celebrates 20 years of thriving as a DJ collective, while Bedrock has been providing space for musicians to get loud in for 10 years. This party is massive and the lineup is huge, with 10 spaces in the Bedrock building curated by Dublab conspirators featuring live bands, dozens of DJs and several sonic-inspired installations.
Tickets: $10 / More Information
Cafe NELA’s Final Concert
Sunday, September 22, 2019 / 6:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. / Cafe NELA
A few months ago, DIY venue Cafe NELA announced it would be closing its doors after six years serving the punk and experimental scene, and that it would be handing over the keys to Permanent Records who will transform the space into a combined record shop and music venue. With the news of the transition, owner Dave Travis also unleashed a super-stacked run of shows, culminating with a final punktastic hurrah featuring some of their favorite fixtures: The Gears, Los Creepers, Black Widows and Midget Handjob.
Read Los Angeleno’s feature about Cafe NELA’s closing here.
Tickets: $5 / More Information