The Messthetics live, a political cartoon talk, new theater works by Ethan Coen, Jail Weddings in concert and more.
‘Screaming Political Cartoon!’ An Illustrated Talk by Daryl Cagle
Monday, September 23, 2019 / 7-10 p.m. / Art Center College Of Design
Daryl Cagle, America’s most widely syndicated editorial cartoonist, invites the public to this classroom discussion about his career as an illustrator and political cartoonist, the 15 years he spent working with Jim Henson’s “Muppets” and what it’s like to run a syndicate of cartoonists. He’ll also talk about the business of editorial cartooning and how a cartoon can really shake things up, cause riots, endanger the artist, and on the up-side, draw attention to important issues.
Attendance is free / More Information
Jail Weddings ‘Wilted Eden’ Record Release Show
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 / 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. / The Satellite
We haven’t heard from Jail Weddings since 2014 but their resurrection is a welcome surprise to fans of this cinematic wall-of-sound-inclined ensemble led by energetic frontman Gabriel Hart. Recorded over a two and a half year period, their new album, “Wilted Eden,” was inspired by the end of a whirlwind romance and the unexpected deaths of friends. The band translates these dark moments into explosive bursts of sounds resulting in a psychedelic blend of punk, lounge exotica and retro pop for the apocalypse. Oozelles and Honey Child open the night.
Tickets: $10 / More Information
‘A Play is a Poem’ by Ethan Coen
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 / 8-10 p.m. / Mark Taper Forum
Best known as one-half of filmmaking duo the Coen Brothers, Ethan Coen premieres a new work written for the stage. Directed by longtime collaborator Neil Pepe and with live music composed and performed by Nellie McKay, “A Play is a Poem” is a collection of one-act plays featuring five eclectic tastes of life in America, with stories set among the hillbillies of Appalachia, a New York tenement apartment, the office of a Los Angeles private eye, a gazebo in Natchez, Mississippi and the executive suites of some bigwigs in Hollywood.
Tickets: $40-$110 / The show runs through Oct. 13 / More Information
Ghostly 20 Year Anniversary with Gold Panda & More
Thursday, September 26, 2019 / 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. / The Regent Theater
Ghostly International celebrates its 20th anniversary as a record label (and then some) with a lineup showcasing the diversity of their roster. Tonight, enjoy the harp stylings of Mary Lattimore, Shigeto’s jazzy live house and Geotic’s particular brand of dance music, culminating with Gold Panda’s immersive electronica. Label founder Sam Valenti IV opens the show with a DJ set.
Tickets: $22.50 / More Information
‘Robot Chicken’ 10th Season Spectacular: Night of 1,000 Bawks
Friday, September 27, 2019 / 8-11 p.m. / The Theatre at Ace Hotel
The folks behind Adult Swim and “Robot Chicken” pull out all the bawks for this chicken-tastic retrospective featuring their finest achievements in bizarro stop-motion sketch comedy. Come hear the untold stories behind 10 seasons and 200 episodes of the Emmy-winning show. Co-creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich will be joined onstage by writers, producers, craftspeople, voice actors and celebs during this celebration of weird comedy.
Tickets: $10 / More Information
Lambda LitFest Main Day
Saturday, September 28, 2019 / 12-6 p.m. / Pico Union Project
Now in its third year, Lambda Litfest is a week-long literary festival featuring free events celebrating LGBTQ writers and readers. The festival culminates with the Main Day celebration, which starts with twin-sister-duo Tegan and Sara reading from and discussing their new book, “High School,” and ends with a karaoke sesh hosted by cultural critic, scholar and karaoke historian Karen Tongson.
Free lunch is provided by L.A. Habana accompanied by music from DJ Por Vida, plus readings and performances by the likes of Katherine Agyemaa Agard, Charlie Jane Anders, Myriam Gurba, Dynasty Handbag, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha and more.
Tickets: Attendance is free, RSVP here / More Information
The Messthetics, Escape-Ism and Mega Bog in Concert
Sunday, September 29, 2019 / 8-11 p.m. / The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
Did someone order the avant-garde special? Post-hardcore legends Joe Lally and Brendan Canty of Fugazi form the rhythm section in the experimental rock trio The Messthetics, underpinning Anthony Pirog’s guitar theatrics to create oblique constellations of instrumental fury captured on their new album “Anthropocosmic Nest.”
Tonight’s lineup gets extra good and weird with the addition of Escape-Ism, the self-described “found-sound-dream-drama” creation by musician/author Ian Svenonius; and Mega Bog’s abstract poetry inspired by dolphins.
Tickets: $20 / More Information