This weekend features some pop culture we can actually digest for a change, with Appetite for Destruction celebrating its 20th anniversary (feel old yet?) and The Simpsons movie set to obliterate box-office records. We barely have time for that though with all the great events this weekend in Los Angeles. Some of us will be hitting the Pier tonight, skanking and top-rankin' to the tunes of two true revolutionaries, so please say 'hi.' Tropico de Nopal's spacious garden will be a great place to spend a summer night on Friday, as will Echo Park on Saturday for the completely cool-sounding open box gallery, which should not be missed, especially when Ariza's tacos come out. Two great causes will be celebrated, both with Tom's shoes and Yo! What Happened to Peace on Saturday, with a plethora of crazy activities and sensations provided by some of L.A.'s best, most unique artistic talents. Have a good one Los Angeles, and don't give up that dental plan...Lisa needs braces...Dental Plan...Lisa needs braces...dental plan...doh!
Thursday July 26th
'Tosh Meets Marley' Tribute @ Santa Monica Pier ~ Tosh meets Marley? Alright, they already knew each other and wrote many songs together, and were much better than tonight's performers Junior Marvin and Fully Fullwood, but it's free reggae at a killer locale, so just play along, okay? ~ 7:30 PM ~ Free
Friday July 27th
Readings and Music @ Tropico de Nopal ~ 1665 Beverly Blvd. Echo Park, CA 90026 ~ Readings by 2 of L.A.'s most intriguing fiction writers, Sesshu Foster & Ben Ehrenreich, with music provided by the mysterious Samuel Bing. Cold beer and great artwork, plus a perfect garden for a summer night. ~ $8 ~ 8PM
The Melvins @ The Troubador ~ 9081 Santa Monica Blvd. ~ $20 ~ 8PM
Saturday July 28th
Open Box Gallery/Tacos Arizas Party @ Echo Park ~ 751 Echo Park Ave. Echo Park, CA 90026 ~ Local artists Kenneth Iwata and Nayeli Nava are setting up a unique, interactive temporary gallery using cardboard, undeveloped film and lighting, one night only in Echo Park. There will be DJs, seating under the open sky, dancing, Calendar Girls, and food available from Tacos Arizas at this fun, harmonious gathering. ~ -10PM ~ Free
Tom's Block Party @ Tom's Shoes ~ 3025 Olympic Blvd. #C Los Angeles, CA 90404 ~With proceeds going to South Africa Shoe Drop, this party looks like a banger, with Hit & Run Crew's live screenprinting, limited edition shoe designs, DJs Skeet Skeet and Dan-) among others, performances by The Blank Tapes and Will Crum and The Blue Maroons and more, photos by Rony's and The Cobrasnake, sweets by Hearts Challenger, and an open bar all night. Sponsored by Sharpie, among others...hmmm. Looks dope! ~ 2-8PM for all ages, after 9PM it's 18+ ~ $15 for food, drink, and fun, $55 includes a pair of Tom's Shoes.
Yo! What Happened to Peace? @ Continental Gallery ~ 408 S. Spring St. Downtown Los Angeles, CA ~ A night of pro-peace art, music, and conversation. Dialogue with Chaz Bojorquez, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Code Pink, Axis of Justice, and other Yo artists; live screenprinting with Hard Pressed; Live painting by MEAR ONE, Overton Loyd and Todd Lazer; visual stimulations and DJs Gaslamp Killer and Oliver Knight. Art and books for sale. ~ 7PM-12AM ~ RSVP@emprds.com
Sunday July 29th
Guru with Jazzmatazz @ El Rey ~ 5515 Wilshire Blvd. ~ $20- 8PM
Photo: Eric Burke
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