Life is brutal yet way too short! We all lose friends and tempt fate, whether it's getting on the freeway in our cars or getting up on the freeway for some of you true locos out there. Yes, things are sort of Rocktober-esque and morbid in the world of L.A. events this May weekend, but we're going to get down as always, with Friday's questionable show by a Darby-less Germs at Safari Sam's warming us up before long-standing jam Firecracker gets smart and hosts Hit n' Run's screen-print splendor in Chinatown. Fangoria's convention will scare the dork out of those Trekkies and no doubt have a shitload of hot Goth gals n' guys for those who dig the living dead more than digging up bugs at the Natural History Museum. But more importantly, we are going to celebrate the beautiful and tragically shortened lives of our friends and heroes, Pantera axe-man 'Dimebag' Darrell and art activist Tarek 'DJ Dusk' Captan...not by being bummed out, but by wilin' out, New Orleans funeral-style. Take that, Death, you dick!

Thursday May 17, 2007

'Dimebag' Darrell's Blacktooth Bash Art Tribute @ House of Blues ~ 8430 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 ~ Auction to benefit Little Kids Rock Foundation with performances by Ace Frehley, Ian Scott, Dave Navarro and Stephen Perkins, and many many more headbangers including dudes from Hatebreed, Staind, and Linkin Park ~ 8:00 PM ~ 18+ ~ $33

Friday May 18, 2007

The Germs @ Safari Sam's ~ 5214 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90027 ~ 9PM ~ $15 adv, $17 at door

Firecraker & Hit n' Run present Blockbuster @ Grand Star~ 943 N. Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012 ~9:30PM ~ $10

Saturday May 19, 2007

Bug Fair @ The Natural History Museum ~ 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027 ~ The highlight is the vast expo area where over 60 unique vendors display everything from rare specimens of bugs, beetles, and butterflies to entomological equipment to insect tattoo designs and fine art ~ 10AM-5PM ~ $2-$9.50

'The Player' @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery ~ 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA ~ Great Robert Altman film about creepy Hollywood Babylon in Tinseltown's most famous cack-factory ~ Gates @ 7PM, film rolls at 8:30PM ~ $10 donation

Fangoria Weekend of Horrors @ Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel ~ 2500 Hollywood Way burbank, CA 91505 ~ W/ Rob Zombie, Clive Barker, Rollins, Diamond Dallas Page, David Naughton, and many more ~ Fri-Sun ~ $25-$219 depending on how "very very very very very very much you admire make-up artist and creature creator Rick Baker."

Sunday May 20, 2007

Sights and Sounds of Dusk Festival @ Mar Vista Family Center ~ 5075 S. Slauson Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 ~ Commemorating the life and work of Tarek 'DJ Dusk' Captan, who believed in using art and music to create positive social change. Tarek was tragically taken from us last year, his protégées and partners keep his memory alive on the music scene and in our community. It is our goal to combine Dusk's two passions into one event by recognizing youth artists, and exposing them to veteran performers and activists who have devoted their lives to music and art as a path to improving themselves and their communities. Youth performers welcome! Contact George Reyes georgereyes16@yahoo.com ~ 4:30-8:30PM

Josefina Lopez' When Nature Calls @ Casa 0101 ~ 2009 E. 1st Street Boyle Heights, CA 90033 ~Through the weekend, ends Sunday. This play by the talented writer of 'Real Women Have Curves' explores the connections of womens' lives to nature inspired by interviews with an aid worker during Hurricane Katrina, environmentalists, and the disappearences of 400 women in Juarez ~ Thurs-Sat @ 8PM, Sun @ 3PM ~ $15, $12 students and seniors, $5 for Boyle Heights residents.