Finally, the perfect opportunity to add “in bed” to everything you say, as well as a chance to receive some mystical wisdom when you check out the opening reception for USC alum Chris Reynold’s art installation, provocatively titled “The Fortune Cookie Project.” Hosted by Phantom Galleries LA in Long Beach, the show runs for a month from February 13^th until March 13^th. The opening reception is on Saturday, from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m. As with any art opening and reception, a good time is promised.

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WHAT: Opening reception for Chris Reynold’s “The Fortune Cookie Project”
WHEN: Saturday, February 13th, 2009
WHERE: Phantom Galleries LA
$$$: Free

Echo Park’s Machine Project gallery and community space is playing host to lots of events all across Los Angeles in the coming weeks.

At their Echo Park location, the space itself is the art from now until the first week of March when artist Nate Page takes over. Page is working to transform Machine Projects physical space into “narrative sculptural vignettes” and he intends on shrink-wrapping all of the office supplies he doesn’t use – so make sure you don’t forget your keys, cell phone or wallet, unless you want them to become part of the exhibit.

Not to ignore the lovers out there, Machine Project is giving you the perfect soundtrack for whispering your sweet-nothings to that special someone (or body pillow) on Valentine’s Day. You can explore Nate Page’s installation while listening to live music at the second weekend of Machine Project’s music residency by Nowcloud featuring Max Markowitz and Corey Fogel. If that’s not tempting enough, Machine promises snacks, too. Who doesn’t love snacks?

If you’re not on the east side this weekend, but still want to get your fill of Machine Project, you can check out musical performances by Julia Holter and Casey Anderson at the Hammer Museum on Saturday the 13^th inside the Hammer’s Little William Theater.

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WHAT: Nate Page Installation// Nowcloud w/Max Markowitz and Corey Fogel// Julia Holter and Casey Anderson
WHEN: Weekends in February @ 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.// February 14th @ 12:00p.m.// February 13th @ 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Machine Project & Hammer Museum
$$$: Free

There are a TON of things to do in our wonderful city to celebrate the Lunar New Year! Frankly, the happenings going on around town are kinda cooler than regular new year’s festivities, if you ask me. Starting downtown at the Music Center, the Chinese song and dance stage show, Shen Yun Chinese New Year Spectacular, will be showing through the 14th. Tickets are at the cheapest $39 but take the Metro and you can save $9 on parking! Garden Grove is having their annual Tet Festival along Westminster Blvd. with dragon dancers, live music, dance performances, rides, and most importantly: food. Lots and lots of delicious, authentic Vietnamese food! From Friday to Sunday, this fest is only $5 a day and you can get more info on their website.

Back to the downtown area, more specifically, Chinatown, there will be an awesome scavenger hunt set up by Out of the Box Events. Teams of 6 will run around Chinatown answering trivia and finding hidden Chinatown secrets! It’s $25 to partake in the event and trust me, it is totally worth the money. These hunts are ridiculously elaborate and incredibly fun! A great way to kick off the new year! (Especially if you win!) Over in Monterey Park, the Chinese New Year Floral Street Fair and Lantern Festival will take place on Saturday, Feb. 20. Another festival with food and flowers, more food, and more flowers. This festival has free entry! More info here.

Oh, there’s more. Chinatown will be quite busy, because on February 20th and 21st, the Golden Dragon Parade will be taking place. Definitely try to take the Metro since parking will be extremely limited with all the streets closed offf! It’s a parade, so it’s free, but you can pay $25 for a grandstand ticket. Finally, even Olvera Street is joining in on the celebration, with the Chinese American Museum Lantern Festival taking place there on Saturday, March 6th. (Seriously, a whole freaking month of celebrations so you won’t miss out!) Lion dancers, acrobatics, music, dance, craft workshops, and more, all free. So yeah— uhh…. the lunar new year is way cool. Plus if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll get a little red envelope filled with hundreds of dollars! I definitely won’t be that lucky.

If you don’t have any friends throwing Superbowl parties or if you wouldn’t even watch the Superbowl but feel left out of the mass partying, why not go to the Downtown Independent to watch it on the big screen? It will give you something to do Sunday afternoon, and you’ll get to experience the awesome new theater which I hear has swank, comfy and romantic seats. Seating begins at 2:30pm, accompanied by pretty cheap beer, chicken wings, and nachos. Also, you can stick around after the game and watch their current movie selection- Bronson- for only $5. Best of all, admission for the game screening is FREE.

WHAT: the Superbowl on the big screen
WHEN: Sunday 2:30pm-7:30pm
WHERE: the Downtown Independent, 231 South Main St., Downtown LA
$$$: free admission

If you like Avi Buffalo and the Soft Pack (which you should), you can see them this Saturday at a free house party in Venice. Now, instilling yourself in what will surely be a boozy afternoon amongst good friends may be awkward, but you’re invited, so why the hell not? Oh yeah, there is a reason for the house party- it is being presented by FMLY (who also have a fundraiser this Wednesday) and FYF.

WHAT: House Party featuring Avi Buffalo and the Soft Pack
WHEN: Sat. Jan. 30th 1pm
WHERE: 1210 Appleton Way, Venice, Ca 90291
$$$: free

Well, the rain is back. Spend a night watching a couple movies indoors in a place that’s not your living room! Tonight the Hammer Museum is screening two movies centering around comic artist Robert Crumb, best known for his satirical and subversive style of drawings based around the American mainstream. Showing first is American Splendor, starring Paul Giamatti as Harvey Pekar, an ordinary man who gains inspiration by Crumb’s underground comic book’s success. Second is The Confessions Of Robert Crumb, a 1987 commissioned documentary from the BBC featuring interviews of Crumb as he discusses some of his life’s various misadventures.

Admission is free with tickets available one hour before showtime, so get there early and carpool since parking at the museum is available for only $3 after 6pm.

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WHAT: Showing of American Splendor and The Confessions Of Robert Crumb
WHEN: Tuesday, January 26th at 7pm
WHERE: The Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, 90024
$$$: Free!

It’s the “end of an era”, as the Carmichael staff puts it. They will be moving to a new location in Culver City, leaving behind their beloved space on La Brea. Tonight is the opening for their final exhibition featuring two artists, Mark Jenkins and Aakash Nihalani, which you’ll be able to view until February 18th. Jenkins’ exhibit, Meaning is Overrated, will feature some new work by the popular street artist. He has placed giant plastic giraffe in parks, fake bodies floating in fountains, and has turned stop signs into flowers. Now exactly sure what his indoor exhibit will entail, but check out his website for past projects. On & Off (Often On), Aakash Nihalani’s new show, brings you new work from another street artist. While Jenkins’ work is more three dimensional, Nihalani uses something as simple as colorful tape to create his pieces, and they come out pretty cool. If you haven’t had to opportunity to check out their gallery on La Brea, it’s really a great intimate set up that is still good for group shows. Stay tuned for info on the opening of their new location in March!
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WHAT: Opening Reception for Mark Jenkins and Aakash Nihalani
WHEN: Thursday, January 21st @ 7-10pm
WHERE: Carmichael Gallery
$$$: Free

Remember that fantistic, old-school southern barbecue joint on Hoover and that great local band that also has a knitting shop? Well, if you don’t, you’ll learn when all such craziness converges at Forgather, a small art collection at Territory Records. Isn’t LA great sometimes? Portraits of the Pity Party illustrated by themegoman, whose illustrations are whimsical yet slightly askew, will be unveiled, in addition to portraits of other bands like Vivian Girls, Cold Cave, and Our Lady J. The party of sorts will include a DJ, free food (reason enough to go right there) and free Colt 45 (of course).

WHAT: Forgather Art Show
WHEN: Saturday Jan 23 7-10pm
WHERE: Forgather Territory, 534 N. Hoover St.
$$$: freeee

Come one, come all, donned in your finest whites and perambulate though the streets of downtown tonight in your very own mini (I’m assuming sidewalk) parade! Being the second Thursday of the month, tonight is the downtown artwalk, and it seems that some of the organizers are sending out an open invitation for anyone who would be interested to join them in a living art piece of people. Encouraged props include: musical instruments, stilts, and beauty. Meet them down at Vibiana’s Cathedral, meander down Main to 6th, ending at The Temple of Visions on Spring. Have fun and don’t forget your Tide pens! (Ketchup stains from those hot dog stands are impossible to get out in the morning.)

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WHAT: Downtown Artwalk: Dress In White
WHEN: January 14th, 7pm
WHERE: Vibiana’s Cathedral, 210 South Main St.
$$$: Free!

…Because you may actually get something you like! Space15Twenty is hosting a pop-up shop for re-gifting unwrapped presents from the holiday season. It’s like a post-Christmas secret Santa of sorts. If you get stuck with something you hate, you can always shop at the sample sale and find something you love by such designers as Tom Tom Jewelry, Pretty Little Thing, Guy Baxter and many more up and coming designers. The store is also trying to raise money for Best Friends Animal Society, just another reason to get out to this event. It’s all going down in the courtyard on the 16th so get your presents in order and get ready to swap!
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WHAT:  Re-Gift Pop-Up Shop
WHEN: Saturday, January 16th @ 12-5pm
WHERE: Space15 Twenty
$$$: Free

Heroes and villains and paint, oh my! Friday night is the opening reception of Gallery 1988’s latest art show completely dedicated to He-Man and his super friends (and nemeses). Over 100 artists are participating with their own rendition of the comic series, from character watercolors, epic battle scenes, to the possible monotony of every day life. They’ve even transformed their entryway and interior to mimic Castle Greyskull! All the art will be for sale, with 15% of the proceeds going to the Make A Wish Foundation.

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WHAT: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Art Opening
WHEN: Friday, January 8th, 7pm – 10pm
WHERE: Gallery 1988, 7020 Melrose Ave, 90038
$$$: Free!

Right after I wrote the title to this post, I realized how awkward it must be to be famous.  I mean, what if Michael Cera is bored and wondering what to do around LA and then comes here to see that our suggested activity is to go and meet him?  I guess he must be over it by now, but I digress…

If you have no plans tomorrow evening, GO TO THE HAMMER.  Michael Cera will be there because it’s hosting a free sneak preview screening of his newest movie, Youth in Revolt.  The film is definitely worth seeing, so either you can go tomorrow night for zero dollars (and have a chance to meet and befriend Michael Cera and Director Miguel Arteta) or you can wait a while and pay $15 to see it at the Grove.  The choice is clear.

Though the screening doesn’t start ’til 7, our tipster (thanks Maritza!) suggests you get there by 6 at the latest or you probably won’t get in.  Use the extra hour to grab a drink and dinner at Hammer Cafe — happy hour lasts ’til 7.

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WHAT: Youth in Revolt Screening
WHEN: Thursday, January 7th @ 7 PM
WHERE: Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum
$$$: Free!

Get a sneak peak of this year’s Renaissance Pleasure Faire at The Egyptian Theatre. The courtyard will be “magically transformed into an Elizabethan village with food and merchants, performers and craft demonstrations”. There will also be fine clothes, fun games, toys from Hallowed Tree, and traditional music that is sure to make you laugh and have a merry old time. As with the regular faire, this sampling will be filled with villagers, knights, kings, and queens! To top it all off, the theatre will show the award-winning animated film, The Secret of Kells at 1pm, and end the day at 5pm with a double-feature of Excalibur (1981) and Knightriders (1981).
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WHAT: Renaissance Faire Sneak Peak + Appropriately themed films
WHEN: Saturday, January 9th @ 12pm-7pm
WHERE: The Egyptian Theater
$$$: $7-$11

One of my favorite galleries, Thinkspace, is hosting a very special benefit show beginning Friday night of which 20% of proceeds will go to Born Free USA. This non-profit is dedicated to saving the lives of all creatures, and in particular some of the most endangered in the world. The show entitled, A Cry For Help, will feature the work of Bumblebee along with a group show of over 100 artists. Exclusive prints from Amy Sol, Buff Monster, and Liz McGrath will be released this Friday during the opening reception. If you can’t make it that night, don’t worry, you’ll have until February 5th to see the show and you can help in another way by attending the animal adoptions through out the weekend from 1-6pm! Here’s your chance to show your appreciation for art, the gallery, and all the adorable animals in this world!

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WHAT: A Cry For Help Group Show
WHEN: Friday, January 8th @ 7pm-11pm
WHERE: Thinkspace Art Gallery
$$$: Free

There you are. Sitting at your computer or smart phone. Racking your brain for something to do tomorrow night. There’s that party that your friend from high school’s second cousin is throwing in their apartment complex that will no doubt get busted at 11:30, and since you’re not on the inner circle of friends, you’ll be thrown out into the cold to drink the can of PBR you stole on the way out while listening to the radio, possibly crying. That doesn’t sound fun at all. Take my advice, start the new decade with something adventurous and go do something on this list!

GOOD HARD TIMES ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Hear Gallery, Blow Up LA, and Automatico are teaming up with an absurdly crammed lineup of musicians, djs, artists, video installations, live art, catering, free giveaways from some of the sponsors, topped off with an open bar with admission from 8pm – 2am. There’s so much happening, I feel it’s wrong to highlight any one aspect. Just do yourself a favor and click that rsvp link (That one. Right there. Or the one just below this.) and look yourself.

WHAT: Good Hard Times NYE 2010
WHEN: 8pm – 5am
WHERE: Loft 265, 265 S. Main St. @ 3rd St.. 90012 (enter through back alley)
$$$: 21+: $25 8pm-2am, $15 8pm-11pm w/rsvp, $10 2am-5am
18+: $10 all night

THE STANDARD’S NEW YEAR’S EVE MASQUERADE PARTY

Poolside at The Standard Hollywood, ring in the new year with a performance from Fool’s Gold, an 11 piece eclectic Afro-pop band, DJs Prince Language, Asa Ransom, Valida, and DJ Pubes. Included in the $30 presale ticket price is a comlimentary champangne toast at midnight, with $5 Red Stripe specials all night. The perfect opportunity to bust out that unloved Mardi Gras mask from the back of your closet and go make out with strangers.

WHAT: New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party
WHEN: 7pm – 2am
WHERE: The Standard Hollywood, 8300 Sunset Blvd., 90069
$$$: $30 presale here, $40 day of

NYEROX ‘09

Dub Frequency and URB magazine are taking over The Roxy on Sunset, with a countdown (Hooray! Wait, isn’t everyone doing that?) and DJs like DJ Skee, Moke Posner, Dude Royal, and more. Sounds like a dance party! General admission tickets are $30, all you can drink well and beer tickets are $55, all you can drink premium tickets $100.

WHAT: NYEROX ‘09
WHEN: 9pm – 2am
WHERE: The Roxy, 9009 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
$$$: $30+

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE ROOSEVELT

If you’ve got the $140 for tickets, this sounds glamtamerous. A performance from Pharacyde, DJ Grandmaster Flash amongst others, and an erotic water ballet performance! The party is going to encompass the entire property, including the pool and all the rooms, with 4 separate stages set up, and a huge balloon drop at midnight. Entrance includes the open bar from 9pm -11pm. Be sure to get your tickets fast, they’re (allegedly) almost sold out.

WHAT: New Year’s Eve 2010
WHEN: 9pm – 3am
WHERE: The Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., 90028
$$$: $140

VENDETTA NEW YEAR’S EVE

Escape the new millenium and party like it’s 1920 with this prohibition era mobster themed party brought to you by LADEAD. With an eclectic mix of industrial, swing, electro, and jazz music coming from the DJs, this is sure to be the ultimate haunt for all you old school gangster types looking for a flapper to call your own. $20 for general entry at the door, $150 for VIP w/open bar and blackjack with suicidegirl dealers ($100 presale if you’re quick).

WHAT: Vendetta New Year’s Eve
WHEN: 9pm – 3am
WHERE: The Monte Cristo, 3100 Wilshire Blvd,  90005
$$$: $20 general admission/$150 vip

RED BULL NEW YEAR NO LIMITS

Then, of course if you’re not into all this club stuff and want to see someone possibly be maimed/dead by a crazy Evil Knievel stunt, Red Bull is sponsoring Travis Pastrana in his attempt to break the world record for longest jump over water down at the Pine Avenue Pier in Long Beach. The event’s free, but the parking may be a nightmare. Here’s a little assistance from Red Bull.

WHAT: Red Bull New Year No Limits
WHEN: 9pm is jump time
WHERE: Rainbow Harbor, Pine Avenue and Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802
$$$: Free! $10 parking in most lots

So this isn’t technically the 12th day of Christmas, but it is in Ghettogloss land. Tonight is the final night of their holiday art show, and after 12 days of art work getting added to the list, this is the best night to attend! From 6pm-12am they will have a special closing party with Pullip dolls from Japan taking over. They are really creepy. Like, seriously, really freaking creepy. Look at those eyes! Imagine waking up next to one. Ok I will stop. Hopefully the art will distract you from said creepiness. Or maybe the Strawberry Shortcake Krispy Kreme & Egg Nogg reception? I vote yes.
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WHAT: Ghettogloss’s Twelve Days of Christmas
WHEN: Tuesday, December 15th @ 6pm-12am
WHERE: Ghettogloss
$$$: Free

Next Thursday brings a special edition Flux Screening at the Billy Wilder Theater in the Hammer Museum. Mia Doi Todd’s new video “Open Your Heart,” directed by none other than Michel Gondry, will premiere along with shorts from Keith Schofield, Allison Schulnik, Stefan Nadelman and Radical Friend, all of whom will make an appearance. Doi-Todd is a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter, whose other videos may be viewed here. The night will end with a performance by Mia and Michel. The event is free, although RSVP is recommended, and the Hammer bar and cafe will be open.

WHAT: Michel Gondry music video debut for Mia Doi Todd
WHEN: Thursday Dec. 17th 7pm
WHERE: Hammer Museum
$$$: free

Remember last November, when Machine Project took over LACMA and made the already amazing museum about a billion times cooler? I do. And I remember that I was out of town and couldn’t go. And my friend won the scavenger hunt and got a free year-long membership to LACMA. And I was miserable. For those who missed out like me, and even for those who attended and want to relive it as much as possible, you are so in luck. Machine Project has created a book about that day called A Machine Project Field Guide to LACMA. It is filled with giant, colorful spreads of the 60+ projects that occurred during those ten hours of awesomeness. You can purchase the book here, (or download a free PDF of it), as well as attend the official book release party on Saturday at LACMA. The party will include performances by Fol Chen, J-Lep, The Douglas Lee, and a murder-mystery performance by Jessica Z. Hutchins and Dawn Kasper. Before the event starts, if you can get your free tickets from the box office at 6pm quick enough, check out a performance by Emily Lazy whose “Temples of the Mind” residency opens that same day. This is your last chance to relive that infamous day— until they do it again. (If anyone from Machine Project is reading this, PLEASE do it again!)

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WHAT: A Machine Project Field Guide to LACMA Book Release Party
WHEN: Saturday, December 5th @ 7pm-9pm
WHERE: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
$$$: Free

Not to be a huge downer, but some people aren’t going to eat this Thanksgiving.  Fortunately, there’s something you can do to help: Gobble Gobble Give.  If you don’t have plans for the holiday, now you have something to do.  And even if you have a big dinner planned, the event will be done by 1 PM, so you’ll be home in plenty of time to chow down.

The whole thing is simple and seems like it would be a really great and fulfilling time.  All you have to do is bring yourself and something to eat.  If you can’t cook, buy something at the grocery store.  If you’re already cooking for Thanksgiving, make a little extra and bring it with you.  Show up with your food at The Echo at 10 AM sharp.  From there, it will be a frenzy of plating so that all the food everyone brings gets divided up into individual meals.  All the volunteers will divide into groups and drive around LA handing out the food and donated clothes to the homeless and everyone should be back to Echo Park by 1 PM.

I can’t think of a better way to spend three hours of your Thanksgiving Day.  Sign up to volunteer here.

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WHAT: Gobble Gobble Give
WHERE: The Echo
WHEN: Thanksgiving, 10 AM – 1 PM
$$$: Free…plus you’ll earn tons of karma points

Shameless promotion, as usual, for some of our friends playing a show at Mountain Bar tonight! Starting at 9pm, check out Torches and Trees, then at 10PM some friends from the Valley, Veil Era, go on. Closing out the night will be The Franks, some more of our friends who we have written up before! For $5 you get three really good bands (and we aren’t just saying that, really, they’re good). Soon you will have to pay $30+ to see these guys. Mountain Bar is a great spot where more recently Avi Buffalo played. Chinatown is kinda hip.
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WHAT: Torches in Trees, Veil Era, & The Franks
WHEN: Wednesday, November 18th @ 9pm-12am
WHERE: The Mountain Bar
$$$: $5