FRIDAY:
"Blues for an Alabama Sky"
What: "Blues for an Alabama Sky" takes a vivid and powerful look at a pivotal moment in the 20th century African-American experience. The harsh realities of the Great Depression have devastated an ebullient decade of the Harlem renaissance. Disease and poverty have overshadowed the creative euphoria that fueled a surge of African-American artists, writers and luminaries. This is a story with a rich cast of characters, scrambling to survive and make some sense of their overlapping personalities, politics and love lives.
When: Friday, November 18, 8pm, $18 (through Nov. 27)
Where: Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101, (626-356-7529 or pasadenaplayhouse.org)
"Blind Pilot"
What: "Blind Pilot" began in 2007 when Israel Nebeker (vocals, guitar) and Ryan Dobrowski (drums) embarked on a West Coast bicycle tour playing mostly to unfamiliar listeners at small-town venues. The band now exists as a 6-piece ensemble featuring fellow Oregonians Luke Ydstie (upright bass, backing vocals), Kati Claborn (banjo, dulcimer, backing vocals), Ian Krist (vibraphones) and Dave Jorgensen (keyboards, trumpet).
When: Friday, November 18, 9pm-midnight, $20
Where: El Rey Theater, 5515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, (323-936-6400 or theelrey.com)
"Desire Under the Elms"
What: Young Eben Cabot's keen and greedy eye is on the farm. His father's voluptuous new bride Abbie has her craven eye on Eben. As they square off to battle for the coveted plot of land, irresistible sexual tension mingles with hate to explosive effect. America's premiere playwright Eugene O'Neill spins a masterful salute to the combustible essence of great Greek drama.
When: Friday, November 18, 8pm, $35 (through December 18)
Where: A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 (626-356-3100 or anoisewithin.org)
SATURDAY:
Sixth Annual Great Los Angeles Walk
What: Hundreds of Angelenos will take an urban hike to dispel the myth that "nobody walks in LA"! Participants will walk from downtown Los Angeles to the ocean via Hollywood Boulevard and proceed to walk approximately 19 miles (at a casual, all-day pace). The Walk will run down Temple, up Vermont Ave., across Hollywood Boulevard and down Santa Monica Boulevard to the ocean. Along the way, walkers will encounter sites such as City Hall, the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral, LA City College, Musso & Frank's, Grauman's Egyptian and Chinese Theatres, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the Capitol Records building, Hollywood and Vine and more. It's an all-day stroll the Saturday before Thanksgiving. After-party: 5 p.m. at Locanda del Lago restaurant in Santa Monica!
When: Saturday, November 19, kick-off speaker 8:45am, walk leaves 9am, free
Where: Meet at downtown's Triforium sculpture (at Fletcher Bowron Square – at Temple and Main -- across from City Hall) (greatlawalk.com)
"How LA Invented The World"
What: "What social, political, economic and historical forces made [Los Angeles] and its cultural scene flourish?" Zocalo Public Square asks in this half-day conference, a complement to Pacific Standard Time. "How Los Angeles Invented the World" dissects how and why the world at large has lapped up culture –- from home-grown musical acts like the Beach Boys to less-than-realistic cinematic portrayals of the City of Angels -- from a city the world also claims is bereft of culture. A number of talking heads will explain just how Los Angeles came to represent America at large in music, books, film and art -- most likely going beyond Die Hard, Blade Runner, Beck and Bukowski.
When: Saturday, November 19, 2-7pm (Check-in begins at 12:30; arrive no later than 1:30), free with reservations
Where: Harold M. Williams Auditorium, Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90049 ( 310-440-7300 or www.getty.edu )
"Adventures of Pete & Pete" tribute & live panel
What: Schedules permitting, Mike Maronna ("Big Pete"), Danny Tamberelli ("Little Pete"), show co-creators Will McRobb & Chris Viscardi, and other cast/crew will be at the Cinefamily to celebrate this event. Plus, the Wien Truck will be there between 5:30-9:30PM, and DJ Dan Shapiro will be here spinning tunes before and after the show!
When: Saturday, November 19, 6pm, $12
Where: Cinefamily, 611 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036 ( 323-655-2510 or cinefamily.org)
SUNDAY:
Bonny Doon Wine Tasting with Randall Grahm
What: Randall Grahm, dreamer, romantic, intellectual, winemaker and owner of the well-known Bonny Doon Vineyard will hold court at BUZZ wine and beer shop. He will be pouring and discussing some of his hard-to-come-by (in Los Angeles) selections from his repertoire -- including a Cider. There will be food, music, video and intellectual discussion.
When: Sunday, November 20, 4-6pm, $15
Where: BUZZ wine beer shop, 460 S. Spring Street #C, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213-622-2222 or buzzwinebeershop.com)
"Raiders of the Lost Ark"
What: On the film's 30th anniversary, revisit the classic on the big screen. Archaeologist Harrison Ford battles occult-obsessed Nazis and former girlfriend Karen Allen as he attempts to save the Ark of the Covenant. Brilliant, non-stop adventure from director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas.
When: Sunday, November 20, 7:30pm, $11
Where: Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323-466-3456 or americancinemathequecalendar.com )