There’s so much going on in the City of Angels, it can be hard to keep track of it all. Thanks to the new Flavorpill, we’re inviting the entire community to make suggestions with its gorgeous city-based culture guide — an open platform where our very own editors and curators meet and mingle with artists, gadabouts, and other tipsters for a limitless variety of both ongoing and one-off recommendations. With this in mind, please enjoy our weekly list of hand-picked event suggestions here on Flavorwire, and in the meantime, be sure to check out the new Flavorpill. We’ll see you there.
Monday, May 13
MUSIC: School Night featuring of Verona and Birds of Tokyo LA’s own indie-futurists, of Verona, join Australian alt-rock quintet Birds of Tokyo at KCRW DJ Chris Douridas’ weekly Monday-night club at Bardot, with DJ sets from Keenhouse and R2M. School Night is where the weekend’s official end meets the week’s promising beginnings. It’s a place to both decompress from the recent past and make ready for whatever the near future has in store, thanks to Douridas’ expertly curated mix of vinyl and live shows — like tonight’s, for example. — Tanja M. Laden
Tuesday, May 14
FILM: Short Films Starring Llyn Foulkes For the past half century, Llyn Foulkes has been carving his own idiosyncratic territory in art, be it through multimedia portraiture, assemblage, or a one-man band enabled by his experimental music-making contraption, The Machine. Foulkes’ opposition to society’s structural ills is ever-impassioned. Having studied at Chouinard Institute (later to become Cal Arts) and first exhibited at Ferus Gallery in the late 1950’s, Foulkes is SoCal homespun talent, so it’s fitting that the Hammer should be screening a series of short films starring the man himself, in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition, Llyn Foulkes. — Jane McCarthy
Wednesday, May 15
FOOD/WINE: Dishcrawl Old Town Pasadena Something like a pub crawl for food lovers, Dishcrawl is a progressive dinner series that focuses on the culinary pleasures of different neighborhoods, and this time, it’s Old Town Pasadena. Over the course of the evening, ticket-holders visit four restaurants where they sample specialties and meet chefs and/or owners. The locations are secret, which is all the more reason to mingle with other foodies while trying new dishes, exploring a neighborhood, and supporting local businesses. Vegetarian options are also available. — Karin E. Baker
Thursday, May 16
CITY GEM: Castro/Promis Speakeasy One of the only fetish-themed galleries in the world, Antebellum has hosted everything from a birthday party for Sal Mineo to a death-day tea party for Oscar Wilde to a celebration of Tom of Finland’s life and career. Past exhibitions include 420: Cannabis as Art; Furniture Fetish; and an Armageddon-themed art exhibit. With such a repertoire, you can count on an evening full of fascination and fun in the form of a speakeasy-style salon with live musical performances, all with a stunning patio garden and of course, the requisite kinky art. — Tanja M. Laden
ART: LA Weekly presents Artopia
Friday, May 17
FESTIVAL: Fusion Fridays One of only four national institutions dedicated to the art and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands, the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena brings back its ongoing monthly summertime series, Fusion Fridays. Encounter the foreign, familiar, and unexpected at an exciting blend of art, culture, and community, with live performances, hands-on activities, food trucks, and more. We also recommend the museum’s four current exhibitions, including The Garden in Asia, on view through November 17. — Caitlin Johnson
Saturday, May 18
MUSIC: Pi Jacobs: Urbanicana Release Party Pi Jacobs grew up in the musically rich environment of San Francisco and started singing at the age of three. Over the course of her career as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Jacobs has independently released five albums, toured extensively in the US and UK, and has had more than 60 songs placed in TV, film, and advertising. The songs on her latest album, Urbanicana, touch upon topics like sex and double standards; loss, unfulfilled potential, friendship, youthful longings, spirituality, life on the road, and relationships. The tracks are sometimes wistful and other times sung with anthemic exuberance. Although Jacobs says her music isn’t aimed at young adults or teens, her stories and authenticity resonate with both adolescent and adult listeners. Urbanicana is a collaboration with renowned producer Eugene Toale, whose hip-hop sensibilities combined with Jacobs’ rootsy, rock-diva vocals deliver a fresh sound that is both urban and Americana. This new genre captures the heart of the homesick city-dweller yearning for simpler times, as well as sore-thumb artsy-types, alone in the boondocks. — Shannon Constantine Logan
Sunday, May 19
PERFORMING ARTS: Tongue & Groove Musicians and writers converge again for the Tongue & Groove gathering at Hollywood’s Hotel Café. Every month, Conrad Romo brings in a diverse and talented group of artists to read and perform material. Tongue and Groove is a solid dose of culture from rising stars and established artists alike. The latest edition features Jim Gavin (Middlemen), Corrie Greathouse (Another Name for Autumn), Mike Sonksen (I’m Alive in LA), Doug Cordell, and music by Jaz James. Seating is limited and goes quickly, so arrive early. — Dennis Lynch