Artemis Rocks! Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Who is Artemis Fowl? Just the awesomest teenage criminal mastermind ever, and you can enter his amazing world at Artemis Rocks!, hosted by author Eoin Colfer, a touring talk show based on his series of fantasy books. While Artemis' adventures often take him to the Lower Elements, home of fairies and LEPrecons ("Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance"), this event takes him to the Pasadena Playhouse, where Colfer previews the series' latest installment, Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex, and even interviews the young criminal himself. Turns out Artemis saves the world. Again. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena; Wed., Aug. 4, 7 p.m.; $17.99 plus tax, including the book. Tickets available at Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (626) 449-5320. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, July 30, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 11:24 PM, ,

L.A. Street Food Fest Monday, July 19, 2010

Forget those late-night sidewalk sausages known as Danger Dogs, with their bacon-wrapped sizzle and questionable health-department inspections. Street food in L.A. has gone gourmet, thanks to the food-truck phenomenon, and the L.A. Street Food Fest is the place to taste it all. Serving up samples: the Grilled Cheese Truck; Frysmith; the Dim Sum Truck; Flying Pig; Monsieur Egg; Crepe'n Around; Komodo; the Gastrobus; the Munchie Machine; Coolhaus; and literally dozens more, including downtown sensations Starry Kitchen and Scoops. All told, more than 60 vendors are set to dazzle the crowd, alongside a cooking competition (judged by, among others, Street's Susan Feniger); one-of-a-kind wares for sale at the Unique L.A. Marketplace; live tunes by The Deadly Syndrome and Warpaint; and an Oh Snap! photo booth. Admission includes unlimited eats and drinks — did I mention the tequila bar? Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena; Sat., July 24, 5:30 p.m.; $45, $65 VIP (tickets online only; not available at the door). lastreetfoodfest.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, July 23, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 9:25 PM, ,

Brent Humphreys: Le Tour Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Austin-based photographer Brent Humphreys snaps shots of the Tour de France in "Le Tour," his ongoing portrait of the annual bike race. Humphreys' images tell a whimsical story, not of the competitors, but of the spectators, who camp out on lush mountainsides, perch in chairs beside a roadway, munch on bratwurst or suntan in a Speedo, leisurely awaiting the speeding cyclists. While the focus isn't on the sleek frames of the athletes or their bikes, they're still there, rounding curves, passing in the distance, and the effect is imminent delight. Clark | Oshin Gallery at The Icon, 5450 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; opening reception Sat., July 17, 6-9 p.m., in conjunction with the 97th annual race; thru Aug. 31. clark-oshingallery.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, July 16, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 5:43 PM, ,

Salomon Huerta Saturday, July 10, 2010

Salomon Huerta creates art to destroy it. Then he creates it again, and destroys it again. Once more he creates it, and at last it's done. In the Zocalo Public Square program "Salomon Huerta: Ego, Destruction, and Facebook," Claremont Graduate University's David Pagel interviews Huerta on his creative process and its meaning. The style of the Tijuana-born/Boyle Heights-raised painter tends toward portraits of bald heads viewed from behind, or closeups of masked Mexican wrestlers, hiding the subject's identity and inspiring a desire to see what cannot be seen. Huerta paints nondescript suburban houses, too; a place to live, but not a place to call home. Museum of Contemporary Art, 250 S. Grand Ave., dwntwn.; Wed., July 14, 7:30 p.m.; free, resv. recommended at zocalopublicsquare.org. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, July 9, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 1:23 AM, ,

Dancing With the Gay Games Stars Monday, July 5, 2010

Just how gay is ballroom dancing? Seriously gay, according to West Hollywood's own Robert Tristan and Steve Valentine, the same-sex ballroom-dance champs who aim to sashay all the way to the 2010 Cologne Gay Games (as in Germany, not body fragrance). In "Dancing With the Gay Games Stars," the dance partners cha-cha-cha for your change in a fierce and fabulous fund-raiser for their European trip, which may or may not include lederhosen. DJ Peter J spins funk and disco, but it's Tristan and Valentine who rock. The Abbey Food and Bar, 692 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Wed., July 14, 8 p.m.; gayballroom.tv. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, July 9, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 8:24 PM, ,