Sex Nerd Sandra Tuesday, May 31, 2011

You might think sex chatter in a comic book store revolves around what Batgirl looks like naked (and you'd be right), but Sex Nerd Sandra is on a mission to transform those dorkgasm fantasies into reality. As part of Chris Hardwick's Nerdist empire, Pleasure Chest sexologist Sandra Daugherty debuts her NSFW podcast at Meltdown Comics, live, in person, and chock full of dick- and clit-speak. Sandra is, after all, the blogger who once affectionately referred to that sensitive underside at the tip of the penis as the "clittiest part of the man-clit." And how! Sandra's been "geeking out on sex knowledge since age 12," and nowadays she spreads her pleasure-positive message by providing G-spot road maps on her blog and self-testing masturbation devices on YouTube. She's my hero! Meltdown Comics, 7522 Sunset Blvd., L.A.; Tues., June 7, 8 p.m.; $10. (323) 851-7223, meltcomics.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, June 3, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 12:13 AM, ,

The Everything to Do With Sex Show Friday, May 20, 2011

Feeling horny? Curious about "the Lifestyle"? Or just want to expand your S&M repertoire? Then get your ass over to The Everything To Do With Sex Show, a three-day convention exploring all things lascivious, from blowjob seminars to tips from a dungeon mistress. Sex educator Jamye Waxman reveals the secrets of "Awesome Oral Sex for Everyone"; Destin Gerek ("The Erotic Rock Star") provides his "Intro to Tantric Sex"; sexologist Tamilynn Edwards offers tips on "Giving Him What He Wants"; and poledance "mompreneur" Miyoko Fujimori explains how to "Stay Fit and Keep Your House Clean With Strip Tease." Onstage entertainment includes Reigning Queen of Burlesque Roxi Dlite, fetish pinup siren MiMi Cherry, the Mr. Exotika Male Revue, and the Lust in Wonderland Fashion Show. Among the exhibitors on hand to satisfy your needs: 4 Freedoms Tantra, B.A.R.E Restraints, Condom Shack, Control Wear, Cupid Boutique, Heels 4 U Lingerie Blacko, Love Poetry Corsets, Passion Parties, Sexability, Superclubs Resorts, Uncle D, the Canadian Ass-Man, and Wicked Wanda's. It's like a Star Trek convention for perverts! L.A. Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., dwntwn.; Fri., May 20, 3 p.m.-mid.; Sat., May 21, 11 a.m.-mid.; Sun., May 22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; $27.50 ($22.50 online) single day, $40 ($35 online) weekend pass. Full schedule at la.everythingtodowithsex.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, May 20, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 12:43 AM, ,

Beverly Hills Beer Fest Wednesday, May 18, 2011

High above the streets of 90210, on a boutique hotel's rooftop pool deck, an orgy of hops awaits you at the first-ever Beverly Hills Beer Fest. The Thompson Hotel hosts the affair, providing beer samples amid hot bodies, cool beats (courtesy Listen Deep's DJ Prophecy) and live music by songstress Aijia Lise and pop rocker Matthew Moon. The beers on offer: Black Star, a double-hopped golden lager from Whitefish, Montana; Victoria, Grupo Modelo's Vienna-style Mexican beer; Asahi, the Japanese standby; Blue Moon, a Belgian-style white beer; Samuel Smith, out of Tadcaster, North Yorkshire; Samuel Adams, the American craft classic, and more. VIP tickets get you an unlimited beer sampling flight pass and an afternoon to remember, or possibly forget. Thompson Hotel, 360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Sun., May 22, 2-7 p.m.; $25 (includes three beer samplings), $50 VIP (unlimited beer flight pass). 21 & over. (310) 821-5371, listendeepmusic.com/bhbf. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, May 20, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 1:21 AM, ,

Taste of the Eastside Thursday, May 12, 2011

Organic tacos, vegan meatballs, sustainable noodles, hipster beer, it's all here at Taste of the Eastside, a picnic in the park catered by the culinary wavemakers of Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz and Eagle Rock. Among the establishments doling out dishes for tickets: Little Dom's, Gingergrass, Malo, Square One, Madame Matisse, Elf Cafe, Xoia, Cliff's Edge, Brite Spot, Bomb and Intelligentsia. If you're a spendthrift, or a lush, sign up for the VIP package, which includes a cocktail tasting with mixologist Talmadge Lowe of Heirloom L.A. There's a book signing, too, with authors Jimmy Williams and Susan Heeger (From Seed to Skillet), Randy Clemens (The Sriracha Cookbook) and L.A. Weekly's own Lina Lecaro (Los Angeles's Best Dive Bars), plus KCRW's Garth Trinidad on the decks. Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Sun., May 15, 1-5 p.m.; $25 general admission (includes 15 taste coupons), $65 VIP (includes 30 taste coupons, early entry, and "Pharmacie" cocktail booth). tasteoftheeastside.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, May 13, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 10:32 PM, ,

Circus Vargas Sunday, May 8, 2011

Call it Cirque du Soleil Lite, nestled under the Hollywood Freeway. Circus Vargas harkens back to the early days of the traveling circus, a family-friendly spectacle akin to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. This, however, is an "animal-free" show, so no Gunther Geble-Williams types to get PETA's panties in a twist. Among the acts: the Flying Tabares' double trapeze, African acrobatics by the Zinduna Brothers, the Garcia Family Cyclists versus the Globe of Death, a bungee ballet, high-wire artists, and clowns, clowns, clowns. You've been warned. Under the Big Top, 101 freeway at Hollywood Boulevard, Hlywd.; Thurs.-Fri., May 12-13, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., May 14, 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 15, 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.; Mon., May 16, 6:30 p.m.; $25-$50, $15-$40 kids 10 & under. (877) 468-3861, circusvargas.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, May 6, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 3:52 AM, ,

Free Comic Book Day Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Who doesn't like free stuff? And comic books? Free Comic Book Day is upon us once again, so get yourself down to Golden Apple Comics, Melrose Avenue's venerable comic book mecca, for a random superhero mag. All you have to do is ask. Any participating comic shop would give you the swag, but why go elsewhere? Golden Apple is hosting Star Trek's Walter Koenig, Super Dinosaur's Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard, and other writers and artists throughout the day. There's a Thor scavenger hunt, too. So what's the free comic book? Whatever's left by the time you get there. It could be Spider-Man, Green Lantern, The Avengers or Scooby-Doo. Jinkies! Golden Apple, 7018 Melrose Ave., Hlywd.; Saturday, May 7, open at 10 a.m.; free. (323) 568-6047, freecomicbookday.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, May 6, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 10:42 PM, ,