23 Of Our Favorite Events in Los Angeles This Week

LAist gets a lot of press releases and we go through all most of them to curate a list of our favorite events happening in L.A. Here are 23 events you should know about this week (and Thursday is just ridiculously packed with events). Read on for all the details.

MONDAY, APRIL 21

MUSIC: The Mystic Braves bring their jangly guitar, lo-fi rock to the Echoplex for a free April residency show on Monday night. “Formerly Blackfeet Braves, the quartet channel the look and feel of a '60s rock group, from the shaky Super 8 footage tricks in their music videos to the shaggy hair and patterned wardrobe. This is revivalism at it's best and Mystic Braves stands at the forefront of a booming LA scene heralded by the likes of Lollipop and Burger Records.” Also on the bill: Tropical Popsicle, Adult Books and Buttertones. 8:30 pm. 21+. RSVP for free, priority residency.

FILM: REDCAT and The Echo Park Film Center (EPFC) present a program of Small New Films on Monday at 8:30 pm at REDCAT. The center’s emphasis remains steadfast on small-gauge film, particularly Super 8mm and 8mm. The program at REDCAT draws on works from EPFC’s programs as well as artists commissioned to make brand-new films for EPFC's 12-year anniversary. Films by Rick Bahto, Ursula Brookbank, Kate Brown, Paul Clipson, Hayley Elliott, Marilyn Hernandez, Ellie Parker, John Palmer, Chloe Reyes, Martine Syms, Penelope Uribe-Abee and Pablo Valencia. Tickets: $8-$10.

MUSIC: It’s a School Night welcomes live music and DJ sets from both up-and-coming and seasoned artists every Monday night at Bardot in Hollywood. Playing live are Fascinator, Wunder Wunder, Max Jury and Chris Arena. DJ set by Roofeeo (of TV on the Radio) at midnight. Free with RSVP for those 21+; $10 for 18+ with RSVP. Doors at 8 pm.

CABARET: Rockwell Table & Stage welcomes Tony Award winner Daisy Eagan (The Secret Garden) with special guest Tony Nominee Adam Pascal (Rent, Aida, Chess) in the one-night-only show One for My Baby on Monday at 8 pm. The self-penned show draws on Eagan’s experience as an opinionated wife, mother and performer through jazz, cabaret and monologues. Proceeds from the show benefit the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. Tickets: $25+ fees.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22

MUSIC: There’s a special performance on Tuesday by Asher Roth to celebrate the release of his second LP RetroHash. Also on the bill are special guests Chuck Inglish and Doja Cat. 8 pm. All ages. Tickets: $12 in advance. $18 day of show.

LIT: On Tuesday at 7 pm, Book Soup welcomes Holly George-Warren, who discusses and signs the biography A Man Called Destruction: The Life and Music of Alex Chilton, from Box Tops to Big Star to Backdoor Man. Chilton, considered one of the forefathers of indie rock, started out with the ‘60s group The Box Tops. If you miss her at Book Soup, she’s also presenting the book at the Grammy Museum on Wednesday.

ART: In time for Earth Day on Tuesday, G2 Gallery in Venice opens On the Brink, which highlights 300 threatened species around the globe from more than 35 photographers. “On the Brink will showcase species that are in danger of disappearing from the planet, species that have gone extinct, and species that humans have successfully rehabilitated - the full spectrum of extinction to rejuvenation.” The gallery is trying to raise awareness and to help curb extinction rates throught the exhibition, which runs through June 8. The artist reception is on Saturday from 6:30-9:30 pm.

MUSIC : Nerd Nite Los Angeles takes over The Mint tonight at 7 pm. Nerd Nite, imported from Boston, is nerd get-together for presentations and drinking. There are three, 20-minute presentations tonight: Geometry of mechanisms: from trains to modern computers by Igor Pak; Can brain cells grown in a petri dish learn to tell time? by Anu Goel and The Birth of Amateur Photography, 1880-1930 by Paul Barone. Cover charge: $10.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23

ART PREVIEW: There’s a special Precognito dinner and preview on Wednesday to celebrate the upcoming Incognito—the 10th anniversary of the Santa Monica Museum of Art’s signature benefit art sale. Precognito honors 10 artists who have “definted the spirit of Incognito with their iconic logos: Pat O'Neill, Mark Bradford, Raymond Pettibon, Barbara Kruger, John Baldessari, Gajin Fujita, Laura Owens, Paul McCarthy, Allen Ruppersberg and Henry Taylor.” In addition guests get to see the more than 700 works that will go on sale—with the artists’ names hidden. Cocktails at 6:30 pm, dinner by Alma at 7 pm. Incognito tickets: $1,300.

HONEYBEE FESTIVAL: There’s a Honeybee Festival on Wednesday from 2-5 pm at the Santa Monica College Organic Learning Garden that celebrates bees and their honey. Talk to beekeepers, taste honey and honey-themed food, listen to poetry, a beatbox harpist, view art, work on crafts and more.

FILM: Film Independent holds its Project Involve Showcase 2014 on Wednesday at 7:30 pm at the Linwood Dunn Theater. The event features a compilation of short films written, directed or produced by past and current Project Involve Fellows. Free with .

MUSIC: Great bill of roots and rock music at the Bootleg Theater with The Americans opening at 8 pm, followed by Max Jury and Tom Brosseau. Tickets: $10.

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

MUSIC CONFERENCE: ASCAP’s “I Create Music” EXPO is at the Hollywood Loews Hotel from April 24-26. It’s a conference for songwriters, composers and producers that focuses on all genres of music and includes panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, one-on-one sessions, workshops and more. You don’t have to be an ASCAP member to attend or participate in the conference. Badges: $385-$460.

COMEDY: Material is a new evening of comedy and music at Vlad the Retailer’s in Echo Park on Thursday. Hosted by Georgea Brooks, the event features Anna Seregina, Brian Kiley, Deborah Etta Robinson, Joshy Fadem, Kevin Lee, Laura Danowski, Wanjiko Eke, Wesley Doloris and musician Jake Troth. Doors at 8. Show at 8:30. The show is free, but donations will be gladly accepted.

COMIC BOOK TALK: At 7 pm on Thursday, NerdMelt presents Inkstuds Live with Brandon Graham and Friends. Inkstuds radio host Robin McConnell and sidekick Brandon Graham (King City, Multiple Warheads) record an interview live with guests Tom Herpich (White Clay, Adventure Time),Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets), Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim, Lost at Sea and Seconds) and Pendelton Ward (Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors). There’s a book signing following the record with Hernandez, Graham and Prophet illustrator, Simon Roy. Free.

FILM: KPCC and PBS SoCal present a free screening of Medora, directed by Andrew Cohn and Davy Rothbart (Found Magazine). The documentary film follows the varsity high school team of a once-booming Indiana farming community over the highs and lows of a season. Post-screening discussion with Rothbart. 7 pm at the Crawford Family Forum in Pasadena. RSVP required.

COMEDY FEST: The LA Comedy Festival returns for its 15th season, taking over the Let Live Theatre and The Other Space from April 24-May 4. The festival—which includes a film festival, a screenplay competition and live comedy— screens 17 features and 62 short films in competition. Live comedy acts with new shows include featured award-winning groups Garlic Jackson, Don’t Watch This Show Live, Drag Queens and more. Tickets: $10 online and $12 at the door.

STORYTELLING: On Thursday at the Hesby’s Writer’s Room presents an evening of stories about April Fools in Love—the good the bad and the ugly. Acclaimed authors and screenwriters discuss taking relationship woes and turning them into a novel, book or script. Learn from the guest authors how to craft stories into something that you can sell and publish. Free wine, chocolate and valet parking. Tickets: $5-$8.

MUSIC + MORE: The Run Downhill Daughter Chautauqua brings its Vol. 5 - Dust to HM157 in Lincoln Heights on Thursday. The evening combines music, literature, art and film, alongside lecture and discussion, “designed to bridge the gap between entertainment and lifelong education.” Special musical guests: Mahlis Troy, and Warm Climate and guest speaker Washington State Horticulturalist Jake Gutzwiler. $10 suggested donation. Doors at 7:30 pm, show from 8-11 pm.

ART: iam8bit gallery in Echo Park presents the exhibition You Need This Art—featuring 70 original works of art created for Hint Mint’s Artist Series. Artists include Audrey Kawasaki, Lola, James Jean, Owen Smith, Glenn Barr, Gary Baseman, Shag, E. Ipolani, James Denk, Doug Rogers, Alberto Toscano, Michael Ray Charles and 2014 artist, Brandi Milne. The opening runs from 7-10 pm.

MUSIC: The next edition of the Red Bull Sound Select series features a concert on Thursday at the Roxy, featuring headliner Mr Little Jeans and emerging local artists Avid Dancer and Breakfast. Tickets are just $3 for those who RSVP before 6 pm on Thursday, with all proceeds going back to support the opening local bands. If by chance there are tickets left, the tickets are $12 at the door.

FILM: Screamfest and MGN Five Star Cinema in Glendale presents the event “Fears and Beers” with a special screening of Bride of Chucky with special guests Don Mancini, Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif and Alexis Arquette doing a Q&A after the screening. Ticket price ($20) includes the screening and two beers (which allows you to play the Bride of Chucky drinking game, too). 21+.

SMODCAST ANNIVERSARY: Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier are celebrating the 300th episode of their SModcast—the weekly podcast where they talk about this, that and other stuff that happened—at the Comedy Store at 8:30 pm. The podcast has been a jumping off point for may other Smith projects, including his movie Tusk and his other podcast, Hollywood Babble On, with a pilot order from AMC. which AMC just made a pilot order. : $25 with a two drink minimum per person. 21+.

Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow or me (@christineziemba) on Twitter.