November 6, 2008
By Ron Garmon
Thursday 6
Madge & The Big Rock Candy Mountain
Having reinvented herself past postmodern irony into a kind of referential jigsaw, Madonna takes her act on the road yet again, this time in the wake of a headline-grabbing split from film director husband Guy Ritchie. Her “Sticky & Sweet” Tour rolls its diabetic way into Dodger Stadium tonight, to the delectation of her sugar-shocked longtime fanbase now licking feverishly at Hard Candy, which debuted, of course, at No. 1. Can hype get any more hypertrophied? Not on your tintype, kiddoo. 7 p.m. $148−$889. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 480-3232. livenation.com. (Ron Garmon)
Friday 7
Your Ears Will Bleed
It’s a shame, really, that they’ve just put up new chandeliers and fixtures at The Wiltern, since the power metal rogues DragonForce will be tearing down a few lamps with earth-shattering guitar solos and vicious brain-melting screams. These Londoners will very much break down the pillars of doubt from unbelievers who think hair-metal is dead. DragonForce are of that power-chord ilk, but with less Spandex and more ruptured eardrums. Admit it – you couldn’t beat Legends of Flames on Guitar Hero. Why not honor those big buttons on your fake guitar and see the band live? Oh, and send a love note to Indie 103.1 for setting all this up. 7 p.m. 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 388-1400. (Nathan Solis)
Saturday 8
Learning to Crawl
Though the art itself (and participating galleries) will be spread across Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Echo Park and environs, the Silver Lake content of the two-day Silver Lake Art Crawl will be well-upheld by tonight’s kickoff party at the brand new Gold Bear Academy space. This evening celebrates the ever-burgeoning Eastside gallery scene, with a chance find some of the most fun and creative folks in this palm-frond burg sopping up merlot and getting loose. RSVP-only. 9 p.m.-midnight. Free. Gold Bear Academy, 200 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. silverlakeartcrawl.com. (RG)
Sunday 9
This Is, in Fact, Olympic & Fig
That Beck keeps on rockin’ like an ironic hurricane. What with his lanky frame and drawled-out vocals, that fellow sure can make a whole lot of noise. But us folks are spoiled when it comes to Beck. He’s an L.A. native who’s paid his dues and now graciously arrives to take away that new-venue smell at Club Nokia. That’s right, Beck will be the first act to take the stage and all we can hope is that he’ll bring the energy he built up from the summer festival circuit. This is the type of show you’ll wheeze to your grandchildren, “I was there when Beck opened up Club Nokia.” And they’ll say, “Sure, President Beck used to play music. Whatever.” 7 p.m. $41.50-$71.50. Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A. clubnokia.com. (NS)
Monday 10
Shhh. Such Soft Music
Dear Spaceland, acoustic guitars are awesome weapons of change. They might not always be heard in a crowd, but with The Western States Motels having a co-residency with Marching Band, you can be sure of being murmured to in stylish company. Expect a lot of Blur fans to show, including some brought in by the soft sounds coming from under the door. P.S. Boxing Lesson will be on this bill, too!? 9 p.m. Free. 21+. Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., L.A., (213) 413-8600. clubspaceland.com. (NS)
Tuesday 11
Real, Like TV
Lately, the TV apparatus has been more like a crap dispenser, what with so many marathons of reality shows. Why not get out to an event that’s about a television show? It’s better than it sounds. The Museum of Television and Radio has these forums with the creators and cast members of shows and today they feature the off-kilter Pushing Daisies. Fans will ask awkward questions, someone will say “Worst. Episode. Ever,” and everyone will have a great time. 7 p.m. $25. The Paley Center for Media, 465 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, (310) 786-1091. paleycenter.org. (NS)
Wednesday 12
What Did the Five Fingers Say to the Face?
Charlie Murphy is perhaps best remembered for his role in Chappelle’s Rick James sketch, and the ensuing “I’m Rich Bitch” comedy tour. Maybe his best-known sketch is the one where he plays basketball with Prince and says he was dressed like a figure skater? Or was it the one where he plays Tyree, the mad Real World cast member who sleeps with his roommate’s girlfriend, stabs his parents, and then votes him off the show? Don’t worry, it’s OK to laugh. The point is, he’s done lots of funny stuff before, now he’s doing funny standup. Offend. Be offended. Laugh. Love. Eat. 8 p.m. $20. The Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, (323) 651-2583. improv.com. (GP)
Published: 11/06/2008
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