Plug the gaping hole that the eleventh-hour cancellation of Sunset Junction has left in your weekend plans with one or more of these also cool events, which regrettably do not involve either Hanson or the Butthole Surfers. Roll with the changes, LA, and have fun.
FRIDAYWhat: Slake Issue 3 Launch PartyWhy: Slake: Los Angeles editors Laurie Ochoa and Joe Donnelly scoured the city for literary genius, and the result is the third issue of a literary journal that is quickly gaining esteem and becoming an artistic community for both writers and fans of inspired prose. (The first two issues of Slake spent weeks on the LA Times’ best-seller list). Get to know your writing community while sipping on free vino and listening to live performances from the magazine’s contributors at Slake’s issue launch party. When: 7:30pm, $5 advanced, $8 same dayWhere: Atwater Crossing Courtyard, 3245 Casitas Avenue, at Minneapolis Street, (slake.la)
What: Little Junebugs Opening PartyWhy: Embrace your inner child while having an adult-style good time at the opening party of Pasadena gift store and crafting space Little Junebugs. The whimsical garden-themed shop is ultra kid-friendly, but this particular party is for grownups. This means complimentary adult beverages and food by M Street Kitchen. Flex your creativity in the craft space, enter the raffle to win one of several fabulous prizes and mingle with the other young at heart revelers. The opening party continues all weekend with events for kids and families on Saturday and Sunday.When: 8pm-11pm, freeWhere: Little Junebugs, 27 South El Molino Avenue, at Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (626-440-7300 or littlejunebugs.com)
What: The Beatles Week at Dodgers StadiumWhy: To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the band's Dodgers Stadium concert, Friday Night Fireworks will be set to Beatles music. Listen for nostalgic hits like "Help," "Drive My Car" and "Can't Buy Me Love" during games throughout the week. Plus, on Tuesday, Aug. 30, the cast from the Las Vegas "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" will perform on the field before the game and throw out a ceremonial first pitch.When: Friday Night Fireworks after the game; Cirque performance, 7pm Aug. 30Where: Dodgers Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Avenue (323-224-1507 or losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com)
SATURDAYWhat: Hidden LA Instant Photo Scavenger HuntWhy: Lomo, a little known brand of Russian camera, is the object of obsession at Lomography, LA’s own gallery, magazine and community dedicated to the gorgeous photos derived from this analog device. Get in the picture by participating in Lomography’s scavenger hunt, during which teams of two to four will compete for prizes by cruising LA and taking shots of little seen parts of the city as instructed by a series of photo clues. When: August 27, 12pm – 5pm, $10 (includes loaner camera and instant film)Where: Lomography Gallery Store LA, 7998 Santa Monica Boulevard, at North Laurel Avenue, (323-301-1414 or lomography.com)
What: The Midnight Show’s Super Secret Party at Upright Citizen’s BrigadeWhy: The cast of UCB’s much-beloved Midnight Show has made a TV pilot, which they’re humbly calling “pretty much the best sketch pilot in history.” Judge for yourself at the group’s screening of this project, which will be buffered with stand up comedy from assorted funny people including Chris Fairbanks, Sean O’Connor and Sam Brown. When: 10pm, $10Where: Upright Citizen’s Brigade, 5919 Franklin Avenue, at (323-908-8702 or losangeles.ucbtheatre.com)
SUNDAY:What: Serge Gainsbourg TributeWhy: The music of French director and cultural hero Serge Gainsbourg will be brought to life by Gainsbourg’s longtime collaborator Jean Claude Vannier in addition to a très cool set of musical luminaries including Beck, Sean Lennon and the late auteur’s daughter Lulu Gainsbourg. When: 7:30pm, $17.50 - $144Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 North Highland Avenue, at Odin Street (323-850-2000 or hollywoodbowl.com)
What: Rhythm and RoutesWhy: And across the 101, in LA’s other amphitheatre, local dance troupes the Keshet Claim Dance Ensemble and Lula Washington Dance Theatre will be joined by singer Macy Gray, female rapper MC Lyter, Israeli pop star Harel Skaat and the interfaith Agape International Choir for an evening of dance and song meant to emphasize both cultural diversity and the unifying power of a spectacular performance. When: 7:30pm, $75-$150Where: John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Boulevard East, (323-461-3673 or fordtheatres.org)