Category Archives: Happening in L.A.

Happening in L.A.

Mark Your Calendars: ‘Monday Nights: L.A.’s Scene of the Century, 2005–2016″ is Coming to Leiminspace This August

Sean Carnage Monday Nights photo exhibition at Leiminspace in Chinatown August 2, 2025

Between 2005 and 2016, anything could happen on Monday Nights. The weekly series of DIY shows presented by Sean Carnage brought together synthpunk, metal, noise, hip-hop, unexpected cover bands and so much more. Locals like Health and Captain Ahab played Monday Nights, as did touring artists like Dan Deacon and Future Islands. The shows were influential on a wave of L.A. musicians coming up in the ’00s. They were influential for myself as well, as I covered the shows often early in my journalism career. So I’m excited to tell you now that I’m co-curating, “Monday Nights: L.A.’s Scene of the Century 2005=2016,” an exhibition set to open at Leiminspace in Chinatown on Saturday, August 2. Check out the press release below, mark your calendars , tell your friends and join us for the opening party.

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Happening in L.A.

This Is a Good Weekend to Support Downtown Los Angeles

Photo taken on 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles by Liz Ohanesian
The curfew is gone, head back downtown this weekend.

Mayor Bass finally lifted the curfew that was thrust upon downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, so this weekend is a really good time to support the venues who were impacted by the 8 p.m. shutdown. Over at the Grand Star in Chinatown, Club Tenderness is on Thursday, June 19. Underground is still happening on Friday, but note that Underground’s Pulp Party has been moved to Friday, July 18. Saturday, 6/21, is Club Disintegration downstairs at the Grand Star and ‘80s Night upstairs. 

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Happening in L.A.

This Weekend, Take a Break from Doomscrolling

Photo of the monarch habitat at Los Angeles State Historic Park in May, 2025 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
Seriously, stop doomscrolling. (Pic: Liz O.)

If you aren’t able to protest in Los Angeles, but want to get involved in the effort to stop the ongoing I.C.E. Raids, check out this list from L.A. Public Press on other actions you can take. Head over to L.A. Taco for a list of 17 non-profits supporting immigration rights that could use donations. 

Mostly, I want to encourage people to not doomscroll this weekend. And, by people, I mean myself as well. I really need to stop doomscrolling. Whether or not you’re out protesting over the next few days, we’ll all need a break from the news. So, set aside some time to watch a movie, visit a park or museum, go to the gym or do something to chill for a bit.

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Happening in L.A.

Exotikon, L.A. Pride, Turnstile in Theaters and More Happening in L.A. Between June 5 and June 11

Swimming Bell live at Oblivion in Highland Park, Los Angeles on Friday, May 23, 2025 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
Swimming Bell plays Permanent Records Roadhouse on Thursday, June 5

I’ll be in Phoenix on Friday night with Klub Nocturno to play new wave and darkwave at Crescent Ballroom. Last time I played Phoenix with Nocturno was a blast and I’m excited to be heading back. If you’re in the area, get yourself tickets and join us on the dance floor. 

Here in Los Angeles, there are a handful of events that I want to put on your radar. Swimming Bell, who were featured on Beatique just last week, opens for Sebastian Schub at Permanent Records Roadhouse on Thursday, June 5. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for this 21+ show. 

Read: Swimming Bell Dives Into Oceanic Vibes on Somnia

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Happening in L.A.

Leather Strip Live, Bleak Week Movies, Tarot Festival and More Happening in L.A. 5/29/25 – 6/04/25

Leather Strip live at Slipper Clutch in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 31, 2025

I’m not DJing this week, but there are a few special events happening that I think you should know about. 

Leather Strip is playing Los Angeles on Saturday night *and* it’s a vintage Zoth Ommog set. I Speak Machine and Damascus Knives are opening, plus there will be DJ sets from Joe Virus (The Church, Dallas) and Industrial Nova (Oakland/SF). This is an L.A. Industrial show that’s happening at Slipper Clutch, which is pretty small, so, don’t snooze on getting tickets. There’s a good discount for advance tickets, while they’re available, over at Resident Advisor. This is a 21+ show. 

Sunday is the beginning of Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair, the American Cinematheque festival of movies that will make you feel really bad. Screenings are happening between June 1 and June 7 at the Egyptian, Los Feliz 3 and The Aero. I highlighted some of the movies in next week’s Discover Los Angeles listings, but there are more worthy films in this year’s lineup. I regret to inform you, though, that the screening of Christiane F.  At Los Feliz 3 on Tuesday, June 3, is already sold out. (If you’ve never seen Christiane F., you must and I know for sure that you can rent it at Videotheque because that’s where I found it.) But, there are still tickets to see Dogtooth at the Aero in Santa Monica on June 1, Melancholia at the Egyptian on Wednesday, June 4and so much more. What a lineup of movies! The film fest comes to a close the following weekend with screenings of Watership Down and Grave of the Fireflies. Check American Cinematheque’s website for the full, depressing schedule. 

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Happening in L.A.

Scarface Italo Disco, Carrie Movie Screenings and More for Memorial Day Weekend

Flyer for Dolce Vita Italo disco tribute to Scarface at The Grayson in Los Angeles on May 24, 2025

I’m not DJing this weekend, but my friends are Saturday night, May 24, at the Grayson (351 S. Broadway DTLA 90013) for Dolce Vita’s Tribute to Scarface. David Christian and Mando Italo will be on the decks playing Italo disco and Giorgio Moroder faves. Dolce Vita’s Scarface parties are always a vibe and guests are encouraged to dress in theme, so don’t miss out on this. There’s no cover. Party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until last call. This is a 21+ event. 

If you’re planning on going to the Scarface party you might as well make it a Brian De Palma kind of weekend at head to Gardena Cinema (14948 Crenshaw Blvd., Gardena 90249) on Sunday, May 25, where Carrie is screening. This is the real deal 1976 De Palma film, not an unnecessary remake, starring creepy Sissy Spacek and creepier Piper Laurie. It is, quite possibly, the best horror film ever made. There are three screenings, so check the times and get tickets. 

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Happening in L.A.

The Smiths Nite at Club Underground + More Happening in L.A. This Weekend

The Smiths Nite at Club Underground in Los Angeles at Grand Star Jazz Club on May 16, 2025 with DJs Larry G., Liz O. and Rose Knows

This Friday, May 16, is The Smiths Nite at Club Underground. Larry G., Rose Knows and I will be playing a mix of The Smiths, Morrissey and Johnny Marr, plus the indie, Britpop and post-punk bands they inspired over at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. Advance tickets are available now, so click this link to get yours. Party starts at 9:30 p.m. and it’s 21+. 

Grand Star Jazz Club is located at 943 N. Broadway, inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza, right next to the Bruce Lee statue. 

As for the rest of the weekend/early next week, here’s what I recommend. 

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Happening in L.A.

Klub Nocturno Is May 9 + More Happening in L.A. This Weekend

Klub Nocturno Catch One Los Angeles May 9, 2025 flyer

This Friday, May 9, Klub Nocturno takes over Catch One for five parties in one. I’ll be back in the New Wave vs. Darkwave room playing a mix of flashbacks and new bangers all night. There’s also the rock en Español vs. cumbia room, System of a Down night, the old school vs. new school reggaeton room and a disco room. Tickets are available on Dice for this 18+ event. Click here to get yours asap because Klub Nocturno does sell out. 

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Happening in L.A., Movies

Five Animated Movies to See in Theaters on May 4

Son of the White Mare 1981 psychedelic animated movie from Hungarian director Marcell Jankovics
Son of the White Mare (1981) screens at Philosophical Research Society on Sunday, May 4, 2025

Since my Premium magazine feature on L.A.-area repertory cinema is out now, I wanted to highlight a few movie theaters for this week’s recommendations. And since I love animation, that will be the focus of this week’s picks. All of the screenings are happening on Sunday and there is some geographic diversity, so hopefully, you can fit one of these into your schedule. They’re (nearly) all movies that I have seen previously and 10/10 recommend. 

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Happening in L.A.

Circuit de Yeux Live , Marcell Jankovics Film Screening & More L.A. Events for April 24 – April 30

Excetera La Cuevita flyer April 25, 2025 DJ Malvada, DJ Liz O.

This Friday, I’ll be joining my friend Malvada at La Cuevita in Highland Park for Ex-Cetera. Anything goes when we DJ from 10 p.m. until last call, so stop by and join us. La Cuevita is at 5922 N. Figueroa Ave. and there’s no cover, but it is a 21+ night. 

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