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.
Now, to back things up a bit, Thursday, May 22, is Morrissey’s birthday and my friend Rose Knows, who I played with at Underground last week, is throwing a party. Head down to Cha Cha Lounge (2375 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake 90039) between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. for Smiths Night. It’s all Smiths and Morrissey all night. No cover, no requests. 21+.
I’d tell you to catch L.A. Witch at Lodge Room on Friday night, because the band’s new album, Doggod, is killer, but the show is already sold out. Meanwhile, there are still tickets to see synthpop outfit Anything Box, plays The Paramount (2708 E Cesar Chavez Ave., Boyle Heights 90033) on Friday with support from Blaklight and DJ FN1. This is an 18+ show and, for those who are interested, there’s also a ticket upgrade for a 7 p.m. meet-and-greet. Tickets are available on Dice.
Stereolab has a new album, their first in 15 years, out on Friday. You might have heard a few tracks from Instant Holograms on Metal Film, like “Transmuted Matter,” already. You can hear the whole album, though, at Going Underground (356 1/2 E 2nd St., Little Tokyo 90012) on May 23 at 5 p.m. There will be free merch available too.
As always, Underground is happening on Friday night. Get your indie fix at Grand Star Jazz Club (943 N. Broadway, Chinatown 90012) with Larry G. in the DJ booth from 9:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. This is 21+ and advance tix are available now. If you’re at the Stereolab listening party, an excellent plan is to grab dinner in Little Tokyo or Chinatown and then head to Underground.
On Saturday, Maria Somerville, who recently released Luster, her second album and first for 4AD, plays Zebulon (2478 Fletcher Drive, Elysian Valley 90039). It looks like it will be an early-ish show, with doors at 7 p.m., and tickets are still available on Dice.
To find out what’s happening next week, check out my Coming Soon column for the last week of May over at Discover Los Angeles. One thing I want to mention that’s not on the Discover L.A. list is happening at Philosophical Research Society on Wednesday, May 28. Designers Charles and Ray Eames helped define the aesthetic of the mid-20th century and they made a chair that became, and I don’t use this word lightly, iconic. Seriously, the chair has its own Wikipedia page. What you might not know— and by you I mean, I also didn’t know this— is that the couple also made films. So, on Wednesday, PRS is showing a bunch of their shorts. After the screening, there will be a panel discussion with Eames Demetrios, Charles and Ray’s grandson and Eames Office director, and others. This should be a really interesting event *and* it’s also part of PRS’ spring fundraiser series. Head to Eventbrite for more information and advance tickets.
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs or listen to the latest Beatique Mix. Follow on Instagram or Bluesky for more updates.
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