Christine N. Ziemba on March 29th, 2018

0

[Weekending is Buzz Bands LA’s new weekly column of things to see and do. For more, visit Pop Radar LA.]

How’s your L.A. punk history? Can you spell difficult words while tipsy? What was your worst job ever? And how about that 90-foot, 6-inch selfie stick? Have we got a weekend for you …

FRIDAY, MARCH 30

PURPLE RAIN (Film)

The 35mm Secret Movie Club ends its March musical series at the Vista this weekend with screenings of “Purple Rain” (1984, directed by Albert Magnoli). Prince not only stars as The Kid in the film, but also wrote all of the movie’s original music, including musical numbers “When Doves Cry,” “Darling Nikki,” “The Bird,” “Let’s Go Crazy” and “The Beautiful Ones.” “Purple Rain” screens on Friday and Saturday night at 11:59 p.m. (Friday is nearly sold out.) Tickets: $11-$45.

LOS ANGELES PUNK FILM FESTIVAL 2018 (Film festival)

Beach Dancer Films and the Los Angeles Punk Museum presents the second annual Punk Film Festival on Friday at Beyond Baroque in Venice. Screenings include: a sneak peek of the trailer for the upcoming documentary about Suzi Quatro, “Suzi Q,” “Lost Grrrls: Riot Grrrl In Los Angeles,” Mars Roberge’s “Scumbag,” “Bomb City,” and a midnight screening of “Adam Ant: Blue Black Hussar.” Following the “Lost Grrrls” screening will be a q&a with Madigan Shive of Tattle Tale and Bonfire Madigan, writer/filmmaker Lucretia Tye Jasmine and musician/filmmaker Beth Capper. Following the “Scumbag” screening will be a Q&A with DH Peligro of Dead Kennedys, Angelo Moore of Fishbone and Don Bolles of The Germs. An outdoor screening room will feature screenings of “Spokanarchy,” “Who Is Billy Bones?,” the new music video for L7’s “I Came Back to Bitch,” “This Punk Hates Fax Machines,” “We Are the Flowers in Your Dustbin,” and “The History of Black Punk.” The bookshop will feature readings by “Los Feliz Confidential” author Nora Novack and “1978 Crashed Memories” author Ger-I Lewis.   The film screenings and readings begin at 8 p.m. Tickets: $8-$10.

THE SLURRING BEE (Drinks + spelling)

“The Slurring Bee” is a bar spelling bee that is at the The Virgil on Friday night. Co-produced and co-hosted by Billy Parker and Mandy Levy, the competition costs $5 to compete (and includes a Slurring Bee Shot). Shoot it and then spell something. For every round participants stay standing, they get another free specialty Slurring Bee nectar shot. The contest ends when a queen (or king) bee is crowned. The winner gets half the pot, prizes and more. Signups at 7 p.m., spelling commences at 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 31

420 GAMES (Sports + pot)

The 420 Games return to the Santa Monica Pier (North Lot) and Venice Skate Bowl on Saturday and Sunday. The event, which tries to change the couch potato stoner image, begins each day with 4.20-mile run/walk/skate/bike from Santa Monica to Venice and back. The 420 Games Village features yoga, Lagunitas beer tastings, podium speeches by ex-NFL athletes including Eben Britton and Reggie Williams, MMA and jiu-jitsu matches, an XGames BMX/Skate Demo show and exhibits from more than 100 vendors. On Saturday, there will also be an arm wrestling tournament. On Sunday, there will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for the National Cannabis Basketball League Trophy hosted by the NBA’s Al Harrington and a pro skateboard contest emceed by skate legends Bucky Lasek and Dave Duncan with a heavy metal music performance by OTTO (featuring Tye Trujillo) at the Venice Skate Bowl. Some events are free, but most admission tickets are $20 and above.

MB X SS, SECRET LOFT SHOW #1 (Art)

Visual artist Matthew Bowers and singer and composer Valente Bertelli—artistically known together as Slow Shiver—co-host the “MS X SS, Secret Loft Show #1” on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. at Manufactur Loft (124 W. 4th St., Los Angeles, CA 90013) in DTLA. Bowers previews his new collection, Series II, of fine art works on concrete. The event also includes a stripped-down live performance by Slow Shiver. Free, but RSVP is required to attend. 21+ Email: [email protected].

INTO LIGHT & SPACE (Art)

“Into Light & Space” is a rare gallery art show for street artist Chase that opens on Saturday at the Castelli Art Space in Culver City. His career spans more than two decades, and he brings his work indoors for the first time, presenting large-scale pieces inspired by the Southern California light and space movement. Chase’s works incorporate materials like glass, neon, fluorescent lights, resin and acrylic. The opening reception runs from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, and the works will remain on view through April 9.

CARTWHEEL TOURS: THE GOLDEN AGE OF COCKTAILS (Drinks)

Cartwheel Tours presents “The Golden Age of Cocktails” tour on Saturday from 5-8 p.m. Kim Ohanneson, president of Women Who Whiskey L.A., leads a walking tour of several glam and/or historical lounges in DTLA. Learn about bootleggers and speakeasies while sipping cocktails. Tickets: $110. The price includes a drink at the three locations. There is a dress code at The Edison (the final stop on the tour). Ages 21+.

SUNDAY, APRIL 1

MUSEUM OF SELFIES (Pop-up exhibition)

The Museum of Selfies opens on Sunday for a two-month engagement. The pop-up “explores the history and cultural phenomenon… with historical roots dating back 40,000 years.” So what’s in said museum? More than 15 exhibits and installations dedicated to deconstructing the art, history, technology and culture of the selfie. The museum also showcases the world’s longest selfie stick, measuring 90 feet, 6 inches, which extends the length of the space. Hours: Tuesday through Thursday from 12-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12-10 p.m., Sunday from 12-8p.m. Tickets: $25; kids aged four and younger get free admission.

SHAMILTON! (Musical comedy)

Didn’t get to catch “Hamilton” at the Pantages when it was in town? Don’t fret because we hear that “Shamilton! An Improvised American Musical” runs a close second (right …?). The improvised musical comedy by the Baby Wants Candy troupe has the audience picking a famous historical figure, and the cast creates an improvised show about them on the spot. “Shamilton!” gets its shot at UCB Sunset on Sunday at 9 p.m. Tickets: $7+ fees.

SHITTY JOBS (Comedy)

Over at UCB Franklin, “Shitty Jobs” takes the 9:30 p.m. Sunday night slot. For the show, a guest is interviewed about their worst job ever, and then the cast transforms the shitty job into a fully improvised show. We hear that the show is pretty cathartic for desk jockeys everywhere. Tickets: $7+ fees.

||| Also: Get more at Pop Radar LA and follow Christine Ziemba on Twitter and Instagram.