tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303244122024-03-08T15:19:25.431-08:00Free In L.A.The guide to free concerts, festivals, plays, and other entertainment in the Los Angeles areaFreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-4917609977277572032006-09-14T20:30:00.000-07:002006-09-14T20:31:38.003-07:00Just check the Event Calendar.<a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=freemaninla%40gmail.com&title=FREE%20concerts%2C%20plays%2C%20festivals%2C%20and%20other%20entertainment.%20in%20the%20L.A.%20area%20from%20FreeInLA.blogspot.com&mode=AGENDA&epr=9&height=614">Event Calendar</a><br /><br />You don't want to hear what I have to say anyway.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1157074710719238542006-08-31T18:26:00.000-07:002006-08-31T18:38:30.806-07:00Jamie Lidell at the Getty, Friday 9/1, 6 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/jamie_liddell.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/jamie_liddell.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Free, $7 parking</em>. <strong><a href="http://www.getty.edu/visit/events/fridays_405_090106.html">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />This is my second post for Lidell, because I think he is so talented. I'm too old to appreciate his techno stuff, but <em>Multiply</em> is an incredible song. It's scheduled until 9 pm, so I would guess that there has to be some kind of opening act. Small picnic baskets are welcome, no alcohol, but you can buy beer and wine there.<br /><br />Here's the write-up from the Getty:<br /><br /><blockquote>Groove to the jaw-dropping vocal talent of Jamie Lidell, a boundary-smashing techno master who's shaking up the electonic music scene with a gleefully twisted version of R&B, doo-wop, and disco. Sure, he's got a voice Sly Stone (his hero) might envy, but how many soul greats live-loop their own vocals and create beats by stomping shopping carts full of junk? Don't miss Lidell's "one-man funk tornado"—retro soul with an irreverent attitude, served up in a whirlwind of cinematic, cabaret-inspired showmanship. </blockquote><em>Multiply</em>:<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H9foqPbjuX8" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156832793201930362006-08-28T22:53:00.000-07:002006-08-28T23:26:33.436-07:00Gerald Clayton at Hollywood & Highland, Tuesday 8/29, 7 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/clayton.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/clayton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Free, $2 parking with validation</em>. <strong><a href="http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/winejazz06/">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />If you've attend many jazz concerts - at least the straight-ahead variety - you may reach the conclusion that the average age of the fans is...deceased. There's blue hair everywhere, and lots of widows tilting to the music, reliving earlier times and loves.<br /><br />It may sound ageist, but it's nice to finally have a jazz pianist with <em>dreads</em>. Maybe it will help attract that younger, under 65 demographic.<br /><br />For $10 you get two glasses of wine and a salad, and it's a nice place for music. Arrive early if you want to sit.<br /><br />Yes, this YouTube video is a repeat. Watch it, the kid is incredible:<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bsrK3wklF6c" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156612825350995602006-08-26T10:04:00.000-07:002006-08-27T10:50:59.906-07:00This week's highlights: 8/28 - 9/3<ul><li><a href="http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/winejazz06/">Gerald Clayton</a> at the wine and jazz thing at Hollywood & Highland on Tuesday.</li><li><a href="http://www.thegrovela.com/welcome_to_the_grove.php?sec=3&page=events_calendar.php">Jewel</a> at the Grove in L.A. on Wednesday.</li><li><a href="http://www.twilightdance.org/august_31.html">David Grisman</a> at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday. </li><li><a href="http://www.getty.edu/visit/events/fridays_405_090106.html">Jamie Lidell</a> at the Getty on Friday.</li><li><a href="http://www.labeaches.info/BandH/Events/summerconcerts2006.pdf">Cleo Laine and John Dankworth</a> (pdf) in Marina del Rey on Saturday.</li></ul>For more free events, check the <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=freemaninla%40gmail.com&title=FREE%20concerts%2C%20plays%2C%20festivals%2C%20and%20other%20entertainment.%20in%20the%20L.A.%20area%20from%20FreeInLA.blogspot.com&amp;amp;amp;mode=AGENDA&epr=9&height=614">Event Calendar</a>.<br /><br />Gerald Clayton on piano:<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bsrK3wklF6c" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156610629324788722006-08-26T09:30:00.001-07:002006-08-26T09:43:49.350-07:00Eric Burdon & the Animals in Woodland Hills, Sunday 8/27, 6 pmFree, free parking about three blocks away. <strong><a href="http://www.valleycultural.org/concerts_august06.php">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />Bring sunscreen, picnic baskets, blankets or chairs, dogs.<br /><br />House of the Rising Sun (1964):<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zcBCwu9LN8k" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br /><p><br />We Gotta Get Out of This Place (1966):<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/E8NZd7NlHbQ" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></p>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156380404055231902006-08-23T17:16:00.000-07:002006-08-23T17:48:12.813-07:00Jamie Lee Curtis, Bob Newhart, Peter Falk, and Tracey Ullman...<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/ullmman.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/ullmman.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />...will be making free book store appearances in the next few months, and details are in the <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=freemaninla%40gmail.com&title=FREE%20concerts%2C%20plays%2C%20festivals%2C%20and%20other%20entertainment.%20in%20the%20L.A.%20area%20from%20FreeInLA.blogspot.com&amp;amp;mode=AGENDA&epr=9&height=614">Event Calendar</a>. As you can see, the Tracey Ullman <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584795344/sr=1-1/qid=1156379168/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5289682-6384738?ie=UTF8&s=books">book</a> is actually about knitting. But if you want it autographed, you have to buy it at the store, not from Amazon.<br /><br />Book signings can be very entertaining. The author usually speaks for a half hour or so and then answers a few questions. The indie stores that host most of these events are <a href="http://www.vromansbookstore.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp">Vroman's</a> in Pasadena, <a href="http://www.booksoup.com/">Book Soup</a> in West Hollywood and Costa Mesa, and <a href="http://duttonsbrentwood.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp;jsessionid=aOBljIbTbLf_oLaM90">Dutton's</a> in Brentwood and Beverly Hills. Barnes & Noble and Borders have author appearances too, but they make it difficult to find events on their sites.<br /><br />Around here, the mother of all book events is the L.A. Times Book Festival at UCLA every April.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156299037259107812006-08-22T19:00:00.000-07:002006-08-22T19:10:37.356-07:00Whoops, David Grisman performs on Thursday the 31st, NOT the 24th<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/mistake.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/mistake.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />...at the <a href="http://www.twilightdance.org/august_31.html">Santa Monica Pier</a>. Sorry about that!<br /><br />On the 24th, it's <a href="http://www.twilightdance.org/august_24.html">Kiran Ahluwalia</a>, with whom I am unfamiliar.<br /><p><br />Kiran Ahluwalia:<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JmUFacnQBKo"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JmUFacnQBKo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156220757639205522006-08-21T20:42:00.000-07:002006-08-21T21:25:57.770-07:00Tyler Hilton at the Grove in L.A. on Wednesday 8/23, 7 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/tyler2.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/tyler2.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Free, free parking</em>. <strong><a href="http://www.thegrovela.com/welcome_to_the_grove.php?sec=3&page=events_calendar.php">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />I mean if you can't hate someone just because their named is Tyler Hilton, then what are snap judgements for? When his name first popped up on Launchcast, I didn't wait more than one or two beats to click delete. Besides, I figured he might even be related to <em>her</em>.<br /><br />But then I saw his very brief performance in <em>Walk the Line</em> as a young Elvis, which was quite good. He also appears on <em>One Tree Hill</em>. Because his voice is an octave below your average boy-band member, he's being compared to John Mayer, but unfortunately he's more Richard Marx. The folks <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:4u6gtq1zzu48">allmusic</a> are skeptical about his future, because Hilton is too MOR, neither hip nor hip hop.<br /><br />The entire show is scheduled for only an hour, and Hilton shares the bill with Robin Thicke. Don't expect more than four or five tunes.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156032041613591382006-08-20T01:54:00.000-07:002006-08-20T02:02:04.070-07:00This week's highlights: 8/21 to 8/27<ul><li><a href="http://freeinla.blogspot.com/2006/08/tommy-chong-in-pasadena-monday-821-7.html">Tommy Chong</a> sells his new book in Pasadena on Monday at 7 pm. </li><li><a href="http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/winejazz06/">Francisco Aguabella</a>'s latin jazz with wine at Hollywood and Highland on Tuesday at 7 pm. </li><li><a href="http://www.thegrovela.com/welcome_to_the_grove.php?sec=3&page=events_calendar.php">Tyler Hilton and Robin Thicke</a> at the Grove in L.A. on Wednesday at 8 pm. </li><li><a href="http://www.twilightdance.org/august_31.html">David Grisman</a> at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday at 7:30 pm. </li><li><a href="http://grandperformances.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/season_schedule.show_detail/s_id/119">Beijing LDTX Modern Dance</a> in downtown L.A. on Thursday through Sunday at 8 pm.</li><li><a href="http://www.fiestalaballona.org/">Fiesta La Ballona</a> in Culver City Friday through Sunday. </li><li><a href="http://www.valleycultural.org/concerts_august06.php">Eric Burdon and the Animals</a> in Woodland Hills on Sunday at 6 pm.</li></ul><p>For many more freebies, check out the <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=freemaninla%40gmail.com&title=FREE%20concerts%2C%20plays%2C%20festivals%2C%20and%20other%20entertainment.%20in%20the%20L.A.%20area%20from%20FreeInLA.blogspot.com&mode=AGENDA&epr=9&height=614">Event Calendar</a>.</p><p>Eric Burdon 9/16/66<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/salJaYa0Hqs" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed> </p>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156034607443931112006-08-19T17:31:00.000-07:002006-08-19T17:49:55.763-07:00Friday Nights at the Getty: Reservations Thursday 8/24 at 9 am<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/Vashtilaughing.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/Vashtilaughing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Free, $7 parking</em>.<br /><br />If you want to see <a href="http://getty.edu/visit/events/vashti_bunyan.html">Vashti Bunyan</a> or <a href="http://getty.edu/visit/events/david_cherry.html">David Ornette Cherry</a> in September, call (310) 440-7300 Thursday morning.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1156025890990823722006-08-19T14:36:00.000-07:002006-08-20T01:49:36.406-07:00Tommy Chong in Pasadena, Monday 8/21, 7 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/Tommy%20Chong.1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/Tommy%20Chong.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Free, free parking</em>. <strong><a href="http://www.vromansbookstore.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp;jsessionid=aWSXD6Cha57-Y9TkqY?s=storeevents&eventId=326595">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />Tommy Chong wrote <em>The I Chong: Meditations From The Joint</em> about his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Chong">bust</a> in 2003 and the repercussions for selling drug paraphernalia, mostly water pipes. The Feds busted over fifty others in the same investigations, but Chong was one of the few that received a prison sentence. He agreed to nine months in the joint in return for his wife and son escaping prosecution.<br /><br />Don't expect any of the old routines because this is a book event, not a club, and besides he's been Cheechless for over 20 years. But Chong has little bitterness toward his prosecutors and persecutors, so it should be fun.<br /><br /><strong>Update:</strong> Tommy Chong will be also be selling books, not bongs, at the Westwood Borders on Friday 8/27, at 7 pm.<br /><br /><em>Pot</em>cast:<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7xJW0bKsZF0" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155946505129065172006-08-18T16:59:00.000-07:002006-08-18T17:15:05.293-07:00Inside the Creole Mafia downtown on Saturday 8/19, 8 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/creole%20mafia.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/creole%20mafia.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Free, $5 parking</em>. <strong><a href="http://www.grandperformances.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/season_schedule.show_detail/s_id/159">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />Finally, a free play that's <em>not</em> Shakespeare. <em>Inside the Creole Mafia</em> received an L.A. Weekly Theatre Award in 1993, but this will be a post-Katrina version. It's an adult dark comedy, described as a cross between street theatre and Chekhov.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/insidethecreolemafia.htm">Margaret Cho</a>, it is "an original, important, provocative work, and should be seen by everyone. Not just the sexy people."FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155877610716598712006-08-17T21:25:00.000-07:002006-08-17T22:06:50.890-07:00ALOUD Series at the Downtown Library, 7 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/yoko%20and%20john.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/yoko%20and%20john.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>Free, $1 parking with your library card to validate</em>. <strong><a href="http://www.lfla.org/aloud/">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />Listen to some really interesting people, and even meet them briefly if you are willing to buy their latest book. Make <a href="http://www.lfla.org/aloud/registration/">reservations</a> for free tickets, or arrive a little early for standby seats. A few that are coming up in the next couple of months:<br /><ul><li><strong>Annie Leibovitz</strong> - photographer of Yoko and John for <em>Rolling Stone</em>, and of Springsteen's butt for <em>Born in the USA</em>.</li><li><strong>Alexander McCall Smith</strong> - author of the the <em>No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency</em> Series.</li><li><strong>Joseph Stiglitz</strong> - 2001 Nobel Prize winner in economics for <em>Globalization and Its Discontinents</em>.</li><li><strong>Janet Fitch</strong> - author of <em>White Oleander</em>.</li><li><strong>Frank Rich</strong> - <em>New York Times</em> columnist and Bush-phobe.</li></ul><strong>Anjelica Huston</strong> will also be making an appearance to introduce Irish novelist <strong>Edna O'Brien</strong>. For a complete list, check the ALOUD website.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155798256314169932006-08-16T23:48:00.000-07:002006-08-17T00:10:41.223-07:00Patti Page in Marina del Rey, Saturday 8/19, 7pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/with_elvis.2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/with_elvis.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Free, $5 parking. <strong><a href="http://www.labeaches.info/BandH/Events/summerconcerts2006.pdf">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />Elvis died 29 years ago today. He more or less ended Patti Page's reign at the top of the charts. After Elvis, rock and roll ruled, Elvis was crowned the king, and almost everyone who came before was relegated to the adult contemporary ghetto on the radio dial.<br /><br />People forget that Presley was a crossover artist, going from country to pop. Even more forgotten is that Patti Page was the first crossover artist, and her <em>Tennessee Waltz</em> was at the top of the pop, country, and blues charts at the same time.<br /><br />Even though she would never come close to the acclaim she received in the early fiftys, Page has continued to record, earning a Grammy in 1998 for Best Traditional Country Singer. She's recorded over 100 albums, and had over 84 top 40 hits.<br /><br />Is she still alive? Yeah.<br /><br />Tennesse Waltz:<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zmW_baBFXf8"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zmW_baBFXf8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155678381664401262006-08-15T14:25:00.000-07:002006-08-15T14:46:21.803-07:00Music on Melrose every Sunday at the Gig<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/far%20east%20movement.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/far%20east%20movement.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />From an email:<br /><br /><blockquote>A free showcase, every Sunday night at The Gig (7302 Melrose Ave 90046), from August 20th -November 12th. Featuring an eclectic lineup of performers over a thirteen week period, The Platform is FREE to those 21+. 100% Voluntary donations will be collected at the door for AIDS Project Los Angeles (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.apla.org" target="_blank">www.apla.org</a>) and Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.asianmarrow.org/" target="_blank">http://www.asianmarrow.org/</a>)<br /><br />Check out <a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.theplatform2006.com/" target="_blank">http://www.theplatform2006.com/</a> or <a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.myspace.com/everysunday" target="_blank">www.myspace.com/everysunday</a> for more details.<br /></blockquote><br />I don't usually cover this kind of stuff, because it's not really "free," it's a no-cover benefit. I think it would be bad form to show up and to not donate and buy drinks. You could sign up for the bone marrow donation program though. Last year at the Tofu Festival, the only open table I could find was at the bone marrow donation booth. The next thing I knew, they were taking a blood sample, and now maybe I get to save someone's life.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155594183507682642006-08-14T14:21:00.000-07:002006-08-14T15:23:03.656-07:00"Mathemagician" Arthur Benjamin in Encino, Thursday 8/17, 7:30 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/SecretsOfMentalMath-BookCover.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/SecretsOfMentalMath-BookCover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Free, with free parking. <a href="http://storelocator.barnesandnoble.com/results.do?ls=rO0ABXcwh3kv2wIAAQAAAAEhAAEhAAEhAAAeAAEhAAEhChcAASEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA">LINK</a><br /><br />Here is something you can do for your inner geek. Dr. Arthur Benjamin is a regular Hollywood Magic Castle performer, as well as a professor at Harvey Mudd College. His show consists of seemingly impossible lightning calculations - much faster than using a calculator - and other feats such as memorizing 100 digit numbers. It's a lot more entertaining than it sounds, good for kids, but keep in mind that he wows them at the Magic Castle, where you must be at least 21 to get in.<br /><br />He's hoping you will buy his new book, which was just released last week. Like most magic books, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=wherehavetheybee&amp;camp=1789&creative=9325&location=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0307338401%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1155593554%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fie%3DUTF8">Secrets of Mental Math</a> won't really enable you to do much unless you work at it. The book is co-written by <a href="http://www.skeptic.com/about_us/meet_michael_shermer.html">Michael Shermer</a>, who otherwise tells the truth about Uri Geller and the rest of those thieves.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155508189917279382006-08-13T15:15:00.000-07:002006-08-13T15:29:49.966-07:00This week's highlights: 8/14 to 8/20Free events Monday through Sunday. For a complete list, see the <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=freemaninla%40gmail.com&title=FREE%20concerts%2C%20plays%2C%20festivals%2C%20and%20other%20entertainment.%20in%20the%20L.A.%20area%20from%20FreeInLA.blogspot.com&mode=AGENDA&epr=9&height=614">Event Calendar</a>.<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.shopfashionisland.com/xqs-asp-id_2-eid_576-xqe-EventDetails.htm">Pancho Sanchez</a> in Newport Beach on Wednesday at 7 pm.</li><li><a href="http://www.amoebamusic.com/tabid/147/Default.aspx">Lisa Germano</a> in Hollywood on Thursday at 7 pm.</li><li><a href="http://www.twilightdance.org/august_.html">Inti-Illimani</a> at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday at 7:30 pm.</li><li>The <a href="http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/programs_exhibition_related.htm">Société Anonyme</a>'s exhibition closing weekend bash, with music and cash bar, at the Hammer on Friday at 7 pm.</li><li><a href="http://www.labeaches.info/BandH/Events/summerconcerts2006.pdf">Patti Page</a> in Marina del Rey on Saturday at 7 pm.</li></ul>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155507174601340062006-08-13T15:00:00.000-07:002006-08-13T15:14:16.186-07:00A freebie I missed: LA Tofu Festival<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/tofu.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/tofu.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I just came back from the <a href="http://www.tofufest.org/">LA Tofu Festival</a>, where I pigged out on meatball sandwich, pad thai, teriyaki tofu, lobster balls, and tofu ice cream - well worth the $7 admission and $14 for food. But it turns out that they have a free admission coupon every year in the L.A. Times.<br /><br />I'll keep a look out next year, and keep you informed.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155425458717776052006-08-12T16:20:00.000-07:002006-08-12T16:30:58.753-07:00Malibu's hidden beaches<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/privatebeachsign.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/privatebeachsign.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not sure if a beach should be classified as "free entertainment," but I know where I'm going for my next dip in the Pacific. Jenny Price, blogging at LA Observed subsite <a href="http://www.laobserved.com/intell/2006/08/guide_to_malibus_hidden_beache.php">Native Intelligence</a>, provides user-friendly instructions on how to access supposedly inaccessible Malibu Beaches.<br /><br />She includes useful hints on how to deal with the private guards hired by homeowners to scare you away. Her best bit of advice: Bring the Coastal Commission's phone number with you.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155335620342767862006-08-11T15:05:00.000-07:002006-08-11T15:33:40.496-07:00Jamie Lidell at the Getty, Friday 9/1, 6 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/jamie_liddell.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/jamie_liddell.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Free, $7 parking</em>. <strong><a href="http://www.getty.edu/visit/events/fridays_405_090106.html">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />I've never previewed a show this far in advance before, but I've still got Al Green on the brain from his show at the Bowl nine days ago. And at least on his biggest hit, <em>Multiply</em>, a comparison to Green is legitimate. Supposedly he patterned himself more after Sly Stone, but I don't hear it.<br /><br />Here's the write-up from the Getty:<br /><br /><blockquote>Groove to the jaw-dropping vocal talent of Jamie Liddell, a boundary-smashing techno master who's shaking up the electonic music scene with a gleefully twisted version of R&B, doo-wop, and disco. Sure, he's got a voice Sly Stone (his hero) might envy, but how many soul greats live-loop their own vocals and create beats by stomping shopping carts full of junk? Don't miss Liddell's "one-man funk tornado"—retro soul with an irreverent attitude, served up in a whirlwind of cinematic, cabaret-inspired showmanship. </blockquote><br />Yes, just like about 20% of the Google-universe, they misspelled his name.<br /><br /><em>Multiply</em>:<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H9foqPbjuX8" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155261321559729952006-08-10T18:36:00.000-07:002006-08-10T18:55:21.670-07:00Trout Fishing in America at the Getty, Sat. & Sun 8/12 & 8/13, 4 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/trout_fishing.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/trout_fishing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Free, $7 parking. <strong><a href="http://getty.edu/visit/events/garden_concerts_2006.html#trout_fishing">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />TFIA is a Grammy nominated duo that specializes in performing songs from the point of view of a six year old. They've been called the Lennon & McCartney of children's music, and compared accurately with the Smothers Brothers. And they can flat out sing and play.<br /><br />Bring food, drink (no alcohol), and sunscreen, or you can purchase food and wine there if you want. Come a little early or stay a little late, and let the kiddies peruse the Rubens exhibition. See, we're not so fat after all.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1590440">Listen</a> to Morning Edition's story on Trout Fishing in America.FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155155226888867762006-08-09T13:13:00.000-07:002006-08-09T13:27:07.010-07:00Stephen Bishop in Woodland Hills, Sunday 8/13, 6 pm<em>Free, free parking if you are willing to walk</em>. <strong><a href="http://www.valleycultural.org/concerts_august06.php">LINK</a></strong><br /><br />His hits included <em>On and On</em>, <em>Save It for a Rainy Day</em>, and <em>It Might Be You</em> - the theme song from <em>Tootsie</em>.<br /><br />And last but not least, in <em>Animal House</em>, when Belushi grabbed the guitar and smashed it, the victim was Stephen Bishop. He still has the guitar.<br /><br />It Might Be You:<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QuuEIA6ugso" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155081574210754652006-08-08T16:56:00.000-07:002006-08-09T02:57:23.896-07:00Free* tickets for Boz Scaggs at the Wiltern, Wednesday 8/9, 8 pmThe * means there is a catch.<br /><br />It's a <a href="http://www.goldstarevents.com/events/show/69067.html">Goldstar event</a>. That means that you have to pay $7 per ticket as a service charge. Still, it seems like a pretty good deal, if you are a fan.<br /><br />Lido Shuffle:<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D5rxWOXBnmA"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D5rxWOXBnmA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1155002549944562242006-08-07T18:47:00.000-07:002006-08-07T19:02:30.036-07:00Anna Nalick at the Grove in Hollywood, Wednesday 8/9, 7 pm<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/1600/anna%20nalick.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5326/3250/320/anna%20nalick.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Free, $2 parking</em>. <a href="http://www.thegrovela.com/welcome_to_the_grove.php?sec=3&page=events_calendar.php">LINK</a><br /><br />Recently, Nalick has opened for Chris Isaak and the Dixie Chicks. It's a store appearance, so it may be a short set.<br /><br />Rolling Stone's <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/annanalick/albums/album/7252432/review/7263937/wreck_of_the_day">review</a> of <em>Wreck of the Day</em>:<br /><br /><blockquote>Twenty-year-old Cali cutie Anna Nalick has a strong voice that summons comparisons to Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette, and her songwriting has enough depth to be taken seriously but is light enough to make it on the radio. Wreck of the Day, her eleven-song debut, never quite leaves the coffee shop, stylistically -- guitars are strummed, not crunched; drums are brushed, never pounded. "Breathe (2 am)" is the obvious hit here, keyboards ebbing and flowing, creating a beautiful melancholy as Nalick shows off her smoke-tinged voice and precocious lyrics. "You can tell he's been down for a while/But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles," she sings as strings swell. "Want to hold him/Maybe I'll just sing about it." She should certainly keep doing the latter.<br /></blockquote><br />Breathe (2AM):<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qQ2Bpk2uD40" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30324412.post-1154901033457269732006-08-06T14:25:00.000-07:002006-08-06T14:50:33.553-07:00Luis Conte at Hollywood & Highland, Tuesday 8/8, 7 pm<em>Free, $2 parking with validation</em>. <a href="http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/winejazz06/">LINK</a><br /><br />As a percussionist and Afro-Latin band leader, Luis Conte <em>works all the time</em>; his <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=LUISCONTE&sql=11:7ddjvwpva9ek~T4">list of credits</a> at allmusic is about 800 long, including recordings with Eric Clapton, Madonna, and Ray Charles. And he's backed performers who are known for being obsessive about percussion, like Phil Collins and Santana (on <em>Supernatural</em>).<br /><br />He even has an <a href="http://www.lpmusic.com/Product_Showcase/LP_Library/videos_studio_vol_1.html">instructional DVD</a> called <em>The Studio Percussionist</em>, so that you too can get studio gigs playing the congas. But first you should take his <a href="http://www.luisconte.com/lessons.html">online lessons</a>. Guess he knows his stuff.<br /><br />For $10, you get two glasses of wine from Jekel Winery, and a small salad. All of the proceeds go to Project Angel Food.<br /><br />A long solo backing Phil Collins:<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7qW3rGBv8iE" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>FreeManInLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837268182245049273noreply@blogger.com