DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - In this week's Don't Miss List: Bye Bye Grand Performances, Hello Lesbian Space Alien, and More Downtown Culture
1. The shadows are growing longer, leaves are contemplating turning colors and those skateboarding kids are back in school (or they’re being rounded up by truancy officers). In other words, fall is approaching, and so is the end of one of Downtown’s summer traditions: Grand Performances is hosting its final events this weekend atop Bunker Hill. At noon on Friday, Aug. 24, eccentric sibling act He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister brings some rock heat before the 8 p.m. show by Ozomatli side project El Gavachillo y Banda Viento de Oro and funk fusion group Brownout. On Saturday, the series ends with a bang as the glowing hip-hop effusions of Nomadic Massive and the chill vocal stylings of Ana Tijoux (shown here) bid summer adieu. At 350 S. Grand Ave., (213) 687-2159 or grandperformances.org.
2. Another day of blistering live music in the Los Angeles State Historic Park promises to make the corn’s roots curl. On Saturday, Aug. 25, Univision Radio hosts the curiously titled H2O Music Festival. We’re still unsure what the eclectic lineup has to do with water, but all doubts will be allayed as headliners Snoop Dogg, John Legend and Wisin & Yandel bring some big talent to the park on the edge of Chinatown. Other acts on the bill include the banda stylings of Intocable, reggaeton luminary DJ Crème, Shakira doppelganger Paulina Rubio and local heroes Ozomatli. The show starts at 3 p.m. at 1245 N. Spring St. or H2Omusicfestival.com.
3. For those whose only knowledge of New Orleans culture comes from years of patronage at Popeye’s Chicken and a vicious blackout during a Mardi Gras party back in college, Arts Brookfield’s afternoon music series is ready to deliver a primer on the Big Easy’s signature sound. On Wednesday, Aug. 22, at high noon at FIGat7th, Bonne Musique Zydeco brings the wonderment of Cajun songwriting complete with blues bass, accordion accompaniment and a bit of that special magic that makes the Crescent City a place of dreams and fine drinks. Admission is free and the event is BYOB (bring your own beads). At 735 S. Figueroa St., (212) 417-7000 or artsbrookfield.com.
4. The strange nuance of human mating is the subject of a most intriguing filmic analysis this week at the Downtown Independent. Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same shows nightly through Thursday, Aug. 23. An amalgam of ’50s sci-fi and New York romantic comedies finds a team of obtuse aliens sent to Earth to experience heartache. While the premise may be farfetched, the escapades will make your misadventure with your neighbor at Bar 107’s cheap beer night seem like plain-old terrestrial banality. At 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com.
5. An ancient Zen saying goes, “He who doesn’t appreciate the art of origami has never nursed a deep paper cut.” The intricate act of folding paper into whimsical, mystical and generally pleasing shapes has evolved over centuries and now matches advancements in science and engineering. Doubt it? Then head to the Japanese American National Museum for the final week of Folding Paper: the Infinite Possibilities of Origami. The show ends Sunday, Aug. 26, making this the last chance to learn about the history of the art form and catch some fantastic examples of the craft. At 100 N. Central Ave., (213) 625-1770 or janm.org.
Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.
© Los Angeles Downtown News 2012