Listen: The Eels at El Rey

If you don’t already know The Eels I can best describe their sound as Beck meets Badly Drawn Boy. Their lyrics are simple but charming and the songs are catchy and evocative. You can see them this Thursday, April 17th at the El Rey Theatre for $29 at 8 p.m. The El Rey is one of the oldest art deco theatres in Los Angeles, built in 1936 and well preserved since. Don’t miss this event!

5515 Wilshire Blvd. 90036
For more info go to: http://www.theelrey.com/

See: Kara Walker at Armand Hammer Museum

“My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love” is on display now at UCLA’s Hammer Museum. Kara Walker uses this exhibit to challenge preconceived notions of slavery, race, sexuality and how they play a part in today’s society. The exhibit will be on display until June 8th, so you still have some time to catch it, and don’t let the underlying themes get you down as the show is breathtaking and nothing is better than art that forces you to question what you thought you knew.

10899 Wilshire Blvd. 90024
For more info go to: http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/

Support: Record Store Day at Amoeba

The first annual “Record Store Day” is happening this Saturday April 19th across the country, and, more importantly, here at our very own Amoeba Records in Hollywood. The day is meant to be a celebration of independent music stores across the nation and to bring awareness to their constant struggle to stay afloat as conglomerates try to bring them down. This Saturday Amoeba starts the celebration at 12 p.m. with guest DJs, such as The Donnas, Daniel Ash and David J spinning in the store and $50 gift certificate give aways every hour. So go ahead and enjoy some free music while searching for that hard to find LP.

6400 Sunset Blvd. 90028
For more info go to: http://amoebarecords.com

Drink: 3 on Fourth in Santa Monica

This relatively new Westside restaurant hosts wine classes and wine and cheese pairings on Tuesday nights. The menu is clean and classic, yet eclectic, with entrees ranging from steak frites to Korean influenced spare ribs. The salads and appetizers are also eclectic and equally delicious, but the real star of the restaurant is the extensive beer, wine and sake list. With rare beers from Northern California and Sakes from all over Japan you will want to visit this locale more than once just to appreciate their many beverages.

1432A Fourth st. 90401
(310) 395-6765
For more info go to: www.3onfourth.com

Support the Earth: Earth Day Eco Fairs

This Sunday many cities are holding fairs with music and food to celebrate our earth and to raise awareness about the current condition of our environment. Catalina Island will be hosting one in Avalon beginning at 10 a.m. featuring music, organic food and informative discussions hosted by the Catalina Environment Leadership Program about sustainable living. South Los Angeles is also hosting an event at 3650 Martin Luther King Blvd. with an environmental film festival, green ways to dispose of TV sets, phones and old computers, and some green comedy! Lastly, Heal the Bay is hosting a festival and concert at the Santa Monica Pier featuring artists such as Ziggy Marley, Ben Harper, and Taj Mahal. The event is free and runs from noon to 6 p.m. So carpool or walk to your nearest Earth Day festival and get informed!

For more info on Catalina’s fair go to: www.catalinaconservancy.org
For more info on the South Los Angeles fair go to: www.southlaearthfest.org
For more info on the Heal the Bay fair go to: http://www.greenapplemusicfestival.com/
To find other fairs in your area go to: http://earthdayla.org