On Friday, I had a pre-dinner drink at the Copper Still, a delightful bar attached to Jaraguá Salvadoran restaurant in K-Town. Having worked at bars-in-restaurants for several years of my life, I do think that this is the superior type of bar. For it to work, the bar needs to be in a physically distinct space - this allows you, the bar-goer, to feel like the bar is the better, more fun area, but also allows reassures you that the restaurant is close by, which grounds you and gives a sense of familial safety should things get out of hand.
Anyway, the bartender made an incredible martini that included a hefty 1/2 ounce of vermouth and a dash of orange bitters, and which was was the best martini I’ve ever had. Only after leaving did I look this up and learn that for decades classic martinis had not only a decent amount of vermouth (which I knew) but also orange bitters. And I simply must recommend, along with all the following events:
Comedy
A stand-up comedy show where LA’s best animation artists draw out the scenarios being described in the set… I cannot think of a more perfect show and everyone I know who has been absolutely raves about it. AND this one features Laci Mosley, Taylor Garron, and Jenny Yang, all of whom are hilarious, PLUS my former coworker and insanely talented storyboard artist Megan Fisher AND it’s at Non Plus Ultra, a very fun spot!
A two-for-one sketch show at UCB - the first is a one-woman show about Devon Drew’s experience trying to become a pop star, featuring real songs and clips from 16-year-old Drew’s attempt at pop stardom. There used to be a show where comedians read from their diaries that was hilarious, and this seems like that show but more visual and therefore even cringier (and funnier!). It’s paired with Two Loud Gays, a sketch show from very funny writers Jesse Esparza and Dan Leahy that promises, in writing, no wigs. Two killer shows for the price of one - a no-brainer!
Anyone who knows anything about post-COVID LA comedy knows that clown is the new improv, although as far as I know there aren’t any corporations trying to get their employees to bond through clowning. See what all the hype is about by watching the Nonsemble, an art clown troop, celebrate their two-year anniversary with their show, called The Year Long Ham Festival “Best Of” 2023, a year-end performance of their best bits from their monthly show at the Lyric.
Incredible-looking cardboard cars, that classic Vin Diesel black tank, and enough bald caps to fill a sparsely-attended Mr. Clean convention, this musical has all the trappings of a great night out celebrating our nation’s most treasured mythology through song and dance.
Cheating by posting an event that is in two weeks because it’s my newsletter - classic Hollywood nepotism in action! Bad Netflix Movie Live is coming back to the Lyric for a holiday-themed extravaganza with Christine Medrano, Laurie Magers, Garrick Bernard, and Derek & Dril. Home Away from Home for the Holidays is a holiday house-swapping romantic comedy written exquisite-corpse style, so each writer has only seen the section right before theirs. It sounds confusing but it will all make sense at the table read, where we will be joined by incredibly funny actresses Lauren Holt and Shakira Ja’nai Paye.
Music
If all of your holiday parties have been a little too staid, a little too “passed appetizers” and too “specialty cocktails with rosemary”, Hush Money’s office holiday party show at Crawford’s is the perfect counter. The platonic ideal of a loud rock band, there is plenty of yelling, crunchy guitars, and that classic rock drumming we all know and love. The songs have undeniably catchy melodies that will make you want to abandon your perfect fried chicken and ice cold beer to jump/dance/mosh as the season warrants.
Working Out
Casey Johnston of She’s A Beast fame is putting on an annual virtual lifting event called PlateSlam for those among us who lift (I do not at the moment but am always impressed by how many people do). It’s unbelievably easy to participate - just record a video of yourself attempting a personal record of your choice and post your video to your IG grid with #PlateSlam2023. The intention of this campaign is to create a community around working out that is not isolating or influenced by toxic cultural fitness trends. There will be awards, including one for “Most Creative PR.” She’s A Beast and its associated discord are great resources for getting motivated to work out and get stronger, whatever that means to you. Check out PlateSlam and subscribe to She’s A Beast (or win PlateSlam2023 and get a full year for free!).
Writing
Heavy Manners Library had many cool events this weekend, but there is only one that is not sold out! Ostranenie1 or Making Strange: Writing Workshop, taught by Andrea Marquez, explores text and narrative in the use of film and the ways that it can create new narrative devices. This is not a writing class about structure or saving the damn cat! This is a workshop about art and text and meaning!
This is next year, but Heavy Manners is also hosting one of their popular screen-printing workshops on January 6th and tickets are still available… for now!
Streaming
If clown is the new improv then Twitch is the new podcast, and yes I feel normal writing that. Libby Watson aka Libtron will be streaming for a whopping twelve hours for charity this Friday with some incredible guests including Nick Wiger, Paul F. Tompkins, and Zach Cherry. Watching Libby’s channel for the first time kind of reminded me of being young and hanging out with a group of kids from another town - I didn’t know all their jokes or references, but I had a good time and I learned a lot of stuff to bring back with me. Pop in for an hour or two or hang out for the full twelve hours and count how many photos of Digby you see. Proceeds will be going to the Inn Between, a hospice for terminally ill unhoused people.
Briefly mentioned:
Dec 17, 9:00 - Neil Hamburger at The Elysian with Truthpoint, Aparna Nancherla & more.
Dec 13, 12:00-6:00 PM - Slone Vintage (very good vintage store in Burbank) offering wine, tarot & discounts on gift cards.
Your Face Belongs to Us by Kashmir Hill - chilling but very entertaining book about facial recognition technology & biometric tracking that already exists and is currently being used :)
Thanks for reading, send any recs for next week! Love you all!
Ostranenie is “the artistic technique of presenting to audiences common things in an unfamiliar or strange way so they could gain new perspectives and see the world differently,” so at the very least you’ll be able to drop that in conversation for when you want everyone to know that you want them to think you are very smart. Jk it is a cool term to know though.