Events for Aug. 16-22

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Melissa Magsaysay

THURSDAY, AUG. 16

BOOKS

City of Style @ Barnes & Noble (The Grove)
Style writer for the L.A. Times, Melissa Magsaysay, discusses and signs her book, City of Style: Exploring Los Angeles Fashion, from Bohemian to Rock, and then introduces this week's Movie in the Park, The Devil Wears Prada.

FOOD

Starry Kitchen Nights @ Tiara Cafe (Downtown)
When husband and wife team Thi and Nguyen Tran closed their California Plaza location last month, they said it wasn't the end of their adventures. They prove it by taking over Tiara starting tonight for Asian family-style dinners, featuring dishes like Singaporean Chili Crab Malaysian Chicken Curry and Ribeye Satay Noodles.

MUSIC

Midnight Magic @ Dance Right, La Cita (Downtown)
The disco collective contains ex-members of LCD Soundsystem and has just released a new single, "I Found Love" – a collaboration with Tommie Sunshine. Strap on your dancing shoes and get ready to party with the New Yorkers. The group also takes over School Night at Bardot on Monday.

Why Stop Now (Jacob Hutchings)

FRIDAY, AUG. 17

FILM

In Theaters This Week
David Cronenberg directs Robert Pattinson in Cosmopolis; Sparkle, the remake of the 1976 film inspired by the Supremes stars Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston; Jesse Eisenberg, Tracy Morgan and Melissa Leo in Why Stop Now. Also in theaters: The Awakening; Chicken with Plums; The Expendables 2: Back for War; The Odd Life of Timothy Green; ParaNorman

SATURDAY, AUG. 18

FILM

Cinespia Summer Camp @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Hollywood)
Sleepover at the cemetery! Summer Camp goes from dusk 'til dawn (7 p.m.-6 a.m.) and features camp activities, DJs, a Meatballs mashup, Friday the 13th highlights, nature and surfing documentaries, Wet Hot American Summer, Sleepaway Camp and Little Darlings. The event kicks off the Cinefamily's Everything Is Festival.

MUSIC

Sunset Strip Music Festival (West Hollywood)
Kickoff parties and performances have been happening at clubs and restaurants throughout the week, culminating with today's street festival. Traffic will be closed off from San Vicente to Doheny for the fourth annual event, which features over 70 artists on seven stages. This year welcomes artists such as Marilyn Manson, Bad Religion, Dead Sara, De La Soul and Das Racist.

The Royal Concept

SUNDAY, AUG. 19

MUSIC

Drunken Prayer @ Grand Ole Echo (Echo Park)
The Echo's country music Sunday summer barbecue welcomes the Oregon-based band, headed by Morgan Christopher Geer. Whether you call them Americana, folk-rock or any other genre label, one thing that rings true is Geer's onstage charisma.

Prima Donna @ Redwood (Downtown)
The eclectic five-some channels groups such as the Ramones, Sex Pistols, as well as T. Rex and David Bowie. In the midst of a West Coast tour with the Phenomenauts, Prima Donna returns to their L.A. roots with a show at my favorite pirate bar.

The Royal Concept @ Troubadour (West Hollywood)
I've recently become addicted to the Swedish band's "Gimme Twice," with its infectious beats and chorus that immediately gets stuck in the brain. The quartet is sure to turn the Troubadour into a sweaty mass of writhing bodies. Also on hand are L.A.'s own Eastern Conference Champions, who are working on a much-anticipated new album. The Royal Concept also performs at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana on Monday.

TUESDAY, AUG. 21

FILM

GASLAND and "The Sky Is Pink" @ Aero Theatre (Santa Monica)
Maybe you caught Mark Ruffalo's appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher," when he presented his thoughts on fracking. The controversial practice has been a hot topic in my house ever since my son had to do a debate on it two years ago. Josh Fox's documentaries provide all the information you need to get educated on the subject, and the screenings are followed by a panel discussion with environmental experts.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22

MUSIC

Tashaki Miyaki @ The Echo (Echo Park)
The Los Angeles duo celebrates the Aug. 28 release of new single "Best Friend/Tonight" with a party and performance at the Echo. I've said it before, and I still think they are the perfect soundtrack to these last lazy days of summer.