Events for Aug. 9-15

Get with THE PROGRAM

THURSDAY, AUG. 9

CULTURE

Lucha VaVoom @ The Mayan (Downtown)
If you've never been to the Mexican masked wrestling, burlesque and comedy mayhem that is Lucha VaVoom, its 10th anniversary spectacular would be a great time to pop that cherry. This particular show is sure to feature even more of the troupe's trademark sex, violence and hilarity.

Michael and Bryan Voltaggio

FOOD

Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival
Perhaps our city's biggest food festival, L.A. Food & WIne takes over the cream of the crop in restaurants in Beverly Hills, Downtown, Hollywood and Santa Monica – from ink. and the Spice Table to Street and Akasha. Celebrity chefs from across the country invade for the weekend with special menus, cooking demos and tastings. Dim sum with Ming Tsai - yes. Fiesta Italiana with Giada - yes! Demo with the Voltaggio brothers - YES!! It's almost too much for my food-loving brain to handle – almost.

THEATER

"The Exorcist" @ Geffen Playhouse (Westwood)
This is the final weekend to catch the world premiere production based on the chilling 1971 novel. Adapted by John Pielmeier ("Agnes of God"), directed by Tony winner John Doyle and starring Richard Chamberlain, Brooke Shields and Harry Groener, "The Exorcist" is a throughly unique theatrical experience.

FRIDAY, AUG. 10

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Jeremy Renner takes the reins in The Bourne Legacy, the fourth installment of the series based on Robert Ludlum's novels; If The Campaign is anything like the antics when Will Ferrell is on Zach Galifianakis "Between Two Ferns," I'm in; Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep try to rekindle romance in Hope Springs; Julie Delpy's sequel to 2 Days in Paris, 2 Days in New York, stars Chris Rock. Also in theaters: Goats; Nitro Circus: The Movie 3D

Childish Gambino

MUSIC

Childish Gambino @ The Palladium (Hollywood)
You may know Donald Glover for his comedy skills with Derrick Comedy or "Community," but his raps are no joke. His first studio album, Camp, was one of the breakout debuts from 2011. His smooth flow and onstage energy are sure to grab you.

Jack White @ The Shrine (South Los Angeles)
His first solo effort , Blunderbuss, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in April, and he's been wowing audiences with the all-female and all-male bands backing him up on songs from the album along with beloved White Stripes' tunes. If Jack's guitar solos don't have an impact on you in person, then you must be dead inside. Also performing Aug. 11 at the Shrine.

SATURDAY, AUG. 11

FOOD

Gringo Bandito Taco Challenge @ Chronic Tacos (Huntington Beach)
The Offspring's Dexter Holland's hot sauce, Gringo Bandito, presents its second annual eating challenge. Competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi is my pick to win among the field of nine. The winner receives $5,000. It's like "Man v. Food" in person– yay, err … gross.

SUNDAY, AUG. 12

MUSIC

Sigur Rós @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Hollywood)
Hopefully you already have your tickets to this one, because it's the only SoCal date of their Valtari wold tour and it's totally sold out. The Icelandic quartet don't just do concerts, they give you experiences that you'll remember forever.

MONDAY, AUG. 13

FILM

Rear Window @ Aero Theatre (Santa Monica)
This week's Monday Night Mystery at the Aero is Alfred Hitchcock's classic starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. Join the quintessential voyeur as he uncovers a murder mystery in his neighborhood.

TUESDAY, AUG. 14

Alabama Shakes (Autumn de Wilde)

MUSIC

Alabama Shakes, Michael Kiwanuka @ The Fonda (Hollywood)
Who isn't addicted to Alabama Shakes' "Hold On" off their Boys & Girls debut? If you aren't in on the craze, go Spotify or YouTube them now. Supporting them is up-and-coming British singer-songwriter Kiwanuka.

THEATER

"Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" @ Staples Center (Downtown)
Cirque Du Soleil's riveting tribute to the pop icon combines his music and choreography with the troupe's visual ingenuity. Also Aug. 15.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 15

FILM

Doug Benson's Movie Interruption - Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter @ The Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre (Mid-City West)
Never been to a Doug Benson's Movie Interruption? It's like a live-action Mystery Science Theater 3000, but instead of robots, Doug's sidekicks are his friends. In the past, the group has included the likes of Sarah Silverman and Zach Galifianakis. Tonight the subject of their witty commentary is Timur Bekmambetov's action/fantasy/horror film.