Events for March 21-27, 2013

Get with THE PROGRAM

Maia Sharp

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

MUSIC

Maia Sharp @ Room 5 (Mid-City West)
The acclaimed singer-songwriter just finished a run of shows opening for Bonnie Raitt and performs songs from her fifth full-length, Change the Ending, at home here in Los Angeles before heading out on a tour covering the midwest and east coast. She'll play as a duo with guitarist Linda Taylor tonight, and you can get a taste of the show with this video of them performing the album's title track.

The Spits @ The Echoplex (Echo Park)
If you're up for something a bit rowdier, then head to the Echoplex for a free show featuring this spacey punk foursome. Their fifth self-titled album came out a few years ago and boasts the rapid-fire vocals set to synth/drum machine beeps and whistles the Spits are known for. You can bet they're just as eclectic and zany on stage, too.

STAGE

"Catch Me If You Can" @ Pantages Theatre (Hollywood)
The new Broadway musical is based on the 2002 film, which was based on Frank Abagnale Jr.'s 1980 autobiography detailing his con-man adventures of cashing in $2.5 million worth of bad checks. The production follows Frank as he poses as a pilot, doctor and lawyer, living it up and eventually going on the run from the FBI. With a book by Terrence McNally ("The Full Monty," "Ragtime"), score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Hairspray"), choreography by Jerry Mitchell ("Hairspray," "Legally Blonde") and direction by Jack O'Brien ("Hairspray," "The Full Monty," "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"), the musical is sure to be entertaining.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Admission stars Tina Fey as a straight-laced Princeton University admissions officer who is reunited with a former classmate played by Paul Rudd; Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage and Catherine Keener provide the voice talent for DreamWorks Animation's latest, The Croods; Antoine Fuqua directs Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart and Angela Bassett in action-thriller Olympus Has Fallen; Spring Breakers is Harmony Korine's ode to the college tradition, but with a comedic crime twist starring James Franco, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens. Also in theaters: From Up on Poppy Hill; Love and Honor; The Sapphires; Starbuck

Outfest Fusion: LGBT People of Color Festival @ REDCAT (Downtown) and The Egyptian (Hollywood)
The 10th annual festival celebrates LGBT people of color in film with a gala party, tributes and retrospectives, panel discussions and screenings of 30 shorts and features. Some of the films included in this year's festivities are Homeboy, a look at the lives of gay Latino men in Los Angeles who are former gang members; Fame, the 1980 classic; and an exploration of the friendship between two young Chicanas in Huntington Park, Mosquita y Mari.

Midnight Spin (John DeMato)

MUSIC

Midnight Spin @ Hotel Café (Hollywood)
The New Yorkers have been traversing the country since releasing their debut, Don't Let Me Sleep, at the beginning of the year, and finally hit the west coast after a bunch of SXSW shows. From the  "Conchis Bliss," "Lion Run" and "Phantoms" to the dance-inducing "Reagan Babies" and "Don't Let Me Sleep," the five piece has something in their arsenal for everyone.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

FILM

A Clockwork Orange @ Electric Dusk Drive-In (Downtown)
Make a Stanley Kubrick day of it! Start with a visit to the exhibit at LACMA, followed by the drive-in screening of his 1971 film (adapted from Anthony Burgess' short novel). Starring Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee and Michael Bates, A Clockwork Orange boasts some of Kubrick's most memorable images that haunt your psyche well after the last frame of film fades from the screen.

MUSIC

Crossfaith @ The Roxy (West Hollywood)
The Japanese quintet of rockers released their debut, The Artificial Theory for the Dramatic Beauty, in 2009 and it sparked the screamo/metalcore scene in their home country and won them slots on tours with the likes of Machine Head, Hatebreed and Pierce the Veil. They released a new EP (Zion) in 2012 and are going to be a part of this summer's Warped Tour. We can catch them in the more intimate indoor setting of the Roxy first, though.

Night Moves @ The Fonda (Hollywood)
I first heard the Twin Cities' foursome on KCRW, and their countrified psychedelic sound instantly intrigued me. After listening to the entirety of last year's Colored Emotions, I can't wait to see and hear the tracks performed live. Must-listens are "Headlights," "Old Friends" and "Horses."

Hunter Hunted

MONDAY, MARCH 25

MUSIC

Hunter Hunted @ Bootleg Theater (Westlake)
Some of you may be familiar with Michael Garner and Dan Chang from their work in Lady Danville. The Angelenos forged ahead as a duo, and after being added to the rotation at KCRW, they sold-out their first show at the Troubadour. They garnered raves for their self-titled debut EP that released last month. See what all the fuss is about at the final night of their March residency at Bootleg Theater tonight.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

MUSIC

Spirit Animal @ The Satellite (Silver Lake)
When a band releases a song called "The Black Jack White," the title alone grabs people's curiosity and ensures they give it at least one listen. The track is a testament to the New Yorkers' ability to successfully blend elements of funk, psych and pop into something unique and completely infectious. Once you delve into more of the quartet's songs, like "Crocodile Skins" and "Lead!" from last year's This Is a Test EP, you'll be hooked and anticipating their live show.