Events for March 27-April 2, 2014

Get with THE PROGRAM

THURSDAY, MARCH 27

Timur and the Dime Museum (Jill Steinberg)

THEATER

Collapse @ REDCAT (Downtown)
It's impossible to classify the music of Timur and the Dime Museum in just one word. Led by the soaring vocals of classically trained tenor Timur Bekbosunov, the fivesome meld their haunting melodies with the stagecraft of post-punk cabaret in this operatic song cycle composed as a requiem mass. Their Collapse performance is set to video projections by artist Jesse Gilbert, with costumes designed by Victor Wilde of the Bohemian Society. Don't miss this world-premiere event on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.

TELEVISION

"Portlandia" @ LACMA (Miracle Mile)
Even though I've never lived in Portland, Ore., whenever I watch an episode of "Portlandia," I see myself or someone I know in at least one of the sketches. The show's creators, writers and stars – Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein – are just so spot-on with their commentary on society at large. The show is in the midst of its fourth season, and the duo will be on hand for a screening of two of the new episodes and a discussion at LACMA this evening.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28

FILM

In Theaters This Week
My pick of the week is the portrait of Cesar Chavez, directed by Diego Luna and starring Michael Peña, Rosario Dawson, America Ferrera and John Malkovich; Darren Aronofsky's version of the biblical story of Noah stars Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Watson; Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, Terrence Howard, Josh Holloway and Joe Maganiello in Sabotage. Also in theaters: Big Men; Finding Vivian Maier; It Felt Like Love; Locker 13; The Raid 2

MUSIC

Torches @ The Roxy (West Hollywood)
I've been enamored with the sounds of this L.A. duo (vocalist/guitarist Azad Cheikosman and drummer Eric Fabbro) since their If the People Stare EP was released last May, and they just released a new single, "Staring," from their upcoming album that was produced/engineered by Dave Newton (Henry Clay People, the Soft Pack) and mastered by Jeff Lipton (Arcade Fire, Wilco). The two are known for throwing a few Arcade Fire covers into the mix during their live sets, and if you haven't had the chance to catch them yet, this show with Moving Units is a great opportunity.

SATURDAY, MARCH 29

Tough Mudder (Weston Walker)

FITNESS

Tough Mudder @ Glen Helen Raceway (San Bernardino)
Maybe you need something more intense to release all of the week's stress and frustration. If so, then  this Tough Mudder event, happening today and tomorrow, is for you. The hardcore 10- to 12-mile obstacle course of challenges is designed to test your all-around strength, stamina, mental toughness and teamwork. At the end, you are guaranteed to be covered in mud, with sore muscles and a few bruises, but you'll also have some major bragging rights.

DANCE

A Taste of Dance: Movie Moves @ The Music Center Plaza (Downtown)
I am such a sucker for dance movies. I mean, who doesn't love it when the cast breaks out into their best moves in the middle of a scene? For just $1 per lesson, you can learn the steps to some of the greatest dance films of all time. Routines include Flashdance, Pulp Fiction, Dirty Dancing, (500) Days of Summer, Singing' in the Rain, Saturday Night Fever and Slumdog Millionaire.

FOOD

Ramen Yokocho @ Santa Anita Park (Arcadia)
Last year's festival was so packed that they've moved to a much larger venue for this Saturday and Sunday. Never fear though, all of the ramen purveyors that you love are still going to be on hand offering a taste of their famous noodle soup for $8 a bowl. L.A. participants include Daikokuya, Men Oh and Hayatemaru, while Las Vegas' Monta, San Diego's Shalala and Japan's Mattou Seimen are also part of the 14-strong lineup. Saturday the track celebrates Japan Family Fun Day, so there are plenty of cultural exhibitions and the Tokyo City Cup to be enjoyed along with the ramen fest.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Cody Chesnutt (Bohbot)

MUSIC

Cody Chesnutt @ Troubadour (West Hollywood)
One of my favorite songs from the Roots, "The Seed (2.0)," is actually a remake of a track that was originally on the Atlanta-based neo-soul troubadour's debut album, 2002's The Headphone Masterpiece. Cody Chesnutt took a period away from music but thankfully returned with his sophomore effort, Landing on a Hundred, in 2012. His vocals are still silky smooth, and his message is as powerful as ever. Hear the newer material and some of the older ditties when his B Sides and Remixes Tour swings into the Troubadour this evening.

TUESDAY, APRIL 1

FILM

Leave The World Behind @ ArcLight Cinemas (Hollywood)
The EDM supergroup, consisting of DJs/producers Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso, announced their One Last Tour trek and proceeded to sell over a million tickets worldwide in just one week. This documentary, executively produced by Jonas Åkerlund, follows Swedish House Mafia in their final moments as a trio, from making the decision to disband to the last note of the tour. The film screens today and April 3 at the ArcLight and April 4 at Westwood Crest Theatre.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2

BOOKS

Nelson George @ Book Soup (West Hollywood)
I vividly remember singing and dancing along to episodes of "Soul Train" when I was barely in kindergarten. Author and filmmaker Nelson George just released a new book documenting the groundbreaking television variety show called The Hippest Trip in America: Soul Train and the Evolution of Culture & Style. The show's producer and host Don Cornelius shares memories from its time, along with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Rosie Perez and Jodie Watley. Join George in conversation with "Soul Train" dancer Marco De Santiago at Book Soup tonight.