10 Things to Do Around LA This Weekend: April 18-20, 2014

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The Easter Bunny isn’t the only one who’s going to be busy hopping around this weekend. Aside from egg-hunt and brunch fun on Sunday, these are the final days of this year’s Coachella, the Clippers begin their quest for an NBA Championship in the Western Conference playoffs and it’s Record Store Day, not to mention all of the rest of the food, music and other events happening in the heart of the city.

Friday, April 18

FILM

Richard Kelly @ Aero Theatre (Santa Monica)

American Cinematheque hosts a screening of the director’s daring fantasy drama from 2001, Donnie Darko, at the movie theater that was used for scenes in the film. Afterwards, there’s a discussion with Kelly and a showing of the film that Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal), Gretchen (Jena Malone) and Frank the rabbit (James Duval) watched in the theater: Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead. I mean, what could get you in the Easter spirit more than a giant, monstrous rabbit with visions of the future?

FOOD

KTown Night Market @ Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools (Koreatown)

Not going to lie, this is the event I am most excited for this weekend since one of the things I love most about our city is the food and the myriad of cultures represented in L.A. cuisine. This multi-ethnicity is celebrated today and tomorrow with over a hundred food (more than 40 of them serving Korean dishes alone) and merchandise booths, carnival games, musical performances and a bar crawl. You can sample food from “Top Chef” Season 11 contestant Brian Huskey’s upcoming restaurant Table 13, Ham Ji Park and Mama Musubi, in addition to Keizo Shimamoto’s famous ramen burger. The event’s Food Truck Alley features some of the city’s best, including all the winners from the first three seasons of “The Great Food Truck Race”: Grill ‘Em All, The Lime Truck and Seoul Sausage Company.

LITERARY

G. James Daichendt @ Book Soup (West Hollywood)

The art critic, professor and historian earned the name “Professor Street Art” once his investigation of the global phenomenon came out in 2012, entitled Stay Up!: Los Angeles Street Art. He continues to explore the subject in a new book centered on one of the world’s most influential street artists, Shepard Fairey Inc.: Artist/Professional/Vandal. He presents and signs copies of this critical observation of Fairey’s work and life tonight and also takes part in a conversation with noted guerrilla poster artist, Robbie Conal, who penned the book’s foreword.

MUSIC

McDougall @ 1642 (Westlake)

Upon listening to the Portland, Ore. artist’s latest album, A Few Towns More, it’s hard to believe that the wall of sound traveling through the speakers was produced by just one man. McDougall’s blend of folk, Americana and old-time country on the album immediately induces you clapping your hands and stomping your feet, so I can only imagine how raucous his live performances can get. Find out for yourself tonight at this free show.

Saturday, April 19

MUSIC

Brokechella @ 590 Santa Fe Ave. (Downtown)

Just because you don’t have fistfuls of cash for a ticket to a huge, corporate festival doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on any the fun. For its fourth annual event, cARTel Collaborative Arts LA has expanded to a bigger venue, which means more art, music and comedy to brighten your day for just $10 presale or $20 at the door. Musical acts include the Singles, Hott MT, yOya, La Font, Earnest Blount, Raven Sorvino and many more on the fest’s four stages. Added bonuses: You don’t have to sit in hours of traffic or melt in the sun.

Krush Groove @ The Forum (Inglewood)

Perhaps you’re looking for something that will get your head nodding to the beat and your mouth rapping along to songs that take you back in time. In that case, 93.5 KDAY’s Krush Groove is for you. Featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, the incomparable Redman and Method Man, DJ Quik, Too $hort, the Lady of Rage and more, this celebration of old-school rap and hip hop is going to be off tha hook.

Record Store Day (Citywide)

It’s the top day for any vinyl collector, with special releases available at all the independent stores you love in Los Angeles. From Record Surplus and Origami Vinyl to Gimme Gimme and Amoeba Music, vinyl aficionados shall flock to the shops for exclusives, reissues, giveaways and to socialize with their fellow audiophiles. Some releases to note include Deer Tick’s Eel Bowel seven-inch, a Veruca Salt 10-inch, a new album from Thee Oh Sees and a limited edition split from Conor Oberst and Dawes.

SPORTS

Warriors vs. Clippers @ Staples Center (Downtown)

As the Kings continue their run for the Stanley Cup in the series with San Jose this weekend, the Clips host their own NorCal rivals, the Golden State Warriors, for Game 1 of the first round of this season’s playoffs. Led by Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Los Angeles (57-25) sits at No. 3 in the Western Conference, while Golden State (51-31) takes the No. 6 slot. There is no love between the two teams, and the passion of playoff basketball is only going to intensify the play on the court, so I predict a seven-game series with the Clippers eventually coming out on top.

Sunday, April 20

CULTURE

Easter Festivities (Citywide)

Whether you’re religious or not, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday throughout town today. There are free celebrations at Hollywood Bowl with music and at Grand Hope Park with an egg hunt. The L.A. Zoo is hosting Big Bunny’s Spring Fling with crafts, music magic and pet adoptions. Or, you can go out for brunch with your loved ones at restaurants like Border Grill, Scarpetta, Geoffrey’s and Craft or unique places like Descanso Gardens and the Battleship Iowa.

FILM

Tribute to Harold Ramis @ New Beverly Cinema (Fairfax)

The film world lost a real gem when the comedic actor, director and writer passed away in February. Pay tribute to his cinematic legacy by heading to this double feature of some of his unforgettable work today or tomorrow. There’s a screening of Stripes at 3 p.m. and 7: 30 p.m. today (7:30 p.m. Monday) and Groundhog Day at 5:05 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. today (9:35 p.m. Monday). Ramis co-wrote and starred in Ivan Reitman’s 1981 war-comedy, Stripes, with Bill Murray as two friends who join the army. he directed and co-wrote 1993’s Groundhog Day, which also starred Murray alongside Andie MacDowell as a weatherman who is forced to relive the same day over and over and over again.

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