The Psycho Ex-girlfriends Rollerderby

Orange County's own Psycho Ex-girlfriends will be taking on the Angel City Derby Girls at the OC Fairgrounds on Sat 3/1 at 6pm. There are other bouts happening as well (so I've read), starting at 4pm, but the one to watch is the Psychos, featuring the always glamorous Bugsy Merlot (at left). Tickets are $20 before or $25 at the door. Visit http://www.ocrollergirls.com/ for details. I should also mention that the event is sponsored by Spanky's Adult Emporium. Fun fun fun!

Closing reception @ Space on Spurgeon

Another Santa Ana location hosting during the Artists Village Open House on Sat eve 3/1. Space on Spurgeon, a self-described "urbane gallery of art," is having their closing reception for artist Dirk Hagner's show Mastery of Hand. His prints really look lovely. Visit http://www.spaceonspurgeon.com/ for more information.

James Cady opening @ OMC Gallery

James Cady has a new show opening at OMC Gallery, featuring works of metal, of fishy semblance. The opening is part of the larger Artist Village Open House taking place from 7-10pm on Sat 3/1. OMC is a German-American partnership gallery, in case you were wondering. Here's their website: http://www.omc-llc.com/

Bad Religion @ House of Blues Disneyland

Seems awfully ironic. Bad Religion is playing an all ages show with Miss Derringer and Del Toro at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Fri 2/29. Tickets are $22.50, doors open at 7pm. http://www.hob.com/tickets/eventdetail.asp?eventid=49583 for further details.

Megan & Murray McMillan: The Listening Array

Boston/Providence artists Megan and Murray McMillan are opening their show The Listening Array tonight at the Greenleaf Gallery at Whittier College. Not sure of their relation to each other, but here's their blog, so you figure it out: http://www.meganandmurray.com/ Details: Thurs 2/28 7-9pm. Address: 13406 Philadelphia St Whittier, CA 90803

Hello Stranger @ The Highlands

Hello Stranger is playing a free show at The Highlands, along with Pump up the Volume, on Thurs 2/21. As you can see, they are 3 guys and a keytar-playing frontwoman. Enough said, I'm sold.

Listen and decide for yourself: www.myspace.com/hellostrangermusic. Doors open at 8pm. As Ben Norman, a reviewer on Amazon, says, "Go for it. You know you want to." Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Top Floor.

The Importance of being Earnest

Arguably the world's most underhanded satirist, Oscar Wilde has written many gems. The Importance of Being Earnest, in my opinion the funniest play, is currently running at the Segerstrom Stage at South Coast Repertory through Sun 3/09. Tickets start at $18. Visit www.scr.org/tickets for details.

Auction 100 @ Laguna Art Museum

Laguna Art Museum's Auction 100, like its namesake, features 100 works from 100 premiere Southern California artists being auctioned live and online. The festivities commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the formation of the Laguna Beach Art Association in 1918. The main event is Sat 2/15 from 6-10pm, with a live and silent auction, buffet, drinks, and DJ. Tickets are expensive, but there are some great artworks available, at pretty reasonable prices as of now. Details: http://www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?vhost=lagunaartmuseum

(pictured is Jeff Koegel's 187. sugar, water, protein)

Kingsley Amis' On Drink

I just read an article on Kingsley Amis and his interesting, albeit thorough, manner of consuming alcohol. He's said to have invented the "Tigne Rose," which consists of one part gin, one part whisky, one part rum, one part vodka and one part brandy. Wow, now that's a drink. On Drink, a collection of columns originally written for daily newspapers, sounds like a great way to get inside his head. Which is somewhere that I'd certainly like to explore.

Metro Link art tours

LA's Metro Link has invested much in beautifying many of their stations over the years. They now offer free docent led tours every first Sat and Sun of the month. Take this opportunity to ride the rails and check out the work, like that of Eva Cockcroft (pictured). Visit www.metro.net/art for details.

Human Resource @ the Artery

Human Resource, featuring Trevor Girard, Filipa da Silva and others, is showing at the Artery in Costa Mesa through 3/02. Looks like a very good show. And I should mention that the Artery is really just a couple of converted shipping containers, which is reason enough to go check out the space. I can't find their website, but there's info here: http://www.overundermag.com/artery.html. Location: 2930 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

hear about Walton Ford's bestiary

Sounds hot right? It's got the elephant excited. Taschen presents artist Walton Ford, speaking about his work and his new book Walton Ford: Pancha Tantra. Next Tues 2/19 at 7:30pm at Art Center College of Design. The NY Times says that "a Ford exhibition is like a storybook in which animals have inherited the earth." The event is free and open to all. It is Ford's only lecture in Southern Cal, so don't miss it. Address: Hillside Campus 1700 Lida Street, Pasadena, CA

Free Fridays at LBMA

The Long Beach Museum of Art is free on Fridays, thanks to support from the LA County Arts Commission. Hours are 11am-5pm Tues-Sun. They have an interesting looking portraits show running right now. Address: 2300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach 90803, (562) 439-2119 http://www.lbma.org/

Murakami closing Art Talk at MOCA

At 4pm on Sun 2/10, Takashi Murakami will be talking about his acclaimed retrospective at the MOCA, Geffen Contemporary. Will be cool to hear him speak personally about his work. Tickets are $15 members/students; $20 general public. The show closes after 2/11, so if you haven't seen it, go! Space is limited. Tickets can be purchased in advance at moca.org/murakami and will be held at will call. Tickets will also be available on the day of the event beginning at 11am. Unclaimed tickets will be released at 3:45pm.

Airborne Toxic Event @ Detroit Bar

Airborne Toxic Event, Reeve Oliver, and Ammunition Affair are playing at Detroit Bar Sat 2/9 for $7. http://www.openingband.blogspot.com/ says that Airborne Toxic Event "come off very polished but not in a lame way, in a super cool epic violin jagged guitar soaring vocals occasional dancey drum beat kinda way. I hate to throw in dancey but they definately have it...not necessary [sic] forced, but natural and legit." Sounds good to me. Venue details: http://www.detroitbar.com/

Down the Rabbit Hole @ The Bar

continuing with stuff in LA. . . The Bar hosts "Down the Rabbit Hole" every other Sun night, including this Sun 2/10, from 9pm-2am. The evening features parlor games, cocktails and jazz music, and showcases the work of local painters, photographers and designers, most of which is often available for purchase. Mint juleps, trumpet solos and Connect Four? Sign me up. http://www.thebarhollywood.com/events.php

Collecting Collections opening @ MOCA

New show, Collecting Collections, opens Fri 2/8 7-11pm at MOCA Grand Ave in downtown LA. The show includes 250 works from the museum's permanent collection, from pretty much every artist that you know of. Shepard Fairey and Peanut Butter Wolf (my favorite name of all times) will be spinning and there will be a cash bar.You have to be a member to attend, so join now: http://www.moca.org/, or catch the show through May 19 for $8 everyday.