Off to the Big Apple

The Heathers are jetting to NYC for a little while, to see and do as much as possible. One of the things they're most anticipating is checking out the newly recreated Keith Haring mural on Houston and Bowery. It was originally created by Haring in 1982, but remained on the wall for only a few months before being painted over. In honor of what would have been Haring's 50th birthday (5/4/08), the mural has been repainted and will remain until 12/21/08.

Sat 6/14: The Board Gallery

The Board Gallery presents the artistic works of Dog Town and Z-Boy's Chris Cahill and Dog Town seed, and longtime friend of the Heathers, Justin Valentine. Opening reception is this Sat 6/14 from 8-10pm, and promises to be a good time. Address is 3333 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach. Free parking across the street at City Hall.

Sat 6/14: Graffiti LA @ GCS Clothing

GCS Clothing in Pomona is hosting a book signing for Graffiti LA: Street Styles and Art on Sat 6/14 at 7pm. Come to get a copy of the book, get it signed by author Steve Grody and select featured artists, and check out the store. Nylon says that it's the "Bible for spray can art in Los Angeles..." Location: 168 W. 3rd Street in Pomona.

Sat 6/14: LOL @ J Flynn Gallery

LOL: This Ain't Grandma's China, featuring works by Mindy Cherri and Charles Krafft, opens this Sat 6/14 at J Flynn Gallery. The reception is from 7-10pm. J Flynn is located at 2950 A Randolph Ave. in Costa Mesa. Can you imagine gifting one of these pieces to your Granny? I think mine would laugh upon opening it.

Thurs 6/12: Sister Spit @ the Hammer

Sister Spit: The Next Generation will be bringing their "legendary all-girl spoken word roadshow" to the Hammer Museum Thurs 6/12 at 8pm. The Next Generation, an incarnation of the Sister Spit Ramblin' Roadshow of the '90s, is a dynamic group of ‘zine writers, fashion plates, novelists, performance artists, slam poets and fancy scribblers from across the US, whose show promises to be a raucous literary adventure. Tickets are free.

Thurs 6/12: Against the Grain @ LACE

Against the Grain opens at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions this Thurs 6/12, 7-9pm. The show is curated by LA-based artist Christopher Russell and features works by Brian Bress (partial view of Plains Fight above)- whose collages are like wondrous fantasy worlds, Wendell Gladstone, Julian Hoeber, Brian Kennon, Amy Sarkisian, and Ami Tallman, among others. In honor of LACE's 30th anniversary, this show is a nod to their 1988 show Against Nature: A Group Show of Work by Homosexual Men, which exposed the margins of the already marginalized world of gay men. Against the Grain will be on view through 8/10.

6/6-6/7: RVCA sample sale

.....RVCA sample sale happening too. Fri 6/6: 9am-5pm and Sat 6/7: 9am-5pm. Their warehouse is at 919 Sunset Drive in Costa Mesa. And check out this Kelsey Brooks print that they're selling in the online shop. A tiger with 4 eyes? Rad.

6/6-6/7: Paul Frank Summer Sale

Another sample sale happening, this one at Paul Frank's warehouse in Costa Mesa. Hours are Fri 6/6: 9am-7pm and Sat 6/7: 9am-4pm. Location: 960 West 16th Street, Costa Mesa. Maybe Julius will be there?

Sat 6/7: CINÉMOCA

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is hosting the first of six Saturdays of outdoor screenings, music, and gallery tours tomorrow Sat 6/7, 7-11pm. Check out the current shows: Lawrence Weiner: AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE and Allan Kaprow—Art as Life, hear a set by Henry Rollins, and bring your blanket to enjoy the evening on the grass. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase. The Screening of Underground Forces, featuring rare footage of west coast punk and New Wave bands and a healthy sampling of the artists, musicians, and fans that populated California’s underground scene in the late-1970s and early ‘80s, starts at 9pm. The screening is free with museum admission ($10). Unfortunately, outside food and drink are not permitted.

6/6-6/8: Ink-N-Iron Festival

The 5th annual Ink-N-Iron Tattoo & Kustom Culture Festival is taking place today 6/6 through Sun 6/8. The festival will feature 280 of the best tattoo artists in the world and a series of additional events, including an art exhibit, burlesque showgirls, live bands (incl. the Swingin' Utters), a pin-up pageant, carnival rides, and a car show. The best part: it's all taking place aboard and around Long Beach's Queen Mary. Tickets are $35/day or $70/all 3 days. And you get $10 off your admission if you get a tattoo at the festival.

Sat 6/7: Frieda's Open-air Market

Frieda's Fresh Marketplace is hosting its inaugural produce and gourmet food open-air market this Sat 6/7 from 8am to 1pm. The market will take place every Sat in June and July, and will showcase more than 150 varieties of fresh produce, from tropical and exotic fruits (starfruit, tamarillos, longan, mangosteen, rambutan, sapote, fresh pre-peeled whole coconuts, etc.), to gourmet veggies (fresh chiles, treviso, endive, eggplant varieties, cipolline onions, etc.), to dried and jarred pantry items (specialty mushrooms, dried tomatoes, peppers, etc.). The market will also feature fresh seafood, bread and pasta, and fresh flowers. Address: 4465 Corporate Center Drive, Los Alamitos 90720. Another reason to support the market: Frieda's is committed to products that support sustainability in farming.

Sun 6/01: Summer Cupcake Tour

Brilliant yelp community ladies Sandy T. and Amy K. have come up with the marvelous idea of commencing a Summer Cupcake Tour this Sun 6/01 at 2pm. Here's their rationale: "With so many cupcakeries popping up around OC, it is time to start the mission to find the most coveted cupcake in the area. Come judge for yourself at stop # 1 on the Summer Cupcake Tour." Join Sandy, Amy and their friends at Dolcissimo, at 560 W 19th Street in Costa Mesa. Sunday's flavors at the bake shop are Strawberry Shortcake, Monkey Love, Apple pie, Sugar Mama flavors. Yum!

Sat 5/31: Best in Show opening @ ISM Gallery

ISM: gallery in Long Beach presents a playful take on the journey from student to professional artist with it's friendly art competition Best in Show, opening Sat 5/31, 7-10pm. During the opening reception, artworks will be displayed anonymously and visitors will have an opportunity to vote for the artist they feel is “Best In Show." Please RSVP to attend.

5/31-6/01: TSE sample sale

TSE Cashmere is clearing out samples at their warehouse in Santa Ana as well. It's located at 3001 S. Croddy Way. Enjoy savings of up to 80% off cashmere, cotton, linen and silk merchandise from tse, tse men and tsesay collections. Sale Dates: Sat, May 31st 9am-5:30pm and Sun, June 1st 9am-4pm. *Cash/Visa/MC/Amex only; All sales final.

5/30-5/31: Obey sample sale

Obey is having their Summer 08 sample sale today and tomorrow at their warehouse in Santa Ana*. Address is 3500 W Carriage Drive. Hours are: Fri, May 30 9am-7pm and Sat, May 31 8am-3pm. Good deals will hopefully be had by all. *Fine print: no bags, no backpacks, do not wear Obey.

Fri 5/30: Free Friday Night @ the Bowers

Tonight is free admission beginning at 4pm at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The museum's China and art exhibits will remain open until 8pm and you can catch the 6:30 screening of the documentary film The First Emperor for free. Based on the latest research and including location photography at key sites in China, the film sheds new light on the achievements, ambitions, and legacy of the enigmatic First Emperor of China--an emperor who wished to reign for all eternity. Run time is 40 min.

Fri 5/30: Datarock @ Detroit Bar

Bergen-based duo Datarock is DJing, along with Mr. White and Devyn C tonight at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa. Tickets are $15 before 10pm, 21 and over, doors open at 9pm. Fun fact: Datarock's song Computer Camp Love was #88 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

Fri 5/30: Fridays Off the 405 @ the Getty

Tonight from 6-9pm, the Getty Center presents Fridays Off the 405 and opens its courtyard to the public for free. You can tour the galleries, enjoy the music provided by DJ Dirty Finger and DJ B-cause, take in the views of the city, and revel in the onset of summer! There's also a cash bar open until 8:30pm, so bring some bills if you want a drink.

Thurs 5/29: Eat the Document @ the Skirball

The Skirball Cultural Center presents a screening Bob Dylan's rare Eat the Document Thurs 5/29 at 8pm, as part of Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-66 (which runs through 6/08). Mr. Dylan directed this unreleased documentary of his 1966 European tour with The Hawks. The film will be hosted by music documentarian Penelope Spheeris (The Decline of Western Civilization and my fav Wayne's World), who will provide unique insight into the film and how it captures Dylan and the frenzy that followed him. Suitable for adult audiences. Tickets are $10 General, $8 Members.

Thurs 5/29: Jamie Lidell @ the El Rey

The man with an uncanny ability to make my feet tap and my hands clap, Jamie Lidell, is playing Thurs 5/29, at the El Rey Theatre in LA. His new album JIM dropped in April and is described by Pitchfork as being "some of the most satisfying Sunday-morning listening you'll hear this year." Just my cup of tea (or more likely, mimosa). Tickets are $23, starts at 8pm, James Pants opens.