If it’s FRIDAY night, and you wanna stay out late, and aren’t ready to go home…for comedy, catch THE SKLAR BROTHERS at the Comedy Store in LA JOLLA. These twins are a unique comedy duo that have done a lot of tv, podcasts and radio (my favorite when they did the sports shows like “Cheap Seats”).
A childhood friend of mine, Billy Fallon, has his classic rock cover band 3 CAR GARAGE playing at FAST TIMES, a great restaurant in Clairemont [fun fact: the restaurant took their name from the movie, which another friend of mine suggested. Of course, Fast Times at Ridgemont High was based on Clairemont High School].
If classic rock isn’t your thing, but you got to have that funk…well, the FULL STRENGTH FUNK BAND will be playing at Humphrey’s Backstage on SHELTER ISLAND.
One of cinema’s most underrated films is WAIT UNTIL DARK, where Audrey Hepburn plays a blind woman being threatened by drug runners (Alan Arkin playing against type). At LAMPLIGHTERS COMMUNITY THEATER in LA MESA, they’re doing a play based on that story (although they take it back to the ‘40s). I’m curious as to how they’ll do those scenes in the dark. The play will be there all weekend.
SATURDAY…for car enthusiasts, the CARS AND COFFEE car shows are going on in the morning in Bonita, Carlsbad, Point Loma, and Rancho Santa Fe. Bring your hot rod, or just show up and admire everyone else’s.
If you want something for the whole family, there’s DISNEY ON ICE: MAGIC IN THE STARS at PECHANGA ARENA. All the Disney characters will be there, as long as many from the Disney films like Aladdin, Toy Story, Cars, Frozen, and more.
My friend and former co-worker, JENNIFER COBURN, is a local author, and USA Today best selling author, who does a lot of chick-lit novels that do well. She’ll be at Georgina Cole Library to talk about her new book “The Girls of the Glimmer Factory” and do a signing.
If you want some heavy tribute acts, bands doing “Tool” and “Guns ‘N Roses” will be at the Music Box DOWNTOWN.
If you prefer more of a classic rock sound, the ROLLING HEARTBREAKERS, which combine two bands, will be at the Kraken in CARDIFF BY THE SEA.
SUNDAY morning, for motorcycle enthusiasts, enjoy MOTORCYCLES IN THE PARK at the Automotive Museum in BALBOA PARK. Look at all the hogs, and then take a leisurely stroll around the park and various museums.
You might not think Mexican food and jazz go together, but they will at TIO LEO’S on Napa Street, with their SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ. It’s from 5 to 7 pm, so get there early.
You can take the “slow ride” from there to the Belly Up Tavern in SOLANA BEACH to see Foghat. But be warned, when I saw them 15 years ago at the Del Mar Fair, their drummer Roger Earl was the only original member left (but you’ll still get to hear songs like “Fool for the City” and “I Just Wanna Make Love to You” and “Stone Blue.”
And on the subject of original members, THREE DOG NIGHT lost many members, and only one of their original vocalists is left – Danny Hutton. They’ll be playing their old-fashioned love songs at PECHANGA RESORT & CASINO.
At the movies…
My wife and I couldn’t believe how disappointing ONE OF THEM DAYS was. I’m a huge fan of Issa Rae, and this is a film she produced. Keke Palmer and SZA play two roommates that are complete idiots. One of them is dating a man that’s an idiot. All the characters aren’t remotely realistic. You’re supposed to laugh, and comparisons are being made to “Girls Trip” and “Friday.” The most baffling thing is that this is getting 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. The pacing is awful. The script has jokes that don’t work. And there’s nothing enjoyable about watching any of these characters and their antics. I’m also a big fan of Lil Rel Howery who is in this, along with nepo baby Maude Apatow, and the always bizarre Katt Williams who plays a bizarre character.You might find it funny if you have a few drinks before going in to see it.It’s the first movie on my worst of the year list. 0 stars.
THE LAST SHOWGIRL is getting a lot of award show buzz (but just got shut out of the Oscar nominations). It has an amazing performance from Jamie Lee Curtis. She plays a former showgirl who's now a cocktail waitress at a casino. She doesn’t mind guys grabbing her, or putting a tip down her bra. Unfortunately the story isn’t about her, but the character Pamela Anderson plays. She’s really typecast, as the dumb blonde that is a bit hurt she’s aging out of her profession as a topless showgirl in a Vegas show. She’s also good in the film (if you can handle her annoying voice). It reminded me a lot of “The Wrestler” (although not nearly as good). That movie dealt with Mickey O’Rourke’s character as an aging wrestler that doesn’t want to give it up, and misses the bright lights and fame. Both also have problems with their relationships with their daughter. And on the subject of muscular dudes, Dave Bautista is interesting (with hair), playing a caring stage manager for the show, who always seems a bit sad. Brenda Song (the wife of Macaulay Culkin) is wonderful in a smaller role, and there’s a very well-written scene with Jason Schwartzman (his cousin Gia Coppola directed). Gia’s grandfather, Francis Ford Coppola just got a Razzie nomination for one of the worst movies of the year – Megalopolis. See this one instead. This movie could be a bit of a downer, but I think you’ll enjoy it. 3 ½ stars out of 5.
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