LA Beat Recommendations for Outfest

On Thursday, July 12, Outfest will present an achievement award to Director John Waters, followed by a screening of Vito. Over the next 11 days, Outfest 2012 will present 147 films and videos from 24 countries in 6 different venues across Los Angeles. There will be 86 separate public programs, 7 galas, 60 features, 13 short film programs and 12 panels and special events and countless parties and receptions! How do you choose? Fret not, The LA Beat is here. While this list is not comprehensive, it’s everything that’s on our schedule.

Face 2 Face: Saturday, July 14, 2012 @2pm. Harmony Gold Theatre 7655 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046 

Emmy-winning director Katherine Brooks, whose filmography includes acclaimed short films Finding Kate and Dear Emily, as well as a passel of reality show hits, will be premiering Face 2 Face at this year’s Outfest. This feature-length documentary follows Brooks as she travels 11,ooo miles to connect with 50 Facebook friends. Feeling isolated after a major surgery, she spent her time on Facebook until she had amassed 5,000 “friends. With all this virtual support, but no one to give her a real hug, she decided to meet the first 50 “friends” who responded to a request to visit. She had 50 responses in under 10 minutes. This is the story of her journey.

The Dream of Norma: Sat, Jul 14th 7:15pm REDCAT CalArts Theater at Walt Disney Concert Hall 631 West 2nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

This 8-minute long German short directed by Telémachos Alexiou features “A dancing duel between Norma, played by superstar Vaginal Davis, and her shadow.” There will be a pre-screening reception in the Redcat lobby as well as an after-party: HUMAN RESOURCES featuring performances by Justin Vivian Bond, Nao Bustamante and Jacolby Satterwhite

Satan’s Angel: Queen of the Fire Tassels: Sunday, July 15, 2012, 6:30pm Redcat – CalArts Theater at Walt Disney Concert Hall 631 West 2nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

At the age of 68, legendary lesbian burlesque dancer Satan’s Angel opens up about “…her childhood, affairs with movie stars…and a sexuality she refused to closet.” She hung with the Rat Pack, tripped with the Doors and traveled with Bob Hope with the USO. Directed by Joshua Dragotta, this film is “both a raucous look at the history of burlesque (featuring legends like Dixie Evans and Kitten Natividad) and a tender tale of love between Angel and her devoted girlfriend Vic, you won’t want to miss a moment of Satan’s Angel’s sexy life story.” 

Hairspray: The Sing-Along: Thu, Jul 19th 8:30pm The Ford Ampitheatre

Directed By: Adam Shankman and adapted by Leslie Dixon, it’s the Corny Collins Show! The hit film from 2012 Outfest Achievement Award honoree John Waters spawned a hit Broadway production, which spawned an all-star musical featuring John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken. Prepare yourself for a sing-a-long under the stars! There will be an after-party at Oil Can Harrys 11502 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 91604.

Jobriath AD: Fri, Jul 20th 10:00pm Redcat CalArts Theater at Walt Disney Concert Hall  631 West 2nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

At one time glamrocker Jobraith was touted as the more extreme David Bowie. He was one of the first openly gay rock musicians signed to a major label, and one of the first well-known figures to die of AIDS. Due to the media blitz, and perhaps his status as an openly gay male, he was rejected by the mainstream. He retired in January of 1975 and re-emerged as cabaret singer Cole Berlin. He was later rediscovered by musicians as diverse as Morrissey and Def Leppard. “Director Kieran Turner painstakingly traces Jobriath’s fascinating life from his childhood to his untimely death, using rare archival footage and interviews with the singer’s closest friends.”

Come early for legendary songstress Ann Magnuson’s Jobriath and David Bowie tribute show! (See ANN MAGNUSON LIVE PERFORMANCE: BOWIE CABARET AND THE JOBRIATH MEDLEY) Fri, Jul 20th 8:00pm (separate ticket required).

After the screening there will be a record release party for The Jobriath Medley.

Desperate Living: Saturday July 21, 2012, 9:30pm DGA 2

Desperate Living has been described as a comedy-fantasy-horror film. Besides John Waters’ usual suspects Mink Stole, Edith Massey, and Mary Vivian Pearce, it also stars the beautiful Liz Renay. Lesbian lovers Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole), a neurotic suburban housewife and her obese maid and lover, Grizelda Brown (Jean Hill), go on the lam after Grizelda smothers Peggy’s husband. They are caught and banished to a village ruled by the evil Queen Carlotta (Edith Massey). One of Outfest Achievement Award honoree John Waters’ early films, this is a rare opportunity to catch it on the big screen. Oh, and there is an 8-foot long lobster involved.

Elise Thompson

About Elise Thompson

Born and raised in the great city of Los Angeles, this food, culture and music-loving punk rock angeleno wants to turn you on to all that is funky, delicious and weird in the city. While Elise holds down the fort, her adventurous alter ego Kiki Maraschino is known to roam the country in search of catfish.
This entry was posted in Art, Events, Movies, Music. Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to LA Beat Recommendations for Outfest

  1. Jim Rosnack says:

    I cant wait for the Satan’s Angel Movie! I saw Angel perform here in Austin, and in Dallas and she tore the roof off of both places with standing ovations. Im looking forward to the premiere of this film and got my tix online so I dont end up in front of a “sold out” sign

  2. Mr Pyro says:

    There is NO lobster involved in Desperate Living!

Leave a Reply to Mr Pyro Cancel reply