ANNA WEBBER
A&E Assistant Editor
Los Angeles can be a difficult place to navigate when you don’t have the inside scoop on the entertainment beat. The sheer number of choices in the Malibu and Hollywood scenes can plunge students into the depths of confusion.
Often, it’s the venue that makes or breaks the night. And though Pepperdine is out of the city, it is so close to the action that there is no reason not to explore, starting with some of the most traveled hot spots that cater to the 18 and older set and are not to be missed.
House of Blues – Sunset Strip
What sets the Sunset House of Blues apart from the other House of Blues is their famous Sunday Gospel Brunch, a completely unique musical and dining experience. It offers a Southern-style buffet with all the typical breakfast favorites plus more unexpected southern delicacies. At the Gospel Brunch, be prepared to eat, drink, dance and sing as the uplifting and charismatic entertainers get down to soul music.
Still, the House of Blues offers a host of live music that ranges far beyond the realm of blues and soul. You will see artists like the classic rock band Jefferson Starship, pop singers like Ashlee Simpson and Ryan Cabrera, reggae band Israel Vibration, and rappers Xzibit and Method Man.
“When I was at the House of Blues last, I saw Buddy Guy,” senior Erin Wyche recalled. “My friend and I were up at the front dancing, and Buddy came down the stage and played a crazy guitar solo on my friends stomach, and gave me a pick.”
Aside from the entertainment, the House of Blues menu, which features Voodoo Shrimp, Tennessee Baby Back Ribs and its famous Creole Jambalaya, could help fill the void for homesick southern students.
Upcoming events: “An Evening of Comedy” with Jamie Kennedy on Aug. 30, Josh Gracin with Kelly Dalton on Sept. 6, and the Dave Matthews Tribute Band on Sept. 11.
The Whisky A Go-Go
The Whisky emerged on the Sunset Strip in January 1964, and it quickly became a breeding ground for some of the most famous rock ‘n’ rollers like Love, The Doors, Buffalo Springfield, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. In fact, Joplin guzzled her last bottle of Southern Comfort at the Whisky before her death in 1970. The Whisky’s history is long and far-reaching.
“I saw As I Lay Dying there,” said 2006 Pepperdine alum Chas Schroeder. “I went by myself and it turned out to be the best show. It’s a great venue, but you get a lot of scenesters trying to relive the old days. The Whisky plays a lot of hardcore shows.”
It has always been a Strip hot spot, but now a lot of lesser-known bands are able play there on a pay-to-play basis, meaning that if they don’t sell all the tickets issued by the venue, they buy them.
Upcoming events: Pete Yorn on Aug. 28, Kill Hannah on Sept. 3, and The Atomic Punks (A Van Halen Tribute Band) on Sept. 16.
The Roxy
The Roxy, an all-age venue in West Hollywood located on the Sunset Strip, is one of the most popular clubs for celebrities and rockers alike.
“The Roxy’s fun if you like the band that’s playing,” said senior James Rasmussen. “Last time I was there my good friend saw Tommy Lee and Slash at one of the tables and gave Tommy Lee a CD of her brother’s band who was playing.”
A trendy hangout for young Hollywood hipsters, it is also the legendary place where John Belushi spent his last night alive.
While every type of band has been known to play at the Roxy, most frequent are rock bands, heavy metal, pop and punk.
The club’s admission policy varies on the act, and though there is an inside bar called On The Rox, there are still 18 and over admission nights and frequent all-ages shows.
Upcoming events: Talib Kweli on Aug. 31, John Legend on Sept. 13 and Jackie Greene on Nov. 4.
The Greek Theatre
The Greek, originally built in 1929, seats 5,700 and is one of the top concert venues in the Los Angeles area. The beautiful open-air venue is located in Griffith Park by the observatory and is mostly used for concerts and stage shows. Some shows this summer include the Bob Marley Reggae Festival, the Black Crowes with the Robert Randolph Family Band, The Who, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and Fiona Apple.
“The Greek is my favorite venue,” said senior Kristel Kovner, who has seen a lot of shows there recently, including Ben Harper and Damien Marley, The Mars Volta, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and Ringo Starr. “I love the atmosphere. The trees, being outside under the stars — it feels intimate even though it’s a larger venue.”
Upcoming events: Melissa Etheridge on Aug. 31, 311 and the Wailers on Sept. 8, and Bonnie Raitt and Keb’ Mo’ on Sept. 9.
The Laugh Factory
The Laugh Factory originally opened up out of a tiny storefront on Sunset Strip in 1979. One of the best-known comedy clubs in the world, Adam Sandler, Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld are just a few who have performed unforgettable shows throughout the years.
Now, performers like Dane Cook, John Lovitz, and Bob Saget perform there, but the Laugh Factory also prides itself in welcoming up-and-coming comedians.
Mondays at 8 p.m. are the Factory’s Latino Night, a 19-year tradition showcasing popular Latino comics.
On Tuesday nights at 6 is the Factory’s open mic night where rookie comics get a chance to show what they’ve got. And at 10 p.m. the comedy club is home to “The Life of the Party with Jay Davis,” raved about as the hottest night in Hollywood in US Weekly, Page Six and People Magazine.
Also check out the Thursday line up with Asian Night at 8 p.m. and College Comedy at 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday nights boast super -star comics at the “All-Star Comedy show” at 8, 10 and 12 while Sunday evenings offer a special treat at 8 and 10 called “Chocolate Sundaes,” a full night of urban comedy featuring dynamic performances and great music hosted by Chris Spencer.
The Malibu Inn
Closer to home is the legendary Malibu Inn is the popular hangout among Pepperdine students in the area. It offers memory-making College Nights on Tuesdays, ridiculous bar games and weekly concerts. With its casual beach vibe, tasty late-night food and variety of musical performances, the Inn is one-of-a-kind. Adding to its appeal is the fact that all shows are now 18 and over and the Inn is right down the street.
“The Inn is a fun place to play,” said senior Joe Mullins who has performed there before. “I like how the stage is so intimate. It’s not as high as the Whisky, but it’s almost down on the same level as the audience. The sound there is great.”
Upcoming events: Led Zeppelin cover band called Led Zepagain on Sept. 16, the Taj Mahal Trio that has a rootsy blues-rock-folk sound and has been around since the late 1960s on Sept. 27 and for some straight funk, catch Fishbone on Oct. 7.
08-28-2006
