THIS WEAKEND PLANNER IS WORKING UP A SERIOUS SWEAT

Friday, August 12
7:00am
GMA Summer Concert Series: Keith Urban at Bryant Park. (Between 40th and 42nd streets, and 5th and 6th avenues New York, NY, 10018)

12:30pm
Afternoon Arias in Bryant Park: Lunch time music doesn’t suck. When that lunch time music happens to be an outdoor concert from the New York City Opera, it doesn’t suck even more. Next Fri., too. Madame Butterly etc. @ Bryant Park, Sixth Ave @ 42^nd St., NY

7:00pm
CBGB’s Benefit Concert: Hilly Kristel’s hallowed hole in the wall got a reprieve Wednesday when a judge ruled that the landlord couldn’t evict the club from its longtime location for inadvertent non-payment of back rent. But the legal fight continues, and some of the biggest names in punk's storied history are lending their support via a series of must-see benefits. Kicking things off will be The Misfits.

8:00pm
Un-Cabaret’s Say the Word’s “What?” Festival Continues w/ “Did I Wake You?”: Kevin Nealon, Dana Gould, Merrill Markoe, Peter Mehlman, Rodney Rothman & Beth Lapides tell stories of enlightenment, raised consciousness, early risers & rude awakenings. This is a funny crew, kids. @ The Skirball Center (2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd) Tix: $8-$15. For Info: www.ticketweb.com

Theatricum Botanicum Presents: These Friday Nights: Outdoor series continues presenting intriguing songwriters sharing their stories & music under the stars. Tonight Julio Martinez hosts father/daughter blues singers Jesse & Jose Payo. For Info: www.theatricum.com or (310) 455-3723. @ The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum (1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga)

Liz Phair @ the Troubadour: She’s a lil bit indie & a lil bit pop, and she digs singin’ about the sex. Obviously, we love her for that. She’s got a new album, Somebody’s Miracle, too. For Info: (310) 276-6168 (9081 Santa Monica Blvd)

8:30pm
Institute @ the Roxy, LA: Go see what sexy Bush rocker, Gavin Rossdale’s been up to (& Helmet’s Chris Traynor). Ph: (310) 278-9457 (@ 9009 W. Sunset Blvd).

10:00pm
Pretty Persuasion: Excellent dark & f’d-up comedy starring James Woods, Evan Rachel Wood, Selma Blair, Ron Livingston & Jane Krakowski. Director Marcos Siega kicks ass weaving a story and its characters that are at once disturbing, shocking & hysterical. Evan plays Kimberly Joyce, a Beverly Hills 15-year-old who’s obsessed with being famous and manipulates everyone and everything around her to try to achieve it. Including accusing her teacher (Livingston) of sexual harassment.

Saturday, August 13
7:00am
Pure Power Boot Camp: Hardcore military-style training program. Base camp is a loft turned into an army barracks that’s modeled after Fort Knox. Really. Workouts last an hour, and we hear a lot of first-timers actually puke. Sweet. Other levels are available, though. But don’t be a pussy. Oh and if you go AWOL, Sergeant Lauren Brenner (check out the site, she’s the hot chick in the camouflage bikini top) will stalk you on your cell and even show up at your office to call you a sissy. Get on it, NY! (@ 38 W. 21^st St btwn 5/6^th Aves., NY) www.purepowerbootcamp.com

10:00am
www.Xperiencedays.com: Rad website dedicated to providing adventures all over the U.S. We’re talkin’ no matter what you’re lookin’ for. Flying a fighter plane, cooking classes w/big chefs, off-roading your Land Rover, etc.

11:00am
The Raven: Spa time in Silver Lake. It’s got an open-air entry hall with wicker recliners, a trickling fountain (now I have to go to the bathroom) & canvas umbrellas. Adding up to a Moroccan hideaway feel, not an east side one. The offer a bunch of different services from the house specialty, Traditional Thai massage to Reiki to deep tissue & coming soon: organic facials. (323) 644-0240. @ 2910 Rowena Ave @ Herkimer St.

12:00pm
LA Tofu Festival: 10^th annual, baby! Get your soy bean eating asses out to taste 100+ different tofu & soy dishes prepared by some of L.A.’s finest restaurants. Beer, wine & sake tasting. Music (Ozomalti, Gerlad Albright, etc), dance, crafts, tofu eating contests! Runs till 10pm today & 11am-9pm Sunday. @ San Pedro & 3^rd Sts., downtown L.A.

5:00pm
Good Charlotte @ Avalon Hollywood: Rockin’ good music nice & early for the hip kids. Keep your eyes peeled for Hilary Duff. @ 1753 N. Vine St., (323) 462-8900

7:00pm
Coldplay @ Alpine Valley Music Theater (Alpine Valley Resort Rd.,
East Troy, WI)

8:00pm
Aviatic at Citywalk outdoor stage.

9:30pm
Nimbus and Allrise at the Roxy: Two of the best bands in LA on one stage at a killer venue; does it get any better?

10:00pm
Red State Raiders’ Hollywood Pep Rally @ the UCB Theatre, L.A.: the Red State Raiders are invading America’s bluest cities so that they can show good right wingers how to win over converts. Starring some of today’s best comedic working actors: Matt Besser, Andrew Daly, Eddie Pepitone, Matt Walsh, more. Tix: $5 (@ 5919 Franklin Ave.)

Sunday, August 14
5:00am-3:00pm
Rose Flea Market: Get up really early and head down to the Rose Bowl to find really cool things, well, semi-cool things…ok so they aren’t cool, but they are cheap.

10:00am-10:00pm
Ventura County Fair at Seaside Park: This is the last day of this annual fair, so if you didn’t get a chance to go, now is the time.

TBA
Nisei Week Japanese Festival at Little Tokyo: Since 1934, the Japanese-American community has gathered each year in Little Tokyo for the Nisei Festival, a week of arts, parades, Asian food, music and the crowning of the Nisei Week Queen. Check the official website for times: www.niseiweek.org/

7:00pm
Gorilla Biscuits and Black Train Jack @CBGB’s benefit concert series
Digital Underground @ Normandie Casino in Gardena

7:30pm
Asssscat @ UCB Theatre: The best long form Improv show around w/weekly celeb guests. The L.A. theatre’s 7:30pm show is free, in NY the 7:30pm show is $8, but the 9:30pm show is free. For locations/info: www.ucbtheatre.com

8:00pm
Cake @ House of Blues, Anaheim: Check w/venue day of show to confirm time Info: (714) 778-2583 / www.hob.com

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers @ Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre, Irvine

Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, August 16
8pm
Porcelain @ the Roxy: This is an amazing live band!!! Doors open at 8:00pm

JE-C’S NEW-MOVIE RUNDOWN

Four Brothers
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund
Synopsis: Four brothers set out to avenge the murder of their mother, which they suspect may not have been the convenience-store robbery it looked like.
Thoughts: Oh yeah, I can’t wait for this one. Singleton has made some classics, and this, I am hoping,, is another one!!! I will be there opening night.

Deuce Bigalow: European Gigalo
Starring: Rob Schneider, Eddie Griffin, Til Schweiger, Hanna Verboom, Jean Reno and Edwin Alofs
Synopsis: Deuce Bigalow heads to Amsterdam to bail out his ex-pimp, T.J. Hicks, who's being blamed for the murders of some of Europe's most well-known gigolos. Of course, in the process, he finds himself dealing with a whole new bunch of freakish clients.
Thoughts: I saw the first, and all I have to say is “Oy Gavolt!”

The Great Raid
Starring: Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Joseph Fiennes, Max Martini, James Carpinello and Mark Consuelos
Synopsis: During World War II, an elite military squad is sent to rescue 500 Americans from a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines.
Thoughts: A great cast, an amazing true story, I think this movie could be a sleeper.

Skeleton Key
Starring: Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, John Hurt, Peter Sarsgaard, Joy Bryant and Maxine Barnett
Synopsis: Caroline takes a job as a live-in nurse caring for the sick husband of an elderly woman at their run-down mansion outside of New Orleans. She begins to explore the house using a skeleton key that unlocks every door and uncovers a terrible secret in the attic.
Thoughts: This movie has a pretty good cast, but how many scary movies can we watch? I mean, who knows which ones are going to be good or not, I’m so sick of seeing the coming attractions for these that I leave it up to you people to decide for yourself.

Other movies opening this week in limited release:
Pretty Persuasion
Asylum

JE-C’S TOP 5 MOVIES OF THE YEAR
5. Wedding Crashers: This movie had me laughing the entire time. Vince Vaughn is hilarious, and it is just one of those movies where the most absurd things happen and you just can’t help but laugh. If you are one of the three people who haven’t seen it yet, you are missing out.
4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: When the reviews first came out, people were saying Depp was too over-the-top. I completely disagree, Depp was awesome as always, and Tim Burton created an awesome new look for this classic remake. I even liked the new ending!
3. Hustle & Flow: Talk about a movie that hit home, this was it. For the past 4 years this has been my life to a certain extent. To actually be able to watch it on the big screen brought back memories. I was able to relate to the struggles of making it big in the business and all the countless hours spent in the studio trying to make the songs just right. I think everyone can relate to it on some level, not just hip-hop fans.
2. Batman Begins: Like I predicted when I saw the coming attractions over a year ago, this movie was my favorite “summer blockbuster” and has restored the Batman franchise back to where it should be. It also lived up to the hype unlike most of the summer movies. Christian Bale made an awesome Batman. I can’t wait for the sequel!!!
1. Crash: The best movie of the year so far!!! Crash is so on point it’s scary. I saw it two times in the same weekend, and it affected me the same way both times. This movie is a classic in so many ways and one of the best movies I have ever seen.

BIGGEST DISAPOINTMENTS
War of The Worlds: Spielberg, buddy, you let me down. I can usually always count on you delivering a classic movie, but this was far from that.
Fantastic Four: When I saw the coming attractions for this movie, I wanted to see it, it was on my must see list, but then I heard the word of mouth and have yet to see it. I don’t even know if I would bother renting it.

DVD I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT WEEK
Sin City: By far one of the coolest movies of the year not to mention one of the best adaptions of a comic book ever to hit the big screen. I can’t wait to finally add this movie to my ever-growing movie collection.

Favorite songs this week:
Stereophonics: Dakota
Marjorie Fair: Empty Room
Trapt: Stand Up

COOL NEW SHOW TO CHECK OUT
Weeds, starring Mary Louise Parker, on Showtime Monday nights.