The Bucket List | April 2015

Every month Entertainment Voice provides our readers with “The Bucket List,” a round up of the best events in and around Los Angeles. This month Spring is in full effect and that means there is so much to do throughout L.A., and as every Angeleno knows April is all about the music! Huge acts such as Maroon 5, Fleetwood Mac and Ariana Grande will grace The Forum and Goldenvoice’s back to back festivals Coachella and Stagecoach will take over Indio, California just outside of Palm Springs. Also, make sure not to miss events such as The Music of David Lynch, Artopia and the Festival of Book at USC. With so much to do, get to planning, so you don’t get left behind on a second of the excitement that April has in store for you.

Music of David Lynch Films at Ace Hotel | April 1
“The Elephant Man,” “Blue Velvet,” “Mulholland Dr,” these are just a few of the films David Lynch has brought the world. With the recent announcement of the cult classic “Twin Peaks” making a comeback next year, it’s perfect timing for the man behind it all to be celebrated. It’s not just any typical celebratory shindig though, it’s a night filled with the music that made his movies pop. A night out at this event will garner performances from Karen O, Moby, Angelo Badalamenti, The Flaming Lips, Zola Jesus and much, much more. With the Lips Wayne Coyne being in the mix, one of the surprise guests may be the twerk queen, Miley Cyrus. The best part about this night that it’s all for a great cause, with proceeds going to the Foundation to bring Transcendental Meditation to at-risk populations.

Maroon 5 at The Forum | April 3 + 4
In 2002, no one out was making music quite like Maroon 5. They embodied the mentality of a rock band and performed as such, but their “Songs About Jane” oozed a sensuality that millions ate up. They managed to ride that debut for five years before they released a follow-up and continue their streak as one of the best chart toppers out there. Today if you don’t know their music, you know their name thanks to their leading man’s antics on NBC’s hit, “The Voice.” Whether you’ve been a fan for over a decade, or came in thanks to a reality show, one thing’s for sure, these are two nights at The Forum that can’t be missed.

Ariana Grande at The Forum | April 8
Last year was undeniably owned by female pop stars and one of the biggest was Ariana Grande. A Nickelodeon star that outshone her castmates, Grande left the small screen and made a big impression on the world with songs like “The Way” back in 2011. However, fast forward to 2014 and she was more than a song on the radio, she was a household name thanks to “Problem” and “Break Free.” With a star that’s constantly rising, Grande entered the new year with her current hit, “One Last Time.” With a handful of hits on TV and on the charts, this young star is heading out on The Honeymoon Tour and hitting the recently remodeled Forum in Inglewood with Cashmere Cat and Rixton.

Chicago at Fred Kavli | April 9-12
Before it was a Broadway smash, it was a play back in the 1920’s. The same year John Travolta and Olivia Newton John made “Grease” the word, “Chicago” was brought to the stage once again at the 46th Street Theatre. It was a hit, with almost a thousand shows in two years. It was revived in 1996 for Broadway, and its popularity inspired the 2002 film starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah, and Renée Zellweger. Now “Chicago” is performed around the world but is coming to Thousand Oaks for a special, short time at Fred Kavil. It’s suggested for mature audiences due to the adult nature of the play

Coachella | April 10-12 + April 17-19
No, it’s not in the L.A. area, but many Angelenos as well as thousands from around the world will be flocking to the Indio desert to the annual music festival that’s gotten so popular and in demand, they had to add another weekend. It’s a weekend filled with a variety of acts from every walk of life. Where else can you see AC/DC one night and Drake the next? Other than music, it’s a celebration of life, love and the arts – of all forms. In addition, it’s one of the best places to spot a celebrity. Everyone from A-listers like Beyonce and Leonardo DiCaprio to young starlets like Selena Gomez and the Kardashian kids head out, so make sure you do too.

Fleetwood Mac at The Forum | April 10 + 14
IMAX technology was being toyed with in Canada, Disney’s “The Jungle Book” was delighting kids everywhere, Muhammad Ali was at the top of his game, and a band in London by the name of Fleetwood Mac was forming. Unbeknownst to them they would go on to have a career that spanned almost half a century. There’s something magnetic about seeing the guys and gal of this group live. There are young artists out today who couldn’t hold a candle to their live shows and if you have the chance, don’t miss out. You have not one, but two nights to catch these living legends in their element at the newly remodeled Forum.

Bill Bellamy at Hollywood Improv | April 12
Without Bill Bellamy, the world would be without the term “booty call.” Yup, the man who coined the phrase we’ve all used one too many times in our lives is hitting L.A. and the Hollywood Improv this month. Best known to kids of the ‘90s who spent their afternoons, nights, and weekends with MTV, Bill was a mainstay at that network for years and managed to make a name for himself in movies like “How to Be a Player” and “Any Given Sunday.” Always a stand-up, the 50-year-old funnyman is heading to the Improv and dishing out the ins and outs of what’s been going on with him as well as delivering his signature style his fans have loved for years.

FKA Twigs at Belasco Theatre | April 14
If you’re a fan of this rising star but didn’t have the means to make it out to Coachella, well you’re in luck because she’s doing one gig in between her weekends in the desert right here in Downtown Los Angeles. Just a few years into the game and she’s been on the tip of everyone’s lips and the top of everyone’s “must-watch” lists since she dropped her debut, “EP1,” back in 2012. Since then she’s released two more EPs as well as a full length last year. She’s been mentioned in almost every blog under the sun and for good reason, so don’t sleep on this concert.

Azealia Banks at Club Nokia | April 16
She’s considered a force to be reckoned with in her music and personality. Two years ago, she released her debut “1991.” Then fans and haters alike sat around waiting anxiously for the follow-up. The world finally got it when “Broke with Expensive Taste” came out late last year. Now she’s ready to take on the world by heading out on tour and if you’re not going for the music, go for what she’ll say in between songs.

Festival of Books at USC | April 18 + 19
Bookworms unite at the annual Festival of Books presented by the L.A. Times. It’s a weekend made for not only readers, but writers alike. Hundreds of authors will be on deck doing readings, lectures, and workshops throughout the two days including “Veep’s” Tony Hale, Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, and the always funny Patton Oswalt. The greatest part of it all is that getting won’t cost you a thing. Note though, that some of the authors will be charging a fee. So make sure to bring some cash and enjoy. In addition, take the Metro there and cut the cost of gas and parking.

Faith No More at The Wiltern | April 22-24
The ‘80s was a tricky time for music, but those who made it out alive and well are gems and we can’t get enough of them. Speaking of, one of the best rock bands from that time is still going at it. Faith No More are gearing up for the release of their seventh studio album on May 19 called, “Sol Invictus.” With a new record under their belt, they are also strapping on their guitars and tuning the drums for a headlining tour that’s coming to L.A. towards the end of the month. It’s not just one night; it’s a triple dose of rock as they take over three nights in a row.

Stagecoach Festival | April 24-26
After all the hipsters have evacuated the desert, the Country fans move in and take over for a weekend full of some good old fashioned, honky-tonk times. Other than the countless Country awards shows on throughout the year, this is the only place you can catch Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton in one place…And that’s just the headliners. Other acts include Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves, “The Voice” winner Cassadee Pope, Kip Moore, Dierks Bentley and much, much more. Grab your cowboy hat and boots, get ready for some fun in the sun and have a great time with this one.

Motown the Musical at Pantages | April 28 – June 7
Berry Gordy’s story has never sounded better. The man behind Motown, the man who changed the music industry for the better, the legend. His tale is being brought to the Pantages stage throughout June and it’s a show that’s a must-see. It’s over two and a half hours of the music that made Motown the icon it is today. This show incorporates so many hits that it will be impossible to not dance in your seat. Songs like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Good Morning Heartache,” “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone,” “What’s Going On” and so much more will fill the theater and your soul, and leave you singing and dancing long after the curtains close.

Artopia | April 30
Love art? Love music? Love food? This is the place you have to be when April wraps up. Held at The Container Yard in Downtown L.A., Artopia is one of the coolest places to be this month as it intertwines the art culture of the city with a night of live music, delicious food and a healthy dose of drinks. That’s right; there will also be mixing in some mixology for those who want to have a little something stronger with their dinner. With that said, it’s a 21+ event, so no kids or youngsters allowed.