As it gets closer to Halloween for LAist, a contributer recollects her tale of staring down the serial killer, Richard Ramirez, otherwise known as the Night Stalker. Must think happy thoughts — okay, free organic chocolate chip cookies for Los Angeles — now that’s a happy thought. Other happy Los Angeles thoughts include an interview with Jack Kehler of The Big Lebowski (he was the Dude’s landlord), a beautiful and magical photographic moment in Venice…

>> Tonight’s Girl Talk show at Black Cat is sold-out, but if you’re desperate to go after reading our interview with opener Dan Deacon, craigslist has some options. Also White Williams, 8 p.m. >> The Hall Monitors heated up the DCist servers with their Three Stars appearance a few months back, and tonight they’ll be warming up the stage for Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray’s Heavy Trash and Denmark’s pshychobilly trio Powersolo at the…

LAist was comped front row seats by the Dodgers due to Malingering being struck by a foul ball last week, and she came back with some great photos, and earlier made fun of 4th of July on Venice Beach. But the biggest stories of the week was that the Mayor’s Hot Tamale was revealed, and that a Kwik-E-Mart was erected in Burbank. Phillyist was busy doing the Fourth of July up right, exercising their…

When we get to the busiest part of the classical music season, there is at least one worthy event, sometimes more than one, for every night of the week. No one is complaining, since we like to have concerts to hear, but it does require careful scheduling. WEDNESDAY: >> There is no question that, this Wednesday evening (February 21, 8 p.m.), the hottest classical ticket will be a free one. The Venice Baroque Orchestra, directed…

The -ists this week had politics on the brain. And what goes better with politics? Partying– that’s two great tastes in one. Oh, and Kevin Federline…can’t forget about Kevin Federline. That’s three great tastes in one. -Bostonist discussed two big state issues– what sort of math constitutes a marriage and what kind of alcohol can be sold in most grocery stores. And the politically minded Curt Schilling went on “Jeopardy!”. -Chicagoist celebrated the election news…

FRIDAY: >> Comets on Fire bring their detailed, funky prog sound to D.C., with openers Benjy Ferree(***) and (The Sounds of) Kaleidoscope at Black Cat. I (heart) music tells us that if you love Deep Purple, you’ll like Comets on Fire. Listen to a few tracks over at Hype Machine to test the waters. $12, 9:30 p.m. >> Looking for a straight-up chance to dance? Venezuela’s Los Amigos Invisibles always deliver, with DJ Afro at…

Washington may not be all that serene these days, what with the political goings-on and the influx of tourists. If you need a break, you can experience a bit of La Serenissima at the National Gallery of Art with Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and the Renaissance of Venetian Painting, an exhibit that opened a couple weeks ago and continues through September 17. Focusing on the first part of the 16th century in Venice, the exhibit combines…

Devoted opera listeners delight in having lots of high-quality live performances to attend. So it should be no surprise to find that two of Washington’s most devoted fans of opera — Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and yours truly — after hearing the premiere of Washington National Opera’s production of L’Elisir d’Amore on Saturday night, were reunited in the audience for Washington Concert Opera’s performance Sunday night at Lisner Auditorium. Artistic director and conductor…