LA SCOPE: What's On in LA This Spring

In song, dance, comedy and photography, artistic expression will rule the day this April and May.

By Christopher Lisotta

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

April 6–10

Though we lost Alvin Ailey to AIDS in 1989, his eponymous dance company continues to thrive. Their current national tour includes a stop at Orange County’s Segerstrom Hall, and will include works drawn from the company’s award-winning repertory. scfta.org

Robert Mapplethorpe:
The Perfect Medium

Opens March 20

A quarter-century after his death, Robert Mapplethorpe continues to challenge audiences with his erotically-charged monochromatic photography. Through a new cooperative exhibit with the Getty, LACMA will explore Mapplethorpe’s forays into other mediums, including color images, sculpture and video, but will stay rooted in the work that made him a lighting rod of controversy. lacma.org

Ellie Goulding

April 8

The English sensation, who famously played at Prince William’s royal wedding, will land at Staples Center, touring in support of her much-loved third studio album Delirium. Expect Goulding to play her global smash “Love Me Like You Do,” which hit No. 1 in 70 countries last year. staplescenter.com

David Sedaris

May 3

Essayist, playwright and author David
Sedaris’ readings at UCLA’s Royce Hall are legendary. The New Yorker contributor’s funny-yet-tender memories of his family life growing up in North Carolina, starving artist days in NYC, and later years as a celebrated expat in France and the U.K. have made him a household name to gay and straight audiences alike. cap.ucla.edu

Un-Cabaret

Sundays

The brainchild of “creatrix” Beth Lapides, UnCabaret has been hailed as one of LA’s most consistent comedy showcases for decades. Featuring performances by acclaimed funny thinkers, along with killer musical accompaniment from Mitch Kaplan, UnCabaret takes place most Sundays at AuLac, a vegan Vietnamese restaurant in the shadow of Walt Disney Hall. Gay faves abound in the lineup of rotating performers, including Coco Peru, Tig Notaro, Sandra Bernhard, Del Shores, Michael Patrick King and Julia Sweeney. So order a cocktail and get ready to laugh. uncabaret.com

Long Beach Pride

May 21–22

Long Beach sets the stage for the season with the first major Pride event of 2016. Attracting more than 80,000 festivalgoers to the city’s expansive waterfront, Long Beach Pride is known for being less cramped and easier to navigate than similar celebrations. longbeachpride.com

The Cure

May 22–24

Break out your dark eyeliner: the moodiest of 80’s goth bands is back! With Robert Smith at the helm, their version of hyper-pretentious teen angst will once again rule the Hollywood Bowl with a signature combo of indie cred and chart-topping hits. hollywoodbowl.com