Arts Briefs: Fundraiser at Flappers Comedy Club will benefit victims of Flint water crisis
Flint, Mich. resident Jessica Owens holds a baby bottle filled with contamined water during a news conference after attending a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Feb. 3, 2016.
Laughs for Flint
Christopher Titus will lead a fundraising show Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank that will benefit residents of Flint, Michigan, who have infamously been victimized by water contaminated by high levels of lead poisoning. Titus will be joined by comedians from “The 99% Funnies Podcast.” Proceeds will be given to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
The price tag for fixing water pipes in Flint is estimated to be above $1 billion. Organizers of the show are asking for “any dollar amount” to the fund.
Titus is currently on a tour of U.S. venues, and performs comedy rooted in uncomfortable experiences in his personal life. He’s fittingly called his most recent show “The Angry Pursuit Of Happiness.” For the Flint benefit, comedy fans are being asked to donate to a special GoFundMe account in lieu of a $20 ticket.
Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant is at 102 East Magnolia Blvd., in Burbank. More info at (818) 845-9721.
American Music
Yodeling champion, guitarist and banjo vet Larry Wilder brings his love for Americana music to the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena on March 14.
Now based in Portland, Oregon, the traveling musician began his career in Southern California with a gig at Knott’s Berry Farm, making music that showed his core influences of the Carter Family, Earl Scruggs, Hank Williams, Chet Atkins and more. He’s shared stages with the likes of Pete Seeger and Willie Nelson, and has brought his bluegrass and folk-fueled music as far as the Banjo Jamboree in the Czech Republic.
“Music is one good avenue for healing and working together,” said Wilder.
Opening the show will be singer-songwriter John Bergstrom. It begins 8 p.m. on March 14 at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. Tickets are $15 admission. More info: (626) 798-6236.
Return to ‘Andersonville’
Based on a little-remembered historic tragedy, “The Andersonville Trial” is set to return to the local stage on March 5 at the Grove Theatre Center in Burbank. The play is an exploration of Civil War-era conscience and guilt written by Saul Levitt that recounts the trial of a commander of a Confederate prison where thousands of Union soldiers died.
The play began as a Tony Award-nominated play starring George C. Scott, then was adapted into an Emmy-winning TV program. The current production is from Wasatch Theatrical Ventures, a not-for-profit producer that specializes in American plays.
The planned monthlong run of “The Andersonville Trial” at the Grove is being directed by Gary Lee Reed, who happens to be a descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Reed is known as a Los Angeles area director and art director, whose last directing work was “Shades” at LATC.
“The Andersonville Trial” opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5 and runs at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday through April 10. The Grove Theatre Center is at 1111-B West Olive Ave. Burbank. Tickets are $25. More info: (323) 960-7738 or plays411.com/Andersonville.