NEWS

Kick off the week with the Musexpo music conference, now in its sixth year. In what’s become an annual tradition on The Sunset Strip, this year Musexpo takes over the Whisky A Go-Go and the Viper Room to bring together 30 artists from 14 countries as they showcase their talent before the most influential names in the music business. Tonight, the Viper hosts Erik Hassle, Sissy Wish and Alana Lavendoski. Details about Musexpo and ticket info can be found at www.musexpo.net. www.viperroom.com www.whiskyagogo.com

Feeling indecisive? Head over to the Cat Club on Tuesday, April 27 for a lineup that covers an array of genres. Garage rock/pop group Fern Lane, hip-hop and soul from Countre Black, Mika Mulkey’s Hawaiian acoustic, a soulful acoustic set from Derek Jameson, and the Verbs are all on the bill. Doors open at 8 p.m., and admission is $8 or $5 with a flyer. www.myspace.com/thecatclub

PICK OF THE WEEK: Wednesday, April 28 spend the night with country crooner JD Bender and good time resident band Petty Cash. Quickly becoming a mid-week staple on The Strip, On The Rox is the place to party as you sing along to classic hits from Tom Petty and Johnny Cash in The Roxy’s newly refurbished VIP lounge. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are a low, low $5. 
www.theroxyonsunset.com

Get a double-dose of comedy on Thursday, April 29. Start your evening at Book Soup as one of our favorite comedians, Sarah Silverman, presents and signs The Bedwetter: Stories Of Courage, Redemption And Pee at 6 p.m. Keep the laughter rolling as you head over to The Comedy Store for Emerging Comics with Matt Taylor. Never short on hot new talent, this week’s new crop of freshmen features funny man Arik Martin. With so much comedy this Thursday, do yourself a favor and bring a change of shorts. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. The Comedy Store is 21 ages 21 and older. www.thecomedystore.com

Friday, April 30 cap off the work week with a sizzling lineup at the Viper Room. Join sexy siren Priscilla Fire as she turns up the heat with her soulful rock outfit, Fire At Play. Also rounding out this jam-packed night, Queen V, Zen Rizing and Evolove. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10 advance/$15 day of show.  www.viperroom.com

Flash back to piano ties and shoulder pads as Tainted Love performs all your favorite '80s hits when they take the stage at Key Club on Saturday, May 1. Known for their spot on renditions of classic new wave hits, Tainted Love will have you catching dance fever. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door. www.keyclub.com

Sunday, May 2 head back to the Viper Room to check out the pole dancing pros of Kelly Maglia’s Vertical Theatre. The show’s been described as, “a fusion of sensual, high-flying pole dance, burlesque and music theatre. Bordello meets Broadway. Circus meets concert.” After the show, learn the gravity defying techniques with a free lesson from the performers. Doors for this event open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10.  www.viperroom.com

--Brent X Mendoza