HOLA MEXICO FILM FESTIVAL: It's heading for six cities, and Los Angeles is its first stop. Features, shorts, docs, and "sexy comedies" are on the bill. And an opening AND closing night fiesta. The dates are April 29-May 4, the place is ArcLight Hollywood. What new director will you discover? We don't believe Guillermo del Toro has any works in the fest, but we must give bow before his singular brand of fantasy-horror, what with "The Hobbit" in the headlines. Can. Not. Wait.
THE 34TH ANNUAL DOO DAH PARADE: Same weird floats. Same "what is that group saying with that odd interpretive dance" moments. Same candy tossed into the crowd. Well, new candy, we hope. We love this Pasadena institution. And we'll follow it to its new east Pas location. Saturday, May 1
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: It comes right before the summer blockbuster season, which is perfect. Several shops around town are not only giving away free comics, but they're featuring authors, artists, and other festive to-dos. We heard there might be a Fraggle at Meltdown? Saturday, May 1
THE 2010 LA ROCK N ROLL TRIBUTE FESTIVAL: Let's give it up for the outfits out there bringing the songs they didn't write but can certainly sing to entertaining life. Ten tribute bands, one stage, several rock-it-out hours. Santa Clarita, May 1
LA CROSSWORDS TOURNAMENT: A competition for the newbie. A contest for the season word-filler-inner. A lively day at Loyola Marymount for all across-and-down aficionados. Plus, comic banter. Plus, lunch. Plus, other people who adore brain-challenging puzzlery. Saturday, May 1
