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Secret Headquarters, known to some simply as a comic book store in Silver Lake, to others it’s one of the ten best bookstores in the world, but to me it’s the geek equivalent to the bar from TV’s “Cheers”. Now I may not go to my local joint everyday like those Boston lushes on the show, but I do take a leisurely stroll down Sunset Blvd. to pick me up some funny books every Wednesday where everybody (maybe?) knows my name. Not only do I get to enjoy some stimulating conversation with the comic book bartenders whilst I peruse their fine selection of comics, zines, graphic novels, and books by artists, on occasion I actually do get to enjoy a beer, or three, there as well. Those occasions being one of their art openings in their fantastic space that doubles as an art gallery. This Friday marks their latest opening featuring MATS!?

From the not-so-secret files of Secret Headquarters:

“MATS!? was born in France to itinerant Swedish parents. He commits his first artistic act in kindergarten in the form of a scatological graffiti on the blackboard. Rewarded as he was with corporal punishment, the artistic path was thus laid.

Mats!? past sporadic outputs of comic work, interspersed with commercial illustration work has given way to bouts of throwing paint on canvas as well as printing on glass. Through various mediums,the unifying factor in his work is his use of a visual vocabulary rooted in comics as means of expression.

Mats!? might be best known for his critically acclaimed book Asiaddict, an amazing cartoon travel log of his bizarre trip through Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Mats!? has also created art for Last Gasp comix, Comix 2000, as well as the magazines Real Stuff (Fantagraphics) Buzzard (Cat-head comics), Hustler, Screw and BLAB!

The artist will attend the opening from 8pm to 10pm.

Secret Headquarters will feature Mats!? one-of-a kind original works of art through April 30th, 2008.”

Secret Headquarters is located on 3817 W Sunset Blvd. LA 90026 and is open Monday through Friday from 11am-9pm and on Sundays 12pm-7pm.

Have you seen King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters yet? No? Well after you’re done slapping yourself in the face for sleeping on one of last year’s most entertaining films-documentary or otherwise, you may want to pinch yourself to make sure that what the good people at Machine Project have brought you isn’t just a dream. In conjunction with the Echo Park Film Center’s Thursday night screening of the King of Kong, the gallery folk next door will be satiating every retro gamers 8-bit fantasy: a 6 foot tall functioning Atari joystick. The joystick was recently part of Gallery 1988’s annual “I am 8-Bit” group art show and brought countless smiles to patrons faces as they played various retro games projected on the gallery wall.

From the maniacs at Machine Project:

“While the screening is going on next door, we’ll be giving you to the chance to start your own overblown gaming rivalry using a giant 6-foot-tall functional joystick! Come play Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and other classic-era video games projected on a wall-sized screen in the gallery.”

Although jumping over barrels while using your foot rather that your thumb is absolutely awesome, the real entertainment is at the King of Kong screening. The film follows two unlikely adversaries in Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe as they battle for the Donkey Kong world record scoring crown. Sounds pretty geeky, I know, but the film is more than just a video game showdown it’s the classic tale of good guy versus bad guy.  Only this time it’s set in loud arcades filled with crappy pizza and pimply faced teens. And pimply faced adults as well. Check the trailer here:

The King of Kong: A Fistfull of Quarters will be screening Thursday at 8pm, tickets are $5. Video Gaming shenanigans go from 8-11pm at Machine Project.

The Echo Park Film Center is located on 1200 N. Alvorado Street (at Sunset Blvd.) LA 90026. Machine Project is located right next door at 1200 D.

If you’re a fan of laughter in the form of sketch comedy, live in Los Angeles, and are able to breath air, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t check out Emily Maya Mills new show Wall of Sound at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater tomorrow night. A veteran of stand-up, sketch and improv at many of the city’s top alternative comedy venues, Emily is not only performing in this show but shares writing duties as well. When Emily isn’t charming your socks off or making milk come out of your nose by making you laugh, she “imagines flying on the back of a friendly, long-necked dragon when she can’t sleep.” Wall of Sound premieres this Thursday at 8pm and if you’ve seen the lines outside the theater the nights of shows you know to arrive early. And If you don’t know about the lines outside the theater on nights of shows you should know to arrive early.

From the ultra talented Miss Emily Maya Mills herself:

“Dear Everybody Ever:

As a writer and performer, I’m really very proud of this show. Sketch may not be your cup of tea but I assure you, this is work worth seeing. My team WALL of SOUND debuts this Thursday at 8 pm at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. We are genius. I love you madly.

Teeny Tiny Kisses,
Emily Maya Mills

UCB’s MAUDE NIGHT! - “Sketch comedy from some of UCBTLA’s best sketch writers and performers!
Maude Night is your chance to see what the funniest, smartest people in Los Angeles are creating for the stage.”

The UCB Theater is located on 5919 Franklin Ave. Hollywood 90028 and features many of today’s top comedians and is responsible for Amy Poehler making millions of people laugh on Saturday Night Live. Or at least several thousand.