UCLA theater student Heather Leimberg trained her whole life to perform on Broadway. This past summer, sweating in ballet class and nailing those notes in singing lessons paid off when she shared the stage of New York’s Neil Simon Theatre with Tony Award winners as part of the ensemble cast in the musical “Hairspray.” Based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name, “Hairspray” is set in the 1960s, following Tracy Turnblad’s transformation into a teen celebrity after winning a spot on a local television dance program. Read more...

One seldom finds a comedy show more concerned with making the audience talk than making them listen. But that’s what Standup For Peace is all about ““ talking. Read more...

Submerged in a sea of bling-bling rap and garage rock is a growing pool of talented singer-songwriters. Along with musicians like Iron & Wine and Ryan Adams, Mark Kozelek is at the forefront of this movement. Read more...

Rock ‘n’ roll is bad for your health, or so local garage rock band Kennedy wanted us to believe at their Spaceland show last Thursday night. Read more...

Charles Mee Q&A Macgowan Little Theater Jan. 24, 8 p.m. The mysterious playwright makes a rare public appearance on campus to field questions from students who are either utterly bewildered by his downloadable plays or in awe of his work. Read more...

It seems that you can’t open a magazine these days without reading a prediction about “the next big thing” in music or the underground band that is “going to be the next Nirvana.” While many get swept up in praise, one such band, New York’s Coheed and Cambria, who will be playing at the Troubadour Tuesday and Wednesday night, haven’t let the hype get to their heads. Read more...

Rich Robinson The Viper Room Jan. 22, 8:30 p.m. Remember the Black Crowes? Not the crows who counted and sang about old man Mr. Jones, but those guys from Georgia who were big in the ’90s. Read more...