In my first weekend preview, you’re getting almost an entire week. What a deal! Here are some events for the week of 11/19-11/25:

Thursday, Nov 19

• Last two days for free admission to MOCA! Celebrate it’s 30th anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art. For your older “contemporary” art (pre-1980), head to the Grand Avenue gallery (250 S. Grand Ave). But if you want more current fare, you check out the Geffen Contemporary Center (152 N. Central Ave). That’s TWO museums for the price of NONE! On display now are highlights of the museum’s permanent collection. Get yer Rothko on.
• Want more art? Check out 365 & Counting, an examination of the first year of the Obama administration. Head to Studio 50 in Highland Park (131 N. Avenue 50). Will it be adulatory? Critical? Will it focus on his achievements of reaching out to our enemies and allies across the globe? Or his failure to make good on his many campaign promises to gays and progressives, like closing Guantanamo, letting gays serve openly in the military, or getting universal coverage as part of health care reform? Not sure. But it should definitely be a show worth checking out.

Friday, Nov 20

• Akbar (4356 Sunset Blvd.) is a safe bet for homo fun on a Friday night. Music tends to be eclectic, and gets lots of cute Silverlake boys and girls dancing the night away. Tonight’s DJ: Tom Walker.
• Shits and Giggles is every 3rd Friday at the 3100 Club (659 S. Westmoreland). DJs Victor Rodriguez and Chris Bowen are in charge of the fun.

Saturday, Nov 21

• Concerts! There are quite a few good concerts to check out on Saturday. How can you possibly choose? Peter Bjorn and John play at Club Nokia (800 W. Olympic Blvd), with El Perro del Mar. Fiery Furnaces are at El Rey Theatre ( 5515 Wilshire Blvd) with Cryptacize and Dent May (The FFs are making all their shows pro-health care reform rallies, god bless ‘em!). Plus, lots of bands (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Sea Wolf, The Nightwatchmen, Tom Gabel of Against Me!, etc.) are playing the a benefit concert for the Pablove Foundation (to fight children’s cancers) at the Avalon in Hollywood (1735 Vine St).
• Want to dance? Head to La Cita downtown (336 S. Hill St.) for Hungry Beat. DJs YY, Marion, B-Rok, Goodwill, and Michael will be playing indie pop, twee, and northern soul.
• Nobody walks in LA? Hardly. The Great Walk LA hosts their fourth annual cross city walk across this gigantic city! This year, they are undertaking a 15-mile urban hike down Adams and Washington Boulevard, from Downtown to Venice. This is truly a unique way to see the city, passing through so many neighborhoods that are usually passed by. Past years undertook some of the more famous boulevards of LA, such as Pico, Wilshire, and Santa Monica. It goes from 9 am to 6 pm.

Sunday, Nov 22

• The weather has cooled off, meaning that winter hiking season has just begun! Why not join Great Outdoors Los Angeles chapter for a 9-mile hike on the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains? The gay hiking group is tackling segment 7 (which includes some of the most rugged terrain in these mountains). Meet at 9 AM at the trailhead near 300 Stunt Road, in Calabasas (do a Google map search for directions). In addition to all the hiking essentials (water, hat, sunblock, good shoes, etc.), bring a potluck dish to share!
• If you’re looking to get your holiday shopping done, why not go green and support local businesses by checking out the Silverlake Arts*Crafts Vintage fair, at the corner of Silverlake and Glendale Boulevards? The fair is also a fundraiser for the Silverlake Library.
• Britpop night! Club Underground at The Echo (1822 W. Sunset).
• Are you a neo-burlesque circus fan? The Terry Beeman Dance Company presents “Mental Head Circus”, a vaudeville-inspired fusion of cabaret and classical dance. Sounds quite exciting! Tickets range from $10 to $35. At King King (6555 Hollywood Blvd.)

Monday, Nov 23

• Art fags go to Mustache Mondays at La Cita (336 S. Hill St.).

Tuesday, Nov 24

• Legendary comic illustrator R. Crumb’s new and controversial interpretation of Genesis is on display at the Hammer Museum (10899 Wilshire Blvd). His drawings have, predictably, drawn the outrage of religious conservatives who take issue with the light he shines on the more sexual and violent aspects of the first book of the Bible. The exhibit continues through February 7, 2010.
• Max Tundra and Deastro play the Echo (1822 Sunset Blvd), if you’re in an electronic, computer-rock mood. And Elle Macho plays with Mr. Gnome and Diamonds Under Fire at Silverlake Lounge (2906 Sunset Blvd), if you’re feeling more punk.

Wednesday, Nov 25

• Last July, nearly every homo west of Chicago descended on LA to see Grace Jones in one of her two North American shows at the Hollywood Bowl. The show was unforgettable! But if you needed a souvenir to jog your memory, you may have bought the iconic poster by Niagara. You can see all the posters from this year’s Bowl shows on display at the Arclight Theater (6360 W. Sunset Blvd). Posters for Death Cab, Liza Minnelli, Santigold, and Pink Martini are my faves. Posters are also for sale at La La Land Gallery. Show runs through January 5, 2010.