Get sprung: Top entertainment picks for spring quarter

Spring quarter is an exciting time around these parts: The days are longer, the sky is sunnier, and there is an infectious sense of starting fresh. From annual campus traditions like Spring Sing to big premieres, concerts, exhibits and shows, it is easy to forget about classes when there are so many better alternatives. Bust out your calendar, forget about essays and midterms for a while, and plan how you are going to luxuriate in the next 10 weeks.

Compiled by Edward Truong, Shelley Brown, Alex Wolf, Maryia Krivoruchko, Saba Mohtasham, Nicholas Williams, A&E senior staff.

Film/TV

“Top Chef Masters”

Bravo

April 7, 11 p.m.

The world’s best chefs come together for the second season of this highly rated competition series to earn the title of top chef master. Hosted by food journalist Kelly Choi, the show challenges chefs to cook up tasty fare that appeals to everyone.

“Date Night”

20th Century Fox

April 9

NBC sitcom standouts Steve Carell and Tina Fey join forces to play a married couple caught up in a crazy case of mistaken identity while trying to enjoy an evening on the town. Hilarity will likely ensue, unless it’s like “Dan in Real Life” and Dane Cook shows up.

“The Tudors”

Showtime

April 11, 9 p.m.

History seems so much more fun when it’s on a premium channel. The Showtime series, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, returns for a fourth season of politics, power and polygamy.

“Glee”

FOX

April 13, 9:28 p.m.

The snarkiest high school music since … well, ever, returns for the second half of the season. Look forward to a full episode with songs from Madonna, as well as guest appearances from Neil Patrick Harris, Idina Menzel and Olivia Newton-John.

“Iron Man 2″

Paramount Pictures

May 7

Robert Downey Jr. is back as Tony Stark, the playboy billionaire inventor slash superhero with the heart of iron. This time, he takes on a very scary Mickey Rourke as Whiplash.

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”

Walt Disney Pictures

May 28

Perhaps only one man could play the part since Andy Samberg compared Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to a hairy Jake Gyllenhaal on “Saturday Night Live.” Now, Gyllenhaal will transform into the video game hero and attempt to save the world from an evil sandstorm.

“Sex and the City 2″

HBO Films

May 28

The trailer may be uber-ambiguous, but it’s also replete with the fashion and glamour that have made the story of these four New York women into a cultural phenomenon. It’s hard to tell what “Sex and the City 2″ has in store for them, but we can count on a trip to Morocco and even visits from Carrie’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) old flame Aidan (John Corbett) and … Miley Cyrus?

“Robin Hood”

Universal Pictures

May 14

Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott team up yet again on this adventure chronicling how the man became the legend known as Robin Hood. Crowe reprises his “Gladiator” status (and haircut) as this larger-than-life character, and he is joined by an A-list cast, including Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian.

“Happy Town”

ABC

April 28, 10 p.m.

The age-old tale of a quiet little town with a big secret makes up the plot of this new series. This time the victim is the quaint town of Haplin, Minn., whose good people are threatened by a slew of child kidnappings and an eerie menace referred to as “the Magic Man.”

“The Good Guys”

FOX

Special Preview ““ May 19, 8 p.m.

Premiere ““ June 7, 9 p.m.

This new action-packed cop comedy takes place in the 1970s and is reminiscent of “Starsky and Hutch.” The unlikely duo of Bradley Whitford’s (“The West Wing”) experienced but washed-up cop and Colin Hanks’ (“Orange County”) young, by-the-book detective comes together to solve crimes in Dallas.

Theater

“Before Slippers Were Made of Glass”

Sunday

Macgowan Hall ““ Freud Playhouse

Dancers from the United Khmer Students present a free play that reinterprets two traditional Cambodian folktales, “Moranak Meada” and “Sappsitt.”

Korean Culture Night

April 8

Royce Hall

The 18th annual Korean Culture Night features traditional Korean song and dance and a presentation of the drama “In the Making Piece.”

“Just Imagine”

Until April 30

Platinum Live

Hailed by many critics as the best and last John Lennon concert that never was, Tim Piper delivers a spot-on and heartfelt rendition of the legend himself.

“Chicago ““ The Musical”

April 20-May 9

Pantages Theater

Guaranteed to please all audiences, this sexy, witty and entertaining musical will have you ready to paint the town and all that jazz.

“Nightmare Alley”

April 13-May 23

Geffen Playhouse

Based on the 1946 novel, the world premiere of “Nightmare Alley” promises to deliver dark and evocative music, special effects, and a stage performance that will firmly wrap itself around anyone’s spirit and “make believers of us all.”

“Elektra”

April 14-17

Macgowan Hall ““ Little Theater

Directed by graduate directing student Monica Payne and based off of the tale of Euripides, this Richard Strauss opera features a new take on what audiences expect from a parable of vengeance.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

April 24

Geffen Playhouse

The Geffen Playhouse features the Shakespeare classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as part of its latest installment of the “Saturday Scene” family series for ages 5 and up.

“South Pacific”

May 27-July 17

Ahmanson Theatre

The 10-time Tony Award-winning musical and one of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time makes its way to Los Angeles, a must-see for all theater enthusiasts.

“The 101 Dalmatians Musical”

June 8-20

Pantages Theater

Joining the ranks of “Beauty and the Beast,” “Tarzan” and “The Little Mermaid,” Disney’s latest movie-to-musical incarnation adds new song and dance to the canine classic.

Art & Lifestyle

“In the Service of The Buddha: Tibetan Furniture from the Hayward Family Collection”

Until Saturday

LACMA

The premier collection of Tibetan furniture from the Hayward Family Collection will be showcased. Created mainly for Buddhist monasteries and households, the various types and styles of Tibetan furniture will be featured.

“In Focus: Tasteful Pictures”

April 6

The Getty Center

This exhibition draws exclusively from the museum’s photograph collection, featuring the subject of food. Featured photographers include Roger Fenton, Adolphe Braun, Edward Weston, Bill Owens, Martin Parr and Taryn Simon.

“Monsters and Miracles: A Journey through Jewish Picture Books”

April 8

Skirball Cultural Center

Come check out more than 100 illustrations from an eclectic set of classic and modern favorite texts. The exhibition traces the history, from the 16th century to the present, of the Jewish picture book. Featured authors include Lemony Snicket, Maurice Sendak, Art Spiegelman, Arnold Lobel and many others.

Bike Night

April 8

Hammer Museum

Cycle to the Hammer and enjoy free food, music and entrance to exhibits. If that doesn’t get your spokes in a bunch, there will also be a screening of “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.”

Daria Martin: “Minotaur”

April 10

Hammer Museum

London-based artist Daria Martin’s 16 mm film “Minotaur” is a tribute to dance pioneer Anna Halprin. The film is about a Halprin dance based on the Rodin sculpture, Minotaur. The erotic content and choreographed physical movement in the film combine both mainstream and experimental filmmaking techniques.

“The Red Book of C. G. Jung”

April 11

Hammer Museum

Celebrated psychologist Carl Jung’s “Red Book,” considered the most influential unpublished work in the history of psychology, has been viewed by very few. The text, which spent most of its existence in the Swiss safe-deposit box, will be making its first public presentation.

“Myths, Legends and Cultural Renewal: Wagner’s Sources”

April 15

LACMA

This exhibit explores the tradition of German and Nordic mythology and its emergences in the modern era. From composer Richard Wagner to Goethe to the Brothers Grimm, this exhibition explores the reincarnations of ancient Germanic myths and legends in culture.

Friedrich Kunath

April 17

Hammer Museum

Friedrich Kunath uses a variety of mediums: drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, photography and a neon sign. Depicting the fundamentals of human emotion, Kunath’s eclectic set of work will be covering the Hammer’s lobby walls.

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

April 24-25

UCLA campus

Come see your favorite authors and celebrities that you didn’t know were authors, such as Sarah Silverman, Buzz Aldrin, Ryan Adams, Dave Eggers, Wil Wheaton and many more.

“Printing the Grand Manner: Charles Le Brun and Monumental Prints in the Age of Louis XIV”

May 19

The Getty Center

Large-scale, high quality prints and engravings of the late 17th century will be showcased. The prints and engravings are meant to bring to mind celebrated artist Charles Le Brun and provide a new aspect into the era of the “Sun King,” Louis XIV.

“Courtly and Urban Batik from Java”

May 23

The Fowler Museum

Taken from Fowler’s holdings of Indonesian textiles, UCLA’s Fowler Museum will showcase 11 urban and courtly batik textiles from Java. The contrasting batik styles give the viewer two different views into the art of batik.

“Document: Iranian-Americans in Los Angeles”

June 6

The Fowler Museum

Come see the collaboration of four photographers ““ Farhad Parsa, Arash Saedinia, Parisa Taghizadeh and Ramin Talaie ““ as they attempt to capture the diverse experiences of second-generation Iranian-Americans through the lens.

Music

Taylor Swift

April 15-16, 7 p.m.

Staples Center

The bubbly country pop singer is stopping at Staples Center for two performances during her 2010 “Fearless” tour.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

April 16-18

Empire Polo Club

Hipsters and hipsters-in-denial, hitch your wagons to Indio to see headlining acts such as Jay-Z, Muse and Gorillaz, in addition to dozens of other performers. Remember to stay hydrated.

Baaba Maal

April 17, 8 p.m.

Royce Hall

The Senegalese singer and songwriter who has expanded the reach of modern African music is coming to Royce as a part of UCLA Live! to celebrate his first studio album in eight years.

Monterrey Jazz Festival on Tour

April 22, 8 p.m.

Royce Hall

The Kenny Barron Trio, guitarist Russell Malone, singer Kurt Elling and violinist Regina Carter will bring their world-famous jazz form to Royce Hall for the UCLA Live! series.

“Flight”

April 30, 8 p.m.

Schoenberg Hall

The West Coast premiere of Jonathan Dove’s opera about a refugee stranded at an airport comes to UCLA for three performances.

Spring Sing

May 14, 8 p.m.

Pauley Pavilion

Tickets will go on sale April 16 for the campus classic, which features excellent student vocalists, guest judges and honorary celebrity guests of Julie Andrews’ caliber.

Ring Festival L.A.

May 27, 8 p.m.

Royce Hall

Los Angeles opera music director James Conlon will conduct a special performance featuring UCLA Philharmonia, UCLA University Chorus and UCLA Chamber Singers as a part of the Ring Festival L.A., which features Wagner’s “Ring” cycle in its entirety for the first time in Los Angeles.

JazzReggae Festival

May 30-31

Intramural Field

The annual music festival regularly brings the best in hip-hop and R&B artists on campus, such as The Roots, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu.

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