Shag With A Twist at the Grand Annex in San Pedro

Anyone who's seen a Shag painting knows the look right away. Martini glasses and tiki mugs, women in capri pants, men in skinny ties, maybe a black cat stretched across a low mid-century sofa, all in flat, saturated color. Shag is the signature of Josh Agle, the Southern California painter behind those cocktail-hour scenes. He built the name from the last two letters of "Josh" and the first two of "Agle." On Saturday, October 3, a stage show called Shag With A Twist turns that whole world into a night out at The Grand Annex Music Hall in San Pedro.

If you're sorting through LA events this weekend and want one with a theme and a dress code, this is a good bet.

What the show is

Shag With A Twist Productions describes it as music and performers set in the era Shag paints: pupu platters, bouffant hair, a cocktail hour that runs long. Eventbrite files it as a musical performance. That matters if you came here from the swing-dance world, where "shag" means the Carolina or collegiate dance. This isn't a dance class or a social dance. You're there to watch a show and have a drink.

The listing doesn't say whether Agle himself is involved, so treat the night as a tribute to his style rather than an artist appearance.

Dressing up is half the fun. The organizers ask guests to show up in their best tiki, pin-up or 60s Mod outfits. Nobody's checking at the door, but a Hawaiian shirt or a bouffant will make you feel a lot less out of place than jeans.

The schedule

Doors open at 7:15 p.m. for cocktails and photos with costumed characters. The show starts at 8 p.m., and the listing has the evening wrapping up at 10. Tickets are non-refundable, so lock in your plans before you buy.

Dinner first

Four downtown San Pedro spots are giving ticket holders 10% off between 5 and 7 p.m. on show day: COMPAGNON Wine Bistro, Whale & Ale, The Majestic and San Pedro Brewing Company. Bring proof of your ticket purchase to get the discount. An early dinner nearby also means you've already found parking by the time doors open.

Tickets and getting there

Eventbrite prices run from $55.20 to $257.94 depending on the ticket type. The Grand Annex is at 434 West 6th Street, on the same stretch of 6th Street as the Warner Grand Theatre. From most of the city, the simplest route is the 110 Harbor Freeway south until it ends in San Pedro, then a short drive into downtown. Street parking near 6th Street fills up on Saturday nights, so plan to arrive well before 7:15.

For more Things Happening In Los Angeles, browse the Los Angeles events page or the arts and culture calendar. A tiki-era stage show down at the harbor is one of the odder things to do in Los Angeles this fall. Bring the loud shirt.