The Dwell Guide to Events in Your City

Wednesday, April 30

Goethe Institut hosts the South East Europe Film Fest, with over 20 films, each looking critically at the region's political climate. Through May 5. Goethe-Institut Los Angeles, 5750 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 100; (323) 525-3388; www.goethe.de

Thursday, May 1

Gregory Crewdson, a Brookyln-born photographer known for his carefully staged scenes of American life, speaks tonight at The Hammer Museum. 7 p.m.; Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd.; (310) 443-7000; www.hammer.ucla.edu

Saturday, May 3

The Orange County Museum of Art reels out its extensive collection of video art in three six-week stages.  The first, which opens today, features Joel Morrison's Birds/Lewitt, Goody-B. Wiseman's Superlovesstarpower 2, 3, and, 4, Ciprian Muresan's Un Chien Andalou, and Jimmy Joe Roche's Ultimate Reality. Through September 14. The Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach; 949-759-1122; www.ocma.net

Norwegian composer Leif Inge has extended Beethoven's classic Ninth Symphony into the 24-hour 9BeetStretch. Beginning at noon on May 3 and ending at the same time on May 4, the piece allows music lovers to savor every sound. (B.Y.O. Pillow and Sleeping Bag). The Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach; 949-759-1122; www.ocma.net

Sunday, May 4

Pick up (and drop off) an art book at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s specialized swap today. 12 p.m.; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Bing Theater, 5905 Wilshire Blvd.; (323) 857-6528; www.lacma.org

Last Chance: Polish cinema didn’t stop with Roman Polanski’s The Pianist: This eleven-day film fest celebrates the features, animated films, and shorts emerging from Polish directors. www.polishfilmla.org/wocms.php

At 8 p.m. on Friday, several teams pick two words randomly. Twenty-four hours later, an audience gathers to see what these writers, directors, and actors have come up with. Instant Films isn't for the faint of heart – but it makes for some surprisingly quality viewing. 8 p.m.; LA Center Studios, 450 S. Bixel St.; www.instantfilms.com

Monday, May 5

Eric Owen Moss, director of the the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI Arc), has received more than sixty design awards from the American Institute of Architects and Progressive Architecture magazine. Hear what he has to say at UCLA tonight. 6:30 p.m.; Perloff Hall, Room 1302, 405 Hilgard Ave; (310) 825-7857; www.aud.ucla.edu

Tuesday, May 6

The Hammer Museum hosts this forum on energy independence with David Freeman, considered the country's premiere authority on energy use, and Robert Bryce, managing editor of Houston-based newsletter Energy Tribune. 7 p.m.; Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd.; (310) 443-7000; www.hammer.ucla.edu

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