Eleni Mandell

Like her chief influences, Tom Waits and X, singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell lives in a black-and-white world where the gray areas matter most. During her sold-out Wednesday performance at the Fold at the Silverlake Lounge, the Angeleno limned minor-key tales of alluring but untrustworthy men, unsuspecting yet resilient women and the assorted victims of her characters' irresistible charms.

The Living Sisters, a trio of renowned local singer-songwriters, create some of the most soaring, ethereal harmonies around town. Betsy Stark, Inara George and Eleni Mandell will be sharing songs from their upcoming debut album, "Love to Live." Harold M. Williams Auditorium, Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive. 7:30 p.m. Sat. (310) 440-7300.

Eleni Mandell loves L.A., but not in a sun-'n'-fun kind of way. Rather, the singer-songwriter finds inspiration in the city's dark corners, where illicit romances and quirky personalities flourish. That's not surprising, given that the native Angeleno cites Southern California-based icons Tom Waits and X as enduring fascinations.

On a crisp Sunday morning, singer-songwriter and Los Feliz denizen Eleni Mandell wandered the flea market at Pasadena Community College in a slouchy cardigan and vintage sunglasses. She picked through tables cluttered with copper bracelets, picture frames and dusty velvet hats, any of which could serve as a mysterious prop in one of Mandell's retro-tuned torch songs. Vendors manned the booths, watching for shoplifters who, some said, have gotten worse since the recession hit.

On a crisp Sunday morning, singer-songwriter and Los Feliz denizen Eleni Mandell wandered the flea market at Pasadena Community College in a slouchy cardigan and vintage sunglasses. She picked through tables cluttered with copper bracelets, picture frames and dusty velvet hats, any of which could serve as a mysterious prop in one of Mandell's retro-tuned torch songs. Vendors manned the booths, watching for shoplifters who, some said, have gotten worse since the recession hit.

The Living Sisters, a trio of renowned local singer-songwriters, create some of the most soaring, ethereal harmonies around town. Betsy Stark, Inara George and Eleni Mandell will be sharing songs from their upcoming debut album, "Love to Live." Harold M. Williams Auditorium, Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive. 7:30 p.m. Sat. (310) 440-7300.

Eleni MANDELL might owe Paris Hilton 10% of her next record deal. Amid the uproar about Hilton's steamy Carl's Jr. TV ad, some attention has also gone to the music accompanying her sudsy bump and grind -- a rocked-up version of Cole Porter's "I Love Paris" featuring the purr and growl of Mandell.

* The cabaret-style singer, guitarist and violinist has a new record called "Snakebite." Best Spots on Tour: I guess the Fold is my favorite club to play, which is either at the Derby or the Silverlake Lounge. There are a lot of problems with playing at the Silverlake Lounge--the stage is very low, and the sound isn't that great--but the energy is always really good and so that makes it fun. Sadly, I don't think there are really great clubs to play in L.A.

Three forest fires in different parts of California had scorched more than 5,000 acres by late Saturday. Two of the fires were not expected to be contained until mid-week, authorities said. The Cajon Pass fire in San Bernardino County, which charred 630 acres, was contained early Saturday evening, said Ruk Read, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman. The fire caused no injures and threatened no structures. But it prompted the voluntary evacuation of animals and staff from Jungle Exotics, a company that trains animals for movies.

* Various artists, "Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music," Vanguard. Musician and musicologist demonstrates pop-rock figures' affection for Cajun music with an album that includes John Fogerty, Linda Ronstadt, Richard Thompson and more.

Eleni MANDELL might owe Paris Hilton 10% of her next record deal. Amid the uproar about Hilton's steamy Carl's Jr. TV ad, some attention has also gone to the music accompanying her sudsy bump and grind -- a rocked-up version of Cole Porter's "I Love Paris" featuring the purr and growl of Mandell.

* The cabaret-style singer, guitarist and violinist has a new record called "Snakebite." Best Spots on Tour: I guess the Fold is my favorite club to play, which is either at the Derby or the Silverlake Lounge. There are a lot of problems with playing at the Silverlake Lounge--the stage is very low, and the sound isn't that great--but the energy is always really good and so that makes it fun. Sadly, I don't think there are really great clubs to play in L.A.

Eleni Mandell loves L.A., but not in a sun-'n'-fun kind of way. Rather, the singer-songwriter finds inspiration in the city's dark corners, where illicit romances and quirky personalities flourish. That's not surprising, given that the native Angeleno cites Southern California-based icons Tom Waits and X as enduring fascinations.

Three forest fires in different parts of California had scorched more than 5,000 acres by late Saturday. Two of the fires were not expected to be contained until mid-week, authorities said. The Cajon Pass fire in San Bernardino County, which charred 630 acres, was contained early Saturday evening, said Ruk Read, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman. The fire caused no injures and threatened no structures. But it prompted the voluntary evacuation of animals and staff from Jungle Exotics, a company that trains animals for movies.

Like her chief influences, Tom Waits and X, singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell lives in a black-and-white world where the gray areas matter most. During her sold-out Wednesday performance at the Fold at the Silverlake Lounge, the Angeleno limned minor-key tales of alluring but untrustworthy men, unsuspecting yet resilient women and the assorted victims of her characters' irresistible charms.

* The Grove of Anaheim will present the Go-Go's on Feb. 24 and Ani DiFranco (right) on March 2. Tickets are available now.... Michelle Branch plays the Roxy on Feb. 8, with tickets going on sale Friday.... The Autumns, Parlour, W.A.C.O. and Dick Army play a benefit Jan. 23 at the El Rey Theatre for Damien Echols, who was convicted of murder in the controversial Arkansas case profiled in the HBO movie "Paradise Lost." ...

Bob Fosse's semiautobiographical 1979 musical, "All That Jazz," screens Friday as part of the Academy Standards series. Roy Scheider stars as the workaholic Broadway choreographer-director Joe Gideon, who attempts to mend his personal relationships and obsessively pursue his work while his health fails. Jessica Lange, Ann Reinking, Leland Palmer, Cliff Gorman and Ben Vereen co-star. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with members of the cast and crew.