Although they’re faring a bit better of late, the Red Sox’ performance has been fairly dismal this season, Given their ultra-high (although not quite Yankee-level) payroll, there were great expectations at the season’s start that they would, if not win every game, then most of them. Out of the batter’s box, that didn’t quite happen. Big swing and a miss, you might say. (As I write this, they’re playing under .500 ball.)

Given the tribulations of the Olde Towne Team, and the early season’s skewed payroll-performance ratio, I’ve been reluctant to point fingers at the business peccadillos of other major league teams. Even when Major League Baseball grabbed the reins of the Los Angeles Dodgers because they were spinning out of financial control.

And now comes the news, which I saw in The New York Times, but which originated in the LA Times, that the Dodgers don’t have the cash on hand to make their May 31st payroll.

Based on its opening-day payroll of $103.8 million, the Dodgers' payroll for its major league roster in the second half of May will be approximately $8.25 million. The figure includes 16 days salary, but not any signing bonus payments that happen to fall due.

MLB will supposedly step in and make good, but the thought of a professional sports team as venerable, storied and long-lived as the Dodgers would make this type of whiff is pretty near unimaginable. But the Dodgers’ owners, Frank and Jamie McCourt are going through a difficult divorce, and there are all sorts of rumors of financial irregularities hovering over Dodger Stadium, so….

Personally, I don’t feel all that badly for the boys in Dodger Blue who are on the field. Even the lowliest paid guy on the squad should be doing better than living paycheck to paycheck.

But, of course, there are the front office folks and assorted other grunts on the payroll who aren’t pulling down millions a year, and you don’t want to see them going home with a couple of hot dogs and foam fingers in lieu of a check.

I have been through the wolf-at-the-door, will-we-make-payroll scenario a few times during my career.

This was during my nearly 10 year roller coaster ride with Softbridge, an oddball little software company where I spent entirely too long making myself entirely too crazy.

For my first couple of years there, I was a staffer to the CEO and Vice-Chairman, and spent most of my time writing business plans and drafting PowerPoint presentations, to be used by our CEO for the sole purpose of getting one of our long-suffering investors to throw a bit more of his good money after our bad. (Before we got clean and sober, I believe we frittered away $40M in OPM – other people’s money.)

In the nick of time, the CEO would fly off somewhere, and come back with a million bucks, which would keep us going for another while. Then, off he went again.

The CEO reminded me of Mighty Mouse.  We, the employees, were the people of Mouseville.

We’d be wringing our hands, singing, “Mighty Mouse, oh, Mighty Mouse. Save us, oh, save us.” And Mighty Mouse would fly in, “Here I come to save the day…” And damned if he didn’t for a good long while.

I ran the Mighty Mouse metaphor by the CEO one day, but it just drew a blank. That’s because our own personal MM hadn’t grown up in the States, but had been raised culturally deprived and cartoon-less in Scandinavia.

Even after our investors finally wised up and brought in a turnaround guy, and the CEO got D-CON’d, we still had occasional near misses.

At one point, we had a list of who would and wouldn’t get paid if worse came to worst. By that point, I was an “executive” – 50 person company; thus the “quote marks” – so I was living in the No-Pay Zone. Worse, I was the only person other than the President who could make financial transfers and authorizations, and I had to co-sign all checks over a certain amount, so I think I might have had some sort of shared liability for payroll tax if we’d come up short. (The things you do in and for a small company…)

As for the Dodgers, all I can say is that it’s a good thing that Manny Ramirez isn’t on the team any longer.

I can only imagine the look on Manny’s face when he realized that he might not get paid for his work.

Even when the Red Sox were paying him millions and millions and millions of dollars each year, once he decided that there was a greener pasture outfield elsewhere, Manny figured out a way to get there. That meant completely dogging it on the field – and I do mean dogging it; you really don’t see all that much goldbrickin’ in professional sports, but Manny had it mastered – so that the Red Sox wouldn’t exercise their option to keep him around for the final two years of his contract, which was locked in at some paltry amount. (Can’t remember exactly, but I believe it was between $15M and $20M per.) ManRam figured he’d do better on the open market, and managed to get himself traded to the Dodgers, who subsequently signed him to a deal for more than the Red Sox would have paid him. Multiple teams and a couple of failed drug tests later, Manny is no longer playing. But I can just imagine the look on his face if he learned he was going to get a pay packet with an IOU in it.

Meanwhile, I have a hunch there’s another McCourt-Dodgers post in my future.

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The McCourts have been a Pink Slip topic before. Here’s a link to my post on their hiring psychic healer Vladimir Shpunt to help the Dodgers get their mojo back.  And some folks wonder why the Dodgers are having a hard time making payroll…

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball believes the Los Angeles Dodgers do not have enough money to make their end of May payroll, a person familiar with the team’s finances told The Associated Press.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because MLB’s investigation of the team’s finances under owner Frank McCourt is ongoing, said that if the Dodgers don’t have the money, MLB would step in and make payroll.

McCourt has publicly complained Selig has refused to approve a 17-year contract with Fox that could be worth more than $3 billion, a deal that would include a front-loaded payment of about $300 million. His lawyers sent a letter to MLB putting his complaints in writing, a precursor to a possible lawsuit.

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball believes the Los Angeles Dodgers do not have enough money to make their end of May payroll, a person familiar with the team's finances told The Associated Press.

The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because MLB's investigation of the team's finances under owner Frank McCourt is ongoing. The Los Angeles Times first reported that the Dodgers lacked the cash to make their May 31 payroll.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson reacts to an official's call during the second half of game four of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the New Orleans Hornets in New Orleans, Sunday, April 24, 2011. The Hornets won 93-88 to tie the series at two apiece.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson reacts to an official's call during the second half of game four of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the New Orleans Hornets in New Orleans, Sunday, April 24, 2011. The Hornets won 93-88 to tie the series at two apiece.

"The James Russell Experiment" -- hey, there's another rock band name for you.

I really, really, truly hoped the Cubs and James Russell would show me that my lack of hope last night was misplaced -- that he'd step up and have at least one good major league start before returning to the role he's better suited for, being a LOOGY.

Unfortunately, Russell reverted to the form we've now seen four times after being decent for a couple of innings and the Cubs lost to the Dodgers 5-2. That means the Cubs have basically thrown away four games already this season, all four Russell has started; if they'd even been able to split those games, they'd be a .500 team right now and things wouldn't look so bleak.

Here are Russell's numbers as a starting pitcher: four starts, 14.1 IP, 25 H, 17 ER, six home runs, 10.67 ERA. At least he didn't walk anyone last night, and got saved from an even higher ERA by a somewhat generous scoring decision that made the Dodgers' last run unearned.

Can we put this to rest now? Not only was it a failure for the team, it was bad for Russell, whose development as a decent relief pitcher has now been stunted. Thankfully, since the Cubs have an off day this Thursday and another one next Thursday, they shouldn't need a fifth starter until the Giants series at Wrigley Field a week from this weekend. Surely, management can find a real starting pitcher before then.

Alfonso Soriano hit another home run last night. That's good -- he now leads the major leagues with 11 -- but it's also bad, because seven of the home runs have led off innings and nine of them have been with nobody on base. Neither of those situations, of course, are Soriano's fault, and I certainly wouldn't want him to stop hitting home runs.

Carlos Pena hit two more warning track fly balls last night, after coming within a couple of feet of giving the Cubs the lead on Sunday with a similar fly ball. It's tough to hit homers at night in Dodger Stadium -- although Soriano had no trouble -- but it makes you wonder whether Pena's power is gone. He has yet to homer this year; he has only one extra-base hit (a double); and he is currently 3-for-35 (.086) in his last 13 games.

Ugh. Here, let me give some praise for something good that happened last night: the bullpen once again kept the game within reach, throwing 3.1 innings and giving up just one hit. Jeff Samardzija, in particular, looked really sharp, throwing two hitless (and walkless!) innings with only 20 pitches. At last, Shark does look like he's figured it out. That gives the Cubs four solid relievers.

If only the starting pitchers could get the team consistently into the seventh inning. They'll try it again tonight in Los Angeles, likely in front of another very small crowd. The announced attendance in Dodger Stadium was 30,239, but even with the traditional late LA arrivals and early departures, there couldn't have been much more than half that number actually in the ballpark. The reasons for this have been discussed here and elsewhere; the Dodger franchise, I believe, will continue to be in trouble until Frank McCourt is no longer involved with it.

Now let's make that translate into a couple of Cubs wins before they leave town.

(LeBron to  A-Rod "When I grow up I wanna be just like you!!!")

Greetings from the Hoodwood where the residents are sleeping just a bit safer tonight because of the brave ones that eradicated a sorry excuse for a human being.

Is LeBron the next coming of A-Rod???

When LeBron James made his now lampooned announcement that he was “taking his talents to South Beach” last summer many people said that the Heat were getting a stacked team. I saw it as a if you cant beat ‘em join ‘em move. The more I watch LeBron play with Dwayne Wade, a legit superstar and winner in my eyes, the more Im convinced that LeBron is fast becoming the basketball version of Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod is the one constantly pleading to the New York Media “will you please love me now??” As much as A-Rod tries, his big money contract will always be a millstone and his failures at crunch time will leave him short of the admiration and respect that the long time iconic captain of the Yankees, Derek Jeter gets in spades. LeBron is in the same quandary as D-Wade is cast as the Jeter of the Heat; long time iconic leader of the team, highly respected, money at clutch time and possessor of the one thing that LeBron so desperately wants a championship ring. A-Rod got his ring (after a clutch performance in the 2009 playoffs) so the cant win the big one millstone is off of his neck. But it hangs on LeBron and he had better come up big in the playoffs right now, if D-Wade carries this team to another title, Bron will be accused of coat-tailing.

The Spurs are done…hallelujah!

To the utter chagrin of the NBA, ABC & ESPN especially Skippy Bayless the Memphis Grizzlies eliminated the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the NBA playoffs. The powers that be figured that the Grizz would be happy getting their first ever playoff win, or maybe be satiated with winning a playoff home game. Instead with the supposedly invincible sheen taken off the San Antonio Spurs, the Grizzlies sent the 61 win #1 seeded Spurs home before the first of May. ESPN’s spin doctors mourned heavily and even tried to chasten the public for not recognizing the Spurs as a true dynasty. Dynasty my ass, yes the Spurs won four titles in nine years between 1999 and 2007 but I discount two of their titles winning one in a half season and winning another after getting a star struck Cavs team in the finals. The Spurs only real title I say was in 2005 when they bested the defending NBA champ Pistons in a great 7 game series. Ive been saying it all along and people call me a hater, the Spurs were protected and given every chance to win. Problem is when the teams that are supposed to roll over, don’t. I know, I know the Spurs are the small market team that could, supposedly the team that wins the right way with its laconic star, no nonsense coach and international roster. Spare me, I have no love lost for the Spurs and am glad they are done.

So Much for Happy Endings

Just last week I was celebrating the end of the NFL lockout and the possibility of the NFL owners being forced back to the negotiation table, a judge in St. Louis in the Court of Appeals granted the NFL owners request of a stay of the injunction that was handed down last that had ruled the lockout illegal. Now we are back to square one, but now the players that were drafted of the weekend are in limbo as are the players that were not drafted but could have been signed as free agents. In a time that us football fans should be discussing our respective teams drafts and burning up the hot stove on what free agents will go where, we see Goodell and DeMaurice Smith’s ugly mugs and have to wade through court battles, legal briefings and other financial bullshit praying that we will have pro football in September.

Iced up in Canada

I feel sorry for the Vancouver Canucks, it bad enough when you have the kind of star crossed history that they have. This team is readily glad that there are no New York based teams left in the playoffs. Both of their Stanley Cup Final runs were ended by New York teams (1981 by the Islanders and 1994 by the celebrated Rangers squad) But to have the pressure of a whole nation on it back? The Canucks also have a nasty precedent to follow, each time a Canadian City has hosted an Olympic games that cities team would win the Stanley Cup the following year. Montreal was in the middle of a four-peat in 1976 when they hosted the Summer Games and Calgary won the Cup in 1989. Where was the last Olympic games??? Vancouver…uh oh. The Canucks nearly gagged a 3-0 lead to the Blackhawks and celebrated the game 7 OT goal as if they had won the cup. They now face a dangerous Nashville Predator team that is deep talented and seemingly unafraid of the 50+ win Canucks. The series is tied at one going back to Nashville and as the only team north of the border left in the Stanley Cup playoffs, hell there were only two Canadian teams that made the playoffs, the burden of a whole nation has to be unbearable. Anything less than the 35 pound chalice coming to the Pacific Northwest will be unacceptable to Canadians.

Phat Dap/Head Slap

Phat Dap

To the Memphis Grizzlies, who won their first ever playoff series. As mentioned earlier the Grizzlies knocked off the top seeded Spurs in six games clinching on Friday Night in front of a raucous crowd at the FedEx Forum in Memphis. Zach Randolph has shook off the old Jail Blazers stigma and has emerged as a bona fide superstar, probably the best player in the league that you likely have heard little about. Given a national stage Sunday to shine, Randolph acted a fool (that’s a compliment in hoodwood playing terms) going off for 34 points and 10 rebounds and totally punking out a would-be rowdy crowd in Oklahoma City’s Ford Center. When it was all said and done the Grizz had stolen home court from the Thunder with a 114-101 game 1 win and are priding themselves as the lop eared mutt turned junkyard dog  that no one wants to deal with.

Head Slaps

To Jameer Nelson, whom I wonder if he picked up the two tickets that were left for him by the Atlanta Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche. The tickets were for the last night’s game 1 East Semifinal matchup between the Hawks and the Chicago Bulls. Nelson was overheard saying “See you in the 2^ndround” to the Bulls Derrick Rose. The Magic were especially confident after having had swept the Hawks out of the playoffs last year by an average of 25 points per game last year. But the Hawks got sweet revenge and sent the 52 win Magic home in six games.

Another Head Slap goes to the Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.  I railed long and hard about McCourt last week, but instead of quietly looking for a buyer to take the Dodgers off his hands, taking a mammoth (though undeserved) profit and slinking quietly away. McCourt is girding for a fight. McCourt was recently quoted as saying  “Nobody handed the Dodgers to me and nobody’s going to take it away.” He must’ve forgot the sweetheart deal that was arranged by MLB to get him the team and how seriously leveraged he had to get to even acquire the team. McCourt is girding for a fight and putting what should have been private matters on front street. Ive never been a big Bud Selig fan but I hope he runs McCourt out on a rail and that right soon.

That’s the View from the Hoodwood, Until Next Post fellow Sports Fans!

A campaign to build support for public ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers could succeed if Angelenos believe three things - a public bid is in the best financial interest of the team, it is the ultimate expression of Dodger pride, and it is a guaranteed way to prevent the baseball team from ever moving outside of the City of Angels, the man behind the campaign told The City Maven today in an interview.

Stanley Stalford grew up wanting to become president of the Dodgers. While that didn't happen, Stalford's love for the team remained. About eight to nine months ago, he began to formulate a plan that would allow the public to own the team. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig's decision to appoint a monitor to oversee the Dodgers' operations, which many see as an attempt to get Frank McCourt to sell the team, made now the right time to push the public ownership idea.

"It went from a great idea to actually putting something together a week and a half ago," Stalford said in an interview at his home in Hancock Park. "When the commissioner seized day-to-day management control of the Dodgers, it (became) pretty obvious that the next step is that they're going to dispose of the team."

The Maloof family will announce whether they will press forward on their plan to relocate the Sacramento Kings to Anaheim at 1 p.m. ET on Monday, according to the Sacramento Bee. The deadline for the Maloofs to file a relocation application with the NBA is 5 p.m. ET. The Maloofs have been talking to Anaheim officials for months, and the NBA has twice moved the relocation deadline as it has investigated Sacramento's assurances of new public support for the team.

If the Maloofs do decide to file, they still must receive majority approval from the NBA Board of Governors. That could be a problem, as the seven-member relocation panel has already told NBA commissioner David Stern and the Maloofs that they will not recommend approval of a relocation application. Reports have suggested the Maloofs could sue on antitrust violation charges if the other NBA owners blocked a move.

To that effect, a Maloof-hired lawyer visited the house of an Orange County Register last week, requesting a tape of Phil Jackson's comments in which he compared the Maloofs to Frank McCourt, the embattled owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The saga could drag in, though the Maloofs risk damaging their reputation in Secaucus enough that Stern could push for the family to sell to billionaire Ron Burkle, who has said publicly  he's interested in buying the Kings and keeping them in Sacramento.

For more on the Kings, visit Sactown Royalty.

Braves place McDowell on administrative leave

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves have placed pitching coach Roger McDowell on administrative leave pending their investigation into homophobic comments and crude gestures he made toward fans before a game in San Francisco last weekend.

McDowell also is accused of threatening a fan who objected to his actions with a baseball bat. The former major league reliever apologized in a statement, but the team barred him from the bench heading into a three-game series against St. Louis.

The Braves' minor league pitching coordinator, Dave Wallace, will take over for McDowell during the investigation. Major League Baseball says it's waiting to hear from the team before deciding on possible penalties.

Atlanta Braves P Derek Lowe charged with DUI

ATLANTA -- Braves pitcher Derek Lowe apologized Friday after being charged with drunken driving, saying he hoped his arrest would not be a distraction to the team.

Gordy Wright, a spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol, said a trooper stopped Lowe's vehicle about 10 p.m. Thursday after it was spotted racing another car down an Atlanta street. The trooper detected an odor of alcohol and administered a field sobriety test, which resulted in Lowe's arrest.

The 37-year-old right-hander was charged with DUI, reckless driving and improper lane change, Wright said. Lowe declined to take a breath test before he was released, the spokesman added. The other driver also was stopped, but there were no details on whether he was charged.

Dodgers owner McCourt: 'I have an uphill road'

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said Friday he has an "uphill road" in restoring faith among fans and pundits who have criticized him for taking money out of one of baseball's most storied franchises and using it for his and his ex-wife's lavish lifestyle.

In a rapid-fire interview with The Associated Press, McCourt gave his mea culpa in which he pledged his commitment to the Dodgers and apologized for a much publicized divorce with his former wife, ex-Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt, which helped bring Major League Baseball to his front gate to oversee the team's daily operations.

Vinci to play Hradecka in Barcelona final

BARCELONA, Spain -- Roberta Vinci of Italy advanced to her third straight Barcelona Open final Friday, outlasting Laura Pous-Tio 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) to gain a title matchup against Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic.

The sixth-seeded Vinci overcame a shaky serve to save seven break points and break her Spanish opponent six times. Pous-Tio had already played more than two sets earlier in the day to beat Polona Hercog 6-7 (7), 6-1, 7-5 after their quarterfinal match was suspended Thursday in the first set because of rain.

Hradecka upset fifth-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 6-1, 7-5 in the other semifinal. Hradecka had 10 aces in ousting the highest-seeded player left in the tournament.

Davydenko, Stepanek reach BMW semifinals

MUNICH -- Nikolay Davydenko defeated 2010 runner-up Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-3 Friday to reach the semifinals of the BMW Open.

Davydenko will play Radomir Stepanek of the Czech Republic, who beat 2007 Munich champion Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, 6-4, 6-0.

Philipp Petzschner of Germany edged Potito Starace of Italy 7-6 (3), 7-6 (6) to set up a semifinal against Florian Mayer. He defeated Bulgarian teenager Gregori Dimitrov 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4.

Del Potro beats Soderling at Estoril

OEIRAS, Portugal -- Juan Martin del Potro beat top-seeded Robin Soderling 6-4, 7-5 Friday to advance to the Estoril Open semifinals.

The 2009 U.S. Open champion will meet Pablo Cuevas on Saturday on outdoor clay. The Uruguayan defeated sixth-seeded Brazilian Thomaz Belluci 6-4, 6-2.

Djokovic extends 2011 win streak to 26

BELGRADE, Serbia -- Novak Djokovic beat Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Serbia Open on Friday for his 26th consecutive victory in 2011.

By wire sources

Wednesday's announcement by Major League Baseball that they are effectively taking control of the Los Angeles Dodgers and will assume day-to-day operations of the team sends one giant statement: an indictment of the mismanagement under the ownership of Frank McCourt.

While teams have been taken over by MLB in the past (Montreal Expos in 2002, Texas Rangers in 2010), the actions taken yesterday by MLB commissioner Bud Selig are indeed unprecedented.

Certainly, there have been some less than stellar owners of teams in the past, however none were taken over for complete mismanagement.

And we are not just talking about the mismanagement of money, which has become evident in the wake of the McCourts' pending divorce and recent facts regarding the overall McCourt debt, but also the mismanagement of Dodger Stadium and its security, which led to the brutal beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow on Opening Day.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are not just one of the most revered franchises in baseball, but also one of the most revered in all of sports, period. Bud Selig is not about to let it be run into the ground by irresponsible ownership.

Here are five reasons why current owner Frank McCourt should choose not to fight and just simply sell the team and walk away quietly.

For continuing coverage of Major League Baseball, follow Doug on Twitter @Sports_A_Holic.

Begin Slideshow

TMZ: McCourt and Dodgers -- NO Takeover Talks with FOX - Filed under: Frank McCourt, Jamie McCourt, TMZ Sport...

(By @TMZ_FANS - Blog Feed - Technology, Mobile, ElectricPig)

FILE - In this June 8, 2010, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt walks by the dugout on the field before the Dodgers' baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Los Angeles. Major League Baseball is taking over the Dodgers, a team financially paralyzed by the divorce of its owners, Frank and Jamie McCourt. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says in a release Wednesday, April 20, 2011, that he will appoint a representative to oversee the "business and the day-to-day operations of the Club."

Photographer Gary Leonard at a spry 56, when he opened his first Downtown gallery in 2007. Now he will celebrate his 60th birthday with a print sale at his current gallery, "Take My Picture." Photo by Ed Fuentes.

The 81st Blessing of the Animals takes place at Olvera Street this weekend, and a Downtown photographer who has seen just about everything happen in Downtown since its punk days will blow out 60 candles in front of friends and fans. Who says traditions in Los Angeles don't matter much? Even Commissioner Bud Selig called the Dodgers one of "the most prestigious franchises in all of sports" — as he took over the team's operations.

THURSDAY APRIL 21

Weekday Afternoon Deals with the Dodgers is not a nickname that comes from the news that Major League Baseball has seized financial control of the Dodgers from owner Frank McCourt, but a promotion touting half-price food and soft drinks on days with afternoon games. Of course, due to the tragic Opening Day, the Dodgers shelved plans to sell half-priced alcohol. Stay tuned to Dodger Baseball. It will be a most interesting season. Dodgers host the Braves. Thu Apr 21 / 12:10pm / Dodger Stadium

Aloud: “The Origins of Political Order: A Conversation” engages scholars Francis Fukuyama and Jared Diamond in a discussion on the origins of democratic societies and the nature of politics. Thu Apr 21 7pm / Central Library / 630 W. 5th

Bronfman plays Brahms: Yefim Bronfman plays Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1, "Winter Daydreams," with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Juraj Valcuha conducts. Thu Apr 21 8am (also Fri Apr 22 11am and Sat Apr 23 8pm) / Walt Disney Concert Hall / 111 S. Grand

Jazz with A Walter Smith II, John Beasley, Dave Robaire and The Kanner Quartet Thu Apr 21 / Blue Whale / 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka

Cash O’Riley & the Downright Daddies brings roots based rockabilly to the den of Downtown pirates. Thu Apr 21 9pm / Redwood Bar & Grill / 316 W. 2nd

FRIDAY APRIL 22 2011

The Grilled Cheese Invitational is your chance to sample melty comfort food over and over again in one afternoon. Amateur and professional chefs will compete for the title Grilled Cheese Champion. April 23 11am / Los Angeles Center Studios / 1201 W. 5th

"Selling Out at Sixty" is not just a print sale cleaning out the closets, garage and studio of Downtown's most prolific photographer, Gary Leonard: it is also his 60th birthday celebration. Fri Apr 22 / Take My Picture / 860 S. Broadway

SATURDAY APRIL 23

81st Annual Blessing of the Animals at Olvera Street: With Cardinal Roger Mahony relinquishing duties as the active Archbishop of Los Angeles this past February, Reverend Archbishop of Los Angeles José H. Gomez will formerly introduce himself to the pets of Los Angeles and bless them for a job well done as companions to humans. Animal regulars may include Ventura, the bright yellow python from the Valley. Sat Apr 23 Noon / Olvera Street at El Pueblo Historical Monument / Main and Alameda

The quarterly Art Weekend LA will have its second outing this weekend, with shuttles taking gallery-goers to Downtown destinations on Saturday. LATC (727 S. Spring) is the official Art Weekend LA Information Center.

More from Art Weekend LA In the evening, Art Weekend LA will host the Lucie Foundation's first annual benefit to raise funds for SNAPSHOP, the foundation photo workshop program for Los Angeles at-risk youth. Sat Apr 23 7pm / The Factory Place / 1397 E. 6th

The Bantamweight Tournament Final / Winner Takes All: The Main card has Joseph Agbeko (28-2, 22 KO) defending his IBF bantamweight crown against undefeated Abner Mares (21-0-1, 13 KO), who defends his WBC Silver title. Sat Apr 23 5pm / Nokia Theatre / 777 Chick Hearn Court

SUNDAY APRIL 24

L.A. Live’s Easter Celebration: Kids one through six can nab a free Easter Basket and join in an Easter Egg hunt before or after having their photo taken with the big bunny himself. Balloon artistry, face painting, plus arts and crafts fill the day. RSVP for your child at 213-493-4329 or info@livechurchla.com (Parking available in the Olympic West Garage at $5 for 2 hours) Apr 24 Noon to 2:30pm / L.A. Live / 800 W. Olympic

Easter Fest Not to be outdone, the Third Annual Downtown Easter Fest brings out their own big Easter bunny (plus bouncy house) to Grand Hope Park from 12:30pm to 3pm. The picnic and party, sponsored by New City Church of LA and City Light Church, is free to the Downtown public. Sun Apr 24 12:30pm to 3pm / Grand Hope Memorial Park / 9th and Grand

MONDAY APRIL 25

FOLK MUSIC: Frank Fairfield is called the one-man American folk revival, and listening to him, you hear why the 23-year-old is an old soul with a banjo. Mon Apr 25 9pm / The Redwood Bar & Grill / 316 W. 2nd

JAZZ: A night of jazz with Bijon Watson and the WOW Factor. Mon Apr 25 10pm / Seven Grand / 515 W. 7th

The 16th Film Courage Interactive features ONCE & FOR ALL, an experimental musical film about a couple that “suffers from a break-up and searches to rediscover themselves as individuals. Written and Directed by Cory Reed Mon Apr 25 7pm / Downtown Independent / 251 S Main

Aloud with Jamaica Kincaid: 'See, Now, Then' author Jamaica Kincaid in conversation with Brighde Mullins, Director, Master in Professional Writing program, USC. Tue Apr 26 / Central Library / 630 W. 5th

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27

Abe Vigoda with Cold Showers, Beaches, and Pope Anything Wed Apr 27 / The Smell / 247 S. Main

Encore screening of The Metropolitan Opera’s Le Comte Ory, replayed from a live April 9 performance. Wed April 27 / Regal Cinemas LA Live Stadium 14 / 1000 W. Olympic

THURSDAY APRIL 28

Country Western fans have sold out "An Evening with Kenny Chesney" at The Grammy Museum. Apr 28 8pm / Grammy Museum / 800 W. Olympic

Fight Night Club returns with local jr welterweight favorite Frankie “The Pitbull” Gomez (8-0, 6 KOs) headlining the night. Apr 28 / Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE / 800 W. Olympic

The 2010 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, Memphis, will be screened in movie theaters across the U.S., including L.A. Live’s Regal Theater 14 This screening is a first for a Broadway musical awarded a Tony and still running, giving theater goers a chance to see the original cast intact. "Memphis" will be presented on Thursday April 28, Saturday April 30, and Tuesday May 3 at 7:30pm. A special matinee will be held Sunday, May 1 at 12:30pm.

By Ed Fuentes.