the BEAT of the week: David Lynch at Amoeba.

The L.A.-loving David Lynch has always been known for the striking sound design in his films, but now he's expressing his noise skills in another way: a solo album. Crazy Clown Time is Lynch's first official album, after having written lyrics for others and curated compilations (2009's Dark Night of the Soul). One of the songs features the Yeah Yeah Yeah's Karen O on vocals, but otherwise Lynch takes the lead on the album, a strange, electro-poppish sort of creation.

You can ask Lynch about the album yourself when he makes an appearance at Amoeba tonight. He'll be signing Crazy Clown Time (and one other item, if you wish) and will surely be entertaining should you have some time with him. Get there early -- Lynch loves L.A., but L.A. may love him back even more.

David Lynch will be signing at 7pm tonight at Amoeba Hollywood, located at 6400 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. Go to the AFI Fest for free.

The AFI Fest is already known for screening some of the most anticipated films of the year, unofficially kicking off the movie awards season in Hollywood. But this year, the fest is taking it up another notch by introducing the role of the guest artistic director, and giving that spot to none other than esteemed visionary filmmaker David Lynch.

For his role, Lynch designed the artwork for this year's event (above), and has selected six movies for a special sidebar program at the festival. His picks? They happen to be pretty amazing, naturally: Stanley Kubrick's Lolita, Hitchcock's Rear Window, Billy Wilder's Sunset Blvd., Ingmar Bergman's Hour of the Wolf, Tati's Mon Oncle, and his own unforgettable Eraserhead. Lynch will be presenting the double-header of Eraserhead and Sunset Blvd. in person on Nov. 6, and you can send him a question to answer that evening by tweeting @AFIFEST.

And luckily for you, non-AFI members have to chance to see any of Lynch's picks -- as well as any other regular AFI Fest screening -- for free. Yes, free tickets will be available beginning tomorrow at noon on the AFI Fest website. The tickets will be limited, of course, so if you want to guarantee your way into the films, sign up to be an AFI member and get your tickets to the festival today.

The AFI Fest 2010 presented by Audi is taking place Nov. 6-10 at multiple locations in Hollywood. Check the festival website for a full schedule of films and events.

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. David Lynch at Book Soup.

On Monday August 16, David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Dr., Inland Empire) will be at Book Soup signing his new book, Dark Splendor. He'll also sign another piece of memorabilia with the book, if you like. The filmmaker has always been an artist also in other mediums, and this book is a compilation of his work.

If you can't make it to Book Soup, check out the book on Amazon.

Monday August 16 at 7:00 p.m. Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: ninthlink.com