blogdowntown weekly : september 16, 2010

NEWS NIGHTLIFEFOOD EVERYDAYDaylight Shooting Causes Stir

Vault XXI Goes for Upscale Casual

Getting Your Budget Buzz

First Dog Park Opens in Arts District

7 6 4

LIFE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES / BLOGDOWNTOWN.COM / SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 1.7

WAITING ON BIG RETAIL

FREE

Photo by Eric richardson; illustration by Ed FuEntEs

3

With fierce competition in the retail sector and a stubborn economy marked by high unemployment, stagnant wages and a tight business lending environment, times are tough for businesses in Downtown. In spite of those challenges, some entrepreneurs have made the choice to start up and make a go of it, targeting the needs of the area’s growing population. They’ve had an open market, since large retailers have yet to make a move on the central city.

Recent years have seen the arrival of a DVD rental shop, numerous bars and restaurants, two bookstores and an explo-sion of galleries. Still, many Downtown are left wondering when the second phase of the revitalization will come.

Some of those businesses have opened because of a need the owners felt through their own experience as Downtown residents. “Jim had wanted to open up something -- anything -- on Main Street for a long time,” remembers Celia Esguerra, who along with husband Jim Winstead and partner James Adams own art supply store Raw Materials in the Historic Core. Now nearing its two-year anniversary, the business has grown and added services to appeal to a larger audience, offering photo printing, custom framing and art classes for all skill levels. Each new residential building that opens adds to their client base. “Our growth has mirrored the growth of the neighborhood,” Esguerra says.

Continues on Page 7

UPCOMING SHOWSRAIN COLORED FOREST REDCAT SEP 16 TO 19GLAMORAMA ORPHEUM THEATRE SEP 16‘II POSTINO’ DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION SEP 23 TO OCT 16 AN EVENING

WITH BUDDY GUY

12BERT GREEN FINE ART

14

By Rich Alossi and David Markland

Images Downtown’s Week in Pictures

1A member of the LAPD honor guard stands next to a memorial for fallen officer Spree De-Sha during a ceremony honoring 100 years of women serving in the police force. sEPtEMbEr 13, 2010

3Time-lapse photos as Man One of Crewest paints an image of City Hall as part of L.A.’s official kickoff for La-tino Heritage Month. sEPtEMbEr 10, 2010

2Workers survey the second half of a Wash-ington Mutual sign being removed from the former branch at 8th and Hill. It will be replaced by a Chase sign. sEPtEMbEr 11, 2010

1

2

3Photo by PaMEla rousE

Photo by PaMEla rousE

Photo by Eric richardson

blogdowntownWeekly2 Online at blogdowntown.comSeptember 16, 2010

PUBLISHER

Eric Richardson

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Martin Berg

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Michael Shane

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Ed Fuentes

CONTRIBUTORS

Rich AlossiDawna Nolan

Sommer LawalDavid Markland

Kathy RichardsonMichael F. Robleto

Pamela Rouse Jenni Simcoe

Murray H. SmithMonk Turner

•DIRECTOR OF

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Alan J. House213-927-1877, Ext.1

[email protected]

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

María Margarita López

•

GENERAL EMAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 213-927-1877

FAX:213-254-0472

MAILING ADDRESS:blogdowntown LLC

162 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

WANT TO RECEIVE PAPERS IN YOUR

BUILDING OR BUSINESS?

Send an email to [email protected]

WANT TO WRITE?

Send an email to

submissions@blog-

downtown.com

Published by blogdowntown LLC

A Look Back

By Eric RichardsonThey’re a familiar fixture in the Downtown skyline, but many who have seen the pair of neon “Jesus Saves” signs have little idea just why exactly they shine out over South Park every night.

Today the signs sit atop the Unit-ed Artists Theatre, which since 1989 has served as home of the Univer-sity Cathedral.

That spot wasn’t where the signs first became famous, however.

The first sign was dedicated on February 17, 1935 by Rev. Louis T. Talbot and the congregation of the Church of the Open Door, which met on the campus of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles at 6th and Hope. It stood atop the school’s north dormitory, which had been converted to hotel use at the time.

A second sign was later added to the school’s matching south dormi-tory. There they stood for a half century.

In 1959 the school moved its operations to 50 acres in La Mirada, where today it is better known as simply BIOLA.

The church stayed, though, even as attendance started to drop. Where the congregation once aver-aged over 3,000 in the mid-1950s, only 600 to 800 were attending when the church decided to look at relocation in 1983. It inked a deal to purchase land in Glendora, and in January of 1984 signed a contract to sell the church facility to a developer who planned to raze it and build an office tower for $14

million.It was when that deal fell through

that things began to get interesting.In January of 1986, television

preacher Gene Scott purchased the church building for $23 million after the original developer defaulted. “Over my dead body will a wrecking ball now ever hit the front of that church or tear down those signs,” Scott told the L.A. Times, referring to the iconic “Jesus Saves” signs.

So well-known were the signs that the paper often referred to the structure simply as the `Jesus Saves’ Church in headlines.

Scott was welcomed by Church of the Open Door when he showed up to purchase their building, but later non-payment and legal wran-glings left the two parties less than friendly.

The earthquake-damaged Hope Street building was finally torn down in 1988. Scott would lease the theater the following year, tell-ing his congregation on the Sunday of the purchase that he had plans for the top of the building that could be “seen from the Harbor and Santa Monica freeways.”

According to an account given during an episode of Huell Howser’s “Downtown” series, Scott ended up purchasing the signs from a scrap-yard after the church refused to sell them to him.

While the preacher passed away in 2005 and the theater building is up for sale, his signs are still visible from just as far away.

The Journey of the “Jesus Saves” Neon

blogdowntownWeekly 3Online at blogdowntown.com September 16, 2010

News

Daylight Shooting Has Possible Gang Ties By Eric Richardson

A shooting that took place in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon in the Historic Core may have been connected to a territory fight between members of rival gangs, LAPD says.

The incident took place around 4:15pm in the alley that runs from 7th to 8th, mid-block between Broadway and Spring. A 14-year-old involved in the fighting was struck by a bullet, transported to the hospital and later released to his mother.

The shooting was particularly scary to residents of the Chapman Flats, which sits at the 8th Street end of the alley. Residents use the alley to access the building’s parking garage, which is two doors down from the building itself.

According to police, the altercation appeared to be between rival gang members. A group of Hispanics believed to be part of the 18th Street Gang went over to the Huntington Hotel shortly before the shoot-ing, according to Lt. Paul Vernon, head of detectives for Central Division. They were then followed back to the alley, where the incident may have started as a fistfight.

“We suspect the motives behind all this is narcotics,” said Lt. Vernon. “We believe that the root cause of this is related to the narcot-ics dealing that goes on [at the Hunting-ton].” The first group may have “gone over there trying to intimidate or bully or assert themselves.”

Police “talked to a number of very cred-ible witnesses” afterward, and are pursuing leads to find the shooter and others involved.

The alley, particularly behind the arcade at 724 S. Broadway, is a frequent source of problems, according to Chapman Flats resi-dent Rob Johnson. “There’s always, almost every single day, a group of guys that will hang out in that alley,” he said. “You can

Photo by Eric richardsonThis alley between Broadway and Spring was the scene of Saturday’s shooting. Residents say that loitering and drug use is a frequent issue.

just smell them smoking really cheap pot.”Johnson said that the shooting has made

him realize the need to be vigilant in report-ing illicit behavior. “We see things that we think aren’t that big of a deal, but they are,” he said. “We let those guys sit there on the corner smoking weed.”

Vernon encouraged residents to report gang activity such as tagging. “We don’t want gang members to be of the opinion or idea that anyone has given any territory to them,” he said.

Who to Call

Those Downtown have a few options when it comes to reporting illicit activity. Almost the entire central city is covered by a Business Improvement District (BID), a private entity funded by property owners to supplment city services like trash pickup and security. The BIDs’ 24-hour response lines will often bring the quickest attention.

Arts District BID 213-228-8484 x210 7am-2am

Chinatown BID 213-252-1600

Downtown Center BID 213-624-2425

Fashion District BID 213-741-2661

Historic Downtown BID 213-239-8336

South Park BID 213-612-3612

Graffiti can also be reported to Officer Adrian Lopez by calling 213-972-1246 or emailing him a photo at [email protected].

You Said . . .

Could we start an online petition to shut the

Huntington down? film rob

We can do it, we really can, if DTLA residents

begin taking action and getting our voices

heard, we can make anything we want happen

in Downtown. Guest

That is the third shooting related to the

Huntington Hotel in the past couple of months.

I agree with the above that we all need to be

more vigilant and report crimes as we see

them. I too have been guilty of non-reporting

when I have seen drug dealing on my walks to

and from home. Until we all become less toler-

ant of such activity, the dealers and bangers

will continue to roam parts of the historic core

with impunity. Guest

Cameras in the alleys people.

The Huntington doesn’t need to be destroyed, it needs to not be a resident hotel. Sell it at market rate and it could be a place where people with moderate income could live. derblut

Just be vigilant and have the courage to place some heat on these guys; don’t let them scare you back to the OC. Guest

On blogdowntown.com, commenters discussed their response to gang violence in the neighborhood.

MorE onlinE bdtwn.com/ 5655


By Eric RichardsonSix years after it got the lease to a pair of historic structures across the street from Olvera Street, a museum and cultural center honoring Los Angeles’ Mexican American culture has announced its opening date.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will debut on April 15, 2011, bringing to fruition a vision that has long been championed by County Supervisor Gloria Molina. According to a press release sent out Tuesday, the center’s goal is to “serve as the nation’s premier center of Mexican American culture and arts, with a specific focus on the unique Mexican American experience in Los Angeles and Southern California.”

“The Mexican and Mexican American pres-ence has permeated the communities of Los Angeles with its enduring values and celebra-tion of life, touching and enriching everyone in this global metropolis and beyond,” said LA Plaza’s President and CEO Miguel Angel Corzo. “We at LA Plaza are thrilled to tell the comprehensive, vital story of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Los Angeles.”

The center will make its home in two of the city’s oldest structures, Main Street’s Vickrey-Brunswig Building and Plaza House. The former was built in 1888, while the latter dates to 1883. Both have been vacant since they were damaged by the 1971 San Fernando earthquake.

Also included will be a 30,000-square-foot public garden designed by Rios Clementi Hale Studios. It will feature water arbors, a vertical garden and multimedia installations.

The center’s inaugural exhibition, “LA Starts Here!,” will “reveal the essential, often overlooked role, of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the founding and shaping of Los Angeles’ history and culture, from the city’s founding in 1781 to the present.”

More grand opening information will be announced in early 2011.

LA Plaza AnnouncesOpening Plans for 2011

Park[ing] Day Returns

Photo by Eric richardson

discussonlinE bdtwn.com/ 5660

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will occupy two of the city’s oldest buildings, the 1888 Vickrey-Brunswig Building (left) and the 1883 Plaza House (right). The two are across Main Street from Olvera Street.

Seating inside a Park[ing] Day space from 2008 provides respite in the Historic Core

By Jenni SimcoeIn an effort to bring awareness to the lack of parks in urban space, Park[ing] Day 2010 will be held worldwide on September 17th. The event’s purpose is that citizens, organiza-tions, companies, artists and activists take over a metered parking space and turn it into their own park, a temporary public space. Last year’s event was held in six continents, 21 countries and 140 cities, with 700 parks created. This year 23 metered parking spaces will be taken over around Los Angeles, three of which are planned Downtown.

HMC ARCHITECTS

The architecture firm plans include an urban agricultural park made of office-grown herbs and recycled paper tubes from Ford Graphics. Visitors will be able to sit and relax on the undulating paper tube topography

and take home one of many herb plants to spread the word on urban farming. 633 W. 5th, across from the Central Public Library

DLANC

The Downtown Los Angeles Neighbor-hood Council’s park[ing] spot is themed ‘Window into the Future Use of Spring Street Park and will feature bare feet on grass. 450 S. Spring

AECOM D+P

Fashion Your District! Join the architec-ture, design and planning company for a cafe event in the Fashion District. Get the opportunity to weigh in about the neighbor-hood and how to enhance it. 11th & Maple

For a complete citywide map, go to parkingdayla.com

Photo by saMantha PaGE


Everydayyday

By Pamela RouseAt noon on Saturday, local dogs and their owners gathered outside the Arts District’s new Saslow Dog Park for a ceremony that forsook a ribbon cutting for an unlocking of the gate. Los Angeles River Artist and Busi-ness Association (LARABA) presi-dent Joseph Pitruzzelli and LAPD officer Jack Richter officiated the opening of the gate to residents and their dogs.

Also in attendance were Council-man Jose Huizar, Councilwoman Jan Perry, representatives of the Arts District BID, former LARABA President Tim Keating, and Estela Lopez from Central City East Asso-ciation.

Though not present, former LARABA president and Arts District activist John Saslow was praised for his work with Richter to make the park a reality.

Pitruzzelli credits former LARA-BA President (and Arts District activist) John Saslow, along with Senior Lead Officer Jack Richter for making the dog park a reality:

“It was their hard work and collaboration with LARABA and a bunch of other local businesses and people that brought this together,” said Pitruzzelli. “[The two] raised the funds and raised the labor and got together the dog park. I think it’s going to be a really extraordinary edition to our neighborhood, and a much needed addition.”

Huizar presented Richter with a Certificate of Appreciation from the city. “This speaks to us on so many levels,” he said. “First and foremost it’s providing a great place for our four-legged friends; secondly it

shows what can happen when local community members get together and work together to address an issue that the local community wants.”

The councilmember compli-mented Richter, the neighborhood’s Senior Lead Officer, for his contin-ued efforts to improve quality of life in the community. “He does his job, and he does it well. He goes beyond that, he’s part of the community.”

Richter spread his thanks around, pointing out the businesses and the community, the city and the BIDs who are seeing to the day-to-day running of the park. This was a grass-roots effort, he emphasized. “I got a lot of guidance through the city on what to do and what would be acceptable in the neighborhood.”

He also said that he hopes the space will be the first of more pock-et parks in the neighborhood, and

praised Perry for her work on the topic.

Sometimes a great project just takes a simple idea. Richter thanked the Honda family, owners of the land the dog park sits on, and reminded the audience of the proj-ect’s beginnings. “[They] started the whole thing because we went to them and said ‘what are you doing with this lot?’“

$8,000 worth of materials were donated for the park’s transforma-tion from an empty lot.

Benefactors included three local developers and nearby eatery Wurstkuche.

Digging and pipe work for irriga-tion of the park’s trees has begun. A water fountain may happen as well thanks to a pledge from the Barker Block.

As for the dogs, they seemed overjoyed to have a place to run off

Saslow Dog Park Opens; Dogs Approveleash, play with each other, sniff and dig their paws into the sand. Various Downtown neighborhoods were represented at the opening.

Historic Core residents Nelson Maltez and Abel Ybourbys brought their dog Freida. They take their dog on long walks to the Cornfields and the Roybal Learning Center and are happy with the new option. “What’s cool is there’s no other official dog parks in the area, so it’s an oppor-tunity to socialize with other dogs,” said Ybourbys.

The park will be open 7 days a week from 7:30am to sunset. Open-ing and closing of the park, as well daily trash pick up will be handled by the Arts District BID.

Saslow Dog Park 1004 E. 4th St Corner of Molino.

FIRST OF OTHER PUP PARK PLANS?




(Top) Beethoven jogs through the park sand on opening day. (Right) A banner and balloons welcomes the neighborhood to its new dog park.

The Arts District’s Saslow Dog Park is the first to open Downtown, but it shouldn’t be the last. Four other potential dog spaces are in the works throughout the central city.

Spring Street Park

A “pet relief zone” with bag dispensers and fountains near the entrances at Spring and Harlem Alley is being built into the design to help keep the entire lawn fresh and green. The park is scheduled to open summer 2012.

Civic Center Park

Plans include a 30’x75’ “New York-style dog run” using decom-posed granite and 4 1/2-foot-tall fences in front of the Criminal Courts building on Spring. Set to open by 2012.

Pershing Square

Community activists continue to press city officials to follow through on plans to add fencing to a dirt-covered area of the Palm Court for dogs to play in. Early plans includ-ed sanitary drainage and K9 turf.

Grand between 9th & Olympic

Post-9/11 rules required the removal of street parking in front of the Federal Reserve, which got the CRA thinking about creating a park space. Funding is currently being pursued and community meetings identified a canine space as one of the desired features since neighbor-ing Grand Hope Park is off-limits.


Others came because they saw their customer base here. Last November, Interior Illusions owner Mike Valles opened iSquared on Spring Street, offering furnish-ings catering to the modern loft aesthetic. He chose the location to meet the demand of clients who were traveling from Downtown to visit his West Hollywood and Santa Monica showrooms. Based on increased foot traffic over the summer, he considers the venture a success.

Even with these pioneers, what Downtown lacks is a retail core that offers the selection other city centers have, especially in the mid-range market segments, often anchored by a major retailer.

A survey conducted in 2008 by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, a provider of marketing and safety services in a 65-block area covering the Financial and Jewelry districts, identified electronics retailers and discount department stores as the most sought-after types of businesses among residents and workers. Coming as no surprise, retailers Best Buy and Target were the top two brands mentioned by name, and grocer Trader Joe’s is frequently mentioned in social settings and online forums.

Target in particular has long been rumored to be close to making a move on Downtown, but the retailer continues to hold out.

Once it does sign, that move could be the catalyst needed to really boost Downtown retail. Derrick Moore with CB Richard Ellis believes that the arrival of a major retailer could create an effect similar to the renaissance of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade

in the early ‘90s, boosting foot traf-fic to nearby stores and acting as a magnet for more businesses to feel comfortable making a move on Downtown.

Still, it is easy to overlook some of the retail treasures that are found in Downtown’s neighborhoods. Ross Cutlery, a knife and shaving store at 3rd and Broadway, has special-ized in professional-quality cooking knives at the Bradbury Building for the better part of a century. Owner Allen Wattenberg and his brother bought the business nearly half a century ago, just as the neighbor-hood surrounding them began to see a long decline. “The mid-’80s was the low point,” he said, refer-ring to the flight of his customer base to the Westside and suburban shopping centers.

But the thought of leaving Down-town had never occurred to the brothers, due to the multi-gener-ational clientele that has come to rely on the family’s expertise. With business now on the upswing due in part to the company’s knife-sharp-ening services but also because of the increased livability of the area, Wattenberg mulls the idea of another ten years in Downtown. “I plan to be working here until I’m 80, until I can’t move behind the counter anymore.”

When asked what separates his business from online stores, he responds that his staff helps customers figure out the best prod-uct for their needs. “We’ve got a lot of knowledge because we’ve been here 48 years,” he says. “If you’re just looking online at a picture, how do you know if it’s what you need? It’s nice to be able to hold the knife in your hand before you buy it.” Sales even come with a short lesson on keeping new knives sharp

at home.If shuttered storefronts are a sign

of a community in decline, then the move toward a more locally self-sufficient economy is partially a self-ish one: A vibrant retail scene with a unique character helps to make a region more attractive to tourists and their money, and, by extension, that attracts even more retail.

It also generates money for local government.

The promise of untapped sales tax revenues is gaining traction with City Hall, which this year faced a budget deficit of $485 million. Mayor Antonio Villarai-gosa earlier this month unveiled the Shop LA program, pushing for Angelenos to keep their spending within city boundaries by making minor adjustments to their shop-ping habits.

Villaraigosa argues that if resi-dents value the services provided by municipal government, paying a bit more attention to the mean-dering boundaries of the city of Los Angeles when shopping can have a big impact on government reserves. According to a press statement, sales taxes constitute the fifth-largest source of revenue in the city, with one out of every ten local sales tax dollars going to fund libraries, street repaving, parks and public safety.

The opening of Ralphs three years ago showed that the community around Downtown could support a grocery market: the location quickly jumped to the top 15 percent in sales for the Kroger chain.

As of yet, though, there has been no second big retail opening. There’s little question that one will come, the question is just when, and who will be first?

WALK THIS WAY: Join fellow blogdowntown readers on a three-mile, 1,021-step urban hike on Saturday morning with Charles Fleming, author of “Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles.”

“Secret Stairs” contains 42 detailed trails featur-ing 235 of L.A.’s often unseen and unused staircases, along with the histories of homes and points of interest along the paths.

On Saturday, Fleming will retrace the route of his Down-town Los Angeles chapter that winds its way up to Disney Hall, over to the Central Library, and around the Westin Bonaventure.

Fleming is the author of “Don Simpson and the Hollywood Culture of Excess,” a former writer for the Herald-Examiner, and contributes to the Los Ange-les Times and L.A. Weekly.

Interested walkers can meet at the base of Angels Flight this Saturday, Sept. 18, at 10am. The event is free. Be sure to bring water and wear comfortable shoes.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: There are still a few days left to register for the Ketchum YMCA’s 2010 Stair Climb to the Top, which takes place on Friday, Septem-ber 24.

It’s the 17th running of the

vertical event that has climbers walk or run the 1,018-foot-tall US Bank Tower’s 1,500 stairs to raise money for YMCA’s programs.

The course record is 9:28, but most participants can expect

to make the climb in 20 to 45 minutes. Approxi-

mately 2,000 people made the climb in

2009. According to the event’s website, near-

ly $175,000 in pledges had already

been raised as of this week. Pre-registration for

the 2010 climb closes Septem-ber 20 and the minimum donation for individual climbers is $100. www.ymcastairclimb.org

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE: All those steps can be training for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon, which winds its way from Griffith Park to L.A. Live on October 24. Local bands playing rock, punk, blues, or funk to set a tempo for runners every mile.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles orga-nizers, who already hold half-marathon’s in fourteen cities nationally, hope to see 15,000 athletes born to run for the half-marathon’s inaugural year in Los Angeles.

Runners can register until Octo-ber 17. Bands interested in playing can submit CDs or links at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles website. los-angeles.competitor.com

ON YOUR FEETWho needs the gym? Here are three events that will keep you in shape and out of doors in the Fall.

Downtown’s Retail SceneContinued from Page 1



Food

By Pamela RouseThe bank buildings in Downtown’s Historic Core have long been a favorite target for reuse, but it is a former bank space in the Little Tokyo Galleria that provides the home for new boutique restaurant Vault XXI.

Chef Michael Martinez describes the concept as “California contem-porary American.”

“We have a little bit of every-thing,” he explains. “We highlight it with French and Italian.”

The focus is on small farms, sustainable and all-organic food. “Everything is from scratch, we don’t pre-buy anything except for my bread, which is from LaBrea, but that’s baked fresh every day.”

He notes they just don’t have the space in the kitchen to make the bread. Instead, some of that space is used for the wood-burning oven where they bake their thin crust Tuscany pizzas.

The desserts are handmade by pastry chef Jocelyn Tubig, formerly of Pacific Palms Resort in Orange County. “Everything she does is beautiful,” Martinez says. Like the menu itself, the desserts are seasonal.

Martinez, who has 20 years of culinary experience, says mall owner John Jihn was looking for a Ritz-Carlton chef to create a new boutique lounge in a former bank space. “He came to the [Downtown] Ritz-Carlton, where I happened to be the chef on duty that evening and I did a tasting menu for him and he was blown away.”

Martinez jumped on board, and the concept went “extremely boutique.”

“We wanted to try and do some-thing different, concentrating on fine cuisine and fine drink.”

“All the seafood is Sashimi grade, and all our steaks are dry-aged.”

Martinez says there are “over 100

micro-brew and craft beers, 24 of them being live tap.” The wine menu features 50 varietals.

“Our extremely top shelf liquor is increasing by the day. The owner wants to specialize in excellence in everything,” including a 50-year-old

malt scotch that runs about $12,000 a bottle.

The interior design by Diana Song reworks former bank offices into private VIP lounges with large booth-style seating. Each has its own flat-screen television that can be used during business lunches for power-point presentations. Reserved VIP rooms are served with the chef’s five to seven course tastings menu.

The Elite VIP room is what was once the actual bank vault, and reservations start at $5,000, a price that does include a nine course tast-ing menu. This is also where the high-end liquor is kept, with no bottle running less than $2,500.

The restaurant hopes to host fashion and art shows as well as live music in the future. A DJ booth will be built in the front for the lounge. “We’re a lounge not a club. We don’t want to scare people away. Our focus is 25-40 year-olds that like to have a good time. No drama, just come in.”

Dinner is served until 10pm

Vault XXI333 S. Alameda #115213.625.2001

hours:Weekdays: 11:30am-2amWeekends: noon-2am

during the week, and 11pm on the weekends. The lounge offers a small bites menu until 2am.

The current artwork by local graf artist Codak will be on display until the end of the year along with a vari-ety of other artists. Martinez says they want to support local artists, so the work will be rotated regularly every three months and will be for sale on behalf of the artists, without commission.

“What we want to do is provide an exceptional product: cuisine and liquor but in a casual environment.”

Vault XXI Opens in Little TokyoPhoto by PaMEla rousE



Chef Michael Martinez stands inside Vault XXI, the restaurant he helped open this month inside the Little Tokyo Galleria

Part of the restaurant’s extensive beer list

The restaurant’s bar offers well-placed TVs for game watching



RESTAURANTS & CAFES Adoro Mexican Grille | California Pizza KitchenCharlie Kabob | Extreme Blendz at Gold’s Gym | George’s Greek Café Han’s Korean Grill | Morton’s The Steakhouse | Mrs. Fields CookiesPanda Express | Quizno’s Subs | Sarku Japan | Starbucks Coffee | Trimana Grill

DINE WITH US

735 S. FIGUEROA STREET | DOWNTOWN L.A. | 213 955 7150 | 7FIG.COMThree hours FREE parking with store or restaurant validation | FREE WiFi

Follow us > twitter.com/seventhandfig

Complimentary Dessert with Purchase of EntréeLimit one per table. Valid for

in-restaurant dining only. Other restrictions may apply.

Please present coupon at time of purchase. Valid at 7+FIG only. Photocopies will not be

accepted. Some restrictions apply. OFFER EXPIRES 9/30/10.

Complimentary Appetizer

With any purchase of $15 or more

Greek Night Extravaganza!

Buy 1 entrée get the 2nd one half off. Offer valid Monday-Friday (4pm to close), all day Saturday.

Please present coupon at time of purchase. Valid at 7+FIG only. Photocopies will not be

accepted. Some restrictions apply. OFFER EXPIRES 9/30/10.

Please present coupon at time of purchase. Valid at 7+FIG only. Photocopies will not be accepted. Maximum value of $8.99

appetizer. Some restrictions apply. OFFER EXPIRES 9/30/10.

By Jenni Simcoe Ciudad, the Latin outpost of Mary Sue Millik-en and Susan Feniger’s restaurant empire, will close October 2nd and reopen later in October as the Border Grill.

The chefs, known as The Food Network’s “Too Hot Tamales,” are rebranding the restaurant at Figueroa and 5th to focus on the Border Grill brand. Last year the duo took Border Grill to the streets with the launch of their first food truck followed two months ago by a Border Grill Stop kiosk at the corner of Figueroa and Wilshire.

“It’s a natural evolution,” says Leah Ross, PR & Marketing Manager. Ross says that Mexican food tends to be more accessible to the masses than the Latin fusion cuisine on the menu at Cuidad. “It will be a casual fun place to gather with friends and have margaritas or to dine before going to the theater.” The restaurant will continue to operate a shuttle to the Music Center on show nights.

Ross says that some regulars of Ciudad have voiced that they are sad to see the

By Jenni SimcoeIt’s been a secret he kept for over a month, but in the preview of this week’s Top Chef DC finale on Bravo, Downtown’s own Ilan Hall appeared for a split second smirking at the three final competitors.

Hall, season two Top Chef winner and chef-owner of The Gorbals in the Alexandria Hotel, traveled to Singapore for five days to tape the finale in which three former victors--Hall, season three winner Hung Huynh and season six, Pasadena-based chef Michael Voltaggio--chip in to help the current competitors prepare their last test before one wins the prize of Top Chef.

When asked if he would be interested in going back to compete against other season’s winners, Hall replied, “It’s an obvious conclu-

Part of the restaurant’s extensive beer list

Chef Gordon Ramsay stands amidst the contestants in season eight of Hell’s Kitchen

sion that Bravo will probably do that at some point, but I’m not worried. I’ve already beat Hung in a competition.” As of press time, the winner of season seven was still to be named on Wednesday’s season finale.

In other local Top Chef news, the new show Top Chef: Just Desserts will premiere following the finale of Top Chef. As a promo-tion, diners who make a reservation via OpenTable.com for dinner on the evening of September 15 will receive a free dessert.

To find out local participating restau-rants, diners must check Twitter account @BravoTV or Facebook page ‘topchefjust-desserts’ on Wednesday morning. Keep an eye out for food trucks circling Los Angeles that day to enjoy one of the desserts they’ll be handing out to celebrate the new show.

concept changed, but they’ve been assured the Border Grill menu will incorporate the most popular dishes from Ciudad. Those include the Peruvian Ceviche, Gaucho Steak and Argentine Empanadas.

“The Border Grill will still be unique and stand apart from other Mexican restaurants,” adds Ross. The “hot tamales” have traveled extensively throughout Mexico--the Yucat-an, Baja, Mexico City--to hone their take on Mexican cuisine. “It’s not the typical Mexican restaurant entrée with rice and beans on the side.”

Menu items at the Border Grill include entrées such as a Grilled Skirt Steak with a side of charred corn relish, shaved asparagus, sweet pepper salad and a tortilla or a tradi-tional Chile Relleno with roasted poblano chiles, manchego, panela, cotija cheeses, salsa roja and tomatillo salsa.

The restaurant plans a soft opening in mid-October with a grand opening to follow.

Latin Out, Mexican In

Hall Makes a Top Chef AppearanceIan Hall (left) in the Top Chef kitchen during earlier competition on the show.

Photo courtEsy nbc univErsal

Mixing Room to Host Hell’s Kitchen PartySeason eight of the Fox reality cooking show Hell’s Kitchen makes its television premiere on Wednesday, September 22, and the winner may well become a familiar face for Downtowners. At stake for the contestant who most impresses superstar chef Gordon Ramsay is a spot as chef de cuisine at LA Market by Chef Kerry Simon, the signature restaurant of the JW Marriott L.A. Live.

Much of the season was filmed at the hotel,

which opened in February. The JW will be hosting a viewing party for

the premiere at the Mixing Room, its ground floor cocktail lounge.

As part of the celebration, the lounge will be offering $5 cocktail specials from 7 to 10pm, complimentary small bites and a chance to win dinner for two at LA Market.

Photo by PEtEr barrEtt For bordEr GrillBorder Grill Stop, at Wilshire and Figueroa

Photo courtEsy Fox Publicity


Nightlifeyda

By Michael F. Robleto Rumblings of a second coming of a recession is enough of a reason to look for good drinking deals. When dives ruled Downtown, it was easy. Now the influx of artisan cocktail lounges with master mixologists has driven up the median cost of getting a beer or cocktail. Fortunately there are some hidden spots to patronize with lesser-known specials around Downtown Los Angeles. Here is a guide I call the Budget Buzz.

BACK DOOR PUB

Hidden in the back of the Ritz-Milner hotel—no affiliation to the Ritz-Carlton / JW Marriott at L.A. Live—Back Door Pub is a working-man’s type of joint: mellow with zero pretention.

Drinks are cheap and free popcorn flows for the hard-core locals that frequent this place.

Well drinks are always $5, domestic beers $4 and imports $5. Essentially, with no drink over

$7, these are happy hour prices for all hours of operation.

Back Door Pub’s hours have expanded due to the recent surge in patrons and one can befriend them on Facebook, where you can discover even deeper deals on daily specials.

Hours are 11:30 to 9:00pm, Monday to Wednesday from 11:30 to 2am, Thursday and Friday and 6pm to 11pm on Saturday. 813 S. Flower

BAR 107

A staple for long-time locals, Bar 107 is a mélange of hipsters, yuppies and shady characters. The vibe here is generally upbeat with the slight hint that a bar fight might break out at any minute. It never does, but it makes for an always-entertaining evening. Unique promo nights like Gong Show Karaoke on Wednesdays and special Yacht Rock DJ themes pack the house. Always cheap prices like

$2 Olympias, $5 tall boy PBRs and $5 well drinks are added reasons to visit.

Happy hour runs 3-8pm during the week and prices drop even further, equating to $3 well drinks, $5 anything (including top shelf) and $4 Makers Mark. 107 W. 4th

BIG WANGS

To solidify its place in the sports-bar circuit, Big Wangs has not one but two rounds of happy hour specials. Monday through Friday features half-off appetizers to be washed down with $4 well drinks and $3 pints. The late night happy hour from 10pm to midnight sees the return of these very same drink prices.

A large fire pit in the patio and approximately 30 wides-creen LCD’s makes this place a staple for the new football season. 801 S. Grand

BROADWAY BAR

This Downtown landmark runs a special happy hour along with a new blend of entertainment to draw in the locals.

All night specials run on Tues-day nights with prices at $3 for domestic beers, $4 for imports or drafts and $5 for well drinks and top shelf at $6 (normal happy hours run 5-8pm Wednesday through Friday). Wednesdays also feature $4 well drinks all night, along with live jazz, beat poetry and DJs spinning new and old school jazz. Thursdays features $3 pints of Stella from 10pm to 2am accompanied by a DJ spinning classic reggae, R&B and 80’s hits. 830 S. Broadway

CAMPERS CORNER

I doubt there is a Downtown bar that can really call itself a dive bar when compared to Campers Corner, which looks more like a employee lounge for Downtown’s darker streetlife than a bar. I can only assume the drinks are cheaper here than anywhere else in DTLA because I am too concerned that I will get shanked by a rusty butter-

Drinking On The CheapKing Eddy’s Saloon, located at the 120-year old King Edward Hotel, is proud of remaining a dive

(Top) Back Door Pub(Center) Big Wangs(Right) Dublins

Photos by MichaEl F. roblEto


knife. I have yet to have a drink here. 724 E. 7th

THE DOWN N OUTThink Bar 107 on a Dave and

Busters scale. Large room, long bar, pool tables and a large street side patio, The Down N Out lives up to its name.

The crowd here can be a bit on the rowdy side, as proven by the elaborate frisking you will endure at the door. Often the crowd ends up being jovial locals from all walks of life. Pool tables and booth seat-ing around the perimeter prove ideal for long drinking sessions—all enabled by the cheap prices. 501 S. Spring

DUBLINSLeading the cheap charge and

a large inspiration for this story, Dublins is now open and frolicking on the west end of 7th street here in Downtown.

65 choices of beer delivered from 100 taps at a constant happy hour price of $3 makes Dublins a no-brainer for those on a budget. Well drinks range from $4 to $5, and $7 for top shelf. 815 W. 7th

GOLDEN GOPHER

Sunday and Monday are an all-day happy hour at The Gopher, featuring their ever-changing selec-tion of draft beer. These pints are $4 and often highlight some of the best microbrews found in Down-town.

As of press time the collec-tion included: Stella, Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat, Negra Modelo, Hoegaarden, Racer 5 IPA and Fat Tire. If $4 is breaking the bank you can always opt for a $3 PBR, normally $5. Well drinks and featured call shots are $5 during happy hour and everything else is $2 off. After the all-day Sunday and Monday special, Gopher’s happy

hour resumes for Thursday and Friday. 417 W. 8th

HANK’S BAR

It is like stepping back in time. Hank’s firmly holds on to the image of what a Downtown bar was like back in the day. Located in the lobby of the Stillwell Hotel, this place is so bad it’s good.

Like many old-school joints they don’t recognize a happy hour. They just run on cheap prices. Draft beers are $4.50, well drinks come in at $6 and domestic bottles are $3.50. The prices are low, but not the lowest and the vibe is very hit and miss.

I rarely come here and when I do, it is because I am stumbling out of

Big Wangs or ordering food to-go from Gil’s Indian at the back of the hotel. 840 S. Grand

KING EDDY SALOON

Lying in the doorway to Skid Row, King Eddy hands down has the cheapest drinks Downtown, and purportedly all of Los Angeles.

Draft beers are a mere $2.75, well drinks are only $2.50, domes-tic beers are $2.50 and pitchers are $9. If that’s too rich for your blood, you can always scrape through your couch cushions and wrestle up enough change for a 7oz bottle at $1.25.

The vibe is definitely sketchy, but that can be fun if you come with a group (and stay with that group).

Some colorful characters hover near the door to quickly accost nervous caged smokers, but an ever present security guard keeps most of the trouble at bay. 131 E. 5th

LAS PERLAS

Undoubtedly the nicest bar in this list, Las Perlas honors drink-ing on a budget with a $6 Cadillac Margarita that is available all night on Mondays. $4 Tijuana micro-brews (I know. . .who knew?) are also available, as well as $2 off the wide variety of artisanal cocktails. 107 E. 6th

SPRING STREET

Kudos have to be given to Spring St. for one of the more creative

ways to offer discounts to locals only. If you are a proud holder of a DTLA Resident card—avail-able at dtlaresident.com—you can wave your local status and receive a Downtown Brown Ale for a mere $4. This creative Downtown special is good all the time. Standard happy hours feature a rotating $4 beer special, $5 wells and well shots for $6. Happy Hour runs nightly from 5-8pm. 626-B S. Spring

Know of a special place with cheap drinks or a Happy Hour not listed here? Let us know online.

(Left) Inside the Down N Out, at 5th and Spring. (Right) The same owners also run Bar 107, on 4th Street

Hank’s Bar, located at the Stillwell Hotel, is like stepping back in time



Calendar

TALK

An Evening With Buddy GuyThur Sep 16 8pmThe Grammy MuseumL.A. Live800 W. Olympicgrammymuseum.org

Bluesman Buddy Guy dis-cusses his career and new album “Living Proof” with Grammy Museum Execu-tive Director Robert Santel-li. “The life I’ve lived is what we’re singing about,” says Guy about his new release. “These songs are exactly what I came up through in my life, what I’ve experi-enced.” After the talk, and a brief Q and A, Guy will play a few selections. The night with the electric gui-tar Chicago Blues legend is, fittingly, presented by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Proceeds will benefit the Grammy Mu-seum.

MUSIC

Les NubiansThur Sep 16 8pmConga Room L.A. Live800 W. Olympic congaroom.com

Les Nubians is composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussar, both from Paris, France. This R&B Grammy nominated Afropean duo bring a soulful mix of hip-hop and jazz—mostly in their native language.

TALK

An Evening WithJonathan FranzenThur Sep 16 8pmALOUD at JANM244 S. San Pedrolapl.org

National Book Award-win-ner Jonathan Franzen (The Corrections) discusses his latest literary release

‘Freedom’ with author Meghan Daum. Franzen’s novel “turns out to be both a compelling biography of a dysfunctional family and an indelible portrait of our times,” the New York Times wrote in a recent review. $25 General Admission; $17.50 Library Associates, with proceeds benefiting the Los Angeles Public Library.

MUSIC

Camerata PacificaThur Sep 16 8pmZipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School200 S. Grandcolburnschool.edu

This evening of chamber music from Camerata Paci-fica will satisfy their well-dressed, dignified—and cult-like—following. The program will be Bach’s So-nata in A Major, BWV 1032, for Flute and Marimba; Schwantner’s Velocities for Marimba; Golijov’s Mariel for Cello and Marimba; Bright Sheng’s Violin and Marimba (World Premiere); Dvork’s Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in F minor, Op. 65.

THEATER

Solo LAtino: The Funny of (Latin) DanceThur Sep 16-18 8pmCompany of AngelsCoA at the Alexandria Hotel501 S. Spring 3rd Floorcompanyofangels.org

Company of Angels is the home for “Solo LAtino The Funny of (Latin) Dance,” an extended comedy monologue with live music about latin dance, dancers and dance mania. It is writ-ten and performed by Bill Santiago, and the interac-tive evening may dare an audience member or two to share their dance moves, or a share a story. “Solo LAtino” is directed by Ric Salinas of Culture Clash. Sep 16 at 8pm; Fri Sep 17 at 8pm; Sat Sep 18 at 8pm. Tickets are $15.

ART

Not Only TimeZhang Peili and Zhu JiaOpening ReceptionThur Sep 16 6 to 9 pmRuns until Nov 21Redcat631 W. 2nd redcat.org

New works from Hang-zhou-based Zhang Peili and Beijing-based Zhu Jia, two major artists trained as painters. They now use video and photography to “navigate the sea of changes in contemporary China.” Zhang and Zhu’s parallel exhibition is billed as a series of works that “poignantly challenges social mores, rampant development, authoritative politics and cultural values” before moving into “uni-versal themes of the indi-vidual, time, and the loss of innocence and idealism.” It is the first presentation of both artists’ work in Los Angeles.

FASHION

GlamoramaThur Sep 16 8pmOrpheum Theatre842 S. Broadwaymacys.com/glamorama

The night of high-end fashion runway and en-tertainment, which raises funds for AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project An-gel Food, moves from the Westside to Downtown’s Broadway. “Macy’s Pass-port Presents Glamorama” features live performances from Macy Gray and Eric Hutchinson, alongside with collections from designers including Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein.

MUSIC

Travis Sullivan QuartetThurs Sep 16 9pmBlue Whale123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St Suite 301(Weller Court)bluewhalemusic.com

Compared to “Travis Sul-livan’s Bjorkestra,” the 18 piece big band that covers pop artist Bjork, a project that saxophonist Travis Sullivan arranges and con-ducts, a quartet is packing light. Sullivan’s Quartet includes Nick Mancini on vibraphone, Hamilton Price on bass and Dan Schnelle on drums.

MUSIC

Ambrose AkinmusireThur Sep 16 8pmCafé Metropol923 E. 3rdcafemetropol.com

Trumpeter Ambrose Akin-musire and his quintet are in the middle of a brief west coast tour. In addition to just filling Café Metropol with youthful and inspired jazz, Akinmusire is working out arrangements for his Blue Note label recording debut. Admission $16.

MUSIC

Unstoppable Death MachinesThur Sep 16 9pmThe Smell247 S. Mainthesmell.org

A night of grunge club house with Batwings Catwings; lo-fi pop with Sundelles; grime NY punk with Unstoppable Death Machines, and some LA punk with Woah Hunx.

Zhu Jia, “We are Perfect,” 2009, photograph. Courtesy the artist and ShanghArt Gallery, Shanghai.

Legendary Bluesman Buddy Guy. Photo by christian lantry.

Ambrose Akinmusire


DANCE

Rain Coloring ForestSep 16 - 19REDCATThu Sep 16 8:30pmSat Sep 18 8:30pmSun Sep 19 3pmredcat.org

Sardono Dance Theater and Jennifer Tipton bring a major piece to Grand Ave.Choreographer and paint-er Sardono W. Kusomo dances with the lighting design of Jennifer Tipton and you will not be able to tell who leads. The two are collaborating for three per-formances of music, dance, visuals, and use of Sar-dono’s large scale canvases as the set. Music by David Rosenboom.

MUSIC

Hotrod HillbilliesThur Sep 16 10pmRedwood Bar & Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

Call it punkabilly, neo-rock-abilly or country cowpunk. Hotrod Hillbillies are simply a rockin’ whiskey-fueled trio from Texas.

MUSIC

Primus Oddity Faire with Mariachi El BronxSep 16 and 17 9pmClub Nokia at L.A. Live800 W. OlympicClubnokia.com

Primus’ Les Claypool takes his identity-bending road

show Oddity Faire out for a second tour of duty. The multi-medium eclectic rock event—packed with off-the-wall musicians and per-formances—will be joined by Mariachi El Bronx, another group that takes on a different persona for special occasions.

MUSIC

Kim RichmondEnsembleFri Sep 17 8pmCafé Metropol923 E. 3rdcafemetropol.com

Composer / arranger / saxophonist Kim Richmond and his six piece quintet return to Café Metropol, one of his favorite spots for live improvisational jazz. In fact, Richmond’s 2008 Or-gin Record release of live recordings is called “Kim Richmond, ‘Live at Café Metropol.”

MUSIC

Bare WiresFri Sep 17 9pmThe Smell247 S. Mainthesmell.org

New Wave glam and punk romance with Bare Wires and Plasma Centre.

MUSIC

Otmaro Ruiz TrioFri Sep 17 9pmThe Blue Whale123 Astronaut E S Onizuka, Suite 301(Weller Court)bluewhalemusic.com

Progressive Latin Jazz with Otmaro Ruiz leading on piano. $10 cover and free parking with validation.

MUSIC

An American BandFri Sep 17 10pm Casey’s Bar And Grill613 S. Grandbigcaseys.com

An American Band features country roughnecks Dan Clark, Byron Thames and Jamie Douglass. No Cover.

MUSIC

Sweeney ToddSep 17 10pmRedwood Bar and Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

Rockabilly with Sweeney Todd, Almon Loos, Omar & The Stringpoppers.

TALK

Discovering Your Japanese American RootsSat Sep 18 10:30amJapanese American National Museum369 E. 1stjanm.org

Instructor Chester Hashi-zume leads a workshop covering the genealogy ba-sics to identifying ancestral Japanese roots, including how to obtain family docu-ments and determining the meaning behind surnames and family crests. This intensive session includes a one-hour break. $45 for members and $55 for non-members.

TALK

‘I Hotel’ by Karen Tei YamashitaSat Sep 18 2pmJapanese American National Museum369 E. 1stjanm.org

Karen Tei Yamashita’s I HO-TEL uses ten novellas (one for each year, beginning in 1968) to tell the story of protests and change from San Francisco’s Chinatown, specifically the Interna-tional Hotel, the epicenter of the Yellow Power Move-ment. There will be a book signing with author Tei Ya-mashita after the program.

SPORTS

Mosley vs. MoraSep 18 2pmStaples Center1111 S. Figueroastaplescenter.com

39-year-old Shane Mos-ley (46-6, 39 KO’s) takes on former World Boxing Council junior middle-weight champion Sergio Mora (22-1, 6 KO’s).

FILM

IxoqSat Sep 18 6pmNational Center for the Preservation of Democracy111 N. Central Freencdemocracy.org

Free screening of “Ixoq,” the film that documents the struggles of Mayan women during the armed conflict with Guatemala. The night includes Mayan musical guest Princesas del Mundo Maya before the screening, and a talk by filmmaker Felipe Perez after. Advanced reserva-tions are recommended for most programs. E-mail [email protected] or call 213.625.0414 at least 48 hours prior to the event.

MUSIC

KDAY’s Fresh FestSat Sep 18 8pmNokia Theatre LA Live777 Chick Hearn Courtnokiatheatre.com

Rapper Ice Cube headlines the sold-out KDAY’s Fresh Fest with a lineup that in-cludes DJ Quik, Tha Dogg Pound, Warren G, plus rap pioneers Rodney O. and Joe Cooley.

COMEDY

Kathleen MadiganSept 18 8pmClub Nokia at LA Live800 W. Olympicclubnokia.com

Kathleen Madigan’s style is smart Midwestern wit, poking holes in logic with approachable cynicism, sans the rage.

MUSIC

TyvekSept 18 8pm The Smell 247 S. Mainthesmell.org

Psychedelic punk Tyvek, Jeff the Brotherhood and Wounded Liona.

MUSIC

Dwight Trible QuartetSat Sept 18 8pm Blue Whale123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Suite 301(Weller Court)bluewhalemusic.com

The African beat of the band is tight, but it’s the compelling baritone of Trible that is the show.

MUSIC

Sara RadleSat Sept 18 8pm Casey’s Irish Bar & Grill613 S. Grandbigcaseys.com

Sara Radle uses the 3rd night of a four-Saturday residency to play with her band and feature guest band The Damselles.

MUSIC

Swords of FatimaSat Sept 18 9pmRedwood Bar & Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

With New Rome Quartet, Electric Children, Secret Society of the Sonic Six. The night is also a CD release party for Swords of Fatima and New Rome Quartet.

Courtesy Sardono W. Kusomo

Karen Tei Yamashita

Shane Mosley and Sergio Mora


TALK

Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America by Erika Lee and Judy Yung

Sept 19 2pmJapanese American National Museum369 E. 1stjanm.org

Introduced as the first comprehensive history of San Francisco Bay’s ‘im-migration station,’ “Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America” uses extensive research from immigra-tion records to inscriptions on the barrack walls— to compile a personal history of immigrants who passed through in hope of enter-ing the US. There will be a book signing after the program.

MUSIC

Screeching WeaselSept 19 7pmClub Nokia L.A. Live800 W. Olympicclubnokia.com

Pop-punk through sets of three-minute songs with the influential Screeching Weasel. They are joined by The Dollyrots and Kepi Ghoulie Electric (of the Groovie Ghoulies).

MUSIC

Benefit Show for Tom of the PaladinsSept 19 10pmRedwood Bar & Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

Bold rockabilly songstress Candye Kane leads a ben-efit show for Paladins co-founder Tom Yearsley, who was struck by a train Aug 16 while trying to save his dog near his home north of San Diego. Also appear-ing are Karling Abbeygate, Thomas Yearsleys Exotiki and The Blasters.

MUSIC

Phil AlvinSept 20 10pmRedwood Bar & Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

Phil Alvin and friends.

TALK

Mona Simpson:My HollywoodSept 21 7pmCentral Library Mark Taper Auditorium630 W. 5thlapl.org

ALOUD conversation with novelist Mona Simpson, author of ‘Anywhere but Here.” Her new novel “My Hollywood” tells the story of two women whose lives entwine and unfold behind the glittery surface of Hol-lywood.

The Drop: Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Mas-ters of Ray CharlesSept 21 7:30pmThe Grammy MuseumL.A. Live800 W. Olympic

Unissued tracks by Ray Charles stored at Charles’ RPM International Studios are about to be released as a new album, including a never released duet of Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me Lord?” recorded by Charles and Johnny Cash. The story behind that, and what the unearthed masters means to Charles’ legacy, is dis-cussed by John Burk, Con-cord Music Group; Valerie Ervin, Ray Charles Founda-tion; and Tony Gumina, Ray Charles Marketing Group. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10. Proceeds benefit the Grammy Museum.

MUSIC

RatatatSept 21 9pmClub Nokia L.A. Live800 W. Olympicclubnokia.com

Instrumental electronic musicians Mike Stroud and Evan Mast have a strong following for their indie rock dance laced with hip-hop and slide projections. With psychpunk-like Dom and Bobby Birdman.

MUSIC

Dirty Ed TuesdaysSept 22 10pmRedwood Bar & Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

Dirty Ed Tuesdays, A Pretty Mess, Jugheads Revenge, Death Hymn

MUSIC

Michael Franti& SpearheadSept 22 9pmClub Nokia LA Live800 W. Olympicclubnokia.com

Club Nokia is one stop in nine cities for musician and activist MIchael Franti. His “The Sound of Sunshine Tour” brings awareness for Soles4Souls and en-courages fans to donate or sponsor shoes, raising money for the charity that helps adults and children take a “first step out of the cycle of poverty.” Soles-4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of foot-wear companies and the closets of people around the world. So far, donated shoes have been distrib-uted in 125 countries.

TALK

Isabel WilkersonSept 22 7 PMCentral Library Mark Taper Auditorium630 W. 5thlapl.org

“The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration” is Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter Isabel Wilkerson’s chronicle of the decades-long migration of African Americans from the South to the North and West--through the stories of three individuals and their fami-lies. The author discusses her book with Gregory Rodriguez, L.A. Times col-umnist.

MUSIC

All For The HallSept 23 8pmClub Nokia LA Live800 W. Olympicclubnokia.com

The Country Music Hall of Fame’s sold-out fundraiser, “All For The Hall,” is set for Thursday, Sep 23, at Club Nokia. Performances by Taylor Swift and Country Music Hall of Fame mem-bers Emmylou Harris and Kris Kristofferson.

OPERA

Il PostinoSept 23 through Oct 16Dorothy Chandler Pavilion135 N. Grandmusiccenter.org

World Premiere of “Il Pos-tino” by Daniel Catán stars Plácido Domingo as the poet Pablo Neruda. Based on the popular 1994 Italian film, a shy young postman (Charles Castronovo) in a tiny Italian fishing village finds the inspiration to live out his dreams during his daily deliveries to his only customer, a famous poet. Also starring Amanda Squitieri, Cristina Gallardo-Domâs, and Nancy Fabiola-Herrera.

Jeff Gillette, Hollywood Cliff, Acrylic and Collage on Canvas, 2010. courtesy of bGFa.

Jeff Gillette: Slums—New Paintings and DrawingsScott Horsley: New Drawings

An opening reception for Jeff Gillette and Scott Horsley, two artists with concurrent solo shows at Bert Green Fine Art, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 8:30pm. Jeff Gillette brings new “slums-capes” for his third solo exhibition at BGFA. Detailed and colorful images are inspired by his travels through slum cities in Asia and South America. BGFA writes that the paint-ings become “artifacts of the human spirit.”

It is Scott Horsley’s first solo show at BGFA and he presents drawings that at first are an absurdist look masculinity’s relationship to technology, consumerism, and anti-social paranoia, yet the images challenge cultural assumptions. The exhibitions runs through Oct. 30.

Bert Green Fine Art102 W. 5th213-842-8574bgfa.us

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat from 12 – 6 pm

Plácido Domingo


THEATER

The Glass MenagerieThrough Oct 17135 N. Grandcentertheatergroup.org

The Gordon Edelstein-directed production of Tennessee Wil-liams’ “The Glass Menagerie” first opened May 2009 at the Long Wharf Theater Company in New Haven. In spring it ran off-Broad-way and was extended for the Roundabout Theater Company. The production is acclaimed for returning to the text’s dark humor and reducing sentimentality and over-the-top drama that often saddles Williams. Many from that Long Wharf Company cast are in the current five-week visit at the Mark Taper Forum. Judith Ivey as the iconic Amanda Wing-field; Patch Darragh as Tom; Keira Keeley as Laura; and Ben McKen-zie as Jim O’Connor, the Gentle-man Caller.

Leap Of Faith Through Oct 24Ahmanson Theater 135 N. Grandcentertheatregroup.org

Four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza and Golden Globe Award nominee Brooke Shields star in Leap of Faith, a new musical about a flim-flam faith healer who is stranded in a small drought stricken Kansas town. Based on the 1992 film that starred Steve Martin, the Rob Ashford-directed and choreographed musical fea-tures a country-music and gospel-inspired score by Alan Menken. The book is by Janus Cercone with Glenn Slater. The debut of Leap of Faith opens the 2010-2011 season for the Ahmanson Theater. Previews began Sept. 11, opens Oct. 3 and runs through Oct. 24.

Mysterious SkinThrough Oct 10East West Players120 Judge John Aisoeastwestplayers.org

From East West Players: “This searing drama follows the story of a boy who believes he was once abducted by aliens. All roads lead back to a childhood classmate, now a hustler, who holds the key to the terrifying and heart-break-ing truth.” Mysterious Skin is writ-ten by Prince Gomolvilas, based on the novel by Scott Heim, and directed by Tim Dang.

ART

2010 Digital Art L.A.Runs through Oct 02Wed-Sat 12-5Los Angeles Center for Digital Art107 W. 5thlacda.com

Juried works gathered from an international pool of artists work-ing in digital media were selected by critic and curator Peter Frank of the Riverside Art Museum.

ALIVESep 09 - Oct 01Tues-Fri 1pm to 8pm; Sat 11am to 7pmImmortal Gallery215 W. 6th #116Entrance on Springimmortalmurals.com

Angel Acordagoitia’s solo show, as inspired by Jose Guadalupe Posa-da and Daft Punk.

river, rock, bones Runs through Oct 9Dialect 215 W. 6th Suite 111downtowndialect.com

Solo show for Paul Chatem.

Guillermo Kahlo Photography ExhibitionThrough Oct 08Mon-Fri 10am to 5pmCity Hall Bridge Gallery201 N. Main, Third Floorcityofla.org

In 1910, Guillermo Kahlo was in-vited by then-President Porfirio Díaz to be the official photogra-pher during Mexico’s Centennial celebrations. That made Kahlo, the father of the beloved Frida Kahlo, the first official photographer of Mexico’s cultural heritage. The exhibition of Guillermo Kahlo’s legacy, presented by Mexico D.F. Sister Cities Committee, UNAM, and The City of Los Angeles, co-incides with Mexico’s 2010 Bicen-tennial Celebrations. The gallery is located inside the pedestrian bridge connecting City Hall and City Hall East. Free.

MaterialRuns through Oct 10Wed, Sat, Sun: Noon to 6pm; Thurs, Fri: Noon to 7:30pmCB1 Gallery 207 W. 5thcb1gallery.com

This solo show featuring the work of Los Angeles artist Daniel Ak-sten.

Memories From My Youth in Com-munist RomaniaThrough Oct 07Gallery open Mon-Fri 9am 6pmCotrutza Fine Art 446 S. Maincotrutza.com

Paintings by Claudia Cotrutza that come from personal reflections of living and working under the rule of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Urban Impressionism: A Miguel Paredes RetrospectiveThrough Sep 26Tues to Thurs Noon-7pm Fri to Sat Noon-8pmSun Noon-6pmCrewest 110 Winstoncrewest.com

Miami-based pop, multi-media art-ist and sculptor Miguel Paredes is the subject of “Urban Impression-ism: A Miguel Paredes Retrospec-tive.” The retrospective at Crewest Gallery exhibits select pieces and sculptures from Paredes.

ONGOING


blogdowntown weekly : september 16, 2010

Documents

downtown los angeles

downtown residents

pamela rousephoto

art classes

blogdowntown llc

photo printing

years of women

recent years