02-13-17 by Los Angeles Downtown News

Big Money in the City Elections : 5 Is This the End of Parker Center? : 7

February 13, 2017 I VOL. 46 I #7

Riot in the Seats

‘Zoot Suit’ Returns to the Mark Taper Forum SEE PAGE 10

photo by Craig Schwartz

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AROUND TOWN

High-Rise Planned for Eighth and Hope

eveloper Mitsui Fudosan America has not broken ground on its first Downtown tower, but is already looking to construct a second. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the developer filed plans with the city for a 40-story tower at 754 S. Hope St. The Financial District project would hold 409 apartments and six levels of parking with a total of 487 stalls. The high-rise would span the length of the block on the northern side of Eighth Street between Grand Avenue and Hope Street, replacing a parking structure currently on the site. No timeline or budget have been announced. Mitsui Fudosan America, the U.S. the arm of a Japanese firm, is also seeking to build a 43-story, 436-unit tower at 744 S. Figueroa St. The company is still seeking entitlements for that project.

Restoration Coming for Fort Moore Hill Memorial

60-year-old Downtown monument is getting a 21st century upgrade. The Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial at 451 N. Hill St. was dedicated in 1957 to commemorate the Fort Moore Hill military fort; the memorial was known for a waterfall and a mosaic wall depicting the raising of the American flag by Mormon soldiers in 1847. The 77-foot-wide wa-

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS terfall went dry during a drought in 1977, and the water has been turned off ever since. The Los Angeles Department of Public Works this month will begin cleaning the terra cotta wall and overhauling the waterfall. Clare Haggarty, civic arts collection manager for the County Arts Commission, said that the monument is not in disrepair, but does need cleaning and modern systems. The County Board of Supervisors in 2014 approved spending $4.1 million for the refurbishment, and last May the City Council agreed to chip in $500,000. No finish date has been set, but Haggarty expects the upgraded attraction will garner attention. “The whole area is being rejuvenated. There are apartments being built across the road and Grand Park has been a success,” she said. “I think we’re going to see more pedestrian traffic in the near future.” The restored waterfall will use recycled water.

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

South Park Apartment Buildings Sell, Get New Names

n the last two years, the Houston-based developer Hanover Company created more than 800 new apartments in South Park, building three seven-story structures. Windsor Property Management, which operates more than a half dozen apartment buildings in Los Angeles County, now owns two of them. Windsor acquired the properties late last year and the buildings have been rebranded. The 284-unit Hanover South Park, at 939 S. Hill St., is now the South Park by Windsor. The 274-apartment Hanover Grand Avenue at 1000 S. Grand Ave. has become the 1000 Grand by Windsor. No alterations to the build-

February 13, 2017

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ings beyond the name changes have been announced. Windsor representatives would not comment on the purchases beyond confirming the acquisitions. A third nearby building, the 263-apartment Hanover Olympic, at 936 S. Olive St., is still owned by the developer.

Downtown Film Festival Accepting Submissions

he DTLA Film Festival won’t open until the fall, but organizers are now looking for submissions. Interested filmmakers can submit en-

February 9, 2017

tries for categories including narrative features, documentaries and even virtual reality productions. The ninth edition of the event formerly known as the Downtown Film Festival will take place Sept. 21-30 at the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live. Last year’s festival included more than 100 films, from feature length works to shorts. Although the festival is based in Downtown, submissions come from across the United States and around the world. There are a series of rolling deadlines, with early bird submissions due by Feb. 28. More information on criteria and submission date is at dtlaff.com/submit-your-film/. Continued on page 9

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February 13, 2017

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The Next Era of Office Tenants

ast week, Los Angeles Downtown News reported on the opening of the Downtown office of the tech company Evite. The electronic invitation and party planning business said goodbye to West Hollywood and brought its headquarters with 100 employees to a Financial District building (where it has room for up to 200 workers). Evite brass cited Downtown’s centrality EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris and lower rents than other tech hubs (think SiliGENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin con Beach) as reasons for the move. At 18,800 square feet, the Evite deal is not huge. EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie However, we think it is a sign of where the DownSENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim town office market is going, and hints at a future STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese that, to a degree, has already arrived. S I N C E 19 7 2 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre, Greg Numerous Downtown developers are building Los Angeles Downtown News Fischer, Emily Manthei creative office space, the term for the open floor 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 plans and sometimes rustic environment (think conART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison web: DowntownNews.com crete floors and exposed ducts) that is the business ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa email: realpeople@downtownnews.com counter to the cubicle farm. You’re seeing this in the PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard facebook: Arts District, but also in Financial District structures ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt L.A. Downtown News that previously were bastions of white-collar firms. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway twitter: The gorgeous CalEdison building, a 1931 structure ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, I N C E 19 7 2 DowntownNews long known as One Bunker Hill, just unveiled itsSnew Michael Lamb Los Angeles Downtown News creative office look. ©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved. W. First Street, Angeles, CA 90026 1264 It seems that the Los community has long been waitThe Angeles is thehas must-read newscity attorney’s bailiwick, this isLos one areaDowntown whereNews Feuer taken the phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon paper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every ing for the giant office deal that will tip the scales, as “problem-solver” approach. For example, his office holds regular web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles Los Angeles. it were, and usher in a new tech age. Yet in reality the “citation ” which those on the streets the opportunity t’s hard to think of a better Los Angeles DISTRIBUTION City AttorneyASSISTANTS: than Mike Lorenzo Castillo,clinics, Gustavo Bonilla offerOne copy per person. facebook: twitter: scene has been slowly building on its own, organito remove tickets and fines if they will access various social services Feuer. In the four years since being elected, Feuer has consistentDowntown News DowntownNews cally. TheL.A. production company Buck, which specialthat could help them turn their lives around. ly displayed smarts, mindful aggressiveness and a creative and izes in motion graphics, has called Downtown home Think of this as the carrot approach to addressing homelessness, consistent approach to the challenges facing the city. He has shown EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris for nearly 15 years. There’s a homegrown success in but Feuer has also used the stick — he has repeatedly prosecuted a strong moral compass, and has been equally effective whether adGENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin the community organizing platform NationBuilder. hospitals for “dumping” homeless individuals, or sending them back vising one of his clients, the City Council, or representing the other, EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Regardie The list of area techJon firms goes on and on. to the streets and an uncertain future after treatment. Feuer has larger part of his clientele — the 4 million residents ofEDITOR: Los Angeles. EXECUTIVE Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim A big client is coming, as Warner Music Group last sought to force hospitals to adopt protocols so these vulnerable in Los Angeles Downtown News strongly endorses Feuer in the SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton October announced plans to leave Burbank and fill March 7 election. Yes, he’s running unopposed, it’s still worthSlaytondividuals are not discharged until a complete after-care plan is esCONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese STAFF but WRITER: Nicholas the Ford Factory Building in the Arts District in 2018. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, saying that he deserves another term. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryntablished. Maese We hope he keeps it up. Any office broker will tell you (off the record) of Emily Manthei SIN C get E 19 7 2 on illegal Feuer hasJeff also taken steps to help the city a handle When Feuer became City Attorney in 2013, the office was in an Tom Fassbender, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Favre, some of the big-name companies that have toured billboards and pot shops; it’s easy to forget now, but a half-decade unsettled state. Morale appeared low after four years of Carmen Greg Fischer, Emily Manthei ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison Los Angeles Downtown News the area, though none has inked a deal. Then hisAngeles, negotiated settleTrutanich and, before that, eight years of Rocky Delgadillo. Relations ago both seemed out of control. 1264 W. First there’s Street, Los CA 90026 ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa Maybe that giant deal will come this year, or mayART DIRECTOR: BrianparticAllison ment last September in which phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 Wells Fargo agreed to pay a $50 milbetween the council and the city attorney’s office had grown Gary Leonard bePHOTOGRAPHER: it will be in five years. Whatever the case, Downweb:without DowntownNews.com ASSISTANT ARTsome DIRECTOR: Kanegawa fine for opening accounts the knowledge of customularly strained during Trutanich’s choppy tenure, where goodYumilion town can likelyAshley expect the arrival of more Evite-sized realpeople@downtownnews.com ACCOUNTING: Schmidt Gary Leonarders. That ignited a firestormemail: that ultimately led to hearings on Capiideas were undercut by the office holder’s PHOTOGRAPHER: often-pugilistic style. companies. That’s because the factors that drew the CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway tol Hill in Washington, D.C. Feuer speaks frequently of considering himself not just the city’s facebook: ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt business appeal to others,Holloway, too. Downtown’s ac- Michael Lamb ACCOUNTwill EXECUTIVES: Catherine Brenda Stevens, We were inspired by Feuer’s recent appearance at News LAX and his top attorney, but also its chief problem solver. Over four years he L.A. Downtown tive nightlife and social scene will also serve as lures SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez outspoken stance against President Donald Trump’s proposed travhas proved this is not just a slogan. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway twitter: forCIRCULATION: businessesDanielle with large numbers of young workers. elHolloway, ban against people from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Early on he expanded the Neighborhood Prosecutor program, a Salmon DowntownNews ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine DISTRIBUTION The traditional white collar are not MANAGER: Salvadorbusinesses Ingles key link between communities and the cityBrenda attorney’s office. He also Stevens, Michael Lamb This might seem like a national rather than a city issue, but our leaving. Downtown will remain a hub for bankDISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla very diverse city is affected ©2016 by the ban. soothed the relationship with the council. SALES He hasASSISTANT: worked well too Hernandez Claudia Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown ing, law and real estate firms, and some of them News is a trademark of CivicDemocracy Center News Inc. All We wish Feuer were not running unopposed. funcwith Mayor Eric Garcetti, including on matters such as their com©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center rights reserved. will adopt 21streserved. century style offices, as CBRE did a News Inc. All rights tions best when even high-performing face a challenge bined effort (also with City Controller Ron Galperin) to open the The Los Angeles politicians Downtown News is the must-read Theyears Los Angeles Downtown News is the the must-read for Downtown Los Angeles CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon few back. However, rosternewspaper will continue newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is discome election time. of a couple secretive Department of Water and Power trusts. and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtownbooks Los tributed every Monday throughout the offices and DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles toAngeles. expand and diversify. That next era may already of Downtown Los Angeles. That said, we’re confidentresidences that Feuer will serve all of his clients Feuer has played a role in addressing the most important issue DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, beOne here. copy per person. One copy per person. well in his next term. facing the city: homelessness. While this might seem beyond the

Re-Elect Mike Feuer

Gustavo Bonilla

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin

S I N C E 19 7 2 Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Emily Manthei ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt

ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

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February 13, 2017

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Big Dollars, Ghostly Opponents And Developer Cash Diving Into the Curiosities of the City’s Latest Campaign Finance Reports By Jon Regardie hen it comes to political campaigns in Los Angeles, the machine doesn’t always win. There have been many instances in which the person with the biggest endorsements and the largest war chest got popped on election day. Just consider machine candidate Warren Furutani,

THE REGARDIE REPORT who fell to LAPD officer Joe Buscaino in a special election for the 15th District City Council seat in 2012. In the 2013 City Controller primary, City Councilman Dennis Zine raised more than twice as much money as Ron Galperin. Today Galperin’s got the City Hall office. That said, the establishment usually wins. Reference Bernie Sanders all you want, but it’s still really hard to rage successfully against the machine. When you move from an open seat (like those above) to a race with an incumbent, an underdog victory becomes almost impossible. Yes, Antonio Villaraigosa ousted both sitting City Councilman Nick Pacheco in 2003 and Mayor Jim Hahn in 2005, but those were exceptions. In a way, this mixes two royal clichés: If you wanna be the king, you gotta beat the king. But then again, it’s good to be the king, because the king has an army of swords and loyal soldiers. It is against this backdrop that we consider the latest fundraising figures for next month’s city elections. Dozens of candidates have been asking, pleading and jumping through hoops for donations, and the end is in sight; absentee balloting has begun, and voters will hit the physical polls on March 7. Here’s a rundown of some of the highlights of the latest money reports.

Eric’s Got Bank: The 2017 mayor’s race was never in doubt. Mitchell Schwartz has fought the good fight (more on him below), but the only way Mayor Eric Garcetti would tumble is if he got caught in a scandal. And if there is one thing the last four years have taught us, it’s that Garcetti avoids any whiff of scandal. He probably refuses to even watch the TV show “Scandal.” Still, his money pattern has been intriguing. Garcetti roared out of the gate, raising $2.2 million in the first six months of 2015. Then he turned into Rip Van Winkle, and over the course of 15 months pulled in just under $24,000. He awoke from his slumber last October financially ravenous, and raised $849,000 in four months, including $310,000 in the first three weeks of 2017. It’s a strange line made stranger by some far-flung fundraisers. Garcetti looks to have deposited checks for more than $43,000 during a January meet-and-greet in Chicago, though last I saw, Chicago is not part of Los Angeles. A New York cash-a-thon appears to have generated at least $15,000, based on documents filed with the City Ethics Commission. Why the financial sledgehammer? Maybe Garcetti thinks he needs the moolah, or maybe it’s to spread his name in advance of a potential 2018 run for governor or the U.S. Senate. The Mitch Itch: Mitchell Schwartz has raised a respectable $370,000. His campaign disclosures are peppered with small contributions from Angelenos, which usually indicate a level of grassroots support. Whereas Garcetti’s ledger is jammed with $1,400 donations, the maximum an individual can give to a mayoral candidate, Schwartz has a bunch of people tossing him $10, $15 and $25. There’s even a $2.89 donation from someone who lives in Aspen. Ethics Commission documents don’t indicate if this was made from coins found in a couch.

photo by Gary Leonard

With election day just a few weeks away, Mayor Eric Garcetti has raised $3.1 million. His closest challenger has pulled in about $370,000.

Still, Schwartz had a mere $35,500 in cash on hand on Jan. 21, while Garcetti’s war chest overflowed at $2.4 million. In other words, Team Garcetti could spend $1 million on bubble gum and $200,000 on Chia Pets and still have enough to bury Schwartz like Wile E. Coyote gets buried under falling boulders when chasing the Road Runner. Meep meep! Uncontested: City Attorney Mike Feuer has raised $683,000 for his re-election. Galperin has raised $450,000. The people running against them have raised a cumulative $0.00. Okay, that’s Continued on page 16

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February 13, 2017

Subway Tunnel at Bloc Shopping Center Opens Portal Provides Direct Access for Shoppers, Office Workers By Nicholas Slayton hopping projects and mass transportation efforts usually take place in totally different environments. Last week, they came together in Downtown Los Angeles. On Tuesday, Feb. 7, representatives from the public and private sectors opened a tunnel that connects the Financial District shopping complex The Bloc with the Seventh Street/Metro Center rail station. The $9.3 million project runs beneath Seventh Street and emerges in the courtyard of the complex that also holds an office tower and a hotel. The Bloc owner Wayne Ratkovich has spent more than $180 million to upgrade the buildings and common spaces — including tearing the roof of the 1970s era mall, making it an open-air destination — since acquiring the former Macy’s Plaza in 2012. The subway portal is part of that work. Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board Chair John Fasana said the tunnel comes as the region’s public transportation the effort. infrastructure is growing. The 25-foot tunnel opens on the south side “First, for Metro it helps us create a driving of Seventh Street, opposite the main station entrance at Seventh and Hope streets. Pedestransit-oriented community that our transit trians walking down a flight of stairs at The Bloc customers can use to better connect with a find a panel of ticketing machines. wealth of local shopping,” Fasana said during a ceremony to open the tunnel. “Second, The initial idea came for the portal came in it brings new customers to The Bloc’s urban 1991, when subway planners decided to inoutdoor center.” stall portions of station walls that could be knocked out for future entry points if rider The Bloc tunnel marks the first partnership ship grew. After the Ratkovich Company and of this nature for Metro. The agency and the its investment partners acquired the propdeveloper each contributed $4.65 million to 800.900.5788 I aerioconnect.com Broadband I Voice I WiFi I HDTV

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and representatives of the shopping center The Bloc last week opened a $9.3 million pedestrian tunnel into the Seventh Street/ Metro Center station.

photo by Gary Leonard

erty, they started working with the county to get those panels knocked out. The tunnel is expected to help bring foot traffic to The Bloc. Central City Association President and CEO Jessica Lall said that the partnership between Metro and The Bloc is key to Downtown’s growth and could set a pattern for future relationships. “By connecting the exciting new retail center, The Bloc, to Metro’s second busiest transit station, this new portal will encourage the use of transit and enhance the shop-

Commercial Office Space for Lease

ping experience, all of which will strengthen the city’s core business district,” Lall said in a statement to Los Angeles Downtown News after the event. The Seventh Street/Metro Center Station serves the Blue, Expo, Red and Purple lines, and handles roughly 50,000 riders each day. The $1.55 billion Regional Connector project, which will bring three new stations to Downtown, will connect it with the Gold Line. The Connector is expected to be complete in 2021. The renovation of the shopping complex is continuing, and some of the retail spaces in the mall remain vacant. A long-awaited tenant will be the Alamo Drafthouse cinema chain, which after a series of delays is expected to open this year. Wayne Ratkovich, the president and CEO of the Ratkovich Company, praised Metro for trying something new with the partnership. He added that the improvements and connections signify Downtown’s transformation into a 24-hour city. Fasana said the new entrance will help with congestion, particularly during peak hours. City Councilman José Huizar, whose 14th District includes Downtown, added that the tunnel is also a safety measure, as it allows people on either side of Seventh Street to reach Metro trains without having to deal with automobile traffic. When it came time to formally open the tunnel, Fasana referenced former President Ronald Reagan, telling a group to “tear down this wall.” The representatives gathered before a panel of foam blocks and used small hammers to knock it down, before leading a crowd into the station. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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Parker Center Faces Its Demise Council Panel Rejects Request for Monument Status for Civic Center Structure By Eddie Kim or more than two and a half years, a debate has raged over Parker Center, the vacant former headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department at First and Los Angeles streets. Completed in 1955, its lean, minimalist Mid-Century Modern facade has appeared in countless films and TV shows. However, these days many consider Parker Center to be an unimpressive piece of architecture, if not an outright eyesore. A 2014 report by the city Bureau of Engineering recommended razing the structure and building a high-rise tower for city workers in its place, saying it would be less expensive than renovating the building. The issue came to a dramatic head on Tuesday, Feb. 7, when the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee convened to discuss what is usually a simple matter: a recommendation by the city Cultural Heritage Commission to give Parker Center Historic Cultural Monument status. The commission cited Parker Center’s uncommon design by prominent architect Welton Becket, its importance to a new era of the LAPD, and its place on the California Register of Historic Resources. A building with Historic Cultural Monument status can still be demolished; it is rare for the council to reject a CHC nomination. Other concerns were at play, however, and the five-member panel rejected the nomination. That drew cheers from stakeholders who view Parker Center as a symbol of oppression and civic failure. Activists from Little Tokyo noted that to build Parker Center, the city used eminent domain to take land that once held a thriving block of Japanese American businesses and homes, shrinking the community. Others remarked on the racism and abuse of the LAPD under Chief William Parker, and how the structure should not receive historical recognition. “The idea that the name William Parker, for the folks I repre-

photo by Gary Leonard

Preservationists hope to save Parker Center, saying it plays an important role in the city’s history. Others want the building at First and Los Angeles streets razed, saying it reflects an era of civic wrongdoings.

sent, would be attached to anything called cultural or heritage is an abomination,” Eighth District City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson said tersely at the hearing. In the wake of the vote, the building’s future appears in doubt. An environmental impact report for the demolition of Parker Center, and a new building in its place, now awaits approval from the Entertainment and Facilities Committee and then the full council. The vote disappointed the Los Angeles Conservancy, which has fought to preserve the structure. Adrian Scott Fine, director of advocacy for the Conservancy, views Parker Center as holding layers of history that tell tales of how the city aspired to exemplify bold urban growth, but stumbled in the process. “Issues of reuse or demolition or costs or all those things, they’re worthy of discussion, but it is not what was up for debate at the hearing,” Fine said in a phone call after the session. “This is

the only police building Welton Becket designed, and it became a model across the nation. What happened to Little Tokyo is not a footnote, it’s an immense part of the building’s history. The ’92 riots happened outside of Parker Center. This is a tremendous loss for the lessons Parker Center teaches us.” Price Differential The city’s final environmental impact review, released in November, recommends razing Parker Center and building a 27-story tower. It budgets the project at $536.4 million (updated from a 2014 assessment of $475 million). Overall, the city identified a need for 1.1 million square feet of additional office space. The new project would have 588,000 square feet of office space, enough for 2,945 employees. The Conservancy had advocated for preserving and modernizing Parker Center and constructing a new adjacent tower, which would create the same amount of space. The city budgeted that proposal at $621 million, and the EIR said the option would “require an undesirable parking arrangement that would not allow for first-floor commercial use” and “inefficient” circulation of people. The Conservancy disputes the city estimate. A January report from the organization suggests a combo development would run about $487 million. “The Conservancy and the experts we consulted believe the City’s estimates are heavily inflated, described by some as ‘putting the thumb on the scale,’” the group’s report charges. The EIR noted the desire from Little Tokyo and other stakeholders to demolish Parker Center, specifically referencing requests to boost pedestrian activity on the block and reintegrate it with Little Tokyo, namely through first-floor restaurants, shops and amenities like a childcare center or gym, said Deborah Weintraub, chief deputy city engineer for the Bureau of Engineering, at the hearing. Fine said the Conservancy has not given up. “We’re always optimistic, and we always hope the facts prevail. But it goes without question that we’re disappointed in the whole process, the way it’s been analyzed and judged,” Fine said. “We’ll continue our efforts.” eddie@downtownnews.com

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The (Almost) Exit Interview: Bud Ovrom

Bud Ovrom became executive director of the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2013, and has spent decades in public service. He announced his retirement last month.

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Rams owner] Stan Kroenke bought his site in Inglewood, I knew we were dead. Shortly after, Garcetti and the City Council directed us to come up with a “Plan B” to fix the Convention Center without Farmers Field. We analyzed the venue and found that one, it’s too small. San Francisco, Anaheim and San Diego have venues that are over a million square feet. We sat here at 870,000. Second, it didn’t have enough hotels around it. San Francisco has something like 19,000 rooms. We had less than 3,000. Q: In 2015 the city unveiled a design for a $350 million expansion of the Convention Center, but in 2016 started discussing a different development with a private company that would help finance the work. AEG has taken an interest. Where are we today? A: I don’t think we’ll be building what was se-

February 13, 2017 lected in the design competition. I think what’s going to happen is the city will work with AEG on how to make a renovation more cost-effective. It’s really important we view L.A. Live and the Convention Center as one big campus with synergy. AEG wouldn’t pay for it all. A public-private partnership is still backed by city money, and it will be a city venue. But the partnership allows for a much bigger bang for the buck. The plan could include retail, commercial space and more on top of the Convention Center expansion. Q: Why is the Convention Center important as a source of city revenue? A: A football stadium hosts like 13 games a year. A convention center, on the other hand, is a year-round affair. We knew a bigger convention campus could be a bigger economic driver than a football stadium. Tourism is taken for granted in L.A., but it’s a consistent net-positive cash flow. These tourists come in, frequently on expense accounts, and blow their money on hotels, restaurants, attractions. Then they fly away and go home without using our paramedics or schools or parks. That’s huge. Q: What helped turn around profits in the last few years? A: A lot of credit goes to AEG for its management of the center. They brought certain efficiencies on how they run parking and the food and beverage program. Also, the truth is that they do not pay their employees the salaries and benefits government employees have. Q: What is the biggest missing piece for the Convention Center’s long-term success? A: We’ve made tremendous progress on hotels, but we set a goal of 8,000 hotel rooms open or under construction by 2020. We’re on a trajectory to get that, but even at 8,000 we’d be way behind other cities. You can’t get conventions if you don’t have enough rooms. But you can’t get more rooms built without conventions. That’s why the city has gone out and provided financial incentives for hotel developers, because you have to break that cycle somehow. Q: What’s your advice for your successor? A: Focus on the role of the Convention Center as an economic engine. Don’t think about the venue as a stand-alone thing you have to run — AEG should do the day-to-day operation. I had no Convention Center general management experience, after all. eddie@downtownnews.com

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lonso and Elsa Arellano’s popular Sun Valley restaurant Rocio’s Moles de los Dioses burned down in 2015, the result of an arson fire. That sent diehard Los Angeles fans of mole — a family of thick, intensely spiced Mexican sauces — into a crisis. After searching for a new location across the city, the restaurateurs have settled into Olvera Street. Their new restaurant is Chiguacle Sabor Ancestral de Mexico, and grand opening ceremonies were held Thursday, Feb. 9. It focuses on dishes from Southern Mexico, namely Puebla, Michoacán, Yucatan and Oaxaca. Moles of various colors are the specialty, but the menu also offers tacos, soups, appetizers and entrees including chile relleno and sautéed shrimp in a spicy sauce. The restaurant space features bright decor, lots of tables and a standalone bar. Chiguacle is at 103 Paseo De La Plaza or (213) 628-3990.

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ast year, officials with the County of Los Angeles and the Music Center announced plans for a $30 million renovation that will allow for bigger public events and streamline the connection to neighboring Grand Park and the Civic Center. Now the organization is asking the public for its ideas. A discussion on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, will feature a presentation from Music Center Chief Operating Officer Howard Sherman and architect Bob Hale of Rios Clementi Hale Studios. The public will get a chance to give input after the talk and ask questions. Snacks and refreshments will be served, but don’t forget to RSVP: The deadline is noon on Feb. 24. More information is at musiccenter.org/communitydiscussion.

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by Tom Fassbender n 1978, Center Theatre Group mounted Zoot Suit at the Mark Taper Forum. The play, written and directed by Luis Valdez, was nurtured by late CTG head Gordon Davidson as part of his effort to bring new voices and cultures to the stage. At the time, works by Latino playwrights were rarely produced in Los Angeles. Zoot Suit was a hit, earning nightly standing ovations after sold-out shows. Following its Downtown run it moved to Hollywood before arriving at New York City’s Winter Garden Theater in 1979. It was the first Chicano play on Broadway. Now, the play that tells the story of the infamous Sleepy Lagoon murder in 1942, an incident that resulted in the trial and imprisonment of 17 young Latino men and sparked the Zoot Suit Riots, is back. A show timed to CTG’s 50th anniversary opened on Sunday, Feb. 12, and runs through March 19. Valdez returns as director. Valdez got his start in theater in 1965 when he founded El Teatro Campesino (The Farmworkers’ Theatre) on the picket line of the Delano grape strike, right alongside Caesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. El Teatro Campesino would perform short skits and plays influenced by the events of the community they served, often on the flatbed trucks that hauled fruits and vegetables the workers had picked. According to Kinan Valdez, Luis’ son and the associate director of the new production, Zoot Suit had its origins during this period, when his father was given a copy of Guy Endore’s 1944 pamphlet “The Sleepy Lagoon Murder Mystery.” Sleepy Lagoon was a lover’s lane-type of place in Commerce where Mexican-American youth would hang out. On the morning of Aug. 2, 1942, a man named José Díaz was found wounded and unconscious in the road. He eventually died in the hospital. In retaliation, police rounded up 17 members of the 38th Street Gang. They were all pachucos, slang for young MexicanAmerican men who favored flashy suits with long jackets and high-waisted baggy pants — the zoot suit — accessorized with long watch chains and wide-brimmed hats. All 17 were tried and sentenced to prison, many of them in San Quentin. The play moves from the streets of Los Angeles to the walls of San Quentin to inside the mind of Henry Reyna (played by Matias Ponce), one of the young men arrested and tried for murder in 1942. In this last setting, the audience meets the zoot suitwearing El Pachuco. Originally played by Edward James Olmos, here he is portrayed by Demián Bichir, who earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for 2011’s A Better Life. In Zoot Suit, El Pachuco serves as both narrator and Henry’s conscience, occasionally stopping the action on stage to address the audience. “Chicano theater is big, bold, broad and energetic,” said Kinan Valdez. “That spirit is embodied in the character of El Pachuco.” Although Luis Valdez grew up after the Sleepy Lagoon murder and Zoot Suit Riots, he frequently interacted with pachucos while in his youth. They included his cousin Billy Miranda. Miranda also had a friend who went by the name of CC. Only later, when Valdez founded El Teatro Campesino, did he learn that

February 13, 2017

RIOT

in the Seats

Four Decades After Its Premiere, ‘Zoot Suit’ Returns to the Stage

photo by Craig Schwartz

Matias Ponce and Demián Bichir appear in Zoot Suit, which was first staged at the Mark Taper Forum in 1978.

CC’s full name was Cesar Chavez. “My father always felt compelled to use theater in service of social justice,” Kinan Valdez explained, “and this story really fascinated him. He knew it was an important tale to tell.” Luis Valdez kept the story filed away until 1976, when he was approached by CTG Artistic Director Davidson about doing a piece based on Los Angeles history. “He was commissioned to write the play in 1977, completed the first draft in February 1978, and it was first performed on stage at the Mark Taper Forum just two months later,” Kinan Valdez said. Cultural Inspiration and Influence The original Zoot Suit inspired a generation of Latino performers. When the casting call went out for the revival, 800 actors responded. They included Cuban-American actress Jeanine Mason, who landed the part of Della Barrios, the love interest of Henry Reyna. “I never thought being in a Mark Taper production would be a possibility for me, let alone playing Della in the Zoot Suit revival,” Mason said recently. In addition to new faces, two cast members from the original production of Zoot Suit have returned. Daniel Valdez (Luis’ brother), who played Henry in the original production, and Rose Portillo, who portrayed Della, appear as Henry’s parents.

Mason is particularly happy to be working alongside Portillo. “I did a lot of prep work for the show, but Della became something totally different once Rose started mentoring me,” she said. In addition to a strong social message, Zoot Suit is known for introducing the music of Chicano bandleader Lalo Guerrero, described by Kinan Valdez as “big band pachuco boogie,” to a wider audience. “We wanted to embed true Chicano music and Chicano culture into the show,” said Kinan Valdez, “and the music in the revival comes straight from the 1940s.” Mason, who won the fifth season of “So You Think You Can Dance,” is thrilled about the dance numbers, which are choreographed by Maria Torres. She said the show builds on what its predecessor offered. “I’m excited for diehard Zoot Suit fans to see how we’ve amplified the story with dancing,” she remarked. The city, and indeed the world, have changed a lot since Zoot Suit premiered. Whereas four decades ago audiences might not have known what to expect, today they’re eager. Weeks before opening, strong ticket sales prompted CTG to extend the show by a week, helping ensure that a whole new generation will see it. Zoot Suit is at Mark Taper Forum through March 19. For tickets visit centertheatregroup.org/tickets/.

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computer-generated backgrounds — to help tell the story of a woman’s abduction and her relationship with her kidnapper, who happens to be an English teacher. The show is based on a 1999 novel by French author Régis Jauffret. Historia del Amor is performed in Spanish with English subtitles. At 631 W. Second St. or redcat.org.

photo by Rachel

Neville Photography

@DOWN

TOWNNEW

News 13 March 7,

2016

PIATI GORS CELLO FESTIKYVAL

MAY 13-17

AT VARIOUS

LOCATIO Gregor Piatigorsky NS was one of time, playing the finest cellists with of all inspired composerswicked technique such as Stravinskyand emotion that to collaborate and Prokofiev with him time Russian-born and time again. musician escaped The occupation France during and made the his way to taught cello America, where Nazi at various schools before The school he now settling in at USC. Festival, which honors him with the annual Piatigorsky this year features in various 26 international performances cellists more than at USC and 100 playing an ensemble at Walt addition to of the performances, Disney Concert Hall. In classes and the festival lectures that features master to experience are open to the public. some Prepare At piatigorskyfest of the best cello work in the world. ival.usc.edu.

THE

SIGHTS & SOUNDS

Spring OF

Concerts, Shows, Events, A Rundown of 40 Can’t-Miss Place in Downtown Exhibits and More Taking SLAYTON AND NICHOLAS

JON DAN JOHNSON, BY EDDIE KIM,

REGARDIE

RJD2 plays the Teragram Ballroom on April 8.

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HES:

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Complexion Contempor s ary Ballet

THE MAKING

TeatroCinema: Historia del Amor

SUND AY BRUN CH

213.627.8166

CA 90017 Los Angeles, 808 W 7th St., of 7th & Flower)

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It’s been four decades since SIGHTS AND of unlikely a gaggle punks put SOUNDS together their OF SPRING first show at the Bolton Institute of Technology in Manchester, Buzzcocks England. The have since gained enduring fame as substantial APRIL 15-17 anchors of first-wave punk. Without AT THE DOROTH CHANDL ER destructive the showmanship selfY PAVILION Joining the Sex Pistols Alvin Ailey or the lingering of the American Dance highlight for of narcissus most people. Theatre is a found in the curse for Desmond That was just career camp, the Clash Richardson Downtown News 11 the start, however, Buzzcocks the pair formed and Dwight came to clap and pick their Rhoden. In Complexions way 1994, for 22 years laments strapped through lovers’ they have traveled Contemporary Ballet, audiences with a catchy, and One of Downtown’s most the world, bare-bones with thrilling appeal that Gallery unpredictable a multicultural and sometimes anticipated openings of any has aged quiteWirth & Schimmel well. On take on contemporary May 26, energetic Complexions kind occurs March 13, when 13 at Hauser singer/songwr dance. lands at the Opening March Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for former MOCA Chief Curator and the rest iter Pete Shelley three performances of of mixed repertory Paul Schimmel joins Iwan and still-sound-gre the crew will deliver on April at anthems 15-17. One Manuela Wirth to open the gallery complex Hauser Wirth “Orgasm Addict” such as of the and “Ever & Schimmel. The ambitious debut show, Revolution in the current works company’s Love?” The is “And So It paunchy, baldingFallen in Making: Abstract Sculpture by Women: 1947-2016,, features Is,” a large-scale crowd will guys in the pogo with piece danced about 100 works from 34 artists, among them Louise throwback en point to At 1038 S. Hill glee. the music of St. or clubmayan.com Bourgeois, Lee Bontecou (shown here in her studio), Bach. But expect the . unexpected: Eva Hesse and Kaari Upson. It’s a massive show in the Complexions also has “Strum,” repurposed Globe Mills Complex, a collection of late in perform to… which 14 dancers 19th and early 20th century warehouses. Think of it as (wait for it)… Metallica! At 135 N. Grand a chance to see art you’ve probably never glimpsed in musiccenter.orgAve. or a gallery that will be a key part of the Arts District for . decades to come. The show runs through Sept. 4. At 901 E. Third St. or hauserwirthschimmel.com.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF SPRING

the cricket OK, so that got of Declan MacManus? known as Elvis Costello, who What do you think however, is better now. The Grammy winning 40 years response. Mr. MacManus, on out music for nearly at the Theatre at Ace Hotel stand has been churning icon’s of the London t has a two-night multi-instrumentalis a delicious reminder Expect some new promises to be to popular culture. April 2-3, and it many contributions the hits, from “Alison” to “Accidents as all ahead, material as well Detectives.” Go “Watching the Will Happen” to glasses. wear the black-framedor At 929 S. Broadway photo by Robert Millard eles/theatre. phot acehotel.com/losang Giacomo Puccini’s legendary Madame Butterfly o by Jame is, like many great works, about what happens s O’Ma when two disparate worlds collide. In this case, ra it’s the story of a U.S. Naval officer, Pinkerton, and a geisha who fall in love — but what the young and beautiful Butterfly (AKA Cio-Cio-San) doesn’t realize is that Pinkerton aims to leave her once MICROSOFT THEATER MAY 7 AT THE Elmo. But do you he finds an American wife. The opera follows You’re tickled by Grover. with Butterfly as she waits with their son for the officer You’re down bring your You will after you to return, but when he finally does, it’s not the know Chamki? a New Friend, Street Live: Make happy reunion she expects. Soprano Ana María kids to Sesame for Staples Center Martinez, widely lauded for her previous turns as which lands at on May 7. Butterfly, stars in a production that is new to L.A. three performances Sesame with Opera. There are six performances from March The show is filled singing and 12-April 3 in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Street characters plot concerns At 135 N. Grand Ave. or laopera.org. dancing, and the when Chamki, what happens from India, comes friend Grover’s plans kayaking to visit. While Grover Chamki wants and hot yoga (seriously), cookies with Slide” and have to do “The Elmo doesn’t rights reserved. Then again, who Street Workshop. All Cookie Monster. TM/copyright Sesame with Cookie Monster? want to have cookies Court, or axs.com and At 777 Chick Hearn . sesamestreetlive.com

N SESAME STREET ART OF MOTIO PICTURE DESIGN COSTUME a crucial Costumes play of Design & Merchandising Fashion Institute museum showcases and tone. The for and its on-campus recognizes that, 2015. It’s a chance film outfits from Best some of the top recently crowned duds from the are Fury Road. There Angelenos to see winner Mad Max: the lateCostumes Oscar on display, from a total of 23 films fairytale costumes from Compton to the of Straight Outta outfits from The 1980s fashions There are also and suits of Trumbo gown seen in Cinderella. Peak, the 1950s Hateful Eight, Crimson VII: The Force Awakens. Star Wars Episode even gear from Ave. or fidmmuseum.org. At 919 S. Grand

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February 13, 2017

Don’t miss the Los Angeles Downtown News’ comprehensive round-up of Spring Concerts, Theater, Museums, Restaurants and more!

Great Places to Eat

Concerts Theater & more

Great Deals & Offers

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

Au Lac/Café Fedora 710 W. First St., (213) 617-2533 or aulac.com. Feb. 17: Todd Hunter. Feb. 18: Paulinho Garcia. Continued on next page

For three days this week, choreographer Jessica Lang proves why her work is among the most celebrated in contemporary dance. Not only does Lang’s gig at the Ahmanson Theatre feature music from Trio Mediaeval, Beethoven, John Cage and others, so too does it stagger with its breadth of styles and concepts. In performances at 7:30 p.m. on FridaySaturday, Feb. 17-18, and again at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jessica Lang Dance will offer up the touted Tesseracts of Time. Also on the bill are the works The Calling, The Droplet and Thousand Yard Stare. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0711 or musiccenter.org.

photo by Sharon Bradford

BY DAN JOHNSON • CALENDAR@DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

photo by Michael Lamont

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 How to Write Romance: A Valentine’s Day Special Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. 7:30 p.m.: Romance writers Laurelin Paige, C.D. Reiss and Vanessa Fewings initiate the audience into the ways and means by which romance literature is produced. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Paul Beatty at Aloud Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org. 7:15 p.m.: The author’s latest novel, “The Sellout,” is regarded as one of the finest pieces of L.A. satire to hit the page in recent memory. Crowd on in as Beatty chats with Dana Johnson. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 7th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com. 7:30 p.m.: The only rule tonight is “no one will openly discuss the LaLa Land soundtrack.” James Shapiro and Lisa Wolpe at Aloud Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org. 7:15 p.m.: Two scholars contemplate “Shakespeare in Today’s America.” Is Bernie Sanders Puck or Othello? Zoot Suit at Town Hall-L.A. City Club, 555 S. Flower St., (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org. 11:30 a.m.: Luis Valdez, writer and creator of Zoot Suit, the award-winning play now returning to the Mark Taper Forum, joins CTG honchos Michael Ritchie and Diane Rodriguez for a discussion with KPCC’s Oscar Garza. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Junot Diaz at REDCAT REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. 8:30 p.m.: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author is widely viewed as one of the most lively voices in fiction today. Hear his thoughts. L.A. Fight Club Belasco, 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com. 5 p.m.: LA Fight Club promises “Live Boxing” as opposed to the ever popular “Pre-recorded Boxing.” SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Callings Out Of Context The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., (213) 232-6200 or thebroad.org. 8 p.m.: Strange musical bedfellows coalesce in this threepart collaboration as hip-hop trio clipping (they don’t like capital letters) join electronic maven Baseck and noise-rock outfit Prissy Whip. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Family Garden Workshop 901 E. Third St., (213) 943-1620 or hauserwirthschimmel.com. 12-3 p.m.: The best thing about growing a family garden (beside reversing a grotesque casual chain of economic and genetic abuses generated by mass food industry) is that concentrated trans fats don’t grow naturally. Los Angeles Times Ideas Exchange With Bernie Sanders Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com. 8 p.m.: Some questions Angelenos are quivering to ask the Bern tonight: What do we do now that Trump is president? Did Hill willfully stifle your campaign because of her ego or because she didn’t know any better? Does Debbie Wasserman-Schultz really feed off of gold and blink from the side of her eyes?

‘Don’t Miss’List

The

photo courtesy Spaceland Presents

EVENTS

February 13, 2017

Dark-wave, neo-goth, post-punk. We don’t know exactly what the hip kids are calling it these days, but the effusive chords of minor-key laced, synth strewn, black-cloth accoutered, spiritually transcendent if somewhat depressive orchestrations coming out of L.A.’s Dais Records represent some of the most unusual and vibrant tunes in the contemporary underground. On Tuesday, Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day!), all the broken hearts are invited to traipse into Main Street’s The Regent for a double dose of Dais as Cold Cave (shown here) headlines a bleeding-hearts-for-Cupid type lament for 21st century living. Of special note are standout ghouls and acoustic alchemists Drab Majesty, who open the show with a rousing sampler from their latest, The Demonstration. At 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheatre.com.

The 51st season of East West Players is in full effect as Free Outgoing arrives. The show by Anupama Chandrasekhar falls along the intersection of new media and old culture as a traditional family finds itself falling apart at the seams beneath the weight of a viral sex video. Timely, poignant and pointed, Free Outgoing charts a netherworld of conflict inherent to globalization and the 21st century. Catch the show this week at 8 p.m. on Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 15-18, and again at 2 p.m. on Sunday. It runs through March 12 at the David Henry Hwang Theatre in Little Tokyo. At 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org.

The Harlem Globetrotters are a bit like the U.S. military: They’re built to make appearances of tactical excellence at multiple points across the globe simultaneously. Plus, both now feature women! The jesters of the hardwood will dazzle with their dribbling and throw up some trick shots on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 12:30 and 5:45 p.m. at Staples Center. Expect bball tacticians such as Big Easy Lofton, Bull Bullard and Ant Atkinson to make some jaw-dropping passes, and maybe pants an opponent. There’s even a four-point shot on the floor, and of course, there will be plenty of “Sweet Georgia Brown.” At 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or staplescenter.com.

On Friday, Feb. 17, REDCAT will be buzzing with literary lion Junot Diaz. Many of Diaz’s works chart the cross-cultural, cross-border geographies and travels of immigrants in contemporary America. The MacArthur “Genius” grant-winning author has cultivated a wide readership with his blistering command of the postmodern vernacular and a deeply emotional vocabulary — just read, or re-read, his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. At 8:30 p.m., Diaz will discuss his work and the underlying campus of ideas. Leave all bad fortune at the door and open your mind. At 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

Photo by Christopher Peterson

CALENDAR LISTINGS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

photo courtesy Harlem Globetrotters

12 Downtown News

Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.

February 13, 2017 Belasco 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com. Feb. 16: We did not see this doubleheader coming, but Reel Big Fish and Anti-Flag are playing a gig together. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Feb. 13: VDE Los Angeles Big Band. Feb. 14: Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Ensemble jam session. Feb. 15: Chris Bullock Group. Feb. 16; Dylan Ryan Trio. Feb. 17-18: Mark De Clive-Lowe. Feb. 19: Brandon Bae Trio. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Feb. 13: Lively post-rock from Buke and Gase. Feb. 14: If the Kino Kimono show doesn’t allay your Valentine’s Day misery, you can always wander over to the bar. Feb. 15: After consulting with our friends at Loyola Law School, we feel comfortable in warning concertgoers that esoteric-sounding Collapsing Scenery sounds vaguely like a tort. Feb. 16: Like humans are born with two kidneys, Crocodiles travels with two sets of reverb pedals, just in case one fails. Feb. 17: Jonny Fritz does “outlaw country.” Feb. 18: Given the prominence of non-vanilla erotic practices in our day and age, we should confirm that Kan Wakan’s love of “sub-bass” is strictly a musical term denoting low-end notes that rumble as if to rupture the speaker’s cone. Feb. 19: Battery and others will be on hand for Jazz Night. Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. Feb. 13: The Jazzaholics instantly regretted signing away their likeness rights when the film crew followed them into a hotel

Downtown News 13

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM conference room filled with their loved ones and an anonymous man who himself was once hooked on Miles Davis. Feb. 14: If you’re thinking the Dank is smokable, you’re either sick or misinformed. Feb. 15: Songstresses Pretty Polly dish out some vocal harmonies undersigned with guitar. Feb. 16: Don’t expect too many miracles from Standard Angels. Feb. 17: King Corduroy, for the fabric fealty bonus! Feb. 18: The Punknecks are actually very polite. Feb. 19: If you like honkytonk, you’ll probably like Ben Bostick, but will likely already be passed out in the parking lot when he hits the stage. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Feb. 17: Ghastly. Feb. 18: Green Velvet. Ham & Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eighth St., (213) 891-6939 or hamandeggstavern.com. Feb. 18: Pineapple Rain. Mayan 1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4287 or clubmayan.com. Feb. 17, 8 p.m.: Los Hermanos Flores. Microsoft Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or microsofttheeatre.com. Feb. 17: Escondite honkytonk fans will be disappointed to discover that Roberto Tapia is not RT of RT N the 44s fame. Feb. 18: Nothing you can do will make tonight’s Keith Sweat show last forever. Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com.

Feb. 13: Boogie Trap. Feb. 14: St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Feb. 15: Globelamp and Winter. Feb. 17: The Frock Wolves, The Frank & Dino Show and Something Ferocious. Feb. 18, 3 p.m.: Ezra Battle. Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or (323) 316-5311 or residentdtla.com. Feb. 13: Daedelus and Alina Bae headline A Night For Oakland. Feb. 15: Night Lights, Bogart and Former Faces. Feb. 16: Steve’N’Seagulls. Feb. 17: The Coathangers and Zig Zags.

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(www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Stanley Mosk Courthouse 111 North Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Case Number: BC633585 Dated: September 09, 2016 Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter, Clerk and Judi Lara, Deputy The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney(s), or plaintiff without an attorney, is: Neal S. Salisian, Yujin Chun, and Jay M. Lichter 550 South Hope Street Suite 750 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 622-9100 Pub. 01/30, 02/06, 02/13, and 02/20/2017.

FUNDING, INC. VS DEFENDANT: QUARTERSHARE INTERNATIONAL LLC, ET AL. NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a few waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center

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G N I R P S S S D N U O S & March 7, 2016

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a crucial Costumes play of Design & Merchandising Fashion Institute museum showcases and tone. The for and its on-campus recognizes that, 2015. It’s a chance film outfits from Best some of the top recently crowned duds from the are Fury Road. There Angelenos to see winner Mad Max: the lateCostumes Oscar on display, from a total of 23 films fairytale costumes from Compton to the of Straight Outta outfits from The 1980s fashions There are also and suits of Trumbo gown seen in Cinderella. Peak, the 1950s Hateful Eight, Crimson VII: The Force Awakens. Star Wars Episode even gear from Ave. or fidmmuseum.org. At 919 S. Grand

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M A R C H 3 1 - A P R I L 3 AT R E D C AT

TeatroCinema: Historia del Amor computer-generated backgrounds — to help tell the story of a woman’s abduction and her relationship with her kidnapper, who happens to be an English teacher. The show is based on a 1999 novel by French author Régis Jauffret. Historia del Amor is performed in Spanish with English subtitles. At 631 W. Second St. or redcat.org.

photo by Rachel

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M AY 2 6 AT T HE MA YA N T H E AT R E

Hotel

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T LIVE: MAKE

N SESAME STREE ART OF MOTIO PICTURE DESIGN COSTUME 30 at the Through April a movie’s atmosphere FIDM Museum role in setting

Theatre at Ace

the cricket OK, so that got of Declan MacManus? known as Elvis Costello, who What do you think however, is better now. The Grammy winning 40 years response. Mr. MacManus, on out music for nearly at the Theatre at Ace Hotel stand has been churning icon’s of the London list has a two-night multi-instrumenta a delicious reminder Expect some new promises to be to popular culture. April 2-3, and it many contributions the hits, from “Alison” to “Accidents as all ahead, material as well Detectives.” Go “Watching the Will Happen” to glasses. wear the black-framedor At 929 S. Broadway photo by Robert Millard ngeles/theatre. phot acehotel.com/losa Giacomo Puccini’s legendary Madame Butterfly o by Jam is, like many great works, about what happens es O’Ma when two disparate worlds collide. In this case, ra it’s the story of a U.S. Naval officer, Pinkerton, and a geisha who fall in love — but what the young and beautiful Butterfly (AKA Cio-Cio-San) doesn’t realize is that Pinkerton aims to leave her once MICROSOFT THEATER THE AT 7 you do But MAY he finds an American wife. The opera follows tickled by Elmo. Grover. You’re Butterfly as she waits with their son for the officer You’re down with bring your You will after you to return, but when he finally does, it’s not the know Chamki? a New Friend, Street Live: Make happy reunion she expects. Soprano Ana María kids to Sesame for Staples Center Martinez, widely lauded for her previous turns as which lands at on May 7. Butterfly, stars in a production that is new to L.A. three performances Sesame with Opera. There are six performances from March The show is filled singing and 12-April 3 in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Street characters concerns plot the At 135 N. Grand Ave. or laopera.org. dancing, and when Chamki, what happens from India, comes Grover’s friend plans kayaking to visit. While Grover Chamki wants and hot yoga (seriously), cookies with Slide” and have to do “The Elmo doesn’t rights reserved. Then again, who Street Workshop. All Cookie Monster. TM/copyright Sesame with Cookie Monster? want to have cookies Court, or axs.com and At 777 Chick Hearn m. sesamestreetlive.co

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April 2-3 at the

n News

Complexio Contempo ns rary Ballet

THE MAKIN REVOLUTION IN

March 7,

2016

PIAT IGOR SK Y CELL O FEST IVAL

MAY 13-17

AT VARIOUS

LOCATIO Gregor Piatigorsky NS was one of time, playing the finest cellists with of all inspired composerswicked technique such as Stravinskyand emotion that to collaborate and Prokofiev with him time Russian-born and time again. musician escaped The occupation France during and made the his way to taught cello America, where Nazi at various schools before The school he now settling in at USC. Festival, which honors him with the annual Piatigorsky this year features in various 26 international performance s at USC and cellists more than 100 playing an ensemble at Walt addition to of the performance Disney Concert Hall. In classes and s, the festival lectures that features master to experience are open to the public. some Prepare At piatigorskyfes of the best cello work in the world. tival.usc.edu.

THE

SIGHTS & SOUNDS

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7 Downtow

It’s been four decades since SIGHTS AND of unlikely a gaggle punks put SOUNDS together their OF SPRING first show at the Bolton Institute of Technology in Manchester, Buzzcocks England. The have since gained enduring fame as substantial APRIL 15-17 anchors of first-wave punk. Without AT THE DOR CHANDL ER destructive the selfshowmanshi PAVILIO NOTHY Joining the p Sex Pistols Alvin Ailey or the lingering of the American Dance highlight for of narcissus most people. Theatre is a found in the curse for Desmond That was just career camp, the Clash Richardson SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF SPRING Downtown News 11 the start, however, Buzzcocks the pair formed and Dwight came to clap and pick their Rhoden. In Complexions way 1994, for 22 years laments strapped through lovers’ they have traveled Contemporary Ballet, audiences with a catchy, and One of Downtown’s most the world, bare-bones with thrilling appeal that Gallery unpredictable a multicultural and sometimes anticipated openings of any has quiteWirth Schimmel & aged well. On May take on contemporar Complexions 26, energetic kind occurs March 13, when 13 at Hauser singer/songw y dance. lands at the Opening March riter Pete Shelley Dorothy Pavilion for former MOCA Chief Curator and the rest three performance Chandler of of mixed repertory Paul Schimmel joins Iwan and s still-sound-gr the crew will deliver on April eat 15-17. One Manuela Wirth to open the gallery complex Hauser Wirth “Orgasm Addict” anthems such as of the company’s and “Ever & Schimmel. The ambitious debut show, Revolution in the current works Love?” The is “And So It paunchy, baldingFallen in Making: Abstract Sculpture by Women: 1947-2016,, features Is,” a large-scale crowd will guys in the pogo with piece danced about 100 works from 34 artists, among them Louise throwback en point to At 1038 S. Hill glee. the music of St. or clubmayan.co Bourgeois, Lee Bontecou (shown here in her studio), Bach. But expect the m. unexpected: Eva Hesse and Kaari Upson. It’s a massive show in the Complexions also has “Strum,” repurposed Globe Mills Complex, a collection of late in perform to… which 14 dancers 19th and early 20th century warehouses. Think of it as (wait for it)… At 135 N. Grand Metallica! a chance to see art you’ve probably never glimpsed in musiccenter.o Ave. or a gallery that will be a key part of the Arts District for rg. decades to come. The show runs through Sept. 4. At 901 E. Third St. or hauserwirthschimmel.com.

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misleading — no one is running against either Feuer or Galperin. It’s inexplicable that Los Angeles citywide races in 2017 are utterly uncontested. Are we supposed to congratulate the incumbents for scaring off any opponents, or raise our eyebrows? Despite having no foe, Feuer has spent $232,000. Fumble through the Ethics Commission documents and you’ll learn that he paid campaign consultant Nancy Dolan $167,000 between May 2015 and this past January. Nothing against Dolan, but I can’t figure out what sort of consulting someone does over 17 months for a guy running unopposed that is worth $167,000. Maybe it’s repeated emails of, “Mike, seriously, don’t spend $$ on gum and Chia Pets, don’t watch ‘Scandal,’ and you’ll be fine.” I wish I was Nancy Dolan. Match Game: In the race for the City Council’s First District seat, which includes the Downtown environs of City West and Chinatown, grassroots candidate Joe Bray-Ali has secured $50,000. That’s only about 14% of the $356,000 incumbent Gil Cedillo has raised. History dictates that Bray-Ali should be as doomed as any Lego villain fighting the new Lego Batman. But wait! Bray-Ali has received $49,000 in city matching funds, a program that gives cash to candidates who raise a significant amount of money from small local donors. He can get another $51,000 in matching funds. Cedillo had $124,000 in cash on hand on Jan. 21, which puts him well above Bray-Ali’s $55,000. Still, this race could turn out interesting. Plus, Bray-Ali scored a coup last week when he was endorsed by the L.A. Times. Developer-ing Picture: In recent months, “developer” has become a dirty word in Los Angeles, to the point that on Jan. 10, five City Council members proposed banning contributions from real estate developers who have pending projects. Those five council members did not include Cedillo, whose campaign seems to be using developer cash the way humans use oxygen. According to Ethics Commission filings, at least 49 developers, or people whose occupation is listed as “real estate developer,” “real estate investor” or some facsimile, have donated $700 (the maximum allowed in a council race) to Cedillo. That works out to $34,300. The donors include active Downtown developers such as Sonny Astani, Michael Delijani and Geoff Palmer. A whopping 12 people from Atlas Capital, which wants to build a massive Chinatown project, have each given $700. To be clear, there is nothing illegal about taking developer money — it’s been part of the game in politics everywhere for decades. But it does put Cedillo at odds with his council fellows. Beyond Downtown: The best-ever fight involving someone named Creed was Balboa v. Creed I, when the reigning heavyweight champ beat the Italian Stallion in a 15-round slugfest. Yes, I know it was the movie Rocky, but it was still a great fight. The second best is another slugfest, this time in the City Council’s Fifth District, which is somewhere on the Westside, though I’m not sure exactly where because I rarely venture beyond Alvarado. Incumbent Paul Koretz has raised $387,000 and had $208,000 in cash on hand as of Jan. 21. His opponent, attorney Jesse Creed, has raised $265,000, has $170,000 on hand, and has pulled in the maximum of $100,000 in matching funds. Labor unions adore Koretz and will likely shovel money to get him re-elected, but Creed’s performance to date is like uppercutuppercut-LookAtThatLeftHook! This could go to the final round. Final Tally: Where does all this spending get us? As of Jan. 21, candidates for the three citywide offices and the eight City Council seats had raised a total of $8.2 million and spent $3.4 million. A few weeks remain, and any election where no candidate gets at least 50% of the vote will move to a May runoff. On the downside, turnout is expected to be incredibly low due to the lack of a competitive mayor’s race. Expect fewer than 20% of eligible voters to show up. On the bright side, the 2017 figures are only a fraction of the cash dropped four years ago, when Garcetti beat Wendy Greuel. During the primary and runoff, candidates dropped an amazing $43 million, with $25 million alone spent in the mayor’s race. So everything’s relative. Meep meep! regardie@downtownnews.com