02-18-19 by Los Angeles Downtown News

A vision for the civic center Page 5

finally, the grand breaks ground Page 8

FEBRUARY 18, 2019 I VOL. 48 I #7

Arts & ENTERTAINMENT PREVIEW

A Rundown of 40 Concerts, Exhibits, Films, Events and More Coming to Downtown Dawoud Bey’s photo “A Boy in Front of the Loew’s 125th Street Theater” is part of The Broad’s upcoming exhibit Soul of a Nation; Art in the Age of Black Power. It opens March 23.

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EXPERIENCE THE LABYRINTH: A Walking Meditation Feb 23rd |1 - 3 pm | $10 Tickets + Learn More: peacelabyrinth.org/events

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THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. SINCE 1972

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2 DOWNTOWN NEWS

AROUND TOWN

Downtown Jewelry Trader Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering

Jewelry District precious metals trader pleaded guilty last week to one charge of felony money laundering. On Monday, Feb. 11, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced that Saeed Elyahouzadeh, the owner of R.S.D. Trading Co. at 640 S. Hill St., took part in at least four transactions from April 2015 to December 2017 orchestrated by undercover law enforcement agents. Prosecutors said that on three separate occasions Elyahouzadeh, 53, agreed to take $11,000 to launder a total of $200,000, all part of an effort to hide drug trafficking profits. Elyahouzadeh will be sentenced on July 15 and is facing up to 20 years in federal prison.

Mental Health Center to Replace Men’s Central Jail

massive mental health facility will go up in Downtown, replacing the aged Men’s Central Jail. In a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, Feb. 12, the County Board of Supervisors approved changing plans for a $2.2 billion proj-

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ect to replace the dilapidated 1963 facility at 441 Bauchet St. Instead of a 3,800-bed jail run by the Sheriff’s Department, the Mental Health Treatment Center would be operated by the County Department of Mental Health. McCarthy Builders has been awarded the contract to design the facility. In a prepared statement, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas called the Men’s Central Jail an “inhumane environment.” He added, “We rejected a jail for those with mental illness and instead committed to look into providing mental health treatment through a decentralized continuum of care.” Supervisor Hilda Solis, who voted against the plan, criticized it in a statement. “A jail is a jail is a jail,” she said.

Proper Hotel Sets Fall Opening Date

he team developing the long-delayed Proper Hotel last week said that guests will begin checking in this fall. Proper Hotels, which is transforming the 13-story building at 1106 S. Broadway, announced that the 148-room establishment will open in September. Downtown-based architecture firm Omgivning is handling the redesign of the 1926 building that previously housed the Case Hotel and later was a YWCA. The project will include a rooftop swimming pool and restaurant. Caroline Styne and Suzanne Goin, the restaurateurs behind a.o.c., Lucques and Tavern, will be behind both the hotel’s lobby and rooftop eateries. Rates at the Proper are expected to start at $350 a night. The proj-

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FEBRUARY 18, 2019

ect was announced in 2015 by the Kor Group and Alma/Stark Development.

Velveteria Faces Uncertain Future

fter five years in Chinatown, the velvet art gallery Velveteria is facing an uncertain future. That’s according to co-founder Carl Baldwin, who said the gallery at 711 New High St. is now operating on a monthto-month lease. In a series of Instagram posts since the start of the year, Baldwin initially said the space would close at the end of January, but had secured funds to stay through February. Velveteria opened in 2013, and the owners have about 3,000 colorful, tasteful and tacky velvet paintings. Baldwin said Velveteria should be able to remain if it draws approximately 20-30 visitors a day (admission is $10). He said although it seemed as if Velveteria’s days were numbered at the start of the year, he hopes to keep the gallery in business for at least another year. “If I have to sell everything else I have to keep it going, I might just do it,” Baldwin told Los Angeles Downtown News.

Law Firm Expands Lease

he legal firm Tyson & Mendes has signed a new lease at ARCO Tower that triples its footprint. The firm will occupy 32,600 square feet in the building at 1055 W. Seventh St., and will take over the entire 25th floor of the 33-story building. Currently the

firm occupies part of the 21st floor. Chris Musgjerd, assistant director with the brokerage firm Savills Studley, represented Tyson & Mendes. The space is being built out and the firm is expected to move in the spring, and to expand its staff. Terms of the lease were not disclosed.

Downtown Landmarks Up For Monument Status

wo more Downtown Los Angeles landmarks are on the path to becoming designated city Historic-Cultural Monuments. Grand Central Market and the adjacent Million Dollar Theater Building were both unanimously approved at a Feb. 7 meeting of the Cultural Heritage Commission. Beverly Hills-based real estate investment company Langdon Street Capital, which purchased the buildings in 2017 from the Yellin Company, filed both applications. Grand Central Market opened in the original Homer Laughlin Building in 1917, and quickly became one of the largest city markets in California. It spans the block between Broadway and Hill, Third and Fourth Streets. The Million Dollar Theater Building, at the southwest corner of Broadway and Third Street, was originally constructed in 1918 as a movie theater and office space. Sid Grauman, the man behind Hollywood’s Chinese and Egyptian theaters, initially owned it. The City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee will hold a hearing on the nominations in the future.

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TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

A Troubling Scene in South Park

f you wander by the site of the massive Oceanwide Plaza project in South Park, you’ll hear only the sound of silence. The developer, Beijing-based Oceanwide Holdings, halted construction last month. Right now there are no swinging cranes, no hammer-wielding construction workers, no beeping in-and-out truck traffic, no sparks from welders. This is not only surprising — it is also disturbing, and should be for more than just the developer. A dormant, unfinished $1 billion mega-project at one of the most high-profile points in Downtown Los Angeles — on Figueroa Street across from Staples Center and in the heart of a buzzing South Park — is bad for the neighborhood and bad for greater Downtown. We urge the developer to get back to work immediately, and if anyone from the political or business sphere can apply pressure or twist some arms to make this happen — which, we realize, may not be possible — we urge them to do so. Work needs to restart and the project with three towers, 504 condominiums, 184 hotel rooms and retail space needs to reach the finish line. Oceanwide said in a statement that work has halted because the developer needs to “restructure capital for the project.” It added that, “Our decision to provisionally pause construction is solely based on these internal factors and nothing else.” It has pledged to resume construction this month. We hope Oceanwide crews return to the site shortly, but one has to question if this is possible. A Los Angeles Downtown News article last week reported on a changing economic policy in China that has restricted the flow of capital out of the country. Additionally, Oceanwide is one of the Chinese developers that was mentioned in a search warrant related to an apparent FBI investigation into corruption and certain Downtown construction projects. It is worth noting that the target of the investigation remains unclear, and no one has been arrested or charged. Still, one can foresee how the double impact of an investigation and the Chinese economic policy shift could impact the future of this project. When a development of such magnitude grinds to a halt, the effects can extend beyond the property line. Unfinished and abandoned construction sites become eyesores, not to mention delaying the street life and economic activity that a completed project will generate. And the physical siting by the Convention Center and across from an arena with more than 200 events a year makes this more important than most projects. Another factor that raises concern is that a contractor on the project has sued Oceanwide Holdings and other parties, alleging breach of contract and charging that nearly $53 million owed to the company has not been paid. Mega-projects are never easy, and they usually wind up more expensive than anticipated. But letting Oceanwide Plaza sit stagnant could prove harmful for Downtown. Maybe the developer can restart construction soon, but if Oceanwide anticipates a long delay, then it should look at taking on partners, or selling the project if necessary. There has been good progress so far, but for the benefit of Downtown, this can’t sit unfinished.

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COMMENTS

Regarding the editorial “The Worsening Downtown Crime Rate,” which details a significant rise over 2014 crime levels in Downtown There aren’t enough police on the streets. I live at Fifth and Hill. I see crimes committed in broad daylight on a daily basis. Sometimes the police come and patrol the corner. When they do, the criminals magically disappear. More police and more foot patrols are needed. It’s getting worse because the city allows it by not putting enough resources out there to keep us safe. —Marissa Nicosia That is 110% spot on. And even when the police do come, rarely is anything meaningful actually done about it. I feel like there also needs to be more ways to deter and track down criminals. Things happen so fast in a dense neighborhood. Maybe a CCTV system, or some of those red-and-blue flashing light pole things? Something. —Aaron Takuya Tozier I had my car vandalized twice recently — the first time in the nearly 12 years I’ve lived in Downtown. I haven’t yet reported it because I would have to go to the Skid Row police station! —Judy Harper EDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre

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Yes indeed everyone has a role to play in keeping L.A. safe. By the way, everyone has a role to play in keeping L.A. clean. —Gennaro Pupa Regarding the column “It’s My LAnniversary: 25 Years of Living in Los Angeles,” by Jon Regardie It’s like you wrote it right out of my brain! I’m a transplant of nearly 30 years and feel exactly the same. Great column, thank you. —Tawnya Lange This is well written and said. You nailed it for I assume many of us and for our great city! I am approaching my 25th as well. —LJ Mismas

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Community Wants Open Space in Civic Center Overhaul Downtowners Weigh In on Vision to Transform and Activate Hub of Government By Nicholas Slayton t will be more than a decade until the Civic Center is reimagined with a spate of new projects. Despite that timeframe, Downtown Los Angeles stakeholders are already seeking to make sure that any shifts will include an ample amount of public space and strong connections to neighboring districts. That was made clear on Wednesday, Feb. 13, when more than three dozen people showed up for the third and final community meeting on the Civic Center Design Guidelines. The emphasis at the program was on public space and connections, with several new open spaces proposed. Attendees spoke about the need to make sure those areas and other new walkways include art and elements that would lure people to the neighborhood. The event was put together by the architecture firm Perkins + Will, which is taking input for the public components of the project, the office 14th District City Councilman José Huizar and the City Bureau of Engineering. The work is part of the Civic Center Master Plan, a vision to transform the neighborhood, traditionally a hub of government offices with little activity after dark and on weekends, in six phases over 15 years. The design guidelines meetings have centered around the blocks housing the Los Angeles Mall, City Hall East, and where the former police headquarters Parker Center is being demolished. Organizers at the meeting presented a number of open space options, including a “Civic Square” that would stand opposite City Hall on Main Street. Martin Leitner, an urban design leader for Perkins + Will, said it would serve as a kind of “living room” for the area. Plans also call for adding a paseo between Los Ange-

image courtesy the IBI Group

The Civic Center Master Plan calls for tearing down some old buildings in the area around City Hall and erecting new office and residential structures, as well as creating more public space.

les Street and Judge John Aiso Street in Little Tokyo, which would connect to new green space. Leitner said the focus of the meetings is to determine how the public will interact with civic buildings in the future. “We’re not designing the buildings, but we’re giving guidance, taking stakeholder feedback about what is important in a future Civic Center, and putting that in the guideline document that will then be used to help shape development as it comes,” Leitner said during the presentation. The first phase of the Civic Center Master Plan is underway, with the demolition of Parker Center. That will be replaced by the 29-story Los Angeles Street Civic Building, which will

bring 750,000 square feet of new office space for city workers. It is expected to cost $708 million and be completed in 2024. Future phases would include replacing City Hall South with a mixed-use building, and erecting a commercial and office structure on the site of the aged Los Angeles Mall. Attendees of the meeting raised a number of concerns. Some asked about adding public art to create more engagement in the Civic Center. One brought up the possibility of having basketball courts. Van Ogami, a Downtown resident, asked if there would be any underground or elevated pathways, citing the current thick traffic in the Civic Center during rush hour. “Just getting here was tough, having to deal with the heavy pedestrian traffic and everyone going home,” he said. The meeting drew a strong turnout from people who live or work in Little Tokyo. Andy Lowe, who works with the neighborhood’s East West Players theater company, asked about the possibility of new pathways north to Union Station, as the plan has a number of east-west connections, but few new ones going north-south. Lowe also stated that Little Tokyo has a long history of being displaced and encroached upon — much of the community was caught up in the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and Parker Center was built on land taken from the community. Given that past, he suggested that the redesigned Civic Center connect with surrounding neighborhoods, and not block them off. The final design guidelines, based in part on the community’s input, are expected to be adopted by the middle of the year, according to organizers. The full Civic Center Master Plan can be found at civiccenterprojects.lacity.org. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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image courtesy of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority

By Nicholas Slayton he Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been working on a plan to overhaul Downtown’s Union Station for more than five years, and recently hit a milestone: the release of a draft environmental impact report. The Link Union Station project is intended to transform the 80-year-old station into a modern transit hub, with greater connectivity and more rider capacity. The principal component would be the addition of up to 10 “run-through” tracks. Whereas Metrolink and Amtrak trains that come to Union Station terminate there and now have to turn around, the proposed run-through system would allow trains to pass through the station, extend to new tracks over the 101 Freeway, and continue on to a destination. Currently 172 Metrolink and Amtrak trains arrive at Union Station each day, according to Jeanet Owens, Metro’s senior executive officer for program management and regional rail. She said that adding runthrough tracks would allow Amtrak to, for instance, take passengers from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. “It would operate like a light-rail system,” she said. The tracks would allow Union Station to accommodate up to 258 trains per day, a 63% increase, according to Owens. It would require raising the station’s rail yard, immediately to the south of the Alameda Street station, to allow the tracks to pass over the 101 Freeway. Metro is seeking feedback on the draft EIR and public comments will be accepted through March 4. The plan is accessible at metro.net/projects/link-us. Metro estimates that Link Union Station would cost $2.5 billion; approximately $950 million in funding has been secured. The timeline is still being determined. Link Union Station is part of the wider Union Station Master Plan, which calls for increased development around the station. Metro approved the master plan in 2014. One benefit of the plan would be increased capacity, according to Metro —ridership could double to 200,000 passengers per day by 2040. Owens said that with the 2028

Olympics and other major events coming to Los Angeles, expanding capacity is essential. A chief benefit of run-through tracks is that they would reduce the time trains have to wait at the station, Owens said. “With this, trains can idle for five minutes or less. With the current system, they idle for 20-40 minutes,” she said. The Link Union Station project would include the construction of a large, elevated concourse that would extend over the rail yard. The round, donut-shaped concourse would have waiting areas, terraces and shops for passengers. Renderings show a large glass structure overlooking trains and the recently renovated Patsaouras Plaza. The project’s greatest benefit to the public would be shorter and more efficient rides, according to Professor James Moore, director of the University of Southern California’s Transportation Engineering Program and an expert on mass transit. He noted that it could also boost demand, if rides become more seamless. Michael Manville, a professor at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs and an expert on transportation and land use matters, said that given Union Station’s age, this project is needed if Metro intends to make the facility the hub of a growing and more connected system linking both local lines and regional light rail. “With run-through tracks, the basic logic is right in the name,” Manville said. “It allows for some vehicles like express routes to pass through without having to stop or turn around.” Metro said the concourse and platforms would be added in a manner that does not disrupt existing Metro routes and regional transit systems. The Link Union Station project would be implemented in two phases, according to Owens. The first would involve adding new communication and signals to the rail lines. The second phase would require raising the rail yard for the new tracks. Construction would happen overnight between 10:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., and Metro expects that Union Station would remain operational at all times during the expansion. nicholas@downtownnews.com

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 7

Kevin de León Enters 14th District City Council Race

Kevin de León at an appearance at Vista Hermosa Natural Park last June.

photo by Jon Regardie

By Jon Regardie political heavyweight has joined the field of candidates seeking the 14th District City Council seat. On Monday, Feb. 11, former state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León announced that he is running to represent the district that covers Downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights and neighborhoods in Northeast L.A. He will seek to replace José Huizar, who will be termed out in 2020. The political veteran was elected to the state Assembly in 2006 and moved to the Senate in 2010, where he stayed for eight years; he became President of the Senate in 2014. Last year he challenged United States Sen. Dianne Feinstein. He barely made the runoff, and lost in the general election in November. During his time in the Senate de León was known as an advocate on issues such as immigrants’ rights, climate change and infrastructure repair. A move to the City Council would give him a role in making policy decisions for the city, but would also require him to respond to “pothole politics” concerns and the neighborhood-level needs of the approximately 250,000 residents of the district. “The Fourteenth District needs a leader who can leverage relationships with state

and federal partners to make sure our city is building homes for Angelenos experiencing homelessness, keeping our air clean, and reducing traffic and commute times,” de León said in a prepared statement. So far five other people have filed paperwork to raise money for the race, though none has much of a political profile. A sixth person, Huizar’s wife Richelle Huizar, declared her candidacy for the seat last September, but withdrew from the race two months later following an FBI raid of her husband’s City Hall office and the couple’s Boyle Heights home. The announcement that de León is seeking the council seat has prompted speculation that, if he wins, he will use it as a springboard to run for mayor in 2022, when Eric Garcetti is termed out of office. That has happened before in the district. In 2003, Antonio Villaraigosa ran for the council seat and beat an incumbent, Nick Pacheco. Though Villaraigosa promised during the campaign that he would serve a full term, he shifted course and ran for mayor two years later, and knocked off Jim Hahn. The 14th District election is in March 2020. If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, the top two finishers will proceed to a November runoff. regardie@downtownnews.com

The Central City Crime Report By Nicholas Slayton n the Central City Crime Report, we survey a recent week in public safety. All information is provided by the LAPD’s Central Division.

■ A man who thought another individual had stolen something from him chased the person down the sidewalk at Alameda and College streets on Jan. 13. The attacker hit the victim twice with nunchucks. ■ The owner of a Ford who had parked the car on Santa Fe Avenue on Jan. 13 returned to find that the rear window had been smashed and clothes and electronic equipment were missing.

■ Two people got into a fight at Alameda Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue around dawn on Jan. 14. One grabbed the other’s wallet and phone and fled. ■ A man entered a Spring Street store on Jan. 14 and told the clerk that it was his store and that he wasn’t paying. He threatened to cut the clerk, then took unspecified items and left. ■ A Broadway apartment resident answered a knock at the door. Two thieves pushed the resident aside, entered the unit and stole some jewelry. Continued on page 20

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FEBRUARY 18, 2019

After 15 Years, The Grand Gets Going

Related Cos.’ $1 Billion Mega-Project, Designed by Frank Gehry, Finally Starts Construction By Sean P. Thomas n 2004, developer Related Cos. and architect Frank Gehry won a public bidding competition to develop a massive mixed-use project on Bunker Hill. Last week, it finally broke ground. The 15 years in between were filled with ups, downs, a devastating recession, changes in design, a revolving door of financing partners, shifts in the political leadership overseeing the project, and even the brief departure of Gehry. Yet through it all the New York-based Related Cos. remained, and though the current $1 billion, two-tower development is smaller than a $2 billion vision broached before the recession, company executives were ebullient as they gathered under a tent set up on Grand Avenue last week.

“You are about to see a project unfold unlike anything else you have ever seen in Los Angeles,” Related Urban President and CEO Kenneth Himmel said before a crowd of political, civic and business leaders on Monday, Feb. 11. The project is rising on a parcel at the southwest corner of First Street and Grand Avenue that previously held the socalled “tinker toy” parking structure. Related fenced off the site and began razing the facility in November. The Grand will stand across the street from another Gehry-designed building, the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It will be a block north of The Broad museum. The project was touted by Gehry as a key addition to the long-gestating vision of Grand Avenue as the city’s artistic corridor. The street also holds the Museum of Contemporary

UPCOMING

image courtesy Related — CORE

The $1 billion mixed-use development The Grand will have two towers, 436 housing units, 309 hotel rooms and a retail and restaurant component. The project designed by Frank Gehry will rise across the street from another Gehry creation, Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Art, the Music Center’s trio of cultural institutions, and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. “It’s just another piece of the puzzle for Grand Avenue,” Gehry said in an interview with Los Angeles Downtown News. “It’s the continuation of the big vision that a lot of people had, led by Eli Broad.” Broad, who formerly chaired the advisory committee for the Grand Avenue Authority, the joint city and county panel that originally awarded Related Cos. the contract to develop the site, has long championed Grand Avenue as a destination for the arts. Broad helped open MOCA, which debuted in 1979, and built his $140 million art museum on the street. During Monday’s ceremony, Broad called The Grand the “crown jewel” of Grand Avenue. “This is a historic day,” Broad said. “The culmination of a dream some of us had almost 40 years ago, a dream to transform Los Angeles into a major cultural capital of the world with Grand Avenue being the centerpiece.” Related expects to open the project in 2021. New Anchor The Grand will create two towers on Bunker Hill: a 39-story edifice will hold 436 rental units, with 20% set aside for affordable housing; and a 20-story building with a 309-room Equinox Hotel, as the exercise chain gets into the hotel business. The project will also have 176,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, including a movie complex, spread across multiple levels and arranged around a Central Plaza that looks out toward Disney Hall. There will be 1,063 parking spaces. The project is envisioned as a cultural and entertainment anchor for the Grand Avenue corridor. It will include a public plaza with permanent and temporary art installations. Related executives proposed projecting images onto the exterior of Disney Hall. Stephen Ross, chairman and founder of Related Cos., called The Grand a big step for Downtown, but added that projects that will rise around the development are just as important. “This will be the heart of it but what will grow around it, that is what downtowns are really made of,” Ross said. “This project will bring a kind of style to Los Angeles that will be a total upgrade.” Gehry’s design features towers that in certain segments resemble stacked blocks, with the buildings getting thinner the higher they go. Still, it is a downsized version of what was originally proposed. The project is rising on parcels owned by the city and county. That led in the early 2000s to a bidding competition, with a collection of teams vying to earn development rights.

Bernard-Henri Lévy

Roger McNamee

The Empire and the Five Kings: America’s Abdication and the Fate of the World

with Willow Bay Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe

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FEB 19 Moss Theatre,

Gensler, Downtown LA

Santa Monica

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From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America

FEB 21 Moss Theatre, Santa Monica

Reshma Saujani Founder & CEO, Girls Who Code

Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder

FEB 26 8:15AM

Gensler, Downtown LA

A series of on-stage conversations featuring writers, actors, musicians, humorists, artists, chefs, scientists and thought leaders in business. Ad 1 of 2 — LEFT HAND PAGE

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mated 10,000 jobs during construction and afterwards, and will create $397 million in tax revenue for the city. It will generate another $68 million for the county over 25 years. The Grand is the biggest splash in a wave of projects rising along Grand Avenue. A block to the north, the Music Center is in the midst of a $40 million renovation of its plaza, which is expected to finish on Labor Day. The Colburn School, which sits just south of the site of The Grand, has plans to build its own Gehry-designed project on a block bounded by Hill, Second and Olive streets. sean@downtownnews.com

photos by Gary Leonard

When Related won the project, then-County Supervisor Gloria Molina pushed for a clause in the development agreement requiring Related to update the public space between the Music Center and City Hall, even if the bigger project was delayed. That proved fortuitous, and although the recession hit, Related paid $57 million to create Grand Park, which opened in 2012. Related originally sought to build a 1.3 million-square-foot mega-development with 2,600 housing units, 449,000 square feet of retail, a grocery store and a health club. Initially, rather than an Equinox, plans called for a 48-story Mandarin Oriental Hotel with 295 hotel rooms and 266 residential units. Original plans called for a 2007 completion, though that was delayed amid the effort to secure financing. The date was eventually pushed back to 2011, but the entire proposal was dashed during the Great Recession. New Partners The project remained dormant, and when Related began dusting off plans, it brought out new designs with a different architect. Those were roundly criticized and eventually Gehry returned to the fold. In 2016, Related secured a $290 million investment from China’s CCCG Overseas Real Estate Pte. Ltd., otherwise known as CORE. In November, Related announced a $630 million construction loan from Deutsche Bank, which allowed the developer to plan a groundbreaking. Ross said that despite the hurdles, Related always believed in the potential of the Grand Avenue corridor. “Downtown has such great possibilities, and when you think about Barcelona, with its great architects, where people go there just to visit, if you could do something across from the Disney [Hall] it would add such a great importance to Downtown Los Angeles that people would come here from across the world just to see it,” Ross said. “That’s why we hung out and prevailed.” During the morning event, Mayor Eric Garcetti noted that the project was announced during his first term on the City Council. He said it was important not just to get The Grand off the ground, but to make sure it is built in the best way possible. “We planned it many times, and to actually be here today is pretty surreal,” Garcetti said. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, whose First District includes Downtown Los Angeles, said that accessibility in The Grand is a key issue for her office. She also cited the number of local jobs that will be generated by the project. According to Related, The Grand will generate an esti-

(l to r) Stephen Ross, chairman and founder of Related Cos., architect Frank Gehry and philanthropist Eli Broad were at the groundbreaking event.

images courtesy Related — CORE

Moby

26 Marathons: What I’ve Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life From Each Marathon I’ve Run

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MAY 6 Aratani Theatre, Downtown Los Angeles

MAR 21

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Gretchen Rubin Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness

MAR 20 Moss Theatre, Santa Monica

Dave Barry

Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog

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Then It Fell Apart

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The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World

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The project site at First Street and Grand Avenue previously held the “tinker toy” parking structure. That has been razed, and the $1 billion development is scheduled to open in 2021.

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Arts & ENTERTAINMENT PREVIEW

A Rundown of 40 Concerts, Exhibits, Films, Events and More Coming to Downtown WRITTEN BY JON REGARDIE, NICHOLAS SLAYTON AND SEAN P. THOMAS The Dolly Parton exhibit “Diamond in a Rhinestone World” is at the Grammy Museum.

photo by Johan Persson

photo by Rich Gilligan

Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power

Cinderella

Through March 10 at the Ahmanson Theatre

atthew Bourne has been wowing Downtown for two decades, bringing the Ahmanson about a dozen of his dialogue-free performances that meld ballet, theatrical movement and modern dance. That continues with Cinderella, which uses Prokofiev’s 1945 score but shifts the setting to London in

World War II, when people lived under the constant threat of bombing raids. This Cinderella is visually stunning and features a supremely talented cast, with moments that are sometimes humorous and sometimes haunting. With sharp costumes and a set that takes audiences back in time, it becomes easy to forget the old fairytale.

At 135 N. Grand Ave. or centertheatregroup.org.

Opening March 23 at The Broad

s African-American civil rights activists took to the streets to demand equal rights, artists across the country made their mark in other ways. Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983 takes a look at some of the artists who played a significant role during the height of the civil rights movement. The exhibit includes pho-

tographs, paintings and sculptures by more than 60 Los Angeles-based artists, including Barbara Jones-Hogu (whose 1969 screen print ”Unite [First State]” is shown here), Edward C. Robison III, Betye Saar and Noah Purifoy. Although admission to The Broad is free, Soul of a Nation requires tickets, which should be purchased in advance.

At 221 S. Grand Ave. or thebroad.org.

The Gloaming

April 12 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel

t’s hard to confine The Gloaming to one genre. The Irish band straddles classical chamber music, jazz and post-rock, all while drawing inspiration from the traditional music of its homeland. The gang is visiting the lovely Theatre at Ace Hotel and will play songs off its self-titled de-

but album and its follow-up The Gloaming 2. It’s also likely Downtown will hear some tracks from their upcoming The Gloaming 3 (are you noticing a pattern?). The show is presented by UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance, which has a full roster of acts at the Ace this spring.

At 929 S. Broadway or cap.ucla.edu.

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

photo by Jonathan Nesvadba

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MOBY

May 6 at the Aratani Theater

he electronic musician, songwriter and producer Moby is one of those guys who keeps pushing boundaries. His record Play became a massive hit two decades ago, but he continues to do more than just make music. He recently released the second volume of his memoir Then It Fell Apart, and he is coming to Little Tokyo to discuss it and his career as part of the Live Talks L.A. series. The book digs into Moby’s experiences with fame and his struggles with celebrity. Come get a glimpse of a guy who is more than just a hitmaker.

“one of the more interesting artists working in the gap between art and politics” —The New York Times

At 244 S. San Pedro St. or livetalksla.org.

ChristiAne Jatahy Feb. 21-24 at REDCAT

t’s a cliché to call a performance an epic, but Brazilian director Christiane Jatahy’s What if They Went to Moscow? can lay claim to the title. It’s a combination of live theater and moviemaking that runs nearly four hours. The work, in Portuguese with English surtitles, spins off Chekov’s Three Sisters and involves the women hosting a house party in modern-day Brazil. But it’s all about perspective — literally. There are two audiences, and one watches the 90-minute show live, while the other sees it in an adjacent screening room. It ends, there’s a 45-minute break, and then the audiences switch rooms and see the same production in a whole new way. This marks the U.S. premiere of Jatahy’s thought-provoking work.

photo by Christiane Jatahy

photo courtesy Blue Rhino Studios

At 631 W. Second St. or redcat.org.

Antarctic Dinosaurs

Opens April 3 at the Natural History Museum

e think of Antarctica as the land of the ice and snow, but millions of years ago it was a temperate place with amphibians as big as crocodiles and elephant-sized dinosaurs. That world is brought to life in the traveling exhibit Antarctic Dinosaurs, which Exposition Park’s Natural History Museum helped create. The show, sparked by a 2010 trek by paleontologists to the continent’s Mount Kirkpatrick, features four full-sized dinosaur replicas, including the 25-footlong Cryolophosaurus, also known as the “frozen crested lizard” for the bony ornamentation on its head. Another dinosaur on display is the size of a Labrador Retriever. Get ready for a whole new prehistoric world. At 900 Exposition Blvd. or nhm.org.

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photo by Kirk Edwards

photo courtesy Professional Bull Riders

March 7-10 at Walt Disney Concert Hall

photo by Richard Termine

Professional Bull Riders: Iron Cowboy

Dudamel & Yuja Wang ho says that classical music has to be a stuffy affair? Certainly not pianist Yuja Wang. The acclaimed Chinese musician has shaken the classical world with her otherworldly piano chops as well as some eye ball-drawing outfits. Both will be on display when she returns to Disney Hall

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

to partner with Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel for a world premiere performance of composer John Adams’ concerto Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes. The Phil will also tackle Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No.1. Be sure to show up early for a pre-concert talk.

Feb. 22-23 at Staples Center

ull riding has been called the most dangerous eight seconds in sports, and it’s easy to see why. Now the sport makes its debut in Downtown Los Angeles, as top performers from the Professional Bull Riders circuit bring the rodeo to Staples Center. They ’ll be competing for the title of Iron Cowboy. Try

At 111 S. Grand Ave. or laphil.com.

your best not to cringe as the inevitable happens and a rider flies through the air and hits the dirt, bringing out the rodeo clowns to steal the attention away from the angry animal. Do try to enjoy the show as more than 35 riders seek to avoid getting tossed from the 2,000-pound bucking bulls.

The Loser

Feb. 22-23 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel

.A. Opera is leaving its home at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a pair of performances that mark the West Coast premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang’s new work. Baritone Rod Gilfry plays The Narrator, a role he originated, in the opera built on the premise of a pair of piano prodigies who take a master class — led by Vladimir Horow-

At 1111 S. Figueroa St. or staplescenter.com.

photo by Alex J. Berliner / ©ABImages

photo courtesy Aziz Ansari

itz — and meet a young Glenn Gould. The problem? The pianists quickly recognize Gould is far more talented than they are, and they must come to terms with that harsh fact. Leslie Leighton conducts the approximately one-hour performance in the stunning Ace. It’s a show less about piano and more about perfectionism, hard work and wrecked dreams.

At 929 S. Broadway or laopera.org.

photo courtesy the Teragram Ballroom

Art of Motion Picture Costume Design At FIDM Museum Through April 12

Downtown tradition returns as South Park’s FIDM Museum has unveiled its annual display of top movie costumes from the past year, including outfits from all five films nominated for the Best Costume Oscar. The free exhibit both gets visitors up close to artifacts from some favorite films, and reveals the hard work that goes into making said duds. The out-

fits are as diverse as the movies themselves, with costumes from works including Black Panther, The Favourite, Mary Poppins Returns, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Bohemian Rhapsody and Aquaman (shown here). Altogether costumes from 25 films are on display, and there is also a special exhibit on Phantom Thread, which captured last year’s Best Costumes Oscar.

At 919 S. Grand Ave. or fidmmuseum.org.

Teenage Fanclub

Aziz Ansari

Feb. 20-23 at the Orpheum Theatre

erhaps you laughed at Aziz Ansari when he was a character on “Parks and Recreation.” Perhaps you laughed at his lead role on his Netflix show “Master of None.” Or maybe you laughed at some of his riotous stand-up performances. Whatever the case, you probably laughed, and laughs will

come again during five performances at Broadway’s beautiful Orpheum Theatre. Ansari calls this his “Road to Nowhere” tour, and it’s safe to guess he’ll once again mine material from his personal life. Beware: This show has a strict no-cell phones policy, with people required to check their devices at the door.

At 842 S Broadway or laorpheum.com.

Feb. 26-27 at the Teragram Ballroom

cottish band Teenage Fanclub’s 1991 album Bandwagonesque was a classic of the pre-Internet alt-rock scene — Spin magazine named it the album of the year, ahead of Nirvana’s Nevermind. Three decades after they first started playing the moniker Middle Aged Dudes Fanclub might be more applicable, but the act led by

Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley still has a guitar-driven sound that’s heavy on hooks, but just a bit too jagged and noisy for mainstream radio. Last year Teenage Fanclub re-released five of its early records, so on this throwback tour expect to hear familiar head-bobbers including “Star Sign” and “Sparky’s Dream.”

At 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com.

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

photo courtesy CineConcerts

the movie plays. The film recounts the true story of one unlikely man’s goal of playing on Notre Dame’s college football team, and the screening benefits the university along with Southern California high schools. Both star Sean Astin and the real Rudy Ruettiger will attend.

At 777 Chick Hearn Court or microsofttheater.com.

photo courtesy Grand Park/The Music Center

Our L.A. Voices — L.A. Arts Festival April 27-28 at Grand Park

Feb. 28-March 24 at The LATC

March 30 at the Microsoft Theater t’s good news for Notre Dame fans and bad news for USC students and alumni. Rudy, the classic 1993 sports film, is getting a 25th anniversary event in Downtown’s Microsoft Theater. The 80-piece Hollywood Chamber Orchestra will perform Jerry Goldsmith’s score live as

photo by Robert Mahattie

Canyon

Rudy in Concert

DOWNTOWN NEWS 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

hat happens when two families with vastly different backgrounds have their lives upended? That’s the central question in Jonathan Caren’s Canyon, which gets its world premiere in the Historic Core venue. The show, set in a canyon on Labor Day weekend in 2016, follows a pair

of newlyweds and a father and son whose lives are intertwined as a result of a disaster. Along the way, the four debate what it means to be American and address and confront their own biases. The topical production comes from the IAMA Theatre Company and the Latino Theater Company.

At 514 S. Spring St. or thelatc.org.

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peacelabyrinth.org/events 3500 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018 Photo by Doren Sorell

ook around and you’ll notice again that Los Angeles has some serious artistic power. Grand Park, the 12-acre attraction connecting City Hall with the Music Center, is helping celebrate that talent with Our L.A. Voices — L.A. Arts Festival. The event is free and features visual art, dance, music and theater performanc-

es. Part of Grand Park’s week-long art celebration, this year’s iteration has the theme “Origin Stories,” and explores uniquely L.A. tales. In addition to the performances, Grand Park will offer free workshops on the more rigid side of art marking, including marketing, intellectual property and copyright protection.

At 200 N. Grand Ave. or grandparkla.org.

14 DOWNTOWN NEWS

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

photo courtesy of Maryam Jafri

photo by JB Rowland

photo by Andrew Eccles

I Drank the Kool-aid But I Didn’t Inhale

Through June 23 at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

hat does it mean to fall for the next cool thing? That’s what artist Maryam Jafri is exploring in I Drank the Koolaid But I Didn’t Inhale. It’s Jafri’s first American museum show and is a partial restaging of her 2014 Product Recall: An Index of Innovation, which examined discontinued food products from recent decades. Jafri uses photos,

text and various objects to look at pieces that were expected to be hits but failed spectacularly. The exhibit at the always free Arts District venue is ostensibly a commentary on trends, corporate greed and changing tastes. Also at the ICALA this spring is An Enormous Oar, the first solo museum show of work by photographer Lucas Blalock.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Diamond in a Rhinestone World: The Costumes of Dolly Parton

April 3-7 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion t’s always a treat when one of the countr y ’s greatest dance companies descends on Downtown Los Angeles, but this appearance is extra special. Ailey’s company is celebrating its 60th season, and will present four different programs, though each of the seven shows will include the signature work “Rev-

At 1717 E. Seventh St. or theicala.org.

elations.” There are myriad highlights, including a couple programs with the piece “Lazarus,” from hiphop choreographer Rennie Harris, and another lineup with British mindblower Wayne McGregor’s contemporary ballet “Kairos.” There’s a lot of variety, but with the Ailey company you really can’t go wrong.

Through March 17 at the Grammy Museum ountry music legend Dolly Parton is known for her unique voice and incisive lyrics. But she also gets a lot of attention for her outfits, in particular the rhinestone-encrusted ones. Some of those fantastic dresses, coats and shoes from Parton’s personal collection are on display at the Grammy Museum in the appropri-

At 135 N. Grand Ave. or musiccenter.org/ailey.

photo by Jamie Pham

ately titled Diamond in a Rhinestone World: The Costumes of Dolly Parton. The exhibit bounces through Parton’s nearly 40-year career (which has resulted in more than 400 award nominations). Highlights include costumes from the “Home” music video, and outfits from big concerts in London and Red Rocks.

At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or grammymuseum.org.

photo by Benedict Evans

photo courtesy Spaceland Presents

Los Angeles Master Chorale: Great Opera and Film Choruses May 4-5 at Walt Disney Concert Hall

he Los Angeles Master Chorale is using its collection of beautiful voices as it lights up Disney Hall and pulls from the silver screen. The 100-member chorus, under the direction of Grant Gershon, will take the stage with orchestral accompaniment for a mix of notable works from the opera can-

on and Hollywood blockbusters — including some on which members of the LAMC performed. The lineup includes part of Verdi’s Nabucco and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, plus segments of Danny Elfman’s score from Edward Scissorhands and John Williams’ work for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

At 111 S. Grand Ave. or lamasterchorale.org.

Blaqk Audio

March 16 at The Regent

Lackawanna Blues

March 5-April 21 at the Mark Taper Forum

ony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson gets personal in Lackawanna Blues, which is based on his childhood in a small town on the banks of Lake Erie. In the solo show with music, Santiago-Hudson goes back to the boarding house where he grew up, playing more than 20 char-

acters ranging from petty hustlers to abandoned lovers. Grammy-winning blues guitarist Chris Thomas King will provide live accompaniment for the work that promises to be powerful and touching. In addition to writing and starring in Lackawanna Blues, Santiago-Hudson also directs.

At 135 N. Grand Ave. or centertheatregroup.org.

t’s time once again to dress in black and dance. Blaqk Audio, the electronic and darkwave side project from AFI, is back with a new album and is returning to Los Angeles for a night of heavy synths and intense beats. Expect to hear songs from the new Only Things We Love record, including the lead single “The Viles,” along with some favorites going back

to their 2007 debut CexCells. As usual, The Regent’s roster in the coming months is packed, with other highlights including African music band Ladysmith Black Mambazo on March 22, The Marias on March 29, old-school punks Flipper with Jesus Lizard singer David Yow on April 12, and local neo-soul and rock and roll purveyor Nick Waterhouse on April 26.

At 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com.

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 15

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

photo by Gary Leonard

photo by Clive Barta

photo courtesy South Pasadena Public Library

Salonen’s Stravinsky: Rituals, Faith and Myths

Leo Politi: Works of Love and Protest

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April 12-14 and 18-20 at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Through May 19 at the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

s Los Angeles neigh- for his children’s books, inborhoods faced the cluding Pedro: The Angel of business end of a bull- Olvera Street, but the IAMdozer, the late Leo Politi LA exhibit reveals another worked to preserve mem- side. Leo Politi’s Los Angeories through art. The son les: Works of Love and Proof Italian immigrants, Politi test span 60 years and inused a paintbrush and wa- cludes paintings capturing tercolors to capture neigh- Bunker Hill and World War borhoods that were en- II-era Downtown, as well as Broadband I Voice I change. WiFi I HDTVother 800.900.5788 transformed neigh- I during immense Many people know Politi borhoods.

sa-Pekka Salonen just can’t stay away from Downtown Los Angeles. The former Los Angeles Philharmonic music director has returned to Disney Hall intermittently since stepping down from the post in 2009, grabbing the baton as a guest conductor for numerous programs. Salonen has alaerioconnect.com ways been known for his interpretations of Stravin-

At 419 N. Main St. or iamla.org.

sky’s work, and goes deep with the three-part program dubbed “Salonen’s Stravinsky: Rituals, Faith and Myths.” “Rituals” will feature performances of “Funeral Song,” “Agon” and “The Rite of Spring,” “Faith” includes portions of Stravinsky’s vocal works, and “Myths” will see performances of the myth ballets “Orpheus” and “Perséphone.”

Blessing of the Animals April 20 at Olvera Street

hose who have yet to experience this annual tradition are missing out on a classic Los Angeles event. The Blessing of the Animals allows humans to thank all variety of creatures for the companionship they provide, and over the course of several

At 111 S. Grand Ave. or laphil.com.

hours hundreds of dogs, cats, birds, rodents, reptiles and more will pass in front of Archbishop Jose Gomez, who sprinkles them with Holy Water. It’s low-key but lovely affair that takes place on the day before Easter. Keep an eye out for the albino python.

At Olvera Street or olverastreet.org.

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FEBRUARY 18, 2019

photo by William Strugs

Annie Leibovitz, Early Years: 1970-1983 Carrie Mae Weems: Past Tense March 8 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel

ophocles’ Antigone is a classic tale of politics, defiance, loyalty and rage. Performance artist Carrie Mae Weems uses the work as the inspiration for her show Past Tense, which makes its West Coast premiere when it lands at the Ace as part of the CAP UCLA season. The show

is intricate, with Weems bringing in singers, a poet, live music, video projections and more to tell the story. Weems is at the helm, standing at a lectern and also using the opportunity to discuss social justice, police brutality and a sense of being trapped in a cycle.

photo courtesy the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Through April 20 at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles

v e n i f y o u d o n’ t know it, you’ve seen the photography of Annie Leibovitz. Whether it was standing in a grocery aisle while glancing at a cover of Rolling Stone, or glimpsing one of her celebrity portraits, Leibovitz is a photojournalism legend. But like all prominent artists, there was a time when people didn’t

At 929 S. Broadway or cap.ucla.edu.

know her work, and Hauser & Wirth’s Arts District outpost is exploring that period in Annie Leibovitz, Early Years: 1970-1983. The exhibit showcases her eclectic body of work from the time, everything from shots of President Richard Nixon’s resignation to images of Arnold Schwarzenegger to photos of Andy Warhol.

First Fridays

March 1, April 5 and May 3 at the Natural History Museum

very year, the Natural History Museum likes to remind people that it’s not just a stuffy Exposition Park venue filled with dioramas. Hence First Fridays, the monthly nighttime education-meets-party series. The theme this year is “Forces of Nature,” and each evening will offer a chance to tour the museum after hours, enjoy drinks, catch music

At 901 E. Third St. or hauserwirth.com.

from resident DJ Novena Carmel and other acts, and hear experts talk about the topic at hand. The season launches with a night about fire, with a panel discussion exploring how recent blazes are reshaping life in California. That night also brings DJ Aaron Byrd from KCRW, plus performances from prog rock group Pinky Pinky and rocker Shannon Shaw.

At 900 Exposition Blvd. or nhmla.org.

photo courtesy Los Angeles Poverty Department

Los Angeles Poverty Department April 4-6 at REDCAT

he Skid Row collective led by John Malpede has been using the arts to explore issues of justice, humanity and poverty for decades. It continues with I Fly! or How to Keep the Devil Down in the Hole. The three performances of this world premiere delve into the topic of public safety, which can mean vastly different things in Skid

Row and in REDCAT’s Bunker Hill neighborhood. Issues of policing and protest will be explored, and the ideas of sharing, second chances, inclusion, tolerance and more will be analyzed, mused on and addressed through song and dance. Consider I Fly! the most Downt o w n - s p e c i f i c p e r fo r mance of the season.

At 631 W. Second St. or redcat.org.

photo courtesy Def Jam Records photo courtesy L.A. Opera

Vince Staples

The Clemency of Titus

March 30-31 at The Novo

eports of Vince Staples’ early retirement have been greatly exaggerated. The last time the “BagBak” rapper took the stage at The Novo, it was just weeks after he cheekily set up a $2 million GoFundM e campaign to “shut the [expletive] up forever.” Clearly he didn’t hit his intended mark,

because the Long Beach native has been touring the country for his “Smile, You’re on Camera” tour, which will do two nights at The Novo. The 25-yearold Staples put out one of 2018’s best albums, FM!, making this a highlight on the hip-hop calendar. Staples will be joined by JPEGMAFIA.

At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or thenovodtla.com.

March 2-24 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

rarely under taken Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart work gets its L.A. Opera premiere. Clemency, performed in Italian with English supertitles, is a story of revenge, romance and hardcore power plays in ancient Rome. Russell Thomas (shown here) sings the role of the

imperiled titular leader, and Guanqun Yu is Vitellia, who hoped to marry Titus, but instead is spurned, setting off a series of unfortunate operatic events. Meanwhile, the always brilliant James Conlon conducts the six performances, which include two weekend matinees.

At 135 N. Grand Ave. or laopera.org.

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

photo courtesy MOCA, gift of Thea Westreich and Ethan Wagner. Photo by Brian Forrest

photo courtesy Metro Art

photo courtesy Edmonds Family Collection, Los Angeles Public Library Special Collections

The Liberator: Chronicling Black Los Angeles, 1900-1914 Opening March 20 at the California African American Museum

s Los Angeles’ African-American community bloomed at the turn of the 20th century, it needed a voice. The Liberator, an African American-owned newspaper, would become that. Founded in 1900 by Jefferson Lewis Edmonds, a former slave who also served as the paper’s edi-

tor, The Liberator provided a local and national news source for its growing audience. The role and legacy of the largely forgotten publication are explored in The Liberator, which includes photographs, artifacts, clippings and more from the paper.

At 600 State Dr. or caamuseum.com.

Bach Marathon Concert

Open House: Elliott Hundley

March 16 at Union Station

ommuters will be passing through Union Station on March 16, but so will people who aren’t going anywhere and instead are really, really into Johann Sebastian Bach. Metro Art is partnering with see/hear LA for the return of an annual Bach marathon at the Art Deco transportation hub.

The music will be inescapable as artists fan out to various locations across the station to perform a whopping 10 hours of Bach’s best-known compositions. Don’t worry — you don’t have to experience the entire 10 hours in one sitting, although we’re sure that some people are up for the challenge.

Opening April 14 at MOCA

or its 40th anniversary, the Museum of Contemporary Art is staging “Open House,” a series of exhibitions in which artists use the institution’s extensive collection in new ways to show off the versatility of what is frequently out of public view. Hundley gets the first crack and will take

At 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.com.

over space in the Bunker Hill museum. His work is focused on collages, so don’t be surprised if the multimedia show is rife in assembled works and colorful hodgepodges. The exhibit will include pieces from Raymond Saunders, Leonardo Drew and Michael Majerus, among many others.

At 250 S. Grand Ave. or moca.org.

photo courtesy the Robey Theatre Company

Carrie Mae Weems: Past Tense Work With Music, Text, Projection and Video Is at Theatre at Ace Hotel on March 8

cclaimed photographer Carrie Mae Weems, who the New York Times deemed “one of the more interesting artists working in the gap between art and politics,” has created a new performance-based piece, Past Tense. Through mu-

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS sic, text, projection and video, Past Tense features singers Eisa Davis, Alicia Hall Moran, Imani Uzuri and Francesca Harper, poet Carl Hancock Rux and music director Craig Harris. The performance takes us on a deep dive into the enduring significance of the iconic Antigone and her profound relevance to our contemporary moment. Past

Tense has a modernist aesthetic of clean, spare staging with singers representing a Greek chorus on a small, raised platform and Weems at a clear, Lucite lectern, with startling imagery projected on a screen behind them conveying the risk of an encounter between authority figures and citizens who are fervent in their sense of morality. This powerful piece explores themes of social justice, escalating violence, gender relations, politics and personal identity within the context of contemporary history — recurrent subjects in Weems’ practice. The Theatre at Ace Hotel is at 929 S. Broadway; tickets at cap.ucla.edu/PastTense.

What if They Went to Moscow? REDCAT’s Modern Reimagining of ‘Three Sisters’ Takes Place Feb. 21-24

n this U.S. premiere, Brazilian director Christiane Jatahy brilliantly merges live performance and filmmaking in what she describes as a “mirror game between theater and cinema.”

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS Her wildly acclaimed take on Anton Chekov’s Three Sisters imagines the three siblings hosting a house party in modern-day Brazil. The piece is seen by two audiences simultaneously, with each group experiencing it twice — in two very different ways.

One audience is in a theater transformed into a sound stage with the performers and three hand-held camera operators — one for each sister. At the same time, another audience watches a beautifully edited live feed in an adjacent screening space, where they witness the director’s perspective. After a break, the two audiences trade places, and realize a very different experience. Total running time is 3:45 (two versions of a 90-minute work, with a 45-minute dinner break). Tickets are $16-$30. REDCAT is at 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

Birdland Blue

April 6-May 12 at The LATC

iles Davis was a jazz innovator who put an indelible stamp on the genre. But he was also a man with troubles. That’s the perspec tive from which Randy Ross’ Birdland Blue approaches the great trumpeter and band leader’s life. The show, part of the African American troupe the Robey Theatre Company’s 25th sea-

son, takes place on a night in August 1959 when the Miles Davis Sextet played New York City’s Birdland nightclub. It digs into issues such as success, fame, internal struggle, racism and greed. There’s also band strife, as a young musician, John Coltrane, wants to leave and start his own group. Ben Guillory directs.

At 514 S. Spring St. or thelatc.org.

18 DOWNTOWN NEWS

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

photo by Marc J. Franklin

Falsettos

April 16-May 19 at the Ahmanson Theatre

he musical Falsettos debuted on Broadway in 1992 and garnered huge acclaim and seven Tony nominations. It was revived in 2016 and earned five more Tony nods. Now it’s on the road, with a touring production directed by James Lapine, who created it with William Finn more than 25 years ago. Falsettos is built around

Marvin, an intelligent, neurotic gay man who happens to have a wife, a lover named Whizzer, a young son and a psychiatrist. There’s also a lesbian couple who live next door. The show is alternately funny and touching, and includes songs such as “Four Jews in a Room Bitching,” “Love Is Blind” and “A Day in Falsettoland.”

Lightscapes: Re-envisioning the Shanshuihua

Through Nov. 10 at the Chinese American Museum

ou know what a shanshuihua painting is, even if you don’t know it. A shanshuihua is a Chinese-style landscape work, often depicting sweeping hillsides and bright and colorful vistas. The Chinese American Museum is taking a look at the evolution of the art form in the exhib-

At 135 N. Grand Ave. or centertheatregroup.org.

it Lightscapes: Re-envisioning the Shanshuihua. The show features creations from Taiwanese artists Nick Dong and Wu ChiTsung, who have turned away from the traditional ink and brush shanshuihua techniques in favor of new and exciting mediums such as acrylics and digital displays.

March 12 at the Moroccan Lounge

ndara is one of the most powerful voices in the emerging American blues and folk-rock world. What makes this truly remarkable is that he was born in Kenya. Ondara grew up on Bob Dylan and other artists, and has used their influences to create his own unique spin on the genre in his debut album Tales of America. During

his visit to the Arts District venue he’ll do cuts from the album including “Lebanon,” which has had steady play recently on KCRW. Other highlights at the Moroccan Lounge in the coming months are the excellently named Illuminati Hotties (March 30), alt rockers The Moth & The Flame (April 3) and the L.A. trio Run River North (April 25).

At 901 E. First St. or themoroccan.com.

Daft Brunch: St. Patrick’s Day March 17 at Resident

arty harder, better, faster, stronger and… greener. Downtown will have its share of St. Patrick’s Day festivities at actual Irish pubs, but how many are true afternoon dance parties? The Arts District venue Resident is staging another installment of its semi-regular

At 425 N. Los Angeles St. or camla.org.

Daft Brunch. Starting at 1 p.m. it’s nothing but house music, French disco and plenty of songs from everyone’s favorite robotic duo, Daft Punk. What do the helmeted performers have to do with Ireland? We’re not sure, but we know that a lot of people will show up to find out.

At 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com.

photo courtesy Le Salon de Musiques

photo courtesy the Moroccan Lounge

J.S. Ondara

photo courtesy Orlove Entertainment

Le Salon de Musiques does bach

Mamma Mia

May 16-June 9 at East West Players

April 7 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

y now, almost ever y big-name the ater company has taken a whack at the jukebox musical Mamma Mia. Well, here we go again, but this time it comes from East West Players. The show at the David Henry Hwang Theatre in Little Tokyo will blast the dancey songs penned by former ABBA

members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. In case you are unfamiliar, Mamma Mia follows a woman on the eve of her wedding as she discover the identity of her father. But don’t expect the traditional — EWP is known for putting an Asian-American spin on works, and ABBA is quintessentially Swedish.

At 120 Judge John Aiso St. or eastwestplayers.org.

he intimate Salon de Musiques programs are all about giving people a unique and personal experience with chamber music. They take place on Sundays at 4 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the April 7 lineup features Bach’s “Sonata for Violin & Piano” along with works

by Saint-Saens and Chopin. Unlike most classical concerts where people watch and leave, at Salons de Musiques everyone is invited to stay after to sip champagne, have some snacks and talk about what they just enjoyed. There are also spring programs on March 10 and May 5.

At 135 N. Grand Ave. or lesalondemusiques.com.

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 19

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

One Night in Bangkok East West Players’ ‘Man of God’ Looks at Powerlessness And How People Respond

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Four girls visiting Thailand on a mission for their church find a hidden camera in their hotel room in playwright Anna Moench’s Man of God. They respond in different ways.

By Jeff Favre laywright Anna Moench captures a scary feeling in her latest effort. It’s one that can transform confident adults into frightened children. It’s the feeling of powerlessness. While there’s enough humor to almost call Man of God a comedy, the entire 80-minute one-act play is blanketed by the sadness that comes from four girls facing a foe they don’t know how to defeat. The world premiere is at East West Players’ David Henry Hwang Theatre through Feb. 24. Though the dialogue and Jesca Prudencio’s direction are uneven, there’s a deep resonance in the story, delivered expertly by all five cast members, that makes those shortcomings easy to forgive. One of Moench’s wisest choices is to start in mid-action. Lights go up on four Korean-American teens in a hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand. They are on a mission for their Southern California church. At that moment

they discover a spy camera hidden in the bathroom. Mimi (Sandy Nguyen), who didn’t want to go on the trip, launches into a tirade with enough foul language to upset the conservative Samantha (SunHee Seo) and KyungHwa (Katherine Ko). The other roommate is the pragmatic Jen (Michele Selene Ang), who advances the idea that video of them might wind up on the Internet. The girls don’t find any more cameras, but they make an even more disturbing discovery: The camera is from their church, the kind that their Pastor (Roy Vongtama) uses. Samantha and Kyung Hwa deeply respect Pastor, but Mimi and Jen say that his stares — and his hugs — leave them uncomfortable. He’s the only other person on the trip, though, and they need him to get home. The situation is bleak and the only easy escape is through fantasy, beginning with a wonderfully funny and clever martial arts Continued on page 20

213.598.7555 LEGAL NAME CHANGE Superior court of California, County of Los Angeles ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 19TRCP00009 Petitioner (name of each) JODY PFAFFMANN, 6457 West 81st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045 filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. JODY PFAFFMANN Proposed name: a. JODY MICHELE THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show

cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of hearing Date: 03/15/2019 Time: 8:30 AM Dept.: B Room: 340 The address of the court is: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503. Branch Name: Southwest A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county. Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter Executive Office/Clerk. Deputy: M. Loretto Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 825 Maple Avenue Torrance, CA 90503 Branch Name: Southwest Date: January 17, 2019 Hon. Ramona See Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 1/28, 2/4, 2/11 and 2/18/2019.

SUITE 300, CARLSBAD, CA 92011 are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) TWO JINN, INC. 1000 AVIARA PARKWAY SUITE 300, CARLSBAD, CA 92011. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Registrant(s) began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 04/2004. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on January 28, 2019. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 2/11, 2/18, 2/25 and 3/4.

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019 023667 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) ALADDIN BAIL BONDS, 1420 E. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, LONG BEACH, CA 90806, LA COUNTY. Mailing address if different: 1000 AVIARA PARKWAY

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FEBRUARY 18, 2019

MAN OF GOD, 19

TRILOGY

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battle between Samantha and Pastor. Choreographed by Andy Lowe, Samantha is aided by helpers clad entirely in black, who help her float and perform some deft maneuvers. When she comes out of her dreamlike trance, the quiet Samantha declares with calm certainty that she is going to kill Pastor. The question arises: Is Samantha serious, and if so, will the other girls help? Prudencio’s strong suits are pacing and tone. Early scenes move at a near-breakneck speed, which increases excitement while masking Moench’s too on-the-nose dialogue, as characters define themselves through generic statements. Prudencio also balances the humor with drama well, so there’s almost never a dull moment. The actresses, who are onstage virtually every second, form a strong ensemble. As Mimi, Nguyen earns the biggest laughs with sharp timing. Kyung Hwa is the most complex character, and Ko deftly finds a way to make her sympathetic but also realistically annoying to her friends. Ang does the most with the least, developing Jen into a girl who appears to be hiding more than she admits. Justin Humphries does a lot with a simplistic set. He has crafted a cramped hotel room, which heightens the sense that their world is closing in on them. Rebecca Bonebrake’s lighting is highlighted by the use of several long thin neon bulbs that enhance the fantasy sequences. The biggest misstep is the way Prudencio incorporates a lengthy silence at a key moment, always a huge risk in theater. It almost works, but the silence simply lasts too long, which causes much of the tension to dissipate, and hinders a well-crafted exchange that follows. Slight directorial shifts and reworking some of the dialogue can come with future productions, but those issues do not diminish the heartfelt honesty and importance of Man of God. Moench has delivered a story that will connect with different generations and backgrounds, and East West Players has scored another worthwhile world premiere. Man of God runs through Feb. 24 at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org.

CRIME REPORT, 7 ■ On the evening of Jan. 14, someone checked out a laptop from the Central Library and then left with it.

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■ An unidentified individual approached a man at Sixth and San Julian streets at noon on Jan. 17 and asked if he wanted drugs. When the man said no, the first person pushed him, then took his money and phone.

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■ Someone entered an Alameda Street coffee shop at midday on Jan. 17, grabbed a bottle of juice, drank it all, then left without paying. ■ A man was photographing an event at a Figueroa Street hotel on the night of Jan. 17 when someone stole his camera bag and equipment. ■ Three people entered an Olive Street jewelry store on Jan. 18, pepper sprayed an employee in the face, then smashed display cases with a hammer. They grabbed some jewelry and fled. ■ An unidentified individual carrying a gun approached a student at Main Street and Venice Boulevard on Jan. 18 and demanded his car keys. The student handed over the keys to his Dodge and the assailant drove off. ■ Early on Jan. 19, unidentified individuals cut the locks and used a sledgehammer to break into a cannabis shop on 16th Street. They stole marijuana. nicholas@downtownnews.com