04-25-16 by Los Angeles Downtown News

Say Goodbye to Sport Chalet : 5 A New Downtown Music Festival : 15

APRIL 25, 2016 I VOL. 45 I #17

A Downtown Show About Downtowners A+D Museum’s New Exhibit ‘Come In! DTLA’ Is Fueled by Locals

photo by Hunter Kerhart

SEE PAGE 14

“Indoor Mini Basketball Kit, 2015” by Killspencer and Snarkitecture is at the museum in the Arts District.

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2 Downtown News

AROUND TOWN

Online Neighborhood Council Voting Underway

he Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council plays an important role in the community, giving residents, business owners and other stakeholders a voice through elected seats and acting as an advisory body for city officials, developers and others. Now, all 24 elected seats are up for grabs, with online voting having kicked off this month. Those who haven’t registered to vote online have until Thursday, April 28, to do so, and online ballots can be cast through May 3. The board seats are for two-year terms, and even if you are already registered for city, state and federal elections, you must sign up separately for neighborhood council balloting. Stakeholders must either live, work or own property within DLANC’s boundaries and be at least 16 years old. In-person polling will take place on May 5. For more information or to register, visit dlanc.org and click “Election 2016.”

Park in the Middle of Hope Street Delayed

arlier this month, the South Park Business Improvement District said it had received permits to open a temporary park on a half block in the middle of Hope Street. Well, not so fast: Last week the SPBID announced that the

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS project has been delayed and the park will not open on May 2 as planned. No further opening date was given and no specific reason for the delay was revealed, though an SPBID email news update said, in part, “There have been some new developments between City departments that have led us to decide to postpone the project implementation until further explored.” Dubbed The Spot @ Hope Street, the pilot project would last eight weeks, with the goal of increasing foot traffic in the area and creating a public space with art. Once in effect, the SPBID would turn the center two lanes of Hope Street just south of 11th Street into a street park inspired by those found in Barcelona and Tel Aviv. More information is at southpark.la/the-spot-information.

he ultimate sci-fi blockbusters and some upand-coming filmmakers will both be showcased at the Theatre at Ace Hotel this summer. Venue representatives recently announced that the Sundance Film Festival’s Sundance Next Fest will return to the Broadway theater Aug. 1214. Six independent films will premiere over the weekend, and each screening will be paired with a live event, from musical performances to Q&As with filmmakers. The lineup will be announced in the summer. Meanwhile, the Alamo Drafthouse cinema chain is bringing the original Star Wars trilogy to the theater on Aug. 6. The Return of the Trilogy roadshow gives Star Wars fans a chance to see the movies that started it all, as the original Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi will air back-to-back-to-

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back. The night will include contests and special videos, and coming in costume is encouraged. Tickets for Return of the Trilogy go on sale May 4, which super-fans know as Star Wars Day.

Skid Row Emergency Shelter Building to Become Supportive Housing

ore permanent supportive housing is coming to Skid Row. Low-income housing developer SRO Housing Corp. is turning its Panama Hotel at 403 E. Fifth St. from 219

April 18, 2016

emergency housing units into 72 studio apartments for the formerly homeless. As with other projects, residents will have in-building access to caseworkers, counselors and other support resources. Each studio will have a private bathroom and kitchen and run about 300 square feet, according to SRO Director of Planning and Housing Development Joseph Corcoran. The $24.6 million project will also create a community kitchen and lounge, freshen up the façade and replace the elevator. Interior demolition in the 1989 building is set to start in several weeks, and Corcoran expects conContinued on page 8

April 25, 2016

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4 Downtown News

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn @ Eastin

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard

DOWNTOWNNEWS

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer

EDITORIALS

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa

ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez

April 25, 2016

CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

One copy per person.

image courtesy of the Music Center

Grand Park’s Soaring Shade Structure

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris

GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim

STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese

S I N C E 19 7 2

rand Park has been one of Downtown Los CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer Los Angeles Downtown News Angeles’ big success stories. The Civic Center 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison attraction opened in 2012 and today is a key phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa web: DowntownNews.com facet of the community. email: realpeople@downtownnews.com PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard The 12-acre expanse is both a way to escape the facebook: urban bustle and a gathering point. There’s a dog ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt L.A. Downtown News park and a children’s playground. Local workers CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway visit on breaks. Kids splash in the fountain on sumtwitter: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, DowntownNews S I N C E 19 7 2 mer days. Michael Lamb Downtown News too, with a thoughtfully ©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News a cultural destination, Los It isAngeles SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved. 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 organized calendar that lures people from across the The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newsphone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon paper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every city. Grand Park’s events range from free dance perweb: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles Los Angeles. formances to the annual literary celebration BookDISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla copy per person. facebook: twitter: Another valuable aspect One is the learning of new skills. Many urfest (coming again May 7) to the huge New Year’s n the past 15 years, Downtown Los Angeles has seen unpreceL.A. Downtown News DowntownNews Eve and 4th of July parties. dented growth. The number of residents has mushroomed from ban dwellers get precious few changes to educate themselves in irrigation and harvesting techniques. This is a teaching opportunity If the tripartite park has a problem, it’s that it can approximately 18,000 at the turn of the millennium to nearly EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Larisin the sections away get beastly hot, particularly 60,000 today. The community is full of new restaurants, bars, enter- that will endure. MANAGER: Dawn Eastin GENERAL MANAGER:That’s Dawn Eastin We also like the sense of community the garden prompts. Dozfrom the fountain. one reason why we were tainment options, nightspots and service GENERAL businesses. ens of people spending hours every week in the Historic Core pleased to hear about the coming shade structure. About the only thing not growing in Downtown the things EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie EXECUTIVEare EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie planters will lead to discussion and social interaction. People will Another reason is the Kim design: A public contest was that normally grow out of the ground. Fortunately, a new effort SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholasentry Slayton held, and the winning looks like a fun collecmeans that a sizable number of area inhabitants will have the opSTAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slaytonlearn more about their neighbors and what is going on in DownCONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese tion of giant paper airplanes. portunity to harvest their own fruits and vegetables. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryntown. MaeseIt’s a different and more personal conversation than can be CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer had in a bar. Grand Park brass are going an unconventional but Los Angeles Downtown News last month wrote aboutWRITERS: the S I N C E 19 7 2 CONTRIBUTING Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer ART DIRECTOR: Allison the “Paper Airplane” de A lot of people and entities deserve for the project, startexciting route inBrian selecting Spring Street Community Garden, which is coming to a patch of Los Angeles praise Downtown News ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa ARTthey DIRECTOR: Allison 1264 W. First Street,board Los Angeles, CA 90026 ing with the five-person community garden that has done sign by artists Elenita Torres and Dean Sherriff. As Los land at 220 S. Spring St. Organizers have said hope Brian to open phone: 213-481-1448 fax: 213-250-4617 ASSISTANT12-square-foot ART DIRECTOR: Yumimuch Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: GaryNews Leonard of the heavy lifting. Numerous volunteers• have helped preAngeles Downtown recently reported, it will it by the end of the month. It will hold 40 personal web: DowntownNews.com pare the land and build planters. Then there is Joe’s Parking, which involve 11 large white overlapping silhouettes made planters, as well as some larger communal plots. ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt email: realpeople@downtownnews.com PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard owns the long parcel adjacent to one of its garages, and which of a mesh-like material. Plans call for the $100,000 Is this needed in a community that now has numerous grocery CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway has offered it to the garden group for five years, and has donated shade structure (the design and installation are covfacebook: stores filled with fresh produce, including ACCOUNTING: a Whole Foods in the FiAshley Schmidt ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb Downtown News $2,500 for expenses. That’s a nice bit ofL.A. corporate philanthropy. ered by ASSISTANT: a grant from the Hernandez Goldhirsh Foundation) to nancial District? Absolutely. The garden’s Facebook page reported SALES Claudia CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: TheCatherine office ofHolloway 14th District City Councilman José Huizar has conbe in place over the park’s Olive Court by June and that nearly 200 Downtown residents applied for the plots. A lottery twitter: CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherinetributed Holloway,$15,000 in discretionary funds DowntownNews to the project, which is a toDISTRIBUTION stay up for two years. Given last week’s heat, it process was required. MANAGER: Salvador Ingles Brendaimportant Stevens, Michael Lamb significant amount, and which fits with his effort to make Downcan’t happen too soon. The community garden accomplishes several things. DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez ©2016 place. Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles town a more pedestrian-friendly He also recognizes that, One never knows what these things will really Obviously it offers Downtowners the opportunity to plant and eat Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News ©2016 Center News, Inc. Losbut Angeles News is a trademark of Civic if this works, it could set a precedent. “We have a lot of plots that look likeCivic until they appear, we Downtown hope “Paper Airhealthy and locally sourced food, and everyone will know exactly Inc. All rights reserved. Center News Inc. All rights reserved. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read CIRCULATION: Salmon could be gardens, and that’s a good problem to have,” he told plane” a success in both and function. We’re where their fruits and vegetables come from. This is noDanielle small thing The LosisAngeles Downtown News isform the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is disand is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles News. “These are tributed every Monday throughout the offices andreDowntown low investments with a really high glad Grand Park, to use a phrase, is aiming high with when the fare in supermarket produce aisles is often marked with Angeles. residences of Downtown Los Angeles. DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, turn for the community. ” this design. a bevy of international stickers, and one can only wonder about One copy per person. One copy per person. Gustavo Bonilla He’s right, and we look forward to seeing how the garden grows. the conditions and treatment of workers on those far-flung farms.

Growing a Garden and Growing Community

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

twitter: DowntownNews

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa

PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt 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

One copy per person.

April 25, 2016

Downtown News 5

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Sport Chalet Closure to Leave Downtown Retail Hole Sport Chalet will close its 27,000-square-foot store on the ground floor of the FIGat7th shopping complex. It opened to local acclaim just three years ago.

Sporting-Goods Store at FIGat7th to Shut By End of Month By Nicholas Slayton port Chalet announced on April 16 that it will be closing all 47 of its stores. While that marks the end of the La Cañada Flintridge-based retailer, it also opens a big space in a high-profile Downtown Los Angeles location. In June 2013, Sport Chalet opened a 27,000square-foot store on the ground floor of the FIGat7th shopping center. The move both gave the mall, which had undergone a $40 million upgrade, a second anchor along with Target, and offered Downtowners a place to buy everything from basketballs to bicycles to barbells. It was a big get for the community and the company, as store brass at the time said they had been looking to open a Downtown location since the arrival of Staples Center in 1999. The company had worked with architecture firm Gensler to create a modular, easily adaptable store layout. The sporting goods chain announced its closures just before its parent company, Vestis Retail Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 18. In a statement, CEO Mark Walsh said that Vestis is “effectively winding down Sport Chalet.” The company has stores in California, Arizona and Nevada. The Downtown store will close on Friday, April 29, according to store employees. The winding down is already apparent. The store is full of signs reading “Entire store on sale!” and “Store Closing.” Last week, custom-

ers walked through the space looking to snag a discounted item or two or six. Somewhat paradoxically, the store last week also had signs up in its windows looking for people for part-time work. According to one employee, it was to help with traffic from the sale. What happens next is uncertain. Bert Dezzutti, executive vice president for the Western Region of mall owner Brookfield, said that the landlord is monitoring the situation, but knows no more than what Sport Chalet has said. Dezzutti added that FIGat7th is effectively 100% leased. Though the closure will leave a large empty space, it might not have a negative impact on the shopping center. Lorena Tomb, a vice president at the real estate and retail brokerage firm JLL, acknowledged that there could be some confusion — after all, Sport Chalet is heavily advertised on FIGat7th’s street signs and is one of the first stores customers see as they enter the mall from the parking garage — but the space can be made accommodating. Until a new tenant arrives, windows can be blacked out, or signs advertising something new and exciting can be put up, she said. “There are always tenants that leave these places and their stores sit vacant, but that doesn’t tend to hurt malls,” Tomb said. “Customers know that something will be there soon, and it might be better.” Bargain-hunting shoppers quickly flocked to the store. Many expressed surprise or re-

photo by Gary Leonard

gret — when it opened, the Downtown Sport Chalet was calibrated to appeal to local residents, workers and tourists. That is why it lacked, for example, a fishing section, but included staff who spoke English, Spanish, Korean and Mandarin. Roger Loomis, a Pasadena resident who works in Downtown, said that he was a long-time Sport Chalet customer. He shopped at the original La Cañada Flintridge location for nearly three decades before the FIGat7th store opened. “I don’t really have an alternative sporting goods store that I go to,” Loomis said. “I’m pretty surprised about these closings. This is something of a problem.” As part of Vestis Retail Group’s restructuring, the company is refocusing efforts on its two other sporting good chains, Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores. Vestis bought Sport Chalet in 2014. “[Eastern Mountain Sports] and Sport Chalet were both on the verge of liquidation when

they were acquired by Vestis,” the private equity firm Versa Capital Management, an affiliate of Vestis’ owner, said in a statement. “While EMS and Bob’s Stores are now delivering solid performance, they have been burdened by limited financial flexibility due, in part, to the unique competitive pressures that have confronted Sport Chalet.” Tomb doesn’t think Brookfield will have a hard time filling the space left by Sport Chalet. She said that FIGat7th is one of the most desirable retail centers in Downtown, with a roster that includes the Target, as well as Zara and H&M. There is also a heavily trafficked food court on the ground floor. She said the central Downtown location also helps. While Brookfield has not announced plans, she said she thinks the shopping center might bring in a big-name clothing tenant to fill the space, instead of another sporting goods shop. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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6 Downtown News

Cut Your Thumb or Sprain an Ankle? Head to South Park

The final touches are being put on the 10,000-square-foot Reliant Urgent Care Center at Eighth and Francisco Streets in South Park. It is set to open May 1.

Medical Provider Reliant Opens an Urgent Care Center By Eddie Kim n the northeast corner of Eighth and Francisco streets in South Park sits a shining new five-story parking garage, just steps away from the noise of the under-construction, $1 billion mega-project Metropolis. At the base of the garage is a long, glassedin space that looks like the perfect place for a restaurant, craft cocktail bar, or perhaps a highend exercise studio. Building owner L&R Group of Companies, a major parking lot operator that has also invested in housing in Downtown Los Angeles, knew the retail space would be prime territory, especially with hundreds of luxury condominiums opening across the street in the next few years. Rather than pull the trigger on a predictable tenant, L&R went a different route. Following some persistent persuasion from Reliant Immediate Care Medical Group, the 10,000-squarefoot space now houses Downtown’s newest urgent care center, set to open on Sunday, May 1. Reliant has built a reputation on urgent care, notably running one of the county’s busiest urgent care centers at its LAX clinic. The $1.2 million Downtown center is a one-stop, walk-in shop for most non-emergency medical needs. There are 10 examination rooms, and Reliant offers digital X-rays, physicals, on-site laboratory testing, EKG exams, vision and hearing testing, and flu shots and other vaccines. Occupational medicine, including urine tests and

worksite injury treatment, is also available, as is physical therapy. In most cases, however, the clinic will be dealing with patients who have been injured, whether by cutting their thumb while cooking or spraining an ankle while on a run, said Dr. Max Lebow, Reliant’s medical director and president of its LAX clinic. It will accept most kinds of insurance. “I ran the ER department at Centinela Hospital for a long time, and an ER like that is not set up for a kid with a random earache or an adult with a bad cough or someone who cut their hand while breaking a glass at 7 p.m. on a Sunday,” Lebow said. “We’re going to have our doors open for those people.” The clinic will be open from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. every day, although Lebow stresses that they will shift hours based on demand and try to accommodate any late arrivals. Company CEO Gene Howell said Reliant prides itself on creating clinics that feel warm and welcoming, and money has been spent in the Downtown office on what he terms a “hotel-like” lobby with leather furnishings, TVs and details such as an undulating, textured accent wall and elegant hardwoodlook flooring. A long breezeway that connects to the physical therapy “wing” will feature video screens playing mood-lightening images and scenery. Even the ceilings and door frames are ex-

April 25, 2016

image courtesy of Reliant Immediate Care

tra high to reduce the “claustrophobic” feeling many medical offices have, Howell said. There are also two Mercedes vans to serve as shuttles for groups or site visits. “The services may be similar to other urgent care centers, but we want to be a place where people can look forward to getting care, not dread it,” Howell said. “That starts with our environment.” Downtown has only a few urgent care centers, namely the Healthcare Partners facility near L.A. Live and Downtown Urgent Care in Little Tokyo. Although a new outpost of HMO Kaiser Permanente recently opened on Bunker Hill, Lebow said Downtown needs more on-demand medical services. He said he realized this when visiting Manhattan, where he spotted urgent care centers in every neighborhood. He recalled that Howell, who lived in Downtown for nearly a decade before moving away last year, had also griped about that exact need. “It takes as long as three to six weeks to see a physician nowadays. And it’s not like the old days — people want medical care right away,

and the only alternative shouldn’t be the ER,” Lebow said. Still, getting a Downtown location wasn’t easy. Lebow and Howell said that Reliant struggled to find a landlord willing to accept a large clinic in a new building. The build-out for medical uses is far more complicated and expensive than for a restaurant or store, with more plumbing (since each exam room has a sink), electrical work and other infrastructure required. “It was really hard to hunt a space down. Everyone wants a restaurant,” Howell said “There were not a lot of opportunities, and we basically had to sell the idea that we belonged here.” L&R did not respond to requests for comment, but Lebow and Howell both praised the landlord’s willingness to take on an unconventional tenant. Now, with the office ready to open, the duo is bracing for a big wave of Downtowners in need of patching up. Reliant Urgent Care is opening at 814 Francisco St., (310) 491-7070 or reliantimmediatecare.com. eddie@downtownnews.com

April 25, 2016

Downtown News 7

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HONOREES

CENTR AL CIT Y A SSOCIATIONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

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of LOS ANGELES THURSDAY, MAY I2, 2OI6 WESTIN BONAVENTURE HOTEL & SUITES 11 a.m. Reception I Noon Luncheon & Awards Program

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Mat t Toledo Publisher Los Angeles Business Journal Introduction by Tim Leiweke

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DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL 2016 ELECTION

8 Downtown News

You Can Make a Difference in DTLA! If You Live, Work or Own Property in Downtown...

VOTE NOW !

The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC) is holding elections for all seats. We are making history this year, for the first time you can vote online, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! Online voting is open now until May 3. Or vote in person... Polls open May 5, 2016 from noon to 8pm You can trek to the polls if that’s your goal, but now you can vote from wherever you are, with any Wi-Fi device, the polls arent that far!

VOTING ONLINE IS EASY AT:

https://register.empowerla.org/council/16/

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Residents: Upload a pic of your drivers license, picture I.D. or any document with your qualifying address on it. Workers and Property Owners: Upload a pic of your drivers license or picture I.D. along with proof that you work or own property in the area such as a business card or payroll check with a qualifying address on it.

Once your online registration has been processed you will receive a confirmation email (which can take up to 72 hours), after which you are able to vote online or in person.

For more information visit DLANC.com and click on Election 2016 Voters must be at least 16 years old to vote and provide proof of residence, employment or property ownership in the DLANC boundaries.

April 25, 2016

AROUND TOWN, 2 struction to wrap in September 2017. A big reason for the conversion is that funding for emergency housing is waning in favor of permanent supportive housing projects, Corcoran said. “We couldn’t keep the Panama occupied and we were losing money,” he said. “The programs to refer people aren’t funded so the beds weren’t being funded, either.”

Police Offering Rewards in Wake of Two Violent Crimes

he Los Angeles Police Department is searching for leads as it investigates two violent incidents in Downtown, and the city is offering a combined $70,000 in rewards for information. The first crime took place on March 10 at about 4 p.m. near the intersection of Seventh and Spring streets, where police found Roy Joseph laying unconscious in the street. A witness account stated that Joseph had been arguing with another man when the man punched Joseph, causing him to fall and hit his head on the curb. He died from his injuries on March 22. The city is offering $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect or suspects. One week later, on March 17, Industrial District Business Improvement District employee Jesse Ramirez was stabbed at about 3 p.m. at a bus stop near Seventh and San Pedro streets in Skid Row. The suspect allegedly approached Ramirez, asked about gang affiliation, and departed for several minutes before returning and stabbing Ramirez without warning. Ramirez survived and there is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the apprehension of the suspect. Anyone with information on either incident is asked to call the LAPD’s 24-hour hotline at 1-877-LAWFULL.

Headquarters Awards Honor L.A. Rams

t’s awards season in Downtown Los Angeles. The Downtown Breakfast Club’s Roses & Lemon prizes were handed out last month, and this week the Los Angeles Headquarters Association hosts its 55th annual awards luncheon. The event takes place at noon on Wednesday, April 27, at the California Club at 538 S. Flower St. (networking and a reception begin at 10:30 a.m.). The business organization will give a special recognition prize to the Los Angeles Rams for the team’s return to the city; it will be accepted by Rams Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dernoff. The others to be honored are County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who will receive the Spirit of Los Angeles Award; Inglewood Mayor James Butts, who will accept the Community Award; and AECOM, which will get the Outstanding Headquarters Award. Additionally, the Getty Museum will get the Cultural Award, while the Education Award will be handed to St. Francis High School. Tickets and information are at laheadquarters.com.

Broad Museum Gets LEED Gold Environmental Certification

he $140 million museum The Broad has an unrivaled collection of contemporary art. Now it has something else: environmental credibility. Museum staff last week announced that the 120,000-square-foot attraction at 221 S. Grand Ave. has been award LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S Green Building Council. “We were very deliberate during the design and construction process in incorporating sustainable elements into the building,” said museum Founding Director Joanne Heyler in a prepared statement. “We do everything from recycling brochures to using environmentally smart LED lights in all of our public spaces.” Energy-efficient elements and practices in the museum range from having 10 electric vehicle charging stations and offering employees free Metro Tap cards to encourage the use of mass transit, to a 35,000-squarefoot top floor gallery that most days is illuminated by natural diffused light from skylights, meaning limited use of electric lighting. There are also rooftop drains that route rainwater to street-level gardens, and high-efficiency plumbing fixtures. It wasn’t the only big new news of the week for founders Eli and Edythe Broad. Eli Broad was included in Time magazine’s annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people, while Edythe Broad was named to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

April 25, 2016

Downtown News 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Grand Avenue Tower Gets a Modern Makeover Owners Take on $34 Million Renovation of 1989 Bunker Hill Property in Effort to Stay Competitive By Nicholas Slayton s the Downtown residential scene exploded over the last decade, the owners of the Grand Promenade tower realized that the building needed to change to keep up with the competition. Although the 27-story edifice at 255 S. Grand Ave. isn’t as old as many buildings in the Historic Core, its 1989 debut meant it came from another era of Downtown housing. So it changed. Goldrich & Kest Industries and Shapell Properties, which have owned the tower since it opened, have embarked on a $34 million renovation of the building’s common areas, amenities and its 391 apartments. The makeover involved a new name to reflect the times — in December it was rebranded as 255 Grand. Kevin Cheng, the project manager for Prestige Homes, Inc., a subsidiary of Goldrich & Kest that is handling the renovation, said the seeds for the project were planted in early 2012, and the team began initial work on the upgrade in late 2014. The longrunning transformation is expected to be completed in 2017. “The Emerson lofts next door were being constructed, so the idea of a redevelopment was considered,” Cheng said, referring to the Grand Avenue luxury apartment complex that opened in October 2014. “Then we factored in all of the development underway on Bunker Hill, with The Broad, the Regional Connector and other things. All those factors pushed the redevelopment into action.” The renovation is being handled by Mike Rovner Construction, with a design from ADL Architects. The work addresses two primary issues: aging infrastructure, and units built before the turn of the millennium. The project includes overhauling plumbing and electrical systems. Crews are also re-waterproofing communal decks on the fourth and sixth floors.

Common spaces on the second floor have been redesigned, and there is now wireless Internet service throughout the open areas. A formerly vacant commercial space on the second level has been turned into a 2,200-square-foot gym, which opened in December. The new features and improved amenities, said 255 Grand General Manager Aaron Bazile, are intended to let the building be viable as housing comes online on Bunker Hill and the rest of Downtown. “This allows us to reflect the market and compete with other sites,” Bazile said. There is also a big coming change at the top. In June, 255 Grand will reveal two floors of penthouse homes, with a total of 34 residences. They will come equipped with Bosch appliances and Nest thermostats and offer expansive views. Rising Rents The project has studio to two-bedroom residences that range from 480-1,335 square feet. Prior to the renovation, units rented for an average of $1.80 per square foot. Upgraded apartments now go for just under $3 a foot. Although that is a big step below the approximately $4 a square foot being asked for The Emerson and other new Downtown luxury projects, it’s still more than a 50% hike from before. It is not the only older building to go this route. In 2013, Essex Property Trust started a $76 million renovation of the Bunker Hill Towers complex at 234 S. Figueroa St. The two 1969 buildings are being completely overhauled, with improvements to the common areas and all 456 apartments. Cheng and Bazile said that one goal with 255 Grand is to draw in the young professionals coming to Downtown Los Angeles who initially might be tempted by one of the newer developments. In addition to a lower price per square foot, they said that

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The owners of the building long known as Grand Promenade have embarked on a $34 million renovation that includes a new gym and spruced-up common areas. The project has been rebranded 255 Grand.

photo by Gary Leonard

apartments tend to be bigger than the units in new buildings. The average one-bedroom in 255 Grand measures 865 square feet, and there are balconies on most apartments. Eric Sussman, a lecturer at UCLA’s Ziman Center for Real Estate, said that 255 Grand may fill a niche in Downtown. He noted that the community has an overall lack of housing, and that the new wave of residences is pushing up prices everywhere. However, not everyone can afford the top end of the spectrum. “If nothing else, developments [like this] will compete on Continued on page 10

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HOUSING, 9 price,” he said. “When you talk about luxury rental units going for $3,000 and up, that may be perfectly fine for a lawyer or white-collar associate making six figures a year, but for many others it can be difficult.” Sussman said that despite the high costs, redeveloping an older building can pay off in the long term. Improved amenities also offer a greater incentive to potential renters, he said. Leasing at 255 Grand is taking place on a two-tier system, said Bazile. There are year-long leases for the renovated apartments and month-to-month rent for the older units. Nine of the 27 floors have been finished, and crews are working on two floors at a time. While the renovation is taking place, management is moving residents who plan on staying to vacant units.

April 25, 2016

Cheng said that the building is maintaining a 70%80% occupancy rate throughout the process. The overall goal, Bazile said, is to make 255 Grand fit in a quickly changing Downtown. “We want to be a presence on Bunker Hill,” he said, and added that part of the plan to is to get people out of their homes and into common areas where they can meet their neighbors. “Downtown for the longest time has been transient. People keep to themselves. So it’s nice to have people interact.” While it is a big project, it is not the only one for the owners. Goldrich & Kest Industries and Shapell Properties also own the nearby Museum Tower, at 225 S. Olive St. Like 255 Grand, it was built decades ago. The owners plan to start renovating the building and its 217 apartments in the fourth quarter of the year. Work is expected to take two and a half years. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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All 391 apartments in the 27-story tower are being upgraded. Rents in refurbished apartments are rising from approximately $1.80 per square foot to about $3 per square foot.

photo by Gary Leonard

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April 25, 2016

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Prison-Reform Policy Prop 47 Is ‘Broken,’ Says City Attorney Mike Feuer Touches on State and Local Issues at Downtown Event By Eddie Kim hen California voters approved Proposition 47 in November 2014, it marked a new era of crime and punishment in the state. It also led to a system that, so far, has utterly failed, City Attorney Mike Feuer told a Downtown Los Angeles audience last week. In the effort to reduce the state prison population, Prop. 47 downgraded a half-dozen nonviolent felonies, such as certain kinds of drug possession and petty theft, to misdemeanors, meaning offenders receive shorter sentences. The plan also puts money saved from state prisons toward substance abuse treatment programs. Savings on the state level could range between $100 million and $300 million annually, according to a 2014 report from the state Legislative Analyst’s Office. About 18 months after Prop 47’s passage, however, the policy has missed its target, Feuer said. “Almost no one has gotten anything close to meaningful drug rehabilitation, and we’ve prosecuted thousands of these cases,” Feuer said Monday, April 18, at a luncheon at the Downtown Palm hosted by the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum. “The system is broken at every level.” Feuer told the audience of approximately 70 people that he understood why such reform

photo by Gary Leonard

City Attorney Mike Feuer spoke about the failings of prison-reform policy Prop 47 last week at a Downtown luncheon.

was necessary. As a state assemblyman during the recession, he observed then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger siphoning rehabilitation funds away from prisons. Feuer became City Attorney in 2013. Feuer said arrests for the felonies-turnedmisdemeanors have plummeted “by more than 50%.” Those who are arrested show up for court less frequently, and people who are convicted typically receive a sentence that is shorter than the minimum length for the Sheriff’s Depart-

ment to hold someone in a local jail, he added. “So how do you incentivize someone to go through rehab when the consequence of a conviction is no jail time?” he asked. “Which then feeds into the lack of interest of police and sheriffs in arresting in the first place.” Feuer pointed to pilot projects his office is trying in an attempt to “fix” Prop. 47’s weakest elements, including one in the LAPD’s Southwest Division to offer drug treatment to offenders as early as possible, such as during an arrest, before they’re even booked. The connection between the city’s rising violent crime rate — it surged 20% last year, and is up about 15% in 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 — and the implementation of Prop. 47 is being studied by two federal investigators, Feuer said. The results will be released this year. Homelessness and Higher Office Feuer touched on some other Downtownoriented issues during the discussion, which was moderated by Los Angeles Downtown News Executive Editor Jon Regardie. Feuer has sought to involve the city attorney’s office in addressing the homelessness crisis in the region. Still, he slammed the city for what he called the “disgraceful” pace of its overall response to homelessness, and said that faster and more creative tactics are needed. He noted that his office is holding regional “citation clinics,” where homeless people can go to have outstanding fines, tickets and warrants waived in exchange for doing community service and enrolling in drug treatment and housing programs. Hundreds of people have turned out for each session, Feuer said. In a partnership with City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana, Feuer has also begun

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Downtown News 11 working to convert “nuisance motels,” or properties that often draw drug dealers and prostitution, to homeless housing. Offering motel owners money to bring in homeless residents and wrap in social services could be a win-win, he suggested, saying the owners would get a stable source of revenue, and the city can avoid fighting NIMBYism — if the neighborhood accepts a nuisance motel, it would likely be okay with homeless housing, he implied. He also touched on some of the big-budget settlements the city has paid out to resolve lawsuits, including a class-action suit filed by gang members. The city recently reached a settlement that could cost up to $30 million. Feuer stressed that the money won’t go directly to gang members, and instead will fund a four-year jobs and workforce training program for those individuals. The exact price depends on how many gang members take the offer. Feuer said he hopes the city ends up spending more, not less. “There are avenues in this job to help shape policies the city should be exploring under all circumstances, not only because we’ve been sued,” he said. Feuer is often seen as a candidate for California Attorney General should current office holder Kamala Harris win a U.S. Senate seat in November. Feuer neither said he would or would not run for the post if it opens up, but said he is trying to “redefine” the City Attorney’s job, particularly with his own-re-election taking place next year. Still, he noted that part of his political philosophy is that if you do a good job in your current position, other opportunities will present themselves. eddie@downtownnews.com

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12 Downtown News

Old Building, New Uses London Firm to Turn Second Street Building Into Private Club and Co-Working Space By Nicholas Slayton et another aged building in the Arts District is slated for redevelopment. This time, it’s a 90-year-old warehouse whose current tenants include a theater. London-based real estate firm Est4te Four purchased the former Challenge Cream and Butter factory in November for $21.6 million. Documents filed with the Department of City Planning show that the company intends to turn 929 E. Second St. into a five-story mixed-use building with collaborative office space, a private club and a retail component. It is

Est4te Four’s first project in Los Angeles. Plans call for adding three stories to the current two-level, 47,065-square-foot edifice. The anchor tenant will be the private club and co-working space Spring Place, according to Alessandro Cajrati Crivelli, Est4te Four’s founder and managing partner. He noted that Est4te Four is the real estate arm of Spring Place. He said the first Spring Place will open next month in New York and other locations will follow. Although the Arts District is changing rapidly, Crivelli thinks Est4te Four is still getting in early. “We like that the location is not too obvious of a destination, yet,” he said. The building originally opened in 1926. When Est4te Four bought the structure in November, it had several tenants, including the theater company the Loft Ensemble, which had been in the property for a decade. That company will vacate its home and 55-seat theater at the end of May.

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April 25, 2016 In addition to the co-working space, Spring Place would include a restaurant, pool and gym. The ground floor would hold retail space, with plans for a market, cafe and restaurant. Spring Place is the second private club in the works for the Arts District. The London-based Soho House purchased a sixstory building at 1000 S. Santa Fe Ave., with plans to open in early 2017. The transformation would be part of a redevelopment boom in the Arts District. Thousands of housing units have opened or are under construction, and last month the highprofile Hauser Wirth & Schimmel gallery opened on Third Street in an old milling complex. “We like that [our project is] close to the contemporary art scene, and it’s close to the Hauser Wirth & Schimmel gallery,” Crivelli said. “It definitely changes the dynamic of the area. The project is awaiting permits. No timeline or budget have been announced. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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April 25, 2016

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Good Samaritan Settles Alleged Patient ‘Dumping’ Case for $450,000 Hospital Denies Wrongdoing in Treating Homeless Man, But Agrees to New Discharge Protocols

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patients what he called a “warm handoff.” The discharge protocols are laid out in a 12-page document. It includes a 10-question checklist that touches on topics such as the patient’s “placement desires upon discharge” and what level of care and outpatient services will be required. Feuer said his office continues to investigate alleged dumping incidents, though this was the first time in more than a year that a case has been settled. In January 2014, he announced that Beverly Community Hospital Association agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a case. That May, Pacifica Hospital of the Valley settled a case by agreeing to pay $500,000. Then in August, Glendale Adventist Medical Center paid $700,000 to settle a case. In all three settlements, the hospitals denied wrongdoing. In all instances, including the Good Samaritan case, the litigation was handled by Deputy City Attorney Will Jay Pirkey. regardie@downtownnews.com

DTLA’S

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photo courtesy of Good Samaritan Hospital

City Attorney Mike Feuer alleged that a homeless man treated for an infection at Good Samaritan Hospital in City West was discharged and given a bus token, with no plans arranged for after-care. The infection later worsened.

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tify the man out of privacy concerns, but said he believes the infection has been treated. Feuer added that he thinks the man remains homeless. The case came to the attention of the city attorney’s office through Gabriele Porter Taylor, one of the neighborhood prosecutors Feuer has deployed throughout the city to help address problems and issues on a community level. Taylor said that business owners and other people in Echo Park had noticed the man and contacted her. They approached him and learned what had happened. “He was visibly sick,” Taylor said. In a prepared statement, Good Samaritan said it disputed the allegation, but chose to settle the case rather than endure protracted litigation. The statement read in part, “Good Samaritan Hospital also agreed to continue its practices of providing excellent care to homeless patients and attempting to provide appropriate placement following discharge. “Good Samaritan Hospital remains committed to providing accessible, quality, cost-effective and compassionate health care services that meet the needs of our patients, their families, the community and our physicians. Our goal is to deliver the best possible care to anyone who comes through our door.” Feuer said that after learning of the incident his office approached Good Samaritan, which he called a “highly respected hospital in our region.” He added that Good Samaritan executives were responsive and took steps to prevent a repeat. “It immediately sought to cooperate with us,” he said. Under terms of the settlement, the hospital has agreed to adopt a set of discharge protocols that the city attorney’s office has been urging hospitals across the region to implement. While Feuer noted that dealing with homeless, often mentally ill patients can be challenging for medical and administrative personnel, he said the protocols are intended to help the hospital give

CONTEST

By Jon Regardie ood Samaritan Hospital in City West has agreed to pay $450,000 to settle an alleged case of the “dumping” of a homeless individual with a severe foot infection, City Attorney Mike Feuer announced last week. He said that as part of the settlement, the hospital has agreed to adopt new discharge protocols when treating and releasing homeless patients. Good Samaritan, a 131-year-old institution headquartered at 1225 Wilshire Blvd., will pay $300,000 in civil penalties and associated costs. It will also donate $100,000 to the Integrated Recovery Network, a nonprofit that works to help homeless individuals find housing and other support services, and another $50,000 will go to fund recuperative repair facilities. The hospital has not acknowledged any wrongdoing. It marks the fourth time a case of alleged patient dumping has been settled since Feuer took office in 2013. The incidents have resulted in a cumulative $1.9 million in payments. Feuer has been outspoken about halting the practice. “There is no place in our society for patient dumping,” he said during a press conference on Thursday, April 21. “Our office has been focused on combating patient dumping for some time.” Although previous settlements had involved hospitals taking or sending indigent patients — sometimes still in hospital gowns — to Skid Row and leaving them without appropriate after-care, Feuer said the alleged Good Samaritan case had some differences. He said the incident occurred in December 2014, and involved a homeless man who was taken to the hospital for an infection in his foot. The man received treatment, but then, said Feuer, he was given a bus token and sent away, with no plans arranged for after-care. He wound up in Echo Park. The infection worsened and the man later sought additional treatment at County-USC Medical Center. Feuer would not iden-

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14 Downtown News

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April 25, 2016

Historic Core-based graphic designer Lawrence Azerrad is one of 18 artists who have works on display in the A+D Museum’s new exhibition Come In! DTLA, which focuses on the Central City’s creative community.

photos by Hunter Kerhart

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A+D Museum Exhibit Focuses on Works From Community Artists By Eddie Kim hen the A+D Architecture and Design Museum opened in the thick of the Arts District last August, it was cause for celebration within Downtown’s tightknit art community. That feeling has been reciprocated. A+D leaders have described the renewed inspiration that came with settling into the home at 900 E. Fourth St. Now, about nine months after the return to Downtown from a space on Wilshire Boulevard, the museum has unveiled a celebration of the artists and designers who call the Central City home. Come In! DTLA is the fifth iteration of the museum’s Come In! series, which presents cutting-edge design and art that hews to a theme. The new installment features work mostly by studios and people from within or around Downtown Los Angeles. The exhibition runs through June 23. “We wanted to engage with Downtown’s arts community, so we extended invitations to architects and designers,” said exhibition curator Danielle Rago. “Some of them already had a clear idea of what they wanted to exhibit and how they’re inspired by DTLA. Others, not so much. The sub-layer of this exhibit is showing how they’re so diverse, yet all in the same part of the city.” There are 18 artworks, ranging from furniture to an interactive display featuring a prototype habitat on Mars. Some pieces touch on Downtown in subtle ways, while others have nothing to do with the community other than the fact that the artist or

architect is based here. A handful of artists grapple with local issues, as with photographer Ave Pildas’ monochromatic shots of street life and people in Downtown. Others don’t mention a connection, but are impacted by shifts in local life, as with “Content Management” by the South Park-based design firm Besler & Sons. The installation comprises a large stand with shelves filled with small taped boxes full of architectural materials, tools, parts and models. Rago said Besler & Sons has invited other offices to contribute to the work, which it termed a “collective archive,” though she noted there is an underlying issue. “Their landlord is trying to raise the rent and they’re trying to negotiate, keeping it down as the neighborhood gentrifies,” she said. “In the meantime, they’re using our space to store some architectural pieces from the past few years as literal storage and prep.” The exhibition has both unintended parallels and explicit references to Downtown. Splayed across a brick wall is a study of a geodesic dome constructed from flimsy wood veneer by Fashion District-based artist HK Zamani; it brings to mind the desperate architecture of tents and rough-hewn cardboard shelters in Skid Row and the Industrial District. A collection of high heel shoes inspired by Brutalist design from Chris Francis could be the fashionable little cousin of the blunt concrete and steel buildings that dot Bunker Hill and the Civic Center. Rago worked with architect Tyler McMartin to lay out the ex-

hibition, and the variety of works and mediums can seem bewildering and spontaneous. Graphic prints and sculptures nestle against interactive media, videos and sound installations. Many of those mediums are used in “Everything On Time,” from the Historic Core-based Tim Durfee Studio. The beguiling hypothesis about the future of the city amid an increasingly digitized urban landscape involves five short films projected on a gallery wall. One film, “UAV Urbanism,” contemplates how a swarm of automated drones occupying the skies would impact the design of cities. Another one, “Milleview Estates,” peeks into a life where voyeuristic cameras provide access and data to our formerly private lives. “We wanted to push back against the two prevailing ways people see the future: through the Hollywood, sci-fi, dystopian sort of lens, and the corporate, boosterish, ‘everything is going to be perfect’ vision of the future,” said Tim Durfee, who partnered with Ben Hooker and Jenny Rodenhouse on the work. “We’re asking questions about where this city is going while avoiding those two clichés.” Durfee’s work is shaped by his role in academia. In addition to his Downtown practice, he teaches at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. The videos, he said, sprouted from research he was leading in class. Located half a block south of Durfee’s space is the studio of Lawrence Azerrad, who does graphic design and branding for entities such as UCLA and Red Bull Sound Select, which held a 30-day music festival in Los Angeles last year. For Come In! DTLA, Azerrad pulled eight posters from the Red Bull campaign and scrubbed them of the branding text, leaving just the psychedelic imagery behind. The posters are presented alongside a bicycle that was designed for the Red Bull event. “The main artwork for the festival from 2015 is overlaid freeways. It’s inspired by how music brings us together despite the geography,” Azerrad said. “The bicycle is a sign of transportation and an organic way to move around. Being a Downtownthemed show, looking at where culture lives made sense.” As a native of Los Angeles, Azerrad still remembers when calling Downtown a place “where culture lives” would have been laughable. Now the community touts everything from grassroots art efforts to top-shelf product like The Broad, he remarked, and that “tangible creativeness” is on display at A+D in full force. Come In! DTLA runs through June 23 at A+D Architecture and Design Museum, 900 E. Fourth St., (213) 346-9734 or aplusd.org. eddie@downtownnews.com

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A New Spin on Cinco de Mayo Two-Day Music and Arts Festival Comes to El Pueblo By Nicholas Slayton owntown Los Angeles has a history of hosting music festivals. Last week marked the sixth installment of Broke L.A., a sort of counter to Coachella. In August the indie-fueled FYF Fest will return to Exposition Park for a weekend. In summer 2014 Grand Park hosted the massive Budweiser Made in America festival. Los Angeles State Historic Park, which is currently closed for a renovation, has been the site of numer-

Latin soul jam band Boogaloo Assassins headlines the first night of L.A. Cinco. The band will play the El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument.

ous rock and electronic music events. Now add another one to the list. This weekend, El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument will be the setting for the inaugural L.A. Cinco festival. The event is themed to Cinco de Mayo, though it takes place earlier than that, on Saturday-Sunday, April 30-May 1. The free happening will feature multiple stages with a variety of bands, as well as art displays and food, in a celebration Continued on page 20

photos courtesy of L.A. Cinco

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CALENDAR LISTINGS

EVENTS

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

Au Lac/Café Fedora 710 W. First St., (213) 617-2533 or aulac.com. April 30, 7:30 p.m.: Calixto Oviedo celebrates International Jazz Day. No, we didn’t know the day had arrived either. Wonder how they celebrate in Belarus? Belasco 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com. April 30, 9 p.m.: Concertgoers are encouraged to show a little of that thang thang when they take in hip-hop legends De La Soul at Rhymefest. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. April 25: LAJC. April 26: Juanito Pasqual New Flamenco Trio. Sure beats the old flamenco trio. April 27: Le Quintet. April 28: Ethio Cali. April 20-30: Anthony Wilson Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. April 25: Gothic Tropic and Arjuna Genome join Iska Dhaaf on the final night of their residency, which also happens to coincide with their album release. April 26: Bit-crushed Nintendocore with Here Between You Me. April 27: As weary as we are of the recent Americana glut, Joan Shelley distinguishes herself in that she is actually from Kentucky. Not the West Valley. Kentucky.

the Don't Miss list By Dan Johnson @ calendar@downtownnews.com

Fun Films for Kids, a Scary Film For Adults, 1960s Music and More Downtown Happenings

image courtesy REDCAT

2 No passport is necessary this weekend at the 11th annual REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival. As the astute observer will have already deduced, on Saturday and Sunday, April 30-May 1, a bevy of kid-oriented mini-films will be screened at the REDCAT theater. On Saturday, animal lovers can tuck into the “Cuddly Critters” program at noon, fantasy believers can enjoy the “Magic Potion” set at 1:30 p.m. and those in the mood for tall tales can devour “Where the Giants Tread” at 3 p.m. Sunday finds a noon run of “Explore Galore,” followed by the creativity-inducing “Imagine That” at 1:30 p.m. and experimental visual narratives at the 3 p.m. “Show Me a Story.” What can you expect? A series of shorts such as The Birdie (shown here). Advance ticket purchases are recommended. At 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

photo courtesy of Lionsgate

TUESDAY, APRIL 26 Trust Talks Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. 7 p.m.: An inventive forum bridges Downtown communities in an attempt to form opinion and reach consensus on what more the LAPD can do to rein in those mean streets. THURSDAY, APRIL 28 Were the ’90s L.A.’s Golden Age? MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 633-5393 or zocalopublicsquare.org. 7 p.m.: Anyone who has ever seen “Speed” already knows the answer to this question. For everyone else, Zocalo Public Square invites MOCA curator Helen Molesworth, American Prospect editor Harold Meyerson, LMU’s L.A. guru Fernando Guerra and the omnipresent Dr. Todd Boyd to dicker over the subject matter. SATURDAY, APRIL 30 Comedy Bang! Bang! Live! Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com. 8 p.m.: Scott Aukerman plays ringleader as his laughterinducing podcast tapes live from the Theatre at Ace Hotel. MOCA Teen Night 2016 MOCA Geffen Contemporary, 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 633-5393 or moca.org. 7 p.m.: We are super jazzed to announce that art-inclined teens are invited to check out an evening of participatory art engagement centered around MOCA’s “Don’t Look Back: The 1990s at MOCA” show. We are super terrified to acknowledge that most of the participants weren’t born until the 21st century. SUNDAY, MAY 1 First Sundays 10e, 811 W. Seventh St. or online via facebook.com. 12-4 p.m.: Sad as it is, too many Downtowners only get to meet their neighbors during an early morning fire evacuation or a candlelight vigil. A crew of dedicated locals has seen fit to buck the trend with the monthly First Sundays event, an open-invite gathering for brunch-hungry, potentially booze-parched DTLA fiends who’d like to gab, gossip and pony up to their dear neighbors. The Rock and Roll Flea Market 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com. 11 a.m.: While we salute the broad inventory of rock-related consumer goods to be had at this monthly event, we would like the ability to purchase an actual rock-related flea, preferably the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bass player or a parasite from Tommy Lee’s body.

April 25, 2016

Last week, Mission Hills, California’s own George Lopez entered his 55th rotation on this orb of rock and water hurtling around the sun. To celebrate, the stand-up comic, host and veteran of film and television is zipping around the United States on his Comedy Get Down Tour. On Friday, April 29, and Sunday, May 1, Lopez drops into Downtown’s Orpheum Theatre for a pair of solo gigs. Doors open at 7 p.m. each night. Don’t be surprised if he asks the question, “Why you crying?” At 842 S. Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com.

photo by Alex J. Berliner

16 Downtown News

Saturday, April 30, marks not only the end of the 184th month since the dawn of the millennium, but also, sadly, the close of the FIDM Museum’s 24th annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibit. This week (minus Monday, when the museum is closed) is your last chance to glimpse a carefully curated collection of costumes from 24 noteworthy films from yesteryear (2015). Admission is free, and the lineup includes duds from films such as Carol, Cinderella (shown here) and the new Mad Max and Star Wars installments. At 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6235821 or fidmmuseum.org.

With the coming Macy’s Plaza/Bloc reboot, Downtowners are looking forward to their very own Alamo Drafthouse. Those eager to booze it up while taking in a flick needn’t wait for The Bloc to open its doors, however. On Tuesday, April 26, the Alamo Drafthouse sponsors a screening of Aliens at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. Not only do ticket holders get to watch the 1986 James Cameron-helmed space horror classic, they’re also invited to enjoy a Q&A with original cast members including Carrie Henn, who played diminutiveif-resourceful Newt. Beware! Tickets are going fast, so unless you want to reach the box office and have a ticket taker shout, “Game over, man!” you better stock up on admission while the getting’s good. At 929 S. Broadway, (213) 6233233 or acehotel.com.

Built on the legacy of a junior high friendship at Hawaii’s Punahou School, the Kingston Trio became a paragon of early-’60s, Americana-infused folk music. Why does this matter to you? Because on Tuesday, April 26, South Park’s Grammy Museum will debut the exhibit The Kingston Trio and the Folk Revival. Prepared in conjunction with the Woody Guthrie Center and the Kingston Trio Legacy Project, the collection of instruments, writing, costumes and ephemera explores the seminal group and their lasting impact on ’60s music and cultural forms beyond. The show runs through the fall. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

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

April 25, 2016

Downtown News 17

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April 28: In what might be the most Los Angeles event of all time, dream pop songstress Draemings plays a pre-party for Mercury’s imminent turn into retrograde. April 29: Fruition, a curiously named bluegrass band from Portland (that’s Oregon, not Maine). Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. April 28: Bro Safari. Wow. April 29: Markus Schulz. April 30: Keys N Krates. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. April 26, 7:30 p.m.: Lissie would like to tell you about “My Wild West.” April 27, 7:30 p.m.: Josh Homme is a legend in his own right, but tonight he’ll be playing with the legend, Mr. Iggy Pop. Microsoft Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or microsofttheeatre.com. May 1, 7:30 p.m.: We’ll pretend that a capella fans are going nuts for Pentatonix when in reality we know their hearts are laden with envy (and perfect pitch). Orpheum Theatre 842 Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com. April 29 and May 1, 8 p.m.: You may know George Lopez from his co-hosting stint with the Emmys. April 30, 8 p.m.: Get Lit and their fourth annual Classic Slam Poetry competition hopes to winnow down 300 poets to find the perfect one. Spoiler alert: He’s a dead man from Brooklyn named Walt. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. April 27, 8:30 p.m.: With a crop of re-appropriated music-making instruments bordering on the unlikely, Tetsuya Umeda will be dolling out soundscapes. Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com. April 25: Acoustic Punk. April 26: Ryan Cris & The Roughcuts, Tex Beaumont and Groom Lake. April 27: Computer Class and Moonraker. April 29: Joe Myside & The Sorrow and Undercover Monsters. April 30: It’s '80s night, so go Bananarama. The Novo 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com. May 1, 7 p.m.: Arabo Ispiryan has come to entertain you. The Regent 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com. April 29: Thao & The Get Down Stay Down host local rock sapphics Kera & the Lesbians. April 30: Andy Rourke, the less-obnoxious dude from The Smiths, delivers a DJ set at tonight’s Dance In a Panic. Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or (323) 316-5311 or residentdtla.com. April 27: Frenship & Friends, Oliver Riot and Wrabel. April 30: Scott Biram and Jesse Dayton. May 1: The Reggae Gathering Showcase. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la. April 25: The Ron King Quartet begs a question already asked on a Broadway e-box: “Who is Ron King?” April 26: The big stumper in The Makers’ catalog of “Would you rather?” questions is would you rather play back up for Selena Gomez for a year, or sit in with Kenny G once? April 27: Ray Brooks sounds suspiciously like a witness protection pseudonym. April 28: Representatives from the Humane Society will definitely be on hand and sober for tonight’s Cowbop show. The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org. April 28: Death Hymn Number 9, Melted and Wild Wing. April 29: Ramonda Hammer, Wasi, New Evil and Gigi Gash. Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com. April 29: Melissa Brooks and The Aquadolls. April 30: Fans of banality should enjoy the album release show from Thee Commons. May 1: No matter what you think of Holychild, they’re playing a Bernie bash tonight to benefit Sen. Bernie Sanders. So now you have something entirely new to think of them. Walt Disney Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or musiccenter.org. April 29, 8 p.m.: Jazz legend and versatile piano master Keith Jarrett comes to town.

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of short films from around the globe, and are pitched at a different age group. This weekend’s titles include “Explore Galore,” “Where The Giants Tread” and “Cuddly Critters.” Have to miss this weekend? Keep coming back — the affair goes on through May 7. Regal Cinemas LA Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies. Through April 28: Compadres (11:40 a.m., 2:20, 5:10, 7:50 and 10:50 p.m.); The Huntsman: Winter’s War (11:20 a.m., 12:40, 1:20, 2:10, 3:40, 4:20, 5, 6:40, 7:20, 8, 9:40, 10:20 and 11 p.m.); Barbershop: The Next Cut (1:30, 4:30, 7:15, 10:05 and 10:55 p.m.); Criminal (1:10, 4:10, 7;10 and 10:10 p.m.); The 

Continued from previous page significant enough in their own right, but Obi-Wan narrating means we’re dealing with serious power brokers who know a good whale story when they see it. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. April 25, 8:30 p.m.: Tacita Dean, the filmmaker herself, will be on hand as her Michael Hamburger and Presentation Sisters are screened. April 30-May 1, 12 p.m.: The 11th annual REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival has three daily screenings on Saturday and Sunday, at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Each program has an assortment

Jungle Book 3D (1:40, 4, 4:40, 7:40, 10 and 10:40 p.m.); The Jungle Book (12:20, 1, 3:10, 6:30, 7 and 9:20 p.m.); The Boss (12:30, 3:50, 6:50 and 9:25 p.m.); Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (11:30 a.m. and 9:50 p.m.); Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice 3D (2:50 and 6:10 p.m.); Zootopia (12:50 and 9:30 p.m.); Zootopia 3D (3:30 and 6:25 p.m.).

MORE LISTINGS Hundreds of listings of fun and interesting things to do in Downtown Los Angeles can also be found online at ladowntownnews.com/calendar.

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2 YOUR EVENT INFO

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Email: Send a brief description, street address and public phone number. Submissions must be received 10 days prior to publication date to be considered for print.

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NOTICE OF $20,000 REWARD OFFERED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Notice is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles has established a $20,000 reward offered in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of Steven Lawrence Wright, who is a suspect for a heinous gang related murder that occurred in the City of Pasadena on January 19, 2011 and was erroneously released from the

To place a classified ad in the Downtown News please call 213-481-1448, or go to DowntownNews.com Deadline classified display and line ads are Thursday at 12pm. FORfor RENT All submissions are subject to federal and California fair housing laws, which make it illegal to indicate in any advertisement any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income or physical or mental disability. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Sheriff’s Inmate Reception Center on January 30, 2016. Any person having any information related to this crime is requested to call Detectives Salcedo or Forcier at the Sheriff’s Major Crime Bureau at (562) 946-7893 and refer to Report No. 916-00171-5120-690. The terms of the reward provide that: The information given that leads to the determination of the identity, the apprehension and conviction of any person or persons must be given no later than May 1, 2016. All reward claims must be in writing and shall be received no later than June 30, 2016. The total County payment of any and all rewards shall in no event exceed $20,000 and no claim shall be paid prior to conviction unless the Board of Supervisors makes a finding of impossibility of conviction due to the death or incapacity of the person or persons responsible for the crime or crimes. The County reward may be apportioned between various persons and/or paid for the conviction of various persons as the circumstances fairly dictate. Any claims for the reward funds should be filed no later than June 30, 2016, with the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors, 500 West Temple Street, Room 383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Los Angeles, California 90012, Attention: Steven Lawrence Wright Reward Fund. For further information, please call (213) 974-1579. Si no entiende esta noticia o si necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar a este numero (213) 974-1579.

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CONTEST

April 25, 2016

Your furry (or not so furry) friend could be Downtown’s PET OF THE YEAR

Downtown News’ 2016 Inaugural Cutest Critter Contest is dedicated to all things animal, from four-legged friends to birds and other wildlife. Show us your best shot.

Eligibility: You must live or work in Downtown Los Angeles.

GRAND PRIZE:

DTLAt Pee ar! of th ye OIC THE V

DOW E OF

NTOW

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1972

Downtown’s Best Friend Photo Contest Partner:

• Your pet’s photo on the cover of the May 16 DTNEWS, a $100 gift card to Patina Group restaurants and a fantastic gift package from Pussy and Pooch.

2ND & 3RD PLACE:

• Each will receive a $50 gift card to Patina Group restaurants and a gift package to Pussy and Pooch.

HOW TO ENTER Entry Deadline: Tuesday, May 10 @ 5 p.m. Email your high resolution photo, your name, phone number and pet’s name to

contests@downtownnews.com (subject line: Cutest Critter) or mail to

1264 W. First St., Los Angeles CA 90026

One entry per person. All or part of the submissions may be published in our May 16 issue or online and become the property of the L.A. Downtown News.

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

20 Downtown News

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of indigenous and Mexican-American culture in Los Angeles. L.A. Cinco festival is the brainchild of Judy Roldan and Julio Garcia, who are with the event production firm Jive Live. They first had the idea for the celebration five years ago, when they noticed that Los Angeles has a number of Mexican-American and Cinco de Mayo happenings, but none that they felt truly honored the culture of Southern California while providing a contemporary spin. They set about organizing an event that had appropriate programming in a location suitable to celebrate the holiday. They also were adamant that their festival offer clarification and cultural context as to what Cinco de Mayo celebrates. “Cinco de Mayo is a bit miscommunicated to audiences,” Roldan said. “Some people think it’s Mexican independence day.” The holiday actually celebrates the underdog victory by Mexican forces against the much-larger French army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Mexico’s independence day is Sept. 16. After years of planning, Roldan and Garcia honed their pitch. They brought it to the management of El Pueblo, the historic center of Los Angeles which, unbeknownst to many, is owned and managed by the city. Staff at El Pueblo liked the proposal and offered the prime calendar real estate of the weekend before May 5. “We at El Pueblo wanted to try something new, something a bit different,” said John Kopczynski, the head of events at El Pueblo. “We’re doing something that’s different, but it’s not going to lose spirit of Cinco de Mayo.” Diverse Options L.A. Cinco’s organizers have scheduled a diverse lineup of musical acts, from reggae and salsa bands to hip-hop. They said a goal is to break past the stereotype of mariachi music on Cinco de Mayo and show off the many types of music in Los Angeles. Performances will begin at noon and run through 7:15 p.m. on Saturday and 6:15 p.m. on Sunday. Five stages will be set up throughout El Pueblo, including a main stage that will host five performances each day. Each set is expected to last 30-45 minutes. Saturday will feature funk, reggae and hip-hop bands, before headliners Boogaloo Assassins take the stage at 6 p.m. for a set of Spanish Harlem-inspired Latin soul. Sunday will offer a lineup of Hispanic rock and traditional music, before the day closes with the all-women synth-pop band LEX at 4:45 p.m., and the headliners, the roots-reggae act Quinto Sol, at 5:30 p.m. Both days will have DJ sets, as well as mariachi and banda groups. Additionally, there will be a variety of dancers, from traditional folklorico performers to break dancers. Roldan said that instead of performing on stage, many of the dancers will mingle with the crowds, suddenly breaking into shows in flash-mob style. Most the performers are from the Los Angeles area. The organizers said that this was a goal from the beginning. “We want to highlight that this is an opportunity for local acts,” Roldan said. “We wanted to use our platform to advocate for them to come up.” The festival will include an arts and crafts component, thanks in part to a partnership with the nonprofit Setting the Pace Foundation. There will be a series of vendors hawking pottery and jewelry, as well as contemporary art prints. There will also be installations from up-and-coming artists from Los Angeles. Some artists will work on murals throughout the weekend, painting designs on large pieces of wood. Kopczynski said this also fits with El Pueblo’s mission. “This is exciting, since they’re going to use the El Pueblo space in a very different, more active and interactive way,” Kopczynski said. “For us, this feels like a natural progression of our celebrations.” There will also be an array of food vendors, with a focus on Mexican and Mexican-American cuisine. Roldan and Garcia are informally labeling this version of L.A. Cinco “Chapter 1.” They said they hope it can become an annual gathering, and if all goes well this week, they’ll try for an even bigger event next year. L.A. Cinco runs noon-8 p.m., April 30-May 1 at the Plaza at Olvera Street or la-cinco.com. nicholas@downtownnews.com