Take a Look, It’s In a Book JUNE 17, 2019 I VOL. 48 I #24
Last Bookstore Provides a Sense of Community Through Book Clubs
community weighs in on convention center plaza
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AROUND TOWN
DLANC Elections This Week
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lections for the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, an advisory group that provide a link between the community and city government, will be held this week. On Thursday, June 20 at The BLOC (700 W. Seventh St.) from noon8p.m., community stakeholders will get to select from a field of 41 candidates, all vying for one of the available 28 board seats. The board seats are for two-year terms and although the elected members have no formal power in the decision-making process, local politicians heavily take the group’s input into account on proposed projects. Stakeholders must live, work or own property within the DLANC’s boundaries and be at least 16 years old. Each voter will receive one ballot. If you live in one neighborhood and work in another, you must choose which ballot you wish to cast. More information is available at dlanc.org.
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Department of Public Health announced that it issued notices to 85 businesses in Skid Row for a lack of compliance with existing storage and trash removal regulations. According to a Wednesday, June 12 news release from the department, environmental health inspectors notified businesses of violations related to overflowing trash bins and rodent activities two weeks ago. The department does not issue citations, but if businesses do not fix the issues, they could be referred to the City Attorney’s office for prosecution. The teams returned last week to make sure that the business corrected the errors. Around the same time, inspectors surveyed 62 blocks in Skid Row and found overflowing dumpsters, trash-filled alleys and streets and other health related concerns. The release noted that the department would work with the city to reduce the unsanitary conditions. “The 2017 hepatitis A outbreak and the countywide increase in flea-borne typhus cases in recent years highlights the need for collective action to address sanitation issues, rodent and wildlife infestations, and illegal trash dumping,” the news release read.
Downtown Organizations Businesses Warned For Lack Receive State Art Grants of Trash Hauling Services t the start of this month the Califor-
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n the wake of the city’s push to crack down on illegal dumping caused by businesses in Downtown, the Los Angeles County
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nia Arts Council announced a new slate of recipients for state art grants, and multiple Downtown-based organizations were among those chosen. Those in-
clude the Heidi Duckler Dance company, which received a total of $150,000 for projects including dance salons at the Bendix Building, as well as the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, which received $18,000 for a bilingual calligraphy workshop for seniors. Other Downtown-related winners include Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, which will stage musical workshops at Skid Row’s Union Rescue Mission, L.A. Opera, which is working on a Spanish-language program in East L.A. and Inner-City Arts, which will offer art classes to youth working with Homeboy Industries. The grants were awarded through multiple categories, including ones aimed toward making an impact in their local communities and programs focused on helping youth in the juvenile justice system. The state announced a total of $24,508,541 in grand funds for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the highest the California Arts Council has awarded since the 2000-2001 fiscal year. The full list of winners is available at arts. ca.gov.
City Council Approves South Park Tower
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rolific Canadian developer the Onni Group is one step closer to breaking ground on its next high rise. Last week the Los Angeles City Council approved the company’s 60-story residential tower at the southeast corner of Olympic Boulevard and Hill Street. The project at 1000 S. Hill St.
JUNE 17, 2019
will hold 700 apartments, split into studios and one- and two-bedroom units, as well as 15,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Designed by Chris Dikeakos Architects, the tower would resemble Onni’s high rises at 825 S. Hill St. and 1212 S. Flower St., with a glass and steel structure and rooftop deck, plus a lower landscaped podium. The budget was not disclosed. A groundbreaking date has not been set, but Onni has previously indicated that construction will take 30 months.
Church & State Reopens
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fter a one-month closure, the French restaurant Church & State has reopened for business, albeit with a new ownership team at the helm. Bill Chait, Taylor Parsons and chef David Féau stepped in as the new ownership at the Arts District restaurant after former owners Yassmin Sarmadi and her husband Tony Esnault opted to move on from the restaurant in late April to focus on their new effort Knife Pleat. After announcing the move, Church & State remained dormant for close to a month as crews worked to revamp the space, before reopening on Tuesday, June 11 with a few interior changes and a new menu from Féau. The restaurant is currently open 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 5-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Church & State initially opened in 2008 and is lauded for helping to kick off the Arts District restaurant boom.
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Community Weighs In on Green Space Plans Near the Convention Center AEG Put Forward an Initial Proposal for Its Overhaul of Gil Lindsay Plaza By Nicholas Slayton ilbert Lindsay Plaza links Staples Center to the Los Angeles Convention Center, but for many visitors to either, it might be seen as a bland concrete space. Now the city and its private collaborators are taking in community feedback for how best to turn that walkway into a green space for the South Park neighborhood. On June 5, Anschutz Entertainment Group (which operates the Convention Center and L.A. Live) and its partners unveiled an initial look for the transformation of the 140,000-square-foot open space, based on feedback from the first meeting in late April. Roughly 60 people turned out for the meeting at the J.W. Marriott hotel at L.A. Live., including project members and nearby residents, and gave feedback to better refine the project. The redevelopment of the site is part of AEG’s wider overhaul of the Los Angeles Convention Center, done in partnership with Plenary Group. Plans call for linking the two buildings of the exhibition facility, and adding a total of 350,000 square feet of new space. Representatives from AEG and other groups behind the meeting said a timeline for the plaza is unclear, and the purpose of the meetings were, in addition to getting local feedback, to develop a possible model and get an estimate on its costs. The redesign and reprogramming of GLP is intended to serve multiple uses, especially since for most of the year the space will not be used by events at the Los Angeles Convention Center, according to Ted Tanner, AEG’s senior executive vice president for real estate. “It’s about having flexible multipurpose event space for the
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Convention Center, as well as provide an attractive pedestrian friendly heavily spaced landscaped space for the community to use,” Tanner said. The initial proposal mostly calls for turning Gil Lindsay Plaza from a hardscaped concrete area into a green space. Most of the redevelopment is on the northern side of Pico Boulevard. A café with seating for up to 160 people would sit on the south end of that lot, while a 170-seat amphitheater would be on the northern end, next to a splash pad. That water feature could be turned off to allow for a farmer’s market to be set up. The currently concrete space would see a lawn go up in the middle, which could also be used as an event space, per AEG, and could hold an 80-meter-by-30-meter tent for special occasions. Trees would heavily line the space, creating a canopy over most of the plaza, save for the lawn. “The biggest ask [at the first meeting] was, ‘please, shade,’” said Cindy Sanders, CEO and partner of Olin Partners, a landscape architecture firm working on the initial design. “’Please give us shade, please give us gardens, please give us some lawn.’” The plaza, named for the former Ninth District city councilman, would also feature a monument for him on the northwest corner of Figueroa Street. Part of Pico Boulevard itself would also get a facelift, although how is less clear. Since the Convention Center redesign plans call for linking the South and West halls via an overhead walkway, the planned covered space could be activated by new wayfinding signs, light and artwork or ad space. After the presentations, community members and development team representatives walked around looking at render-
photo by Nicholas Slayton
Anschutz Entertainment Group and Plenary Group are working on expanding the Los Angeles Convention Center. Plans call for turning the 140,000-square-foot Gilbert Lindsay Plaza into a landscaped green space.
ings of the initial design. Xavier Grobet, a Downtown resident who attended the meeting, said that he appreciated the versatility of the proposed plans, saying it seems like something the community could regularly use. “It’s nice to see some green space there, but I would like to see a bit more,” he added. Ryan Lynch, a civil engineer living in Downtown, said he was still taking in the design while looking over plans of the initial proposal. He pointed to the overall lack of parks and green space in South Park and around the Convention Center and said that more public areas are needed for this part of Downtown. The overall redevelopment of the Los Angeles Convention Center is expected to start in 2020 and wrap in 2022. nicholas@downtownnews.com
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EDITORIALS
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TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD
Downtown: L.A.’s Free Art Center
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n the last decade or so, Los Angeles has increasingly emerged as a leading national, and even an international, center of art. There are multiple reasons for this, starting with the presence of a community of boundary-pushing artists who have grown up in or been drawn to the city. Other factors include the arrival of a number of top-notch galleries and the batch of colleges with renowned curriculums and instructors. Downtown has historically had a role as a location where art is made, going back decades to the emergence of the Arts District (even if many of the pioneering artists have now been priced out of the neighborhood). Yet just as overall Downtown evolves, so too is the local art scene shifting — today the community is the preeminent place in L.A. to enjoy free art. Downtown’s role as an art-viewing locale rocketed forward when The Broad opened on Grand Avenue in September 2015. Eli and Edythe Broad’s $140 million museum was an instant hit, and not only because admission is free. The display of impressive work by seemingly every contemporary artist of note on the top floor, along with a consistent slate of thoughtful first-floor exhibits (some with a ticketed entry), has kept the crowds coming. Nearly four years after debuting, there is still usually a line on the sidewalk outside The Broad. The Bunker Hill institution is not the only spot offering free exhibitions of high-quality art. The Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles gallery opened in March 2016 in the Arts District and mounts museum-caliber shows. This benefits the greater community; just consider the weekend crowds that thronged the recently concluded Annie Leibovitz photo exhibition. Many people followed a visit by hitting the area’s restaurants, stores or ice cream shops. The momentum continued the following year, when the former Santa Monica Museum of Art ditched the Westside and opened in a new location on Seventh Street as the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Again, admission is free. Last month brought another momentous shift. At a fundraiser event, leaders of the Museum of Contemporary Art announced that, thanks to a $10 million donation from Board of Trustees President Carolyn Clark Powers, it too will offer free admission. No date has been announced as a roll-out plan must be executed, but this is a major advancement for the 40-year-old institution with locations on Grand Avenue and in Little Tokyo. Expect attendance to soar. Even that is not the end of the list — last month Pasadena’s ArtCenter announced that it has inked a 10-year lease to operate developer Gilmore Associates’ former Main Museum in the Historic Core. The rechristened ArtCenter DTLA will have a lineup of classes and free shows. Put it together and Downtown Los Angeles has clearly emerged as the city’s center of free art. While L.A. offers other great places to enjoy gratis art, such as the Getty Center, no community offers so much high-quality work in such a compact area. Count this as another victory for Downtown, and another element that will draw Angelenos and tourists to the community, now and into the future.
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COMMENTS
Regarding the column “For Mark Ridley-Thomas, a Big Move, a Big Fight and a Big Warning,” by Jon Regardie Job number one is to solve the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. There is just no excuse for this predicament in a major American city at a time when our President is touting the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years. —Winston Barker Regarding the article “Garcetti Environmental Plan Could Have Big Impact on Downtown Buildings,” in which the mayor stated, “Who cares if we pave more streets or fill more potholes if Venice is under water?” by Sean P. Thomas Venice under water? How dramatic. The mayor should support as much Downtown construction as possible, because that is reducing the spread of endless sprawl. For the first time in the history of L.A., there is a genuine, organic move back into the city center. L.A. is so big that it need two mayors: one for West L.A. who can say all the latest gosh-darned things for national headlines, and another to actually run the rest of the city —Travis Deal There is a huge gentrification problem in the city, pushing diversity of population far away from work and leiEDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITERS: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre
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sure. I mention the case of Marina Del Rey, which has exploded, causing a serious traffic and unsustainable pollution problem, and pushed out populations who have lived there for a long time. Greed and corruption on the level of the city officials are the culprit and it will not end well because it is not sustainable at all levels. —Rosemary Graham-Gardner Regarding the article “Regional Connector Delayed Four Months,” by Nicholas Slayton You would think that with all the money Metro has gotten out of taxpayers’ pockets, they could find a better way to “ease traffic” on time. Come on Metro, do better. —Patryk Strait
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Taking the Book Club in Novel Directions Last Bookstore Finds a Steady Audience With Niche Discussion Groups. Subjects Range From Afrofuturism to Queer-Oriented Books to a Dystopian Group
photo by Gary Leonard
Moderator Tyree Boyd-Pates (left) leads a discussion at the Afrofuturism Book Club.
By Nicholas Slayton t’s almost 10 p.m. on a Sunday night, and on the darkened upper level of the Last Bookstore seven people sit around a small table. It is illuminated only by an electric chandelier that casts a soft glow. The group is deep into a discussion of Zoje Stage’s creepy child novel Baby Teeth.
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Suddenly, a book tumbles off a shelf behind them. It hits the ground with a loud bang and startles the group. “What was that?” one member asks. It turns out to be a hardcover of The Ghost of Winston Churchill from the War and History section. But no one else is there.
There’s no answer for the noise, but the fright suits the group. It is a January meeting of The Thing in the Labyrinth, the Last Bookstore’s monthly horror book club. It is one of 11 book clubs the store organizes. According to Eric Larkin, head of community and interactive events for the Last Bookstore, the clubs are part of the Historic Core mega-shop’s effort to provide more events that engage customers. “We had the typical book store events — signings, lectures, and those are great and we’ll always do those. You come, you sit, you hear someone else talk, maybe ask a few questions, you get a book signed and you leave,” Larkin said. “But you don’t really get to engage. Theoretically, with book clubs, you come back month after month, you have discussions and share a laugh.” The book clubs launched last spring, and there has been a tweaking process. A poetry club didn’t pan out, in part because there are so many poetry events in Los Angeles, Larkin said. Instead, the store has found success by going micro, looking for more niche and specific topics, and bringing in authors and academics versed in the genres to moderate the discussions. “There aren’t too many Afrofuturism or Gothic book clubs,” Larkin said, referring to two that Last Bookstore offers. Other options include the Queer Book Club, a True Crime Tuesdays group, and the We’re All Gonna Die!: Dystopian Book Club. A graphic novel club launched at the start of the year, and a current events and politics club began in late February. Kathryn McGee, a horror author who leads The Thing in the Labyrinth, said that the bookstore approached her to helm the group. She hadn’t moderated a book club before, but said that hearing what others think of the novels adds to her own reading experience. It was similar for Tyree Boyd-Pates, a curator at the California African American Museum and the moderator of Continued on page 6
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BOOK CLUB, 5 the Afrofuturism Book Club. He said he joined after a friend heard that the bookstore was looking for someone to lead the group. “The cool thing about our book club is that the subject matter of Afrofuturism has seen an uptick in light of Black Panther,” he said. “The book club came at the right time. There’s a diversity of people who want to get science fiction from a diverse set of voices.” Sharing the Experience Each club meets once a month on the second level of the store. Nestled in a corner between the History and Science Fiction sections — the horror club meets a few feet away, under that electric chandelier for effect — the groups gather around a table, with snacks, tea and wine set up for them. Members pay $10 each month, and at the end of the session have the chance to buy the following month’s book. The moderators choose the selections. C.B. Lee, the moderator of the Queer Book Club, said that many Last Bookstore clubs have a kind of core group that shows up, with occasional new faces. McGee said that as her horror club has grown over the months, the format has evolved, and conversation flows naturally as the members become more confortable. At their February meeting, discussing Robin Talley’s Pulp, the Queer Book Club members joked about the ongoing rain and shared their thoughts on the novel. A few admitted that they weren’t able to finish Pulp in time for the session, but were close. “I like that this exists. It’s forcing me to try and finish the books on time,” Emily Woo Zeller said near the start of the meeting. “And I like the story.” Lee said many people in the group might not have picked up the book of the month on their own, so the clubs offers both a sense of community and a chance to expand
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one’s literary horizons. And having a specific focus creates a place where people who identify as LGBTQ can talk about those issues, she said. “One of the best parts of books is that no one experiences it the exact same way,” Lee added. “It can often feel like a lonely experience, but with a club you can really engage with a book in a totally new way.” Boyd-Pates agrees that the clubs provide a sense of community and function as a welcoming window for anyone seeking to learn more about the chosen themes, issues or identities. Even if someone doesn’t specifically fit with an audience, there are entry points to peer in, he said. Another bonus is that the meetings can help members process what is going on in the world around them. Peter Clines, a science fiction author and moderator of the dystopian We’re All Gonna Die! club, said his group’s discussions reflect current events and politics. He said there is an “awareness” of how the themes in the selections reflect today’s world. “A recurring topic is our definition of a dystopia, and where a given book fits on the real world/dystopian/apocalyptic/ post-apocalyptic yardstick,” Clines said. “One thing that happens a lot is discovering our latest set of defining traits could just as easily apply to the world today. That makes for even more discussions when people are either not at all surprised or, in a few cases, caught kind of off-guard by it.” Back at The Thing in the Labyrinth meeting, the members are digging into Baby Teeth. They go back and forth on the book, wondering if there actually is a supernatural element to the plot, or if some hints in the text were just a red herring. They ultimately agree there wasn’t really much of a twist at the end. “I was hoping for some possession or something,” Jonathan Sondoral says to the group. Finding the Right Balance Larkin and the moderators say that many of the participants have never previously joined a book group. Larkin at-
photo by Gary Leonard
The Last Bookstore organizes 11 book clubs, which meet monthly on the second floor of the shop. Each has a moderator well-versed in the particular topic, and subjects range from current events and feministthemed groups to true crime and dystopian literature.
tributes part of the Last Bookstore’s success to identifying the niche topics and getting moderators who are engaged and well-versed in the subject matter. The snacks help too, he adds. Lee said the opportunity to explore literary themes and
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Book Clubs to Check Out
THE INJECTING SPECIALISTS
MODEL
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he Last Bookstore offers 11 different book clubs, each with its own moderator and reading list. If that seems overwhelming, Los Angeles Downtown News rounded them up. You can try one or try them all.
Graphic Novel Book Club
Next meeting: Monday, June 17 Enjoy stories told through sequential art and discussions. It’s not focused on superhero comics though; this week the club talks about Jen Wang’s The Prince and the Dressmaker, joined by Wang.
True Crime Tuesdays
Next meeting: Tuesday, June 18 This group is all about real-life crime. This month the club is reading Bill James’ The Man from the Train.
Feminist Book Club
Next meeting: Wednesday, June 19 Moderated by Julia Callahan, the club tackles all things feminist, in an intersectional way, from non-fiction to novels. This week the group discusses R.O. Kwon’s debut The Incendiaries.
The Thing in the Labyrinth
Next meeting: Sunday, June 23 Meeting under a dim chandelier, this horror-focused book club is not for the easily scared. This month? It’s zombie fiction, with Ling Ma’s Severance.
Spiritual Classics Book Club
Next meeting: June 24 Moderated by journalist Nick Shindo Street, each book the club reads deals with some level of mysticism, religion or existentialism. That includes centuries-old tomes, such as St. Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle, which the group will weigh in on next week.
Gothic Book Club
Next meeting: June 25 Horror is one thing, the dread and drama of Gothic literature is another. Next week the members share their thoughts on Henry James’ classic The Turn of the Screw. Wear black.
characters also engages members. Plus, there’s the opportunity to spin in unlikely directions. “I think it’s fun to mix up genres. Even in queer books there’s so much variety,” she said. “I’m thinking of going from nonfiction to memoir to poetry — give people the breadth.” The moderators say they are always open to suggestions on what to read next. BoydPates and Lee want to focus on new and emerging authors, while McGee aims to alternate between new fiction and classics. At one meeting, members debated reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in the coming months. Boyd-Pates thinks the clubs have a bright future and will bring people together at a time when technology makes it easy to be physically isolated. The meetings remind people that they have shared interests. “The reason why these book clubs are so popular is because they speak to niche com-
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Queer Book Club
Next meeting: July 1 Author C.B. Lee leads the group each month with discussions on LGBTQ-focused books, be it memoirs, current event books or fiction. The next meeting is a team-up with the State of the Union Book Club, talking about Samantha Allen’s Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States.
State of the Union Book Club
Next meeting: July 1 Politics is a wild world, especially as the presidential primaries heat up. For fans of current events, this is the book club for you.
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Ficcion en Español
Next meeting: July 8 As the name suggests, the focus here is Spanish-language books, with meetings shifting between English and Spanish. For July, the book club is reading Samanta Schweblin’s sci-fi thriller Kentukis.
The Afrofuturism Book Club
Next meeting: July 9 California African American Museum curator Tyree Boyd-Pates moderates this group, looking at all things speculative fiction with an Afrocentric perspective. In July, that means reading N.K. Jemisin’s The Stone Sky.
We’re All Gonna Die! Dystopian Book Club
Next meeting: July 14 Forget current events, doom is approaching. If that’s your mindset, give this one a try. Led by sci-fi author Peter Clines, the club looks to the future, just not an upbeat one. Next up on the reading list is Sam J. Miller’s cyberpunk novel Blackfish City. —Nicholas Slayton
munities and provide real-time responses to existential questions that we are all discussing and thinking about,” Boyd-Pates said. “That’s why they’re so exciting. They offer these particular communities an outlet outside of the Internet.” That said, the Internet and social media have been helpful. Boyd-Pates said his club and others have grown thanks to Facebook and other websites and social media platforms. Other times, people find the clubs in old-fashioned ways. Midway through the Queer Book Club’s February meeting, a woman stumbled upon the group as she walked through the Last Bookstore’s maze-like upper level. She said she didn’t know the store has book groups. After a quick thought, she noted she might have to join one. The Last Bookstore is at 453 S. Spring St. or lastbookstorela.com. nicho las@downtownnews.com
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JUNE 17, 2019
Shop Hop: The Downtown Retail Roundup Downtown Gets a New Pharmacy and Another Gym, While a Doggie Day Care Shutters By Nicholas Slayton
a barre workout studio and a Dunkin’ Donuts. The store’s full range of products, and their prices, hasn’t been announced, but expect it to carry a variety of CBD goods, from droplets to edible snacks such as CBD-infused chocolates and kombucha. Coming to 752 S. Olive St. or blisbrand.com.
B
lissful Shopping: The legalization of cannabis has seen a number of shops sprout up in Downtown selling all sorts of strains of marijuana. One of Downtown’s incoming shops isn’t interested in cannabis, but rather CBD, the oil derived from the plant that lacks the psychotropic elements found in pot. Blis is set to open at the increasingly busy intersection of Eighth and Olive streets on July 7. The company’s first retail spot is a 1,200-square-foot space on Olive Street, near
Get Your Prescription Filled: Downtown has a number of outposts of major nationwide drug store chains, but now it’s getting a spinoff of a local Los Angeles County one. The South Park Pharmacy will open by the end of the year on the ground floor of Aven at 12th Street and Grand Avenue. The new space comes from the owners of the Pasadena Pharmacy to the north, and is similarly expected to be half convenience store, half full pharmacy. The 4,000-squarefoot space will carry prescription medicine, over-the-counter items and household basics. Coming to 1120 S. Grand Ave.
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Yet More Fitness: Downtown Los Angeles really can’t get enough gyms its seems. Also coming to the ground floor of Aven is Orangetheory Fitness. The 3,500-squarefoot space is expected to open before the end of the year, and like other branches of the chain is focused on group training. Classes mix cycling with weight circuits in
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60-minute workouts. As part of each session, participants get heart rate monitors to use in order to measure their performance. Monthly memberships to the fitness center start at $59. The Aven branch of Orangetheory is the second Orangetheory in Downtown and the first in South Park; one opened in the Fashion District in December 2017. Coming to 1120 S. Grand Ave. or orangetheoryfitness.com. Marketplace: The storefront at the southwest corner of Fifth Street and Broadway is active again, after it sat empty for several months. The space was formerly the home of a 7-11 convenience store, and the newcomer is sticking to that field. Trimana Fresh Foods Market took over the space in May. If the name sounds familiar, the chain has a few locations around Los Angeles County, including in Union Station. Expect the usual mix of refrigerators full of sports drinks and beer, bagged snacks and candy, and packs of batteries and other knick-knacks. The market also offers a selection of cold foods, like packaged salads and sandwiches and hot foods, including pizza. At 501 S. Broadway. Face-Focused Facility: For those looking to make aesthetic changes to their bod-
ies, there’s a new practice in Downtown for that. MedBeautyL.A. opened on June 6 at 11th and Hope streets in South Park, specializing in skin treatments and anti-aging injections such as Botox. Run by Dr. Lori Aliksanian, who has a background in wound care, the focus here is non-surgical beauty enhancements. Services include dermal filler injections, facials, chemical peels and other procedures that will theoretically produce healthier and younger looking skin. Prices vary based on individual plans. At 1100 S. Hope St. Ste. 101, (213) 640-4008 or medbeautyla.com Paws Gone By: Downtown loves its dogs, but maybe the industry of pet friendly stores and spas that have sprung up around those four-legged friends over the past few years is nearing a saturation point. A South Park grooming spot shuttered last month after just recently joining the wave of stores catering to pet owners. Duke’s South Paw was originally announced in 2017, but only opened in February this year at 1243 S. Olive St. The 9,632-square-foot space offered daycare and overnight boarding services, as well as grooming. Have any retail tips? Send them to Shop Hop at nicholas@downtownnews.com.
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DOWNTOWN NEWS 9
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
education Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders Stratford School Educates and Nurtures Students Hearts and Minds
S
CITIZENS WORLD CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE
SILVER LAKE
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
tratford School believes that high expectations lead to extraordinary results. The advanced, innovative and intentionally balanced curriculum inspires, challenges and nurtures the mind and heart of every student. The liberal arts curriculum is infused with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — or STEAM — to help students develop the diverse set of problem-solving skills and talents they’ll need in today’s world. Stratford’s passionate teachers cultivate a physically and emotionally secure classroom environment where children feel safe and are eager to try new things and fail forward. This carefully designed approach prepares students to become tomorrow’s creative problem solvers, innovators, and confident, insightful leaders. More information is at stratfordschools.com.
Celebrating 20 Years of Academic Excellence in Entertainment The L.A. Film School Hits a Milestone With Some Big Events
T
he Los Angeles Film School is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019 and is marking the milestone with exciting events all year long. Over the past two decades, the school has welcomed eager students excited for their first day, expanded its program offerings, celebrated alumni successes and hosted top Hollywood filmmakers — all while honoring the mission to prepare the next generation of creative professionals for their future in the Continued on page 14
Citizens of the World Schools are high performing, free public schools open to all students in California Citizens of the World Schools son escuelas de alto rendimiento, publicas, gratuitas y estan abiertas a todos los estudiantes del estado de California. Citizens of the World 학교는 켈리포니아 주의 모든 학생들에게 열려있고,빠르게 성장하며,무료로 운영되는 공립학교 입니다 Why CWC?
ENROLLING NOW GRADES TK-8 ESTAMOS ACEPTANDO APLICACIONES PARA TK-8
지금 등록 할수있읍니다: TK-8 학년 APPLY ONLINE
PARA APPLICAR EN LINEA | 온라인 신청
https://applyla.schoolmint.net/welcomeback FOR MORE INFORMATION PARA MAS INFORMACIÓN | 자세한 정보를 원하시면 연락하세요
enrollment@cwcsilverlake.org | (323) 462-2840
NEW PERMANENT CAMPUS FOR GRADES TK-5 TO OPEN AUGUST 2019 Nuevo plantel permanente para los grados TK-5 a estara listos en Agosto de 2019 TK-5 학년을위한 새로운 캠퍼스가 2019 년에 완공되었습니다
2515 Beverly Blvd. For more info: www.cwcsilverlake.org/about/locations/
________________________________ 6th - 8th Grade/Grado: 152 N. Vermont Ave.
• • • •
High Performing Schools Diverse Student Body Smaller Class Size Rigorous Academic Program • Social Emotional Program • Weekly Art/Music and PE Classes
• Healthy & Affordable Lunch • After School Program and Enrichment until 6PM • Focus on Social Justice and Equity • All Students Receive Laptops in Middle School
Por que CWC? • Escuelas de Alto Rendimiento • Un Cuerpo Estudiantil Diverso • Reducion en el numero de estudiantes en cada salon • Programa Academico Rigoroso • Programa de Aprendizaje Socio-Emocional • Clases semanales de Arte/ Musica/Educacion Fisica • Un Almuerzo Saludable y economico
• Programa de Despues De Escuela y de Enriquecimiento Disponibles Hasta las 6PM • Enfoque en la Justicia socialy Equidad • Cada Estudiante Recibe una Computadora Portatil en la secundaria
왜 CWC 인가 • 최우수 학교 • 다양한 학생 구성 • 작은 소수의 반 • 철저한 학업 프로그램 • 사회 정서적 프로그램 • 주간 미술/음악 및 체육 수업 • 건강하고 저렴한 점심 식사
• After School 프로그램 및 보충 시간; 오후 6시까지 • 사회 정의와 형평에 초점 • 모든 중학생들은 노트북을받습니다
10 DOWNTOWN NEWS
JUNE 17, 2019
EDUCATION
Educating Students for the 21st Century
A
Citizens of the World Silver Lake Prepares Students for the Future
merican University Preparatory High School’s faculty and staff are enthusiastically dedicated to providing a rigorous, integrated education in the arts and sciences (STEAM). As an urban, private boarding and day school, the institution excels at bringing people together and educating students for the 21st century. The local and international students, along with the support of the multicultural faculty, explicitly collaborate in creating a playful and healthy culture and community. Supporters of the school are enthusiastic. Eric Eisner, the founder of YES Scholars, a nonprofit group with students at AUP, said he had to change his thinking about education when he learned more about the school. Blair Bowman, J.D., the American history teacher, said, “Here in L.A. and at AUP, America is being created before our eyes as people from all around the world come together to build these culturally rich communities.” Students are encouraged to explore their interests and hobbies through a sequenced course of study, and use their skills to focus their investigation on a creative STEAM project. AUP’s location with-
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
AUP Provides a Rigorous, Integrated Education in the Arts and Sciences
Striving for Greatness
in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles serves students with countless experiential activities that create exciting professional networking, cultural engagements
and age-appropriate entertainment opportunities Contact AUP at (213) 400-4585 or admissions@aupschool.org.
C
itizens of the World Silver Lake was founded in 2012 and serves students in grades TK-eight. CWC Silver Lake is a free, public charter school that focuses on high quality academics, social emotional learning (SEL) and difference and inclusion. Through a constructivist learning model and hands on real world learning opportunities, CWC encourages students to think critically to solve problems and to draw from their lived experiences. CWC’s mission is to create a high-achieving public school for a diverse community of students. Developing their abilities, confidence and sense of responsibility for themselves and their community. The school community is truly special because of the dedicated teachers and staff, the diverse student body and the caring community of caregivers who pour so much love and time into the school community. “I chose to send my own child to the school because I believe in providing him a well rounded education that nurtures his spirit Continued on page 12
WHEN YOU ARE OPEN TO POSSIBILITIES
THE EXTRAORDINARY HAPPENS
At Stratford, students accomplish extraordinary things. Discover a school that inspires children to become creative problem-solvers, imaginative innovators, and confident leaders.
Upcoming
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O
LS
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OF Accrediting Commission for Schools
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Our other Southern California campuses West Los Angeles | Altadena | Mission Viejo
SCH
Register for events! StratfordSchools.com/melrose
GE
Now Enrolling Preschool – 8th Grade
Don’t miss our
LE
Summer Jam Fest Saturday, July 20 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Potty Training Workshop Thursday, July 25 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
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| 1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd. | (323) 962-3075
WE S
Los Angeles Campus
AND CO
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Preschool State License: 198018875. Copyright © 2019 Stratford Schools, Inc.
JUNE 17, 2019
EDUCATION
DOWNTOWN NEWS 11
12 DOWNTOWN NEWS
JUNE 17, 2019
EDUCATION
Dedicated Staff, Comprehensive Attention
CWC SILVERLAKE, 10
L.A. International Charter High School Offers Prepares Students For Future Success
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
L
.A. International Charter High School (LAICHS) is a unique and comprehensive high school that caters to the success of inner-city students in the Downtown Los Angeles, Highland Park, El Sereno and South Pasadena areas. With a robust curriculum that includes honors, advanced placement, special education, CIF sports and electives that include: animation, business, graphic design, sports condition, math intervention, English intervention, drama, dance, yoga, earth science and student government, these young scholars are college ready. We are proud of a full six-year WASC Accreditation status and celebrated a five-year renewal. LAICHS’ success is owed to a dedicated staff. The LAICHS family prioritizes serving all of our students needs and offers breakfast, lunch and supper and an after school program that includes: credit recovery, tutoring, homework help, weightlifting, cooking, sports and other enrichment opportunities. To further support families, LAICHS provides a free uniform shirt to all students and a TAP card (Metro transportation pass) for students living over
one mile from the school. This program brings great relief to parents looking for a small and safe environment for students who otherwise could not attend due to transportation issues. LAICHS celebrates a yearly increase in graduation and college entry rates. In 2019, the student graduation rate is
100% and four-year college acceptance rate is 98%, which is 2% higher than the prior year. If you are looking for a school that prepares you for college and life beyond, we have a place for you. For more information call (323) 2571499, or email info@laicharter.org.
and emotional well being just as much as it does his academics,”Maureen Lamorena-Tasui, CWC’s co-principal said. “I also wanted him to be surrounded by students and staff members that come from a variety of diverse backgrounds and belief systems so that he can learn from an early age the importance of learning how to be culturally competent. I chose to work at the school because I wanted to work with others who believe in a holistic model of education and who were motivated by the same mission and vision. That is rare to find.” CWC Silverlake is excited to re-locate its school community from the East Hollywood area to 2515 Beverly Blvd. this August. For more information on how to enroll or take a tour, please visit www.cwcsilverlake.org or call Maureen Lamorena-Tatsui Co-Principal, TK-5 at 323-462-2840.
Dr. Maureen Lamorena-Tatsui, CoPrincipal, Grades TK-5.
JUNE 17, 2019
DOWNTOWN NEWS 13
EDUCATION
HHHHH Los Angeles International Charter High School An award winning school in Highland Park
WEEKLY ENROLLMENT OPEN HOUSES
Beginning June 11th, we will be hosting WEEKLY ENROLLMENT OPEN HOUSES throughout the summer- Every Tuesday at 5pm at the school. These meetings are open to ALL families wanting to learn more about LAICHS.
LAI Charter High School is the highest performing charter school operating in Highland Park.
16:1
STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO
100
%
GRADUATION RATE
99
%
ATTENDANCE RATE
8
CIF SPORT TEAMS
We are an award winning school, having received awards from the state of California Department of Education and the Los Angeles County Office of Education Now accepting enrollment applications — If your student is on a waiting list for admission at another charter school OR your charter school was recently closed by the state of California, please contact us to enroll your child.
625 Coleman Ave. (Near Monterey Road & Via Marisol), L.A., CA 90042 Phone: (323) 257-1499 Fax: (323) 257-1497 Web: laicharter.org Email: info@laicharter.org
Call Today to Enroll Your Child at 323.257.1499
14 DOWNTOWN NEWS
JUNE 17, 2019
EDUCATION
Congratulations to Pilgrim’s Class of 2019
L.A. FILM SCHOOL, 9
Educating Graduates as Students and Individuals
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
T
his year’s Pilgrim School graduates will thrive in schools from Rhode Island School of Design to UC Berkeley, from Johns Hopkins University to Emerson College, and from USC to NYU. They will make their mark as students, as athletes, as artists, and most of all, as individuals. Pilgrim students spend their days in a park-like setting, enjoying access to everything the city of Los Angeles has to offer. Pilgrim’s intensive engagement with the vibrant city that surrounds it is truly unique in the independent school world. At Pilgrim, a wide range of educational and social programs are designed to prepare the next generation for a good and meaningful life in the real world. All Pilgrim students are involved in a diverse range of activities, including the arts, sports, community service and STEM pursuits. They are noted for their kindness to each other and in the community, and are known well by the entire faculty and staff, who encourage each child to grow into the very best version of their true self. At Pilgrim School, the goal is to find the particular way that each child can
thrive — as a student, an athlete, an artist, a member of the community, and most importantly, as an individual. Pilgrim School develops unique individuals who go on to lead satisfying, productive, engaged lives of joy and mean-
ing, beginning with a college chosen to suit each student’s one-of-a-kind profile. Pilgrim School is at 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., (213) 385-7351 or pilgrim-school.com.
AUP Enrolling Now GRADES 9 -12
entertainment industry. The school offers degrees in Film, Audio Production, Animation, Music Production, Graphic Design and Entertainment Business. Whether a student is beginning his or her journey in Hollywood or choosing the flexibility of online classes, the accelerated programs are designed to mimic real-world studio environments taught by industry-experienced faculty. Numerous alumni have gone on to receive awards at film festivals worldwide, engineered multi-platinum albums, and have been recognized at premier events such as the Grammy, Emmy and Oscar award shows. Explore the historic Hollywood campus during one of the small-group tours and see the school in person. This includes a behind-the-scenes look at the sound stages, film sets, animation labs and much more. More information about The Los Angeles Film School is at (323) 860-0789 or lafilm.edu.
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URBAN BOARDING SCHOOL IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
DISCOVER! CONNECT! INTEGRATE! Diverse cultural community engaged in expressive arts and science programs, including virtual reality, film and computer programming options. Excellent partnerships with Downtown LA Schools, including Colburn Music and Dance Academy.
Email: Admissions@aupschool.org Call: (213) 400-4585 Visit: 345 S. Figueroa Street Web: www.aupschool.org
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JUNE 17, 2019
DT
FIVEBET Experience
CALENDAR photo courtesy BET
DOWNTOWN NEWS 15
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Highlights
W
ith so many happenings at the BET Experience, it’s a safe bet that you won’t be able to fit everything into your schedule. Los Angeles Downtown News has you covered. Here are a few can’t-miss events, some free, others ticketed, at the BET Experience. The Ladies (U)Nite Concert: Mary J. Blige Thursday, 7 p.m. at Staples Center Now that R&B legend Mary J. Blige is done hunting down the Umbrella Academy she’s back to what she does best. Expect a few old favorites like “Real Love,” and “I’m Goin’ Down” as well as a few more recent jams like “U + Me.” The evening is jam-packed with talent including H.E.R, Queen Naija, Summer Walker and Bri Steves.
Building The BET Experience Four-Day Celebration of Black Culture Comes to L.A. Live for Seventh Year By Sean P. Thomas n just six short years, the BET Experience has cemented itself as one of, if not the biggest celebrations of black media culture in Los Angeles. Since landing in Downtown in 2013, the event, which combines a mix of free and ticketed concerts, live discussions and events over a four-day period, consistently lures more than 100,000 people to L.A. Live and the Los Angeles Convention Center, making it a frontrunner for one of the most heavily attended and anticipated events in Downtown Los Angeles. The seventh iteration, which runs Thursday-Sunday, June 20-23, is expected to be no different. The event will bring out music chart-toppers like Cardi B, Migos, Meek Mill and YG, while the Fan Fest offers events tied to video games and sneaker culture and some free musical performances. Both single day tickets and three-day passes are available.
I
The event is headlined by a sold out Saturday concert featuring Cardi B and Migos at Staples Center, but Jason Johns, director of BET Live Consumer Sales and Marketing said that Thursday’s event-opening, all-female concert at Staples Center featuring Mary J. Blige, H.E.R., Summer Walker and Bri Steves is also expected to draw up plenty of interest from longtime event goers. Johns said that the BET jumped at the opportunity to bring those female voices into the fold this year. “I think we have covered the full spectrum of strong female voices with this concert,” Johns said. Last year’s festival drew about 160,000, in line with the 2018 festival. Johns said that he expects attendance to match last year’s numbers, but that BET is always trying to bring more people out to the event. “Our goal is to always grow it,” Johns said. “We’re Continued on page 20
Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament Friday, 8 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center West Hall A schoolyard favorite is returning for year two at the BET Experience. After a successful inaugural run, the BET Experience Celebrity Dodgeball Tournament will feature four teams made up of comedians, actors and media personalities like Van Johnson, Michael Blackson and Lala Milan and a few surprise guests. There will also be performances by YK Osiris, Lil Tjay and Polo G and Christian Crosby will provide the play-by-play. 3-on-3 Celebrity Basketball Game Saturday, 11 a.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center West Hall It’s almost a slam dunk that no one watches celebrity basketball games for great basketball, but with former NBA ballers Doug Christie and current all star Rudy Gobert in tow, expect to see some eye-catching highlights. Other participants include rappers The Game, Papoose, Sheck Wes and 2 Chainz. The four teams will try to win $50,000 for the charity of their choice. Jemele Hill is Unbothered: Podcast Friday, 5:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center West Hall In just a few short years, Jemele Hill has proved that she has way more to offer than her insightful hot takes. After 12 years at ESPN, Hill is taking on a bevy of new topics with her new podcast “Jemele Hill is Unbothered,” where she has interesting conversations with everyone from former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams to rapper Common. If anything, do not expect Hill to pull any punches. BET Experience: Roller-Skating Party Saturday, 5 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center West Hall Have you been dying to show off your slick roller-skating moves? The BET Experience is throwing a party just for you. For the first time, the BET Experience is bringing a roller-skating party to Fan Fest for all of the old school rink veterans. The party will also include a performance by R&B singer Tone Smith. -Sean P. Thomas
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16 DOWNTOWN NEWS
A Powerful Look at an ‘Indecent’ Play
Lisa Gutkin, left, and Elizabeth A. Davis are part of the seven-member cast of Indecent, which explores censorship and artistic freedom following the 1906 Broadway premiere of Shalom Asch’s God of Vengeance.
The One-Act Production at the Ahmanson Delivers a Nearly Flawless Ode to Theater By Jeff Favre t doesn’t matter if a writer turns away from his creation or allows it to be censored and have its textual heart and soul ripped from it. It doesn’t matter if those who first brought it to life are long gone, and the work itself lays forgotten beneath layers of ash. A work of art lives beyond time and space, and at any moment can rise from the ashes and take flight. Such is the case with a pair of plays, and the pair of artists who bonded with a long-deceased playwright to create something ancient and modern — timeless, yet crucial to today. Indecent, conceived by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel and director Rebecca Taichman, and penned by Vogel, is 100 spellbinding, nearly flawless minutes of storytelling that does more than re-examine Sholem Asch’s 1906 play God of Vengeance and its notorious Broadway run that ended with its cast and producer arrested. Indecent is an ode to love and to art itself and to the power of both to withstand anti-Semitism, homophobia and other forms of blind hatred.
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The one-act masterpiece, which earned a 2017 Tony for Taichman’s innovative direction, is running through July 7 at Downtown’s Ahmanson Theatre. Reflexive in nature, it’s a play about putting on a play, with seven actors and three musicians that remain on stage the entire time, perform multiple roles and never hide the artifice of their craft. The show is introduced by Lemml (Richard Topol), the stage manager, whose life is forever changed by a happenstance invitation in Warsaw, Poland, to the first reading of young Sholem Asch’s (Joby Earle) first play, God of Vengeance. Less than auspicious, his tale that includes a romance between two women and a throwing of the Torah, shocks those in attendance, and he is advised to burn it. Lemml, though, is transformed by the Yiddish language play about flawed, real characters he recognizes, and he is taken by the
JUNE 17, 2019
photo by T. Charles Erickson
love of these fictional women, in particular the act two rain scene that Indecent returns to several times. Undaunted, Asch takes his play — and Lemml — to Berlin, a shift that is accompanied by a whimsical, funny and clever song composed by Lisa Gutkin and choreographed by David Dorfman that rivals some of the best performances in hit musicals. There, Asch finds famed actor Rudolph Schildkraut (Harry Groener), the play is produced and it becomes a hit. When it comes to America, though, things
change. It’s popular — though scandalous — when performed Downtown, but when it moves to Broadway and the translation is heavily edited, including the loss of the rain scene, the cast is upset. Even censored, the play is reported to the police by a popular rabbi, who is angered by its portrayal of Jewish people, and the cast is arrested for obscenity. A big question that isn’t answered until near the climax is why Asch agreed to let his work be edited, and why he seems to have turned his back on the play that helped Continued on page 17
JUNE 17, 2019
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
catapult his career. Taichman’s direction is masterful. With few props and almost no set pieces, her blocking transforms a world made mostly of Christopher Akerlind’s moody lighting into a rich tapestry of characters, times and places. Likewise, her pacing never hurries the quietest moments, yet she never lingers to push for a greater reaction. One of the best examples uses the supertitles that provide information and occasional translations. At a few key moments, the words “a blink in time” flash and the cast freezes — a reminder that life is made up of mere blinks where everything can change. The seven-member cast is remarkably versatile, though much of the heavy lifting comes from Elizabeth A. Davis and Adina Verson, whose various characters include real-life lovers, as well as those in the play-within-the-play. Also, Topol’s heart-wrenching portrayal provides a worthy stand-in for the audience. His simple reaction reflects the pure truth of what he sees.
Best Of
More than the director or cast, perhaps its God of Vengeance itself that is the star. As Lemml angrily admonishes Asch, the play is no longer his. It belongs to those who perform it and live with it night after night — and now it belongs to a new generation that is experiencing it through Indecent. On further reflection, perhaps the star is theater itself. While the story has powerful things to say about anti-Semitism and the right to free expression, Vogel and Taichman use every moment to express their love of theater. From the falling ashes, which lose impact by simple description, to the falling rain, which elicits a smile through tears, Indecent shows that live storytelling has no equivalent. It’s a shared moment that can forever touch and change those who tell it and those who are told. This is one of those moments, and it is one that should not be missed. Indecent runs through July 7 at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.
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DOWNTOWN NEWS 17
SAN ANTONIO WINERY EVENT CALENDAR
Wine Tastings, Wine Festivals, Wine Tours & More at our Los Angeles Winery Location. JUNE 23, SUNDAY • 1 to 4pm • $55
Tri-Tip Oak BBQ We invite you and your friends to enjoy this lively afternoon event with us! Along with refreshing wine and beer offerings, we will be serving Santa Maria style BBQ tri-tip, teriyaki chicken, sausages, veggies, and all the fixings. Additionally, live music will be played throughout the event. We hope to see you for this festive June afternoon!
JULY 21, SUNDAY • 1 to 3pm • $70
Wine & Sushi Pairing Although sushi is most often served with Sake, our awardwinning wines make a delicious and exceptional pairing. We invite you to enjoy an afternoon with us while eating sushi prepared by Master Chefs. Together we will explore the art of wine and food pairing, while tantalizing the taste buds. Wine and Sushi can make for a magical experience.
SEPT. 14, SATURDAY • 1 to 4pm • $50
Stella Rosa Social Come enjoy and Stellabrate all the wines of your beloved Stella Rosa Wines with friends and family! We’ll be serving a large variety of small bites to go with those wines. This event always sells out so be sure to purchase your tickets early. We can’t wait to Stellabrate with you!
San Antonio Winery, Maddalena Restaurant, Tasting Room, Bistro & Gift Shop 737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031 Phone: 323.223.1401
ROCK, POP & JAZZ
1720 1720 E. 16th St. or 1720.la June 20: Yung Tory with special guests. June 22: Hardstyle Arena, The Sickest Squad. Ace Hotel 929 S. Broadway or acehotel.com/los-angeles. June 21: Good news to soft-rock fans and horses with no names, America is on a 50th anniversary tour. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E.S. Onizuka St. Suite 301, (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. June 17: Max Kutner Group. June 18: Quarteto Jacaré. June 19: Matt Politano Group. June 20: Fabiano Do Nascimento. June 21: Ethio Cali. June 22: Joshua White Quartet. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. June 17: Only two members of The Felice Brothers are actually brothers. June 19: Garage rockers Fell Runner have an album release show. June 20: Do you miss the ‘90s punk scene, zines and queercore? Go see Team Dresch. June 21: Katie Toupin used to be part of Houndmouth, now she’s performing solo. June 23: Kideyes pairs members from Mind the Gap and Queen Caveat together for some new indie rock. The Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. June 21: Alex Prince and Dang. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. June 21: Nora En Pure. June 22: Paul van Dyk. Continued on page 19
photo by Craig T. Mathew
the don't miss list BY SEAN P. THOMAS
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Comedian Fred Armisen is done telling viewers where to find the dream of the ’90s (spoiler: It’s Portland!). Now he has moved on to a wholly different endeavor — the Spanish-language comedy. Armisen has joined with HBO to create a series about a group of horror movie-obsessed friends in Mexico City. It’s called “Los Espookys,” and this week he’s bringing his partners on the show to Downtown. Following the June 14 premiere, Armisen, alongside “Los Espookys” stars Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega, will visit The Regent on Tuesday, June 18. Expect standup, a few skits, a special guest or two and maybe even some music — Armisen is an avid drummer. Don’t be surprised if the happening is bilingual. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. At 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com.
Downtown Los Angeles has precious few events for kids. That may be why the REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival keeps drawing crowds year after year. It opened June 8, but this weekend marks the final portion of the 14th annual festival. On Saturday-Sunday, June 22-23, there will be three programs each day of short live-action and animated films, with each segment lasting about an hour. The lineup includes “Small But Mighty,” with shorts recommended for ages 2 and up (including the German work “Flamingo”) on Saturday at noon, and “Finding Myself, Finding a Friend,” recommended for those 5 and up, on Sunday at 3 p.m. The full schedule can be found on the website. At 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.
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image courtesy REDCAT
photo courtesy America
MONDAY, JUNE 17 Mystic Monday Comedy Resident, 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com. 8 p.m.: The live music and stand-up comedy showcase is back once again. TUESDAY, JUNE 18 Los Espookys Live The Regent, 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com. 8:30 p.m.: Fred Armisen, Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega dive into their love of horror in this stage show in honor of the premiere of “Los Espookys” on HBO. THURSDAY, JUNE 20 Poetry Night The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave. or thebroad.org. 5 p.m.: Teens read poems created in response to the art showcased in The Broad’s “Soul of a Nation” exhibition. FRIDAY, JUNE 21 FigFest Fig@7th, 750 S. Figueroa St. or artsbrookfield.com. 6 p.m.-11-p.m.: The outdoor shopping mall’s plaza turns into a concert venue each Friday this month with live music and DJs. This week enjoy the Latin funk sounds of Buscabulla. SATURDAY, JUNE 22 Rights Night Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St. or lfla.org. 6 p.m.: Lawyer Nina Shaw and Melissa Goodman, legal director for the ACLU of Southern California, discuss the 14th Amendment and what it means to be a citizen.
image courtesy Last Remaining Seats
EVENTS
JUNE 17, 2018
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This is the final week to catch an operatic powerhouse at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. L.A. Opera and conductor James Conlon are wrapping up their run of Giuseppe Verdi’s lush and luxurious 1853 work La Traviata with 7:30 p.m. performances on Wednesday, June 19, and again on Saturday. Director and designer Marta Domingo takes the work out of its original 1700s setting and plops it into the rancor and splendor of the Roaring ’20s, as Violetta (played by Adela Zaharia) throws parties lavish enough to make Jay Gatsby blush. The soirees draw rich admirers, but more important, a nice young man whom Violetta falls in love with. But of course, there’s more to this tale than a simple love story. At 135 N. Grand Ave. or laopera.org.
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CALENDAR LISTINGS
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photo by Jennifer Clasen/HBO
18 DOWNTOWN NEWS
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Fun fact: The rock band America, like its namesake, actually has roots in England. Now that that’s out of the way, the band is on tour in celebration of its 50th year, and is making a stop at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel on Friday, June 21. Throughout Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell’s half-century run, America has amassed a collection of folk rock hits including “Horse With No Name” and “Lonely People.” The group has also made myriad appearances on movie soundtracks, keeping America on the radar of younger audiences. Expect to hear all the favorites, and a few selections from the group’s most recent studio album, Lost & Found. Doors open at 7 p.m. At 929 S. Broadway, (213) 235-9614 or theatre.acehotel.com.
There’s a double feature of classic cinema this week. The Last Remaining Seats, the Los Angeles Conservancy series that brings standout films to gorgeous movie palaces, visits the Orpheum Theater on Saturday, June 22. A 2 p.m. event is dedicated to the comedy gold of Laurel and Hardy (shown here). The event will feature two films, the 1927 silent work The Battle of the Century, followed by 1933’s Sons of the Desert. To get the full experience, there will be Wurlitzer organ accompaniment for the silent film. Then, at 8 p.m., the theater turns to suspense with Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 psychological thriller Rebecca, starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine (not shown here). If you find yourself enamored by the theater, a free Q&A about the venue will follow each screening. At 842 S. Broadway or laconservancy.org.
Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.
JUNE 17, 2018
LISTINGS, 18 Moroccan Lounge 901 E. First St., (213) 395-0610 or themoroccan.com. June 17: Finn Andrews of The Veils performs solo early. The Veils as a whole were on “Twin Peaks: The Return,” and we trust David Lynch’s musical recommendations. Hip-hop/dream pop group Beleganas plays late. June 18-19: Two nights of synth-driven sounds from Geographer. June 20: West Virginian indie rock with Ona. June 21: Vincent is on the “For Your World” tour, with Charlie and Goj!ra. June 22: Matthew Logan Vasquez has two shows, an acoustic set followed by a full-band performance. June 23: Rockers Austin Weber and yOya dual headline this Sunday. Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com. June 18: Eliza Spear headlines “Her Night.” June 19: Dirty Honey, Blame Candy. June 20: Enjoy a tribute to The Kinks in honor of Ray Davies’ 75th birthday. June 21: Robin Alice has an EP release show. June 22: Uhuru Afrika is a dance party focused on “Afro
house.” June 23: The Wilder, Cillie Barnes, and New Evil. Good, our old evil was going bad. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St. or sevengrandbars.com/la. June 17: Did you really think Michael Starr would go far? June 18: The Makers almost melted in the heat wave, but found cold comfort in music. June 19: Midnight Blues Revue. June 20: Molasses. We are pretty sure it’s a band. June 21: Big Chiefs. June 22: Trio Kait. June 23: The California Feetwarmers should understand that it’s summer and too hot for any more warming. The Bloc 700 S. Flower St. or theblocla.com. June 20: Jasper Bones, Hamish Anderson, DJ Novena Carmel. The Novo 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com. June 20: Xavier Wolf, Jacquees & Tank (late show). June 21: RJ, SOB x RBE. The Redwood 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. June 19: Hard-hitting punk with Upsetting and Rosegarden Funeral Party.
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213.598.7555 LEGAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2019 139164 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) ZERO4 GALLERY, 453 S. SPRING STREET, M6, LOS ANGELES, CA 90013 LA COUNTY are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) ANDREA BOGDAN, 818 OCEAN VIEW AVE. MONROVIA, CA 91016 (2) RICHARD BROWN, 818 OCEAN VIEW AVE. MONROVIA, CA 91016. This business is conducted by a Married Couple. Registrant(s) started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 05/2014. This statement was filed
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with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on May 17, 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. 6/10, 6/17, 6/24 and 7/1. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2019 143914 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) V DTLA, 5776 LINDERO CANYON ROAD, SUITE D401, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 LA COUNTY (2) V DTLA, 21600 OXNARD ST SUITE 2000, WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91367 are hereby registered by the following registrants: STOCKHOLM SOCIAL LLC, 5776 LINDERO CANYON ROAD, SUITE D401, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362. This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant(s) started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los
Angeles County Clerk on May 22, 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. 6/3, 6/10, 6/17 and 6/24. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2019 146398 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) DERAILED LLC, 4143 MOUNTAIN DRIVE, SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407, LA COUNTY are hereby registered by the following registrants: DERAILED LLC, 4143 MOUNTAIN DRIVE, SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant(s) started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 01/2019. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on May 24, 2019. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years
June 20: Jesika von Rabbit, Electric Children, Well Hung Heart, The High 70s. June 21: The Guilty Hearts, Spencer Robinson and the Wolf Spiders, The Heartomatics, The Cauterizers. June 22: Speed of Light, Black Adidas, Friendly Bear, Fox Medicine, Gestures and Sounds. June 23: Andrew’s Fault, Take Pictures, Karenn Campbell, Wam Dingis. The Regent 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com. June 17: Rising neo-soul outfit Durand Jones & The Indications will absolutely get you dancing. June 22: DJ Jazzy Jeff headlines Nineties By Nature, a night of hip-hop and house music from the storied decade. The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org. June 17: Düllhaus, Jurors, Twin Schism. June 21: 100 Onces, Floral, Sketch Orchestra, Thank You Congratulations. June 22: Los Hurricanes, 3LH, Valley Rats, Martini Drive. June 23: The Chonks, Sunset Crater, Paper Airplanes, Adult Parts. Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com. June 18: Singer-songwriter Allan Rayman’s live show is the “Allan Rayman Show.” And now you know.
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. 6/3, 6/10, 6/17 and 6/24. POLICE PERMIT NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ZONING AND USE CLEARANCE FOR POLICE PERMIT Notice is hereby given that application has been made to the Board of Police Commissioners for a permit to conduct a DANCE HALL, 1457 W. WASHINGTON BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90007. NAME OF APPLICANT: BANQUET HALL PLAYA LAS TUNAS RESTAURANT, INC. DOING BUSINESS AS: BANQUET HALL PLAYA LAS TUNAS RESTAURANT, INC LOCATED AT: 1457 W. WASHINGTON BLVD., LA, CA 90007 Any person desiring to protest the issuance of this permit shall make a written protest before JUNE 24, 2019 to the: LOS ANGELES POLICE COMMISSION 100 West First Street., 3147
Los Angeles, CA 90012 Upon receipt of written protests, protesting persons will be notified of date, time and place for hearing. BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS Pub. 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24/2019. NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ZONING AND USE CLEARANCE FOR POLICE PERMIT Notice is hereby given that application has been made to the Board of Police Commissioners for a permit to conduct a CARNIVAL/RIDES MECHANICAL NAME OF APPLICANT: RUBEN CABALLERO DOING BUSINESS AS: CIRCO HERMANOS CABALLERO LOCATED AT: 2650 E. OLYMPIC BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA 9/0023 Any person desiring to protest the issuance of this permit shall make a written protest before JUNE 13, 2019 THROUGH JUNE 24, 2019 to the: LOS ANGELES POLICE COMMISSION 100 W. First Street #147 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Upon receipt of written protests, protesting persons will be notified of date, time and place for hearing. BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS Pub. 6/17 and 6/27/2019
June 19: The Heavy burst onto the scene with two songs used in a lot of commercials and TV shows. See them live and they’ll probably perform them. June 20-21: Two nights of Pup (short for Pathetic Use of Potential, and therefore the band name of the week). Ratboys and Beach Bunny open, which feels thematically appropriate. June 22: Mystery Skulls are here with an album release concert.
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Hundreds of listings of fun and interesting things to do in Downtown Los Angeles can also be found online at ladowntownnews.com/calendar: Rock, Pop & Jazz; Bars & Clubs; Farmers Markets; Events; Film; Sports; Art Spaces; Theater, Dance and Opera; Classical Music; Museums; and Tours.
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NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to Sections 21700-21716 of the Business & Professions Code, Section 2328 of the UCC, Section 535 of the Penal Code and provisions of the Civil Code. The undersigned will sell on the 25th day of June 2019 at 11: 00 A.M. on the premises where said property has been stored and which are located at Thriftee Storage Company LLC, 1717 N. Glendale Blvd. in the city of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, State of California, the following: Name of owner: Space number Description of goods Amount Rebecca Weinstein L-4 Personal effects $517.00 Stephen Chandler U-64 Personal effects $420.00 Derrick Bradley D-85 Personal effects $715.00
Anabella Dante S-27 Personal effects $1001.00 Monique Rodriguez D-18, D-25 Personal effects $1551.00 Chuck Lawson DD-1 Personal effects $635.00 Juan Navarro c-41 Personal effects $277.00 Joshua Mark Spafford A-4 Personal effects $640.00 Purchases must be paid for at the time of purchase in cash only. All purchased storage units with the items contained herein are sold on an “as-is” basis and must be removed at the time of sale. Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between Thriftee Storage Co. and obligated party. Thriftee Storage Company LLC Dated at Los Angeles, CA by Felipe F. Islas / Manager June 17, 2019
Legal Advertisement MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from general contractors wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide construction services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at: https://forms.gle/M5EEA4EKeKExKfATA. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by July 24, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on July 24, 2019 will be rejected.
‘ Helping Everyone Find their Place in Downtown Los Angeles Since 2002 ’ Bill Cooper 213.598.7555 • LARealEstateExpert.com Bill@LARealEstateExpert.com
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JUNE 17, 2019
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TRILOGY
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looking to build on that number, but 160,000 is kind of the sweet spot for us.” The event will culminate on Sunday with the 19th annual BET Awards at the Microsoft Theatre. The event will be flush with stars, including DJ Khaled, Taraji P. Henson, Morris Chestnut and recent country-meets-hip hop sensation Lil Nas X. Regina Hall will host. The event began at the Kodak (now Dolby) Theatre in Hollywood, before a quick stop at the Shrine Auditorium next to the University of Southern California. In 2012, BET inked a deal to bring the happening to L.A. Live. At L.A. Live, the festival evolved from a one-day celebration into a multi-day extravaganza centered on the fan experience. L.A. Live’s infrastructure, which includes a collection of theaters, restaurants, and venues like the Staples Center, allowed the event to expand into what we see today. “What we have noticed is that L.A. Live is a great center point for L.A.,” Johns said. “There has always been a great synergy between our events and the venues. It’s just been exciting to see it grow and we look forward to the future.”
‘I THINK WE HAVE COVERED THE FULL SPECTRUM OF STRONG FEMALE VOICES WITH THIS CONCERT’ The event has become big business for Downtown. Darren K. Green, senior vice president of sales for the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board noted the event’s ability to draw thousands of people into Downtown on an annual basis. “High-profile events like the BET Experience are an economic boom for the Downtown region as visitors fill nearby hotels, employ Angelenos and bring millions in direct spending to our restaurants, shops, attractions and more,” Green said. The event offerings are wide and diverse. The celebrity charity basketball and the celebrity dodgeball tournaments are hits, as is the sneakerhead wonderland Kicksperience, but BET always looks to bring new elements to the festival. This year, BET added a silent roller-skating party and a rap talent search dubbed Next Rap Star, influenced by the success of last year’s talent search. The talent search winner will get a chance to perform at the 2020 BET Experience, a performance at the 2019 Hip Hop Awards, a starring role in a five-episode BET digital series and an opportunity for an deal with Island Records. “What we’re trying to convey is that the BET Experience is your chance to live out your dreams and really find you stardom,” Johns said. “It’s something that is especially exciting for us, especially to see people who have put in so much hard work be recognized for it.” There is also the “Genius Talks,” a moderated discussion series at the Convention Center that brings together luminaries and rising stars to talk about their experiences in the music, film and television industries. This year’s slate of discussions include Magic Johnson, “Grown-ish” star Yara Shahidi and “Little” star Marsai Martin. Jemele Hill, known for her 12 years with ESPN, will moderate the discussions. Although most of the offerings at Fan Fest are free to the public, its success has led BET to create a smart phone app called BETX 19 to register for a wristband pickup time. While it may seem like small addition, the app indicates just how much the event had grown going into its seventh year in Downtown. Johns heaped praise on Los Angeles for helping to make the event what it is today. “I just really can’t express enough appreciation for the city of Los Angeles for being such a big part of our growth,” Johns said. “If it wasn’t for L.A., we wouldn’t be here.” BET Experience is at L.A. Live, The Novo and the Los Angeles Convention Center from Thursday-Sunday, June 20-23. Tickets and information is available at bet.com/bet-experience. sean@downtownnews.com