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Great Places to Get a Drink in Downtown SEE PAGE 12

JUNE 29, 2015 I VOL. 44 I #26

photo by Gary Leonard

A Rush of Meatless Restaurants : 8 Preparing for the evening rush at Barrel Down on Seventh Street.

The Return of Anime Expo : 22

THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

2 Downtown News

DT

AROUND TOWN

Tall, Thin ‘Lizard’ Hotel Proposed in Historic Core

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s the Downtown development boom continues, any parcel, regardless of size or shape, can be prime real estate. Such is the case of a small parking lot between two buildings at 631 and 635 S. Spring St. Last week, a developer dubbed Lizard Capital filed papers with the Department of City Planning to build a 28-story hotel with 176 rooms, though without parking. Lizard is requesting to use other nearby parking facilities, and says it would have space for 18 bikes on site. Lizard Capital, according to its website, is a boutique investment firm that works in China and the United States. The website says the project would be called Lizard In Los Angeles, would include “the highest roof bar in Los Angeles,” and would open in 2017. A Lizard representative in New York, Adam Sokoi, would not provide further details. The news was first reported by the website UrbanizeLA, which also listed the parcel size at .21 acres.

Schedule Announced for Sundance Next Fest at Ace Hotel he ultra-hip Sundance Film Festival has announced the movies, bands and other highlights that will come Downtown as part of Sundance Next Fest. The three-day celebration,

which runs Aug. 7-9, features movies that were shown at the recent festival in Park City, Utah.

The Downtown series will launch with the Los Angeles premiere of Noah Baumbach’s Mistress America, starring Greta Gerwig, and will be followed by a live performance from singer-songwriter Sky Ferreira. The closing event is the postapocalyptic adventure movie Turbo Kid, paired with a “DJ Battle” of Neon Indian vs. Toro Y Moi. In between are Finders Keepers, directed by Bryan Carberry and Clay Tweel, followed by discussion with the directors, and Michael J. Larnell’s Cronies, which also includes a director talk. Also on the lineup is Entertainment, with John C. Reilly, Michael Cera and Gregg Turkington. It will be followed by a performance by Sharon Van Etten.

All screenings and events take place at the Theatre at Ace Hotel and tickets, which went on sale last week, are $15-$25. Tickets and additional information at sundance.org/next.

June 29, 2015

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Downtown Bus Shelters Full of New Technology

Spring Street

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Councilmember Huizar

to hundreds of bus shelters across the county.

Metro is funding the pilot program with a grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

aiting for a bus in Downtown is less cumbersome at nine area stops, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is using the Central City as a test site for a bus shelter modernization program. Metro officials and Mayor Eric Garcetti kicked off the effort on Wednesday, June 24, with a media event at the City Hall Spring Street bus shelter at 200 N. Spring St. The shelters utilize electronic displays to show real-time bus arrival times, and the City Hall shelter has additional features being tested, including free Wi-Fi connectivity and a USB port for charging cell phones and other devices. The program could eventually expand

Swearing-In

June 25, 2015

summer camps in Downtown open to kids 1114 years old. A one-week camp, open to the public, will take place Aug. 3-7 at the Arts District’s new A+D Museum at 900 E. Fourth St. The fee is $400 and students will create neighborhood revitalization projects, working in teams to examine how people live in Downtown, said Jacki Breger, founder and director of CityLife. Another camp, on June 29-July 17, will be part of a summer program for students attending Para Los Niños Charter Middle School at 835 Stanford Ave. Registration for the one-week camp is at aplusd.org. More information about CityLife is at citylife-la.org.

CityLife Summer Camps Coming to Downtown

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June 29, 2015

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

Is a Streetcar Still Right for Downtown?

I

n January 2008, 14th District City Councilman José Huizar launched the Bringing Back Broadway initiative to upgrade and modernize the street known for its collection of a dozen historic theaters. He was thinking big. After all, multiple previous efforts to turn around the street, including a proposal from Mayor Jim Hahn, had faltered. Many were skeptical that a still newish councilman could succeed.

More than seven years later, Bringing Back Broadway has vastly exceeded expectations. Huizar and his team have convinced retailers and investors that the street is the right place to open businesses. Longtime stakeholders such as Steve Needleman, who laid vital groundwork by modernizing the Orpheum Theatre in 2001, have seen the arrival of numerous restaurants, shops and the game-changing Ace Hotel. Broadway now claims an Urban Outfitters, a Gap Factory Store and a Ross Dress for Less, as well as several upscale boutiques. The surge has contributed to the ongoing transformations of Grand Central Market and the Spring Arcade Building.

The physical street is also undergoing change, as Huizar, who has a background in urban planning, has overseen an effort to reduce traffic lanes and enhance the pedestrian experience. Broadway is in what is labeled the “dress rehearsal” stage, as the council office hunts for funds to make permanent the people-friendly enhancements. Having continued, reliable seating on the street for individuals enjoying a coffee or lunch will further humanize the corridor.

Against this progress, one key component of Bringing Back Broadway remains stubbornly stuck in neutral: the proposed Los Angeles Streetcar. Now, it is time to ask whether this well-intentioned urban circulator is worth the effort and expense, and whether the project that would open in 2020 at the soonest is even needed.

Given the progress to date and other advances in the works, we urge Huizar and his team to make an honest assessment: Is the streetcar, at this time and at this price, both feasible and right for Downtown? Or could the same aim of moving people throughout the community be accomplished in an easier and less-expensive way?

Huizar’s initial reasoning for making the streetcar the centerpiece of Bringing Back Broadway was sound. Seven years ago the street was, to put it kindly, unspectacular, and with many of the theaters holding events only sporadically (that’s still the case), relatively few people had reason to visit, particularly at night. The councilman believed the streetcar would draw people, including tourists, and spur investment. He repeatedly stated that those who never board a bus would ride a streetcar. He and his team saw streetcar projects in Portland and Seattle as templates for what could occur in Downtown.

The local project, run by a nonprofit dubbed Los Angeles Streetcar Inc., would be a 3.9-mile loop that connects the Civic Center and L.A. Live, with a principal spine on Broadway.

The problem is, well, that there are too many problems.

The original price tag of $100 million proved wildly unreliable, and a 2013 city report cited a worst-case scenario cost of $328 million. Huizar bristled at that figure. Now, as Los Angeles Downtown News reported last week, there’s a new estimate: $282 million.

That is troubling, because the streetcar needs a federal grant, and any price tag north of $250 million will require the project to compete against the largest transportation projects in the country. Only if it gets below $250 million can it try for federal Small Starts funds.

We suspect the city can finagle a way to reach $250 million, but at what cost? Streetcar proponents have said they would look at losing a spur along First Street and Grand Avenue to save $15.4 million, but with the $140 million The Broad opening in September, that sounds foolish — having an urban circulator that starts in South Park but drops tourists a couple blocks from a prominent new museum and the Walt Disney Concert Hall makes about as much sense as having a rail line that stops short of LAX.

ONE KEY COMPONENT OF BRINGING BACK BROADWAY REMAINS STUBBORNLY STUCK IN NEUTRAL: THE PROPOSED LOS ANGELES STREETCAR. NOW, IT IS TIME TO ASK WHETHER THIS WELL-INTENTIONED URBAN CIRCULATOR IS WORTH THE EFFORT AND EXPENSE, AND WHETHER THE PROJECT THAT WOULD OPEN IN 2020 AT THE SOONEST IS EVEN NEEDED. Project backers say maybe utility relocation costs could be reduced by about $70 million, and there are other possible construction shifts. But if these are so certain, why were they not keyed in as part of the recent estimate from project manager AECOM? Even if the price slips to $250 million, questions endure. Will the project get the support it needs in Washington, D.C.? We presume that Congressman Xavier Becerra, who represents Downtown,

would have to lobby heavily for it, but he has never identified the streetcar as a priority. Additionally, could the streetcar actually be built for $250 million? The price of transportation projects tends to soar. If the federal money comes through but the cost rises even 10%, then that’s another $25 million a cash-strapped city has to find. A 20% price hike means a need to locate $50 million.

The only secure funding is $62.5 million for construction approved by area residents as a tax on people who own land near the streetcar route. The project team hopes that a public-private partnership can provide the approximately $110 million needed to bridge the funding gap (assuming $75 million in federal money comes through). While Huizar eagerly points to 24 companies responding to a recent request for information on the project, there’s a huge chasm between interest and writing an eight or nine-figure check.

Other issues surfaced in the AECOM report, including the speed of the streetcar. It might run at just 3.5 miles per hour during peak times, about as fast as people walk. Additionally, the traffic lane reduction on Broadway and increasing bicycle access in Downtown makes it doubtful that the streetcar would have a dedicated lane.

What happens when automobiles in front of a streetcar stop or wait at a corner to turn?

We recognize this sounds critical, but we’re not saying the streetcar was a bad idea at the beginning. We’re not saying it shouldn’t happen now either. However, given the evolution of Downtown, we and others must question whether this is the best and most financially sensible option.

Could an enhanced system of DASH buses move people about at a fraction of the cost? If the idea of a bus turns riders off, then what about specially designed DASH vehicles, maybe buses that look like streetcars? Is there another way to get people around so they don’t climb into their cars?

Given all that is happening on Broadway, is a streetcar even needed to spur investment? The Ace and all those stores and restaurants arrived without an urban circulator.

We’re not writing off the streetcar, but those behind the project must honestly assess the costs and needs, and should ask whether their aims could be satisfied with a different project. Broadway has seen incredible progress and Huizar and his team deserve immense credit. That said, the needs of today may be far different than the needs of seven years ago.

June 29, 2015

Downtown News 5

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

No One Loves Los Angeles Quite Like Tom LaBonge Loves Los Angeles The Unstoppable Councilman Is Leaving Office, But His Affinity for the City Isn’t Dampened

By Jon Regardie any people like Los Angeles. A lesser but still consequential number of individuals love the city. Still, few have ever loved Los Angeles in quite the same way that Tom LaBonge does.

LaBonge’s affinity for the city won’t be diminished on June 30, but the way he demonstrates that love will necessarily shift. That’s because,

M

THE REGARDIE REPORT after 14 years, LaBonge will be termed out of his Fourth District City Council seat.

It will mark a big change for the man who has spent most of his 61 years living in Silver Lake, and whose family settled in Los Angeles about 140 years ago. LaBonge has had a role in city government for nearly four decades, going back to the administration of Tom Bradley (“the best mayor of my lifetime.

Period,” he says).

When I first met LaBonge, in the mid-’90s, while he was a special assistant to Mayor Richard Riordan, his voicemail message exhorted callers to “love Los Angeles.” The onepage bio on his council website includes the lines, “My love for Los Angeles knows no limits…” “Tom’s deep-felt love for the City of Angels was imparted to him by his parents…” and “Let’s continue to enjoy and love the great city of Los Angeles.”

As anyone who knows him can attest, it’s no act. Rather, it’s a mindset that has evolved into

a skill set and found its calling in public service. Even before he won office he was often front and center. His special assistant role with Riordan (which followed a couple years as the mayor’s director of field operations) frequently had him showing up at places when Riordan wasn’t available.

When LaBonge grabs a microphone you never know what will come out, but you can safely bet that it will be effusive and will include multiple uses of “love,” “great city” and “Los Angeles.” The words will pour forth quickly and the tone will be warm, and he may spin off on a tangent depending on who or what he sees in the crowd. LaBonge will celebrate the modern accomplishment, but he will also probably weave in allusions to people who shaped the city such as William Mulholland or Isaac Lankershim. The overall effect may be less a speech than a verbal rollercoaster. Describing him as “exuberant” is an undersell.

Given this boundless adoration of Los Angeles, and his long role in its politics, I’m surprised when, eight days before his departure, LaBonge tells me that, as a young man, what he really wanted to do was coach football.

“I got a position with the late, great John Ferraro,” LaBonge says in an office that is about threequarters packed up, with many bare shelves and just a few photos and books remaining. The reference is to the longtime City Council president whose seat LaBonge now holds.

“I remember when I negotiated the job, I

Fourth District City Councilman Tom LaBonge with his wife Brigid at City Hall on Tuesday, June 23.

LaBonge was honored by the council and Mayor Eric Garcetti for his nearly 40 years of public service. He will be termed out of office on June 30.

photo by Gary Leonard

asked John if I could work 32 hours a week on the payroll, and I’d work more if he needed it at night, but I got to coach high school football for three years.”

The gig came at his alma mater, Marshall High School in Los Feliz. LaBonge was head coach of the junior varsity team and worked with the offensive and defensive lines of the varsity squad. Decades later, the pride in his

voice is still apparent.

I remark that where he wound up is a different world. He disagrees.

“But it is coaching in a way,” LaBonge avers of his City Hall job. “A good coach is a great teacher, and hopefully I’ve been able to teach everyone to love Los Angeles. I think that’s the big thing, because there are some people who Continued on page 28

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6 Downtown News

June 29, 2015

Metro Picks Bike Share Vendor System of Short-Term Rentals to Launch in Downtown Next Spring

By Eddie Kim s bike sharing programs have taken off in cities such as London, Paris, Washington, D.C. and New York City, Los Angeles has remained stuck in the past. The situation has been particularly galling to Downtowners, who have maintained that sharable two-wheelers could cut down on car rides in an often gridlocked community.

Now, a bike-share system suddenly looks real, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week approved a bike share operator for a Downtown pilot program.

The selection of Bicycle Transit Systems was approved by the Metro Board of Directors on Thursday, June 25. The two-year contract is worth $11 million.

The young company most recently rolled out Philadelphia’s bike share system of about 60 stations and 600 bikes. It is now tasked with installing 65 stations with almost 1,100 bikes in Downtown Los Angeles.

The system is slated to debut next spring.

“The [BTS] team members had the most proven experience in the bike share industry,” said Laura Cornejo, Metro deputy executive officer of active transportation. “They had the best capabilities of meeting our needs in terms of the scale that we ultimately want to grow into. They had great on-time performance and delivery on other projects, and good customer service referrals for other systems.”

A

BTS was founded by five former executives from Alta Bicycle Share, the biggest bike share operator in the country (it operates the systems in Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston and Chicago). Former Alta President Alison Cohen, now president and CEO of BTS, said her company’s concentration of expertise is an advantage in a young industry.

She added that Los Angeles is overdue for a bike-share system, and the Central City is a natural launch point.

“The advantage of Downtown L.A. is that it’s high density, with lots of multi-purpose buildings,” Cohen said. “The transit access is great, and it’s flat and it’s a grid. The weather is perfect for bike share.”

BTS is partnering with B-Cycle, a bike share system vendor that builds the bikes and kiosks but does not operate them. The fact that B-Cycle is a collaboration with ubiquitous bike manufacturer Trek also stood out as an advantage to Metro, Cornejo noted.

“It means that BTS has a reliable domestic supply chain, and that’s important for on-time deliveries and future work,” she said.

The station locations will be finalized by Metro with input from the city Department of Transportation, as well as from the 4,000 responses it got from the public. If the pilot program is successful, Metro may move bike share into communities around the county. Current plans call for the expansion to begin in Pasa-

A prototype of the bikes from Bicycle Transit Systems and partner B-Cycle. A bikeshare program will launch in Downtown next spring with 65 stations and almost 1,100 bikes.

photo courtesy of Metro

dena after the Downtown pilot program; eight other areas have been identified as possible partners for a total of 4,000 bikes in the network.

Metro’s plan calls for stations in the Civic Center, the Music Center, and at multiple locations in the Financial District, the Historic Core, Little Tokyo and the Arts District. Kiosks would also be installed along the Figueroa Corridor and around the University of Southern California. An emphasis will be placed on creating kiosks at Metro rail stations in Downtown, according to the agency.

Users would be able to get a bike at one location and check it back in at another kiosk.

Rates and payment methods are under discussion by Metro.

LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds said the program will offer casual riders a chance to

experiment without investing in a bike or having to deal with storage, security and upkeep. She added that if Los Angeles can avoid user-end hiccups, the bike share could be a big hit with Downtown residents and travelers. Philadelphia, for instance, has had enormous success after its introduction this summer, hitting the 100,000trip milestone in just two months.

“I’ve said frequently that bike share is the best return on investment in terms of getting people on bikes more often,” Reynolds said. “In Paris, we saw an immediate shift of a 10% increase of trips in the central city being on bike after the system was brought on.”

For future expansions, Metro will split up to 50% of the capital costs and 35% of the operating and maintenance costs with a partner community or city. eddie@downtonnews.com

June 29, 2015

Downtown News 7

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Old Meets New in the Fashion District $20 Million Project Turns Gothic Revival Gem Into 77 Residences

By Eddie Kim he Downtown Los Angeles residential boom has hit the Historic Core, South Park, Little Tokyo, City West and the Arts District. One rare community left out of the construction frenzy has been the Fashion District.

That changed last week, when developer Capital Foresight unveiled the Garment Lofts, a $20 million reinvention of the 1926 Capitol Garment Building. Pre-leasing has begun at the project at 217 E. Eighth St., and move-ins are slated to begin in August.

The project features 77 apartments, all with an open, loft-style layout. Residences average 750 square feet, and rents go from $1,850 to $5,000 for the six two-story penthouses with private balconies. The building’s facade boasts intricate stone carvings, diverse textures and multi-hued brickwork. A series of angular fire escapes add drama to the eastern face of the edifice.

Bel Air-based Capital Foresight has scooped up a dozen Downtown properties in recent years, including the open Santa Fe Lofts and the under-construction Title Insurance Building.

Garment Lofts is its first completed adaptive reuse project, but others are on the way, company head Naty Saidoff said at the kickoff event on Thursday, June 25.

Matt Tucker, general manager of Cannon Management, which is handling leasing and management of the Garment Lofts, said a selling point for the units are the original concrete floors and walls, which have been touched up but still feature old blemishes. The units also have sleek dark cabinets and granite countertops. Marble subway-tile backsplashes and penny tile tub enclosures in the bathroom continue the modern-but-classic aesthetic of the building.

The 12-floor structure includes a fitness center and a rooftop deck with a spa. There is also 3,479 square feet of groundfloor retail space, though it is unclear what types of tenants will be inked.

T

One quirk of the project is that it lacks on-site parking, which is required in all new-construction residences but not in some adaptive reuse projects. Tucker said a deal is being worked with Joe’s Parking to give some tenants paid spaces in a nearby lot.

“We tackled some projects in the Bay Area, San Francisco and Oakland, and no on-site parking worked out just fine,” Tucker said. “We’re going to keep encouraging people to use public transportation, bicycle, and other forms of getting around.”

The building was originally conceived by Florence C. Casler, a rare woman developer at the turn of the 20th century. She partnered with architect William Douglas Lee to design the Capitol Garment Building as well as other Downtown buildings such as the Merchant’s Exchange Building and the Textile Center Building.

The restoration of the Capitol Garment Building represents a special achievement for Downtown, as Gothic Revival architecture is rare in the city, said Linda Dishman, executive director of preservationist organization the Los Angeles Conservancy.

She praised Capital Foresight for taking on the extra costs of researching and replacing the property’s decorative rooftop finials, which were unveiled at the ceremony last week.

“The reinstallation of the finials is really exciting and it shows the attention that Capital Foresight has in making sure that the history does come alive. They didn’t have to bring these finials back,” Dishman said.

Fourteenth District City Councilman José Huizar also complimented Capital Foresight while urging others to continue to inspire residential development throughout Downtown.

“It’s projects like this… that puts more pressure on the city to provide more public amenities,” Huizar said. “We’re adding more parks in Downtown L.A., we’re re-envisioning Pershing Square, we’re bringing more public transportation, but at the end of the day, residents who live here are going to sustain Downtown

Developer Capital Foresight has nearly finished a $20 million renovation of the 1926 Garment Capitol Building on Eighth Street in the Fashion District. The project created 77 lofts and restored the building’s intricate Gothic Revival facade.

photo by Gary Leonard

long-term and push the city to do more.”

The project also represents a kind of adaptive reuse comeback for Saidoff. In the 1990s he helped turn an old Long Beach department store into a project with retail space on the ground floor and condominiums on the upper levels. The exhaustion and red tape that came with the project left a bitter taste in Saidoff’s mouth that lingered for more than a decade.

“Pioneers get slaughtered,” Saidoff said. “It was easier to come [Downtown] after the pioneers laid a foundation.”

Clearly, the foundation is working for Saidoff. He said Capital Foresight plans to open another residential project, the Maxfield Lofts, just across the street at 819 S. Santee St. It is expected to debut within four months. eddie@downtownnews.com

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8 Downtown News

June 29, 2015

Is the Arts District Big Enough for Three Meatless Restaurants?

As the Neighborhood Booms, Vegan and Vegetarian Establishments Rush In

By Donna Evans t’s getting so you can’t toss a marinated kelp noodle in the Arts District without hitting a vegan or vegetarian restaurant.

In less than a year, three large, prominent meatless eateries — two vegan and one vegetarian — have opened within about five blocks of each other. The latest addition, Café Gratitude, with 150 seats, began serving on the ground floor of the 438-apartment One Santa Fe in March.

Café Gratitude joins wellness center The Springs, which has a 92-seat vegan restaurant, that opened at 608 Mateo St. in November. The first arrival was Zinc Café & Market, a 190-seat establishment that began serving at 580 Mateo St. in May 2014.

The Arts District is booming, and every week seems to bring word of another expensive new project, whether a housing complex or the transformation of an aging industrial building into a hive of creative office space.

Still, the sudden meatless eatery crush raises a business question: Is the community big enough to support three restaurants that, to some observers, seem strikingly similar?

The operators of the establishments, and many of their customers, say there is absolutely enough room for everyone.

“We have always been excited about the growing trend of vegan and vegetarian food all over Los Angeles and specifically in the Arts District,” said Jared Stein, co-founder of The Springs, which in addition to the raw vegan res-

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taurant holds a juice bar, yoga studio and services such as an infrared sauna.

While carnivores may see a similarity, Stein said the three restaurants have significantly different menus. Whereas his Springs is entirely raw, with choices such as sweet pea pistachio cake and spaghetti made from kelp and zucchini noodles, Zinc Café & Market serves eggs and cheese. The Arts District’s Cafe Gratitude, part of a small chain based in San Francisco, has both cooked and raw food.

“People tend to think of veganism as a fringe group, but they never question the number of coffee shops or Italian restaurants in a given neighborhood,” Stein said. He added that 75% of his customers are meat eaters who enjoy the healthy choices The Springs offers.

Like Stein, Zinc owner John Secretan reported that business is booming. He said that it is not about competition among the herbivores, and laughed at the suggestion of the Arts District “vegan wars.” Instead, he said, the neighborhood flecked with 100-year-old brick buildings is filling with young, urban types who pay attention to what they’re consuming.

Secretan also noted that vegetarianism is trending in the restaurant world — another Downtown meatless spot, Au Lac, opened this spring in the old First & Hope space on Bunker Hill. He said it is no surprise that two other organic, plant-based eateries came online nearby less than a year after Zinc began offering chickpea sliders and kombucha on draft.

Continued on page 9

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Alice Lui is the general manager of Café Gratitude, which opened in the Arts District in March. It is the third plant-based eatery to debut within five blocks in less than a year.

photo by Gary Leonard

June 29, 2015 Plenty of Options It’s not just meatless establishments coming to the area. The Arts District has become one of Los Angeles’ most buzzed-about restaurant scenes, with high-profile eateries including Bestia, Factory Kitchen and Church & State. The trend will only continue: Across from Zinc, Secretan said, four restaurants are planned for the open-air retail complex At Mateo. A couple of blocks to the north, prominent restaurateur Bill Chait is preparing two new establishments.

Secretan likened the dining action in the neighborhood to what occurred early on in now hip neighborhoods such as Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, Manhattan’s Meatpacking District and the Pearl District of Portland.

“Soon we’ll have whatever we want in this neighborhood,” he said. “I saw this coming, but it was Bestia, Church & State, Urth Caffé and Wurstküche who were the real pioneers.”

The proprietors will be counting on diners such as Cindy Schwarzstein, who lives in and gives tours of the Arts District. During a weeknight visit to Café Gratitude, she sampled a green smoothie with ingredients such as spinach, kale, hemp seeds and Himalayan sole, described by the server as an “energy balancing elixir.”

Schwarzstein said she is happy to have more healthy eating options in her neighborhood. She also applauded the animal-friendly counterparts — dogs are welcome on the patios at all three restaurants.

“I feel this restaurant fits into the demographics of what is coming into the

Downtown News 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM neighborhood,” said Schwarzstein, who founded the online magazine Cartwheel Art. “A lot of the people who live here are concerned about sustainability and eating healthier.”

Café Gratitude also has locations in Venice and on Larchmont. General Manager Alice Lui said the company wanted to open in the Arts District because the community is both thriving and environmentally conscious. The restaurant’s operations follow that vision: The tables are fashioned from reclaimed wood and the kitchen recycles waste using a compost pile.

Moving into an area with two other vegetarian restaurants was an added bonus, she believes.

“It provides a synergy,” she said.

One other thing sets Café Gratitude apart from its plant-based neighbors: The menu items have adjectives and nouns intended to bring positivity to the table.

For example, the Ecstatic is oven-roasted Brussels sprouts, and an order of baked kale chips is labeled Vivacious. The sautéed vegetable bowl is dubbed Fortified.

Additionally, when servers drop off an item, they also deliver an affirmation. On a recent visit, a plate of garnet yam cauliflower samosas was accompanied by the waiter saying, “You are all dynamic.”

When asked about the affirmations, which may cause some customers to roll their eyes, Lui said people have been talking about it since they opened in San Francisco more than 10 years ago. It may be unusual, but given that Café Gratitude is expanding, it seems there is a Downtown audience for what they do.

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The vegetarian Zinc Café and Market was the first of the new arrivals. The 190-seat establishment began serving at 580 Mateo St. in May 2014.

photo by Gary Leonard

The Springs has a 92seat restaurant serving raw vegan food. The sprawling complex also offers a yoga studio and wellness services such as an infrared sauna.

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op op SH H

By Heidi Kulicke he Downtown revival has seen a few distinct stages. First, the residents flooded the area. They were followed by the bars and restaurants. More recently some music venues have opened.

Now, new stores are rushing in to the Central City. With the constant retail shifts, Los Angeles Downtown News has launched a new column. In Shop Hop, we’ll run down what has opened, what has been announced

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June 29, 2015

Downtown News’ New Retail Column Sees Some Big Additions to the Shopping Scene and what has changed. Happy shopping.

Say Oui to Broadway: The hipsterization of Broadway continues, with the debut this month of a shop from Paris-based clothing company A.P.C. The acronym stands for Atelier de Production et de Création, which is French for Workshop Production and Creation. The store offers clean, minimalist styles for men and women, with a focus on collared shirts, slacks, accessories and outerwear.

Prices range from around $100 for T-shirts to $500 for jackets. It is A.P.C.’s second Los Ange-

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les store, following one on Melrose Avenue, with a third pegged for Silver Lake. It comes in the wake of upscale Broadway additions Acne Studios, Aesop and Tanner Goods. A.P.C. is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday.

At 125 W. Ninth St., (424) 252-2762 or usonline.apc.fr.

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Broadway’s Looking Shiekh: Wait, yet another Broadway store? Why, yes! Coming soon is Sheikh Shoes, which gets its moniker from the first name of the chain’s founder. The store, frequently found in shopping malls such as the Glendale Galleria, will sell casual, athletic and dress shoes as well as boots and sandals for men, women and children. Prices range from $15 to more than $300. Last week a new outdoor sign was lit up and workers were finishing construction on the space, so an opening appears imminent. This is the first Downtown location for the chain that is headquartered in Ontario, Calif.

Coming to 745 S. Broadway or shiekhshoes.com.

See Nadia Grow: What are they feeding those stores in the Arts District? Interior designer Nadia Geller recently turned her 200-square-foot space into the 1,000-square-

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is scheduled to fill the former Blackstone Art Gallery space in July. The 6,800-square-foot business will sell dresses, tops, jumpsuits, outerwear, shoes and more. Prices will range from $35 for tank tops to dresses going for north of $400. BNKR started out as an online retailer in Australia specializing in upscale women’s fashion, but the company is now bullish on Downtown. “It’s the fastest growing neighborhood in Los Angeles, potentially the country, and we are beyond excited to be a part of [it],” said Marco Lebel, CEO of BNKR’s U.S. Operations, in a prepared statement.

Coming to 901 S. Broadway or us.fashionbunker.com.

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June 29, 2015

Downtown News 11

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The Broadway rebound continues, as a sign recently went up for Sheik Shoes at 745 S. Broadway. It will follow the recently opened French upscale retailer A.P.C.

photo by Heidi Kulicke

foot Nadia Geller Designs Market. The Seventh Street business has a variety of wares, including furniture, pillows, rugs, candles, soaps, jewelry and more. Geller, who was a designer on TLC’s reality home renovation shows “Trading Spaces” and “While You Were Out,” said she wanted to capitalize on the district’s growth and saw an opportunity. “There are so many great restaurants, coffee shops and galleries, but the neighborhood is really missing a homey, eclectic shop,” she said.

The market is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.

At 1801 E. Seventh St., (213) 488-1081 or nadiageller.com.

Green Means Grow: Does the Los Angeles Department of Transportation make you think of buying things? OK, it doesn’t do that

to Shop Hop either, but the department is readying a new LADOT Transit Store, complete with high-tech features. The outlet will be a bigger and better version of an existing shop in the Los Angeles Mall near City Hall.

The new shop, also in the mall, will include interactive kiosks with touch screens to help riders plan their trips. The same kiosks are used in New York City’s Grand Central Station and are the first of their kind in California, said John Gobis, a spokesman with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Additionally, DOT staffers will help commuters plan trips, obtain transit-related information and buy tickets and other LADOT- and Metro-related materials. Store hours will be 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays.

At 201 N. Los Angeles St., (310) 808-2273 or store.ladottransit.com.

The Central City Crime Report

Go Go Groceries: The Arts District will have a new grocery store by the end of summer.

Hallelujah! The Grow market is an independent, family-owned business that will arrive in the One Santa Fe complex. Owners Barry and Kathy Fisher, who opened their first Grow in Manhattan Beach in 2006, expect the 5,300-square-foot store to debut by the end of August. It will feature non-GMO organic and natural products, bulk bins, organic spices, cold-pressed juices, craft beer and wine. A deli counter will offer soups, salads, sandwiches and more. Bonus: Grow will deliver to Downtown residents through a partnership with Instacart. Grow will be open seven days a week.

Coming to 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., (213) 346-9488 or growdelievers.com/dtla.

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

Crash Course: On June 15, a man followed another man in his car, believing the driver was intoxicated. That prompted the driver to try to cause a crash with the man following him. The cars collided at an intersection in Chinatown.

Why the Toilet Seat?: Two men were arrested on suspicion of robbery at 1000 S. Grand Ave. on June 20. The men allegedly stole $800 worth of copper wire, a marble slab valued at $180 and a toilet seat. Police recovered the items at the scene.

Wire Mystery: More wire was stolen from a warehouse at 1441 Wright St., near the Los Angeles Convention Center, on June 18. The suspect pried open the door of the business and took $11,000 worth of copper wiring and fittings.

Pocketknife Blues: A panhandler asked a man for some change at Pershing Square on June 20. The passerby said he didn’t have any, at which point the panhandler pulled out a pocketknife. During an ensuing tussle the panhandler hit the man with a metal pole, knocking him unconscious.

Rough Encounter: On June 21, a man at Olive Street and Venice Boulevard asked another man where he was from, a question often related to gang affiliation. The second man replied, “Nowhere,” but the first man turned violent, punching and kicking him to the ground until he was unconscious.

Dangerous Job: A security guard handcuffed an aggressive man at 308 S. Broadway on June 14. The man hit the guard on the head with the handcuffs, after which the guard struck the man with a metal chair.

I

A Cut for the Cuttery: A half century is a darn good run. However Hair Shoppe Etcetera will close its space on the second floor of the California Market Center on July 1 and join the salon Twist By Oliver just outside the market lobby. Both salons will keep their names but will share the space. Connie Moran, the owner of Hair Shoppe Etcetera, began her career at the salon two years after it opened in 1965, and bought the business a decade later.

Moran’s specialties include haircuts ($50 for women), color and extensions. Hair Shoppe Etcetera will stay open TuesdayFriday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

At 110 E. Ninth St., (213) 622-8138 or hairshopetcetra.com.

Got some retail news? Email heidi@downtownnews.com.

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12 Downtown News

June 29, 2015

DT

DOWNTOWN AFTER DARK

50 Great Places to Get a Drink in Downtown

From Hip Lounges to Old-School Dive Bars, the Central City Has a Watering Hole for Everyone

I

photo by Gary Leonard

By Dan Johnson, Eddie Kim, Heidi Kulicke and Jon Regardie t can officially and unequivocally be stated: 2015 is a great time to get a drink in Downtown Los Angeles.

This is no small thing, as those who were around in the 1980s and ’90s will recall that options were limited to a few upscale or happy hour spots, a collection of Skid Row-adjacent joints and a handful of speakeasies. If the sun had set and you wanted a beer, cocktail or glass of wine, you were probably driving elsewhere.

Now, Downtown is a nightlife destination, and the number of places to grab a drink has mushroomed. Fortunately, diversity remains a calling card, and while some people complain about the sprouting of chic spaces with $14 cocktails, there are plenty of other options.

In the following pages Los Angeles Downtown News runs down 50 great places to grab a drink, with the establishments (loosely) grouped by category (and alphabetically within each category). The best news of all? This list isn’t close to comprehensive, and if your favorite spot isn’t mentioned here, let us know.

Bottoms up.

June 29, 2015

Downtown News 13

Downtown After DArk

photo by Gary Leonard

Upscale/Fancy spots Bar Jackalope @ Seven Grand Is it possible to grow weary of fine Scottish whiskey, tartan print decor and dominant taxidermy motifs? we like to think not, but variety being the spice of life, we owe it to whiskey geeks to peek behind the curtain at Seven Grand to enjoy a little taste of tokyo in the vaunted bourbon bar’s backroom. Japanese spirits are the order of the day. So whether or not you’re in the market for a casual exploratory tasting or lust after a dram of some rare Suntory, Bar Jackalope is worth a visit.

What You’re Drinking: Something Japanese. Something single malt. Something at least 18 years of age.

At 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0736 or sevengrandbars.com.

Faith and Flower It’s a big deal when esquire magazine deems a cocktail one of the best in the nation. faith & flower is one of Downtown’s top new dining destinations, and bar director Michael Lay’s drinks menu has rightfully gotten a lot of love. that english Milk Punch lives up to the hype — assuming you get to the restaurant before it sells out. even if that’s the case, there are a slew of inventive drinks on the menu at this ornate South Park eatery that features some unforgettable spirits.

What You’re Drinking: Seriously, get the english Milk Punch.

It combines a countless number of liquors, juices and spices with a touch of milk, which is filtered out to leave a translucent but silky smooth elixir.

At 705 W. Ninth St., (213) 239-0642 or faithandflowerla.com.

MrS. FiSh the adage “as above, so below,” though philosophically sound, scarcely applies to Mrs. fish, a basement bar many stories below and a world removed from its rooftop sister establishment, Perch. enter through an anonymous doorway just north of Pershing Square and descend down a winding flight of steps to find yourself in a land of confusing but not unwelcome design flourishes. there’s an inexplicably large fish tank, a cowhide up-

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holstered booth, industrial catwalks and funhouse mirrors. Confused? Have an amaretto sour or a tequila mule with a craft beer and things will make more sense.

What You’re Drinking: A mere $12 will get you a coconut, champagne and gin cocktail called the Poolside that, in volume, can help you make more sense of the fish tank.

At 448 S. Hill St., (213) 873-4444 or mrsfish.com.

District and the Historic Core is the main attraction. the jazzy live music floating up from the restaurant on weekends provides the soundtrack.

What You’re Drinking: the Parisian ambiance and menu makes the Midnight in Paris, a mix of cognac, vodka, peach liqueur, and lemon and orange juices, an easy choice.

At 448 S. Hill St., (213) 802-1770 or perchla.com.

perch Perch is one of Downtown’s most popular places to eat and drink, both for locals and visitors, and it’s easy to see why. An elevator ride to the 15th floor of the Pershing Square Building leads to a bustling bistro. the best view, however, waits up a flight of stairs. Perch’s rooftop bar serves the usual handmade cocktails and craft beers, but the soaring sights of the financial

the aSSociation “Mirrors on the ceiling, pink champagne on ice.” eagles lyrics or excerpt from a Yelp review of the Association? You decide. the low-key, ’70s-esque lounge beneath the Pacific electric Lofts treads a fine line between exclusive cocktail bar and accessible watering hole. If it’s a night of beer variety you’re after, look elsecontinued on page 14

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14 Downtown News

where. Mixed drinks are the name of the game here. In fact, every other Friday the Association’s head mixologist Sofia Szabo hosts a class on the mindset and methodology behind making a world-class cocktail.

What You’re Drinking: The “Celebration Package” bottle service features champagne and Big Man Bakes mini cupcakes, which is a perfect way to celebrate a birthday or meet impressionable members of the opposite sex.

At 110 E. Sixth St., (213) 627-7385 or circa93.com.

The Edison In the basement of the Higgins Building lies The Edison, a bar and lounge that recalls the industrial history of the city while also serving as a swanky testament to the Historic Core’s renaissance. Many already know the bar for its past as a private power plant that opened in 1910, but there are countless artifacts and decorative features worth examining — every glimpse into The Edison’s glamorous themed rooms and nooks has its reward. Yes, the cocktails hover around $14, but there’s no bar quite like this in Los Angeles. How cool is The Edison? So cool that they’re making one in Disney World. Seriously.

What You’re Drinking: The namesake Edison, which blends whiskey from the bar’s own custom barrel of Woodford Reserve, pear cognac, lemon and honey.

At 108 W. Second St., (213) 613-0000 or edisondowntown.com.

The Falls Whether you hear the saturnalia within or whiff passing zephyrs of oven-baked flatbread, no excuse is sufficient to pass up the inauspicious bar on Spring Street between Sixth and Seventh. Gaze upon an illusory waterfall trickling with all the guile of fictitious design as you belly up to the bar and put in for a cocktail, draft beer or readily affordable Modelo in a can.

Better still, pop in on a Monday when the Falls hosts a superlative jazz set led by local guitarist Matthew Yeakley with a much attended open jam session afterwards.

What You’re Drinking: Whatever helps you wash down that spicy carnivore flatbread.

At 626 S. Spring St., (213) 612-0072 or thefallslounge.com.

The Varnish L.A. bar owners toss around the word “speakeasy” as frequently as Maury Povich drops the phrase, “You are the father.” To be clear: Prohibition is long over and drinking in secret is now the purview of the underage and secretly alcoholic. Still, the art of a fine cocktail endures. In Los Angeles (and perhaps the country), there is no greater backroom venue for mixology wizardry than the Varnish. Pay attention on your approach to the cozy, wood-paneled laboratory at the back of Cole’s, for the drinks there are stiff and memories of your departure may be few, faded and far between.

What You’re Drinking: When a person invests as much time in making cocktails as the bartenders here, you should probably trust their recommendation.

At 118 E. Sixth St., (213) 622-9999 or 213nightlife.com.

WP24 at the J.W. Marriott/ Ritz-Carlton A round of drinks is always improved by a sweet view, and WP24, appropriately positioned on the 24th floor of the J.W. Marriott/

Ritz-Carlton at L.A. Live, definitely delivers. The space is divided into a formal Wolfgang Puck restaurant and a casual lounge that offers quick Asian-inflected bites and a menu of wine, beer and specialty cocktails. The food and drinks are tasty, but your attention will probably stray to the swooping, wood-woven interior, the majestic sight of the Downtown skyline and the sparkle of lights from the 110 Freeway below.

What You’re Drinking: The Buddha’s Hand, a refined whiskey sour variation that combines Buffalo Trace bourbon, bitter/herbal Aperol, sage and lemon.

At 900 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 743-8824 or wolfgangpuck.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

watering holes, 13

June 29, 2015

Downtown After Dark

Wine Bars Bottle Rock South Park’s Bottle Rock is a hybrid joint, a place to a) sip some fine wine, b) grab a drink and a few inexpensive bites before a game or concert at Staples Center or L.A. Live, c) enjoy a nice dinner with a nice bottle, and d) pick up something red, white or bubbly to have at home or give as a gift. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, a happy hour serving of grilled cheese with tomato soup and more than 800 wine labels from around the globe. Spend a little or spend a lot. It’s up to you.

What You’re Drinking: It’s wine, so don’t worry, the friendly staff will help guide you.

If variety is your thing, the Red Flight or White Flight each offer samples of three wines for $15.

At 1050 S. Flower St., (213) 747-1100 or bottlerockla.com.

Mignon “Mignon” means “cute” in French, and this tiny Historic Core wine bar and restaurant strives to live up to that moniker. Mignon is rather intimate (some would say just tiny), with only a small bar and a smattering of tables, and the dimmed lights give the joint a secretive vibe.

Come for the diverse selection of wines from France, Spain, Italy and beyond; stay for the charcuterie and cheese plates, which are stellar values. There’s also a solid happy hour, which presents $6 pours of house red and white wines and $1 off anything from the short but smart beer list.

What You’re Drinking: A crisp, cold glass of Domaine Dupuy de Lome rosé, or just the first of many glasses of unknown house red.

At 128 E. Sixth St., (213) 489-0131 or mignonla.com.

Pour Haus Tucked into an Arts District side street is the wine-bar gem Pour Haus, an unpretentious joint for everything from a quick glass of pinot noir to a big meal with multiple bottles. The wine list changes frequently and features both luxurious and value-oriented selections from top wine-producing areas around the world.

There’s a bunch of board and card games to borrow if you want to hang out for a while, and some retail bottles to take home. Pour Haus also hosts a series of events like trivia and wine tastings. In short, it’s the neighborhood wine bar you’ve always wanted and/or needed.

What You’re Drinking: Cavicchioli Lambrusco Dolce, a sweet, fruit-forward wine from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. This is less a suggestion than an observation — everyone gets a complimentary taste when they sit down.

At 1820 Industrial St., (213) 327-0304 or pourhauswinebar.com.

The Must The Must is a Downtown hot spot, and it’s easy

SIXTH STREET TAVERN

to see why. The restaurant and bar at Los Angeles and Winston streets is immediately inviting, with comfy leather booths, a spacious patio, and a large bar to belly up to. The Must has a wine list stacked with delicious grapes (many of them good values), worthy craft beers and specialty cocktails. Rounding out the offerings is a menu full of updated comfort food from chef Drew Coleman.

What You’re Drinking: Weekend brunch on a toasty summer day calls for a round of bottomless sorbet sparklers, which features small scoops of fruit sorbet topped with a long pour of sparkling wine. Did we mention they’re bottomless?

At 117 Winston St., (213) 628-2000 or themust.com.

The Springs The Springs is an Arts District shrine to all things wellness-oriented, and its opening last year was a huge win for the crunchy-granola crowd.

A great point of entry is The Springs’ wine bar, which serves funky biodynamic and organic drinks that aren’t common in your average shop.

The Springs is also collaborating this summer with Silverlake Wine, which recently opened an outpost of its popular retail shop in the Arts District. Admission to the summer events are $25, which gets you a wine flight and a family-style vegan meal.

What You’re Drinking: The 2011 Gardens of Babylon from the Scholium Project. The vintage involved taking a bunch of rot-ridden grapes and fermenting them in an unconventional way to unleash a punchy, ripe red wine with a light body and high acidity, according to the Scholium site.

At 608 Mateo St., (213) 223-6226 or thespringsla.com.

Breweries and Beer Bars Angel City Brewery Once upon a time, the industrial warehouse at Alameda Street and Traction Avenue was home to the firm that wound the suspension cable for the Golden Gate Bridge. Current occupant Angel City Brewery is mostly in the business of helping people unwind with myriad options of soothing suds available from the on-premises brewing operation. Forever innovating, the folks at Angel City have a constant rotation of seasonal and specialty varieties available for purchase in pint, growler or flight form.

What You’re Drinking: You can order their IPA and Pils just about anywhere these days.

Be adventurous. Branch out. Avoid a beer rut.

At 216 Alameda St., (213) 622-1261 or

angelcitybrewery.com.

Barrel Down You’re not ordering a Bud Light at Barrel Down.

This recently opened Financial District bar and restaurant is all about craft beer and features 20 brews on tap and 10 bottled varieties.

There’s an industrial chic vibe in the long, narrow space, and a small patio right on Seventh Street. There’s even a DTLA Homebrew Club here. Many beers are from California, among them the Eagle Rock Solidarity, a Ballast Point Grunion from San Diego and a Lagunitas Pilsner from Petaluma. Foodwise, expect burgers, comfort food and more.

What You’re Drinking: The Dogfish Head 90 Minute brew, with hints of brandied fruitcake, raisins and citrus. Why? It’s a cult classic from Delaware.

At 525 W. Seventh St., (213) 232-8657 or barreldowndtla.com.

Bonaventure Brewing Co. For every bright-eyed, vodka-swilling socialite who wants to take in a rooftop view of the Financial District while listening to pounding electronica, there are many others who would prefer a similar vista without the drama, the dress code or the bill. Enter the Bonaventure Brewing Co., a nifty pub featuring a short list of home-brewed beers and American cuisine perched on a patio abutting the glassy Westin Bonaventure Hotel. There’s no wrong time to cop a buzz at the corner of Fifth and Flower streets, but an exceptionally affordable happy hour from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on weekdays features inexpensive pints and a cheap but tasty burger.

Many people like the strawberry blonde (the beer, not the waitress).

What You’re Drinking: The Hefe. It’s hard to mess up a Hefe.

At 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 236-0802 or bonaventurebrewing.com.

Weiland Brewery Underground Should the apocalypse ever strike, it’s a safe bet that the Weiland Brewery, in the shopping and eating center beneath City National Plaza, will be a subterranean refuge for the survivors. For those unwilling to wait, each and every weeknight finds the brewery’s beer and food service available to your beck and call. Not only do customers get a buck off beer and special grub prices during the 3-7 p.m. happy hour, but so too does that happy hour return at 10 p.m. until closing. Sublimate your cataclysmic fears today with a beer and some nachos. Trust us.

What You’re Drinking: Something bold

enough to impress your lush of a boss, but not too strong so as to alienate HR. At 505 S. Flower St. or (213) 622-1125.

Hotel Bars Gallery Bar at the Biltmore Hotel You can get a drink anywhere, but if you want something classy, where classy actually means something, then you’re heading to the throwback spot in the grand dame of Downtown hotels. Officially this is the Gallery Bar and Cognac Room, and it is adorned with a polished granite bar, high stools, leather banquettes, carved angels and old black and white photos. Sip a martini or one of the six variations of a Manhattan and imagine all the films that have been shot here. Just dress up nice before you arrive.

What You’re Drinking: The Black Dahlia, named for Elizabeth Short, the famous murder victim who was last seen alive in the Biltmore in 1947. Her body turned up several days later in a vacant lot, and the crime remains unsolved.

The $14 drink comes in a goblet and includes Absolut Citron, Chambord and Kahlua.

At 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1011 or millenniumhotels.com.

Mixing Room at the J.W. Marriott The Mixing Room, the biggest and best bar at the 878-room J.W. Marriott hotel, offers smart mixed drinks and plenty of energy thanks to the many concerts, sporting events and entertainment options taking place at L.A. Live.

As the name implies, the bar is all about mixology, so expect ample use of syrups, infusions, house-made grenadine and egg whites.

The cocktail menu features a modern twist on classic favorites, using exotic spirits and

Downtown After Dark

Downtown News 15

unique tinctures. Speaking of mix, the crowd is a combination of hotel guests, those going to games or concerts, and Downtown workers and residents.

What You’re Drinking: A tribute to this fine city is the City of Angels, with Hendrick’s Gin and lemon topped off with Downtown’s own Angel City Brewery “Angelinos” IPA. At 900 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-8600 or lalivemarriott.com.

Nixon Lounge at the Luxe Hotel The second floor of South Park’s Luxe City Center Hotel holds the Nixon Global Kitchen and Patio Lounge. The outdoor space has views of L.A. Live, a calming fountain, a fire pit and cabanas. It’s an easy stop before a game or concert, and a 4-7 p.m. happy hour on weekdays has food and drink specials averaging $6. DJs spin on Wednesday-Friday from 5-8 p.m. and live music takes over Saturdays and Sundays during the same time. There’s also a Bloody Mary Bar every Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in case early weekend drinking is your thing.

What You’re Drinking: The Downtown Mule.

It’s Nixon’s take on the now ubiquitous Moscow Mule, with vodka, ginger beer, lime and ginger citrus foam.

At 1020 S. Figueroa St., (213) 748-1291 or luxehotels.com.

Noé Bar at the Omni Hotel Want to grab a drink before or after the show?

Then head to Noé Restaurant & Bar, which is a short walk from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum. Located in the Omni Hotel, Noé has a romantic ambiance that puts

photo by Gary Leonard

June 29, 2015

LOVE SONG

it well beyond the standard boring hotel bar.

It offers the full restaurant menu, along with a “small bites” selection. The wine list boasts more than 200 choices.

What You’re Drinking: The passion fruit gimlet fuses tequila, passion fruit juice, fresh lime, simple syrup and Bittermen’s Tiki Bitters for a sweet, fruity island escape. Yes, an island escape in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.

At 251 S. Olive St., (213) 356-4100 or noerestaurant.com.

Rooftop at The Standard Sipping a cocktail poolside on a rooftop year

round would be a dream come true in the Midwest. In Downtown Los Angeles it’s a regular thing, particularly at the still-trendyafter-all-these-years poolside bar The Rooftop at The Standard. The bar offers panoramic views of Downtown, along with a heated pool and an outdoor fireplace. DJs spin, and while some get down on the dance floor, others lounge in waterbed pods. In addition to the pick-up scene, the bar hosts occasional events and film screenings.

What You’re Drinking: Yes, you can grab the expected mixed drink, but the rooftop BiergarContinued on page 16

16 Downtown News

June 29, 2015

Downtown After Dark

watering holes, 15

What You’re Drinking: The Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule and Aperol Spritz are all on draft, which means consistency and speed.

At 600 S. Spring St., (213) 622-1022 or beelmanspub.com.

ten serves a variety of brews, as well as pretzels and German sausages.

At 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotels.com/downtown-la.

Veranda Bar at the Hotel Figueroa Just across from the glitz and shine of L.A. Live is the Hotel Figueroa, a 1925 edifice that feels like a quick visit to Morocco. A walk through the lobby’s archways, lanterns and painted tiles leads to the Veranda Poolside Lounge, an outdoor bar with covered and outdoor seating and loads of plants. The pool is beguilingly coffin shaped, and there are heaters for those coldin-L.A. nights. There’s an oasis vibe here, and though the skyscrapers are visible, the lounge still feels removed from the bustle of Downtown. There are Sunday afternoon pool parties with DJs, if you’re into that kind of thing.

What You’re Drinking: The Fire and Ice. It’s blue. It comes in a martini glass. It has alcohol.

Enough said.

At 939 S. Figueroa St., (213) 627-8971 or figueroahotel.com.

Dive Bars Down and Out Mere feet below a sign honoring City Hall, Union Station and L.A. Coliseum architect John Parkinson sits the Down and Out, a retreat for sports fans, dedicated drinkers and street-wise socialites. A recent revamp gave this spot on the ground floor of Parkinson’s own Alexandria Hotel some fresh celebrity mug shots and pillar art belonging to sordid local painting luminaries. Saddle up to the bar to cheer for the Kings or take down a tall boy and a shot and bask in the glory of Gypsy’s weekly Tuesday night liveband karaoke.

What You’re Drinking: Jameson? Did someone say Jameson?

At 501 S. Spring St., (213) 221-7595 or downandoutbar.com.

Five Star Bar Proper interior illumination invites a scrutiny the clientele of the Five Star Bar has long avoided. Dim lights gently wash tattered pool tables, amateur portraits of dead rock stars and a stage that has known the stench of too many metal bands. Once-ornate wood filigree and longago chipped, swastika-inlaid tile floors belie the building’s past proud history. Who needs former glory, though, when you can nuzzle up to the cash-only bar and order a variety of canned beers and a much-lauded hamburger that is only served at hours unknown to staff and regulars alike?

What You’re Drinking: The same thing as

THE FALLS

everyone else. So as not to stand out. This isn’t a talent show people, it’s a dive bar.

At 267 S. Main St., (213) 625-1037 or fivestarbardtla.com.

Grand Star Those looking to exert the least amount of effort possible traveling between bars staffed by stoic professionals who have yet to appreciate your reputation should gaze no further than Chinatown’s Central Plaza. Stalwart two-story music hall Grand Star endures with a panoply of DJ and open mic nights blending an unlikely smattering of underground hip-hop, comedy and Morrissey sycophancy in the span of a week. Drinks are less an odyssey into the burgeoning world of mixology and more an exercise in social lubrication.

What You’re Drinking: With a Gold Line stop mere blocks away, why fool around with a “lite” beer when a jazz-appropriate whiskey and coke will do?

At 943 Sun Mun Way, (213) 626-2285 or grandstarjazzclub.com.

Hank’s Bar Spring cleaning was a serious affair this year at the crown prince of Downtown grunge bars.

Hank’s took a little break to clear out the clutter and bring in some fresh blood. With walls freshly painted vermillion red and an all-too-familiar variety of cocktails, canned beers and a few taps, a neophyte regime of seasoned bartenders will continue to take your guff, tolerate your ill-advised jukebox selections, point your drunken self to the front door instead of the restroom and all around facilitate your poor decisions.

What You’re Drinking: Ask Sarah for something strong. She’ll figure it out for you.

At 838 S. Grand Ave. or (213) 623-7718.

King Eddy Saloon Despite much handwringing when this seedy dive straight out of John Fante and Charles Bukowski’s grimy fiction closed in late 2012, the King Eddy Saloon is still alive and well. Sure, the indoor smoking room is gone and a trendy owner is in place, but the drink-yourself-to-amnesia vibe, motley clientele and adjacent Skid Row all remain. Long heralded as one of L.A.’s oldest watering holes, the present incarnation of the Eddy continues to offer unbeatable prices that will stagger your liver while you enjoy the scenery and take in the sounds of DJ Certificado. Pancake approves!

What You’re Drinking: Pony bottles of Miller High Life appeared here recently for the first

photo by Gary Leonard

Upstairs at the Ace Hotel The Ace Hotel has been a hit since the moment it opened in early 2014, and the bar Upstairs at Ace Hotel has been a key component of what makes the Ace the Ace. The poolside rooftop bar is a hangout for hipsters, cool kids and anyone else looking for a great view of Downtown and some bold cocktails. Boasting a full lineup of events every night of the week (seriously, check out the calendar), with DJs, bands, book release parties, pop-up shops and more, there’s always something to see.

What You’re Drinking: Method Acting is for the struggling L.A. actor looking for a fizzy, fruity pick-me-up in the form of vodka, strawberry, lemon, sugarcane, rhubarb and soda. OK, you don’t have to be an actor to get it.

At 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com/losangeles.

time on the West Coast.

At 131 E. Fifth St., (213) 629-2023 or kingeddysaloon.com.

La Cita One part hipster hovel and one part cumbia cave, the shotgun-style bar with a reputation for sanctioned degeneracy has been filling the night (and Sunday morning) air around Fourth and Hill with the miasmas of tired tequila and Tecate since 2006. Ominous whispers portend a sad fate to a bar located on the footprint of a proposed 33-story residential tower, but for now one and all can take advantage of LGBTfriendly Moustache Mondays, weeknight Angry Hour and a host of other gauche opportunities.

At La Cita, the art of intoxication beckons from the dance floor and smoky patio beyond.

What You’re Drinking: There is no finer weekend morning make-your-own Bloody Mary bar in all of Downtown.

At 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111 or lacitabar.com.

New Jalisco With the arrival of Precinct, and the impending debut of Redline and the proposed Mattachine, the New Jalisco can no longer rightfully call itself the only gay bar in Downtown. Regulars can rest assured — there’ll be no rush to take down the rainbow-patterned Mexican flag outside and the superlative drag shows will likely continue unabated. It’s hard to go right with the drink selection here, but when in doubt, you can reasonably expect that the liquid in the beer can is, in fact, alcoholic.

What You’re Drinking: Tequila isn’t your best bet, but bear claw a cheap canned beer and you should be fine.

At 245 S. Main St. or (213) 613-1802.

Neighborhood Favorites Beelman’s Pub The libation industry is not sacrosanct. Amidst a bevy of openings and closings in the bar world, it took a delightful European-style brewpub in the Historic Core to remind the Downtown drink scene not to take itself too seriously.

Witness: Despite much publicity, Beelman’s did not become “Thunderbird Salami Bar” on April 1. That was a joke. An April Fools joke. Laugh it up. With that out of the way, visit Beelman’s to enjoy oysters with your gin and tonic out on the patio or amongst the spacious booths of the interior where bits of bric-a-brac approximate a pub across the pond.

Bunker Hill Bar & Grill For business professionals looking to wait out traffic, Bunker Hill Bar and Grill is the place to roll up the sleeves and loosen the tie. The Financial District spot is also a destination for the Downtown sports fan, as the big game — heck, almost every game — is playing on one of the 11 TVs. The establishment offers a hearty weekday happy hour menu from 4-6 p.m. with starters, wraps, sushi rolls and gourmet wings for $6 or less. Most beer, wine and cocktails go for $5.

What You’re Drinking: Try the SanTan Mr. Pineapple, a gold wheat beer with pineapple and a hint of clove.

At 601 W. Fifth St., (213) 688-2988 or bunkerhillbar.com.

Far Bar Under much protest, we reveal now to the unadventurous and uninformed that there is, in fact, a second taproom at Far Bar. Long have we scoffed at the newcomers who press in beneath the illuminated “Far East Chop Suey” sign to crowd around beer hall-style long tables and bar stools and destroy an order of wasabi fries with one or many drafts from the Little Tokyo haunt’s vaunted beer list. But, feeling slightly guilty, we should mention the alleyway entrance just next to the regular one where narrow brick leads to outdoor seating and a whole other bar with the same beer list. Knowledge is power.

What You’re Drinking: One of a few dozen beers that are listed with precision and care.

At 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or farbarla.com.

General Lee’s In many parts of this country, a bar named General Lee’s would have a much different atmosphere and clientele. The General Lee’s in Chinatown’s Central Plaza, however, is a highceilinged, cocktail-rich joint with exposed rafters and feet upon feet of plate-glass windows.

Watch a hip set of patrons spread themselves across two levels of casual seating where the green tea gimlets go down smooth and a blend of mezcal and sake seems like a rational thing to do.

What You’re Drinking: Hemispheres collide with the Illuminating Fire’s blend of blanco tequila, mezcal, Thai chili, ginger and lime.

At 475 Gin Ling Way. Golden Gopher In a city infatuated with youth, age is not necessarily a selling point. For 11 decades, the Golden Gopher has been in the business of doling out booze to the fine people of Downtown.

That experience has conveyed respectability to this proud haunt where a long-held liquor license also permits selling six packs and other booze to go. Since it was picked up as the cornerstone of the group 213 Inc.’s ascent in 2004, the Golden Gopher has done an enviable job of convincing Angelenos that age is something to be cherished.

What You’re Drinking: One of many beers on tap or a round of celebratory shots that the birthday boy/girl will never remember.

At 417 W. Eighth St., (213) 614-8001 or 213nightlife.com.

Ham and Eggs “23+ SRSLY.” Though it may be vowel deficient,

June 29, 2015

Love Song Last year’s return of the 1914 Regent Theater as a renovated concert venue also brought a new cocktail bar to the Old Bank District. The Love Song, attached to The Regent (it’s open

photo by Gary Leonard

the message scrawled on the door of Ham and Eggs Tavern speaks volumes. Ham and Eggs savors the sort of no-frills authenticity that comes with being a bastion of simplicity carved out of a barely renovated Chinese diner. Hubris will be greeted by hostility. Critiques of the bartender’s choice in soundtrack will be reflected in the speed of service. The band will inevitably be late. The hard alcohol will be nonexistent. The beer and wine will suffice.

What You’re Drinking: While the Ham & Eggs lager on draft may be tempting, what’s more affordable that a $4 Rolling Rock?

At 433 W. Eighth St., (213) 891-6939 or hamandeggstavern.com.

Little Bear Quaff a 750 ml glass of Belgian quadruple ale or treat yourself to a tulip of Flemish red at the Arts District’s home for European culinary and brewing sensibilities. Little Bear has built a food program around a robust selection of standout brews from the Old Country. Weekend brunch, regular lunch and dinner service and a Thursday-Saturday late-night menu make finding an excuse to down delicious and deceptively strong beer a needless exercise.

What You’re Drinking: Something dark that you couldn’t even pronounce before the slurring set in.

At 1855 Industrial St., (213) 622-8100 or littlebearla.com.

Downtown News 17

Downtown After Dark

POUR HAUS

to the public), is a warm and intimate watering hole that’s perfect for a pre-show drink or anytime you’re in the mood for uncomplicated classic beverages. Old favorites like the Boulevardier and the Sazerac are standouts, and the menu also offers a selection of curated craft brews on draft and in bottles. The Love Song’s old photos and tchotchkes on the walls, as well as the worn-out piano and vinyl records strewn around the space, give the bar a lived-in vibe that matches the Regent’s vintage history.

What You’re Drinking: Oldies but good-

ies, like a stirred gin martini or a simple daiquiri shaken and served in a retro coupé glass.

At 450 S. Main St., (213) 284-5728 or theregenttheater.com.

Melody Lounge Lest the meager chalkboard sign out front not clue you in to the great and mysterious wonders that await inside Melody Lounge, allow us to confirm that Chinatown’s finest beer program isn’t just a neighborhood superlative, but also a contender for Downtown’s best. Twenty-

four rotating taps and a few refrigerators full of canned and bottled beer attend to the coming of Chinatown’s nighttime renaissance. The accompanying DJ nights and a weekday happy hour that’ll get you a cheap Tiger beer will help even out that tulip glass of 10% barrel-aged joy you just downed.

What You’re Drinking: Choosing can be difficult when faced with oh-so-many taps. When in doubt, try the Old Speckled Hen. It’s a gem.

At 939 N. Hill St. Pattern Bar The Fashion District isn’t known for its drinking scene. So it’s fortunate that Pattern Bar exists.

Haute-couture is the theme in the place where happy hour is called “fashionable hour” and the very well dressed congregate. The cocktails are named for top designers — think the whiskeybased The Cartier or the gin, elderflower and passion fruit concoction The McQueen (as in Alexander, not Steve). There’s an ample menu, complete with tapas, salads and paninis, and frequent music. The space is airy and filled with shiny while tiles with black trim.

What You’re Drinking: The Hermes, with dark rum, apricot, Campari, dashes of grapefruit bitters and a lemon peel. No, you don’t have to be wearing a $200 scarf to order it.

At 100 W. Ninth St., (213) 627-7774 or patternbar.com.

Redwood Bar & Grill Whether you’re a beleaguered civil servant, a parched L.A. Times employee, a precocious proto-punk, a passing biker, a fiend for cheap tequila or an aficionado of nautical-themed Continued on page 18

18 Downtown News

June 29, 2015

Downtown After DArk

photo by Gary Leonard

watering holes, 17

FREE

BARREL DOWN

bars, you are welcome aboard at the redwood. from portholes to knot charts and other kitsch drawn up straight from Davy Jones’ locker, the seaworthy ambiance lends itself to a robust live music scene most nights. there are cheap food and drink options aplenty during the 4-7 p.m. happy hour every weekday. the kitchen stays open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends to help prevent a rogue wave of nausea from flipping your night over on its keel.

What You’re Drinking: Honor L.A. punk by ordering the least expensive beer on the menu. You want quantity, not quality.

At 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com.

The Lash the jumble of black and white diagonal figures composing the mural outside of the Lash on winston Street is eerily similar to dazzle camouflage, a pattern painted on the side of wwI naval ships that was highly visible but made the craft’s range impossible to gauge. Like U-boat captains of yore, those intrepid souls who stare at the Lash for the first time have no way of knowing how far back it goes and exactly what will be encountered. Inside, separate black and white bars stretch an impossibly long distance that spans not only architectural boundaries but also a Lewis Carroll-meets-Bauhaus sensibility.

What You’re Drinking: Something that says you’re in the know and thinking beyond the conventional realm of early 21st century youth electronica culture. Something ironic. Something devilish. Something to go with your all-black ensemble.

At 117 Winston St., (213) 687-7723 or thelashsocial.com.

Tony’s saLoon tony’s Saloon is ostensibly themed after gonzo journalism’s founding figure, Hunter S. thompson, but the nice thing about the good and wise doctor of letters is that any bar where you can get righteously hammered is somehow a thompson bar. to tony’s credit, a bare-bones aesthetic jibes with the pool table, dartboard and outdoor patio. Better still, adjacent pie spinners Pizzanista! willingly hand over slices to sloshed clientele through a notch in the wall. to paraphrase thompson, “when the going gets weird, the weird eat baked dough.”

What You’re Drinking: Amongst other things in his suitcase of laughs, thompson was in for “a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of Budweiser.” try to stay within that spirit.

At 2017 E. Seventh St., (213) 622-5523 or 213nightlife.com. sixTh sTreeT Tavern the Acme Bar Group’s diligent pursuit of nonchalant drinking and dining went up another notch with the debut of the Sixth Street tavern. In the heart of the financial District, adjacent

Wed., July 8, 2015

6–9pm

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels 555 W. Temple St. Downtown LA

Downtown LA residents and their dogs are invited for mingling, music, and pet-related vendor displays!

Celebrate our four-legged friends who create community in DTLA.

RSVP TODAY!

DowntownLA.com/DogDay Downtown Center Business Improvement District

June 29, 2015

Downtown News 19

Downtown After DArk

Villain’s TaVern nothing says prestige quite like riverside property and adjacent mass transit, right? well, when that waterway is the concretechanneled Los Angeles river and the mass transit is the abutting Amtrak rail yard, the scenario changes a little bit. enter Villain’s tavern, an Arts District oasis at Santa fe Avenue and Palmetto Street. there’s never a cover charge to check out the abundance of live music here, though the plenitude of mason jar-served beer will cost you a penny or two. while the neighborhood has shifted from outright urban blight to the home of Lucky Jeans, Villain’s tavern endures as it always has, without a care to spare.

What You’re Drinking: the $12 BellaDonna classes up your Makers Mark a bit with blackberry bramble.

At 1356 Palmetto St., (323) 637-4153 or villainstavern.com.

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Wendell on what metric do we measure the worth of a life? fame? fortune? In the case of dearly departed Standard bar manager wendell Green, a namesake drinking spot is testament enough to the wealth of his character and the depth of his friendships. An available broiler of hot dogs, a free jukebox, an emphasis on craft beer and shots, a smoking patio, portraits of long-admired rock bands: these are the things that wendell himself would have enjoyed. Have a drink for wendell and hope your friends have the decency to do something

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Dim Sum

Lunch and Dinner • An Extensive Seafood Menu including Dim Sum at Moderate Prices • Relaxed Dining in an Elegant Ambiance • Live Lobster Tank

700 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Free Parking Next to Restaurant Tel: 213.617.2323

photo by Gary Leonard

to sister joint Library Bar and across from the Standard hotel, you’ll find a bar masquerading as a restaurant. or is it a restaurant desperately attempting to be a bar? Does it have to be just one? Capacity crowds around happy hour prove Downtown is primed for the sort of place where a carefully curated beer list blends with a solid cocktail program and a stout crispy chicken sandwich.

What You’re Drinking: Besides Bacardi 8, pineapple juice, orange juice, Coco Lopez and nutmeg, the Painkiller comes with a nice cocktail umbrella so you can feel like you’re on a beach… that smells like city streets and sounds like municipal busses.

At 630 W. Sixth St., (213) 614-1900 or sixthstreettavern.com.

MIXING ROOM AT THE J.W. MARRIOTT

as nice in your memory as his did.

What You’re Drinking: A shot and a beer.

At 656 S. Main St., (213) 622-7200 or wendellbardtla.com.

fancy scotches you lust after are 50% off. Half the cost, double the hangover!

At 366 E. Second St., (213) 925-8249 or wolfandcranebar.com.

Wolf & Crane You will know it for the glowing white tubes of neon light shaped to resemble origami versions of Aesop’s fabled wolf and crane. once inside, the impulse to wet your whistle will draw you past an increasingly rare smoking patio toward a finely lacquered bar where a treasure trove of rare Japanese whiskeys, a dozen taps and the bar’s eponymous $8 drink special featuring a shot of whiskey and a Sapporo beer will beckon. Depending on the hour and day, you will bask in the glory of a televised sporting event or a sweat-inducing DJ set.

Later you will reflect that the carefully pasted pages of manga papering the bathroom walls were just one reminder of the many pleasures available in Little tokyo.

What You’re Drinking: top Shelf Monday means all those

ZinC Café Upon popping into the Zinc Café & Market on Mateo Street, seasoned Downtowners may intuit that the establishment’s two sister locations are in Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach. those places may be far away, but the vibe glides happily to the Arts District where apparently happy, well-dressed people enjoy craft cocktails beneath four trees that have been labeled a “grove.” for those who have long imagined a Downtown that exudes the status of a city center, Zinc’s back bar is a positive example of a business that discovered a unique niche.

What You’re Drinking: the cheap can of old Chub Scotch Ale is a nice option on a summer day. or a winter day. or a day in spring or fall.

At 580 Mateo St., (323) 825-5381 or zinccafe.com.

Regent China Inn Authentic Chinese Cuisine in Chinatown

✤ Live Lobster and Crab ✤ Delivery, Minimum Order $15 ✤ Lunch Special $4.95 – Mon.-Fri. 11-5, Sat.-Sun. 11-3 ✤ Party Tray Available 739-747 N. Main St. Los Angeles, 90012 213.680.3333 Regentchinainn.com FREE PARKING

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PRIME STEAKS. LEGENDARY SERVICE. Fine Wine • Private Dining • Exceptional Menu

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dIM SUM SPeCIaLS

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DICED BEEF STEAK FRENCH STYLE I HOUSE SPECIAL FRIED RICE CHICKEN WITH ORANGE SAUCE I HONEY WALNUT SHRIMP GOLDEN DRAGON CHOP SUEY I TANGERINE BEEF Downtown | 735 South Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017 | 213 - 553- 4566 mortons.com/losangeles

Full Bar • Party Trays • Banquet/Meeting Room Live Seafood • Free Parking w/Validation

Golden draGon restaurant Chinatown | 960 north Broadway | 213-626-2039

20 Downtown News

DT

June 29, 2015

HOW FREE DOWNTOWN EVENTS PAY OFF photo by Gary Leonard

CALENDAR

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

Summer events at Pershing Square include salsa dancing, film screenings and concerts, and huge crowds often turn out. All happenings are free.

Nonprofits and Corporate Entities Both Find a Value in Getting People to Concerts, Films and Other Activities

By Eddie Kim owntown is full of things to do all summer, whether it’s seeing theater, attending a festival or catching a concert.

The problem is, all of these can put a serious dent in your wallet.

The key word is can. That’s because a number of Downtown organizations are hosting completely free events during the next few months. The activities range from concerts to participatory dance nights to talks to community festivals to an evening built around dogs (see sidebar, p. 21).

While staging an event without an admission price has challenges, money isn’t the only priority, said Michael Alexander, the executive director of the nonprofit Grand Performances, which has been putting on dozens of free events every summer since 1986 at the Cal Plaza Watercourt.

“Our return is not always in cash. It’s in good will,” Alexander said. “It’s young people coming to me saying that they’re bringing their kids to our shows after seeing performances themselves 20 years ago.”

Grand Performances, said Alexander, strives to be “extremely eclectic” in its offerings, taking risks to bring in artists that many people don’t know, whether it’s a Malaysia pop and R&B star or a group of Colburn School alumni remixing classical compositions. One of its goals is to expand the cultural appetites of the people who trust Grand Performances to put on a great show every time.

“It’s important that we create special opportunities and a sense of importance about the artist we’re exposing. We want to meet some niche interests in the community and create

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more attention to some of these marginalized art forms,” Alexander said.

Enticing people to return is a common goal for many free programs. One of those is Dance Downtown, which is offering free dance lessons or DJ nights in the Music Center Plaza every Friday evening through Aug. 28. More people have been attending the series in recent years, said Betty Avila, an assistant program manager for the Music Center, and the organization is strategizing ways not only to accommodate larger crowds, but to take advantage of the new exposure for the cultural hub.

Pershing Square’s summer programming returns on July 8, bringing free concerts, film screenings and other special events in a sixweek run. Nearby, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles is in its 23rd year of the Aloud series, which brings free year-round author readings and discussions to the Central Library. Upcoming events include nights focused on Walt Whitman and food justice.

Like Grand Performances and Dance Downtown, Aloud was offering free activities long before Downtown got its new patina of hip. Often, these were the events that were exposing people from other communities to the Central City.

“What you can do to give people pride and ownership of their city and their history, that’s important,” said Ken Brecher, president of the Library Foundation of L.A. “The understanding of why they live in a certain place is often defined by the cultural institutions of their city.”

Fighting for Dollars Of course, even if people don’t pay for the fun, there’s a price. Almost every entity does some sort of fundraising to keep afloat, and

Grand Performances’ summer lineup brings huge crowds and topnotch music, theater and more to California Plaza’s oft-quiet Watercourt. The series is now in its 29th year.

photo by Gary Leonard

money can be scarce in the post-recession era.

Grand Performances has an estimated $1.75 million budget for the 2015 summer season, according to Alexander. While that figure has stayed consistent over the past decade, he is craving more.

“We’re not okay with that stabilization,” he said. “We really think the ideal would be in the $2.2 million range in the near future and a little more each year so we’re adjusting for inflation.”

Grand Performances gets some money from a city covenant that requires the owners of One and Two California Plaza to pay the organization each year, and additional funds come from

foundations and government grants. The most important portion derives from individuals via memberships or one-time donations, Alexander said, and Grand Performances needs to tap into new attendees to drive that support.

Funding concerns are less immediate for major corporate programs, such as Anschutz Entertainment Group’s summer series at L.A. Live — there’s an “urban marketplace” and a country-themed night, among others — and Brookfield Office Properties’ programming at the FIGat7th shopping complex.

The biggest challenge after Brookfield acquired and renovated the mall was getting the

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word out about free outdoor screenings and concerts, said Debra Simon, vice president and artistic director of the Arts Brookfield program. FIGat7th is one of 30 Brookfield properties that offers consistent free programming, and the team has learned to work closely with local artists, she added.

“We view this as a key investment into our consumer marketing campaign, giving a ton of new exposure to FIGat7th,” Simon said. “It’s great for the public but also, as a major landlord in Downtown, we want to make sure we get Brookfield’s word out and optimize our marketing ability.”

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Chinatown Business Improvement District, which kicked off its Chinatown Summer Nights series in 2010. It drew thousands of people and introduced them to a changing Chinatown, said BID Executive Director George Yu. The series was buoyed by money from the Community Redevelopment Agency, but those funds disappeared in 2011.

The BID jiggered its resources to keep the event going, and will spend about $30,000-$50,000 on each of this year’s three Summer Nights event, Yu said (the BID’s annual budget is $1.4 million). It saves money by organizing things in-house rather than through an events company.

“What we try to do is to focus on everyone just having fun at the event without doing a sign-up thing for fundraising or for surveys or mailing lists or whatever,” Yu said. “We don’t want to overly commercialize this.”

Summer Nights has been warmly received by Chinatown businesses and residents, Yu said, so it will keep going. But he also sees potential in assisting independent events. He pointed to last year’s FoodGPS Fried Chicken Festival and Chinatown Design Night (part of the L.A. Design Festival) as models.

“We can pick and choose what benefits the community most and lend our expertise without blowing our own budget on production,” he said.

In short, free events live and die on money, and as Grand Performances’ Alexander puts it, bigger crowds at a free show means higher costs rather than increased ticket revenues.

The key is making everything pencil out. eddie@downtownnews.com

No Money? No Problem Eight Great Downtown Happenings That Won’t Cost You Even a Dime

D

owntown’s summer schedule is crammed with gratis cultural, artistic and leisure activities.

Here are eight of the highlight events and series taking place over the next few months.

GRAND PERFORMANCES Through Aug. 23 at the California Plaza Watercourt This venerable series offers 19 more performances, with highlights ranging from an evening of socially conscious hip-hop (Watts50 on July 10) to a sonic assault from 400 French horns playing rock, pop and classical tunes (French Horn Massive, Aug. 7). Many people bring food and have an urban picnic.

CHINATOWN SUMMER NIGHTS July 25 and Aug. 22 at 943-951 N. Broadway (Central and West Plazas) Check out free entertainment, live music, impressive cooking demonstrations, hands-on cultural activities, food trucks and more. There’s even a capuchin monkey. Who doesn’t love a capuchin monkey?

LIVE / WORK LOFTS FOR LEASE The Broadway Lofts blends unique historical architecture with modern design elements. Enjoy stunning views from a rooftop that features a lounge/BBQ area and a 24hr. gym. With nationally acclaimed restaurants, nightlife and shopping just outside your door, life on Broadway never looked so good!

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SUMMER IN THE CITY Through Aug. 25 at L.A. Live Anschutz Entertainment Group is bringing vendors, street artists, music, other attractions and deals to L.A. Live. Teeny Tiny Tuesdays, on Tuesday, June 30, offers happy hour specials at a number of restaurants and tickets to a comedy show at Club Nokia, with Bill Burr and others, for just $10. Fine, that’s not free, but normally you’re not seeing Burr for $10.

DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL AND MORE Through Aug. 28 at FIGat7th The return of the Downtown Festival means eight free concerts at the FIGat7th shopping center. Acts include local Latin rockers Buyepongo and clever DJ Peanut Butter Wolf. Other events include Fusicology Fridays (July 17 and Aug. 21) and Sounds of L.A. (second Saturday of every month through November).

ALOUD Through July 29 at the Central Library The Library Foundation of L.A. is host-

ing five more sessions of its popular speaker series Aloud. Tuesday, June 30, brings a discussion of Walt Whitman. Aloud returns, again for free, in the fall.

DANCE DOWNTOWN Through Aug. 28 at the Music Center Join thousands of people as they dance and party each Friday evening in the plaza of the Music Center, accompanied by live bands, dance instruction or DJs. Bringing your own food and drinks is encouraged.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES July 8-Aug. 15 at Pershing Square Pershing Square is featuring live bands and a full bar every Saturday through Aug. 15. Highlights include Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on July 11 and Shelby Lynne and The Jayhawks on Aug. 1. There are also Wednesday lunchtime shows, a Thursday night salsa series and free film screenings on Friday evenings.

DOG DAY AFTERNOON July 8 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Downtown’s preeminent (okay, its only) night of canine/human community building. There are pet vendors, pet adoptions, music and copious opportunities for the two-legged and fourlegged set to meet their neighbors.

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

22 Downtown News

June 29, 2015

Cosplay and Effect Anime Expo and Its Thousands of Colorfully Dressed Attendees Land in Downtown

courtesy Anime Expo

Anime Expo aficionado Linda Le in the $6,000 robot costume she wore last year to the Downtown event.

She will be one of the approximately 100,000 people on hand at this year’s expo, taking place July 3-6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

By Heidi Kulicke hen thousands of people with elaborate, colorful costumes, funky hair and intense makeup pour into the Los Angeles Convention Center, it can only mean one thing: Anime Expo is here.

The four-day celebration of all things anime (Japanese animation) and cosplay (costume play) takes place Thursday-Sunday, July 3-6, at the Convention Center. An estimated 100,000 people will show up for the event full of exhibits, speakers, concerts, screenings, costume contests, karaoke and a fashion show.

W

Anime Expo started in 1992, when members of the U.C. Berkeley anime club formed the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. Approximately 1,500 people attended, and 23 years later the event is the largest of its kind in North America, said John Baumgardner, director of entertainment at SPJA. “We’ve grown by 17% year after year,” Baumgardner said. “We expect to reach capacity this year, which means for the first time we’ll have to send people away.”

The rise of anime in the United States is seen through the popularity of mainstream children’s

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TV cartoons such as “Sailor Moon,”“Dragon Ball Z” and “Pokémon.” There are anime-influenced movies, too, most notably the recent Disney animated feature Big Hero 6.

“Japanese animation is a core aspect of Japanese culture and has really sank its teeth and claws into the American market,” Baumgardner said.

Anime Expo isn’t all about cartoons. The video game industry will be recognized as well.

An interactive exhibit this week will feature new and old video game consoles from Atari, Nintendo, Sega, Playstation and more.

Then there is the music, and while many in Downtown Los Angeles may be unfamiliar with the Japanese female pop group Momoiro Clover Z, they have enough fans to play the Microsoft Theater on July 2.

They’ll be joined onstage by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS for the song “Yume no Ukiyo ni Saitemina,” (“Try Blooming in the Floating World of Dreams”), as the wellknown rockers co-wrote it.

Another highlight is “Sailor Moon Crystal,” set to make its U.S. debut following a launch in Japan last year. It is the first full reboot of the animated TV series that ran during the 1990s.

There will also be a fashion show with a portion dedicated to Sanrio. Although the company is best known for creating Hello Kitty, the event will feature fashions from the streets of Tokyo related to the rabbit character My Melody, said Dave Marchi, senior director of brand management and marketing at Sanrio Inc. Sanrio chose to spotlight My Melody to celebrate the character’s 40th anniversary, Marchi said. Another character, Gudetama the lazy egg, will have its U.S. debut at Anime Expo, Marchi said.

Yes, the character is a lazy egg.

Big Money For many attendees, Anime Expo is a time

to show off costumes celebrating their favorite characters. One of those participants is Linda Le, who has been attending Anime Expo since 2005 (it moved to Downtown in 2008). She makes all of her costumes by hand and plans to wear a different one each day during this year’s event.

Le is most excited about her monster character costume from the Nintendo DS video game Monster Hunter. The outfit features spikes, horns, LED lights and body “armor,” which Le assembled from materials including foam and plastic. Le painted the outfit to look like metal.

Each costume takes several months to complete. Le said it is her way of expressing herself artistically.

“I’m known to bend over backwards to make my costumes look just like the character,” said Le, who plans to enter the costume competition. “I use good materials that last a long time.

My costumes are my art.”

Le’s creations aren’t cheap. The monster costume materials cost her $2,000. She spent $6,000 on a previous robot outfit.

The cosplay environment at Anime Expo might be fun and lighthearted, but there’s a competitive aspect. Sponsors offer prizes to the winners of various competition categories.

The prize package for the Best in Show outfit includes $3,000 cash, a sewing machine and a $100 wig gift certificate, Baumgardner said.

Although the crowds will arrive starting Thursday, the show made news last week, too.

On Tuesday, June 23, Convention Center officials announced they had inked a deal to keep Anime Expo in Downtown for five more years.

That means the blue hair and the elaborate costumes will be here through 2019, at least.

Anime Expo is July 3-6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., (800) 619-7689 or anime-expo.org. One-day tickets start at $39 online or $75 at the door. heidi@downtownnews.com

June 29, 2015

Downtown News 23

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

DT he Don't Miss List T

CALENDAR LISTINGS EVENTS

a Celebration of d an ffs icu st Fi et re St ll Hi , cs Civic Center Pyrotechni n Johnson • calendar@downtownnews.com

Tuesday, June 30 Walt Whitman in Other Words Aloud at the Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org.

7:15 p.m.: Walt Whitman’s auto-hieroglyphic classic poem “Song of Myself” is the point of departure for a discussion featuring Luis Alberto Ambroggio, Christopher Merrill and Sholeh Wolpe.

Thursday, July 2 L.A. Fight Club Belasco, 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com.

5 p.m.: Grown men pummel one another within the sanctioned boundaries of a boxing ring in a night of fights promoted

by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

Friday, July 3 Dance Downtown Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or musiccenter.org.

7-11 p.m.: The DJ will be bumping tunes from down Buenos Aires way as an instructor leads you and your friends through the Argentine Tango. Yes, the free Dance Downtown has returned.

You be sure to do the same.

Saturday, July 4 Fourth of July Block Party Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8080 or grandparkla.org.

3 p.m.: The park for everyone hosts an afternoon and evening of free Americana. Performances, DJs and fireworks remind you that you are indeed in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Continued on next page

photo courtesy Grand Park

By Da

ge Washington in It’s the one day each year that gets the statue of Geor rate America’s celeb we 4, Grand Park really excited. On Saturday, July mption, a consu food us independence with the opportunity for copio ing-capping even an and s slate of DJs blasting a panoply of diverse tune runs from y Part k Bloc display of sky explosions. The free 4th of July forward look can you fare, l 3-9:30 p.m., and in addition to the traditiona regret of load a and ces to expert jump ropers, spoken word performan (213) Ave., d Gran N. 200 At regarding that forgotten tube of sunscreen.

972-8080 or grandparkla.org.

ONE

2

With a grim wardrobe and hip aesthetic that resonated with the urban blight of early ’70s Manhattan, Television channeled a devil-may-care image into a spiky guitar sound and punchy vocals that bridged hard rock and the yet-to-be-named punk movement.

On Thursday and Friday, July 2-3, the quartet takes the stage at Downtown’s most recently christened venue, the Teragram Ballroom, for two nights of punchy nostalgia that sounds as relevant today as it did 40 years ago. Expect plenty of tunes from the brand’s breakthrough 1977 record Marquee Moon. Please, no slam dancing — these are older and extremely proficient musicians. At 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com.

3

disco” has finally gone too far. Quite literally. A The electronica fetish with ’70s beats known as “nulive band-meets-synth outfit Lex takes place a special one-night showcase for Daft Punk-adjacent ange. What’s the catch for this evening at the block down from typical four-on-the-floor venue Exch er? The ladies in Lex do not use computers. Well, spacious and unlikely Los Angeles Theatre Cent t in their instruments or via their amplifiers and they probably use some sort of computational outle ntosh Apple onstage nor will you hear a dubious, head units, but you will not see the ubiquitous Maci g St., (213) 489-0994 or thelatc.org. disembodied backing track in the mix. At 514 S. Sprin

four

Few groups embodied the contradictions of the Motown sound with as much vibrancy as the Supremes. The trio of singers bedecked themselves in fabulous gowns, swayed with matching moves and concocted glorious three-part harmonies while their private lives were fraught with infighting, power brokering and submission to Motown honcho Berry Gordy. Last week the Grammy Museum unve iled Legends of Motown: Celebrating the Supremes, an exhibit of artifacts and items that, yes, celebrates the trio. From original 1961 dresses worn by Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard to tour books and memorabilia, you can take in the splendor of Detroit’s musical heyday. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. , (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

courtesy of the Mary Wilson Collection

Free Yoga at Pershing Square 523 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or pershing.square@ lacity.org The city’s Recreation and Parks Department is offering free yoga classes at Pershing Square every Sunday at 10 a.m. and Tuesday at 7 p.m. during the summer. Classes will include classic yoga poses such as sun salute, downward dog, high lunge and plank pose. Bring a yoga mat and towel.

L.A.’s Largest Mixer XVII 700 W. 32nd St., (323) 230-5656 or lamixer.com Join Los Angeles area chambers and business organizations at L.A.’s Largest Mixer XVII, taking place at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center July 16 from 5-9 p.m. Mingle with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of business people representing a wide variety of industries and companies in and around Southern California. The 17th annual event is a great opportunity to reach small and large companies, meet prospective clients, generate new leads and renew business relationships. Admission is $20 per person.

9th Annual Downtown Dog Day Afternoon at the Cathedral 555 W. Temple St., downtownla.com/dogday The property owners of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID) invite Downtown L.A. residents and their dogs to a free evening of mixing and mingling on the plaza of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Wednesday, July 8, from 6-9 p.m. Pamper your four-legged friend with free giveaways, and enjoy a cash bar and food by Levy Restaurants. Featuring booths and displays from Downtown pet-friendly companies. Social dogs only; dogs must be on a leash. Free admission. RSVP at DowntownLA.com/DogDay. Dames ‘N Games Sports Bar & Grill: MMA Girl Cage Fighting 2319 E. Washington Blvd., (323) 589-2220 or damesngames.net Spearmint Rhino’s Dames ‘N Games Sports Bar & Grill will host an MMA Girl Cage Fighting event on July 6. The event is part of an ongoing summer tournament through Aug. 17. The girls will compete for $3,000 in cash and prizes.

image courtesy Teragram Ballroom

SPONSORED LISTINGS

the Supremes

5

The first rule of LA Fight Club is to hire a publicist who photo courtesy Golden Boy Promotions tells every press outlet about LA Fight Club. Yes, the days of Tyler Durden’s coy combat in the basement of Lou’s are long over. In their place, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions has taken over the Belasco Theatre for a monthly evening of fisticuffs headlined by a 10-round super lightweight bout between Gilberto “El Flaco” Gonzalez and John Karl Sosa.

Good news for those still feeling burned at paying over a hundred bucks to see Mayweather and Pacquiao gesture at one another for 45 minutes: Tickets to the 5 p.m. event on Thursday, July 2, start at a mere 20 bones. At 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com.

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

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

24 Downtown News

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Continued from previous page Sunday, July 5 Rock ‘N’ Roll Flea Market The Regent, 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheatre.com.

10 a.m.: For a mere two bones, you can access a world of secondhand and new music ephemera, merch and general bric-a-brac.

Edit GENE

per month for 36 mos

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 Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie sENior writEr: Eddie Kim stAFF writEr: Heidi Kulicke 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 sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla ©2015 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.

http://issuu.com/ladtn

$7,995 due at lease signing. Excludes tax, title, and license fees. No security deposit required. P14802, 10k miles per year, VIN#EL064132, residual $73,097.60, 1 at this price.

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S I N C E 19 7 2DT News on your mobile device, with Los Angeles Downtownmore News than 6 years 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of past issues!

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ExEc sENi stAF coNt coNt

Art d Assi

©201 must-

One

June 29, 2015 June 29: Acoustic Punk with Justin Chester and Bradley Riot.

June 30: Mean Eyes, Blazing Eye, Handski and Spokenest.

The Regent 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheatre.com.

June 30: You may know MC Chuck Inglish as one half of The Cool Kids. He’ll be on his own tonight — a lone cool kid.

July 2: At once wistful and structurally adept, Toe is Japan’s answer to post rock — subtle and more efficient.

July 3: Roots reggae legend Johnny Osbourne’s given name is Errol. Tell no one.

Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la.

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

June 30: The Makers, along with your trusted pitbull or tabby cat, are terrified of Fourth of July fireworks. The explosions really disorient them.

July 1: Rick Taub’s Midnight Blues Review begins summer school sessions.

July 2: Greasy Beats, a loving musical tribute to the soundtrack of The Pantry.

The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org.

July 3: Avi Zahner, Slow Hollows, Moaning and Casinos.

July 5: Trap Girl, Las Sangronas Y El Cabron, Pardon Me Sir and Atrako.

Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com.

July 2-3, 8 p.m.: Wisdom before age as classic proto-punks Television do a double dip at the still new-smelling Teragram Ballroom.

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Bob Baker’s Something to Crow About Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 2509995 or bobbakermarionettes.com.

July 4-5, 2:30 p.m.: The puppets are getting downright agrarian as Bob Baker’s marionettes sojourn into the American heartland in Something to Crow About.

Matilda the Musical Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org.

June 30-July 3, 8 p.m., July 4, 12 and 5:30 p.m., July 5, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Roald Dahl’s visionary tale of a fanciful child, and a

CROSSWORD

Downtown News 25

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM young girl’s run-ins with Miss Trunchbull, embarks on a national tour. Plus, as the name indicates, it’s a musical. Bonus: The 4th of July “evening” show ends in time to catch the fireworks at Grand Park. Through July 12.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Loft Ensemble, 929 E. Second St., (213) 680-0392 or loftensemble.org.

July 4, 8 p.m. and July 5, 7 p.m.: McMurphy and Nurse Ratched take up residence in the Arts District as Ken Kesey’s timeless tale of insanity hits the stage. Through July 19.

Sleepaway Camp Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com.

June 30, 9 p.m.: Every Tuesday this irreverent stand-up comedy cavalcade takes up residence at the Downtown Independent.

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent. com.

June 29-July 3: Three sisters summon a mythical seventh sister and find themselves in a world of eerie in the award winning Midnight Swim.

June 29, 1 p.m., June 30-July 2, 5 p.m.: If you’re in a place where you feel you can laugh about religious attempts to “cure” homosexuality, or if you’d like to find yourself in that positive head space, be sure to check out off-kilter comedy Saugatuck Cures.

June 29, 5 p.m., July 1, 9 p.m. and July 2, 7 p.m.: When it comes to the intricately decorated eggs featured in Faberge: A Life of Its Own, we’re in agreement with Bleeding Gums Mur-

phy’s assertion, “I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough!”

IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org.

Galapagos 3D. If it was good enough to blow Charles Darwin’s mind, it’s probably good enough for you!

Forces of Nature promises a panoply of nature’s worst destruction.

Experience the gripping story full of hope, crushing disappointment and triumph in Hubble 3D.

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: Rock, Pop & Jazz; Bars & Clubs; Farmers Markets; Events; Film; Sports; Art Spaces; Theater, Dance and Opera; Classical Music; Museums; and Tours.

2 YOUR EVENT INFO

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT

4 WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar 4 EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com

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.

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

26 Downtown News

June 29, 2015

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June 29, 2015

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CLASSIFIEDS

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.

LEGAL

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ANNOUNCEMENTS lost LOST PASSPORT in downtown L.A. Khalipha Majid Abubakar issued in Tanzania. If you find it please call 213.284.0768.

Downtown News 27

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Fictitious Business name statement FILe NO. 2015157331 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: AZ-Recruiting, 1245 N Orange Dr Unit 11, Los Angeles, CA 90038, are hereby registered by the following registrant(s): Travis Hatfield, 1245 N Orange Dr Unit 11, Los Angeles, CA 90038. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant has not begun to commence to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above.

This statement was filed with DeAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk, and by Miguel Macias, Deputy, on June 12, 2015.

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. 06/22, 06/29, 07/06, and 07/13/2015 name change suPeRioR couRt oF caLiFoRnia, countY oF Los anGeLes oRDeR to sHoW cause FoR cHanGe oF name NO. LS026810 Petitioner (name of each) Sonia Ghani, 17200 Burbank Blvd., encino, CA 91316, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: Sonia Ghani Proposed name: Sonya Zela Azeemey THe COURT ORDeRS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objec-

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Downtown After Dark

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tion that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICe OF HeARING Date: 07/10/2015 Time: 8:30 Dept.: M The address of the court is 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NeWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county.

Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter, Executive Office/Clerk.

Van Nuys Courthouse east 6230 Sylmar Avenue Van Nuys, CA 91401 Date: June 05, 2015 Hon. Huey P. Cotton Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 06/15, 06/22, 06/29, and 07/06/2015.

SEE PAGE 8

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28 Downtown News

June 29, 2015

LaBONGE, 5 G 2015 Location: ROP

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

It’s our business to make you comfortable... at home, downtown. Corporate and long term residency Call Now Fo is accommodated in high style at the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles, studio, one r bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant, heated pool, spa, complete fitness center, sauna and recreation room Move-In Spec with kitchen. Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and ial slender skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to complement your decor. Far below are a host of businesses s ready to support your pampered downtown lifestyle. With spectacular cultural events nearby, even the most demanding tastes are satisfied. Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore. Visit the Towers Apartments today.

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at xci Gr ti A 255 South Grand Avenue an ng sk A dT ow Ne bou Leasing Information er w t O Co 213 229 9777 m Re ur ing n Su ova Apartment Amenities: Community Amenities: m m tio ~ Refrigerator, Stove, ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby er Microwave & Dishwasher ~ Concierge 20 n 15 (most units) ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas

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123 South Figueroa Street Leasing Information 213 617 3777 Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Pool / Spa / BBQ Grills ~ Fitness Center ~ Covered Parking

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On-Site: ~ Convenience Store / Beauty Salon

museum Tower

225 South Olive Street Leasing Information 213 626 1500 Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room

Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave & Dish washer (most units) ~ Central Air & Heating ~ Balconies (most units)

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File Name: G&K 3-16 make a living out of not loving this place.”

Planes, Ships and Sweeping Rep: CH Tom LaBongeDate: was the3-9 seventh of eight brothers born to Mary Louise Learnihan LaBonge (born in Lincoln Heights in 1915) and Creator: ba/yk Robert LaBonge (who grew up near 22nd and Hoover streets).

Changes: 1 in the fabric of the city, with frequent The family was immersed excursions to places like Griffith Park or Elysian Park. An afternoon’s entertainment could involve watching the longshoremen work in San Pedro or seeing planes land at LAX from Aviation Boulevard. Back home, LaBonge said, his father made him sweep his Silver Lake street, “from the Fitzpatricks’ down to the Wongs’.”

He served on Bradley’s Youth Council and later spent 16 years as an aide to Ferraro. He ran for a City Council seat in 1993, narrowly lost to Jackie Goldberg, then worked for Riordan for seven years.

The close alliance with Ferraro and Riordan gave him 23 years of training with two of the most influential Angelenos of the past half century (he didn’t work as tightly with Bradley). It also, he said, taught him that serving the city means looking beyond his district.

That sounds like fluff, but LaBonge lives it, and the Fourth District, which following the 2011 city redistricting process runs from Silver Lake through Hollywood, past Laurel Canyon and then over to Sherman Oaks, has never contained him. He’s led bike tours across Los Angeles, annually hands out calendars with photographs of the city that he took, and championed an annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Downtown. He has pushed his beloved Sister Cities project tying Los Angeles to cities around the globe, proposed an Arts District light rail spur several years before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority formally began exploring the idea, and in January suggested the city buy the site of developer Geoff Palmer’s burned-down Da Vinci building (it didn’t happen, and Palmer is rebuilding). Not surprisingly, he was close friends with the late public television host Huell Howser, and there probably aren’t enough exclamation points to transcribe one of their conversations.

Nor does LaBonge stick to the passive style of leadership one might expect from an elected official. He once called me, saying that a Downtown News news rack in Los Feliz had been knocked over, and that he had carried it out of the street, but we should send someone to repair it. Last year he was seen on a rainy day in the Arts District, unclogging a blocked drain with the shovel he carries in his trunk. He told an observer it was the 11th drain he had cleared that day.

LaBonge’s style of leadership isn’t for everyone. Constituents could sniff at his bombastic approach, questioning if there was enough substance behind it. Although LaBonge won four city council elections, some observers say his former chief of staff Carolyn Ramsay’s recent loss to David Ryu in the contest to replace him was partly a referendum on the councilman’s record (others attribute the result to redistricting; the new Sherman Oaks voters didn’t know LaBonge well).

LaBonge acknowledges that he doesn’t operate the same way as some other politicians.

“Everybody’s different,” he says. “I’m sure other people will be known for the greater policy they write, or the laws they implement. I was always a physical individual. Coming from a big family, you all did that kind of work. There’s no, ‘You don’t get your hands dirty.’”

He leaves with plenty of accomplishments, and says he is most proud of securing $12.5 million in 2010 for the acquisition of the 138 acres of Cahuenga Peak, keeping the area next to the Hollywood sign as open land.

LaBonge is uncertain about what comes next. Teaching is a possibility, he says, but lobbying at City Hall isn’t. He’ll keep hiking in Griffith Park and might like to write “about people and their stories,” such as the woman he met in 1976 (he recalls her exact address) worried that the beeps she kept hearing were a Martian invasion. LaBonge went to her home and informed her that the culprit was the new law requiring large trucks to make noise when they shift into reverse.

He also wants to spend more time with his wife Brigid.

“Now I’m 61 and I want to live a long life and enjoy Los Angeles to the fullest before they call me to the angels, the real city of the angels,” he says.

Whatever comes next, one can bet that Tom LaBonge will be loving Los Angeles. regardie@downtownnews.com