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The Play That Goes Wrong is full of hilarious pratfalls, line flubs and other mistakes that would make a theater company cringe.

JULY 15, 2019 I VOL. 48 I #28

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‘wrong’ stuff Ahmanson Farce Sparks Riotous Laughter

A Leading Rat COmes Back Page 7

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2 DOWNTOWN NEWS

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AROUND TOWN

Best of Downtown Arrives Next Week

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he votes have been cast. The ballots have been counted. Now, only a week remains until the winners are revealed. Yes, the 31st annual Best of Downtown issue arrives next week, and on Monday, July 22, the results of the annual Readers Poll will be revealed. Thousands of workers and residents across Downtown Los Angeles voted online, expressing their opinion in more than 100 categories involving local eating, drinking, shopping, business and entertainment. The issue will also feature a couple dozen winners selected by the editorial staff of Downtown News. All winners will be revealed in print and online at downtownnews.com.

Neighborhood Council Picks Officers

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hree weeks after Downtown residents and workers voted for the 28 members of the board of directors of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, the board has selected its new leadership. Officers were chosen at the board meeting on

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

Tuesday, July 9, and will serve terms lasting through June 2021. There are some new and familiar faces. Patti Berman was re-elected as president of the all-volunteer panel. Naira Harootunian was chosen as vice president of administration while Marcus Lovingood was named vice president of outreach. Betsy Starman serves as secretary and Tony Hoover is the treasurer. As with all neighborhood councils, DLANC lacks formal power but is often consulted by businesses and developers working on projects, and city officials frequently take council recommendations into account when making decisions.

Delicious Little Tokyo Returns This Week

T

he hungry masses will descend on Downtown this week, as the two-day culinary festival Delicious Little Tokyo returns. The food-focused happening kicks off Friday, July 19, at 7 p.m. with Sake on the Rocks, a sake and food event at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (244 S. San Pedro St.). Tickets are $150; 15 Los Angeles restaurants will be paired with more than 50 sake samples from across Japan. On Saturday there is a slate of events from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Highlights include a $15 historical food walking tour with the Little Tokyo Historical Society at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., a mixology demo at Wolf and Crane at 1 p.m., and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, hosted by the Tea Masters of Little Tokyo, at the Japanese

JULY 15, 2019

American National Museum at 3 p.m. The later two events each cost $5. More information and a full list of events are at golittletokyo. com/delicious.

Event Focuses On Downtown Housing

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he Downtown residential population is growing, but many people have questions about where to live, whether to buy or rent, and other matters. Some answers will be provided at an event dubbed Helping You Find Your Home in DTLA: Relocation 101. Organized by the Central City Association and Compass DTLA, it takes place from 5-8 p.m. on July 25 at Grand Central Market. The event built around the changes in the Downtown housing market includes a panel discussion and a lineup of speakers featuring local business and real estate industry players. Admission is free but people are asked to RSVP through Eventbrite.

New Leader for Arts District Museum

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he Arts District’s Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles has a new executive director: Anne Ellegood, the current senior curator at the Hammer Museum. On Wednesday, July 10, museum brass announced that Ellegood will replace Elsa Longhauser, who led the museum for 19 years, and was in charge of its 2017 move

to Downtown from its previous home in Santa Monica. “I have been a frequent visitor and avid admirer of the museum’s programs for many years, “Ellegood said in a prepared statement. “ICA LA has consistently distinguished itself for its groundbreaking and distinctive exhibitions, sometimes giving artists their first museum shows, as well as thoughtful and innovative public programs and education initiatives.” Longhauser announced her intention to retire last year, and the board of the museum at 1717 E. Seventh St. began a search for a replacement. During her time at the Hammer, Ellegood worked on numerous exhibits, including co-curating the biennial show “Made in L.A.” Ellegood starts in Downtown on Sept. 16.

The Bloc Adds to Downtown Concert Lineup

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umerous upgrades have come to the Financial District mixed-use complex The Bloc, and while many people await the imminent opening of its Alamo Drafthouse, it has another play in the entertainment world: summer concerts. This week marks the second of three outdoors events at the project’s shopping center. The program launched in June and continues on Thursday, July 18, with KCRW DJ Novena Carmel, plus rock bands Balto and The Brevet. The shows start at 6 p.m. and take place in The Bloc’s central courtyard. They are free and open to the Continued on page 10

DTLA’s Guide to Everything Summer

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EDITORIALS

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JULY 15, 2019

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Again, Los Angeles Needs A Homelessness CEO

S

hock waves rippled through Los Angeles in the wake of the recent Homeless Count that reported a 16% rise in homelessness in the city and a 12% increase countywide in 2018. Political leaders have struggled to respond, alternately accepting some blame, saying figures are worse elsewhere in California, and searching for new revenue streams. Just last week Mayor Eric Garcetti touted the $124 million in state funds allocated to the city — a 46% increase from last year — to address homelessness.

The increase is welcome, and the attention being paid to homelessness by Garcetti and others is necessary and maybe even admirable, but the fact is, this situation is getting worse, not better. The staggering numbers and the tent-cluttered sidewalks make it clear that no one has his or her arms around the situation. Even worthy advances are crushed by more people winding up on the streets.

The biggest barrier to solving the problem is how complicated it is.

There are innumerable causes and no quick solution. We need someone to pull the myriad pieces together and treat homelessness like a public health emergency. For this is unequivocally a public health emergency.

It’s time for Los Angeles to chart a new course. It’s time for Los Angeles to bring in a Homelessness CEO, to give this individual a budget and real authority free of political meddling, and then to get out of the way.

Los Angeles Downtown News has called for establishing this position before. We’re not the only ones asking for change; City Attorney Mike Feuer in 2017 cited the need for a new approach in leadership, calling, in his words, for “someone who is tantamount to a FEMA director who is terrific at logistics and execution, who is in charge — and everyone knows it.”

That position doesn’t exist. Sure, Garcetti has tried harder than any previous mayor, and he has staffers who focus full-time on homelessness, but they’re anonymous to most Angelenos. Instead, we need someone more powerful, more prominent and far more independent.

We need a leader.

A Homelessness CEO — not a czar or executive director, but a true chief executive officer with broad decision-making and agenda-setting power — must be able to assess needs both on a regional level and in individual communities, and speak freely on what has worked and what hasn’t. The person must set policy and make decisions that will in some cases be counter to the wishes of elected officials. The only way this happens is if the Homelessness CEO doesn’t have to fear for his or her job by political whim.

A formula and oversight for the position must be worked out. Maybe the CEO reports to a prominent board of directors, yet still has authority to make decisions, like at Metro. Maybe he or she answer to a citizens panel.

Funding and staffing need addressing, as do questions of how a CEO combines existing efforts and budgets, especially money from the city and county. There are many ways this could bog down. Letting that happen would be a mistake.

Politicians are loathe to give up power, but the presence of nearly 60,000 homeless people in L.A. County is clear evidence that old methods are not working. A new approach is required.

Echo Park Lake

Retired Teacher • Marion Siu

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COMMENTS

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spot zoning in the Ninth District in which you have a factory parcel right next to a single-family residence.

—Donald Ferguson

Regarding the item “Businesses Warned for Lack of Trash Hauling Services”

Regarding the editorial “Downtown’s Distressing, Stunning Homelessness Crisis”

I am a resident of the Toy District area of Skid Row, and would like to see reporting of the names of the businesses that are out of compliance with their trash hauling. I think this is vital information and I have not seen it reported anywhere yet. I am tired of hearing platitudes about trash in Skid Row and illegal dumping. It’s time to hold people accountable. It’s time to name names.

—Katherine McNenny

Let’s set a deadline to solve the homelessness problem before we host the Olympics — save our own citizens before rolling out the red carpet to outsiders.

—Olivia Marquez

Regarding the editorial “Downtown Should Be a Center of Sustainability” How silly. If you want to increase sustainability, stop building apartment complexes everywhere in DTLA and reduce the number of people in this city. Don’t plan to add millions more.

—Jim Smith Regarding the article “Community Weighs In on Green Space Plans at Gilbert Lindsay Plaza,” by Nicholas Slayton While they’re at it, the city should change the name. [Former Councilman] Lindsay is responsible for the horrible EDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITERS: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre

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ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard

Regarding the editorial “Downtown’s Desperate Need for Elementary Schools” This is the primary reason why our family moved out of Downtown, as there was no viable option for early-stage education.

—Richard B. Atticus

Hey You! Speak Up! Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like, or dislike, a story or editorial, let us know. Or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community.

Participation is easy. Post a comment online at the bottom of any story, or go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, email regardie@downtownnews.com.

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Return of the Leading Rat

By Jon Regardie ver the course of the last year, people in Downtown Los Angeles have grown alarmed by the presence of rats in municipal buildings, including City Hall and the Central Division police station in Skid Row. Tensions ratcheted higher in the wake of an outbreak of typhus in Downtown. The flu-like disease is spread by fleas on animals such as rats, cats and opossums.

O

THE REGARDIE REPORT In February, the City Council called for a report on local vermin and pest control issues. That same month, a leading councilman and a leading rat held a secret meeting to discuss the situation. But with little improvement since then, they scheduled a second session, coming together recently in a hidden penthouse above the Tom Bradley room in City Hall. I was allowed to observe, on the condition that I didn’t name either the councilman or the rat.

Councilman: Thanks for meeting me again. Can I get you anything? Water? Food? Mice Krispies?

Rat: Are you [expletive] serious? Not only is that joke dumb, but it’s about a whole different species. I should shed some fleas right here.

Councilman: Please! Don’t do that! [Pause. Deep breath] I’m sorry. Us council folk are under a lot of pressure. People in L.A. are really angry about the situation on the streets.

Rat: It’s okay. Chill out.

Councilman: I’ll try. It’s just you and I met back in February, and you’re still here. I thought you’d be gone by now.

Rat: Funny. Given your performance in recent months, I thought you’d be gone by now.

Councilman: Hey, you rats gave Europe the Bubonic plague in the 14th century.

Rat: And the City Council in the 2000s gave Los Angeles a mega-building boom that somehow resulted in less affordable housing in the city. Do you really want to go toe-to-paw with me on this?

Councilman: [Long, slow exhale] We had an agreement after our last meeting. We promised to clean up the streets and you promised to duck out of view and do your ratty business elsewhere.

Rat: You’re right. We did have an agreement.

Councilman: And? Rat: You call the streets clean? Have you noticed that portions of Downtown have turned into Mount Trashmore?

News flash: Rats like trash. Piles of trash mean scraps of food and places to burrow. It’s simple: You get rid of the trash, and we’ll go somewhere else.

Councilman: We’re working on that. We recently introduced a comprehensive plan to address trash on city streets.

Rat: Oooh. A government plan. Does it involve clichés?

Councilman: Huh? Rat: I’m used to government plans that are more about clichés and headlines than actual change. You know, ones where the politicians go, “This will not stand,” and “Change begins now.” Los Angeles has had plans to eradicate homelessness and reduce gridlock and transform the L.A. River and eliminate pedestrian deaths, and I’m still waiting for any of that to happen. Now you have a plan to pick up trash.

Councilman: Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Rat: Rome also wasn’t covered in garbage and didn’t have a government-declared “Typhus Zone.” But L.A. does.

Councilman: It’s complicated. We’re dealing with a lot of ille-

B A I ’M CK !

A Politician and a Rodent Discuss the Situation on the Streets of L.A.

gal trash dumping in Downtown.

Rat: Illegal dumping’s a brand new issue, right? Never happened until, what, the past couple months?

Councilman: No, it’s been happening in some parts of Downtown for decades. Most business owners dispose of their garbage the right way, but others toss it in the streets.

Continued on page 16

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Metro Charter Elementary Closes School That Opened in 2013 Shuts Down Following Declining Enrollment, Inability to Find a Permanent Home

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By Sean P. Thomas etro Charter Elementary School, which opened six years ago and was heralded as the first school pitched to a new legion of Downtown Los Angeles residents, has closed. Its operators cited declining enrollment as the primary reason.

The Metro Charter board of directors voted to close the school on Monday, July 8.

That day, the school had 59 students enrolled for the upcoming academic year. That’s a steep fall from the 2017 apex, when 300 students attended classes.

The closure marks a painful end for the school that started in 2013 in office space in a local hospital, but was forced to jump locations in recent years due to an inability to secure a permanent home. In the 2018/19 school year Metro Charter occupied a former Boys and Girls Club in Lincoln Heights.

Metro Charter Board Chair Chinmaya Misra, a founding member of the school, said many parents decided against driving to the Lincoln Heights campus, and chose other options for their children.

“The enrollments were being affected drastically by the move out of Downtown,” Misra said. “We were made for Downtown.

Our mission was to serve the community of Downtown and be the neighborhood walking school, and that was the school’s ultimate demise.”

Metro Charter began by serving kindergarten through second grade students, and added a grade a year until a fifth grade was installed. However, there were cutbacks as enrollment shriveled. In the most recent academic year there were just three classes, all split: kindergarten and first grade, second and third grades, and four and fifth grades.

Misra said that the school needed at least 75 students to remain viable, but even at that level a number of cuts would have needed to

M

be made, further diminishing services.

Misra said the board explored options to stave off a closure, including partnering with other educational entities and charter networks, but none would have resolved the issues caused by low enrollment.

Misra said the decision was made to close now, as opposed to hoping enrollment would increase over the summer and then having to shut down near the start of or during a school year if the student level did not rise. Misra said the board informed parents of its decision on Tuesday, hoping to give them enough time to find alternatives.

She added that institutions including Citizen of the World in Silverlake, the Los Angeles Leadership Academy and ICEF Inglewood have informed Metro Charter that they can accommodate students for the upcoming academic year.

“We always stood by our decisions and wanted to make responsible decisions. The board has always been on the same page regarding that,” Misra said. “We didn’t want to be in a position where we would have to press pause, or hit cancel. The writing was on the wall.”

A Carousel of Campuses Metro Charter was spawned by a group of parents who met in South Park and worked countless volunteer hours to create a walkable, high-quality, free alternative to options such as Ninth Street Elementary School near Skid Row, the Para Los Niños Charter Elementary School on Seventh Street, and Castelar Elementary School in Chinatown. Metro Charter opened with 80 students in South Park’s California Hospital Medical Center. The stay was always expected to be temporary.

Metro Charter remained there through the 2016/17 academic year.

Throughout its existence, school leaders continuously looked for a new home, but were repeatedly stymied as Downtown

After being unable to secure a permanent space, Metro Charter moved to a spot in Lincoln Heights.

The site outside of Downtown led to a further decline in enrollment.

photo by Sean P. Thomas

land values soared. Misra said that board members looked at nearly 25 different sites throughout the school’s run, but a combination of permitting hurdles and cost prevented them from finding a space they could buy or lease on a long-term basis.

That situation led to a series of difficult decisions. In the 2017/18 year, Metro Charter split into two campuses. Although third through fifth grade students had classrooms in an office building at 700 Wilshire Blvd., kindergarten through second graders had to take a bus to Pleasant Hills Baptist Church at 2009 W. MLK Jr. Blvd. in South L.A.

DOWNTOWN NEWS 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Enrollment fell to 150 students. The dual campus approach posed difficulties for some families, particularly those with students at the two different campuses.

Metro Charter leaders continued to look for an alternative, and after being unable to find a location large enough to accommodate the entire student body in Downtown, they signed a two-year lease for the Lincoln Heights space.

The situation was a hurdle to many, including Zuzy Chavez. The founding parent and former board member had one daughter who graduated from Metro Charter and an-

metro art presents

other who just finished first grade.

Chavez said that she was looking at other options for her younger daughter, but held out hope that Metro Charter would return to Downtown. Although the 3.5-mile difference between the sites at 700 Wilshire and Lincoln Heights might seem negligible, traffic placed a strain on parents such as Chavez.

“Last year was a struggle because there were so many changes,” Chavez said. “Both my girls loved school and loved Metro.”

Lack of Options Metro’s demise is a blow to community members who have long clamored for more education and early childhood options in the Central City.

Scott Bytof, whose daughter was one of six students to complete each grade at Metro Charter, wants to know what Downtown residents and organizations will do in the wake of the shutdown.

“The interesting thing is, as we continue, what is the Downtown response going to be?” Bytof said. “We see a lot of kids in Downtown. Where are your kids going to go to school? Are they just going to reach a certain age and then move on?”

According to projections, Downtown’s population is expected to grow from approximately 75,000 residents today to 200,000 by 2040.

Fourteenth District City Councilman José Huizar, who in 2013 advocated for the school’s initial charter approval, said he was saddened by the vote to close Metro Charter, and called on the Los Angeles Unified School District to help find sites and address educa-

tion options within Downtown to meet the growth of the Central City.

“We now have more than 75,000 people that live in Downtown and over 500,000 that work here,” Huizar said in an email. “We need to increase amenities, including schools, to get people to stay in Downtown.”

Jessica Lall, a board member at Metro Charter and the president and CEO of the Central City Association, echoed Huizar’s sentiment. She pointed to a study commissioned by the CCA and conducted by Loyola Marymount University that found that only 22% of DTLA residents perceive local kindergarten through 12th grade education options as “good.”

“I think when you look at that number and think, does there need to be continued options outside of Metro Charter, the answer is no doubt yes,” Lall said. “It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to come to a resolution for Metro Charter, but the need will only continue to grow as we add more residents.”

Misra said she hopes that someone or a group of people will come together and carry a similar torch for Downtown families.

“When I look at the life of Metro, I don’t view it from a perspective of failure,” Misra said. “We did face hurdles and challenges, but I hope the newer generation takes this as a precedent and learns from all the challenges that we faced.”

She added, “It was a very heroic effort from families who wanted to keep living here and not up and leave once their kids turned 5.” sean@downtownnews.com

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JULY 15, 2019

Skid Row Hygiene Center to Move

including installing boxes to collect needles and hazardous materials. One of those will be at the ReFresh Spot.

The new location will be larger than the current Crocker Street space, allowing for more facilities. According to Huizar’s office, plans call for expanding services.

“The ReFresh Spot has become an important resource to Skid Row and is part of the necessary emergency response to the crisis on the streets,” Huizar said in a prepared statement. “Securing a long-term location is critical to providing the basic hygiene everyone deserves — a hot shower, clean clothes, safe restrooms and a sense of dignity.”

Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles said the plans at the new location are being determined but will include more laundry facilities. nicholas@downtownnews.com

ReFresh Spot, Being Displaced by Low-Income Housing Project, Gets New Site

By Nicholas Slayton lauded hygiene center in Skid Row is on the move. After months of uncertainty, a long-term home has been secured.

The Skid Row Community ReFresh Spot, which includes toilets, hand-washing stations, showers and laundry facilities, opened in December 2017 at 557 S. Crocker St. After some early ups and downs, the project operated

by Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles is open 24 hours a day and serves approximately 700 people daily.

Despite the success, the ReFresh Spot must move. It is on a lot owned by the neighboring Weingart Center, and the homeless services provider plans to build a residential tower for homeless and low-income individuals on the site. Although no groundbreaking date has been set, an effort to secure a new location has been in the works for months.

The ReFresh Spot is scheduled to remain open through the summer, and will then move to 544 Towne Ave., a surface lot owned by Maurice Moussavieh; the city is still negotiating the length of the lease, and will sublease the space to Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles.

The new space will open in the fall, according to the office of City Councilman José Huizar, whose 14th District covers Skid Row. The office said there will be a period when no facility operates, but expects that it “should be

A

The Skid Row Community ReFresh Spot opened in late 2017 on Crocker Street. It provides showers, toilets and laundry services to homeless individuals.

photo by Nicholas Slayton

minimal.”

In a statement to Los Angeles Downtown News, Mayor Eric Garcetti said that finding a permanent home for the site is part of the city’s efforts to increase the resources available for homeless individuals on Skid Row. “The expansion of the ReFresh Spot will offer bathrooms, showers, washers and dryers, and other valuable community services in this neighborhood,” Garcetti said in the statement.

“Projects like this one show the difference we can make in people’s lives when we confront

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this crisis together.”

The ReFresh Spot opened as a response to the lack of toilets and other hygiene facilities in Skid Row. It currently has three trailers.

There is full-time on-site staff. The annual operating budget varies, but is approximately $2 million. That will be revised after the move.

Going forward, the hygiene center will be funded in part through $20 million of state Homeless Emergency Aid Program money allocated to the city and dedicated specifically for Skid Row. HEAP funds will also cover efforts

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AROUND TOWN, 2 public, but organizers ask that people RSVP via Eventbrite. The third and final event is Aug. 15 with Carmel and musicians India Carney and Raelee Nikole.

More information is at theblocla.com.

Fashion District Residential Towers Sold

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ess than a year after they opened, a pair of residential towers at Eighth and Spring streets have traded hands.

Holland Partner Group sold the Grace on Spring and Griffin on Spring, at 732 S. Spring St. and 755 S. Spring St., respectively, to Daydream Apartments, a Denver-based business that allows residents to rent out and share rooms in units. Daydream did not disclose immediate plans for the two buildings, but the company’s website says they will join Daydream’s roster of homesharing projects in 2020. The two properties collectively hold 575 apartments and are each approximately 50% leased.

Holland Partner Group previously sold properties in Seattle and Denver to Daydream. The sale price was not disclosed.

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JULY 15, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

DT

CALENDAR

photos courtesy Department of Recreations and Parks

The Downtown Stage series at Pershing Square always draws a collection of prominent national acts. Sheila E. performs this Saturday, July 20, and Blues Traveler lands at the park on Aug. 17.

A Slate of Summer Fun at Pershing Square CONCERTS AND FILMS RETURN TO THE PARK IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN

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By Sean P. Thomas here are many signs of summer in Downtown Los Angeles. They include temperatures that turn the pavement into baking sheets and long lines at gelato stands.

Then there’s the clearest indicator of all: Crowds carrying folding chairs and blankets and walking from all directions to Pershing Square for a robust lineup of music and film screenings.

The annual festivities began last week, and will continue through mid-August. As usual, it’s many-splendored, and is headlined by the Downtown Stage, the moniker for the Saturday night concert series with prominent artists. The programming also includes a lineup of a Wednesday lunch concerts, a variety of musical acts on Thursday nights at the nearby Spring Street Park, and a slate of Friday film screenings back at Pershing Square.

The Saturday night concert series is the biggest component of the summer, as crowds of more than 6,000 people have turned out for acts such as L.A. punk legends X. Organized by the city Department of Recreation and Parks, the Saturday concerts are now in their 11th year and take place on a 70-foot stage at the northern end of the park. Admission to the concerts is free, but those who RSVP through Eventbrite receive priority admission as some nights reach capacity.

Louise Capone, the park’s senior recreation director, has been involved with the series since it began in 2009. While the bands and films draw people to the park, Capone said it doesn’t hurt that all the offerings are free and take place during the relatively cool summer evenings.

“It’s just that summertime spirit,” Capone said.

“There is just such a wide variety of genres and a great atmosphere that I think our audience will really have fun, and that keeps people coming back for more.”

The Saturday concerts kicked off on July 13 when the Beatles tribute band Rain performed. It continues this week at 7 p.m. when percussionist and former Prince protégé Sheila E. takes the stage. Also on the bill is the soul band Pimps of Joytime.

Another highlight comes on July 27, when Elefante, a Latin rock and pop band from Mexico City, is paired with Columbian rock act Aterciopelados. The Saturday concerts will continue every week until Aug. 17, when Blues Traveler closes things out.

Capone said that this year’s slate of concerts involves a combination of artists across a bevy of genres.

She hopes that the varied lineup will bring both regulars and newbies to the park.

“We have a very diverse audience, culturally as well as demographically and age wise,” Capone said. “When you look at the entire series, you try to reach everybody or try to turn people on to new music that may be out of their demographic.”

That theme of diversity spreads beyond the Saturday night shows to the rest of the offerings at Pershing Square, including the Wednesday afternoon concerts. Those take place from noon-1:30 p.m., and complement the weekly farmers market at the park.

The concerts touch on different genres, from the Disco Freaks to Radio Rebel’s ’80s-inspired sound. The Rob Staley Band, a local country act, is scheduled to perform this Wednesday, July 17.

“The concerts are really so much fun,” Capone said.

“People come down for the farmers market, we have seating, we have shade, and it’s just a great time.”

Shaking up Spring Street In a unique twist, Pershing Square’s summer programming actually extends beyond the park. The local team also stages the concerts that take place each Thursday evening from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Spring Street Park (428 S. Spring St.). Admission is free and an RSVP is not required.

In its first two years the series dabbled primarily in jazz, but this year Capone said they are varying the genres.

“We are expanding the listening audience there,” Capone said. “We tried jazz and we’d get about 150 people a night, but we really wanted to have some dancing-in-the-street music, so we have a great variety.”

The Spring Street Park series started with Grammy-nominated fiddler and vocalist Lisa Haley. Up next is Brazilian jazz duo Brasil Brazil, performing on July 18.

The series will conclude on Aug. 15 with a performance from Patti Berman. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because she is a Downtown fixture who is president of both the nonprofit organization Friends of Spring Street Park and the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council.

Berman said that she leans toward the more traditional sounds of jazz and ragtime, but is excited about what the new acts will bring.

“It should be very interesting,” Berman said. “Personally I loved the jazz, but the city wanted to mix it up and I think it’s going to be really fun.”

Pershing Square also has something for film fans with its Friday Night Flicks lineup. It projects movies on a 20-by-40-foot screen. The films are free and start at sunset, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and food. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are allowed.

This week brings the Marvel megahit Black Panther. Other screenings include The Motorcycle Diaries, about pre-revolutionary Che Guevara’s cross-country road trip, on July 26, the musical coming-of-age comedy/drama Sing Street on Aug. 2, and last year’s Oscar winner for Best Animated Film, Spiderman Into the Spider-verse on Aug. 9.

Pershing Square’s summer programming continues through Aug.17 at 532 S. Olive St. A full lineup and additional information is at laparks.com/pershingsquare. sean@downtownnews.com

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

12 DOWNTOWN NEWS

SAN ANTONIO WINERY

JULY 15, 2019

The ‘Wrong’ Stuff Ahmanson Farce Aims to Spark Laughs, and It Succeeds Mightily

EVENT CALENDAR

Wine Tastings, Wine Festivals, Wine Tours & More at our Los Angeles Winery Location.

JULY 21, SUNDAY • 1 to 3pm • $70

Wine & Sushi Pairing Although sushi is most often served with Sake, our awardwinning wines make a delicious and exceptional pairing.

We invite you to enjoy an afternoon with us while eating sushi prepared by Master Chefs. Together we will explore the art of wine and food pairing, while tantalizing the taste buds. Wine and Sushi can make for a magical experience.

AUG. 16, FRIDAY • 6pm • $65

Comedy Night Dinner begins at 6:00 pm and the show will start at 7:30 pm.

Wine a little and laugh a lot, Comedy Night at The Winery is back by popular demand! Perfect for a lighthearted date night or laughter-filled evening with friends, join us for dinner, wine, and a show in our richly decorated Vintage Room and Cellar. Both wine and laughter will be flowing!

AUG. 25, SUNDAY • 11:30 to 2pm • $65

Soulful Sunday Brunch Prepared by Cheryl Lindsay from Taste with Grace Catering.

Menu to include: Eggs, Southern Fried Chicken, Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, Southern Style Cheesy Grits, Collard Greens, Corn Muffins, Sweet Treats. Stella Rosa Prosecco, Stella Rosa Orange Moscato, Sparkling Wine and Mimosas.

Menu subject to change.

San Antonio Winery, Maddalena Restaurant, Tasting Room, Bistro & Gift Shop 737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031 Phone: 323.223.1401

photo by Jeremy Daniel

(l to r) Peyton Crim, Scott Cote, Evan Alexander Smith and Ned Noyles appear in the pratfall-filled The Play That Goes Wrong. The farce is built around a murder mystery that unspools in frequently surprising ways.

By Jeff Favre lmost all successful comedic farces begin with realistic situations and properly motivated characters who gradually become more exaggerated until they reach a fevered pitch of ridiculousness.

The creators of The Play That Goes Wrong, running through Aug. 11 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, tossed that school of thought out the window — along with almost everything else, including a few bodies — by beginning at wonderfully ridiculous and seeing how far they could go from there.

Dozens of intricate slapstick setups and a seemingly endless cascade of carefully constructed flubs fly so fast and furious that it’s hard to remember which moment is causing the riotous laughter.

While it’s a bit too long in the first act, it’s easy to forgive a show that clearly is designed for fun — and nothing else.

Created originally as a 45-minute piece by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer, The Play That Goes Wrong premiered in London seven years ago. It’s still a hit on the West End, and ran on Broadway for almost two years.

Now on a U.S. tour, this show’s simple concept can appeal to almost any demographic, including children about 10 or older.

As explained up front in the fake program provided inside the real one, the hapless Cornley University Drama Society has managed to take its production of the melodramatic mystery The Murder at Haversham Manor on the road.

The laughs begin before the audience settles as stage manager Annie (Angela Grovey) and tech guy Trevor (Brandon J. Ellis) are on stage trying to fix a broken door and a mantle that keeps falling.

Next, Chris Bean (Evan Alexander Smith), the director and star (not to mention the designer, the prop maker, the dialect coach, the box office manager, etc.), gives a speech before the show and explains to the audience how this is the first production where the company has had the correct number of cast members, unlike past efforts such as its revised version of the hit musical Cat. If those preliminaries don’t make it clear, an early lights-up finds Jonathan (Yaegel T. Welch) falling across the stage to

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get to his spot as a corpse. Don’t worry. It’s not the only time he appears less than dead.

The plot of the mystery concerns a man murdered on the night of his engagement party. The suspects are his brother, his fiancé and her brother, the butler and the gardener. Chris portrays a local inspector who comes to investigate.

Each member of the cast is more inept than the other.

Dennis (Scott Cote), as the butler, writes hard-to-pronounce words on his hand — and then mispronounces them. Sandra (Jamie Ann Romero) over-emotes every line as the fiancé.

Max (Ned Noyes), the corpse’s brother, mugs to the audience for laughs.

As bad as the fake cast is, the entire real cast is a remarkably skilled ensemble, delivering Buster Keaton-like falls and collisions (several actors have been injured doing this show) that elicit winces along with laughs. Smith delivers the most brilliantly hilarious moment in the first act when he breaks character.

Even if some sight stunts are easy to predict, others are shocking, and they employ surprise elements of the Tony-winning scenic design by Nigel Hook.

From start to finish, this is a staging marvel. Tour director Matt DiCarlo — working off the original direction by Mark Bell — juggles elements across the entire stage in an explosion of several simultaneous visual and audio gags. There’s even some intermission melees near a snack bar if you are lucky enough to run across them.

All this praise aside, it’s important to know that if silent-movie style physical humor and reality-defying mistakes are not your thing, then The Play That Goes Wrong is likely not for you. If you’re not laughing in the first few minutes, this is going to be a long night.

Many people unfairly compare the show to Noises Off!, the modern farce masterpiece about playmaking. This isn’t that show, nor is it trying to be.

Instead, The Play That Goes Wrong has no hidden agenda.

It’s not delivering a message. It’s simply proving that sharp physical comedy is timeless and universal — and a momentary antidote to the often harsh challenges of reality.

The Play That Goes Wrong runs through Aug. 11 at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave. or centertheatregroup.org.

DT

BY SEAN P. THOMAS

CALENDAR LISTINGS

Getting all those trains and buses in and out of Union Station each day is a pretty nifty trick. That said, the general public will be far more impressed when the transit hub hosts the event Magic Mystery at Union Station. Taking place on the station’s South Patio on Saturday, July 20, from 6-9 p.m., the free happening will feature a lineup of talented magic makers, including some close-up artists. The night holds Lindsay Benner, a 2019 Magic Castle Award nominee, who will host the event, as well as magician Riccardo Berdini (pictured here) and illusionist Joseph Tran. In between acts, magicians and performers will filter into the audience to show their craft up close. Blink and you’ll miss it. At 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.com.

photo courtesy Union Station

EVENTS

While The Broad’s first floor exhibit Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983 continues to expose audiences to the work of black artists working during the height of the Civil Rights era, a companion event highlights the musicians who were shaking up jazz around the same time. On Wednesday, July 17, the Bunker Hill museum hosts Black Fire Sessions, an exploration of music inspired by the artwork of creative types working in 1960-70. The event features live performances by stalwarts of free jazz as they partner with young artists working in the space between jazz, R&B, hip-hop and soul. The lineup brings jazz legend Roscoe Mitchell (shown here) alongside contemporary artists Brett Carson, Busdriver, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Teebs and Mecca Vazie Andrews. The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. and a ticket includes access to the museum. At 221 S. Grand Ave., (213) 232-6250 or thebroad.org.

photo by Ken Weiss

MONDAY, JULY 15 Mystic Monday Comedy Resident, 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com.

8 p.m.: Case of the Mondays? Hopefully stand-up comedy can help. If not, it’s stand-up comedy at a bar.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 Feminist Book Club The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com.

7:30 p.m.: This month the club reads Jacob Tobia’s memoir “Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story.”

Black Fire Sessions The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., (213) 232-6200 or thebroad. org.

8:30 p.m.: It’s a night of music fueled by the art on display in the “Soul of a Nation” exhibit.

THURSDAY, JULY 18 Zocalo Public Square National History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd. or zocalopublicsquare.org.

7:30 p.m.: A panel of experts try to answer the question, “Are Americans turning against science?” Yeah, what do scientists know, anyway?

FRIDAY, JULY 19 Dance DTLA Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave. or musiccenter.org/ dancedtla.

7 p.m.: This week, learn the moves to Argentine tango and practice with others in the park. Admission is free and there are also free dance lessons.

SATURDAY, JULY 20 Magic and Mystery at Union Station Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.com.

6 p.m.: Magicians, mentalists and all kinds of performers will surprise and delight people during a unique event at the transit hub.

photo courtesy Teragram Ballroom

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

1720 1720 E. 16th St. or 1720.la.

July 17: Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie. You heard them.

July 18: The “Pure Noise Tour” features Counterparts, Terror, Sanction, and Year of the Knife.

Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E.S. Onizuka St. Suite 301, (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com.

July 15: Andrée Belle Group.

July 16: Alex Sadnik.

July 17: David Tranchina Group.

July 18: Singer Kristen Lee Sargeant, with special guests. (No, it’s not the Obamas.)

July 19: Daniel Rosenboom Group.

July 20: Dwight Trible Group.

July 21: Thollem McDonas and Alex Cline.

Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org.

July 15: Polartropica’s July residency continues with an “Intergalactic Space Odyssey,” backed by Miss Jupiter, Monolators, and Little Galaxies.

July 16: Red Wanting Blue.

July 17: Guitarist and singer Jessica Hoop.

July 18: Drum & Lace has an EP release show.

July 19: The Appleseed Cast is backed by Young Jesus, which, as we all know, does not feature a young person named Jesus.

July 20: The Manx is a “goo-core” band that wears elaborate costumes and gets weird. Weird even for L.A. July 21: Meanwhile, James V has a music video release concert.

The Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com.

Continued on page 14

DOWNTOWN NEWS 13

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Over the course of its brief four-year run starting in the late 1980s, alt rock band Galaxie 500 released just three albums. It was a limited output, but three decades later they’re still beloved. While former headman Dean Wareham has moved on to other projects, he’s not too big to return to his roots, and he’ll do that this week when he drops by the Teragram Ballroom. On Friday, July 19, Wareham, backed by a fourpiece band, will play Galaxie 500’s second album, On Fire, in its entirety, bringing smiles to graying fans of the dream pop album that melodically meshed lo-fi with psychedelia strains. Jason Quever’s musical project Papercuts will open. The concert begins at 8 p.m. At 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com.

Show off your dance moves in a no-judgment al fresco setting when Dance DTLA returns to Grand Park on Friday, July 19. Taking place from 7-11 p.m., the event is all about Argentine tango, the sultry and intimate dance popular in photo by Javier Guillen for Music Center/Grand Park Buenos Aires. If you have no idea where to start with Argentine tango, no worries — the event will feature live music and instructors who will provide free beginner lessons. It might take two to tango, but it’s perfectly fine to attend solo; maybe you’ll find your dance partner on the floor, with a rose between his or her teeth. At 200 N. Grand Ave. or grandparkla.org.

Is the future female?

It is for sure this week, as the Femme It Forward Tour stops at the Microsoft Theatre at L.A. Live.

Filled with prominent female R&B artists including Brandy, Keri Hilson, Monica, Ashanti and more, the night highlights women in the entertainment industry. It’s more than just a concert, as in addition to some musical performances, there will also be panel discussions and comedy sets. It takes place on Friday, July 19, at 7 p.m. and a portion of the proceeds will go to a charitable organization that supports women’s advancements. At 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or microsofttheater.com.

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

photo courtesy Femme It Forward

JULY 15, 2019

14 DOWNTOWN NEWS

LISTINGS, 13 July 19: The Owl Collective.

Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com.

July 19: Chase and Status.

July 20: Deborah de Luca, Cassy, Yousef, Schmitty.

Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or grammymuseum.org.

July 15: Justin Moore is apparently popular in the country music world.

Ham and Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eight St. or hamandeggstavern.com.

July 18: Chew on this: It’s Gum Country. Also, enjoy Kim Gray, Picky Bunches.

Microsoft Theater 777 Chick Hearn Ct. or microsoftheater.com.

July 19: The Femme It Forward show features Brandy, Ashanti, Keri Hilson, Monica and more.

Moroccan Lounge 901 E. First St., (213) 395-0610 or themoroccan.com.

July 15: Alejandro Aranda has the early show.

July 16: Catch Kate Staples’ music storytelling in the form of This Is the Kit. July 17: Rapper Mike Xavier has an early show.

July 19: Indie rock courtesy of Dressy Bessy.

July 20: Surf and psych rock outfit Lunar Vacation keeps the space theme going in Downtown this week.

July 21: Dream pop with Gabby’s World.

Pershing Square 532 S. Olive St. or laparks.org/pershingsquare.

July 17: Rob Staley Band.

July 20: The park in the heart of Downtown gets funky with Sheila E. and Pimps of Joytime.

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

July 16: Proper Junkies, Ashrr, Nightjacket.

Seven Grand

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

515 W. Seventh St. or sevengrandbars.com/la.

July 15: Michael Starr.

July 16: The Makers heard there is a new maker lab at the Central Library and are at the doors screaming, “Let us in!”

July 17: Dallas Hodge is not the British actor and singer Douglas Hodge.

July 18: Maurice Smith.

July 19: The California Feetwarmers call Seven Grand home.

July 20: Midnight Blues Revue.

July 21: Fabrice You Trio.

The Novo 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla. com.

July 20: South Korean singer Im Chang Jung.

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

July 16: Gravedweller, Counsil, Modern Color.

July 17: Vigil of War, Great Sadness, The Deadcoats, Churro.

One of these doesn’t sound right.

July 18: Color + Thunder, Stone Cross, Whale Shark.

July 19: Fea, Bruiser Queen, Turbulent Hearts, Dee Skusting & the Rodents, Tarah Who? July 20: Speed of Light, Mr. Vampire, Karma Vulture, Mean Heat, Velvet Starkings.

July 21: Gregg Harvey, Mike Berg, The Singularity, DZR. The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org.

July 19: Street Play, Scorn Dog, Without Rage, Mouthbreathers.

July 21: Ricardo Dias Gomes, Poll Tax Riot, Sgt. Heartbreak.

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

July 19: Dean Wareham of Galaxie 500 fame.

Jiuy 20: Benji Hughes and the Goddamn Bats (band name of the week).

July 21: We Were Promised Jetpacks.

JULY 15, 2019

THEATER & DANCE

The Play That Goes Wrong Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave. or centertheatregroup.org.

July 16-19, 8 p.m., July 20, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and July 21, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.: Ideally, a theater company is staging a cliché-filled murder mystery. What happens next is anything but ideal as everything that can go wrong on stage does. See review p. 12. Through Aug. 11.

FILM

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

July 15-18: Explore the life of writer Toni Morrison in the documentary Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am. July 19-21: Lila Avilés’ feature debut The Chambermaid is a slice-of-life drama about a maid working in a luxury hotel, and her struggle to better herself.

IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 7442019 or californiasciencecenter.org.

Dogs can do more than just slobber over your shoes. Check out all of their unique abilities in Superpower Dogs 3D. Explore the technological achievement of the Hubble space telescope, and the breathtaking images of space it’s captured in Hubble 3D. If space isn’t enough to get you in the seats, Leonardo DiCaprio narrates the film.

Witness the destructive and raw power of volcanoes as Volcanoes 3D: The Fires of Creation tours different hot spots around the globe.

Pershing Square 532 S. Olive St. or laparks.org/pershingsquare.

July 19: Chadwick Boseman struggles with the weight of absolute monarchy in Marvel’s Black Panther.

Regal Cinemas LA Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/ movies.

Through July 21: Crawl (11:20 a.m., 2, 4:30, 7:10 and 9:50 p.m.); Stuber (12:40, 2:30, 5:10, 7:50 and 10:10 p.m.); Midsommar (11 a.m., 2:40, 6:30 and 9:20 p.m.); Spider-man: Far From Home (10, 10:40 and 11:30 a.m., 12, 1:10, 1:40, 2:50, 3:30, 4:20, 5, 6:10, 7, 7:30, 8:20, 9:30, 10:20 and 10:40 p.m.); Yesterday (11:40 a.m., 2:50, 6:10 and 10:40 p.m.); Annabelle Comes Home (1:50, 4:50, 7:40 and 10:30 p.m.); Toy Story 4 (10 and 10:30 a.m., 12:50, 1:20, 3:40, 4:10, 6:30, 7, 9:20 and 9:50 p.m.); Aladdin (11:20 a.m., 3:10, 6:20 and 9:10 p.m.); John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum (10:10 a.m. and 6 p.m.); Avengers: Endgame (1:30 and 9:30 p.m.).

Rooftop Cinema Club Level Furnished Living, 888 S. Olive St. or rooftopcinemaclub.com.

July 16: In Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek of “Mr. Robot” goes from fighting evil corporations to fighting music corporation executives, while singing.

July 17: 8 Mile is the dramatic tale of a poor man trying to escape his circumstances through his gift with rap, from the

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director of L.A. Confidential. You might also know it as the movie from which Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” originated.

July 18: John David Washington and Adam Driver pretend to be the same person to take down racists in BlacKKKlansman.

July 19: Love & Basketball is about, well, love and basketball.

July 20: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of mankind reaching the Moon with Apollo 11.

July 21: Top Gun, the greatest sports film ever made about the Navy.

MUSEUMS

African American Firefighter Museum 1401 S. Central Ave., (213) 744-1730 or aaffmuseum. org.

Ongoing: An array of firefighting relics dating to 1924, including a 1940 Pirsch ladder truck, an 1890 hose wagon, uniforms from New York, L.A. County and City of L.A. firefighters, badges, helmets, photographs and other artifacts.

Broad Museum 221 S. Grand Ave., (213) 232-6200 or thebroad.org.

Ongoing: In the galleries at the Grand Avenue institution are about 250 works from Eli and Edythe Broad’s 2,000-piece contemporary art collection. It’s big-time blue chip, with work from Rauschenberg, Warhol, Basquiat, Koons, Kruger and every other big name.

Through Sept. 1: “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983” is a deep dive into an overlooked era, and holds work from artists including Noah Purifoy, Betye Saar, Charles White and many others.

California African American Museum 600 State Drive, (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org.

Through Aug. 25: “Plumb Line: Charles White and the Contemporary” features artists working in response to the multimedia creator White.

Through Sept. 8: Celebrate the iconic paintings of athlete-turned-artist Ernie Barnes in “Ernie Barnes: A Retrospective.”

Through Sept. 8: Artists explore the human form in various media in “Aspects of Nude.”

Through Sept. 8: “The Liberator” showcases a short-lived but important African-American newspaper that was published in Los Angeles at the turn of the 20th century.

Ongoing: The multi-functional “Gallery of Discovery” offers visitors the opportunity to connect with the lineage of their own family, engage in artistic workshops, educational tours and other programs of historical discoveries. Hear recordings of former slaves from the Library of Congress archives and discover stories from the past.

California Science Center 700 State Drive, (323) 724-3623 or californiasciencecenter.org.

Ongoing: “Mission 26: The Big Endeavour” presents Los Angeles’ very own Space Shuttle in all of its splendor.

Ongoing: “Science in Toyland” presents physics through favorite kids’ toys. This hands-on exhibit engages museum visitors with Dominos, Sails and Roller Coasters in a fun, but informational primer on friction, momentum and chain reactions.

Ongoing: The Science Center’s permanent exhibits are interactive and focus on human innovations and inventions as well as the life processes of living things. The lobby Science Court stays busy with the High Wire Bicycle, a Motion-Based Simulator, the Ecology Cliff Climb and “Forty Years of Space Photography.” The human body is another big focus: The Life Tunnel aims to show the connections between all life forms, from the single-celled amoeba to the 100-trillion-celled human being. The “Ecosystems” exhibit explores how life on our planet is shaped by geophysical and biological processes.

Chinese American Museum 425 N. Los Angeles St., (213) 485-8567 or camla.org.

Through Nov. 10: “Lightscapes: Re-envisioning the Shanshuihua” uses light installations to update the traditional art form of Chinese landscape paintings.

Permanent: “Origins” presents the story of the Chinese-American community in Los Angeles.

Permanent: Re-creation of the Sun Wing Wo, a Chinese general store and herbal shop, and “Journeys: Stories of Chinese Immigration,” an exhibit exploring Chinese immigration to the United States with an emphasis on community settle-

JULY 15, 2019

ment in Los Angeles. Outlined into four distinct time periods, each is defined by an important immigration law and/or event, accompanied by a description and a personal story about a local Chinese American and their experiences in that particular historical period.

El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument 124 Paseo de la Plaza, (213) 485-8372 or elpueblo.lacity. org.

Ongoing: The whole of El Pueblo is called a “monument,” and of the 27 historic buildings, four function as museums: the Avila Adobe, the city’s oldest house; the Sepulveda House, home to exhibits and the Visitors Center; the Fire House Museum, which houses late 19th-century firefighting equipment; and the Masonic Hall, which boasts Masonic memorabilia.

Check the website for a full slate of fiestas. Open daily, though hours at shops and halls vary.

FIDM Museum FIDM, second floor, 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1200 or fidmmuseum.org.

Ongoing: “Accessories from The Helen Larson Historic Fashion Collection” surveys footwear, fans, gloves, purses and hats.

Grammy Museum L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

Through Fall: “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” explores the intersection of popular music and the National Pastime.

Through Sept. 2: A boy band beloved by some and reviled by others gets another moment in the spotlight in “Backstreet Boys: The Experience.”

Ongoing: “360 Sound: The Columbia Records Story” provides an in-depth look at all aspects of Columbia Records’ history and offers a virtual history of the music industry from its infancy, tracing the label’s pivotal technological as well as business innovations, including its invention of the LP. Ongoing: White sequined gloves and other wardrobe pieces are the focal point of the exhibit case paying tribute to the life and legacy of Michael Jackson.

Ongoing: “Roland Live” is a permanent installation courtesy of the electronic musical instrument maker, Roland Corpo-

DT

CLASSIFIEDS

To place a classified ad in the Downtown News call 213-481-1448 FORplease 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.

REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL LOFTS FOR SALE

LARealEstateExpert.com Downtown since 2002

Bill Cooper

213.598.7555 LEGAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2019 146413 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) PIZZA BANDIT, 6201 WHITTIER BLVD. #6, LOS ANGELES, CA 90022 LA COUNTY, are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) PIZZA BANDIT LLC, 6201 WHITTIER BLVD. #6, LOS ANGELES, CA 90022.

This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company.

Registrant(s) began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 05/2019 This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on May 24, 2019.

NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk.

DOWNTOWN NEWS 15

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code).

Pub. 6/24, 7/1, 7/8 and 7/15.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2019 173674 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) BOMB BAE, 375 E. 2nd St #213, Los Angeles, CA 90012 LA COUNTY are hereby registered by the following registrants: LEIGH HOPKINS, 375 E. 2ND ST #213, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012. This business is conducted by an Individual. Registrant(s) started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 06/2019.

This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on June 20, 2019.

NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code).

Pub. 7/1, 7/8, 7/15 and 7/22.

ANNOUNCEMENTS OBITUARY RIBOLI, STEFANO GIUSEPPE It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Stefano Riboli, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and the beloved patriarch of San Antonio Winery. He passed peacefully at his home surrounded by family on July 3 and went to be with our Lord at the age of 97.

Stefano was born in Los Angeles on September 8, 1921 and lived there until his parents returned to Italy when he was three years old. He was raised in the small mountain village of Berzo San Fermo, just north of Bergamo, Italy. As a young boy in Berzo, Stefano grew up a shepherd boy herding “Alpina” brown cows in beautiful Alpine mountain pastures during the spring and summer months.

It was in these mountains that Stefano’s passion for all animals blossomed. He was a lover of nature and all things big and small.

At the age of 16, Stefano was given the opportunity to live the “American Dream” and was sponsored by his uncle Santo Cambianica to come and work at what was then the very small San Antonio Winery that Santo founded in 1917 located in the community of Lincoln Heights, the center of the Italian community.

Uncle Santo had no children and mentored and nurtured Stefano like a son. Stefano’s deep faith in God, humanity, and kindness toward all people came from the examples set

ration. The exhibit gives visitors a chance to participate in the music-making process by playing a wide variety of products, from V-Drums and BOSS pedals to VIMA keyboards and the MV-8800 Production Studio.

Ongoing: “Shining Like A National Guitar” references both Paul Simon and the celebrated six-string company known for their metallic resonators.

Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles 901 E. Third St. or hauserwirth.com.

Through Aug. 11: Geometric patterns and lush color schemes come together in an exhibition of Guillermo Kuitca’s paintings.

Through Aug. 11: David Hammons’ new exhibition features a collection of site-specific installations and sculptures.

Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles 1717 E. Seventh St., (310) 284-8100 or theicala.org.

Through July 21: Lucas Blalock: An Enormous Oar” features scenes of daily life and still objects created by the multimedia artist.

by his Uncle Santo.

After the Second World War Stefano met his wife Maddalena on her family’s farm in Chino, California. It was love at first sight and they married in 1946, settling down to raise a family a few blocks away from the winery. Throughout their 73 years together, they raised three children (all of whom work at the winery), helped raise numerous grandchildren (many of whom work at the winery), and together have been the driving force behind the winery’s success.

Their love for each other was beyond words and they were a great example of teamwork and commitment, always supporting each other’s decisions whether at home or at work.

Stefano was an integral part of the success of the San Antonio Winery. His countless hours of hard work, love, and dedication with his lifelong love, Maddalena, is the reason for the winery’s prosperity today.

Throughout their lifetime they witnessed their small neighborhood winery transform into the 2018 “American Winery of the Year”, by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Stefano was fondly referred to as Papa Steve. He always welcomed everyone with a smiling face, a glass of wine, and an amazing recollection of names, history, and a colorful story about his early days in Italy and the winery. His unmatched wit, preciseness, generosity, and charm instantly drew everyone to him. His warmth and kindness kept them coming back.

For decades, longtime patrons visited the winery just to see him. He loved spending every day at the place he called

home, while making it feel like home for his loyal customers and his new ones; he always made time for everyone.

A dedicated family man, Stefano is survived by his three children: Santo (Joan), Cathy (Nino), and Steve (Sindee), who run the winery today. He leaves behind many grandchildren: Anthony, Steve, Lisa, Michael, Jennifer, David, Dante, Blake, Christopher, and Alex. And he is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.

Stefano left an indelible mark on his family and his community that will never be forgotten.

His legacy will live on forever in everyone’s hearts and in the soul of the winery and the city he loved. As Stefano would always say, “Sempre Avanti”, just keep moving forward no matter what challenges life brings you.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Saint Peter’s Italian Catholic Church in memory of Stefano Riboli. Donations can be made at https://stpeteritalianchurchla.org/ or for assistance call 323-225-8119.

The Riboli Family Service Details Date: Monday July 22, 2019 Location: Saint Peter’s Italian Catholic Church Address: 1039 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Viewing: 9:30 am – 10:30am Mass: 10:30am – 12:00pm Condolences and Small Bites: 12:00pm – 1:30pm Burial: Family Only Please be aware that parking will be limited.

Complimentary shuttle service will be provided from the parking lots below to and from Saint Peter’s Church or San Antonio Winery

Legal Advertisement MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from general contractors wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide construction services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at: https://forms.gle/M5EEA4EKeKExKfATA. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by July 24, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on July 24, 2019 will be rejected.

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Hundreds of listings of fun and interesting things to do in Downtown Los Angeles can also be found online at ladowntownnews.com/calendar: Rock, Pop & Jazz; Bars & Clubs; Farmers Markets; Events; Film; Sports; Art Spaces; Theater, Dance and Opera; Classical Music; Museums; and Tours.

2 YOUR EVENT INFO

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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.

Stefano’s Celebration of Life Location: San Antonio Winery Address: 737 Lamar St. Los Angeles, CA 90031 Time: 4:00pm – 8:00pm Please RSVP with Maria Zavala or Maria Duarte MZavala@RiboliWines.com – Mduarte@RiboliWines. com Parking and Transportation are within 1 mile of St. Peter’s Church or the San Antonio Winery 1. Parking at Grace Hall, 150

North Ave 19. Provided by Young Nak Church.

2. 1819 Barranca Street.

Provided by Young Nak Church.

3. 420 Bernard Street. 1 block from St. Peter’s Church Transportation: Shuttle service will be available from 8:30am – 8:30pm San Antonio Winery will be closed for business on July 22 in Memory of Stefano Riboli.

‘ Helping Everyone Find their Place in Downtown Los Angeles Since 2002 ’ Bill Cooper 213.598.7555 • LARealEstateExpert.com Bill@LARealEstateExpert.com PUBLIC NOTICE

Bids for a lump-sum contract are invited for the following work:

Capital improvements at The Village located at 527 South Crocker Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

Description of Work: Remodel restrooms, upgrade facade, painting interior and exterior of entire facility, replace flooring for common areas, new security lights and security cameras, replace out- door fence Procedures: Bidding documents will be available via email at bidinfo@thepeopleconcern.org.

In order to be considered for this project you must: Register as a public works contractor, provide proof of public works contractor status when submitting a bid, pay prevailing wages, follow apprenticeship requirements and maintain and submit certified payroll records.

Bidders must attend a mandatory pre-bid conference at 10 am, Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at The Village located at 527 South Crocker Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. For details, email bidinfo@thepeopleconcern.org.

Bids will be received only at: The People Concern located at 2116 Arlington Ave., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90018, Attn: Donna Miller, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday.

Bid Deadline: Sealed bids must be received on or before 10 am, Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

Bids will be opened at: Noon, Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at The People Concern located at 2116 Arlington Ave., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90018.

The successful Bidder will be required to have the following California current and active contractor’s license at the time of submission of the Bid: “B” General Building Contractor.

Estimated construction cost: $1,000,000 The People Concern Village July 5, 2019

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

16 DOWNTOWN NEWS

JULY 15, 2019

LEADING RAT, 7

TRILOGY

Downtown...It’s Not Just Big Business Anymore!

255 GRAND 255 South Grand Avenue 213-229-9777 www.255GRAND.com Community Amenities: Expansive Outdoor Terrace Heated Pool & Spa Custom-Designed Interiors 24 hr. Manned Lobby Resident Concierge Fitness Center / Yoga Studio Wi-Fi Lounge State-of-the-Art HD Theater Gourmet BBQ Areas / Gas Fire Pits Contemporary Lounge with Gourmet Kitchen

Apartment Amenities: Breathtaking Views Spacious Floorplans Central Air & Heating Balconies / Urban Patios (Most Units) Deep Soaking Tubs Luxury Stainless Appliances & Finishes Sky Level 27th Floor Penthouse Units: Complimentary Wi-Fi & Basic Cable Waterfall Countertops Bosch Appliances Nest 3rd Generation Thermostats Up to 2 Parking Spaces Included On-Site: Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants

PROMENADE TOWERS 123 South Figueroa Street 213-617-3777 www.THEPROMENADETOWERS.com

Community Amenities: Expansive Outdoor Patio with BBQ Grills Heated Pool & Spa 24 hr. Manned Lobby Fitness Center Parking Garage

On-Site: Convenience Store Café Private Fitness Training Apartment Amenities: Floor-to-Ceiling Windows City Skyline Views Solarium and/or Balconies

MUSEUM TOWER 225 South Olive Street 213-626-1500 www.THEMUSEUMTOWERAPTS.com

Community Amenities: 24 hr. Manned Lobby Resident Concierge Heated Pool & Spa Fitness Center / Yoga Studio Outdoor Patio Gas BBQ Grills Recreation Room State-of-the-Art HD Theater Rooftop Patio with Views

Apartment Amenities: City and Mountain Views Luxury Appliances & Finishes Central Air & Heating Balconies (Most Units) Basic Cable *All Amenities Under Renovation

RESIDENCES STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOMS PENTHOUSE UNITS • CORPORATE HOUSING

Rat: That’s been happening for years and now you decide to address it and step up enforcement? What’s wrong with this picture?

Councilman: There’s a lot to take care of in Los Angeles — Olympics, bike lanes, Airbnb regulations, pot shops, elections.

We can’t do everything.

Rat: But you have a plan, right?

Councilman: Exactly! A comprehensive plan. This garbage — change begins now!

Rat: I don’t know what to say.

Councilman: Let’s regroup, take a break. Wanna play a game.

How about some hide and squeak?

Rat: What the [expletive] is wrong with you?

Councilman: Sorry. I get it. People are angry about the situation on the streets — I’m not sure if I mentioned that before.

The sidewalks are filled with tents and garbage and it’s going to take time to clear it all away. But let’s start small. How can we get the rats out of City Hall?

Rat: You start with the poop.

Councilman: Exactly. We’d prefer you not poop in the building. You know, the city has been sued by a woman who claims she caught typhus from a rat-riding flea in City Hall.

We call that muy no bueno. In English that means “very no bueno.” So yeah, let’s ix-nay the oop-pay in City Hall.

Rat: Who elected you? I’m not talking about rats pooping in the building. I’m talking about people. One reason we rats are in City Hall is because, according to a city-commissioned report from a pest control company that the L.A. Times wrote about June 3, homeless individuals are relieving themselves in pits on the side of the building that are covered with grates. You gotta stop that.

Councilman: Easier said than done. Do you have any ideas to prevent people from doing their business here?

Rat: Just one: Permanent nearby portable toilets with hand-washing stations and on-site staff. I don’t know what it costs but it’s gotta be worth the investment. Give people an alternative so they’re not using grates.

Councilman: That’s a great idea! Get it? Grate? Great! Great grates! Great grates while eating grapes! We’ll include it in the plan.

Rat: Heaven help us. When are you termed out?

Councilman: There’s another thing I’d like to discuss.

Rat: Is it the proposal to ban behested payments from elected officials, the idea of halting the practice of politicians asking for charitable contributions from those who do business with the city?

Councilman: No! Are you kidding? We love behested payments. I don’t want to discuss that at all.

Rat: Is it the ongoing pay-to-play investigation at City Hall and the FBI raid from last November, and speculation from the general public about who will go down?

Councilman: No! I don’t want to discuss that either.

Rat: Quel surprise.

Councilman: It’s actually, well, I’m up for re-election shortly, and I was hoping that you and some of your fellow rats might sneak through cracks into the offices of some Downtown buildings and see if you can find any documents from competitors that we could use during the campaign.

Rat: That’s sneaky. We rats can get anywhere at any time, but this doesn’t sound like a bright idea. Can’t you run on your record of achievement during your time in City Council?

The councilman raises his eyebrows and is silent for a moment.

He slowly shakes his head back and forth, before speaking.

Councilman: Go with my idea. I’ll pay you by letting you rats have all the garbage you want — we’ll make the cleanups even slower than they’ve been so far. We’ll buy some time.

Rat: Interesting.

Councilman: I even have a good name for the plan.

Rat: What is it?

Councilman: Rat-ergate!

Rat: You’re hopeless.

The rat turns around and scurries away. The councilman asks his assistant to send in the opossum. regardie@downtownnews.com