12-22-14

A Food Pioneer Says Goodbye : 8 Life After a Fire : 6

DECEMBER 22, 2014 I VOL. 43 I #51

Sultans of Swing

A Ninth Floor Loft Becomes A Dance Studio

THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

photo by Gary Leonard

SEE PAGE 10

2 Downtown News

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AROUND TOWN

Rite Aid Pharmacist Gets Suspension, Probation

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he former Rite Aid pharmacist accused by California Attorney General Kamala Harris of illegally dispensing tens of thousands of painkillers and anti-anxiety medication pills has had her license suspended for 90 days and will be on probation for five years. The disciplinary order from the state Board of Pharmacy follows an investigation into the Rite Aid at 500 S. Broadway and Anne Chung, the previous pharmacist-in-charge. The board filed a 41-page complaint in March accusing Chung and the pharmacy of unprofessional conduct, gross immorality, “clearly excessive furnishing” of controlled substances between 2009 and 2012 and subverting a state investigation. The quantity of painkillers and anti-anxiety prescriptions that were being dispensed at the pharmacy triggered the curiosity of LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sean Lewis, who contacted a pharmaceutical inspector. The investigation found numerous “abnormalities and discrepancies,” according to the complaint. Virginia Herold, executive officer for the Board of Pharmacy, called the action a “relatively stiff sanction.” It stipulates that, after serving her suspension and during her probation period, if Chung wants to work at a pharmacy she must be supervised by another pharmacist. If she violates her probation at any time, she would lose her license. Chung would not speak in depth with a

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS reporter who visited her home this month. The Board has yet to determine if the store itself will face any penalties.

December 22, 2014

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Gap Factory Store Opens on Broadway

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dd one more option for those needing last-minute holiday gifts in Downtown: the Gap Factory Store. The San Francisco-based casual wear retailer opened its first Central City location on Dec. 13 to a flurry of patrons who took advantage of 70% savings on the first day of business. Prices in the store at 737 S. Broadway will generally be lower than at traditional Gap outlets, said company spokesman Sean Piazza. The store, on the west side of Broadway between Seventh and Eighth streets, joins Urban Outfitters and Ross Dress for Less as namebrand retail establishments to open on Broadway within the past two years.

Redbird Restaurant Finally Opens

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he wait for one of Downtown’s most anticipated and most frequently delayed restaurants is finally over. Redbird, chef Neal Fraser’s establishment in the former rectory adjacent to the old St. Vibiana’s cathedral, soft-opened last week. Fraser has partnered with ubiquitous restaurateur Bill Chait (Bestia, Rivera) on the establishment at 214 S. Main St., which features a courtyard dining room with a retractable roof and a bar and lounge area. The menu can be best categorized as New American, with flavor inspirations from Latin and Asian cuisines. Dish-

Why does this little burger stand attract over a million people a year?

City Hall Rotunda

Hanukkah Celebration

Rabbi Shapiro & Controller Ron Galperin

es include a riff on pozole, with crisp pork belly, braised pork, hominy and chiles; spot prawns with sea urchin and wasabi “snow”; and Thaistyle Dungeness crab soup. Redbird is serving dinner during its initial phase and will add lunch and brunch after the new year.

Lakers All-Access Event Returns

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he Lakers are suffering through an abysmal season, but many of their diehard fans are sticking by them. Those fans will have the

12/12/14

chance to get up close with their favorite team in Downtown in a couple weeks, but without going to a game. On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission will host the 11th annual Lakers AllAccess. The 5-9 p.m. event takes place on the floor of Staples Center and offers locker room tours, photo opportunities, autograph sessions, a silent auction, a buffet dinner and a chance to shoot free throws and three-pointers on the Lakers court. The highlight will be a pair of panel discussions with participants including team President Jeannie Buss, coach Byron Scott, and Continued on page 9

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December 22, 2014

Downtown News 3

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4 Downtown News

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EDITORIALS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

December 22, 2014

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

The Readers Respond Website Comments to Prescription Drug Sales, Long-Vacant Buildings and More Regarding the article “A Downtown Pharmacy’s Big Pill Problem,” about an investigation into the practices at the Rite Aid at Fifth Street and Broadway, by Donna Evans, published Dec. 8

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ite-Aid should be fined severely for this. They knew something wasn’t right but they chose to look the other way because of the profit that store was generating and figured that they would deal with the liability later.

—Karen McHale, Dec. 8, 1:09 p.m.

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certainly hope the pharmacy ends up being shut down. Then the drug dealing problem in that intersection will finally be over.

—Oscar Avalos, Dec. 8, 4: 09 p.m.

Regarding the editorial “It’s Time for Hotel Clark and Embassy Owner to Contribute to Downtown,” published Dec. 1

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can’t get behind this article and its urging of the Chetrit Group to do the right thing. I’m thinking maybe we should be grateful that they are finally pouring money into these buildings and that maybe over time they will want to be more a part of the community, but shaming them and making demands seems naive. As much as us Downtowners want it to be a rah-rah approach we have to be realistic. I’ve owned loft properties in Downtown since 2008 so my stake in the community is permanent and I don’t take these issues lightly. Hopefully the Chetrits will come around but they don’t owe us anything. I’m just thrilled the Clark will finally open so the walk to Grand Central Market won’t be so depressing.

—Jenna Mattison, Dec. 2, 11:52 a.m.

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s building owners I do think you owe it to the city not to allow for blight, abandonment and decay like the Chetrit family has done. But asking them to get involved will not solve these issues. I think the good news is that the hotel operators will not be Chetrit brass and will most likely take an interest in being part of the community. But active or not, the way to get blight out of L.A. is to have a stronger bite. Nobody should be allowed to have a burned-out carcass of a building (like at Fourth Street and Broadway). Our city needs to be much tougher with owners with the threat of eminent domain or some other action.

—Rob McRitchie, Dec. 2, 1:15 p.m.

Regarding the article “How Downtown Squares Got Their Names,” by Eddie Kim, published Dec. 1

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hanks for citing Woody Guthrie Square at the correct location of Fifth and Main, reflective of his artistic interest in the lives of the poor and downtrodden. The city installed the signs in error at Fourth and Main, and I am constantly having to explain to our Esotouric tour guests that Woody had no association with the Farmers & Merchants Bank or any other structure at that intersection.

—Kim Cooper, Dec. 1, 9:05 p.m.

Chasing Tech and Downtown’s Future

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ong before it became a residential hotbed, and long before restaurant and bar owners started pouring millions into the community, Downtown Los Angeles was known as an employment hub. The shiny office towers of the Financial District and Bunker Hill, and neighborhoods such as the bustling Fashion District, drew hundreds of thousands of workers every weekday.

The employment base remains strong, though as has been the case for a while now, there are also some big holes. A number of old buildings remain empty and vacancy rates in Class A high-rises tend to hover around 20% (with a few notable exceptions) as some of the large law, banking and consulting firms consolidate.

Additionally, the increasingly wired era, where documents can be stored on hard drives and in the cloud rather than in heavy, spacechomping file cabinets, means that many businesses don’t require as much square footage as in the past.

This poses problems for landlords, but also presents an opportunity: Downtown has tremendous potential to be a significant player in the high-technology field, and if things go right, one can envision thousands of new high-paying jobs coming to the Central City.

Making this happen won’t be easy, but it is too good an opportunity to sleep on. It is incumbent on area property owners and business leaders to partner with government officials and craft an aggressive strategy to bring more next-generation companies to Downtown, and to make the businesses already based here feel that this is the right environment in which to grow for years to come. The work will likely involve equal amounts of savvy marketing and infrastructure investment, and while some people may question the initial costs, a more important concern is the longterm payoff.

Los Angeles Downtown News last week wrote about the Central City’s emerging tech scene. While no one pretends that the area is a rival to Silicon Beach, there is a growing collection of small to mid-sized tech firms and a number of incubators nurturing startup companies. It’s a good beginning.

Downtown has some built-in advantages when it comes to wooing tech companies. The residential renaissance that began in 2000, and the growing roster of nightspots, gives the area a cool factor that appeals to the generally young employees of these kinds of businesses. As the article noted, office rents here are also substantially less expensive than in Silicon Beach and some other

Westside locations.

It doesn’t take a genius to know that attracting a big tech player will be a coup that opens the doors to luring even more businesses. The challenge comes in that leaders in every community also know this, and they are all trying to hook the few big fish. Local real estate players were talking excitedly in recent months as representatives of Yahoo and Google toured office space in Downtown.

Both instead inked big deals in Playa Vista.

Still, a cadre of investors understand that certain old buildings can draw next-generation companies when they are effectively refurbished as “creative” office space, with open floor plans and the most modern internal infrastructure. That’s part of the reason why the PacMutual Building remains the home to Nasty Gal, one of the country’s most buzzed-about online fashion retailers. It is also why two large Arts District developments, the Coca Cola Building on Fourth Street and the Ford Building on Seventh Street, are being remodeled in the same manner.

As mentioned above, Downtown has an advantage over other communities trying to land tech companies by virtue of the combination of housing, office space and cultural opportunities. The quickly expanding residential pool can be touted to business owners as a chance for workers to live near their jobs, and to be able to walk or bike to the office. The huge number of after-work destinations adds to the appeal.

The key now is for building owners to find partners in the community at large, and for the political leadership to play a role. Ideally city business development officials, including in Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office, will help in pursuing large companies by determining what sort of tech infrastructure Downtown needs to meet demand. That could be combined with offering tax and other economic incentives.

This “tech team” should also approach the companies already here. Downtown will not be the only place trying to sell itself as a hub for next-generation employment, and representatives of other communities will no doubt try to scoop up some of the area’s expanding businesses. Downtown needs to preserve its base.

The Central City may never rival Silicon Beach. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. The field is growing, and it makes sense for some of these future-looking companies to have a home in Downtown.

December 22, 2014

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Downtown News 5

Downtown Real Estate Players Praise Plan to Streamline Permitting Garcetti Effort Aims to Shorten Timelines for 600 Projects a Year

By Donna Evans hen it comes to building housing complexes and other projects in Los Angeles, there’s one word, often preceded by an eye roll, that tumbles out of developers’ mouths: bureaucracy.

Business officials have complained for decades about a lengthy and cumbersome city permitting process, saying it unnecessarily delays projects and raises costs. Although government officials have pledged to tackle the matter numerous times, few in the real estate industry say things have improved.

Now, there is another effort to streamline the permitting process for large projects. Mayor Eric Garcetti recently launched the Inspection Case Management Initiative, which is intended to reduce construction times and costs for 600 projects a year citywide. The effort is drawing initial praise from developers in Downtown Los Angeles and beyond.

Garcetti hopes the program will shorten project completion times by three to six months. It would apply to all developments with a budget of $10 million or more.

That would be a relief to people such as Tom Warren, head of Holland Partner Group’s Southern California division, which has built several Downtown projects, and in June broke ground on a $200 million effort dubbed Sixth and Bixel that will bring 648 apartments and 25,000 square feet of retail and commercial space to City West.

“It is a real challenge to secure permits in this town,” said Warren.

The Vancouver, Wash.-based company also recently purchased a parking lot at Eighth and Spring streets. Plans call for a 24-story project with 320 apartments and ground-floor retail.

One enduring problem, Warren and others say, is that developers have to navigate numerous departments with disparate missions, and the offices can give conflicting directions. For ex-

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Hello humankindness.

ample, Building and Safety has different concerns than the Planning department.

Under Garcetti’s initiative, the Department of Building and Safety would dedicate one case manager to each project valued at more than $10 million to coordinate inspections among departments.

Currently, 19 projects worth a combined $916 million are utilizing or have benefitted from the program. Downtown developments on the list include the housing complex G-12, the mixeduse effort The Bloc and the South Park mega-project Metropolis.

Point of Contact Ashley Atkinson, Garcetti’s planning and housing specialist, said this marks the first time the Department of Building and Safety has offered a service like this. Previously, she said, the developers had to manage the complicated construction inspection process, including making sure that the right inspectors were on site at the right times.

Now, she said, “clients will have one point of contact in the department to help manage this process, saving valuable time and money and getting buildings open for business more quickly.”

Warren said that, if the program works as planned, it would be beneficial to his company.

“I’m a real fan of what L.A. has to offer as an urban playground, so as a multi-family developer we go where our residents want to live,” he said. “But the reality is, the easier it is to deliver new housing the more units will be available on the market. And the more affordable units will be over time.”

Gary Toebben, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, who has seen multiple permitting plans floated, said the initiative is one of the best things Garcetti and City Hall can do to create jobs.

“We regularly hear from developers and builders who do busi-

photo by Gary Leonard

The Bloc, the name for the shopping mall, hotel and office complex at Seventh and Flower streets, is one of the initial projects utilizing the new Inspection Case Management Initiative.

ness across the United States that it takes longer to complete a project in Los Angeles than in other cities, including places like Chicago and New York,” he said.

Also applauding the effort is Joel Miller, the vice president of planning and entitlements for Psomas, an engineering and consulting firm based in the Financial District. He believes the program will significantly shorten the amount of time it takes to move from project inception to occupancy.

Further, the fact that the city is trying to help projects combats the claims that Los Angeles is not business friendly, he said.

A shorter construction period will mean more projects moving through the system. That would lead to more people living in Downtown sooner, said Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District and the Central City Association.

“We are very supportive of this new program,” Schatz said. “It will allow medium-sized developers to tap into the case management services previously only available for the largest of projects. Obviously we have a lot of really large projects, and want to keep it that way, but everyone benefits when projects keep moving forward.” donna@downtownnews.com

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

6 Downtown News

The Aftermath of a Fire In Wake of the Da Vinci Blaze, Displaced City Departments And Law Firm Try to Do Business as Usual

By Donna Evans he Dec. 8 fire in City West engulfed one of the two buildings in the under-construction Da Vinci apartment complex.

While an investigation into the cause of the blaze continues, developer Geoff Palmer isn’t the only one dealing with the repercussions of the devastation.

The fire damaged the nearby building at 221 N. Figueroa St. as well. Although the 16-story city-owned property didn’t go up in flames, intense heat blew out windows facing the conflagration and set off sprinklers inside the building.

The result is that a number of tenants in the building, including several city departments, have had to move, even as Angelenos demand that service continues as usual.

“It was pretty crippling,” said Mike Shull, general manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks, which had 150 employees on four floors of the building.

Other tenants in the building include the law firm Lewis Brisbois, and the city’s departments of Animal Services and Aging.

Shull said his employees are now working at several locations, including City Hall and a service yard in Los Feliz. Some are even based at the ranger’s station in Griffith Park.

The department is gearing up to relocate scores of employees to the Garland Building on Seventh Street in City West, where the city secured a 60-day lease. If the clean-up and repair

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takes longer, said Shull, they may have to move again.

While that throws a wrench in operations, Shull notes it could have been worse. Although some computers sustained water damage, the servers were protected and copious records had been backed up electronically.

“It’s still very disruptive,” Shull said. “Many employees still are not connected; they don’t have access to computers. Until we’re all reconnected, it’s not a very efficient way to work, but we are making do with what we’ve got.”

As for Lewis Brisbois, the firm has temporarily shuttered its nine floors and relocated 500 employees to floors 38-45 of U.S. Bank Tower in the Financial District. JoAnne Jackson, the firm’s director of marketing, said Lewis Brisbois is fully operational and has been since Dec. 8.

The firm’s data center is offsite and its filing department was not impacted, Jackson said.

Documents in attorneys’ offices on the western side of the building that incurred water damage are being freeze dried and salvaged, according to the firm’s website.

Repairs are underway at the offices, some of which lost windows and sustained water damage. Jackson noted that not all of the offices were heavily impacted.

“I’m on the 12th floor and my office faces northeast to the San Gabriel Mountains. Down the hall, the offices facing the 110 Freeway had the windows completely blown out,” Jackson said. “The heat blew out windows up to the

Integrity Diligence Dedication

December 22, 2014

16th floor — that’s how hot this was.

Investigation Continues The 221 N. Figueroa St. structure is part of a complex known as Figueroa Plaza, and several other city agencies are housed in the second structure at 201 N. Figueroa St. About 100 Bureau of Engineering workers have been displaced from that building in the wake of the fire, said Tonya Durrell, a spokeswoman for the city Department of Public Works.

As the workers try to go about business as usual, a team of more than 20 arson investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continues to probe the blaze. The fire destroyed the southern building in Palmer’s 526-apartment complex. Palmer has said publicly that he intends to rebuild the destroyed structure, and to open the Da Vinci building north of Temple Street as soon as next month.

The heat from the blaze also cracked 160 windows in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power headquarters at 111 N. Hope Street. Yet the building at 313 N. Figueroa St., which houses the County Department of Health Services, photo by Gary Leonard sustained little damage, said public inThe office building at 221 N. Figueroa St. didn’t burn in the Da Vinci formation officer Michael Wilson. One blaze, but it did suffer damage from heat and sprinklers that went window each on the first and fifth floor off. Hundreds of employees have been moved to other offices. broke, and 10 windows on the 10th floor cafeteria were damaged, but did not fall He noted that employees were offered the out, he said. option of taking personal days or working from “There was some ash and roof debris on the an alternate location. The odor has since dissibuilding that needed to be cleaned, but the pated and the department is back to normal, bigger annoyance was the lingering smell of he said. smoke and ash that lasted for a few days,” Wil donna@downtownews.com son said.

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December 22, 2014

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Downtown News 7

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

8 Downtown News

December 22, 2014

The Exit Interview: John Rivera Sedlar The Groundbreaking Chef Reflects on Six Years in Downtown

By Eddie Kim ivera opened in the Met Lofts in 2008, and almost immediately chef/owner John Rivera Sedlar began racking up acclaim for his sleek take on Latin cuisine. The menu was an exercise in anthropology, presenting exacting flavors from around the globe. The dining room was lushly evocative, unlike any in the city.

However, changing culinary conditions, along with Sedlar’s desire to open a restaurant in his hometown of Santa Fe, have had an effect, and Rivera will serve its last dinner on Dec. 31 (a more casual version will open in the Hollywood/Beverly Hills area). Los Angeles Downtown News spoke with Sedlar about his time in the Central City.

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L.A. Downtown News: What inspired you to pursue the kind of cooking that Rivera served?

John River Sedlar: We wanted to isolate what our Latin food story was. We tried to identify where the influences that ended up in our L.A. kitchen came from. So the question is, where did Latin food as we know it begin? It was understanding how flavors came from the spice markets of North Africa and Morocco, and how the spices migrated into Moorish/Spanish and Portuguese kitchens. And we did produce dishes inspired by those regions, like our scallops Arabesque with Moroccan spices. We also reflected how these flavors moved through South America and all the way up to the Pacific Southwest.

Q: The restaurant had a unique vibe with differently themed rooms.

Where did that come from?

A: We chose our designer, Eddie Sotto, to reproduce those places and ideas in our dining room, with different areas and different menu styles. We looked at the restaurant very experientially, and Eddie was once a vice president in the Imagineering department at Disney. Our vision was expressed in texture — the

stone and the woodwork, in particular. The paper textures in the menu, and features like how you could look at a number next to a menu item and call a phone number to hear all about the dish.

John Rivera Sedlar will close his Flower Street Latin restaurant Rivera on Dec. 31.

Q: What did you enjoy about being in Downtown?

A: We just got in under the wire before Downtown exploded and other restaurants started renting every corner. Downtown was in its baby steps, and it was very fun to come in its nascent years and see people developing and exploring. To see from our kitchen an area with no dogs at all turn into a great dog-walking culture, you could understand something’s happening.

The dining landscape in Downtown changed at light speed.

Downtown is indicative of the whole world and how people have embraced new trends.

Q: What are some of your proudest achievements?

A: The number of wonderful cooks to come out of the kitchen and be inspired by Latin food is great. We received applications not only from the region but nationally and internationally.

Another thing was, we brought in kids from the Dolores Mission and we talked to them about the nutrition of Latin cuisines.

We served them a very refined three-course meal on big plates and we taught them to put their head in, smell from corner to corner, and ask, is this nutritious? What does this say about my Latino culture? Would my mother or grandmother have used these ingredients?

Q: How do you think the dining landscape in L.A. has shifted?

A: People are more casual in their approach, how they dress when they dine, everything. The formality of the tablecloth is gone, for instance. People have adopted a tapas style of social dining with shared plates.

The dining trend of mobile food and taco trucks is big. Using the mobility of carts, we wanted to bring the taco truck into the

photo by Gary Leonard

restaurant — that’s why we debuted our loncheras, where you could pick foods from carts like Latin dim-sum. It’s an extension of the taco truck in a sense.

Q: You’ve long wanted to open a restaurant in your hometown of Santa Fe, and now you are. What excites you about the opportunity?

A: Santa Fe is an extraordinary city and an artist’s colony. The last decade or two haven’t treated Santa Fe well. I want to go back to my beloved hometown and help spark it with things I know — and I know food. At Eloisa, the new restaurant, I’m exploring my familial roots and foods that my family grew at our ranch — blue corn, red corn, pinto beans, vegetables.

Rivera is at 1050 S. Flower St., (213) 749-1460 or riverarestaurant.com. eddie@downtownnews.com

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December 22, 2014

Downtown News 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

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Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Philippe the Original Starts Taking Credit Cards

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rench dip restaurant Philippe the Original has been a Los Angeles institution for 107 years. Throughout that centuryplus existence, there has been one constant: Philippe’s has always been a cash-only eatery. No longer: The restaurant at 1001 N. Alameda St. began accepting all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover) on Friday, Dec. 19, meaning you don’t have to visit the in-house ATM before buying a lamb dip and coffee anymore. The business has been testing its new credit card system over the last few weeks to ensure its efficiency at peak hours, co-owner Richard Binder said in a prepared statement. “Because we have long lines, fast, courteous customer service was always a priority,” Binder said. “Now that it’s much faster to process credit cards with the use of new technology, we do not have to sacrifice speed.”

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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Eateries Coming to Chinatown’s Jia Apartments

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hinatown’s Jia Apartments opened in January, but its streetlevel retail space has remained largely empty (save for a corner Starbucks). It won’t be bare for long: Restaurateur Leonard Chan is bringing five different businesses to fill roughly 8,500 square feet. The food court-style space at 639 N. Broadway will have waffle sandwiches from Iron Press, sliders from Hatch, rice bowls from Silo, beers from Black Sheep Brewing and craft cocktails from Medicine. In addition, Chan is building out a speakeasytype bar on Jia’s mezzanine that will take design cues from old Chinese opium dens. The ground-floor eateries are tentatively slated to open around June, Chan said. His restaurants will be accompanied by other eateries in the same space, including a Philly cheesesteak business, an ice cream vendor and a musubi shop.

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Team L.A. Store Nearly Doubles in Size

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ans of Los Angeles sports teams take note: The Team L.A. Store at L.A. Live that specializes in gear from Staples Center tenants the Lakers, Clippers, Kings and Sparks has nearly doubled in size. Staples Center and Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns L.A. Live, held a ribbon cutting event at the shop on Tuesday, Dec. 16, to celebrate the more than 7,000-square-foot space; the original 4,400-square-foot store opened when the South Park arena debuted in 1999. The new store features more gear and less waiting in line, with more than 20 cash registers. Additions include a new in-store jersey customization station. Construction started in September, said Cara Vanderhook, an AEG spokeswoman. “We needed more space to handle the demand of our fans and guests and provide quicker service and a one-stop shop for L.A. sports fans,” she said in an email. The new store consumes the former Fox Sports Sky Box restaurant and bar, which closed years ago, but continued to host some private events. The store is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends, and is open to arena attendees during games and concerts.

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December 22, 2014

They’ve Got That Swing Sarah Breck and Dax Hock Turn Their Historic Core Home Into the Lindy Loft Swing Dance Business

By Eddie Kim “ ow many of you have never swing danced before?”

Dax Hock, with his hair slicked back and dressed in a slim double-breasted suit, is standing in the middle of about two dozen people on the ninth floor of a Historic Core building. Six hands pop up immediately, and a few more rise cautiously.

Hock nods, and says, “We’re going to start easy. Stomp your right foot forward and sliiiiide it back.”

The crowd moves — stomp-swishhh, stompswishhh — and Hock looks over at his wife and dance partner, Sarah Breck, who smiles wide.

Breck sways along in a bright red dress with their 9-month-old son, Huxley, strapped to her chest in a baby carrier. He observes the stomping with a pensive stare.

Over the course of an hour, the rookie dancers learn the basic steps to swing. All the while Hock and Breck offer helpful hints.

It’s a big switch for a couple that has spent much of the last six years traveling around the world together to compete and teach, winning competitions and landing in movies and on TV shows like “Dancing With the Stars.” They’ve traded that itinerant lifestyle for a combination home and workspace, dubbed the Lindy Loft, in the Santa Fe Lofts building.

The two California natives offer group lessons for a variety of skill levels, as well as private instruction. Prices range from about $12 for a single group session to $360 a month for

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Dax Hock and Sarah Breck teach swing dancing at their spacious home in the Historic Core. The Lindy Loft is on the ninth floor of the Santa Fe Lofts.

photo by Gary Leonard

an all-inclusive package with private lessons.

The Lindy Loft also hosts monthly dance parties with live jazz music.

“Swing is really good at encompassing lots of different types of people and making them feel comfortable,” Hock said before the evening session on Dec. 12. “I’ve noticed it all around the world and here in L.A., too.”

Path to Dance Hock, 33, and Breck, 27, have been a couple Hock and Breck do everything from private lessons for professionals to hosting group swing dance classes for beginners.

photo by Gary Leonard

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December 22, 2014 for nearly as long as they’ve known each other.

They first moved to Downtown Los Angeles in 2011 and married in September 2013.

Hock grew up in North San Diego County, near Carlsbad, and spent his time in high school skateboarding and surfing. The dancing epiphany came when he stumbled across a friend swing-dancing with a big group during school.

“It looked fun, not intimidating like hip-hop or some other styles,” he recalled.

The moment propelled him into joining swing sessions, then taking jobs as an assistant under swing teachers. After a year of business studies at UC Santa Barbara, he more or less left college to dance professionally, first in L.A., then at Universal Studios Japan, and then around the world.

Breck, meanwhile, grew up in Santa Barbara and danced from a young age. While she enjoyed ballet and other styles, the light bulb went off when she was 11 and spotted Frankie Manning, one of the leaders of the Lindy Hop revival, dancing on TV. “I panicked and started dancing in the house all over the place and bugging my mom like crazy,” Breck said.

She was attending Santa Monica College with the aim of entering the Los Angeles fashion world when she got a call from Dax. They had met briefly a few times but had never spoken in depth. Still, he was looking for his next long-term dance partner, and friends had referred her. Would she fly out to train with him in Montreal for a few weeks?

Breck said yes. Hock was more polished and experienced, but she picked up techniques and choreography quickly. Breck almost immediately moved in with her newfound dance partner, and a platonic relationship soon turned

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romantic, despite Hock’s personal pact that he would never date another dance partner again.

Heading Downtown Breck and Hock have traveled the world, hosting workshops and winning swing dancing titles, including the European Swing Dance Championship in 2011 and 2012, and the L.A.based Camp Hollywood competition this year.

They appeared on “Dancing With the Stars” this year and play lead roles in an upcoming indie film, Ctrl+Alt+Dance, in which Hock portrays a computer technician who falls for a jazz dancer (Breck).

Hock and Breck once had an apartment in Eagle Rock where they crashed between dancing trips, but felt like they wanted a live/work space for the future. They landed in Downtown, and moved to the Pacific Electric Lofts three years ago, then the Santa Fe Lofts last year.

With the goal to train and teach in the space, they knew they needed a stellar dance floor.

Hock designed one, spending $15,000 on materials and enlisting his friends to build it. He’s eminently proud of the floor, which feels cushioned and springy with a slick surface that makes quick movements feel effortless.

He and Breck have cut down their traveling over the past few years, and will continue to do so with Huxley at such a young age. That works out, as these days dancers from around the world fly to Los Angeles to train with them. They’ve had students from Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany, among other countries.

One of those students is Alexandra Greenberg, 27, who serves as their live-in assistant and trainee. She left New Orleans this year in search of a dancing career, particularly with a goal to teach, and says that being with Breck and Hock has shaped what she wants to do in

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In addition to the classes, the Lindy Loft is the site of monthly parties with a live band. photo by Gary Leonard

the future.

“They’re just really, really smart,” she said.

“And they’re amazingly advanced dancers who know how to teach, too.”

In January the duo plan to debut their “Dance In a Day” program, a day-long workshop for total dance newbies. Hock also runs an online dance education program, Rhythm Juice, with Breck and a number of other dancers.

It’s no wonder that teaching comes so naturally to the couple — their easygoing, humorous demeanor in class makes even tricky steps seem simple. That was on display at the Dec. 12

lesson, which ended with a dance session.

“So we’re going to start the party now,” Breck told the crowd. “And remember, if you see something crazy, just try it out.”

Hock took Breck’s hand, then spun her around awkwardly. She flailed her arms in a clumsy faux-improv and the crowd around them laughed and nodded with optimism.

Their expressions seemed to say: Maybe swing dancing isn’t so tough at all.

The Lindy Loft is at 560 S. Main St. Unit 9N, (213) 537-0399 or lindyloft.com. eddie@downtownnews.com

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December 22, 2014

photo courtesy of the L.A. County Arts Commission

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(top) Retro-pop vocal group The Company Men makes its Holiday Celebration debut this year. Buyepongo, a local band flaunting Latin rhythms and a rock sensibility, is one of 20 artists and ensembles taking the stage.

The 55th annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration fills the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Wednesday, Dec. 24. The free show is first-come, first-served.

DEC 8 A Big Holiday Gift Comes to the Music Center ! dtowWnNein s/L.Aan U e k Li ws wn .Do com ok.

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By Eddie Kim emperatures have cooled, winter rains are falling, and Likeand Downtown News Facebook lights ornaments are being on strung up around Downtown. & Be Entered to Win Movie Tickets!

The arrival of all those traditions means another one is also at hand: the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration.

The event, a sort of variety show featuring brief appearances by 20 local performing arts groups, returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for its 55th iteration on Wednesday, Dec. 24. The lineup this year features choral ensembles, dance groups, rock bands and more.

As always, entrance is free (as is parking at the Music Center), and seats are filled in first-come, first-served fashion. The event runs from 3-6 p.m. and doors open at 2:30 p.m., though be warned: Dedicated revelers line up long before then, some as early as 9 a.m.

Last year, about 5,000 people attended the show, and the E-NEWS s.com ntownisNew at Dow event’s producer, Davis, anticipating a similar crowd this Sign upAdam SIGN UP week. However, one doesn’t need to be in the hall to enjoy the performances: will also be broadcast on PBS SignThe Upevent for Our E-News Blasts & SoCal and streamed online. More than 1 million people from around Be Entered to Win Movie Tickets! the world tuned in to the broadcast last year, according to Davis.

“This is a show that the community loves. How often do you get to go to the Music Center and see great art for free?” Davis said. “A lot of people have made it a tradition to come down every year with family.”

It’s hard to imagine a performance lineup more diverse and accessible than that of the Holiday Celebration. There are choral arrangements from the Greater L.A. Cathedral Choir and the Gay

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L.A. County’s Annual Celebration Offers Free Music and Dance Men’s Chorus of L.A., among others. Dance comes via the Los Angeles Ballet, Ezralow Dance and JazzAntiqua Dance Ensemble.

The more instrument-inclined will be pleased to see the Southern California Brass Consortium and the Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra. Those craving Latin rhythms will be sated by the famous Mariachi Sol de Mexico and Buyepongo, a funky local band that blends cumbia, salsa and blues influences.

The Holiday Celebration is produced by the L.A. County Arts Commission, with funds allocated by the county Board of Supervisors. This year, the event has a budget of about $900,000, said Davis, who is the commission’s managing director of productions. While preparation of the show officially began in July, the programming process is a year-round affair, he added.

“We bring in more than 100 applications each year. We look at artistic excellence first,” Davis said. “Then from that pot, we pick the best of the best — the best community choirs, best bands, best musicians, that represent holiday-themed material.”

The selection process can even involve sending out scouts to see how a group performs live and the audience response, Davis noted.

For the performers, the Holiday Celebration is an opportunity to be part of a popular tradition and, perhaps more importantly, get exposed to crowds unfamiliar with their work.

“To play at the beautiful Dorothy Chandler and be surrounded by such interesting acts, we’re going to bring our ‘A’ game,” Buyepongo frontman Edgar Modesto said. “We’re repping people from South Central, Norwalk, Boyle Heights and we’re on an Emmy-winning show. It makes me excited for the future.”

Despite the exposure, far fewer artists and audience members

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benefit today than in the past. In the 1990s the show ran for 12 hours. When Davis started producing the program nine years Starts Dec.a six-hour 12 event. The cut to three hours came in 2010 ago, it was amid the recession that left county supervisors with fewer funds to contribute.

Despite its regression, the show remains a celebrated part of the holidays in L.A., said Brian Purcell, a member of the pop vocal group The Company Men, which is performing this week.

“It’s amazing to think about all of the artists that have been involved over the years,” Purcell said. “Giving art back to the community is huge, and the show is a big part of having art touch new generations.”

Davis, meanwhile, remains optimistic for the future, and the celebration continues to develop new features each year (this week, it’s animated mini-documentaries from CalArts artists, which will air between performances). The Holiday Spectacular will remain a tradition as long as the Board of Supervisors can support it, he said.

“Supervisor Kenneth Hahn was the one to start it, and he asked to keep it going,” Davis remarked. “MayStartsMike Dec.Antonovich 19 be Antonovich will make the same pact with someone when he leaves, too.”

If all goes according to plan, Davis and the rest of the commission’s team will have a special present come Christmas morning: 364 days to plan another Holiday Celebration.

The L.A. County Holiday Celebration is Wednesday, Dec. 24, 3-6 p.m., at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave. or lacountyarts.org. eddie@downtownnews.com

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A Happy Haunting Angela Lansbury Carries Nöel Coward’s Séance Play Into the Present

By Jeff Favre here’s a trio of spirits currently haunting Downtown’s Ahmanson Theatre. Two hail from the past and one is from the present. Each is joyous and timeless.

The first is Nöel Coward, modern theater’s master of sardonic wit and wicked charm, who left this mortal coil in 1973 after creating several wonderful works. The second ghost is Coward’s most popular play, Blithe Spirit, which he penned in one inspired week at the start of World War II. The last spirit is a living one. More than that, it’s one full of life.

Angela Lansbury, who turned 89 in October, masterfully revives her 2009 Tony-winning turn as Blithe Spirit’s wacky medium Madame Arcati. Downtown Los Angeles audiences are fortunate to be on the schedule of a brief North American tour that follows a run in London. The play continues through Jan. 18, 2015.

Fortunate is an understatement because the combination of this play, this actress and this cast, all under Michael Blakemore’s vibrant direction, meets all expectations for laughter, surprise and playfulness.

It’s understandable that Blithe Spirit was a huge hit when it opened. It debuted amid the dark days of the war in London and was escapism at its finest, entertaining audiences while still touching on the delicate subjects of adultery, bigamy and, of course, death.

It resonates seven decades later, thanks in part to the strong cast. That starts with the matter-of-factness that the haughty Charles Condomine (Charles Edwards) and his prim wife Ruth (Charlotte Parry) use to discuss the demise of their first spouses.

This sets the tone for death being not a morose ending, but an intriguing turn in the road.

Still, the Condomines don’t know about the “other side” until Madame Arcati arrives to conduct a séance for the couple and their friends, Dr. and Mrs. Bradman (Simon Jones and Sandra

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photo by Joan Marcus

Angela Lansbury is the wacky medium Madame Arcati in the Ahmanson Theatre’s revival of Nöel Coward’s Blithe Spirit.

Shipley). All are skeptics, and Charles only invites the odd Arcarti so he can make mental notes for a character in his next book.

What Charles doesn’t expect from the séance is the arrival of his late wife Elvira (Jemima Rooper), who only he can see, and

who after seven years away is in no hurry to leave, much to Ruth’s consternation.

Blakemore retains the play’s original charm and humor by keeping the pace quick and the barbs sharp. He also pays homage to a bygone era by projecting images of old-fashioned title cards of the scene numbers, accompanied by recordings of Coward songs performed by Christine Ebersole, who appeared in the New York production as Elvira.

While he has the budget to do more, Blakemore opts to withhold spectral special effects for much of the production. The restraint works, as these are not needed for the humor early and translate into a bigger bang later.

Instead, Blakemore focuses on the personalities and relationships, which was Coward’s forte. That is ably displayed by Edwards and Parry, who share the cool back-and-forth repartee of a couple that gets along, but without much spark. On the other hand, Rooper portrays Elvira as a fireball of fun, able to ignite the dying embers in Charles. Rooper’s performance is both contemporary and sexy, while still being somewhat innocent.

The big laughs, and there are plenty, come from Susan Louise O’Connor as the maid Edith, as well as from Lansbury.

O’Connor, as the bumbling servant, jolts the audience with unexpected physical humor, including a bit with a serving tray that deserves applause.

It’s Lansbury, though, who delivers the most memorable moments. Her dances before slipping into trances are a herky-jerky delight that she pushes to the edge of absurdity without going too far. Even better are her glances and disapproving attitude and tone that give Madame Arcarti more depth and personality than even Coward might have imagined.

It’s important to note that, as with Cicely Tyson, who appeared recently on the same stage in The Trip to Bountiful, Lansbury is proving that an actress can keep evolving and growing.

Madame Arcati has never been so full of life, which is exactly what is demanded of the role.

These spirits will be haunting the Ahmanson stage for only a brief time, but the memories will last for years.

Blithe Spirit runs through Jan. 18 at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4444 or centertheatregroup.org.

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December 22, 2014

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CALENDAR LISTINGS

Big Laughs, Klezmer Music and a Taylor Swift Museum Exhibit Are All in Downtown

EVENTS

By Dan Johnson calendar@downtownnews.com

SPONSORED LISTINGS

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

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photo by Chuck Fishman

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

Dec. 22: The Elliot Deutsch Big Band Holiday Special Concert.

There’s no telling how special it will be.

Dec. 23: Schnell-Kanner-Nelson-Robaire-Smith III. Dec. 26-27: Wendel-Smith III-Clayton-Robaire-Ballard.

Dec. 28: Aneesa Strings.

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

Dec. 22, 8:30 p.m.: The Black and the White cap off their month-long residency.

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

Dec. 22, 10 p.m.: Skip Spiros 10 Piece Jazz Project promises music made by more than nine but less than 11 musicians.

Dec. 23, 10 p.m.: Somebody should really inquire whether Two Turtle Doves’ name is a seasonal gimmick or a year-round thing.

Dec. 26, 10 p.m.: Celebrate Boxing Day with Flood & The Bounty.

Dec. 27, 10 p.m.: Reverend Baron would appear to have two formal titles wrapped up in one convenient musical package.

Dec. 28, 10 p.m.: Ask RT N the 44s how their Christmas was and you’ll likely get a song as answer.

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

Dec. 26, 10 p.m.: Thomas Gold.

Dec. 27: Claude Vonstroke.

Dec. 28: Oliver Heldens.

Pershing Square 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org/ pershingsquare.

Dec. 22, 12:30 p.m.: Salsa Caliente roughly translates to Hot Salsa. Enjoy it while watching the cool ice on the skating rink.

Dec. 23, 12:30 p.m.: Gelsa Palao.

Dec. 26, 12:30 p.m.: Crowd/Theory.

Dec. 27, 3 p.m.: The Superfreaks.

Dec. 28, 3 p.m.: Platinum Groove.

Saying an exhibit will showcase Latin American folk art is sort of like trying to take in the entire ocean through a peephole — it’s huge! Give the Natural History Museum points for effort. The Exposition Park attraction recently opened Grandes Maestros, a vast collection of, yes, Latin American folk art, representing five centuries of work across 22 countries. The exhibit, which runs through next September, weaves a masterful narrative, blending elements of European culture, Moorish influence and indigenous craftsmanship into a broad survey of some of the Western Hemisphere’s most vital art. At 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3466 or nhm.org.

Pop into the Walt Disney Concert Hall this holiday season and your ears will perk up to myriad Christmas themed sing-alongs, concerts and general celebrations of Yule wonder. Well, Hanukkah and Jewish culture get their turn on Monday, Dec. 22, when The Klezmatics pop in. Specializing in an eclectic brand of klezmer music that draws influences from Eastern Europe to the Caribbean, The Klezmatics promise at least one crazy night of menorah madness. Tickets were still available at press time. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org.

It’s easy to write off pop-country entertainer Taylor Swift as a machination of a profit-greedy, single-oriented record industry. Beyond the glitz and glamour, though, Swift has earned legions of loyal fans with her accessible brand of music. Her career has even earned her a museum exhibit, and now through May 10, 2015, the Grammy Museum is hosting the Taylor Swift Experience.

The show explores the singer/songwriter’s life and career with a collection of childhood items, clothing and instruments. If you can’t wait until next August to see Swift at one of her five shows at Staples Center, then this will be an appetizer. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

photo courtesy Gabriel Iglesias

three photo courtesy Luis Carlos Montalvan

SaTuRDay, DEcEmbER 27 Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan at Last Bookstore Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstore.com.

11 a.m.: Army veteran Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan reads from his latest book Tuesday Tucks Me In, a story of canine companionship after experiencing the ravages of war.

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: Nokia Theatre, 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

8 p.m. The man who specializes in character voices, and who had a recent movie named for him, delivers some stand-up material on his Unity Through Laughter tour. Also Dec. 28.

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Ordinarily, a plump man who goes by Fluffy, and whose conversation drifts from character voice to character voice, would be a person you’d go to great lengths to avoid. However, stand-up comedian Gabriel Iglesias subscribes to the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson’s advice that, “If you’re going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it.” Paid he is. The San Diego native and sitcom star has built himself a huge following with his comedic schizophrenia and no-holds-barred style. This Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27-28, Iglesias will be holding court at Nokia Theatre. People will laugh.

Deal with it. At 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or nokiatheatrelalive. com.

Here’s one from the realm of the different: Author and decorated veteran Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan will read excerpts from his latest book, Tuesday Tucks Me In, on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m. in the Last Bookstore. Tuesday is the name of Montalvan’s service dog, and the relationship between canine and human is the focus of the tome and a departure point from which Montalvan addresses contemporary veterans’ issues and the omnipresent specter of PTSD. The reading is free and, yes, Tuesday the dog will be there. At 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com.

5

photo courtesy Grammy Museum

WEDNESDay, DEcEmbER 24 55th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 9727211 or musiccenter.org.

3 p.m.: From ballet to children’s orchestras, this seasonal favorite features 20 performance groups. The show, the county government’s gift to area residents, is free.

image courtesy of Fomento Cultural Banamex, A.C.

New Years Eve Soiree at Hotel Fig 939 S. Figueroa St., (213)-222-8135 or hotelfignye. eventbrite.com Escape to Casablanca this New Year’s Eve, right in the city center of Downtown LA! Hotel Figueroa has been LA’s best kept secret…until now! Join us on December 31, 2014 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for an unforgettable night in an exotic oasis featuring incredible live entertainment and eclectic music by KCRW DJs. Pre-Sale: $30 or at the door.

VIP Lounge/ open bar is $125.

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

December 22, 2014

Downtown News 15

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com.

Dec. 22: Grit, Wicklow Atwater & The Fallen Flame.

Dec. 23: Turbulent Hearts and Rock ‘N Roll Suicide.

Dec. 26: Whaleshark, Megatherium, Hypnotic Robots and Genius Archimedes.

Dec. 27: The Circadians, John Lafayette Ramey & The Orchestra and LZ Love.

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

Dec. 22, 10 p.m.: Ron King Quartet brings the sound of summer to Downtown in the winter.

Dec. 23, 10 p.m.: The Makers are hoping beyond hope that Santa shuffles his plump rump down their chimneys and drops off some rare Thelonious Monk albums.

Dec. 28, 10 p.m.: Dan Weinstein is three days late for Christmas, but just in time for this show.

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

Dec. 26: Bobby T & The Slackers, Casinos, Sun Daes and Dream Panther.

Dec. 27: The Absynths, RVSK, Tearra Oso and Amirite Beats.

Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org.

Dec. 22, 8 p.m.: The Klezmatics bring an eclectic smatter of klezmer fusion music to Disney Hall just in time for the seventh night of Hanukkah.

Dec. 23, 8 p.m.: Arturo Sandoval and his L.A. All-Star Big Band Christmas promise a swinging evening.

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

See website for schedule.

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

Galapagos 3D because 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. Regal Cinemas LA Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies.

See website for schedule.

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Blithe Spirit Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup. org.

Dec. 29-31, 8 p.m., Jan. 2, 8 p.m., Jan. 3, 8 p.m. and Jan. 4, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Angela Lansbury stars in this staging of Noel Coward’s supernatural comedy. See review p. 13.

Bob Baker’s Nutcracker Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com.

Dec. 22-24, 10:30 a.m. and Dec. 27-28, 2:30 p.m.: The March of the Sugarplum Fairy will never be the same after marionettes have their way with Bob Baker’s version of The Nutcracker.

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

Dec. 23, 9 p.m.: Every Tuesday this irreverent stand-up comedy cavalcade takes up residence at the Downtown Independent.

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.

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

Ongoing: The FIDM Museum presents Artfully Adorned, an exceptional collection of fragrance, cosmetics, and ephemera from the house of Lucien Lelong. This group of objects was graciously donated by Monique Fink, wife of artist Peter Fink, who worked for Monsieur Lelong as package designer and interior decorator.

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

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

Through March 1: The figurative work of Michael Kilgore and Anthony “Eve” Kemp are featured in Curvature: Lines and Shapes.

Through March 1: The untold prejudices inherent to albinism are the creative catalysts behind this exhibit of Yrneh Gabon Brown’s work.

Through July 5: Formerly of Watts Tower Arts Center fame, Mark Steven Greenfield’s lengthy career in the arts receives its due in Lookin’ Back in Front of Me: Selected Works.

Continued on next page

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16 Downtown News Continued from previous page Through May 3: From Women’s Hands features work from five African-American women housed within the CAAM Courtyard.

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 actual living 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.

S I N C E 19 7 2

ople@downtownnews.com

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Through January 11: Evocative archaeological artifacts, volcanology and social history form the nucleus of Pompeii: The Exhibition.

Ongoing: Mission 26: The Big Endeavour presents Los Angeles’ very own space shuttle/tree destroyer in all 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.

*

SPECIAL

Ongoing: The Science Center’s permanent exhibits are usually 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 new Ecosystems exhibit explores how life on our planet is shaped

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez

Gourmet Fast Casual Restaurant Since 1973 7 Days-7am to 10pm • FREE Parking • We Cater 1657 W. 3rd St. at Union Ave. • 213-483-8885

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*ANY PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE. 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER, PER VISIT. EXPIRES 1/30/15

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by geophysical and biological processes.

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

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 settlement 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

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December 22, 2014

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The 1930s and ’40s jazz scene along Central Avenue in South Los Angeles was something to behold. Especially of note was the Dunbar Hotel, an opulent property that was the place to stay for illustrious black figures, and the music would often extend deep into the morning hours. The Robey Theatre Company revisits that setting in The Magnificent Dunbar Hotel, which spotlights a who’s-who of historical luminaries including Paul Robeson, Duke Ellington and Lena Horne. The show at the Los Angeles Theatre Center was just extended for a final week.

The Magnificent Dunbar Hotel runs through Dec. 28 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., (866) 811-4111 or thelatc.org.

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 this monument’s 27 historic buildings, four function as museums: the Avila Adobe, the city’s oldest house; the Sepulveda House, home to exhibits and the monument’s Visitors Center; the Fire House Museum, which houses late 19th-century fire-fighting equipment; and the Masonic Hall, which boasts Masonic memorabilia. Check its website for a full slate of fiestas, including Cinco de Mayo, Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in November and December’s beautiful candlelight procession, Las Posadas. Open daily, though hours at shops and halls vary.

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

Through 2015: Leadbelly: A Musical Legacy tracks the career of famous bluesman Huddie William Ledbetter.

Through Winter 2015: The 75th anniversary of the illustrious jazz label gets the museum treatment with Blue Note: The Finest in Jazz.

Through July 2015: Late great guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan’s legacy and career merge in an exhibit rich in personal memorabilia, instruments, clothing and his famous “Number One” strat.

Through Spring 2015: Dresses, personal items and gold records illuminate the life of the “Queen of Disco” in Donna Summer: Four Seasons Of Love.

Through May 2015: Shake off your expectations and dive right in to everyone’s favorite pop country icon in The Taylor Swift 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 Columbia’s pivotal technological as well as business innovations, including its invention of the LP. Ongoing: Featuring copious memorabilia including drum kits and a cape, Ringo: Peace & Love is the first major exhibit to be dedicated to a drummer at the museum.

Ongoing: White sequined gloves and other wardrobe pieces are the focal point of the new exhibit case paying tribute to the life and legacy of Michael Jackson. This special display serves as a follow-up to the Museum’s past exhibitions, Michael Jackson: HIStyle and Michael Jackson: A Musical Legacy. Housed on the Museum’s third floor, the launch of the new exhibit coincided with the second anniversary of Jackson’s death.

Ongoing: Roland Live is a permanent installation courtesy of the electronic musical instrument maker, Roland Corporation. The exhibit gives visitors a chance to participate in the music-making process by playing a wide variety of Roland products, from VDrums and BOSS pedals to VIMA keyboards and the MV-8800 Production Studio.

Japanese American National Museum 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org.

Through April 2015: For nearly four decades, Japan’s preeminent cartoon export has been making waves and adorning merchandise around the world. Now you too can venture into the inner workings of the phenomena at Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty.

Ongoing: Common Ground: The Heart of Community chronicles 130 years of Japanese American history, from the early days of the Issei pioneers to the present.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 501 N. Main St., (888) 488-8083 or lapca.org.

Current: Los Angeles’ first Mexican American cultural center’s inaugural exhibition, LA Starts Here!, reveals the essential role of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the founding and shaping of Los Angeles’ history and culture—a multicultural project from the very beginning.

Ongoing: Calle Principal invites visitors of all ages to explore the Mexican American community of downtown Los Angeles during the 1920s. Located on the second floor of the historic Plaza House, Calle Principal is an evocative re-creation of 1920s-era Main Street, at the time the heart of Los Angeles’s growing immigrant community. Featuring a variety of vignettes—a grocery store, portrait studio, clothing store, phonograph and record store, pharmacy, and more—it offers visitors a hands-on investigation of daily life during that period, encouraging them to make connections between the past and the present.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org.

Through February 2: Straight from 1978, Andy Warhol’s 102 part silkscreened exhibition Shadows reemerges into the light of day.

Through February 15: Accompanying Shadows is Concrete Infinity, a collection of supplementary works from MOCA’s Permanent Collection.

Through February 15: The Social Landscape is composed of selections from the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Photography Collection, a 2,000 work 1994 gift to the museum.

Ongoing: Installed chronologically, this selection of some of the most significant works from the museum’s permanent collection introduces major art movements of the 20th century, including abstract expressionism and pop art.

Permanent: Nancy Rubins’ cheekily and comprehensively titled “Chas’ Stainless Steel, Mark Thompson’s Airplane Parts,

About 1000 Pounds of Stainless Steel Wire, Gagosian’s Beverly Hills Space, at MOCA (2001-2002)” is a monumental sculpture made out of parts of an airplane.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763–3466 or nhm.org.

Through Jan. 6: Twelve carats of internally flawless gemstone make their debut at the Natural History Museum as the Blue Hope Diamond goes on display.

Through September 2015: Grandes Maestros highlights art from 22 Latin American countries and illuminates a larger cultural relationship between old world and new.

Ongoing: “Age of Mammals” tells an epic evolutionary story that spans 65 million years. But its theme can be distilled into just six words: Continents move. Climates change.

Mammals evolve.

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

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR

EVENT INFO

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.

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18 Downtown News

December 22, 2014

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DWP

DOG PARK

SPRING STREET PARK

THE BLOC

FUTURE KOREAN AIR WILSHIRE GRAND

COURTYARD

BY MARRIOTT

L.A. LIVE DOG PARK

METRO CHARTER SCHOOL

December 22, 2014

DT

CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL homes for sale

Large home near Convention Center/USC 1629 Toberman Street. 4Bedrooms 2 baths, Formal Dining with Firepl. Den, Foyer, Long Driveway, Needs some repairs. Walking distance to Staple Center. must see today. Call Now.

Downtown News 19

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

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.

ITEMS FOR SALE

SERVICES home imProvement

fUrnitUre

Ruben Garcia: Experienced painter of interiors and exteriors. Does very good work.

Reasonable prices. Call for a quote 323 - 622- 9583.

New bath chair. $15.00. Phone: 213-612-0952

downtownnews.com

name Change

LEGAL

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME No. ES018586 Petitioner (name of each) Kyle Stephen Shafer, 11126 Huston Street, #5, North Hollywood, CA 91601, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: KYLE STEPHEN SHAFER Proposed name: JACE CAMRoN

THE CoURT oRDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should

not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NoTICE oF HEARING Date: 01/23/2015 Time: 08:30 a.m.

Dept.: NC-A The address of the court is 300 East olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502. 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 peti-

tion 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.

Burbank Courthouse - North Central District 300 East olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502 Date: December 08, 2014 Hon. Mary Thornton House Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 12/15, 12/22, 12/29, 01/05/2015

(310)356-3867 / (310)419-7900 lofts for sale

TheLoftExpertGroup.com Downtown since 2002

Bill Cooper

213.598.7555 FOR RENT

loft/UnfUrnished

old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts from $1,295 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge Call 213.253.4777 LAloft.com

AUTOS & RECREATIONAL Pre-oWned

vehicles on Sale Now!

Nearly Every Make & Model Visit us online

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Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator.

Full bathroom.

Excellent location.

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Monthly from $795 utilities paid.

(213) 627-1151

is your teen experiencing:

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Bill Cooper 213.598.7555

Call 310.395.7368

TheLoftExpertGroup.com

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TheLoftExpertGroup.com BRE #01309009

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Voted BEST Downtown Residential Real Estate Agent!

For SALe

Thomas E. Rounds

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Attorney at Law

Los Ranchos

(424) 234-6381

trounds4esq@gmail.com lawofficeofthomaserounds.com.

Call marney stofflet, lCsW

(323) 662-9797

4344 fountain ave. (at sunset), suite a los angeles, Ca 90029

5B#268274

Seven Acres

• Beautiful view of Sandia mountains • Great for large homes • Alfafa field with irrigation

• 5 minutes from shopping • 9 miles from downtown Albuquerque • 8817 4th Street, NW

For appointment call Alex Sanchez 505.898.3934 or cell 505.362.6488 One of the few remaining property of this size in the North Valley

Do you have something to sell?

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Ad Prices

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(Marketplace and Automotive Categories ONLY) FREE! $11.50 $14.00 $16.50 $19.00

12 words, 2 weeks 15 words 15 words 15 words 15 words

Children’s Performing Group Singing, dancing, performing and fun!

For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

the LOFT expert!

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adolescent support group now forming ages 13-17 low fee

• Items under $300 • Items $301 to $500 • Items $501 to $1200 • Items $1201 to $2000 • Items $2001+…

Sunshine Generation

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(213) 612-0348

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA.

Name: Address: City Phone: Cash $ Credit card #: Exp. Date:

All ads run for 2 weeks.

Ads may be renewed after two weeks for 50% off the original price of the ad.

With a circulation of State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

47,000,

our classifieds get results!

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Restrictions: Offer good on private party ads only. Ads must be pre-paid by cash, check or credit card. Certain classifications excluded. Deadline: Thursday at noon for next issue.

20 Downtown News

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

December 22, 2014