02-06-12 by Los Angeles Downtown News

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Volume 41, Number 6

Romance in the City 13-17

February 6, 2012

A knife store moves, cultural discounts, and other happenings Around Town.

There’s a big loft in South Park with a little price. So what’s the catch?

W W W. D O W N T O W N N E W S . C O M

A Modern Sparkle for Broadway

INSIDE

Jewelry Maker Plans Retail, Design Factory in Historic Building by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

Urban Scrawl on mayor’s race money.

long vacant Broadway building is getting a sparkly makeover. Tarina Tarantino, a jewelry designer known as much for her crystal-encrusted, boldcolored accessories as her shocking pink hair, announced plans last week to convert a historic seven-story structure into a new company headquarters. Dubbed the Sparkle Factory, the site will include design and production offices, plus a street-level boutique for the brand that she founded with her husband and business partner Alfonso Campos in 1995. Tarantino and Campos, who bought the building at 908 S. Broadway in 2007, plan to move in and open the space by late summer. The pair relocated to Downtown from West Hollywood in 2003, settling in space at the Cooper Building in the Fashion District. They said the move to the Sparkle Factory was spurred in part by the momentum of a series of recent Broadway deals that are expected to lend new commercial life to the street. They pointed in particular to Portland-based Ace Hotel’s recently announced plans to open a 180-room boutique establishment in the United Artists Theater building on the same block. “When I stand out front and look down Broad way I don’t see what it is now,” said Tarantino, whose wrists were wrapped in her multicolored, beaded bracelets. “I see what it once was and what it will be.” The factory will transform the 1914 building with some notable Hollywood history. The 23,800-square-foot edifice was home in the 1920s and early ’30s to the L.L. Burns’ Western Costume Company, a prominent outfitter for Hollywood stages and screens. Since launching his Bringing Back Broadway photo by Gary Leonard initiative four years ago, 14th District City Tarina Tarantino plans to move her jewelry company to a long-vacant Historic Core building. The seven-story see Jewelry, page 10 property at 908 S. Broadway will house her “Sparkle Factory.”

A snag for the redistricting process.

Punk legends play Downtown.

Cleopatra on the 51st floor.

Show Me the Piles of Money Seven Things to Learn From the Latest Mayor and Council Race War Chest Reports

Hula and swimming at East West Players.

by Jon Regardie

20 CALENDAR LISTINGS

executive editor

here are still 13 months until Los Angeles voters go to the polls to elect a mayor, a controller, a city attorney and eight members of the City Council. However, the fury of

22 CLASSIFIEDS

THE REGARDIE REPORT

fundraising indicates that no one is taking a leisurely pace. Financial disclosure statements released last

week show that the candidates are chasing dollars like greyhounds after the electric bunny at the racetrack. By the close of 2011, according to figures filed with the City Ethics Commission, two candidates for mayor had eclipsed the $1 million mark. Overall, a rollicking $3.8 million in mayoral money has been cajoled out of donors, to be spent later on phone banking, opposition research, lawn signs and glossy mailers that will be glanced at once before being tossed in the nearest garbage bin. The money grubbing, and I’m not saying it’s a

bad thing, continued further down the ticket. One city attorney candidate raised nearly $350,000. The action continues in Downtown Los Angeles, with City Council candidates racing to show themselves as early frontrunners. Altogether, almost $4.8 million has been raised for the races that won’t be decided until March 2013 (runoffs are in May). What follows are the seven most important lessons from the money figures so far. Eric Garcetti Wins the Frame: City Controller Wendy Greuel holds the overall money lead, with a tidy $1.1 million raised since she became the first person to announce her candidacy back in March. She pulled an impressive $588,000 in the period between July 1 and Dec. 31. However, 13th District Councilman Garcetti crushed it during the period. The ex-council see Money, page 11

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1/25/12 2:59 PM

2 Downtown News

AROUNDTOWN Occupy L.A. Damage Estimates Go Down

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Ross Cutlery Moving, Expanding

n the days after the Occupy L.A. protesters were evicted from the City Hall lawn, officials with the Department of Recreation and Parks said that it would cost as much as $400,000 to restore the 1.7-acre park area around the building. The department’s new, more careful analysis indicates that those early estimates were off — way off. According to a recent department report, restoring the lawns to their pre-Occupy condition would cost $76,000. The eventual price tag, however, will likely increase now that city officials are considering a renovation that would incorporate more drought-tolerant landscaping. After proposing three lawn design alternatives, the current preferred option would reduce the amount of thirsty turf by 51%, replacing the entire north lawn with new plantings. The cost of the proposal is unknown. A similar proposal that would have reduced the turf footprint by 58% was estimated at $390,000.

fter more than seven decades of selling knives in the Bradbury Building, Ross Cutlery is moving — though the shop is only going a few doors down on the same block. Ross, which sells everything from medieval swords and kitchen knives to scissors and antique razors, will open at 324 S. Broadway in March, said co-owner Richard Wattenberg. The move, Wattenberg said, was prompted by the opportunity to expand from their current 1,800-square-foot space into a store that measures about 6,000 square feet. Coming along for the short move is the antique scale that gets wheeled to the entrance of the shop every day. “Absolutely, it’ll be right in front of the new space,” Wattenberg said. “It’s a landmark.”

Do You Heart Art Walk?

he Downtown Art Walk takes place on Feb. 9, just as it does on the second Thursday of every month. However, this month’s gathering is slightly different. In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, the Cupidstruck organizers are offering 100 heartshaped, locally created artworks. The pieces will sell for $25-$100, with all proceeds benefiting the Art Walk nonprofit. Each piece can be customized with an original message, and for $25 buyers can have their heart-work delivered anywhere in the Historic Core on Feb. 14. Art Walk is partnering with USC’s TKE fraternity on the fundraising project, said event director Joe Moller. The 100 hearts will be for sale from 6-10 p.m. in the Art Walk Lounge at 634 S. Spring St. More information is at downtownartwalk.org.

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

Many Imitate, But None Compare!

Los Angeles Arts Month

tax included

Disney Hall

CRA Overseers Have Downtown Ties

he three-person panel responsible for orchestrating the dissolution of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency comes with strong Downtown ties. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, Gov. Jerry Brown tapped Nelson Rising to chair the so-called designated local authority. Rising was a partner in Downtown office giant Maguire Thomas Partners from 1994-2005, and from 2008-2010 served as president and CEO of MPG Office Trust. Rising is joined on the panel by Tim McOsker, an attorney who served as chief of staff to former Mayor Jim Hahn, and who is also an active player in the Central City Association. The third appointee is Mee Semcken, a public relations executive who worked as the City

January 31, 2012

Council liaison to the CRA from 1992-2000. The trio has a complicated task ahead. They are responsible for winding down all agency affairs, from paying existing bond debt and satisfying preexisting contracts to selling off agency assets — from office furniture to real estate — and preparing a budget and obligations payment schedule. A state law passed last year eliminated California’s more than 400 local redevelopment agencies and redirects their share of property tax revenues to core government services such as schools. The CRAs were shuttered on Feb. 1.

Arts Discount Program Taps Downtown

ngelenos routinely celebrate the entertainment and art offerings in the city. For the next three months, the number of see Around Town, page 12

metro.net/expo

Watch for trains on Metro Expo Line tracks.

Test trains are now running in preparation for the upcoming opening of the Metro Expo Line, the newest extension of the Metro Rail system. Trains will be moving in both directions on the tracks.

Find out at the landmark location near Downtown. Home of the original Chili-burger. Quality and value since 1946:

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Please remember to: > Obey all tra;c signals and warning devices. > Be alert at all times. Watch for a “TRAIN” signal. > Always push the button and wait for a “WALK” signal before entering the crosswalk. Never jaywalk across the tracks. > Never sit or stand on tracks. > Do not go around lowered gates. > Never make a left turn on a red arrow. This tra;c rule will be enforced by cameras at intersections. > Right turns are allowed while an Expo Line train is passing through, but may be restricted at certain intersections.

For more safety tips, visit metro.net/ridesafely.

photo by Gary Leonard

February February6,6,2012 2012

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February 6, 2012

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4 Downtown News

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EDITORIALS Wesson’s Punitive Power Play

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

hen his colleagues on the City Council voted in November to make Herb Wesson the president of the 15-member panel, the former state Assembly Speaker was eager to communicate a sense of teamwork. In his speech after the vote he said he hoped to make the council’s work more about “we” than “me.” It’s a nice concept, and nicer still if there is action behind it. However, in his first important act as council president, the assigning of council members to various committees, Wesson showed precious little communal spirit. Instead of demonstrating how he wants to work with others, and taking steps that are best for Los Angeles — a city, by the way, that is still struggling with a sluggish economy — he displayed a punitive propensity. Forget “we” over “me.” This was all about “I” over “anyone who dares cross me.” The biggest development in the shuffling of the committees was Wesson stripping Eighth District Councilman Bernard Parks of his chairmanship of the crucial Budget and Finance Committee. Additionally, he pulled Ninth District rep Jan Perry off her post as chair of the Energy and Environment Committee. Each council member gets to chair one committee (some helm a second ad hoc committee). Though Parks and Perry were professional enough to publicly talk up new opportunities and challenges, in reality they got slapped with some of the least appealing jobs — Perry now helms the Information Technology and General Services Committee while Parks oversees the Education and Neighborhoods Committee. No one should be surprised. John Ferraro, the late and longtime council president, would routinely reward his allies by putting them on important committees such as Budget and Finance or Public Safety. By contrast, he’d punish those who opposed him by banishing them to less prestigious posts. Wesson’s predecessor as Council president, Eric Garcetti, also dispensed favors and slaps with his committee assignments, thought not as pointedly as Ferraro did. A tenet of Garcetti’s time atop the panel was building consensus, and he was rarely this pugnacious. Wesson has been battling with Parks and Perry for a few months. Neither of the two council members attended the vote when Wesson was elected president, and they reportedly did not congratulate him. It appears that Wesson did not like that. The problem is, Parks and Perry were extremely valuable to the city in their committee posts. The former, who before being elected to office was chief of the LAPD, has a deep understanding of financial matters and fiscal responsibility — he was often one of the few council members willing to deal with harsh budget concerns head on, rather than kick the can down the road. His fortitude and skills are necessary right now. Perry served an equal role on the Energy Committee. She was tough — remember her being front and center a few years back when the council was fighting with the Department of Water and Power over a $73 million transfer to the city’s general fund. Like Parks, Perry’s work on the committee benefitted the city. Wesson certainly can do what he wants — he wrangled the votes for his new post and the victor gets the spoils. However, we’d prefer to see him think more about the city than punishing enemies. This first move renders his “we-me” lines simply hollow.

LATC Failure Is Distressing and Depressing

he news last month that the City Council had voted to evict the two groups that operate the Los Angeles Theatre Center was shocking. It was also depressing, frustrating and terrible for Downtown Los Angeles. The heads of the Latino Theatre Company and the Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture should be embarrassed. They were given a great opportunity in the heart of a burgeoning community. They had the chance to be creative leaders and nurture an audience that could support them for decades. They were giftwrapped a jewel of a building, a historic property that others desperately wanted. All they had to do was run it effectively and share responsibility. Yet when presented with this opportunity (which included a $4 million grant from a little-known state funding entity), the theater company and the museum squandered it. Even when years of litigation provided numerous chances to work out a solution, they could not reach an understanding. In getting themselves evicted from the property just six years into a 20-year contract, they have verified the protests of those who claimed that the initial bidding process was flawed. We’re not certain what happens next, but we know one thing for sure: The museum and the theater company do not deserve another chance at running the LATC. Not ever. We’re not sure how much interest there will be for the fourtheater property at 514 S. Spring St. Although it’s a prime opportunity, old buildings can be expensive to maintain. That said, it would be foolish to go back to either the museum or the theater company, especially considering that city officials say the groups failed to keep basic accounting information regarding ticket sales and other revenue streams (an allegation that the theater company and museum refute). This is not a trustworthy base upon which to build. As Los Angeles Downtown News reported recently, the battle has been ongoing for years. It was surprising in a way, because the companies had teamed up in 2006 to beat out a proposal from developer Tom Gilmore and Will & Company, which had been a resident of the city-owned building. That process was bitter — the Gilmore/Will & Company partnership initially won a public bidding competition, but a contract was never awarded. Protests were

raised and the contract was eventually funneled to the politically connected entities — for whatever reason, the $4 million grant was not available to the Gilmore group. The good times didn’t last long. In 2009, the museum sued the theater company, claiming it was paying for half of the expenses but only had access to a small portion of the space. The LTC countersued the following year, alleging that the museum was not meeting its financial obligations. These onetime partners were so bitterly divided that nothing could bring them back together. The grants they had worked to secure were not enough. Nor was the promise of access to wellheeled Downtown audiences. Ultimately the city realized the only solution was to kick them both out of the building. In late January they were ordered to leave the complex within 45 days. This is also frustrating because there had been a moderate level of activity in the building, and one could see the potential for more. Although the LATC productions were never confused with those offered a few blocks away at the Ahmanson Theatre or Mark Taper Forum, people were coming to shows. That was good for the bars, restaurants and residential complexes in the area. The eviction means it’s back to square one for the 1917 edifice. In a way, this fits with the past — the LATC has endured numerous failures. The structure that began life as a bank became empty as the city expanded to the west. The property saw a $32 million renovation from the Community Redevelopment Agency in the early 1980s, but after a few years as a hub for avant-garde theater, the experiment died. In ensuing decades productions were few and far between. It may not have mattered much considering that most of the surrounding area was derelict, especially after dark. Everything changed after 2000, when the Downtown residential revolution began and the old dead office buildings in the neighborhood started being transformed into housing (a field in which Gilmore was a leader). Suddenly there were thousands of new inhabitants and dozens of nightspots. It became imperative to activate the large structure in the center of the community. Sadly, the Latino Theatre Company and the Latino Museum were not able to make use of the opportunity. Now, the city needs to move on to a group that can make this work.

February 6, 2012

Downtown News 5

Opinion

The Readers Talk Back Website Comments on Carmen Trutanich, the LATC, the Regional Connector and More

Regarding the editorial “Which Way in L.A., Nuch?,” about City Attorney Carmen Trutanich not yet declaring whether he will run for District Attorney or City Attorney, published online Jan. 27

he only people who really care or who want to force Trutanich’s decision are his opponents — of which you are clearly one. Leadership means taking on the status quo to change government and break the conventional political rules. Yes, Trutanich is different. Different from the mayor, council and most every other elected official. The Downtown establishment and politicians clearly don’t like him, but I don’t think he cares. He refuses to take the bait. He does his job. And that is precisely why the average citizens love him. As long as he’s being attacked, it means he’s doing something right. —Lisa Swanson, Jan. 28, 10:12 a.m.

uch still won’t admit that he is running [for DA] even though that is obviously what he is doing. The distraction and uncertainty that causes in the City Attorney’s office was and is equally obvious. [Swanson’s] point about Nuch being “different” is also misleading. He is not different. He is behaving just like any other career politician, out to climb the next rung of the ladder. The only difference is that he lies about it — to your face and without batting an eyelid. Make no mistake, the example set by the City or District Attorney filters down to the rank and file. —David Berger, Jan. 29, 10:14 a.m.

hat has Trutanich done for our city? I’m sick of politicians manipulating voters simply to assure themselves a job or advancement. If Trutanich now wants to pursue the job of L.A. County District Attorney, fine. Just admit to the citizens

that our once valued votes were merely a means to an end. But, Trutanich should consider, we may not be fooled again. —KB Edwards, Jan. 29, 10:59 a.m.

Regarding the story “Regional Connector Study Done, Meetings on Tap,” published online Jan. 12, by Ryan Vaillancourt

Regarding the story “Latino Theater Company Ordered Out of Downtown Home,” published online Jan. 17, by Ryan Vaillancourt

n 1993, Will & Company established itself in Los Angeles as a major touring company with a 25-member ensemble; it took residence at the Los Angeles Theatre Center and mounted main stage productions. The company was to stay at LATC for 14 years. However, Will & Company could not reach a working agreement with the Latino Theater Company, and in 2007, they moved to the Ricardo Montalban Theatre. I think some people call it karma. —TK Nagano, Jan. 17, 7:53 p.m.

et’s hope that whoever gets the theater removes that disgusting “Tron” style lettering from the top of the building. It’s such an eyesore. —Horthos Maus, Jan. 20, 4:49 p.m. Regarding the editorial “Broadway Progress Encouraging, but Many Steps Remain,” published Jan. 23

hile it is encouraging to see small changes and big plans, until the aggressive hucksters are put out of business Broadway is going to continue to [be annoying]. Just a few days ago, while walking on Broadway between Fifth and Sixth streets, I could barely navigate the sidewalk due to numerous “We Buy Gold” signs and guys standing in the middle of the sidewalk shouting their sales pitch and blocking the sidewalks and intimidating those passing by. And don’t even get me started on the drug dealers, panhandlers and others who run amok up and down Broadway. Is there a plan to address these issues? —Bettie Miner, Jan. 24, 11:37 a.m.

L I A R E MOR

ho’s the clown who formulated this? It looks as though they expect a horde of commuting pedestrians from out of the Third Street Tunnel. —Juanito Crandello, Jan. 13, 8:44 p.m.

uanito, the value in this thing isn’t the local commuters (although they will use it), it’s that the Blue and Expo lines will be able to run into Union Station and/or link up with the Gold Line, eliminating the forced transfer at the Seventh and Flower station and conceivably allowing “one seat rides” from Santa Monica to Pasadena or Long Beach. It will make Union Station the true transit hub of the region, which is especially relevant now that Metro owns it and is making it over properly. —Alexis Kasperavicius, Jan. 15, 6:37 p.m. Regarding the story “One Santa Fe to Break Ground This Month,” which includes information about a proposal to extend the Red Line to the project, published online Jan. 9, by Richard Guzmán

ait, let me get this straight. Metro is considering changing the terminus of the Red Line from Union Station to some condo on the outskirts of Downtown? So all of the platforms that read “Toward Union Station” would be changed to read “Toward some condo project?” I don’t see it. —Rev Erto, Jan. 9, 2:32 p.m.

project of this size ought to have a subway station, especially as the tracks are already there. And a station wouldn’t just serve this project, but the whole Arts District. There’s nothing written in stone which says that Union Station needs to be the terminus. —James Fujita, Jan. 13, 2:38 p.m.

metro.net/works

S K R O W E H T IN

“America Fast Forward” is aimed at creating jobs the right way. Find out more at americafastforward.net.

orridor

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ridor nsit cor a r t r o t connec regional Metro has released the final environmental report for the Regional Connector Transit Corridor light rail line. The two-mile underground route will connect the Metro Gold, Blue and Expo lines through Downtown LA. > A 30-day public review of the report is currently underway and a vote by the Metro Board is expected next month. > The route connects with the Metro Blue and Expo lines at 7th Street/Metro Center Station and with the Metro Gold Line at Alameda Street. > The Regional Connector will save approximately 20 minutes of travel time by eliminating passenger transfers through Downtown. For more information, visit metro.net/regionalconnector.

Demolition crews are working along Colorado Avenue and 17th Street in Santa Monica in preparation for construction of Phase 2 of the Exposition Transit Corridor. > Phase 2 will extend westward from the Culver City Station now under construction and run along the old Pacific Electric Exposition right-of-way to 4th Street and Colorado Avenue in downtown Santa Monica. > A $1.5 billion agreement between Metro and the Expo Construction Authority will fund the project through Measure R tax revenue as well as state and local funds. > Train testing is currently underway on Phase 1 of the Expo Line running between Downtown LA and Culver City. For more information, visit buildexpo.org.

very week Los Angeles Downtown News gets online comments to the stories we publish. These are some of the most interesting responses. Additional comments are welcome at ladowntownnews.com.

6 Downtown News

February 6, 2012

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WHAT’S FOR SALE A Street-Level Loft in South Park staff writer

n the column “What’s for Sale,” Los Angeles Downtown News looks at everything from condos to multi-family buildings to vacant lots now on the market. We hope that regular snapshots of individual properties will make for a wide-ranging survey of the overall state of Downtown real estate. This week, the focus is on a condominium at the Grand Lofts in South Park that, at first glance, appears to be very underpriced. The Property: The 1,400-square-foot unit C09 in the Grand Lofts, at 330 W. 11th St., is a bank foreclosure. It is listed for $287,900. Ear to the Street: The unit reflects a purchase price of $206 per square foot, which is far lower than other nearby lofts (similar-sized units in South Park can sell for as much as $400 per square foot). Of course, when a price seems oddly low, there’s usually a good reason, and there’s a good reason here: Unit C09 is on the ground floor of the building. That, said listing broker David Robles, gives many potential buyers pause for security reasons. The condo also lacks skyline views. So far, those drawbacks have made it a tough sell: The price has been reduced twice since November, when it was listed at $305,000. Size Matters: If being at street level doesn’t scare you away, it would be tough to find a South Park home of comparable size for a comparable price. The unit does not have permanent walls, but it has an “L” shape that “lends itself re-

ally well to being partitioned,” Robles said. The condo opens directly onto a communal patio, which includes a small barbecue area, Robles said. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the street and patio sides capture a lot of light, he noted. It also comes with two parking spaces. Work From Home: The ideal buyer would be someone who works from home, Robles said. “It would be great for a therapist, a writer, someone like that,” he remarked. “It’s not a commercial mixed-use situation but it certainly can be a wonderful work-from-home type.” image courtesy Dave Robles

Compared to What?: Ground-level residential spaces are rare in Downtown, so a close comparison is hard to find. But just in Grand Lofts, the four most recent sales, according to the L.A. County Tax Assessor, ranged from $250-$321 per square foot (the sizes ranged from 1,090-1,560 square feet). A question for buyers is whether C09’s $206 per square foot represents enough of a discount for being on the ground floor. Location, Cubed: For most South Park condos, location tends to be a selling point. The Grand Lofts is a three-block walk to Staples Center and L.A. Live (and perhaps, one day, Farmers Field). Starbucks is on the same corner, 11th Street and Grand Avenue, and Ralphs is a four-block walk. Eleventh Street is also poised for some creative streetscape improvements as part of an ongoing CRA project to improve pedestrian connectivity in and around the Figueroa Corridor. A consulting team is studying a plan that would

A 1,400-square-foot South Park condominium is for sale for less than $290,000. It’s below comparable listings, but buyers have to be OK with living at street level.

widen the 11th Street sidewalks and add sitting areas and landscaping. Another idea involves filling in the road between Figueroa Street and Broadway so it becomes level with the curb. The street would become a sort of shared flex-space for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. But fair warning: The dissolution of the CRA could impact the agency’s successor entity’s ability (and/or motivation) to complete the project, even if state funding is attached. Those who like to speculate might also note that 11th Street is on one of the proposed routes for the as-yet-unfunded Los Angeles Streetcar.

photo by Gary Leonard

by Ryan Vaillancourt

Contact: The listing agent is David Robles at (323) 761-6444. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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February 6, 2012

Downtown News 7

DowntownNews.com

Downtown Representative Quits Redistricting Panel Estela Lopez Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Draft Maps by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

stela Lopez, a member of the panel redrawing the boundaries of the City Council’s 15 districts, has resigned from her post. The move came two days after draft maps released by the Redistricting Commission sparked a bitter divide in Downtown Los Angeles. Lopez, the only commissioner with strong personal and professional ties to Downtown, submitted her resignation on Jan. 27. In a letter to First District Councilman Ed Reyes, who appointed her to the commission, she said being a member of the panel was interfering with her duties as executive director of the Central City East Association, which manages business

improvement districts in Skid Row and the Arts District. “I’ve been honored to serve as the representative of Council District 1,” Lopez wrote in the letter, a copy of which was provided to Los Angeles Downtown News. “It has become abundantly clear, however, that I cannot meet the demands of the Commission’s work schedule and fulfill my responsibilities as a Business Improvement District director for 97 blocks of Downtown Los Angeles.” Reyes spokesman Tony Perez said that Highland Park resident David Trujillo has been appointed to fill Lopez’s post. He said that Lopez’s work on the commission satisfied Reyes’ goals, and that the councilman would have preferred for Lopez to stay on the job.

Puzzling Puzzle The 15 council members and the mayor, city controller and city attorney all appoint members to the 21-person panel. While Lopez was chiefly responsible for advocating Reyes’ interests in preserving and building the First District, her role on the commission inserted her into an ongoing battle between council members Jan Perry and José Huizar. Under the recently released draft map, Huizar’s 14th District would expand into Downtown, taking most of the Central City and pushing Perry’s Ninth District south of Olympic Boulevard. Population figures require the 14th to expand and the Ninth to shrink. Huizar is pushing to grow his district into see Redistricting, page 9

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he Museum of Contemporary Art celebrated some loud blasts from the past, when three punk rock legends performed outside the MOCA Geffen Contemporary on Jan. 28. The show was headlined by the Los Angeles band X, whose album Under the Big Black Sun also happens to be the title of a current MOCA exhibit about California art from 1974-1981. The openers were two other iconic acts from the time, the Dead Kennedys (with a replacement for original singer Jello Biafra) and The Avengers.

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Downtown News 9

DowntownNews.com

Redistricting Continued from page 7 Downtown. Perry and her appointee on the commission, David Roberts, had proposed keeping most of Downtown in the Ninth and shrinking her territory in South Los Angeles. In a Jan. 22 meeting of a commission subcommittee, Roberts proposed a map that would have not only preserved the Ninth’s share of Downtown, but would have grown Perry’s jurisdiction to take over all of the Historic Core, Roberts said. The plan would have subsumed the 14th District’s territory on Broadway, which Huizar has made a lynchpin of his Downtown efforts through his Bringing Back Broadway initiative. A majority of the subcommittee rejected Roberts’ map, he said. Lopez would not divulge whether she voted for the Roberts

plan or for the winning proposal that favors the 14th District’s Downtown expansion. “The full map is what’s in front of the public, and that’s what needs to be focused on,” Lopez said. “That was the decision of my fellow commissioners and I respect their decision.” The draft maps have stirred controversy citywide, though Roberts has been among the most pointed critics of those on the commission. He blasted the group’s lack of transparency at the Jan. 25 hearing when the maps were first revealed. He maintains that the draft boundaries reflect political interests more than community needs. “It was clear to me that they had orders from their appointee authorities to push Council District Nine south of Olympic Boulevard,” Roberts said of the subcommittee members. “We didn’t have robust discussions about it. We did not look at the public testimony.” Huizar’s commission appointee Antonio Sanchez disagreed, pointing out that the regional subcommittee met three times for sessions that lasted up to six hours.

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“We spent some time talking about Downtown boundaries, going over assets, describing communities and we even got as specific as mentioning the Metro stops,” Sanchez said. “We talked about uniting Downtown and what that means for the communities of Downtown L.A.” At a Dec. 10 hearing to discuss Council District Nine, community members largely lobbied the commission to preserve the area’s longstanding presence in Downtown. At a Dec. 13 meeting focused on Council District 14, much of the testimony dealt with issues in Boyle Heights, Highland Park and other areas. Several Downtown stakeholders, however, urged the panel to grow the 14th District into Downtown. The commission is slated to take public testimony on the draft maps at a series of upcoming public hearings, including a session at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at City Hall. The final maps are slated to be approved by March 1. More information on the meetings is at redistricting2011. lacity.org. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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Jewelry Continued from page 1 Councilman José Huizar has been trying to convince businesses to relocate to the historic theater district, and help those already interested to navigate the city permitting process. In addition to luring Ace Hotel, Huizar’s Broadway team helped ink deals for Ross Dress for Less and the restaurants Two Boots Pizza and Umamicatessen (the latter is a spin-off of the Umami Burger chain). Huizar staffers have been working with Tarantino and Campos on the deal for about a year, knowing that the factory could be a unique magnet for shoppers. “It’s a world renowned designer that will attract more people to Broadway, and it revitalizes one of the old buildings, so I think it’s a double punch,” Huizar said. Money in the Banksy Tarantino and Campos currently work out of rented space in the Cooper Building. For years, on their way to work, they parked in a lot adjacent to their new home. Before purchasing the structure, Tarantino said she’d often daydream about owning it. The shuttered edifice caught her eye in part because the detailed façade has an upward point that reminded her of one of her bejeweled tiaras. Then, one morning in 2007, as Tarantino and Campos were pulling into the lot, they saw a worker installing a “For Sale” sign on the façade. Soon after they bought it, paying about $4 million. Plans for the Sparkle Factory were announced around this time. Progress, however, was halted as the economy plummeted and the duo struggled to find financing for a renovation, Campos said. Their consultants also were stymied by a city permitting process that

can be treacherous for historic properties built in the era of now outdated building codes. Eventually, Campos said, they secured financing via the Valley Economic Development Center. They hired architect Karin Liljegren, who had worked on numerous projects that turned historic Downtown buildings into housing, to oversee the transformation. The VEDC loaned the jewelry company about $350,000 to help with renovations, channeling funds it had secured via a Goldman Sachs small business program, said Bruce Dobb, a loan consultant with the organization. The factory, once full, is slated to house about 60 employees. “We believe in the company,” Dobb said. “We believe they’re a money maker and they’ll pay us back.” The reactivation of the building returns a creative use to the site where the Burns Costume Company prepared the outfits for films such as The General, starring Buster Keaton, and The Sheik, with Rudolph Valentino. While Tarantino operations will occupy the ground and top two levels, the remaining floors will be rented out. Tarantino said they will target other creative users. “We’re going to look for legacy tenants in the worlds of art, media and design that will bring something to the building,” she said. “We’re obviously big proponents of art.” This isn’t the first time under Tarantino and Campos’ ownership that the structure has been in the spotlight. In 2010, the couple gave British street artist Banksy permission to work on the south facing wall. Banksy, who was in town for the premiere of his film Exit Through the Gift Shop, painted a child on a swing, dangling from big block letters that spell out PARK. The graphic, which faces the lot where Tarantino and hundreds of others leave their cars, was painted to look like

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Tarantino was attracted to the building in part by its façade, which reminded her of the tiaras she designs.

an old “PARKING” sign, with the “ING” brushed over. It is still there. Tarantino’s goods are sold online and through various retailers, and her necklaces, bracelets and hair accessories are regularly photographed on runway-walking models and red carpet-strolling celebrities. She currently has Tarina Tarantino retail locations on Melrose Avenue, in New York and in Milan. The Broadway location, she said, will function as a kind of flagship store that will stock items by other fashion and accessory design-

ers. It will also offer fans of her jewelry the chance to design their own. Inside the street level boutique will be an area where what Tarantino called her “factory girls” will assemble jewelry. Customers will be able to pick their beads, pendants, colors and make other custom calls, she said. “There will be a gift shop aspect to it, but it’s also going to very much have a factory feel,” she said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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Money Continued from page 1 president didn’t declare until Sept. 8, and the $1,063,165.65 he raised (yes, there’s a 65 cents) in 115 days works out to about $9,245 a day. That’s about what a journeyman professional baseball player or a pretty savvy drug dealer make. Garcetti didn’t get there by accident. He worked fast and furious, and City Ethics documents show fliers for a staggering 36 cocktail parties, luncheons and other fundraisers before the end of the year. They were held everywhere from Pacific Palisades to Hollywood film studios to New York City. The numbers prove that every media type and political observer who in the summer scratched his or her head and mumbled, “Well, I don’t think Garcetti can wait this long and be competitive,” were absolutely, completely wrong. The Multi-Culti Kid is dialed in.

Downtown News 11

DowntownNews.com photo by Gary Leonard

February 6, 2012

$627,000 puts him in fourth place, behind Greuel, Garcetti and Downtown Councilwoman Jan Perry, who has raised $827,000. Beutner pulled just $222,000 in the last reporting period, which is strange for a guy who chalked up $405,000 in his first three months in the campaign, and who has deep connections to Wall Street and its army of one-percenters. Really, Beutner could jet to New York for four days, have his buddies hold a few cocktail parties and luncheons in his honor, and he’d come back with a couple hundred grand. Anyone who makes a negative judgment based on the fundraising totals would be jumping too early. The figures may just indicate that Beutner, who recently split with his initial team of campaign strategists, is getting ready to dip into his own pockets. If so, the world will find out how much this very model of the modern major venture capitalist wants the gig — he’ll probably need at least $3 million to be competitive.

Somewhere, Zev Yaroslavsky Is Smiling: I have no idea if the county supervisor will run. I’m not sure if Yaroslavsky himself knows if he’ll run. He’s continually made “news,” including in this publication, simply for shrugging his shoulders and essentially saying “maybe” when asked if he’ll enter the race. What I do know is that if Garcetti became a million dollar man in less than four months, then Yaroslavsky probably thinks he can do better. He’d have reason for such thoughts: His 37 years in Los Angeles government have given him the Godzilla of political networks. He also has extensive national connections, and folks will race to fill his coffers. He knows that even if he starts months or a year behind others, he can catch up quickly. Whether this compels him to jump in and be gut-punched by scores of negative ads from the other candidates remains to be seen, but after these fundraising numbers, Yaroslavsky has to be as excited as a 4-year-old rolling around in a pile of Golden Retriever puppies.

It’s Fun to See Who Gives: One of the best things about the Ethics Commission’s website is that it details every donation to every candidate. The names are pretty interesting. In the last reporting period, Greuel proved to be a darling of Hollywood, with figures such as Rob Reiner, Haim Saban, Judd Apatow, Steven Spielberg, Bill Maher and “Law & Order SVU” actress Mariska Hargitay all donating $1,000. Lance Ito, who played a judge on TV during the O.J. Simpson trial, gave $250. Perry’s tally includes numerous donations from Downtown development and business interests, and a lot of contributions from Little Tokyo stakeholders. Other folks who dropped $1,000 in her bucket include architect Frank Gehry, developer Rob Maguire, actor Bill Pullman and City Councilman Bernard Parks, which makes one wonder if he handed her an envelope during one of the rare dull moments in a City Council session. It was different for attorney and former radio host Kevin James. The lone outspoken Republican in the race has raised $154,000, though less than $70,000 came in the last reporting period. His donor list lacks the notable names but includes a lot of smaller contributions in amounts such as $100.

We’ll Soon See Austin’s Equation: It almost seems like Austin Beutner, the businessman and former top deputy to termed-out Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, didn’t try all that hard to raise money in the past six months. His accumulated

Fury of the Feuer: Back in 2001, then City Councilman Mike Feuer looked like the next Los Angeles City Attorney. However, come Election Day, he was trumped by Rocky Delgadillo. While it’s not the greatest comeback story since

Councilman Eric Garcetti was the big winner of the last campaign financing period, raising more than $1 million in less than four months.

Rocky II, Feuer is well-positioned for another run. He raised an impressive $345,000 through Dec. 31. The big question is, will he have to use the cash against current City Attorney Carmen Trutanich? Nuch is probably gunning for the district attorney’s post, but he refuses to tell anyone anything. We’ve Got a Fight in the First: Outside of the mayor’s race, the most interesting election of 2013 could be in the First District, where Councilman Ed Reyes is termed out. Gil Cedillo, a state senator and political veteran, notched $57,000 by the end of 2011. However, he finished a distant second to Reyes’ chief of staff, Jose Gardea, whose $106,000 in contributions is clearly meant to send a message that he won’t be a victim of a Sacramento steamroller. None of This Means Anything: To use a cliché, this is a marathon, not a sprint, and while early fundraising totals can set a tone for a campaign, they don’t necessarily mean anything in the long term. Nor do actual fundraising advantages. Los Angeles has seen plenty of instances where the better-funded guy or gal finishes second. Most recently Warren Furutani, the mayoral-backed 15th District city council hopeful, won the donation race and got clocked in the vote tally. In other words, the fun is just beginning. Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

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Around Town Continued from page 2 options will increase, and in some cases, including in Downtown, they will be less expensive to access. That was the message at the Downtown kickoff of the “Discover the Arts in Los Angeles” program. The initiative was announced Tuesday, Jan. 31, in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The program orchestrated by L.A. Inc. and Wells Fargo is a citywide initiative that will feature discounts at more than 50 cultural institutions through April 30. Downtown entities participating include the Grammy Museum, MOCA and REDCAT, which are all offering two-for-one tickets with a coupon available through the program’s website. Other Downtown deals include price cuts on tickets to L.A. Opera’s upcoming production of Albert Herring and discounts on some Los Angeles Philharmonic performances. A full

list of companies offering deals is at discoverlosangeles.com/thearts.

Station Pains and Public Meetings for Regional Connector

here’s another twist for the $1.4 billion Regional Connector, this time at Second Street and Broadway. Earlier plans for the project that would link light rail lines included a Broadway station plaza that spanned a block between Broadway and Spring Street, with entrances on both streets. However, the most recent designs eliminate the Spring Street path and instead propose a single entrance on Broadway. The station plaza plans were also reduced to half the original size. Now, 14th District City Councilman José Huizar is looking at ways to get the initial designs back on track. The Metro board of directors recently approved a motion by

Huizar, who sits on the panel, that asks for designs to be completed for the Broadway Station with entrances both on Broadway and Spring Street. The motion states that having entrances on Broadway and Spring would allow for better access to the Civic Center, to Broadway and to Huizar’s proposed Los Angeles Streetcar. Additionally, local stakeholders can weigh in on the Regional Connector this week. Metro recently completed the final environmental impact report for the project and will present the study to the public in two meetings. The first is 2-3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave.; the next is 6:30-8 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First St. Both meetings will have Japanese, Korean and Spanish interpreters.

New CEO at JANM

he Japanese American National Museum has a new leader. On Jan. 20,

museum officials announced the appointment of G.W. (Greg) Kimura as CEO. He replaces Akemi Kikumura Yano, who stepped down in July. Kimura, a yonsei, or fourth generation Japanese American, was previously president and CEO of the Alaska Humanities Forum. “I view his appointment as transformational for the Museum,” said Gordon Yamate, chair of the Little Tokyo facility’s Board of Trustees, in a statement. “He will ably lead and elevate the Museum to new levels of programming, experiences and excellence, particularly with our broadening and more diverse audiences.” Kikumura Yano stepped down after 24 years at JANM; she had been named president and CEO in early 2008. Since August, the museum had been helmed by two interim co-executive directors, Nancy Araki and Miyoko Oshima. The hiring marks the second major recent Little Tokyo change. On Jan. 11, the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center named Gregory Willis its president and CEO.

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Downtown News 13

DowntownNews.com

Love Is in the Downtown Air Places to Dine, Wine, Dance and Wrestle on Valentine’s Day by Kat Mabry

act no. 1: Valentine’s Day is the ultimate Hallmark holiday, an event that does for the floral and greeting card industry what National Bank Transfer Day does for credit unions and myriad small lending institutions. Fact no. 2: Anyone who completely disregards the date is committing an act of relationship suicide. In other words, whether you have a longstanding marriage/partnership, are a few months into a romance, or have the guts to pull a first date on Tuesday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day matters. Step up or face the consequences. What follows are a few Downtown Los Angeles suggestions and ideas to get the romantic juices flowing. Make the restaurant reservations soon, but don’t stop there. The flowers, teddy bears, candied hearts (messages included) are very necessary. Lovely Meals Bird’s Eye Dining: Dinner at L.A. Prime is about more than what is on the plate — it’s also about what’s out the window. The restaurant on the 35th floor of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel is offering a four-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu, along with rosé or brüt champagne and a live musical trio performing from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Choices

photo by Don Spiro

photo by Gary Leonard

Border Grill offers romance with a side of Mexican food.

include poached Maine lobster, seared Jidori chicken breast, California halibut or a 14-ounce veal chop. Dinner is $175 per couple. The menu is available Feb. 10-14. The view lasts forever. At 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 624-1000 or thebonaventure.com. Island Flavor: No place in Downtown Los Angeles is like a trip to the islands. However, Roy’s Hawaiian Restaurant is quasi-close.

The Figueroa Street establishment’s Valentine’s menu is available Feb. 10-12 and 14. The prixfixe meal, which runs $49-$85, includes choices such as misoyaki (charred miso) butterfish, mushroom dusted tiger shrimp, cilantro seared sea scallops, a 14-ounce pork chop or Roy’s take on surf and turf. But wait, there’s more! Each holiday dinner includes a $20 gift card to use on a future visit. At 800 S. Figueroa St., (213) 488-4994 or roysrestaurant.com.

The masked wrestlers and sultry performers from Lucha VaVoom are back in Downtown. Their Valentine’s Day shows are Feb. 14-16 at the Mayan Theatre.

Colors of Love: The South Park restaurant Rivera has been surprising diners since the day it opened. The surprises will continue on Valentine’s Day, when chef John Rivera Sedlar creates a prix-fixe meal that offers a variety of colors beyond red. On the menu is a salad of blood oranges and cactus pears, followed by sea bass or a petite fillet with Malbec wine sauce. For dessert there’s a Brazilian baba cachaca with pink rose crème chantilly. see Meals, page 14

14 Downtown News

Meals Continued from page 13 The meal is $75 per person and wine pairings are available for an additional $35 or $65. At 1050 S. Flower St., (213) 749-1460 or riverarestaurant.com. Passionate Language: That classic image of romance in Disney’s 1955 Lady and the Tramp, when two dogs meet for a kiss at the end of a noodle, can come to life in this Downtown restaurant on Valentine’s Day. Drago Centro features a gin drink concocted just for the holiday and a four-course menu of asparagus salad, spaghetti carbonara, duck breast and milk chocolate mouse. The meal is $65 with an optional wine pairing for $35. Feel free to kiss during the mousse too. At 525 S. Flower St., (213) 228-8998 or dragocentro.com. Try a Chaya: Hallucinogenics are not usually recommended during a dinner, but Japanese fusion joint Chaya rarely follows convention. The restaurant in City National Plaza has a three-course prix fixe menu for Feb. 14 for $65 per person (an à la carte menu will also be available). The Valentine’s dinner features drinks including the Love Spell cocktail, fashioned with Lucid Absinthe. There are a variety of appetizer and dinner options, though it’s all a course to dessert, where the standout is a Belgian chocolate concoction. At 525 S. Flower St., (213) 236-9577 or thechaya.com. Head to the Border: The theme of Valentine’s Day at Downtown restaurants seems to be prix-fixe meals, and the trend continues at the Central City outpost of the Border Grill. Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger,

February 6, 2012

Romance in the City who have been on about 9 zillion TV cooking shows (and for good reason), are preparing a menu featuring margaritas, smoky mussel ceviche shooters, Dungeness crab cakes and grilled lobster tamales. The meal will culminate with an upside down caramelized plantain cake. Those who mention the phrase “Downtown valentine” when making a reservation will get a free specialty cocktail with the purchase of a prix fixe dinner. At 445 S. Figueroa St., (213) 486-5171 or bordergrill.com. Enter the Kitchen: Those with some flexibility this week might consider Maria’s Italian Kitchen. The establishment at Sixth and Flower streets has a three-course prix-fixe menu that starts with a glass of prosecco. Food options are a choice of a mixed green or Caesar salad, and for entrees, a selection of lobster and shrimp ravioli, a 12-ounce rib eye steak or roast chicken. It ends sweetly with a sharable dessert of homemade tiramisu or molten cake. Best of all, one need not visit Maria’s on Valentine’s Day for the dinner. The menu runs Feb. 9-14. At 615 S. Flower St., (213) 623-4777 or mariasitaliankitchen.com. Red Roses and Meats: If the not-so-winter temperatures continue, why not enjoy dinner outside on the terrace at Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse. This temple of beef is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a three-course dinner for $59 or a four courser for $69. Starter highlights include Japanese yellowtail sashimi and creamy celery root soup. The entrees are braised Kurobuta pork belly and oakgrilled been tenderloin. Dreamy dessert selections are rose petal lychee raspberry cake and something with more chocolate than a Hershey’s factory. The romance begins the weekend before the big day, so Downtown diners can get their meat on from Feb. 11-14.

photo by Gary Leonard

It’s a Hawaiian Valentine’s Day at Roy’s. The Figueroa Street joint has a prix-fixe menu.

At 330 S. Hope St., (213) 680-0330 or patinagroup.com. French Without the Attitude: Some say the French are rude. Fortunately, there is nothing off-putting about the dining experience at French bistro Café Pinot. The establishment in front of the Central Library with the pleasant garden seating has three and four-course menus for $65 and $80, respectively. Service begins at 4:30 p.m. First-course options include ceviche and a beet salad. When it’s time for the main course choose between Peking duck, a turbot in mushroom broth and beef tenderloin. The dessert options are the same as at Nick + Stef’s, which makes sense since they are both part of the Patina chain. At 700 W. Fifth St., (213) 239-6500 or patinagroup.com. Coffee One, Two, Three: The Little Tokyo spot Café Demitasse may not be the first thing that pops to mind for a Feb. 14 celebra-

tion, but it is an intriguing offering for those who want to do something a little different than the rest of Downtown. Demitasse is featuring a three-course dessert menu for coffee lovers at $35 per couple. It starts with champagne, sparkling white tea and coffeechocolate ganache-dipped strawberries. The second course, caviar and cream, comes in the form of coffee spheres and sweet rose creamery ice cream. The final course is a twist on the classic coffee cake, with a jin patisserie cake served with a coffee shot. At 135 S. San Pedro St., (213) 613-9300 or cafedemitasse.com. Power of the Puck: It’s safe to say that no one is doing Valentine’s Day quite like WP24 Restaurant & Lounge. Which is probably a good thing, because the establishment on the 24th floor of the Ritz-Carlton at L.A. Live is serving, gulp, an eight-course menu. WP24, part of Wolfgang Puck’s empire, is deliversee Meals, page 17

Valentines Day • February 14th Menu

Starters Potato Terrine w/ Shrimp or Veggie Salad Avocado, Red bell pepper puree, Micro cilantro

Or Salt and Pepper Prawns

Mention the LA Dow ntown News and Receive a

Complimentary Champagne To ast!

Fennel, Cilantro

Or Yuba w/ Smoked Eel Chinese celery, Hosin sauce

Soup and Salad Saffron Golden Beet Soup

Granny smith apple, Ahi tuna, Fresh herbs

Or Garden Salad

Baby Carrots, Snap peas, Maitake mushroom, Tarragon aioli

Entrée Chinese Oven Smoked Filet

Carrot orange puree, Rapini, Cipollini onions, Beef Au jus

Or Pan Roasted Mahi Mahi

Served on a bed of Shitake Risotto, shiso pesto, Pancetta crisp

Or Garden Ratatouille

Add a Bottle of Champagne or Wine

Eggplant,Tomato, Zucchini, Tofu espuma

Champagne,Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label $60.00 Champagne, Moët & Chandon Imperial $60.00 Desserts Century Cellars, BV Cabernet Sauvignon $30.00 Strawberry Shortcake Century Cellars, BV Chardonnay $30.00 Sponge cake, Vanilla whipped cream, Almond ice cream Century Cellars, BV Merlot $30.00

Or Banana Empanada

Walnuts, Powder sugar, Sea salt

Or House made Chocolate Cake Fruit salsa, Wasabi, Vanilla ice cream

$45.00/person

Tax & Gratuity not included

No Substitution May not be combined with any other offer, coupon or discount

Reservation Recommended

(213) 785-3330 @ L.A. Live

800 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

tradervicsla.com

February 6, 2012

Love Lines Downtowners Find Many Ways To Say ‘I Love You’ Julie… I love you to the moon and back! Johnny. All you need is love and a dog… Astro. Hyunjoo… I love you very much. Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks for being the best wife ever! Love… Don. Mario (baby)… I love you with all my heart and soul please never forget that. Happy anniversary! Love… Maria (mamas)

Downtown News 15

Romance in the City Jessica… Will you be my valentine?... Love, Loren Jenny... I love you and our baby Genevieve with all of my heart. You’re the bestest ever... Richard Dennisse… Coming home to your kiss and smile is the best part of my day. I love you! Happy Valentine’s Day… Luis CLE… Thanks for being the wonderful man and lover you are. We have the next 50 years to share… TLR Mom… Eres un angel en mi vida. Te doy gracias por estar siempre a mi lado y gracias a Dios por tener una madre tan maravillosa y linda! I love you… Tu hija, Norma

Troy… I love you so much! Thank you for everything you do for me!... Love, KK Jenn… Happy V day you will always be in my heart forever allure and daddy are glad to have you… Randy George… Let’s play trains! Let’s spend Valentine’s Day at Travel Town. At basketball. Love… Daddy and Mama Greg… I thank God He blessed me with you as my soulmate. I love you with all my heart, mind, body and soul. There’s a ribbon in the sky for our love… Love, Michelle Jose Muro… I loved you yesterday, I love you still, I always have and I always will. Happy 6 years, love always… Carol

NG... Happy Valentine’s Day!... Love, ERB Erika… I thank God every day for giving me a super mom ’n wife... I Love U… Luis M.

MZD… If anyone is worth waiting for its you. XOX… Beez Tara see Love Lines, page 16

Hey Pedro… It’s been another wonderful year of life and love with you! Looking forward to many, many more!... Keith Hi Camille… Wishing you the best Valentine of all time. Oh you too Nina! Luv… Daddy Vince TB 129… And to think they said it wouldn’t last (your friends). But I’m happy every day it did. I love being whichoo… RJR Alex Almeda… Happy 5th anniversary Pappi! Through thick & thin we conquer. I love you more each day, always… Yolanda.

Valentine’s Day at

ARTISAN HOUSE

Feita… Happy Valentine’s Day amor and thank you for everything you do for me. Te quiero mucho… Paco LG… Happy 1st Valentine’s! May we have a lifetime of crosswords, laughter, and umami burgers together. Love… AG Foxhound and little Itty… you guys complete my world. I love you both with all my heart and soul… Laura Mama… Thanks for the food, the hugs, the books, the stories, the laughs and most of all the love… V & G Eddie… Still crazy after all these years.... Crazy for you... YMMSVH ISGYCIML forever and ever amen… Love, Blu Dave… I think you’re great! Sorry I hiss sometimes, but I really do love you. Meow!... Love, Nesto Danny, mi muneco… You mean the world to me and every day I wake up thanking God for having you right next to me. I love you with all my heart. Happy Valentine’s Day! Yours Truly… Norma

Impress your date twice in one evening. We invite you and your special someone to celebrate a most romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with Artisan House and Belvedere Red, on the evening of February 14 th, 2012. We are preparing a four-course menu in three distinct themes — Desire, Lust and Eden — as part of our very special evening. $45 per person prix fixe and featuring music by DJ Butters. 600 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014 A portion of Belvedere Red sales is donated to charities as part of the Product Red Initiative.

Sweetiepie and Babycakes… I’m blessed to have two amazingly beautiful daughters that fill my heart with lots of love. No one will ever change the love that only us three share. I love you both so much! Happy Valentine’s Day… Your Mommy Papa… I love playing with you, trying new tricks, and going on new adventures.You’re forever mine… Xol Baby Dollar… last year sucked! In 2012 it’s Pop-Tarts or burst! I love you honey… Biff Nightman. Vivian… We the people love you so much. We’ll do puzzles and play baby tiger cub forever. We love you… Mama and Daddy Happy Valentine’s Day Keith Keira and Wendi :)… Dorthea BoBo… 3,000 miles of separation makes us the champions of love! Happy Valentine’s Day! Love… BoBa Sara… Don’t nobody want ya, don’t nobody need ya! Except for me! All day, everyday! Love always… Your Cream Puff Trixie... I am so glad you are my Valentine even if you spray the neighbor’s cat with the hose... The Big Dog Nancy, Baby… You are the best of the best. You are too much. My one and only. Te amo… Dan Sophie… I wish you bluebirds in the spring to give your heart a song to sing. I wish you love… Edward Velt Villain… It doesn’t get better than waking up to you and kissing you. My life has a fuller meaning Baby. I’ll marry you over and over again. Let’s Love… Velt Doll

RSVP 213.622.6333 www.artisanhouse.net

16 Downtown News

Valentine’s Day handsome! Besos y abrasos... Jess

Love Lines Continued from page 15 Vikki B… Your Big Daddy wants you back this Valentine’s. Phone calls aren’t enough, I need to feel you!!! XXXOOOXXX… Kendrick Dearest Bubble… yours forever… Bubba (Phyllis) Jack... To the sweetest, most incredibly romantic man. I cannot thank you enough for being you. I Love You!... Rose Alex… A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you… Lily Dirty D... You make me say, Woof! I like how you like it Ruff!... Wilfred Sandra... would you be my date to see Ricardo Arjona on March 17?... Manuel D~... Even when I can’t love you, I do. Always… Kona Tattywood… Skunny one so true, I love you! Forever yours!... Martee Wilwood Titoboo… You fill my heart with joy, grace, happiness and the world should read it and know who holds my heart. I love you only you… Ana Carlos… Happy Valentine’s amor I love u. You’re the best!... Dayana Sunny… I love you more, a lot, only, always. Guess who. Quack, quack. Did you see the purple turtle’s back?... Joan Honey Bear… you are the love of my life and the most incredible husband ever! Luv… Snoop-a-Loop Dad… Thank you for the shoulders to sleep on and all the treats! Xoxo… Holly Sox... I will always love you; you are the woman of my dreams even when I’m awake... the Puppie Vanessa E… you are the wings beneath my wings. I love you yots, Your Panda Bear I am yours forever… Ernie Mando + Alex = Neverending love. Happy Valentine’s Day babe... Alex Masoud… It’s been a true privilege to have known you and marrying you. Cheers and happy Vday baby!... Azadeh Mike… Love U + Kiss U + Miss U = Us.

February 6, 2012

Romance in the City

Babe… I’m the luckiest guy... pero mas suerte es quererte tanto y que tu sientas lo mismo. iLUVu… Julio

To My Hubby, John Buckley Gordon… Happy Valentine’s Day My Love! You and little Jack bring so much joy to life. (Plus you are really hot!) Thanks for the adventure... Forever Yours, Tracey

2six4… I love you & who we are: Oaxaca, Cumbias, K’s, art, Japan, TheSounds, so L.A.Us, always… 39 Robert… you’ve made me the happiest girl on earth! I never want to be without you. Good Times! Forever yours… Brandi

Happy Valentine’s Day!... Diane

Roxana… Happy Valentine’s Day... Gary

Baby... Tu eres mi fuerza para todo, thank you for being part of my life, I love you... Panfis

Papa-pantsu… I lurve you. You know, I loave you, I luff you — two F’s… Lurve Mama-pantsu

Jamie... It’s going to work... Dr. Sanders

Celso, Randy, Cesar, Ines & Veronica… I’ll stand by you!... T Pretenders

Violeta… You’re the perfect combination of sexy and cute. Happy Valentine’s Day! Love you… Ben Jasmine… Each kiss from you is like chocolate & wine, sweet and intoxicating… Myron Jae Ying… Since the day we met, even better yet, ever since then, I love you times ten!... Your Art. Michael... After 24 ½ years and you have made every day Valentine’s Day… Matthew Chiquita....was it cosmos, stars or destiny? Which ever of those they did it right. Because they brought me to you... your Chuntz My Lil J… Happy 3rd V-Day! I love U and I’m looking forward 2 spending more V-days 2gether… BEASTIA

Chris… so excited for the future and so thankful to be your wife! Love you… Ashley Nelly… I love you. Wishing your heart a safe passage in finding mine. With love for eternity… Criss Julianne, Samantha & Michael... We love you very much! Keep up the good work!... Mom & Dad Destiny A… I will “always” be here for you… Michael “Mickey Bear” Joey... It’s been 15 months of happiness... Happy Valentine’s Day, baby! I love you more... Judy BYD… Thank you for 5 ½ amazing years and a future full of love and lust xoxoxo… Your OM

Rosemary… I love you… Jesus G... U R COOL, still... M

RS… The more I get to know you, the more beautiful you become to me… Yours, KA

I love my creator Allah and his messenger, then my mom Newa, wife Afia, sons Raju, Saju and all relatives… Mohammed

Dan, the Man… Love you more. More than yesterday. Mas de chocolate! Con mucho amor… su esposa, Nancy.

Spring Street… Happy Everything. I always enjoy our fun shared mornings and the beauty of your presence… Busstop

Matador… you pierced my heart con tu banderilla, always thinking of you amor. Are u happy?... Shomy

Fiona... I use to think love was only true in fairy tales, now I’m a believer. Better out than in. lol… Shrek

OMiranda… I wuv u, so so much! Muah! All my love, today and always!... T Horen

Everardo Jr… I’ll always love you, you’ve truly made an amazing impact on my life. XOXO… C Severo.... Thank you for keeping a smile on my face and love in my heart. Happy

Bassman... I am the strings on your fretboard. Strum me with slow upstrokes and light brushing strokes. Make me sing!... Smoochikins Iseah… I love you and our life together in the big city. Happy Valentine’s Day!... Love, Andrew

Cheap Puppy... I smile at the chance just to see you again. I really miss you... Corazoncita Jesse… I’ll always be in love with you! You & our children are a blessing in my life… your wife, Terry Shannon… I love you ever so… Your loving husband Roy and our children Tammy and Bernie JP… If I’m the bomb, you’re the comb, as in I love you my honeycomb!… Sandra Dare… You make me happy with your kindness, intelligence and beauty. God bless the wonderful journey we have started… Papi Christopher “Iceburg”… Baby Duck, I love you so much!...Yours forever, Julie Babo... You are & will always be the only one for me! Love you tons!... Your Babe Davie, Kay & Michael... You make our lives so much sweeter!... Love, Mami & Pops Chum Chum... You are my sunshine! Love, Fanboy Geoff Walker… Meeting you seems a lifetime ago. Our future together seems a lifetime away. But we always have forever!... Susie Jennifer G… I write this as you gaze into my eyes, and want everyone to know I love you!... Rene Adam Parry… Pinot is red, My eyes are blue, Happy Valentine’s Day to my new hubby & Boots too!... Jennifer Sherry JB(iebz)… I miss your glasses and I guess your dang face, too. You had me at French Fries… that B! Enrique S. Tuparan… Happy Valentine’s Day babe! I love you with all my heart. God bless… Your loving wife, Isabel D. Tuparan Veronica… Very Enchanting Remembrances On Nights I Cherish Always… Join me at (XXXXX) on Valentine’s Day… Yours, JayTee Alex... This is too much fun. Thank you for making me so happy. I love you!... Steph Jull… thank you for being my brother, I love you… Marilyn Papi… I will always love you. Jesus, you are my soul. Victor, you are my heart. Wardo, you’re my Sunshine… AD Romo

MOMA… Feliz dia del amor y la amistad! TQM! Richard Kevin: It’s your senior year, make it memorable!... Love, PJ

Sean Tulipface… You are my ultimate loverbird. You continue to make my heart sing. Loving you psychotically! Xoxo… Molly Shoelace

Tracy… oh voluptuous Iowa beauty, your vividly glaring blue eyes captured my heart. Reply to me on MyLife... Eric

Cynthia/Eat… I love you! Thank you for being you and being a part of my life. Love always… Alex/Alixher

Roger Meunier… You will always be the masher to my potato! Love you always… Dennis Villa

Wigglesnugs... You make the sun melt my heart into a bowl of love... Honeybutt

Bunny… You have been the most amazing girlfriend. Let me change that to most amazing wife. Marry me. Monkey… Rene Dear Sarah… Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow. Prrrrowwww. Meow, meow… Love Ernie and Beatrice Grandma... Le damos gracias a Dios por tener una abuelita tan dulce como tu. Te amamos!... Tus Pollitos, David, Kayla & Miguelito

Uli...Rrrrrrrrrrroooooooaaaaaaarrrrrrrr, lick... Dragon Boo... Happy Valentine’s day, you rule and so do your portabella burgers with extra cheese. Love... AR Marleen... 25+years and counting. So far so good... Sol Alex... Love you more... Dad Mark... You are the Best! Love... Mom

February 6, 2012

At 900 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-8630 or lalive.com/eat/la-market-by-kerry-simon.

Meals Continued from page 14 ing its Asian cuisine for $175 per person; the meal is $250 per tummy with wine pairings. The menu features wok-fried Santa Barbara spot prawns, grilled lamb chops with cashews, puffed rice and majari sorbet, among many others. Those foolish enough not to go for the house specialty can order off a regular menu. The meal is available Feb. 10-14. There will be one seating only on Valentine’s Day. At 900 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 743-8824 or wolfgangpuck.com. Crazy Love: Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially one ignored on Valentine’s Day. So during a visit to LA Market on the lobby level of the JW Marriott at L.A. Live, pay heed to chef Nona Sivley, who happens to be the winner of season eight of “Hell’s Kitchen.” Sivley is creating a fourcourse menu just for couples. The $52 prixfixe meal includes pan roasted diver scallops, porterhouse steak for two and the signature Junk Food Platter, which features childhood favorites such as cotton candy and Hostess cupcakes. The V Day menu runs Feb. 10-14. An à la carte menu is also available, in case you like that kind of thing.

FUSION SUSHI & GRILL

Downtown News 17

Romance in the City

Brasserie Tacks: Even Barbie would like Kendall’s. Kendall’s. Ken dolls. Get it? Whatever. Kendall’s Brasserie, the dining destination at the Music Center, will be serving a three course Valentine’s Day dinner for $60 and a four-course meal for $75. There are five first-course selections, among them a half-dozen oysters and smoked salmon salad. When it comes time for the main course, choose the venison, striped bass, rotisserie chicken or grilled chateau steak. Be sure to save room for dessert. The holiday menu will be available Feb. 11-14. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7322 or kendallsbrasserie.com.

inside an art gallery. It all comes via Create: Fixate’s 10-year anniversary exhibit I Art You. There will be works by 40 local artists and a meal featuring braised short ribs, bourbon poached salmon and stout braised sirloin tips. Those not in love with meat can try a vegetarian option of roasted farm vegetables on a bed of red quinoa. Dinner is $59. At 613 Imperial St., (323) 934-7777 or lot613.com and createfixate.com. Eat, Then the Beat: Dinner or dancing? Dinner or dancing? Dinner or dancing? Why not both? It’s possible at the Conga Room. On Feb. 14, the L.A. Live venue will host Yari More, who will perform a tribute to the late Cuban-American salsa singer Celia Cruz. The show starts at 8 p.m. and packages range from $45-$150. The food will features Latin

tapas and meals based on Cruz’s favorite dishes. Best of all, all those calories can be burned off by the dancing that follows. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-0162 or congaroom.com. Heart Felt: OK, the Thursday before Valentine’s Day really isn’t Valentine’s Day. We get it. However, the Downtown Art Walk only takes place once a month, and the installment on Feb. 9 will celebrate the day of amour. The Art Walk Lounge will be selling custom painted heart images in honor of Saint Valentine. Members of the TKE fraternity at USC and the Art Walk staff created the pieces for the event. They’ll be available from 6-10 p.m. At 634 S. Spring St., (213) 617-4929 or downtownartwalk.org.

More Than a Meal Wrestling for Love: The Valentine’s Day show from Lucha VaVoom has become a tried-and-true tradition in Downtown Los Angeles. The happening that mixes masked Mexican wrestling, sultry burlesque and salty comedians takes place Feb. 14-16 at the Mayan Theatre. In the ring will be figures such Li’l Cholo and Kaos, while the dancers include Lucy Fox and Michelle L’Amour. At 1038 S. Hill St., luchavavoom.com. Artsy Heartsy: The events venue Lot 613 is mixing art and love on Feb. 14 with dinner

*Choose Any 2 Combinations $8.95 *Choose Any 3 Combinations $9.95

LUNCH SPECIAL COMBINATION

*Gyoza

*Veggie Roll *Beef Teriyaki *Salmon Teriyaki *Spicy Tuna Roll *California Roll *Salmon Sushi *Chicken Teriyaki *Tonkatsu(Pork Cutlet) *Shrimp+Vege. Tempura

$1.99 Draft Beer(16oz)/All Day & Everyday! Happy Hour(Mon.-Fri.)(3pm-6pm)/up to 50% Off (Selected Menu & Drink) 213-687-7780 319 E. 2nd St. #206/Los Angeles, CA 90012 (2nd & San Pedro)

607 South Hill Street, Suite 204, Los Angeles, CA 90014 t 213.892.0772 | www.singlestone.com

Single Stone on Mission Street 2527 Mission Street, San Marino, CA 91108 t 626.799.3109 | www.singlestonemissionstreet.com

February 6, 2012

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CALENDAR Queen fora Month

photos by Gary Leonard

18 Downtown News

The former executive offices of ARCO, on the 51st floor of a Downtown building, will be the site of Cleopatra, CEO, from Heidi Duckler Dance Theater. Duckler (left, on table) has wanted to build a piece around the Egyptian queen for years.

During the process, the ensemble seamlessly phasis of Cleopatra in my childhood,” said dances through the life of Cleopatra, moving Duckler. from war to death to mourning. It culmiThe company moved into the Downtown nates in celebration. space for rehearsals on Jan. 2. The reactivaThe process also has rewards for the danc- tion of the corporate environment domiers, said Marissa Labog, a member of the nated by men also had ties to the bygone era. company for more than five years. “Because it was such a male-dominated “The audience is very close to us, they’re in working environment, it lent itself very well it with us,” said Labog, who also serves as re- to Cleopatra,” said Labog. hearsal director. “It’s easier for us to be more Tom Ricci, executive vice president of in our bodies and more real to what we’re Thomas Properties Group, which owns feeling and expressing.” the Paul Hastings Tower, knows that using A Rebranding the space for a dance performance is out of Heidi Duckler founded her Collage the ordinary. He said TPG is continuing to Dance Theatre in 1987. She has staged doz- look for innovative ways to lease the 51st ens of works, and often found inspiration in floor, and after meeting with Duckler a year Downtown. Her local settings have included ago, he felt the project would be good for the Los Angeles Police Academy, the defunct Downtown. Herald-Examiner building, the shopping “It will be a fun and novel opportunity for center at Seventh and Figueroa streets and members of the community to experience by Kat Mabry The space holds luxurious conference rooms, even City Hall. something in an unusual setting,” said Ricci. he posh ambiance on the 51st floor of secret compartments and executive offices. She changed the troupe’s name to the Heidi Duckler and her dancers have discovered the Paul Hastings Tower in Downtown However, said Duckler, the 51st floor has been Duckler Dance Theater as part of the celebra- numerous ways to tell their story in the old Los Angeles once served as office space “sealed like a tomb” for years. In addition tion of the organization’s 25th birthday. office space. The movements, sometimes agfor the Atlantic Richfield Company. It was to seeing dance, Cleopatra gives audiences a “It was time for a rebranding and to focus gressive and other times tender, take place on a place where oil giant executives conducted chance to enjoy a hidden gem of Downtown. on our mission,” said Ducker, referencing the open floors and even atop small tables. In deals and worked to maximize profits from “I think the audience will be quite amazed her aim to create pieces that are thoughtful, one scene the performers carry briefcases. It barrels of crude. by the presence of the place and the 360-de- intelligent and beautiful in spaces that are of- resonates for Rob Lambaren, a dancer who ARCO left the building in the early 2000s, gree view over the city,” Duckler said on a re- ten underestimated or unknown. “Our com- has also been with the company for five years. and aside from being used for occasional film cent Sunday, during a break from a rehearsal. pany is expanding its presence in the city.” “With every production you kind shoots, the space has sat empty ever since. “It’s very powerful.” Duckler has long wanted to do a work of embody the objects around you,” said However, this month the penthouse property The show’s title is a reference to how based on the Egyptian queen. However, only Lambaren. “We’re not just performing in the with the mesmerizing views of Los Angeles will Cleopatra was a strategic and ambitious ex- in the past year did several factors come to- space, we’re performing with the space.” be active once again. Another power player is ecutive of her time, said Duckler. She drew gether to make the time right. Although Cleopatra died at 39, Duckler taking over, albeit temporarily. lines between the woman who some say held First there was the political tumult in finds her life inspirational. That’s why the The building at 515 S. Flower St. is the site the fate of the Western world in her hands Egypt. The rise of the Arab Spring led to the ending of Cleopatra, CEO is a celebration. s.com or nNew wntowthe of Cleopatra, CEO. It is the latest dance-theater company acquired in 2000 by British fall of President Hosni Mubarak after de- Duckler says that the way the project aniat Doand er rn co nd r right ha s/maillist the uppeDuckler. S choreographer hybrid from s.com/form Petroleum. cades in power (in fact, the opening weekend mates the space represents hope. It’s also why symbol inHeidi ew is th nn r E-NEW fo ow nt ok w Lo www.lado UP SIGN show The that opens Thursday, Feb. 9, The experience begins even before the ac- marks the first anniversary of Mubarak an- she thinks the building, some 700 feet tall but Starts Feb.Then 3 there were often missed by people as they speed through mixes numerous elements of the past and tual performance. Audiences take an ear- nouncing his resignation). present. There is an ancient story, mod- popping elevator ride to the top of the 1972 the harsh criticisms leveled at BP for the dev- Downtown, bears special notice. ern political overtones and the impact of building (which is actually one of the twin astating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. “I think that people walk the streets of Los global commerce. Duckler, who has a his- 51-story towers in City National Plaza). The Additionally, there was the death, at the Angeles and don’t look up,” said Duckler. tory of staging inventive works in unlikely doors open to reveal two large secretarial age of 79, of Elizabeth Taylor, who famously “This story is kind of about looking up.” Downtown locales, offers up choreography banks that have been transformed into boats played the queen in the 1963 film Cleopatra. Cleopatra, CEO runs Feb. 9-11, 16-18 Check Our Website forAtFull Listings that might remind viewers of Cirque du above the Nile River. the Movie time it was the mostLADowntownNews.com expensive movie and 23-25 at the Paul Hastings Tower, 515 S. Soleil. In the site-specific work, the audience fol- ever made. Flower St. Tickets and information at heidiFirst and foremost there’s the property. lows the performers from room to room. “Elizabeth Taylor was kind of the very em- duckler.org.

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On Your Marks, Get Set, Hula East West Players Looks at Little-Known Story of an Innovative Swim Coach by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

ula dancing and swimming are not often thought of in the same breath. That’s part of what makes the next production at East West Players so unusual. Three Year Swim Club uses hula dancing to tell the little-known story of a coach who founded a swim club with his eyes on the Olympics. Previews for the show at the David Henry Hwang Theater in Little Tokyo start Thursday, Feb. 9 (opening day is Feb. 15). It runs through March 12. The show is directed by Keo Woolford. Set in Maui in the late 1930s, it tells the true story of a young high school swim coach named Soichi Sakamoto. Due to a lack of facilities, the team has to train in the irrigation canal of a sugar plantation. Under the motto “Olympics First, Olympics Always,” the team was dubbed the Three Year Swim Club, since Sakamoto asked for that long a commitment from his athletes. He’d build up their muscles and endurance by having them swim against the current in the irrigation ditches. While many of Sakamoto’s swimmers did qualify for the Olympics, they were unable to participate. World War II forced the cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 summer games. The story of the coach and the athletes, Woolford believes, will work on the emotions of audience members. “I hope this story will touch and inspire people,” he said. “It’s a story about Hawaii, about Asian-American history, and it’s such a perfect fit for this theater.”

The Little Tokyo stint will be the mainland debut for the play, which is presented in association with Honolulu Theater for Youth, where Swim Club debuted last year. Although it is based on an actual series of events, Tim Dang, producing artistic director for EWP, said Sakamoto’s saga has been largely forgotten. “It’s not a well-known story, even among people from Hawaii,” said Dang. “So it’s a good opportunity to showcase this story and I think it’s consistent with the mission of East West Players.” The performance is part of the AsianAmerican company’s 46th season. The season’s theme is “Languages of Love,” which looks at the different ways love is expressed. In Three Year Swim Club, the hula dance is the form of language used to tell the story, and since there’s no space for an Olympic pool on the stage, or an irrigation ditch, it also becomes the metaphor for swimming. “The timing for this play is perfect since it coincides with the 2012 Olympics,” Dang said, referring to the games that take place this summer in London. “And the art of hula is a language all in itself telling the story through movement.” Woolford, who also handles the choreography, recently directed the feature film Under The Hula. Three Year Swim Club marks his first time directing a work on stage. While there is music and dancing in the performance, Woolford describes the piece as a play and not a musical. “It’s a brilliant concept using hula as a metaphor for the movement of swimming,”

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The hula dance is a metaphor for swimming in East West Player’s Three Year Swim Club. The show runs Feb. 9-March 11 at the David Henry Hwang Theatre.

he said. “Hula is a language and also used to interpret the love and passion the coach has.” Blake Kushi, a Hawaii native who plays the part of the coach, had never heard of the story before reading the script. However, he said he was instantly drawn to the real-life character. “I was amazed by his accomplishments and how he trained these kids. All they had was an irrigation ditch, but they did it,” he said.

Sakamoto, who died in 1997, eventually went on to become head swim coach at the University of Hawaii. There, finally, many of his students competed in the Olympics. East West Players is at 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers. org. Three Year Swim Club previews are Feb. 9-12. Opening night is Feb. 15. The show runs through March 11. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

20 Downtown News

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LISTINGS

February 6, 2012

saTurday, February 11 Dissent: Teen Night 2012 at MOCA Geffen Contemporary, 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org 7 p.m.: Each year, teens take over the museum for an evening of art, music and more. The thematic focus of this year’s installation — parents beware — is dissent and the role of artists in social issues and politics. sunday, February 12 The Grammy Awards Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa, (213) 742-7885 or staplescenter.com. 5 p.m.: The cream of the music community gather to mourn Don Cornelius and congratulate each other on another year spent cranking out chart toppers.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Feb. 6: Blue Whale Jam Session with the Vardan Ovsepian Quartet. Feb. 7: Anthony Shadduck Double Quartet featuring Norton Wisdom. Feb. 8: Sketchy Black Dog. Feb. 9: Graham Dechter Quintet. Feb. 10: Jaz Sawyer LA 4. Feb. 11: David Frissen, Larry Koonse and the Greg Goebel Trio. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.: Titulary homage to ancients separated by vast oceans makes good for once as Incan Abraham begin a month-long residency of eerily deep harmonic rock. Feb. 7, 7 p.m.: Revered overdrive specialists and veteran indie face kickers Tennis System pile on the fun with The Colourist, Count Fleet and Toy Bombs. Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.: Ertel are the perfect musical manifestation of those good girls gone bad. They’ll be bringing up painfully unique memories after sets by Red Circle Underground, Roman Candle Wars and The Hugeness. Feb. 9, 8 p.m.: True to form, the boys in Rumspringa inject mind boggling modernity into old

Since the days of Alexander, Afghanistan has contained multitudes: It’s been home to art and empire, trade and even war. On Saturday, Feb. 11, the Music Center’s World City program offers two windows into the creative arts produced in the mountainous Central Asian nation. The Sounds and Rhythms of Afghanistan and the terpsichorean artists of Ballet Afsaneh have two shows at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are free and will be distributed beginning at 10 a.m. for the first performance and 11 a.m. for the second. Rock out Afghani style at the W.M. Keck Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org.

The Summer Twins and their effervescent indie pop seem vaguely out of place at The Smell, like a pair of Alka Seltzer tablets dissolving in used motor oil. Nevertheless, these precocious young ladies will be on hand Saturday, Feb. 11, to highlight the merits of major keys and demonstrate the proper use of a crunch pedal. Tickets are $5, which includes the 8 p.m. show, the ambience and an excuse to stroll through a Downtown alley at no additional charge. Call it an early Valentine’s Day gift from the folks at The Smell. The openers are You Me & Us, Brannigan’s Law and In Tents. At 247 S. Main St., enter through the alley between Main and Spring, or thesmell.org.

photo courtesy Summer Twins

Thursday, February 9 Flash Photography at MOCA MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org. 6:30 p.m.: Kate Flint, a professor of English and art history at USC, will examine how advances in flash photography impacted Weegee and photography in Los Angeles. And whaddyaknow, MOCA has a Weegee exhibit. Mississippi Music Celebration Night Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 7656800 or grammymuseum.org. 8 p.m.: The museum celebrates the musical legacy of Mississippi, exploring its role in the development of American music. Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives perform.

by Dan Johnson, listings eDitor | calendar@downtownnews.com

After a brief hiatus, Short Eyes is back at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. Through March 11, Miguel Pinero’s treatment of ethnicity, sexuality and power in a New York prison plays four times a week in the Spring Street venue. Short Eyes refers to a child molester, and Pinero’s drama focuses on a newly incarcerated, white, middle-aged pederast. In other words, this is not first date material. Shades of current affairs beg the audience to wonder if life imitates art or art imitates life. This week the two-hour play runs Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 7 p.m. Tickets are available on the LATC’s website. At 514 S. Spring St., (213) 489-0994 or thelatc.org.

There’s never been anything memorable to come from those few glorious miles of soil where Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland meet. Until now. On Friday, Feb. 10, the Orpheum Theatre hosts West Grove, Pennsylvania’s own Dr. Dog. While the West Coast has been busy blowing minds with heavy synths, these boys from around near Amish Country carry the mantle of East Coast psychedelia with the grace and humility bestowed on anyone whose childhood was filled with horse and buggy visages and rumspringa ruminations. Check out Spring for Coffee for a little pre show pick-me-up. Doctors recommend against mixing the 9 p.m. performance with heavy sedative use. At 842 S. Broadway, (877) 6774386 or laorpheum.com.

photo courtesy Dr. Dog

Wednesday, February 8 Chouinard: An Overture REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. 8:30 p.m.: CalArts President Steven Lavine hosts an evening dedicated to the impact and influence of the Chouinard Art Institute, which, FYI, started Downtown. Jodi Cantor at Aloud 630 W. Fifth St, (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org. 7 p.m.: In her new book The Obamas, the Washington correspondent for the New York Times goes deep inside the White House as the Obamas grapple with their new roles, raise children, maintain friendships, and more. She talks about the tome with the Times’ Adam Nagourney.

Dancing afghanis, singing Twins anD impish imposTers

photo © Frederico Mata

Monday, February 6 Wael Ghonim at Aloud Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 765-6800 or lfla.org. 8 p.m.: Wael Ghonim was an unknown 30-yearold Google executive when he launched a Facebook campaign to protest the death of an Egyptian man at the hands of security forces. Then he was arrested by those same security forces. In his new memoir, one of the key figures behind the Egyptian uprising takes readers inside the making of a modern revolution. He’ll speak with Reza Aslan as Aloud moves to a new venue for a night.

photo by RJ Muna

EVENTS

The Fab Four are billed as the ultimate Beatles tribute band. So prepare yourself for face melting musical accuracy, painstaking attention to detail and a good ol’ British Invasion of classics from the Liverpool lads. They drop by Club Nokia on Friday, Feb. 10, and they’ll be packing myriad costume changes as well, transforming from a quartet of stylish mods to deific hippy bards. The eerie litany of impeccable appearance and sound kicks off at 8:30 p.m. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com.

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

February 6, 2012

Downtown News 21

DowntownNews.com with America. Nola’s 734 E. 3rd St., (213) 680-3003 or nolasla.com. Feb. 6, 8 p.m.: Jacques Lesure jam session. Feb. 7, 7 p.m.: Sharon Ridley. Feb. 8, 7 p.m.: Curtis Parry. Feb. 10, 7 p.m.: Michelle Coltrane and Friends. Feb. 11, 7 p.m.: Cheryl Barnes with Phillip Cabasso. Feb, 12, 11 a.m.: Thelma Jones. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Feb. 10-11, 8:30 p.m.: Vintage electronics share a stage with the newest sonic technology when Dutch composer Thomas Ankersmit highlights a two-night festival celebrating the CalArts Center for Experiments in Art, Information and Technology. Friday is “Noise Night,” featuring L.A.’s Damion Romero and the pairing of noise pioneers Zbigniew Karkowski and Xopher Davidson. “Ambient Night” on Saturday brings the debut of a new work by Ankersmit created for the Serge analogue modular synthesizer. Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com. Feb. 6: Crosby Tyler.

2 your EvEnt Info

EAsy WAys to suBMIt

Extraordinary Events • Festival Orchestra, Hugh Wolff, conductor Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and young artists from the USC Thornton School of Music and The Colburn School • Three concerts featuring cellists appearing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Neeme Järvi, conductor • Recitals and masterclasses given by distinguished international artists • Remembering Piatigorsky: Films and Panel with Evan Drachman, Terry King, Laurence Lesser, Mischa Maisky, Nathaniel Rosen, Jeffrey Solow, Raphael Wallfisch • Mass cello ensemble at Walt Disney Concert Hall • An evening of The Back Suites for Unaccompanied Cello

MorE LIstInGs

Presenters

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

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February 6, 2012

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rOSSLyn HOteL Studio 280 sqft. Full Bathroom Apartment $600 mo. to mo. $580 on 6 mo. Lease No Application Fee! - Sec. Dep. $175

Clean unfurnished bachelor rooms with shared bath at $550/mo. with private bath at $695/mo. Sec. deposit Special @$100 Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site. Gated building in a good area. 208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown LA

For English Call Pierre or Terri 213.744.9911 For Spanish Call Susana 213.749.0306

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6 Story Parking structure near Staples Center 942 Parking Spaces Located on Union Ave between W. Olympic Blvd and James M. Wood Blvd (Approx. ½ mile from Staples Center)

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premiere Towers

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Free Utilities, 24 hr. laundry, Around the Clock Courtesy Patrol

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3386766 0119

Casaloma L.A. Apartments

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madison hotel Clean furnished single rooms. 24-hour desk clerk service. •Daily, $30.00 •Weekly, $109.00 •Monthly, $310.00 (213) 622-1508 423 East 7th St.

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.) Starting Jan. 1, 2011

February 6, 2012

Downtown News 23

DowntownNews.com

CHILD MONITORING, Private Investigations and Executive Protection. Reasonable Rates for all services 661-332-5362 Misc. services ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a Free Talking Meter and diabetic testing supplies at No Cost, plus Free home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful finger pricking! Call 888-781-9376. (Cal-SCAN) ATTENTION SLEEP Apnea Sufferers with Medicare. Get Free CPAP Replacement Supplies at No Cost, plus Free home delivery! Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call 888-699-7660. (Cal-SCAN) DISH NETWORK lowest nationwide price $19.99 a month. Free HBO/Cinemax/Starz Free Blockbuster Free HD-DVR and install. Next day install 1-800-336-7043 (Cal-SCAN)

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Downtownnews.com

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is your teen experiencing:

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2008 Nissan Pathfinder ........... Certified, Silver. CU0585P/642873

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THE ANSWER

2007 Pontiac G6 Coupe ....................................

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OVER 500

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aUctiOn

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Misc. iteMs

Monterey Park 2 Bedrooms Upstair Unit

DOWNTOWN

NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

2007 NISSAN FRONTIER

For a complete list of our pre-owned inventory, go to www.DTLAMOTORS.com

DONATE YOUR Car, truck or boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 888-9026851. (Cal-SCAN)

2008 VW JETTA WOLF Certified, Auto, Low Miles ZV1443/8M197061 $14,966 Auto Call 888-781-8102.

lOs anGeles DOWntOWn neWs

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ADOPT (or Foster) your forever friend from Bark Avenue Foundation. Beautiful, healthy puppies, dogs, cats and kittens available at Downtown’s largest private adoption facility. Call Dawn at 213-840-0153 or email Dawn@ BarkAveLA.com or visit www.Bark Avenue Foundation.org.

aUtOs WanteD

2008 PORSCHE CAYMAN COUPE Certified, Black/Black, Only 18k Miles, 8U762547 $38,895 Call 888-685-5426.

Expose your auto to Downtown Los Angeles, with a huge work force and one of the fastest growing residential areas

aDOPt a Pet

2010 MERCEDES C300W Certified, 3.0L, 31k miles, White/ Black 5858C/R087445 $27,991 Call 888-319-8762.

DOWntOWn l.a. aUtO GrOUP

ITEMS FOR SALE

PETS/ANIMALS

2009 CHEVY IMPALA Certified, Low Miles, #CH1041-1 $9,995 Call 888-879-9608

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$15,995

2008 Porsche Cayman Coupe .......................... Certified, Black/Black, 18k Miles. 8U762547

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Kitchen Cabinet Entertainment Center Vanities Closet Bar

Crown Molding & Baseboard

Granite Top All Wood Jobs Custom Make Work

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Ask for Mario (909) 657-7671

24 Downtown News

Twitter/DowntownNews

February 6, 2012