03-08-10 by Los Angeles Downtown News

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March 8, 2010

Volume 39, Number 10

SPRING PREVIEW

Bach to the Future How Downtown’s KUSC Became the Top-Ranked Public Radio Station in the Country by Ryan Vaillancourt

Urban Scrawl on red light cameras.

Nelson Rising’s view of the economy.

A century of Mikawaya’s mochi.

staff writer

he country’s top-rated public radio station isn’t known for in-depth news programming and it’s got little cachet in the department of gripping storytelling, à la Ira Glass. Its listeners will hear not a note of popular bands like Arcade Fire, Radiohead or, Beethoven forbid, Lady Gaga. At Downtown-based KUSC, it’s all classical, all the time. Though these days, the station has something else it could broadcast: the message “We’re number one.” According to the most recent Arbitron ratings, Classical KUSC 91.5, which broad-

casts from the 20th floor of the Manulife Plaza building at 515 S. Figueroa St., reaches more listeners than any other public radio outlet in the country. It edges out not just the local competition, but also NPR affiliates WNYC in New York and WQED in San Francisco. The station’s rise to the top charts back to February 2007, when its former competitor, the commercial station KMZT (known as K-Mozart), switched formats to country music. By spring 2008, KUSC notched the top ranking in Los Angeles for public stations, and one year later hit see KUSC, page 22

photo by Gary Leonard

Brenda Barnes, shown here with host Alan Chapman, has led Classical KUSC for 12 years. The station based in an office tower on Figueroa Street is the most listened to public radio outlet in the country, according to ratings service Arbitron.

From Linens to Lofts Justice on Fashion District Building Gets a Two Wheels $6 Million Transformation

Downtown Bike Messengers Step Up Against Cycle Thieves

by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

here was the time a few months ago when a group of Downtown bike messengers detained some teens suspected of stealing a bike outside Macy’s Plaza until the cops showed up.

The return of muralist Kent Twitchell.

Then, a few weeks later, some of the same hard-riding messengers, who make their living delivering legal documents to law offices and courts, took off from Downtown, out toward Mid-City after another suspected bike thief. That one got away. see Messengers, page 21

photo by Gary Leonard

Developer Jack Ravan spent $6 million turning a 1922 building at 308 E. Ninth St. into a 38-unit project. It opened in January.

What’s up on Spring Street?

16 CALENDAR LISTINGS 24 MAP 25 CLASSIFIEDS

by Richard Guzmán city editor

f you are not specifically looking for it, it is easy to miss the entrance to the Emil Brown Lofts. The brown door almost blends in to the surrounding cityscape, the huge spools of fabric and other materials from adjacent businesses dominating the busy sidewalks of the Fashion District. Up until a few years ago, the edifice at 308 E. Ninth St., near Santee Street, was a clothing manufacturing facility feeding product to many of the stores below. Although the

façade has not changed much since then, the interior has been transformed into 38 lofts that are leasing quickly. After a Jan. 10 opening, 27 units have been reserved. “I think the product sells itself because it’s a true loft,” said Jack Ravan, president of the South Park Group, the developer of the project. “We’ve got the ceiling heights, the industrial feel; it’s a true loft versus a lot of the other projects that I think are more similar to an apartment.” Units in the $6 million project range from 750-1,700 square feet, see Lofts, page 23

photo by Gary Leonard

Mario Mejia (left) and Victor Lluville are fed up with rampant bicycle stealing. They are part of a group of bike messengers who have recently thwarted several attempted Downtown bike thefts. They asked that their faces not be shown.

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AROUNDTOWN Puck and Splichal Head to South Park

he South Park district continued its restaurant momentum last week, with two notable chefs getting into the area’s food service scene. On March 2, the Patina Restaurant Group opened Market Café at the AT&T Center at 1150 S. Olive St. The restaurant, which is open weekdays from 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m., is the latest Downtown offering from the company headed by Joachim Splichal — his other area spots include Patina at Disney Hall, Zucca Ristorante, Café Pinot and Nick and Stef’s Steakhouse. The Market Café menu was designed by Patina Catering Executive Chef Alec Lestr and Patina Restaurant Group Executive Pastry Chef Alain Vernault. The dishes include breakfast burritos, sandwiches, salads and entrees such as buttermilk fried chicken and braised short ribs, and nothing on the menu is more than $10. Also last week, the Ritz-Carlton at L.A. Live announced that Wolfgang Puck will open a new restaurant in April. The chef, who already runs the Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill at the $2.5 billion L.A. Live, will open WP24 by Wolfgang Puck on the 24th floor of the hotel. It will feature Asian fare, a wine cave and two private dining rooms. David McIntyre of Spago in Beverly Hills, which is also owned by the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, will be the executive chef of the restaurant, which will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Ritz-Carlton is set to open March 15.

Fifth and Grand To Be John Fante Square

ohn Fante, the author of Ask the Dust and many other stories set in the early days of Bunker Hill and Downtown, will be getting some recognition in the neighborhood that inspired him. Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry next month will unveil signage at Fifth Street and Grand Avenue dedicating the intersection as John Fante Square. The unveiling and dedication is scheduled for noon on April 8, which would have been the late Fante’s 101st birthday. Richard Schave, whose Los Angeles historical bus tour company

March 8, 2010

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Esotouric conducts an annual tour chronicling the lives of Fante and his semi-autobiographical protagonist Arturo Bandini, laid the groundwork for the dedication. “Richard put in the request and we wanted to really revive interest in the history of this man,” said Perry. One of Los Angeles’ most celebrated names among literary circles — Bukowski regarded him as a sort of writing hero — Fante never quite ascended to widespread popularity. “He was funny and very honest and appealing in the way he wrote about our city,” Perry said.

NHM Readies New Mammals Exhibit

he Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, which has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, last week announced a major new exhibit that will open along with the revamped facility. Museum officials said that the permanent exhibit Age of Mammals will debut July 11 — that will also mark the completion of the restoration of the museum’s 1913 main building. Mammals will be the first of three new exhibits at the Exposition Park museum, with Dinosaur Mysteries following in July 2011 and Under the Sun arriving in December 2012. The $91 million project included seismic rehabilitation, as well as a cleaning and strengthening of the colorful stained glass skylight that sits 53 feet above the museum floor. The institution at 900 Exposition Blvd. will also get teaching gardens and a new parking garage.

Pershing Square Looks for ‘Biggest Loser’

ershing Square, which in the past few years has hosted some well-known musical acts, will bring in a few more big names this week, though with a different, healthy angle. On Sunday, March 14, the park at 532 S. Olive St. will hold the launch of the Shape Up America Health & Fitness Expo, a 30-city tour that aims to show people creative and simple ways of working out. The tour will offer free fitness events and

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

demonstrations, as well as health screenings. The Downtown Los Angeles event, which runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., will be hosted by comedian Sinbad, who will hand out awards to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan. Other scheduled attendees include Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. In addition, the NBC reality show “The Biggest Loser” will hold an open call for season 10 of the show.

Eat for a Cause

ickets are now available for the Greater Los Angeles Division of the American Liver Foundation’s fourth annual Flavors of Los Angeles event, which gives attendees a chance to enjoy an intimate Downtown dinner prepared by a well-known chef. The event puts chefs at a single table where they prepare a five-course meal — in front of the diners — with wine pairings. The chefs will also discuss their cooking techniques. Participating Downtown chefs include Celestino Drago of Drago Centro; Shigefumi Tachibe of Chaya Downtown; Kevin Neehan of Café Pinot; John Rivera Sedlar of Rivera; and Gabriel Morales of Provecho. Tickets are $250 for the May 23 event and proceeds will go toward research, patient services and education for the Liver Foundation. Information is at (310) 670-4624 or tfantini@ liverfoundation.org.

Burglar Smashes Into Casey’s Pub

entral Area detectives last week were looking for a man who broke into Casey’s Irish Pub early on Monday, March 1. The suspect, who was captured on the business’ security cameras, picked up a table outside the entrance of the bar and restaurant at 613 S. Grand Ave. and used it to smash the front window, according to a crime report. Once inside, he took a wrench from the bar and pried open the ATM machine. However, he was unable to open an interior box containing the money, said Det. Michael Brausam. The man is estimated to be about 6 feet tall and weigh about 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with white stripes, dark pants and a dark beanie. A photo of the suspect can be viewed at downtownnews.com. Anyone with information is asked to contact Central Burglary Detectives at (213) 972-1232.

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One Man’s Dream

had a negative impact on Figueroa dealerships, and one by one, they started to leave what was once a thriving auto row. But Shammas’ took a different approach: “I’m not leaving,” he told his wife, Jeanette Shammas, “I’m staying.” Shammas felt instinctively that downtowns ebb and flow, they always come back — that there’s an inevitable return to the city center. He explained his theory to his son-in-law, Darryl Holter, when Holter went on leave from UCLA to help the family business. One of the keys was bringing new business to Fig. Another was strengthening the connection between Downtown and the University of Southern California. When Holter took over as CEO for the Shammas Group in 1995, he would oversee both.

Nick Shammas’ Vision for the Figueroa Corridor

ike other business people who came through the Depression, Nick Shammas — who would become an L.A. car mogul in the 1950s and 1960s — saw things in a very spe-

necting the two. But it wasn’t just the freeways that were connecting the new face of the city. Shammas hypothesized back in the 1950s that Downtown would move southward — the freeways dictated there was no other direction to move — and that Figueroa Street would become an important thoroughfare linking Downtown to adjacent communities. The area changed, and so did Shammas’ business. Suburbs arrived and grew. The train and trolley system was dismantled. The 1965 and 1992 riots

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EDITORIALS Billboard Crackdown: Right Idea, Wrong Tactic

ity Attorney Carmen Trutanich has played the jail card in a wildly inappropriate fashion again, the second time in a matter of months. The first was when he threatened to jail a City Council member and AEG executives over the issue of signage at L.A. Live. Trutanich gained a supersized amount of attention the other week for his crackdown on a Hollywood supergraphic. While we applaud in this case his intent to play tough against the outdoor advertising companies that have generally had free reign in Los Angeles, his tactic of jailing and securing an excessive bail for a business figure threatens to undermine his goals. It also adds to his developing reputation as a politician prone to resort to bullying and perhaps misuse of his powers. We understand how this particular situation could have developed. For years, unpermitted billboards have sprouted seemingly everywhere. With few legal consequences and lucrative revenue streams, companies were willing to keep taking risks. There have been sporadic and ineffective attempts at government regulation, including by former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and the City Council. However, these efforts have often been stymied by lawsuits filed by the billboard companies and the pressure applied from their lobbyists. The result has been a patchwork and often confusing approach, and it is difficult for the public to keep track of where things stand and what is allowed. Frustration has generally risen as people see more and more outdoor advertising.

The issue becomes more complex with the varying levels of posters, billboards, supergraphics and electronic signs. The latter generate the most opposition, especially when placed in residential areas. This is not a call to eliminate outdoor advertising. There are places where the ads, even the supergraphics and electronic signs, fit into the fabric of the community. Portions of Downtown Los Angeles are an appropriate locale: The Figueroa Hotel north of Staples Center would seem empty without its triptych of shifting supergraphics, a few of which might even qualify as public art. The flickering, illuminated images in and around L.A. Live also seem appropriate, and any resident moving in to that area knows what they are getting into. The problem comes when the signs are raised without permits or in neighborhoods where they don’t fit. That seems to be the case in Hollywood, where a mega-poster designed to promote an upcoming film was hung upon a building shortly before the Academy Awards. Trutanich felt this flouted the law, and it sounds like he’s right. News reports say the offender had been warned a couple of times. But rather than simply issue a citation and send a marshal to enforce removal, Trutanich had a businessman responsible for the ad arrested and jailed. Talk about a new approach. On one hand, this sends a clear signal that blatant transgressions will not be tolerated. That is likely Trutanich’s

Quality Quirks

owntown Los Angeles is still basking in the glow of the $1 billion Convention Center hotel. The 878room Marriott portion of the project debuted Feb. 15 and the 123-room Ritz-Carlton element opens in a week. People are also trumpeting the project’s restaurants, including a new option overseen by Wolfgang Puck. All this attention makes sense — to the tourism industry the hotel is the most important Downtown Los Angeles addition of the past several years. However, its arrival also makes it easy to overlook several other recent

and quirky arrivals to Downtown Los Angeles. These small and slightly offbeat businesses should not be ignored, as they play an important role in the life of the community. Last week Los Angeles Downtown News reported on the openings of both an auction house and a Vespa dealership. Neither is probably on a list of the top 10 things someone would say Downtown needs. Heck, they’re probably not on the top 50. But both add to the fabric of the area. Tiffany Auction opened in November in South Park; it holds auctions every other

intent, and it comes on the heels of other recent tough stands he has taken against outdoor advertising companies. In this regard, we think the new City Attorney is doing the right thing — he has to let billboard companies, and the landlords who allow their buildings to be draped in supergraphics, know that when signs are not permitted or pose a danger to the public, there will be consequences. Trutanich has to take action, and yes, get in the face of the offender. But there is a difference between action and overreaction, and the latter is what occurred when Trutanich secured a $1 million bail for the businessman. This is an amount more often (and more appropriately) reserved for violent felons or those who might go free on a low bail and then flee the area. A $1 million bail does not seem suitable in this instance, and the claim that it was so high because the billboard might fall feels flimsy — the billboard might have been ugly as sin, but when was the last time a supergraphic fell off a building and injured people? Even if his argument that it was a hazard holds water, sending a marshal to enforce removal would have served better. No wonder that, a few days after the arrest, the man’s bail was lowered to $100,000. We hope Trutanich will continue to crack down on outdoor advertising companies that flout the law. But he needs to carefully consider his tactics, as they draw attention away from what he is trying to achieve. Such bullying is not an effective or a wise path.

Sunday, with people attempting to outbid each other on furniture, artwork, pipe organs and other finds. Vespa of L.A. debuted the same month in Little Tokyo, and so far has sold about 20 scooters, most of them to Downtown residents. Both businesses are ramping up, and while neither one may be as “important” in the daily life of Downtown as, say, a supermarket or even a dry cleaner, each provides a unique product that makes Downtown stand out. When they are considered alongside the other unexpected businesses that have opened — numerous trendy clothing stores, a used book store, etc. — then it becomes clear that the area’s desirability for both business owners and shoppers is growing.

Often it is the small, street level businesses that draw people to a neighborhood. Many Downtown residents and workers may never check in to the Convention Center hotel, but they could check out the auction house to find something for their home or office. They may not dine at Puck’s restaurant, but they might sample goods from another new and unexpected local business, like the vegan bakery Babycakes. The billion dollar developments will put Downtown on the national and international landscape, and will draw business and other investment here. That is wonderful. But the small and quirky need support too, and in many cases help make Downtown feel like, well, Downtown.

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News

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Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie citY Editor: Richard Guzmán stAFF writEr: Ryan Vaillancourt coNtributiNG Editors: David Friedman, Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jay Berman, Jeff Favre, Michael X. Ferraro, Kristin Friedrich, Howard Leff, Rod Riggs, Marc Porter Zasada Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins ProductioN AssistANt / EvENt coordiNAtor: Claudia Hernandez PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin sAlEs AssistANt: Annette Cruz clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway, Tam Nguyen, Kelley Smith circulAtioN: Norma Rodas distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

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Downtown News 5

Opinion

Keen in 2013

looking where the puck is going to be, I’m feeling really good about 2013. There’s no question in my mind that the stimulus packages that have gone in are critical. I believe in 2007 we were at the point where we could have gone off the precipice and [Treasury Secretary Henry] Paulson, under the Bush In about 2006 we began to see it all start to come apart. In Administration, made a move that was important. It was 2007, it became very apparent and so the housing boom here supported in a nonpartisan way and now President Obama is became a very, very catastrophic bust. People, not only did following the policies aggressively because if we don’t stimuthey lose their equity in their homes, they lost their homes. late the economy with fiscal policy we could have been in a They also lost their confidence in spending. And if you start 10-year depression. with the notion that our economy is a basically 70% consumIf you look back at what happened in the ’30s — people er-driven economy, if the consumer still has a tight grip on who have studied that period of time said the New Deal, and their wallet things are not going to get better. Roosevelt, was doing all these left-of-center type programs — but the reality is he didn’t do enough because in 1937 we started to go back in again. Ben Bernanke was a student of that period and I think we’re very lucky to have him as the chairman of the Federal Reserve system. Leaving all the politics out of this, without jobs people aren’t able to live, to pay for healthcare and the like. So I’m optimistic that the programs will work. This won’t be a “V” recession, in which the upswing will be sharp and trend upward consistently, but I don’t think it’s going to be a long “U” either, in which the low point will drag on and on before going back up sharply. Now, what does that mean for Downtown and Los Angeles? The commercial real estate sector got hurt worse than any other sector of the real estate economy. It’s not going to come back to those unsustainable highs, but I think commercial real estate has got a ways to go. One of the reasons is our source of What I saw is the fourth quarter of 2009, though, was really financing has pretty much dried up. I think in 2007 there quite unique. We’d gone through six years of slow growth and was almost $300 billion of commercial mortgage-backed in the fourth quarter of 2009 there was a 5.7% growth in the securities, then it dropped off and then in 2009 there were GDP. That’s the largest growth on an annualized basis we’ve really none. That provided the liquidity, which drove down seen in six years. That’s a very good sign. It doesn’t mean it’s cap rates and caused properties to be at unsustainable highs. over. It means it’s the beginning of the recovery. I don’t think we That’s not going to come back for a couple of years. can say that therefore if we don’t grow by 4% the first quarter of I think we’re going to start to see rents be on the uptick in this year it’s bad news. The president of the San Francisco Fed Downtown and we’ll see more demand for office space. But has projected 2010 to be about a 3.5% growth rate. from the standpoint of building sales, I don’t think that’s goWe’re still not going to be out of the woods because of all ing to happen for a couple of years. the jobs that were lost. During the ’07, ’08, ’09 period we lost But I do have a sense of optimism. A year ago, I don’t think 8.5 million jobs and, until people are back to work, we’re not anybody realistically had a sense of optimism because things going to see a robust recovery. And that’s why I was saying it were really in difficult straits. I think we’re out of that point so edward r. roybal metro gold line eastside extension la extension hacia el este de la linea de oro de metro, edward r. roybal unionbut station little tokyo arts district pico aliso mariachi plaza soto indiana la civic center atlantic will maybe not be heaven in 2011, we’ll be keen in 2013. I’m optimistic thatmaravilla 2010 east is going to be a lot better than 2009, That’s probably where, if I’m going back to Wayne Gretzky and the future is bright.

The Economy Will Come Back, but Not Right Away by NelsoN RisiNg

Nelson Rising, the president and CEO of commercial real estate giant Maguire Properties, and a former chair of the San Francisco Federal Reserve, was asked to address the economy before an audience of about 380 Downtown community leaders at the Feb. 23 Downtowners of Distinction awards. The following is adapted from his remarks.

ne time Wayne Gretzkty was asked why is he such a great hockey player. He said, “Because I always go where the puck is going to be.” So that’s the key: Where the puck is going to be. Let’s look at that and see what we can look forward to in this year and the next few years to come. GUEST OPINION

In 1991 we were in the depths of a recession here in Downtown. In those days I had a saying: “Stay alive ’til ’95.” So to take that to the present, things won’t be heaven in 2011, but they’ll really be keen in 2013. I was right about 1995 and it may have been just luck, but I see the makings of a recovery. Seventy percent of the economy is the consumer, and the consumers in California predictably were leading the charge that caused the economy to boom. Go back in time to what was driving all that growth and the consumer sector of our economy, and I think you can trace it back to the Tax Reform Act of 1986. The law basically says that you can no longer deduct your credit card interest or your interest on your automobile, but you could deduct from home mortgages, your first home mortgage and second. At first there was no limit. Later it was $1 million. What that did is basically gave the homeowner an ATM card. They could borrow on their home and over time what was happening was people, particularly in the high growth areas in the country, were spending money not that they earned, but that they received by borrowing against the equity of their homes. That began a process that led to basically a consumer economy with people spending money they didn’t have, to buy things they didn’t need.

This won’t be a “V” recession, in which the upswing will be sharp and trend upward consistently, but I don’t think it’s going to be a long “U” either.

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6 Downtown News

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March 8, 2010

A Sweet Century The Little Tokyo Bakery Mikawaya Celebrates 100 Years by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

rances Hashimoto jumps out of her chair when a few of her longtime customers walk in. She hugs them, says a few words in Japanese, and they go off to buy some sweets. The scene repeats a few minutes later when George Takei enters the shop in Japanese Village Plaza. She hugs the actor, best known for his role as Sulu in “Star Trek” but a champion of Little Tokyo for decades. She hugs him and leads him to the back of the store where he peruses some colorful confections in a glass case. Meanwhile, a young couple sits at a nearby table, ready to try the store’s specialty for the first time. It’s a typical day at Mikawaya, the Little Tokyo-based bakery and ice cream empire that is celebrating 100 years in business this month. In its century long history, it has become a community gathering place, and is famous for inventing a quirky but popular ice cream treat. “We’ve been very lucky to be part of this community for so long,” said Hashimoto, the president and CEO of Mikawaya. Her family bought the bakery in 1910 and, after taking over 40 years ago, Hashimoto now runs the $13 million-ayear business. The operations include five retail stores, one of them in Honolulu, as well as a 10,000-square-foot warehouse and bakery on Fourth Street in Downtown and a recently opened 100,000-square-foot facility in Vernon where they manufacture ice cream. But it’s the loyal customers who keep the flagship space in Japanese Village Plaza thriving. “I’ve been a customer here ever since I’ve been a kid,” Takei said, holding up a bag of pastries he had just purchased. Takei will host a 100th birthday party for the store on Monday, March 8. Family Business Mikawaya first made its name selling wagashi, a traditional, colorful Japanese pastry usually eaten after tea. The store spe-

cializes in a type of wagashi called mochi, a rice cake made of sticky, chewy rice infused with bean paste. The bakery is filled with dozens of colorful variations of mochi. But the biggest seller, and what Mikawaya has become known for, is the mochi ice cream. It was invented in 1994 by Joel Friedman, Hashimoto’s husband and the company’s chief financial officer. “That’s what everyone knows us by now, and it’s not even a Japanese pastry,” Hashimoto said. While they are celebrating a century in business, the company technically started more than 100 years ago, Hashimoto admits. In the early 1900s, two Japanese entrepreneurs opened a bakery at 365 E. First St. One owner was from the Japanese province of Mikawa. They added “ya,” which means store in Japanese, to create Mikawaya. In 1910, Hashimoto’s uncle Ryuzaburo Hashimoto purchased the bakery. He later brought in his nephew, Koroku Hashimoto, and Koroku’s wife Haru to help. In 1925 the couple, Frances Hashimoto’s parents, purchased the business, which they ran at that location until 1942. Then the store was forced to close, as the Hashimoto family, along with thousands of other Japanese-American families, was moved to an internment camp in Arizona. Frances Hashimoto was born in the camp in 1943. When the family returned to Little Tokyo in December 1945, they quickly reopened the store next door to its original location. Olympic Inspiration Hashimoto grew up with the store as a central part of her life. She went to college and spent a couple of years as a teacher, but then felt the pull of the family business. She took over the store in 1970; at the time her older sister and mother were running the business following her father’s death. “I figured kids could always get a substitute teacher, but who was going to take care of the store?” she said. That’s when the change began. Hashimoto oversaw Mikawaya’s move to Japanese Village Plaza in 1978 and, later,

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Frances Hashimoto has been running Mikawaya since 1970. Her family bought the Little Tokyo business in 1910.

the creation of the facility at 800 E. Fourth St. where products are made and shipped to other locations. Then came the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, during which Friedman, Hashimoto’s husband, went to Japan to escape the crowds. While overseas and trying various Japanese pastries, he got the idea to put ice cream in mochi. The company spent more than a decade testing and perfecting it, and finally launched the product in 1994. It was a hit, and today the mochi ice cream is sold at Trader Joes, Gelson’s and some Ralphs. It makes up about 90% of the company’s annual revenue. Mikawaya also now makes its own gelato, and a few years ago introduced mochilato, which is like the mochi ice cream but with gelato instead of ice cream. For longtime customers such as Takei, the bakery has become more than just a place to get a treat. “It’s very important to the [Japanese American] community,” said Takei. “We are scattered geographically, so it’s very important that we have this continuity, and she’s a keeper of the institutional memory of Little Tokyo.” Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

March 8, 2010

A Turnaround For Kent Twitchell

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Availability of Draft PUBLIC NOTICE Environmental Document and Notice of Availability of Draft for Announcement of Public Hearing Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental and the Interstate 10 Document (San Bernardino Environmental Document and Freeway / Busway) High Occupancy Announcement of Public Hearing for Announcement of Public Hearing for Toll Lanes Project the Interstate 10 (San Bernardino

PUBLIC NOTICE

Muralist Who Has Seen Works Destroyed Wins a Downtown Commission

Freeway / Busway) HighBernardino Occupancy the Interstate 10 (San Toll Lanes Project Freeway / Busway) High Occupancy

by Richard Guzmán

Toll Lanes Project

city editor

rtist Kent Twitchell, who in recent years saw some of his photorealistic murals tagged by graffiti and, in one notorious case, painted over, now has something to be happy about: He recently won a commission to create three new pieces, indoors this time, in Downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Arts Commission has awarded Twitchell a $285,000 commission to paint murals inside the 1926 Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, at 1816 S. Figueroa St., which is currently undergoing renovations. Twitchell’s work will celebrate the “lost” murals by Helen Lundeberg. Those were painted at the hall in 1942, removed in the 1970s and later misplaced, according to the Arts Commission website. Twitchell is hoping his new pieces fare better than some of his past works. “The street paint vandals have destroyed just about everything I’ve done, and I like the idea of doing just one piece of work that might outlive me,” he said. The murals will be about 12 feet wide and 15 feet high. They will decorate the lobby of the building. Born in 1942, Twitchell is an Air Force veteran known for his large-scale works. In Downtown he created the “Harbor Freeway Overture,” which overlooks the 110 Freeway and depicts members of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. He gained unintended notice in 2006 when his 70-foot-tall “Ed Ruscha Monument,” which adorned a building at 1031 S. Hill St., was whitewashed by a work crew preparing the structure for its future as the YWCA Job Corps Center. Twitchell later won a $1.1 million settlement from the federal government and 12 other defendants, including

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in cooperation with Los Angeles County Metropolitan What’s Being Transportation Agency (Metro) proposes to convert the existing High Occupancy Vehicle Lane into a High Planned? The California of Transportation (Caltrans) Occupancy TollDepartment Lane on Interstate 10. in cooperation with Los Angeles County Metropolitan photo by Gary Leonard Caltrans has studied the effects that the proposed What’s Being Transportation Agency (Metro) proposes to convert the Kent Twitchell, whose 70-foot-tall “Ed Ruscha project may have on the environment and community. The Department ofVehicle Transportation (Caltrans) existing High ofOccupancy into a High Planned? Monument” was whitewashed, will create three The California results these studies are Lane contained in an murals inside the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. Why Occupancy Toll Lane on Interstate 10. in cooperation with Los Angeles County Metropolitan environmental document known as an Environmental This What’s Being Caltrans Transportation Agency (Metro) proposes convert the has studied the effects that tothe proposed Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA). Ad? The purpose ofOccupancy this is to inform the public its may have onnotice the environment and community. existing High Vehicle Lane into a of High Planned? project the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles, for the completion and availability to any interested The results of these studies are contained in an Occupancy Toll Lane on Interstate 10. destruction of the artwork. Why individuals. environmental document known as an Environmental The new works will take about two years to create. They will be completed by the time the building is renovated in 2012. Arts Commission officials are looking forward to the results. “This will be a very unusual interior commission, so we know that will ensure a long lifetime for this work,” said Greg Esser, director of Civic Art for the County Arts Commission. “We expect it to be around for at least 100 years, if not more. It will be a lasting legacy.” Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

LaBonge Calls for Arts District Rail Spur Proposal Would Extend Red and Purple Lines to Sixth Street by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

ity Councilman Tom LaBonge has had an idea kicking around his head for a while: He thinks that an existing rail line that goes between Union Station and a Metro maintenance yard near the Southern California Institute of Architecture (and then continues running south) should be used for passenger transit. He floated it years ago when he sat on Metro’s board, but it didn’t gain much support. So when LaBonge was asked by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to sit in on the Feb. 25 Metro board meeting in the place of Councilman and Metro board member José Huizar, LaBonge made his pitch again. Labonge directed Metro staff to study the feasibility of adding a passenger car that would extend Metro Red and Purple Line service to a new station at Sixth Street near Santa Fe Avenue. He noted that no new

Downtown News 7

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track would have to be laid and a platform could either be erected there or near Third Street. A report is due back in 90 days, Metro spokesman Dave Sotero said. “Right now, me and all the readers of the Downtown News, with the help of a concrete company, could go out this weekend, form and pour a platform to get a station stop,” LaBonge said. “It’s not that difficult when you look at the area.” LaBonge envisions the line extension as a way for people to get to and from SCIArc and the Arts and Industrial districts, and possibly as an opportunity to reduce congestion at Union Station’s Patsaouras Transit Plaza. “If I can use a baseball analogy, a lot of times you try to get a hit and maybe you get a hit to the outfield but you don’t score,” LaBonge said. “I didn’t hit this one out of the park, but we’re at least in play to get around the bases.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

Caltrans has studied the effects that the proposed

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Impact Report/ Environmental (EIR/EA). The EIR/EA available reviewAssessment and copying at the project may is have on theforenvironment and community. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public Caltrans District 7 Division of Environmental Planningof its What’s The results and of these studies are contained in an completion availability to weekdays any interested (100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles) on from Why Available? environmental document known as an Environmental individuals. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This

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Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA).

Do EIR/EA you haveisany comments regarding EIR/EA? Do The available for review andthe copying at the The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of its you disagree with the findings of the studies?Planning Would Caltrans District 7 Division of Environmental completion and toon weekdays any about interested you S. care toStreet, make availability any Angeles) other comments the (100 Main Los from project? Please submit any written comments no later individuals. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. than March 29, 2010 to:

Theyou EIR/EA available for review and copying at the Do Do have is any comments regarding the EIR/EA? Caltrans 7 Division of Environmental Planning you disagree the findings of the studies? Would Mr.District Ronwith Kosinski you care to make any other comments about (100 S.Deputy Main Street, Angeles) on weekdays from the DistrictLos Director project? Please submit comments no later California Transportation 8:00 a.m. to 4:30Department p.m. anyofwritten Division Environmental Planning than March 29, of 2010 to: Do you100 have any Main comments South Streetregarding MS 16A the EIR/EA? Do you disagree with the LosRon Angeles, CA findings 90012 of the studies? Would Mr. Kosinski you care to District make othertocomments the A public hearing willany be held allow any about interested Deputy Director individuals an opportunity to discuss certain design project? Please submit any written comments no later California Department of Transportation features of 29, theof2010 project staff before the than March to: with Caltrans Division Environmental Planning

Where Do and final design and alternative is selected. The public When 100 South Main Street MS 16A You Where? hearing will be held CA on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Los Mr. Angeles, Ron Kosinski 90012 the Metro San Gabriel Valley Service Sector Council Come rd AChambers, public hearing will be Anita held to allow any interested Deputy District Director El 3449 Santa Avenue, 3 Floor, In? individuals an opportunity to discuss certain design Department of Transportation Monte,California CA 91731 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. features of theofproject with Caltrans staff before the Division Environmental Planning For additional information, please contact RonThe Kosinski When and final design and alternative is selected. public Contact 100 South Main Street MS 16A at (213) 897-0703. Where? hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at CAthis 90012 Thank the you Metro for Los yourAngeles, interest in transportation San Gabriel Valley Service project. Sector Council A public hearing will be held to allow any3rdinterested Caltrans improves Floor, El Chambers, 3449mobility Santaacross Anita California! Avenue, individuals an opportunity to discuss certain design Monte, CA 91731 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. features of the project with Caltrans staff before the For additional information, please contact Ron Kosinski Contact When and atfinal design and alternative is selected. The public (213) 897-0703. Where? hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Thank you your San interest in this transportation project. theforMetro Gabriel Valley Service Sector Council Caltrans improves mobility across California!rd Chambers, 3449 Santa Anita Avenue, 3 Floor, El Monte, CA 91731 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Contact

For additional information, please contact Ron Kosinski at (213) 897-0703.

Thank you for your interest in this transportation project. Caltrans improves mobility across California!

8 Downtown News

March 8, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

BLOCK PARTY

Spring Between Eighth and Ninth Want Some Onion Soup With That Cocktail Dress?

Home Sweet Homes: In 2004 developer and architect David Gray converted the Tomahawk Building (814 S. Spring St.) into seven apartments, bringing the street its first wave of legitimate residents (previously some artist types had made the structure an under-the-radar home). The building’s façade features a sculpture of a tomahawk, decorated with old coins, which was rumored to be a cover for artist Gary Lloyd’s radio transmitter for a pirate station he ran in the building, according to the website publicartinla.com. The block’s biggest residential game changer came in 2008 when Shahram and Shahriar Afshani debuted the 96-unit loft project the National City Tower Lofts (810 S. Spring St.). The NCT Lofts houses Infusion Café on its ground floor, where visitors can grab a cup of Joe or some homemade carrot juice.

by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

n Downtown, historical, architectural and social consistency is fleeting. The community boasts many diverse districts and individual streets have their own distinct identity. As part of a recurring series, Los Angeles Downtown News is profiling single Downtown blocks, examining each one’s character, trademark businesses and people. This week: Spring Street between Eighth and Ninth streets. Snapshot: This block is in the cradle of some of the Fashion District’s busiest buildings — both the New Mart and California Market Center tower over the street. Those showrooms and surrounding garment manufacturing businesses feed the street level retail on Spring, as restaurants like Angelique and L’Angolo Café feed them, literally. The east side of Spring forms an edge of one of Downtown’s few flatiron, or triangular, blocks.

Going Garmentos: In the second half of the last century, the block was largely defined by garment manufacturing. The Anjac Fashion-owned tower at 801 S. Spring St. is one of the only buildings on the street still housing garment makers. The bottom floor is home to Reflection, an apparel store stocked mostly with discount denim, from Levi’s to Wranglers, and other accessories that the store bills as hip-hop gear.

photo by Gary Leonard

Angelique Café, with its two patios, is a longtime anchor of the block.

vital piece of new Downtown. Its prominence comes from the detailed stonework on its façade and a seemingly ancient vertical sign, reading “Dancing Girls,” attached to its northern corner. That business is gone, and these days the edifice is known as the Primrose Design building, which owner Marc Sonnenthal has converted into wholesale fashion showrooms for upscale designers such as Atelier (formerly True Religion) and Alternative Apparel.

Neon Recession Buster: Carmen Cristerna and her husband Fernando run an unlikely hybrid business out of 834 S. Spring St.: They tailor clothes in one side of the space (Mike’s Tailor Shop), and sell and make signs, including neon works, in the other (Stunning Signs). Cristerna launched the sign business after her 13-year-old son Eddie’s pet project of hand-drawing schedules for neighborhood retailers to display in their windows generated some nice pocket money. “He did pretty well, so it gave us this idea to do something different during the recession in the 1990s,” Cristerna said, as she stood between an array of high-tech sign cutting equipment.

Garçon!: One of the neighborhood’s iconic destinations is Angelique Café (840 S. Spring St.), the French bistro that anchors the southern point of the Spring/Main flatiron. During the lunch hour, area business people and loft dwellers flock to the outdoor patios (on street level and upstairs) for French onion soup and homemade Merquez sausage, among other staples.

Dancing Girls: The former City Club building (833 S. Spring St.) stands out as a relic of old Downtown repositioned as a

Cal-Italian Corner: L’Angolo Café, which opened in 2007 on the southwest corner of Spring and Ninth streets (101 W. Ninth St.), serves a modern cuisine that owner/manager Paul Kim calls “Cal-Italian” food. That gives him leeway to offer a house-ground Kobe beef burger that remains one of the menu’s most popular items. Kim said that while most of his customers are in the fashion business, he’s seen a lot of new faces lately: “We’re getting people from other industries, and a lot of the new residents.” Also on the Block: Nancy’s Beauty Salon, at 836 S. Spring St., offers haircuts to a coed crowd for $10, or so says the sign in front of the small shop; at 859 S. Spring St., Eddie Co runs Arrow Print Center; over at 820 S. Spring St., Mi Tierra serves tacos, quesadillas and burritos. Then there’s the public art installation on the island that separates Spring and Main streets, just south of Angelique. The glowing green and blue domes were installed in 2008 by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the city Department of Transportation. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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DowntownNews.com

Downtown News 9

The Ovation Starts Now A Monster Opera Festival, Singing Sailors And More Spring Stage Highlights by Jon Regardie executive editor

henever stage shows open, hyperbole flies. It’s understandable, given that those behind plays, operas, dance performances and more will do whatever it takes to get through the clutter and get people in seats. With that understanding, it is safe to say, without hyperbole, that the spring stage schedule in Downtown Los Angeles is gigantic. In the next three months, the Central City will host the biggest opera festival ever to hit Southern California, as well as a show that is a legitimate contender for best musical ever. Then there is a major anniversary for the nation’s preeminent puppeteer. There is a lot to choose from, so here are the stage standouts for this spring. Complete theater, opera and dance listings are on page 18. Put a Ring on It: The biggest happening in Los Angeles this spring is more than a single show. In fact, it’s four Downtown shows, as well as more than 100 ancillary events taking place throughout the county. It is all part of Ring Festival L.A., a 10-week celebration built around Los Angeles Opera’s first ever staging of Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen, aka the Ring Cycle. The festivities kick off April 3-25, with five performances of the last of the four Ring installments, the nearly five-hour Götterdämmerung. John Treleaven, who has earned widespread acclaim in the first three parts of the story as Siegfried, returns in the production designed and directed by wacky German visionary Achim Freyer. There will be three individual Ring Cycles (during which all four Ring shows are staged over nine days) starting May 29, June 8 and June 18. The festival runs April 15-June 30, with events taking place at dozens of venues. Downtown options include an April 15 panel discussion at the Museum of Contemporary Art titled “From Nietzsche to ‘Star Wars’: The Wagnerian Power of ‘The Ring’”; L.A. Opera Music Director James Conlon discussing Wagner

and his notorious racist and anti-Semitic views on April 20 at USC; and the family-friendly The Rhine’s Gold, a puppet-spun version of Das Rhinegold, at the Central Library on April 24. Götterdämmerung is at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.com. Ring Festival schedule and information is at ringfestivalla.com. Going South: Say the name “Rodgers” and you’re likely to get a curious stare. State “Hammerstein” and people still probably won’t know what you are talking about. But put them together and there is only one possibility: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the creators of numerous beloved Broadway musicals, including South Pacific. A lush incarnation of the 1949 work docks at the Ahmanson Theatre May 27. The Tony-winning production (seven 2008 awards, including Best Revival) stays true to the original story: It’s a tropical island in World War II and two couples have their bliss threatened by the realities of war and their own perceptions. All the hits will be delivered, including “Some Enchanted Evening” and “I’m in Love With a Wonderful Guy,” in the show directed by Bartlett Sher. South Pacific runs through July 17. At the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4400 or centertheatregroup.com. Dance, Chicago Style: The company Hubbard Street Dance Chicago may not claim high name recognition in Downtown Los Angeles, but its artistic director, Glenn Edgerton, has quite a history in the community. From 2006-2008, he served as director of the dance program at the Colburn School, and in February he led a master class for students at Grand Avenue’s High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. On April 9-11, the company will glide into the Ahmanson Theatre for three performances. The 16-member troupe known for an athletic and innovative contemporary repertoire will perform three works. The highlight will likely be “27’52,” a piece

photo by Peter Coombs

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific sails into the Ahmanson Theatre May 27. The latest incarnation of the 1949 show won seven 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Revival.

by Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian (the number refers to its length in minutes and seconds) in which moves are performed and then done again in reverse order. Also on tap is “Walking Mad,” a madcap comedy choreographed by Johan Inger and set to Maurice Ravel’s 1928 “Boléro.” At the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 9727211 or musiccenter.org. String Thing: Can puppets be considered “art?” It’s a fair question, and you’ll probably get plenty of impassioned arguments on each side (as well as plenty of bad puns, most of see Stage, page 15

10 Downtown News

Twitter/DowntownNews Arts & Entertainment

March 8, 2010

Classical Act Dudamel Still Heads the Scene, But He’s Hardly the Only Spring Option by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

ver since he took over for Esa-Pekka Salonen last October, Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel has been the story in the local classical music scene. That doesn’t change this spring, as the young maestro oversees his first festival — “Americas and Americans” features a collection of concerts between April 6 and May 14. Dudamel is hardly the only Downtown draw this spring. Southwest Chamber Music is putting on a festival of its own as it partners with some Vietnamese musicians. Then the Colburn School’s Zipper Hall plays host to weekly free student recitals (one of Downtown’s most unsung cultural outings) and to Jeffrey Kahane and the Los Angels Chamber Orchestra, among other ensembles. Complete classical listings are on page 18. Intimate Voices: The Da Camera Society’s “Chamber Music in Historic Sites” presents some of the best regional musicians, playing treasured chamber works in treasured architectural sites. The March 20 concert features the Italian piano trio Voces Intimae (piano, violin and cello), performing inside the lavish Pompeian Room of the Doheny Mansion on the campus of Mount St. Mary’s College just south of Downtown. The trio, known for using a period pianoforte, will perform Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s Trio in F Major, Op. 22; Felix Mendelssohn’s Trio in D Minor, Op. 49; and Franz Schubert’s Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 100, D. 929. This is intimate chamber music the way the composers envisioned it. At the Doheny Mansion, 8 Chester Place, (213) 477-2929 or dacamera.org. Enter the Dragon: Southwest Chamber Music continues its Ascending Dragon Music Festival — a cultural and musical exchange between Los Angeles and Vietnam that is bringing 19 composers and musicians from that country to Los Angeles for two months — with an April 17 performance at Zipper Hall that draws from both places. Composer Vu Nhat Tan’s “Phô” gets its U.S. premiere, as does Nguyen Thien Dao’s “Au dessus du vent” for solo harp and 12 strings. Alexandra du Bois’ “With Earth, Wood Grows” will also be heard for the first time in the United States. More familiar will be the ensemble’s rendition of Debussy’s “Danse Sacree et danse profane.” Other festival shows will be

photo by Corinna Gamma

Southwest Chamber Music has organized the “Ascending Dragon” festival. Composers from Vietnam will perform and premiere new works at the Colburn School from April 17-May 3.

photo by Dario Acosta

Vocalist Kelley O’Connor will be featured April 22-23 in performances of Peter Lieberson’s “Neruda Songs.”

held April 24 and 30 and May 3. At the Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave. Southwest Chamber Music information at (626) 685-4455 or swmusic.org. Student Sensations: Speaking of Zipper Hall, the venue at the Colburn School has a rich cultural opportunity many people overlook: Several times a week, its top-notch performing arts students give recitals in Mayman Hall and other smaller theaters. These students represent the future members of prized orchestras, chamber ensembles and other groups around the country and the world, but catch them now while their performances are free. Dates and times vary, but concerts are often Wednesdays through Sundays, with some afternoon and some evening shows. At the Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., colburnschool.edu. American Heroes: Venezuela-born and bred Gustavo Dudamel helms his first major festival with the local orchestra, “Americas and Americans,” highlighting the cultural traditions and sounds that North and South America share. The series dips into the repertoire of master works, but it is colored mostly by more obscure titles — Pereira’s “Alter the way things are with us down here,” for amplified double-bass quartet, anyone? Check that out on April 6. A highlight of the festival will come April

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Gustavo Dudamel will preside over his first festival as L.A. Phil music director this spring. “Americas and Americans” runs April 6-May 14.

22-23, when Dudamel conducts mezzosoprano Kelley O’Connor in a performance inside Walt Disney Concert Hall of Peter Lieberson’s heart-wrenching “Neruda Songs,” a cycle of opera-like works for vocals and orchestra based on a series of love sonnets by the Chilean wordsmith. “But love, this love has not ended,” Neruda writes in the last chapter of Lieberson’s piece. “Just as it never had a birth, it has no death: it is like a long river, only changing lands, and changing lips.” Also on the April 22-23 lineup is Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2, “The Age of Anxiety,” featuring pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. At Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 850-2000 or laphil.org. Baroque and Roll: In the City of Angels, the Phil is the cream, but the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, led by Jeffrey Kahane, has built a solid reputation as a top-notch group that consistently does justice to the classical gods and experiments with enough new material to keep loyal fans on edge. On May 6, LACO presents an evening of baroque music at the Colburn School’s Zipper Hall. This will be seriously old school — think harpsichords and lavish European listening rooms. Violinists Margaret Batjer and Josefina Vergara quarterback Bach’s Concerto in D minor for double violin, and violist Roland Kato helms Telemann’s G major Viola Concerto for the violin’s slightly deeper-voiced and often overlooked cousin. The chamber orchestra is, collectively, more of the focus in Boyce’s Concerto Grosso in B-flat major and Geminiani’s Concerto Grosso in D minor. The concert starts at 7 p.m., but musicians will engage with the audience in a preshow reception starting at 6 p.m. The event will conclude with audience questions. At Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 622-7001 or laco.org. Broadway Bar

Orpheum Theatre

photo by Anastasia Chernyavksy

Conductor Lionel Bringuier helms a performance in May of Sibelius’ famed Violin Concerto.

Suddenly Sibelius: Another L.A. Phil highlight comes May 28-30, when youthful conductor Lionel Brinquier leads virtuoso Julian Rachlin and the rest of the orchestra in Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto. The piece, which requires some serious chops for the violin soloist, but also features more involved symphonic accompaniment than many concertos, is one of those works that’s both supremely adored and much maligned. There is no debate, however, that the piece is only for the most accomplished violinists. Then, the Phil turns to Russian composer Alexander Scriabin’s “Poem of Ecstasy,” a symphonic work based one of Scriabin’s own mystic writings touting the importance of ecstasy, though he initially titled it Orgiastic Poem. At Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 850-2000 or laphil.org.

March 8, 2010

Downtown News 11

Arts & Entertainment

Earthquakes, Hidden Legacies and Memories, Oh My! image courtesy of the office of Janet Yellen

From Public Talks to a Film Festival, There Are Events for All This Spring by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

he lineup of spring events in Downtown Los Angeles is, typically, all over the map. The same holds true this year. Literary types and policy wonks have a full slate of lectures. Laker fans have a basketball bonanza planned just for them. And avant-garde cinephiles get a film festival. For complete Events listings, see page 16. The Lake Show: The Lakers Fan Jam is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 20-21. The event will include appearances by Lakers players, team legends and the Laker Girls, plus a bevy of basketball hoops and games for attendees to test their skills. Each day will include a three-point contest and a dunk contest. Can’t jam like Shannon Brown? Don’t worry, in addition to the standard 10-foot hoops, there are hoops at nine, eight and seven feet. Even Sasha Vujacic could dunk on one of those. At the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., (213) 741-1151 or lacclink.com. Yellen About Money: The organization Town Hall-Los Angeles is set to host Dr. Janet Yellen, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, on March 23 at noon at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Yellen should have her finger closer to the pulse of the economy and its next move than most. This is a must-attend event if lunchtime chatter about the relationship of the federal funds rate to the discount rate gets you jazzed. Two days later, Town Hall hosts Yang-Ho Cho, chairman and CEO of Korean Airlines, at noon at the Wilshire Grand hotel. Town Hall-Los Angeles is at (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org. Shake, Rattle and Roll: In the aftermath of recent earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and off the coast of Japan, the April installment of the Natural History Museum’s First Friday series couldn’t be more timely: The evening event on April

San Francisco Fed chief Janet Yellen will make sense of the economy at a Town Hall Los Angeles event on March 23.

tours of the exhibit halls, the museum presents live music (artist TBA), with resident DJ Them Jeans (Jason Stewart). At 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3466 or nhm.org. image courtesy of Paul Yates

The International Surrealist Film Festival invades the Downtown Independent on March 21.

2 is all about temblors. But, in typical NHM form, the venue will go beyond disaster hysterics and school us on tectonics, specifically the plate geology of Southern California. Geologist Tanya Atwater will use maps, illustrations and her own wealth of knowledge to break down the So Cal underground. Also on the program are Alyssa Morgan and Lindsey Groves giving an interactive presentation titled “Coping With Earthquakes in Southern California.” After the speakers and

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Hidden Legacy: During World War II, one of the most pressing issues for some of the approximately 112,000 Japanese Americans held in internment camps was the loss of their artistic and cultural practices. Though much has been written about the camp experience, the story of the artists who practiced and taught Japanese traditional arts remains somewhat of a hidden legacy. At 3 p.m. on April 24, the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center presents actual artists who taught and learned nagauta (Japanese classical music) and the Buddhist folk dance called bon odori to discuss the camp experience. There will be performances too. At the Koyasan Buddhist Temple, 342 E. First St., (213) 6282725 ext. 133 or jaccc.org. see Events, page 13

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12 Downtown News

March 8, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews Arts & Entertainment

Popping, Rocking, Strumming and Shredding Downtown’s Concert Spaces Will Feature All Manner of Rock, Pop and Jazz Acts photo courtesy of Anschutz Entertainment Group

by Anna Scott

hether you’re into melodic Norwegian pop music from the 1980s, bare bones performances by punk forefathers or stadium shows featuring singing and dancing superstars, Downtown Los Angeles has something for every taste with its spring rock-pop-jazz lineup. The area’s diverse venues, from the tiny Historic Core stage The Smell to the huge Staples Center, perfectly suit the eclectic lineup. Here are some of the highlights. Complete Rock, Pop and Jazz listings are on page 17. Re-Take On Me: A-Ha, the Norwegian pop act responsible for the 1980s hit “Take On Me,” takes over L.A. Live’s Club Nokia May 15-16. That song got tons of radio play back in the day (and still is frequently heard on the airwaves) but is probably equally wellknown for its cool video about a woman who magically becomes part of a newspaper cartoon strip, falls in love and then watches her cartoon man rip his way into the real world. A-Ha has other memorable songs too, like “The Sun Always Shines on TV,” but we’ll bet that the cheers will be loudest for the big hit. Be sure to dress in your best new wave gear. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com. Smells Like Punk: The idiosyncratic singersongwriter Jonathan Richman might not be a household name, but those in the know sometimes refer to him as the Godfather of punk. The man previously backed by the Modern Lovers now performs stripped-down shows, backed by just a drummer. Richman, who has appeared on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” in the 1998 film There’s Something About Mary and even on “Sesame Street,” tours nonstop these days. He makes a pit stop at The Smell on May 18. At 247 S. Main St., thesmell.org.

Alicia Keys will attempt to fill Staples Center on April 6.

Shred Baby, Shred: Even if his name doesn’t ring a bell, chances are you’ve heard the work of guitarist John 5 (probably not his real name). The “professor of shredology” has contributed rip-roaring riffs to songs by Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, SaltN-Pepa, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rob Zombie, along with amassing a body of solo work. John 5 will appear at the Grammy Museum on March 31 for a free event, during which he will demonstrate his techniques, discuss his life and work and take part in a Q&A session. Yee-ow! At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. A245, (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Double Feature: There aren’t that many bona fide keyboard legends around, but if anyone fits the title, it would be Keith Emerson. The prog rock leader gained fame with bands The Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. He will appear with former bandmate Greg Lake when he brings his classi-

cal-jazz-rock tunes to the ornate Orpheum Theatre on April 25. Lake, the British singerbassist-producer who was also part of King Crimson, will join Emerson on some of their old hits. Remember the song “Lucky Man?” Yup, that was them. At 842 S. Broadway, (213) 538-3831 or laorpheum.com. Finding the Key: The teenager who penned the 2001 hit “Fallin” is all grown up now, with a new record to promote. Alicia Keys will bring her piano and powerful pipes to Staples Center on April 6 as part of the tour for her new album The Element of Freedom. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter incorporates R&B, jazz, hip-hop and pop into her tunes and is sure to get the crowd dancing. At 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or staplescenter.com. Over the Rainbow: Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the L.A. Philharmonic, will see a change of pace on March 21 when it hosts premier jazz vocalists Al Jarreau and Dee Dee Bridgewater for a dual concert. Jarreau, a multiple Grammy winner, is known for blending jazz, R&B and pop in a “rainbow” combination of sounds. Tony Award-winning Broadway star and singer Bridgewater, meanwhile, will tackle Billie Holiday classics. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com. Beck For Mercy: Really, you should be willing to travel “Over, Under, Sideways, Down” on April 17 to see ex-Yardbird and legendary guitarist Jeff Beck when he takes the stage of the Nokia Theatre. The band, of course, also launched the careers of Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, and as each went his own way, Beck found his niche in instrumental guitar rock. Rolling Stone magazine named him the 14th greatest guitarist of all time, and he incorporates influences from heavy metal to jazz into his recordings. Groovy. At 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

photo courtesy of the Grammy Museum

John 5 is probably more widely heard than widely known, but the guitarist who has played with acts including Marilyn Manson and Lynyrd Skynyrd appears at the Grammy Museum on March 31.

Stay Silent: El Gran Silencio (aka The Great Silence), a Mexican act that blends rock with reggae, dance, traditional Mexican music and other influences, will bring down the house at the Conga Room on April 7. The fivemember act has been churning out albums with titles like Libres y Locos (free and crazy) and Communicaflow Underground, which really needs no translation, since the 1990s. Get ready to rock — en Español. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com. Rae of Light: Grammy winning singer

Corinne Bailey Rae will pair her neo-soul sounds with the impressive surroundings of Downtown’s former Vibiana cathedral on April 6. The show, organized by Santa Monicabased public radio station KCRW, will include an interview with Jason Bentley, the station’s music director and host of “Morning Becomes Eclectic.” The concert in the former mother church of the Los Angeles Archdiocese will be Rae’s first local performance since the release of her new album The Sea. At 214 S. Main St., kcrw.com/cbr. Trippy: On the more unusual end of the spectrum, musical historian John Schneider directs an ensemble of artists playing custombuilt instruments in a performance of works by groundbreaking composer Harry Partch at REDCAT on June 2-3. Partch, who died in 1974, was a composer, music theorist and musical instrument inventor who worked in a huge variety of genres, from chamber music to multimedia spectacles. The REDCAT performance will include Partch’s “Even Wild Horses — Dance Music for an Absent Drama,” featuring African and Latin American rhythms and a saxophone, among other works. At 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Get Low: The Low Anthem, a folk-rock trio formed in Providence, Rhode Island four years ago, has already put out three albums and earned praise from the likes of Paste Magazine and NPR. The latter has described the band’s sound as updated American folk, complete with some bluesy stomp. So be sure to wear thick boots when Low Anthem plays at the Bootleg Theater in City West on March 25. At 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or booglegtheater.com.

photo courtesy of Anschutz Entertainment Group

Guitar master Jeff Beck takes the stage at the Nokia Theatre on April 17. Rolling Stone magazine named him the 14th greatest guitarist of all time.

March 8, 2010

Downtown News 13

Arts & Entertainment

Events Continued from page 11 Hello Dali: The ninth annual International Surrealist Film Festival moves to Downtown for the first time, starting March 21 at 8 p.m. and running until 2 a.m. at the Downtown Independent theater. Exactly what will be shown was not known at press time — the call for entries included the lines: “Don’t know if your film is Surreal? Not to worry!” One thing you can depend on is that the list of judges at the event includes Jerry Casale of Devo. There will also be a live organist or band at the event, and a grand prize winner will walk away with a vintage 16mm Bolex movie camera. Categories and other prizes will be decided by the judges after all films are viewed. Past categories ranged from most abrasive to most oblique to the coveted Duchamp award. At the Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St., (213) 6171033 or downtownindependent.com. The Old New Journalists: In his new anthology of literary nonfiction, author John D’Agata leads a sort of world tour and history class on the origins and evolution of the essay. The Lost Origins of the Essay packs in a wide-ranging slate of creative nonfiction works from the likes of Ziusudra of Sumer and Heraclitus, all the way up to contemporary names in the genre — think papyrus scrolls to the New Yorker. REDCAT hosts four L.A. writers — Tisa Bryant, Bernard Cooper, Ben Ehrenreich and Amy Gerstler — who will give readings inspired by their favorite pieces in D’Agata’s 650-page collection. It takes place at 7 p.m. on April 25. At REDCAT, 631 W. Second St. or (213) 237-2800. Archi-lecture: The Southern California Institute of Architecture hosts Los Angeles historian Eric Avila on March 31 for a discussion about the predicament of Downtown L.A. during the post-World War II period. “By the 1920s, Downtown Los Angeles had become the ‘Great Gatsby of American cities,’ a magnet for Southern California’s political, commercial, and cultural capital,” Avila writes. “The Great Depression of the 1930s, however, tempered this exuberance. By the 1940s, at the outset of the postwar suburban boom, Downtown L.A. had become the paragon of the Noir city:

photo by Gary Leonard

Chinatown’s quarterly Art Night continues this spring, with events on March 13 and June 12.

photo courtesy of Kineya Jyorokusho

Kineya Jyorokusho will be one of the performers at an April 24 event celebrating the artists who kept Japanese cultural traditions alive during the WWII internment of Japanese Americans.

dark, dangerous, and distant from the periphery of suburban wealth.” Good times! Avila’s talk is part of the school’s lecture series, which mostly features architects. This spring, the schedule includes Michael Kubo (March 24), Stephen Slaughter (March 26) and John Bon (April 2). At 960 E. Third St., (213) 356-5328 or sciarc.edu.

Sapphire, who wrote the book that led to the film Precious (April 5); and Homeboy Industries founder Father Gregory Boyle (May 13). At the Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7272 or aloudla.org.

Memorize This: Journalist Terry McDermott’s latest book profiles renowned neuroscientist Gary Lynch and his decades-long, obsessive pursuit to uncover the mechanism by which the brain makes memories. With a chemist, Lynch has been working on drugs called ampakines, which could theoretically help improve memory function and restore the brain’s cognitive abilities — a potential boon for sufferers of Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases. The Aloud series at the Central Library presents McDermott and Lynch in conversation with Larry Swanson, a professor of biological sciences at USC, at 7 p.m. on April 28. Aloud generally holds several readings or events a week. Other spring highlights include a discussion about billboards (March 24); author

Art Walk This Way: The Downtown Art Walk takes place March 11, April 8 and May 13 (as well as the second Thursday of every month) with gallery openings, food vendors and live music throughout the Historic Core. Some come to the monthly event, which runs from noon-10 p.m., to ogle new works, while others just show up for the party. Recent Art Walks have drawn upwards of 10,000 people. A bit more lowkey, but still lively, is the quarterly Chinatown Art Night on March 13 and June 12 from 6-9 p.m. Explore the galleries on lantern-lit Chunk King Road, then grab a bite or a beer along Broadway or Hill Street. Info and maps at downtownartwalk.com and chinatownla.com. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

Editorial Cartoons and Illustrations by Doug Davis Opening Art Walk Reception: Thursday, March 11 • 7–9 p.m. Gallery Hours: Mondays–Fridays 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturdays noon–6 p.m. Sundays noon–3 p.m. Take My Picture 860 S. Broadway (at 9th) Los Angeles, CA 90013 213-622-2256 info@garyleonard.com

www.douginks.com douginks@roadrunner.com

14 Downtown News

Twitter/DowntownNews Arts & Entertainment

March 8, 2010

A Lot to Look At Spring Brings Whale Bones, Chinese Movie History, Clothes and More to Downtown Museums

photo by Gary Leonard

A 63-foot-long skeleton is the highlight of the Fin Whale Passage exhibit at the Natural History Museum. by Richard Guzmán city editor

f you’re a fan of big ocean creatures, a museum in Downtown Los Angeles is this place for you this spring. If you love fashion, well, a Downtown museum is still the place. You like art? Come to a Downtown museum. You get the idea. This spring, Downtown’s museums have a wide variety of offerings. And they are not limited to the traditional take-agander-then-walk-on — there are also plenty of opportunities for an interactive encounter. The chances are many, from the Natural History Museum to the Japanese American National Museum to MOCA and beyond. Here are a few of the standout shows of the season. Complete Museum listings are on page 19. Dress Up: The Japanese American National Museum examines the lives of some past immigrants in the just opened Textured Lives: Japanese Immigrant Clothing From the Plantations of Hawai’i. Running through May 30, the exhibit looks at the clothing of Japanese immigrants who arrived in Hawaii in the late 1800s to supply labor for the sugar plantations. Many times the clothes were the only personal items they brought from Japan, and some were altered to fit with their new lives. Japanese women, for example, refashioned their kimonos for the harsh working conditions on the plantations while still expressing their culture and identity. The exhibit was created using items from the collection of scholar and author Barbara Kawakami. It includes hundreds of examples of plantation outfits, kimonos and footwear. At JANM, 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org. Musical Talk: At the Grammy Museum you can check out plenty of musical artifacts. But that’s not all: The L.A. Live attraction also offers numerous opportunities to have close encounters with some prominent names. On March 9, the museum hosts comedian Bob Newhart before an audience of 200 people in the Grammy Soundstage. Newhart will be interviewed by Robert Santelli, the museum’s executive director, as they discuss his 50 years in show business; he will also take questions from the audience. March 17 will be all about the guitar with virtuoso and British folk star Richard Thompson, whom Rolling Stone recently called “a perennial dark-horse contender for the title of greatest living rock guitarist.” Things will get a little tropical March 20 when Daniel Ho performs. The musician will lead the audience in singing, dancing and some hula moves. At the Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 7656800 or grammymuseum.org. Harlem Steps: An Exposition Park venue is firmly focused on more than one Harlem for the next few months. The California African American Museum is presenting the exhibit Dance Theatre of Harlem, which includes costumes, videos and more from the acclaimed dance troupe’s performances. There are also photographs and banners showing off the dancers’ graceful moves. The company was founded in 1969 by choreographer Arthur Mitchell and ballet teacher Karel Shook. The exhibit continues through June 6, but it is not the only view of “Harlem” at CAAM: Through May 2, the museum is hosting Harlem of the West: Jazz, Bebop and Beatnik. The exhibit highlights the rollicking music scene in San Francisco’s

Fillmore District in the 1940s thorough ’60s. Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong and almost every other African American performer of note came to an area where there were 19 mostly black owned clubs in a 20-square block area. At the California African American Museum, 600 State Dr., (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. Movie Threads: Fans of film fashion can get a close look at the styles they saw onscreen in 2009 at the 18th annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. The South Park show runs through April 17 and includes more than 100 costumes from more than 20 films released in 2009. The outfits on display appeared in films such as The Young Victoria, Star Trek, Julie & Julia and The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. The clothes are displayed on mannequins in lifesize dioramas. At the FIDM Museum & Galleries, 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 623-5821 or fidm.edu.

photo courtesy of DeepFocus Productions

A 1940 Belgian poster for Phantom of Chinatown is on display at the Chinese American Museum as part of the exhibit Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur Dong Collection.

Hollywood Stars: Some of Hollywood’s lesser-known hisphoto by Berliner Studio tory is the subject of an exhibit at Outfits from Where the Wild Things Are are among the more than 100 costumes on display at the the Chinese American Museum. Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising’s annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur exhibition. Dong Collection was originally slated to run through May 30, but was extended until Nov. 7. 1944, the fin whale skeleton was taken down from the The exhibit is based on Oscar-nominated filmmaker Arthur Natural History Museum in 2006 for cleaning and restoraDong’s 2007 documentary Hollywood Chinese. It looks at tion. The 63-foot-long specimen returned last month as part decades of Chinese American contributions to the cinema of the Fin Whale Passage exhibit. The restored bones of the and highlights how Chinese Americans have been depict- 7,000-pound skeleton are being hailed by the museum as ed by Hollywood through the years. The exhibit includes one of the most complete large-whale exhibits in the world. about 200 pieces of memorabilia such as movie posters, film The bones were acquired in 1926 from a whaling station in stills, scripts, press materials and an Oscar won by Chinese Humboldt County. During the restoration, each of the 221 American cinematographer James Wong Howe. bones were cleaned. At the Chinese American Museum, 425 N. Los Angeles St., At the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) (213) 485-8567 or camla.org. 763-3466 or nhm.org. Home Sweet Home: Mexican artist Israel Meza Moreno invites everyone into his conceptual home at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA for his Mi Casa Es Tu Casa, A Land Project. The site-specific exhibit that is up through May 1 is intended to explore illegal immigration and ethnic identity with a series of conceptually linked vinyl texts and digital prints. Moreno has even included an enlarged copy of his visa denial letter, which is installed on the museum’s façade. At the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org. Whale of an Exhibit: While it had been on display since

A World of Exploration: Earth’s ecosystems get their closeups starting March 25, when the California Science Center opens Ecosystem. The permanent exhibit will take participants on a tour of oceans, deserts, forests, islands and rivers to explain how all are connected through the same ecological principles. The exhibit will be organized in eight zones that will include the Extreme Zone, which looks at seemingly inhospitable environments where life thrives nonetheless, and the River Zone, which will highlight the power of water. At the California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Dr., (323) 724-3623 or californiasciencecenter.org. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

March 8, 2010

Downtown News 15

Arts & Entertainment

Stage Continued from page 9 them involving the word “string”). What is not up for debate, however, is the legacy of Bob Baker and his Bob Baker Marionette Theater. In 2010 the 85-year-old is celebrating his City West-based theater’s 50th season. Up now is Fiesta, which Baker first staged in 1964. Though the world is much different today than it was then (when Lyndon Johnson was president!), the show, which continues through April 11, remains essentially the same, with everything from skating sombreros to dancing cacti. On April 19, Baker lifts the curtain on It’s a Musical World. The work, first

performed in 1978, holds a visit to an enchanted toy shop, a teddy bear’s picnic and a scene from the bloody battle at Omaha Beach (joking!). Baker first picked up the strings at the age of 5, so consider this a chance to watch someone with more experience than anyone else you will ever see. At the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Road Rules: The Little Tokyo stalwart East West Players could get lost among the big stage guns. Which would be a mistake, considering the country’s oldest Asian-American theater company still has one more show to go this season: Road to Saigon takes on the stories of some of the women who have

photo by Todd Rosenberg

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago performs “Walking Mad” (shown here) and two other pieces when the troupe plays the Ahmanson Theatre April 9-11.

played the high-profile role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. The world premiere developed and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, with musical arrangement from Nathan Wang, fills the David Henry Hwang Theatre from May 13-June 13. Expect some familiar elements about the show everyone knows, and some surprising stories too. At the David Henry Hwang Theatre, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org. Hello Tiger: War stories can be a tough sell, and tales about the Iraq war can be the toughest of the tough — you know before you walk in the door that it won’t be yuks aplenty. All of which makes it intriguing, and photo by Monika Rittershaus in fact promising, that the Mark Götterdämmerung, the final installment of Los Angeles Opera’s Taper Forum will be the site of Ring cycle, plays at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion April 3-25. Rajiv Joseph’s Bengal Tiger at The 10-week Ring Festival L.A. begins April 15. the Baghdad Zoo from April 14May 30. The play premiered last year at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Plan. The new work stars James Cromwell Theatre in Culver City, and now CTG is (514 S. Spring St., (213) 489-0994 or thelatc. bulking it up and bringing it to Downtown org); the Merce Cunningham Dance Los Angeles. The show concerns a couple Company lands at Walt Disney Concert Hall of American soldiers and a tormented Iraqi June 4-6 (111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0711 translator (and former topiary artist) on the or musiccenter.org); the City West-based streets of Baghdad — and yes, there’s a tiger Bootleg Theater hosts Above the Line, a show wandering around. about the making of a Hollywood movie, At the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand complete with sex, lies and videotape, from Ave., (213) 972-4400 or centertheatregroup.com. March 19-May 1 (2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.com). Also Coming: The LATC holds two perContact Jon Regardie at formances, on March 27-28, of The Einstein regardie@downtownnews.com.

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March 8, 2010

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EVENTS Sponsored ListingS Doug Davis: Inking Outside the Box Take My Picture Gallery, 860 S. Broadway, (213) 622-2256, garyleonard.com or douginks.com. March 11, 7-9 p.m.: Award-winning editorial cartoonist Doug Davis — creator of the Los Angeles Downtown News’ “Urban Scrawl” — opens a new show of cartoons at Gary Leonard’s Take My Picture gallery on March 11, coinciding with the March Art Walk. St. Patty’s at Casey’s Casey’s Irish Pub, 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6292353 or caseysirishpub.com. March 17, 6 a.m.-2 a.m.: Casey’s starts the St. Patrick’s Day party early with Kevin and Bean broadcasting live on KROQ from the bar, from 6-10 a.m., featuring Jameson-infused Irish coffee. As the day goes on, the bar will dole out free beads and hats while supplies last and, of course, there will be plenty of Jameson, Guiness (and Guiness Girls) and green beer. DJs provide a fitting soundtrack. Las Perlas 107 E. Seventh St., (213) 988-8355. Mon.-Sat., 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Closed Sun.: Las Perlas, the latest bar from 213 Ventures, featuring artisan-crafted tequilas and premium mezcal, opens this week. Ask Raul for their signature cocktail, 400 rabbits, and take a journey down the rabbit hole. Target Free Sundays at JANM Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org. March 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: This free, family and youth-oriented event series sheds a light on Asian American traditions through workshops, dynamic cultural performances and unique craft activities. The series continues every second Saturday through December (except during the months of April, August and September). Monday, March 8 Grant Writing Workshop The Exchange, 114 W. Fifth St., (310) 601-3036 or radio@kifoundation.org. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Sherita J. Herring, president of the Kreative Images Foundation, hosts a daylong, comprehensive workshop on grant writing. Learn about grants for photography, artists, film/documentaries, food programs, inventions, health and wellness projects, authors and more. Free, but RSVP required. Lunch will be available for $5. Wednesday, March 10 SCI-Arc Lecture Series 960 E. Third St., (213) 613 2200 or sciarc.edu. 7 p.m.: The featured speakers are Russell Thomsen and Eric Kahn, principals at Los Angeles IDEA Office (IO), which works on design at all scales, ranging from graphic design to installations and industrial design, to architecture and urban planning. Aloud at Central 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Author Jesse Katz will discuss his memoir “The Opposite Field” with Father Gregory Boyle of the gang intervention group Homeboy Industries.

Thursday, March 11 Aloud at Central 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: In a talk titled “The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives,” physicist Leonard Mlodinow explores the ways that chance and probability affect our daily lives. He speaks with USC journalism professor and science writer K.C. Cole. Downtown Art Walk Info and map at downtownartwalk.com. Noon-10 p.m.: The Downtown Art Walk is a selfguided tour that showcases the many art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles — commercial art galleries, museums and nonprofit art venues. How Many Billboards? MOCA Grand Ave., 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6211745 or moca.org. 6:30 p.m.: In conjunction with the MAK Center for Art and Architecture’s exhibition “How Many Billboards?”, MOCA will screen a two-part series of films and video exploring advertising, media and popular culture. “How Many Billboards?” is a public exhibition mounted on Los Angeles billboards that highlights the legacy of California’s conceptually oriented art. Free. No reservations required. Friday, March 12 Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St., Unit 4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. Noon: Award winning film editor, writer and film industry historian Robert S. Bichard presents more than 100 images exploring the first movie studios in L.A. Saturday, March 13 Teen Night at MOCA MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6211765 or moca.org. March 13, 7-10 p.m.: For one night a year, teens take over the museum for an extravaganza of art, music and more. Inspired by the exhibition “Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years,” this year’s event features live performances by local bands, DJs, a student art exhibition, art-making activities and refreshments. Free, guardian waiver required. Sunday, March 14 Sustainable Sunday at the Natural History Museum 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-DINO or visit nhm.org. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: In this installation of the series on sustainability, the focus is on water conservation. Learn how to become a voice for water and help protect and maximize L.A.’s water resources. Future EVENTS ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. March 17, 7 p.m.: Best-selling author Lionel Shriver discusses her latest work, “So Much For That,” with L.A. Times columnist Meghan Daum. The book is a witty and timely exploration of the failure of the American health care system. March 18, 7 p.m.: Tim O’Brien, author of “The Things They Carried,” discusses the celebrated Vietnam War novel with L.A. Times book editor David Ulin. March 24, 7 p.m.: In a panel discussion titled “How Many Billboards,” key players in the Los Angeles billboard saga weigh in on the cultural and legal ramifications of the issue. Panelists include artist Anne Bray, media expert Toby Miller, L.A. Weekly journalist Christine Pelisek and outdoor advertising advocate Rick Robinson. March 27, 7 p.m.: Journalist Kit Rachlis moderates a panel called “Three Approaches to Writing Biography,” with K.C. Cole, Barbara Isenberg and Kenneth Turan. April 1, 7 p.m.: “The Writer In The World” invites authors Ngugi wa Thiong’o, from Kenya, and Laila Lalami, from Morocco — to examine how writers take on the challenges posed by political and cultural conflict. April 5, 7 p.m.: Writer and poet Sapphire, whose novel “Push” put her on the national scene when it was turned into the feature film “Precious,” talks about her work with Brighde Mullins of USC. April 6, 7 p.m.: Three award winning poets — Ralph Angel, Carol Muske-Dukes and Cecilia Woloch — read from their work. April 12, 7 p.m.: In his new novel “Solar,” the

best-selling author Ian McEwan explores the quest of one overweight and philandering Nobel prizewinning physicist to save the world from environmental disaster. He’s in conversation with David Kipen (At the New Aratani/Japan America Theater, 244 S. San Pedro St.). April 13, 7 p.m.: Poets Chris Abani, Percival Everett and Peggy Shumaker read selections from their work. April 14, 7 p.m.: Amy Tolan moderates a conversation with Amy Wilentz and Saree Makdisi entitled “An Imperfect Balance: New Thinking in the Middle East Conflict.” All three are longtime observers and writers on the Middle East. They will discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. April 19, 7 p.m.: James Conlon, music director of the L.A. Opera and one of the world’s preeminent conductors, will discuss Richard Wagner’s monumental Ring Cycle, challenging preconceptions while guiding the audience through the music and dramatic themes. April 21, 7 p.m.: Charles Bowden reveals the story of the disintegration of Ciudad Juárez in his book “Murder City.” Bowden will discuss the stories of the city’s inhabitants — a raped beauty queen, a repentant hitman, a journalist fleeing for his life — with a broader meditation on the Mexican town’s descent into anarchy. He speaks with KPCC reporter Adolfo Guzman-Lopez. April 27, 7 p.m.: Author Helen Benedict discusses “The Lonely Soldier: The Private War of Women Serving in Iraq” with Deanne Stillman. April 28, 7 p.m.: Neuroscientist Gary Lynch, the subject of Terry McDermott’s new book, discusses his decades-long, obsessive pursuit to uncover the mechanism by which the brain makes memories. They’re in conversation with Larry Swanson, professor of Biological Sciences at USC. May 5, 7 p.m.: Miguel Syjuco’s debut novel “Illustrado” opens with Crispin Salvador, lion of Philippine letters, dead in the Hudson River. Syjuco exposes the corruption behind the rich families who have ruled the Philippines for generations. He discusses the work with novelist Cecilia Manguerra Brainard. May 10, 8 p.m.: “An Evening with Isabel Allende” presents the renowned storyteller in conversation with Gioconda Belli about her new novel, “Island Beneath the Sea.” (At the New Aratani/Japan America Theater, 244 S. San Pedro St.). May 13, 7 p.m.: “Tattoos on the Heart: Stories of Hope and Compassion” presents Father Gregory Boyle, founder of the gang intervention group Homeboy Industries, in conversation with journalist Celeste Fremon. May 17, 7 p.m.: Melding memoir and history, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kai Bird fuses his early life in Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Egypt with an account of the American experience in the Middle East. He’ll discuss his experience, and writing, with L.A. Times Editorial Page Editor Nick Goldberg. May 24, 7 p.m.: Hampton Sides discusses his latest work, “Hellhound on His Tail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin,” with journalist Lynell George. May 25, 7 p.m.: Thomas Levenson, professor of science writing at MIT, discusses a near-forgotten chapter of Isaac Newton’s extraordinary life in his “Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World’s Greatest Scientist.” May 26, 7 p.m.: Sebastian Junger, author of “The Perfect Storm,” discusses his latest work, “War,” in which he follows a single platoon through a 15-month tour of duty in the most dangerous outpost in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. He’s in conversation with writer/director John Sacret Young. California African American Museum 600 State Dr., (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. March 27, 1 p.m.: Inspired by the work of John T. Scott, participants will create artworks based on his sculptural style. RSVP at (213) 744-2024. April 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: The museum presents “Hattitude: Brims, Bonnets and Chapeaus.” Visit the museum with your favorite hat and participate in a hat showcase parade. Tea and treats, along with music and fashion show, will be presented. Workshops for children to adults until 3 p.m. May 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: “Black to Broadway” features the music of Broadway, gospel and R&B. There will also be gifts at artist booths and food vendor. Downtown L.A. Art Walk Info and map at downtownartwalk.com. April 8, May 13, noon-9 p.m.: The Downtown Art Walk is a self-guided tour that showcases the many art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles — art galleries, museums and nonprofit art venues.

Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St. #4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. March 19, noon: Van Zan Frater discusses “Jesus Is My Homeboy.” March 26, noon: Juliano Brotman discusses “edible alchemy.” April 2, noon: Sam Easterson gives a presentation on the history and future of the Museum of Animal Perspectives, which collects and displays wildlife imagery that has been captured using remote sensing cameras. April 9, noon: Greg Horos and Melissa Rosen discuss “The Aesthetics of Sustainable Retail: How to Fit a Full Service Organic Deli, a Wine and Beer Shop and a Natural Grocery in Under 500 Square Feet of Retail Space.” April 16, noon: Sue Bell Yank discusses “Social Practice.” April 23, noon: A presentation on the Museum of Jurassic Technology. April 29, noon: Woodbury University Students present the Guerilla Art Fair. May 7, noon: Flora Gil Krisiloff discusses Project 50. Japanese American Cultural & Community Center JACCC Plaza or Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., (213) 628-3700 or jaccc.org. March 30, 7 p.m.: The JACCC celebrates its 30th anniversary with a gala featuring taiko legend Kenny Endo; jazz piano virtuoso Keiko Matsui; five-time Grammy winner Daniel Ho; and Japanese music superstar Jero. Following the concert, the celebration continues with a reception on the JACCC Plaza. April 3, 8 p.m.: Taiko master Kenny Endo and his cast of supporting musicians present a unique blend of fusion, combining Japanese classical drumming with jazz and world music. April 23, 8 p.m.; April 24, 2 and 8 p.m.; April 25, 5 p.m.: The Japan American Theatre hosts a production of The Vagina Monologues. April 24, 3 p.m.: The JACCC celebrates the musicians and artists who kept the Japanese cultural traditions alive during the WWII era in which Japanese Americans were interned. The program features performances of Japanese classical music and dance by men and women who taught or learned the arts in internment camps. May 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: The venue hosts its 27th annual Children’s Day Celebration. MOCA Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-1745 or moca.org. March 18, 6:30 p.m.: Join MOCA Curator Alma Ruiz on a walkthrough of “Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years,” focusing on the Light and Space artists featured in the museum’s permanent collection. March 25, 6:30 p.m.: In conjunction with the Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, MOCA presents a panel discussion exploring the effect of the internet on traditional media and the quality and ethics of arts journalism. April 1, 6:30 p.m.: Join artist collective My Barbarian for a re-presentation of “The Fourth Wall,” a performance commissioned to celebrate MOCA’s 30th birthday. Accompanied by videos and original music, the group stages institutional transparency in comic and critical scenes adapted from interviews with MOCA staff. April 4, 1-3:30 p.m.: Graffiti dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome. In this family and youth-oriented workshop, investigate graffiti inspired artwork in “Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years” in a guided tour. April 8, 6:30 p.m.: In conjunction with the MAK Center for Art and Architecture’s exhibition “How Many Billboards?”, MOCA will screen a two-part series of films and video exploring advertising, media and popular culture. April 15, 7-9 p.m.: “From Nietzsche to Star Wars: The Wagnerian Power of “The Ring” features a panel of experts taking on themes and symbols of “The Ring.” Moderated by USC’s James R. Kincaid. Free. May 9, 3 p.m.: Through vintage footage, photographs, and interviews with artists John Baldessari, Frank Gehry, Dennis Hopper, Ed Ruscha, and others, “The Cool School” tells the story of L.A.’s Ferus Gallery, which launched the careers of several artists featured in “Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years.” Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-DINO or visit nhm.org. March 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Snails, slugs, octopi and clams: Mollusks are everywhere, and the Natural History Museum has over 4.5 million of them in its collection. See some of these invertebrates from the past and present with Mary Stecheson of Invertebrate Paleontology and Lindsey Groves of Malacology on-hand to answer your questions.

March 8, 2010

Downtown News 17

DowntownNews.com

March 27, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.: As part of the museum’s “Junior Scientist” program, investigate a few of these invertebrates from the past and present and become a Junior Malacologist, gathering gastropods, braving the bivalves and seeing a few seashells along the way. April 2, 5:30-10:30 p.m.: This installation of First Fridays focuses on the science of Southern California earthquakes. Dr. Tanya Atwater delves into the plate tectonics of Los Angeles, and later, DJ Them Jeans shakes the dance floor. May 7, 5:30-10:30 p.m.: This installation of First Fridays features a conversation titled “Toxic Algae Blooms Along the Southern Californian Coast: Causes, Challenges and Solutions,” with Dr. David A. Caron. Later, bands Tallest Man On Earth and Gamble House perform. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800, redcat.org. April 25, 7 p.m.: Four L.A. writers — Tisa Bryant, Bernard Cooper, Ben Ehrenreich and Amy Gerstler — give readings inspired by their favorite pieces in John D’Agata’s 650-page collection of essays, from the likes of Ziusudra of Sumer and Heraclitus, all the way up to contemporary names. May 4, 8:30 p.m.: Greg Tate, the longtime Village Voice cultural critic and a pioneer of hip-hop journalism, is on hand for a talk. May 8, 3 p.m.: CalArts’ School of Critical Studies holds a reading of the best new fiction and poetry by MFA candidates in the Writing Program. SCI-Arc Lecture Series 960 E. Third St., (213) 356-5328 or sciarc.edu. In the W. M. Keck Lecture Hall. March 17, 7 p.m.: Using the newest tools and the oldest of techniques, Commonwealth is a furniture, art and design studio based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Zoe Coombes and David Boira, principals and founders of the company discuss their practice. March 24, 7 p.m.: Michael Kubo traces the influence of architectural publishing as an operative device. March 31, 7 p.m.: Historian Eric Avila discusses how, by the 1920s, Downtown Los Angeles had become the “Great Gatsby of American cities,” a magnet for Southern California’s political, commercial, and cultural capital. But by the 1940s, the area had become the paragon of the Noir city: dark, dangerous, and distant from the periphery of suburban wealth. April 7, 7 p.m.: Known for exploring the ways in which architectural mass can produce distinct sensations, the Honk Kong firm davidclovers brings together the practices of David Erdman and Clover Lee. Town Hall Los Angeles Venues vary, but all listed take place Downtown. For more information call (213) 628-8141 or visit townhall-la.org. March 23, noon: Dr. Janet Yellen, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, will discuss the economy, now and going forward. March 25, noon: As part of the group’s CEO Series, Yang-Ho Cho, chairman and CEO of Korean Airlines is the featured speaker. April 8, noon: Sharon Allen, chairman of Deloitte LLP, speaks in this installation of Town Hall’s CEO Series. Zócalo At MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., zocalopublicsquare.org. March 23, 7:30 p.m.: “Do Democracy and Religion Mix?” That’s the question explored by journalist Ian Burma, author of “Taming the Gods,” who argues that religion — and particularly the passions it inflames — must be calmed to make democracy work.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ 2nd Street Jazz 366 E. Second St., (213) 680-0047, 2ndstjazz.com or myspace.com/2ndstreetlivejazz. Tuesdays: Jazz jam session. Music usually starts at 9 or 10 p.m. Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com. March 12, 8-10 p.m.: Drummer Matt Slocum and his quartet are featured. March 13, 8:30 p.m.: Jennie Laws performs her brand of soup pop. Chop Suey Café 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com. Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Live jazz on the patio of the restored landmark. Cicada Cicada Restaurant, 617 S. Olive St., (213) 488-9488 or cicadarestaurant.com. Sundays, 6-11 p.m.: The restaurant is transformed into a vintage, old Hollywood-style dance club every Sunday. Come out to appreciate the big band, swank costumes, dinner and cocktails. Visit cicadaclub.com. Club Nokia Corner of Olympic Blvd. and Figueroa St., clubnokia.com. March 13, 9 p.m.: GV & Nitrus present Hard 13 with Fake Blood, Jack Beats, Boy 8-Bit and Destructo. March 14, 2 p.m.: Suze Orman. Grammy Museum L.A. Live, corner of Olympic Blvd and Figueroa St., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. March 9, 8 p.m.: Museum Executive Director Robert Santelli interviews comedy legend and multiGrammy winner Bob Newhart about his 50 years in show business. After the interview, Newhart will take questions from the audience. J Restaurant and Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. Tuesdays: Live acoustic performances in the lounge. Wednesdays: Salsa in the City features complimentary salsa lessons at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., a batch of live musicians takes over for a jam session. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. March 8, 10 p.m.: Three Vicars, Night Beats, Cobalt Cranes, Los Sweepers and Strangers Family. March 9, 10 p.m.: The Neurotics, The Crazy Squeeze and D-Rex. March 10, 10 p.m.: Brent Amaker & The Rodeo, Kimble County Killers and Rev. Deadeye. March 11, 10 p.m.: Mark Mulholland, James Finch Jr. and Rusty Miller. March 12, 10 p.m.: Pack AD, Symbol Six and The Muertones. March 13, 10 p.m.: Chop Tops, Los Duggans, Sawyer Family, Hard Fall Hearts and Seven 40 Seven. March 14, noon: Brunch Americana. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., sevengrand.la. March 8, 10 p.m.: Katisse Buckingham. March 9, 10 p.m.: House band The Makers. March 10, 10 p.m.: ChuChu and the Lovely Band. Future rock, PoP & Jazz Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com. March 19, 8-10 p.m.: The Matt Mayhall Quartet. March 20, 8-10 p.m.: Jazz vocalist Sara Leib. March 26, 8-10 p.m.: Milo’s Quartetto Fantastico. March 27, 8-10 p.m.: Kai Kurosawa plays with

Gary Fukushima and Abe Lagrimas. April 2-3, 8-10 p.m.: The Walter Smith III Quartet. April 8, 8-10 p.m.: The Jen Shyu solo vocal show. April 9, 8-10 p.m.: The Matt Politano Trio. April 10, 8-10 p.m.: Susan Sinner with Josh Nelson. April 11, 5-8 p.m.: Lionel Loueke. April 16-17, 8-10 p.m.: Gabriel Alegria’s AfroPeruvian Sextet. April 29, 8-10 p.m.: CD release party with the Alan Ferber Nonet. Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com. March 18, 8 p.m.: Akwid. March 25, 8 p.m.: Grupo Mania. April 7, 8 p.m.: El Gran Silencio. April 18, 8 p.m.: Susan Baca. April 22, 8 p.m.: Jorge Villamizar. Club Nokia Corner of Olympic Blvd. and Figueroa St., clubnokia.com. April 2, 9 p.m.: The crude, the hilarious, The Dan Band. April 3, 7 p.m.: Honor Society with Just Kait and Ashlyne Huff. April 8, 8 p.m.: The Revolver Golden Gods with Rob Zombie, Fear Factory, As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada, Zakk Wylde and Brian Posehn & All Stars. April 9, 7 p.m.: Owl City with Lights and Paper Rout. April 10, 8:30 p.m.: Mint Condition with special guests. April 15, 8:30 p.m.: The Specials. April 16, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.: Mike Epps. May 2, 8 p.m.: Antonis Remos. May 15-16, 8 p.m.: The Norweigan trio A-Ha. Grammy Museum L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. These shows take place in the museum’s Soundstage theater. March 17, 8 p.m.: British folk rock icon Richard Thompson talks about his guitar playing, prolific career, numerous honors, and continually expanding catalogue of music. After the interview, Thompson will take questions from the audience and perform a few songs. March 20, 10 a.m: Join Grammy Award-winning artist and producer Daniel Ho for a family program featuring the music of Hawaii. Come ready to sing, dance and learn the basics of hula dancing. March 23, 8 p.m.: The Dublin-based Mexican acoustic guitar phenoms Rodrigo y Gabriela will talk about their careers and numerous influences, both classical and metal. Then, the duo will participate in an audience Q&A and perform several songs. March 25, 8 p.m.: Be among the first to hear Southern rocker and country music scion Shooter Jennings discuss his new album, “Black Ribbons,”

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just days after its release. After the interview, Jennings will take questions from the audience and sign copies of the CD. March 31, 7:30 p.m.: Guitarist John 5 has played with Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Salt-NPepa, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and most recently with hard rock icon Rob Zombie. John 5 will demonstrate his techniques, break down his signature gear, talk about life on the road and perform songs from his latest album, “Requiem.” Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. April 2, 8 p.m.: The actress, singer and talk-show host Mo’Nique. April 3, 8 p.m.: The Men of Soul Tour, featuring Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, Freddie Jackson and Howard Hewett April 17, 8 p.m.: Guitarist Jeff Beck, joined by a 22-piece orchestra. April 24, 8 p.m.: Argentine singer/songwriter Facundo Cabral. April 28, 8 p.m.: Gustavo Cerati. May 3, 7:30 p.m.: Daughtry. May 14, 8 p.m.: Larry Hernandez. May 29, 8 p.m.: Roberto Carlos. Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 622-1939 or laorpheum.com. April 23, 8 p.m.: Multi-talented songstress Norah Jones performs, with opening support from Sasha Dobson. April 25, 8 p.m.: Greg Emerson and Greg Lake. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. March 15, 10 p.m.: Possessed by Paul James. March 16, 7 p.m.: The White Stripes film screening. March 17, 10 p.m.: Jimmy Angel, South Bay Surfers and Handsome Sexies. March 18, 10 p.m.: YNM Mgt. Showcase with Jerkules, Shakey Graves, Drew Steadman and Trouth and Parrot. March 19, 10 p.m.: Blowfly and Clarence Reid with Laramie Dean. March 20, 10 p.m.: Mike Watt and his Missingmen, with Beta Wolf. March 21, noon: Brunch Americana. March 23, 10 p.m.: The Neurotics and Swords of Fatima. March 25, 10 p.m.: Dangerously Sleezy and Captain Sean. March 27, 10 p.m.: Pierced Arrows, Lullabye Arkestra and D-rex. March 28, noon: Brunch Americana. March 30, 10 p.m.: The Neurotics and Stab City. April 1, 10 p.m.: Dante Vs. Zombies, Stabbings, Beggars and Crystelles. April 2, 10 p.m.: Ole Californio and I See Hawks

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Continued from previous page in L.A. April 9, 10 p.m.: Sharp Objects, Enlows, Rough Kids and D-Rex. April 13, 10 p.m.: Brigitte Handley and the Dark Shadows. April 16, 10 p.m.: Petunia and the Vipers. April 17, 10 p.m.: Petunia and the Vipers, with Deke Dickerson, The Eccofonics and Tumbledown. April 18, 10 p.m.: Petunia and the Vipers. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., sevengrand.la. March 15, 10 p.m.: John Daversa Small Group. March 16, 10 p.m.: The Makers. March 22, 10 p.m.: Dan Weinstein Trio. March 23, 10 p.m.: The Makers. March 24, 10 p.m.: Artwork Jamal. March 29, 10 p.m.: Robby Marshall Group. March 30, 10 p.m.: The Makers. March 31, 10 p.m.: Sista Sherry Blues. Staples Center 1201 S. Figueroa St., staplescenter.com. March 25, 8 p.m.: Pop rock crooner John Mayer. March 26, 7:30 p.m.: Jay-Z, the man behind the hit song whose chorus boasts the wonders of New York, does his jiggaman thing in L.A. March 29, 7:30 p.m.; March 30, 6:30 p.m.: The Black Eyed Peas are in the house for two nights. April 6, 7:30 p.m.: Speaking of that New York song, Alicia Keys is coming too. April 9, 8 p.m.: The Canadian singer Michael Bublé. April 15 and 16, 7 p.m.: The young country songstress, aka Kanye’s nemesis, Taylor Swift. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., visit musiccenter.org. March 15, 7:30 p.m.: Legendary piano player Keith Jarrett performs solo. March 21, 7:30 p.m.: Renowned jazz vocalists Al Jarreau and Dee Dee Bridgewater present two separate unique sets. March 19, 8 p.m.: One of Hawaii’s most popular and multi-talented performers, Keali’i Reichel. May 16, 7:30 p.m.: Famed tenor man Sonny Rollins.

CLASSICAL MUSIC Monday, March 8 Monday Evening Concerts Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., mondayeveningconcerts.org. 8 p.m.: The Los Angeles Percussion Quartet performs a trio of works by the Bristish composer Frank Denyer, and works by James Tenney and Alvin Lucier. Tuesday, March 9 Los Angeles Philharmonic 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or musiccenter.org. 8 p.m.: Transylvanian-born composer Peter Eötvös is the focus in this Green Umbrella concert, featuring the L.A. Phil s New Music Group and the renowned Calder Quartet. Friday, March 12 Los Angeles Philharmonic 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or musiccenter.org. 8 p.m.: Conductor Edo de Waart leads pianist Joyce Yang and the philharmonic in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben, and Chen’s The Five Elements. Also at 8 p.m. on March 13 and 2 p.m. on March 14. saTurday, March 13 Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., Zipper Hall, colburnschool.edu. 7:30 p.m.: The Marina Ensemble performs Dohnanyi’s Quintet in C Minor, Op. 1; Debussy’s String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10; and Piazzolla’s Primavera Porteña, Oblivion, and La Muerte Del Ángel. sunday, March 14 Los Angeles Philharmonic 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or musiccenter.org. 7:30 p.m.: Organ master Hector Olivera plays a selection of organ classics by Bach and Liszt in addition to some of his own works. Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., Zipper Hall, colburnschool.edu. 3 p.m.: The Colburn Chamber Music Society, featuring Bonnie Hampton on cello, Leigh Mesh on double bass and John Perry on piano, performs Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 2 and Dvorak’s Quintet in G Major.

performs 13th and 14th century works that highlight polyphony, chant and otherworldly sounds. March 18 and 20 8 p.m.; March 19, 11 a.m.: Conductor Robin Ticciati leads Lars Vogt in Grieg’s Piano Concerto, Lindberg’s Chorale, Elgar’s Enigma Variations and the King Kristian Suite by Sibelius. March 23, 8 p.m.: Emmanuel Ax and Dawn Upshaw are featured in a program of various works by Chopin and Schumann. March 25 and 26, 8 p.m.; March 27, 2 p.m.: Emanuel Ax plays works by Chopin, Berlioz and Shostakovich, with Lionel Bringuier conducting. March 30, 8 p.m.: Emanuel Ax and the L.A. Phil perform Brahms’ String Quartet No. 3, Schumann’s Piano Quintet and Janacek’s “Mladi.” April 1 and 3, 8 p.m.; April 2, 11 a.m.: Conductor Semyon Bychkov leads the Philharmonic in Mahler’s seminal Symphony No. 5. April 6, 8 p.m.: Members of the L.A. Phil perform a slate of chamber works in the opening concert of the festival “Americas and Americans.” Composers include Silvestre Revueltas and Stephen Hartke. April 8 and 9, 8 p.m.: April 10, 2 p.m.: Thomas Ades conducts a concert featuring three of his own works, including his violin concerto played by Anthony Marwood, plus Respighi’s “Feste Romane.” April 11, 7 p.m.: The Los Angeles Master Chorale partners with the St. Louis Symphony in a commissioned work from Meredith Monk. The performance will also include a vocal work by Arvo Pärt. April 13, 8 p.m.: In this Green Umbrella concert, Walt Disney Hall plays host to Louis Andriessen’s “La Commedia.” April 14, 8 p.m.: Conductor David Robertson and violinist Gil Shaham lead the St. Louis Symphony in a program of Stravinsky and Mozart, including a volin concerto by each composer. April 16 and 17, 8 p.m.; April 18, 2 p.m.: Pianist Simon Trpceski plays Rachmanioff’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Jaap van Zweden conducts. April 18, 7:30 p.m.: Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin gives a wide ranging organ recital, with works by Franck, Rachmaninoff and Bedard. April 20, 8 p.m.: Emanuel Ax in solo recital, playing Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantasie, Schumann’s Fantasy, Op. 17, and a new commissioned work for solo piano by John Adams, plus more. April 22 and 23, 8 p.m.: Gustavo Dudamel is back in the saddle, presiding over a performance of Bernstein’s “Age of Anxiety” symphony, Lieberson’s “Neruda Songs” and Chavez’s Toccata for Percussion. Performers include pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and vocalist Kelley O’Connor. April 24, 8 p.m.; April 25, 2 p.m.: The La Pasion Orchestra, conducted by Maria Guinard and featuring vocalist Luciana Souza, performs Golijov’s “La Pasion segun San Marcos.” April 25, 7:30 p.m.: Back by popular demand, Gustavo Dudamel presides over Mahler’s First Symphony and John Adams’ L.A. Philharmonic commission “City Noir,” repeating Dudamel’s first program at Walt Disney Concert Hall as music director. April 29-30 and May 1, 8 p.m.; May 2, 2 p.m.: Dudamel conducts Anotonio Estevez’ Cantata Criolla. May 4, 8 p.m.: Dudamel conducts the L.A. Phil New Music Group in an eclectic Green Umbrella concert, featuring a slate of new works by Bernel, Lee, Norman, Benzecry and Brouwer. May 6 and 8, 8 p.m.; May 7, 11 a.m.: Dudamel conducts Stephen Hartke’s Symphony No. 4, “Organ,” and the feature, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, “Pathetique.” May 14, 8 p.m.: The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and the Argentine-Uruguayan collective Bajofondo join forces for a night of Latin American sounds by the likes of Astor Piazzolla and Marquez. May 23, 7 p.m.: The L.A. Master Chorale presents a songbook of America folk tunes. May 28, 8 p.m.; May 29-30, 2 p.m.: Violinist Julian Rachlin plays the Sibelius Violin Concerto. Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., colburnschool.edu. Through May 7: All spring, Friday nights are for student performances. Times and programs vary, so check colburnschool.edu for details. March 16, 8 p.m.: Piano Spheres presents Joanne Pearce Martin in a program of piano works by Stephen Hartke, Meyer Kupferman, Gyorgy Ligeti, Esa-Pekka Salonen and more. March 18, 8 p.m.: The chamber music group Camerata Pacifica perform works by Beethoven, Brahms and Zemlinksy. March 19, 8 p.m.: The Dilijan Concert Series presents a world premiere by A. Zohrabian, A Hovhaness’ Quartet No. 3 “Reflections

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THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Bob Baker’s Marionettes 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. March 9-12, 10:30 a.m.; March 13, 2:30 p.m.: Downtown’s puppet master, Bob Baker, is known for his homemade puppets and down home fun. This show, “Fiesta Alegre,” features some gesticulating cacti, flamenco dancers and a stubborn donkey. Through April 11. Cave Quest David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 eastwestplayers.org. March 10-13, 8 p.m.; March 14, 7 p.m.: The search for inner peace is a lifelong journey. But Justin Yi plans to condense that journey into minutes by packaging it into a $49.99 video game. To help his cause, he tracks down Padma, a legendary Buddhist nun in a Tibetan cave high in the Himalayas. Padma hasn’t spoken in three years but Justin hopes she will divulge her secrets of enlightenment to him. When his wit and charm fails, Justin resorts to tactics deemed less heroic. Through March 14. Dreamgirls Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org. March 9 and 11-12, 8 p.m.; March 13, 2 and 8 p.m.; March 14, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: This musical tells the rags-to-riches story of an up and coming, 1960s girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Through April 4. The Subject Was Roses Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org. Feb. 24-26, 8 p.m.; Feb. 27, 2:30 and 8 p.m.: Feb. 28, 7 p.m.: A young man’s return from World War II becomes a catalyst for an emotional tug-of-war in which love is a prize and a weapon. Martin Sheen returns to the play that earned him a Tony Award nomination in 1964, now as the patriarch of a family forced to confront its own privatized emotions and buried truths. Frances Conroy and Brian Geraghty complete the family triangle. Through March 21.

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FuTure classical Music Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., musiccenter.org. March 16, 8 p.m.: Pianist Lars Vogt and members of the L.A. Phil perform Ravel’s piano quartet, Elgar’s piano quintet and Gaubert’s “Three Aquarelles for Flute, Cello and Piano.” March 17, 8 p.m.: The Anonymous 4, a baroque vocal quartet,

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on my Childhood,” Schubert’s String Quartet in E Flat Major and Chausson’s Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Quartet. April 1, 7 p.m.: The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra plays Mozart’s Overture to Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute); Durante’s Concerto for Strings No. 8 and Ferrandini’s “Mary’s Lament.” April 17, 8 p.m.: Southwest Chamber Music presents a concert of works by visiting Vietnamese composers as part of the group’s “Ascending Dragon” festival. The program features two U.S. premieres. April 22, 8 p.m.: Camerata Pacifica presents a slate of chamber works by Beethoven, Saint-Saëns, Auerbach, Musgrave and Harbison. April 23, 7:30 p.m.: The school’s artist in residence, the Calder Quartet, gives a performance. Program TBA. April 24, 8 p.m.: Southwest Chamber Music presents Copland’s “Appalachian Spring;” Elliot Carter’s “On Conversing with Paradies” (U.S. Premiere); John Cage’s “Atlas Eclipticalis;” and Kurt Rohde’s “Still Distant, Still Here.” April 30, 8 p.m.: Southwest Chamber Music presents Maurice Ravel’s Ma mère l’oye; Ph’m Minh Thành’s “Thang Long” (U.S. Premiere); Alexandra du Bois’ “A Requiem for the Living” (West Coast Premiere); and Kurt Rohde’s “Oculus.” May 3, 8 p.m.: Southwest Chamber Music presents Claude Debussy’s “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune;” Tôn Thât Tiêt’s “Poèmes” and “Niem” (U.S. premieres); Arnold Schoenberg’s Five Orchestra Pieces, Op. 16; Alexandra du Bois’ “I Wonder as I Wander” (West Coast Premiere); Vu Nhât Tan’s “Ky Úc” (U.S. premiere); and Igor Stravinsky’s “Dumbarton Oaks.” May 6, 7 p.m.: The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra plays a program of Bach, Telemann, Geminiani and Boyce. May 13, 8 p.m.: Camerata Pacifica presents Reinecke’s Sonata for Flute and Piano, “Undine,” Op. 167 .

March 8, 2010

Downtown News 19

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“South Pacific” tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. Bob Baker’s Marionettes 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Through April 11: “Fiesta Alegre.” Bootleg Theater 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.com. March 19-May 1: “Above The Line” plays with sex, lies and videotape in a farce about the making of a Hollywood movie. Company of Angels Theatre 501 S. Spring St., companyofangels.org. April 2-25: La Views 3: “Hunger and the City” is a collection of short plays reflecting the city, and its appetite. May 15-June 13: In “Chasing Monsters,” when Dominic’s mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he knows the clock is ticking; before she dies, he needs to prove to her that he is more than just another drunk. East West Players David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 eastwestplayers.org. May 13-June 13: The role of Kim in the musical “Miss Saigon” has been performed by an elite group of talented women on Broadway and around the world. This production tells the stories of the actresses who have played the powerhouse role. Los Angeles Opera Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.com. April 3-25: The curse of the ring runs its course in “Götterdämmerung,” the final chapter of Wagner’s epic music drama. “The Twilight of the Gods” begins with the rapturous love shared by Brünnhilde (Linda Watson) and Siegfried (John Treleaven). But the evil Hagen (Eric Halfvarson), son of the dwarf Alberich (Gordon Hawkins), plots against Siegfried. April 10-24: Conductor James Conlon continues the critically lauded, groundbreaking Recovered Voices series with the first-ever production in the Western hemisphere of Franz Schreker’s “The Stigmatized.” Los Angeles Theatre Center 514 S. Spring St., thelatc.org. April 29-May 30: Skeletons aren’t the only things that come out of the closet in “Dementia,” the award-winning Latino swansong about the glamorous death of Moises. Mark Taper Forum 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org. Through March 21: “The Subject Was Roses.” April 14-May 30: Directed by Tony nominee Moisés Kaufman, “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” dares the audience not to look away from its honest and hauntingly theatrical depiction of the aftermath of war. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800, redcat.org. March 18-27: Weaving together intense physical movement, spoken word and vocal music and the “theater laboratory” ensemble techniques originated by Jerzy Grotowski, the group Rosanna Gamson stages “TOV.” The production centers around the story of the tarpan — an extinct species of Eurasian wild horse that was genetically “reassembled” in the 1930s through back-breeding of domestic horses. April 11: Studio: Spring 2010 is an ongoing series for new works and works-in-progress, offering audiences the opportunity to experience original, offbeat performances by a mix of experimental Los Angeles artists. April 22-24: In “Poesia Negra: Race, Sex and The Myth of the American Mytopia,” Carl Hancock Rux takes center stage. The performance blends paperbag storytelling, hip-bop-fueled poetic reveries and plenty of critical analysis on American mythologies and controversies new and old.

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., downtownindependent.com for showtimes. Through March 11: In Liverpool, a merchant sailor returns to his home in Tierra del Fuego after spending most of his life at sea. March 12-18: One of Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film,” writer-director Tze Chun makes his feature debut with one of the mostawarded and best-reviewed films of the year. Children of Invention is by turns humorous and heartbreaking. March 13, 11 p.m.: In Jan Svankmejar’s Alice, Alice follows the White Rabbit into Wonderland, beginning a dream expedition into the astonishing landscape of childhood, through many dangerous adventures, and ultimately to Alice’s trial before the King and Queen of Hearts. Flagship Theatres University Village 3323 S. Hoover St., (213) 748-6321 or flagshipmovies.com. Through March 11: Alice in Wonderland 2D (11:30 a.m. and 2, 4:30, 7 and 9:30 p.m.); The Cra-

zies (12:30, 3, 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m.); Cop Out (noon, 2:30, 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m.). Regal Cinema L.A. Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (877) 835-5734 or lalive.com. Through March 11: Alice in Wonderland in 3D (11 and 11:40 a.m. and 1, 1:40, 2:20, 3:40, 4:20, 5, 6:20, 7, 7:40, 9, 9:50 and 10:30 p.m.); Cop Out (11:20 a.m. and 2, 2:40, 4:40, 7:20, 8, and 10:10 p.m.); Avatar in 3D (11:20 a.m. and 3, 6:40 and 10:20 p.m.); Valentine’s Day (11:10 a.m. and 2:10, 5:10, 8 and 11 p.m.); The Wolfman (1:30, 4, 6:40 and 9:30 p.m.); Shutter Island (12:10, 12:50, 3:30, 4:10, 6:50, 7:30, 10 and 10:40 p.m.); Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (12:40, 3:50, 6:30 and 9:20 p.m.); Brooklyn’s Finest (10:50 a.m. and 1:10, 1:50, 4:10, 4:50, 7:10, 7:50, 10:10 and 10:50 p.m.); The Crazies (11:30 a.m. and 12:10, 2:10, 4:40, 5:20, 7:20, 10 and 10:40 p.m.); Friday March 12 (partial list): Green Zone (11:20 a.m. and 2, 4:40, 7:20 and 10 p.m.); Remember Me (11 a.m. and 1:40, 4:20, 7 and 9:40 p.m.); She’s Out of My League (12:10, 2:40, 5:10, 7:50 and 10:30 p.m.). Future FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., downtownindependent.com for showtimes. March 16: In One Too Many Mornings Peter has just run away from his girlfriend and Fischer lives in a church, for free, in exchange for turning off the lights and locking the doors. As Fischer tries to help Peter recover, Peter learns that Fischer has much more serious problems of his own. March 19-25: 45365 explores the congruities of daily life in an American town, from the patrol car to the courtroom to the playground to the nursing home and beyond. March 21: The International Surrealist Film Festival. March 26-April 1: West of Pluto is a day in the life of a small cul-de-sac of suburban Quebec — a seemingly random corner of the world, where suburban teens start pretentious garage bands, give class presentations, fall in and out of love, score pot, fight with their parents and more. Last Remaining Seats Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S. Broadway, laconservancy.org. May 26, 8 p.m.: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (the L.A. Conservancy’s series continues through June, with screenings every Wednesday at historic theaters including the Orpheum, the Million Dollar and the Los Angeles). REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800, redcat.org. March 30, 8:30 p.m.: Known as one of the world’s leading restorationists of experimental and independent cinema, Ross Lipman is also an accomplished filmmaker, writer and performer whose oeuvre has taken on urban decay as a marker of modern consciousness. This program features Lipman discussing his work. April 5, 8:30 p.m.: Irish-born, New York-based filmmaker Julie Murray combines found and original footage to conjure strange and paradoxical universes. April 19, 8:30 p.m.: In her new series on the state of American labor, Sharon Lockhart turns her meditative gaze to workers at the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine. Lunch Break revisits cinema’s second-greatest invention after the close-up: the tracking shot. April 26, 8:30 p.m.: This double-projector film performance by Jennifer Reeves pays rapturous homage to the endangered beauty of our blue planet. When It Was Blue traverses the globe and its diverse ecosystems from New Zealand to Iceland, the Americas and beyond. May 3, 8:30 p.m.: Gregorio Rocha’s award-winning documentary Los Rollos Perdidos de Pancho Villa recounts his painstaking intercontinental search for one of film history’s most intriguing lost works: Raoul Walsh’s “The Life of General Villa,” a quasi-factual 1914 biography commissioned by the Mexican revolutionary strongman. May 6-7, 8 p.m.; May 8, 7 p.m.: CalArts’ School of Film/Video presents a juried selection of new liveaction works by filmmakers in the Program in Film and Video and the Film Directing Program. May 10, 8:30 p.m.: “Starting To Go Bad: Recent Narratives By Pat O’ Neill” focuses on one of Los Angeles’ most eminent independent filmmakers, with three new videos that continue a discourse between the visible world and language, and a 35mm film, Horizontal Boundaries.

MUSEUMS African American Firefighter Museum 1401 S. Central Ave., (213) 744-1730 or aaffmuseum.org. Ongoing: An array of firefighting relics dating to 1924, including a 1940 Pirsch ladder truck, an 1890 hose wagon, uniforms from New York, L.A. County and City of L.A. firefighters, badges, helmets, photographs and other artifacts. Annette Green Perfume Museum

FIDM, second floor, 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6241200 or fidm.edu. Ongoing: “Fame and Fragrance” is up in this, the only museum of its kind in the U.S. It’s dedicated to enhancing our understanding the art, culture and science of the olfactory. Originally opened in New York City in 1999, the collection — 2,000 bottles, perfume presentations and documentary ephemera dating from the late 1800s to the present — was donated to FIDM in 2005. California African American Museum 600 State Drive, (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. Through May 2: “Harlem of the West, Jazz, Bebop and Beatnik” celebrates the Fillmore District of San Francisco in the 1940s, ’50s and early ’60s where Bebop cross-pollinated with the Beat Movement and avant-garde film making to make a dynamic scene. Through May 2: “An Idea Called Tomorrow” was co-conceived by CAAM and the Skirball Cultural Center and showcase works by twelve contemporary artists that imagine what a civil future looks like. Through June 6: “Dance Theater of Harlem” is a multi-media exhibit exploring the choreography, costuming and dancers of the famed dance company. The exhibit also takes a close look at the company’s founders Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, who started DTH in 1969. California Science Center 700 State Drive, (323) 724-3623 or californiasciencecenter.org. Through May 2: “America I Am” celebrates nearly 500 years of African American contributions to America and the world. Through artifacts, multimedia and programs, visitors explore the influence and innovations of African Americans. Ongoing: The Science Center’s permanent exhibits are usually interactive and focus on human innovations and inventions as well as the life processes of living things. The lobby Science Court stays busy with the High Wire Bicycle, a Motion-Based Simulator and the Ecology Cliff Climb. The human body is another big focus: The Life Tunnel aims to show the connections between all life forms, from the singlecelled amoeba to the 100-trillion-celled human being. Chinese American Museum 425 N. Los Angeles St., (213) 485-8567 or camla.org. Through Nov. 7: “Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur Dong Collection” is an exhibition of movie memorabilia collected during the 10-years of research for Arthur Dong’s documentary on the Chinese in American feature films. Explore the film-

maker’s archive of over 1,000 items, including posters, lobby cards, stills, scripts, press material, and other artifacts dating from 1916 to present-day. Permanent: Re-creation of the Sun Wing Wo, a Chinese general store and herbal shop, and “Journeys: Stories of Chinese Immigration,” an exhibit exploring Chinese immigration to the United States with an emphasis on community settlement in Los Angeles. The display is outlined into four distinct time periods. Each period is defined by an important immigration law and/or event, accompanied by a brief description and a short personal story about a local Chinese American and their experiences in that particular historical period. Permanent: “Neighborhood Stories” a photographic exhibition exploring the beginnings of Los Angeles’ changing Chinese American communities, from the city’s original Chinatown, New Chinatown, China City and Market Chinatown. This exhibit will provide a glimpse of how the Chinese American community began to make Los Angeles home. El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument 124 Paseo de la Plaza, (213) 485-8372 or elpueblo. lacity.org. Ongoing: The whole of El Pueblo is called a “monument,” and of this monument’s 27 historic buildings, four function as museums: the Avila Adobe, the city’s oldest house; the Sepulveda House, home to exhibits and the monument’s Visitors Center; the Fire House Museum, which houses late 19th-century fire-fighting equipment; and the Masonic Hall, which boasts Masonic memorabilia. Check its website for a full slate of fiestas, including Cinco de Mayo, Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in November and December’s candlelight procession, Las Posadas. Open daily, though hours at shops and halls vary. FIDM Museum and Galleries 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1200 or fidm.edu. Through April 17: “Hollywood 2010: The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design” offers an up close look at more than 100 costumes from more than two dozen of 2009 movies, such as The Young Victoria, Star Trek, Julie & Julia, An Education and Nine. May 18-June 12: “The Art of Costume Design Illustration” features artwork showing the evolution of costume design illustration from the past to the present and glimpses into the future of both the film and the television industries. Grammy Museum L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or

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Continued from previous page grammymuseum.org. Through March 28, 2010: In 1956, photojournalist Alfred Wertheimer was hired by RCA Victor to shoot promotional images of a recently signed 21-year-old recording artist, Elvis Presley, and his instincts to “tag along” with the artist after the assignment resulted in 56 striking images that provide an intimate look at Elvis before he exploded onto the scene and became one of the most exciting performers of all time. The collection is called “Elvis At 21.” Through summer 2010: “Michael Jackson: A Musical Legacy” includes Jackson’s trademark fedora and gloves, six elaborately embellished jackets, original lyrics, a Jackson 5 stage costume and more. Across eight video monitors, the museum presents footage of Jackson’s appearances on the Grammy Awards, as well as never-before-seen video of some of Jackson’s famous friends sharing their memories of him. The exhibit will feature a new interactive experience which will allow visitors to dance on a floor of light-up tiles, mimicking Jackson’s own moves in the “Billie Jean” music video. April 5-Jan. 2011: “Strange Kozmic Experience” will explore the lives and cultural footprints of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Doors. Rising from distinctly different backgrounds yet united by a common love of the blues and rock and roll, together their music revolutionized, energized and concluded the 1960s. Through artifacts, films, original art, and photographs, Strange Kozmic Experience will explore the innovations, legacies and continual impact of the artists. Ongoing: “Roland Live” is a permanent installation courtesy of the electronic musical instrument maker, Roland Corporation. The exhibit gives visitors a chance to participate in the music-making process by playing a wide variety of Roland products, from V-Drums and BOSS pedals to VIMA keyboards and the MV-8800 Production Studio. Japanese American National Museum 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org. Through May 30: The experiences of early Issei in Hawaii are revealed and illuminated through examples of kimonos adapted for life and labor on Hawaii’s plantations in “Textured Lives: Japanese Immigrant Clothing from the Plantations of Hawai’i.” The exhibition interweaves priceless textiles from JANM’s permanent collection with rare oral histories and moving images, photographs and expert video commentary by scholar Barbara Kawakami. Ongoing: “Common Ground: The Heart of Community” chronicles 130 years of Japanese American history, from the early days of the Issei

March 8, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews pioneers to the present. Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org. Through May 3: “Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years” is a two-part exhibition that constitutes the largest-ever installation of MOCA’s permanent collection and reflects the museum’s early and ongoing commitment to bringing art of major historical significance and distinction to the public. Part one, on view at MOCA Grand Avenue, features works made between 1939 and 1979, organized chronologically. Permanent: Nancy Rubins’ cheekily and comprehensively titled “Chas’ Stainless Steel, Mark Thompson’s Airplane Parts, About 1000 Pounds of Stainless Steel Wire, Gagosian’s Beverly Hills Space, at MOCA (2001-2002)” is a monumental sculpture made out of parts of an airplane. Museum of Contemporary Art, The Geffen Contemporary 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org. Through May 3: “Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years” is a two-part exhibition that constitutes the largest-ever installation of MOCA’s permanent collection and reflects the museum’s early and ongoing commitment to bringing art of major historical significance and distinction to the public. The second part of Collection, on view at the Geffen, features works made during the last three decades—the period, beginning with the museum’s founding in 1979. Museum of Neon Art 136 W. Fourth St., (213) 489-9918 or neonmona.org. Through May 16: “Light Geist” is a group exhibit featuring illuminated works by Stephen Anderson, Epheta, Joella March, Linda Price, Randy Noborikawa and Treiops Treyfid. Through May 16: “So Cal Eats” features photographs from the book by John Eng and Adriene Biondo. Through May 16: James McDemas’ site-specific installation on large-scale found objects and neon signage. Ongoing: Before moving to Glendale, MONA is expanding its program and events series with an upcoming exhibition and retrospective by Bill Concannon, a site-specific installation by Jerico Woggon, a new musical series for emerging artists every Friday night called “Electric Pop” and a monthly photo competition on night photography for every Art Walk. Its first competition for the March 11th Art Walk is juried by Gary Leonard of Take My Picture Gallery. MONA’s facebook fan page.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763–3466 or nhm.org. Ongoing: After being absent for nearly four years for intensive cleaning and conservation, the spectacular Humboldt fin whale specimen returns home to the Museum in a newly renovated gallery. “Finwhale Passage” features the 63-foot-long specimen, which weighs more than 7,000 pounds. USC Fisher Museum of Art 823 Exposition Blvd. on the USC campus, (213) 7404561 or fishergallery.org. Through April 17: “Four Rooms and a View: USC’s Collection Highlights” showcases several areas of the museum’s collection, including the old master and contemporary landscape paintings and lesser-known works by contemporary Mexican masters Marta Palau and Demián Flores (closed March 12-26). Wells Fargo History Museum 333 S. Grand Ave., (213) 253-7166 or wellsfargohistory.com. Ongoing: Take in an Old West exhibit including a faux 19th-century Wells Fargo office, a reallife Concord stagecoach that once traversed windy southern Kentucky roads and a gold nugget weighing in at a shocking two pounds.

ART SPACES Current and Future art SpaCe exhibitionS and inFormation Bert Green Fine Art 102 W. Fifth St., (213) 624-6212 or bgfa.us. March 10-April 12: John U. Abrahamson’s “Flesh and Blood” includes 20 oils on wood and paper with a central installation work of the same title. The installation is steel, glass, wood, journals, blood and flesh: 650 suspended vials of the artist’s own blood and flesh create the shape of a prone human form that hovers three feet over 30 journals opened upon a table for the viewer to destroy — 15 years worth of the artist’s daily writings. Paul Guillemette’s “Found Food” features an array of sculptures comprised of found wood and other materials. Box Gallery 977 Chung King Road, (213) 625-1747 or theboxla.com. Through April 3: The gallery brings the works of Robert Mallary (1917-1997) back to Los Angeles for the first time since 1954. Mallary was interested in new materials and cutting edge technologies that would enable him to be on the forefront of art making. Freely blending figurative and abstract imagery in imposing, gritty assemblages Mallary created a unique body of work that is complex in material and form. China Art Objects 933 Chung King Road, (213) 613-0384 or chinaartobjects.com. Through March 13: The gallery presents new works by Jodie Mohr and Paul Cherwick. Crewest 110 Winston St., (213) 627-8272, crewest.com or thelabellab.com. Through March 28: “Revolutions” focuses on the New York City graffiti, fashion and cultural “revolutions” as birthed by TC-5, or The Cool 5. Fifth Floor 502 Chung King Court, (213) 687-8443 or fifthfloorgallery.com. March 13-April 17: “Science Pets, R.I.P.,” is a series of photographs by Bay Area artist Carol Selter that follows the lives of western tussock moths being raised in an artificial environment by a biology graduate student. Finding pathos in the attempts by the insects to live normally in such surroundings, Selter personifies the doomed caterpillars and moths to which she grew attached. g727 727 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9563 or gallery727losangeles.com. Through March 27: “What Remains of a Building,” organized by Ken Erlichman and Brandon LaBelle, deals with questions pertaining to the built environment, with a specific focus on Los Angeles. Gary Leonard 860 S. Broadway, takemypicture.com. March 11-April 30: Award-winning editorial cartoonist Doug Davis — creator of the Los Angeles Downtown News’ “Urban Scrawl” — opens a new show of cartoons at Gary Leonard’s Take My Picture gallery on March 11, coinciding with the March Art Walk. Ongoing: “The Billboard Show: Selling the SoCal Lifestyle” features photographic landscapes of the 1950s and 1960s. Hive Gallery and Studios 729 S. Spring St., (213) 955-9051 or thehivegallery.com. Through March: The gallery presents a group show of works inspired by Alice in Wonderland. L2kontemporary 990 N. Hill St. #205, (626) 319-3661 or l2kontemporary.com. March 13-April 10: “Perhaps” is the second solo exhibition of new work by Los Angeles based sculptor Steven Simon. Simon offers political commentary based on examination of the artist’s concerns

and trepidations. Los Angeles Center for Digital Art 107 W. Fifth St., (323) 646-9427 or lacda.com. March 11-April 3: LACDA presents new work by Pete Jackson featuring his ultrawide infrared panoramas of Los Angeles and beyond. Rouge Galerie 548 S. Spring St., Unit 108, (213) 489-7309. Ongoing: This gallery features the work of painter Sylvain Copon.

BARS & CLUBS The Association 610 S. Main St., (213) 627-7385. Carved out of the area that used to belong to Cole’s, the Association is a dimly lit, swank little alcove with some serious mixologists behind the bar. Look for a heavy door, a brass knocker, and a long line. Banquette 400 S. Main St., (213) 626-2768 or banquette-cafe.com. This petite cafe and wine bar with its red and white striped awning has become a popular hangout for casual evenings of drinking wine and meeting up with friends. During monthly Art Walks on the second Thursday of the month, Banquette buzzes with almost every kind of Downtown denizen you could imagine. They have a small but lovely selection of wines by the glass as well as beers. Barbara’s at the Brewery 620 Moulton Ave., No. 110, (323) 221-9204 or barbarasatthebrewery.com. On the grounds of the Brewery, this bar and restaurant in an unfinished warehouse is where local residents find their artistic sustenance. Beer on tap, wine list and full bar. Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace.com/bar107. Inside the keyhole-shaped door, tough-as-nails Derby Dolls vie for elbow room with crusty old bar guys and a steady stream of Old Bank District inhabitants. Velvet señoritas, deer heads with sunglasses, a wooden Indian and Schlitz paraphernalia plaster the red walls. There’s no shortage of entertainment, with the funky dance room, great DJs and the occasional rock band. Big Wang’s 801 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2449 or bigwangs.com. Wings, beer and sports: That’s the winning recipe at this sports bar. The Downtown outpost, the third for the Hollywood-based bar, has everything the other locations have, plus a comfortable patio with outdoor flat screens. Blue Velvet 750 S. Garland St., (213) 239-0061 or bluevelvetrestaurant.com. Located off a small side street, look for the blue neon sign that says The Flat. This stylish poolside restaurant and lounge features sparkling views of Staples Center, a dining room with a 17-foot sunken granite table, and a sleek bar with white stools where you can saddle up cowboy style. Bonaventure Brewing Company Westin Bonaventure, 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 2360802 bbc2go.com. Where can you get a drink, order some decent bar food, sit outdoors and still feel like you’re Downtown? It’s a tall order to fill, but this bar in the Bonaventure Hotel does it admirably. Sure, the hotel is vaguely ’80s, and you’ll probably encounter some convention goers tying a few on, but it only adds to the fun. Pub Quiz Trivia Night every Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. Bona Vista Lounge 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 624-1000 or starwoodhotels.com. Located in the heart of the Financial District in the landmark Westin Bonaventure Hotel, this revolving cocktail lounge offers a 360-degree view of the city. Bordello 901 E. First St., (213) 687-3766 bordellobar.com. If the name doesn’t clue you in, a sultry voiced “madam” on the answering machine lets you know Bordello isn’t exactly for the buttoned-up crowd. This onetime house of ill repute has shed its most recent life as Little Pedro’s with a gussied up interior oozing sex appeal — lush scarlet velvet, ornate black chandeliers and heart-shaped chairs in hidden alcoves. See Complete Listings on the Web at ladowntownnews.com/calendar.

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March 8, 2010

Messengers

Downtown News 21

DowntownNews.com detaining suspects. Thieves could be armed, warns Central Division Detective Mike Brausam, making citizen arrests more dangerous than they seem, even when the good samaritans outnumber the suspect. There is also some legal risk. Even when a suspect is caught in the act of a crime, taking their belongings and having them strip subjects the do-gooders to civil and criminal liability, Brausam said. “We appreciate them getting involved, but we want to make sure they’re doing it within legal limits of the law so they don’t get in trouble as well,” Brausam said. Secret Weapon The bike messengers have two distinct advantages over potential bike thieves. The first is their power in numbers. The second, and perhaps more important tool, is their communication system. All riders carry cell phones equipped with a radio-like service that allows them to blast out urgent messages to large

groups. Sometimes it’s a message from base about a package that needs urgent delivery. Other times, the riders use the system to alert each other of a theft in progress. Sitting among a group of riders, it can sound like a radio control room, with all their phones beeping and hissing. “Right when we hear that, it’s like, ‘What’s up?’” Mejia said. “We might be here, but somebody else is where they’re at.” While they know that some people take issue with their emerging brand of street justice, couriers such as Luis Osuna, 29, scoff at the notion that they are modern day vigilantes. “Vigilante? Come on man, we’ve been doing this stuff for a long time,” Osuna said. “We punk a couple of little kids and now it’s an issue. It’s not vigilante. We’re just looking out for Downtown. If your bike is Downtown, we’re going to keep our eye out. We wouldn’t want it to happen to anybody.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

Continued from page 1 And by now, much of Downtown has heard about the two high school kids who on Jan. 12, after allegedly trying to steal a $400 rim, got caught by a herd of Downtown messengers at Grand Avenue and Sixth Street. The pack of about 10 riders took the suspected thieves’ stuff — all of their stuff — and left them in their boxer shorts. If the act sounds cruel or like street justice, the messengers say the motive was not to steal anyone’s belongings. One messenger called the boys’ parents to tell them about the attempted theft, and another gave their clothes to a homeless shelter in Skid Row, said bike messenger Mario Mejia, 25. “When we get these kids, we’re not going to hurt them,” Mejia said. “We’re just going to teach them a big lesson, shock them in a way that they won’t want to do it again.” There are, no doubt, mixed reactions to the messengers’ actions. On one side, it’s a noticeable Downtown sub-group stepping up to protect private property and help out when police eyes can’t be everywhere. From another view, it verges on vigilantism, with allegations that justice is not being meted out fairly. Brother John Montgomery, the principal of Cathedral High School, said the boys who were stripped — both of them students at the school on the northern edge of Chinatown — maintain their innocence. “They feel they were picked on,” Montgomery said. “Neither of the boys have been in any disciplinary problems with the school. One of them felt so threatened by the incident that he no longer is enrolled here because he was too afraid to take the bus through Downtown. He lives in South Central.” But bike messenger Edgar Ramirez, 25, said he caught the two students unscrewing a wheel from a bicycle, which was locked only by its frame to a rack at 555 S. Flower St. “I caught them red-handed,” said Ramirez, who added that one of the teens had some small tools commonly used to work on bikes. Protecting All Riders The Downtown messengers, who between assignments often congregate at a bench on Hope Street between on approved credit Second and Third streets, work for a variety of courier Buy for just $262/mo for 60 MONTHS! companies that do business in and around the Central 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA LE Model 1838A $1228 down plus tax & license, City. A distinct bond rooted in their two-wheeled, fastModel 1838A $262/mo for 60 months. on approved credit paced profession seems to bind most of them into a sort of MSRP - $17,950 Tier 3 and above. Buy for just $335/mo for 60 MONTHS! Toyota Central Discount $1,462 unspoken fraternity. 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY LE Model 2532A $1297 down plus tax & license, Model 2532A Plenty of them claim to have been involved in similar pubSALE PRICE: $16,488 $335/mo for 60 months. 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Notice PUBLIC of Availability of Draft NOTICE Environmental Document and Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Announcement of Document Public and Comment Announcement of Public Comment Period for the Interstate (Harbor Period for the Interstate 110110 (Harbor Freeway / Transitway) High High Freeway / Transitway) Occupancy Toll Lanes Project Occupancy Toll Lanes Project PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Document and Announcement of Public Comment Period for the Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway / Transitway) High Occupancy Toll Lanes Project

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in cooperation with Los Angeles County Metropolitan What’s Being Transportation Agency (Metro) proposes to convert the existing High Occupancy Vehicle Lane into a High Planned? Occupancy Toll Lane on Interstate 110. Caltrans has studied the effects that the proposed project may have on the environment and community. The results of these studies are contained in an Why environmental document known as an Environmental This Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA). Ad? The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of its completion and availability to any interested individuals. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

KUSC Continued from page 1 number one nationally for the first time. It’s been there ever since, and now claims 785,000 weekly listeners. “I’d love to say it’s our brilliant programming genius, and certainly you have to have extremely high quality programming,” said Brenda Barnes, president of USC radio, “but other external factors are key too, and [KMZT’s switch] was absolutely key.” In the eyes of some radio industry observers, however, there’s a lingering shadow over the rankings: Arbitron has been under fire since it switched its ratings methodology in 2008, abandoning the longtime diary method in which listeners tracked their radio habits in a journal. Now, Arbitron utilizes electronic devices known as Portable People Meters, which register whatever radio frequencies a person is exposed to. Officials with some stations, including Santa Monica-based powerhouse KCRW, which ranked fourth in listenership among local public outlets in the most recent rankings, have sharply criticized Arbitron’s new methodology, according to published reports. Questions have been raised about the accuracy of its numbers after the people meters indicated a steep drop in listeners for some stations. Barnes believes the people meter system resulted in an uptick in KUSC listenership because people carrying the device who may not care for classical music are nevertheless exposed to the signal in public places tuned to 91.5 FM. But she attributes most of the growing audience to the KMZT departure, and a dedicated staff committed to programming that appeases a broad audience. “We have a broad coverage area and we have a strong signal, but none of that matters too much unless you have really good programming to put on the signal,” Barnes said. Sonic Landscape KUSC began in 1946 in a small room on the campus of USC as a student station, back when the broadcast day included a 9 a.m. morning chapel service. The station became part of the National Public Radio system in the early 1970s, and in 1973 changed formats to classical music. The KUSC antenna is perched atop Mt. Harvard in the San Gabriel Mountains, but its broadcast reach extends further thanks to transmitters in Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs and Santa Clarita. Most of the station’s day is devoted to a steady diet of Western classical music’s biggest names, Beethoven, Bach and Mozart chief among them (Mozart gets his own hour, from noon-1 p.m. every weekday during the “Mozart Mix”). There are also occasional live or recorded broadcasts of performances by the L.A. Philharmonic and other local orchestras. Playlists are coordinated by various hosts and overseen by programming director Gail Eichenthal. Some are pre-recorded, and others are broadcast on the go. Hosts offer tidbits about the music between pieces, and listeners get some nuggets of pop culture too: Recently, host Jim Svejda interviewed the musicians behind the Academy Award-nominated score for The Hurt Locker. Though KUSC counts classical music aficionados among its audience, the largest piece of its listener pie is made up of people who likely don’t know Brahms from Ravel, nor do they much care to study the difference. “Classical music on the radio is largely an entry medium,” said KUSC host Charles Andrews. “You have plenty of people who know a lot about it who come to us and expect certain things, but there are even more people… who know very little or nothing formal about it. They just know they like it.” Thus the station tends toward the tonal and shies from the kind of music that bends

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in cooperation with LosAngeles Angeles County Metropolitan The EIR/EA is available review and copying at the in cooperation with Losfor County Metropolitan District 7 Division of Environmental Planningthe eingWhat’s Transportation Agency (Metro) proposes to convert the Being Caltrans Transportation Agency (Metro) proposes to convert What’s (100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles) on weekdays from existing High Occupancy Vehicle Lane into a High Planned? existing 8:00 High Vehicle Lane into a High d? Available? a.m. toOccupancy 4:30Lane p.m.on Interstate Occupancy Toll 110. Do youToll have comments regarding thethe EIR/EA? Do Occupancy Lane on 110. Caltrans hasany studied the Interstate effects that proposed you disagree with the findings of the studies? Would project may have on the environment and community. Caltransyou has studied that thethe proposed care to make any the other effects comments about The results of these studies are contained in an project? Please submit any written comments no later Why Where environmental as an Environmental project may have onto:theknown environment and community. than March 29, document 2010 This Do Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA). The Ad? results of these studies are contained in an You The purpose this notice is to inform the public of its Mr. RonofKosinski Come environmental document an Environmental completion and to anyasinterested Deputy Districtavailability Director known In? California Department of Transportation Impact individuals. Report/ Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA). Division of Environmental Planning The EIR/EA is available for review and copying at the 100of South Main Street MSis16A The purpose this notice to inform the public of its Caltrans District 7 Division of Environmental Planning Los Angeles, CA 90012 What’s completion and to from any interested (100 S. Main Street, availability Los Angeles) on weekdays Available? A public hearing will be held to allow any interested 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. individuals an opportunity to discuss certain design individuals.

s e?

features of the with regarding Caltrans the staffEIR/EA? before the Do you have anyproject comments Do final design and The Would public you disagree with alternative the findingsisofselected. the studies? hearing willtobemake held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the you care any other comments about the Andrew Norman Hall, Los Angeles Orthopaedic project? Please submit any written comments no later Hospital Foundation, 2400 South Flower Street, Los than March 29, 2010 to: Angeles, CA 90007, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The EIR/EA is available for review and copying at the Caltrans District 7 Division of Environmental Planning Where (100 Do S. Main Street, Los Angeles) on weekdays from You a.m. 8:00 4:30 p.m. please contact Ron Kosinski For to additional Mr. Roninformation, Kosinski Contact

When and Where?

Come at (213) 897-0703. Deputy District Director In? you have any comments regarding the EIR/EA? Do Do Department of Transportation Thank you for California your interest in this transportation project. Caltrans improves mobility across California! Division of Environmental Planning you disagree with the findings of the studies? Would 100 South Main Street MS 16A you care toLos make any Angeles, CA 90012other comments about the project?A public Please submit anyto written comments no later hearing will be held allow any interested individuals an opportunity to discuss certain design than March 29, 2010 to: features of the project with Caltrans staff before the When and final design and alternative is selected. The public Where? hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the Mr. Ron Kosinski Andrew Norman Hall, Los Angeles Orthopaedic Deputy District Director Hospital Foundation, 2400 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007, from 6:00 pmof to 8:00 pm. California Department Transportation

For additional information, please contact Ron Kosinski Division of Environmental Planning at (213) 897-0703. South Main Street MS project. 16A Thank100 you for your interest in this transportation Caltrans improves mobility California! Los Angeles, CA across 90012 A public hearing will be held to allow any interested individuals an opportunity to discuss certain design features of the project with Caltrans staff before the

Contact

March 8, 2010

the rules of harmony, structure and instrumentation. Hosts avoid musicological language so as not to alienate the casual listener, exploring more universally accessible information about the music, Andrews said. The approach has had an impact in areas arguably more important than the ratings: KUSC just completed one of its most successful pledge drives, with 10,491 member donations raising $1.1 million. It was the first time the station topped 10,000 pledges, Barnes said. But to some trained ears, KUSC’s focus on masterworks and familiar sounds has its flaws. “They’re talking to people who equate a classical music station with wallpaper,” said Alan Rich, the former classical music critic for the L.A. Weekly and a onetime contributor to KUSC (he blogs now at soiveheard. com). “It’s this sort of continual parade of masterpieces across your living room.” Eichenthal said KUSC’s playlists are driven largely by what the audience seems to crave, and their preferences are tracked through listener letters, calls and emails. “My personal taste is much more adventurous than what you hear on KUSC during the course of a 12-hour day, but this really isn’t about my personal choice,” Eichenthal said. “It’s about what our core audience wants to hear. Having said that, a little spirit of adventure I think is a good thing.” One way the station promotes more contemporary music is composer and host Alan Chapman’s two-hour “Modern Times” show on Saturday nights. That’s when listeners might hear a little Elliot Carter, or more likely, music by composers many listeners don’t know. Then there are the occasional broadcasts of L.A. Phil concerts, which tend to include a mix of masterworks and new music. As for the schedule, Eichenthal and her staff select playlists largely based on the time of day and what listeners are likely doing while tuning in. A Mahler symphony that clocks in at more than 80 minutes, for example, wouldn’t run in the morning as people are preparing for work and moving about the house. Instead, the early hours tend to get a steady rotation of shorter pieces. Long orchestral works, Barnes said, generally fare better in the evenings or on weekends. Corporate Downturn As the ongoing economic slump has hampered many nonprofits, KUSC has stayed relatively strong largely through its membership, Barnes said. The station has also benefited, somewhat ironically, from the fact that it has a relatively small endowment of about $1 million. While many nonprofits rely on revenue generated by large endowments, KUSC taps membership contributions to cover 70% of its operating costs, Barnes said. The station’s budget is about $6 million. “Where we have been hurt in the economy is corporate support is down,” Barnes said. “But because membership has held up well and we’re not endowment-dependent, we’ve been able to make cuts more around the edges that people wouldn’t notice to compensate for the decline in corporate support.” Budget cuts included cancellation of mailings, staff travel and computer upgrades, Barnes said. Going forward, the station is looking to diversify its broadcast platform, adding features to its website and developing a media master plan. The station has already launched an iPhone application that allows users to stream KUSC, and Barnes just completed a doctorate in Planning and Development Studies at USC, a program that prepared her to engineer that new media plan. “It became clear to me about five years ago that this old dog needed to learn some new tricks, so the degree became a way for me to do that,” she said. “It’s never a good idea to rest on your laurels, and if you try you don’t have your laurels for very long.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

March 8, 2010

Downtown News 23

DowntownNews.com

Lofts Continued from page 1 with rents from $1,200-$3,000. Kat Pytka, a leasing agent at the building (and a tenant), said full occupancy is expected in about a month. Residences in the 1922, five-story building boast concrete floors, original windows, Italian blue glass tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms and high ceilings. Most of the lofts have what Ravan calls a “mezzanine” level, a raised portion in the main living space that can serve as an office or bedroom. Penthouses on the fifth floor have a “pop up” level, a second-floor room that leads to a private rooftop patio. There is also a rooftop dog run, a community area with a gas grill and a fitness center. The Emil Brown Lofts is the first Downtown development for Ravan’s Los Angeles-based company. Previously, Ravan, who had two partners for this project, had fo-

cused on real estate services such as property management and consulting. He had also worked on other developments mostly in Hollywood and West Hollywood. Ravan’s group bought the Fashion District building in 2001 for $5 million. The transformation took two years. “I would say our biggest challenge was going through the city process, the permitting,” Ravan said. “It took a long time to go through getting city inspections and approvals.” Although the transformation took place as the recession was in full swing, and numerous Downtown housing projects tumbled into bankruptcy, Ravan said the Emil Brown Lofts was able to push through thanks to help from its lender. “We were lucky we had a good relationship with Manufacturers Bank, who has been a great supporter of all of our projects and extended our construction loan and didn’t put any pressure on us, which was a tremendous positive,” he said. New Block The project includes 13,000 square feet of

ground-floor retail space. A Subway restaurant and Starbucks already fill 3,000 square feet, with the remainder occupied by garment businesses. But Ravan said that is likely to change soon, as he will jump on the opportunity to begin to transform the block that is now a bustling fashion hub into a more resident friendly space. “We’re exploring the replacement of some fabric stores when their leases come up with more service-oriented businesses, like a salon, tanning spa or wine bar,” he said. The project was designed by David Gray, a Santa Monica-based architect with extensive experience in Downtown Los Angeles, including transformations of the Tomahawk Building and the Orpheum lofts. Gray said the Emil Brown Lofts, named after the original developer of the building, stands out even among his list of projects. “We’ve done 400 lofts Downtown and this is far and away the most interesting because of the way we treated the depth and the raised platforms and the view out over the top,” he said, referring to the mezzanines, which were built to take advantage of the light. The project does not include any onsite parking. However, there is a parking lot attached to the edifice that is managed by an outside company. Residents can reserve a

space for $125 a month. Deal and Design Although the interiors underwent extensive renovation, relatively little was done to the outside portions of the property. “We didn’t find any real need to change the exterior. We cleaned it up, reinforced the architecture that was there,” Gray said. “It has its own character, so why mess with it?” They also haven’t messed around when it comes to leasing the lofts. Ravan said there has been little advertising, with just an open house in January, a few online postings and a rent sign on the roof. “I think our prices, compared to what I’ve seen, are good and make a good combination with the ceiling heights and the style of the lofts,” Ravan said. Indeed, it was the bang for the buck, along with the design, that steered 38-year-old Ben Blair away from other Downtown buildings in favor of a 950-square-foot unit at the Emil Brown building. He was one of the first tenants to move in, arriving in January. “What I found in this particular space, besides the style, which is just fantastic, was more space for the money than I could find in the Valley or Hollywood area,” he said. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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L.A. Downtown News Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448 Classified Display & Line ads Deadlines: Thursday 12 pm REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL Homes for Sale FORECLOSED HOME Auction. 150+ Homes / March 20. Open House: March 6, 13, & 14, 2010. View Full Listings. www.Auction. com. (Cal-SCAN) lofts for sale

Buying, Leasing or Selling a Loft?

TheLoftGuys.net LA’s #1 Loft Site

“Be wary of out of area companies. Check with the local Better Business Bureau before you send any money for fees or services. Read and understand any contracts before you sign. Shop around for rates.”

REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL

Acreage/Lots 20 ACRE RANCH Foreclosures Near Booming El Paso, Texas. Was $16,900 Now $12,856. $0 Down, assume payments, $159/ month. Beautiful views, owner financing. Free map/pictures 1-800-343-9444. (Cal-SCAN) BANK OWNED Land! 10 acres. Fish Lake Valley, NV. $39,750. Substantial discount, gorgeous views. Great recreational opportunities, upscale ranch community. Rainbow Trout creek frontage. Financing available to qualified buyers. 1-877-2365204. (Cal-SCAN)

TheLoftExpertGroup.com Downtown since 2002

Bill Cooper

213.598.7555

BEST VALUE Hollywood. New construc. 4 townhouses. 5936 Barton Ave. Start at $575,000. NO HOA. 3BR/3BA, HDWD flrs., frpl. OPEN HOUSE Sat./Sun. til sold. 12-4. PICS at ladowntownnews.com. (818) 430-1314

FOR RENT

ALA 99¢/Sq. Ft. High Rise Office Space Walking distance to Metro Station, Social Security Office, Immigration Office, and Jewelry District. Close to 110 &101 Fwy. On site security guard.

213-892-0088

retail space lease/sale

Retail Store Front Starting at $1000 gross rent Downtown LA 1240/2500 sq.ft., 20ft ceiling, water included, central AC w/private restroom. Call Pierre or Terri at 818-212-8333 or 213-744-9911

Free Rent Nice 1 Bdrms from $775 Gated entry. All new decor. North Hollywood

Apartments/Unfurnished

Milano Lofts Now Leasing!

• Gorgeous Layouts • 10-15’ Ceilings • Fitness Center • Wi-Fi Rooftop Lounge • Amazing Views 6th + Grand Ave. • 213.627.1900 milanoloftsla.com FREE RENT SPECIALS (O.A.C.) New downtown luxury apartments with granite kitchens, marble baths, pool, spa, saunas & free parking. 888-736-7471. Free ReNT SPECIALS @ the Medici. Penthouse 1 & 2 bdrm apts. Granite kitchens, washer/ dryers, business center, 2 pools, spa! Visit TheMedici.com for a full list of amenities. Call 888886-3731.

Condos/unfurnished

Savoy

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, New Paint/New Carpet, Clubhouse Amenities, Gym, Pool/Spa, All Appliances, Was./Dryr., 1 Park/Space, Secure & Gated.

$1600 (310) 215-0788

Highland Park

Specials!

Office space lease/sale

Call 213-625-1313 Condos/Townhouses

All submissions are subject to federal and California fair housing laws, which make it illegal to indicate in any advertisement any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income or physical or mental disability. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Charming condo gated community, 2+2, fireplace, pool, sauna, BBQ, laundry, parking, near freeway. Some utilities included.

$1290

Good credit only.

Construction FOREMEN TO LEAD Utility Field Crews. Outdoor physical work, many positions, paid training, $17-22/hr. plus performance bonuses after promotion, company truck and benefits. Must have strong leadership skills, good driving history and be able to travel for extended periods in California and western States. Email resume to Recruiter25@ osmose.com or apply online at www.OsmoseUtilities.com. (CalSCAN)

Call (323) 225-6511 Continued on next page

(310) 922-5437

Loft/Unfurnished

EMPLOYMENT

THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

Old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts from $1,100 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge Call 213.253.4777 LAloft.com

REAL ARTIST LOFTS 14001700 Sq. Ft., $1800-$1975/mo. High ceilings, hardwood floors, fireplace, pool/spa, gated parking, laundry, sorry no dogs, Open House Sundays 12-3pm @ 1250 Long Beach Ave. 213629-5539.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

26 Downtown News

March 8, 2010

Twitters/DowntownNews

Continued from previous page

EMPLOYMENT

SeaSonal

General AUTOMOTIVE Great jobs in downtown LA! Full time or part time. Two blocks south of the Staples Center at Figueroa & Venice. Toyota Central is growing! Sales Associates - all levels. Internet Associates. Service Technicians. Service Consultants. Drivers. Cashiers. Receptionists. Bilingual Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern and women encouraged to apply. Great compensation package and employee benefits. Please call 800-597-5516 or send resume to autosuccess@ aol.com. EOE.

the loft expert! group

HAP - ALASKA Rail Services hiring for summer season in Alaska! Food & Beverage, Maintenance and Retail Staff needed MaySept. www.AlaskaTourJobs.com EOE. (Cal-SCAN)

DriverS TRUCK DRIVERS: CDL training. Part-time driving job. Fulltime benefits. Get paid to train in the California Army National Guard. May qualify for bonus. www.NationalGuard.com/Truck or 1-800-GO-GUARD. (CalSCAN)

ANDRUS TRANSPORTATION Team & Solo OTR drivers - West states exp/hazmat end, great miles/hometime. Stable Family owned 35 yrs+ 1-800-888-5838, 1-866-806-5119 x1402. (CalSCAN) SLT NEEDS CLASS A Team Drivers with Hazmat. $2,000 Bonus. Split $0.68 for all miles. Regional contractor positions available. 1-800-835-9471. (CalSCAN)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ESTABLISHED International Nutrition Company, expanding into the USA. Looking for top leaders! Minimal investment,$299.00. Offering an extra lucrative compensation package! www.ionique.com Bruce (888) 464-6642. (Cal-SCAN)

BuSineSS opportunitieS ALL CASH VENDING! Be Your Own Boss! Your Own Local Vending Route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy for $9,995. MultiVend LLC, 1-888-625-2405. (Cal-SCAN)

SERVICES

IF YOU USED Type 2 Diabetes Drug AVANDIA and Suffered a Stroke or Heart Attack. You may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727. (Cal-SCAN) Psychotherapy for adults and couples. Some insurances accepted. 5th & Grand. CA License LCS21567. Info at (310) 283-9027. (310) 283-9027

nOtICe OF pUBlIC HeaRInG

Downtown since 2002

Don't settle for anyone less experienced! Call us today!

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (CRA/LA), REGARDING THE SALE OF CRA/LA-OWNED LAND PURSUANT TO A DISPOSITION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, WHICH LAND IS LOCATED AT 1601 NORTH VINE STREET IN THE HOLLYWOOD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA (CD13), IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Bill Cooper • 213.598.7555 • TheLoftExpertGroup.com

roSSlyn hotel

1 month* *Limited time offer: when you sign 6 month lease.

The Disposition and Development Agreement will provide for the sale of the CRA/LA-owned parcel located at 1601 North Vine Street in the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area (CD13). The sale of the CRA/LA-owned parcel is based on the fair reuse value of the parcel. Draft version of the proposed Disposition and Development Agreement is available for public review at CRA/LA’s office located at 354 S. Spring Street, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California.

Unfurnished rooms starting at $480 a month Laundry on site. All utilities included. 112 W 5th St., los angeles, Ca 90013 213.503.7449 • www.rosslynstudios.com

We are hiring, Not downsizing. Bus. to Bus. commercial collection sales. Guaranteed weekly rate + commissions on every deal. $300 Signing Bonus. Downtown LA. 213.621.2394

Massage/Acupressure $40 (1 Hour) 2551 W. Beverly Blvd. LA, CA, 90057 (Beverly Rampart)

Tel: 213-383-7676

QUALITY LICENSED Full-day childcare available at Joy Picus or Harry Pregerson centers. Infants 5 years. (213) 978-0026 (213) 894-1556. cleaninG CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183.

HIGH SCHOOL Diploma! Graduate in 4 weeks! Free Brochure. Call Now! 1-866-562-3650 ext. 60 www.SouthEasternHS.com. (Cal-SCAN)

ADVERTISE ONLINE in a network of 50-plus newspaper websites. Border to Border with one order! $7 cost per thousand impressions statewide. Minimum $5,000 order. Call for details: (916) 288-6010. www. CaliforniaBannerAdNetwork. com. (Cal-SCAN) CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING in 240 Cal-SCAN newspapers for the best reach, coverage, and price. 25-words $550. Reach over 6 million Californians! Free email brochure. Call (916) 2886019. www.Cal-SCAN.com. (Cal-SCAN) DISPLAY ADVERTISING in 140 Cal-SDAN newspapers statewide for $1,550! Reach over 3 million Californians! Free email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SDAN.com. hoMe iMproveMent PAINTING SERVICES UNLIMITED Design/Color/Finish Loft Painting Experts. Since 1974. Staining-Distressing lep8ntr@ yahoo.com. Impeccable References. (818) 956-0609.

FoR Rent

Notice is hereby given that on Thursday, March 18, 2010, beginning at the hour of 10:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California, will conduct a public hearing at the offices of the CRA/LA, 354 South Spring Street, Suite 600, Los Angeles, California 90013, regarding the sale of CRA/LA-owned land to 1601 North Vine, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to a proposed Disposition and Development Agreement.

FRee

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The meeting is being held pursuant to the Health and Safety Code Section 33431 and is open to the public.

Children’s Performing Group

At any time before the date and time set forth in this notice for public hearing, any written comments on the proposed Disposition and Development Agreement may be filed in the offices of the CRA/ LA. All persons wishing to comment at the public hearing will be given an opportunity to appear and be heard. 3/8, 3/15/10 CNS-1806079#

Sunshine Generation Singing, dancing, performing and fun! For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

Monthly from $550 utilities paid. (213) 612-0348

崔Roof Michael Choi Roofing

Since 1972 • FRee estimate Reroof, Repairs • Lic. #C-39-588045

323-229-3320 (C) 323-722-1646 (B) attorneyS

ABOGADO DE IMMIGRACION! Family, Criminal, P.I. for more than 20 yrs! Child Support / Custody Necesita Permiso de trabajo? Tagalog / Español / Korean

Get your Green carD or citiZenShip Law Office of H. Douglas Daniel Esq., (213) 689-1710

LAw OffICEs Of gordon & gordon Injured at work? Stress at work. (310) 474-8100 10801 National Blvd. #106 Los Angeles, CA 90064 24 Hours

health inSurance AFFORDABLE FAMILY Health Insurance Now Available in California. Health and Dental Insurance Starting at $139. Call 800571-3165 x108 for a quick quote or goto www.AgentBenefitTeam. com. (Cal-SCAN)

LOFT LIVING

Your number 1 source for Loft sales, rentals and development! Downtownnews.com

Casaloma L.A. Apartments

QUIET STREET 10 Min. E. of Downtown, 2Bd, 1Ba, Liv. rm, Din. Rm. Parking, Gated, 5 min. to Metro Gold Line

RENTAL $1400 Mo.

Ask for Juan (323) 246-1046 Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator. Full bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

Monthly from $695 utilities paid. (213) 627-1151

Clean unfurnished bachelor rooms with shared bath at $550/mo. with private bath $695/mo. 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

madison hotel Clean furnished single rooms. 24-hour desk clerk service. •Daily, $25.00 •Weekly, $99.00 •Monthly, $295.00 (213) 622-1508 423 East 7th St.

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.)

Do you have something to sell?

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

Ad Prices

________________________________________________

(Marketplace and Automotive Categories ONLY) • Items under $300 • Items $301 to $500 • Items $501 to $1200 • Items $1201 to $2000 • Items $2001+…

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

FREE! $11.50 $14.00 $16.50 $19.00

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

All ads run for 2 weeks. Ads may be renewed after two weeks for 50% off the original price of the ad.

With a circulation of State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

47,000,

our classifieds get results!

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

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

March 8, 2010

Downtown News 27

DowntownNews.com

AUTOS

Autos Wanted

PRE-OWNED

Downtown L.A. AUTO GROUP Porsche Volkswagen Audi Mercedes-Benz Nissan chevrolet cadillac

06 BEETLE CONV. 28 HWY MPG. 28,406 miles. Leather, alloy wheels, package 1, CD, power top, VIN 312745. $13,888. Call 888-781-8102 2006 MBZ SLK280 Silver/Black certified stock#4530C VIN #108686 $23,995. 888-3198762 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA stock NI3477-1 VIN #6Z297822. $22,999. Call 888-838-5089. 2007 AUDI A4 2.0T premium pkg., leather, moonroof, stkZA9641, VIN7A149163, $15,888. Call 888-583-0981

DONATE YOUR CAR: Children’s Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child’s Life Through Research & Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible. Call 1-800-252-0615. (CalSCAN) DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! Receive Free Vacation Voucher. United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info Free Towing, Tax Deductible, NonRunners Accepted, 1-888-4685964. (Cal-SCAN)

PETS/ANIMALS Adopt A Pet 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.

2007 CARRERA COUPE Black/ blk, certified pre-owned, tiptronic, 21K miles. VIN710520. 888685-5426 2008 TOYOTA YARIS SEDAN Automatic, Air, Cruise, CD, Premium Sound, ABS (4-wheel), Alloy wheels stock #UC518Rvin037040. $9,997. 888-879-9608.

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

Misc. Items

Special Events

SELLING THREE INK PICTURES ON WOOD for $200. Eagle, Indian woman, wolf. 213-400-7809

SONY HOLLAND DUO: Great music for your event or party. Guitar, vocal jazz. Contact sony@sonyholland.com for info. 213 241 9015

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LEGAL

Notices BECOME DIETARY Manager (average annual salary $40,374) in eight months in online program offered by Tennessee Technology Center, Elizabethton. Details www.TTCElizabethton.edu, 1-888-986-2368 or email: patricia.roark@ttcelizabethton.edu. (Cal-SCAN) Volunteer Opportunities Helping kids heal. Free Arts for Abused Children is looking for volunteers to integrate the healing power of the arts into the lives of abused and at-risk children and their families. Today is the day to get involved! Contact Annie at volunteers@freearts.org or 310313-4278 for more information.

Fictitious Business Name Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 20100196493 The following persons doing business as: PAWS AND THE CITY, 408 S. Spring Street, Unit #801, Los Angeles, CA 90013, are hereby registered by the following registrants: 1) David Salgado, 408 S. Spring Street, Unit #801, Los Angeles, CA 90013. 2) Perla Araceli Hernandez, 408 S. Spring Street, Unit #801, Los Angeles, CA 90013 This business is conducted by a general partnership. Registrants has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names

listed herein. This statement was filed with DEAN LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on February 11, 2010. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Profes-

sions Code). Pub. 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22/10 Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 20100278441 The following person is doing business as: 1) LADowntownNews.com 2) DowntownNews. com, 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026, are hereby registered by the following registrant: CIVIC CENTER NEWS, INC. 1264 W. First Street, LA CA 90026. This business is conducted by a corporation. . Registrants began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on April 3, 2000.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 2, 2010. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29/2010

Free Rent! ELEGANT WORLD CLASS RESORT BRAND NEW APARTMENT HOMES

Orsini

IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! studios from $1,685* • 1 bedroom from $1,818* • 2 bedroom from $2,212*

ITEMS FOR SALE

*Availability and prices are subject to change at any time.

Lawn & Garden/Farm Equip NEW NORWOOD SawmillsLumberMate-Pro handles logs 34” diameter, mills boards 28” wide. Automated quick-cyclesawing increases efficiency up to 40%! www.NorwoodSawmills. com/300N 1-800-661-7746 ext. 300N. (Cal-SCAN)

On Spring St.

Spring Tower Lofts:

1850 sqft, open LOFT w/views $2950/mo. • 17 ft ceilings • Live/Work space • 14 story Bldg. • Rooftop garden terrace w/city view • Pet friendly

• Lavish Fountains and Sculptures • Free Tanning Rooms • Concierge Service • 24 Hour Doorman • 24/7 On-site Management • Free DSL Computer Use Available • Free Wi-Fi • Magnificent City Views • On-Site Private Resident Park with Sand Volleyball Court, Workout Stations, BBQ’s and Jogging Track

• Brunswick Four Lane Virtual Bowling • Full Swing Virtual Golf • 3100 Square Foot Cybex Fitness Facility • Massage Room, Sauna and Steam Room • Rooftop Pools with Dressing Room • Free Abundant Gated and Garage Parking • Business Center, Conference Room • Directors Screening Room

Premiere Towers:

UNITS FEATURE:

3 bdrms/2 bath, $2100/mo. • Rooftop garden terrace/GYM w/city view • 24 hr. doorman • free (1) parking

Private Washer and Dryer • Fully Equipped Gourmet Kitchens Maple European Style Cabinetry • Granite Counter Tops Natural Stone Marble Counter Baths

City Lofts:

I c o n i c B e au t y

800 sqft, 13 ft ceilings, $1425/mo. • Granite marble top • Stainless steel appliances/ refrigerator etc. • Pet friendly

S e e k s S t y l i s h M at e

We are located in a prime area in Downtown LA nice neighborhood w/ salon, market, café etc. Wired for high speed internet & cable, central heat & A/C

Please call 213.627.6913 www.cityloftsquare.com

Offices • Offices • Offices • Offices

NOW LEASING

FROM $1,250’s/Mo. Free Parking ROOFTOP GARDEN RETREAT WITH BBQ AND LOUNGE GRAND LOBBY • FITNESS CENTER • SPA MODERN KITCHEN w/CAESAR COUNTERTOPS HIGH SPEED INTERNET DESIGNER LIVING SPACES • PET FRIENDLY • DRAMATIC VIEWS WALKING DISTANCE TO RALPHS SUPERMARKET

756 S. Broadway • Downtown Los Angeles 213-892-9100 • chapmanf lats.com

Burbank • Brentwood Century City • Downtown L.A. Woodland Hills

Pricing subject to change without notice.

Orsini

550 NORTH FIGUEROA ST. LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 OPEN DAILY

877-267-5911

WWW.THEORSINI.COM

Locations Nationwide

Information available to qualified prospective tenants. 8 7 7 Email - 4 Lrequest A - L OtoF T S Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com mdavis@shammasgroup.com Guess where Nicole lovesor call (213) to eat sushi746-6300 and WIN!

Fictitious Business Name Statements:

Only $85. For 4 insertions

Call (213) 481-1448 for details. (Note: The Downtown News does not perform filing services)

Additional Features: Kitchen Facilities, All Support Services, Great Views, Free Conference Room Hours, Fully Trained Staff, Cost Effective.

Jenny Ahn (213) 996-8301 jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com

RENTING • BUYING • LIVING

Since 2001, LoftLivingLA.com has been helping people live in Downtown’s best condos, lofts & apartments!

8 7 7 - 4 L A- LO F TS

RENTING • BUYING • LIVING

Since 2001, LoftLivingLA.com has been helping people live in Downtown’s best condos, lofts & apartments!

Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com

8Visit7us7online - 4atLwww.LoftLivingLA.com A- LO F TS

Guess One of Elicia’s Favorite Cafe Hang-Outs and WIN!

Guess Ted’s Favorite Frozen Yogurt Hang-Out and WIN!

Take us home 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.

Luxury Living

LOFTS • RENT • LOFTS • RENT Living Outrageously For Today!® SPECIAL MOVE IN -

TWO WEEKS FREE RENT AND LOW DEPOSIT.

Studios: $925 1 Bdrms $1,056 2 Bdrms $1,321

Income and Program Guidelines Apply. Call for Details. High Rise Apartment, Pool, Fitness Center, Subterranean Parking (Additional), Great Location, 2 blocks to Staples Center.

Real Artist Lofts available in original 18 unit Downtown Artist Loft bldg. close to Southern Cal. School of Architecture. Starting at approximately 1200 to 2100 Sq. ft. large open space with new kit and bath. Laundry, gated parking and intercom entry from $1200. DRE #01706351

Since 2001, LoftLivingLA.com has been helping people live in Downtown’s best condos, lofts & apartments!

Services Include: • Reception • Mail • T-1 • State-of-the-Art Voice Mail & Telephone • Westlaw • Fax • Photocopy • More

Living Outrageously DOWNTOWN SOUTH PARK For Today!® Affordable Program DRE #01706351

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Guess where Drew prefers to eat Mexican food and WIN!

Top floor of 11 story (18,000 SF) historic building available now! Perfect for corporate hqtrs. Features separate executive suite(s). Stunning views of LA two blocks away from Staples Center and across the street from the new LA Live complex. We have approximately 7,800 square feet of space open with offices along the exterior. Full kitchen with dishwasher, high exposed ceilings and stained floors. The building also has approx 4,000 sq ft of beautiful contiguous space and some small offices available. These spaces RENTING • BUYING • LIVING can be viewed by appointment.

Fully Furnished/Corporate ID Programs Flexible Terms/All New Suites

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1427 E. 4th St. Contact Julie at (323) 261-1099

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THAI MASSAGE SPECIALIST

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Professional massage for men Lance Buys $2 & Guess women.where Services include Books in Downtown and WIN! Thai Massage, Shiatsu Massage, Swedish Oil Massage, Foot Massage, Sauna, Steam, and more. Lounge area.

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MILANO LOFTS Now Leasing! 8 7 7 - 4 L A- LO F TS Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com

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Health Dept. rank A for 7 Consecutive Years

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6th+Grand Ave. • milanoloftsla.com • 213.627.1900

28 Downtown News

March 8, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

We Got Games The Pac-10 Tournament Is Back at Staples Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/lakers. March 9, 7:30 p.m.: The Lakers’ only home game this week is against Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors. Although they won’t see Staples Center for a while after that, the Purple and Gold can rest easy in a week with only two games. On March 12, they’ll look to cool down the firepower of Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire when they visit the Phoenix Suns. Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St.,

(213) 742-7100 or nba.com/clippers. The Clippers are on the road all week, and they’ve got a packed schedule: First up are Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic (March 9), followed by Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat (March 10). This is the first real road trip for the team since trading Marcus Camby, and is an opportunity for the guys to gel. They’ll also play the Charlotte Bobcats (March 12) and the always-tough San Antonio Spurs (March 13). Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., 1 (888) KINGS-LA or kings.nhl.com.

March 8, 7 p.m.; March 14, noon: Anze Kopitar and the Kings kicked off the post-Olympics stretch with a big win over Dallas. They look to continue the momentum as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets, then head to Chicago (March 10) and back to Dallas (March 12), before rounding out the week with a Sunday matinee against the Nashville Predators. Pac-10 Tournament Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., staplescenter.com. March 10-13: The Pacific Life Pac10 Tournament brings college hoops action to Staples all week. The league has been lousy this year, and only one team may make the NCAA field of 64. Anything can happen in a tournament. Check staplescenter.com for scheduling info. —Ryan Vaillancourt

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Grand Tower 255 south Grand avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777

Promenade Towers 123 south Figueroa street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room

Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Pool / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Covered Parking

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

On-site: ~ Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants

Now For Call n Specials Move-I

8 7 7 - 2 65 - 714 6

museum Tower 225 south olive street Leasing Information 213 626 1500

Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove & Dishwasher ~ Central Air & Heating ~ Solariums and/or Balconies

On Site: ~ Convenience Store / Coffee House / Yogurt Shop / Beauty Salon

Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room

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

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

TOWERS T H E

A PA RT M E N T S

www.TowersApartmentsLA.com

MAID SERVICE • FURNITURE • HOUSEWARES • CABLE • UTILITIES • PARKING RESIDENCES: SINGLES • STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOM