07-21-08

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LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Volume 37, Number 29

July 21, 2008

illustration by Doug Davis

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Bring Out the Best Two Decades Later, Downtown Is Still Changing by Jon Regardie executive editor

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his marks a milestone for Los Angeles Downtown News: It is our 20th annual Best Of Downtown issue. While that doesn’t make us old enough to drink, it does allow us, and the community, to have one heck of a good time. Fortunately, there is a lot to be happy about in Down­ town Los Angeles these days. Despite the woes of the na­ tional economy, this varied community continues to grow, with more residents and businesses pouring into the area every month. The stakeholders are getting involved in a number of ways.

That includes voting for our Best Of Downtown issue. This year, more than 1,700 respondents filled out our on­ line ballot, choosing everything from Downtown’s Best Affordable Restaurant (Mendocino Farms) to the Best New Bar (Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge) to the Best Sports Team (Los Angeles Lakers, to no one’s surprise). In total, the readers selected winners in 35 categories. The editorial staff chimed in with another 53. Getting to the 20th annual issue has been often exciting, occasionally frustrating and always interesting. For years Downtown News employed themes, some of which worked, and some of which, in retrospect, didn’t fare as well. Last year we ditched the idea altogether and realized the Best

Play to Win The Readers Respond and Earn Some Prizes

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here are three great things about placing the Best Of Downtown ballot on the Internet: 1) It is incredibly easy to fill out; 2) You never really know who or what is going to win; and 3) Anyone who votes has the potential to win some great prizes. More on that below. This year, the easy voting led to a huge “turnout,” with more than 2,500 people taking the time to cruise through the bal­ lot that was at votebestof.com. Readers selected winners in 35 categories. Some were runaways: Pinkberry scored 51% of the vote in the Best

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Frozen Yogurt category, the only can­ didate on the entire ballot to get a ma­ jority. Other blowout victors included the Orpheum Theatre, which secured 48% of the Best Rock Venue votes, and Ralphs Fresh Fare, which domi­ nated the Best Grocery Goods compe­ tition with 43%. Other categories were much closer: In Best Sushi, R-23 edged Takami by a mere six votes. In the Best Upscale Restaurant category, Morton’s The Steakhouse pulled 18%, edging Water Grill at 17%. Voting had its privileges. We dis­ pensed a batch of prizes to some of the

Of Downtown is valid in itself. We stuck with it this year. Readers’ ballots have been various sizes over the years. A decade or so ago, we asked folks to fill out about 75 categories and answer some short essay questions. While that yielded a few very interesting and amusing results, it also produced a lot of blank ballots. Now we’re down to a (hopefully) quick and painless few dozen categories, and with all the voting taking place online, there are no ink stains required. Hey, we learn. Despite the changes, the message remains the same: This is a great community, with a lot to be excited about and a lot to celebrate. Even if a few people have gotten a bit jaded by Downtown, others are arriving in the area and are ex­ cited about everything it offers. The following pages hold the details on the 88 winners, along with a few other stories, such as the Best Ways to Help the Community, the Best Blind Date Spots and the Best Kid-Friendly Destinations. Thanks to all who helped choose the Best Of Downtown.

voters who filled out complete ballots. Winners were selected randomly. The lucky few are: Grand Prize: Nic Cha Kim will receive a night out on the town with a compli­ mentary two-night stay in executive-level accommodations at the Wilshire Grand Los Angeles, dinner for two at one of the hotel’s four restaurants, $200 spending cash, dinner for two at Morton’s The Steakhouse, two tickets to the Downtown Comedy Club and a Los Angeles Con­ servancy walking tour. A Nintendo Wii: David Kennedy. Four $100 cash prizes: Jim Marquez, Al Choy, Art Lewin and Jodi Bell. Dinner for two at the e3rd Steakhouse & Lounge: Hykeema Moorer and Jessica Herrera. Thanks to everyone who voted. We”ll do this again next year. —Jon Regardie

In This Issue Best Eating 8 Best Arts & Entertainment 18 Best Drinking 22 Best Shopping 26 Best Businesses 28 Best Sports & Recreation 34 Best Miscellany 36

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AROUNDTOWN South Park Flea Market Drops to Once a Month

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he South Park Artisan and Certified Farmers Market will no longer take place each Sunday, because of consistently low turnout, said organizer Phillip Dane. Starting immediately, the market will take place only on the third Sunday of every month, with the next event on Aug. 17. If the monthly market does not garner bigger crowds, said Dane, he will pull the plug altogether. “I’m not doing this for myself,” said Dane, who also founded the Melrose Trading Post, a popular Sunday swap meet in Hollywood. “People just don’t come out to support it.” The South Park market launched in January in a parking lot at Eighth Street and Grand Avenue, and relocated to another lot at 11th and Flower streets in June. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., it offers live music, food, drinks, clothing, crafts and other goods from dozens of vendors. Last month, Dane added a farmers market, and there is now a play area for dogs.

Block Party Gives Bloom’s a Boost

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n Sunday, July 13, approximately 300 people showed up for a block party around the intersection of Hewitt and Traction streets in the Arts District to benefit longtime neighborhood pit stop Bloom’s General Store. The event featured live musical performances, a dog fashion show and a silent art auction. The party netted more than $1,200, all of which will go toward inventory and other necessities for Bloom’s. The store, opened in 1994 by late neighborhood activist Joel Bloom, was the first local shop

where area residents could buy necessities. Once a popular community hangout, the store at 303 S. Hewitt St. has struggled since Bloom passed away last July. Now operated by Bloom’s son Randy and a few neighborhood volunteers, Bloom’s temporarily lost its license to sell tobacco — a major source of revenue — earlier this year. During the July 13 event, however, the market boasted a reorganized layout and fully stocked shelves, including cigarettes and cigars. “Everything is back on track,” said Downtown artist Lilli Muller, who helped organize the event. “It was all in limbo; nobody wanted to take charge. Now it’s all pretty organized.”

Restaurateur Out of Union Lofts Project

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he Valencia Group, which last year inked a 10-year lease to occupy a groundfloor restaurant space at the recently opened Union Lofts, confirmed last week that it has pulled out of the deal. “Due to unforeseeable delays in the project, we decided to not proceed with it,” company partner John Valencia said. The Valencia Group still plans to open a Trader Vic’s in Downtown in spring 2009, Valencia said. Michael Bustamante, a spokesman for building owner Meruelo Maddux Properties, declined to comment on what led to the Valencia Group’s departure. Meruelo Maddox is, however, in negotiations with another restaurateur to fill the ground-floor space at the corner of Hill and Eighth streets by the end of 2008, Bustamante said. The restaurant is slated to occupy the 6,000-square-foot former Union Bank grand lobby and a 4,000-square-foot lounge is planned for the bank’s old vault.

photo by Gary Leonard

Writer and performer Sandra Tsing Loh, wearing a Statue of Liberty crown, criticized the LAUSD during a rally outside City Hall on Monday, July 14. Former L.A. Daily News editor Ron Kaye organized the event, orchestrated to fall on Bastille Day, as part of his Saving L.A. Project, a call to reform the city’s political culture.

Council Approves Taxi Plan

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he City Council last Wednesday unanimously approved a six-month pilot program that will allow residents and workers in Downtown and Hollywood to hail cabs. Though pedestrians can technically hail cabs anywhere in the city, the move loosens restrictions on where drivers may pick up fares; until now, that has been limited to loading zones, taxi stands and parking areas. The program will go into effect as soon as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signs it, which could happen as soon as Aug. 1. After six months, the program will be evaluated by the city Department of Transportation and the

Board of Taxicab Commissioners. “It’s going to make it easier for tourists to go to and from the Convention Center and hotels, and those who want to enjoy Downtown’s nightlife can now do so without driving,” said Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry, who helped initiate the program. “Local cab service has been largely unknown Downtown for many years, and now it’s going to be a reality again.”

Clarification

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he July 14 story “Jewelry District Loses Its Gleam” identified Peklar Pilavjian as the owner of the St. Vincent Jewelry Center. He should have been identified as a co-owner.

Check into one of the safest hospitals in California. St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles has the best safety record throughout the state for treating pneumonia. Located in Downtown Los Angeles, Third and Alvarado, St.Vincent Medical Center is the hospital of choice, featuring: • 24-hour Emergency Department • Hip and Knee Arthritis Experts of the Joint Replacement Institute (JRI) • Minimally Invasive Heart and Vascular Surgery • Cancer Radiotherapy and Surgery • Ear and Neurosurgery with world-renowned House Clinic physicians The hospital with the lowest mortality rate statewide was St.Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles...*

For an appointment with a St.Vincent Medical Center physician, please call 866-478-8462 www.stvincentmedicalcenter.com *- San Diego Union-Tribune (citing Office of Statewide Planning and Development statistics for pneumonia)

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Twenty Years of Downtown’s Best History Says Downtown Has Changed, But a Lot Remains the Same by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

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uch has changed since Los Angeles Downtown News published its first Best Of Downtown issue on June 19, 1989, but plenty of Downtown’s most revered establishments and traditions have persevered. To commemorate the 20th Best Of issue, we took a look back at the first and 10th issues, both of which are packed with nostalgia and, to new Downtown workers and residents anyway, plenty of question marks. Favorite restaurants of the past have folded or been rein-

vented, while new ones have become repeat Best Of winners in recent years. Categories have changed too, adapting with the cultural trends and crazes of the day — can you imagine a Best Frozen Yogurt category back in 1989? But Downtown Los Angeles establishments like Tommy’s Original World Famous Hamburgers, voted the Best Place to Cheat on a Diet in 1998, and the Orpheum Theatre — the Best Place to See a Chuck Norris Film in 1989 — are still at the top of the heap. This year the famed burger joint won for, simply, Best Burger, and the Orpheum was named Best Rock Venue.

DASH Over To Your Doctor’s Office When you select a personal physician from Good Samaritan Hospital, you can get to your doctor’s appointment and back in no time. The DASH bus (E line) will drop you off and pick you up just a few steps from the medical office buildings at Good Samaritan. And it will only cost you 25¢ each way. Convenient parking is also available. Select a Good Sam physician by simply calling your health plan and choosing a doctor from Good Samaritan Medical Practice Association in Los Angeles. The doctors accept all major insurance plans. Best of all, the physicians at Good Samaritan are world-class in their training but work just around the corner from you. So, move your doctor’s office downtown by selecting a primary care physician from Good Samaritan. Then you can enjoy the convenience of the DASH and downtown’s extraordinary “neighborhood doctors.” www.gsmpa.net

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Shoeshines and Cheap Seats One of the first entries in the inaugural Best Of issue was for the Best Place to Get a Shoeshine While Witnessing a Crime. The prize went to Tommy’s, a favorite shoe shine stand (and no relation to the burger joint) among local lawyers, cops and even prostitutes. The weathered stand was near Fourth and Main streets. Why was this the best place to see a crime? Because in 1989, it was not an “overstatement to say that on any given day Main Street is the embodiment of anarchy itself,” the entry read. The intersection of Fourth and Main was considered the “eye of the storm.” We’re not sure what happened to Tommy, but we know that his intersection is a different world 20 years later. Fourth and Main today is home to some of Downtown’s favorite eateries and bars — Banquette, Pete’s Café and Bar, Bar 107 and Ray’s Market, for example — and is the epicenter of the new Downtown residential hub. Speaking of Downtown residents, in 1989 Downtown News offered some advice to people considering purchasing homes in the area. The crown of Best Place to Buy Into L.A. History was placed on Angelino Heights, a neighborhood most people don’t even consider part of Downtown these days. Angelino Heights, home of old Victorians and Craftsman-style bungalows, is still a gem of a neighborhood, even if it’s no longer a place to find bargains. But with the passage in 1999 of the city’s Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, developers have given prospective buyers a wealth of opportunities to live in historic office properties reinvented as lofts. If the Best Place to Buy Into L.A. History category had been renewed in 2008, it would have gone to one of the reinvented loft buildings — Angelino Heights wouldn’t even have been a finalist. Then there’s inflation: An ’89 blurb extolling the City Hall observation deck as the Best Free View on a Clear Day lamented the steep price tag attached to other favorite places to take in the skyline. A drink at the Bonaventure Hotel’s old Buena Vista Lounge, for example, ran a jaw dropping $6-$9. Instead of spending $6 on a cocktail, in ’89 Downtown News suggested going to a Dodgers game. Six bucks wouldn’t cover the price of a beer these days, but back then, when top deck tickets were named the Best Bargain in Los Angeles, nosebleed seats were $4 a pop. “Why, you can take your whole family to the game for under $20,” the entry read. Those were the days. Beef and Cocaine Downtown in 1998 is easier to remember, and while much has changed, a lot remains the same. Just like this year, 1998 readers named Seventh Market Place, now known as 7+Fig, the Best Outdoor Mall Food Court. Grand Performances, the Best Place for Live Music in ’98, was named Best Freebie in 2008 and R-23, the Arts District Japanese joint, earned the Best Sushi prize both times. In 1998, Kobe beef, the superb, high fat-content Japanese product, was gaining popularity in Downtown restaurants. Around the same time, Los Angeles Lakers fans were just getting used to 19-year-old Kobe Bryant. That led to a Best Of Beef vs. Bryant feature, and though it did not declare a winner, readers that year said the Best Steak was the Kobe beef served at Garden Grill at the New Otani Hotel. Readers this year ruled in favor of Morton’s. In 1998 City Hall observers also enjoyed some political controversy (what else is new?). The Best Of issue that year held the category Best Cocaine-Using Council Member. Voters helped former First District Councilman Mike Hernandez, who was busted in 1997, edge former 14th District rep Richard Alatorre. The Best New Restaurant in 1998 was Traxx, which remains a popular dining choice. Other lasting favorites honored that year included Best Outdoor Dining winner Café Pinot, and Tesoro and Ciao Trattoria, voted Best Italian by readers and staff, respectively. This year, Best Italian went to Zucca Ristorante. A decade ago, Mandarin West, a Chinese eatery in the Financial District, beat out popular Chinatown favorites such as Yang Chow, the 2008 winner. But when it came to post-work libations, readers in 1998 and 2008 were on the same page. Both tapped McCormick & Schmick’s for Best Happy Hour. “These days, four things are certain,” the 1998 entry read. “Death, taxes, the Republicans will win Utah in every general election and McCormick & Schmick’s will serve up a superlative happy hour.” Some things never change. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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Shines Again! Named Among America’s 50 Best Hospitals Two Years in a Row. If you’re looking for the highest-ranked healthcare in the nation, you can find it—right in the heart of Los Angeles. Good Samaritan Hospital rises above the norm, named as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals* in both 2007 and 2008 by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company. Good Samaritan Hospital was ranked among the top hospitals in the nation in several specialty areas evaluated by HealthGrades, including: Cardiac • 5 Star Rating for Care of Congestive Heart Failure Orthopedics • Recipient of 2008 Joint Replacement Excellence Award™ • Among the Top 10 Percent in the Nation for Joint Replacement • 5 Star Rating for Joint Replacement • 5 Star Rating for Total Knee Replacement • 5 Star Rating for Total Hip Replacement

Critical Care • 5 Star Rating for Care of Sepsis • 5 Star Rating for Care of Respiratory Failure Pulmonary • 5 Star Rating for Overall Pulmonary Service • 5 Star Rating for Pneumonia Care • Recipient of 2008 Pulmonary Excellence Award™ • Among the Top 10 Percent in the Nation for Pulmonary Care Stroke • 5 Star Rating for Stroke Care • Recipient of 2008 Stroke Care Excellence Award™ • Among the Top 5 Percent in the Nation for Stroke Care Gastrointestinal (GI) • Recipient of 2008 GI Excellence Award™ • 5 Star Rating for GI Surgery and Procedures • 5 Star Rating for Care of GI Bleed • 5 Star Rating for Care of Bowel Obstruction • Among the Top 5 Percent in the Nation for Overall GI Services • Among the Top 5 Percent in the Nation for GI Medical Care

Maternity Care • Recipient of 2008 Maternity Care Excellence Award™ • Among the Top 10 Percent in the Nation for Maternity Care • 5 Star Rating for Maternity Care Women’s Health • Recipient of 2008 Women’s Health Excellence Award™ • 5 Star Rating for Women’s Health Services • Among the Top 10 Percent in the Nation for Women’s Health When you choose a hospital, choose the best… Good Samaritan Hospital—Southern California’s “gem”—a shining example of healthcare excellence for you and your family. *Based on consistent, outstanding clinical performance over an eight-year period.

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Best Eating Get Your Grub On READERS’ CHOICE n Best Affordable Restaurant: Mendocino Farms 2nd Place: Pitfire Pizza Company n Best Upscale Restaurant: Morton’s The Steakhouse 2nd Place: Water Grill n Best New Restaurant: Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge 2nd Place: Tranquility Base n Best Burger: The Original Tommy’s 2nd Place: Pete’s Café n Best Steak: Morton’s The Steakhouse 2nd Place: Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse n Best Italian: Zucca Ristorante 2nd Place: La Bella Cucina n Best Food Court: 7+Fig 2nd Place: Bonaventure Galleria & Food Court n Best Old School Restaurant: Philippe The Original 2nd Place: The Original Pantry Café n Best Fast Eats: Homegirl Café 2nd Place: L.A. Chicken n Best Sandwiches: Philippe The Original 2nd Place: Mendocino Farms n Best Sushi: R-23 2nd Place: Takami Sushi n Best Frozen Yogurt: Pinkberry 2nd Place: ceFioré n Best Vegetarian Meals: Tiara Café 2nd Place: Shojin n Best Chinese: Yang Chow 2nd Place: Empress Pavilion n Best Hotel Restaurant: The Standard Downtown 2nd Place: Noé at the Omni EDITORS’ CHOICE n Best Appetizer: Agnolotti of the Day at Blue Velvet n Best Pre-Event Dining: The Palm n Best Pancakes: Pacific Dining Car’s Blueberry Pancakes

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com n Best Croissants: L.A. Gourmet Bakery n Best Hot Dog: Tropical Islands n Best Cooked Chicken: Hawaiian Chicken n Best Live Chicken: Superior Poultry n Best Thai: City Thai n Best Izakaya: Honda-Ya n Best Taco: Genesis Catering Truck n Best Pizza: Pitfire Pizza Company n Best Vegetarian: Casa de Sousa n Best Cafe: Lost Souls n Best Vintage Eats: Nick’s Cafe n Best BYOB: Colori’s No Corkage n Best Dessert: Soufflé at Cardini n Best Sweet Treat: Beard Papa’s n Best Frozen Yogurt: Yogurtland n Best Chocolate: Joy of Life!

BEST Affordable Restaurant Mendocino Farms

BEST UPSCALE RESTAURANT

Morton’s The Steakhouse Who needs boilerplate menus? At Morton’s, the server brings a menu cart to your table, where you carefully eye the array of steaks and choose your cut. There’s a live Maine lobster on the cart too, but at Morton’s, you should probably go with the USDA prime beef, which they cook to perfection in a 1,800-degree broiler. While the focus is without question on the beef, side dishes like sauteed mushrooms and creamed spinach are made with top-shelf ingredients. One other important note: The house specialty soufflés take about 30 minutes to bake, so order them in advance. After the meal, regulars know to head over to the restaurant’s recently renovated Bar 1221 for a Mortini. At 735 S. Figueroa St., Suite 207, (213) 553-4566 or mortons. com.—Ryan Vaillancourt

BEST BURGER

The Original Tommy’s When your chili burger is as good as Tommy’s, there’s no need to worry about chairs or tables. At The Original Tommy’s original location, if you want a burger you’ll have to stand for it, and the shack’s lesee Eating, page 10

photo by Gary Leonard

Mario del Pero, the proprietor of Bunker Hill’s Mendocino Farms, is sort of the merry prankster of the midday meal. He specializes in taking things you might never think would fit between bread and not only makes them work, but offers absurdly low price points considering the ingredients. Fine meats and cheese? Check, in the form of the Wine Country Steak & Brie sandwich ($9.25). Japanese pork? Yep, in the Kurabuta Pork Belly Banh Mi ($9.75). Hey, the guy even serves the Untraditional Lobster Roll, and at $12.95, it sells out almost every day. Yeah, you’ll pay a couple bucks more per sandwich at Mendocino than you will in other places we shall not name, but you’ll also pay a lot less than if you had the same ingredients on fancy china (minus the artisan bread) in a fine-dining restaurant. At 300 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6201114 or mendocinofarms.com.—Jon Regardie

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Downtown News 9

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Let Your Motto Be Resistance AFRICAN AMERICAN PORTRAITS An exhibition of 70 modern photographic prints highlighting 150 years of African American resistance in the U.S.

California African American Museum 600 State Drive Exposition Park Los Angeles, CA 90037 (213) 744-7432 www.caamuseum.org

On view through Sept. 24

ORGANIZED BY National Museum of African American History and Culture www.nmaahc.si.edu

“Let Your Motto Be Resistance” was organized by the National Museum of African American History and Culture in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, the International Center of Photography and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The exhibition, national tour and catalogue were made possible by a generous grant from lead sponsor, MetLife Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Council of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. PHOTO:

Harry Belafonte by Herschel Levit, gelatin silver print, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution ©Herschel Levit

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DowntownNews.com Decisions, decisions. Should you have the doublecut filet mignon? Or should you go with the spicerubbed Cajun rib-eye? Wait a minute, you look like you could eat a whole cow: Make it a 24 oz. porterhouse. Truth is, at the Downtown Los Angeles outpost of the popular chain it doesn’t matter much which steak you order (and if you’re at Morton’s, why order anything else?). When it comes to steak, they serve nothing but Midwestern grain-fed USDA prime beef, which is wetaged in vacuum-sealed bags to retain moisture, leading to a more tender, concentrated flavor. All the steaks are fired in a 1,800-degree broiler. Can’t do that at home. At 735 S. Figueroa St., Suite 207, (213) 553-4566 or mortons.com.—Ryan Vaillancourt

Eating Continued from page 8 gions of passionate fans are more than happy to do just that. Founded in 1946 by Tommy Koulax, there are now Tommy’s all over Southern California. But really, if you want to do it right, you’ll head to the site of the first Tommy’s, on the corner of Beverly and Rampart boulevards, just west of Downtown. Ask for extra napkins. At 2575 W. Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-9060 or originaltommys.com.—Richard Guzmán

BEST STEAK

photo by Gary Leonard

Morton’s The Steakhouse

BEST New Restaurant Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge

BEST ITALIAN

Zucca Ristorante Depending on who you’re talking to, “Italian food” can mean a lot of different things, from a heaping plate of spaghetti and meatballs to a carefully orchestrated fine-dining experience. At Zucca Ristorante near Staples Center, expect the latter, with elegant white linens, good wine and the freshest ingredients flown in from Italy. Even the water that goes into the pizza dough is imported, though it comes from New York, where the tap water’s mineral content better resembles the stuff coming out of faucets in Naples, said executive chef Jose Melendez Jr. Melendez, by the way, recommends the house specialty Bucatini all’Amatriciana, a pasta dish flavored with tender pieces of aged pig jowl, San Marzano tomatoes and hot peppers. Want something lighter? The chef says go with the razor-thin slices of beef carpaccio, served with wild arugula, grapes, pecorino and extra virgin olive oil. Now that’s amore. At 801 S. Figueroa St., (213) 614-7800 or patinagroup.com/ zuccaristorante.—Ryan Vaillancourt

BEST FOOD COURT

7+Fig Lunchtime Downtown doesn’t have to be a graband-go experience, even at a food court. Just check

photo by Gary Leonard

At Takami, diners sup on Asian fusion fare while taking in the stunning city views 21 stories above Downtown. The restaurant (and its adjacent club) take up the entire penthouse, with wraparound windows and a patio. The decor is uber-stylish with custom wood tables, wood ceilings and organic touches like a table fashioned from a giant piece of driftwood. Soak it all in while sipping a lychee-infused martini and nibbling the addictive soy edamame. There’s a robata grill, sushi bar and kitchen that turns out Japanese dishes with a twist — think spicy tuna tacos, ahi ceviche and poki martini, among others. It’s the type of place you take guests when you want to impress. Head next door to the hot Elevate Lounge après dinner. At 811 Wilshire Blvd., penthouse, (213) 236-9600 or takamisushi.com.—Kathryn Maese

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Downtown News 11 photo by Gary Leonard

photo by Gary Leonard

SearchDowntownLA.com out 7+Fig, which provides an ample selection of eateries and a relaxed atmosphere. The lower-level indoor/outdoor food court is near the busy Seventh and Figueroa streets intersection, making it easy to escape the bustling Downtown lifestyle for a few moments. Once there, sample from nearly two dozen options such as George’s Greek Café, Sbarro the Italian Eatery, Panda Express or Tacomole. Or make it a more leisurely experience at places such as Morton’s The Steakhouse or Adoro Mexican Grille. Wherever you go, close it out with a cookie from Mrs. Fields or something rich from Godiva Chocolatier. At Seventh and Figueroa Streets, (213) 955-7150 or 7fig.com.—Richard Guzmán

BEST OLD SCHOOL RESTAURANT

Philippe The Original This year Philippe’s celebrates a milestone — 100 years in business. In fact, little has changed over the decades, making it a true old-school establishment. Sawdust covers the floors, uniformed counter ladies assemble your order, coffee is still a dime, and diners rub elbows at communal tables just like they did back in the day. The French Dip sandwiches are as good as they’ve ever been,

and so are all the other oldies but goodies: lemon meringue pie, custard, potato salad, fresh lemonade and even the candy counter. Let’s hope it stays around for another 100 see Eating, page 12

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12 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Continued from page 11 years. At 1001 N. Alameda St., (213) 628-3781 or philippes. com.—Kathryn Maese

BEST FAST EATS

Homegirl CafÊ The service is quick and the food is fresh and delicious at this cheerful Mexican-style eatery on the edge of Chinatown, which draws a bustling lunchtime crowd of City Hall denizens, area office workers and neighborhood regulars. The menu, with an emphasis on healthy fare, includes soups, salads, sandwiches, tacos and more. Dishes come with bold and unexpected flavor combinations, from the roast beef sandwich with spicy apple and tomatilla salsa to the delectable potato-tofu tacos with a side of zingy pico de gallo. The guacamole, studded with chunks of roasted pineapple, is a must-try. As a bonus, most dishes are less than $10. At 130 W. Bruno St., (323) 526-1254, ext. 301 or homeboy-industries.org.—Anna Scott

BEST SANDWICHES

Philippe The Original This Downtown institution has carved out a near permanent place on the Best Of Downtown list, and rightly so. They’ve worked hard to perfect their signature French Dip sandwich that any self-respecting Angeleno must try. Pick from the lamb, beef, turkey, pork or ham, add your choice of cheese, double dip the French roll in au jus, slather on some sinus-clearing mustard and wash it all down with an ice-cold lemonade. Genius. At 1001 N. Alameda St., (213) 628-3781 or philippes.com.—Kathryn Maese

BEST SUSHI

R-23 Those in search of Downtown’s best sashimi, sake and rolls could be forgiven for expecting to find them in Little Tokyo. But folks in the know have long headed to R-23,

from the usual cheese or tofu), avocado and crispy wonton strips. The candy-colored decor only adds to the fun. The menu also features a full selection of meat, seafood and poultry dishes, so even the staunchest vegetarians can break bread with carnivorous companions. Everyone agrees, the colorfully iced mini-cupcakes are to die for. At 127 E. Ninth St., (213) 623-3663 or tiara-cafÊ.com.—Anna Scott

BEST CHINESE Yang Chow

photo by Gary Leonard

Eating

an upscale Japanese establishment tucked into an industrial corner of the Arts District. Inside, paintings hang on exposed bricks walls and patrons sit on Frank Gehry-designed cardboard chairs. But R-23’s most artistic offering comes on your plate: That’s because the restaurant’s head chefs wake up early in the morning to select the fish that they will carve up later that day. Much of the morning’s purchase is likely bound for a special not found on the menu, so repeat customers often leave their dinner choice up to the kitchen. But don’t ask too many questions about executive chef Tobi-San or his ingredients — one of his most devout practices is secrecy, said R-23 owner Marissa Kim. At 923 E. Second St., (213) 687-7178 or r23.com.—Ryan Vaillancourt

BEST FROZEN YOGURT

Pinkberry Four years ago, before Pinkberry debuted in West Hollywood, frozen yogurt as we now know it wasn’t a “best of� category at all. Today, it’s a cultural craze, causing virtual food fights on foodie blogs over whose treat is the tartest or the smoothest, and whose toppings are the freshest and most eclectic. Pinkberry’s Little Tokyo outpost frequently has lines out the door, with those in the queue hungering for its sublime balance of tang and sweetness, and pondering toppings such as lychee and coconut shavings. In January, the store even launched a coffee-flavored yogurt. We also love the Pinkberry Little Tokyo staff’s reminders to ask for yogurt “to go� in order to avoid a little state dine-in tax. At 332-A E. Second St., (213) 621-7645 or pinkberry.com.—Ryan Vaillancourt

BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS

Tiara CafÊ Inside chef/owner Fred Eric’s Fashion District restaurant, waitresses in pajama-like, striped dresses serve plenty of meat-free fare that will satisfy the hungriest herbivore. Options include hearty but (sort of) healthy comfort food, like fresh individual pizzas or the mildly spiced homemade veggie burger, served on a seeded bun alongside crispy shoestring fries. On the lighter side, there’s the salad with seitan (a wheat-based meat substitute that’s a welcome break

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This Chinatown eatery stands out for its famed Slippery Shrimp, a dish that some foodies and Chinese natives say would seem foreign on the streets of China. But who cares? Lightly coated in corn starch, then bathed in a sweet orange sauce with hints of garlic and cayenne, this mountain of shrimp is irresistible and addictive. Other popular dishes include the spicy, orange peel-flavored Szechuan Beef and the house specialty chicken, which features all white meat smothered in a sauce flavored by shredded black see Eating, page 14

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July 21, 2008

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Downtown News 13

Best Frozen Yogurt: Yogurtland Declaring a Winner in the Downtown Cold War by Richard Guzmán city editor

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here’s been an ongoing battle in Downtown Los Angeles for quite some time now, thanks to a small but tasty invasion. In the past couple of years, a handful of frozen yogurt spots have cropped up around Little Tokyo and City West. It has led to a cold and delicious war, but like all wars, this one too must come to an end. Los Angeles Downtown News decided to play peacekeeper and declare a winner of the Downtown Fro-Yo War. Yes, it’s a noble quest, and one that came after careful samplings of the worthy contenders: Yogurtland, Pinkberry, céFiore and Milano Freezer. While many other places in Downtown serve frozen yogurt, these spots all specialize in the treat. They were judged not only on taste, but also on the amount of flavors available, the toppings and price. It wasn’t an easy decision, or an easy task, but we rose to the occasion. The Surrender: Although it’s been credited with reviving the frozen yogurt craze, Pinkberry came in last place in our list due to its lack of flavor choices and, more importantly, its lack of originality in the flavors (although Downtown News readers voted it the best frozen yogurt purveyor in the area). The three choices, the original (plain yogurt), coffee and green tea all pretty much have the same tangy flavor. Although Pinkberry is known for this flavor, and claims the simplicity of the menu is a plus, we would still like to taste other flavors and have a few more choices. Granted the decor is nice, with pebble floors and see-through chairs. But looks don’t win wars. At 332-A E. Second St., (213) 621-7645 or pinkberry.com. The One to Watch: Although it came in third, Milano Freezer has several things going for it. It’s the lone entrant in this war not in Little Tokyo, and its City West storefront, at Figueroa and Second streets, means many folks will not need to drive across Downtown. Milano Freezer also has a rotating HUSTCsno_EndlsSmr_LA DwntwnNws_REV2Fn.ai

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Yogurtland’s selling points include a choice of 16 flavors and 32 toppings Additionally, customers can serve themselves.

choice of six flavors that change every Thursday, with three available at a time. The rotation includes the plain original, peach mango, green apple, strawberry, lime and pink grapefruit. The green apple is the best choice; it’s sweet without being overbearing. The place is small and kind of hidden, so it doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic, and isn’t as good for people watching as the other places are, but if it’s good frozen yogurt you want and these flavors are enough for you, then Milano Freezer is a respectable choice. At 123 S. Figueroa St., (213) 626-0024 or milanofreezer.com. The Runner Up: Coming in a distant but still respectable second is céFiore, which launched the first shot in the Downtown fro-yo war when it opened in 2006 in Japanese Village Plaza. It has four flavor choices: original, raspberry pomegranate, green tea and the newest option, acai berry and cacao. It also offers a great deal: a single cup with three top-

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pings for $4.70. The best choice is the acai berry, which comes from a berry grown in the Amazon forest. céFiore claims the fruit helps build a stronger immune system while increasing energy and strength. We didn’t feel any stronger after having one topped with strawberries, bananas and raspberries, but it tasted good enough that all that healthy stuff didn’t really matter. At 134 Japanese Village Plaza, (213) 626-0806 or cefiore.com. The Winner: The newest kid on the block wins by a landslide. The recently opened Yogurtland offers several things its competitors don’t, like an actual selection of flavors. While the other fro-yo places have a handful of flavors and less than 20 toppings, Yogurtland boasts 16 flavors and 32 toppings. Yogurt choices include chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, cookies and cream and even pumpkin. Best of all, the yogurt actually tastes like the flavors advertised. Another Yogurtland selling point is that customers can serve themselves. It’s hard not to feel like a little kid let loose in a candy store when a tube of chocolate fro-yo is snaking its way around your cup as you work the controls on the dispenser. It’s almost as much fun as if a bartender let you fill your own beer from the tap, but much less expensive, since Yogurtland charges 30 cents per ounce of fro-yo. So if you have some self-restraint, you can walk out of there with a nice treat for about a dollar. But judging from the heaps of yogurt and toppings most people leave with, no one is showing much restraint here. At 130 S. Central Ave., (213) 687-0733 or
yogurt-land.com. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

Eating Continued from page 12 mushrooms, carrots and snow peas. Need any more suggestions? Just ask the staff or the lunchtime suits who descend on the family-owned eatery during the week, filling the nondescript storefront to the brim. At 819 N. Broadway, (213) 625-0811 or yangchow.com.— Ryan Vaillancourt

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com gotten so popular that Blue Velvet now offers it as an entree, with twice the amount of agnolotti. At 750 S. Garland Ave., (213) 239-0061 or bluevelvetrestaurant. com.—Jon Regardie

BEST Croissants L.A. Gourmet Bakery

BEST PRE-EVENT DINING photo by Gary Leonard

14 Downtown News

BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT

The Standard Downtown Hungry? Eat anytime you want at the Restaurant at The Standard. Open 24/7, the interior resembles a ’50s diner — a very yellow, very swanky diner with New American cuisine. If you take your meal on the outdoor patio, you can sit by the fountain and watch the people sashay in from the parking lot. The Angus beef burger on a homemade oversized English muffin is very popular at lunch, and the dinner menu includes everything from gourmet pizza to New York steak and a Tuscan salmon with white beans and artichokes. New chef Yuji Isawa has recently added some options to the menu, including scallops. At 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotels.com.—Julie Riggott

BEST APPETIZER

Agnolotti of the Day at Blue Velvet The City West restaurant wows with its looks, but anyone who orders the House Ricotta Agnolotti of the Day quickly learns that the food equals the decor. The dish comes courtesy of executive chef Jonathan McDowell, who bases his creations on what is fresh and in season. The bite-sized agnolotti (a cousin of ravioli, but with a pureed inside, smoother than ravioli filling) offer a flavor burst with every mouthful. McDowell changes the special frequently, and past favorites include a version with sweet corn, and one featuring butternut squash with pumpkin seed oil. The pasta and the ricotta are made every day in house. In fact, the appetizer has

photo by Gary Leonard

The Palm So you’re going to a game at Staples or a concert at the Nokia Theatre, and you’ve decided to eat beforehand at The Palm. Good choice. However, if it’s a normal regular-season game, about 300 people have made the same decision (up to 500 during the NBA Finals), and like you, they all need to walk out the door minutes before the start of the show or game. No problem, says Jonathan Scott, general manager of the Downtown Palm. Scott’s staff is well versed on getting steaks and lobsters out of the kitchen quickly without sacrificing quality. The key, he says, is planning and avoiding pitfalls, such as not scheduling too many big

This bright and airy bakery is a sweet and unexpected respite amid the hustle and bustle of Broadway. Owned and operated by Rafael and Lupe Martinez, the shop makes Mexican favorites like pan dulce and dulce de leche cake as well as more traditional items such as croissants. Plain or chocolate, these light and flaky delights are perfect on a Sunday morning with coffee and the paper. Even better, they’re super affordable. While most cafes charge nearly $3 apiece, you can score this pastry for $1 and $1.50, respectively. The tortas are also highly recommended. At 548 S. Broadway, (213) 623-4244. —Kathryn Maese

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Downtown News 15

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Pacific Dining Car’s Blueberry Pancakes The fabled steaks at this City West institution are not the restaurant’s only standout: Let’s just say once you’ve tried the PDC’s blueberry pancakes, you’ll fall under their delicious spell. Nearly as big as the plate itself, these sweet babies are fluffy and oozing with fresh blueberry goodness. Served with a choice of New Hampshire maple or boysenberry syrup and smoked bacon or sausage, this breakfast of champions will require a cat nap to recover from. Pair it with the PDC’s amazing coffee and fuggetaboutit. It’s almost impossible to finish all the pancakes, which means you’ll have a tasty snack come lunchtime. At 1310 W. Sixth St., (213) 483-6000 or pacificdiningcar.com.—Kathryn Maese

and squab (better known as young pigeon — try braising it). Much of the inventory is available right away, pre-killed and already on ice. But if you’ve come this far, you might as well get it “fresh.” In about 15 minutes, your bird (rabbits too) will be put to rest, de-feathered and, only if you ask, butchered. It’s not an experience for everyone, but hey, it’s Chinatown. At 750 N. Broadway, (213) 628-7645.—Ryan Vaillancourt

BEST LIVE CHICKEN

BEST THAI photo by Gary Leonard

BEST PANCAKES

which means “turn turn” in Hawaiian, is the main attraction, and you can get it either as a lunch combo with salad and rice or buy a whole, half or quarter to take home. Hawaiian Chicken also has a restaurant in Chinatown where you can get your fix any time. At 686 N. Spring St., (213) 626-1678 or hawaiianchicken.com.—Kathryn Maese

photo by Gary Leonard

parties at the same time. Everything is mapped out well in advance, and chef Kay Lee keeps the kitchen flowing smoothly at all times. At 1100 S. Flower St., (213) 763-4600 or thepalm. com.—Jon Regardie

BEST HOT DOG

Tropical Islands While fresh fruits and vegetables are the reason most people go to farmers markets, one of the biggest lines at the Wednesday Financial District Farmers Market is for the meaty products at the Tropical Islands hot dog stand. While you can certainly get the traditional frankfurter here, Tropical Islands’ specialty is a fried, bacon-wrapped hot dog drowned in grilled onions, peppers, mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup. It’s massive, greasy, decadent and only $4. At the Financial District Farmers Market, Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., on Fifth Street between Grand Avenue and Flower Street.—Richard Guzmán

BEST COOKED CHICKEN

Hawaiian Chicken At the Thursday City Hall Farmers Market, these whole chickens turn hypnotically over a bed of coals, instantly signaling your stomach to start rumbling with hunger. The smell alone turns heads, as the barbecue rigs cook the dryrubbed birds to tender perfection. The huli huli chicken,

Superior Poultry Most Americans prefer their poultry pre-butchered and pre-packaged. That’s understandable — few folks want to associate the meal on the plate with the feathery clucker to which it was once attached. Superior Poultry does it differently: Step into this small Chinatown storefront and choose from a wide variety of birds, including chickens, roosters, ducks

City Thai The Thai iced coffee is out of this world. The green curry is heavenly. And the sticky mango rice is to die see Eating, page 16

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Perfect for pre-theater dining, casual lunches, or elegant dinners Event space available for social or corporate entertaining Outdoor patio Authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza

WEEKDAY SPECIALS: MONDAY NIGHTS Three-courses for $35 Select any appetizer, entrée, and dessert from the menu

MONDAY–FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR 4–7pm $2 off all drinks and complimentary pizza

Superb wine list

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801 S. Figueroa St., Downtown L.A. (Two blocks from the Staples Center)

Part of Chef Joachim Splichal’s Patina Restaurant Group www.patinagroup.com

16 Downtown News

BEST VEGETARIAN

Eating

Casa de Sousa This eclectic coffee shop, at the top of a short staircase along bustling Olvera Street, offers an entirely vegetarian menu along with delicious chocolates and coffee drinks. Take a seat in a cushy chair at one of the randomly assorted tables, then pick from a variety of sandwiches, salads and Mexican specialties, including nachos, tacos and a kick-butt quesadilla. Don’t miss the vegan tamales, vegetable or black bean, made with vegetable oil and served with a small side salad with avocado. On the way out, grab a bag of the homemade, tequila-infused dark chocolates, some Mexican hot chocolate (available with soy milk!), or both. At W-19 Olvera St., (213) 7035236.—Anna Scott

Continued from page 15 for. Located in an unassuming space on Hill Street, this newcomer has some of the most affordable prices you’ll find in these parts. The extensive menu features some 80 dishes, everything from seafood hot pots to spicy eggplant to pad see ew. The authentic, homestyle fare will keep you coming back for more. Delivery available. At 726 S. Hill St., (866) 930-8792 or citythai. net.—Kathryn Maese

BEST IZAKAYA

Honda-Ya It’s all about the grilled skewers: chicken gizzards, beef tongue, pork belly, shitake mushrooms, etc. HondaYa is an izakaya, Japan’s version of a tapas joint, where you can drink to your heart’s content with a group of friends and order several of the appetizer-sized goodies to munch on. Honda-Ya has attracted its share of fanatics who love not only the tasty grilled skewers but also the prices — from $1.95- $6.95 per dish. Sit in the fun tatami room (on the ground at low tables) or strike up a conversation at the communal table and down sake late into the night. At 333 S. Alameda St., (213) 625-1184.—Kathryn Maese

Lost Souls Those who want some street cred with their daily pick-me-up know where to get it. Located down a dingy Downtown alley, Lost Souls is difficult to find unless you know where you’re going. Once inside you’ll discover an artistic, funky, organic coffee oasis that will make you feel like part of the cool crowd, even if you’re just there for a cup of joe. Try the Soul Drip or the Soul Latte, two of the favorites. If you like blended drinks, the Soul Cooler or Cookie Monster are excellent choices. At Harlem Place Alley, 124 W. Fourth St., (213) 617-7006 or lostsouls.com.—Richard Guzmån

Genesis Catering Truck You may need a bit of Spanish to order here, but the operative phrase is “a bit,â€? as four words will work magic: carne asada, con todo. You’ll be ordering a beef taco with the works — onions, celery, hot sauce, radish and a lime, for $1.25. Spanish isn’t the only thing you’ll need to order from this taco truck; you’ll also want some good timing. The truck has no set hours, but usually parks at the corner of Central Avenue and Eighth Street, and it’s a safe bet to go around noon. These are authentic Mexican tacos, so they’re small, but an order of four should do the trick for just about anyone. At Central Avenue and Eighth Street.—Richard GuzmĂĄn

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BEST VINTAGE EATS

Nick’s Cafe Just on the edge of Chinatown, across from the Los Angeles State Historic Park, is this diner that time forgot. In fact, it looks closed from the outside and occasionally changes signs when a film crew gets ahold of it. But Nick’s is that secret place people hate to talk about for fear it will be overrun with hipsters. The waiter/manager is quirky and efficient, singing along with Nina Simone and a few ’80s anthems. It’s breakfast and lunch only here, where you’ll find greasy

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One of the beauties of Pitfire is that the personal pizza is neither too much nor too little — you won’t leave hungry and, considering the thin crust and judiciously applied cheese, you won’t need a nap after eating lunch here. Another of the Pitfire benefits is the simplicity — rather than wacky toppings like pineapple and Canadian bacon, the restaurant on the ground floor of the Higgins Building offers simple, quality ingredients like a spicy salami or mushroom. In an airy space, Pitfire makes an easy, unpretentious stop for lunch or dinner. Good for families or business folk. At 108 W. Second St., (213) 808-1200 or pitfirepizza.com.—Jon Regardie

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American diner fare and some Mexican faves. They have that soft crushed ice that’s awesome in a Coke and addicting homemade salsa too. Regulars love the ham and eggs, or order up a short stack and chat with your neighbor. Cash only, of course. At 1300 N. Spring St., (323) 222-1450.—Kathryn Maese

BEST BYOB

photo by Gary Leonard

Colori’s No Corkage Down-home Italian cooking that’s tasty and super affordable in a cozy, brick-walled setting is great. But Colori Kitchen ups the ante with free corkage. Savvy diners who have developed a cultish affection for this restaurant bring their own bottle of wine to enjoy with their spaghetti and meatballs. It’s a rare offer in a city where corkage can run up to $25, so feel free to tote your Charles Shaw. Or maybe break out that bottle you’ve been saving for a special occasion. At 429 W. Eighth St., (213) 622-5950 or colorikitchen.wordpress.com.— Kathryn Maese

BEST DESSERT

Soufflé at Cardini This hotel eatery serves up decent Italian cuisine, but if you want a really sweet finish to your meal, order the signature chocolate or Grand Marnier soufflé. The smell is divine, and you may in fact drool as the waiter prepares it tableside. First, he punctures the fresh-from-the-oven dessert with a spoon, which you think is a shame until you see him pour the rich vanilla cream inside. Spoon on the fresh whipped cream and savor each bite with a sip of your cappuccino. Now this is a nightcap. At 930 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 896-3822 or wilshiregrand.com.—Kathryn Maese

BEST Sweet Treat Beard Papa’s

photo by Gary Leonard

Cream puffs might seem an unlikely way to satisfy a workday sweet tooth. But one visit to the Little Tokyo outpost of this Osaka-based chain will convince even the most doubtful skeptic that the delicacies are as delicious as any donut, and well worth the trek to the fortress-esque Little Tokyo Shopping Center. The airy, pillow-like pastries are dusted with powdered sugar and made to order, filled with vanilla, strawberry or chocolate cream on the spot. The rich, but far from cloying filling is also sometimes available in surprise flavors (such as green tea), and pastries can be served with a crumbled cookie topping for extra crunch. But don’t dally — the building housing Beard Papa’s has been sold and the future of all the tenants is unknown. At 333 S. Alameda St., #106, (213) 620-0710.—Anna Scott

BEST CHOCOLATE

Joy of Life! Only one word can describe the Swiss-made truffles in this Arts District shop: heavenly. In flavors such as key lime, crème brulee and white chocolate-raspberry, these chocolates are no waxy drugstore confections. The rich, multi-colored treats, made from all-natural ingredients, are also sold at upscale markets, including Whole Foods and Harrod’s in London. Packaged in gift-like boxes fastened with bowties, they make excellent presents (even to yourself). In addition to the truffles, Joy of Life! carries unusual treats like chocolate “caviar,” chocolate almonds and liqueur sticks, as well as espresso by the cup. In another word: mmmmm. At 1855 Industrial St., #104, (213) 415-1815 or joyoflifechocolate. com.—Anna Scott

Downtown News 17 photo by Gary Leonard

July 21, 2008

18 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Best Arts & Entertainment Go Out and Have Some Fun

EDITORS’ CHOICE n Best Intellectual Event: Aloud at the Central Library n Best Intellectual Event in Disguise: First Fridays at the Natural History Museum n Best Special Music Series: Recovered Voices at L.A. Opera n Best Celeb Spotting: Downtown Comedy Club n Best Science Happening: Thomas the T rex Lab at the Natural History Museum n Best Free Event: Music Center’s Dance Downtown n Best Vintage Flashback: Maxwell DeMille’s Cicada Club n Best ’80s Throwback: Vertigos

Grand Performances

BEST PLACE FOR A MOVIE

California Science Center IMAX When it comes to movies, a bigger picture and bolder sound are always better. The screen at the California Science Center IMAX Theater is the largest in Los Angeles: seven stories high and 90 feet wide. Because each film frame is 10 times larger than Hollywood’s standard 35 mm format, the clarity of the images is incredible. Plus, 3D capability and a six-channel digital surround sound system with 44 speakers add to the unparalleled theater experience. And it’s all for a good cause: Ticket sales fund exhibits and educational programs at the Exposition Park museum. At 700 State Drive, (213) 724-3623 or californiasciencecenter.org.—Julie Riggott

BEST THEATER

Ahmanson Theatre

BEST ROCK VENUE

Orpheum Theatre Taking in a show at the historic Orpheum Theatre on Broadway is kind of like a two-for-one deal. First and foremost, you pay for the ticket to see the band, be it southern jam rockers Widespread Panic or crooner Lyle Lovett (who plays Aug. 3). But included in the price is a trip into one of the city’s most legendary venues. You’ll sit in one of 1,970

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plush red seats — not stand like a sardine among sweaty dancers, the norm at most modern rock venues — and marvel at the silk wall panels, marble pilasters and stunning architectural detail. Owner Steve Needleman renovated the theater in 2001 and added new stage and audio equipment. In the past year, the venue has been filled with shows. Fortunately, more are on the way. At 842 S. Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com.—Ryan Vaillancourt

photo by DavidAllenStudio.com

READERS’ CHOICE n Best Rock Venue: Orpheum Theatre 2nd Place: Crash Mansion n Best Place for a Movie: California Science Center IMAX 2nd Place: Laemmle Grande 4-Plex n Best Theater: Ahmanson Theatre 2nd Place: East West Players n Best Freebie: Grand Performances 2nd Place: Pershing Square Summer Concerts n Best Museum: MOCA 2nd Place: Natural History Museum n Best Gallery: Bert Green Fine Art 2nd Place: Mary Goldman Gallery

With musical favorites like My Fair Lady and A Chorus Line on this season’s lineup, it’s no surprise the Ahmanson Theatre keeps drawing crowds. Center Theatre Group, headed by Michael Ritchie, knows how to pack ’em in. This year’s production of Sweeney Todd, in which all of the actors played double duty as musicians, took the classic, yet dark and strange, musical to another level. Of course, their new productions often also hit big. Get ready for another: a musical comedy based on the film 9 to 5, complete with music by Dolly Parton, opens in September. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.—Julie Riggott

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The programmers at Grand Performances are not just interested in presenting dozens of free shows every summer; they are concerned about quality, too. So the 50 evening and matinee concerts, performances, films and discussions include performers that represent the best in national and international talent, covering a range of styles and cultures. The lineup is always diverse; this season includes everything from L.A.’s daKAH Hip-Hop Orchestra and Mexico’s Delfos Danza Contemporanea to the Beastie Boys’ Money Mark and Paris-based Algerian rocker Rachid Taha. Plus, the Cal Plaza

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Downtown News 19

SearchDowntownLA.com invites local experts to moderate the discussions. Even better, the thought-provoking events are always free. At 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org/aloud.—Julie Riggott

BEST SPECIAL MUSIC SERIES Recovered Voices at L.A. Opera

photo by Gary Leonard

Watercourt is a cool spot for a summer show, an oasis under the stars surrounded by a glowing city skyline. At 300-350 S. Grand Ave., (213) 687-2159 or grandperformances.org.—Julie Riggott

BEST INTELLECTUAL EVENT IN DISGUISE

BEST Gallery

First Fridays at the Natural History Museum Last season, the younger crowd naturally gravitated toward the DJs and local indie bands at First Fridays. This year, they’ve discovered the appeal of the lectures, on intriguing topics such as elephant communication and the psychobiology of love. Meanwhile, the older crowd is warming to the party vibe and taking in some music with their wine. Su Oh, performing arts manager for the Exposition Park museum, has a hit on her hands with this one. Her latest invention is the B Movies and Bad Science summer series, which takes another spin on the learning-can-be-fun mobile. At 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3466 or nhm.org.—Julie Riggott

photo by Gary Leonard

Bert Green Fine Art

When L.A. Opera Music Director James Conlon discovered some rarely heard yet extraordinary operas by a group of composers silenced by the Nazis, he founded the see Entertainment, page 21

ONE STANDARD OF LUXURY LIVING. TWO DISTINCT NEIGHBORHOODS.

In the fall of 2004, Bert Green opened his gallery and helped start the Downtown Art Walk, a monthly self-guided tour of Gallery Row that has grown to attract thousands. His reputation remains strong because he works with dedicated mid-career artists and often invites them back, with the goal of creating relationships and nurturing careers. Because he believes that the art scene is best when it is as large and varied as possible, Green is also constantly helping new and established galleries to secure space in the area. Bert Green Fine Art’s 2,800-square-foot exhibition space usually showcases multiple artists in concurrent shows. Currently on display are two exhibits with work by Mary Woronov and Robert Reynolds. They run through Aug. 16. At 102 W. Fifth St., (213) 624-6212 or bgfa.us.—Julie Riggott

LA’S NEWEST LUXE LEASABLE RESIDENCES ARE NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS. LA LIVING \a HIGH DEFINITION.

BEST MUSEUM

MOCA The Museum of Contemporary Art’s two venues mean double the art bang in Downtown Los Angeles. As the recent Collecting Collections exhibit at the Grand Avenue location showed, MOCA has acquired an extraordinary collection with works by heavy hitters such as Jeff Koons, Jackson Pollock, Matthew Barney and Alberto Giacommeti. And its Geffen Contemporary space in Little Tokyo had one of the nation’s most talked about exhibits last fall: the Takashi Murakami show, complete with the Louis Vuitton boutique inside the exhibition space. At 250 S. Grand Ave. and 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org.—Julie Riggott

BEST INTELLECTUAL EVENT photo by Gary Leonard

Aloud at the Central Library

Local and national authors from across the spectrum — literature, politics, science, education, journalism, entertainment and more — take the spotlight in this speaker series at the Central Library. Among this year’s most notable were Pulitzer Prize winner Larry McMurtry, comic novelist and columnist Carl Hiassen, documentary filmmaker (and wife of the director Francis Ford Coppola) Eleanor Coppola (shown here) and Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International. Curator Louise Steinman, who founded the series in 1993,

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20 Downtown News

DowntownNews.com

July 21, 2008

Best Friends of the Arts A Brief History of the Philanthropists of the Music Center by Julie Riggott aRts & enteRtainment editoR

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hat would the Renaissance have been without Lorenzo de Medici? The famous statesman, poet and patron of the arts in 15th-century Italy was known as Lorenzo the Magnificent with good reason. He supported and helped get commissions for esteemed artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli. Downtown Los Angeles has its own benefactors to thank for some of its world-class arts institutions, the biggest of which are clustered on Bunker Hill in the Los Angeles County Music Center. The 11-acre complex includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre and Walt Disney Concert Hall (and the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater inside). L.A.’s cultural universe has a vibrant sun because of Dorothy Buffum Chandler (1901-1997). Chandler, whose father started a department store chain and whose husband’s family owned the Los Angeles Times, had the money, but more importantly the vision, to champion the creation of a performing arts complex worthy of one of the world’s biggest cities. Among her other achievements, Chandler served on the board of the Southern California Symphony Association and later became its president. That group and the County Supervisors asked her to chair a committee to raise funds to save the Hollywood Bowl in 1951. After that, Chandler turned her focus to creating a winter home for the L.A. Philharmonic. In 1955, she held the famous El Dorado Party at Downtown’s Ambassador Hotel that raised $400,000. As head of the County advisory committee she continued her work through the early 1960s, raising $18.7 million. Her fundraising efforts landed her on the cover of Time magazine after the $33.5 million Music Center was dedicated as “A Living Memorial to Peace� and opened as a nonprofit partnership with the County of Los Angeles in 1964. In fitting tribute, the L.A. Phil’s new home was named after Chandler.

$1.5 Million Donations Chandler also found donors to name the Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatre, which opened with the Center Theatre Group handling programming in 1967. S. Mark Taper (1902-1994) gave $1.5 million for construction of the theater in his name. Born in Poland, Taper owned shoe stores in England before coming to California, where he used his wealth to transport hundreds of Catholic and Jewish children out of Nazi Germany. He later turned to real estate and built 35,000 homes for low- and middle-income buyers, and he founded the First Charter Financial Corporation of Beverly Hills. Incidentally, when the Mark Taper Forum reopens in August after a $30 million renovation, the auditorium will be named the Amelia Taper Auditorium in honor of his wife (the S. Mark Taper Foundation donated $2 million). The Ahmanson Theatre is named for Howard Ahmanson (1906-1968), who also contributed $1.5 million. The founder of an insurance and savings and loan association called H.F. Ahmanson & Co., Ahmanson started a philanthropic foundation in his name with wife Dorothy Grannis Ahmanson in 1952 to support the arts and education as well as health and human services. The first L.A. Phil concert at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was in 1964, the first Los Angeles Master Chorale performance came the following year, and the L.A. Opera took up residency in 1986. Of course, the Phil (and the Master Chorale) moved into Walt Disney Concert Hall when it opened in 2003. The fourth addition to the Music Center complex was funded by an initial $50 million gift from Lillian B. Disney (Walt’s widow) in 1987 — a sum greater than the cost of the three other buildings combined. With accumulated interest and additional gifts, the total contribution from the Disney family to the Frank Gehry-designed building is more than $100 million. The $274 million Disney Hall is also home to REDCAT, a space devoted to experimental art and theater. Roy E. Disney, vice chairman of the Walt Disney Company, and Michael

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Dorothy Buffum Chandler, the namesake of Bunker Hill’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Chandler was an important fundraiser whose work led to the entire Music Center campus.

Eisner, then the president and CEO of the company, presented a plan for the CalArts project after construction on the concert hall had already begun. Both were supporters of CalArts, and Roy’s father had overseen construction of the Valencia campus. The Walt Disney Company donated money to both the hall and the CalArts project; and Disney and his wife Patty matched the company’s gift for the latter and named it in memory of his parents Roy (Walt’s brother and partner in the company) and Edna Disney. Without a doubt, these philanthropists have all helped to create a cultural legacy that Chandler described in the Los Angeles Times in 1964: “The Music Center will stand forever as a symbol of what creative man can accomplish when he sets his standards and has a vision far beyond our present horizons.� Contact Julie Riggott at julie@downtownnews.com.

July 21, 2008

Downtown News 21

SearchDowntownLA.com

Entertainment Continued from page 19 Recovered Voices Project. The second season featured a double bill of two one-act works: Viktor Ullmann’s The Broken Jug, a fun comedy, and Alexander Zemlinsky’s The Dwarf, a powerful tragedy. Darko Tresnjak’s artistic direction for both was amazing, but set design and costumes for The Dwarf were a glorious spectacle, recreating the splendor of a 17th-century Spanish royal palace inspired by Diego Velazquez’s painting of a princess and a dwarf. Not only has Conlon come up with a new way to entertain audiences (The Dwarf may have been the best production of the entire season), but he has created a program to help save works that might otherwise be lost. At the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.com.—Julie Riggott

overhead and the all-around camaraderie, it’s something to remember. From 6:30-10 p.m. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-3660 or musiccenter.org.—Kathryn Maese

the best part about Club Cicada is that aside from three special events per year, there’s no cover. At 617 S. Olive St., (213) 4889488 or cicadanightclub.com.—Ryan Vaillancourt

BEST VINTAGE FLASHBACK

BEST ’80S THROWBACK

Maxwell DeMille’s Cicada Club Last year, Cicada restaurant launched somewhat of an experiment: On three Sundays, the Art Deco establishment invited Roaring Twenties impresario and promoter Maxwell DeMille to host an evening of vintage dance, drink and dining, complete with live, big band jazz. Buzz spread fast and the happening became so popular that Cicada Club is now almost a weekly affair (a few Sunday eves are booked for weddings or private parties). Different bands play standards from the ’20s through the ’40s, and guests are encouraged to dress the part. Think Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. Coat and tie for gentlemen and evening wear for ladies are mandatory. Perhaps

Vertigos If you just can’t get enough of the 1980s, and you know which band sings “Just Can’t Get Enough,” then Vertigos is the place for you. Located next to the 101 Freeway with a Temple Street address (at the intersection of Figueroa), the club has been around for about a dozen years and caters to young hipsters and nostalgic music fans who still fit into their tight black jeans and Cure T-shirts. Morrissey fans will feel right at home here since just about every third song they play is from the king of sad himself. And yes, Depeche Mode is still on regular rotation, in case you still can’t get enough. At 801 W. Temple St., (213) 977-0888 or vertigos.com.—Richard Guzmán

BEST CELEB SPOTTING

Downtown Comedy Club Better than spotting celebs in the audience is watching them on the stage, especially when they are the famous comedians Kevin Garnier is able to pull into the Downtown Comedy Club. Craig Shoemaker, Jamie Kennedy and Mark Curry are just a few of the big names who’ve performed recently at the club’s new location at the ultra-cool Kyoto restaurant in the Wilshire Grand hotel (fortunately, the sticky floors in the Alexandria Hotel are a thing of the past). “Saturday Night Live” alum Garrett Morris is still the host. At 930 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 213-3195 or downtowncomedyclub.com.—Julie Riggott

BEST Science Happening photo courtesy of the Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Thomas the T rex Lab at the Natural History Museum

Paleontologists at the Natural History Museum excavated a 66-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex in Montana between 2003 and 2005 and are now extracting the bones from the fossil jackets and cleaning them in front of the public. Their futuristic-looking lab has pods for up-close viewing of the intricate work being done with miniature sandblasters and micro-jack hammers. Of the 30 T rex skeletons ever discovered, this one, nicknamed Thomas, is one of the most complete (70%). Thomas will be the centerpiece of the new dinosaur galleries set to open in 2011 in the 1913 building currently under renovation. At 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3466 or nhm. org.—Julie Riggott

40-70% everyday downtown L.A. @ 7th, Hill & Broadway Save 40-70% everyday Save

downtown L.A. @ 7th, Hill & Broadway

BEST FREE EVENT

Music Center’s Dance Downtown From May through September you’ll find Downtown getting its groove on. In the past few years, the free series at the Music Center known as Dance Downtown has grown exponentially, with well over 100 people now packing the plaza on Friday nights. Dancers of every level come to strut their stuff in a range of styles, from Indian bhangra to Brazilian samba to swing. There’s a 45-minute lesson and then the band gets started. With the sun setting, the lights strung

Save

40-70% everyday

downtown L.A. @ 7th, Hill & Broadway

22 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Best Drinking

BEST Happy Hour

Set ’em Up, Knock ’em Down Golden Gopher and Broadway Bar, etc.), and while the menu and decor have been improved, when it’s past midnight and you need one more for the road (hopefully you’re walking), the crowds still come. At 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys. com.—Richard Guzmån

BEST ART WALK BAR Pete’s CafÊ

photo by Gary Leonard

photo by Gary Leonard

READERS’ CHOICE n Best Happy Hour: McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant 2nd Place: Ciudad n Best Last Call Bar: Casey’s Bar & Grille 2nd Place: Bar 107 n Best Art Walk Bar: Pete’s CafÊ 2nd Place: Bar 107 n Best New Bar: Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge 2nd Place: Tranquility Base n Best Theme Bar: The Edison 2nd Place: Library Bar n Best Hip Bar: The Standard Downtown 2nd Place: The Edison EDITORS’ CHOICE n Best Happy Hour: Weiland Brewery n Best Signature Cocktail: The Edison at The Edison n Best Club You’ll Never Get Into: The Doheny n Best Wine Pours: Chris Schindler at Banquette n Best Bartenders: Seven Grand n Best Sweaty, Rocking Dance Floor: La Cita

BEST LAST CALL BAR

Casey’s Bar & Grille The Irish pub has called Downtown Los Angeles home for almost 40 years, and skilled drinkers call this neighborhood hangout the best place for the last shot, or last pint of Guinness. There is little elbow room on the classic mahogany bar when the clock nears last call. The restaurant was recently updated by new operator 213 Ventures (they of the

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant

On the second Thursday of the month, the area around Fourth and Main streets becomes ground zero for the Art Walk. The cultural happening has become an absolute frenzy of people walking the street, hopping from one gallery to the next or

The half-pound cheeseburger with fries is legendary. After all, it’s only $1.95, possibly the best deal around when it comes to happy hour nosh (you’ve gotta buy a drink, but who’s complaining). For $2.95 you can get an order of hot wings, while $3.95 buys a heady bowl of garlicy mussels. You can’t lose here. With its walnut wood paneling, forest green carpet and pro bartenders, McCormick’s is a cozy, clubby hideout when you need to unwind, regardless of whether you’re wearing jeans and a T-shirt or suit and tie. Mon.-Thurs. from 3-7 p.m. and again from 9-10:30 p.m., and Friday 3-10:30 p.m. At 633 W. Fifth St., (213) 629-1929 or mccormickandschmicks.com.—Kathryn Maese

Heritage Square Museum presents

FREE CONCERTS AT THE SQUARE! Thursdays from 4 to 8pm

July 17

July 31

Marie MacGillis and the Toddy Trio (Jazz) Pasadena City College Swing Band

Groove Session (Rock, Jazz) Susie Hansen Latin Band

More info at www.heritagesquare.org or call 323-225-2700 Exit the Metro Gold Line at Heritage Square and hop on one of the shuttles provided by Budget Rent a Car.

Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council

Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council

Danielle Feinberg DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (LIGHTING)

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July 21, 2008

Downtown News 23

SearchDowntownLA.com

BEST HAPPY HOUR

wall pub, part trendy restaurant. The beer selection includes Weiland’s own blondes, ambers and ales, and if that’s not enough to make you happy, their generously long happy hour will do the trick: It runs from 3-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.closing time daily. It includes all Weiland brewery beers for $2.50 and food specials too, like Sam Adams onion rings ($2.95), Buffalo shrimp ($3.95) and the addictive garlic fries ($1.95). No wonder it draws a nice mix of suits, artists and, these days, area residents. At 400 E. First St., (213) 680-2881 or weilandbrewery.com.—Richard Guzmán

Weiland Brewery photo by Gary Leonard

simply people watching. When they need a break from all the art, many invariably come to Pete’s. Get a glass of wine or a martini, order up a basket of blue cheese fries, and it’s the perfect place to watch the action unfold late into the night. At 400 S. Main St., (213) 617-1000 or petescafe. com.—Kathryn Maese

BEST NEW BAR

Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge Designed by the trendy firm Tag Front, Elevate Lounge (which cohabits with the restaurant Takami Sushi, winner of the Best New Restaurant award) boasts white leather banquettes, sleek lighting and floor-to-ceiling views that take your breath away. There’s usually a line to get in on weekends, but it’s quickly forgotten once you zip up the elevator to the 21st floor. The bartenders know their stuff (try the Lotus Blossom), and you can chill in the VIP section, shake your moneymaker on the dance floor and party the night away in Downtown style. At 811 Wilshire Blvd., penthouse, (213) 236-9600 or takamisushi.com.—Kathryn Maese

BEST Theme Bar The Edison

BEST SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Located in a 100-year-old brewhouse on the border of Little Tokyo and the Arts District, Weiland Brewery has a unique atmosphere that’s part hole-in-the-

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Second Annual

Dog Day Afternoon Downtown

at the Cathedral

A COMMUNITY EVENT FOR DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES DOGS OF ALL FAITHS … AND THEIR HUMANS!!! Meet your neighbors! Downtowners without dogs are welcome, too.

Your Co-Hosts: “Joaquin” Kostelnik and “Buddy” Bastian* Venue: The 2.5 acre plaza of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 • Open House: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm photo courtesy of the Edison

The Edison’s boiler room theme is original and unmistakable. The immaculately designed throwback to 1920s Los Angeles invokes, but also puts a twist on, the old school glamour of nightspots like the late Cocoanut Grove (at the Ambassador Hotel). Housed inside the former power plant of the Higgins Building, the lounge created by Andrew Meieran and Marc Smith features a stunningly preserved generator and other elements of the past — they draw almost as much attention as the regular burlesque acts and guest DJs. Nothing, however, could eclipse The Edison’s Thursday night happy hour, which offers classic gin martinis at a vintage price — 35 cents. Dress appropriately if you want to get in: no flip-flops or ripped jeans. At 108 W. Second St., #101, (213) 613-0000 or edisondowntown. com.—Anna Scott

Social Dogs Only (please) Dogs must be on a leash and social. Food and Drink No host bar and food by Levy Restaurants. The Cafe will be open. (“Dodger Dogs” will be served to people only!) Parking • $5.00 per vehicle at the Cathedral. 555 W. Temple St.

R.S.V.P. for dogs and humans, too:

www.downtownla.com Produced by:

BEST HIP BAR

The Standard Downtown The Standard actually has two hip bars. Start in the lobby bar with the 125-foot omnibus designer sofa and billiards table as DJs set the vibe and guests and patrons come and go. Then, if you pass muster with security (and have the cover charge if it’s late), head up to the rooftop bar. Just as incredible as the view of Downtown is the playground spread out before you: Modernist furniture, animal topiary, a fireplace, a dance floor and nightly DJs. Films are screened on the building across from the pool, and if you’re lucky a vibrating waterbed pod will be available. It’s almost as exciting as one of the action sequences in Crank, a Jason Statham movie partially filmed up there. At 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotels.com.—Julie Riggott

*(Oct. 6, 1995 – June 20, 2008)

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For more information: (213) 624-2146 • www.downtownla.com

24 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Best Blind Date Spots Six Ways to Start Off a Relationship Right StAff writer

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ew scenarios are as fraught with possibility and potential awkwardness as the blind date. Fortunately, there are numerous Downtown Los Angeles destinations that can help ease the discomfort that comes with daters meeting for the first time. The following spots were carefully chosen for minimal “romantic� ambiance, which of course only makes things more uncomfortable for strangers. Also considered were conversation-starting elements, proximity to other date-worthy options and general coolness. If this doesn’t find you a partner for life, don’t say we didn’t try to help. Banquette Cafe: Best if you’ve already had extensive email correspondence. This cozy coffee shop/wine bar at 400 S. Main St. in the Old Bank District is perfect for an intimate getting-to-know-you chat, but casual and crowded enough to avoid forcing too much intimacy. The outdoor tables are great for people watching, so you can bond over your shared snap judgments. Go the second Thursday of the month to coincide with the Downtown Art Walk, and continue the date while perusing nearby galleries for unique pieces and undoubtedly a few that will give you both something to puzzle over. Central Library: Best if you both have profiles on shelfari.com. There’s something very high school about meeting up in the book stacks. That’s half the

fun. The other half comes from taking in the library’s gorgeous architecture, or checking out one of the lectures regularly hosted in its Mark Taper Auditorium. Two series, Aloud and Zocalo (check lapl.org for schedules), offer discussions dissecting weighty issues of the day, while the monthly Saturday afternoon series features lectures by the facility’s Business/Economics and Science, Technology and Patents departments on business-related topics. With your mind primed, stroll over to CafĂŠ Pinot next door for a glass of wine and stimulating conversation. The library is at 630 W. Fifth St. Japan Arcade: Best if you were born between 1980 and ’85. What’s a better icebreaker than a spirited round of Dance Dance Revolution or Street Fighter? Located on the second floor of the Little Tokyo Shopping Center at 333 S. Alameda St., this video game haven is a throwback to simpler times. Happily regress while warming up with a bit of friendly competition, then hit the streets of Little Tokyo for some window-shopping and, if the mood strikes, cheap ramen. If you don’t want the date to end, stop by Oiwake Restaurant, in Japanese Village Plaza, for sake and karaoke. Seal the deal with your best rendition of “Livin’ on a Prayer.â€? Mountain Bar: Best if you met on nerve. com or MySpace. Right off the bat, you’ll gain some indie cred for suggesting this off-the-beaten-path

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With its gorgeous architecture and speaker series, the Central Library is a fun and intellectual choice for a first date.

watering hole. Located at 473 Gin Ling Way, in Chinatown’s Central Plaza between Hill Street and Broadway, this bar boasts red walls and hanging lanterns that create a soft, flattering glow to ease self-consciousness. Load up the jukebox with a mix of artfully ironic classic tunes and more modern indie rock picks. Time your date to coincide with an opening at one of the galleries on nearby Chung King Road in case you want to extend the evening. If you don’t hit it off, one of the Mountain’s wicked Mai Tais will ease the pain. Natural History Museum: Best if you’re painfully shy. Meet at the Pavilion of Wings (open until Sept. 1) on the museum’s south lawn and get to know each other while watching and learning about swallowtails, monarchs and the California dogface (not a nickname for your date; it’s the state butterfly). Move inside the museum, which is in Exposition Park at 900 Exposition Blvd., to ooh and aah over the dioramas of badgers, chimpanzees and other mammals, more than 2,000 gem and mineral specimens and the world’s rarest

shark. If you find yourself at a loss for words, just gape at the exhibits. If you’re feeling bold, suggest strolling through the nearby Rose Garden where you can discuss what you just saw without having to whisper. Takami/Elevate: Best if you’re both Downtown professionals. See if you can spot your offices from the balcony. Located on the top floor of the 21-story high-rise at 811 Wilshire Blvd., this combo sushi restaurant/lounge is perfect for an after-work drink followed, if all goes well, by an early (and expensive) dinner. Casual but elegant, the establishment has romantic potential, with stunning views from an enclosed balcony, but balances that with cool decor featuring low tables and open booths. The lively, end-of-the-week happy hour crowd should help to take the pressure off. If you stay for dinner, stick with the sushi rolls, which come in bite-size pieces so there’s little chance of taking a messy forkful and accidentally drooling on your shirt. Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

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July 21, 2008

BEST Wine Pours

Drinking

Chris Schindler, Banquette

Continued from page 23 cognac liqueur that requires more than 20 pounds of the fruit to produce one bottle. Sounds crazy, but it’s all worth it when the bartender hands over that martini glass. Subtle and smooth, the signature drink in the establishment that occupies a former power plant will satisfy both seasoned drinkers and those who usually equate bourbon with gasoline. At 108 W. Second St., #101, (213) 613-0000 or edisondowntown.com.—Anna Scott

BEST CLUB YOU’LL NEVER GET INTO

The Doheny Even if you can find it, no matter how much you beg the doorman, no matter how short a skirt you wear or how expensive your car is, unless you are invited, you’re not getting into Cedd Moses’ latest Downtown club. The membership runs $1,200-$2,200 a year plus a one-time initiation fee of $2,750. What do you get for that? Status, as well as access to a concierge service where you can score just about anything (legal) you can imagine Downtown. The 2,000-square-foot bar with dark hardwood floors and leather finishes also has some of the most skilled bartenders in the city, so don’t sidle up and ask for a Bud. If you do manage to find The Doheny (hint: it’s near Staples Center), don’t ask if your name is on the list, or tell them you know the owner, because it’s not, and you don’t. At a super secret South Park location.—Richard Guzmán

BEST BARTENDERS photo by Gary Leonard

Seven Grand

To connoisseurs, consumption of top-notch whiskey is a careful indulgence. Whiskey lovers handle their bottles with care, pour slowly and share stories about the history of their spirit of choice, if of course they know such stories. For bartenders at Seven Grand, which sells almost 200 bourbons, single malts and blended whiskeys, knowing such stories is part of the job. Not only do they pour their spirits with finesse (and mix plenty of non-whiskey cocktails, by the way), they’ll tell you where the bottle is from, what produces that smoky or sweet flavor and what they would order if they were you. And unless you’re a whiskey die-hard, you’re probably best off taking their advice. At 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la.—Ryan Vaillancourt

BEST SWEATY, ROCKING DANCE FLOOR

La Cita A rarely crowded dive bar catering to blue-collar workers by day, La Cita becomes one of the hottest spots for the Downtown party crowd when the sun goes down. Wednesdays alternate between “Mucho Wednesdays,” which draw a mostly Latin crowd for south of the border sounds, and the disco-themed “Full Frontal.” Thursday night’s “DanceRight” draws lines of hipsters, artists, musicians and fashionistas out the bar’s door on South Hill Street. They come to bounce, writhe, sweat and look cool to the eclectic musical selections of resident DJs Diabetic (Shepard Fairey) and Pube$ (Steve Ternoski). On Fridays, it’s a marriage of punk and dread at “Punky Reggae Party.” Pick your poison and get down. At 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111 or lacitabar. com.—Ryan Vaillancourt

Downtown News 25

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photo by Gary Leonard

What makes Chris Schindler, the main bartender at Banquette Café & Wine Bar, the best in the local pouring business has nothing to do with technique. “It’s quantity, not quality,” he says. Schindler was behind Banquette’s extension of evening hours two years ago, and the Old Bank District establishment now serves patrons until midnight on weeknights and 1 a.m. on weekends. Schindler is known to pour deep glasses (and top

off unfinished ones) as a way to reward customers he feels bring new life to the corner of Main and Fourth streets. He prides himself on a generous pour — he gets four glasses per bottle (industry standard is closer to six). But if Foxy, the dog that belongs to the owner of the adjacent DVD store, barks at you, don’t expect a heavy hand. “I trust Foxy’s character judgment,” he said. At 400 S. Main St., (213) 626-2768.—Ryan Vaillancourt

26 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Best Shopping

BEST Boutique

Buy Buy Birdie

Apartment 3 hour, and super knowledgeable and friendly resident wine guy Mike Berger will fix you right up. There are also a dry cleaners, florist, pharmacy and Coffee Bean on-site. Oh yeah, and it has become quite the singles scene too. Open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight. At 645 W. Ninth St., (213) 452-0840 or ralphs.com.—Kathryn Maese

READERS’ CHOICE n Best Boutique: Apartment 3 2nd Place: Freaks Vintage Boutique n Best Grocery Goods: Ralphs Fresh Fare 2nd Place: Grand Central Market n Best Pet Service: Pussy & Pooch 2nd Place: Bark Avenue

BEST SECRET STORE

EDITORS’ CHOICE n Best Secret Store: Comme des Garçons n Best Sneaker Store: RIF n Best Designer Clothing Steal: Last Friday of the Month Sample Sales at California Market Center n Best Designer Clothing Splurge: Candice Held Boutique

photo by Gary Leonard

photo by Gary Leonard

Commes Des Garçons

BEST GROCERY GOODS

Ralphs Fresh Fare When it opened last July, Ralphs was like the second coming for Downtown. It was, after all, the area’s first new full-service supermarket in more than five decades. Needless to say, it had a lot of hype to live up to. Thankfully it delivered, and then some, with 50,000 square feet of gourmet goodies. Rows of organic, exotic and artisan ingredients beckon, from herbs and wild mushrooms to lychee and fingerling potatoes. From the highend cuts of meat to the popular deli and bakery to the olive and cheese section, everyone walks out with something. There’s even a wine tasting happy

To find this designer shop, walk through an iron gate into the skinny alley between the Historic Core’s Bar 107 and sneaker store Blends. Through the first door on the left, pass through a

This funky Arts District boutique keeps regular business hours Thursday through Sunday, but the best time to score bargains are during one of the store’s so-called shopping “events,” or sales coordinated with runway shows, ice cream socials and parties. Specializing in vintage wear and pieces by young designers, Apartment 3, founded by Kristin Knauff, has offerings that are funky and original, yet still extremely wearable. From T-shirts to designer shoes, pants, dresses and blazers, the ever-changing inventory offers something for everyone, from discerning teenagers to their cool parents. At 1855 Industrial St., #103, (310) 924-9554 or apartment-3.com.—Anna Scott

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Downtown News 27

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BEST Pet Service Pussy & Pooch

photo by Gary Leonard

The newish pet emporium in the Old Bank District has everything for the discerning cat or dog. Stylish collars? Check. Organic and homemade treats? Check. Dog beer? Believe it or not, yes. The shop also carries a variety of packaged natural pet food and basic supplies like kitty litter and biodegradable poop bags, and features a self-serve dog and cat wash. Specialty shampoos, paw balm, dog boots and other extras are available on request. Is it a bad sign if you spend more time primping your dog than yourself? Nah. At 564 S. Main St., (213) 438-0900 or pussyandpooch.com.—Anna Scott

hanging curtain of plastic strips and behold: a small, industrial space with concrete floors and white shower tile walls, filled with pricey designs by the Japanese label. Pick up pointed leather shoes for $500, a $300 black shirt cut at strange angles or a $1,000-plus coat, and leave significantly poorer but looking like a million bucks. The temporary “guerrilla” store has been open four months and is expected to remain in place at least nine more. At 125 W. Fourth St., (213) 6266607.—Anna Scott

BEST SNEAKER STORE photo by Gary Leonard

RIF

Situated in the heart of Little Tokyo, this store is all sneakers, all the time. Walls are lined floor-to-ceiling with more than 1,000 styles of kicks, mostly ranging from about $200 to $500. For those on the prowl for something special, the shop often carries limited-edition lines designed by well-known artists (you can pay more than $1,000), but those just looking for something to wear every day can purchase simple, solid-color Pumas. For the sneaker-savvy, RIF boasts the coolest calling card of all: the right half of a pair of super-limited edition, yellow and black Nikes, made exclusively for members and friends of the rap group Wu Tang Clan. The sneaker is so priceless, store owners say, they keep the left shoe in their Tokyo outpost. At 334 E. Second St., (213) 617-0252 or rif.la.—Anna Scott

BEST DESIGNER CLOTHING STEAL

Last Friday of the Month Sample Sale at California Market Center Once a month, many of the 1,000-plus showrooms in the Fashion District’s California Market Center veer from their wholesale focus and open to the general public. The result is a chance to grab some of the latest clothing for well-below-retail prices. You’ll find swanky name brands including True Religion, French Connection and Prada along with lesser-known boutique labels. Whether you have $20 or $2,000 to spend, there is a bargain to be had. Arrive early and leave plenty of time to peruse the behemoth that is the CMC, consisting of three adjacent 13-story buildings. When you’re done, reward yourself with a cold drink and a trashy magazine at one of the tables in the lobby. At 110 E. Ninth St., (213) 630-3600 or californiamarketcenter.com.—Anna Scott

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BEST DESIGNER CLOTHING SPLURGE

Candice Held Boutique The Fashion District shop offers the ultimate in lovely women’s summertime clothes: whimsical printed tunics, brightly colored, patterned halter-top dresses and funky scarves to tie around the head or throw over the shoulders. It’s not cheap, but with dresses ranging from about $140 to $400, it’s not prohibitive either. Inventory changes frequently, and many of the designs are one-of-a-kind, so if you decide to splurge, you’ll know nobody else at the party will be sporting your duds. At 838 S. Spring St., (213) 612-0114 or candiceheld.com.—Anna Scott

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28 Downtown News

Best Businesses Keeping the Economic Engine Running

Ralphs Fresh Fare

n Best Unexpected Community Outreach: Good Samaritan Hospital n Best Looking New Building: 717 Olympic

BEST SALON

Salon Eleven The sleekly minimalist salon on the ground floor of South Park’s Elleven high-rise offers serious pampering at reasonable prices. While the business touts its stylists as “the

First, grab a latte or iced mocha at the Coffee Bean, set it down at a table and head over to the two-sided magazine rack between the frozen food aisle and the deli. While not as extensive as, say, Barnes & Noble, Ralphs in South Park does a respectable job of culling a range of mags for your reading pleasure. From the mainstream to the obscure, titles include Martha Stewart Living for the lifestyle buffs, Guns & Ammo for the trigger happy, Dwell for architecture lovers, and even a mess of craft magazines about beads, knitting and sewing. It’s a fun place to hang out and get your People magazine fix while watching the Downtown people pass by. Just remember to put the magazines back if you’re not buying them — you don’t want to screw up the system for everyone else. At 645 W. Ninth St., (213) 452-0840 or ralphs.com.—Kathryn Maese

photo by Gary Leonard

EDITORS’ CHOICE n Best Magazine Stand: Ralphs Fresh Fare n Best Farmers Market: City Hall Farmers Market

BEST Magazine Stand

photo by Gary Leonard

READERS’ CHOICE n Best Salon: Salon Eleven 2nd Place: Salon Pure n Best Hotel: The Standard Downtown 2nd Place: Millennium Biltmore

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com

color specialists,” it offers an array of other services, including men’s and women’s haircuts and special hair treatments like deep conditioning and permanent straightening. Or stop in for a manicure or pedicure, from a basic version to the signature hot oil spa manicure. The salon also offers black tie and bridal styling. With most services starting around $50, it’s a much cheaper alternative to plastic surgery — and the transformations have been said to be almost as dramatic. At 420 W. 11th St., (213) 744-9992 or salon-eleven.com.—Anna Scott

BEST HOTEL

The Standard Downtown The Standard is anything but. Andre Balazs’ modernist hotel at Flower and Sixth is the choice for the hip traveler, earning glowing reviews from the likes of Vanity Fair and Condé Nast Traveler. The rooms have personalities, and names, of their own. The Medium, starting at $245, features a glass-encased “show-all” bathroom — hip hotels are not for the modest. The Wow has a huge, moveable foot sculpture (you read that right) and a bathtub “large enough for 2 (or more).” While the views can be great from many locations in the Financial District establishment (especially the rooftop, which boasts an infinity pool), the Big Penthouse and Bigger Penthouse are obviously the way to go for those who can spend at least $1,150 a night. At 550 S. Flower St., (213) 8928080 or standardhotels.com.—Julie Riggott

BEST FARMERS MARKET

City Hall Farmers Market Held each Thursday on the south lawn of City Hall, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., this market offers a tempting variety of goodies along with excellent people-watching opportunities. Easily accessible from several bus lines, the weekly gathering boasts fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade baked goods, specialty items like nuts, dried fruits and hummus, fresh flowers and excellent lunchtime options, including rotisserie chicken and coffee by the cup. It’s also the perfect excuse to kick back under a tree and pretend you’re a “Dragnet” detective casing the crowd. Or not. On the south lawn of City Continued on next page

July 21, 2008

Downtown News 29

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Best Weekend Visits Escape the Workweek Crowds by Checking Out These Destinations on Off Days by Richard Guzmán city editor

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ith a weekday workforce of about 450,000 people, Downtown can feel a little crowded at times. And with so many folks hustling and bustling Monday through Friday, it’s easy to miss some of the little gems the community has to offer. Since Downtown’s residential population is about 35,000, the weekends can be a lot less hectic, not to mention less crowded. So why not enjoy Downtown Los Angeles when most of the crowds have gone home to their families? Here are a few things to do and places to visit when the workweek ends and the suits and ties turn to T-shirts and shorts. South Park Farmers Market: Farmers markets are a hit Downtown, with five taking place during the workweek. They’re usually packed with the business crowd racing to get fresh veggies, flowers and food. But why rush? Why not enjoy a leisurely time at a farmers market without having to worry about clocking back in after an hour lunch break? Starting in August, the South Park Artisan & Farmers Market will be held every third Sunday of the month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although down from the previous weekly schedule, the market still features about 50 vendors and offers everything you can find at any of the weekday markets. Additionally, live bands will play from noon-2 p.m. And since it’s on the weekend, you can bring your dog. At Figueroa and 11th streets or southparkartisanmarket.com. St. Vincent’s Court: During the weekday rush, it’s easy to miss this little alley near the corner of Seventh Street and Broadway, but once you find it, you’ll be transported to a whole new world. Its cobblestone-like streets and cafe façades with outdoor tables give it the feel of a small European village. On the weekdays it gets pretty hectic with Jewelry District workers running in and out of the alley to grab a quick bite in one of the many Persian and Middle Eastern restaurants. The vibe is more relaxed on the weekends, with folks taking the time to sit outside and chat as they enjoy their food. On the north side of Seventh between Broadway and Hill Street. City Hall: Going to City Hall during the week usually means you’re there for business, not pleasure. But once the pols have left the building, you can come back and tour this Continued from previous page Hall, between Main and Spring streets, (323) 660-8660 or downtownfarmersmarket.org.—Anna Scott

BEST UNEXPECTED COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Good Samaritan Hospital Good Samaritan does the things you expect, and it does them darn well, thank you. After all, it has one of the most renowned maternity units in Southern California, and for two years in a row Healthgrades, a healthcare ratings company, has named the City West institution one of the 50 best hospitals in the country. But there’s more to the story: Under President and CEO Andy Leeka, Good Sam is a true community partner, staging events such as the free annual Blessing of the Bicycles and the Korean Community Health Fair (now in its 12th year). The hospital has hosted art shows and also provides a VIP Health program for Downtown workers and residents. What a concept: a hospital that treats you well when you are, well, well. At 1225 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 977-2121 or goodsam. org.—Jon Regardie

BEST LOOKING NEW BUILDING

717 Olympic The 26-story residential high-rise by the Hanover Company isn’t just stunning in appearance, it’s got a perfect location, sitting proudly on the northeast corner of Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard, overlooking L.A. Live and Staples Center. Designed by the architecture firm RTKL, the 151-apartment structure opened in June. From street level, it’s an attention-grabbing white tower with ample windows, some wrapping around the corners. The building itself boasts one of the best ways to view Downtown, from the eighth-floor Orbit Lounge, which includes a dual-sided fireplace. Those on the outside of 717 Olympic will yearn to get in, and those inside may never want to leave. At 717 Olympic or 717olympic. com.—Richard Guzmán

landmark thanks to the Los Angeles Conservancy. Held at 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month, the nearly two-hour tour will take you into the 1928 edifice’s Board of Public Works Session Room, the John Ferraro City Council Chambers, the 27th floor Observation Deck and other highlights. If City Hall isn’t where you want to spend your weekend, the Conservancy also offers Downtown tours of the Broadway theaters, the Historic Core and Little Tokyo. More information at laconservancy.org. A Walk in the Park: The $14 million 10-acre Vista Hermosa Park was scheduled to open July 19 in City West

(after Los Angeles Downtown News went to press). With green space such a rarity Downtown, this is a great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy a bit of nature. The park features paved trails that lead to terraces, an amphitheater with a waterfall, picnic areas and even a soccer field. The nearby Edward R. Roybal Learning Center will bring 2,800 high school students in the fall, so it will definitely get some use during the weekdays, but a Sunday stroll through the grass may get you mentally ready for the week ahead. At First and Toluca streets. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

30 Downtown News

DowntownNews.com

Best Kid-Friendly Destinations How to Keep It All in the Family When Going Out in Downtown

I

t seems that every week brings more babies and families to Downtown. In fact, last week my neighbor had her second child, bringing the grand total in our Historic Core building to eight kids. Sometimes, within the span of two or three blocks, I’ll encounter a dozen moms pushing strollers or carrying their little ones in slings. There are still a few curious stares, but Downtown children are becoming more and more commonplace. That said, the services, restaurants and activities for them are often harder to spot. As I tote my 4-month-old around, I’ve discovered a few kid-friendly things on my own, and sometimes get emails

or tips from locals. Usually I just follow the strollers. The following is a list I’ve culled in the past few months of the Best Downtown Los Angeles has to offer. Hopefully it’ll grow by this time next year. L.A. Conservancy Youth Outreach Program: On the fourth Saturday of each month, this nonprofit offers 45-minute tours of Union Station for kids 7-11. They also have a kid’s web page where you can download free activity guides to Broadway, Spring Street, City Hall and other local landmarks. It’s a great way to help the kids explore the city’s architecture. At laconservancy.org.

Dear Downtown News Readers,

THANKS! For voting us the

Pershing Square Kids Series: As part of their summer concert programming, several Fridays from noon-3 p.m. are devoted to children’s activities. There’s a Russian magician and folk dancing, circus clowns, a silent strolling vaudevillian, a Brazilian carnival and puppets, and an African safari theme with drums and more puppets. The park’s Salsa Sundays Kathryn Maese once a month are also a great way for both parents and kids to get in on the RESIDENT fun. At 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 a d v is o r or laparks.org. Clifton’s Cafeteria: This is one big magical forest where you can eat wiggly Jell-O, get a turkey dinner year-round and have your pick of delicious desserts like strawberry cream pie and chocolate cake. What kid and adult wouldn’t love that? There’s a 20-foot waterfall, redwoods, fishing bears and even a prayer chapel. Plus, kids get free cake on their birthday. At 648 S. Broadway, (213) 627-1673 or cliftonscafeteria.com. Los Angeles State Historic Park: This 12-acre oasis has a great gravel track for taking that stroller on a jog or walk. The views are lovely. The air is fresh and there are wildflowers, birds, grassy knolls and benches. It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon or weekend. Spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic with the kiddies or let them burn off some energy. Keep an eye out for frequent community events here. At 1245 N. Spring St.

Photo by Greg Paul Williams

The Bob Baker Marionette Theatre has been pleasing kids and parents for generations. The City West location makes it easy for Downtown families.

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July 21, 2008

7/16/08 7:09:14 PM

Grand Performances: I can’t say enough about how great these concerts are for families. At a recent performance by Mariachi Los Camperos, the place was packed with babies, toddlers and kids of all ages. The dancing water fountains are a big draw too, and kids ooh and ahh over the spectacle. You can get a pie from California Pizza Kitchen and enjoy a memorable — and free — summer evening. Through Oct. 6. At 300 S. Grand Ave., grandperformances.org. Bob Baker Marionettes: Possibly one of the coolest places for kids and adults, this old school house of puppets puts on regular shows and also hosts memorable birthday parties. The marionettes are fantastic, from clowns to storybook characters to ladies in elaborate period costumes. Tickets are $15, children under 2 are free. Reservations required. At 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Aloha Café: We can’t get enough of this place. The food is great and inexpensive, always a plus for families, and they have what has to be the best kid’s treat ever: The Hawaiian shaved ice is as big as your head, mounded up in a bowl like a mini snowcovered mountain, and it’s only $2.50. It’s like eating powdered snow — it’s that fine. The passion orange and strawberry combo is awesome, though there are another dozen flavors. Just be warned: This shaved ice is dangerously addictive. At 410 E. Second St., (213) 346-9930 or eatalohacafe.com. Moscatels: This huge arts and craft store is owned by Michael’s, but often offers goods for lower prices. It’s the perfect place to get kid’s crafts or supplies for school projects. There’s a wide selection of silk flowers, baskets, ribbon, vases, party stuff, scrapbooking kits, frames, decorations and art supplies. It’s between Seventh and Eighth streets, three blocks east of Los Angeles Street and one block west of San Pedro Street. Open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. At 733 S. San Julian St., (213) 689-4590. Exposition Park: This is one mega hub for kids that should be a regular resource. The Natural History Museum, California African American Museum, California Science Center and IMAX Theater provide endless hours of entertainment and education. There are dinosaurs, 3-D films, interactive exhibits, the works. Plus, it’s only a short car or DASH bus ride away.

July 21, 2008

Downtown News 31

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Best Ways to Help the Community There Are Numerous Things Anyone Can Do to Make Downtown a Better Place by Anna Scott staff writer

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nity. The city’s long-term plan envisions greening, cleaning and reviving the river over the next five decades. In the meantime, proposed developments, like the Arts District’s One Santa Fe project, are planned to rise nearby and promise to draw more people than ever to the river’s banks. Help now by participating in cleanup efforts organized by nonprofits like Friends of the L.A. River and Heal the Bay, and by checking the organizations’ websites for regular updates on river-related news and events. Contact FOLAR at folar.org or (323) 223-0585, and Heal the Bay at healthebay.org or (310) 451-1500. Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

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owntown can seem like a fragmented place. With so many distinct enclaves, from Little Tokyo to the Civic Center to City West, a growing residential population and a workday crowd that often commutes from far-flung areas, it might seem like a stretch to think of Downtown as a cohesive community. That said, while Downtown is comprised of many neighborhoods and hundreds of thousands of workers and residents, it is most definitely a community. The area’s diverse stakeholders are linked by a common investment in the city’s urban core and a desire to see it become as vibrant as possible. Below is a list of some of the most effective steps you can take to help improve Downtown Los Angeles. Go to a DLANC Meeting: Unlike most neighborhood councils, the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council doesn’t just include local residents. The council’s 28-member board of directors represents a vast swath of area stakeholders, with seats designated for residents and business repre-

hospital patient dumping on Skid Row, and her work to improve Downtown transportation by championing measures such as a six-month program that allows pedestrians to hail cabs, these officials are on the front lines of local change and our most direct connection to City Hall. Go to lacity.org to see which district you fall into, then write, call, or check the district calendars for neighborhood events where you might get some face time. Help Clean the L.A. River: The often neglected waterway that divides Downtown from East L.A. mostly looks like a glorified storm drain, but has the potential to become a local ame-

photo by Gary Leonard

One of the ways to improve Downtown is by helping beautify the Los Angeles River. Several organizations stage efforts to clean and green the troubled waterway.

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sentatives in specific districts, as well as local artists and social service providers. Last month’s election attracted more than 60 prospective candidates, and approximately 2,000 people turned out to cast ballots. Already an influential voice in local land use issues and development, DLANC is primed to grow. To get involved, visit DLANC.com or call (213) 473-6451. Volunteer at a Mission: Despite increased attention on Skid Row, including an effort by the County Board of Supervisors to house the area’s 50 neediest residents, the 50-block neighborhood still has one of the highest concentrations of homeless individuals in the country. Local nonprofits, meanwhile, work every day to make a dent in the problem. Downtown’s Midnight and Union Rescue missions (among others) have worked for years to feed and house thousands of homeless men, women and children, and both offer myriad ways to pitch in. Whether you donate money or goods, or take some time to dole out meals (try a day besides Thanksgiving), every contribution counts. Contact the Union Rescue Mission at urm.org or (213) 347-6300, and the Midnight Mission at midnightmission.org or (213) 689-8980. Start a Blog: Downtown over the past few years has become one of L.A.’s most read-about neighborhoods on the Internet, thanks to websites like blogdowntown.com and angelenic.com, which attract loyal readers by providing indepth posts about local issues from development to transportation and the ins and outs of life in Downtown. Other blogs that have joined the mix chronicle everything from a family’s move here from Silver Lake (underthealexandria.blogspot. com) to the travails of a so-called certified beach dude and his little white dog (skidrowdude.com). Each voice helps bring Downtown into sharper focus while raising the area’s profile. So get typing — on the off chance that you haven’t already. Get to Know Your Council Member: Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry and 14th District Councilman José Huizar represent the lion’s share of Downtown L.A., while Ed Reyes’ First District covers parts of City West and Chinatown, and Bernard Parks’ Eighth District includes Exposition Park and surrounding communities. From Huizar’s effort to revive Broadway to Perry’s success in helping to criminalize

Unde

32 Downtown News

Over 25,000 Businesses Listed for Downtown Los Angeles Is one of them yours?

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S E A R C H D O W N T O W N L A . CO M

July 21, 2008

The Body Shop

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Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating Serves Up Success Meal Replacement Regimen Offers Balanced Nutrition, One Portion at a Time

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eattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating is helping people achieve their healthy eating goals, one person at a time, portion by portion, morsel by morsel. The country’s preFROM OUR ADVeRtISeRS

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Thought provoking news deserves thoughts. Give us yours. DowntownNews.com Now with reader comments.

mier meal replacement company has helped thousands of people improve their health over the course of 22-plus years since the company was founded by registered nurse Seattle Sutton. The company serves up deliciously prepared, healthy meals that are calorie controlled and meet the requirements recommended by health and medical experts. “Our meals are chock full of the

right mix of nutrients that you should consume and are part of our five-week menu rotation that equates to balanced nutrition. The best part is that the meals are prepared and ready to eat,� said Sutton, RN, BSN, founder and president of Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating. “Our meals have helped thousands of people since I began my mission to improve the overall health of Americans. I’d like to share with you a few of their success stories, and I think you’ll agree they are truly inspiring. Perhaps you might find some similarities,� continued Sutton. SSHE Success Stories “I have been on the program for 18 months. My diabetes has been under

control for almost a year. I have had a successful weight loss of over 50 pounds. Thank you, Seattle Sutton!� —R.H. “The combination of Seattle Sutton’s great food and sensible eating plan is the key to success for even a chronic dieter like me!� —H.K. “I have lost over 45 pounds in six months. I can highly recommend the Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating plan to anyone who wants to lose weight.� —D.T. “Thank you for giving my life back to me! I am feeling great!� —G.G. “I have achieved a 40-pound weight loss over a five-month period along with a normalization of my glucose levels, all without medication.

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July 21, 2008

Downtown News 33

The Body Shop

SHOP

THINK SMART, THINK HEALTHY, THINK SEATTLE SUTTON’S HEALTHY EATING

FRESHLY PREPARED MEALS AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY TO HOME OR OFFICE OUR MEAL PLAN IS HELP HELPFUL HEL PFUL FOR: FOR:

for Better HealtH My physician was amazed at the results!� —J.S. SSHE has thousands of success stories just like these. SSHE offers convenient, healthy and delicious meals and people from all walks of life enjoy the plan for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: busy people on the go, senior citizens, new and nursing mothers, diabetics, hypertensives, cardiac patients and recently discharged hospital patients. How SSHE Works: n 21 freshly prepared meals (7 breakfasts, lunches and dinners) n 1,200 or 2,000 calories per day portion sizes* n Five-week menu cycle (no repeat of meals) n No contracts or enrollment fees n No counseling or meetings to attend National Home Delivery clients receive two meal deliveries each week to total entire week’s worth of 21 total meals. Meals do not come frozen or dried and contain fresh fruit and salads. *Averages per day based on the complete five-week menu cycle, including recommended fat-free skim milk.

The SSHE Meal Plan follows the guidelines of health and nutrition experts: n Portion & calorie controlled n Low in fat & saturated fat n Low cholesterol n Sodium restricted n Contains no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils and no trans fat or high fructose corn syrup

customers later, the rest is history. Sutton’s dedication to healthy eating is her mission and continues today. All the SSHE menus are analyzed on an ongoing basis and adhere to recommended dietary guidelines. SSHE prepares thousands of healthy, freshly prepared meals weekly from its Ottawa, Ill., headquarters and its innovative approach has helped

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NEW SMILE Sutton established the company in 1985 when she saw the need for healthy prepared meals while working in her husband’s small town medical practice. Many of the patients needed healthy, balanced meals to help with their medical conditions, but weren’t able to prepare meals for themselves. That’s when Sutton realized patients would eat properly, if only someone would provide them with the meals. At that moment, she went from small-town nurse to entrepreneur. Thousands of satisfied

thousands of people nationwide achieve and maintain weight loss without any planning, shopping or cooking. Many more people have enjoyed the convenience of healthy, freshly prepared meals that help them juggle the demands of their busy lives. Interested in eating healthy without all the work? Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating makes healthy eating simple with delivery to home or office. What are you waiting for? Call (800) 442-DIET or visit seattlesutton.com.

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34 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Best Sports & Recreation

Park a kite flyer’s paradise. At 1245 N. Spring St., (213) 6206152 or parks.ca.gov.—Ryan Vaillancourt

Come Out and Play

BEST SPORTS EXECUTIVE

Mitch Kupchak, L.A. Lakers General Manager Kupchak was under fire for a few years, perhaps unfairly, after he traded Shaquille O’Neal. Now, however, after executing the Kwame Brownand-spare-parts deal for the Memphis Grizzlies’ Pau Gasol, Kupchak is in vogue. Still, to understand what’s he capable of, it’s better to look at another deal: Before the Gasol robbery, Kupchak sent the little-utilized Brian Cook and Maurice Evans to Orlando for defensive whiz Trevor Ariza. It’s easy to forget now how valuable Ariza was before he got injured late in the season, but he’s the kind of player who next year will deliver some of the toughness the Lakers lacked. It’s never easy in the front office, but Kupchak is out of the shadow of his legendary predecessor Jerry West. Home games at Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., nba. com/lakers.—Jon Regardie

BEST PARK

READERS’ CHOICE n Best Park: Los Angeles State Historic Park 2nd Place: Pershing Square n Best Sports Team: Los Angeles Lakers 2nd Place: Los Angeles Dodgers EDITORS’ CHOICE n Best Sports Executive: Mitch Kupchak, L.A. Lakers n Best New Workout: Piccinini Training Center n Best New Kids’ Attraction: Everychild Universally Accessible Playground at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital

Los Angeles State Historic Park Nestled between Chinatown and the Los Angeles River (on the site formerly known as the Cornfield), the Los Angeles State Historic Park is not your typical city park. Even when the wildflowers are in full bloom, which they were for the first time this spring, the park is no sylvan retreat; after all, the Metro Gold Line runs along the park’s western border. But that’s part of what users of the park like about it: While walking, jogging or biking around the 12 acres of rolling greens and gravel paths, one can’t help but feel a connection to the city. The lack of trees makes Los Angeles State Historic

BEST Sports Team

BEST NEW KIDS’ ATTRACTION

Everychild Universally Accessible Playground at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital At first glance, it looks like an ordinary, well-tended playground with all of the basics: slides, swings and plenty of tempting climbing surfaces. But Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital’s recently opened park is designed to accommodate every child, including those with wheelchairs, leg braces, crutches and other physical challenges facing young patients of the facility. The playground’s brightly colored equipment and interactive games are open to the general public seven days a week and create a place where hospital patients can mingle with kids from the neighborhood or nearby schools. Check out the 10-foot-tall red dragon that sprays a mist of cool water, which provides a bit of relief on hot summer days. At 2400 S. Flower St., on the Orthopaedic Hospital campus, (213) 742-1000 or orthohospital.org.—Anna Scott

Given the Lakers’ recent run to the NBA Finals and the utter and complete ineptitude of most of the other local sports franchises, this one isn’t a surprise. Still, the Lakers never fail to attract attention, even when basketball gives way to baseball. The club that struggled for three post-Shaq years is now among the best teams in the NBA, and fans are already foaming at the mouth over how the Kobe-Pau nucleus will be enhanced by a healthy Andrew Bynum. But the Laker love extends, and even casual fans dig guard Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson, he of the Zen and the art of coaching mindset.

photo by Gary Leonard

Los Angeles Lakers

Yeah, getting crushed by Boston blew, but just imagine what Kobe will be like when he’s out for revenge. Home games at Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., nba.com/ lakers.—Jon Regardie

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July 21, 2008

Downtown News 35

SearchDowntownLA.com

photo by Gary Leonard

Best New Workout: Piccinini Training Center A Rookie Steps Into the Mixed Marital Arts World And Finds It Hurts So Good by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

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hen I wander into the Piccinini Training Center, a new mixed martial arts studio in South Park, for an evening workout, all I can think about is how I haven’t thrown a punch since middle school. It was a timid uppercut at best that stunned me more than my momentary enemy Adam Bacon, actually a close friend, and the backyard scuffle ended in hugs and refrains of “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it. Want to sleep over and watch The Sandlot?” Inside the PTC’s converted warehouse space I take note of a rippled, tattooed fighter jumping rope and another guy who I’m sure could dominate those steroid-laden “American Gladiator” dudes. It feels like a jar of butterflies has opened in my stomach. “Don’t worry,” says Don Corcoran, who combined his enthusiasm for the sport of mixed martial arts with some entrepreneurial spirit when he and wife Casidee Riley opened the facility in November. “We won’t beat you up too bad. It’ll be fun.” After Corcoran outfits me with some boxing gloves, wrist wraps, shin guards and a rubber mouthpiece — which we boil to fit my jaw — I’m hardly reassured. A few minutes before the session starts, coach Roberto Piccinini suggests that I stretch and maybe

take a few laps around the mats to get the blood going. Knowing that the Brazilian-born Piccinini is a world-class mixed martial arts expert, revered internationally both as a fighter and trainer, I take his advice. Learning to Strike Mixed martial arts, commonly known as MMA, is exactly what the name suggests. Professional practitioners of the sport are trained in a variety of fighting styles, from boxing to Muay Thai, a kickboxing technique that uses punches, kicks, knees and elbows. At PTC, on any weekday afternoon or evening, students can get professional-level instruction in just about every style used in MMA. About half of the students have professional fighting aspirations, but the rest are just looking for an alternative workout. And what a workout it is: It begins with about 30 laps around an approximately 40-foot-by-70-foot practice mat, alternating among jogging, backpedaling, sideways shuffle steps and sprints. Then comes a series of kicks: Standing in place, we thrust one leg forward at an imaginary opponent. I’m losing my balance, especially when trying to kick my less coordinated left leg, but nobody seems to judge me, and the repetition brings a Zen-like catharsis. After pummeling the hot, sweaty air, we pair up. One partner holds a thick, circular

The Piccinini Training Center attracts a mix of aspiring competitive fighters and those just looking for an intense, alternative workout.

pad on the outer part of his upper thigh as the other takes vicious whacks at the target with his foot. Everyone in the gym kicks in rhythm, so that the place feels like a Detroit auto factory, pistons banging and doors slamming in unison. If I slow down and hit the bag during the quiet period, I’m pretty sure everyone will hear that my kicks sound more like a Prius turning on. After 50 kicks, my hip is pulsing and the top of my bare foot looks like it’s suffering from a terrible sunburn. Team Piccinini Working out in a typical fitness club — lifting weights while listening to an iPod, say, or climbing the Stairmaster as “All My Children” or “ESPN SportsCenter” play on muted televisions — can be a solitary experience. It’s different at the PTC. Even first-timers are treated like part of a team that’s only as strong as its weakest member. That must be why when we finish the workout with four three-minute rounds of one-onone boxing, my opponent doesn’t sting me too bad every time I drop my hands out of exhaustion, making my head look like a piñata.

Okay, he does get me more than a few times square in the nose, a few to the side of the head and even a body shot or two, or three, or… After the buzzer rings, the students circle up and cycle through 400 repetitions of abdominal crunching exercises. Then Mike, the student leading us, announces the final test. “Seventy-five push ups,” he says. Impossible. “I can’t do 75 in a row,” I tell the group. “Just go ahead. I’ll do ’em in batches.” Mike refuses. “We do everything together here,” he deadpans. “Let’s do groups of 25.” And we do. Three days later the bottoms of my feet are still raw from planting on the hard rubber mats and my nose is still a little tender. Yet somehow I’m itching to do it again. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com. A class at the Piccinini Training Center is $35. A monthly membership is $100 per month, plus a one-time $100 registration fee. More information at (213) 746-9021 or piccininigroup.com.

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36 Downtown News

Best Miscellany

BEST LANDMARK

Aoyama Tree For almost 90 years, as skyscrapers popped up in Downtown, and buildings came and went or were reinvented in Little Tokyo, a 50-foot-tall Moreton Bay fig tree has stood firm and proud. After an ef-

fort by the Little Tokyo Historical Society, the Aoyama Tree on May 20 was declared Downtown’s first living city HistoricalCultural Monument. Planted in 1920 by members of the Koyosan Buddhist Temple, the tree, noticeable by its shady green canopy, stands on a pedestrian walkway near Central Avenue and First Street. It is seen as an important symbolic figure for the city’s Asian community, but it’s also a great place to plop

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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Council President Eric Garcetti dominated the Hottest Politician category for the past few years, so Los Angeles Downtown News decided it was time to recognize some other hotness. Hence, the Ninth District’s own Jan Perry. She’s a graduate of USC and worked in city government for many years before she was first elected in 2001. Since taking office, she has been passionate about community issues, working bravely and tirelessly to improve Skid Row, and she has also been a big backer of certain business/ development projects, including L.A. Live. She serves on about a half-dozen committees and is vice chair of the Grand Avenue Authority, so it’s easy to see that she cares about this city, and a woman that cares that much about anything is always hot. At 200 N. Spring St., Room 420 or lacity.org/council/cd9.—Richard Guzmån

photo by Gary Leonard

EDITORS’ CHOICE n Best Landmark: Aoyama Tree n Best Place to Park for Free: Office Depot Lot at Second and Central n Best Alternative Mode of Transportation: Scooter n Best Lemonade: Angela’s Green Potion at Homegirl CafÊ n Best Cup of Coffee: Salvadorian Blend at CafÊ Corsa n Best Lunch Break Park: Urban Garden at Disney Hall n Best Rooftop: TenTen Wilshire n Best Website: blogdowntown.com n Best Community Cause: Bring Back the Streetcar!

Jan Perry photo by Gary Leonard

READERS’ CHOICE n Third Hottest Politician: Jan Perry 2nd Place: Police Chief William Bratton

down under and escape the sun on a hot summer day. At Central Avenue and First Street.—Richard Guzmån

BEST PLACE TO PARK FOR FREE

Office Depot Lot at Second and Central In Downtown, finding a free parking spot is like hitting the jackpot. One of the best places to strike it rich is the Office Depot lot at Second Street and Central Avenue in Little Tokyo. It is free with validation, but there is a bonus: Although signs say validation is always required, often it is only enforced during the lunch hour when you park there and patronize places such as Quiznos, Green Bamboo or Starbucks. Most other times no one is checking for validation or even giving out tickets to be stamped, so you can still grab a bite or a latte without

worrying about time limits or anything else. But don’t tell anyone about this — we’d hate to see them clamp down. At Second Street and Central Avenue.—Richard Guzmån

BEST ALTERNATIVE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

Scooter You have seen them whizzing around Downtown, darting through cars idling in traffic jams. Or you may have seen them parked near bicycle racks, with riders getting off, going about their business, then getting back on, often before most car-bound drivers even find a place to park. Scooters are cheap, economical and practical in a Downtown with a growing residential base and gridlocked streets. And since they’re easy to operate, just about anyone can ride one. We’ve even seen a few Downtowners in suits scooting around. —Richard Guzmån

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Downtown News 37

SearchDowntownLA.com

BEST LEMONADE

Angela’s Green Potion at Homegirl Café

even make you feel worldlier. At 2238 S. Figueroa St., (213) 746-2604.—Richard Guzmán

photo by Gary Leonard

BEST LUNCH BREAK PARK

Urban Garden at Disney Hall Tired of hitting the same lunch spots? Not enough restaurants with outdoor seating? Try packing your own and taking it to the open-air gardens and terrace at Disney Hall. Cradled in the upper corners of Frank Gehry’s visual playground of a building is an al fresco experience with plenty of perches suitable for a solo snack and scattered tables big enough for group picnics or lunches with colleagues. Accessible via two stairways (one at Grand Avenue and First Street, the other at Tom Bradley Boulevard) this rarely crowded terrace also makes a great place to picnic with your sweetheart when the sun goes down. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org.—Ryan Vaillancourt

ous Wow factor and adding contributors Ed Fuentes and Jeannine Denholm. The result is that blogdowntown now delivers loads of community-specific information and a variety of content, rendering it much more than the standard I-went-here-and-did-that-and-then-ate-this blog. These days, Richardson’s longtime goal of making blogdowntown a source for community conversation is working better than ever, as eager Downtowners debate, sometimes fiercely, issues such as neighborhood council elections and the proposed Pershing Square renovation — the latter drew a staggering response, with more than 100 comments. At blogdowntown. com.—Jon Regardie

BEST COMMUNITY CAUSE Bring Back the Streetcar!

BEST ROOFTOP

Reminiscent of the best mojito you’ve ever had, minus the rum, this brightly colored concoction is more addictive than its boozy cousin. The secret ingredients behind its hue are spinach and a generous helping of fresh mint leaves, which are blended into the sweet-tart lemonade. Created by Homegirl Café co-founder Patricia Zarate as a way to trick her kids into eating their veggies, and named for Zarate’s daughter, the most satisfying batches are thick with ground mint and provide all the sustenance one needs to get through a scorching summer afternoon. At 130 W. Bruno St., (323) 526-1254, ext. 301 or homeboy-industries.org.—Anna Scott

BEST CUP OF COFFEE

Salvadorian Blend at Café Corsa If you really love coffee, and you really love talking about coffee over a good cup of coffee, then order the Salvadorian blend at Café Corsa and chat up owner Rick Weiche when you visit the caffeine joint near USC. The Salvadorian Blend comes, of course, from growers in El Salvador. The coffee is strong, has an alluring aroma and is best taken black. It’ll certainly perk you up and might

TenTen Wilshire If anything justifies living in the City West high-rise, where rents run from $3,000 to more than $11,000 (yes, that’s per month), it’s the roof. Overlooking the entirety of Downtown Los Angeles and beyond from 16 stories above the street, the spacious patio in the property developed by the Amidi Real Estate Group features a pool, sauna and steam room. The glass-enclosed rooftop gym, fully stocked with top-of-the-line treadmills, weight machines and other equipment, gives any of those chain gyms a run for their money. But perhaps most enticingly, the roof deck includes a fully stocked bar, and free happy hours for tenants and their guests are planned. Move-ins just started — better make friends fast! At 1010 Wilshire Blvd., (877) 338-1010 or 1010wilshire. com.—Anna Scott

BEST WEBSITE

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When it comes to the next stage of public transit in Downtown, plenty of folks these days want to kick it — make that ride it — old school. While there have been calls for a trolley system in Downtown for decades, the idea is finally gaining traction. Councilman José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative has given energy (and helped direct money) toward a streetcar study, and in April a group of Downtowners traveled to check out streetcar systems in Portland and Seattle. There is even a streetcar planning session next month. While hurdles remain — the cost is unknown and it is expected to take a decade, at least — the idea of a streetcar is, for the first time in a long time, more about the future than nostalgia for the past. At bringingbackbroadway.com.—Jon Regardie

38 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

LADowntownNews.com

LISTINGS EVENTS

LIST

Monday, July 21 Piccinini Training Center 1335 S. Flower St., (213) 746-9021 or piccininigroup.com 8-10 a.m.: Free mixed martial arts training sessions through Aug. 29. Open to all skill levels. Factory Place Yoga 1308 Factory Place #314, (213) 627-2743 or factoryplaceyoga.com. Noon, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.: Free week of yoga classes at Factory Place Yoga through Friday, July 25. Times vary.

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h, but the clown action’s only getting started. The pranksters of Cirque Berzerk are pitching their newly purchased big top tent in the Los Angeles State Historic Park (formerly known as the Cornfield) from Thursday through Sunday, July 24-27. The storyline has something to do with Orpheus, but you need only know there are fire stunts, aerial acrobatics, contortionists, “extra tall” ladies and live vocals, and all of it’s set to an original score. Guests are encouraged to come earlier than show time (which is 8 p.m.) to picnic in the tent and enjoy the beer and wine garden, which opens at 6 p.m. Bike instead of drive and get a 10% discount on admission. 1245 N. Spring St., cirqueberzerk.com.

Tuesday, July 22 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Longtime Los Angeles Times photographer Rick Loomis discusses “Photographer on the Battlefield: Photo Lecture.” His presentation is followed by a conversation with Louise Steinman, the ALOUD series curator. Wednesday, July 23 Green Drinks Pharmaka Art, 101 W. Fifth St., (213) 689-7799 or pharmaka-art.org. 7-10 p.m.: Green Drinks, the nonprofit group that throws mixers for environmentally minded people (who also like to toss an organic cocktail back), hits Downtown. ALOUD at the Central Library 630 Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Homeboy Industries’ Father Greg Boyle and the company’s writing teacher Leslie Schwartz present a roundtable called “Marinating in Ghetto Air: Writing and Transformation at Homeboy Industries.”

2

Some may associate the band Steely Dan with schmaltzy ’70s music. And though it is music of a certain era, nobody can deny their chops. Or their wicked literacy: Their name comes from a sex toy in the William Burroughs book Naked Lunch, and their songs — there’s nary a vanilla one among them — are darker than the harmonies let on. They don’t tour often; heck, they didn’t really exist in the ’80s. But every once in a while the wizards come out of their music rooms and get up to their old tricks. They play the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, July 23, at 8 p.m. 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 7636000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

Father Greg Boyle’s Homeboy Industr ies is all about pragmatis m — its ou really bread and butter are busithought, right in the nesses that prov ide trainthick of summer, that you would be ing, jobs and a level-headed able to work the 9 to 5 and go home, sans space for rival ga ng members outdoor performance art? Last week, there were to work with each other. But stilt dancers at Seventh and Fig. This week, the clowns Boyle, a Jesuit pr iest with come out at Pershing Square. The Jumbo Shrimp many a degree in English Circus appears Friday, July 25, and though a sweltering and theology, als o believes 12:30 p.m. show time and eccentric Pershing Square in the power of th e written crowd could fell lesser clowns, Philip Briggs and Heide word. He appear s in the Karp are pros. They matriculated at the Ringling Bros. Central Library’ s Aloud and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, and they’ve series Wednesday , July 23, performed for everybody from Disneyland at 7 p.m. with w riter Leslie tourists to the Royal Family of Brunei. 532 S. Schwartz, who te aches creOlive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org. ative writing at Juvie and is currently establish ing a literary magazine and pr ess at Homeboy. Their talk is “Mar and some of the inating in Ghetto Homeboys will be Air,” on hand to read th (213) 228-7025 or eir work. 630 Fifth aloudla.org. St.,

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Nothing says Gen X like a concern for the environment and the love of a cheap drink. The low-key, international nonprofit called Green Drinks combines the two, frequently holding mixer events for conservation-minded people. It comes Downtown for the first time on Wednesday, July 23, from 7-10 p.m. at Pharmaka. They’re simple and informal events, designed to connect a green network while keeping organic beverages within arm’s reach. 101 W. Fifth St., lagreendrinks.org or pharmaka-art.org.

4 photo courtesy of Jumbo Shrimp Circus

photo courtesy of Homeboy Industries

Friday, July 25 Sample Sale Candice Held Designs, 719 S. Los Angeles St., Suite 508, (213) 612-0114. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Spring and summer samples from seasons past. Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St. #4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. Noon: Holly Myers and Tamala Poljak appear, both of whom have been involved in Chinatown gallery shows devoted to the exploration of community-based practices in the L.A. art world. Pershing Square Kids Series 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org. 12:30 p.m.: In Pershing Square’s kids series, the clown duo of Jumbo Shrimp Circus appears, followed by entertainer Abbit the Average. Live From Skid Row The Box Gallery, 977 Chung King Road, theboxla.com. 2-6 p.m.: A workshop for Skid Row residents from Lamp Community and the Downtown Women’s Center, with food and drinks.

no. 1

photo by Danny Clinch

Thursday, July 24 Thursdays at Central Central Library, 630 Fifth St., meeting room A, (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org. 12:15-1 p.m.: Craft Thursdays with knitting and more. Locals Night Kendall’s Brasserie, 135 N. Grand Ave. Info at (213) 226-1982, patinagroup.com/locals. 5-8 p.m.: Chef Joachim Splichal’s Patina Restaurant Group invites Downtowners to enjoy an hour of complimentary appetizers, drink specials and music by DJ Christophe at a new location each week through Aug. 7. Tonight, it’s spicy red wines and charcuterie from Southern France. L.A.’s Largest Mixer Shrine Auditorium Expo Center, 700 W. 32nd St., (323) 230-5656 or lamixer.com. 5-9 p.m.: Celebrating 10 years of business, this huge networking event joins chambers of commerce with professionals, and helps businesspeople meet new clients. $20 admission. Cirque Berzerk Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., cirqueberzerk.com. 8 p.m.: Four nights of this local troupe’s bizarre circus, with fire stunts, aerial acrobatics, contortionists, “extra tall” ladies and live vocals, all set to an original score. Guests are encouraged to come earlier than show time (which is 8 p.m.) to picnic in the tent and enjoy the beer and wine garden, which opens at 6 p.m. Bike instead of drive and get a 10% discount on admission.

photo by Suzanne Bernel

THE

July 21, 2008 Dance Downtown 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-3660 or musiccenter.org. 6:30-10 p.m.: Dance under the stars at the Music Center Plaza. Beginner samba lessons at 6:30 p.m., then live music from 7:15-10 p.m. Free. Downtown Comedy Club Wilshire Grand Hotel, 930 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 213-3195 or downtowncomedyclub.com. 8 p.m.: Wild and crazy headliner Doug Stanhope. Cirque Berzerk Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., cirqueberzerk.com. 8 p.m.: See July 24 listing. Saturday, July 26 California African American Museum 600 State Drive, (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. 2 p.m.: Film screening of “Keep the Faith, Baby,” which documents the life of politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr. from the 1930s through a 20-year career of successful civil rights advocacy. Live From Skid Row The Box Gallery, 977 Chung King Road, theboxla.com. 2-6 p.m.: A discussion with Mollie Lowery, founder and first executive director of Lamp Community. Music from Code Zero; performance by Tony Parker and Charles Porter. Glamour Me Chic Fashion Benefit 740 Nightclub, 740 S. Broadway, (310) 686-6169 or zaharityevents.tripod.com. 5:30 p.m.: A new event company, Zahari Ty Events, and nonprofit Young Dreams Foundation present this fashion show. Proceeds go to Young Dreams. Models walk the runway in vintage lingerie, urban wear, business attire and dresses — all acquired through vintage thrift shops and boutiques. Cirque Berzerk Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., cirqueberzerk.com. 8 p.m.: See July 24 listing. Downtown Comedy Club Wilshire Grand Hotel, 930 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 213-3195 or downtowncomedyclub.com. 8 and 10 p.m.: Wild and crazy headliner Doug Stanhope. Sunday, July 27 Lifelong Learning at JANM Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First

Downtown News 39

SearchDowntownLA.com St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org. 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Relive history and learn about present-day Little Tokyo with JANM docents. Cirque Berzerk Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., cirqueberzerk.com. 8 p.m.: See July 24 listing.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ 2nd Street Jazz 366 E. Second St., (213) 680-0047, 2ndstjazz.com or myspace.com/2ndstreetlivejazz. Music usually starts at 9 or 10 p.m. Tuesdays: Jazz jam session. 626 Reserve 626 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com. Tuesdays, 6 p.m.: Live music with Goh Kurosawa. Thursdays, 6 p.m.: Live music with Jessie Torrez. 7+Fig, Ernst & Young Plaza 725 S. Figueroa St., (213) 955-7150 or brookfieldproperties.com. July 25, 12:30 p.m.: Jazz trombonist Nils performs. Angelus Plaza 255 S. Hill St., fourth floor auditorium, (213) 623-4352, ext. 308. July 25, 2-4 p.m.: An afternoon of jazz with saxophonist and composer George Haper, who toured with Ray Charles. Bank of America Plaza 333 S. Hope St., (213) 680-1900 or brookfieldproperties.com. July 23, 12:30 p.m.: Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner. Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace.com/bar107. Tuesdays: A classic island mix of reggae with attitude. Wednesdays: The world famous (or at least in L.A.) Bar 107 Karaoke Gong Show. Come join the fun and help the judges vote for the best act of the evening. Sundays: DJ’s choice with 107’s Matt Dwyer, the comic-actor genius who plays music while serving the meanest drinks (in the nicest way) Downtown. Blue Velvet 750 S. Garland Ave., (213) 239-0061. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 p.m.: Live music and DJs. Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537,

cafemetropol.com or roccoinla.com. July 25, 8 p.m.: Jazz outfit, the Josh Welchez Quartet. July 26, 8 p.m.: The Nick Mancini Collective. He’s a vibraphonist, bandleader and singer. Casa De Sousa Coffee House W-19 Olvera St., or 634 N. Main St., casadesousa@gmail.com or (213) 703-5236. Every Saturday, 2-5 p.m.: Live Latin jazz. Casey’s Irish Bar and Grill 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. Tuesdays: Live Irish music. 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. Thursdays, 8-11 p.m.: The velvet-voiced Max Vontaine recreates the sounds and styles of rat packers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His smoking jackets and tunes are vintage; his bawdy repartee is less so. Keep a close eye on the unlit cigarette. Sundays, 6-11 p.m.: The restaurant is transformed into a vintage, old Hollywood-style dance club every Sunday — a big band, swank costumes, dinner and cocktails. Visit cicadaclub.com. Crash Mansion 1024 S. Grand Ave., (213) 747-0999 or crashmansionla.com. July 25, 8 p.m.: Old school spinner Grandmaster Flash and EMPD. July 26: Local hip-hoppers Tha Alkaholiks and Defari. Dodger Stadium 1000 Elysian Park Ave., visit livenation.com. Nov. 6: Madonna. Grand Performances 300-350 S. Grand Ave., (213) 687-2159 or grandperformances.org. July 25, noon: The highly multicultural Rupa and the April Fishes. July 27, 8 p.m.: Folk-punk Jewish rockers: JDub’s Slivovitz and Soul, with Soulico and Golem. Japanese American National Museum 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org. July 24, 6:30 p.m.: A jazz concert inspired by the rich history of one of the city’s most fabled streets, Central Avenue, with a lineup that includes Dave Iwataki, the L.A. Jazz Collective, the Gary Fuku-

shima Ensemble and Dwight Trible. J Restaurant and Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. July 23, 8 p.m.: Salsa in the City features complimentary salsa lessons, and then at 9 p.m., a batch of live musicians takes over for a “descarga” jam session. La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111 or myspace.com/lacitabar. Mondays, 9:30 p.m.: Cocktails and Jazz, with the HDR Jazz Trio. Thursdays: Dance Right, voted Downtown’s best dance night. Free if you RSVP, $5 otherwise. So duh, RSVP. Fridays, 9 p.m.: Punk Reggae Party features DJs spinning, you guessed it, punk and reggae. Free. Saturdays, 6 p.m.: Hacienda Nights, with live tejano, norteno and cumbia music. Cover $10. Sundays, 1 p.m.: Hacienda Nights again, $8. Mountain Bar 475 Gin Ling Way, (213) 625-7500 or themountainbar.com. July 22, 6 p.m.: China Art Objects Local Night is a night for local artists to mingle, enjoy some food and listen to DJs Steve Hanson and Tom Watson spin rock, punk and old classics. Every Tuesday, and free all night long. July 23, 9 p.m.: A weekly night of downtempo and soul as resident DJs MCVL, Rafael Cruz and C.Hill dig deep for funk, jazz and conscious breaks. Free all night long. July 24: Urban Canvas presents a night of art and great music as DJs Matt Foster, Tri, Brian Holmes and Shiro spin acid funk, house, downtempo, ’80s and soul all night long. Bring your instruments for a live jam session. Upstairs features art curated by Elle7 and features over 20 artists work. Free all night long. July 25: A live injection sounds invade the Mountain again every second and fourth Fridays with Culture Clash. Dance to the rhythms of reggae, roots, dub and dancehall downstairs with resident DJs Fadah Sparow, Mr. Chin, Crucial Cuts and Mr. Frew. Upstairs DJs Spin Cycle LA, Jeff Cee and Curious G spin the best classic hip hop and breaks all night long. Free all night. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. July 23: That dapper duo, Steely Dan. Continued on page 40

:22A 4?22A You are invited to

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40 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

LADowntownNews.com

Listings Continued from page 39 Aug. 1, 8 p.m.: Los Temerarios. Aug. 3, 8 p.m.: Juan Luis Guerra. Aug. 6: Steve Miller of “Fly Like an Eagleâ€? fame. Special guest is Joe Cocker. Aug. 16, 8 p.m.: Jenni Rivera. Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com. Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m.: Lyle Lovett and his Large Band don their hats and long jeans for a stop downtown. Sept. 10, 8 p.m.: Squeeze. Pershing Square Concerts 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org. July 22, noon-2 p.m.: Acoustic players Verdigo Road. July 24, noon-2 p.m.: Southern California rockers Aspen. Pete’s CafĂŠ and Bar 400 N. Main St., (213) 618-1759. Tuesdays, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Pablo Calogero and Fabiano Nacimento play Brazilian jazz. Rerax Fridays at SeĂąor Fish 422 E. First St., (213) 625-0566 or senorfishla.com. Fridays, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.: Music, art, VJ performances, silk screening and photos. Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 388-8488 or royaleonwilshire.com. Mondays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A live musical showcase with bands, a DJ and an Eastside vibe. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: An acoustic live set in the historic Royale lounge. A DJ spins between sets. Wednesday (second of every month), 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A fusion of spoken word and acoustic musical melodies. Sundays, 9 p.m.-midnight: Rat pack protĂŠgĂŠ Max Vontaine.

Seven Grand Whiskey Bar 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or myspace.com/sevengrandbar. July 21, 10 p.m.: Jazz men of the Rick Rock Trio. July 22, 10 p.m.: Garage rockers The Makers. July 23, 10 p.m.: Vocalist Hearth Martinez. Standard 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotel.com. Nightly DJs at both the lobby bar and rooftop lounge. Wednesdays, 8-11 p.m.: Live DJs spinning in a swank, but still comfy, lobby. And yes, there’s a bar right there. Saturdays, noon-8 p.m.: Local DJs spin indie, rock and electronica at “Diss.� Staples Center 1201 S. Figueroa St., staplescenter.com. Aug. 19-20: The Dave Matthews Band with The Dynamites. Oct. 5: New Kids on the Block. Tranquility Base Restaurant and Lounge 801 S. Grand Ave., (213) 404-0588 or tranquilityla.com. Every other Saturday, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.: There’s a new gay lounge night called The Hideout, with house and dance music, drink specials and an awesome outdoor lounge with cabanas and a fire pit. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-3660. July 25, 8 p.m.: The South Korean R&B pop duo Fly to the Sky.

CLASSICAL MUSIC thurSday, July 24 Korean Youth and Community Center Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 365-7400 or kyccla.org. 7 p.m.: KYCC returns to Disney Hall for its annual benefit concert. Soprano Angel Blue, pianist Carissa Kim, trumpeter Jens Lindemann and guitarist Scott Tennant perform.

Saturday, July 26 iPalpiti Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (310) 205-0511 or youngartists.org. 8 p.m.: This is a consortium of musicians from around the globe, and tonight they play a program of Schnittke’s “Suite in the Olden Style,� Arnold’s Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra, and Grieg’s String Sinfonietta in G minor, Opus 27. Sunday, July 27 Cal Phil Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (626) 300-8200 or calphil.org. 2 p.m.: A night of Rodgers and Hammerstein with “Oklahoma!,� “The Sound of Music,� “The King and I,� “South Pacific,� “Carousel� and “State Fair.�

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE The 1940s at Club Sweet Lorraine’s Playhouse Theatre Players, 600 Moulton Ave., (323) 227-5410 or kslgplayhousetheatre.com. July 26, 6 p.m.: Set in a New York hot spot postWWII, this show features the songs and characters of Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine and Peggy Lee. No end date. Adam Baum and the Jew Movie Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., (323) 960-4442 or plays411.com/jewmovie. July 22-25, 8 p.m., July 27, 7 p.m.: “An intriguing, if flawed, work,â€? wrote Downtown News reviewer Jeff Favre of this dramedy written by Daniel Goldfarb and starring Richard Kind from TV’s “Mad About You.â€? “The meat of the action is driven by the conflict between the writer’s and producer’s feelings about what America wants to — or should — see about Jewish culture‌. Paul Mazursky’s steady direction keeps the pace flowing, which helps elicit more laughs.â€? Through July 27. Bob Baker’s A Musical World 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. July 22-25, 10:30 a.m.; July 26-27, 2:30 p.m.: Dozens of the local puppet master’s marionettes appear in this musical extravaganza. It’s an hour-long show, and afterwards, the audience is invited to visit with the puppeteers and enjoy refreshments in the theater’s famous party room. No end date. The Boychick Affair The Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., (800) 838-3006 or boychickaffair.com. July 27, 2 p.m.: “Boychickâ€? is a hands-on comedy in which audience members mingle with actors, following the journey from Harry Boychick’s bar mitzvah ceremony to the rollicking catered reception.

Through Aug. 31. Golden Age of Radio Playhouse Theatre Players, 600 Moulton Ave., (323) 227-5410 or kslgplayhousetheatre.com. June 27, 3 p.m.: A recreation of an old-fashioned radio show. The shows will be monthly through November, on the last Sunday of each month. Grand Performances 300-350 S. Grand Ave., (213) 687-2159 or grandperformances.org. July 25-26, 8 p.m.: The Mazatlan-based dance company, Delfos Danza Contemporanea, proffers a sensual repertoire and an exploration of issues that resonate on both sides of the border. REDCAT New Original Works Festival 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Through Aug. 2, Thursdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m.: The fifth annual NOW Festival fosters new dance, theater, music and hybrid performance works from artists throughout Los Angeles. From July 24-26, dancer Holly Johnston, the raw theater of Poor Dog Group, a dance duet by Lionel Popkin. The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch 2220 Beverly Blvd., (800) 838-3006 or rogueartists.org. July 25, 8 p.m.; July 26, 4 and 8 p.m.; July 27, 4 p.m.: Rogue Artists Ensemble’s re-mounting of its adaptation of graphic novel “Mr. Punch� by Neil Gaiman. It’s a dark fable in which the innocence of childhood and the pain of adulthood collide in the shaky recesses of memory.

ART SPACES Opening Todd/Browning Gallery 209 W. Fifth St., (310) 926-6347 or toddbrowning.com Through August: This gallery, relocated to the Barker Block from West Hollywood, specializes in vintage and contemporary photography. It’s actually in a bookstore called Polyester that sells offbeat art and pop culture books. Up now is a show with circus and sideshow photos from the 1870s. OngOing 01 Gallery 530 S. Hewitt St., Suite 141, (213) 689-0101 or 01gallery.com. 2nd Street Cigars and Gallery 124 W. Second St., (213) 452-4416 laplatacigars.com. 410 Boyd 410 Boyd St., (213) 617-2491. Through July 30: Paintings by Carl Ramsey. 626 Gallery and 626 Gallery at Studio B 626 S. Spring St., (213) 614-8872 or 626artgallery.com.

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No end date: “An Art Collector’s Paradise” features work from Jaami Abdul-Samad, Donna Angers, Archerone, Sharon Louise Barnes, Nadine Baurin, Marlaya Charleston, Rin Colabucci, Walter Eubanks, d.goth, Julia C R Gray, Rosalyn Grimes, Paul Houzell Jr., Kenji, Tony Lavall, Nick “Neneki” McGee, Duane Paul, Ron Phillips, Jesse Raudales, Synthia Saint James, Deborah Shedrick, Robert Vargas, Diana Shannon Young, Barbara Wesson, Kathleen Wilson, Richard Wilson and more. 7+Fig Art Space 735 S. Figueroa St., Suite 217, (213) 955-7150. Through Aug. 1: Linda Pollack’s “The Habeas Index: Getting to Know Us” and Gary Leonard’s “The Changing Skyline: Photography of Downtown L.A.” Angelus Plaza In the Senior Activity Center, 255 S. Hill St., (213) 623-4352. Through July: Work from Kay Martin. Art Slave 216 S. Spring St., (213) 598-3155 or artslavegallery.com. Ongoing: The whole gallery is filled with mixedmedia work from Neil Simon Poyuzina. Bank 125 W. Fourth St. #103, (213) 621-4055 or bank-art.com. The gallery is open by appointment through August. Bert Green Fine Art 102 W. Fifth St., (213) 624-6212 or bgfa.us. Through Aug. 16: Robert Reynolds’ large-scale sculpture tests the maxim that history repeats itself (as farce). Mary Woronov’s new paintings show allegorical emotional states and relationships that stand in for archetypes. Both get their first solo shows at the gallery. And through Dec. 31: Megan Geckler’s installation fills the Project Windows. Big Sur Education Gallery Located in the California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities, 1000 N. Alameda St., visit calendow.org. Box Gallery 977 Chung King Road, (213) 625-1747 or theboxla.com. Through Aug. 2: The Los Angeles Poverty Department presents “Skid Row History Museum,” which explores the area of the title through the stories of people who live, work and inspire others there.

SearchDowntownLA.com Brewery Arts Colony 2100 N. Main St., (213) 694-2911 or breweryart.org. Andlab: 600 Moulton Ave. #303, (323) 222-2225 or andlab.com. I-5 Gallery: 2100 N. Main St. #A9, (323) 3420717 or breweryartwalk.com. Through Aug. 23: Painter Michael Hornyak’s recent work and the “$2 Show,” a group exhibition curated by Mat Gleason. L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex: 650A S. Ave. 21, at the Brewery, (323) 276-9320. LS Contemporary and MLA Gallery: 618 Moulton Ave., Suite F, (323) 222-3400 or mlagallery.com. Chung King Road and Adjacent Galleries Many galleries are located in Chinatown’s West Plaza, adjacent to 949 N. Hill St., (213) 680-0243 or chinatownla.com. Acuna-Hansen Gallery: 427 Bernard St., (323) 441-1624 or ahgallery.com. Through July 26: “Summer Guests” features artists the gallery works with, and the rules were simple, just as they would be for guests at your place: Bring something to the conversation, don’t be a pain, and don’t overstay your welcome. Bamboo Lane Gallery: 958 N. Hill St., (213) 6201188 or bamboolane.com. Black Dragon Society: 961 Chung King Road, (213) 620-0030 or black-dragon-society.com. Bonelli Contemporary: 943 N. Hill St., (213) 617-8180 or bonellicontemporary.com. Through July 26: “Party Favors” is curated by Holly Myers. The month-long exhibition features art, sculpture, video, performance, games, music and more. China Art Objects: 933 Chung King Road, (213) 613-0384 or chinaartobjects.com. Through Aug. 16: Part of “I Can See for Miles,” the gallery features work from Bjorn Copeland and Rob Thom. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California: 415 Bernard St., (323) 222-0856 or chssc.org. Ongoing: An exhibition about the history of immigration from China to the United States. Chung King Project: 945 Chung King Road, (213) 625-1802 or chungkingproject.com. Through July 19: Amsterdam artist Jasper De Beijer’s lambda prints make up “The Riveted Kingdom.” Cottage Home: 410 Cottage Home Road, cottagehomela.com. Daniel Hug Gallery: 510 Bernard St., (323) 2210016 or danielhug.com.

Downtown News 41

Rock, Pop & Jazz photo courtesy of Grand Performances

July 21, 2008

The name of the band performing at the Cal Plaza Watercourt on Friday, July 25, at noon is a little unusual: Rupa and the April Fishes. But it definitely hints at the creativity of these Bay Area musicians. Rupa, who grew up in San Francisco, India and France, draws upon those various influences for her music, what she describes as a “magic carpet ride through time and place.” The instrumental sounds, including the accordion and upright bass, aren’t all that’s multicultural about the performances; Rupa also sings in five languages. And get this — she’s also a physician. Part of the Grand Performances series (a Best Of Downtown winner), this concert is one of 50 free entertainment options scheduled through October. 300-350 S. Grand Ave., (213) 687-2159 or grandperformances.org.

David Kordansky Gallery: 510 Bernard St., (323) 222-1482 or davidkordanskygallery.com. David Salow Gallery: 977 S. Hill St., (213) 6200240 or davidsalowgallery.com. Through Aug. 2: “Light in August” features recent paintings by Heather Carroll.

Fellows of Contemporary Art: 970 N. Broadway, Suite 208, (213) 808-1008 or focala.org. Through Sept. 13: An installation by Erlea Maneros. Its starting point is a 19th century monument, designed for Bilbao, that was never built Continued on page 42

42 Downtown News

Listings Continued from page 41 Fringe Exhibitions: 504 Chung King Court, (213) 613-0160 or fringexhibitions.com. Happy Lion: 963 Chung King Road, (213) 6251360 or thehappylion.com. Through Aug. 9: “Predacious Panopticon� is the first solo show by L.A.-based Tabitha Morris. It’s large-scale, meticulous watercolors. High Energy Constructs: 990 N. Hill St., Suite 180, (323) 227-7920 or highenergyconstructs.com. Through Aug. 2: A show of new colored-pencil drawings from L.A.-based Mike Koch and Claudia Nieto. Kontainer Gallery: 944 Chung King Road, (213) 621-2786 or kontainergallery.com. Leefahsalung at the New Chinatown Barber Shop: 930 N. Hill St., (323) 810-8830. LMAN: 949 Chung King Road, (213) 628-3883 or lmangallery.com. L2kontemporary: 990 N. Hill St., #205, (626) 319-3661 or l2kontemporary.com. Through July 26: Downtown artist Billy Reynolds’ paintings fill “Ontogenia.� Main Field Projects: 418 Bamboo Lane, (323) 559-1568 or mainfieldprojects.com. Mandarin Gallery: 970 N. Broadway, Suite 213, (213) 687-4107 or mandaringallery.com. Mary Goldman Gallery: 932 Chung King Road, (213) 617-8217 or marygoldman.com. Peres Projects: 969 Chung King Road, (213) 6171100 or peresprojects.com. Through Aug. 16: Antonio Ballester Moreno’s “Hunter House and Bear Suit Number Two.� These are acrylics on canvas that you would say you could do yourself, but you couldn’t. Sam Lee Gallery: 990 N. Hill St. #190, (323) 2270275 or samleegallery.com. Through Aug. 23: Group show “I Am I a Killer� addresses photography’s oft-cited relationship with death. Adopting a range of approaches, photographers Phil Chang, Sarah Conaway, Nancy de Holl, Alyssa Gorelick, Nicholas Grider, Ronni Kimm, Helen Levitt, Arthur Ou and Max Warsh. Sister: 437 Gin Ling Way, (213) 628-7000 or sisterla.com. Its sister space is Cottage Home, located two blocks north on Broadway, left on Cottage Hill Road. Through Aug. 16: Part of “I Can See for Miles,� the gallery features work from Davis Rhodes, Jeni Spota, Matthew Spiegelman and Kirsten Stoltmann. Telic Arts Exchange: 975 Chung King Road, (213) 344-6137 or telic.info.

(213) 628-2725 or jaccc.org. Through Aug. 3: “The Wonder of It All: The Muriel Pollia Exhibition of Japanese Antiques and Artifactsâ€? features highlights from a unique collection of ceramics, netsuke, tansu, masks, kimono and byoubu screens. Downtown Art Center Gallery 828 S. Main St., dacgallery.com. Sept. 2-30: A juried exhibition. Deadline for entries: Aug. 1. Downtown Art Gallery 1611 S. Hope St., (213) 255-2067 or downtownag.com. Mondays, 7:30-10:30 p.m.: Figure drawing classes are $12; bring your own materials. Edgar Varela Fine Arts 542 S. Alameda St., second floor, (213) 494-7608 or edgarvarelafinearts.com. Opening July 19: A solo show from painter Erica Steiner. Through Aug. 9. El Nopal Press 109 W. Fifth St., (213) 239-0417 or fauxpop.com/nopalpress. Farmlab Farmlab Salon, 1745 N. Spring St., (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. g727 727 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9563 or gallery727losangeles.com. Through Aug. 9: “Featuring the Lightz and Soundz of‌â€? celebrates the first 30 years of DJ culture in East L.A. Gallery Waugh 548 S. Spring St., Suite 108, (310) 435-9551 or gallerywaugh.com. Gary Leonard 740 S. Olive St. Call (323) 459-4297 or chickenboy.com. Through Aug. 1: “Chicken Boy Is Back,â€? by Stuart Rapeport and TK Nagano, features select cartoons from four years of weekly panels seen in the Los Angeles Garment & Citizen. This visionin-yellow once perched on a Broadway rooftop between Fourth and Fifth streets. Then hibernation. Then rebirth. Ongoing: Quick prints, museum-quality archival prints, limited edition prints, fine postcard originals and poster sized prints by photojournalist Gary Leonard. Every second Sunday: Poetry readings. Habeas Index 7&Fig at Ernst & Young Plaza, 735 Figueroa St., middle level, (213) 955-7150 or habeasindex.org. Open weekdays, noon-6 p.m. Helen Lindhurst Fine Arts Gallery Watt Hall 104, USC University Park Campus, (213) 740-2787 or roski.usc.edu. No end date: “Out of Paper: Summer and Fall

Cirrus Gallery 542 S. Alameda St., (213) 680-3474 or cirrusgallery.com. Through Aug. 9: “Summer Cool� features seminal L.A. artists John Altoon, Billy Al Bengston, Llyn Foulkes, Ed Moses, Craig Kauffman, Ed Kienholz, Ken Price and Ed Ruscha. The boys’ work is represented by prints and drawings from the ’70s and ’80s. It’s also closely associated with Ferus Gallery, and the subject of the new movie The Cool School. City Center Gallery 812 S. Spring St., (213) 627-7592. City Hall Bridge Gallery 201 N. Main St., third floor, (323) 664-6269. Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. Ongoing: Work from three artists whose oeuvres are influenced by music: photographer Jenny Okun, sculptor and author Sarah Perry and photographer Barbara Strasen. Installed throughout the lobby and hallway areas of the school. Compact/space Art Collective 105 E. Sixth St., (626) 676-0627 or compactspace.com. Continental Gallery 408 S. Spring St., (213) 385-5871 or launabacon.com. Through July 31: “Where the Girls Are� is a group show featuring work of Launa Bacon, Beth Dubber, Tiffany Trenda and Lisa Wiscombe. It appropriates its title from Susan Douglas’ book, “Where the Girls Are: Growing Up Female with the Mass Media.� All four artists, through photography, painting, sculpture, video and performance, examine, imitate and confront the way women’s bodies are depicted. Crewest 110 Winston St. (213) 627-8272 or crewest.com. Through Aug. 10: The gallery that specializes in underground work from graffiti to digital art features “Write and Revolt.� Dale Youngman Gallery at Regent 446 S. Main St., (213) 458-3735. No end date, though “Home Is Where the Art Is� is the final show at this location. Shown will be fine art, furniture, lighting, art glass, sculpture, decorative accessories and jewelry from about a dozen artists. De Soto Higgins Building, 108 W. Second St., Suite 104, (323) 253-2255 or gallerydesoto.com. Through Aug. 2: There’s a video group show online. The gallery is open by appointment for the run of that. DIY Gallery 1218 W. Temple St., diygallery@yahoo.com. Doizaki Gallery At the Japanese American Cultural Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St.,

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2008 Faculty & Student Exhibition.ĂŽ Hive Gallery and Studios 729 S. Spring St., (213) 955-9051 or thehivegallery.com. Through July 26: Featured artists are Scott Saw and Kent Dougherty, and there is wall work from Martin Hsu and Chad LeDuc and an installation from Melissa Contreras. Infusion Gallery 719 S. Spring St., (213) 683-8827 or infusiongallery.com. Through July: Naoki Fujita’s solo show “Ardent Strokes.â€? Also, a group show featuring Paul Homer, Hugh Lifson, Sukhder Dail, John Larson, Jesse Burke, Howard Stroman, Chrissy Collopy, Marie Dvorkin, Nelbert Flores, Caryl C. Gordon, Isaac Seeley, Bill Feigenbaum, Mariana Milgram, Heather Deyling, Damon Reinagle, Jeff Litvak and Fateme Gosheh. Jail 965 Vignes St., Suite 5A, (213) 621-9567 or thejailgallery.com. Through July 26: Group show “Darkness Will Find Youâ€? is curated by Michael Dee, and investigates darkness as a psychological state, an environment, a formal element and a cultural expression. Julie Rico Gallery 118 W. Fifth St., (213) 817-6002 or reddotartgallery.com. Through July 26: “The Mothersâ€? features works by Lama Lhanag Rinpoche. Katalyst Foundation for the Arts 201 S. Santa Fe Ave. #207, (213) 604-3634 or kffta.org. KGB Studio and Gallery 1640 N. Spring St., kgbla.com. LADWP John Ferraro Office Building, 111 N. Hope St., (213) 481-5411 or ladwp.com. Ongoing: A salute to William Mulholland with historic photos, artifacts and memorabilia. Open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This is the first installment of what will be a permanent exhibition showcasing the water and power of Los Angeles. La Mano Press 1749 N. Main St., (323) 227-0650 or lamanopress.com. Lamp Community Art Project 452 S. Main St., lampcommunity.org or lampartproject.org. Open second Thursday of every month for Art Walk. Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture At the LATC, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 626-7600. Library of Congress/Ira Gershwin Gallery At Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4399 or musiccenter.org. Ongoing: “West Side Story — Birth of a Classic.â€?

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This gallery space, incidentally, is a satellite exhibit space of the Library of Congress, and provides the West Coast with access to the collections of the Washington D.C.-based Library. Los Angeles Center for Digital Art 107 W. Fifth St., (323) 646-9427 or lacda.com. Los Angeles Artcore Center at Union Center for the Arts 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 617-3274 or laartcore.org. Through July 30: “Slow Time” features works from Toyoko Katsumata, Mitsunori Kurashige and Robert Walker. Los Angeles Public Library Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lapl.org/events. Through Sept. 14: “Children Should Be Seen: The Image of the Child in American Picture-Book Art” features the best American children’s book art of the last decade. Ongoing: “Bunker Hill by Leo Politi” features the work of the beloved local artist known for murals in several libraries and, most famously, at the entrance to the Eugene Biscailuz Building on Olvera Street. Ongoing: “Treasures of Los Angeles” features items from the Hollywood Collections, including vintage posters and publicity photographs. In the Annenberg Gallery. Mexican Cultural Institute Gallery 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Suite 100, (213) 624-3660 or mexicanculturalinstitute.com. No end date: Joe Bravo’s tortilla artwork appears in “The Traveling Museum of Tortilla Art.” Learn more at joebravo.net. M.J. Higgins Fine Art 110 E. Fourth St., (213) 617-1700 or mjhiggins.com. Through Aug. 9: For “Overviews,” Warren Keating shoots video footage from bridges, balconies and rooftops, then selects solo frames, digitizes and paints. Morono Kiang Gallery 218 W. Third St., (213) 628-8208 or moronokiang.com. Through Aug. 23: The “Quotidian Truths” series features solo shows of new works that recount the pain and pageantry of contemporary Chinese life as seen through the news media. The first in the series features paintings by Li Yan. Niche.LA Video Art 453 S. Spring St., Suite 443, (213) 247-0002 or

niche.la. Perfect Exposure Gallery 3519 W. Sixth St., (213) 381-1137 or theperfectexposuregallery.com. Phantom Galleries L.A. 610 S. Main St., visit phantomgalleriesla.com or laartgirls.com. Through Aug. 23: The L.A. Art Girls Art Fair Biennale features 26 artists, paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs and video. Pharmaka Art 101 W. Fifth St., (213) 689-7799 or pharmaka-art.org. Through July 31: “Rebel Legacy: The Abstract in Latino Art” is curated by Kathy Gallegos. Phyllis Stein Art 207 W. Fifth St., (213) 622-6012 or phyllissteinart.com. Through Aug. 29: This new gallery opens with two artists. Eric Smail’s “Press 1 for English” features paper sculptures and 2D patterned installations, and Jesse Chapo’s new sculpture and paintings are simultaneously featured in “Stateside.” Pico House Gallery El Pueblo Historical Monument, 424 N. Main St., (213) 485-8372 or lacity.org/elp. Popkiller 343 E. Second St., popkiller.us. PYO Gallery 1100 S. Hope St., #105, (213) 405-1488 or pyoart.com. Through Aug. 16: Korean artist Kim Tschang Yeul’s water drop paintings are on view. Raw Materials 436 S. Main St., visit winsteadadams.com or rawmaterialsLA.com. REDCAT Gallery 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Through Aug. 24: Haegue Yang’s “Asymmetric Equality” features installations with devices like humidifiers, scent emitters, lights and customized blinds that provoke the senses as an integral part of looking and experiencing. Remy’s on Temple 2126 W. Temple St., (213) 484-2884 or remysontemple.com. Roark 549 W. 23rd St., (213) 747-6100 or linsleylambert.com. Rouge Galerie 548 S. Spring St., Unit 108, (213) 489-7309. Ongoing: Painting, sculptures and limited edi-

tions from Sylvain Copon. salonPURE 117 E. Sixth St., (213) 624-PURE or salonpurela.com. SCI-Arc Gallery Southern California Institute of Architecture, 960 E. Third St., (213) 613-2200 or sciarc.edu. Seventh Street/Metro Center 660 S. Figueroa St., (213) 922-4278 or metro.net/metroart. Ongoing: Artists Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz offer “Travelers,” the latest installment in the Metro Art Lightbox series on display in the mezzanine level of the rail station. Showcave Gallery 1218 ½ W. Temple St., (213) 663-3521 or myspace.com/showcave. Spring Arts Collective Spring Arts Tower, 453 S. Spring St., mezzanine level. Visit springartscollective.com. Studio for Southern California History 525 Alpine St., (213) 229-8890 or socalstudio.org. Sunset Gallery 1321 Sunset Blvd., (213) 482-9948. Through Aug. 31: New works by serigraphers Albert Reyes, Tansy Meyer and Davide Wasson. Taller 410 410 S. Spring St., (213) 617-7098. Tropico de Nopal Gallery 1665 Beverly Blvd., (213) 481-8112 or tropicodenopal.com. Upstairs at the Market Gallery 1057 S. San Pedro St., (213) 742-0672 or citymarketla.com. USC Fisher Museum of Art 823 Exposition Blvd. on the USC campus, (213) 740-4561 or fishergallery.org. USC Gayle and Ed Roski Master of Fine Arts Gallery 3001 S. Flower St., (213) 743-1804 or roski.usc.edu. Venus on Hope 1228 S. Flower St., (213) 359-9097 or venusonhope.com. Ongoing: Collaborative drawings, sculpture, limited edition collaborative art publications, works on paper, ink paintings and artist interaction at the studio of Jared David Paul. Wigbox Gallery 1242 E. Seventh St. #106, (213) 624-0433. Ongoing: Works by Chicana painter Yolanda Gonzalez and assemblage/installation artist Alex Rodriquez.

Winstead Adams Projects 601 S. Los Angeles St., (213) 840-7164 or winsteadadams.com.

FILM Automat Summer Series 936 Chung King Road, (213) 617-0422. July 24, 8 p.m.: Artist Charles Irvin presents his film shorts. Barker Block Summer Screening Mixers Barker Block, 513 Molino St., (213) 620-9650, barkerblock.com or dffla.com. July 25, 8:30 p.m.: Free movies and refreshments under the stars in the Barker Block courtyard. Films are a sneak preview of features to be screened at the Downtown Film Festival. Today’s flick is Mock Up on Mu, in which Bay Area filmmaker Craig Baldwin explores California’s military, entertainment and religious industries. Flagship Theatres 3323 S. Hoover St., (213) 748-6321 or flagshipmovies.com. Through July 24: The Dark Knight (11:30 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6 p.m., 9:15 p.m.), Hancock (11:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 6 p.m., 8:15 p.m., 10:30 p.m.), Hellboy II: The Golden Army (11:30 a.m., 2:15 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 10:25 p.m.). ImaginAsian Center 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or iacenterla.com. Mongol illuminates the life and legend of Genghis Khan. (July 14-16: 4:30 p.m.; July 17: 4:30 p.m.). Through July 24: Passing Poston is the story of four former internees at the Poston Relocation Center. (July 21-24: 2:15 p.m., 6 p.m.; noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.; July 17: noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m.). July 21-24: Sword of the Stranger, in which a boy and his dog become intertwined with a nameless samurai and a fierce assassin (3:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:40 p.m.). Opening July 25: Asian Stories (Book 3) tells a story of Jim, a stingy Chinese American living in L.A. IMAX Theater California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Through Sept. 7: In The Human Body, journey with a family as they make their way through their day — but journey with them from the vantage point of their bodies. There’s an 8-year-old’s inner Continued on page 44

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Listings Continued from page 43 ear as she listens to music, a teenager’s arteries and veins as he bikes to school and a baby growing inside his mom (9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.). Through Sept. 7: Sea Monsters 3D: A Prehistoric Adventure has viewers accompany modern and historical fossil hunters to remote locations as they learn about creatures from the deep (1:30 p.m.). Through Sept. 7: Journey to the royal tombs of Egypt and explore the history of ancient Egyptian society as told through the mummies of the past in Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs (11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.). Laemmle Theaters Grande 4-Plex 345 S. Figueroa St., (213) 617-0268 or laemmle.com. Through July 24: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (5:20 p.m., 8:10 p.m.), Meet Dave (5:30 p.m., 7:50 p.m.), Wall-E (5:30 p.m., 8 p.m.), Hancock (5:40 p.m., 8 p.m.).

LADowntownNews.com

Art Spaces

July 21, 2008

BARS & CLUBS 626 Reserve 626 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com. This small but stylish wine bar welcomes with warm lighting, burgundy-colored walls and a curvy bar where you can sip from more than two dozen wines by the glass. There’s a decent selection of international beers and nearly 70 varietals by the bottle. 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 elbowroom 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. In the photo booth, you can capture your mug in old-fashioned black and white. Located just two blocks east of the Pershing Square Metro stop, Bar 107 is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. 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 in the former Holiday Inn (now a residential building) features sparkling views of Staples Center, a dining room with a 17-foot sunken granite table, and a sleek bar with white

image courtesy of JACCC

The Wonder of It All: The Dr. Muriel Pollia Exhibition of Japanese Antiques and Artifacts is on display at the Doizaki Galleries at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center through Aug. 3. The exhibit showcases highlights from the collection of Dr. Pollia, who was an internationally known scholar of Zen Aesthetics actively committed to the preservation of Japanese cultural heritage. Gifted to the JACCC, the collection includes ceramics, masks, netsuke, kimonos and other items. 244 S. San Pedro St., (213) 628-2725 or jaccc.org.

stools where you can saddle up cowboy style. Bonaventure Brewing Company Westin Bonaventure, 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 236-0802 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. Broadway Bar 830 S. Broadway, (213) 614-9909 or thebroadwaybar.net.

Located next to the Orpheum Theatre in the Platt Building, the Broadway Bar’s blue neon sign beckons patrons inside to its 50-foot circular bar. The casual-chic spot is based on Jack Dempsey’s New York bar, with low lighting and a dose of ’40s glam. There’s a patio upstairs with nice views, and a jukebox. Casey’s Irish Bar & Grille 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. With its worn brick staircase, tin ceilings and dark wood decor, it’s easy to see how this neighborhood bar and grill still works its Irish charm. Regulars cozy up to the 60-foot mahogany bar with a pint of Guinness and a plate of bangers and mash. Casey’s has a full menu with six beers on tap and a selection of Belgian ales and microbrews. Charlie O’s 501 S. Spring St. in the Hotel Alexandria, (213) 622-5053. Though currently closed for renovations, Charlie O’s is under new management by the people who brought you Bar 107. Hidden on the corner of Fifth and Spring streets in the Alexandria, you’ll find old school basics and old school attitude, beers from around the world, pinball machines, pool tables, a stage for live bands and a dance floor with DJs spinning everything but house and techno. It’s a clubhouse in Downtown for musicians on the rise and also part of the Downtown “Barmuda Triangle.” Ask your bartenders for info, then get lost in it. Cicada 617 S. Olive St., (213) 488-9488 or

cicadarestaurant.com. On Thursdays, velvet-voiced Max Vontaine recreates the sounds and styles of rat packers, and every Sunday, the restaurant is transformed into a vintage, old Hollywood-style dance club, with a big band, swank costumes, dinner and cocktails. (For the latter, visit cicadaclub.com.) Ciudad 445 S. Figueroa St., (213) 486-5171 or ciudad-la.com. Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger’s Downtown restaurant serves up Latin recipes from Spain and South America. The modern space also hosts a thriving happy hour with live music on the outdoor patio several nights a week. Don’t miss the mojitos. Club 740 740 S. Broadway, (213) 225-5934 or 740la.com. This 1920s theater has been transformed into a three-level party playground sprawling over 40,000 square feet. Club 740 is a spectacle with ornate gold balconies, go-go dancers and private skybox lounges. Music includes hip-hop, Latin vibe, Top 40 and even indie rock. Eastside Luv 1835 E. First St., (323) 262-7442 or eastsideluv.com. A stone’s throw from Mariachi Plaza and all that Metro Line construction, this tucked-away spot features Mexican movie posters on the wall, good beer on tap, regular sangria, live bands, and different from anything to its west, no attitude. e3rd 734 E. Third St., (213) 680-3003 or eastthird.com.

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This Asian-style steakhouse with an artsy flavor features a sleek lounge with low, circular tables and a long psychedelic bar that changes colors like a mood ring. There’s a full bar, inventive cocktails (including soju) and a reasonable wine list. DJs spin. Edison 108 W. Second St., (213) 613-0000, edisondowntown.com. Downtown history has come full circle in this former power plant turned stunning cocktail bar. The Edison is perhaps Downtown’s hottest hotspot and draws an eclectic crowd, including jaded Hollywood types who can’t help but gawk at the preserved bits of machinery, the huge generator and the coal box that now houses the jukebox. Far Bar 347 E. First St., (behind the Chop Suey CafĂŠ), (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com. Tucked behind the Chop Suey CafĂŠ is the Far Bar, where intimacy and a sense of noir L.A. collide. If you can find the place, which you enter through the back of the cafĂŠ or via a skinny alley a few doors down, you can throw them back in the same spot author Raymond Chandler is rumored to have done the same. Figueroa Hotel 939 S. Figueroa St., (213) 627-8971 or figueroahotel.com. The Moroccan-inspired Figueroa Hotel just a block north of Staples Center manages the unique feat of making you feel like you’re in the heart of the city and removed from it at the same time. The light-filled Veranda Bar is just steps from the clear, glittery pool, and it’s common to see suit-clad Downtowners a few feet from swimsuit-wearing Euro-tourists. Gallery Bar Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1011 or millenniumhotels.com. This elegant lounge in the Millennium Biltmore Hotel is known for its martinis, wines and vintage ports. Genji Bar Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, 120 Los Angeles St., (213) 253-9255 or kyotograndhotel.com. The Genji Bar offers a hip, private karaoke room that you and a dozen or so of your friends can rent for about $10 apiece. It’s got new songs, old songs, odd songs and songs that you wish no one would sing. It also means you can warble “Sweet Home Alabamaâ€? all you want without the agonizing wait. Golden Gopher 417 W. Eighth St., (213) 614-8001 or goldengopherbar.com. This stylish, dimly lit space with exposed brick walls, chandeliers and golden gopher lamps has a rockin’ jukebox, cheap Pabst Blue Ribbon and an outdoor lounge for smokers. Best of all, it also has Ms. Pac Man and Galaga. The bar also has a rare take-out liquor counter. Grand Star Jazz Club 943 Sun Mun Way, (213) 626-2285. Firecracker club heats things up every other Friday atop the Quon Brothers’ Grand Star. Start the evening at the latter, where the lapu lapus are wicked strong. There’s usually alternating karaoke and a good jazz trio. Upstairs you’ll find the hip-hop haven known as Firecracker, a longtime dance club with good music and an eclectic, lively crowd. Hop Louie 950 Mei Ling Way (Central Plaza), (213) 628-4244. This is old school Chinatown, on the ground floor of the Hop Louie Restaurant, with slightly

indifferent bartenders and dĂŠcor — it’s actually a relief. J Restaurant & Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. Once the site of the historic Little J’s, this South Park lounge a stone’s throw from Staples Center now offers signature cocktails, cigars, beer and about 20 wines by the glass. The sprawling space is highlighted by a 10,000-square-foot outdoor patio featuring cozy cabanas, a glowing fire pit and a 30-foot granite bar. “Salsa in the Cityâ€? features complimentary dance lessons and the sounds of Latin musicians on Wednesdays. La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111. Though the owners of Echo Park’s Short Stop bought it, little has changed. Everything in this former Mexican Ranchero bar oozes red, from the vinyl booths lining the wall to the glowing light fixtures. Hipsters, Latino regulars and artists mingle as DJs get their groove on during the week. Saturday and Sunday bring Hacienda Nights with traditional Ranchero music. La Fonda 2501 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 380-5053 or lafondala.com. The palatial restaurant and stage has re-opened. Live performances by the Mariachi Monumental de America plays nightly at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Library Bar 630 W. Sixth St., (213) 614-0053 or librarybarla.com. This dimly lit bar is more upscale than your typical pub, which means you won’t find a boisterous USC crowd here. A very busy happy hour draws associates from the law firm across the street, as well as bankers, secretaries and other professionals for the grown-up beer and wine selections. There’s a full bar, but the main attractions are the seven craft beers on tap. Mayan 1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4287 or clubmayan.com. A multi-level nightclub in the refurbished Mayan Theatre features Latin dance, Spanish rock, house and tropical music on the main floor. Upstairs, its ’80s music, KROQ selections, disco, hip-hop and R&B. McCormick & Schmick’s 633 W. Fifth St., Fourth Floor, (213) 629-1929 or mccormickandschmicks.com. With a bar, adjoining dining rooms and patio where patrons can take in the dazzling skyline, this is a longtime Downtown happy hour scene, and one of its most festive. The drinks come quick, and the food specials are unbeatable — formidable burgers and appetizers for mere dollars. Moody’s Bar and Grille Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, 333 S. Figueroa St., (213) 617-1133 or marriott.com. Located in the lobby of the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, Moody’s is a traditional sports bar, serving pub grub from steaks to sandwiches. Morton’s The Steakhouse, Bar 12¡12 735 S. Figueroa St., (213) 553-4566 or mortons.com. Sinatra croons and cocktails chill. And during Power Hour, bar bites are $5, Mon.-Fri. from 4:306:30 p.m. and 9:30-11 p.m. Mountain Bar 475 Gin Ling Way, (213) 625-7500 or themountainbar.com. There’s something to be said for a spot that’s a bit tricky to find. No matter. Your hard work will be rewarded with an extra strong drink at this artsy Chinatown haven decked out with stunning light

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fixtures, red bleeding walls and post-modern decor. The second level features a dance floor. There’s usually an art show every month, and weekly DJs. O Bar & Kitchen O Hotel, 819 S. Flower St., (213) 623-9904. Every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. is Ladies Night with $9 specialty cocktails. Every first and third Tuesday, enjoy complimentary homemade sangria from 6-8 p.m. Oiwake 122 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, (213) 628-2678. The first karaoke restaurant and bar in Downtown boasts a monster songbook. Point Moorea Wilshire Grand Hotel, 930 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 833-5100 or wilshiregrand.com. Step into the South Pacific at this casual drinking bar that was voted the area’s best place to meet singles by this newspaper. The gathering spot features a grand bar, a martini bar, the Harem Room and a daily happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. This maritime-inspired tavern is decked out in nautical gear, including fishing nets and floats, weathered wooden planks and the stumps of dock timbers. A rusty anchor and reproductions of pirate flags adorn the ceiling of the entryway. DJs spin in a backroom while a high-tech jukebox churns out everything from the Clash to Frank Sinatra. Royal Clayton’s Pub 1855 Industrial St., (213) 622-0512 or royalclaytonstavern.com. This stylish Gothic-Industrial restaurant on the ground floor of the Toy Factory Lofts has a laidback vibe and no Hollywood scene in sight. Drinks are strong, the lighting is soft and the short ribs are insane. There’s a tavern menu after 10 p.m. to keep you going as you play pool or listen to the nightly DJs spin everything from Euro grooves to ’80s anthems. Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd. , (213) 985-0676 or royaleonwilshire.com. Set in the historic Wilshire Royale Hotel on

Downtown’s western fringe, Royale restaurant has created a Roaring ’20s cocktail lounge with a modern twist. During the week, check out Happy Hour Remixed (5-8 p.m.), where a bar menu features items from $4-$9 including crispy pork spareribs, sea bass carpaccio and a beefy Royale burger. There are also $4 well drinks and draft beer, and delicious $5 martinis to enjoy while you listen to the DJ music or lounge in a 35-seat booth. Sabor 847 S. Union Ave., (213) 388-3311, saborlounge.com. This margarita lounge also offers karaoke and dancing. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 A neon stag head near Seventh Street and Grand Avenue marks the entrance to this high-end whiskey lounge. At the top of a staircase you’ll find a diorama with a gun-toting hunter, one of several quirky elements that also include bejeweled crows in the ladies room, plaid fabric, and plenty of stag and elk imagery. More than 120 whiskeys are displayed behind the stunning backlit bar, and the expert mixologists whip up some truly amazing cocktails (happy hour prices apply all day Monday). A smoker’s patio is onsite. The action around the pool table is always lively and there’s a nice lineup of live music that includes jazz on Monday and Tuesday. Standard Hotel 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotel.com. Despite only a few short years in operation, you can pretty much consider the Standard hotel’s rooftop bar a local nightlife veteran. From buttoned-up office workers who flock to the space for happy hour drinks to the swanked-out late-night crowd, the place is always buzzing. Floating amid the surreal skyline, the mod lounge features pod-shaped cabanas, vibrating waterbeds, super hot bartenders and lots of beautiful people. Takami & Elevate Lounge 811 Wilshire Blvd., 21st floor, (213) 236-9600 or elevatelounge.com. This former 1960s office suite is split between the 130-seat restaurant on the east and a stylish lounge Continued on page 46

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Continued from page 45 on the west. The modern Japanese aesthetic with warm wood tables, leather floors, low lounge seating and striking sculptural pieces makes an immediate impression, though not nearly as much as the wall-towall windows and endless views. The stylish lounge features VIP seating, a dance floor, two bars and DJs spinning nightly. Valet available after 6 p.m. nightly (Wilshire/Lebanon). Tatou 333 S. Boylston St., (213) 482-2000 or tatouclub.com. The dance club is pure indulgence, with multiple VIP nooks (some with PlayStation3 systems), a bit of Cocoanut Grove glam in the form of four 15-foot palm trees and vintage circular booths. The 40-foot stage jumps with DJs and go-go girls, while a large bar stretches across the opposite end of the wall. Tranquility Base Restaurant and Lounge 801 S. Grand Ave., (213) 404-0588 or tranquilityla.com. Distinctive in that it changes its menu and décor with the seasons, Tranquility Base is the latest restaurant from David Tardif. It was named for the first words Neil Armstrong uttered when the Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Located on the ground floor of the Sky Lofts at Eighth and Grand and within walking distance of the Nokia Theatre and Staples Center, Tranquility Base serves up small plates and highend spirits until 2 a.m. for late-night concertgoers. Every other Saturday from 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m., there’s a new gay lounge night called The Hideout, with house and dance music, drink specials and an awesome outdoor lounge with cabanas and a fire pit. Weiland Brewery 400 E. First St., (213) 680-2881 and 505 S. Flower St., (213) 622-1125 or weilandbrewery.net. This Brewery with two Downtown outposts hosts one of the friendliest happy hours in town from 3-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-close. Zita Trattoria 825 James M. Wood Blvd., (213) 488-0400. Located within steps of the Staples Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center, this skylight-lit trattoria and bar offers many wines by the glass.

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) 624-1200 or fidm.edu.

How to reach us Main office: (213) 481-1448 MAIL your Letter Letters to the Editor • L.A. Downtown News 1264 W. First Street • Los Angeles, CA 90026 Email your Letter realpeople@downtownnews.com FAX your Letter (213) 250-4617 Read Us on the Web DowntownNews.com

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie CITY EDITOR: Richard Guzmán ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Julie Riggott STAFF WRITERS: Anna Scott, Ryan Vaillancourt CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: David Friedman, Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jay Berman, Jeff Favre, Michael X. Ferraro, Kristin Friedrich, Andrew Haas-Roche, Sam Hall Kaplan, Howard Leff, Lisa Napoli, Rod Riggs, Marc Porter Zasada ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PRODUCTION AND GRAPHICS: Kelly Coats, Juan Pacheco PRODUCTION ASSISTANT / EVENT COORDINATOR: Claudia Hernandez PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard ACCOUNTING: Ashley Vandervort SALES MANAGER: Dawn Eastin ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER: George Caston SALES ASSISTANT: Annette Cruz CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Vanessa Acuña, Robert Dutcher, Catherine Holloway, 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. It is also distributed to the extended urban communities of Glendale, Hollywood, Wilshire Center, Los Feliz, Silver Lake & Larchmont Village.

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The Central Avenue Jazz Festival takes place south of Downtown, but it kicks off Thursday in Little Tokyo at the northern end of the fabled street. In collaboration with Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry, the Japanese American National Museum presents a free jazz concert co-curated by pianist/composer Gary Fukushima (shown here). The show features Fukushima’s trio, plus the LA Jazz Collective, singer Dwight Trible and Dave Iwataki. Iwataki will lead a performance of “J-Town to Bronzeville Suite,” his homage to World War II-era Little Tokyo. Known as “J-Town” before WWII, Little Tokyo became known as Bronzeville when its Japanese inhabitants were interned during the war and African Americans moved in. The piece uses music to put a mirror in front of the neighborhood’s storied past. 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org.

Ongoing: “Fame and Fragrance.” California African American Museum 600 State Drive, (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. Through Aug. 31: “In Motion: The African American Migration Experience” focuses on the self-motivated activities of African Americans to remake themselves. Through Sept. 14: The Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture, in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, has launched “Let Your Motto Be Resistance.” It features portraits of icons such as Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. Du Bois, Lorraine Hansberry and Malcolm X, among many others. Through Oct. 5: “Allensworth: 100 Years of the California Dream” looks at the settlement founded in 1908, which symbolized the dream of Col. Allen Allensworth. Permanent: “The African American Journey West” is a collection of pieces chronicling the path from the West Coast of Africa to the West Coast of America. California Science Center 700 State Drive, (323) 724-3623 or californiasciencecenter.org. Through Sept. 7: “Body Worlds 3” exhibits more than 200 authentic human specimens, including whole body plastinates not seen before. Get ready for a display of organs, translucent body slices and the debut of a special presentation on the heart. Chinese American Museum 425 N. Los Angeles St., (213) 485-8567 or camla.org. Through summer 2008: “Growing Up Chinese American: Childhood Toys and Memories” is an exhibit that explores everyday life for children of Chinese descent coming of age in a rapidly changing 20th century America. Through Oct. 25: “Sunshine and Shadow: In Search of Jake Lee” marks the first comprehensive review of a prolific yet intensely private artist who embraced California landscapes and city scenes through watercolor. 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 http://elpueblo.lacity.org. Ongoing: The whole of El Pueblo is called a “monument,” and of this monument’s 27 historic buildings, four function as museums: the Avila Adobe, the city’s oldest house; the Sepulveda House, home to exhibits and the monument’s Visitors Center; the Fire House Museum, which houses late 19th-century fire-fighting equipment;

and the Masonic Hall, which boasts Masonic memorabilia. Check its website for a full slate of fiestas, including Cinco de Mayo, Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in November, and December’s beautiful candlelight procession, Las Posadas. Open daily, though hours at shops and halls vary. FIDM Museum and Galleries 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1200 or fidm.edu. Grier Musser Museum 403 S. Bonnie Brae St., (213) 413-1814 or griermussermuseum.com. Ongoing: A turn-of-the century historic Queen Anne house that displays antique collections in monthly holiday exhibits throughout the year. Japanese American National Museum 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org. Through Aug. 3: Musician/producer/artist Mike Shinoda, of the band Linkin Park, presents a new series of paintings in “Glorious Excess (Born).” Through Sept. 7: “Living Flowers: Ikebana and Contemporary Art” merges three traditional schools of ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) with the works of contemporary artists such as Isamu Noguchi and Robert Mapplethorpe. Ongoing: “Common Ground: The Heart of Community” chronicles 130 years of Japanese American history, from the early days of the Issei pioneers to the present. Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org. Through Aug. 8: “Highlights from the Permanent Collection, 1980-2005” presents young and established artists, of local and international origins. It includes work from Francis Alÿs, Michaël Borremans, Rineke Dijkstra, Félix González-Torres, Mike Kelley, Liz Larner, Dave Muller, Through Aug. 25: “MOCA Focus: Lisa Lapinski, the Fret and its Variants” features new and recent work by the L.A.-based artist. Through Sept. 22: “Marlene Dumas: Measuring Your Own Grave” spans the artist’s 30-year career. 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. Museum of Neon Art 136 W. Fourth St., (213) 489-9918 or neonmona.org Through Nov. 2: “Text: Style and Content” features a variety of font styles from neon signs and text-based neon and kinetic work like Jim Jenkins’ bouncing “Yes.” Through Nov. 2: In conjunction with the 70th anniversary of Central Plaza and the re-lighting of historic neon in three Chinatown buildings, MONA opens a “Chinatown Neon in Postcards” exhibit at the Hong office building, 445 Gin Lin Way. Natural History Museum Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763–3466 or nhm.org.

July 21, 2008

Downtown News 47

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Through Sept. 1: Enter a world of free-flying butterflies in the “Pavilion of Wings.” More than 30 species — including giant swallowtails, monarchs and the American Painted Lady — flutter throughout the grounds. Ongoing: “Thomas the T. rex Lab” is a working paleontological lab, wherein museum preparators will work on a T. rex skeleton in full view of the public. Ongoing: Three diorama halls show African and North American mammals in their natural environments; more than 2,000 gem and mineral specimens are on view in the Gem and Mineral Hall; and the Ancient Latin America Hall covers prehistoric societies including the Maya, Aztec and Inca. And that’s just the first floor. 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 real-life Concord stagecoach that once traversed windy southern Kentucky roads and a gold nugget weighing in at a shocking two pounds.

FARMERS MARKETS Wednesdays Financial District Farmers Market Fifth Street, between Flower St. and Grand Ave., ccfm.com. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Produce, flowers, coffee, baked goods and soap are just a few of the items for sale at the market that livens up the street in front of the Central Library. Thursdays City Hall Farmers Market South Lawn of City Hall, between Main and Spring streets, downtownfarmersmarket.org. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Farm fresh produce, flowers, olives, oils, hummus, dips, honeys and crafts. Music 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. It’s a chance to pick up fresh goods and get some face time with your favorite civil servant. 7+Fig Farmers Market 725 S. Figueroa St., (213) 955-7150 or 7fig.com. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: The outdoor mall in the Financial District offers produce, hot and sweet kettle corn, flowers, honey, breads, bonsai trees, tamales, olives, nuts and more. Chinatown Farmers Market 727 N. Hill St., between Alpine and Ord streets, (213) 680-0243 or chinatownla.com. 3-7 p.m.: Wares from certified growers, plus a variety of Asian produce. Fridays Bank of America Farmers Market 333 S. Hope St., at Bank of America Plaza, ccfm.com. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Visitors rave about the falafel, samosas and tamales, but there’s also produce, flowers and crafts. SUNDAYS South Park Artisan & Farmers Market Corner of 11th and Flower streets, (866) 966-9495 or southparkartisanmarket.com. Every third Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: South Park is the place to go on the weekend for produce from certified growers, vintage collectibles and a pop-up dog park. Live music from noon-2 p.m. Check website for updates.

TOURS Angelino Heights (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every first Saturday of the month, take a walk through one of the first suburbs of Los Angeles. The neighborhood has a rich history and well-preserved Victorian architecture. Architecture Tours L.A. (323) 464-7868 or architecturetoursla.com. Monday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and by appointment. Two-to-three-hour driving tours of Downtown and other areas, focusing on the significant historic and contemporary architecture, culture and history of various neighborhoods. $65 per person. Art Deco Tours (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A walking tour and up-close look at Downtown’s Art Deco palaces, including the Oviatt Building, led by the Los Angeles Conservancy. $10, $5 for members. Biltmore Hotel (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Second Sunday of the month, 2 p.m. See the amazing architecture of the “Host of the Coast,” as it was known to its old jazz clientele. The tour of the stately structure next to Pershing Square explores the ballrooms and common areas of the hotel built in 1923. Broadway Theatre District Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org.

We Got Games The Sparks Go on the Road, Then Break for the Olympics Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 224-1400 or dodgers.mlb.com. Friday, July 25, 7:40 p.m.; Saturday, July 26, 7:10 p.m.; Sunday, July 27, 1:10 p.m.: The Dodgers come back down to sea level after a visit to the Mile-High City and a series against last-year’s National League champion Colorado Rockies. The club hosts the Washington Nationals and will try to capitalize against their struggling opponent. The Blue Crew start the second half of the season near the top of the still-weak NL West. While the campaign already has been tumultuous, the Dodgers have hung in there and are now seeing results from unexpected sources such as pitcher Eric Stults, who has impressed since being called up from the minor leagues in June. Another bright spot in the rotation is 24-year-old Chad Billingsley, who leads the club with nine

Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Get an up-close glimpse and taste of history with a Los Angeles Conservancy walking tour of the historic Vaudeville-era theaters that line Broadway. The street has the largest collection of old theaters on the West Coast. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels All tours begin at the Lower Level Plaza, 555 W. Temple St., (213) 680-5215 or olacathedral.org. Monday-Friday, 1 p.m. A free one-hour tour of the cathedral designed by Jose Rafael Moneo is led by volunteers. Also available are tours for children and a traditional English tea and tour. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 415 Bernard St., (323) 222-0856 or chssc.org. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m. Docent guided tours of Chinatown, a unique and still perplexing community, are available for groups of 10 or more. City Hall (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every first Saturday of the month, 11 a.m. This tour explores the architecture and history of this fully restored landmark. Stops include some of the building’s important public spaces, such as the rotunda and City Council chambers. Make sure to glance up at the ornate ceiling. Doheny Mansion Tour Doheny Campus, 10 Chester Place, (213) 477-2962 or dohenymansion.org. Tour the Gothic Renaissance-style Victorian mansion on the Doheny Campus of Mount St. Mary’s College designed by Theodore Augustus Eisen and Summer P. Hunt in 1898. This was home to oil baron Edward Doheny and family for almost 60 years. The mansion boasts the Pompeian Room, with an iridescent Tiffany glass dome and imported Siena marble. Public tours, which cost $25 a person, include the first floor of the mansion and surrounding grounds. Seniors are $15, and other discounts apply. Downtown Housing Bus Tour Visit downtownla.com. Saturday, twice a month: From loft style units to historic office buildings to new luxury construction, tour both visiting models of “for sale” units as well as “for lease” properties. Along the way, you’ll see icon architecture and the developing neighborhoods in the area. Downtown Los Angeles Business Walking Tour Visit downtownla.com. Friday, twice a month: A primer in all the major Downtown hotspots — new developments such as L.A. Live, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, new loft buildings and quality office space. Downtown’s Evolving Skyline Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every third Saturday of the month. This tour of the architecture, art and open spaces of the Central Business District focuses on the postwar urban built environment and how a city’s future is shaped by the choices it makes about its past. El Pueblo 130 Paseo de la Plaza. (213) 628-1274 or lasangelitas.org. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Free docent-led tours of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, where the city of Los Angeles

wins, and could make a bid to win 20 if he gets some offensive backing. If Matt Kemp can get the offense going at the top of the lineup, the Dodgers may be playing in October after all. Los Angeles Sparks Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or wnba.com/sparks. The Sparks depart on a four-game road trip, starting at the Detroit Shock (July 22), and continuing on to the Connecticut Sun (July 24), the New York Liberty (July 25) and the Minnesota Lynx (July 27). However, the team does not return home until the end of August, as the WNBA is suspending its regular season so some of the league’s best can compete in the Beijing Olympics. The USA team includes Sparks superstars Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker. —Andrew Haas-Roche

was founded. Esotouric (323) 223-2767 or esotouric.com. Enjoy well-researched, often darkly funny tours of an L.A. of old — where musicians, writers and architects, and (usually separately), criminals toil. The company does tours all over L.A.; listed below are Downtown options. Historic Core Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn about the architecture of one of the city’s most storied districts on a walking tour led by the Los Angeles Conservancy. $10, $5 for members. L.A. Fashion District Shopping Tour (213) 683-9715 or urbanshoppingadventures.com. Monday-Saturday with advance reservation, 10:30 a.m. Three hours of walking and shopping with a guide in the nation’s largest fashion district. Learn how to ferret out the finds for $36 per person. Little Tokyo Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every second Saturday of the month. As the cultural and historic heart of the Japanese community in Los Angeles, Little Tokyo offers vivid contrasts between the old and the new. This tour includes architectural and cultural history as well as background on the city’s Japanese community. Los Angeles Central Library Tour 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7168 or lapl.org. Daily walk-in tours: Monday-Friday, 12:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m., 2 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Docent-led tours of the Central Library, including its art and architecture, are daily. Call to arrange a time. Tours begin in front of the library store in the main lobby. Reservations are necessary for groups of 10 or more. Los Angeles River FOLAR Tours (323) 223-0585 or folar.org/rivertours. These sporadic tours, created by Friends of the Los Angeles River, convene at the River Center (near the 5 and 110 freeways) where carpools are formed and the tour is laid out. Then the fun begins, with stops at the Sepulveda Basin in the Valley, the Glendale Narrows across from Griffith Park, the historic Arroyo Seco confluence, the Los Angeles State Historic Park (which is to say, the Cornfield) and the heart of industrial Downtown. Metro Art Tours (213) 922-2738 or metro.net/art. Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, 10 a.m.-noon. Tour provides insights into Metro transit system artworks and is led by knowledgeable docents. Free. Tours meet at Hollywood/Highland Metro Station on Saturday and at historic Union Station on Sunday. Museum of Neon Art Tours 136 W. Fourth St., (213) 489-9918 or neonmona.org Frequently scheduled neon bus tours, which rumble through downtown and Hollywood as a wisecracking host tells the story of the city’s electric signage. July 26; Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Sept. 6, 20, 27; Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29: An open-top British double-decker neon tour of the city. Red Line Tours Tours meet inside the Bradbury Building, 304 S.

photo by Gary Leonard

Pitcher Chad Billingsley is proving to be a strong spot in an injury-ravaged Dodgers’ rotation. He compiled nine wins in the first half of the season.

Broadway, (323) 402-1074, ext. 11, or redlinetours.com. Daily. “Inside Historic Downtown L.A.” operates at 9:45 a.m., and “Inside Contemporary Downtown L.A.” takes place at noon. Reserve tours by 9 p.m. the day prior. San Antonio Winery Tour 737 Lamar St., (323) 223-1401 or sanantoniowinery.com. Monday-Friday, noon-2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free tour of the only working winery in Los Angeles, culminating with a wine tasting. Live jazz Thursday-Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Group reservations required for parties of six or more. Undiscovered Chinatown Tour (213) 680-0243 or chinatownla.com. First Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Tours take visitors to a number of off-the-beatentrack points of cultural and historical interest, including a temple, an herb shop, art galleries, antique stores and more. Union Station (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every third Saturday of the month. Explore the last great railway station built in America, an inspiring building combining the Spanish Colonial revival and Art Deco styles. The East portal area, added in 1993, and the MTA headquarters are also included on this tour. USC (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every other month. More than 125 years old, USC has a rich architectural, historical and cultural heritage, and long ties to the Central City. Visit many of the campus’ architecturally significant buildings during this two-and-a-half-hour walking tour. Wall Street of the West Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every fourth Saturday of the month. The L.A. Conservancy leads a tour of Spring Street, once the West Coast’s center of finance. Tour starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 12:30 p.m. $10, $5 for members. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4399 or musiccenter.org. Daily. The swirling building designed by Frank Gehry offers a variety of tours: self-guided audio tours, matinee public guided tours, lunchtime expresses and a walk through the Urban Garden. But be warned: the actual concert hall is only open during performances. Call for each day’s schedule.

Please Email Your Event Info To submit events for this section, please email a brief description, street address and a public phone number to calendar­@downtownnews.com. Web addresses are welcome. Because of time constraints, submissions with­out full information cannot be considered for publication. Inclusion in the listings is at the discretion of the L.A. Down­town News. Sorry, we cannot accept follow-up calls about event listings.

DowntownNews.com

48 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

CLASSIFIED

place your ad online at www.ladowntownnews.com

L.A. Downtown News Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448 Classified Display & Line ads Deadlines: Thursday 12 pm

for rent

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lease DOWNTOWN LOFT Little Tokyo. $1450. 600 sf, parking, pool, gym, all appliances. 213-9850552.

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

SearchDowntownLA.com

July 21, 2008

Downtown News 49

Continued from previous page

LAND/ACREAGE MONTANA HORSE RANCH and Hunting Camp. 160 acres w/mountain views, $139,900. 480 acres - borders BLM Land, $349,900. Great birds and huge elk and deer. Miles and miles of BLM trails. Call 1-877-229-7840 www.WesternSkiesLand.com. (Cal-SCAN)

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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.

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Wholesale to the Public

__________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

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.)

Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm Sat. 10am-3pm 400 E. 2nd st., #205 LA CA 90012

(Honda Plaza Mall) Expires 7/28/08

213-680-4970

Continued on next page

LegaL Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA REGARDING THE FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FY2005-FY2009) MID-TERM REPORT FOR THE BUNKER HILL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT NOTICE is hereby given that The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California will hold a public hearing for the Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at The Community Redevelopment Agency Offices, 354 South Spring Street, 6th Floor Board Room, Los Angeles, CA 90013. The public hearing is being conducted to hear testimony of all interested parties regarding the Five-Year Implementation Plan Mid-Term Report for the Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project.

Come on in M.-F. 9am-5pm and Sat. 10am-2pm

madison hotel

30 min. massage (Reg. $30) $10 OFF w/this ad

(Friendly Fun Community)

Ad Copy: ___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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At the above-stated time and place, any and all persons having any testimony regarding the Mid-Term Report may appear before the Agency and be heard. 7/21, 7/28, 8/4/08 CNS-1381567#

Sell your items under $300… 12 words, 2 weeks it’s FREE!

50 Downtown News

July 21, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Continued from previous page

edUCATION

mISCellANeOUS

InCREASE YOUR RAILROAD hiring potential! Train at NARS, Overland Park, Kansas. Complete training 4-8 weeks. Average salary $63k. Lender info available. Conductor- Electrical/ Mechanical, Freight Car, Signal, Welder. 1-800-228-3378. www. RailroadTraining.com. (CalSCAN)

SAwMILLS FROM OnLY $2,990 - Convert your Logs To Valuable Lumber with your own Norwood portable band sawmill. Log skidders also available. www.NorwoodSawMills. com/300N -FREE Information: 1-800-578-1363 - x300-N. (CalSCAN)

SERGIO’S & IvAN’S

FORECLOSED HOME Auction. Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside & More. 1000+ Homes Must Be Sold! Free Brochure: 800-2690782. www.USHomeAuction. com. (Cal-SCAN)

COmpUTerS FRUSTRATED BY Computers? For services or solutions for home or business, call 213-4586873.

lAUNdry ServICeS Let us do the dirty work!

Beverly's Laundromat Full Self Service & Quality Drop-Off

• Professional Fluff & Fold Service • Large & Best Equipped Washer & Dryer • FREE Pick Up & Delivery (25lb. Minimum) • Friendly & Helpful Attendants on Duty • Service commercial accounts

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Bring life to the City

An urban garden in your own space downtownGarden.com

AttENtION:

Judgment Creditors:

We will collect your Large and Small claims COURT judgments on your behalf No results, no fee.

Call Today, (800) 378-7061

FOr SAle

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Free Fluff & Fold Services We will WASH, DRY & FOLD

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1st time customers only. Must present coupon. Exp. 8-31-08.

610 S. Rampart Blvd. @ 6th St (213)804-0069 Open Daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free Parking

ServICeS

Melina’s Mommy House Cleaning Professional Cleaning Residential & Commercial 25 yrs. Experience. Great References.

Office: 323.296.1303 Cel: 323.304.6036

ABOGADO DE IMMIGRACION! Family, Criminal, P.I. for more than 20 yrs! Familiar o Amigo Arrestado? Necesita Permiso de trabajo? Tagalog / EspaĂąol

LA OPERA TICKETS Center Orch.The Fly 9/10/08. $280. Value $390. 562-596-0595.

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freshly designed lofts for rent

$99 Moves You In 1st Month Free

*

**

One of the most prestigious & beautiful residences in Downtown.

FOR SALE

$1,495 to $4,500

Downtown ConDos & Lofts

On Broadway at 8th St.

WilshireMetro.com

C h a pma n f l atS.CO m 213.892.9100

213.629.2530 Since 1987

*For a limited time.

**with approved credit.

750/MO

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. The building also has approx 4,000 sq ft of beautiful contiguous space and some small offices available. These spaces can be viewed by appointment. Information available to qualified prospective tenants. Email request to mdavis@shammasgroup.com or call (213) 746-6300

6HUYLFHV ,QFOXGH ‡ 5HFHSWLRQ ‡ 3KRQHV ‡ ,QWHUQHW ‡ &RQIHUHQFH 5RRPV ‡ &RIIHH 6WDWLRQ ‡ $QG 0RUH

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SPA 2008 MODEL Neck jets, therapy seat. Warranty! Never used. Can deliver. Worth $5950 sell for $1950. 818-785-9043.

Law Office of H. Douglas Daniel Esq., (213) 689-1710

Available Immediately

POOL TABLES, nEw, 7 or 8 ft. Why pay retail? Toll free 1-866694-3346.

Get your GreeN CArd or CITIZeNSHIp

GOT DRAPES? Custom Drapes, Headboards, Reupholstery and Interior Design at Affordable Prices. 323-377-8392. bffcustomdesigns@yahoo.com.

‡

‡

tHAI MASSAGE SPECIALISt

n 800 W. First St. 0+1 299K n 600 W. 9th 2+2 629K n 600 W. 9th(PH) 2+2 949K n 600 W. 9th 1+1 448K n 121 S. Hope 2+2 639K n 880 W. 1st 1+1 449K n Elleven Loft 770 sqft 488K Pending n 1855 Industrial Loft 599K

VIP Room Available. The Best Way For Business Meetings & Entertainment

The Reserve Lofts

Professional massage for men & women. Services include Thai Massage, Shiatsu Massage, Swedish Oil Massage, Foot Massage, Sauna, Steam, and more. Lounge area.

Live in a Piece of History 17’ Ceilings Gated Reserved Parking Rooftop Garden Spa/BBQ 1700 sq.ft. Fitness Ctr. Upper Level Open Loft Space Pet Friendly - Large Dogs O.K. Courtesy Patrol Concierge Botique Style

live • eat • play âœŚ All Utilities Paid, Including parking âœŚ Restaurant/Hip Lounge On-Site âœŚ Big Dogs Allowed âœŚ Shuttle to Downtown Bars/ Restaurants/Etc (Thurs-Sat) night. âœŚ Laundry On-Site Studio âœŚ Heated Pool From s âœŚ Fitness Center $ 1,300 âœŚ Business Center âœŚ Pool Party on Sundays

HealtH Dept. rank a for 7 ConseCutive Years

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First Professionally Licensed Massage Shop in L.A. County.

409 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015 On the Corner of Olive & Olympic

700 to 1500 Sq. Ft. Lofts. High ceilings, skylights, cable, kitchen, bath+shower, laundry room, elevator, controlled access, sub. parking. Sorry no dogs. Call George: 818-634-7916 or 310-275-9831 x24

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INCLUDING UTILITIES. SOME INCOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. OFFER MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator. Full bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

GET THE

SCOOP

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MASSAGEH

ARTIST LOFTS FOR LEASE Live/Work in Downtown Fashion District

5TH AT SPRING 213.626.1743

3386766 0119

AUCTIONS

downtownNews.com

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PICO BLVD

CONVENTION CENTER

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July 21, 2008

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