DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA

downtown weekly

VOL 7 NO 11 ISSUE #98/ Feb 23rd - Mar 2nd 2017/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

espresso

self dtla kevin sinnott

brings coffee con to the reef coffee con 2017/ square one / dtla vegan/ get 2 dtla / the two brews of mega bodega to be or not to be?/ doing the most tourist guide/ this week in sports>> magic johnson takes over the lakers

the urban blend of downtown weekly >>

vol. 7 no 11 feb 23rd - mar 2nd

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the urban blend of downtown weekly >>

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VEGAN: not losing weight on a vegan pg 7 this week diet? in sports

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baristas >> DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA editor and chief KERI FREEMAN SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT JASON ALVAREZ LAILAH MORIDZADEH RANDY RADIC ENTERTAINMENT DONOVAN FREEMAN THIS WEEK IN SPORTS CHRISTOPHER FLOCH MOVIE BUFF FREDERICK MINTCHELL FASHION HENRY DUARTE SOCIAL MEDIA ART HUNTER COMICS ROBERT BULANADI GREG GOULD NISHANT SALDANHA DESIGN AND LAYOUT KERI FREEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY RUSH VARELA HANFU SPECIAL THANKS TO COUNCIL DISTRICT 14 & THE CITY OF LA BLACKSTONE APTS CENTRAL CITY EAST ARTS DISTRICT BID SOUTH PARK BID CHINATOWN LA CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL HISTORIC CORE FINANCIAL DISTRICT FASHION DISTRICT ART APPETITE LA ART WALK NEWS LOFTWAY CTRL COLLECTIVE ANIMAL MUSEUM LA BIERGARTEN DAILY DOSE CAFE

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DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA, in support of local residents, businesses, workers and visitors of Downtown Los Angeles, publishes DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA. Readers are recommended to make appropriate inquiries before wagering any sum in relation to any ad, article or feature published herein. DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA will not be liable to any person for loss or damage incurred or suffered as a result of his/her accepting, offering to accept or following any invitation or advice contained in any ad, article or feature published herein.

vol. 7 no 11 feb 23rd - mar 2nd

SQUARE ONE >> our warmest welcome!

SQUARE ONE

goshen

historic core

C

haracter cannot be developed in ease and quiet.

Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

-Helen Keller japanese sushi sensations 212 W 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014

BROADWAY kaffebaren PALACE south park SOUTH PARK

elegant apartments reminiscent of The Roaring Twenties 1026 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

famed brewer’s industrial cafe adjacent 330 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

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DTLA VEGAN>> BY LAILAH MORID >> brought to you by the animal museum

DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

dtla vegan>> Not Losing Weight on a Vegan Diet?

W

hile many folks transition to a vegan diet for ethical or environmental reasons, others learn how a plant based diet can prevent and reverse diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Learning about all the ways that a vegan diet impacts your health, animals, and the environment is a recipe for long-term success.

S

tatistically speaking, eating a whole foods plant based diet will result in lower Body Mass Index (BMI) when compared to omnivores and vegetarians. But, if you find yourself not losing weight and would like to, here’s some suggestions to help.

Firstly, when you think of your food, think of the value it will provide. Let’s compare food to money. You want to get more value for your dollar by investing your dollar into an account that pays back in case you’re sick, disabled, or walk out of life, in which case your legacy will passed down.

The alternative is investing your dollar into an IRA or savings account that won’t give you the same returns.

Foods that are more valuable to you are higher in fiber and water and lower in energy density. Higher fat foods like bacon, cheese, dairy, chicken, cows, etc are higher in energy density and low in fiber and water. A bagel is medium in energy density and a fruit has the lowest energy density and is the highest in water and fruit. Other valuable foods are vegetables, beans, legumes, tubers, and grains. Grains are a concern

for those with Celiac Disease. Ask your doctor to test you if you think you have grain sensitivity, but if not, grains aren’t an issue and provide the satiety and variety while being low in energy density and high in fiber. Dr. Greger of “How Not to Die” illustrates this in his video, “Eating more to Weigh Less.” While foods like starches are often vilified, it’s really the dietary fat that is holding people back from reaching their leaner figures. Dr. John McDougall famously says, “The fat you eat is the fat you wear.”

What about hidden dangers like oil? Olive oil is the most caloric food on the planet and as Dr. Pam Popper of “Food over Medicine” explains, eating three tablespoons of olive oil a day is equal to 3,600 calories which will result in a gain of 3 pounds per month or 36 pounds in a year!

Nuts are higher in calories and it’s easy to get carried away eating so many because of the convenience in packaging.

But, if you find yourself eating handfuls of nuts daily and weight loss is halted, the nuts may be a food to consider cutting back on. Instead, fuel yourself throughout the day with fruit or raw vegetables.

Get2DTLA

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arts & culture>> Get 2 dtla daylight

FRIDAY THURSDAY February 24th February 23rd ELITE CLUB BUSINESS TO BUSINESS MIXER Los Angeles Athletic Club This is an awesome opportunity for area businesses owners to network with one another and learn more about the 2016 WNBA Champion Los Angeles Sparks. Also, each person in attendance will receive one ticket to the Los Angeles Sparks Home Opener on Saturday, May 13th at Staples Center, which is an evening that will include the 2016 WNBA Champion ring ceremony. 6:30pm – 8:00pm.

Ticketed. 431 W 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014.

LA ART BOOK FAIR Geffen Contemporary at MOCA Free and open to the public, Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair is a unique event for artists’ books, art catalogs, monographs, periodicals, and zines presented by over 300 international presses, booksellers, antiquarians, artists, and independent publishers.

Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair 2016 saw over 35,000 visitors over the course of three and a half days. 152 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012.

SUNDAY SATURDAY February 25TH BDAY CELEB Animal Museum DTLA Vegan’s own Lailah Mo, will be celebrating her birthday with human and animal friends alike!!! Let’s come together and celebrate life, love, music, and fun! WITH 2 fantastic exhibitions you’ll be excited to see!

We’ll dance to jazz, enjoy appetizers and explore life through art while also giving back to a world changing cause! Feel free to invite a guest or two.

The more the merrier especially when it’s giving back to a good cause! 5pm - 8pm. Ticketed.

421 Colyton Street, LA, CA 90013.

February 26TH

SMORGASBURG TheRow Find dozens of exciting food vendors each Sunday at Smorgasburg, plus sophisticated shopping from the realms of design, craft, style, vintage, wellness, and more. Cultural events, pop-ups, and other surprise experiences will also be part of the market mix, transforming the vast site into a new node in Downtown LA’s burgeoning scene, and a unique destination for the region. Free with 2 hours free parking.746 Market Ct., Los Angeles, CA 90021.

moonlight DTLA INDUSTRY NIGHT Preux and Proper You don’t have to wait until Mardi Gras to enjoy amazing Cajun cuisine and party like atmospheres, thanks to the creators of Preux and Proper. In hopes of bringing downtown service industry community closer, P&P will be hosting DTLA Industry night the last Thursday of every month. There will be gangster cocktails from none other than Othon Nolasco (Everson Royce Bar), kitchen grime from chef Samuel Monsour, and the dopest 90’s hip hop playlist DTLA can get our hands on.

Proceeds to benefit Chefs Collaborative. Sponsored by Beam Suntory. RSVP. 840 S Spring St, Los Angeles, California 90014.

JONATHAN TOUBIN’S NEW YORK NIGHT TRAIN Monty Bar Instead of NY Night Train’s usual Soul Clap and DanceOff, for the first time ever Blundertown brings the iconic shindig’s soul proprietor to tinseltown for a west coast version of his weekly NYC institution SHAKIN’ ALL OVER UNDER SIDEWAYS DOWN! Every week since 2008, for well over 400 nights, New Yorkers shake a tail feather ‘til thee weewee hours to the restless railroad beat of JONATHAN TOUBIN’s trademark “maximum rock’n’soul” sound....

MAXIMUM ROCK’N’SOUL? 21 +. 9pm - 2am. 1222 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

ZOOT SUIT Mark Taper Forum When Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit premiered at the Mark Taper in 1978, nothing short of a sensation.

The play, which centers on L.A.’s pachuco culture in the early 1940s — specifically the Sleepy Lagoon murder of 1942 — sold out in L.A. for almost a year before moving on to Broadway, and it brought a whole new audience to the theater. In 1981, it became a film starring Edward James Olmos, who also played the lead at the Taper. In honor of the Center Theatre Group’s 50th anniversary, in association with El Teatro Campesino, Zoot Suit is BACK, and this landmark of Chicano theater is ready to wow the next generation. Ticketed. All ages. 135 N. Grand Ave.

LEARN TO SWING DANCE PART 2 Lindy Loft “Swing dance” is a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s-1940s. Back then there were hundreds of styles of swing dancing but the most popular, the Lindy Hop, originated in Harlem. So, if you didn’t get a chance to dance at the Lindy Loft’s first workshop or you want to “pick up” where you left off... join the dancers at Lindy Loft for round two!

They will be building on the Lindy Hop basics. No partner needed, no dance experience necessary, just you and your happy feet! Ticketed. 560 S Main St Unit 9N, Los Angeles, CA 90013. 12pm - 4pm.

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arts & culture>> Get 2 dtla daylight

MONDAY February 27TH

SIGNS OF LIFE Arts Brookfield Arts Brookfield presents this large scale vinyl art installation

by John Van Hamersveld, the well-known LA based artist who has played an instrumental role in shaping the visual culture of rock ’n’ roll and SoCal life since the 1960s. The Signs of Life installation includes a unique vinyl design at FIGat7th, as well as four portraits of famous musicians and composers in the windows of Bank of America and at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Free. All ages. 735 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

TUESDAY February 28th

$8 BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES Regal LA LIVE One heck of a special for movie lovers each week, as long as you’re not into watching movies as part of a group, same-day releases, spending holidays at the cinema or 3D or 4DX titles; you can pick just about any movie you want. Popcorn, soda, red vines are abound with local restaurants participating with special offers.

Tickets are available online at fandango.com, too! 1000 W Olympic Blvd, LA, CA 90015.

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY march 1st march 2nd MANI’S BEFORE MEN The Ritz-Carlton Spa Skip the mushy sentimentalities and indulge yourself, not your man this month.

Plan a day that’s all about pampering and uplifting you – and maybe a few friends - One of the featured treatments is a classic manicure with customized mask and paraffin to completely wash your hands of stupid cupid. Toast to the single life – and fabulous nails – with a glass of “I Don’t Want Your Rosé” and eat your heart out with some soothingly sugar-filled snacks. 710 W Olympic Blvd, LA, CA 90015.

SILICONBEACH LA MIXER Kyoto Gardens Providing a place for SiliconBeach Community in DTLA to connect with each other.

Silicon Beach is a major hub for tech-inspired and entrepreneur-minded professionals looking to better themselves.

More importantly, it is our home and the community we do business in and support one another in our careers.

This is an opportunity to define Silicon Beach by the young business leaders it is comprised of. RSVP. 120 S Los Angeles Street, LA, CA 90012.

LIQUID INTELLIGENCE Free Wine & Beer J.W. Marriott 1st, 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays bring free Wine, Beer or Mixology classes to the world class J.W. Marriott at LA Live. This ultimate cool school for aspiring mixologists, wine connoisseurs, and beer aficionados.

Each week, experts guide you through a complimentary signature tasting and hands on experience. The perfect event for Hump-day, Liquid Intelligence allows you to mix and mingle as you learn how to create the ultimate Valentine’s Day cocktail. Free. 21+. RSVP required. 900 W. Olympic Blvd., LA, CA 90015.

LAST LAUGH ANGEL CITY BREWERY Be prepared to laugh until you die with this all black comedic line up back for round two hosted by MTVs Wonderland Myke Wright. Words can’t describe how killer this lineup is....featuring Jak Knight: (Comedy Central:House Party), Marcella Arguello: (Comedy Central: Midnight), Dante Chang: (Fox Laughs), James Fritz: (Nerdist, Bridgetown), Jil Chrissie: (Fox Laughs) ,Chinedu Unaka: (The Mindy Project: Hulu), Mav Viola: (Ladies Mic), and Tarikh Joesph apparently from no where. Seriously this will be an epic night of Unbelievable talent all on one stage for free! 21+. 216 Alameda St, Los Angeles, California 90012.

moonlight MOIST MONDAYS La Cita Bar Color Me Bad and pour some special Brandi.

When Dj Moist, Downtown’s favorite R&B Dj spins it’s a never-ending mix of audible sexiness. Moist conducts an electronic symphony of insatiable rhythms and get to know you better dance music

by Old School legends Aaliyah, Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men D’angelo, En Vogue and just about everything 90s, HipHop, and R&B for a night of dancing, reminiscing about “Back in the Day” and all night happy hour drink specials bringing the old bar back to life and keeping the dance floor jam packed with excitement.

9:30pm. Free. 21+. 336 S Hill Street, 90013.

MARDI GRAS ON THE SQUARE The BLOC Fat Tuesday in DTLA...? #umyes! Transcend to Bourbon Street with New Orleans band, Jimmy Z and the Z Tribe, food trucks serving Cajun style cuisine, $5 drinks specials for hurricanes, beer + wine, and beads for all. Did we mention the first 300 angelenos to hit The Square on The Bloc will receive a complimentary hurricane in a custom glass (21+ only) and a baby king cake! Enter on 7th street between Hope and Flower streets or use the new underground passageway from the 7th and Metro Station. No entrance fee, all are welcome. Proceeds benefit freearts.org. 4-6. 700 South Flower, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

espresso self >> coffee con 2017 >> by randy radic

dtla-weekly.com

Espresso self >> kevin sinnott’s coffee con 2017

T

he word “coffee” originated in the Middle East, where it was first spelled as chaoua, cauwa, kahue and cahve, all akin to the Turkish kahveh, which came from the Arabic qahwah.

Scholars are unsure where the Arabic word came from, but suspect it derived from Kaffa, which designated a remote area in the Abyssinian highlands, where some say the coffee tree originated.

From there, the word transitioned into the Italian caffe, the French café, which led to the word cafeine, from which we get the English word caffeine. Interestingly, the Spanish word café resulted in cafetero “coffee-seller,” which led to the English cafeteria. In DTLA it’s simply called, City Joe.

great sport kevin sinnott plays coffee bae for dtla weekly>> photo by hanfu

espresso self>> coffee con 2017 dtla-weekly.com

S

Saying that Kevin is “into coffee” is a o in one paragraph we went from cofvast understatement. fee cake to the Abyssinian highlands to cafeterias to CoffeeCon L.A. That’s almost Kevin, who describes himself as a “coffee geek,” came up with the idea about five as slick as the transporter in Star Trek. years ago. The first CoffeeCon took place “Perk me up Scotty!” in Illinois, where most people thought the event would probably be more like a farmDTLA Weekly asked Kevin Sinnott, er’s market: some folk music, a few kiosks creator of Coffee Con and author of Great selling coffee and maybe some arts and Coffee: The Coffee Lover’s Guide and The crafts. Nope. CoffeeCon is much different Art and Craft of Coffee: An Enthusiast’s and seriously sophisticated.

Guide to Selecting, Roasting and Brewing There are coffee tastings, where you Exquisite Coffee the BIG question: can sample expensive, exotic brews from “What’s your favorite coffee in your all over the world, along with cutting-edge hometown of Chicago? He replied: “Big technological devices designed to grind, Shoulders Coffee.” And in D. T. L. A.? measure and brew the best coffee. World Champion Baristas demonstrate how to In Kevin Sinnott’s opinion, the best coffees seem to come from the small hole- make lattes, espressos, mochas, etc. You in-the-wall Mom & Pop shops, where they can watch how they do it, while they extake great pride in their coffee. This pride plain what they’re doing and why they are is reflected in the way they pick their roast, the way they grind their beans and the way they brew their coffee. As Kevin pointed out, almost everyone drinks coffee, but most people don’t know how to brew a decent pot of coffee. It’s an art as well as a science.

But what is CoffeeCon?

For some, the phrase may conjure up an image of little, old ladies sitting around sipping coffee from porcelain cups while nibbling on coffee cake. But it’s not, of course.

CoffeeCon is the place to go when you really want to learn how to properly use the coffee machine sitting on your kitchen counter. Whether it drips or presses or percolates, after CoffeeCon you should come home with the knowledge of just how to make that delicious cup of coffee that will undoubtedly and absolutely amaze your friends.

doing it. You’ll learn how water impacts the taste of coffee and, most importantly, about coffee bean roasting. In the end, as Kevin says, “It all comes down to the bean and how you brew it.”

CoffeeCon L.A. coming to the Magic Box at the Reef, located at 1933 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007, February 25th - 26th, features Jay Ruskey, a California coffee farmer, who will make a presentation. He’s also part of Kevin’s blue ribbon panel of experts discussing sustainability. There’s even another panel discussing the future of coffee. There will also be a presenter at CoffeeCon L.A. who will demonstrate that it’s possible to get four completely different tasting coffees, using the same roast of coffee bean.

The only difference is in the brewing method.

ESPRESSO SELF>> MEGA BODEGA>> BY jason alvarez

DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

Espresso self>> the two brews of mega bodega

T

he corner of Broadway and Olympic is home to Mega Bodega, one of Downtown’s most delightfully unusual food and drink stops.

In the year it’s been open, Mega Bodega has amassed a devoted following. And for good reason.

T

he neon sign hanging in the storefront window reads “Hot Coffee Cold Beer”, informing prospective patrons of what awaits them within. Mega Bodega is part coffeehouse, part taproom. It’s a seemingly incongruous combination that works surprisingly well. And it reflects owner Scott Kroha’s abiding passion for great coffee and hard-to-find microbrews.

Mega Bodega is the kind of one-stop-shop where you can grab a Starbucks-shaming macchiato and a hoppy IPA from some of Kroha’s favorite craft breweries. With a menu that includes unusual wines, coffee-based concoctions, savory toasts, hearty sandwiches, and charcuterie, Mega Bodega quite literally has something for everyone. And then there’s the revolving selection of beers on tap.

“I think our beer list has been one of the best in Downtown as far as the consistency of seasonal and local [craft beers], and how rapidly they turn over,” says Kroha of his ever-changing, personally curated tap selection. “A lot of them are probably a week or two old. They don’t get much older than that.”

As impressive as it is, the protean beer list isn’t the first thing customers notice. That distinction goes to the impossible-to-ignore, cobalt blue facade - a less-than-subtle nod to iconic imagery from Kroha’s childhood.

Though it’s concealed from view when open for business, the steel door protecting the glass entryway can be rolled down to reveal the pixelated face of the classic video game character Mega Man, with the blue stucco facade revealing itself to be his helmet. For the uninitiated, it’s an easily overlooked easter egg. For those in the know, it’s a small bit of nostalgia hidden in plain sight. The nostalgia, however, ends at the entrance.

The interior is a case study in decorative minimalism. The spare, angular space is dominated by clean whites and unfinished woods, a modernist arrangement that still manages to be warm and inviting. Plus there’s a streetside patio where you can people-watch while

mega bodega photo by hanfu enjoying an espresso and noshing on your favorite pastry, al fresco.

It’s been a good first year for Kroha and company. Still, he’s eager to bring a few big changes to Mega Bodega, turning it into what he calls version 2.0.

When it’s finally rolled out, Mega Bodega’s lunch special would include a sandwich, a half pour of beer, and a coffee (hot or cold) to take back to the office.

And then there’s the upcoming anniversary party. Tentatively scheduled for Saturday March 18, a month after Mega Bodega’s “I’m doing heaps of ordering right now. official one year anniversary, Kroha has a few We’re doing a whole retail section that’s surprises up his sleeve, including some “crazy” brand new. We’re going to be doing a kegs that he’s been stocking for the occasion whole bottle section,” says Kroha, refer- as well as a selection of off-menu food items. ring to the expanded selection of canned With so much in the works, Kroha is keen and bottled beer he’ll soon start offering to point out that none of the changes would patrons on the go. “The level of inventory alter the shop’s essential character. He promhere is tripling.” ises that Mega Bodega will continue to be “a crew of people who are actually operating a Along with his plans to offer a wide array of little shop for the neighborhood. We’ll make beers for takeaway, Kroha is currently working you a coffee, we’ll make you a sandwich, we on a new food menu that he hopes to unveil will suggest to you and pour you the best beer in the upcoming weeks. He’s also interested in we can get our hands on. I think there’s an giving the old-fashioned lunch combo a new authenticity and honesty there that a lot of and unique spin. people are drawn to.”

this week in sports>> magic johnson takes over the la lakers

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS>>

MAGIC

JOHNSON

TAKES OVER LA LAKERS “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me,” said Jeanie Buss.

I

n a stunning development, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was named President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, February 21st.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak was fired, while Executive Vice President and Co-owner, Jim Buss was relieved of all duties effective immediately.

In this Shakespearean power struggle between siblings Jim and Jeanie Buss, after the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss, Jeanie has emerged as the victor of the Lakers empire.

The final straw was Kupchak’s inability to acquire Demarcus Cousins from the Sacramento “Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” Jeanie Buss said.

Magic Johnson is as big of an icon as the Hollywood sign in the City of Angels.

The former L.A. Laker led the Showtime era Purple and Gold to five titles in the 80’s, is also part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Johnson’s ascent to President of Basketball Operations happened as quickly as the fast-breaks he orchestrated, given he was hired just three weeks ago as an “adviser”.

“We have some really talented guys, they’ve gotta get better,” Johnson said. “We will use the end of this season and work on that, and then the offseason they’ve gotta go to work.

“We have a lot of nice, young pieces on this team,” Johnson continued. “We have to develop these young pieces, and I love Luke. I think that he was the right pick, the guy is a gym rat, he knows basketball.

He’s the right coach to develop our young players, we’re headed in the right direction with his leadership, and I wanted to work side-by-side with him as well.”

Johnson made headlines last week when he expressed interest in reaching out to Kobe Bryant for advice. “He’s a winner, and he knows these players, his insight is remarkable,” said Johnson.

Despite the enthusiasm felt by Lakers Nation, many questions remain as to how exactly the Lakers will become a contender?

Kupchak was widely considered a fantastic GM, who will replace him? Laker fans might remember Magic coaching the Lakers in the blink of an eye during the 1994-95 season, only to quit in frustration after one dubious season. Historically, Hall of Fame players haven’t proven to be effective coaches, or General Managers.

Leadership requires patience and vision, Magic inherits a young nucleus of talent, alongside Head Coach Luke Walton.

The Lakers return home to Staples Center after their grueling Grammy road trip, on Sunday, February 26th. When they meet the San Antonio Spurs, tipoff is at 12:30 p.m.

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doing the most>> downtown los angeles bunker hill Bunker hill is dtla’s leader in live performance art, presenting formally trained theater, dance and musical performances, including those in the visual arts as well as presenting dtla’s master chefs.

The Absolute Most:

Music Center Think: Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA Philharmonic, Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, Ticket Booth.

The Most:

Grand Park Think: Lunch Time Food Trucks, Dia Los Muertos, We Are Los Angeles, Family Reunion, Light Up the Holidays.

The Almost:

Music Center’s Grand MakeOver Think: $30 million in renovations over the next two years.

south park entertainment capital of dtla with tours & expos, national sporting events, award ceremonies, comedy shows, restaurants, and a discotheque, almost completely surrounded by world class hotels.

Sure, the Financial District sounds like it’s ALL WORK and no play, but with historic landmarks, sky tops with full bars, thrill rides, & award winning happy hours, prepare yourself for the pressures of excitement

The Absolute Most:

The Absolute Most:

Staples Center/LA LIVE Think: Sports Area, Live Concerts, Movie Theater, Bowling Alley, XGames, 4 Star Hotels, Rooftop Spas.

The Most:

Los Angeles Convention Center Expos, Network, AirPort, Media Pass.

The Almost:

Metropolis Think: Panoramic Views, New Skyline, Sky Pools, Dogparks, Exquisite Dining, Boutique Hotel, Cabanas.

The utmost:

The utmost:

Downtown Dance and Movement Think:Dance Recitals, Star Studded Dance Rehearsals, Musical Performance Showcases.

top food picks

top food picks

MOCA Contemporary Think: Art of Our Time, Exhibits, Collections, Programs, Free Every Thursday.

AU LAC OTIUM

financial china district town

tom’s urban el compadre original pantry

SkySpace Think: Full bar, 70 stories up, Breathtaking Views, Magic Carpet Ride, Glass Slide.

The Most:

Los Angeles Public Library Think: Volumes, Free Masonry, Slow Escalators, Interactive Exhibits, Computer Rentals, Librarians.

The Almost:

110/105/10/5 FWY Intersection Think: Car Radio, Traffic, MapQuest, Windshield, Congestion, Bumpers, CHP, Road rage.

TheUPmost

TheBloc Think: International Brands, Shopping Mecca, Outdoor Terrace, Art Installations and Live Performances.

top food picks WATER GRILL 71 ABOVE TOM GEORGE

civic district

with its independence, Chinatown has strengthened its romantic and familiar relationship with Downtown, demonstrating it is as gentle as it is honest with its gifts for dtla

order in the courts, dine in or take out...not just for law making anymore, the courts district of dtla offers a gambit of public art, a 360 degree observation deck, legendary eateries and historical landmarks.

The Absolute Most:

The Absolute Most:

Chinatown Central Plaza Jazz Club, Dim Sum, Hanfu, Peking Duck, Culture Festivals.

The Most:

Gin Lin Way Think: Red Lanterns, Neon, Vintage Chinese Architecture, 1938.

The Almost:

Year of the Rooster Think: Good Health. Careful Observation. Plenty of new restaurants, art shows, and a new year of cultural festivities.

The utmost:

Union Station Think: Subway, Maps, Train Station.

The Most:

City Hall Think: Observation Deck, Farmer’s Market, Outdoor Concerts, Local Government.

The Almost:

Polyphonoptic Tower Think: Kinetic Sculpture, Music, Lights, Synchronization, Water, Flood, Faulty.

The Upmost:

Chung King Road Think: Art Openings, Art Galleries, Antiques, Curio Shops, Live Performances.

Olvera Street Think: Birth Place of Los Angeles, Mexican Marketplace, Authentic food, Aztec Dancers, Mariachis, Catholic Church.

top food picks

top food picks

pho 87 LASA Sea Fresh Restaurant

ciento lindo original phillip’s traxx

dtla-weekly.com

tour guide Little tokyo

arts historic the skids district core

Little Tokyo is the heart of the larg- Arts District is DTLA’s perfect mix The Historic Core is revitalized with est Japanese-American population in of fine art galleries, creative loft new bike lanes, parklettes, commuAmerica. With over 3500 welcoming style living, organic eating, and BEER, nity gardens, outdoor concerts, residents, and hundreds of shops hosting the most eclectic mix of indie artisan pop-ups, and 2 of the most Little Tokyo sees its fair share of artisan showcases and micro-brewing highly anticipated self-guided art tourism in dtla. tours in the country. companies in all of los Angeles.

The Absolute Most:

Old Japanese Union Church Think: 1922, East Coast Players, LAArtCore, World Class Theater, 30+ Years.

The Most:

Japanese American National Museum Think: Tradition, Exhibits, WW2, Sculpture, History, Extraordinary Origami.

The Almost:

The Metro Regional Connector Think: All of Downtown’s Districts Connected allowing passengers to transfer to Blue, Expo, Red and Purple Lines, bypassing Union Station.

The uPmost:

The Absolute Most:

Hauser Wirth & Schimmel Think: Globe Mills Complex, Art World, Manuela Restaurant, Art Exhibits, Installations.

The Most:

Angel City Brewery Think: IPA, Beer Tasting, Local Entertainment, Karaoke, Comedy Night, Mini- Festivals, Indie Art Shows.

The Almost:

Institute of Contemporary Art Think: Museum, 12,700-Sqft., Industrial Building, 32-Year-Old Art Institution. Architecture by wHY, Public Programming, Retail Stores.

The uPmost:

The Absolute Most:

Night On Broadway Think: Outdoor concert, 12 Historic Theaters, Live Performances, Food Trucks, Crepes, Huge Crowds.

The Most:

Downtown Art Walk Think: Creativity, Nighttime Celebration, Gallery, Artists, Crepes, Local Entertainment, Food Trucks, Street Vendors, Interactive Exhibits, Bar Crawl.

The Almost:

Renovation of the Old Cecil Hotel Think: Nightstalker, Shining, American Horror Story, Hospice, Haunted.

The UPmost

Fashion district

where skid row meets the industrial The Fashion District is a stitched warehouse district, with community oasis where fashion designers, leaders and entrepreneurs willing to wholesalers, market weeks, retailed solve the problems of an area known fashion wares, accessories, textiles, for having the 2nd largest homeless and shoppers collide. population in the country.

The Absolute Most:

Smorgasburg Think: Alameda Marketplace, 10,000 Visitors, Indie Artisan, Sunday, Food, Music, Vintage, Wellness, Donuts.

The Most:

LAMP/Union Rescue Mission/ SkidRow Housing Trust Think: Non Profit, Giving, Public Service, Fundraising, Art Events.

The Almost:

Think: 1.3 million Sqft,. Multi-Use Complex, Residents, Shopping, Restaurants, Local Entertainment, Creative Office Spaces.

TheUPmost

The Absolute Most:

California Mart Think: Designers. ShowCase, Market Week, Fashion, Accessories, Textiles, Fashion Run Way.

The Most:

Santee Alley Think: Bargains, SwapMeet, Bizarre, Street Dogs, Wigs, Wholesale Purses, Immitation Perfume.

The Almost:

BIGGER! BETTER! Wall Florist Market Think: Coral Forest, Farmer’s Market, Grilled Food, Aqua Frescas, Wholesale Flowers. Saturdays.

the Upmost

JZenshuji a Sōtō Zen Temple Think: Shakyamuni Buddha, Community Garden, Meditation.

Artists and Fleas Think: Unique, Fashion, Art and Craft Show, Vintage, Food Trucks, Saturdays.

ShopWalk Think: Spring Arcade Building, Crepes, Bottomless Mimosas, Discounts, Acoustic Sets, Fashion, Design.

Glady’s Park Think: Concerts, Town Hall Meetings, Sports Court, Soup Lines, Community.

The Cooper Building Think: Historic Landmark, Huge Shopping Bags, Full Fashion, Designers, Showcase, Sample Sale, Men’s Suits.

top food picks

top food picks

top food picks

top food picks

top food picks

Kagaya Sushi Gen oystars

bestia urth cafe PIE HOLE

kai sushi mezcaleros dtla crepes sans frontieres

the escondite The Nickel diner lazy brewing company

Localita & The Badasserie sonoratown The alley dog

To be or not to be? dtla theater guide

DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

ahmanson theater bob baker’s cornerstone marionette theater theater company As one of the nation’s most influential nonprofit theatre companies, the Ahmanson proudly continues their 50year tradition of using the art of theatre to broaden horizons and illuminate new perspectives. On Stage Now: FUN HOME, being called “groundbreaking,” “exquisite,” and “unforgettable” this new musical, which received raves from critics and audiences alike, winning five 2015 Tony Awards® including Best Musical is making history along the way. The show runs February 21st though April 1st. 135 N Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

(213) 628-2772.

Baker died 2014 but he left behind a lifetime worth of smiles and memories, 1,000’s of enchanting, hand-crafted puppets, the beautiful Cultural-Historical landmark.

On Stage Now: BOB BAKER DAYS 2017 - the 3rd Annual Celebration of Bob Baker’s legacy! Let the puppets of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater entertain you with the sights and sounds of a celebration you’ll never forget now extended Saturday and Sunday. 1345 W 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026. (213) 250-9995.

east west players

latino american theater

Established in 1965, East West Players has been hailed as the nation’s leading Asian American theater troupe for our award-winning productions that blend Eastern and Western movement, costumes, language, and music.

EWP has premiered more than 100 plays and musicals about the Asian Pacific American experience and has held more than 1,000 readings and workshops. On Stage Now: East West Players will be celebrating its 51st Anniversary at their Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction (RADIANT) coming in April. Proceeds from the gala will benefit East West Players’ educational and artistic programs. 120 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 625-7000.

la opera

Since 1948 THE LA Opera has maintained a talented roster of resident artists, young singers who perform regularly in main stage productions as well as the company’s community programs under the personal supervision of Peter Hemmings, Plácido Domingo, Kent Nagano, and current Music Director James Conlon. On Stage Now: SALOME returns to make its mark on the 21st century, starring Patricia Racette.. Adapted from the scandalous play by Oscar Wilde, Salome is a seductively beautiful tapestry of the subconscious. The princess Salome becomes infatuated by her stepfather’s prisoner, John the Baptist and she determines to have him...whatever the cost. Show runs February 18th through March 19th. 135 N Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

For over 29 years featuring plays that celebrate many voices with pop-up theaters staged sometimes in theaters, parking lots, factories, schools and subway stations, taken up residence in small towns and urban neighborhoods, collaborating with locals from start to finish to tell their unique stories. On Stage Now: Just finishing their last production the theater is working towards a new production coming in April. 708 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013. (213) 613-1700.

For over 29 years the Latino American Theater has provided a world-class arts center for those pursuing artistic excellence. On Stage Now: LATC is preparing for THE CRUISE, a play by Jonathan Ceniceroz that explores the consequence of colonial histories and dark politics within the decadence of Caribbean cruise culture. The play reveals the fractured nature of race and identity that is caused by social imbalance and imposed hierarchy, while exploring the story of a man who merely wants and demands that his most authentic human qualities survive, despite it all. 514 S Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

mark taper forum

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, this theatre creates an extraordinary connection between artists and audiences that only starts on the stage, reflecting the community it serves as one of the nation’s most influential nonprofit theatre companies for over 50-years. On Stage Now: ZOOT SUIT, one of the most exciting and spectacular shows ever created in Los Angeles, ignites the city again. Luis Valdez is brings his groundbreaking 1978 smash back to the Mark Taper Forum to celebrate Center Theatre Group’s 50th Anniversary. Extended January 31st through March 26th. 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 628-2772.

redcat

Through performances, exhibitions, screenings, and literary events, REDCAT introduces diverse audiences, students and artists to the most influential developments in the arts from around the world, and gives artists in this region the creative support they need to achieve national and international stature. On Stage Now: REDCAT prepares for BURNING GHOSTS, EVIL GENIUS, RAGE THORMBONES a three brass-led experimental outfits at the forefront of L.A.’s creative music scene serve up a high-powered program—ranging from lo-fi complexity and rambunctious improvisation to blistering musical expression and emphatic new takes on “heavy metal.”

Coming March 10th. 631 W. 2nd Street, LA, CA 90012.

DOING THE MOST IN DTLA >> MUSEUM GUIDE >> BROUGHT TO YOU BY ART WALK NEWS

MODERN DAY PRE-HISTERIA>> MUSEUM GUIDE The Broad Museum

National History Museum (NHM)

California Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

African American Firefighter museum Fire Station #30

Japanese American National Museum (JANM)

El Pueblo de Los Angeles

Founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad opened in 2015, the museum is home to the 2,000 works of art in the Broad collection, which is among the most prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art worldwide, launching an active program of rotating temporary exhibitions and innovative audience engagement, welcoming 180,000 visitors to date. 221 S. Grand Ave. LA, CA 90012.

Established in 1979, MOCA is an artist-founded museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art. With one of the most compelling collections of contemporary art in the world, comprising roughly 7000 objects, created after 1940, preserving the works for future generations. 250 South Grand Ave LA, CA 90012.

The Japanese American National Museum is the first and largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Japanese American ancestry.

The JANM showcases the amazing works of famed and contemporary Japanese artists, historical exhibitions, and host cultural events. 100 N Central Ave, LA, CA 90012.

African American History Museum Designed by African American architects, Jack Haywood and the late Vince Proby, the CAHM was opened to the public during the Olympic Games of July 1984, housing artifacts that “allow us to trace the African American experience from the western shores of Africa to the fields of the South,” and later migrations. 600 State Dr. Exposition Park. LA, CA 90037.

Chinese American Museum (CAM)

Symbolically housed in the oldest and last surviving structure of LA, the Garnier Building, once known as the unofficial “city hall” built in 1890, CAM holds the last missing pieces of DTLA’s original Chinatown. After restoration on December 18, 2003, CAM opened, linking the past to a future for Chinese Americans spanning over 150 years. 425 N Los Angeles St, LA, CA 90012.

You want to go back? You can go all the way back to Prehistoric Pangaea at the National History Museum. With over 300 real fossils, 20 complete dinosaurs and ancient sea creatures that may or may not still exist beneath the deep, the Age of the Dinosaur is brought into existence as well as the extraordinary journey of prehistoric man. 900 Exposition Blvd, LA, CA 90007.

AAFM is DTLA saying “thanks” for the first 100 years of service by African American Firefighters from 1897 to 1997.

Valued testimony from actual Firefighters of yesteryear, like Sam Haskins, who was listed as the first Los Angeles Fireman of African decent in 1892, was also killed while responding to a fire in 1895. 1401 S Central Ave, LA, CA 90021.

The origin of LA, founded by 11 African American Spanish speaking families, (pobladores) accompanied by the Spanish military and Catholic church in 1787.

Since it has become DTLA’s favorite Mexican marketplace, and cultural gathering center hosting Olvera Street, Pico House, first churches and other historic sites.

125 Paseo De La Plaza, LA, CA 90012.

Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

Museum of Los Angeles is to foster understanding of Southern California’s diverse heritage through research, historic preservation, exhibitions and educational programs that examine the history and contributions of Italian Americans and Italians in Los Angeles and the United States. 644 North Main St, LA, CA 90012.

Southwest Museum of the American Indian

Located in the Mt. Washington area of Los Angeles, just a few miles north of Downtown, this collection deals mainly with Native Americans, including exhibits dedicated to the American Indians of the Great Plains, California, and the Northwest Coast. 234 Museum Drive, LA, CA 90065.

Korean American Museum (KAM)

Animal Museum (NMAS)

Sports Museum

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Located just a few miles west of the epicenter of DTLA, KAM interprets and preserves the history, culture, and achievements of Korean Americans dating back to the 1880s, examining and discussing current issues, and exploring innovative ways to communicate the Korean American experience fostering the advancement of Korean American culture. 3727 W 6th St #519, LA, CA 90020.

The Sports Museum features rare items and exhibits from every sport but focuses mainly on baseball, beginning with its humble origins over 145 years ago. It includes old bats, gloves, uniform, balls and equipment and is home to the most complete collection of baseball technology in the world. 1900 S Main St, LA CA 90015.

Located inside a 3-story brick warehouse built in 1909, NMAS aka the Animal Museum is the first museum of its kind dedicated to enriching the lives of animals and people through exploration of our shared experience, promoting respect for life and compassionate ethics in advancing healthy, meaningful interconnections with the animal world. 421 Colyton St. LA, CA 90013.

Since its inception in 1965, LACMA has been devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography. LACMA is the largest art museum in the western US, with a collection that includes nearly 130,000 objects dating from antiquity to the present. 5905 Wilshire Blvd, LA, CA 90036.

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