DOWNTOWN WEEKLY THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM VOL 15. NO. 8 APRIL 22 - APRIL 28
DTL L A makeover POLISHED NAIL salon
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TOMMY CHONG BEHIND THE LENS
WESLeY clouden
2 THE MANICURED TIPS OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY
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ON THE COVER
nancy nguyen: polished salon PHOTOGRAPHY: GARY LEONARD
THIS WEEK IN SPORTS....3 DTLA cocktail of the WEEK: hill street bar.....5 DTLA MAKEOVER: Polished Nail Salon ...6 DTLA BEHIND THE LENS: WESLEY COULDEN...........8 CANNACIRCLE - ASK TOMMY CHONG ....10 gary leonard take my picture.....11 ADVERTISE - 888-732-DTLA (3852) OR EDITOR@DTLA-WEEKLY.COM
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THE NAIL TECHS
DTLA WEEKLY Special thanks to...
editor and chief KERI FREEMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
matthew ryan dylan lamb jackson black AMANDA NICHOLSON
photography GARY LEONARD
VIDEO Production
@kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla
social media
@kerieatsdtla
THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES & THE CITY OF LA ARTS DISTRICT CHINATOWN CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL EXPO/USC HISTORIC CORE LITTLE TOKYO FASHION DISTRICT FINANCIAL DISTRICT SKID ROW SOUTH PARK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT THEGRAWN ARTWALK NEWS HWH LUXURY LIVING SANDAST ART STUDIO FHEDESH pattern bar hill street bar polished nail salon Robeks dtla hwh luxury living & Loftway
DTLA WEEKLY All rights reserved. Downtown Weekly is a news, event, LIFESTYLE & Hospitality FREE community resource. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission from the publisher. DTLA WEEKLY, in support of local residents, businesses, workers and visitors of Downtown Los Angeles, publishes DTLA WEEKLY. Readers are recommended to make appropriate inquiries before wagering any sum in relation to any ad, article or feature published herein. DTLA WEEKLY 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.
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THIS WEEK IN OUR SPORTS SQUARE ONE: WARMEST WELCOME
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THIS THI S WEEK IN spoRTS
T
dodger's foundation sweepstakes to give away championship ring
he Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) has just announced the launch of a 2020 World Series Championship Ring Sweepstakes, giving one lucky fan a chance to win an authentic peronalized championship ring. Over the next four weeks, fans will receive one entry for each $10 donation made online at dodgers. com/win. The sweepstakes will conclude on May 21 and the winner will be notified shortly thereafter. “We are thrilled that Dodger fans will have a chance to win an official World Series ring that mirrors the style of the one gifted to our players,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of LADF. “Offering an unforgettable and priceless piece of history, the sweepstakes also supports our vision to ensure that every Angeleno has the opportunity to thrive.” The Sweepstakes winner will receive a personalized 2020 World Series Ring nearly identical to those received by Dodger players, which features approximately 222 round diamonds, 10 princess-cut diamonds, 45 customcut genuine sapphires and 8 round genuine sapphires. Combined, the rings have a carat weight of 11.0 carats - a ring truly fit for World Champions. Net proceeds will directly benefit LADF’s continued focus on improving Los Angeles’ most pressing problems - education, homelessness, health care and social justice. Through a social justice lens, LADF runs and funds proven programs that level the playing field and invests in on-the-ground solutions driven
by the communities it serves. Since inception LADF has invested $32 million into local communities. In the last year alone, joint relief efforts with Dodger partners, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and nonprofits have provided 3.8 million meals and $2.2 million in in-kind donations of food, water, hygiene necessities, gift cards and Dodger products to vulnerable populations who are experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, lack of basic needs and significant anxiety. ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is bigger than baseball with ambitions to be the city’s premier charity. LADF envisions a city where everyone regardless of zip code has the opportunity to thrive. LADF is tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos. Since 1995, they have invested more than $32 million in programs and grants to nonprofits, and fundraising has increased by 1,000% since 2012.
DTLA COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK By Drunk Bunny
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DTLA COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK
tale of the TAZA DORADA (THE GOLDEN UP)
BACKle! who love E R A S L I A peop left. It’s the TLA COCKT
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ails never ming back! t k c o c , it a co No w ils who are a t k c o C A L DT
community se, s u ! o e m m fa o H in , Welcome Weekly will host our e Week, and of cour h Soon, DTLA er, DTLA Cocktail of t ix cocktail m scribers are invited. ub a all of our s ere will be h t , e r u S l. usua iness expect the ity members and bus g ’t n ld u o h s urin mun But, you r with com iness with pleasure d ly e h t a g o t e eek bus chanc as we mix . Still, you know DT W ecial ls a n io s s fe pro st Hours mixer a sp ie p il p a t a k H c o ’s c n l na our tow the traditio e iv g o t g in . is go shot! To WIN a cial d n A ! t is tw er for a spe t t le s w e n h ekly t2DTLA We s and restaurants, wit e G f o o t e bar Win Subscrib ar ticipating e to Mix. Mingle. and as to p l a c lo o t c h invite s for a chan ek. For now, our team e’ll just e im t d n a s date .... w e We cktail of th ails in DTLA, because o C A L T D t t a e best cock seek out th because.
To prep, the Golden Cup, Kyle places a white plate on the bar and layers the bottom in sweet agave. Then he places another white plate beside it with a layer of Tajin seasoning.
Introducing the Taza Dorada at Hill Street Bar and Restaurant on 2nd and Hill. Taza Dorada (the Golden Cup) is a tasty mix of lime juice, grape fruit, Tajin, agave and a well known tequila brand from Oaxaca called, Los Javis Reposado Mezcal. Mixologist #kylethegreat seeks out a pair of cantaritos from behind the bar. Cantaritos are slightly heavy, palm-sized red clay cups that resemble mini flower pots, glazed with hand-painted designs. They have been used in Central and South America for drinking tequila since the ages of discovery.
Kyle presses the rim of the cantarito to the bottom of the plate. The ceramic cup is now dressed with a sticky sweetness that covers the edge with two smooth twists. Soon he will swirl tiny clay pot again, this time collecting the powdered lime, sea salt and chili peppers from the Tajin plate. For now, the cantaritos will sit there empty and hallow, with their sugary tang powdered rims, but not for long, just until Kyle chops enough grapefruit and lime to garnish their twin containers. Two chops of grapefruit, one for the squeeze and one for the garnish. Two chops of lime. One for the squeeze, one for the garnish. Empaled together, holding fast to the rims of the spiced cantaritos, the two fruits rest while Kyle prepares the
fruits juice, ice, and mezcal for the cocktail shaker. Los Javis Reposado is double distilled at around 40% ABV, making it a great mezcal for cocktails. After distillation, this mezcal is aged for six months in used American Oak bourbon barrels. After a furious double-fisted shake, the dual mixes poured into each dark orifice of the authentic ceramic mugs. This is where the Taza Dorada turns into a hidden treasure hunt. The cup is dark and opaque, so in real-time, you’re standing with a drink you can barely see. Only the crushed ice and the tall fruit statue stand between what lies between you and the hidden treasure at the bottom of the Golden cup. You get the feeling as though this secret must be kept, and you may even feel the urge to sneak away from the bar with the drink to ensure you’re the first person to discover its treasures. This is not a see-through glass that gives away how much you’ve ingested. Each sip is an act of faith that there will be at least one more tasty drop remaining. And when the drink is finished, the secret is revealed, you're tipsy. The drink is delicious and you’ll be happy to explore another golden cup of Taza Dorada on Hill Street Bar. @hillstreetla
DTLA MAKEOVER: POLISHED NAIL SALON By Keri Freeman
DTLA make over
P
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polished nail salon
olished Nail Salon is located in Downtown Los Angeles on Spring and 6th Streets. Soon celebrating its fifth year, the corner nail salon known for great pedicures in the Historic Core is emerging from the winter months with a whole new look, and due to Covid, a whole new purpose.
S
pring is here, revisiting DTLA once again revealing to us the beauty of everything new. Each new Spring confirms our determination and our ability to survive the coldest, darkest winter months. Mask, sanitation, and safety were already a necessary mandate at Polished Salon. Mandatory conditions authorized by the local health departments and legal rulings long passed into existence, laid out for all in the beauty industry. At Polished, this was an expected practice. Want wasn’t expected; an unforeseen worldwide pandemic that would shake DTLA to its core only to release it a year later in hopes that somehow we would remember who we once were. But, it’s okay! We remembered! Didn’t take long after news of reopening for DTLA to spring back into action.
photos by Piertro Arrendondo
Nancy nguyen - photos by gary leonard
Nancy Nguyen opened Polished Nail Salon in 2017 with the purpose to fill her new 2000 sq ft space with community members looking to enhance their appearance with hand and foot care.
A visit to Polished has an inner-city feel; from inside, patrons see the glimpse of passerby’s through the salon’s floor-toceiling windows, revealing the sporadic hustle of our Historic Core.
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Inside Polished Nail Salon, however, is calm and relaxed and for good reason. Polished guests sit back in a row of massaging Lexor luxurious, highperformance, 1Ultraleather® pedi chairs complete with elegant wood trims and glowing Aurora™ LED Color-Changing Bowls. Nail technicians needn’t bother flexing fickle ankles into their desired positions. While patrons tune out to explore the ultra dimension of social media, the Lexor chair’s adjustable footrest prop each foot as it rises from the comfortably warm twirling waters below. Polished offers “the Heavenly” for the ultimate pampering, a pedicure complete with callus remover, cuticle and nail trim, lacquer and massage. Men and women enjoy! Nancy says her joy comes from creating pretty nails for her clients who frequent for the quality, attention to detail, customer service and how Polished Nail Salon keeps up with the latest nail trends. Despite the major accomplishment of owning and operating a successful salon in a major metropolis, Nancy states ensuring the survival of her small business through Covid and finally seeing
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et “Walking down the stre s hbor and knowing your neig ee ff at a bar/restaurant, co spot and just good ole vibe, walking your dog. The to the local feel...We need was revive DTLA to what it ID once was before COV thriving.” the light at the end of the tunnel is a story that should not be left untold. Forced to close the salon, then allowed to partially re-open the salon while having to invest in mandated Covid supplies, only to close and reopen again at a moment's notice; this is Polished Nail Salon’s tale of perseverance and faith. Looking back, Nancy states she’s truly thankful to God to be open again. “I’m a Christian and I try to be positive in every aspect of life, Loving God ! Nothing is successful without glory to God.” “DTLA should continue to bring innovation to the nail industry. I just love it. I loved it 6 years ago when I moved to DTLA. The local community feel that we all had.”
And the manicures we all had, let’s not forget that! Just the Tips! At Polished you’ll find all manner of shapes, colors and nail designs at your finger tips. The room plays host to the many movable stands, filled with tools and fluids commanded by the experienced and friendly nail techs. Conveniently placed beside plastic containers of sorted nail files, clippers, massage oils and polish removers is everything you’ll need to complete this season’s transformation from old to new All shapes of nails are filed here. From almond, oval, pointed, round, to square, square oval, square with rounded corners, and straight with a rounded tip, etc, etc. The newest trends of chrome and ombré created with top selling gel tips and dips, acrylics, decals, jewels, glitters and more are groomed here from short and natural to long and seductive. And what a better time and place than Spring on Spring Street, to remind us it’s time to return to the great seductive outdoors again. @polished_dtla
8 DTLA BEHIND THE LENS By DYLAN LAMB
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DTLA BEHIND THE LENS
WESLEY clouden Hyper creative
Y
ou may or may not know the name Wesley Clouden, but you’ve definitely seen his camera work.
Wesley is the mysterious man behind the camera that has produced video content for Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Jay-Z, Mike Dean, Kayne West, and the list goes on... Not to mention his impressively large portfolio of commercial media work for various companies. Yet, despite the considerable success and having such high profile clientele, Wesley prefers to keep things low-key to give himself room to do the work he does with maximum creativity. Not only does Wesley do some spectacular camera work, but he is humble and down to earth. Wesley claims some of his life’s most significant accomplishments as simply being alive, being a father, being an educator, and helping others. Of course, you can find a few things here and there about Mr. Clouden with a quick google search, but there’s not much out there.
Wesley chooses to suppress most of the online stuff because he functions better as a ghost for many different creatives and quite a few businesses. So who is the enigma that is Wesley Clouden? Well, for starters, Wesley Clouden was born on the tiny Caribbean island nation of Trinidad & Tobago, the land of the hummingbird, Calypso, and Steel Pan. Wesley’s love of travel and unbridled enthusiasm for his creative work is inspired by his grandfather, Mr. Lesley Clouden. Growing up and traveling widely with his grandfather, he learned a lot about life and art. According to Wesley, his grandfather was a sharp man who spoke several languages and never had or used a calculator. “He was just always doing and always helping.” This dedication to craft and indomitable work ethic in helping others realize their potential sounds familiar to Wesley’s own story as an entrepreneur in tech and media for almost 21 years. continued on page 11
CANNACIRCLE: ASK TOMMY CHONG By Keri Freeman and Amanda Nicholson
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dtla cannacircle
V
isiting your local dispensary, show ID and buy your favorite brand in the form of flower, pre-roll, CBD, edible, or dab may be the easiest way to acquire cannabis these days, but trust us oldtimers when we say it hasn’t always been that easy.
I
t’s taken almost 100 years for us as a society to re-gain our cannabis confidence through all the years of “reefer madness,” negative stigmas, countless court dates, arrests and political lobbying.
What has kept us from enjoying cannabis as easy as we do a neighborhood cocktail or six-pack of brewsky? How does the newly promoted marijuana culture affect our daily lives and the lives of our youth? Are we on the right track? These are just some of the questions DTLA would like to know, so we’ve reached out to one of our best friends in the marijuana industry to see if he could provide DTLA with some solid answers through an elevated lens.
DTLA, Ask Tommy Chong! Tommy Chong is well known for his work in Hollywood as part of the “lovable stoner” comedic duo “Cheech and Chong”. Their classic cult movie series of the 70s/80s centered around two best friends from the inner city and their medicated escapades.
ASK TOMMY CHONG In a time when comedy was all we could use to ease the legal tensions surrounding weed, Cheech and Chong set the world ablaze as we all delightfully watched it go up in smoke. Now, with Cheech and Chong well into their golden years and with Marijuana legal in many states, the two have lived to see the days when cannabis culture is well on its way to becoming widely accepted. Yet, even some cannabis advocates may be holding on to “old-fashion” ideals and taboos surrounding cannabis, especially when it comes to their children. According to the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine, studies have shown that if an adolescent uses cannabis before the age of 16 and for a prolonged period, it can lead to several significant problems, including addiction, poor school performance, and lower chances of success in the workforce. Here’s a question from local Darnell Phillips, musician and father. Question: What Advice Would You Give Parents Who May Concern About Their Young Adult’s Interest or Involvement Cannabis Culture. “My advice would be to research. Use Google. Read books. Seek out knowledge. With the newfound knowledge, opinions may easily change, or not.”
“I don’t think everyone should be smoking weed. But if you need to smoke weed, you gotta know what you’re doing, you gotta make sure you are psychically and mentally capable,” said Chong. Still, Marijuana is by far the most commonly used illicit substance among adolescents and young adults, even surpassing tobacco use, making it a long lasting cultural phenomenon even without the constant promotion of its long-standing legal counterparts, alcohol and tobacco. Chong raised two children with his first wife, Maxine, Robbie and Rae Dawn and has three children with his current wife, Shelby, Precious, Paris and Gilbran. Almost the entire Chong family has been seen on television, social media, and on the big screen; behind the scenes, they all have taken an active part in bringing the positive benefits of cannabis to the forefront, in one way or another. The business of Marijuana has been good for the Chong family, despite legal implications, but not all will find celebrity. In short, cannabis may not be for everyone of every age, but whatever the age, be sure to study the pros and the cons, way the legal aspects, and don’t rush into anything because of peer pressure, or media pressure for that matter. Every choice we make affects the future outcomes of our lives. Choose wisely. @heytommychong
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TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
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FOLLOW. LIKE. SHARE. cOMMENT. Wesley Clouden is a well-known cinematographer
and colorist because of his passion and enthusiasm to create compelling imagery with the camera. “I don’t do anything that doesn’t make me money. It sounds shallow, but I don’t because I guess that’s just how I am programmed in that format. Most people like that I’m very raw. I’m very direct, and I keep it 100. That’s all I can do.” These days, Wesley is doing what he does best by staying active in producing media content and keeping things simple for the foreseeable future. He is also currently building out some new brands outside of other brands that he already has established, like his art publication Quiet Lunch and Nappiee Corp Inc. “I’m building out a new brand; we’re most likely taking on an agency format for all the other hyper creatives that I micromanage in my network daily.”
"For example, I've been working with Fhedesh Fhedesh, a local goth musician and performance artist. His work is ridiculous. He doesn't just do it all, he does it well. We've been creating some really cool content and have some epic collaborations in the pipeline. He's an example of a hyper creative and true visionary in an urban environment." When Wesley isn’t traversing the globe or developing new ideas, he is usually in LA doing cinematography for various clients. As an artist, he is allured by the iconic urban grittiness of Downtown LA. “Downtown LA is pretty cool because I’m a bi-coastal person, so New York, to LA, to Japan, to Trinidad; it’s kind of like transcribing vibes. I like Downtown because of its grit, some of it is good, some of it is bad. I wouldn’t say bad, but questionably interesting.” Wesley is genuinely a one-of-a-kind individual whose authenticity in his work and private life are an inspiration. “People just need to be themselves. Keep things simple. Be a little more caring and be honest.” @wesleyclouden
