PHOTO BY GARY LEONARD
on the cover: PICO THE DOG
DTLA WEEKLY editor and chief
KERI FREEMAN
contributing writers
KERI FREEMAN
VIOLA SATOR
KATHERINE BROWN
SHAWN SMITH
CHRISTOPHER FLOCH
ABEL WEISS
JAIME HERRERA photography
GARY LEONARD
SHAWN SMITH
ERIC EPPERSON video
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.
NEW TACO BELL CANTINA PLANNED THE EL SCORCHO OF GRAND OPENINGS
It’s the El Scorcho of Grand Openings as Taco Bell cranked up the music and rolled out the purple carpet for the grand opening of the first Taco Bell Cantina in Downtown LA!
The new Rock ‘n’ Roll themed Cantina and enjoy live music and free exclusive Taco Bell branded T-shirts. Expect a line at the Grand Opening as Taco Bell is promising the first 50 people in line get a raffle ticket for a chance to win some big prizes, including a custom Taco Bell wrapped guitar!
Guests must RSVP online via Eventbrite and show QR code at the door to participate.
We’ll take the Grey Goose Burrito!
The Cantina serves up all the cheesy, multi meat packed tacos, burritos and quesadillas the world has grown to love along side mid to high end spirits and spiked freeze flavored slushy pours from incredibly sized spiral cups. The Grand Opening event takes place Thursday, July 25, 6pm at Taco Bell Cantina is located at 801 W 7th, LA CA 90017. @tacobell
DTLA is UP FOR SALE!!!
Downtown Los Angeles, known for its iconic skyline and bustling urban vibe, is currently buzzing with excitement over a unique opportunity: what looks like a city-wide sale on some of its most prestigious residential and commercial building properties.
From historic buildings to modern skyscrapers, the market is abuzz, calling on savvy investors and eager buyers alike, looking to snag a piece of LA’s vibrant landscape.
Keep it in the family!
Recent Case in Point: the 612 S. Broadway building, a true gem steeped in architectural history. Erected as Desmond’s Department Store in 1924, this six-story, approximately 80,000-square-foot creative office and retail property recently changed hands for a cool $16 million.
Fully refurbished under the skillful guidance of local architects Omgivning, the building now houses Sketchers at its base and has been transformed into a cutting-edge creative office space. The building’s potential was recognized by a private investment group that identified a unique buying moment in the market to acquire a trophy asset at below replacement value.
The property, brokered by a distinguished team from Cushman & Wakefield, has been purchased by a local family law office that plans to relocate their operations to the space.
Originally designed by the renowned architect A.C. Martin, 612 S. Broadway stands as a testament to LA’s architectural heritage.
“The successful sale and subsequent occupancy by the buyers are a positive indicator of Downtown LA’s recovery and growth,” said Erica Finck, Senior Director of Cushman and Wakefield. “It’s encouraging to see local firms expanding and investing in the area, contributing to the revitalization and economic development of the historic core.”
Spring Street Twins Up for Grabs
Iconiq Capital has set its sights on selling their two prestigious apartment towers managed by Sentral, located at 732 and 755 Spring Street, and the sale price is more than astonishing.
Originally branded as Griffin and the Grace on Spring, both marvels of modern architecture designed by MVE+Partners, stand tall with 24 stories each, offering a combined 575 units and 12,500 square feet of retail space. From gyms to rooftop areas, yoga studios to swimming pools, these towers epitomize sophisticated urban living.
Brokered by a team led by JLL’s Blake Rogers, the properties are now being offered at a “significant discount to replacement cost,” making the listing price less than $575 million for both buildings, indicating that the selling price is consider ably lower than what it would cost to construct buildings of similar quality and size today.
Originally developed by Holland Partner Group in 2019, these towers were acquired by Iconiq Capital for $403 million. Fast forward: in a strategic move aimed at longterm ownership and urban investment, downtown saw the property evicting 148 tenants from the two buildings in 2023 compared to only eight in 2019, and claims to have since replaced its COVID-damaged tenants with what they are calling more a credible and affluent crowd. What a steal.
Mystery Shoppers Only
Officially known as Graffiti Towers, the art gallery on Google, Oceanwide Plaza has again downtown Los Angeles, once again abuzz with speculation as an unidentified mystery buyer emerges to potentially rescue the beleaguered construction site.
This half-finished, $1.5 billion investment, once a symbol of Chinese development in the city, became a project mired in bankruptcy, vandalism, daredevils, and creditors circling above it like vultures.
DTLA community members have turned to social media to speculate on just who the mysterious buyer could be. Could it be Rick Caruso, the famed developer turned politician who lost the mayor’s seat to Karen Bass, looking for ways to show voters his developer chops in time for the next election?
Or villainized Geoffrey Palmer, already accused of looking to purchase just to convert the promised retail spaces and enormous LED lights into his signature blank Terra cotta Venetian bases.
Whoever the mystery shopper is, their willingness to take on this colossal, graffiti-covered challenge has sparked a citywide guessing
ESTEVAN ORIOL CELEBRATES L.A. AND TEEN ANGEL at BEYOND THE STREETS DTLA ARTISTS in RESIDENCE
Estevan Oriol, a renowned Los Angeles photographer, will be showcasing his work at a new exhibition titled “Teen Angel & Estevan Oriol: Dedicated to You” at Beyond the Streets Flag Shop.
The show will be a deep dive into Oriol’s extensive archive, featuring his signature black and white photographs. These images capture the essence of Los Angeles, revealing beauty in unexpected places and highlighting the city’s rich history.
Known for its immersive and massive-scale art exhibitions, Beyond the Streets surrenders its warehouse gallery to a curated fusion of urban landscapes and the artists who dwell in them.
Beyond Oriol’s photography, the exhibition will also celebrate the influence of Teen Angel magazine on his work. Teen Angel’s Magazine was a cultural touchstone, fostering a sense of community and forging lasting friendships. A significant connection existed between Oriol and Teen Angel’s founder, David De Baca. Following De Baca’s passing in 2015, Oriol was entrusted with the poignant task of photographing Teen Angel’s studio.
This exhibition goes beyond showcasing Oriol’s artistic achievements. It’s a tribute to both his talent and the impact Teen Angel magazine had on his creative journey.
Estevan Oriol is best known for his gritty black and white 35mm works. His subjects range from Chicano and cholo culture, a prominent element in LA’s gang culture, to celebrities in film, hip-hop, and even lingerie. His photographs have been exhibited worldwide and graced the covers of magazines and albums.
Oriol’s life began in Santa Monica, California. By 19, he moved to Hollywood and started working in the music industry, first as a bouncer at hip-hop clubs and later as a tour manager for Cypress Hill and House of Pain. It was during this time that he picked up a camera to document his experiences on the road.
His lens captured both everyday gang members and celebrities, bringing fame to subjects like LA Fingers and the cover art for Snoop Dogg’s album “Ego Trippin’ “.
Esteemed publications like Complex, FHM, GQ, Vibe, Rolling Stone, and The Source have all featured Oriol’s work. Beyond photography, Oriol has directed music videos for artists like Blink-182, Cypress Hill, and D12. This creative journey is intertwined with his lifelong friend and collaborator Mister Cartoon. Together they co-founded Joker Brand Clothing and Soul Assassins Studios, the latter established with the help of Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs.
Oriol’s creative influence extended beyond the photographic world. In 2004, he contributed to the video game GTA San Andreas. Over the years, he has directed music videos for rock and hip-hop artists, published books and calendars like “LA Woman”, and most recently, became the Creative Director and partner at media company
BallerStatus.com.
Estevan Oriol’s journey is not just one of artistic expression; it’s a chronicle of Chicano experience in Los Angeles. His work, alongside Mister Cartoon’s, is documented in the 2020 Netflix documentary “LA Originals”, which explores their lives as Chicano creatives who left a lasting mark on art, hip-hop, and counterculture on a global scale. The public opening reception for Dedicated to You will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 11AM to 6PM, with the show on view through September 15, 2024, located at 434 N La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036.
@estavanoriol
DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND NAMES 2024 VEGAN OF THE YEAR
Forget the roar of traffic and towering buildings for a sec!
We plunged taste buds first into the culinary jungle of Downtown Los Angeles, not on a safari for primesteak cuts, baked pescatarians, or intoxicating cocktails, but for a vegan adventure!
This is DTLA Vegan Weekend, and this is the time to get wild!
Equipped with a vegan map of this year’s participants and compostable utensils for environmental protection, this wasn’t just about food, though—oh no, this was about celebrating the fact that Downtown LA is a haven for plant-based peeps, even if fullon veganism isn’t everyone’s cup of (soy) milk.
The Vegan Joint – Head Chief of DT Vegan Burgers
Our taste-bud expedition began at The Vegan Joint. Forget bland, boring tofu. Located on the corner of 9th and San Pedro,
The Vegan Joint offers an exploration into downtown’s hidden world of vegan soups, noodles, spring rolls, curries, stir-fries, and raw food items.
The Vegan Joint also shelves a variety of pre-packaged items, along with teas, smoothies, and power juices.
Their impressive “faux” chicken plates are a feast for the eyes and the stomach. From the chicken quesadilla to the chicken nachos, each dish can easily outweigh the flavors of poultry alternatives.
Their breakfast menu even offered fluffy pancakes and a vegan chicken patty, along with vegan butter and sweet maple syrup.
Of their four salads, the Garden Salad with mixed greens topped with tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, and spiraling avocado slices, springing generously from sunflower seeds, danced for our enjoyment.
Downtown vegan burgers reign supreme at The Vegan Joint. Burgers made from seitan, black beans, impossible meat, chicken, Jackfruit, and lentils hinted that Vegan Joint was the head chief when it came to its Vegan Joint burger tribe. @theveganjoint
SOUTH PARK BID: FOSTERING GROWTH
South Park’s corner of Downtown is comprised of only 52 blocks, but many argue they’re the most significant per acre in all of downtown Los Angeles.
Home to LA Live, the Los Angeles Convention Center, Crypto.com Arena, the GRAMMY Museum, California Hospital, glitzy new hotels, and a growing residential population with no end in sight, even stalled projects, like the Oceanwide Plaza, have become world renowned because of their presence amidst South Park’s glass towers, performance houses and live broadcasts of iconic awards shows.
In addition to thousands of residents, South Park welcomes millions of visitors for everything from LA Comic Con to Los Angeles Lakers games and Herbalife Conventions.
Downtown has many distinct neighborhoods – the Arts District, Fashion District, Historic Core – but the neighborhood that consistently ranks the highest for cleanliness and safety is South Park. Maintaining that quality is something the South Park Business Improvement District pours a lot of resources into. The South Park BID employs nearly 30 ambassadors, responsible for maintaining the public realm and patrolling the district 7 days a week, to provide a respite that is unique in Downtown.
most popular member of the team with kids and grownups alike. And he is uniquely qualified to lead a new campaign encouraging residents and visitors to be responsible pet owners and scoop the poop!
The South Park BID continues to expand its talented team, and the newest member of the team might be their best find. He certainly threatens to be the
The South Park BID, led by Nolan Marshall III, who moved to Los Angeles 18 months ago after serving as the CEO of Downtown Vancouver in British Columbia, is the first district Marshall is aware of that has chosen to formally adopt their newest employee. “We found this gangly mutt near Pico and Olive, and after putting up signs in local businesses and
coffee shops, we decided as a team that we should consider cleaning him up and adopting the big guy!”
The Found Dog signs posted around the neighborhood and on social media contained a QR code that directed people to a website that contained information for being a responsible pet owner, locations of newly installed pet relief barklets, and resources for pet owners in DTLA. When no one recognized the cartoonish drawing of the dog, the South Park team decided to make him a part of their family. Because of the location he was found, they named him Pico.
Shown Here: south park doggie parklett - photo by Gary Leonard
& CONNECTION INITIATIVES FOR A BETTER NEIGHBORHOOD
People, both visitors and residents, are the literal lifeblood that coarse through South Park’s arteries of clean streets, bike lanes, and pressure washed sidewalks. To entice people to linger and socialize, hopefully spending not just quality time but significant quantities of capital in the neighborhood, the BID has expanded their investments beyond the ambassadors who uphold its pristine, clean, and safe reputation. South Park’s Manager of Placemaking and Partnerships, Rich Sarian, and South Park’s Manager of Marketing and Events, Safiya Valverde, collaborate to design, launch, promote, and celebrate public realm projects and community events.
In the last 18 months, South Park has installed new string lights and tree lighting to illuminate Pico Street, Hill Street, and 11th Street. They planted hundreds of new rosebushes. The launched the weekly South Park Farmers Market, which will celebrate its one-year anniversary this July. They hosted an annual meeting that was more like a neighborhood party (featuring a performance by the Top Shelf Brass Band) at the Ray Charles Terrace at the GRAMMY Museum. Each person in attendance was gifted a complimentary GRAMMY Museum Membership for a year.
The BID also partnered with the new Moxy Hotel, Audiograph (previously Hi-Def), and Prank Bar to host Sounds of South Park, bringing live music to the neighborhood’s businesses. And just this spring, the BID installed Spark Spots, locations where non-locals and residents alike can find hand-painted South Park postcards that the BID will stamp and mail when placed in one of six decorative bronze mailboxes. To date, 200 postcards have been mailed to addresses locally and as far away as Paris.
“Our team is trying to do the little creative things fast and the big things intentionally to make this district as economically and socially vibrant as we all imagine it can be. No member of the team has the luxury of chasing their tail all day or burying things that are undiscoverable to the world,” Marshall said. “So like Rich, Safiya, Stephanie, Victor, and the rest of the team, Pico needs to lace up his sneakers, put on his work clothes, and get to work!”
This week marks Pico’s first week on the job as CAO—Canine Ambassador Officer. In addition to encouraging pet owners to scoop the poop, refilling dispensers with bags, and designing signs to discourage his pals from watering the rosebushes, Pico is leading the party!
He made his first public appearance at a capacity-filled VIP Green Carpet Event at 33 Taps, and he’ll be celebrating with the neighborhood at the one-year anniversary of the South Park Farmers Market on Saturday, July 27.
Pico, like residents, businesses, and visitors, found a home in South Park. And with his team at the South Park BID, they’re hoping to not just keep it clean and safe but continue to build on the dynamic economic and social vibrancy that really sets it. @southparkla
Shown Here: South Park Farmers Market - photo by Shawn Smith
Shown Here: south park business ambassador - photo by Keri FReeman
left to right: victor, pico, stephanie, safiya & nolan = emerald carpet @ 33Taps
Xmarks the spot for the fountain of youth at Naturewell. For the health-conscious adventurer looking to make that wish, Naturew––ell ginger shots and fresh juices are a revitalizing welcome. Shelves are loaded with prepackaged items along with hardto-find ingredients such as spiraling, hemp seeds, maca root, and coconut flakes. They’ve got fresh-pressed almonds, peanut butter, and juices to throw into their deep well of super-healthy ingredients.
Take the avocado smoothie, for instance. Avocado has never tasted so good with Lion’s Mane, Almond Butter, Coconut, Dates, Banana, Coconut Water, Spinach, and Chlorophyll. It’s 100% vegan and 100% delicious. The same goes for the other juices and Nature Well Açaí bowls that leave downtown feeling energized and youthful every single day.
IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH AT NATUREWELL
This hidden oasis is located inside historic Spring Arcade Corridor just south of 5th and Spring. Keeping health conscious consumers back time after time, the sheer number of people who patronize Nature Well speaks volumes to the popularity of living a delicious vegan lifestyle in downtown.
www.naturewelljuice.com
Culinary Safari at Au Lac
Our culinary safari took a fascinating turn with the vegan discoveries of Au Lac on Bunker Hill. Here, we encountered the legendary Chef Ito, a culinary maestro who has maintained a vow of silence for almost three decades. Surrounded by an aura of quiet focus, vegan tribes gathered to savor his selection of hot and raw dishes.
The ceremony atAu Lac began with a living bowl of olive cheese dip with four spiced flax crackers supported by macadamia cheese, bruschetta, olives, and micro-greens.
Of the seven salads prepared by Chef Ito, the kitchen prepared spicy vegetable Paella, which seemed to incorporate everything leafy green, chopped red, sliced yellow, and minced brown into an enormous bowl that took two separate days to finish.
No exploration is complete without indulging in a hot dish at Au Lac. Out of the shrimp, pho, and spicy calamari, the Siu Mai House-made dumplings with vegan pork, shrimp, and veggie filling pouched inside vegan wontons will always remain a DT Weekly top favorite.
@aulac
DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND CONT...
BUYING ORGANIC AT SOUTH PARK FARMER'S MARKET
It’s official, DTLA residents can explore a different farmers market everyday of the week and pick up fresh organic fruits and veggies. Leading the way in class and style, is South Park Farmer’s Market held every Saturday, from 9 am to 2 pm, you can find this vibrant market on Grand Ave. between 11th Street and Olympic Blvd.
The South Park neighborhood, known for landmarks like the Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center, now adds locally grown produce, artisanal foods, handmade crafts, and the soothing sounds of acoustic music outdoors on the weekends. Vegetables grown in healthy soil, allowed to ripen naturally, are more nutritious and flavorful than those harvested prematurely and transported long distances.
Every purchase at the farmers’ market is a vote for a sustainable, community surrounded each day by vegan options in plain sight.
Bringing Good Luck to Nisei Weekend: The Return of Little Tokyo Street Fair
Nisei Week is back! And this year there’s an exciting addition to the Grand Parade, car show, drum performances, and crowning of the Queen. This year, Nisei Week visitors will have a chance to experience the return of Little Tokyo Street Fair.
The annual Nisei Week Festival held in Downtown Los Angeles has always stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of Japanese and JapaneseAmerican culture.
With a history dating back to 1934, this weekend long celebration has become one of the most beloved cultural events in the United States, captivating thousands of attendees each year.
This year, at the heart of this grand festival lies the Little Tokyo Street Fair, an exquisite showcase of artisan wares presented by Bozu LA and Kiosk Boys.
Transforming Weller Court into a treasure hunt of Japanese culture, souvenirs, and heartfelt mementos, from custom clothing to enchanting handcrafted BOZU potted plants, the Little Tokyo Street Fair enriches the Nisei Week experience with an abundance of artistic expressions and a celebration of hard work, dedication, and the spirit of community.
Inside Weller Court visitors will find a trilevel utopia of food and entertainment establishments and captivating tourist attraction known as “tunnel of lights”.
Upon entering and exiting the court, Little
And the DTLA Vegan of the Year Award Goes
DTLA Vegan Weekend was a journey of discovery! From the variety of vegan food options to the picking up organic fruits and vegetables weekly at downtown Farmer’s Markets, it’s a jungle out there that’s easier to navigate once steered in the right direction. For those locals who have devoted their lives to leading the way, DTLA Weekly presents – The DTLA Vegan of the Year Award every year. This year’s award goes to Attorney John Levine, Esp. a passionate advocate for veganism for over 40 years.
While prizes and giveaways abound from participating eateries, the true reward of DTLA Vegan Weekend is the chance to explore a cruelty-free lifestyle that nourishes the mind, body, and taste buds. Take the #DTLAVeganChallenge and share your experiences using #dtlaveganweekend and #dtlaveganchallenge on social media. You might even become the next “Vegan of the Year” and win a special DTLA vegan dinner for two! Follow us at @dtlaweekly for more details.
Tokyo Street Fair will showcases a cluster of 10 by 10 kiosks operated by a talented list of independent artisans.
Each kiosk is a treasure trove of cultural wonders, making Weller Court a mustvisit destination for those seeking a genuine and authentic Japanese experience.
contemporary trends.
Co-founders The Kiosk Boys describe their oneof-a-kind custom clothing items found at the fair as a blend urban fashion with elements of art and musical influences.
Their creations are a true reflection of the modern Japanese aesthetic, drawing inspiration from both traditional roots and
Meanwhile, Bozu LA offers a chance to embrace Downtown’s most popular good luck charm – the handcrafted BOZU potted plant. These tiny plants are carefully crafted to match individual personalities, making them a heartwarming and cherished memento of the Nisei Week festivities.
Little Tokyo Street Fair returns August 10th at Weller Court Week Japanese Festival @bozu_la
Arts District Breweries Unite with Bikes
The Arts District is gearing up for an exciting day of biking and brews on Sunday, July 28th. Starting at 11am and continuing until 2pm, beer lovers turn cyclists partake on a unique adventure to some of the city’s most renowned breweries.
The schedule kicks off at Audio Graph Beer Co., where participants will gather to commence their brewery crawl. From there, the route winds through the vibrant streets of Downtown, making stops at Creature Comforts Taproom and
Brewery, followed by Boomtown Brewery.
The final destination of this refreshing journey is Angel City Brewery, a pioneer in downtown LA’s craft beer scene. Upon arrival at each brewery, attendees will receive a stamp card listing all four participating venues to unlock special treats with discounts redeemed on future visits at each participating location.
The event is free! No tickets are needed—just bikes, a sense of adventure, and an appreciation for great beer. @angelcitybrew
DTLA BRUNCH CLUB
COMING AUGUST 25TH
PRESENTED BY DTLA WEEKLY
members only
ARTS HEART FASHION GOES TO VEGAS
Art Hearts Fashion, downtown’s favorite fashion event, is thrilled to announce their inaugural Swim Week Las Vegas festival, taking place fromAugust 15–19, 2024. This momentous event, hosted in partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas, consists of Spring 2025 collection previews alongside an unparalleled array of designers known for their innovative and trend-setting collections, giving Las Vegas a taste of
just how grand downtown celebrates with fashion, creativity, and community.
"We are incredibly grateful to Resorts World for this partnership,” says Erik Rosete, CEO and Founder of Art Hearts Fashion, “which marks a significant milestone for Art Hearts Fashion and the fashion world. Hosting Swim Week Las Vegas at such an iconic destination on the Vegas Strip elevates the experience for designers, attendees, and the city of Las Vegas.”
“Swim Week Las Vegas is going to be the marquee event of the summer,” says Ronn Nicolli, Chief Marketing Officer of Resorts World Las Vegas.
“We’re proud to partner with Art Hearts Fashion to
introduce the energy and scale of Miami Swim Week to Vegas, and add our own Las Vegas signature to it.”
Swim Week Las Vegas promises a week-long extravaganza, merging fashion and entertainment. The event kicks off with a VIP industry mixer on August 15th, followed by runway shows, pool parties, and after-parties featuring top DJs like Slander, Illenium, Kaskade, and Duke Dumont.
The festivities will take place at various Resorts World venues, including Eight Lounge, Gatsby, Zouk, and Ayu, culminating in a surprise final event on August 19th.––
@artheartsfasthion
PHOTO BY ARUN NEVADER ART HEARTS FASHION
Sounds of the Summer: A Night of Music & Memories with KCRW at Union Station
This July, in downtown Los Angeles, the iconic landmark Union Station transformed into a vibrant music venue thanks to a collaboration between KCRW and Metro Art. For two special nights filled with captivating sounds music lovers get a chance to soak in the architectural beauty of the station and relax with the smooth groves of KCRW, on and off the dance floor.
The festivities kicked off on Saturday, July 20th, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with renowned KCRW DJs Chris Douridas and Jeremy Sole.
Saturday, July 27th, promises an even more electrifying experience. The same time slot welcomes a live performance by the LA-based band, The South Hill Experiment. Their energy is contagious, further amplified by the DJ stylings of Raul Campos and SiLVA.
This is a free event open to the public, with bites from pop-up vendors and intoxicating thirst quenchers at conveniently located pop-up bars.
The nighttime music event takes place at historic Union Station (Ticket Concourse) at 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. @unionstationla
I20 YEARS OF TOE TAPPIN' AND LEG SHAKEN AT THE MUSIC CENTER
t must be true what they say about time flying by when you’re having fun, because it seems just like yesterday when the Music Center first invited all of Downtown Los Angeles to twist and shout at their massive outdoor dance floor event known as Dance DTLA.
This year, the event celebrates its 20th year, with The Music Center’s Dance DTLA planning a massive birthday party to celebrate the milestone. For $60 a ticket, Angelenos are invited to come and dance on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
As The Music Center pumps up the volume with local DJs on the special night, just like it was in the beginning back in 2004 when the event first debuted as Dance Downtown, there’s no need to panic if some of the world’s most famous dance steps elude any sense of rhythm. Instructors will keep partygoers on their feet with three hours of music highlighting Dance DTLA’s dance genres from the past
20 years, beginning with light bites and champagne toast to make sure dancers have enough energy.
Dance DTLA was created as a free dancing event that included easy-to-follow dance lessons and could be enjoyed and accessed by Angelenos of all ages. Back then, there were only two dance genres (swing and salsa), but throughout the years, the hunt for musical dance instruction has yielded Argentine tango, bhangra, Chicago steppin’, cumbia, disco, line dance, samba, and zydeco. To date, there have been more than 100,000 knee-clappin’, hip-twisting, and leg-kicking participants in Dance DTLA.
“Every summer, many Angelenos have transformed The Music Center’s Dance DTLA into a family tradition where they can hit the dance floor together and create wonderful memories. The talented, local dance instructors make it so easy for families and all those who just love to dance to follow their instructions,” said Josephine
Ramirez, executive vice president, TMC Arts, the programming arm of The Music Center. “We can also credit Dance DTLA’s longevity to the beautiful summer nights we enjoy in Los Angeles.”
“Without a doubt, The Music Center’s Dance DTLA is the most successful and impactful participatory dancing series in The Music Center’s 60-year history. Thousands of Angelenos converge every summer on Jerry Moss Plaza for an unforgettable time to dance and express themselves on our spacious outdoor dance floor. To commemorate Dance DTLA’s momentous 20th year, we will celebrate it in a big way—by inviting everyone to the specially ticketed birthday bash,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Birthday Bash takes place on the same dance floor where Dance DTLA has taken place each summer on the geyser-ridden patio of Jerry Moss Plaza. @musiccenterla
LET'S GET WILD! AT WILD LIVING FOODS
Next, on our vegan safari, we got wild at Wild Living Foods.
A pioneer of raw food creativity in downtown Los Angeles, located on 8th and Main, here we found a refreshing market place, stocked with everything from raw drinks to tasty desserts and a raw food menu worthy of worship.
Wild’s Açai bowl presented at Wild is a vibrant mountain of purple Açai topped with strawberries, blueberries, pumpkin seeds, and coconut flakes.
Things took an adventurous turn when it came to prices;
however, vegans in downtown know it’s money well spent.
While the price of $22 for a raw food BBQ Chorizo Burger made with a pumpkin seed patty may seem extreme, the tribe at Wild never sacrifices quality or principle.
The true king of the jungle prides itself on its one-of-a kind market place, fresh cold-pressed juices, desserts, and raw food creations that round out the wildest of imaginations. Other popular items include egg rolls, wraps, and Mahalo pizza. @wildlivingfoods
