ART APPETIT by Downtown Weekly Los Angeles

VOLUME 4 NUMBER 6

MAY 8TH - JUNE 12TH

THEGRAWN.COM

Plenty of Parking in Downtown! VO. 4 NO. 6

WWW.THEGRAWN.COM

PAGE 2

Right Turns for Food Trucks Lead to Successful Restaurants in DTLA

TLTaka

By Anthony Maldonado

EggSlut

Alvin Cailin &

The Lime Truck

staff always...

from Oc to DTLA

Sunny Side Up! Once a mobile outfit focusing on preparing incredibly delicious organic egg delights, Eggslut’s catering truck first rolled out in Santa Monica throwback 2011. Today EggSlut, yolks it up at their new Downtown location, inside the Historic Grand Central Market, getting things crackin’ around 7:30 am. As the friendly staff scrambles around filling orders of “novice and extreme classic comfort fare”, Executive Chef, Alvin Cailin, greets his most loyal customers with a morning high-five, and a,

“How’s it going?”

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAND CENTERAL MARKET.COM

Whip morning lethargy

with their roasted coffee, and then... Get a little naughty and try “The Fairfax”, soft scrambled eggs, topped with diced chive, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and Sriracha mayonnaise on a Portuguese bun. Or if you’re really feeling lose, try “The Slut”, a carefully

coddled organic egg, mixed with a smooth potato puree and diced chive, poached in a glass jar and served with a toasty crostini. What ever your pleasure - you can come out of your shell because it’s always a beautiful sunny day at EggsSlut. Eggslut is located at 317 S. Broadway, and is open 7 days a week from 8:00 am - 4pm.

TLT aka, The Lime Truck is billed as the food truck of Orange County for those in the food truck know. TLT is a winner of the Los Angeles “The Great Food Truck Race Award”, a reality television series, that originally aired in August of 2010, on Food Network featuring competing food trucks with edge. Now with two TLT locations, one in Westwood Village and the other on 7th and Spring in Downtown Los Angeles, whether you’re ordering the Bangkok Chicken Sandwich with cilantro and cashews on a toasted baguette or the Beef Short Rib Sliders, with three braised beef short ribs, Aioli, red onion and arugula you’ll want to “route” for these winners.

QUENCH The beverages at TLT make the food taste even more delicious. Add either fountain sodas or fresh fruit Limeade or get tipsty as both locations are well known for having full bars and beverages which complement each order. Also TLT offers for those who have food allergies, gluten free items, where indicated. Daniel Shemtob who is the Executive Chef and founder of TLT makes sure that you’re well taken care of. Shemtob’s energies go beyond the counter and kitchen. Daniel Shentob interacts with his costumers as if they’re family offering DTLA a variety of colorful foods available by dine in, takeout or delivery. Catering is also available. TLT DTLA is located at 225 W. 7th Street, 213 377 5333.

Request a Writer! Get Featured in the Gallery Row Art Walk News Concact: editor@thegrawn.com

Aliens, Beers & Gypsies VO. 4 NO. 6

WWW.THEGRAWN.COM

PAGE 4

Tuesday Night’s Rock-a-roke at the Down & Out When I asked around about the Down & Out, never having

been there myself, more than one person used the phrase “dive bar” to describe it. Recently, however, I had the privilege of visiting the DnO on S. Spring St. and as I came through the door I was pleasantly surprised to find that it actually has much more to offer than what one might expect from a typical dive bar. The space itself is airy and sizable with high ceilings and plenty of bar, booth and table seating. The walls are decorated with celebrity mug shots and there is a pool table and several TVs surrounding the room for game nights. The General Manager, Chris, warmly welcomed me to the bar and discussed all the renovations that the DnO just underwent this past December. Chris has been the manager since they opened in 2009 and he said that since the bar reopened with it’s new look business has been steadily on the rise. I came in on a Tuesday, which is a great weeknight to get a feel for the place as well as to experience the bar’s Tuesday night Rock-a-Roke. Rock-a-Roke is the DnO’s version of karaoke but their weekly event is unlike any other karaoke I’ve seen before. The bar has a full stage setup where the band “Tres Aliens” plays live alongside the singers. In order to sing all you need to do is choose a song from their extensive selection, by which I mean roughly 300 songs all of which “Tres Aliens” can impressively play on command. Then sign up with the DnO’s wonderful hostess, Gypsy. The band consists of Eric on guitar, John on drums and Justin on bass. I was able to speak with Eric, who has been a musician for over twenty years, about the band as well as what it’s like playing at the DnO. Between the three of them they each

have ample professional histories as musicians but Eric said that what’s great about Rock-a-Roke is that it’s not about them, it’s about giving the average bar-goer a chance to perform with a real band, which for some is a completely new opportunity. When I asked about how the group got started Eric said that I can either use the fictional back story of the band, which is that they are a “team of intergalactic travelers who’ve come to planet Earth to blow minds,” or I can mention the real story, which is that they were previously part of a group called “Astral Aliens.” That group eventually broke up and with only three band members remaining, and continuing gigs to play, they needed a name fast and “Tres Aliens” stuck.

I talked with Gypsy about how Rock-a-Roke usually goes on Tuesday nights and she said what’s interesting about the live band factor is that some people come just for the karaoke experience while others come to utilize the stage as a kind of theatrical practice space. Along with the obvious talent that the band exudes I was also very impressed at the skill level of most of the singers. These are not just drunk people reading off a lyric screen, they’re people who are proud to be up on the mic in front of an actual band and the whole setup makes for a great show. Gypsy also introduced me to one of the DnO’s regular singers, Andre, who describes himself as a “residentially chal-

lenged” downtown local who sings for tips and receives a lot of support from the bar and the bar-goers with his crowd-pleasing performances. Unlike most karaoke venues, Rock-a-Roke is as exciting as seeing a live show and since the stage is graced with new singers every week the experience is always something different (plus if you stick around until the end of the night you can catch Chris and Gypsy get up on stage and sing an awesome cover of “Possum Kingdom”). I also spoke with Sean, one of the bartenders at DnO, who previously tended bar in several establishments in New York. He was there having a drink on his night off and claimed that it is the “best bar to work in” because the staff is like a family and it’s not uncommon for there to be a line outside to get in from Spring to Broadway. Tuesday night, however, is not the only night the DnO has a lot to offer. Mondays are known as Metal Mondays where you can find DJs playing punk and metal or a live metal band once a month. Wednesday night is Industry night when service professionals get half off drinks. Thursdays and Sundays feature live local bands on the DnO stage and Fridays and Saturdays typically feature DJs. Chris says that the DnO has been and will always be evolving, upcoming changes to look forward to include a new patio space and a food menu. Also don’t forget on the way out to take a fun picture in the bar’s mug shot photo space! To find out more about “Tres Aliens” you can contact Eric at ericslatermusic@gmail.com or for bookings or other information regarding the Down & Out you can contact Chris at downandoutbooking@gmail.com. BY ELENA NARDINI

VO. 4 NO. 6

DTLA

Vegetarian

Fo’Life By Diana King, I can’t really say what happened…All of a sudden I just woke up one day with this epiphany and knew exactly why I no longer would eat meat. Well, all my adult life I had been wavering back and forth between being a carnivore, a rawist, vegetarian or even a strict vegan, so I knew the difference and almost every health benefit that came along with these different lifestyles. I knew about proteins, and amino acids, vitamins and minerals, fiber, essential oils, herbal remedies, teas, I had collections of books, and used google to help me update my repertory and sooth my curiosities. I was healthy before Goji berry’s, Acai, Tea Tree, and Changa Mushroom hit the mainstream. I was green with Dr. Bronner long before Dr. Oz. I was Back to Eden, with Jethro Kloss. And with this knowledge came the understanding of the effects of my diet on the environment, poisonous soils, ocean waters, global warming, from farting…my attitude had been, “do what you have to stop farting but we have to save Organica.”

And I could feel the meat. Working inside me. Making me heavy. Making me hot tempered. Fortifying my bones, lending me it’s iron. The same iron used in so many weapons. Meat especially with cheese, oh how I missed it…and how I miss it now. But there was a difference; I know in my heart that I will not go back to meat. I had rationalized my greatest weaknesses as often being vanity – I was already skinny and hated it. And I’m ashamed, by just being callous against the animals who were being chopped up everyday, so I could chew them. I mean life wasn’t fair right, and at least I was high up on that sick food chain of nature? And animals were just down right tasty, so they had to be eaten. I got Indian with it, only killing what I ate, and eating each piece of animal on my plate down to the dry bone. Nothing would go wasted. Waste not want not... Sustain my life!

WWW.THEGRAWN.COM These options have now become a part of my new DTLA daily diet. This is my new diet. Fo’ life. So, what’s different? If you’ve read this far it’s a sure fire guess you really wanna know. Why do I call this my new diet Fo’ Life, is because that’s just what it is. Life I’m getting old. The less time I seem to have, the more I want to stay healthy in it. And it would seem to me that almost every instinct in life is based on staying alive. So then why would we ever put dead morsels inside - maybe as a punishment? Like...Joey...you’ve been bad, no sprouts for you tonight, (pointing) go over there and eat that dead animal! ...To me it was like accepting death down my pipe and I just couldn’t have that. Not only were the animals dead, they hadn’t had great lives, they were put through changes that led them to death. My mouth was a continuation of that, so I walked away, and now what goes in my mouth is organic and still alive, still alive when it goes in, still alive when it comes out. And I find that while its inside, working its DNA match ups, I’m feelin’ lighter, my skins brighter, I have more energy and I’m less apt to lose my temper. Although my tongue was horribly angry with me, it missed meat, and the only way to calm the savage beast was to find taste and health in the same bite, and that’s what I did.

Sustain Juicery: 6th and Spring

PAGE 5

Artisan House: 6th and Main

On the days when I feel like going lacto/ovo, I couldn’t be happier shopping for tasty creams at the Artisan House. They offer an assortment of fine organic dairy items from well-known local farms as well as your favorite alternatives such as soy and almond milk. Whole grain cereals, imported sauces, and organic beverages also line the shelves inside the Artisan House Market. If you’re into meat you will love the full service deli. If you like meat minus the cruelty, then you should know the Artisan House is honored to connect you with family-owned ranches steeped in the traditions of raising beef the natural way. But keepin’ it lacto/ovo...Artisan House carries farm-fresh organic eggs from free-range chickens and a hand-picked selection of the world’s most sought after cheeses. If I feel like dining in, I’ll visit the Artisan House Restaurant & Bar annex around Happy Hour. They have some amazing vegetarian options on the menu including Avocado Rolls, House-made focaccia bread and vegetarian pizzas - add red wine, for an extra health benefit.

Ensenada Mexican Restaurant

SCHEDULED TO CLOSE

I had friends who were tree huggers in San Francisco, but even after all my years of study and bouncing back in forth with meat, praising myself for becoming more humanitarian in my eating habits, one thing always stood in my way of fulfilling my guru like aspirations of a totslly peaceful diet. One particular substance, I had to say, I was sorry, I just couldn’t go more than 2 years without meat. Magnificent meat in all its magnificent glory, the taste of it, the cooked blood juices…adding salt, even swallowing meat was something I couldn’t resist. And I didn’t care. I went back to meat every single time. (Note to self: drink H20 every 30 min.)

I hate to say it, but they told me fish had radiation and mercury, they said, baby chickens, cows, and baby sheep were being thrown into grinders. I even saw the footage, but still nothing moved me, until now. I finally got it and I’m glad I did. But now that I had decided to stop eating animals for the remainder of this life, I had to find other alternatives and I live in the new Downtown, home of the pricey gastro pub.

Then it got deeper. Maybe it was not just me, but others like me, and maybe they were waking up with chloroforic visions too, and needed to know what it would be like to be a DTLA vegetarian. I turned to my community restaurant and health shop owners and began eating at different places, talking to them and telling them just how come I knew this time was different, I would never eat meat again unless it was the zombie apocalypse. Yummmm. In turn they began suggesting their most delicious vegetarian and vegan menu options.

Jason Lee of Sustain Juicery was more than awesome offering me my first 3 day Sustain Detox juice plan. The juice plan includes six juices per day, to rid the body of stored toxins and replace them with tons of refreshing vitamins, minerals, and countless beneficial living enzymes. The Six Pack Plan never once made my mouth unhappy. Although I have to say the beet juice mix went right through me and came out red on the other end, hence my above statement “alive when it comes out” The grapefruits, apples, oranges, celeries, and cucumbers potions contained in those 18 deepened elixir jars have changed my life. My joints have stopped cracking and my back does not plague me. Oh, and my urine is clear. I didn’t suffer from headaches or fatigue during the plan, and that’s probably because I was eating legumes and salads over the weekend too. But that is how it would have to be. I wasn’t going to juice fast Fo’ life, but I definitely needed one to three juices to accompany my meals every day. I wish I could say I have never felt better but I was a teenage girl once.. NO REALLY... I’VE NEVER FELT BETTER.

Oh Man, I’m gonna miss the Authentic Mexican flavors of Ensenada Mexican restaurant when they close their doors in next few months because after 25 years they had still managed to stay affordable and delicious. Before I broke up with meat, my favorite entrees were their beef enchiladas verdes, and the mojarra frita. I always felt that EMR was one of the best values seeing as their meals, with drinks, were mostly under $20 yet still came with complimentary chips, salsa, small guacamole, and side of beans and cheese. To take up more stomach space, they throw in the soup of the day which, was always vegetarian. After my breakup with meat, I kept the appetizers coming but changed my main course to the chili rellenos with a side of potato salad. Oh Man, EMR makes the best potato salad in the world. On the health-o -meter, maybe the chips and cheese aren’t the best on the daily, but it doesn’t matter. This was me cheating. Cheese enchiladas and guacamole, sour cream and $ 3 Happy Hour Coronas. Yeah, I’m gonna miss that joint.

VO. 36 VO.44NO. NO.

ENJOYING

GREEN LIFE

HEALTH

WWW.THEGRAWN.COM THEGRAWN.COM

THE CHEF MARCO RODRIGUEZ CREATES HEALTHY/TASTE MIX FOR DTLA

CITY

PAGE 6

IN THE

& KEEPING FIT IN THE CONCRETE JUNGLE

Natural Selection serves food so close to nature it’s almost tribal. For example, the broccoli soup is a modest bowl of pourage that coats the tongue making it feel just right. Then the quick message to the mind, that the wonderful taste you just bit into, isn’t being caused by anything that was ever harmed or anything that ever had a thought of ever being harmed, it’s was just tasty broccoli, and that can’t be wrong. NATURAL SELECTION (THE KITCHEN) OWNER & CHEF MARCO RODRIGUEZ The neighborhood has adopted BY KERI FREEMAN Marco as its very own in-house nutritional gurufeeding us his seThank mother nature and former fitness lect choices of organic fruits and vegetables. Be and kick boxing instructor, Marco Rodriguez for surprised at his methods, as they may change. their decision to open another Natural Selection One day he may offer a fruit mix of carefully cut (the Kitchen) in DTLA. Similar in style yet small- pineapples, kiwis and watermelon; the next it er in size to the location in Arcadia, Marco’s tiny may be freshly sliced canteloupe, red strawberrestaurant on 7th and Main, is a huge offering ries and orange slices. cornucopia of health. Even though Marco himself is vegetarian, NatIn only three months, curiosity and word of ural Selection serves items with meat too. mouth, has led many Downtowner’s to discover Tasty turkey meat. His turkey burger comes their kitchen’s new healthy-taste combination. recommended and there is no need to ask why. It’s no surprise this restaurant has so many Its delicious. Turkey burgers, grilled Pesto chickfans, as Natural Selection has an uncanny way of en sandwiches, organic egg breakfast wraps, bringing out the natural flavors in food without yeah you’re gonna want to try them all. Not to over cooking, over seasoning or over processing. mention, regular doses of his daily soup, Spinach salad, and Veggie BBQ Chipotle burger. One thing

for certain, the food at Natural Selection never lets you down or weighs you down. You can eat four or five items on the menu at once and still be ready to get right back on your toes. Natural Selection is located at 646 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. FMI: EATATNATURALSELECTION.COM

VO. 4 NO. 6

dtla gallery guide april 2014

FIND.

PAGE 8

EXHIBIT.

COLLECT!

ACE HOTEL DTLA. “Chiaroscuro”. In association with Sage Projects, the hotel will present the latest work from fine art photographer and filmmaker Matthias Koenigswieser in his first solo exhibition – a series of images that hope to display “a story unfolding before the viewer’s eyes.” Opening Reception: April 10th, 7pm – 10pm. RSVP to: rsvp@SAGE-projects.com. Through April 29th. Segovia Hall, 2nd Floor. 929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015. ART MEETS ARCHITECTURE: Attached to the corrugated gates of the Arcade Theatre, the paper mache wings of artist, Colette Miller, serve as backdrop for 17 portraits curated from the Angels on Main Street series. Photographed by Los Angelesi icon Gary Leonard who has been photographing Los Angeles for more than thirty years. Opening Night Artist Reception. May 8th 6-8 pm Live Jazz. Fine Arts Gallery ~ Fine Arts Building. 811 West 7th Street ~ Los Angeles. www.artmeetarchitecture.com ART THEME PARK. Downtown Art Walk’s Largest art event, hosting 10,000 square feet of pure creativity, located in the epicenter of the Art Walk Core on 5th and Spring. This month’s theme Feelin’ Erie, is sponsored in part by the UCLA JazzReggae Fest (coming Memorial Day Weekend). 449 S. Spring Street, LA CA 90013. For booking or vending info contact: 323-5099286. www.artthemepark.com ART WALK LOUNGE. featured artist this month is Michelle Matthews, a Southern California based embroidery artist. Her work revolves on the idea of the landscape around us and our relationship with it. Her embroidery work is developed through the use of photography, textile, and machinery. This juxtaposition of industrial spaces in tactile embroidery embodies a strong sense of irony that parallels our personal relationships with the built environment. 634 S. Spring Street., Los Angeles 90013. http://downtownartwalk.org/artwalk-lounge BLACKSTONE GALLERY. “Kilduff Motors.” John Kilduff, an artist also known as Mr. Let’s Paint, creates a cardboard car dealership to Blackstone. Opening reception: May 8th, 6pm to 9pm. Runs through June 8th. 901 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90015. blackstonegalleryla. com. (909) 746-6308 CAROL CIRILLO STANLEY STUDIO GALLERY. A haven for fine arts photography in the heart of the Fashion District, past shows of Ms. Cirillo-Stanley’s have included “Paper Walls,” a photography exhibition that presented “the shapes, colors, and fantastic design found along the walls in Tuscany, Italy.” 112 W. 9th St. Suite 507, Los Angeles 90015, 949-633-8961, www. carolcirillostanley.com CB1 GALLERY. “Redesigned, Repurposed, Re-everythinged”

feat. Jaime Scholnick. Scholnick casts her eye on what it means to live in today’s culture through a series of collages featuring subdued color palettes and miniature compositions. Opening Reception: Sunday, May 4th, 5-7pm. Runs through June 8th. “Introductions: DTW LAX” feat. Anna Breininger, Erica Mahinay, and Lauren Satlowski. The first in a series introducing young artists, CB1 exhibits the work of three MFA graduates from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Opening Reception: Sunday, May 4th, 5-7pm. Runs through June 8th. 215 W.5th Street, Los Angeles 90013. (213) 806-7889. www. cb1gallery.com

THE HIVE GALLERY. “Line Attack 3!!! The Art of the Doodle” feat. Michael Divine, Aanchal Anand, Grace Fong, Champoy and Miles Robertson, and many more. A mixture of featured artists and resident Hive artists, this exhibition delves into the act of doodling at its many forms. Opening Reception: May 3rd, 8-11:30PM, $5 Suggested Donation. Runs through May

JENNIFER MAIN GALLERY. 617 S Grand Ave. , Los Angeles, http://www.jennifermaingallery.com

Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. (323) 276-9320, http:// www.laartcore.org

THE JUNGLE SHOWROOM. DTLA’s newest collective merging art, fashion, and music offer regular performances, openings, and showcases. Open for April 10th Artwalk. 727 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, California 90014

LACDA. “Ten Year Represented Artists Retrospective” On the tenth anniversary of their collection of artists’ involvement, LACDA opens its doors for a selection of their work. Artists include Yolanda Klappert, Colleen Corcoran, Ole Terslose Jensen, Roxanne Brousseau-Felio, John Haubrich, and many more. Runs through May 24th. 104 East Fourth Street between Main and Los Angeles Streets. (323) 646-9427. Enter LACMAS competition for digital art and photography! FMI: lacda@ lacda.com MACHINE INSPIRED ART (MIA) Gallery. “Artwalk Exhibition” Aiming to “explore and showcase the role and application of technology, in specific computational technology, within the creative process, the Main St. gallery celebrates Art Walk while exhibiting works from resident artists. May 8th, 6pm – 11pm. 530 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA. (213) 293-9442. http://www.machineinspiredart.com MB ABRAM GALLERY 525 West 7th St, Los Angeles, 90014. 310-738-5235, www. mbabramgalleries.com

EL NOPAL PRESS. The 5th Street gallery “publishes fine arts prints and lithographs addressing social issues relevant to the cross-border dialog between Los Angeles and Mexico City artists.” Look for monthly Art Walk demonstrations and showcases. 109 W. 5th St., Los Angeles. 213-239-0417 GARY LEONARD TAKE MY PICTURE 860 S. Broadway, Los Angeles 90014, 213-622-2256,www. takemypicture.com GALLERY MUJO. Taking its name from the “Buddhist concept of impermanence, of nothing lasting forever,” this gallery collects spiritual artworks that place an emphasis on Buddhist values and “a special impact on the heart. Hours: Tue – Sat: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. 137 East Third Street, Los Angeles CA 90012. GalleryMUJO@yahoo.com. (909) 573-3627 137 East Third Street, Los Angeles CA 90012. GalleryMUJO@yahoo.com. (909) 573-3627 GLORIA DELSON CONTEMPORARY ARTS GALLERY. “Kiss”. A group show celebrating the mediums of photography, painting and sculpture, with participating artists Angelique Antoniou, Daniel Bosler, Jaime Collindres, Lori Dorn, Yuki Fujita, Michael Moon, Tanya Ragir, Xion Smith, Robert Toll & Cody York.Art Walk Reception: Thursday, May 8th, 12pm-10pm. Runs through May 31st. Gallery Hours: 12 noon– 7pm (Tuesday – Friday), 12 noon-3pm (Saturday & Sunday), Mondays and evenings by appointment. Visit www.GDCAgallery.com or call Petra at (323) 309-2875.

MIGUEL OSUNA ART STUDIO. The Spring Street studio is the brainchild of the Guadalajara, Mexico-born Osuna, who specializes in evocative landscape and abstract works. Past exhibitions include “Spin,” where several artists contributed to spinning paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture and video.” 410 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013. www. miguelosuna.com

31st. 729 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014. Hivegallery.com HOLLYWOOD JUNKIES. Exhibiting their wares and ethos during Art Walk, this Los Angeles St. space “creatively markets and recycles the interesting and forgotten specializing in objects, clothing, music and books.” 721 Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, 323-356-0777, www.hollywoodjunkys.com

facebook /artwalknews

LA ART CORE.“LA of LA” feat. Jaime Sabatte, Guadulesa Rivera, Raoul de la Sota, Yando Rios, Miguel Angel Murillo, and Lore Eckelberry. This group exhibit showcases a perspective of Latin American artists residing in Los Angeles, its six participants providing “an arena of passionate engagement as they express and relate their inner worlds.”Opening Reception: May 4th, 3-5PM. Conversation with the Artists: 4PM. Union

MOCA – “Mike Kelley”. A celebration and exhibition of over 250 pieces from of the highly influential artist, who used staples of American culture and filtered them through a variety of “modernist and alternative traditions.” The largest collection of the Detroit-born Kelley’s to date. Through July 28th. 152 North Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 626-6222. http://www.moca.org/museum/moca_geffen.php MOCA on Grand. “Cinema Vezzoli”. Rife with “art-historical and autobiographical references and showcasing the artist’s love of embroidery, classic European cinema, and Hollywood stardom”, Francesco Vezzoli

brings his charming approach to MOCA with an all-star lineup of subjects, including Marisa Berenson, Milla Jovovich, Eva Mendes, Helen Mirren. Through August 11th, 2014. “Selections From The Permanent Collection Featuring “selected large-scale works or single-artist presentations from MOCA’s rnowned Permanent Collection”, the museums invites you to take a glance at work from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Hanne Darboven, Jorg Immendorff, Franz Kline, Barry Le Va, and others. Ongoing. 250 South Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012. http://www.moca. org/museum/index.php? NWO GALLERY. The brainchild of artist Curtis Simmons’ hits DTLA with its unique “infusion of photography, paint, and societal concepts”. Shows include regular exhibitions and “Art and Alcohol” every Saturday. 200 S Hill Street, Los Angeles, California 90012 REDCAT GALLERY. “Games are forbidden in the labyrinth” feat. Javier Tellez. In his first solo exhibition on the West Coast, the artist/filmmaker Tellez uses new works to “question “the definitions and social prejudices established between the concepts of normality and pathology.” Opening Reception: Saturday, April 5th, 6pm-9pm. Runs through June 1st. 631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 237-2800. REDCAT.org ROBERT REYNOLDS GALLERY. 408 South Spring St. Los Angeles 90013. Gallery Hours: Mon thru Fri, 11am-6pm. By Appointment, please call (213) 308-8896. SPRING ARTS TOWER – Artists David Lovejoy, Liz Huston’s Art and Curiosities, Andrea Bogdan’s Studio, Jena Priebe’s The Fold, and Evi Piorunek’s Gather share a nest of galleries above the Last Bookstore, while painter Mary Antonelli exhibits her work on the ground floor. Open during April 10th Art Walk, 6pm-10pm. 453 S Spring St., Los Angeles, 213-623-4636, www.springartstower.com/ STEVEN ROWE GALLERY. The Australian-born artist exhibits his diverse range of drawings, paintings and window installations in his space in The Arty gallery. Open during April 10th Art Walk, 634 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014. http://www.stephenroweart. com/

VO. 4 NO. 6

BEHIND BARS FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF DTLA BARS VISIT WWW.THEGRAWN.COM

TWITTER.COM@THEGRAWN Artisan House HAPPY HOUR:

Mon-Fri: 3pm-7pm & 10pm1am, featuring CRISPY CALAMARI, steamed muscles, and crunchy jalapeno popper madness. Sunday brunch offers BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS OPEN: Monday through Wednesday 7:30am to 11pm. Thursday - Friday 7:30-2am. Saturday 10am-2am, Sunday 10am- 11pm. AT: 600 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90014 213-627-7385. S e r v ing up the BEST BURGER in DTLA with with a healthy side of Rock N Roll headliners Tuesday through Sunday.HAPPY HOUR: Early bird happy hour from 9am - Noon featuring drink specials followed by regular happy Monday through Friday from Noon to 9pm. Each day a new discovery with TALL CAN TUESDAYS and Thursdays, Sunday’s Beer bust with $2 Olympias and $2 Rolling Rock from 9am - 9pm. Also, SUNNY SIDE UP (last Sundays) from 6pm to close. Wednesday special host DJ SCMAQUILLIN, 9pm to close. Free Grub Fridays from 4pm - 6pm April and not to miss event of April 22nd featuring the BLACK MAMBAS. 267 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 323-428-4492.

PAGE 10

Built inside t h e National City Bank vault (1924), Crane’s opens Monday through Friday at 5pm in time for HAPPY HOUR and at 10am on the weekends in time for morning sports. $6 Shot and Beer specials and $4 Titos. 810 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, 323-787-7966.

Travel b a c k in time w i t h the only CHINESE GASTROPUB inspired by the Chinese Era of Hollywood serving the authentic Northern Chinese treaures once found at the original hutongs of Beijing. HAPPY HOUR; 4:30-7pm, featuring BaiJu, Craft Beers, and mouth watering hand made to order DUMPLINGS with your choice of pork or beef. 806 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles CA 90014, 213-988-8308.

DOWN AND OUT BAR: HAPPY HOUR: 4pm - 10pm Monday: best in punk and metal with Metal Mondays with Dj Joe Jughead. Tuesday: Rockaroke with the Tres Aliens, cover band. Wednesday with Dj Moist spinning Old School HipHop and new April residency voted LA Weekly’s top 5, Los Creepers every Thursday. 501 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-489-7800.

There o n c e was a trading post in the South West, used to smuggle in mescal, sharp whisky, tequila, and rum from the Carribean. Today, one can still admire those exotic foods doused with the same trade spices that once accompanied those long lost days on the trade route-right here in DTLA. 200 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 213-935-8829.

Once a month Silo gives away large prizes like brand new bikes, ipads, and apple tv’s to help you Go Pro! HAPPY HOUR: 4pm-2am Tuesday Sunday. Monday: Silo is closed. Tuesday: Karaoke at 7pm Wednesday: 1/2 Off all bottles of wine. Thursday: Ladies Night, with $4 CHAMPAGNE ALL NIGHT. Saturday and Sunday: Brunch from 11am-5pm with $12 Bottomless Bloody Marys, $12 PITCHERS of Craft Draft Beer, and $12 bottomless Mimosas with your choice of Peach, quava, pineapple, grapefruit, cranberry, and mango... and SILLY SHIT BINGO, not your grandma’s version. 221 W. 7th Street

DRUNK ON ARRIVAL MEMOIRS OF A BARTENDER WITH DAVID VANCIL

The Cops are Here! Written by David Vancil It’s my brother Jimmy’s birthday party at the bar, and on my way there I ran into a drunken, stumbling prostitute. I tried to evade this petite, straight-haired blond donning candy red lipstick and mascara done like Christina Aguilera, but her drunken master technique was amazing. With one eye shut and a cocked-neck she looked at me and said “Are you ready for the best oral sex of your life?”And although that might have been exactly what the doctor ordered I told her, NO. “NO.!?!” she said. “Come on down this alley and I’ll show you”. I refused again and she spat at me, “What are you gay or something?” with a twang of Texas in her slur filling the air. “I don’t think there is a queer bone in my body. I just don’t pay for sex.” After grabbing full hold of my manhood, she pressed her face up against mine and slowly whispered, “Maybe you haven’t paid for sex yet...but you will!” She stumbled away and left me feeling like I’d just had my fortune told. The bars were packed full because of Rim Pack, when the Navy does its military exercises. It’s the one time of year in Hawaii when the island is filled with hard working military equipped with pockets full of cash, ready to funck, fight or maybe both simultaneously. As I arrived, I ran into Danny, the most beautiful little Hawaiian girl with a mix of almost every race in existence Japanese, Filipina, Chinese, Puerto Rican, Tai, Swedish, Spanish, French, Peruvian, and Portugese, at about five-foot-two and nothing but dark skin and beautiful curves. For some reason, she had the uncanny ability to be right in front of me with those mesmerizing eyes no matter where I was headed. As we were talking about her giving me hula lessons later, when a girl started screaming and ran out the back door yelling “THE COPS ARE HERE!” and sure as shit they were. They stormed in the room, guns out.

“Everybody Freeze!!!” they said.

“Oh my God, not on my birthday!” After the two officers stormed through the bar, they stopped and looked at me and then my brother before asking,

“You James Vancil?”

When he said yes, they threw him on the ground and secured handcuffs on his wrists. My brother could sell refrigerators to Eskimos so at this point he’s asking them their names, talking about what they have in common, how the party was just coming to an end, how we’d turn down the music, what a big contributor he was to the police force and small hungry children, and if they were hungry to help themselves to all the poi and pizza they would like. The cop stood him up and slammed him down on a chair, cuffed him to it, straddled him, and ripped her shirt open!

“Happy Birthday”. Jimmy was smiling and crying. Now, I thought that Jimmy was crying from happiness and the sheer love of the moment, but in actuality even after he had blown the candles off his colossal birthday boobies “cake”, as she was wiggling those bags of happiness in his face the matches kept burning him here and there.

Those two beautiful officers worked every single dollar bill in the entire room. When those two vacuum cleaners left, our thirty guests were hot, horny, happy, and drunk! Next: “I’ve got a hula lesson to go to” , I told them and slipped out the back. I jumped on my motorcycle, popped the clutch, and coasted down the street so no one would hear. I was off with Danny.

“I want to see your house,” she said.

I took her back to my place for Christmas lights, the salty breeze from the ocean wafting through my window, and Sade playing in the air. Danny’s big brown eyes were sparkling, her eye lashes were natural and so long they lightly touched my cheeks when we kissed, and her lips were sooo soft. We danced a bit. Well, it was more like she danced and I watched the beauty of the Island show me how they “do it Island style.” and..... I have much respect for Hula dancers and anyone who convey such beauty and love without a word. Memoirs of a Bartender Uncensored on Amazon: http://www. amazon.com/WHOS-YOUR-BARTENDER-Techniques-Bartending/ dp/1426963769

MAP INSIDE

VO. 4 NO. 6

TWITTER.COM@THEGRAWN

PAGE 11

Thank you for reading!!!