downtown weekly los angels

DOWNTOWN W THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM VOL 15. NO. 11 NOV 25TH - DEC 1ST, 2021

DTLA MAKEOVER THE

STITCH DOCTOR JOHNNY WAS COMING TO 7TH & OLIVE

MONUMENTS IN TIME

LA AUTO SHOW RETURNS

THE GET UP AND GO OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY

VOL 15 NO 11 - NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 1ST, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

ON THE COVER

LOCATION:

OLD BANK DISTRICT

THE STITCH DOCTOR

photo by :

michael Le

THE BELL HOPS

<<

FAT SAL’S LEFT OVER TURKEY DAY ..........5 THE STITCH DOCTOR....6 JOHNNY WAS COMING TO 7TH & OLIVE....8 CAGES RETURNS TO THE ARTS DISTRICT.....8 CRYPTO.COM ARENA TAKES STAPLES ......9 MONUMENTS IN TIME: LA AUTO SHOW...11 DTLA WEEKLY

editor and chief KERI FREEMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

awaya oswald KERI FREEMAN DAN DEVON erika sommerfield christopher floch

photography GARY LEONARD

VIDEO Production

@kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla

social media

Special thanks to...

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

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. 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 incurred or suffered as a result of his/her accepting, offering to accept or following any invitation or advice contained in any herein.

DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA

DTLA NEWS l EVENTS l LIFESTYLE I HOSPITALITY P.O. BOX 86601 - DTLA CA 90086 - WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM 888-732-DTLA (3852) @DTLAWEEKLY

print per month

any person for loss or damage

ad, article or feature published

@kerieatsdtla

REACH 35k+ EACH WEEK

Readers are recommended

20

3

DTLA APPETITE by JASMINE LEE

VOL 15 NO 11 - NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 1ST, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM 5

FAT SAL'S LEFT OVER

TURKEY DAY SANDWICHES If you follow us on social media @ dtlaweekly, you know we can't cook. Thank goodness, Fat Sal's Deli & Sandwich is known for its over-the-top sandwiches, sides, and shakes and is willing to share its BEST Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich recipe with us here in the DT! This year Downtown Weekly is teaming up with Fat Sal's to share a fantastic recipe for leftover turkey day.

The best bread you can use is seeded cornbread rye. Trust Josh on this! It's the flavor and texture that are a perfect compliment.

The only condiment needed is Mayo; a brush of it will pair nicely with the gravy and cranberry that are technically condiments on their own.

A common mistake is people assuming adding just turkey makes it a leftover sandwich.

If it doesn't have everything loaded on, it's not a seasonal sandwich. Also, the whole point of thanksgiving is not the meal; it's the sandwich the next day.

Make sure to leave yourself enough leftovers to enjoy for a few days.

Now, if this is all too much or you missed the opportunity to cook this year, no worries – Fat Sal's has prepared a Thanksgiving Sandwich called the Fat Pilgrim just for you. It's an oven-roasted Turkey with homemade stuffing, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato fries, and mayo all served on a delicious hero. Add A Pumpkin Cheesecake Shake, a full slice of pumpkin cheesecake, with graham cracker crumbs, whipped cream, sprinkled with cinnamon a scoop of Vanilla ice cream, and you're all set.

Thank You, Fat Sal's

How to Make The Best

Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich From Fat Sal's Josh Stone It's all about the ingredients! No Thanksgiving Leftover sandwich is complete without: – Fresh roasted turkey… dark OR white – Homemade stuffing (must be homemade!)

– Homemade gravy – The best cranberry sauce you can find – Mashed potatoes – sweet potatoes – Wouldn't be complete without the Secret ingredient: braised fennel

Happy Thanksgiving DTLA!

6 DTLA MAKEOVER: THE STITCH DOCTOR BY KERI FREEMAN

R E V O E K A M A L T D

Not everyone can walk through an airport and be looked upon the same way as if they were on the runway, with most compliments flooding towards their carry-on luggage sets.

Yet, this is precisely the case for those traveling with Tote&Carry bags, designed

by Tony “Stitch Doctor” Dennis.

Tote&Carry luggage is TSAapproved to carry onto any flight! They are easy to clean with sensational style, and they have long caught the attention of celebrities across the nation, including the Queen of Gifts, Ms. Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah Winfrey just chose Tote&Carry’s Apollo 1 Duffel Bag as one of her favorite gifts for 2021!

“We actually got to see Oprah hold our bag as we spoke to her over Zoom.

Truth be told, I got teary! It was my dream, Tote&Carry, being recognized

by Oprah Winfrey!” said Dennis.

Fresh from the pages of Oprah Daily, the gifts kept coming, soon BET would reach out to congratulate Stitch for making their Official Best Gift Choice for 2021.

The brand attracted the attention of big names in entertainment before, T.I, Jamie Foxx, Wesley Matthews, Dion Sanders, Shaquille O’Neal, Vivica Fox, Missy Elliot, and Jalen Hurts, to name a few; however, now every day would attract someone new.

VOL 15 NO 11 - NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 1ST, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

On his way to becoming one of the world’s top designers, Dennis now lives, works, and plays in Downtown Los Angeles.

Dennis had come a long way from his humble beginnings in 1992 as the creator of the popular “No Names” brand t-shirt.

Back in those days, black streetwear designers like Karl Kani and Maurice Malone, with their Afro-centric design ideas incorporated into the clothing, ruled the urban fashion scene.

Those were the days when Dennis first discovered his creative talents could keep him and his young family flourishing during the coldest winter months of Buffalo, New York.

On the back of each “No Name” t-shirt was a statement that read as follows, “History tells us our ancestors were kidnapped from the Motherland and brought to this land with no justice, no liberty, no common language, no possessions, and no respect and NO Names.

Also, on the back of each t-shirt was the brand’s label. Dennis was busy sewing each label onto every t-shirt when a few visiting friends discovered his unlikely talent. They jokingly told Dennis he, “sewed like a doctor,” hence the name, “The Stitch Doctor,” was born.

THE STITCH DOCTOR

By KERI FREEMAN

By 1994, No Names was setting the stage as a thriving urban company defining the black struggle.

Yes, it does seem Stitch has entered the realm of enlightenment when it comes to his luggage, backpacks, duffles, and purse designs.

The bags, made from exceptional vegan leathers, faux pony and chinchilla furs, are primarily unisex and designed for every age.

Most of all, Tote&Carry products are relished for their roominess and durability and set apart from the ordinary drab by an array of hues ranging from calming earth tones to the contrast of their picks of extraordinary vivid colors.

Tote&Carry now has a high-end customer base but still want to make their bags more affordable.

VOL 15 NO 11 - NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 1ST, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

R O T C O D H C T I T S E H T COMES DOWNTOWN

“I designed for my community, and we got love from black celebs in all areas of entertainment, so I used the money I made to make moves.”

Sometime after, The Stitch Doctor began designing custom backpacks. Soon his talents would attract the attention of a prominent L.A. manufacture who would help Stitch establish his successful Tote&Carry brand.

In 2021, Stitch moved permanently to Downtown Los Angeles, hoping new connections and overall L.A. vibe would spark creative inspiration.

“I love the street-level experience of Los Angeles Garment District. I’m looking forward to getting to know the Arts District, the Old Historic Core of L.A., Spring Street and what’s on Broadway. I haven’t yet snuck out to a Laker or Dodger game, though.”

“I don’t want to lose my fashion sense, my swagger, though. Having an edge comes from East Coast living.”

“Angelenos might be in flip-flops by day, but they show up dressed at night with pearls, and I love that as long as you look respectable. I did see a guy turned away for wearing Crocs.”

“Atlanta street style is more individual pieces put together; green sneakers plaid shirt and you go swaggin’. I do think L.A. is more competitive, and it’s making me use a third fashion eye.”

“The Apollo 1 Duffle still sells well. It ordinates from a custom set I designed for myself.

My business partner loved it and wanted to start creating for the public.

The first colors were teal, black, white, olive, and pastel pink. We carry most of those now with the vegan gator skin duffels, called the Apollo 2 Collection in neon pink and the black selling the best.”

id back “It’s so la e here ryon here; eve ays be w l a o t s seem Stitch. d i a s “ ’. n chilli

With Tote&Carry now based in Downtown Los Angeles, prepare to be excited with all kinds of unusual designs, all still made with vegan materials.

Look out for nylon bags that might be lighter in weight and more desirable for an L.A. audience.

8 10 GREAT GIFTS PART 1

VOL 15 NO 11 - NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 1ST, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

BOHEMIAN Give the Gift of FASHION LINE Jean-Michael Basquiat JOHNNY WAS

at THE BROAD MUSEUM Philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad have left the world with quite a legacy. The Broad Museum located on Grand Avenue sits atop Bunker Hill, surrounded by reminders of his excellence. `The Walt Disney Concert Hall, the newly developing Grand Hotel project, fine dining, and eager consumers travel the world to experience what Eli and Edythe Broad have gifted us.

The Broad museum offers free general admission and presents an active program of rotating temporary exhibitions within a landmark building designed

by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler.

Its most recent exhibition entitled, "Since the Unveiling”, highlights a selection of nearly 60 works acquired in the ten years since Eli and Edythe Broad publicly announced their plans for opening the museum.

Works including Tauba Auerbach, Kerry James Marshall, Catherine Opie, Nathaniel Mary Quinn, and Charline von Heyl, amongst others, can now be viewed on Broad’s ground level.

COMING TO 7TH & OLIVE

Johnny Was storefronts can be found in Culver City, Newport Beach, Long Beach, Santa Monica and San Marino and soon, Downtown Los Angeles.

Johnny Was has signed the lease on 31,153 square feet of space on the 6th floor and 7th-floor penthouse of the mixed-use building at 712 S Olive Street in downtown Los Angeles. Johnny Was will use the enormous space for its client-facing showroom and office headquarters.

An outcome of sustained and ongoing engagement with artists and artwork, the Broad collection is distinctive in its exceptional dedication to the full arc of artists’ careers.

The Broad has highlighted this depth through expansive presentations in the thirdfloor galleries, featuring Roy Lichtenstein, Kara Walker, Andy Warhol, and Christopher Wool, along with works by many others.

An in-depth installation of Jean-Michel Basquiat features all 13 works by the artist, including Santo 2 (1982), Deaf(1984), and Wicker (1984) all being viewed for every first time Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in Brooklyn to Haitian and Puerto Rican parents in 1960. He was keenly aware of the racism and social inequities that existed in the art world that seemed to both celebrate and tokenize him at the same time.

Basquiat often used his work to call out these injustices and hypocrisies directly.

Before his tragic death in 1988 at twenty-seven, Basquiat expressed seemingly boundless creative energy, producing approximately a thousand paintings and two thousand drawings, some of which are purchased as limited edition gifts inside the Broad’s Gift Shop.

Located in the lobby of the museum, The Shop at The Broad features mininotebooks, face masks, a pair of socks, and an illustrated children’s book, all featuring the creative works of this great American Artist.

Inspired by our travels, artisan techniques, and cultural handicrafts, Johnny Was is a California brand designing clothing for women of all sizes.

After more than 30 years of our artisan-inspired stitch work and luxe fabrications, Johnny Was rose has risen to fame designing clothes that cross cultures and defy trends.

Their items capture the bohemian spirit, taking inspiration from anything beautiful with luxurious signature embroideries made from hand-stitching.

Their signature items include detailed embroidery, relaxed silhouettes, and effortless dresses and separates, as well as a curated collection of accessories and gifts.

The rooftop penthouse of 712 Olive is a jewel box and will be exclusive to Johnny Was, offering private decks and dramatic views of downtown Los Angeles.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Pete Collins, Brittany Winn, Mike Condon Jr, Scott Menkus, and McKenna Gaskill represented the landlord in the transaction. Trent Merrill and Sarah Schutter of Triple R Group represented the tenant.

“The Historic Core and Arts District are seeing multiple fashion tenants circling for creative office space due to their adjacency to industrial submarkets,” said Brittany Winn, Director.

“These tenants are electing to move their headquarters operations out of warehouse facilities and into something creative, taking employee wellness (i.e. amenities, outdoor workspace, walkability, refreshed and inviting new interiors) into consideration. Overall, employers are working to create an office environment that employees will want to return to.”

712 S Olive St is a lowrise office and a retail building located at the corner of Seventh and Olive. The building features high ceilings, large windows, and 18,000SF floor plates, and sub-terranean basement parking. @johnnywas

DTLA TO BE OR NOT TO BE? CAGES by Jacob Roberts VOL 15 NO 11 - NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 9

DTLA MEET YOUR NEW ROOMIE BOZU...

THE MUST HAVE GIFT FOR EVERY HOME

LOVE IF YOU DARE CAGES RETURNS TO THE ARTS

DISTRICT

NOW SHOWING AT THE WOOLF & THE WONDERLAND THEATER

Yukio from Bozu of Little Tokyo and his son and daughter have been teaming up to arrange exotic plants potted in handcrafted pots for the past two years.

Each planted gift embellishes the effort BOZU makes when seeking out their unique plants and pairing them with the perfect handcrafted pots.

The combination proves to be very important to get the best look for the finished product, a beautiful piece of living art.

With BOZU, each design has its unique feel. Their products are deeply rooted here in the hearts of loft dwellers of DTLA and beyond. They are steadily growing new leaves of popularity, branching off to new locations, including the

Arts District DTLA at the coffee shop, “Boxx”.

BOZU allows for special offers, and we may also find BOZU at Rice & Nori – Lil Tokyo DTLA and Adrift Burger Bar on Abbot Kinney.

People enjoy the beauty of plants and enjoy taking care of them, similar to having a pet or silent roommate. They also want BOZU pots because they embellish the craftsmanship and art behind each one.

Having a BOZU product decorates and brings life to any living space and they are easy to spot when you see one.

BOZU Holiday Wish: BOZU would like to wish all of their customers, followers and fans stay safe and have a Happy Holiday. @bozu_la

Transport yourself to another world.

But don’t dare get too happy about it. Cages Returns to the Arts District’s Woolf and the Wonderland Theater.

That’s because Cages’ immersive theater performance exists in the land of Anhedonia, where emotions are forbidden, and showing any passion ends with your public execution.

CJ Baran and Benjamin Romans, creators of Cages, once told DTLA Weekly they wanted to offer something new for people who do not typically attend musicals. They have overly accomplished their likeminded mission.

As equally excellent, the cast and crew work through choreography to enhance the storyline using groundbreaking illusions and environmental storytelling. Moving in unison within layers of projections that play tricks on the eye, the cast seems to be in command of the

powers of invisibility and allowing many times disappearing before your very eyes.

Intermission holds a place very dear to our caged hearts, where mixologists blend concoctions of LOVE: VULNERABLE + BLIND TO CONSEQUENCE, LUST: TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN, and ANGER: YOUR DARKEST DEMON.

“We made a musical inspired by the music we listen to, not limiting ourselves to traditional arrangement, vocal style, choreography, or the restraints of physical set design. We wanted to dress it as peculiar as the fashion we love and apply the magic of movies to the live stage.”

Our team wasted no time and took a few whisky neats to get the blood flowing.

Mixing and mingling within the Wonderland Theater are all the characters portraying the epitome of emptiness, lending to the atmosphere and creative set design as we marveled in the monotone interiors and stares from fiendish faces.

As newcomers, we felt compelled to express a bit of glee

while asking one of the masked watchmen a silly question.

Instead of answering, the youth hurried us to where a dead tree lent shadow to a young fair maiden.

Drenched in dark drab, she stood almost motionless, holding one very sharp iron arrow in one hand and a dingy cloth in the other. As we neared closer to see what she would tell us, she directed our attention to the cloth, which after a closer examination revealed itself to be heavily spotted with blood.

As she slowly continued wiping at the arrow’s tip while keeping her cold dark eyes on us, instead of a warm welcome, we felt a shriek of fear down the back of our spines.

Okay, let’s not talk then.

Intermission is over, and it’s time to rejoin the execution…uh we mean the show.

CAGES is groundbreaking in developing the art of theater using every aspect of modern technology and musicality.

CAGES shines a light on the human soul in its endless search for love and to be free.

Cages shows at Woolf and the Wondershow Theatre, 1926 E. 7th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90012. www.cagesdtla.com

10 THIS WEEK IN SPORTS BY CHRIS FLOCH

VOL 15 NO 11 - NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 1ST, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

CRYPTO.COM ARENA SET TO

TAKE OVER STAPLES CENTER WITH NAME GAME CHANGER OF OUR TIME Jumping on the Bitcoin bandwagon, the iconic Staples Center will be called Crypto.com Arena beginning Christmas day when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets for an X-mas day showdown. It’s rumored to be the wealthiest naming rights deal in sports history, as Crypto. com is shelling out a whopping $700 million over 20 years to rename the building.

The deal announced on Tuesday, November 16, between AEG, the owner and operator of Staples Center, and Crypto.com, shocked the Sports world.

Staples Center is home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Opening in 1999, the iconic arena has hosted 19 Grammys, three NBA All-Star games, and thousands of concerts. In addition, Staples Center is where the public mourned the loss of legends such as Michael Jackson, Nipsey Hussle, and Kobe Bryant with touching memorials.

Crypto.com is a cryptocurrency platform from Singapore founded in 2016.

Crypto is gobbling up deals left and right across the Sports landscape. Crypto.com boasts sponsorship deals with UFC, Italy’s Serie A, and purchasing the Philadelphia 76ers’ uniform sponsorship patch.

The agreement makes Crypto.com” an official cryptocurrency platform partner” of the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers.

The arena’s new logo will debut on December 25, when the Nets play the Lakers, and Staples Center signs will be replaced with the new name by June 2022. There will be 3,300 sq. ft “activation space” at the building’s entrance.

Hopefully, the enormous “activation space” will teach us all what Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin actually mean?

“This partnership is about the future,” said AEG President and CEO Dan Beckerman.

“AEG and Crypto.com not only share a vision about innovation and the future of sports and entertainment, but we also have a shared commitment to our communities where we work and live.”

At first, the public didn’t quite embrace the name Staples Center; it felt awkward and a bit quirky to be named after an office supply chain store.

However, the city adopted and fell in love with Staples-due in large part to winning-the Lakers led by Shaq and Kobe christened Staples Center by winning three NBA titles in a row.

The Los Angeles Kings hoisted their first two Stanley Cups at Staples Center in 2012 and 2014. At the same time, the Los Angeles Sparks have three championship banners hanging in the rafters.

Reaction to the name change has been challenging to process as many sports fans are perplexed about iconic stadiums being rebranded by corporations. Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook has a unique point of view regarding the new arena, considering he is from Los Angeles.

“Staples Center has got so many great memories, just for me as a kid growing up in L.A.,” Westbrook said. Yet, the superstar has a perspective regarding the deal. “Regardless of the name, the building is still the building, and that’s what’s most important, and that’s all you can think about.”

OPINION: MAYOR's STRENGTH AND LOVE CAMPAIGN SUFFERS FROM THE PANDEMIC

Last week, Mayor Eric Garcetti launched Strength and Love LA, The City of Angels’ COVID-19 Memorial, “to commemorate, honor, and remember those lost to COVID and those who have held the city together throughout the pandemic.”

The memorial proceedings lit up City Hall with a brightly projected “Dodger Blue,” preceded by memos, emails, media kits, and social media posts calling for all to participate.

The “Strength and Love LA” memorial called for Angelenos “to help, care for, and stand with one another through fear and heartbreak never felt before,” said Mayor Garcetti.

However, when Thursday, November 18th arrived and all were expected to “honor first responders, essential workers, small businesses owners, community organizations, caregivers, neighbors, and families hit hardest by the pandemic” by clapping, lighting a candle, or posting #strengthandlovela on personal social media pages, the city seemed to stay relatively quiet with the only cheers heard in DTLA coming from outdoor bar stools brought on by whisky toast and appetizing finger foods.

This was in stark contrast to the early days of Covid when DLANC organized a thriving nightly neighborhood clapping back in 2020. In those days of Covid unexpected, it seemed the honorable thing to do, and we stayed true to our nightly hoist of voices, flashing lights, and cheering with vigor like no other.

So what changed?

Carefully placed white flags marked the memorial at Griffin Observatory, where the Mayor had made his first video

announcement (in English and in Spanish), and in all, it seemed like a good DTLA jester. In the end, there were a few photos from local photographers and passers enamored by the lights on City Hall.

Yet, after reading the Mayor Of LAs Instagram comment section, it seemed all hope was lost along with faith in the Mayor of our great city attributed to the pressure the city was putting on those his office was claiming to exalt while at the same time ignoring their perceived rights to freedom of choice when it came to their personal medical decisions and Anonymity.

As the nasty battle rages on between the vaxxed and Unvaxxed, it would seem, however, on these particular posts, the vaxxed backed down, allowing the Mayor’s social media team to take on the brunt of negativity.

Then, throughout the daily triad, less than 200 posts came from Angelenos featuring the desired hashtag. The majority of those posts centered around the white flag installation photos memorializing the nearly 27,000 lives lost COVID-19 across Los Angeles County on display at Griffin Observatory.

UCLA and USC chimed in, producing video messages, along with some medical staff and a few housewives. One post showed a lone candle burning from the window in the Historic Core, and there was even a doggie named Honey Pooch proudly sharing the

LOVE and Strength poster who managed to muster around 18 likes.

Oddly enough, the Mayor’s Strength and Love LA campaign saw no love from any of the Downtown BIDS who’ve taken on the responsibility to promote happenings and local businesses in each district. City Central, Historic Core, South Park maybe missed the memo? However, Metro LA and this community news outlet took on the task, seeing it as a kind endeavor.

What had changed from 2020? Had we all lost our empathy for the front-line workers and victims of the virus? We’re we punishing the Mayor? Or maybe it was the feeling like every single one of us had become victims of the Covid pandemic, although we may not have all suffered in the same degree.

Perhaps the Mayor should have asked us to burn a candle for ourselves as victims of stress, change, and financial worry and made it clear that no group of people should be particularly memorialized as we all needed a white flag to represent the life changes being thrust upon us and the obvious death of our former selves.

Whatever the reason, even the Mayor’s social media page seemed to lose hope as the Citywide endeavor dwindled with enthusiasm the moment the memorial ended.

To learn more about the memorial, visit LAMayor.org/ COVIDmemorial.

MONUMENTS IN TIME:

ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 888-732-DTLA (3852) editor@dtlaweekly.com

VOL 15 NO 11 - NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 1ST, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

FIRE at the LA AUTO SHOW

While attending the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, visitors will have a chance to scope out the future of automobiles: however, few of them may ever explore the history behind what’s been driving the show’s success for over a century.

In 1907, when the Los Angeles Automobile Show debuted, there were about 143,000 cars on the road and roughly 3000 trucks. Back then, the price of a Model T Ford sold for about $1000, but by 1916, due to mass manufacturing, the price plummeted to $260.

Rest assured, if you’re still couldn’t afford a car, there was one place where you could join your fellow

car enthusiast as long as you could make it to downtown Los Angeles by horse and buggy.

If you were truly affluent, you could probably afford “the Silver Ghost,” known today as the Rolls-Royce and coined in the 1900s as the best car in the world.

Working alongside each of America’s early car manufactures, by 1927 the LA Auto Show had become a significant success with cars, airplanes, trucks and motorboats traveling across the country for a chance to display in front of diplomats, celebrities and social elites.

One of the many cars on display was the highly revered 1907 model 30 Packard Roadster, built by the Packard Motor Car Company (now the Packard Lofts on Hope and Olympic).

The Packard Roadster had driven more than 510,000 miles to the moon and back.

Truly remarkable, the Roadster’s flashy French gray paint with brilliant orange stripe was, in its day, considered the last word in motorcars.

Unfortunately, on this day in history, the Roadster had been placed along side 300 other relics outside underneath a giant tent built especially for the LA Auto

Show on Washington and Hill.

In the afternoon of March 5, 1929, while President Herbert Hoover’s voice rang out to congratulate the automobile industry, an adjacent airplane would short circuit and immediately set the tent to blaze.

Miraculously, of the 2500 show attendees, no one was hurt; however, the beautiful show cars ended up a hot mess by the time it was all finished.

Yet. Instead of canceling the show, the curators decided to allow the burnt portion of the art show to become a spectacle, leading to even more spectators than in the years before.

The moral of the story: Even back then, the creators of LA Auto Show knew, “the show must go on” no matter rain, shine, hail, or even fire.

Today, the absence of the LA Auto Show in 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns can not impede the event’s success.

Since 1907, downtown and the Los Angeles Auto Show have been fueling the passions of cars and drivers from around the globe.

Returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center, the show runs for ten full days, from November 18-28. @laautoshow

11

LA COUNTY HOLIDAY

CELEBRATION OF CULTURE

COMING ON XMAS EVE

The Emmy Awardwinning L.A. County Holiday Celebration joyously returns to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to celebrate The 62nd L.A. County Holiday Celebration with a free, live in-person holiday spectacular on Friday, Dec. 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The annual event will feature over 20 music ensembles, choirs and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures that make up L.A. Once again, PBS SoCal will both broadcast and stream this live event that has been a Los Angeles holiday tradition since 1959. PBS SoCal will air the live broadcast at 3 p.m.

PT and encore the program at 10 p.m. PT. KCET will rebroadcast the program on Christmas Day at 6 p.m. PT. Internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzmán and actor Brian White (Monogamy, Ambitions, Bronx SIU, Ray Donovan) are back to co-host.

Returning performers include the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, gospel singers Lorenzo Johnson & Praizum,

Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy, klezmer band Mostly Kosher and two-time GRAMMY® award-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea.

Newcomers include Dembrebrah West African Drum and Dance and cellist and autistic savant Adam Mandela Walden. Scroll all the way down for a complete list of this year’s performers—22 groups in all.

Tickets to the inperson event are free and available on a first come, first seated basis. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., although the line usually begins to form around noon.

The L.A. County Holiday Celebration is produced on behalf of the County of Los Angeles by The Music Centerand PBS SoCal in association with CDK Productions.

Those who aren't able to make it to The Music Center on Dec. 24 can watch the broadcast on PBS SoCal or stream live online at pbssocal. org/holidaycelebration and kcet.org/holidaycelebration.