LADTN 11-18-19 by Times Media Group

NOVEMBER 18, 2019 I VOL. 48 I #46

bruce lee’s chinatown studio reopens

The mushroom cloud became a symbol of atomic warfare following the dropping of the bombs. A surveillance plane captured the mushroom cloud from the atomic bomb dropped over Nagasaki.

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downtown holiday guide Pages 7-11

photo by US military, donated by Stimson Center, Courtesy of Hiroshima City University

Inthe Shadowofthe Cloud JANM Exhibit Reflects on the 75th Anniversary Of the Atomic Bombs Dropped on Japan See page 12

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AROUND TOWN

Fresh Look at City West High Rise

owntown-based architecture firm HED has unveiled new renderings for its planned high rise set for Seventh Street and Lucas Avenue. Located at 1135 W. Seventh St., the project would replace a motel currently in operation at the site. The 25-story building, from development group SEVEN Street LLC, would provide 225 new residential units, with 19 set aside for low-income housing. HED’s design shows a modern glass and steel tower rising at the intersection on top of a long podium holding 323 spaces for cars. The project would also include 7,200 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. A budget and timeline for the high rise has not been announced. The news was first reported by the website Urbanize LA.

New Leader at Little Tokyo Service Center

ast week the nonprofit Little Tokyo Service Center announced a new head of the organization. Erich Nakano, who has lead the nonprofit as interim director since

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summer, was confirmed as the next executive director. He takes over for Dean Matsubayashi, who died in September after a fight with brain cancer. “Nakano is respected and admired by the board, staff, volunteers, supporters and community at large. He has helped articulate a vision for the organization that resonates deeply with me, my fellow board members and our governors,” Dick Kaku, president of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said in a prepared statement. “During Nakano’s tenure at LTSC, we have appreciated his deep professional experience, his foresight, and his passion for our mission that have made him ideally suited to the executive director position. I know that he is the right person to lead LTSC at this vital time.” The organization is currently working on projects in the neighborhood, including the community recreation center the Terasaki Budokan on Los Angeles Street.

See the Latest Plans for Parker Center Replacement Project

he city’s Bureau of Engineering is looking for community feedback on its planned Los Angeles Street Civic Building this week. The bureau, along with the staff of District 14 City Councilman José Huizar, are hosting an open meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center at 244 S. San Pedro St. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

and will cover the latest updates on the planned 29-story building set to replace the Parker Center, and add 750,000 square feet of office space for municipal workers. The Bureau of Engineering has previously scheduled the building to be completed in 2024. The building is also part of the wider Civic Center Master Plan, which aims, over the course of 15 years, to transform the government center into a more accessible neighborhood with housing and offices, and walkways linking it to the Historic Core and Little Tokyo. More information is available at metro.net.

Mural Exhibit on Display at Walt Disney Concert Hall

he Library of Congress has a new exhibit at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, this one, dedicated solely to street murals. The exhibit, which is comprised of 30 images from the archives of photographers Carol M. Highsmith and Camilo José Vergara, is located in the venue’s Ira Gershwin Gallery and celebrate Los Angeles’ connection to murals. The photographs were taken from 1997 to 2016, and a map of each mural location is provided to mark their original location. The murals depict a wide range of subjects, from Martin Luther King Jr. to sports figures like the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and James Worthy. The exhibit will wrap up Sept. 2020. “Los Angeles is home to a flourishing artistic community

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

with a number of highly talented street artists and muralists whose work portrays the many cultures of our vibrant county and provides a vibrant backdrop to our daily lives,” Rachel Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center said in a prepared statement. “The Music Center is thrilled to be able to provide a platform that highlights this art form and the many murals that are part of the fabric of LA.”

Arts District Mixed-Use Project Approved

contentious mixed-use project was pushed on to the next step last week of the development cycle after the Los Angeles City Planning Commission voted to advance the development, in the process rejecting an appeal that sought to prevent its construction. The real estate investment firm Jade Enterprises is behind the project, which will bring 110 live/work apartment units, over 164,000 square feet of officer and commercial space. Designed almost like a complex, the development at 2110 Bay Street is next to the recently opened SoHo Warehouse in the Arts District. In approving the project, planning commissioners denied an appeal from Laborer’s International Union of North America. The appeal attempted to squash the project by arguing that the projected failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, which was later disputed by Planning Department staff.

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TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Think Local This Holiday Season

he holidays are fast approaching. Within a few weeks people will sit down for turkey, to give thanks and spend time with family. For many people, including Downtown residents, as soon as they’re finished with a holiday feast, they’ll jump into their cars (or onto a scooter) and head to their nearest big-box retailer to take advantage of attractive Black Friday holiday deals. With only 10 days until Thanksgiving, and the unofficial start of the winter holiday season, it’s a good time to remind Downtown residents that there are scores of local independent small businesses with unique, quality goods across the Central City that deserve your patronage. Downtown shoppers will without doubt flock to retail hubs like Figat7th and The Bloc, and even boutique-filled complexes like Row DTLA. These places of course have their benefits, they can be all-in-one stops, and are often next to restaurants or entertainment spots to liven up the holiday shopping. Big-name stores are also reliable, meaning shoppers know what they’re going to get. However there are benefits to smaller, local shops that larger retailers simply can’t match. This page is not referring to dime a dozen tourist shops, but rather the many independent retailers that fill the gaps between tent pole shops and you likely pass by every day. Downtown is home to long-standing cultural communities, such as Olvera Street, Chinatown and Little Tokyo, which are filled with smaller, independent stores and family-owned spaces selling goods rooted in heritage and culture. Take Japanese Village for example, where it’s just as easy to find a pair of Nikes as it is to find imported manga books for a niece or nephew. By Union Station, Olvera Street is where you can find hand-made art and other wares. There are still artists in the Arts District crafting clothes, jewelry and other potential gifts as well as smaller galleries scattered across the Historic Core and other enclaves. The Fashion District is almost entirely composed of a nexus of independent storefronts selling a variety of clothes, fabrics and accessories. Any concern of the quality of these products is fair. Some have been called kitsch. However you would be surprised what you can find. These spaces offer something outside the familiar and traditional gifts you can find at major retailers, and offer a chance to purchase that perfect gift for loved ones. In addition, on a purely business level, the holiday shopping season is often one of the biggest sources of income for many of these stores and helps them stay afloat. Buying local in the holiday season helps the community in the same way that shopping at farmers markets can support growers. On a social level, keeping these shops around maintains character and diversity to Downtown and helps prevent a homogenized community. At the end of the day, these are your neighbors, and after all, during the holiday season, isn’t that who we’re supposed to think of?

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COMMENTS

In Response to the article “City Rolls Out New Zoning Proposals to Accommodate Future Growth” by Nicholas Slayton and Sean P. Thomas

The smell of piss is overwhelming, but other than that it’s a great place. — Ryan Hopkins

The woke, smart people are out of their minds if they think somebody paying $2,500 for a 1 bedroom apartment downtown is going to ride the filthy, crime ridden trains and buses to get “home.” — Roger Jennings In response to the article “Building Up Downtown, Part One,” by Nicholas Slayton and Sean P. Thomas And it’s all for rich people. Poor/middle class in the next decade are going to end up in Section 8 villages in places like North Dakota or West Virginia or anywhere else in the middle of nowhere HUD can get cheap land. The rich, young, white college grads are going to have the big cities all to themselves. — Jonathan Lund In response to the editorial “Don’t Neglect Pershing Square” More parks. Yup we need them, the homeless are running out of room on San Pedro. — Juleya Vargus

In response to the article “Historic Chocolate Shop Up for Sale” What a beautiful and unique part of Los Angeles history. I hope the new owners find a great public use for the wonderful space. — Reader who goes by “Officiant Guy” on Facebook

Hey You! Speak Up! Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like, or dislike, a story or editorial, let us know. Or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community. Participation is easy. Post a comment online at the bottom of any story, or go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, email sthomas@timespublications.com.

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Enter the Dragon’s Studio A Second-Generation Student of Bruce Lee Has Revived His Studio and a Piece of Chinatown History By Nicholas Slayton n a sunny weekend morning in Chinatown, half a dozen people walking down College Street stopped and peered inside the windows of a tiny space, drawn in by the blunt sound of fists hitting pads and kicks echoing out into the street. Inside, around two dozen people shuffled around the space, running through martial arts drills in the fluid style developed by the legendary Bruce Lee, who once taught in the unadorned studio. Fifty years since people last trained in the space, and 46 years after the actor and martial artist died, Lee’s studio has been brought back to life, with a second-generation student guiding people through the principals of Jeet Kune Do, or “the way of the intercepting fist,” a style built on efficiency and avoiding rigid formality. The space at 628 W. College St. was Lee’s studio until he closed it in 1969. The building most recently housed a dentist’s office — the signage is still there — but has sat vacant for the past 18 years. The studio came back to life last month under the guidance of Eric Carr, a Los Angeles-area native. Carr said he

had been a fan of Lee since he was a kid, but growing up poor, never had the opportunity to train in Jeet Kune Do. That was until he met Jerry Poteet, one of Lee’s main students, in 2001. A friendship and training relationship was sparked, and eventually Carr was encouraged to start his own classes. The 42-year-old has taught people for 10 years, having regularly held lessons at the former Cornfields area, in what is now Los Angeles State Historic Park on the northern end of Chinatown. Lee studied wing chun kung fu, and trained many Hollywood stars while he pursued his acting career and developed Jeet Kune Do. The Enter the Dragon and “Green Hornet” star died in 1973, but is still celebrated as a cultural icon in the neighborhood. A bronze statue, depicting Lee in his signature fighting stance with numchuks in hand sits inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza, and his image can be found in many of the small tourist shops that dot portions of Chinatown. Still, his studio has sat empty. Carr said that the long-time owner of the building hadn’t been interested in seeing it used for martial arts, but after

the owner’s son took over, a local artist, Annie Morrison and Carr teamed up to restore the space. Carr said that when he and his students were able to hold their first lesson in the 1,100-square-foot studio, they were elated. “We’ll be starting with once-a-month, free sessions. It’s great to be back in Chinatown, to be able to spread JKD here where Bruce taught it,” Carr said. The unnamed studio held two classes on Nov. 10, a mix of Carr’s long-time students and new ones who came from Chinatown and the wider Los Angeles area. Carr and his experienced students moved through the room, checking form. The skill levels were mixed over the course of the day, ranging from people who were trainers in other styles to novices. There was even a professional mixed martial artist in the fold; UFC bantamweight fighter Andre Ewell (who has a 15-6 record) participated in the first class of the day, decked out in a yellow tracksuit similar to the one Bruce Lee wore in the unfinished film Game of Death. Ewell had heard about the class from a friend and said he couldn’t miss the chance to train there. “It’s Bruce Lee, so I’m all in on it,” Ewell said after class. “Just watching everyone else be here in this space, I’m learning a lot from them.” A Changing Neighborhood The studio was brought back as Chinatown faces serious changes, with Continued on page 6

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photo by Gary Leonard

Eric Carr, a second-generation student of Bruce Lee, reopened the space in October. He had previously trained Jeet Kune Do students in what is now Los Angeles State Historic Park.

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BRUCE LEE, 5 much of the neighborhood’s long-time institutions closing or moving. Just east on College Street, the long-running Pacific Alliance Medical Center hospital abruptly closed in the fall of 2017. An effort to reopen it as an urgent care center is in the works, but has hit delays. After 30 years, the Ai Hoa Market on Hill Street, a neighborhood staple, relocated to El Monte. Meanwhile, a number of low-income buildings saw their affordable housing covenants recently expire, with the Los Angeles City Council intervening to help

check it out,” Wu said. On a typical training day Carr runs through basic introductions and shares stories about Poteet and Lee, before demonstrating some of the drills they will do. The studio is set up as it was when Lee ran it, empty floors and wide-open space with enough room for roughly 25 people. The walls are bare, except for a few placards from Lee’s day and a small set of photos, including ones of Lee and Poteet. One even shows Lee and his students inside the space, showing how little it has changed in five decades. Carr intends to keep the studio as close to the original as possible. “We’ve set this up just like Bruce had it,” he

Bruce Lee’s studio on College Street recently reopened, with Chinatown locals and other Angelenos coming to the 1,100-square-foot space to learn the techniques of Jeet Kune Do.

photo by Nicholas Slayton

low-income and aging residents keep their homes. Carr said he’s been keeping an eye on how Chinatown is changing, and said that it’s important that the character and history of the neighborhood is maintained. Everything changes, he added, but that change should be done responsibly. He hopes the reopened studio can help preserve part of Chinatown’s history. Beyond just the people who walked by and stopped to watch the classes, some Chinatown residents took part. That includes Jaden Wu, who, while stretching before class, said that the chance to learn Jeet Kune Do was exciting and something “cool” and “new” to do in the neighborhood. “I heard about it on Meetup and had to

said before a class. Carr hopes that he can bring more people in each month. He admitted the space is small, and said the parking in the area isn’t the best, but said that as things get going, he’ll start adding more classes. “We want to be able to give back, in the spirit of Bruce,” Carr said. The students shared that excitement. Taking a sip of water between lessons, Jackson Jin said there’s a certain energy and excitement that comes from being able to practice their technique inside the historic space. “It’s freaking history!” Jin said. “We’re finally here, it’s open, and we can work on the continuation of Bruce’s legacy.” nslayton@timespublications.com.

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Downtown

Holidays BY SEAN P. THOMAS

Skate On

t’s the middle of November, but Los Angeles has already leapfrogged Thanksgiving, instead setting its sights on the upcoming winter holidays. Stores have already started hitting play on the Christmas albums, providing a nice soundtrack as shoppers look for that perfect holiday gift, while local organizations and groups are preparing to transition their venues into a collection of winter wonderlands. A host of free and ticketed events, including concerts, art installations and public gathers, dot Downtown Los Angeles every year, with more expected to spring up with each passing week. In the following pages, Los Angeles Downtown News runs down a list of things to take advantage of before the end of the holiday season. Consider this list just a jumping off point, as there are plenty more events in the Central City to check out before the start of the New Year.

t’s old news at this point, but it’s still hard to believe that there is a place in Downtown Los Angeles where one can strap on a pair of skates and glide along the frozen ice. Not only is there a place, but there are two of them. On Nov. 14, the Bai Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square officially opened to skaters, marking the unofficial start of the holiday season for Downtowners. Skaters can sign up for specific hour-long skate sessions. Skates can be rented, with sizes ranging from toddlers to adult size 15. The session times can be found at holidayicerink.com. The rink will remain open through Jan. 20. There is also a list of fun and engaging events scheduled around the rink, including a silent skate party on Dec. 19. Fans of the Disney mega-hit Frozen can also glide across the ice while being serenaded by a recording from the cast of the Broadway play every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to closing. “Learn to curl” days are also making their return, allowing visitors to learning about the mysterious, yet enthralling Olympic sport. While Pershing Square might have curling, it can’t boast that it provides an opportunity to share the ice with the Los Angeles Kings’ mascot Bailey. The annual L.A. Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. Live opens at the complex’s Xbox Plaza on Nov. 30. Like the Pershing Square Rink, the L.A. Live rink is split between multiple sessions per day; starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are only sold on site and include the skate rental. Each session lasts one hour. Pro-tip: Be mindful of the massive Christmas tree in the middle of the rink and make sure to check out the list of skate and supper deal that L.A. Live is offering for the holiday season.

Lotsa’ Lights T

here is no better signifier in Los Angeles that the holiday season is right around the corner than the return of bright and gleaming holiday lights. It’s no different in Downtown Los Angeles, which has a bevy of places to get lost in the glow of the holiday season. Union Station, which has become one of Downtown’s most happening destination points over recent years, is bringing back its annual tree lighting event. Held on Thursday, Nov. 21 on the station’s south patio, the free family-friend celebration features candy and opportunities to snap photos with Santa Claus, culminating with the signature tree lighting. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. with the tree lighting scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The event kicks off a month-long series of free musical shows dubbed the “Cocoa Concerts.” The events will occur through the holiday season on Fridays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20. On Thursday, the award-winning Grand Arts Chamber Singers, a group of student performers from Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Art, will sing holiday tunes, while the Beverly Belles will belt out a capella versions of holiday staples. In addition, the Toy Soldiers Drumline will provide the rhythm for the evening. On Dec. 2, the Music Center and Los Angeles County will flip the switch on its towering Christmas Tree. Located on the Music Center’s recently renovated plaza at 135 N. Grand Ave., the free event will feature performances by the Brass Pacifica, as well as chorale performances from a local student choir. Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger and other civic leaders are slated to be in attendance and hot cocoa will be served to help fight off the biting Downtown cold. The event begins at 5 p.m. and is expected to take one hour. Not exactly a tree lighting, but sticking with the light motif, the Music Center will also launch the second annual Winter Glow event at Grand Park and the Music Center Plaza on Dec. 6. The free nighttime public display features light installations and displays from Los Angeles-based artists, including Cassandra Carillo, Carlos G. Rodas and Aphidoidea. Continued on page 10

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DOWNTOWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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Continued from page 7

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT W

ith so many different artistic organizations calling Downtown Los Angeles home, it not surprising that there are plenty of performances and concerts to help celebrate the holiday season. A majority of the holiday performances are centered at the Music Center, and its quartet of world-class venues. On Dec. 7 and 14, the Los Angeles Master Chorale is hosting its annual selection of holiday carols and songs Festival of Carols, this year, conducted by Swan Family Artist-in-Residence Eric Whitacre. The two-day concert will feature performances of traditional carols and songs like “Silent Night” and a sing-a-long version of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The evening will conclude with a world premiere of Whitacre’s “The Gift of the Magi.” Just down Bunker Hill on Dec. 7 is Pershing Square’s Winter Holiday Festival. Hosted by the Department of Recreation and Parks, the event is about as close to a white Christmas as you will get in Downtown. The event features tons of real snow for sledding, as well a photo opts with Santa and other entertainment options. The event does not include entry to the Pershing Square ice rink. Head to the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Dec. 22 to help Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney belt out those familiar holiday songs during a screening of White Christmas. There are two screening times, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and early arrivals can head to BP Hall to sing along with carolers and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa. The biggest events occur the week of Christmas. On Dec. 21 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the Walt Disney Concert Hall will host the Holiday Sing-Along. Hundreds of revelers are expected to participate alongside the Angeles Chorale, jazz combo and the concert hall’s massive organ. On Christmas Eve the Music Center will host the 60th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The county’s largest holiday celebration, the event will feature performances from more than 20 L.A.-based artists, including dancers, singers and music ensembles. The three-hour show begins at 3 p.m., but this year the Music Center is trying something a little different with Plaza Wonderland at the Music Center Plaza, also on Christmas Eve. Starting at noon and running through the Holiday Celebration performance, the event will feature free games, movie screenings and art-making classes for all ages. It will also include a market place for last minute gift ideas. sthomas@timespublications.com.

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Honoringthe Hibakusha

photo by U.S. Army, courtesy of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

The Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall’s dome was one of the only structures to remain upright following the dropping of the first atomic bomb and became a symbol for the people of Hiroshima. The structure is now know as the Atomic Bomb Dome and is a world UNESCO heritage site.

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

The Japanese American National Museum Commemorate the Victims of the Atomic Bombings With a 75th Anniversary Exhibit By Sean P. Thomas uring the final days of World War II, mankind bore witness to one of the most infamous actions committed against its fellow man. On Aug. 6, 1945 and Aug. 9, 1945, the United States Army dropped two atomic bombs, one over the city of Hiroshima, the other, over Nagasaki. In an instance, two flashes of blinding light, followed by scorching winds, wiped the cities off the map, forcing imperial Japan to surrender and bringing an end to the second world war. While the end of the war brought some semblance of normalcy for the soldiers and civilians, 75 years later, Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the only cities to ever be attacked with an atomic bomb, and its citizens remain the only people to experience the horror of a nuclear attack. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attacks, the Japanese American National Museum is presenting the exhibit Under a Mushroom Cloud: Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Atomic Bomb, which examines both the development of the atomic bomb and the after-effects that the bombings had on the people of the two cities. “It’s impossible to imagine the pain suffering that resulted from the horror of these bombings,” Ann Burroughs, president and CEO of JANM, said during an opening event at the museum. “It really is our hope, that

with the exhibition, we can address the physical and spiritual issues around the ongoing struggles of the survivors and their families and the succeeding generations.” Much of the exhibit, which opened to the public on Nov. 9 and runs through June 7, is on loan from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Located in Hiroshima’s Central Park, the museum is dedicated to documenting and preserving the stories and artifacts of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The exhibit is split almost in half in two rooms, and features nearly 20 artifacts and multiple artworks from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The first half of the exhibit covers the bomb and its destructive forces. Informational panels about both Japanese cities, the development of the bomb and the decision to ultimately use the weapons can be found along the walls, as well as details on what happens during an atomic explosion. Schematics showing the different mechanisms behind “Little Boy” (the nickname given to the bomb dropped on Hiroshima) and “Fat Man,” later dropped over Nagasaki, are also on display. Artifacts found in and around the bombsite make up an important part of the first

The dark pattern from this woman’s kimono was burned into her skin by the intense heat of the Hiroshima atomic bomb explosion.

photo by Gonichi Kimura, courtesy of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

leg of the exhibit. Display cases present tattered bandages used to wrap wounds, as well as misshapen bottles that were melted and warped by the bomb’s heat. In another case, a recreation of a Buddha statue that was melted and destroyed by the bomb’s heat is on display and there’s also a paper crane folded by President Barack Obama, who in 2016 became the first sitting U.S. President to visit Hiroshima. A blouse worn by 15-year-old Mutsuko Shimogochi, a student at Shintoku Girls School in Hiroshima, is one of the more striking items in the exhibit. Shimogochi was walking home when the bomb exploded. She would make it home, but succumb to

her injuries two days later making her one of over 200,000 atomic victims to die by the end of 1945. “Of course the powerful image of the mushroom cloud is familiar to all of us, but it’s also important that we all know more about what happened underneath that cloud,” Burroughs said. The Hibakusha The second portion of the exhibit is dedicated solely to the human experience. Developed via a partnership between the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (messages from the mayors of both cities can be found near the entrance of the exhibit), the exhibit explores both the Japanese and Japanese American side of the story, through personal testimony, artwork and documentary film. It’s estimated that nearly 15,000 Japanese Americans were living in Japan in 1945. Due to Hiroshima’s history as a popular emigration point, it’s believed that nearly 3,200 Americans of Japanese decent were caught in the explosion, some of which eventually made their way back to the United States. “Here at JANM, we also felt that it was very important to include the Japanese American experience in this partnership,” Burroughs said. “What many people don’t know is that there were approximately 3,200 Americans of Japanese ancestry in Hiroshima at the time Continued on page 13

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of the bombings and we wanted to be sure that we included their experiences to our presentation of the exhibit.” The faces of the hibakusha diaspora (the spread of atomic bombs victims across the globe) from photographer Darrell Miho line one of the gallery walls, accompanied by personal testimony from the victims. One of the photographs is of the late Kazuye “Kaz” Suyeishi, a Pasadena-born atomic bomb survivor and advocate on behalf of hibakusha. Having served as President of the American Society of Hiroshima/Nagasaki A-bomb Survivors, she could often be found speaking about her experiences and was known for the slogan “No more Hiroshima. No more Nagasaki. No more hibakusha. No more any war.” She passed away in 2017. A truncated version of Miyuki Iwasaki’s Seeds, a documentary on Suyeishi, can already be viewed as part of the exhibit. Although the atomic mushroom cloud is often the most heavily drawn from aspect of the atomic bombs — a few pieces do in fact showcase massive mushroom clouds — Clement Hanami, vice president of exhibits and art director at JANM, said that the attacks provided artists with plenty of fuel to express their sentiments. The late Yuri Mason, who survived the fire bombings of Tokyo that preceded the atomic attacks, has a few of her explosive acrylic drawings within the galleries as well, alongside work from Patrick Nagatini, who was influenced by images of New Mexico’s Trinity atomic testing site. “Of course we are familiar with the atom-

ic mushroom cloud, but there was so much more utter devastation, pain and suffering,” Hanami said. “Artists whose lives have been effected by this event, either through family, friends or community, have worked hard to create works they hope communicate some aspect of what they learned from talking to the victims.” Alan Nakagawa is one of those artists, having created a sound installation that draws from the acoustics from both the Wendover, Utah hangar where the Enola Gay (the plane that dropped the first bomb) took off from, and the Hiroshima Dome. Formerly the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the building’s dome was one of the only structures to remain upright following the dropping of the first atomic bomb and was eventually designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the opening ceremony, Nakagawa explained that while developing the installation, he realized that his connection to Hiroshima is not tied solely to the destruction from the bomb, but the resiliency of its residents following the attacks. “The Hiroshima I know is an amazing city,” Nakagawa said. “A ginormous diaspora that spreads across the entire world. It is my family. It’s not these pictures that I grew up with, this devastated landscape. It’s really a testament to the people.” Under a Mushroom Cloud: Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Atomic Bomb is on display through June 7 at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave. or janm.org. sthomas@timespublications.com.

CALARTS DOWNTOWN CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS

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Coinciding with the centenar y of Chavela Vargas, the unforgettable voice of La Llorona, Los Angeles-based artist Dorian Wood honors Chavela with a riveting personal tribute of songs made popular by Chavela, original compositions and folk music from Costa Rica.

Fri, Dec 6 @ 8pm The Theatre at Ace Hotel

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TICKETS $18 – $22

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CLASSICAL

Vicki Ray Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave. or colburnschool.edu. Nov. 21, 8 p.m.: It’s an evening of chamber music as Ray and her cohorts play the sounds of Murail and Grisey. Kun-Woo Paik Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave. or colburnschool.edu. Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.: The celebrated pianist comes to Bunker Hill for a recital of various composers. The Cinematic Orchestra Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave. or laphil.org. Nov. 23, 8 p.m.: The British band mixes orchestral sounds and electronic instruments for a unique blend that should be pleasing to the ears.

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Avoid the mass of humanity that clog up big-box department stores and get a jump on your holiday shopping by picking up a thing or two at the Los Angeles Renegade Craft Fair at the Los Angeles State Historic Park this weekend. More than 300 makers and designers will showcase their craft on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 23-24, providing an opportunity to find that one-of-a-kind present for that special someone. In addition to the makers, the park will be filled with food trucks and DJs playing live music. Entry to the fair is free and will be held from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. each day. Leashed animals are welcome, and the fair will be held rain or shine. At 1245 N. Spring St., (323) 441-8401 or lashp.com.

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The cutting edge in the automotive world will be on display during the return of the Los Angeles Auto Show this weekend. Over 1000 vehicles will be on view at the Los Angeles Convention Center during the 10-day event that kicks off on Friday, Nov. 22 and runs through Dec.1. Visitors can get a feel for the latest car model of their dreams and sign up for a test drive, and check out the latest advancements in the automotive field. The car show opens at 9 a.m. all week, except Thanksgiving, when the show opens at 8 a.m. and wraps up at 4 p.m. At 1201 S. Figueroa St., (213) 741-1151 or laautoshow.com.

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What’s that again about leapfrogging Thanksgiving in favor of Christmas? Union Station is not wasting any time getting into the Christmas spirit with a tree lighting scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Held on the station’s south patio, the lighting will be accompanied by performances from the Grand Arts Chamber Singers, The Beverly Belles and the Toy Soldiers Drumline and will kick off a month-long series of free “Cocoa Concerts” at the 80-year-od venue. The concerts will be held each Friday through Dec. 20. To get that holiday feel, snow will fall during the tree lighting and there will be photo opportunities set up around the patio. At 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.com.

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If you simply can’t get enough of the Museum of Contemporary Arts’ exploration of the Pattern and Decoration Movement of the mid-20th century, you’re in luck. Held on Thursday, Nov. 21, 7-8 p.m. at MOCA Grand Avenue, Promiscuous Patterns: The Pleasure Overload Effect, features a collection of short films, videos and digital art that embrace an inventive approach to materiality. The evening is inspired by With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art , 1972-1985, an exhibit currently on display at MOCA that examines the use of patterns during the 13-year period. At 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6211732 or moca.org.

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BY SEAN P. THOMAS

photo courtesy L.A. Auto Show

THURSDAY, NOV. 21 Dreams, Genes, & Machines: Are We Living Science Fiction? Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St. or lfla.org. 7:30 p.m.: This week, Dr. Achuta Kadambi talks about how robots could aid in surgeries that are currently impossible. Dreamers and Schemers Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.org. 7:30 p.m.: Pulitzer Prize-winner Barry Siegel reads from and discusses his new book on the 1932 Olympic Games and how it put Los Angeles on the map. FRIDAY, NOV. 22 Los Angeles Auto Show Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. or laautoshow.com. 9 a.m.: The annual showcase of the latest debut cars, accessories and classics returns. The show continues through Dec. 1. SATURDAY, NOV. 23 Renegade Craft Fair Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St. or lashp.com. 11 a.m.: Check out jewelry, art and more from 300 artisans, dance to live music, and enjoy food trucks at this festival. It continues on Sunday.

Don't Miss List ———————————— the

photo courtesy Union Station

EVENTS

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

photo courtesy MOCA

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FOUR

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If we’ve learned anything about the Center of the Art of Performance UCLA’s two-year stint at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, it’s that when they put on a show, you’re in for something unique. That’s the case this weekend, when vocalist Avery*Sunshine brings her mix of jazzy R&B and soulful hip-hop to the venue on Saturday, Nov.23. Coming from Atlanta, the singer-songwriter has three studio albums to her name, but has continued to grow an audience for herself through performances alongside artists like Smokey Robinson and the late Aretha Franklin. The performance begins at 8 p.m. At 929 S. Broadway, (213) 235-9614 or cap.ucla.edu.

photo courtesy the artist

14 DOWNTOWN NEWS

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2019283931 Type of Filing: Original. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BURGERIM DTLA, BURGERIM DOWNTOWN LA. 605 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90017. COUNTY: Los Angeles. REGISTERED OWNER(S) Final Focus Media, Inc., 703 S. Idyllwild Ave. Rialto, CA 92376. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 10/2019. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. /s/ Michael Barry Pierce. TITLE: President, Corp or LLC Name: Final Focus Media, Inc. This statement was filed with the LA

County Clerk on: October 28, 2019. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence ad-

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LEGAL NOTICE MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from consultants wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide consulting services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at: https://forms.gle/AHtnnKejUmuSBXsy5. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by November 20, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on November 20, 2019 will be rejected.

LEGAL NOTICE MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from consultants wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide consulting services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at: https://forms.gle/U84LRz5BAFf3AnrR9. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by November 20, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on November 20, 2019 will be rejected.

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