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Finding ‘Hope’ Community center providing a safe space for students during COVID-19
Tommy Lee unites female and male energies on new album
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Gondola New system would reduce baseball traffic Page 7
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Summer Olympics will exacerbate crisis, NOlympics says By Andres De Ocampo n organizer of a group against the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles said the event will only worsen the social problems the United States is witnessing. “We believe that any Olympics is going to exacerbate the crisis that we currently face in our cities around racist, militarized policing, around displacement and social cleansing,” said Anne Orchier of NOlympics. She, along with Albert Corado, hosted a NOlympics virtual town hall recently to talk about the dissonance and fundamental incompatibility between supporting the Olympics and reimaging public safety along with racial justice. Guest speakers were Dr. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, and Hamid Khan, campaign coordinator for Stop LAPD Spying Coalition. The NOlympics coalition, which grew out of a committee in the Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) in 2017, is made up of and partnered with various groups and organizations in LA, like Black Lives Matter LA, LA Tenants Union and Crenshaw Subway Coalition. NOlympics “formed to create a formal space and structure of all these different groups and communities to voice their opposition (toward the 2028 Summer Olympics),” Orchier said. President Donald Trump confirmed the federal government’s assistance for security and other resources for the 2028 Summer Olympics in a meeting with the Olympic committee in February. “I’m very glad to be in partnership with NOlympics and definitely see the overlap
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between what (BLM and the NOlympics) coalitions are talking about,” Abdullah said. “The idea of bringing in more policing (for the Olympics) to maintain safety means safety for white, affluent communities. It means safety for folks that want to roll into our city, and it means less resources and more repression for Black, brown, unhoused and poor folks.” Khan drew parallels from the 1984 Olympics in LA to what the 2028 Summer Olympics might look like. “We have to look at the Olympics as more than a sporting event,” Khan said. “When we look at the Olympics, especially in 1984, a lot of the elements and tactical operations of the national security police state that we see today can be linked to (the Olympics of 1984).” According to NOlympics’ campaign website, pickasidela.com, there is a direct correlation to the militarization of police, due to the 1984 Olympic games in LA that resulted in an increase of police brutality and, ultimately, the uprising of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. The NOlympics coalition considers whether it will be the same for the 2028 Olympics. The website says, “The LAPD is one of the most militarized police forces in the United States because of the (1984 Olympics). The federal government provided military arms and tactics …” and “from 1984-1989 there was a 33% increase in complaints against LAPD for police brutality.” “Who’s the most at risk,” Abdullah asked in reference to the potential for more law enforcement and security measures during and after the upcoming Olympics. “We know that more police means more
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NOlympics members protest the opening day of SoFi Stadium in solidarity with the Lennox Inglewood Tenants Union. Photo courtesy NOlympics
abuse, repression, brutality, criminaliza- being offered. So now, we’re talking about tion and killing of Black people. Those at how we’re going to stop (the Olympics).” NOlympics primarily focuses on spreadrisk are absolutely Black people, poor people and neighborhoods like the Crenshaw ing information, through its virtual town hall meetings and websites, pickasidela. district.” In a statement, Orchier said, “We have com and nolympicsla.com, as well as direct been formally trying to have discussions action and community organizing. EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Its current endeavor, alongside Lenabout how to reform (the Olympics). The STAFF WRITERS: Andrew Checchia, Andres De Ocampo, Julia Shapero nox-Inglewood Tenants Union, was orgapeople whoCONTRIBUTING are leadingWRITERS: the charge, like Sara Edwards, Kamala Kirk nizing Casey Wasserman, Eric Garcetti, Chad Wolf, ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torresand protesting against SoFi StadiSTAFFhave PHOTOGRAPHER: Chavez um to call attention to sports real estate Donald Trump, not only Luis expressed Myriam Santos displacing communities in the Inglewood disinterest inCONTRIBUTING any type of PHOTOGRAPHERS: reform, they have ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb area. The stadium, which is home to the continued toFOUNDER up the EMERITUS: ante in terms of what Sue Laris security and policing will look like for 2028. Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles “For (NOlympics), reform is not some- Rams, is expected host of the Olympics’ thing we’re not interested in; it’s not even opening and closing ceremonies.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITERS: Andrew Checchia, Andres De Ocampo, Julia Shapero CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sara Edwards, Kamala Kirk ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Myriam Santos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris
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We cannot put a price on a loved one’s life By Alysia Vaccaro eality is chronic diseases, illnesses and conditions impact each and every one of us. The harsh but unfortunate truth is not if but when you or someone you love will be impacted by that fate. For my family, that day became a reality when our newborn daughter was diagnosed with a fatal immunodeficiency disease that would only give her a couple of years to live. In 2012, when my daughter Evangelina, “Evie,” was just 6 weeks old, she was diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). More commonly known as “bubble baby” disease, the rare genetic
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disorder left her at risk of death from any infection, even a diaper rash or the common cold. Born alongside a healthy twin, we were told Evie would likely not make it to her 2nd birthday. However, thanks to Proposition 71 in 2004, California voters’ initial investment in stem cell research and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), a groundbreaking treatment was discovered at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) that saved my daughter’s life and 49 other babies born with the same rare disease—giving them all functioning immune systems and a second chance to live a long, healthy life.
Californians this November have an opportunity to keep us on track of continuing to find treatments and cures for the dozens of deadly diseases and illnesses that affect millions every year. With a “yes” vote on Proposition 14, we have the opportunity to continue providing research and therapy development for more than 75 chronic diseases and conditions, including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, SCID and COVID-19. Since 2004, CIRM has made incredible progress, which has led to more than 90 clinical trials, two FDA-approved cancer treatments and nine new treatments that have earned FDA fast-track status. While most of the 90-plus clinical trials are still underway, many lives have already been saved or improved. We have helped patients with type-1 diabetes start to produce their own insulin, blind patients begin to regain their eyesight and quadriplegics recover upper-body function. The reality is California is the only state with the infrastructure and intellectual capital to advance these clinical trials and medical discoveries through to FDA-approved
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treatments. There is no other entity—private or public—that can take it from here and to the scale that we as a state can. We’ve seen time and time again instances where the federal government has been inconsistent when it comes to funding breakthrough stem cell research. If Californians do not pass Proposition 14, the hope of discovering more cures like the one that saved Evie’s life will be gone. Investing in the health of our loved ones, and ourselves, is one of the most important things we can do today. Proposition 14 will work to end this suffering for the millions of Californians and their families impacted by chronic diseases and condition—how can we not support that? I’ve seen firsthand the possible treatments and lifesaving cures that Proposition 14 could bring to your life or the life of someone you love. So, join me and the growing coalition of more than 100 patient advocacy organizations; hundreds of leading scientists and physicians, Nobel Prize winners, senior elected officials and leaders; the University of California and many, many more in voting “yes” on Proposition 14.
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NOVEMBER 2, 2020
PETERS’ OPINION
Love letter to millennial smallbusiness owners By Hunter Johnson e were going to do things differently. Millennial small-business owners had dreams of changing the world through the way we conducted business. We were going to treat our employees like experts instead of dollar signs and build companies that helped make our communities better. We were going to be the first wave of change in business that would sweep Wall Street and say that making a profit doesn’t have to come at the expense of our planet, our customers and our team. And the crazy thing is, we did it. Millennials are often blamed for ruining entire industries, criticized for not settling down soon enough, and treated as underdogs, yet in spite of odds that often seem overwhelmingly stacked against us we are positively reimagining the future of work one business at a time. Being a millennial to others was a punchline. But despite being rocked by 9/11, the Great Recession and skyrocketing student loan debt, we spent years saving and planning until we could finally open businesses that would impact our communities and the world at large in meaningful ways. In a sea of millions afraid to follow their dreams, we have risked everything for ours by pouring every fiber of our beings into our passion projects. Nationwide, more than half of Americans either work for or own a small business. Small businesses are responsible for creating two out of every three new jobs in America. And research has shown that millennial small-business owners are more optimistic, more likely to offer benefits to their employees, and more focused on innovation than their older counterparts. Despite often being underestimated and overlooked, we became the most diverse and profitable group of small-business owners in American history. Millennial entrepreneurs are 77% more likely to be African American than baby boomer small-business owners, more than twice as likely to be Hispanic, and 12% more likely to be women. Now, the economic fallout of a global pandemic is threatening to decimate our dreams. Many millennials who spent years saving and planning opened their businesses just weeks or even days before the worst economic storm of our lifetimes
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changed the world. Others awoke to find that the businesses they had built up over the years had been nearly destroyed overnight. As fears about how to keep our businesses afloat and our employees on payroll keep us up at night, it’s hard not to feel crushed under the weight of it all—not only because of the current pandemic but because of a system that has felt stacked against us for as long as we can remember. So, from one millennial small-business owner to another, let me remind you: This is not your fault. There was no playbook for this. We were all caught off guard when the world turned upside down. We didn’t create the pandemic and we aren’t responsible for the actions taken by our government in response to it. Every CEO, every small-business owner and every country was completely unprepared for this. No one can predict when the world will be healthy again. Once this is over, we may not be the size we once were. We may not have the revenue we once had. We may even have to go out of business. If the time comes when you are forced to close shop, remember that it’s not your fault. You can only do so much, control so much and fix so much. As small-business owners, we’re used to being the hardest workers in a room and giving our all to our companies. We’ve spent our lives working hard so we don’t have to leave anything to chance, and yet pure chance is what we are all dealing with right now. I don’t have the answers; all I can do is to encourage you to remember that none of this is your fault. Don’t lose your hope. Don’t lose yourself. You are part of an army of millennial business owners who unleashed a wave of compassionate leadership and helped other people achieve their dreams. This isn’t the end of the road for you. You’re just getting started. You’re a champion. And most of all, you’re not alone. Millennial small-business owners are facing a difficult future. But our story isn’t over. We’ve been written off countless times before, and we’ve always survived. We will survive this, too. Bit by bit, millennial small-business owners have built a better and more equitable world. And no matter what the future holds, we will continue to find new ways to keep building.
Hey you! Speak up! Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like or dislike a story, let us know, or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community. Participation is easy. Go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, please email christina@timespublications.com.
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Why building more housing could be key to unifying Chinatown By Mac Abe, Evangelia Diplas, Amy Liu here is a battle raging in LA’s Chinatown over gentrification. Some people call it a “necessary process of modernization,” and others would frame it as “neglecting the vulnerable.” Local tenant advocacy groups operate on the principle that gentrification leads to massive rent increases, which displace low-income elderly folks. With 19.9% of residents aged 65 and older, the elderly population in Chinatown is substantial and is lacking affordable housing. However, some local business interests believe that embracing gentrification by bringing in new commercial businesses and residential developments will increase foot traffic and benefit the community as a whole. Disposable income is needed to
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stimulate the local economy, and the elderly community, by and large, relies on SSI. A 2019 study by the Philadelphia Fed reported positive effects of gentrification on the long-term low-income residents of a neighborhood by lowering the exposure to poverty for all residents. Collaboration between business interests and tenant advocacy concerns will benefit all members of the community. Building both market-rate housing to entice young people with disposable income to move into Chinatown, while continuing to develop protected affordable housing, will maintain the culture and community of elderly locals. The case for building more housing to address the current crisis in expensive cities like LA is supported by research done by the San Francisco Bay Area Planning
and Urban Research Association. Its study reveals that current methods such as rent control and developer regulation are not effective. Instead, we must utilize the land we already have in cities more efficiently. Upzoning, or changing zoning to allow more housing to be built, means either allowing taller buildings or greater densities of housing, is the only solution. Take a quick drive through Chinatown and you will see large swaths of empty land. The existence of these unoccupied dirt lots speaks volumes, considering the lack of housing in Chinatown and LA as a whole. That is not to say that nobody is interested in this land. Lot 45, for instance, is a county-owned parking lot. Owned by the county of Los Angeles, it is much more affordable than market-rate land in Chinatown and is thus particularly attractive to many parties. There is also a massive empty dirt lot next to the Chinatown Community Service Center that the CSC would like to transform into affordable housing. Unfortunately, this lot is privately owned and valued at a whopping $30 million, making it out of reach. In order to understand the positive impact upzoning might have on this commu-
nity, consider the seniors residing at Cathay Manor. Cathay Manor is a private housing facility in Chinatown that accepts low-income elderly individuals with Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers. For seniors living on about $930 a month in an area where typical market-rate apartments in the area go for about $1,700 to $2,000, truly affordable housing is a godsend. Unfortunately, many seniors who qualify for affordable housing are unable to receive it, because there is simply not enough housing available—despite the aforementioned vacant lots. For instance, every five years, 2,000 elderly apply to Cathay Manor senior housing and only 250 are approved. Although the need to build more affordable housing is vital, we believe that the land that is dedicated to non-low-income housing—such as the new Blossom Plaza apartments—is also beneficial. As leadership from the Chinatown Service Center expressed, it is time for the various organizations in Chinatown to come together in a powerful way to advocate for the development of market-rate and affordable housing for both the elderly and the more affluent. Both types of developments are vital to the spirit, culture and economy of Chinatown.
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Finding ‘Hope’ for kids during the COVID-19 pandemic By Julia Shapero Los Angeles community center is providing a safe space for students to learn, as schools in Los Angeles Unified School District remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Hope Street Margolis Family Center, a community benefit program of Dignity Health’s California Hospital Medical Center, provides child development, education, family support and community wellness programs for the surrounding communities. The family center has typically provided a number of education services, including family literacy, school readiness and after-school programs. In the after-school program, children receive homework assistance and participate in extracurricular ac-
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tivities, said Gina Avila, the education services coordinator at Hope Street. However, with the pandemic, Hope Street was forced to pivot its services, said Alina Moran, CEO of Dignity Health’s California Hospital. LAUSD closed its doors in mid-March, as COVID-19 cases began to rise across the country. In April, LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner announced that schools would remain closed for the rest of the school year and summer, and in July, he told families that schools would also be closed in the fall. When the center learned students would not be returning to the classroom for the academic school year, Avila said they decided the center might be able to help the
community. “So what we did was really think of what were the needs that our families and especially our children were presenting,” Moran said. “And one of them was really access to an area where they could do social distance learning, where they could have access to computers and to Wi-Fi.” Many children don’t have a space to learn or have access to the internet or a working computer at home, Avila said. While many have received Chromebooks from schools, she said some of the computers do not work or some schools ran out of Chromebooks. This led the center to open up virtual school services, while following strict guidelines of social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing, Avila said. Hope Street serves about 50 students, from first grade to high school, providing them with a safe learning space, access to computers and Wi-Fi, and breakfast and lunch. The services give students the opportunity to be in a classroom setting, receive support and interact with other students while social distancing, Moran said. “It’s a positive learning environment, a space where they can come and get their work done, get the help they need to get through their virtual assignments, access their classrooms and also be in a setting
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where they’re still able to socialize distantly with some of their peers,” Avila said. Moran added the center’s services are especially important right now since many families are dealing with their own challenges. Avila said many of the families they serve already struggled financially and the pandemic has caused immense stress and financial strain. “It was big,” she said. “And then to be told on top of that, that not only are they going to have to put food on the table and a roof over their head, but now they have to provide an educational environment for their kids.” Additionally, many of the families Hope Street serves are English language learners, which made this task overwhelming for students and families, Avila said. “As a resource center, as a community center, it was kind of our responsibility to do that and make sure that our students succeeded this year and kind of take a load off of our hard-working parents,” she said. Moran added that the goal of the center is to educate children, assist families and transform the communities it serves. “We’re so fortunate here at California Hospital to have a program that makes such an impact and really helps us to provide services outside of the walls of the hospital and … build healthier and stronger communities,” she said.
Hope Street serves about 50 students, from first grade to high school, providing them with a safe learning space; access to computers, the arts and Wi-Fi; and breakfast and lunch. Photo courtesy Hope Street
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Gondola would reduce baseball traffic By Sara Edwards magine going from Union Station to Dodger Stadium in 7 minutes. That’s what the Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit’s team is hoping with a new urban gondola system that is being studied to make sure it meets environmental standards. Cory Zelmer, a deputy executive officer for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said the process doesn’t start and stop with construction but even after the project is complete. “We also have to access what the impacts might be when this is in operation,” Zelmer said. “If you can imagine if it were a train system, for example, when you introduce it to a new part of town, it might bring in noise to that area. So, we would need to evaluate what noise that could bring to the area. It’s not just construction but also operation.” The first part of the CEQA process will scope out the gondola system in surrounding areas to gather possible concerns people may have. Then, that information is compiled into an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for further developments and improvements on the planned gondola system to help get the project going. “This process will help us get a better idea at what (the gondola system) will actually look and feel like so we can access those impact areas,” Zelmer said. “There is a number of different categories that we have to evaluate, and the report will describe the project in relation with those environmental impacts.” Zelmer said some of the environmental impacts that go into evaluating the system include how it affects traffic, created noise and whether it can withstand wildfire conditions, a new aspect added for evaluation after the recent wildfires. The CEQA evaluation process started in October when the notice of preparation for the EIR was issued. The LA ART expects to have the initial review process complete by 2022 to have construction begin as early as 2025. The Downtown gondola system was proposed in 2018 and is the first aerial transport system to come to Los Angeles. The gondola system will connect Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles to the Dodger Stadium and surrounding communities such as Elysian Park, El Pueblo and Los Angeles State Historic Park.
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“In recent years, Union Station has hosted more than 100,000 daily transit riders—a number we expect to double by 2040,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “This project provides an important connection to the stadium and surrounding neighborhoods and reaffirms our commitment to new, environmentally friendly ways of navigating our city.” Cindy Starrett is the project management consultant assisting with the project and said because of the elevation difference between Union Station and Dodgers Stadium, a gondola system would be most accommodating for the two, rather than an elevated train system. “(A gondola) can fly over the streets and doesn’t take up as much roadway and physical space like a monorail and elevated train would,” Starrett said. “We’re hopeful that we’ll encourage people to take public transit as a better way to get around.” The LAART gondola system will be able to move 5,500 people to the stadium per hour in both directions on a 7-minute trip. The transport could move 10,000 people two hours before the start of a game. Aerial transportation systems have proven to be an efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation in major cities like Mexico City, New York City and London. A renowned multidisciplinary LA firm RIOS, along with experts and international ropeway engineers, designed the gondola cabins that will allow riders a view of the city while the Union Station and Dodger Stadium will fit right in with the iconic mid-century aesthetic. The gondola system will also be a new sustainable way for people to use public transportation, with the cars running with zero emissions to help improve local air quality while cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions, according to the press release. Starrett said the system will help reduce the game-day congestion surrounding the stadium every season. “There’s no easy transit access to Dodger Stadium, so we think that providing that will encourage people to take other forms of transit as well,” Starrett said. “We’re really excited about the visitor experience as well. We look forward to welcoming them back and give them an iconic experience.” The full gondola system is anticipated to be up and running by 2028. Visit laart.la for more information.
The full gondola system is expected to be up and running by 2028. Photo permission granted by Aerial Rapid Transit
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Staples Center’s Lee Zeidman honored with Visionary Award By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ee Zeidman—Staples Center, Microsoft Theater and L.A. Live president— was selected by the Association of Luxury Suite Directors to receive its ALSD Bill Dorsey Visionary Award. This prestigious venue industry award is presented annually to a respected executive for his or her innovation, vision, character and loyalty and whose lifetime of leadership and achievement merits the sports and entertainment industry Association’s highest individual honor. Although the ALSD has postponed its 2020 in-person conference, Zeidman received his award as part of a special online virtual event on October 28. “Lee has long been just about the busiest and most respected people in the facility business,” said Bill Dorsey, ALSD chairman. “He manages not one but multiple tenants as well as major concert venue. Literally, if it is Sunday it must be the Grammy Awards and that Tuesday night a sold-out Lakers game. It goes on and on, and Lee handles it all line water rolling off a duck’s back.” Earlier this week, Zeidman was surprised with a congratulatory video with messages from colleagues past and present, journalists and several famous friends who wanted to pass along the best wishes. To view the video, visit https://youtu.be/gd-c0ycEG9I. “I am incredibly grateful to the leadership of the ALSD for the honor of being named the 2020 Bill Dorsey Visionary Award recipient,” Zeidman said. “It is humbling to join such an impressive list of industry leaders who have previously received this award. I have had an amazing career and have been fortunate to worked with and learned from so many visionaries who have helped me get to where I am today.” Zeidman’s full acceptance speech: https://youtu.be/AFXncajpnfA There are few events that take place in arenas, theaters or other venues that Zeidman has not been involved with during his career that has spanned four decades. Zeidman oversees the venues event operations, production, including guest services, booking, box office, event securi-
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ty, event staffing, guest relations, facility presentation, marketing, communications, hospitality and food and beverage services. Along with his team, Zeidman also supervises Staples Center’s overall day-to-day support for its tenants, sponsors, clients and partners, including the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Sparks franchises hosting seven NBA Finals, two Stanley Cup Finals and five WNBA Finals. Zeidman was a member of a team that oversaw the overall development of L.A. Live, the 4 million-square-foot/$3 billion sports, residential and entertainment district featuring Microsoft Theater (7,100-seat live theater) and Club Nokia (2,300-capacity live music venue), a 54-story, 1,001-room convention “headquarters” destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels and 224 luxury condominiums—The Residences at The Ritz Carlton—all in a single tower), a 14-screen Regal Cineplex, “broadcast” facilities for ESPN, along with entertainment, restaurant and office space. Microsoft Theater has been named Pollstar’s national “Theatre of the Year” in 2008, 2009 and 2010, with Zeidman having been nominated nine times for “Facility Executive of the Year” and honored in both 2008 and 2016. In June 2018, Zeidman was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” by the Stadium Business Awards in Manchester, England, which recognizes an individual that has shown exceptional commitment service and leadership to the stadium industry over a sustained period of time. During his time with AEG, Zeidman has also played a substantial role in the development, construction and operation of Dignity Sports Health Park in Carson, California, which includes a 27,000-seat soccer stadium, 8,000-seat multi-sport stadium and other major facilities for tennis, boxing, track and field, cycling, beach volleyball and other sports and has been designated as an Official U.S. Olympic Training site. Zeidman was also a part of a team that developed and opened The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, a 4,000-seat theater that was the home of Celine Dion’s A New Day as well as assisting in the open-
ing of such iconic AEG venues such as the O2 in London and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin. Prior to joining AEG and Staples Center, Zeidman was the Great Western Forum’s vice president, operations, overseeing all areas of that facility’s management. During
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his 10-year tenure, he coordinated operations for all Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers games, concerts and special events. Previously, he directed operations for the 6,000-seat special event center at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Lee Zeidman—Staples Center, Microsoft Theater and L.A. Live president—holds his ALSD Bill Dorsey Visionary Award, alongside Michele Kajiwara, senior vice president, premium sales and services for Staples Center and Microsoft Theater. Submitted photo
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Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE
‘The Edge of Order’: Wönzimer’s new exhibit By Andrew Checchia s many in LA know all too well, art acts as an excellent source of relief from the anxious feelings in daily life. Expression through any medium can ease the stress of personal problems or existential concern over a seemingly crazy, unchangeable world. Whether making political commentary, exploring the mysteries of life or just making something beautiful, artists help guide communities through turbulent times with their work— allowing people to channel their fears and reassess problems after seeing them in the new light artistic statements provide. Aidan Nelson and Alaia Parhizi, directors of the Wönzimer Visual Arts Center on Olive, recognize that power. Since July, Wönzimer—which means “living room” in German—has been one of (and briefly the only) arts space open for in-person showings. Because of their independent operations, Nelson and Parhizi went directly to LA’s Department of Public Health to approve their reopening. “We’ve been able to conduct five openings and closings since July,” Nelson said. After that approval, Wönzimer played host to a series of exhibitions, including one titled “Blackness.” The event honored Black art, featuring creatives based in LA, New York, Virginia Beach and London, among other cities. But the Wönzimer directors had a special impetus to display this global work. In May, at the height of the protests fol-
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lowing the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, looters hit the gallery. Following a particularly intense day of conflict between protesters and law enforcement, a group of people looking to capitalize on the turmoil roamed the streets of Downtown. After breaking into a neighboring liquor store, the band of nearly 100 people sacked the galley, smashing the windows and causing damage inside the space. “They were just a collection of people looking to exploit the opportunity,” Nelson said. “We wanted to take it from another perspective instead of exploiting (Black artists).” That experience inspired Nelson and Parhizi to host the exhibition, recognizing their own ability to give artists, especially those who are traditionally disenfranchised, a platform to express themselves in these chaotic times. “We want to be an all-inclusive space,” said Parhizi, who also deals with artist relations, about featuring timely exhibitions. “For the future, if we’re looking back, this will be a very important time.” Such timeliness characterizes Wönzimer’s upcoming opening: “The Edge of Order.” Coming November 1, the audio-visual experience was created primarily by artists Christina Craemer and Todd Williamson but also features sonic contributions from Parhizi himself. It aims to capture the current collective state of anxiety by studying an interplay between order and chaos. “All the work is very abstract, which
plays into the chaos of things, but it’s also very controlled,” said Nelson of the avant-garde work with a “classical sense.” The exhibition will be made up of large paintings, some with a projected visual overlay. The design intends to capture the constant balancing act in these troubled times as we fight between chaos and order. From the ongoing pandemic to the aforementioned protests and the upcoming elections, Nelson and Parhizi recognized the undeniable distress so many currently feel regardless of their particular opinions. So, the pair turned to the work of Craemer and Williamson. While longtime friends, this exhibition marks their first collaborative project. But both work in abstract but extremely deliberate strokes. Despite their similar work ethics, the two bring distinct energies. Craemer’s work consistently focuses on waterfalls, a graceful motif defined by smooth motion. In contrast, Williamson’s style bears a “masculine energy,” according to Parhizi. The balance between these styles adds layers to the baseline exploration of chaos. While the entire exhibit abstractly plays into these associations, the artists actually painted on wooden panels being used to board up the gallery starting the first week in November, an implicit anticipation of the chaos of unrest. Still, even as they comment on the cur-
rent state of the world, the Wönzimer never seeks to make firm institutional political or religious statements. Instead, the directors stressed their dedication to pure creativity and the inclusivity necessary to celebrate it in all forms. “It’s not needed. It can be beneficial to make a change that someone wants, but in the art world, it seems like it’s something that’s the responsibility of the artists,” said Parhizi about political statements from arts institutions and artists themselves. “But I think (artists’) responsibility is to be creative, not to take a stance for other people. The art is beyond, I think, an opinion.” Viewers can come to the Wönzimer through December 1 to interpret this chaotic exhibit. And they can rest easy with the arts space’s commitment to safety during the pandemic, featuring measures that go above and beyond the recommended health guidelines. With limited capacity, temperature checks, complimentary masks, sanitizer and social distance markers throughout the gallery, Downtown residents and people from all around LA can let off some of their anxiety with “The Edge of Order’s” prescient and beautiful display. “Historically speaking, it’s really that this is an unprecedented time. If we look back at any important artistic movement, it’s always been at (these times),” said Parhizi of the current global landscape.
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Tommy Lee’s new album, “Andro,” is a mix of electro, hip-hop, funk, dance and industrial music.
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Covered California will help ARTS & CULTURE
Tommy Lee unites female and male energies on new album By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ommy Lee pops up on Zoom donning a fedora, sunglasses and a black T-shirt that reads “Please Evolve” in his pricey home studio. “This Zoom thing is so (expletive) cool because typically we would probably be doing a phone interview,” he said, smiling widely. “It’s been so cool to see people who you’re actually talking to. What a concept.” Lee is pushing his new album “Andro,” a mix of electro, hip-hop, funk, dance and industrial music with special guests like Post Malone, Josh Todd (briefly), South African rapper Push Push, Lukas Rossi (from Lee’s former TV show “Rockstar: Supernova”) and Tyla Yaweh. “I hope people enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it,” he said. “When I do my own thing, genres don’t even exist for me. I love
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bobbing and weaving through them all, smashing them together when they’re not supposed to go together. I love that stuff.” “Andro” is represented on the album with the female energy tracks on one side and the male voices on the other, Lee said. “Boom. That’s where the title ‘Andro’ came. The record clearly has two dominant energies—one male, one female. Once I separated them, they danced. They both have their own vibes. I don’t think that’s ever been done. I may be wrong, but I don’t think anybody’s ever done that conceptually. It’s really cool.” The guest artists came as an afterthought, Lee explains. “I have a collaboration list of people who I have always wanted to work with. I’ve admired their stuff. I’ve been following them and checking their stuff out,” he said.
Photos by Myriam Santos
“I’d be like, ‘Oh my God. So and so would just kill this track. They’re perfect.’ I would reach out to them and say, ‘Hey, I got a track. This has your name all over it.’ They would hear it and be like, ‘I’m in.’ Two days later, we’d be here at the studio recording it. It really started with the music, and the music sort of dictated what voice went with the vibe, what lyrics, all that stuff.” One person with whom he particularly vibed was Julia Sykes of London’s PLYA. She appears on the song “Make It Back.” “I had this song and I sent her just the music, right, and she loved it,” Lee said excitedly. “She wanted to do it. She comes over and I was like, ‘Julia, what would you like to hear?’ I had taken another girl’s a cappella and I Frankensteined it. I kind of chopped up how I hear the melody going. “She didn’t want me to play it for her because she didn’t want to be influenced by it. I said, ‘OK, fair enough. I get it.’ She goes out in the studio and she starts singing. I look at my engineer and I’m like, ‘Dude, what the (expletive).’ It was 98.9% of what I had already heard in my head—and she never heard this. I was freaking out. She killed it. I played her a demo of what I was thinking, and I’ll never forget her face. She was sitting on the couch
like this” with mouth agape. “That’s just rare. Christina, that just does not happen. I love telling people that story ‘cause, wow, I still get goosebumps telling it.” Now was the perfect time for “Andro” because the Motley Crue stadium tour with Def Leppard and Joan Jett was postponed and, frankly, Lee was over music. “I was like, ‘OK. I’m going to take a year off. I’m going to clear my head. I don’t want to hear about music. I don’t want to listen to the radio. I don’t want to see it. I’m just going to remove myself and just air it out’—and I did that,” he recalled. He did that for a year until he got antsy and the songs started creeping into his head. Lee thought the songs were “awesome” and he said he had to put out the music. “I wasn’t really planning on it,” added Lee, who had just shot a “seriously ghetto, fabulous” video for his song “Caviar on a Paper Plate.” “I just can’t sit around.” Lee said “Andro” passed the ultimate test. “I still listen to it. After you’ve worked on a record for, God, a year and a half, you’re sick of it. You’ve heard it so many times that you’ve just worn it out. I still listen to it, and that’s a really good sign. That doesn’t happen often.”
Tommy Lee tommylee.com
NOVEMBER 2, 2020
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Covered California will help BUSINESS
Paway app launches in LA to make dog walks safer By Kamala Kirk alking your dog can be a stressful experience, especially when you come across other dogs who aren’t always friendly and in some instances are even aggressive. Paway is a new dog walking app that recently debuted for iOS in Los Angeles and is designed to map out your neighborhood route, allowing dog walkers to connect with other dogs and their humans along the way. “Paway was inspired by professional dog walkers and pet tech experts in LA who recognize the stressors of walking and caring for dogs,” said MK Glenning, a representative for Paway. “New technology can help us better understand our surroundings and leverage community to make every dog walk special.” Users can turn the app on during their walk and will receive dog-related safety alerts and notifications when other dogs and their walkers are nearby. This feature is especially helpful during the pandemic, when it is important to practice social distancing. Users create a profile for their dog, which includes information about their age, breed, size, sex and temperament, which they can rate from “friendly” to “caution,” as well as if they are a service dog. The app allows users to share their pet’s profile with their circle of caregivers so that
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they can also use the app, and afterwards they can share stories from the walk with family and friends. It also enables them to mark their dog’s favorite neighborhood spots, and it uses real-time crowd-sourced data to provide a variety of routes around other dogs that yours won’t get along with. In addition, Paway alerts users to potential hazards, like coyote sightings, stray dogs and dog fights, as well as attractions such as public water dishes and potty bag dispensers. “Paway understands the stress of losing your pup, and we wanted to do something about it,” Glenning said. “The Paway app includes a free lost dog feature, which can alert those around you to your situation. Paway will automatically share a photo of the dog and drop a pin marking the locations where the dog went missing. Users can report if they found a lost dog and the company will help reconnect the dog with the pet parent. We hope your dog never ends up in this situation, but if it does, Paway is there to assist you.” The app is free to use and is available across Los Angeles and select locations in Southern California, with plans to go nationwide later this year. Android capabilities are set to roll out with Paway’s expansion to the greater Los Angeles County and New York in fall 2020.
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