I just picked up the leasing flier at the front desk tonight since the lobby was open for a wedding reception of a friend of the former owner - Richard Meruelo - that was being held upstairs. The new owners - Watermarke Properties - are going to take possession on Monday and, it appears, may even start showing for leasing as early as Monday.
The new leasing website is at the above link and the leasing number is 213-308-7877. The website has the floor plans for the six different units, a list of all the many amenities but no prices, so far.
Oh, and the building is now called - The Watermarke.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
My collective thanks in case I miss personally thanking anyone.
I’d like to thank everyone for all the kind words and particularly thank those who helped me this past week. And now, as always, life will continue to go on, enhanced now by his too short presence among us, diminished by his loss and sustained by our memory of how honorably he lived that life.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Son I Never Knew I Had
Yesterday I was told that over 20 years ago I had fathered a son I was never told about and, then, I was told that two years ago he had died.
And as a brief outline of my son’s life was being described to me, I slowly started to understand that this unknown son of mine had somehow discovered I had fathered him and, without ever saying he was my son, he had begun an email relationship with me starting when he was 17 that lasted until his death.
And suddenly all those first questions he had asked me about my cowboy days - which began when I too was 17, came rushing back to me. For months, there hadn't been a detail he did not want to know about my horse Mr. D and Lance and Tom and all the others.
But over the years, his questions became more personal - such as asking my advice on how to tell his parents he loved so much, how he could never last four years in college, how he could never get a degree and how he could never get a regular job when he knew he could never live a life like that. Or when he wanted to find the way to tell one special girl why he wasn’t yet able to make a lifelong commitment with her or anyone – and that he didn’t know if he ever was going to be able to do that.
And in all those cases, I did as I always did; I explained how much I understood his situation and then reinforced the advice of his parents and usually ignored the examples of my own very different life to his amused befuddlement. But then, a little later, after I finally gave in and emailed him a long requested copy of my novel, The Long Rider, he replied he finally understood everything. And when I asked him what he meant by that, he responded with a smiley face icon.
Then, by the end of his first year at college, his emails had become less about advice – or permission to live his life the way he wanted, but were mostly about the excitement of his many new lives – and many new loves – during college and after college and how he wanted to tell me about them all until one day the emails stopped and I never heard from him again.
And since I never knew his real name or address, I was never able to find out who he really was- or why we were so much alike in so many unexpected ways – and I just imagined he had grown out of the need for our chats.
So as unimaginably sad as this time is for me, there is already one spark of joy in that I am only now starting to understand what an amazing young man our collective son turned out to be. And I will always be grateful to him that he found a way he and I could have our own private and meaningful relationship whenever he needed to talk to someone who understood some of what he was going through, and that he did so in a way that that never once interfered with his primary relationship with his real father, the man who had raised him and who was able to quietly pass away never having to know about me.
And as a brief outline of my son’s life was being described to me, I slowly started to understand that this unknown son of mine had somehow discovered I had fathered him and, without ever saying he was my son, he had begun an email relationship with me starting when he was 17 that lasted until his death.
And suddenly all those first questions he had asked me about my cowboy days - which began when I too was 17, came rushing back to me. For months, there hadn't been a detail he did not want to know about my horse Mr. D and Lance and Tom and all the others.
But over the years, his questions became more personal - such as asking my advice on how to tell his parents he loved so much, how he could never last four years in college, how he could never get a degree and how he could never get a regular job when he knew he could never live a life like that. Or when he wanted to find the way to tell one special girl why he wasn’t yet able to make a lifelong commitment with her or anyone – and that he didn’t know if he ever was going to be able to do that.
And in all those cases, I did as I always did; I explained how much I understood his situation and then reinforced the advice of his parents and usually ignored the examples of my own very different life to his amused befuddlement. But then, a little later, after I finally gave in and emailed him a long requested copy of my novel, The Long Rider, he replied he finally understood everything. And when I asked him what he meant by that, he responded with a smiley face icon.
Then, by the end of his first year at college, his emails had become less about advice – or permission to live his life the way he wanted, but were mostly about the excitement of his many new lives – and many new loves – during college and after college and how he wanted to tell me about them all until one day the emails stopped and I never heard from him again.
And since I never knew his real name or address, I was never able to find out who he really was- or why we were so much alike in so many unexpected ways – and I just imagined he had grown out of the need for our chats.
So as unimaginably sad as this time is for me, there is already one spark of joy in that I am only now starting to understand what an amazing young man our collective son turned out to be. And I will always be grateful to him that he found a way he and I could have our own private and meaningful relationship whenever he needed to talk to someone who understood some of what he was going through, and that he did so in a way that that never once interfered with his primary relationship with his real father, the man who had raised him and who was able to quietly pass away never having to know about me.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Watch CONCEPT Fashion Week Show LIVE on the internet tonight!
http://www.swaggmedia.com/
Go to the above page and click on the live streaming Fashion Week LA link at the top of the page. Show starts at 6:30 and goes until at least 9:00 PM.
Schedule of shows at www.conceptfw.com
See runway shows by Jen Awad, martinMARTIN and The Battalion and presentations by Valerj Pobega, John Sakalis, Indian Casino, Katie Kay of Otto Gates and SKINGraft.
Go to the above page and click on the live streaming Fashion Week LA link at the top of the page. Show starts at 6:30 and goes until at least 9:00 PM.
Schedule of shows at www.conceptfw.com
See runway shows by Jen Awad, martinMARTIN and The Battalion and presentations by Valerj Pobega, John Sakalis, Indian Casino, Katie Kay of Otto Gates and SKINGraft.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Los Angeles Times Covers Fashion Week Show - CONCEPT - At Historic Downtown's Spring Arts Tower
All The Rage
THE IMAGE STAFF MUSES ON THE CULTURE OF
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES
Los Angeles Fashion Week: 'Concept' on the calendar
March 5, 2010 | 4:46 pm
Score one for the fashion cowboy. Friday afternoon the be-hatted Brady Westwater confirmed for All the Rage that his efforts to rope, throw and brand a fashion week is moving ahead -- although it appears to be kicking like a bucking bronco; its hooves are hammering a stretch of the calendar from March 19 through March 24, with a dust storm of details still to settle.
Still, it's a bright spot; as we mentioned a few days ago, it was starting to look like tumbleweed might be the only thing rolling through downtown during the traditional time frame for Los Angeles Fashion Week. Then Westwater -- whose past efforts to bring fashion-related events downtown include working with early incarnations of BOXeight and more recently starting a Downtown LA Fashion Walk -- saddled up and rode into the thick of it, announcing his willingness to work with local designers and the management of the Spring Arts Tower at 453 S. Spring St. to use that space for a few extra nights (he'd already reserved it, he says, as part of an upcoming Fashion Walk event).
Soon Mike Vensel (the designer, photographer and organizer of a short-lived Kitten Fashion Week held at the downtown Standard Hotel back in 2007) was saddling up beside him, and as of this writing, the newest dynamic duo of downtown is trying to circle the wagons and nail down all the details.
Westwater is short on specifics such as potential sponsors (beyond the building's management), participating designers and schedules, allowing only that the calendar is currently configured to entertain runway shows, art installations and the like from March 19 through the 24th, with two of those days (Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st) already booked with shows.
"Right now we're in the phase of reaching out to designers to see what their needs are," he told All the Rage. "We're going to be flexible so that everybody who wants to stage a show can." He said that hopes are to line up sponsorships to cover the cost of staging the shows, said to be "a couple hundred bucks." "But we don't want anyone to be turned away for inability to pay," he said.
One important specific that has been hammered out is the name. "We're calling it 'Concept,'" Westwater said. "We wanted it to be something that was simple and easy and elegant." While theConcept website is still under construction, interested parties should contact Westwater directly at bradywestwater@conceptfw.com.
While it remains to be seen what sort of event ultimately arises (we'll keep you updated as sponsor and designer lineups are confirmed), we're optimistic about its chances.
After all, everybody knows nailing the concept is the hardest part of any project.
-- Adam Tschorn
Photo: A look from designer Mike Vensel's runway show at BOXeight on March 15, 2008, at Los Angeles Fashion Week. Vensel and Brady Westwater are spearheading a group that's working to provide runway space at the Spring Arts Tower for designers to show their wares to press and buyers in downtown Los Angeles, through a just-announced show dubbed "Concept." Credit: Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
LA Times Asks - Can LA Fashion Week Be Saved From Being A 'Ghost Town'? Find out Tomorrow
LA Fashion Week: Ghost town in the City of Angels?
March 3, 2010 | 6:00 am
Downtown LA Fashion Week? M.I.A. Passion Revealed? Not so much. Mode Israel? Unless it's operating in "stealth mode" it's currently another one of the events from last season's crowded fashion calendar that seems to have quietly disappeared off the Los Angeles Fashion Week map.
Of course, all that could change; downtown L.A.'s "fashion cowboy" Brady Westwater is trying to rope the wind by offering to play go-between for displaced designers and the owners of the recently renovated 1914 Citizen's Bank space at 5th and Spring streets, to host a day or more of shows as part of the Downtown Fashion Walk (would that make it "Downtown Fashion Walk Week"? Stay tuned.)Much more at the above link.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Beverly Hills Fashion Week Cancels - Downtown's Spring Arts Tower Show Expands To Meet Need
The last minute postponement of the new Beverly Hills Fashion Week - which was last year's Downtown Fashion Week at MOCA - has abruptly left many designers with no place to show at a time when fewer venues than normal were already scheduled to hold runway shows.
Luckily, that pre-existing shortage had already caused the Spring Arts Tower owner, Paul Su, to make his just restored 8,000 foot 1914 Citizen's Bank space at 5th and Spring - with over 20 foot ceilings - available to the Downtown Fashion Walk to host runway shows by designers who did not have a place to show - or who could not afford to pay the fees to show elsewhere.
That space will now host multiple major designer shows on not just one day, but on two or more days of Los Angeles Fashion Week, depending on the need. Showings of the space to designers for runway shows or other installations will be taking place all this weekend by appointment. Other producers are also encouraged to participate in using the space during Fashion Week.
To see the space or get more information - call Brady Westwater at 213-804-8396.
Luckily, that pre-existing shortage had already caused the Spring Arts Tower owner, Paul Su, to make his just restored 8,000 foot 1914 Citizen's Bank space at 5th and Spring - with over 20 foot ceilings - available to the Downtown Fashion Walk to host runway shows by designers who did not have a place to show - or who could not afford to pay the fees to show elsewhere.
That space will now host multiple major designer shows on not just one day, but on two or more days of Los Angeles Fashion Week, depending on the need. Showings of the space to designers for runway shows or other installations will be taking place all this weekend by appointment. Other producers are also encouraged to participate in using the space during Fashion Week.
To see the space or get more information - call Brady Westwater at 213-804-8396.
Monday, February 22, 2010
SRO Housing To Replace Art Gallery With Chain Stores At 5th & Main And Then Evict Local Residents
At today's meeting with SRO Housing about their purchase of the Roslyn Hotel (where Bert Green opened the first new gallery in the then new Gallery Row), representatives of the low-income housing group announced there were going to replace art galleries, with what they call 'real retail' - such as a Coffee Bean and a Staples Office Supply Store.
So not only are they opposed to art galleries in their buildings - but when it comes to 'real' retail the only two examples that could come up with were two corporate owned, out of area chain stores - and none any of the many locally owned stores we have brought into the neighborhood. And then they told us they expect to get funding from the CRA to screw over our neighborhood.
They also started off with a promise to preserve the existing low income, working class residents unless, they then added, they got funding to redo the whole building at one time in which case- everyone would be evicted, making their first promise totally worthless.
And - as usual - it is our city officials who are leading this attack on both our neighborhood businesses and our neighborhood residents while using out tax dollars to do so. And yet they wonder why this city is going broke.
So not only are they opposed to art galleries in their buildings - but when it comes to 'real' retail the only two examples that could come up with were two corporate owned, out of area chain stores - and none any of the many locally owned stores we have brought into the neighborhood. And then they told us they expect to get funding from the CRA to screw over our neighborhood.
They also started off with a promise to preserve the existing low income, working class residents unless, they then added, they got funding to redo the whole building at one time in which case- everyone would be evicted, making their first promise totally worthless.
And - as usual - it is our city officials who are leading this attack on both our neighborhood businesses and our neighborhood residents while using out tax dollars to do so. And yet they wonder why this city is going broke.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Fashion Week Sneak Preview, Millinery Guild Hat Extravaganza, Thirty Stores And Galleries Open - And Much More This Thursday At Downtown Fashion Walk!
On this Thursday’s February 18th Fashion Walk, our venues will include boutiques, solo designer stores; vintage clothing, furniture & book stores; art galleries & art installations; jewelers; contemporary furniture stores; and eclectic design shops – plus one big, one night only event.
First, the Millinery Guild of Southern California will showcase their hat designers in the grandeur of the old banking space in the Spring Arts Tower at 5th & Spring. They will also graciously host other leading LA hat designers inside the historic 8,000 foot space – under the just restored 20 foot 1914 ceiling - along with a dozen established and upcoming designers of all types – and art installations by POP LOCK.
Elmer Ave will also have an excellent selection of their current collection that will be purchasable either at the Spring Arts Tower - or at their store, just a block away - Elmer Ave will also preview a few pieces of their new collection that will be shown during the March Fashion Week.
There will also be a selection of items from leading Fashion Walk stores along Main and Spring and Sixth and Seventh – at 5th and Spring to expose other designers to a wider audience and to let you know why Fashion Walk is never over until you have seen all the Fashion Walk neighborhood has to offer.
Also open that night will be the adjoining art spaces – POP LOCK, the Deborah Martin Gallery and the new CB1 Gallery – which was called (repeatedly) one of the most beautiful spaces to show art in LA when Clyde Beswick opened it last Saturday with solo shows by HK Zamani aka Habib Kheradyar and Daniel Aksten.
Then, after a night of fashion and art, only a couple hundred feet away - you can retire to the elegance of the marble walls, wood paneling, Batchelder tile floors – and antique bank vault private rooms - of the Crocker Club – or you can enjoy the neighborhood feel and spacious outdoor patio of the Down and Out, or you can take in the warm ‘everyone knows your name’ atmosphere of The Must, where food and drink are equal priorities.
Or you can savor your meal at the long time local favorite - The Ensenada Mexican Restaurant - that now draws customers from all over Los Angeles or dine at the recently opened Gorbals which just received an enthusiastic review by Pulitzer prize winning critic Jonathan Gold of the LA Weekly of its highly adventuresome menu and a glowing review from the LA Time’s own S. Irene Virbila about her only in Downtown culinary and sensory experience of every kind when she described how she woke up in her bed the morning after – and wondered if the night before had all just been a dream.
And all this is available for you to sample within a couple hundred feet of the venue.
But before tackling all that wining and dining there is still more art and fashion to see – over a couple dozen more stores to visit along Main and Spring between 4th and 7th – with each store’s hours to be announced by Wednesday night when the official Fashion Walk map goes on-line.
First, the Millinery Guild of Southern California will showcase their hat designers in the grandeur of the old banking space in the Spring Arts Tower at 5th & Spring. They will also graciously host other leading LA hat designers inside the historic 8,000 foot space – under the just restored 20 foot 1914 ceiling - along with a dozen established and upcoming designers of all types – and art installations by POP LOCK.
Elmer Ave will also have an excellent selection of their current collection that will be purchasable either at the Spring Arts Tower - or at their store, just a block away - Elmer Ave will also preview a few pieces of their new collection that will be shown during the March Fashion Week.
There will also be a selection of items from leading Fashion Walk stores along Main and Spring and Sixth and Seventh – at 5th and Spring to expose other designers to a wider audience and to let you know why Fashion Walk is never over until you have seen all the Fashion Walk neighborhood has to offer.
Also open that night will be the adjoining art spaces – POP LOCK, the Deborah Martin Gallery and the new CB1 Gallery – which was called (repeatedly) one of the most beautiful spaces to show art in LA when Clyde Beswick opened it last Saturday with solo shows by HK Zamani aka Habib Kheradyar and Daniel Aksten.
Then, after a night of fashion and art, only a couple hundred feet away - you can retire to the elegance of the marble walls, wood paneling, Batchelder tile floors – and antique bank vault private rooms - of the Crocker Club – or you can enjoy the neighborhood feel and spacious outdoor patio of the Down and Out, or you can take in the warm ‘everyone knows your name’ atmosphere of The Must, where food and drink are equal priorities.
Or you can savor your meal at the long time local favorite - The Ensenada Mexican Restaurant - that now draws customers from all over Los Angeles or dine at the recently opened Gorbals which just received an enthusiastic review by Pulitzer prize winning critic Jonathan Gold of the LA Weekly of its highly adventuresome menu and a glowing review from the LA Time’s own S. Irene Virbila about her only in Downtown culinary and sensory experience of every kind when she described how she woke up in her bed the morning after – and wondered if the night before had all just been a dream.
And all this is available for you to sample within a couple hundred feet of the venue.
But before tackling all that wining and dining there is still more art and fashion to see – over a couple dozen more stores to visit along Main and Spring between 4th and 7th – with each store’s hours to be announced by Wednesday night when the official Fashion Walk map goes on-line.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
It's Art Walk Night - And All The Fashion Stores Will Be Open - Plus Special Installations!
It's the second Thursday of the month - February 11th, 2010 - one week before the THIRD Thursday of the month Fashion Walk of February 18, 2010. But the good news is you don't have to wait to get Valentine's Day fashion gifts.
The map of all tonight's fashion events will be up on the website – www.downtownfashionwalk.com - by 6 PM tonight or you can pick up a copy of the Fashion map after 6 PM tonight - along with the Art Walk map - at the Art Walk Lounge just off 5th and Main at 114 W. 5th Street.
Tonight's Art/Fashion Walk includes two special installations at 4th and Spring - starting at the Banco Popular Building on the NE corner where - Little Tokyo Invades Art Walk! Tonight only there will be selections - and sale items - from Little Tokyo’s leading clothing boutiques & art galleries such Archrival, Hold Up Art, RIF LA, NO. A & plus a non-Little Tokyo special guest, Rized Mental Couture.
Next, across the street, the new Pop-Lock Gallery just opened at 5th and Spring, will have an installation at the Continental Gallery on the SE corner of 4th and Spring until February 22nd. And tonight - there will also be the Live Screen Printing of T-shirts.
Then, just down the street at 125 W 4th Street, between Spring and Main, the hit of last year's runway shows, Skingraft, will have a storewide 15% off sale - plus selected items at 35% off - on all men's and women's designs. Also showing will be artists Adrian Gilliland & Jeremy Friend.
Also at 125 4th Street, BLENDS will have the latest in limited edition sneakers – many of them ust unpacked today!, urban clothing lines - and some ... amazing... art up on their walls.
Across the street, at 120 W. 4th Street, Elmer Ave will feature not just their newest line of formal and semi-formal men’s and women's clothing - but also a great selection of men's ties, hats, hoodie sweatshirts, T-shirts - and a selection of limited edition designer skateboards.
Then at 430 S. Main Street, Stella Dottir, winner of best store awards from both the Downtown News and the LA Weekly, has her usual wide selection of one of a kind vintage and classic designed clothes, hats, gloves and other accessories and then down the street at 5th and Main the hot, hip new furniture and accessory store - (Sub)Urban - will also feature two of LA’s hottest upcoming artists.
Next at 5th & Spring, Spring Arts Tower hosts the opening of the CB1 Art Gallery, a show by Deborah Martin at 209 W. 5th Street and the Pop Lock Gallery at 211 W. 5th will besides its usual art and photography – have a special selection of limited edition sneakers.
And cross the street, at 460 S. Spring, the brand new old school men’s barber shop – Bolt Barbers – will feature its own clothing line for sale
Just block away, Sixth Street’s upcoming Fashion Row begins with New York Hats just west of Spring Street at 217 W. 6th (closes at 6 PM, though) and Crack Gallery’s Pop Art & cool clothing at 204 W. 6th St.
Then, just east of Spring and before Main on the north side of the street, are KAPSOULT’s contemporary & vintage clothes along with sunglasses and dozens of other gift items; next is Flea’s extensive selection of clothes, vintage & contemporary furniture, books, contemporary art, hats and many other things you’ll wish you owned; and finally the one-of-a-kind clothing store Apliiq where you can buy one of a kind garments – or design your own clothes by having rare and unique textiles applied to everyday garments.
Lastly, on the final block of this three block district, between Main and Los Angeles Streets, are Pussy and Pooch at 564 S. Main where you can always find the finest in pet couture and accessories (as well as grooming), just before you reach Upper Playground’s fusion of fashion with fine art by locally and nationally known artists – and its separate art gallery at both at 125 E. 6th Street. And next door to them are Mr. Cartoon’s Tattoo Shop and his adjacent clothing shop, The Last Laugh, where artist designed clothes, sneakers – and specialty items, including one of a kind toys – can be found.,
Lastly, saving some of the best for last – there’s Downtown’s newest Fashion Corner at 7th and Main where the NW corner already has five fashion destinations and is about to add at least two more destinations, including the expanded store of Fremont.
Already open on the Main Street side is Symbiotic Form, a multi-designer boutique of vintage inspired woman’s hand bags – at amazingly low prices, hats, and clothes, along with many unique gift items and jewelry.
Next, a few doors down is 1-Man’s Trash - a line of vintage inspired and remade vintage for men, women and children that includes runway fashion. Also in that store, is an extensive collection of carefully curated vintage fashions for those who are looking for only the best.
Finally, on the 7th street side of 7th and Main, just before where Fremont is about to open, is the Z Loft Boutique which features not just vintage clothing of every kind and every price from around the world - but also a wide assortment of accessories and other designer items that meet every taste and pocket book.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Dueling Headline at Los Angeles Times website
The below two headlines were by each other on the Wednesday night LA Times website. Clearly - though - both statements can not be true at the same time.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Global Cooling Wipes Out Florida Shallow Water Coral Reefs
After months of report after report of falsified climate data being brought to light, the myth of man made global warming took another hit today when it was revealed record breaking cold has killed Florida Keys coral reefs that were hundreds of years old. But, of course, any mention that this unprecedented wave of cold temperatures might refute the false God of man-made global warming - is never even mentioned in the story.
Now there is no question that the earth has gotten warmer in the past decades - though it is now known that it has not gotten as warm as was recently claimed and with the recent discovery that the places where the temperatures have been taken have been moved from cooler areas to... warmer areas...., that warming trend may be even less than was thought even a short time ago.
But whatever the recent past was, it appears as if we are headed into a cooling period that will be far more devastating to mankind than any global warming could ever be. So if there is any kind of affect on the earth's temperatures by man - hopefully it will be enough to save us.
latimes.com
Winter chill takes toll on Florida Keys coral
Scientists begin early assessments of the damage on marine life, but initial reports are bleak.
By Curtis Morgan
January 31, 2010
Reporting from Miami
January's bitter cold may have wiped out many of the shallow-water corals in the Florida Keys.
Scientists have only begun assessments, but initial reports are bleak. The damage could extend from Key Largo through the Dry Tortugas islands west of Key West, a vast expanse that covers some of the prettiest and healthiest reefs in North America.
Given the depth and duration of the frigid weather, Meaghan Johnson, marine science coordinator for the Nature Conservancy, expected to see losses. But she was stunned by the devastation when she joined a dive team surveying reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The divers were looking for "bleaching," a telltale indicator of temperature stress in corals.
Star and brain corals, large species that can take hundreds of years to grow, were as white and lifeless as bones, frozen to death, she said. Dead sea turtles, eels and parrotfish also littered the bottom.
"Corals didn't even have a chance to bleach. They just went straight to dead," Johnson said. "It's really ecosystem-wide mortality."
The record chill that gripped South Florida for two weeks took a heavy toll on wildlife -- particularly marine life.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that a record number of endangered manatees had succumbed to the cold this year -- 77, according to a preliminary review. The previous record, 56, was set last year.
The warm Gulf Stream is believed to have protected deeper areas, but shallower reefs took a serious, perhaps unprecedented, hit, said Billy Causey of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.More at the above link.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Why Eli Broad's Art Museum Belongs On Grand Avenue
Here is the opening of my Huffington Post column on Eli Broad starting negotiations with the Grand Avenue Committee to being his Foundation's Art Museum to Bunker Hill.
(the rest of the article is at the above link)
Will Eli Broad Join Jeffrey Deitch & MOCA on Grand Avenue?
After a cross-town game of musical chairs, the 2,000 piece – and still growing – Broad Art Foundation Collection may finally have the one site that makes the most sense for its new home.
The Grand Avenue Authority yesterday began negotiations with the Broad Art Foundation for parcel L, immediately south of Disney Hall and across Grand Avenue from the Museum of Contemporary Art.
This decision is a radical turnaround from little more than a year ago when even MOCA remaining on Grand Avenue was seen as unlikely by some until the Eli Broad led bailout stabilized its finances.
The current plan for the Foundation started when the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was unable to fund its ambitious expansion/redesign and Broad stepped up to fund the first building of a more modest expansion. This was seen as an indicator he planned on leaving his art collections to LACMA.
But Broad soon appeared to realize no matter how much space was added, the majority of the collection would still remain in storage. He also appeared to understand no existing museum could realistically spend the time, money or resources for a single part of its collection to be on loan around the world when any existing museum has so many prior commitments and often-competing constituencies.
The solution was for the Broad Art Foundation collection to remain an independent entity in a new building large enough to display a significant part of the collection and to also provide the Foundation with an ample (200 million dollar) endowment to fund its study, preservation and touring.
Then, to honor the foundation’s commitment to Los Angeles, it has been stated that LACMA and MOCA would have first call on borrowing any works of art they wished to display from the Foundation and that the other parts of the collection would be shown at the Foundation’s building on a rotating basis when they are not on loan.
(the rest of the article is at the above link)
Friday, January 22, 2010
Why Doesn't the Los Angeles Times Cover Rain Fall Amounts?
Once upon a time, if you went to the LA Times weather section, every day - 365 days a year - there was a chart that would tell you this seasons's rainfall amount along with what the historical average rainfall amount was for that time period. Any rainfall story would also tell you how much rain had fallen during an on going storm since it's start and how much had fallen in the past 24 hours.
Now, though, that kind of reporting has long since vanished. And since this rainy season has started - I have been unable to find - even once - any mention of the rainfall amounts for this season or even the amounts after any one specific storm has finished. Additionally, the narrative descriptions of the forecast - beyond a few days - are less detailed then on other sites.
And - amazingly - the top tool bar does not even have a link to the weather section of the website.
So this has become just one more reason why the LA Times website is increasingly not where I go to find out even the basics of what is happening in LA.
Now, though, that kind of reporting has long since vanished. And since this rainy season has started - I have been unable to find - even once - any mention of the rainfall amounts for this season or even the amounts after any one specific storm has finished. Additionally, the narrative descriptions of the forecast - beyond a few days - are less detailed then on other sites.
And - amazingly - the top tool bar does not even have a link to the weather section of the website.
So this has become just one more reason why the LA Times website is increasingly not where I go to find out even the basics of what is happening in LA.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Art Dealer to run Art Museum; MOCA To be Latest Deitch Project
Below is the lead to my latest Huffington Post column:
When LA Times writer Mike Boehm revealed New York mega-art dealer Jeffery Deitch is to be the next head of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art - my reaction was the same as everyone's in the art world.
Painfully bruised toes after my jaw dropped on them.
Early Facebook status updates ranged between disbelief to horror along with the occasional call for minyans to sit shiva. MOCA clearly leaked the news in advance to allow the initial shock to die down and to allow purists to be able to process the five stages of mourning prior to Monday's formal announcement.
There were some early supporters, though, such as COAGULA editor, Mat Gleason, who declared that since art museums were already brothels, it was an inspired choice for MOCA to hire a first rate pimp to run theirs.Click on the above link for the rest of the column.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Going to Nick Agid show at Chinatown's Jancar Gallery - 6 - 9 Tonight!
Four other good artists at tonight's opening, too. See below invite for details. And I'll be there a little after 6 PM if anyone wants to catch up on the latest news about all the new art galleries & non-profit and educational organizations coming downtown this year.
Saturday January 2, 2010 6 - 9 PM
J A N C A R G A L L E R Y
961 CHUNG KING ROAD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
TEL 213 625-2522
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 12 – 5 PM (and by appointment)
www.jancargallery.com
JANCAR GALLERY is pleased to announce 2 concurrent solo exhibitions:
JAN. 2- JAN. 30, 2010
ALISON FOSHEE
LESLIE KNEISEL
Opening reception for the artists: Saturday, Jan. 2nd, from 6 - 9 PM
ALSO:
JANCAR PROJECTS
Curated by Mery Lynn McCorkle and Tom Jancar
Nick Agid - Sheri Mendelson - Norma Markley
Jan. 2 -Jan. 30, 2010
Opening reception for the artists: Saturday, Jan. 2, from 6 - 9 PM
Saturday January 2, 2010 6 - 9 PM
J A N C A R G A L L E R Y
961 CHUNG KING ROAD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
TEL 213 625-2522
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 12 – 5 PM (and by appointment)
www.jancargallery.com
JANCAR GALLERY is pleased to announce 2 concurrent solo exhibitions:
JAN. 2- JAN. 30, 2010
ALISON FOSHEE
LESLIE KNEISEL
Opening reception for the artists: Saturday, Jan. 2nd, from 6 - 9 PM
ALSO:
JANCAR PROJECTS
Curated by Mery Lynn McCorkle and Tom Jancar
Nick Agid - Sheri Mendelson - Norma Markley
Jan. 2 -Jan. 30, 2010
Opening reception for the artists: Saturday, Jan. 2, from 6 - 9 PM
Saturday, December 26, 2009
One More Reason Why LA Raised Writers Like Hector Tobar Are the Future of the Los Angeles Times
There are many excellent writers at the Los Angeles Times, but few as gifted as Hector Tobar and none who are better connected with our city.
His column today is about his memories of celebrating Christmas while growing up in Los Angeles. And, once again, he proves that only a life time of first hand experience can provide the particular kind of local coverage that binds together the people of Los Angeles - and attaches them to the paper that provides that coverage.
Effortlessly, Tobar reminds those of us who grew up here what our lives used to - and what it's like to live in LA today while also allowing newcomers to our city to learn about who we are - and why we are the way we are.
So, of course, until recently - the Times felt he should spend most of his time writing about national and international affairs. Most recently, the Times even sent him to run their Mexico City operations while they imported young reporters from around the country to write about LA.
And we all know how well that worked.
So read the first part of the below story below - or just click the link at the top and read it all at the LA Times website. But first, let me add a little personal note to his story about how interconnected all of Los Angeles is becoming despite what the experts are claiming.
My family first came here with the English at Jamestown, Virginia, the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, the Puritans on later ships, the Dutch in 17th Century New Amsterdam, the Germans in the 19th Century - and a Scottish Grandmother in the 20th Century. And a little American Indian got added along the way.
And that pretty much summed up my family tree - until they came to LA. And now, if all my cousins were to get together - there would be a mixture of white and Indian and Asian and black kids running around - most of whom with ancestors who came over on Mayflower.
His column today is about his memories of celebrating Christmas while growing up in Los Angeles. And, once again, he proves that only a life time of first hand experience can provide the particular kind of local coverage that binds together the people of Los Angeles - and attaches them to the paper that provides that coverage.
Effortlessly, Tobar reminds those of us who grew up here what our lives used to - and what it's like to live in LA today while also allowing newcomers to our city to learn about who we are - and why we are the way we are.
So, of course, until recently - the Times felt he should spend most of his time writing about national and international affairs. Most recently, the Times even sent him to run their Mexico City operations while they imported young reporters from around the country to write about LA.
And we all know how well that worked.
So read the first part of the below story below - or just click the link at the top and read it all at the LA Times website. But first, let me add a little personal note to his story about how interconnected all of Los Angeles is becoming despite what the experts are claiming.
My family first came here with the English at Jamestown, Virginia, the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, the Puritans on later ships, the Dutch in 17th Century New Amsterdam, the Germans in the 19th Century - and a Scottish Grandmother in the 20th Century. And a little American Indian got added along the way.
And that pretty much summed up my family tree - until they came to LA. And now, if all my cousins were to get together - there would be a mixture of white and Indian and Asian and black kids running around - most of whom with ancestors who came over on Mayflower.
HECTOR TOBAR
An L.A. Christmas blends many traditions
'Every celebration is different,' my mother says, 'but each is beautiful in its own way.'
Hector Tobar
December 26, 2009
This is a time when some people want to leave Los Angeles.
They dream of heading off to snowy locales-- Manhattan, frosty Alpine cabins, picturesque New England towns.
"I feel left out," my 13-year-old son says after hearing a radio report on the blizzard descending on the Midwest this week. He's never actually had a "white Christmas," but he knows what they're supposed to look like: ice on the windows, frozen sidewalks and falling snowflakes.
Blue skies and sunshine set the scene for my son's holiday show on his last school day before break. He and the other kids sang carols on our school's little outdoor stage in weather headed toward a daily high of 81.
They sang about "dashing through the snow" and "walking in a winter wonderland," and celebrating a Hanukkah where "in the window you can see the glow of my menorah on newly fallen snow."
The list of songs about California Christmases and Hanukkahs isn't long. One by the Disney-created Cheetah Girls includes the forgettable line: "We never made a snowman, but we're working on a suntan."
You won't catch me caroling that anytime soon.
And yet I refuse to believe that sweating Santas and lighted palm trees somehow make my Christmas less authentic.
Christmases with tamales and temperate weather are the only kind I really know.
My L.A. Christmas memories are bittersweet. Like a lot of L.A. kids, I had one of those childhoods in which people were always entering and exiting, thanks to divorces, remarriages and untimely death.
The cast of characters was never quite the same from one year to the next. Even the food was always changing. The one constant was the jumble of it all -- with different cultures celebrating side by side and blended together.
My parents arrived from Guatemala in the 1960s. Santa Claus wasn't the powerful global brand he is today and the bearded St. Nick was foreign to them. So was the U.S. custom of Christmas presents.
In Guatemala, the climax of the holiday season is Christmas Eve, when, at the stroke of midnight, people leave their homes to hug their neighbors. Guatemala City fills with the sounds of thousands of firecrackers.
For my parents on those first lonely Christmases in L.A, there were few friends to hug and no firecrackers. "It took me years to get used to that silence," my mother tells me.
We lived in East Hollywood and I remember one or two chilly nights out on Hollywood Boulevard watching the Santa Claus Lane parade pass a few blocks from our apartment. Santa Claus cruised over the asphalt on a wheeled sleigh with an escort of horses, cheesecake elves and some movie or TV star like Ernest Borgnine as the grand marshal.
Then my parents got divorced and my mother remarried. I moved to the Eastside and I learned what a Mexican American Christmas looks like. I was about 10 when my step-grandparents, the Velascos, taught me the joys of turkey dinners, tamales and football games on the crab grass. At their East Los Angeles home, I got my first Christmas stocking.
I was an awkward adolescent when my father remarried into a Jewish family. I soon got two new siblings and went to my first Hanukkah celebration. The Gelfands took me into their Lakewood home and I watched my little sisters light the menorah.
I was a teenager when I gave away my mother at her third wedding. Then the Dotsons took me into their home for a WASP Christmas; my new relatives were Whittier natives, and they wore tartan scarves and sweaters with reindeer on them. At their house, we drank cider and ate pie.
"Every celebration is different," my mother says, "but each is beautiful in its own way."
I'm thankful to all those Los Angeles clans -- the Velascos, the Dotsons and the Gelfands -- for accepting me, a stranger, into their families at various awkward moments of my childhood.
To me, their different celebrations all conveyed the same message: things might change, young man, but the adults around you will always try to build a peaceful home for you.
Looking back, I was lucky to be born in L.A., a city filled with newcomers and transplants.
People here are more used to sharing and mixing their cultural rituals.
When I got married....And now click on the link above to get the ending of his story.....
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Why Christmas In Los Angeles is NOT Overly-Commercialized Enough!
Below is just the opening of my latest Huffington Post Column. You can read all of it at the above link.
Why Can't Los Angeles Over-Commercialize Christmas Better?
Why Can't Los Angeles Over-Commercialize Christmas Better?
In a seeming attempt to surpass LA Times columnist Joel Stein in hate mail and death threats, fellow LA Times columnist Gregory Rodriguez recently wrote that this biggest problem with Christmas isn't that it's overly-commercialized - but that he has to listen to annoying people whine about how over-commercialized Christmas is.
And Greg, as usual, has a valid point, once he qualified he was talking about only one of the two different Christmases's celebrated in this country.
First, of course, there's the centuries old Christian holiday observed in the churches. Then there's the 19th Century Christmas shopping holiday observed in the shopping malls that has now become the world's largest economic event. It is also an economic event that Los Angeles must take better advantage of if we are ever going to pay for this city's coming billions of dollars of deficits.
Unfortunately, not only can't the leaders of Los Angeles ever properly implement even basic economic development projects - but we can't even properly commercialize, much less properly overly-commercialize, Christmas.
Contrasting the holiday displays in the shopping districts of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica or Pasadena will those in LA will quickly show why we are less unsuccessful in attracting Christmas shoppers and their lucrative sales tax revenues.
But still, much as Scrooge needed Marley to show him how to properly celebrate the true Christmas of his day - even I who already well knew the economic realities facing Los Angeles never fully understood how much the true over-commercialization of Christmas was needed in our city until one of the saddest days of my life.
That was the day my mother - whose favorite time of the year was always the entire Christmas season - was taken off her cancer treatments by her doctors so she could enjoy her final months in relative comfort. That was also the day I decided to take her to New York for her first - and last - Christmas Week in that city...
(the rest is at the above link)
Follow Brady Westwater on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradywestwater
And Greg, as usual, has a valid point, once he qualified he was talking about only one of the two different Christmases's celebrated in this country.
First, of course, there's the centuries old Christian holiday observed in the churches. Then there's the 19th Century Christmas shopping holiday observed in the shopping malls that has now become the world's largest economic event. It is also an economic event that Los Angeles must take better advantage of if we are ever going to pay for this city's coming billions of dollars of deficits.
Unfortunately, not only can't the leaders of Los Angeles ever properly implement even basic economic development projects - but we can't even properly commercialize, much less properly overly-commercialize, Christmas.
Contrasting the holiday displays in the shopping districts of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica or Pasadena will those in LA will quickly show why we are less unsuccessful in attracting Christmas shoppers and their lucrative sales tax revenues.
But still, much as Scrooge needed Marley to show him how to properly celebrate the true Christmas of his day - even I who already well knew the economic realities facing Los Angeles never fully understood how much the true over-commercialization of Christmas was needed in our city until one of the saddest days of my life.
That was the day my mother - whose favorite time of the year was always the entire Christmas season - was taken off her cancer treatments by her doctors so she could enjoy her final months in relative comfort. That was also the day I decided to take her to New York for her first - and last - Christmas Week in that city...
(the rest is at the above link)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Downtown Toy District In The Dumps
Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times picks up where the Downtown News left on the story of the long term decline of the Downtown Toy District and why its Business Improvement District was not renewed by the property owners. He also explains how the current already messy end situation is about to get a lot worse.
The BID expires Dec. 31, but the trash problem has been growing worse for weeks. The reason is that the Central City East Assn., the nonprofit organization that manages the BID, has been trying to husband the district's dwindling funds.
That means sticking firmly to its contractual duties -- hauling away pedestrian trash, not commercial trash such as discarded cartons, which is the landlords' and tenants' responsibility. As a result, garbage is already piling up. Come New Year's Day, when no one will be responsible for emptying corner trash cans -- watch out.
All private security currently paid for by the BID also ends that day and the already growing numbers of tents in the District at night are already making parts of Los Angeles Street almost impossible to walk along after dark. There were also now be one less set of eyes to watch over the homeless and protect them from those who prey upon them at night and one less group of people trying to encourage them to accept the services and help they need.
Now the underlying reasons for the current problems in that area are due to a lot of changes in both the national and the international toy - and other - wholesale markets. And those markets are never going to come back the way they were - and Toy Town is not going to be the place where they will be primarily coming back since since there are already places where it is easier and cheaper to service wholesale buyers. If anything, the area will continue to decline into more of a lower quality and lower priced swap meet alternative to the also declining Broadway retail district than return to being a true wholesale market.
The only good news is that this area is already starting - at its edges - to be incorporated into the adjoining Historic Downtown Business District as Historic Downtown slowly, store by store, expands down towards Los Angeles Street. And, to a lesser extent, functions of both the Fashion and Little Tokyo business districts will eventually move into the Toy District.
But even though I am quoted as saying the Toy District has a long term brighter future - I - and everyone else in the area agrees it's going to get a lot worse in Toy Town before it gets any better.
Other downtown pros say the Toy District's overall future is uncertain. Brady Westwater, who works closely with the downtown historical district, thinks eventually it will be swallowed up by healthier adjoining retail districts where space for expansion is already in demand. "Its long-term future is bright, but not as a toy district," he says. That transition depends on its remaining clean and safe, however, which may not be in the cards.
"It's going to be a mess for a while."
Others say predictions of its death are premature. Pouya Abdi, a district landlord who favored renewing the BID, says the district needs concessions from the city, such as a relaxation of parking regulations.
"This is an area where a Third World mentality thrived," he says. "Then the city started enforcing rules. A customer would buy items that cost 50 cents and get a $35 ticket for loading. So he wouldn't come back anymore."
The collapse of the Toy District BID illustrates one of the real drawbacks of providing municipal services on a block-by-block basis. The health of the entire downtown depends on cleanliness and safety, but one cluster of strapped or recalcitrant property owners can rip a hole in the fabric.
Unfortunately, in Los Angeles providing trash pickup and security patrols through BIDs is a necessity, because Proposition 13 has left the city without the resources to deliver specialized services to downtown neighborhoods without special assessments.
But creating and funding a BID requires a majority vote of its property owners. Downtown executives say that BIDs are a hard sell for some property owners even in good times and in upward-bound neighborhoods.
"Unless we can prove that we're increasing property values and rents, it's hard to justify those additional assessments," Smith says.
In districts where rents are on the downward slope, owners start to see the BID as just another revenue drain.
"Our cash flow is very bad," says Saeed Farkhondehpour, the largest property owner in the Toy District. He says he opposed renewing the BID because "the work they were doing wasn't making a big difference." Farkhondehpour, whose under-construction Medallion project will be partially within the Toy District, told me his portion of the BID's roughly $500,000 annual budget came to $150,000. He believes he can get trash collected for less. "We're going to handle it internally."
But unless he can get his fellow landlords to come together, there still won't be services for the whole Toy District.
The landlords as a whole haven't shown themselves to be the most proactive bunch thus far. Many tenants occupy spaces without access to commercial trash service or even basic sanitary facilities. Some say their landlords tell them to dump their stores' refuse in the nearest pedestrian trash can.
"The tenants don't have a clue," says Estela Lopez, executive director of the Central City East Assn. "That's a multilingual, multicultural area. Some of them have been told by their landlords that we are their trash service. We ended up being the de facto commercial refuse service simply to keep the area clean because if we didn't we'd have a vermin infestation and worse."
The city hasn't been very proactive either. Jan Perry, whose City Council district encompasses the area, says she steered clear of the efforts to renew the Toy District BID because these districts are "a form of self-governance, and it's not appropriate to exert undue political influence."
She says it's "shortsighted" for the property owners to let the BID expire, and that come Jan. 1 she'll seek a special detail to keep the district clean, but it will be "a full cost recovery operation," meaning it will be paired with stepped-up code enforcement -- and fines.
In other words, an answer to the Toy District's future isn't on the horizon. But the broader question is how to find a solution to the city's powerlessness. "This is the system working as it should, in sort of a perverse way," Lopez says. "It is up to that community to decide for itself where it wants to go."
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Downtown Art Walk Finds Perfect Leader
One of the reasons it's been so hard to replace Art Walk founder Bert Green is that even though Art Walk happens but once a month, it's growing complexity and size now requires whoever runs it to have six different skill sets just to manage what it's become and another half-dozen to help it become what it needs to be.
It also also requires someone who can connect and communicate with everyone Downtown from the homeless to musuems trustees, from college kids out for a good time to property owners, from gallery owners to artists and who also has an inside knowledge about what makes our unique neighborhood work that only a local could possibly have to even be considered as a viable candidate.
Sounds pretty impossible - right? Well, read the resume of our new Downtown Art Walk Executive Director, Jay Lopez.
It also also requires someone who can connect and communicate with everyone Downtown from the homeless to musuems trustees, from college kids out for a good time to property owners, from gallery owners to artists and who also has an inside knowledge about what makes our unique neighborhood work that only a local could possibly have to even be considered as a viable candidate.
Sounds pretty impossible - right? Well, read the resume of our new Downtown Art Walk Executive Director, Jay Lopez.
Downtown Los Angeles, CA – December 15, 2009 - The Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk, a nonprofit corporation that oversees the popular “Art Walk” event held each month in historic Downtown Los Angeles, today announced the appointment of Jay Lopez as the organization’s new Executive Director. Mr. Lopez is an active member of both the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council Arts & Culture Committee and the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Arts & Culture Committee, as well as the Silver Lake Gallery Alliance. Jay serves on the board of the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee as the Education/Outreach council chair and is also on the board of directors for the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2010. Mr. Lopez is an accomplished event producer and coordinator whose recent credits include Beyond Eden, a new contemporary art fair, East of Eden, a multi-gallery exhibition and art fair at the Los Angeles Municipal Gallery, CA Boom Design Show held this year at the former Robinsons department store in Beverly Hills, The East Hollywood ArtCycle Street Festival and The Silver Lake & East Hollywood Day of the Dead Festival.Congratulations Jay, a former tenant of the Spring Arts Tower on the floor right above me (not that I could ever recognize him, of course), and congratulations to the Art Walk Board for making such an inspired choice. It is rare for a job description and an applicant's resume to ever so perfectly match.
Friday, December 11, 2009
CityWatch Picks Up My Huffington Post Column on Solving LA Housing & Traffic Gridlock Crisis
CityWatch just put up my first of six Huffington Post columns on how to collectively solve LA's traffic & housing problems. They will be part of my twice a week column called - An Rx for Los Angeles - 101 Way to Fix a Broken City - and by the end of next year - I will... finally.... have enough raw material for me to also... finally.... edit it all into book form. Half of the columns will draw upon projects I - and/or - others of us Downtown or in other parts of Los Angeles - have already done or are in the works of working on. The other half will be proposals for larger scale projects that should to be done.
Below is the start of the first column and the above link will go to CItyWatch which will take you to the HP site for the rest of the column. If you have any comments - or suggestions - please leave them at the Huffington Post site.
Below is the start of the first column and the above link will go to CItyWatch which will take you to the HP site for the rest of the column. If you have any comments - or suggestions - please leave them at the Huffington Post site.
How to Save the Los Angeles Times, End Rush Hour Traffic, Solve the Housing Crisis (And Not Have to
Westwater Downtown
By Brady Westwater (Posted first at huffingtonpost.com/LosAngeles)
Two of the most important decisions any of us ever make is where we decide to live and what job we choose to accept. Rush hour traffic, however, proves how wrong we all can be.
But it is hard to make informed choices when there are so many housing options within 20 miles of any job. And if you fall in love with a house -- it's hard to know what jobs might be within commuting distance.
There are also those who are trapped in homes or jobs that are no longer right for them -- but who stick with them because they are too exhausted from day-to-day life to summon the energy to fix their lives.
But in chaos exists opportunity. Someday, a local media company -- such as the LA Times or Rubicon -- or someone such as Jay Penske -- will realize there is a need for a website that contains everything anyone in Los Angeles needs to correctly make those decisions.
A single site with every possible housing option in greater Los Angeles, and every imaginable job option.
A site with public school test scores, statistics for charter and private schools, locations of medical facilities, churches and temples -- and everything else (crime rates, air pollution, etc.) anyone needs to know.
A site that ranks every job and housing option -- based on your needs -- and then -- and here's the first killer app -- it sorts them first by the physical distance, and then by real world, rush hour commuting time distance by car and then by every different transit option -- between each job and every housing option.
Everyone will suddenly have far more options, while also being able to quickly reduce the numbers of those options to more manageable numbers.
But helping people already looking for a new job or a home is only a start.
The key part of this killer app is that everyone can input their desired jobs, housing and commute times, long before they need them.
They will then get emails with every new job and new housing opportunity that meets their needs.
And that's when the larger societal and personal benefits start to kick in. (The rest of Brady Westwater’s column here.)
(Brady Westwater is Mr Downtown. He helped found the Downtown LA Neighborhood Council, Gallery Row, Downtown Fashion Week, the Art & Fashion Walks while working on civic planning projects from the Police Headquarters to the Park 101 Freeway Cap and recruiting 50 businesses and non-profits to Downtown. He blogs at www.lacowboy.blogspot.com & www.downtownfashionwalk.blogspot.com. You can follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradywestwater . This article was posted first at www.huffingtonpost.com/losangeles) ◘
CityWatch
Vol 7 Issue 101
Pub: Dec 11, 2009
Downtown Art Walk Finds The Perfect Balance
Best Art Walk Ever! Just the right number of people, plenty of time for conversation with new friends and old, some good new artists, plenty of excitement, lots of energy and talent at the Skid Row Artists' Collective, a touch of winter in the air and the slow drizzle that began at 10:30, gently pooled the light on the streets and sidewalks, and made all of Downtown as romantic as hell.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
DOWNTOWN ART WALK IS TONIGHT! Thursday December 10th, 2009 - until 9 PM!
The sun is shinning on Art Walk Day and any sprinkles are now supposed to be after 9 PM. And the ART WALK map - plus a list of special events tonight are at: http://www.downtownartwalk.com/map - or can be picked up tonight at the galleries. See you there!
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
My First Huffington Post Column; How to Save the Los Angeles Times, End Rush Hour Traffic, Solve the Housing Crisis (And Not Have to Pay For It)
(This is the first of six columns on traffic and housing in Los Angeles)
Two of the most important decisions any of us ever make is where we decide to live and what job we choose to accept. Rush hour traffic, however, proves how wrong we all can be.
But it is hard to make informed choices when there are so many housing options within 20 miles of any job. And if you fall in love with a house - it's hard to know what jobs might be within commuting distance.
There are also those who are trapped in homes or jobs that are no longer right for them - but who stick with them because they are too exhausted from day-to-day life to summon the energy to fix their lives.
But in chaos - exists opportunity.
Someday, a local media company - such as the LA Times or Rubicon - or someone such as Jay Penske - will realize there is a need for a website that contains everything anyone in Los Angeles needs to correctly make those decisions.
A single site with every possible housing option in greater Los Angeles - and every imaginable job option.
A site with public school test scores, statistics for charter and private schools, locations of medical facilities, churches & temples - and everything else (crime rates, air pollution, etc.) anyone needs to know.
A site that ranks every job and housing option - based on your needs - and then - and here's the first killer app - it sorts them first by the physical distance, and then by real world, rush hour commuting time distance by car and then by every different transit option - between each job and every housing option.
Everyone will suddenly have far more options - while also being able to quickly reduce the numbers of those options to more manageable numbers.
But helping people already looking for a new job or a home is only the start.
(MORE AT THE ABOVE LINK)
Two of the most important decisions any of us ever make is where we decide to live and what job we choose to accept. Rush hour traffic, however, proves how wrong we all can be.
But it is hard to make informed choices when there are so many housing options within 20 miles of any job. And if you fall in love with a house - it's hard to know what jobs might be within commuting distance.
There are also those who are trapped in homes or jobs that are no longer right for them - but who stick with them because they are too exhausted from day-to-day life to summon the energy to fix their lives.
But in chaos - exists opportunity.
Someday, a local media company - such as the LA Times or Rubicon - or someone such as Jay Penske - will realize there is a need for a website that contains everything anyone in Los Angeles needs to correctly make those decisions.
A single site with every possible housing option in greater Los Angeles - and every imaginable job option.
A site with public school test scores, statistics for charter and private schools, locations of medical facilities, churches & temples - and everything else (crime rates, air pollution, etc.) anyone needs to know.
A site that ranks every job and housing option - based on your needs - and then - and here's the first killer app - it sorts them first by the physical distance, and then by real world, rush hour commuting time distance by car and then by every different transit option - between each job and every housing option.
Everyone will suddenly have far more options - while also being able to quickly reduce the numbers of those options to more manageable numbers.
But helping people already looking for a new job or a home is only the start.
(MORE AT THE ABOVE LINK)
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Black Friday Fashion Sales In Downtown's Fashion Walk Stores!
Black Friday Deals In Downtown Fashion/Art Walk Stores! Vintage & contemporary fashion, best seller books, art supplies & everything for your pet!
Black Friday Sales start on the NW corner of 7th and Main with a 10 AM to 10 PM Nov. 27th “Blackest Friday Blowout” 20% off sale. Z LOFT BOUTIQUE features exclusive pieces for men and women straight off the airplane from the UK, Japan, Berlin & Italy. This is where to get the hard to find serious designer vintage you can’t find anywhere else in Los Angeles. Z LOFT BOUTIQUE 111 W. 7th St. #R4 LA 90014.
Then around the corner on Main Street - just north of 7th Street - in the same building, the already amazingly low prices of Christina Wheeler’s bags (which stylists snap up as fast as she can make them), bows, and dresses – plus assorted jewelry - will ALL be a full 25% off – but only from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Nov. 27th Friday night. And don’t miss her new bargain priced “BacSacs” line of bags. Custom one of a kind bags starting at an incredible $20 - $25. And, yes – even they will be a full 25% off – but, again, only for two hours at her Main Street boutique - SYMBIOTIC FORM - just north of the NW corner of 7th and Main.
Joining in the discounts will be premier sneaker boutique – BLENDS – with their 3 day holiday sale from Friday the 27th until Sunday the 29th. This in-house sale allows any purchaser of one pair of sneakers – to get 50% off the second purchase of specially selected items. Store hours for this sale will be 11:30 AM – 7 PM Friday and Saturday and Noon to 6 PM on Sunday. And BLENDS is located at 125 W. 5th Street between Main and Spring.
And right next door to BLENDS - the ELMER AVE entire fashionable casual to formal menswear line (www.elmerave.com) will be a full 20% off everything in stock from noon to 8 PM Friday November 27th. Plus – any custom screen printing on all T-shirts or other clothing items you bring in – or buy – you will also be 20% off. ELMER AVE is located at 125 W. 4th Street between Main and Spring.
And speaking of customizing, APLIIQ will customize any shirts, hoodies, kicks or anything else you bring in – at a 15% discount not only on Black Friday – but clear until Tuesday December 1st. Store hours are 12 – 5 this Friday, Saturday and Sunday or call 323-300-6492. Also 15% off, will be all custom items in stock at the store located on the north side of 6th Street – between Main and Spring - or any purchases made during those four days from the website – www.apliiq.com.
Then less than a block away – at 204 W. 6th Street – just west of Spring, Crack Gallery’s selection of contemporary youthful fashion for women and men will have selected merchandise from 20% – 50% off - plus all accessories will be 15% off this Friday from 11AM to 8 PM.
Also open this Friday, from 10 AM until 7 PM will be METROPOLIS BOOKS – Downtown’s leading book store - with a rare 10% off every book in the store sale this Friday. Located at 440 S. Main, METROPOLIS BOOKS has an excellent selection of books about Historic Downtown perfect for Christmas gifts and it is located right next door to Downtown’s leading art supply store – RAW MATERIALS.
Located at 436 S. Main Street, RAW MATERIALS is open from 11- 7 on Friday (as it is on all other weekdays) and 11 – 5 on Saturday and it is closed on Sunday. And starting at 11 AM Friday – for as long as the stock lasts, they will be selling 3.5 x 5.5 lined, graph & plain notebooks (that retail at $10) – for $3 each. Also for sale will be 12 piece drawing & sketching sets (retailing at $15) for $5 and 24 piece drawing & sketching sets (retailing for $30) for $10.
Finally – don’t forget to shop for holiday bargains for your pussy and your pooch at LA coolest pet supply store – PUSSY & POOCH – at 564 S. Main Street - on the NE corner of 6th and Main - with its in-store savings and special events for you and your fur friends!
Shop & Save | Fri Nov 27 – Sun Nov 29
Annual After Thanksgiving Shopping Event
Save 15% Storewide* off a variety of items that make for the perfect
gift or stocking stuffer for your pet and your pet-loving-friends'
pets, including all our best-selling toys, treats, pet apparel, collars,
leashes, harnesses, and more.
*Offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Offer excludes pet food
products and custom orders.
Shop & Save Online @ PussyandPooch.com
Shop early for your out-of-town pet-loving friends & family and Save 15%
on select online items PLUS free standard shipping with purchase of $50
or more on Fri Nov 27 – Mon Nov 30 (from Thurs 12pm midnight-Mon
12pm midnight). Enter Promo Code "thanks09" during checkout.
Shop NOW
http://www.pussyandpooch.com/store/pc/home.asp
Black Friday Sales start on the NW corner of 7th and Main with a 10 AM to 10 PM Nov. 27th “Blackest Friday Blowout” 20% off sale. Z LOFT BOUTIQUE features exclusive pieces for men and women straight off the airplane from the UK, Japan, Berlin & Italy. This is where to get the hard to find serious designer vintage you can’t find anywhere else in Los Angeles. Z LOFT BOUTIQUE 111 W. 7th St. #R4 LA 90014.
Then around the corner on Main Street - just north of 7th Street - in the same building, the already amazingly low prices of Christina Wheeler’s bags (which stylists snap up as fast as she can make them), bows, and dresses – plus assorted jewelry - will ALL be a full 25% off – but only from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Nov. 27th Friday night. And don’t miss her new bargain priced “BacSacs” line of bags. Custom one of a kind bags starting at an incredible $20 - $25. And, yes – even they will be a full 25% off – but, again, only for two hours at her Main Street boutique - SYMBIOTIC FORM - just north of the NW corner of 7th and Main.
Joining in the discounts will be premier sneaker boutique – BLENDS – with their 3 day holiday sale from Friday the 27th until Sunday the 29th. This in-house sale allows any purchaser of one pair of sneakers – to get 50% off the second purchase of specially selected items. Store hours for this sale will be 11:30 AM – 7 PM Friday and Saturday and Noon to 6 PM on Sunday. And BLENDS is located at 125 W. 5th Street between Main and Spring.
And right next door to BLENDS - the ELMER AVE entire fashionable casual to formal menswear line (www.elmerave.com) will be a full 20% off everything in stock from noon to 8 PM Friday November 27th. Plus – any custom screen printing on all T-shirts or other clothing items you bring in – or buy – you will also be 20% off. ELMER AVE is located at 125 W. 4th Street between Main and Spring.
And speaking of customizing, APLIIQ will customize any shirts, hoodies, kicks or anything else you bring in – at a 15% discount not only on Black Friday – but clear until Tuesday December 1st. Store hours are 12 – 5 this Friday, Saturday and Sunday or call 323-300-6492. Also 15% off, will be all custom items in stock at the store located on the north side of 6th Street – between Main and Spring - or any purchases made during those four days from the website – www.apliiq.com.
Then less than a block away – at 204 W. 6th Street – just west of Spring, Crack Gallery’s selection of contemporary youthful fashion for women and men will have selected merchandise from 20% – 50% off - plus all accessories will be 15% off this Friday from 11AM to 8 PM.
Also open this Friday, from 10 AM until 7 PM will be METROPOLIS BOOKS – Downtown’s leading book store - with a rare 10% off every book in the store sale this Friday. Located at 440 S. Main, METROPOLIS BOOKS has an excellent selection of books about Historic Downtown perfect for Christmas gifts and it is located right next door to Downtown’s leading art supply store – RAW MATERIALS.
Located at 436 S. Main Street, RAW MATERIALS is open from 11- 7 on Friday (as it is on all other weekdays) and 11 – 5 on Saturday and it is closed on Sunday. And starting at 11 AM Friday – for as long as the stock lasts, they will be selling 3.5 x 5.5 lined, graph & plain notebooks (that retail at $10) – for $3 each. Also for sale will be 12 piece drawing & sketching sets (retailing at $15) for $5 and 24 piece drawing & sketching sets (retailing for $30) for $10.
Finally – don’t forget to shop for holiday bargains for your pussy and your pooch at LA coolest pet supply store – PUSSY & POOCH – at 564 S. Main Street - on the NE corner of 6th and Main - with its in-store savings and special events for you and your fur friends!
Shop & Save | Fri Nov 27 – Sun Nov 29
Annual After Thanksgiving Shopping Event
Save 15% Storewide* off a variety of items that make for the perfect
gift or stocking stuffer for your pet and your pet-loving-friends'
pets, including all our best-selling toys, treats, pet apparel, collars,
leashes, harnesses, and more.
*Offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Offer excludes pet food
products and custom orders.
Shop & Save Online @ PussyandPooch.com
Shop early for your out-of-town pet-loving friends & family and Save 15%
on select online items PLUS free standard shipping with purchase of $50
or more on Fri Nov 27 – Mon Nov 30 (from Thurs 12pm midnight-Mon
12pm midnight). Enter Promo Code "thanks09" during checkout.
Shop NOW
http://www.pussyandpooch.com/store/pc/home.asp
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Fashion Walk Schedule - Thursday November 19th 6 - 10 PM!
Downtown Fashion Walk – Where To Go
And What To Do When You Get There!
Thursday November 19th, 2009
6 PM – 10 PM (or later!)
Most stores will be open by noon and are
identified by a number while all one-night
events or venues will be open no later than 6 PM
(except for event at the Alexandria which starts
at 8 PM) and are identified by a capital letter.
Stores & Events Listed By Street
MAIN STREET & SIDE STREETS
1. Blends
125 W 4th St
213 626 6606
www.Blendsus.Com
Limited Edition sneakers &
Hip Urban Clothing
2. Elmer Ave.
125 W. 4th St.
888 356 3728
www.Elmerave.Com
One night only limited run of T-shirts for sale –
first come first served starting at 7 PM. Or – bring
in your own shirts and Elmer Ave will design and
customize you own shirt while you wait.
Rock and Roll Rebels Designing
High-End Formal Wear & T-Shirts
3. Skin.Graft
125 W. 4th St. #102
213 626 2662 www.skingraftdesigns.Com
Raw underground Style
combined with Sleek high-end couture
4. Stelladottir
430 S. Main St.
213 623 8464
www.stelladottir.com
Hand made, vintage inspired clothes and hats.
Last year’s Downtown News store of the year and
this year a LA Weekly Store of the Year.
5. Main Street Tattoo
438 Main Street
213-622-0387
Late night tattoos
www.mainsttats.com
6. 118 Winston
118 E. Winston Street, 2nd Floor
118winston.com
Fine Vintage Fashions & Accessories for
Men & Women – Jewelry by 4th & French
“FUTURISMO: An art installation based on our
desert in the future” Emilio Ramirez, Burak Duvenci,
Stephen Harrison Hill, and Joanna Bean Martin
7. (Sub) Urban
101 W. 5th Street
New contemporary furniture
& design store. Plus one night show
by NoA with international labels
found nowhere else in LA.
8. Pussy & Pooch
564 S. Main St
213 438 0900
www.pussyandpooch.com
Pet Couture & Grooming
9. Upper Playground (closes early)
125 E 6th Street
213 623 4300
www.Upperplayground.Com
Fusion of fashion with fine art
with locally and nationally known artists
10. Mr. Cartoon’s Tattoo Shop (closes early)
The Last Laugh
129 E 6th St
213 488 0313
www.Mistercartoon.Com
Urban clothes & classic tattoos
11. 1-Man’s Trash
7th & Main, NW corner on
Main Street
Vintage inspired and re-made vintage
for men, women and children + runway
fashion +Hard to find vintage clothing
12. Symbiotic Form
7th & Main NW corner on
Main Street
213.631.6971
Vintage inspired woman’s hand bags, hats, clothes and jewelry
www.symbioticform.blogspot.com
13. Z Loft Boutique
7th and Main, NW corner
On 7th side of building
Vintage clothing of every kind and
every price from all over the world
14. The Cooper Store
721 S. Los Angeles Street
213-243-5834
Sample sales from Cooper Building
All sales all the time!
www.cooperdesignspace.blogspot.com
SPRING STREET & SIDE STREETS
B. Crocker Club at Spring Arts Tower
After-party to Downtown Fashion Walk.
453 S. Spring Street
A club built in a basement bank vault
8 PM – 2 PM
C. Spring Arts Tower
201 W. 5th at Spring
Historic Bank Lobby
Twenty different designers and boutiques, contemporary
and vintage clothes and Louise Green Millinery.
D. Vava Rula
207 W. 5th Street
Armageddon Shoes, Japashion.com,
emerging designers, vintage fashion,
art, furniture & much more.
15. Deborah Martin Gallery
209 W. 5th Street
310-428-6464
www.deborahmartingallery.com
Ashley Hagen & Howard Seth Miller
Reflections of Innocence
16. Polyester Books
Todd/Browning Gallery
211 West 5th Street
213 623 1176
www.Polyesterbooks.Com
Fashion, Style, Art & Design Books
Vintage/Contemporary Photographs
17. Bolt Barbers
460 S. Spring
310-594-3150
Old school men’s barber shop just opened –
Fashion Walk specials until midnight
www.boltbarbers.com
E. Maggie Barry ‘Wrapped in Beauty’
Palm Court Ballroom in historic Alexandria Hotel
501 S. Spring Street
Under three Tiffany glass skylights, a photo shoot
of Maggie Berry’s new line, plus a pop-up store with 15
edgy designers, multiple bars & DJ’s, Naked Catering, and
photos by Ash Gupta. Open to public.
8 PM – 12:30 PM
18. KAPSOUL
6th Street between Main
and Spring
Cell 818-693-4180
Contemporary & vintage clothes, sunglasses
19. Flea
6th Street between Main
and Spring
213-626-2122
Vintage clothes, furniture, hats
and contemporary art
20. Apliiq
6th Street between Main
and Spring
323 300 6492
www.apliiq.com
Apliiq applies unique rare textiles
to everyday garments.
21. New York Hats
217 W 6th St
213 228 1915
New And Old School Hats
Located in historic chocolate store
filled with Bachelder tiles!
Hurry! Will close early
22. Crack Gallery
204 W 6th St
213 622 3493
www.crackgallery.com
Crack Gallery wants to get the city hooked on a new drug:
their own blend of fashion and art.
And What To Do When You Get There!
Thursday November 19th, 2009
6 PM – 10 PM (or later!)
Most stores will be open by noon and are
identified by a number while all one-night
events or venues will be open no later than 6 PM
(except for event at the Alexandria which starts
at 8 PM) and are identified by a capital letter.
Stores & Events Listed By Street
MAIN STREET & SIDE STREETS
1. Blends
125 W 4th St
213 626 6606
www.Blendsus.Com
Limited Edition sneakers &
Hip Urban Clothing
2. Elmer Ave.
125 W. 4th St.
888 356 3728
www.Elmerave.Com
One night only limited run of T-shirts for sale –
first come first served starting at 7 PM. Or – bring
in your own shirts and Elmer Ave will design and
customize you own shirt while you wait.
Rock and Roll Rebels Designing
High-End Formal Wear & T-Shirts
3. Skin.Graft
125 W. 4th St. #102
213 626 2662 www.skingraftdesigns.Com
Raw underground Style
combined with Sleek high-end couture
4. Stelladottir
430 S. Main St.
213 623 8464
www.stelladottir.com
Hand made, vintage inspired clothes and hats.
Last year’s Downtown News store of the year and
this year a LA Weekly Store of the Year.
5. Main Street Tattoo
438 Main Street
213-622-0387
Late night tattoos
www.mainsttats.com
6. 118 Winston
118 E. Winston Street, 2nd Floor
118winston.com
Fine Vintage Fashions & Accessories for
Men & Women – Jewelry by 4th & French
“FUTURISMO: An art installation based on our
desert in the future” Emilio Ramirez, Burak Duvenci,
Stephen Harrison Hill, and Joanna Bean Martin
7. (Sub) Urban
101 W. 5th Street
New contemporary furniture
& design store. Plus one night show
by NoA with international labels
found nowhere else in LA.
8. Pussy & Pooch
564 S. Main St
213 438 0900
www.pussyandpooch.com
Pet Couture & Grooming
9. Upper Playground (closes early)
125 E 6th Street
213 623 4300
www.Upperplayground.Com
Fusion of fashion with fine art
with locally and nationally known artists
10. Mr. Cartoon’s Tattoo Shop (closes early)
The Last Laugh
129 E 6th St
213 488 0313
www.Mistercartoon.Com
Urban clothes & classic tattoos
11. 1-Man’s Trash
7th & Main, NW corner on
Main Street
Vintage inspired and re-made vintage
for men, women and children + runway
fashion +Hard to find vintage clothing
12. Symbiotic Form
7th & Main NW corner on
Main Street
213.631.6971
Vintage inspired woman’s hand bags, hats, clothes and jewelry
www.symbioticform.blogspot.com
13. Z Loft Boutique
7th and Main, NW corner
On 7th side of building
Vintage clothing of every kind and
every price from all over the world
14. The Cooper Store
721 S. Los Angeles Street
213-243-5834
Sample sales from Cooper Building
All sales all the time!
www.cooperdesignspace.blogspot.com
SPRING STREET & SIDE STREETS
B. Crocker Club at Spring Arts Tower
After-party to Downtown Fashion Walk.
453 S. Spring Street
A club built in a basement bank vault
8 PM – 2 PM
C. Spring Arts Tower
201 W. 5th at Spring
Historic Bank Lobby
Twenty different designers and boutiques, contemporary
and vintage clothes and Louise Green Millinery.
D. Vava Rula
207 W. 5th Street
Armageddon Shoes, Japashion.com,
emerging designers, vintage fashion,
art, furniture & much more.
15. Deborah Martin Gallery
209 W. 5th Street
310-428-6464
www.deborahmartingallery.com
Ashley Hagen & Howard Seth Miller
Reflections of Innocence
16. Polyester Books
Todd/Browning Gallery
211 West 5th Street
213 623 1176
www.Polyesterbooks.Com
Fashion, Style, Art & Design Books
Vintage/Contemporary Photographs
17. Bolt Barbers
460 S. Spring
310-594-3150
Old school men’s barber shop just opened –
Fashion Walk specials until midnight
www.boltbarbers.com
E. Maggie Barry ‘Wrapped in Beauty’
Palm Court Ballroom in historic Alexandria Hotel
501 S. Spring Street
Under three Tiffany glass skylights, a photo shoot
of Maggie Berry’s new line, plus a pop-up store with 15
edgy designers, multiple bars & DJ’s, Naked Catering, and
photos by Ash Gupta. Open to public.
8 PM – 12:30 PM
18. KAPSOUL
6th Street between Main
and Spring
Cell 818-693-4180
Contemporary & vintage clothes, sunglasses
19. Flea
6th Street between Main
and Spring
213-626-2122
Vintage clothes, furniture, hats
and contemporary art
20. Apliiq
6th Street between Main
and Spring
323 300 6492
www.apliiq.com
Apliiq applies unique rare textiles
to everyday garments.
21. New York Hats
217 W 6th St
213 228 1915
New And Old School Hats
Located in historic chocolate store
filled with Bachelder tiles!
Hurry! Will close early
22. Crack Gallery
204 W 6th St
213 622 3493
www.crackgallery.com
Crack Gallery wants to get the city hooked on a new drug:
their own blend of fashion and art.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Full Fashion Walk Schedule - Thursday November 19 2009
Downtown Fashion Walk – Where To Go
And What To Do When You Get There!
Thursday November 19th, 2009
6 PM – 10 PM (or later!)
Most stores will be open by noon and are
identified by a number while all one-night
events or venues will be open no later than 6 PM (except for event at the Alexandria which starts at 8 PM) and are identified by a capital letter.
Stores & Events Listed By Street
MAIN STREET & SIDE STREETS
1. Blends
125 W 4th St
213 626 6606
www.Blendsus.Com
Limited Edition sneakers &
Hip Urban Clothing
2. Elmer Ave.
125 W. 4th St.
888 356 3728
www.Elmerave.Com
One night only limited run of T-shirts for sale –
first come first served starting at 7 PM. Or – bring
in your own shirts and Elmer Ave will design and
customize you own shirt while you wait.
Rock and Roll Rebels Designing
High-End Formal Wear & T-Shirts
3. Skin.Graft
125 W. 4th St. #102
213 626 2662 www.skingraftdesigns.Com
Raw underground Style
combined with Sleek high-end couture
4. Broadway Army Store
Might close by 7 PM
217 W 4th St
213 617 8495
http://www.broadwayarmystore.net/ArmyStore/Default.htm
Military & Civilian Uniforms, Shirts
5. Crewest (closes at 6 pm)
110 E. Winston St.
Los Angeles
213 627 8272
www.Crewest.Com
Stellar graffiti artist art & clothing
6. 118 Winston
118 E. Winston Street, 2nd Floor
118winston.com
Fine Vintage Fashions & Accessories for
Men & Women - Jewelry by 4th & French
"FUTURISMO: An art installation based on our
desert in the future" Emilio Ramirez, Burak Duvenci,
Stephen Harrison Hill, and Joanna Bean Martin
7. Stelladottir
430 S. Main St.
213 623 8464
www.stelladottir.com
Hand made, vintage inspired clothes and hats.
Last year’s Downtown News store of the year and
this year a LA Weekly Store of the Year.
8. Main Street Tattoo
438 Main Street
213-622-0387
Late night tattoos
www.mainsttats.com
9. (Sub) Urban
101 W. 5th Street
New contemporary furniture
& design store. Plus one night show
by NoA with international labels
found nowhere else in LA.
B. Billy’s Café
114 W. 5th Street
Historical Exhibit of LGBT Community in
LA – and discussion of LGBT political power
by Sheila Kuehl and Torrie Osbourne.
Free to public
7:30 – 9:00 PM
12. Pussy & Pooch
564 S. Main St
213 438 0900
www.pussyandpooch.com
Pet Couture & Grooming
14. Upper Playground (closes early)
125 E 6th Street
213 623 4300
www.Upperplayground.Com
Fusion of fashion with fine art
with locally and nationally known artists
15. Mr. Cartoon's Tattoo Shop (closes early)
The Last Laugh
129 E 6th St
213 488 0313
www.Mistercartoon.Com
Urban clothes & classic tattoos
17. 1-Man’s Trash
7th & Main, NW corner on
Main Street
Vintage inspired and re-made vintage
for men, women and children + runway
fashion +Hard to find vintage clothing
818-209-4356
818-355-1130
18. Symbiotic Form
7th & Main NW corner on
Main Street
213.631.6971
Vintage inspired woman's hand bags, hats, clothes and jewelry
www.symbioticform.blogspot.com
19. Z Loft Boutique
7th and Main, NW corner
On 7th side of building
Vintage clothing of every kind and
every price from all over the world.
213-629-5638
20. Fremont
7th & Main – New, larger store
REOPENS December Fashion Walk!
323-540-9430
www.fremontapparelco.com
21. The Cooper Store
721 S. Los Angeles Street
213-243-5834
Sample sales from Cooper Building
All sales all the time!
www.cooperdesignspace.blogspot.com
SPRING STREET & SIDE STREETS
C. Crocker Club at Spring Arts Tower
After-party to Downtown Fashion Walk.
453 S. Spring Street
A club built in a basement bank vault
8 PM – 2 PM
D. Spring Arts Tower
201 W. 5th at Spring
Historic Bank Lobby
Twenty different designers and boutiques, contemporary
and vintage clothes and Louise Green Millinery.
E. Vava Rula
207 W. 5th Street
Armageddon Shoes, Japashion.com,
emerging designers, vintage fashion,
art, furniture & much more.
23. Deborah Martin Gallery
209 W. 5th Street
310-428-6464
www.deborahmartingallery.com
Ashley Hagen & Howard Seth Miller
Reflections of Innocence
24. Polyester Books
Todd/Browning Gallery
211 West 5th Street
213 623 1176
www.Polyesterbooks.Com
Fashion, Style, Art & Design Books
Vintage/Contemporary Photographs
25. Bolt Barbers
460 S. Main
310-594-3150
Old school men’s barber shop just opened –
Fashion Walk specials until midnight
www.boltbarbers.com
F . Maggie Barry ‘Wrapped in Beauty’
Palm Court Ballroom in historic Alexandria Hotel
501 S. Spring Street
Under three Tiffany glass skylights, a photo shoot
of Maggie Berry’s new line, plus a pop-up store with 15
edgy designers, multiple bars & DJ’s, Naked Catering, and
photos by Ash Gupta. Open to public.
8 PM - 12:30 PM
26. KAPSOUL
6th Street between Main
and Spring
Cell 818-693-4180
Contemporary & vintage clothes, sunglasses
27. Flea
6th Street between Main
and Spring
213-626-2122
Vintage clothes, furniture, hats
and contemporary art
28. Apliiq
6th Street between Main
and Spring
323 300 6492
www.apliiq.com
Apliiq applies unique rare textiles
to everyday garments.
29. New York Hats
217 W 6th St
213 228 1915
New And Old School Hats
Located in historic chocolate store
filled with Bachelder tiles!
Hurry! Will close early
30. Crack Gallery
204 W 6th St
213 622 3493
www.crackgallery.com
Crack Gallery wants to get the city hooked on a new drug:
their own blend of fashion and art.
BROADWAY & SIDE STREETS
Broadway stores close by 7 PM
31. Goodwill 7 PM
235 S Broadway
(213) 628-1748
www.Goodwillsocal.Org
Vintage/Used/Huge Selection!
32. Shoe Hut 7 PM
529 S Broadway
213 688 8310
www.shoehutusa.com
Huge Selection of Baseball Caps
& Shoes & Sneakers
29. New York Hats
217 W 6th St
213 228 1915
New and Old School Hats
Located in historic Chocolate
Shop with Batchler tiles
33. Chanelli Outlet 6 PM
625 S. Broadway
Rarely Seen European Brand
Bags and leather jackets. Clearance Sale!
Closes at 6 PM & pop-up opens at
Spring Arts Tower
34. Red Zone Footwear
7 PM close
629 S Broadway
213 622 8649
http://local.yahoo.com/info-20366907-red-zone-footwear-los-angeles?tab=reviews#reviews
Excellent selection of creepers, heels and punk and rock shirts
LA Weekly Best Store Selection!
And What To Do When You Get There!
Thursday November 19th, 2009
6 PM – 10 PM (or later!)
Most stores will be open by noon and are
identified by a number while all one-night
events or venues will be open no later than 6 PM (except for event at the Alexandria which starts at 8 PM) and are identified by a capital letter.
Stores & Events Listed By Street
MAIN STREET & SIDE STREETS
1. Blends
125 W 4th St
213 626 6606
www.Blendsus.Com
Limited Edition sneakers &
Hip Urban Clothing
2. Elmer Ave.
125 W. 4th St.
888 356 3728
www.Elmerave.Com
One night only limited run of T-shirts for sale –
first come first served starting at 7 PM. Or – bring
in your own shirts and Elmer Ave will design and
customize you own shirt while you wait.
Rock and Roll Rebels Designing
High-End Formal Wear & T-Shirts
3. Skin.Graft
125 W. 4th St. #102
213 626 2662 www.skingraftdesigns.Com
Raw underground Style
combined with Sleek high-end couture
4. Broadway Army Store
Might close by 7 PM
217 W 4th St
213 617 8495
http://www.broadwayarmystore.net/ArmyStore/Default.htm
Military & Civilian Uniforms, Shirts
5. Crewest (closes at 6 pm)
110 E. Winston St.
Los Angeles
213 627 8272
www.Crewest.Com
Stellar graffiti artist art & clothing
6. 118 Winston
118 E. Winston Street, 2nd Floor
118winston.com
Fine Vintage Fashions & Accessories for
Men & Women - Jewelry by 4th & French
"FUTURISMO: An art installation based on our
desert in the future" Emilio Ramirez, Burak Duvenci,
Stephen Harrison Hill, and Joanna Bean Martin
7. Stelladottir
430 S. Main St.
213 623 8464
www.stelladottir.com
Hand made, vintage inspired clothes and hats.
Last year’s Downtown News store of the year and
this year a LA Weekly Store of the Year.
8. Main Street Tattoo
438 Main Street
213-622-0387
Late night tattoos
www.mainsttats.com
9. (Sub) Urban
101 W. 5th Street
New contemporary furniture
& design store. Plus one night show
by NoA with international labels
found nowhere else in LA.
B. Billy’s Café
114 W. 5th Street
Historical Exhibit of LGBT Community in
LA – and discussion of LGBT political power
by Sheila Kuehl and Torrie Osbourne.
Free to public
7:30 – 9:00 PM
12. Pussy & Pooch
564 S. Main St
213 438 0900
www.pussyandpooch.com
Pet Couture & Grooming
14. Upper Playground (closes early)
125 E 6th Street
213 623 4300
www.Upperplayground.Com
Fusion of fashion with fine art
with locally and nationally known artists
15. Mr. Cartoon's Tattoo Shop (closes early)
The Last Laugh
129 E 6th St
213 488 0313
www.Mistercartoon.Com
Urban clothes & classic tattoos
17. 1-Man’s Trash
7th & Main, NW corner on
Main Street
Vintage inspired and re-made vintage
for men, women and children + runway
fashion +Hard to find vintage clothing
818-209-4356
818-355-1130
18. Symbiotic Form
7th & Main NW corner on
Main Street
213.631.6971
Vintage inspired woman's hand bags, hats, clothes and jewelry
www.symbioticform.blogspot.com
19. Z Loft Boutique
7th and Main, NW corner
On 7th side of building
Vintage clothing of every kind and
every price from all over the world.
213-629-5638
20. Fremont
7th & Main – New, larger store
REOPENS December Fashion Walk!
323-540-9430
www.fremontapparelco.com
21. The Cooper Store
721 S. Los Angeles Street
213-243-5834
Sample sales from Cooper Building
All sales all the time!
www.cooperdesignspace.blogspot.com
SPRING STREET & SIDE STREETS
C. Crocker Club at Spring Arts Tower
After-party to Downtown Fashion Walk.
453 S. Spring Street
A club built in a basement bank vault
8 PM – 2 PM
D. Spring Arts Tower
201 W. 5th at Spring
Historic Bank Lobby
Twenty different designers and boutiques, contemporary
and vintage clothes and Louise Green Millinery.
E. Vava Rula
207 W. 5th Street
Armageddon Shoes, Japashion.com,
emerging designers, vintage fashion,
art, furniture & much more.
23. Deborah Martin Gallery
209 W. 5th Street
310-428-6464
www.deborahmartingallery.com
Ashley Hagen & Howard Seth Miller
Reflections of Innocence
24. Polyester Books
Todd/Browning Gallery
211 West 5th Street
213 623 1176
www.Polyesterbooks.Com
Fashion, Style, Art & Design Books
Vintage/Contemporary Photographs
25. Bolt Barbers
460 S. Main
310-594-3150
Old school men’s barber shop just opened –
Fashion Walk specials until midnight
www.boltbarbers.com
F . Maggie Barry ‘Wrapped in Beauty’
Palm Court Ballroom in historic Alexandria Hotel
501 S. Spring Street
Under three Tiffany glass skylights, a photo shoot
of Maggie Berry’s new line, plus a pop-up store with 15
edgy designers, multiple bars & DJ’s, Naked Catering, and
photos by Ash Gupta. Open to public.
8 PM - 12:30 PM
26. KAPSOUL
6th Street between Main
and Spring
Cell 818-693-4180
Contemporary & vintage clothes, sunglasses
27. Flea
6th Street between Main
and Spring
213-626-2122
Vintage clothes, furniture, hats
and contemporary art
28. Apliiq
6th Street between Main
and Spring
323 300 6492
www.apliiq.com
Apliiq applies unique rare textiles
to everyday garments.
29. New York Hats
217 W 6th St
213 228 1915
New And Old School Hats
Located in historic chocolate store
filled with Bachelder tiles!
Hurry! Will close early
30. Crack Gallery
204 W 6th St
213 622 3493
www.crackgallery.com
Crack Gallery wants to get the city hooked on a new drug:
their own blend of fashion and art.
BROADWAY & SIDE STREETS
Broadway stores close by 7 PM
31. Goodwill 7 PM
235 S Broadway
(213) 628-1748
www.Goodwillsocal.Org
Vintage/Used/Huge Selection!
32. Shoe Hut 7 PM
529 S Broadway
213 688 8310
www.shoehutusa.com
Huge Selection of Baseball Caps
& Shoes & Sneakers
29. New York Hats
217 W 6th St
213 228 1915
New and Old School Hats
Located in historic Chocolate
Shop with Batchler tiles
33. Chanelli Outlet 6 PM
625 S. Broadway
Rarely Seen European Brand
Bags and leather jackets. Clearance Sale!
Closes at 6 PM & pop-up opens at
Spring Arts Tower
34. Red Zone Footwear
7 PM close
629 S Broadway
213 622 8649
http://local.yahoo.com/info-20366907-red-zone-footwear-los-angeles?tab=reviews#reviews
Excellent selection of creepers, heels and punk and rock shirts
LA Weekly Best Store Selection!
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