What's Up at Olvera? B-Live LA
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — In the interest of helping out anyone with the same question I had this morning, the stages being set by Olvera Street are for tomorrow's Bacardi B-Live LA event. Tickets are $13 and the line-up features Calle 13, Alejandra Guzman, Aterciopelados and Maldita Vecindad. The show runs 5pm to midnight and those under 21 are not invited.
It would be nice if someday Downtowners would actually get told about events happening Downtown.
Update (2:30): Dennis points out that they did run big ads in the LA Weekly. The fact that still neither Ed or I knew may say as much about us as about their advertising.
Dennis Smith on November 09, 2007, at 02:09PM – #1
1/2 page and 1/4 page ads have been running in the L.A. Weekly for the last month hyping this concert. Maybe Bacardi believes the fan base for this particular concert would be better reached through the Weekly rather than the media which is more oriented to Downtowners.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on November 09, 2007, at 02:29PM – #2
Heh. Thanks Dennis. Neither Ed or I knew what it was, which must show how rarely we read a paper Weekly.
Rico A on November 09, 2007, at 02:31PM – #3
I was wondering the same thing as I walked past this morning on my way to Lost Souls. I've learned to not care too much about Plaza closures since they happen so often these days.
Almost every weekend there's a large festival, concert or gathering. I find it kind of charming and cool, actually. It's the first thing people see when they step out of Union Station (aside from six-lane Alameda Street, which is another story entirely), so it reinforces the "active big city" feel of Downtown.
As long as you're not relying on North Los Angeles Street as a an easy traffic conduit through Downtown, you should be fine.
Dennis Smith on November 09, 2007, at 02:46PM – #4
DRAT! Once again I have allowed my antediluvian Luddite tendencies to be revealed.
David Kennedy on November 09, 2007, at 03:34PM – #5
While the general point about marketers not targeting downtown residents about downtown events holds true. In this case it is probably a case that the blogdowntown crew doesn't fit the event's target market. So reasonably, you/we were not targeted. This is a Spanish language event. I'm sure the event's marking efforts were through the various local Spanish media. I'd always gotten the distinct impression no one here was interested in these kinds of events (much to my constant disappointment). So I'm pleased with this newfound interest in the local cultural scene. Hopefully, next year's Fiesta Broadway will catch a break and get some blog coverage.
As for the line-up, it seems like there's something for everyone in the family. Calle 13 gave what I thought was the most compelling performance at this spring's Fiesta Broadway. Alejandra is always good. She's a solid entertainer. Aterciopelados is an excellent band, although their last album was a big disappointment. I've never seen them in concert. Frankly, I sense their moment has come and gone. I don't know who Maldita Vecindad is. Seems they've been around a long time.
celia on November 09, 2007, at 07:37PM – #6
i don't think the interest is "newfound". this blog and the other downtown blogs such as mine often cover local cultural events such as the gazillion food festivals in little tokyo and chinatown, the dia de los muertes thing on the 6th street bridge, the opening of grand performances, the st. patrick's day parade, the asian-american film festival, the tamale festival - btw, this weekend is the tamale festival. last year don garza and i judged the best tamales contest and it was tough but we tasted about 30+ tamales. i believe it got a good amount of coverage.
sometimes you just see what you want to see and ignore the rest.
Metro Vaquero on November 10, 2007, at 11:31AM – #7
Actually, this event was also in the L.A Times a while back. The event is a little bigger than just downtown folk, as the show marks the return of Maldita Vecindad to Los Angeles. The band ranks amongst the pioneers of the rock scene from the South. Considering Maldita's socially conscious lyrics, it is also very fitting that Maldita will play in downtown, since they've alway been very acute in their lyrics on experiences and issues of big city urbanism (e.g. D.F).
"As for the line-up, it seems like there's something for everyone in the family"
Its 21+ over, and Aterciopelados is not past their time.
Chris Myers on November 11, 2007, at 12:06AM – #8
I live at the Mozaic across the street from the concert. The noise level is so bad that the windows rattle. This should be illegal. The City Counsel promotes downtown living and then allows these events to make our homes unliveable. The police said that they have a permit and they can make as much noise as they like. Thank you Jose Huizar.
Rico A on November 11, 2007, at 12:16AM – #9
Chris,
I live at Mozaic too, facing the station -- so I know firsthand about all the noise. Some things (like festivals and concerts/raves at Union Station) we knew what we were getting into when we moved here, or at least we should've.
Eh, it's Saturday night and it doesn't happen often. I'm sure it'll be over soon. I love the Spanish version of Tainted Love they keep playing.
The midnight jackhammering the other day was another issue altogether...
jim winstead on November 11, 2007, at 06:08PM – #10
speaking of downtown events, there was pau wau and indian market at the cornfield state park this weekend. we just happened to stumble on to the tail end of it.