JDRCRASH on December 02, 2008, at 12:06PM – #1

This is good for both Britney Spears and the complex. Hopefully she will only get better as a singer, and a person.

Susana on December 02, 2008, at 12:22PM – #2

That would be awesome! It is always great to get big headliners to come to Downtown LA and bring their fans with them. The more exposure, the better. I will be at the LA Live Grand Opening celebration that night which kicks off at the ESPN at 5:30. AMERICA will be playing as entertainment at 8pm.

Brad Vixin on December 02, 2008, at 12:22PM – #3

Troubled Comments from Downtown's Official Town Crier Re: LA Live

In an age when we are supposed to not have to try harder to fit in,I have to wear a suit and a tie to go bowling? I have to try harder to fit in than those caucasian kids that were let in wearing torn up jeans? Have you forgotten what it was like because your skin was darker than most and the sterotypes made you have to try harder just to fit in?

Do we have to endure this in 2008? Esp living downtown and in my own neighborhood. We went through a transition downtown where even the young Caucasian yuppies were having problems enjoying establishments because they lived here and figured they could just go somewhere to eat or whatever and not have to worry about their dress. It took some time but with the blogging and the complaining the Downtown establishment had to change it's ways. Now there are places we don't have to dress up just to go there.

SO because I am not as pretty as most or because of the color of my skin, I have to try harder just to go bowling downtown, just to fit in? We can't let this happen in our era? When certain people are given fairer treatment because they are white or young or good looking.

It is wrong. There is no denying that there was a civil rights issue that night. I was dressed better than many entering the establishment. I won't make excuses for it.

And to be honest, with weed and drugs all over the place how can the LA LIVE be touting itself as a family destination?

Purple Haze on December 02, 2008, at 12:46PM – #4

Note To TG: Hey man, if she shows up for your Old Bank District Christmas Party, just remember who she so avidly supported in 2004. Wrap ol' Encino Woman up in a string of those blue icicle electrodes and throw her the hell out the back door.

LA on December 02, 2008, at 12:51PM – #5

Weed and drugs all over the place? I have been there and I don't see how there is weed all over the place. Atleast, not anymore than you would find anywhere.

Secondly, Lucky Strikes discriminates against scrubs and not skin color. I went last night in jeans and was let in while my Caucasian friend wearing windbreakers was not.

Now I don't know what your specific situation was but I am just informing you of mine.

squirrelsez on December 02, 2008, at 03:31PM – #6

yes, it is britney

Tornadoes28 on December 02, 2008, at 04:22PM – #7

That would be terrible! It is always miserable to get big headliners to come to Downtown LA and bring their fans with them.

bromike666 on December 03, 2008, at 08:24AM – #8

I'm usually just a smart ass troll but this time I'm not just fishing. My question, "why do people get excited that downtown is turning into Glendale/Pasadena?" Why not just move to Paseo Colorado instead of moving downtown and then trying to bring Glendale/Pasadena along with you? Seriously, the only good that can come from Britney Spears being downtown is if the tree falls on her and puts us out of our misery from having to hear about her.

Thank God I chose to live further east in the industrial district away from all this silliness. I moved downtown so I could have a huge warehouse to live and work in. I moved downtown because it is quiet and safe. I moved downtown to be surrounded by people who were doing/creating/making something interesting. I moved downtown to get away from families and children. I moved downtown to get away from Target, Chili's, Best Buy and all the rest of the retail blight cluttering up suburbia. I didn't move downtown to look at huge neon advertisements flashing at all hours. I didn't move downtown to hear more about stupid celebrities. I didn't move downtown to be part of some community.

I don't fault anyone for trying to make a buck, I'm in business too. But seriously, NOKIA TIMES SQUARE WEST just makes me sick. Maybe I'm just a dinosaur and have been living east of the 110 for too many years. Rant over, I'll just shut up and go ship some clothes now.

JM on December 03, 2008, at 09:33AM – #9

Britney Spears? What a lack of imagination... We've seen her Downtown quite a bit this past year, but usually she's on the other side of town, at the courts. So, will the opening event be full of teenyboppers and paparazzi? Not what I was expecting at all.

Magda on December 03, 2008, at 12:51PM – #10

what time is the tree lighting supposed to happen?

Bromike, I think I love you. on December 03, 2008, at 08:16PM – #12

For reals.

Don Garza on December 03, 2008, at 11:10PM – #13

I will be going to LA LIVE. I Will go to the restaurants and other venues. There is plenty of opportunity to spend tax dollars that will stay in Los Angeles. The car business is going down the drain and sales tax , much of it goes directly into our cities general fund along with the county to support the services we need!! With the car business going down the tube we have to find other ways of spending our money. I just won't spend my money at Lucky Strikes. They don't like my kind there , then fine.

But that doesn't mean the conga room , or the espn zone ,or the other venues are off limits. I have money to spend and sales tax to contribute. I will be purchasing a LA LAKERS season pass next year. I will purchase a kings pass next year, and Walt Disney concert hall. IT is going to be very important that I spend money where sales tax is derived from. Because I am one of the people who will see my income dramatically increase. I am just as amazed as others. Spend , spend I will. And happy to do it. Someone is going to have to.

It is quite disappointing to be in a place where the smell of mairjuana just permeated everything coming from the NOKIA CLUB on Sunday Night. When it doesn't even smell like that in skid row anymore.

FISH on December 03, 2008, at 11:50PM – #14

Perhaps the construction workers were the ones "smoking"....

Purple Haze on December 04, 2008, at 03:10AM – #16

Well, the very last time that a March of Dimes parade was held in my home town (Tujunga), an unfortunate incident took place and never more was such an event staged. This was in January of 1962. Snow fell all along Foothill Boulevard that day.

Actress Jayne Mansfield was the grand marshall. She rode up atop the back seat of a convertible. I didn't witness the incident but at school the next day, everybody sure heard about it.

Just as her limo approaced Mt. Gleason Avenue, some kid chucked a snowball at her and became famous when the projectile hit the blonde bombshell right in the bazookas.

think snowcones....

Rasberry, cherry or lemon delight?

Dustin on December 04, 2008, at 11:24AM – #17

Down with Britney! How are her or her fans going to be a good thing for downtown? yeah they will spend some $$$ but every downtowner i know has cancelled there trip to the tree lighting because we dont like britney. Just teenyboppers do.

OH and regarding the marijuana smell, that was me a medical marijuana user. Are we really that far behind that we thinks its a bad thing? You rather smog and cigarette smoke I guess.

Oh the imagination.. on December 04, 2008, at 12:38PM – #18

Oh you poor fools...Uh, okay. Let's try this slowly: The development boom of downtown LA is NOT FOR YOU!

For years, I have been sitting in my financial district apartment wondering when this was going to occur to you. I feel bad because so many of you are dedicated supporters of this "community" concept. The community you have been active in and helped to grow is FOR SALE. YOur independent and artistic/creative self merely represents temporary occupants of space that is part of a master plan. Did you think LA Live was a downtown community entertainment center? Did you think your downtown card would get you VIP or even equal treatment at these "local" establishments? Why does your BID do outreach? Why don't senior BID staff live downtown? Even while you are here and have been here, they're looking for people. Wheres the downtown residence organization that consolidates residents power into a single body that can demand due respect and adhereance to community standards? Never before or again has a downtown development undertaking happened of this magnitude. Even so, you people have missed an opportunity to ensure that values like equality are part of that development. I didn't go to any opening, but I can imagine how it must have been a slap in the face to be rejected at the door. Westside ethics are downtown. Your staunch demands that something be done about the homeless? Perfect. That same effort will be used against you now as YOU become the new blight to the Park Avenue crowd thats on their way. The concierge at the Beverly will have more local reach at these establishments than you do living 3 minutes away. You wanted Britney. You got her. Soon, your favorite lounge will, too, be off limits as your fave door guy proclaims "Sorry, private party tonight, guys." Oh, I can just see it. I'll be hanging at Hanks or Redwood or Gopher or 107 and you can come cry in there about how downtown was given away. But I'll remember that you were so excited aout LA Live and the monster that it is, you were excited about every fancy loft conversion, you were excited about Ralphs. You let the little local markets die like the one Tony had in the bank district, you created this. You put the BIDDY people on the DLANC, you fell for community crap like block parties, and you failed to realize your landlords 5 year plan to get you out, expand the financial district, and get 2700 a month for your digs. You think Posh Spice wants to live next to the likes of you and I? Ha! YOu think they want to "bring back broadway" so t hey can put affordable community theater? All of a sudden the thriving heart of downtown shopping that brings millions of dollars a weekend (and has for years) is blight? Thats racist by the way. When you walk away from the broadway bar with your head down, it'll occur to you. So keep thinking this all about community. Keep spitting in the face of local entrepreneurs who have given their lives work to enhancing your lifestyle options. Keep casting them off as wannabes and convince yourself that you're gonna look hot in that ESPN zone. When you're first in line but no bowling lanes seem to be available for you because they were "Reserved" go to a local dive and pretend as if you've been loyal for years. When you become a regular at a local spot that that you have blogged to near death, smile as if you've been a loyal supporter. When Broadway becomes Broadway, and you get thirsty for Silverlake or Boyle Heights or Eagle Rock, fret not, you won't be alone. The homeless and the hipsters you wanted salvation from will be there too... You are all just bodies being used for promotional material. When they get the people they really want, how will you feel about being such a staunt supporter of this community and its cartel of characters: TG, BID, etc? They've done some great bwork, believe me, I mean that. They just haven't done it for you...when you're gone, maybe the BID senior staff will actually move downtown.

Urban Trojan on December 04, 2008, at 12:45PM – #19

A short circuit and the big christmas tree becomes L.A. Live's 'Burning Man'. Stampede and riot ensues ~ final scene from Day of The Locust. On the other hand, perhaps they could get Justin Timberlake to show up too. That could generate an interesting result. But don't blame me if everyone gets arrested for public indecency.

David Kennedy on December 04, 2008, at 01:30PM – #20

"I moved downtown to be surrounded by people who were doing/creating/making something interesting. I moved downtown to get away from families and children."

A world without families and children is a world without a future. Indeed, it is a world without love. I'm not sure I'd characterize suicide as creative or interesting. I guess it can have some appeal to depressed adolescents. I'd characterize this impulse as Darwinian selection par excellance.

Back to Britney.

Ginny-Marie Case on December 04, 2008, at 05:25PM – #21

Thanks David...

bromike666: Sorry - but there are many who have lived downtown for a while and as we are getting older the children are coming. Also - when so many of us live in one room lofts...the children thing is bound to happen to some of us.

I don't know who from this thread attended the Halloween Party at Grand Hope Park, hosted by the CCA...there are A LOT of kids downtown already...A LOT. There is a crush of children in South Park (and they aren't all in the new buildings), there's a growing presence of children in the Historic Core.

With a child now living in my house, I can tell you that for a face we are still doing/creating/making something interesting. I still have a job that will hopefully lead to an expanded transit system. Alex is fighting the good fight to bring recycling to downtown residents.

LA Live is an interesting addition to Downtown. Last night when we were there, there was a part of me that felt out of place. Alex quickly corrected me though and reminded me that most of the people visiting the ESPN Zone last night weren't from the neighborhood. They likely drove their car down here...

I was happy to say I walked there and then walked home.

(And, she continues)

Look, people are going to move into downtown and move out of downtown...it is inevitable. There will be some who live here until the end of their first lease, and then there will be people like Alex and I who wished that we could find a place that did 5 year leases.

As a new parent, one of the most common questions I get from non-downtowner and downtowners alike: where are you going to move to when she starts school? I have officially gotten tired of this question. I really like downtown. I like the people here (even the cranky ones), I like the sense of community...and LA Live and all the block parties (referencing another hot post) won't change this.

There are a lot of schools nearby, and for those of you who have this idea there are no children downtown...I'm sorry but they are already here, and they'd like you to volunteer on Saturdays to help them learn how to improve their reading skills.

blah blah blah

Back to Britney...

Ginny on December 04, 2008, at 05:28PM – #22

and..."Why don't senior BID staff live downtown? "

Um...Hal lives downtown... Russ lives downtown... I'm sure there are more.

How much? on December 04, 2008, at 07:17PM – #23

Wonder how much Spears is getting paid to flick a switch?

bromike666 on December 05, 2008, at 09:16AM – #24

1. Oh The Imagination - +1
2. David Kennedy - wtf is that globbity gloobal crap? Fucking hell, maybe the Robins will come back and bring love with them. Keep your eyes peeled dude and let me know when they get here.
3. Ginny-Marie Case - Thats great for you, congrats. Please don't run me down with your stroller

Dave on December 05, 2008, at 07:38PM – #25

Adam Corrolla is the worst host on earth! Why did AEG have him host the night? I know he was raised in LA but so what... horrible choice. I think they regreted it

Rubbers. Heard of 'em? on December 07, 2008, at 12:42PM – #26

to GMC:

"so many of us live in one room lofts...the children thing is bound to happen to some of us."

Even a one room loft has room for birth control.

Bert Green on December 07, 2008, at 06:24PM – #27

What's with the rambling troll with nostalgia for the failed Tony's market? You mean the place with no decent stock, high prices, and erratic hours? Whatever.

What have YOU done for downtown, other than throwing stones at people you don't even know? It's real easy to hide behind some anonymous moniker and heckle hard working people. Makes you feel real powerful, huh? Dumbass.

Arthur on December 08, 2008, at 12:29PM – #28

wow, some major hate going on here...

lets just LOVE man!

107 is my home away from home...

but I can enjoy some food and a beer at espn zone too...

whats the big deal?

Ouch on December 11, 2008, at 03:45PM – #29

What is with the anti-kids feeling? Geez.. Here's to "rubbers" and the hope that he'll ever get to use one!