blogdowntown: Arts & Culture

Art Walk Preview for September, 2008

By Ed Fuentes — September 10, 2008

It’s that time of the month again. Thursday brings the 49th edition of the Downtown Art Walk, and momentum for the monthly event continues to build. 2008 has been a big growth year for Art Walk, with building crowds and added events like Comedy Walk and the Esotouric-hosted “Hippodrome” shuttle. Here’s a quick peek at some of the highlights...

A Night of Openings in Chinatown's Galleries

By Ed Fuentes — September 06, 2008

Robert Apodaca’s Fifth Floor Gallery sits on Chung King Court, off the 500-foot alley known as Chung King Road that headlines Chinatown’s nationally recognized art scene. While Art Walk and Gallery Row get most of the attention here in Downtown, the community on Chung King Road continues to be worthy of attention.

A Birthday Weekend for the City of Los Angeles

By Ed Fuentes — September 02, 2008
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A sparse crowd welcomed the contingent of Labor Day walkers reenacting the Pobladores original journey from San Gabriel Mission to El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Booths from different non-profits were set up, while the seats in front of the stage were mostly filled by tired walkers, many dressed in clothing of the era.

Nisei Week Makes for Community, Offers Suggestions on Centering a City

By Ed Fuentes — August 30, 2008
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The graceful movements of Japanese-American dancers display a resilient Little Tokyo tradition. They also represent a culture that, were it not for a strong community, would simply erode. Little Tokyo’s Nisei Week Japanese Festival began as a way to bring in business during the depression. If it had not been for the interment of Little Tokyo’s residents...

Take a Bow, Downtown Film Fest

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson — August 18, 2008
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It’s appropriate that the 1st Downtown Film Festival wrapped under the stars on Sunday night, screening Irena Salina’s documentary “Flow” on Grand Avenue beneath the skyline. The Colburn School and Disney Concert Hall provided grand backdrops for a festival designed to show off the city. Over its five day run, the Downtown Film Festival...

Little Tokyo's Nisei Week Marches On

By Ed Fuentes — August 18, 2008
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Even with the Tofu Festival not being held this year, and no Nebuta float, the annual Nisei Week went forward as it has for 68 years. Saturday’s events included a relocated car show held where the Nikkei Center––better known as the Mangrove site––is slated to be built at First and Alameda. Late Sunday afternoon, the Grand Parade had traditional dancers...

Around the August Art Walk: The Movement Continues

By Ed Fuentes — August 16, 2008
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Through time, the purpose of art changes. Each era of society responds to a type of creative expression that suits its need. The Art Walk’s exhibitions reflects what Downtown currently is: a mix of low and high; performance and observer; traditional and digital; grit and elegance. If Downtown’s growth is pictured as a series of installations, a...

Art Walk Preview for August, 2008

By Ed Fuentes — August 13, 2008
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Only a few years ago, Downtown felt empty at night, especially in August. With SIGGRAPH 2008 and the Downtown Film Festival LA in town and the Comedy Walk continuing its stride at various venues near 5th and Spring, it’s safe to say that the August Downtown Art Walk may see the biggest evening crowds yet. So walk around, ride the bus with Esotouric, or...

Jules Verne Fest Opens Portal at 7+Fig

By Eric Richardson — August 13, 2008

On Tuesday afternoon Councilwoman Jan Perry joined astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Nichelle Nichols of “Star Trek” in cutting the ribbon for Jules Verne’s Portal at 7+Fig, a space that the Jules Verne Adventures Film Festival will use for education and screenings. The festival returns to Los Angeles in late October, this time landing on Broadway in...

Film Fest Opens With "In Search of a Midnight Kiss," Starring Downtown

By Eric Richardson — August 11, 2008

Downtown stars as itself in IFC Films’ “In Search of a Midnight Kiss.” Leads Wilson and Vivian, played by Scoot McNairy and Sara Simmonds, get off the subway at Pershing Square and spend twenty-five of the film’s ninety-nine minutes wandering the streets of Downtown and admiring its faded grandeur. Standing on the balcony of the Million...