Arts & Culture

Art Walk Preview for May, 2008

By Ed Fuentes — May 07, 2008
8 Comments

Life as a poet

The spoken word of Downtown Poets joins the visual display of art, video and comedy. It's Downtown Art Walk for May, 2008, and the streets are ready for you. Reminders are the same: Art Walk DASH is free, refrain from taking alcohol out of the galleries, and don't be afraid to buy art.


Main Street Hosts Prankster

By Ed Fuentes — May 06, 2008

Alan Abel

Before we start loading up on Downtown Art Walk Previews, I wanted to note Old Bank DVD’s Saturday night screening of the documentary “Abel Raises Cain” being held Saturday night at Farmers and Merchants Bank building. Filmmakers Jenny Abel and Jeff Hockett (along with special guests) will take Q&A and then be followed by a bonus screening of the Alan and...


Overlooking the Arts District

By Ed Fuentes — May 05, 2008
4 Comments

muralist at work

Late Friday afternoon and later into the evening, graffiti artist Thomas Burns painted this street style Mona Lisa on Rose between Traction and East 3rd – the far west end of Joel Bloom Square. Burns was hired by a production company filming a soft drink commercial over the weekend. Producers Mike Tarzian and Art Director Mike Hersey hope the owners of the building...


'Spring on Spring' Continues at the NEW LATC

By Ed Fuentes — May 03, 2008
5 Comments

LATC

Andrew Shafer is the new director of the Los Angeles Theatre Initiative at the NEW LATC, the reborn Los Angeles Theatre Center. He has his sights set on bringing Artistic Director Jose Luis Valenzuela a city-wide audience, but with a particular focus on those from Downtown. “I believe passionately in building a strong community for Downtown L.A.” says the...


'Skid Row' Documentary a Must See for Downtown Residents

By Jeannine Denholm — April 25, 2008
6 Comments

waiting for the night air

Last year, Pras of the Fugees came Downtown and spent nine days living on the streets, creating a documentary titled Skid Row. I had wanted to see it when it was in the theater but missed its brief run; fortunately it is now available via On Demand from Time Warner cable and Netflix. I wasn’t really sure what to expect considering many people have tried explaining...


Last Dangerous Curve Exhibition to be 'For Mike'

By Ed Fuentes — April 24, 2008
7 Comments

Closing Doors

Dangerous Curve will be closing its gallery doors with a final exhibition April 26 – May 17. Unfortunately, that’s not the sad part. The final show for the experimental Arts District gallery and performance space will be a memorial exhibition for Michael Cho, the UCLA art student who was shot and killed by La Habra Police on December 31, 2007. Cho was a UCLA...


My Fair Lady on Grand Ave

By Ed Fuentes — April 23, 2008
1 Comment

'My Fair Lady'

In a city that's in the middle of it's own revival, a musical that cannot falter is being performed at the Ahmanson Theatre. Cameron Mackintosh/National Theatre's incarnation of “My Fair Lady” hits every note, rarely dropping an "H". During the last Thursday matinee, middle and high school students in attendance gave concert-style cheers during the opening...


A Day for Salazar

By Ed Fuentes — April 21, 2008
2 Comments

City Council

Last Friday saw David Hiller, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, join Councilman Richard Alarcón, Councilman José Huizar and members of Ruben Salazar family to hear City Council President Eric Garcetti announce that April 22 will be Ruben Salazar Day––coinciding with the issuance of the US Post Office stamp honoring the Latino journalist.


As It Turns Four, Art Walk is Still Growing

By Ed Fuentes — April 13, 2008
39 Comments

That's the Spirit

"This is amazing," said Tom Gilmore, looking at the 9:30 PM crowd still swirling around GilVille as he held a rolled up poster. "There's going to be a time, years from now, when this art walk is smaller––or even bigger––and we will look back and say 'Oh, this is nothing. You should have seen it when it was really happening, back in 08.'" Though the Downtown...


Downtown Film Festival Gets a Home Base

By Jeannine Denholm — April 12, 2008

DT Film Fest Art 156px

The Barker Block lofts will soon become the official home of the Downtown Film Festival. According to founder Greg Ptacek, a 2-story loft is being transformed into festival offices. Warehouses around the development will house a mini cinema village complete with swanky screening room, a lounge featuring local musicians and space for panel discussions. The...