sha in LA

of neon and angel city in the city of angels

Last night I attended MONA's Opening Reception of their new show featuring Classic Soda Pop Signs and other neon related Kinetic Arts. Thanks to Tom Gilmore the museum has a temporary new home although they continue the search for a bigger venue as most of their permanent collection sits in storage.

As you enter the space the most prominent aspect, which also hearkens people off the street, is the newly restored Craby Joe's sign from the recently defunct skid row watering hole. Accompanying the sign is a mini-photo retrospective from the final evening of business taken by Eric Lynxwiler of the Neon Cruise fame.

[Yours truly can be seen in the photo of the photo above if you know where to look.]

This temporary home for MONA is a blessing in the fact that the previous location down Olympic near FIDM was slightly off the beaten path. Now, especially in the wake of the Craby Joe's aftermath, the museum is generating more attention than in the past and one can only hope that a permanent home will come forth from some divine source. Subway Terminal Building, I'm looking at you. Or any other space that possesses 50,000 SQ FT, a large loading dock and crazy high ceilings. That's kinda hard to come by in today's Downtown Real Estate game especially when developers are looking for retail and/or dining and not non-profit.

Someone recently bemoaned the fact that MONA was charging at the art walk however let's remember that museum just up Grand Avenue with a similar name, MOCA, has sponsorships and grants galore that help support them in opening their doors for free every Thursday. MONA doesn't have that capability right now, they need to charge so they can pay their bills. Or they need a sponsor. Again, any takers?

But I digress, the opening seemed to be a hit with a steady flow of people from 7-10pm stopping by to take a look and snap some photos.

Since Neon Boy was slated to stay for the entire party and The Gentrifier and I didn't have any reason to stay and watch him talk about neon, we moseyed over to Seven Grand for a cocktail. Near the corner of 4th and Broadway we noticed a film of some sort being projected on top of a parking structure and I wondered if it was Angel City as I've heard about this outdoor "drive-in" but never knew it's exact location. On our walk back to MONA we decided to investigate and indeed my suspicions were correct. Located on the top floor of a 2 story parking structure was a small massing of cars huddled together with people either enjoying the movie from inside their vehicle or on the makeshift "lawn" in front of a considerably large screen, with the projector located conveniently on the top of a '57 Chevy.

The entrance fee is $10 per person no matter what mode of transport you utilize to get there and as I said before they do have a large astro-turf area in front of the screen so if you don't have a car, its OK. If you do decide to drive they have an FM transmitter which will allow you to watch the movie the old fashioned way. I'm looking forward to checking it out on my own in the future, perhaps we will put together a "3BN goes to the movies" night or something.

After all the excitement was over and we dragged Neon Boy out of the party by his LED tie we ran into Bert Green and Co. having a beverage on the Banquette patio and converged with Wonton Winstead on the last leg of his nightly walk around the block.

And so it ended up being just another fun night with friends in Downtown enjoying all that it has to offer.

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i saw Once, twice

2 weeks ago today I was at a Memorial Day BBQ. Not feeling all that communicative around others that particular afternoon I came home and scoured 777film for a movie to go see. Sure it was a holiday but it was also a beautiful evening so I figured the movies wouldn't be too packed. Blockbusters were out of the picture so I decided on a little movie called Once that caught my eye.

I found it an to be an inspiring and simply beautiful little movie. Continually thinking about it for the past 2 weeks, tonight I went back to see it again. And there's a damn good chance I'll see it Once more.

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3 Thursdays

Most Thursday nights I can be found at the Elephant Theatre running a show. Every once in a while I get to take a little break. Coming up in July I will get such a break as things will change for 3, yes count 'em 3 Thursdays. I must make good use of my time as I won’t see anything like this again for a few months. In a perfect world, one where I don’t come home and decide to A) workout or B) pass out from exhaustion, the following would be my intended plans for the 3 Thursday’s in July.

July 6 – Take in Dinner and a Movie at the Autry National Center, Mexicali Rose plays tonight. For a mere $15 some sort of dinner is served in the plaza area beginning at 5pm, then at 7:30 the movie is screened at the Wells Fargo Theatre. Other options would be July 13 (In Old Monterey), July 20 (South of the Border) or July 27 (Down Mexico Way). Or, if you’re like every other semi-normal person and have numerous Thursday evenings at your disposal then you really won’t want to miss the Sizzling Summer Nights Live Music Series in August. For $5 enjoy live music and dancing from 6pm – 9pm with some of the hottest Latin bands in town. Make sure to check the calendar for more information.

July 13 – this one is a no-brainer for me. Finally go on the Downtown Art Walk held on the 2nd Thursday of every month and sponsored by the Gallery Row Organization.

July 20 – Go see the SpyAnts new show, The Reunion: Everything Changes, Everyone Stays the Same. In this production the Howard Fine Acting Studio will be converted into the fictional Woodrow Wilson High School of Woodland Hills hosting the 10 year reunion of the class of 1984. The inspiration for this piece came from a play called Tamara which had an extended run in Los Angeles in the 1980’s. In the SpyAnts piece you can follow one character throughout the evening or switch to another if that suits your fancy. Maybe some day soon the 'Ants will get their website updated and it will have more detailed info on the concept.

Movies, Music, Art and Theatre. How cultured am I? Anyone wanna join in on the festivities?

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classic films in classic places

Last Remaining Seats is celebrating its 20th Anniversary by showing classic films featuring Los Angeles as the “star.”

This annual event draws thousands of people every year to the historic movie palaces in Downtown and it’s one of a few times a year when the general public can actually see movies in these glorious theatres.

May 31
The Mark of Zorro / Los Angeles Theatre

June 7
A Star is Born / Orpheum Theatre

June 14
Never Weaken, Hot Water (Harold Lloyd Comedies) / Palace Theatre

June 21
Chinatown / Orpheum Theatre

June 28
Dos Tipos de Cuidado / Los Angeles Theatre

July 5
Rebel Without a Cause / Los Angeles Theatre

Hurry and get your tickets now as this event always sells out quickly. Follow the link above for all pertinent information.

Individual tickets are $15 for Conservancy members & $18 for non-members.
Series passes are $75 for members & $90 for non-members.

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crash

During the holiday break I decided to treat myself real nice and took myself out to see a movie. After perusing the local listings I picked Crash as I like to wait at least 3 months after a movie has been released so that I don't have to deal with the crowds. Let's not even talk about going to a concert.

I chose the Laemmle Music Hall Theatre as I rarely make it west of La Cienega and wanted to check out the happenings in the BH on a Tuesday night in the middle of a holiday week. There were 10 people in the theatre, max. YAY! My own private screening with a few of my not-so-closest freinds. Needless to say I loved the movie but what impressed me even more was what happened afterwards. You see, I am one of the few who will sit through every last credit. Why? Usually I like to see the location credits, music credits and thanks, which inevitably end up being the last to roll by. Sometimes in the masses of names that scroll by I see one or two that are familiar in some way. Over the years I've worked with a few people that make magic happen in the movies and seeing a familiar name reminds me that this city of a couple million really ain't all that big. What impressed me though is that every single one of those people in the theatre stayed to watch the credits too! That never happens in LA but on that particular night, of all nights, things were different and I wasn't the lone freak.

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Let's Do the Time Warp Again

Great Scott! Look at what is happening on September 5th at The Hollywood Bowl!!!

And guess who's gonna be there?

I must work on that bottom lip pout, teasing the hair out MUCH more and darker eye make-up. Each time I do the Magenta character it gets a bit better. One day, like when I'm 80, I'll finally have her mastered.

Make sure to check out the Audience Participation Etiquette if you're a newbie and want to check it out.

I'll see my fellow Magentas, Columbias, Rockys and most importantly Riff Raffs (swoon) out there.

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Los Angeles Film Festival

It's LA Film Fest time again. From June 16th through the 26th you can catch - just to name a few - 11 Summer Previews, 18 International Films, 60 Music Videos, 38 Short Films and a partridge in a pear tree.

Other events include fun filled panels and discussions on various film related topics. Check out the link for MUCH more detailed information.

I haven't been able to fully immerse myself in the hard copy catalogue that lists all the events however the 2 things that have caught my eye are the screenings of The Last Laugh by F.W. Murnau at the Ford Theatre on June 19th and Mad Hot Ballroom on June 24th at California Plaza.

Check it out.

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Rendezvous

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a screening of a short film that some friends of mine produced, directed, wrote and starred in. Rendezvous is the name and alien abduction is the game. It was a really well done movie and I have no doubts that they will go far if they continue their endeavors.

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