A reduction linocut by artist Dave Lefner. Studio 212, Moulton Ave.

LA is home to the largest art colony in the world. That’s right, the world. It’s one of our city’s best kept secrets. Twice a year, the Brewery Art Association near downtown LA opens its doors to art aficionados, collectors, students, curious onlookers, and those who only wish they could support themselves based solely on creative genius. I fit into those last two categories.

The following photo collection reflects my first experience at the Brewery Artwalk, which took place this past Saturday and Sunday, October 24 & 25. It is in no way a comprehensive representation of the work that was on display (the complex boasts roughly 300 work/live studios). But it’s a taste of an authentic, thriving art scene unique to LA—a must-try for all Angelenos.

»continue reading Brewery Artwalk Autumn ’09: A Free Pass To LA’s Creative Common

Der Golem, Wie Er In Eie Welt Kam

Direction, analog synths and miscellany by Brian LeBarton (Beck)
Percussion by Carla Azar (Autolux)
Cello by Vanessa Freebairn-Smith

Over the course of 90 minutes in a darkened room under Disney Hall last night Brian LeBarton, clad in a fur-and-rubber wolf mask, made enough improvised bleeps, blurps and flatulent noises to equal the output of six men with an array of vintage synths surrounding his workspace. Supporting musicians Carla and Vanessa were tastefully subdued, never at the forefront for any extended period of time. Nothing was rehearsed beforehand.

Golem, the movie itself, 90+ minutes of shadowy lighting and fantastic 1920 surrealist sets by Hans Poelzig (playbook of which Theodore Geisel must surely have taken a page from), has been scored a variety of ways over the ages (fun and notable example: dig the brief death metal montage by Mike Patton’s Fantomas, here). I’m not exactly sure the reason, but spacey free jazz and analog sounds lend themselves to silent German Expressionist films quite well, and last night’s performance was well-executed and no exception, drawing parallels for myself to the scoring of Murnau’s Nosferatu by the venerable Tortiose a couple of years ago up in Chicago.

»continue reading Brief Notes on Last Night’s Live Golem Score, REDCAT, Brian LeBarton & Guests

HEADS UP
Florence & The Machine @ Troubadour Fri Oct 30 (tonight) (long sold out; good luck)

HEADS UP
The Golem w/Live Score @ REDCAT Fri Oct 30
The Golem w/Live Score @ REDCAT Sat Oct 31 (ALL HALLOWS’ EVE)

Creepy German Expressionism at its finest: The Golem: How He Came Into the World gets the musical treatment it deserves this evening and tomorrow, downtown ‘neath the Disney Hall. These two screenings will feature a live score by Brian LeBarton (Beck’s music director and keyboardist) with special guest Carla Azar (Autolux) and more. Personally I’m stoked; these shows have been on the calendar ever since Brian told us about them! If you have no plans for Halloween, or your plans run on the late side Saturday, why not enter to win a pair of tickets to the Saturday screening by sending me your first and last name right here. Winner will be notified EOD; the film starts promptly at 830pm both nights. I’ll be there as well, so come say hello and if you’re in costume, go ahead, see if you can earn one of five existing pieces of our beyond-limited-edition-at-this-point Losanjealous 2009 OkiTaffy. Huzzah!

Olympic Gold Medalist and ten-time World Champion Fighter Oscar de la Hoya officially cut the ribbon on the Oscar de la Hoya Ánimo Charter High School in Boyle Heights today, the first public high school built in Boyle Heights in 80 years. The school is situated at the location of de la Hoya’s former boxing gym. Big congrats and thanks to Oscar; full press release and more photos by Nicholas Alan Cope after the jump.

»continue reading De La Hoya Cuts Ribbon on Namesake Boyle Heights Charter High School

Thu 10/29 Built To Spill w/ Disco Doom @ Echoplex | [ENTER TO WIN]
Fri 10/30 Bouncing Souls w/ Bayside & Broadway Calls @ El Rey | [ENTER TO WIN]
Fri 10/30 Built To Spill w/ Disco Doom @ Echoplex | [ENTER TO WIN]
Sat 10/31 Bouncing Souls w/ Bayside & Broadway Calls @ El Rey | [ENTER TO WIN]
Thu 10/29 Land of Talk @ Spaceland | [ENTER TO WIN]
Fri 10/30 Amy Millan (of Stars) @ Spaceland | [ENTER TO WIN]

HEADS UP
Charles Phoenix Presents Halloween @ Bob Baker Marionette Theater Thu Oct 29
Charles Phoenix Presents Halloween @ Bob Baker Marionette Theater Fri Oct 30

Celebrate Halloween at LA’s legendary Bob Baker Marionette Theater, now in its 50th year. This Thurs & Fri night I’m thrilled to present … BOB BAKER’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR! … a vintage puppet show extravaganza starring dozens of bizarre one-of-a-kind marionettes…

Get the back story! …with slides and classic TV and film clips I’ll tell the story of Bob’s unparalleled career, which began in 1932…

»continue reading Charles Phoenix’s Slide of the Week: BOB BAKER’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR! OCT 29 & 30

Dear Father’s Officers,

There is only one thing worse than spotting your parents downing a pint in your favorite burger and beer joint: finding your aunt and uncle instead.

And, I’m reluctant to report, this recently occurred at Father’s Office in Culver City. At first I thought I was seeing shit. But, nope, they were there. Eating and drinking and being merry. And when I approached I quickly found out this was not their first visit. In fact, they consider themselves “semi-regulars.”

It is with this pronouncement I make another: Father’s Office has officially jumped the culinary shark.

Look, I love my aunt and uncle. I even crashed at their house for two summers back in college. And I know my freaking mom is going to email them a link to this post so I’m going to be in trouble. But, let’s be honest, no one wants to see their middle-aged aunt and uncle at the bar you frequent. It simply makes the place so un-cool I can no longer go there.

»continue reading Beacon: The Culver City Father’s Office Solution

Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza”
October 16th- November 29th at the Santa Monica Pier

After seeing a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s newest spectacular, “Kooza”, I have decided that if at all possible, everyone should see one Cirque show before they die. Cirque du Soleil has been revered since it’s inception for their crème de la crème performers, brilliant visuals, and otherworldly musical arrangements, and “Kooza” gives new Cirque audience members a taste of what everybody has been raving about.

»continue reading The Cirque is in Town: Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza” @ Santa Monica Pier (Review)

Full photo gallery below.

»continue reading U2, Rose Bowl, October 25, 2009

HEADS UP
Lucha VaVOOM @ Mayan Wed Oct 28
Lucha VaVOOM @ Mayan Thu Oct 29

Last Halloween, a friend came into work raving about a party that featured Mexican Wrestling and Burlesque. My immediate reaction: Who spiked the punch bowl?

Thus began my fascination with Lucha VaVOOM, the cult theater sensation that co-creator Rita D’Albert touts as being “unabashedly LA.” The show is back on it’s home stage at the Mayan Theatre in Downtown this Wednesday and Thursday, October 28th and 29th. Titled “Creature Feature,” this raucous brand of sexo y violencia is sure to make you think twice about the phrase trick or treat.

The playbill and tix are available at http://LuchaVaVOOM.com. Losanjealous will be on hand to witness the spooky spectacle so check back for a review, video, and photos from the show. Official show flyer after the jump.

»continue reading Lucha VaVOOM Returns to Mayan This Week

PICK OF THE WEEK

Phish Festival 8
3-Day Event
Oct 30, 31 & Nov 1
Empire Polo Field, Indio
Tickets & Info
[ENTER TO WIN 3-DAY PASSES]
Contest closed. Thanks to all the many of you that entered!
 
 

Band of Skulls @ Troubadour Fri 12/11
Bebel Gilberto @ Henry Fonda Wed 12/9
Lady Gaga w/ Kid Cudi @ Nokia Theater Mon 12/21
Julian Casablancas @ Palace Theater, Downtown (4-show package) Fri 11/6
Julian Casablancas @ Palace Theater, Downtown Fri 11/27
Julian Casablancas @ Palace Theater, Downtown Fri 11/20
Julian Casablancas @ Palace Theater, Downtown Fri 11/13
Julian Casablancas @ Palace Theater, Downtown Fri 11/6
Castledoor, We Barbarians @ Bootleg Theater Fri 10/23
Benefit for Laura Ann @ Echoplex (Backward Clock Society featuring Billy Corgan, Kerry Brown and Mark Tulin, The Happy Stars (Brian Young and Joe Skyward), The Pulsars, Tim Rutili, Syd Straw, Pity Party, Light FM, more) Sun 11/8
David Garza @ Largo Wed 11/18
 

TUESDAY
Ojos Rojos, Chief Nowhere @ The Press (129 Harvard Ave, Claremont) (free)
Sunset Rubdown @ Troubadour

»continue reading Losanjealous Concert Picks: October 26 – November 1

Set list below.

»continue reading Weezer, Hollywood Palladium, October 25, 2009