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Good afternoon, readers.
In these days of economic uncertainty and stress, it never hurts to have a good list of bargain eateries in your back pocket. We've all gotta eat. And just because we're saving the ducats, doesn't mean we've got to subsist on Wonder Bread and Sunny-D, does it? That would be gross.
See The Guide's latest rundown of "Cheap Eats in L.A." and you will understand that they have done all the work for you, uncovering a city-full of special deals from brunch to dinner to luxury booze. This list is very comprehensive. Photos, too.
p.s. Check out the feature on "Off-track dining" as well. Now that Angelenos are taking the subway more often, it's handy to know about those hidden restaurants close to the Metro lines. With photos and Google map.
Bon appetit!
--Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, readers.
More Bastille Day joie de vivre in Santa Barbara today. At what's billed as the "largest French celebration in the western U.S.," dozens of toque-d chefs prepare hors d'oeuvres while accordion players provide some traditional French atmosphere. Wandering mimes will delight, or terrify, depending upon your sensibilities. It's free and the full schedule is here.
The U.S. Open Sandcastle competition continues today at Imperial Beach. The celebration started yesterday (with castle construction for the kids) but the real contest is today, with over 21K in cash prizes on the line. Sandcastle building begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 1:30 p.m. The tides will sweep everything away about 4 p.m.
--Bettie Rinehart
Bonjour, chers amis.
No sense in storming the Bastille yet. Best to wait until Monday, July 14, when the French really celebrate the toppling of their ancien regime and the birth of the modern French republic. Meanwhile, there are so many ancillary perks to be enjoyed during this holiday weekend. Buttery French food, civilized games of boules, lovely wine plus the energizing spirit of révolution.
Today, West Hollywood Park is the locale of this year's official L.A. Bastille Day Festival. There will be fireworks, music, even French waiters, who, laden with trays of food and vin rouge will race against one another. All will transpire under the watchful eye of the Consulate
General of France in Los Angeles. From noon until 10 p.m.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, readers.
As we all can't help but know these days, America is getting increasingly fat and unfit. If you've been wondering how to start living a healthier lifestyle -- how to get off the couch and get active -- The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation is staging a free event today -- called "Vive tu vida! Get up! Get Moving!" to help light a fire, teaching you both tried-and-true as well as newfangled ways to get in shape.
It's happening right now at Belvedere Park in East L.A. and runs until 2 p.m. This wellness fest hopes to especially reach out to Hispanic families, but everyone is welcome. Screenings for glucose levels, cholesterol and skin cancer are available free, as well as sports clinics, interactive displays for the kiddies, live music and healthy stuff giveaways.
U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) will also be in attendance, and addresses the crowd at 11 a.m.
FYI, Belvedere Park is located at 4914 East Cesar Chavez.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good afternoon, readers.
The Bob Baker Marionette Theater puts on its new musical puppet show at 2:30 p.m. today. Called "Bob Baker's Musical World," this little spectacle takes viewers "on a journey from a winter wonderland through an enchanted toy shop and into a springtime picnic." Sounds dreamy, doesn't it?
Just an FYI for you, Baker has been entertaining for over 70 years (according to this bio, his first performance being at age 8 for the legendary director Mervyn Leroy). And his puppets have been featured in a slew of shows and movies such as "Bewitched," "Star Trek," "Bluebeard" (that's the one with John Carradine, for you film geeks) and "A Star is Born."
Also, at 7:30 p.m., "Shakespeare in the Park" at Barnsdall. They're doing "Henry IV," and it's free.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, readers.
After all that fourth of July frolicking and celebrating, the endless barrage of hot dogs, fried chicken legs, bottle rockets, ear-piercing squeals and thundering explosions, you may suddenly be finding yourself hungering to engage the intellect, to experience the sleek cool of idea over aesthetic, or even to just hang out for a while in a serene, climate-controlled space.
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA has what you need. New York conceptual art pioneer Lawrence Weiner receives his
first major U.S. retrospective in the current show, examining his entire body of
work and focusing of the pieces known as "language sculptures" -- elemental, thinking-man's art. Read Christopher Knight's review here.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good afternoon, readers.
Brilliant. Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl, Emmy-Award winning conductor George Daugherty conducts the orchestra in
" Warner Bros. Presents Bugs Bunny on Broadway," including "The Rabbit of Seville" and the Chuck Jones' 1957 Wagnerian spoof, "What's Opera, Doc?" Complete with onscreen
animation. Tickets are $10 to $120. Ooh. The Guide also has a sneek peek at Gordon Ramsay's ('Hell's Kitchen') new WeHo restaurant (in the former Diaghilev location), called "Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood." Quite a mouthful of a moniker, we do say. Is Gordon's new eatery as fabulous and spot-on as it should be? Find out for yourself. The story and photos tell all. --Bettie Rinehart
If you have been able to pull yourself out of your backyard hammock, then spend a few minutes reading up on your hammock history by the Times' Bettijane Levine. Then go back and swing away.
-- Jesus Sanchez
Photo: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times
Happy 5th, readers.
Ever taken in the underwater exhibits at the Long Beach Aquarium? Thought about what a cool life those scuba diving creature feeders must have? Well, they are actually called "aquarists." And the Long Beach Aquarium today from 9 a.m. to noon, offers an "aquarist job shadow" class for students grades seven through 12. The class features hands-on experience helping to
feed the animals, learning to maintain exhibits, meeting the dive
team, and encountering animals in the behind the scenes areas.
Also today, out in Irvine, it's the
Hootenanny rockabilly fest. You know what that means. Lots of guys in chop tops with pompadours and high-heeled girls with severe eyebrows and Bettie Page bangs. And lots of fun punkabilly music from the likes of Mike Ness, Royal Crown Revue,
Cadillac Tramps, Grant Lee Phillips, Big Sandy and on and on. Cheers!
--Bettie Rinehart
A glorious afternoon to you, readers.
A sprinkling of events for you, straight from The Guide: Tonight at 7, Brazilian Tropicalia pioneer and folk/world music alchemist-weirdo Devendra Banhart get together at the Hollywood Bowl for a night of musical mutations. Tickets start at $10.
Downtown, the roller derby Battle on the Bank continues with two major skirmishes: San Diego Derby Dolls vs. TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls at 5 p.m. and L.A. Riettes vs. Team Awesome at 7. Don't even think about making the scene if you're under 21.
And the 1975 Tony winning phenomenon "A Chorus Line," with some of the original cast, wows at The Ahmanson Theatre. Read the Times review here.
Enjoy.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, readers.
As increasing numbers of Californians seek ways to reduce or eliminate their grass lawns in favor of more environmentally friendly landscaping, the Huntington Gardens' annual cactus and succulent plant sale in San Marino comes just in time. Hundreds of varieties of non-thirsty plants from all over the globe will be for sale, perhaps inspiring even more home owners to rip out that lawn. Admission is free.
Downtown, on the other hand, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can enjoy a fine bloody mary at Bar 107 while rifling through clothing, knicknacks, dishware, and bric-a-brac at their indoor yard sale. Besides giving you an excuse to drink before noon, this sale benefits local homeless youth. That's what we call spending that feels fabulous.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good afternoon, readers.
Attention, parents and brainy young ladies.
Tonight, the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana is putting on a "Midnight Madness Sleepover for Girls," and it sounds like a great mix of fun and educational adventure for those smart little females interested in how the world operates. According to The Guide, participating gals will interactively explore
various scientific principles like inertia and air
pressure, lie on a real bed of nails [!], interact with hands-on
exhibits and Virtual Volleyball. An evening snack and continental breakfast are included with each admission ($35 for kids; $25 adults).
On a theatrical note, tonight is the closing of "Lady," Craig Wright's lauded chamber piece at the Road Theatre Company. The play got a very nice review, which you can read here.
Enjoy your evening.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, readers.
Remember that Ramones' cover, "Surfin' Bird?" Pop-a-oo-mow-mow, and all that?
Well, how about surfing dogs?
From 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, top canine surfers of all shapes and sizes will be hanging twenty and cutting it up at the Loews Surf Dog Competition. This is a battle of skill, focus and pure stoke -- three contest heats where the surf dogs ultimately compete for treats and prizes. All proceeds go to charity. And you won't want to miss out on the photo gallery from last year's contest.
In East Hollywood, get your sweet fix at the Great American Bake Sale, a free charity event benefiting Share Our Strength, an organization that fights
children's hunger in the United States. Noon to 4 p.m.
And in Chinatown today, an unconventional exhibition titled "Skid Row History Museum" features photographs, videos, a cardboard hotel, and maps examining the development of downtown Skid Row. The show is primarily comprised from the archives of the Los Angeles Poverty Department, a multidisciplinary performance troupe focusing on the social forces creating poverty.
--Bettie Rinehart
Read on »
Good afternoon, readers.
We know it's 800,000 degrees outside. But the sun will be down and a breeze aloft at the Bowl tonight for a show by D.C.-based meta-culture groove masters Thievery Corporation. TC co-opts Middle Eastern, Latin and Asian flavored music into a sort of clubby jazz smoothie -- enough to soothe any sunburn.
Follow up down the street with drinks at the sexy Cafe des Artistes or one of the many Hollywood hot spots listed here in The Guide. And you're golden.
Sante!
-- Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, readers.
Hungry Cat restaurant is laying out its fourth annual Crabfest today. If you haven't been to this event before -- experienced the inebriation brought on by chef David Lentz's parade of spot-on crab-based wonders and worked yourself into a gluttonous frenzy cracking open those perfectly spiced pinchers -- then stay hungry and head over to Sunset and Vine at noon. They've expanded the restaurant to accommodate even more hungry cats. A+.
-- Bettie Rinehart
Good afternoon, readers.
The sun is shining like a death-ray today — just stifling. L.A. Now hopes you are staying cool and heeding the "red-flag warning" in effect until 8 tonight. If you don't have access to a pool, it's time to park yourself in the a/c somewhere with either a good book or perhaps a beer and summery snacks at one of the bistros recommended in The Guide.
You also can check out this list of tips to stay cool as a cucumber until dark. After all, there's no sense wasting this first day of summer all beet-red and panting in some emergency room. Don't do it!
—Bettie Rinehart
photo by Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Good afternoon, readers.
If you can't make it to the Playboy Jazz Fest today at the Bowl, but are wondering how it's all going down, you're in luck. We just posted a photo gallery showing the scene: the bands, the fans and, of course, Hef. If you're still planning to head over there, here is the rest of today's lineup. And Don Heckman's Q & A with Herbie Hancock.
Planning to cap off Father's Day with a movie? Check out our reviews of The Incredible Hulk and The Happening if you're still weighing the options. Or gift Dad with the newly-released DVD boxed set of Clint Eastwood's Harry Callahan classics including "Dirty Harry" and "Magnum Force." It will make his day. Ouch!
-- Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, readers -- and a very happy Father's day to you all.
One thing we know that Pops will appreciate on his day in the sun is a good meal. Preferably something hearty and delicious and satisfying -- a meal to get his energy back from the difficult task of being Dad. Here is what you do: Check out this list of perfect L.A. places to eat for Father's Day. There is something here for every poppa's palate -- from perfect pancakes in Newport Beach to sublimely prepared sirloin skewers in Beverly Hills.
And how about taking Dad to the Playboy Jazz Fest, continuing today at the Hollywood Bowl? Bill Cosby emcees this year's gathering of the who's who in jazz, soul and blues. Herbie Hancock, Keb' Mo, Roy Hargrove Big Band, Jeff Golub, Oscar Castro-Neves and many others are on deck today. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.
Enjoy!
--Bettie Rinehart
Good afternoon, readers.
Not that they're frolicking around too lightheartedly at the moment, but the Laker guys do, after all, have their play time off-court, and The Guide has compiled a list of their favorite eating and drinking spots here. The list included the Russian-inspired Republic, where Sasha and Vlad hang out, the club Ritual, one of Lamar's faves, and more. I wouldn't expect a sighting, though, until after the finals. Let's hope not, at least.
Type A workaholics and layabouts should both find solace in The Guide's list of most amazing spa treatments in L.A. To wit, at Los Feliz's Being in L.A., the "Raindrops for Body & Soul Massage" (from a Lakota Indian healing tradition) features nine essential oils, "dropped like raindrops and
massaged into the spine to balance your energetic and electrical
fields." Whatever, right? But I bet it feels great.
One more update to the summer festival action this weekend: The Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival continues through this evening at the Japanese American National Museum. The fest
celebrates films and literature exploring racially and culturally mixed heritages -- and there remains a full schedule of readings and screenings. See the schedule here.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good day, readers.
Here's a quick-and-dirty rundown of what's happening today around town.
In Long Beach, the Juneteenth celebration kicks off its yearly nod to June 19, 1865, the day slavery was
officially abolished in Texas. Frolic in the open air, eat yummy treats and dance to the tunes of the
Lowrider Band (consisting of four original members of 1970s funk band War) and
Dengue Fever.
From noon to 4 p.m., Esotouric offers a bus trip exploring the life and inspiration of James M. Cain, godfather of L.A. noir and author of "Double Indemnity" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice." How did this East Coat sophisticate go from being an editor at The New Yorker to a novelist known for keenly depicting the darkness and larceny in men's (and women's) souls? Host Richard Schave will elaborate.
Friends of Steve McQueen Charity Car Show: Friends and fans of McQueen gather today in Chino to celebrate the late actor and car lover. The show benefits Boy's Republic, a boarding school for
troubled teens that was also McQueen's alma mater. Some of McQueen's own cars and
motorcycles will be on display.
Cheers!
--Bettie Rinehart
Good afternoon, readers.
We've got a couple of prime event alerts for you:
Tonight the band I See Hawks in L.A. is playing at The Echo. They're local, country, and do not disappoint. Hawks are supporting their new cd "Hallowed Ground."
And in Long Beach, on board The Queen Mary, the 5th Annual Ink N Iron Festival rockabillies out until 9 p.m. tonight (it started Friday). This celebration of hot rods, pin-ups and tattoo culture includes a pin-up pageant, car
show and six stages of live music.
So chop your top, tidy up the pomadour, tuck those Lucky Strikes in your sleeve and get yourself down there. Cheers, y'all.
--Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, L.A. Now readers.
And happy birthday to architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who was born today in 1867. Of course, Los Angeles is home to wonderful examples of architecture including old adobes, Victorian, east-side Greene and Greene homes and Wright's works themselves, but owing to L.A.'s lack of one or even two coherent city centers, it can be a job to find these treasures.
The Guide offers some excellent choices for guided tours to do just that. In West Hollywood, the house of Rudolf M. Schindler, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, is a design head's dream. The Schindler House features clean lines and a manageable size with the effortless flow that great architects produce. Public hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, and guided tours are available throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays.
The gorgeous Beaux Arts Union Station in downtown L.A. offers tours led by the L.A. Conservancy, including history and architectural appreciation geared particularly toward kids and families. Advance registration is required.
Today at noon you can tour the spectacularly preserved Gamble House in Pasadena and take in the exhibit "Fashionable Dress in an Artistic Landmark." The display's costumed mannequins portray members of the Gamble family, their guests and household staff circa 1908.
Wright's Ennis-Brown House offers tours every other week (on, get this, every odd-numbered month), though registration is required.
-- Bettie Rinehart
Good afternoon, readers.
The always list-y Guide is currently sporting an intriguing list of favorite local Cambodian and Asian restaurants by Dengue Fever (the L.A. band, not the tropical disease) vocalist Chhom Nimol. A number of her picks are in Long Beach and sound both delicious and intriguing. Especially the fish dish called "Amok" at La Lune.
And don't miss Elina Shatkin's long and lush list of best area donut shops. Yesterday, owing to National Donut Day, we may have overindulged on the addictive pastries, but reading about the creamy peanut
butter and praline crunch varieties at Frittelli's in Beverly Hills has made us positively manic for more fried dough.
Bon appetit!
--Bettie Rinehart
Good morning, readers.
And welcome to your weekend. History is on the move today -- can you feel it, people? Legendary sportscaster Jim McKay has passed away and we await Hillary Clinton's concession speech to her supporters. That should begin any minute and will stream live at latimes.com.
There's historical significance this year, as well, to the annual L.A. Pride celebration that kicked off last night and runs through the wildly entertaining parade down Santa Monica Boulevard on Sunday. As mentioned in The Guide, California's recent same-sex marriage ruling provides "much to be gay about" this weekend and will surely add to the overall celebratory atmosphere.
There is much fun slated for the weekend, including performances by the likes of Joss Stone and the divine Olivia Newton-John -- see the entire schedule here.
Enjoy!
--Bettie Rinehart
Good evening, readers.
And it feels fantastic to say it -- just to leave today behind. You know what we mean, right? It's been one of those days.
We just read in The Guide about The Saints and Sinners Lounge, a Culver City "standby" (the word always makes our ears perk up) that sounds like the perfect kind of gin joint for eradicating the traces of those days, precisely. Friendly? Check. Dark decor? Check. Great drinks? Check.
We'll be at the bar drinking a low-key cocktail, taking the edge off.
Chin-chin!
--Bettie Rinehart
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