Local theater has a hard enough time drawing audiences here. Apathetic critics don’t help.

Something that Marc Haefele mentioned in his most recent post on Metblogs has stayed with me since I read it:  his opening sentence wherein he mentions overhearing  “the arts editor of a prominent local weekly… say she didn’t like opera and didn’t know anyone who did.”

Having been to my share of LA Opera performances, some that I have enjoyed more than others, I was shocked to hear of a supposed cultural gatekeeper in the guise of an arts editor coming forth with a blanket disdain for a particular, um, art. Perhaps she needs to broaden her circle of friends and get out more–  or at least find another area of journalism to work in.

I got the same feeling today when I read a theater review in the LA Times by Charlotte Stoudt. Granted, it was a review of Octomom, The Musical, playing at the Fake Gallery on Melrose and Heliotrope. But her opening sentence may have tipped her hand about her feelings towards live theater, along with her qualifications to review it:

“It was only a matter of time before the exploits of Nadya Suleman trickled down to that most lowly of entertainment forms, live theater.”

It left me wondering where on her hierarchy of “entertainment forms” she places, say, WWF or TMZ, which she mentions being well aware of in her review. Something tells me she also is not an opera buff.

And for all we know, you could take her upfront dismissal of theater overall as a ringing endorsement of Octomom.

It’s been a busy week, what with everything going on (Classic Eats, a kerfuffle over some “art,” prepping for the Echo Park Lake Paddle Boat Regatta, and so much more…) So, busy in fact, that I haven’t had a chance to post about the loudest fun of the week. Until now.

Before I get to that, have I mentioned that it’s not too late to sponsor my team in the Paddle Boat Regatta? I’m just sayin’. It’s for the kids, and it’ll give you a warm fuzzy feeling without the usually associated guilt.

MetBlogs' own, Julia "One Shot, One Kill" Frey.

Last Saturday, a few MetBloggers and friends met at the Los Angeles Gun Club for an afternoon of shootin’ stuff and makin’ a lot of noise.

There were varying levels of firearm experience among us, from “I’ve never fired a gun before” to “I’m strapped now. What?” With a little instruction, though, even the rookies in the group shot well. There were several different guns to try, from a cute & petite .25 Beretta to a cannon-like .45 Smith & Wesson, and even a 12ga. shotgun.

Everyone in the group had a great time, and already a few who weren’t there are asking when the next outting to the range is happening. Want to join us? We don’t have a firm date yet, but leave me a note in the comments and I’ll be sure to let you know when it’s going to happen.

Also, follow me past the jump to see a few more photos of firearm fun. Read the rest of this entry →

I had to chuckle when I got close and read the rear window of the minivan sitting in the median with its flashers on.  ”LA’s Best Express Transportation” with the best press on lettering they could find was plastered on the rear window.  No one is going anywhere fast with that “express”.

Grabbed the pic on that dreadful stretch of the 71 that is not a freeway through Pomona while stopped in traffic with the trusty cell phone cam.  It does get bigger with a click.

Adrian van Leen's Paving Bricks photo used under Creative Commons

I got a new computer this week, and in the process of transferring my data from one machine to the other, it occurred to me that this is the first time since I can remember that I’ve actually been able to salvage everything in a machine swap. The last two laptops I’ve had before this one died suddenly and completely. Kaput.* Gone were all the clever chat transcripts, the sweet emails, the occasional photo, random data orts, bookmarks… all gone in a moment when the systems bricked. Don’t get me wrong: Like some weirdo that stashes money under the mattress and in juice cans in the freezer, I do have my dissertation backed up in several places, but as for the rest of it, after the initial shock of data loss, I actually found myself strangely relieved. It’s like my documents and pictures and preferences take up all this space around me, and the spot where I fit nestled in there is largely defined by the datafield in  a face/vases sort of way. When all the data disappeared, I could kind of start over again. It was liberating. Read the rest of this entry →

While fellow bloggers have made no bones about their passion for the unassuming Mr. Hutchinson, I was happy to hold our ticket contest and send a really excited fan. Well, two, but Chris here was so stoked that he actually wrote back when I requested a post-event write-up.

Click thru to read his opinion of this up-and-coming, and funny, musician. Read the rest of this entry →

Cripes what can be better than FREE music on a broiling summer afternoon other than a free concert next to the ocean? With temps skirting 100 forecast for the Valley and SGV this weekend, that’s the perfect combo for us.  Long Beach is hosting a Battle of the Tribute Bands on Saturday 1PM-7PM at Rainbow Harbor.

All the details you could want on the Battle of the Tribute Bands can be found in their press release Facebook page.

Details: Saturday July 25, 1PM-7PM. 300 S Pine Ave, Long Beach. MAP LINK.

Cars were on rails. Men were in suits. And a young city was still finding its way, at Third and Spring.

The year was 1891.

Photo from the USC Digital Archive

Not Smart. Not Simple. Secure? One can hope!

A few days ago I railed about how patently stupidious it is trying to get a new Transit Access Pass (TAP) card for use on Metro buses and trains. As I left that first post, I had been told by a TAP customer service representative that the only place I could obtain a TAP card and load it with a  cash amount (as opposed to an expiration-driven monthly pass for $62) was Union Station.

It just so happened that on Tuesday I found myself at Union Station to catch the No. 439 bus to work and decided to see if that was indeed the case. Sure enough and to no real surprise, it wasn’t. The clerk at the counter there parroted the TAP rep.

“But,” I countered, “on the TAP website it says that a card can be used to store cash value!”

“Metro isn’t set up to do that,” she answered.

“Will it ever be?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

“Doesn’t that strike you as the lamest most ironic thing ever in the history of mass transportation and fare management to offer an access pass that people can’t use?”

Read the rest of this entry →

I took a look at and snapped some photos of the latest construction project in Marina del Rey.  It’s the expansion of the Best Western Jamaica Bay Inn on Admiralty Way near Panay Way.  The old Jamaica Bay Inn was a quaint two-story place with approximately 42 rooms, where people liked to go for breakfast.  Renderings of the expanded four-story 111-room hotel, for which the neighboring Cafe Escobar was bulldozed to make way, can be found here.  The Inn’s PR company describes its project as (warning: get out your air sickness bag) one:

“that will transform the familiar Marina Del Rey property into a lush Caribbean-themed resort befitting its name. The new Jamaica Bay Inn will take advantage of the hotel’s unique location on the only beach inside the marina, an inviting arc of sand and calm water appropriately known as Mother’s Beach. The new hotel will have a colorful porte-cochere that will be a street-side landmark for the property and an elegant lobby with a sophisticated West Indies décor, rattan/wood/leather furniture and a large stone fireplace and chimney as a focal point. Gag on this

This artist's rendering of another artist's POS

“I love public art projects because, when they’re done right, they give identity and character to a neighborhood,” said Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

The North Hollywood Gateway is up, it’s lit, and it already has its fair share of detractors. Metblogs’ own Jodi gave her review just a few days ago.

Let’s be honest: Nobody likes it. When I drive under the massive public art thing that has vomitously spewed across Lankershim Boulevard, I can’t help but think, “Who approved this?”

So, I asked.
Read the rest of this entry →

The buzz on this Scottish band is no joke. Pair ‘em with Norwegian rockette Ida Maria, whose complete lack of rock star airs is utterly refreshing, and this is a kickass show. With a Mercury “Album of the Year” prize under their belts, Glasvegas’ anthemic songs balance jangly, bouncy pop driven by an energetic rhythm section, and a top note of expansive, layered effects-laden guitars that call to mind The Cure (when happy), U2 or, dare I say it, Coldplay. But they’re good.

Wanna go? Make up a city name out of two of your favorite cities (a la “Glasvegas”) and post it in the comments. We’ll randomly pick a lucky winner to check out the show at the Fonda.

So I was having a conversation with an LA-hater the other day, and I found myself getting sick of defending my city.

I hear the same complaints over and over. For decades. Aren’t people TIRED of bitching about the same stuff already?

Shouldn’t it just be UNDERSTOOD that living in LA involves traffic? Involves flaky Industry types bragging over nonfat lattes? Involves no distinctly perceptible seasons? Is this stuff seriously NEWS to you?! If you people are still complaining about this shit like it’s some big SURPRISE to you, well, maybe you should get out more often.

So, I thought I’d make a List Of Things Not To Complain About Ever Again. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

1. Smog
2. That asshole who cut you off
3. Construction on the 405 that never, ever ends
4. Women with fish lips
5. Poorly marked freeway interchanges
6. Everyone always gets so fucking dressed up just to go to the market
7. LA has no seasons
8. I meet people at parties and they promise we’ll hang out sometime but they never return my calls / Angelenos are so flaky
9. It’s so hard to get anyone to look at my screenplay
10. You people don’t know how to drive in the rain

Ok, ready? Go for it! Add your own complaints you’re fucking sick of hearing!

So you’re not going to Comic-Con this year.

Maybe Comic-Con just isn’t your thing. Perhaps you couldn’t find a ticket or you have to work. Or there could be a certain restraining order prohibiting you from crossing the San Diego county line. Whatever the reason, the arrival of Comic-Con is not only good news for the scores of attendees, but it also brings deliciously sweet solace to those of us staying here in L.A. this weekend. Just think of how much easier it’s going to be with far fewer geeks, nerds, fanboys and fangirls to get in the way of the following awesome goings on:

Thursday, July 23

Celebrate Clairefest XXV This Thursday at Footsie's!

The Annual Clairefest XXV Barty (Beer/Party = Barty) - Friend of the blog, Claire has invited everyone in L.A. to Footsie’s this Thursday night to celebrate her 25th birthday. “Potato tacos are on me!” she exclaims. So get there early if you want a taco and bring lots of presents.

Saturday, July 25

The Muppet Movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Join Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and other muppet superstars in the original feature film from the gentle genius of Henson Studios. This is the ‘true’ story of the muppets’ rise to stardom as Kermit travels across the country to Hollywood, collecting friends along the way and dodging the evil owner of a frog legs restaurant. Read the rest of this entry →

Another beloved celebrity gone.

The cruel summer of death marches on, this time claiming a beloved star of the small screen. Gidget, the Taco Bell Chihuahua, died from a stroke on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. She was 15 (105 in dog years.)

“She made so many people happy,” said Gidget’s trainer, Sue Chipperton.

According to People Magazine:

The mostly retired actor lived out her days laying in the sun – “I like to joke that it’s like looking after a plant,” says Chipperton – and entertaining at shoots when her trainer brought her along. “Gidget,” says Chipperton, “always knew where the camera was.”

A few months ago, I heard the arts editor of a prominent local weekly (no, not THAT one) say she didn’t like opera and didn’t know anyone who did. Just the other night a bunch of friends, sitting around my table, said the same…how dumb opera was, how long it took for anything to happen. Why bother?

All this made me wonder why, if opera is so unpopular locally, are its tickets so hard to come by? Is affection for grand opera another Love that Dares not State its Name? Did all these people in reality have season tickets, but were too frightened of being outed to admit it? Maybe even tickets to next year’s controversial Wagner Ring cycle? Which is costing LA Opera a reported $32 million to mount.

And which just drew a hostile motion from Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich. This was a motion which the rest of the LA County Board of Supervisors, confronted on the same day with the county’s worst budget crisis in 75 years, found time to flatten. Mike, as I get it, had just heard that Wagner was an anti-Semite. His reasoning seemed to be that the performances ought therefore to be diluted with material written by non-anti-Semites–maybe Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, or Rogers and Hammerstein.

Now, Mike Antonovich is probably the longest-serving elected local office holder in Southern California — certainly in LA County, where he’s been on the board for 29 years. I giggled to hear him assert, at a Monday press conference protesting the state’s homicidal new budget, that… Read the rest of this entry →