the bumper of my car

When you ask people what’s great about LA, they might say the weather or the beach or the sushi or art walk or the New Bev or Umami Burger… but they almost never say “the literary scene.”   Yknowhatimsayin?

Still, we read. Well, some of us do, anyway, and many of those some of us will be at LA Times’ Festival of Books this weekend. I’ll admit I’ve never been there myself (though other b.la’ers have). Somehow it always gets trumped by a work event or a trip or something. This year, though, may be the year for me. I would love, love, love to see Jennifer Egan on Saturday*, though given her recent award, that panel will no doubt be packed plus I have a time conflict with a three-year-old’s birthday party in Ventura (Does the J.Egan panel promise a bouncy house? I think not!). Read the rest of this entry →

Does your brain have plans Friday night? Why not treat it to some much-needed nourishment? Come on, you know it deserves it — after a week of mind-numbing work, royal wedding news and Fast Five trailers, your gray matter could use some exercise.

Not to worry: We’ve got just what it needs. Cornel West — yes, that Cornel West, the Princeton prof, the cerebellum of the civil rights movement, the guy who calls everyone “brother,” even people who vehemently disagree with him — will be chatting with Carl Dix, conscientious objector founder of the American Revolutionary Communist Party. What are they gonna talk about? I’m guessing bundt cake recipes.

No, seriously: They’ll be discussing the state of education in America against the backdrop of police brutality and the prison system. The discussion begins at 7 PM at the DeNeve Plaza Lecture Auditorium at UCLA.

EDIT: Forgot to post the link. Here you go.

If you’ve never had a bar full of hipsters chant “TORO TORO TORO” whilst you chug a crazy concoction of fruit & tequila, then now’s the perfect chance to visit a great Los Angeles institution. Opened in 1961 by an exotic cocktail mixologist Ray Buhen, Tiki-Ti served up traditional Polynesian drinks to the likes of Marlon Brando, Burt Rynolds & Jack Palance. Now with over 86 different cocktails on their menu, Ray’s son & grandson Michael and Mike Buhen carry on his legacy at one of the last classic neighborhood tiki bar.

For such a small bar, they do have a lot of little quirks… like their opening hours/days. Regulars know that you have to check their calendar before making the trek out, since the Buhen’s keep all their concoctions “in the family,” whenever they decide to take a little vacay, their bar shuts down. It’s also cash only, which for many card toting Angelino’s causes a problem… but never fear as they are stocked with an ATM in the back. And finally, smoking? I thought that was outlawed? Apparently not when the location is owner operated… no employees to worry about.

So come out Tomorrow to celebrate their 50th Anniversary! The Flatiron Truck will be there from 4-10pm providing bites of deliciousness to pair with outrageous cocktails! They will also have a Tahitian inspired menu serving Poisson Cru and free Coconut Cupcakes.

Tiki-Ti
4427 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 669-9381
www.tiki-ti.com

Sunday May 1st will be the first official Cinco de Mayo celebration in the SGV.  Rutillio “Rudy” Castrellon who owns Monrovia’s Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant (which I’ve blogged about in the past here) is the one spearheading this event. He is bringing it to us to help celebrate the day as they did in Mexico where he grew up as a kid. It will be a block party with the street blocked off to celebrate the day and the contribution of Latinos to the community and region.  Informational web site HERE.

There will be dancing in the street with music provided by Mariachi Divas, Delgado Brothers, Los Fabulocos and Banda Brothers.  There will also be artists and dancers in the event as well sharing their art.

Deets: Sunday May 1, 2011 2-8PM, Colorado and Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia CA MAP HERE

“Cochon” is either a pig, a piglet, or a dirty pig (this last definition is the only non-literal one of the three).  Cochon 555 is all about the first meaning: it’s Pork Fest 2011.  Five chefs in select cities across the country choose five heritage breed pigs of about 175 pounds each (i.e., the ever popular Berkshire farm pig) and pair them with five wines.  The chefs break down the whole pig, from nose to curly tail, ham it up and create pork-tastic plates, and are evaluated by attendees and judges.

The nationwide event aims to raise awareness for these special breeds and encourage sustainable butchering.  New York, Seattle, and Denver all have had their go at the swine; this Sunday, May 1, LA gets its turn.  Octavio Becerra (Palate Food & Wine), Chad Colby (Mozza), Suzanne Tracht (Jar), Ben Ford (Ford’s Filling Station), and Joshua Whigham (The Bazaar) each will compete for best in show.  In the process of the butchering, watching, and pigging out, you’ll meet the farmers, learn about sustainable practices, why you should, if you can, bypass the huge processor as you travel from farm to table, and possibly have flashbacks of Laura Ingalls Wilder using a pig’s bladder as a little soccer ball.  That, people, is an excellent example of using all parts of the pig.

Eating meat from farms following sustainable practices isn’t cheap (unfortunately), and this event isn’t either.  But, if you can afford the entrance fee, this seems well worth it: general admission tickets are $125 and sold out a few weeks ago.  For the extra $50 for the still-remaining VIP tickets, you get early admittance, private tastings of Sonoma-area vitners, “access to a sustainable oyster station”, and a butchering demo by sustainable butchers Lindy & Grundy (whose shop on Fairfax just opened, and you should go and have a look-see at what they’ve got, because they got a lot, and it’s all pretty great).  Hopefully, events like Cochon 555 this will encourage trickle down eat-onomics.

Cochon 555
Sunday, May 1 starting at 3:30 (for VIPs) and 5 (for the generals)
$125 general (sold out)/$175 VIP
At the Vibiana in the Historic Core, 214 S. Main St. Downtown

Yesterday’s Blessing of the Animals at Olvera Street once again lived up to its wonderful and well-deserved reputation as a magnet to all manner of fauna. And as has been our habit over the years, my wife Susan and I basketed up and brought with us Buster our Russian tortoise who once again ably executed her duties as Official Ambassador for the rest of our extended household menagerie, taking a dose of archibishop-flung holy water for the team (thumbnailed at right).

If I had to pick a favorite critter that I got to confront it would have to be the very personable “Piglet,” below, who was so ready for her close-up:

That a hearty band of like-minded pedventurers followed me through the Eastside at the beginning of last month for my 2nd Annual March March is old news, but what’s just come up is an awesome slow-mo video my friend Steven made of various aspects of the trek and I am helpless not to share it here:

If the embed above doesn’t work, the video can be found here: http://vimeo.com/22766801

So Coachella… If the lost and found sections of their website are any indication, you all had a great time. Pictures upon pictures of lost keys and phones, like rows of tombstones in the sobriety graveyard. Best music festival no one can remember ever.

I worry about you people. I hope you got home okay.

So if you can’t find your keys, phone, camera, or bag, you should log onto the Coachella site and see if they’ve got it. There are instructions onsite for how to retrieve your belongings. Your dignity, on the other hand… you’re on your own there.

This weekend: the Grilled Cheese Invitational fetes that timeless American classic sandwich.  Animals will be blessed.  And a few Easter egg hunts will help the kids exercise their find-random-things-in-the-grass skills, or as hipsters call it: foraging.

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From Cake & Heels

For all the west-siders who are stuck not wanting to attempt to hop the Obama traffic gap, here’s a suggestion…  Today, The Yard on 3rd Street Promenade is celebrating their 3rd Year Anniversary with what sounds like an awesome party.  Top Chef CJ Jacobson has cooked up TWO whole pigs on a spit, slowly roasting over an open fire in a box, served with picnic accouterments.  Stoli’s providing $3 cocktails all night long. There are Beer tasting trios on special – Deschutes beers, with pint glass giveaway.  They even have goodie bags for all of their guests!

They also have a collection of awesome prizes they’re giving away including… A drawing that night for the chance to win a dinner for two at The Yard, with the winner choosing what the menu is, and a ticket to the season’s final Beer Freek, Super Freek, which includes a tasting of the world’s best and rarest beer – Narke’s Stormaktsporter from Sweden. The tasting is on May 11th, and also features ’09 Three Floyd’s Dark Lord, Portsmouth’s Kate the Great, and Olde Rabbit’s Foot.

The Yard
119 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA
Today Starting at 5:00pm

The Yard’s 3rd Year Anniversary on Facebook

Experience a live visual music sensation on Friday, April 22nd courtesy of The USC School of Cinematic Arts and Visions and Voices: The USC Arts & Humanities Initiative for FREE! Rhythms+Visions-Expanded+Live! is an exciting outdoor event with performances spanning animation, experimental documentary, social commentary and abstract visual music. UK audiovisual collective D-Fuse and Los Angeles artist Scott Pagano will perform live. Additionally, giant 3-D stereoscopic animations will be projected onto the building facade, interacting with the audience and the architecture. 3-D glasses will be provided.

Rhythms+Visions-Expanded+Live! is this Friday, April 22nd from 7:30-11pm at the USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex. Admission is Free. A lively panel discussion will follow the performances. Facebook event page here.

Image from the DubLab

So what are you doing after the upcoming Grilled Cheese Invitational? Why you’re heading downtown to party at the Natural History Museum, duh!

This Saturday, Cinefamily and Cinespia are hosting a FREE ADMISSION museum-wide party at the Natural History Museum, presented as the closing event to the “Art In The Streets” film retrospective. First, they’re showing Cave of Forgotten Dreams directed by Werner Herzog at 5:30pm. (the film-rsvp list is already closed, but there will be some seats held for the standby line) Also, the Herzog Q&A will be projected live in the Museum’s Whale Room at approximately 7PM, for those who are unable to get into the screening. Once the movie is over, then the party starts!

At 8PM, the doors open and guests are invited to wander the Museum’s exhibit halls for FREE! There will be live bands, DJs spinning, food trucks, cash bar & an art installation by Mastodon Mesa.

Live Music Schedule

On the Fin Whale Passage stage:
Live performances by Nite Jewel, Islands, White Magic and Matt Baldwin starting at 8:30pm.

In the African Mammal Hall:
DJs Dntel (aka Jimmy Tamborello of The Postal Service), David Holmes and Carlos Nino will spin records starting at 5pm.

In the Gems & Mineral Hall:
DJ collective Dublab will also host a second set of live performances starting at 5pm.

This whole event is generously sponsored by: First Fridays at The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, in association with History Films, Sundance Selects, Goethe-Institut Los Angeles, Dublab

cave of forgotten dreams: herzog premiere & museum-wide party
Saturday, April 23rd
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA, 90007
5:00-11:00pm
Admission: FREE

flier gets bigger with a click

Free is the magic word for this event, including the parking. They have some great presentations lined up to provide you with Strategies for Success in Today’s Economy. Some of the topics include Business Marketing, SBA Loan Programs and Services, Important Sales and Use Tax Updates, and much more. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with experts from various agencies that specialize in helping small businesses grow and succeed. It is brought to us by Jerome E Horton (Chairman of the State Board of Equalization), Roger Hernandez (Assembly member 57th district) and the city of West Covina.

You do need to register online, for free with the BOE and can do so at This Link.  Or you can call to reserve a spot at 888-847-9652

Deets: Friday May 6, 2011 9AM – noon. 1444 West Garvey Ave (city hall) West Covina CA 91790  MAP HERE

Hey blogging.la community! Wanted to quickly introduce myself… in blogging.la’s wonderful decision to add on a slew of new bloggers, I somehow made it through the hurdles and have been warmly welcomed into the community. So who is this newbie blogger you ask? Well, even if you didn’t I’m still going to tell you. I’m a native Los Angelino, such a rarity it seems, who had a normal childhood growing up in the suburbs of West Hollywood, traipsed to New York for a quick jaunt, and then missing the warm So-Cali sun returned back to the homeland. Like all good LA children, I’ve made my nest in the “Industry” but fashion myself as a foodie & blogger on the side. If your taste buds teeter on the side of adventure, you’d probably enjoy my collection of deliciously baffling cupcakes on my blog, Cake & Heels. When I’m not baking, reading scripts or planning massive beer pong tournaments, I’ve decided that I’m dedicating that remaining 5% of free time on my pie chart of life to writing HERE, on blogging.la. So seriously, THANKS for having me and hopefully this is the beginning of a long and beautiful relationship!

Grilled Cheese Invitational

So let’s get down to the oh-so-gooey and cheesy heart of this post… preferably layered between slices of freshly baked bread. It’s that time of the year, the 2nd 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational! This Saturday, April 23rd, Los Angeles Center Studios plays host to what has grown into a massive annual tradition. Over 300 amateur & professional competitors battle for grilled cheese glory in 4 different categories: Love, American Style || The Missionary Position || The Kama Sutra || The Honey Pot. And the best part? YOU can be the judge.

In addition to the usual crowd of foodies, fans and cheese heads, you can expect some fierce competition out of the likes of Top Chef Masters: Eric Greenspan from The Foundry, Food & Wine’s Best New Chef of 2011: Ricardo Zarate from Mo-Chica and the soon to be hit Picca, the amazing Walter Manzke formerly of Bastide, Church & State and currently at Le Saint Amour, Eric Samaniego from my Sunday night favorite Comme Ca, Micah Fields who loves to please at the Standard Downtown and Nyesha Arrington from the gorgeous Cache on Main Street. Plus the fabulous Alie & Georgia of McNuggetini Cocktail Fame will be on hand mixing up magical libations during the event!

The 2nd 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational
Saturday April 23rd || 11AM – 6PM
Los Angeles Center Studios
1201 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
$12 Online, $15 at the Door, $17 Judging Pass
www.grilledcheeseinvitational.com

Hey, Easter is coming! And we all know what that means: FUZZY BUNNIES. If you are excited about the impending onslaught of cuteness, here are some ways that you can treat yourself to a hopping (oh, admit it, the bad puns, you love them!) bunny-themed Easter weekend!

1. Forget the lions and tigers and bears, the LA Zoo is hosting Big Bunny’s Spring Fling, Friday through Sunday, with bunny face painting, bunny ear making, and lots of real live bunnies. But most important of all, their website says there will be FREE PEEPS. Oh, happy day! (April 22, 23, and 24 at the LA Zoo. More info available here.)

2. At Olvera Street, you can bring your pets for the annual Blessing of the Animals, which is a charming tradition that moves even my largely agnostic heart. And while this isn’t bunny-specific, I imagine there will be some bunnies in attendance, or, if photos from past events are any indication, at least some puppies in bunny clothing. (Saturday, April 23, 12pm-5pm, El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. More info available here.)

(More bunny rabbit fun after the jump!)

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