Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Rush 8/12 - 8/18

With the opening of the Olympic ceremony in Beijing the upcoming weeks are sure to be filled with moments that will astonish you and fill you with awe.The human body can be an amazing instrument. Anticipate the RUSH.

Wednesday August 13th, 2008

Etta James plays at The Bowl
At last the sultry voice of Etta James graces the stage at the Hollywood Bowl. Under the star stricken sky you can enjoy a bottle of wine and the queen of blues. This concert will make your heart melt and take you back to the first time you fell in love. My recommendation is to take a pillow and someone warm to snuggle with. 
Time: 8 pm
2301 N. Highland Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90068
323-850-2000

The Downtown Film Festival
Celebrating the cultural resurgence of Downtown Los Angeles, the film festival will take place in various historical theaters throughout Downtown LA, including the Orpheum Theatre, The LA Center Studios, Sci-Arc, and the MOCA. There are many exciting receptions and parties associated with the film festival that can be found on the events page of the website. My personal recommendation is Happy Hour at The Edison, which is one of the most masterful architectural renovations in the city. The film festival runs from August 13th - August 17th. 
Admission: $10 per screening
Time & Location: See Schedule

Thursday August 14th, 2008


All Of This Is Melting Away at Royal/T
This group show curated by Jay Sanders of NY's Greene Naftali Gallery features works from the Susan Hancock collection, that illustrates themes of temporal transformation and anthropomorphism. Many of the works in the exhibition can be seen melting, dripping, or sinking away enhancing the sensation of loss. The Royal/T gallery is a Japanese influenced cafe/concept gallery that celebrates contemporary artists like Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara. The exhibition runs from August 14th - December 31st.
Admission: FREE
Time: Opening Reception 6 - 9 pm
8910 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310-559-6300


Jared Joslin "Shadow of the Silver Moon"
Bathed in the pale glow of a silver moon Joslin's oil portraits magically transport us to the era of art-deco and swing as seamlessly as if we walked onto the set of The Great Gatsby. Filled with glitter and jazz his work is reminiscent of German artist Christian Schad, well known for his luxurious portraits of night clubbers and the German elite during the late 1920's. This is an RSVP event so I recommend you get your name list if you want to view these lovely ladies. 

Admission: FREE 
Time: 7 pm
354 N. Bedford
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-278-4400
rsvp@yargerfineart.com














Saturday August 16th, 2008

Featuring numerous Brazilian and Samba bands including Azymuth, Coleman, and J ROCC,
 Art Don't Sleep Presents a vibrant night of Samba rhythms at the Echoplex. If you missed Carnival and have been aching to dance the Carimbo or Samba this is the perfect night to get your groove on. O que uma noite bela!
Admission: $20/$15 Advanced
Time: 9 pm - 2 am
1154 Glendale Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213-413-8200


Eye Candy Opening
Ending the summer with a band the Crewest Gallery, well known for some of LA's hot new graffiti artists, shows a little skin. The group show featuring many of the resident artists at the gallery is an homage to the female form in the best medium possible. Feast your eyes upon this sweet treat. 
Admission: Free
Time: 7 - 10 pm
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-627-8272


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Monday, August 4, 2008

The Rush 8/5 -8/11

The summer is RUSHing by and already we find ourselves in the lovely month of August. Angelenos and tourists alike can be found soaking up the sun and enjoying the various amusements around Los Angeles. Here are my top-picks for this week.

Tuesday August 5th, 2008The Regeneration Tour Featuring: The Human League
Don't you want me baby? Well you should! This fabulous English Synthopop band formed in 1977, has brought life to many an 80's flashback party. Part of the Regeneration Tour that also features Belinda Carlisle, and Naked Eyes, this is sure to be a night to remember.

Admission: $49.50 - 59.50
Time: 7:45 pm
The Gibson Amphitheatre
100 Universal City Walk
Los Angeles, CA 91608
818-622-440

VisionVersion : Dublab
Unifying the arts, the Dublab's newest project brings together some of the most innovative musicians and filmmakers of our decade. Harvesting the talents of many amazing contemporary artists, this film project is sure to be a must see. Additionally the event includes a live performance by Hecuba immediately following the films.

Admission: $13
Time: 8 pm
Cinefamily
The Silent Movie Theatre
611 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-655-2510

Wednesday August 6th, 2008

I find that from time to time taking yourself to the one of the most classical forms of human expression can be quite enthralling. There is nothing more stimulating than watching live ballet dancers. Like no other performer, ballet dancers embody the juxtapozition of human strength and grace. With an original score by Danny Elfman this is certain to be a beautiful night at the ballet.

Admission: $25-105
Runs Aug 6-10
Times: Wed-Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm
The Orange County Performing Arts Center
600 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-556-2787

The Ting Tings @ The El Rey
A little-known band called The Ting Tings, most noted for their song featured in an ipod ad, shut up & let me go, is gracing the stage of the El Rey Theatre in Hollywood. This celebrated Indie-Pop band will be an energetic addition to your Thursday night. This event is said to be SOLD OUT, but I would recommend looking for tickets on either Craigslist or StubHub, nothing is ever SOLD OUT.

Admission: $16
Time: 8 pm
The El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-936-6400

Thursday August 7th, 2008
The Airborne Toxic Event @ The El Rey
This local band has taken LA LA LAnd by storm. I have been a fan since the first time I heard them on indie 103.1 fm, late one cold November Los Angeles night. The song played some time around midnight, and and the lead singer's voice sang of toxic loves that slip through your fingers as you get lost in the haze of the wine. It was breath taking and intoxicating.

Admission: $15 SOLD OUT
Time: 8 pm
The El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-936-6400

Hollyshorts Film Festival
The 4th Annual Hollyshorts Film Festival begins this Thursday at the Egyptian Theatre. To cater to the short attention span of the average Angeleno, this film festival of shorts runs from August 7-10th and includes films from all over the world. I love festivals that are short & sweet!

Admission $10
Time: 7:30 pm
6712 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
323-466-3456

Friday August 8th, 2008

FOCUSfish: GUSH-ED
Prepare yourself for aerialists, clowns, jugglers, dancers and fire eaters because the circus is in town! The Ford Amphitheatre plays the perfect host to this amazing performance crew, that will surely leave you amazed with their artistry and skill.
Admission: $30-40
Runs August 8 & 9th
Time: 8 pm
2580 E. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90068
323-461-3673

Saturday August 9th, 2008

Rock the Bells
This is the most substantial Hip-Hop festival in the LA area. The line-up for this event can only be described as superb, and includes Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest, NAS, Santogold, Ghostface, and Method Man (to name a few). This is the music event of the week!
Admission: $35-203
Time: Noon
The Glen Haven Pavillion
2575 Glen Helen Pkwy
909-880-6500
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Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Rush 7/29 -8/4

Do you feel like you are being Rushed?

Wednesday 30th, 2008

Rebel With Out A Cause at the Arclight
As part of the AFI 100 Years 100 Movies, the Hollywood Arclight continues to screen classics films from the first 100 years of American Cinema. This week's highlighted film is Rebel Without A Cause starring James Dean & Natalie Woods. Need I say more.

Admission: $11
Time: 8 pm
6360 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
323-464-4226
Thursday July 31st, 2008

Last Call for the Now Festival
This is the last week to experience the third and final Now Festival program at Redcat. This week's program features dance/performance art by Rosanna Gamson, Anne Lebaron, Douglas Kearney, and Kristina Wong. Runs July 31st - August 2nd.

Admission: $18/$14 Students
Time: 8:30 pm
Walt Disney Concert Hall
631 W. 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-237-2800
Friday August 1st, 2008

Get the lead out ~ Group Show
The Black Maria Gallery in Glendale is scheduled to open a group show on Friday. The featured artwork is an array of small sketches pen & ink drawings, watercolors, and some sculpture. The show is an homage to the artistic process. They will be raffling an original painting and if you bring a book you may just walk away with an original sketch.

Admission: FREE
Time: 7 - 10:30 pm
Black Maria Gallery
3137 Glendale Blvd.
Glendale, CA 90039
323-660-9393

Public Enemy w/Ghostface Killah
It may be difficult to remember the days when Public Enemy was a real Hip Hop threat. Their present day menace may very well be skewed by visions of member Flava Flav's recent escapades with reality television, but I assure you this is the Flava you will love. Also featuring Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah this blast from the past is sure to be both an old and a goody.

Admission: $22
Time: 8 pm
Crash Mansion
1024 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-747-0999
Saturday August 2nd, 2008

Doug Henry & Joe Potts: Still Life With Dancer
As a tribute to the 100 year anniversary of Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, composer Joe Potts and artist Doug Henry have collaborated on a new video work Still Life With Dancer. Honoring the birth of cubism the video is scheduled to show at Cardwell Jimmerson Contemporary Art in Culver City.

Admission: Free
Time: 6 - 8pm
Cardwell Jimmerson Contemporary Art
8568 Washington Blvd.
310-815-1100
Ryan Graeff : Restitution Press
Artist Ryan Graeff is infamous for his garilla-tactic art installations of the LA "Bandit," that you can often find as you walk through the Los Angeles urban landscape. An artist by day, and a cultural Zapatista by night, Graeff's new exhibition includes over a dozen volumes of urban-coated, textured, color-enriched newspapers that he has aptly labeled "The Restitution Press." You may run into one of Graeff's many celebrity collectors at his opening on Saturday, fully equiped with DJ and drinks.

Admission: Free
Time: 7 - 12 Midnight
2380 Glendale Blvd.
Silverlake, CA 90039
323-912-0008
ghettogloss@ghettogloss.com

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Saturday, July 19, 2008

The Rush 7/22 - 7/28

Here is the weekly rush for all you Angelenos out there. These are my top-picks for events in and around the L.A. area. Enjoy this beautiful summer week!

Thursday 24th, 2008

Tokyo Police Club at The Hammer
The Tokyo Police Club is the FREE concert hosted by the Hammer this week. The Indie 103.1 FM summer concerts are held in the courtyard of the Museum building so that you can enjoy the twinkling of the night sky as you watch your favorite indie rock stars perform in the moonlight.
Free Admission
8pm - 11pm
The Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Cirque Berzerk
Opening this week at the Los Angeles State Historic Park is Cirque Berzerk, a goth/punk circus with heavy ties to the Burning Man Festival. Imagine Cirque du Soleil and a punk/rock S & M band had a baby, throw in a few items on fire and that is Cirque Berzerk. If you like watching contorcionists wearing black bustiers climb through flaming rings then this is the event for you. Show runs from 7/24 - 7/27.
Admission $35-65
8:30pm
Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Friday 25th, 2008

Culture Shock Dance L.A. at The Ford Theater
This is an L.A. based hip hop dance troop dedicated to enriching the Los Angeles area by provided cultural outreach programs to the urban youth of L.A. In partnership with programs like D.A.R.E. Culture Shock provides free hip-hop dance classes to the community. They even provide a FREE community class that is open to ANYONE on Monday nights.
Admission $20
8:30pm
The Ford Theater
2580 E. Cahuenga Blvd.
323-461-3673
Saturday 26th, 2008

Last Call for Automatic - Enigmatic
Saturday 26th, 2008 is the LAST day to view this two artist show at the Lawrence Asher Gallery. The show consists of the sculpture/collages of Sophia Allison along side the paintings of York Chang. Sophia Allison's sculptures are pretty stunning so don't miss out!
Admission Free
11am - 5pm T-F/ 12pm - 5pm S
Lawrence Asher Gallery
5820 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-935-9100
We're All Doomed - Cameron Gray
Saturday opens the new Cameron Gray show at the Robert Berman Gallery in Santa Monica. If you are not familiar with Cameron Gray you should be, because his paintings are quite amazing. Taking small individual scenes that he has painted on wood blocks he creates the most imaginative collages. Show runs from July 26th - August 23rd.
Free Admission
Reception: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
The Robert Berman Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave. C2
Santa Monica, CA90404
310-315-9506
Does It Offend You Yeah?
You have no idea what you are getting yourself into, is the name of this UK based band's debut album. I think thats a very accurate description of the way I feel about this band. I never quite know what's going to happen next, I but I have full faith that I will love it. If you haven't heard them already, these guys are rock stars.
Admission $16
8pm
The Echo
1822 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90026
213-413-8200
Sunday July 27th, 2008

Gnarls Barkley at the Hollywood Bowl
Run children! Run for your life! Gnarls Barkley is play the bowl this Sunday. What better way to end the weekend than enjoying a warm summer breeze, while rocking out to the dynamic duo that is Gnarls Barkley. Perfection in a bowl.
Admission $10-96
9pm
The Hollywood Bowl
2301 N. Highland Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90068
323-850-2000

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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Prodigal Son Returns

Guided by his Hawaiian and Japanese roots, Edwin Ushiro journeys through misty memories of his forgotten childhood with his new solo show "while tides guide you back home," which opened last weekend at Project Gallery in Culver City. 
The show, which runs from July 12th through August 9th, is a collection of multi-media pieces that have been inspired by Ushiro's up-bringing on the tranquil island of Maui. Fusing traditional painting with digital imagery, the Arts Center graduate, combines a plethora of techniques like iron transfer and the use of ink, fabric, and plexi-glass to create his scenes from a long abandoned past.

Ushiro's wistful scenes often feature youthful anime-esc characters painted on the foreground of a sheet of plexi-glass, while the picturesque background is mounted on the reverse side to create the illusion of three- dimensional depth. Each piece has an ethereal quality to it, as though we might be walking through a watercolor dream, a photo-snapshot of the moment before we wake-up. An aura of light baths these quaint apparitions, blinding us with the glow of the fondest, well preserved memories.

As dreams habitually move from light to dark, Ushiro's recollections delve far bellow the surface of a tender remembrance of things past, and many of the images touch upon childish fears and fascinations with the shadowy unknown.
Inspired by Japanese folklore, the dreams transform into nightmares, where fantastical creatures emerge from the mists of the forests to frighten us. Spirits and gods come to life and we get swept under the currents of these lurid images. Caught in the riptide, it can be easy to get carried out to the turbulent sea and be overwhelmed by these surreal visions. But Ushiro wisely instructs us from the beginning that the best course of action is to succumb to the pressures of the waves and eventually if we let go of our panic and fear we will be guided home on a friendly tide. 






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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The Rush 7/15-7/21

These are my favorite LA LA LAnd events for this week. There are some amazing things happening in LA this week that I highly encourage you to check out.

Thursday July 17th 2008

The NOW Festival at REDCAT - Program I
Thursday opens a three program performance art festival featuring a variety of movement, dance, and theater troops. Each program lasts through the weekend and features three different acts. This week's line-up is: Baker & Tarpaga Dance Project: Sira Kan/ On the Road, Cloud Eye Control: Final Space and Subterranean Heart, & Theater Movement Bazaar: Model Behavior. The festival runs for the next three weeks.

General Admission $18
7/17 - 7/19   8:30 pm
Disney Hall
631 W. 2nd St. 
Los Angeles, CA  
Box Office: 213-237-2800



Saturday July 20th 2008

All Mixed Up at The Grind Gallery
A group show opens at The Grind Gallery in Culver City, featuring 15-20 artists of varying tastes and degree. Appropriately titled there should be something for everyone. 

Artist Reception 7 - 11 pm
Free Admission
The Grind Gallery
12222 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-397-2244

Movie Screening at The Hammer Museum
One of the many free summer events hosted by the Hammer Museum, featuring cinematic classics like The Big Lebowski & Less Than Zero. Though tickets are free you must pick them up at the theater box office one hour prior to the event. Availability is on a first come first served basis. 

Free Admission
7 pm Less Than Zero
9 pm The Big Lebowski
The Billy Wilder Theater 
The Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-206-3456



Scratch Art at Canvas LA
The Canvas LA Gallery opens a new show that features a remarkable collection of scratchboard art from over 200 tattoo artists worldwide. There will also be a scratch wall where guests are encouraged to add their own marks to the mix. 

Free Admission
8 pm - Midnight
441 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-944-0678

Sunday July 20th 2008

Feist Plays at Hollywood Bowl
This Canadian indie rock singer has a beautiful and powerful voice that will sooth your heart. She is a salute to all women who rock, and her timber
tickles the deepest part of your soul. She is a must see gem. 


Admission $20 and up
7 pm 
Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90068
323-850-2000

Monday July 21st 2008

Princeton Plays the Silverlake Lounge
This is a sweet new indie band that is reminiscent of The Beatles' early feel-good albums. They will be also playing  the following monday July 28th, so if you miss them this week all is not lost.

Free Admission
The Silverlake Lounge
2906 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Kara Walker : Silhouette Seductress

Kara Walker examines stereotypes and racial identity by drawing on the old-fashioned aesthetic of shadow silhouette cutouts. Her show at the Hammer Museum: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love, sets out to tell the tale of sensuality and seduction lost in the shadow of African American history.

Walker’s work is like walking into a life-size storybook scene of a perverted antebellum romance novel; the unabridged version of “Gone with the Wind.” Her paper cutouts portray scenes of sexual misconduct and manipulation that allude to many a sexually explicit act heavily peppered with historical metaphors.





These scene variations are utilized in a repetitive fashion, allowing all the scenes to seamlessly blend into one another as we walk the carousel of shadows. A most poignant silhouette is one of three women interlocked in a continuous chain of suckling, each woman breathing in the historical breast of the other. The repetitive nature of Walker’s scenes is indicative of the repetitive nature of history. In a bizarre sensual ritual the stereotype torch is passed from generation to generation, like mother’s milk.

Walker’s conjuring of these racial profiles of the past forces us to search for our racial identities of the present and future. Even as we walk through the exhibition, projectors on the floor cast our shadows upon the gallery walls and we are compelled to examine our own silhouettes and own places in history.

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