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Saturday, July 15, 2006
The Upper Crust @ Spaceland 7/14/06
They were snooty, they looked down at us from their powdered noses, they were not at all amused by the slam dancing happening in front of them Friday night at Spaceland.
The Boston quartet wore white wigs and puffy shirts and little pants and buckles on their shoes. They played hard-rocking AC/DC styled riffs circa 1774 but they barely smiled because their teeth were made of wood.
The look was right, the energy wasn't. And for that they must be taxed. The kids wanted to rock and the band was playing rock but something was missing, something was lost in the time-traveling, there was some rocque in arrears. Someone was leaving some rock on the table.
The sneer from Count Bassie was delightful, but the stick tricks being performed by drummer Jackie Kickassis behind his trap set tickled us. Perhaps tonight at Alex's Bar the mojo will return to these Flauntleroys who hardly ever tour the West Coast, so if you're not going to see Bobby Brown, Bell Biv Devoe, and En Vogue at the Greek, perhaps you should cruise down to the LBC, because maybe it was you that was missing.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Big Brother 7 Live Feeds Not So Revealing
We're not ashamed to admit that we love reality tv.
At the top of our favorites is Big Brother, the show that puts about a dozen people in a "house" and makes them live together for three months while evicting "house guests" along the way.
This was the show where one house guest took the toothbrush of the other house guest and cleaned the toilet with it and then put the toothbrush back into the holder.
For years CBS has had a multi-camera live feed available online for an additional fee. For years we have been curious as to what goes on in the house when the editors are cutting the tape. So when CBS announced a 72-hour free preview of the "live feeds" we decided it was finally in our budget.
Let's just say that the feeds have shown us how heavy-handed the Big Brother producers are, telling people when to go to bed, telling people to get off tables, and cutting the feeds constantly and replacing them with the canned theme song and trivia questions.
Just this afternoon, for example, Mike "Boogie" was talking about simultaneously ejaculating and defecating and all four feeds were all cut, including one of Janelle in a bathroom on the other side of the house.
If we wanted an edited broadcast we would have watched our tv on tv instead of via the interweb.
One good feature, though, is a TiVo-like ability to pause the feed and go backwards for up to 30 minutes previous.
One bad feature is that once you're on one channel you can't see what's going on in the rest of the house. If you choose the four-camera view, you unfortunately have all four audio feeds as well.
Because we're suckers, we will probably pay the $40 for the summer to watch this mess. We can only hope that the producers realize that America has voted-in a house that doesn't want to bone each other and doesn't want to fight.
Therefore, the home needs to be infused with some All-Stars who can stir the pot. Because currently what they have here is about as exciting as watching pixels glow.
And let the feeds flow.
Rendezvous in the Hooker Estate
Elizabeth Herndon's announcement below about the art opening in Echo Park reminded us that for those in Hollywood, local genius Natalia Fabia is having an opening tonight of a collection called "HOOK MANOR (Rendezvous in the Hooker Estate)" which should appeal to the Suicide Girl lover in all of us.
Depicting the dark sultry tattooed and sexy female underground, Fabia is a one-of-a-kind master of color and tone.
Opening reception July 14 8pm-2 am at Thinkspace, 657 N. Spaulding Ave (just off melrose, 2 blocks east of fairfax) 323 653-2520.
image is a detail of this work by Natalia Fabia
Art Show '96 at Sea Level
We love Echo Park's Sea Level Records for many reasons. It's easy to find parking near the historic Jensen Recreation Center Building in which it's housed, it's small enough so we don't get that overwhelmed "oh shit, what did I come in here to get?" brain erase that happens to us at Amoeba, and they regularly have great in-store performances.
They also aren't afraid to take chances. Tonight they're hosting a visual art exhibition called Art Show '96, which is described as "the 10th Anniversary for a show that never happened." We don't even know what that means. It sounds arty. It also sounds pretty fun though, with DJ's, free booze 'n' snacks, a raffle, and a performance by disco weirdos Faux For Real (warning: MySpace link). We're suckers for an arty raffle, so we just might have to check it out.
Photo by Partsnpieces via Flickr
Black smoke at Burbank Airport
Dear LAist,
I work over by the Fry's in Burbank.
I noticed black smoke over at the Burbank Airport.
I don't really know who else to tell.
Just sayin'
- Concerned
[Update: the smoke is almost gone now, thanks anyway]
L.A.'s #1 tattoo shop profiled on video
Clay Decker and Chris Garver's Miami Ink. If you have been contemplating your last name in olde english, Japanese ukiyo-e, portraiture, or a custom original... you will want to stop by their Hollywood location at 1628 N. Cahuenga Blvd. and get inked with something your mom can be proud of.
Video by Aaron Thames, Scott Messer, Alex Asselin uploaded by Angelcore via Revver
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LAist Interview: Gilles Amsallem
Today is more than just Friday the 14th of July, it’s also Quatorze Juillet, as the French call Bastille Day, their holiday celebrating the storming of the Bastille as the beginning of the French Revolution and independence from tyranny. What better way to say “Vive La France” than posting a French-flavored LAist Interview with Gilles Amsallam, co-founder of French Tuesdays, a weekly members-only social club that has just established a presence in Los Angeles.
French Tuesdays holds an event every Tuesday in different venues all over town for its members and their guests. The only constants are the champagne provided by French Tuesday’s sponsors and a Francophile vibe. France-Amerique, the New York-based international edition of Le Figaro, features a profile of French Tuesdays members on a monthly basis. This month the paper profiled French Tuesday Los Angeles member, Bérénice Colomb-Yeghikian of Lakeview Terrace.
Angelenos can celebrate Bastille Day locally at the following events:
-There’s an invitation-only cocktail reception tonight at the French Consul’s residence in Beverly Hills.
-The consulate will also host a free Bastille Day LA festival over at the Page Museum in the Miracle Mile.
-Some French restaurants around town plan to have special menus in honor of the holiday. Try Café Marly, Joe's in Venice, La Cachette or Melisse in Santa Monica.
If you want a direct view of what's going on today in Paris, check out our brethern at Parisist or the Anglophone The Paris Blog. Since there's more to France than just Paris, check out This French Life.
Age and Occupation:
41 years old, co-founder of the French Tuesdays (an event planning company in NY, Miami and LA)
How long have you lived in Los Angeles, and which neighborhood does you live in?
I have been in LA for approximately 10 weeks now and found a great apartment in West Hollywood.
Why do you live in Los Angeles?
I moved to LA to develop our third French Tuesdays city.
Why did you start French Tuesday in Los Angeles?
We decided to expand to Los Angeles as a logical progression of our business from East Coast, then WEST . Also our main sponsor, Laurent Perrier, was eager to increase it’s presence/image in the L.A. nightlife scene as well, the same way we did in NY and Miami.
Do French Tuesday participants only speak French at these events? How many French-speaking people attend your events?
It is Francophile event, not a francophone event, so any nationalities are welcome, even encouraged, as we only have 35 % of French people coming to event, 35% are American and the rest is 30 different nationalities.
Other than French Tuesdays, where do most French/European people congregate/live here in the city?
From what I see the biggest concentration of French people are West Hollywood and Hollywood, at least in the trendy world...
Where did most of your compatriots gather to watch the World Cup in public last weekend? We've seen many Italian flags still fluttering from cars, would a French Angeleno ever hang a French flag from his car?
In LA, most of my friends gather in different home and a few French restaurants and one in particular sponsored by TV5 at the Cafe Marly...
I guess French wave flags when they win and get very quiet and as well affected when they lose. Brazilians are happy all the time, win or lose but still happy, French are more patriotique and passionate about it.
What is different or the same about the Los Angeles French Tuesdays experience?
It was pretty scary for us to open in Los Angeles because we heard from everybody that Angelenos had a difference in mentality like: going out early, sleeping early, not liking to get dressed up too much, don’t like to drive too far from where they live as they already drive so much to go to work, not drinking during the week due to severe drunk driving laws, etc…
However, I believed in our concept and decided to apply the same rules as on the East Coast. And it worked out perfectly. People are spread so much and never have the time to see each other. We found the perfect excuse for them to meet at one specific spot every other Tuesdays.
What is your favorite movie(s) or TV show(s) that are based in LA?
My favorite movie based on LA is “LA Story” by Steve Martin. And as well : the Cohen brothers’ “The Big Lebowski.”
What's the best place to walk in LA?
My favorite walking area is in Santa Monica, from Main Street where flea market can be found on the WE to Montana Ave from 20th St to the Ocean.
What is the "center" of LA to you?
The center of LA for me is West Hollywood; you can go out in Hollywood as easily as going to Beverly Hills or Westwood and Brentwood. It is in the middle as well of plenty of the Freeways, 20 minutes from the airport, too.
If you could live in any neighborhood or specific house in LA, where/which would you choose?
If I could go anywhere in LA, I would stay in West Hollywood but I would like to go higher up in the hills to have the view of the city from a big house with my own swimming pool. Such a privilege…
People stereotype Los Angeles as a hard place to find personal connections and make friends. Do you agree with that assessment? Do find it challenging to make new friends here?
I agree totally with that assessment even if it doesn’t apply to me. In two months, I found and met so fast so many amazing people, interesting, cultural, and educated than I found in NY in a year.
When I was coming just for a few days for many years without knowing anybody, I was never able to find someone interesting. Most of the people stay together in their home, diners and that is all. But French Tuesdays make them all connect in a friendly, classy environment, discovering the city and as they say: it was the event that the city needed.
So FT LA is proving once mor that the concept is a platform for personal and professional networking. I have seen the first business deal and the first couple moving in together after only four events. I have never been so happy.
What is the city's greatest secret?
The city's greatest secret is a very hidden beach (don’t spread the word ) at Point Dume, just before Zuma Beach near Malibu
Where do you want to be when the Big One hits?
When the Big One hits, I want to be where I will be the most needed to help survivors go back to their life …
The Week in Rock in LA
Tonight
The Upper Crust (pictured) @ Spaceland
Go-Go's, Morningwood @ Greek
Steve Miller @ Pacific Amphitheatre
Matt Costa, Watson Twins @ Troubadour
The Romantics @ Hollywood Park
Appleseed Cast @ The Echo
Saturday
Bobby Brown, En Vogue, Bell Biv Devoe, SWV @ Greek
The Upper Crust @ Alex's Bar
Z-Trip @ Vault 350
Mason Jennings @ Tower (Santa Monica)
Sunday
Fishboy @ Tangier
Ray Davies @ Wiltern
Greg Graffin @ Troubadour
Monday
Darker My Love @ Spaceland
The Ettes @ Echo
The Rakes @ Troubador
Tuesday
The Submarines @ Hotel Cafe
Wednesday
Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ Henry Ford
Muse @ Greek
Johnette Napolitano @ Hotel Cafe
Soul Asylum "Somebody to Shove" @ Troubadour 7/11
Their old tunes are hidden classics, and the ones that made them some money are hanging in there. To top it off their new cuts don't suck.
The house was packed Tuesday night at the Troubadour when Soul Asylum hit the stage. They were a little older, a little slower, and the pretty boy cut his damn hair off. But the sound was solid and we keep forgetting that they've got Prince's former drummer, that huge black dude, in the band.
Unreal to believe that some of those songs are twenty years old now.
Bacon Wrapped Hotdogs and Unruly Pedestrians
Downtown Los Angeles on a Sunday morning. Good luck finding a parking space.
Fascinating. Did I miss the memo to all LAist contributors that entries must from now on be submitted in uneventful 3:00 driving around format taken with a camera phone?
Posted by ak July 14, 2006 01:06 PMyes you did miss that memo, ak, but you got the one about leaving uneventful lameass comments.
Posted by Tony Pierce July 14, 2006 01:30 PMi'm just happy to get a comment. insult me to tears. its true, the video sucks. oh well. life goes on.
Posted by anti July 14, 2006 02:36 PMSeva Café Launches in Long Beach
What is it?
"Imagine a restaurant at which you aren't allowed to pay your bill but can agree to pay the bill of a party seated in the future. And your bill was paid for by someone who ate there before you arrived. Such is the idea behind the Seva Café in a high-end shopping district in Ahmedabad, India." - Fast Company Now
Who is it?
The concept of Seva Café was introduced to several Los Angeles based volunteers of Be The Cause in their December 2005 service vacation to India. Having experienced "living is giving" first-hand, they returned to the U.S. deeply touched by the generosity of the Indian people and inspired to pay it forward.
After several discussions, phone calls, and email exchanges through the first few months of 2006, BTC volunteers felt extremely confident that the time was right to finally open a Seva Café here. However, in spite of the push to make it a reality, the question remained, "Would it work here?" The LA area, while a melting-pot of cultural diversity (nearly 150 languages are spoken in the area), is also vast and spread out, making it a challenging place to open a Seva Café. After a brief search, the perfect location seemingly appeared by chance.
Where & When is it?
Royal Cup Coffee Shop
994 Redondo Ave,
Long Beach, CA 90804
As a start, the Seva Café will be open from 5PM to 10PM each Saturday night
for 3 months, from July 15th to October 14th. For Opening Night only, July 15th, please RSVP at sevacafe [at] bethecause [dot] org or 760-280-8073.
Why only Saturdays and Why at the Royal Cup?
It’s all we can handle right now. Partnering with the Royal Cup we have the opportunity to experiment for a three months trial period. This way we can see how much support this concept has in the community, and to see if this model can be sustained long-term. Sunday through Friday, the Royal Cup operates their venue as a regular coffee shop with a much larger menu and of course, prices to all their meals.
What’s on the Menu?
For starters we are offering Gourmet Vegetarian Sandwiches, Soups, Deserts and Drinks. In a few weeks volunteers may start bringing their own recipes and we will probably start having a different theme for each night. All items will always be vegetarian.
What if someone doesn’t pay or gives just a nickel?
If someone chooses to only give a nickel, we don't believe anyone would treat him or her poorly. Giving from the heart should be just that, with absolutely no strings attached.
In the end, the meals are never free. Even if someone walks away without paying, they have left something on the table simply by being a part of the experience. I would say that making the choice to not leave any money behind, and not participating in a responsible way is probably the highest cost to ones own self. The reason why we serve is for our own benefit, the reason why we give is for the same reason. If a person walks away without paying and even for an instance they reflect on their actions, that reflection, to us, is all the goodness that this person can afford. From our end, however, we are here to serve unconditionally, the worst case scenario for us, is that we would have fed someone with all of our love, to us that is a great bargain.
Where does the money go?
The Seva Café is not designed to make money, but in the case that it does, we will help offset any loses incurred at the original Seva Café in India. If money is left over after that, we will retain 25% for the future longevity of this project, 50% will go to a charity called Manav Sadhna that provides care to over 6000 slum children every day in India, the remaining 25% will remain with Be the Cause (BTC) as a discretionary fund that they can use to support charitable projects.
Photo by emdot via Flickr
Why Didn't Anyone Tell Us That Pirates Was Poopy?
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
starring Johnny Depp
Here we were expecting this killer summer blockbuster that was supposed to be sooooooooooo much better than Superman Returns -- which it was -- but that wasn't hard to do. Pirates II - two, because that's how many times you'll visit the restroom, it's so long. In truth it was barely "good", and that was only thanks to the amazing special effects.
There's Johnny Depp in his embarrassing gay Keith Richards impersonation; as the CGI takes over, he is pushed to the background. Fascinating how we don't care about Ken and Barbie -- Orlando and Ms. Knightley. They seemed more like brother and sister, and whenever Keira tried to be sexy it was so unconvincing that you understood why she was dressed up as a boy most of the film.
You walk out feeling like a rube, as the experience gives you the impression that all Pirates II was good for was to take your money for Pirates III.
More bad reviews after the jump...
"...the fool thing just keeps going and going... and going. (Does a Pirates sequel really need to be five minutes longer than GoodFellas?" - Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
"There's no real plot here: just a collection of ostensibly thrilling situations strung together with tenuous bits of expository dialogue. The characters most of us were probably hoping to see in action together -- chiefly, Johnny Depp's louche-sexy pirate Jack Sparrow and Keira Knightley's feisty adventuress Elizabeth Swann -- barely pass in the night, or even during the day." - Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"The script's not so much a story as a tin of sardines, cramming every barnacle-crusted cliché from the pirate lexicon into a single box" - Paul Arendt , BBC
"About two hours into this 150-minute behemoth, the worst fears of most moviegoers were confirmed – not only was the ending not going to tie together the frayed plot ends, but it was going to force us to sit through what is essentially a teaser for the next 'Pirates' flick. " - Mike Ward, Richmond.com
Living in Sin: How Do I Get My Lesbian GF to STFU?
Every week in Living in Sin, Jen Sincero provides advice to LA's sexually curious. You can see her column in print, too, in the LA Alternative Press. Ask Jen your questions: all are posted anonymously.
Dear Jen,
I know I'm probably not the first one to complain about this, but my
girlfriend wants to talk about our relationship way more than I do. We
are both women, and I know women are famous for this, but I feel like I
somehow escaped the stereotype while she got enough of the gabs for
both of us. I really love her, and feel communication is vital, but do
we have to talk about it all the time, everyday? Is there anything I
can do?
- Talked Out
Dear Talked,
I'm so glad you wrote in because this is a topic that's made me want to
bang my head against the wall in silent desperation on many occasions.
What is it with emotional windbags? Do they get a nickel and a cookie
every time they talk about their feelings? Don't they realize that you
have to have experiences first in order to have something to talk about
later? And why are they always so good in bed?
You are correct, women are famous for it, and believe me, they've
earned their reputation, but as someone's who's dated several guys who
could make the processiest of processors look like the tongueless
wonder, I must report that the gab gene goes both ways. I had one
boyfriend who was so out of control that I had to demand we only talk
about our relationship on Fridays. All other times, any mention of the
words "us," "feel," or "needs" was met with a finger in the face and a
sharp "up!", but from midnight on Thursday to midnight on Friday, one
could find me yellow and deflated, clinging to the sides of buildings
with exhaustion. He eventually took up flower arranging and sneaking
around in my clothes, which leads me to believe that, as we've
suspected all along, it's all estrogen's fault. Just as my deep hatred
of musical theater could be blamed on testosterone, we all have varying
levels of boy juice and girl juice in us, but I'd take a guy who loves
to skip over some dude you need an ice pick and a hammer to get a
decent conversation out of anyday.
But what can we do to get some sleep around here? Get her to go to
therapy so she has someone else to spew to. Suggest she keep a
journal. Tell her about Feelings Fridays. Make sure she's taking her
meds. Dump her for someone who isn't so needy. That's all I can think
of. Oh, and make sure you aren't being a closed-off lughead - we
choose everyone for a reason, and maybe you need to open up more than
you realize.
A.M. News: Speeding Tickets, Surfing, Living Green & The Who
Antelope Valley residents were warned to not speed yesterday, yet 130 drivers still got tickets. Maybe next time, they will read the newspaper before they go to work.
Ventura County is rated No. 2 Best Surfing Spot in the country.
Living Green in the South Bay? It can happen in your neighborhood too.
And mark your calendars for November 6th. The Who is coming to town after almost 25 years of no major tours.
Photo of a surfer at Rincon in Ventura County by Elliott Strickler via Flickr
Rincon is in Santa Barbara county. Well, OK it's on the county line (why are so many great spots on county lines?!) but to access the parking lot, you go through Santa Barbara county! So I claim it for SB.
Posted by Ted July 14, 2006 01:14 PMthe who! wooohooo!
Posted by chris ullrich July 14, 2006 01:28 PMFirst LA Weekend with Jana
Jana Pants is visiting our city from out of town. We have invited her to go to as many club-sized concerts as she could tolerate. She dipped her pinkie toe into the scene last weekend, and is returning tonight after a brief respite at Big Bear. This was her dispatch that should have been posted on Monday. Whoops.
A weekend of music and drinking is aces in my book. What better way to ring in my vacation in the city of angels than a three-day series of local bands and steady boozing?
On Friday, two vodka tonics and I checked out Boston transplants The Submarines at the Echo. Singer Blake Hazard’s voice is Kahlua-smooth-n-sweet, but not as charming as their story: Hazard and John Dragonetti, moved to California, broke up, and each independently wrote songs about the experience. When they heard each other’s music they reconciled and became the Submarines, as well as man and wife. Now they’re touring with their first album and an incomplete backing band. Their folk-pop sound recalls the Concretes or the Elected mixed with the charming dynamic of Mates of State, and they’ll be a great band to watch on the way up.
Saturday night, the Lava Lounge featured Orange County rockers The Steve Carson Band. I’m never one to pass up a solid rock act, and this one didn’t disappoint. The easiest points of reference for SCB are U2 (before they sucked) and Keane (with guitars), but they have their own merits; a really tight drummer and truly enjoyable vocals from Mr. Carson himself make this band a great backdrop for chilling out in a small space with a beer and friends.
The band that truly rocked my weekend, however, was the LA edition of the Spazmatics – an 80s new wave cover band dressed like Revenge of the Nerds and getting at least as much action from the dolled-up crowd. Even beyond my initial response of “holy shit did they just sing AIR SUPPLY?!” and singing along enthusiastically, I was floored by the musical prowess a bunch of dorks in neck braces with toy basses could bring. This is more than just a cover band; this is an aural firebomb of Dresdenian proportions and an experience everyone should have – even if you hate Oingo Boingo (and I do).
The Submarines play again on July 18 at Hotel Café
The Steve Carson Band are playing in Washington this weekend
The Spazmatics (of LA) rock for you every Sunday at the Dragonfly in Hollywood
**pictures from the Spazmatics can be found at sweatyblisteredsneakertoe.blogspot.com
Today's Jackie Earle Haley's Birthday
Born in Northridge on this day in 1961, Haley was best known as the cigarette-smoking teen baseball hero Kelly Leak, in "The Bad News Bears", which was released 30 years ago this summer. A '70s classic that was a kid favorite despite/because of its adult dialogue:
Amanda Whurlitzer: We could use a good outfielder on our teamKelly: Oh you call what you got a team?
Amanda Whurlitzer: What you got against baseball anyway?
Kelly: Well the baseball you guys play is for faggots and old farts with nothing better to do with themselves.
Amanda Whurlitzer: Well you must like those kind of guys you sure do hang around the field often enough.
Kelly: There's nice ass at the field, that's why I always hang around it.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
News-Press Unionizes, Barney Calls Bullshit
Why are we covering the Santa Barbara News-Press meltdown when State & De La Guerra is an easy 90 miles away from Staples Center?
Two reasons:
1) it's juicy, crazy, interesting, dramatic, mind-blowing, and semi-local
2) the Miss Universe pageant STILL hasn't written us back
Today, long-time News-Press columnist Barney Brantingham not only explained why he resigned from such a cush gig after 46 years, but called bullshit on this myth that the News-Press is as old as it is -- and he did it in a column he wrote in the Independent.
And while we’re setting straight the record, let’s point out that the News-Press’s front-page claim that the paper is in its 151st year is bogus. Since T.M. Storke, my first owner/publisher, didn’t found what became the News-Press until 1901, where did they come up with those other 50 years? And while I’m on the subject of T.M. Storke, let me just say: He was a tough boss, but he could take the heat. No one who ever knew him could imagine that in the middle of a crisis as great as the News-Press currently faces, T.M. Storke would leave the building, let alone fly off on a vacation. He would face the music; he would see the paper though to safety. And why? Because whether you liked Storke or not, whether you agreed with his editorials or not, T.M. Storke was a journalist, a real newspaper man.
And thanks to LA Observed, which has an unbelievable amount of information about today's activities, we learn that the remaining staff unionized with the Teamsters then acted inappropriately, allegedly.
At 3:30 Thursday afternoon, about thirty of the remaining staff — including almost all reporters — stood up at their desks and walked silently to publisher Travis Armstrong's office to present him with a letter announcing that they are now represented by the Graphic Communications Conference of the Teamsters union. The letter demanded that Armstrong observe journalism ethics, restore the traditional separation of news and opinion, and invite the six top editors who have resigned to return. The staffers requested an answer in writing by 5 pm Monday. Armstrong, described as shaken by the show of solidarity, called the action inappropriate and ordered them to return to their desks.Sounds like Monday's 6pm local news broadcast in Santa Barbara is going to be a doozy. Don't blow it, Palminteri!
photo is a screenshot from newspress.com
Anonymous Reporting from Last Night's ESPY's
Dear LAist,
I understand you allow for anonymous reporting? I was at the ESPY's last night at H&H Kodak...
Thought you might be interested that while Janet Jackson's beau Jermaine Dupri did pose for photos with her on the red carpet at the ESPYS, he shied away from the camera when Janet met up with Pat O'Brien for a TV interview after she presented the first award. After the interview, she went back to Jermaine...
On stage, Indy racer Danica Patrick shook "her money-maker" for co-presenter Ludacris, while at the "Crown Royal Athlete Lounge" backstage at the ESPYS, Penny Marshall seemed to be the woman all the athletes were flocking to. Sporting an enormous rapper-sized diamond and emerald cross, she chatted it up with the likes of Vince Young, Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning -- and even dug through her purse to find Alonzo's wife some Advil.
In another surprising mix, Ashley Judd and André 3000 were engaged in some deep conversation backstage while Ashley sipped a glass of champagne...
(Danica and Ashley looked GREAT by the way ... better even in person than in the zillion pictures AP, WireImage, etc. have posted online from last night.)
photo by Chris Carlson, AP
Arturo Sandoval, Latin Jazz Night @ Hollywood Bowl 7/12
There’s more to the Caribbean than sexy pirates -– its sensual musical rhythms are just as high-volume and action-packed. Yo ho ho and a bottle of wine! Yes, I’m talking about Latin Jazz Night at the Hollywood Bowl. Wednesday’s lineup was a comfortably mixed collection of the old and mostly familiar, the typical formula intended to please the broad-sweeping tastes of regular Bowl-ers. Still, this triple-header had a lot to offer musically. The legendary and larger-than-life (though small in stature) Cuban bassist Cachao kicked off the evening with his famous jam/descarga (como mi ritmo no hay dos). Accompanying the charming 80-something musician was an assemblage of youthful (in comparison) musicians, most of whom recorded on his last Grammy award-winning CD, Ahora Sí, including Jimmy Bosch, who will perform a salsa interpretation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the LA Phil in late August.
Thanks to the Bowl’s nifty swivel stage feature, one Cuban was quickly exchanged for another, taking us from smooth to savvy. Arturo Sandoval rapidly shifted musical gears with original Latin jazz compositions that increased in rhythmic intrigue with each number. Arturo, not wanting to limit himself to his signature trumpet, migrated from horn to timbales to piano throughout. More striking than his musical versatility however was his fashion sensibility – for if you closed your eyes, you would never guess that the funky and ultra hip groove you were listening to was coming out of a middle-aged man in a pin-striped suit.
Arturo’s infusion of Latin jazz with soulful salsa and Afro-Cuban funk was also due in large part to his mostly Miami ensemble featuring percussionist Tomasito Cruz, Ed Calle on sax and bassist Oskar Cartaya (who is based in LA and heads his own alternative Latin jazz band, Enclave).
The final act was India, Nuyorican salsa diva extraordinaire, who onstage was both commanding and comfortable with herself, her body, her roots, her music and her high heels, just like Mimi and her latest emancipation. She convincingly waxed bilingual-poetic about femininity and ethnicity and the universality of la música. Though salsa is by far her strength, she could easily masquerade as a gospel or R&B singer any day. As the last act, her vibrant onstage presence and interactions with the crowd were welcome and refreshing, and her music a close runner-up.
All in all, it was a memorable evening worthy of missing out on the Bravo season premiere of Project Runway.
by Katherine Bonalos
not that she's not hilarious, but why all the raymi links and posts? what the hell does she have to do with LA? she lives in freaking canada, no?
Posted by leah July 13, 2006 10:04 PMshe dissed LA.
and she did it hilariously.
Pete Wentz at Warped, Raymi Disses Chili Peppers
Today we bring you a photo from MC Brown, who attended Warped at Dodger Stadium and snagged this sweet pic of Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz posing with some fans.
Wentz sang one tune with The Academy Is... and basically gave back to the community, since Warped was the community that helped launch the Illinois emo act.
Meanwhile up in Canada, Raymi the Minx was pondering "THINGS I LIKED, USE TO LIKE, NO LONGER LIKE, NEVER FUCKING LIKED of the week:" and we thought we'd share a few of them--
- red hot chili peppers, the band. hi every song sounds the same who are you green day? when you sing all i hear is berrruLLLL blerrr brulll tongue rolling gayness and wank chicka wikka clicka wikka wikka crap you peaked at that roller coaster song you can't top it so stop.Raymi, hi, you're awesome.- people who suck at tic-tac-toe. seriously dude, you suck. and now i think you are more stupid than before how do you like that? i'm putting my X in any of the corners and you're going to take the middle AGAIN cos you think the outcome will be different? IT WON'T! you're a) going to fuck yourself over or b) make it a cat's game and fuck us both over for the next five minutes LIKE IT'S FUN - IT'S NOT so lets play SOS instead.
- windchimes. for reals, i am going to strangle you then i am going to tangle you! what are you a marionette? no? THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!