There's been a flurry of activity on Beverly Boulevard as the former Grace spot is in its final stages of being transformed into Chef John Rivera Sedlar's latest project, Playa. We're told they're prepping for an opening on or around February 4th. Sedlar previewed some of the menu back in September during a stint at Test Kitchen; the concept is a slightly more casual Latin eatery than his Downtown Rivera. more ›

Power went out this morning along Beverly Boulevard in the Park La Brea area, most notably causing traffic lights to go down and businesses to shutter along Beverly Boulevard. The LADWP confirms that 664 customers have been affected and that crews are working to restore power. Although it's windy, no official cause has been cited. more ›

With roof damage caused by rain, the Fairfax Theatre on Beverly Boulevard was shut down by city building inspectors in January. Now owner Alex Gorby has proposed developing a 71-unit condominium complex with street-level retail space and subterranean parking. Although he had 30 days to comply, the roof remains unfixed and Regency Theatres, which operated the space showing independent and foreign films, was unable to continue business as usual. more ›

Also file this under "Only in L.A," where medical marijuana is in abundance--around 1,000 dispensaries by unofficial count. This canister, still with some weed left in it, was spotted by a kid--what's "kush?" she asked her mother--at Beverly and La Brea over the weekend. The area is rife with dispensaries. more ›

LAist went shopping at Hotel De Ville Vintage Eyewear to check out their unique frames and vintage deadstock. Even in the current economy, people who need eyeglasses want to find something that they love. Vintage deadstock refers to pieces that have never been worn. This virtually guarantees the customer that they won't be wearing the same frames as everyone else. The sunglasses selection is top notch too. more ›

Imagine a structure hailed for its exterior design that took 60 days to build, was trafficked by hundreds of thousands of people for almost four decades, spent 17 years abandoned with an uncertain fate, contributed to the launch of LA's preservation movement, and took one night to burn to the ground. more ›

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The annual Lunar New Year Festival continues today in Chinatown. Catch pan- Asian entertainers including Chinese acrobats, as well as Thai dancers and Taiko drummers. Food, games, children’s activities, and more will also be on tap during the free festival. more ›

If you see folks walking around with some dirt on their foreheads today, they proabably did it on purpose. It is Ash Wednesday, where Christians are supposed to fast, pray, repent after the debauchery of Mardi Gras and (Super Tuesday). So here' are a few debauch-free events for tonight: more ›

Natalie Angier, New York Times reporter and author of Woman: An Intimate Geography, has written foreword to Full Body Project, the recently published book of photographs by Leonard Nimoy (yes Trekkies, Spock). The two will focus their Hammer Conversation on the concepts of beauty and sexuality. more ›

Yes, we know that rainy days and Mondays can get you down. And doubly so today. But you can turn that mood around by stepping out tonight to one of these great events. Just watch for puddles. more ›

What’s up with all the development in Downtown LA? What’s it going to look like in 5, 10 or 20 years? Moderated by Christopher Hawthorne, Los Angeles Times architecture critic, ALOUD at the Central Library features panelists Lauren Bon, Tom Gilmore, Martha Welborne and James Von Klemperer, AIA to discuss all things Downtown and development. more ›

We leaf through various calendars so you don't have to. more ›

It seems every where you look in local food blogging or restaurant reviewing, the buzz word of the moment is Terroni, a Canadian import that just opened up an outpost in West Hollywood serving up affordable Southern Italian fare. Natalie Houghton of the Daily News (via LA.com) sums it up on both sides of the scale: "At its best: Prices are reasonable, sharing is not a problem here, and sampling a variety of Italian... more ›

FASHION: Inside Project Runway hits Beverly Hills tonight. Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the production, the catfights and, oh yeah, the fashion. Heidi Klum will be there, and organizers promise a few surprise guests. (The main auditorium is sold out, but a few tickets remain for the overflow theatre.) 7 pm // The Paley Center for Media // 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills // $7 for closed-circuit viewing room. OPERA:The LA Opera brings... more ›

Although some Dia de los Muertos events were held last weekend, most notably Hollywood Forever and Festival de la Gente, most events will take place on November 2nd, following the traditional date. more ›

There’s something for everyone in LA theatre scene this week: old stuff, new stuff and stuff that’s just out there. Canned Peaches in Syrup The Furious Theatre Company presents this post-apocalyptic comedy, where two tribes of humans remain: cannibals and vegetarians. “Can star-crossed lovers Rog and Julie cross tribal lines?! Can Rog's taste for flesh be suppressed?! Can Julie deny her parents' "meat is murder" mantra?! And, who exactly is Blind Bastard? A lone can... more ›

It may be a tad chilly outside -- it's 68 degrees, break out those parkas! -- but LA's theatre scene is heating up. Here are LAist's five theatre picks for the week: Evil Knievel, the Rock Opera Yes, the stunt-daredevil motorcycle master now has a rock opera tribute. The music has a decidedly 70s sound. Bootleg Theatre. 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. 213-389-3856. Tickets are $25-$30. Opens Saturday at 8 pm and runs Thursdays and... more ›

Did you know that the Philippines' No. 1 fast food chain was here in Los Angeles? Well, it is. And with inventive flavor-concoctions and the best named foods around (Yumburger, Chickenjoy) what Jollibee lacks in nutritional value it makes up for in wow-factor. And grease-factor. And indigestion. Beyond the jump, behold the wonders of Jollibee... Jollibee 3821 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 906-8617... more ›

The New Beverly's two-month Grindhouse festival officially ended on May 1, but they're screening an awesome double-bill: Coffy and Foxy Brown. If only they'd screen Cleopatra Jones along with these films, you'd have God's perfect trio of sexy, ass-kicking blaxploitation flicks. more ›

The week begins with a John Hayes double feature. In Grave of the Vampire, legendary vampire Kroft awakens and rapes a woman in a graveyard. The resulting child doesn't need milk. He needs… blood! This is paired with Jailbait Babysitter, which stars Therese Pare as a teenager who's turned out by an older prostitute (Lydia Wagner). more ›

Grindhouse Monday and Tuesday it's The Muthers, a combination blaxploitation and women-in-prison flick that stars Janine Bell and Rosanne Katon as a pirate duo who must rescue Bells sister from the private jail of an evil coffee plantation owner, followed by Fight for Your Life, a revenge thriller about a pacifist black minister whose family is taken hostage and tortured by a trio of convicts, until he finally snaps and wreaks his vengeance. Wednesday and... more ›