Calling all vintage fashionistas and fashionisters: Royal/T will launch the first-ever "ReCollections: Vintage Clothing Swap and Shop" April 1. Imagine a room brimming with vintage vendors displaying 1940s, 1950s and 1960s clothing and accessories, and that's precisely what the free event promises to offer. more ›

When Royal/T owner Susan Hancock contemplated how her 10,000 square foot exhibition space could participate in the epic plans for Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945-1980, she turned to some extremely talented friends for inspiration. With curators Ann Magnuson and Kenny Scharf on board, the celebration the neo-Dada art movement that comprises East Village West was born. more ›

Imagine a world without “chocolate-o.” Imagine a world without any candy or sweets. This is the world of Chocolate Underground. Then imagine a dictatorship called Good For You Party that imprisons citizens who dare satisfy their sugar cravings in a Chocolate Concentration Camp. Sounds funny, over the top and horrifying, right? more ›

When you're a chef and sommelier duo without a home (restaurant home, that is), these days the best thing to do is go big in small pieces with a roving pop-up operation. Such is the spirit of Joseph Mahon (Bastide, Sona) and David Haskell (Bin 8945, Vertical Wine Bistro) who are popping up mid-April with another installation of Magnum, their nomadic small plates and wine pairing palate adventure. more ›

Royal/T is hosting Tokyo Social Club: Christmas Edition tonight with specialty cocktails, free sweets, live music, some schwag bag love from Love Shack Parties and gourmet tacos by Chef Sean Chaney. Get your tickets to this Japanese-Style holiday party and roll on out at 7 p.m. more ›

Mortified's Annual Big Gay Holiday Show is tonight at King King. Every day people like us will share their actual childhood letters, journals, home movies, artwork, you name it. Can you say embarrassing? Yes you can and yes it will be...but not for you, you'll be in the audience laughing! Space is limited and is first come, first served. Get there at least 45 minutes early. Tickets are $15. The show starts at 8 p.m. more ›

Okay, you'll probably never see another viola/violist highlighted in the Classical Pick (don't worry they're used to it) but it's Yuri Bashmet! He's taking his talents to Costa Mesa (OCPAC) to join Lynn Harrell and Anne-Sophie Mutter in a super trio this Wednesday. more ›

In preparation for the long-awaited cinematic release of TRON: Legacy, Royal/T in Culver City is hosting a TRON: Legacy Pop Up Shop where you can indulge in all kinds of merch while shopping for an appropriately metallic outfit to wear to the theater on opening night. more ›

Last night Royal/T celebrated the opening of the Emily the Strange pop-up store with masquerade fun, kitty ears, and rock & roll. Emily creator Rob Reger, shared some of Emily's dark thoughts with the crowd in an evening filled with music and celebration. more ›

Last night fans of Andy Warhol were treated to a Factory-inspired art fete at Royal/T in Culver City. Curated by Eric C. Shiner of the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, "The Warholian" shows some of the artist's most iconic pieces with works by other contemporary artists that share inspiration, themes, and other aspects of Warhol's distinct style. Several pieces from Royal/T owner Susan Hancock's personal collection are on view alongside the pieces from the museum. Shepard Fairey created a new Warhol portrait depicting the famous hairstyle with bold strokes and Obey layered though the right side of his forehead. more ›

Here at LAist, we love to shop local. This year in our "LAist Goes Shopping" series, from downtown to Abbot Kinney we found amazing things by talented independent designers, as well as vintage jewelry, Japanese housewares, and pop culture themed pop-up shops. House of Love & Luck On La Cienega next to The Roger Room and Largo at the Coronet, The House of Love & Luck is full of beautiful vintage costume jewelry. more ›

For those who would like to ring in 2010 with a night on the town, several local restaurants are offering special menus and packages for New Year's Eve. Granted, NYE is over a week away, and we've still got to get through Christmas, but since reservations are required, planning ahead is a must. Remember, most of these packages won't include drinks, parking, or gratuities, so cushion your budgets accordingly! And now, in no particular order, here is Part 1 of our picks for NYE dining (look for Part 2 this time tomorrow!)... more ›

Whether you're a die-hard Food Network devotee or have just caught snippets of "chef talk" here and there, you may know that a chef is expected to put him or her self on their plates. Who you are must reveal itself in the interplay of ingredients, textures, styles, colors, and tastes in any given dish of your creation. For many, this is hard to do, and for many more, hard to understand. A steak is a steak, no? Well, no. more ›

This will likely be one of the hottest reservation scrambles of the coming weeks: As hinted earlier by Gayot.com (scroll down), Chef Ludovic Lefebvre will be popping up in December for a limited engagement of LudoBites (LAist Review) at Culver City's Royal/T. more ›

Three Apples: An Exhibition Celebrating 35 Years Hello Kitty is in full swing. For three weeks, Royal/T will be filled floor to ceiling with Sanrio's favorite cat. Though the Hello Kitty stores in Little Tokyo and Hollywood Highland have plenty of cute things, fans are flocking to Royal/T to be part of the feline festivities. more ›

There are many artists who have provided visual tributes to the grand dame of Sanrio's beloved character collection, Hello Kitty. Luke Chueh is one such artist, whose vision of the kitty turned out to have a lot to do with a bear. LAist found out a bit about Chueh's take on the icon and the meaning of his piece, which is part of the Three Apples space set up at Royal/T, where Hello Kitty's 35th Birthday is being celebrated through November 15th. more ›

Sanrio's adorable and iconic Hello Kitty is celebrating her 35th birthday, and as part of the worldwide party, Three Apples has opened up at Royal/T where the Los Angeles festivities are underway. Today happens to be "Super Fan Day" with hour after hour of Hello Kitty events for the enthused or HK-curious. more ›

Opening October 23, Three Apples An Exhibition celebrating 35 years of Hello Kitty will turn Royal/T into a oasis of all things super cute. Three Apples will feature art, design displays, a one-of-a-kind shop, unique products, a Hello Kitty apartment, and events for fans of all ages. The show is open to the public and free of charge. more ›

Today’s the last day for Hannah Beth’s “Things I Love” pop-up shop at Royal/T in Culver City. Her collection features reconstructed vintage fashions, art, jewelry, sunglasses and accessories of Laeken, Lily L, Esther Kim, Danny Roberts, Ivy Ensley, Adri Law, Lauren Ishii, Lulu Christine and Cinderella. more ›

The Candy Land Lolita Tea Party turned Royal/T into a sugar shock filled vision of candy treats. From the cupcakes and afternoon tea sweets to the brightly colored costumes, Royal/T was bubbling over with energy. The event featured themed costumes, The Valley of the Dolls shop, music by Tune in Tokyo, hourly prize raffles, and fashion shows from Carlyfornia and Kawaii Kidz. more ›

The thriving lolita community in Los Angeles loves to dress up and gathers at themed parties. This weekend you find them satisfying their sugar cravings at the Candy Land Lolita Tea Party at Royal/T. On Saturday, August 1, Royal/T in Culver City will be a gathering place for sweet things. From 3 to 9 p.m. the contemporary gallery space will be transformed into a candy filled oasis. The free event features a lolita fashion show by Miss Carlyfornia and Kawaii Kidz. MC Diva Danielle from the Diva Craft Show, jewelry by Miss Vichy, a doll pop-up shop from The Valley of the Dolls, raffles, a cupcake and cotton candy stand, a life size Candy Land game board more ›

Ooh La La. She's so cute. In the midst of all of the comic books, celebrities appearances, and entertainment hoopla, Comic-con will feature a designer toy wonderland. From Kidrobot exclusives to new Tokidoki pups, collectors are going to be in toy heaven. Pullip and the Valley of the Dolls is offering the LaLa doll exclusively for Comic-con 2009. This beauty, a limited edition of 300, is offered at a special price ($70). more ›

Stores and restaurants are popping up everywhere. These temporary spaces turn shopping and eating into an adventure. At Royal/T in Culver City, the Poketo Pop-Up Shop is filled with original art and colorful designs and a special pix-fixe Poketo menu is being served in the cafe. more ›

The Natural History Museum mixes music and science tonight for its First Friday series. The museum’s celebrating the life and work of Charles Darwin all year, and it’s reflected in the tours and discussions. At 5:30 and 6 pm there will be tours of the Vertebrate Paleontology Collections with Dr. John Harris, NHM Chief Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, followed by “Lucy's Legacy: The Quest for Human Origins” with paleoanthropologist Dr. Donald C. Johanson. The live music kicks off at 7 pm courtesy of Wolfmother and The Ruby Suns and DJs in the African Mammal Hall. Tickets are $9. more ›

Tonight Machine Project teams up with 826LA for “Dead Author Readings” with Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson who’ll be discussing Walden. There are two shows at 8 and 10 pm. Bring blankets or something else to sit on. Space is limited because of Machine Project's "forest." more ›

On Saturday afternoon, LA lolitas, fans of Alice in Wonderland, and doll collectors gathered at Royal/T in Culver City to have a Mad Tea Party. The event featured a Valley of the Dolls pop-up shop, music by Tune in Tokyo, tea in the Royal/T cosplay cafe, a smash up video of Alice in Wonderland images, a fashion show, a giant chess set, cupcakes, and guests wearing elaborate costumes. more ›

When Scot Reyes, owner of the pop culture doll shop The Valley of the Dolls (see LAist's visit to this store), announced his plans for a Mad Tea Party at Royal/T, LA Lolitas and doll collectors took notice. Then "lolitamom" posted the event information in this Live Journal entry on the la loligoth page prompting several lolitas to discuss their costume plans for the big party. Variations on the Queen of Hearts costume is sure the be popular and a some goth Cheshire cats too. more ›

Forking -- or its formal title Fork Off Down Your Own Forking Adventure Which You've Forked: FORKING! -- is a full-length play by SF native Daniel Heath that mixes theatre and reality TV. The audience votes on the ending like a “choose your own adventure” on stage: “This time around, the audience again actively participates by voting. Six 20-to-30-somethings who live together in Los Angeles are thrust into or out of the sack with other characters, depending on how the audience votes.” The plot focuses on wedding photographer Chastity with a bad knee and no health coverage and Joshua, a Canadian about to be deported. After a drinking binge they think that marriage might be the best course of action? Will the audience get them to the altar on time? The curtain rises at 8 pm at the Theatre Asylum and runs until March 14. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 online. more ›

Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, the creators and stars of the “Adult Swim” series, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! will be at the Virgin Megastore at Hollywood & Highland tonight at 7 pm for their season 2 DVD release. The DVD features all 10 episodes from the second season along with hilarious bonus features including a blooper reel, extended scenes and live footage from both the Awesome-Con 2008 fan event and Tim and Eric Awesome Tour 2008! more ›

In Culver City, Royal/T celebrates Christmas pop culture style. When we heard they had on display a one of a kind custom Tokidoki Christmas tree, we knew we needed to see it for ourselves and have lunch in their "Maid Cafe". more ›