Alex Da Silva, a local dancer, instructor, and choreographer whose resume includes a gig on the hit reality show "So You Think You Can Dance" will be tripping the light fantastic behind bars for the next 10 years. Da Silva, 43, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for aping one woman and assaulting another. more ›

Late summer is a great time for capsicum peppers of all types, from mild bell peppers to hot chili peppers like jalapeños and habañeros. Since peppers are such a large family with so many different uses, today we'll look at hot peppers and how you can use them seasonally, and put them up for use year-round. more ›

Salsa might be a ubiquitous condiment here in Southern California, but with so many varieties, styles, and techniques, no two bowls are alike. more ›

The Downtown Art Walk takes place tonight and among all the art openings is one that caught our eye: Eat Me, An Eye Scream Social--a group show with summer themed art--at Bang Gallery. Opening reception tonight from 6-10 pm. Remember that there’s a mobile food truck court at 334 S. Main St. After the Art Walk, Slang Chicken will be performing at Casey’s Irish Pub between 8 pm and 2 am. more ›

It’s that time of the month, again: Hear NoHo, an evening of exploring the arts and new music scene in North Hollywood happens tonight from 6:30-11:30 pm at various galleries and locales. Listen to artists like: Melanie Silos, Alex Rhodes, Victoria Clemmons, Matthew Jordan, Drew Broadrick, John Daversa, Quiroga, The Twilight Girls and the Gene Butler Band. $10 for an all-access wristband and dinner/drink discounts at participating restaurants. Tickets must be picked up at the booth (Lankershim and Magnolia). more ›

There’s a screening of the feature documentary Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade with live performances by Youth Brigade, 7 Seconds and Swingin Utters tonight at 7 pm at Nike Sportswear at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood. BYO Records, the legendary LA punk label, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with the release of the 'Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records' 31-track compilation box set and documentary. The concert follows the screening. Tickets are $17. more ›

The music, not the food. If you are interested in learning how to dance or perhaps you already know and just want to get out there to show off your moves in a quaint, relaxed environment, head down to Zen Lounge in Hermosa Beach. Beginners class starts at 7:30 PM, while more advanced dancers can join the 8:30 PM class. Once you've got some moves down, hang out from 9:30 PM onwards to get some practice out on the dance floor. $10 gets you into Zen and in the class. Tonight is Hawaiian Salsa Night so don't be surprised if you see some grass skirts or flowered shirts about the place. more ›

It was an old school funk showdown at the Echo on Thursday night. The age old west coast vs. east coast rivalry was in full effect. Not in any sort of negative way, but in a purely competitive spirit. What I wanted to know was which band could out groove the other. Would it be the hometown Boogaloo Assassins with their Latin boogaloo or the funky newcomers from New York supporting their second album with the legendary Daptone Records, Budos Band? more ›

LAist was on hand to check out last week's opening ceremony for the new and improved Conga Room, which was once considered the "premier Latin music nightclub" by the LA Times. more ›

Can you cook up some wicked tasting salsa? If so, the Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles who runs various markets around town is hosting salsa contests at their markets this week (Echo Park, Leimert Park, Hollywood and Atwater). Of course, it's all the better if you make the salsa from ingredients bought fresh from the market. More info can be found in their two info sheets (.pdfs). more ›

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Nancy Luna, otherwise known as the Fast Food Maven at the OC Register, has developed a true appreciation for tomatoes in the midst of the latest food recall. A recent trip to El Pollo Loco inspired this realization: more ›

Sitting aside DJ Jeremy Sole spin records at last Thursday's weekly Afro Funke at Zanzibar in Santa Monica, I asked how he chooses what he plays next or if he has a set playlist. "Nah, it's all about reading the people dancing -- their body movements. See, I'm going to put this salsa on next and I bet the people hanging at the bar will all come out and dance. What I'm playing now is just the kindling. The salsa will be the fire." He did just that and the bartender slaving away had a break to catch her breath. more ›

If I had know about Andy's Coffee shop during my days at Pasadena City College, just two blocks down, I would've ditched biology in the morning at least a couple more times. Hiding on a stretch where the store facades all look the same, I almost wish Andy's had a 50 foot high coffee mug sitting on the restaurant, steam rising from the top. more ›

Did any of you catch Bobby Flay's Throwdown the other night? It's the show where he goes to different cities across the world and challenges some legendary food purveyor that his version of whatever traditional city food they're making will win a blind taste test. Usually, he loses, cause I mean COME ON: can anybody really make a cheese steak better than a Philly native? What about fish n' chips from some grotty bar... more ›

Did you know that the mango is the most popular fruit in the world? I didn't either--I hadn't given it any thought, really--until I got in touch with the newly assembled National Mango Board, who are all about getting you to get to know the mighty mango. I met my first mango many years ago in my grandmother's kitchen. (Unfortunately, if you're looking for an exotic story about my spicy abuelita or a tale... more ›

Top 3 Trader Joe's, Highest Customer Count 1. Manhattan, New York City 2. San Francisco at Masonic/Geary 3. Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks) at Riverside/Hazeltine Salsa Coiffure Who doesn't love the Corn and Chile Tomato-less Salsa? It's "slightly sweet with a touch of heat." We even love it more than their Salsa Especial, the closest and best version of restaurant style salsa we can find yet. So when we found 3 pieces of rather large... more ›

A list of some of the current critics' choices around town. Click on the show title for a review. Click on the theater name for info on tickets. Hotel C'est Lamour (The Blank Theater Company) References to Salvador Dali Make me Hot (Theater Planners at Art/Works Theater) Side Show (La Habra Depot) Tale of 2Cities: An American Joyride on Multiple Tracks (Freud Playhouse) Rocks in my Salsa (Highways Performance Space) The Beastly Bombing (Steve... more ›