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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Buddy Society: Fashion and Music and (Teddy) Bears, OH MY!

PuroInstinct-1.jpeg
Puro Instinct will be performing at Buddy Society on Saturday, May 21. (Photo by Melissa Esterby for LAist)

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Initially conceived as a gift for a child, Violet Valen decided to develop her own line of custom teddy bear-themed one-of-a-kind sweatshirts after the adults went batty for the designs. Since forming Buddy Society in 2004, she's expanded into all manner of items to adorn yourself with, including denim jackets, jeans, and t-shirts.

Where does the music come in? Taking a cue from the Pop-Up Boutique phenomenon, Ms. Valen has smartly realized what better way to encourage shopping than to provide food, booze, and bands?

A quick peruse of the Buddy Society Blog shows that she's equal parts curator and creator, taking her current favorite musical acts and pairing it with the historic Highland Park Ebell Club (a prairie style monument that has been a women’s club since 1903) to throw a party that should please even the most discerning of hip folks.

Tickets are still available at $10 for the Saturday, May 21st show (7pm to midnight), featuring live performances by Puro Instinct, Diva Dompé (formally of Pocahaunted), and Vex Ruffin. Peanut Butter Wolf, Dam-Funk, and Michael Stock of Part Time Punks will also be there, performing a special "GIRLS ONLY" set.

We'll be there with our camera to check out the festivities so look for upcoming photos; in the meantime, we'll grab the free mix that PB Wolf made in anticipation of the event!

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