Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

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.

Food

It's Almost Here! Jonathan Gold's Union Station Cocktail Party is This Saturday!

2282010307_65cde01e7e_b (Small).jpg

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Rarely has an event caused as much buzz as the upcoming benefit for Zócalo. And who could resist? The restaurants are hand-picked by Jonathan Gold, LA's patron saint of good eats. Just check out a few of the participants -- Rivera! Perrier Jouet! Church & State! Providence! All this in one of the most beautiful event locations in Los Angeles, art deco landmark Union Station. It definitely makes for a night to remember. How much would you pay? But wait!

You also get signature cocktails by downtown cocktail kingpin Cedd Moses. According to the website, "Jonathan Gold's Union Station Cocktail Party will explore L.A.'s new "cocktail moment" with food and drink tastings and discussion."

With all the glitz and excitement, it might be easy to overlook the fact that this is the first benefit for Zócalo Public Square, "a non-profit organization that builds community by broadening access to civic discourse. Zócalo presents lectures, panels, screenings, and conferences, and publishes original reviews, interviews, and other online features to spur conversation on and action around the most important and compelling ideas of our time." LAist caught up with Jonathan Gold to ask him about Zócalo.

What is your favorite program Zócalo had presented?
There have been so many great Zócalo lectures, from Deyan Sudjic on the utility of objects to Paul Krugman on the economic collapse, all of Meghan Daum's panels on 21st century feminism, Michael Kinsley and Steve Coll on the future of newspapers, Wangari Maathai on empowerment in Africa. In just a few years, it's become an indispensable part of the civic culture here. And all the events - this is, believe it or not, the organization's first fundraiser - are free.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today