Sponsored message
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.

News

Good Grove/Bad Grove: Backstage Edition

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

It doesn't seem like The Grove can quite figure out what it wants to be. Over the past few months LAist has witnessed a Dodgers celebration, a puppet show, what appeared to be a wedding ("Oh honey, I've always wanted to get married at The Grove...within walking distance of Nordstrom's, The Gap, and Victoria's Secret. Should we book it?"), and several sparsely attended little concerts, all on their tiny little green lawn.

This part Bellagio, part Central Park junior junior, part melting pot continues to baffle us. While this little sliver of green lawn in the heart of the Hollywood/Fairfax district might be much sought after, it leaves much to be desired. The traffic in that middle area always slows from a mosey to a dead standstill, while people gape and gawk at the fountain (Bellagio junior junior), play in the water, or just stop for no reason.

And can you imagine being the booking agent for that lawn? "Guys! I got your next gig all lined up. Heart of Hollywood, LA town, baby! Right in the middle of things, outdoor concert, great acoustics, A-list crowd, you're in!" It makes you wonder if they have Grove roadies and Grove groupies. This past Sunday LAist encountered the above scene where a band rocked out to...no one. Except a five-year-old boy shoving in popcorn like it was going out of style who was enraptured with their rendition of a Fleetwood Mac song.

Hey kid, think big...you never know.

The Lawn stage is definitely part of the bad grove.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right