Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

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.

Arts and Entertainment

'Ho-Ho-Tel' 2008 w/ Holly Conlan, Laura Jansen, AM, Meiko, Buddy, Gary Jules, Greg Laswell, Cary Brothers, Butch Walker, Jim Bianco & More @ Hotel Cafe, 12/12 & 12/14/08

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

()

Gary Jules sings "Mad World", as heard on Donnie Darko and the Gears of War trailer

Earlier this month was "Ho-Ho-Tel 2008" at the Hotel Cafe (MySpace) in Hollywood. The three night fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the LAFD's "Spark of Love" Toy Drive, featured a "very good" all-star lineup of singer-songwriters and bands that included The Abdomen (MySpace), Sweet Talk Radio (MySpace), Alvin Stewart (MySpace), Holly Conlan (MySpace), Laura Jansen (MySpace), AM (MySpace), The Paper Raincoat (MySpace), Meiko (MySpace), Buddy (MySpace), Gary Jules (MySpace), Brian Wright (MySpace), Joe Firstman (MySpace), Greg Laswell (MySpace), Cary Brothers (MySpace), and Butch Walker (MySpace) for Friday, while Sunday included Jenni Alpert (MySpace), Rob Giles (MySpace), Shane Alexander (MySpace), Charley Turner (MySpace), Lissie (MySpace), Austin Hartley-Leonard (MySpace), Jay Nash (MySpace), Brother Sal (MySpace), Chris Pierce (MySpace), Jim Bianco (MySpace), Pedestrian (MySpace), Andy Clockwise (MySpace), Foster Timms, Tim Jones (MySpace), and Truth and Salvage Co. (MySpace).

As with the October Obama Nights! fundraisers, each artist was limited to about three songs per set, although Walker performed just one to the dismay of the audience, which included singer Pink, who pleaded for just one more song (he politely declined). While Meiko performed an original Christmas song, others performed covers, with Conlan performing "I'll Be Home for Christmas", Turner and Lissie performing solo versions of "Blue Christmas", and Laswell performing on piano, a song he joked about just writing, "Little Drummer Boy".

Support for LAist comes from

Special thanks to The Abdomen, Sweet Talk Radio, Alvin Stewart, Holly Conlan, Laura Jansen, AM, The Paper Raincoat, Meiko, Buddy, Gary Jules, Brian Wright, Joe Firstman, Greg Laswell, Cary Brothers, Butch Walker, Jenni Alpert, Rob Giles, Shane Alexander, Charley Turner, Lissie, Austin Hartley-Leonard, Jay Nash, Brother Sal, Chris Pierce, Jim Bianco, Pedestrian, Andy Clockwise, Foster Timms, Tim Jones, Truth and Salvage Co., and the Hotel Cafe.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist