Our Social Calendar: K-Town Late-Night Cafes, The Pantages, Pre-Spring Gardening

Welcome to March, y’all.

Wondering how to fill your calendar this month? Consider a late-night coffee date in K-Town, a trip to the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, or start exploring your green thumb with some pre-spring gardening.

We were joined by L.A. Times columnist and longtime Angeleno Frank Shyong, who documents diasporas, culture and politics in the city. He's also a food enthusiast with great restaurant and street vendor recommendations; check out his Insta.

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#246: Hey, How to LA listeners! We’re back with another social calendar to talk about the interesting, fun, new happenings in the city.

Social Calendar: Make Staying Up Late Cool Again

#246: Hey, How to LA listeners! We’re back with another social calendar to talk about the interesting, fun, new happenings in the city.

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While we’re on the food topic here, Frank notes there are two different ways we should think about food: eating vs. dining. Eating is needed substance without the fancy — a simple sandwich from the corner store or a street taco. And when you dine, you expect an experience that’s somewhat elevated.

Frank confesses there’s a lot more “eating” in his life nowadays. One reason is he spent too much money eating in nice restaurants when he was in his 20s. The other reason is because its fun. What I like about food is “how it connected me to interesting stories, interesting experiences,” he says.

And so, almost naturally, his pitch for your social calendar is all about eating and hitting up a late-night café in Koreatown.

Late-night coffee

L.A. may not be the first place you think of when it comes to late-night spots. Non-club establishments that are open past midnight are rare because work and nightlife culture is transforming, he says. But what about the night owls! (I agree with Frank.)

Some of these K-Town spots are open until 2 a.m. and serve bites and coffee. These are great settings for a late-night hangout, a sobering night recap or just a study/work session. Here are the cafés Frank highlighted that bring good vibes:

• Cafe Mak
• Awesome Coffee
• TPO Coffee
• About Time Cafe

The Pantages

The Pantages in Hollywood.

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jeffkingla via LAist's flickr pool

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I recently went to a showing of The Wiz at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood and I wish I had gone sooner. There are two factors here: the musical and the venue.

The Wiz a production that has been around since the early 70s, brings a modern twist to The Wizard of Oz with an all-Black cast. Dorothy is played by Nichelle Lewis, singer Deborah Cox does a great Glinda and Wayne Brady is the wizard. The drama, dancing, music, costumes all shine brightly on stage and it all took me back to warm, fuzzy childhood memories. The last show is March 3, but Chicago is coming to town next.

Fun fact: the art deco Pantages Theater used to be a movie theater, so that’s why you might find the seating or acoustics… interesting. Just getting to that busy Hollywood corridor can be daunting, but once you’re parked (or off public transportation) it’s a spectacular building to be in.

I suggest you get there early, grab a coffee or drink on Hollywood Boulevard, take a stroll down the block and check out some stores like Amoeba Records or the whimsical Funko Pop store. And don’t forget to take some cute pics in front of the Pantages marquee.

Prep for your garden

A native plant garden in full bloom

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Courtesy Theodore Payne Foundation

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It’s been raining lately, and it makes many of us pout. But the water has helped Antonia plot her garden in her backyard.

I love Antonia’s pick because it’s something you can do (mostly) anywhere — whether you’re a renter or a homeowner. Start exploring your green thumb on a budget.

Gardening can be an expensive hobby so Antonia has learned some DIY tactics to help:

• Ask your friend with the cutest garden to help you by grabbing some cuttings from them. Here’s a guide. 
• It’s time to start planting seeds. Antonia suggests grabbing an egg carton, soil, seed and getting to work. You can leave the egg carton by a window and wait for the plants to sprout.
• Get a compost bin that’s elevated off the ground and secure to keep the animals aways. Pro tip: use cardboard pieces from delivery boxes to fill the compost for healthy soil.
• Need some more tips? Antonia’s  favorite nursery is Artemisia in El Sereno and helps host some great gardening classes in different places around the neighborhood  like Ascot Hills and Debs Park.

Let us know what’s on your social calendar and drop us a note. We’d love to read your suggestions on the podcast: howtola@scpr.org