Elise Thompson

The Rainbow Bar and Grill on the Sunset Strip kicked off the Halloween festivities early Wednesday night. Manager Tony kept the vibe cool, the drinks were flowing and the costumes were interesting. Late-night munchies, especially pizza, are always popular at The rainbow. Of course, there was plenty of hard partying and skimpily-dressed hot chicks. It is the Rainbow, after all. Rock stars may not be getting blown under the table these days, but there was...

This jack o' lantern was carved and photographed by Eddie North-Hager of Leimert Park Beat, who, along with blogger Jasmyne Cannick, was featured on KCRW last night (KCRW Link). For the Barack o'lantern I used a stencil from YesWeCarve.com to make this pumpkin and show a little patriotic/Halloween spirit. The pumpkin is sitting on Martin Luther King Boulevard as it enters the African American arts and culture district, the Leimert Park neighborhood just southwest...

November 1st and 2nd are the days set aside to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Originally celebrated in Mexico, it is becoming increasingly common in Los Angeles. The origins of Dia de los Muertos have been traced back as far as Aztec festivals dedicated to the godess Mictecacihuatl. It is now celebrated on the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. It is believed that during this time it is easier...

Written by Brian M. Clark If you've ever sat through one of the unfunny sketches featured on Mad TV or Saturday Night Live, wherein a mediocre actor lampoons a famous politician or celebrity to whom they bear no resemblance whatsoever; caricatures said politician or celebrity poorly and exaggeratedly, and brings zero insight or real humor through the cartoonish parody of said politician or celebrity - and the whole thing drags on well beyond the point...

Tuesday night The Paley Center for Media hosted and evening with Giada De Laurentiis. Often you leave events like this thinking, "If only I could have asked a question, if I only I could have met her, if only I could have tried the food I saw prepared onscreen..." Well, the Paley Center granted every wish you could possibly have and more. The evening began with a preview of her new show, At Home with...

When we got tired of orange, sugary, pumpkin-related party foods, somehow spiciness became a popular Halloween party theme. Maybe it has something to do with the fires of hell. Why question it? Just enjoy! This drink is made with Cachaça (ka-SHA-sa), which is a Brazilian spirit classified as rum, but distilled with pure cane juice rather than molasses. It is the main ingredient in the mojito-of-the-future, the Caipirinha (kai-pur-EEN-ya). The Cucumber Jalapeno Caipirinha 2 oz....

Neccessity is the mother of invention. Camping in Mexico is a great time to discover that the only thing left in the cooler - mango nectar, is delicious with tequila. It is also conveniently bright orange, making it a perfect Halloween drink. It's a little sweet, so the blood orange cuts the sweetness (and adds the fun!) If you don't have Centenario, substitute another white tequila like Don Julio Blanco. The Vampira 1 ounce Centenario...

This 1967 Cadillac Hearse was tooling down the 5 near Los Feliz a few weekends ago. If you want to trick out your own and don't mind picking it up in Arkansas, there is one for sale. Be prepared to shell out for a lot of gas at the pump. In high school I dated a guy who owned a '66 Cadillac hearse and it only got 5 miles to the gallon. Oh, and...

Beyond Baroque in Venice was the hip spot in the 80s for great music, literary events, arts, and performance. Tonight's all-star lineup proves the venue is still hosting exciting events. Tonight Beyond Baroque will be presenting Better Angels, an art exhibit by Diana Bonebrake, whose amazing skyscapes are nothing less than entrancing. Her work has been featured on book covers as well as on the album covers of bands like The Knitters and Skip Heller....

On Thursday night, Randy Gerber's Stone Rose at Hotel Sofitel hosted Behind the UnScene, an event touring the country presented by Proximity and 944 Magazine. Behind the Unscene is a 2-part project, part promotion, and part charity. The first part of the event is a contest in which up-and-coming photographers submit photographs that embody all that is Bergamot, the new Proximity body spray by Axe. The second part of Unscene is a fundraiser in which...