Nicholas Clark Ashbaugh

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free of charge. SATURDAY, 10/22 Cross Hart Jazz Experience take the stage at the Skirball's Café Z. The show starts at 12pm. For info, call (310) 440-4500. The Janaki String Trio perform a preview concert at Trinity Lutheran Church at 2pm. Call (310) 937-7275. Rosalinde Gilbert Concert features the The Capitol Ensemble as a part of LACMA's Sunday Live series. The concert begins at 6pm in LACMA's Leo...

The moody Bay Area-style weather has many Angelenos itching for a change. Having lived in New England, Colorado, Maryland, London and Washington state, this particular editor suggests making the most of the cold spell. It's a welcome change in an otherwise utopian and temperate climate. Part of the reason we're disliked up North is because of our enviable weather. Conversely, in Seattle, there are about ten different terms for rain and sunshine is measured...

Here are a few tunes to chase away the weather-induced blues. Local Rock | The Green and Yellow TV Free Download: And Paranoid From: Sinister Barrier Paranoid is moody, poppy and the perfect elixir for a rainy day. If you dig this track, check out the band October 20 at Spaceland and listen to additional tracks on myspace. Local Rock | Soft Free Download: Higher This optimistic, guitar-driven track is just what you need...

"Spartan" is often synonymous with Vegan. After all, the goal of Vegan cuisine is to be as natural as possible, with a focus on wholesome, healthy food. It's in that spirit that we'll review California Vegan. At first glance, California Vegan looks more like a greasy spoon than a healthy haven. The restaurant is completely devoid of decor, with diner-style booths looking out at a rather industrial portion of Sunset Blvd. In short, don't...

Photos (C) 2005 Nicholas Ashbaugh, all rights reserved If we had to chose between the Hollywood Bowl and The Greek, it's a tough call. But we'd opt for The Greek's smaller, more intimate setting. While the stacked parking leaves much to be desired, the venue itself is cool, sheltered and the perfect place to catch headliners. Enjoy these shots of the Franz Ferninand concert last week. More Photo Essays...

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free of charge. MONDAY, 10/17 Colored Shadows continue their residency at Spaceland. The doors open at 8pm and the show begins at 9pm. Call (323) 661-4380. John Marx & the Blues Patrol take the stage at Cozy's Bar & Grill. For info, call (818) 986-6000. Thom Rotella’s Jazz Quartet play at Hal's Bar & Grill at 9pm. Call (310) 396-3105 for more information. Lavender Diamond continue their October...

Combine the ethereal sounds of Air with a touch of Bowie and Morrissey, and you'll get the tip of the iceberg of Colored Shadows. The band combines complicated, cinematic music with compelling vocals. Though we could draw a myriad of many contemporary comparisons, Colored Shadows' attention to detail is what makes them stand out from the crowd. Vocalist and bassist Lucas Field sat down with LAist and discussed what it feels like to work...

For all of you who missed episodes of LOST and Desperate Housewives due to a series of Adelphia Cable snafus in Los Angeles, fear not. The new version of iTunes now features downloadable TV episodes. Apple struck a deal with Disney-owned ABC ensuring the distribution of popular TV shows [exclusively through the iTunes Music Store] the day after they air on the network. Think of it as portable video-on-demand for PCs and Macs. The...

A crisp, October evening didn't stop fans from attending Saturday's Franz Ferdinand concert. However, the dipping mercury did bolster sales of jackets and blankets at the venue. The Greek is notoriously cool at night, and it was doubly so last night. Thankfully electronica, gospel and punk-infused rock helped keep everyone alive and kicking....

These tracks were in heavy rotation in our iPod this week. What MP3s are topping your iTunes playlist? Local Rock | Irving Download: I Can't Fall In Love From: I Hope You're Feeling Better Now. With a lyrical nod to Silver Lake and a song that any lovelorn Angeleno can relate to, Irving's "I Can't Fall In Love" is hard to resist. Check out free streams on myspace. Electronica | Cut Copy Download: Future...