Ringo Starr in concert and conversation ... Providence's Michael Cimarusti learns secrets and legacy of Japanese cuisine ... the DineLA family tree of chefs ... CyberFrequencies on life on the web ... Animators hold benefit auction to help comatose teen ... Local troupe performs Steve Martin play with Picasso and Einstein.
Off-Ramp Exclusive: Ringo Starr at LA Live's Grammy Museum
Ringo Starr has a new album out and he was at LA Live's Grammy Museum to talk about it with the museum's executive director Robert Santelli.
Ringo performed some songs off the new album with "Ben Harper and the Relentless 7." We hear one of those songs and from Harper.
Ringo also talks about wearing the producer's hat on "Y Not" - his first time taking on the endeavor. And he reminisces about growing up in Liverpool and shares his early music influences.
No. 1 on Jonathan Gold list: Providence Restaurant's Michael Cimarusti's life-changing trip to Japan
UPDATE: The LA Times Jonathan Gold has once again named Providence the best restaurant in LA. "Cimarusti may be a supremely creative chef, but his restaurant has many of the classic virtues." A few years ago, the restaurant's owner, Michael Cimarusti, took a life-changing trip to Japan, and told us about it in this Off-Ramp exclusive.
Michael Cimarusti, owner/chef of Providence, the two-star Michelin restaurant, is a damn good chef. But he's a humble one, and came back from a fellowship to Japan with a new respect for the thousands of years behind Japan's cuisine. Come inside as he gives Off-Ramp an exclusive travelogue of his trip.
The backstory: Before Thanksgiving, I interviewed a series of LA chefs about the holiday. Michael was a little sad because he'd be out of the country -- specifically, he was taking a cook's tour of Japan. It was a fellowship designed to show him the breadth and depth of Japan's traditional cuisine. When he got back, he immediately agreed to sit down and tell us all about it. I knew it'd be something special, because he was so enthusiastic.
Above, you'll see the long version of our interview. That's for sitting back and immersing yourself as one of the world's best chefs tells you what he learned on a magical trip.
You'll also see the short version if you're in a hurry ... and here are Michael's own photos of the trip in an Off-Ramp slideshow:
And on YouTube if you're using an iPhone:
Please leave comments below and let us know what you think.
CyberFrequencies Weighs In: The iPad is iFail
Ok, we couldn't resist and we entered the fray. We weigh in on the week's big news: Apple's new iPad!
KPCC's Molly Peterson joins us Queena Kim and Tanya Miller.
The upshot: We don't get it!
And we go to the Glendale Galleria and get conspiratorial: What does it mean that unemployment is at an all time high but folks can't wait to plunk down $500 for their iPad?
Go to CyberFrequencies to sign up for our podcast and see the Mad TV spoof of the iPad (think "maxipad")
CyberFrequencies on Video
Picasso and Einstein show down, show off in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" at The Complex-East
Einstein and Picasso walk into a bar ... KPCC's John Rabe talks with director Justin Gordon and actors Jonathan Biver (Einstein) and Branden Morgan (Picasso) about the Steve Martin play, "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," in which the two greats meet and discover they have a lot in common.
It's at The Complex's East Theatre, 6468 Santa Monica Blvd 90038, through February 13. Come inside for a link to the play's website.
The audio: The long version is on top. The short version, which appears on the radio broadcast, is under the long version.
Waiting For Godot in New Orleans
A country road. Tree. Evening. That's the description Samuel Beckett gives to the setting of his play “Waiting for Godot.” After Hurricane Katrina, that's what artist Paul Chan saw in New Orleans. So he put on the play, outside, for free, for the city. On Monday he'll be at Redcat to talk about that production. KPCC's Molly Peterson lived in New Orleans and saw it. She called Paul Chan for a preview of his talk.
Mixologist Julian Cox, Rivera's rising star
Some of the best food in town is at the new downtown restaurant, Rivera. And as KPCC's Steve Julian discovered, it also has some of the best drinks ... courtesy of the award-winning Julian Cox. Steve also discovered what you WON'T find there. Hint: You never have to say "rocks" or "no salt."
Come inside for more photos of Cox and Rivera by Steve Julian.
All photos by Steve Julian, who also writes about food for the LA Weekly’s Squid Ink blog.
Vegetarian Response
With all the talk about pithing live fish in Japan and the new butcher shop in Los Feliz ... here's Rico Gagliano, co-host of Dinner Party Download, speaking with Jonathan Safran Foer (best known for his novel “Everything Is Illuminated”) about his latest book, the non-fiction “Eating Animals.” In it, Foer, a vegetarian, explores the industry and culture of carnivorism. The interview begins after Rico told Foer about a carnivorous friend who refused to even invite vegetarians to his home for dinner.
Pernell Roberts' #1 Fan is ... KPCC's Kitty Felde
KPCC's Kitty Felde tells Off-Ramp host John Rabe how she developed a schoolgirl fixation on the brooding Adam of "Bonanza." Pernell Roberts died january 24 at the age of 81.
dineLA's Family Tree of LA Cuisine
dineLA has come up with a great way to grasp the length and BREADth of LA's restaurant history. It's a nicely designed family tree, with restaurants -- like Spago -- as the roots and chefs -- like Wolfgang Puck, Nancy Silverton, and Michael Cimarusti, to name only a few, as the branches.
Click on a root restaurant, and all the chefs who worked there light up in the branches. Click on a chef, and see who's worked together.
Off-Ramp host John Rabe talked with dineLA director Carrie Kommers about the project. Come inside for a link to the tree.
dineLA has also organized Restaurant Week, a way to get a serious discount on a meal you might not have been able to afford ... or at a restaurtant you wouldn't have thought to try before. Pick the level of restaurant you want to try, and you pay one set price for a three-course lunch or dinner.
Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Queen Tryout Update
The Doo Dahdery is ramping up. The folks who run the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade have released more details on – essentially – how you can be the next Queen of the Doo Dah.
2007 Serpent Queen Sephira and Saphrona. (Credit: Queen Skittles, aka Julie Klima)
You’ll remember we recently spoke with former Queen (and current judge) Michelle Mills about the life of the Queen and what it takes to win.
Here’s the press release:
Hey, Are You Ready????
Pasadena Doo Dah Parade
Queen Tryouts!
Are coming to YOUR neighborhood
The American Legion Bar
Saturday, February 13
179 N. Vinedo St. in Pasadena
Cross street is Colorado Blvd. (626) 792-9938
($5 cover to Legion’s charity; 1st 20 queen hopefuls to arrive are free)
2:00 pm – Doors Open to All
3:00 pm – Queen Tryouts!
Trying out? please call us at 626-590-1134 we will answer your questions and give you tips. Open to everyone and we mean it! All invited and all are encouraged to dress randomly. Each Queen Hopeful will have a few minutes to WOW the Judges. Microphone and boom box provided. Be ready to show us and tell us why YOU should be Queen!
Media, please show your badge for free entrance as well!
Featuring: Horses on Astroturf before and during tryouts, The Legendary, Snotty Scotty and the Hankies post Queen Crowning! 2009 Queen Skittles, Former Queens, Mickie, Tequila, Kavita, Sabrina Diva, Mercy, Saphira and Saphrona, Queen Sue, also the Ref, Peculiar Judges, Andrew Duke of Doo Dah, Prizes, Cheap drinks, Affordable Hot Food, Smoking Patio, Pool and Big Screen TV!
33rd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade!
May 1, 2010 (MayDay)
Rabe Takes on World, Universe in Blog
Off-Ramp host John Rabe has a blog that's been called a "must read," and not just by him. Check it out, and please comment.