What happens to all of that art and music that doesn’t make it to a big stage, or a big gallery, or garner a big paycheck?  You know, the stuff that lives on your basement walls or in the pages of your journal, or in the musky air of your garage? Not surprisingly, the people at (aptly named) Magic Garage, an LA-based underground art/music collective, wondered the same thing, and four years ago, decided to provide an answer to that question.  “The event started as a house party a couple people threw to show off their artwork and music, and it just kept getting bigger,” says Cat Erina, a Magic Garage organizer.  “Our main goal is to give exposure to artists and musicians who haven’t yet found their way into larger public venues.”

That’s not to say that Magic Garage is small, mind you. In fact, it’s been growing so rapidly since its inception that each annual event has nearly doubled in size. This summer, in response to ever-mounting demand, Magic Garage moved from the (you guessed it) garage where it used to host its parties into Annex 7, a sprawling loft space in downtown LA. The event lasted two days, included a continual stream of live electronic, rock and hip-hop performances by local acts and showcased the work of over 50 visual artists. Factor in the half pipe, live tattooing and indoor swing (fashioned from rope and an old computer) hanging from the ceiling of the main room, and “small” is definitely not the word that comes to mind.

In fact, words like “playful,” “creative” and “authentic” are more representative of the Magic Garage vibe. Even in the new, bigger space with a seemingly endless supply of unusual art squeezed into every nook and cranny—huge abstract paintings lined the walls, tiny sculptures peeked out of closets and black-lit 3D art glowed behind shimmering curtains in dark rooms—there was not an ounce of pretension in the air. Wandering from the homemade bar to the retro couch to the dance floor, I had the distinct feeling that I was walking among a group of fast friends, and that it wouldn’t take much to join them. If Magic Garage has done one thing, it’s maintained the inclusive feeling of a neighborhood block party, the come-one-come-all attitude of a garage band kegger with a little more space to roam and a lot more culture. Now about that computer swing: I recommend wearing padded shorts before jumping aboard…

Words by Christine Spehar, photos by Curious Josh