Walking in LA is so inconvenient that the act itself is actually exoticized. City planning and a lagging public transit system are to blame, with neighborhoods divided by uninviting stretches of freeways, industrial compounds and mini-malls. With cultural epicenters scattered between Silverlake, Hollywood, downtown, and the West side, any activity that allows for leaving one’s wheeled transport pod and interacting with other humans is a rare and welcome event.
Cemeteries are sad, dismal places, right? Then why were thousands of Los Angeleans blissfully marching towards the tall iron gates of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, carrying picnic baskets and gearing up for an evening out with friends? With all the fancy clubs and bars down the street, what could possibly make visiting a cemetery such a fantastic way to spend a sacred weekend evening?
The only logical explanation is the official kick off of Cinespia’s 2009 season of screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
During Coachella 09, the french electro artists from Ed Banger Records (Justice, Busy P, So Me, Medhi, Fafi, Gaspard, Sebastian, Kavinsky, etc) descended upon LA with their new clothing brand, Cool Cats, first ever pop up store in the US at De La Barracuda on Melrose in Mid City. On Monday, April 20th, 2009 A.C. (After Coachella), the social chameleons of the LA scene journeyed through the heavily trafficked LA arteries to an afternoon of relaxation in fashion and friendship with drinks provided by Red Bull, Belvedere IX and Colt 45s, and the side act of guest DJ sets from Medhi, So Me, , Sebastian, and Busy P (On his Birthday!) From the fashion side, limited edition presses of their apparel were on sale to grab up for all the trend setters to take back to their boroughs of the city and dawn on Tuesday. Surprise surprise: appearances from Guy Manuel of Daft Punk, Digitalism, Artist Darren Romanelli, Editor Jamie O’Shea, Photographer Lionel DeLuy (who for the fun of it, set up a photo booth for the day) and more. The result, a celebration of french music and fashion in LA. A good time had by all…
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If you love Japanese food, books or karaoke and can’t make it to actual Tokyo, LA’s Little Tokyo district is the place to be. Though once upon a time this place was home to 30,000 Japanese Americans, these days I wouldn’t call it a neighborhood – too visitor-oriented for that. I’ll agree with the Wikipedia description – it’s more of a cultural center, with temples, museums and a multitude of restaurants, aimed at LA residents and visitors from Japan. Though recent development and growing population of downtown have made for longer lines and a few strange additions to the area, between all the sushi, shabu-shabu and boba tea there’s little time to frown at the recently-erected Sanrio store and Starbuck’s. An abundance of shops, seasonal events, rock shows at The Cocaine and bars will keep entertainment-hungry visitors coming back for fun-filled adventures throughout the year.
I was staying in Croydon – a neighborhood Id never heard of until being dropped off in its guts by my coach. All I can tell you about this place is it’s very far from London and Kate Moss lived there before she made it. Also, this is precisely why you should not book hotels through budget travel agencies. Fortunately, a train station was a short walk away, making escape somewhat convenient. So to London I went.
Art, boobs, booze! Do we have your attention? That’s the idea behind Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. Founded in 2005 by fierce New York artist Molly Crabapple, the cabaret life drawing phenomenon has spread across the globe, now boasting over eighty chapters in several continents, everywhere from China to France. For four years artists, burlesque performers, and drunks have joined forces under the Dr. Sketchy’s flag to dispel art scene pretense in the name of creativity and fun.
Camden Town has been London’s subculture mecca since the 60′s. The Roundhouse Theater made its name as the home to countless goth and punk shows back in the day. Open air markets, including famous Camden Lock, draw alternative fashion hunters and tourists alike. The World’s End Pub is now my favorite place to lose a few hours to cognac, and my new favorite place for people-watching, fresh mint tea-drinking and baklava-chewing is a tiny Moroccan tea house situated in front of Horse Tunnel Market. I can’t think of a better way to spend a cloudy Camden afternoon. Other than at Proud, that is.
Saturday night marked the opening of Bettie Page: Heaven Bound – an all-star art extravaganza curated by Lenora Claire held at the World of Wonder Gallery in Hollywood. This exhibit, dedicated to the late pinup legend, features iconic portraits of Bettie by Olivia and tribute photos by Austin Young among others. The carefree smile and electric attitude that left an impact on an entire generation grace the gallery walls, captured in a variety of mediums from watercolor to acrylic sculpture. In usual World of Wonder reception style, the party drew a colorful crowd – drag queens, fashion butterflies, booze enthusiasts and Hollywood culture favorites were out on full force to salute the unforgettable, the one and only – Bettie Page.
Words and Photos by Zoetica Ebb
It was my last night in Paris. I spent the four days of my fifth visit to the City of Lights avoiding all things typical, proud of my rebellious attitude, enjoying the bar and coffee shop scene instead of the usual museums and churches. Still, it was the last night, the top of Montmartre is the highest point in town, has one of the most beautiful views I’ve seen, and my friend had never been there. It was time to go out.
Red Foo and Sky Blu from LMFAO are laughing all the way to the bank. Their hit song I’m in Miami Bitch has boosted them to party rock stardom! They dropped into the ChinaShop compound and talked with resident Chris Gore about living life out loud.
Video after the jump.
Interview by Chris Gore, shot by Zoetica Ebb, photo gallery by Dustin Downing
