Monthly Archives: April 2007

April 30, 2007

L.A. Conservancy’s 21st Annual Last Remaining Seats

Written by Caroline on Crack in Los Angeles, Movies
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The Curtain's Down

It’s that time of year again when L.A. Conservancy celebrates our city’s roots by screening film classics in classic movie theaters.

From May 23 to June 27, L.A.’s historic preservation organization will not only spotlight these legendary movie houses but feature special programs with special guests, live music and even a fashion show. Get your tickets while they’re still available as they can go pretty quickly. I can’t wait to see Roman Holiday and that Edith Head fashion show!

Movie Schedule:

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April 29, 2007

CoC Wine Bar Tour: Wino Crackheads Hit the Road

Written by Caroline on Crack in Los Angeles, Nightlife
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Just in case you wondered, last night’s wine bar bus tour was a blast and I’m not just saying that cuz my name was on the tour. Honestly I was a bit surprised how well it turned out considering it was the first time I’ve ever thrown something like that. L.A. Barhopper’s Brian arranged for a deluxe, plush tour bus instead of the notorious yellow school bus. He also, at my bossy insistence, scheduled a lineup of great wine bars with impressive wine lists instead of just regular ol’ bars for this special tour. So lots of kudos to him for that.

And it was just as well because the would-be tour bus passengers were a more sophisticated bunch than the rowdies on the last barhopper tour I was on. True, some passengers still got a bit wasted (shout out to Dre!) but there was no girl-on-girl action or crazy drunken antics…except for the couple times Brian commandeered the mic on the bus for a unintelligible karaoke performance and Dre threatened to put on a shadow puppet show for us at Fatty’s.

Nope, on this tour we had bread and Spanish and Italian cheeses for everyone between stops and a raffle for that lovely Kangarilla Road Shiraz (congrats to Nancie). True, the journey to each destination took some time (i.e. we had to find a detour to get to 626 Reserve in downtown since 36 blocks were blocked off for Fiesta Broadway preparations) and I couldn’t play the “Meh to Coachella” playlist I worked so hard on for this tour since the bus iPod FM transmitter wasn’t working. But we made due and everyone had fun.

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April 27, 2007

Don’t Go, Stay Here: Stuff To Do This Weekend

Written by Caroline on Crack in Lists, Los Angeles, Movies, Music, Recreation
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Flickr Shot by jlmiral

Flickr Shot by jlmiral

Not going to Coachella this year? All is not lost. Here are some to-dos going on around town for those forgoing that annual trek to the desert.

Space Is the Place Roller Disco at World on Wheels: Disco dancing as it should be done…on wheels. Wee! Uh huh uh huh! If wine bars aren’t your thang, check out this roller disco party that goes down every fourth Saturday of the month. There’s also karaoke and an upstairs (no skates) dancefloor if you don’t wanna stop til you get enough. Admission is $10 with skate rental but you can also bring your own disco skates if you want.

EVENT: SATURDAY, APRIL 28 from 10pm to 2am

4645 1/2 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90019
(323) 933-5170

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April 26, 2007

Good Cheap Wine: McLaren Vale Kangarilla Road 2004 Shiraz

Written by Caroline on Crack in Gift Ideas, Los Angeles, Other
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shiraz.jpg

Gearing up for my fab wine bar bus tour, Dre and I acquainted our friend Jules with the wonders of Vinum Populi. After spending several hours there, Dre bought a bottle of one of her favorite wines she sampled to bring to her bf. Customers get 30% off any bottle bought at VP. But when we got home, we broke open my $14.99 bottle of McLaren Vale Kangarilla Road 2004 Shiraz I had picked up from the Wine House since we weren’t done imbibing yet.

My friend Scott, a Wine House regular, had recommended the Shiraz since he’s good at picking out cheap but tasty wine. And he was right on with this one. Robert Parker had given it 92 points and Steven Tanzer 90; very good scores and did I mention this bottle was only $14.99?

As soon as we poured it, we couldn’t wait to drink it. Very dark in color, light couldn’t even penetrate its crimson. As for taste, the wine was full-bodied and not too tannic — qualities I love since I dislike bitter aftertaste. It was also very flavorful but not overpowering. Dre said, “It’s just yummy. And it tastes better than the wine I bought at VP.” She had spent $26 for that one.

Wine tastings are always a fun way to find something pleasing for your palate but can be pricey. But for a cheapy yet sure hit, check out the Wine House for their recommendations.

BTW, all my crackheads who sign up for the wine bar bus tour, come see me when you get to Bodega De Cordova. I’ve got something for ya.

Wine House
2311 Cotner Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90064
(310) 231-0316

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April 25, 2007

Going Native: Not For Tourists LA 2007 Release Bash

Written by Caroline on Crack in Los Angeles, Nightlife
7 Comments

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Before the Internet I used to rely heavily on guidebooks to figure out where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do around L.A. Not For Tourists L.A. was one of the standout guides since it not only covered fun to-dos but also mundane necessities like neighborhood car washes, gas stations, and grocery stores. It even broke neighborhoods down to local-knowledge level. But who reads books nowadays? Fortunately, NFT, whose guidebooks are huge in New York, has a pretty nifty newish online L.A. guide for the Web-inclined.

But for those of you who still keep a copy of the Yellow Pages and a Thomas Guide around, you can get a free copy of NFT (normally $21.95) at the Not For Tourists LA 2007 Release Bash to add to your just-in-case-the-Internet-dies stack. Sure you gotta trek to Highland Park, wherever that is, for it but they threw free booze in there, too, at this launch party as an extra incentive.

BTW, the NFT site also sells 24×36-inch posters of neighborhood maps. You just specify which of the 57 LA neighborhoods available you’d like and whether you want icons printed on the map and you’re good to go. I think it’s neato cuz I have a thing for maps.

EVENT: FRIDAY, APRIL 27 at 6pm

Footsies
2640 N. Figueroa Street
Highland Park, California 90065
(323) 221-6900

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April 20, 2007

Calling All Winos: A Very Special Wine Bar Bus Tour

Written by Caroline on Crack in Los Angeles, Nightlife
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You don’t have to go to the wineries of SLO and Santa Barbara for good wine when we have perfectly good wine bars in Los Angeles and they continue to pop up around town. Spanish, Italian, French, Argentinian.

I’ve collaborated with L.A. Barhopper Mystery Bus Tour for this special Caroline on Crack wine bar bus tour on Saturday, April 28. Hop aboard as we stop at four or five great wine bars in our city. It’s a “mystery” which ones but you’ll enjoy them (hint: Eastsiiide). We’ll stop at each bar for about 45 minutes to an hour, enough time to enjoy a glass and take in the atmosphere.

There will also be special raffles and treats for all you crackhead winos in attendance.

First stop is Bodega De Cordova on Fairfax where we’ll meet at 6pm. Then we’ll drink vino at various locations and make our way back by 12am. It’s going to be fuuuuun! Forget about Coachella. Wouldn’t you rather get drunk near your home and go to sleep in your own cozy bed than some dirt bed in the desert?

Get your tickets now before we sell out. You can purchase them here. ($29.99)

BTW, L.A. Barhopper’s Brian will be doing a radio show called “Clubbin’” tonight at 10pm promoting the tour for all those who want to learn more about it. He wants me to call in, too, but I’m a horrible public speaker. However, if you wanna call and harrass him or offer your two cents or even suggestions for future wine tours, dial (310) 984-7600.

EVENT: SATURDAY, APRIL 28 from 6pm to 12am

Bodega De Cordova
361 South Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90036
(323) 951-1969

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April 19, 2007

L.A.’s Buzz Over Downtown’s Seven Grand Bar

Written by Caroline on Crack in Los Angeles, Nightlife
22 Comments

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It’s no secret that I loves me some whiskey so I was excited to hear that Seven Grand, a new whiskey bar, opened up in Downtown L.A., especially one that’s put together by the Golden Gopher peeps. And sure there are vodka bars, sake bars and wine bars, why not whiskey? But then I heard about it from UrbanDaddy, then Daily Candy, friends emailing me about it and so on and so on… Talk about overselling. I do wanna check it out but judging by all the attention it’s getting, maybe I’ll wait til things die down before I order myself up a stiff one.

Since that probably won’t be for awhile, I wanted to put all the preview excerpts in one place for my (and your) convenience. (No full reviews yet, ‘cept one on Yelp).

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