Sat 30 Jun 2007
When you hear the words “Pink Taco” what do you think of? I knowww! Pink. Tacos. Me, too! When I heard that this Mexican restaurant, which originated in Vegas, opened up in chi-chi Westfield Mall in Century City, of all places, I had to check it out. That name, that font.
Fri 29 Jun 2007
Ugh, I’mb sigg but hopefully that won’t mess up my weekend. I’ll be pissed if it does get in my way of checking out the following cuz it does involve some singing and dancing. Grumble.
Friday, June 29
Vintage Clothes Fundraising Sale
Although this clothes sale is in Woodland Hills, it might be worth a look-see if it promises vintage wares like Neil Diamond concert tees! Another Caroline (no relation) is selling off thousands of vintage clothes from her former business which apparently had been featured on E!, the Style Network and Vogue. Treasures range from the ’50s-’80s era and from cheap $10 concert tees to high-end stuff like Diane Von Furstenberg. All proceeds go to Red Tent, a women’s retreat.
Firecracker at Grand Star
Celebrate the Fourth of July early with Firecracker! and get all hot and sweaty dancing to DJ Kaleem, aka “Your DJ’s favorite DJ,” who will be spinning at Grand Star’s every-other-week club tonight.
Saturday, June 30
The Dahlia’s Downtown Walking Tour
If you love L.A. history, you have to check out Esotouric’s Dahlia Walking Tour around downtown. Only 90 minutes long, this tour takes you around L.A.’s most famous murder victim’s old haunts during which you get to discuss theories of how, why and who dunnit. The tour starts off where the Black Dahlia was last seen before her body turned up in a lot, at the lobby of the Biltmore Hotel. Don’t forget to BYOB of water and slather on some sunscreen.
Roman Holiday at Cinespia
Aww, my girl’s movie is screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Audrey Hepburn won the Oscar for her role as the princess who takes a much needed vacation from her royal duties and starts a romance with dreamy Gregory Peck in the process. This movie made me fall in love with Rome. By all means, Rome. La! Bring a lovely picnic with some Italian red wine and meatball subs.
Sound of Music Sing-A-Long at the Hollywood Bowl
Show up as your favorite Sound of Music character and join in the fun by singing all those songs you know so well at the world’s largest outdoor movie theater, the Bowl. I heard that one time, a group of friends showed up dressed in astroturf saying that they were the hills and they were alivvvve! That’s genius. The fun starts early at 6pm with a pre-show costume parade.
Thu 28 Jun 2007
Hello Caroline!
I hope this email finds you doing well. I met you during the Wine Tasting Tour and ever since I’ve had the fortune of getting your newsletter.
Now, I need your help; my sister is planning her birthday party for Friday and she’s looking for a place, around downtown, with a patio where she could host this. Do you know of any place that would fit this description? We want to dance and drink, of course.
Thank you in advance for your attention.
~ Downtown & Dirty
Wed 27 Jun 2007
Abode’s Black Pearl may not be the $4,350 Diamond Cocktail at London’s Sheraton Park Tower (possibly the world’s most expensive cocktail with its 0.6 carat diamond garnish) but $300 is still quite a bit to pay for a martini. The Tahitian Black Pearl Martini to be exact, which is ultra-premium coconut Pearl Vodka and a splash of blue curacao garnished with a AAA 12mm Tahitian Black Pearl (appraised at $800) — all proceeds go to Heal the Bay.
Funny thing is, even though the ultra-chic restaurant sits right next door to Tengu and down the street from Ivy on the Shore in Santa Monica, not one foolish soul with money to splurge has ordered one up yet. And goodness knows, I ain’t gonna do it. But I thought I should let you know that it’s there if you want it. Someone tell Captain Sparrow.
Tue 26 Jun 2007
Buffy fans will love this: The Buffy Musical: Once More With Singing! A Big-Screen Interactive Extravaganza. It’s a special showing for the 2007 L.A. Film Festival. For those who’ve never seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the hilarious, ass-kicking television series created by Joss Whedon, “Once More, With Feeling” was the one musical episode where the characters — Buffy, Spike, Willow, et al. — break out into song and dance because a demon made them do it. And it was an unforgettable, highly entertaining TV moment. The cast members actually did their own singing which was pretty brave of them considering Sarah Michelle Gellar is no Bernadette Peters. Heh. Fans of musicals will appreciate the ode to this genre. I love the characters’ self-consciousness that they were suddenly singing and dancing for no apparent reason.
This special sing-a-long, a la the Rocky Horror tradition, invites audience members to dress up like their favorite Buffy characters and not just sing but participate in the show.
Monster finger puppets, streamers, bubbles, kazoos, vampire teeth, flying underwear and, of course, bunnies are all provided for the interactive experience.
The show’s advanced tickets may be sold out but more tickets will be available at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis starting one hour before showtime. So if you wanna sing, get there early dammit, Janet! Oh wait, wrong show.
EVENT: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 at 10:30pm
Westwood Crest Theatre
1262 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90024 (map)
Admission: $11
For ticketing information, (866) 345-6337 or email boxoffice@FilmIndependent.org
Mon 25 Jun 2007
Many of you have already noticed the beginnings of a cupcake shop on Wilshire in Santa Monica, just a couple of blocks down the street from the Yummy Cupcakes that just opened up earlier this year. Vanilla Bake Shop is its name and its grand opening is July 10.
I know, I know, do we really need yet another cupcake shop and when will this trend end? I thought cute yogurt was the way we’re going now.
Anyhoo, owners Amy and Jeremy Berman will not only have cute cupcakes — full-size, bite-size and stuffed — but also “seasonal French macaroons; striped, torte-like brownies called ‘cosmopolitans’”… (Gayot)
Amy apparently gave up the Industry to follow her baking passion and after a stint in pastry school Vanilla Bake Shop came to be.
Cute and girly decor of cotton candy pink walls and white chandeliers will entice women to break their diets and feel guilty about it now, as there is seating here, or later with takeout.
And if you’re feeling extra guilty about having a grand opening cupcake, you can always follow it up with a grand opening Red Mango yogurt when it opens two days later on July 12 in Westwood.
512 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 458-6644
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-7pm; Sunday 10am-5pm
Sun 24 Jun 2007
I’ve got a hint of a hangover this morning as a reminder of my fabulous birthday party last night but I’m not complaining. It was s’wonderful! From start to finish I couldn’t have asked for a better night.
Aidan, the general manager of Seven Grand, set us up in the huge corner booth next to the bar. He had originally wanted to put us up in the private Jackalope room but I wanted my party to be out and about and able to enjoy the bar and mingle with the other patrons, so where we were was perfect.
Fri 22 Jun 2007
I was looking forward to Late Night at LACMA; all of L.A. there, great bands and djs providing the tunes, interactive mural, awesome people-watching opportunity. But when I got there I found myself spending a majority of my time waiting. Waiting 20 minutes to get into the event. Waiting 30 minutes to get a $3 carne asada street taco. Waiting 20 minutes to get a drink from Pentimento. Waiting to make my way through the ubercrowded Dan Flavin exhibit of lights. Waiting to go to the ladies room…actually, I’ll let this one go since there usually is a wait for the ladies room.
Fri 22 Jun 2007
What with my birthday party and DJ Shadow at the Bowl this weekend, it’s going to be a helluva good time. Unfortunately for me, there are soo many other fun things going on, too, that I’ll have to miss cuz of my previous plans. But if for some reason you’re free, you might want to consider the following ecclectic to-dos.
Friday, June 22
Lisa Kline Blowout Sale
The once tented bi-annual sale for the men’s and women’s stoes is now being taken indoors cuz it’s so huge. If you can’t find anything on the sale racks which are discounted up to 75% off, rummage through the $10, $20, $25, $30 bins. You’ll find marked down goodies from the likes of C&C California, Joe’s Jeans, and Theory.
Shakespeare in the Cemetery: Hamlet in Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Dying to check out an event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery but don’t feel like braving the crowds at the Saturday movie screenings? I betcha Shakespeare at the cemetery won’t have quite the same draw but it’s still eerily cool. Tonight, Hamlet among the bones. Shakespeare runs through the summer til July 29.
Saturday, June 23
The Haunting at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
I’ve heard that due to the growing popularity and ample publicity of these screenings that they’re crazy difficult to get into. Long lines and traffic jams galore. Just make sure you get there early as this Saturday’s screenings and be prepared for the worst. If you want to get spooked, check out The Haunting, “one of the most genuinely spooky films ever made.”
Parking Lot Art Show
An art show on trucks in the Sunset Junction. Can art get any more real and gritty than that? “Founded by Christine and Gareth Kantner, Eric Pfleeger and Christa Renee for the purpose of searching out emerging artists and giving them a unique place to show their work.” Forget museums and galleries, this is art for the people.
Hooked on Handbags
OMG, liquidated overstock designer handbags obtained from Bloomingdales, Macys and other department stores! Coach, Burberry, Michael Kors, Fendi, and Kate Spade all 45%-90% off at “one of the best kept secrets in the Southland” for low-priced high-end designer bags.
Sunday, June 24
Taste of the Nation
Combat hunger by pigging out in Culver City. The Taste of the Nation event benefits the charity, Share Our Strength which works to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and abroad. Restaurants at the event offering mouth-watering dishes include Blue Velvet, Grace, and AOC to name a few. Enjoy cocktails, fine food, and live entertainment in the park. Jason Bentley will be djing the event.
Ghetto Gourmet Downtown
Sick of the oppressiveness of restaurants? Give the Ghetto Gourmet a try. This Sunday, if you’re not going to the Bowl that is, have dinner at a yet-to-be-disclosed downtown location where Chef Damon Bruner (formerly of Cinnabar) will prepare a special four-course dinner for you: free range chicken breast stuffed with gorgonzola is the entree. Yum!
Sunday Summer Cinema at the W
I know I already mentioned this but it’s worth another mention cuz it sounds like a cool, fun thing to do on a lazy Sunday evening. Tonight’s movie, Die Hard 2, before things got ridiculous. John McClane saves the world yet again. The Backyard restaurant is open til 11pm, but Jenn Laskey of Redlight Promotions promises the party will continue for those who are up for it at W’s Whiskey Blue bar after the flick.
Thu 21 Jun 2007
One of the best summer traditions in L.A. is movie screenings outdoors. You’ve got screenings in cemeteries, on downtown buildings and on piers but the swankiest locale has to be that of the W Los Angeles — Westwood.
The hotel, Redlight Promotions and The Hollywood Reporter present Sunday Summer Cinema in The Backyard this summer from June 24 to September 23. Enjoy outdoor screenings of “the most anticipated DVD releases of the summer” on a large movie screen and LCD flat-screen TVs while sitting around the pool or cuddling in cabanas. And it’s free admission when you rsvp to jenn@redlightpromotions.com.
What’s not free? The summer cocktails and munchies from the W’s outdoor restaurant, The Backyard mais bien sur. You can even reserve a picnic basket from the restaurant if you’re so inclined. Unfortunately no outside food and drinks allowed but come on, it’s a screening in a restaurant basically.
The first screenings are dedicated to Die Hard to get you hot and bothered about Die Hard 4 coming out next month.
Movie schedule so far:
Wet Pool and The Backyard at the W Los Angeles
930 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90024
(310) 208-8765
Thu 21 Jun 2007
Wait a minute, here I have been reading all about these tea-infused martinis at Blue Velvet but when I finally went there to check out this schwank downtown restaurant/lounge there were none to be found. In fact the specialty cocktail list only showed seven drinks ($12 each), none of which mentioned anything about Earl Grey with Maker’s Mark. Hmf!
Wed 20 Jun 2007
I almost didn’t want to celebrate my birthday this year. Last year’s Freaky Tiki birthday at Saints & Sinners with its Hawaiian costumes, tiki decorations, special cocktails, expensivo birthday cake and raffles was enough to make me want to swear off birthday parties forever…or at least until my 40th.
So this year, I thought I’d let the pendulum swing way the other way: Sinatra. That’s right a swank and simple bash at one of my favorite bars, Seven Grand. No goody bags or games and prizes or hosted bars or hot djs to worry about.
Nope, old friends, new friends, crackheads and I will just knock back some whiskey, smoke cigarillos on the patio, highjack the jukebox and eat birthday cake. I love it. Plus Damian, my fave bartender there, will be on hand so remember to ask him for his specialty, the Smash.
So I hope you can make it out and share this special night with me. It ain’t a blowout but it’ll be a blast.
EVENT: SATURDAY, JUNE 23 at 8pm
Seven Grand
515 West Seventh Street
Los Angeles, California 90014
(213) 614-0736
Tue 19 Jun 2007
Save any lives last night? Maybe if you knew how to dj you could have. Well now’s your chance to get your hands on some turntables and show everyone your natural born skills. Scratch DJ Academy, a special school of beats that started in NYC, is opening its doors to the public this Wednesday. If you RSVP ASAP, you can get in on a free class taught by DJs Hapa (director of the Academy) and Quixotic (of Tokio in Hollywood and Dragon in Hermosa Beach).
A six-week course at the Academy usually costs $300 but get an hour-and-a-half taste for free to see if it’s your new calling. Who knows? Maybe before you know it, you’ll be spinning at the hottest clubs in L.A. or become the next Jason Bentley.
From New York Times:
Most of the beginning to advanced classes at Scratch cost $200 to $500, while private lessons cost from $80 to $110 an hour. The programs run on an academic model, with quizzes, final exams and diplomas awarded to those who successfully complete the coursework.
To participate, RSVP with your name, phone number and email address to Val@scratch.com.
EVENT: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 from 8 to 9:30pm
Scratch DJ Academy
2324 Cotner Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90064
(310) 312-6599
Mon 18 Jun 2007
There’s something about the Chateau Marmont that just makes you want to do naughty things. I’ve heard that Scarlett Johansson and Benicio Del Toro got caught having sex in one of the elevators, John Belushi took one drug too many in Bungalow #3, and many an A-list celeb has been spotted canoodling in dark Chateau corners with other celebs away from paparazzi’s prying cameras.
What did I do that was so bad? Uh, I aided a “friend” of mine in snapping some shots in the hotel and on the patio despite the Chateau’s strict “no photography” rule. We had taken a break of fanciness between our liquid brunches at the Saddle Ranch and Cabo Cantina, wanting to switch it up and hang with a crowd other than the inebriated and obnoxious…and then rejoin said inebriated and obnoxious at Cabo after.
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