01-21-19

A Big View of The Art World The L.A. Art Show Returns To the Convention Center See Page 12

image courtesy L.A. Art Show

JANUARY 21, 2019 I VOL. 48 I #3

“Daydream” by Yashita Amano is one of the thousands of works on display at the L.A. Art Show. It is from the Mizuma Gallery.

a huge tower is up for sale Page 3

a humorous mid-life crisis in ‘linda vista’ Page 13

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION AND SOUND Tickets + Learn More: peacelabyrinth.org/soundbath Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens 3500 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018 | (323) 737-4055

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2 DOWNTOWN NEWS

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AROUND TOWN

Historic Core Hotel To Break Ground

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ormal construction is about to begin on a Historic Core hotel. Representatives of Choice Hotels International and developer PNK Group Investments last week announced a Jan. 28 “sky break” ceremony for the Cambria Hotel, which is coming to 419 S. Spring St. Crews have been doing preliminary work on the Historic Core building for months, performing seismic upgrades and undertaking some interior demolition.

When finished, the 14-story project next to the revamped Trust Building will have 180 rooms, along with a ground-floor restaurant, a lounge and an additional bar. The Cambria brand will be aimed at business travelers. No budget has been disclosed, but the property is expected to open by the end of the year. Another Cambria Hotel is planned near L.A. Live along James M. Wood Boulevard.

First Portion of Blue Line Closures Begin This Week

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he first of a pair of four-month shutdowns along the Metropolitan Trans-

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portation Authority’s oldest rail line will begin this weekend. The southern portion of the Blue Line, running from the Willowbrook station to the Downtown Long Beach station, will be out of service starting at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, as crews work on a $350 million project to increase safety, improve reliability and extend services on the line. The segment will reopen in late May, at which point construction will knock out rail travel along the northern portion of the Blue Line, running from Willowbrook to the Seventh Street/Metro Center station in Downtown.

To accommodate riders, Metro is deploying three levels of shuttle buses and car and rideshare options for commuters. Information on the closures and a list of shuttle options is at metro.net/projects.

See ‘Miss Smith’ Go to Washington, at City Hall

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he political drama in Washington, D.C. is hard to escape, but this week City Hall will be home to a kinder, gentler version.

At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, Council chambers will be the site of Ms. Smith Goes to Washington, a live read of a gender-flipped version of the Jimmy Stewart classic. Bellamy Young of the show “Scandal” leads the cast, playing Miss Smith. Fellow “Scandal” cast members Joshua Molina and Jeff Perry will join her. The event is presented by the Fountain Theatre and will be hosted by 13th District City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell.

“With change in the air in Washington after

JANUARY 21, 2019

an unprecedented number of diverse women were just sworn into Congress to counter the corrupt, divisive, and destructive agenda of the Trump administration, I am thrilled to announce a staged reading of a beloved Hollywood classic film at Los Angeles City Hall, but with a modern twist that will no doubt prove more illuminating and poignant than it would have otherwise,” O’Farrell said in a prepared statement. Admission is free, though reserved tickets are required; no walk-ins will be admitted. Tickets and more information are at mssmith.org.

New Details on World Trade Center Tower

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Dodgers ‘Fan Fest’ Returns This Weekend

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he Dodgers lost the World Series for the second year in a row, but the playoffs showed that Dodger fandom remains strong in Los Angeles. That’s the backdrop for the Dodgers Fan Fest, an event that takes place Saturday, Jan. 26. The seventh annual happening runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. Fans will be able to take tours of the stadium, get autographs from players, and acquire all sorts of merchandise. There will also be batting cages and other activities. The event is free and open to the public, but a digital ticket is needed for entry. More information and tickets are at dodgers.com/fanfest.

eveloper Jamison Services is slowly moving forward on an effort to transWine Festival Comes to form the Financial District’s World Trade Center. Jamison initially announced its Union Station plans for the complex on the northeast corner of Third and Figueroa streets last year, owntown oenophiles are in luck. The and presented new renderings and details at Uncorked Wine Festivals is returning the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood to Union Station this week for the fourth Council’s Planning and Land Use Committee Uncorked: LA Wine Fest. On Saturday, Jan. meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 15. A parking struc- 26, more than 200 international wines and ture and a retail complex on the site would champagnes will be available; there will also be partially demolished, making way for a be food trucks and a live band. The event 41-story residential building with 570 con- runs from 5-9 p.m. and will benefit the Rose dominiums. Designs from architecture firm City Crystals Figure Skating Team. VIP ticket CallisonRTKL show a tall and narrow tower holders ($70) can enter at 5 p.m., and general with balconies, as well as pedestrian bridg- admission ($60) ticket holders can arrive an 800.900.5788 I aerioconnect.com Broadband VoicetoI WiFi I HDTV es that wouldI link nearby Financial District hour later. The festival includes various wine buildings. No timeline or budget have been tastings. The event is 21 and over. More inforrevealed. mation is at uncorkedwinefestival.com.

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JANUARY 21, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 3

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U.S. Bank Tower Up for Sale Iconic Office Building Could Fetch Up to $700 Million

By Nicholas Slayton he U.S. Bank Tower, one of the most iconic buildings in Downtown Los Angeles, is on the market.

OUE USA Services Corp., a subsidiary of the Singapore-based Overseas Union Enterprises, put the 72-story building up for sale this month. It has 1,342,908 square feet of office space, as well as a sky-high viewing deck complete with a glass slide on the face of the building.

The likely buyer will be a major investment company with a history of acquiring top-tier assets that is looking for a “gateway” property in Downtown, according to local real estate experts.

The distinctly shaped edifice originally known as Library Tower opened at 633 W. Fifth St. in 1989. It was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River until the arrival of the Wilshire Grand Center in 2017.

Originally developed by Maguire Thomas Partners, it has appeared in numerous television shows and films, and famously was blown up by aliens in Independence Day. The building could fetch as much as $700 million, or approximately $500 per square foot, according to brokers. That’s a step up from the most recent comparable transaction, the 2017 sale of One California Plaza on Bunker Hill, which sold for $465 million, or $460 per square foot, according to Tom Boh-

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linger, managing director with the brokerage firm Jones Lang LaSalle.

Bohlinger pointed to rising office rents and investment in Bunker Hill as reasons for the potential price.

Peter Johnston, senior vice president with OUE USA Services Corp., did not specify an asking price, but said that the tower is more stable than when the company bought it.

“We’ve put a lot of money into it, bringing it from around 52% leased to pretty close to 85%,” Johnston said. “I just think we’re interested in testing the market.”

OUE acquired the building in 2013 for $367.5 million. The company embarked on a major renovation in 2015, spending approximately $50 million to transform the lobby — adding a large video screen, among other features — and on improvements to the office space.

The most attention-grabbing component of the work was the OUE Skyspace complex on the upper floors. It includes observation areas and a 45-foot glass slide affixed to the exterior of the building that allows brave visitors to swiftly descend from the 70th to the 69th floors. OUE has marketed Skyspace as a tourist attraction, charging $25 for regular admission, with another $8 to try the slide.

“The asset was neglected when OUE got it. Many of its big tenants had left,” Steve Marcussen, executive director with the bro-

Great Friends

kerage firm Cushman and Wakefield, said. “It had some real challenges, and OUE started investing a tremendous amount of money into it from the beginning.”

Bohlinger said that OUE’s improvements make the building attractive for a buyer. He said upgrades to the overall area, and work on the nearby Regional Connector, could also spark interest.

The sale comes as Bunker Hill is on the rise, Bohlinger said. He pointed to the start of construction on Related Companies’ Frank Gehry-designed The Grand at First Street and Grand Avenue, plus overhauls of the Music Center Plaza, Wells Fargo Center, and an expansion of the Colburn School. He said interest in the area could fuel higher rents in the future, making a property like the U.S. Bank Tower desirable.

Current tenants include the tower’s namesake, US Bank, plus Marsh & McLennan Companies, HMC Architects and others.

Marcussen said Class A office space in Bunker Hill and the Financial District tends to rent for approximately $4.50 per square foot, which he said is less expensive than new space in the Arts District and Historic Core, and well below the Westside, where office space can hit $10 per square foot.

Singapore-based firm OUE acquired the U.S. Bank Tower in 2013 for $367.5 million.

The company put $50 million in improvements into it in 2015, including opening the Skyslide.

photo by Gary Leonard

Real estate observers do no expect the tower to be on the market for long, given its location, recent improvements and the general health of the economy.

“It’s a global asset. They don’t come on the market very often anywhere in gateway cities,” Marcussen said. “It’s very well leased already.”

Johnston said that OUE hopes to find a buyer before the fall.

Real Estate Finance & Investment first reported the news of the building going up for sale. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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EDITORIALS

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JANUARY 21, 2019

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

The Worsening Downtown Crime Rate

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n Downtown Los Angeles, one frequently hears the refrain that the community seems less safe than it did five years ago. The comment is usually offered as something people “feel,” and some Downtowners worry more about their personal safety today than in years past because of conditions they see on the streets. Others relate a criminal or other troubling experience endured personally or by a friend.

Now, unfortunately, it turns out that crime is actually rising in Downtown. In some categories it is shooting up dramatically.

Downtown has not descended into chaos, but new data from the LAPD’s Central’s Division, which covers most of the community, shows that crime has soared from 2014. In response, locals need to be more active and aware than ever. Those who live and work here must both partner with police and take simple steps to prevent and deter crime.

Los Angeles Downtown News last week reported on the 2018 crime statistics. While the violent crime rate fell 7.7% from the previous year, the total number of “Part 1” crimes, the term for the most serious offenses, increased 6.1%.

Compare the figures to 2014 and the situation is very disconcerting: There were 1,113 violent crimes in 2014, and 1,925 in 2018. The trend extends to property crime: There were 3,240 incidents in 2014, and 5,517 last year.

One contributing factor to the skyrocketing figures is the rising Downtown population, as well as the increasing number of visitors, whether tourists or those who come here for a game, dinner or something else. There are more potential victims than in the past, and criminals always take advantage of opportunity.

The best thing people can do to reverse the overall trend is to take common-sense safety steps. We should never have to remind someone to lock their car or apartment door, even if they are, say, darting away for a minute to grab a coffee, but sometimes people forget. By this point in time it would seem apparent that no one should leave a phone, tablet computer or anything of value visible in their car, but it still happens all the time. In fact, there are breakin teams that operate in certain areas — particularly in the environs of Staples Center and the Convention Center — that can smash a window and grab an item in seconds. As Downtown News reported last summer, some teams case various blocks and hit a few vehicles in the span of a couple minutes.

Downtowners also need to report every crime, even if it’s a snatched bag with little of value or a broken window in a car in which the perpetrator steals some clothing. Although the financial loss may be minimal, the data informs police where crime is happening, and enough instances in a specific neighborhood will spark a redeployment of forces.

This is a modern city. Crime won’t go away, ever. Sometimes random and horrible things will happen.

But a community can work together and help the police. It’s a cliché, but it’s still true: Everyone has a role to play in keeping Downtown safe.

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COMMENTS

Regarding the column “For Team Huizar, Winter Is Here” by Jon Regardie Wow, you guys are really throwing our councilman under the bus. Mom always said never kick a dog when it’s down. For heaven’s sake, it was just Christmas.

Think of his kids.

—Keri Freeman The entire city political system is a corrupt mess. Developers donate to political campaigns to get every development approved, except for the affordable housing that is needed. Local state legislators are just as bad if not worse. Districts have gotten so big through population growth that constituents and their representatives no longer feel connected and the electeds start catering to corporate interests. Voters become more cynical as nothing that is needed gets done and they give up, which just empowers corporate interests more. There is no voter appetite for the tough real solutions — increase the number of seats on legislative bodies to reduce district size, lower campaign costs, lower salaries once districts have fewer constituents and hope for more community-invested candidates who are less likely to be corrupted. In the meantime, before the next regularly scheduled elections, there must be a change so that the County Board of Supervisors, the City Council and EDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre

S I N C E 19 7 2 Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-533-6990 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com

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January 13, 2019

ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb, Leann Hernandez OFFICE MANAGER: Claudia Hernandez

LAUSD districts are all redrawn by a commission similar to the process the state of California uses to stop this insane practice of incumbents drawing their own districts.

I concur that the FBI doesn’t expend resources lightly. I doubt this is the end. Rather, it is probably the beginning.

—Brock Evans Regarding the article “Dodger Stadium Gondola Moves Forward” Where will fans who plan to use the gondola park at Union Station?

—Jan Atkins

Hey You! Speak Up! Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like, or dislike, a story or editorial, let us know. Or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community.

Participation is easy. Post a comment online at the bottom of any story, or go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, email regardie@downtownnews.com.

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JANUARY 21, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 5

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

More Havoc, More Cowbell

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The Teachers’ Strike Takes Its Toll, And Some Things Get Weird

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photo by Jon Regardie

A huge crowd of teachers and their supporters thronged San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo last week. They railed against a charter school organization and enjoyed songs from the band Ozomatli.

By Jon Regardie have seen the teachers, nurses, librarians and other Los Angeles Unified School District employees who have walked off their jobs and gone on strike, and the sight is inspired and infectious. I have heard the clari-

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THE REGARDIE REPORT on call for better pay and smaller classes. And I have observed something I never expected in a labor dispute: A lot of cowbell.

As I stood amidst the teachers and their supporters who gathered on San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo on Tuesday, Jan. 15, I saw a man holding a small purple cowbell emblazoned with the logo of the union SEIU 721. Steps away a woman wore a fullsized brown cowbell around her neck, and a few feet from her, another woman grasped a black mini-cowbell that bore the emblem of TD Bank. There was not a bovine in sight, but there were people tooting horns and banging drums. Others tilted their head back and put their lips to a vuvuzela, those elongated droning instruments last seen making a racket at the 2010 South Africa World Cup. But again and again, I heard the cowbell.

I had to wonder, just like the old “Saturday Night Live” skit, did the union United Teachers Los Angeles, in its advisory whipping up protesters, say that the action outside LAUSD headquarters on Monday morning was dandy, but that on Tuesday, they really wanted more cowbell.

The force the teachers showed at the Tuesday gathering and at other rallies last week was powerful. It helps explain why, in polls and published reports, you repeatedly hear how avidly the general public supports the teachers. They’re winning the PR fight and it’s not even close.

Still, just like the cowbells, some elements of the strike that has roiled Los Angeles feel upside-down. That feeling starts with UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl.

As a leader, the guy is an odd duck. He can

fire up a crowd of supporters, but time and again he pointlessly slams LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner. I’m not sure what lesson he thinks his insults and behavior is delivering to kids.

Then there is Caputo-Pearl’s assault on charter schools. The Tuesday rally was outside the Downtown offices of the California Charter Schools Association.

I get why the crowd was there: UTLA charges that charter schools are “siphoning” students away from the district. Since the state pays school districts a set amount for each student, the district loses money when parents decide their child can get a better education at a charter school than a traditional public school.

Of course, another motive to attack the charter group is that most charter schools are non-unionized. The fact that both charters and traditional public schools have the same mission — educating kids for free — doesn’t seem to matter.

But here’s the kicker: The CCSA has nothing to do with the impasse between the union and the LAUSD. While UTLA wants a moratorium on new charters, the negotiations are only between the District and the union, and charters are not even a negotiating point.

This is like having an argument with your neighbor Mr. Apples over property lines, and then for no reason you walk a block over and kick another neighbor, Mr. Oranges, in the groin, because he too owns property.

There’s also an inherent irony as the UTLA lashes out against the CCSA: Charter schools in Los Angeles employ thousands of teachers. Boil it down and you have one group of teachers bashing another group of teachers.

If you want to make it educational, take a lesson from a book every middle school student reads: Animal Farm. In George Orwell’s tome, one of the Seven Commandments of Animalism is, “All animals are created equal.”

But after the insurrection, it is tweaked to, “All animals are equal, but some are more equal Continued on page 6

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6 DOWNTOWN NEWS

STRIKE, 5 than others.”

The current lesson seems to be, “All teachers are equal, but UTLA teachers are more equal than charter teachers.”

Money Interpretation It’s easy to grasp why the teachers have taken to the streets. For decades they have faced a swollen and often inept LAUSD bureaucracy. Teachers frequently spend their own money on supplies for their students.

Classes of 40 or more kids can hamper successful learning.

Beutner agrees. He has acknowledged each of those points, and has called on the union to work with LAUSD to lobby Sacramento for more money. Caputo-Pearl tends to ignore the logic in the request and instead charges that the district is hoarding cash.

Negotiations have gone nowhere for 20 months, even if a solution appears to be in sight. LAUSD has offered teachers a 6% pay raise with half in the current school year and the other half backdated to 2017; UTLA wants 6.5% retroactive to 2016. A skilled negotiator should have them singing kumbaya on that matter within 20 minutes.

The greater concern is class size, with UTLA demanding more teachers, nurses, counselors, etc. This would of course mean more potential members for the union, which matters in the wake of a court ruling that says public employees no longer need

to automatically pay union dues.

The Friday before the strike began, Beutner offered a $130 million hiring package.

UTLA shot it down, and demanded that the district use a large chunk of a $1.8 billion reserve fund to go on a hiring spree.

Beutner responded as he did 93 times before, saying that a significant portion of the $1.8 billion is already set aside for raises, and the remainder will disappear as the district confronts a revenue imbalance sparked by declining enrollment on one side, and rising pension and healthcare costs on the other.

He says LAUSD will lose hundreds of millions a dollars a year, and that a hiring binge will lead to insolvency.

A county study backs up the District’s stance. Still, Caputo-Pearl rails against the data, though he has produced no counter-evidence.

Dude, Where’s My Leadership?

The strike has slammed Los Angeles. The families of 500,000 students last week struggled with kids who were bored and frustrated. Only about one-third of the students showed up for class, and the district lost more than $10 million in state money every day.

And pity the teachers who spent much of last week walking picket lines or attending marches in cold rain (not to mention their lost salaries). If no one has developed pneumonia, it will be a miracle.

All of this sparks another question: Where was the leadership that could find common ground before the strike?

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It seems to have gone the way of the dodo. For months, the people with real juice seemed content to sit on the sidelines, waiting for the situation to fix itself. Even when UTLA halted negotiations the Friday before the strike, no one in power twisted arms to get Caputo-Pearl back to the bargaining table over the weekend.

A buzz finally started in the middle of last week, and on Thursday the sides talked for the first time in six days. At press time progress was being made. It’s possible there has already been a breakthrough.

Mayor Eric Garcetti got deeply enmeshed in the situation last week, and while that’s a positive, it’s fair to ask why he didn’t wield his powers before the walkout. Admittedly the mayor of L.A. has no jurisdiction over the LAUSD, but Garcetti is the guy who’s all

JANUARY 21, 2019

#MayorsGetThingsDone and is positioning himself to run for president. If he thinks he can bring the country together, he should be able to do something with a union and a school district.

Garcetti prefers to solve conflicts behind the scenes, and maybe he’s not comfortable with using the bully pulpit. Or perhaps he think there is more political cachet in being the guy who steps in and helps stop a teachers’ strike, that it generates better headlines than preventing one in the first place. Maybe it’s something else — this mayor is always planning and running scripts for the future.

Whatever happens, at least one week of learning has been shot. Los Angeles has seen an ugly divide, and even if it’s bridged, it won’t be forgotten. regardie@downtownnews.com

The Central City Crime Report

By Nicholas Slayton n the Central City Crime Report, we survey a recent week in public safety. All information is provided by the LAPD’s Central Division.

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Early on Dec. 16, a woman entered a San Pedro Street flower shop, grabbed another woman’s purse, then fled.

Two people got into a fight on Ninth Street on the morning of Dec. 16. One tried to stab the other with a screwdriver, and was arrested.

An individual wearing a hood and carrying a gun barged into the office of a Flower Street restaurant on the morning of Dec. 16 and demanded money from an employee. The worked complied, and the assailant fled with the cash.

Two people were in a car on Flower Street on the afternoon of Dec. 17. Someone ran up and pepper sprayed both of them in the face.

A man carrying his bicycle while riding the Expo Line on Dec. 16 was approached

by approximately 10 people, who tried to take the bike. When the man exited the train at the Pico stop on Flower Street, he was punched and his money was stolen.

A known shoplifter went into a coffee shop at Second and San Pedro streets on the afternoon of Dec. 16. The person grabbed a sandwich and left without paying.

Three people got into an argument on the sidewalk at Seventh and Olive streets on the evening of Dec. 16. Two people began punching and hitting the third, and the victim was struck in the head repeatedly with a bicycle lock.

On Dec. 17, a woman set her backpack down in a hallway at Union Station. An unidentified individual grabbed it and fled the station.

On the evening of Dec. 17, an unidentified individual asked another person for the time. When the latter pulled out a phone, the first person grabbed it, brandished a knife and ran off. nicholas@downtownnews.com

BI ANNNUAL EDUCATION GUIDE LA Downtown News proudly presents its biannual look into the best traditional education and alternative learning options in the Los Angeles area.

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JANUARY 21, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 7

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

FBI Investigation Spreads to Downtown Developers Federal Search Warrant Mentions Foreign Investors, City Hall Staffers and Public Officials

By Sean P. Thomas he FBI investigation that has hampered 14th District City Councilman José Huizar appeared to spread last week, with indications that federal authorities are looking into a group of people in City Hall, as well as a collection of Downtown Los Angeles developers.

On Jan. 12, George Washington University counterterrorism expert Seamus Hughes posted information on Twitter about a warrant related to the investigation. The warrant, which according to U.S. District Court documents was issued on July 20, ordered Google to turn over documents and correspondence involving former Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Ray Chan. Chan also served as general manager of the city Department of Building and Safety.

According to the warrant, FBI agents have requested information related to projects “in and around Los Angeles that relate to foreign investors” including Shenzhen New World Group, Shenzhen Hazens, Greenland, and Oceanwide.

Each of the companies is either in construction on or has submitted plans to construct large projects in and around Downtown. Shenzhen New World Group Investments owns the L.A. Grand Hotel, and announced plans last year to construct a 77-story hotel in the site.

Shenzhen Hazens owns the Luxe Hotel on Figueroa Street near L.A. Live and has been working on a plan to replace it with two high-rise towers.

Greenland USA, the American subsidiary of a Shanghai-based corporation, is building the 736-condominium Metropolis project adjacent to L.A. Live, and Oceanwide is erecting a $1 billion development in South Park.

Executives including Fuer Yuan, founder of Shenzhen Hazens, and Wei Huang, president of Shenzhen New World Group, were also included in the search warrant.

David Chaiken, an attorney for Shenzhen Hazens, said he was unable to comment.

Phone calls to Shenzhen New World Group were not returned.

The issue exploded Nov. 7, when FBI agents searched Huizar’s home, and his City Hall and Boyle Heights offices. Agents were seen leaving his offices and home with boxes and electronic equipment. The bureau confirmed that the IRS was involved in the investigation and that seven search warrants were issued, but did not provide further details.

No one has been arrested in relation to the case and no charges have been filed.

The warrant sought information relating to a number of City Hall figures. In addition to Chan, who has left city government and currently works as a consultant, it mentioned Joel Jacinto, who in 2015 was appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti to the city Board of Public Works.

On Friday afternoon, the Los Angeles Times reported that Jacinto had stepped down from his post.

Alex Comisar, Garcetti’s press secretary,

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said in an email that the mayor’s office has not received any request for information from federal authorities.

“I’ve got zero tolerance for any unethical behavior in City Hall,” Garcetti said in a prepared statement. “Angelenos deserve public servants who bring integrity to everything they do in and outside of City Hall — and that will always be my demand of anyone who serves.”

Two Huizar staff members were also mentioned in the warrant. It cited Shawn Kuk,

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ACCORDING TO THE WARRANT, INVESTIGATORS HAVE REQUESTED FINANCIAL RECORDS RELATING NOT ONLY TO HUIZAR, BUT ALSO HIS MOTHER ISIDRA HUIZAR, AND HIS BROTHER SALVADOR HUIZAR. Huizar’s planning director, and George Esparza, a former aide.

Esparza left Huizar’s office last January, and currently works as chief of staff to state Assemblywoman Wendy Carillo. He could not be reached for comment, but told the Los Angeles Times that he grew uncomfortable while working for Huizar’s office.

In an email, Kuk declined to comment.

According to the warrant, investigators have requested financial records relating not only to Huizar, but also his mother Isidra Huizar, and his brother Salvador Huizar.

Additionally, investigators were seeking information pertaining to potential instances of conspiracy, bribery and kickbacks concerning federal funds, as well as extortion and money laundering.

Ninth District City Councilman Curren Price was also named in the warrant. According to Angelina Valencia, Price’s communications director, the councilman was unaware of “any of the matters of the warrant,” and will cooperate with the investigation.

Another person mentioned in the warrant was Deron Williams, the chief of staff to Council President Herb Wesson. Wesson was guarded in comments last week about the investigation.

“I personally did not know anything about these things until they were reported in the media,” Wesson said at a luncheon at The Palm hosted by the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum on Monday, Jan. 14. He added, “I have not been contacted personally and have no knowledge, I cannot make responses or comments on things that I know knowing about.”

Wesson acknowledged that there has been “drama” in City Hall. He mentioned the effort to preserve integrity within the seat of government, stating a goal is that, “when we finish this process that the integrity still stands.”

Jon Regardie and Nicholas Slayton contributed to this report. sean@downtownnews.com

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8 DOWNTOWN NEWS

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JANUARY 21, 2019

Setting Sail With The Mermaid Little Tokyo Bar Stands Out for Its Nautical Theme And the Focus on Working With Women-Owned Businesses

By Sean P. Thomas hen Arelene Roldan and Katie Kildrow opened the nautical-themed cocktail bar The Mermaid in Little Tokyo last summer, they wanted their business to match their world view.

That involves more than just serving fun drinks, and instead touches on some of the gender-equality issues garnering attention in almost every sector of American life.

The bar has the feel of a neighborhood cocktail haunt, dark but not dreary, with a teal-powered color scheme and attention-grabbing features such as the vintage diving helmet near the entrance and the porthole where patrons can catch a glimpse of televised mermaids.

The roster of fun cocktail concoctions includes the Golden Shellback, made with rye, apple spice syrup, lemon juice and grated cinnamon, and the Siren Song, fashioned from gin, lime cordial, lime juice and fresh dill.

What separates the spot in Honda Plaza on Second Street from other themed bars is the owners’ focus on working with female-driven companies. They are specifically looking for alcohol suppliers and other businesses where women play a pivotal role.

They have found a number of options, with plans to further build upon the roster.

“There are a lot of great independent spirits that are coming out that have women at the helm,” Roldan said on a recent weekday afternoon prior to opening. “It’s kind of a conscious effort. We’re now asking our suppliers who is at the top of the company? Are women in charge? What kind of roles are women playing in your company?”

That doesn’t mean purchasing spirits from businesses where women are sprinkled into minor roles. Roldan and Kildrow are looking for companies where women are decision makers and power players.

“We want the hard roles,” Kildrow said.

“Distiller, blender, CEO, whatever. I think a lot of times those are really male-dominated roles. We have the opportunity to buy a couple of bottles here and a couple of bottles there and really support fellow women who are doing what we are also trying to do.”

The ultimate goal is to have an entire shelf of the bar dedicated to spirits from women-owned businesses, as well as a bar book dedicated to their drinks. The tome, tentatively titled Spirits and Stories, will also chart the paths of their female-led partners.

The pair has a partnership with the Jamaican rum company Appleton Estate, led by Joy Spence, the world’s first female master blender, and La Diablada, founded in 2006 in Peru by Melanie Asher. The rum is found in the bar’s most popular cocktail, the Mermaiden Voyage, which includes a pair of rum varieties, along with lime cordial, lime juice, mint and hibiscus syrup.

The female-centric focus has helped get people to sample the cocktail.

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“When they hear that it’s female-owned, everybody wants to try it,” Roldan said. “There is definitely support and interest.”

The approach extends to the bar’s name.

Being in Little Tokyo, Kildrow and Roldan wanted a theme that fit the neighborhood.

After reading a news article on Japanese female free divers called ama (which roughly translates to “sea woman” in Japanese), they were sold. They settled on the moniker The Mermaid.

“We thought, wow, these women are badass,” Kildrow said. “This place is women-owned, women-focused, and this is a great name to fit the nautical theme.”

Taking the Plunge Kildrow and Roldan are veterans of the Los Angeles bar and restaurant scene, and together have more than 30 years of experience in the industry.

Kildrow moved to Los Angeles 11 years ago from Wisconsin and started bartending at the Red Lion Tavern in Silver Lake.

She then moved to the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park. Eventually, she and a few partners opened the nearby small breakfast and lunch spot Lemon Poppy Kitchen; it is in a strip mall close to a karate dojo and a laundromat.

Roldan is a fourth-generation Angeleno who attended Long Beach State. She be-

Arelene Roldan, right, and Katie Kildrow opened The Mermaid in Little Tokyo in August. A cornerstone of their business is trying to work with women-owned companies.

photo by Gary Leonard

ly housed Tapas and Wine Bar C. The bar was still in good condition, which made the transition smooth.

A friend helped with the design choices, which include kelp-colored wallpaper, green stools, deep-diver inspired lamps, and seashell-esque booths.

Kildrow said they were attracted to the location — Honda Plaza includes the landmark eatery Sushi Gen — and the neighborhood vibe.

“Everyone knows this location,” she said.

“We’re next to some really world-class restaurants. It’s amazing to me how many people walk to this plaza.”

grow, but right now we’re trying to support those avenues and bring awareness to some of those smaller nonprofits around locally.”

Another weekly event is Women Crush Wednesday, which shines a spotlight on women in the bar industry. It includes guest bartenders and special drink additions.

The idea was applauded by Jordan Catapano, who with her sister founded the Los Angeles bartending service This Girl Walks Into a Bar in 2010. Catapano said women in the industry are often overlooked, despite their growing presence in the field, especially as owners.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Catapano said of the

The bar in Little Tokyo’s Honda Plaza features tropical drinks and a nautical theme.

photo by Gary Leonard

came fond of the dive bar scene and after college opened Bar One Tap Room in North Hollywood with her husband. They sold it after a decade, and she began looking for her next move.

“That was a milestone for me,” Roldan said.

“It had been 10 years, and my goal was to own a few other different bars at that point.

So that’s when I decided to close it, and when I met Katie.”

The pair described their introduction as a business “blind date” facilitated through a mutual friend. They decided they shared a similar vision and within a month were scouting locations.

They looked at numerous spaces in Downtown and beyond, and ultimately settled on the spot at 428 E. Second St. that previous-

The pair signed a lease in June, and by August, The Mermaid had set sail.

Charting a Course After nearly six month, Kildrow said the bar is getting a foothold. It has a cadre of regulars and schedules events including trivia, karaoke and music video nights.

The roster includes the Cocktail for a Cause program. During select periods (sometimes a week, sometimes months), $2 from specific drinks is donated to area charities. Beneficiaries have included the Little Tokyo Service Center’s transitional housing program for domestic abuse victims, the Downtown Women’s Center and the Foundation for Women Warriors.

“We’re trying to pick women-centric organizations,” Kildrow said. “That [lineup] might

approach of The Mermaid owners. “It’s so wonderful that first of all, they opened this as women, but also that one of their goals is to give back to women. I think that is so reflective of the female culture of wanting to help each other and help lift each other up.”

The Downtown bar scene is fickle and competitive, and numerous high-profile establishments have closed in recent years.

Kildrow and Roldan are hoping that they have found a niche, as well as the goods, to keep crowds coming back.

They said that as the food and drink experience in Downtown continues to grow, they are happy to be a part of the journey.

The Mermaid is at 428 E. Second St. or themermaidla.com. sean@downtownnews.com

JANUARY 21, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

HEALTHY LIVING L I F E B E YO N D T H E GY M Staying Fit Doesn’t Have to Mean a Regimen of Weights and Cardio Machines When it comes to working out, there are two kinds of people: Those who go to the gym and do a regimen of cardio and weights, and those who can’t fathom the idea. The latter are frequently bored to tears by the concept of running, pedaling or rowing for 30 minutes without actually going anywhere. These individuals would rather iron clothes than pump iron.

Still, as we all know, exercising and getting the heart rate going several times a week is vital for long-term health. So even if you can’t get down with the traditional gym visit, there are plenty of other options. Below, a trio of Los Angeles Downtown News staffers detail what they do to stay in shape while avoiding a stale routine.

It’s Not a Layup. It’s an Adventure Why Basketball Is the Real ‘Beautiful Game’

By Jon Regardie or most basketball players, the layup is the easiest shot possible. I’ve got a different opinion regarding the simple act of bouncing the ball off the backboard and into the hoop: It’s not a layup. It’s an adventure.

I play basketball regularly and have for years, but I still miss too many layups. It’s frustrating, like those times you accidentally walk into a door jamb and a bolt of pain shoots through your shoulder. (That’s not just me, right?) Still, when it comes to exercising, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than on the court.

When I’m running on a track, I generally think of all the other things I could be doing.

When I run on the basketball court, the only thing on my mind is the people I’m playing with and where and how to move on offense and defense. I’ve got a weekly game with a group of men around my age, and it can mean playing nonstop for 90-120 minutes.

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Afterwards I’m soaked in sweat and my body feels like it’s been leveled by a bull. But it also feels great.

Many people refer to soccer as the “beautiful game,” but I maintain that the honor goes to basketball. Play frequently enough and you come to embrace the physical aspects of the sport, but also the mental ones. Get on the court each week and you learn that some plays depend on brute force, while others happen only with finesse, basketball IQ or a bit of trickery. Sometimes success is about speed, but it can also be about recognizing and utilizing angles.

Play enough and you learn your “game,” and the ways you can contribute on the court. Some people can drain deep threes all day. That’s not me. Other soar high for rebounds and putbacks. That’s also not me.

My game is about continual movement and quickness, about seeing an opening and darting down the lane, hoping a teammate will hit me with a pass for a layup. Other

Hitting the Trail Once You Learn That You Don’t ‘Win’ at Hiking, Things Get Easier

By Sean P. Thomas remember the exact moment that I truly began to understand the appeal of hiking.

It was about two years ago. I had just moved from Stockton to Calaveras County to get closer to the newspaper where I worked.

If you’ve ever been to Calaveras County, you know that there are essentially three ways to fill your weekend: eating (if you happen to get to a restaurant before 9 p.m.), gold rush museums or hiking. I fig-

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ured I’d give the latter a shake.

A coworker recommended I download a trail app for my smartphone. I did, then I packed a satchel bag with water bottles, laced up a pair of worn-out Nikes, and hopped in my car to find a nice place to test out this whole hiking idea.

I settled on Natural Bridges Trail, an intermediate two-mile hike that wraps around a hillside and leads into a river cave. Based on the pictures I had seen, I figured I’d at least get a cool Instagram photo out of it.

Continued on page 10

times I run when I don’t have to, hoping to tire out an opponent or mess with his focus.

I can be just enough of a pest on defense to matter. Three pointers are beyond my range, but what’s important is that I’ve learned my range, and know how to sneak open near the foul line so I sink the occasional jump shot. That, of course, presumes that I remember to jump. Sometimes I get tired and am flat footed. Sometimes I have plenty of energy and am still flat-footed.

Basketball can be inexplicable. Some days I feel great before we start, and then toss up bricks all day while the people I’m guarding blow by me. But occasionally everything clicks, my rusty mechanics are magically oiled, and I’ll move easily and sink more shots than I should.

There’s nothing like that feeling when it all works for a couple hours. It truly is a beautiful game.

Then it ends, and I need a bunch of Advil.

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10 DOWNTOWN NEWS

JANUARY 21, 2019

HEALTHY LIVING

One Punch After Another

HIKING, 9 At this point I should mention that I was never a big hiker. In fact, I was never a big walker. When I was younger, my dad would drag me out of our Oakland home every Wednesday afternoon to walk various trails and pathways across the city, most frequently the 3.1mile Lake Merritt loop.

To him, it was paradise. But as a stubborn and competitive 8-year-old, the trail felt endless and the entire effort quickly grew tiresome and pointless. Unlike the baseball games that I grew up playing, there was no way to win at hiking.

So imagine my surprise when, almost 17 years later, I found myself taking in the sun-kissed foliage and glistening riverbeds at Natural Bridges. I finally began to understand what my father took away from his weekly walks.

It wasn’t about getting from point A to point C. It was all about reveling in the journey and taking in the scenery. It also helps that by the end of the hike my body felt like it had been run through the ringer (in retrospect, I should have started with an easier trail). I got my workout in, and felt like I accomplished something.

That’s the beauty of hiking. You take it at your own pace and find the right incline or grade to fit your skill level. Each trip is its own workout, sprinkled with a perfect amount of adventure and intrigue. If you’re feeling competitive, you can try to beat your personal best.

Now my girlfriend and I try our best to take a healthy hike at least once a week. We pick different parts of the city, slap a leash on the dog, and set out to find something that we’ve never seen before. It’s become a cherished routine of ours. I can point back to that afternoon in Calaveras County as the hike that started it all.

The Challenging and Rewarding Nature of Boxing

By Nicholas Slayton started boxing 18 months ago, following recommendations from two friends. It was never something I intended to do; I’m a nonviolent person who never saw himself in a fight.

Still, I’ve been physically active for years, getting into weight training, running 5Ks, even mud runs. But it all felt unfocused. I wanted something where I could work on skill, precision and put strength into a specific task.

So I tried boxing.

I was not expecting that I would be hooked.

It turns out, boxing is less about the actual violence of the sport and more about the technique. Yes, you put your

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force into a punch, but boxing is also about when to hit something as opposed to how hard. Trainers drill the mental aspect of the sport, testing out your opponent’s defenses, slowly working your way into striking distance, and timing the jab and cross combinations that will bring the other person down.

The mix of footwork, punches, dodging and keeping an eye on your opponent can be overwhelming at first, but soon becomes a fun challenge.

Boxing is also just an incredible workout. Whether it’s basic fitness drills or clobbering away at a heavy bag until the clock ticks down to the buzzer, there’s a focus on stamina and endurance.

It’s a full-body workout. The con-

stant footwork leaves calves burning, while you work your core thanks to all of those hip twists and rolls from the punching. The padded gloves, which feel light and soft when you put them on, drag like anchors after a few rounds as you struggle to keep your hands up.

Each hook or cross takes more effort to throw. By the end of a session you’re drenched in sweat.

Another bonus of boxing is that it’s rarely the same workout. You’re constantly moving around, facing off against different trainers or partners who each have their own fighting style, height, speed or skill level.

I had to take a break last year due to a back injury, but after picking the sport up again in the last few months, it’s been a rewarding exercise, both physically and mentally.

Sometimes the best way to clear the mind is to put on some padded gloves and start hitting a heavy bag.

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

HEALTHY LIVING FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

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JANUARY 21, 2019 photos courtesy L.A. Art Show

12 DOWNTOWN NEWS

CALENDAR

Big Art in a Big Venue Convention Center Hosts Annual Showcase of Works From Around the Globe The 24th annual Los Angeles Art Show will feature thousands of artworks spread across more than more than 200,000 square feet of space. Some 120 galleries will participate in the event that runs Wednesday-Sunday, Jan. 23-27.

By Sean P. Thomas n the last decade, Downtown Los Angeles has emerged as a vibrant center of the global art scene. Longstanding institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the California African American Museum have been joined by arrivals including The Broad and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Collectors now flock to a batch of Arts District galleries offering works from some of the next generation of prominent artists.

Downtown also hosts a huge annual art show, and while it is unlikely to shake the international art market, on a square footage basis it is one of the biggest art events in the city.

The 24th annual Los Angeles Art Show returns to Downtown on Wednesday-Sunday, Jan. 23-27. More than 200,000 square feet of exhibition space in the Los Angeles Convention Center will be filled with work from more than 120 galleries representing at least 18 countries. The happening includes special exhibitions that highlight the

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contemporary art world.

This year’s iteration focuses on the art of Latin American and Pacific Rim cultures. Kim Martindale, L.A. Art Show’s co-founder and director, said that some of the most important contemporary artists are coming out of those regions.

“I feel that Los Angeles is the heart of the Pacific Rim and the center of a lot of what is happening in the art world,” Martindale said.

Still, he added, there remains a focus on the creative output from other parts of the world. A showcase on Asia and Latin America doesn’t mean other mainstays are left behind.

“We will never turn out back on Europe,” Martindale said. “There are amazing artists and traditions in Europe.”

The show began in 1995 at the Pasadena Convention Center. It moved to the L.A. Convention Center in 2009. The shift allowed the event to greatly expand its roster and floor space. About 70,000 people attended last year, and turnout is expected to be similar this week.

Most of the work at the show is for sale,

and the offerings include paintings, photographs, sculptures and installations. Prices range from a few hundred dollars to the hundreds of thousands. Some works even hit the million-dollar range.

Single-day admission is $30, with four-day passes available for $60.

Brush Strokes Martindale said a highlight of this year’s show is a program centered on Pan-Asian ink painting. Eight galleries will feature the work of artists from Japan, China and South Korea.

The displays will showcase the evolution of brush painting techniques, from traditional and historical styles to contemporary uses.

Martindale said that the art form is largely unknown to Western audiences. London-based collector Michael Goedhuis will exhibit the works.

“It’s kind of like if Asians didn’t pay attention to oil painting,” Martindale said. “There are so many genres, styles and schools, and so many great artists who are doing great things with ink painting.”

Still, the greatest component of the

show focuses on modern and contemporary artwork. Another option is the “Roots” section, which highlights historical art and modern artists who still utilize older styles and techniques.

“People can come and really get a feel for art, rather then just cutting-edge contemporary or performance pieces,” Martindale said.

Also back at the Art Show is the annual DiverseLA section. Now in its third year, it dedicates 50,000 square feet of space to art that highlights civic engagement and sociopolitical issues.

Marisa Caichiolo curates the program. She said that while most of the Los Angeles Art Show is a commercial venture, she approaches DiverseLA as an educational platform, one where artists, museums and other nonprofit institutions can engage on a more personal level with the general public.

“It’s an ambitious project, and at the same time, it’s incredible that the fair is open to having this amazing space set aside for nonprofits,” Caichiolo said.

Continued on page 16

JANUARY 21, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 13

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Loss, Love and Steely Dan A Mid-Life Crisis Turns Humorous in ‘Linda Vista’

Choreographer Jérôme Bel brings together dance professionals and amateurs of diverse backgrounds to create a joyous communal celebration both on stage and off.

photo by Craig Schwartz

Ian Barford is Wheeler, a 50-year-old man trying to put his life together, and Chantal Thuy plays Minnie, a younger woman who lives in his apartment complex, in Linda Vista. It is at the Mark Taper Forum through Feb. 17.

By Jeff Favre racy Letts’ voice as a playwright isn’t easy to peg. His canon varies from epic family melodrama (the Pulitzer Prize-winning August: Osage County) to quiet desperation (Man from Nebraska), with a deep dive into madness in the mix (Bug).

He wildly fluctuates tone, style and even length, but there are a few consistent elements, namely an acerbic and intelligent wit, an overarching cynicism and characters struggling with inner demons.

Those are on display in the understated and often humorous Linda Vista, which premiered in 2017 at Letts’ artistic home, Chicago’s long-revered Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Retaining some of its original cast, in particular lead Ian Barford, the two-act, nearly three-hour foray into the crumbling life of a 50-year-old self-proclaimed loser is running at the Mark Taper Forum through Feb. 17.

Deftly directed by Dexter Bullard, Linda Vista doesn’t feel nearly as long as its running time, but it may drag for younger viewers who miss a bevy of 1970s references, including what Ali MacGraw looked like with a perm (or even who she is) or the child-friendly aspects of The Apple Dumpling Gang.

The nuance younger people may miss the most is the connection that Wheeler (Barford) has with Steely Dan, the soft rock band who ardent fans think is vastly overlooked.

That’s Wheeler in a nutshell, as his nearly incessant stream of critical opinions are simultaneously self-deprecating and egotistical. He hates most new things — and most old things — other than jazz, the movies of Stanley Kubrick and great photographers, a group in which he doesn’t include himself.

A onetime Chicago newspaper photographer turned camera repairman, he now lives in the Linda Vista neighborhood in San Diego. The first scene has him moving from the home of his soon-to-be ex-wife and estranged teen son to a two-bedroom apartment in a complex with a pool. Their break-

T

up stems from an affair, though the details are sparse.

His days are spent at the repair shop with Michael (Troy West), the misogynistic, creepy owner, and young assistant Anita (Caroline Neff), who is trying to get her life in order.

His only friends appear to be college pals Paul (Tim Hopper) and wife Margaret (Sally Murphy). Worried about Wheeler, they set him up with a younger woman, Jules (Cora Vander Broek), whose profession baffles him.

She’s a life coach.

Despite her positive outlook and a love of karaoke and most everything Wheeler doesn’t like, she finds him attractive, and they retreat to his place for a funny and outrageous sex scene (the nudity is extensive but done mostly in low light).

If their relationship seems to strain credibility, it pales next to a potential new love interest, Minnie (Chantal Thuy), a rockabilly 20-something who lives with an abusive boyfriend.

Paul speaks for the audience when he says he can’t believe any younger woman would like this ultimate curmudgeon.

More than Letts’ words, it’s Barford’s performance that lends some plausibility. The harsh comments often are delivered with gentle sarcasm, and he allows vulnerability to come through his anger.

Letts has crafted dozens of laugh lines, and the sharp cast makes the most of them, in particular Vander Broek. As Jules, her shining moment is at the karaoke bar with a heartfelt rendition of Lisa Loeb’s “Stay.”

While not all the jokes land, and several will be lost by obscure references — many minutes are spent on the movie Barry Lyndon, for example — there are lots of universal moments.

A conversation about advice and deathbed fantasies delivered by Paul is one of the more wonderfully funny and insightful theatrical exchanges in recent memory.

Continued on page 16

CAP UCLA in association with Ford Theatres presents

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After more than 50 years, Elton John is wrapping up his touring career, and it wouldn’t be Sir Elton if he didn’t finish in style. The legendary performer is calling it quits with the massive 300-stop worldwide “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour, and fortunately for Downtown, the trek includes three dates this week at Staples Center. John has 30 studio albums to his name, and expect to hear favorites like “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Bennie and the Jets” and “I’m Still Standing,” among many others. Concerts are Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan. 22-23, and again on Friday. Pro tip: John is expected to hit the stage promptly at 8 p.m. with no opening act, so be sure to find your seat before the curtains draw. At 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or staplescenter.com.

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photo courtesy L.A. Phil

When Los Angeles-based choreographer Sebastian Hernandez premiered his explorative dance project Hypanthium at REDCAT last July, the work was in its infancy. It has been honed and shaped since then, and Hernandez returns to the Bunker Hill venue this week with a much fuller performance. Fleshed out with projections and sounds designed by a team of Los Angeles artists, Hypanthium mixes sensual and flowing movements with hints of humor. What’s it all about? Per REDCAT, “Three performers synthesize a pseudo kinship of queer femme moving bodies in Los Angeles, while recognizing the intensity of a hegemonic project that tries to assimilate them.” If that’s your thing, then flock to one of the performances at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 24-26. At 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

three

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

five

photo courtesy Los Angeles Police Department

photo courtesy Los Angeles Fire Department

The band Parquet Courts is all grown up. Since forming in 2010, the New York-based quartet with the accessible punk edge has shaken its early playful flavor, and these days offers more topical subject matter.

Parquet Courts (or Parkay Quarts for older fans) is playing at The Novo on Wednesday, Jan. 23, where you can expect to hear selections from their 2018 album Wide Awake! The title is a reference to themes including white privilege, violence and income inequality. So yeah, the punk ethos hasn’t evaporated. The band will take the stage at 9 p.m. and will be joined by rock group Snail Mail. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or thenovodtla.com.

photo by Vanessa Crocini

BY SEAN P. THOMAS

EVENTS

Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E.S. Onizuka St. Suite 301, (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com.

Jan. 21: Sean Harrison Group.

Jan. 22: Artyom Maukyan, Vardan Ovsepian.

Jan. 23: Jeff Babko El Musico Band with Kaveh Rastegar and Abe Rounds.

Jan. 24: Bob Reynolds Guitar Band.

Jan. 25: Gilad Hekselman Trio.

Jan. 26: Zach Danziger Group.

Jan. 27: David Binney’s residency continues.

Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org.

Jan. 21: Justus Proffit just won’t stop.

Jan. 22: John Hodgman is here, apparently as a judge, but he has Aimee Mann opening for him, which is really exciting.

Jan. 23: If you like the intentionally retro-sounding rock of Tame Impala, check out Disq.

Jan. 24: Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane.

Jan. 25: The Netherlands is a beautiful, strange place. Mozes and the Firstborn, a pop-rock act, hails from that glorious land.

Jan. 26: Alt-rock from Sunflower Bean.

Jan. 27: Luke Schwartz and his friends are doing a night of stories and music.

Continued on next page

photo courtesy Rocket Music

THE DON'T MISS LIST one

CALENDAR LISTINGS

MONDAY, JAN. 21 “Love from Amanda to Zoey” with Ian Mark The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com.

7:30 p.m.: Author Mark reads from his new novel and sits down for a discussion on his romantic prose.

Mystic Monday Resident, 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com.

8 p.m.: Enjoy a night of comedy with John Hallmann, Jeffrey Linneman and Ric Rosario.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23 “LAPD & LAFD: Readiness, Reform and Public Safety” at Town Hall-Los Angeles City Club, 51st Floor, 555 S. Flower St. or townhall-la.org 11:30 a.m.: LAPD Chief Michel Moore and LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas discuss public safety and how they make their departments ready for the unpredictable. The luncheon discussion is organized by Town Hall-Los Angeles.

THURSDAY, JAN. 24 Live Read of “Ms. Smith Goes to Washington” City Hall, 200 N. Spring St. or mssmith.org.

7:30 p.m.: “Scandal” cast members Bellamy Young, Joshua Malina and Jeff Perry reunite for this take on the classic movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”

How Has America Survived Two Centuries of Capitalism?

National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, 111 N. Central Ave. or zocalopublicsquare.org.

7:30 p.m. KCRW’s Warren Olney hosts a discussion with The Economist’s Adrian Woolridge about why the U.S. keeps sticking with capitalism, despite the many crashes. We’re curious too.

SATURDAY, JAN. 26 Uncorked: L.A. Wine Festival Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.com/happenings.

5 p.m.: Sample wines from across the state and the world and enjoy all things involving fermented grapes.

Who? Weekly The Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com 6 p.m.: Confused by celebrity pop culture? This podcast tries to explain it.

JANUARY 21, 2019

If you asked 100 people to hum a tune from a film, it’s likely that 99 of them would vocalize something written by John Williams.

Williams penned some of the most memorable modern scores, including those heard in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the Indiana Jones series and the soaring Jurassic Park theme. This week, Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic pay homage to the composer with four performances of a concert dubbed “Celebrating John Williams” at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The program will feature works from 11 of Williams’ scores synched to their respective film clips. The shows are Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 24-26, at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com. photo courtesy Parquet Courts

14 DOWNTOWN NEWS

four

One of the main talking points in Los Angeles heading into 2019 was how to update and organize during the increasingly frequent regional disasters. That will be one of the many topics on the table when LAPD Chief Michel Moore and LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas appear at a lunch discussion hosted by the organization Town Hall-Los Angeles. The program dubbed “LAPD & LAFD: Readiness, Reform and Public Safety” takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the City Club, on the 51st floor of the building at 555 S. Flower St. Los Angeles Downtown News Editor Jon Regardie will moderate the discussion that will delve into all manner of public safety concerns in the modern era. Make reservations in advance. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. at 555 S. Flower St. or townhall-la.org.

Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.

JANUARY 21, 2019

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

The Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or t heescondite.com.

Jan. 25: Sorry, fans of the canceled Netflix series “The Get Down.” The Getdown is a band, not the show.

Jan. 27: Wicklow Atwater doesn’t have to go home, but he can apparently stay here.

Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com.

Jan. 24: Wilkinson.

Jan. 25: Jason Ross.

Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

Jan. 25: Rock, pop and country crossover star Elle King talks about her new album and performs some songs.

Ham and Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eighth St. or hamandeggstavern.com.

Jan. 25: Shuggie Shooter, Breakup Hospital, Daylake.

Moroccan Lounge 901 E. First St., (213) 395-0610 or themoroccan.com.

Jan. 21: Postpunk meets psych rock, all while drenched in black, with Magic Wands.

Jan. 22: Rapper Harry Mack drops a new album.

Jan. 23: Des Rocs is a singer-songwriter, and is playing an early show this evening. Skip happy and go.

Jan. 24: Hip-hop act Juice has nothing to do with the Tupac film. We think. Youth Basketball opens.

Jan. 25: mxmtoon has a ukulele and is here for you.

Jan. 26: Jesse Boykins III keeps the soul revival going.

Jan. 27: Miserable. That’s a band, and our mental state.

Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com.

Jan. 24: Jane Holiday sings and plays guitar in the Arts District.

Jan. 25: Stay hip with the latest indie rock from Wild Moccasins.

Jan. 26: Rich Medina spins house music.

The Novo 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or thenovodtla.com.

Jan. 23: By now you’ve probably heard someone talk about rock group Parquet Courts. Find out what that person was talking about at this show.

Jan. 25: Jacquees sings and dances.

Jan. 26: Nucksal, Deepflow, Mommy Son, Loopy, Nafla.

The Redwood 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com.

Jan. 22: The Mike Livingston Duo continues its residency.

Jan. 23: Death on the Radio, plus Tarah Who?, Cure All and Knightenders with Minnie.

Jan. 25: Edgewater Angel, Elis Paprika & the Black Pilgrims, Les Enfants.

Jan. 27: Two Track Minds, The Dirtbags, Aelish, Blackwidow Chick.

The Regent 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com.

Jan. 21: Ensiferum, Septic Flesh, Arsis, Witherfall, Thorns of

Sin. Wow, that’s so hardcore.

Jan. 26: Dance to retro house music at the monthly Scam and Jam night.

The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org.

Jan. 25: Baby, Ian Sweet, Jody, Armand Paul with friendly.

Jan. 26: Whaja Dew, Gal Pal, Katatonic, Hex. Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com.

Jan. 23: It’s a night of dance music with Chrome Sparks and Teen Daze.

Jan. 25: K-Pop boy band duo MXM. Jan. 26: Rock band FIDLAR has a song called “Alcohol” where the chorus is just them shouting “alcohol.” Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Jan. 27: Corrosion of Conformity has been laying down heavy metal since many Millennials were in diapers. And they still shred.

MORE LISTINGS

Hundreds of listings of fun and interesting things to do in Downtown Los Angeles can also be found online at ladowntownnews.com/calendar: Rock, Pop & Jazz; Bars & Clubs; Farmers Markets; Events; Film; Sports; Art Spaces; Theater, Dance and Opera; Classical Music; Museums; and Tours.

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LEGAL CIVIL SUMMONS Summons (DISOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WITHOUT CHILDREN) Maria E. Pfister 505 W. Baseline Road, #1032 Tempe, AZ 85283 Petitioner Pro Se Katie DeYoung AZCLDP NO. 81226 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF MARICOPA NO. FN2018-092100 In the matter of: MARIA E. PFISTER, Petitioner and SAUL DE JESUS aka SAUL ACEVEDO, Respondent, FROM THE STATE OF ARIZONA TO: SAUL DE JESUS 18603 E. Colima Road, Apt. E Rowland Heights, CA 91748 1. A lawsuit has been filed against

were served. If this Summons and the other papers were served on you by a registered process server or Sheriff outside the State of Arizona, your Response must be filed within THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the date you were served, not counting the day you were served. Service by a registered process server or the Sheriff is complete when made.

Service by Publication in complete 30 days after the date of the first publication.

4. You can get a copy of the court papers filed in this case from the Petitioner at the address at the top of this paper, or from the Clerk of the Superior Court at the address listed in Paragraph 2 above.

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JANUARY 21, 2019

LA ART SHOW, 12

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Apartment Amenities: Breathtaking Views Spacious Floorplans Central Air & Heating Balconies / Urban Patios (Most Units) Deep Soaking Tubs Luxury Stainless Appliances & Finishes Sky Level 27th Floor Penthouse Units: Complimentary Wi-Fi & Basic Cable Waterfall Countertops Bosch Appliances Nest 3rd Generation Thermostats Up to 2 Parking Spaces Included On-Site: Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants

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This year’s section includes exhibits and collections from Marta Minujîn from Buenos Aires and French visual artist Sarah Trouche. While few Downtowners will know those names, other participants include LACMA and the Arts District-based Art Share LA. Unlike the rest of the show, the works found at DiverseLA are not for sale.

Under the Archway Another returning favorite is the Littletopia section. Created by New Orleans’ Red Truck Gallery and the late Juxtapoz Magazine co-founder Greg Escalante, it highlights notable pop, lowbrow and work from “Outsider” artists.

This year’s Littletopia section is being curated by Caro Buermann and Red Truck Gallery. Buermann described the work on display as “New Contemporary,” a mix of pop surrealism sprinkled with fantastical elements.

“It’s kind of like walking into my Instagram thread,” Buermann said. “I follow so many artists from all over the world and it’s great to bring them all together.”

Camille Rose Garcia will be awarded Littletopia’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Her work often touches on the failures of modern utopias, and frequently draws on images of vintage Disney cartoons.

Inglewood-based cardboard art duo Dosshaus were asked

by Buermann to design the archway that greets visitors to Littletopia.

“A lot of what we do is play with people’s sense of reality,” said David Connelly, who partners with Zoey Taylor in Dosshaus. “We thought this archway would be a fun experience to allow people to interact and pass through and into Littletopia.”

Martindale said that the art show continues to grow each year, but what he takes the most pride in is the diversity of people involved and the array of offerings.

Both experienced collectors and people who know nothing about art can find something interesting, he said. In the process, they can learn about the always shifting art world, and even bring something home.

The Los Angeles Art Show runs Wednesday-Sunday, Jan. 2327, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., (310) 822-9145 or laartshow.com. sean@downtownnews.com

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Bullard’s direction is spot-on for the material. His pacing is honest and allows each character room to grow.

The intricate blocking works well with Todd Rosenthal’s rotating stage depicting Wheeler’s home and work life.

It keeps the action centralized and eliminates the need for too many blackouts, while alluding to the sense that Wheeler is moving but not really going anywhere.

Bullard refrains from overwrought moments. It’s simply life, warts and all.

Wheeler at one point talks about only being able to know the world through your own point of view, which in the technical sense is true. That may be why Letts opted to make this exclusively from Wheeler’s perspective.

The problem with that, and it’s a shortcoming for Linda Vista, is it doesn’t allow for the three primary female characters to be more than a sounding board. They are suffering with serious problems, but we only see that in relation to Wheeler.

Of course, it’s not Letts’ obligation to make a play for everyone. Linda Vista, like Steely Dan, is finely crafted art with something to say — even if it seems to be speaking only to men dealing with mid-life issues and those who have to put up with them.

Linda Vista runs through Feb. 17 at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.