16 Downtown News
April 29, 2013
Celebrating 40 Years
CINCO DE MAYO CinCo de Sunday
Downtown Goes All Out on May 5 to Celebrate a Historic Battle by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR
D
on’t expect Sunday, May 5, to be a day of rest. Granted, it could be an opportunity to loll in bed and then pad about the house in sweats, but in Los Angeles plenty of people will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo. The occasion gets extra attention in Downtown, where families can take the day to learn a history lesson, hungry folks can fill up on some great Mexican food deals, and the party people have plenty of choices when it comes to places to get a tequila shot or a margarita. By the by, don’t be the person who boisterously claims to be happy celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates the unlikely Mexican victory against the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Below are 11 things to do in Downtown on Cinco de Mayo. Drink, Wrestle and Be Merry Mayan Mayhem: Every community has its traditions. In Downtown Los Angeles, Cinco de Mayo means the return of Lucha VaVoom, which famously combines masked Mexican wrestling, edgy comedy and some sultry burlesque moves. There will be some new masked faces at the May 5 event at the Mayan Theatre. Making their Lucha debut
will be DJ ChuCuChu and the song and dance act Li’l Homies. Also coming to the ring for the first time are the wrestlers Medico Asesino (Medical Assassin) and Li’l Li’l Cholo. Returning favorites include the tag team duo Matt Classic and Matt Classic Jr. The event will include a mariachi show, Aztec and folklorico dancers, tequila specials and tamales to fulfill the “dinner” portion of the night. At 1038 S. Hill St. or luchavavoom.com. El Rey Returns: After undergoing months of renovations, the famous King Eddy Saloon has reopened and is ready for a big time fiesta. The famous dive bar will open on Cinco de Mayo at noon, and while that’s not as early as it used to begin serving (dedicated drinkers could file in at 6 a.m. before the upgrade), it’s still three hours earlier than the regular 3 p.m.-2 a.m. schedule. There will be drink specials like $3 Modelo beer and $4 tequila shots. Those who haven’t been to the bar since it closed and reopened may want to check it out, since there’s new fancy art on the walls that is reminiscent of the 1940s and ’50s. At 131 E. Fifth St. or kingeddysaloon.com. Villains Delight: Those who want to combine deals on shots with a little food and a cool vibe can head over to the Art District’s Villains Tavern on May 5. The small bar
photo courtesy LuchaVaVoom
Mexican wrestlers, burlesque dancers and some comedy will take over the Mayan Theatre when Lucha VaVoom returns on Cinco de Mayo.
The Healing Alley
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