DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA

DOWNTOWN WEEKLY THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM VOL 20. NO 8 MAR 28 - APR 03, 2024

DTLA

MAKEOVER

ART LEWIN

BESPOKE CATY& KIM A T

SALONS BY JC EYE ON LITTLE TOKYO

INSIDE WELLER COURT

DIGNITY HEALTH

HEART IN THE CITY FEST

22THE FRESH NEW LOOK OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY

on the cover:

ART LEWIN BESPOKE

VOL 20. NO 8 MAR 28 - APR 03, 2024 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM

PHOTO: ERIC EPPERSON LOCATION: SOUTH PARK

THE TAILORS

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CATY & KIM hair studio...4 ART LEWIN BESPOKE...6 ELVIS AT TRULY...8 INSIDE WELLER COURT...9 DIGNITY HEALTH HEART IN THE CITY...10 MAP INSIDE...11 DTLA WEEKLY

editor and chief KERI FREEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Keri Freeman JACKSON ROBERTS ISRAEL VENTO VIOLA SATOR JACKSON ROBERTS BIJOU SAB

photography GARY LEONARD eric epperson keri Freeman

VIDEO & GRAPHIC Production @kerieatsdtla

social media art hunter

Special thanks to...

town Weekly is a news, event, MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES LIFESTYLE & Hospitality FREE & Council district 14 community resource. No portion this publication may be reproTHE CITY OF LA ofduced without express written ARTS DISTRICT permission from the publisher.

CHINATOWN DTLA WEEKLY, in support of local residents, businesses, workers CIVIC DISTRICT and visitors of Downtown Los AnBUNKER HILL geles, publishes DTLA WEEKLY. EXPO/USC Readers are recommended to HISTORIC CORE make appropriate inquiries beLITTLE TOKYO fore wagering any sum in relation to any ad, article or feature FASHION DISTRICT published herein. DTLA WEEKLY FINANCIAL DISTRICT will not be liable to any person loss or damage incurred or SKID ROW forsuffered as a result of his/her SOUTH PARK accepting, offering to accept or WAREHOUSE DISTRICT following any invitation or advice in any ad, article or THEGRAWN contained feature published herein.

ARTWALK NEWS

DTLA WEEKLY All rights reserved. Down-

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES WEEKLY

DTLA NEWS l EVENTS l LIFESTYLE I HOSPITALITY P.O. BOX 86601 - DTLA CA 90086 - WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM 888-732-DTLA (3852) @DTLAWEEKLY

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SQUARE ONE: OUR WARMEST WELCOME

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VOL 20. NO 8 MAR 28 - APR 03, 2024 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM

4 DTLA MAKEOVER: CATY & KIM HAIR STUDIO BY BIJOU SAB

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CATY & KIM hair studio: confident and beautiful

We all have bad hair days.

On some of those days, we can suck it up and make do with what we have within our reach. But what happens on those days that we can’t?

hairstylists. “It started when I came to Los Angeles from Guatemala,” said Caty.

Kim says, “It started my senior year when I would go on weekends to volunteer at a hair salon.”

“I've always been around the hair business.

FUN FACT: The Metropolis complex location sits at the center of it all. It’s been billed as "a city within a city." The complex is an incredible livable place, offering tenants everything from outdoor pools, lounges, eateries, health and beauty services, luxury condominiums, and nightlife entertainment venues, all with unbelievable views of Downtown Los Angeles.

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e can either suffer at the hands of our own, or while we have the luxury to, use the services of those who’ve trained hard enough to cater to our very own needs. This is where Caty and Kim Hair Salon has come to save the "bad hair day".

Located inside Salons by JC at the Metropolis in Downtown Los Angeles, these ladies provide hair coloring, highlights, styling, haircuts, hair treatments, and so on.

But that isn’t all; as most reviews have stated, this studio provides a positive environment for the clients as well as a magical service that is said to leave clients feeling confident and beautiful.

But, before getting into how they are now, let’s get into how these talented stylists started.

They built their own platforms based on their hands-on experiences being

My mom is a salon owner, so I started doing hair with her and my sister for 13 years.” said Caty.

“I started in high school during my senior year. I used to get my hair done

by Caty's mom when I was a little girl. I always liked doing hair and makeup, so my mom told me to come on weekends to help out. I started off sweeping and washing hair to get a vibe. I fell in love with the little things like blow-drying hair. I've been doing it for 9-10 years now.” said Kim.

“We were actually looking for a place to do our own thing. We were comfortable where we were for many years, but we wanted to take control of our inventory and be more independent. We found Salons at JC by looking for places nearby. We joined together and now we're here.” said the two.

While many hair salons offer just hair cuts and treatments, Caty and Kim’s hair studio at Salons by JC offer so much more.

While Caty and Kim still offer the regular hair treatments, they offer advice, tips, and tricks on how to take care of hair at home as well as providing tips to promote hair growth.

Caty & Kim are located at 877 Francisco St Los Angeles, CA 90017 Monday Sunday (appointment only). @hairstylist_caty

DT APPETITE: HEARTS & FLAME by Keri Freeman

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6 DTLA MAKEOVER: ART LEWIN BESPOKE BY VIOLA SATOR

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From ‘School of Hard Knocks’ to Hollywood Closets: Art Lewin Bespoke - since 1989

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rt Lewin, the man behind Art Lewin Bespoke, is a name that represents luxury and precision in the world of personalized tailoring. At 56, with an abundance of experience and a passion for his craft, Art Lewin Bespoke stands for mastery in the clothing industry when it comes to custom suits & custom shirts.

H

e wanted to step in his uncle’s footsteps and become a top 500 Fortune executive shark in the business world, “but I didn’t like school”, Lewin says with a smile. By the time he was 22 years old, he had dabbled in 26 jobs.

It was ‘The School of Many Hard Knocks’ that ultimately paved his journey into the world of tailoring in April 1989. “I was recruited into the business by another Bespoke tailor,” Art recounts, highlighting the serendipitous turn of events that set the course for his career.

Los Angeles TOP RANKED - ART LEWIN BESPOKE - PHOTO BY ERIC EPPERSON With six locations across Los Angeles, Art Lewin Bespoke is not just about crafting impeccably tailored Reflecting on the journey so far, with Underneath the stitching of high-twist suits and shirts, it’s about providing an confidence Art declares, yarn and fine, yet performance-enduring, experience of knowledge and comfort Italian and English materials, there’s a with a "touch of luxury.” At all of our 6 “We are kicking A$$ so far in 2024.” deeper meaning. Art Lewin believes it’s locations, we offer free Wifi, easy access Proof that unshakable commitment more than creating clothes; it’s about for seniors or wheelchairs, and we are of will lead to excellence and customer empowering people to thrive in their fields course super LGBTQ friendly,” Art states, satisfaction. and become the person they are meant emphasizing the inclusive atmosphere that to be. A mutually beneficial situation for defines his brand. everyone involved.

DTLA MAKEOVER: ART LEWIN BESPOKE BY VIOLA SATOR

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Los Angeles TOP RANKED

ART LEWIN BESPOKE in SOUTH PARK - PHOTO BY ERIC EPPERSON

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I persevered and never let go of my aspirations.”

For those who are not only looking for style but also for a personalized experience of grace, Art Lewin will stitch by stitch, tailor a suit and/or a shirt that will stand the test of time, and perform in line with whatever goals may be chased by the ones wearing it. Yes, it will leave anyone feeling classy and ready to push through their limitations, but more importantly, along with being perfectly tailored to their body type, it will also reflect lifestyle and individuality.

And it paid off. Art Lewin Bespoke has reached a high-profile reputation and has attracted media attention and a clientele list filled with celebrities. Being featured in publications like the Los Angeles Times, CNN, and GQ while dressing some of Hollywood’s most renowned actors and attorneys from top law firms, Art continues to establish himself as part of the fabric of custom tailoring.

As Art Lewin Bespoke celebrates its legacy, it invites patrons to indulge in its anniversary celebrations with a special offer. Using the coupon code ANNIVERSARYCODE35, customers can enjoy a 35% store credit on any order throughout the entire month of April.

Looking ahead, Art envisions even more growth and plans to establish two new locations; one in Santa Monica and another in the Westlake Village area. He also eagerly awaits his son to graduate.

Lewin hopes to join creative forces and add a new and refreshed take on his company’s craftsmanship.

Art Lewin Bespoke is located at 714 West Olympic Boulevard, open Monday-Friday 9 -6 pm, Tuesday & Wednesday 9-8 pm and Saturday 9 – 2 pm by appointment only. www.ArtLewinBespoke.com

espite encountering challenges along the path to success, including navigating through the times of the early 1990s Kuwait war, plus personal struggles such as his divorce as well as economic downturns that came with the 2007 recession and the 2020 Covid crisis, Lewin has faced his adversities with determination that never seems to cease.

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8 DTLA MUSIC TO YOUR EARS: ELVIS AT TRULY BY JACKSON ROBERTS

VOL 20. NO 8 MAR 28 - APR 03, 2024 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM

One for the Money, Two for the Show, Elvis at Truly ... Now Go Cat Go!

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emphis Tourism and Elvis Presley’s Graceland will soon present “Love Me (Bar)Tender” transforming Downtown L.A.’s popular bar, Truly L.A., into a replica of the King’s most iconic room at Graceland—the Jungle Room!

“I did it my way…”

When the Jungle Room first made its debut in 1965 at Graceland, Elvis made sure he’d never forget his time in Hawaii.

Walking into the den, Elvis, Priscilla, and guests would relive the adventure in paradise night after night.

The hideaway room featured a rock waterfall, a lacquered tiki bar, matching tribal furnishings, and an unforgettable green shag carpet that covered the floor and ceiling. Come to find out, that bright green shag carpet made for great acoustics, allowing Elvis to record songs like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Moody Blue” at Graceland.

Can’t Help Falling in Love In honor of Elvis intoxicating island nights, Truly will set up its own trip to paradise, where visitors can expect immersive retro vibes, social media photo ops, themed Trulixir cocktails, and delectable bites curated by Truly L.A. chefs and mixologists.

AI GENERATED ART WORK BY GENIUS MODE

Graceland is one of the most famous homes in the U.S., averaging around a half-million visitors annually. Graceland’s entertainment and exhibition complex is over 200,000 square feet in size and features a new 80,000 square-foot Graceland Exhibition Center, the AAA Four Diamond Guest House at Graceland, a 450-room resort hotel; and the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis’ home and career.

Elvis Presley had many ties to the Los Angeles area, including owning several residences, filming TV specials and movies on the studio lots, and recording some of his biggest hits.

Graceland Estate and Memphis Tourism, the creators of the experience, expressed their enthusiasm.

“After seeing the love everyone showed the city of Memphis and the ‘Love Me (Bar) Tender’ pop-up last year, we are thrilled to bring this activation celebrating the Home of the Blues to the City of Angels,” said Regena Bearden, Chief Marketing Officer at Memphis Tourism.

“We are thankful for the opportunities to collaborate with our partners at Memphis Tourism to attract new travelers to our destination,” said Jen Swearingen, Senior Director of Marketing for Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and Graceland. “The Jungle Room activation is just one way for us to give visitors a taste of one of the most iconic attractions in Memphis and to drive visitation to Graceland.”

Love Me “Bar”Tender?

That’s the name, and they are sticking by it. As thousands have already visited the “Love Me (Bar)Tender” pop-up since it debuted in October 2023, The newsworthy experience kicked off in New York City, followed by stops in Boston and Chicago, which received standing ovations.

The pop-up bar bringing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s famed Jungle Room in Memphis to LA. featuring themed beverages, Memphis-inspired bites, live music happens Wednesday, April 3-5th from 7-10 p.m. Truly L.A, 216 S. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. @trulyla_

GET2DTLA: INSIDE WELLER COURT BY KERI FREEMAN

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EYE on little Tokyo presented by bozu plants: inside weller court

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eller Court is a multi-level shopping and dining with dozens of store fronts, photo ops, and dining opportunities. Much like Fig&7 or the Bloc for that matter, with the exception that most of the writing on the signage still remains in Japanese, Weller Court’s history dates back to the early 80s.

Weller Court sits on triangular lot at the intersection of San Pedro and 2nd Streets leading toward 1st and Los Angeles but holds its own street address at 123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka Street almost encompassing an entire city block.

For those willing to step into a world where tradition meets modernity, with every corner telling a story, and every bite leaving them craving for more, Weller Court could prove itself as one of DTLAs greatest tourist attractions and cultural hub soaked in Japanese history every step of the way.

For instance, Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St, the road that lends entry to the center, features a scaled space shuttle resting on its launch pad. The memorial is dedicated to Ellison Shoji Onizuka the first Asian American to reach space.

The Japanese-American astronaut, engineer, successfully flew into space with the Space Shuttle Discovery but tragically lost his life in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster back in 1986.

There’s nothing like walking down Onizuka’s own street at Weller Court in Little Tokyo heading to shop for souvenirs, grab a bite to eat, or pick up some original Japanese wears.

Calling further attention to the shopping court are personal friends and business associates of the owners of Weller Court, Bozu Plants and the Kiosk Boys.

The creator of Bozu, is a third-generation artisan known in these parts as the giver of good fortune thanks to the traditional legend that goes along with every Bozu plant.

“We enjoy working in Little Tokyo because of the diverse nationalities shopping and hanging out. We also get people of all ages. It’s also great to see many of the older generation Nisei Japanese (2nd generation), along with Sansei and Yonsei, stopping by. But now we even see some new gosei, which are 5th generation Japanese.” – Bozu

During the Little Tokyo Street Fair, visitors explore 10 by 10 kiosks, each of which lines the Ozinuka Street of Weller Court, offering a unique glimpse into Japanese craftsmanship and creativity from the first generation of settlers (Issai), their offspring, the second generation (Niesi), their grandchildren, the third generation (Sansei), and the fourth generation, the Yonsei, or great grandchildren, that make up the lineages of Little Tokyo inhabitants of today.

With dedication to ensure authenticity in every nook and cranny of the open air complex, Weller Court is a place where visitors can Indulge their senses with a myriad of Japanese delicacies from renowned establishments.

Marukai Japanese Market for everyday life in the city, Kinokuniya Book Store for Along with partners Kiosk Boys, a gifts and learning, and restaurants, Rice just as popular DTLA urban fashion & Nori, Orochan, Torigoya, Sushi Takeda brand, the two entities bring the beauty for sushi aficionados, Sip Little Tokyo and of Japanese culture to light every other month at Little Tokyo Street Fair, an event Kushi Shabu keep Weller Court filled to they curate with dozens of local artisans at max capacity both day and night. the passage way that exist as Weller Court Weller Court is located at 123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St Los Angeles, CA sight.

90012. www.wellercourt.com @bozu_la

10 GET2DTLA: DIGNITY HEALTH by JACKSON ROBERTS

VOL 20. NO 8 MAR 28 - APR 03, 2024 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM

DIGNITY HEALTH - HEART IN THE CITY FEST

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ounded in 1887, Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center is a 318-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in downtown Los Angeles. The hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II trauma center, the Los Angeles Center for Women’s Health, obstetrics and pediatric services, and comprehensive cardiac and surgical services.

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alifornia Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) has announced the launch of the inaugural Heart of the City Wellness Festival this Saturday, April 6 from 10am to 2pm. The event is set to redefine community health engagement by building upon the success of the renowned “Heart of the City 5K.” This innovative festival represents a significant evolution inspired by recent events prompting a deeper focus on comprehensive wellness.

This complimentary festival will provide attendees with a diverse range of enriching experiences from nearly 50 exhibitors, including wellness exams, health screenings, and eco-conscious activities.

The festival will serve as a platform for connecting with local vendors advocating for holistic lifestyle choices, ensuring participants depart feeling empowered and well-informed to make positive health choices going forward.

The event will feature a variety of enjoyable fitness activities, such as zumba, suitable for all ages, fostering an inclusive atmosphere that promotes physical activity and well-being. Enhanced by live musical performances and food trucks, the Heart of the City Wellness Festival promises an unforgettable and holistic experience focusing on the eight dimensions of wellness: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, occupational, financial, and environmental.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Heart of the City Wellness Festival, symbolizing our commitment to fostering comprehensive wellness within our community,” expressed Alina Moran, CHMC Hospital President. “This event represents a significant milestone in our journey towards redefining community health engagement and underscores our dedication to empowering individuals to prioritize their whole health.”

All Angelenos are invited to join California Hospital on this transformative journey towards holistic well-being, and together, let’s make a lasting impact on the heart of our city.

The event is supported by Title Sponsor AEG and Family Fun Sponsor The John L Raya Insurance Group.

The event will begin at 10am in front of the hospital at 1401 S. Grand Ave. in Los Angeles, on Grand Ave. between Pico and Venice. Admission is no cost to participants. www.dignityhealth.org

DTLA MOVIE BUFF: THE BOOK OF CLARENCE by WILL SLATER

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