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JANUARY 6, 2020 I VOL. 49 I #01

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AROUND TOWN

Street Closures Around Little Tokyo/Arts District Station

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he streets around the Little Tokyo/Arts District Metro rail station will be undergoing a major restoration program, meaning they will be partially closed for the coming months, starting Friday, Jan. 10. The work is to undo a temporary street near the Little Tokyo Station that was constructed to help the ongoing Regional Connector project. Metro’s project will bring a 1.9-mile line linking three rail lines. Westbound traffic on First Street between Vignes and Alameda streets will be shut down until May 1. Work is expected to take eight months, per the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Additionally, First Street between Alameda Street and Central Avenue will be closed sporadically between May 4-Aug. 31. More information is at thesource.metro.net.

Fatal Stabbing on New Year’s Day

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ne person is dead after a confrontation turned violent at a restaurant on Main and Seventh streets the morning of Jan. 1.

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According to the Los Angeles Police Department, around 8:40 a.m. that day, two people got into an argument at Margarita’s Place at 103 E. Seventh St. The two were not eating together, but their argument escalated until one person pulled out a knife and stabbed the other, the 56-year-old Homer Garcia. The victim was taken to a hospital and declared dead. The assailant fled the scene and as of Thursday, had not been found; the attacker was partially captured on surveillance footage, but official details of the suspects have not been released by law enforcement. The investigation is still ongoing, per the LAPD.

New Renderings Revealed for Watercourt Plaza

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ast year, CIM Group, Rising Realty Properties and Omni Hotels announced a plan to remove the namesake watercourt at California Plaza. Now, new renderings of what the space will look like without the water pool have been released. Urbanize LA first reported that renderings of the soon-to-materialize plaza could be found in new marketing material for new leases at the marketplace, which show the middle of the plaza, which once held a 43-foot-wide water pool, populated with greenery, potted plans and benches. The $4.5 million overhaul was approved in October 2018 as a way to curb maintenance costs attributed to the aging parking lot. According to representatives for

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JANUARY 6, 2020

2 Cal Plaza, water from the pool was seeping into the underground parking structure below the pool. The new design, which is handled by the downtown based architecture firm Gensler, will also eliminate a 43-foot gap between visitors and performers, who use the California Plaza space to perform, most notably during Grand Performances, a free music festival at the venue. Representatives note that work at the plaza is expected to be completed this year.

Koretz Announces Run for City Controller

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early two years before the election, Fifth District City Councilman Paul Koretz has announced a bid to run for City Controller in 2022, the same year that the three-time councilman will be termed out from his City Council seat. Koretz announced the move on Tuesday, Dec. 31 while making the plea that his background in fiscal responsibility will be better served as City Controller; Koretz has served on the City’s Budget and Finance Committee since first being elected in 2009. Koretz, who also served as a member of the state assembly, from 2000 to 2006, served on body’s Revenue and Tax Committee and also served as chief of staff of former state Board of Equalization Chairman Brad Sherman. The City Controller essentially functions as a chief accounting officers and auditor for the city, releasing reports on payroll and spending habits. Current City Controller Ron Galp-

erin recently released a report criticizing the rollout of Proposition HHH funds and shelter construction for the region’s growing homeless population. Galperin will also be termed out in 2022. Koretz has represented the Fifth District, which includes parts of the Westside, Encino and Oak Forest Canyon, since first being elected. Koretz is barred from officially forming a campaign committee to begin official campaign work until March, the same month that of the upcoming primary election.

Free MOCA Admission Begins Jan. 11

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isitors to both the Grand Avenue and Little Tokyo locations of the Museum of Contemporary Art will be able to enjoy the museum’s gratis admission moving forward after free admission kicks into effect on Jan. 11. The museum announced the move during its annual gala celebration in May of last year, made possible by a $10 million gift from board President Carolyn Powers with Executive Director Klaus Bisenbach saying the move will make for a more approachable and “accessible” MOCA. Previously, MOCA’s prices were set at $15. Special exhibitions will still require a paid ticket for entry. The donation will fund the first five free years of admission at the museum, after which a new donor will likely need to be found to fund further free admission.

The donated amount will not be added to the museum’s $136-million endowment.

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EDITORIALS

JANUARY 6, 2020

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Don’t Treat Downtown as a Garbage Can

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ast week marked the end of nearly two straight weeks of public events in Downtown, with residents and visitors celebrating a variety of various holiday and cultural events, culminating with the big N.Y.E.L.A celebration at Grand Park. Outside of Grand Park, Downtown restaurants and bars were packed to the gills as people traveled into Downtown to help ring in the start of a new decade for Los Angeles.

But while most people have already moved on with thoughts of how to make 2020 a year to remember, in the week following New Year’s Eve many city cleaning teams were still seen dealing with the remnants of last year, working to clean up the collection of trash that always seems to proliferate in Downtown after large community celebration. Nothing can be cleaned up instantly, given the size of Downtown and the extent of the celebrations, but the amount of waste and refuse leftover from partygoers was excessive, to the point where this page wouldn’t have been surprised to hear that visitors were actively avoiding trash cans.

While it might seem fairly obvious that people should pick up their trash, it’s clear that people are not.

Downtown Los Angeles already has cleaning services provided by taxpayers through the Department of Sanitation, and augmented services through the business improvement districts, both of which are often pushed to their limits given the population of Downtown and the amount of refuse it generates both as a neighborhood and as an entertainment and business destination. Add in the crowds that come for holiday events and it can lead to the filthy conditions of this past week. Event organizers provide waste bins and clean-up the aftermath, but people who come to Downtown must do their part to treat the area with some respect.

Downtown is one of the artistic and entertainment centers of the Greater Los Angeles area, and as such will continue to draw thousands of people into the Central City to experience what the neighborhood has to offer. However people must remember that Downtown is at its core, a neighborhood filled with families who do not want to see their community turned into a litter box after each event, and that residential population is only growing. It will need to figure out and construct the infrastructure to handle the amount of new residents, but that does not excuse anyone from treating city streets like their personal trash receptacle. It is not a place for people to come, party and leave their trash without consequence and unless this is addressed it will only get worse and hurt the quality of life in the Central City. Simply put, people do not like going to places they feel are dirty and no one benefits in that scenario.

The residents of Downtown have worked hard to foster a sense of community in the neighborhood, let’s not tarnish that by being a litterbug.

Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street Los Angeles, CA 90026 213-481-1448 realpeople@downtownnews.com

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COMMENTS

In response to a reader comment about an article concerning the Metropolitan Transportation Authority:

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am a 78-year-old caucasian woman who lives in South Park, and I have been riding Metro trains and buses for six years, sometimes several times a day. In all that time, I have never been bothered by a single incident of criminality or harassment. Such problems undoubtedly occur from time to time, but I have to believe they are rare. Moreover, many of my neighbors who can well afford to drive chose to use the Metro system because they find it safer, more relaxing, and more environmentally friendly than driving.

The claim of one of your letter-writers that such incidents are common and the claim of another that those who can afford cars will never use public transit makes me wonder how much experience they themselves have had with the Metro system.

Another of your letter writers claims that Downtown is only for rich people, but the South Park neighborhood I live in includes numerous low-income apartments and at least one building housing formerly homeless veterans.

Those of us who live here are proud to be part of such a beautiful and diverse community.

— Virigina Wexman

In response to the editorial “Make 2020 Better than 2019,”

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here was a lot to be grateful for. But also a lot of to shake your head at. I agree that last year felt like a step back for Downtown. The homeless population went up, it felt like there were more murders and attacks, and I just didn’t feel the energy that I felt living in Downtown in previous years. But I’m almost optimistic that it will change, and think that 2020 will be better.

But to be honest, that’s not much of an improvement.

— Tom Farley

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 sthomas@timespublications.com.

STAFF WRITERS: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANT: Lorenzo Castillo FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris

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JANUARY 6, 2020

DOWNTOWN NEWS 5

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Shop Hop: The Downtown Retail Roundup One Shoe Store Gives Way to Another, Swimwear Options Come to Downtown in the Winter, and More Jewelry in the Arts District

By Nicholas Slayton f You Mold It, They Will Come: Fans of craftsmanship and the Patrick Swayze movie Ghost can now try their hand at pottery. Throw Clay LA, a new studio from pottery maker John Prescott, opens on Jan. 11 in South Park. The studio, in the former space for The Well, teaches people how to use potters wheels to mold clay into vases, bowls and other items (customers keep what they make), which are then fired in a 500-pound kiln. Introductory wheel classes are required, and are $65. Course membership is similar to Crossfit or SoulCycle-type studios after visitors complete the introductory wheel course, with a $195 per monthly rate that includes full studio access.

At 1006 S. Olive St. or throwclayla.com.

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opened next to Shinola on Dec. 14, in a brick building space that previously housed clothing pop ups. The jewelry store has many designs for necklaces and rings and earrings, but the prices can range from $40 to $950 for a pear-shaped diamond with yellow gold ring. Love Adorned also carries a collection of home décor items, such as $50 candles, and a flower shop with a variety of floral bouquets. It’s the New York-based company’s fourth store, and the second in the Los Angeles area after one opened in Santa Monica in 2015.

At 821 E. Third St. or loveadorned.com.

Going Coastal: Los Angeles winters are still pretty warm, so it’s never a bad time to get a new swimsuit. Now there’s a new place in Downtown for that. Coast By Coast opened in the 30-acre Row DTLA office and retail complex on Dec. 11, after a run as a pop-up spot in Culver City. The company sells swimwear for men and women, with prices ranging by type and gender. Like a lot of the boutiques at Row DTLA, the store is laid out with a kind of minimal design, with most products hanging in the back.

At 777 S. Alameda St. or rowdtla.com.

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High Up: There’s some recent good news for smoking enthusiasts in Downtown. A few blocks north of Throw Clay, Higher Livin Smoke Shop opened its doors in the Mandel Building on Dec. 15. It’s essentially a one-stop shop, with long counter displays showing cigarettes, rolling papers, different types of vaporizers, vaporizer pods and any and all assorted paraphernalia. One of the bigger draws is its extensive selection of colorful glass pipes and bongs It also carries CBD products, making it the second store on that block to do so, after Blis on the other end of the 700 block of Olive Street.

At 709 S. Olive St. or higherlivinsmoke.com.

Kids Kicks: Broadway between Sixth and Ninth streets is something of a footwear alley, with a number of spots catering to the shoe enthusiasts. One of the main attractions, the 6,700-square-foot Footaction at Eighth Street and Broadway, closed last year, but the space isn’t staying empty. Kids Foot800.900.5788 I aerioconnect.com Broadband I VoiceAfter I WiFiconstruction I HDTV locker is planning to move in and is working on a build out Adorn Yourself: up and down the strip finished, Third Street in the Arts District has been filling out of the retail spot. It will carry apparel and, of course, shoes, its boutique retail options. The latest is Love Adorned, which from big name brands such as Nike, Adidas and more for bur-

Photo courtesy Throw Clay LA

The new pottery studio Throw Clay LA includes a 500 pound kiln to fire the clay creations customers make.

geoning sneakerheads, with pairs going for $75-$180. No opening date has been set. It would be the first children’s shoe store on Broadway since a WSS Kids to the north flipped to an all-age outlet in April 2018.

Coming to 749 S. Broadway or kidsfootlocker.com.

Got a retail tip? Send it to Shop Hop at nslayton@timespublications.com.

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JANUARY 6, 2020

Out of the Shadows: City Launches Sidewalk Permit Program With the New Street Vending Rules Going into Effect Last Week, Some Worry That Too Many People Are Unaware of the New Rules

By Sean P. Thomas t’s midday on New Year’s Eve and the Fashion District’s Santee Alley is buzzing.

Scores of visitors peruse the multitudes of shops that line the neighborhood, fingering through various deals and stopping to eye new outfits.

On the sidewalk, pedestrians shuffle from stall to stall; bookended on nearly every block with men and women in front of carts and trucks, selling everything from sliced fruit in a cup, to churros and bacon-wrapped hotdogs.

As the world welcomed the start of 2020, those vendors, who are just a sliver of the 50,000 that are estimated to operate in Los Angeles, were also able to look toward a new future. Last week, on Thursday, Jan. 2, the City of Los Angeles kick started its legal street vending program and began accepting permits for legal street food vending. Under the new rules, every Los Angeles street vendor will be required to buy a permit with the city, or face fines.

Still, while most are praising the new rules for street vendors, some are worried that too many people who will be ultimately impact-

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“Street vendors want to be formalized, the members of our campaign want an education campaign, but you have to let people know that a permit exist,” Espinoza said.

Mario Hernandez has sold bacon-wrapped hotdogs and other foods out of his food truck in the Fashion District for the past three years and was one of the vendors at work when a Los Angeles Downtown News reporter canvassed the neighborhood to question how many people knew of the rule changes.

Hernandez said that he was made aware of the changes by a family friend a few weeks ago, and admits that if it weren’t for that chance announcement, he probably would still be left out of the loop. He said he’s concerned that others might be in the same boat.

“I don’t think others out here do know,” Hernandez said. “I’ve tried to tell a few, some listen, others don’t.”

The need for education is not lost on Adel Hagekhalil, director of Streets LA, the city department responsible for the new street vending program. Last week, Streets LA quietly launched a new website with information on joining the program, but considering that

The Fashion District is just one of the places that will likely be impacted by the new laws. Street food vendors are a common sight on the areas sidewalks and alleys.

photo by Gary Leonard

ed by the change, are still unaware of the incoming laws.

Rudy Espinoza is the Executive Director of Leadership for Urban Renewal Network, a community development organization that focuses on equitable community building and said that his biggest concern is that too many street vendors in Los Angeles have not been provided effective education to properly participate in the program.

“The big takeaway is that there has been a huge lack of investment in education and that is a big concern of mine,” Espinoza said during a phone call with Los Angeles Downtown News the day the new rules went into effect. “I think a lot of street vendors, many who are in Downtown, don’t know what the rules are and there has to be a serious investment to reach them.”

Espinoza, who’s organization LURN was part of the Los Angeles Street Vending Coalition that has been fighting to legalize street vending for over a decade, argued that most vendors that he has talked to want to acquire permits and legitimize their businesses, but are simply unaware of how to go about it.

the likelihood that a vendor will actually use the website is slim, person-to-person education was deemed the more effective strategy.

In an interview with Los Angeles Downtown News on Tuesday, Hagekhalil said that considerable education efforts are likely to begin in the next few weeks, after a community organization is selected to carry out outreach.

In addition, eight BusinessSource centers across the city have been charged with providing assistance for the permits. The Central Los Angeles location, at 1055 Wilshire Blvd., will represent Downtown.

“The city is here to support them and work with them to become legal businesses in the city of Los Angeles,” Hagekhalil said. “We are working really hard to get that done. To really create places where people can be proud of their business, today is a great day for them to be able to show that they are part of this city.”

Under the new guidelines, street vendors are expected to carry a $541 permit — during the first six months the permit is $291 — in addition to a state business tax registration certificate, a California state seller’s permit and a L.A. County Public

Health permit. A person does not have to be a United States citizen to apply for the permit.

A sixth-month grace period was agreed upon to give people enough time to sign up for the permits and to allow enough people to gather the proper items to get through the process.

The $291 reduced permit fee was also intended to foster an easier transition into the program, Hagekhalil said. photo by Gary Leonard The new rules also come with Under a new set of laws that went into effect on Jan. 2, street food new regulations on where street vendors will now be required to hold a city permit, in addition to vendors can set up their carts, three other state and local certifications. baring vendors from selling in prohibited vending zones, typcity’s ability to properly administer the new ically around large gathering spaces like Staples Center in Downtown Los program.

For 16 years, Eduardo Camti has owned Angeles and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“The bottom line is, that we see vendors Alley Dogs in Santee Alley, where his 30 emas a business partner with the city and we ployees sell hotdogs and other hot foods. For want to work with them,” Hagekhalil said. “As most of that tenure, Camti said unpermitted a vendor, you have rights, but we need you and regulated street vendors have surroundto ensure that others have the same rights. ed his business, undercutting his prices and We want to make sure that the areas with no siphoning off potential customers.

Camti said that he is a proponent of legal vending are protected.”

Although Hagekhalil has a relatively glow- street vending, but, despite the Streets LA’s ing description of street vending, that hasn’t assurance, has no faith in the city’s ability to properly regulate the new industry. always been the case in Los Angeles.

“The problem is that there is not enough For the better part of the last century, the practice has been effectively banned in Los people in the department to control the perAngeles, growing in frequency during the mits they issue,” Camti said. “This is simply a 1980s following the enactment of the United fact.”

The department did add 17 employees States Refugee Act in 1980. The act granted asylum for hundreds of thousands of Central for the new program, but Camti isn’t conAmerican refugees, many of whom, would vinced that is enough. Camti’s added that he believes that there aren’t enough measures eventually settle in Los Angeles.

In retaliation, hostilities began to increase in place to actually curb illegal street vendbetween vendors and brick and mortar busi- ing, and there won’t be enough incentive for ness owners, with the latter turning to law people to buy into the program.

“I’ve seen it over and over the last 16 enforcement, which could often be followed by a fine, potential jail time, or even deporta- years, when there is an inspection, there are tion if the individual was undocumented and people who just disappear, there is no way to control them,” Camti said. “Maybe they charged with a misdemeanor.

For the past decade however, advocates will catch one, but there is no way to catch for street vending and other equitable en- them all. There is no way to see what the trepreneurial businesses have fought to see state of the merchandise is.”

Vendors found to not be in compliance those rules revoked.

In 2017, the Los Angeles City Council vot- with the rules will be fined $100 on first vioed to decriminalize street vending in Los An- lation, $150 for the second and $200 for the geles, which officials believed was necessary third. A fourth violation will lead to a possible to protect individuals from potential depor- revocation of the vendor’s permit.

Espinoza said that while there will be some tation. That vote was followed nearly a year later by the passage of SB946, which not only vendors who ultimately opt to skirt reguladecriminalized street vending on the state tion and continue to run their business illelevel, but also directed local municipalities gally, the specter of an enforcement agency to construct their own rules regarding street getting involved should be enough for most.

“That’s just what it is like in any legal indusvending.

After a year of back and forth, Los Angeles try,” Espinoza said. “I think there will be people City Council approved its regulations, with who are slow to comply or won’t comply at the understanding that it would take about a all, this is what it is we’re going to help.”

Hagekhalil said enforcement of any inyear to handle the roll out.

As of Thursday at 11 a.m., Hagekhalil said fractions would not be a criminal matter and that six people had already been issued that any member of the public with conpermits from the Streets LA office, with cerns should call the city’s 311 line or contact more showing up for information on how Streets LA compliance number directly at 213-487-6000. to obtain them. sthomas@timespublications.com.

Still, some business owners are wary of the

JANUARY 6, 2020

DOWNTOWN NEWS 7

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JANUARY 6, 2020

Downtown’s Space for Makers The Central Library’s Octavia Lab Offers Crafting Tools and High-Tech Options for People to Express Their Creative Sides

By Nicholas Slayton t’s just after 2 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon at Downtown’s Central Library and three friends excitedly watch a laser sear into a piece of wood. The wood smokes as a Dungeons & Dragons character class logo is carved out of the block.

Wood carving might seem like an unusual activity for a library, but it’s part of one of the latest additions to the Central Library. The trio are utilizing the laser cutter in the Central Library’s Octavia Lab. The 3,000-square-foot maker space opened in June on the second lower-level of the Downtown institution, carrying high-tech crafting tools such as a pair of 3-D printers and an audio-visual lab for people to record, mix

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photo by Nicholas Slayton

The Octavia Lab is open four hours a day, Monday-Saturday, and items are free to use, although some, such as the recording studio, require a reservation.

and edit movies, music and other creations.

The lab is named for the groundbreaking science-fiction author, and library visitor, Octavia Butler. It’s the first free space of its kind in Downtown, and the initial idea started roughly four years ago, according to Vi Ha, the librarian overseeing the Octavia Lab. The space was created to offer specialized tools to people of all economic backgrounds and ages. Since opening seven months ago, the lab has drawn in a heavy mix of people, from students to full-time artists and visitors just trying to complete a specific project.

“I’ve met students who are building prosthetics to help people eat, others with full-time jobs record music here,” Ha said. “I met someone who made a 3-D printed dog, and someone who decided to laser cut his resume and do a pitch that way.”

Since its launch, the library has gotten word out via flyers and outreach to local schools, but Ha said that many people

do stumble upon the space unintentionally, while going up or down the library’s levels.

Zed Bracken, one of the three people making the Dungeons & Dragons class earrings with the laser cutter, said that they had been using the tools earlier to craft some items, and are now going to try using different equipment until the lab closed for the day.

Almost everything in the lab is free to use, or starts that way. Visitors, for instance, can use the lab’s two 3-D printers for free for three hours, and after that its $3. Certain high-demand features, such as the A/V studio (per the Central Library, the most popular part of the Octavia Lab) can be reserved in advance as well. The staff recommend reserving a slot a week in advance.

Decoration is minimal, with some of Butler’s quotes on the wall and manuals for using the devices on bookshelves. A number of small plastic creations from the 3-D printers fill out of the space, from orbs to hands.

Currently the Octavia Lab is only open four hours a day, Monday-Saturday (1-5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Friday-Saturday, 3:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday). The library says that’s in part due to limited staffing. Currently, at least two employees are on site at any given time, with anywhere from four-five staffers on the clock throughout the day.

Other items in the space include 10 computers with Adobe Creative Cloud, a CNC Mill for carving smaller items, a largescale printer, and more low-tech options such as two sewing machines.

Sitting at one of the lab’s tables under a power outlet — more than half a dozen hang from the ceiling with retractable cords — James Gadsden was cutting vinyl logos for shirts with a crown logo. A musician, he said that he used the studio to mix more than 100 songs. James said that he’s been trying to work three hours a day at the lab, working his way through the space.

“It’s cool having this kind of stuff available,” he said. “I’m just trying to use it to the best of my ability and get good at [using the stations].”

A lot of the equipment in the lab is not as difficult to use as many people who visit the Octavia Lab expect, Ha said. Many of the devices are specialized, but tools like the laser cutter or the vinyl printer require only a pre-made design by users. The staff is trained in the basics to help anyone get a handle on the A/V studio or the CNC mill. They also have basic software and prompts to help first-time users try out different tools.

Some of the programs, such as Adobe programs like Illustrator, require more background knowledge and practice.

One of the most popular, and extensive, parts of the Octavia Lab is its DIY Memory Lab. Located near the back of the space, it includes ports for cassette tapes, VHS, a scanner and anything needed to digitize old analog data. Most of the tools are located in a large tower of computers, and the lab also offers machines for digitizing Super 8 and 16mm film stock that could otherwise degrade over time.

During a recent visit, Melina Tran was scanning old printed family photos. She said she was concerned about the photos fading, and the Memory Lab did a strong job at preserving the detail and color of the prints.

Unlike some of the other features, first-time users of the DIY Memory Lab need to attend an orientation session at the lab to learn how to use the digitizing tools. The next one is on Wednesday, Jan. 8, followed by one on Jan. 25.

With its first seven months out of the way, the Central Library is planning on expanding the hours of operation at Octavia Lab this year. The exact schedule has not been worked out as of press time.

The Octavia Lab is at the Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7150 or lapl.org/labs. nslayton@timespublications.com.

photos by Nicholas Slayton

The 3,000-square-foot Octavia Lab in the Central Library includes 3-D printers, an audio/visual recording studio, a green screen, and other maker tools. One of the most popular items at the space is the DIY Memory Lab, which allows visitors to digitize analog items such as VHS tapes and audio cassettes (top).

JANUARY 6, 2020

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

DOWNTOWN NEWS 9 images courtesy REDCAT

DT

CALENDAR

Capturing the Art of Motion

The 19th iteration of Dance Camera West will feature over 40 short films from over 50 countries, screened at the REDCAT on Bunker Hill and Automata Arts in Chinatown on Jan. 9-12.

Dance Camera West Showcases the Best of Dance and Film in the Festival’s Annual Return to REDCAT

By Sean P. Thomas he art of dance and cinematography collide as Dance Camera West, the annual festival celebrating dance captured on film, returns to Downtown Los Angeles for four days of screenings, discussions and special guests.

The festival, which is heading into its 19th annual iteration at the Roy and Edna Disney/ CalArts Theater, located on the side of the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Bunker Hill, will feature more than 40 short films, selected from more than 325 submissions from more than 50 countries.

Each film is grouped into screening blocks spread throughout the day. Entry into a single time slot is $12, with a four-day festival pass available for $72.

The festival begins on Thursday, Jan. 9 with an appearance and Q&A with special guests Edouard Lock, founder of the wellknown Canadian dance company La La La Human Steps, and Katrina McPherson, a renowned Scottish dance artist and author. A screening of CalArts’ Dance’s “One Another” will precede the discussion.

While audiences are fairly accustomed to musicals and the concept of silent film, Kelly Hargraves, who co-founded Dance Camera West in 2000 and took over as Executive Director from Toni Barber in 2018, said that Americans have largely been uninitiated to dance film. The genre, which already had roots in Canada, Europe and other places, has grown in popularity in the United States since the festival was created.

Still, while musicals are common stateside,

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Hargraves said that there is still a noticable difference between the two genres.

“It’s almost closer to a silent film,” Hargraves said. “In musicials the dance is brought in for a certain point to carry the narrative a little further. But one very big distinction is that many of these films may not be narrative, they may just be experimental films.”

The screenings begin in earnest on Friday, starting off with Leandro Navall’s experimental short “In the Anchor Print.” at 6:30 p.m. Most of the short films’ runtime stretch anywhere from two to 20 minutes, with a few feature length films like Susanna Baranco’s documentary feature on the charismatic Spanish dancer and choreographer Sol Picó From Knee to Heart, and Kreatur, which captures a performance from the German Sasha Waltz Company.

The largest slate of program is on Saturday, with 25 films schedules to be screened through midnight, including a special curated program from the film festival Dare to Dance in Public, which celebrates dance films made in public, with a public audience.

The program, which is curated by Sarah Elgart, one of Dance Camera West’s former directors, and the founder of Dare to Dance in Public is almost like a festival within a festival, with its own judges and curators who will ultimately select the winning film.

Hargraves said that a goal moving forward for Dance Camera West is to partner with other dance festivals around the city.

Bridging the Gap The films range in topic and genre, from

recordings of live performances to experimental short films shot on location.

Hargraves added that with dance film comes a vibrancy that you otherwise don’t get from choreographed stage performances.

“That was kind of what was exciting, to show dancers here another way of working,” Hargraves said. “If you didn’t have a stage, or did not have a company of dancers or a lot of time, you can just grab a camera and make your own piece.”

Hargraves said that the goal of Dance Camera West started as a way to fuse Los Angeles’ cinema world, to its substantial concert dance culture, but at this point, the festival has evolved into a showcase of multiple international disciplines.

“There are going to be 50 choreogrpahers here, in one weekend,” Hargraves said. “It’s an amazing way to see what’s going on in the world, in one weekend.”

While in years past, the festival has stretched out to different venues across Greater Los Angeles like Santa Monica, this year, the festival is held specifically in Downtown. Live performances, which have also been included in the festival in the past, were also nixxed for this year’s festival. Hargraves said that scaling back the festival in terms of location, was done to help recapture the festival’s original flavor.

“I really felt like the films stand on their own and I didn’t want to have live performances and film stand side by side,” Hargraves said. “I think they are different things and I think the purpose of this festival is

dance made for screen.”

The festival will culminate on Sunday with free screenings at the Automata Arts gallery at 504 Chung King Ct. in Chinatown.

Hargraves said that the festival initially sought to keep the screenings contained to REDCAT, but after a generous donor came through to fund an additional day of the festival, the decision was made to add the Sunday screenings, which is comprised of four longer films.

Each film on the Automata leg of the festival is longer than 15 minutes. The longest being Marta Renzi’s hour-long narrative film Her Magnum Opus, which follows the story of a group of students who gather at a small country house to celebrate a teacher who has been a constant figure in their lives.

The festival will conclude with a 30-minute screening of The Ballet of the Nations, which was inspired by a pacifist satire of the same name written by Vernon Lee In 1915.

“There are just so many good films,” Hargraves said. “It’s hard not to try to show them all.”

The team has already started looking forward to the 20th annual Dance Camera West, and have begun eyeballing some ways to make the two decade celebration worthwhile. Submissions are already being accepted for inclusion in next year’s festival on the Dance Camera West website.

Dance Camera West takes place Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 9-11 at REDCAT, 631 W. Second St. and Sunday at Automata Arts, 504 Chung King Ct. or dancecamerawest.org. sthomas@timespublications.com.

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CALENDAR LISTINGS

photo by Gary Leonard

Downtown has a lot to offer when it comes to gallery and art spaces. Check it out for yourself when a collection of Downtown galleries open up for the evening during the first Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk of the new year on Thursday, Jan. 9. In the vain of a self-guided tour, visitors can check out multiple galleries and pop up exhibitions along Spring and Main streets, between Third and Ninth streets. Each gallery is open roughly 6-10 p.m, with a number of street vendors setting up shop along the sidewalks. Pro-tip: Go to the artwalk website for a digital map of participating galleries, or check for galleries that provide physical maps. Along Spring and Main Streets or downtownartwalk.org.

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One of the fastest rising voices in country music will be performing at Staples Center this week in celebration of the venue’s 20-year anniversary. Kane Brown, the 26-year-old heartthrob country star is set to headline the venue’s 20th anniversary concert on Thursday, Jan. 9 at the home of the Lakers and the Clippers. Brown. The concert was originally slated to occur last October, the same month that the venue opened in 1999, but due to the death of Brown’s drummer, the concert was pushed back to January.

Brown, who made the leap from social media hopeful, to bonafide star, has released two studio albums, the second of which, Experiment, reached one, and five on the U.S. country and U.S. Billboard charts respectively. Country musicians Granger Smith and Gabby Barrett will also join Brown for the evening.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. At 1111 S. Figueroa St., or staplescenter.org.

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The kiddos have yet to return to the classrooms for the rest of the school year, so why not get them reacclimated to the learning environment with a trip to a local museum. We suggest the Japanese American National Museum, which is free from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9 and features an excellent and informative exhibit on the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Filled with official artifacts from the site of the explosions, Under a Mushroom Cloud: Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Atomic Bomb is an excellent companion to your child’s social studies lectures and you never know, you might learn a thing or two also. At 100 Central Ave., or janm.org.

Many people might only know Stephen Bishop as the “charming guy” who had his guitar smashed by a less-charming Jim Belushi in National Lampoon’s Animal House. Less people might know Bishop as a longstanding singer-songwriter, with a five-decade career in music that has included being sampled by fellow greats like Eric Clapton, Art Garfunkel and The Four Tops. Listen to the artist go “On and On,” about his career in the music industry when he swings by the Grammy Museum for a discussion and performance on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Alongside moderator Scott Goldman, The multi-platinum selling artist will tackle his appearances in films like The Twilight Zone: The Movie and provided soundtracks to some of Hollywood’s cult classics like the aforementioned Animal House and Tootsie. The event begins at 8 p.m. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or grammymuseum.org.

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

Photo courtesy the U.S. Army

Photo © Uwe Arens

Virtuoso organist Christian Schmitt is making his Walt Disney Concert Hall debut on Sunday, Jan. 12 with a solo performance with a special focus on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Schmitt, who has toured some of the world’s most revered venues, will kick off the performance at 7:30 p.m. with a piece by Robert Schumann, before diving into other pieces by Toshio Hosokawa and Jean Langlais. Each segment, bisected by an intermission, will feature a piece by Bach. Don’t miss the talented organist get the most out of the venues massive WDCH organ with its iconic external pipes. At 135 Grand Ave., or laphil.com.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

1720 1720 S. Los Angeles St. or 1720.la.

Jan. 8: Bubble Up. Jan. 10: MIKKNA. Jan. 11: Cashmer Cat. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka St. or bluewhalemusic.com.

Jan. 6: Gordon Grdina’s Nomad Trio.

Jan. 7: The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Ensemble jams.

Jan. 8: Corey Coverstone Trio.

Jan. 9: Carey Frank Group.

Jan. 11: Jonathan Richards performs on his birthday. Go wish him happy birthday.

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

Jan. 6: Punk rocker Kate Clover will be here every Monday this month.

Jan. 9: Wake Child, Eli Teplin, Million Miles.

Jan. 10: Kidi Band has a release show for their new single.

Jan. 12: Buck Meek is part of Big Thief performing solo, not a set of instructions.

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

Jan. 10: Morgan Page, Steve James, Kaligem.

Jan. 11: Party Favor.

Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or grammymuseum.org.

Jan. 8: Noted guitarist and “that guy” from movies, Stephen Bishop.

Continued on page 11

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photo courtesy Kane Brown

BY SEAN P. THOMAS

EVENTS

MONDAY, JAN. 6 Mystic Monday Comedy Resident, 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com.

8 p.m.: Half a dozen stand-up comics take the stage to try and make you, the people, laugh. Please clap.

TUESDAY, JAN. 7 Afrofuturism Book Club Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.org.

7:30 p.m.: This month the club dives into Tomi Adeyemi’s “Children of Virtue and Vengeance,” part of her epic fantasy series.

FRIDAY, JAN. 10 Food 4 Thot The Regent, 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com.

7 p.m.: The literature and sex-themed podcast does a live taping.

JANUARY 6, 2020

THE 'DON'T MISS' LIST

10 DOWNTOWN NEWS

JANUARY 6, 2020

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DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Jan. 9: Surf rock legends The Ventures take the stage.

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

Jan. 9: IDER, All Day. Jan. 10: Sleeping Dog, Melted Bodies, Spirit in the Room.

Jan. 12: Jerry’s Middle Finger will be up — on stage!

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

Jan. 7: Sellassie is on his “Rap Rebels With a Cause” tour. It might be intense.

Jan. 9: Chelsea Klein headlines the weekly locals showcase.

Jan. 10: Ratchet R&B is an R&B dance party.

Jan. 11: Dance to classic house during the day with the Blend Day Party.

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

Jan. 9: Heilung.

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

Jan. 6: In a break from what usually is at The Redwood, Australian country singer Troy Cassar-Daley plays an acoustic set.

Jan. 8: Droll, Broken Field Runner, D.C.R. Polloc.

Jan. 9: Gardeners Logic, Kilo Bravo, Big Monsta.

Jan. 10: The Claws have an album release show, backed by Glitter Trash, Darlington Mansion and The Thrill Seekers.

The Regent 448 S. Main St., (323) 284-5727 or spacelandpresents.com.

Dec. 31: End the year with TR/ST. Jan. 3: T.S.O.L., Smut Peddlers, Piñata Protest (band name of the week), DFL. Jan. 5: It’s a new year but Epica, Nekrogoblikon, and Valkyrium are here to remind you that death metal is eternal and also not into subtle names.

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

Jan. 11: Kicked Off the Streets, Sustivity, Cardboard Boxer, Law. Jan. 12: Street Sects, Portrayal of Guilt, Foie Gras, Glaare.

Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com.

Jan. 11: DIY intensity and controlled madness with the King Khan & BBQ Show.

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE

What The Constitution Means to Me Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave. or centertheatregroup.org.

Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m.: Heidi Schreck’s show explores what the founding document’s legacy is, through stories about her teenage life learning about the document. Through Feb. 23.

FILM

Alamo Drafthouse 700 W. Seventh St. or drafthouse.com/los-angeles.

Through Jan. 12: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (12, 12:50, 3:25, 4:10, 4:15, 5:50, 7:35, 9:15 and 10:15 p.m.); Cats (1:30, 4:20, 7:10 and 10 p.m.); Clemency (12, 12:30, 1:15, 2:55, 3:25, 6:20, 9:15 and 10:55 p.m.); Knives Out (12, 3:10, 6:20 and 9:30 p.m.); Little Women (12, 12:45, 3:15, 4, 6:30, 7:40, 9:45 and 10:50 p.m.); Parasite (7 p.m.); The Grudge (1:50, 4:25, 7, 9:35 and 10:50 p.m.); Uncut Gems (12, 1, 3:15, 4:15, 6:30, 7:30, 9:45 and 10:45 p.m.).

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

2YOUR EVENT INFO

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4 WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar 4 EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com Email: Send a brief description, street address and public phone number. Submissions must be received 10 days prior to publication date to be considered for print.

DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ORLEAN HANKINS CASE NO. 19STPB11315 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of ORLEAN HANKINS. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Towanna R. Fultz in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that: Towanna R. Fultz be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate.

The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act.

(This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: January 7, 2020, Time: 8:30AM, Dept.: 29, Location: 111 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four

months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor.

You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code Section 1250.

A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner: Matthew C. Long SBN 55857 3580 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1785 Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 388-0423 Los Angeles Downtown News 12/16/19, 12/23/19, 12/30/19

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urf rock icons The Ventures will be at the Grammy Museum on Thursday, Jan 9. The museum will host a panel discussion with moderator Scott Goldman, followed by a performance in conjunction with the new exhibit Walk, Don’t Run: 60 Years Of The Ventures. On top of their memorable songs, the band also recorded numerous influential instructional albums for musicians.

At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or grammy museum.org.

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JANUARY 6, 2020

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