LADTN 10-21-19

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hal bastian joins cd14 race Page 3

mariinsky ballet returns to downtown Page 8

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AROUND TOWN

City Council Approves Bonds for Hotel Cecil Rehab

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n aging Downtown property is on pace to receive a facelift following the release of $45 million in bonds to finance its rehabilitation. Last week, the Los Angeles City Council approved issuing the funds for the renovation of the 14-story Hotel Cecil at 640 S. Main St. Simon Baron Development, which holds the ground lease on the building, plans to retrofit its 301 single occupancy units into affordable housing for people earning below the Los Angeles area median income. The Cecil’s 299-hotel, currently branded Stay on Main, will remain and also receive an upgrade. Construction is expected to start by the end of the year, with a late 2021 completion date. The Hotel Cecil was completed in the 1920s and catered primarily to business travelers, but grew a sinister reputation as a site for multiple murders, mysteries and deaths.

Learn the Latest About New Light Rail Line

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he Downtown community can hear the latest and share their thoughts on a

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proposed rail line that would link the Central City with southeast Los Angeles County this week. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be holding a series of community meetings concerning the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor with general updates and new information on the schedule. The Downtown event is set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Little Tokyo. The proposed 19-mile light-rail line would link Artesia to a to-be-determined end point in Downtown Los Angeles. Currently the plan has the West Santa Ana Branch passing through the Arts District, with options to go north, through Little Tokyo to Union Station, or west through the Fashion District into the Financial District. Metro had previously indicated it would break ground on the line in 2022 and have it completed by the 2028 Olympic Games. More information is at thesource.metro.net.

Blue Line to Reopen Next Month as A Line

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he Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s oldest rail line reopens next month, but when it does, it will do so with a new look and name. On Nov. 2, the 22-mile Blue Line that ferries riders between Long Beach and Downtown reopens as the A Line.

Portions of the line had been closed since the end of January as crews worked on Metro’s $350-million New Blue renovation project that included a list of improvements to

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help make the route more efficient. The improvements included the addition of four crossover tracks, upgraded signal systems and new lighting and paint at the stations along the route. In concert with the renovations, last year, Metro approved a plan to change the names of the lines from colors to letters. Metro felt that with eight major bus and rail projects on the way, the agency was running out of distinct colors. To celebrate the reopening, Metro plans to offer free rides from Nov. 2-4.

Freehand Hotel Trades Hands

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relatively recent addition to the Downtown Los Angeles hotel market has a new owner. The London-based group Generator has acquired the Freehand Los Angeles hotel, which opened in June 2017 inside the 1924 Beaux Arts-style Commercial Exchange Building at 416 W. Eighth St. The $400 million sale includes all of the Freehand locations, along with its rooftop bar brand Broken Shaker. The Downtown hotel has 226 rooms, 59 of which are set up in shared, hostel-like style. The Freehand was owned by the New York-based Sydell Group, which also developed the Nomad Los Angeles a block north. The deal was closed in October. In its statement, Generator indicated it would not be making any changes to the hotel. Over the past year the hotel has been hit with protests in response to alleged retaliation from management

OCTOBER 21, 2019

after workers announced plans to form a union. An allegation that staff was sent to clean up a blown septic tank without the proper equipment was also filed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Management at the Freehand Los Angeles has denied all allegations.

Downtown Bus Operations Space Wins Sustainability Award

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he Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s latest Downtown project was recently celebrated for its environmental design. The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers awarded its Sustainable Engineering Project of the Year prize to LADOT’s Downtown Los Angeles Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility this month.

The center opened in April and has space for 77 buses, CNG fueling, and a two-story administrations building. According to a press release issued by LADOT, the center is one of the largest zero emission bus facilities in California. “This prestigious award recognizes the incredible work of all our partners who built this facility with a dedication to sustainable engineering,” LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds said in a prepared statement. Located near Union Station at 454 Commercial St., the space also has 26 electric charging stations and six maintenance bays. The facility also earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum Certification.

Continued on page 5

OCTOBER 21, 2019

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 3

Hal Bastian Enters District 14 Race ‘Mr. Downtown’ Joins de León, Garcia, in Bid to Succeed Huizar

By Sean P. Thomas ne of Downtown’s most heavily connected residents has thrown his hat into the ring in a bid to succeed 14th District City Councilman José Huizar.

On Sunday, Oct. 14, Hal Bastian, a local consultant and real estate veteran who previously served as director of economic development for the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, tweeted that he was declaring his candidacy for the seat. The election to replace Huizar, who will be termed out next year, is in March 2020.

“What started as a crazy idea in the shower is really happening,” Bastian tweeted. “I’m entering the City Council race for CD14.”

Bastian has been a Downtown figure for the past two decades, becoming one of its most recognizable faces. A longtime executive with the Downtown Business Improvement District, Bastian has been part of the Downtown revival, aiding as the Central City’s population ballooned from just under 20,000 residents two decades ago, to nearly 80,000 residents in 2019. He was born in the San Fernando Valley and lives in Downtown.

Bastian, who said he has contemplated a run for office on multiple occasions in the past, said that he was encouraged to run after being largely underwhelmed by the showing of two of the race’s leading candidates, former State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León and former Los Angeles Unified School District board president Monica Garcia. The two squared off at a candidate forum organized by the Central City Association in September.

“When it ended, I just found myself being totally uninspired by what they had to say,” Bastian said. “I said to the

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group surrounding me that shoot, maybe I should run, and they said yes you should. That was the beginning.”

Bastian said that he plans to focus on addressing mental illness and homelessness in his campaign, something that he feels requires a change in strategy from local leaders. He said that during the candidates forum, he didn’t hear any real answers on how to curb the city’ rising homeless population.

“We need to be doing some things differently,” Bastian said. “If you want to bring more affordable housing to the area, if you want to address homelessness, that requires real leadership.

I didn’t hear any leadership from those candidates.”

Mr. Downtown It’s safe to say that few have expephoto by Gary Leonard rienced Downtown’s resurgence like Hal Bastian, one of the most easily recognizable faces in Downtown, announced a run for the City Bastian.

Council District 14 seat last week.

Raised in the San Fernando Valley beple walking their dogs. fore attending the University of Los AnIn 2001, the Downtown Center Business Improvement Disgeles, he arrived in Downtown in 1994 to work for brokerage firm Cushman & Wakefield, before joining up with then-His- trict tapped Bastian to serve as its director of economic develtoric Core property owners Tom Gilmore and Jerri Perrone to opment. He left the DCBID in 2014, having rose to the Executive Vice President. After leaving, he formed his own consultake over leasing of the pair’s Old Bank District buildings.

A lover of dogs — he’s often see around Downtown with tancy firm Hal Bastian Inc. Known by many as “Mr. Downtown” or the “Mayor of his dog Scooter — Bastian focused on attracting other dog owners to the district in a bid to enliven the streets with peoContinued on page 5

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EDITORIALS

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OCTOBER 21, 2019

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Criticisms of Proposition HHH Spending Are Warranted

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n 2016, voters approved Proposition HHH, a bond measure that raised $1.2 billion to help finance the construction of 10,000 units of affordable housing over 10 years, mostly supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals. Those units however, have been slow to materialize, and some have started to take notice.

Last week, Los Angeles Downtown News reported on a new audit of the program conducted by Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin’s office raised legitimate concerns about HHH, taking aim at the slow pace that new units are being constructed, and a rising per unit construction cost.

Galperin is right to do so.

The bond is an important tool in combating homelessness, but as the City Controller’s report indicates.

Not a single unit from a HHH funded development has opened — a 62-unit project is expected to open late next month. Since the bond was passed, homelessness has increased a headache-inducing 30% in the city.

At the same time, the estimated cost to build units has increased dramatically, with city officials now estimating cost at a whopping $531,000 per unit — in 2016, the city estimated the per unit cost at $350,000 to $414,000.

In Downtown, the problem is especially difficult. Residents have voiced consternation over the prevalence of people setting up tents that block sidewalks, while over a billion dollars of housing funds have yet to materialize into units to help house the vulnerable population.

In total, just 19 of the 114 approved HHH projects are in construction (five are in Downtown).

Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department have responded to Galperin’s report, pointing out that units are not funded entirely by HHH funds and that projects take time to build. That’s a fair response in the name of clarity, but Galperin’s point stands.

Obviously construction and planning takes time, and complications can and do arise, be it unexpected rises in construction costs due to the wider economy or neighborhood pushback or permitting issues.

But Galperin is right that the leaders need to find ways to clear up red tape, build more efficiently, and try alternative housing solutions. His suggestion to potentially reshuffle funds for services and shelters is eyebrow raising, as all of the $1.2 billion of HHH funds have already been allocated to future projects. As much as the city needs to construct more temporary shelters, the city also needs an influx of affordable and permanent home for people transitioning out of homelessness.

Homelessness was a crisis in 2016 and it remains a crisis today. The city must explore all options, but voters and officials have committed a tremendous amount of public funds and the product should be realized in as cost-effective and efficient way possible.

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

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October 17, 2019

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COMMENTS

In response to the article “City Falling Short of HHH Goals, According to Audit By City Controller”

by Nicholas Slayton The City of LA sent its workers to 600 and 650 South Spring in the early 1990’s to “re-gentrify” the streets. Ten years later it did not change for the poor people — developers were buying up old buildings and turning them into expensive, unaffordable luxury housing for those who had the money or desire to live downtown — but the surrounding areas were already in blight.

— Jade Flores How are construction costs in Lancaster or Palmdale high? The Los Angeles government geniuses are planning on putting homeless housing in Downtown where the costs are astronomical. The homeless can live in Lancaster, not Downtown, or Santa Monica.

— Roger Jennings I totally agree with what you are saying. The whole situation is such a hot mess.

— Sari Rose I knew they were going to fall short before they even started! It’s called manage the funds you already had. All I see is a lot of talk. Yes there is low income housing going up in downtown and some other places but yet I see the homeless population still getting larger and tents

sprawling all over the damn place. All these tents and homeless encampments and hanging around businesses, peeing and pooping everywhere and all the trash they have is creating a major health crisis. When does this end? Why do homeless have more rights than people who own property and businesses. Oh, we can’t kick them out right now because somehow it’s unconstitutional or discrimination. Well I’m sorry, something is truly wrong! Dropping the mic.

— Ben Reynolds Jr. In response to the article “The Science of Spooky”

by Nicholas Slayton So cool!

— John Reel

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BASTIAN, 3 Downtown,” Bastian also created the web series “What’s Up, Downtown?” which highlights the goings-on around the Central City and is known for creating the annual dog-friendly event, Dog Day Afternoon, now held at Figat7th.

While he’s been more recently associated with the Central City, Bastian said that he has connections outside of Downtown that will help him further connect with the other communities in the 14th District.

The district includes Downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, as well as Northeastern neighborhoods like Eagle Rock and portions of Highland Park.

Bastian said that he plans to conduct outreach and fundraising events outside of Downtown to better create platforms that work for each specific community.

“One size does not fit all,” Bastian said. “The one uniform thing that affects all communities right now, is mental health and homelessness.”

AROUND TOWN, 2 Music Center Assigns New Board Chair

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he Music Center Board of Directors tapped a familiar face to step into the role of board chair last week. Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Cindy Miscikowski will step into the role, succeeding Lisa Specht, who held the position since 2013; Specht was named chair emeritus by the board. Miscikowski has been part of the Music Center board since 2006, chairing multiple committees before being selected as vice chair in 2017. She served as a member of the City Council from 1997 to 2005. One of Miscikowski’s first moves as board chair was to extend the contract of Music Center President and CEO Rachel S. Moore through 2024. “I am honored to become chair of The Music Center at a pivotal time for the organization, on the heels of the opening of our beautiful new Plaza and as we work to redefine what it means to be a performing arts institution of the 21st century,” Miscikowski said in the statement.

Each candidate is seeking to replace Huizar, who has been under a spotlight since last fall when FBI agents searched his home and offices as part of an apparent investigation into corruption at City Hall. Although no one has been arrested and charges have not been filed, the charges have left a black mark on the seat with some questioning whether the Downtown neighborhood was without proper representation.

Bastian said that he is not too worried about that, as he feels that support will return to the seat once there is a new face in the office.

“I think that the public will embrace a new elected official and a new staff for their community,” Bastian said. “These challenges are associated with the individual, not with the office itself.”

Including Bastian, de León and Garcia, eight candidates have filed paper work to run for CD14. If no candidate receives the majority of the vote in the March primary election, the two top finishers with battle for the seat that will be decided in November. sthomas@timespublications.com.

Music Center Announces Holiday Celebration Lineup

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n Thursday, Oct. 17 the Music Center announced the full line-up of performers for the 60th edition of its free holiday concert. The 25 acts at the L.A. County Holiday Celebration range in media and styles, from Arturo Sandoval’s Cuban jazz to Halau Kealil’I o Nalani & the Daniel Ho Trio’s ukulele-led Christmas songs. For the 60th production, there are returning groups including the dance company Infinite Flow and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. New acts include a capella band Street Corner Renaissance and the Latinx folk group Cuñao. The Music Center opened applications for performances in May, and has deliberated for the past two months. Mezzo-soprano singer Suzanna Guzmán and actress Marissa Ramirez will host the show. PBS SoCal will air the show live from 3-6 p.m. on Dec. 24, and KCET will do two later screenings on Christmas. The full lineup can be found at musiccenter.org.

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OCTOBER 21, 2019

Soho Warehouse Opens Its Doors The Members Only Space Repurposes a Former Warehouse for a Changing Arts District

By Nicholas Slayton fter a long build out, Downtown Los Angeles’ Soho House branch is finally open.

The Soho Warehouse, the Arts District location of the London-based members only club Soho House that draws from people working in the arts, technology and media, officially opened at 1000 S. Santa Fe Ave. in the Arts District on Oct. 14 (it opened for “founder level” members at the start of the month). It’s the club’s third Southern California outpost. The first, in West Hollywood, opened in 2014 and a Malibu location debuted in 2016.

The seven-story building includes two restaurants, a two-story gym, and a rooftop pool and bar. It overhauls an aged 1918 building close to the 10 Freeway that had previously been a warehouse and later housed a recording studio.

The building has the interior layout of an industrial structure, but was redeveloped with mostly 1920s Art Deco aesthetics. Rooms are decorated with an updated approach to 1960s and 1970s modern styles, according to Candace Campos, Soho House’s U.S. director of design.

The project was originally announced in 2015 and broke ground in 2017. Soho House acquired the building for $18.5 million. The company did not disclose the redevelopment budget, but work included refurbishing the infrastructure, adding a rooftop deck and installing tile and other finishings. The roughly 80,000-square-feet location is Soho House’s largest North American outpost, which Campos said allows the company to try new features.

“The three main distinct elements here, the rooms, [the gym], and the rooftop terrace, that’s all new for Soho House on the West Coast,” Campos said on a recent tour of the property.

The space is members only, including the restaurants (prior to opening they had been said to be open to the wider public). Annual membership fees are $2,160 for the Arts

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District space, and a higher membership rate grants access to any Soho House location.

Soho House focuses its membership on the “creative class,” or people working in media, digital or technology fields. People must apply to join, and have to pass a series of interviews. Admission is in many ways left up to the decisions of the club.

That makes it a fit for the changing Arts District, according to Bruce Baltin, managing director for hotel advisory at the firm CBRE and an expert on Los Angeles’ hotel and hospitality market. In the years since the Arts District space was first announced in 2015, the neighborhood has attracted major media and tech firms, including Warner Music Group three blocks to the north, and firms such as Honey and Spotify.

“What it is more than anything is a place to congregate with your peers,” Baltin said. “And what’s happening in Downtown makes them believe that there are a lot of peers here.”

Meeting Space As a private club, the main focus is on its lounges and meeting spaces. Centered on the sixth floor are multiple rooms, including one that can be closed off for privacy, as well as restaurants and a 30-foot bar. The design, like much of the ground floor, mixes elements from the building’s past, including brickwall graffiti that had been put up under previous ownership.

There is also a Mediterranean-focused restaurant on the ground floor in the former loading dock. That space has been converted in part to a garden, with plants outside, blocking views of the freeway.

The 48 hotel rooms are located on the third-fifth floors. Three are suites and the rooms can be booked by members or guests of members (those guests staying at the space get access to the other amenities) while the rooms themselves feature wood floors and retro, 1970s modernist décor, with velvet chairs and numerous barware and glass pieces.

Campos said that Soho House wanted to

The new Soho Warehouse takes over a former industrial building at 1000 S. Santa Fe Ave. The space includes a two-story gym, rooftop pool and an outdoor garden.

As a private club, Soho Warehouse’s focus is on meeting spaces and lounges, which fill up the sixth floor. A total of 48 hotel rooms occupy the third-fifth levels.

photos courtesy Soho House

draw on the building’s history as a recording studio for the rooms, and lean into soft colors and furniture, and to contrast with some of the more industrial architecture in the lobby and lower levels (there is a Shepard Fairy mural outside of the lobby).

Baltin noted that beyond the changing business atmosphere of the neighborhood, the Arts District is a destination for vacation travelers as well. He pointed to the slew celebrated crowd-generating restaurants on the eastern end of Downtown like chef Mei Lin’s Nightshade and Genevieve Gergis and Ori Menasche’s Bavel, and noted that the relatively low stock of hotel rooms in the area positions Soho Warehouse as a top choice for people to go, if they can get in.

The other main feature is the rooftop deck.

It includes an indoor bar, and a small pool overlooking a view of the Industrial District and the Downtown skyline. Campos said that unlike the rest of the building, the roof deck

was meant to draw on a desert aesthetic, with sand-colored walls and Southwestern-inspired vases and other art pieces.

The largest amenity is the two-story gym on the lower two floors of the building. The space includes weights, private rooms for classes, and lockers and saunas.

Baltin noted that the club has enough members worldwide that the operators shouldn’t worry about the space being vacant. He also expects the company to easily grow its membership in the Downtown area, in part because its annual fees are more affordable than other private clubs in Downtown, such as the California Club.

Soho House representatives did not indicate how many local members they expect to add to the club. However, during a tour they indicated that most would be drawn from around the Arts District and the wider Downtown area. nslayton@timespublications.com.

OCTOBER 21, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 7

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‘Aliens’ at Home LTC Opens Season With Solo Show Exploring the Nature of Anti-Immigrant Hysteria

By Sean P. Thomas wo weeks ago, the Latino Theater Company announced, just a day before its season opening performance, that the group it invited to open its fall season was stopped at a Seattle airport and forced to return to their native Barcelona.

The lead artist, Marta Carrasco, was scheduled to perform her show Perra de Nadie (Nobody’s Bitch) through Oct. 20, but despite the artists claims that they had proper documents to enter the county, Carrasco and her three colleagues were barred entry.

The situation was none to surprising Ecuadorian-born performance artist José Torres-Tama. The artist has spent the past three decades exploring anti-immigrant sentiments through his stage productions with his most recent show Alien, Immigrants and Other Evil Doers, now set to open the LTC season on Thursday, Oct. 24. The 75-minute show explores the nature of immigrant hysteria in what he likes to call “The United States of Amnesia.”

“When you look at a situation like the artists that were just barred from coming into the country, even tough they had the proper paper to comes to come and perform, you think, oh my goodness, this country just isn’t looking to build a wall,” Torres-Tama said.

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Running through Nov. 3, Aliens mixes sci-fi elements, noir, music, spoken work and other elements to comment on not just injustices against the Latin American community, but other immigrant enclaves as well. There are also an ample amount of laughs to help break up some of the more serious themes behind the performance.

Torres-Tama first started working on the Aliens in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Meant to shine a light against injustices committed against immigrant laborers in the region following the disaster, Torres-Tama said that the performance has taken on new light under the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

“We’re in unprecedented territory,” Torres-Tama said. “We’ve had periods where we have had this. But I’ve never seen this rampant anger and hysteria being raised to such a violent level.”

Throughout the performance, Torres-Tama takes on the roles of nine different extraterrestrials, influenced by individuals that Torres-Tama has interviewed, bringing a level of authenticity and realism to each of the otherworldly characters.

The characters range in scope, from a silent alien, carrying a large wooden cross with dollar bills attached to it, to a character

Alien, Immigrants and Other Evil Doers opens at the Los Angeles Theater Center on Thursday, Oct. 24 and explores anti-immigrant sentiments, against Latin immigrant communities.

photo courtesy José Torres-Tama

influenced by the experiences of a Nicaraguan woman, who immigrated to the United States when she was eight to reunite with her father who fled the Nicaraguan Civil War. Torres-Tama said that everything from the Chinese Exclusion Act, to the forced removal of the Cherokee from Georgia to the Oklahoma Territory help influence the show. By including so many different facets of U.S. history, the artist said that he is able to show the country’s deep-rooted connection to anti-immigrant sentiments.

“Let’s not forget that this is happening right now, let’s not put our head in the sand and think that this is something new,” Torres-Tama said. “The empire was built on the backs of men, women and children put in cages and sold on auction blocks.”

The performance will mark the first per-

formance of Aliens, Immigrants and Other Evil Doers at the LATC since 2014 and in May, the performance was included in the book, Encuentro: Latinx Performance for the New American Theater. Torres-Tama said that he hopes that audiences walk away from the performance with an understanding of just how dehumanizing phrases like “illegal alien” can be for an immigrant in the United States.

“We have to understand that what we are seeing now is the dehumanization of people,” Torres-Tama said. “When you use that illegal alien moniker, it’s the new scarlet letter. That is the new Red A.” Aliens, Immigrants and Other Evil Doers runs Thursday, Oct. 24 through Nov. 3 at the Los Angeles Theater Center, 513 S. Spring St. or thelatc.org. sthomas@timespublications.com.

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OCTOBER 21, 2019

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CALENDAR

Each piece in Jewels is named for the colors the dancers wear, and takes after a different school of dance.

photo by Natasha Razina, ©State Academic Mariinsky Theatre

Russia’s Mariinsky Ballet Arrives in Downtown to Launch the Music Center’s 2019-2020 Dance Season

By Nicholas Slayton horeographer George Balanchine is one of the most celebrated figures in the ballet world, having created shows that have become staples for numerous companies. His work has been well represented at Downtown’s Music Center, including the Royal Ballet’s July production of Romeo and Juliet.

This week, the Mariinsky Ballet is bringing another of Balanchine’s dances to life with a limited run on top of Bunker Hill to start the Music Center’s 2019-2020 dance season.

The Russian company is at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for five performances (including two matinees) of Jewels. The production runs Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 24-27.

Originally choreographed by Balanchine in 1967, Jewels is an unconventional piece. It comprises three different works, each with a unique style and musical accompaniment; the names reflect the colors the dancers wear. It’s often seen as an abstract work of ballet, without a narrative or overarching theme, focused on exploring movement instead of a story.

Jewels consists of Emeralds, Rubies and

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Diamonds, with each work set to a different genre of music and theme, according to Yuri Fateev, acting director of the Mariinsky Ballet.

The three works each reflect a different style of dance. Rachel Moore, president and CEO of the Music Center, said that Emeralds is rooted in a French pastoral feel, focused on delicate movement.

Rubies has a Broadway and jazz influence, while the finale, Diamonds, is very much in the style of big operatic, traditional ballet works, with white tutus and in the style of the Russian Imperial Ballet School.

It’s also a large and ambitious production. Half of the Mariinsky Ballet is on tour while the other half is back in St. Petersburg. The show involves 90 dancers, plus the company’s 66-member orchestra.

There are rotating casts each night, with different dancers stepping into the lead roles for each piece.

The Mariinsky Ballet’s production marks its first visit to the Music Center since 2015, and the first time Jewels has ever been performed in the space, according to Moore.

“What I love about it is that Jewels is a big ballet, it’s got a full orchestra, tiaras, the whole nine yards,” Moore said.

Our Choreographer Ahead of its run at the Music Center, the Mariinsky Ballet is performing La Bayadère at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.

Moore said that La Bayadère is a much more traditional type of ballet, but with Jewels, Southern California audiences get a chance to see the full range of the company’s abilities.

The Mariinsky Ballet first produced Jewels in 1999 and for the past 20 years it has been part of its repertoire. Fateev said that it is a difficult work to tackle in part because each segment calls for such a different style of choreography and coordination. “Mr. B,” as Fateev called Balanchine, came from a musical background and his choreographies have a higher level of musicality than most productions.

It makes Jewels a challenge for any company. That includes the Mariinsky Ballet, which has performed the piece for two decades. But Fateev said that it’s the nuances of the performance that give the audience a varied and unique show.

“For the public who comes and watches it, they can enjoy the beauty of each piece,” Fateev said. “With Emeralds, it’s very lyrical music, very colorful. For Rubies it’s

lot of the energy and character. It’s like you’re in Broadway in New York, it’s full of sparking lights and high-speed movements. And for Diamonds, it looks like you came to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg watching Sleeping Beauty. There are very strong lights, beautiful cream-colored tutus, a central couple dancing, all set to the classical music of Tchaikovsky.”

This season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center is built around very strong, style-specific productions, Moore said. She pointed to shows from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Teatro alla Scala Ballet later in the season, each of which embodies a different school of movement. The Mariinsky Ballet, she said, sets the tone and approach to exploring international dance.

Jewels is also a work dear to the Mariinsky Ballet. Fateev noted that Balanchine got his start in an earlier version of the ballet in St. Petersburg. The company feels like Balanchine is their choreographer, Fateev said. Jewels is a chance for the company to show their respect for his work.

Jewels runs Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 2427 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave. or themusiccenter.org. nslayton@timespublications.com.

OCTOBER 21, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

photo by Hatbox Photography

Nights of Frights With Some Delights The 2019 Guide to Horror and Fun Around Halloween in Downtown Los Angeles

By Nicholas Slayton owntown Los Angeles has become a destination for the Halloween season. Different venues are transforming their spaces into macabre and festive party locations while neighborhoods come together for fun, all-ages activities.

With Halloween right around the corner Downtown is once again getting spooky. In the coming days, concert halls, museums, neighborhoods and bars will host costume contests and parties on, and around, Halloween. Much like a good monster mash, there’s something for everyone’s tastes.

Los Angeles Downtown News rounded up 13 of the best Halloween events, shows and activities where Angelenos can enjoy a mix of spine chilling frights and ghostly fun.

D

Costumes and Candy: Downtown has grown into a true residential neighborhood, which makes the annual trick or treat party at Grand

Hope Park one of the season’s busiest events. The 12th annual Halloween Festival for Kids, put on by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, runs from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween proper, with activities including puppet shows and face painting, food and drinks, and plenty of doors set up in the park for kids to knock on and trick or treat at. The event is $8 in advance ($10 at the door) and kids under two get in for free. Remember to bring your own bucket or bag for your candy.

At 919 S. Grand Ave. or downtownla.com/Halloween.

Fight Night: The masked luchadors and sultr y dancers of Lucha Vavoom are back once again at Downtown’s Mayan Theater, this time for their annual Halloween extravaganza. This Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23-24, there are two stagings of “Fiesta Fantasma.” As with every Lucha Vavoom show, it’s a mix of Mexican professional wrestling, burlesque, comedy and music, in some cases at the same time. This

week the lineup includes grapplers like the Evil Doctors, Rey Fenix, and local bar wrestling star and mustachioed menace Joey Ryan. Also on the bill are dancers Brooke Candy and Brynne Route. The production team encourages audience members to come in costume.

At 1038 S. Hill St. or luchavavoom.

An Evening with Norman Bates: The L.A. Opera is stepping out of Bunker Hill and heading over to the Theatre at Ace Hotel. The opera’s orchestra will be providing live accompaniment for six screenings of Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller Psycho.

See Janet Leigh go on the run and end up at the Bates Motel, where things quickly take a turn for the worst. The show runs Friday-Sunday, Oct. 25-27 (with two screenings on Saturday) and Oct. 30-31. Enjoy the infamous and iconic shower scene with live strings.

At 929 S. Broadway or laopera.com.

Further Thrills: If the L.A. Opera’s sonic terrors aren’t enough for you

and you’re looking for more, the Theatre at Ace Hotel is also hosting its annual All Hallow’s Ritual party at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Gothic-style venue will be decked out with cauldrons and a cathedral-like aesthetic, perfect for macabre activities. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. There will be DJs and special guests, plus a to-be-announced drink menu for the evening. Costumes are encouraged.

At 929 S. Broadway or acehotel.com/losangeles.

Scare the Block: Little Tokyo has been getting to the season all month with its Haunted Little Tokyo programming. This week the series of events culminates with a party on Saturday, Oct. 26. From 5-8 p.m. Little Tokyo is hosting neighborhood trick or treating, followed by an outdoor block party. For the party, which runs 6 p.m.-midnight, Second Street will be closed off between San Pedro Street and Central Continued on page 11

The immersive theater show Haus of Creep puts audiences inside a twisted art show where the works are alive and the artists are mad.

YAPPY HOUR Join us at Nixo Patio Lounge for a night of cocktails, food and furry friends.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30 th 7PM – 9PM HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS | DOG TOYS AND TREATS PUPPY BREW | MUSIC BY DJ PANDA PR1ME

COSTUME CONTEST Come dressed in your best costume for a chance to win a stay at Luxe City Center and dinner at Nixo.

Best Couples Costume | Best Dog Costume

L U X E C I T Y C E N T E R H O T E L | 1 0 2 0 S O U T H F I G U E R O A S T R E E T | L U X E C I T Y C E N T E R . C O M | 2 ND F L O O R

Don't Miss LIST

BY SEAN P. THOMAS

Comedian, actor and storyteller Mike Birbiglia never wanted to be a father, but now that he is one, he’s taking the opportunity to riff on his own parental experiences in his latest stage show, which lands at the Ahmanson Theatre this week. The award-winning solo show The New One, which can best be described as a standup special mixed with a stage play, details Birbiglia’s reluctant transition into fatherhood in a humorous and relatable fashion. The show opens on Friday, Oct. 25 with shows on Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Pro-tip: Check out Birbiglia’s podcast “The Old Ones,” for a primer before checking out the show. At 135 N. Grand Ave. or centertheatregroup.org.

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TUESDAY, OCT. 22 Zocalo Public Square Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St. or zocalopublicsquare.org.

7:30 p.m.: A panel of sociologists and policy directors weigh in on the question “what can everyday Angelenos do about homelessness?”

Lost & Found at the Movies: True Lies Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St. or lfla.org.

7:30 p.m.: Lulu Wang, director of the recent drama “The Farewell,” talks about blurring the truth and how to approach stories about deception.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23 An Evening with Busy Phillips Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. or bootlegtheater.org.

8 p.m.: The actress comes to Downtown to read from and discuss her new book “This Will Only Hurt a Little.”

SATURDAY, OCT. 26 Boonion Station Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.com/happenings.

12 p.m.: The station’s south patio gets turned into an outdoor all-ages Halloween party with activities for kids, costume contests, and more. The event continues on Sunday.

Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party Second Street or golittletokyo.com/haunted.

5 p.m.: Enjoy trick or treating, outdoor music, vendors, food and a beer garden at this neighborhood Halloween party.

SUNDAY, OCT. 27 The Thing in the Labyrinth— A Horror Book Club Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.org.

9:30 p.m.: Just in time for Halloween, the monthly book club gathers in the dark to discuss Josh Malerman’s thriller “Inspection.”

THE

2019 has been good to Danny Brown. In August, Brown invited us into his home for his Viceland talk show “Danny’s House,” and on Oct. 4, the Detroit-based artist released his fifth studio album U Know What I’m Sayin? Considered one of the more unique acts in hip-hop, Brown should expect to continue that good fortune when he swings

by Downtown’s Regent Theater for an evening full of pulse pounding beats and biting lyricism. Starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, expect to hear singles from his most recent album, as well as a few chart topping favorites like “Dip” and “25 Bucks.”

At 448 S. Main St., or spacelandpresents.com.

John Hodgman is a man of many talents. First breaking through as a writer, Hodgman has since gone on to build a successful career as a columnist, actor, podcaster and novelist with three books to his name. Hodgman’s latest effort, Medallion Status: True Stories from Secret Rooms, hit the stands last month and is the topic of discussion when Hodgman swings by the Aratani Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 24 for Live Talks Los Angeles. Kicking off at 8 p.m., Hodgman will sit down and chat with musician and songwriter Aimee Mann, to discuss the book, which takes a honest look at Hodgman’s diverse career. Pro-tip: a ticket purchase comes with a copy of Medallion Status. At 244 S. San Pedro St. or livetalksla.org.

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s Art of Television Costume Design, one of Downtown’s most fashionable exhibits, is wrapping up this week, so what better time than now to go check out the unique showcase?

Wrapping up on Saturday, Oct. 26, the exhibit features more than 100 costumes from 23 of television’s most popular shows. Garbs worn in the ABC sitcom “Black-ish,” the Amazon Prime hit “Good Omens,” and the HBO megahit “Game of Thrones” are just some of the highlights from the exhibit. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. At 919 S. Grand Ave. or fidmmuseum.org.

Skid Row is often considered the capital of homelessness in the United States. It’s also home to some very talented and dedicated artists. For the 10th year, those artists get to step into the limelight with the return of the annual Festival for All Skid Row Artists this weekend. Held at Gladys Park, the two-day festival (Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 26-27) features over 100 artists across a diverse range of disciplines, many of which will take the stage for the first time in their artistic careers. The festival, which is organized by the Los Angeles Poverty Department, runs 1-5 p.m. on each day. At the corner of Sixth Street and Gladys Avenue or lapovertydepartment.org.

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

photo courtesy Los Angeles Poverty Department

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OCTOBER 21, 2019

photo by Joan Marcus

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LEGAL NOTICE MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from consultants wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide consulting services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at: https://forms.gle/AHtnnKejUmuSBXsy5. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by November 20, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on November 20, 2019 will be rejected.

LEGAL NOTICE MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from consultants wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide consulting services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at: https://forms.gle/U84LRz5BAFf3AnrR9. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by November 20, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on November 20, 2019 will be rejected.

‘ Helping Everyone Find their Place in Downtown Los Angeles Since 2002 ’ Bill Cooper 213.598.7555 • LARealEstateExpert.com Bill@LARealEstateExpert.com

DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

The site-specefic The Tragedie of Macbeth puts audiences in the middle of the play’s actions, next to ghosts and witches.

photo courtesy the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles

HALLOWEEN, 9 Avenue, with vendors, merchants and bands filling the space. There will also be a beer garden set up. Entry into the trick or treating and the party are free, but some activities do cost money.

At Second Street in Little Tokyo or golittletokyo.com/haunted.

Pop-Up Pleasures: For more theatrical and interactive fun, head to Row DTLA for Haus of Creep, this year’s edition of the immersive horror show Creep LA. This year’s show is an openworld experience, set inside a twisted art gallery show that riffs on the Instagram friendly pop-ups common in Downtown. See some art, get touched by some art, and check out hidden rooms, the frowning clown Mr. Happy and the vindictive artists behind it all. The immersive theater show runs for multiple 75-minute performances each night. Check Creep LA’s website for show dates. Tickets are $69.

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

Pay Tribute: For more culturally focused seasonal entertainment and art, head over to Grand Park for its annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration. Starting on Saturday, Oct. 26 and running for nine days, there will be 35 altars set up across the 12-acre park, each with a different theme and aesthetic, all paying tribute to deceased ancestors and friends. The altars are free to check out, and the installation starts with the opening kick off event Noche de Ofrenda (Night of Offering) on the Saturday.

At 200 N. Grand Ave. or grandparkla.org.

Flee into the Forest: Over on Broadway, the team at Clifton’s Republic is transforming the multi-level space into an ode to the spooky fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and Slavic legend.

Into the Woods: A Haunted Fairy Tale starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 and includes people in-character as folktale characters wandering through the darkened space. Be ready for drink specials as well. Ticket packages start at $25 and come with shots as soon as you enter the space.

But here’s a tip, there’s no cover before 8 p.m.

At 648 S. Broadway or cliftonsrepublic.com.

The Scottish Play: William Shakespeare never wrote a straightforward horror story, but his Scottish tragedy Macbeth has many of the trappings of one: fog-filled bogs, witches, murder and ghosts. The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles is diving into the ghastly world of Macbeth for a second year with an immersive staging of The Tragedie of Macbeth. Instead of being confined to one stage, witness all of

the murder, betrayal and hauntings close up as scenes move throughout the Shakespeare Center’s building, starting underground and weaving through a castle, battlefields, forests and more. Shows are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

At 1238 W. First St. or shakespearecenter.org.

Dark Wave: It’s time to get your goth on and dance the night away. Resident is hosting a special edition of Music for the Masses on Halloween night. Focused on dark ‘80s New Wave music, DJs Ultragrrrl and Le Apples will be spinning mixes from New Order, Joy Division, Depeche Mode and other moody acts all night.

If the venue gets too dark for you, there is always Resident’s outdoor beer garden. Tickets are $10.

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

Get Your Check Up: Eighth Street’s Golden Gopher is also getting into the spooky season this weekend. The already dimly lit bar is getting a two-night thematic makeover Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26, when it transitions into an infamous hospital. The “Haunted Hospital” will see medical equipment set up around the space, plus drink specials such as the Code Blue, DNR and Blood Transfusion. On Saturday there is a costume contest with the winner announced at 11 p.m. (there are prizes for the top two).

At 417 W. Eight St. or goldengopherla.com.

On the Tracks: For more all-ages fun ahead of Halloween proper, follow the train tracks to Union Station. The historic transit building becomes “Boonion Station” this weekend. The free party runs 12-6 p.m. both days, with the station’s south patio playing host to puppet shows, face painting, crafts and multiple to trick or treat.

There will also be costume contests with prizes, as well as a “Monster Mash Dance Party.”

At 800 N. Grand Ave. or unionstationla.org.

Weird Science: Halloween isn’t just about parties; it’s also a chance to learn spooky facts. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles recently launched its Natural History of Horror exhibition. The show focuses on the real-world science and cultural inspirations behind Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Try your hand at some of the interactive components, from recreating classic horror sound effects to making frog legs twitch with electricity. Also be sure to look at the historic props from classic Universal horror films.

If you can’t make it in time for Halloween, the show runs through April 19.

At 900 Exhibition Blvd. or nhm.org. nslayton@timespublications.com.

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