LADTN 11-25-19

homicides on the rise Page 3

civic center building update Pages 6

photo courtesy Woolf and the Wondershow

NOVEMBER 25, 2019 I VOL. 48 I #47

Layering for Effect ‘Cages’ Combines Several Mediums to Create an Immersive Visual Experience See page 8

255 GRAND

u Live?

213.229.9777

SING

255grand.com

MUSEUM TOWER

213.626.1500

themuseumtowerapts.com

♥

MUSEUM TOWER

NOW LEASING

themuseumtowerapts.com

WHERE YOU LIVE

Love W

213.626.1500

THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. SINCE 1972

NOW 255 GRAND

213.229.9777

255grand.com

2 DOWNTOWN NEWS

DT

AROUND TOWN

Date Set for Free Admission at MOCA

T

he Museum of Contemporary Art announced earlier this year that it was doing away with admission costs at both of its Downtown locations. Now we know exactly when gratis admission will begin. MOCA announced last week that it will begin offering free general admission on Jan. 11. To celebrate the launch of its new free admission, the museum is hosting a public gathering at both locations, which will feature live music, performances and food. The new model was made possible by a $10 million gift from MOCA Board President Carolyn Clark Power, which was announced at the annual MOCA benefit gala in May. Attendees will still have to pay for special admission, while MOCA members will be able to access the exhibits for free.

Council District 14 Candidates Debate

C

andidates hoping to replace City Councilman José Huizar as the representative for City Council District 14 will square off in a debate hosted by the local advocacy group

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

DTLA Strong next month. The debate will be held at the Million Dollar Theater on Dec. 11 and will provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about the policy positions and views of the race’s leading candidates. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the debate will be moderated by DTLA Strong co-founder Gerren Kersaw. The candidate pool is barred to people who have raised less than $25,000 or have received below 500 unique contributions by Nov. 1. The debate is only for DTLA Strong members. DTLA Strong is free to join, with the only requirement being that you are registered to vote in Downtown. A limited amount of tickets are available to members who are not registered to vote in the Downtown election. The primary election is in March, with a general election planned for November.

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

fled the scene. Washington was identified by area cameras and was later arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on June 19. The victim, Jose Cancel, was required to receive staples to address the head wound.

Washington will be sentenced on Dec. 10 where officials expect him to receive seven years in state prison.

Dining Options Announced For Wells Fargo Plaza

man who struck a 75-year-old man in Downtown Los Angeles with an electric scooter in June was convicted last week. According to a news release from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Janai Washington, 41, pled no contest on Nov. 20 to one count of elder abuse with intent to inflict great bodily injury. On June 13, Washington approached the victim as he sat in a chair at Sixth and Spring streets. Without provocation, Washington threw an electric scooter at the elderly man, striking his head and arm. A witness intervened, after which the suspect

Why does this little burger stand attract over a million people a year?

Find out at the landmark location near Downtown. Home of the original Chili-burger.

Quality and value since 1946:

Chili Hamburger .............. $3.15 Chili Cheeseburger ........... $3.70

Many Imitate, But None Compare!

First Look at Skid Row Housing Project

E

Conviction in Scooter Assault Case

A

We Have Noodles alum Darren Sayphraraj.

In addition, the Halo will house a new bar, which is expected to open in January and a Shake Shack. The restaurants will join Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse, which will remain a part of the Wells Fargo Plaza. More restaurants and additions are expected to be announced in 2020 and the Halo is scheduled to open to the public in early 2020 with eateries opening later in the year.

T

image courtesy of Rose Group

here has been some big leasing news coming out of Brookfield Properties’ Wells Fargo Plaza renovation. Previously housing a closed 9-to-5-food hall, Brookfield is currently working on a new public meeting space called Halo. Last week, the new plaza locked down its first batch of tenants, including Trejo’s Tacos and Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts from actor and entrepreneur Danny Trejo, a pizzeria (Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizzeria) from Daniel Holzman of New York’s The Meatball Shop, and Green Thing, from

arlier this fall, plans were filed to create a new permanent supportive housing building at 401 E. Sixth St. Now more details and the first renderings are out, thanks to documents filed with the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council’s Planning and Land Use Committee for its November meeting. The development, currently called Sixth Street Place, comes from Mercy Housing and would replace an existing three-story industrial building that has ground-floor retail.

In its place will be a six-story building with 93 supportive housing units (along with one apartment for the building manager), as well as community rooms and on-site services from the nonprofit The People Concern. The new structure would include 1,800 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Renderings from TCA Architects show a modern low-rise structure, with a tiled exterior on the ground floor. The project has a $54 million budget, but the timeline was not disclosed.

DOWNTOWN NEWS 3

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Homicides on the Rise in Downtown After 15th Homicide, Downtown Still Below 2017 High

By Sean P. Thomas n Friday, Nov. 15 around 6 p.m., near a Burger King along the border of Chinatown at the intersection of Grand and Cesar Chavez avenues, a taxi driver was found stabbed to death. The victim, 68-year-old Burbank resident Oganes Papzyan, was later pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

The suspect in the stabbing, 32-year-old Daniel Victor Torres was taken into custody two days later and was arraigned for murder in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The killing marked the latest in a particularly deadly four-month stint for Downtown Los Angeles. Since the start of August, eight people have been killed within the Central City. Overall, the killing marked the 15th homicide in Downtown since the start of the year, which has already surpassed last year’s mark of 13 at this time.

Unless the trend increases, Downtown will likely end below the stats from 2017, when 21 people were killed. Over the past 12 months, 18 people have been killed in Downtown.

Downtown is still below the 16 homicides committed through October 2017, but Central Division Capt. Timothy Harrelson said that while the homicides are concerning, there isn’t any pattern that explains the increase.

O

in every major neighborhood in Downtown except Bunker Hill and Chinatown.

“It’s been no pattern, no trend,” Harrelson said. “Nothing that we can tap into as far as putting out some preventative measures outside what we’re currently doing.”

“These All Appear to be Very Random” The spike in homicides comes during a relatively average year for violent crime overall. Year to date, there has been 1,660 violent crimes in the Central Division, compared to 1,592 at the same time in 2018. The numbers are below the violent crime rate in 2017, which saw 1,765 violent crimes through from January 2018 to Nov. 2, 2018.

Harrelson noted that a few of the homicides began as arguments between homeless individuals, before escalating to a full on brawl. Others, like the homicide in South Park and the situation at the Watermarke, were related to narcotics.

“Dealing with narcotics is a dangerous world to be in,” Harrelson said. “But these all appear to be very random, and not connected in any way.”

On three occasions this year, an individual died because they hit their head on the pavement after being struck. That number includes Julius Realista Rondez, a 70-yearold Department of Water and Power employee who was struck in an unprovoked attack Continued on page 5

“We don’t have a serial killer out there,” Harrelson said. “We have people getting into arguments and getting into fights.

People having issues with narcotic sales and transactions.”

The four-month string of killings started on Aug. 7, when three men struck a homeless man with a metal pipe. He would succumb to his injuries on Aug. 18. Three days later on Aug. 21, a man was shot to death on Long Beach Avenue.

On Aug. 27, Dwayne Dale Fields, a wellknown musician living on the streets of Skid Row, died as a result of arguably the most gruesome of the murders when his tent was set on fire near Sixth and San Pedro streets.

Officers found Fields, body still ablaze, walking aimlessly down East Sixth Street according to reports. Since Aug. 27, there have been five additional killings. Since May, there has been at least one homicide in Downtown very month.

The majority of the homicides occurred on city streets, except for the Oct. 17 shooting of 42-year-old Wesley Drakes at the luxury Watermarke Tower apartments at Ninth and Flower streets, but outside of the locations, their hasn’t been much tying each case together that would inform any preventative measures.

So far, there have been homicides this year

Convenience

DOWNLOAD THE APP SIGN UP TODAY!

“Now in Your Neighborhood”

RACK UP POINTS FOR THE THINGS YOU BUY EVERY DAY. REDEEM THOSE POINTS FOR FREE REWARDS. PLUS, GET A FREE DRINK OR SNACK WHEN YOU REGISTER.

At Olympic & Alameda St.

THANK YOU

EARN

points for every $1 you spend

For Making Your 7-Eleven a Huge Success!

REDEEM your points for FREE food & drink

Homicide Numbers 15

2019

13

2018

21

2017

11

2016

11

2015

6

2014

(Through Nov. 22)

Statistics Courtesy the Los Angeles Police Department

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

ly n o + for 00 5 CLASSIC WINGS

LARGE PIZZA

$10.

x +Ta

SCORE

bonus offers to get rewards even faster

Our 7-Eleven / 76 / Propane staff is here for you 24/7.

We take pride in our store and it shows. Stop in and say hi, we look forward to seeing you!

ATM

©

ALWAYS OPEN New El Segundo Location 2161 El Segundo Blvd.

310-648-7697

T

ST

OL YM

PI

C

BL VD

S ALAMEDA

Amazon Lockers at both our Locations: DTLA “Chalus” & El Segundo “Sipla”

Se Habla Español

7 TH S

NTR

At Olympic & Alameda St.

S CE

1800 E. Olympic Blvd.

7 Eleven Staff (above left to right): Guillermo and Bertha. (right): Manuel, Propane Manager.

AL A VE

PROPANE (REFILL), GAS & DIESEL 24 HOURS / 7 DAYS A WEEK

213-627-5008

K103164 - 57590 - PUMP TOPPER EXTENDER 21X13 3LRETK

4 DOWNTOWN NEWS

DT

EDITORIALS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Think Past Holiday Volunteering

T

his week marks both Thanksgiving and the start of the winter holiday season. It’s a time to spend with family and friends, and also a time when many people wish to give back, donating to charities or volunteering at shelters, nonprofits and other altruistic places. And locally, many will, giving their time to shelters such as the Midnight Mission or raising money via the Turkey Trot this Thursday.

That is commendable, but that mindset should not be limited solely to the holiday season.

The irony isn’t lost on this paper that we are making this case three days before Thanksgiving. Many service providers and organizations are very vocal in their call for volunteers, citing specific events that require additional people. However, it’s worth noting that they are no less in need during the rest of the year. The homelessness crisis and poverty doesn’t exist only on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and neither does opportunities to volunteer.

Even if you look at just late fall and early winter, you can help in many ways. This holiday season comes after a notable spike in homelessness in the county and city, and in Downtown. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s annual homeless count found an 11% increase in Skid Row over last year, similar increases were reported in the city and across the county.

This period of the year is one of the toughest for homeless individuals in Downtown, due to additional hardships brought on by the winter months. Thanksgiving arrives just after the start of the rainy season this year — Los Angeles experienced the first heavy rain of the season last week, drenching city sidewalks with rain and even hail. In Skid Row and across Downtown, many people live exposed to the elements, in dirty conditions made worse by the rain. Many will be seeking beds in the city’s limited shelter stock. At the same time, organizations are looking for supplies and volunteers to provide warm clothes, pack hygiene kits and donate sleeping bags and other items.

Missions and other spaces point out that these items are also needed year round. Many of the holiday events, such as setting up for Thanksgiving dinners in Skid Row, actually fill up quickly and don’t need additional volunteers. That should not be interpreted as these organizations having all the resources they need, year round, however.

Many nonprofits, missions and other charities often have a full-time volunteer coordinator who is available to provide insight on when and where their organization needs the most help, and how resources can best be allocated. Downtown residents should reach out and find out how they can most effectively lend their time and energy to help those in need.

As Downtown continues to grow, both with new buildings and an expanding residential population, it must keep its less fortunate in mind. A community is defined in part by how it helps one another.

And that cannot just be on major holidays.

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

LA Memorial Coliseum

Veterans Day Tulsi Gabbard & Janice Hahn

November 11, 2019

DT

COMMENTS

In Response to the article “See the Latest Plans for Parker Center Replacement Project.”

help people of all colors learn a great philosophy and art of Jeet Kune Do. I’ll be stopping by if I’m in town.

— Alfred Romano

This master plan is spectacularly bad. If a second-tier Chinese city, with a second-tier U.S. planning firm, had made such plans back in the 90s, we would probably shrug our shoulders and sigh. But to see this in L.A., in 2019, is jarring.

What kinds of urban place making principles are at work here? We’ll end up with a city hall in the middle of vast, hot and largely unshaded open space with little to no life on its perimeter to activate it all. Yikes!

— Gerhard W. Mayer

Wow may the spirit of Bruce Lee inspire your endeavor and many generations to come, just as you were. Good luck and all the best!

— Karen Kong

In Response to the article “Enter the Dragon’s Studio”

by Nicholas Slayton.

Hey You! Speak Up!

This is exciting and thrilling to hear! It’s absolutely wonderful when younger people are so inspired to preserve historic and cultural landmarks and make it come alive again. Good luck and much success — Larry Oleson I’m so happy to hear this historical studio opened. Bruce would be happy to know his teachings are being held to

It goes to show, when you’re a true legend, you’re spirit lives on. Kudos to his students!

— Jose Aviles

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

1620 W. FOUNTAINHEAD PARKWAY, SUITE 219 TEMPE, ARIZONA 85282 PRESIDENT: Steve T. Strickbine VICE PRESIDENT: Michael Hiatt

S I N C E 19 7 2 facebook: L.A. Downtown News

twitter: DowntownNews

instagram: @ladowntownnews

©2019 Times Media Group. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Times Media Group. All rights reserved. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Downtown News has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in Court Judgement No. C362899. One copy per person.

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 5

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

HOMICIDES 3 in July by a 22-year-old man. Harrelson noted the uniqueness of the situations, pointing out that it is typically rare for someone in Downtown to get into a fight, and ultimately die as a result.

“I won’t call it a freak occurrence, but for three people to get hit, fall and die from their injuries is kind of strange,” Harrelson said.

Hollywood resident Beverly Baker teaches a periodic non-physical self-defense course in Downtown that is geared around avoiding arguments and identifying cues from potential assailants.

Baker said that in recent months she’s noticed an uptick in the level of interest in her self-defense course, especially from businesses concerned for worker safety. In the course, she teaches students how to determine if someone is trying to target them, or the different street hustles used to lure in people as they walk down the street.

She said that in most situations, the best thing is to simply avoid the argument and keep moving to the destination.

“It’s more about mindset,” Baker said. “Kicking and punching is a great and valuable tool, but the reason I started this class is to help people who will never do that. I wanted to reach people who are uncomfortable with punching.”

Outside of a cafe on a recent Friday afternoon, Ryan Berry, a 53-year-old Echo Park resident who works in Downtown, said that he’s learned over his 16-years working in

Downtown to simply walk away when situations start to get heated.

“It took me a minute, but I learned to ignore a lot of the things that people say,” Berry said. “Headphones help a lot.”

Victoria Tamba, a 32-year-old Downtown resident, was outside of that same cafe and said that although public safety concerns like assaults and homicides aren’t ultimately her “number one concern,” she’s aware that living in Downtown means that she needs to keep her head on a swivel.

“You never know what can happen,” Tamba said.

Although Harrelson said that a lack of awareness is not exactly a contributing factor to the homicides committed in Downtown this year, he added that it was a good rule of thumb to be aware of your surroundings no matter what situation you find yourself in.

“It’s just a matter of preventing yourself from becoming a victim,” Harrelson said.

“Whatever crime, don’t allow yourself to be a victim.”

Harrelson said that so far, arrests have been made in 13 of the 15 homicide cases. He attributed the arrest rate to solid detective work from the homicide team and is confident that Central’s homicide detectives will be able to arrest the remaining two suspects.

“They are tireless,” Harrelson said. “They will work 365 days, 40 hours straight with no sleep because they won’t slow down before the lead slows down.” sthomas@timespublications.com.

Ribbon Cutting for New Main Street Bike Lane The City’s Second Two-Way Route Stretches from Chinatown to the Fashion District

I

n a bid to provide safer avenues for pedestrians and bicyclists, the City of Los Angeles recently put the finishing touches on its second two-way bike lane in Downtown Los Angeles.

The new lane, part of 14th District Councilman José Huizar and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s Main and Spring Forward plan, stretches from the Cesar Chavez Avenue in the north to Ninth Street in the south and provides a buffered path for riders to travel.

The path runs along the western portion of Main Street and replaces an already existing buffered bicycle lane along the east side of the street.

To celebrate the projects completion, the councilman’s office is hosting a ribbon cutting for the new addition on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the intersection of Ninth and Main streets at 8 a.m. According to officials, the lanes also reduce conflict between buses and bicycles, and increase bus transit efficiency. Crews also added new bollards to protect motorists, and refurbished and redesigned specific curbs

along the route. Crosswalks along the historic core were also received a facelift.

The lanes work in conjunction with a two-way bike lane installed on Spring Street in October 2018, the first two-way bike lane to be installed in the city. Crews have been working on the Main Street lane since the October 26.

“We have seen already on Spring Street that two-way bike lanes allow for a safer and more convenient experience for bicyclists, pedestrians and car,” Huizar said in a prepared statement after the projected was announced.

The project was prioritized as part of the city’s Vision Zero platform, which seeks to completely eliminate traffic fatalities. According to LADOT, someone is killed in a traffic collision every 40 hours.

The project comes 14 months after the complete of the massive MyFigueroa Streetscape improvement project. The project complete overhauled the Figueroa corridor by adding protecting bike lanes along certain stretches of the route, and reorganizing bus pick up locations.

CALL TO ARTISTS

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Metro is establishing an Artist Pool to create artwork for LA’s transit system. To learn more and submit your materials, visit:

>> metro.net/artistpool Open through 12/9/19

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

6 DOWNTOWN NEWS

$2.2 Million Going to Re-Housing and Hygiene on Skid Row The funds will be spread across multiple

By Nicholas Slayton ast week the Los Angeles City Coun- service providers, including the Downcil approved a pair of motions allo- town Women’s Center in Skid Row, who cating state funds for expanded re- will also provide trauma care training for strooms and showers on Skid Row, as well service providers.

“Our partnership with Downtown as rapid re-housing for homeless women.

Approved on Nov. 15, the funds come Women’s Center will allow us to provide from California’s Homeless Emergency Aid housing solutions for women who are the Program, or HEAP, and the two motions largest growing segment of our homeless were introduced to the council by City population and have unique needs that Councilman José Huizar, whose 14th Dis- need customized solutions,” Huizar said in trict covers much of Downtown. The first a pepared statement.

The funds are the latest HEAP dollars almotion allocated $500,000 to expand restroom and shower services at the St. Vin- located for Skid Row. Previously in June, cent de Paul Cardinal Manning Center at the City Council appropriated $2.7 million 231 Winston St., allowing 180 more peo- for additional sanitation services, while a ple to access the facilities per day. An ad- month later it approved the same amount ditional $150,000 will also pay for “Com- for the relocation and expansion of the munity Ambassadors” at the Skid Row ReFresh Spot.

On the same day, Huizar introduced a Community ReFresh Spot, a hygiene center in the area, to assist homeless individ- motion that would increase the storage uals in accessing employment services capacity of the city’s Bin storage facility by 2,500 additional bins. According to and other programs offered by the city.

The second motion allocates $1.5 mil- the motion, if approved, there would be lion to help women who fall into home- enough bin storage for every person livlessness. The money will go toward finan- ing in Skid Row without nightly shelter. cial assistance, rental application fees, lo- The City Administrative Officers was also gistical help including moving and trans- directed to evaluate five Downtown sites 800.900.5788 aerioconnect.com Broadband Voiceother I WiFi housing I HDTV placement for possibleIbridge housing facilities. portationI and nslayton@timespublications.com. activities for approximately 150 women.

L

BUSINESS INTERNET SERVICE 1000Mbps/$499.95

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

Fresh Details for Parker Center Replacement

By Nicholas Slayton he City of Los Angeles shared new specifics and the latest updates on its mixed-use office building planned to go up on the former site of the Parker Center last week. The community meeting, held at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 19, was the first since a request for qualifications was sent out in April.

The meeting centered on the ongoing construction of Los Angeles Street Civic Building, which is the first phase of the city’s wider Civic Center Master Plan, which is aimed at reshaping the center of city and county government with new office and residential buildings, and pathways linking the area to the Historic Core, Little Tokyo, and El Pueblo.

Approximately 40 people attended, including developer representatives and residents of Little Tokyo, and members of the Bureau of Engineering and Department of City Planning.

“This will be the first of what we hope to be a brand new Civic Center,” Shawn Kuk, planning director for 14th District City Councilman José Huizar, said at the meeting. “This prospective district will rekindle relationships [with other neighborhoods] that were lost many decades ago.”

The meeting was centered on providing details about the expected building and briefing Angelenos on the next steps, including the request for proposals process, set to start in early 2020.

The project would be developed by a public-private partnership, with the private developer handling design, financing, construction and long-term operation. The city would then, once the building is ready for occupancy, begin making annual payments on it, according to Reza Bagherzadeh, project head for the building at the Bureau of Engineering.

After 30 years of payments, the building will fall into full city ownership.

The city requires that the building be able to house 3,000 workers, as well as underground parking, a conference center, a childcare center, ground-floor retail space,

T

photo courtesy the Department of City Planning

The proposed Los Angeles Street Civic Building could rise as high as 29 stories and would include ground-floor retail, a community center, and offices for 3,000 city workers.

and a 2,000-3,000-square-foot community center. The city is looking for the building to be anywhere from 15-29 stories tall, Bagherzadeh said.

Initial plans also call for a new east-west paseo to be created on the south end of the site, linking Los Angeles and Judge John Aiso streets.

Bagherzadeh said that once the RFP is released next year there will be a blackout period until a preferred proposal is selected in early 2021, at which point community engagement would begin again.

Prior to 2009, the Parker Center served as the headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department. The building was originally constructed in 1955 but was given the Parker Center moniker in 1966 to honor former Los Angeles Police Department chief William H. Parker. The site had grown infamous since its construction, as a symbol of the LAPD’s militarization under Parker’s watch.

The Los Angeles Street Civil Building is expected to break ground by the end of 2021 after the site is fully cleared. If the time line holds the Bureau of Engineering expects the building to be finished by 2024. nslayton@timespublications.com.

Auto + Renters = Savings

Auto + Renters = Savings

BUSINESS PHONE SERVICE $9.95 Pricing starting from

HOME INTERNET SERVICE 1000Mbps/$14.95

And those savings could add up to $600* So put your Auto and Renters together with State Farm® and let the savings *begin.

GET TO A BETTER STATE.® CALL ME TODAY

Karla Greene, Agent* Speeds Insurance Lic#: 0I67776 up to ** Pricing starting from 213-239-9675 or Karla@KarlaGreene.com Visit: www.karlagreene.com (fax: 213-239-9679)

Broadband I Voice I WiFi I HDTV

800.900.5788 I aerioconnect.com

**

Karla Greene Insurance and Financial Services Inc.

Broadband I Voice I WiFi I HDTV

800.900.5788 I aerioconnect.com 1203037 State Farm, Bloomington, IL

*Average annual per household savings based on a national 2010 survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm.

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Shop Hop: The Downtown Retail Roundup

The long-running International House of Music relocated to the Fashion District.

Like the old location, the new one carries a variety of musical instruments and equipment.

Two Long-Awaited Spots Open at The Bloc, Downtown Stalwarts Relocate, and a Barbershop Has Sights on Downtown

By Nicholas Slayton Musical Shop Hop: One of Broadway’s longest-running stores is now off Broadway. In October the International House of Music relocated from its longtime home at 339 S. Broadway to Los Angeles Street. The new space, like the old location, carries a wide selection of musical instruments and equipment, to buy and to rent.

The space also offers repairs, as well as practice space for musicians to hone their skills.

The store originally opened in Downtown Los Angeles in 1902.

At 821 S. Los Angeles St. or ihomi.com

A

Dry Time: At long last, The Bloc has its hair salon. Drybar officially opened last month on the second floor of the Financial District shopping center. It’s not the typical salon though; the chain only focuses on blowouts, not actual haircuts. The blowouts, including hair washes, are $49, and the store has a number of styles that people can choose from. Customers can also get their hair dry-styled for $20. The salon also offers face-cleaning services for $10 each.

At 700 W. Seventh St., (323) 275-4067 or thedrybar.com.

Paper Goods: Just in time for the holiday seasons, there’s a new store for greeting cards, invitations, gift-wrapping and other paper-based tools. Paper Source opened next to Drybar and underneath the Alamo Drafthouse in October. The store carries a variety of crafting paper, party decorations, and stationary, that includes everything from various holiday gift bags staring at $4 to a $40 custom stamp set. Paper Source currently has a variety of Christmas and Hanukkah-themed gift sets, including boxes, wrapping paper and even ornaments.

At 700 W. Seventh St., (818) 451-5020 or papersource.com.

Manly on Main: Another haircut option has arrived in Downtown. Manly and Sons Barber Co. recently opened a space next to The Regent Theater on Nov. 20, in the former home of Raw Materials Art Supplies. Raw Materials Art Supplies moved to a new space in September. The space is home to barbers of-

DOWNTOWN NEWS 7

photo by Nicholas Slayton

fering beard trimmings ($38), straight-razor shaves ($38), and a variety of haircuts ($40$75) in a space with a retro barbershop aesthetic. Manly and Sons also has outposts in Echo Park and Venice.

At 440 S. Main St. or manlyandsons.com.

Sparkle Time: Changes are afoot at the Sparkle Factory. Jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino has turned her showroom on the seventh floor of her building into a new concept store.

The space opened on Nov. 23. The space features a whole range of Tarantino’s designs, from pearl necklaces to bright, boldly colored bows and rings, with prices from $38 to $125.

At 908 S. Broadway or tarinatarantino.com.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Arts District has one less clothing store. Black Rainbow, a tiny boutique shop that specialized in vintage clothing accessories, closed at the start of November, but don’t worry Black Rainbow fans, its not going too far.

The space is now relocating to Echo Park.

The vintage store originally opened at 12 S. Vignes St., near the Moroccan Lounge and Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, in November 2016, with a selection of items also made

by Arts District residents. The shops specific location in Echo Park has not been determined.

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

The New LA Yard

Get up to $15,000 rebate when you replace your grass with California Friendly® and native plants.

ladwp.com/landscaping

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

8 DOWNTOWN NEWS

NOVEMBER 25, 2019 photo courtesy Woolf and the Wondershow

DT

CALENDAR

‘Cages’ Breaks the Bounds of Mediums A New Musical in Downtown Transforms a Warehouse into an Immersive World with Layered Performances

By Nicholas Slayton mmersive theater has become a steady fixture in Downtown Los Angeles, with various productions putting audiences inside themed spaces, with actors interacting with visitors. Now a new production is taking immersive techniques, plus unconventional staging, to present a unique musical experience.

That’s the idea behind Cages, a new musical from the creative team of Woolf and the Wondershow. The musical group and production company has set up a multi-part theatrical experience in an Arts District warehouse that mixes cutting-edge projection and recording technology with live performers. The venue at 1926 E. Seventh Pl. is set up across multiple rooms in the building, starting with a themed bar, down a hallway of immersive rooms, and then finally in the theater itself where the show is performed. However, unlike many of the other theatrical productions in Downtown, which are often here for no more than a couple of weeks, the Woolf and the Wondershow team plans to stay.

Cages has been a long-simmering project for creators CJ Baran and Benjamin Romans.

The pair, a pop-rock musician and songwriter and film composer, respectively, originally released a “baroque pop” EP of five songs in 2016 as Woolf and the Wondershow, even staging a low-budget pop-up show based on the music.

“That turned into us going down a freaking rabbit hole for four years [to turn it into something bigger],” Baran said.

The pair was able to get additional funding and secured a multi-year lease for the space on Seventh Place, transforming the 11,000-square-foot location into a theater and bar, and developing a full musical based on their initial EP. The two-act show (there is a 20-minute

I

“There are elements of film we thought intermission) is currently in previews, with an opening set for Dec. 5. The theater holds could invade the theater,” he added. “It may not have been an easy concept, but it’s honroughly 100 people and tickets start at $50.

The musical itself puts audiences inside est with our taste.”

The pair said that they went with their the world of Anhedonia, a dystopian future where emotions are forbidden and people’s unique staging to try to capture the cinemathearts are locked in cages (it’s mostly meta- ic vision they had when writing the music. phorical, however costumes do have cages Aesthetically, the show recalls elements of over the actors’ chests). The plot is more forward than the staging, following reclusive musician Woolf (Baran), who falls in love with Madeline, and the two struggle to hide their love in a world where any sign of it would be cause for execution. The entire show is set to music provided by Romans, via a blending of live performance and recordings he made of a 50-piece orchestra.

But it’s the staging of Cages that’s unique. Outside of a six-piece chorus (who also double as performers outside of the theater) Baran is the only actor actually on stage. The show photo courtesy Woolf and the Wondershow is told through layered proThe new musical Cages mixes live performers with projections and prejections in front and behind recorded scenes, layering visuals for the audience. the stage, with much of the cast having been pre-recorded. For instance, actress Allison Harvard German Expressionism, with surreal shapes, portrays Madeline via a projection. Howev- black, white and gray backgrounds, and maer, Frida Sundemo provides Madeline’s sing- cabre imagery. The songs themselves have ing voice. There’s animation as well, with traces of dark wave and electro-pop, with equations and sound waves spilling out from Baran and Sundemo providing sweeping Woolf’s musical instruments. Baran must play vocals. Romans’ arrangements mix it up in off that, which he said involves a lot of run- style at times, with the arrival of Anhedoning to hit the mark on time during scene nia’s guards featuring more hip-hop-like percussion, and non-musical scenes featuring a shifts.

more whimsical score.

Outside of the main theater, the entire venue has been designed to represent Anhedonia. Small groups of audience members, usually no more than six at a time, enter through an antechamber, where a member of the chorus provides an eerie introduction.

Guests then move on to the bar, dubbed The Chemist (after a character in the show). The entire space is designed to replicate a laboratory and the bar’s four cocktails are named after emotions. For instance, the Sadness cocktail is a blend of gin, vermouth and sherry, with an ashen herb “mascara,” while Love involves vodka, strawberry and champagne.

“We just want to have that element of escapism in all of the space,” Romans said. “If people can go and just have a drink, they can do that. But there are also so many layers, so people can go have fun before the show or during intermission.”

Between the bar and the theater, the space is set up as a narrow hallway, with a gate opening up to allow visitors to sit once showtime arrives. During the intermission the chorus takes over those spaces, where people can act out scenes from the show, from emotional lobotomies, to seeing certain characters’ medical charts. The space changes during the show, to reflect certain plot points.

The Woolf and the Wondershow team said that right now the focus is on opening the show, but did say that they have figured out how to scale the production and could see it hit the road in the future. They intend to keep Cages running for several months. They also see their space as a kind of workshop for additional multimedia shows, with Cages as their flagship.

Cages opens on Dec. 5 at 1926 E. Seventh Pl. or cagesdtla.com. nslayton@timespublications.com.

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Banter and Worry in ‘Jitney’ August Wilson’s Tale of Aging Taxi Cab Drivers Arrives at the Music Center

Jitney follows a group of unlicensed cab drivers in 1970s Pittsburgh as they banter, deal with money troubles, and the threat of the city shutting down their shop.

photo by Joan Marcus

told an ill Wilson that he wanted to bring it to

By Nicholas Slayton laywright August Wilson is celebrated Broadway and got the playwright’s blessing. as much for the poetry of his dialogue The production, in 2017, won the Tony Award as he explains the American dream. for Best Revival which lead to the national His Pittsburgh Cycle of 10 plays, including tour that is now in Los Angeles.

Jitney is classic August Wilson, according Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, chronicles the African American experience in the to Steven Anthony Jones (Becker). There’s Steel City over different decades, addressing heightened dialogue, with rhythmic patterns issues of race, class and unrealized dreams. and strong allusions to poetry. With some This week, Los Angeles audiences can experi- of the storylines, particularly the strained father-son dynamic his character must deal ence the eighth part of the series, Jitney.

The show, on its national tour after a run with, emotions can run high, he added.

That isn’t to say the play is without humor. on Broadway, opened on Friday, Nov. 22 at the Mark Taper Forum and runs through As Jones put it, when there’s a group of old Dec. 29. Ruben Santiago-Hudson, a friend and collaborator of Wilson (who died in 2005), directs this production. The show has a two-and-a-half-hour runtime, with one intermission.

The story centers on a jitney shop in Pittsburgh in the 1970s.

Jitneys, or unlicensed taxicabs, were one of the main sources of transportation for minority and working class groups at the time, and the play opens with the city threatening to crack down on the illegal cab companies. Amid the outside pressure that threatens their livelihood, there’s the story of jitney shop owner Becker and his ex-con son, the story of photo by Joan Marcus a young couple trying to get by, Over the course of Jitney, tensions flare between shop owner Becker one half of whom is a jitney driv(Steven Anthony Jones, background) and his employee Youngblood er trying to deal with the older (Amari Cheatom). group of men he’s working with.

It’s a rich and dense story, but also earnest and rooted in real struggles, ac- men sitting around, there’s a strong level of banter as they talk “about life, about women, cording to Santiago-Hudson.

“What you find in August’s plays is authen- and about bills.” Wilson, he said, didn’t write ticity. I want authenticity,” Santiago-Hudson comedy; he knew how to draw humor from said. “I tell my actors, if your uncle and grand- everyday life experiences. Santiago-Hudson mothers and grandfathers aren’t in your per- said that there is specificity in tone and pacing in the play’s text, and admitted he’s “anal formance, you’re not doing it right.”

Jitney was the first play Wilson wrote, but about the sounds each actor’s voice makes,” eventually was heavily reworked and not comparing each role to an instrument in an staged until the 1990s. It was also, despite orchestra.

“It’s authentic and specific to black life and playing off Broadway for years, the only Wilson play not produced on the celebrated lingo,” Santiago-Hudson said. “The banter theater strip. Santiago-Hudson said that he Continued on page 11

P

BILL MORRISON Dawson City: Frozen Time Live!

Composed by Alex Somers; Live music performed by Wild Up Fri, Dec 6 @ 8pm The Theatre at Ace Hotel FIND YOUR FREQUENCY cap.ucla.edu 310 825 2101

10 DOWNTOWN NEWS

DT The 'Don't Miss' List TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

BY SEAN P. THOMAS

by Sean P. Thomas

EVENTS

Music educator Dr. Jaz Sawyer is celebrating the pioneers of soul jazz with his second tribute concert at the Blue Whale on Monday, Nov. 25. Sawyer, a drummer in his own right who has worked with most of the modern greats of jazz, will lead his fellow musicians in renditions of soul jazz staples by artists like Cannonball Adderley, Lou Donaldson and Lonnie Smith. A sub genre of jazz, soul jazz developed in 1950s and can be best described as rustic and bluesy, with danceable rhythms and tinges of gospel sound. The concert will be performed twice during the evening, at 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. At 123 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka St., or bluewhalemusic.com.

2

photo courtesy Fortunate Youth

MONDAY, NOV. 25 Los Angeles Auto Show Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. or laautoshow.com.

9 a.m.: The annual showcase of the latest debut cars, accessories and classics is back. The show continues through Dec. 1.

TUESDAY, NOV. 26 Gothic Book Club Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.org.

9:30 p.m.: This month the club discusses a classic of vampire literature: Sheridan Le Fanu’s “Carmilla.”

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27 Rogue Wrestling 1720, 1720 S. Los Angeles St. or 1720.la.

8 p.m.: Brian Cage and co. throw down in the square circle.

THURSDAY, NOV. 28 Turkey Trot Outside City Hall, 200 N. Spring St. or turkeytrot.la.

8 a.m.: Work up an appetite on Thanksgiving with this 5-10K race around Downtown.

photo courtesy Jaz Sawyer

CALENDAR LISTINGS

1

3

Free Wi-Fi | Drive Thru Free Parking Breakfast All Day

726 Alameda St. (Bay & Alameda) 213-228-8999 | farmerboysla.com For Orders Over $15

20% OFF

(before taxes) With This Coupon. Expires 12/31/19.

No substitutions. Limit one offer per coupon. One coupon per transaction. Los Angeles Alameda location only. Not valid with any other coupon, advertised special or offer.

State sales tax applicable. Copies or replicas of this offer will not be accepted.

4

Three legends of R&B and soul are joining up to serenade Downtown audiences next week. “Love Train” singers The O’ Jays will be joined

by Jeffrey Osborne and the Four Tops for a trip back to the golden age of R&B during a stop at L.A. Live’s the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Dec. 1. The show kicks off at 7 p.m., after which you’ll hear R&B and soul classics like “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got)” by The Four Tops and Jeffrey Osborne’s “You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song).” At 777 Chick Hearn Ct., or microsofttheater.com.

Known for his almost confessional and autobiographical lyrics, Kevin Gates doesn’t consider himself a rapper, instead he calls himself a speaker and motivator. Well, for not being a rapper, the Louisiana-born artist seems to be pretty darn good at it.

Hot off of the release of his second studio album I’m Him, Gates will bring his particular brand of motivational speech to The Novo on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. Gates will be joined by YK Osiris, Rod Wave and SDoT Fresh. Pro-tip: Every online ticket comes with a digital copy of his recent album. Tickets to his cancelled Nov. 26 show in Pomona will be honored at The Novo. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or thenovodtla.com.

5

photo courtesy Rogue Wrestling

Open24/7

Help Fortunate Youth celebrate 10 years of Southern California reggae rock when the band swings by the Teragram Ballroom on Friday, Nov. 29. The band from Hermosa Beach started in a garage in 2009, steadily building up a following as the band grew to national recognition. What helps set Fortunate Youth apart is that none of the sextet has designated positions. During a performance, each of the members bounces around the stage, picking up a different instrument to play. Fortunate Youth will be joined by Nattali Rize and Kash’d Out. The show starts at 9 p.m. At 1234 W. Seventh St., or spacelandpresents.com.

photo courtesy Business Wire

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

Nov. 30: Buku.

Blue Whale 123 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka St. or bluewhalemusic. com.

Nov. 25: Dr. Jaz Sawyer’s Tribute to Soul Jazz Pioneers II: Holiday Jam Session.

Nov. 26: Mitchell Long Quartet.

Nov. 27: Binney-Lefebvre, Reinhart, and Gardner team up.

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

Nov. 25: It’s the last night of Rosie Tucker’s residency, so catch her while you can.

Nov. 26: Wild, with Johnny Gates.

Nov. 30: Blue the Great mixes a jam session with some digital projections.

Dec. 1: Lina Tullgren, Banny Grove, Jonny Kosmo.

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

Nov. 27: Riot.

Nov. 28: Andy C. Nov. 29: Noizu.

Nov. 30: Audiofreq, Bioweapon, Code Black, and Toneshifterz are all from Australia. The more you know.

Continued on page 11

photo courtesy the artist

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

Be thankful that you’re not the one in the ring behind body slammed by the mountainous Brian Cage at Rogue Wrestling’s Wednesday, Nov. 27 event Thanksgiving Throwdown. Held at 1720, the evening will involve the crowning of their third tournament champion, who will earn a spot in the promotion’s tournament of champions later that evening. Indie stars like the aforementioned Cage, Matt Cross and Priscilla Kelly are on the bill, as well as local favorite El Mariachi Loco and Hawx brothers, Luke and PJ. The show starts at 8 p.m. At 1720 E. 16th St. or etix.com/ ticket/p/4103341/rogue-wrestling-thanksgiving-throwdown--los-angeles-1720.

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

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

Microsoft Theater 777 Chick Hearn Ct. or microsofttheater.com.

Nov. 27: Fuerza Regida.

Nov. 29: Shahkar Bineshpajooh.

Dec. 1: The O’Jays, Jeffrey Osborne and the Four Tops team up for a night of soul.

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

Nov. 26: WhoHurtYou asks the important question.

Nov. 27: Part Time Punks present an ‘80s and ‘90s mixtape night.

Nov. 29: Russ Liquid is on the Heliotrope Tour.

Nov. 30: The Greyboy Allstars bring the boogaloo.

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

Nov. 25: It’s a night of music video releases from electronic artists Whitney Tai, Karolina Rose, Iamhill, and Terabyte.

Nov. 26: Daylyt and Ichiban Don. Nov. 27: TRYBVL is a night of modern African street music.

Nov. 29: It’s a holiday season dance party. Bring unwrapped toys for a toy drive.

Nov. 30: Jay-J, Andy Caldwell and Ricardo Torres.

Dec. 1: Feels, Reckling, and Slaughterhouse bring punk sounds to Hewitt Street.

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

Nov. 27: Kevin Gates is on his “I’m Him” tour.

Nov. 29: Audien, Codeko, BRKLYN. Nov. 30: Comethazine.

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

Nov. 25: Casuis, Kid Carrion, This is a Train Wreck (band name of the week), Joy Weather.

Nov. 27: Prince of Lilies, with Heavy Velvet and Friendly Bear.

Nov. 29: Trevor Dury, Marjorie Fair, Some Gifts.

Dec. 1: Nevo! Neko! Neko!, Dimebox, Stop Thought.

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

Nov. 27: Hey man, nice shot. Filter is here on a tour celebrating 20 years of “Title of Record.”

Nov. 29: Locust, Big Business, Geronimo.

Nov. 30: It’s the end of the month, and that means ‘80s and ‘90s house music at Scam and Jam. The Smell 247 S. Main St., in the alley between Spring and Main streets or thesmell.org Nov. 29: Christian Lovers.

Nov. 30: Whaja Dew, Garbitch, Birote the Musical.

Dec. 1: Moon Fuzz, It’s Butter (this calendar section can’t believe it), Mediocre, The Stamp Collection.

Teragram Ballroom

JITNEY, 9 that we have in this show, the jokes that we make, whether romantically or comically or dramatically, it’s all ornate. We as African American people have to have a really keen sense of humor, to really deal with America at times.”

The set adds another layer of authenticity to the play. The director said that it is like a character in and of itself: a single location, inside the building that’s converted to house the jitney offices. An old fridge, torn couch, maps and loose paraphernalia litter the fading checkered floors while the drivers wait for calls or take breaks. Santiago-Hudson, who was most recently at the Taper with Lackawanna Blues in the spring, praised the theater’s rounded auditorium and thrust stage set-up. He said that for audiences in

DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com.

Nov. 25-26: The Dear Hunter is the progressive rock band, not indie rock group Deerhunter. And no, it’s also not the film with Christopher Walken.

Nov. 29: Fortunate Youth apparently missed coming of age during the 2008 Recession.

Nov. 30: Dirtwire plays swamptronica, if you’re into that sort of thing.

FILM

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

Through Dec. 1: Frozen 2 (10:45 a.m., 12:45, 1:30, 3:30, 4:15, 6:15, 7:30, 9 and 10:20 p.m.); A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (9:55 and 10:30 a.m., 12:55, 1:20, 4:10, 7 and 9:50 p.m.); Charlie’s Angels (10 a.m., 12, 3, 6 and 9 p.m.); Doctor Sleep (10:50 a.m., 2:25, 3:55, 6 and 9:35 p.m.); Ford v. Ferrari (11:20 a.m., 12:20, 2:55, 6:30 and 10:05 p.m.); Jojo Rabbit (10 a.m., 12:50, 3:40, 6:30 and 9:20 p.m.); Knives Out (7 and 10:10 p.m.); Parasite (10:25 a.m., 1:40, 4:55, 7 and 10:20 p.m.); The Lighthouse (10:55 a.m., 1:45, 4:40, 7:30 and 10:25 p.m.); Waves (11:15 a.m., 2:30, 3:45, 5:45 and 9 p.m.).

IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org.

Dogs can do more than just slobber over your shoes. Check out all of their unique abilities in Superpower Dogs 3D. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing with the documentary Apollo 11.

Regal Cinemas LA Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies.

Through Dec. 1: 21 Bridges (10:30 a.m., 2:10, 4:50, 7:20 and 10 p.m.); A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (10:30 a.m., 1:20, 4:30, 7:20 and 10:20 p.m.); Frozen 2 (10, 10:20, 10:50 and 11:10 a.m., 12, 12:50, 1:10, 2, 3:40, 4:10, 5, 6:30, 7:10, 8, 8:50, 9:20, 10:10 and 11 p.m.); Charlie’s Angels (10 a.m., 1, 1:30, 3:10, 4:10, 7:30 and 9:40 p.m.); Ford v. Ferrari (10:50 and 11:20 a.m., 12:40, 2:30, 6 and 9:40 p.m.); Doctor Sleep (3 and 9:20 p.m.); Last Christmas (10:40 a.m. and 6:10 p.m.); Playing with Fire (10 a.m., 1:30, 6:40 and 10:40 p.m.); Terminator Dark Fate (7 and 10:30 p.m.); Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (10:50 a.m. and 4 p.m.).

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE

Jitney Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave. or centertheatregroup.org.

Nov. 26-27 and Nov. 29, 8 p.m., Nov. 30, 2:30 and 8 p.m., Dec. 1, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Unlicensed cab drivers in the 1970s deal with personal issues and threats to their livelihood in this

the front two rows, it’s as if they’re sitting inside the jitney shop itself.

The show also features original music composed by Bill Sims Jr., which Santiago-Hudson said is the first thing the audience experiences in the production. He called the score “warm” and said that it sets the pace and tone for the rest of the play.

The director said that the show is not something that will surprise people, if they know Wilson’s work. Instead he said it’s a chance to look into a world and a space many people don’t get to see, and a chance to enjoy rich dialogue. He and actors, he added, just have to bring Wilson’s script to life in a way that is “tight” and “clean.”

Jitney runs through Dec. 29 at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.com. nslayton@timespublications.com.

Tony Award-winning production of August Wilson’s play, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Through Dec. 29. See story on page 9.

The Magic Flute Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave. or laopera.org.

Dec. 1, 2 p.m.: Mozart’s iconic opera comes to life in this new production mixing actors on-stage with animation and projection. Through Dec. 15.

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.

MUSEUMS

African American Firefighter Museum 1401 S. Central Ave., (213) 744-1730 or aaffmuseum.org.

Ongoing: An array of firefighting relics dating to 1924, including a 1940 Pirsch ladder truck, an 1890 hose wagon, uniforms from New York, L.A. County and City of L.A. firefighters, badges, helmets, photographs and other artifacts.

2YOUR EVENT INFO

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT

WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar 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.

DT

CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2019283931 Type of Filing: Original.

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BURGERIM DTLA, BURGERIM DOWNTOWN LA. 605 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90017.

COUNTY: Los Angeles.

REGISTERED OWNER(S) Final Focus Media, Inc., 703 S. Idyllwild Ave. Rialto, CA 92376. State of Incorporation or LLC: California. THIS BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED BY a Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 10/2019. I declare that all information

in this statement is true and correct. /s/ Michael Barry Pierce. TITLE: President, Corp or LLC Name: Final Focus Media, Inc. This statement was filed with the LA County Clerk on: October 28, 2019. NOTICE – in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. a new Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of an-

other under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions code). Publish: Los Angeles Downtown News. Dates: 11/18/19, 11/25/19, 12/2/19, 12/9/19

FOR RENT

ROOMS

‘ Helping Everyone Find their Place in Downtown Los Angeles Since 2002 ’ Bill Cooper 310.721.2455 • LARealEstateExpert.com Bill@LARealEstateExpert.com

ROOMS FOR RENT All utilities paid.

Monthly from $1100.

Call Sal (323) 875-6767.

Place your DBA & Legal Ads with us, starting at $85.

CALL:

213-481-1448 xt: 142

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 contractors 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 construction 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/CbNhDNfPdEqBLjqX9 . Completed forms are due on or before close of business by December 25, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on December 25, 2019 will be rejected.

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

12 DOWNTOWN NEWS

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

Location is Everything

Museum Tower Apartments is located in the heart of downtown’s artistic mecca just steps from the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Ahmanson Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Grand Park and the Broad Museum, as well as exceptional fine dining and entertainment.

Livng in a beautifully appointed Museum Tower apartment home puts you in the middle of this cultural immersion.

An exciting multi-million dollar remodel is underway and will provide our residents with additional cutting-edge amenities and a higher standard of living. Call today to schedule a tour or visit our web site for more information.

Our floor plans range in size from studios to two-bedroom apartments and boast tasteful amenities and functional features. Our property

213-626-1500

includes a fitness center, an outdoor

THEMUSEUMTOWERAPTS.com 255 South Olive Street

heated pool, a social room and a 24-hour attended lobby.

LUXURIOUS LIVING IN DOWNTOWN L.A. 3 Locations, 1 Standard...

LUXURY

STUDIO

•

ONE BEDROOM

255GRAND.com 255 S Grand Ave 213-229-9777 •

THEPROMENADETOWERS.com 123 S Figueroa St 213-617-3777

TWO BEDROOMS

•

THEMUSEUMTOWERAPTS.com 225 S Olive St 213-626-1500

PENTHOUSE UNITS

•

CORPORATE HOUSING

TRILOGY