The Hidden Getaway in Downtown Los Angeles

Just when you may have thought you'd exhausted the downtown Los Angeles eatery scene, take a moment and look. On one corner there's a "Bar-B-Que King" Cafe. Directly next to that is a venue called, "Refill Restaurant??"

But, on the corner of Grand and 7th is a heavenly haven. Bottega Louie. High ceilings with a touch of elegance, decorative open space giving an invitation for casual to intimate conversation at any table. The natural lightening streaming through the large windows and brick oven in plain view with conscientious attendants’ only adds to the ambiance.

Each individual... (more)

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Principles of Kwanzaa on display in Los Angeles

Principles of Kwanzaa on Display in Los Angeles

Los Angeles-Our People of Color hosted the 34th Annual Kwanzaa Gwaride and Festival. The event was held on a pleasantly cool afternoon in Leimert Park Village, December 26,2010.

The parade route was lined up with people, from Adams Blvd. to Leimert Park Village, Crenshaw Blvd. and Degnan Blvd. The parade was the kick-off to the beginning of Kwanzaa-a seven day African-American Festival celebrated worldwide.

"Improving Ourselves Naturally" was the theme of the 34th Annual Kwanzaa Gwaride and Festival.The emphasis is... (more)

Tags: kwanzaa in leimert park village

Los Angeles Lakers Fans Got Game

Los Angeles Lakers Fans Got Game

Los Angeles-The inaugural Lakers 3on3 Basketball Tournament presented by NIKE was held on a hot weekend, August 14-16, 2009. Coca Cola, Powerade and Vitamin Water were in attendance to insure that everyone stayed hydrated. A portion of player registration fees were donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California. Parks and gyms were missing a lot of basketball players this weekend. It seems like the entire street ballers were all downtown for this event. Players came from all over Los Angeles and surrounding cities.

The... (more)

Tags: los angeles, soccer, basketball, california

13th Annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival

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                It was very hot outside of the Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood on Sunday, October 11, 2009. The occasion was the Red Carpet Arrivals to kick off the 13th Annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) Opening Night & Gabi Lifetime Achievement Award Gala. LALIFF Co-Founders Edward James Olmos and Marlene Dermer were joined by Latino luminaries as they graced and strolled down the Red Carpet for the West Coast premiere of “Broken Embraces” ... (more)

Tags: movies

Pot Vending Machines Crop Up In Los Angeles

Los Angeles is always on the cutting edge. The City of Angels is well-known throughout the world for leading the way in music, film, art and theatre. And now LA-LA Land is turning heads with its newest cultural innovation – a vending machine that dispenses pot.

This amazing city, the place that popularized the fast food drive-through, edible underpants, eight-headed vibrators (aka “The Hydra”), phone sex and microwave chimichungas-- has a new invention that will set the world of 420 on its noggin -- 24-hour medical-marijuana vending machines.

Patients suffering... (more)

Tags: los angeles, california, music, sex

Los Angeles - The Terrible And Tasteful

Although the west may have been technically won decades ago, Los Angeles has a long way to go regarding public transportation. I'm speaking of the transit system in centralized geographical area of Los Angeles. One may wait anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes for one of those orange and gray, or white, yellow and black buses to stop at the neighborhood stop and transport one to work in the downtown Los Angeles area, West L.A., Culver City, Santa Monica, or the Eastside. The inner city transportation system such as the Big Blue Bus, Culver City Bus Line, The DASH, and trains are on a different... (more)

Tags: los angeles, fashion, santa monica

2008 Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books

2008 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

Los Angeles-It was another scorching weekend in the City of Angels, April 26 and 27. There was a lot going on this past weekend, to the south was the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Closer to home we had both the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on the campus of UCLA and Fiesta Broadway in Downtown L.A.

I made my way over to the Festival of Books on Saturday. Despite the hot weather, I had an enjoyable experience at this year’s event.

My first stop arriving to the campus was the ETC. Stage to hear a local... (more)

Tags: los angeles, san francisco, california, coachella, music

Cuban Music Festival:presencia Cubana En Los Angeles

14th Annual Cuban Music Festival

Los Angeles-When the temperature rises, many people flock to air conditioned facilities such as the mall, go to the movies or go to outdoor venues like the beach or parks.

A large crowd blanketed every inch of grass of Jose Marti Plaza in Echo Park, Sunday, May 18, for the 14th Annual Cuban Music Festival sponsored by Western Union, The Annenberg Foundation and made possible through the wonderful efforts of Studio for Social Sculpture. The Cuban Music Festival “Presencia Cubana En Los Angeles” was produced by Duval Productions,... (more)

Tags: los angeles, new york, music

Los Angeles Band Has The Right Idea

It would appear that my endless ranting about the state of music in this world has begun to spread like a cancer on the internet. Now, whether I am directly responsible or not, I will consider this a win in my book. Los Angeles band, Gas Station Robber has chosen to adopt the Radiohead, NIN code and give their music away for free via their website. Now who is Gas Station Robber? Well, you don't know them. But unlike all the other unknown bands polluting our beloved internet, this band has chosen to eliminate their crappy music carbon footprint. To do this they have put their music up... (more)

Tags: los angeles, myspace, music

A Taste Of New Orleans In Los Angeles

A boulevard in one of the most integral sections of Los Angeles, encompassing some of the most authentic Jazz, Blues, African clothing, jewelry, posters, CD's, cards, artifacts, books, coffee venues, and food from Bar-B-Que to Soul, and Los Angeles to New Orleans style cooking. There are also opportunities to hear rare narratives about the "City of the Angels" from local residents.

It is on this street at 4317 Degnan, you'll find "New Orleans Vieux Carre Creole Cuisine”. The restaurant was opened on June 22, 2008 by a native New Orleans family who now... (more)

Tags: los angeles, jazz, music, restaurant