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NAKED HOLLYWOODWeegee in Los Angeles
NOVEMBER 13, 2011–
FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Generous support of the exhibition is provided by the Annenberg Foundation.
MOC A.ORG
G R A N D A V E N U E
Weegee, The Gold Painted Stripper, ca. 1950, International Center of Photography, Bequest of Wilma Wilcox, 1993, © Weegee/International Center of Photography/Getty Images
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NAKED HOLLYWOODWeegee in Los Angeles
NOVEMBER 13, 2011–
FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Generous support of the exhibition is provided by the Annenberg Foundation.
MOC A.ORG
G R A N D A V E N U E
Weegee, The Gold Painted Stripper, ca. 1950, International Center of Photography, Bequest of Wilma Wilcox, 1993, © Weegee/International Center of Photography/Getty Images
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Vol 2, no 1Nov/Dec 2011
Shana Nys Dambrot
ERIN DENNISON
Kat odell
Matt Olson
Emily Bradley
Luke Lovell
BirdMan
Michael ACEVEDO
Justin Fitzwater
Art EditorSTYLE EDITORFood Editor
Senior Account Manager
Photographers
Graphics
Copyright 2011, by LA CANVAS. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from LA CANVAS. LA CANVAS makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but is not responsible for unsolicited or contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork or advertisements. LA CANVAS is not held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.
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ExperienceLa Brea
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SCREEN PRINTING INC.
Vol 2, no 1Nov/Dec 2011
Shana Nys Dambrot
ERIN DENNISON
Kat odell
Matt Olson
Emily Bradley
Luke Lovell
BirdMan
Michael ACEVEDO
Justin Fitzwater
ART DIRECTORKevin Hidalgo
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CONTENTS
ART
MUSIC
STYLE
FOOD
CULTURE
10. MUSICIAN: DILLON FRANCIS
12. VENUE: CLUB NOKIA
14. PLAYLIST: PARTY MIX
20. BOOK: BOOK OF ICE
19. GALLERY: LA LUZ DE JESUS
16. ARTIST: MEGAN GECKLER
22. ART EVENTS
28. FASHION SPREAD
38. STORE: CIVILIANAIRE
34. DESIGN: COMUNE
36. Q&A: DANIELLE DEFOE AND LAUREN GRAHAM
24. STREET ART
50. BAR: SEVENTY 7
42. CHEF: CASEY LANE
45. RESTAURANT: OSAKA
47. FOOD SCOOPS: LATE-NIGHT BITES
49. DRINK: OCTOBER 29TH
Check out the extended version of this issue at LACANVAS.com
53. TECH: HOLIDAY WISHLIST
56. NOVEMBER EVENTS
58. DECEMBER EVENTS
66. LAST LOOK: GREGORY SIFF
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2011 WeAct iv is t EL I REEDSHOT BY
PETE THOMPSON
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NoteFrom the Publisher and Creative Director
Last October, we were busy knocking on doors and pulling all nighters, trying to wrap the first issue of LA CANVAS. It’s a year later, and we still work through the night, but we’ve grown a lot; we’ve moved and morphed and pushed our limits. Over the past twelve months we’ve showcased some serious talent – from being the first magazine to feature Foster the People, to covering artists like David LaChapelle, Gary Baseman and Shepard Fairey. We can’t wait for what’s next.
I am so excited to finally show you this issue, which marks the beginning of LA CANVAS Volume 2. It’s a fresh start for us: a chance to open our minds and imagine what else we could be. LA CANVAS is not just a magazine. It’s a movement, a community, and a source of conversation. We showcase artists because we are artists.
Readers – you fuel us. We would be nothing without you. Our doors and ears are always open, so if you’re ever downtown, stop by the LAC clubhouse and kick it. And stay in touch - we’ve revamped LACANVAS.COM to be your continuous source of LA culture coverage.
We’ll see you at our next party.
8
LIVE It,- Dante
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ARTISTSPIN
ARTISTSPIN
LA DJ DILLON FRANCIS IS MAKING MOVES, GRADUATING FROM THE NIGHTCLUB TO THE MUSIC VENUE
2011 has been a busy year for Dillon Francis. In what seems like no
time at all, the LA native has established an impressive following for
his signature brand of slick, bouncy electro; released several EPs on Mad
Decent—arguably one of the coolest labels around; and toured the country,
spinning on stages at legit venues raging with sloppy, dancing fans. But in
early 2010, when Drai’s at the W Hollywood had just opened, Dillon Francis
was just a sound guy, working their wires and playing the pre-requisite top-
forty tracks for the early-bird crowd. It wasn’t a dream job, but it paid the
bills – and of course, he had an escape plan.
“I started DJ-ing when I was 18,” Dillon tells LAC. “It was when
electronic music was just becoming popular, mash-ups were really big,
and ‘hipster’ was becoming a prominent word in Hollywood. I wanted to
play at LAX and Cinespace, which were the only clubs playing that type
of music, and the only way I’d be able to play them was by learning how
to produce. So I went and learned Ableton through my friend,”—which
means he learned how to write and arrange original music on his computer,
making the leap from DJ to musician. Though if you ask Dillon, he’ll tell you
he’s not really a musician at all, but a computer programmer, explaining: “I
can’t go to a piano and play crazy piano riffs.” Well, we have to disagree.
Dillon produces original work, and that requires creativity, imagination, and
a level of musicianship. “I sit in my room, drink a pot of coffee and just think
of melodies and go from there. Coffee is my lifeblood.” The melodies won’t
write themselves.
After hearing Dillon’s spunky, infectious moombahton track, “Masta
Blasta,” Diplo (of M.I.A and Major Lazer fame) invited him to the studio, and
signed him shortly thereafter. “It’s amazing working with
Mad Decent.” Dillon raves. “It’s my favorite label, because
Diplo owns it, and I think Diplo is one of the coolest people
I’ve ever met. It’s really family-oriented – I’m really happy to
be a part of that.”
While Dillon is among the youngest in the family,
he’s already made his mark, approaching genres like
moombahton and dubstep with an upbeat, light-hearted
perspective. His sound is consistently tight – carefully
balanced with shiny, almost squeaky, synth highs and
a clean low-end that punches hard while still bringing
that deep sub energy. And yes, he makes it all on his
computer, with virtual synthesizers and samples. But fear
not – analog isn’t dead yet. “I’ve been listening to a lot
of the new Major Lazer. [Diplo] goes to Jamaica to work
on all that stuff, and you can tell the difference between
electro bass and that reggae, dancehall, actual bass they
use down there. They’re still doing analog stuff and it
just sounds so much better. I’ve been wanting to go down
there with him and just experiment.”
So what else does Dillon Francis aspire to? “I’m probably
gonna do a full album. I’m setting aside time in January
and February,” he says. And what about producing other
artists? “My dream artist is Fiona Apple, ‘cause I don’t
know where the hell she went, but she was awesome.
If I were to do a track with her, I’d wanna make like a
Kaskade-type progressive house track.” Somebody make
this happen, please?
• by Rebeca Arango.
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GET INTIMATE WITH GREAT BANDS AT CLUB NOKIA
Going to LA Live can be an intimidating
prospect. The place is a sprawling
complex of buildings forming a vibrant,
otherworldly pocket of Downtown LA. But as
long as you know where to park, (ANYWHERE
but their lots – you WILL pay $25!) it’s really
not that scary.
While LA LIVE offers a range of activities
from upscale bowling (Lucky Strike) to
swanky dining (Katsuya), what usually brings
us there is Club Nokia – the multi-level,
2300-capcity venue booked by Goldenvoice/
AEG. Since opening in 2008, Nokia’s diverse
line-up of conventions, comedy shows, and
private events has always included can’t
miss concerts like Beck, Block Party, Blondie
and the Friendly Fires. So at this point, we’re
pretty much regulars.
Most recently, we went out to catch Empire
of the Sun perform their tribal-futuristic
electro-pop spectacle … which was epic, to
say the least. EOS really showcased what
Club Nokia is best at: putting on a complex
show full of sets, theatrics, lights, and
costume changes, all while maintaining
excellent sound quality. Despite massive
background synthesizers and pounding
beats, we were always able hear the live
shakers, and the lyrics.
Club Nokia is big enough to ditch
accidentally lose someone in, but small
enough so the people on stage never look like
ants. And you can always find a good spot
to watch from, even at a sold-out show. The
LAC crew had a blast at EOS, running around
Club Nokia’s three levels and ordering drinks
from several different bars. Wolfgang Puck
handles all the food and beverages, so you
can expect some decent cocktail options and a
comprehensive wine list. It may not be cheap,
but at least you won’t have to down six watery
cokes with a splash of Malibu to feel a buzz.
Which is kind of like the whole experience; it’s
not cheap – but it’s worth the money.
• by Rebeca Arango.
LOCATION: 800 W Olympic Blvd #335
Los Angeles, CA 90015
12
CDs, MOVIES, LPs & TURNTABLES
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FREE SHIPPING ON AMOEBA.COMMUSIC & MOVIES ALWAYS SHIP FREE - NO MINIMUM!
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CDs, MOVIES, LPs & TURNTABLES
AMOEBA.COM
ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING ON MUSIC AND MOVIES - NO MINIMUM!
See site for details.
YOUR SOURCE FOR MUSIC & MOVIESVisit Amoeba and explore our two floors of Music, Movies and more!
CDS, LPS, DVDS & BLU-RAYS
ONE BLOCK WEST OF SUNSET & VINE IN HOLLYWOOD6400 Sunset Blvd • (323) 245-6400
this is our record store
SAVE $3 WITH THIS ADGet $3 OFF your purchase any item over $4.99 when you bring this ad to Amoeba Hollywood!
*not valid with any other discount offers or coupons. valid at Amoeba Hollywood only. not valid on Amoeba.com. limit one coupon, per transaction, per person, per day. expires 12/31/11.
FREE SHIPPING ON AMOEBA.COMMUSIC & MOVIES ALWAYS SHIP FREE - NO MINIMUM!
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Party on this Holiday season with our favorite dub, dancehall and moombahton-flavored electro of 2011. WARNING: this playlist is not for everyone – an appreciation of staggered snare patterns is strongly suggested.
To stream the extended version of our playlist, check out LA CANVAS’s profile on Spotify.
“Masta Blasta” Dillon Francis
“Que Que”Maluca + Dillon Francis
+ Diplo
“RELEASERPM” (Nadastrom Remix)
Win Win
“Jump Moombahton” Sabo
“Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win”
(Major Lazer remix)Beastie Boys + Santigold
“Hangover (Bababa)” Buraka Som Sistema
“Rumble in the Jungle”Zeds Dead
“Gucci Gucci” (Pierre Cardin
Moombahton Remix) Kreayshawn
“Disque Oh!”(J-Wow Remix)
Beataucue
“Shake It to the Ground” (Switch & Santigold
Remix) DJ Blaqstarr + Rye Rye
“Renegade Rasta” South Rakkas Crew
“Watch Me Dance” (Heartbreak Remix)
Toddla T
E V F A & A r t D o n t S l e e p p r e s e n t
R O YA Y E R S
W I T H F U L L B A N D
H O S T E D B Y G A R T H T R I N I D A D
F E A T U R I N G
P E T ER O C K
A Y E R S
O P E N I N GP E R F O R M A N C E S B Y
A N D
THUNDERCAT
J . R O C C
H o m a g e . e v e n t b r i t e . c o m
T h u r s d a y , N o v e m b e r 1 7 t h , 2 0 1 1
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PLAYLIST
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Club Nokia is located @ L.A. LIVE and is the proud Pollstar Awards winner for 3 years in a row!
DJ’S / CLIENT ENTERTAINMENT / BENEFITS / BACHELOR(ETTE) / PARTIES / SCREENINGS / BUSINESS INCENTIVES / REHEARSAL DINNER / CEREMONIES / FASHION SHOWS / ART EXHIBITIONS / WEDDINGS / GRADUATIONS / ACTIVATIONS / EXPOS/ GALAS/ ENGAGEMENTS / CONCERTS / CONFERENCES / LAUNCH PARTIES / TRADE SHOWS / PRESS JUNKETS / PRESS RELEASES / CONVENTIONS / AWARD SHOWS / RELEASES / FUNDRAISERS / CELEBRATIONS / PHOTOSHOOT / BRIDAL SHOWERS / PROMOTIONS MITZVAHS / RED CARPETS / PRODUCT / LAUNCHES / BIRTHDAYS / CORPORATE MEETINGS
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Call: 213.763.4669 Email: [email protected]
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sk artist Megan Geckler how
she started making the architec-
tural installation art she’s known
for, and you’ll get a story about a
young woman who was good at
math and had lofty dreams of be-
coming a neurosurgeon. Initially,
Geckler studied organic chemis-
try, advanced calculus, the neu-
ro-matrix, and the optic nerve,
but, thinking art school would be
a lark (not unlike summer camp),
she applied, attended, and never
looked back. The truth is, as her
work evolves – becoming more
complex with every commission
and typically involving crews,
charts, and calculations – those
math classes are coming in
handy. Think streamer hanging
a la party decoration, except
in swirls, stripes, vectors, and
vortexes, with each installation
engineered using hundreds of
geometrical functions, creating
large-scale objects and environ-
ments constructed entirely of
colorful industrial tape.
I first encountered the
interference-pattern magic of
one of Megan’s pieces when
she installed “Set a Course
for Wayward Schemes” in the
windows of Bert Green Fine Art
in 2008. Green recalls how the
piece “defined the street corner
in a profound way, causing an
optical illusion for passengers
in moving vehicles, while at the
same time anchoring the corner
space as a light-filled beacon.”
Other projects at institutions
from the Wexner Center and the
Pasadena Museum of California
Art to commercial and corporate
venues like Space 15Twenty,
Urban Outfitters, and most
recently, the CAA offices and the
Nike Vault at LA LIVE, have all
capitalized on her unique ability
to draw inspiration from every
location on its own terms. Andi
Campognone, whose gallery
will exhibit Megan’s work in
November, notes that “Geckler’s
architectural installations not
only incorporate what I love
about non-objective painting, but
expand that experience of shape,
line and color to an interactive
volume, breaking the rule of
wall.”
Her contribution to Avant-LA’s
“Top Ten Now” show in October
hearkened back to her BGFA
installation; it occupied the
windows, acting as a visual lure.
“Megan’s work is incredibly eye-
catching, mostly thanks to her
sense of color, which I find to be
acutely modern, if not downright
futuristic. What I love about her
work is that it functions equally
well in two dimensions as it does
in three dimensions, creating a
spatial dialogue that is unique
to her installations.” - Shirlae
Cheng-Lifshin, PMCA Associate
Curator and Exhibition Manager.
But despite an overwhelming
amount of attention and love
coming her way, securing gallery
representation has been some-
thing of a challenge. “I get why
people don’t or can’t buy my
art. The commitment level of an
installation in a private house is
huge. The work is space-specific;
it’s hard to take home with you.
I’ve never sold anything. I’m not
in anyone’s private collection.
I’d have to change to fit in, to
exist in the stream of commercial
objects. But I get to make art
with other people’s money.” You
do the math. For more on Megan,
check out LACANVAS.COM or
megangeckler.com.
• by Shana Nys Dambrot.
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As iconic indie-art emporium La Luz de Jesus
celebrates its 25th year, it’s worth noting
that the same words – populist, edgy, subversive
– are still, a quarter-century later, describing its
ahead-of-the-curve program. Truly among the
first champions of what has since become all
the rage, founder Billy Shire’s taste for image-
and character-driven art, innovative but still
accessible to the masses, runs in his family. His
brother, the renowned ceramicist Peter, and his
late father Henry, a successful illustrator, have
both been the subjects of La Luz exhibitions and
books, with more in the works. While wrangling
two anniversary shows and a lavish catalog
featuring 250+ artists is certainly keeping Shire
busy, he always finds time to share the gospel
of La Luz.
On a 1974 trip to Mexico, Shire began
importing Day of the Dead tchotchkes for Soap
Plant, his original Melrose Ave establishment.
Becoming immersed in the ritual, he started
bringing back bigger and bigger objects. But at
Soap Plant there was barely room to move, much
less display large works of art, so they took the
space upstairs. “We weren’t conscious of starting
a gallery. Robert Lopez, better known now as El
Vez, worked downstairs and really kept it going.
No galleries like that existed then. It was Folk
Art, Outsider, self-taught. We’d already mixed it
up the first year, showing Gary Panter and Robert
Williams – it happened fast.”
After moving to his current digs under the
glittering WACKO sign on Hollywood just east
of Vermont, everything expanded exponentially
with the rise of Juxtapoz (basically La Luz in
magazine form) and of course, the Internet. “As
for the haters who say, oh you’ve got a gallery
inside a novelty store -- I say fuck ‘em. Soap
Plant, Wacko, and La Luz – it’s all symbiotic.
It’s of a piece – my creation. I see 5,000 people a
month. For an artist, that’s huge. It’s always been
important to me to break down the hoity-toity
art thing. I was the first to put a gift store right
inside the gallery. Now they all do it, even – no,
especially – museums. It’s a business model I
invented! Just kidding.” He’s only sort of kidding.
• by Shana Nys Dambrot.
LOCATION: 4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
A QUARTER CENTURY LATER, LA LUZ DE JESUS STILL PREACHES CUTTING EDGE ART
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I have recovered it. What?
Eternity. It is the sea
matched with the sun.”
The poet Arthur Rimbaud
said that, not DJ Spooky.
But that’s exactly the kind
of glorious, cinematic,
meaningful imagery that
infuses this astonishing
publication, written by none
other than DJ Spooky That
Subliminal Kid himself, and
released under the name
Paul D. Miller – which is
both his real name and the
one he uses in his prolific
work as an author and
visual artist. Here’s what he
did say: “Everything I do is
about paradox. It makes life
fun. I think that people need
to hear Antarctica because
it is at the edge of the world.”
So that’s kind of the same thing.
THE BOOK OF ICE is a hybrid, a mix of historical
photographs and expressive graphic design
plus interviews and essays making unexpected
connections between science, nature, industry,
culture, and art. Miller teases out complex,
sustained analogies between and among creative
art forms, the molecular structure of water,
international cooperation, and ice as all-purpose
metaphor. The book is a sort of companion piece to
his 2010 multimedia symphony Terra Nova, which
was composed during and after a trip to Antarctica
in 2008. Ironically, the ice continent is the most
silent place in the world – or at least the most
devoid of human voices.
Full disclosure: there’s a lot of science. And
world history. Geography, of course. And math.
Not just the calculus kind, but the improvisational,
fractal math of jazz music, with its strict underlying
structure and easy surface transitions. Saying, “My
concern is how do we make music
out of it,” he’s gone on to build a
visual and acoustic portrait of a post-
Nature Utopia. Entire sections of the
book are original art – lovely, crisp
abstractions of linear bubbles and
cloud-form music notes; a stylized ad
campaign for Antarctic tourism; and
a continental manifesto in several
languages. The most compelling
analogy is made between taking core
samples in science and DJ sampling,
in that they both freely access layers
of a shared, collective history. It
forms such a neat metaphor for
Miller’s artistic practice that within
a few pages you are fully convinced,
and, ready to book your cruise.
• by Shana Nys Dambrot.
20
BOOK
DJ SPOOKY TAKES US ON A FROSTY TOUR IN HIS LATEST PROJECT, THE BOOK OF ICE
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Fabien castaner gallery
Presents
guns & Roses
an exhibition by
November 12th - December 4th
Carmen Spera | Sculpture
Tyler Shields | Photography
Edward Walton Wilcox | Painting and Drawing
Ellwood T. Risk | Mixed Media Painting
12196 Ventura BlvdStudio City CA, 91604castaniergallery.com
T: 818 748 6014|F: 818 748 6046
Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 7pmMonday – by appointment [email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/FabienCastanierGallery
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LA LUZ DE JESUS 25, PART TWOLa Luz de Jesus GalleryNovember 4 - 27Opening: November 4 & 5, 8-11 pmThis iconic indie art gallery celebrates its 25th anniversary with the second of two huge group shows (the first was in October) featuring the rest of your Low-Brow, Post-Illustration, Hot Rod, Dark Folk, and Urban Romantic favorites. laluzdejesus.com
YOKO ONO IMAGINE PEACE: FEATURING JOHN & YOKO’S YEAR OF PEACEUniversity of LaVerne Harris GalleryNovember 7 - December 15Opening: Monday, November 7, 6-8 pmThis exhibition focuses on the thematic ideals of peace and love, and follows the work of Yoko Ono and John Lennon chronologically as solo artists, as a couple in the 1960’s, and also includes a selection of Ono’s recent solo works. laverne.edu
CONSUMPTIVEGarboushian GalleryNovember 11 - December 16Opening: Friday, November 11, 7-9 pmContemporary art about wanting too much, curated by LAC’s own Shana Nys Dambrot, and featuring: David LaChapelle, Gina Stepaniuk, Casey Lee Wanlass, Rick Robinson, Austin Young, Swinda Reichelt, Jennifer Vanderpool, Peter Wu, Alexandria Lee, Grant Vetter, and York Chang. garboushian.com
NAKED HOLLYWOOD: WEEGEE IN LOS ANGELESMOCA Grand AvenueNovember 13 - February 27, 2012 Opening: Saturday, November 12The first museum survey devoted to the work the that the tabloid photographer known as Weegee produced in Southern California, opening to coincide with MOCA’s gala on November 12. moca.org
STAKE YOUR CLAIM: LA, Art & PoliticsLACESunday, November 13, 3-5 pmA free, guided gallery tour and a special video screening featuring rarely seen performance footage, as part of their ongoing Pacific Standard Time exhibition and event series, Los Angeles Goes Live: Performance Art in Southern California 1970-83. welcometolace.org
PETER SHELTON: SCULPTURE, 1980 – PRESENTLA LouverNovember 19 - December 30Opening: Saturday, November 19, 4-8 pmL.A.-based artist Peter Shelton will present an extensive exhibition of both recent and historic sculpture created in bronze, steel and fiberglass, installed throughout all of L.A. Louver’s First and Second Floor Galleries. lalouver.com
RON ENGLISH: SEASONS IN SUPURBIACorey Helford GalleryNovember 19 - December 10Opening: Saturday, November 19, 7-10 pmOne of the best known, bravest, and most provocative painters, political satirists, and street-art icons, New York based Ron English comes to LA for a rare solo show of new work and related city-wide shenanigans. coreyhelfordgallery.com
DANIEL MARTIN DIAZ: QUANTUM MYSTICISMLa Luz de JesusDecember 2 - 31Opening: Friday, December 2, 8-11 pmSelf-taught artist and classically trained composer Daniel Martin Díaz draws inspiration from old masters Jan van Eyck, Pieter Bruegel, and Hieronymus Bosch—in subject matter and material, with a darkly modern twist. laluzdejesus.com
LISA ADAMS AND OSVALDO TRUJILLOCB1 GalleryDecember 11 - January 15, 2012Opening: Sunday, December 11, 5-7 pmOsvaldo Trujillo’s intimate drawings of Escher-esque fantasy structures and scenes are intricate, with an overtly magical optical effect, and his draftsmanship is impeccable. Lisa Adams’ haunting, mentally charged paintings are almost cinematic in their dream-like construction of unexpected narrative and reclusive symbolism. Her book is out now on Zero+ Publishing. cb1gallery.com
LA LUZ DE JESUS 25, PART TWOLa Luz de Jesus GalleryNovember 4 - 27Opening: November 4 & 5, 8-11 pm
24 ART EVENTS
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ABOVE: Sabre Sunglasses. COMUNE Men’s Tank. UNIF Jacket. Luv AJ Bodychain. Boots – Stylist’s Own.
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LA DESIGN COLLECTIVE COMUNE
BRINGS SOPHISTICATION TO THE SKATE-STYLE SCENE
With a clean aesthetic and an eye for subtlety, LA brand COMUNE has been pushing
the boundaries of casual street wear since its inception in 2008. By putting
together a remarkably authentic group of individuals, COMUNE has crafted an identity that
celebrates the spirit of art itself – raw, original and propelled by a hunger for progress at
any cost. Organic collaborations among an evolving creative alliance are key to the label’s
ingenuity. Skate and snow teams are united with independent contributors via COMUNE’s
Drop City program – a network of like-minded artists – to emphasize momentum over trend.
We sat down with Drop City leader Corey Smith, co-founder Sven Altmetz, and head designer
Jacob McCabe to find out what COMUNE is all about. • by Erin Dennison.
HOW DID COMUNE COME TO FRUITION?
COMUNE began just over three years ago with a group of like-minded friends. We wanted to
create a clothing brand that served as a creative platform for artists, musicians, designers,
skaters, and snowboarders.
DESCRIBE COMUNE’S AESTHETIC
Modern, functional, and timeless.
WHAT SEPARATES YOU GUYS FROM OTHER LIFESTYLE BRANDS?
We strive to pioneer ideas in our design rather then just follow trends and mass-produce
them. That’s why the COMUNE look is so distinct compared to other brands that try to have
something for everyone. We are what we make.
COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE TEAM?
Our creative team is an eclectic group of artists and designers. We recently added Chris
Dennler to our design roster. Chris is most well know for his work with his experimental
brand, Rxmance. He’s a master screen printer and always has forward ideas. World traveller
and fine art photographer Mike Selsky has also joined our team to help out with all of our
photo needs as well as graphic design.
HOW INVOLVED ARE THE SKATERS AND SNOWBOARDERS IN THE DESIGNS?
It really just depends. Some of the guys are just into whatever we make, while others are
really interested in bringing us new ideas of what to make and helping us fine-tune existing
pieces.
YOUR PHOTO AND VIDEO CAMPAIGNS SO ACCURATELY DEPICT THE VIBE OF
YOUR DESIGNS HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THE TREATMENTS?
We find inspiration in a variety of places. Music, movies, and art all provide constant
stimulation. Everyone here is constantly creating, whether it be for COMUNE projects or
personal projects. There’s no lack of creative momentum within our team.
WHICH CITY HAS YOUR HEART?
I think everyone here would have a different answer for that question. I think right now Los
Angeles is our new home and everyone is captivated by all that this city has to offer.
PERSONAL MOTTO?
Something Better Change.
A CLASS ACT
LA DESIGN COLLECTIVE COMUNE
BRINGS SOPHISTICATION TO THE SKATE-STYLE SCENE
With a clean aesthetic and an eye for subtlety, LA brand COMUNE has been pushing
the boundaries of casual street wear since its inception in 2008. By putting
together a remarkably authentic group of individuals, COMUNE has crafted an identity that
celebrates the spirit of art itself – raw, original and propelled by a hunger for progress at
any cost. Organic collaborations among an evolving creative alliance are key to the label’s
ingenuity. Skate and snow teams are united with independent contributors via COMUNE’s
Drop City program – a network of like-minded artists – to emphasize momentum over trend.
We sat down with Drop City leader Corey Smith, co-founder Sven Altmetz, and head designer
Jacob McCabe to find out what COMUNE is all about. • by Erin Dennison.
HOW DID COMUNE COME TO FRUITION?
COMUNE began just over three years ago with a group of like-minded friends. We wanted to
create a clothing brand that served as a creative platform for artists, musicians, designers,
skaters, and snowboarders.
DESCRIBE COMUNE’S AESTHETIC
Modern, functional, and timeless.
WHAT SEPARATES YOU GUYS FROM OTHER LIFESTYLE BRANDS?
We strive to pioneer ideas in our design rather then just follow trends and mass-produce
them. That’s why the COMUNE look is so distinct compared to other brands that try to have
something for everyone. We are what we make.
COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE TEAM?
Our creative team is an eclectic group of artists and designers. We recently added Chris
Dennler to our design roster. Chris is most well know for his work with his experimental
brand, Rxmance. He’s a master screen printer and always has forward ideas. World traveller
and fine art photographer Mike Selsky has also joined our team to help out with all of our
photo needs as well as graphic design.
HOW INVOLVED ARE THE SKATERS AND SNOWBOARDERS IN THE DESIGNS?
It really just depends. Some of the guys are just into whatever we make, while others are
really interested in bringing us new ideas of what to make and helping us fine-tune existing
pieces.
YOUR PHOTO AND VIDEO CAMPAIGNS SO ACCURATELY DEPICT THE VIBE OF
YOUR DESIGNS HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THE TREATMENTS?
We find inspiration in a variety of places. Music, movies, and art all provide constant
stimulation. Everyone here is constantly creating, whether it be for COMUNE projects or
personal projects. There’s no lack of creative momentum within our team.
WHICH CITY HAS YOUR HEART?
I think everyone here would have a different answer for that question. I think right now Los
Angeles is our new home and everyone is captivated by all that this city has to offer.
PERSONAL MOTTO?
Something Better Change.
A CLASS ACT
Canadian filmmaker Lauren Graham and
Atlanta-born stylist/photographer Danielle
Defoe met in LA several years ago, and have
been busy creating eye candy for the rest of us
ever since. The duo direct and capture moments
on-the-fly, guerrilla-style, while still maintaining
remarkable attention to detail. Watching them
shoot the editorial for this issue, we were
captivated by their ability to complement
each other’s vision intuitively, communicating
effortlessly and capturing the perfect shot before
the rest of us could even find parking. Defoe and
Graham take fashion beyond the printed page
with impeccable cadence and flawless transition.
Think constructing fantasy over documenting
clothing. • by Erin Dennison.
LAC: How did you two meet?
LG: I met DeFoe at the Burgundy Room my first
night in Hollywood, about three years ago. I rode
my BMX to the bar and she was ranting about
gambling as I locked up my bike. Then she spilled
a beer on the table.
DEFOE: There’s a gallery next to the bar that was
all spooked out and the owner was dealing cards.
By the time LG showed up I had been gambling
for several hours. I was killing it at first but the
more I drank the worse I got – go figure. I do this
thing that Hemingway described as “disappearing
like a cat in the night,” and got in a cab without
saying anything to anyone. But my friend Ali who
lived above me got her number that night and
invited her over a few weeks later. Next thing you
know we’re in an RV with 4 other people on our
way to SXSW in Austin. Around that time I started
photographing LG, and the rest is history...
LAC: Describe your aesthetic.
LG: Dirty and street. Trying to clean up, but not
working out so well. It always shows.
DEFOE: A mixture of Rock-n-Roll and old
Hollywood. I’m obsessed with leopard print, body-
con dresses, customizing jackets, sunglasses,
and red lipstick. Everyday is a performance and
getting dressed is an art.
LAC: Your process?
DEFOE: Most of our ideas together are invented
over iChat. We’ve spent the last three years
growing together and ultimately have the same
goals. One of us may come up with an idea, then
we build on it and make it come alive. We are
basically translating our lifestyles / friendship into
photography and film.
LG: Flow. Laughter? Obsession. We both want
the same thing. But we use different mediums,
so there is no competition – that is important. We
both just get it.
LAC: What’s next?
DEFOE: I think every time I create something
new it’s better than the last…although, I quickly
get over it and want to move on to the next thing.
There is no greater high to me than making art.
The artist is a fiend and the pusher is the soul.
LAC: Who would help you hide the body?
LG: We can‘t tell you.
DEFOE: In the words of Jim Morrison, “we could
plan a murder or start a religion.”
anadian filmmaker Lauren Graham and
Q+A
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“So okay, I don’t want to be a traitor to my generation and all, but I don’t get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair - ew - and cover it up with abackwards cap and like, we’re expected to swoon? I don’t think so.”- Cher Horowitz
LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Music’s favorite cousin followed suit (get it?), reject-
ing the preppy opulence of the ‘yuppie’ paradigm.
Newbie designer Marc Jacobs’ love affair with ‘grunge’
led to his termination from elite fashion house Perry El-
lis. One by one, mainstream brands began to adopt the
cult aesthetic, consequently turning the anti-trend into
the trend.
In 1995, a speculative bubble known as the “dot-
com” boom revived the struggling economy. That
summer, the release of Clueless mirrored the nation’s
sudden prosperity, and pop-culture breathed a collective
white-girl sigh of relief. Cher Horowitz’s fantasy ward-
robe of bright colors, bold prints and preppy separates
ignited a fresh outlook in fashion – bubblegum was
back. This optimistic and visually stimulating film about
a materialistic, yet benevolent teenager quietly changed
the station from “Nevermind” to “All the Young Dudes”.
Like most things, fashion is predictably cyclical. The
past several seasons we’ve seen everyone from Balmain
to Proenza get a little Wednesday Adams on us. And re-
ally, with unemployment at 9% and an S&P downgrade,
an ‘I-don’t-give-a-fuck’ attitude is almost viscerally
satisfying. But even a good temper tantrum can get old.
Feel me, Stella? Prada? Sonia Rykiel? Disillusionment
can be such a drag.
• by Erin Dennison.
The beginning of the Gulf War in 1990 brought on an unprec-
edented budget deficit, high unemployment and slow GDP growth.
A generation coming of age in a dysfunctional society began to reject
manufactured icons like Madonna and Michael Jackson, and instead
searched for authenticity in the independent rock scene.
You probably know a sloppy kid like that today, but in the early 90’s,
basically everyone was hanging ‘round the parking lot in flannel, ripped
jeans, combat boots and converse. I mean, at least it seemed like that in
Clerks, right? The Seattle grunge scene spawned an angst-ridden sartorial
trend that defined a generation from high-fashion runways to high-school
cafeterias…until the summer of ’95, when a naïve teenaged protagonist
from Beverly Hills rolled into the party and lightened the mood.
VOGUE, 1992
SAY GOODBYE TO GOTH AND GRUNGE – THIS SEASON, DESIGNERS BRING BACK
COLOR AND SPUNK
VOGUE UK, 1995
PROENZA SCHOULER, A/W ‘10
PROENZA SCHOULER, A/W ‘10
BALMAIN, A/W ‘9
CLUELESS, 1995
CLUELESS, 1995
SONIA RYKIEL, A/W ‘11 SONIA RYKIEL, A/W ‘11
PRADA, A/W ‘11
PRADA, A/W ‘11
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STYLE
AS IF!PERK UP YOUR WINTER WARDROBE WITH PLAYFUL PLAIDS AND PREPPY,
CLUELESS-INSPIRED PIECES
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1. TOPSHOP PETITE MULTI SEQUIN TEE - $100 2. McQ TARTAN TWILL JACKET - $695 3. PENELOPE AND COCO EDIE PLATFORMS - $482 4. J BRAND SKINNY CORD IN AUBERGINE - $171 5. DOLCE VITA JEMMA BOOTS IN RED - $215 6. MARC BY MARC JACOBS ENAMEL LOGO DISC EARRINGS - $48 7. RAG AND BONE EVENKI SHORT - $415 8. ASOS METALLIC METAL KEEPER SUPER SKINNY BELT $10.48 9. FRYE NATASHA CLOG IN GREY - $181 10. ANN TAYLOR LADY BAG IN RED - $178
11. WEsC BLAINE MELANGE BAG - $110 12. HAPPY SOCKS ARGYLE SOCKS 13. TOPMAN BRIGHT WORKER CHECK SHIRT - $60 14. SUPERD-RY LUMPHAMER BOOT - $300 15. WEsC CORMAC BEANIE IN OCHRE - $20 16. CREATIVE RECREATIONS CLASSIC CERSARIO IN MAROON - $60 17. SUPERDRY LUMPHAMER BOOT - $300
SONIA RYKIEL, A/W ‘11
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SOMME INSTITUTEBoost Mask: $40
Attention skincare whores: Boost Mask enhances skins
ability to absorb the benefits of subsequent products.
No7 Radiate Glow
Concealer: $12.99Reflective pigment and
a silky consistency leave under-eyes believably bright.
FRACAS DE ROBERT PIGUET
Eau de Parfume Spray: $120Provocative yet pure, quintessentially
modern yet redolent of another, more glamorous time.
In a word: French.
YVES SAINT LAURENTLa Nuit De L’Homme,
Eau de Toilette Spray: $75Bright, masculine freshness combined
with nonchalant sophistication. Think Michael Pitt meets
James Franco.
ART OF SHAVINGAfter-Shave Balm: $38Formulated with shea butter and a touch of grape seed
extract with a fresh, clean smell. Time to put down the Axe,
gentlemen.
PETER THOMAS ROTHAnti-Aging Cleansing Gel:
Attention skincare whores: Boost Mask enhances skins
ability to absorb the benefits of subsequent products.
ZIRHSkin Nutrition Alpha
Hydroxy Body Bar: $15Fights skin impurities on both the body and face.
Effective, efficient – the single man’s BFF.
NARSSheer Matte Foundation: $42Picture perfect finish that wont rub
off on him, or your scarf.LORACBlush, “Pink”: $20
Keep it cute with this subtle glow – not just for white girls
A C U R EF O R T H E
COMMON COLDAs our tans fade, we must adjust our
primping regimens accordingly. Here are our picks to help you
transition into the harsh, Los Angeles winter.
ZIRHSkin Nutrition Alpha
Hydroxy Body Bar: $15Fights skin impurities on both the body and face.
Effective, efficient – the single man’s BFF.
NARSSheer Matte Foundation: $42Picture perfect finish that wont rub
off on him, or your scarf.
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U rban Dictionary defines a “Civilianaire”
as someone who lives within modest
means, but occasionally splurges on upper
class luxuries. With that person in mind, Barry
Perlman and Gene Montesano – the duo behind
boho-chic empire Lucky Jeans – developed
Civilianaire. A modern classic in the making,
Civilianaire is a collection of premium denim
and casual basics that remain relevant despite
fleeting fashion trends, appealing to a rational
consumer who still appreciates style and
quality.
The line is 100% American made and
manufactured right here in LA County. Each
pair of jeans is constructed from premium
Japanese cotton, assembled by a gold stitch,
and available in two fits: slim and regular.
Much like their denim, Civilianaire’s other
pieces adhere to a simple utilitarian sentiment.
Chinos, jackets and button-ups are all unified
by the industrial principle of ‘form follows
function’.
Civilianaire’s flagship boutique – located
on W. 3rd St right by the Beverly Center and
Joan’s – encapsulates the brand’s essence
with its smart, utilitarian-chic decor. Jeans
are displayed on wooden-peg lined walls
with a stark, blue-collar sensibility. Denim
enthusiasts will be glad to know the brand
is also carried at Ron Herman, as well as two
more Civilianaire stores in Montecito and
Venice.
40 years into their business relationship,
Perlman and Montesano have honed
their instincts, emphasizing the notion of
sustainability over fashion cycles. How have
they been able to work together so efficiently
for so long? “Mutual respect” explains Berry.
“We are creative partners – it’s as simple as
that,” echoes Gene.
What’s next for a couple of guys who have
already conquered the men’s denim game?
Womenswear. Perlman and Montesano are
working towards developing pieces that mirror
their original menswear prototype.
Style, much like the perfect pair of jeans,
makes an authentic visual impression lasting
longer than any trend. A unique blend of spirit
and substance, this isn’t the last you’ll hear of
Civilianaire.
• by Erin Dennison.
LOCATION: 8312 W. 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
CIVILIANAIRE MAKES STYLISH WARDROBE STAPLES FOR THE QUALITY-CONCIOUS CONSUMER
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Now it’s your turN, please make a fuN video of fuN thiNgs iNvolviNg delicious
Jarritos soda. you caN use your webcam, upload from your desktop, or give us
a youtube url. it is up to you, but a few thiNgs, por favor, please
make sure you have everyoNe iN the video’s permissioN, that
you areN’t usiNg music you doN’t owN, that the video is muy
bueNo iNstead of super terrible, aNd that it is Not, like, way
too loNg. go to Jarritos.com to upload your video aNd to check
out curreNt video uploads.
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LAC: You and your staff relocated from
Portland to open The Tasting Kitchen,
what made you decide to move?
LANE: It was time for a change of
pace, and the economy in Los Angeles
provides a much better opportunity to
create a restaurant you can be proud of.
LAC: How would you describe your
approach to cooking?
LANE: It’s one that is an ode to the
craft. People have been cooking for
hundreds of years and, in the past,
some aspects of cooking were done with
more care, precision, and consciousness
than they are now. I believe in making
everything by hand and removing the
term shortcut from our vocabulary.
LAC: Who has been your biggest
mentor?
LANE: That would have to be Beau
Culpepper, the old sous chef from
Clarklewis (Portland), but a mentor that
I have drawn the most from through
literature would be Paul Bertolli.
LAC: Any ingredients you hate to cook
with?
LANE: Frozen anything (not that I
would ever do it but...)
LAC: How does your new restaurant
differ from The Tasting Kitchen?
LANE: The new concept will differ
greatly. One of my motivators is coming
up with new concepts. It is going to
be a far lower price point without any
difference in quality. I plan to use
different methods to produce high
quality food. The dishes will be slightly
more aggressive, so a traditional five
to seven course meal isn’t really what
you’ll find here. Rather, a variety
of plates to enjoy separately. The
experience will be less intimate and
much more enticing.
LAC: Is the cocktail program similar to
that of TTK?
LANE: The cocktail program will be
similar, but will take a bit more of
the limelight, as I want it to be a true
gastropub – not a restaurant with a
great bar. This will be evident in not
only thought but also layout.
LAC: Any new ingredients you’ve been
playing with recently?
LANE: Dill has kind of taken over my
life a bit ...
Chef Casey Lane moved to Los Angeles by way of Portland almost two and a
half years ago to head up an experimental dining concept called The Tasting
Kitchen in Venice. Menus were hand-written in cursive, small plates reigned
supreme, and the daily farmers market offerings were bound to end up on your
plate. Since then, TTK has added a sophisticated cocktail program, made slight
dining room tweaks, and earned a following for its local and sustainable food
reflecting LA’s farm-to-table ethos. With the Venice restaurant as popular as ever,
it’s no surprise to see Lane planning his sophomore effort: a downtown gastropub
scheduled to open this winter. • by Kat Odell.
TASTE MAKER
WE CATCH UP WITH CASEY LANE ABOUT HIS NEW DOWNTOWN GASTROPUB
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Be sure to stay tuned for upcoming events, news and updates.
www.districtlabrea.com
ExperienceLa Brea
On La Brea between 1st& 2nd Street
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Four years ago, restaurateur Adolfo Suaya
(BoHo) announced plans to open a branch
of the popular South American eatery, Osaka,
in Hollywood. Suaya partnered with Osaka
creators Diego Herrera and Diego de la Puente to
launch the mini-chain’s first U.S. location – four
others can be found in Mexico, Lima, Buenos
Aires and Santiago. After three years of trials
and tribulations, this chic Peruvian-Asian fusion
restaurant finally debuted on Hollywood Boulevard
in September.
Designed by Kris Keith of Spacecraft, Osaka
feels earthy yet modern with a South American
flair. Patrons traipse over stones in a shallow pool
of water to enter a low-lit lounge anchored by a
central bar. Stop in for a pisco (Peruvian brandy)
cocktail – say, a classic Pisco Sour or Pisco Punch –
and then continue on to the dining room, in which
the main attraction is a long, rectangular sushi bar.
Pile into a corner booth, snag a banquette around
the perimeter, or pull up a stool to the sushi bar
and watch the chefs in action.
Osaka’s menu mixes ingredients and
techniques from Peru, Japan, Thailand, and China,
with the heaviest focus on Peru. Most plates are
small and priced under $20, allowing diners to
share a bunch of different dishes. While specialty
sushi rolls and nigiri do claim some menu real
estate, what you really want to sample here are
the ceviches, causitas, and anticuchos.
A trio of ceviches is the perfect light and
refreshing way to kick off a meal. Standouts
include the classic Shiromi with sweet potato;
the Nikkei with tuna, crispy quinoa and tangy
yuzu vinaigrette; and the Al Aji Amarillo: a mix
of shiromi and South American aji amarillo chili
peppers that can be piled atop sweet potato
wontons.
Try the tuna causa: whipped potato topped
with chopped tuna, onion, and chives served on
a big Asian soupspoon. Those feeling slightly
more adventurous should not miss the kokoro
anticucho: a skewered and grilled Kobe beef heart.
Don’t worry; it tastes just like fillet…perhaps a bit
chewier. It’s good, we promise. • by Kat Odell.
LOCATION: 6327 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
OSAKA MIXES ASIAN TECHNIQUES WITH PERUVIAN FARE FOR ADVENTUROUS NEW FLAVORS
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• by Marilyn Chiu.
COFFEE SHOP 101 (6145 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood)
There is no guiltier pleasure than late-night breakfast food. Desperation could
bring the drunken fool to Denny’s, but stopping at 101 Coffee Shop mid-bar-
hop or post-club is just the classier thing to do in Hollywood. Located on
Franklin right off the 101, this place has the atmosphere of a retro diner, but a
fresher take on traditional diner fare. Cajun Catfish and Eggs replace greasy
sausage links; buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries and sautéed bananas
stand in for limp flapjacks. There are also vegan-friendly options, like Soyrizo
& eggs and “No Huevos” Rancheros. In addition to a wide variety of savory
menu options, 101 Coffee Shop is also known for its milkshakes. Purple Haze
is a unique blend of blueberries, bananas, honey, and vanilla ice cream that’s
dreamy no matter what time of day it is.
EL TAURINO (1104 South Hoover Street L.A.)
The streets of LA are notorious for those nocturnal taco stands that seem
to materialize right when everybody’s getting ready to go home for the
night. El Taurino on Pico and 11th is a great late-night spot for authentic
Mexican food that is just as grungy, but actually offers a place to sit and
unwind. El Taurino is busiest at night; open until 5:30 AM, it’s a loud,
cheap hole in the wall, teeming with a diversity of patrons. Burritos,
tortas, tacos, and various other Mexican meat vessels are available with a
variety of juicy fillings, including the popular carne asada and spit-grilled
al pastor. If you’re craving head late at night, order cabeza at El Taurino.
Also, don’t neglect to pour their addicting red salsa on top of any of the
above to end (or begin) the night on a satisfyingly smoldering note.
PHO CAFÉ (2841 W Sunset Blvd, L.A.)
The insomniacs of Silverlake often find refuge in Pho Café – an unassuming,
unlabeled doorway next to an escrow service center. Minimally decorated
and brightly lit, this little restaurant is open ‘til midnight, offering a quick-
and-easy single-sided paper menu featuring Vietnamese comfort food. The
Banh Xeo, a crispy egg omelet filled with Pho Café’s famous lemongrass beef,
shrimp, mushroom, and bean sprouts, is definitely one of the most exotic
options. It comes with four or five sheets of stiff rice paper, which are dipped
one by one into a bowl of warm water until soft enough to wrap around a
handful of vegetables and a slice of the Banh Xeo omelet itself. Then, this
massive roll-up is dipped in a savory-sweet peanut sauce. If insomnia begs
for noodles, then Pho Café offers not only a traditional bowl of pho with strips
of rare beef, but also bun—cold vermicelli rice noodles—topped with a flaky
fried egg roll and either beef, shrimp, or both. A liberal dousing of sweet fish
sauce is the finishing touch to this hearty bowl of noodles.
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ADCome down & enjoy the explosive tastes of South American and Italian Cuisine. Enjoy the relaxed ambience, indoor and outdoor. We offer Lunch & Dinner on our patio that is perfect for a sunny afternoon with friends. Happy Hour is from 3pm to 7pm everyday!
HOURS: Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm / Fri 11am-11pm Sat 12pm-11pm / Sun 10am-10pm (Silver lake)
make reservation at www.elcaseriola.com
El Caserio Virgil309 N. Virgil Ave.
323-664-9266open 7 days a week
El Caserio Silver lake401 Silver Lake Blvd
213-273-8945closed Mon.
Sun. Brunch 10 am-2pm
You’re Invited !
Fine Dining Restaurant & Bar
Two Great Locations
20 EAST COLORADO BLVD, CA 91105KINGSROWPUB.COM
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PHOTO BY LUKE LOVELL
DRINK
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Santa Monica’s Hostaria del Piccolo offers
some of the tastiest fruit libations on the
West Side. On any given day, this casual Italian
retreat stocks fresh raspberries, blueberries,
grapes and strawberries to be muddled into
signature creations like Brontolo (rum, jalapeno,
fresh lime, berries) and Gongolo (Ketel One
Citron, St.Germain, fresh lime, ginger beer,
mint, strawberries) – which are both perfect for
summer. But for fall, there’s an enticing new
selection of cozy, seasonal drinks.
During these colder months, opt for October
29th, a cocktail conceived by bartendress Leigh
Goldstein that tastes like apple pie in a highball.
Goldstein shakes together fresh lemon juice,
amaretto, bourbon, a shot of espresso, and spices
for a winter pick-me-up that’s appropriate at
any hour. The resulting drink is well balanced
from the lemon juice and slightly nutty from the
amaretto, with an added depth of flavor thanks to
the bourbon and espresso. A pinch of spice ties
all the ingredients together with a hint of holiday
cheer. • by Kat Odell.
RECIPE- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice- ½ oz Honey Syrup- ½ oz Amaretto Di Soronno- 1 ½ oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon- 1 Single Espresso- Pinch of Clove, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg- Creme de Cacao infused cream top layer- Garnished with a Cinnamon Stick
1. Stir together all ingredients except infused cream. 2. Strain into a highball glass3. Add ¾ oz of Creme de Cacao to 4oz of heavy whip-
ping cream. 4. Whip infused cream, and using the back of a bar
spoon, strain the whipped cream on top of the spoon to apply the top layer.
START YOUR NIGHT OFF WITH THIS SEASONAL PICK-ME-UP
DRINK
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Peek down the alley behind Rocco’s
Tavern in Culver City and you’ll spot a
blaring neon “cocktails” sign, summoning
you towards a hidden new haunt that’s
ready to dispense liquid salvation.
Give the big guy outside the daily
password, procured via Twitter (@
seventy7la), and step into Seventy 7’s
deep, dark recess wrapped in vintage
brocade wallpaper and lit by antique
chandeliers.
Snag a stool around the L-shaped bar, or
get cozy on a low-slung leather banquette,
and imbibe via GM Mathew Goldberg’s
creative roster of boozy beverages, all
priced between $12 and $15.
Try Peter Piper – a mostly sour sensation
due to the pickle juice, which is masterfully
combined with Hendrick’s gin, fresh dill,
cucumber, and crème fraiche. And yes –
there’s a speared gherkin pickle with a
slice of cucumber as garnish.
If you’d rather stick to sweet, the Moulin
Rouge has you covered; it’s a happy
medley of absinthe, Plymouth gin, fresh
strawberries, passion fruit purée, and
simple syrup – all muddled together for a
libation that’s easy on the tongue.
But, for a true dessert in liquid form,
go for the Smortini. Think Wodka Vodka,
vanilla schnapps, Godiva chocolate liqueur,
a graham cracker “crust,” and the pièce de
résistance: toasted baby marshmallows.
Fire it up. • by Kat Odell.
LOCATION: 3843 Main St
Culver City, CA 90232
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BAR
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The Los Angeles Film School helps you succeed in the entertainment industry by providing a comprehensive education with the knowledge and technical experience to enter a career you will love.
Earn your A.S. degree in about a year* in Film, Game Production, Computer Animation or Recording Arts! Learn from our experienced industry professionals.
• VA-Approved,AccreditedCollege,ACCSC• FinancialAid&MilitaryEducationBenefits(includingBAH)availabletothosewhoqualify
• LocatedintheheartofHollywood• On-sitehousingcoordinator• TheLosAngelesFilmSchoolisamemberoftheServicemembersOpportunityCollegeConsortium(SOCSchool)
• Morethan250,000squarefeetofsoundstages,livesets,recordingstudios,labsandprogear!
The Los Angeles Film School is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program
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*Length of program and start dates are dependent on course of study and degree option. For more information on our programs and their outcomes visit www.la�lm.edu/disclosures. ©2011 �e Los Angeles Film School. All rights reserved. �e term “�e Los Angeles Film School” and �e Los Angeles Film School logo are either service marks or registered service marks of �e Los Angeles Film School. Accredited by ACCSC
866.573.0656www.explorelafilm.com
Dream!Dream!Dream!Start Living
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It’s winter in LA, so you’ve probably started putting together your holiday wish list. Clothes can be great, but there’s still that kid in all of us that’s hoping for some expensive new toy in that last box hidden in the corner. As you put the finishing touches on your list before passing it out to anyone with a bank account, LA CANVAS has a few last minute additions for your consideration. • by Justin Fitzwater. by Justin Fitzwater.
NIXON - THE RUBBER PLAYER $150
With all those complicated gadgets out there, sometimes you just want a simple piece of tech that looks good. No matter what you’re wearing you’ll find this watch in a color to match. Nixon watches can get pretty pricey, but with this model you can expect an affordable, stylish watch that’s timeless – well, in an ironic sort of way. www.nixonnow.com
AMAZON – KINDLE FIRE $199
Books? Who wants a book for a present? Oh yeah, Kindle made books cool again. Ditching the black and white screen, the new Kindle Fire offers not only books, but magazines, movies, games, web browsing (it even supports Flash!) and much more, all in full color. In fact, the Fire can do pretty much anything the iPad 2 can – at less than half the price. www.amazon.com
CISCO - FLIP ULTRAHD 4GB $79.99 / 8GB $99.99 Surely you’ve heard of the Flip: a digital camcorder that’s grown popular for offering 720p Widescreen HD video recording in a cheap, compact package. Edit and share your footage directly from the device, or connect it to a PC or HDTV. Also, you now have the option to create or upload your own design to truly make the Flip your own. www.theflip.com
JAWBONE – JAMBOX $199
Sharing videos with friends is great but huddling with them around your cell phone, and its tiny speaker, isn’t. JAMBOX is a portable solution that provides amazing audio with great highs and subwoof-ers you’ll feel even from a few feet away. You can connect wirelessly with any Bluetooth enabled device for big sound in a small package. www.jawbone.com
ADONIT - JOT $19.99 / JOT PRO $29.99
A Kickstarter success story if ever there was one, the Jot and Jot Pro had huge support before anyone even got to try one. Each is a stylus that works with virtually any capacitive touchscreen device for greater precision than any other stylus on the market. The Pro also includes a rubber grip and built-in magnet that attaches to the iPad 2 when not in use. www.adonit.net
GADGETS
some expensive new toy in that last box hidden in the corner. As you put the finishing touches on your list before passing it out to anyone with a bank account, LA CANVAS has a few last minute additions for your consideration.
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It’s winter in LA, so you’ve probably started putting together your holiday wish list. Clothes can be great,
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BOOQ BAGS - BOA PUSH, SAND $89.95
Whether or not you’ve bit the bullet and bought an iPad – or some other fancy tablet – you can’t deny this bag is stylish. Don’t go thinking you can’t have one without the other. Even without a tablet, the slim design provides just enough space for your phone, cords, pens, notebook and more without any excess bulk. When you’re on the go, what more could you ask for? www.booqbags.com
APPLE - IPOD NANO 8GB $129 / 16GB $149
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Nano hasn’t received any upgrades this year, save for a built in sensor (for tracking your workouts without any extra gadgets) and a $30 price cut. A few new clock faces have also been added for those using one of the Nano watchbands. Don’t have one yet? What are you waiting for? www.apple.com
ROKU 2 HD, XD, XS, AND LS $50.00 - $99.99
Most of us have plenty of movies, music and photos on our computer, but getting them onto the TV isn’t always easy. Roku connects to almost any TV for up to 1080p picture quality with access to over 300 channels and apps like Netflix and Pandora over wi-fi. As a bonus, the XS model includes the enhanced remote (with motion controls) and Angry Birds. www.roku.com
FUJI - INSTAX 7S $100
Digital photos are awesome, but few of us ever actually get them printed. And there’s something great about having a physical photo in your hand – a one of a kind that truly captures a memory. The Instax is a great, cheap instant film camera, like the old Po-laroid, but with a modern twist. Though we have to admit, “Shake it like a Fuji picture” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. usa.shop.lomography.com
WACOM – INKLING $199
Wacom offers artists and creative individuals great tools for creating digital masterpieces, but sometimes nothing beats a pen and paper. The Inkling provides the comfort of drawing with a pen and the ability to record your sketches digitally. Record every stroke, even in separate layers, and export them to Photoshop, Illustrator and Sketchbook. www.wacom.com
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CALENDAR
STYLE EVENTThread Show: Indie Design + Fashion @ the Cooper Design Space
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COMEDYJeff Garlin in Conversation w/ Michael Moore @ Largo
CONCERTUh Huh Her @ the House of Blues
CONCERTArchitecture in Helsinki @ El Rey
CONCERTDas Racist @ the Roxy
ART EXHIBITRaymond Pettibon: Desire in Pursuyt of the Whole @ Regen Projects Gallery
THEATREEdgar Allan Poe’s Cask of Amontillado @ Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre
DANCESilverlake Contemporary Ballet’s Fall Program, w/ Live Rock Bands Starts @ The Sweat Spot
ART EXHIBITStephanie Vovas Photography @ Edgar Varela Fine Arts
EVENTDesigner Con @ Pasadena Convention Center
FILM FESTIVALZED FEST: Zombie,
Horror & Sci-fi @ Noho Actor’s Studio
COMEDYBill Maher @ Gibson Amphitheatre
PARTYPart-time Punks @ the Echo
CONCERTVanaprasta (residency) @ the Satellite
FILM SCREENINGLacuna @ the Downtown Independent
CONCERTKisses @ the Roxy
FILM SCREENINGBeyond this Place, w/ live score by Sufjan Stevens @ Vista Theatre
COMEDYFacebook @ the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre
CONCERTM83 @ The Music Box
CONCERTYelle @ The Wiltern
ARTWALK @ Downtown LA
CONCERTHoly Ghost! + Jessica 6 @ the Music Box
PARTYMiami Horror DJ SET @ Avalon CONCERT
Feist @ the Wiltern
CONCERTReal Estate @ the Echo
FOOD EVENTLA Pizza Festival @ the Olympic Collection
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DANCEDiavolo Dance: Transit Space @ Music Center Plaza
PARTYDJ Competition: LA vs. SF @ Exchange LA
COMEDYMichael Ian Black @ Largo
CONCERTFuture Islands @ the Echo
PARTYChromeo @ The Wiltern
CONCERTPete Rock, Thundercat + DJ J. ROCC, hosted by Garth Trinidad (KCRW) @ Exchange LA
EVENTLA Auto Show @ LA Convention Center
PARTYMartin Solveig @ Avalon
THEATREDon’t Hug Me I’m Pregnant @ Secret Rose Theatre
CONCERTThe Black Apples (residency) @ the Echo
FOOD EVENTOld L.A. Certified Farmer’s Market @ Highland Park
PARTYThe VS (VERSUS) Party @ the Central
EVENTCharles Pheonix “Disneyland” Tour of Downtown @ Downtown LA
CONCERTMorrissey @ Shrine Auditorium
EVENTLava Sunday Saloon w/ Susanna Dakin @ Los Angeles Athletic Club
EVENTAloud w/ Miranda July @ Mark Tauper Auditorium, Central Library
CONCERTThe Chain Gang of 1974 @ the Echo
FILM SCREENINGFilm Courage Interactive Series presents: Missing Pieces @ the Downtown Independent
PARTYDub Club @ the Echoplex
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CONCERTDan Deacon @ the Echoplex
CONCERTLord Huron @ the Mondrian
CONCERTKCRW presents Holiday Eclectic @ the Orpheum Theatre
FOOD EVENTAtomic Eats Food Truck Fest @ the Seaport Marina in Longbeach
CONCERTDead Kennedys @ the House of Blues
STYLE EVENTUnique Los Angeles Starts @ California Market Center
FOOD EVENTMalibu Food and Wine Festival
CONCERTThe Postelles @ the Bootleg
PARTYJuice Box Wednesdays w/ Jonni Hipp + Fat Lip @ Bronson Bar
COMEDYGarfunkel & Oates Ho Ho Hoes? Holiday Show @ Largo
CONCERTThe Kooks @ the Music Box
FOOD EVENTNOLA Thursday’s w/ DJ Strategy @ NOLA’s Downtown
ARTWALK @ Downtown LA
PARTYDisco Party & Dance Competition w/ DJs Destroyer, Eric Coleman + Marlon Fuentes @ Exchange LA
ART EXHIBITWinter Art Show @ Edgar Varela Fine Arts
CONCERTJay-z + Kanye West @ the Staples Center CONCERT
Robatanists + Summer Darling @ Silverlake Lounge
THEATREI Love Lucy Live On Stage @ Greenway Court Theatre
CONCERTSomeone Still Loves You @ the Bootleg
THEATREJane Austen Unscripted by Impro Theatre @ the Broad Stage
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PARTYDigitalism @ the Music Box
MUSIC FESTIVALJazz and World Music Festival @ Catalina Bar & Grill
CONCERTDinosaur Junior @ the Music Box
CONCERTOh Land @ the El Rey
EVENT3rd Annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl
CONCERTHer Space Holiday @ the Satellite
ART EXHIBITDigital Darkroom @ the Annenberg Space for Photography
COMEDYCharles Pheonix’s Retro Holiday Slide Show @ Downtown Independent Theatre
COMEDYGreg Behrendt + Patton Oswalt @ Largo
CONCERTQueen Kwong + Light FM @ Silverlake Lounge
DANCELA Ballet performs The Nutcracker (Weekend Only) @ Alex Theatre
EVENTFestivius @ For The Rest-ivus
FOOD EVENTFeast of Seven Fishes @ Drago Centro
CONCERTThe Growlers + The Allah-las @ The Echo
FESTIVALElectric Daisy Carnival @ Las Vegas
CONCERTWanda Jackson + Best Coast @ Club Nokia
CONCERTLady Gaga @ Staples Center
LACANVAS.COMYOUR EVERYDAY SOURCE FOR THE LATEST EVENTS
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HOLIDAY GIFTSJEWELRY HOME ACCENTS FASHION BOOKS ACCESSORIESCARDSSHOP AT THE
919 South Grand Ave. LA 90015 • fidmmuseum.org • fidmmuseumshop.org • 213.623.5821
PROFESSIONAL
a fifthanniversary
showcase
—
a fifth anniversary showcase
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L ike a lot of folks, rising art star
Gregory Siff landed in Hollywood
to pursue an acting career. He’s made
decent progress, but everyone knows how
dispiriting that endless cycle of audition,
rejection, and bad material can be. One
day about six or seven years back, he
started painting as a kind of a creative and
emotional release. See, he’d been reading
van Gogh’s letters on the topic of rejection,
and they resonated, so he just sort of went
for it because, as he put it, “you don’t have
to audition to make a painting.”
But this is still Hollywood after all, so
after some encouraging early success
and insight gained, the inevitable
happened, and he wrote the screenplay.
Called “painT,” it’s a modern update
of the iconic, if largely apocryphal, van
Gogh biography, but with a twist – the
possibility of a happy ending. “Every day
I make something. Art has saved my life.”
That optimistic, deeply felt connection
to his practice is not all swashbuckling
adventure, though. Signing his ubiquitous
painted and posted work simply
“Gregory” is an homage to “Vincent,” but
there’s more to it.
Though not overtly manifesting as a
visual or stylistic influence – Gregory
is not a 19th-century Impressionist
– there is a quick, frantic energy, a
confident but anxious way of making his
instantly recognizable language of lines,
marks, and shapes, that alternates an
almost obsessive density with a lyrical,
expressive approach to drawing what
he sees. His use of primary colors and
inky blacks, incorporation of text into
the composition with poetic, narrative
purpose, and prolific dedication that keeps
him constantly at work also resonate with
his patron inspiration, who once wrote,
“Great things are not accidental. They
certainly must be willed.” Yes, that line is
in the movie.
On the irresistible date of 11.11.11,
Gregory will have a solo show of new
paintings and other madness at an
undisclosed Downtown location. Go to his
website, gregorysiff.com and/or look for
red, yellow and blue in the streets to find
clues. “Secret show shit, you know? This
will be the closest I can bring you to being
me.” But of course, the truth is, all of Siff’s
art tells the story of being who he is.
• by Shana Nys Dambrot.
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