Monday, June 28, 2010

Anime Expo 2010 Cosplay Contest Winners

Last week, we asked you to send in your cosplay photo for a chance to win a 4-day pass to Anime Expo 2010. Thanks to everyone who sent in their photos - we enjoyed reviewing all of them - and a big Omedetou! ("Congratulations!") to the winners (in no particular order):

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Are you ready for Anime Expo 2010?

Each year, Anime Expo brings not just anime and manga, but musical performances, crazy (and I mean crazy-good!) cosplay costumes, and so many fantastic opportunities to enrich our knowledge of Japanese pop culture. This year proves to be another great Fourth of July weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center with Guests of Honor including:
  • Japanese Musical Artist MELL
  • Japanese Musical Group AKB48
  • Voice Actor Kyle Hebert
  • Animation Director Toshihiro Kawamoto
  • Seiyuu Yuu Asakawa
  • J-rock Band SOPHIA
  • Anime Director Shinichi "Nabeshin" Watanabe

So, what are you going to do at AX 2010?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

"In The Heights" Story Contest Winners

Last week, we asked you to tell your "Heights" story to win tickets to "In The Heights" at the Pantages Theatre. Thanks to everyone who sent in their entries and congratulations to the winners: Grace Lee and Neta-lee Noy for their insightful stories on their L.A. communities. Below are their entries:

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Dance Video Challenge: Bhangra & Bollywood

Wanna win tickets to see an upcoming performance of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center? Read on to see how you can enter our fun and easy video challenge based on the Music Center's Active Arts® Dance Downtown Series. (Photo courtesy of Music Center, credit: Howard Pasamanick)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Get Your Anime On: Cosplay Contest for AX 2010 Pass

In honor of the 2010 Anime Expo, we are running a cosplay contest!   Think you have the perfect cosplay outfit to win one of our *five* categories (and a four-day pass to Anime Expo)?!  See the details after the jump for our categories, how to enter, and the contest deadline!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Opening up to "Behind The Gates"

Last weekend, I had an opportunity to see the play, "Behind the Gates" at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre at the Lee Strasberg Creative Center in West Hollywood. I'd read a description of the play on ExperienceLA.com, but other than that, I didn't know much else about it. I wasn't sure what to expect, but that's part of the fun of going to theatre is the unexpected. (Photo by Ed Krieger)

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

North La Brea's Room 5: Jason Liebman Performance


Los Angeles is an extraordinary place for live music featuring musicians with recording contracts or trying to make it on their own as independent artists. The LA Weekly tries to keep track of many of these small venues and it is a herculean effort due to the number of venues and the artists being booked. I was recently introduced to Room 5 on North La Brea which gives one an excuse to check out Mark Peel's trendy new The Tar Pit Restaurant or I could have stood in a fast moving line for famous hot dogs at Pinks. When checking out Room 5 on the web, I noticed that Lilly Scott who had missed the cut for the final 12 on this past season's American Idol, had been recently booked into this venue.

Monday, June 07, 2010

Calling all film lovers: L.A. Film Festival

It's that time of year again when film enthusiasts of all types get to experience new, and up and coming films and talent from around the world, including the US. We're talking about the L.A. Film Festival. Now in its 16th year, the line-up offers something for everyone. (Pictured: Focus Features' "The Kids Are Alright")

Friday, June 04, 2010

Get in Line for "A Chorus Line"

A Chorus Line opens in the midst of the grueling audition process: a cast of dancers move gracefully, stumble, and get corrected and critiqued.  You're amazed at the skill.  You laugh at the comedic characters.  Then after this amazing sequence, the dismissal of some, there remains....so many more stories to tell.

Win tickets to see "IN THE HEIGHTS"

ExperienceLA wants to send two of our lucky readers to see the L.A. premiere of "In The Heights," at the Pantages Theatre on Thursday, June 24 at 8PM. Broadway's 2008 Best Musical arrives in L.A. on June 22 and runs through July 25, with show creator Lin-Manuel Miranda reprising his lead role as 'Usnavi.' Contest details after the jump.

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Last Remaining Seats: "How To Succeed..." and Remaining Tickets

I have many signals of summer - the things that make my summer feel complete. It's not just the Los Angeles weather that shifts from some-what warm to warmer to hot! It's not just how much more enjoyable the paletas and fruit from street vendors are with that weather, or the summer strolls through Farmers Markets enjoying aguas frescas, or the beach sand and sun with the crashing of the ocean waves. Summer doesn't seem quite complete without Last Remaining Seats.