Get Your Phil - Friday and Saturday Night Dinner and Disney Hall Concerts

With all of the new restaurants opening in Downtown Los Angeles along with old favorites, the Los Angeles Philharmonic just launched a new program branded as "Get Your Phil"   - a Friday (or Saturday) night dining and concert ticketing package.   The second opportunity occurs this Friday night at the Border Grill Downtown LA and continues into November with dates at Le Ka Restaurant and Blue Cow Kitchen and Bar with a soon to be posted additional Saturday date of December 7th at Rivera for the Scheherazade concert.  The Get Your Phil program opened last Friday with Chaya Downtown LA in tandem with one of the LA Phil 10th Anniversary concerts (Debussy and Bartok) featuring conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen. These dinners include a special ten minute discussion with one of the LA Phil musicians. The $32 Friday/Saturday night dinner program is available to existing LA Phil season ticket holders and to those looking to package up the promotional dinner and purchasing LA Phil concert tickets, which can be easily done online at LAPhil.com/GetyourPhil. The promoted evening LA Phil concert tickets at various price ranges (from $67 - $75 for Terrace or Front Terrace seats) are now available for the following dinners and concerts:

Friday, October 25

Border Grill Downtown LA

Salonen and Sibelius*

Friday, November 8

Le Ka Restaurant

Tovey and Shostakovich*

Saturday, November 30

Blue Cow Kitchen and Bar

Bach, Schumann and more

  

*This evening is also a part of the LA Phil's Casual Fridays program, which includes a post-concert Question and Answer session with the artists and a meet-and-greet with the orchestra.

FIDM Museum Annual Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition

For the 21st year the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) Museum and Galleries showcases, up close and personal, costumes from a wide range of 2012 movies at their campus in the South Park neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles until April 27, 2013.  If you love going to the movies, then this is a must see exhibit, and it is even free, although donations are greatly appreciated.   Plus, they have one of the best museum stores in all of Los Angeles, showing unique items from many former students. The FIDM exhibition and store is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

This year FIDM has all five of the movies nominated for an Academy Costume Design Oscar, and eight of the fifteen movies nominated in the Costume Guild's three categories of competition.  My embedded Flickr slideshow gives one a walk through of the motion picture costumes on exhibit, and if you are on an iPad, click here.



As I write this, the Costume Guild will be having their award dinner tonight to announce their three winners.  For each of the categories, my predictions for Costume Guild awards would be Skyfall, Anna Karenina, and Mirror Mirror. [Update on morning after: My predictions were correct.]

The Taste of Mexico at Vibiana on Friday Night November 30, 2012

 

I have been reading Gustavo Arellano's Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, and thus this second annual Taste of Mexico is very timely to have a chance to better understand the wide range of upscale Mexican cuisine available in Los Angeles.  Thus for $50 on Friday night November 30 from 6  pm to 11 pm, you can graze on some of the best regional Mexican cuisine all  in one place at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles at Second and Main Streets.  I had a chance to preview some of the food several weeks ago at the Mexican Consulate, as you can see from the slide show below (not seen from an Ipad)

or my Taste Of Mexico Press Preview picture set on Flickr here.  The preview featured around half of the food vendors, but did not include superstars Jon Sedlar from Rivera who will be showcasing his food from Playa, nor Rick Bayless or his executive chef from Red O.  Both of whom are discussed in Gustavo's book.

New Orleans Based The Revivalists at Club Nokia Tonight

Tonight at L.A. Live's Club Nokia at 7 pm  are The Revivalists, a New Orleans based band, that is on a national tour, opening for Gov't Mule (who are doing two sets at 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm). I happened to catch a performance of The Revivalists at a recent New Orleans music and food festival - Slobsterfest.  Originally I was not planning on staying for the Saturday night closing act, but in talking to the fans of The Revivalists, I was intrigued.  Many of them were seeing David Shaw and his band for the tenth time, several having even traveled to Florida to see them again.  The band has been around for five years.

Pirate Festival to benefit Children's Tumor Foundation

Arrrrrrrr, matey! Avast! Ahoy! And let's throw in a shiver me timbers for good measure. The 2012 Pirate Festival to benefit the Children's Tumor Foundation takes place Saturday, May 19 from 2:00-5:00 PM (1:00-5:00 PM for VIP) at 1010 Wilshire in Downtown. For our readers who have an affinity for the life of a pirate, here's yet another opportunity (Talk Like A Pirate Day and Halloween are much too far away) to dress up and live our fantasies! This event offers plenty of entertainment, grub, wenches and libations.

Attend the premiere and after party of "The Raven," starring John Cusack

When this request came through to us, it was practically a no-brainer. It celebrates the things we love: a historic theatre in downtown LA, film and literature! So, without further adieu, here are the rules to enter our contest for a pair of passes to attend the premiere of Relativity Media's thriller "The Raven," based on some of Edgar Allen Poe's famous tales and starring John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen, on Monday, April 23 at 8PM at the Los Angeles Theatre.

March Music Manifesto: The Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Bilal with Quantic & Alice Russell

After an unforgettable week at my first edition of SXSW, one might think I'd be going on hiatus, but alas... quite the opposite. I feel primed and ready to take on a new musical genre and this week's EVFA & ArtDon'tSleep's production of The Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Bilal with Quantic & Alice Russell (live band) is the perfect mix.

3 days, 3 adventures: Montebello, Downtown & Long Beach

Last weekend our family hosted some friends who dropped in for a visit on their way up north to Tahoe. This wasn't their first time in L.A., so they were itching to see something new. Past trips included Hollywood, the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica and Venice beaches, Beverly Hills, the Getty and the Original Farmer's Market.

We decided our daughter would be the factor in determining some interesting sites to take them. Finding family-friendly things to do in L.A. has become one of our favorite challenges, as we're always delighted with our discoveries and generally pleased with our experiences.

Our itinerary for the long weekend: a picnic and visit to the Montebello Barnyard Zoo at Grant Rea Park in Montebello; breakfast Downtown and a stroll through Little Tokyo; and a day in Long Beach at the harbor and Aquarium of the Pacific.

Summer Ideas: "The Wilshire Slides, 1978-79" #Free

Take a visual historical tour of Wilshire Boulevard at this free event this Saturday at the Central Library!  These photo slides were donated to the Los Angeles Public Library in 2010 by Annie Laskey.

The photos were the outcome of an after-school project by then-teenager Laskey and her mother in 1978-1979.  The assignment?  "An informal photo survey of Wilshire Boulevard from downtown to the ocean."

Anime Expo comes July 1-4 to L.A. Convention Center

Get in on the action at this year's Anime Expo 2011, now in its 20th year! Only 1 week away, AX is North America's largest anime and manga convention. Don't miss out on the best 4 days of the whole year.

Cirque du Soleil Day in L.A.: IRIS from Cirque du Soleil® takes over Los Angeles #CirqueDayLA

This Thursday, June 16 will be known as Cirque du Soleil Day in Los Angeles in celebration of the 27th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil® and the upcoming debut of IRIS, A Journey Through The World Of Cinema™ opening at the Kodak Theatre.

Festivities will take place across Los Angeles in Hollywood, Pasadena, Century City, and Santa Monica, and there will be something for just about everyone. In addition to the FREE (!!!) live events, residents and visitors can participate on Twitter and Foursquare using the #CirqueDayLA hashtag and be entered into a sweepstake for a chance to win IRIS related prizes.

Vote Now: @DowntownNews "2011 Best of Downtown" Contest

Hey Los Angeles! Show your love and support for your favorite Downtown business. L.A. Downtown News is currently holding its annual "Best of Downtown" contest. In addition to giving a nod to your favorite, you'll be automatically entered into a drawing for some fun prizes, including a grand prize of a complimentary two-night stay at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, dinner for two at Sai-Sai, $200 spending cash, dinner for two at Morton's The Steakhouse, $150 Ticketmaster gift card, and a Los Angeles Conservancy walking tour! Not a bad package!

Polls are open until Friday, June 3, 2011. Visit www.votebestof.com to cast your vote.


-ExperienceLA Staff

Celebrate the Grand Opening of LA Plaza

Los Angeles has always celebrated a rich history of Mexican American culture, but starting this month, a new cultural center will open to serve as its national center - and you can be there!  Opening on April 16th 2011, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes will open its doors from 10am to 4pm for a day-long family celebration.  This FREE event is being made possible by Target. 

A new year, another year for celebrating the arts

Los Angeles Arts Month officially kicked off today at the Music Center Plaza in Downtown. Mayor Villaraigosa, L.A. County Supervisor Molina, and leading members from the arts community welcomed an audience who took advantage of the sunny afternoon to enjoy free entertainment and be reminded of how great the arts and cultural opportunities are in Los Angeles.

Chinatown LA Turkey Dinners

I never realized that getting an already prepared turkey to go from Chinatown Los Angeles was a Thanksgiving tradition for many people in the Los Angeles area. I used to joke with George Yu, the Executive Director of the Chinatown business improvement district, that one of the funniest parts of the holiday movie, A Christmas Story, was when the dog ate the turkey and the family went out to the local Chinese restaurant for the celebration meal. But in the movie, they are the only ones in the restaurant, but from what George says, going to ChinatownLA for turkey is quite a holiday event.

A taste of LA (Louisiana, that is) in L.A.

Last Friday evening, my husband and I along with a couple of our friends, hopped aboard the Metro Red Line from North Hollywood and made our way to the Music Center Plaza for some Zydeco dance lessons, all part of the Active Arts at the Music Center's Dance Downtown events. We arrived a little after 6:30 and the plaza was already packed with people dressed up in their cowboy hats and boots having a good time learning dance steps.

Dance Downtown Zydeco and ExperienceLA's Final Dance Video Challenge: 60s Dances

We've been rather fortunate this summer in LA. The weather (so far) has been relatively comfortable, and the evenings nearly downright perfect. So what better way to enjoy the last Friday of July 2010 than dancing under the stars at the Active Arts at the Music Center's Dance Downtown series, where the featured dance style is Zydeco? I know it's where I'll be. Zydeco was also the subject of our latest video contest for July.

And now, our final video contest is "60s Dances." Read on to find out more about this contest and how you can enter to win. (Photo courtesy of Music Center, credit Alex Pitt)

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")

Multi-culture re-examined

Many of us can recall a time where we've had to make a choice based on a pre-determined set of options that were not relevent or reflective of who we are. In many of these instances, at least for me, I've either settled with the answer closest to what I would've preferred, or indicated "other." In many of these instances as well, I didn't give it much more thought after making my selections, as the consequences were minimal.

Uncover the literary side of Los Angeles

To honor Los Angeles' literary contributions, this year's Silver Lake Jubilee Festival will host a Literary Village. Never been to one? Neither have I. So what can one expect? More than just books. More than just newspapers. More than just printed text on paper. (Pictured at left: David Shook, poet & curator of the Literary Village. Photo by Julie Towner of Crown Jules Photography) 

A tent where festival attendees passively engage with product would not do justice to what Los Angeles has produced for American literature. Instead, David Shook, a poet himself and curator of the Literary Village, along with festival organizers are planning what they hope to be a much more immersive experience. In addition to publishers having their material and printed works on display, writers and poets will read excerpts from their creations. Student works (including newspapers and short anthologies) from the 826la after school program will also be featured. There is also talk of a spontaneous literature project, which will be in collaboration with the Art Village, though no details were available at the time of this writing. However, David did hint that it would be an opportunity for festival-goers to contribute to LA's literary heritage.