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.

Classical, Contemporary and Surreal: The JACCC's 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration

Last night, I had the privilege to experience the wide variety of performances at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC)'s 30th Anniversary Celebration. It was a night of traditional Japanese music, contemporary jazz and a deliciously surreal moment that renewed my love of "mixing cultures" in L.A.

The night opened up with a classical Japanese set with Kenny Endo and Kaoru Watanabe. As I listened to the traditional flute and drum music, I was transported back to Japan and all I loved about the culture when suddenly the two bullseyes were pierced with arrows. A uniquely Japanese opening.

Then, Abe Lagrimas, Jr. joined them as Kenny Endo pounded away at the Odaiko. While there are many types of drum beats, taiko drumming has two levels. On the first level, there is the neat, clean and controlled feel trying to hold back the fiery energy below.

The show continued with performances by contemporary jazz pianist Keiko Matsui. One of the songs from her 23 albums, Deep Blue, was inspired by the fact that the oceans of the world connect all the continents like music connecting people. Not only music, but cultural experiences of all kinds connect us.

We were also treated to happy-go-lucky Hawaiian music from five-time GRAMMY Award winner Daniel Ho. If ever one needs a quick pick-me-up from a stressful day, his music would do the trick.

The show ended with the west coast debut of Jero, the first African-American enka singer. Closing my eyes, I felt like I was back in Japan listening to those romantic Japanese ballads (think of the ending song on Kill Bill Vol. 1) at a karaoke bar or on Kohaku Uta Gassen, the traditional Japanese New Year's music program. Opening them up, there was a young, handsome Black man on stage in a tux and baseball cap (tilted to the side). It was the surrealist moment of the night, and one in which made me appreciate living in Los Angeles.

After the show, was a reception on the plaza with delicious hors d'oeuvres and desserts. The 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration was compliation of the great performances at the JACCC and Aratani Theatre. Jero is performing tonight to a packed house, and Kenny Endo will be performing this Saturday. After this great evening, I look forward to other events that the JACCC have to offer.



-Tiina Vuorenmaa

Delicious and Informative Morsels: SixTaste Little Tokyo Tour

Negitoro Don Sample (Photo courtesy of plushcattech)

Ending my week-long birthday celebration, I went on the Six Taste Little Tokyo Food Walking Tour. It had been many years since I had visited Little Tokyo, and I was refreshing my memory of Japanese customs as well as getting to know more about Los Angeles.

Overall, the food was delicious and our tour guide was very helpful and well-informed, but the number one thing that impressed me the most was the close proximity of MOCA, JANM and JACCC to Little Tokyo. I mean walking close! And here I thought that everything was far apart because "nobody walks in LA!"

Our first stop was Spitz, a kebab restaurant with the best garlic aioli sauce. Wait? I thought this was a Little Tokyo Tour? Spitz showed the diversity of Little Tokyo, and even had that slight "academia" feel (it's run by college grads as well) with its recycled art and furnishings. Next stop was the courtyard/park in front of the JACCC, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center where we had sushi from Oomasa and enjoyed the hidden Japanese garden with blooming Tsubaki (Japanese Camelia), my favorite flower. We then tasted the soft and subtley sweet mochi from the oldest shop in Little Tokyo, Fugestu-Do. Our tour came full circle and back to the Japanese Village Plaza where we sampled mochi-lato (gelato instead of ice cream) at Mikawaya, imagawayaki (a traditional Japanese dessert) at Mitsuru Cafe, and ended our tour with a negitoro-don from the first Wakasaya in Los Angeles (the chain of Wakasaya restaurants are in Hokkaido, but the owner lives here in LA!).

On the way through the whole tour, we were treated with juicy morsels of Little Tokyo's past, including mail-order brides, apple pie and fire towers. While I already know I'm coming back for more hazelnut mochi-lato and negitoro-don, I found the history of Little Tokyo and the surrounding areas to be the highlight of the tour. Oh! and now I know I can go to all those great events at the JANM, JACC and the Aratani Theatre and add a little shopping on the side!

-Tiina Vuorenmaa

Weekend Festivals FTW!

Yay for the coming summer months and spending time outdoors (not that we already don't do that in the awesome year-round weather of Southern California... but it's nice to still have something to be excited about)! With that in mind, there are a lot of festivals coming up during the weekend that are worth checking out. A little something for everyone...


May 31st: BioBlitz Festival
Grab your backpack and join the National Geographic Society and the National Park Service for this 24-hour event. Teams of scientists, naturalists, community leaders, students and the public join forces to discover and inventory the biodiversity in the nation’s largest urban national park.

May 31st: 3rd Annual T.O.M. Film Festival
Film goers will not only enjoy free admission for the festival, but they’ll have the opportunity to find out more about local and global initiatives to fight and end modern day slavery.

May 30th-June 1st: Los Angeles Accordion Festival
The first annual festival kicks off TODAY, featuring 15 accordion players and their bands showcasing diverse styles from Cajun to Irish to Rockabilly, and even an accordion workshop for those of you who want to learn more about the instrument.

And don't forget that the LA Film Fest tickets go on sale on June 2nd!

Happy Friday everyone!
-ExperienceLA Staff