Events for Sept. 6-12

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Best Coast

THURSDAY, SEPT. 6

MUSIC

Best Coast and NO @ Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica)
The pier's 28th annual Twilight Concert Series culminates with a night of dreamy music from two L.A. bands, Best Coast and NO. What better way to bid adieu to summer?

PLAYS

"The Book of Mormon" @ Pantages Theatre (Hollywood)
The Tony-winning musical from "South Park"'s Trey Parker and Matt Stone and "Avenue Q"'s Robert Lopez finally comes to Los Angeles. Two Mormon missionaries journey to a remote village in Uganda… sounds like the beginning of a really funny story to me. Through Nov. 25.

"Helen" @ The Getty Villa (Malibu)
This fall's classic play being staged at the Barbara and Lawrence Fleischman Theater is Euripedes' dramatic, alternative history of Helen of Troy. The gods trick Paris with a phantom replica of the beauty, so she is never kidnapped but whisked to a secluded island for safekeeping. "Helen" picks up her story 17 years later. Through Sept. 29.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7

CULTURE

L.A. Greek Fest @ Saint Sophia Cathedral (Mid City)
Immerse yourself in Greek culture with live music, folk dancing and authentic food. All the Spanikopita, pastistio and baklava you could imagine. Opa!

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Bachelorette stars Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan; The new Superman, Henry Cavill, in The Cold Light of Day; Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana in The Words. Also in theaters: Hello I Must Be Going; The Inbetweeners; Keep the Lights On; Raiders of the Lost Ark IMAX; Toys in the Attic

The Heavy (Andrew de Francesco)

MUSIC

The Heavy @ The El Rey (Mid-City West)
The Heavy are one of those bands who have a song for every mood that you could possibly be in, evidenced in their just-released third album, The Glorious Dead. As they cross genre lines, from country to garage punk, R&B and straight-up rock 'n' roll, everything the British quartet comes up with is infectiously good.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8

ART

Dirty Lights Opening Reception @ Swinghouse Studios (Hollywood)
This group photography exhibition features 13 artists that range from veterans and up-and-comers to comedians and cinematographers. Artists such as Piper Ferguson, Michael Tighe, guitarist Neal Casal, actor-comedian Andy Dick, film writer-director Paul Solet and cinematographer Matthew Libatique are taking part, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Pablove Foundation's Pablove Shutterbugs. Following this opening-night party, the exhibition will be viewable by appointment or online by virtual gallery.

FILM

Pee-wee's Big Adventure @ Devil's Night Drive In (Downtown)
The summer series ends with Tim Burton's adventure comedy, starring Paul Reubens as the beloved Pee-wee. The Angel City Derby Girls will be on hand as car hops, bringing you hot dogs, popcorn and soda directly to you.

FOOD

KCRW's Good Food Pie Contest @ LACMA (Mid-City West)
My sister competed in the first contest, and it was a blast, getting to taste all the pies and watching all the celebrity chefs and food writers sample the goods. The fourth annual event is hosted by Evan Kleiman and features judges like Jonathan Gold, Michael Voltaggio, David LeFevre and Sherry Yard of Spago.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 9

MUSIC

Thee Oh Sees @ The El Rey (Mid-City West)
Celebrating the release of their latest album, Putrifiers II, this week, the Bay Area rockers bring their raucous live show to Los Angeles. The new effort features "Flood's New Light," which was heralded as a "Best New Track" by Pitchfork.

MONDAY, SEPT. 10

MUSIC

The Adicts @ Key Club (West Hollywood)
The punk legends release their 10th studio album, All the Young Droogs, this week and celebrate with a two-night stand at the Key Club. Get your white shirt, black boots and bowler hat ready.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 11

BOOKS

Tim Gunn @ Barnes & Noble (The Grove)
The former associate dean at Parsons and current on-air mentor for the design contestants on "Project Runway" releases his latest book, Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible: The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Closet, today. Bible details the history of clothing, from ancient times to present-day style trends.

DZ Deathrays (Kane Hibberd)

MUSIC

DZ Deathrays @ The Echo (Echo Park)
The Australian duo of Shane Parsons and Simon Ridley burst onto the international scene a few years ago, garnering much critical praise, which continued to flow with the release of their debut, Bloodstreams, in May, and their No. 4 placement on NME's list of "20 Most Exciting Bands for 2012." You don't just have to trust all the media acclaim, though. Their live show is one that must be experienced in person to be believed.

My Morning Jacket @ The Wiltern (Koreatown)
Each night of their three consecutive shows at the Wiltern benefits ($1 from every ticket) a different charity and features a separate support act: Tuesday is for Sweet Relief Musicians Fund with Portugal. The Man; Wednesday is for Inner-City Arts with Iron and Wine; Thursday is for My Friend's Place with Shabazz Palaces. Regardless of which night you attend, MMJ is the band not to miss this week. They are hands-down one of the best live acts out there, and to see them in a venue as intimate as the Wiltern is priceless.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12

FILM

Children of Men/Nineteen Eighty-Four @ Egyptian Theatre (Hollywood)
American Cinematheque's ninth installment of the Mayan Calendar Countdown series features infertility and rage against "Big Brother." Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men stars Clive Owen and Julianne Moore. Michael Radford's adaptation of the George Orwell classic Nineteen Eighty-Four stars John Hurt and Suzanna Hamilton.

STREET SIGNS - Lizzy Tox

This lovely lady is stenciled on the pavement near Lot 1 Café on Laveta Terrace at Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. With her classic pin-up girl hairstyle, arched eyebrows and bright red lips, Lizzy Tox catches plenty of eyes.

Lavender Diamond

Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark at the Trails Café

 

BECKY STARK of LAVENDER DIAMOND

At The Trails Cafe

2333 Fern Dell Drive, Los Angeles (Los Feliz)

Journalists often describe Becky Stark as ethereal and fairy-like. As I walk along the Ferndell path in Griffith Park to reach her favorite L.A. haven, the Trails Café, it seems like the perfect location for a pixie hollow nestled amongst the lush flora, wooden bridges and a babbling brook. I immediately sense why the Lavender Diamond frontwoman calls it her second home.

"I just love it here, and I come here as much as possible. When I haven't been here in a while I start to miss it. I know my life is out of balance when I'm too busy to come to the Trails," she admits. "I love to be in nature, but I'm also an urban lady. I like to wear high heels sometimes, so the Trails is perfect. It's an urban forest café."

Becky perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Trails. Accessible from bustling Los Feliz Boulevard, the café is a great place to decompress after a long day at the office since it's close to the heart of the city, yet you still feel like you're immersed in nature. After walking in Ferndell, stop at the Trails for a thirst-quenching strawberry lemonade, nourishing avocado sandwich or sweet treat.

"The food is delicious and wholesome. There are pastries, but they're pastries that feel like health food because of Jenny Park, who is the pastry chef. She studied Chinese medicine and then became a pastry chef. Everything is baked fresh here every day," gushes Becky. "It's a combination between feeling a connection to your community and a connection with nature that makes it feel particularly healing here. Also the food, because those are the top ways to feel good, right? Eating, connecting with friends/community and connecting with nature. Sometimes if I feel really tired I don't necessarily want to go on a hike, but I want to reconnect with nature because it will make me feel better. Here, I can sit in the forest and eat the most delicious cookies I've ever had in my life."

Ferndell Trail

 And she's right. It's impossible to feel bad while nibbling on a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie and sipping an iced coffee at the Trails. Becky seems to fit in so naturally with the environment. Although she was raised on the East Coast, she has fallen in love with Los Angeles.

"L.A. is such a surprising city, it's so mysterious and soulful. It is so demographically diverse, it makes me love it here," she says.

The fact that there are so many different kinds of people here is a positive in the realm of fashion, which is definitely a passion for Becky.

"That's another thing that's wonderful about Los Angeles: There are great thrift stores in L.A., maybe because there are so many people here. I love to shop at Out of the Closet. They have these $1 racks, and the things you can find there are amazing. I really love Berda Paradise, it's probably my favorite thrift store," she shares. "I like some vintage stores, too: Flounce, Squaresville and Ragg Mopp. I love beautiful dresses, the artistry in vintage dresses. There's no comparison between clothes made in the '20s, '30s or '40s and anything that's manufactured. They're only comparable to couture. I like to go to Opening Ceremony to soak in the artistry. You can see the designers' work, and their imaginations are really inspiring to me."

Becky's clothing style is akin to the music she creates, in that, they can both be described in one word: 'timeless.' Whether it's a plaintive ballad ("Please" from the 2004 EP, Cavalry of Light), a bouncy pop melody ("Open Your Heart" from the 2007 full-length, Imagine Our Love) or a rock anthem ("Oh My Beautiful World" from the upcoming album, Incorruptible Heart, due Sept. 25), Lavender Diamond's songs are epic. Becky, along with Ron Regé on drums and Steve Gregoropolous on piano, successfully blends old-school techniques with modern elements to create a sound that is completely their own.

"I think a lot about our moment in history and what it means, the relationship between old forms and modern times. In our world, every moment is a turning point. You think of the evolution of time, it happens so slowly, and suddenly there's a moment of some evolution that's so instant. I feel that music and fashion are related to that in an interesting way," she says. "Music is ancient. What's more ancient than sound/sound patterns? In my ideal world, I think what a song could be is an energetic code. The songs that stay with you, they're nourishing – you know them, they're a part of you. Music is a sound pattern that you make, to relate to something that everyone could experience."

One distinct Lavender Diamond trademark is Becky's powerful voice. It can soar to amazing heights while conveying emotions that span the depths of despair and the utterly sublime.

"When I was young, I had a really weak speaking voice and severe asthma, so singing was something that was very therapeutic for me. Singing was a way that I developed strength in my breath and physical strength," she shares. "Singing was so healing because I was literally changing my vibration and connecting to a deeper source of energy. When you're singing harmony and playing music together, it's something that's such a powerful feeling and connecting force."

If there's one thing that is most important to Becky about Lavender Diamond's music, it's connecting people. A track on Incorruptible Heart where that intention is quite apparent is "Everybody's Heart's Breaking Now."

"That song is so dramatic and busted, but it's also like a soft-shoe: 'Hey! Everybody's heart is breaking now!' I told that to Damian [Kulash, Jr., of OK Go], who produced it, and he said, 'You're crazy, that song is so sad,'" she remembers with a laugh. "For a while I didn't want to make this record because I thought it was too sad, but I think that being willing to share your own feelings can have a very positive effect. If there's anything that's magical in the world, it's empathy, compassion. When you feel something and someone else feels, it changes it. It's chemistry. So if we want to change things and be part of active growth, then to feel with each other is a real force. If you think about anything that needs to be healed in the world, the way to that is to be more connected. The more connected we are, the more whole we are. All the ideas on the record are part of that plan."

As the release of Incorruptible Heart approaches, the band has begun to play the new songs live.

"It's a bit challenging because there is so much happening electronically on this record. When we were making the album, we were just following a vision of how we wanted it to sound. Damian said, 'Let me produce it, I know how to make it sound like that.' Dave Fridmann, who has worked on Flaming Lips records, said, 'Do you want me to make you a song like 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'?' And I was like, 'Yes, exactly!' We got home, and I thought, 'how are we going to play this live?' I had to really shake the guys, they thought we sounded good the way we were. But I said, 'No, we're going to change our sound – get some echo pedals, keyboard sounds, put reverb on everything! We have some friends who are helping, ladies singing harmonies, because there are crazy harmonies on the record. Alex Lilly who sings with my band the Living Sisters, sang with us for our first attempt, a show at Bootleg Theater."

Overall the band is embracing change and looking forward to more performances, especially their upcoming Monday-night residency at the Echo.

"I'm excited. It's good to evolve. You just have to have a sense of humor about everything," Becky says. "I am really obsessed with a couple of Beyoncé songs right now. To me, she's the best dancer in the world. Whenever I feel sad, I just watch her videos and learn the choreography. Maybe I'll do some Beyoncé covers at the shows, that would be so fun."

Aside from preparing to tour in support of Incorruptible Heart, Becky is starring in a new web series, "We Can Do It," launching Sept. 11, where she interviews guests like Damian, Andrew W.K., Jena Malone and John C. Reilly, whom she has a country act with. Becky has also performed as part of the Living Sisters, the L.A. Ladies Choir (which she co-founded), She & Him, the Decemberists and Courage, a band she created with comedian/actress Charlyne Yi.

"I feel like there's a common sense of purpose with all the people I collaborate with, a purpose of sharing love and helping to heal the planet. There's a motive to try and create something that is uplifting and makes you feel better. I feel lucky that I have been able to work with them and be part of that force," says Becky. "I feel like, with all these people, that we were the crazy nerds in high school. We're just big nerds who want to go on a mission of friendship and magic. It feels really special to join forces with people like that. It becomes more real, more powerful. The more our numbers grow, the more the forces of magic and love can grow and multiply!"

Incorruptible Heart is currently available. For more information, visit lavenderdiamond.net. 

REMEMBER WHEN - Incubus

Incubus (Brantley Gutierrez)

 

INCUBUS

Sept. 9, 1994 @ Coconut Teaszer (West Hollywood)

It was a Friday night during my freshman year in college. School had begun only a few weeks earlier, and most of the friends I had made so far lived in my dorm. Sharon and Carolina, two girls from down the hall, invited me to go see a band of Sharon's high school classmates at this club on the Sunset Strip. At first I was a little nervous about getting in since I wasn't 18 yet, but we came up a plan for me to show my USC ID card to the bouncer since it didn't have my birthdate on it, hoping that maybe he would think, 'well, she's old enough to be in college so I guess it's OK.'

Any anxiety over getting in was outweighed by my sheer excitement at finally going to a show on the famed Sunset Strip. I remember the drive to the corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights like it was yesterday, being absolutely giddy as the pink neon Coconut Teaszer sign came into view. Thankfully, the bouncer didn't even look at our IDs, as we showed him this flyer Sharon had and paid our $7. It was so surreal, stepping into my first rock club – a moment I had dreamt about for years. Sharon had a lot of friends from high school milling around, so I don't really remember where she was during the show. All I can recall is how dark it was in the club, that it smelled of sweat and beer and, when Incubus started playing, it was so loud that my ears felt like they were going to explode.

At this point, the band had only released demos, and were still cultivating their sound and style (It would be a year before Fungus Amongus would be available.). If all you've ever heard is their post-Make Yourself music, then you would be shocked at what I experienced that night. As soon as they began to play, the floor in front of their performance area exploded with bodies and dreadlocks flew through the air from violently thrashing heads. There was no denying the power of Jose Pasillas on drums and Alex Katunich (aka Dirk Lance) on bass. Guitarist Mike Einziger hunched over his guitar, churning out heavy, lightning-quick riffs. Brandon Boyd flailed himself around the room, moshing with the crowd, yet his voice rang out strong and clear.

Who knew that years later, they would go on to become multi-platinum artists? Over the years, I've seen Incubus perform 40-50 times at venues from the Roxy to Verizon Amphitheater. Even though I haven't gone to one of their shows in quite a while, they will always hold a special place in my heart because they played such a monumental night in my musical memories. The venue sat where Shelter, Privilege and XIV by Michael Mina have all come and gone, but that spot on Sunset Boulevard will always live on as Coconut Teaszer's home in my mind.

Events for Aug. 30-Sept. 5

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Cobra Starship performs Sept. 3 at L.A. Fair

THURSDAY, AUG. 30

CULTURE

Dinner and Show @ Bootsy Bellows (West Hollywood)
David Arquette presents a dinner theater extravaganza at his new club. With a 3-course dinner and show by Lynda Kay, Selene Luna and juggler Michael Rayner, the event promises to be "the night of all nights."

Fireman's Brew Firefighter Bachelor Auction @ House of Blues Sunset Strip (West Hollywood)
You've seen this kind of bachelor auction on TV shows and in movies, and tonight 14 of Los Angeles' finest firefighters strut their stuff on stage in the hopes of attracting the highest bids to benefit the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association - Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen's Fund. Tickets start at just $35, and '80s cover band Flashback Heart Attack are going to perform. Don't miss your chance to buy a fireman.

FRIDAY, AUG. 31

CULTURE

L.A. Fair @ Fairplex (Pomona)
Celebrating 90 years, the fair not only brings you all the fried food and carnival rides you could imagine, the Grandstand Concerts offer a range of acts. From the Wanted and Carly Rae Jepson to Cobra Starship, the B-52s and Chaka Khan, this year appeals to lovers of any genre.

Pico Robertson Block Party @ Komodo Cafe (West Los Angeles)
The last block party of the year hosted at the Komodo brick and mortar location features Lime Truck, Bun Truck, No Tomatoes, Fashion Truck, B Sweet, Trailer Park Truck and more.

The Good Doctor (Magnolia Pictures)

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Apocalyptic warfare with Dominic Monaghan and Ashley Bell in The Day; Ari Graynor and Lauren Miller in For a Good Time, Call…; Orlando Bloom and Elvis' granddaughter Riley Keough in The Good Doctor; With a screenplay by Nick Cave (adapted from the Matt Bondurant novel), Lawless stars Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Guy Pearce and Gary Oldman; From producer Sam Raimi, The Possession. Also in theaters: The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate;   Sleepwalk with Me.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1

FILM

Talladega Nights @ Bloch Field at L.A. Port (San Pedro)
Ricky Bobby takes over Street Food Cinema for the night, with a screening of the film, a performance by JD Bender and goodies from the After School Special Truck, Munchie Machine, Ta Bom! Rounds Truck, Fun Time Kettle Korn and a ROCKin ICE!

FOOD

Los Angeles Times' The Taste @ Paramount Pictures Studios (Hollywood)
The second annual food and wine festival is one of SoCal's biggest, with three days full of events, tastings and seminars with the likes of Thomas Keller, Nancy Silverton, Jonathan Gold and Susan Feniger. Topics range from Field to Fork and Flavors of L.A., and the culinary weekend culminates in a Labor Day Picnic on Monday celebrating the sandwich.

USC vs. Hawaii Lawry's Tailgate Party @ L.A. Coliseum (Exposition Park)
It's that time of year, and I'm all verklempt! All eyes are on my No. 1-ranked Trojans as they break free of sanctions and strive for the national championship, helmed by QB Matt Barkley. Lawry's is catering tailgates at a bunch of USC and UCLA home games this season. This first game is against Hawaii, so the menu will be luau style.

Two Gallants perform Saturday at FYF Fest. (Burditt/Schiek)

MUSIC

FYF Fest @ L.A. State Historic Park (Downtown)
Festivals always make holiday weekends seem more festive, no? FYF Fest certainly has grown. This year is split into two days of nonstop music and comedy. Saturday's acts not to miss: the Refused, M83, Warpaint, Two Gallants, Redd Kross and the Eric Andre Show. Sunday: the Faint, Beirut, Desaparecidos, Cursive and David Cross.

Shoreline Jam @ The Queen Mary (Long Beach)
Featuring over 12 hours of reggae by groups like the Wailers, Tribal Seeds and L.B.D.A., the festival takes place right on the waterfront, aboard the Queen Mary. Tickets are only $35 and gates open at 11 a.m., so be prepared for an entire day of singing along to your favorite reggae anthems.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers @ Pantages Theatre (Hollywood)
The other night I watched Give Me the Banjo, an amazing documentary on the history of the instrument, narrated by Steve Martin. Don't miss the opportunity to see Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, who won Entertainer of the Year at the 2011 International Bluegrass Association Awards, at one of Los Angeles' most gorgeous theaters.

MONDAY, SEPT. 3

MUSIC

Something Fierce and Occult Detective Club @ Redwood Bar  (Downtown)
Dirtnap released a limited edition split 10-inch to commemorate this tour with a duo of Texas bands. Partying to the sounds of two solid punk bands at my favorite pirate bar sounds like the best way to spend the last night of the holiday weekend.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5

MUSIC

Blues Night @ Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood)
Blues master B.B. King returns to the Bowl with his fierce guitar licks and charismatic storytelling. Tedeschi Trucks band warms things up with their unique blend of Delta blues, soul and funk-rock.

STREET SIGNS - Space Invader

This Space Invader looks down over Sunset Junction from the side of 3909 West Sunset Boulevard, which was formerly a LaunderLand and Le Barcito/Black Cat. The entire wall used to be covered in graffiti, but now the red-tiled piece by Invader is the sole remnant of the colorful scene. The management team behind the Village Idiot is constructing a new eatery in the space, and it seems like they'll be keeping Space Invader around to protect their parking lot.

SHOW REVIEWS - Echo Park Rising 8/25/12

Lavender Diamond performs at Echo Park Rising.

 

ECHO PARK RISING

Aug. 25 in Echo Park

I used to love going to Sunset Junction, back when it was donation-only and really about getting together with friends and neighbors who loved music as much as I did to see local bands, have margaritas at El Cid and rub elbows with the likes of Karen O. As the festival ballooned in price and proportions, showcasing national acts and rickety carnival rides to lure patrons, it lost its luster for me. For the second year in a row, Echo Park Rising has given eastsiders an outlet to celebrate our community, minus the traffic jams.

The day started out with a trip to Two Boots for a slice of cheese pizza. A DJ had taken over the patio to provide background music for those standing around eating their slices or in line to get into the Echo where Highland Park's Seasons were in the midst of their set. After fueling up at Two Boots, we headed to the main stage located in the parking lot of Taix to catch some cumbia from Norwalk's Buyepongo. There was a beer garden set up in the far corner of the lot, which was a great spot to stand in the shade and watch all the action.

I had to brave the sun to get closer to the stage once Lavender Diamond began their set, though. Frontwoman Becky Stark shared facts about Echo Park since it's her home base and a community that she loves, leading into "Oh My Beautiful World" from their sophomore full-length, Incorruptible Heart (releasing Sept. 25 via Paracadute). I had only ever seen them perform in small theaters, but the open space proved no challenge for Stark's strong pipes. Clad in a gauzy salmon gown, she gracefully lifted her arms as her voice soared on other new tracks like "Dragonfly" and "Everybody's Heart's Breaking Now." With each song, the crowd around the stage grew, but their short set was over before very long and the audience was left hungry for more. Luckily Lavender Diamond begin a Monday-night residency at the Echo on Sept. 10.

Next up were Dante Vs. Zombies, headed by former Detroit Cobras guitarist Dante White Aliano, and Robert DeLong. By this time, the area in front of the stage was full of people, who were happy that the sun was going down and eager for NO to start playing. NO's latest project, a 7-inch on White Iris, released today and features artwork by Josh Evans that represents their former house on Mohawk Street, just blocks away from the stage at the Taix parking lot.

The evening ended with a set from another local band, Youngblood Hawke. The ballroom inside Taix was warm, even at 11 p.m., and after they kicked off their set with "Rootless," bodies started moving and it became sweltering hot. Youngblood had performed on the outdoor stage earlier in the night, yet the heat and any exhaustion they might have felt didn't diminish their energy. Vocalist Sam Martin bounced all over the place throughout the set, getting right in crowd members' faces for songs like "Dannyboy" and "Forever." Nik Hughes and Alice Katz pounded their drums with ceaseless zest, while Tasso Smith raised his guitar and beat on it as Simon Katz bravely took his guitar and flailed into the audience. The place exploded with writhing bodies during their cover of the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Juicy," and the entire right side of the room jumped up and down to their hit, "We Come Running." Youngblood's set was the perfect nightcap to a wonderful day in the neighborhood.