Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day at the iconic Original Farmers Market with Guinness and other Irish beers from Bar 326 and E.B.’s Beer & Wine, traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage at Farmers Market stalwart Magee’s Kitchen, and tunes from Glen the Strolling Bagpiper!
The Original Farmers Market is located at 6333 W. Third Street (cross street is Fairfax Avenue). Sláinte!
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“Inglourious Basterds” * (2009, Arrow Video) Violent but meticulously crafted action-drama allows writer-director Quentin Tarantino to rework World War II to his liking, this time as a revenge-fantasy/classic Hollywood tribute, with Jewish-American GIs going further than John Wayne by hunting Nazis and a movie theater-owning French woman (Melanie Laurent) bringing down Hitler himself, no less. The gambit is audacious, and the posturing by Basterds Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, et al, wears thin (though at this particularly foul juncture in time, watching Fascists take their lumps is a pleasure), but Tarantino buttresses the flashier material with his still-astonishing ear for dialogue and intricate plotting, which allow Laurent and Christoph Waltz to craft memorable (and in Waltz’s case, Oscar-winning) performances. There’s no doubt that the more pickle-pussed digital obsessives will find minute fault in Arrow’s 4K UHD/Blu- presentation, but a) I couldn’t care less and b) the movie looks beautiful; the plentiful extras include both new material (observant commentary by Tim Lucas, interviews with actor Omar Doom and FX legend Greg Nicotero) and vintage supplements (extended scenes, interviews with Pitt and Rod Taylor, a nod to the 1978 Enzo Castellari actioner that provided the title). The sizable liner notes include top-notch writing by my pal Dennis Cozzalio and Bill Ryan and choice ephemera, including a beer mat and a recipe for strudel.
Are you infuriated by the White House’s treatment of Ukranian President Zelenskyy today? Are you ashamed by the way we are abandoning our allies in need? Do you wish there were something you could do to help the Ukraine today? You can!!!!
Mar 11, 2025, at 5:30 PM, there will be a film screening of “Mariupol: Survivors” during International Women’s Month. This documentary, directed by Mariia Mykhno allows three intergenerational survivors to tell you their stories of the Russian massacre of Mariupol, where the Russian army indiscriminately murdered between 87,000 and 138,000 civilians at the beginning of the war.
Mariupol is still controlled by Russia, and the exact victim count is unknowable. This documentary is not only a film but also serves as a call to action.
forgot to get this up last week, so sorry. however, still current mood…
photo by mike watt
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mike watt’s hoot page
In The Secret Lives Of Bill Bartell, filmmaker Dave Markey takes an indepth look at a character who populated his earliest films, the leader of deeply sincere punk satirists White Flag, and his co-conspirator in the Tater Totz, who traumatized Beatlefest ’88 by performing a screeching cover of “Don’t Worry Kyoko” in the middle of a bunch of poncey mop top clone bands. I actually remember hearing the Tater Totz when I first moved to LA in 1988, with no knowledge that it was made up of members of Redd Kross, The Germs, Markey’s girl band muses The Lovedolls, Bartell himself and even former teen idol Jimmy McNichol.
If that sounds like a braintwister of a supergroup, strap in, because Bill Bartell was a guy whose life took some unexpected twists and turns. A lack of familiarity with the discography of White Flag will be no deterrent to enjoying the movie – as with the heartwarming Anvil!: The Story of Anvil, the most interesting thing on display is this can-do attitude of the title character, seeing it displayed in all kinds of unexpected ways.
But it’s not just a punk movie or even just a music movie. As one of his co conspirators points out in the film, Bill had so many different circles of people in his life that it was impossible to keep track, and while some people were in two or three of his same circles, nobody was in all of them. There was a part of him even the people who felt close to him, knew they didn’t know about. Continue reading
Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha. Image courtesy of Heavy Water Coffee Shop.
Looking for the perfect way to celebrate love—whether it’s for your sweetheart, your friends, or yourself? Heavy Water Coffee Shop in Chinatown has you covered. On February 14, they’re offering a free Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha to the first 50 lucky customers who order it!
Only available for a limited time, this drink combines vibrant matcha, creamy Minor Figures Organic Barista Oat Milk, and a sweet strawberry twist. Heavy Water’s beans are roasted right here in LA, while Minor Figures’ oat milk is the creamiest in the game. Don’t sleep on this – Heavy Water is located at 1021 Alpine Street, Los Angeles, 90012.
Image courtesy of San Pedro Fish Market.
Valentine’s Day is just a couple of days away. Still haven’t made plans? See below. Whether you want a romantic dinner, elegant tea service at a five-star hotel, a humble meal, a classic romance on the big screen, or singles speed dating on a scenic rooftop, we’ve got some ideas. Don’t delay! As of publication time, some dinner reservations remained, but they’re going fast.
1500 free roses will be given away on Valentine’s Day by the DTLA Alliance at six different Downtown Los Angeles spots! During the initiative, “With Love, From DTLA,” you’ll also be able to listen to live jazz music by The Pepper Moons at Settecento in Maguire Gardens from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The roses will be passed out at Bank of America Plaza (333 S. Hope St.), The Bloc (700 W. 7th St.), City National Plaza (515 Flower St.), FourFortyFour South Flower (444 Flower St.), Maguire Gardens (Flower St.), and US Bank Tower (633 W. 5th St.) beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Raise a glass to amour during an elegant dinner at Caldo Verde, the flagship restaurant at Downtown LA’s Proper Hotel. You’ll savor a thoughtfully curated four-course menu created by James Beard award-winning chef Suzanne Goin in a luxe, romantic setting, with options that include Ricotta Gnocchi & Lobster and Braised Beef Short Rib. A DJ will be spinning tunes on vinyl for a soulful soundtrack. You can make a reservation here.
Love is Just is a singles speed dating event taking place on Valentine’s Day on the rooftop of H Hotel Los Angeles. Hosted by Keith Manley of Netflix’s Married at First Sight, the evening includes an unlimited open bar with romance-themed cocktails, gift bags, a flower wall for photo opps, a DJ set, and sweeping skyline views. Guests aren’t required to participate in the speed dating – feel free to mingle and meet new people underneath the stars and a nearly-full moon! Tickets begin at $85 and can be purchased here.
ALK (acronym for “About Last Knife”) is a chic restaurant at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood with a kitchen manned by talented French Chef Olivier Rousselle. Visit ALK for its Valentine’s Day Jazz Dinner on February 14, featuring live jazz, a special blood-orange take on the classic French 75 cocktail, and a special 4-course meal for just $70 per person. Reservations can be made here. Continue reading
The Palm Springs Music and Scooter Weekender. Photo courtesy of Soulside Productions.
Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, so stop your running around and head to Palm Springs for the Second Annual Palm Springs Music and Scooter Weekender this Friday, February 14, through Sunday, February 16, 2025.
The event will bring together elements of the British-based 1060’s Mod and “rude boy” subculture, featuring three days of curated music brought by over a dozen DJ’s from all over the country, and overseas, and spinning original 45 RPM records of rare R&B, soul, mod, ska, and vintage reggae, a scooter rally, and a Sunday afternoon pool party at the mid-century Tiki-themed hotel, the Caliente Tropics, in Palm Springs.
Music Executive, Marv Mack, of Soulside Productions, collects ’60s soul and Jamaican soul that’s very rare. He has been DJ’g and promoting rare music events that feature northern soul, rare motown soul, ska, vintage reggae, stax, and early ’60s skinhead reggae enthusiasts for over 20 years in the Long Beach and Los Angeles areas, and in Las Vegas.
Fire Escape at the Three Clubs, Hollywood California. Illustration courtesy of Jeffrey Damnit.
Three Clubs, CPB Productions, and Jeffrey Damnit bring “Fire Escape: Hollywood’s Fire Relief Live Concert & Telethon,” a 12-hour fundrasing concert beginning Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 2 p.m., until Sunday February 2, 2025 until 2 a.m., at Three Clubs.
The 12-hour concert and fundraiser will feature a variety of music entertainment, bringing top performers together to support the CCF Wildfire Recovery Fund Los Angeles.
The night’s Host and Emcee, Jeffrey Damnit, Actor, Writer, and Co-owner of The Dragonfly in Hollywood, found it a very easy “Yes” when asked to organize the event, as he has previously partnered with organizations such as the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers, The Midnight Mission (Midnight Wonderland at The Whisky), and Imagine LA, to create such fundraising events. Continue reading
