Dulan’s plating funky banana pudding at the Concern Foundation Block Party. All photos by Bob Lee for the LA Beat.
A hot ticket in LA for forty-nine years, The Concern Foundation’s Annual Block Party took over the Paramount Studios backlot for a night of Star Wars-themed fun and excitement, as well as a stunning variety of LA’s favorite eateries.
Nobu of Malibu was one of the evening’s stars, serving up delicious sushi handrolls along with what must be some kind of bar snack of a pork bao that resembles a sandwich. Of the places new to me, Settecento DTLA was a clear favorite, serving a truly memorable raviolo carbonara with a touch of guanciale – a little friend pork chip – on the outside. We will be keeping an eye out for the opening, this is the kind of Italian food I crave when in actual Italy. Continue reading →
Tiki Oasis’ Way Out West, brought to you by hosts Baby Doe & Otto von Stroheim, will be a five-night, four-day live music event this year. Beginning Wednesday, July 31, through Sunday, August 4, 2024, this year’s event at San Diego’s Town & Country Hotel and Resort is inspired by a mid-century modern Western-inspired theme and vintage wear and, as always, is a pet-friendly event.
The weekend includes live and DJ music, fashion shows, swanky suites, Exotica, cocktail tasting, pool lounging, sunset dinners, art exhibits, educational seminars, a HUGE Tiki Marketplace, a beauty Boutiki, a photo studio, tropical cocktails curated by top mixologists, and— new this year—a kick-off Luau at The Catamaran Resort Hotel. The San Diego event will also feature the Tiki Oasis Bartender Battle, a “throw down in a no-holds-barred Tropical Cocktail Challenge” of participating local bartenders sponsored by Planteray Rum, Diamond Rum Reserve, and Bauchant Orange Liqueur.
Now in its 24th year, Tiki Oasis is the “original and largest Tiki event in the entire world” and is the “largest and longest-running festival in the World for Lovers of Island Lifestyle and purveyors of Polynesian Pop.”
Next week will bring two special events to our summer venues of the Hollywood Hills, you should get tickets now to avoid being left out in the heat.
On Wednesday July 24, Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields will perform what is described as a “deconstruction” of his most popular album, 1999’s 69 Love Songs at the Ford. Part of the show involves a collaboration with podcaster Hrishikesh Hirway, of the show Song Exploder, followed by an “intimate solo performance”. Hirway is renowned for giving interviews that truly dissect pieces of music in the presence of their creators, but unlike many of his interviews, this one is not being recorded or broadcast, so the opportunity to hear Merritt expound in this way will be limited to those in attendance.
Friday the 26th, legendary singer Chaka Khan will perform with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra directed by Thomas Wilkins. This is probably this author’s most anticipated event of the Bowl season, a chance to see a phenomenal voice that has been with me my whole life, paired with a live orchestra, to produce the kind of complex backing heard on her recordings. Chaka was killer with her regular band on the NPR Tiny Desk stage earlier this year, the even more grandiose presentation with the orchestra is sure to get the Bowl ringing.
Tickets for Chaka Khan with special guest Masego at the Hollywood Bowl, and Stephin Merritt at the Ford, are available on the venue website.
It’s that time of year again!!! The Surf Guitar 101 Convention, founded in 2008 by Jeff “BigTikiDude” Hanson, will be happening in Long Beach at the Golden Sails Hotel July 26-28 2024. The lineup includes everything from classic stalwarts to modern instrumental surf music.
This year’s bands will include the amazing Mermen, outtasite Nebulas and a special anniversary celebration for the incomparable INSECT SURFERS. It’s not really surf without friend of The Beat (and Iggy Pop impersonator) Dave Arnson, is it?
And don’t miss the first “spooky” surf band, The Ghastly Ones, started by movie monster makers, “Dr. Lehos” and “Baron Shivers.” If you are into Halloween, monster movies and Screaming Lord Sutch, you are going to dig this band.
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“Crocodile” (1979, Synapse Films) Atomic testing causes a saltwater crocodile to grow to colossal size and lay waste to coastal Thailand, prompting overworked doctors Nard Poowani and Chan-il Sin – both of whom lose their respective spouses to the monster – to team with tough guy hunter Manop Aussawathep to destroy it. Like its titular croc, this Asian horror title mutated repeatedly before assuming the form seen on Synapse’s Blu-ray. Notorious Thai producer Sompote Sands took a 1977 Korean film, “Crocodile Fangs,” and added his own signature inept effects (most notably, a huge, stiff croc puppet) while also assuming the mantle of director; American exploitation producers Dick Randall (“Pieces) and Herman Cohen (“I Was a Teenage Werewolf”) added additional scenes and their own unpleasant touches, including footage of real animal slaughter, before unleashing “Crocodile” on unsuspecting international audiences in 1979. This Legion of Doom approach resulted in a dizzying patchwork of mismatched special effects (the croc is both average-sized and Godzilla-scaled in the same scene), astonishing bad taste (employing real-life disabled actors to play mutilated victims), and a meandering story loosely styled after (what else?) “Jaws.” As such, “Crocodile” is a sumptuous banquet for badfilm devotees, and Synapse presents it with five-star service: restored image from the original 35mm English-language print, commentary by the late Lee Gambin (who details the various iterations), an interview with Korean director Won-se Lee, who directed “Crocodile Fangs,” and footage from alternate versions, including different title sequences and the aforementioned animal ugliness.
DineLA Restaurant Week is back! This two-week event showcases Los Angeles dining with well-priced lunch and dinner menus served daily at hundreds of LA restaurants.
Try some new restaurants or return to old favorites, with meals priced from as little as $15 to $65 plus. The current edition of dineLA starts on Friday, July 12 and continues through Friday, July 26. See below for a few of our dineLA recommendations.
A 2023 Michelin Guide recommendation, DTLA’s outpost of renowned chef Stephanie Izard’s famous Chicago restaurant Girl & the Goat is offering three-course dinners for $65 per person. Options include king salmon poke, tadka crunch chicken, and brownie sundae topped with caramel cream and maca straciatella. See Girl & the Goat’s entire Dine LA menu and make a reservation here.
One of LA’s most esteemed seafood restaurants, Connie & Ted’s is headed by Michelin-starred and James Beard award-winning chef-owner, Michael Cimarusti. For Dine LA, the West Hollywood seafood stalwart offers 3-course lunches for $35 and 3-course dinners for $55. Lunch options include chowder (New England, Manhattan, or Rhode Island style), ½ dozen oysters, the Hook Burger, deep-fried cod sandwich, and more. Dinner highlights include Connie & Ted’s famed lobster roll, Alaskan cod & chips, crudo of the day, Portuguese fish stew, and other options. You can find more info here.
A Thai fixture in LA for 48 years, woman-owned eatery Chao Krung is renowned for serving excellent dishes made with recipes that their grandmother cooked for the King of Thailand. For Dine LA, Chao Krung is serving a four-course dinner that includes Larb Salmon with Salmon Roe, Pad Thai with Grilled Prawns, Massaman Short Ribs, and deep-fried coconut and banana rolls for dessert. You can find more info here.
Savor a multi-course meal on Rodeo Drive for as little as $25 during Dine LA! The Hideaway, a Mexican steakhouse at the Rodeo Collection, offers a three-course lunch, plus amuse bouche, for just $25. Lunch options include Short Rib Enchiladas, Wagyu Flautas, Fajitas, Roasted Corn Empanadas, and much more. Dinner is $55 and features an amuse bouche, along with choices including an 8 oz. Margaret River Wagyu Picanha, Chilean Sea Bass Tacos, Hamachi Sashimi, Shrimp Empanadas, and more. You can find more info here.
An unorthodox Italian restaurant that was awarded the prestigious 2-fork award by Italy’s Gambero Rosso, Da Barbara is the first LA eatery from Chef Barbara Pollastrini, who hails from Rome. It’s tucked away inside a two-story Hollywood apartment Chef Barbara converted into a restaurant. There, she alone concocts her culinary creations in a small kitchen in front of her guests. For her Dine LA debut, Chef Barbara is offering a three-course lunch for $35 (a seasonal starter based on her farmers market finds, followed by Tagliolini al Pomodo & Basil or Tagliolini with Zucchini, Basil, and House-Cured Giancale, then Coffee Semifreddo). Dinner is Tuna Tartare or Fried King Oyster Mushroom, your choice of two decadent pasta dishes, and Fresh Strawberry Semifreddo for $45. Find more info here
One of the summer’s best food events is coming to the historic backlot at Hollywood’s Paramount Studios on Saturday, July 13. The Concern Foundation’s 49th Annual Block Party is a five-hour culinary journey that will raise much-needed funds for cancer research.
This extravaganza of deliciousness will feature gourmet tastings, high-quality beverages, and scrumptious desserts. With the theme “Mission Concern – Conquering Cancer the Final Frontier, the Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation will be honored for their outstanding community contributions and celebrate “3 Generations – A Legacy of Community Leadership.”
