watt’s picture of the week – monday, october 7, 2024

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Mike Watt

yesterday I accidentally witnessed this in my pedro town…

photo by mike watt

– – – – –
mike watt’s hoot page

Posted in Photo Essays | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Movies Till Dawn: House of Dark Shadows

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Paul Gaita

* indicates that this title is also available to rent, stream, or purchase on various platforms. Please note that streaming options may differ from these home video presentations in terms of visuals, supplemental features, etc.

“Friday the 13th” * (2009, Arrow Video) Polished studio revamp of the enduring slasher franchise attempts to lend context to its slaughter parade – specifically, that masked killer Jason (played here by Derek Mears) was motivated by the murder of his mother, who was herself responsible for the death of counselors at Camp Crystal Lake – before settling into kill spree territory. A high-gloss “Friday” from, among others, director Marcus Nispel and producer Michael Bay (and series creator Sean S. Cunningham as co-producer), may not be a selling point for horror fans – Nispel/Bay produced an equally upscale remake of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” to no good end – and their take, while visually attractive (thanks to cinematographer Daniel Pearl) and quite gruesome, can’t quite surpass or reproduce the Big Dumb Fun and chief appeal of the original “Friday” films (Nispel is a particularly dour and humorless filmmaker). Others may find its lack of kitsch and relentless approach a draw, and to that end, Arrow’s 2-disc, 4K Ultra HD presentation offers a comprehensive package of “Friday” ’09. Both the theatrical version and a longer, gorier “Killer Cut” are included, along with new commentaries by and interviews with Nispel, Pearl, writers Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, as well as a track with historians Alexandra-Heller Nicolas and Josh Nelson. Archival material includes several making-of featurettes with cast and crew interviews, a showcase of its murder set pieces, deleted scenes, and extensive liner notes.

Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

watt’s picture of the week – tuesday, october 1, 2024

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Mike Watt

result of a tree that lived next to the now-closed westway tank farm here in my pedro town…

photo by mike watt

– – – – –
mike watt’s hoot page

Posted in Photo Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gets Some Last Days of Summer ‘Island Time’ in at ‘Circa Caliente’

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Monique A. LeBleu

Pool party shenanigans at Caliente Tropics in Palm Springs, California, for Tiki Caliente, May 3, 2024. Photo by Kari Hendler.

Once again, Circa Caliente returns this week to the Palms Springs midcentury modern beauty, the Caliente Tropics, for bliss in the tropical sun, Thursday, October 3, through Sunday 6, 2024.

In its near 16th year, the sister event to the Spring’s Tiki Caliente comes once again to issue out the last days of Summer in a four day party event that includes two restaurants–The Reef bar and Sancho’s Restaurant and Cantina, the pool, jacuzzi, patron and sponsored room parties for the famous Room Crawls, a marketplace, sponsored cocktails, entertainment throughout, costume meetups and parades, and more.

Tiki Caliente, was born in 2008, using the hotel’s iconic mid-century modern A-frame and Polynesian-inspired motor motel style as a fitting back drop. Since then, with new ownership and accompanying thoughtful care and renovation, the grander space greatly compliments these events with its wood carved tikis and Polynesian motif.

Circa Caliente mixes tiki culture, exotica, themed costumes, informational symposiums, art, fashion, and TV pop culture–from Magnum P.I. to The Love Boat, and from Three’s Company to I Dream of Jeannie–the door is wide to creativity, fashion expression, and a truly groovy party vibe. Continue reading →

Posted in Attractions, Events, Fashion, Food, Miscellanious, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recommended Rock Reads Of 2024

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Bob Lee

Hollywood Dream – The  Thunderclap Newman Story by Mark Ian Wilkerson (Third Man Press, available October 1).

This is an exhaustively researched history of a band whose actual lifespan was stunningly brief, while creating ripples that reverberate to this day. Who fans with a taste for Pete Townshend trivia will find a lot to luxuriate in here, as the chapters devoted to the group’s formation and recording inevitably revolve around him. But each of the three band members is a remarkable character of his own, with a completely different background to the others, and it’s seems impossible they could have come together under any other circumstances than being three people in Townshend’s orbit. And with this trio of unlikely bedfellows, he produces the only number-one hit single of his entire career.

A good rock bio should resemble several evenings out at the pub, hearing the principals tell long rambling stories about the old days. There’s a lot of swinging sixties/ London stuff, but we also spend a good amount of time in the Scottish rock scene that birthed guitarist Jimmy McCulloch, who went from neighborhood whiz kid to actual rock star, before either joining Thunderclap Newman or turning fifteen years old. Wilkerson is an enthusiast for the material, and for good writing about rock music, and his latest addition to the canon is a real gem. And it might just inspire some more people to listen to the record, which is a treasure.

Mark Ian Wilkerson will appear at Book Soup in West Hollywood on December 3 at 7pm in conversation with Matt Pinfield. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alex’s Lemonade Returns to Royce Quad Saturday for 2024

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Elise Thompson

Donald Link’s Boudin at LALAL 2023. Photo by Elise Thompson.

The LA Beat attends a lot of benefits and food events, but LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade has a special place in our hearts. This annual event, taking place this Saturday, October 5, 2024– 12:00-4:00PM at Royce Quad in UCLA, carries on the spirit of Alexandria “Alex” Scott, a little girl with cancer whose front yard lemonade stand grew into a foundation that raised over a million dollars during her lifetime. The afternoon has a family vibe; children 12 and under get in free, chefs bring their children, and the event invites children battling cancer to attend.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) organizes food events all around the country in her name. Our local fundraiser, hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne (The Lucques Group) and David Lentz, is one of the biggest events, with world-renowned chefs and mixologists coming together to raise money for children’s cancer research.

Continue reading →

Posted in Cocktails, Beer, Wine & Weed, Food, Upcoming Events | Leave a comment

Movies Till Dawn: Police on My Back

Posted on September 24, 2024 by Paul Gaita

* indicates that this title is also available to rent, stream, or purchase on various platforms. Please note that streaming options may differ from these home video presentations in terms of visuals, supplemental features, etc.

“High Crime” * (1973, Blue Underground) With the help of retired gangster Fernando Rey, police commissioner Franco Nero sets out to rid his home town of Genoa, Italy of drug dealers, but finds that his two-fisted approach doesn’t sit well with his superior (James Whitmore) or the dealers, who respond to his aggression with even greater violence. One of the better action-fueled crime films from Italy (and Spain) to emerge during the poliziotteschi boom of the early ’70s, “High Crime” benefits from a sure and skillful hand from director Enzo Castellari (the original “Inglorious Bastards”), whose talent for car chases and shoot-outs matches American efforts of the period, and a blond Nero, whose cop knows that his rampaging approach will come to no good, but appears unable or unwilling to change. Blue Underground’s three-disc set offers 4K and Blu-ray presentations, both remastered and uncut (the film’s final minutes are missing in some previous home releases), as well as three commentary tracks (Castellari with his son and BU head Bill Lustig, Nero with action expert Mike Malloy and Lustig, and historians Troy Howarth, Nathaniel Thompson, and Eugenio Ercolani), all of which are rich in production detail and anecdotes. Featurettes on the film with Castellari, Nero, composers Guido and Maurizio De Angelis, and members of the crew offer additional perspective, while Malloy’s video essay links “Crime” to “The French Connection” and French noir. A third disc contains the De Angelis’s complete and funky score.

Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Unexpected Mexican Restaurant Tucked Away Below Rodeo Drive

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Karin E. Baker

The Hideaway, Beverly Hills. Images by Karin E. Baker for The LA Beat.

The Hideaway doesn’t feel like any other Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles. Tucked away below street level on Rodeo Drive, this Mexican steakhouse has a Cabo-inspired vibe. 

Centered by a patio that lends an open, airy feeling, The Hideaway’s four-sided fireplace adds vibrance, as do numerous wall recesses aglow with flickering flames of candlelight. The gorgeous palette of greens and pinks and plenty of hanging plants lend the restaurant a vacation-like atmosphere. 

After being seated on the patio on elegant wrought iron chairs softened with colorful pillows, we were presented with chips and salsa. The initial salsa was a bit bland for my taste, but when I asked if they had a salsa with more heat, our server kindly presented us with two flavorful salsas and a tasty bean dip.

Though The Hideaway bills itself as a steakhouse, you’ll find plenty of fish and seafood options, along with vegan choices like Vegan Mushroom Enchiladas with wild mushrooms and poblano sauce, Crispy Cauliflower with ranch, and Hernando’s Chopped Salad. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Cocktails, Beer, Wine & Weed, Food | Tagged , | Leave a comment

watt’s picture of the week – monday, september 23, 2024

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Mike Watt

people, after a couple of months… I’m over the ropes and back in the ring!

happy bday john coltrane!

we keep on keepin on…

photo by mike watt

– – – – –
mike watt’s hoot page

Posted in Photo Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating Sex and ‘Expanding Erotic Power’ Through Art and Activism

Posted on September 17, 2024 by Karin E. Baker

Kisaeng Aengmu/Kayla (banner excerpt), 2023-2024 / Photograph by Felis Stella; banner artwork by Jerri Allyn

A free, groundbreaking pop-up exhibition titled Sx Celebrated: Expanding Erotic Power is coming to The Art Room in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The one-day event features artist Jerri Allyn’s provocative portrait banners and a schedule of events from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. that aims to challenge viewpoints, cultivate understanding, and honor the diverse experiences of individuals working in sex-positive and sexual health fields.

Upon entering The Art Room, a striking series of oversized photomontage portraits captures the eye. Each large “banner” depicts individuals deeply involved in pro-sexuality work and sex-positive social justice movements. The prints are thoughtfully framed with hand-sewn fabric and feature historical and imaginary figures embodying powerful concepts such as fertility, androgyny, activism, and love. This unique installation invites viewers to engage with larger-than-life representations of contemporary changemakers and their causes. The exhibition is particularly timely, as it addresses ongoing debates surrounding the #MeToo movement, feminist perspectives on sexuality, inadequate sex education, and the rights of sex workers. 

For over three decades, Jerri Allyn has been at the forefront of socially engaged art, weaving together diverse mediums to create impactful experiences that challenge societal norms. With her MA in Art & Community, Allyn’s artistic repertoire is as diverse as it is profound. From thought-provoking audio and video installations to eye-catching electronic billboards, from intricately crafted sculptural books to widely distributed prints, her work defies easy categorization. Notably, Allyn has gained recognition for her site-specific, interactive installations and performance art events that seamlessly blend into the fabric of public life. Enter Sx Celebrated: Expanding Erotic Power: It’s not just an exhibition but a dynamic series of talks, educational opportunities, a film screening, and a performance within a jam-packed schedule of events throughout the day.

Continue reading →

Posted in Art | Tagged , , | Leave a comment