“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience.” Photos by Karin E. Baker for The LA Beat.
Enter the world of the recently deceased at “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience.” It’s an interactive celebration of the much-anticipated release of the “Beetlejuice” sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” opening on September 6 and starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Jenna Ortega.
This immersive “Beetlejuice”-inspired experience just opened inside an 11,000-square-foot space at Ovation Hollywood.
You’ll begin with your Afterlife Passport. Assuming you make it through Immigration, you’ll enter the Waiting Room and meet numerous members of the Recently Deceased from the world of “Beetlejuice.” Rife with photo ops, you’ll step into some of your favorite scenes from the movie. You’ll also be able to get your makeup done or hair coiffed at the beauty salon, get your fortune told by a dead woman, snack on themed foods, purchase exclusive themed merch, and more.
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“Abigail” * (2024, Universal Home Entertainment) A kidnapping scheme goes from bad to worse when the mismatched conspirators discover that their young victim (Alisha Weir) is not only the daughter of a fearsome crime lord, but is also something far older and more deadly than a precocious, ballet-loving pre-teen. Amusing horror-comedy from the Radio Silence duo (“Scream 6”) benefits from a uniformly solid cast – including Dan Stevens (adding another entry to his growing list of screen eccentrics), Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, and an elegantly menacing Giancarlo Esposito – who navigate the tart, faux-tough dialogue with particular relish. Their presence also helps when the film’s momentum slows to focus solely on geysers of gore, but the real selling point is Irish actress Weir (“Matilda the Musical”) in the title role, a morbidly funny riff on the manic, whipsawing moods, and open disdain for adults displayed by all middle schoolers.Universal’s Blu-ray/DVD/digital combo includes several making-of docs (including one focused on the blood-soaked FX), deleted scenes (one of which links Matthew Goode’s cameo as Abigail’s father to an iconic monster in Universal’s stable), and commentary by the filmmakers.
Savor the return of Trader Vic’s & Koo Koo Roo while enjoying glammed-up versions of dishes from Panda Express, Red Lobster, KFC & much more
ChainFEST has been referred to as Chef Tim Hollingsworth’s “glow-up” of chain restaurant food. The Michelin-starred chef, famed for his work in the kitchens of French Laundry, Otium, and Per Se, is bringing ChainFEST to LA for the second time on October 5 at Skylight Row DTLA.
Produced in association with his friend BJ Novak (“The Office”), ChainFEST offers gourmet variations on iconic chain-eatery dishes. You and 10,000 other food lover will also get a chance to try dishes from chains we don’t have in California, like White Castle.
You don’t have to be a chain restaurant aficionado to enjoy ChainFEST – just a curious palate and an appetite for new, unexpected tastes.
Some highlights:
Tiki lovers lamented when Trader Vic’s legendary bars and restaurants shut down their LA locations. ChainFEST attendees will be able to savor a festival-exclusive Trader Vic’s Mai Tai, some classic favorite dishes, and check out authentic memorabilia and decorative objects from one of the world’s largest tiki collections.
Friday as day turned into night, Deke and the Whippersnappers whipped up the crowd with their particular brand of honky tonk — a mix of solid rockabilly, 50s country and updated Western tunes. The rhythm guitarist jumps around the stage in a frenzy while the drummer and standup bass keeps things steady. Deke is a practiced professional, leading the band with never faltering style. If you get a chance, definitely check them out.
Friday night was a blast at Tiki Oasis. We spent a lot of time shopping, singing along with King Kukelele, dancing to the awesome DJs, checking out the art show, and loving the live music. We even hit some workshops in-between the parties! Stay tuned for cocktail discussions, book signings, photos of Deke and the Whippersnappers, and our favorite–the Aloha Caftan Society!
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“Catching Fire: The Anita Pallenberg Story” * (2024, Magnolia Pictures) Compelling but crushing doc about the titular ’60s figure, muse and running partner to at least three of the Rolling Stones, and cautionary tale about the excesses of a life lived in constant personal conflagration. Scarlett Johansson reads text from Pallenberg’s unpublished memoir discovered by her children after her death in 2017, which paints the author as a woman withstanding the circus that swirled around her from inside a cage of addiction, possessive and destructive men, and the expectations/restrictions placed on women who want to live their own lives. Keith Richards is heard but not seen, while son Marlon, filmmaker Volker Schlordoff, and Kate Moss, among others, add perspective to a subject that defied easy definition. Worth it for music/culture/zeitgeist devotees, but a tough watch.
Pret a Manger. Photo by Karin E. Baker for The LA Beat.
Pret a Manger (French for ‘ready-to-eat’) is a food chain that’s a huge success in England. Prepared with just natural ingredients and selling items only on the day they were made, their convenient grab-and-go items (sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, chia bowls) are healthy but tasty items you don’t really find in U.S. convenience stores – but wish you could.
Pret just opened its second Los Angeles location in Studio City — and launched its new summer menu. The summer items feature fresh, seasonal ingredients. Think dishes like the Pesto Chicken, Strawberry & Burrata Salad (Gotham Greens Pesto chicken, creamy burrata, mesclun, cucumber, strawberries and basil with Pret’s simple vinaigrette), Falafel & Hummus Wrap (turmeric falafel, hummus, cucumber, pickled cabbage & carrots, spicy chipotle sauce, pickled jalapeno and romaine on 7-grain wrap) and Chicken, Elote Corn & Avocado salad (antibiotic-free grilled chicken, spicy chipotle sauce, avocado, elote corn mix, feta, grape tomatoes, pickled red onion, cilantro, lemon juice, and chili salt over romaine with herb yogurt dressing).
Other new flavors offered include the Guava Coconut Chia Pot, the Dragon Fruit Coconut Chia Bowl, and Chili Crunch Veggie Cottage Cheese Pot. Seasonal drinks like Dragon Fruit Mango Lemonades and Iced Teas are delicious and not overly sweet.
The annual Surf Guitar 101 Festival overtook the Golden Sails Hotel in Long Beach the last weekend of July, and the wave of bands was so powerful that the undertow could be felt at nearby venues like the Bamboo Club and Supply and Demand through the following week. Over two dozen bands bands from all over the world played on two stages during the three days of the event, including reunion sets from the Ghastly Ones and Untamed Youth, the Surfaris, the great Australian guitarist Martin Cilia, and a 45th anniversary performance by the Insect Surfers. Other attractions included a marketplace featuring cool guitar gear, vinyl and CDs, vintage clothes and other Tiki paraphernalia, as well as burlesque dancers and a retro swimsuit contest.
The festival kicked off Friday night, July 26th, with the exotica-tinged sounds of the Manakooras, followed by the Insect Surfers and the Mermen. Dave Arnson led the current edition of the Insect Surfers through an celebratory set of old and new psychedelic surf on guitar, before switching to oud and welcoming a group of alumni onstage for a closing jam. The action onstage all weekend was augmented by projections of classic films, and none were more effective than the scenes from “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” that appeared behind the band just as the music had reached its Morriconean peak. Also helping to fuel the excitement was go-go dancer Kiki Flambe. The Mermen followed, led by the scorching guitar of Jim Thomas and steady bass of Jennifer Burnes, were augmented by visuals of the Creature from the Black Lagoon and the dance stylings of Miss Magnolia.
The Michelin Guide California 2024 awards ceremony took place last night at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, and some of the best restaurants in and around Los Angeles were presented with the prestigious awards.
Holbox, the Mexican seafood eatery inside South LA’s Mercado Paloma, earned its first Michelin star. Two Hollywood restaurants, Meteora and Uka at Japan House, earned first-time Michelin stars, as did Rebel Omakase in LA-adjacent Laguna Beach.
One Los Angeles restaurant, Vespertine in Culver City, was awarded two Michelin stars for the first time. Vespertine was also awarded its first Green Michelin Star. Green Michelin Stars are awarded to restaurants with exceptional sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
Two other California restaurants were awarded two Michelin stars for the first time: Aubergine in Carmel and Sons & Daughters in San Francisco.
Renowned for its exquisite, ever-changing seafood tasting menu, Providence retained its two Michelin Stars for a staggering 15th year. Michael Cimarusti’s world-class fine dining establishment also held onto its Green Michelin Star.
Providence earned its Green Star in part due to its unique rooftop garden, which was deemed a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation in 2023. The rooftop garden hosts two beehives that are home to a colony of 160,000 bees. The garden also produces a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. Providence’s zero-waste bar and cocktail program and its zero-waste chocolate program also contributed to its Green Michelin Star.
Other LA restaurants that held on to their two Michelin stars were Mélisse in Santa Monica and Hayato in Downtown.
Camphor, a French bistro in DTLA’s Arts District, retained its Michelin star from last year. Renowned for marrying classical French techniques with Asian influences, Camphor’s menu is both comforting and innovative. It’s also the only BIPOC restaurant in California to hold a Michelin star.
Pasta Bar, the from-scratch pasta restaurant from Chef Phillip Frankland Lee and Executive Pastry Chef Margarita Kallas-Lee, carried over its Michelin star for the fourth consecutive year. Located in Encino, Pasta Bar serves 12-course pasta-tasting menus inspired by what’s freshest and best at the market.
Other LA restaurants that retained one Michelin star: 715, Citrin, Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, Gwen, Kali, Long Beach’s Heritage, Kato, Morihiro, n/naka, Nozawa Bar, Orsa & Winston, Osteria Mozza, Shibumi, Shin Sushi, Sushi Ginza Onodera, Torrance’s Sushi Inaba, and Sushi Kaneyoshi.
In addition, Ian Krupp of Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks was honored with the special Michelin Sommelier Award.
