Hollywood ~ CA

Since I joined the Taco team of Los Angeles reporters, I’ve gotten used to people staring at me in the streets of Los Angeles. “Why are you taking a picture of a pole? Everybody’s looking at us.” That’s my very embarrassed niece complaining on a night out in Boyle Heights. “I’m not taking the picture of a pole, I’m taking the picture of a rabbit. I think he’s a friend of ours.”

A bus driver stopped for me once then told me he wasn’t supposed to because this was a speed line. Why did he stop for me then? Because I was taking a picture of a newspaper vending machine. “No I wasn’t. I was taking the picture of a man with a party hat and one with a gun.”

Neither my niece nor the bus driver were impressed. I wasn’t surprised when I noticed tourists staring at me while I took picture after picture at a scenic vista point off of Highway 395. I knew what they were thinking. “Why are you taking a picture of this…

instead of THIS…

The Mono Craters in middleground. Do you see the resemblance?

I recently spent one week in the Owens Valley, home to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I was driving North on Highway 14, nearing Highway 395, when the world became free of malls, brands, billboards, concrete. Unprepared for the sudden and radical change of scenery, I just lost my mind.

Red Rock Canyon Park, Highway 14, then off to Highway 395…

(Continued)

Located at: Jimmy’s Lounge 6202 Santa Monica Blvd at the corner of El Centro in Hollywood.

Special DJ set by xFURNx and Kenn and Gas mask photo booth by the Cat Guy. Art and Photography by Cat Cult and David Flores.

455ER H+R CCC SRN LA!

Thursday, November 15

Frida Kahlo, the play @ The Frida Kahlo Theater, 2332 W. 4th Street, LA, CA 90057 ~ Celebrating Frida Kahlo’s Centennial and the 15th anniversary and 500 performances of this play ~ November 15 through December 16 ~ $15 general tickets, $12 on Thursdays and on November 23-25 ~ In SPANISH or ENGLISH ~ For more information go to www.fridakahlotheater.org.

The Tortilla Paintings of Joe Bravo @ KGB Studio & Gallery, 1640 N. Spring St., LA, CA 90012 ~ New works include Chinese-inspired paintings of his recent Hong Kong exhibition, a tortilla mask & more~ Open daily 10am-4pm ~ Through December 15.

Luis Alfaro’s Hero @ STUDIO/STAGE, 520 N. Western Ave, Hollywood ~ Comedy and counter (COFFEE) culture play about returning from Iraq performed by a Latino and Asian cast in alternance ~ Fr-Sat 8pm, Sun 3 & 7pm ~ $20.00 ~ Through December 16.

Friday, November 16

Scream 2007/Analog Live! @ The RedCat, 631 W. 2nd Street, Downtown LA ~ Analog synthesizers combined with acoustic instruments and kinetic video sculptures ~ 8:30pm ~ $20.

Sock Puppet Showgirls @ Theater Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd, LA, CA 90038 ~ “If you haven’t seen sock puppets pole dance, you haven’t experienced the true power of the theater.” ~ 11pM ~ $15.00. Reservations 323-962-1632.

Saturday, November 17

Smart & Classy Comedy & Music @ The Spot Cafe & Lounge, 4455 Overland Avenue, Culver City ~ Hosted by Eddie Ed O’Brien with Denise Munro Robb, Dan the Man Morales, Still Yet More ChamberPlayers etc. ~ 7:30pm to 10:00pm ~ No cover.

Love&Hate, Recent works by Oscar Magallanes @ Bunny Gunner, 266 W. 2nd St., Pomona, CA 91766 ~ Through December 1st ~ Tue-Sat 10am-7pm. See our coverage here.

Sunday, November 18

Miss Renea Le Roux’s Farewell Show & Party @ Bordello Bar, 901 E. 1st St., LA, CA 90012 ~ Come say goodbye to the Southern Belle from Hell and Grand Lady of Burlesque ~ 9PM ~$10 cover.

Irolo St. & San Marino St. ~ Koreatown

Recent works by Oscar Magallanes at Bunny Gunner Gallery in Pomona, Ca. Medium used: acrylic & aerosol on wood.