Bubble Lounge @ The Brig ~ 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291 ~ Every Wednesday

Our favorite thing about Abbot Kinney’s bustling hot-stuff magnet The Brig was always its old school signage. Until now, when we stumbled into Bubble Lounge, where said stamp is now matched in old-school spirit and slick execution, taking over every Wednesday for gay girls and their straight associates to revel in retro. In my book, sapphic love never goes out of vogue, but with Samantha and Lindsay so up in the spotlight saying ‘fuck the world’ and loving the ones they’re with, we’re officially declaring kitty-licking the new black this autumn. Start practicing: La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la (like KRS-1, not the Smurfs).

If you’re part of the bold and beautiful rainbow cliterati, Bubble Lounge is Wednesday’s swankiest, chillest spot to explore for relaxed, soused good times with no-bullshit babes. The vibe is as open and friendly as a house-party, with approaching and being approached feeling natural and fun. The music, not a note of techno heard, is set just right for chatting or pressing up with that girl over some Patron shots or Raymond Carver-esque cocktails. Sometimes a piano player bangs out live versions of Bowie, and sometimes it’s a DJ on some classic, slinky lounge music that makes you feel 25% sexier under its hold. Burlesque dancers are known to appear twice a month, and even better, sometimes our favorite friend, free food(!!!!), makes an appearence, for the evening. Yes, a techno-less poontang parade with free eats and no cover. Isn’t this what that Muslim martyr heaven is supposed to be like?

And time to celebrate if you’re straight; there’s still the typically model-esque Brig crowd in singles and pairs, slightly wayward and not exactly sure who to throw their lines to, but welcome and getting hammered just the same… straight defenses slightly lowered by the good times swirling around them. Gay men, you’ll be doing your thing as always, but I hardly need to encourage you to go and get some, you guys are really, really good at that already.

Check out Bubble Lounge every Wednesday if flowing conversation and booze, sophisticated sex appeal, and pussy top your list. They also have billiards, if you enjoy other interests. If we can’t exactly come right out and promise you’ll be doing any pearl balancing come Thursday morning, we can at least promise you’ll be getting drunk and happy in suitable style, making new friends on all sides. See you tonight!

This is generally the kind of ’stoked’ look straight guys will get on their faces when surrounded by awesome lesbians for hours on end.

On August 13th the VIP tribute to the upcoming movie Righteous Kill was held at the The Last Laugh bonus space in Downtown Los Angeles. The space featured movie posters from various De Niro and Pacino movies as well as props set up to simulate a crime scene, shooting range and wall covered in Graffitti. Event atendees were treated to food and drinks including a NYC style hot dog vendor parked between two NYC police cars. Upper Playground was also holding an opening for artists Patrick Martinez and Munk One. The Upper Playground, Last Laugh and bonus space were packed all night as well as the sidewalk in front of each store. The event also marked the opening of the Righteous Kill Pop Up Shop will will open today for an extended time.

The Righteous Kill Space
August 14th - September 15th, 2008
Tuesday - Saturday, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
131 East 6th Street Los Angeles, CA 90014
(Located between Los Angeles Street and Main Street in the Santa Fe Loft Building)

Paneer Tikka Kebab Vs. Argentine Flap Steak

Thanks to Lord of the Grill Ali Khan and his pal Nissar Modi for stuffing TACO’s gullet this labor day weekend in Los Feliz at their epic India Vs. Argentina BBQ. Khan is fresh off his first appearance on Bobby Flay’s show where he rocked the set with tasty lamb hoagies, and the man knows meat and heat better than Bo knows baseball.

“King” Khan set off an extensive explosion of dishes from both South America and the Sub-Continent. Over 6 lbs. of lamb were marinated in homemade preparations and 100% hardwood was used in the fire. Repping those randy Argentines was chorizo and flap steak, while the incredible Indians stepped up to the coals with chicken tikka, lamb tikka, and paneer kebabs, which were handmade by Mr. Modi.

When the dust and tequila cleared, both countries came out charting high on the BBQ taste meter, but possibly due to the few thousand years India has on Argentina to find out what the people like, the Indians dominated in flavor, tenderness, and more Big-O’s per bite. The steak was perfect, juicy, and hot just like at an asado, but it was still no match for the intricate zest of that deep red tikka. The soft chicken burst in our mouths, the lamb juicily melted away, and Nissar’s paneer kebab had more flavor and pleasant texture than those at our beloved Khan Chacha in New Delhi.

In the end, bellies past full, Ali decided against a coup de grace of pulled lamb shoulder, leaving us all with the Labor Day wisdom to keep it under $50 if we ever find ourselves at Costco. Here’s to good eating, being with friends, and most importantly to three-day weekends!!!!!

Grill General Ali Khan

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Curator John Jarasa w/ his biggest supporters, his mom & sister.

Last night was the opening of the Life Inside gallery show over at Patrick Painter’s Melrose Gallery. The family & I got there right before it started so I was able to take photos of the art before the masses arrived. The show featured knock-out work by seven phenomenal artists (whose pieces in this show were linked through themes of incarceration). John Jarasa curated the show and I have to say, and not just ’cause he’s my friend, he did an outstanding job. The layout of the art, the vibe of the party, and the selection were perfect. People flowed in and out all night. Look for a full feature in a future issue of Heavy Hiiters Magazine.

Check out the engraving on this piece. The detail was sick!

Photo by Edgar Hoill

Wall Installation by Philth

Detail of Philth’s wall installation

Big Bad Onyxx x Patrick Painter x John Jarasa

Photo by John Jarasa

I believe this was drawn with pens

Charlie Row Campo

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It was a few months ago that we sat with our friend Galo “MAKE ONE” Canote for this interview. The legendary Los Angeles graffiti pioneer and founding member of our city’s Second to None Crew had some unusual free time due to a regionally not too-uncommon traffic mistake. A lot has been said about Galo and his contributions both past and present to the art world, but knowing him to be a funny, deep, and intelligent guy, we figured it best to let him do most of the talking on his art, city, women, and everything else you’ve ever wanted to know about the man. Since talking, Galo has been characteristically up to his old flurry of tricks, waist-deep in the art world and recently having dropped STN as his crew, which we caught up with him to explain within. Enjoy the q&a and learn of Galo’s orgins, his inspiration, his work with Los Angeles youth, and of his in-demand services as a male escort. Apparently, LoveGalo has more meanings then we thought…

TACO: Yo Galo, what’s up man? Spending a lot of time at home recently? What exactly happened to get you that anklet?

MAKE: (Laughs) Wassup man? Yeah – a lot of time!! Well…what can I say? I made a bad decision and got popped for a DUI again. SUCKS! So being such a lightweight – they assigned me house arrest for two months. Beats being in jail having to deal with all the lame politics they have. It’s alright though, just have to step-up and take responsibility for my actions. Things are coming along.

TACO: You’re a legend in today’s graff art world, and a hero in Los Angeles…

MAKE: A legend maybe. But a hero? Aummm…Yeah I guess I can consider myself one too. (He smiles)

TACO: Where in L.A. did you grow up? What neighborhoods did you hang out in back in the day?

MAKE: I grew-up mainly in the Mid-Wilshire area, just south of Hollywood. I hung out a lot around the Belmont Tunnel/Yard. Other areas were: Pico-Union, Alhambra, K-Town, North Hollywood, Little Tokyo, ELA, Baldwin Hills Area, by Laurel Canyon Elementary, Venice Beach, and of course Hollywood. Pretty much all over L.A.

TACO: Where would you most want to live in the city if you had your choice?

MAKE: Any area where people care about their neighborhood, where people take pride in their community. Any area where all neighbors get along. Any area where all my neighbors are hot, single, sexy women. Once you know of one let me know. Oh and where Winona Ryder, Drew Barrymore, Elisha Dushku, Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Teri Hatcher, Brittany Murphy, Golden Brooks, Eihi Shiina, Lisa Bonet, Ivonne Montero, Persia White, PJ Harvey & Cristina Ricci are all my neighbors. (winks)

TACO: Heh. And what do you remember about growing up in our city? What was the L.A. of your childhood like?

MAKE: Mannnn…it was different. From what I remember things were chill. Or at least it seemed they were. Perhaps cause I was younger, I was a bit naïve and oblivious to a lot of my surroundings. But as I grew older, I slowly began noticing things, you know? The drugs, the gangs, the crime, how skin color was an issue and lame stuff like that.

TACO: How’d you spend your days as a kid? And how have you seen L.A. change through the years, and your experience here change from a kid to today?

MAKE: I spent my days mainly having fun. Being a kid was or is fun. I am still a kid! (laughs) I took my childhood years for granted. It’s the best time, at least for me, to be exposed to different and new things, to be free, to be innocent, to be unaccountable, to experiment, to absorb, etc.

As a kid I was only into two things, art and girls. If it wasn’t girls, it was art. If it wasn’t art, it was girls.

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Jim “The Beast” Marquez reading from his latest book “L.A. Bitch IV” at the “L.A. Bitch IV DVD” release party last Friday night. The DVD is a slide show of Downtown life with words written and read by Jim Marquez, photography by Rick Mendoza, and paintings by Carl Ramsey. The DVD was produced by Dale Youngman and Gail Zone.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the candid, outspoken and poetic style of Jim Marquez’ “PG 13″ book - in Jim’s own words - “East L.A. Collage,” I was looking forward to hearing The Beast unleashed in “L.A. Bitch IV.” Since the show, I’ve started reading his X rated tales. As disturbingly real and graphic as Jim gets, his heart is the leading force behind his unnerving depictions whether he rants against or achingly needs his fellow mortals as in “After the reading” (see excerpts below,) an undeniable proof that Marquez has mastered the art of the short story and is right to have moved on to writing his first novel. If I were you I would get a copy of his self-published books fast; in my opinion Marquez has already transcended his beginnings as an “East L.A. writer” to possibly become one of the most authentic recorders of our 21st American century.

“I should’ve been happy after the reading and signing of my latest book: big crowd, standing room only, college girls sitting on the floor and gazing up at me like I was the Mexican-Charles-fucking-Bukowski himself, but something was off…” Jim Marquez, “After the reading”

Paintings by Carl Ramsey.

“The booze flowed well, it always does when I read, and I read the fuck out of the material; freaked everybody out and even surprised myself with the ferocity and rage in which the words exploded off my tongue.”

Downtowner and “Bathroom Graffiti” author Mark Ferem with whom I got to sip iced coffee before the show. During our animated conversation, which I hope to continue with Mark soon and share with my readers, Mark waved and smiled at a friend across the street. “It’s Gronk,” he said. I grinned. How cool was that! Above him are paintings by Eric Jones from the Dale Youngman’s gallery’s closing exhibit: “Father.”

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Opening on June 28th at 7pm and running through July 16th ~ Cory Helford Gallery ~ 8522 Washington Boulevard, Culver City ~ 310-287-2340

Corey Helford Gallery presents “Natural History Museum Part I”, a solo exhibition of new works by Los Angeles artist Carlos Ramos. For his first solo show in Los Angeles, Ramos replicates the natural history museum experience for his audience, fusing the natural world with the art world. A series of twenty four large-scale paintings based on classic grand dioramas and a special installation of skeletal structures will transform the gallery into an epicenter of flora and fauna.

Carlos Ramos was born and raised in Burbank, California where he was obsessed with doodling and MAD magazine as a child. Ramos went on to create numerous shows for Cartoon Network, Walt Disney Studios, and Nickelodeon. His talent also extends to writing for Cartoon Network, drawing caricatures for Rolling Stone and Consolidated Skateboards, and doing stand-up comedy. Ramos’ work has been featured in numerous galleries including Gallery 1988 and I Am 8-Bit, and he co-hosted The Burning Brush Auctions with Tim Biskup. For more information about Carlos, go here: monkeypuzzles.com.

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Rosecranz & Highland Ave.

Saturday afternoon the intersection of 6th & Los Angeles Street (Skid Row Los Angeles) was buzzing with the grand opening of the Los Angeles branch of Upper Playground and Estevan Oriol & Mister Cartoon’s The Last Laugh boutique & gallery/bonus spot. The shop was just finished this morning with Toon$, Estevan and the crew pulling one of many all nighters to get the spots complete. Congrats to everyone involved on a successful opening! Another section of Los Angeles to spend your hard earned $$. You have your choice of four space to chose from as well as a Tattoo space that Jack Rudy will occupy for now with other artists schedule to do guest spots

Fifty24LA ~ Upper Playground gallery space

The Last Laugh ~ Interior & exterior

Bonus Space ~ Tony Ward of Six In The Face & Roland Sands custom motorcycles are set up in the space.