Celebrate New Year's Eve in true Hollywood style on the Paramount Pictures Studio Backlot! Matthew Gavin Entertainment & Hardball Productions announce the 5th Annual "Gridlock New Year's Eve!!"Hollywood's most elaborate New Years Eve Bash held at the world famous Paramount Pictures Studio Backlot in the heart of Hollywood. Four city blocks will be themed as four different New York City environments with a Hollywood twist. This year's event will boast headliner Adam Lambert, Pamela Anderson, Far East Movement, Wonderland, QWES, and Kevin Rudolf.The event will also feature co-host Shayne Lamas introducing her sister Dakota Lamas as she will be performing the World Premiere of her all new single "Name of Song Here." (With a title like that's its bound to be a winner...) Be sure to be part of this epic 5000 person New Years Eve event, and party with the stars in the heart of Hollywood at its most historic film and television production studio lot featuring an insane Midnight Countdown & Fireworks Show. Come join the nation's largest Red Carpet New Year's Eve event at the world famous Paramount Pictures Studio Lot in Hollywood.Gridlock 2010, Paramount Pictures Studio Lot, Los Angeles, CA, 9pm - 3am. Tickets are $150, $250 for VIP, so start your buying now!
Beyond the realm of performance, a unique glimpse into the avant garde tribal culture that has captured the curiosity of the world... Internationally acclaimed, Lucent Dossier Experience is an inter-active circus troupe who has twisted the conventional, carved new roads and opened up new paradigms where the audience is encouraged to dream and immerse themselves into otherworldly magic. "We are interested in inspiring people to think outside the box, to exist, even if just for a few moments, in a place where all things are possible. From here we can heal, create, change, DO anything!!" Let the night take you away and if you please, indulge in a rose water foot bath, Post Portal Post Office, uplifting aura readings, Sweet Teddy Bear Tea Party and herbal elixirs to cleanse your soul. What Lucent does best is create wonderlands for our guests to lose themselves in, so let us be your guide into a fantastical realm where brilliance and insanity fuse together in an exotic kind of ecstatic bliss.H. Wood, 1738 N Orange, Hollywood, CA, 9pm - 2pm, $100 includes tray pass appetizers and open bar.
See what downtown LA is talking about: A one-of -a kind Sculpture Show - LUMINOSITY - featuring the illuminated works of Sean Sobczak! It was born at Burning Man - and evolved into a spectacular art form! This show features new sophisticated and delicate works, and also the amazing fantastical creatures that have made this artist famous! From a trio of whimsical sea horses, to a life-size octopus, to elegant wall or ceiling light sculptures for a special loft, lobby or restaurant, come experience the delightfully intricate illuminated wonders by this amazing 3-D artist! In The Convergence Series, Sean combines backlighting with shadow-casting, in a collection of organic, iconic and geometrically inspired pieces. The backlit wall or ceiling sculptures cast fantastic light and shadow arrays, incorporating the entire wall or ceiling into the piece. Well known in the L.A. underground, Sean's sculptures have been in venues and events in and around Los Angeles over the last eight years, shown at The Coachella Valley Music and Art Festival, Lightning In a Bottle, Dark Skies and The Electric Daisy Carnival. At The Continental Gallery, 400 S. Spring at the corner of 4th, downtown LA, 90013 Meet the artist - Opening Reception, Saturday Dec. 5, 7-10 pm. Refreshments courtesy of David Weidman " To Die For" Catering Also on view at the Downtown Artwalk , Thursday Dec. 10, 4 -10 pm. Closing reception Tuesday Dec. 29, 7-10 pm. Saturdays Dec.12 and 19th 12 noon - 6 pm
Push to Transmit is one of the best undiscovered local bands I've heard in a long, long time. They have a vast sonic quality to their sound, as if their music is reaching your ears from the other side of some void. They're the type of band that makes music for the love of it, and you can tell by their unconventional song structure structure and dissonant reverb-heavy guitars. Push to Transmit has that one thing that;s hard to find in indie music today. Push to Transmit's got soul! It's in the voice, in the texture of the guitars, the driving bass, and crashing drums. You won't hear another indie band like Push to Transmit, especially not in LA. Catch them tonight at Mr. T's Bowl at 5621 1/2 Figueroa St. at 10pm. It's only $5 for some of the best music in LA!
Bluegrass band Crooked Still is coming to McCabe's Guitar Shop Sunday, Nov. 22 to give LA the best honky-tonk, boot-stompin' bluegrass music it ever done heard. They do a little bit of genre-bending in their music, covering old-time music, folk, and a little bit of country mixed in. One song can cover all genres, blending effortlessly together, but they always come back to bluegrass. Hailing from upstate New York, they're embarking on a multi-date tour which covers Kentucky, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, California, Massachusetts, and Maine. Last night they were in Berkeley shaking the dust off, and on Sunday night they'll be at McCabe's Guitar Shop on at 3101 Pico Blvd in Santa Monica. Tickets are $15, show starts at 7pm, www.crookedstill.com for more info. Get your dirt-stompin' boots ready!
If you love sushi, and if you love cheap sushi, you will love Monsoon's daily Happy Hour from 4pm-7pm. Their select happy hour menu is all $4, which will make both your wallet and your belly very, very happy. Glasses of wine are available for $4 a pop, but if you want a well drink, you're going to have to pay a dollar more. They carry Sam Adams seasonal brews, meaning right now they have the Winter Ale on tap, a delicious blend of beer and spice brewed to warm your chilly bones. Surprisingly, the Winter Ale is a great pairing with the sushi.
They have about eight varieties of sushi to choose from, all of which are full-sized sushi rolls (not like the mini sushi rolls from the beloved Sushi Mac), in addition to about eight choices of hot plates, from the usual edamame to Bay Scallops Dynamite to Thai Popcorn Chicken. For a cheap, light date, Monsoon Santa Monica's Happy Hour is the place - great for people-watching too!
www.globaldiningca.com, 1212 3rd St, Santa Monica, Open Mon-Thurs, 11:30am - 10:30pm; Sat. 11:30am - 11:30pm, and Sunday 2pm - 9:30pm.
Let’s all watch Nicolas Cage claw himself out of debt! Nick Cage has never been a great actor per se, and he tends to play the same bedraggled hero that you wonder if he'll able to save others in the films before he succumbs into whatever vice his character has. But this character promises to be his best yet. The synopsis is as follows: In Werner Herzog's new film Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Nicolas Cage plays a rogue detective who is as devoted to his job as he is at scoring drugs - while playing fast and loose with the law. He wields his badge as often as he wields his gun in order to get his way. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina he becomes a high-functioning addict who is a deeply intuitive, fearless detective reigning over the beautiful ruins of New Orleans with authority and abandon. Complicating his tumultuous life is the prostitute he loves (played by Eva Mendes). Together they descend into their own world marked by desire, compulsion, and conscience. The result is a singular masterpiece of filmmaking: equally sad and manically humorous. Before you pass judgement, there are a few redeeming factors: 1) It’s Warner Herzog, and 2) It may well be the first film made with the Katrina aftermath as a backdrop. Seems like those are reasons enough to go. So go! It opens Nov. 20 in LA here at Mann Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Laemmle's Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, and AMC Broadway at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
Indie Collective Gallery is presents “Everyday Plagues,” an exhibition of new works on paper and objects by artist Susan Arena. Arena’s latest work displays the ever-present anxiety in everyday life and relationships. Using her folk art influences, Arena uses everyday materials such as handmade paper, bits of cast-off clothing, wallpaper and textiles. Her work feels simultaneously sophisticated and naïve, with a direct power and charm in both the media and the message. This solo show takes place at the intimate gallery space, Indie Collective, located in the heart of Culver City’s arts district at 6039a Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. The opening night reception will feature wine and appetizers with the artist herself on Saturday December 5, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. The exhibit will run through January 15, 2010. For more information on the gallery please call 310-837-7714 or visit www.indiecollective.com. For more information about Susan Arena, visit www.susanarena.com.
Last year, Deftones bassist Chi Ling Cheng was involved in a horrific car accident that left him in a coma. He was re-admitted to the hospital for an infection, and is currently in a minimally-conscious state. On Nov. 19 & 20th at the Avalon, the Deftones will do what bands do in these kinds of situations - they will play a benefit show for their brother and bandmate, with proceeds going directly to the Chi Ling Cheng Special Needs Trust Benefit. The Deftones have been one of the most consistently exploratory bands to come out of the 1990s, weaving their sounds through an aural experience most closely described as completely out of this world. If you’ve ever been a Deftones fan, if their music has ever helped you through rough times, check out the Chi Ling Cheng Special Needs Trust Benefit show. You’d do it for your local bands - do it for the Deftones. Nov. 19 and 20 at Avalon, 1735 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA, 90028
If you've never gone to see the Ninjaskillz crew, by all means go! Some of the best DJs in LA are associated with Ninjaskillz, like Mark Zabala and Michael Insane. Fatfinger will be there too! DJ Mark Zabala has been in the Burning Man/Space Island scene since...forever, and consistently throws down the best hard house, drum and bass, and jungle out there. It's always a party when Zabala's behind the tables.
Fable is November 27th at the Medusa Lounge at 3211 Beverly Blvd, LA, 90057. $10 before 11pm, $15 after, with a $5 available guest list. 10pm - 2am. Complimentary drinks to the first 50 people, and there's a full menu available all night if you work up a hunger out on the dance floor. Also featuring DJs Todd Spero and Sumbry. Definitely recommended!
Create:Fixate is the stronghold of underground art, hosting shows in a downtown LA warehouse every so often, with great underground music in the Audio Lab. Their 8th Anniversary is coming up on December 5, from 7pm-2am at their warehouse space at 613 Imperial Ave. Catch the art and boogie down to the beats!
Featuring: Art, Photography, Sculpture, Multimedia, Installation, and Live Painting, Fashion/Jewelry, Video Projections & Installations; House, Techno, Downtempo, Breaks, Dub, Experimental, World Rhythms, and Live Music in the Audio Lab. Artists: Amy Bernays, Anne Carmack, Ashleigh Sumner, Dave Lovejoy, Debra Murray-Kagan, Cerraeh Laykin, Greg Boudreau, Hagop Belian, Heidi Spring, John chang, Jorge Oswaldo, Kate Daly, Katie Ryan, Kerrianne Connor, Liz Brizzi, Luis Sanchez, Matt Donegan, Michelle Nielsen, Mykal Aubry, Nicole Bruckman, Tony Hong, Tracy Sagalow, Walt Hall, and Michael Pukac
Spilt is essentially a live art event in which the artists choose how they present the process and product of their work. A crushingly simple, direct, and unique concept, Split asks the artists, "Do your thing." Nothing more, nothing less, no molding their works into the confines of a prescribed exhibition format. The artists, expressing themselves and their process, get to add another dimension to their expression. It's now a performance, with no discernible boundaries. The viewer is introduced to the art in a way they've never been privy to seeing before, they can now appreciate not only the end product, but all the machinations it took to get to that end.
Basically, this is a great idea, and everyone should check it out. It's only a $5 donation, with DJs, food, entertainment, and a dance floor all night. It's for one night only, so be sure to check it out!
Causecast Gallery Space, 969 Colorado Blvd, Santa Monica, 90401. 6pm- midnight. $5 donation. www.spiltsociety.com
Lucent Dossier is yet another dance/performance troupe born in the dust of Burning Man. And lord, how many there were years ago. There was the unparalleled magnificence of Cirque Berzerk, the ninja glory of the Phoenix Projekt, the spaceballs fun of Machina Candeo, the much-publicized fame and fall of the Mutaytor, and the unbound cartoon chaos of the DMT shows. (My personal favorite is DMT - always a little under-rehearsed, always a little collectively buzzed from various substances, and never trying too hard, DMT had the best music and knew how to get the crowd going, in my humble opine. But I digress.)
...And then there was Lucent Dossier.
As per the press release:
"The Lucent Dossier Experience announces its new weekly artist residency, Gateway 11.11, which debuts this coming Wednesday, Nov. 11 at h.wood in the heart of Hollywood. The industrial vintage club space, with all its dark and sexy nooks and crannies, will perfectly house this critically acclaimed tribe of avant-garde artists who you may have experienced at Coachella, or at their hugely successful year-long run of sold-out shows at The Edison in downtown LA.
Known for their immersive, experiential environments, Lucent Dossier Experience combines otherworldly circus-style spectacle with tantalizing performances involving seductive belly dancers, impish pranksters, spoken word poets, stilt walkers, sword swallowers, contortionists, clowns, fire eaters, jugglers, singers and elves in a theatrical fantasy of feathers, chains and lace. "
Last Saturday night, Fais Do Do hosted the Ink Slam after party, with bands The Gumbo Brothers and Critical Brass holding down the stage. I was there way early, so I got to see The Gumbo Bros sitting nervously amid the other six audience members in the empty club, hoping people would show up. They stalled in taking the stage, and didn't seem too particularly thrilled to be playing when they first started. It seemed like one of those gigs affectionately dubbed a "practice gig" amongst unpopular bands. It's a gig where no one shows up, but you still have to play, so you get into the headspace of a practice jam, not a performance.
But the Gumbo Brothers were solid. They had a great, unique, funky take on a what I've come to understand as Santa Monica blues/soul/jam. It's the kind of music you'd find playing in a nervous, new Westside wine bar who's trying to their hardest to be chill and relaxed. The lyrics were vague enough for any upscale urban burner to feel nicely placated that they're keeping it real. But all told, the Gumbo Brothers had the people on their feet in no time.
It was as if the hordes of people heard the Gumbo Bros and were pulled in by their bubbly funk straight to the dance floor. It was hard to tell where the Ink Slam ended and the Gumbo Bros fans began, it was just one big tangle of groove. The band completely perked up once they knew they had the fans in the palm of their hands. They started to infuse soul in their music and a bounce in their step. The Gumbo Brothers definitely left the crowd wanting more when they finished up their last song.
Having been fully satisfied by the Gumbo Brothers, a lot of the crowd left, seemingly not knowing Critical Brass were up next. Part of the problem was the perceived "45 minutes", overheard from one audience member, that it took them to take the stage. And when they did, they were just....ok. After the stellar performance of the Gumbo Brothers, Critical Brass just didn't have what it took to keep that party going. Granted, there was lots of booze-fueled dancing on the floor, but the energy that the Gumbo Brothers brought was taken right off the stage with them.
All in all, Fais Do Do was a great place to hold the Ink Slam after party, lending a relaxed old-time N'awlins vibe to soothe the often tense vibes of the poetry slam. The staff was hardworking and friendly, and kept their grace under the sudden avalanche of people who descended upon the club. Check out Fais Do Do for their other great music performances, and definitely check out the Gumbo Brothers as soon as possible!
Audra Hardt the Un-Britney
Hollywood September 15, 2007- Audra Hardt performed at the Key Club on Friday night to celebrate the release of her EP, "Superficial Superstar". Comedian Bruce Vilanch introduced Audra to the stage after cracking the audience up with his stand-up on current events and pop culture.
Wearing a shirt that covered little more than a bra, Audra began her set and immediately held her audience captive. She may have caught the audience with her six pack abs, but it was the strength of her voice and her demanding stage presence that kept them hostage.
The show began with original music from Audra Hardt. It is contemporary rock and roll with lyrics women find themselves relating to, yet hard hitting enough for any man of rock. The power ballad "Now and Then" emphasized Hardt's vocal prowess and genuine talent, while "Watch Me" and "Do it to Me" demonstrated Hardt's potential for the band to make the leap into mainstream pop rock.
Hardt ended the set with covers of Grace Slick's pain and Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", during which a large portion of the audience were dancing in front of the stage and was heard yelling one more song at the end of the set.
All in all it was an ideal performance. Celebrities Michael Lerner, Keith David and Bruce Vilanch were in the audience. "Hardt's Girls" were present selling the just released EP "Superficial Superstar" in cigarette girl fashion and brandishing everyone with free bracelets and tattoos. A tactic that worked well -nearly every member of the audience left with a copy of "Superficial Superstar".
If you are a fan of rock and roll and love checking out new bands on the verge of something big, I suggest you head down to the Mint in Hollywood September 29th. You will be glad you came!
So I was at the viper Room recently, and saw this chick audra hardt play. She was amazing!! I am going to see her again soon, I found she is playing at the Key club on the 14th. I am definatley looking forward to going!
After i left the viper room i went and ate at this place called toi -it was thai food in a rock and roll atmosphere. I highly reccomend it for the late night munchies.
p.s. If anybody wants to meet me at the key club that would be awesome :)
Patrons crowded the Viper Room Tuesday like the scene from an all out, bare-bones Vegas-style boxing event. Sweaty and attentive, clinging to their ever-melting iced drinks, the crowd's mood was heavy with anticipation for the evening's promisingly impressive lineup: Jon McLaughlin, Tim Myers, and Kim Kline. Indiana native Jon McLaughlin began the night with his impressive ability to pull himself out of the overplayed and mediocre genre of attractive mid 20's males hunched over a piano singing love songs that bore and seemingly regurgitate old John Mayer hits. McLaughlin is indeed attractive and in his mid 20's, but he has an edge to his song writing and his dynamic slamming of the ivories are raw and intriguing. McLaughlin seemed unaware of the quality of his voice? a pitch perfect, deep, heavy, and powerful range added to the charisma he didn't over play. As McLaughlin sat by his keyboard and wiped the sweat from his face, he showed his humaneness and laughed at the only man who put up his hand when he asked, "Are their any couples in here tonight?" (an obviously cheesy tongue-in-cheek line). One couldn't help but notice his elegance on stage. McLaughlin played his keyboard with such ferocious intensity that his mellow melodies took on a much darker side than any Mayer wanna-be could imitate. This wasn't overdone pop that the crowd was avidly watching and shouting encouragement to during keyboard breaks. It contained maturity and honesty. The song 'Indiana' was about McLaughlin missing his home state and the people there. It was sweet, not enough to give you a tooth ache, but subtly so in a sentimental way. Simply Jon and his keyboard. Even Jon Voight sitting in the corner (he was checking McLaughlin out for a movie role), couldn't distract you from McLaughlin's seemingly sad tone and perfect playing. Somehow, even though I've never been, by the end of his song I was missing Indiana too... And my British ears haven't been attuned to such blubbery. At the risk of receiving accusations of being biased, I have to say that the English Stone Roses/Oasis/Libertines inspired Indie rock is something the Brits have got down to goddamn near perfection! Any other country that has a band with a lead singer who copies the accent and grows their hair to shaggy proportions...ummm, not so much. But then, Tim Myers came along. Round 2Myers got on stage wearing his brass buttoned red admiral jacket, skinny black jeans, and his long hair poking out under his beat up hat. You could tell he was at least a fashion fan of Mr. Doherty. Surprisingly the similarities didn't stop there. No, there was no drug addled supermodel waiting in the wings for him, but he did sound remarkable....well...original anyway. 'Shot to the head' saw Myers comfortably grab his guitar and ease into this eclectic mix of seventies funk, Beatles harmonies and psychedelic lyrics. It's odd to see a band have such obvious influences, but not feel like they're in some way ripping off the classics. The backup vocalist, a girl in a black dress and cowboy boots, wasn't just a pretty face added to the mix, as many usually are. She and Myers harmonizing worked so well that the thought of her being a band member's girlfriend just looking to get on stage was the furthest thing from my mind. Myers got onto his keyboard and performed a Mama's Boy, a song thickly layered with edgy vocals that could be perceived as being on the verge of too pop for his rough image. But, the clever addition of some vocals aided by a loud speaker veered him away from a mainstream classification, (despite its appearance on 'Grey's Anatomy' this past season).Myers Jagger-esque prancing and his very Carl Barat wardrobe choices were in no way offensive or over done, opening himself up to the apparent quality of his inspiring and original song writing. He commanded the respect of the audience, which he duly deserved. Myers was neither smarmy nor arrogant on stage, grinning like the proverbial Cheshire Cat, and quietly emphasizing his Californian accent to prove he wasn't copying, but borrowing. Tim Myers was exciting, even stripping on stage (actually, his popper buttoned shirt kept coming undone-but that was fine by me). He has the L A smile and the great teeth, but luckily for us he also possesses the English bite. The Main EventKim Kline is a performer that bursts with enthusiasm, talent and power. Watching Kline you can hear Linkin Park, Chilli Peppers and even Coldplay inspired melodies, a strange mix, but somehow is works very well indeed. The tiny singer ("I'm 5'4 on a good day") owned the stage undeniable with power and hard work. Kline is a performer that will come off stage with the sweat you want to see from a singer. Writing all the songs herself, being recently nominated 'Best Female Vocalist' in the 2007 LA Music Awards, and her debut single 'Inside' going nationwide next week, their is a certain buzz about this singer. Kline is an artist that must be seen live, she really demonstrates the epitome of rock pop, she has crashing guitar, heartbeat racing drums but being beautiful with long blonde straightened hair she could easily be mistaken for something she isn't. With enough energy to fill the room and half of Sunset Blvd. Kline slams her 4 inch heeled boots to every beat and as she grabs the guitarist's shirt and sings against key at times, it works beautifully to create sounds that you feel like you could listen to as you smash the windows of an ex's car. Kim Kline is versatile, which makes her do well what she does best. An acoustic set calls, her voice being the type you try to sing a long to, but never quite manage to duplicate. It's dramatic, emotional, and not overly trained.Kline really is an A+ pop rocker with a spontaneous, intense, yet professional performance. Kline doesn't need to hold a guitar and try and play repetitive chords, like so many singers in Kline's genre do. She is far too good a singer and someone with plenty of hypnotic stage presence to have to pretend. As Kim Kline tugged at her tattooed covered bassist's baseball cap during 'Gotta Let It Go', you realize she can hold her own against the competitive solo female pop rock acts. Keep your eyes open for this girl from Texas because her terribly sweet demeanor has a little bit of hot poison tucked underneath to ensure she is sticking around. Well done to the Viper Room for getting such good bands on one night...now can you please work on the overpriced entrance fees and drinks??
