Jeez, that took forever, if you can remember the raids on Chinese birth tourism in 2015 here in California, you might be surprised that actual arrests are happening now. In, what doesn't seem much like a win for the US is the recent charges have been put up for those involved in bringing pregnant Chinese Moms to the US, so their kids can be citizens. It's kind of a sad read about how fast our system works as it did take like four years for charges to happen. Pathetic on our part.
-City On Fire has done a great job going over The Top 15 Bathroom Fight Scenes
The Academy Wants You! They want the general public of LA to check out everything nominated with panel swith the directors nominated in the other categories including the docs and shorts. Tickets will go on sale Friday Feb 1st and probably go fast. Oscar Week Nominees
Feb 19-23
Samuel Goldwyn Theater 8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA, 90211
Perfect for this weather in LA is the trailer and for The Umbrella Academy, which comes out pretty soon, Feb 15 on Netflix. Now, we read the 1st volume of original series and liked it, but never thought it would be turned into a TV show, because it's pretty messed up. We're glad to see it coming to the small screen with a pretty nice cast and a talking monkey. This one is gonna be weird and fun.
The LA Art Show returned last week at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Art galleries from all over SoCal and the world were presented to attendees. Row after row of galleries had both modern pieces to ponder while there were classics to still be stunned by. What stood out to me was some anime and video game influence. I wandered through wonderful Littetopia showing off modern pop punk. On the outside of that area, much of it the show was intertwined with some good pieces and some bad. There were many lazy artists taking modern pop culture images and combining them with another pop culture image until you get what some might say are mutants of art. Like two pieces of pop culture got trapped in a nuclear reactor and came out fused together, not quite the same, some might call it monster art or just really tacky. An example would be the bizarre meme of golden age movie star Audrey Hepburn sporting the brand Supreme. Though there was nothing supremely there were pieces that left me stunned and staring.
Entering the art show I was greeted by a piece that looks like it came from the influence of watching anime. A few rows down the work of Hiroshi Mori caught my eye. His work, influenced by video game games and anime took many classics paintings and updated them. Taken from Lichtenstein's In the Car, we have the new manga version keeping the same name from Mori.
Then you have Gustav Klimt'sThe Kiss re-titled simply Kiss from Mori. Now, this one is blurry by nature. Stranger still, Mori did the piece by taking the sprites from Super Mario Bros 1 or 2 ( a friend debated me over what game they were from) for NES and layering them together to recreate the image and made it like a broken image too.
The one on the right is blurry on purpose from the artist
Mori's View in and Around the City of Tokyo #1 and #2 from a quick search online don't seem to be taken from existing art. They do look like great backgrounds from a never played video game level from the 90's.
Then there's Mori's piece Jean D'Arc #1 that reminds me of a few recent animes with Centaur girls.
Camille Rose Garcia
Littleopia was a fun highlight. The archway was from the same artist duo Dosshaus that made that cardboard house exhibition that was here in LA last year. Everything in their exhibit was made out of cardboard and the brought some of their pieces to Littletopia.
The modern pop culture art in this section was more in the style I enjoyed featuring working from magazines like Juxtapoz and High Fructose magazine. It seemed just a bit more fun than the mixed media images of celebrities alive and dead repackaged over and over again. Sure, Litteopia had some of those dead celebrities too, but with the other pieces surrounding them made up for it.
Camille Rose Garcia's work looked like out of a story book updated for adults with maybe a little tattoo artists thrown in. Then just other eye-catching work like this rolling chair made of bones and plants.
Weep Now Or Nevermore by Brandy Milne
Once out of Littletopia there were galleries with some times original work and some times sticking Audrey Hepburn with a Supreme handbag. Some of the work seemed like real commentary on the world today and the rest looked like it was copying that commentary. Other pieces just look liked they added cool effects to Star Wars merch.
The show was a mix and that's the art world today. For every piece that might be going over a controversy or just trying to be it's own lovely little moment, you have have an image of Mickey Mouse next Homer Simpsons' head or Nike shoes made out of broken clay. It's always nice to get to see what's going and reflect on it and maybe even tell Audrey Hepburn's estate to get involved.
Some comic book art for the the comic book fan was available.
Listen, if you're staying indoors for the big game, great! For everyone else, less traffic...the big game starts at 3:30 pst, so plan on using the freeway before and afterif you want to head out this weekend. And for those set on Sunday, Saturday is filled to the brim with Chinese New Year Festivals to go to.
ArcLight Cinemas would like to congratulate everyone that received a nomination for the upcoming 2019 Academy Awards®. Come see nominated films from this past year now playing at ArcLight.
251 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California 90012
$16.52
The action-packed movie is based on the popular Hunter x Hunter anime
series,which reboots the popular Hunter x Hunter manga originally
created by Yoshihiro Togashi. The anime adventure is broadcast in North
America on Adult Swims Toonami and was produced by the famed animation
studio, Madhouse.
251 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California 90012
$20
Game On features competitive gaming on a Movie screen with commentary by a panel of comedians, all at the Downtown Independent movie theater in the heart of DTLA\LittleTokyoThis month's tournament is Mario kart 8!
Velvet Buzzsaw
Writer/Director Dan Gilroy Thursday, January 31 7:20pm show w/Q&A
Saturday, February 2 7:20pm show w/Q&A
The Landmark
10850 West Pico, at Westwood Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA, 90064
$
A horror film making fun of of the modern art world. You know we're in.
Photo L.A.
Jan 31- Feb 3 Barker Hangar 3021 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405
$20.00 - $450
Photo L.A. returns for its 27th year as the longest-running photographic
art exposition at Los Angeles' historic Barker Hanger. Set against
soaring vaulted ceilings and arched steel trusses, the 35,000 square
foot airplane hangar is poised to house a roster of 65-75 local and
international galleries and dealers, collectives, leading non-profits,
museums, art schools, and global booksellers.
Arctic
Director/Co-Writer
Joe Penna Friday, February 1 7:40pm show w/Q&A
Saturday, February 2 5:20pm show w/Q&A
The Landmark
10850 West Pico, at Westwood Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA, 90064
$
"It's man versus nature in the captivating, nail-biting survival tale Arctic, starring Mads Mikkelsen (“Hannibal,” The Hunt).
Stranded in the arctic after an airplane crash, he must decide whether
to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a
deadly trek through the unknown in hopes of making it out alive.
Directed and co-written by Joe Penna."
Dark Dungeons
Group Art Show Friday, February 1, 7pm The Secret Headquarters
3817 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026 Free
If you came to our Monster Manual
show last year, you know that this is not one to be missed. Some of the
best artists working today have created some incredible D&D-style
monsters for you.
A Shop Called Quest
300 South Santa Fe Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Free
A 2 Day Interactive Art experience into the real world of Springfield. Artists from all over the globe including some who work on your favorite
starburns shows, friends from the simpsons animation team and more
special guests are participating in a once in a lifetime show only at a
Shop Called Quest curated by real live people!!!
LAlocal & Meet Cute 3 Nan Lawson Friday, February 1, 7pm Gallery 1988 7308 Melrose Ave Free
Cute pairings from pop culture.
LAlocal pieces inspired by our beloved hometown and our city’s iconic imagery.
Super Famicoms 50% off and a sale of Gamecube consoles, which are usually $35, down to only $20
BAR Con: Episode 3-2 Friday, Feb 1, 8:00 PM
Corbin Bowl
19616 Ventura Blvd
Tarzana, CA 91356
$13.41
21+
BAR Con is the destination for anime, game, & J-rock fans to meet up
between conventions! Have your con experience year round! The
event hosts lots of Japanese inspired music, anime, and games with
special events from time to time, including rock bands straight from
Japan! This is the place to come and hang out with like-minded friends,
grab a drink, and enjoy!
Dozens of museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history,
and science—will open their doors and invite visitors to attend their
museums free of charge. This offer is for general museum admission only and does not apply to
specially ticketed exhibitions. Regular parking fees apply at each
museum. Consult individual museum websites for hours, directions, and
other visitor information.
Jana & JS
No Broken Promises (Project Room) Kisung Koh
Way of Life II (Main Room)
Opening Reception with the Artist(s):
Saturday, February 2, 2019 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Thinkspace Projects 6009 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Free
Thinkspace is pleased to present new works by Southern Korean, Toronto-based artist and illustrator Kisung Koh in Way of Life II, the artist’s first solo exhibition in the gallery’s main space. Concurrently on view in the Thinkspace project room is No Broken Promises, featuring new stencil and acrylic spray paint works by husband and wife duo Jana & JS.
Game Realms will be celebrating the release of the highly anticipated Square Enix & Disney game, Kingdom Hearts III! Come visit our store to purchase the game, and meet two voice actors from the Kingdom Hearts series to have your games & merch signed! Feel free to bring in other items they have voiced for in the past! Quinton Flynn - Axel Kingdom Hearts Series and Bill Farmer - Goofy (Kingdom Hearts Series, Disney shows & films in person.
Join
scientist, Dr. Russell Cohen Hoffing; comedian and podcaster, Alexander
Fredric Shifman; stand up comedian Dylan Farr; and their guests as they
help us navigate through our bodies’ tiny wittle cells. Animals, have you heard about these things? They're crazy, right? But are they cool? That's the questions we and our guests, Greg Pauly Curator at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum and Katie Goldin Host of the hilarious podcast Creature Feature will try to solve!
Opening Celebration
Saturday, February 2nd, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Southern California Children's Museum 459 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101 $15
Imagination Dwells Hereis the first
ever interactive children's museum exhibition from the Bob Baker
Marionette Theater. Featuring key elements of the Bob Baker experience
including puppetry and manipulation, birthday parties and celebration,
performance, and enchantment, Imagination Dwells Here introduces
Bob Baker's world of creativity and imagination in a special engagement
at the Southern California Children's Museum.
Saturday, February 2, 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Hilton Hotel Los Angeles/Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Dr. Universal City, CA 91608
$30-$60
Come and experience Japanese food and culture through tastings, exciting shows, and fun workshops! Sample savory and sweet Japanese foods, taste varieties of sake, grab some delicious Japanese beer, and taste different Japanese beverages from over fifty exhibitors.
Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA
$tarts at at $30
DTLA’s Smorgasburg, a culinary epicenter of So-Cal, brings back this
one-of-a-kind event featuring delicious, cravable dumpling creations.
Enjoy offerings from Smorgasburg’s best and watch a Live card of
world-class Thoroughbred racing right from the trackside of the Santa
Anita homestretch.
Sat, February 2, 2019
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
939 E 31st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90011
FREE RSVP until day of, $20 online/at the door
Artfonfa proudly presents DESSART: A Taste of All Kinds of Art
Exhibition. This tasty exhibition will incorporate visual artists of all
mediums, live performances & DJ all night, various vendors, live body painting, live spray painting and tons of yummy desserts for sale!!
Join Farmers Market and The Grove for a spectacular Lunar New Year
Celebration on Saturday, February 2. Festivities include Chinese Dragon
and Lion dances, K-pop dance performances, martial arts demos, a pig
statue unveiling and other Year of the Pig themed activities! Check back
for a complete schedule of activities.
Celebrate the Year of the Pig during Lunar New Year February 2 – 18. Join Po and Tigress from Kung Fu Panda in
Po’s Village and savor Asian dishes at Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop. Meet
Illumination’s Minions in traditional Chinese attire and
Mandarin-speaking Megatron from TRANSFORMERS™, and new this year, Hello
Kitty joins us for the celebration. Plus, enjoy fun activities, live
entertainment and more.
THE SUPER BOWL
Sun, Feb 3, 3:30PM
Many, Many TV's
THE SUPER BOWL
Sun, Feb 3, 3:30PM
Downtown Independent
Free
Free screening of the Superbowl! Pre-show screening in the lobby, theater access at 3PM, kickoff at 3:30PM.
Shoplifters
Sun, Feb 3, 2019
7:30pm
Aero Theatre 1328 Montana Avenue,
Santa Monica, CA 90403
$
Discussion following with director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
*We've still not caught this one. From Japan and the Palme D'or winner from last year's Cannes comes a tale of a family of con artists and theifs that take in a rich kid whose family doesn't event love them.
The first organist to ever receive a Grammy® Award, Paul Jacobs has been
a frequent and welcome guest at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Known for
playing demanding programs without scores, he has memorized the complete
works of Messiaen, Bach, Brahms, and Franck.
DIY Arcade class
Sundays in February
Noon -2pm
Royce's Arcade Warehouse 21817 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311 $350
"Back by popular demand is our DIY Arcade class. Learn the basics of
classic arcade wiring and build your own handheld game panel with over
500 games. Play it at home on your HDMI TV and impress your friends. No
kits, no coding. This is vintage arcade instruction for kids of all
ages. Space is limited. Class sessions are two hours long, four classes in total."
Queen Mary's Chinese New Year: Shanghai Nights
Tuesday, February 5, 6pm
The Queen Mary 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
Tickets to Chinese New Year: Shanghai Nights aboard the Queen Mary are
currently on-sale starting at $99.99 general admission adult and $49.99
for children ages 4 to 11.
Shanghai Nights will honor the Year of the Pig with traditional
Chinese culture, cuisine, and entertainment featuring Wushu Shaolin lion
and dragon dancing, Wushu Warriors Shaolin acrobatics, a guzheng
ensemble, and much more.
