Today I had lunch with an old friend. For about two years, I saw the dude pretty much every other week, and we went to museums, art shows, art book fairs, and a lot of my favorite places around L.A. Sounds cool, right? And did I mention that he was an elementary school kid whose...
It's amazing when a young band makes music, hits the road, and stirs up a movement. 7Seconds' first EPs and albums were not only among the first to fly the hardcore punk flag in the early '80s but also introduced a humanist agenda (in the face of nihilism) and launched the youth crew concept (that...
I love what the folks at LA Game Space are trying to do. The nonprofit, interdisciplinary, experimental, and totally indie center for the art, design, and research of video games will host residencies, exhibitions, research labs, speaker series, and workshops in their upcoming downtown location. In essence, they are taking the video game medium that...
Unless they drive me crazy, I love zines, blog, and vlogs. In my opinion, they document a scene more accurately than the mainstream media or even academia because their bias is honest and internal. The blurring of fandom, journalism, and the culture they gush about is exciting, passionate, and real. At s result, they're much...
I'm super proud of my friend Erik Caruso, who teaches fifth grade at Wirtz Elementary in Paramount. In response to the lack of funding for the arts in public education, he has approached and engaged some of his favorite contemporary artists to start a very cool tradition at his school. For five years, students have...
I think that anyone who lives in L.A. has to visit The Magic Castle before he or she dies or moves. It's one of the most unique and secretive spots in the city. Or anywhere. Established in 1963 to showcase magic for members of the Academy of Magical Arts, it's pretty much the equivalent of...
Sunday's Save Music in Chinatown benefit faced the hottest weather (coming off the 100s during the week) and the most competition (Zero Boys matinee at the Redwood, BBQ with The Last in San Pedro). But it was possibly the deepest in terms of punk pedigree with links to heavyweights like Black Flag, Jawbreaker, and Green...
On Sunday, my wife and I will be putting on our third Save Music in Chinatown benefit. You'd think we'd be experts at this by now. Or that we had some experience with concerts before attempting to raise money for music education at our daughter's elementary school. Sadly, neither is true. But we don't pretend...
Well, that was fast. After months of screenings, meetings, and preparation, my part at the 30th annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is over just like that. It was only five nights ago that the L.A. premiere of To Be Takei served as the gala opening. And how cool was that to see George and...
Last Thursday, I drove over to Space 15 Twenty in Hollywood to attend the release party for my friend Justin "Scrappers" Morrison's new magazine. It's pretty bold for anyone to start a print publication these days, but that's how Scrappers approaches his life, art, and work. He just goes for it. And Scrappers has had...