Downtown Map Event Calendar Peking Tavern Chelsea Wolfe

SEPT 2015 ISSUE 13

THE INSIDER GUIDE TO DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

PAGE 4 MATTHEW BARNEY AT MOCA Avant-garde filmmaker and artist Matthew Barney brings his first ever major museum exhibit in Los Angeles with the epic River of Fundament. Matthew Barney and Jonathan Bepler, River of Fundament, 2014, production still, courtesy of Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels, © Matthew Barney, photo by Hugo Glendinning Hugo by photo Barney, © Matthew and Brussels, York New Gallery, of Gladstone still, courtesy 2014, production of Fundament, River Bepler, and Jonathan Barney Matthew PEKING TAVERN DOWNTOWN MAP CHELSEA WOLFE The authentic, hole-in-the-wall Chinese tavern who are PAGE 12 The unearthly singer returns to DTLA for a letting you in on the secrets of traditional food and night of beauty, dreams, and devastation. liquor in Beijing, circa 1994. EVENT CALENDAR PAGE 8 PAGE 23 PAGE 14

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IN THIS ISSUE LONG LIVE DOWNTOWN 4 MATTHEW BARNEY AT MOCA THE INSIDER’S VIEW OF DOWNTOWN CULTURE, FOOD, DRINKS, FASHION & THE PEOPLE WHO SHAPE IT. 6 LA CITA

A FERROCONCRETE PUBLICATION — ferroconcrete.com — 8 PEKING TAVERN THANK Editor-in-Chief & Creative Director: Yo Santosa Managing Editor: Scott Meisse PATTERN BAR Designer & Art Director: Mike Payne 10 Assistant Editor & Staff Writer: Janica de Guzman Writers: Stephen Day, Linda Hosmer, Rayna Jensen, Janet Sung MAP OF DOWNTOWN YOU 12 Photographers: Alyse Gilbert, Oriana Koren, Samantha Romero, Caleb Thal, Christian Thomas Videographers: Kort Havens & Logan Havens 14 AN INTERVIEW WITH CHELSEA WOLFE

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SEPTEMBER 2015 / ISSUE 13 — © 2015 LA Downtowner, Inc. WWW.LADOWNTOWNER.COM 4 5 FUNDAMENT at Museum of Old and New (MONA), 2014-15, photo by Art Rémi Chauvin/MONA Matthew Barney, Shaduf, 2014, cast brass, 144 x 120 180 in., courtesy and Gladstone Gallery, of the artist New York and Brussels, installation view of Matthew Barney: RIVER OF

being created. This idea of working with brass MATTHEW and bronze, focusing on the narrative around these ancient materials and traditional casting. There’s a primeval sensibility.” BARNEY Matthew Barney garnered immense and deserved critical acclaim with The CREMASTER Cycle, and this dense, complicated, AT MOCA and otherworldly cinematic series has ties to River of Fundament too. Tattersall explains, RIVER OF FUNDAMENT “Matthew Barney has worked with interweaving of personal and historical mythologies. Here Written By Scott Meisse Videography By Kort Havens & Logan Havens he’s tapping into both Norman Mailer’s novel, and the ancient Egyptian text Book of the Dead, there’s this very broad scope of time.” Broad This month The Geffen Contemporary at indeed, as the large scale, sight specific, filmic MOCA will launch its most ambitious exhibit opera’s parallel narrative takes us from Detroit of the year with avant-garde filmmaker and to Los Angeles, capturing the protagonist’s Matthew Barney. Canopic Chest (detail), 2009–11, cast bronze, 73 1/2 × 165 × 243 in., installation view of Matthew Barney: RIVER OF FUNDAMENT at Haus der Kunst, 2014, courtesy of Haus der Kunst, 2014, courtesy at RIVER OF FUNDAMENT Barney: of Matthew view × 165 243 in., installation 73 1/2 2009–11, cast bronze, Canopic Chest (detail), Barney. Matthew Maximilian Geuter by photo and Brussels, York New the artist Gallery, and Gladstone

Matthew Barney and Jonathan Bepler, River of Fundament, 2014, production still, courtesy of Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels, © Matthew Barney, photo by Hugo Glendinning artist, Matthew Barney’s River of Fundament. transformations (both physical and spiritual), It’s already been an impressive year for modern industrial processing in the auto MOCA in their post Deitch-era, but bringing industry, indigenous music and dance — all Matthew Barney to Downtown is especially while mirroring ancient Egyptian mythology, significant. This is Barney’s first ever major and of course, Norman Mailer himself. “It’s museum appearance in Los Angeles, and his also a cautionary tale,” says Tattersall, “about largest project since The CREMASTER Cycle, human’s relationship to nature, and a failure of his juggernaut series of films from 1994-2002. a will-to-power.” In his latest epic, River of Fundament, longtime It’s not shocking Mathew Barney hasn’t had collaborator, composer Jonathan Bepler a museum show in the land of Hollywood yet, returns as well as a few key elements and his work as a filmmaker’s work doesn’t quite Shop hand-picked art, furniture & decór at characters from CREMASTER 3. Again massive reach ‘the Hollywood tentacle’. That this new, wholesale prices. in scope, Barney’s latest project has been in the monumental work comes to LA now, is an works since ’06. The large scale exhibition of exciting landmark for all of LA. Tattersall feels NEXT SALE SEPTEMBER 18 - 20 sculptures, storyboards, and illustrations will it too, “It makes sense for Los Angeles, being a FRI - SAT - SUN Matthew Barney and Jonathan Bepler, River of Fundament, 2014, production still, courtesy of Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels, © Matthew © Matthew and Brussels, York New Gallery, of Gladstone still, courtesy 2014, production of Fundament, River Bepler, and Jonathan Barney Matthew Glendinning Hugo by photo Barney, be accompanied by the film at MOCA. cinematic town. We’ll be building a cinema in Loosely based on Norman Mailer’s 1983 the Geffen itself, which will be a totally new epic, wildly crude, and phantasmagoric Ancient thing.” Expect to see the film while you’re here, Evenings, Barney weaves a multi-layered, but Tattersall explains it best, “The bulk of the Barney: RIVER OF FUNDAMENT at Haus der Kunst, 2014, courtesy Laurenz Foundation, Schaulager, Basel, photo by Maximilian Geuter Matthew Barney, Boat of Ra, 2014, wood, cast bronze, resin-bonded steel, sand, and gold plating, 132 × 600 288 in., installation view of Matthew surreal, and complex tale that, like his previous exhibition is sculpture, that will reward very films, incorporates the sculptural process of close looking. There’s expertly crafted pieces his work. “There are works that appear in the here . . . and a mystery about them and the film, and others that deal with the language film that’s quite wonderful. Matthew is a great of the materials, what Barney considers the storyteller, he raises questions that speak to narrative progression of materials”, Lanka basic, primal drives. He asks grand questions Tattersall, MOCA’s Assistant Curator explains. about what it is to be human.” The exhibition’s sculptures, “are not a literal translation, it’s not the set, but pieces from the film that are re-configured and transformed.” FIND OUT MORE: riveroffundament.net / moca.org The film includes the largest non-industrial

metal pour ever. “You see that in the film, this AND WATCH THE FEATURETTE: incredible moment surrounded by musicians, ladowntowner.com/matthew-barney-at-moca the film’s characters, and you see the sculpture Matthew Barney and Jonathan Bepler, River of Fundament, 2014, production still, courtesy of Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels, © Matthew Barney, photo by Hugo Glendinning Hugo by photo Barney, © Matthew and Brussels, York New Gallery, of Gladstone still, courtesy 2014, production of Fundament, River Bepler, and Jonathan Barney Matthew

La Cita is made up of two parts with two hearts. Grab a drink at the front bar and bear witness to live music as sauced up dancers scuff the floor LA CITA to the beats of Latin banda, DJs or punk rock. SWEAT, BLOOD, AND MARYS Relax in the back patio, notably known as ‘El Patio,’ where smokers hold quiet conversations Written By Janica de Guzman Photographed By Christian Thomas and dancers catch their breath. Staying true to its roots, Sundays are reserved for Doble Poder, a 7 hour homage to banda music where people At the landing of Angels Flight, stands the black stomp their boots off for a straight 45 minutes — sheep of Bunker Hill: La Cita, the dive bar above every hour. However, Sundays are not complete all dive bars. without nursing a hangover, El Patio hosts build Enter into eye shocking darkness, give it a your own bloody marys for all weekend brunch minute; you’ll slowly adjust to the red haze that enthusiasts. “We have a great appreciation for radiates off string lights and mariachi decor. differences in culture and we celebrate that. Cocktails, micheladas, and buckets of beer are We’re not trying to be anything other than what slung across the bar to patrons; some alone, we are, we let it evolve into what it is.” The days some rowdy, but mostly regulars. An older alternate with different vibes, varying between woman sat alone sipping a beer — she giggled weekly gay dance parties, pin-up rockabillies or at her phone and chatted with the bouncer in a punky reggae. This harmonious clash in cultures tender, motherly manner. She knows everyone is what makes La Cita, uniquely La Cita. by name. In a city undergoing constant change, La Cita Originally, La Cita was a family owned stands quietly on the sidelines observing the Mexican club that sustained three generations outgoing and the incoming, all while keeping before Carl Lofgren, David Neupert, Pete one thing in mind, “We don’t stay safe, we like Lenavitt and Jeff Semones bought it in 2006. to mix it up. We’re here for the community. We At that time customers expressed some fear in want to build the city of downtown, not make it losing their beloved dancehall to money hungry competitive, we’re part of what makes LA better.” businessmen — but not these guys. “We felt an obligation to maintain the legacy,” says Carl, “we took the space, saw what revolves around it and FIND THEM HERE: 336 S Hill St. we amplify it.” lacitabar.com

The décor is Chinese eclectic meets new- PEKING TAVERN downtown. The long, glistening bar, with eighteen craft beers on tap, the mixed drinks that glisten DUMPLINGS UNDERGROUND like jewels, the Ping-Pong table in the back, you’ve maybe thought, “this is not authentic.” But Written By Rayna Jensen Photographed By Oriana Koren “authentic” is a slippery term. As far as Chinese food goes, Peking Tavern is not the San Gabriel Valley brand of Chinese, and it’s not trying to be. We like authenticity. We like hole-in-the-walls, The inspiration for the restaurant comes from mom and pop shops. We like the old-world, the the ten years tavern owners Andrew Wong and unfamiliar, we like to feel like we’re being let in on Andrew Chiu lived in China. Peking Tavern is Beijing things that are hidden and secret. circa 1994, the window of time when China was Underneath the 800 block on Spring Street, first transitioning from a communist to a free down two flights of stairs, is Peking Tavern. Just market economy. outside the door, a window the size of a ticket “The best way to describe this is like going booth looks into the kitchen. On a lucky Saturday, from black and white to color,” Wong says. you might catch their in-house artist — a chef who Food, which was once confined to identical has spent decades crafting dumplings and dough stalls serving identical, government-rationed — folding dumpling skins or swinging out yard-long ingredients, saw a resurgence of the traditional. tubes for noodles. The fish dumpling that’s on the Tradition, after being locked away for so long, menu, served in a Szechwan red oil garlic sauce, was suddenly something fresh and novel. People was even awarded $10,000 on Travel Channel. were cooking again in the way that they knew, Inside, against the far wall, is the bar. Peking with the same recipes and spices that had lasted Tavern is one of only two places in the country to generations, only the cultural climate had changed. serve baijiu, a high-proof Chinese liquor distilled And that’s at the heart of what Peking Tavern primarily from sorghum. Depending on the brand, does: its traditional food in the traditional way, the flavor of baijiu varies between intensely fruity evolved a step to meet the needs of downtown (think papaya, mango, plum) and toasted and culture and palate. savory. Our favorite rendition is the Wong Chiu “We’re not making food so only certain people Punch, with hibiscus and fresh lemon juice. can consume it,” Wong says. “Yes, we’ve made Of course, there are all the usual suspects too, adjustments, but not to the point where it doesn’t some of which have evolved a bit, and for the have a connection to our own past.” better. The Manhattan and Old Fashioned use a specially made Five-Spice bitters, the five-spice being the ubiquitous blend of cinnamon, star anise, FIND THEM HERE: 806 S Spring St. Szechwan pepper corn, and fennel seed used in tooguapo.com Northern Chinese cooking.

In 2011, Eduardo Castillo opened up Pattern Bar after falling in love with the corner it sits on. The bar’s menu offers Spanish-style sandwiches PATTERN and tapas, but its most unique offering hails from Castillo’s roots — Venezuelan corn cakes, also known as “arepas”. The drinks are stiff BAR concoctions that are appropriately named after only the most “haute” of design houses: HAUTE SHOTS the Dior, the McQueen, and the Balenciaga to name a few. The Chanel is a crowd favorite and Written By Janet Sung Photographed By Caleb Thal includes reposado tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeño. With the rapid development of downtown, With its tall, mirrored columns and black-and- there comes more opportunity for businesses. white décor, Pattern Bar is no stranger to a A.P.C., Acne, and Tanner Goods are all part of sophisticated aesthetic. Upon entrance, the the recent retail movement and sit just around R O T E L L I C Y C L E R Y . C O M 1133 E 5TH ST | DTLA ARTS DISTRICT dark ambiance is perfectly complemented by the corner from Pattern Bar. Take it from Jose, soft natural light coming through the enormous one of the bartenders who has been with the 2 1 3 . 6 2 1 . 7 9 2 2 windows and high ceilings. Located on the BIKES | COMMUNITY | STUMPTOWN COFFEE bar since its opening, “Each year gets better. WORKSHOPS | EVENTS | REPAIRS bustling corner of 9th and Spring, the bar resides This year has been amazing because of the in the epicenter of LA’s fashion district. Across many stores and restaurants that have popped the street sits The Cooper Building and The New up. Every week we have at least one customer Mart, which house the showrooms of everyone’s who says they never knew we were here.” favorite clothing brands. A few blocks even The bar prides itself on its amazing sound further east, the manufacturing world comes to system; a DJ spins each week from Thursday life. Every trim, fabric, button, and zipper you to Saturday. Come visit and treat yourself to could ever think of has an entire store dedicated a designer drink and hip tunes. to it. Visit any day of the week, and you’ll find yourself nestled amidst the style-inclined who like to enjoy an elevated cocktail and unwind FIND THEM HERE: 100 W 9th St. after a long day of line-sheets and buyers. patternbar.com

R O T E L L I C Y C L E R Y . C O M 1133 E 5TH ST | DTLA ARTS DISTRICT 2 1 3 . 6 2 1 . 7 9 2 2 BIKES | COMMUNITY | STUMPTOWN COFFEE WORKSHOPS | EVENTS | REPAIRS WASHINGTON BLVD. VENICE BLVD. PICO BLVD. 11TH ST. OLYMPIC BLVD. 9TH ST. 8TH ST. 7TH ST. WILSHIRE BLVD. 6TH ST. 5TH ST. 4TH ST. 3RD ST. 2ND ST. ST.1ST TEMPLE ST. CHAVEZCESAR E. AVE.

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SANTA FE AVE. G D A C B E F LA RIVER LA CITY STREETS FREEWAYS *MAP SIMPLIFIED&NOT TO SCALE MOVE EAT DRINK chelseawolfe.net /theregenttheater.com 448 SMainSt. WOLFE CHELSEA riveroffundament.net /moca.org 152 NCentral Ave. MATTHEW BARNEY thefactorykitchen.com 1300 Factory Pl. FACTORY KITCHEN tooguapo.com 806 SSpringSt. PEKING TAVERN librarybarla.com 630 W6thSt.#116A LIBRARY BAR patternbar.com 100 W9thSt. PATTERN BAR lacitabar.com 336 SHillSt. CITALA SEPTEMBER 2015/ISSUE 13 B — 12 12 © 2015 LA Downtowner, ©2015LA Inc. D C 2 1 3 8 5 4 9 7 6 WWW.LADOWNTOWNER.COM G A E F 13 13 FAVORITES DOWNTOWN 8 9 6 4 7 2 5 3 1 Red Wings. tested, century-old company. Nobodyhasareputation quite like The onlyplace to go for stylish work bootsfrom atried-and- 226 E1stSt.—redwingshoestore.com RED WINGSHOESTORE event location. best indiefilmsinoneplace, andisalso available to rent asan This innovative andsleektheatre istheplace to catch allthe 251 SMainSt.—downtownindependent.com DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT best inthebusiness. Wittmore’s selection ofcarefully curated menswear isoneofthe Among thefirstspaces to openinThe Yards Santa at One Fe, Fe300 SSanta Ave. —shopwittmore.com WITTMORE butit’sJunction, one ofthebestdinerexperiences inthecity. town since 1948.You’ll have to venture into theindustrialMission A truelocal-haunt,Nick’s hasbeenserving thebesthamandeggs in 1300 NSpringSt.—nickscafela.com NICK’S CAFE poutine. masala a hybridofflavors, includingtheimpossibly deliciouschicken tikka The coolest, andperhaps only, Indiangastropub downtown serving 108 West 2ndSt.#104—badmaashla.com BADMAASH poke bowl to scoop upmoundsofyour favorite fishand toppings. Poke lovers shouldn’t belimited. Snocietyoffers abuildyour own 330 E2ndSt.—(213) 265-7879 SNOCIETY URBAN EATERY Bless you, 107! DTLA by staying openandoffering bargain-price beverages. The Downtown dive stalwart continues to fightback at gentrified 107 W4thSt.—(213) 625-7382 BAR 107 Bennets oftheworld, anyway? sticking your pinkyup,inabalanced salute to theMr. Darcys andMs. However, may we suggest gently grasping your finechinahandleand We hear that raising your pinkyduringhightea isquite thefaux pas. 506 SGrand Ave. —(213) 624-1011 RENDEZVOUS COURT AT THEBILTMORE juicetenders), thisisthehealth-conscious Downtowner’s non-negotiable. an inviting,intimate andorganic atmosphere (and theloveliest Your localcold press juice stop, makingeverything to order. With 548 SSpringSt.#114—sustainjuicery.com SUSTAIN JUICERY

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range of dynamics I lean toward naturally, I’ve Johnny Cash early. She started playing and always been obsessed with contrast”, Wolfe recording music as a child. This lends to her explains, “how the dark parts of the world range of sound from album to album. She made CHELSEA interact with the light.” For years she suffered her move to the Pico/Union area in her 20’s, from sleep paralysis, the dreamlike state of frequently using DTLA as a backdrop to three of being half asleep, able to move but unable to her albums, but some of her worst nights’ sleep. wake, her dream’s lingering apparitions still ‘I lived in a house with seven people. The song WOLFE visible in her room. Wolfe conjures this terror Feral Love was inspired by infusing my love of by pairing ethereal, sorrowful rests against nature with the sounds of Downtown.” Since RETURNS TO DTLA FOR A NIGHT violent crescendos of distortion and descending moving to the high desert, her sleep paralysis OF DREAMS AND DEVASTATION chord progressions. The results are disquieting; has mellowed, “but I’m charmed by Downtown,

Written & Photographed By Scott Meisse sometimes tender, others frightening. which is surprising, I’m not really a city person. The band worked for the first time with I really love Pattern Bar. I love fashion, so it producer John Congleton, (SWANS, St. Vincent, was always a lot of fun for me. Then we’d go to I had the opportunity to chat with Chelsea Earl Sweatshirt), who helped bring an immediacy Pizzanista which was amazing, and I love The Last Wolfe over cocktails at Sonny’s Hideaway to the vocals as well as a noticeably heavier, Bookstore. I liked to walk Skid Row too, I met a about her new album and life as a Downtowner. Sabbath-like, drop-D tuned guitar sound. The lot of fascinating people there.” Fans have no doubt been reading the heaps of band is formidable here, and stars longtime Chelsea Wolfe returns to DTLA this month glowing praise for Abyss, released in August accomplice Ben Chisolm, who hammers the to play The Regent Theater, her first time playing (her 5th album in as many years), likely agreeing deep, ominous bass and keyboard arrangements. LA as a headliner, rather than one of many bands it’s the band’s best release yet. ‘The best’ Ezra Buchla returns on viola, and Dylan Fujioka on the all too frequent ‘festival’ tours. “It will be claim, however, does her earlier albums a bit is once again spectacular on drums, seamlessly nice to have our own show, for our fans to see a of injustice, as each album tends to be equally ranging from acoustic to electronic sound full set. It will be our vibe and mood.” remarkable as the next. without ever sacrificing the raw and often brutal For the uninitiated, well, your time has come. Wolfe somehow gets better with each emotion of the songs. “What we’re doing is definitely what I want to do. album. She can shift genres completely or Pressed on black splattered, ice-blue vinyl, I like that we’re growing slowly. We’re playing to sometimes offer a culmination of what came the new record closely resembles the singer’s the people who are in our realm, understand our before, but with new ground unearthed. bright, preternatural eyes. Statuesque and music and appreciate it. It’s like making friends”, Described as ‘goth-folk’ to ‘metal’, she’s simply draped in black, Wolfe cuts a striking figure, but says Wolfe. Her show is an opportunity to see a too gifted a singer and songwriter to be pigeon- onstage connecting her very personal work to truly brilliant artist on the rise, as the venues will holed that easily. The ephemeral Unknown the crowd was difficult. “When I first started, likely only be getting larger in the future. It may Rooms: A Collection of Acoustic Songs from I was so painfully awkward about going on be premature to say she’s at her peak though, the 2012 was both intensely beautiful and heart stage, I had to wear a veil, I just couldn’t face next album could likely be her best. wrenching, a duality Wolfe touches upon and the audience. Since the second album, I’ve been evolved sonically in her most widely recognized making a lot of eye contact. Now at shows, I feel album, Pain is Beauty from 2013. like we’re having an experience together. I want SEE HER LIVE: The Regent Theater — 448 S Main St. it to be intimate.’ On Abyss, the dynamics are pushed even Sept 25th further, as she explores the murky realm Raised in Sacramento, Wolfe had musical between sleep and consciousness, light and and creative parents that turned her on to FIND OUT MORE: chelseawolfe.net / theregenttheater.com darkness, the serene and the terrifying. “The the likes of Hank Williams, Joni Mitchell, and

Factory’s selection will erase your previous Italian dining experiences and replace them FACTORY with an appetizing addiction. The dishes aren’t drowning in a disguise. Here the pasta speaks up. First-timers at Factory Kitchen should take KITCHEN Ferdinandi’s cheat sheet to heart. Start with the Parma prosciutto that’s been aged 24 months ITALIAN STAYCATION and sits on a fluffy cloud of sage dough with stracciatella drizzled with Ligurian olive oil. Written by Linda Hosmer Photographed By Alyse Gilbert Next try their signature Mandilli di Seta: silky handkerchief pasta with Ligurian almond basil pesto that’ll have you closing your eyes in public “I want them to feel in Italy for a second,” says as you attempt to memorize the moment. The Factory Kitchen’s CEO Matteo Ferdinandi. Then Ferdinandi suggests you try the traditional But his promise of a tasty vacation lasts longer Focaccina, the perfect warm-up to your entrée than a mere second as its menu takes you on a of choice. culinary journey that has you booking your next Factory sources its ingredients locally and trip back. its fish is flown in from the Mediterranean. The Factory Kitchen is a neighborhood Meanwhile Ferdinandi’s wife, Francine, a certified trattoria tucked inside an industrial building, sommelier will impress any thirsty guest with away from the bustling core of downtown. her careful wine selection. You can also sip It’s the elusive hideaway you’re eager to tell seasonal cocktails. The Mezcali and Cream on friends about. Chrome are favorites. The small and simple layout is inviting with And even though Ferdinandi and Auriana worn down concrete pillars sparing you the have both enjoyed success alongside giants in stuffiness usually associated with Italian joints the restaurant world from Wolfgang Puck to in LA. The kitchen is open and takes center Celestino Drago to Piero Selvaggio these two stage with the restaurant’s star ingredient — guys are focused beyond bragging rights, “We’re handmade pasta. You get to see you’re in good very humble. We’re just artisans, and we’re hands, as famed Executive Chef Angelo Auriana artisans that take pride in what they do, we’re serves up plates backed by decades of training very passionate.” paired with his instinct for pasta making. “It’s something you need to bring on within your DNA, within your heart, within your soul, “ FIND THEM HERE: 1300 Factory Pl. Ferdinandi praises Auriana his longtime friend thefactorykitchen.com and now partner in delectable crime.

PHOTO CREDIT: DIANA VISHNEVA AS CINDERELLA & KONSTANTIN ZVEREV AS THE PRINCE

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Fatale”. The décor feels stately yet familiar — the LIBRARY aging bookshelf on the back wall, small fireplace, and bust of Shakespeare at its core. Patrons occasionally ask if they can check BAR out books from the small library, and while the bar is cool with people reading, they don’t let A DECADE ON... people take the books home too. “People get a kick out of that though,” says Valenti. “They pick Written By Stephen Day Photographed By Samantha Romero up random books and read them and share them with their friends . . . people have definitely left notes for each other [in the books] and played When Library Bar opened a decade ago there was little games with each other too.” very little around it. Businessmen and women Many things have changed around the bar over flooded into the Financial District every day for the years, but one thing that hasn’t is the crowd. work and left straight after, with no consideration “We’ve had regulars who have been coming toward staying in the city to reflect on the day here for eight years during our happy hour,” says with colleagues. “It was a very different place Andrew All, General Manger. “Ultimately, it still to what it is today,” says Jonny Valenti, principal carries on the tradition the bar started with . . . but partner and founder of ACME hospitality group, there’s a lot more competition downtown now who own a number of bars downtown including and a lot more new bars opening up, so you stay Library Bar. “It was dangerous too, on many levels.” relevant. You have to make sure you’re keeping up Today, the area is a hive of activity, but Library with the times.” Bar remains as it always has — the long, upward- While tasteful and elegant, there’s a tilting blinds and shadows cast by surrounding mischievous streak that emerges from the buildings creating an oasis from the year-round shadows each night around nine – when the summer light. “Time stops when you come in crowd has settled into their drams and the energy here,” says Valenti. “There’s no clock, so you can’t of the room is reaching an energetic peak. This really gauge exactly what time of day it is. It’s a holds until the last secrets are being playfully nice little getaway.” whispered between lovers in the corner, by a 3rd The mirrored wall behind the bar is partially edition A Farewell to Arms and tattered, hard- obscured by rows of spirits and a hand-written cover copy of East of Eden. Only then are the menu, but the dimmed, overhead lighting offers doors reluctantly closed for another night, and Design Center enough reflection between the words to see a the romance of the quiet city streets becomes Wednesday softly lit and becoming face staring back at you accountable for carrying the lovers home. Sept 30, 9am–5pm through the dark. The nature of the bar itself and Premium designer furniture & décor. its dependable patrons is approachable, with an Shop furniture, lighting, rugs, upholstery, FIND THEM HERE: extensive cocktail menu featuring creative literary bedding, antiques, art, outdoor furniture 630 W 6th St. #116A and decorative accessories. titles such as the “Big Bad Wolf” and “Femme librarybarla.com LA Mart Design Center 800.LA.MART.4 1933 S. Broadway lamart.com Los Angeles, CA 90007

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DOWNTOWN EVENT CALENDAR

INDUSTRY PARTNERS 213 943 4677 SEPTEMBER 2015 [email protected] INDUSTRYPARTNERS.COM SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY CARLE PIEROSE ROBERT D. ERICKSON 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 WAVEY THANK GOD DODGERS MWA NOIR MORRISEYOKE HBD UNDISCOVERED POOL PARTY IT’S MONDAY VS SLAM Eastside Luv LA 5K CHINATOWN Hotel Figueroa Honeycut GIANTS The Last Bookstore 1835 E 1st St. Blacklist LA Chinatown 939 S Figueroa St. 819 S Flower St. Dodger Stadium 453 S Spring St. 8PM La Plaza De Olvera St. 800 N Broadway 1000 Elysian Park Ave. 2:30 – 8PM 10PM 7 – 8:30PM Come fully prepared to 6:30PM 10:30AM – 1PM 7:10PM be your best Morrisey. New High Street Drinks, DJs and bikinis. Dance away the lingering Take a walk on the wild Little did you know, Sept There’s more to Chinatown What’s Sunday Funday weekend energy to Free Justin Turner side — a fierce, fast- 4th is LA’s birthday. Run for than dim sum, discover the without a pool? 90s jams. bobblehead giveaway as paced trip to the edge the love of our city. history and treasures in 758 Los Doyers take on their of modern noir. this walking tour. division rivals.

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 HISTORIC VIVA THOMAS ADÈS & WITTMORE X DOWNTOWN GUERRILLA TACOS JAWS DOWNTOWN MONDAYS GLORIA CHENG MATSUDA ART WALK Blacktop Coffee Electric Dusk Drive-In FARMERS MARKET Hotel Figueroa Colburn School of Wittmore MOCA Grand Ave. 826 E 3rd St. 1000 San Julian St. 652 Mateo St. #107 939 S Figueroa St. Music – Zipper Hall 300 S Santa Fe Ave. 6th & Spring St. 10AM – 2PM 7:30PM 9AM – 2PM 200 S Grand Ave. 7 – 10PM 11AM – 7PM 12 – 10PM 8PM Guerrilla Tacos’ food Don’t worry there’s no Come with family or friends Free shows from The Arts District store truck will be parked outside, water below your feet for the day and find some Downtown’s free, North Spring International bands at the Adès debuts Concert opens their temporary self-guided, public art catering to your insatiable at Electric Dusk for this of the freshest produce Veranda Poolside Lounge Paraphrase on Powder Matsuda Eyewear phenomenon. Grab a Arts District lunch-rush thriller — we’re in available downtown. with bonus Happy Hours Her Face with Piano sunglasses boutique friend and start walking. desires. a drought. 759 from 4-7pm & 10-11pm. Spheres’ Cheng. and exhibition.

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 MATTHEW WAVVES EL GRITO JAZZ UNDER THE FREE LEGAL CONSIGN Historic, Distinct, and Reinvigorated. BARNEY: RIVER OF Teragram Ballroom La Cita WEDNESDAYS INFLUENCE CONSULTATIONS YOUR DESIGN! FUNDAMENT 1234 W 7th St. 336 S Hill St. Urban Radish The Last Bookstore LA County Law Library Billings Auction The Geffen 661 Imperial St. 453 S Spring St. 301 W 1st St. 1919 Bay St. 7PM 4PM Contemporary at MOCA 1 – 4PM 152 N Central Ave. 6 – 9PM 7:30 – 9PM Seeking and showcasing a Check out Wavves’ Celebrate Mexican wide range of modernist Chinatown Creative Spaces Now Available. charmingly messy, no-fi Independence Day with Dinner Specials & Readings from Joe Once-a-month, volunteer 11AM – 6PM attorneys are available vintage furnishings, art, sound, supported by drink specials and free Summer Grill featuring Clifford, Ryan Leone, and objects and accessories Barney’s largest filmic Twin Peaks! tacos! . . . while they last. live music from Kyle Jerry Stahl from what for free 20 minute consultations on a first for a fun, cool and undertaking since The Crane Band. is considered to be the curated sale. CREMASTER Cycle. best junkie memoir ever. come, first serve basis.

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WAVEY POOL PARY PSYCHIC TV THE MAKERS FARMER’S SOCIAL HOUR CHELSEA WOLFE BRIDGET Available Space Hotel Figueroa Telegram Ballroom Seven Grand MARKET Barrel Down The Regent JONES’S DIARY 939 S Figueroa St. 1234 W 7th St. 515 7th St. Pershing Square 525 W 7th St. 448 S Main St. Electric Dusk Drive-In 532 S Olive St. 1000 San Julian St. 11AM, 1:30, & 4PM 8PM 10PM – 1AM 4 – 7PM 9PM 9AM – 2PM 7PM Creative Office: The Well & Dim Mak A rare chance (and Improvised Jazz & Enjoy the Financial District Chelsea Wolfe’s return present the second to last possibly your last) to Unrelenting Whiskies. Re-stock your fridge beer hall’s food and drink to DTLA marks the first Relive the magic of Hugh 4,400 RSF to Pool Party of the summer experience Genesis and pantry with the specials that are sure to opportunity for residents Grant circa 2001 at Veranda Bar. Get wet Breyer P-Orridge and best of the best and quench any thirst and to see this truly brilliant 13,000 RSF and wavey! the band. freshest of the fresh! satisfy any appetite. artist-on-the-rise, since North Spring the release of Abyss. 837 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 Retail: + Rail Transit Accessible Chinatown SANGRIA RATATAT TROUBLEMAKERS: HAPPY HOUR THE SOUND GRAND CENTRAL BEETHOVEN’S SUNDAYS The Mayan THE STORY OF Library Bar OF MUSIC MARKET SYMPHONIES 4,000 RSF to + Ample On & Off Street Parking The Westin Plaza Deck 1038 S Hill St. LAND ART 630 W 6th St. The Ahmanson Theatre 317 S Broadway Walt Disney Concert Hall 404 S Figueroa St. The Theatre at Ace Hotel 135 N Grand Ave. 111 S Grand Ave. + Highly Walkable Neighborhood 8PM 929 S Broadway 3 – 7PM ‘TIL 9PM 10,000 RSF 4 – 9PM 8PM 2 & 8PM + Historic & Culturally Rich District Check out one of the 7PM Good literature and cheap The jewel in the crown of RSVP to The Patio guest coolest duos in music drinks at your favorite Three-time Tony Award Downtown eating, grab LA Phil presents Immortal list before 1PM for music, as they tour their A special screening Financial District winner Jack O’Brien launches a Madcapra falafel, G&B Beethoven with Symphonies drinks, friends and fun! new album, Magnifique. followed by a Q&A with watering hole. the North-American tour of Coffee, McConnell’s Ice 5 & 6 during the matinee director James Crump and the world’s most beloved Cream or so much more and Symphonies 7 & 8 MANAGED BY Philippe Vergne. musical at The Ahmanson. until 9pm. during the evening show.

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