Downtown Muse

I'm Melissa Richardson Banks (also known as #MRB). I'm an independent cultural producer and unexpected street photographer who has lived, worked and played in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles since 1993. I run this Tumblr blog accompanied by a website and an extended social media presence to share my daily photos and stories that document people, places, events, street scenes, activities and other items of interest in my quickly changing neighborhood. Often, I give free walking and cycling tours of the area through my #RADDsocial, which is the Arts District Social Club that I founded. If that isn't enough, I also own and operate a marketing firm founded in 2001 called CauseConnect. In addition, I manage The Chicano Collection of Cheech Marin.

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NEW! Millwick Event Space for Weddings, Pop-Up Exhibits & More!

Millwick Event Space 800 E. 4th Pl, Los Angeles 90013 [phone] • Send Email www.marvimon.com/millwick

Marvimon Productions has moved to the Arts District! Its Millwick event space is centrally located in a building nearly a century old that was originally built as a livery, then later used as a cold-storage warehouse followed by its last use as an organic hydroponics produce company. The…

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LOS ANGELES: Downtown Goes Country at LA LIVE

LOS ANGELES: Downtown Goes Country at LA LIVE

This Texas gal is always looking to kick up my heels and DANCE in Downtown Los Angeles! DON’T MISS the return of Round Up at LA LIVE, the ultimate country street party presented this year by Avión Tequila,

Grab your Western boots, put on your cowboy hats, and come party with me and thousands more on FRI 8/25 @ 6-11 PM!

There will be live music by country stars and local musicians such as Jordan…

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VIDEO: Cheech and Chicano Art

VIDEO: Cheech and Chicano Art

Link: VIDEO: Cheech and Chicano Art

Downtown Muse proudly manages the Chicano art collection of legendary comedian Cheech Marin who owns one of the largest and most renowned collections of its kind in America (and perhaps the world). Here’s a short documentary video produced by Yahoo! News (and released today) about Cheech and his passion for art.

Cheech Marin’s website

Chicanitas Exhibition…

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DTLA Insider Tip #1 from Downtown Muse

DTLA Insider Tip #1 from Downtown Muse

Avoid LONG LINES at any U.S. Postal Service location downtown by mailing your packages and letters instead at Jetcell in Little Tokyo’s Honda Plaza @ 406 E. 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012, [phone]. Free parking, OPEN on Sundays, on-site notary services (call first to schedule), and inexpensive shipping recommendations from Peter and Dee!

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Subscribe to the Downtown Muse!

Subscribe to the Downtown Muse!

Link: Subscribe to the Downtown Muse!

Love the Arts District? Want to know what’s happening in our Downtown Los Angeles neighborhood? Subscribe to the Downtown Muse newsletter to get information about the best places to eat and play, the people who live and work here, latest street art installations, and upcoming events. Don’t worry — it’s only sent occasionally so you won’t be blasted with an…

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MUSE-ings - Snapshots of the Arts District, Downtown Los Angeles Photography Book

MUSE-ings – Snapshots of the Arts District, Downtown Los Angeles Photography Book

MUSE-ings: Snapshots of the Arts District, Downtown Los Angeles features my signature “on-the-fly” narrative images depicting my fast-changing urban neighborhood. The book is available for sale at local retailers and online through my website and Amazon.com.

Captured and shared daily, my photographs are intended to give an insider’s glimpse into the Arts District, which was transformed in the…

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XXOO … mural by @jameswildexo #DTLAdarknights #LALIVE #DTLA 5.19.17 @mylalive

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Sun-filled roaming performances by the amazing stiltwalkers @rebeccafireplug @phinasera @bradyspindel #DTLAdarknights #LALIVE #DTLA 5.19.17 @mylalive

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#DTLAdarknights mural by @septerhed #LALIVE #DTLA 5.19.17 @mylalive

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Hanging with the amazing muralist @sandoner ️ #DTLAdarknights #LALIVE #DTLA 5.19.17 @mylalive

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#BLOOM this! @colettemillerwings @artshare_la #ArtsDistrict #DTLA 5.23.17

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#BLOOM this again! @clickmilah @colettemillerwings @artshare_la 5.23.17

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Last-minute invite to a gala? Always go with someone who's ready to roll! @realjameshutson @htownmuse @molaaart #LongBeach 5.20.17

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Proudly speaking on behalf of #CheechMarin for item 29 #TheCheech at Riverside City Council 5.16.17 #Riverside @cheechmarinofficial #ChicanoArt

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Post-Bloom #ArtsDistrict #DTLA 5.23.17

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@downtownmuse prepping for @causeconnect client event with our vendor @tacer_losangeles #LittleTokyo #DTLA 5.25.17

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Talking art @greg.escalante #Chinatown #DTLA 5.25.17