Pop Radar LA

The 411 on L.A. happenings, TV/Film/Music news and other cool stuff. 

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Giant Robot Biennale 5 Now Open

Giant Robot Biennale 5 is now open at JANM in Little Tokyo.

— photos and story by Christine N. Ziemba

Move over Frieze. The fifth edition of the Giant Robot Biennale opened on Friday night (March 1) at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in L.A.'s Little Tokyo.

The art exhibition, which has recurred since 2007, was once again organized by JANM and Eric Nakamura, founder of Giant Robot — the former magazine and now shop and gallery on Sawtelle Boulevard.

Channeling the Giant Robot ethos, the Biennale highlights an array of Asian and Asian American alternative pop art and culture works, taking inspiration from skateboard culture, comic books, graphic design, and vinyl toy culture.

The opening night featured hundreds of guests waiting in winding lines — JANM is a smaller museum — to see works by artists Sean Chao, Felicia Chiao, Luke Chueh, Giorgiko, James Jean, Taylor Lee, Mike Shinoda, Rain Szeto, and Yoskay Yamamoto and others. 

The exhibition spreads across three rooms, with eye-catching works stretching end-to-end. Here are a few of our favorites.

Detail of a print forthcoming book cover for a Giant Robot 30th anniversary book by Felicia Chiao. It pays homage to the store, gallery and its famed Post-It Show | Photo: Christine N. Ziemba

This painting Far from Home 2 is an homage to artist Giorgiko's grandmother who spent the last two years of high school living in a Jewish American family’s home in Minnesota, earning her keep because her own family couldn't be kept together. | Photo: Christine N. Ziemba

These acrylics on canvas, You Are What You Eat, Red Eye and Golden Eye, (l-r) are from Luke Chueh. | Photos: Christine N. Ziemba

This colorful tiger wall tapestry was created by artist James Jean. | Photo: Christine N. Ziemba

This sculpture/installation is by Yoskay Yamamoto. Photo: Christine N. Ziemba

The Giant Robot Biennale featured works by Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, who showed his Fort Minor series for the first time in public. | Photo: Christine N. Ziemba

Old Giant Robot Magazine covers are also on view at the museum. | Photo: Christine N. Ziemba

Giant Robot Biennale 5 On view through Sept. 1, 2024 Japanese American National Museum 100 N. Central Ave., downtown L.A. (Little Tokyo) Admission: $9 - $16

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Anatomy of a Fall Live Read

Courtesy of Film Independent

Justine Triet's crime-thriller Anatomy of a Fall has been nominated for five Oscars: Best Picture, Directing, Actress in a Leading Role (Sandra Hüller), Best Original Screenplay (Justine Triet, Arthur Harari) and Film Editing (Laurent Sénéchal).

But before the Academy Awards are handed out next month, the script gets a Film Independent Live Read treatment at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills this week.

Triet herself leads the live read-through performance of the whodunit by a cast that includes Riley Keough (Daisy Jones & The Six), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Jay Ellis (Top Gun: Maverick), Kate Berlant (Dream Scenario), Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick), Quincy Isaiah (Winning Time) and Olivia Wilde (Babylon).

Anatomy of a Fall focuses on the death of Sandra’s husband who was found by their visually impaired son, Daniel, and their dog, Snoop. Sandra becomes the main suspect. Did he jump? Was he pushed? Is Sandra innocent or a convincing, manipulative liar?

Decide for yourself at this Valentine's Day Live Read. Sounds like a good time, whether you bring a date...your ex...a friend...or a frenemy.

Film Independent: Live Read Anatomy of a Fall Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills Tickets: $30 for Film Independent members; $40 for nonmembers

—Christine N. Ziemba

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Hollywood Bowl Announces Spectacular 2024 Summer Season

Courtesy of the LA Phil

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, the LA Philharmonic Association announced the 2024 Hollywood Bowl summer season, which runs June to September at the iconic venue nestled in the Hollywood Hills.

The music lineup features something for everyone. Here are 10 shows that we're looking forward to the most (so far) in no particular order:

June 15-16: The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival returns with Jodeci, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper with Yebba, Christian McBride, Cory Henry, Charles Lloyd, Baby Rose, The Soul Rebels with Seun Kuti, Mulatu Astatke, Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, Alex Isley, Aneesa Strings and Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA.

June 19: T-Pain and the Color of Noize Orchestra are joined by singers, musicians, rappers and guest artists led by conductor Derrick Hodge for a Juneteenth celebration.

June 29: The Roots celebrate hip hop with Queen Latifah, Common, Digable Planets, Arrested Development, The Pharcyde and Black Sheep.

July 2-4: Harry Connick Jr., the LA Phil and conductor Thomas Wilkins celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

July 6: L.A.'s own Beck performs with the LA Phil, conducted by Steven Reineke.

July 11: The Classical Thursdays series begins with the 100th-anniversary celebration of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet conducted by Lionel Bringuier along with opera star Isabel Leonard.

July 21: The KCRW Festival begins with co-headliners Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Sylvan Esso.

July 26: The incomparable Chaka Khan returns.

July 28: Celebrate the music of lyricist Alain Boublil and composer Claude-Michel Schönberg (Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, et al), sung by an all-star cast.

Sept. 21: Of course, no season's complete without Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long.

View the full schedule.

Tickets for the  summer season will be available online at hollywoodbowl.com or via phone at 323 850 2000 on the following dates:

Some packages and tickets are available now;

“Create Your Own” packages available on Tuesday, March 19 at 10 a.m.; and

The Hollywood Bowl Box Office opens for single-ticket sales on Tuesday, May 7, at 10 a.m.

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Interview: Vivienne Medrano of Hazbin Hotel

I had a chance to interview Hazbin Hotel creator Vivienne Medranno a couple weeks back. Read the story on Paste Magazine.

From Patreon to Prime Video: Vivienne Medrano’s Road to the Hazbin Hotel

The crazy, fantastical world of Hazbin Hotel originated as a Patreon-funded pilot, which Vivienne Medrano released on her own channel in 201

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The LA Weekender: Feb. 2 - 4

Courtesy of the Sierra Madre Playhouse

Here are a few of my fav things to do in L.A. this weekend.

Sierra Madre Playhouse's Silent Film Festival The playhouse launches its centennial celebration this weekend with a two-day Silent Film Festival on Feb. 3 and 4. Catch five classic films featuring live accompaniment by pianist Frederick Hodges, including Safety Last! (80 minutes), Hot Water (59 minutes), Girl Shy (89 minutes) - all with Harold Lloyd; Helen’s Babies (85 minutes), directed by William Seiter, and Buster Keaton’s Sherlock, Jr. (45 minutes). Tickets and info.

Smorgasburg's Dumpling Day at Santa Anita Park The Dumpling Dream, Dumplins, Zindrew Wontons and Mao's Bao serve their dumplings and other items trackside during the horse races. Packages start at $27.20 and include one order of dumplings; a beer, wine or soda; $5 betting voucher; a tip sheet; admissions to the races and a tip sheet. Tickets and info.

2024 Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show Head to the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 3 and 4 to plan your summer vacation. Get ideas on where to travel, hear tips from experts, or listen to your fav travel celebrities including Rick Steves, Phil Rosenthal and Pauline Frommer. Tickets and info.

Bummer though that Dodger Fest is sold out. But if you got your tickets early, then I'll see you at Chavez Ravine on Saturday.

—Christine N. Ziemba

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DodgerFest: The Official 2024 Season Kickoff Celebration on Feb. 3

It's (almost) time for Dodger baseball.

With spring training's first game coming up on Feb. 22, the Dodgers are holding a kickoff celebration in Chavez Ravine on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DodgerFest features live entertainment, ballpark food and drinks, behind-the-scenes experiences and an intro to the newest Dodgers. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will have its yard sale with shirts, hats and other apparel for sale. LADF will also sell Mystery Bags containing autographed baseballs, jerseys and photos.

For the first time, fans will also be treated to the DodgerFest stage show — a 90-minute stage presentation featuring interviews with new Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow as well as drop-in visits from veteran players such as Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Joe Kelly, Dave Roberts and others.

The first round of tickets ($10) sold-out quickly, but there's another round going on sale. The member and premium VIP experience presale starts tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 24) at 10 a.m.

There's a limit of four tickets per email address. And the event is subject to cancellation for inclement weather.

—Christine N. Ziemba

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Out of Bounds Comedy at Beyond the Streets

Poster Artwork by Kristofferson San Pablo.

Beyond the Streets and Control Gallery space presents the Out of Bounds Comedy Show on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 8:30 p.m.

With a promising lineup curated by Pauhaus, the show's hosted by Vanja Renee. The lineup includes the standup of Molly Bowes, Ben Gleib, Jackson Banks and Steve Furey.

While at the gallery, see if you can sneak a peek at the current exhibition Exhibition 009: Under Pressure, which has been exteded through Jan. 27. The group show explores contemporary airbrush art with works by CHITO, Devin Reynolds, Gustavo Zermeño Jr., Larissa De Jesús Negrón and LEFT E, among others.

Out of Bounds Comedy Show Wednesday, Jan. 24; doors at 8 p.m. Beyond the Streets 434 N La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036

The show is free, but you must RSVP to [email protected]  in advance.

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Wine Tasting to Return to Barnsdall Park This Summer

Courtesy of Barnsdall Art Park

For those who remember summers in L.A. before the pandemic, one of the more popular favorite pastimes was watching the sunset from Barnsdall Park with a glass of wine in hand.

This week, we received an email from the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation, letting us know that they're planning to relaunch the Friday night wine tastings on May 31, continuing every Friday through the summer.

They're getting the details in order, but safe to say, mark off your calendars now!

—Christine N. Ziemba

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Smorgasburg LA Returns on Sunday, Jan. 14 with New Vendors

House of Empanadas joins Smorgasburg LA on Sundays. | Photo courtesy of Smorgasburg LA.

The open air food market Smorgasburg LA returns to ROW DTLA on Sunday, Jan. 14, ushering 2024 with new food vendors.

Basket Taco Co. The tacos de canasta features traditional fillings, including beans, potatoes, and chorizo, plus more modern specials like lobster. Battambong BBQ Long Beach-based chef and pitmaster Chad Phuong (the “Cambodian Cowboy”) melds Texas Style BBQ with Southeast Asian flair (influenced by his Cambodian roots). Glad Chef Cihan Kaymakcalan's Glad, reimagines Nancy Silverton’s famous Focaccia di Recco with the chef’s Eastern European roots.

HGG Tanghulu HGG Tanghulu specializes in candied fruit skewers — aka tanghulu — the traditional Chinese street food snack.

House of Empanadas Try Puerto Rican staples including more than over 40 different empanadas.

Kavahana Kavahana is the first and only vendor specializing in all natural kava drinks in Los Angeles. Kava is a cultural drink that has been enjoyed for more than 3,000 years in the South Pacific and Hawaii. Miya Miya Shawarma Chef Yaz and team are privileged and excited to serve traditional shawarma made with spices and equipment imported directly from Jordan.

Rice Gang by Moom Maam With Rice Gang by Moom Maam Darwin Win experiments with flavor combos and innovative toppings for Thai street food bowls, such as Japanese curry rice made with beef cheeks, and topped with katsu, karaage and more. Softies Sam Hong and Josh Kim's Softies "respects the tradition of the classic Oklahoma style burger" while also offering their own takes such as the egg topped breakfast burger, a potato stick topped steak frites burger and tempura fried enoki topped shroom burger.

Taste of the Pacific Taste of the Pacific specializes in Filipino-style dishes including bbq skewers and lumpias. Other items include sweet and saucy fried shrimp and grilled Korean short ribs.

Smorgasburg LA ROW DTLA 777 S. Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021 Free entry, Local Craft Beer and Micheladas, No Pets Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

— Christine N. Ziemba

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Dollar Day at Santa Anita on New Year's Day

Photo: Christine N. Ziemba

If you're looking for an inexpensive place for a little hair of the dog on New Year's Day, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia opens its doors to horse racing — and Dollar Day — on Jan. 1. Gates open at 10 a.m., and the first race is at noon.

Admission to the track starts at $5, and indulge in $1 beers and sodas and $2 hot dogs. The Dollar Day deals are only available on the Grandstand side. 

Just remember to give yourself a little extra time to get to the San Gabriel Valley since Jan. 1 also means the Rose Parade and Bowl in nearby Pasadena.

Santa Anita Park 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia

— Christine N. Ziemba

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Feast of the Seven Fishes

Photo: Rossella Pisano, courtesy of L'antica Pizzeria de Michele

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a grand meal served on Christmas Eve. While the tradition originated in Southern Italy (named La Vigilia, as in the vigil to wait for the birth of Christ), it has gained even more popularity in Italian American households — and restaurants.

As the name implies, the meal is a seafood-centric feast, and we found a other eateries offering the meal in the L.A./SoCal area:

Drago Centro in downtown L.A. offers The Feast of the Seven Fishes Tasting Menu ($130.00 per person / Minimum 2 orders per table) from 4 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 24. Chef Celestino Drago's menu includes langostino carpaccio, citrus, and micro greens; octopus, squid ink panelle and garbanzo bean purée; tagliolini, mussels and clam ragu and courgetti flowers; and fillet of branzino and crab fish stew. 

Calogero Drago's Celestino Ristorante in Pasadena offers a Feast of the Seven Fishes Prix-Fixe À la Carte Menu on Christmas Eve, from 4:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Michael’s on Naples in Long Beach offers an exclusive tandem tasting menu for their feast (five courses, offering two options per course) is priced at $90 per person or $140 with wine pairings. Items include a tagliatelle (hand-cut chickpea dough, Dungeness crab, calamari, prawns and Livornese style broth) and Branzino Ripieno. Reservations are recommended; available from 5 to 9 pm Christmas Eve. 

L’antica Pizzeria da Michele in Hollywood has a seven-course pasta tasting menu available Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the last seating at 6 p.m. Dishes include spaghetti vongole (clams), black squid ink capunti with bisque sauce rapini and scampi and paccheri with slow-braised short rib and onion sauce. Tasting menu is $90 / $135 for the wine pairing.

Vicini in West LA's feast includes spaghetti bottarga, branzino, cioppino and more. Seatings at 5 and 8 p.m. Seven courses is $90, $45 for wine pairing.

by Christine N. Ziemba

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Día y Noche de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever on Oct. 28

A few weeks back, I had a chance to preview this year's Día y Noche de los Muertos celebrations at Hollywood Forever. From Calavera Catrina, masks and statues to the performance by Las Cafeteras and a gorgeous sit-down dinner in the Cathedral Mausoleum by Damian, the night was a 10/10.

Mark your calendars now for Saturday, Oct. 28 for the all-ages 24th Annual Día de los Muertos festival with separate daytime and evening events.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tickets: $35 - $150

MUERTE Y TRADICIÓN STAGE

DannyLux

Irene Diaz

Grupo Folklorico Cielito Lindo

Inspiraciones De Danza Mexicana

Tecnica Arte Y Folklore

Grupo Folklorico Bailes de Mi Tierra

Grupo Folklorico Princesa Donaji

Tradicion Dance

Pasion de Mi Tierra Dance

NOCHE DE LOS MUERTOS TICKETS: 5 p.m. - 12 a.m. Tickets: $60 - $250

MUERTE Y TRADICIÓN STAGE

Bomba Estéreo

Bratty

Camila Fernández

Banda Las Angelinas

Tickets

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Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová Return as The Swell Season

In honor of the 15th anniversary of their movie Once, its two stars — Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová — return to the stage for a series of concerts as The Swell season. They end their tour in Los Angeles on Aug. 27 at The Orpheum Theatre.

Pre-sale tickets will be available tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan 18 at 10 a.m. with passcode SWELL for dates listed below that include venue names. General sales begin on Friday, Jan 20 at 10 a.m.

The Swell Season 2023 tour dates

Aug. 8 • Nashville, TN • Ryman Aug. 9 • Atlanta • Symphony Hall Aug. 11 • Boston • Wang Theatre Aug. 12 • New York • Radio City Music Hall Aug. 14 • Durham, NC • DPAC Aug. 15 • Washington, DC • The Anthem Aug. 17 • Grand Rapids, MI • TBA Aug. 18 • Chicago • Salt Shed Aug. 20 • Denver • Levitt Pavilion Aug. 21 • Salt Lake City, UT • TBA Aug. 23 • Woodinville, WA • TBA Aug. 24 • Portland, OR • Schnitzer Concert Hall Aug. 26 • San Francisco • The Masonic Aug. 27 • Los Angeles • The Orpheum

More info at The Swell Season

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Zappos and Brooks Running Host Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 17

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brooks Running (@brooksrunning)

In honor of the launch of the new Bowl O’ Brooks running shoe collection,  Zappos and Brooks Running host a 3.5-mile free run run in Venice on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m.

The bright and cereal-inspired shoes and accessories harken back to the days of Saturday morning cartoons and cereal. Adult sizes are available in the Adrenaline GTS 22, Glycerin 20, and Launch 9 models.

The run ends with a cereal-centric event hosted by Day & Night Cereal Bar where attendees get free cereal bowls and a free gift with purchase of a pair of Bowl O’ Brooks shoes from Zappos.com.

If you don't want to lace up and run, shoes are available for testing throughout the event, which is open to the public from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Register here.

Bowl O’ Brooks Collection Launch Saturday, Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m. 66 Windward Ave., Venice

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Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Nick Lowe + Los Straightjackets Play SoCal Shows

Photo: Mark Seliger

Elvis Costello & The Imposters play three SoCal shows to celebrate the release of their newest album, The Boy Named If. Their aptly titled summer tour, The Boy Named If & Other Favourites, features a select dates with Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets — the first time since 1989 that the veteran British rockers toured together.

Costello first met Nick Lowe in a Liverpool pub in 1972 when "D.P. MacManus" (Costello's real name is Declan Patric MacManus) and his partner Allan Mayes — as the duo Rusty — were performing songs Lowe had written for the band Brinsley Schwarz.

Fast forward a few years, and Lowe was the house producer and recording artist at the small indie London label Stiff Records. The newly minted "Elvis Costello" was the label's first signing.

Lowe went on to produce Elvis’ great albums, My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces, Get Happy and Trust all between 1977 and 1981.

While Lowe is known for producing and songwriting, having written tunes for Johnny Cash (Lowe's father-in-law), Rod Stewart, Engelbert Humperdinck and Solomon Burke, he's also a performer. Remember his well-crafted pop tune, "Cruel to Be Kind"?

Costello and his band, The Imposters — Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas (both of whom were in The Attractions) and Davey Faragher — will once again be joined on stage by Texas guitarist Charlie Sexton, who played on Costello's 2021 tour.

Catch Costello and Lowe and their respective outfits at these two SoCal shows:

Sunday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza - Thousand Oaks

Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. City National Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim

Costello and The Imposters also play (without Lowe) on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Yaamava' Resort and Casino in Highland.

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'Midsommar' Prints Available at Gallery 1988

Midsommar / Midsummer in Sweden takes place on June 25 this year, and Gallery 1988 celebrates the holiday and the memorable folk horror 2019 movie directed by Ari Aster and starring Florence Pugh with art.

View a collection online of five new prints, including the one above by Kate Carleton.

And if you haven't seen Midsommar the movie yet, it's available on a number of platforms including Prime Video, Hulu and Showtime.

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Wild Up Performs Julius Eastman Works from Dusk to Dawn on Sunday

The new classical music collective Wild Up holds a marathon performance of the late composer Julius Eastman’s egg-shaped open score “Buddha” tomorrow (Sunday, June 19) from dawn (at 5:34 a.m.) to dusk (8:07 p.m.).

Taking place at 2220 Arts + Archives (2220 Beverly Blvd., Westlake), the former location of the Bootleg Theater, the audience will be dispersed throughout the sprawling venue to watch the changing ensemble.

From Wild Up:

Julius Eastman was young, gay, and black, when it was even more difficult to be young, gay, and black in America. He swerved in, out, and through academia, downtown experimental music, discos, European tours, sex clubs, and Carnegie Hall. He died at 49 in Buffalo, New York, less than a decade after the New York City Sheriff's Department threw most of his scores and belongings into the winter snow of the East Village.... There’s something about the identity and presence of Eastman’s music that engages us and makes us obsessed. It’s music that, we’ve found, lives in the minds of audiences unlike anything else Wild Up has performed. With this Anthology we endeavor to discover the way to carry his music forward.

The concert event doubles as a celebration of Wild Up's new album Julius Eastman Vol.2: Joy Boy, the second installment in Wild Up’s seven-volume anthology celebrating Eastman

Tickets are $15 for the all ages show.