Off to the Big Apple

The Heathers are jetting to NYC for a little while, to see and do as much as possible. One of the things they're most anticipating is checking out the newly recreated Keith Haring mural on Houston and Bowery. It was originally created by Haring in 1982, but remained on the wall for only a few months before being painted over. In honor of what would have been Haring's 50th birthday (5/4/08), the mural has been repainted and will remain until 12/21/08.

Sat 6/14: The Board Gallery

The Board Gallery presents the artistic works of Dog Town and Z-Boy's Chris Cahill and Dog Town seed, and longtime friend of the Heathers, Justin Valentine. Opening reception is this Sat 6/14 from 8-10pm, and promises to be a good time. Address is 3333 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach. Free parking across the street at City Hall.

Sat 6/14: Graffiti LA @ GCS Clothing

GCS Clothing in Pomona is hosting a book signing for Graffiti LA: Street Styles and Art on Sat 6/14 at 7pm. Come to get a copy of the book, get it signed by author Steve Grody and select featured artists, and check out the store. Nylon says that it's the "Bible for spray can art in Los Angeles..." Location: 168 W. 3rd Street in Pomona.

Sat 6/14: LOL @ J Flynn Gallery

LOL: This Ain't Grandma's China, featuring works by Mindy Cherri and Charles Krafft, opens this Sat 6/14 at J Flynn Gallery. The reception is from 7-10pm. J Flynn is located at 2950 A Randolph Ave. in Costa Mesa. Can you imagine gifting one of these pieces to your Granny? I think mine would laugh upon opening it.

Thurs 6/12: Sister Spit @ the Hammer

Sister Spit: The Next Generation will be bringing their "legendary all-girl spoken word roadshow" to the Hammer Museum Thurs 6/12 at 8pm. The Next Generation, an incarnation of the Sister Spit Ramblin' Roadshow of the '90s, is a dynamic group of ‘zine writers, fashion plates, novelists, performance artists, slam poets and fancy scribblers from across the US, whose show promises to be a raucous literary adventure. Tickets are free.

Thurs 6/12: Against the Grain @ LACE

Against the Grain opens at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions this Thurs 6/12, 7-9pm. The show is curated by LA-based artist Christopher Russell and features works by Brian Bress (partial view of Plains Fight above)- whose collages are like wondrous fantasy worlds, Wendell Gladstone, Julian Hoeber, Brian Kennon, Amy Sarkisian, and Ami Tallman, among others. In honor of LACE's 30th anniversary, this show is a nod to their 1988 show Against Nature: A Group Show of Work by Homosexual Men, which exposed the margins of the already marginalized world of gay men. Against the Grain will be on view through 8/10.

6/6-6/7: RVCA sample sale

.....RVCA sample sale happening too. Fri 6/6: 9am-5pm and Sat 6/7: 9am-5pm. Their warehouse is at 919 Sunset Drive in Costa Mesa. And check out this Kelsey Brooks print that they're selling in the online shop. A tiger with 4 eyes? Rad.

6/6-6/7: Paul Frank Summer Sale

Another sample sale happening, this one at Paul Frank's warehouse in Costa Mesa. Hours are Fri 6/6: 9am-7pm and Sat 6/7: 9am-4pm. Location: 960 West 16th Street, Costa Mesa. Maybe Julius will be there?

Sat 6/7: CINÉMOCA

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is hosting the first of six Saturdays of outdoor screenings, music, and gallery tours tomorrow Sat 6/7, 7-11pm. Check out the current shows: Lawrence Weiner: AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE and Allan Kaprow—Art as Life, hear a set by Henry Rollins, and bring your blanket to enjoy the evening on the grass. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase. The Screening of Underground Forces, featuring rare footage of west coast punk and New Wave bands and a healthy sampling of the artists, musicians, and fans that populated California’s underground scene in the late-1970s and early ‘80s, starts at 9pm. The screening is free with museum admission ($10). Unfortunately, outside food and drink are not permitted.

6/6-6/8: Ink-N-Iron Festival

The 5th annual Ink-N-Iron Tattoo & Kustom Culture Festival is taking place today 6/6 through Sun 6/8. The festival will feature 280 of the best tattoo artists in the world and a series of additional events, including an art exhibit, burlesque showgirls, live bands (incl. the Swingin' Utters), a pin-up pageant, carnival rides, and a car show. The best part: it's all taking place aboard and around Long Beach's Queen Mary. Tickets are $35/day or $70/all 3 days. And you get $10 off your admission if you get a tattoo at the festival.

Sat 6/7: Frieda's Open-air Market

Frieda's Fresh Marketplace is hosting its inaugural produce and gourmet food open-air market this Sat 6/7 from 8am to 1pm. The market will take place every Sat in June and July, and will showcase more than 150 varieties of fresh produce, from tropical and exotic fruits (starfruit, tamarillos, longan, mangosteen, rambutan, sapote, fresh pre-peeled whole coconuts, etc.), to gourmet veggies (fresh chiles, treviso, endive, eggplant varieties, cipolline onions, etc.), to dried and jarred pantry items (specialty mushrooms, dried tomatoes, peppers, etc.). The market will also feature fresh seafood, bread and pasta, and fresh flowers. Address: 4465 Corporate Center Drive, Los Alamitos 90720. Another reason to support the market: Frieda's is committed to products that support sustainability in farming.

Sun 6/01: Summer Cupcake Tour

Brilliant yelp community ladies Sandy T. and Amy K. have come up with the marvelous idea of commencing a Summer Cupcake Tour this Sun 6/01 at 2pm. Here's their rationale: "With so many cupcakeries popping up around OC, it is time to start the mission to find the most coveted cupcake in the area. Come judge for yourself at stop # 1 on the Summer Cupcake Tour." Join Sandy, Amy and their friends at Dolcissimo, at 560 W 19th Street in Costa Mesa. Sunday's flavors at the bake shop are Strawberry Shortcake, Monkey Love, Apple pie, Sugar Mama flavors. Yum!

Sat 5/31: Best in Show opening @ ISM Gallery

ISM: gallery in Long Beach presents a playful take on the journey from student to professional artist with it's friendly art competition Best in Show, opening Sat 5/31, 7-10pm. During the opening reception, artworks will be displayed anonymously and visitors will have an opportunity to vote for the artist they feel is “Best In Show." Please RSVP to attend.

5/31-6/01: TSE sample sale

TSE Cashmere is clearing out samples at their warehouse in Santa Ana as well. It's located at 3001 S. Croddy Way. Enjoy savings of up to 80% off cashmere, cotton, linen and silk merchandise from tse, tse men and tsesay collections. Sale Dates: Sat, May 31st 9am-5:30pm and Sun, June 1st 9am-4pm. *Cash/Visa/MC/Amex only; All sales final.

5/30-5/31: Obey sample sale

Obey is having their Summer 08 sample sale today and tomorrow at their warehouse in Santa Ana*. Address is 3500 W Carriage Drive. Hours are: Fri, May 30 9am-7pm and Sat, May 31 8am-3pm. Good deals will hopefully be had by all. *Fine print: no bags, no backpacks, do not wear Obey.

Fri 5/30: Free Friday Night @ the Bowers

Tonight is free admission beginning at 4pm at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The museum's China and art exhibits will remain open until 8pm and you can catch the 6:30 screening of the documentary film The First Emperor for free. Based on the latest research and including location photography at key sites in China, the film sheds new light on the achievements, ambitions, and legacy of the enigmatic First Emperor of China--an emperor who wished to reign for all eternity. Run time is 40 min.

Fri 5/30: Datarock @ Detroit Bar

Bergen-based duo Datarock is DJing, along with Mr. White and Devyn C tonight at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa. Tickets are $15 before 10pm, 21 and over, doors open at 9pm. Fun fact: Datarock's song Computer Camp Love was #88 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

Fri 5/30: Fridays Off the 405 @ the Getty

Tonight from 6-9pm, the Getty Center presents Fridays Off the 405 and opens its courtyard to the public for free. You can tour the galleries, enjoy the music provided by DJ Dirty Finger and DJ B-cause, take in the views of the city, and revel in the onset of summer! There's also a cash bar open until 8:30pm, so bring some bills if you want a drink.

Thurs 5/29: Eat the Document @ the Skirball

The Skirball Cultural Center presents a screening Bob Dylan's rare Eat the Document Thurs 5/29 at 8pm, as part of Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-66 (which runs through 6/08). Mr. Dylan directed this unreleased documentary of his 1966 European tour with The Hawks. The film will be hosted by music documentarian Penelope Spheeris (The Decline of Western Civilization and my fav Wayne's World), who will provide unique insight into the film and how it captures Dylan and the frenzy that followed him. Suitable for adult audiences. Tickets are $10 General, $8 Members.

Thurs 5/29: Jamie Lidell @ the El Rey

The man with an uncanny ability to make my feet tap and my hands clap, Jamie Lidell, is playing Thurs 5/29, at the El Rey Theatre in LA. His new album JIM dropped in April and is described by Pitchfork as being "some of the most satisfying Sunday-morning listening you'll hear this year." Just my cup of tea (or more likely, mimosa). Tickets are $23, starts at 8pm, James Pants opens.

Thurs 5/22: Rogue Wave @ OCPAC

Oakland-based Rogue Wave is playing, as part of the Off-Center Concert Series, at Orange County Performing Arts Center's Samueli Theater Thurs 5/22. These guys played at Coachella this year, but imagine how much better it will be to see them perform in an intimate (and air-conditioned) setting like the Samueli. Tickets are $15 for floor and $30 for the mezzanine; show starts at 8pm.

Thurs 5/22: Re:PRESENT @ LACE

In celebration of their 30th anniversary, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions is hosting a benefit Art Auction Thurs 5/22. Doors open at 7pm and the live auction starts at 8pm. Ann Magnuson will be MC-ing and the evening will feature both silent and live auctions of over a hundred original artworks by the likes of Vito Acconci, Ultra-red, and Alison Frey. Tickets are $50, call 323.957.1777 for info. Gallery preview hours: 5/2 – 5/21, Wed - Sun 12 - 6pm, Fri 12 - 9pm.

Sat 5/17-5/18 Fun With Chalk

This weekend is the 10th Anniversary of the Mission Viejo Street Painting Festival: Fun With Chalk. Go see an asphalt parking lot turned into a gallery of magnificent artworks. Join Madonnari (street-painters) from all corners of the earth and visit the temporary tent galleries also on site. Takes place Sat 5/17-Sun 5/18, 10am-6pm @ Norman P. Murray Community Center: 24932 Veterans Way at La Paz Rd., Mission Viejo.

Sat 5/17 danyol @ The Box Gallery

Danyol's At the Seams opens this Saturday at The Box Gallery in the SoBeCa (South on Bristol entertainment, culture and arts) District of Costa Mesa. San Francisco's self-described Indie/Country/New Wave band Carletta Sue Kay will be playing at 8pm with the artist on guitar.

Thurs 5/15 Bande à Part @ UCI

Jean-Luc Godard's 1964 film, Bande à Part (Band of Outsiders), is screening at UC Irvine tonight at 7pm. Unfortunately, I don't know where on the UCI campus, but I hope to find out via some gentle inquiry with campus security. This film, among other Godard gems, has inspired numerous filmmakers, most visibly Quentin Tarantino. Tickets are $3-$5, and perhaps most importantly, the image above links to Godard's official Myspace.

4/5-6/16 Warhol photog @ GCAC

Cal State Fullerton's Grand Central Art Center is showing some 155 Polaroids and photos taken by pop-art-superstar Andy Warhol. The images depict notable socialites and Factory regulars alike, including Tatum O'Neal, John McEnroe, Jon Gould, Constance Young, and Mary Tyler Moore. Also captured are rare still life images and landscapes of flea markets, a Halloween parade, beaches, dogs, and Japanese toys. The photos were a gift from the Andy Warhol Foundation and will be on display through 6/16.

Myanmar Relief

With current circumstances, the survivors of the Nargis Cyclone face many future hardships, including the risk of disease and starvation. Here are some accredited locally-based agencies that you can donate to to help the men, women and children of Myanmar on their arduous road to recovery:
Direct Relief International
International Medical Corp
International Relief Teams
World Emergency Relief

Surf Sounds @ Huntington Bch Surfing Museum

The HB International Surfing Museum is currently running Surf Sounds part 2: Featuring Jan & Dean and Sharing Perspectives: Paintings by Celine Chat. The Surfing Museum preserves an important part of Huntington Beach's image as "Surf City, USA," and further exemplifies the fact that HB is the "most heavily surfed beach on the West Coast" (per Surfer's Almanac). The museum's Surfing Walk of Fame, dedicated in 1994, includes honorees in many surf-related categories, and extends from the corner of PCH and Main Street.

Sat 5/03 9BeetStretch @ OCMA

Join the Orange County Museum of Art for a very special 24-hour performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. 9BeetStretch, a musical composition and sound scape, conceived and implemented by Leif Inge, a Norwegian composer, is part of the Odd Beethoven Festival. Performance schedule:1st movement: Saturday, 12 pm-5:30 pm, 2nd movement: Saturday, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm, 3rd movement: Saturday, 10:35 pm-3:30 am, 4th movement: Sunday, 3:30 am-12 pm. Lounge furniture will be provided and light refreshments are available for purchase throughout the night. The event is free, but you're encouraged to B.Y.O.P. (Bring your own pillow and sleeping bags).

Sat 5/03 Art Walk Santa Ana Artists Village

As per every first Sat of the month, the gallery doors of Santa Ana's Artists Village will remain open late this Sat from 6:00-10:00pm. Check out the show at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in particular to see the full version of the above detail of Elliot, I Spilled the Milk, by Christina Natsuko Paulos, whose website contains many treasures worth troving for.

Fri 5/02 First Fridays @ Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is hosting its First Fridays event tonight. The schedule will proceed as follows: 5:30pm TOUR:“Tour of the Ancient Latin American Hall” led by Karen Wise, Ph.D. & Curator in charge of Archaeology 6:30pm DISCUSSION:“How Does Evolution Build a Complex Brain?” 7:00-10:00pm MUSIC: featuring Akron/Family, The Dodos, and DJ sets in the African Mammal Hall by Carlos Niño and Morpho. The museum is located at 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90007. Tickets are $9 and food and drinks are available for purchase.

Thurs 5/01 Art Walk Laguna Beach

The extremely well-organized Laguna Beach Art Walk kicks off the month of May tonight starting at 6:15pm. You can hop on the free shuttle to participating gallery locations starting at the Laguna Art Museum (corner PCH and Cliff Dr.) or at Bluebird Center (1590 S. Coast Highway). The image above is by Andy Davis, who I have mentioned before on the blog, and whose work is synonymous with Laguna Beach in my mind. Shuttles run until 8:45 p.m.

Thurs 5/01 Shifting Perspectives TNT

As always, the first Thurs of the month brings many enthralling art-relevant activities, including TNT @ the MCASD downtown location. Starting at 7pm tonight, the museum will feature 3-D topographic maps, a preview of The Hybrid Authorship Project, and music by Seesaw Ensemble (pictured above) and Reverse Cowboy. After TNT, take the trolley to J6Bar and Hotel Solamar (at J Street and Sixth Avenue in downtown) for drink specials and live music 10pm-midnight. MCASD downtown is at 1100 Kettner Blvd @ B Street, San Diego. $3 suggested donation.

4/25-5/03 Hurley Spring Warehouse Sale

Hurley is slashing store prices 50-75% and having a multi-day sale to clear out some warehouse space. They are located at 2323 Main St. @ Von Karman, in Irvine, and the sale runs the following days: Fri 4/25 12-8pm, Sat/Sun 4/26-27 8am-3pm, Fri 5/02 12-8pm, and Sat 5/03 8am-3pm. They promise to feature Men's, Women's, Boy's, Toddler's and Infant's gear. Not sure if Girl's are intentionally ommited?

4/24-5/01 Newport Beach Film Festival

The 9th annual Newport Beach Film Festival opened last night with the highly publicized Sherman's Way at Edward's Big Newport and a celeb-attended gala. The festival runs weeknights and weekend days through Thurs 5/01, and is jam packed with features and shorts, and will even showcase a few US premieres. I'm particularly enthralled by the looks of Good Dick, starring Jason Ritter and Marianna Palka, playing at 8pm tonight at Regency Lido Theater.

4/22-4/26 Allan Kaprow's 18 Happenings in 6 Parts

In conjunction with the MOCA's presentation of Allan Kaprow Art as Life, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions is showing a re-invention of Kaprow's seminal Happening– 18 Happenings in 6 Parts – originally presented in 1959 at the Reuben Gallery in New York. LACE is entrusting the re-interpretation to artist Steve Roden and friends. The show runs tonight through Sat 4/26 at 6522 Hollywood Blvd at 8:00pm. This totally validates my "Happenings" post label.

1/27-5/18 Chicano Art & Soul

Chicano Art & Soul: Three Exhibitions in One, presented by Cheech Marin, is currently showing at Muzeo in Anaheim. The show, which opened in January and has been extended by popular demand until 5/18, includes the work of 30+ prominent Chicano artists, and presents a 360-degree view of the Chicano experience. Muzeo is located at 241 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim 92805. Museum hours are everyday 10-5 and tickets are $10. In trying to determine who is included in the exhibition, I discovered two additional artists who, though they're not featured (I don't think), have some amazing work to be viewed: John Zender Estrada (partial view pictured above) and Jaime "Germs" Zacarias, both Los Angeles natives.

Thurs 4/17 MFA #3 @ New Wight Gallery

UCLA's New Wight Gallery is opening their third round of graduate art students' thesis exhibitions tonight from 5-8pm. Included in this showing are Matthew Brandt, Vera Caldas, Lily Simonson, Spencer Lewis, and Aaron Turner. Detail of Lily Simonson's Portrait of a Yeti depicted above. As another round of student work is set to be displayed soon after, this group will only be exhibited for one week. The New Wright Gallery is located in The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Center, Room 1100, (310) 825.0557. Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-4:30, Sat 10:00-6:00. Admission is Free. Parking available in Structure 3 for $8.

Monster Munching- OC food blog

I just found this blog, Monster Munching, that has been reviewing local restaurants since 2003. Needless to say, after 5 years, there are a plethora of useful reviews upon which to base your culinary adventures. It seems that the blogger, Elmo, has a penchant for asian food, as there are lots of reviews of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean places. . .yum! And from what I've read, Elmo responds to every comment posted. How kind.

Sat 4/12 Long Beach Art Walk

The 2nd Saturday Long Beach Art Walk is taking place tomorrow 4/12 4-10pm, in Long Beach's East Village Arts District. The al fresco event features a variety of emerging artists working in all mediums, as well as live entertainment and food. The above image is by Rodney Sellars and was previously displayed at the Passport Coffee House. The East Village Arts District is located near Linden Ave. between 1st & Broadway in Long Beach.

Fri 4/11 Crystal Castles @ Detroit Bar

Crystal Castles is a Toronto-based band, described by Loud and Quiet as "the most exciting and original band in the world right now" consisting of multi-instrumentalist Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass. They play with Sparrow Love Crew tonight at Detroit Bar. Show is 21 and over and presale tickets were $15, but are now sold out. Doors open at 8pm, so get there early to pay what I assume will be $20 at the door. Detroit Bar: 843 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa 92627.

4/5-5/2 Blek Le Rat @ Subliminal Projects

Blek Le Rat's first US solo show, Art is not Peace but War, is at Subliminal Projects through 5/2. Le Rat is acknowledged as being a pioneer of graffiti writing in Europe and was one of the first people to use stencils to make public art instead of writing his name. He was first exposed to graffiti in 1971 in New York, but didn’t start making his own until ten years later in Paris. Banksy is quoted as saying of him, "everytime I think I've painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek Le Rat has done it as well. Only twenty years earlier." Subliminal Projects is located at 1331 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles 90026, 213.213.0078. Hours: Tue-Fri 11—6, Sat & Sun by appointment.

4/5-5/10 New London School @ Max Moore

New London School, featuring the work of Gordon Cheung (image above), Nadine Feinson, David Hancock, Sam Jackson, Cathy Lomax, Rui Matsunaga, Hugh Mendes, Richard Moon, Gavin Nolan and John Stark, is running at Max Moore Gallery through 5/10. Curators Simon Rumley and Zavier Ellis are known for spotting rising talent, and New London School will act as an introduction of London based and educated talent to the LA art scene. Address: 2525 Michigan Avenue A-1 Santa Monica 90404, 310.453.3031. Gallery hours: Tues-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-5.

4/5-4/28 David Trulli @ Robert Berman

David Trulli's All Lines are Busy, a collection of new work that explores modern human networks, is open at Robert Berman Gallery through 4/28. Mr. Trulli works in scratchboard: a white clay-coated board, covered with black ink. Fine knives are used to delicately scrape the ink away, creating the image. A former cinematographer, Trulli compares working in scratchboard to lighting a film set: “it starts out black and you add light.” Robert Berman is located at Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Suite C2/D5, Santa Monica, 90404, 310.315.1937.

4/4-5/27 Yumiko Kayukawa @ La Luz de Jesus

Yumiko Kayukawa's solo show, Extinction, opened last week at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood. Ms. Kayukawa's work is filled with graphic candy-colored young women in communication with fantastical animals. Yumiko says that she has “been creating work in the theme of communion with animals and nature for a long time." She also describes a connection with the natural world through her painting, one that increases her concern for the welfare of wildlife, hence the show's name. Address: 4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, 90027, 323.666.7667. Gallery hours: M-W 11:00 - 7:00, Th-Sat 11:00 -9:00, Sun 12:00 - 6:00.

4/06-9/1 Phantom Sightings @ LACMA

Phantom Sightings: Art after the Chicano Movement, which opened 4/06, is the largest exhibition of cutting-edge Chicano art ever presented at LACMA. The exhibition includes approximately 125 works in all media, including painting and sculpture as well as installation, conceptual, video, performance art, and intermedia works that incorporate film, digital, and sound art. Featured artists include Christina Fernandez, Mario Ybarra Jr., and Nicola Lopez. LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036, 323-857-6000.

Wed 4/2 Serge Gainsbourg night

Tonight the Bordello Bar pays tribute to the iconic voice and oeuvre of Serge Gainsbourg. Several talented local musicians, including Nicole Simone, Joel Virgil, Adele Jacques, Alex and Sam, and Bjorn Turoque will tackle Monsieur Gainsbourg's songs in a performance of adulation beginning at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10. The Bordello Bar is located at 901 E 1st St, downtown LA, 213.687.3766.

Wed 4/2 Protest for Prosperity

Hundreds of UCI students are rallying today 'because college should not result in debt.' Tuition and fees at California’s universities have risen to extreme heights and have intimidated millions of potential students from pursuing higher education. Join the students and supporters of affordable education from 11am-2pm on Ring Road on the UCI campus for a rally and march to Aldrich Hall. Because everyone deserves affordable education, not debt!

Mon 3/31-4/2 Wes Anderson double-feature

The New Beverly Cinema, LA's premier revival movie theater, is hosting a 3-night-only double-feature of Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums and The Darjeeling Limited. And the best part is that tickets are only $7. The Darjeeling starts at 7:30, followed by the Tenenbaums at 9:20. I, for one, hope to see overenthusiastic fans costumed as Anderson characters in attendance. Location: 7165 West Beverly Blvd.Los Angeles, 90036, (323) 938-4038.

Sat 3/29 Shudder opening @ ISM:

SHUDDER: The Photographer's Unwavering Eye is opening at ISM: Gallery this Sat 3/29 7-10pm. Looks like the show will present a side-by-side comparison of personal and professional projects by celebrity portrait photographers Jeremy & Claire Weiss, Patrick Fraser, Dan Monick and Michael Lavine. Should be an interesting juxtaposition. ISM: is located at at the Koos Art Center, 540 East Broadway, Long Beach 90802.