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.

Fri 3/28 TOMS Collaborative @ Thalia Surf

Thalia Surf is hosting a collaborative incorporating art, music, and TOMS shoes this Fri 3/28 from 6-10pm. If you don't know, TOMS shoes donates a pair of shoes to a child who needs them every time a pair is purchased. The festivities will include shoe-customization by Sean Woolsey and Justin Bauer, music by The Growlers, and the premier of an installation by Andy Davis, known for those iconic, retro-chic surf images. Here's the info: 915 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach 92651, 949.497.3292

Thurs 3/27 Ed Fox @ the Taschen Store

The Taschen Store in Beverly Hills is hosting a book signing with one of the world's most noted foot fetishists, photographer Ed Fox. If you love to celebrate the female foot, or just want to get your hands on one very sensual coffee table book, you can meet Mr. Fox and have him sign your copy of Glamour From the Ground Up, available for $39.99. The event is free and runs 6-8pm tonight Thurs 3/27. Details: 354 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210, 310.274.4300 or http://www.taschen.com/

Sorry for not posting in a while

I hope you haven't been depending upon us recently. We've been occupied with one of the Heathers' wedding...

...and going to Santa Catalina Island. But now that we're back, we promise to be more diligent in bringing you the happs!

Fri 3/7-Sat 3/8 Whittier Film Festival

The inaugural 2-day Whittier Film Festival kicks off on Fri 3/7. It features films on Fri night and all day Sat, including Jack Turner and the Reluctant Vampire, Bella, Journey to India, The Craftsman, Santa Teresa, Save Me, and Smooch. Prices are extremely reasonable: 1 screening-$5, 3 screenings-$12, festival pass (all screenings and opening reception/party)-$25. The awards ceremony and afterparty are Sat 3/8 at 7pm at Sage Restaurant, and tickets are only $20 and include dinner. Check out http://www.whittierfilm.org for more details and film schedule.

Sun 3/9 Country Sundays @ The Echo

The Echo is kicking off 2008's first Country Music & Sunday Barbeque this Sun 3/9, showcasing The Blasters and Tony Gilkyson, and hosted by Chris Morris, host of 103.1's Watusi Rodeo, and DJ Cuz'n Roy. The fun gets started at 5pm, welcomes all ages, and is free. Address: 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90026. Visit http://www.attheecho.com/?m=20080309&cat=2 for venue info and http://www.blastersnewsletter.com/ for background on The Blasters.

Sat 3/8 Alpha @ Studio 74

Alpha, featuring new work by greats Tim Schafer and Dusty Mendes, is opening at Studio 74 on Sat 3/8 6-9pm. Details: 1274 N. Van Ness Ave., Fresno 93728, (559) 908.0658, http://studio-74.org/default.aspx. Fresno is definitely a haul from OC, but the show promises to make the journey worth your while. And as additional incentive, they will have a taco truck there! Find out more about Dusty via his blog: http://www.vequalsir.blogspot.com/