Tarfest: October 3-5, 2008

My dear friends at Ab5trax are curating the film portion of this year's Tarfest. It's an important event for Los Angeles because it not only encourages community in what could be such a daunting and large city, but because it's making art and culture more accessible. (With the exception of the music portion, all events are FREE)

The events begin with an art show on Friday night, which features about 45 local works. Saturday afternoon is the film fest which has a portion devoted to short narrative works and then another for music videos. And since I've known these guys for a long time, I trust that they have chosen some really great shorts. Later Saturday night, the El Rey theater opens its doors for the music portion featuring Castledoor, the Illuminoid and DJ Diabetic (Shepard Fairey--God, that guy is everywhere!). The most heartwarming event is the 1 mile run on Sunday morning. The community of all ages are welcome to "race" along the Miracle Mile to raise money for the local schools and art programs.

Angelenos have been really hungry for these events which is evident in the massive crowds that took over Santa Monica Pier at the GLOW festival and the hour long wait outside the Murakami exhibit. You owe it to yourself. Check out some great art homegrown in Los Angeles .

Tarfest 2008
October 3-5, 2008
Miracle Mile-- Korean Cultural Center and The El Rey Theater

People in Hollywood read?

They most certainly do! Here is my neighborhood Los Angeles Library branch (designed by Frank Gehry). Surely there are probably more homeless drug addicts outside this branch than say your neighborhood library, but at least they're reading books. Eva and I decided today was the day to take advantage of this great resource and get ourselves some library cards. Proudly I will walk to my modern library, greet my hobo friends, and check out books for absolutely no money at all.

Thank You, Alton Brown

For teaching me how to make a perfect omelette. I ate my end result, so I just got another picture of an omelette instead.

Here's the recipe- Alton Brown's Zen and the Art of Making Omelettes

Next Movie I'm Excited to See: Synecdoche, NY

I've been a Charlie Kaufman fan for a very long time and I can't wait to see his directorial debut in Synecdoche, NY (Cher, this is the kind of movie premiere that I'd wear a dress to) Kaufman takes the writing credit for this film which guarantees that the story will explore the human psyche in a very unique and refreshing way. The movie will be released in November 2008.

Thanks, GavCaz

Unemployed LA Architect? Try Dubai!

Hello modern architect! Things not doing so well during the US economic crisis? The United Arab Emirates are in need of your talents to design space-age structures like the Dubai skyscraper pictured above.

See the job listings here: Archinect

R. Mutt & Urinals: Tributes to Marcel Duchamp

The people from Thwart Design are challenging you to answer the question "what is art?" Give them your address and you too will receive your very own vinyl "R. Mutt" sticker that you can place on a urinal or something of your choice. They only ask that you record the event with your digi camera and send them the photo. If you're unable to answer "what is art?" after your sticky experiment, perhaps you've at least crossed off that "vandalize a urinal" from your bucket list.

Get your sticker here: R. Mutt Sticker

Beck, Spoon and MGMT @ Hollywood Bowl

I'm fully aware how redundant my posts about the Hollywood Bowl are becoming, but this will conclude the 2008 Bowl season. At least it was a fantastic way to end the summer.

We all gathered at Mike's house. Smells of beer, caramelized onions, and carne asada were drifting around as maybe 30 people mingled with excitement for the show later.

When crowds of v-necks, skinny pants, and Toms shoes began to crawl up Highland, we gathered our things (mostly sweaters and beer) and began our trek. Eva, Tim, Mike and I sat in seats that seemed normal until we realized we had a perfect view of the Hollywood sign right above the stage. We got there and enjoyed MGMT first. We couldn't resist their dance songs. I was slightly more enthusiastic about their music than they were. It might've been the Tecate, but they weren't really in the best time slot. And too bad they didn't look like the tribes people in their videos.

The sun finally went down, and Spoon came on stage. They played the songs just as we liked and remembered them. Their horn section was particularly enjoyable. This was the time to break open our snacks and remind eachother how much we loved each song. Sappy a little. Wine helped. By this time we've noticed that Bute hasn't sat down yet and remains punching the air with both fists in the middle of the aisle, disobeying the fire code entirely.

After a brief intermission, Beck opened...with LOSER. The audience was in disbelief and it was a perfectly cool beginning for him as he played song after enjoyable song. I have to confess that I am not the biggest Beck fan, but his set was really enjoyable. His decade of his catchy hit songs kept us dancing all the way through. A pleasant surprise was the accompaniment of the LA Philharmonic string section conducted by none other than his father, David Campbell. As the encore began, Bute finally sat down with us complaining that the security wasn't letting him dance. At the conclusion of the show, most people funnel out like cattle: slow and brainless. Thanks to their quick wit, Eva and Bute expedited our departure by screaming they had diarrhea. The crowds parted willingly.

We all walked back happily. Since we'd missed the Al Green show that went on at the same time, Eva and I danced to his album in the living room.