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Echo Country Outpost taking up new diggs

Echo Country Outpost has been host to many types of events – ho-downs, BBQs, and musical acts reminiscent of the ol’ Echo Curio days (don’t tell the city of LA). Opened in November 2009 by Erica Forneret, Chris Hajek, and Brendan Missett, the small space on Echo Park Avenue has been a great neighborhood and family-friendly establishment for music and shopping (they carry the kinds of antiques and hand made items that make the store feel like home).

But now it seems that they may have outgrown the store, which occupied the same building as the former Echo Park Cycles (now frame store Hotel de Ville) – “for rent” signs decorate the commercial space hoping for new occupants. The Echo Country Outpost website says only: “The Outpost is real busy traveling the country and cooking up big plans for the future of Outposts in Los Angeles and around the world.”

Call it perfect timing, but production company 2HeadedHorse recently vacated their production space at 1770 Glendale Boulevard, just south of the 2 Freeway entrance, and it seems our friends at the Outpost have settled on some new diggs. Posting a sketch on their Facebook page, the Outpost looks to be expanding beyond what we thought the Glendale Boulevard storefront even had – there’s an inner court/patio, an atrium and gift shop, studios, lofts, a kitchen, even a bar!

We’ve reached out to the guys and gals at Echo Country Outpost for further details, but expect a lot of great Echo Parkian thinks to do up on the Glendale corridor.

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Weird weather watch in Echo Park

Today was a another gorgeous, breezy, cool day in Echo Park – a great break from the recent heat that keeps the kitchen activity at a minimum and the window AC on high. Tonight we got another rainbow (and even sightings of a double rainbow), and now as we are enjoying the after dinner glass of wine there is plenty of lightning and thunder flashing through the windows. Although this is my favorite kind of weather, it’s a little eerie that it’s not 85 degrees and clear skies – but the weather girls keep saying we are getting “monsoonal moisture” in the foothills, creating those big thunderheads we’ve been seeing a lot lately and now the lightning bolts.

It was about a year ago that it was literally 90 degrees outside at 9:00 pm (unusual for Los Angeles, not the central valley!), and we had an incredible storm producing some amazing shots all around Echo Park. Although we’ve been living here for more than a few years now, it’s always a pleasant surprise.

Makes for a beautiful sunset!

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FYF Fest pre-show with Glass Candy at Los Globos

We’re excited for a just-announced FYF Fest pre-show to take place just a night before the start of the hipster festival – on Friday, September 2 our friends Glass Candy and Chromatics will take the stage at Silver Lake night club Los Globos. DJs GODDOLLARS, Chris Cruse and Doctor Golden are also included on the bill.

Now, this brings a question to mind – why Los Globos? This is not a venue I see FYF Fest scoping out, in fact, just perusing the Yelp reviews (and knowing the venue’s reputation) this is a salsa and merengue venue, not exactly the indie type.

Perhaps this is the new work of entrepreneur and Echo Park resident Mitchell Frank (the Echo, Echoplex, El Prado, etc.) – whose split with partners at Spaceland opened up the search for a new venture in this part of LA. And although there are no official confirmations of new ownership yet, there is a rumor of new owners and some renovations made to the interior. We’ll have to check it out on Friday night at the show!

Tickets are $10 advance, $12 at the door. Click here to purchase ahead of time, and here for the event info.

Los Globos is located at 3040 W Sunset Blvd.

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Echo Park Film Center back in town with new classes/events

The Echo Park Film Center is back in town after its 2011 Summer Tour, during which they took the film mobile from coast to coast offering classes and workshops in dozens of cities. Now they are back with a new schedule of classes and screenings for all of Echo Park (and Los Angeles) to enjoy.

First off, Friday, September 2 is the launch party for the EPFC Audience Photographs book – a series of photos taken at every one of their film screenings and events at the Echo Park location over a couple of years (we wrote about it last December). The book has 180 pages of these color photos, which you can get for $20 (for $30 they’ll give you a copy of the Sound We See DVD, the summer youth film workshop taught by EPFC Summer Artist In Residence, Merv Espina). Be there at 8:00 pm!

Upcoming Classes

All students must pre-register. Call or email for more information on participating. Space is limited.

EPFC Fall Youth Class: City of Angels
Thursdays 4:30 – 6:30 pm; September – December 2011
A 12-week after school workshop where students will learn the fundamentals of documentary filmmaking while creating individual short films celebrating family and community stories.Open to local youth ages 12 – 19; no experience necessary. All equipment and materials provided free of charge by EPFC.

Read more

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Echo Park’s own Sunset Junction replacement: Echo Park Rising

 

Since Sunset Junction will no longer function this weekend, it became clear yesterday that Echo Park would be absorbing some of the acts meant for the weekend-long festival. Silver Lake residents and business owners have also organized the No Function Junction in the area where the festival would have taken place, and now the Echo Park organizers have a name for our very own Sunset Junction replacement – Echo Park Rising.

From Saturday, August 27 through Sunday, August 28, Echo Park businesses and venues will host many of the performers (some we are sad won’t be booked, like Ozomatli). According to the website, Echo Park Rising is “weekend long festival celebrating life, art, music and culture.  Located in Los Angeles’ Echo Park neighborhood, EPR brings together local businesses on and around Sunset Blvd, creating an open environment for the enjoyment of live music, independent art, local cuisine and all around good times.”

The Eastsider LA posted a great summary of what performers are going where this weekend, the following is a list of Echo Park venues:

Saturday:

Sunday:

Click here for the full list.

Additionally, restaurants and other businesses are contributing with some great deals:

  • Allston Yacht Club: Happy hour all night Saturday, $5 drink special, the AYC Cooler (ginger watermelon lemonade, vodka)
  • Anejo Duddery:- TBA discounts/specials
  • 8-Limbs: Discount Yard Sale
  • Backside: 25% off all apparel and accessories
  • Bobbie: 20% off select apparel
  • City Sip: TBA discounts/specials
  • deKor: TBA discounts/specials
  • Echo Park Independent Co-Op – up to 70% off stock
  • Gentlemen’s Breakfast – 15% all stock
  • iam8bit – 5% charitable donation to 826LA for all original art/product sales and live music
  • Lot 1 Cafe: live music
  • Mohawk Bend: FREE Secret Dessert for patrons who mention Echo Park Rising this weekend
  • Origami Vinyl: 10% Everything Sale
  • Stories Books & Cafe: 20% off all used books, cafe specials and live music
  • Taxi CDC: 30% off regularly priced merchandise
  • Two Boots: Live Music on Patio
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Timelapse video shows the beautiful side of Los Angeles lights

The following video “LA Light” was created by Los Angeles native and photographer/videographer Colin Rich. It’s simply stunning!


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Mohawk Bend opening tonight – for realsies

A Facebook announcement by the people behind Echo Park’s (and Los Angeles’) most anticipated restaurant opening has the words we’ve all been waiting for – “We are opening this evening – for real!”

There was a bit of confusion out there on the ‘nets about when Mohawk Bend would open – dates went from end of June to early July, to July 27, which was last week and was obviously not happening. As we’ve mentioned before, if you’ve ever worked or opened a restaurant, there’s a lot of kinks to work out (especially with the city permit office).

While we are confirming the exact time doors will open, expect to have dinner out tonight with an incredible selection of vegan (and non-vegan) dishes, cocktails, and of course over 70 beers on tap.

Be sure to read up on our past stories about Mohawk Bend:

UPDATE:

We just received the official press release for the grand opening, which gives us the restaurant/bar hours as:

Open daily from 5:00 pm. to 11:30 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 5:00 pm to 1:30 am Friday and Saturday. Dinner will be served first upon opening — lunch and brunch will follow in the coming weeks.

In the press release, owner Tony Yanow says, “We’re so excited to open in Echo Park and be a part of the Eastside community. With Mohawk Bend, we are really hoping to create a neighborhood restaurant and bar and one that shows our commitment to California with all of the California-based products we use, from our 100-percent California beer, wine and cocktail program to the local, organic ingredients in the kitchen.”

Looking forward to checking it out again!

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Flyover and parachute jump performance at tonight’s Dodger game

Flickr photo by reddawg31

In conjunction with Navy Week in Los Angeles, tonight’s Dodgers game against the Arizona Diamondbacks will feature a flyover and parachute jump performed by the US Navy team, the Leap Frogs. The demonstration is also part of the Navy Appreciation theme that will be taking place at the Stadium this evening.

The game starts at 7:10 pm, so keep your eyes on the sky around 6:50 pm.

Also, in preparation for tonight’s event there will be a similar flyover and parachute jump earlier in the day between 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Call the Neighborhood Focus Line at (323) 224-2636 with questions or concerns.

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Tonight: Machine Project hosts Burritos n Beats

Cat burrito.

This is the only event you’ll ever have to go to where admission requires that you’re holding a burrito.

Tonight at The Machine Project – Burritos n Beats (and not the other way around) starting at 8:00 pm in Echo Park.

Since LA is the city of burritos (remember this article?) bring a burrito from one of the many establishments just around the corner (El Flamin’ Taco, Taco Zone, Tacos Arizas, Burrito King, whatever floats your boat) and enjoy “cumbia, Nortec & LA-centric beats” from Julián of Culture Remixed.

And, just to drive this point home (from the event notice): Note: to be admitted to this event you must bring a burrito. Anyone with hamburgers or sandwiches will be turned away at the door.

Machine Project is located at 1200 D North Alvarado.

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Mohawk Bend to open in Echo Park soon, “very soon”

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

You may have noticed yesterday (hopefully you didn’t drive all the way from the West side) that despite reports from various news sources, Mohawk Bend did not open its doors yesterday. But last week we did get a sneak peak at the space, the food, and the ever so delicious booze at a pre-opening party for press and friends.

Owner Tony Yanow has had great success with Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank – with an extensive and really great beer list paired with an equally delicious vegan and non-vegan bar fare. He’s clearly doing something right, because Mohawk Bend is impressive. Plus it really helps that he’s a really nice guy, has an equally awesome family, and has done a great job with the former Ramona Theater after over 20 years of collecting dust.

Spacecraft Group designed the interior of the building (the exterior is protected by historical guidelines), telling the crowd at the pre-opening party that they were inspired by a ’70s bar vibe, hence the vintage neon bar signs decorating the second story of the large main room. Polished concrete floors, exposed brick (the formal dining room is all original), a two-story glass wall, and lacquered panels of wood are features of the recreated space.

Read more

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Monday, July 25 through Sunday, July 31

Monday
The Echo, Sesac, and Origami Records present Monday Night Residency: Crystal Antlers, The Fuse!, The Lovely Bad Things, Manhattan Murder Mystery @ Echo
Races (Frenchkiss Records), Guests TBA, Pageants, The Neighborhood @ Bootleg Theater
Slutever, Crystal Antlers @ Origami Vinyl
Tom Tom Magazine Residency Every Monday @ Lot 1 Cafe

Tuesday
Wu Lyf @ Echo
Langhorne Slim, Henry Wolfe, Amanda Jo Williams @ Echoplex
La-Underground Presents: Peter Pants, Slutever, Cool Moms @ Pehrspace
Morgan Murphy, Deon Cole, Adam De La Pena, Morgan Nadler @ Bootleg Theater
Woolen Residency with Incan Abraham & Starving Daughters @ Lot 1 Cafe

Wednesday
Cults, Guards, Writer @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Paris Loves La, Victor and Penny, Leftover Cuties @ Bootleg Theater
Live Jazz every Wednesday night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Café

Thursday
Spaceland Under The Stars with Geronimo Getty, Judson @ Pershing Square
Pink Dreams Presents Upsilom Acrux, Kill The Capulets, Ghetto Blaster, Grand Elegance @ Echo
Heavy La @ Echoplex
Echo Park Jazz Benefit Show for 826la With Slumgum and La Sirene @ Lot 1 Cafe
Ben Sollee, Thousands, J Irvin Dally @ Bootleg Theater
The Exxtras, The Atomic Sherpas @ Taix Lounge

Friday
Rollo & Grady Present Those Darlins, White Arrows, Motopony @ Echo
Inc. plus special guests, DJ Total Freedom, Nguzunguzu, Sfv Acid and more @ Echoplex
Club Underground @ Echo
Body Parts (Record Release), Touché, Masxs, Geoff Geis @ Pehrspace
Tha Boogie, Dez, Kids and Explosions @ Bootleg Theater
Eleanor Friedberger @ Origami Vinyl
Moris Tepper, Joel Jerome, Lead vocal/guitar of DIOS @ Taix Lounge

Saturday
Rock N’ Roll Camp for Girls Los Angeles: Camper Showcase 2011 @ Echoplex
Lord Huron, DJ Boom Bip @ The Getty Museum
Echo, Iheartcomix, Media Contender present: Check Yo’ Ponytail 2 with Metronomy, Nite Jewel, Sisu @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
Dntel, The One Am Radio, Geotic @ Echoplex
Seasons (Video Release), Spirit Vine, Saint Sea Hat, The Neighborhood @ Pehrspace
The Black Ryder (Mexican Summer), Eddie Berman @ Bootleg Theater
When I Was 12 @ Origami Vinyl

Sunday
Part Time Punks with Craft Spells, Seapony, Grave Babies, Young Prisms @ Echo
Bear Hands, Lesands @ Bootleg Theater
Les Blanks @ Origami Vinyl

Visit the venue websites for more information on the cost and times of shows. This list may not represent all the musical events happening in Echo Park this week – feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time. New events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

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The 33rd Lotus Festival returns to Echo Park Lake next weekend

2006 Festival Photo via LA Taco

This is a re-published article I wrote for the latest EPIAn Ways, which you can view by clicking here.

The Echo Park Lotus Festival is an annual tradition that celebrates, for two days, the Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles and the greater area. This is the 33rd Lotus Festival we’ve had – but we didn’t think it would return this year.

The Echo Park Lake rehabilitation project was initially planned to begin in Spring 2011, with construction fencing going up around April. However, the city pushed back the start date to later this summer, and so it was announced the Lotus Festival would indeed return.

Highlights of the festival include music, dance and food – all of which celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander culture and traditions. This year’s focus is on the culture of Thailand. There will be a Health Fair, community groups offering information, and boutiques for shopping. One thing that won’t be part of this annual tradition will be the dragon boat races – which have been absent since 2008 (the Lotus Festival was canceled in 2009, and there were no boat races in 2010).

The Lotus Festival website provides a reason for the cancelation: “…due to lack of participation and funds we are unable to host the Dragon Boat Race and will be cancelled. The Lotus Festival will still take place and we encourage you to still come and participate in the festivities.”

Opening ceremonies start on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm. Festivities will go on until 9:00 pm (no word yet on whether or not there will be fireworks that night).

The Lotus Festival continues on Sunday, July 10, 2011 from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm.

Please visit www.lotusfestival.org for more details.

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Tuesday, June 28 through Sunday, July 3

Tuesday
The Echo & Future Sounds presents: The Postelles, Kitten, Pageants, Pan Am @ Echo
J Scott Bergman, Holly Gleason, Nightmare And The Cat @ Bootleg Theater
Jack Littman, Nikki Lang, Dez Hope, Elas & Celeigh Chapman @ Lot 1 Cafe
Open Mic Night @ Fretted Frog

Wednesday
Alela Diane, Parson Redheads, Yukon Blonde @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Sarabeth Tucek, Twilight Sleep, Magic Mirror @ Bootleg Theater
Live Jazz Every Wednesday night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Johnny O’donnell, John Carpenter, Corridor, Residual Echoes @ Echo
Heavy La @ Echoplex
Vandaveer, Cheyenne Marie, Luluc @ Bootleg Theater
Paleo @ Origami Vinyl
Los Angeles Loves @ Lot 1 Cafe
Sister Rogers Residency @ Taix Lounge
Emily Lacy, Claire Cronin, Adrian Tenne, Folk Ladies @ Echo Country Outpost

Friday
Echo & Club Underground Present Jessica 6, Love Grenades, Vice Cooler @ Echo
Echo & Check Yo’ Ponytail2 Present: Blonde Redhead, The Luyas, Bass Drum Of Death, Turquoise Wisdom @ Echoplex
Dan Bern With Common Rotationc @ Bootleg Theater
Sunshine Factory, El Camino Real, The Health Club, Morose @ Lot 1 Cafe
The Functionaries, Abe Lincoln Story @ Taix Lounge

Saturday
Bootie La @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @
Venus Illuminato, Sabrosa Purr, Amusement Parks On Fire @ Bootleg Theater
Gwendolyn and friends @ Taix Lounge
Southern Tornadoes Benefit: Sue Scrofa and Friends @ Echo Country Outpost

Sunday
Grand Ole Echo @ Echo
Trannyshack La @ Echoplex
Part Time Punks – David Bowie Nite with guest DJ Jose Maldonado @ Echo
Man Your Horse @ Origami Vinyl

Visit the venue websites for more information on the cost and times of shows. This list may not represent all the musical events happening in Echo Park this week – feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time. New events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Wednesday, June 22 through Sunday, June 26.

Wednesday
Dub Club Presents Horace Andy @ Echoplex
Early Winters (featuring Carina Round), Nicole Eva Emery, Haroula @ Bootleg Theater
Live Jazz Every Wednesday Night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe
Juke Joint: 4 Bands plus The Downtown Train e.p. release party @ Lot 1 Cafe

Thursday
Hipsters Heart Hip Hop presents: Free the Robots, Darkhorsemen, Nocando, Labwaste, Zackey Force Funk, Ages, surprise guest @ Echo
Heavy La @ Echoplex
War Tapes, Dead Sara, The Drowning Men, Last American Buffalo @ Bootleg Theater
Sister Rogers Residency @ Taix Lounge
Outernational @ Origami Vinyl

Friday
Club Underground with College Battle of the Bands, presented by Chegg, featuring: Land of Pines, The Mohicans, Old Abram Brown, The John King Band, Rozzi Crane @ Echo
LA Record presents Middle Class, Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds, Grant Hart, The Urinals @ Echoplex
Amy Kuney, John Bobek, Alex Dezen @ Bootleg Theater
Abilene Fawn, Gothic Tropic, RT N’ The 44s @ The Fretted Frog
Lovers and Poets, Karmakoda @ Taix Lounge
John Schrifer, Princess Pangea, The Violet Lights, Elemenopy @ Lot 1 Cafe
The Prids @ Origami Vinyl

Saturday
Mucho Paradise Presents: El Conjunto Nueva Ola, Bam Bam @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
A Benefit for Solomon Perry: Dirt Dress, Cosmonauts, Siblings, Traps, Ps, Junghaus, Hello My Name Is Red, Peter Pants @ Pehrspace
Ian Fays, Fogelfoot @ Taix Lounge
Manzan Records presents: Little Desert, Sue Scrofa, Seanshan, Peter Pants @ Lot 1 Cafe

Sunday
Grand Ole Echo with Jackson Tanner, Funeral Club, Kip Boardman @ Echo
Part Time Punks: Factory Records Nite @ Echo
Shalants, Moomaw, Gracious Calamity, LA’s Own Fort King @ Echo Country Outpost
Frank Fairfield @ Origami Vinyl

Visit the venue websites for more information on the cost and times of shows. This list may not represent all the musical events happening in Echo Park this week – feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time. New events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

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Echo Park’s week in music

For the week of Monday, June 13 through Sunday, June 19.

Monday
Monday Night Residency: Dante vs. Zombies, Double Negatives, Vows, The Icarus Line @ Echo
Brand X presents: LA Unheard featuring J. Irvin Dally and Big Moves, The One AM Radio @ Echoplex
Backseat Bingo, Eyes Lips Eyes, Bikos @ Lot 1
Henry Wolfe, What Laura Says, Monstre, Olin and The Moon @ Bootleg Theater

Tuesday
Mona, Mind The Gap @ Echo
Open Mic Night @ Fretted Frog
Buzz Bands LA presents: Luz Elena, Chris Accardo, Mark Lane @ Lot 1

Wednesday
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Traindodge @ Origami Vinyl
Echo Park Juke Joint: Burroughs, The Downtown Train @ Lot 1
Carolina Chickadee presents: “Melody in The Round” @ Taix Lounge
Live Jazz Every Wednesday Night at 7:00 PM @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Meat Puppets, Trotsky Icepick @ Echo
Echo & Dublab presents: Ford and Lopatin, Telepathe, Sun Araw, DJ Frosty (Dublab) @ Echoplex
RFSL presents: A Surprise Bash for Joe Fielder @ Lot 1
Sister Rogers Residency Thursdays @ Taix Lounge

Friday
The Wooden Birds, A House For Lions, Daniel Ahearn and The Jones @ Echo
…And You Will Know Us by The Trail Of Dead, Ringo Deathstarr, Follow That Bird @ Echoplex
Club Underground: Joy Division vs. The Cure night @ Echo
Miracle Parade @ Origami Vinyl
Fort King, Tommee Santee Klaws @ Taix Lounge
Elevaters, Brit Manor @ Bootleg Theater

Saturday
Pangea, Them Howling Bones, Images, Delabre @ Echo
Friends of Friends Anniversary Show featuring: Baths, Mexicans With Guns, Salva, Shlomo, Ground Is Lava, Anenon, Jonwayne @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
The One Am Radio, Dreamtapes @ Origami Vinyl
Sarah Bradford, Gina Maria, Emily Clibourn @ Taix Lounge
Watts Ensemble, Graham Reynolds and Golden Arm Trio @ Bootleg Theater

Sunday
Grand Ole Echo with Skip Heller, David Serby, The Dirt Poor Folklore, Ted Russell Kamp CD Release Party, Mark Lennon @ Echo
Swervedriver, The Black Watch @ Echoplex
Part Time Punks: NDW Nite (AKA Neue Deutsche Welle Nite AKA German New Wave Nite) with Horrid Red and German Army@ Echo
Bruteheart @ Origami Vinyl

Visit the venue websites for more information on the cost and times of shows. This list may not represent all the musical events happening in Echo Park this week – feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time. New events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

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