For the week of Monday, March 14 through Sunday, March 20

Monday
Monday Night Residency: Spirit Vine, Dark Moon, Dante vs Zombies, Rumspringa, Origami DJs on the back patio @ Echo
Honeyhoney, The Wild Feathers, Milo Greene @ Bootleg Theater

Tuesday
Alpine Decline, Residual Echoes @ Echo
Iheartcomix, Media Contender, & La Record Present Check Yo Ponytail 2 With The Death Set, The Gas Lamp Killer, Ninjasonik, Zowie, Biker Daughter, Franki Chan @ Echoplex
Family Band, Papercranes, The Moor @ Bootleg Theater
Daniel Ahearn With Johny Goraj And Toby Burke @ The Fretted Frog

Wednesday
Echo and Echoplex SXSW Throwdown featuring: Creep, Hanni El Khatib, Superhumanoids, Other Lives and Special Guests @ Shangri-La
Dub Club with Prezident Brown, Quinto Sol @ Echoplex
Linda Draper, Old Toy Trains, Chief Nowhere, Dominic Campanella (Quarter After) @ Bootleg Theater
Echo Park Juke Joint with The Downtown Train @ Lot 1 Cafe

Thursday
Wye Oak, Callers @ Echo
Appleseed Cast, Muscle Worship @ Echoplex
“Kewl Beanz” Opening Ceremony and St. Patrick’s Day Celebration @ Lot 1 Cafe

Friday
Say Hi, Parson Redheads, Yellow Ostrich, Blair @ Echo
Passion of The Weiss Presents Rainbow Arabia, Spoek Mathambo, Matthewdavid @ Echoplex
Lava Band @ Bootleg Theater
Foot Foot @ Pehrspace
Bruises, Satellite Sky @ Taix Lounge
The Neighborhood, Haunted Tiger, Shoenberg Knife Fight Ensemble, Zaptra @ Lot 1 Cafe

Saturday
Los Angeles Aussie Bbq Showcase With Maniac, Andy Clockwise, Dan Brodie & The Grieving Widows, Grand Atlantic, The Level Spirits, The Boat People, Wagons, Dogs, Dash & Will, Novocaines, Hungry Kids Of Hungary, Sampology @ Echo
Men, Psychic Friend @ Echoplexsaturday 03.26.11: Funky Sole @ Echo
Funky Sole @ Echo
Wild Up, David Shane Smith @ Bootleg Theater
The Only Michael James @ Taix Lounge
Walk, Stellaluna, Rumble Rumble, & The Kris Special @ Lot 1 Cafe

Sunday
Ariedades @ Echoplex
Part Time Punks: Factory Records Night with live performance by Boy Division @ Echo

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website 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.

Local performance space Bootleg Theater will be kicking off its first-ever Bootleg Dance Festival starting tomorrow, Friday March 4.

The weekend-long event features the work of seven choreographers from all over Los Angeles, covering a wide range of “styles, cultures, and approaches that represent contemporary dance in the world today.”

Artistic Director Alicia Adams told the LA Times in an article that they had wanted “people who are really trying to rediscover dance in new ways.” And, considering the lineup, it looks like they have that accomplished.

The LA Times article continues: “For instance, hip-hop choreographer Amy Campion — whose Antics Performance troupe is one of seven local groups commissioned by the Bootleg to premiere new work for the festival — is trying out new interactive video technology that relies upon infrared light. Her breakdance-inspired piece “Illuminated Manuscript’ will incorporate video projections that follow the dancers’ movements in real time, so ‘a dancer moving [his or her] hand across a screen might create a pixilated video shadow of that arm that leaves tracers behind it,’ Campion says.”

Interested? Single-evening tickets are only $18, but $40 will get you the full festival pass (a discount for all three nights!) and will support Bootleg Theater.

Here’s the weekend lineup:

Friday: Arianne Hoffmann, Keith Glassman, Carmela Hermann

Saturday: The Post Natyam Collective, Antics Performance

Sunday: Jamie Benson, Wife

Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Boulevard

Click here for more information on the Bootleg Theater website, and to purchase tickets.

Last Saturday I got a chance to drop into the newly opened Sage Vegan Organic Bistro / KindKreme restaurant on Sunset Blvd. and Logan Street. I have to admit, I did like the new decor (dark lacquered matching tables and chairs, simple decorations on the walls), and the staff is helpful and punctual.

For my first visit, we had just finished one of the Secret Stairways hikes I’d been dying to accomplish, so we just stopped by for some vegan ice cream. Wanting to try all the flavors, I stopped at the Coconut ice cream because it was just too good to match.

Price-wise, it’s not going to be an every-day coffee joint – a small scoop if ice cream is $3.99 and a cold-press coffee with almond milk at about $4.50. But the Sage Bistro dinner menu looks promising (which we’ll post soon), and with a little careful budgeting I’m sure you’ll also stop by for a little weekend splurge.

And this Saturday is a good time to go – they’ll be officially launching with a grand opening during business hours. Free Baby Cakes ice cream sandwiches will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis until they’re out, and The Makepeace Brothers will be playing that evening.

Feel free to read about the new Echo Park vegan establishment in my latest article.

Sage Vegan Organic Bistro and KindKreme will be open 11:00 am – 10:00 pm weekdays, open until 11:00 pm on Fridays, and will be offering brunch on the weekends from 9:00 am until 10 or 11:00 pm.

Sage Vegan Organic Bistro / KindKreme is located at 1700 West Sunset Blvd. here in Echo Park.

For the week of Tuesday, February 15 through Sunday, February 20

Tuesday
Susan James Cd Release Party Featuring Susan James, Tony Gilkyson/Kip Boardman, Old Californio, Evie Sands, The Quarter After, Double Naught Spycar, Anny Celsi & Nelson Bragg And Others @ Echo
Joseph Arthur, Madi Diaz @ Bootleg Theater
Thurlow Spokes Ep Release Party @ Lot 1
The Singles release party for “Tomorrow I’ll be blue” @ The Fretted Frog

Wednesday
Trmrs, Hindu Pirates @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Wake Up Lucid, The Steelwells, Gypsy Death Star @ Bootleg Theater
Echo Park Juke Joint Presented By Homework, The Downtown Train, Santoros @ Lot 1
Melody In The Round #9 @ Taix Lounge
Live Jazz every Wednesday Night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Lucero, Olin & The Moon @ Echoplex
Duniven (Patrick Of Capshuns), Queen Kwong, The Vla, The Delabre @ Bootleg Theater
Little Furry Things, Weird T.V, Shirley Rolls @ Lot 1
Odd Birds @ Taix Lounge

Friday
Marnie Stern, Tera Melos, Power Axe @ Echo
Club Underground W/ Pep Talk @ Echo
Bearracuda @ Echoplex
Mike Viola With Victor Indrizzo And Sean Hurley, Debate Team, Kate Micucci @ Bootleg Theater
Tremellow, Luna Is Honey @ Lot 1
Cave Country, Matthew Van Wrinkle, Fort King @ Taix Lounge

Saturday
Fyf Presents Glass Candy, Austra (Formerly Katie Stelmanis), Bobby Birdman @ Echoplex
Jaxart Presents Speculator, Punk On Mars, Melted Toys @ Lot 1
Artichoke, Lovers & Poets @ Taix Lounge
The Herbert Stanley Bail Orchestra, Psychedelic Future Folk @ The Fretted Frog
Easter Everywhere Records presents: Verse / Chorus / Verse / Chorus: An evening of experimental and pop performances. Click here for info. @ Pehrspace
Family Dance Party @ The Echo Center

Sunday
Beth Hart With Souls On 11 Feat. Jeff Young & Twinkle Yochim@ Echoplex
Man Or Astroman, Octopus Project @ Echo
Louis And Genevieve, Rick, Anenon @ Bootleg Theater

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website 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.

For the week of Tuesday, February 1 through Sunday, February 6

Tuesday
89.9 KCRW presents: Tristen, Hi Ho Silver Oh, Marcus Very Ordinary @ Echo
Iheartcomix, Media Contender, LA Record present: Check Yo Ponytail 2 with Yelawolf, Craze, Das Racist, 87 Stick Up Kids, Freak City, Franki Chan @ Echoplex
Daniel Ahearn, Daniel Bess, Marcus Very Ordinary @ The Fretted Frog

Wednesday
Oh Land, Big Search (7″ Release Show), John Webster Johns, White Fence @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Echo Park Juke Joint: Homework Presents @ Lot 1 Cafe
Live Jazz every Wednesday Night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
The Sweet, Fancy Space People, Dante Vs Zombies @ Echoplex
We Barbarians, Lesands, The Union Line @ Echo
Sugar and Gold, Yip Deceiver, Little Birds @ Bootleg Theater
The Health Club, Michael Nhat, Mama’s Joy @ Lot 1 Cafe
Jeremiah and The Red Eyes @ Taix Lounge

Friday
Olafur Arnalds, George Sarah and Strings @ Echoplex
Miguel Atwood-ferguson Orchestra with The Gaslamp Killer, Anna Wise (Sonnymoon) @ Natural History Museum
Echo and Club Underground present: Tennis, Air Waves, Lord Huron @ Echo
Chasing Kings @ Origami Vinyl
400 Blows, Skinwalker, Longmont Potion Castle @ Bootleg Theater
Ad + Jaxart Present: Dirty Gold, Pageants, Honey Loving Cells @ Lot 1 Cafe
Mr. Smolin, Cirque Link @ Taix Lounge
The Silver Lake Chorus First Anniversary show, 7:00 pm, $10 at the door, click for info @ the Echo Park United Methodist Church

Saturday
FYF presents: Forgetters (Members Of Jawbreaker, Jets To Brazil And Against Me), Street Eaters, Dangers @ Echo
Bootie LA @ Echoplex
Under the Covers: A Tribute to The Nerves Release Party, with Tijuana Panthers, Audacity @ Origami Vinyl
The Lexingtons, Princess Frank, Therapy Session @ Lot 1 Cafe
Echo Park Cycles closing down party and benefit, featuring Blackleg. Click for flyer.
Swing Riots @ Taix Lounge

Sunday
Part Time Punks with The Soft Moon, Violet Tremors @ Echo

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website 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.

Happy 2nd Birthday, AYC!

Celebrate with the amazing bar/restaurant on Thursday, January 27 and take advantage of their two-for-one menu special. Enjoy some wine or a cocktail, some birthday cake, and the super awesome AYC staff and owners (seriously, everyone there is really nice!).

For the week of Tuesday, January 11 through Sunday, January 16

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Residency: Olin & The Moon with Paulie Pesh, Coyol and Bingo! @ Echo
Iheartcomix, Media Contender, & LA Record present Check Yo Ponytail 2 with Pictureplane, Teengirl Fantasy, Terminal Twilight, Killing Spree DJs, Franki Chan @ Echoplex
Open Mic Night @ The Fretted Frog

Wednesday
Wednesday Night Residency: Foster the People @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Quick Hellos (feat. Dan Crane), Heather Porcaro & The Heartstring Symphony, Whispertown, Jake Bellows (Neva Dinova) @ Bootleg Theater
Live Jazz every Wednesday Night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Gary Lucas’ Captain Beefheart Symposium plus special guests @ Echoplex
Old Man Markley Record Release Party, Roses Pawn Shop, Cooper Mcbean (from Devil Makes Three), Dustbowl Cavaliers @ Echo
Seeing Thingz, Brian Buckley Band @ Taix Lounge

Friday
Echo & Club Underground present The Black Ryder @ Echo
Nazcar Nation, James & Evander @ Lot 1 Cafe
Satellite Sky @ Taix Lounge

Saturday
Ozokidz @ Echoplex
Smash Appeal @ Echoplex
Tumbleweeds @ Taix Lounge
Ponce De Leon @ Origami Vinyl
Vanaprasta, Mariah Mcmanus, John Isaac Watters, John Carpenter @ Bootleg Theater

Sunday
Funky Sole @ Echo
Bridges School Event @ Bootleg Theater

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website 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.

Some call them Danger Dogs, others (like me) avoid it all together, and even more Angelenos stumble in an altered state of mind out the doors of a bar late at night and are greeted by glorious smells of none other than bacon-wrapped hot dogs.

Others write poems about their favorite bacon-wrapped hot dog stand near the Short Stop on the “reviews” section of the … Hot Dog Lady Yelp page??

Yes, Hot Dog Lady has a Yelp page. According to the website’s business info, the stand offers plenty of outdoor seating (the curb), is not good for kids, and is super affordable (but she doesn’t accept credit cards, in case you’re wondering). And the service is excellent. “There’s nothing like binge drinking at Little Joy Shortstop or Gold Room (or my house, conveniently located around the corner) and then mumbling ‘dos mas por favor, con todo’ to my sweet sweet love, The Hot Dog Lady.  Ay, mi amor….” writes one reviewer.

How Hot Dog Lady got a Yelp page, or if she even knows about it, is a mystery. But she’s got 4.5 stars, and hot dog that’s pretty good.

A lot of changes over the past few months for Lot 1 at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Laveta Terrace – they’ve added tables outside, beer and wine, and now some live entertainment.

According to the Lot 1 Facebook page, the cafe received its entertainment license last November. It was also granted a beer and wine license last year, and now serves up the neighborhoods best deal for mimosas (only $4). Combine food, booze, and live entertainment, and then add late night hours (open until 1:00 am most weeknights, and 3:00 am on the weekends), the establishment that once had those precarious business hours may draw a crowd to that little corner.

The cafe’s first live show coming up on Friday, January 7 is an indie-themed set of performances by some local bands, such as The Black Jesus from nearby Mt. Washington. We’re not sure what kind of music or if local musicians will be the focus for the location (the owner of Lot 1 declined to comment for now), but with the Echo Curio gone many are wondering if the cafe will help fill that void.

Will you go to a show that promises booze, dancing, and no LAPD busting down the doors?

Click here for event info, and check out Lot 1 Cafe’s page on Echo Park Online.

Flickr photo by Rachel Carr

Allston Yacht Club

Three wines and four courses for $50. Seatings at 6:30 and 9:00 pm. Reservations recommended. Check the AYC Facebook page for the menu.

Bootie LA New Year’s Eve at the Echoplex

With DJ Paul V., DJ Shyboy, Lady Tigra, and R.A.I.D. Dance Crew. Balloon drop, champagne toast at midnight, photobooth, oisemakers, hats, and mashups. “Best of Bootie 2010” CD give-away for the first 300 through the door.

9:00 pm – 3:00 am. 21+, $10 cash before 10:00 pm, $20 after. View website.

City Sip LA’s bottomless glasses of bubbly

$25 gets you bottomless bubbly! Reservations recommended for parties of 4 or more. Designated Drivers drink non-alcoholic beverages for FREE!

9:00 pm to midnight, $25 per person.

The Echo

Hang the DJs plus Club Underground New Year’s Eve Bash hosted by Scarlett Casanova with live performances by Nite Jewel and Kenan Bell. DJ sets from Hang the DJs/Club Underground selectors, with guest DJ DJ Alex Transistor (AM/FM).

$10 presale ($15 at the door) gets you free champagne! 9:00 am – 2:00 am

The Park Restaurant

Two six course menus, one vegetarian and one omnivore, for $60 per person, including a glass of champagne. Menu includes items from butter poached lobster to griddled pecorino with truffles and walnut agrodolce. Contact The Park for the full menu and hours. Reservations recommended.

Taix French Restaurant

Regular menu items will be served along with specials,such as jumbo shrimp cocktail, crab cakes with lemon aoili, Alaskan King Salmon, and more. Click here for the full menu.

Serving from 4:00 – 11:00 pm. Reservations suggested.

Other spots

El Compadre and Barragan’s are doing business as usual on New Year’s Eve (probably same goes for the Gold Room and Little Joy).

A lot of shops and restaurants will be closed for the holiday, and others will close early so make sure you call ahead:

  • Masa will close at 9:00 pm
  • El Prado will be closed New Year’s Eve and Day
  • Xoia is closed until January 4, 2011

Keep checking back as we update you on New Year’s Eve, Echo Park style!

We know what we’re doing this weekend!

The First Annual Harvest Beer Fest, sponsored in part by Spaceland Productions, along with Anderson Valley Brewing Co., El Prado and Malo Restaurant, will be held at the Echoplex and Echo this weekend – November 20! The fest boasts LA-based food trucks, entertainment and over 50 West Coast and national brews. Local favorite bands such as Vaud & the Villains, Shannon & the Clams, Blasting Company, and Last Round Down will provide live entertainment throughout the day, and ticket sale proceeds will benefit 826LA.

The Harvest Beer Fest is 21+ for entry; attendees must bring a valid ID for entry into the event.

General Admission: $30/person; includes unlimited sample sized pours. Food is available for purchase from food trucks at the event. Tickets are available for purchase on TicketWeb.

First Annual Harvest Beer Fest
Saturday November 20, 2010
12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Echoplex and Echo
1154 Glendale Blvd

For the week of Monday, November 8 through Sunday, November 14

Monday
Monday Night Residency: The Black Apples, Tijuana Panthers, Future Ghost, Dead Trees @ Echo
Sun Airway, Expo 70 @ Origami Vinyl

Tuesday
Nitzer Ebb, Tense, Rainbow Arabia, DJ Paul V @ Echoplex
Brian Wright, Ladies Gun Club @ Bootleg Theater

Wednesday
Dub Club @ Echoplex & Echo
Paul Inman’s Delivery @ Taix Lounge
Candy Claws (Fort Collins, Co), Chain Gang Of 1974, Elle King @ Bootleg Theater

Thursday
The Soft Pack, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Purling Hiss @ Echoplex
Sonny and the Sunsets, Tennis, The Belle Brigade @ Echo
Blaine Campbell and the California Sound @ Taix Lounge
Tim Kasher (Cursive), Darren Hanlon @ Bootleg Theater

Friday
“Repeat Offender” Hit + Run 5 Year Anniversary Party @ Echo
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Weekend, Sonny and the Sunsets @ Echoplex
Purling Hiss @ Origami Vinyl
Madame Pamita, Tom Rodwell @ Taix Lounge
Benefit for ASAPROSAR (helping the rural poor in EL Salvador): Red Cortez, Astra Heights, The Uplifters, Funeral Party. Flyer @ Dinner House M
Teitur @ Bootleg Theater

Saturday
Footlong Development & Keistar Productions Present Wonder-Full La5 – A Tribute to the Wonder of Stevie @ Echo & Echoplex
Traps, Ps @ Origami Vinyl
Moris Tepper, Gwendolyn @ Taix Lounge
Mini Mansions, Chico Sonido @ Bootleg Theater

Sunday
Nacional Records Road Trip with Banda De Turistas, Pacha Massive @ Echo (Early Show)
Margot and the NuClear So and So’s, Jookabox, Burnt Ones @ Echoplex
Woodsman, Gauntlet Hair @ Origami Vinyl

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website 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.

The Echo Curio might be shut down for a little while, but tonight they are able to host an art opening for co-owner Justin McInteer. Check it out from 8:00 am – Midnight tonight, refreshments will be served.

Get your tickets for this week’s first annual Culture Collide Fest, where venues large and small in Echo Park, Silver Lake, and downtown will host a variety of music and food trucks over four days. Echo Park will be hosting the majority of the shows at the Echo, Echoplex, Taix Lounge, and even 826LA (Echo Curio was on that list, but it’s not looking like they’ll be open due to permitting issues).

Headliners include the Black Lips, Klaxons, Monotonix, Cass McCombs, The Besnard Lakes, and El Guincho.

We’ve got quite a few local shops and restaurants participating in the event, including:

  • The Downbeat Café: Wristband holders receive a Free Latte with Sandwich purchase
  • Chango Coffee: Wristband holders receive 1 free small drip coffee to enjoy in house or to go
  • The Fretted Frog: Wristband holders receive 10% off strings and accessories
  • Echo Curio: no longer able to participate
  • Origami: Wristband holders receive 10% off all records
  • Delilah Bakery: Mention the Culture Collide Special and receive a Free Cupcake with a purchase of $10 or more
  • Vacation Vinyl (Silver Lake): Wristband holders receive 10% off all vinyl
  • Blue Collar, For Working Dogs: Wristband holders and dog lovers receive 15% off everything (with the exception of canned food)
  • Masa of Echo Park: Wristband holders who dine at Masa will receive 10% off their meal (excluding beer + wine)
  • City Sip La : Wristband holders who dine at City Sip will receive 10% off (dining only)
  • Happy Tom’s – Restaurant: Wristband holders receive a 10% discount
  • Rodeo Mexican Grill: Wristband holders receive a 10% discount
  • Feeding Birds Boutique: 10% off purchases up to $99.99. Free “Feeding Birds Original Organic Crew Neck Print Tee” for purchases over $100.00 (while supplies last).

Culture Collide Fest goes on from Thursday, October 7 through Saturday, October 9 with a free Toyota Antics Block Party on Sunday the 10th.

Click here for the full schedule.

Click here to buy tickets – $20 for the whole fest.

Our last fireworks show at Dodger Stadium (which used to happen every Friday home game last season) is coming up on Friday, October 1. Get your tickets and show up early – these special events are usually packed!

Also, if you’re an Echo Park resident, make sure you get your free tickets soon! They always run out within hours.

Here’s the details from Community Relations Manager Noel Pallias:

As we advised and discussed with members of the Solano Community and the Community Advisory Group, we have added for our fans and neighbors a final fireworks show for the season.  As you are hopefully aware, the Friday fireworks show creates a wonderful family environment and we know our fans appreciate this late season gesture.

On Friday, October 1st, a 10-15 minute fireworks show will take place after the conclusion of that evening’s game against the Arizona Diamondback, which is scheduled to start at 7:10PM.

As always, the safety of those attending the event, our neighbors, the surrounding community and the firefighters themselves is of paramount concern to us. Therefore, as has been our policy, should the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) request that we cancel the fireworks due to weather concerns, or any other concern for that matter, we will comply. Decisions on this will be made right up until the time of the show.

LAFD personnel (including a water truck as is required by the fire safety code) and, as an added precaution, we will wet down the hillside closest to the demonstration area. Stadium management will be on site to manage the event.

Additionally, as has been our standing offer to closest neighbors, we have tickets available for our members of the Echo/Elysian Park and Solano Canyon residents who are interested in attending the game. Therefore, if you are a resident of either community and are interested in attending the game as our guest, please contact me at noelp@ladodgers.com with your interest, your address and telephone number (*additionally, since these tickets will be left under the name of the person making the request – THEY ARE NOT TRANSFERRABLE*). Your request must be received by Wednesday, September 29th.  Please understand that these tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and that this offer is only for game tickets.

A confirmation email will be sent by noon on Thursday (9/30) indicating the time, as well as the location where the tickets will be available for pick-up on Friday.

Should you have any concerns relative to this event, please call our Neighborhood Focus Line at (323) 224-2636.

Can’t make it Friday? Make sure you support the Echo Park Improvement Association and the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce and purchase tickets for Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 2. There won’t be fireworks, but you get to watch a game some cool Echo Park people! Click here for more info on how to buy tickets for Saturday.