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Sunset Beer Grand Opening Party tonight!

Sunset Beer is hosting its grand opening party today just a month after it opened, the beer bottle shop and bar celebrating with, what else? Beer! They’ve recently added Golden Road Brewing Hefeweizen and the Golden Road Point the Way IPA (which I’ve had and it’s tasty!). There will certainly be some other beer-related shenanigans and some elbow rubbing with the staff and owners, so check it out!

Sunset Beer Grand Opening Party
Saturday, October 15 from 6-10:00 pm
Music by Mr. Cocoon
Sunset Beer Co. is located at 1498 Sunset Boulevard, #3

Also be sure to walk across the street to Villainy for its grand opening today!

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Villainy fills in the former Echo Curio space nicely

Villainy General Store opened its doors just last month, on September 15, 2011, taking over the former Echo Curio space after a couple of different places tried and failed to renovate and rent the space (a coffee shop/bakery type place, the a tattoo shop). After repainting the walls, rehabbing the original floor, replacing the stained glass window at the front (someone had broken it), and thankfully improving the bathroom, Villainy was open!

You can find owner Erich Schlieske by the cash register. He and wife Ellen McAlister started eEvil Ink Design in 2003, producing everything from greeting cards to silk-screened t-shirts, bags, journals, and more. Better yet? They live in Echo Park!

If you haven’t been to the new store yet, you should check it out – and, no, you don’t have to be a hipster to dig it. Some of the items I was eying and will definitely go back for include some of the Giurto’s Vita-Grain, which is a high-quality brand that makes flour, salt, and even organic cereal and polenta. The pancake mix they make is on my next shopping list, so that I can force the hubby make me breakfast one of these days soon.

Also of note (should any of my family be reading this article, hint hint): Peppercorn Bacon bitters for those houty touty cocktail nights, a 5 quart Dutch oven ($60 is a great price on that), lucky horseshoes for a mere $5, cast iron cookware and these really cool wood letter cutouts that I’m pretty sure would at least spell B-E-E-R in some combination (they run from $3-10). And of course, there are plenty of eEvil Ink items to pick up.

For some of these items the price might appear a little steep – but a trip to other specialty item stores like Whole Foods and TJs and there isn’t much of a difference. For instance if you’re into organic floor cleaner made from natural ingredients, you’re not exactly paying supermarket prices. If anything, Villainy is really a great local place to drop in and pick up a unique gift for someone, especially those people who are hard to shop for or already have everything.

And today’s (Saturday, October 15) a great day to swing in – they are hosting a grand opening party, celebrating with refreshments and music from 7:00 – 10:00 pm.

Villainy is located at 1519 W. Sunset Blvd.

Check out our photo gallery below:

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

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Celebrate Día de los Muertos at El Centro Del Pueblo

The annual commemoration of Día de los Muertos along with the Echo Park Mariachi Festival takes place at El Centro Del Pueblo on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Entrance to the festival is free!

Everyone is welcome to create a free altar in commemoration of Día de los Muertos at the center, which goes on from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Vendor booths are $50.

The Mariachi Festival (from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm) features LAUSD Middleton Elementary School Mariachi and Flocorico Dancers.
Join your neighbors, family and friends for altars, culture, food, free arts and crafts for kids, and plenty of entertainment – including an art exhibit.

This event is co-sponsored by GEPENC, State Senator Kevin De Leon, Assemblymember Gilbert Cedillo and Los Angeles Council President Eric Garcetti.

El Centro Del Pueblo is located at 1157 Lemoyne St.

Contact Lidia Martinez at lmecdp@yahoo.com or 213-483-6335, if you’d like a space for your free altar or vendor booth.

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Echo Park’s Week(end) in Music

For the week of Thursday, October 13 through Sunday, October 16, 2011

Thursday
Wild Beasts, Ema @ Echoplex
Manimal 2011 Showcase with Papercranes, Cameras, The Child, Guineafowl @ Echo
Family of the Year EP Release Show, Maniac, Black Flamingo @ Bootleg Theater/Bar
Missions, Black Mambas, John Carpenter @ Lot 1 Cafe
Flying Platforms, Heart of Gold and Brian Kenney Fresno @ Taix Lounge
Thursday Night Residency: Sucker for Pumps, Aftergloam, Matthew Sikora, DJ sets by Alex Pastor & Andrew @ El Cid

Friday
Pure X, M. Geddes Gengras, Strangers Family Band @ Echo
Buraka Som Sistema, Oro11, DJ Panamami @ Echoplex
Aan @ Origami Vinyl
Katie Herzig, Butterfly Boucher, Amy Kuney @ Bootleg Theater/Bar
Ashtray Boy, The World Record, The Honey Loving Cells @ Lot 1 Cafe
Barbara Manning, Circe Link @ Taix Lounge

Saturday
Back to School: Booking And Touring (How in the hell do I get a show?) @ The Echo
The Hold Steady, Jesse Malin @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
Capsula @ Origami Vinyl
The Inevitable Backlash, Kozmonaut, Help, Wreck Of The Zephyr @ Bootleg Theater/Bar
Lantern, Haunted Tiger, So Wrong, Mikki and The Mauses @ Lot 1 Cafe
Patrolled By Radar, Son Ark and Friends @ Taix Lounge

Sunday
Part Time Punks with Street Chant, Cool Moms, Neonates @ Echo
Walls, The Urxed, David Scott Stone @ Bootleg Theater/Bar
Correatownm Peachy Keene, The Remainers @ El Cid

Visit the venue websites for more information on the cost and times of shows. Feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time, and new events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

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Echo Park/Elysian Park house fire this evening

A house fire broke out early this evening up near Douglas Street and Montana Street, north of Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park.

There was a huge response to the densely populated neighborhood by the LAFD. Over 74 firefighters responded along with two water dropping helicopters, according to the LAFD Twitter.

As of 6:15 pm, the fire is under control. The official address/area is 1400 block of North Elysian Park Drive, cause unknown but apparently there was heavy fire in the basement and attic. When we took these photos, you could hear the scary popping sounds as the fire grew.

Echo Park and Elysian Park smells heavily of smoke, so close your windows and stay inside if you can!

UPDATE:

The home is owned by actress Ann Robinson, who is known well for her role in the ’50s movie War of the Worlds. Nearby neighbors rushed to their homes to keep an eye on pets and close windows, including restaurant owner Rhonda of Masa (it was laundry night, so we got to say hi at our favorite Echo Park hub tonight). Thankfully, nobody was harmed.

And the popping noises we all heard? Actual ammunition! Check out our video below:

The LA Fire Department posted some more information about the blaze on the morning of Thursday, October 13. Of note, 165 firefighters ended up responding. The owner was evaluated on scene but was not injured nor taken to the hospital. The house is also not a total loss, but they estimated a loss of $300,000 (includes $50,000 in contents, which included movie memorabilia as mentioned on last night’s news).

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Calling all those who are “haunted” by memories in Echo Park

Los Angeles-based artist Artemisa wants you to think about all the haunted spaces of the Echo Park neighborhood. We know you’ve all got Halloween on the brain, but it’s not the typical haunting you might be thinking of.

Artemisa is putting together a book as a personal project the “haunted” spaces in and around Los Angeles. “I’m not necessarily looking for somewhere haunted by the undead,” she told us in an email, “rather, I’m interested in spaces that, when you pass by, go inside of, or even think of, remind you of a specific event, memory, person, etc. This project is about documenting lingering personal hauntings within Los Angeles that affect its residents.”

If you’re a nostalgic-type, perhaps this would be great for you! Examples would be:

  • a school across the street from an old lover’s house who loved waking up to the sound of children playing
  • the empty panels on the side of the LA river that used to be covered with a memorial for someone who died on the 5 there

We’re not so sure about the specific memory, or person… but we can think of a couple of spooky spots: Angelino Heights has a long history as one of the oldest neighborhoods in LA, not to mention all those old Victorian mansions. There was a murder in 1904 in Elysian Heights that might have left some ghosts behind. We’ve also read stories of an old bottling plant up near Echo Park Avenue and Baxter called Elysian Springs Bottling House, where one day a boy was killed by a truck driving in the road.

Okay we’re getting a little off topic, after all – she is looking for something about the everyday people of Los Angeles’ past, rather than the “undead” haunting. If you’re interested in contributing or just learning more about her project, check out Artemisa’s blog.

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Echo Park beauty salon volunteers makeovers for job-seekers in need

Beauty Box in Echo Park is a great example of the giving spirit of our local businesses. Since 2006, just a few months after opening the store (its original location is where Rock Paper Scissors is now), owners and sisters Vanessa Arce-Mendez and Lydia Guido were inspired to give back to their Los Angeles community by doing what they do best: Beauty!

After the makeover, with Erica (at right). Photo courtesy of Beauty Box

After chatting with a client who was working at Homegirl Industries, they all came up with the idea to donate their time to young teenagers and women who needed a little pick-me-up, inside and outside.

Homegirl Industries, a part of Homeboy Industries, provides at-risk and gang-involved youth with a chance to “contribute” to their communities by getting jobs, experience, and education. Beauty Box gives the girls makeovers, an opportunity for Lydia and Vanessa to help give them a day where they would “just feel good!”

Since Homegirl Industries helps with job placement, Vanessa and Lydia started with volunteering their hair and makeup services once a month to two women from the organization to help them prepare for job interviews. As the shop grew, and they moved to its current location across the street on Sunset Boulevard, they were able to add one more volunteer service with each additional staff member that was hired.

Vanessa wanted to give back, especially to women in Los Angeles, because she was a teen mom. While she had lots of family support, Vanessa knew a lot of girls her age, in her same circumstance, who didn’t have the same support. “I thought, one day when I can,” she said, “I will help other people as soon as I could do it.”

Beauty Box just recently decided to switch things up a bit, and is now going to start volunteering with a client who helps women develop interview skills and get appropriate clothes for job interviews. In addition to volunteering their services for hair, the women will leave with a goodie bag to help them maintain the new look.

Keep up the great work!

Beauty Box Salon & Nails
1498 W Sunset Blvd.
213-250-1515

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New pizza joint coming to Echo Park

Pizza lovers rejoice! We’ve got a new pizza place joining the ranks of new Echo Park restaurants – this time, however, on the other side of Sunset Boulevard.

Taking over an empty storefront in the same mini-mall as Beauty Box, Sunset Beer, and the computer repair shop, the new restaurant promises to fill in a pizza gap for those of us on the other side of the neighborhood.

We’re taking precautions announcing the people and the name behind the new place for now – the last we heard they were in the process of ending their lease at the current location, so we’ll refrain for the time being (we certainly don’t want to get anyone in trouble!). But let’s just say the menu will delight both hipsters and non-hipsters alike – vegan options, and even a pupusa-style pizza that we’ve heard is amazing.

And what great timing – how awesome would it be to grab a couple of slices to enjoy next door at Sunset Beer with a seasonal microbrew?

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Echo Park resident crafts his own spooky Halloween decorations

Glenn Hill with his first of many Halloween decorations, made from recycled materials

As an overworked adult these days, it’s easy to forget about the Halloween holiday. Not to mention, there are fewer decorations than the days of growing up in a small town, our mini suburbs full of kids trick-or-treating and haunted houses (remember the house that gave out full-size candy bars?!). Thankfully, however, we’ve got our very own resident bringing the Halloween spirit alive to one pocket of Echo Park.

I first noticed this house a few years ago when I lived in a dark little apartment across the street, my first Echo Park pad. As the Halloween holiday approached, we watched as an enormous figure took shape in front of our neighbor’s home, its giant arms reaching out over the sidewalk and a vague grotesque expression on its face. It was completely made out of paper and tape, surprisingly surviving our street and the weather. It turns out the papier-mâché figure was one of many, and certainly not the last.

Hoping to catch a glimpse of more of these figures, we met up with the artist himself, Glenn Hill. He’s lived in his Echo Park home on Douglas Street near Beverly Boulevard for about nine years now. Five or six years ago, he started hosting Halloween parties for fellow 12-step program members at his home – and what would a Halloween party be without decorations? Read more

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Explore old secrets at the “Haunts of Angelino Heights” scavenger hunt

The Irey House, built in 1887, now on Carroll Avenue

Too old for trick or treating? Gone are the days of booze-filled costume parties? Well even if those don’t exactly apply to you, here’s another way to celebrate the spooky Halloween holiday this month: The 3rd Annual Haunts of Angelino heights!

Taking place on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, the event is a “haunted” scavenger hunt in the old neighborhood filled with century-old Victorian homes. There’s a lot of history in the neighborhood besides the old houses – after all, the “Thriller” music video was filmed there, along with the “Charmed” television show.

Hosted by Out of the Box Events and the Los Angeles Conservancy, the event promises to explore the “spirits, secrets and legends of one of the oldest neighborhoods in LA.” Perhaps you’ll capture something spooky, so bring a camera! Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the LA Conservancy. Tickets are $30.

3rd Annual Haunts of Angelino Heights
October 22 and 23, 2011
4:00 – 6:30 pm
Click here for tickets

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Time to get fit: Echo Park Avenue gets new Pilates studio

Echo Park has recently become quite the beer destination, but who knows – maybe it’ll turn into the Yoga/Pilates/arts destination!

13-year Echo Park resident Tannis Kobrinsky saw the “for rent” sign next to the Yogala Echo Park space (in Peter Shire’s building) and, as she told us in August when construction started, “I knew this was the time and place. I’m extremely excited to be able to make this happen this year!” She wanted a place for Pilates classes as well as a dedicated art space, so that when you think about the studio, you think of it as a “wellness and cultural Salon.” Thus was born Pilates & Arts!

Tannis gets major kudos for her long-time residency in Echo Park, for opening the new studio, and for her major Pilates bod which you can check out on her website, HealtHabitravels.com (she’s inspiring me to get in shape!). While a grand opening party is planned for November (with a joint block party on November 13), this weekend she’ll be hosting a soft opening with a free “meet the machine” event so that any Pilates newbies won’t feel intimated trying out those machines like Pilates reformers, springboards, wunda-chair, and other exercise props with equally funny names.

You can expect traditional Pilates classes on the apparatus only in private, partner and group sessions, while Tannis will continue teaching Pilates mat classes at Yogala next door. Additionally, there will be a dedicated art wall in the studio along with intimate art gallery opens, art-related workshops and events during the studio after-hours.

You can sign up for the free “meet the machine” event on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, by calling (323) 913-9460 or email info@pilatesandarts.com. Classes will be held every hour between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, and are limited to six people per hour.

Tannis wants to keep us budget-conscious folks in mind – Meet the Machine workshops will be held after the opening at $30 for three sessions. October is also a great month to sign up with Pilates & Arts – she is currently offering a discount on cash or check payments this month – 3 private session for $150, 3 partner sessions for $90, and 3 group sessions for $75 (must have prior experience practicing Pilates on the apparatus).

Pilates & Arts
1844 Echo Park Avenue

Reserve a spot: 323-913-9460 and info@pilatesandarts.com

Website

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Rates run $30 a person for a group class of 3-4 people max (or a series of 10 for $270), $40 per person for a partner class (or a series of 10 for $350), and $65 for a private class (or a series of 10 for $600)

Check the Facebook page for detailed hours on classes, and costs.

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Crawl along Sunset Blvd. for cold beer and Echo Park music – it’s Beer Week!

LA Beer Week (or “weeks” really) is like Christmas to me, the most important holiday of the year – but we don’t mesh with the whole drinking and driving thing, so we prefer to hang local and support the ‘hood!

So strap on those beer drinking/dancing boots for the Echo Park Musical Beer Crawl Tuesday, October 11, 2011. More than a handful of Echo Park businesses and venues are participating, including Backside, City Sip, El Prado, Grill ‘Em All Truck, Lot 1 Cafe, Masa, Mohawk Bend, Origami Vinyl, Sunset Beer Co., Taix 321 Lounge, The Echo/Echoplex, and Two Boots. Yeah!

Each place is offerings special discounts or rare keg tappings, be sure to check out what each place is doing by clicking here.

How do you take advantage of these discounts and special gatherings around Echo Park? “Passports” are now available for you to print out and flash at the participating venues. Click here to get your own! (Oh, yes, and it’s free!)

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Echo Park rules: LA Weekly’s Best of LA list

We all know it: Echo Park is the raddest. But it’s nice to get a little acknowledgment – LA Weekly’s Best of LA 2011 is out, and once again, we’ve got quite a few locations in our ‘hood to celebrate.

Keep reading what Echo Park businesses and locations made the Best of LA cut:

Spitfire Girl: Best Ironic Baubles for a Best Friend

Located along our stretch of Echo Park known as antique row, Spitfire Girl gets kudos for being a “more authentic version of Urban Outfitters’ indie accessories department.” From horses and owl-themed products to art books, jewelry, and woodcut wall art, LA Weekly recommends a stop as “you should have no trouble finding a unique gift for any lover of irony or beauty.” We have to admit we’ve never been to Spitfire Girl… we will definitely go now!

LA Weekly link
2203 Sunset Blvd. • (213) 989-1977 • spitfiregirl.com

Rewind Audio: Best Electronics That Don’t Fit in a Pocket

Audio geeks rejoice: “This is not the insanely priced stuff sought by audiophiles but great, quotidian, mainstream electronics…” says The LA Weekly.

Even better? “Their pristine little Echo Park shop attracts a steady stream of people in their 20s seeking a retro look and electronic equipment that’s fun to touch, as well as a 40s-and-up clientele who miss the richer sounds often lost to digital.

LA Weekly link
1041 N. Alvarado St. • (213) 273-8904 • rewindaudio.com

Read more

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Tidbits from around Echo Park

Photo by Martin Cox via The Eastsider LA

Rain fills just-emptied Echo Park Lake

The Eastsider LA published a photo by Martin Cox taken yesterday after a downpoor of rain filled up quite a bit of the just-drained Echo Park Lake. As the clouds separated, Cox captured a beautiful and dramatic photo of the lake with all that rain collected.

City hearing held on Fix Coffee’s beer & wine application

Yesterday (Wednesday) morning was the hearing for Fix Coffee’s application for a beer and wine license. While no official recommendations by the zoning administrator have been made (it’s expected in the coming weeks), Eric Garcetti of CD13 opposes the permit, as indicated in a statement issued by spokeswoman Julie Wong and published today on The Eastsider LA:

“After listening to community members on both sides and giving the issue careful consideration, Council President Garcetti decided to oppose the permit because he feels it is not quite right for the location at this time.”

Read more about the controversial application by Fix Coffee.

Echo Park Artist in the NY Times

The NY Times visited artist Lecia Dole-Recio in her Echo Park studio recently. Dole-Recio uses cardboard and paint to create collages of geometric shapes and strong colors. She has a show through October 15 at Richard Telles Fine Artin LA and an exhibit in December at the Secession in Vienna. Click here to read the full story.

High five! Flickr photo via falafelicious

Did a Dodger invent the high five?

Writer Jon Mooallem investigates the origin of the high-five, an investigation which led him to Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke in 1977. After a home run by fellow Dodger Dusty Baker, Burke “thrust his hand enthusiastically over his head to greet his friend at the plate. Baker, not knowing what to do, smacked it. ‘His hand was up in the air, and he was arching way back,’ says Baker, 62, who’s now managing the Cincinnati Reds. ‘So I reached up and hit his hand. It seemed like the thing to do.'”

Of course the origins of such a thing are highly debated – read the article on TheWeek.com and decide for yourself!

Culture Collide Festival kicked off

The annual Filter Magazine’s Culture Collide Fest kicked off yesterday, and end Sunday with the Toyota Antics block party at Reservoir and Sunset. Click here to get more info about the Festival.

 

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Culture Collide Fest starts Wednesday in Echo Park

The annual Filter Magazine’s Culture Collide Festival descends on Echo Park this week, with dozens of performances at The Echo, Echoplex, Taix, 826LA, Origami Vinyl, Echo Park Independent Co-Op, Echo Park Methodist Church, and Reform Academy. The four-day fest brings artists from over 24 countries, along with live music there will be food, film screenings, and happy hours!

Along with musical performances, the International Happy Hour includes drink specials at Taix from 4-6:00 pm on Thursday and Firday, and 6-8:00 pm on Saturday, October 8. Click here to RSVP. The full schedule and lineup is also now available, click here.

Lineup includes artists like Ximena Sarinana from Mexico (who happens to have a new song titled “Echo Park”), along with headlines CSS, Clap Your Hands Say Yea, Avi Buffalo, and more. Echo Park always has some music events going on over the weekend, so if you don’t want to pay the $20 for the whole fest keep your eye out on the many music venues in the neighborhood for shows.

And finally like in past years, the festival ends with a free Toyota Antics block party event in Echo Park on Sunday, October 9. The party takes place at Reservoir and Sunset Boulvard, and often includes live music and family-friendly activities (we’ve seen bouncy castles before).

See you around!

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