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In love with art at the Echo Park Community Art Project

Sandwiched between a bargain store and, well, I believe, another bargain store (formerly a you-know-what kind of coop) on Sunset Boulevard is an Echo Park art gallery space. Formerly Bandit Gallery, it now holds the name Sancho Gallery, and – for a week – it’s the place of the Echo Park Community Art Project (EPCAP).

EPCAP is a nonprofit event aimed at provided youth in Echo Park and the area with basic art supplies like pens, pencils, and paper. They are curating art that has been donated by young, local artists from high school students, non-professional artists, and even some bigger local names. 100% of the money raised with the sale of these art pieces fund these “Art Survival Kits” – hand-printed tote bags filled with bi-lingual educational materials that “equip individuals with tools for making and exploring art.”

This weekend, they’ll have an opening celebration and a weekend full of free workshops, from photography to creative writing to animation, and are open to all ages.

EPCAP is curated by nonprofit team the Negative Space Curation, led by art-lovers Meredith “Mere” Rosenbluthand Angela Gonzalez Hall. Mere is a Los Angeles native as well as a curator, educator, writer, photographer and printmaker. Angela is also a curator, educator, writer, and gallery enthusiast, and she’s completely in love with LACMA.

In a press release, the curators told us about why they created this event:

“The idea for this project came from a shared love of art, a deep belief in the importance of art education, anda frustration with some of the systems that the art worldis hinged upon—namely, that of commerce, of the gallery, of an elite space that only few can truly access and that reaches out to a very select public.”

Yesterday, we checked out EPCAP and are excited about their project, even bought some Peter Shire ceramics (score!). It’s for a good cause, and all the neighbor kids should go check it out (we hear all they have to do is talk about their favorite piece of art to snag a bag).

Check it out:

Echo Park Community Arts Project
Sancho, 1549 Sunset Blvd.
May 9-15, 2011 from 12-7:00 pm
Opening celebration: Friday, May 13, 2011 from 7-10:00 pm
Workshops: Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15

Please visit the EPCAP website for details about the free workshops going on this weekend!

Here are some photos from our recent visit:

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

PS the are also participating in this weekend’s Echo Park PDA/Art Walk (which we’ll dedicate another article to).

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Echo Park German Shephard Adoption Event

Blue Collar Supplies is hosting a German Shepard adoption event in Echo Park this weekend. Adopting your new furry friend from this event also means that the animal is already spayed/neutered, up-to-date shots and microchipped, so you really can’t lose!

Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm

BlueCollar Supplies is located at 1533 Echo Park Avenue

Here are just a few of the dogs available for adoption. If you’re interested, come to the event to meet the one you’re interested in! Visit sheprescue.org to view more photos and fill out an application.

Click here for the full flyer.

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Echo Park restaurants geared up for Taste of the Eastside

For the first ever “Taste of the Eastside,” we’ve got quite a few awesome treats from local restaurants this weekend. Lots of places coming from all over this side of town, including Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Eagle Rock, Los Feliz, Downtown, and Highland Park, and more importantly, Echo Park!

However, before we get started, I know what you’re thinking. Let’s not get into the whole “eastside” debate this time around. There’s the actual “East LA” which is east of the LA river, and then there’s this sort of north of downtown area that we’re in. Some people call it the “eastside” to make it easier on everyone.

Now then, on to businesses.

Some my favorite Echo Park restaurants have taken up booths at the Taste of the Eastside event, and just to make your taste buds tingle, we’ve got the info on what you can expect to snack on while you’re there.

Delilah Bakery: Whiskey Bread Pudding (and probably the best you’ll ever have)

Cookbook: Farro salad with grilled asparagus, pistachios, mint and sheep’s milk feta

Xoia: Pho Beef Tacos

The Park: Serving up an appetizer from the current spring menu – a savory rhubarb galette (a rustic French pastry) topped with a little salad of watercress, strawberries, burrata cheese and balsamic vinegar.

Also from our neck of the woods, Elf Cafe (vegetarian cuisine) and The Brite Spot (your late-night hangout no doubt) will also be there!

There will also be DJs, cocktails, family activities, book signings, and, as we mentioned, lots of food.

Taste of the Eastside
Barnsdall Art Park, located at 4800 Hollywood Blvd
Sunday, May 15 from 1-5:00 pm.
Click here for the website

Tickets start at $25 for adults, click here to purchase!

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Missing dog in Echo Park: Help find Selba

We’re trying to help find this adorable pup in the Echo Park area. Owner Meghan emailed us with the following information:

On Tuesday May 3, 2011 my poor little schnauzer/poodle mix named Selby got out from a yard on Laguna Ave and Echo Park Ave. Her name is Selby and she was wearing a pink collar with tags. She is grey/tan/white, weighs about 20 lbs and and has a microchip. I am offering a $500 reward to anyone who finds her. I am utterly heartbroken over my lost little dog.

Email us at info@echoparknow.com if you have any information!

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Mother’s Day plans around Echo Park

Feeding Birds

Get 10% off all vintage home goods & art. Also, buy a bag (purse, tote, clutch, wrislet or zip bag) and get a Feeding Birds Original tee for 50% off.

The Echo Park Community Art Project

Take Mom to the opening of a great event – EPCAP – from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm for a whirlwind of local art to view and to buy. Get in her good graces too – it’s for a good cause! All proceeds go to putting together these art kit bags for local kids. EPCAP is located at 1549 Sunset Boulevard.

The Park Restaurant

The regular menu will go on for brunch and dinner on Mother’s day. They will also have the regular Sunday night special, which is Fish ‘N’ Chips!

Mishka

Lunch truck day returns! The fourth Mishka Lunch Truck day commences on Sunday at 12:00 noon until 4pm. Munch on Echo Park faves Grill ‘Em All, Mandoline Grill, Lomo Arigato and Cool Haus. Bring cash!

Masa of Echo Park

Moms get a complimentary glass of champagne! Be sure to make a reservation if you’re bringing in a large group.

Taix

The long-standing Echo Park French restaurant has a special Mother’s Day menu. Click here to view the menu.

CitySip

While we don’t have any specifics… CitySip usually has a special for Moms on their special day!

Tavin

The vintage store on Echo Park Avenue (near Chango) is offering up 10% off in May in honor of mothers and spring!

Police Academy Restaurant

They usually serve up Mothers Day Brunch, last year it was $25 per person for an incredible amount of food. Call (323) 221.5222 x227 for reservations and questions.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments field below!

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Saturday: David Edward Byrd art show at Bedrock Studios

I might be too young to remember when these came out (okay, perhaps I wasn’t born yet), but I’m not unfamiliar with the poster artwork David Edward Byrd – the artist who brought you the original Woodstock poster, the “Tommy” poster for The Who, The Rolling Stones, and many, many more.

Bedrock Studios here in Echo Park is hosting a 70th Birthday Art Show and reception for David Edward Byrd on Saturday, May 7, from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm.

Original works and artist-signed prints will be available at the event, from affordable to collectible ($10 prints, on up to priceless originals). They’ll also be including the artwork on the new Bedrock online store, launching after the event at www.bedrockla.com

Pins & Needles (the vintage pinball arcade next door) are also setting up a “playroom” of vintage rock-themed pinball arcade games. There will also be food and drink, live music, and online specials for the new store.

Bedrock Studios is located at 1623 N. Allesandro Street

For more information, please contact Michael Caldwell at 213-413-7625

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What’s up with the Cuban Music Festival at Echo Park Lake?

Flickr photo by Max Santa Cruz, May 2010

My answer is simple: We have no idea!

But we’ve been getting a LOT of emails about this – like, a LOT. So we’ll try and clear things up for everyone excited for a day of congas and Cuba!

First off, the Cuban Music Festival is an annual event at Echo Park Lake – this year marks the 17th. It celebrates Cuba’s Independence from Spain on May 20, and Cuban poet José Martí (you may have notice his statue at the corner of the park).

The festival is usually held on the closest Sunday to that May 20th date – making this year’s Cuban Festival maybe on May 22, 2011. I have not gotten this confirmed by any event organizers, but would love to hear back from them soon and will let everyone know as soon as I know!

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Echo Park parking lot begins renovations, maybe…

Parking on a week night seemed unusually difficult recently in the lot located behind Stories at Lemoyne, lot number 662 to be exact. Not a sinlge open stall – something you’d expect on a Friday or Saturday night around the Echo and the Echoplex. But parkers seemed to be taking advantage of a huge number of free parking spots, as the city appears to be renovating how you park in lot 662.

Last September, parking meters along Echo Park streets were replaced with the new, fancy schmancy ones that accept credits cards (no excuses – no more free parking for broken meters). A couple of years before, neighboring lot 643 near Echo Park got park and pay installed. While we haven’t nailed down exactly what’s going on back there, with the city’s constant battle against broken meters in lot 662 we think they might just be ready for an upgrade.

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Elysian Heights fundraiser promises EP stories and treats

Join the Friends of Elysian Heights and the Echo Park Improvement Association for an Elysian Heights fundraiser on Saturday, May 7, 2011.

“Echo Park Stories and Enchiladas” is a free event with an enchilada plate costing a mere $5, stories are free! There will also be live music, a silent auction, and is open to everyone.

Elysian Heights Elementary is located at 1562 Baxter Street
4-8:00 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2011

Click here to donate to Elysian Heights via Paypal.

More information, provided by the event organizers:

The Friends of Elysian Heights (FoEH) and the Echo Park Improvement Association (EPIA) are excited to present “Echo Park Stories & Enchiladas,” a fundraiser to be held on May 7th, 2011 to benefit Elysian Heights Elementary School. FoEH is a group of school and community members that provide financial, material and volunteer support to Elysian Heights Elementary, an award-winning, Title I public K – 6th grade school in Echo Park. FoEH is committed to providing students with programs and opportunities that promote their academic and individual development and thanks the EPIA for sharing in this mission.

The funds realized from this event will directly support the Elysian Heights School & Community Garden. The school garden enhances the academic achievement of our students by having an outdoor classroom. School gardens improve performance in math, science, writing and social studies. They promote healthy lifestyles as well as an environmental stewardship ethic. The garden encourages community and social development and instills in students a real sense of place in our neighborhood. The school also has recently installed a new California Native Garden on campus which will also benefit from this fundraiser.

Community volunteers are welcome.  Please contact friendsofelysian@yahoo.com if you are interested in helping the day of the event or have something to donate to the silent auction, have an interesting Echo Park story you’d like to share, or if you have any questions about the event.  Join us on Facebook.

FoEH and EPIA welcome you and we look forward to sharing a wonderful evening with you on our the charming campus.

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Historic sign getting repaired after years of being dark

Walking out of Masa tonight after dinner, I look up and was thrilled to see some light shine on the top of the historic Jensen’s Recreation Center in Echo Park. The 1924 Jensen building is a great piece of Echo Park history and architecture, and the 28 feet wide x 17 feet tall sign has 1300 red, green and white incandescent light bulbs (which not many existing signs in the area have any more since neon became popular in the 1920s).

In 1997, after 50 years of neglect and the sign unlit, it was restored and re-lit through a cultural affairs grant. We’re not exactly sure how long the sign was lighting up the Rec Center roof, but we do know it was fixed and re-lit again in 2005. However, that lasted only one month, and the sign has been dark ever since.

The relighting you see now is a part of some testing being done to check what needs to be repaired, according to an article Monday on The Eastsider LA. The relighting has been made possible by a $5,000 LA County Historic Preservation Society grant through the Echo Park Historical Society. Echo Park residents, fans of history, and Echo Park Improvement Association members have also privately donated to fix and maintain the sign as well. And in October 2010, Greater Elysian Echo Park Neighborhood Council approved the allocation of $2,500 to the Historical Society for the restoration.

With this new development comes the question: When will the Jensen’s Recreation Sign lighting officially happen?

Hopefully we’ll find out soon, and the fundraising continues! Visit the Echo Park Historical Society website for more information and to donate.

Also, a comment on The Eastsider LA article intrigued us: “What a waste of tax payer dollars we can’t afford to throw away!!!!! Way are we the public paying to improve a privately held commerical building.???? how is the public or community being helped out. ????”

I suppose technically the money allocated by the GEPENC is technically tax-payer, but, like most funds allocated by the neighborhood council, it was put to a vote. In addition, we do appreciate historical parts of our community here in Echo Park, and this building is officially Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument No. 652. There’s even remnants of an Egyptian themed mural in what once was the bowling alley of Jensen’s Rec Center that still exists (the Historical Society gave a tour in March).

But it can’t be done without grants and donations from community members and organizations, and for those we say hooray.

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Monday, May 2 through Sunday, May 8

Monday
Battles, Holloys @ Echoplex
Chen Santa Maria, This Invitation, I Love You, and introducing NOW (new project from L.A./L.B. underground icon, Kevin Litrow Of 60 Watt Kid) @ Pehrspace
White Arrows, Lesands, Vanaprasta, Chain Gang of 1974 @ Bootleg Theater

Tuesday
Beach Fossils, Craft Spells, Sea Lions, DJ Michael Stock @ Echo

Wednesday
Charles Bradley and The Menahan Street Band, Funky Sole Djs @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Echo Park Juke Joint with The Downtown Train @ Lot 1 Cafe
The Donkeys, Social Studies, The Damn Sons @ Bootleg Theater
The Coal Porters @ Taix Lounge

Thursday
Cinco de Mayo: Calexico with Mariachi Luz De Luna, Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta @ Echoplex
The Rumble Presents: Apex Manor, The Fling, The New Division @ Echo
Ever Isles @ Origami Vinyl
Them Howling Bones, The Lexingtons, The Blank Tapes, DJ Sir Franko @ Lot 1 Cafe
Timur and The Dime Museum, Dorian Wood @ Bootleg Theater
Madame Pamita, Skip Heller @ Taix Lounge
Bloody Death Skull Cinco de Mayo: Music, Bloody Marys, Mayonnaise Wrestling, and Friends @ Echo Country Outpost

Friday
J Mascis (Solo), Black Heart Procession, Rachel Fannan (Sleepy Sun) @ Echo
Echo & Club Underground Present: Dirty Vegas, The Hundred In The Hands, White Apple Tree, Polaris At Noon @ Echoplex
Chuck Dukowski Sextet, The Kris Special, Sanglorians, Stellaluna @ Pehrspace
Mike Stinson, Tony Gilkyson @ Bootleg Theater
Cave Country, Fort Wilson’s Riot, Crooked Paw @ Taix Lounge

Saturday
Benefit For The Matt Cwiertny Foundation with The 88, Taylor Locke and The Roughs @ Echo
Saturdays Off the 405 With Avi Buffalo, DJ Kevin Bronson @ The Getty
Bootie La @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
The Outdoors @ Origami Vinyl
Underground Railroad to Candyland, Old Lumps, Simon Lebron, Peter Pants, Colleagues @ Pehrspace
King Devil @ Bootleg Theater
Cat Hair Ensemble, Marissa Gomez and The Ghosts Of Echo Park, Kim D and The Killer Bees @ Taix Lounge

Sunday
Grand Ole Echo Presents Tony Gilkyson @ Echo
E Minor God Ent. Presents: Noche De Los Psychos Featuring: The Meteors, Hentchmen, Kat Killers, A.Y., Slash-O-Matic @ Echoplex
Part Time Punks: Christian Death Reissue Party With 45 Grave, Death Party, Special Surprise Guests! @ Echo
Ancestors, Tweak Bird, War Widow @ Bootleg Theater
Booker T. Jones guest DJ set and listening party @ The Short Stop

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.

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May Day in Echo Park, 100 years ago

Provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA.

Today is yet another May Day in Echo Park, and so we bring your attention to a post we published one year ago that brings you back 100 years in the neighborhood. Here goes:

Today is May Day, and 1910 in Echo Park saw 3,000 gatherers at the Echo Park Playground where they crowned Miss Ethel Pruett Queen of May.

“Three thousand men, women and children were present. As many came back for the evening’s part of the program. It was one of the most notable affairs that has ever been recorded in the history of Los Angeles, where children have taken apart.”

The Playground mentioned in this L.A. Herald article refers to a park that used to stretch from Bellevue Avenue south to Temple street, now bisected by the 101 Freeway.

From the Echo Park Historical Society website: “Huge May Day celebrations occupied the outdoor playground, and by 1912 the playground had thousands patrons in a single year, some of whom arrived from downtown on the Pacific Electric streetcar that moved up Glendale Boulevard (then known as Lake Shore).”

Thanks to LAHistory Twitter page for the link to this fun, historic newspaper article!

Huge May Day celebrations occupied the outdoor playground, and by 1912 the playground had thousands patrons in a single year, some of whom arrived from downtown on the Pacific Electric streetcar that moved up Glendale Boulevard (then known as Lake Shore).
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Meeting Wednesday to discuss Fix’s beer/wine application

Flickr photo via Stuart Fingerhut

The Eastsider LA reported today that there will be a forum at Fix Coffee on Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 pm to discuss the coffee shop’s impending application for a beer and wine license.

While they claim to hold over 2,000 signatures in support of the business’ license, there are a handful of opponents – some of whom are not only long-time community members but also direct neighbors.

Some of the issues are obvious: It’s a quiet neighborhood, directly across from an elementary school, and they are also asking for extended hours until 11:00 pm. Add existing parking pressures, it’s understandable why neighbors would feel concerned.

The Eastsider LA article quotes neighbor Susan Borden, a long-time resident and activist, as saying:

This is the first step in turning our neighborhood from a residential one into a commercial one.  When he moved in three years ago Marc Galucci (FIX owner) could see that this is a residential not a commercial neighborhood.  He wants to change it.  All along Echo Park Avenue businesses will try to get alcohol licenses and bring the club-goers up from Sunset.  Some people will enjoy that—they are [usually] the ones who are not adjacent to the businesses and don’t have to deal with the noise and trash. Most of us like the non-commercial nature of our canyon.

And this is a major concern for neighbors – that even if Fix respects the neighborhood, keeps things quiet, the beer/wine license might open the door for even later hours and entertainments licenses (either by current owners or future owners) at that location and in the area that is unwelcome by some neighbors. Rumor mill has it that more restaurants and businesses serving alcohol will start popping up along Echo Park Avenue, so this just might be the start of it.

Owner Marc Galucci is hoping to listen and respond to such concerns at the meeting on Wednesday, and, as he said in a response to Susan on The Eastsider LA article, “I am sincerely trying to be empathetic to our neighbors but unfortunately, as you know, you can’t make everyone happy but I will always continue to try.”

While we do look forward to grabbing a beer and perhaps dinner on the lovely patio at Fix, we aren’t the neighbors who will be directly affected by this change.

Do you think Fix will be granted its beer and wine license by the city? Would you support the business if they serve beer, wine and dinner?

And, more importantly, do you see Echo Park Avenue as benefiting from bars and restaurants, or should it remain a quieter hub for schools and residences?

Click here to read the full Eastsider LA article and the letters from Susan and Marc.

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Hanging in there, Echo Park?

Perhaps you’ve noticed things have been a little quiet here on Echo Park Now lately – well have no fear! I’ll be returning later this week, after we’re finished with our honeymoon in Maui! So if you’ve maybe submitted some info to us recently, or sent us an email, I haven’t been ignoring you.

TTYL!

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For fabulous weather weekends, enjoy the outdoors with a drink

Flickr photo by RexSteed

With our first truly warm weekend on the books here in a couple of days, we think it best to enjoy the outdoors of Echo Park with a mimosa in hand. While the places to enjoy outdoor alcohol are fairly limited in Echo Park, here are a few suggestions to maximize your time off from the work week:

The Park Restaurant

Our number one spot this weekend because they just recently expanded their beer and wine license to the cute little patio that greets you upon entering the restaurant. This is a huge bonus for the restaurant, which is probably at least a couple of years old by now and had limited alcohol service to just the inside (we even remember a short stint of BYOB when they first opened!). Mimosas will run you $6 with other very reasonably priced beers and wines on the list.

Bonus: They should be posting their summer menu (all menus change seasonally) on their website any day now!

Lot 1 Cafe

Along with its newly established reputation as an entertainment venue throughout the week and on weekends, Lot 1 Cafe on the corner of Sunset and Laveta Terrace received its beer and wine license in 2010. That license was also intended for a small patio area that wraps around the exterior of the corner building, so that we can all enjoy a glass of something tasty while watching the world go by.

Bonus: They seem to be the best deal in town for mimosas at $4 a glass!

Barragan’s

This is a spot for the nightlife. Though they open earlier in the day, the outdoor patio in the back doesn’t open until 7 or 8:00 pm. Still, we remember a night last year when it was 90 degrees outside, and it was nice to have a margarita later at night in the back patio.

Bonus: If you’re on a budget and don’t mind the lower-quality tequila, Wednesday nights are $2.50 margarita nights.

Rodeo Grill

Believe it or not, this is a pretty sweet spot to enjoy the summer air in a covered patio area. I’m pretty certain you can enjoy an adult beverage on their patio – especially since they just recently received their liquor license fairly recently (can you say margaritas?).

Bonus: Do your laundry across the street and grab a beer – you can probably see your delicates washing from the patio.

Honorable Mentions:

It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t give a little shout-out to the other patio spots in Echo Park. Just because they don’t serve up alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t chill out:

Masa of Echo Park has a few tables wrapping around the building. They serve beer and wine only inside, but you can get still order from the full menu and bring your pup.

Xoia Vietnamese Eats has a nice covered patio as well, with modern art and woolly pockets it’s a pretty hip place to dine. They don’t serve alcohol at all yet (the restaurant just opened last year), but perhaps this year they’ll be getting that squared away.

Stories Books and Cafe has a nice patio in the back where they’ve hosted many gatherings. While you’re main view is of one of those not-so-pretty parking lots, there are murals and plants and all-around good company. Who knows… they might also benefit from a beer and wine license to serve up along with their super delicious vegan doughnuts.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below.

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