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Echo Park Film Center’s Filmmobile Screenings

The Filmmobile is back from its summer hiatus to bring you films on wheels screened in unusual outdoor locations. Here’s what’s coming up:

MI VIDA LOCA – Friday, August 6 at 8:00 pm
Mi Vida Loca tells the story of young Mexican-American women in Los Angeles and the struggles they have in a life of gangs, drugs, and personal betrayal. Mousie (Seidy López) and Sad Girl (Angel Aviles) are best friends from childhood, growing up in gang-infested Echo Park and remaining loyal to each other. But when Sad Girl sleeps with Mousie’s boyfriend (a drug dealer who is killed) and becomes pregnant, their friendship is ruptured. As the violence of their neighborhood erupts around them, they must try to stay together as friends despite their betrayals. This is an unforgiving look at a world where women seem to have no choice but to raise their children, deal drugs, and survive by whatever means available.

ROLLER BOOGIE – Friday, August 13 at 8:00 pm
“Roller Boogie is one movie you won’t want to miss! In addition to the roller skating scenes, the fantastic music, slapstick humor–and tender love scenes, you’ll find some of the cutest guys you’d ever hope to meet. Jim Bray stars as Bobby James, the skating champion (and Olympic hopeful) who sweeps pretty co-star Linda Blair off her feet (literally). In real life, Jim’s a skater, but now that he’s had a taste of acting, he really thinks he might like to make a career of it. And when you see Jim in the movie, you’ll have to agree he’s the cutest thing on wheels.” – Tiger Beat Magazine

All screenings are free and open to the public. The locations are secret until a few hours before the screening. You can call (213-484-8846), email (info@echoparkfilmcenter.org) or follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/EPFCfilmmobile).

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Summer Nights in Chinatown

Flickr Photo via Steven D'Antoni

Another way to keep cool this summer and enjoy some family-friendly activities is actually not too far from Echo Park in nearby Chinatown. Summer Nights in Chinatown starts this weekend, August 7, and will continue every Saturday throughout the month. The event showcases food trucks, neighborhood shops, restaurants, bars and art galleries, along with cooking demonstrations and other cultural activities. You can get some great discounts at the restaurants and shops during Summer Nights, just be sure to click here and print out the coupons for your discounts.

It’s a pretty easy bicycle commute from where I live in Echo Park, and they even offer free bike valet courtesy of Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. This weekend, there’s a cooking demonstration, family workshop with Chinese calligraphy, food trucks (non-Chinese, like Nom Nom Truck, India Jones Chow Truck, Spring Street Smoke House, The Patty Wagon, Papas Tapas and Fry Smith), dancing and DJs.

Click here for the Chinatown Summer Nights website to view the event map and full schedule.

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Elysian Park expansion groundbreaking ceremony

The City of LA will soon break ground for a new park located alongside Riverside Drive near Stadium way. Five acres of the 18-acre Elysian Park expansion purchase will be the first to be developed, and costing about $1,425,000 should open as early as next Spring. Some of the new features, according to the press release, include:

…a new permeable parking lot with handicap parking stalls to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance; new services and connection for water and electricity utilities; two multipurpose game courts, an open lawn area, picnic areas, children’s play area, landscape, irrigation, benches, fencing, trails with nature interpretive area and outdoor classroom, access road connecting lower and mid levels of the park, and bio-swales to capture and infiltrate on-site storm water runoffs.

Groundbreaking takes place on Tuesday, August 17 from 4-5:00 pm at 1800 Riverside Drive.

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Historic Filipinotown 5K Run/Walk

The Historic Filipinotown 5K Run/Walk is this weekend, kicking off the 8th celebration of the founding of the neighborhood. The run takes place at 7:30 am on Saturday, August 7, and starts at 1925 West Temple Street.

The run goes through the heart of Historic Filipinotown headed west on Temple Street to Hoover, up past the 101 and back again. The event coordinators recommend you check out some of the cafes in the area, including: “Gigi’s (Cuban Bakery), famous Brooklyn Bagels,  Original Tommy’s Burger, Tribal Cafe or specialty Filipino restaurants namely Salakot, Kapistahan, Nanay Gloria’s, Bahay Kubo and more.”

Community Partners include: LAPD Rampart Div., SIPA, FASGI, TWNDC, MOTHER Movement, Burlington School, Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown. Primary Sponsors are the Office of LA Council President Eric Garcetti, Silverlake Medical Center and Seafood City.

You can still register online at www.active.com until Friday, August 6 at 11:59 am.

After the run, there will be a free film screening of “Little Manila” and sneak preview of “Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers”  by Emmy award winner Marissa Aroy.  Screenings will be at the SIPA Gateway Community Center at 3200 W. Temple Street at 12:00 noon on Saturday.

Check out the Historic Filipinotown website for more info, maps and photos from runs from previous years.

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Old-Time Jam every first Thursday at 1642

I’ve been meaning to write about 1642 bar for a while now since it’s such a cool space in an unusual part of town. Located at 1642 Temple (and technically part of Historic Filipinotown),the decor is simple and friendly with a few seats at the weathered bar, and tables and black booth seats around the interior. There’s an original brick wall along the rights side they had uncovered during the remodel, and gorgeous original antique lamps hanging from the ceiling.

1642 opened up early this Spring after doing quite a bit of remodeling to the 1940s building. The space used to house a restaurant/bar called “Lupita’s,” apparently remembered for paintings of nude women adorning the walls.

Well the nude paintings are gone (are you disappointed?), but you can find owner Liz Fischbach behind the bar, serving up salty peanuts alongside a selection of 4-6 craft beers on tap, plus bottles and cans of other delicious beers, and wines by the glass.

1642 does host some events at the bar, in the past such events included a “Slow Dance” and other such DJ’d events. The next one is coming up soon! The Old-Time Music open Jam night started in May, and will continue every month on the first Thursday. Check it out this Thursday, August 5, from 8:00 – 11:00 pm.

1642 is located at 1642 West Temple St.

Liz” Fischbach (we share a back fence) is a first-time bar owner and took the bar that was once a seedy gangster hangout called Lupita’s with lude paintings of nude women adorning the walls (and is literally 50 feet from her house) and gave it a fresh coat of paint, new furniture and uncovered some of the 1940’s architecture that had been covered up (this space has been a bar since the 1940’s!).  To drink there’s a great selection of 4-6 craft beers on tap (like Eagle Rock Brewery’s Red Velvet!) plus bottles and cans of hard-to-find beers and 3 red and 3 white wines by the glass.  To eat, salted peanuts.  Could not be more perfect.
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Date a Dodger Fan – Singles Night at the Stadium

You’re single in Echo Park and a Dodgers fan – god forbid you end up dating a Giants fan!

As part of the Stadium’s “Group Theme Nights,” Singles Night takes place on Friday, August 6 while the Washington Nationals play the Dodgers.

The pre-game party goes on from 5:15 pm – 7:10 pm at the Loge Terrace (check in oustide in Lot D). The $25 ticket gets you a free Miller Lite at the party.

Click here to buy tickets, and make sure to use the promo code SINGLES.

Call Dodgers Representative Charlie Brooks at 323-224-2630 for more information.

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Echo Park Meetings to attend this week

There are a couple of things going on this week that I recommend you, as interested and super excited Echo Park residents, attend this week. See you there!

Must-go-to Meetings:

Echo Park Lake Rehab Project meeting:

  • Wednesday, August 4 at 6:30 pm at Barlow Hospital (Williams Hall)
  • Big items are: the Draft EIR and the accomodations being made for the Lake birds.
  • There will be a shuttle, picking up at 5:00 pm at the corner of Park Avenue and Echo Park Avenue (departure times are 5:30, 5:50, and 6:10). RSVP with the number of people in your party to Olga Morales at (213) 978-0329 or olga.morales@lacity.org by Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.

Echo Park Improvement Association meeting:

  • Thursday, August 5 at 7:00 pm at Barlow Hospital (Williams Hall)
  • This is a potluck! Bring your favorite dish or dessert and share with our council district and police division representatives.

Optional:

GEPENC Budget and Finance Committee meeting:

  • Thursday, August 5, at 7:00 pm at the GEPENC Office and Community Center
  • Agenda items for the month of August include:
    • Discussion and/or Possible Action for Budget & Finance Committee to recommend Board approval of a one page letter with the concerns of the community regarding vending at Echo Park Lake, acknowledging the vendors rights as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and by article I, section 2 of the California Constitution,  and include Sec.42.14.1 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code on the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council letter head to distribute to the vendors of Echo Park Lake and take an account of the names, addresses and any other contact information provided to the members of the Budget and Finance Committee by the vendors to relive congestion and ensure public enjoyment of Echo Park Lake where those vendors are currently set up with out restriction.
    • Discussion and/or Possible Action for Budget & Finance Committee to recommend Board approval for the modification of the fiscal 2010-2011 budget to be consistent with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment’s request and call for a special meeting of the General Board approving the modified fiscal 2010-2011 budget.

Oh yes, and tonight is also National Night Out in Echo Park!

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National Night Out – Tonight in Echo Park

The 5th annual Echo Park National Night Out block party is tonight, Tuesday, August 3. The event takes place at the Walgreens parking lot from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

FREE stuff includes: kids activities, cotton candy, eye mobile eye screening, hot dogs, kids face painting, and a bouncer/jumper. There will also be an Echo Park Community Parade drawing contest, and voter registration through Central del Pueblo.

Participating organizations include:

826LA
Barlow Respiratory Hospital
Central del Pueblo: Voter registration
Echo Park Animal Alliance: Dodger give-away
Echo Park Community Parade: Contest drawing
Echo Park Historical Society
Echo Park Improvement Association (EPIA)
Echo Park Farmers Market (SEE-LA)
Echo Park Recreation and Parks -face painting
Echo Park Security Association and Select Patrol
Gariella Axelrad Education Foundation
George D. Lim, DMD, Inc.
Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council
Innate Intelligence Works
L.A. Host Lions Club, Eyemobile eye screening
LAUSD: Mayberry School
Los Angeles Police Department: Northeast Police Division
Los Angeles Fire Department, Station 20
Student-International Travel Experience (SITE)
The Echo/Echoplex/Prado Food Area

See you tonight!

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Upcoming Echo Park Film Center Screenings

The Echo Park Film Center have opened their doors again after their July vacation. Here are their upcoming screenings:

THE COVE – Thursday, August 5 @ 8:00 pm
Academy Award® Winner for Best Documentary of 2009, The Cove follows an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers as they embark on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, shining a light on a dark and deadly secret. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide.

TOTAL BADASS: A DOCUMENTARY BY BOB RAY – Thursday, August 12 @ 8:00 pm
With his latest documentary, Total Badass, Bob Ray takes you on an outrageous and hilariously seedy adventure into the Austin underground music and arts scene via wild man-about-town, social deviant, musical/stunt performer, sex addict, Guinea pig enthusiast, writer-publisher, father, weed dealing felon and local maniac Chad Holt. Strap in for the riotous ride and follow this icon of the Austin counterculture as he blazes through his final year of felony probation, living his own brand of civil disobedience while manning the helm of a family crisis and going out smokin! More info: http://crashcamfilms.com/filmtour-pressinfo.htm FILMMAKER BOB RAY IN ATTENDANCE!

All screenings are $5 and are open to everyone.

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When can I move in?

This Echo Park property, listed on Trulia for $649,000, not only looks like a dream but also has an incredible backyard with a pool. Not that I could afford the two bedroom property anyways, the Baxter Street place does have an interesting history. The bottom photograph shows the 1917 Baxter Street house (built in 1910) being moved up the steep street in 1952. According to the listing information, it also was “featured on the Historical Society’s annual ‘Historic Home Tour’ and combines original architectural elements with a modern design sense.” With central heat and air, along with the gorgeous backyard, I’m ready to move in!

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

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

Monday, August 2
Monday Night Residency – Fol Chen, Obi Best, Holloween Swim Team @ Echo
Ferraby Lionheart (The Jack Of Hearts Record Release), Nicole Simone, The Romany Rye @ Bootleg
Ged Gengras, Sun Araw, Metal Rouge, Peaking Lights (Madison, WI), Robedoor @ Echo Curio
Dark Dark Dark, Autolux “Transit Transit” Listening Party @ Origami Vinyl

Tuesday, August 3
Ipo Presents New Maximum Donkey, Cola-Cola, Moostache, The Active Set, Loch And Key, Puppies And Kittens, Jeremiah Streeter @ Echo
Circa Survive, O Brother @ Bootleg

Wednesday, August 4
Dub Club @ Echoplex and Echo
Michael Runion, Franklin For Short, 3’s and 9’s @ Bootleg

Thursday, August 5
Ipo Presents The Janks, Black Jesus, Casey Curry and The Remainders, John Wicks and The Records, Steve Barton and The Oblivion Click, The Shebang, True Margit @ Echoplex
Proximal Records Release Party For “Proximity One: Narrative Of A City” With Benedek, Lawrence Grey, Sahy Uhns, Daedelus @ Echo
KCRW And The Fold Present… Everest (Vapor Records), Mini Mansions, Pacific Hurt @ Bootleg
Ashkahn Art Opening with Healamonster & Tarsier + D/Wolves @ Origami Vinyl

Friday, August 6
Club Underground Vs. Club Zizek (Buenos Aires) @ Echo
Bearracuda @ Echoplex
Battlehooch, Jinsai @ Origami Vinyl

Saturday, August 7
Bootie La – Lady Gaga Vs. Madonna Night @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
Eclectic Electric Carnival with Cornelius F. Van Strafrin III, Catharsis for Cathedral Feat. Justine T., Dusty Organ, and more @ Tribal Café

Sunday, August 8
Converse Presents The Power Of The Riff Festival @ Echoplex And Echo
Part Time Punks With W.A.C.O., Thy Squid, No Hablo @ Echo
Eagle Winged Palace @ 6pm @ Origami Vinyl
Love Revisted (Feat. Johnny Echols), The Quarter After, Susan James @ Bootleg

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. Venue information can be found in our community resource pages.

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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Vendors at Echo Park Lake get the boot

Picnickers and swap meet vendors

The Eastsider LA is reporting that Rampart Division police officers showed up at the Echo Park Lake swap meet today to “warn and educate the vendors about the law,” Sgt. Joel Miller told the Eastsider. Several vendors were also cited for “soliciting on city property.”

We have written extensively about this issue before, covering the legality vs. illegality issues and more. More recently, the main concern revolves around a small number of individuals who are reportedly selling spaces on the grass to potential vendors. One resident told everyone at the EPIA Town Hall meeting in July about a man offering those spaces for $20 and $40, and was apparently carrying a machete.

Another resident commented on the Eastsider LA article today about their experience, writing: “Well I tried to walk home several Saturdays late in the evening and when I saw the ropes, strings, plastic bags, hangars, yellow tape, and as recently as July 31 brown mailing tape marking the spots. When I approached the obvious markings I was approached by a tall man who asked me ‘Tienes en Lugar?'”

Perhaps these reports from residents, which surprised the Rampart Division officer who was present at the meeting, are the reason why police showed up earlier today to disperse the crowd.

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Groupon Strikes Again In Echo Park

Two in a row! Ever wanted to sit in the fancy seats at Dodger Stadium but didn’t want to shell out the big bucks? Groupon is offering five discounted options to see the Dodgers battle the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, August 4, at 7:10 p.m. You can purchase up to 29 tickets (while they last). When you click buy you will be taken to Ticketmaster to complete your purchase so there will be so extra fees.  You can see more information and maps of Dodger Stadium on our stadium resource page! This deal ends at midnight on Sunday, August 1st (tonight!). Your options:

  • $57 Field Box VIP ticket (a $120 value)
  • $57 Field Box MVP ticket (a $120 value)
  • $57 Infield Box ticket (a $100 value)
  • $25 Field Box ticket (a $50 value)
  • $15 Infield Reserve ticket (a $30 value)

Click here to get the deal!

Some fine print: Group sales are available for customers purchasing 30 tickets or more by calling the Group Sales Department at (323) 224-1421. Note on Ticketmaster.com fees: You’ll receive a discounted convenience charge, but you’ll still need to pay the full processing fee, the optional printing-at-home fee, and tax.

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1950s Video of Bunker Hill in Downtown LA

This 17-minute film by Kent MacKenzie shows the Bunker Hill area of Downtown LA in 1956. It’s an interesting film to watch for the footage of those original houses of those native downtowners before the city demolished the homes to make way for modern apartments and offices of a new downtown. The film follows some pensioners who, for obvious reasons, are not looking forward to the demolition of their neighborhood, once the “finest residential area in Los Angeles.”

There’s also some great footage of some really cool Victorian homes, as well as the original Angels flight and Grand Central Market.

h/t LA Observed for the video

Video Removed: Sorry guys, the awesome video was removed on August 3, 2010. The Vimeo Site sates “Vimeo has removed or disabled access to the following material as a result of a third-party notification by Milestone Film & Video claiming that this material is infringing: Bunker Hill 1956. We have no more information about it on our mainframe or elsewhere.”

I will repost the video if we find another online copy. Thanks!

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August Library Programs and Fun

Both the Echo Park and Edendale Libraries have some FREE special programs for kids, teens, and even some for adults all summer long. Here are the August events for both libraries:

For Kids

  • Knight Time Reading at Echo Park Branch: Every Wednesday from 3 – 4:00 pm. Stories of dragons and other magical creatures. Create a fire-breathing dragon to take home.
  • Knight Time Reading at Edendale: Stories, jokes, crafts and snacks. Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 pm.
  • Summer Film Fest at Edendale: Mostly family-friendly films, plus popcorn! Tuesdays from 5-7:00 pm.
  • LA Kings Hockey Mascot Storytime: Thursday, August 12 at 2:30 pm at the Edendale Library.
  • Medieval Faire: Juggler/jester/magician Jeff Fredricksen at the Edendale Branch on Thursday, August 26 at 2:30 pm.

Other great activities:

  • Family Playtime at Echo Park Branch: Mondays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Bilingual Baby & Toddler Storytime at Echo Park Branch: Tuesdays from noon – 1:00 pm
  • Making Books Fun at Edendale: Bilingual. Every Tuesday at 2:30 pm
  • Book Buddies at Echo Park Branch: Thursdays from 3 – 5:00 pm
  • Infant & Toddler Storytime at Edendale: Nursery rhymes, songs, and finger plays, for children 1-3 and their special grown-ups.  Wednesdays from 10-10:45 am.

Read more

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