Retox in LA

If you own a Visa Signature card and happen to be a fan of notable acts such as, oh, you know, Radiohead, Beck and Manu Chao, then you are in luck. The presale begins this morning and given the ridiculous lineup for Friday alone, and the fact that Radiohead's entire North America tour sold out in the matter of hours (maybe even minutes) I have a feeling this is a hotttt ticket. I am not a lucky Visa Signature cardholder, but maybe you are.
Visa Presale

So much for missing Coachella this year. I got home on Friday night at 11:30 to find an email that read "I have a pass with your name on it. See you tomorrow." By 10 the next morning, I found myself in the desert wondering if this was all too good to be true. RT always hooks it up...and I'm extremely thankful and fortunate.

The primary reason I wanted to go was to see Devotchka perform. They played on the Outdoor Stage at 3:30, around the same time as Cold War Kids and MGMT, so it was a tough time slot but they drew a solid and enthusiastic crowd. Yeah, people left toward the end so they could catch CWK, but that's inevitable when so many excellent bands are playing on one giant polo field. I must add, for a set that took place under the roasting desert sun, the energy of the crowd was impressive to say the least!


It was an amazing and unique experience to see the show from the other side of the stage. About halfway through the set, The Slavic Sisters performed their aerial routine. I am consistently blown away by their talent and skill and yesterday's performance was no different.

Bottom line: the band was great, the girls were great and the fans were dancing around and loving it. I think they rocked it.


Other highlights included Kate Nash, Hot Chip (sooo packed, but great to catch a few songs), MIA (also packed - I caught the last 2.5 songs, one being Paperplanes...full of energy), Cinematic Orchestra, Sascha and Digweed, Kraftwerk and Portishead. Prince was interesting too.

Yeah, a nice little Saturday.



See more pictures at my Flickr page...

Why don't we have a show this good? Last week Devotchka performed on the BBC's Later... with Jools Holland. Other performers that evening included Portishead, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Toumani Diabate and The Last Shadow Puppets.

I ask again, why isn't there a show like this here? If there is and I don't know about it, tell me. I love the BBC.

The cinematography is fantastic; they did a great job capturing Nick's animated stage presence.



Check out more videos and an interview at the Anti website.

It's more than just matzoh...America is confronting it's first experience with food rationing, as demand is starting to exceed supply of staples such as flour, rice, and cooking oil. Read more in this NY Sun Article.

Here's a recent review of the Homegirl Cafe. This restaurant part of Homeboy Industries, the organization I previously posted about.

I read about the 29-Day Giving Challenge thanks to Siel over at Green LA Girl. Give one thing away for 29 days. Just how it sounds. I'd like to say I will start tomorrow; realistically, I'll begin in June.

Another item of note is A Day of Beauty I saw mentioned on Daily Candy. Do you own any gently worn women's clothing? Bring it down to 1715 North Gower (just north of Hollywood Blvd on the West side of the street) this Saturday. Help make a woman's day on May 4th, when stylists, hair and makeup artists, and many others will team up to give "a day of beauty" to some very deserving women at the Good Shepherd Shelter.

After years of making the trek out from Boulder to attend Coachella, it seems logical that I would certainly be going this year since it's only a car ride away, right? Yeah, not so. It's a bummer as I would have loved nothing more than watching Devotchka's set on Saturday. Portishead, Chromeo, Mum, Black Kids, Cut Copy, Sia, Booka Shade, Spank Rock, Prince, MGMT, Aphex, Cinematic Orchestra, Sharon Jones...this list goes on...would have all been amazing as well, I imagine. Fortunately for me, LA is amazing too...and there is a ton of cool shit going on this week...I'm a little overwhelmed by my options for Thursday...

We have Throw Me the Statue playing at The Silverlake Lounge.
We also have Dress Right (8-11) followed by Dance Right (10-2) with Z-Trip and MSTRKRFT.

I really don't know much about the last two events except that I read free drinks, ice cream and sample sale on the flyer and that was enough to convince me. Um Z-Trip and MSKRTKRFT - not bad either!

Friday, I'd like to check out Yeasayer and No Age at the Ukranian Cultural Center...so we'll see about that. Ideal Emily says this is the time where she will cut herself off from all things fun and put all her efforts and focus into studying. So far that isn't going to well.

I know there is much more happening this weekend, but like I said, I'm trying to focus and as such, avoid my endless blog reading. Coachella will be a blast too, I'm certain.

Last Thursday, I went to Ralph's to begin buying food in preparation for my Passover seder on Sunday. There were about 6 boxes of matzoh left. I bought two expecting to come back for more on Saturday. Bad call. The rest of the weekend turned into an endless hunt to find matzoh. Sunday morning included trips to two Ralphs, Albertsons, Trader Joes, Longs and then finally the cracked out Von's before I was finally able to find the last three boxes of matzoh in the ENTIRE city of LA. Oh, and it was whole wheat matzoh too...Turns out LA, as well as other areas including SF and New Jersey, experienced a "matzoh shortage" this Passover. Oye vay, to say the least. According to the Daily News, this was due in part to "decisions by Costco and Trader Joe's not to carry matzoh - and a bit of stockpiling by shoppers who bought up supplies early at Vons, Ralphs and some other supermarkets". WTF.

And what does this mean, pray tell:

Faced with a barrage of media queries, a Trader Joe's spokeswoman said the chain was essentially developing a new matzo strategy. "We are taking this year to evaluate how to supply this product better to our stores and our customers," Trader Joe's spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said in a written statement. "We also want to hear from our customers and what they expect from us."

A matzoh strategy? I didn't know there was such a thing. I love Trader Joe's, but that does not sound like much of a strategy to me. This is LA. There are lots of people here. And lots of Jews. And the Jews expect the matzoh during Passover. I'm glad Canter's was there to save the day for some people. I must add, I am intriqued by the coverage this matzoh debacle has recieved; LA Obsereved also covered the story, twice!

The next few items on my "to-do list" include ending homelessness and poverty and improving the education system. Yes, a small undertaking, I know. I don't know much, but I do know that education is at the core of bringing about improvement and change.

Still relatively new to LA, I am in the process of seeking out the numerous organizations that are doing wonderful things in this fine city. I discovered Reading to Kids (which I previously wrote about) few weeks after moving here. I have really enjoyed attending their monthly reading clubs where you spend about 2 hours reading to elementary school kids. It's a great organization and definitely worth checking out. Their growth over the last few years us quite impressive.
readingtokids.org

I heard about School on Wheels from Good Magazine's Skid Row Video series that I posted about earlier. They have a new volunteer orientation tomorrow, April 24th...I think I have to wait until the next one.
schoolonwheels.org

826LA is one of the seven not-for-profits that makes up the 826 family. Co-founded by author Dave Eggers, the goal of 826 "is to assist students ages six to eighteen with their writing skills, and to help teachers get their classes excited about writing". There are two locations in LA, one in Venice and the newest in Echo Park. New volunteer orientation sessions are always taking place and they host a bunch of cool events...such as the champagne and shopping fundraiser at alice+olivia taking place this Saturday, April 26th.
826la.org

Homeboy Industries was brought to my attention by a partner at work. I'm hoping to check it out more, but I wanted to include it here, none the less. Their mission is "to assist at-risk and former gang involved youth to become contributing members of our community through a variety of services in response to their multiple needs. Free programs -- including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training and job placement -- enable young people to redirect their lives and provide them with hope for their futures." Check out their restaurant, Homegirl Cafe while you're at it.

Obviously, this is a very short list...like I said before, LA is a big city, with a LOT going on, and I'm still figuring stuff out. I'm always eager to hear about new things...

SIGUR ROS (my favorite band ever) will be playing 3 shows in Mexico before hitting Bonnaroo in June. This is their first time playing in Mexico. The third show is on June 8th in Tijuana. Ticket information is forthcoming. According to my mathematical calculations, Tijuana is about 2.5 hours from LA. Um, yes, I must be there.

The last time I saw the band was at the charming little Vista Theatre in November when they played a short acoustic set before screening their film, Heima. A very special experience, to say the least.

On the food radar...

foodjiva.com - Be lazy, order delivery onine all while giving back.
Akasha - Yes and yes. Eat there now. Green, sustainable, organic deliciousness in Culver City. And the owner's are great too. My pick for LA's next "hot spot".
Royal T. Right down the street from Akasha. I have not been yet, but it sounds great, "LA's first Japanese style cosplay cafe".
Food. On Pico. According to their menu they serve "today's soup and yesterday's soup". I like it already.
Mosaic Hotel. My parents stayed here last weekend. A great little boutique hotel right off Wilshire next to the Peninsula and Rodeo Drive. I still prefer the Westside, but this is a perfect spot if you want to be in Beverly Hills and closer to Hollywood. It's an easy walk to everything around there.
Manish the cab driver. Super friendly, reliable, takes credit cards (which technically, all cab drivers in LA should do) and on time. He's the best. 424.222-0030.
The next "you pick the flavor" fro-yo place.
Mashti Malones. Amazingly unique and tasty ice cream and sorbet. Thanks to TG for showing me this one...

I think my favorite matzoh balls are at Juniors Deli. It's not the best soup package, but the balls alone - fantastic.

Where should I find more protein for my diet?

Where to begin...how about with a story. Once upon a time, there was a little boy. He was usually a good boy, but sometimes he got mad. So his friend, Geoffrey, decided to name him Angry Baby Huey. Their friend, Elaine, loved this name and it stuck forever. Angry Baby Huey is coming to LA tomorrow and Geoffrey will be there toooooo. This is very good. Baby Huey's Great Adventure Part Deux...

Friday, April 18th:
- National Animal Cracker Day @ Susie Cakes LA
- locations in Brentwood and Weho. Help animals while eating the best cookies ever...frosted animal crackers...you know the pink and white ones with the round sprinkle balls. Yum. 50% of all proceeds go to the Humane Society.
-Helmet @ Key Club. If you see a tall dude named Fred ask him for a free mustache ride. Even though he doesn't rock a stache anymore, he'd be happy to give you one. (via flavorpill)
-Ghostland Observatory @ The Music Box @ Fonda. (via flavorpill)

Saturday, April 19th:
-Cupcake Challenge in Playa Vista.
-LA Green Drinks EARTH NIGHT sponsored by Whole Life Times
- South Toward Home Benefit @ The Troubadour w/ Sarah Silverman, Foreign Born, Bob Odenkirk and more (SOLD OUT!)
- C.R.A.N.K. MOB - Midnight Ridazz ride. Starts on the Westside (Sawtelle & La Grange). If you like biking, drinking and having fun, then I suggest you join on of these rides soon.
- "It Turns 4/20 at Midnight Show" at UCB.

Sunday, April 20th:
-Go to a Farmer's Market. Brentwood has two new food vendors, an ice tea booth (Cherry Blossom Tea - so delish) and a Vietnamese-style spring roll both (I have yet to try but they look amazing). I saw Ellen Page at the Hollywood market two weeks ago. She's the coolest. Dexter, the sprout genius, has a booth at the Sunday Hollywood market as well as the Wednesday Culver City Market. He is also the coolest. Try his "live magic mix" or the "fiber connection". Both consist of various living sprouts and grains. SUPER yum.
-Green Apple Fest - continue celebrating Earth Day with Ziggy Marley and more. The Green Apple Fest is a free Earth Day show at the SM Pier. It's happening in a bunch of other cities too...
- Grilled Cheese Invitational . No further explanation needed. Although good luck getting tickets, because it's SOLD OUT. You better have some good cheese to bring to the this or you're not going... (via blogging.la)

Oh, and don't forget THE BEACH. This is sunny Southern California.

There's lots more I missed I'm sure. If every day had an extra 4 hrs, that would be great.