Hollywood Street Closures Hello Oscars

Yes, it's that time. The time to move your car far, far away from Hollywood and Highland! Our city is different from other cities, we have time when cars will not be tolerated in the wake of celebrities. If planning to be near Hollywood and Highland starting this Sunday start checking out for closures even for the metro. For up to date info look here.

To accommodate the construction of press risers, fan bleachers and pre-show stages along the Oscars red carpet, Hollywood Boulevard will be closed between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, February 17, and remain closed until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 27.

MTA subway trains will bypass the Hollywood & Highland station after the last regularly scheduled train on Saturday, February 23, until Monday, February 25.  Service at the station will resume with the first scheduled train after 6 a.m.

Between Sunday, February 10, and Oscar Sunday, February 24, additional streets and sidewalks will be closed for varying periods.

Details of the closures and maps of affected areas are available from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Sixth and the Thirteenth District City Council field offices and on the Academy's website at http://www.oscars.org/closures.

I Like Scary Movies Experience

Halloween never ends in the Southland. A new experience will let you live out some classic horror movies. This isn't your average haunted house, it seems like you"ll get to have a lit bit more interaction. I Like Scary Movies Experience is selling itself as an interactive art installation, but listen up horror fans, because it's got stuff from IT, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Shining, The Lost Boys and Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

It's not coming to us until April, but they want people to start booking it now.

I Like Scary Movies
Starts April 4
The Desmond 5514 Wilshire Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
$39

Here's the details from the official site:

I Like Scary Movies is the experience that all scary movie fans have been dreaming of – a groundbreaking immersive art installation that is a true celebration of some of the most beloved horror films. This is a unique opportunity for fans to interact and enjoy the films that they love in a completely new way with amazing photo opportunities to share with their friends. Come play with us as we take you back to The Shining, where you can “sink” into the infamous carpet from the Overlook hotel, before wandering through Beetlejuice’s graveyard on your way to the Netherworld Waiting Room. Feel the fear as you enter Freddy’s boiler room from A Nightmare on Elm St. and then revisit The Lost Boys on your way to Pennywise’s lair. After all, we all float down here. When you visit I Like Scary Movies, you enter a multi-sensory experience where you can see, hear, feel and smell the environment. Don’t miss out on the first stop of our tour, opening April 2019 in Los Angeles.

via Bloody Disgusting

Bullet Train Going Nowhere

You'll probably be seeing some stories going over our proposed bullet train here in California after our new Governor, Newsom, gave a speech saying his support for it has dwindled. Plans for LA to San Fran are dead, but other smaller cities may still get connected. He didn't exactly say it's over for them, but he kind of left it in a purgatory state of "what's gonna happen?"



The LA Times has a pretty derailing take on it with lines like"

“Somebody at high-speed rail drew a line for a route on Google Earth and had no idea of what was on the ground or how they are affecting it,” Michael Dias, a Hanford lawyer who defends farmers and is a grape and nut grower, told The Times last year.

LA Times' artcile goes over how much time and money has been put into the project of having a bullet train built in California and how little results we've had getting anything done and that lies mainly on the shoulders of the High Speed Rail Authority. And we're talking billions of dollars.

I was prepping a story on how the bullet train plan was going actually, trying to go over bits so it could be easily be explained. But I have to say there's a lot of redirect. I did make contact with High Speed Rail and the were open to explaining it to me in greater detail, but it seemed like it wouldn't have really gone anywhere with the info sent back.

My question on why we don't just ask Japan's Bullet train companies for help or ask them to build it with their stellar track record of no accidents since they've been running was met with some boring non-answer.

So, if you want to try a bullet train visit Japan or some other country. America can't get this one done.

Artist Talk: Takashi Murakami Feb 20

Artist Talk: Takashi Murakami 
Feb 20, 7:30 pm–8:30 pm
Bing Theater  |  LACMA
Free, tickets required

Stephen Little, Florence and Harry Sloan Curator of Chinese Art and Department Head, Chinese, Korean, and South and Southeast Asian Art, speaks with artist Takashi Murakami about his work including his upcoming exhibition GYATEI² at Gagosian Beverly Hills. LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan will introduce the conversation.

Drawing from traditional Japanese painting, sci-fi, anime, and the global art market, Takashi Murakami creates paintings, sculptures, and films populated by repeated motifs and mutating characters of his own creation. His wide-ranging work embodies an intersection of pop culture, history, and fine art.

Weekly What To Do: Celebrate Love, Comics and Bagpipes

ArcLight Presents... Hitting the High Note
Starts Feb 13 
ArcLight Theaters
$

Join us for screenings of the films below, featuring memorable scores from Oscar^®-nominated Composers. ArcLight Presents… Hitting the High Note, features live post-screening conversations with this year’s Oscar^® Nominees for Best Original Score.

TTDILA's Valentine’s Day Guide Get Your Guns & Swords

Nerd Nite Los Angeles
Thu, February 14, 2019
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Busby's East
5364 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
$10

This month's topics include: the ability of machines to love, the search for soulmates, and the latest in a scientific study on intimate touch. A very special Valentine's-themed Nerd Nite!

Qbomb at the Whisky A Go-Go!
Fri, February 15, 2019
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Whisky a Go Go
8901 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
$15
21+

Blood Diner
Friday, February 15 11:59pm

Nuart Theatre

$12

*This one is completely insane
'Round Midnight w/Intro, Director Jackie Kong in person.

Eden and the Army of Paradise: Exhibition & Book Launch
February 16, 2019 - February 24, 2019
Opening Reception / Feb 16, 6:00PM - 9:00PM

Nucleus 

210 East Main St, Alhambra CA 91801 

Free

Gallery Nucleus welcomes back artist Eastwood Wong for a book launch of his latest self published art book / comic: Eden and the Army of Paradise. An offshoot of the popular concept book Violet Pink, Eastwood dives deeper into the story of Eden. Artist Denny Khurniawan, and Sylvia Liu, will also be releasing new books. 

Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 16, 2 – 6 p.m
Santa Monica Place
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Free

 Santa Monica Place commemorates the Year of the Pig with its annual Lunar New Year celebration. Hosted by comedian Paul “PK” Kim, celebrations will include authentic cultural performances and activities such as the traditional Chinese lion dance, Korean fan dance, stilt walkers, traditional dough artist, balloon twister, classical folk music from a Chinese musical duo, New Year’s Wishing Trees and family-friendly arts and crafts for all to enjoy. New this year is the addition of popular K-pop dance group, First Bite. 

Long Beach Comic Expo 2019
Saturday, Feb. 16 - 10:00 am - 7:00 pm (Advance Ticket holders at 9:30 am)
Sunday, Feb. 17 - 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (Advance Ticket holders at 10:30 am)
Long Beach Convention Center
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
$37.82 and up

Long Beach Comic Expo is an annual event held at the Long Beach Convention Center each spring. It's a celebration of comic books and pop culture that showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. At Long Beach Comic Expo, you'll find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs, guest signings, and meet & greet sessions with celebrities.

2019 Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show
Saturday, February 16: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, February 17: 10:00am-5:00pm
Los Angeles Convention Center - HALLS GHJ
1201 S. Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
$18

Check out other places to visit than LA...but, why?

PAPER CUTS
Opening Reception with the Artist:
Saturday, February 16th
6:30 - 10:00 PM
February 16 - March 6, 2019
Giant Robot 2 (GR2)
2062 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles CA 90025
Free

From artist: With a straight edge and knife, I cut and layer paper to expose geometric/abstract compositions. These compositions are comprised of shapes that sit on different planes, creating literal depth, while the composition itself creates a perceived depth. It is this intersection of the literal and perceived that informs the work; where the absence of material reveal form and the casting of shadow create line.

ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI
February 16th & 17th, 2019
The Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
$31 and up

The Queen Mary is pleased to welcome back the annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI February 16 & 17 (9AM - 6PM). Experience the rich culture and history of Scotland first hand through an array of authentic activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment and cuisine, paying homage to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy.

2019 Lunar New Year Celebration

February 17, 2pm-5pm

The Grove LA

189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Free

The festive nature of the holidays continues at The Grove with the 2019 Lunar New Year. The storied meaning, tradition, and symbolism behind this celebration are all apparent in the dazzling décor and fun-filled entertainment. Celebrate the Year of the Golden Pig with lively performances and cultural activities on Gilmore Lane and The Plaza of The Original Farmers Market.

Target Free Holiday Monday: Presidents' Day
Mon, Feb 18, 11 am–5 pm
LACMA
Free

Visitors of all ages are invited to a free day at the museum, with bilingual tours and live music from WYO at 12:30 and 2:45 pm.

LA Times French Fry Power Rankings

LA Times French Fry Power Rankings

You've got to read

The official fast food French fry power rankings by Lucas Kwan Peterson over at the Times.

It's pretty damn accurate and explains the reasoning of where each fry is placed. Why can't In-N-Out fries be good?

The LAnd Magazine Out Now

The LAnd is out now. You can finally get a copy at select locations (check their Twitter feed ). It's a free new magazine from all those former LA Weekly writers that were laid off. 

I got my copy and there’s a diverse mix of places and people to check out. A heavy bit is on music.

I do kind of miss info on upcoming or currents events as I think issues won’t be coming out at such a high frequency, it's just not possible.