Sunday, January 31, 2010

Zombies in Love


the picture above won't be featured in the show

Zombies in Love February 6, 2010 - February 22, 2010


Opening Reception / Feb 6, 7:00PM - 11:00PM


Zombies in Love is a art exhibition for the damned or those who enjoy zombies. Yes, Zombies and Love do mix in this strange show of affection and hunger for human brains.


Come early for a Zombie Walk around the block. Dress like a Zombie so you don't have to pay the two dollar admission.


Heres the sites breakdown


ZOMBIES IN LOVE" is an art exhibition/happening that gathers some recognized names in the field of zombie culture and zombie enthusiasts to contribute paintings, sculptures, and live performances, all In celebration of Valentines Day and Zombie Culture.


FEATURED ARTISTS:
Alex Kirwan
Amy Ortiz
Anna Chambers
Barth
Becky Cloonan
Ben Zhu
Brian Smith
Chris Lane
D'Holbachie-Yoko
Edith Abeyta
Graham Annable
Greg Nicotero (KNB efx group)
Ippei Gyoubu
Jim McPherson
Jeremy Enecio
James McPherson
JJ Villard
John Pham
Jonathan Wayshak
Jordu Schell
JPG
Junko Mizuno
Kevin Dart
KNB efx Group
Martin Astles
Mindy Lee
Pendleton Ward oh wow the guy behind Adventure Time
Phil Craven
Robh Ruppel
Rodney Fuentebella
Scott C. this dude is in more art shows then James Jean and thats a lot.
Sebastien Mesnard
T and A
Tony Lombardo
William B. Hand
William Basso
William Stout




Saint Motel is hosting a Valentine's Day Zombie Prom. So dress like a zombie with you best gal or guy pal and become Zombie Prom King and Queen.


Saturday, February 13th 8:30p,


The Roxy Theater
9009 West Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069

“Zombie Prom”
Saint Motel
Young The Giant (Formerly The Jakes)
Chasing Kings
Links
DJ Set by Stewart Cole of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Bloody Drink Specials ($5 All Night)
RED Wine, RED Stripe, Johnnie Walker RED Label, Zombie Prom Punch (POM & Voldka)
Prom King & Queen will be crowned live on stage based on who’s best dressed. Presented by: KROQ Locals Only



Bioshock STRANGNESS next week in San Francisco


If you dare to join me in Rapture, then I challenge you to meet me at the designated square. In the Golden State, in the city by the bay, when the month is 2, when the day is 6, when the hour is 5:45. At that precise moment in the evening, you will find me on Mary Street, between Minna Street and Natoma.
sEE what migh happen

How the Hell is Long Beach Comic- Con back again? and other comic related events

Long Beach Comic-Con
Saturday, February 20th 2010

Long Beach Convention Center Promenade Ballroom 10am – 7pm
$10

I don't know how, but there doing another Long Beach Comic-Con less than 6 months from the first one. Thats extremely odd. I can't believe it did so well they wanted one so fast. Maybe it's just really easy to set up I hav no idea.

Here's more info from the site

Retailers with cool goods (Golden Apple! Comic Madness! Terry's Comics! Amazing Comics! Ed Robertson's Comics! Harley Yee Comics! Tony Raiola Books! Geoffrey's Comics! Pulp Fiction! Scott Hudlow Comics! And more to come!)
Exhibitors to impress you (Aspen!, Top Cow!, Com.X!, High Tower!, Lions Gate! And more to come!)
Guests to thrill you (Bernie Wrightson! Mike Mignola! Stan Sakai! Tim Bradstreet! Lou Ferrigno! Tone Rodriguez! Todd Nauck! Dustin Nguyen! JT Krul! Trent Kaniuga! Brian Haberlin! Christian Beranek! Christian Meesey! And more to come! See complete guest list below!)
Artist Alley to explore!
Portfolio Review with writer & editor Barbara Kesel!


POPGUN Vol. 4 Release Party
When
Wed Feb 24 – Wed Feb 24 2010 Meltdown Comics, 7522 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046

Popgun is a great comic anthonogly book of different stories from mostly unknown artist. Many a surreal. They can be about anything the comic creator chooses and can be sad, funny, stupid noir or whatever the creator wanted.


Angel City Derby Girls Annual "Eat More Art Out" Benifit Show

Sat Feb 20 – Sat Feb 20

Melt Gallery inside Meltdown Comics, 7522 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046

Another strange art show with no common thread at Meltdown.



Even even more stuff in Februrary

111th Gold Dragon Parade and Festival
Saturday and Sunday, February 20 and 21, 2010
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Chinatown's annual parade moves through it's streets with delight for the whole family. I've seen enough Martial arts movies that I want to see some of those walking dragons in real life.

Scavenger Dash

Casey's Irish Bar & Grille
613 S Grand AveLos Angeles, CA 90017(213) 629-2353
12:00 PM
Saturday the 20th is filled with activities, maybe you'll enjoy the other going on as you go on your scavenger hunt

From Yelp Scavenger Dash is a wildly fun urban adventure that is as much adventure race as it is scavenger hunt. Compare it to The Amazing Race, but on a local level, where anyone can participate!This incredible experience consists of teams of two that will solve clues, travel to local points of interest, and complete fun challenges while discovering the city in a whole new way. All participants are encouraged to stick around for the fun party atmosphere and camaraderie after the event. So, if you like fun, adventure and making great memories, this is the event for you!


Why not spend the nigh laughing at Will Ferrel and Friends, just head to tickemaster

Chabad Camp looks so awesome!

So very awesome

Even more in February

The Art of Lisa HANAWALT
Friday Feb 5th
seems to border on the insane and making animals athnroprophic. Fos some reason it cacthes my eye check it out at
Friday February 5th from 8 - 10pm

SECRET HEADQUARTERS 3817 w. Sunset blvdLos Angeles, California 90026




Custom Yoka Show the second showing since Designer-Con 2009
Thursday, February 18th. Showing at the gallery Feb 18 – 23
February 18th through March 1st, 2010
Opening Reception: Thursday, 18th of February, 7:00 - 10:30pm



Time for a CUPCAKE CHALLENGE!
Saturday, February 20, 2010 12:00 PM
1755 N Highland Ave Hollywood, CA 90028

fROM yELP Sponsored by Cozmo Deck and Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, the event will feature LAs best mini-cupcakes. Attendees will each vote on their favorite original and traditional cupcakes, culminating in the crowning of LAs best cupcakes.






Saturday, February 20, 2010 8:00 PM

Brazilian Carnaval 2010
800 West Olympic BlvdSte A335Los Angeles, CA 90015

FROM YELP
The largest carnival on the west coast returns to LA with the Brazilian Nites Production's "10th Annual Brazilian Carnival 2010," featuring the legendary roving band on a float, TRIO ELETRICO, Armandinho, Dodo & Osmar, the irresistible Brazilian Nites Samba Dancers, over 20 drummers, caipirinhas, Havaianas, Mardi Gras beads and more. Costumes are encouraged.







ANIMATION NATION NIGHT

We host an industry evening for students and guests
NEXT DATE: February 23 , 2010





Curious and Curiouser: Inspired by 'Alice In Wonderland' February 27, 2010 - March 29, 2010 Opening Reception / Feb 27, 7:00PM - 11:00P

from Nucleus site:

Since its publication in 1865, Lewis Carroll's ‘Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' has enchanted the world with its curious characters and its even curiouser tale. It has been over more than a century and the fantastic world of Alice continues to captivate children and adults. With the highly anticipated film adaptation by Tim Burton hitting theatres later this month, we invited artists of the feature film and beyond to create their vision of the iconic story and celebrate it's lasting legacy.

Exhibiting Artists Include:
Adolie Day
Alberto Cerriteño
Alina Chau
Allison Reimold
Amy Sol
Andrew Wright
Anne Koelle
Aya Kakeda
Bill Carman
Bobby Chiu
Chris Appelhans
Clio Chiang
Cory Godbey
David Ho
Hiromi Sato
Jaime Zollars
Jake Parker
Jared Andrew Schorr
Jason Seiler
Jeremy Enecio
Jing Wei
Kei Acedera
Kukula
Lee White
Lorelay Bove
Marguerite Sauvage
Marmite Sue
May Ann Licudine aka MALL
Meg Hunt
Michael Kutsche
Naoto Hattori
Neysa Bove
Oksana Badrak
Raquel Aparicio
Richard Kirk
Sarah Caterisano
Sean Chao
Stephen Silver
Sterling Hundley
Trey Bryan
Ver Mar
Vera Brosgol
William Stout

Vera Brosgol , wow I love her work, wish she contnued her indie Return To Sender, but she's been busy storyboarding Coraline

32nd Annual Firecracker 5K/10K Run/Walk

Sunday, February 28, 2010 8:00 AM

Chinatown Central Plaza
N Broadway and W College St Los Angeles, CA 90012

Rocket Fizz

Located at 2112 Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA 91506(818) 846-7632,

Rocket Fizz is the place you go in Burbank for a selection of over 100 different brands of bottle soda that you won't find in your supermarket. The store carries candy you won't find in the states, I'm talking England. I recommend a candy bar called the LION. Sodas of every flavor even Banana are available. Root beers, German soda and Bawls Geek Root Beer are only some of the strange drinks o try. The candy collection is nothing small either. They have a whole taffy section as well as candies that look mind numbingly sweet, sour and oh, so sugary.

Check out the pics below.


















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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Interview with a Saiyan warrior pt.2

Here's part 2 with my extremely Otaku interview with Patrick W. Galbraith. He wrote The Otaku Encylopedia :An insiders's guide to the subculture of Cool Japan.

Do you think you left out anything in The Otaku Encyclopedia?



Absolutely! You could easily write a series of encyclopedias with fat and detailed descriptions of each and every subcultural group in Japan. At the very least, I’d like to do an expanded edition, hopefully in collaboration with various otaku experts from inside and outside Japan. At present, however, I have to wonder whether a publisher would take on this project. If the book is big and bulky, it has to cost more and can be sold in fewer stores due to issues of shelf space. This is one reason why Kodansha International wanted to do a smaller, abridged volume. In many ways I am very happy that it went this way, as it meant more people can have access to it, both physically and economically. Due to the expected audience, I wanted to present Japanese otaku culture today, with historical and cross-cultural information to put it into context. Something very distant and oblique ideally becomes accessible and understandable. But this is only the first step to get the dialogue going. Now that we are developing a common vocabulary, we can begin to debate issues and learn and grow. Then a new book of cultural literacy would emerge. That is my hope for the international otaku movement.


Were you inspired to do a book by Patrick Macias works such as Cruising The Anime City: An Otaku Guide To Neo Tokyo and Tokyoscope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion? I see you thanked him at the back of your book and have him listed in the back of the book as well. I also find it funny you both have the name Patrick as Internet searches about you wielded him as a result.

Patrick Macias is an inspiration for every fan of Japanese popular culture that wants to pursue and share knowledge. In the book, I acknowledged him as a pioneer. I am honored to call him a friend.

It also seems like a very tight community of writers about Japan. I see you also thanked Brian Ashcraft (Senior Contributing Editor of Kotaku ) and Danny Choo (possibly the most famous Otaku online) is there a bar you all got to or do you meet up somewhere?

There is a list of people who shape the discussion of Japanese popular culture in the United States. Those names include, but are not limited to, Patrick Macias, Matt Alt, Brian Ashcraft, Fred Schodt, Fred Patten, Gilles Poitras, Roland Kelts and Danny Choo. On the more academic spectrum, we have Susan Napier, Sharon Kinsella ,Thomas LaMarre, and Anne Allison in addition to a growing community. Each of these men and women contributes to our knowledge and understanding of Japan and its popular culture in unique ways. I respect them all, and hope my own efforts will someday be of half the assistance theirs has been. I try to meet with them whenever they are in Tokyo and learn all that I can from their vast body of collective experience.
On some lighter questions, not so much about the book. What are your favorite haunts in Akihabara? Do you have a favorite maid cafe? I can tell you they have one in LA now called Royal-T and many of the maids are tsundere, making it not as fun as I had hoped.
You aren’t a fan of tsundere? I have to confess that I love it! It’s an acquired taste, but after five years of frequenting Akihabara maid cafes, I now call ahead to reserve the worst possible treatment I can. Literally, I order it – 500 yen. Maybe I just have this image in my mind of Asuka not able to express her feelings for Shinji and so getting all belligerent with him. Anyway, I have a few places in Akihabara that I always stop by. Kamifuusen, which is a great store for figures, and the Volk’s rental showcases on the 7th floor of the Radio Kaikan, which is a treasure trove. I like Japanese curry, so I always stop by Go Go Curry. I go to Melon Books, Toranoana and K-Books for doujinshi and bishoujo games. I also spend an unhealthy amount of time lined up waiting to get into @home café or see AKB 48. It’s like this compulsion…
Other than your obvious love of Dragon Ball (which I'm currently re-watching, the recently released uncut version) what Anime or manga are your favorites and why?
I actually am not that into Dragon Ball, which is counter intuitive given my conspicuous cosplay antics. I really liked the original story, and the first arc of Dragon Ball Z, but not much after the first showdown with Vegeta. I only wear my Goku costume when I do my weekly tour in Akihabara or go to cosplay events in the area. My favorite anime is Neon Genesis Evangelion, just because it pushed the limits of genre, character and even animation itself. You can watch that show 100 times and still not fully grasp all the different levels of address. I also think that the director, Anno Hideaki, really ripped out his heart and showed it to the audience. He put it all on the line and spoke his doubts, even his anxieties about anime and its fans. I admire his courage and unwavering conviction. For other series, I constantly watch and rewatch Key, the Metal Idol, Video Girl Ai and Otaku no Video. They always make me laugh and cry, or simply remind me that I am human. Right now I am into Toaru Kagaku no Railgun. I can’t wait for more Strike Witches and Sora no Otoshimono. My dream sequel? Kannagi. I need to see Nagi-sama again for closure. Please, Yama-kan!!

When do you think your website will be fully up? Will it have a little flash Moe- pon going around?

It should be soon. I am working with some friends in the United States to try to get it up, but it is time consuming and we are all doing it without pay and in our free time. Kodansha International is kind of mired in this old-school paper publishing mode, so they will not pay for online PR, which includes websites. It is a really weird thing. Please be patient and bear with us!
The Otaku Encyclopedia website can be found here
The book is available at Amazon here for only $13.57
Finally if your in Tokyo why not take a tour with Patrick here

First part of February what to do


Neil Gaiman will be having a lecture this Thursday at UCLA


Echo Park Art Walk more info

from Yelp This is a one day event that will turn the neighborhood of Echo Park into a fun, playful and engaging artistic landscape! Imagine, gathering with your group of friends on the corner of Echo Park Ave. and Delta St. bundled up in LA winter gear, with a hot cocoa or latte and scone from Chango, You're not quite sure what adventure you're about to get into, but you've been handed a map, and you aren't afraid to use it!On this map you discover the sites of chain link fence galleries, driveway theaters, a hands-on crafting station, performance art, intersection musical performances, outdoor movie screenings, sculptures, parking lot mini concerts and other various creative and mind-stimulating public displays of ART.


More art the Next Day at Second Annual Itty Bitty Art Sale more info
from Yelp
The Second Annual Itty Bitty Art Sale will offer approximately 400 pieces of original postcard-sized art, each priced at $40. The works are unsigned on the front, so the identities of the artists remain a secret until the pieces are purchased and turned over to the reverse side to reveal the name. This element of the Itty Bitty Art Sale encourages buyers to select art based on a love for the imagery, while providing equal opportunity to acquire artwork created by a big name from the art, design or entertainment industry

Luch Va Voom the insane Mexican Wrestling and Comedy Show heads to the Mayan the 10th and 11th
Henry Jenkins will be speaking at UCLA Feb 11th 6pm about what other video game makers need to know about today's market and how to improve them with the expansion into the mandy different form of media today.

Saturday, February 13, 2010 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
From Yelp
More than 500 exhibitors. Trip giveaways. Cultural entertainment. And travel experts Rick Steves, Arthur and Pauline Frommer and more. It's everything you need to get far away from the every day.







LA Street Food Fest Saturday, February 13, 2010 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
more info

From Yelp
Get ready to EAT YOUR HEART OUT at the hottest Valentine's date in the land!This Valentine's why not show love to the people who bring us meals on wheels? There are taco trucks, cupcake trucks, ice cream trucks, BBQ trucks, vegan trucks, fusion trucks, fruit carts, fish taco stands, bacon wrapped hot dogs, and many more...


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Anyone for some Street Figher?


Street Fighter
January 30, 2010 2:00 PM
$10.00 cover and another 10 to register for the tournament
3201 Maple Ave Los Angeles, CA 90011

Friday, January 29, 2010

Interview with a Saiyan warrior pt.1



When Patrick W. Galbraith isn't running around Akihabara dressed as Goku from Dragon Ball Z leading tour groups, he took the time to right the Otaku Encyclopedia. Mentioned here on the Things To Do In LA blog as a great Christmas gift for the Otaku in your life. The Otaku Encyclopedia holds within in it the phrases, people, places and events every Otaku should know or every outsider wondering about Otaku should glimsp.

Mr.Galbraith took the time to answer some questions for me about his book and his Eva loving self.


Interview :




Let me start off by saying what a great book, I bought it on Amazon after I checked it out at the Kinokuniya Bookstore in Little Tokyo. I love the book's design and Moe-pon (cute maid on cover) appearing every few pages.










I’ll ask right way, have you ever been to Little Tokyo in LA and is it anything like the real deal? Do you recommend any place or places there if you have been in Little Tokyo? I go there frequently for Shabu Shabu and special events like the Giant Robot Biennale and the special west coast Chiptune Concert.





I am sad to say that I have never actually been to Los Angeles. At least that I can remember. Apparently my parents took my four brothers, my younger sister and I to Disney Land once. However, I have always wanted to visit Little Tokyo. Staying up until late at night watching anime, I developed a wicked sweet tooth, and I love Japanese mochi. There is mochi as Fugetsu-do and Mikawaya, two of the oldest running food establishments in L.A., as I understand it. I am not really interested in issues of authenticity, and would simply like to try Mikawaya’s mochi ice cream someday! Actually, maybe it’s precisely because I have yet to see it in Japan that I kind of want to try it. I was hooked on Spam-musubi, like these fat rice balls with grilled Spam on top, when I visited Hawaii. There are all different flavors in the world and it’s interesting how tastes interact and develop into something unique. Culture is the same.





Getting back to the book, how long was it in development, was it a long process, or was it easy as your so knowledgeable about the subject of Otaku?






It took about five years to put the book together, or about four years of data collection and one to put it all together. The whole thing was occurring in tandem to my ethnographic fieldwork among otaku, which began in 2004. Every single time I talked to someone I’d encounter all these words and concepts that I was only vaguely familiar with, so I asked everyone to explain them to me. This is the one time that being a stupid foreign guy with limited verbal command of the language really helped me. I collected hundreds of pages of interviews and notes that were edited down and organized into the current book. There is so much more that could have gone in, but the publisher, Kodansha International, wanted to keep it a small size and affordable price. Anyway, the process of putting the book together was a long one because there was so much information out there to synthesis, and so many stereotypes to confront and work through. Coming at this as a fan and student of Japanese popular culture from outside Japan, I was very concerned with how the media portrays otaku and their activities, both in the sense of media images generated in Japan and those conventional understandings disseminated among fans outside Japan. The media image is especially important in the case of otaku, because the mass media played, and still plays the most important role in setting the parameters for discussion. And the mass media tends to construct easily recognizable types. Often the definitions are presumed in advance and never questioned openly, as if we all implicitly understood. This tends to make definitions appear self-evident, while reinforcing received stereotypes. My job was to interrogate constructed images and try to bring the faces and voices of otaku to readers, or to bridge generational and geographic gaps in the ongoing discussion of otaku.






The book has some risky subjects like Yaoi and Seme were they not that fun to research? Was anything a bit unpleasing to research? If so what was the worst? I try and stay clear of the Yaoi Nation (large booth) at Anime Expo and Yaoi paddles. BTW do you head to LA for the Anime Expo?




I sadly have not yet been to Anime Expo! I would love to go someday. My development as a fan of anime, manga, idols and bishojo games really followed a very antisocial path. When I was still in grade school in Alaska, my brother, who was learning Japanese, was watching a VHS tape of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, which I thought was totally cool. But it was in Japanese. So, I focused on the pretty girl! I continued to do this, kind of use the bishojo as my entry point into this totally new and exciting world of Japanese sci-fi anime, for example Bubblegum Crisis and Akira, whatever my brother was watching. We moved to a farm in Montana when I was in sixth grade, and I had trouble adjusting to the new setting, and social interactions in general. I withdrew into my room and my anime. I started working and saving money to purchase anime and created a sort of cocoon of Japanese popular culture. I was in junior high school when I saw tapes of Sailor Moon and Neon Genesis Evangelion, and those were loves that sort of ruined me for life. I started tattooing my two-dimensional wives on my body, and I knew my life was over. I was reborn as something else, what some people call an otaku, and I’ve been studying ever since to get deeper into it all. So, I basically never hung out with my peers until I started seeking out otaku in Japan, which was at first more for research purposes. I met so many great people who I know consider friends, both from inside and outside Japan. During the course of writing the book, I was researching the fandom in the United States and got into contact with people such as Fred Schodt, Fred Patten, Gilles Poitras and Patrick Macias. I guess you could say it was only after I left that I was able to connect with the fan community back home. Now I am all the way across the Pacific! But someday I vow to do the convention circuit and get to know everyone better. About topics in the book, I found it interesting to learn about anything and everything. I was so happy that people invited me in and shared their worlds. Fujoshi, the so-called “rotten girls” who are into yaoi and BL manga centered on male-male romance, were particularly friendly. Granted, it took some time, but everyone was so generous with their time and passionate about their hobbies. Some people even debated whether I was a seme or an uke, which is less about sexual orientation and more about whether I am a dominant or submissive personality. I am an uke, apparently. Maybe the fact that I like to listen, and tend not to judge, facilitated data collection.





The Encyclopedia has many different subjects which were the three you enjoyed writing about the most?






I can’t choose three, but my top five were moe, maid cafes, bishoujo games, doujinshi and Akihabara. Moe because it was so fun to interview people and listen to explanations. It was kind of like experiencing the discourse as it was evolving. Maid cafes because I spent a lot of time there writing. Seriously, there are few places I feel more at home and relaxed than this one café I frequent. Bishojo games make the list because this is where some of the best character designs and stories are coming from these days. The low production costs mean that people can make money with low runs and niche themes, even without corporate sponsorship. Think about it – a handful of people can produce a bishojo game, which has a simple operating system where static images and textual prompts appear. The images of bishojo are just so beautiful, so I don’t mind looking at them. The images don’t move, sure, but you are drawn into the emotional and affective depths implied by the character design. Japan might be behind with in making dynamic gaming engines, but the Japanese can do character design and story. That shows best in bishojo games. I wish more people would give them a chance, because not all games are about sex and violence. Doujinshi are similarly cheap to produce and accessible to a wide range of creators. Doujinshi are publications produced outside official channels, and a lot of creativity exists in this border art. With standard publishing suffering and only very stereotyped series and proven creators making it into weekly manga magazines, the existence of doujinshi is all the more important. The problem is how to harness the creativity among otaku to invigorate Japanese contents. Lastly, I chose Akihabara because this is where the conflict between subculture and popular culture is most clear. In the last decade, the private space and hobbies of otaku has been opened to the public, and that engenders a lot of problems. At the same time, there is enormous potential. This is precisely the moment I hope to convey in the book.





Reading through it, I got a real sense of hate towards Otaku in Japan and a feeling of embarrassment for being Otaku. Do you feel there is a lot of hate towards Otaku are they looked down upon?




It really matters what you mean by otaku. It actually originally is a second-person pronoun meaning “your home.” Written in Chinese characters, this is still the meaning (お宅), though it was only used among middle-class housewives and a few places in Western Japan and isn’t so common anymore. If you use the Japanese script of hiragana to write otaku (おたく), then you are talking about a subculture that really grew in the consumer class in the late 1970s and 1980s in response to new media and technology. The media associated this group with excessive individualism and antisocial behavior, which crystallized in the backlash against “otaku” as conflated with the Miyazaki Incident in 1989. It was seen as childish to like anime, manga and tokusatsu as an adult in the 1980s, but it became seen as a sort of pathology in the 1990s. I add to that the caveat of Okada Toshio, who in the mid-1990s tried to redeem otaku as the next stage of human evolution in an information-consumer society, though his influence on public perceptions is questionable. The word otaku was seen as discriminatory and banned by some TV stations and newspapers. At the same time, otaku was making its way into the lexicon of American fans, especially those into the anime subset of sci-fi conventions. This group can be described as otaku in Roman letters (OTAKU). In the 2000s, the popularity of Japanese anime, manga and videogames overseas grew to such an extent that it began to influence a new image of hardcore fans. The sort of international or cool otaku image can be expressed in katakana, which is a Japanese script used for foreign loanwords (オタク). The script itself makes it clear that this was not a local understanding, though it is gaining traction with the brighter, more cheerful image of otaku as seen in the TV drama Densha Otoko and other media outlets. Finally, some hardcore fans of anime, manga, games and related fields do not affiliate with any of the otaku categories that have come before, and they call themselves wotaku (ヲタク). These are often younger fans who are into moe media, idols and who hang out in Akihabara. All these otaku exist at once, which is one reason there is such a schizophrenic media image in Japan right now. Interestingly, while the word otaku seems to be becoming more positive in Japan now, it is becoming more negative in the United States. Those who do not want to be associated with the worst stereotypes of fans of Japanese popular culture sometimes call themselves “anime fans.” This is a really fascinating cross-cultural dialogue!









Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Even more things to do this weekend

Comedy Zen LA
Sat 23
369 East First Street. Los Angeles, California 90012 Showtime: 8:00pm
fROM yELP:
All of you who love eating Shabu Shabu, Ramen, or Sushi in J-Town (Little Tokyo) come back and eat more...then go to a comedy event that is not to be missed! See the details below:Your headliner is Sugar Sammy, whose HBO concert special "Sugar Sammy Live in Concert" sold out audiences in Canada. The Hollywood Reporter placed him on the 10 Comics to Watch list.We also have Danny Cho from MadTV, who you may remember as Bobby Lee's sidekick Pongo.Edwin Li, who hails from San Francisco has been invited to the prestigious LAS VEGAS COMEDY FESTIVAL.Dwayne Perkins who has appeared on Late Night with ConanO' Brien and is a correspondent on the new Jay Leno Show at 10 pm (NBC), and can also be found on his own half hour special on Comedy Central.


The Lingerie Football League

Girls in lingerie playing football, what more could you want!

on Friday, January 29 at the Sports Arena & Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial

3939 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90037

Monday, January 25, 2010

Things to do this weekend back again

Channel 101 is insane and they want you to join in that insanity. Channel 10 has very very strange shows that come out every month or so. You can even submit your own work, but it better be funny and make no sense.

Check out some videos here Channel 101

and if your into these why don't you head to the next screening January 31st
at
Cinespace Lounge 6356 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles CA, 90028




Starting this Friday for a week run at the Nuarte is ATown Called Panic from the people who brough you Wallace and Gromit. The stop motion movie centers on a toy Cowboy, Indian and Horse getting into strange raunchy adventures
11272 Santa Monica Boulevard, just west of the 405 FreewayWest Los Angeles, CA 90025(310) 281-8223

Restaurant weeks or Dine LA2010


This week and next except Saturday is Dine LA 2010 or restaurant weeks. What this means for you is some high class eating establishments might be cheaper to eat at. Restaurants apart of Dine LA will have special prices seen below on certain items.

So your getting a deal on food, but it's the food they select.

The link below shows those partipating and what you'll be getting by clicking on them.