Dedicated to the Black Experience
Only July 20th The Foreign Exchange will perform at The Roxy Theatre, Hollywood CA.
The Foreign Exchange consists of American singer/songwriter Phonte (of Little Brother) and Dutch producer/composer Nicolay. Visit their website for news, music, tourdates and downloads.
In addition to the changes Leimert Park residents will soon see in our local mall, prepare to see the corner of Crenshaw and Rodeo Boulevards undergo a massive transformation. According to Curbed LA, local developer Charles Company is proposing a Target-anchored shopping mall for that corner, which will include a Ralphs, Marshalls, and other businesses.
For locals that may not know, the current defunct Ralphs will be closing this November to start the process. I’m guessing the dead Rite-Aid will follow suit, since neither stores get much action with a newer Albertsons down the street and both Walgreen’s and CVS within walking distance.
Yesterday’s verdict in the case of the murder of Oscar Grant caused Twitter and every other social network to go crazy, as well as incited riots in the streets of Oakland. The cop on trial, Johannes Mehserle, was found guilty – not of murder, but involuntary manslaughter.
We all saw the tape of the shooting (I won’t make you relive that) and know that it was a straight up murder – but the verdict shouldn’t surprise any of us. When was the last time a cop actually suffered behind killing someone who was innocent? The law has always been and will continue to be on their side – and it’s terrible that so many innocent people die or are seriously wounded at the hands of those that are sworn to serve and protect.
What about 7-year old Aiyana Jones, shot while she was sleeping by Detroit police? Or Steve Washington, an autistic man shot in the head by two police in Koreatown? Where is justice for them?
What really irked me about yesterday’s verdict was what the news chose to broadcast directly after: The Grim Sleeper. The Grim Sleeper, aka Lonnie D. Franklin, Jr. is a black serial killer charged with 10 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder. His crimes spread out over a 12-year period in the Los Angeles area. He was finally arrested and charged on July 7th. This man’s crimes are heinous and I’m glad he was finally brought to justice. BUT, to show this directly after the Grant verdict is to play down this white cop’s crime of killing only one black man.
You think that was by accident? I think not.
If you have to miss the LA Street Food Festival, don’t fret because LA food trucks have yet another event coming to you this summer. Check out the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest, where good films and good food come together. This event will take place every Saturday from July 10th -August 28th at different parks around the city. I’ll see you there on August 7th for a viewing of The Hangover and August 21st for The Princess Bride and some good eats!
I love food, and lately, my city has exploded into food truck frenzy. There have always been taco and hamburger trucks around this city since I was a kid, but in the last year gourmet food truck businesses have taken the city by storm. From Korean BBQ tacos to homemade ice cream sandwiches, these trucks offer a lot more than you’ll find in any shopping center or mall food court. Furthermore, food truck owners are building relationships and setting up shop in groups to give local restaurants a run for their money.
If you don’t have the time to chase these trucks down to sample their wares, you are in luck! On Saturday, July 24th be in attendance to the LA Street Food Fest. This event will take place at the Pasadena Rose Bowl from 5:30 -9pm. There are over 60 vendors participating; feel free to purchase items from vendors individually or pay $45 and sample something from every vendor. Did I mention there’s a tequila truck too? Epic score!
While there, check out the Comfort Truck owned and operated by Chef Brian Hill, celebrity chef to the stars. Support this brotha in his new business endeavor.
See you there!
Singer/songwriter Nia Andrews will be making her debut performance at Angel’s Piano Bar & Supper Club on Sunday, July 18th at 7pm.
Nia, who has toured with Common and Lauryn Hill, will present a jazz-infused set of original material peppered with a few off-the-beaten path covers. Her perfomance will feature a rare appearance on acoustic piano with artist/producer Mark de Clive-Lowe. This event is free, so by all means, go and support this rising star!
If you’ve never heard of her, you will.
Delicia Smith, one of the most awesome voices in Los Angeles, will be one of the featured soloists accompanied by the LA Philharmonic Orchestra and LA Philharmonic Choir on July 10th at 7pm at the LA Arboretum and July 11th at 2pm at the Disney Concert Hall.
She will be singing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the memorable and amazing musical “Evita” and “Memories” from the smash hit musical, “Cats”.
For ticket information, please contact http://www.calphil.org/ or call (626) 300-8200.
This Friday KNG is back with another installment to their Young Legends summer series. Legends of the Illadelph: A Musical Overview Of The Philadelphia Sound Old & New will take place Friday, July 9th from 10pm – 2am. Details are as follows:
Medusa Lounge, 3211 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057
$10 before midnight, $15 after; 21 and over
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event!
Living in Leimert Park I pass the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza pretty frequently. I’ve noticed in the last week or so that Magic’s name has disappeared from the multiplex movie theatre he helped established 15 years ago. Turns out that AMC closed the theatre down officially on June 13th; however the theatre will undergo a $10 million renovation thanks to Capri Urban Investors, owners of the mall themselves. The movie theatre renovation is the beginning of a $30 million renovation to the entire mall.
Magic Johnson had this to say about the theatres’ closing:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of AMC’s decision to close the Magic Johnson Theatre at Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Mall,” Johnson said in a statement. “AMC purchased the Magic Johnson Theatres several years ago. This was my first (theater), so a piece of me will definitely close with it. I want to thank the community for their support and loyalty over the years. The (theater) has truly been the heartbeat of that community.”
As a resident of this community, I am personally excited about this renovation. Capri Urban Investors, which is a Black owned and operated company, plans to take into account the needs and wants of the residents of this area. I hope they understand that Black folks shop for more than tennis shoes and baby clothes. With Walmart as an anchor store, this mall doesn’t offer much, and we know Macy’s is here begrudingly since they closed their doors on us in 1999. It was sheer luck that they acquired Robinsons-May and ended back over here anyway. Hopefully a $30 million investment will bring us a more diverse selection of retail stores so we can spend our money within our community.
If your 4th of July weekend needs a kick-off event, this is it. Dam-Funk, the Los Angeles “Ambassador of Boogie Funk” will be performing this Friday, July 2 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Special guests for this show include: Master Blazter, Peanut Butter Wolf, and none other than LA legend, MC Eiht.
If you aren’t hip to Dam-Funk yet, I suggest you turn your speakers up and take a listen.
Who’s coming with me?