Pick of the Week...First Fridays on Abbot Kinney!

2My Pick of the Week is this Friday. The weather is warmer, and yes it's April Fools day too, so come on out and play at First Fridays on Abbot Kinney. I would like to feature the store, Bohemian Exchange. Can’t tell you how many great deals and beautiful items, I have purchased there. Friday, they are having a very special fashion show that you will NOT want to miss.

See details below. Also see First Friday’s Video, to the right of this site, above my wonderful sponsors. BTW, I helped publicize First Fridays on Abbot Kinney way back in the very beginning….hey, don’t blame me for the food trucks…that was way before they came around. By the way, my only gripe with the food trucks is that they clog up the sidewalk and block the store fronts for businesses who pay so much in rent. So don’t forget to support the shops who put this event on.

Wednesday, March 30th

Once again, The Santa Monica Place Mall offers the “Movies on the Deck” series. Tonight’s movie is Sixteen Candle and once again will be held on the rooftop at The Santa Monica Place Mall... This will be happening every Wednesday. Movies start at 7pm and yes it’s FREE, but come early if you want to grab a great seat. There are heaters on the deck. You're welcome to bring blankets or your own chairs, but there will also be seating there. This free event and runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm http://www.santamonicaplace.com/events/event.aspx?eid=29207

The Venice Street Legends play every Wednesday from 5:00 pm till 10:00 pm at the Venice Bistro (323 Ocean Front Walk in Venice, 90291. These guys know how to rock out. Happy hour specials available. No cover charge.


Join deyermond art + books, 2801 Main Street, in Santa Monica, every Wednesday night for an eclectic display of spoken word, music, song and dance. 8:00pm-11:00 pm. www.deyermondbooks.com. Check out their site for Thursday Scrabble night too. They always put on fun events. Refreshments served.

Thursday, March 31^st

Paparazzi Comedy now EVERY Last Thursday of the month at The Canal Club 2025 Pacific Avenue, Venice Beach, CA. Come hear the hottest and funniest comics on the Westside. Hosted by Kente Scott featuring the 420 Comic Jeffrey Peterson, headlining Jason Hadley Also performing Justin Hires, DC Ervin, Roxy, Janet Rousseau and special guest Stevie Mack. Valet and Street parking available. Happy hour drink and food specials.  Show starts at 8:00 pm. There is a $5.00 charge BUT, if you rsvp and get there early you will get in FREE before 8:00 pm. So don’t forget to RSVP at paparazzicomedy@yahoo.com Produced by Gisele and event coverage by partyby5.com. Please arrive early, limited seating.

The Band, Hot Minute will be playing at El Texate at 316 Pico in Santa Monica, 90405. They have been playing every Thursday in March, so this is your last chance.  A fun band, classic rock covers. Check em out, they play from 9pm-12:00am.. FREE all night. Good food too!
http://www.eltexate.com/.

Friday April 1^st

Let’s start with my PICK OF THE WEEK…Yay. One of my favorite stores is Bohemian Exchange and will be having a very special event this time….see info below.  It's April Fools Day...so let's have some fun!

In case you have never been to First Fridays on Abbot Kinney, the festivities start around 6:30 pm. Stores stay open till around 9:00 pm.….With the recent arrival of food trucks upon the boulevard, some stores have decided to close early. However, here is a list of some shops that have confirmed with me that they will indeed be open and participating in the event. So start with these, and I’m sure you will stumble on more.

Now first I want to feature Bohemian Exchange….who will be having a RUNWAY FASHION SHOW and SALE. Yeah! See photo on right. Bohemian Exchange is throwing a fun and funky, very Venice Celebration and Runway Fashion Show featuring Crow’s Cloth, a local designer that is super inventive and fun! Two fashion shows, tonight, one at 7:30 pm and one at 9:30 pm. But remember this may mean Venice Time, so be flexible!…Light refreshments will be served. Bohemian Exchange is located at 1358 Abbot Kinney, at California 310.396.3044; http://www.bohemianexchange.com;

Ananda 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd and Hair Venice will be having a photo exhibit called Scamp Stamp by Patrick Mcelhenny in their back yard. - Skylark 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd will also be open. (310) 399-41861356.

Gumbo Kinney in conjunction with Robin Murez, will be having a lovely event in the beautiful glass garden known as Robin’s Sculpture Garden. There will be music and refreshments. On sale, will be vintage Tibetan coats and robes and sashes and scarves as well as exquisite one of a kind vintage Kimono wear. Robin’s Sculpture Garden, is located at 1632 Abbott Kinney.

G2 Gallery, 1503 Abbot Kinney will be hosting a wonderful opening with artist Robert Glenn Ketchum (image on left) from 6:30–9:00 pm. This exhibit will feature a selection of new images from the artist’s “digital darkroom” and a rarely seen look at one of the finest embroideries from his collection of textile works. Live music by Tom Gramlich; Snacks and refreshments. There is a $5.00 donation, but as always, it goes directly to environmental charities. http://www.theg2gallery.com;

Right next door, you have to stop into Zingara Trading 1507 Abbot Kinney for their famous S'mores…Yum! They have one of-a-kind clothing and accessories….simply gorgeous and are also have great sales too. This month they are giving away FREE henna tattoos. 310 392-6424;  http://www.zingaratrading.com/.

And across the street at one of my favorite furniture stores, Tumbleweed and Dandelion 1502 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open with wine and snacks and a Furniture sale too!  310-450-4310.

Then head back in the other direction, going north to …You Need a Sofa 1344 Abbot Kinney Blvd who will be open as well serving cheese and crackers.. 310 399-3928; http://www.youneedasofa.com/.

Nitespa 1301 Abbot Kinney will be open for First Fridays and offer all kinds of little treats and specials during the evening. They always create a fun festive vibe. Enjoy their handpicked spa soundtrack, rosemary water and organic teas. There will also be art and jewelry for sale. Open till 10:00 pm. Stop by during First Fridays and receive 25% off any treatment The entrance is on Santa Clara. 310.396.5122; http://www.nitespa.com/.

 

Now down toward the other end is a lovely shop called Altered Space Gallery 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open and serving refreshments, as well as celebrating the opening of  Michele Mikesell's exhibit, "Monsters," see image on left. 310-452-8121; http://www.alteredspacegallery.com/.

That's it for First Fridays!

If it’s too early to go home, or you can’t handle the crowds on Abbot Kinney, or just want to keep the buzz alive, take a trip to Los Feliz and check out La Luz de Jesus Gallery. This edgy gallery knows how to put on a fun opening. This one features works by Mark Gleason, Daniel Hyun Lim, (see image to left), Danni Shinya Luo, Heather Watts. All of the proceeds from Daniel Lim’s work will be donated to the Japan Disaster fund, by the way. The gallery is located at 4633 Hollywood Blvd near Vermont. Opening starts at 8:00 pm and goes till 11:00 pm. 323.666.7667.  http://www.laluzdejesus.com/.

Saturday, April 2^nd

A new daytime event, called Earth Festival is happening on Windward Ave and the beach in Venice on both Saturday and Sunday, noon till 9:00 pm….see below under Sunday for more info.

Now let’s talk about the evening. Not sure where you are coming from, but we’ve got fun events in Venice, Santa Monica and Culver city and Downtown,  …..so take your pick! Let’s start with Venice and Santa Monica, move to Culver City, where quite a few events are happening. Then there are a couple of Downtown galleries that are having later openings, so you can continue the art/party vibe into the wee hours…..Cool!

Come celebrate “1 in 91” Art Exhibition and Fundraiser at The G2 Gallery (1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice) from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Join Upper Class Label and The A.skate Foundation for their silent auction. The goal for this event was to collect 91 pieces of donated artwork, since 1 in 91 of children are diagnosed with Autism. All the proceeds from their silent auction will go towards The A.skate Foundation.

Be aware that you MUST purchase tickets online at http://upperclasslabel.com/uclsite/events. All tickets purchased for this event will go towards Crys Worley and the A.Skate Foundation. Tickets are $10 and the first 200 attendees will receive gift bags, with some great gear, including iPhone cases from Incipio, 80s Purple sunglasses and gift cards, Elwood Clothing tees, Skateboarder Mag magazines and a few stickers from Powell Peralta, Bones Bearings and BONES Wheels.

Ticket price includes, freshly made pizza, refreshments, wine and beer. There will be a DJ, so come ready to dance!

Remember, it’s all for a good cause…To find out more about the event and participating organizations. http://upperclasslabel.com/uclsite/events; http://askate.org/; http://forockids.org/.

This is a privately hosted event by Upper Class. So the folks at G2 won’t be able to answer questions about the event, but if you need driving directions or hours for G2, here is their info. 310-452-2842; http://www.theg2gallery.com/.

You may want to start off in Santa Monica, at the Shoshana Wayne Gallery at Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave (B-1), 90404 from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. The featured artist is Elaine Reichek. 310.453.7535; http://www.shoshanawayne.com/.

Also in Santa Monica, hop over to the Bleicher/Golightly Gallery (1431 Ocean Ave.) in Santa Monica who will be having an opening reception for a group exhibition called Scapes from 6:00 pm till 10:00 pm. Photographers: Jeff Alu, Malika Sqalli, Leonard Monje, Amina Bech, Claudio Santini, Shannon Rowland, Paul Golightly, Frank Schlegel, Tatiana Botton, Ray PinjanthukPainters: Joshua Elias, David Skinner, Marjorie Moskowitz, Matt Shane, Jim Holyoak, Gay Summer Rick, Jessika Cardinahl, (see image on left) Airom, Kathy Ikerd, Philip Vaughan, Danielle Eubank, Paul Roux, Anna Bruinsma, Michelle Neilsen, Ashley Wilson. 310 878 2784; http://bgartdealings.com/.

Now if Culver City floats your boat…there’s lots going on, Honor Fraser will be showing works by Tillman Kaiser and Rob Fischer (see image). Located at 2622 S. La Cienega,…you’ll want to park and pop into several happening right on La Cienega. Reception is from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. (310) 837-0191; http://www.honorfraser.com/.

Cherry and Martin (2712 S. La Cienega Blvd.)  features art by Mari Eastman from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm. 310.559.0100; http://www.cherryandmartin.com/.

Then be sure to stop into the Western Project located at 2762 S. La Cienega Blvd., same times as the others 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Artists showing are Daniel Brice and Skylar Fein. 310.838.0609; http://www.western-project.com/.

Just a bit more down the street, don’t miss the David Kordansky Gallery at 3143 S. La Cienega Blvd., unit A. Their reception runs a bit later, featuring artist Mai Thu Perret, runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. 310-558-3030 ; http://davidkordanskygallery.com/.

Cardwell Jimmerson Contemporary Art (8568 Washington Blvd.) will be having a fun opening reception from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm.. The exhibition features documents and proposals from the LA Fine Art Squad dated between 1969 and 1973 when the partnership disbanded. As well, the show features subsequent but related artworks by these two artists, Victor Henderson and Terry Schoonhoven. 310-815-1100; http://www.cardwelljimmerson.com/.

 Stay in Culver City and head over to Rumors (formerly the Rumor Mill) located at 11739 West Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066. The opening reception for Michael ‘Tempo’ Temple runs from 7:30 pm till 10:00 pm.

In addition to being a wonderful artist, Temple is also the founder and percussionist of The Bonedaddys…great band by the way. Michael Temple has asked Dramane Kono, an incredible dejembe and balaphone player to perform with a small ensemble at the opening. Come enjoy some fabulous art, great music, refreshments and snacks. 310-397-5400; http://www.therumormill.us/.

If you want to keep the party going, Downtown is having couple openings that do go later. Norbertellen Gallery, a fun little gallery, is having a guest curated show by Atsuko Sera who will feature a glimpse into the realm of Japan’s premier fine artists. This event is sponsored by ARTas1. www.ARTas1.com; Inquiries: 2011event@artas1.com. The event runs from 6:00 pm till 10:00pm.

A donation from the proceeds will be given to “Save the Children” for earthquake & tsunami relief in Japan. Norbertellen Gallery is located at 215 W. 6TH St. Ste #110, Los Angeles, CA 90014; 818-662-5041; http://www.norbertellengallery.com.

Then right around the corner, stop into the Hive Gallery (729 South Sprint St.) for their 6 year anniversary show featuring artists Joan Charles, Rudy Fig, Paul Garcia, Kenny B. Harris and William Zdan. They always have fun openings that run late, from 8:00 pm till 12:30 am. (213) 955-9051; http://thehivegallery.com.

Sunday April 3rd

A new last minute festival is happening in Venice Saturday and Sunday, called Earth Festival. The producers of this one recently approached the Venice Neighborhood Council just about a month ago, so I am not sure what to expect. But if you are a local, like me, you may as well hobble down and check it out on Windward Ave. oops Did I say Windward Ave?….what happened to Anjelica Huston?…..guess she let this one get by. It runs from 12-9:00 pm. But all us locals pretty much know the cops will stop it at 6:00 pm or maybe 7:00pm, at least the beach part of it. We shall see. It sounds like a good organization. Trying to help a good cause, so Venice locals, let’s show our support and get out there.

I am told there will be Four Stages with Live Music, Djs, artists, flow artists, vendors, sponsors, and the Garden of Eden demonstrating alternative sources of energy. Alternative Earth is a non profit whose purpose is to help save the planet with alternative sources of energy through art, music, science, and social gatherings....check out their facebook page for more info, http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165352283513454.

Or enjoy a wonderful art show at LA Artcore at Union Center for the Arts (120 Judge John Aiso St. LA, 90012). They are having an opening reception from 3:00 pm till 5:00 pm featuring artists Michael Gianchristiano (see image) and Joseph Vorgity. Exhibit will be up till April 29^th 213.617.3274; http://www.laartcore.org/.

Have a super week….till next time!