8/05/2011

New Events for the Weekend Update, Plus Tonight is the Pick of the Week!

Pick of the Week is tonight, Friday, August 5. Get your butt down to La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Silver Lake. This is going to be a fun one.  Remember you could enjoy some other events first and still make this one...since it starts at 8:00 pm and runs till 11:00 pm.

Not only is there a group show entitled “Gene Pool” which features Lou Beach, Alpha Lubicz and Sam Lubicz, but this event will showcase several other artists tonight, including José Rodolfo Loaiza Ontiveros’ latest project, Disenchanted.


All one needs to do is take a look at the images from the show Disenchanted and one can witness the breakdown of the fairytale. I love it…Walt Disney must be turning over in his grave.


Rodolfo juxtaposes representations of animation's yesteryear with unexpected, almost antithetical situations. While his subjects (in another context) might embody the quintessential happy ending, Rodolfo reminds is that as individuals we are neither wholly immune nor entirely susceptible to viscera.


Also showing tonight: Jessicka Addams, Walt Hall, Derek Harrison, Miso, Click Mort, Jasmine Worth and others.

See more info, times and address below.


Friday August 5th

Now before my Pick of the Week, you may want to stop by Figtree’s Café to enjoy a tasty happy hour and hear some great live music tonight at 5:00 pm. Tarny and Gibb will be performing songs from the 80’s and 90’s . Show goes till 7:00 pm.

Figtree’s Café is known for their healthy delicious food, located right on the Venice boardwalk at 429 Ocean Front Walk Venice, at Paloma Ave, two blocks south of Rose. Figtree’s has been voted the best restaurant on the boardwalk since 1978. Figtree’s has a wonderful happy hour, Monday thru Friday and also has FREE delivery. 310 392-4937; www.figtreescafe.com;


Back to my Pick of the Week, which you could stop in later, after First Fridays on Abbot Kinney, since it does go till 11:00 pm. But wherever you are located and whatever you decide, you should stop into La Luz De Jesus Gallery (in Silver Lake) who features the artist, José Rodolfo Loaiza Ontiveros' with his latest provocative exhibition, Disenchanted. Rodolfo seeks to demystify the modern fairytale. This art is intended to make the viewer question his or her own stance on the issues, while addressing the obvious omission of such discussion in the cartoon medium that provides the vehicle for the concept.


This exhibition is half tribute and half social criticism. It's a re-contextualized artistic proposal on the strength of time-honored iconoclasm and the weakness of haphazard ideology.

There is also a group show entitled “Gene Pool” which features Lou Beach, Alpha Lubicz and Sam Lubicz, as well as other artists showing tonight, including Jessicka Addams, Walt Hall, Derek Harrison, Miso, Click Mort, Jasmine Worth and others

The Artist reception runs from 8:00 pm -11:00 pm. La Luz De Jesus Gallery is located 4633 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027. http://www.laluzdejesus.com/


Since you are in Silver Lake, stop by the gallery, Weekend. A funky fun venue that is hosting an artist reception from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. This exhibition is entitled Stealth Space and features the work of artist, Keith Walsh. Weekend is located at 4634 Hollywood Blvd., 90027; 510 206-4001; http://weekendspace.org/


If you would rather stay in Venice, head to First Fridays on Abbot Kinney which is always a good time. You can always head to the Pick of the week, after First Fridays.

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.

You may want to start here since it’s located on the North end.  Get there early and snag a table (call to reserve) while you enjoy a delicious dinner with some drinks and dancing. Or pop in later for standing room only.

Enjoy live music at Joe’s restaurant. There is no cover charge. Call for an RSVP 310.399.581; Joe's Restaurant is located at 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice CA 90291.  http://www.joesrestaurant.com/.


Now continue on, there is a lovely shop called Altered Space Gallery 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open featuring Keba Konte - wall art - mixed media. Refreshments will be served. There will also be an opening in the back gallery for Farid Kia. 310-452-8121; http://www.alteredspacegallery.com/.


Aedas La Gallery, which looks like an office, with no name, is located at 1319 Abbot Kinney Blvd. They are having an artist reception, featuring the sculpture and jewelry of Su Benningfield. http://www.subeningfield.com/


Then across the street, stop in 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/.


Back again across the street off Santa Clara, is Nitespa, 1301 Abbot Kinney, a lovely beauty spa and shop that will have all kinds of specials during the evening. Why not take advantage and treat yourself? $10 Brow wax, $15 lash tint and $50 facials. All services include complementary beverages consisting of herbal teas, red and white wine and beer.

Enjoy their handpicked spa soundtrack, rosemary water and organic teas. There will also be art and jewelry for sale. Open till 10:00 pm. mini-makeovers and specials on all treatments. The entrance is on Santa Clara. 310.396.5122; http://www.nitespa.com/.


Keep going north and on the right side is Ananda 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd. (310) 399-4186….they will be open, serving refreshments and snacks. Directly adjacent,  pop into Skylark 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd will also be open 310 392-9099; www.skylarkvenice.com

Right next door, is Bohemian Exchange who sells beautiful clothes and accessories. This place has its own style and charming ambiance. Known for its vintage style and great prices, Bohemian Exchange supports local designers and fair trade.


Tonight, they will be serving refreshments.  There will be a store wide sale tonight as well as a guest hairdresser offering hair extensions. Cool!

Bohemian Exchange is located at 1358 Abbot Kinney, at California 310.396.3044; http://www.bohemianexchange.com;


Back across the street again, The G2 Gallery (1503 Abbot Kinney) offers two all new exhibits at The G2 Gallery’s First Friday Fundraiser.

This exhbit supports the International Crane Foundation’s work on behalf of the endangered Whooping Crane. Presented in conjunction with the exhibit Saving Cranes. Also on view will be Nature LA: Sebastian Artz a Venice photographer’s look at underwater creatures.

This is an early event from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Admission is $5 at the door. 310-452-2842; http://www.theg2gallery.com.


Keep going south and you have to stop into Zingara Trading 1507 Abbot Kinney for their First Friday event. They will be offering henna tattoos, snacks and their famous S'mores. 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.



The Modern Dog, a charming Pet accessory store, is located at 1611 Abbot Kinney will be having a book release party. The book is called "Follow My Lead" by local Venice writer Carol Quinn. Event runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pmRefreshments and cookies will be served. 310-450-2275; http://www.come-sit-stay.com/; http://followmyleadthebook.com/

Then we have a brand new gallery opening tonight, called Very Venice Art & Design Gallery located at 1629 Abbot Kinney. I was visiting this new gallery last week, prior to the opening. Very cool! Check in the back for the penis room….yes you heard me right….Paintings of penises and vajayjays. Mama likes! (However I am not sure of the artist, please forgive me) This will be a fun one…with snacks and refreshments. They will be showing works by over 40 artists including Rachel Rubenstein and Dary Rees. Event runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm….I bet they will go a bit later.

Stop by Robin’s Sculpture Garden and enjoy the music of Tommy Santee Klaws, accompanied, by aerials in the sky. Also see fashions from Show Me Your Mumu, and Anna Bruce Designs. Robin’s Sculpture Garden, is located at 1632 Abbott Kinney. This one tends to start later, 8:00 pm till 11:00 pm. Popcorn & Beverages, but there is a $10-$15 donation suggested.



Or, head to Santa Monica to a fabulous restaurant South, Tonight, enjoy DJs and dancing from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. Remember they have a great happy hour, yum! Starting at 3:00 pm and runs till 8:00 pm. South offers drink specials too. $3 beer, ($10.00 pitchers) and $5 wells, South is located at 3001 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403. (310) 828-9988; http://southsantamonica.com/.



Saturday, August 6th



Shipping & Receiving highlights a photographic and personal storytelling exchange between youth in Venice and youth on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. The exhibition will feature texts and panoramic, collaborative double-exposure photographs, paired with over thirty black-and-white and color photographs taken by youth who have participated in the My Viewpoint Photography Program since its inception in 2005. This is the first public exhibition of their work. Venice Arts is located at 1702 Lincoln Blvd., between California and Venice Blvd. Opening reception is from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm. http://www.venice-arts.org/.


Santa Monica offers some openings at Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave. Several galleries will be particpating in “The Dog Days of Summer Sale” all weekend, though there seems to be more receptions  happening on Sunday.

The Lora Schlesinger Gallery (T-3) is presenting “New Paintings” by Sue Dirksen and Josh Dov. (See Image)  The opening reception is from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. 310 828-1133; www.LoraSchlesinger.com.


Fig (G-6) will also be having an artist reception for their summer group show from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. 310.829.0345; http://www.figgallery.com/



The Robert Berman Gallery (C-2, D-5) features the original drawings and unique multiples of Dwayne Booth aka Mr. Fish - political cartoonist and author of GO FISH (how to win contempt and influence people.)

Take advantage of some wonderful sales, as The Robert Berman Gallery is part of “The Dog Days of Summer Sale.”


Opening reception runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. 310 315-9506. http://www.robertbermangallery.com


 Bleicher/Golightly Gallery (1431 Ocean Ave in SM) who will be having an artist reception for Gay Summer Rick Opening runs from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Refreshments, wine will be served. http://caporalebleicher.com/

You can pop by Culver City to see a wonderful opening at Corey Helford Gallery featuring artists David Stoupakis and Tom Bagshaw. The opening reception will run from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. In case you have never been, they always offer snacks and a nice bar too. Corey Helford Gallery is located at 8522 Washington Blvd., in Culver City 90232; www.coreyhelfordgallery.com.



Or downtown, head to Grand Performances, a free outdoor concert series in its 25th year located at California Plaza in Downtown LA. Tonight’s show features Miguel Atwood Ferguson and Geoff “Double G” Gallegos (daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra), who team up to present an evening of new works and surprising interpretations of covers. These two string quartets and a combined octet presentation could well be one of the most talked about events of the summer. http://grandperformances.org/



Cotrutza Gallery celebrates their One Year Anniversary!!! This will be a wonderful opening reception for artists: Zareh Meguerditchian, Kaloust Guedel and Claudia French from 7:00 pm -10:00 pm. Cotrutza Gallery is located at 446 South Main St. 213 622-0121; http://www.cotrutza.com/.



Since you are downtown, why not stop by Hive Gallery for their 4th annual ‘Bee-rotica” show? Be aware that it is $8 at door. However, it does include live music. Show runs July 9th-30th. The Hive Gallery is a fun funky gallery located at 729 South Spring St. 8:00 pm till 12:30 pm. http://hivegallery.com/.



Sunday August 7th



You’ll want to stop by Bergamot today, as it’s the final day of “The Dog Days of Summer Sale.” Bergamot Station is located at 2525 Michigan Ave in Santa Monica. The galleries will be open from 11:00 am till 7:00 pm….except for Frank Pictures…that happens on tonight only.

This is the last day of the sale and several of the galleries will be having a closing reception with refreshments and snacks. At SMMoA, the final day of mark-downs also marks the first day of Stephen Keene's Art Marathon. Watch as Keene creates animal-themed paintings in multiples for sale from $10 up.

Also you’ll have a chance to purchase Danger Dogs (& cats) on sale. The Nepal Dogs will be on display in the courtyard. See image, this work was created by Sufraj Khadka.

Enjoy delicious treats from Sweet Beats, the mobile boutique and ice cream truck with a built-in DJ booth. Refreshments from Pressed Juicery, LA's most popular natural juice company.


TAG is another gallery that will be participating in “The Dog Days of Summer Sale” and will be offering a “Yellow Dot Sale” for the gallery’s group show representing 40 artists: Works with yellow dots will be 10% off. Light refreshments will be served.

Frank Pictures (A-5) is also getting into the act by extending their two solo shows.

Entitled Celebration X-Tension, stop in to see the paintings of Kelly Berg (see image) and Joe Aker.There will be live music as well with Michael Berg.


Opening runs from 5:00– 9:00. YOU MUST RSVP FOR THIS ONE…. RSVP to 310.828.0211; laurie@frankpicturesgallery.com.




Or you may want to head downtown to 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 Beanie Kaman, Toko Tokunaga, . 213.617.3274; http://www.laartcore.org/.


Have a great Weekend. Ciao Bella!

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