Green expo and new play

Moving Arts presents a world premiere play by the winner of the 2008 Francesca Primus Prize as part of the New Play Series at [Inside] the Ford.

Song of Extinction is about the science of life and loss, the relationships between fathers and sons, Cambodian fields, Bolivian rainforests and redemption. Max Forrestal, a musically gifted high school student, is falling off the edge of the world, and his biology teacher, Khim Phan, is the only one who’s noticed. His attempts to help the boy, however, push Khim into a magical journey of his own – from the Cambodia of his youth into the undiscovered country beyond.

On Sunday, December 7, [Inside] the Ford will host an environmental expo in conjunction with the play. Inspired by the strong environmental themes within Song of Extinction, the Green Mini-Expo is a way to connect audiences with local green organizations and businesses that provide access to emerging green issues and eco-friendly lifestyle techniques. Participating vendors include The Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts, All Shades of Green, Jenneration Fix, Earth Resource Foundation, Large Marge Sustainables & Smart Car.

The Green Mini Expo will take place from 1:00 to 7:00 pm, followed by a pay-what-you-can performance of Song of Extinction at 7:00 pm. Tickets are regularly priced at $20.

Sunday, December 7, 2008. [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheater. 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood. For more info, visit the Ford's website.

Skateboard and street art show

It's a record release party! It's a group art show! It's a film screening! It's a celebration of skate-punk subculture, graffiti and custom motorcycles. MOVERS & SHAKERS SESSION 1 will take place tomorrow night, December 6, in Pasadena.

Los Angeles-based band Rebirth will be celebrating their latest release, Episode 6. The art show will feature work by several stars of the skate world, including Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi. There will be custom bikes on display from Earl's Bikes and Shinya Kamura.

As if that weren't enough, there will also be two movie screenings: "Bomb It!", a documentary about graffiti art, and "Choppertown," a doc about renowned motorcycle gang The Sinners. The event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, December 6, 6-11 pm. Salon Sessions Studio, 112 S. DeLacey Ave. in Pasadena. For more info, click here.

Free family concert

Travel four hundred years in one hour with John Schneider and the "Classic" Guitar on Saturday, December 6 at 2 p.m.

Southwest Chamber Music, in collaboration with the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, will present Music Unwrapped in the Luckman Intimate Theatre at California State University, Los Angeles. Music Unwrapped is a free family series where audiences learn about music through various compositions and interaction with prominent musicians and composers.

This special program will feature John Schneider, an internationally recognized guitarist and acclaimed host of KPFK’s Global Village. Mr. Schneider will focus on the evolution of the classical guitar and its immense repertoire. He will discuss his career as a guitarist and perform compositions from the past four centuries by Isaac Albéniz, John Dowland, Johanne Sebastian Bach, Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani, Agustín Barrios, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Mason Williams.

Mr. Schneider will “unwrap” the music with examples, questions and answers with the audience, and insights into the preparation and performance of the works presented. Click here for more information about Music Unwrapped.

The Intimate Theater, Luckman Fine Arts Complex is located at 5151
State University Drive in Los Angeles. Click here for more info and directions.

Put on your dancing shoes!

Two opportunities to learn some new moves and try them out this week:

Tonight! Wednesday, December 3: Salsa Night @ J Restaurant and Lounge

Free salsa class with Laura Canellias from 8:00 to 9:00 pm followed by live DJ sets until 1:30 am. No cover. 1119 South Olive Street (at 11th Street, downtown). For more info, click here or call (213) 746-7746.

Tomorrow! Thursday, December 4: "Keeping it Country" Night @ The Casting Call Lounge

Free country line dance lessons at 7:00 pm, followed by Justice Daniels and the Blue Lightnin' Band at 8:00 pm! Located in the Holiday Inn Burbank, 150 E. Angeleno Ave. (between San Fernando and 1st Street). No cover and free parking across the street on Angeleno Ave.

DWP Holiday Light Festival

I'm sure you already know about the annual holiday light extravaganza in Griffith Park. Every year, the Department of Water and Power decorates a one-mile stretch of Crystal Springs Drive, the main thoroughfare through Griffith Park, with a gazillion electric lights. Cars line up to drive through and gawk at the display, which includes animated scenes and every imaginable holiday cliché.

I did it once a few years ago with a carload of friends, and vowed never to do it again because it took so long just to get to the start of the display... and then it felt a lot like sitting in traffic, with better decorations. We saw people walking alongside the cars, and they seemed to be going a lot faster--but then we realized they were breathing in all the exhaust from the long line of vehicles.

Well, it turns out that for the first two weeks this year, the path is closed to cars but open to pedestrians! Apparently this is to demonstrate the city's commitment to a "greener L.A." I say, Hallelujah! The pedestrian-only nights are Nov. 24-Dec. 7th, from 5 to 10 pm. On Dec. 5-7, there will also be Family Fun Mini-Fair along the festival route.

Parking and shuttle info from the official website:

Visitors may park at the L.A. Zoo parking lot or the parking lots on the south side of the festival near the Merry-Go-Round, or the lots near the pony rides. Parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Walkers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and to dress warmly to walk the full one-mile route each way. It is also recommended that walkers have outerwear, as it can get chilly. Shuttles will assist in bringing guests from the remote parking lots to the route entrance.

Mariachi Festival

Tomorrow is the 18th Annual Mariachi Festival in Boyle Heights, featuring Jose Hernandez y su Mariachi Sol Mexico. There will be children’s art activities, local artisans and food booths.

Sunday, November 23, from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Historic Mariachi Plaza, First Street and Boyle Ave. Free! Click here for info on taking the Metro.

Depression-era cocktails at 1930's prices

OK, so I've been neglecting this blog for a couple of months. I toyed with letting it go entirely, but on second thought, I've decided to keep it going a while longer. It would help me stay motivated if I knew someone besides me was reading it! So feel free to leave comments and feedback :)

Tonight is the weekly Soup Kitchen happy hour from 5 to 7 at The Edison. Here's the deal:

Financial markets in crisis; $700 Billion bailout of Wall Street; Global Financial Meltdown!

The Edison Lounge responds to the crisis with a meltdown of its own. FREE Grilled Cheese Melts and tomato soup as well as Depression Era cocktails at the Depression Era price of 35 cents. The Edison brings a much needed respite to those in need. In an effort to restore confidence in the community and its businesses, The Edison introduces The Soup Kitchen, Friday from 5-7 PM: to remind everyone to maintain perspective through this financial crisis and to support those truly in need.

25% of net proceeds from the night go to local food banks and charities. Additional donations are welcome and will be passed along to those who need our support the most.

At the door, you are handed a postcard that asks you to check a box saying whether your 401(K) is Half Full or Half Empty, and a buffalo nickel. You hand the bartender your card to get your one 35-cent cocktail: either a 401(K), a gin drink, or a Bailout, a bourbon drink. There's space to write something about the state of the economy, and the best quote wins 2 VIP tickets to the Wednesday-night Lucent Dossier show.

You redeem your nickel for a tiny cup of tomato soup and a postage-stamp size square of grilled cheese sandwich. Cute, but not very filling. I suspect the giveaway is designed to encourage you to order the real grilled cheese and tomato soup from the Edison's very extensive bar menu, to the tune of $14.

Wear a vintage dress, fishnets and heels, if you're a lady, or a snappy waiscoat and fedora, if you're a gent. The Edison, a converted 19-century power station, is all about atmosphere and attitude. There's no street parking from 4 to 6, so park in one of the lots nearby, or use the valet.

The Edison, in the basement of the Higgins Building at the corner of 2nd and Harlem Place (between Spring and Main), 108 W. 2nd Street #108, Los Angeles, CA 90012.