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.

Festival of Sacred Music

First of all, apologies for abandoning this blog for the past two months. (Did anyone notice, I wonder? I suspect my readership is small, if not completely imaginary.) Between working 14-hour days, 6 days a week, not actually being in L.A. during that time, and having spotty Internet access at my hotel, it just became impractical to keep up.

But then, to add insult to injury, my laptop died a month ago. The truth is, it was murdered. I ran over it with a 15-ft. cube truck. Not on purpose, mind you--so it was perhaps more like involuntary machine-slaughter than outright murder.

But now I have a brand-new computer, and I'm slowly getting back to normal in terms of my Internet activity. I realize I have a lot of catching up to do, so I'd better get started!

The Festival of Sacred Music got underway this past weekend. This 16-day extravaganza of performing arts takes place all over the city, and only happens once every three years. Tickets range in price, but many of the events are free and open to the public.

For instance, tomorrow night, there is a concert at the Japanese American National Museum of traditional and contemporary world music by artists from Iran and Greece. Thursday, September 18, 6:30 pm. 369 E. 1st Street (Little Tokyo). Free. For more info, go to janm.org

The festival will close on Sunday, September 28 with a giant ceremony and celebration on Santa Monica Beach. There will be an opening procession of Oaxacan brass and Scottish drums and bagpipes, followed by a performance of traditional Hawaiian chant and hula. And that's just the beginning! Three hundred artists will present sacred traditions from seven world cultures. The event is free.

For more information about the closing ceremonies and other events, click here.

Celebrate historic preservation in Pasadena

Sorry for the long absence! I started a new job in Kansas last week, so it's been a busy 10 days of packing, traveling and working 6 days a week. But I haven't forgotten about you or the need to keep you posted on affordable happenings back in L.A.

This Saturday is the annual Celebration on the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena. Sponsored by Pasadena Heritage, which supports historic preservation in Pasadena, this evening event will incorporate live music, dancing, vintage cars, food and drink from local eateries and children's activities.

Saturday, July 19, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 7-12. Children age 6 and under are free. For more information or to purchase discount tickets, call (626) 441-6333 or visit the Pasadena Heritage web site.

A Hawaiian 4th of July

Looking for a different kind of Independence Day celebration? Tonight, there will be a special free concert at Levitt Pavilion in Macarthur Park. One Hawaii is a gathering of top musical acts from the 50th state, including Keali'i Reichel and Na Leo, performing along with guest hula dancers.

Levitt Pavilion will host free concerts throughout the summer, every night of the week except Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is Musica Latina, Thursday is World Music, Fridays are Night Rhythms, Saturdays are American Roots, and Sunday is Children's Night. Click here for the full schedule.

Fourth of July celebration with One Hawaii. Friday, July 4, 7:00 pm. Macarthur Park. Free. Click here for more info.

Family fun at the Ford

The Ford Amphitheatre's summer series for kids, Big!World!Fun!, starts this Saturday with SPLASH! A Celebration!

Viver Brasíl Dance Company will show kids how to "dance with mermaids, drum with kings and parade with queens" using Afro-Brazilian folklore and music. Subsequent Saturdays will showcase other performance traditions from around the world.

Saturday, July 5, 10:00 am. Free for children, $5 for adults. Visit the Ford website to make reservations or call the Ford box office at 323 461-3673.