blogdowntown Weekly :: September 23, 2010

NEWS NIGHTLIFEFOOD EVERYDAYPublic Gets A Look At High-Speed Rail

Clifton’s Cafeteria Changes Hands

Late Night Food Spots

Meet the Buildings of 1910

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LIFE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES / BLOGDOWNTOWN.COM / SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 1.8

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On Saturday, residents of the Higgins Building at 2nd and Main will join with the Downtown community to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the one-time commercial structure that they today call home.

The list of structures celebrating the century mark this year is an impressive one, also featuring three Broadway theatres, a hotel and several office and retail buildings.

That makes sense, since the early twentieth century was a period of intense growth for Los Angeles. Population went from 50,395 in 1890 to 102,479 in 1900, and then tripled to 319,198 by 1910.

Plans for the Higgins grew as well. Thomas Higgins bought the corner land in 1903 for $200,000 and in June of 1909 broke ground on what was to be an eight-story building with 14 ground floor storerooms and 281 offices. In January of 1910, Higgins decided to instead make the structure two stories taller, stiffening the walls and adding 68 more offices.

The Higgins was part of a building boom that was accel-erated by the growth of new construction materials. Fire codes were changed in 1905 to allow the construction of Los Angeles’ first reinforced concrete building, the Laughlin Building Annex that today houses Grand Central Market. The

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By Eric Richardson

UPCOMING SHOWSGLADYS KNIGHT NOKIA THEATRE SEP 24JERRY LEE LEWIS GRAMMY MUSEUM SEP 28 CHINATOWN MOON FESTIVAL CHINATOWN SEP 25 00 ROCKY HORROR

PICTURE SHOWSCREENING

9AUTUMN LIGHTS LA2010

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Images Downtown’s Week in Pictures

1La Toya Jackson works the red carpet before Macy’s Passport Pres-ents Glamorama at the Orpheum Theatre. sEPtEMbEr 16, 2010

3Neon shines through the metal latticework on the Main Street face of the Caltrans Build-ing. sEPtEMbEr 21, 2010

4Diehard Bill Murray fans took the streets of the Arts District on the way to pay homage to the funnyman at the R&R Gallery’s opening night of Mr. Bill Mur-ray: A Tribute To The Legend. A local group dressed as ghost-busters entertained on the street.. sEPtEMbEr 17, 2010

2A model wears a dress by Marc Jacobs during Glamorama. sEPtEMbEr 16, 2010

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Photo by JEnni siMcoE




blogdowntownWeekly2 Online at blogdowntown.comSeptember 23, 2010

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News

DLANC Board Back Up and RunningBy Eric Richardson

The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council’s new Board of Directors held its first meeting on Tuesday, September 14.

It was a delayed start for the body, which held its elections back in June but was delayed from swearing in new members while the City Clerk’s office ruled on a challenge filed over one of the board’s 28 seats.

On August 19, the Clerk’s office rejected the challenge and allowed

the new board to move forward.At the September meeting, the

board elected its executive officers. Patti Berman, who served as Vice President of Outreach on the previ-ous board, was elected President. Celina Mancia was elected as Vice President for Administration, Jay Kim was elected Vice President of Outreach & Communication, Scott Bytoff was elected Treasurer and Shira Blatt was elected Secretary.

One of the board’s first orders of

business will be to schedule a special election to fill three seats that were not filled in the election. The candi-dates running for the Alameda East business and resident representa-tive seats in the June election failed to to receive the single vote needed to win and the candidate who had won in the disputed Social Service Provider seat has resigned.

The board meets on the second Tuesday of each month, typically at the Los Angeles Theatre. Commit-

By Eric RichardsonThe California High Speed Rail

system could provide drastically reduced travel times between in-state destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, but first a number of decisions have to be made about how the line would impact the communities through which it would be running.

The authority set up to build the rail system held an open house meeting at Metro’s One Gateway Plaza on Tuesday evening to pres-ent those who live and work around Downtown Los Angeles with the project’s current ideas for how the trains would enter and exit Los Angeles Union Station.

tees meet throughout the month, offering more detailed discussions of topics such as parks, sustain-ability, planning and transporta-tion. A full list of meetings and times can be found on the coun-cil’s website at dlanc.com.

The neighborhood council is one of 90 citywide. The councils advise the city on local issues and are responsible for administering $45,000 in city funds yearly.

The California High Speed Rail Authority is studying a number of options for how trains from the north would access Union Station. Variations range from tunnels (dotted on the graphic below) to elevated tracks. Along the route are three parks that would be potentially impacted by the trains.

High Speed Rail Project Presents DTLA OptionsFrom the north, the rail line’s

path would take it along the crowd-ed banks of the Los Angeles River, where it has to deal with conflicts between freight lines, Metrolink, Amtrak, bicyclists, pedestrians and plans to revitalize the river path.

The route would also place tracks next to or through three parks: Los Angeles State Historic Park, Rio de Los Angeles State Park and Elysian Park. Three tunneling options are currently being studied, as are several at-grade variations.

The potential addition of new tracks next to the park space has brought a vocal response from resi-dents and open space advocates. A coalition of groups including the

Natural Resources Defense Council, California State Parks Foundation, Friends of the Los Angeles River and the Los Angeles Conserva-tion Corps this week sent a letter to the authority board urging it to add an additional option back into its study. The “long tunnel” option would extend tunneling north near-ly to the 2 freeway.

At the open house, project staff said that they are currently study-ing that option and intend to bring it to the authority board in October.

The full rail system would stretch 800 miles and is planned to be open by 2020.

At Tuesday’s open house, we spoke to several attendees to see what they thought of the proposals.

I was interested to find out how the project would work in the dense urban areas to the northeast of Union Station. People are concerned about the train being at-grade, but I heard that one proposal is a long tunnel from Union Station to Burbank, which I think, is the best option, though it will cost more.

Jason Bushman, Silverlake

I am totally in favor of high-speed rail. I spoke with one of the women on the project that explained how the shared track would work. I was concerned before but she explained that there would be two tracks, one for the high-speed rail, Amtrak and Metrolink to share. ... Now if they could just add a high-speed rail option from Union Station to LAX, I’d be happy.

Jim Shafer, Downtown

discUssonLinE bdtwn.com/ 5687

caLifornia high sPEEd raiL aUthority

caLifornia high sPEEd raiL aUthority

blogdowntownWeekly 3Online at blogdowntown.com September 23, 2010

building was home to the Mullen & Bluett clothing store, which occu-pied 28,000 square feet. Its ground floor contained the largest plate glass windows west on Chicago. There were twelve of them and each cost $1000.

The building’s namesake, Walter P. Story, was born in Montana in 1882. He went on to have a long military career and died General Walter P. Story in 1957.

Mullen & Bluett would stay in the building for six decades. The company, founded in 1883 at 1st and Spring, had 11 stores when it was bought by San Francisco-based Grodins in 1968. The company pulled out of the Southern Cali-fornia market in 1972, blaming the 1970 stock market decline for financing issues.

Today the building is known as the Broadway Jewelry Center.

New Baltimore Hotel501 S. Los Angeles

It doesn’t appear there was ever an old Baltimore Hotel, but the “New Baltimore Hotel” was the name T. Ashton Fry gave his hotel when it

Everydayydaytechnique offered better fireproof-ing and the use of local materials instead of steel beams that needed to be imported from the east coast.

Still, city officials were wary and limited the structures to a lower height than those built out of steel. That upset architects like A. L. Haley, who designed the Higgins. “I have nothing to say against steel, but I object to the senseless discrimination against concrete,” he told the L.A. Times in April of 1910. “The builder in steel pays a tribute to the steel trust and neglects a home product.”

City Council relented, but only partially. The height limit for a reinforced concrete building was raised from 120 feet to 133 feet to allow the Higgins to be built to ten stories instead of eight, but that was still 17 feet shorter than simi-lar steel structures were allowed to rise.

By the time the Higgins broke ground, other nearby structures built using reinforced concrete included the 1906 Hotel Hayward at 6th and Spring, a 1908 annex to the Hamburger department store at 8th and Hill and two under-construction projects: the Balti-more Hotel at 5th and Los Angeles and the Consolidated Realty build-ing at 6th and Hill.

Over the course of its 100 years, the Higgins’ fate has mirrored that of much of the Historic Core.

The building opened its doors in the fall of 1910, attracting a mix of prominent businessmen in for offices. General Petroleum was an early tenant, and in 1934 the company rented six floors. When it left in 1949, the County of Los Angeles bought the structure and

The Class of 1910: Other Buildings Turning 100moved its Bureau of Engineering inside.

When the county moved out in 1977, the building went dark. In June of 1977 it was sold at auction for $275,100. The doors were even-tually welded shut after vandals and transients continued to break the locks.

In 1998, the building’s fortunes turned when it was bought by Andrew Meieran. He and partner Marc Smith would go on to open the famed Edison Bar in the build-ing’s once-flooded basement, while developer Barry Shy would convert the upstairs offices into loft condo-miniums.

The building began its new life as a residential property in 2003. That process had its own share of bumps in the road, as a 2005 conversion from rental to sale led to numerous lawsuits against the developer.

Through it all, the building has survived. That’s a characteristic that Higgins residents connect with, says Joan Springhetti, one of those planning Sunday’s celebration.

“I think there’s something about the staying power of it,” she explains. “It’s been through so much as a building.”

The invitation for the build-ing’s birthday celebration invites neighbors to bring “a blanket and something to share” to the lawn located across 2nd from the build-ing on the site of the new Police Administration Building. A cook-out with croquet, badmitton and birthday cake will run on Sunday from 2-6pm.

RSVPs and questions can go to [email protected].

Higgins Hits 100Continued from Page 1

Fire Station #23225 E. 5th St

Opened in October of 1910, Fire Station #23 operated as a fire station until 1960. For its first ten years the building also served as the headquarters of the Los Ange-les Fire Department, doubling as a home for the fire chief until 1928.

The station was tagged the “engine-house de-luxe” upon construction for the designer’s use of Peruvian mahogany and leather-ette wall coverings. Old Station #23, as it is now referred to, has appeared in such movies as “Ghostbusters,” “Flatliners,” and “The Mask.”

In 1995, Fire Chief Donald O. Manning resigned eight days after an L.A. Times story accused him and Deputy Chief Gerald L. Johnson of person-ally collecting over $200,000 in film fees that should have gone to the city.

Walter P. Story Building610 S. Broadway

Opened in March of 1910, the The Walter P. Story Building, renamed the New Story Building in 1958.

New Baltimore Hotel

opened in the Spring of 1910. Even-tually it would drop the “new” part of the moniker.

Fry and his wife bought the site at 5th and Los Angeles in 1900 and built the hotel ten years later.

It opened with 215 rooms and was built using reinforced concrete.

From the beginning, the top two floors of the hotel contained resi-dential apartments. By the 1960’s the structure was mostly residential.

Los Angeles Trust & Savings Bank215 W. 6th

The Los Angeles Trust & Savings Bank’s headquarters at 6th and Spring didn’t open until August 12, 1911, but it seems proper for inclu-sion on a 1910 list given that work on the site started in March of 1910.

As was the custom of the time, everything about the bank building was designed to impress. While the marble and mahogany were nice, the most eye-popping stats were found in the basement. The safe deposit vault lining was said to be made from the same steel armor used for battleships, and the side

Here’s a taste of some of the other buildings still around to see their 100th birthday.


Such a boom time was 1910 that the Board of Directors of the Consolidated Realty Compa-ny just couldn’t decide how many floors they wanted to build.

The two-story structure on the south-west corner of 6th and Hill was already well underway in July of 1909 when the company decided to build it six stories tall instead. The building’s foundations had been designed to accomodate ten stories, but the company’s plan had been to wait until future years to add them.

Even six wasn’t enough, though, and in December of 1909 the decision was made to go to nine stories. That move was confirmed in March of 1910 when the University Club signed a lease to occupy the eighth and ninth floors.

The firm sold the building in 1959. It has been known as the California Jewelry Mart since the 1960s.

Clune’s Broadway (Cameo)528 S. Broadway

Announced in July of 1910, Clune’s Broadway opened just three months later with a seat-ing capacity of 800. For an admission of ten cents filmgoers would be treated to ninety minutes of entertainment with an eight-piece live orchestra and a singing booth on each side of the screen.

In 1924 the theater was taken over and renamed the Cameo, revamped as a film theater with sixteen player orchestra pit.

Cameo Theater, formerly Clune’s Broadway

(Top) An original Orpheum name is visible atop the Palace marquee. (Bottom) Arcade Theater, formerly Pantages

Consolidated Realty Company Building

Los Angeles Trust & Savings BankNew Baltimore Hotel

plates were reported to weigh 52,700 pounds each. The vault door was reported to weigh 60,000 pounds.

That vault was planned for conversion into a bar, but damage from the building’s residential conversion and legal wranglings have left that project stalled.

This building, today known as SB Manhat-tan, can play tricks on someone looking at old photos. It was originally built as a narrow structure with only 60 feet of frontage on Spring, but was later expanded to its modern, square shape.

Consolidated Realty Company215 W. 6th

Orpheum Theater (Palace)630 S. Broadway

Ground was leased for “new” Orpheum Theater on January 1, 1910, and the manage-ment of the Orpheum Theater and Realty Company announced that work on the venue would get underway at once. It opened as the Orpheum on June 26, 1911, but in only 1926 the venue became the Broadway Palace when the Orpheum circuit opened a new theater just two blocks down the street.

Principal architect G. Albert Lansburgh also designed the interiors of the Wiltern and the El Capitan. The venue may be most popu-larly recognized as its use as a key location in Michael Jackson’s 1986 video, “Thriller.”

The theater was one of many along Broad-way to end up in the hands of Metropolitan Theaters, who continued to operate it until 2000.

Pantages Theater (Arcade)534 S. Broadway

The theater opened on September 26, 1910 as the city’s first Pantages, but it changed its name a decade later after a new Pantages opened at 7th and Hill. A 1915 advertisment had a special announcement that results from the World Series would be shown on their “latest improved” electronic billboard via “direct wire from ballgrounds to theatre.”


Food

By David MarklandA revitalized Clifton’s Cafeteria will soon be open for business 24 hours a day, according to new owner Andrew Meieran.

An expanded menu will focus on comfort food, adding several items from the restau-rant’s collection of recipes dating back to the 1930s. The large commercial bakery on the building’s top floor will also be revital-ized and reactivated, and Meieran said this morning that he hopes to see it supply baked goods across Downtown.

Meieran detailed his plans for the historic eatery on Tuesday morning while standing alongside Councilman Jose Huizar; Linda Dishman, Executive Director of the L.A. Conservancy; and Don and Robert Clinton, the son and grandson of Clifton’s founder Clifford Clinton.

News of the sale was first reported last Friday without much in the way of details. That left fans of the cafeteria guessing at what sort of changes might be made.

The Clintons’ involvement in Clifton’s day-to-day operations will end as part of the sale, but they will continue to be Meieran’s land-lords. The operator of the Edison acquired the cafeteria company and a 40-year master lease to the building from the family.

Meieren said a “sympathetic restoration”

could begin immediately with an eventual goal of restoring Clifton’s to “what it was like in the ‘30s.”

“Historic preservation is not about press-ing the pause button,” Huizar said. “Its about finding ways to utilize our historic buildings and businesses in ways that allow them to be successful and vital into the next generation.”

He shared that he had a sigh of relief when he heard of Meieren’s plans to purchase and restore the classic eatery, which first opened in 1935.

While much of Tuesday’s press confer-ence focused on plans for the cafeteria itself, Meieran does plan to add a nightlife venue to the business. He said that patrons will be treated to the full Clifton’s experience, with entry through the forest-themed cafeteria itself before they walk up the central stairway to the planned tiki bar or classic lounge.

He referenced Clifton’s 1939 polynesian-themed Pacific Seas location when discuss-ing the tiki bar, and said the “speakeasy,” as some have referred to a second bar, would have a Chandler-eque vibe.

Citing the value of loyalty and experience, Meiren said he intended to retain Clifton’s current staff of 65, noting that the average tenure is approximately 20 years. In addi-tion, he will be working with the Midnight

Clifton’s Cafeteria SellsEdison’s Meieran Buys Historic Eatery, Plans to Keep It Intact

Mission’s restaurant training and placement program to fill 100 new jobs.

Among the renovation projects that Meier-an hopes to achieve is the removal of the mid-century metal exterior facade that was attached to the Clifton’s building. Under-neath is the original building facade.

After leasing the structure for decades, the Clinton family purchased the Broadway building in 2006, but ended up putting the property back on the market in August 2009 with a list price of $4.75 million. The 47,000 square foot building has five floors and a basement.

“We were hoping to keep the lease but sell the building,” Robert Clinton said today, “but

Donald Clinton recalled as a 9-year-old climbing atop mounds of pavement pulled from the sidewalk when the terrazo was installed in 1936. He cited his father’s passion for decoration and renovation, and said that he compares him to Meieren. “It thrills us to see a young man with that same verve and that same beautiful creativity,” Donald said. “The legacy continues.”



New Clifton’s Cafeteria owner Andrew Meieran examines a tray given to him by Robert Clinton in commemoration of his purchase of the historic eatery.

we ended up selling the lease and keeping the building.”

He’ll soon be vacating his offices on the property and is unsure what his future plans will be. Asked about retire-ment, he said it’s a strong possibility, and the one his wife prefers.

Meieren will pursue having the restaurant desig-nated a cultural monument, and will also bring the eatery up to full ADA compliance. He believes the upstairs bars will open in eighteen months.

At the press conference,



Nightlifeg

By Michael F. RobletoAny experienced drinker knows that a little food in the belly prior to passing out is a solid option. Not only does it ebb the next day hang-over, it also sobers you up a notch or two (still not enough to drive, dummy).

Downtown has some options for late night grub and this handy guide will break down what you can find after last call. Rather than state the obvious choices like The Pantry (open 24 hours as well as guaran-tee that you will be reminded of said meal for at least 24 hours) or the random scour of taco trucks throughout DTLA, I chose to focus on the brick-and-mortar spots worth raving about and that you perhaps have not yet discovered. All listed are open past last call.

D-Town Burger Bar

A late night burger is one of the first things to consider during a drunken haze. Unfortunately that means fat-laden anti-aging fast food options.

D-Town Burger Bar comes to the rescue with made-to-order burgers that, with the right combination of beer goggles and hunger, resemble In-N-Out.

There is high praise for the fries that are a combination of potato and sweet potato, as well as the curi-ously good garden burger for your

vegetarian friends. Signs of late night success and

popularity are seen in the fact that D-Town Burger Bar is opening a second location on 8th Street—adjacent to the Golden Gopher. Opening day is expected in the next three to four weeks. Open Sunday through Wednesday until 11pm and until 3am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 216 W. 6th

Kouraku

This hidden ramen house is a favorite of Little Tokyo regulars. The no-frills vibe serves up a hearty selection of traditional Japanese dishes. Service is fast, undoubtedly perfected through years of serv-ing the tipsy travelers that sway through the doors.

Located on the west edge of Little Tokyo on 2nd St, Kouraku is in easy stumbling distance from The Edison or a cheap cab ride from anywhere in the Historic Core.

It may not offer the best noodles in town, but the post-bar access adds just enough extra flavor to the mabo ramen and pork fried rice to make you, at the time, rave that it is.

Open until 3am nightly except Sunday when they close at 11pm. Please note this is a cash only place, with an ATM on site that at times is out of cash. 314 E. 2nd

LA Café

All of us have driven by, rode by or stumbled past LA Café. As of earlier this year the Historic Core

staple is now accessible 24 hours a day –including delivery.

Depending on your level of grease needs, you can go light with one of their daily-made soups or hearty salads or tame that disgrun-tled belly with a much needed blast of fat like what is found in their lobster grilled cheese –for under $10–or traditional breakfast egg dishes.

All dishes are made fresh on-site with produce from local purvey-ors and eco-friendly practices (like farm raised chicken). Service can be slow, but then again you need the time to sober up. Open 24 hours. 639 S. Spring

Javier’s Tacos Mexico

My hands-down late night favor-ite dining spot is this unassuming taco stand next to The Blackstone. Foggy memories of passing out mid-burrito make my mouth water as a smile spreads across my face. Said burrito comes bulging with the usual Mexican fare and your choice of meats including a heav-ily seasoned asada, sweet cornitas and now even pollo. Coming in at under $5, this massive burrito has an uncanny sobering effect. A jug of horchata sits by the window and is made fresh throughout the night. Also, the traditional corn tortilla

is a quick bit of pure bliss and you can get a bag big enough to feed your whole crew for under $10. Be sure to ask for a couple sides of the red sauce, it is amazing. Open 24 hours. 913 S. Broadway

Other Options

On any given night Downtown LA will have a smattering of addi-tional dining options outside of this list, including the many food trucks that cruise our streets. Then there are the traditional taco trucks, like Danny’s Tacos permanently parked on Grand Avenue, just south of Olympic.

Or you can always play late night roulette with a bacon-wrapped dog from any one of converted shop-ping carts rolling our sidewalks.

Do you have a favorite late night snack shack that is not listed here? Well then, chime in and share with the community in the comment section online.

Last Call Food SpotsTacos Mexico, open 24 hours just south of 9th and Broadway.

Top Left: Kouraku in Little Tokyo on 2nd near San Pedro. (Top Right) D-Town Burger Bar on 6th between Spring and Broadway. (Right) LA Cafe on Spring between 6th and 7th.



Calendar

TALK Town Hall Presents LAPD Chef Charles BeckThu Sep 23 11:30amTown Hall LuncheonMillennium Biltmore Hotel Emerald Room506 S. Grand

Town Hall Los Angeles is a non-profit speaker’s forum that has been bringing in mover and shakers to speak to Downtown’s busi-ness elite since 1937. This week, the guest speaker is LAPD Chief Charles Beck who will address “polic-ing during trying eco-nomic times” on Thursday, September 23. The non-member cost for the power luncheon is $65. Members of Town Hall Los Angeles pay $48. Looking ahead to Monday, October 25, For-mer US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presents her latest book at Town Hall Los Angeles.

TALKALOUD with Lewis HydeThu Sep 23 7pmCentral Library Mark Taper Auditorium630 W. 5thlfla.org

An evening with essayist and cultural critic Lewis Hyde, author of “Common as Air: Revolution, Art and Ownership.” In conversa-tion with Peter Sellars, Hyde discusses his theory of cultural commons, pi-racy, and intellectual prop-erty as a moral ground.

COMEDYLiterally FunnyThu Sep 23 8pmThe Last Bookstore400 S. Main

Live comedy show takes a twist as comedians and comedy writers read written pieces on stage, including short stories, es-

says, poems, blog entries, instant messaging conver-sations, top ten lists and other things that fall out of traditional standup fodder.

MUSICKarmen SuterThu Sep 237:30pm and 9:30pmFirst and Hope Supper Club710 W 1stfirstandhope.com Jazz rock flutist Karmen Suter. $35 package.

THEATERIn the Solitude of Cotton FieldsThu Sep 23, Fri Sep 24, Sat Sep 25, Sun Sep 267:30pm and 9:30pmREDCAT631 W. 2ndredcat.org

Radosław Rychcik/Stefan Zeromski Theatre presents ‘In the Solitude of Cotton Fields,‘ co-presented with The Polish Cultural Institute in New York. Radosław Rychcik and Stefan Zerom-ski go from being in an art band to taking on a more theatrical performance by working with the words from the late French writer Bernard-Marie Koltès. Runs through Sunday, Sep-tember 26.

MUSICHoneybreathSep 23 9pmRedwood Bar and Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

Honeybreath, Mark Lane, Loch & Key, DJ Adam Wade.

By Ed FuentesThere will be a light over at the Million Dollar Theater when an international fan base assembles for a celluloid jam: the 35th Anni-versary Screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Overseeing the madness is the man who made a bespectacled Brad Majors an icon for . . .well.

“There is something about being called names for an hour-and-a-half,” jokes Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors in the 1975 rock musical motion picture.

Still, Bostwick is looking forward to being the guest of honor for the Saturday night screening at the Million Dollar Theater, the center-piece event for the 35th Anniver-sary Convention of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The three-day convention is hosted by Sins O’ The Flesh, the Los Angeles caretak-ers of the Rocky cult, and The Los Angeles Conservancy, who helped arrange the film to be screened at the historic movie palace.

Bostwick will hold court for a 4pm tribute to him, followed by a Q & A, then oversee a 10pm pre-show contest. At 11pm the film will roll and the orchestrated madness begins, with Brad Majors literally mocked as soon as the credits roll.

For those in the darkness, the “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a pop cultural phenomenon that has audience members bring props and shout at the screen as a unified chorus. Seasoned audience members who have mastered char-acters perform in costume, taking cues from the film.

As for Bostwick, he took on two completely different characters during a pivotal point in musical history. While “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was first finding its balance on high-heeled stage legs during its original 1973 run in London’s West End, Bostwick was originating the role of Danny Zuko in “Grease” on Broadway.

“Yes, rock and roll was being used to explore the past to get to the future,” said Bostwick by phone. “Grease delved into the 50’s. Rocky Horror was an homage to 50’s science fiction films.”

“Still, I do think Rocky Horror is very much in the present,” Bostwick added. “Some want to credit Rocky Horror for the punk look.” Rocky Horror’s visual and musical style goes beyond 1970s rock glam. With the fashion mix of leather corsets, spiked heels, and sinister sexual-

ity, it could also be considered a predecessor to a number of styles. A stage revival of “Rocky Horror Show” would not look out of place if costumed in goth or steam-punk sub-cultures.

As for the low-tech special effects, they were equally an homage to B-movies as much as a requirement due the film’s low budget. “That laser beam EFX. Yes, we spared no expense,’ says Bostwick.

Yet, budget is what may have saved Rocky Horror from a fate that afflicted other early rock musicals, such as “The Wiz” or “Grease,” that were adapted to accommodate star power.

“Mick Jagger was one of the stars being consider for the role of Frank-N-Furter,” recalls Bostwick. “It would have been shame to not have Tim’s [Curry] performance on film.”

In 1973, Curry updated the role of the fishnet-wearing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in London, adding high heels to the costume. Then when rock producer Lou Adler saw the produc-tion in London, he moved it to his Roxy Theater on the Sunset Strip in 1974. There, Curry reprised his role and rock star Meat Loaf joined the cast as Eddie, while Adler sought financing to make Rocky Horror a movie. In 1975, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was released, and in 1976 the film was redistributed for the midnight movie circuit. In 1977, fans at the Waverly Theater in New York’s Greenwich Village began the audience participation.

“I love the film. Now it is like a cherished antique, passed down to another generation,” says Bost-wick. He wryly adds how parents may reminisce with grown children about the days they went out on dates to a film with Susan Saradon singing “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me.” He suggests the sentiment as:

“Look there, that’s where you were conceived in 1977, in the back of the Waverly.”

Bostwick doesn’t shy away from the Rocky Horror legacy. In a 2005 episode of CBS’ “Cold Case” titled “Creatures of the Night,” he played a serial killer linked to the 1977 murder of a young doorman working at a theater playing the cult classic. “It was a brilliant weave of storyline with the soundtrack,” says Boswick. “It went beyond stunt casting.”

During Comic-Con earlier this year, it was revealed that “Glee” will have their own tribute to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Bostwick and rocker Meat Loaf will appear on the episode. “I can’t say much,” says Bostwick about the characters he and Meat Loaf will play; managers of a TV station. Still, he hinted that the two managers will not approve of the “morals” coming from the music of Rocky Horror.

The ability to play irony with humor also runs through Bost-wick’s career, including his stint on “Spin City” as New York City Mayor Randall Winston. Countering his own physical timing and delivery with his deputy mayor, played by Micheal J. Fox, he played incom-petency in civic leadership as a disguise for political savvy.

Bostwick’s prolific career continues. In the last two years, he’s had roles in “Miss Nobody,” “Bedrooms,” and “The Selling,” as well as TV shows “‘Til Death” and “Cougar Town.” This past Spring, he was seen in “Hannah Montana: The Movie” with Miley Cyrus. In 2010, Bostwick will appear in “Some Guy Who Kills People” and in “Moby Dick” as Captain Ahab.

As for Rocky Horror performers, he admires the fans who act out the film in theaters around the country. “I think they have to be accurate. Don’t try out your own twist, or take attention away from the film, or add your signature,” says Bostwick with the earnest of Brad Majors. “It’s not easy to do with your back to the screen relying on sound cues.”

“I do these appearances for the love of the film . . . it’s all about the fans, “ say Bostwick laughing. “Or its about me being abused.”

35th Anniversary Rocky Horror

Picture Show Convention / Septem-ber 23 to 25 / Screening at the Million Dollar Theater, September 25 10pm.

Rocky Horror Celebrates 35 Years Of Midnight ScreeningBarry Bostwick Hosts The Cult Classic At The Million Dollar Theater

Barry Bostwick


MUSICGladys KnightFri Sep 24 8pmNokia Theatre L.A. LIVE777 Chick Hearn Courtnokiatheatrelalive.com

The Midnight Train to Geor-gia travels into the night with the Love Train as Soul Empress Gladys Knight performs with special guest The O’Jays.

MUSICMon David GroupFri Sep 24 9pmBlue Whale123 Astronaut E S OnizukaSuite 301 / (Weller Court)bluewhalemusic.com

Vocalist and horn player Mon David.

MUSICCasiotoneFri Sep 24 8pmThe Smell247 S. Mainthesmell.org

Pop-punk with Casiotone For The Painfully Alone; Former Ghosts Otouto; and Foot Foot. This show is $7.

COMMUNITYLittle Tokyo Walking TourSat Sep 25 10:15amJapanese AmericanNational Museum369 E. 1stjanm.org

Learn about present-day and history of Little To-kyo with National Museum docents. $9 Members; $14 non-members, includes Museum admission. Com-fortable walking shoes are recommended.

MUSICBevan MansonSat Sep 25 9pmBlue Whale123 Astronaut E S OnizukaSuite 301 (Weller Court)bluewhalemusic.com

Bevan Manson Woodwind Ensemble.

MUSICMurderlandSat Sep 25 9pmRedwood Bar and Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

Murderland, Code 415, Compton SF, and Bomb-pops.

MUSICHunx And His PunxSat Sep 25 9pmThe Smell247 S. Mainthesmell.org

Hunx And His Punx; KIT, Frankie Rose And The Outs; and Blissed Out.

MUSICCastronovo’s ItalianSongbookSat Sep 25 7:30pm Zipper Hall atThe Colburn School 200 S. Grandoperabuffs.org

World renowned tenor Charles Castronovo re-turns to Los Angeles to say ‘thank you’ to Opera Buffs with a special recital in “Charles Castronovo’s Italian Songbook.” Also, Castronovo will be appear-ing in the World Premiere of LA Opera’s Il Postino beginning Sept 23. Tickets for this recital are $100.

MUSICKathleen GraceSat Sep 25 8pmCafé Metropol923 E. 3rd Stcafemetropol.com

Kathleen Grace songwrit-ing is listening to jazz having a friendly affair with folk music, and she invites others to share the same style for Songwrit-ers Night at Café Metropol Grace will share the stage with emerging songwriters Haroula Rose, Thena Dare, Angela Vicente and Joel Eckels. $10 cover

MUSICShin & A-LinSep 25 8pmClub Nokia LA Live800 W. Olympic

Pop stars Shin & A-Lin.

CONVENTIONThe Rocky HorrorPicture Show 35th AnniversaryThu Sep 23 to Sat 25Various Downtown Venuessinscon.com

A convention in town has “Rocky Horror Picture Show” fans celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the films release, and it ends Saturday with a screening at the Million Dollar The-ater (see previous page). Convention events include an opening reception and pajama party at the Stan-dard on Thursday night, a costume pageant at Club 740 and a prom at the Alexandria on Friday. They will also be looking for a bite at a Thursday midnight run to The Pantry.

MUSICSynchromySat Sep 25 7:30 pmCB1 Gallery207 W. 5th StAdmission is $10 at the door

Locally based compos-ers and performers make up the Synchromy collec-tive. The program includes Jason Barabba’s “What I Mean Is” for soprano and string trio, based on a text by David Bartone; Daniel Gall’s “and finally, I let go.” for flute, clarinet and violin;

MUSICHosannasThu Sep 23 9pmThe Smell247 S. Mainthesmell.org

Industrial-Pop with Hosan-nas from Portland, Oregon.

MUSICThree Solo PianoConcertThu Sep 23 9pmBlue Whale123 Astronaut E S OnizukaSuite 301(Weller Court)bluewhalemusic.com

Richard Sears, Josh Nelson, and Adam Benjamin take turns on the Blue Whale piano.

MUSICKarmen SuterFri Sep 248pm and 10pmFirst and Hope Supper Club710 W. 1stfirstandhope.com

Singer, songwriter, and musician, Matt’s formal operatic training led him to create his own unique jazz-opera fusion, inspired by one of his musical mentors, Herbie Hancock.

MUSICPaul Collins’ BeatFri Sep 24 9pmRedwood Bar and Grill316 W. 2ndtheredwoodbar.com

Solid power-indie pop from Paul Collins’ Beat.

TALKSHeart Mountain,WyomingFri Sep 24 5:30pm-8pmSat Sep 25 7:30am-5pmJapanese AmericanNational Museum369 E. 1stjanm.org

Two days of a multi-gener-ation, community-oriented gathering for those who were in, and those who are interested, in the War Relocation Camp (WRC) at Heart Mountain Wyoming and its short and long-term impact. $20 general admis-sion; $15 JANM members, students and those who were in camp.

72nd Annual Chinatown Moon Festival Sat Sep 25 5pm to MidnightChinatown - Central & West Plazas943 N. Broadwaywww.chinatownla.com

This free community festival gathers Chinese performers from around the country ranging from Shaolin monks performing martial arts, acrobatic contortionists, and a troupe of roaming

Lion Dancers. A large outdoor dance floor in Central Plaza will feature DJs, including KCRWs Anthony Valadez. Other events include the LA Craft Ex-perience (which brings over 50 arti-sians and crafters from throughout Los Angeles); traditional calligraphy classes, a mooncake-making demo; ping-pong tournament; and mid-autumn moon viewings with telescopes provided by Griffith Observatory. The event is free and open to all ages.

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ONGOING THEATER

Leap Of Faith Through Oct 24Ahmanson Theater 135 N. Grandcentertheatregroup.org

The Glass Menagerie Through Oct 17Mark Taper Forum135 N. Grandcentertheatregroup.org

Mysterious SkinThrough Oct 10; East West Players, 120 Judge John Aisoeastwestplayers.org

Raúl Esparza in the world premiere of “Leap of Faith” which began previews September 11, opens October 3 and continues through October 24. Photo by craig schwartz.


John M. Kennedy’s “Janus II,”; Jenni Brandon’s “Gold-fish Songs” for solo flute, and Eric Guinivan’s “Soar-ing,” for cello.

FILMFrame by FrameSat Sep 25 8pm Japanese American National MuseumTateuchi Democracy Forum 369 E. 1st Stframebyframeshowcase.com

A showase of short film-from CalArts’ 2010 class of experimental animators. “Frame by Frame” run-ning time is approximately 40 minutes, followed by a Q&A session with the directors. FREE

FILMValley GirlDevil’s Night Drive-InSat Sep 25 8pm240 W. 4th St. (at Broadway) devilsnight.comAn 80s classic for the parking lot drive-in.

MUSICSara Radle withGoldenboy Sat Sep 25 9pmCasey’s Irish Pub613 S. Grandbigcaseys.com

The final Saturday in a four week residency, Sara Radle ends her reign as the folk pop princess at Casey’s.

MUSICMuse Sat Sep 25 7:30pmSun Sep 26 7:30pmStaples Center1111 S. Figueroastaplescenter.com

Muse is not just a rock band. It’s a study on how to take British rock mythol-ogy into a futuristic set-ting. The three man group soak up style and form and wear it on their sleeves to enhance the drama and trauma of their polished rock catalog. Muse is on tour in support their 2009 release “The Resistance.”

TALKVirgil Westdale and Stephanie A. Gerdes Sun Sep 26 2pmJapanese American National Museum360 E. 1st Stjanm.org

“Blue Skies and Thunder: Farm Boy, Pilot, Inventor, TSA Officer, And WWII Soldier Of The 442nd Regimental Combat Team.” Virgil Westdale’s book looks back on life, leaving the farm to fight in World War II as a pilot,

MUSICWill DowningSun Sep 26 7pmClub Nokia LA Live800 W. Olympicclubnokia.com

Rich baritone voiced Downing with his assuring style of contemporary jazz and R&B.

MUSICDilijan Chamber Music Series ConcertSun Sep 26 3pm Zipper HallThe Colburn School 200 S. Granddilijan.larkmusicalsociety.com

The Dilijan Chamber Music Series will launch its 6th Season with a premiere of Nocturnes for voice and string quintet by Ian Krouse, written for baritone Vladmir Chernov. Concert 1 also includes Martun Israelyan - Adagio and Al-legro for Piano Trio (2010). World Premiere; Anton Rubinstein – Selected Ro-mances; Antonin Dvorak – String Quintet in G Major, Op. 87. Tickets are $35, $20, and $15 for students. For more information, call (818) 572-5438.

MUSICKevyn Lettau andPeter SpragueBlue WhaleSun Sep 26 9pm123 Astronaut E S OnizukaSuite 301Weller Courtbluewhalemusic.com

Jazz vocalist Kevyn Lettau with Brazillian style guitar-ist Peter Sprague.

TALK My Barbarian: PoLAAT Artist TalkSun Sep 26 2pmREDCAT Lounge631 W. 2nd Stredcat.orgFREE

Malik Gaines, Jade Gordon and Alexandro Segade in an informal discussion of their ongoing project, Post-Living Ante-Action Theater (PoLAAT).

TALK Seal and David FosterSun Sep 26 8pmThe Grammy Museum LA Live800 W. OlympicSOLD OUTgrammymuseum.org

Two days before the release of their collabora-tion “Seal 6: Commitment,” vocalist Seal and pro-ducer David Foster share the stage in this sold out installment of the popular discussion series at the Grammy Museum.

ARTAUTUMN LIGHTS LA 2010Light Art Biennale LA USSat Sep 25 7pm to MidnightPershing Square 532 S. Oliveautumnlightsla.com

Autumn Lights LA is an outdoor installation curated in the spirit of Berlin’s “Festival of Lights” by Lilli Muller; a free family-friendly public event and creative showcase fea-turing innovative light works by local and international artists. Playing with light at Pershing Square, the collective of artists use various forms of performances, sculpture, installations, and projections to bring life to Downtown’s public space. The plug-In time for Autumn Lights LA 2010 is 7pm.

FILMThe Best of Ottawa 2009Mon Sep 27REDCAT 830pm631 W. 2ndredcat.org

12 stand-out experimental films from the 2009 Otta-wa International Animation Festival are showcased, including Eric Dyer’s “The Bellow’s March,” Diego Ma-clean’s “The Art of Drown-ing,” and David OReilly’s sci-fi drama “Please Say Something.”

MUSIC TV Buddhas The SmellMon Sep 27 9pm247 S. Mainthesmell.org

Punk with TV Buddhas and grime pop with The Fadies.

TALK An Evening WithJerry Lee LewisTue Sep 28 8pmThe Grammy Museum LA Live800 W. Olympicgrammymuseum.org

On the eve of his 75th birthday, rock ‘n’ roll pio-neer Jerry Lee Lewis will be interviewed by execu-tive producer Phoebe Lew-is about his career and new album “Mean Old Man.” Af-ter the interview, the singer and pianist will participate in an audience Q&A fol-lowed by a live musical performance. Admission is $60. All proceeds benefit the Grammy Museum.

TALK A World Without Islam? Tue Sep 28 7pmCentral Library Mark Taper Auditorium630 W. 5thlfla.org

Would the world be differ-ent? Author Graham Fuller, former vice-chair of the U.S.’s National Intelligence Council, argues the con-flicts between the Middle East and the West began long before Muhammad. Author Graham E. Fuller In conversation with Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Profes-sor of Medieval Judaism & Islam, Hebrew Union College and Dr. Maher Ha-thout, senior advisor, Mus-lim Public Affairs Council.

TALKAn Evening WithAlan ParsonsWed Sep 29 8pmThe Grammy Museum LA Live800 W. Olympicgrammymuseum.org

Discussion and audience Q &A with Alan Parsons, the prolific audio engi-neer, musician, and record producer with credits on Beatles’ “Abbey Road” and “Let It Be”, as well as “Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.” Also sure to be on the evening’s topic list is his group Alan Parsons Project, his instructional DVD “The Art And Sci-ence Of Sound Recording,” and his latest release “All Our Yesterdays.” Admis-sion is $20. All proceeds benefit the Grammy Mu-seum.

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“On My Way” by animator Misty Marsden.

Recording artist Seal.



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blogdowntown Weekly :: September 23, 2010