L.A. Escapes — Grand Performances

The Fela! Band, performing two Chop and Quench shows, July 18.

Grand Performance's FREE Summer events get underway this Friday (June 13) and I'm already trying to figure out how many energy drinks it's going to take to get me through the next couple of months. Between the Stones Throw Picnic, the Fela-loving Chop and Quench, a tribute to Minnie Riperton and one to Cesária Evora, not to mention, just about every other single performance listed on the line-up...I may as well just set up a tent down at California Plaza.

The entire 2014 Schedule is right here. And all this goodness costs nothing, people! It's time to say a prayer to the parking gods, put that enochlophobia in check and grab the light jacket that's going to save you when the temperature suddenly drops 15 degrees. (As to the latter, I'm crushing on this one right now.)

California Plaza is located in Downtown L.A., not far from MOCA — Grand Ave. and Grand Central Market.  Having attended both daytime and evening performances there in the past, I can say this: If you go during the day, bring sun protection because it gets pretty melty; and, if you go at night, the plaza's cash-only underground parking garage is not nearly the headache you'd expect.

Wantables — MaxLove X Original Chuck Caps

MaxLove Project — my friend, Audra's, awe-inspiring childhood cancer non-profit organization — just launched its line of new Summer Caps and it's so hard to pick just one.

Do I go full-on "Fresh Prince" with the T.J. Cap above?




Should I skew a little preppier with the Conner?

Or, opt for the Joey Camper's bold floral which looks, to me, like Hawaiian print meets East L.A. graffiti?

They're all so on-point for the beach, a street festival, a picnic, or whatever kind of sunny day activities I'm sure to get drafted into this summer. Not to mention their useful bad hair day-masking and forehead pimple-covering qualities.

There are 11 styles, they're $28 each and 100% of net proceeds fund wellness initiatives for kids who are fighting cancer. I am really very down for a product that helps me look good, do good and be practical, to boot!

Song of the Day

Their album, "World Clique," came out 24 years ago and I'm still pressing play. I even got my kid into it. "Mmmm...how do you say Deee-Lite???"

L.A. Escapes — "Gas Giant" at MOCA

After an incredibly sweet Mother's Day visit to the Skirball's Ezra Jack Keats retrospective, I popped over to the Pacific Design Center to see Jacob Hashimoto's "Gas Giant" installation. 

It was my first time at this particular branch of MOCA (it's a shoe box of a space, compared to the PDC's giant crayon-colored complex), and I don't think I want to ever go back again. I want to preserve it in my mind just as it is, filled with hundreds and hundreds of Hashimoto's handmade "kites."

The first floor of the exhibit gives you black, white and turmoil. Upstairs, though, there's color, light and a sense of loftiness. The few patrons who wandered up were all hit with a similar dumbfounded stare, all eyes gazing upward. There are even little stools scattered along the walls for those who want to sit and simply daydream. It is a perfect place to be very still and very quiet.

If you want to experience "Gas Giant," you'd better hurry; the show wraps June 8. Admission is FREE, but there's a $5 suggested donation.

MOCA - Pacific Design Center
8687 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood

Song of the Day

This Phantogram track gets lodged in my head for days on end. It sounds oh-so good coming out of a booming system...like my mom-wagon speakers. The video is palatable, but doesn't necessarily enhance the experience (though, my kid says, "I think it's mesmerizing!"). Feel free to hide it behind another browser window while you listen and get your shoulder bounce on.

Song of the Day

It's been two years since I last checked in on Lianne La Havas. Since then, she's been kicking it with Prince, showing her love for Little Dragon and collaborating with London-based Tourist on this here new track. It's a less organic sound than I'm used to hearing from her, but the track totally works. Her voice is soaring over this house-infused track and I approve.

Wantables — Yoda Vans

Aww! Look at that coy little Jedi Master peeking out from behind those hibiscus flowers. So delightfully random, right? These ladies' Era lace-ups are part of the new The Vault by Vans x Star Wars collaboration. The full line of shoes and accessories hits stores June 1.

Funny enough, I'm not drawn to this print based on any particular love for the Star Wars canon (I don't even recall watching any of the films all the way through). No, when I first saw these, I was reminded of another film entirely.

In The Coen Brothers' 1987 classic, "Raising Arizona," the exceptionally quotable Nathan Arizona spat out one of my favorite movie lines of all time, one which I'd have to fight the urge to shout every time I wore these sneakers...

Cop: What did the pyjamas look like?

Nathan Arizona: I dunno...they were jammies! They had Yodas 'n' shit on 'em!

Not for nothing, Star Wars fan or no, I could also see the case for these totally '80s AT-AT Walker Slip-Ons. They make me wanna rock an OP crop top and an acid wash denim skater skirt over biking shorts.