The LA Phil has put together quite an impressive show spanning the next month and a half. The Shadows of Stalin exhibition showcases films, music and art born out of Russian communist oppression. Tonight and tomorrow two of the most acclaimed recent Russian historical films show at the Arclight.

Burnt by The Sun won the 1995 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Set in an idyllic countryside on the verge of WWII, an ex-Bolshevik officer's family faces Stalin's regime through extremely intimate circumstances. No other recent film has captured Russia's political conflict with as much compassion. Audiences may remember the touching scenes between Sergei, the aging officer, his young wife Mourissa and their 6 year old daughter Nadia as well as the rest of the cast of eccentric family and friends. The delicate balance of power within the family shrewdly shifts when a man from Mourissa's past visits, echoing the transfer of political influence from one generation to the next and its tragic ramifications.

Russian Ark is a mammoth feat of filmmaking. The bi-line explains it all: 2000 cast members, 3 live orchestras, 33 rooms, 300 years of Russian history, all in one take. Russian Ark is truly the only film to accomplish the movie in one take without hidden cuts. Special cameras were made to handle the amount of film and seamlessly blend one take. As for the condensed history lesson, the entirety of the action takes place in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersberg. A cryptic tour guide takes the viewer from room to room, unfolding major events in Russian history by period tableaus. An actress plays Catherine the Great watching an Opera and later we're privy to Czar Nicholas and his children. The main building of the vast Hermitage Museum is in fact the Winter Palace, the Czar's last home and the milestone for the start of the October Revolution. An impressive setting for sure for an impressive cinematic project. Constantly one is asking are the actors recreating historical moments or walking the decadent hallways as ghosts?

Shadows of Stalin Film Festival
Arclight Cinemas

Monday, Apr. 30 7:30pm
Russian Ark
$11.00 general admission

Tuesday, May 1 7:30pm
Burnt by The Sun
$11.00 general admission

Labels: film

I was going to spend the weekend pouting that I didn't get Coachella tix and watching the recently released Twin Peaks Vol. 2 DVD but then my Friday took a turn for the more social with these three happening events.

Enlightened Development + Crosswired - A & D Museum
6:00-10:00pm
Not even my architect buddies knew there was an Architecture & Design Museum in LA. But there is, a small gallery with a lovely courtyard space near Wilshire's museum row. Friday nights until May 21 DJ's take over the courtyard for vodka fueled mingling over new architecture models. Even if pre-fab is not in your vocab, free drinks and techno beats is not a bad way to kick-start your weekend. Like any gallery reception, show up on time. Shop promptly closes up @ 10pm.

A&D Museum
5900 Wilshire
Miracle Mile, 90036
323.932.9393


Not For Tourists Party - Footsie's Bar
6:00-9:00pm
Another FREE party with beer - print out the invite for a complimentary PBR. This time the folks at NFT (Not For Tourists) City Guides opens up Footsie's Bar in Highland Park to celebrate their new 2007 Los Angeles edition. I'm a big fan of their pocket city guides. The New York City guide really saved my bootie when I was in desperate need of the closest subway or latte in Manhattan. Their neighborhood maps of LA's burroughs make attractive and informative office decor too. Giveaways at the door while supplies last.

Footsie's
2640 N. Figueroa
Highland Park, 90065
323.221.6900


Dirty Found - Steve Allen Theater
8:00 & 10:00pm
The adorable Davy, Jason and the gang of FOUND Magazine reach new heights off the grounds of decency and privacy with a very special DIRTY FOUND Outreach Show. Pulled from the pages of the 'zine, which collects found objects of the risque nature (homemade cartoon porn and pervy Polaroids never meant to see the light of day) the multimedia show will feature slide shows, readings, songs and more. Tickets are still available for $12 at the box office or add on $3 for an online ordering charge.

Steve Allen Theater
4773 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Feliz, 90027
323.666.4268

Labels: art, bars, books, design, events, freebies

Thank God I wasn't the only one who didn't know what THE ALGORITHM was.
Atempt at a clever ad campaign, I did recognize. But that it's actually an ad for a new internet search engine? Only the AskJeeves reference threw me and the readers of Metroblogging LA in the right direction.

The CEO of Ask.com explains his new search-engine baby: "The Ask.com algorithm’s relevance methodology goes beyond the popularity focus of Google, Yahoo and MSN’s, and is the only one to break the Web down into topic clusters and determine community-based relevance in real time.” [source: searchenginewatch.com]

Next thing we'll be seeing is THE ALGORITHM WAS HERE billboards. Any other guesses to what the next ones will be?

THE ALGORITHM ATE MY BABY
THE ALGORITHM IS MY HOMBOY (I stole that one).
THE ALGORITHM SHOULD FIND A NEW AD AGENCY (from valleywag.com)

I'm not really a fan of this new type of faux-guerilla advertising, and I guess THE ALGORITHM doesn't even qualify to be in that category. They've got as much cleverness as the inside of SOBE tops.

Labels: random, www.internet.com

Oh LA Times. What was news five weeks ago on the internet is now news in your Calendar section. Or is it news because it was news on the internet? Is it really revolutionary to know the blogosphere still gets the word out faster than you can upload a comment on MySpace? I do know the writers of the Calendar section would not be referencing YouTube videos as major pop culture groundbreaking material without the blogs out there turning the pop culture dial. Patrick Goldstein's article today gives a big applause to the people out there producing pop-culture commentary without an album or new perfume line to promote. He singles out one outspoken lady, Alanis Morissette and her straight-to-web video cover/parody of The Black eyed Peas "My Humps". It's been been tearing up the YouTube charts, Goldstein notes, beating out Otters Holding Hands with number of views. I am guilty of posting both the Otters video and the Morissette video on friends' myspace pages. I also take blame for passing on another video not mentioned in Goldstein's article: shock & awe princess Peaches' homage to Morisette's "My Humps" but re-written as "My Dumps". Goldstein praises Morisette for producing her video for $2,000 but Peaches looks even more low-budget. And Peaches' video has, well, more dumps - read: poo-poo. I love that Goldstein gives props to the new culture makers out to critique the superficial even sexist bumpin' and grindin' trends. But stating "the era of video activism is here to stay" is about twenty years too late. You didn't need a blog to tell you that.




What really got me thinking in the article was that Goldstein praises Morissette for making this video on her own accord. She's not promoting a new album or tour or even subvertly advertising a new website service. But he still admits it won't hurt her career. In fact, according to Goldstein's sources the average dude thinks Morissette's gained her credibility back from the days she would go down on you in a theater. I'm still under the impression that if you go public with even the smallest of pet projects you're still promoting something - mainly, yourself. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Labels: editorial, newsworthy, videos, www.internet.com

As of today these three paintings were seen by 16,000 people. 30 days after the art opening this Saturday this art will be viewed 7 million times.

Those are the stats from the 3rd "Off The Wall" show of original works on reclaimed billboard vinyl. And this year for the first time 5 actual billboards will hang around the city in the usual places you find billboards. It's a win-win situation: new artist's work gets seen and one gallery makes an environmental statement. They've reclaimed 10,000 square feet of billboard vinyl that would normally end up decomposing in a landfill. Peter Schulberg, creator of the Non-profit Eco-Logical Art group, refers to the billboard waste as "heavy, ink impregnated material.. an environmental nightmare". He calls the billboards LA's first "drive-through art gallery".

[From the Eco-Logical Art website]:
By definition Eco-LogicalART works are cutting edge and provocative. With original billboard elements peeking through, then artist re-envisioned, the pieces recalibrate the old question with a new eco-answer-- offering neither art nor commerce, but art from commerce. Dynamic and aesthetically pleasing as they are, the works offer something more-- the feel good satisfaction of knowing that a landfill, somewhere, is a little less full because of the art hanging on your wall.

Over 40 artists with brand new works will be there, including Maximillian Buschman who showed his colorful paintings at Night Hawks last Monday.

The opening takes place Earth Day Eve.
Saturday, Apr. 16
Off The Wall 3
6:00-11:00pm
Eco-Logical Art Gallery
4829 West Pico Blvd.
LA 90019
310.525.0676

Exhibition and billboards will be up 'til May 20th.


Details of the three paintings seen on above billboard:

Labels: art, environmental, events

So I finally completed a dream of mine and entered Apartment Therapy's Small Cool contest. My apartment made the cut today! Entry #7: Meredith's Boho Chic Studio will be up on the Los Angeles page for everyone's voting pleasure. If chosen as a finalist I could win gift certificates to DWR. But really it's just nice to see the kind words everyone's posted so far. Thank you thank you thank you! And go vote today!

Labels: design, DIY

The meadow area has been behind the fence as long as any of you can remember. As the Silver Lake Reservoir continues its development into a positive public park space, this second phase includes the opening of the reservoir's meadow. This Saturday, The Committee to Save Silver Lake's Reservoirs hosts a groundbreaking ceremony on the meadow with Earth Day themed celebrations. Guesses are out there as to whether pieces of chain link will be given away when the wall comes down.


The opposition is out there. Last weekend a bunch of nasty sounding fliers went up near the 7-11 on Silver Lake Blvd. calling for a call-off of the meadow opening. The concerns included the increase of traffic, decrease of parking spaces, increase of noise and loitering. It sounds like some fearful neighbors to me. It must be nice to live in one of those big lakeside houses but it's also nice to have more park space. Silver Lake is a neighborhood that suffers L.A.'s epidemic of lack of public parks. The national standard of parks per person ratio is 6.25 acres for very 1,000 residents. Here in Silver Lake we've got a mere 0.35 acres per 1,000 residents. The meadow is 6 more precious acres of existing park space.



There are still chances to voice your opinions at the event. The reservoir project's landscape designers will be on hand to present the entire new meadow park and answer concerns before the meadow officially opens.

Silver Lake Meadow Groundbreaking & Speakout
Saturday, Apr. 21
9:00-11:00am

Directions:
Going north on Silver Lake Blvd from Sunset, the Meadow is located on the west side of the street, just before SLB turns sharply to the right (east) to intersect with Glendale Boulevard.
Parking is limited so please carpool, walk, or bike if possible. The nearest transit is MTA Line 92 @ Glendale & SLB. (message from CSSLR)

Labels: environmental, events, local

Did you know every year Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream has a free cone day? They do and it's today. Let the taxes filing go down easier with Cookie Dough or Cherry Garcia on the house. Today only at any Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlors. Click here to find one near you.

Labels: food, freebies

A little guide to the bands ----

The Battle of Land & Sea are local town heroes. The folk inspired duo plays with plenty of heart and soul. I can't wait to see them in Bootleg's beatific lobby.

We bring back the experimental/improvisational flavor of last month's event when An Endless Contortionist takes the stage.

Saint Motel (formerly known as Turkish Rocket) make all the teenage girls go hello kitty with their catchy blend of modern rock. But come late Monday night who knows what these boys will have up their sleeves?

Become their myspace friends. Bands love that.

Labels: events, music, Nighthawks

Favorite local art listing/website A Little Birdy Told Me celebrates its first year at favorite Chinatown dig Mountain Bar this Saturday Night.

Labels: art, bars, events

Bravo's Top Design came to an anti-climactic finale this week. Even the judges seemed bored by the end of it all. Although, I appreciated their criticism and praise and how no one became the reality show staple bad cop a la Simon Cowell or Janice Dickenson.

Around the design blogs what became the topic of heated typing was judge Kelly Wearstler's wardrobe. I stand by the woman's choice. Her decorating choices are fierce and often off-beat. Why shouldn't her wardrobe or hair be just as playful?

Her unforgettable fashion choices for the show via Bravo TV:







What I didn't know, but was illuminated to just now on a Design*Sponge comment board thanks to anonymous, is not only is Kelly Wearstler an internationally successful designer, but she also was once a Playboy centerfold! I knew the girl modeled, but damn. According to Wikipedia:

Kelly Gallagher (also known as Kelly Wearstler, born November 21, 1967 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) is an American model and professional interior designer. She was PlayboyPlaymate of the Month for September 1994. Her centerfold was photographed by Arny Freytag and Stephen Wayda. ...Her centerfold appears very briefly in the 1995 film Welcome to the Dollhouse, affixed to the inside of a school locker.

Just let me drag my jaw back from the ground.


From Playboy - I give you Miss September 1994.

BIRTHPLACE: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina USA

BUST: 34" C

WAIST: 24"

HIPS: 35"

HEIGHT: 5' 6"

WEIGHT: 105 lbs

AMBITIONS:
To own my own marvelous design and furnishings business.

TURN-ONS:
Fabulous, intense minds, honesty, huge smiles and a man with a colossal heart.

TURNOFFS:
Lack of communication, cruelty to animals, slackers, and bad design.

ROMANCING MY MAN:
Breakfast in the boudoir, a bit of physical activity, trip to the museum for some mental and visual stimulation, a nibble for two to satisfy the palate and a trip to the beach to see the sun set and the moon rise.

I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF:
Swap meets, blended coffees, Nicholson Baker novels & good loving.

Nice to know Kelly is an L.A. woman who always had ambition.

Labels: design, fashion, television

The flier for Thinkspace Gallery's art show is so lovely I must archive it. The show runs 'til April 27.

Picks of The Harvest Opening Reception
Friday, Apr. 13 7:00pm
Thinkspace Gallery
4210 Santa Monica Blvd.
Silver Lake
323.913.3375

Labels: art, design, events

Yes. Those are musical instruments. A modge-podge of electronic gadgets and unashamed childlike experimentation took over pockets of LA last night as The Circuit Bending Festival commenced at Il Coral. Tonight hosts an evening of performances and mingling at the historic Velaslavasay Panorama Theater. Tomorrow there's a day of workshops so you too can learn to create some of the most interesting noise out there. Dig out your See & Spells, your Casios, or even jack your roommate's cellphone and you can be in a (so geeky it's wonderful) band this weekend.

Link to a great story of NPR this morning with circuit musician Lewis Keller.

Still not sure exactly what Circuit Bending is? This lil' instructional video should do the trick:



LA Circuit Bending Festival
with artists: Christiaan Cruz, Loud Objects, Lewis Keller, Pixel Form, univac, Mystery Palace
Friday, Apr. 13 8:00pm
Velaslavasay Panorama
1122 West 24th Street
West Adams LA
(213) 746-2166
$10

Labels: events, music, newsworthy, videos

To my loyal pudgy readers:

I'm so sorry. My day job has consumed my time and energy. No postings for a week! I'm more disgruntled than any of you are, I know. But just felt like an apology was in order. No word on the apartment contest yet. But I'm checking apartment therapy every other minute. There's been some inspiring (and intimidating) entries so far. Much better than that finale of Bravo's Top Design, but I digress.

Night Hawks is upon us once more!!! The theme is "Over The Edge" inspired by the 1979 cult favorite film of the same name. Prepare for a late night of beautiful music, dancers, bizarre performances, all with a bitter edge of surburban dissillusion. Cupcakes and comics will be on sale again courtesy of Matt Melis (Isolated Instances of Non-Gravity). The proceeds are all going to charity (Cystic Fibrosis Walk For A Cure) so gobble 'em up with your libations. Yum.
This Monday 4/16 10pm $10.

And speaking of the Bootleg Theater (Night Hawks' home away from home) they're opening quite a show this weekend. Who Killed Bob Marley? by Roger Guenveur Smith is performance set to an original film about an enlightening trip to Jamaica. Previews tonight thru Friday 4/13. Opening night Saturday 4/14 8:00pm $20.

Any other plans as the weather gets warmer and the winds get creepier? Please share. No bogarting allowed.

*pg

Labels: Nighthawks, random

...Apartment Therapy's Smallest Coolest Apartments of 2007 to be exact.
If chosen as a finalist my apartment will be showcased on Apartment Therapy's blog and people will vote on it. I've been wanting to enter this contest ever since last year and hope all my decorating and little projects have payed off. So cross your fingers for me and hopefully three of these pics will show up on ApartmentTherapy.com next week. Once voting commences in May my apartment could go on to the semi-finals where the AT staff will vote for the smallest coolest apartment based on aesthetics, efficiancy, and creative problem solving with special challenges. The prize will be gift certificates to DWR - Design (sligthly) Within Reach. But the funnest part is all the design snobs (and I use the term snob with the utmost respect) will give me feedback. Any last minute tips?

Labels: design, DIY

There's a brand new design co. in town (Mar Vista to be exact). Tiny Face Design is the brain child of recent architecture school grad Katy Regnier. Katy, being from the school of DIY design and craftiness will take any of your photos and with the help of a computer turn them into a pleasing illustration.

That's her and her hubbie gracing the company's t-shirt. She designed their wedding party's souvenirs - his & her brides and groomsmen t-shirts with cartoons of each of the wedding party's faces.

T-shirts are a popular place for your new little piece of art, but Tiny Face can put your design on just about anything. And don't stop at family photos. Pets and custom art pieces can be commissioned as well. Due to the time and creative effort Katy's fee stays at $15 per face. And the more photos you submit the better to give her the essence of each person's (or dog's) personality, expressions, or quirks necessary for the finest illustration. Although, keep the photo choice to just one pose. She'll do some consulting but having exactly what you want reproduced is the most helpful. After the process Tiny Face will host a mini store on customink.com. And then your beloved's face can grace everything from ringer tees to baby onesies.

Labels: design, DIY, shopping

Thanks to technofile blog Gizmodo for pointing out a Dealzmodo (their word, not mine. I swear.)

When you buy 3 $15 iTunes gift cards at any Best Buy, you get a fourth one for free. So that's $60 worth of music and videos for $45. And yes, after sales tax the numbers dwindle a lil more, but not too shabby - especially if you have purchase-itis and need to own every second of Lost on your iPod.

Not sure how long the deal lasts (those tricky Best Buyers) but you can skip the ordeal of stepping foot into the big box store and order your cards online. Just in time to pass on the love this Passover & Easter.

Labels: freebies, shopping