Tag: los angeles

After Their Basic Income Program’s Success, LA Might Bring It Back

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Over a year after the “Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot program” concluded, the results are finally in. During BIG:LEAP’s Run, 3,202 low-income persons received $1,000 a month with no strings attached over the course of a year, totaling $12,000, to use however they saw fit.

The Benefits Are Clear

The data speaks for itself. Researchers and council members observed increased financial well-being among participants, food security rose, parents spent more time with children, levels of abuse lowered, and an overall sense of community was established. With these promising results, some officials have expressed interest in expanding the program.

Participants were almost all in deep poverty, struggling to meet their basic needs and pay the bills. The average income for the households in the program was about $14,200, the average applicant was 37 years old, most households had children, and 80% of applicants were women.

How Participants Used This Resource

Researchers at UCLA, USC, and the Center for Guaranteed Income Research found several areas in which the participants used their newfound income to improve their lives.

Most people in the program prioritized savings, but they also expressed comfort in being able to pay off emergency expenses, which would have been a devastating hit without this added resource. Only 10% of participants were confident that they could cover an emergency expense before joining the program, growing to 15% when the program ended.

Escaping Abuse

A majority of participants reported psychological abuse from partners before joining the program, while 30% reported physical abuse. Stalking, aggression, and violence were able to be avoided with a boost in income, providing previously inaccessible avenues for escaping unsafe relationships they may have otherwise been reliant upon, and they were able to begin healing.

Becoming Better Parents

People were becoming better parents in the program. They could afford to take a few days off to be with their children and had extra spending money to celebrate birthdays. Parents were more willing to put their kids into enrichment programs, extracurriculars, and sports programs which would have otherwise been prohibitively expensive. This small investment helps parents provide better lives for their children, and they seem eager to do so.

Improving Health

Some participants reported taking walks and being able to afford healthier food options for their children. Many children in low-income families have health issues that require better quality food which their families may not be able to afford in their position. This program helped them improve their children’s lives.

Housing Costs and Food Security

Half of the participants spent more than 70% on housing expenses, but the added funding helped them to more easily meet payments and avoid homelessness, something which Los Angeles has been struggling to find a real answer to. By alleviating these payments, those who received guaranteed income had an easier time finding food, while 44% of low-income persons in LA County struggled to put dinner on the table.

Next Steps

Councilmember Curren Price, who spearheaded the effort, believes they cannot stop now. The program has momentum, and the benefits are having an impact. If approved, his motion to launch a $4-5 million guaranteed basic income program would target those experiencing intimate partner violence, domestic violence, and young people aging out of foster care. Price himself will provide $1 million of his own district’s discretionary funds to the effort to help those experiencing homelessness.

“We will move forward, we will guarantee income,” Price said. “That’s been proven to break cycles of poverty and housing insecurity, and these are issues that have plagued our region for decades, and now we have research to show that it can be alleviated.”

August 7, 2024
Much Loved LA Bar, The Varnish, Closing Its Doors After 15 Years

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News of The Varnish’s closure sent shockwaves through LA, and, in many ways, it feels like the end of an era in the cocktail scene. Opened in 2009 by Eric Alperin, Cedd Moses, and Sasha Petraske, The Varnish was a West Coast spin on Petraske’s legendary New York bar, Milk & Honey. It found a home alongside Cole’s French Dip and soon became the bedrock of LA’s drinking culture, especially where old-school cocktails were crafted with purpose.

In its 15 years of operation, The Varnish received awards and critical acclaim, listing it as 14th in the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2012. It won the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award and became a James Beard Award nominee. Additionally, it served as a watering hole for notables like Jonathan Gold and Anthony Bourdain.

The closure is due, in part, to the shifting landscape of Los Angeles’s bar scene. Before The Varnish, the cocktail culture in LA was only slightly behind that of other major cities—not taken seriously at all, according to Leandro DiMonriva, one of the bartenders at The Varnish. Its establishment changed things overnight, raising the stakes on how guests in LA created and enjoyed cocktails.

Alex Day, a former bartender and now partner in other ventures, describes The Varnish’s approach to cocktails: raising a generation of mixologists to uncompromising standards. It was an attitude that had little to do with drinks but created a community where real passion for the craft and attention to detail could thrive.

With its many lit candles and playback of soft, calm jazz, the feel in The Varnish was immediate. This made the bar an asylum for those searching for more than a drink. It created an environment wherein strangers turned friends over carefully prepared cocktails and experiences shared in common, creating a sense of belonging that resonated beyond its four walls.

But apart from the timelessness of its appeal, The Varnish needed to be more attentive to everything happening in this contemporary age. The pressure of the economy—especially the pandemic—was squeezing every business in the City of Angels to a pulp, including downtown. With the economic climate changing for rapids, rising costs, and urban dynamics, it was a battle for survival, besides the effort to keep its unique identity alive.

The former bar manager, Samuel Houston, shared his challenges when the pandemic compelled them to look inward, saying, “It’s in that line between being traditional and practical to make adjustments to survive.” The difficulty for Varnish lay in not giving up on those values that made it unique in the first place: fresh ingredients and precise techniques brought this particular challenge of adapting to the new reality of fewer guests and economic uncertainty.

As The Varnish nears the moment when it will finally shut its doors, nostalgia, and gratitude fill the atmosphere for both patrons and employees. It meant so much more than just a bar to many; it stood as a tribute to the lasting power of its founders’ vision.

Varnish has left something behind—something much more than its physical location; a legacy that only happens when relentless passion meets dedication. Even marking the closure of such an era, its influence will be upon Los Angeles cocktail culture for years to come, inspiring a new crop of bartenders and spirits enthusiasts to pursue excellence in their hospitality and craft.

July 9, 2024
Kristen Bell and Christian Campbell Are Making A Cannabis “Community” on Hollywood Boulevard

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Although it has been almost 90 years since William Randolph Hearst created panic with the propaganda film “Reefer Madness,” the movie retains its mark on culture.

The Return of a Cult Classic

Actor and producer Christian Campbell attempted to promote his Los Angeles stage revival of Reefer Madness: The Musical for its 25th anniversary, however, Facebook and Instagram flagged the word “reefer” for reasons that were, perhaps, a little too meta.

Campbell made his debut as Jimmy Harper in Reefer Madness: The Musical in 1999, when it debuted in Los Angeles. The musical, created by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, is a parody of the 1936 propaganda film turned stoner-cult classic. Now, the musical returns home to The Victory Garden.

Campbell says, “The Victory Garden is the outdoor dining and drinking and other post-show experience. We’ve basically created an oasis on Hollywood Boulevard.” He adds, “It’s a beautiful green, lush space. Come on in, relax.”

Campbell is being joined by Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming as producers of the new adaptation, which will be choreographed and directed by Spencer Liff. Anthony Norman and Darcy Rose-Byrnes will play Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane respectively, and a new cast includes Thomas Dekker, Nicole Parker, J. Elaine Marcos, and Brian Daniel Porter.

“Coming back to this, for me, was a no-brainer,” says Bell. “I owe so much of my life to these people and this show.”

Reviving Community and Nostalgia

Moreover, 25 years after the initial musical ran, the crew has officially recreated “The Refer Den,” a cafe next to the musical’s original venue. This was the area of Los Angeles where the cast would congregate after every show, but this time around, it is a fully functioning lounge. The lounge will feature live performances for a whole new community to enjoy.

Bell and Campbell were asked about all aspects of the show including, their favorite memories of working with the others involved. In response, Bell stated, “When I joined the cast, I was asked to audition in New York, and I didn’t show up to my first audition. And some of the New York producers, the Nederlanders who were doing it at the time, said, ‘Well, hold on. She’s worked for us before. Let’s just have her at the callbacks.’ And I don’t think I showed up for my callback either. And then finally, the second call back I showed up, and I still can’t believe that they hired me.”

“My first memory is a very awkward audition for [director] Andy Fickman and Kevin and Dan because I wasn’t really a lover of musical theater,” said Campbell. “I kind of had a bad experience in college with an ex-nun vocal teacher, and that just turned me off from any kind of singing and musical theater… I read the script and heard some of the music, poorly sung by Dan and Kevin. And I just really loved it. I loved the lyrics. I loved what it was about and what it was saying. And so I said, if this is musical theater, I can do this. And so I went on in and apparently, I did a good job.”

As for long-term hopes for the show, Bell says “…What I love about starting in L.A., regardless of where it goes, we will go where the community wants us, the community will show up where this show Is needed. The show offers something so specific. I mean look, it’s 24 years later, I can’t and don’t want to get away from it. There is a lack of high-quality musical theater in L.A., outside of touring companies that come and go. And this is something that’s going to offer you an experience, but also a community to come back to, which I think people in L.A. have a desire for even if they don’t know it yet.”

June 28, 2024
LA Launches Initiative to Help Small Businesses Owners in Topanga

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Survival for businesses hinges on their customers’ ability to reach them, a challenge that has plagued business owners in Topanga since March. The aftermath of a powerful storm that struck the hillside of Topanga Canyon has left businesses teetering on the edge. The storm’s deluge triggered a massive landslide, closing Route 27 to travelers. To aid these struggling businesses, LA County has unveiled a new program to support small business owners grappling with the prolonged closure of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

Under the auspices of LA County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath and the administration of LA County’s Department of Economic Opportunity, Topanga business owners can now access the Topanga Canyon Business Interruption Fund (BIF). This new initiative, designed to assist qualifying businesses reeling from the landslide’s detrimental impacts, offers a lifeline to those experiencing a loss of customer support and business revenue.

According to Horvath, the county asked Topanga business owners, “What do you actually need? And so this financial assistance is something that they said would make the difference.” Horvath further shared, “I know people are trying to figure out how they keep staff on through this time and how they are able to prepare. A couple months is different than a year.” Helping make a difference, qualifying businesses impacted by the Topanga Canyon road closure can receive grant awards of up to $10,000 from the new initiative.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard is typically used by tens of thousands of daily travelers who commute between the coast and the San Fernando Valley. This road closure has resulted in a significant drop in people passing through the unincorporated town. Enrico Busto, who owns a custom hat shop in Topanga, stated, “I mean, like, we are 50% down since the closure. So, you know, it’s been like a few months, but we roll up our sleeves and start working. So, we funded this nonprofit called Visit Topanga Canyon. So we are bringing all the businesses together and try to, you know, organize something.”

Busto and others have helped organize an event called “Second Saturday,” which invites people from all over to visit and shop in Topanga. Busto commented, “Every second Saturday of each month we organize music all over Topanga. There are like four or five different concerts and activities and a play area for the kids and, you know, card reading and, you know, all the fun stuff that Topanga has to offer with all the artists and the musicians we have in the area.”

While many Topanga business owners are still trying to recover from the aftermath of the March landslide, Second Saturday aims to attract more people to the town, with the new initiative providing a boost for qualifying businesses to get back on their feet.

The governor’s office announced this past Friday that Topanga Canyon Boulevard reopened Sunday, three months ahead of its fall schedule. Governor Gavin Newson stated in a social media post, “I just want to thank the men and women of Caltrans for working overtime to get this done.” Surely, the business owners of Topanga can remain hopeful that state efforts have their back.

June 7, 2024
Los Angeles Family Style Festival Gets a Makeover

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The famous Los Angeles Family Style Festival is undergoing a significant transformation. Now acquired by the digital media company Complex, the festival is all set to expand beyond the annual event into a new division focusing on food publications and events. This evolution of the festival promises to bring a blend of streetwear culture and culinary innovation, redefining its identity and reach.

Founded in 2019 by Ben Shenassafar and Bobby Kim of the streetwear company The Hundreds, along with event producer Miles Canares, the Family Style Festival has become a staple in the LA food scene. What sets this festival apart is its unique mashups, where local streetwear brands are paired with famous chefs and restaurants, creating a vibrant atmosphere that attracts over 10,000 attendees annually. Previous collaborations included notable pairings like Russ & Daughters with the Hundreds, Uncle Paulie’s Deli with Modernica, and Burger She Wrote with Gallery Dept. This innovative approach is sure to intrigue our audience.

Complex’s acquisition of the event is part of a broader strategy to launch a new food and video publication called Family Style. This venture is expected to create an intersection of streetwear, food, and culture, extending the festival’s influence. Aaron Levant, CEO of NTWRK and Complex, envisions this new development as a resource for individuals who crave food content but often need help finding it.

Speaking about Complex’s new move, Shenassafar, who hosts Big Appetite on the Tastemade network, reassures the audience, saying, “We play a crucial role for an audience that craves food content but often finds it elusive.” He further emphasizes the founders’ commitment to demystifying food editorials for a younger, perhaps intimidated audience. According to him, Family Style perfectly aligns with Complex’s ethos and audience, ensuring everyone feels included and catered to.

This year, the festival is set to take place in October in Los Angeles, followed by an appearance at ComplexCon, a music and culture festival, in November in Las Vegas. These events will pave the way for the highly anticipated launch of the new division, with a content team in place before the year’s end. This expansion is a testament to the founders’ vision of integrating diverse cultural influences into the food and streetwear narrative and is sure to ignite excitement among our audience.

Sharing his inspiration behind The Hundreds and its application to Family Style, Shenassafar explains that this love for punk, surf, and hip-hop styles led to the foundation of Hundred. This eclectic approach will also shape the publication’s content, covering street food, taco stands, chilaquiles, and collaborations with renowned chefs like Jon Yao of Kato and Evan Funke of Felix, Funke, and Mother Wolf. Despite the dominance of social media and YouTube, Shenassafar values traditional journalism for its legitimacy, ensuring that written content remains the backbone of this new venture.

Initially, one area that Family Style will steer clear of is restaurant reviews. Shenassafar stated, “That’s a very tricky situation, and I’m not sure we want to put our toes into it yet.” Instead, the focus will be discussing new openings, recommending where to eat, and exploring various city locales. This publication aims to provide a distinct voice on the best dining and drinking spots without delving into the often-contentious realm of reviews.

Complex’s journey as a print magazine reflects its adaptive and innovative spirit, from its foundation by fashion designer Marc Ecko in 2002 to its acquisition by Buzzfeed in 2021 and subsequently by NTWRK in 2024. This new venture, Family Style, carries that legacy forward, promising engaging content related to food and streetwear culture.

June 4, 2024
LA Restaurant Wins Resy One to Watch Award of World’s 50 Best Restaurants

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The food industry can be rather difficult to break into, and for California restaurant hopefuls, the Golden State proves even more challenging than other areas across the nation. With the pressures of launching a restaurant including long hours, financial strain, marketing, and more, many foodie dreamers may find themselves hesitant. This isn’t the case for San Gabriel Valley’s Jon Yao, a Taiwanese-American chef and owner of Los Angeles-based Kato, which was recently named as the recipient of the Resy One To Watch Award 2024 from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Originally established in a nondescript strip mall on the west side of L.A., Kato opened in 2016, with Yao serving up a tasty menu selection of Asian-American cuisine. This natural-born cook is taking the flavors from his childhood with his Taiwanese immigrant parents and interpreting them into fragrant, modern dishes. When describing Kato’s mission, Yao expressed, “The food we do at Kato is our way of speaking up for young Asian-Americans. There’s a cultural reference behind every dish, but we try to make sense of it in a modern context.”

Since founding Kato, Yao has worked with sommelier Ryan Bailey, who is the Director of Operations. In 2022, the team relocated Kato to a newly expanded, fully licensed location at the ROW DTLA in the Arts District of Los Angeles, where long-time general manager Nikki Reginaldo was promoted to managing partner. This move also saw Kato bring aboard a seasoned bar director, Austin Hennelly, who is already serving up stunning cocktails like Mandarin Garibaldi and The Paloma that look almost too good to drink.

Kato’s new industrial-luxe home is reimaging the fine dining experience, with Yao’s dishes creating the perfect harmony between classic Taiwanese cuisine and the contemporary edge trending throughout the food industry. Already making a name for himself in the food world, Yao channels childhood favorites, like his mother’s fish fragrant sauce that is commonly used in Yao’s meat and vegetable stir-fries, filling the senses with its garlic, ginger, and doubanjiang (Sichuan chile bean paste).

Kato customers can enjoy a tasting menu of 12 standout courses, served from a custom wood-fired hearth and grill that anchors the kitchen and helps Yao curate dishes such as caramelized sablefish with abalone and basil, grilled lobster with lobster toast and a sauce of roasted shells, and Dungeness crab custard with fish maw and crab vinegar.

For those desiring something sweeter to tickle their taste buds, Kato’s desserts include dishes such as a boniato yam boba with fresh cheese and sable, as well as roasted Taiwanese pineapple mille feuille.

Recently, this restaurant was named the recipient of the Resy One To Watch Award 2024 from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, an award that recognizes rising-star restaurants that are serving up some serious international waves in the gastronomic scene. Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, William Drew, stated, “Kato is blowing diners away with its blend of original flavours and old-school hospitality and this award will bring Yao’s cooking to a wider international audience. We are delighted to reward the team’s dedication, passion, skill, and originality with this hugely deserved accolade.”

Thriving in their Southern Californian scene, Kato, despite the upgrades and beverage debuts, remains a poetic expression of bringing the past and present together, creating a dining experience that is worthy of the splurge.

May 17, 2024
Owners of Marilyn Monroe’s LA Homes Sue Over Historical Designation

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The husband and wife who currently own Marilyn Monroe’s former Brentwood home are reportedly filing a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles in an attempt to block any further effort to have the structure deemed an official historic-culture landmark. If the home is declared a landmark, that would ultimately prevent its demolition.

The husband and wife who own the home, Roy Bank and Brinah Milstein, purchased the property back in July 2023. The plaintiffs have since been granted a demolition permit from the city as they are reportedly seeking to demolish the home.

The Los Angeles City Council already temporarily halted the demolition of the Brentwood home once before in September 2023. The temporary prevention brought much relief to many historians as well as fans of the home’s former owner. The sentiment surrounding the preservation of the home was in line with the idea that the property should be maintained since it is a crucial piece of Los Angeles and Hollywood history.

The historical landmark application is currently still working its way through the city process. In January, the application received approval from the Cultural Heritage Commission and was later approved by the council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee. However, the issue still needs to be presented to the full City Council, a meeting which must be completed by mid-June.

On Monday, Mr. Bank and Mrs. Milstein took measures in an effort to halt the process by filing a Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit. According to reports, the lawsuit alleges that the move to have the structure deemed an official historic-culture landmark is “illegal and unconstitutional conduct” by the city “with respect to the house where Marilyn Monroe occasionally lived for a mere 6 months before she tragically committed suicide 61 years ago.”

Overall, the lawsuit alleges that by pushing for the monument designation for the property, the city of Los Angeles was effectively in violation of its own codes and procedures.

The lawsuit states, “All of these backroom machinations were in the name of preserving a house which in no way meets any of the criteria foreign historical cultural monument.” The lawsuit continues, “That much is bolstered by the fact, among others, that for 60 years through 14 owners and numerous remodels and building permits issued by the city, the city has taken no action regarding the now alleged historic or cultural status of the house.”

The lawsuit continues to allege that the city’s actions have resulted in “irreparable” harm to the building’s current owners and have effectively robbed them of their “vested rights as owners of real property.”

The general aim of the lawsuit is a request for a court order to block the monument designation. If the lawsuit is successful, the plaintiffs will be allowed to move forward with their planned demolition of the home.

At this time, no further details have been released to the public. As the situation unfolds and more information becomes available, updates will be promptly provided to keep the public informed.

May 16, 2024
LA Museums Are Making a Change to Help the Environment

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Los Angeles museums are taking a bold step toward environmental consciousness by rethinking their approach to temperature control within their exhibition spaces. As part of the Climate Impact Program launched through PST Art, the Getty’s arts initiative, institutions like the Hammer Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) are pioneering new strategies to minimize their environmental footprint while still preserving valuable artwork.

Doing What’s Best for Both Art and Environment

Traditionally, museums have maintained strict temperature and humidity controls, adhering to standards established nearly a century ago. However, new research and international art conservation guidelines suggest that wider temperature ranges can be safe for artwork and significantly reduce energy consumption.

Leading the charge is Laura Lupton’s firm, LHL Consulting, which developed the Climate Impact Program. By relaxing typical climate control standards, museums can substantially cut energy use, a critical consideration given the cavernous nature of exhibition spaces.

“Museums are the most trusted institutions, full stop,” Lupton said. “Being seen as institutions that are actually taking responsibility in making sure that museums are a climate solution inherently helps build a sense of community trust.”

The Hammer Museum plans to pilot expanded temperature and humidity ranges in its upcoming PST exhibition, “Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice.” Director of Exhibitions Michael Nock emphasizes the importance of reducing the museum’s energy footprint, saying, “The energy that we use to run the building is a really large portion of every project’s footprint… I can’t thank the artists who are in the show enough for being advocates for it and happy to sign on and endorse the effort.”

Some Museums Must Be First So That Others Can Follow

MOCA is also pushing boundaries by experimenting with temperature ranges in its new HVAC systems and site-specific installations. At MOCA, baseline emissions equate to the energy use of 20 homes, according to the museum’s 2023 sustainability report. However, with the implementation of a new energy management system for its HVAC system, the museum anticipates a 25% reduction in energy usage. Kelsey Shell, the museum’s environmental and sustainability strategist, underscores the urgency of adopting environmentally sustainable approaches in response to the climate crisis.

“It’s difficult for any institution to be the first,” Shell said. “This is an example where the Climate Impact Program and the discussions with colleagues that have come from that have allowed more institutions to feel safer in making those choices together.”

These efforts are part of a broader initiative within the PST Art program, themed “Art and Science Collide.” The Getty Foundation, which oversees the initiative, emphasizes the importance of collaboration.

“If each individual institution had to undergo this learning process all on their own, it would be really challenging,” said Joan Weinstein, Director of the Getty Foundation. “Doing it as a community sharing all those resources, sharing the knowledge that already existed in the community has so much more impact.”

A Conscientious But Natural Decision

By repurposing materials, encouraging on-site installations, and exploring sustainable practices, museums hope to integrate climate-based decision-making into their operations seamlessly. Other participating institutions include the Skirball Cultural Center, the Broad, and the California African American Museum, among others.

Ultimately, museums see themselves as key players in climate action, leveraging their status as trusted institutions to inspire community engagement. Through thought-provoking exhibitions and innovative approaches, they aim to spark meaningful conversations and encourage action for a more sustainable future.

May 15, 2024
A Quarter of LA Renters Fear Eviction Over High Rent

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Over a quarter of Los Angeles County apartment renters fear eviction and potential homelessness as rent prices continue to surge. 4 in 10 Los Angeles residents are struggling to afford the cost of rent according to the University of California.

Los Angeles has continued to see its prices be as high as any place to live on the planet. The survey is part of the 2024 Quality of Life Index by the Luskin School of Public Affairs. Los Angeles is now becoming more well-known for its incredibly high rent prices over the classic sunshine, beaches, and wonderful weather.

Los Angeles is already known for its very large homeless population, and if rent prices continue to climb, so will the homeless rates. Los Angeles has seemingly wanted to combat the homelessness crisis in the city, but this will be difficult if the rent rates continue to grow.

The price of purchasing a home in Los Angeles is nearly 1 million dollars. Homes in more upscale neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills are up to around 3 million dollars.

The unrelenting ascent in housing costs has resulted in significant ramifications, especially for those working in middle-class occupations like education and law enforcement, who are priced out of becoming homeowners and forced to live in permanent rentals. Los Angeles rents have also increased, with an average monthly rent of almost $2,700. Renters would be faced with an extremely high financial burden because they would have to make more than $100,000 per year to fulfill the required three-times-the-rent qualification ratio.

The effects of the housing crisis go well beyond just putting a strain on finances; they affect every part of the lives of residents and create a general feeling of unease about the future. Finding cheap housing in the city is becoming more and more elusive, leaving many Angelenos to deal with the very real danger of being uprooted and becoming homeless.

Thanks to rising rents, investors have always seen the Los Angeles real estate market as a stable source of consistent returns. The sustainability of this investment strategy is called into question, though, as experts warn that the city may be getting close to a rent price ceiling as tenant unhappiness increases and eviction fears become more pressing.

Low-income families and marginalized populations are disproportionately affected by the housing crisis in Los Angeles, which exacerbates already-existing social and economic disparities. Rent increases and the impossibility of homeownership feed the cycles of injustice and poverty. Prioritizing fairness and affordability in housing is an urgent matter that calls for cooperation from all facets of society.

Los Angeles’ housing crisis necessitates a diversified strategy that goes beyond conventional policy fixes to address its underlying causes. More affordable housing supply, improved renter protections, and resident-driven economic opportunities are just a few of the areas where significant change will need coordinated efforts by public officials, community organizations, and private investors.

There’s growing concern that renting may become a permanent condition for many, with the dream of homeownership slipping out of reach. In today’s market, it seems only those employed by major tech firms or who have achieved celebrity status can afford to buy a home in Los Angeles.

May 10, 2024
Slamdance Film Festival Is Coming to Los Angeles in 2025

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Beginning in 2025, Slamdance Film Festival will be relocating to Los Angeles from Park City, Utah.

Set to run from February 20-26, 2025, the next restatement will take place at venues located in and surrounding the Hollywood area including The DGA Theater Complex and the Landmark Theaters Sunset—both on Sunset Boulevard. More locations will be announced in the future.

Festivalgoers and enthusiasts spoke on the move saying that it “will allow for the continued growth of Slamdance’s year-round mission to provide an accessible and dynamic community for truly independent, visionary filmmakers and creators.”

With in-person passes beginning as low as $50 and several of their programs being made free to the public, the festival has said that it ultimately hopes to be financially accessible to a broad demographic.

Festival heads will enjoy multiple new and existing programs at the 2025 edition, which will include Slamdance’s free education initiative, Polytechnic. There will also be a series of one-minute short films made in any format called “6ixty,” as well as Next Wave LA, which is a program of new media work by LA-based artists, and the cutting-edge, experiential DIG (digital, interactive, gaming) section.

The news of Slamdance’s move from Utah to California comes during a year that has seen multiple changes for American festivals and markets already. American Film Market is actively transitioning from Santa Monica to Las Vegas later this year while Sundance is reportedly scouting for a potential new location away from Park City.

Cofounders of AGBO Anthony and Joe Russo, who started in 1997 with the Slamdance premiere of their comedy feature Pieces spoke about their dedication to the festival, stating that it will remain “unwavering.” As partners with Slamdance on a fellowship program and other initiatives, AGBO added, “We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and impact of Slamdance in its new home.”

As for how the city of Los Angeles is set to embrace the move, LA Mayor Karen Bass has stated that the city “has always been a home and a source of inspiration for artists, as the creative capital of the world.” Mayor Bass continued to further showcase her appreciation for the arts, noting that Slamdance has the unlimited potential to serve as a “dynamic hub for creativity, connection, and job opportunities for Angelinos.”

The Slamdance Film Festival was founded in 1995 by current Slamdance president Peter Baxter who has also recently spoken on the transition from Park City to Los Angeles. Baxter said, “Building upon our success in Utah, we will grow the festival with greater accessibility in Los Angeles and continue our work in launching new films, new careers, and new ideas in filmmaking. With new and existing collaborators, our mission is to increase the global value of independent film and digital media and serve the Los Angeles arts community.”

Besides the Russo brothers, other standout Slamdance alumni and supporters include Christopher and Emma Nolan, Sean Baker, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Bong Joon Ho, Marie Jamora, Steven Soderbergh, Rian Johnson, and Merawi Gerima.

A total of 113 films, including 17 eventual world premieres, were screened at the 2024 festival. Panasonic LUMIX will be the official sponsor of the 2025 festival.

May 9, 2024
Little Tokyo in Los Angeles Has Been Declared an Endangered Historic Site

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America is certainly not without history. Across the country, citizens and visitors can tour a land filled with a rich past that highlights where the U.S. came from and how it has become the nation it is today. With cultural and historical landmarks throughout the country providing valuable reminders and lessons, protecting these places has become crucial in preserving America’s diverse history. Raising awareness of endangered historical places is the National Trust for Historic Preservation, whose annual list features Los Angeles’ very own Little Tokyo.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is shedding light on historical places that highlight where lives, memories, and stories began. Leading the movement of preserving the connections that guide and anchor the U.S. to its present and future, this nonprofit organization has spent over 70 years dedicated to saving America’s historic places. Every year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation releases a report that directs a powerful gaze on historic places in danger of being lost.

This year’s 37th annual America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places report “shines a long-overdue spotlight on generations of trailblazers by saving the places where they raised their voices, took their stands, and found the courage to change the world,” states the nonprofit’s website, who has built the 2024 list around the theme of communities uniting to protect their cultural landmarks, local businesses, and their customs and traditions. This year, Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo, one of only four surviving “Japantowns” in the U.S., is on the list.

Established in 1884, Little Tokyo is a landmark in American history, enduring more than a century of adversities that include the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, large-scale demolition for the construction of municipal building construction, and urban renewal. Yet, despite the challenges Little Tokyo has endured, “The neighborhood has remained central to the Japanese American community… Little Tokyo is now home to over 400 small businesses, including approximately 50 long-time legacy businesses,” states the nonprofit in an annual report.

Unfortunately, despite fighting for just one block to be designated a National Historic Landmark in the 1990s, Los Angeles’ development is encroaching on Little Tokyo’s modest area. Authentic restaurants and shops, including ones that have been in business for decades, are facing gentrification and displacement, with rents rising to the point that Little Tokyo is in danger of losing its unique, historical character.

President and CEO of the historic nonprofit, Carol Quillen, stated that “Little Tokyo and its multigenerational restaurants, businesses, and cultural institutions are a

distinctive part of Los Angeles’s history and character… We hope that by bringing attention to displacement and gentrification occurring in the neighborhood, Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo can get the support and policy protections needed so that the community can thrive long into the future.”

Several organizations like the Little Tokyo Community Council, the Little Tokyo Service Center, the Japanese American National Museum, and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center have been advocating for this landmark’s preservation for decades. These organizations have come together to form the Sustainable Little Tokyo coalition to help protect Little Tokyo residents, businesses, and culture. Yet, Little Tokyo is still marked as an endangered landmark, proving that Americans need to unite to help preserve the history that has helped make this nation what it is today.

May 7, 2024
Los Angeles Film and TV Production Sees Gradual Recovery Post-Strike

Image credit: Unsplash

Los Angeles has long been recognized as the heart of the film and TV industry. However, recent data from FilmLA reveals that the industry is still grappling with the aftermath of last year’s strikes, despite a noticeable uptick in production activities. In the first quarter of 2024, total location shoot days rose to 6,823, marking a 23% increase from the fourth quarter of 2023. Nonetheless, these figures remain 20% below the five-year average for the same period and have not yet returned to the levels observed prior to the strike.

The decline in production began even before the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA initiated strikes last summer, which significantly halted most scripted production across the nation. The end of the strikes, about five months ago, did not instantly revive production rates. “There was a really delayed return to production,” stated Philip Sokoloski, a spokesman for FilmLA. “We knew it could take six to eight weeks for TV, and for feature films, it might be a little longer.”

FilmLA, responsible for issuing permits for location shoots in the Los Angeles area, provides data that, while not encompassing soundstage productions, serves as a reliable indicator of overall production trends. The agency’s recent reports cover a wide range of production types, including commercials, reality TV, scripted shows, feature films, documentaries, and music videos. Notably, while film and scripted TV are on a rebound, reality TV, which wasn’t directly affected by the strike, has seen a decline in the first quarter of 2024.

Sokoloski highlighted that the strike is only one of several factors contributing to the general downturn in production. “We know there’s a scale-back,” he remarked. “The streaming bubble has popped. Fewer episodes are being ordered of the shows that are in production, and a lot of shows have been canceled.” Additionally, there has been a noticeable shift in commercial production, with many projects relocating to other parts of the country or even overseas, reflecting broader industry trends and economic considerations.

This shift in the industry is also influenced by the changing landscape of media consumption. The rise of streaming services had initially led to an explosion of content production, but the market has become increasingly saturated. With streaming platforms reevaluating their strategies and cutting back on the number of new productions, the overall demand for production has softened.

Moreover, the industry is still adjusting to new norms post-pandemic, which include more stringent safety protocols and possibly increased costs of production. These factors collectively contribute to the slower recovery rate.

Looking ahead, the industry’s path to full recovery remains uncertain. Stakeholders are cautiously optimistic, hoping for a stabilization that will enable a return to pre-strike levels of activity. However, the industry must navigate the complex interplay of economic pressures, shifting consumer preferences, and the residual impacts of the strikes.

As Los Angeles strives to reclaim its prominence in the film and TV production landscape, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether the industry can adapt to these new challenges and return to its former glory.

April 23, 2024