Urban Ninja
Prepare to be transported to a different time. A time when rum runners were king and speakeasies were the place to be. Let me introduce you to your new ‘blind tiger‘ – The Spare Room.
More highbrow than the seedy blind pig establishments, The Spare Room resides in the historic Roosevelt Hotel. It houses a bar/game room filled with classic cocktails and nouveaux twists on classics with all the pomp and circumstance of today’s mixology establishments.
Ninja TipHone in on a bartender named Ryan. Imagine if Alexander Skarsgard just happened to be the kick back bartender at your neighborhood bar who happens to make a drink like it was a culinary masterpiece… that would be Ryan. I had the Smoking Gun made from mezcal and God only knows what else… but you could just as well say, “I like anything with gin” and he will make an equally delicious libation. I have had Ryan’s mixology masterpieces from back in the day when he was the mixologist behind the Library Bar downstairs. Let me just say, it is worth the mighty price tag$.
To give you an idea of what kind of music is appropriate to such an establishment, here is The Dustbowl Revival thanks to JamIntheVan.com. I saw them at the Spare Room on Oct 6.
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Spoonflower, the home for custom fabrics, has a new design contest up! It is for custom fabric to make your own LUCHADORE mask. Thanks to a tip from my friend Autumn, I was all over this! I included pics of some of my favorites. But go to Spoonflower to VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE. You might even be able to wear it to my favorite event: Lucha Vavoom! – check out my Halloween Post for more October Opportunities to sport your new luchadore mask 🙂
Your annual excuse to dress-like-a-harlot-and-get-away-with-it has arrived. Halloween has descended upon LA. Whether you’re trying to find a place to show off your creative costume…or not, I’ve compiled a list of Halloween activities ranging from the ordinary to the extra-way-out-there.
Here are some quick categories if you already know what you want:
Old Skool Ghouls
Hipster Haunts
Family Friendly
Doggy Dress Up
Popcorn Shockers
The Los Angeles Haunted Hay Ride has a trifecta of ghoulish counterparts besides the literal hay ride into the terrifying woods. Yes, not only is there hay, but also, a maze populated with demons and maniacs and a “Human Menagerie” Sideshow. See their website for details and their hours of operation.
Obviously, the old skool of old skool, this parade has been happening forever. If you have never been, you must go once, but please wear a costume – DON’T be a Halloween tourist. Admission is free and the event starts at 6 PM and runs until 11 PM. Check their website for tips on parking and a map of the route.
For some adult tricks and treats, make your way to Lucha Vavoom. Their motto of mas sexo y violencia delivers classic burlesque and luchadore wrestling. You will fit in with your sleeve tattoo or Betty Paige haircut. No costume required but also not frowned upon. I’ve been to Lucha too many times to count… with pictures to prove it.
For all the Living Dead afficionados, there is the annual Long Beach Zombie Walk, going 4 years strong. Like the zombie flash mobs of San Francisco, Paris or New York, this one features the same mixture of fake blood and catatonic stares. Starting on 3rd Street and Pine Avenue in Long Beach, the Zombie Walk features “zombie makeovers,” “zombie themed food,” and a screening of Shaun of the Dead.
Pumpkin Festivals abound. Perfect for the little ones, there are petting zoos & horse rides, the requisite pumpkin patch and of course, arts & crafts. Where else are you going to get your face painted and learn how to carve a pumpkin with those ridiculous knives that can’t cut anything but pumpkin?
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (Oct 15-16)
Pomona Pumpkin Festival (Oct 15-16)
Maybe you don’t have a kid to take to the pumpkin patch, but you do have your four legged friend. So, rather than brave the throngs of thongs on Santa Monica Blvd, why don’t you see a different costume parade. This costume parade, doggy-style, features a pet adoption fair and the entry fees raise thousands for spay/neuter programs, rescue groups, Operation Santa Paws and other Long Beach service projects. Check out their website for entry fees and event information.
For all the Horror Film buffs, there is a cornucopia of celluloid scares. Held at the Grauman’s Chinese 6, the festival promises horror/sci-fi to the max. Check their website for screening times and tickets.
Click on each marker for directions
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