LA gets a piece of Glen Ligon.

Glen Ligon's work is smart, it is beautiful, it is a commentary on black America, it will be on show in a mid-career retrospective at LACMA starting Sunday.

Consider the following part non-sequitor and part warning. Glen Ligon is a Wesleyan graduate. This is a general guarantee of awesome.

Ride or Fry. A vegetarian-friendly food truck revolution.

Food trucks are to restaurants what the made for TV mini series are to film. An inferior substitution. That's in general.

But Dante Fried Chicken food truck isn't anything general. It's like a teenage mutant ninja truck. Awesome. And super powered. And, um, anthropomorphic?

I tried out DFC last week at the Adidas Blue Launch Party. What could possibly have led a vegetarian to step within several feet of a fried chicken truck, you ask?

How about we start with the fried soy chicken. Then let's move on to the weekly variety of Cheese 'Mac Up.'

Then let's discuss how DFC is more than a truck--it's a multimedia experience.

Dante is a real guy. And he hosts a real little web show where he cooks with emerging and not-so emerging artists. Like Santigold, Major Lazer, and other Mad Decent characters.

In an interview, Dante says that 'DFC’s mission is to be a catalyst of interdisciplinary art, dance, music, design, community culture and cuisine.' That is such a sexier mission statement than wanting to serve fusion Korean tacos with no overhead and less frequent health inspections.

Follow DFC on Twitter and get your grit on.

Sunday bliss, LA style.

According to weather.com, it's currently 79 degrees in Los Angeles. Let's just accept that as a truth and a basis for everything else about today.

Now that we understand that it's warm (read gorgeous) out, let's walk together through the perfect day that was [and is and will be for a while] today.

9:30 a. Wake up late. If feel a bit sad that a wake up time prior to 10 am now constitutes a 'late' rise, but ce la vie--we're not in college anymore I guess. The internal clocks just don't work like they used to.

10:00 a. Read the NY Times' Weddings & Celebrations section. This is Sunday ritual. I'd like to confirm in case you don't know that this is perfectly normal and healthy behavior for a girl in her late 20s and not a cry for single help. I just like the romance. Today, I read and feel a little bit bad for Patience, one of the featured brides, who keeps referring to her now husband Sam as 'popular.' I hope that her weird high school status issues don't haunt her marriage and wish them luck.

10:45 a. Decide that a nap is not a good idea just an hour after I woke up and opt to go to yoga instead. I also decide walking might be fun given the awesome, amazing, inspired (are you getting this New Yorkers??) weather we are having in LA this weekend.

11:00 a. With just half an hour before class time and a 2 mile walk from Koreatown to Larchmont ahead, I book it. As it's sunny and hot out already, I break a sweat in just a tank top.

11:30 a. Class with Amy LaFond, one of YogaWork's best and most popular teachers. Amy's classes are always tight and even tighter post-New Year when everyone's returned to their workout routine as part of some so-called resolution. I secretly hope that everyone's resolutions are forgotten by February. But our mats are close and I am glad I wore deodorant.

1 p. I stroll through the Larchmont Farmer's Market. Since I'm already here and all. I eat samples of scones and fruit and I do it with no intention to buy anything and I feel okay about it.

1:15 p. I've seen enough young couples and their babies and their dogs and their yoga mats on Larchmont for one day. I remember I walked 2 miles to class today. I realize that means I have to walk 2 miles home. What goes up must come down. What goes on feet somewhere must go on feet back. Unless she's a hooker and catches a ride. But I'm not. So I walk.

2 - 5 p. I wash dishes. I clean floors. I sit around in my studio in not much at all and don't run somewhere fast or run errands or call anyone. The light is still coming in through the shades and I read. I lie around and I'm happy about it cause I need this some Sundays.

That's Sunday in LA people. That's Sunday bliss right there. Booya!

[image via la.streetsblog.org]

Art Barter. I would've offered a first born.

When I read about Art Barter, I had to go and try my luck at procuring a new piece of art--the kind of thing one never needs but always wants.

Art Barter operates like this. Works by a number of renowned and talented artists are hung in a group show. Pieces are neither priced nor openly credited to their creator (though some of them are signed or just very characteristic of the artist and therefore pretty transparent). Guests and art lovers then make offers on the pieces they fancy. Non-monetary offers.

Take my offer for barter, for instance. I filled out the 'Offer' field...

 

And then I filled out the entire back too.

My final offer read as follows:

1. A long weekend (4 days, let's say) in my studio apartment in Koreatown, Los Angeles. It's not a lovely building, no. It once was, maybe, but not any more. There are apartments occupied by 5 when there should be one. There is garbage in the hall sometimes. But it's got character. And I've made (I think) the best one can in my own little unit. And dirt & despair inspires artists, so they say - inspires creativity? So really--what I'm offering you--is an opportunity to be inspired. Oh, and you may use my parking spot too. I'd take that if I were you. I got held up earlier this year on a nearby street.

2. If Offer 1's not of interest, I'd be willing instead to send you 1 funny, inspiring email a day for a month. xo

Fingers crossed that the artist responsible for No. 16, an incredible photograph, finds average to inferior living conditions as alluring as I do. If so, I may need somewhere to crash for the weekend when he/she comes to claim what's his/hers.

 

 

Duty calls in a large waiting room in Downtown LA.

I'd like to make it clear that jury duty in Downtown LA looks absolutely nothing like the above stock photo.

Jury duty at the LA County Metropolitan Branch Court House looks like dozens of average looking people slumped in couches, eating chips and Cheetos for breakfast--some of them reading less than quality novels, another disproportionate number reading what I think from this distance may be gay bondage magazines.

And we are all sitting underneath Jury Service promotional ads featuring has-been actors and decorations like this which may have been on sale at the 99 Cent store. I know I would not have paid the full dollar for this poor attempt at a feeling of patriotism.

My red dot at Mercedes Helnwein.

Last night was the opening reception for Mercedes Helnwein's new show, Temptation to be Good, at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery (yes, I know this information would have been more helpful to you yesterday as opposed to quarter to eight on the day after--sorry).

I was a fan of this for a few reasons.

* More galleries should be as close to my home as the Merry Karnowsky Gallery is. To heck with Culver City. Let's build an art scene [around me] in Koreatown and Mid-City!

* Mercedes Helnwein is a favorite local artist of mine. Her drawings are incredible. And her new, larger format work is equally exciting, though a departure in ways of style as well as scope.

* My darling friend Elizabeth Ai was hosting (alongside a mysterious Beck who my friend and I never did spot). You may recall a while back I shared that Mercedes was doing some collaborative work with the Ai sisters for their awesome clothing line, Ai for Ai.

* I am a compulsive shopper and it's best that at least I have something worthwhile to toss my hard-earned money away for.

* Damien Hirst bought out Helnwein's last show in London. And it it's good enough for Hirst, it's better for me.

This was last night's guilty pleasure that's soon to be mine...

And this is my red dot. I just love when I can claim a red dot to be mine (says the art collector wannabe)...

I might make some snarky quip about reading it and weeping. But then again, it's my pocketbook I've hit and I feel if anyone should be weeping it might actually be me and not you.

Catch the show while it's still up.

MERCEDES HELNWEIN: TEMPTATION TO BE GOOD
November 13 - December 11, 2010

Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 S. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036

And while you're at it, read my March 2010 interview with Mercedes Helnwein here.

Two Months Off, A Photo Exhibition by Shane Redsar.

If you're not coming to my good friend, Shane Redsar's, show on Friday night, you're missing out. His work is incredible. And there's an open Asahi bar.

Thank you and goodnight and see you there.

Jeremy Piven & Audrina Patridge & Me at the PUMA Social Club.

The other night, my pals at PUMA invited me to join them in celebration at their awesome new PUMA Social Club Los Angeles--a pop-up occupying the old One space in Weho. Let me explain why the space is awesome in ways that are easy to understand.

* Open bar provided by Patron. And you know what they say. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila...let's start the freaking party.

* Hot dogs courtesy of Pinks. Though I don't eat meat, I don't mind the smell. No, I don't mind it at all.

* Foosball. Ping pong. Chalk boards. In other words, the space contains all the elements of my childhood dreams come true.

* A photobooth that makes everyone--and I mean everyone--look 10x better than real life would have it. Case in point below. My skin is not really this good. (Though, please NB--Ed and Paul really are this handsome.)

* Neon signs with sassy sayings that get us thinking...

swapping partners is encouraged
sometimes victory is a phone number

...about how we really wish someone (anyone) had asked for our number.

* Go go dancers. Dressed in PUMA gear. Obvs.

* Jeremy Piven and Audrina Patridge. Enjoying said Patron.

Peep the schedule of events that will be happening during the rest of the pop-up's lifespan. Starting with tonight's Vice Mag party, a Dance Right night coming up, and more. Click here for the calendar.

Free wifi with a side of coffee & a Jesus sighting.

In my new life as a freelancer, aka a coffee shop-hopping/free wifi-seeking traveling ninja, it's been a fun game of sorts to find new places to camp out at that are not my studio apartment in Koreatown.

As I come across LA's freelancer-friendly gems, I'll share 'em with you.

You're welcome.

Whole Foods - Fairfax & 3rd

I know what you're thinking. Who wants to work from a supermarket. Well, I do. And you might too. Whole Foods has got comfortable and plentiful seating. Inside and out. A cafe. A salad bar for lunch. And people watching for eons.

Tips

* Feeling frugal? Just pick up a large Whole Foods brand water for under a dollar.
* On Wednesdays, the generally overpriced salad bar is discounted.
* Sit in the 'West Wing' if possible because a) calling it the West Wing will make you feel pretentious and overinflated, and b) sometimes the 'East Wing' attracts the 'crazy people.' And by 'crazy people' I mean homeless people who bicker over table territory and actors reading lines.

Warnings

* Power outlets are not aplenty. In fact, there may not be any at all.

Etcetera

* Jesus hangs out here. You know Jesus. He's the long-haired, bearded dude who walks Sunset Boulevard at night wearing a long white smock and occasionally dons a cane. Well, apparently he eats organic. He's also got a MacBook Pro. And possibly a younger girlfriend. Who woulda thought.

* Sometimes you'll think there are hookers shopping here. They are not hookers. They're just near middle aged women trying to hold onto their youth with neon short skirts and clear plastic heels.

* The pastry guy asked me out. Maybe this doesn't mean anything to you. But I've got an ego to uphold. And not much to feed it. So give me a moment to gloat about the pastry guy, will you? Okay...I feel better now.

You're invited: A very special birthday celebration.

Dear friends, readers & strangers who've taken a liking to me,

You only turn 25 4 times. So, please consider taking time out of your usual Sunday night routines (trips to Target, lounging on the couch in your underwear, and drinking beer at unruly sports bars) to celebrate my birthday with me. Details below...

Sunday, August 15th
7 p - 12 a

R Bar
3331 West 8th Street (b/w Ardmore & Irolo)
Los Angeles, CA 90005

Reasons why you'll want to be in attendance:

* The bar's amazing kitchen will be open for service. So come hungry. Hungry & thirsty.
* There is a jukebox. It's not bad.
* If you don't like the crowd, I'm sure you can find a tacqueria in the neighborhood that's more your speed.
* I promise not to be in my birthday suit. I'm fully aware that after the first 25th, no one wants to see that.
* The party starts early. Get in. Get out. Get to bed by midnight.
* Though Robert Pattinson will not be coming (so his publicist says), I may or may not supply a life-size cut-out of him in the corner for photo opps.

Feel free to invite your friends who enjoy birthdays, celebrations, and me. The more, the merrier they tell me.

RSVP: to jessie.b.rubin@gmail.com by Friday, August 14th so I can let the bar know how many of your beautiful faces to expect.

Hope to see you there!

xo * Jessie

A day and night in Koreatown: Jonathan Gold, BBQ & Soju.

Just in time for the Jersey Shore of Koreatown (yeah, I'm not good enough to just make this stuff up--the SituASIAN has officially been born), my friend and I took to the streets of my neighborhood this past Saturday looking to see what actually happens in K-Town on a weekend. And from day to night...for better and for worse...we found out.

A stop at McDonald's for a soda and a 'snack wrap' for my buddy, led to the realization that not all Mickey D's are created equally. In Koreatown, for instance, the franchise decorates with what can only be described as a hybrid between tiki tacky and religious offering.

At the Koreatown BBQ Cookoff, where esteemed judges Jonathan Gold, Chef Ludo (famous now for his Ludobites), and Sandra Oh (who is qualified to judge a Korean cookoff only for being Korean so far as I can tell) were on hand, I let my friend handle the meat sampling while I checked out the crucial vegatarian fare (soju, desserts and more soju)...

In a quest not to leave a 1.5 mile radius of my apartment, the evening took us to R Bar (home of my upcoming birthday party) and HMS Bounty (home of the previous year's birthday party).

Lessons learned in Koreatown:

1. Dessert is the only Korean food I care to partake in. I knew this...but I enjoyed confirming it with ice cream and Choco Pie.

2. Korean men will hit on me. This is both confusing and ego-boosting. I will not question it...for now.

3. I like to stay close to home on my birthday.

Savor Los Angeles. You were too good to me.

Last night marked the first of yet another tasting event in Los Angeles. But this one, I'm pleased to announce was all about the good stuff--sugary, coma-inducing, good stuff. That's right my friend--an entire tasting event dedicated to dessert. Because why bother with dinner, when you can skip straight to frosted, oozing, sweet desserts.

I had about 15 minutes to get in and out of Savor Los Angeles and thanks to my early arrival before the masses of hungry people had arrived, I was able to hit up every single table. From Babycakes, the new downtown bakery that serves up gluten free and vegan treats, to Plasir whose cheesecake cream puff I did not realize was a cream puff and exploded all over my hand, to the cute, tatted baristas of Intelligentsia (yes, I'm referring to them and not their coffee)--all the samples were too generous and left with me with a sugar high that [I can only imagine] rivals the quick high and fall of a crack pipe. (Correct--I just compared cream puffs and brownie bites to crack cocaine.)

Though I was armed only with a sad, flash-less camera phone, below are the memories of my 15 minutes in heaven.

Confessions of an LA driver.

Los Angeles is the greatest city that's not a city in this country. And as a non-city it's got the crappiest public transportation system known to traveling man. So I drive. And I drive. And I drive.

And these are the things I do in the car. They're wrong. They're unsafe. Some are unethical. But I do them. You'd be lying if you said you didn't do at least one of them too.

• I text. I don't just text quick answers back to friends. I text notes to myself. I set calendar appointments. I write down ideas for my future memoir.
• I put on makeup. In the end, everyone's a little better off if I've got concealer on so this one's almost acceptable. But listen--sometimes I've got to put on a full face. And a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
• I close the windows when I'm listening to bad music...that I like. 
• I open the windows when cute boys roll by...and quickly change the station from Top 40 to KCRW. 
• I run yellows.
• I curse.
• I sometimes change lanes without signaling.
• I daydream about someday driving a station wagon with kids in the back.
• I occasionally drive with my knee.
• I talk to myself while pretending to talk into my phone.
• I stop--every once in a while--at a fast food drive through.
• I park between 2 larger vehicles. And nap.
• I pray not to hit small children.
• I marvel at the sunny skies and palm tree-lined roads.

Hello Summer, my very old friend.

As of yesterday, it's Summer. I'm not talking about--oh, it's warm and the birds are singing outside my window and I'm breaking out my short shorts--it's Summer. I'm talking about--Solstice and the sun's at an extreme point in the sky and the day was super long--official Summer sh+t.

So, let's talk about Summer. And let's, while we're at it, talk about my favorite Summer things and activities and some Summer rules and regulations I think we'll all be better off for if we can follow this season.

1. I mentioned short shorts earlier. Short shorts are cute. They are, however, not cute on everyone. Let's all say that together now. Short shorts are not cute on everyone. Take a look at yourself in the mirror. You'll know what the right thing to do is. So, do it this Summer 2010.

2. I love ice cream. And ice cream is best consumed during summer months. Preferably purchased from a man who will take your ice cream out of a cart he pushes around with a bell in the park.

3. Speaking of parks. Let's hear it for public parks. Not to be confused with public pools which are most often germ infested and certainly have too many small people (aka children) running around them for safety or enjoyment. I vote for Griffith Park in LA and Central Park in NY. You can vote for your own park if you like. In fact, please do. My favorite parks are too crowded as is.

4. Young, hot love is best consumed in Summer months. What's better than walking around the city (any city) with a new beau or beaudette, holding hands, getting sweaty, picking up ice cream and eating it in a park (look how we can combine our favorite things during Summer!) as the sun sets. This said, before things get too sweaty, please take your young, hot love and enjoy it in the privacy of your own home.

5. Every summer, the radios start overplaying a good pop song. Next thing we know, we think this pop song is great. And next thing we know right after that, we hate that pop song. We want to tear the radio right out of our cars every time it comes on but we can't cause we just got a manicure and we don't really have the money to go replacing radios left and right. I predict that this Summer's first greatest hit, soon to be mega hit, soon thereafter to be the song that drives me crazy is Jay Z's Young Forever. So please, play with caution.

Happy Summer everyone. Play by the rules, don't forget your SPF, and let's enjoy the next three months together.

[Image Credit: Jessie B. R. in the bestest park LA has to offer, Griffith, on the day before Summer began. So shoot me.]

Ice Cream + Art + Gadgets = Blood is the New Black's Summer Fling

What happens when two beautiful people get together and [fill in the blank] and then invite a 3rd amazing partner to [fill in the blank more]? A beautiful love child is conceived, that's what.

Am I being too metaphorically obtuse for you? Allow me to be explicit. Two of my favorite brands, revolutionary tee-shirt meets art collection, Blood is the New Black, and magically delicious ice cream sandwich purveyors, Coolhaus, have joined forces and brought in handy-dandy gadget protectors, Case-Mate, to bring Summer Fling, A Mobile Pop Up Shop and Ice Cream Truck to Los Angeles this summer.

You'll be able to customize your own phone cases with incredible art courtesy of BITNB's roster of sick artists. You'll be able to indulge in ice cream flavors like pistachio with black truffles. And you'll be able to hang out with me. Cause I'll be hanging around them all summer.

The launch party for LA's awesomest new mobile retailer is this Saturday. Find the details below and find me at the party!

Saturday, June 5th
8 PM - 12 AM

Nomad Gallery
1993 Blake Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Live Performance by Dunes
DJ's Jacob Safari and Sara T
Live Screen-printing by Nomad Gallery
Open Bar available thanks to Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer

RSVP info@bloodisthenewblack.com requested but not required

Can't make it? Stay tuned to twitter.com/summerflingtruk and bloodisthenewblack.com/summerfling to find the truck near you this summer!

Fried Pastries & Liquor Day. Mmmmm.

Because Friday is National Doughnut Day [and because there's never a bad reason to drink], Grace Restaurant is offering bourbon and doughnut pairings.

I don't drink bourbon. Nor do I frequently indulge in doughnuts. But this concept sounds absolutely delightful all the same.

From the restaurant's website...

Friday June 4th is National Doughnut Day. In celebration Pastry Chef Mariah Swan and Wine Director Eduardo Porto Carreiro have created a flight of three doughnuts each paired with single barrel bourbons offered all week beginning - Tuesday June 1st through Sunday June 6th.

Salt and Pepper Caramel Glazed Doughnut
Blanton’s Single Barrel

Buttermilk Toasted Coconut Glazed Doughnut
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel

Chocolate Hazelnut Glazed Doughnut
Woodford Reserve Single Barrel

doughnuts served with vanilla ice cream

$12 doughnuts only
$24 with bourbon pairings

Tuesday June 1, 2010 - Sunday June 6, 2010

Grace Restaurant
7360 Beverly Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA

Bon appetit and remember, kids, don't eat donuts and drive.

[via Daily Candy]

Go get your free ice cream, Los Angeles.

In 1961, Reuben and Rose Mattus, a couple of Polish immigrants, opened Häagen-Dazs in the Bronx with just three flavors--vanilla, chocolate and coffee (where was strawberry? we know!). Fifty years later, the brand has grown to huge, icy proportions with franchises throughout the world and pints of ice cream in every freezer case of every supermarket in the nation.

Some little known facts about the decadent ice cream brand America loves...

• Reuben actually started the frozen treat business from a horse drawn wagon. How rustic!
• The name, Häagen-Dazs, doesn't actually mean anything! It's made to look Scandinavian to us Americans, but the words are made up. Marketing at it's finest.
• Häagen-Dazs is making efforts to help the honey bees, which are (we hope you know) disappearing at a frightening rate.
• In honor of its 50th birthday, Häagen-Dazs is celebrating tomorrow, May 18th, from 4 - 8 pm with free scoops of the original 3 flavors at many of its locations. So don't be shy. Go help them celebrate with a complimentary scoop...on them. (The Häagen-Dazs at the Beverly Center is just one of many participating locations.)

Cheap eats, great views, & spicy guacamole at the Yamashiro Garden Market.

Hidden right above the tourist-riddled streets of Hollywood is the Magic Castle. And hidden right behind that is Yamashiro Restaurant. (You should note that hidden just a bit further up the hill is free street parking.) And on Thursday evenings (at least for the summer), the sprawling Japanese Restaurant and gardens are home to an outdoor farmer's market which is spectacular--not for its produce offerings--it hosts less than some of its counterparts--but for its atmosphere and the sweeping views of the city. Not many other of LA's farmers markets can boast a hilltop perspective of miles and miles and miles of cityscape. Nor, lovely Japanese exteriors. Nor a wine bar (nice!). Nor a Japanese style taco booth, courtesy of a Yamashiro's chef where guests can enjoy $6 tacos (he hooked me up with a pretty nice vegetarian alternative) and wasabi-laced gaucamole.

Enjoy one night this summer. I highly recommend the experience. If I were the type that gave experiences stars, I'd give this one 3.7 gold ones (4 if I'd had a blanket to shield me from the wind up there).

See you at the Yamashiro Garden Market on a Thursday soon, I hope...

This summer. Food, film and the great outdoors.

In case the Hollywood Forever cemetary screenings have gotten too crowded for you, you're tired of chasing down food trucks on the street, and/or you just need an excuse to gorge yourself on popcorn, there is a new outdoor screening/eating/lounging around fest in town.

The Outdoor Cinema Food Fest will launch this summer, with free weekly screenings at Exposition Park. That's that park near USC that you may have passed on your way to a nearby rave or the butterflies at the Natural History Museum at some point. But anyway, it's big, it's grassy, and it's about to be home to what the Fest's website is currently calling 'LA's Top Food Trucks.' Hmm.

Despite the shroud of vagueness concerning the food, the schedule of films is listed and it's a doozy. The fest opens with Avatar, includes other recent hits like The Hangover and Twilight and gets a little old school on us with classics like The Breakfast Club and Fight Club.

Sold. I will pack my extra salt for the popcorn now.

Currently Listening To: Fitz & The Tantrums [Sounds]

Save the lead singer's very questionable blond streak, I'm loving Fitz & The Tantrums. Soulful and sexy--I've got this song on repeat.


Fitz & The Tantrums Performing LIVE! that's right LIVE!!! "Breakin' the Chains of Love" from Fitz&theTantrums on Vimeo.

And watch out for the LA-based six-piece on tour with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings this Spring. No dates with Sharon in LA as of yet. But, ya know, us Angelenos can still support. Especially cause they'll be in residence at Spaceland every Thursday for a month, beginning June 10th. Um, yay.