Let's hear it for Peter Gurnz and his Factory for supporting artists from Latin America this weekend with an exhibit titled "Beyond the Unveiled Frontier: Loud Voices from Fresh Latin American Art."  This weekend's exhibit will showcase installations by a dozen or so artists and live performances by performers such as Palenke Soultribe. Gallery Eight has an expansive downtown space and the shows are, even if not all aesthetic tastes gel with your own, entertaining and fresh. The thing that makes the arts thrive in any city is for artists to constantly create and also for others to create spaces to experience this creative output. My hats off to Peter for creating such a dynamic space in today's downtown and for promoting local artists. We need more of this kind of thing if LA is to continue to be viewed legitimately as one of the pillars of modern art & culture. As Angelenos, we need to support these efforts as well. 

LA proves once again that the longevity of its cultural landmarks is not one of its strengths. The latest in its recent deaths is Cafe Largo, a club on Fairfax Blvd. - across from Canter's Deli - known for showcasing the talents of some of the greatest singer-songwriters of our time: Aimee Mann, the late Elliot Smith, Fiona Apple, and many more. For the last twelve years, Largo was also the testing ground for material by some of today's most controversial "either-love-em-or-hate-em" comedians: Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis, Patton Oswalt, and Greg Proops, just to name a few.

Fortunately for Angelenos, all is not a loss. Largo did reopen its doors on June 2. This time around, at a new location on La Cienega Blvd., in the guise of a larger theatre called the Coronet Theatre, a 60 year-old outfit that seats about 280 music devotees.

And what's more, one can now view and (perhaps, soon enough) own a documentary that captures the magic of that ol' Cafe Largo location: the intimate stage shining with brilliant performances by the artists mentioned above and many more; the dimly lit club with its 100 seating capacity; the clinking of cocktails and dinner plates; and the laughter of a small joyous audience soaking it all in. Musical genius and producer, Jon Brion, opens up the 112- minute documentary and then, it fairly trades off between musical and comedic acts.

"Largo" is screening tomorrow, Wednesday evening at 9:45pm as part of LA Film Festival's documentary competition. If you're in town and available, I highly encourage
you to go check it out. It's definitely one for the music library. For more info, visit www.lafilmfest.com.

One of  the "necessary evils" of my job as an Assistant Editor for a magazine, is working on weekends. This weekend was filled with events to attend. Fortunately, for me, the events tends to be pretty lively and I meet some really cool and artistic people. 

Friday night, I attended a fashion show in Hollywood for a fashion label called Motor City Legends; the name pretty much says it all. Inspired by rock 'n' roll, motorcycles, and LA's casual-chic style, the clothes are fun, bold and speak to a certain demo that abounds here in LA.

Saturday afternoon, I attended an event in downtown on behalf of Hollywood Weekly, who was one of the official sponsors: an eco-fashion showcase promoting a handful of green clothing and accessory designers. I believe strongly that green fashion, like hybrid cars, is not just a trend but is the movement towards creating a better future for our planet. One of the designers at the show, volunteers at an animal farm for endangered species. Her duty for the weekend was watching over a baby kangaroo (only in LA, right?). Just had to take photos because "Jackson" the kangaroo was simply too cute.

Saturday night, thank god, allowed for a night off.  I treated myself to a documentary that I've wanted to see for ages called "When We Were Kings," about the legendary fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974. The music, the intensity of the fighters, the charisma of Ali...it is all so inspiring.  I was born that same year the fight took place, in September. Although the fight was pushed back until October, I couldn't escape the feeling last night, that when I was born, a little of that energy imbedded itself into in my psyche: the spirit of a contender, with her mind set on victory.

Today, I caught the last day of the Bob Dylan exhibit at Skirball Cultural Center, chronicling the early years of this music legend (1956-1966).  The show displayed

priceless photos and writings from a young Bob Zimmerman to the young Woody Guthrie wannabe in New York, to the rock icon who electrified his audience at the Newport Folk Festival in '66.  Bob Dylan's influence on the world (and on my life) can't be underestimated; as cheesy as this may sound, his music helped awaken the artist within.

Now, it's Sunday evening and back to work again tomorrow morning. To be honest-and without sounding self-pitying-I think I work around the clock. Just like every other night, I'll do some writing for myself, for the magazine, etc.. But it's true what people say...when you love what you do, you're so happy and its reflected in your work. That love and happiness provides you with the fuel necessary to keep you working hard...until your vision or goal is achieved.