Los Angeleno

Eastside L.A.– Where Does It Start? Where Does It End?

Anthony Pierson January 21, 2020

The answer may seem simple to some. But in reality, many people, including Eastside residents, struggle to give a clear, straight answer. Besides, a debate continues to rage over where East L.A. begins, because everyone has an opinion.

While some long-time residents mention a particular place, most new residents say they don’t know. Others are hesitant to say anything because they feel the question is political.

For instance, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who grew up in East Hollywood and Echo Park, said he lived in East L.A. during his younger days. However, most residents disagreed with that statement, and someone corrected him.

The reason a white guy with blue eyes described the area where he lived as East L.A. is that he couldn’t venture further east. Why?

It may not be well-known to many new residents and youngsters, but Downtown L.A. was like a ghost town at night during the 1980s. On the other hand, people felt intimidated by areas such as Boyle Heights and Highland Park because they supposedly were filled with various gang members.

But there is one point to note: Los Angeles didn’t come into existence in the 1980s or even the 1880s, but in the 1780s. Black, white, brown, and Native Americans all had a hand in establishing Los Angeles.

This new settlement was called “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles.” When translated, it reads “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels.” It comprises present-day Downtown L.A.

So, for all those residents and curious people who regard L.A.’s history more than its geography, designate Eastside L.A. in relation to Olvera Street, often considered the birthplace of Los Angeles.

But with the scenery of L.A. changing rapidly, people make weird assumptions, too. Just recently, Sera Gamble, when talking about shooting locations for the Netflix series “You,” mentioned something along the lines of Leo DiCaprio.

She said that if anyone truly wished to capture the essence of Los Angeles, they should begin in the east. However, by that, she meant the areas Leo DiCaprio also mentioned, namely, the east of Silver Lake and Echo Park, and not the real Eastside.

With so many varied opinions from various individuals, it’s hard to come to a conclusion. That’s why it became necessary to do a ground report and find out what new and old residents had to say to the question, “Where does Eastside L.A. begin?”

Silver Lake

Eddie Spaghetti, a homeless man for 22 years, earns his livelihood by selling items he finds or that people give him for five dollars. That’s why residents in the area also call him the $5 Guy.

On this day in January, he has a big smile on his face, and when asked where Eastside starts, he is quick to reply, “East L.A.” Next, I asked when he went there last, and he replied, “Yesterday, eating tacos at King Taco on Soto Street and Cesar Chavez.”

Next are two UPS drivers, Victor and Louis, parked near a former vegan and juice shop in Silver Lake. When asked where Eastside starts, both had different opinions.

Victor said to go to Main Street in Downtown L.A. and head east, and that’s the beginning of Eastside. But Louis had another answer. According to him, it starts at “1st Street in East L.A.”

Echo Park

Archena, who originally hails from South Pasadena, was entertaining visitors from Oakland on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. She was standing in line at Konbi when asked where Eastside began, and she hesitated before giving a straightforward answer.

According to her, it was a “political conversation,” and she wasn’t the right person to answer. However, she said she knows which part isn’t Eastside and mentioned two areas, Beverly Hills and Brentwood.

She was chatty and lively, but didn’t mention many names besides the two. She owned that she was playing safe, and maybe that was a clever move.

DTLA

A group of young men was skateboarding near Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, also called “VAPA” by its students.

The school is near Chinatown, and when questioned regarding Eastside, Alex, one of the young men, said, “L.A. Trade Technical College.” It was probably a joke, and he said that because he and his friend Nick studied there.

Nick, on the other hand, said, “East L.A.” All the young men said “Spence” and pointed to another youngster when asked who was the best skater among them.

Strange, but this Spence also had another answer for where Eastside begins, saying “Eagle Rock,” and skated off. Another young man named James (he had great hair) said “Las Feliz” in a weird way, which made everyone laugh.

Boyle Heights

The neighborhood had a huge Jewish population in the past, but not so much now. It’s predominantly inhabited by Hispanics and Latinos, and some white, black, Asian, and Jewish residents.

Moni’s Party World is a shop for various party items. Eva, who graduated from Felicitas & Gonzalo Mendez High School, has been employed at the shop for about 5 years.

When asked about Eastside L.A., she initially wondered whether it was between Boyle Heights and Commerce. But then she mentioned it’s “more east than Boyle Heights.”

El Norteño De Savy is a store that has been dealing in menswear for more than forty years. The store has also converted a significant portion of its space into a card game called Yu-Gi-Oh.

Two young men, engrossed in the game, had quick replies about it. But when asked regarding Eastside L.A., they said they didn’t know.

But since I wanted to know their thoughts, I asked what they think when someone says a party is on the Eastside. Their reply was somewhat hilarious.

Andreas, one of the two boys, said they were introverts and stayed in the same spot. Jonas, his friend, agreed with that statement, and both confessed that they had never wondered where Boyle Heights fits in L.A. in terms of directions.

But it was way different with Maria, who works as a cashier at the original Guisados. According to her, Eastside starts at Lorena St. She was firm regarding her point and said Boyle Heights wasn’t connected to Eastside.

Another long-time resident, Eduardo Garcia, who has lived in the area for more than 45 years, said that Eastside used to start at Boyle Heights, but now it begins at Lorena St.

He explains it by mentioning a few things about the neighborhood, but doesn’t exactly arrive at the point. But from his explanation, I did learn several things, like that the lively older man was in the theater business and that he came from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Luis Vega, the City of Angels Tattoo shop owner, said Boyle Heights was where Eastside began in the past, but not anymore. But he ponders a bit and explains that if you look in the west, there’s L.A., and when you look towards this side, it’s the Eastside.

A customer, Fatima, had a different opinion. She said that Eastside starts at Indiana St.

Luis Vega’s two teenage sons were also in the shop, and when I asked them, Luis Jr. replied, “Whittier,” but his brother wasn’t sure what to answer as he had never considered it.

Lorena Street

Javier, smoking a cigarette in the Lorena Drive-In parking lot, has a separate view. He disagrees that Lorena Street is the beginning of Eastside. He says the east of the L.A. River marks the Eastside, and the river is the divider.

According to him, he judges things by what Mother Nature provides and not by what people say. He also says that Boyle Heights ends in Indiana Street, and East L.A. begins from there. But he disagrees that Eastside starts there.

Johnny’s Shrimp Boat

I headed towards the west and went inside Johnny’s Shrimp Boat, a restaurant a few blocks away. If you watched “Rampart (2011)”, which starred Woody Harrelson and Ice Cube, you must have noticed this restaurant.

Two people were in the restaurant: Victor, who was working the Grill, and George, a customer. When I questioned them regarding the beginning of Eastside, they both replied differently.

The customer, George, said it started in El Sereno. But Victor disagreed and said it began after Lorena St. corrected him, saying, “Indiana, my bad.” When asked why, he said, “It is what it is.”

Indiana Street

I move back towards Indiana Street again and notice a mini market called Indiana Dairy. A friendly Asian lady in charge of the market chats with me, but when I ask where Eastside begins, she says she cannot speak or understand English well.

But I am not deterred by this, since I want some answers, so I will try to obtain opinions from her customers.

I met Raphael, who was scratching a ticket and had just won. As he entered the Indiana Market, I asked the all-important question, and he replied that Eastside began on this street. When asked why, he said, ” This place is Boyle Heights, and east of here is East L.A.

Another customer, Jose, was also trying his luck on the ticket. He was sitting in his classic car, a 1966 Mustang. When I enquired regarding the beginning of Eastside, he wasn’t sure but said it was either Indiana or Lorena. He resides in the area.

When he learns the question is asked because many people consider Silver Lake or Echo Park as the starting point of the Eastside, he is amazed, or even finds it hilarious.

His exact words are “Silver Lake?” “I’m lost on that one.”

Features

Contemplating Joker – Insight Into The Psyche Of Psychopaths And Sociopaths From A Psychiatrist’s Perspective

Edgar Esparza October 24, 2019

Dr. Kate Wilson is bright, funny, and bold. She’s a highly experienced and skilled psychiatrist with extensive knowledge of mental disorders. She has quite a reputation and is known for treating aggressive criminals with severe mental illness, including patients like the supervillain character “Joker,” played by Joaquin Phoenix.

So indeed, she’s the perfect person to discuss the movie’s portrayal of mental illness. Right?

Our 90-minute conversation will give you a clear picture of how society treats or views mental illness from Dr. Wilson’s perspective.

What Made You See The Film “Joker”?

I used to enjoy watching the Batman cartoon in college and thought of the Joker as the weirder version of Krusty the Clown with violent behavior. But I knew instantly that it was an origin story.

What piqued my interest in the movie was none other than Joaquin Phoenix. He’s one of the finest actors of his generation and is famously known for playing unconventional roles. So without much thought, I went to the theatre to watch it. He goes all in when it comes to playing a character, whether it’s gaining weight or looking mentally ill. No wonder he won an Oscar for his exceptional performance in the movie.

Some time ago, I came across an article in which the director said he wanted the Joker’s character to be challenging to understand. But I can’t help it; I’m a psychiatrist!

So here I am going to read The Joker like a book!

Is The Joker’s Laughter A Real Condition?

Sadly, yes! While watching the movie, I learned he has PBA (Pseudobulbar affect). This condition can happen to people with traumatic brain injury. Sometimes, people with Parkinson’s can also suffer from this disorder. I’ve never seen anyone act like that unless they’re seriously ill. Kudos to Joaquin Phoenix for portraying the character so well. Crying and laughing at the same time? The act was spectacular!

Usually, this illness can be managed with Nuedexta, an FDA-approved medication. So I thought that if he had taken this medicine, things might have been different, and maybe he would’ve been a little better. The princess of pop, Britney Spears, seems to have this condition, and it’s extremely sad.

What About Joker’s Mother?

Not only was she delirious and mentally ill, but she was also diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. Narcissism is a personality disorder and cannot be treated. Narcissists are extremely selfish people who will never see any fault in themselves and can’t accept their wrongdoings. So if you address their mistake, they will try to prove you’re wrong and engage in hostile behavior.

Do you think the Joker was aware of his madness?

Most likely because he attends therapy and takes medication.

I almost teared up when he wrote in his notebook about how people expect you to behave. It was sad.

As A Psychiatrist, How Do You Portray Joker’s Unnamed Therapist?

Being relatable to patients is something we focus on, so I was somewhat relieved when his therapist told him that people don’t care. They don’t care about you or me. What I appreciate in the movie is that the people who evaluated his symptoms were both black women. Is there a diagnostician better than a black woman? I don’t think so!

No wonder, without hesitation, she got straight to the point because that’s what we usually do, cut to the chase.

In One Scene, Joker Kills One Of His Cohorts And Allows The Other One To Escape. Do You Think Showing Compassion Is Normal In A Psychotic Person?

The answer depends on whether a person is a sociopath or a psychopath.

Joker’s behavior is distorted because his mentally unstable mother mistreated, neglected, and abused him. He suffered enough abuse as a child that it created a monster in him, thus the name Joker.

Is he a psychopath?

He definitely is because sociopaths are magnetic and have a very likable quality that would attract you toward them.

The perfect example of this would be the American serial killer Ted Bundy. He was a charming, intelligent man, so people would usually say that he could not do such things. But when he gets drunk, he becomes Mr. Hyde and behaves wildly.

Psychopaths are experts in wearing masks and using their charm to persuade you to get what they want, and sociopaths often display unpredictable mood swings.

Do You Think People With Mental Health Problems Like Joker Should Receive Treatment From Hospital And Asylum Or Prison Suits Them Best?

The answer would depend on the person’s mental condition. Because if a person’s illness is the root cause of his insane behavior, causing him to commit a crime, he should be admitted to a mental hospital for treatment.

We have the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in L.A., the country’s largest psychiatric hospital. They have a bunch of mentally ill patients and a full squad of psychiatrists. The facility has different floors and levels that accommodate patients depending on their mental condition.

I can say that mental hospital patients can improve a lot, so it’s best to send them to a mental hospital for treatment. Since it’s a place made for them, they’re sure to get better over time.

You Have Met People At The Twin Towers Correctional Facility Who Have Committed Heinous Acts. So, How Would You Feel If You Met Them While Walking On The Street? Would You Feel Safe Or Get Scared?

There are several services available for people recovering from mental illness to help them get back on their feet. It can be a group discussion, exercise, yoga, training their social skills, etc., and these people take recovery very seriously because it’s no joke. There’s no room for error.

It’s because we tell them that living in a society is an honor, because people like you could be kept in a mental hospital forever. So there’s no way I’d get scared or intimidated by their presence, because they’re doing their best to recover and live as a normal person in society.

Do You Think The Joker Wanted To Get Better?

Absolutely! He was aware enough of his mental condition and even went on to ask to increase his medication, but his therapist seemed unconcerned. I felt like stepping in for a moment because this guy wanted to get better; he was looking for help.

Seeing someone searching for help and consistently going to appointments was heartbreaking. But society doesn’t care at all, and we are all to blame.

What more? People with behavioral or mental disorders don’t have the same societal value as those people who don’t have disorders. That’s the sad reality. Most people avoid receiving help or delaying treatment for fear of being treated differently in society, and this discrimination is a huge problem.

People with mental illness are discriminated against in many ways that create a barrier among people.

Society doesn’t care about the mentally ill person at the grocery store, park, or anywhere and treats them as nonexistent. Reality is heartbreaking, and this movie portrays it perfectly. He didn’t get the chance he so desperately wanted.

What Do You Think Is The Cause Of Mental Illness? Is It Hereditary? Is It Associated With Trauma? What Do You Think Is The Reason For This Disorder?

Some mental disorders are genetic and can run in families, but this does not guarantee that you will develop the same illness. Researchers have yet to find the exact cause, but genetics plays a major role. Besides, mental illness can also result from upbringing.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentions that mental illness can be caused by several factors, such as drugs, alcohol, traumatic experiences, loneliness, and brain abnormalities.

At present, there are no genetic tests that can help determine your gene combinations to know if you’re susceptible to any mental illness. However, your family history may provide clues. If a close family member has a mental condition, you might also be at risk.

Understanding and recognizing the risk may help you stay alert and diagnose the illness early.

Is mental illness curable?

Mental illness is treatable, but it cannot be cured. The best you can do is receive medication to alleviate the symptoms so you can function and work normally. Various effective treatments are available that can significantly improve symptoms and reduce the risk.

If You Were The Joker’s Psychiatrist, What Would You Do?

The Joker has bipolar type 1 disorder, characterized by manic episodes, and also suffers from a neurological condition called Pseudobulbar affect (PBA).

Luckily, this condition can be treated with medication. To control his mania, he should take a mood stabilizer and antipsychotic medicine to help reduce his delusions. He would also need to take Nuedexta to treat his pseudobulbar affect.

Moreover, he needs therapy to help him deal with his emotions due to his traumatic childhood experiences.

Strange Days

Famous Silver Lake Foot Sign Saved

Calvin Dobbins September 27, 2019

Silver Lake and its townspeople witnessed a feat and an act so close to their hearts when their infamous and favorite Silver Lake foot sign was saved from what appeared to be theft. On a fateful evening, Markus Spencer, the store owner of “Quirk this way” at Los Feliz by Vermont Avenue, had an idea that something sinister was afoot.

Markus wouldn’t be easily convinced that two men in their black sedan were screeching their car tires. As Markus observed these men further, they were unfazed by what they seemed to be doing. They were unscrewing one of the letters from the silver lake foot sign. Markus stated, “I know when something is fishy. I own a quirky store myself. I know when something is weird.”

In his store, ‘quirk this way,’ Markus sells weird-looking antiques to t-shirts with a worm-on-a-skateboard design. Markus also sports wall frames with views overlooking Silver Lake town and the picture of the Silver Lake foot sign at sunset. Markus Spencer is the kind of man everyone knows and likes. The way he makes the city his home is evident in the measures he takes to save the silver foot sign, as though it were his own. The town’s people, including Markus Spencer, have long become fond of the iconic silver lake foot sign.

The Silver Lake foot sign first made its spin in 1985. Ever since then, the sign twirling around the sunset rays of Sunset Boulevard has become the town’s favorite and signature. So, Markus did not waste a minute when he sensed something odd and fishy about these two men. Upon questioning them about whose orders they were following, the two men still did not respond to Markus. He therefore contacted the motel and alerted the town’s people on Instagram and in a public Facebook community group.

The motel contacted Dr. Sam Terry, the owner and podiatrist at the Silver Lake foot clinic. Dr. Terry then confirmed that no order had been issued for these two men or anyone to remove the foot sign. At first, it must’ve occurred to some bystanders and onlookers besides Markus that nothing was wrong, since there had been news that this foot clinic would be relocating to a new place. But for Markus, it was a feat he couldn’t help but do, since he had been with Dr. Sam Terry from the start of a well-documented plan for this relocation.

Markus recalls the situation when he questioned the two men unscrewing the panels about who they were working for, and they couldn’t seem to answer his queries. Markus added, “It was too unamusing to see their confusion and the silence that followed after the questions.” But the unwavering effort of a local like Markus saved the sign that symbolizes Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake.

Markus decided to sit under the sign in the hopes that extra help would soon arrive while he tried to hinder the two men from continuing their uninvited service of theft. Eventually, Spencer could do what he was hoping for, and his effort finally paid off, and the town’s iconic sign stood still.

The town people were all happy to have their favorite old sign back. A man and his wife, strolling, commented, “We were scared and sad thinking we might never see the iconic sign of the town again.” Another woman with her child outside their house stood in awe and commented, “I mean, it’s as old as my house. I was in shock to see the chaos around the sign earlier.” After the situation was brought under control, questions arose. Markus Spencer, upon successfully saving the sign, was so excited to tell the story to the people and answer their questions.

Dr. Sam Terry seemed so much at ease and relieved, knowing his foot sign had been saved from possible robbery. Dr. Terry, along with the clinic’s co-owner and the property owner, proposed keeping the sign with Markus Perry at his store before relocating to the new location. At this, Markus was all the more willing to accept the proposal to keep it in his store. Markus added, “I have a soft spot in my heart for silver lake foot sign and being able to keep it safe will definitely keep my heart full.”At this, Markus was all the more willing to accept the proposal to keep it in his store. Markus added, “I have a soft spot in my heart for Silver Lake foot sign, and being able to keep it safe will definitely keep my heart full.”

Dr. Sam and the property owner, Mr. Ricky Kelly, were grateful and at ease knowing that their property and the sign were far from being destroyed. Dr. Sam, the clinic’s podiatrist, was planning to relocate the clinic to a new location in historic Filipinotown, so Markus was helping him take measurements of the sign and arrange the pickup trucks for the relocation.

Due to this close association with the clinic, especially during the relocation process, Markus was aware of the people helping him and the doctor with the clinic’s relocation. Therefore, when he saw the two men in their black sedan, unscrewing the panels while looking extremely unfazed, it was not a show to be missed by Markus Spencer. The faces of the two men were unfamiliar, and they were unable to answer the questions.

Markus commented, “They looked like they were not bothered, or maybe that was their plan to seem unfazed at their actions to avoid any commotion, but Markus knows when things are weird.” The whole situation alarmed the town, and almost all those living in close proximity to the clinic rushed in as Markus was quick to alert them through his social media accounts.

Silver Lake town saw something they never thought would happen in their lives: a sign that has been a part of the city for a very long time was stolen. Markus Spencer became the talk of the town as well as a hero who bravely saved the sign from the thieves. Despite his quirkiness, Markus was excited to narrate the story to the townpeople, who were very curious to learn the details of what actually happened.

The headlines in the news the next day read, “Los Feliz Store Owner rescues the famous Silver Lake Foot sign from Thieves,” and Markus couldn’t help but feel super proud and happy. He felt a sense of true belonging to the town he had been calling home for so many years.

The thieves were trying to escape, but the motel’s Markus, who was also quick enough to report a possible theft to the nearby police station, arrested the two men before they could get away.

What first seemed like a sudden situation of chaos and confusion finally concluded successfully, with the sign saved and the thieves nabbed by the police.

Dr. Terry commented, “I am so happy not only because my clinic was saved but also to see the cooperation of the people. This is what I call a good community.”

He further strengthened Markus’s and the rest of the townpeople’s loyalty, who sincerely took ownership of something that was not theirs. Dr. Terry was deeply moved by the people’s action.

Markus Spencer also gave a massive shoutout to the motel manager he first alerted about the situation for his willingness to help and not doubt the problem.

When asked what his first reaction was, the motel manager replied, “I sensed a great deal of urgency as though my own house was in danger.”

The reactions of the concerned people in the scene and their successful outcomes only teach us that you need to be accountable for your existence and your being.

“The selfless act of doing and being never goes to waste,” said Markus Spencer as he stood beside the clinic, shaking hands and hugging the people of the town, who were all appreciative and thankful for his service that day.

The people of Silver Lake town were so happy that they could retrieve one of their favorite signs. The silver lake foot sign gives you the feeling of being at home for the town’s people. Many of the people grew up seeing the sign when it was first put up. And for the rest of the older generation, it feels like a sign of the good old days, recalling when they were a little younger, a little stronger.

Besides the fact that a possible robbery was going to take place in this peaceful neighborhood, we also saw the beauty of a community that comes hand-in-hand in times of trouble.

People

The Unforgettable Experience At Popeyes During The Chicken Sandwich Madness In Summer

Edgar Esparza September 26, 2019

The employees at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen must have grown tired of answering the same question again and again: “Is that chicken sandwich back?”

It was a crazy summer for the Popeyes employees, thanks to their new fast-food item, the crispy fried chicken sandwich. This new item on their menu instantly became so popular that everyone wanted a bite. It’s no surprise that people all over the country would swarm to the restaurants to get a taste of their delicious crispy chicken sandwich.

But it’s worth noting that, behind the scenes, the employees worked tirelessly, taking no days off, even on weekends, to cater to customers. Their dedication was commendable!

Since this famous chicken sandwich was available at over 3,000 locations across the U.S., it satisfied hungry customers even though it was on the menu for only a couple of weeks.

It was one of the best decisions Popeyes ever made: creating a new chicken sandwich, which was a total hit. Sure, they weren’t ready for the overwhelming demand and the positive response to their new fast-food item. Even The New Yorker couldn’t get enough of Popeyes’ tasty chicken sandwich, which was highly praised.

The magazine described the chicken sandwich as having the perfect combination of every ingredient, and every bite was full of flavor and so balanced that it was worth the hype.

Popeyes In Hollywood

It was in the middle of August when the chicken sandwich obsession began in Popeyes’ restaurants across L.A.

In locations like Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard, hungry customers would start lining up an hour before the store opens. Businesses on Hollywood Boulevard would place orders in advance, and on La Brea Avenue, endless lines of cars waited to order their chicken sandwiches at the drive-thru.

It was so popular and tasty that everyone wanted to try Popeyes ‘ chicken sandwich at least once. This fast food became instantly famous and remains a favorite among fast food lovers.

Sarah Miles, the general manager of the Hollywood and Cahuenga Boulevards restaurant, said customers were ordering about 50 to 100 sandwiches at a time and selling over 1000 chicken sandwiches in a day. Now, you can picture the madness at Popeyes during the rush!

Though Miles was able to console the long line of hungry customers by handing out water and licorice, one person she couldn’t please was the psychic next door. She was not okay with the long line of customers waiting outside her business. Truth be told, that’s understandable, but it was out of their control.

Even now, customers won’t stop calling to ask when the chicken sandwich will be back in stores.

So, what’s the reason behind the delay? Running out of chicken is not an option. So, did they run out of sauce or other items?

Miles says a unique ingredient is used for their signature sandwich, which isn’t used for any other food item, including a special sauce that’s equally tangy and spicy.

She further says that the recipe cannot be replicated, as it has a distinct flavor and can easily be identified as a fake.

When the demand for chicken sandwiches was at its peak, all the employees at Popeyes across L.A. had to work double shifts, and managers were working 70 to 80 hours a week. As a result, employees in some locations couldn’t handle the workload and backed off, leaving the remaining crews to struggle.

Soon enough, the chain ran out, and sold-out signs were put up on the restaurant doors and drive-thrus, which are now replaced by corporate signs.

Popeyes on Western Avenue And Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

If you ever visit the Popeyes on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, you’ll be impressed by how clean the place is. It’s comfortable, with efficient space, and nicely decorated.

You can enjoy ambient music from in-ceiling speakers and bask in the sunshine through the large open windows, as sunlight pierces the glass panels. You’ll love it here!

Of course, it’s not a new thing to see a homeless woman on the streets of L.A. digging through trash looking for food. So, when the store’s general manager, Stella Jones, strictly tells her that digging through someone’s trash is not allowed, the woman buzzes off with the leftovers.

Jones has been working there for quite a long time, and, like most store managers, they were the first to try the new signature sandwich before it was added to their menu.

She said it tasted delicious, but had no idea that people would go crazy over their chicken sandwich. The demand was extraordinary, and sales went through the roof.

Jones further says they’re preparing to bring their instantly famous chicken sandwich. The only reason for the delay is that they want to hire more people and provide proper training so they are well-prepared to face the challenge.

Last time, some employees couldn’t handle the pressure and quit. This increased the workload for other crew members who had to work double shifts. So, this time, they want to be fully prepared to bring their most in-demand chicken sandwich back to stores.

During the mayhem, the Popeyes King store faced some dire challenges. By saying this, accidents occurred at the location, and customers threw trash around, even banging on the glass. For this reason, they lost some of their employees as the situation went out of control, and they decided to leave.

The cashier, Mark Roberts, said that, although chaotic, it was a thrilling experience.

Roberts said he usually clocks out at 5:00 p.m., but when the demands skyrocketed, he had to work overtime.

During that time, his shift ran from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

He said people would still be lining up at 4:00 a.m. to order chicken. It was that serious!

Even the store’s general manager, Jones, worked for 14 days straight, multitasking several responsibilities. She was answering calls nonstop and figuring out where to store 40 racks of buns while a room full of angry, hungry customers stared at her.

At last, she admitted that it was challenging. But then she says that’s part of her job and that she has to jump in when she has to because that’s the responsibility of a store manager. However, she gets no overtime for her extra efforts. So she’s hoping that the franchise owners will send some good news and expects to receive a bonus because she deserves it!

Jones hinted at the possible return of their famous chicken sandwich during the winter but said that some stores might bring it sooner.

She also said that the store at Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard has just gotten some exclusive sandwiches. So, this curious reporter went there straight away!

Popeyes At Slauson Avenue And Crenshaw Boulevard

At the Popeyes on Slauson Avenue, the first thing you’ll notice is a big flat-screen T.V. running either sports or news channels, and no one seems to be bothered by it. The customers are not there to watch the T.V., and the crew is too busy working on orders to care about which network is on. No one is interested in changing the channel, nor am I.

Jack Brown manages the store on Slauson Avenue and has been running it for over 25 years. So, no wonder he proudly says he can immediately identify new guests.

He says the store has been running peacefully for decades and has never had any issues except for one night when he tolerated disrespect because one woman was highly irritated after receiving too many pickles. But that was it. Other than that, there are always long lines of customers in the lobby and at the drive-thru eagerly waiting for their orders.

Do they love the chicken sandwich?

Brown says they enjoy the sandwich so much that they keep coming back for it. He smiles and says the store opens at 10:00 a.m., but people start lining up at 9:00 a.m. because they can’t get enough of it. They want to get their hands on it before it’s sold out. Also, they wouldn’t get one; they’d order 5, 10, or 15 at once.

So, not only out of curiosity but also equally hungry, an order for the most in-demand chicken sandwich was placed. As the crew prepared the sandwich, payment was made, and finally, this journalist was ready to savor the delicious chicken sandwich.

Was it worth all the attention and noise made on social media about this fast-food item? Absolutely, and for all the right reasons. With a generous spread of sauce on the fresh bun and a crispy, moist chicken breast, the taste was heavenly.

Finally, understood why people would line up for hours and hours to order this chicken sandwich. It’s simply addicting!

People

Uber Drivers Say “No Thanks” To AB 5: Flexibility Is Better Than Becoming Employees

Calvin Dobbins August 29, 2019

Rideshare drivers show massive displeasure after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Assembly Bill 5, designed to reclassify independent contractors as regular employees.

Although well-intentioned, AB 5 fails to consider the ground-level repercussions, ultimately making things more difficult for gig economy workers.

We’ve seen several protests and anger over the widespread ill-treatment of drivers by rideshare giants like Uber and Lyft. But when it comes down to it, most drivers prefer having the flexibility and freedom to choose their own timings over becoming employees. Let’s explore why.

Why Drivers Reject AB 5

On paper, the AB 5 bill seems to give gig workers a cushy deal on a silver platter. The new reform would bring positive changes, such as paid sick leave, health benefits, and stringent minimum-wage rules. So why is the bill met with a scoff and a general thumbs down?

It’s very simple; drivers can turn on the app when they want to work and switch it off when they’re done. It makes things like dropping their kids off at school and picking them up easy. What’s more, no one can stop them from taking a month off, or even two, for that matter. Right now, the companies they work with don’t have the power to control them, but that could change with AB 5.

Of course, plenty of other companies claim to offer flexible hours. But it’s nothing like the freedom you get when driving for Uber or Lyft on your own terms and at your own pace.

With all this to consider, we aren’t surprised that drivers aren’t the least bit interested in letting all that go to become full-time employees of a company that never really bothered about their problems in the first place. And that’s why most drivers would rather quit.

A Night At An LAX Lot

We traveled to an LAX holding lot, where we interviewed several drivers waiting for their next rides. The consensus amongst these drivers is that they prefer flexibility over anything else. Choosing their own working hours is the biggest reason they do this, and no amount of benefits can replace it.

Amid the sound of planes overhead, we spoke to Hayk, an Uber driver with serious concerns about the new bill. “They (Lawmakers) don’t live our lives,” he says as he patiently waits for the next ping.

Hayk lives in a two-bedroom apartment that he pays $2500 for. His wife works a full-time job, so he has to take the kids to school and pick them up afterward. He emphasizes that no other job with particular shift timings will allow him to do all that. Being an Uber driver is the only way he can take care of his personal chores and work at his convenience.

When asked about the health benefits, Hayk sneers and voices his skepticism. He doesn’t believe the benefits are worth giving up his freedom and becoming an employee. “Any time they change something, they make it worse.”

“If you’re not driving over 50 hours a week, you cannot make any money”, Says Brain Lee, a Pasadena-based driver with over two years of experience. Lee usually drives approximately 50 to 60 hours weekly, and the new law might prevent him from doing so.

You see, the moment Lee becomes an employee, his company would have to pay him overtime for the extra hours he works. It might sound good on paper, but it’s not practical when you think about it.

The app won’t send him trip requests after he crosses the 40-hour threshold. Beyond this point, he would need special permission to keep getting requests. It will force him to moonlight at another company if he wants to make up the remaining 20 hours.

And then there’s the question of companies simply cutting down on the number of available drivers. That’s something employees won’t have any control over, unlike now. Becoming an employee puts them at the company’s whim and exposes them to the possibility of being fired due to downsizing, budget cuts, or other factors.

An Arcadia chef, Joel Turk, speaks to us with a soft-spoken charm. Turk would have been open to getting health benefits six months back when his wife was a contract worker. But ever since she got a studio job with health benefits, Turk isn’t enticed by the offer anymore.

The Smokey-Robinson look-alike owns several large vehicles, which allows him to make small deliveries for UPS and work as an XL category driver for Lyft and Uber. He also uses his cars for his catering company.

As a father of four kids who attend four different schools, Turk needs the time to drop off and pick up all his children. His cooking and food prep also make his work (driving) timings very particular. Considering all of the above, there’s no way he would agree to become a ride-sharing company employee, which would require him to adhere to stringent work timings.

Lyft Driver and Orange County resident Kent seems more relaxed about the matter than his peers. He believes it will take years for any change to come through, and he’s not exactly wrong. There will obviously be many court hearings and appeals before anything solid occurs. Plus, several delivery startups and rideshare companies already plan on fighting the bill tooth and nail. All of this indicates a lengthy and expensive trial.

“They’re willing to spend $30 million to fight it? Just pay us that $30 million,” Kent jokes. He used to drive for Amazon some years back and had plenty of criticism regarding the ever-decreasing ride fares. Kent believes that companies keep trying to make rides cheaper through pool systems. He compares it to public transportation and claims it will ruin things for everyone.

After all, what’s the point of bringing down prices to $2 per ride if nobody makes any money in the end? Ride-sharing is convenient for people; if they wanted to take the bus, they would spend $2 instead.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 06: Uber vehicles are lined up at the new ‘LAX-it’ ride-hail passenger pickup lot at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. The airport has instituted a ban on Lyft, Uber, and curbside taxi pickups as construction increases during a modernization program. Passengers have complained of long wait times and confusion at the pickup area, especially during peak hours. Passengers must leave their terminal and either take a shuttle bus or walk to the separate pickup lot. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Analyzing The Real Problem

By this point, we’ve understood that AB 5 poses many problems for the people it aims to help. Forcing companies to pay a regulated minimum wage and provide health insurance sounds like the noble thing to do. However, we must also ask where the money for such policies will come from.

We’ve already seen the downsides of the $15-per-hour rule. Rather than helping employees, it resulted in many losing shifts and jobs, as smaller companies couldn’t afford to pay these wages. As a result, many businesses had to downsize to break even. We fear the same will happen due to AB 5.

Harry Campbell, who runs a popular podcast and blog called the “Rideshare Guy,” offers us some fascinating insight over the phone. According to him, turning freelance drivers into employees can solve rideshare companies’ oldest problem: driver retention.

Companies constantly have to spend tons of money just to replace the drivers they have lost. According to a leaked 2017 report, only 4% of drivers stayed with a company for more than 1 year. It is mainly because the work is incredibly stressful, highly demanding, and less profitable than people think.

It’s clear that companies will face increased costs in the wake of employee benefits. Campbell suspects this will result in a slight fare increase of approximately $2 per ride.

The multi-talented persona reveals that customers didn’t have to pay the full price for rides until now. Companies deliberately reduced fares to attract more customers while spending millions each year on bonuses to keep drivers working.

He also points out that most company losses are subsidized by venture capitalists. As a result, customers, corporate employees, and investors walked out with a fantastic deal. However, things have always stayed the same for drivers or gotten even worse. Campbell claims that the only supporters of the AB 5 bill are the same drivers who have faced the worst scenarios so far.

Conclusion

The AB 5 bill will be closely watched by everyone at this point. As of now, most drivers don’t seem to support the bill and state they would rather quit than be forced to become Lyft or Uber employees. Freedom is the most important thing for these drivers, and we can’t really blame them.

Our investigation has identified several issues with AB 5, which is presented as a fix for the plight of millions of gig workers across the country. Forcing companies to reclassify gig workers as “employees” might increase costs, ultimately making things worse for the drivers. If profit margins are threatened, companies will simply terminate a large portion of drivers or raise ride prices, ultimately leading to fewer customers. After much analysis, it’s clear that the AB 5 bill is far from perfect, and as the sun rises over Los Angeles, we are left wondering, who does the AB 5 bill really benefit? Definitely not the drivers.

Strange Days

Revisiting The Mysterious Battle Of Los Angeles 1942

Cheyenne Grippa July 18, 2019

The 1940s in Los Angeles are tense. Anxiety and fear loomed across the country after Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The United States was at war, and making the situation even more critical was the news of UFO sightings! Imagine the chaos in people’s minds back then.

Los Angeles is not only home to Hollywood’s telltale but also has storytellers and fabulists. There are also a good number of conspiracy theorists who would love to delve into what happened in L.A. in the 1940s.

The “Battle of Los Angeles,” as popularly known, has a lot to unravel. It’s based on the rumored attack by Imperial Japan on the United States continent, but was shortly confirmed as a ‘false alarm.’

All these events led to the birth of conspiracy theories around it. Even more so with stories of people witnessing unidentified objects. Who wouldn’t be invested, given the tense atmosphere back then?

How It All Began

The “Mysterious Battle of Los Angeles” didn’t get its name. Going by the theories and related sources, it’s understandable why some people still revisit this event.

Let’s go back to how it all started. The year is 1942, and spring is around the corner, yet the country’s atmosphere is gloomy. After the shocking attack by Imperial Japan on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, there was a sense of anguish across the country.

There was also heightened fear and anxiety, and the skies were highly monitored. The first UFO sightings happened in Santa Monica and Culver City in early February 1942.

After hearing the incoming aircraft sirens, the residents of Los Angeles came out of their houses, thinking it was another attack from Japanese fighters. Only when they went out were they surprised by what they had witnessed. UFO sightings instead of Japanese fighter planes!

On February 23, there was a bombing from a Japanese submarine near Santa Barbara, firing thirteen shells. It created panic and fear among the residents. Given this attack, the U.S. coastal defense was ready for a potential attack.

It’s also reported that on February 25, 1942, an unidentified object was detected on U.S. Army radar off the coast of L.A. In response, orders were given to man the air defenses fully, and a citywide blackout was issued. However, upon hearing the warning sirens, many residents left their homes, completely ignoring the rules.

The smoke from the shells began to form in the sky, causing fear and panic across the city. It’s been reported that three people died of cardiac arrest, and there was also a report of traffic fatalities.

Para troopers and civilians admit to seeing enemy planes. There were also claims that a Japanese aircraft crashed in Hollywood. In short, it was pure chaos! A Japanese invasion was what many had expected by the next morning.

However, to everyone’s surprise, there was no sign of Japanese aircraft or ships. All these led to the mysterious Battle of Los Angeles.

What Really Happened on February 23, 1942, in L.A.?

One may never get a definite answer about what happened on February 23, 1942. People that night witnessed something mysterious or strange that has since become lore or an urban legend.

The military officials placed the responsibility on meteorological balloons, which were illuminated with silver lights. It was released the day before the incident. But then comes the question, why attack these balloons?

A 1983 Air Force study on the history of this event concludes that the military defenses at the time were anxious. Before the incident, there was already an attack by a Japanese submarine. Given the tense situation and high alertness, they might have mistaken the balloons for an aircraft and attacked impulsively.

UFO expert Bill Birnes, in an interview with P.R. Newswire, reveals that it wasn’t Japanese bombers. He explains that the object was flying too high, and people that day swore it was neither a balloon nor an aircraft. He said the thing glided and floated, concluding it was an unidentified foreign object.

What made the matter even worse was opposing narratives by the Navy and the Army. It only let The LA Times print an editorial with the headline: “This Is No Time For Squabbling.” Here is an excerpt from the editorial piece:

“What baffled historians may later describe as the great Los Angeles Air Raid mystery showed some signs yesterday of developing into a squabble between the Army and Navy over the question of whether there actually were any enemy planes, unidentified planes, or planes of any kind over this area between 2 o’clock and daylight Wednesday morning”.

Some even question whether it was all just to cover up the embarrassment of shooting a balloon. In fact, a soldier reveals that he was told to keep his mouth shut and go with the Japanese plane’s story. He was warned that if he talks about shooting a balloon, he will be put behind bars.

Locals who witnessed this incident have reportedly said different things. Some said it was a blimp, while others saw fifty planes. Also, many have rubbed it off by saying there was nothing much to it.

The Aftermath And Rise Of Conspiracy Theories

After much squabbling, when it was clear that it was nothing significant, the backlashes were furious. In fact, Representative Leland Ford demanded an investigation, as per the L.A. Times.

It’s been reported that around six people died the following morning. Some died of heart attacks, while others succumbed to car accidents. Additionally, many wardens were injured from falling shells. Also, some Japanese Americans were arrested on the pretext of being spies.

The incident overall has impacted innocent civilians, causing some to lose their lives. A Pasadena resident who witnessed the blackout says she will never forget that night. She was in a hospital undergoing labor when the incident happened. The halls were pitch-black, and the mothers were anxious as the nurses handed out the babies.

She went on to say that she will never know if the baby was hers, but retorts that it’s of less concern. However, it questions whether it was ethical or humane for the maternity nurses to do so.

This event also led to the rise of conspiracy theories. Despite officials and professionals stating that it was a human error, the lore ensues. Even with a rational explanation, it didn’t stop UFO enthusiasts from delving into this event. In fact, many theories began to circulate over the years.

The conspiracy theorists used doctored photos released by the L.A. Times at that time as proof of UFOs. They even went on to explain that this floating object could withstand gunfire because it was immune to it.

Skeptoid’s podcast host Brian Dunning reveals that conspiracy theories escalated in 1987 with the release of the Majestic 12 documents. The documents are now discredited, but one of them is an official government document.

It turns out to be a “Marshall/Roosevelt Memo” dated March 5, 1942, which claims that two alien aircraft were recovered from the battle of Los Angeles. Here is an excerpt from the document:

“This Headquarters has come to a determination that the mystery airplanes are in fact not earthly, and according to secret intelligence sources, they are in all probability of interplanetary origin“.

With this discovery, one can only imagine the excitement among the UFO community and the conspiracy theorists alike. Although the FBI has deemed these documents as bogus, they are highly regarded among UFO enthusiasts.

It’s possible people saw foreign objects that night. It’s also less likely that there was a release of a seaplane over Los Angeles from a Japanese submarine. Whether one accepts it or not, the ‘Battle of Los Angeles’ was more of a human error.

It’s understandable, given the situation back then. Everyone was on high alert, and there was fear. With the imminent attack from Imperial Japan back then, it’s understandable to act without thinking if there is any sign of threat. To err is human, and in this tense environment, it’s likely to happen.

Unfortunately, it happened, resulting in the loss of the lives of some civilians and injuries. The officials would have come clean, but instead, there was strife among themselves. Despite the officials’ clarification, the conspiratorial minds didn’t stop.

So much about this battle has been documented that it only allows conspiracy theorists to raise questions. Although official records may say otherwise, the mysterious Battle of L.A. will continue.

This event might be a human error, but it has led to the rise of the UFO community. It has become a reference for conspiracy theorists. However, it shouldn’t deter us from the fact that this whole incident was a human mistake. Many may agree or not, but the truth remains nonetheless.

Places

Unveiling LA as a Theatre District: Lesser-Known Theatres

Della Ford May 21, 2019

These unsung indie theatres across the city promise enthralling shows, proving that LA’s theatre scene offers captivating experiences beyond the bright lights and glamour of Hollywood.

LA continues to be perceived as having a theatre industry that is not on par with high-end drama districts in other parts of the US.

Of course, New York remains the country’s theatrical district thanks to Broadway. Cities like Minneapolis and Chicago are not far behind, with performing arts industries comparable to the best in the world. On the other hand, the glitz and glamour of the silver screen dominate the LA scene to such a degree that live theatre often takes a back seat and goes unnoticed.

The truth is that LA’s thriving theatre industry rivals the top playhouses in the country. This thriving theatrical landscape attracts and invites countless performers, directors, writers, and singers to the city, hoping to make it big in La-La-Land. Most of today’s big-screen stars have inspiring personal histories of hustling, grinding, and perfecting their craft at these underrated joints and destinations.

However, finding the right local theatres can get confusing amid attractions like Hollywood, LA’s beaches, theme parks, and the city’s rich blend of pop culture. The challenge of finding a quality playhouse is real for locals and visitors alike.

Here’s a handy list of unheralded theatres and playhouses to catch show-stopping performances and spectacular encores!

The Antaeus Theatre Company

Fans of classical theatre should visit this destination to experience a sophisticated theatrical experience while relishing the finesse and intricacies of classical plays. You’ll catch a Shakespearean play or works by playwrights like Arthur Miller, Samuel Beckett, or GB Shaw on any given day.

Masterpieces of the past, like Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” or “The Wedding” by Anton Chekhov, are examples of the timeless classics to witness here. Grab tickets for one of their Classic Sundays, where traditional plays meet excellent artistry.

The Antaeus isn’t just oldies and classics, though. Their shows often include dynamic renditions of modern plays and stories composed more recently. Postmodern productions such as “Downstairs” by Caryl Churchill and “The Lonesome West” by Martin McDonagh often grace the stage at this elegant theatre.

Broadcasting station KCRW 89.9FM calls the team “the strongest acting ensemble” in the whole of Los Angeles. So, lovers of the performing arts in LA should not miss out on the exclusive shows presented by this company.

The Antaeus Theatre Company operates from the Kiki and David Gindler Performing Arts Center, which is located at 110 East Broadway. Don’t wait till you’re around Glendale to check out this place. Go through https://antaeus.org/ and see what upcoming shows grab your attention.

The Sacred Fools Theatre Company

The Sacred Fools Theatre is a company not afraid to sow seeds and see what takes root. They love experimenting and giving most ideas a try to see what resonates with their audience.

LA Weekly described them as the most “whimsical” and “provocative” troupes to ever grace the theatre scene in the city. Their distinct standards of performing arts have not gone unnoticed. Sacred Fools has received over 100 recognitions and almost 200 nominations across various theatrical categories, with the most recent win being the Sustained Excellence Award from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.

Comedic musicals like “LOUIS & KEELY: Live at the Sahara” are now popular at mainstream venues like the Geffen Theatre, thanks to the premieres and visibility the show gained through Sacred Fools.

Since 2016, they’ve occupied a new lot in Hollywood’s Theatre Row, making them even more accessible.

Sacred Fools also organizes a recurring Summer Theatre Camp for young people to learn acting chops, improvisation skills, and playwriting techniques.

Located at 1075 Lillian Way, this one’s another must-see theatre in the City of Angels. Check out http://www.sacredfools.org/ for show details and tickets.

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

Theatre fans wondering what trends lie at the frontier of modern theatre should check out The Hollywood Fringe Festival at least once! The festival remains a melting pot of diverse productions and presentations across over a dozen venues, mainly located along Santa Monica Boulevard.

Hundreds of live shows run across diverse venues along the boulevard. Many of these plays run simultaneously. So, it’s wise to check the festival’s live schedule online and plan your day accordingly.

The festival typically falls in June or July. Visitors enjoy a wide selection of shows, ranging from remade classics to avant-garde productions that push the boundaries of theatre. It’s a destination where hundreds of new artists and productions converge to create a den of spectacular and unforgettable performances.

The magic of this festival comes from the diversity of performances that reach the stage without strict curators filtering applicants. Expect unseen sights and one-of-a-kind presentations that will keep the LA theatre community abuzz for the remainder of the year.

Check out https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/ for how to get started!

The Echo Theatre Company

If you want to see future theatrical successes developing in their nascent stages, The Echo Theatre Company is the place to go!

The company has an unmatched track record of spotting and showcasing potential stars in the making, whether it’s star performers on stage, exceptional musicians, or talented writers; the Echo Theatre Company has a knack for identifying unseen diamonds in the rough in the theatre industry.

There’s a good chance some of your favorite playwrights and performers got their beginnings from Echo Theatre’s sprawling stage.

Well-known industry writers like Rick Cleveland, Sara Ruhl, and David Lindsay Abaire found their first opportunity to showcase their abilities at The Echo Theatre. Author, screenwriter, and Pulitzer finalist Adam Rapp also contributed to his first production at this company.

The Echo Theatre is among the few smaller companies to nurture award-winning productions from the grassroots to coveted destinations like the Geffen Playhouse. They did it once in 2003 with the epic symphony “War Music.” They repeated this accomplishment with “The Cake” in 2018.

For show listings, tickets, and information about their events, check the company’s site at https://www.echotheatercompany.com/.

Theatre of NOTE

This theatre is far from the sprawling, decorated spaces of the Orpheum on Broadway or the El Capitan on Hollywood Boulevard. However, what it lacks in physical spectacle, it makes up for with artistic risks and emotional honesty in its performances.

They also focus on premiering world-class productions that have not appeared in LA before. So, expect novelty and new plays when you head to their premieres. Many of the Westside’s latest entrants and premieres choose the Theatre of NOTE as their preferred premiering playhouse.

The company also hosts a wide range of developmental projects aimed at skilling up young talent for the industry. The Voices of Note is a series of trainings that help budding writers find their creative groove. The NOTEworthy projects focus on finding undiscovered plays and productions that deserve a bigger audience and broader market.

Located at 1517 Cahuenga Boulevard, the Theatre of NOTE remains a breath of fresh air, secluded from the loud, vibrant centers of Broadway and Hollywood Boulevard.

If you’re an aspiring writer or creative, you can sign up for their programs at https://www.theatreofnote.com/ or browse their upcoming shows to book a spot.

The Celebration Theatre

Housed at The Lex on Hollywood Boulevard, the Celebration Theatre epitomizes diversity, inclusivity, and equality, standing tall in LA’s theatre landscape.

The company is known for promoting and reaching out to LGBTQ theatre community members in LA and beyond. The theatre is also aptly named, given its culture of celebrating artists of different orientations, lifestyles, and inclinations.

They host remakes and revivals of established productions, such as Finn and Lapine’s “A New Brain.” Expect progressive plays and new-age productions that break traditional barriers in performance and reach out to new frontiers in artistic thought.

The Celebration Theatre is a recipient of Margaret Harford’s Award for Sustained Excellence and multiple GLAAD and NAACP awards. Today, it’s almost an institution that champions equality and inclusiveness amongst queer performers and serves as a venue for showcasing sidelined LGBTQ performers and writers on a mainstream platform.

You can catch The Celebration Theatre’s latest updates at https://celebrationthe atre.org/. Their website also includes updated news on ticket prices, shows, and events around the corner.

Rogue Machine Theatre

If you’re tired of CGIs and the limits to artistry on the big screen, live plays at the Rogue Machine Theatre may just be your ticket!

Oscar-nominated films like “Oppenheimer” come to life in this theatre’s dynamic performances and emotional recreations. Plays like “Dutch Masters” relive the spectacle of live shows on the Rogue Machine’s hallowed stage. These and countless other productions await visitors and guests at this exceptional but lesser-known theatrical destination.

The LA Times reported that Rogue Machine continues to display the most extravagant and memorable seasons from other theatres in the city. That’s a huge compliment coming from someone critical of underperforming production companies in LA.

It’s not just shows and productions, though. The Rogue Machine’s “Rant and Rave” series brings together the most talented writers and authors for deep conversations that regularly engage and enlighten attendees.

Their “Days of Giving” events include food drives and other philanthropic initiatives that leverage their visibility to give back to the community.

There are countless reasons why Rogue Machine deserves the attention of theatre lovers, and world-class productions are only one of them! Discover how you can get involved or book your tickets at https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/.

The Actor’s Gang

Theatre fans in LA may already know The Actor’s Gang, thanks to its reputation as a no-nonsense creative hub for emerging and established performers. But this theatre’s distinct style and identity warrant a mention.

For the uninitiated, this troupe is directed and supervised by Academy Award winner and veteran actor Tim Robbins. Robbins initiated the company back in 1981 as a space for creatives to present and capture the intricacies of live theatre that are often absent on the silver screen.

Holiday classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and other well-known plays are frequently presented on stage here. The team also dabbles in innovative plays that offer social and political messages under its wings. The “(Im)migrants of the State” is an epic story and an example of such message-bearing productions.

The company also presents plays written in-house by the Actors’ Gang writing department. So, you can expect original works never seen in other theatres and likely never to appear again in mainstream production houses. The playhouse also hosts star performers like Helen Hunt and Jack Black, who have graced its decorated stage on more than one occasion.

The Prison Project is a unique initiative started and nurtured by The Actor’s Gang. They reach out to convicts and prison inmates, helping them develop theatre skills or hone their performing abilities. The initiative aims to help released inmates rejoin society with improved social skills and potentially more employable skills.

The company functions from its theatre located at 9070 Venice Boulevard. You can learn more about the troupe and its activities at https://theactorsgang.com/.

Zombie Joe’s Underground

The Zombie Joe’s Underground theatre is about as indie as it gets in niche theatre scenes. Fans of ghoul-like and spine-chilling live plays will love the horror and grim depicted on stage at Zombie Joe’s Underground.

Their shows aren’t meant for the light-hearted or the squeamish. Excellent makeup and performances characterize their remakes of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”; meanwhile, productions like “Possession: An American Serial Killer” promise to keep you on the edge of your seats throughout the play. “Blood Alley Christmas” is a gruesome production meant for spectators who don’t mind fake blood on stage.

Zombie Joe’s Underground also hosts an exclusive event called the 50-hour Drive-by Festival. It’s an event where troupes of talented writers and performers create, produce, and perform a play in just two days. During this festival, you’ll see some of the best improvs and creative talents showcasing their work.

One of their most provocative productions is “Urban Death,” a haunted tour of terror that promises to shock and terrify even the most unflinching spectators at the front of the theatre. The joint is located at 4850 Lankershim Boulevard. And you can catch updates on their horror shows and events at http://zombiejoes.com.

Places

The Paul Smith Pink Wall Instagram Landmark Costs $60,000 Per Year To Maintain

Cheyenne Grippa March 8, 2019

Paul Smith had one thing in mind as he created the Instagram-famous Pink Wall: to be as recognizable and appreciable as the Eiffel Tower. Trademarked with Pink, the Iconic Wall stands vibrant and forever “Instagramable.”

Droves of people flock and keep leaning against the dazzling pink wall of Paul Smith’s Flagship store on Melrose Avenue. A group of friends, all women, wearing heavy makeup, dressed in expensive mini-skirts and stylish bucket hats, leaning into each other. They pose, putting on their best model faces, as a group member extends her long arm for that perfect We-fie.

Another woman in her early twenties, influenced by the latest pop culture, dressed in fancy sweatpants and a baseball hat, strikes a pose, tilting her head to the side, throwing up the popular mini heart gesture as her friends take pictures of her.

Well, it turns out the women have come all the way from South Korea to do their own pink wall shoots. Makes you wonder how on earth they discovered Paul Smith’s iconic Pink Wall.

“Instagram,” they yelled simultaneously while giggling to their heart’s content.

It’s estimated that at least 100,000 people journey to the store’s pink wall each year, all to take grandiose shots and upload them to Instagram. With how famously celebrated and globally recognized it is today, the pink wall is truly only second to the Great Wall of China in terms of being photographed, as Paul Smith claimed.

But while the iconic “pink wall” may as well be the center of attraction, Paul Smith’s own Flagship store, which sells suits for men and houses a collection of photography and sculpture for dreamers and art lovers alike, lies beyond it.

“I actually thought it was a makeup brand. Boy was I wrong,” exclaimed the clueless young adult from China who was so familiar with the “pink wall” yet had no idea what the store stood for. But can you blame her? Most people just come for the aesthetics and leave as soon as they take their picture. Would they be surprised if they discovered that it’s one of more than 300 retail store locations representing Paul Smith’s menswear label since his first store in 1970?

It’s known that the brand hasn’t exactly embraced or done much to reach this height of popularity, other than a few comments you’d find on various social media platforms. But one thing’s for sure, they have always refused to comment further.

While the brand wouldn’t have predicted that its iconic “pink wall” would blow up on social media a decade ago, Paul Smith had already dreamt of this building becoming a social media phenomenon.

“From all sides, Paul always wanted a building that would be remembered like the famous Eiffel Tower,”- Richard, Paul Smith’s assistant manager.

Paul Smith’s assistant manager added, “He is an intense Mexican architect, Luis Barragan’s admirer, and the color for the pink wall comes as an inspiration from Rosa Mexicano, Barragan’s signature pink.”

The Famous Rosa Mexicano is splashed across Mexico City and at the museum, which was once the former residence of Luis Barragan. Still, the thing about beauty is, it is without imperfections! No photographs are allowed inside the museum.

Even the man himself, Luis Barragan, was known to be colorblind, and his lover/assistant chose this shade of pink, making it even more special. It’s been said that the shade was specifically chosen to bring light to the surface, an old visual trick that lit up buildings that relied on skylights and windows for illumination.

The inspiration wasn’t taken for granted, since Smith’s work was up to the level of his icon; picture takers can easily create the perfect depth they aspire to in their photographs, moving forward and back.

“Our iconic pink wall has the perfect vibrant background and is placed perfectly facing the sun and light’s direction, making them hit faces while capturing moments,” Richard adds. “The brand’s color pink, pink ladies, is also trademarked, meaning it cannot be ordered from any paint stores without a code, which only I have.”

The Birth of Instagram came shortly after five years into Paul Smith’s move to Melrose Avenue, and by then, the pink wall had garnered all the attention since picture takers glowed spectacularly on their posts.

“The pink wall was meant for great heights and basically reached it overnight,” Richard explains. “It’s a gift and a curse that most of us in retail never get to experience, not that we hate it, but the cons outweigh the pros.”

The man Smith basically spends, give or take, $60,000 a year to maintain and preserve the iconic pink wall. It’s been said that they have to repaint it every three months. Since the wall needs cleaning, and hosing it down is not an option, their janitor, named Patrick, cleans it by hand.

With all the money spent each year and the attention it attracts, anybody in their right mind would think that the brand worships the wall and is used as the greatest marketing tool ever, and yet it couldn’t be further from the truth.

While the pink wall may be getting all the attention, the store is practically empty. But it’s not shocking since picture takers are generally teens and younger adults who can’t afford luxury clothing. Most shoppers are fancy-car owners who walk straight into the store and back without giving the iconic wall any clout, bringing a whole new level of gift and a curse.

“I’m that person the janitor calls at any time of the day with literally any issues, so if there’s an act of vandalism and such, I’m the first on the scene,” says Richard. “Since the multiple graffiti incidents and other issues that needed fixing, we’ve started taking measures to stop it from happening again.”

A street artist who went by the name Thrasher had graffitied the wall multiple times, and the last incident occurred at 2 am on the 12th of September 2018. “Go Fuck Your Selfie” was the words sprayed all across the wall.

The meaning behind the graffiti Thrasher so violently sprayed was to empower young women and tell them they didn’t need approval from social media or society. The idea, in a nutshell, was, “You’re all beautiful, don’t let any individual tell you otherwise.”

“Paul received an apology from Thrasher’s manager, and they even offered to pay for all the damage they’ve caused,” Richard says. “Although Smith refused and said that he wouldn’t be taking anything from them except their promise that they wouldn’t do it again, he followed it up with criticism.”

“No man should be telling a woman what is acceptable,” Richard added as he gave a quick laugh.

To prevent such incidents, the brand established a couple of rules to protect the iconic pink wall and hired security personnel to enforce them. Some of the rules the wall strictly enforces are that individuals are not allowed any props, costumes, or professional cameras, and that no feet are allowed to touch the wall.

There’s a sign posted that lists all the rules, along with the brand’s Instagram handle, their preferred hashtag, and a geotag. “We need to live by rules if we want good things to stay good,” Richard adds.

“The popularity and success the famous pink wall has gained throughout the years are monumental, and to leave without a picture leaning against the wall would disappoint culture.” With a rough estimation, Richard states that the visitors are in the majority, approximately 70 percent, are from across the pond.

Given the number of international visitors, it would be a shame to just stick with expensive clothing; even though some tourists, who appreciate Paul’s work, are delighted to purchase goods, most visitors don’t. To cater to all types of tourists, the store decided to sell a variety of souvenirs and other merchandise and to hand out free postcards and pins.

Even the hospitality shown at the store knows no bounds. “In good faith, the brand’s staff provides water to people taking pictures at the Instagram-famous pink wall if they come inside and certainly allows each one of them to use their restrooms.”- Yelp comments.

With people from all over the globe visiting this iconic pink wall, the traffic the street attracts is truly glorious, and all the other stores surrounding the wall have claimed that they reap the benefits as well.

“Been working at the Carrera Cafe for years now, and one thing I can positively say is that having the pink wall near your business is frankly a blessing in disguise,” says a barista.

But the attention couldn’t be better directed, since the picture-takers visiting the monument, the pink wall, have free Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and a place to charge phones at the cafe. It’s almost like it’s heaven for models and influencers blooming on various social media platforms.

While there have been myriad offers for Paul Smith to advertise various brands on their wall, they have been adamant in turning each one down.