OCTOBER 25TH, 2024

FRIDAY’S VIBES

A TRUE

LOS ANGELES
WEEKEND AHEAD

HAPPY FRIDAY, LA ⚡️ Help CuratedLA Stay Afloat!

• Happy Friday, CuratedLA Fam! We missed Wednesday, but I’ve been focused on keeping CuratedLA thriving by using some personal savings and freelance work. While our growth continues, we’re facing financial challenges. If you enjoy CuratedLA, please consider donating to support our independent platform. Your help would mean the world as we aim for sustainability through December and beyond. We're shifting to a twice-a-week schedule until we identify more monetization opportunities. For partnerships, reach out at [email protected]. Now, let’s dive into an action-packed weekend of sports and events in Los Angeles!

HOV LANES

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EATS

HEADLINES

7-ELEVEN 🛒 7-Eleven Unveils Plans for 600 New Food-Focused Stores:

• 7-Eleven is shifting gears with a bold plan to open over six-hundred large-format stores across North America by 2027, with a focus on expanded food and beverage offerings. Dubbed ‘New Standard,’ these stores will feature in-store seating, electric vehicle charging stations, and a product assortment surpassing that of its traditional locations. Drawing from lessons learned in its Evolution store concept, this new model aims to enhance 7-Eleven’s foodservice presence, especially amid economic headwinds. Despite closing 444 underperforming locations, the company expects strong returns from its New Standard rollout.

OPENINGS

ECHO PARK ⛽️ One Night Only: A Japanese 7-Eleven:

• Speaking of 7-Eleven, Echo Park's beloved izakaya Ototo is channeling Japan's iconic 7-Eleven convenience store for a special one-night event on Halloween. The pop-up will feature playful recreations of konbini classics, from crustless egg salad sandwiches to mayo tuna onigiri. Costumes are encouraged, and walk-ins are the only way in, so early arrival is key. This isn’t the first transformation for Ototo, following last year’s turn as the diner from Netflix's Midnight Diner. With 2024 seeing a social media-fueled surge in Japanese snack culture, Ototo's Halloween event taps into the growing fascination with Japanese convenience store fare.

CULVER CITY 🍣 Intimate Dining at a Culver City Sushi Counter:

• Kusano, a new omakase gem in Culver City, offers an intimate dining experience with just eight seats at its sushi counter. The restaurant features a meticulously curated eighteen-course menu priced at $150 per person, showcasing high-quality ingredients like oysters, ikura, and marbled chu-toro. Chef Yasu Kusano, who has honed his skills at renowned establishments in Tokyo and Beverly Hills, aims to bring a taste of Fukushima to Los Angeles. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, and reservations are highly recommended.

  • Reservations + Instagram

DOWNTOWN LA 🍺 Retro Aesthetics with Bar Ambiance:

• Spring St Bar, newly opened at 626 S. Spring St in Downtown LA, offers a refreshing spot for drinks and neighborhood vibes. Designed with wood-paneled walls and midcentury lighting, this bar embraces retro aesthetics and a welcoming ambiance, ideal for winding down or meeting friends. Known for a relaxed, yet sophisticated charm, it has a cocktail-focused menu that appeals to both locals and visitors, blending classic LA bar culture with a modern edge

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

VARIOUS LOCATIONS 🍔 In-N-Out Expands SoCal Presence with New Openings:

• In-N-Out Burger is set to open four new locations across Southern California, with restaurants coming soon to Anaheim, Carson, Sylmar, and Oxnard. The iconic chain, known for its loyal following and simple menu, has the Anaheim site already mapped out on N. Euclid Street, replacing a former Marie Callender’s location. Planned features include a large drive-thru for 31 cars and a spacious 698-square-foot patio. With over four-hundred locations nationwide, In-N-Out’s expansion continues, including plans for Tennessee and New Mexico in the coming years. No specific SoCal opening dates have been confirmed.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

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EVENTS

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

FIVE FUTURES

GUIDES

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ACTIVITIES

SANTA MONICA 🎄 Today, starting at 5:00pm:

• SMPD Halloween Movie in the Park brings the Halloween spirit to Colorado Center Park tonight, starting at 5:00pm. Enjoy face painting before cozying up for a 6:30pm screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Gather your picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs for a festive evening under the stars at Broadway and 26th St.

GRIFFITH PARK 🎃 October 25th, 5:00pm - 11:00pm:

• Reminder: Fright Night Market is taking over the Autry Museum of the American West on Friday, October 25th from 5:00pm to 11:00pm, with a spooky-meets-chill vibe perfect for October. Expect over fifty horror-themed vendors, costume contests, and food trucks to fuel your fall fun. Admission to the market (and parking) is free, but access to the beer garden will cost $23. Whether you’re shopping for handmade Halloween goodies or just looking to snap some vampy pics, this is the spot for a laid-back, festive evening. Pups on leashes welcome.

WEST HOLLYWOOD 🏳️‍🌈 October 31st, 6:00pm - 11:00pm:

• Reminder - West Hollywood’s iconic Halloween Carnaval is back ready to turn Santa Monica Boulevard into a mile-long, costume-packed celebration on Halloween. From 6:00pm to 11:00pm, thousands of revelers will flood the Rainbow District for an unforgettable night of wild costumes, live DJ sets, food trucks, and Halloween spirit like no other. Spanning between N. Doheny Drive and N. La Cienega Boulevard, this free event is a celebration of creativity and community that’s been thriving since 1987. Get ready for a truly unique, only-in-WeHo Halloween extravaganza.

LA MIRADA 🎉 Saturday, 4:00pm:

• Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno brings the rich traditions of Dia de los Muertos to La Mirada Theatre tomorrow at 4:00pm. The performance showcases Mexico's vibrant cultural heritage through music, dance, and pageantry, highlighting how different states celebrate this revered holiday. Audiences of all ages will be captivated by the stunning costumes and stories woven into every movement, honoring a tradition that dates back to the Pre-Hispanic era. Perfect for a family outing to experience the beauty of Mexican folklore.

MARINA DEL REY 🛥️ Saturday, starting at 7:30pm:

• Marina del Rey's 3rd Annual Halloween Boat Pageant returns tomorrow. Join the Southern California boating community for a spooktacular evening as boats of all shapes and sizes take to the water, decked out in eerie, glowing decorations. From pirates to goblins, participants are encouraged to bring their Halloween spirit and light up the harbor. Spectators can enjoy the pageantry from shorelines like Burton Chase Park, making it a festive family-friendly event. Entry donations of $25 benefit Autism Speaks and local charities.

SANTA MONICA 🌎️ An Immersive Experience by Hasbro, November 7th:

• LITE-BRITE: Worlds of Wonder, an immersive experience created by Secret Location in collaboration with Hasbro, will debut at Santa Monica Place on November 7th. This 60-minute, multi-sensory experience invites visitors to explore eleven interactive rooms across three themed worlds—Underwater, Prehistoric, and Outer Space—brought to life with thousands of vibrant lights. Designed for all ages, the experience also includes a 360° immersive theater, sensory play stations, and an artist gallery inspired by the iconic LITE-BRITE aesthetic. Tickets are available now through Fever. 💌 

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COMMUNITY

HOLLYWOOD 🦁 P-22’s Legacy Roars on Hollywood Boulevard:

• P-22, the mountain lion who captivated our area, is now immortalized on Hollywood Boulevard. The striking yellow mural, unveiled near N. Cahuenga Boulevard, stands as a tribute to the cat whose survival story became a global sensation. Painted by muralist Corie Mattie, P-22's image disrupts the Hollywood scene, just as his life disrupted the city’s narrative. His journey, crossing dangerous freeways and living in isolation near Griffith Park, sparked awareness for wildlife conservation. Beth Pratt of the National Wildlife Federation credits him with inspiring the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing bridge, now under construction.

UCLA 💊 UCLA’s Dr. Donna L. Washington Elected to National Academy of Medicine:

• Dr. Donna L. Washington, director of Health Equity-QUERI at the Veterans Health Administration and professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine (NAM). This honor highlights her groundbreaking work in veteran healthcare, focusing on equitable access and health outcomes. Dr. Washington’s research has significantly shaped health policies addressing disparities by sex, race, and ethnicity. Her election places her among an elite group of over 2,400 NAM members, further solidifying her contributions to health equity and public health policy.

WEST HOLLYWOOD 🎨 A Mural Tribute to WeHeo’s 40th Anniversary:

• West Hollywood celebrates its 40th anniversary with a new mural by Timothy Robert Smith on City Hall's east-facing façade. Featuring drag performers Jasmine Masters, Cake Moss, and Pickle, the City’s first Drag Laureate, the vibrant artwork merges photo-realism and fantasy to showcase key symbols of life in WeHo, from disco balls to classic cars. Smith, known for his unique approach to perception, brings a kaleidoscopic touch to the mural, which will remain on view through June 2026 as part of the city’s Art on the Outside Program. 💌 

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DEVELOPMENT

BEVERLY HILLS 💎 Additional Renderings of One Beverly Hills:

• At the October 22nd Beverly Hills Architectural & Design Commission meeting, Cain International's $5bn One Beverly Hills project, designed by Foster + Partners, took center stage. Adjacent to the Waldorf Astoria and Beverly Hilton, this 17.5-acre development will feature a ten-story Aman hotel, two-hundred luxury condos, and 30,000 square feet of commercial space. The standout elements include two towers, set to become the tallest in Beverly Hills. Boasting botanical gardens and public open spaces, One Beverly Hills is poised for completion by 2028.

WESTCHESTER 🏡 More Density with Cityview’s New Project:

• Cityview's revised plans for a mixed-use development on W. Manchester Avenue in Westchester signal a push for added density along Sepulveda Boulevard. Originally set at 441 residential units, the updated project will now house 489 units—including 64 affordable homes—spread across studio, one-, and two-bedroom options, thanks to incentives from the recently passed AB 1287. AC Martin's design retains the original eight-story building's aesthetic while shifting to prioritize studio units, maximizing the use of space. MJS Landscape Architecture has enhanced outdoor public spaces, envisioning a plaza at Truxton and La Tijera as a gateway to Westchester Town Center. Construction is anticipated to start in 2025, with the project slated for completion by 2027, pending approval from L.A. Planning officials.

HOLLYWOOD 🚀 Hollywood Gets Vertical with 25-Story Tower:

• A newly approved development, the Hollywood Artisan Project, is set to reshape the corner of North Cahuenga Boulevard and Ivar Avenue. Designed by Gensler, the 25-story tower will replace surface parking with 270 residential units—27 of which will be designated for extremely low-income households—and provide 6,790 square feet for retail or restaurant space. The project retains six existing commercial buildings, enhancing the neighborhood’s historic and contemporary blend. Standing 286 feet tall, the tower will offer residents around 30,918 square feet of open space and feature six levels of parking. An estimated completion date has yet to be announced.

BEVERLY HILLS 🏡 Elevated Living Planned for Beverly Hills:

• Ottinger Architects has introduced a mixed-use residential project on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, which, if approved, would add an eight-story complex with 140 units—28 designated as affordable housing—above a ground-floor commercial space. Located on S. Beverly Drive, the development features a rooftop pool deck, a courtyard-centered gym and community room, and co-working spaces aimed at modern, flexible living. Property owners Moshe and Laura Aflalo, along with the Aflalo Family Trust, are also planning a nearby redevelopment of a Pavilions site, echoing a growing trend in the area where Fisch Properties has proposed two ten-story residential towers nearby.

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BUSINESS

DISNEY 🐭 Disney Gears Up for AI Revolution Across Productions:

• The Walt Disney Co. is reportedly set to unveil a significant AI initiative that will reshape its creative landscape, particularly in post-production and visual effects. While specifics remain unclear, sources suggest the effort could involve hundreds within the company and extend to non-customer-facing roles in parks and experiences. As AI becomes more integral to Hollywood, Disney’s move is seen as a natural evolution for a data-driven entertainment giant, though it may spark concerns in creative circles amid ongoing unionization efforts in visual effects.

CONTENT DEMAND 🎞️ Co-Productions, Licensing Flexibility + Lean Budgets:

• The 40th anniversary of Mipcom in Cannes focused on shifts in media licensing and content demand against the backdrop of rising costs and recent Hollywood strikes. A leaner, quieter affair, the market saw fewer star appearances and more buzz around budget-friendly co-productions and licensing flexibility. Content that resonates with older audiences, especially cosy crime and procedurals, outshone darker, auteur-driven projects, reflecting subscription trends. Studios are easing exclusivity and embracing co-productions to expand reach and manage costs, with prominent projects like Rise of the Raven making a splash. Spanish content also stood out, with growing global streaming appeal and expansion plans into North America.

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ENTERTAINMENT

YELLOWSTONE 🤠 Official Trailer Released for Yellowstone, Season Five Part 2:

• Yellowstone Season 5B heats up as the Dutton family’s internal feud explodes into full-blown warfare. With the highly anticipated return of this Western epic, fans brace for the next chapter starting November 10th. Though Kevin Costner has exited as John Dutton, his presence looms large, while Wes Bentley’s Jamie Dutton goes head-to-head with Kelly Reilly’s Beth. Adding to the chaos, Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) keeps Beth grounded amid the ranch’s unraveling. With secrets even the cast is in the dark about, expect intense drama as Yellowstone nears its uncertain conclusion on Paramount Network.

YOUTUBE 📺️ YouTube Levels Up Creator Engagement with Gamification:

• YouTube is doubling down on gamification with two new tools aimed at boosting creator engagement and revenue. The platform is introducing poll stickers for Shorts, expanding beyond Community posts, and rolling out Super Chat goals for livestreams. The poll stickers let creators tap into daily interactions, while Super Chat goals allow streamers to set fundraising targets with rewards. Both updates offer fresh ways for creators to engage fans, a strategic move to rival Twitch's interactive edge. Currently in limited release, these features mark YouTube's ongoing effort to enhance its livestreaming ecosystem.

NAT GEO 👮‍♂️ Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking The Truth:

• National Geographic is set to debut The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking the Truth on Nov. 13, bringing a fresh lens to the infamous 1971 study. Directed by Juliette Eisner and produced by Muck Media, the docuseries captures firsthand accounts from original participants, many speaking publicly for the first time. Through personal narratives and access to rare footage, the series challenges long-held views on the experiment’s ethics and outcomes, revealing new insights and contradictions. In a final interview, Dr. Philip Zimbardo, who led the experiment, reflects on his motivations. Streaming next day on Disney+ and Hulu. 💌 

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SPORTS

GAME 1 🧢 Yankees vs. Dodgers - Star Power Meets LA Heat Tonight:

• In a historic face-off that hasn’t graced the Fall Classic since 1981, the Yankees and Dodgers return tonight to ignite one of baseball’s most storied rivalries under the Los Angeles lights. It’s a meeting of top seeds for the first time since 2020, promising a clash brimming with power plays, walk-heavy lineups, and possibly a nostalgic Reggie Jackson-esque three-homer performance from a modern-day slugger. From legendary pitching potential to record-breaking moments, LA fans should prepare for an unforgettable showdown at Dodger Stadium, where October’s suspense promises the kind of electric energy only Dodger Blue can deliver.

RAMS / VIKINGS 🏈 Rams Spark Revival in Kupp-Nacua Comeback:

• The Los Angeles Rams charged past the Minnesota Vikings with a season-defining 35-21 victory last night, driven by the long-awaited return of wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Nacua, back from a knee injury, energized the field with seven catches for 106 yards, while Kupp scored a second-quarter touchdown and drew two red-zone pass-interference flags. Quarterback Matthew Stafford looked fully revived, connecting seamlessly with Nacua and Kupp and setting up Demarcus Robinson for two second-half TDs. The Rams’ defense kept Minnesota at bay in the clutch, especially after Vikings’ standout left tackle Christian Darrisaw left with an injury, allowing Jared Verse to apply serious pressure. With the Rams now eyeing a possible playoff push, GM Les Snead may explore some strategic trades before the November 5th deadline.

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HAVE A GREAT WKND, LA!

🤙 Have a great weekend, LA! I will see everyone back here on Monday, or Tuesday at the latest. And then back on Friday!

GO DODGERS! BEAT THE YANKEES!

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