MAY 17TH, 2024

FRIDAY

FRIDAY’S VIBES

Eats | Events | Activities
Community | Development
Biz | Entertainment | Sports

🥂 IT’S FRIDAY, GOOD LOOKIN.’

• 🚀 WEEKEND VIBES: We made it, Los Angeles. It’s Friday! This weekend, I will be devoting time to complete the Calendars for this upcoming Monday thru next Sunday. Doing so in advance will help keep the calendars updated and full. If you would like, you can submit events here: Calendar Form. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend - Wyatt.

TRENDING 

THE HOV LANE

EATS

LOCAL HEADLINES

• 🍗 HOT ONES, DELIVERED: Southern California is heating up with the arrival of Hot Ones’ fiery wings, now available for delivery. The cult-favorite YouTube show, known for its celebrity interviews over a lineup of increasingly spicy wings, offers fans a taste of the heat with options ranging from six to twelve pieces, alongside mouthwatering spicy crispy chicken and plant-based sandwiches. The heat levels range from the tangy Original Buffalo to the scorching Reaper Mode, ensuring a challenge for every palate. Orders can be placed on the Hot Ones website or through popular apps like Doordash and Uber Eats, with delivery spanning across key locations including West Covina and Downtown Los Angeles.

  • 🛎️ Hot Ones Delivery | 🗺️ Find Locations 

• 🍔 REMINDER: FOODIE CALL: Calling all Los Angeles Foodies! At CuratedLA, we want to showcase more local talented food writers and curators. If you have a food newsletter, Instagram, or both, we’d love to know about such! We are working on a Summer Foodie Guide that contains the best Foodies to follow and subscribe to, all that live in Los Angeles. If this is of an interest to you, please use this form to simply answer three questions. And yes, share accordingly!

OPENINGS

• 🍣 SANTA MONICA: Chelsea has been unveiled in Santa Monica on Wilshire Boulevard. This elegant eatery pays homage to the London district that Moez once called home, weaving a tapestry of tastes from India and East Africa into its diverse menu. Chef de cuisine Manolo Espejel brings this vision to life with innovative dishes such as harissa lamb tartare and tikka masala fried chicken, complemented by a curated selection of wines, beers, and cocktails. The ambiance, reimagined by designer Hema Persad, reflects Chelsea’s vibrant heritage through its rich colors and intricate patterns, promising an immersive dining experience.

  • 🐠 Contemporary: Fish, Sushi, Veggies

  • ⏰Tue - Wed: 4p - 10p | Thur - Sun: 4p - 11p

    • Sun: 4p - 10p

  • 💻️ Website | 📸 Instagram | 📜 Menu

• 🎬️ CULVER CITY: Tucked away at the corner of Washington and Fairfax in Culver City lies a hidden gem: House of Aanuko, a sleek barber shop and hair salon, paired with the delightful Aanuko Coffee. This modern establishment has become a hotspot not just for its stylish hair services but also for its cozy cafe ambiance, where digital nomads and casual visitors alike savor unique ube and matcha rose lattes. Founded by the entrepreneurial trio of Joseph Andrews of BluMaan, David Alfonso, and Christopher Zent of Hanz de Fuko, House of Aanuko is a testament to their decade-long journey from YouTube fame to hair care prominence. It’s a place where style meets substance, offering a glimpse into the founders’ vision of grooming excellence, all while providing a welcoming space for a community to gather, work, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

  • ☕️Speakeasy: Barber Shop, Coffee, Teas

  • ⏰Daily: 10a - 8p

  • 💻️ Website | 📸 Instagram | ⭐️ Yelp

• 🌊 MARINA DEL REY: Marina del Rey Hotel is elevating the Westside’s dining scene with the debut of MOJO Café, nestled in the hotel’s welcoming lobby. This new culinary gem offers a vibrant start to the day, featuring a handpicked selection of breakfast and lunch items that are perfect for those on the move. Guests can indulge in the Avocado Tartine or a hearty Breakfast Burrito, sip on artisan Illy coffee, and savor fresh, seasonal dishes crafted with local ingredients. The café extends its offerings of bottled drinks, snacks, and unique merchandise beyond these hours at the front desk. For Tesla drivers, the convenience is unmatched—enjoy MOJO’s fare while charging your vehicle, thanks to the QR-coded Tesla Superchargers.

  • ☕️Cafe: Coffee, Breakfast

  • ⏰ Daily: 6a - 1p

  • 💻️ Website | 📸 Instagram

• 🇲🇽 REDONDO BEACH: Riviera Mexican Cantina opened its doors on May 6th. This new dining spot takes over the former Samba by the Sea location, promising patrons a Tulum-inspired ambiance with its vaulted wood ceilings, wicker accents, and panoramic ocean views. The cantina echoes the coastal Mexican flavors of its sister restaurant, Riviera Mexican Grill, with a refined twist to match its elegant setting. Guests can indulge in an array of starters, including shrimp taquitos and mini sopes, followed by hearty mains such as lobster enchiladas and birria quesatacos. The dessert selection features classics like churros and flan, while the bar boasts an extensive margarita lineup, ensuring a spirited experience by the sea.

  • 🇲🇽 Cantina: Authentic Mexican

  • ⏰ Sun - Thu: 11:30a - 9p | Fri + Sat: 11:30a - 10p

  • 💻️ Menu | 📸 Instagram

• 🐔 EL SEGUNDO: California Chicken Cafe (CCC) is spreading its wings to El Segundo, nestling into the Chargers Commons retail complex this June. With eleven locations sprinkled across Los Angeles, CCC has been a beloved fixture since its inception on Melrose Ave. in 1991, dishing out their signature rotisserie chicken, wraps, and salads. Founded by Andre de Montesquiou and his USC comrades, CCC embodies the ethos of delivering quality and convenience at a friendly price. Joining a lineup of diverse culinary companions at Chargers Commons, including Starbucks, Panera Bread, and Panda Express.

AI, EXPLAINED

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EVENTS

Submit your event

TRENDING

BIG LIST OF EVENTS

ACTIVITIES

• 🍾 GREYSTONE MANSION: The Beverly Hills Community Services Department is thrilled to announce the encore of Gatsby Redux at the Greystone Mansion & Gardens from May 30th to June 2nd at 7:00pm nightly. This unique dance theater production, crafted by Janet Roston of Mixed eMotion Theatrix, draws inspiration from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel and transforms the historic Greystone terraces into a live stage reminiscent of Jay Gatsby’s lavish parties. After a successful tour, including a debut commissioned by the Los Angeles Music Center, the show returns to its Beverly Hills roots, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the Roaring Twenties. Attendees are encouraged to don period attire and comfortable footwear for an evening of exploration, with tickets available at $25 for locals and $30 for non-residents starting today.

• ♻️ SANTA MONICA: The We Are Essential festival at Gandara Park takes place this Sunday from 11:00am to 2:00pm. This festival kicks off National Public Works Week with a splash of water conservation and zero waste education. We can all dive into a sea of activities including compost workshops, blind water tastings, and recycling-themed lawn games, or get creative at coloring stations. Enjoy the harmonies of the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra and SOL-LA Music Academy, capture memories with city utility vehicles, and engage with the community through art installations and poetic readings. This event, featuring the work of artist-in-residence Debra Scacco, celebrates the unsung heroes of public works and their commitment to sustainability and ecological justice.

• 🎈 WEST HOLLYWOOD: The WeHo Mishka Festival, a celebration of the rich tapestry of cultures from the former Soviet Union, takes place this Sunday from 11:00am to 7:00pm in West Hollywood. Representing a significant twenty-percent of the local populace, the Russian-speaking community steps into the spotlight, sharing their heritage and contributions that have enriched the city and the nation. We as patrons can spend our day savoring authentic culinary delights, engaging in a myriad of cultural activities, and being captivated by live performances. Don’t miss the grand gala concert, featuring the illustrious Laima Vaikule, Thea Austin, and Rustam Shtar, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, the event is free and includes free parking.

• 🏎️ BEVERLY HILLS: Celebrate Father’s Day in style at the 29th annual Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance on June 16th, where families and car aficionados can marvel at an array of the planet’s most luxurious and coveted vehicles. This free event, sponsored by O’Gara Coach, promises a dazzling display of hypercars, supercars, and timeless classics along Beverly Hills’ iconic Rodeo Drive from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Revel in the automotive excellence of brands like McLaren, Pagani, and Czinger, and enjoy the convenience of high-end shopping and dining just steps away.

• 🎤 LONG BEACH: The LBCC theater department presents Barbecue, a play that delves into the complexities of addiction with a blend of dark humor and raw emotion. Set against the backdrop of a family barbecue, the narrative unfolds as relatives confront the challenge of an intervention, revealing the far-reaching impact of substance abuse on family ties. Rayna Verdine, portraying Lillie Anne, draws from her personal encounters with addiction to infuse authenticity into her performance, resonating with audiences and fellow cast members alike. The play, which continues Saturday at 2:00pm + 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2:00pm, offers a poignant exploration of the struggles and resilience of those touched by addiction, while maintaining a delicate balance between levity and gravity, mirroring the real-life experiences of director Adam Navarro and the cast.

• 💎 GETTY CENTER: The Getty Center’s beloved Off the 405 concert series returns, offering free outdoor performances from June 1st to August 24th. This year’s lineup boasts talents like Hailu Mergia and Woods, with tickets for the inaugural show up for grabs now, and subsequent ones available three weeks in advance. Concert evenings, running from 6:00pm-9:00 pm, start with a DJ and invite guests to enjoy the gardens and art beforehand, with the option to dine al fresco or onsite. Parking is tiered at $25, $15 post-3 p.m., and $10 after 6 p.m., but the Pay Once, Park Twice deal allows for a cultural double-feature with the Getty Villa. The Center, at 1200 Getty Center Drive, welcomes visitors Tuesday to Sunday, extending hours until 8 p.m. on Saturdays. While entry is free, reservations are necessary and can be made at getty.edu/visit or by calling (310)440-7300.

• 🏫 WRIGLEY MANSION: Tour the Wrigley Mansion starting at 2:00pm every Thursday until the end of August, at no cost. Nestled on Orange Grove Boulevard, the historic Wrigley Mansion is more than a landmark; it’s the vibrant heart of Pasadena’s cherished traditions, housing the Tournament of Roses Association. Gifted to the city in 1958 by the Wrigley family, this Italian Renaissance-style jewel became the organizing hub for the iconic Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. Constructed over eight years and acquired by William Wrigley Jr. in 1914, the mansion’s 18,500 square feet span 22 rooms, with the grandeur of its first floor for hosting and the intimacy of the second for residence. The adjoining Wrigley Gardens, a 4.5-acre horticultural haven, boasts over 1,500 floral varieties, including the exclusive Tournament of Roses rose.

• 🎬️ HOLLYWOOD: Cinespia is set to light up Hollywood Forever with its July movie lineup, featuring a mix of classic and contemporary films, complete with a fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. The beloved outdoor cinema event will showcase Rocky, Charlie’s Angels, Shrek 2, Midsommar, Empire Records, and La Bamba. Kicking off with a patriotic bang, the first three films will be accompanied by post-screening fireworks on July 4th, 5th, and 6th. The rest of the month continues the excitement with screenings every Saturday. This summer tradition, which began in 2002, continues to enchant Angelenos with its unique blend of film, music, and live events, making it a staple of L.A.'s cultural scene.

• 🎨 BEVERLY HILLS: The Beverly Hill Art Show takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm at the scenic Beverly Gardens Park. Art lovers and families can gather to admire the works of 235 artists across four lush blocks. From Santa Monica Boulevard to Rexford Drive, the park will transform into an artistic haven, offering a rich tapestry of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more. With over fifty years of history, this bi-annual event is a staple of community culture, featuring gourmet food, children’s crafts, and a tranquil beer and wine garden, all set to the backdrop of Ivano Stocco’s vibrant piece, Metal-Blue Sky, Sky-Blue Metal.

• 🎡 REMINDER: SANTA MONICA: Walk & Play L.A. takes place tomorrow at the Santa Monica Pier. Hosted by boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and Ellen K from the Ellen K Morning Show on KOST 103.5, this amazing community event features DJ Dense spinning tunes, a dynamic warm-up with TV star and dancer Amanda Kloots, and a special appearance by pro dancers from ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars in the Play Zone. The 3K walk along the iconic Ocean Front Walk offers scenic views, and participants receive free parking, an event T-shirt, and access to the family festival with special guests, food, and an exciting all-star lineup. The event schedule includes the festival opening at 8:00am., the main stage program starting at 9:30am., the walk at 10:00am, and the festival closing at noon.

COMMUNITY

• 🤝 BURBANK: The City of Burbank is calling on its residents to help shape the future of local parks and recreation. Through a series of community workshops, the Parks and Recreation Department has gathered valuable input for the City Parks Master Plan. There’s still an opportunity to have your voice heard by completing the online survey before May 22nd. For more information, including workshop materials, project timelines, and community feedback, visit the project’s website. If you have any questions or need further assistance, the Parks and Recreation Department is ready to help at (818) 238-5300 or via email at [email protected]. Your participation can make a difference in enhancing Burbank’s recreational spaces and programs for years to come.

• 🎵 AMERICAN IDOL: Abi Carter, a rising star from Southern California and a top contender on American Idol, has been welcomed back to her hometown of Indio with open arms and celebratory fanfare. As one of the final three contestants, the 21-year-old Indio native is set to battle it out for the coveted title in this weekend’s grand finale. Carter’s return was marked by a series of festivities throughout the Coachella Valley, culminating in a parade and concert in her honor. Reflecting on her roots and the journey that led her here, Carter shared with the local ABC station in Palm Springs, “This is home. It’s where my heart is, and no matter where life takes me, I find my way back. It’s always a refreshing, albeit warm, welcome.” Fans and supporters can tune in to ABC on this Sunday, May 19th, to see if Carter will clinch the top spot in a thrilling conclusion to the season.

DEVELOPMENT

• 🎡 SANTA MONICA: Santa Monica is poised to transform its skyline with a new contender for the city’s tallest building, set for Colorado Avenue. This ambitious 24-story mixed-use tower, designed by Ottinger Architects, is set to feature 264 modern apartments, including forty affordable units, complemented by 4,200 square feet of vibrant ground-floor retail space and a two-level underground parking for 103 vehicles. Towering approximately 260 feet, it challenges the long-standing height record held by the 100 Wilshire building. The project, spearheaded by Madison Realty Capital, emerged from the ashes of NMS Properties’ diminished portfolio and is part of a strategic settlement that bypasses the city’s usual height restrictions.

• 📖 READ FURTHER: Plans for tallest building in Santa Monica underway, via Commercial Observer.

• 🏫 TUJUNGA: Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga marked a significant advancement in educational facilities with an eighteen million dollar construction project for a new science building. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on May 15th, was a festive occasion featuring the Verdugo Hills Marching Band and attended by students, staff, and LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who highlighted the district’s extensive capital investments totaling $8 billion. The new building, set to open in 2026, promises to enhance STEM education with two chemistry labs, instructional support spaces, accessible restrooms, and cutting-edge equipment and technology, signifying a substantial boost for the Science, Technology Engineering, Math, and Multimedia Magnet programs.

• 🚇️ WILSHIRE: In a significant development for Los Angeles’ public transit, the Metro board Construction Committee has sanctioned a seven percent cost increase for the nearly completed first section of the Westside Subway, with its opening slated for Fall 2025. This marks a pivotal step in the nine-mile Metro D Line extension, promising a transformative twenty-five-minute commute from Westwood to downtown L.A. The project, which broke ground in 2014 and was initially budgeted at $2.8 billion, has faced its share of challenges, particularly in tunneling, leading to cumulative cost overruns of $575 million, or just over twenty percent above the original estimate. Despite the lack of a singular issue causing the latest $225 million overrun, the additional funds will cover various construction needs, including tunnels, stations, and system testing. While cost overruns are unwelcome and can impact other transit initiatives, the investment is seen as crucial for the long-term enhancement of L.A.'s transit infrastructure.

• 🎡 SANTA MONICA: Santa Monica welcomes the innovative 1650 Euclid Street, a three-story office complex that redefines creative workspace. Developed by C.W. Driver Companies and designed by House & Robertson Architects for Redcar Properties, this 65,000 square-foot commercial hub boasts two wings linked by a glass-enclosed bridge, encouraging a seamless flow of ideas. Tenants can enjoy a courtyard and rooftop terrace, fostering social interactions and open-air meetings. The complex also includes a 40,000 square-foot parking garage, ensuring convenience. Situated a mere mile from the beach, 1650 Euclid stands on the transformed grounds of an old auto tow lot, setting a new standard for office spaces in the area with its focus on community and collaboration.

• 🌳 WEST CARSON: Wishing Tree Park, a dream nurtured through decades and the hopes of local children, opened its gates in West Carson yesterday. The park’s evocative name stems from a poignant tradition where neighborhood children hung wishes on trees at a failed groundbreaking in the 1990s, yearning for a park of their own. Now, those wishes bear fruit as the 8.5-acre sanctuary, complete with walking trails, exercise stations, sports fields, a playground, and a memorial plaza honoring the park’s champions, welcomes the community to a place where memories will be made and honored.

• 🎬️ HOLLYWOOD: A redevelopment initiative by Vitruvian is set to transform a currently unoccupied commercial site located between La Brea and Highland Avenues into a modern mixed-use apartment complex. The project, envisioned for the corner lot at W. Melrose Avenue, proposes a six-story structure comprising twenty-seven one- and two-bedroom residential units, alongside 519 square feet of commercial space on the ground level, and a semi-underground parking facility with twenty-two spots. The design, crafted by Tighe Architecture, features a contemporary aesthetic with a rooftop deck for residents. As part of the density bonus incentives sought, three apartments will be designated as very low-income housing options. This development is part of a broader trend in the area, joining other recent and planned constructions that aim to revitalize the neighborhood with new residential and commercial opportunities.

BUSINESS

• 🍿 NETFLIX: Netflix’s ad-supported tier has surged to forty million global monthly active users, nearly double the twenty-three million figure reported earlier this year. This growth comes as linear TV audiences shrink and traditional media companies vie for a foothold in the streaming realm. Notably, over 40% of new signups are opting for the ad-supported plan, indicating its rapid adoption. Simultaneously, Netflix is revamping its advertising technology stack and diversifying its programmatic partners beyond Microsoft. The company’s in-house ad tech platform aims to maintain the same level of excellence that has made Netflix a streaming technology leader.

ENTERTAINMENT

• 🎾 NEW SPORTS STREAMER: Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox have unveiled the name and logo for their upcoming sports-focused streaming service: Venu Sports (pronounced like “venue”). The platform aims to provide sports fans outside the traditional pay TV ecosystem with a comprehensive collection of live sports, all accessible in one place. Pete Distad, the CEO of Venu Sports, expressed excitement about the brand, emphasizing their commitment to creating a top-tier product using cutting-edge technologies. Venu Sports is set to launch this fall.

• 🏈 NETFLIX X NFL: Netflix is decking the halls with live NFL action, announcing a landmark three-season deal to stream the league’s Christmas Day games globally, starting with two marquee matchups this Christmas. This festive partnership kicks off a new tradition, with at least one live game each holiday season through 2026. The streaming titan, which began its NFL journey with the Quarterback series in 2023, continues to expand its sports lineup with the upcoming Receiver series this summer. Netflix’s playful Instagram post sums it up: You can’t spell Netflix without ‘NFL.’

• 📺️ SOUTH PARK: Paramount+ is set to premiere its latest South Park special, South Park: The End of Obesity, next Friday in Canada + US, and Saturday internationally. This seventh streaming event follows the uproarious adventures in South Park as a new weight loss drug sweeps the town, leading the iconic Eric Cartman, alongside friends Kyle, Stan, Butters, and Kenny, to embark on a wild quest for access to the treatment. The teaser promises classic South Park humor, with Cartman confronting his body image and the gang grappling with the American healthcare system. This special joins a lineup of six previous Paramount+ exclusives, continuing the legacy of the series that has been a Comedy Central staple since 1997 and is set to run through its 30th season.

• 🏌️ HAPPY GILMORE 2: Adam Sandler will return as the beloved hockey-player-turned-golfer in Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel to his 1996 comedy classic. Netflix is set to host the film and will stream it on its platform. The film, which featured a star-studded cast including Christopher McDonald and Julie Bowen, is remembered as one of Sandler’s standout works, co-written with Tim Herlihy. While Sandler hinted at the project on the Dan Patrick Show and Drew Barrymore mentioned it on her show, details about the release date and cast remain under wraps, leaving fans eagerly awaiting further news.

SPORTS

• ⛳️ PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: It’s always fun to write about the subject that led me to a minor in journalism at Clemson: golf. Here we go: San Diego’s own Xander Schauffele (California State, Long Beach + San Diego State) made history yesterday during the first round of the PGA Championship (Valhalla Golf Club: Louisville, KY) by posting a bogey-free 9-under par 62 in the opening round. This score ties the record for the lowest round in a major championship and surpasses the previous course record set by Jose Maria Olazabal in 2000. Schauffele, known for his unflappable demeanor, entered the tournament as one of the favorites, having previously finished second in the 2019 Masters and 2018 British Open. At the time of this content prep, Schauffele sits three ahead of Tony Finau (-6), and Orange County’s Sahith Theegala (Pepperdine University). Other SoCal notables include:

  • T18, -3: Max Homa (Burbank native)

  • T32, -2: Andrew Putnam (Pepperdine University)

  • T85, +1: Rickie Fowler (Murrieta native)

  • T85, +1: Tiger Woods (Cypress native, Western High School)

  • T126, +3: Phil Mickelson (San Diego native)

• 🏀 SPARKS DEBUT: The Los Angeles Sparks fell to the Atlanta Dream last night in Long Beach, 92-81. Rhyne Howard led the way for Atlanta with 25 points, while Tina Charles contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds. The Dream pulled away in the fourth quarter, fueled by an 11-0 run that gave them a 77-66 lead. Although the Sparks narrowed the gap to 87-81 late in the game, Atlanta held on for the win. Haley Jones (14 points) and Allisha Gray (12 points) also made significant contributions for the Dream. | Next Game: LA Sparks at Las Vegas Acres, Saturday at 12:00pm. ABC, ESPN Las Vegas.

GET READY 4 THE WKND, LA!

🤙 Hang Ten CuratedLA Fam,