In partnership with The Messi Experience

JUNE 14TH, 2024

FRIDAY

FRIDAY’S VIBES

WE MADE IT. WE MADE IT. WE MADE IT. FRIDAY IS HERE 🥳 

No newsletter today, Monday, June 17th as news sourced covered a lot of the ongoing fires. CuratedLA will run tomorrow, Tuesday June 18th, then Thursday and Friday of this week. See you all tomorrow! Wyatt

🚀 FRIDAY: We made it, Los Angeles. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Father’s Day Weekend, a weekend at the beach, or a Netflix + chill weekend. Whatever the case, soak in those good vibes. And speaking of which, here are today’s good vibes. See everyone on Monday! Wyatt

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THE HOV LANE

• 🐇 represents our hopes to provide political news without opinions. Please don’t trust us on politics, we don’t know anything other than how to drink a good CapriSun.

MESSI EXPERIENCE

⭐ The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True is an immersive & technological multimedia exhibit inspired by Leo Messi's life and career. With 9 thematic installations, including digital and physical games to learn soccer tricks from the GOAT, it's a captivating experience with rich interactivity and compelling stage design. As part of its world tour, The Messi Experience has now arrived in Los Angeles!

Highlights:
⭐ Enjoy a 9-installation, technology-driven multimedia experience that takes you on an unprecedented journey through the life and career of Leo Messi.
🏆 Experience Messi’s most iconic career moments firsthand, from the details of his youth in his hometown to winning the World Cup in Qatar.
📽️ Discover cutting-edge 360-degree projection mapping, the latest interactive technologies, and lifelike scenery from his Argentinian roots to Barcelona and other surprises, crafting an immersive dive into Messi's extraordinary life and career.
⚽ Train like Messi, shoot with Messi precision, practice the famous tiki taka, and be his supportive captain—plus, track your progress with the app!
💬 Meet and have virtual conversations with Messi using Artificial Intelligence.

🚨The Messi Experience opens TODAY in LA. Don’t Miss Out!🚨

EATS

LOCAL HEADLINES

🥯 CULVER CITY: Playdate is collaborating with Pop’s Bagels in Culver City for a bagel building workshop to celebrate Father’s Day Weekend. The workshop takes place tomorrow at 10:00am. Dads and kids will come together for a morning at The Culver Steps. Learn the bagel basics, get hands-on experience, and work on motor skills while building community + meeting friends 💜. Kids and Dads will build their own bagels by customizing their toppings together and will leave with a bonus Take & Bake Bagel for at-home baking. Saturday’s workshop will be led by Pop’s Bagels Founder and Dad, Zach Liporace. Due to the hands-on nature of the workshop, this event is best suited for ages 2+.

🌮 LITTLE TOKYO: TACO Madness takes place tomorrow in Little Tokyo at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Hosted by L.A. Taco, this fifteenth anniversary of TACO Madness festival will showcase twelve of L.A.’s favorite taquerias serving their best tacos, cold Boomtown Brewing Beer and micheladas, and some of L.A.’s best DJs. Also tomorrow night: live graffiti art that will be judged by guest judges. All the fun begins tomorrow at 6:00pm and won’t stop until midnight, and maybe even later.

OPENINGS

🥯 BURBANK: Let’s continue talking about bagels as Bagel Boss in Burbank just opened up. This bagel eatery has a strong-presence in New York, New Jersey + Florida and our own Burbank marks the brand’s West Coast debut. The menu offers bagels inspired by Long Island roots with classic smoked fish dishes, signature sandwiches such as the Reuben and CEO, colossal salads, customizable eggs + more. While Bagel Boss excels in quick, grab-and-go meals, it also embraces trends with vividly hued cream cheeses like strawberry and blueberry, alongside a playful funfetti option, perfect for spreading on their eye-catching rainbow bagels.

• 🥯 Bakery: Bagels

• ⏰ Daily: 6:00a - 4:00p

• 📸 Website | Instagram | Menus

🍨 LOS FELIZ: Los Feliz is gearing up for a sweet addition as Handel's Homemade Ice Cream prepares to open its 140th location on June 20th at the Elinor Building on 4531 Hollywood Blvd. Operated by local residents Phil and Molly Kaye, the grand opening promises a treat-filled celebration starting at 11:00am. The first one-hundred eager guests in-line will enjoy the ultimate perk: free ice cream for an entire year. Handel's renowned for its handcrafted flavors and commitment to quality, making this new spot a must-visit destination for ice cream aficionados in the neighborhood.

🎬️ HOLLYWOOD: Madame Tussauds Hollywood is elevating the celebrity dining experience with the Hollywood Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, opening August 2nd. Guests can dine alongside wax figures of stars like Ryan Gosling, Harry Styles, and Ariana Grande. Accessed via a VIP elevator, the rooftop venue will feature dishes by Chef Shirlie Belloso and a selection of cocktails. Open daily from 11:00am to 10:00pm, the restaurant welcomes all, with no museum ticket required.

🍷 SILVER LAKE: The team behind Santo is launching Barr Seco, a new café and wine bar in Silver Lake, this summer. Chef David Potes’s menu will draw from Mexico City, Manila, and the Mediterranean, complemented by natural wines selected by sommelier Kae Whalen. Architect Lena Kohl’s initial renderings reveal a cozy main room featuring a wood bar and green tile backsplash. Follow Barr Seco’s developments on their newly created Instagram.

🎬️ HOLLYWOOD: Ben Shenassafar, co-founder of streetwear giant The Hundreds and Family Style Fest, is diving into the culinary scene with a new LA hotspot, The Benjamin. Announced via Instagram, Shenassafar revealed the venture began in October 2023 when restaurateur Jared Meisler introduced him to a prime Hollywood location, sharing a building with the Moon Room. Partnering with Kate Burr, Meisler, and Shenassafar, The Benjamin is set to open its doors this summer.

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EVENTS

BIG LIST OF EVENTS

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ACTIVITIES

🎞️ CULVER CITY: Kick off summer at the Ivy Station Night Market tonight from 5:00pm - 10:00pm in Culver City. Browse unique finds from dozens of local artisanal vendors, plus enjoy gourmet food trucks + on-site dining, craft beer from Los Angeles Ale Works, lawn games, and beats from Ivy Station’s resident DJ. The Ivy Station Market is family + dog-friendly and a fun destination for date night, a meetup with friends, or a family outing. Admission is free for this event and free parking for tonight will be available in the Ivy Station Garage (entrances at 8900 Venice Blvd. or 8840 National Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232). Follow signs for visitor parking. Take the elevator or stairs up into the park plaza. Ivy Station is also conveniently located at the Culver City stop of the Metro E line and has ample bike parking on site.

🎡 SANTA MONICA: Santa Monica’s Movie Fridays takes place tonight Downtown at the Promenade. Tonight’s complimentary showing is the musical Rent. The event starts at 6:30pm with Rent beginning at 7:30pm. Popcorn, a DJ, and fun will be had both before, during, and after the movie.

⭐️ GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY: Join our community tomorrow from 2:00pm to 9:45pm for an enchanting evening under the stars at Griffith Observatory for a free public star event. Families can explore the wonders of the Sun, Moon, planets, and celestial objects through a variety of telescopes provided by volunteers from the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and The Planetary Society. This monthly gathering offers a unique opportunity to engage with knowledgeable amateur astronomers, who are eager to share insights about the night sky and their equipment. Please note, telescope viewing will conclude promptly at 9:45pm to ensure everyone can experience the cosmic wonders before the observatory closes at 10:00pm.

🏎️ BEVERLY HILLS: A fun Father’s Day is going down Sunday on Rodeo Drive from 10:00am to 4:00pm with the 29th annual Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance. California’s most iconic street will transform into a car enthusiast’s paradise with one-hundred rare and iconic vehicles on display. Hypercars, supercars, race cars, classics, and custom-built marvels, curated from exclusive private collections and top manufacturers will be seen throughout the day. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits + debut displays from sponsors like O’Gara Beverly Hills showcasing models such as the new Aston Martin Vantage and McLaren Artura Spider. For added excitement, the event will feature an interactive display from the upcoming Netflix film Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, offering photo ops with the iconic blue 1970 Chevy Nova and a chance to ‘cop the look’ of Axel Foley. Attendees can also immerse themselves in the world of Formula 1 with a special display featuring 2024 F1 show cars and photo opportunities. Food enthusiasts will delight in offerings from local food trucks and carts, including favorites like Baby’s Badass Burgers and Ginger’s Divine Ice Cream. | 💌 

🧘 VENICE: Start your week off right with More of That's signature BEST MORNING EVER! Join the community in this free event on Venice Beach before 8:30am for an energizing blend of yoga, journaling, and community connection. Led by Leah Zaccaria, founder of Shefayoga, and accompanied by DJ Tagus spinning live beats, this week’s session promises something extra special. Bring your journal, pen, yoga mat, and a swimsuit if you fancy a refreshing dip in the ocean post-yoga. Layers are recommended as the morning starts cool but quickly warms up. Don’t miss out on this free community event—RSVP for single sessions or subscribe for updates on the full season. It’s the perfect opportunity to set your intentions and kickstart your week surrounded by positivity and good vibes.

🎤 MACARTHUR PARK: Join comedians Chris Estrada, Felicia Folkes, Chike Robinson, and Robin Tran for a night of networking and laughs at Poverty is Not a Joke, an event to raise funds to end poverty. Poverty is Not a Joke takes place this upcoming Tuesday, June 18th at Dynasty Typewriter from 7:00pm - 8:30pm, and tickets are going fast.

🧑‍🍳 HOLLYWOOD BLVD + VINE ST: Independent Hospitality Coalition presents a special collaborative dinner featuring the chefs of six remarkable Los Angeles restaurants cooking with Jemma Chef Jackson Kalb. The event takes place Monday, June 24th at Jemma Hollywood. Proceeds from this dinner will benefit the nonprofit Independent Hospitality Coalition (IHC) whose advocacy work aims to reshape policy and eliminate unnecessary red tape for LA's independent hospitality industry and beyond. The participating restaurants and chefs: Barra Santos, Melissa Lopez Tsubaki/OTOTO/Camelia, Charles Namba Maydan, Rose Previte Jemma/Jame/Ospi, Jackson Kalb Poncho’s Tlayudas, Alfonso Martinez Moo’s Craft BBQ, Michelle and Andrew Munoz Valerie Confections, Valerie Gordon BONUS: Guests will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a reservation for two at Hayato. Tickers are $120, and spots are limited so those interested are encouraged to buy tickets ASAP.

🍿 BURBANK: IKEA in Burbank will host a Family Movie Night on Monday, June 26th from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. The evening will kick off with a kids' craft session, followed by a showing of Disney Pixar's LIGHTYEAR. Complimentary popcorn and light refreshments will be available. Additional snacks and drinks can be purchased at the Swedish Restaurant.

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COMMUNITY

💸 GRANTS NOW OPEN: The LA2050 Grants Challenge is now open to applicants through June 28th. The challenge is an open call for ideas to make Los Angeles County the best place to connect, create, learn, live, and play. Since 2013, there have been ten cycles of the Grants Challenge, giving more than ten million to 140 local social impact organizations from the help of thousands of individuals casting votes. 

This year’s goals were shaped through the engagement of tens of thousands of Angelenos and input from experts, advisors, and partners. Each of the goals are supported by a set of metrics that, taken together, define what it means for us in Los Angeles to achieve. 

Grant recipients will be announced September 26th. All submissions, whether they are selected for a grant or not, will be showcased on LA2050’s Ideas Hub. The Ideas Hub is a searchable database of 3,100 proposals for a better LA, and has been crowdsourced over the previous ten cycles of the LA2050 Grants Challenge. | 💌 

🚨 BEACH ADVISORIES: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a warning for beachgoers to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in the waters at several beaches due to elevated bacterial levels. The affected areas include Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach, Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach, Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach, Malibu Pier, Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach, Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey, Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach, and Santa Monica Pier. For detailed information and updates, residents can call the beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662 or visit PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/

🚇️ WEST HOLLYWOOD: West Hollywood City Council, residents, and Metro have met recently to discuss the potential of a Metro K Line Northern Extension. After years of deliberation, the preferred route, supported by both the City Council and community feedback, would extend up San Vicente Boulevard and traverse Santa Monica Boulevard, linking the Exposition Line with the Hollywood/Highland Red Line station. City Council recently received an update indicating the draft environmental impact report is nearing completion and approved an additional $100,000 for outreach efforts. Mayor John Erickson highlighted the critical nature of this project for West Hollywood's future, while Councilman John Heilman expressed optimism that the San Vicente/Fairfax alignment, serving key spots like the Rainbow District, Original Farmers Market, and Beverly Center, would be the chosen route due to its potential to outperform existing lines and secure federal funding.

🪙 METRO BUDGET: LA Metro's 2025 budget largely meets rider expectations, according to the My Metro Budget survey results. Launched in December, the interactive tool allowed users to adjust budget allocations across operations, public safety, cleaning, and planning. The findings, released Monday, show a strong preference for maintaining current funding levels. Notably, 72% of respondents support the existing rail service budget, and 70% wish to keep the bus lane funding unchanged. Public safety saw some division, with 24% advocating reduced law enforcement spending, favoring in-house security and outreach programs instead. Metro’s 2025 budget includes significant increases for public safety, cleaning services, and active transportation projects.

🪸 LONG BEACH: Join Car-Lite Long Beach tomorrow at 9:00am for a community walk and bike tour of the Downtown Long Beach Shoreline to provide community input on the proposed Downtown Shoreline Vision Plan.

⏩️ VIRAL CONCERN: A viral video showing a concerning gap crossing the 105 + 605 Freeway Overpass in Norwalk has succesfully drawn attention to a much-needed fix for Caltrans. The video shows foam debris falling from a steel joint, which Caltrans plans to address when the ramp can safely be closed.

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DEVELOPMENT

🏗️ DTLA: Work has resumed on developer Geoff Palmer's expansive Ferrante apartment complex by the I-110 Freeway in Downtown L.A. Located on a ten-acre site at Temple Street + Beaudry Avenue, the project features seven-story buildings with 1,150 apartments, 21,000 square feet of commercial space, and parking for 2,600 vehicles. The second phase mirrors the Italian Renaissance-inspired design of the completed first phase, offering amenities like courtyards and pool decks.

🏡 GLENDALE: A proposed residential project on South Kenwood Avenue in Glendale is set to introduce a new five-story building offering forty units, developed by VK Group with designs by Urban Design Specialists. Renderings presented to the Glendale City Council showcase a modern podium-style construction with publicly accessible open space and a rooftop deck. The development includes onsite parking for seventy-three vehicles and utilizes density bonus incentives to exceed zoning regulations, with five units designated for very low-income households. A staff report recommends initial design approval, though the construction timeline remains undisclosed for this centrally located site, three blocks east of Brand Boulevard.

🚧 SANTA CLARITA: Santa Clarita is set to kick off the Traffic and Pedestrian Circulation and Safety Improvements Project, aiming to ease peak-hour congestion and enhance pedestrian safety. The project features raised center medians, extended turn lanes, and relocated bus stops to support local traffic, commercial, and residential activities. Key intersections, including Copper Hill Drive at Rio Norte Drive, will see significant upgrades. Funded by $1.5 million in federal support, the project’s launch will be marked by a press event next week on June 18th. | 💌 

🇰🇷 KOREATOWN: A new residential development proposal has emerged at 806 South Manhattan Place in Koreatown, Los Angeles, envisioning a seven-story building housing thirty-three apartment units. Bedrock Property Investors leads the project, with Archeon Group designing the complex, set to replace an existing 1940s residential building on site. Plans include a mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, alongside ground-floor parking for seven vehicles and a rooftop deck. Seeking Transit Oriented Communities incentives for increased density, the project aims to allocate four units for extremely low-income households in exchange. Located one block west of 8th Street and Western Avenue, the project's application is currently under review by the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, with construction timelines pending confirmation.

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BUSINESS

🎞️ CULVER CITY: Sony Pictures (HQ: Culver City) has acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, the seven-largest theater chain. Alamo Drafthouse attracts over ten million visitors annually and serves alcoholic beverages + food (food being non-alcoholic). Sony’s new division, Sony Pictures Experiences, will be led by Alamo’s CEO Michael Kustermann who will focus on enhancing the moviegoing experience. Alamo Drafthouse will remain independent, with its headquarters in Austin, with it said that it will provide no preferential treatment for Sony Films.

🎡 SANTA MONICA: Cypress Equity Investments has snapped up a prime retail center on Wilshire Boulevard for seven million dollars. The off-market acquisition, managed by Kennedy Wilson’s Ed Sachse and Christine Deschaine for Auerbach Realty Holdings, expands CEI’s holdings to a combined 25,457 square feet along a newly zoned thoroughfare. The 3,149-square-foot property sold for $2,222 per square foot—an impressive 274% above the Santa Monica market average. The deal also included relocating the beloved Noma Sushi, ensuring its continued service in the local area.

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ENTERTAINMENT

🍿 WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: Pixar's Inside Out 2 heads into the box office this weekend with an opening of $85m - $115m. Inside Out’s sequel looks to benefit from the minimal competition and the onset of summer breaks, nine years after the original landed in theaters. Fandango’s pre-sales for Inside Out 2 have surpassed the first Inside Out and is already set to become one of the biggest openings of the year, shadowing other 2024 hits like Dune: Part Two and Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die will go into its second weekend at the box office, with earnings estimates said to bring this action-packed comedy $28m - $35m. Though the sequel’s numbers are slightly lower than its predecessor, stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have been able to bring in name resonance.

And Garfield continues to charm the hearts of families. The Garfield Movie is projected to have a $4m - $6m weekend heading into its fourth week. Garfield is competing with Inside Out 2’s younger audience. But Garfield’s humor, with voice actors in that of both Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson has been able to keep the orange character in the game to both fans and families alike.

🌭 NETFLIX X HOT DOGS: Eating legends Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobyashi are set to face off in Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef on Netflix this Labor Day. The epic hot dog-eating contest, streaming live September 2nd, promises to reignite their storied rivalry and crown the ultimate champion. Timing and location details are yet to be announced, but many will be following along after Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest just banned Chestnut for his Impossible Foods deal.

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SPORTS

👨‍🦳 JERRY WEST: Jerry West passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday morning. West's influence spanned eight decades, earning nine championships in various roles such as player, scout, coach, executive, and consultant. He was instrumental in the Lakers' success during the 1980s and 2000s, and later advised the Golden State Warriors. As a player, West was a fourteen-time All-Star, twelve-time All-NBA, and five-time All-Defensive team member, with a storied career that included an NBA Finals MVP in 1969, despite being on the losing team. His leadership extended beyond the court, where he earned Executive of the Year honors and shaped the rosters of multiple championship teams. West's contributions to basketball were recognized with a Hall of Fame induction and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is also the iconic figure behind the NBA logo.

⛳️ U.S. OPEN: The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 has kicked off with thrilling action, and Long Beach native Patrick Cantlay has made a significant early statement tied for the lead with Rory McIlroy. While Scottie Scheffler was expected to dominate, Cantlay emerged as the standout, firing a superb 5-under 65. His round included three birdies in the final five holes, showcasing his precision and nerve on the course. Cantlay's putting was impeccable, totaling just 23 putts, a personal best in a major tournament. Rory McIlroy matched Cantlay's score with a bogey-free 65, highlighted by a spectacular walk-in birdie on the 18th. With McIlroy and Cantlay tied for the lead, the competition promises intense drama as the tournament unfolds.

🧢 RANGERS 3, DODGERS 1: Michael Lorenzen delivered a stellar performance, pitching seven innings of one-run ball while rookie Wyatt Langford had two RBIs to lead the Texas Rangers to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on last night at Dodger Stadium, clinching their first series win in Los Angeles since 1999. Manager Bruce Bochy praised the Rangers' resilience and defensive prowess, highlighting their ability to bounce back after a tough series opener. Reliever David Robertson dazzled by striking out Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman consecutively for the second consecutive night, a rare feat this season that secured Texas' victory. Despite a late homer from Dodgers rookie Andy Pages, the Rangers' pitching stifled Los Angeles' offense throughout the night. Kirby Yates closed the game with a gutsy effort, earning his 10th save. The loss marked a frustrating night for the Dodgers, who failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities late in the game. The Rangers now look ahead to a series against the Seattle Mariners, while the Dodgers prepare to host the Kansas City Royals in an interleague matchup.

⚾️ DIAMONDBACKS 11, ANGELS 1: Christian Walker’s power surge led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a commanding 11-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, capping a series win and continuing their strong recent form. Walker ignited the D-backs' offense early with two home runs off Angels starter Griffin Canning, boosting his season tally to 15. His first blast, a three-run shot in the opening frame, set the tone, followed swiftly by a solo homer in the third inning. Manager Torey Lovullo praised Walker’s disciplined approach, underscoring his pivotal role in the lineup. Brandon Pfaadt delivered a solid pitching performance, allowing just one run over six innings to secure the win. Joc Pederson sealed the victory with a late grand slam, highlighting Arizona’s offensive prowess. The Diamondbacks’ momentum continues as they prepare to host the White Sox next, while the Angels aim to rebound on the road against the Giants.

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HAVE A GREAT WKND, LA!

🤙 Have a wonderful weekend. Put those swimming trunks on, LA,

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