SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2024

WEDNESDAY’S VIBES

WE ARE

ALMOST THERE

• 👋 HAPPY WEDNESDAY: Happy Wednesday, Los Angeles Family! I know that we are all having great wins as we reach this week’s halfway point. And if you are thinking about a career pivot, just remember that you can do it: Brad Pitt first learned of a Hollywood acting class while driving a limo for strippers. Now onto today’s good vibes! See you all on Friday. Wyatt PS - only Sports Links today as only LA game was the Dodgers’ loss against the Padres (a triple play to end the game - has that ever happened?!)…. no LA games for others (including NFL, NCAA).

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HOV LANES

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EATS

HEADLINES

• 🍺 SANTA MONICA: Santa Monica Brew Works is turning ten, and they're throwing a party this weekend to celebrate. Starting Friday, patrons can swing by their Tasting Room and Beer Garden for exclusive beer releases, including the Hang 10 Hazy IPA and Magic Hour IPA, plus limited-edition merch, anniversary specials, and giveaways. Santa Monica Brew Works is also offering 10% off draft beers, with Emmy Squared Pizza matching that discount on dine-in orders. With good vibes, good brews, and a community spirit, it’s a celebration you won’t want to miss.

• 🥤 KATY PERRY X EREWHON: Katy Perry's latest Erewhon smoothie collab, Orange You Glad I Love You, is as vibrant as its name suggests. Inspired by her album 143, this bold creation blends orange, pineapple, and pitaya with creamy coconut and almond milk for a tropical twist. The star ingredient? A splash of her own De Soi Spritz Italiano, adding an adaptogenic fizz. But it doesn’t stop there—this $22 smoothie also features organic carrots, goji berries, and lucuma for an antioxidant punch, plus vanilla collagen and Euphoria powder to tie it all together. Best part? A portion of proceeds supports Perry's Firework Foundation, empowering underserved kids through the arts​.

• 🥟 DOWNTOWN LA: In celebration of National Dumpling Day tomorrow, Kaminari is offering a limited-time tasting menu featuring their signature gyozas, paired with Fly by Jin’s chili sauces as a part of a special brand collaboration. The first twenty guests to order this special National Dumpling Day menu will receive a complimentary Fly by Jing sauce. The celebrations commence tomorrow from 11:00am - 2:30pm + 5:00pm - 9:00pm at Kaminari on 1st Street. 💌 

OPENINGS

• 🇬🇷 GLENDORA: Grape Leaf Greek Kouzina just landed in Glendora, bringing a fresh take on Mediterranean flavors to S. Grand Avenue. From classic gyros to rich moussaka, this spot promises an authentic Greek feast with a modern twist with family recipes. Grape Leaf has a very cozy vibe, and is both kid + adult friendly.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

• 🍜 GLENDALE: California Wok has just expanded to Glendale. Now serving up their fresh Chinese-American fusion on E. Colorado Street, this spot is perfect for quick, flavorful bites like their signature orange chicken or sautéed veggies. Whether you’re craving orange chicken or a veggie stir-fry, it’s all about healthy, flavorful options with a California twist.

  • Website + Menu

• 🍳 ECHO PARK: Egg Tuck has officially hit Echo Park with its soft opening. Specializing in fluffy, egg-centric sandwiches served on buttery brioche buns, this spot is a must-visit for anyone serious about their breakfast game. The space combines modern minimalism with a vibrant energy, offering a bright, welcoming atmosphere that feels perfectly in sync with Echo Park’s creative scene. The location for Egg Tuck’s soft opening in Echo Park is 2213 W. Sunset Boulevard, 90026 ,7:30am - 3:30pm daily.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

• 🍣 GLENDALE: Seabutter has officially landed at The Americana in Glendale, bringing its sleek sushi game to the heart of the shopping hub. Known for artfully crafted rolls and ultra-fresh sashimi, this spot is a must for sushi lovers who want quality with a side of style. Whether you’re doing a quick bite between shopping or planning a full sushi spread, Seabutter’s got you covered.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

• 🍞 BURBANK: Crust Artisan Bakery in Burbank is where old-school baking meets modern flavor. Specializing in small-batch, handcrafted goods, this bakery is beloved for its rustic sourdough, perfectly golden croissants, and indulgent cookies. Everything is made with the finest natural ingredients, emphasizing quality and tradition. Their sourdough has a cult following for its tangy flavor and perfect crumb, while their pies and cakes make any day feel like a celebration.

  • Website + Menu

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EVENTS

TODAY

• 🎤 DYNASTY TYPEWRITER: TODAY, 6PM: TRY GUYS 10 YEAR SPECIAL. Hold onto your butts as The Try Guys mark ten years of friendship, adventures, and internet chaos! This unmissable event contains a parade of friends, all your favorite shows, and surprise guests – it’s all happening live, just for you!  Join Keith, Zach, and Eugene for a spectacular show a decade in the making. Buy tickets online.

• 🎤 DYNASTY TYPEWRITER: TODAY, 7:30PM: LOVETT OR LEAVE IT. With special guests Allison Reese, James Adomian, and Damon Lindelof! Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 ORPHEUM THEATRE: TODAY, 7:30PM: JOHNNY MARR. With James. Buy tickets online.

• 🎤 HOLLYWOOD IMPROV: TODAY, 7:30PM: ILIZA SHLESINGER. Special Event. Running her new hour live at The Hollywood Improv. Buy tickets online.

• 🎤 LAUGH FACTORY: TODAY, 7:45PM: ALL-STAR COMEDY. With Dane Cook, Orny Adams, Tony Baker, Caroline Rhea, Gary Cannon. Buy tickets online.

• 🔥 INTUIT DOME: TODAY, 8PM: USHER. Past Present Future Tour. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 REGENT THEATER: TODAY, 8PM: TOKYO POLICE CLUB. The Final Tour with Born Ruffians. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 THE WILTERN: TODAY, 8PM: WAVE TO EARTH. 0.03 Tour. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 THE LODGE ROOM: TODAY, 8PM: THE SHEEPDOGS. With Shane Gurrette. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 TERAGRAM BALLROOM: TODAY, 8PM: LSD AND THE SEARCH FOR GOD. With Ulrika Spacek. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 THE ECHO: TODAY, 8PM: TOWA BIRD. With Max Leone. Buy tickets online.

• 💃 THE BOURBON ROOM: TODAY, 8PM: DEAR AMY. Amy Winehouse Tribute with Vegas Gaga (Lady Gaga Tribute). Buy tickets online.

• 🔥 LARGO AT THE CORONET: TODAY, 8PM: JUDD APATOW & FRIENDS. A Benefit For Comedy Gives Back. Featuring Jim Jefferies, Mike O’Brien, Melody Federer and more! Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 GREEK THEATRE: TODAY, 8:30PM: FAYE WEBSTER. With Mel Ehara. Presented by Goldenvoice. Buy tickets online.

• 🎤 UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE: TODAY, 8:30PM: MAUDE NIGHT: DETENTION!!! & BAGUETTE, LIVE AND LIVESTREAMED! Come see top-notch sketch comedy featuring two teams of UCB’s finest writers and performers. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 FONDA THEATRE: TODAY, 9PM: NIA ARCHIVES. With Maleigh Zan & HiTech. Buy tickets online.

• 🎤 HOLLYWOOD IMPROV: TODAY, 9:30PM: LONG TIME NO SEE. Featuring Erik Griffin, Tony Rock, Ken Flores, Erica Rhodes, Charles Greaves, Carmen Christopher and more TBA! Buy tickets online.

• 🎤 LAUGH FACTORY: TODAY, 10PM: ALL-STAR COMEDY II. With Dane Cook, a Special Guest, Caroline Rhea, Gary Cannon and Chris Spencer. Buy tickets online.

• 🔥 THE COMEDY STORE: TODAY, 10:30PM: BILL BURR & FRIENDS. A Fundraiser Show for Marcus Giesen. **Low Ticket Warning** Buy tickets online.

THURSDAY

• 🎨 BABY BATTISTA @ NICO’S: THURSDAY, 7PM: POTTERY PAINT & SIP WITH HAIVYN DAISY. Get your creative fix while sipping on a glass of wine with Haivyn Daisy at Baby Battista. Tickets ($76) score you a ceramic wine goblet to paint, all art supplies, and a complimentary drink. Your masterpiece will be fired and glossed, ready for pickup in a couple of weeks. Perfect for all skill levels, and capped at just twenty people—so grab your spot fast! Must be 21+. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 ORPHEUM THEATRE: THURSDAY, 7:30PM: JAMES. With Johnny Marr. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL: THURSDAY, 8PM: CAMILO. Nuestro Lugar Feliz Tour. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM: THURSDAY, 8PM: FONTAINES D.C.. With Been Stellar. Buy tickets online.

• 🎤 LARGO AT THE CORONET: THURSDAY, 8PM: PETE HOLMES. Living At Largo. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 THE REGENT THEATER: THURSDAY, 8PM: TOKYO POLICE CLUB. The Final Tour with Born Ruffians. Buy tickets online.

• 🎤 THE COMEDY STORE: THURSDAY, 8PM: BEST OF THE STORE. With: Bobby Lee, Chris Spencer, Ian Edwards, Shawn Pelofsky + more! Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY: THURSDAY, 9PM: PERFUME GENIUS. Too Bright 10th Anniversary Tour with Julianna Barwick. Buy tickets online.

• 🔥 HOLLYWOOD IMPROV: THURSDAY, 9:30PM: TONIGHT AT THE IMPROV. Ft: Tim Dillon, Chris Barnes, and more TBA! Buy tickets online.

FIVE FUTURES

• 🎵 YOUTUBE THEATER: FRIDAY, 8PM: YUNG GRAVY. With Carter Vail. Buy tickets online.

• ✝️ INTUIT DOME: SATURDAY, 7PM: ELEVATION WORSHIP. With Steven Furtick. Buy tickets online.

• 🌎️ DYNASTY TYPEWRITER: SATURDAY, 7:30PM: CLIMATE VARIETY SHOW. Ayana E. Johnson and Jason Sudeikis + special guests! Buy tickets online.

• 🎻 HERB ALPERT’S VIBRATO GRILL & JAZZ: SATURDAY, 9PM: SETH MACFARLANE. Seth MacFarlane and his Chamber Orchestra. Buy tickets online.

• 🎸 THE SORAYA: SUNDAY, 3PM: RANDY NEWMAN. Randy Newman’s FAUST: The Concert. Buy tickets online.

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ACTIVITIES

• 🧥 CULVER CITY: THURSDAY, 5PM - 8PM: The La Sabina Vintage Flea is back and bigger than ever—this time with ten stellar vendors offering everything from vintage threads to handmade jewelry and gorgeous house plants. Swing by, shop the goods, and vibe to vinyl tunes curated by @soilandneil. Food and drinks will be flowing all evening.

• 🎭️ SANTA MONICA: SUNDAY: Get ready for a night of timeless romance as the Musical Theatre Guild presents a semi-staged reading of The Light in the Piazza at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica on September 29th. This Tony-winning musical, set in Florence, tells the story of Clara and Fabrizio’s whirlwind love affair, with a score that blends modern sophistication and classic Broadway melodies. Directed by Glee's Brad Ellis, the cast of Broadway veterans promises a moving, musically rich performance. Don’t miss this one-night-only show kicking off the Guild’s 2024-2025 season. Tickets available now.

• 🚚 CONCERT TRUCK: SEPT. 27TH - OCT. 2ND: The Concert Truck is rolling into Thousand Oaks, bringing live music straight to the streets—literally. From September 27th to October 2nd, this sixteen-foot mobile concert hall will host seven free performances, with three open to the public. Catch the shows at the Goebel Adult Center (September 27th, 4:00pm), Five07 Coffee House (September 29th, 10:00am), and Newbury Park Library (September 30th, 6:30pm). With parking available at each stop, just bring a chair and enjoy the vibes. Bonus: private concerts for local schools and clinics. Concert vibes courtesy of Susan Zhang (piano) and Eleni Katz (bassoon).

• 🏒 EL SEGUNDO: NEXT SATURDAY: The LA Kings are hosting their fifth annual End of Summer Sale at the Toyota Sports Performance Center from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Swing by to score game-used memorabilia, pro-stock gear, and even historical pieces from Crypto Arena. Spend $300+ and snag two free tickets to an upcoming home game! Plus, enjoy hockey activities, lawn games, food, and meet Kings personalities like Mikey Alexander and DJ Los. Want early access? Grab a $50 Priority Pass before they sell out.

• 😘 #DATEWEEK: STARTS NEXT FRIDAY: Tired of endless swiping and awkward speed dating? LA’s dating scene is getting a serious upgrade with #DateWeek, running from October 4th - 11th. Presented by Paloma, a dating app for relationship-ready singles, #DateWeek is packed with actual fun IRL events hosted by top LA spots like BARRY’s, SoulCycle, 1212, and Winston House. Think dumpling-making classes, fitness sessions, and social mixers—perfect for sparking connections beyond the apps. It’s your chance to meet new people in real life, no fish pics required.

• 🎵 SOFI STADIUM: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH: The Black Eyed Peas are bringing some hometown energy to this year's East L.A. Classic. Will.i.am, who grew up in Boyle Heights, announced that the group will perform during the varsity halftime show at SoFi Stadium on Friday, October 25th. The 89th annual Roosevelt vs. Garfield showdown promises to be epic, with JV football, girls' flag football, and the highly anticipated varsity game kicking off the action. Tickets are $40, available at the schools or via Ticketmaster.

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COMMUNITY

• 💯 TOP SPOTS: UCLA and UC Berkeley once again top the list of public universities in the U.S., securing the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively, in the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report rankings. All nine UC campuses landed in the top 100, with UC Merced making notable strides, now ranked 26th among public schools. UC Riverside took the No. 1 spot for social mobility, while multiple UC schools shined in the rankings for veterans and affordability. The UC system's reputation for academic excellence, diversity, and future financial success remains unmatched. In related news, Clemson remains top in South Carolina in U.S. News rankings, several Clemson programs highlighted among Best in Nation. Go Tigers. Beat Stanford. 

• 🎓️ MORE SCHOOLING: The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is planting deeper roots in downtown LA, with plans for a new $12m campus at The Grand LA, located in the arts-rich Grand Ave Corridor. Set to open in 2025, this 19,689-square-foot space will expand Ross’s Executive MBA program, which has operated in LA since 2012, and offer state-of-the-art classrooms, event spaces, and workspaces. Dean Sharon Matusik sees this move as a gateway to global business hubs and a strategic connection to LA’s thriving industries, blending Ross’s innovative spirit with LA’s dynamic economy.

• 🛫 IT’S ELECTRIC!: The Santa Monica Airport is now home to the Pipistrel Velis Electro, the first all-electric plane certified by the FAA. This quiet, zero-emission aircraft is not only a win for the environment but is perfect for training new pilots with its low operating costs. Imagine no more roaring engines over West LA skies—just the hum of a greener future. Interested in taking flight? You can book a lesson and experience it yourself.

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DEVELOPMENT

• 💎 BEVERLY HILLS: A new eight-story mixed-use development is coming to the corner of Wilshire and Robertson in Beverly Hills. DE Architects’ sleek, contemporary design for 8811 Wilshire Blvd. features 56 studio and one-bedroom apartments, along with 7,644 sq ft of ground-floor retail space. As part of the project, ten units will be designated for low- and moderate-income households, in line with the new density bonus laws. Expect smooth stucco exteriors, panel windows, and a rooftop deck overlooking Wilshire. With approval likely from the Planning Commission, this project is poised to add fresh energy to Beverly Hills' evolving Mixed-Use Overlay Zone.

• 🛫 SANTA MONICA: Santa Monica is moving forward with Phase 2 of its plan to transform the 227-acre Santa Monica Airport site into a vibrant public space. The city is calling on residents to help prioritize ideas through a survey available until October 16th. This phase, part of a five-phase project set to wrap by late 2025, will refine suggestions and establish guiding principles for the site's future. Locals can also apply for micro-grants to host listening sessions, keeping the community voice at the heart of the project. Operations at the airport will officially end in 2028, marking a major shift for the area.

• 🚲️ MORE SANTA MONICA: Santa Monica just wrapped up the 20th Street Bike and Pedestrian project, filling a key gap in the city’s Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway. With a two-way protected bike lane, widened walkways, and fresh crosswalks, the stretch between 19th Court and 21st Street now offers smoother, safer travel for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Toss in new bike signals and upgraded lighting, and it’s another solid step towards Santa Monica’s goal of becoming a more sustainable, connected city.

• 🏡 WEST HOLLYWOOD: West Hollywood is set to bring more affordable senior housing to N. Crescent Heights Blvd. The city has greenlit an exclusive agreement with Community Corp. of Santa Monica, a non-profit known for affordable developments across LA County. Their proposal? A five-story complex with forty studio and one-bedroom units, plus community spaces and services. Designed with sustainability in mind, the project is aiming for LEED certification. If all goes to plan, the city will offer a $1m loan for predevelopment, with construction set to move forward after a six-month negotiation period.

• 🏨 SANTA MONICA: Santa Monica’s hotel scene is getting a major refresh. Last Wednesday, Hyatt took over the former Le Méridien Delfina, rebranding it as the Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica. While Viceroy Hotel Group continues to manage the property, expect a $16m facelift—updating the restaurant, lobby, and meeting spaces through 2025. Meanwhile, Crescent Hotels & Resorts snagged Courtyard and Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Monica, adding them to their portfolio. And the unveiling of the rebranded Regent Santa Monica Beach will take place October 1st.

• 👾 DOWNTOWN LA: Refik Anadol Studio just announced plans for the world’s first museum dedicated to AI art, set to open in 2025 at The Grand LA, a Frank Gehry-designed marvel in downtown LA. Dubbed ‘Dataland,’ the museum will blend cutting-edge technology, AI research, and the arts, creating immersive, machine-learning-powered experiences. Positioned near iconic spots like MOCA and The Broad, Dataland aims to redefine what a museum can be—an intersection of human creativity and machine intelligence.

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BUSINESS

• ⛳️ TOPGOLF X SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: Topgolf and SEGA of America are teaming up to bring Sonic the Hedgehog to Topgolf venues in Los Angeles this November, with an all-new game blending Sonic’s fast-paced action and golf. Players will take on iconic Sonic environments like Green Hill Zone and Sky Sanctuary, hitting golf balls to collect rings, destroy badniks, and climb leaderboards alongside Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy. It’s the first major gaming collab for Topgolf since their 2020 Angry Birds release, and Sonic fans of all skill levels can join the fun with Topgolf’s new beginner-friendly club, The Sure Thing. 💌 

• 🎬️ PARAMOUNT: Paramount Global is moving into the second phase of its U.S. layoffs, aiming to slash 15% of its workforce by year’s end. These cuts, part of a plan to save $500m, come ahead of Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media. 90% of layoffs are expected to wrap up this week.

• 🚀 NEW LA EQUITY FIRM: Composition Capital has officially launched as a private equity firm focused on providing growth capital to tech and tech-enabled companies. Founded by seasoned investors Nishita Cummings and Leon Chen—formerly of Kayne Anderson’s Kayne Partners—the firm brings over $1.3bn in managed assets experience to the table. With a focus on lower middle-market companies, Composition aims to unlock big opportunities in an underserved sector. Backed by a talented team and a robust operator network, they’re set to back the next generation of tech innovators.

• 📺️ WARNER BROS. X GOOGLE: Warner Bros. Discovery and Google are teaming up to launch ‘caption AI,’ a tool that automatically generates captions for Max's unscripted content using Google’s Vertex AI platform. This tech slashes captioning costs by up to 50% and speeds up the process by 80%, making caption generation faster and more efficient. While AI handles much of the heavy lifting, human transcribers will still ensure accuracy.

• 🛩️ ELECTRIC FLIGHT SCHOOL: The future of clean aviation just touched down in Santa Monica. The Eco-Aviation Foundation International has taken delivery of the first-ever FAA-exempt Pipistrel Velis Electro, a fully electric aircraft designed for flight training at Santa Monica Airport. Not only is the Velis Electro whisper-quiet at 60 decibels, but it’s also zero-emissions, making it a game changer for eco-friendly flight training. The Foundation is also launching an Eco Flight Ground School with scholarships for local youth, covering everything from private pilot ground school to FAA testing. This initiative is set to inspire the next generation of aviators, while keeping sustainability at the forefront.

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ENTERTAINMENT

• 📜 DISCLAIMER: Apple TV+ is dialing up the tension with Disclaimer, a psychological thriller from Alfonso Cuarón, starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, and Sacha Baron Cohen. Based on Renée Knight’s novel, the seven-part series follows journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) as a mysterious book dredges up a twenty-year-old secret she hoped to keep buried. The show blends deep intrigue with Cuarón’s signature cinematic style, promising twists that unravel Ravenscroft’s identity and relationships. The first two episodes drop on October 11th, with new episodes every Friday.

• 👱‍♂️ KYLE CHANDLER: HBO’s Lanterns has its Hal Jordan! Emmy winner Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Bloodline) is set to don the iconic Green Lantern ring in the gritty new DC series, described as having a True Detective edge. Chandler will play a seasoned Jordan, reluctantly mentoring a younger John Stewart as they investigate a high-stakes Earth-bound mystery. The show, co-created by Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), and comics writer Tom King, begins filming in Atlanta next year.

• 🇺🇸 NARRATOR OBAMA: Our Oceans is about to make waves on Netflix November 20th. Narrated by Barack Obama, this five-episode docuseries takes viewers deep into the world’s oceans, exploring the hidden lives of whales, walruses, octopuses, and more. Expect jaw-dropping footage—like orca hunts and shrimp close-ups—captured with cutting-edge underwater tech. From climate change impacts to the mystery of the Global Ocean Current, Obama will guide you through the fascinating connections between marine life and us. Dive into the unknown with Our Oceans and see just how alive the deep blue really is.

• 🎧️ BEFORE WE GO: Before We Go, a new podcast by Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, premieres October 8th, taking listeners on an intimate journey through love, loss, and life’s toughest realities. Inspired by her father’s battle with terminal cancer, Ungerleider—an Oscar-nominated documentary producer and TED Health host—shares personal stories while featuring expert guests like bestselling author Dr. Mary Claire Haver and hospice nurse Julie McFadden. Produced by Podcast Nation, this eight-episode series dives deep into mortality, offering comfort and insights into finding meaning in life’s hardest moments. Catch new episodes every Tuesday through December 3rd. Listen to trailer on Apple Podcasts. 💌 

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SPORTS

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CU FRIDAY, LA!

🤙 Finish the rest of this week strong!
I’m out until Friday.

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