APRIL 23RD, 2025

Good Vibes presented by Happy Head

WEDNESDAY’S VIBES

^SUBSCRIBE

TAKE A ROBOTAXI

TO BEL AIR

HI CUTIE! 🤙 HAPPY WEDNESDAY

• Good Morning and Happy Hump Day, CuratedLA Family! I hope that everyone is having a nice middle-week as I know that we are all going to have a strong finish to the remainder of our work week. In today’s edition, we talk Amazon’s new Robotaxi service that will beta test in LA, Zoox + more Good Vibes. Have a wonderful Wednesday + Thursday, CuratedLA and I’ll see everyone on Friday! - Wyatt

ON THIS DAY ⏪️ 

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HOV LANES

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EATS

HEADLINES

CHIPOTLE 🚀 MEXICO BY EARLY 2026

• Chipotle Mexican Grill has signed a development agreement with Alsea to open its first restaurants in Mexico by early 2026, leveraging Alsea’s deep knowledge of Mexican dining preferences and the country’s familiarity with fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients; this move follows Chipotle’s initial international deal with Alshaya in the Middle East and builds on its existing portfolio of nearly 90 locations across Canada and Europe, as the brand eyes further regional expansion and pursues its goal of opening up to 345 new restaurants in North America this year on the path to 7,000 total 💌 

  • 💌 Submitted by Curators from Chipotle.

OPENINGS

HERMOSA BEACH 🥩 VIN FOLK

• Vin Folk is a wine-forward bistro turning heads with pork headcheese toast, lap xuong-laced chopped salad, and a carajillo riff dubbed the Single White Female. Run by two Somni alums who double as servers, this offbeat spot brings fine-dining flair and geeky charm to Hermosa Beach. Expect bold dishes, a sharp wine list, and a laid-back vibe perfect for date nights that end with dessert and a beach stroll.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

HIGHLAND PARK 🥯 MUSTARD’S BAGELS

• Highland Park’s weekend-only bagel pop-up, Mustard’s Bagels, delivers New York texture with LA swagger—Kendrick on the speakers, DJ Mustard references, and sourdough bagels that routinely sell out by 1:00pm. Run by a co-founder of GGET, the Highland Park spot draws lines for its open-faced creations like the fried-caper-loaded Grampa Sam and the chili oil-slicked Deanna Michelle, which tastes like Din Tai Fung in bagel form. Cash only, cheeky, and possibly gone tomorrow.

  • Website + Instagram

KOREATOWN 🍛 DAMSOT

• Now open in Koreatown, Damsot’s sizzling rice pots offer a step-by-step bibimbap experience that borders on performance art. Each $20 set arrives like a Bento fever dream—grilled mackerel or tofu-stacked bowls, soup, salad, banchan, and a personal kettle of barley tea for the final act: pouring it over the scorched rice to make a comforting, toasty broth. Start with the shrimp-stuffed fried eggplant, and know there’s no wrong order—just your own rice pot ritual.

  • Instagram

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EVENTS

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

THREE FUTURES

GUIDES

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ACTIVITIES

GETTY CENTER 🪴 POETRY IN THE GARDEN

• TODAY: The Getty Center’s Poetry in the Garden returns this afternoon at 2:00pm with a live set by poet-musician Camae Ayewa and violinist V.C.R. Staged in the Central Garden, the reading weaves sound, spoken word, and spring flora, drawing inspiration from What They Saw: Historical Photobooks by Women, 1843–1999. Free with timed-entry reservation; standard parking rates apply.

VENICE BEACH 🌆 SUNSET CLUB

• THURSDAY: The first official meetup of Sunset Club LA takes place tomorrow night at 6:30pm in Venice Beach. Come join community, presence and joy, one sunset at a time. The group will meet in-front of the Venice Beach Playground.

KOREATOWN 🎤 VARIETY SHOW

• THURSDAY: Reid Clark’s Jah Like Funny returns with its signature blend of stand-up, improv, and island energy at the Jah Like Variety Show on Thursday. Hosted at 2981 Francis Ave, this BYOB, $5 event opens doors at 8pm with the show kicking off at 8:30. Expect comedy from Bernie Mac & Cheese and a rotating mix of music, dance, and surprise acts curated for a laid-back, good-time crowd 💌 

  • 💌 Submitted by Curator Reid Clark.

INGLEWOOD 🎨 SPRAY PAINT SHOWCASE

• NOW THROUGH JUNE 7TH: San Francisco graffiti icon GREY (aka Jonas Melvin) makes his LA debut with PINK CLOUD at BEYOND THE STREETS, a comeback show tracing his recovery and return to art after years off the map. Known for shaping SF’s late-'90s graffiti scene with a soft yet striking style, GREY brings new paintings, sculptures, and installations that channel both beauty and pain. The group show also includes Barry McGee, Alicia McCarthy, and Stephen ‘ESPO’ Powers. The gallery is ongoing through June 7th at 434 N La Brea Ave, with proceeds benefiting Feed The Streets LA.

USC 📚️ FOR THE BOOKWORMS

• SATURDAY + SUNDAY: The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returns to USC this Saturday + Sunday, celebrating its 30th anniversary as the nation’s largest literary event. This free, family-friendly weekend features over 550 authors, artists, and chefs across seven outdoor stages and fifteen indoor venues . Notable guests include Amanda Gorman, Stacey Abrams, Chelsea Handler, Jon M. Chu, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and chefs Roy Choi and Brooke Williamson . The De Los Stage, in association with L.A. Times en Español, offers bilingual programming and cultural panels. While general admission is free, select indoor panels require tickets, starting at $10.

ATWATER VILLAGE 🎞️ AUSTIN POWERS

• SUNDAY: Hannah Benson and Matt Culhane bring back their monthly Cutie Cult Cinema Club with a screening of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery at Baby Battista, the cozy bar tucked beneath Nico’s in Atwater Village. Expect themed drinks, popcorn, and wine as the duo leans into playful camp and ‘60s spy spoof vibes. Doors open 15 minutes early; bar opens at 5pm. Ages 21+.

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COMMUNITY

SANTA MONICA 🚎 ADOPT A STOP

• Santa Monica has launched Adopt-A-Stop, a new volunteer program inviting locals to adopt Big Blue Bus stops and help keep them clean, safe, and maintained. With over 900 stops across the region, the initiative offers a way for residents, businesses, and civic groups to support city crews by reporting damage, clearing light debris, and boosting public transit engagement. Volunteers don’t handle hazardous materials but do get free bus passes and merch. The city’s goal: adopt 20 stops to start.

LA ZOO 🐘 ELEPHANT RELOCATION

• The Los Angeles Zoo will relocate its last two Asian elephants, Billy (40) and Tina (59), to the newly expanded Elephant Preserve at the Tulsa Zoo, ending years of public debate over their care. Following the recent deaths of Shaunzi and Jewel, and after a year-long welfare review, zoo officials emphasized the decision prioritizes the animals' long-term well-being—offering them a larger, social environment with other elephants. Billy, once rescued from deforestation impacts in Malaysia, and Tina, rehabilitated from private ownership, were hailed as ambassadors who educated millions. No relocation date has been set, and the Zoo will pause its elephant program indefinitely.

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DEVELOPMENT

VAN NUYS 🚧 THE BRIGHTLY

• 6569 Van Nuys Boulevard is close to wrapping construction on The Brightly, a six-story mixed-use project featuring 174 units and 18,400 square feet of ground-floor retail. Designed by The Ketter Group and developed under LA’s Transit Oriented Communities program, the building includes 10 affordable units and is transit-accessible. Amenities span a pool courtyard, gym, rooftop lounges, and EV-ready parking. Most units feature private balconies, while the retail frontage adds walkability to the area. Market rents are expected to range from $1,800 to $3,100, with no public leasing date yet announced.

COMEDY STORE 🎤 NEW BILLBOARD?

• West Hollywood is weighing a new two-sided, full-motion billboard above The Comedy Store at 8433 Sunset Blvd., with a public hearing held April 21. Designed with red accents and stage-inspired curves, the 1,000-square-foot V-shaped display is part of the city’s 2019 Sunset Blvd. signage policy blending advertising with public art. The proposal includes sidewalk upgrades—mica-flecked concrete, native landscaping, and improved queuing space. While the Planning Commission backed it 4-1, nearby properties raised concerns over blocked views. A revised version shifts the sign 12 feet west and lowers its height to address this. Councilmembers must now choose between the original or modified design 🐇

405 FREEWAY 🛣️ $143M RENOVATION

• Caltrans is launching a $143.7m rehab of the 405 Freeway from Van Nuys to Westwood, targeting a 10.2-mile stretch through the Sepulveda Pass starting spring or summer 2025. Over four years, crews will replace sections of two lanes in each direction and repair others to extend pavement life, alongside upgrades to signs, guardrails, and ADA ramps. Expect 22 weekend closures (non-holiday), noise, and detours through 2029. A virtual public meeting will be held tomorrow at 6:00pm for community input.

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BUSINESS

LOS ANGELES 👾 ROBOTAXIS

• Zoox is bringing its autonomous vehicle test fleet to Los Angeles, making it the company’s sixth testing location alongside cities like Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas. With a small number of retrofitted vehicles and safety drivers, Zoox will begin mapping a limited area of LA before initiating autonomous drives later this summer. Known for its car culture and traffic congestion, LA offers Zoox a real-world proving ground for its tech. The company emphasizes a careful rollout, engaging local officials before expanding geofenced operations based on safety metrics. Curious commuters might spot the future of mobility already cruising by.

SAWTELLE 🫰 ARSELLE INVESTMENTS

• Former Morgan Stanley executives Aaron Greeno and Kev Zoryan have launched Arselle Investments, a private platform based in Sawtelle focused on capital and advisory partnerships across the western U.S. Targeting succession-challenged firms and those navigating a rapidly shifting real estate landscape, Arselle aims to build long-term verticals across asset classes through cultural alignment, data-driven strategies, and market fundamentals. Named after the highest peaks in their home countries, the firm reflects both founders’ roots and future-facing ambitions.

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ENTERTAINMENT

HBO 🏔️ MOUNTAINHEAD

• From Succession creator Jesse Armstrong comes Mountainhead, a dark satire about four tech titans retreating to a mountaintop hideaway while the world unravels — possibly because of them. Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef lead as billionaires navigating panic, deepfakes, and market collapse, all while their uneasy friendship fractures. Shot in Park City and premiering May 31st — the final day of Emmy eligibility — this marks Armstrong’s directorial debut since Succession ended in 2023.

BET AWARDS 🏆️ KEVIN HART

• Kevin Hart will return as host of the 25th annual BET Awards on Monday, June 9th when the ceremony airs live from the Peacock Theater at L.A. This marks his second time at the helm since emceeing in 2011 and follows a decade-long partnership with BET—including ‘Comic View: One Night Stand,’ ‘Real Husbands of Hollywood,’ and most recently the animated BET+ series ‘Lil Kev.’ In celebration of a quarter-century of Black cultural milestones, the awards will be preceded by the four-day BET Experience fan festival from June 5–8 at the nearby Crypto.com Arena complex, offering competitions, comedy showcases, day-parties and more.

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GOODIES

ROBOTAXIS 🚕 HAVE YOU TAKEN A RIDE?

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SEE YOU FRIDAY, LA!

🤙 HAVE A GREAT FINISH TO THE
MIDDLE OF THIS WEEK, LA! 🚀

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