Jesse Schoeffling

The Valley has morphed from pastoral agricultural center to booming mid-century suburbia to the metropolis that almost seceded from Los Angeles in 2002. The artifacts assembled by Tommy Gelinas at the Valley Relics Museum span these eras and include vintage memorabilia from bygone businesses, a Cadillac customized by rhinestone cowboy designer Nudie Cohn and a fleet of BMX bikes that were ubiquitous during the mall-centric ’80s. There’s a sentimental significance to these items that’s evident when you make the pilgrimage to this Van Nuys hangar.

Should you choose to battle crowds on a Tuesday night and take part in the Jameson-soaked revelry of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve got you covered. But if you’re looking to ditch the oversized Leprechaun hat and do something different, here are some options that will get you off your blarney stone and in the holiday spirit.  1. The Greyhound Bar and Grill. This Highland Park hotspot will be paying homage when they hold their 2nd annual St. Patrick Swayze Day. This career-spanning movie marathon will be accompanied by $4 Molyan drafts, holiday food specials and zero grief if you’re not wearing green. 2. Langer's Deli. If you’re just in it for the corned beef and cabbage, you could do no better than MacArthur Park’s James Beard Award winner, Langer's Deli. The restaurant closes at 4pm, so this would be an ideal choice after the parade downtown.  3. The Original Farmer's Market. With a forecasted temperature in the high 70’s, the outdoor festivities at The Farmer’s Market at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax will be a welcome alternative to the dank and smelly confines of a bar. Here, you’ll find traditional Irish fare from Magee’s Kitchen, green beers at 326 and a roving bagpipe player. 4. Part Time Punk’s St. Patrick’s Party at La Cita. At the end of the day, the last thing you’ll want to hear is another bagpipe and penny whistle duo. Swap those out for drum machines and synths, and you get Jose Maldonado of Sweet & Tender Hooligans spinning post-punk and dance till the wee hours of th

We all have that one industrious friend that begins prepping their Halloween costume in June. They’re usually the same person that has their holiday shopping wrapped up eight months in advance. But for the rest of us, it’s easy to feel backed into a corner when there’s a last-minute work function or Halloween party that requires a costume.   Sure, there are those Hollywood-caliber costume shops around town, but they usually require a substantial budget and some degree of planning. And that cheap plastic get-up from your local retailer just screams, “I phoned it in this year!" But no need to panic because there are plenty of low-profile places to piece together a Halloween costume that doesn’t look like it came out of a package. 1. Melrose & La Brea While making the trek down to Hollywood isn’t the easiest task for some, the number of vintage finds on Melrose & La Brea might be worth your time. Here you can find vintage and consignment stores all within walking distance that specialize in clothing, jewelry and accessories to transform your costume from dud to best-in-show. Notables include Jetrag, American Rebel, Melrose Trading Post, and Wasteland. 2. Goodwill Atwater Village Any seasoned Halloween vet knows that your local Goodwill can yield costume treasures if you have time and patience, but the Goodwill in Atwater Village stands out from the rest. The massive storefront that looks more like a Costco from the exterior, but there are many deals to be had on a costume that m

It might be a stretch to say that this city never sleeps. But like any other bustling metropolis, there are establishments and events in Los Angeles that cater to the nocturnal crowd. Even though bars and clubs mostly shut things down at 2am, with last call being 2am in California, there are a select few establishments and events that keep things going until the break of dawn. So next time you’re about to take an Uber home after a night on the town, divert your route to one of these after-hours destinations and take in the surreal and oddly tranquil sight of our mostly empty freeways. Circadian rhythms be damned! 1. 10th Annual Dusk-to-Dawn Horrorthon 'Tis the season for all-night fright fests, and the Aero Theatre has one night of programming that will have you feeling all the feels. On Saturday, October 24, horror aficionados will flock to the theater to revel in the 10th Annual Dusk-to-Dawn Horrothon. With campy selections like Death Spa (do watch the trailer), Halloween III: Season of the Witch, and The Nest, you won’t know whether to scream of to laugh. Coffee and snacks come with your $20 admission, so plan on being particularly on edge when the tension builds. 2. Resident Advisor If the rhythm of the night has got ahold of you but you don't want to head home, take a look at upcoming events put on by electronic music promoter Resident Advisor. The venues and the acts are often TBD for legal purposes, but you can usually count on marathon DJ sessions spanning the entire

Once again, Fullerton’s Burger Records has given us a great reason to hang out in an anonymous business park in Santa Ana. On Saturday September 5, the Observatory in Orange County will host the second edition of the Burger A-Go-Go music fest with a fierce lineup of female-driven rock acts that doesn't disappoint after last year’s insane bill, which included Best Coast and Dum Dum Girls. The garage and punk-leaning label features a few bands from their roster alongside high-energy local groups and straight-up rock legends. Buy a ticket for $40 here and check out these anticipated performances. The Julie Ruin The 2013 documentary The Punk Singer not only chronicled Kathleen Hanna’s iconic status within the riot grrrl scene, but it also addressed her struggles with Lyme disease that have kept her out of the public eye in recent years. The underlying empowerment that propels her on stage has found an intergenerational fandom, so expect people to flock to the Hanna-fronted set from The Julie Ruin, which also features Kathi Wilcox from Bikini Kill. Cat Power Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) has a history of unpredictable performances. Haunting at times, she can turn a phrase like none other on her latest offering, 2012’s album Sun. It’s an all-or-nothing proposition when she takes the stage, and that sort of respect for the music is something to be admired. Peach Kelli Pop Peach Kelli Pop’s third self-titled LP was released on Burger Records earlier this year, and it’s a super catch

After years of construction zones and traffic delays, the Metro Expo Line will reach Santa Monica in early 2016. Along with that expansion comes the scheduled opening of the Runyon Group’s high-end shopping and dining complex Platform at the Culver City station. Built on the ruins of bygone car dealerships, the four-acre project has already attracted some high-profile culinary and retail names from Brooklyn, San Francisco and beyond. Here are a few of the eateries that are already creating a buzz behind the new development. Thoroughbred The news of Chef Evan Funke’s departure from Bucato was abrupt. Not only were his handmade pastas the stuff of legend, but the opening of Thoroughbred in Platform was also in limbo. The modern American diner was to be housed in one of the former auto showrooms on site, and there was already talk of his famous burger from Rustic Canyon appearing on the menu. Stay tuned for more details, since eight months can be a lifetime in the world of LA restaurants. The Cannibal If you want to talk about a concept that captures the zeitgeist of 2015, a restaurant that focuses on whole-animal butchery and craft beer is a good place to start. The Cannibal is a Manhattan eatery from Christian Pappanicholas of NYC’s Resto and Cory Lane of Momofuku, and they will be opening their second location in Platform. You can expect roughly 450 bottled craft beers as well as gourmet charcuterie, sausages and aged steaks in a large, light-filled floor plan. Craftsman and

Los Angeles and pop culture are inextricably linked. The city’s coming-of-age story is stamped with products and design from the entire spectrum of the 20th century, and a small army of local collectors routinely scour thrift stores and garage sales to build collections of those artifacts. In the right hands, matchbooks, velvet paintings, and neon signs can be transformed from tacky and disposable into a means of communicating a shared experience.  While LA is still a city emerging, it’s cool to see objects of our past documented and assembled with care. Velveteria The word “kitschy” can be used in some pretty dismissive ways. You get the impression that Caren Anderson and Carl Baldwin’s velvet painting collection operates less on kitsch and more on a sincere appreciation for the medium. One doesn't amass a collection of 3,000 velvet paintings otherwise. Velveteria moved its operation from Portland in 2013, and many of the 400+ paintings on display at their Chinatown gallery depict recognizable celebrities and motifs. Valley Relics Museum The SFV has morphed from pastoral agricultural center to booming mid-century suburbia to the metropolis that almost seceded from Los Angeles in 2002. The artifacts assembled by Tommy Gelinas at the Valley Relics Museum span these eras and include vintage memorabilia from bygone businesses, a Cadillac customized by rhinestone cowboy designer Nudie Cohn and a fleet of BMX bikes that were ubiquitous during the mall-centric 80’s. There’s a senti

It’s easy to see why web series are a preferred format for filmmakers these days. Now that traditional channels can be circumvented to get work into the public sphere, there’s no shortage of content available online. With high production values, star power and recent instances of pay-per-episode models, a feature film or a network pilot is becoming less an ends and more a means. Los Angeles has emerged as a natural epicenter for web series, hosting a variety of festivals and award shows and playing backdrop to the stories and ideas of our creative populace. Here are a few that continue to impress, five minutes at a time.   Tom Explores Los Angeles In Tom Explores Los Angeles, Tom Carroll continues in the colorful tradition of Huell Howser and Charles Phoenix. While he might not have the huge personality to match these local luminaries, he unpacks the hidden corners of this city with a lot of the same love. Two seasons of his whimsical explorations are available on his YouTube channel, and he highlights landmarks that even dedicated Angelinos might have missed. The steepest street in California, the Sunken City in San Pedro and the faux-European St. Vincent Court are a few that he covers, and he includes Google Map links for your own urban expeditions. Poetry in Motion Each vignette from Eric Pritchard’s Poetry in Motion series cinematically examines poems that convey a specific time and place in the Golden State. In the first two installments, Pritchard provides visual accomp

Being able to play golf all year long in Southern California is a privilege. But pros and hacks alike know that summertime gives you a chance to leave work early and fit in 18 holes before sunset. Whether you’re looking to score in the 80s or you stop keeping track after the sixth hole, take advantage of some of the twilight rates offered at par-3, executive and full-length courses all over the Southland. And no matter what your foursome says, you get a clubs-length of relief from that tree. See you at the 19th hole. 1. Scholl Canyon Golf Course: Just off the 2 Freeway in Glendale lies one of the best kept secrets in local golf. Scholl Canyon is a mid-range course that features competitive rates and panoramic views of the city below. The challenging back nine makes a golf cart all but mandatory (you’ll see why). Green fees with a cart on the weekend come out to $35, but the same setup on a weekday after 3pm will run you $19. That’s just enough savings to justify your trip to The Oinkster afterward. 2. Weddington Golf: If you’re looking for an affordable and picturesque par-3 in the Valley, look no further than Weddington Golf in Studio City.  For $12 on weekdays and $15 on weekends, you can play all nine well-maintained holes and still have time to grab a drink at their cozy mid-century clubhouse. Also, remember to grab one of their punch cards to earn a free round after sixteen plays. It’s a lofty goal, but still the only reward card in my wallet. 3. The Links at Terranea: S

After getting crunched by rising gas prices, astronomical rents and nagging student loans, winning a free pair of tickets can feel like a small fortune. And while calling a radio show may seem like something your uncle used to do in his heyday, if you want to lord a +1 over friends and coworkers like a sugar-addled Charlie Bucket, here are four easy ways to come up on free tickets this summer. 1. KCRW (89.9 FM). While $10 per month for a KCRW membership might not be for everyone, rest easy knowing that you’re supporting a world-class NPR affiliate while also giving yourself a good shot at winning tickets. Not only do they have daily on-air ticket giveaways, but the exclusivity of the membership translates to a good chance that your call will get through. Members are limited to one giveaway every 90 days and prime times for winning are Saturday and Sunday from noon-6pm, weekday mornings on Morning Becomes Eclectic and from 8pm-midnight on weekdays.  2. The Scenestar. Not only is this site an excellent resource for live music in Los Angeles (check their Twitter feed for on sale dates and set times for upcoming shows), but they also frequently give away tickets for all sorts of shows around town. No entry fee required here. Only an email and a prayer. 3. KXLU (88.9 FM). This college radio gem out of LMU is truly independent and somewhat fringe in its punk/garage aesthetic. If that’s your sort of thing, their Twitter feed will keep you in the loop on upcoming giveaways along with

With over 80% of this year's selections being the first or second films from their respective directors, you could say that most of the screenings at the 2015 LA Film Fest will be under the radar. And that’s a good thing. The identity of the film festival put on by Film Independent is coming into focus based on selections that value artistic discovery over commercial viability. You can still attend the world-premiere gala events, but take some time to explore the varied lineup that runs from June 10-18 at the LA Live Regal and other theaters. 1. Can You Dig This? The revolution will not be televised, but the seeds of revolution might be taking root in the garden. Directed by Delila Vallot, this debut documentary focuses on Ron Finley and his mission to bring urban gardening and access to healthy foods to South LA. The powerful and inspiring film follows four novice gardeners and their motivations for getting involved with the movement. June 16, 3:05pm (Regal 10) 2.Chuck Norris vs. Communism. If the title of this Romanian film hasn’t sold you already, maybe the plot will. Set in 1980s communist Romania, this poignant comedy revolves around the underground network that smuggled Hollywood films behind the Iron Curtain for mass consumption. The hilariously overdubbed action movies provide a glimpse of the Western world that most citizens were denied by an oppressive regime, and the implications are far-reaching. June 16, 8:20pm (Regal 9) 3.My Love, Don’t Cross That River. Mo-Youn

On Saturday, the streets of Downtown Pasadena will play host to six stages featuring 150 performers scattered throughout an ideal setting for public art and good times. It's called Make Music Pasadena and yes, it's completely free (but donations are appreciated and rewarded). Past editions have featured breakout performances from artists like Grimes, Best Coast and Moses Sumney, and this year's is sure to see more. 1. Lydia Ainsworth. (Playhouse District Stage) For an early afternoon set, the drama should be high for Lydia Ainsworth. Dubbed a “Rising Artist” by the tastemakers at Pitchfork, her sound has been described as "orchestral pop” and is informed by both classical music and film scores. Her refined songs have culminated in the release of her debut album Right from Real on Montreal’s Arbutus Records. Set time: 2:10pm–2:55pm 2. Kishi Bashi. (Colorado Stage) Karou Ishibashi has contributed as a touring violinist for Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche and Of Montreal. But under the stage name of Kishi Bashi his classical, psychedelic and pop influences are juxtaposed on his ambitious and sprawling albums. Check out 2014’s Lighght to get an idea of the places he’ll go. Named NPR’s Best New Artist in 2012, his live performances are built around his trademark violin and layered loops of sound. They can be stunningly gorgeous. Set time: 4:15pm–5:10pm 3. Hundred Waters. (Playhouse District Stage) Gainesville, Florida’s Hundred Waters is coming off of a torrent of activity. They per

From Thursday to Sunday, the 10th annual Amgen Tour of California cycling race makes its way through Southern California for another dramatic finale. The eight day race has become one of the premier cycling events in the United States, attracting an estimated 2 million spectators along the 720 mile course. If you're interest in the sport has waned since the public shaming of Lance Armstrong, now would be a good time to get back into the saddle. Only this time without the widespread use of blood doping agents. Take the time this week to check out world-class sport at these locations: 1. Thursday—Stage 5 (Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita). Arrive early on Thursday to catch the 11:55 AM start of stage five from the beaches of Santa Barbara. Balcom Canyon (between Santa Paula and Moorpark) has also drawn thousands of spectators in the past due to the grueling 10% uphill grade that awaits both the peloton and your feeble transmission. You can expect fans here to be equipped with flags, whistles and cow bells to urge these riders towards the finish line. Or, you'll see this dude with a Pope hat made of FedEx materials.  2. Friday—Stage 6 (Big Bear Lake). Big Bear Lake will be a hub of activity on Friday with a 15.1 mile time trial starting at 12:47 PM. There should be plenty of prime spots for viewing the finish at the jetty, and fans are encouraged to bring their bike with them to follow the action. But really... isn't bringing your bike to a bike race equivalent to wearing a band's