Moon Black Party // Lana Del Rey // Culture Collide

      Hey there #skeezies, hope you're ready for some weekend fun      because there's a lot of it today. 

Some events are repeating themselves today but in addition to that we have another festival to look forward to. 

Over at the Pomona Fairplex, Moon Black Party will be taking place. What is it exactly? Well glad you asked because #LAskeez can tell you all about it. Basically, there's going to be three stages, food, the works. The bands on the billet are kinda awesome--example: Spoon, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and Band of Skulls to name a few. The admission of $45 gives you access to 10 hrs of fun. the event is from Noon to 10pm. 

Lana Del Rey blew away the crowd last night. Some people cried while some sang along as others cried and attempted sing along at the same time. The masses love Lana which is why she's playing at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery again for her second night here in LA. This is your last chance to scrabble around and find some tickets, maybe even try to sneak in. 

Sadly, the 5th annual Culture Collide ends today. So in case you're still wondering what it's all about the opportunity is yours for the taking. If you're a little unsure as to where in Echo Park the event is taking place, just follow the giant balloon(s). 

Lana Del Rey // The New Pornographers // Culture Collide

Alas it's Friday! 

#LAskeez is here to give you today's top show recommendations in and around LA. 

Hope you #skeezies are ready because there's no shortage of shows. 

The hottest ticket tonight is Lana Del Rey. She's playing at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery tonight AND tomorrow. Both shows sold out literally within two minutes. Tickets sold at $65 and they're reselling for double to triple the original price so consider yourself lucky if you came up on a ticket. There's nothing more appropriate than watching a show at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery during October. It's spooky yet fun. 

The New Pornographers have finally made their way down to LA. They're going to be over at Wiltern and tickets are in the $25-35 range. They've already performed once today on KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic so you can always go online and check out their live set. 

$65 for Lana Del Rey, $25-35 for New Pornographers, or $30 for a wristband to Culture Collide which gives you access to see bands from all over the world! #LAskeez is no economist but something tells us that Culture Collide is the better deal of the evening. The event started yesterday, so the wristband would include access for tonight's activities along with tomorrow's fun.

Look out for the giant Culture Collides balloons in Echo Park, that's where you #skeezies want to be.  

Massive Attack // Of Montreal // Culture Collide

It's Thursday #skeezies! The weekend is almost here and #LAskeez can't wait. 

There's two shows and Culture Collide that #LAskeez needs to tell you about so let's getting right into it. 

Massive Attack. Everyone seems to love this British band from the late 80s and it's probably for a good reason. They're playing at the Greek Theatre tonight, which is absolutely perfect for this Fall like weather. Bundle up and take a little blanket since it gets chilly. 

Of Montreal is playing at the Mayan theatre. Idk what's going on but the Mayan and the Belasco Theatre seem to be snatching up a good amount of shows. Anyway you can enjoy Of Montreal for $20. Don't let their name fool you, they're from Georgia. 


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Okay now that we got the little shows out of the way it's time to introduce the Festival of the week/end. It's the 5th Culture Collide here in LA and it starts today and ends on the 18th. 

Bottom line it's supposed to feature international artists/bands from all over the world hence the name Culture Collide. Aside from music there's also going to be a variety of foods and art. Where is this taking place? No other place than Echo Park. For $30 you get snatch up a wristband and partake. 

Here's a few music videos from bands that #LAskeez recommends checking out. 

Seems like a busy Thursday with a ton of options if #LAskeez has ever heard of one. 

Happy Mothers Day/ Clipper Win

Before the day is out #LAskeez would like to wish all the mothers a Happy Mother's Day! 

Children are not easy to deal with, which is why mothers need to have their own dedicated day of appreciation. 

#LAskeez took a break from busy city living and celebrated Mother's Day by having a nice dinner at an Echo Park staple: Taix French Restaurant. #Skeezies take note of the following tip: if you are ever in search of a good restaurant, this place will not disappoint. Taix is classy establishment that offers a no frills, traditional French culinary experience. Because let's face it, even the hippest of hipsters can get tired of the slew of the seemingly never endless list of "unique" gastropubs.

It's hard to pick a favorite dish to recommend. But you can't go wrong with the charcuterie for an appetizer and the pomme frites as your entree. I also can't forget to mention their amazing split pea soup. #Skeezies go ahead and splurge on this one and add a healthy portion of parmesan cheese.

Steak pomme frites 

Taix French Restaurant


Here's a good Mother's Day song by +Chromeo 

And now for some--- LA Sports Talk:

+Los Angeles Clippers  beat the +Oklahoma City Thunder 99-101. Wow. Let's just say that this was a hard fought game. It was quite the nail biter in the 4th quarter. But at the end of the day the L.A. Clippers showed the Thunder who's boss. The worst part of this game was the major FAIL on +Time Warner Cable for blacking out during the last 30 seconds of this exciting playoff game. Needless to say, there were a lot of pissed off Angelenos out there. But I digress. The Clippers travel to Oklahoma for game 5. 

Local LA spots/ Lunar Eclipse

After a long weekend in the desert for Coachella Weekend 1 #LAskeez is once again ready to tackle on the concrete jungle everyone knows as Los Angeles. 

Yesterday we visited a few favorite spots that #LAskeez must share with the #skeezies.

Ever heard of "Slow-Fast Food"?
 No, I didn't think so.
Let me fill you in.
Theres this amazing burger place called the Oinkster.
 Google, Yelp it whatever you just need to go over there (Eagle Rock) and order yourself the Royale.
 It consists of an Angus patty,  bacon, pastrami, chili, pickles, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and I always add American cheddar cheese. Good stuff. There's Craft beer for you beer drinkers out there and do not leave without a peanut butter and jelly cupcake that's a must. 

If Eagle Rock is too out of the way no worries they are opening up a new location soon in Hollywood!

Slow Fast Food @ The Oinkster 

Okay so #LAskeez was clearly feeling like a Oinkster yesterday because for dessert we headed over to Tierra Mia in Echo Park for some cafecito (coffee for you non-spanish speakers).

The Horchata Latte and Cafecito Cubano con Leche are two great coffee choices. Since you're already up ordering coffee might as well try the Tres Leches muffin. Trust me you won't regret it, unless you hate muffins or Tres Leches.  

Tres Leches Muffin +Tierra Mia Coffee 

Coffee Art @ Tierra Mia

Last night Facebook and Twitter were flooded with comments of "Lunar Eclipse" and "Bloody Moon. So naturally #LAskeez had to see what all the fuse was about. The moon was bright and even turned a dark red. There were many posted photos of the moon which were all bad. They're the type of photos you look back at a week from now and realize camera phones suck and you're probably going to delete them. Me included. Regardless of the many bad smartphone photos, it was still a sight to see.  If you are still wondering how the lunar eclipse phenomenon occurs check out this very informative NASA video below. In 2 minutes you will be an expert (kinda).

Night 2--Kelela @ The Echo

There must be something special about Wednesday night crowds or maybe it's the fact that Wednesday is one day closer to the weekend--whatever it was last night, the vibe at The Echo was nothing but ENERGY. 

We're talking so much energy that Kelela almost broke down into tears of joy and gratitude! (She repeatedly expressed how greatful she was for everyone in attendance and that she was glad she performing in a venue full of fans as opposed to just 10 or 20 folks) 

 Here's what I think happened: On her first night the audience was shell-shocked and couldn't comprehend how AMAZING of a performer she is. After all, anyone can sound good in a recording but "bringing it" live is a whole other story. And let me tell you--Kelela brought it! After her first performance at The Echo, the buzz quickly spread throughout LA like wildfire. When last night's show started the fans knew exactly what to expect and they were absolutely pumped. There were more arms up in the air, dancing, chants (when she wasn't singing),  and many "I LOVE YOU's."    

After two back-to-back shows, Kelela clearly left LA fans wanting more and we are likely to get more Kelela--soon--probably very soon and in a bigger venue. Alright #Skeezies consider yourselves warned. 

Night 2--Kelela @ The Echo

Kelela

What's the #skeez tonight? Only time will tell ;)

Hollywood Palladium to the Echo -- Jessy Lanza/ Cut Copy/ Kelela Reviews

I must admit going to two shows in one night was a little tiring but nothing #LAskeez couldn't handle. After circling the near by blocks a few times around the Palladium (I refuse to pay for parking, it's the principle!) I found parking and made it inside with 5 mins to spare.

Jessy Lanza started her set but she had this sense of uneasiness during her first song. Once her first song ended she ran off stage to grab a power cord for her laptop. After the power cord crisis was resolved, the set continued and everyone danced like there was no tomorrow minus the guy two feet away from me, he oddly enough kept trying to start a mosh pit--I think he was at the wrong show but who knows maybe that's just how he dances. 

Cut Copy was of course Cut Copy. They started their set with newer songs and saved their older material towards the end.

Oh and did I mention #LAskeez met Jessy Lanza (again)?

Here some photos from last night.  

Jessy Lanza opening up

#LAskeez & Jessy Lanza

Cut Copy "free your mind"

WAIT there's more! Night didn't stop here my #skeezies!! Off to The Echo #LAskeez went! Parking was found almost instantaneously (total score). I walked in right when Kelela started her FIRST set in Los Angeles. My vibe switched to a fun electronic-ness to smooth operator/shut up and listen to these soulful vocal chords. I left the show convinced that Kelela is ready to become a star.  She shared with the audience how she was a telemarketer and almost lost her job while listening to the track of "Bank Head" on the job. With her voice I'm sure she was a great telemarketer and probably the only telemarketer I wouldn't hang up on but let's face it she was definitely destined to be using her voice to entertain and move everyone that listens. Don't kill me for saying this if you disagree but #LAskeez would compare her to a female version of The Weekend but 10x.

Live videos from both shows are to be uploaded soon. For now I hope the #skeezies have enjoyed the photos.

Kelela @ The Echo April 1st, 2014 

What's the #Skeez today?!?

Let's just say #LAskeez enjoyed Kelela's set more than peanut butter loves jelly so #LAskeez will be headed down to The Echo AGAIN to catch her second and final show here in LA before she takes off to NYC.