Last night was an experience I won't forget so quickly...
Hal and I met his new Couchsurfers - Lena and Shirley, 2 German girls on their 7th month of traveling the World. After quick introductions we started the evening.
I really do try to live on a budget, but from time to time I need to let loose. We found our selves at an Asian restaurant serving most of everything. Although it was a classy joint, it seemed like our first dish was Dorritos with tuna. It looked nice, but we know that you have a bags of potato chips back there that you're selling to us for $15.
As this was the least interesting part of the night, I'll just show you some pictures.
Once a month in Los Angeles, there is an Art Walk in downtown L.A. Our First stop was to the Hive Gallery. Actually one of the nicest galleries I have ever seen. They had all types of new styles, textures, patterns that I couldn't even imagine on my own. This was one of those places where you think to your self... Man, I wish I could do that...
We continued our walk towards 5th and Spring when all of a sudden a crowd gathered. I was excited to see what was hiding behind them. A street artist? juggling? snakes? And then I see it. About 35 Police officers stand two feet apart, armed with batons and riot gear. I turned to some guy next to me and ask him, "So, are they going to start dancing or something?"
Turns out the police have gathered due to an art protest called Chalk Walk. As part of the Occupy LA protest, a Facebook invite asked people to join the Art Crawl with chalk to write things such as "this is not illegal" and "Occupy L.A." Recognizing this as vandalism, the police arrested several of the activists. A small protest ignited and the LAPD quickly dispensed about 150 cops to deal with the "criminals." We left right before things got real messy. Right before the rubber bullets started hitting people who just came out to see some art. Helicopters flew above us with spot lights and all of the nearby squad cars rushed to the scene. The Police locked arms with one another and began walking towards the crowds. Art Walk was officially over.
The Police arrested 17 people that night. LA TIMES reports:
“Drawing with chalk on the ground is considered vandalism. They were drawing on privately owned buildings and sidewalks,” said Norma Eisenman, a spokeswoman for the LAPD. “It is a crime.”
- LA TIMES - 17 People Arrested During Artwalk Melee
Along with this quote, you may have seen this comment on my Facebook wall:
"In response, 200 2nd and 3rd graders marched the playgrounds demanding the legitimacy of hopscotch!"
Hal told us we're going to a party, but he didn't say any more than that. We had no idea what to expect. But what I saw there was a culture I was totally unaware of. I mean the Punk community has always been in my peripheral, but I never got to see anything like this before. By the way, Have you ever heard of a Bike Co-Op?
We got out of the car and started walking towards this warehouse. I didn't hear any music, or lights, or any signs of a party. When we walked in, I saw a long table with about 20 people around it eating a huge feast. Around them were freak bikes of all shapes and sizes. Bike Melded onto other bikes, high bikes, hikes with car seats attached, miniature bikes, bikes with 4 wheels... If Freddy Kruger were a bike, this is where he would be born.
The place was amazing. No matter where you looked there were bikes, equipment, tools, art and life. This wasn't just a bike warehouse. This was a home. It seemed like 20 people must be living here. Each person there seemed to have no strings attached. The only thing they had was each other and thats all that seemed to matter.
When I walked into the kitchen I saw a bucket with a copper coil going through it. I had no idea what they were cooking but I was going to find out soon. "So you going to have some MoonShine?" someone asked me. I said, "really? Moonshine? What's that even taste like?" "It tastes like fire," he replies with a grin.
I got to choose from the flavors and managed to get through 2 shots. It was actually pretty smooth and... and I felt... well... I felt GREAT! I knew I shouldn't take another or we would have to leave early. But unfortunately for all of us, one of our girls got sick, and we had to leave the party early...
I got to see a great side of L.A. that night. I saw the Arts, the good, the rough, the gross, the creative, the dangerous, the weak and the strong... I got to see more that night, then I had seen in years... Thank GOD I remember it all ;-)
Hal and I met his new Couchsurfers - Lena and Shirley, 2 German girls on their 7th month of traveling the World. After quick introductions we started the evening.
Part 1: Dinner at Wokano
I really do try to live on a budget, but from time to time I need to let loose. We found our selves at an Asian restaurant serving most of everything. Although it was a classy joint, it seemed like our first dish was Dorritos with tuna. It looked nice, but we know that you have a bags of potato chips back there that you're selling to us for $15.
As this was the least interesting part of the night, I'll just show you some pictures.
 |
| Eel and Shrimp Sushi |
Part 2: The Dangers of Art Walk
Once a month in Los Angeles, there is an Art Walk in downtown L.A. Our First stop was to the Hive Gallery. Actually one of the nicest galleries I have ever seen. They had all types of new styles, textures, patterns that I couldn't even imagine on my own. This was one of those places where you think to your self... Man, I wish I could do that...
We continued our walk towards 5th and Spring when all of a sudden a crowd gathered. I was excited to see what was hiding behind them. A street artist? juggling? snakes? And then I see it. About 35 Police officers stand two feet apart, armed with batons and riot gear. I turned to some guy next to me and ask him, "So, are they going to start dancing or something?"
 |
| LAPD - Regulating the Peace! |
 |
| 3 minutes later, the crowd around me started running from the cops... |
 |
| That doesn't seem like the best approach... |
Turns out the police have gathered due to an art protest called Chalk Walk. As part of the Occupy LA protest, a Facebook invite asked people to join the Art Crawl with chalk to write things such as "this is not illegal" and "Occupy L.A." Recognizing this as vandalism, the police arrested several of the activists. A small protest ignited and the LAPD quickly dispensed about 150 cops to deal with the "criminals." We left right before things got real messy. Right before the rubber bullets started hitting people who just came out to see some art. Helicopters flew above us with spot lights and all of the nearby squad cars rushed to the scene. The Police locked arms with one another and began walking towards the crowds. Art Walk was officially over.
The Police arrested 17 people that night. LA TIMES reports:
“Drawing with chalk on the ground is considered vandalism. They were drawing on privately owned buildings and sidewalks,” said Norma Eisenman, a spokeswoman for the LAPD. “It is a crime.”
- LA TIMES - 17 People Arrested During Artwalk Melee
Along with this quote, you may have seen this comment on my Facebook wall:
"In response, 200 2nd and 3rd graders marched the playgrounds demanding the legitimacy of hopscotch!"
Part 3: Los Ange-lopes - The Casa
Hal told us we're going to a party, but he didn't say any more than that. We had no idea what to expect. But what I saw there was a culture I was totally unaware of. I mean the Punk community has always been in my peripheral, but I never got to see anything like this before. By the way, Have you ever heard of a Bike Co-Op?
We got out of the car and started walking towards this warehouse. I didn't hear any music, or lights, or any signs of a party. When we walked in, I saw a long table with about 20 people around it eating a huge feast. Around them were freak bikes of all shapes and sizes. Bike Melded onto other bikes, high bikes, hikes with car seats attached, miniature bikes, bikes with 4 wheels... If Freddy Kruger were a bike, this is where he would be born.
The place was amazing. No matter where you looked there were bikes, equipment, tools, art and life. This wasn't just a bike warehouse. This was a home. It seemed like 20 people must be living here. Each person there seemed to have no strings attached. The only thing they had was each other and thats all that seemed to matter.
When I walked into the kitchen I saw a bucket with a copper coil going through it. I had no idea what they were cooking but I was going to find out soon. "So you going to have some MoonShine?" someone asked me. I said, "really? Moonshine? What's that even taste like?" "It tastes like fire," he replies with a grin.
I got to choose from the flavors and managed to get through 2 shots. It was actually pretty smooth and... and I felt... well... I felt GREAT! I knew I shouldn't take another or we would have to leave early. But unfortunately for all of us, one of our girls got sick, and we had to leave the party early...
I got to see a great side of L.A. that night. I saw the Arts, the good, the rough, the gross, the creative, the dangerous, the weak and the strong... I got to see more that night, then I had seen in years... Thank GOD I remember it all ;-)
No comments:
Post a Comment