Bordello Bar and Quincy
Monday, October 1, 2007
We ventured downtown on Saturday night to the empty streets of Los Angeles' downtown neighborhood. Downtown LA always baffles me. It's the only part of Los Angeles that truly looks like a city with highrises and skyscrapers and city streets that go one way, so it should feel like home. But it's far from that. I'm sure during the business work week, there is plenty of activity in Downtown LA with the few individuals smart enough to work outside of the entertainment industry. But on a weekend night, Downtown Los Angeles is dead. It's eerie and creepy and people-less. It looks like an absolute ghost town.
Regardless, our good friend and musician goddess extraordinaire, Quincy Coleman, was playing a show at the fairly new Bordello Bar downtown. So we decided to check it out.
Now, first and foremost, any trip is worth making to hear and see the likes of Quincy. Not only is she a stellar musician with a sexy, brooding voice of gold, she's an absolutely amazing performer. I've seen her show no fewer than 30 times in the past three years and I'm always in awe of her ability to make her shows fresh and fun, feisty and warm. Her songs get under your skin and you'll find yourself singing them two days later and longing to get your next fix. If you haven't see Quincy, you're missing out. And chances are good that she'll be in your town soon.
Looking at their future schedule, Bordello Bar has some great up and comers playing and some terrific vaudeville acts as well. So if you're heading down to Bordello Bar for a show, it's worth the trip.
Maybe it's the New Yorker in me, but there's no chance in hell that I'm showing up at Bordello Bar for some random evening of debauchery. How debaucherous can you get when you have to get in your car and drive 25 minutes to get home? We got there early to eat a little something. I hadn't heard anything about the food - just that they had it. And there's a reason for that. Their limited menu is made up of mediocre stand-bys. Kudos, however, for offering mini-veggie burgers in addition to the regular mini angus burgers. But I'm constantly confused by a bar's decision to serve food if it's going to be less than average. While the food sucked, the cocktails are what they're known for. Meredith tried the screaming orgasm and was delighted by it's effects. Just kidding. But she liked it. I opted for a glass of wine which was a foolish move in a place that has 4 wines to offer and is out of the one that you want. The girls were dressed "bordello-esque" - vampy and racy. And the atmosphere is fun and sexy. The stage was cool with a red velvet curtain that rose to reveal the aforementioned fabulous band. The sound could have used a little help and I'm used to seeing Quincy play in a place where people are there solely for the music. It annoyed me to hear the din of the other partyers in the background, but there are definitively rooms at Bordello Bar that are totally separate and not conducive to seeing the shows at the venue.
Bottom line, I'd come here for a fabulous show anytime. But for a drink on any random night? If it were down the street or a five minute drive, perhaps (although I didn't find it sooooo fabulous that I'd be a frequenter even if it were in my neighborhood). But in the ghost town of Downtown? Nope. If I'm going to get in the car and drive somewhere, I'd rather head to Venice....
Posted byMeesh-elle my Belle at 11:30 AM 1 comments
Labels: food and drink, music, things to do
Clay
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I love theatre. And I miss it terribly. (I grew up on theater hence my telling people we were moving to NY for my career when I was 13. And I worked in the theatre when I lived in NY.) Living in LA, I've managed to forget a little bit how much I love theatre. In NYC, it was a constant in my life. I was seeing 20-30 shows a year. I'm ashamed to admit that I'm lucky if I see 2 or 3 a year now that I live in LA. What I love about really great theater is that it leaves you feeling exhilarated, invigorated, impassioned.
Last night, my husband and I went to see an unbelievable show at the Kirk Douglas theater in Culver City. CLAY is the story of a suburban Jewish boy who turns to hip-hop and spoken word to escape his parent's divorce and his unhappiness at home.
I'm not really interested in reviewing the show...it's not my job or my desire or my expertise. So I'll leave that to other people. I'll simply say that it's been a while since I've seen something that was so exciting. It's different, it's got passion, it's got rhythm. It's a mere hour and 20 minutes and it's in a terrific part of town with all sorts of great new restaurants. (We went to Fraiche after - I'll discuss another time. But I liked it A LOT.) And tickets are not expensive. Why blow 20 bucks at a bar when you can see a show that will inspire you? (Tickets range from $20-$40- still a great deal for a fabulous evening.)
I'm going to stop now. Because there's no need for me to sell it anymore. If you're smart (and if you're reading my blog, you are) then you'll go see Clay. Because we all need a little live stimulation every now and then.
Clay is at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from September 13-October 14. Just go.
Posted byMeesh-elle my Belle at 4:14 PM 0 comments
Labels: things to do
Dance Dance Party Party
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I feel that it is my social obligation to share the fabulousness that I experienced this past Sunday with the world or, at the very least, my readers. At 11:30 am, I arrived at Ography dance studio on Sunset for Dance Dance Party Party.
That's right. You say both words twice because, rest assured, it is absolutely that much fun.
Dance Dance Party Party (See? Isn't it fun to say?) is a weekly gathering of fabulous ladies who like to dance their little booties off (and honestly, after an hour of dancing like we did, I literally think I danced my booty off). Queen bee Lauren Schnipper provides the play list which included everything from "Crazy in Love" to old school fave "Thriller" to musical theater staple "All That Jazz". (And yes, she'll gladly take requests.) She turns on the music and you just dance. With yourself, with each other, with the mirror...There were incarnations of 6th grade recital numbers. There were plenty of moves ala Molly Ringwald in "Breakfast Club". But most importantly, there was sweat, there were endorphins, and there was fabulously fun girl time.
The best news? This is not an LA only event! It was started in NYC and it's recently been brought to Chicago too! It was the best and most fun workout I can remember having in a loooong time. So do yourself a favor and get your ass to Dance Dance Party Party. Because, well, you can dance if you want to.
For more info:
Dance Dance Party Party LA
Dance Dance Party Party NY
Dance Dance Party Party Chicago
Posted byMeesh-elle my Belle at 8:04 PM 4 comments
Labels: things to do
