DOOMTREE is the collective name for seven solo artists: Lazerbeak, Dessa, SIMS, POS, Paper Tiger, Cecil Otter, and Mike Mictlan. Each is an independent and starkly contrasting artist to all the others.
Empire of the Sun fans flocked in droves to the sold out Club Nokia venue in Los Angeles last week. Disarray Magazine awarded lucky winners: Shad Hernandez, Stephen Grossman and Ven Velasco with tickets to the sold out show, which was filled with elaborate, theatrical costumes consisting of face makeup, masks, capes, head gear and even guitars that lit up.
Outspoken rockstar drummer Phil Varone, who's had sex with thousands of women while playing drums for Saigon Kick and Skid Row, discusses his comedy tour, politics and immortalizing his penis with the Phildo.
The Los Angeles Spring Fair at the Irwindale Speedway drew fans of Monster Trucks, fried EVERYTHING, petting zoos and classic fair rides. When I got to the venue around 6p.m. on a Friday, I wondered when and if I would get to my destination as it took nearly two hours to get there from downtown Los Angeles. For those unfamiliar with L.A. commutes, I could have been in San Diego in the same amount of time. When I arrived at the Irwindale Speedway, I was greeted by four monster trucks parked in front of the gates. Upon arrival, I grabbed a program at the front gate and looked for events they had in store for that day.
The fair was equipped with alligator shows, live music, freestyle motorcross and monster trucks.so I was excited to see all this. In L.A., it’s rare to get that type of combination all in the same venue. There was definitely a lot to do at the fair and there were rides for grown folks as well as for the little ones.
As I walked around, I saw a radio station where K-EARTH 101 gave out free Red Hot sauce at their booth and all attendees had to do was stop by and say hi.
After looking at the program, I headed to the grandstands to catch the monster truck event. There were only four trucks on the track with two jumps, small ones. The event was a scaled down version of larger monster truck competitions. The drivers knew the jumps weren’t going to excite people so they started doing wheelies.
Seeing the huge, violently loud trucks driving on two wheels and seeing sparks come off the back of the truck definitely got the crowd rowdy.
I asked spectator Marvyn Monzon what he thought about it and he replied, "Hearing the power of the engines gave me a hard-on and seeing the trucks do wheelies made me want to salute the American flag."
When the monster truck event was over, I walked back to where the rides and food were.
One of my favorite places at the fair was the petting zoo, which had goats, midget horses, sheep and deer. This was the perfect place to bring your kids,or animal lovers in general. In addition to the previously mentioned petting zoo, there was also a parrot petting zoo. While interesting, there’s something about petting birds that made for a less appealing experience. It just wasn’t as entertaining as the petting zoo with four legged animals.
As the sun went down, more people arrived. Thelot lit up with orange, blue, red, and purple neon lights. Dance music blasted from a ride called "DISKOTHEK."
Aside from the rides, a fair wouldn’t be anything if it weren’t for the strange yet delicious fair food (deep fried Snickers, huge turkey legs and kettle corn, to name a few).
Lastly, the bar right behind the grandstands, next to the Toyota tent was impressive, especially for a pop up bar. The pop up bar looked pretty classy and drink prices were reasonable. Imagine that, drink prices that cost $5 less than a pack of cigarettes! All in all, the fair was entertaining, offering fun-filled events for just about anybody.
All photos by Steven Buena
About the Photographer/Author Shooting a variety of niches, Steven Buena has experience in concert footage,fashion photography, drift competitions, skateboardingphotosand more. Covering everything from cars, rockstars and models, Steven is widening his scope and challenging himself everyday.
10:47 PMTuesday, April 26, 2011Wesley Bauman, Contributing Writer
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the midwest? Well, you might be thinking snow, farm country where they grow ‘em big and dumb, or maybe you’re thinking cheese curds and deep-fried EVERYTHING. What I’m betting you’re not think of is genre-shattering hip-hop. No, that isn’t a typo. I am talking about lyrical and poetic hip-hop on a level you should need the Konami Code to achieve. I’m sure you think that the midwest is just that “place between New York and L.A.,” but in a not-so-little town called Minneapolis there lies a beacon unto rap music that shines like a bat-signal on any given snow-dusted night. There, in the sprawling metropolis that is the Twin Cities is a veritable cornucopia of artists ready to answer the call. Not least among them is Dessa of the increasingly legendary DOOMTREE crew who is taking her superhero skill set on the road and “repping wings & teeth” at The Roxy Theatre May 6th, with the help of fellow crew members SIMS and Lazerbeak on her first headlining tour.
You might be saying to yourself, “Gee, Wes, I don’t know. Sounds a little far-fetched.” Well hold on to your trousers Beav, ‘cause Wally’s gonna let you know what’s what. Dessa’s background is slam poetry, a cappella quality alto pipes and a philosophy degree. She released “False Hopes,” her first EP to rave reviews despite only being 15 minutes long. Her first LP, “A Badly Broken Code” got four out of five from Urb, a shout out in Spin Magazine and was listed by the likes of the Seattle Times and the Chicago tribune as being an album deserving of a Grammy nomination. Dessa’s LP is almost literally a journey from life to death with tracks titled “Children’s Work” and “Momento Mori” (Latin phrase translated to “remember you must die”). Dessa took five years to create an album that cannot easily be quantified or categorized with its haunting, a cappella tracks like, “Into the Spin” (name for her tour, by the way) and declarations of presence like, “The Bullpen.”
With that kind of background, is it any wonder she operates on a plateau few can achieve? Dessa will sing for you, rap for you, give you some slam poetry, but all the while it can feel like she is leaving everything out on the stage. What else is gonna be on that stage at the Roxy? How about a three-piece band? Yeah, I’m talking a damned stand up Bass for God’s sake. Dessa is bringing the show she gives her Minneapolis fans right to your doorstep. Dessa is not shy about the skill you’ll find. “These are killer musicians—both as players and as composers—and I think we’ve put together some new arrangements that represent familiar songs in some really dynamic, imaginative ways.”
You can’t call it a hip-hop show, that’s not all it is. She blends so many musical genres that I’m pretty sure your iTunes might as well slap her with a question mark. Dessa herself explained that, “[It’s] not because I hope to be some genre-bending rebel, but because making good music seems more important than knowing what to call it.”
DOOMTREE as a whole, has always done it’s thing its own way. Dessa explains the meager beginnings: “We started out by recording music in the basement of a shared house and burning CD-Rs to sell at live shows. We now operate a lean little indie record label, tour the country in a gray van, and have had the good fortune to play some pretty stellar stages.” Dessa is a perfect reflection of this gritty, no-holds-barred approach to making what she makes. In addition to being a teacher, hip-hop star, and a cappella singer, she also published a 70-page book of poems and fiction that has been described as a “dizzying literary debut.”(City Pages) She is never satisfied, and this tenacious drive is reflected in everything she does, and she surrounds herself with people that have that same lust for the next level.
So, of course she is touring with SIMS and Lazerbeak on the, “Into the Spin” tour. SIMS, a founding member of DOOMTREE, released “Bad Time Zoo” in February to rave reviews and the top spot on the CMJ hip-hop charts. SIMS is powerful and thoughtful in his rhymes. Idealistic, almost to a fault (like myself), he flirts with liberal preachiness from time to time, but with a bounce-inducing rhyme skill that will get even the toughest, mean-mugging wallflower off the wall and moving. Lazerbeak, the mastermind behind the beats on “Bad Time Zoo” will be plying his trade on this tour with skills shown on stage, and in the tracks, that cannot be denied; an almost interacitve funkscape that echoes everything from tribal choir-inspired tracks to futuristic bass beats like on “The Veldt.”
Dessa has been putting in the work, paying the dues, and cutting her teeth on the road for years. This is her headlining coming out party. The (fan)ily is gathered and it is time to just come out of the closet; she’s a superstar. One part Aphrodite, one part Athena, Dessa brings to the mic wisdom, beauty, and skill, weaving a musical and lyrical tapestry that few can match. If you find yourself next to her at the bar, asking her whether “she thinks, therefore she is,” might get you locked in to a diatribe on the philosophical implications of existence, or more likely a sideways stare and a smirk. Dessa is “acutely aware of how many dues an artist must pay.” She knows not just anyone gets to sing the song of the caged bird just anywhere. “My goal in LA will be to introduce people to the live band format. A lot of people have been skeptical of the transition, but almost everyone has been converted. We’re not a jam band...” With SIMS bringing socially conscious, rat-a-tat lyrics, Lazerbeak with ridiculous tracks, and Dessa with her band and unidentifiable genre, this has the makings for an epic show the likes of which you don’t want to miss. I know I won’t.
Can’t make the May 6th show at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood? Don’t worry, here are a couple other shows going down that might be closer to your neck of the socal woods.
Wesley Bauman, author of Doggy Paddling in the Deep End, is a writer/photojournalist originally from Oregon who makes his home in Ventura, CA. He's contributed to the VCReporter and maintains an active blog (http://www.wesleybauman.wordpress.com/) where he writes on political and social satire regularly. Follow Wesley on Twitter @myownfalseidol
9:32 PMTuesday, April 19, 2011Conrad Garcia, Contributor
The 3rd Annual L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival, held in downtown, was an event fit for fans of laughter and lovers of all things comedy. The Sponsors for the event consisted of Funny or Die, Atom.com / Comedy Central Originals, Revel Stoke Spiced Whiskey, State Tax Credit Exchange, Elevate Lounge and Takami Sushi&Robata Restaurant. The entire venue was filled with talented directors, comedians, and actors who illustrated the evolution of storytelling: from long form to shorter attention grabbing techniques.
Image Credit: NinjaSexParty.com
Ninja Sex Party was a prime example of how musical comedy and rivalry can lead to success. Dan Avidan, (Danny Sex Bag) and Brian Wecht, (Ninja Brian), corky personalities with the vision of director Jim Turner, built a perfect unity through their music videos. Their music videos titled, “Decision” and “If We Were Gay,” were both featured at the L.A. Comedy Short Film Festival and had an overwhelmingly warm response.
Watch "The Decision" below:
The constant banter between Danny Sex Bag and Ninja Brian helped to create likability and familiarity for the audience to relate to. Dan, Bryan and Jim are currently living in New York and have a mutual love for Quantum Leap, Weird Al Yankovic, Kung Fu Movies, Dinosaurs, Unicorns, Ghostbusters and 80’s movies. Dan owns a 10 ft. banner that glows in the dark of the legendary rock band Rush and the most random fact is Brian Wecht is actually a Physicist. These guys have a simple goal in life, to make people laugh. Through their personalities and humility, these 3 guys will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future, so prepare for Ninja Sex Party.
Check out Ninja Sex Party's "If We Were Gay," below:
Big Dog Eat Child produced a music video called “What Up Little Kid?” Pedro Castro, Jim Gainer and director Ramiro Castro Jr. expressed their attitudes towards the youth of today. “We have known each other since high school and this comedy friendship has been running for more than 8 years. We were leaving from a White Sox game and these kids with backwards hats kept cutting in front of us and that gave the inspiration for the song. We have seen a significant decrease on how kids respect adults and it reinforced why kids are kids.”
Their humble outlook on the film festival and the great people they met throughout the festivities inspired them to make another film and come back stronger than ever. Other people that have helped significantly in Big Dog Eat Child’s success include Jason Nisavic, Brian Fox, Dan O’Dwyer, Brian Skaj and Matt Witkus. They also produced the soundtrack for another funny short that was in the festival called “Douglas.” Raymond McAnally (Douglas) tries to pick up on the girl of his dreams over the noise of his own. Every time he speaks, he has a condition of farting, “it matches my diaphragm and sphincter muscle when I’m trying to talk. It matches my volume, when I speak high and when I whisper, it eases out.”
Other highlights of the festival consisted of a great one on one Q&A portion with a celebrity panel. Stephanie Courtney (Progressive commercials), Larry Jo Campbell (According to Jim), Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Lynn Stewart (Pee Wee’s Play House on Broadway), Scott Thompson (Kids In The Hall) shared countless stories of what it means to make it in Hollywood.
The experience of watching peoples’ hard work, sweat, tears, dedication, time, and true expressions on the big screen made this experience worthwhile. Art is always subjective, however laughter is forever.
I wanted to say a special thanks to Artistic Director Gary Anthony Williams, Executive Directors Jeannie Roshar and Ryan Higman, Public Relations Carol Marshall, the entire staff of the L.A. Short Film Festival, and all the great directors, actors, and comedians who never stopped making me laugh.
I am a stand up comedian who appreciates life and feels laughter is always the best medicine. Because if you are not LAUGHING, you must be sleeping. And most importantly,"Though I have fingers, I LACK TOES."
Fans of the hit TV show, "Desperate Housewives," gathered on Wisteria Lane, located on the back lot of Universal Studios, for a block party benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation this past Saturday. Attendees enjoyed old fashioned barbecue from StoneFire Grill, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, cocktails, Hawaiian shaved ice and more. Party-goers also shopped the silent auction and rubbed elbows with celebrities including Teri Hatcher, Bob Guiney, James Denton, Jesse Spencer, Jorge Garcia, Adrian Pasdar, Gary Cole, Scott Grimes, among others. Attendees also watched the star-studded Band From TV and American Bloomers perform.
Wisteria Lane Block Party
Band from TV
Teri Hatcher
Vanessa Williams
Felicity Huffman and Vanessa Williams
As soon as Band from TV began their set, attendees made their way to the front and got their video cameras and cell phones out to record the star-studded ensemble. It's not too often, that you see a band comprised of actors from today's hit shows including, "LOST," "Heroes," "ER," Desperate Housewives," "HOUSE," among others.
Band from TV performed a string of cover songs consisting of classic rock favorites and even country tunes. Notable songs performed included, "Pink Cadillac" and "Before He Cheats."
Adrian Pasdar
Pasdar was on the mic singing a great rendition of Mike Denver's "The Day of My Return."
James Denton and Adrian Pasdar
Jorge Garcia, who plays Hurley on the TV show, "LOST," performed the Blues Brothers' hit, "She Caught the Katy."
Jorge Garcia (Hurley from LOST)
Teri Hatcher joined the band and performed a few cover songs, which included Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," and Mary Chapin Carpenter's "I Feel Lucky."
Teri Hatcher
Hatcher and Pasdar
Jesse Spencer from HOUSE
Our favorite songs of the evening were performed by Scott Grimes who rocked on both "Don't Stop Me Now" and "Walking in Memphis."
Scott Grimes
Aside from the live entertainment, fans were able to enter the homes on Wisteria Lane.
Inside Gabrielle Solis' home on Wisteria Lane
Overall, the fun-filled event gave fans a sneak peek behind the scenes of "Desperate Housewives." Live entertainment coupled with Stonefire Grill barbecue, unlimited ice cream and cocktails, beer and wine made for a great event, all for a good cause.
Formerly an editor and writer at Citysearch, The Examiner, LA Youth Newspaper and proofreader at The Los Angeles Daily News, Christy Buena decided to start Disarray Magazine because she missed writing what she wanted. From hiring writers, to contacting publicists and making assignments, Christy is responsible for the editorial strategy of Disarray Magazine.
11:51 PMThursday, April 14, 2011Christy Buena, Editor
We recently caught up with Los Angeles rapper J Smooth and took him on a trip down memory lane. We discussed his early musical beginnings, his experience in the army, attending business school, touring and his latest album titled "Plan B." Get to know J Smooth, his non-profit organization and his music.
How long have you been making music and songwriting? At what age did you realize you wanted to pursue it?
I've been singing and dancing since I was 4-years-old, at least that's what my mom says. When I was in first grade, I was in my first play. Then when I was 11, I joined the church choir. Freshmen year I got into performance choir, where I used to sing and dance like the show "Glee," but I didn't started rapping till my senior year in High School. It was then that I knew I wanted to be an entertainer after a class trip to the House of Blues in Hollywood, where I ended up performing James Brown's "I Feel Good."
After that, I started to write songs, but right after I graduated High School, I joined the U.S Army, which believe it or not, it was there that I improved my rap skills because the army is such a melting pot I was exposed to other forms of Hip Hop from all over. During my time in the army, I entered Freestyle battles and performed at open mic clubs around the base. Once I was done with the army, I went to college and I was taking Business classes. It was then that I made the decision to pursue my music career. After my music business and music law classes, I dropped out of school and officially became J Smooth. For the last 6 years, I've been chasing my dream.
Can you tell us about your first performance?
Well the one I count as my first performance, I would say was the one that changed it all for me. My first big performance with my own DJ and back up dancers happened in August of 2006 at the Feria Agostina Nicaraguence (Nicaraguan Fest) in The City of Industry, CA. It was there in front of 8,000 people that I rocked my first big performance. Best of all, it was when I turned my parents into believers. I moved them as well as the crowd with my performance.
What inspires you and what makes your style unique?
I think what makes my style different is my diversity because I'm inspired and influenced by many different artists, cultures and languages. My ability to mix them all together and make them my own [makes my style unique].
What's your ultimate musical goal and what have you learned while trying to accomplish this goal?
My goal is to make it big, I mean really big and make myself a house hold name like Jay Z or Will Smith. I would really like to be a Latin Diddy and conquer more than just being an artist and music, but a writer, producer, entertainment mogul, with music, clothing, movies and business with “business” being the key word.
If I learned anything it’s that It's not called "THE MUSIC BIZ" or "SHOW BIZ" for nothing. Being in the music industry is a business and the better your Business knowledge the greater your chances of success.
Tell us about your latest album, “Plan B.” Did you collaborate with other artists on this record?
Well "Plan B" is my second album hence the name. I continued my theme of a multi genre and bilingual album, like my first album, but this time around, I had a better game plan with a clear focus on what I wanted to achieve with this album with most of the production duties taken up by my little brother "Imfamous," and he as well stepped up this time and became an executive producer on this album. So, together we picked out all the music and features.
Back officially for this album was Johnny Michael, a very talented hard working R&B artist, who I’ve worked with before on a song (which was a hidden bonus on my first album this time around). JM and I get the uptempo dance floor record "Get Down." I also got a chance to work with Bronx New York Rapper Cost on the uptempo anthem, "Show Me The Money" which also features my brother/Producer/Rapper Imfamous with a show stealing verse. I’ve got a pair of songs featuring R&B/Jerker Vice 45. On the Latin side, I got a song with Cuban artist Paloma Michelle, I also collaborated with Amor Latino and I worked with a New Dominican artist named Robinson on the Latin American Summer anthem "Dime Que Tu Quires" (Tell Me What You Want)
Who makes your beats?
Well most of my Production comes right out of 570 Records with Genius Producer Imfamous. Ive also had the pleasure of working with On The Block Production (Tommy "T-Gunns" Parker, Norman "Normatic" Jackson and Curtiss King), who will be handling a lot of production on my next album.
Are you working on any projects at the moment?
Currently, I'm working on my next album "Flight Plan," which I plan to release later this year, as well an all Spanish EP. I'm continuing to write for other artists and featured on songs with new artist like Tony Sans, Madisen Hill and Roger Lee.
Is there anyone you wish to work with?
I would really like to work with Kanye West, The-Dream and Daddy Yankee because I would like to see how they work.
Do you give back to your community in any way?
I started a Non Profit Organization called "Fundacion La Esperanza" (Hope Foundation), to raise money for underprivileged school children and kids with disabilities in Nicaragua with plans of helping more Latin American countries.
I know that you’ve had performances all over the world. Which location was your favorite and why?
I couldn't really narrow it down to one, so I’ll have to say two. One was a performance I had in Diriamba, Nicaragua in front of 20,000 plus people where I had an hour performance. I was the headliner and my performance ended the festival.
Second, was when I opened up for Daddy Yankee. I had a 35 minute performance in front of another 20,000 people. Those two performances are my favorite because of the size and energy of the crowd. It was unbelievable and I really wish they could all be more like that and bigger.
Which countries would you like to visit?
Right now, we are working to move into South America for a concert tour. I’m definitely doing really good on the Latin Side of things, but eventually I would like to hit Europe and Asia.
What is the toughest experience you've ever had to overcome?
I had a performance at a Mexican festival and most of the performers were Tex-Mex singers. Well I got to the stage to perform and after my intro, the crowd started chanting "Gasolina. Gasolina, Gasolina," referring to the Daddy Yankee break-out hit. I guess they thought I was Daddy Yankee or that was just the only Reggeaton song they knew.
Well the crowd got really loud and they took to pushing the stage back and forth. It was almost like the scene in the Selena movie, when she first performed in Mexico. I thought the stage was about to break. So, I looked at over at my DJ Reflection he asked "What are we gonna do? I said, “Let’s just do Gasolina". Luckily for me, my DJ had the instrumental of the song and I just performed the song and the show went on.
Who do you look up to? Who has influenced you the most in your life?
I'd have to say my parents. They both have been very hard workers ever since I can remember, working two jobs each to make sure my brother and I had everything they never had. That's where I get my Hustlers mentality, where hard work and determination pays off.
Where can we catch you next? Any upcoming shows?
I’ve got two events coming up. I'll be performing at the "Spring Into Health Fest" April 23 at Martin Luther King Jr Rec Center 3916 S Western Ave Los Angeles CA 90062
and April 30 at the 2nd annual Nicaraguan appreciation fest at 3541 W Temple St Los Angeles CA 90004
What's the best piece of advice someone ever gave you?
The best piece of advice I ever got in this Biz was from Pitbull. He told me to always be persistent. He said he sent 20 songs to DJ Laz before he ever played one on the radio. He also said that once the money starts to come in, to not waste it on buying jewelry and expensive cars, but to invest it into property and businesses.
The music industry can be tough. Do you have any advice for musicians just starting out?
The best advice I can give is to remember that this is a business and to treat it as such,
and take the time to learn your craft. The more you know the easier things will be.
Yes, thank you so much for your time and interest in myself and my music, and everyone, go get a copy of my new album “Plan B.”
Don't forget to catch J Smooth live:
4/23/11 - "Spring Into Health Fest" April 23 @ Martin Luther King Jr Rec Center 3916 S Western Ave Los Angeles CA 90062
4/3011 - 2nd Annual Nicaraguan Appreciation Fest @ 3541 W Temple St Los Angeles CA 90004
About the Author
Formerly an editor and writer at Citysearch, The Examiner, LA Youth Newspaper and proofreader at The Los Angeles Daily News, Christy Buena decided to start Disarray Magazine because she missed writing what she wanted. From hiring writers, to contacting publicists and making assignments, Christy is responsible for the editorial strategy of Disarray Magazine.
Halloween in Spring? No tricks, Just Treats at Hard Rock Hotel’s Halfway to Halloween Soiree!
Halloween came early this year in the form of access to an entire hotel, decently priced cocktails and some of the most successful Electronic Music Dj’s, not to mention rapper/music producer and occasional Dj, Lil Jon. In spite of the rain, the costume memo was not lost as party goers still stampeded the Hard Rock Hotel in Downtown San Diego on April 8th. From Pharaohs, to French Maids to Carebears, the theme to the night’s event seemed fully embraced by majority of the partygoers and even for those who put less thought (one guy in nothing but boxer briefs: did we mention rain?) It was all about the music and shedding the need to “fit in.”
Due to the aforementioned poor weather, the venue locations were reduced to two levels instead of three, but due to the high energy and constant visual stimulation of the atmosphere you really didn’t notice. The 1st floor venue was a dark, intimate space that was reminiscent of an underground Hip Hop room, except this one included private seating. The 2nd floor was more luminous, with a warehouse feel that included lush red velvet VIP seating that hugged the entrance, followed up by the main stage where dancers had “front row” access to see the main attraction of the Dj’s. Some of those attractions included Dj’s: Morgan Page, Nathan Scott, Sid Vicious, Tony Arzadon and Dj Kurch.
There appeared to be the perfect polarization of opposing musical genres with Electronica in one location, followed by Hip-Hop and Top 40 in another. The night hit critical mass around midnight with Lil Jon’s opening set on the 1st level playing current Hip-Hop hits by Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy and Wacka Flocka, just to list a few. At the same time, Morgan Page kept the upstairs crowd spellbound with his top tracks, which included “Fight For You” and “The Longest Road.”
It was obvious that part of the success of this event came from great marketing and promotions both by Hard Rock and promotions companies including Eventvibe, which often helps to publicize top level talent to premiere venues in San Diego. In the past, they’ve promoted for Above & Beyond and Project Ethos. Great aspects of the event included the extremely friendly hotel staff, the complimentary coat check, (who wants to lug around an umbrella all night?), and an all around great selection of Dj’s. They did an excellent job of keeping the liveliness of the evening at full throttle.
The costume theme of course helped to stimulate ones dormant antennae in terms of inspiring ideas for this year’s actual Halloween. For fans of Electronica, Hip-Hop or both, this event fully captured ones senses and most likely purged any negative emotional residue once your feet hit the entrance. It was easy to get lost in the moment and the ambiance triggered a deep wish for more half-way parties. Is it six-months to your birthday yet? Just saying!
About the Author
Kania Hayes is a graduate of Pitzer College and enjoys writing so much that she actually wrote a screenplay in one night. She currently works for FlawLes Media and Events and in her spare time delights in meditation, Trance music and shopping.
Hundreds of fans came out to the El Rey Theater on March 30th to watch XV, Donnis, Bad Rabbits, Black Cards and headliner Travie McCoy.
Lights flashed and hundreds of fans chanted Travie McCoy’s name repeatedly and when McCoy walked onto the stage with such swag, the crowd went crazy. He walked to the edge of the stage, towered above the audience and began belting out lyrics.
Throughout the night, he knelt over to the audience with his arm extended for screaming fans to grab and hold. Every song held something new and unique. He flawlessly spit lyrics followed by screams reminiscent of metal bands.
He entertained the crowd by telling them he used to watch the show “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” The crowd cheered and McCoy continued to tell them about the “Carlton dance.” As they laughed from McCoy’s trip down memory lane, he starts doing the famous dorky dance. The fans encouraged him and then a river of phones and cameras went off, recording and photographing the funny 90’s dance.
McCoy knew how to engage his audience and by the end of the night, not a fan in sight had a bad time. Fans definitely got what they paid for and the bottom line: a Travie McCoy ticket is money well spent.
Nicole Lemberg is a teen concert photographer, reviewer, and band interviewer. She recently started her own website Soundcheck411.com and her work has been published on numerous music related sites. She is a point and shooting guard on her high school basketball team. In her free time Nicole goes to concerts and hangs out with friends.
The Third Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off at the Redondo Beach Pier was the place to be this past Saturday. For $7, attendees received “Tasting Kits” that included five – 2 ounce clam chowder taste tickets and a ticket to vote for a favorite to win the People's Choice award. The winners of the event were Alpine Village for Best Clam Chowder, Professional Division/Team Spirit Award and Roy Miyashiro for the Individual Division.
Images Courtesy of: Alpine Village - Winner pictured above
Winner Roy Miyashiro pictured below (Photo credit: Alpine Village)
Proceeds from the event will benefit The Cancer Support Community, a non-profit organization located in the Redondo Beach Pier Plaza that has provided free support services to cancer patients and their families for the past 24 years.
The event, sponsored by the King Harbor Association, Quality Seafood and the Redondo Pier Association, had restaurants in attendance including Alpine Village, Kilkenny’s, Quality Seafood, Tony’s on the Pier, Fat Face Fenner's Fish Shack and Patrick Molloys, to name a few.
Brian Dragich of Quality Seafood
CLAMor for More
Quality Seafood
Creamy clam chowder came from Quality Seafood. Paired with bread, the chowder definitely hit the spot.
Alpine Village
Fat Face Fenner's Fish Shack
Tony’s on the Pier
In addition to handing out tasty samples of clam chowder, Tony's on the Pier handed out fliers for discounts at their restaurant.
Tony's on the Pier
Before giving us a sample of his spicy, delicious recipe, Salome Ponce asked, " Are you ready to taste the best clam chowder?" (Pictured below).
Salome Ponce whipped up a spicy, delicious chowder!
Among all the vendors, our favorite clam chowder came from Patrick Molloys. Bold flavors made us come back for seconds and as a result, we felt they proudly earned our yellow ticket stub.
Patrick Molloys
We had to go back for more!
The fun-filled event lasted from 1pm - 4pm where festival goers tasted various types of Clam Chowder at a super affordable price. Throughout the event, vendors cheered when they received a yellow ticket, which meant they were voted for best chowder of the day. The event is annual and we recommend checking out the next one. You won't be disappointed!
Were you at this event? Did you have fun? Let us know what you thought in the comments section!
About the Author
Formerly an editor and writer at Citysearch, The Examiner, LA Youth Newspaper and proofreader at The Los Angeles Daily News, Christy Buena decided to start Disarray Magazine because she missed writing what she wanted. From hiring writers, to contacting publicists and making assignments, Christy is responsible for the editorial strategy of Disarray Magazine.
Shooting a variety of niches, Steven Buena has experience in concert footage,fashion photography, drift competitions, skateboarding photos and more. Covering everything from cars, rockstars and models, Steven is widening his scope and challenging himself everyday.
