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10. MUSIC MAP 12. BAND: Kitten 15. VENUE: On The Rox 16. ARTIST: Timothy Williams 18. GALLERY: Corey Helford

21. ART WALK MAP 22. IMAGE GALLERY: LA Street Art

24. ACTOR: Jena Malone 26. FILM: DVDs to Check Out

30. DESIGNERS: Penny Stock

32. STORE: E.P.I.C. 34. FASHION: Street Scene 36. SHOES 38. ACCESSORIES: Go Green 40. CHEF: Marcel Vigneron

42. RESTAURANT: Mas Malo 44. FOOD SPOTS: Mexican 46. COCKTAIL: St. Tropez 48. BAR: Wellsbourne

52. GAME: Dragon Age 2

50. TECH: Spy Tech

54. INTERVIEW: Totally Rad Show

60. COMMUNITY: Eco Green 62. ADVICE: Ask JD 66. LAST LOOK: Augustine Kofie

8 LACANVAS.COM

Volume 1, issue no. 3March/April 2011

Publisher

Editors

Copy Editor

Arts Editor

FASHION EDITOR

Food + Drink Editor

Music Editor

Tech Editor

Account Managers

DISTRIBUTION

Marketing Assistant

dante colombatti

kevin hidalgoJustin Fitzwater

reno d. Picconi

shana nys dambrot

Vivianne Lapointe

kat odell

Ashley eliot

curt hutson

Amy dobbins, Jesse furman, Matt olson

Jeffrey hogeboom

Will Wallner

Copyright 2011, by LA CANVAS. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro-duced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from LA CANVAS. LA CANVAS makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but is not respon-sible for unsolicited or contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork or advertisements. LA CANVAS is not held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

WritersMarilyn chiu, Ashley eliot,

Max hurwitz, rAegan Payne, todd Mazer

Photographersemily Bradley, sergio estevez,

Luke Lovell

Our info1734 n. Main st, studio 1B

Los Angeles, cA 90031

P:(323) 352-3250

e:Pr@LAcAnVAs.comLAcAnVAs.coM

friends with Benefits

Internsdana eitches, dustin hedrick

OPENING RECPTION : APRIL 9THON VIEW : APRIL 9TH - MAY 14TH

www.MARKMOOREGALLERY.com

JOSH AZZARELLAWORK: 2004 - 2011

LACANVAS.COM 9

10 LACANVAS.COM10 LACANVAS.COM

Sea W

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The Belle BrigadeSweet Louise

White SeaOverdrawn

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Fade

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Saint MotelDo Everything Now

EZ TIGERAnyOther Day

Francisco The ManDoYou Remeber?

Twilight SleepRun In Reverse

Voxhaul BroadcastFact Or Fiction

Walking SleepLet ItGo On`

Dante Vs ZombiesBranded By Nuns

Eastern Conference ChampionsSingle Sedative (Acoustic)

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... to get you through your work week

archivenoun

1. a collection containing materials of historical interest: PONY ARCHIVE is a footwear collection of timeless Pony styles selected for permanent preservation.

SLAM DUNK MIDCIRCA 1982

WWW.PONY.COM

EST 1972

Archive_Ad_1_Filter.indd 1 10/15/10 10:15:26 AM

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archivenoun

1. a collection containing materials of historical interest: PONY ARCHIVE is a footwear collection of timeless Pony styles selected for permanent preservation.

SLAM DUNK MIDCIRCA 1982

WWW.PONY.COM

EST 1972

Archive_Ad_1_Filter.indd 1 10/15/10 10:15:26 AM

12 LACANVAS.COM

musician Focus

LACANVAS.COM 13

Photo Courtesy oF KItten

l ed by 16-year-old Chloe Chaidez, the indie pop meets garage rock band Kitten might be young but their catchy choruses and electric beats will have you questioning the time spent during your teen years. With

comparisons to Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Jenny Lewis

(Rilo Kiley), the fierce Chaidez delivers a song with authority

and emotion that leaves a lasting impression. At 11 years old,

she shared the stage with Conor Oberst and Band of Horses,

and up until she was 13, performed in a cover band called Wild

Youth. A couple years later, Kitten was launched with Chaidez

(vocals, guitar), Andy Miller (guitar), Max Kuehn (drums) and

Zach Carper (bass). Also, Chaidez works with co-writer Chad

Anderson on the song writing.

The alluring sting of Kitten With A Whip, inspired by the

1960s film, spurts lyrics like Shes out for kicks. Shes a kitten

with a whip. She takes the littlest steps from the prettiest lips.

Shes a kitten with a whip. This is just one example of the

aggressive persona that Chaidez and the bands sound gives off

in their recordings and on stage.

The song writing is just one aspect of the music, says the

home-schooled teen. I would say my personality comes out

more on stage.

And Chaidez isnt shy on stage. With her Madonna-esque

attitude, she isnt afraid to get lost in the music, which is proven

by singing and rolling around on stage at the same time then

jumping out into the crowd to shake things up.

A year ago, Kitten signed to Atlantic Records. This past fall,

the band released their debut EP Sunday School independently

and the plan is to release a full-length album this summer.

Though already an exciting first year for Kitten, its only the

beginning of their take-off. Thank goodness they have that

young, unstoppable energy to keep them on track. Check out

more music features at LACANVAS.COM. Story by Ashley Eliot.

KITTENTEEN ROCK BAND SHAKING

UP THE MUSIC SCENE

14 LACANVAS.COM

* Pollstars Nightclub of the Year - 2 Years in a row

* 2008 Pollstars Best New Major Concert Venue

* 2009 Zagats Best Live Music Club

LA Canvas readers get 25% off Private Rentals and

VIP Packages. Call or e-mail for more information

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LACANVAS.COM 15

its been almost four decades since legendary music venue The Roxy launched with big-time artists like Neil Young and

Bruce Springsteen performing first

on the stage. Over the years, rock

star acts, such as Guns N Roses,

Miles Davis and Pearl Jam to name a

few, have stopped through the Sunset

Strip club and today it still serves as

a hub for musicians, big and small.

Founded in 1973, The Roxy is

owned by Lou Adler and his son Nic,

who currently operates the venue.

Though The Roxy may be a spot

well known by the masses, there

is something about it that a lot of

people tend to overlook, yet many

are reminded of it being the place

where John Belushi was hanging out

before ODing, which reinstates its

reputation for major partying.

Upstairs, what has been termed

as an after-hours facility, is an

intimate lounge that is noted for

its Hollywood parties. But theres

something else most people

wouldnt have a clue about and thats

this party setting also serves as a

place for music acts, whether signed

or unsigned, to get to know their

fans and friends a little bit better.

The cozy venue, above The Roxy,

brings in touring acts and local indie

artists sporadically throughout the

month. Recently, LA-based Internet

station HoundstoothRadio.com,

which showcases lots of local talent,

presented a show with Dante Vs.

Zombies and Chasing Kings.

As well as offering a more

exclusive feel, On The Rox also

features a full-bar, DJ booth,

incredible sound system and a stage

area for bands. Within the venue,

along the walls, are historical photos

documenting its legacy of past

performers.

The Roxy is still rockin with even

more momentum and providing

up-and-comers with an outlet that

is branded as a historic imprint of

the music industry. You never know

what celeb socialite or industry exec

might be stopping by to hang. More

music reviews at LACANVAS.COM.

Story by Ashley Eliot.

LOCATION: 9009 W. Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

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artist Focus

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surfing and art are the two hottest counterculture things right now; the Europeans are going nuts for it! says artist Timothy Williams. All over Spain and France, they love Goth, and theyre

discovering surf culture and LA art at the same time.

What theyre encountering is a powerful, eclectic,

quasi-underground strain of California indie culture.

This isnt happy art. Surf is a ritualistic, fiercely

environmentalist, competitive sport, rife with drugs,

sex, and crime. And Williams has had a front row seat,

hailing from Ventura, where hard-core punks played in

Camarillo and Oxnard, and surfed at County Line. He

studied art at Pepperdine, where Sophia Lorens son

and I were the only people with long hair. Wed drive

to Venice, troll alleys for found junk, drag it back to

school, and make art out of it. See, his dad restored

classic cars, and his mom was a choir director, so he

grew up in a perpetual studio of fucked up things

being made beautiful.

Williams art remains expressive and inventive,

deploying collage, painting, photography, performance

actions, minor arson, sculpture, video, and installation as

needed. Intensely tactile, arresting works like surfboards

riddled with buckshot and collaged and/or painted;

video projected onto animal skeletons; and burned

violins, painted doors, and naval portholes framing

painted personal altars and abstractly evocative ocean

views -- all of it made from reclaimed trash.

Surfer Noir is what Williams calls it for convenience,

kicking around his in-studio digs at Black Cat Gallery

in Culver City. Besides his own work, over the past

eleven years hes presented artists like Sandow Birk,

Ray Pettibon, Norton Wisdom, Jay Mark Johnson, and

both Ed and Andy Moses -- along with musicians and

DJs that share the aesthetic of post-punk romance that

permeates all of Williams projects. And as art books

like Surf Story (Tim appears in the forthcoming Volume

II) and high-profile shows like 2010s Tim Nye-curated

SWELL in NYC demonstrate, the darker aspects of the

surf-art continuum have massive appeal.

In fact, SWELL grew directly out of the wildly popular

Black Cat Gallery exhibition, Darkwave. It was a

group show that beautifully articulated the diversity of

approaches to art-making across this motley school,

and exploded the paradigm of surf art to include the

abstract, elegant, raw, poetic, and political.

USC picked it up right away, and it became

Darkwave: Eight Artist-Surfers Explore Surfing and the

Violence of the City, an expanded and recontextualized

installation keyed off the previous exhibition that came

to involve more artists, as well as an engagement

with the experiences of the student body and larger

community. And by the end of last year, the SWELL tide

had risen all the way to the galleries of New York City.

SWELL really gave us our voices as a group. Wed all

been working on this stuff alone and together for years,

and that show made it solid. But true Surf Goths are still

rare. Its hard to stay pale! For more information on the

artist visit LACANVAS.COM, timothywilliams.org or

blackcatart.com. Story by Shana Nys Dambrot.

Photo by luKe lovell

18 LACANVAS.COM

a rtists, philanthropists, savvy corporations, students, and scrappy hipsters open art galleries all the time. But some of the best, like Culver Citys

Corey Helford Gallery, are operated by

dedicated independent collectors. Owners

Jan Corey Helford and Bruce Helford started

with a fierce and prescient belief in the

cross-pollinated, genre-defying work being

made by a global generation of post-street

artists, and CHG has become one of the

most popular galleries in town, based

entirely on what Jan calls, being a know-

what-I-like kind of girl. That, and occupying

a gorgeously appointed space not totally

typical of their anti-establishment genre,

and presenting a rigorous and critically

acclaimed program of artists from the

virtually unknown to veritable rock stars like

Shag, Gary Baseman, and Buff Monster.

A lot about the LA art world has changed

in the five years since they opened, and,

at least aesthetically, Jan feels its moving

away from art that makes you feel [like]

you dont get it, towards more relatable

art, driven by popular demand as much as

museum validation. Im not saying this is

good or bad, Im just saying its happening.

So whos buying this edgier, but more

accessible kind of art? We have actors,

rock stars, producers, writers, lawyers,

CEOs, and a slew of hip working class kids.

Its a wonderful mix and they all share the

same passion for collecting. Some are quite

ravenous, God love em. And as for museum

nods, theyve got that covered, too, recently

curating a landmark exhibition of American

urban contemporary at the progressive

Bristol Museum in the UK. Back here at

home, the gallery celebrates five years with

upcoming shows from Ron English, Ray

Caesar, UK street artist D*Faces first LA solo

show, and a very cool historically-based

graffiti exhibit coming up this Spring, but I

can say no more at this time. Hows that for

sneaky! Story by Shana Nys Dambrot.

Photo by serGIo luIs estevez

Gallery Focus

We have actors, rock stars, producers, writers, lawyers, CEOs, and a slew of hip working class kids. Its a wonderful mix and they all share the same passion for collecting. Some are quite ravenous, God love em. - Jan Corey Helford

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1st ave. and alameda

Filipino town

sunset ave. in echo Park

rowena st. in silverlake

los Feliz

2nd ave. in the arts District

la Brea

sunset ave. in echo Park

washington Blvd. in culver city

Broadway in china town

LACANVAS.COM 23

Photos by eMIly braDley

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i was jumped in New York a week before Christmas. I stumbled into this altercation with a very angry, violent, Puerto Rican fat man. He was having none of whatever I was doing -- which was nothing -- and he basically picked me up and threw me headfirst into

the concrete. And then he drove away.

Jesus, I gasp, are you okay?

Oh yeah, she chirps. Im fine.

Thus began my sit-down with Jena Malone. You know Jena. Shes that

girl in that indie movie you like. Maybe it was Donnie Darko. Maybe

Saved!. Maybe Into the Wild. Or maybe youve just heard her band,

Jena Malone and her Bloodstains. Or her new band, The Shoe. Or

maybe youve just seen her in music videos, like those for Denko Jones,

Harper Simon, Sky White Tiger, or Dirty Vegas.

Or maybe youve seen her kicking ass and taking names in the

promos for Zack Snyders girl-power shoot em up, Sucker Punch.

A quick glance through Malones credits is all it takes to identify her

most recent gig as a career outlier. This excitable, Lake Tahoe-born

actress has been starring in films since she was twelve years old, but

shes never had a role like this.

It was probably the most amazing experience of making a film Ive

ever had, Jena gushes, over a bowl of vegetarian ramen at a Silverlake

eatery. No one looks at me and goes, Oh, look at Jena, she can go beat

up forty men and actually win. No ones ever had that belief in me.

No one but Sucker Punch director Zack Snyder. After nearly

quitting acting, (It was so dismal, the projects that were out there.

There are so many other things I want to do in the world) Malone

landed the role of Rocket after an initial rejection. She was only

offered the part when Snyder himself caught a glance of her audition

tape and called her back in.

Malone joined Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens,

and Jamie Chung in what became the most physically demanding shoot

of her life. We trained with these Navy SEALS for three months before

we even started filming. We came in for our first physical assessment

and I almost died -- red faced, crying.

But progress came fast. It changed my entire body -- my entire

outlook. I thought I was this strong, she says, hands hovering four

inches apart above her noodle bowl. Actually, Im this strong -- arms

spread like an albatross -- Its amazing what your body can do.

Also amazing? No cat fights. You put five young actresses in a film

together, and instantly you think theres going to be all these temper

tantrums and flares. But because we all started in our workout clothes --

sweaty, dripping, crying, celebrating -- we bonded. I love every single

one of those girls so much. I would take a bullet for them right now.

But just because Malones knee-deep in shell casings doesnt mean

shes abandoned her indie roots. She stars next in The Wait with

Chloe Sevigny, a film about two sisters who decide to keep their dead

mother in their house after being informed she will come back to

life. Its the exact opposite of Sucker Punch, she admits. It was the

most emotionally strenuous, strange, crazy experience I dont even

remember the shoot.

Jenas also starting to forget her SEAL training, based on the

altercation in New York. No self-respecting, machine-gun wielding

heroine would let herself get KOed so fast. It wasnt even a fight!

Malone protests. He just picks me up and drops me, I didnt even have

a chance to do anything. Super cheap shot!

Yeah, I agree. Basically a sucker punch. Story by Max Hurwitz.

Indie Bad Girl Turns Big Budget Badass

in Zack Snyders Sucker Punch

actor Focus

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Film Focus

SUNSHINE (director: Danny Boyle, 2007)

Danny Boyle is all over the map. His films span all genres, tones, demographics, and geographic locations. Even space, which is where Boyle takes us in this sci-fi psychological thriller about a group of astronauts sent on a mission to reignite the dying sun with a bomb the size of Manhattan. Sunshine stars Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, and Chris Evans, and asks larger questions about God, human nature, and the true make-up of dust particles (hint: theyre skin).

More Solaris than Arma-geddon, this claustrophobic space adventure starts out slow, but gradually builds to a satisfying thriller, with crew members turning on each other as the air supply dwindles. While it doesnt pack the emotional wallop of Boyles next two films, Sunshine should thoroughly satisfy fans of thoughtful science fiction.

MEMENTO (director: Christopher Nolan, 2000)

Memento stars Guy Pearce (who also appeared in awards season favorite The Kings Speech) as Leonard, a brain-damaged amateur detective on the hunt for the men who murdered his wife and left him with short-term memory loss, a sort of reverse amnesia that leaves Leonard unable to form new memories.

Oh, and the movie plays backwards. The first of many time-shattering filmmaking tricks employed throughout his career, Nolan replicates Leonards memory troubles by showing films scenes in reverse order, so the audience (like the protagonist) never knows exactly how he got there or what hes supposed to be doing. The perfect marriage of form and function in Nolans storytelling makes for a nail-biting thriller of unusually elaborate proportions.

THREE KINGS (director: David O. Russell, 1999)

Taking place at the end of Americas first foray into Iraq, Three Kings stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube as three soldiers who find a map (stuck in a prisoners ass) detailing the location of a secret stash of stolen Kuwati gold. They embark on a mission to retrieve (read: steal) said gold, but inadvertently involve themselves in the affairs of the native Iraqis, who desperately need their help when the United States decides to give up the hunt for Saddam. One decade and another Middle East-based war later, Three Kings still holds up as biting commentary on the press, the military, and what it means to keep the peace in foreign lands. Clooney, Wahlberg, and Ice Cube have never been better, and director Spike Jonze even has a small role as a dumb-as-rocks private who makes a strong case for Jonze getting back into acting.

PI (director: Darren Aronofsky, 1998)

Aronofskys first feature film, Pi stars no one youve ever heard of in a black-and-white, 16 mm mind scramble about Maximillian Cohen, a migraine-suffering mathematician who unlocks the secret pattern to the stock market in a number pattern that has something to do with (obviously) pi. But a few others have vested interest in knowing this pattern, and Max soon finds himself running from both a malicious Wall Street company and a Jewish cabal, all while battling his increasingly severe headaches and descent into madness.

Slow, ugly, and unapologetically hard to watch, Aronofsky sets the tone for the rest of the career. If youre in the mood for some raw, unadulterated crazy-making, look no further.

RAISING ARIzONA (director: Joel and Ethan Coen, 1987)

A classic Coen brothers comedy, Raising Arizona stars Nic Cage and Holly Hunter as newlyweds (shes an ex cop, hes an ex con) who find they are unable to conceive a child, so they decide the best course of action is to steal a newborn quintuplet from furniture tycoon Nathan Arizona. But things get more complicated when Arizonas baby turns into a hot commodity, and the mismatched newlyweds find themselves trying to protect the kid from a gaggle of people who want it for nefarious purposes.

The Coen brothers comedy credentials need not be listed, and Raising Arizona showcases them in their infancy. The mad-cap comedy has it all -- brilliant, bizarre performances, huge laughs, and even heart. If you need some Coen and cant bring yourself to watch The Big Lebowski for the third time this week, look no further.

youd never know it by the Golden Globes, but 2010 turned out to be a great year in film. Fortunately the academy of Motion Picture arts and sciences felt a responsibility to pick up the slack left behind by the star-fucking sell-outs of the hollywood Foreign Press, and the 83rd oscars proved to be a showcase of this generations best filmmaking talent in its prime.

but what if you wanted to see them before their prime? thanks to the magic of netflix, these directors earlier works can be in your mailbox in two days. so boot up your Macbook and dust off that queue, because these lesser-known films from this years oscar favorites are not to be missed. by Max hurwitz.

213.628.2772 CenterTheatreGroup.org/BurnThis

March 23 May 1

Groups 213.972.7231

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213.628.2772 CenterTheatreGroup.org/BurnThis

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DesiGner Focus

Photos by serGIo luIs estevez

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P enny Stocks humble origins began in the mind of John Moore, the man who basically invented Hollister for Abercrombie & Fitch. Right. Not so humble. Moore had long since left A&F, and Modern Amusement, where he

worked as Creative Director for some years after A&F, to go

out on his own, when the overwhelming demand for his talent

inspired him to launch POP (Pencil on Paper) studio.

Moore launched in 2008, just a few weeks before the

economy went to you-know-where in a hand basket. That

should have been the end of their story, but, as it turned

out, the recession worked to their advantage. While

consumers stopped spending, companies took a little

timeout to brainstorm.

Before long, he and his band of merry creatives joined

forces with some guys in suits (also known as Brand Sense

Partners, or BSP) to better enable the whole fashion world-

domination thing they had cooking.

Meanwhile, the recession continued, and Moore, bummed

about the effect it was having on the creative process at large,

wondered if there was anything interesting or inspired to

be done in menswear. Then, while watching a documentary

on The Great Depression during which a man interviewed

stated, If I had 7 pennies, I could buy a loaf a bread, Moore

found his ah hah moment.

He wanted to bring meaning back to the penny.

So, he and partner/designer Michael Abbey (Joie,

Juicy Couture, Modern Amusement) set out to design a

contemporary mens line at an affordable price point, set

apart from the rest through their use of a pocket detail meant

to hold a penny. Gimicky? Could be, but in this case its all

part of the story-telling process. The designs, as Moore

best phrased it, are democratic, even as the majority of

menswear has gone hipster. Hence their use of the phrase

Coast to Coast in some of Penny Stocks branding materials

and designs. These clothes arent meant to appease the

fashion elite, though thats not to say the fashion elite wont

feel compelled to snatch them up regardless. The intent,

however, is inclusive. This is aided by the fact that price

points are in the $58-$80 range, which does not, as one would

assume, mean that the quality is shoddy. As Moore explained

it, Penny Stock is able to keep the calibur of their clothing up

and prices down through the use of strategic partnerships.

In case youre wondering, and by now you most definitely

should be, you can pick up Penny Stock locally at Urban

Outfitters and American Rag.

Moores collective also plans to launch a second, higher-

end mens line called Copper Stock. The details are still

under wraps, but I did manage to pull the word denim from

Moores sealed lips. I also spotted mood boards for what

Moore deemed a top secret project, details for which I was

have not (yet) been able to glean. However, pinned to the

board were snippets of frilly, feminine vintage fabrics.

POP studio also houses an art gallery in addition to

everything else the 17 employees are somehow miraculously

managing to achieve. 100% of proceeds from the gallery go

to the artists themselves, with the only stipulation being that

they must pay the goodwill forward by donating some of their

earnings to charity.

For more on Penny Stock visit LACANVAS.COM or

pennystocktrademark.com.

32 LACANVAS.COM

t he Echo Park Independent Co-Op (E.P.I.C.) is not just a boutique; its the ambitious realization of the ideals of two very, well, ambitious and idealistic people. Owners Rhianon Jones and Tristan Scott

(could they have cooler names?!), one formerly a writer/

shopper (researcher), and the other formerly a stylist,

think the LA fashion scene is really misrepresented by

the mainstream brands that people normally associate

with Los Angeles and that there are tons of talented

designers living and working in this city, and we want the

world to know it!

Working exclusively with local designers enables the

duo to apply eco-friendly standards to their inventory.

In fact, they are actively teaching their designers about

sustainable materials and ethical production practices,

an effort which led to the creation of a recycled leather

jacket capsule collection by Skingraft (sold exclusively

at E.P.I.C.). Among the many lines they consider to

epitomize all that is uniquely LA, the pair lists Howl,

Luxury Jones, and Roark as some of their favorites.

Theyre also currently excited about Ai for Ai, Skingraft,

Smoke and Mirrors, Le Sang Des Betes, Ashton Michael,

and Dark + Dawn.

Jones and Scott chose Echo Park because they believe

its the center of the artistic community in Los Angeles,

a phenomenon due in large part to its thriving music

scene. Some of their favorite local haunts of various

stripes include Satellite, The Echo, Mohawk General Store,

Tavin, Flounce, The Warehouse, International Playground,

Confederacy, Cha Cha Lounge, Gold Room, El Prado, Elf,

Flore, The Park, and the Allston Yacht Club.

On what specifically sets Los Angeles fashion scene

apart, E.P.I.C.s owners say, Since the Los Angeles fashion

scene is less established than the NYC fashion world, it is

freer from the constraints of expectations and traditional

influences. They think that is a good thing. Judging by

their inventory, we tend to agree. For more fashion and

style tips, check out LACANVAS.COM.

store FocusP

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LACANVAS.COM 33

For this edition, we asked (Justin Daykin and Paul Lee) of thestreetsarecalling.com to lurk the streets of L.A. and find the most fascinating styles for you to peep.

34 LACANVAS.COM

name: steven shackelfordshoes: Black chuck taylortops: custom made vest (Hand Painted)Pants: skinny Jeans

shoes: etnies Jameson 2 ecoJeans : levisJacket: H&mscarf: urban outfittersshirt: H&m

name: Jason savvyshoes: vegeterian shoestops: army surplus Jacket, swans t-shirtPants: Dickies

name: Derek Brownshoes: ann Demeulemeester combat Bootstops: cassette PlayaPants: Ksubi

street FasHion

LACANVAS.COM 35

name: Faith smithshoes: Black Heelstops: BeBe stripped shirtPants: Black mini by BeBe

name: Jasmin Perezshoes: Jeffrey campbelltops: Forever 21Pants: 7 for all mankind

name: rodellee marieshoes: Black Heelstops: vintage 1900 vest with black topPants: shelli segal

name: natashashoes: aldotops: thift/skingraftPants: clothing swap, leggins

sHoe Focus

spiked Zebra by rodney P. Hunt

nike Black and Blue sneakers

supra Black sneakers

mens multi-color vans

Considering nobody walks in this town, l.a. stylish birds still find a way to rock pretty sick shoes. take a peek at some of our favorites, as spotted on Melrose.

sneaker Heel by ash

tall Black lace up Boots

vintage Gold egyptian Flats Paradox by Zalo

Beaded owl sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti Design

36 LACANVAS.COM

LACANVAS.COM 37

38 LACANVAS.COM

accessory GuiDe

Springtime is all about coming out of old habits and showing off a fresh new vibe in time for summer. Add some color to your wardrobe with this green hued accessories roundup featuring some of our favorite L.A. designers!

(1) the valkyrie vest $278.00 www.fleetjewelry.com; (2) Kr3w Green Filthy Freshman watch $39.95 from www.

factory413.com; (3) Green silk scarf, aJI by amanda Christine www.costellaanddonola.com; (4) CoMMe

Des GarCons large number wallet, $281.00 shop.tenover6.com; (5) shake Junt Green room sunglasses

$4.00 www.shakejunt.com; (6) Costella handbags Clutch $275.00 www.costellaanddonola.com

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cHeF Focus

LACANVAS.COM 41

LAC: First off, congrats on your new SyFy show,

Marcels Quantum Kitchen. How did the show

come to be and what do you want viewers to take

away from it?

VIGNERON: The show was originally conceived

four years ago when I met my producers in Rehab,

the pool party at the Hard Rock. We popped some

Dom in a cabana and discussed the treatment and

the rest is history. I want the viewers to not only

be highly entertained but also able to take away

knowledge about avant garde gastronomy. I want

the show to open up peoples minds and change

their food paradigms.

LAC: How would you describe the term molecular

gastronomy and would you use that word to

characterize your style of cooking?

VIGNERON: I would describe my style of cooking

as MODERN GLOBAL CUISINE. In regards to

molecular gastronomy, thats a tricky question,

its a term that has been adopted by the public to

describe chefs researching the science behind

cooking and utilizing technology as a means of

developing new techniques. If you think about

the term literally it doesnt really make sense

considering that all ingredients have molecules

and all cooking involves chemistry. But that having

been said, it does kind of have a nice ring to it.

LAC: Who, in the culinary world, would you con-

sider your mentor?

VIGNERON: I have a few; Ferran Adria for his

techno emotional cooking; Thomas Keller for his

finesse, technique, and restraint; Joel Robuchon

for his pursuit of perfection; Michael Mina for his

ability to build brand and expand while retaining

quality and control. Hes a great business chef!

LAC: Three ingredients always in your fridge?

VIGNERON: Edamame, Butter and Eggs.

LAC: When creating a menu, where do you look

for inspiration?

VIGNERON: I draw inspiration from everything!

First, I look to my guests and try to cater to their

palates, then I look to the market and wait for the

ingredients to dictate my menu, then I look to

nature and landscapes to help me with plating,

lastly I look inside myself to allow my emotions

and personality to come through my food.

LAC: Most recently you cooked at bar210 but left

not long ago. Why did you decide to leave and

where can diners find you next?

VIGNERON: I left 210 to allow for other

opportunities to present themselves and also so

that my food and clientele would not be confined

by the atmosphere at 210. I am currently in the

process of scouting locations in L.A. to open up a

restaurant and am also working on starting up my

own catering company.

LAC: When youre not cooking or shooting Top

Chef or Marcels Quantum Kitchen, where do you

like to eat around LA?

VIGNERON: I love how LA has become a

gastronomic city to be reckoned with and there

are several restaurants that I like to frequent. If

Im feeling carnivorous I like to head to Animal, I

enjoy to Itzaka-ya for sushi. I also really enjoy the

farm fresh approach of Fraiche in Culver City and

Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Lastly, if Im in the mood

for a burger I like to go to Umami.

LAC: Do you have a favorite kitchen tool or

technique?

VIGNERON: I feel that all ingredients have

the same gastronomic worth and in regards to

equipment I think one should never underestimate

the power of a good peeler.

FROM BEHIND KITCHEN DOORS TO BEHIND THE CAMERA LENS, MARCEL VIGNERON STARS IN SyFyS FIRST REALITy COOKING SERIES, MEANwHILE PLANING OUT HIS NExT MOVE. Story By Kat Odell.

Photo by luKe lovell

42 LACANVAS.COM

m itchell Frank and Jeff Ellermeyer, driving forces behind Malo in Silver Lake, have a new child on their hands and

thanks to interior designer Tracy

Beckmann of Tracy Beckmann Design,

shes an absolute stunner.

Welcome to Mas Malo, an updated,

greatly expanded version of its east

side sibling, simply put, theres more

Malo. Enter on 7th Street downtown

through an intricately designed

wrought iron antique gate, does it feel

out of place? The building dates back

to the 1920s at which point the venue

served as a jewelry store.

Original design elements manifest

themselves throughout the three-floor

restaurant from Mas Malos grand

vaulted ceilings to its private tequila

tasting room that claimed the jewelry

stores back vault.

Mas Malos ground floor serves as

the main dining room with a long bar

boldly displaying Malos signature

zigzag pattern from backsplash to

bar bottom. Toward the back sits that

small private tequila tasting room,

then a mezzanine level up above

offers a second smaller bar plus a

balcony view of the diners below.

From the ground floor follow a

set of stairs to a sexy subterranean

lounge boasting colorful oriental

rugs, modern furniture, two chairs

suspended from the ceiling, a non-

functioning fireplace, and, of course,

one last bar.

Start with a bevy of house-made

salsas and par-cooked chewy tortilla

chips, an early favorite was the chile

negro y chocolate, a savory mole-

esque salsa with a hint of spice

smoothed out by the presence of

chocolate. Youll want to order a

cocktail, go with the Pinata Smash, a

muddled situation involving Serrano

chiles, cilantro, pineapple, tequila and

house-made sour mix.

Dont miss the ground beef and

pickle tacos, a staple that carried over

from Malo. About 75% of this menu is

new and 25% diner mainstays.

Anyone looking for cheese should

try the enchiladas and carne asada,

grilled carne asada pounded nearly

paper thin with a slight char from the

grill served alongside two house-

made corn tortillas stuffed with jack.

Take in the surroundings. A

gorgeous space with gorgeous

people, its okay, pig out. More Dining

reviews at LACANVAS.COM

Story by Kat Odell.

LOCATION: Mas Malo, 515 W 7th St

Downtown LA, CA 90014

restaurant Focus

House-made salsas and par-cooked chewy tortilla chips

what to order...

Ground beef and pickle tacos

enchiladas and carne asada, grilled served alongside two house-made corn tortillas stuffed with jack cheese.

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44 LACANVAS.COM

1) La CeviCheria

La Cevichera embodies the true definition

of a dive. Its small, dingy teal green faade

is clad with prison-like metal bars which

protect the restaurants precious glass

windows. Inside the blue aquatic theme

continues from wall to wall. Dont mind

that fish motif. Simple Formica tables and

mismatched metal and wooden chairs

provide the furniture. However dont let

the modest decor deceive you. At La

Cevicheria one can indulge in incredible

inexpensive raw seafood served alongside

crispy full sized corn tortillas. The house

special, quite a unique and rare find, falls

to the Bloody Clams. Fear not, no real blood

here. Instead expect an oversized cocktail

glass filled with diced purple clams,

tomatoes, onions, avocado, a touch of mint,

and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. The

chewy Mexican mollusks, gushing a redish-

purple jus, taste succulent and salty, Crack

a tortilla in half, spoon the colorful ceviche

atop, close your eyes and feel that ocean

breeze. LOCATION: 3809 W Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90019

2) Franks

While The Original Farmers Market

offers a zillion dining options, just across

the street lies an untapped, dirt cheap

Mexican gem of a restaurant--another

hole in the wall with oversized tables and

rickety worn wooden chairs. Plop down,

try the warm tortilla chips fresh out of the

fryer accompanied by a spicy red salsa

(regulars know to ask for the hot green

tomatillo salsa too), and go for the tacos.

Dont get swayed by the burger and fries.

The specialty at Franks is home-style

Mexican cooking, so youll want to try the

chicken tacos. Plan accordingly because

theyre small, chopped chunks of white and

dark chicken served on two layered corn

tortillas with a sprinkling of punchy diced

onion, cilantro and lime wedge on the side.

Use that wedge. The chicken is so perfectly

seasoned it doesnt need additional

adornments. To kick up the heat factor, that

tomatillo salsa you ordered will more than

suffice. LOCATION: 363 S Fairfax Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90036

3) MarisCos Chente

An outdoor mural across Mariscos Chentes

exterior depicting a Mexican beach

scene (palm trees, dolphin, crab, ocean)

indicates what to expect within. Perhaps

the most upscale out of the three eateries

mentioned here, Mariscos Chente boasts

a handful of gray faux-leather booths

plus a smattering of four-tops, beneath

flat screen tvs and some fish netting for

decoration. Check the list of ever-changing

daily seafood specials that wont break

the bank, but dont miss permanent menu

staples, the shrimp with butter and cracked

pepper, and the shrimp with tequila.

Once plated, both dishes look almost

identical, the shrimp, heads on, bathed in

an orangey sauce served with a mound

of white rice and cucumber slices. The

perfectly cooked velvety shrimp with

butter bear a slight bite from the pepper,

meanwhile the shrimp with tequila offer

a deeper earthiness and just the slightest

memory of tequila. Not enough to remind

you of tequila shots from the night before.

LOCATION: 4532 S Centinela Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90066. Story by Kat Odell.

FooD Focus

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LACANVAS.COM 45

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ST. TROPEz RECIPE

Ingredients:2 fl.oz. Hendricks Gin1/2 fl.oz. Simple Syrup3/4 fl.oz. Lime Juice4 Dashes lavender bitters1 Ice cube made of cucumber juice

Steps:* Pour gin, simple syrup, lime, and bitters in cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Place ice cube in rocks glass and pour contents from shaker over.

m ixologist Kiowa Bryan started bartending in New Jersey when she was 19 in a busy local sports bar - making Long Islands and Red Headed Sluts.

Fast forward years later, she helped to open

Soho House West Hollywood which is when she

began to appreciate the art of cocktail-making.

After training under Chris Ojeda of the

Varnish she became fascinated with the world

of hand-crafted cocktails using clean, simple

flavors and complex layers.

Fast forward again and Bryan lands at

Culver Citys Fraiche. Because the restaurant

has garnered such a positive reputation

for its food, Fraiches bar has fallen by the

wayside, not in terms of cocktail quality,

rather guests entranced by the food forget

that European fare sometimes pairs just as

well with a seasonal boozy elixir as it does

with wine. So, Bryan signed on to revamp the

restaurants bar program.

Bryan cites seasonal fruits and veggies at

local farmers market as inspiration in playful,

whimsical creations like the Turkey Dinner

which contains cranberry juice, Cynar, candied

orange peel, and clove-infused Wild Turkey

served in a beautiful gilded coupe glass. So

great. But, thats not what were here to discuss.

Simple, delicious, and pretty, try the St.

Tropez. Inspired by the French Riviera, the

St. Tropez calls for a brilliant green cucumber

ice cube doused in a mixture of gin, fresh lime

juice, simple syrup, and lavender bitters. As

the cucumber cube melts, the drink continually

changes from a floral sour creation to a bright,

fresh, well-balanced potion. Not only does it

go down easy, its incredibly easy to organize

and looks gorgeous with that neon green block

suspended mid-cocktail. Story by Kat Odell.

LACANVAS.COM 47

48 LACANVAS.COM

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w est LA isnt necessarily known for its nightlife, but thanks to The Wellesbourne, a new watering hole designed by Spacecraft

and modeled after an English manor

house, Westsiders literally have a new

place to call home.

The Wellesbourne allows you

to pick your poison. The venue

itself, named after a small village in

England, is divided into three separate

rooms, each boasting elements of

English style. The three rooms are

joined together at the rear by a 30-

foot mahogany bar, behind which

bartenders wearing tuxedo shirts and

bowties mix and muddle away.

To the far left you might choose to

lounge on a brown or black tufted sofa,

to savor a classic cocktail, perhaps a

Grasshopper or Tom Collins, while

gazing into the roaring fire. Oriental

rugs, a hanging chandelier, and

paintings of the English countryside

create a sense of elegant comfort.

Moving on to the center space, you

find four deep brown lacquered wood

booths, lined from floor to ceiling with

books. You can now enjoy a drink in

the cozy comfort of the library.

The final nook serves as the gaming

space in which shuffleboard and

foosball as well as a few lounge tables

for lingering are available. And linger

you will over well-crafted cocktails

shaken up with fresh citrus. Additional

standouts include the Planters Punch,

a tropical mixed fruit concoction

boozed up with rum, or the elegant Kir

Royale, a Champagne flute filled with

bubbly and brightened with a splash of

crme de cassis.

Rather than trekking all the way

out to Hollywood, you just might find

Hollywood trekking here

LOCATION: 10929 W. Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90064

w est LA isnt necessarily known for its nightlife, but thanks to The Wellesbourne, a new watering hole designed by Spacecraft

and modeled after an English manor

house, Westsiders literally have a new

place to call home.

The Wellesbourne allows you

to pick your poison. The venue

itself, named after a small village in

England, is divided into three separate

rooms, each boasting elements of

English style. The three rooms are

joined together at the rear by a 30-

foot mahogany bar, behind which

bartenders wearing tuxedo shirts and

bowties mix and muddle away.

To the far left you might choose to

lounge on a brown or black tufted sofa,

to savor a classic cocktail, perhaps a

Grasshopper or Tom Collins, while

gazing into the roaring fire. Oriental

rugs, a hanging chandelier, and

paintings of the English countryside

create a sense of elegant comfort.

Hop over to the center space and

snag one of the four deep brown

lacquered wood booths which are

encompassed, from floor to ceiling, by

books. Youve now entered the library.

The final nook serves as the gaming

space in which shuffleboard and

foosball, as well as a few lounge tables

for lingering, are available. And linger

you will over well-crafted cocktails

shaken up with fresh citrus. Additional

standouts include the Planters Punch,

a tropical mixed fruit concoction

boozed up with rum, or the elegant Kir

Royale, a Champagne flute filled with

bubbly and brightened with a splash of

crme de cassis.

Rather than trekking all the way

out to Hollywood, you just might find

Hollywood trekking here. By Kat Odell.

LOCATION: 10929 W. Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90064

LACANVAS.COM 49

As an international spy of mystery, youre required to tackle the hard missions for the betterment of the world. Whether its surveillance or espionage, here is the essential gear to make those impossible missions possible. - Curt Hutson

50 LACANVAS.COM

(1) Spy Camera Video WatCh

Incognito, your mission is to capture video of your target entering a business front for money laundering. Its getting dark and your video recording sunglasses are rendered useless. After all, only losers wear sunglasses at night. Up steps the Spy Camera Video Watch, which records up to 8GB worth of video and audio. It also doubles as an 8GB USB flash drive for holding cool spy stuff. $59.99 (http://www.thinkgeek.com)

(3) miCro Spy remote

Even spys need downtime and you decide to spend yours relaxing with fellow agents watching TV in the break room. Glee comes on and a heated debate erupts over why its won so many awards. You use this opportunity to try out a new gadget, the Micro Spy Remote. After finding the televisions signal, you start by lowering the volume and eventually changing the channels to more quality shows, saving your cohorts and perhaps the world from the evils of an auto-tuning disaster. $8.99 (http://www.thinkgeek.com)

(2) LoreXVue LSC001 Video SungLaSSeS

Alone at a caf in Paris you pretend to read Le Monde, hoping to catch your target reveal some evil plot over afternoon tea. Youve waitedpatiently for two hours, but thankfully your sunglasses will capture it all with up to five hours of full motion video recording with stereo sound. Hearing all you needed to hear, you quietly make your exit and accidentally record a kid crashing his bike into the parked car in front of you. You immediately upload the video to YouTube. Mission accomplished. $99.99 (http://lorexstore.lorextechnology.com)

(4) CeLL phone Spy

No information is truly safe in this digital age, especially when youre equipped with the Cell Phone Spy. Your mission: break into the home of your target to retrieve messages exchanged between an unknown contact. Good thing you brought this trusty device as you slip in through the vents and into his office. Remove the SIM card from almost any phone, place it in the Cell Phone Spy and then plug it in to a computers USB drive to download text messages, deleted messages and contacts. Just dont forget your laptop $99.95 (http://www.brickhousesecurity.com)

(6) iphone Spy StiCk

You should have known! Your target doesnt have just any old phonethey have an iPhone! Luckily you planned ahead and brought the iPhone Spy Stick. It does everything the Cell Phone Spy does but also gives you access to map history and location searches, notes, voice memos and deleted contacts and calendar items. The target bought a phone that holds more information with greater security, only to have more taken from them in the end. The irony is not lost on you. $199 (http://www.brickhousesecurity.com)

(5) hoLLoW Spy CoinS

Being a savvy spy, you know how to hide classified information and one of your favorite places is in plain site. With these Hollow Spy Coins, anyone can hide their teeny tiny secrets, such as SIM cards, micro SD cards or very small notes. When closed, its hard to tell that these quarters are actually spy quarters. Just try to remember when scrounging for change on laundry day. $20.99 - $24.99(http://www.thinkgeek.com)

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LACANVAS.COM 51

(9) mini Bug deteCtor Arriving home you get a strange sense youre being monitored. Out comes the Mini Bug Detector. It has an LED signal display and audio tone that will help find those pesky bugs. It can be made silent when you need to be extra stealthy. Wireless microphones and transmitters are discovered and your spy sense tells you trouble is coming. $79.99(http://www.thinkgeek.com)

(7) SteaLth iBot Computer Spy

You notice the targets computer is left on with no password to protect it. Grinning, you plug in the Stealth iBot and install a hidden program. Youll be back tomorrow night for all the information it covertly records, such as keystrokes, passwords and up to 10,000 screenshots. More than enough intel to plan your next move. $129.95 (http://www.brickhousesecurity.com)

(8) Spy Video trakr

A leak has given your identity to your targets. The agency has prepared for this, however, and gives you the TRAKR, a sophisticated spy device that can see in the dark, memorize and retrace routes, as well as take photos and video. Its fitted with an SD card slot, USB ports and 2.5 GHz radio for audio. The video remote control allows you to watch your targets live through TRAKRs built-in camera. Theyll never see it coming. $129.95 (http://www.shopwildplanet.com)

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its just a lifelong passion for games, summarizes Mike Laidlaw on his involvement into the game industry. His love and admiration for games is palpable as he fondly remembers his childhood using a level creator in Lode Runner

for the Commodore 64, his head swimming with possibilities, I

thought that was the coolest thing Id ever seen.

Mike played a myriad of influential games growing up. The

ones I would call formative, the ones that kind of left a dent: The

Ultima Series huge, absolutely huge, especially Ultima IV, which

introduced the concept of morality, a fundamental mechanic used

in BioWares storytelling. Mike joyfully describes a case at home

where those games are now proudly displayed.

Mike eventually found his way as a writer for BioWare, working

on games such as Jade Empire, Mass Effect and the first Dragon

Age. Now, as Lead Designer, Mike reveals some of the incredible

changes coming to BioWares finest RPG series.

The story is set in a separate part of the world from Dragon Age:

Origins, and tells the story of Hawke, a voiced main character, as

opposed to the silent protagonist in Origins, which limited your

ability to really speak out at key moments. Character customization

and choices are still ample, but they are now weaved into an

already replete character at the crossroads of destiny. Mike adds,

Its about a real person stuck in an almost unreal situation.

This time, your companions make a more personal impact

to your heros story. Two notable members are your younger

siblings. The point were trying to hammer home is that heroes

are made, theyre not born. This isnt a child of prophecy; its not

some amnesia kid that washed up on a beach. Hes got family, hes

got friends and actually having your brother and sister adventure

with you adds such a color to the overall story.

Dragon Age II looks to be packed with amazing characters and a

rich, boundless story with infinite possibilities. Its hard to imagine

topping the acclaimed original, but Mike Laidlaws track record

proves that making stellar games is just another day at the office.

Check out Dragon Age II on March 8, 2011. Read this preview in

its entirety and stay tuned for our upcoming review of Dragon Age

II on LACANVAS.COM. Story by Curt Hutson

52 LACANVAS.COM

its just a lifelong passion for games, summarizes Mike Laidlaw on his involvement into the game industry. His love and admiration for games is palpable as he fondly remembers his childhood using a level creator in Lode Runner

for the Commodore 64, his head swimming with possibilities, I

thought that was the coolest thing Id ever seen.

Mike played a myriad of influential games growing up. The

ones I would call formative, the ones that kind of left a dent: The

Ultima Series huge, absolutely huge, especially Ultima IV, which

introduced the concept of morality, a fundamental mechanic used

in BioWares storytelling. Mike joyfully describes a case at home

where those games are now proudly displayed.

Mike eventually found his way as a writer for BioWare, working

on games such as Jade Empire, Mass Effect and the first Dragon

Age. Now, as Lead Designer, Mike reveals some of the incredible

changes coming to BioWares finest RPG series.

The story is set in a separate part of the world from Dragon Age:

Origins, and tells the story of Hawke, a voiced main character, as

opposed to the silent protagonist in Origins, which limited your

ability to really speak out at key moments. Character customization

and choices are still ample, but they are now weaved into an

already replete character at the crossroads of destiny. Mike adds,

Its about a real person stuck in an almost unreal situation.

This time, your companions make a more personal impact

to your heros story. Two notable members are your younger

siblings. The point were trying to hammer home is that heroes

are made, theyre not born. This isnt a child of prophecy; its not

some amnesia kid that washed up on a beach. Hes got family, hes

got friends and actually having your brother and sister adventure

with you adds such a color to the overall story.

Dragon Age II looks to be packed with amazing characters and a

rich, boundless story with infinite possibilities. Its hard to imagine

topping the acclaimed original, but Mike Laidlaws track record

proves that making stellar games is just another day at the office.

Check out Dragon Age II on March 8, 2011. Read this preview in

its entirety and stay tuned for our upcoming review of Dragon Age

II on LACANVAS.COM. Story by Curt Hutson.

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w ere just interested in having a conversation and in welcoming [everyone] into that conversation with us. That was always the goal; recreate the experience of hanging

out, having fun, and give it to people.

The guys behind The Totally Rad Show, TRS, have

been hanging out with their viewers to discuss

movies, video games, TV, comics and more every

week since launching on March 27, 2007. Since then,

this review/variety show podcast has garnered its

hosts a Webby Award, their own panels at Comic-

Con and the Penny Arcade Expo and between

500,000 and a million viewers a month.

Alex Albrecht, Jeff Cannata, Dan Trachtenberg

and Mike Gaines film TRS right here in LA every

Friday out of Alexs garage resembling a mini

green screen set, though most sets dont come

with a Harley. They confess there really couldnt

be a better place to film TRS where theyd have the

access to movie screenings, videogame companies,

events and other things they need to make the show.

Having all been part of the entertainment industry

for a while, they knew from the start theyd need

to create something different if they wanted to get

anyones attention.

There are plenty of podcasts that cover similar

topics, begins Dan as Jeff explains further, We

were conscious of making it look different and

trying to push podcasts forward a little bit. TRS was

one of the first to use green screen, HD and multiple

camera angles. Add to that special effects (like their

signature exploding fist-pound), an ever changing

format with a new intro every week and even re-

imaginings of scenes from their favorite movies.

The shows content is just as important as its

look. Reveling in the things and experiences they

enjoyed growing up, with reviews that are more

personal than those found in traditional journalism.

Jeff explains, It is as much about us as any of the

stuff we cover, and its exactly that approach that

makes viewers feel more like theyre spending time

with friends as they watch each episode.

TRS has been a great platform for spreading the

word in support of some of their favorite charities.

Extra Lifes 24-hour Gaming Marathon is one;

requiring them to spend 24 hours playing games

to raise money for charities like the LA Childrens

Hospital. They also teamed with Comfort Zone

Camp, a weekend-long camp for kids that have lost

a family member.

TRS is a labor of love thats become one of the

most popular shows online. With many more ideas

and hopes for where they plan to take the show, it

should be exciting to see what they come up with

next. For all things Rad, find new episodes daily

at http://revision3.com/trs or you can subscribe

through iTunes. Story by Justin Fitzwater.

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LACANVAS.COM 57

www.facebook.com/asahirisingsunGet Free Ringtones

rising sun

Please Enjoy Asahi Beer Responsib lyImported by Asahi Beer U.S.A., Inc. , Torrance, CA.

www.asahibeerusa.com

58 LACANVAS.COM

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CONCERTThe Dears @ The Troubadour

ARTDowntown l.a. art walk

CONCERT Starf*cker @ The Detroit Bar

ARTJames Jean: Rebus @ The Martha Otero Gallery

ARTCamille Rose Garcia: Snow White and the Black Lagoon Opens @ Michael Kohn Gallery

CONCERTTapes N Tapes w/ Dale Earnhardt Jr. @ The Troubadour

CONCERTNoah and the Whale @ The Troubadour

CONCERT State Radio @ The Glass House

DRINKOpening of Angel City Brewing

CONCERTPink Floyd Laser Spectacular @ Fred Kavli Theatre

CONCERTGirl Talk @ Hollywood Palladium

CONCERTRadars to the Sky @ LaBries in Glendale

CONCERT Wakey!Wakey! @ The Hotel Caf

CONCERTThe Strange Boys @ The Echo

CONCERTToro Y Moi @ The Troubadour

CONCERT Say Hi @ The Echo

CONCERTMen @ echoplex

CONCERTLady Gaga @ Staples Center

CONCERTRoyksopp @ The Wiltern

CONCERTTravis McCoy @ The El Rey Theatre

SPORTSDodgers Opening day

CONCERTLady Gaga @ Staples Center

LACANVAS.COM 59

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CONCERTUh Huh Her @ El Rey Theatre

FOODTruckit Food Festival @ Union Station

ARTMonth of Photography kicks off. www.monthofphotography.com

CONCERTneil Finn with Matt Costa @ el rey theatre

CONCERTPeter Yorn w/ Ben Kweller @ The Wiltern

CONCERTJohn Mellencamp @ Nokia Theatre

CONCERT30 Seconds to Mars @ The Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal City Walk

CONCERTChris Tomlin @ Gibson Amphitheatre

FASHIONLA FASHION WEEK begins. Check out LACANVAS.COM for more information.

CONCERTBright Eyes @ Pomona Fox Theater

ARTDowntown L.A. Art Walk

CONCERTJanet Jackson @ The Gibson Amphitheatre

FESTIVALCoachella @ Empire Polo Club (Begins)

ARTBrewery Art Walk

ARTArt in the Streets @ MOCA (Opens)

CONCERTRob Stewart & Stevie Nicks @ The Hollywood Bowl

ARTKim Boem: Animalia (Opens) @ REDCAT Gallery

CONCERTThe Airborne Toxic @ The Music Box

60 LACANVAS.COM

Though its celebrated on April 22 every year Earth Day always seems to sneak up like a

thong. Getting the jump on Earth Day, so you dont look like an insensitive oil exec, should

be a major priority. You can always find a beach cleanup (HealtheBay.org) or tree planting

(TreePeople.org) to get involved with at the last minute, but here are some of the more

unusual and fun ways to volunteer for the environment on Earth Day or any day.

Story by Raegan Payne.

Swap-O-Rama-Rama Recycle your clothes, get cool, custom-made new ones by taking part in Swap-O-Rama-Rama www.swaporamarama.org. To participate in a S.O.R.R. event in your area bring a bag of gently worn, unwanted clothes to the Swap venue. Your clothes will be taken for sorting and you will be able to choose between hundreds if not thousands of other hand me downs. Then take your new found items to the next room to have them fitted or customized by craftsman and seamstresses who donate their time to the Rama.

Earth Hour Start the Earth Day celebration a month early

and take part in Earth Hour www.earthhour.org on March

26th at 8:30 pm (local time). Earth Hour started in Sydney

Australia in 2007 when over 2 million people and 2,000

businesses turned their lights off for 1 hour to take a stand

against climate change. Earth Hour 2010 included 128 coun-

tries, with many shutting down the lights on their most iconic

buildings and monuments. So turn the lights off at 8:30 pm

on March 26th and find something fun to do in the dark.

Wildlife Monitoring Are you a biologist? OR would you like to pretend to be a biologist so you can wear khaki cargo shorts and hiking boots? If so wildlife monitoring is your volunteer activity of choice. Monitor endangered populations of birds with the National Audubon Society www.audubon.org. The joys of volunteering with Audubon can include nature walks and sight-ing of baby birds that look like popcorn with legs.

community PaGe

Food Gleaning Gleaning means to gather whats left over.

Picking fruit from trees that would normally go to waste, donat-

ing excess veggies from your garden, or sending unsold baked

goods at the end of the day to a homeless shelter are all ways

to glean. It feeds the hungry, keeps food local, and ensures that

landfill space is not used up unnecessarily. Food Forward www.

foodforward.org is one of the best gleaning groups in LA and

they have easy online registration for events.

LACANVAS.COM 61

For more information and free stickers and DVDs, please visit peta2.com.

Phot

o: Je

ff Vo

gedi

ng

Download Steve Aokis new singles Wake Up Call and Turbulence on iTunes.

Facebook.com/DJAoki Twitter.com/SteveAoki

asK JD Kain

im 28 and havent missed a Spring Break in a century. Dont look at me like that. As far as Im concerned its a national fucking holiday. But dont think because you have a job

and dont have time for a trip to Florida that you

cant join the fun. Here are a few places close

to home Ill be checking out as March and April

bring warmer weather and fewer clothes. You

wont even have to spend an arm and a leg

though you might get some tail.

Forget the 7-day cruise that costs you a fortune.

How about a cruise around Baja Mexico for $300?

Just drive down to Long Beach hop on a 3-day

Carnival Cruise (food included!) Thats 3 days to

get to know your fellow cruisers, party it up and

make up some reason that hottie (or hotties) youve

been eyeing should check out your suite.

Do you love great music and wild, sex-driven-

partiers? Then maybe Coachella is for you. People

come from all over to the desert for this one

massive party. I went two years ago and stayed

at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. If you dont find

someone to take back with you at the show, theres

always time to scope one out poolside.

If youre up for driving a bit further than Palm

Springs, theres a little known place called Vegas.

After youve partied all night, poolside is again

the place youll want to lounge as you sleep off

your hangover. Hotels with great pools can be

expensive, but the Tropicana is great on a budget

and a perfect place to meet sexy co-eds while

playing a game of poolside blackjack.

Spring Break is a great time for singles, but they

wont be single forever! If you see someone you

like lock them down fast, even if its just for the

weekend. If you already have a special someone,

be careful that someone else doesnt swoop in

and steal em. Ive personally hooked up with

countless women in relationships, even some on a

girls trip for Spring Break.

Spring is a beautiful time in Los Angeles so live it

up to the fullest. Put on some fresh digs, get off your

ass (and out the door) and own the moment.

- JD Kain

LACANVAS.COM 63

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a bstract Philosopher, Renegade Mechanic, Postmodem Revitalist these are among the many terms

that fall outside of the dictionary

that come to mind when attempting

to stick a lid on Augustine Kofie.

Describing his visual style proves

even more difficult.

Perhaps, if you took Memento

on 3D Blu-Ray and synced it with

Darkside of the Moon chopped up

by EL-P on tape, you may arrive at a

modest starting point.

Kofies art is the dream you

wake up from and can feel in your

bones but cant quite bring back

into focus. Its that trance infusing

raw beat whose origin is buried

somewhere in the depths of your

record collection. Its the realization

that a circles beginning is also the

closest point to its end.

Kofies cycle began in Hollywood

where he was born the same year

as Hip Hop, to a Choctaw/Creole/

Black Father and a German/Scottish

Mother. At a young age, Kofies

favorite toys were Legos, erector

sets, notepads and pencils. One

day while riding his bike to a local

arcade, Kofie passed through the

legendary Motor Yard and got

his head blown when he saw the

writing on the wall. The lines,

the connections, the points of

perspective, the rounded turns and

the curves were all in graffiti and

thats what I gravitated toward.

Today Kofies work embodies the

precision of Hard Edge Painting

but remains personal; the detail

of a master draftsman but without

the singular purpose; the forward

thinking and motion of Futurism

but without the disdain for the past,

and the freedom and lucidness of

Abstract Expressionism but with a

profound instinct to create balance.

His textures, layers and bleeding

palette of colors create soulful

pockets and analog cadences of

time and space. Subconsciously

Im telling stories and I have my

storytelling style but Im so deep

and involved in the process I dont

think of the end result.

The end result is also something

Kofie distances himself from when

asked to define himself. I dont

like being labeled. I make a living

from my hobby; I make a living from

being creative. If you want to call

me an artist call me an artist, I get

it but Im just a mixed kid making

mixed mediawhatever that

means? Story by Todd Mazer.

last looK

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COLOR T.V., 2010MIXED MEDIA ON WOOD PANEL97 (H) X 97 (W) X 5 (D)

ON VIEW THROUGH APRIL 2011