FREE L.A.: LACMA and the Autry

If you’ve got a Bank of America ATM, debit or credit card, flash it this weekend at either the L.A. County Museum of Art or the Autry National Center of the American West and score free admission.

It’s part of Bank of America’s Museums On Us monthly promotion.

Other area museums participating include Long Beach’s Museum of Latin American Art; the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana (Saturday only); the Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach; and the Riverside Art Museum in Riverside (Saturday only).

KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley Chats About His New Gig, the Demise of Indie 103.1 and His Love of "Crash"

New KCRW music director Jason Bentley is no stranger to the public radio station’s semi-annual pledge drives, having been with the station for more than 16 years. But this is his first pledge drive since taking over the coveted “Morning Becomes Eclectic” show and the music director gig from Nic Harcourt. We emailed Jason a few questions, and he found time to send a response in between pitches.

Now that you’ve been in the seat for almost two months, how would you say “Morning Becomes Eclectic” has evolved so far? What’s the biggest change you’ve brought to the program?

I think two differences that come to mind are a broader definition of “eclectic” through music selection and guests, and more of an “open door” policy with other DJs at the station who may have something to share with the AM audience.

Talk about playing Mark Isham’s “Crash” as your first song (I remember hearing you play it a few weeks later too). What was the significance of kicking off with that?

The significance of Crash was simply that I like the piece a lot. I know Mark Isham personally, and it was something I felt would defy expectation.

Has the demise of Indie 103.1 impacted how KCRW programs itself at all? I’ve noticed that Ruth Seymour mentioned it in her recent letter to subscribers, and the KCRW site’s current call for new members specifically refers to KCRW’s “Indie Music.” Is there a hope to grab some of those displaced listeners, and has it made a difference in what music you play? KCRW, of course, once was home to “Brave New World” — is there a thought to carve out more of a home for indie rock?

The demise of 103.1 makes a dramatic case in point for the importance of supporting public radio when it comes to alternative music. There’s always been a place for emerging and independent rock at KCRW over the last 30+ years and that will continue to be the case.

KCRW a few years ago got rid of show titles for everything but MBE — the idea was to focus more on the DJs, but is there also more of an effort to promote a cohesive “KCRW sound”? Show titles like “Cafe L.A.” and ” Chocolate City ,” not to mention “Metropolis,” were such brand names… is there ever a thought to bring them back?

Personally, I never looked back after I dropped the name Metropolis. I actually wouldn’t mind losing Morning Becomes Eclectic to be honest with you. In any case, I think the station personalities and their music sensibility is what we should put forward first and foremost.

Will you eventually be doing a syndicated version, a new “Sounds Eclectic,” or did that go away in this transition?

I haven’t really explored the idea of a syndication. I just have too many other things to deal with right now. I suppose it’s possible, but not imminent at this time.

Any thoughts to what you might change to the music channel on the web stream? Any thoughts to adding more shows, or adding another stream with a different mix of music?

I think KCRW online is a solid product, between the music stream, on demand, and the live channel I feel like we’ve got it covered. I am interested in studying research and gathering feedback — coming to understand what people like and how they are using the music streams. We all put a lot of work into online initiatives, and I hope people appreciate it. Sometimes I feel like, with the live performance archives for instance, people aren’t really aware of the vast resource we offer.

Douridas had “Rare on Air,” Harcourt had “Sounds Eclectic,” will you be coming up with a new KCRW CD series? Is the Femi Kuti project a sign of what you’ll be doing with KCRW CDs? (Is the whole idea of selling a KCRW-themed CD at retail a relic of the old music industry?)

I’m really happy with the Femi vs. KCRW Soundclash EP and it was a great way to involve different people at the station in an original way. As far as future compilations, I’m developing a relationship with iTunes now so we can do compilations on a regular basis. Ultimately, I want this to feature live performances too, so it probably will take the place of ideas like “Rare On Air.” I see a different model for delivering more music and more current music to our listeners through an iTunes partnership.

This is obviously a tough time to have to do a pledge drive, given the economy. How is that going to impact your pitch the next week? What’s your message to KCRW listeners?

My pitch? Don’t get me started! Seriously though, it’s about supporting something that you value. Something that we’ve made possible together. Something no one ever thought was possible. Now is the time to make a difference for a non-profit, public radio outlet for alternative music, news, and cultural programming.

KCRW’s pledge drive continues through Monday. Pledge online at kcrw.com or call 1-800-600-KCRW.

FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: Lucha VaVoom

Here’s a cool pre-Valentine’s Day idea: Take your honey to see Lucha VaVoom next week.

Better yet, do it on us. We’ve got a pair of tickets to see the show on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Mayan Theatre.

In honor of their 20th show in Los Angeles, Lucha VaVoom — which started in 2002 — is going all out for a special Valentine’s Day show. So, what is Lucha VaVoom? It’s a spectacle combining traditional Lucha libre wrestling and retro burlesque dancing. But let’s let them explain:

To celebrate their historic 20th performance and inject 2009 with a dose of the risqué (and the risky), Lucha VaVoom has culled together some of the finest in titillating striptease, Mexican wrestling and cunning linguistics. In a battle of the heartthrobs, the steamy Magno and heart-pounding hunk Chilango will go to head to head in a match that is sure to make the ladies swoon. The men may need to hold on to their dates even harder as Latin Lucha Lothario Hector Garza and his Chippendales-esque physique make their debut. The gravity-defying crowd-favorite mini-chicken will ensure that Cupid’s arrow won’t be the only thing flying this Valentine’s while sexy minis, Dirty Sanchez, and the Crazy Chickens squawk up a riot. Queen of the Ring Cassandro will prove his fabulousness and why he wears the crown and there will be a special damsel-in-distress match where winner takes all.

A dazzling array of talented burlesque beauties will heat up the stage between matches. Lucy Fur and Audrey Deluxe will go paw for paw and tassel for tassel with a fur-flying striptease that is sure to not leave much to the imagination, the seductive Moana Santana returns with some really original sin. Hula-hoop gender-bender Karis will leave your jaw dropping and eyes popping with each twist of the showstopper’s hips.

The host with the most Blaine Capatch will crack wise with his comedic comrades Spongebob Squarpants’ Tom Kenny and “The Simpsons” scribe Dana Gould for some hilarious play-by-play of the night’s action.

Lucha VaVoom is back in L.A. on both Wednesday, Feb. 11 and Thursday, Feb. 12 — tix are available via Ticketweb.com.

But hey, I’ve got a pair for ya — well, lemme rephrase that, one of you. Email us at the usual address — franklin_avenue(at)yahoo(dot)com — and tell us your favorite romantic spot in Los Angeles. But hurry — we’ll be choosing the winner over the weekend.

Oh Say Can You See’s A New Cultural-Historic Monument

Altadena archivist Charlene Nichols and her husband, friend of Franklin Avenue/Los Angeles mag staffer/preservationist Chris Nichols, have their sights on saving a new landmark: The birthplace of See’s Candies.

Charlene, an archivist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, nominated the original home of See’s as a Los Angeles Cultural-Historic Monument. The City’s Cultural Heritage Commission will decide whether to grant that status this Thursday, Feb. 5, at City Hall, room 1010. (Info here.)

Details, from Charlene and Chris:

Eighty-eight years ago this fall, Canadian immigrant Charles A. See and his mother Mary See opened their very first candy shop and kitchen in a charming Renaissance Revival building at 135 N. Western Avenue in what is now Koreatown. See’s current Los Angeles candy factory opened on La Cienega Blvd. in 1946.

The building now sits empty and plans call for the destruction of it’s classical façade for a new mini-mall shopping center. The City Office of Historic Preservation gave a staff report supporting the nomination and the city has received support letters from neighborhood associations as well as the Vice President of See’s Candies who wrote “See’s has survived some of the most dramatic decades in American history and we are extremely proud of its heritage. See’s has maintained the classic look of the 1920s and Mary See’s image will always be the symbol on See’s Candy boxes…We hope the Commission will honor Charles See and the history of See’s with a Historic-Cultural Monument designation of store No. 1.”

Charlene once “took a summer job wearing the famous white dress and giving out samples in the hopes that she could tour the famous See’s candy factory.”

We’re On a First Name Basis… Well, with These Guys Whose First Names We’ve Omitted

I found this L.A. Times marketing item for “The Envelope” a tad funny. Maybe it’s just me.

Looking For a Few Good Top Chefs

Here’s another chance to join the ranks of Stephanie, Hung and Ilan. “Top Chef” is recruiting contestants for its season six, including here in L.A.:

Sunday, March 15, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Craft Restaurant

Just do us a favor: Ask Padma why her critiques all seem to basically be echoes of others. (Tom: “That dish is too spicy.” Padma: “Yes, it is too spicy!” Guest judge: “I thought the presentation was off.” Padma: “The presentation was off!”)

Rate-A-Restaurant #198: Blue Fish Sushi

Restaurant: Blue Fish

Location:2261 Honolulu Ave (Montrose)

Type of restaurant: Sushi

We stipulated: It was an overcast day, and we were looking to get out of the house — but not stray too far from Franklin Avenue HQ. Glendale’s Montrose district — particularly Honolulu Ave., which has been dubbed Glendale’s “Old Town,” is a nice stroll on a lazy afternoon. There’s bakeries, a kids’ bookstore, a good old fashioned toy store, coffee shops, etc. And restaurants. Maria had a craving for shrimp tempura — and we hadn’t done sushi in a while. Montrose has several low-cost sushi joints; Blue Fish is a tad pricier than those, but the ambience was probably worth a few extra bucks.

They stipulated: Blue Fish is semi-kid friendly, offering up two non-sushi alternatives for picky kids.

What we ordered: Shrimp tempura roll ($9.95); Dynamite (Baked scallops, lobster, mushrooms and onion on a California roll, $11.95); Spicy tuna rolls ($5.95); California roll ($5.95); Chicken teriyaki bowl for kids ($5.95)

High point: We liked the nice space, and appreciated the price, given the amount of food we received. And let’s face it, any sushi joint that’s also kid-friendly is OK by me. We’re not overly adventurous sushi orderers, since we’re (ahem) cheap — so we usually judge by the spicy tuna roll. And this one was pretty good.

Low point: We ordered way too much, as there was no guidance on the menu. And the Dynamite was way too goopy, unfortunately.

Overall impression: It’s strange that we keep over-ordering lately. We seem to always be assuming that we haven’t chosen enough food — and then we overcompensate. The waitress at Blue Fish didn’t help: When we were finished with our initial, and very large order, she asked us “Is that it?” — in a tone that made it sound like we hadn’t ordered nearly enough.

Chance we’ll go back: It could be a good, quickie way to get sushi when we’re feeling lazy but want to go out to a restaurant. But I don’t see it become one of our regular rotations.

For a complete list of our nearly 200 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

FREE L.A.: The Grammy Museum Goes Hawaiian

Hawaiian Eye/Aloha Friday Radio may be long gone, but the vibrant Hawaiian music scene lives on. This Friday, L.A. Live’s Grammy Museum is offering a free program featuring this year’s Grammy nominees in the Hawaiian category.

“Hawai’i Goes Grammy: A Tribute to Hawaiian Music” takes place this Friday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. Not only will the event give you an opportunity to check out the museum — which we gave a good review back in December — but you’ll also get what promises to be a good show. Details:

Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Hawaiian music with The GRAMMY Museum! Join us as 2009 GRAMMY Nominees in the Hawaiian Music category perform on our GRAMMY Sound Stage. Program will also include an onstage interview and musical history lesson with Chief Curator Ken Viste. Admission is free to the public. Museum members receive priority admission. Doors open at 7:30 pm. To reserve tickets, call 213.765.6830 or e-mail programs@grammymuseum.org.

This year’s nominees — yet another group heavy on the slack key guitar, shutting out other subgenres — include “Ikena” by Tia Carrere & Daniel Ho; “Aumakua” by Amy Hanaiali’i; “Force of Nature” by Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa; “Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Masters Series, Vol. II,” compiled by Chris Lau and Milton Lau; and “The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar,” compiled by Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong.

California Helps You Plan Your "Staycation"

Given the state of the economy — and, by the way, the poor economic state of our state– this is probably the year to keep your vacation in California.

The California Travel & Tourism Commission puts out a handy annual tourism guide — “The 2009 California Official State Visitor’s Guide and Travel Planner,” natch — and best of all, it’s free. According to the L.A. Times — where I found this tip — the guide is 224 pages and divides the state into 12 regions, with both obvious stops and some off-beat attractions.

Check out the VisitCalifornia.com site for more details, or to order. There’s an online option as well, in case you’re not interested in the print edition.

"Dodger Thoughts" Hits The Majors

Congrats to Franklin Avenue pal and Variety colleague Jon Weisman, who officially moved his wildly popular blog Dodger Thoughts to the L.A. Times — check it out here.

Jon admits some trepidation in moving from a small-time operation — hosted by the soon-to-be-shuttered “Baseball Toaster” — to the L.A. Times, but notes that the evolution shouldn’t hamper the strong, opinionated community he’s cultivated in the seven years since first launching the site:

Perhaps it could be like this forever. I don’t know. Part of me remains curious to find out. But there’s another part of me that’s ambitious. The part of me that has wanted things when I could only dream about them, now has a chance to go grab one of them…

The bottom line is that I’ll be writing about the Dodgers for the Times, and though it’s a different Times than when I first had that dream 25 years ago, it’s still meaningful to me.

Some enjoy Dodger Thoughts just because it’s about the Dodgers, and that won’t change. Others enjoy Dodger Thoughts for something more, something that represents the best potential of what online conversation in the 21st century can be. The idea of introducing more people to the community of Dodger Thoughts, I think, is worth risking the sanctity of the site for.

Jon still continues in his day job at Variety, where we get to share another passion of his — TV.