1. Metro – As the demands of our modern day society continue to weigh on Mama Gaia, rest assured that Metro has a long-term plan to help lower fuel emissions simply by keeping more cars off the road. This, leading to less smog, less wear and tear on your personal vehicles and of course less traffic. And while many have chosen to suffer from “Rail Rage” faulting Metro for anything they can come up with, when it comes to consistent service as part of our daily commutes, Metro is still very consistent more often than not. As millions of people rely on Metro each day we should be thankful knowing that just in the past 2 years, Metro has given the DT new bikes, a bike shop, a whole new train so we can reach the beach and some pretty hilarious Japanese influenced public service announcements, so BE KIND. Soon Metro will connect all of Downtown with its Regional Connector, with two brand new stations and plenty of reasons to choose their less stressful, less hazardous and more affordable transportation option.
2. Olvera Street – Sure, today, when visualizing the future of the DT its easy to see how far we’ve come and where we are headed, but imagine being any one of the 44 African American settlers way back in 1815 brave enough to leave home with only a few priests and a group of Spanish soldiers to create a whole new life where others would dare to venture. Luckily for us things worked out for them. Today, Olvera Street is a cornucopia of heritage with monuments and a rich history of Mexican tradition. As a spiritual center, historical monument and local tourist hub hosting dozens of cultural events each year, Olvera is also the founding city of Los Angeles, so we guess you can say without Olvera Street, there would be no DT. So, let’s be thankful for the bravery and vision of our African American founding families who risk everything to be here.
3. City Hall – Let us pray. Then give thanks for the lighting crew because whoever is in charge of City Hall’s themed color lighting and projections definitely deserve a cookie. And the free view from the observation deck? Well, before the age of the mega-skyscraper finding a bird’s eye 360-degree view of LA, City Hall was all we had. The brass-laden elevators, marble floors, granite exterior and unicorn tears that have held City Hall together are all worthy of our grace and invite us to join the conversation, debate, vote, and help make change. Then, of course, we have to thank our city officials, police and Hipster Mayor who put up with the drama of politics on a daily basis. Without their vision, the DT would be a lawless, savage place without hope in constant despair. They have devoted their lives to return all of LA to its original splendor fast becoming our country’s number one major metropolis.
4. Skid Row – Uh… yes, because although it may not be the entertainment capital of the world it still shows us how far we have come and how far we still to go. As the homeless population continues to grow just as fast as the promise of a new DT, people who may have never been exposed to the less fortunate are being forced to count their own blessings. With problems exposed, new efforts are being made by the DT to solve them. And as the debate rages on whether or not one city should have to handle social services in one place, Skid Row as of now is still a recovery zone, helping to restore the lives of thousands of people each day. Slowly but surely, we will get there, and this country should take pride knowing our homeless problem is being tackled by so many different angles; by Non-profit causes and humanitarian efforts bringing out the best in some people, and government beginning to realize we are only as strong as our weakest link. There is hope on the horizon. There is always hope.
5. LA Live – Speaking of entertainment capitals of the world….Sorry Hollywood, but LA Live has got you beat. Just admit it. There is no shame in defeat. But if you think for a second that your one LED light display, concert hall, pack of crazies and broken sidewalks can compete with the brilliance of a sports stadium that doubles as a concert arena, $8 Movies, lavish hotels, out of this world views, outstanding concierge, happy hours, fine dining, celebrity sightings and a slew of family events held year round… you may just be in denial… Well okay, you do have those fake superheroes and the Walk of Fame, but we’ve got TOYOTA, the XGames, nightclubs, and the Lucky Strike bowling pin guy. So no, just pass the torch and work on your own craft for a while. People will still visit you while on vacation IF they have time after enjoying all that LA Live has to offer.
6. Downtown ArtWalk – Say what you will, but the Downtown Art Walk of Gallery Row was a major catalyst when it comes to the development of the new DT. Developers will tell you they planned it all along, but the reality is no one could have imagined the spark of creativity would ignite the heap of dynamite that led to the explosion of hospitality in the DT. Thank you Tom Gilmore, Kjell Hagen, Nik Kim, Kimba, and Bert Green, and all the other founders coupled with anyone involved religiously keeping Art Walk alive. From the galleries who stick it out to all the patrons that show up month after month who do BUY ART. Thank you artists and creative minds who give them something to remember, curators, and underground party throwers. Thank you security, LAPD, and Historic Bid street teams who keep us safe and clean up the mess, and thank you to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Art Walk is not just in the Core anymore. The 2nd Thursday has become an art celebration throughout the DT. Great job everyone.
7. Figat7th – Well thank God for Brookfield. America loves a great shopping experience. Thanks to Brookfield and its artistic grandson, Arts Brookfield, America can shop for its most well-known brands and enjoy live music, guest djs, film, theater, and rotating art exhibits from world-class talents all year round. From lingerie to home appliances 7th and Fig has it all. Just say “uncle”, Highland and Hollywood. You give up yet? Come drab, leave sexy! Come hungry leave stuffed like the fat cat. Come bored out of your mind and they will entertain you. Best of all its a family atmosphere and fun for all generations.
8. Chinatown – What some have speculated to be next in line for gentrification, Chinatown, still after all these years, has managed to stay rich in Chinese culture and tradition. In a lot of ways reminding us of sailing the coast of Shanghai’s shipping and trading city, giving many the feeling they’ve actually left America to explore the wonders of the Far East. Within the magic of Chinatown consist a colorful urban setting, snuggled safely inside mom and pop shops and world famous Chinese cuisine. Once known as one of the areas in DTLA where it was better to know somebody, Chinatown’s swung open it’s welcoming doors for visitors with more and more cultural festivities these past 5 years. Chinese New Year is a staple but now with the addition of Chinatown Summer Nights, Moon Festival and CicLAvia, there’s little reason not to visit and more reason to return and stay even longer.
9. Angel City Brew – Don’t let the smell of old beer fool you, Angel City Brew only leaks good times for all 7 days a week with a rotating selection of their homemade blends. How important can a brewery be you ask? Well, for those who can think back 10 years or so to the days of the old DTLA where speakeasies were the only places that held intoxicating excitement, to now have over a dozen breweries all jammed packed serving thousands of visitors with freshly brewed labels, you can thank Angel City for being one of the first. Not only that, they host festivals, art exhibits, car shoes, food trucks, comedy and open mic making Angel City a one-stop shop for beer geeks from around the globe.
10. Downtown Weekly! Because where else would you get your news? Pasadena? And where would you find out about DTLA entertainment? The LA Weekly of course – pick one up at all three locations. Get Downtown? What town are you talking about? And Downtowner – will you just go ahead and become a magazine already? .. you know high-end glossy pages would just go better with your 2 advertisers. Haha…just kidding. Of course, we love and are THANKFUL for all the newsprint publications in Downtown LA; all DTLA mags, social media influencers, DTLA Patriots, tourists, residents and workers, everyone for supporting our city. Downtown can have more than one news source and it should… just like New York and every other major metropolis… So go ahead, laugh at our typos and horrid grammar, in fact, here’s another coma. and another, Throw eggs if you want…but never forget we are all in this together working for the DT!
Downtown Weekly LA is honored to be able to work amongst you.
AND FOR OUR FANS!!!! – thank you for READING.
editor@dtla-weekly.com
