DOWNTOWN W THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
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DTLA FALL IN LOVE WITH
Sweet dinner spots FOR LOVE
ROMANCE
THIS BLACK
HISTORY MONTH...
TUPAC SHAKUR EXHIBIT IN SOUTH PARK
THIS WEEK IN SPORTS
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THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE DOWNTOWN WEEKLY
VOL 16 NO 05 - FEBRUARY 10TH - FEBRUARY 16TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM
ON THE COVER MODEL MAFIA
location: boyle heights photo by :
david martin photography
THE HEART BEATS
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tupac shakur exhibit in south park ...4 sweet DTLA dinner spots ....6 map inside ...9 get2dtla ....9 touch downs & field goals .....12 DTLA WEEKLY
editor and chief KERI FREEMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
KERI FREEMAN christopher floch jackson roberts abel weiss jaime herrera
photography GARY LEONARD
VIDEO Production
@kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla
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Special thanks to... MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES & council district 14 THE CITY OF LA ARTS DISTRICT CHINATOWN CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL EXPO/USC HISTORIC CORE LITTLE TOKYO FASHION DISTRICT FINANCIAL DISTRICT SKID ROW SOUTH PARK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT THEGRAWN ARTWALK NEWS
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VOL 16 NO 05 - FEBRUARY 10TH - FEBRUARY 16TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM
Emotional Downtown Exhibit Mixes African American Torture, Resistance, and Thuglife in Honor of Tupac Shakur
W
ake Me When I’m Free is a fully immersive, thought-provoking museum experience that explores the life and legacy of the acclaimed artist and activist Tupac Shakur.
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n conjunction with The Shakur Estate, this exhibit takes you on a winding journey of all that is and was Tupac Shakur; from 400 years of oppression that helped forge the Black Panther Movement (upon which his mother Afena Shakur was a proud member), to his untimely and horrific death at the age of 26. Opened in late January at The Canvas @ L.A. Live, a newly constructed facility meant to house several rotating exhibits this year, viewers are exposed to the full mastery behind the artist locked safe behind rows of glass cases which allow them to review his accomplishments, clothing, never before seen artifacts and a complete study of his words. Part museum, part art installation, with interactive headphones for sound, WMWIF showcases Shakur’s music, poetry and never before seen artifacts in a 20,000 square foot curated journey of Tupac’s extraordinary life. Twenty-five years after his murder, Tupac Shakur remains one of the most complex and prolific artists of his generation. For some, Tupac was a hardcore street gangster bent on street justice and party animal leading the youth down an immoral path. Yet, for many others, his artistry stretched beyond the stereotypes presented by
the entertainment industry, unveiling a prolific genius bent on changing the course of humanity while constantly empowering inner cities with his charismatic energy and words of affirmation. This exhibit proves that within one person, there could exist both. With over 75 million albums sold worldwide, he is one of the top-selling artists of all time. In 2017, Tupac was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making him the first solo hip-hop artist recognized for inclusion in his first eligible year.
creative – revolutionary- fearless-passionfueled speed of a comet. Afeni and Pac challenged, re-imagined, and transformed history.” WMWIF is a creative collaboration led by Chief Curator & Vice President of Curatorial Affairs at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Nwaka Onwusa and awardwinning Creative Director Jeremy Hodges and his firm, Project Art Collective.
“It is a privilege to be a part of such a monumental project”, Hodges said. “Tupac Shakur was my Malcolm; he was my Martin, and to build an A brilliant lyricist and critical thinker, experience that honors such a prolific Shakur was a social observer and a man, cannot be summed up in words. political activist devoted to social change. We wanted to create a memorable Born to a Black Panther and named after experience that will inspire you to be a Peruvian revolutionary, Shakur seemed better than when you walked in, all fated to reject authority and voice the while leaving you with the knowledge disenfranchised. Tupac also found success that he was a true revolutionary and critical acclaim as an actor, starring spirit.” in popular Juice and Poetic Justice films. The Estate sanctioned museum Tupac’s Godfather and Special Advisor experience, produced in partnership with to the Estate Jamal Joseph said, “Afeni Round Room Live, CAA, Universal Music was the baddest Black Woman to walk Group and Kinfolk Management + Media, the planet. She raised awareness and is slated to visit a limited number of US shifted the atmosphere wherever she went. and international cities over the next few Tupac’s brilliance shined brighter than years. @wakemewhenimfree the Sun. He lived and moved with the
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DTLA MAKEOVER BY KERI FREEMAN
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Sweet DTLA Dinner Spots for Love & Romance
THE ART OF THE AFPRODIASAC AT RAPPBAR Say what you will about DTLA, but we do have some sweet dinner spots for Love and Romance… Here’s Just a Few Dinner Date suggestions from our heart to yours... Feeling frisky but having a bit of trouble convincing your date that frisky matters? Guess what food has a proven track record of boosting frisky up a notch or two. Yes, you guessed it. Oysters have been considered a natural aphrodisiac for hundreds of years and are widely used to increase sex drive and desire.
Well, you have the desire, but where can you find the finest oysters in DTLA? Yes guessed right again! Rappahannock Oysters Bar is famous for its variety of oysters. Before giving up on what could end in an ultimate night of love and romance, illuminate yourselves with the soft glowing lights hanging from the giant Ficus Microcarba Tree at DTLAs most chilled seafood dining destination. Chef Wilson Santos and his shipmates shuck about 7500 oysters a day. Order any of the Chef’s delightful side dishes to compliment your tray of libido-filled soft beds. Lobster rolls, seafood quesadillas, chowder bowls, shrimp tacos, salads, and more, but don’t forget cocktails. do the trick, a few handcrafted cocktails from RappBar surely will. Remember to drink responsibly and live, love and laugh consensually. Rappahannock Bar is located at 777 S Alameda. @rappbardtla
Suffering from a broken heart, but feel it may be the right time to try your luck at love once again?
BACK IN THE GAME AT KAPOORS AKBAR Well, you’ve come to the right place. Kapoor’s Akbar helps form healthy relationships with a private home felt atmosphere and food and beverage menu once reserved for Royal Emperors of India. With a history of healing foods perfected throughout the ages, align the mind, body, and soul with your heart to ascend the levels of romance with every bite. Are you feeling hot, tingling sensations of love? Maybe it’s the way Chef Avinash Kapoor cast out those ancient spices. Discovery the ancient taste of India with a plate of steaming Tandoori Lamb chops, Spicy Garlic Shrimp and Katchumba salad a unique blend of spices, onion, cucumbers and chopped tomatoes loaded with love and devotion. Kapoor’s Akbar is located at 701 S. Caesar Chavez Blvd. @kapoorsakbar
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DIVE HEAD FIRST INTO LOVE AT HATCH YAKITORI
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chicken thighs, squid ink batter, house pickles, grilled lime, black garlic ranch dip will make your hearts go pitterpat.
Otherwise known as Hatch, this modern Japanese grill celebrates our love for yakitori, creative plates, and curated drinks. Dine indoors for intimacy or outdoors under the stars, surrounded by tables filled with satisfied diners and delectable plates. If love is what you’re looking for, then love is what you’ll find at Hatch, especially after tasting any one of their signature heartfelt dishes. Miso Pork Spare Ribs, black fried rice, and Black Chicken Karaage brined fried
Let love take you to new heights with Matcha Highball made with Iwai Whisky, coconut lemongrass nigori, lemon juice, house-made honey syrup, and matcha powder. If that doesn’t get your love juices flowing, Hatch has Sake equally approachable for any Sake connoisseur available on draft. Hatch is located at 700 S. Flower St. @ hatchyakitori
LOVE & MARRIAGE AT PEZ CANTINA
Love led Chef Bret Thompson and wife Lucy Thompson Ramirez to create one of DTLAs favorite dining destinations at Pez Cantina. What can be more romantic than sustainable Coastal Mexican-style dishes with a quality bar serving the freshest plates from high atop a Bunker Hilltop oasis? “Galentine’s Day” at Pez tempts you with naturally flavored spritzers and a new Vegan Sope topped with caramelized onion fondue, charred greens and a sweet bouquet of pickled cauliflower. Nighttime comes alive as tastebuds dance the tango under the moonlight at Pez Cantina. Lovers are encouraged to indulge a special three-course dinner menu with perfectly paired specialty cocktails. Double down on love all February with Pez’ new Surf n Turf Molcajete, a hot simmering bowl of delicious sea and turf matching hot simmering romance. Special Hours Monday, February 14th, 2022 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Pez Cantina is located at 401 S Grand Ave. @pezcantina
DT APPETITE BY DAISY FITZGERALD
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TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
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ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 888-732-DTLA (3852) editor@dtlaweekly.com V 1VOL 16 NO 04 - JANUARY 27TH - FEBRUARY 2ND, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM 11
TOUCH DOWNS & FIELD GOALS AT NFL SUPERBOWL EXPERIENCE
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hat a great time to be a football fan in Downtown Los Angeles, NFL’s interactive football theme park has returned to Los Angeles Convention Center for Super Bowl Experience.
T
o celebrate the conclusion of the NFL’s biggest season ever, Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s will offer fans the opportunity to collect autographs from current NFL players and legends, participate in interactive games, youth football clinics, and shop merchandise from NFL Shops presented by Visa. Super Bowl Experience will feature photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a 40-yard dash against NFL players on LED screens, and a Super Bowl rings display showcasing all 55 Super Bowl rings.
TASTE OF THE NFL Events surrounding Super Bowl LVI weekend are guaranteed spectacles filled with panache, star-studded parties, dazzling entertainment and the Taste of the NFL.
Of course there will be football, and hopefully, a Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl Championship stemming from Sunday’s game at Sofi Stadium, however one of the greatest and often under notarized elements of the Super Bowl is the incredible food. Founded in 1992 by Wayne Kostroski, Taste of the NFL has for 31 years been on the front lines of raising awareness and generating funds to fight hunger and food insecurity. During Taste of the NFL, celebrity chefs will create an immersive culinary experience for 2,500 guests, complete with delicious food and tailgate specialties, special guests chefs and thirst quenching libations. Featuring star chefs Tim Love, Carla Hall, Andrew Zimmern, Lasheeda Perry, Mark Bucher, Ming Tsai and their Taste Maker friends along with NFL players, sports greats and surprise celebrity guests, Taste of the NFL 2022 promises to be a Culinary Joyride as part of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.