Big Red Sundays!

The very fun Sundays at Big Red Sun returned yesterday with an afternoon of music and friends in the charming backyard garden of this great space on Rose Avenue. Everyone is so busy these days, it was a true and rare delight to get the gang all together in the name of Summer fun, live music, and friendship.

We were out gathering up the BYOB supplies, so missed the opening set by our good friend, Scott Passaglia, but he got the party started, that's for sure. There was shopping in addition to music listening, and many friends left the day with new jewelry and art purchased from the little airstream trailer store set up out back. We arrived just in time to pull up a bench and listen to tunes brand new and old by one of our local favorites, Lacey Cowden.

Cowden fully entranced the garden party, and had every eye and ear riveted to her throughout her set. Even her dog, Bootsy, was rapt and totally flattened by the story-telling tunes of her very talented owner. It was honestly so quiet for her that I'm pretty sure all auto and pedestrian traffic had been held out on Rose out of sheer respect. It was silent - until massive applause pierced the skies at the end of every tune. Always take the chance to hear Cowden sing ... it's something special.

After a little mingling in the sun and enjoying the perfectly curated tunes from DJ Bright Moments (Paddy Wilkins) between sets, it was Matt Ellis' turn to beguile the garden. He too brought out new tunes to blend in with his well-known and loved selections, and we all tapped our toes along as the sun got a little lower and colors turned to twilight. Vavine Tahapehi joined her husband on a couple of numbers, and all was right in the world as you glanced around at all of our friends smiling and enjoying themselves, seemingly far away from any cares of the outside world. Which is precisely what afternoons like this are for  - to remind us of all the good that still exists. Right here.

We wound up the night at the always-wonderful Galley (where they had the Olympics showing out on the patio tv - excellent), and another Big Red Sunday was on the books. Be sure to keep an ear out for the next one, because it's a perfect way to while away an afternoon in Venice. Thank you to all who made it happen!

The Golden State - More Than A Store, A Lifestyle

When I was about five, I saw the Sunkist soda "Good Vibrations" commercial, and knew that California is where I wanted to live when I grew up. Then I saw A Star Is Born and knew that I wanted to live where Kris Kristofferson lived in the movie - in California. Then I heard Led Zeppelin's "Going To California", and that just sealed the deal. As soon as I finished college (and after a year in Hawai'i), I headed to California ... Venice, in particular.

Over the years, I've grown to love California as much, if not more, than I love Minnesota. A lot of that has to do with freedom, the wild West, the sun, the surf, the music, the open-minded people, and creating a lifestyle that lets me appreciate all of the best of that to the fullest. I don't want to live somewhere that's like everywhere else, which is why I tell the stories of the people and places that I love, that have a distinct sense of place, and that embody all I love about where I live. Like The Golden State.

Stephanie Stuart is a fourth generation native Californian, born and raised in Los Angeles. Her family was in the film biz, and she grew up surrounded by the industry. Stuart worked as a stylist for editorials and film and television, then wound up as a costumer on Seinfeld. She had her first son on the last night of that job, and then focused on raising her three boys, all the while thinking of how she'd really like to open a concept store for all things tied to a California lifestyle. It was also a reaction to the recession, getting away from big box stores and realizing the backlash people were having to corporate takeovers, and wanting to do something independent and unique for our area.

The chance came to open a store on Ocean Park Boulevard in 2009, which was short lived, before opening again as a pop up store within Big Red Sun on Rose Avenue in Venice, then moved into their own space next door (now Lily Ashwell). The synergy there was great, and the store gained a loyal following for lovers of all things California. "I find that people will go out of their way to support us, and tell their friends. This has all been pretty much word of mouth," Stuart told me gratefully.

When the lease was up on the Rose space, Stuart and her husband, Steve, began looking for a new spot, and found a gem on Lincoln Boulevard, right next to Superba Food and Bread. They opened their doors on Lincoln this past April, and have never been busier. The store is gorgeous, light and breezy, and full of everything you want, from gorgeous beach cover-ups and bikinis, and the latest and coolest threads for the dudes, all the way to books and olive oils!

Jewelry and wall hangings share space with art and cards, all of it the full embodiment of a West Coast lifestyle. "People are creating a lifestyle that's not about money, it's about enjoying their life in California," says Stuart. "I'm impressed by California every day ... its resilience, its resources, and its beauty, from the beach to the mountains to the desert."

All of those highlights are included within the walls of this wonderful shop, making it feel as if you went on a good old fashioned road trip just by walking around looking at all the great stuff.

It gets even better when you go out to the back patio. There Stuart teamed up with the Superba folks to create a hydroponic garden outside to provide fresh produce and herbs for the restaurant next door! It's a beautiful refuge back there, and you feel miles away from busy Lincoln Boulevard just outside the front door. There is a fire pit and large picnic tables, with the idea that they'll start having events back there, from dinner parties with neighbors to yoga classes ... all very Californian, of course.

A mural by Dee Dee Cheriel will be added to the outside wall next week, all of coming together to be a low impact space to just chill and build more community, with anything you need just steps away. It's truly lovely, and resourceful, and all around just great.

The Stuarts feature California brands in the store, some favorites being Iron and Resin and Freedom Artists for Men's clothes, Raen for sunglasses, Electric and Rose (designed by Venice locals) for both men and women's surf and yoga couture, and Turquoise and Tobacco (another Venice local and dear friend Laura Genevieve!) for excellent local jewelry. They even have their delicious smelling The Golden State candles hand poured just for them.

When not in the store, the Stuarts can be found, of course at Superba next door, at Clutch on Lincoln, at new favorite in Louie's of Mar Vista, but probably their favorite spot is to just hang out in their glorious back garden with their boys and their friends. I get it ... I didn't want to leave either. It's exactly the kind of place we want to keep Venice unique and awesome.

"California is timeless and classic and brand new all at once, and I wanted to create the context to tell that story in our store, as well as be a vessel for local and regional designers," explained Stuart. She has done exactly that, as from the moment I walked through the door, I instantly felt that same groovy excitement as I did when I was a kid listening to "Good Vibrations", which should absolutely be the theme store for this fantastic oasis of California gold, both a state and a state of mind.

The Golden State is located at:
1916 Lincoln Boulevard
310-392-7800
TheGoldenStatestore.com
Instagram.com/@thegoldenstatestore
Facebook.com/thegoldenstatestore

Open Tuesday - Friday 11 - 6
Saturday & Sunday 10 - 6
Closed Monday

Lacey Kay Cowden - The Go Great Guns EP Release Jamboree

Sunday was a beautiful day, all about dear and talented friends celebrating that dearness and talent all day long. It was also Abbot Kinney's 164th birthday, and what way to honor the founder of our wonderful town than by dreaming dreams and making them come true.

The occasion was the release of Lacey Kay Cowden's spectacular new ep, Go Great Guns, and that we did for sure, in a beautiful garden party at Big Red Sun.

The party got started at 3 pm with a DJ set by Paddy Wilkins (aka Bright Moments) under the bright sunshine, as we sipped on lemon lavender cocktails in the garden. Scott Passaglia opened the live music portion of the say, as more and more friends arrived to fete Cowden and her new music.

Even little Boots was present to party with her owner, all decked out in her Sergeant Pepper jacket.

The place got increasingly packed with more pals, all loving both the chance to catch up all evening and to hear our friends rule.

Which Paul Chesne and his band certainly did - and always do. It's just always a total blast getting down to their tunes, and Sunday was no different.

Matt Ellis (who also produced Cowden's ep) was up next and played some selections from his new album, The Greatest Escape (I actually have no set list notes as my hands were full with going nuts with my friends, but it was all great, trust).

At some point around here, trays were passed with a treat from Cowden's boyfriend, Chef Brian Dunsmoor, who had whipped up some delicious chili and served it up right inside individual bags of Fritos.

It was the perfect party food, convenient and all set to soak up the drinks that had been going down easily for everyone all afternoon. YUM.

The sun began to set and it was fully dark by the time Cowden took the stage, with the whole garden illuminated with festive lights, as cozy as could be.

Cowden's voice is so strong and beautiful, people were completely silent as they sat and stood to hear her gorgeous new songs from the ep.

She had a band backing her up for this gig, and it really complimented her songs, as the drumming by Griffen Harris really made her "Walking Song" sound like we were all ambling along together, and the electric guitar by Nick Luca really fleshed out the sound of Cowden's own acoustic.

It was touching to see Cowden sing "Southern Boy" to her "Sugarnipples" Dunsmoor, and the support they both display for each others' artistic and culinary endeavors.

"Shotgun Loving" was the first song I ever heard Cowden play, sipping whiskey around the fire one late night, when she truly mesmerized us all. It was much the same Sunday night, when as rowdy as it was all getting, everyone zipped it every time Cowden opened her mouth to sing.

As Cowden took her bows and gave her thanks, the party carried on into the evening ... until just about now, really. Massive congratulations to my dear friend, Lacey, on both an ep and a launch that will be talked about for a long time to come.

It was a truly inspiring event in every way. The place was filled to the wooden rafters with people that live, breathe and walk the walk of their creativity. I think Abbot Kinney would have loved it (as he probably loved the drink sip he got poured for him on the ground). And we'd all do well to heed Cowden's advice, and Go Great Guns after whatever it is that you love.

Go Great Guns is available now everywhere. Get yours!

Big Red Sunday

Hello there! I'm a little behind on stories as I had to move. Again. More on that later, but amid the boxes and unpacking and re-situating (a little closer to the beach) and all the junk you have to do when you move, I found that my soul needed sunshine and friends more than organization. Thankfully, Big Red Sun and The Golden State on Rose Avenue hosted a day of music and fun in the sun last Sunday, where a whole crew of my favorite Venetians were participating.

Cup Cups were being served by Miss Vavine, and "The Dave" made my day. Delicious. If you're thinking about hosting an event and want some delicious party food to offer your guests, get a hold of Vav.

YUM. Miss Sophie was serving fresh roasted coffee alongside the Cup Cup cart, so I was all fed and set to get down to some of the best music in town.

Lacey Cowden started off the tunes, and I STILL cannot get her "Shotgun Lovin'" out of my head. I love her. Her rich, soulful voice just kills me. Get out to see her as soon as the opportunity arises, because a guy riding his bike by on Rose almost hit a parked car when he did a double take to see where the gorgeous music was coming from. So good she's causing accidents ... excellent.

Scotty P. took over the mic next, and I had a wave of nostalgia wash over me from the days when we'd sit on that dude's roof and hear him making up some of these very songs. He even made one up as he went along, about organic vegetables and Big Red Sun. I was a little disappointed that he left his shirt on, but it's still a little early in Spring, hence chilly. But still. Love you, Scotty P!

People came and went all day ... I stayed. People shopped, caught up, ate CupCups and BBQ from a cart parked in the street, and a taco truck pulled up in back as the party picked up.

It was a family affair too, as kids played among the plants and maybe even picked some flowers. Mia.

Paul Chesne rolled in with his band, and as usual, that's when it really got into the swing of things. He climbed up on the table and rocked the afternoon away.

I sat on a gorgeous red rocking couch with my friends and held my face up to the sun, listening to my friends jam, feeling awfully lucky. The stress of the previous week was totally forgotten for the moment, and I was able to simply sit and be grateful. And told people so all day, I couldn't help it.

The fun didn't stop there, however, as then there was a party to celebrate the short film by Venice's Joey Indrieri, Heading Weast, at the home of its star, Venice's Patrick Wilkins. In fact, almost the entire production company was made up of people who call Venice home, and it shows.

You may now watch it here:  http://hypebeast.com/2013/4/garrett-leight-presents-heading-weast-a-short-film-by-joey-indrieri

Yes! So many talented people mixed together all day, some of whom I hadn't seen yet all year, so the day was just completely great. And exactly what I needed the most.

Thank you to everyone involved in a perfect Venice Sunday elixir. Bless each one of you.

*Rumor has it that Big Red Sun is going to be throwing more of these Sunday Fundays this Summer. Stay tuned!