The Summer Venice Art Crawl - A Sunset Stroll

The Venice Art Crawl focused on Washington Boulevard for its Summer edition, which was a nice change of pace - and scenery - if a little sparse this time out.

There was a headquarters set up at The Kinney hotel, and the art stops went from there to the beach, with a few too far away for foot outposts going on all the way to Rose.

The Kinney art party was upstairs next to their tiny pool that I had never seen or known about. Artists and friends mingled around a bar, and enjoyed the golden hour lighting. Of the group show happening there, my favorite was Annie Seaton's work. She takes her surf and ocean photography and prints them out on rice paper somehow, paints them with natural indigo dye, and sews the different pieces together, using a whole bunch of talents at once. I loved them. Phantastic Photography by Lily was also cool, featuring her water reflection photos.

There's no time to linger when you've got more art to see, so I left the scenesters at The Kinney to it, and took off toward the beach.

There was a big stretch of wasteland with no art stops on it, which was too bad, as there are a lot of potential venues there on Washington ... maybe next time. The real action was all centered around Washington Square, the end part by the pier. It was a gorgeous night, so there were a bunch of tourist people out anyway, but the Art Crawl made sure that the locals were out galilvanting around too. I hit up Venice Surf & Skate, and admired the ceramic work of John Fukuda from the Temple Of Mediclaytion. I keep meaning to take a class there, and chatting with Fukuda reinforced this intent, as he told me it changed his life. I can dig that.

I kept running into Venice pals, which is really always the best part of the Venice Art Crawl. The sunset was so beautiful right about at this point that it was probably my favorite work of art of the night. The entire Venice Pier was lined with admirers trying to capture the beauty that is always better in person. But we all tried anyway.

Mercede's Grille was full of sunset hour revelers, and the wonderful real deal Venice ladies like Emily Winters were there selling their keepsake of a book Art Tiles At Venice Beach: Graphic History of Venice 1901-2001. The book itself is a fundraiser to preserve the fantastic old tiles on the beach benches. I was extra touched that they gifted me one of the books, and will add it to my library of Venice lore (which I'll hopefully be a part of soon - stay tuned!).

Another highlight of this Crawl was happening in the alley behind L.A. Gastronomy (next door to Mercede's). Live painting was gathering a crowd back there, and street artist Honor was in the midst of creating a mural of Robert DeNiro from Taxi Driver. He kept his fumes mask on for the photo in the time-honored tradition of graffiti artists being anonymous, but I say be known for your awesome work. It was an honor to meet you, Honor.

Around the corner wall, another mural was being done by Showz Art, who was halfway through a rad rendering of Trayvon Martin. Some of the best art in Venice is in alleys, and it's always worth getting off the beaten paths to discover something great. Duck behind this strip of Washington next time you're there ... it's looking good.

The Cow's End was already closed at like 8:00, which was funny because the map said 10:00, but oh, well. A dude was set up out front anyway, and a lot of people were talking to him about his work, so that was good. Fresh air, fresh art.

The VB Surf Shop was featuring work from Maggie Boelter, a Venice local, whose bio says she grew up swimming at Tower 26. Awesome - as was her work of Venice beachy themes.

Priscilla Ortiz and Natalie Strong were showing their stuff at Arbor, where the skateboards were as fun to look at as the art. Wine and snacks were being shared pretty much everywhere, and Arbor was no different. What a great looking shop, check it out if you haven't been in for a while. Aren't they due for a music show there soon too? I believe so.

Next door at Aesthetic Ambition Piercing & Tattoo was the most rocking stop on the Crawl, as a reggae/ska band, Funky AF, was blasting out through the whole neighborhood. There was more art set up outside, but the main deal was folks getting DOWN to the band, especially one shirtless dude in a top hat that was extra feeling it. That's the Venice Vibe, and that's what is great about our town celebrating art - not just for events like the V.A.C., but all the dang time. Everyone was loving it, and it felt like full throttle Summer.

From there I headed over to the new New Deli (which I didn't even know was finally open, and will forever be Sal's to me), but they were shut up tight, well before their map's stated closing time. Lame. Especially as at this point I was feeling that I hadn't eaten yet, and probably would have picked up some stuff from this new New Deli, but nope. Oh, well. There wasn't a whole lot of time left in the Crawl, so I zipped over to Turning Point Pilates to check out the work of Marian Crostic. I'd long heard of Crostic's work, as my brother hangs it all for her when she has exhibitions, and she's lived right on Abbot Kinney forever. Her Pre-Dawn Venice pieces were lovely, as was Crostic ... as was the wine and cheese.

That was that for the Crawl for me this time, as I have a whole lot going on and was just grateful to see some art, some friends, and some gorgeous sights. The next Crawl will be the After-Burn one (September 21-23 in Windward Plaza) and that's always one you don't want to miss, as Burning Man comes to Venice - where it really should still be like Burning Man all the time. The Venice Art Crawl does a lot to help with those vibes, and I really try to never miss it to get that fix.

See you in September, Hippies! XO.

A Full Moon Mandala

Yesterday was a complete delight here in Venice. I ran into all sorts of old friends all day long, and ran into beautiful surprises as well. It was all kind of magic, like when my old friend, Pete, called and said, "I'm at the basketball courts", and I just happened to be walking by the basketball courts at that very moment. I left them and headed down the Boardwalk toward Hinano's on a burger mission, but had a few moments to kill before my friend would arrive. I took the opportunity to stroll out on the Venice pier, and there on the sand below, two guys were creating a spectacular mandala on the beach.

The Virgo full moon would rise soon, and Andreas Hoenigschmid - known as "The Geobender" - and his assistant for the day, Vikram Vasan, were out there on the sand, just two dudes and their rakes, creating something of beauty, in a lovely reminder to appreciate the moment.

It was rather cosmic as I had just been talking to Gary Palmer about sacred geometry, and meditation, and numbers, and his chalk art that washes away, and here was a living example of that exact conversation, like an hour later. It felt special - especially as it was the day after I saw the green flash at sunset!

To make things even better, I went over to Hinano's after chatting with the guys a while (but not wanting to keep them from their work, as light was waning and the full moon was rising), sat down and ordered a freezing cold Red Stripe to enjoy while I reflected and waited for my friend. A few minutes later, Kelly Slater (only the all time greatest surfing champion in the world, for those who might not know) walks on by. The coolest.

I was telling everyone I could to get out there and look at this amazing art on the beach, and I think it made everyone's day. By the time we had our burgers and beers, and then some more friends and fun at Mercede's Grille, the mandala was already being washed away.

Hoenigschmid told me that he's out there every full and new moon, as nature creates a new low tide canvas twice a month. All are welcome to join, or simply behold the magic as it is being created in front of your eyes ... and then it all disappears. What a metaphor for living your life!

The moon was fully full on my way back, and there was a mystical, orangey corona crowning this Virgo in her glory. It was hard to look away. I hope you got to see it, and I hope you are able to find some magic of your own today. It's raining now, and one could feel low and bluesy, but I'm thinking about the surprises in life that make it awesome, and those thoughts sustain you until the sun shines again.

Happy Weekend, Friends. Make it a good one.

Mercede's Late Night Supper Club - Stay Classy, Venice!

Mercede's Grille has been a fixture at the end of Washington Boulevard in Venice since 1998. Just steps from the Venice Pier, every time you hang out at Mercede's Grille feels like you're on vacation, even if you just walked there from home, which we usually do. 

    *Photo courtesy of Edizen Stowell/Venice Paparazzi 

Mersedeh Ahrablou immigrated to the U.S. from Iran with her Mother in 1978, who wanted to raise her children in the United States for a better education. Ahrablou got hers at Santa Monica High School and College, all the while working at restaurants, with an eye on opening her own. She even worked at the very space that now houses her Grille, back when it was called "Rotisserie Del Rey"! She had a feeling about the space even then, but it would take a few more years of working at Baja Cantina before she could raise the funds for her own place. 

Once Ahrablou found the means and the space, it was a LOT of hard work put in by her own family to make her dream a reality. She would listen to the Gipsy Kings, and she could see the colors of the place, and taste the food that she would serve. It would be a Caribbean concept, as she loved the brightness and flavors of that culture, and the idea that it did always feel like a getaway. There were plenty of naysayers, but that only gave Ahrablou the fuel to keep going and get it done, and Mercede's Grille has been serving up the good times ever since the doors opened.

Though in business for almost 20 years now (May 28 is their 18th Anniversary!), Ahrablou always keeps things fresh. She learned how to make sushi and opened Naked Sushi in 2005 right next door to her Grille. That was great and delicious until 2009, when Ahrablou decided there were enough sushi places around, and transformed Naked Sushi into her wine bar, Bin 73, which it remains today. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new phase at Mercede's Grille, as Mercede's Late Night Supper Club kicks up its heels off and gets down!

I say heels because this is going to be a classy affair ... think Ricky Ricardo's Club Babalu. A few years ago, Ahrablou and I went to Costa Rica together to work on a cook book for her restaurant (that we still need to finish!). We had a layover in Miami and we seriously thought about trying to get into Havana from there, as both of us are absolutely fiending to go. Things had not yet opened up with Cuban/American relations though, so we had to settle for the Versailles stand in the airport. But a seed was planted, and tomorrow night is the launch of the Cuban style Supper Club Ahrablou has been picturing ever since.

It's fun to dress up, and it's fun to have somewhere to go to do it. Lots of restaurants in the area tend to close the kitchen early, but the Supper Club will be serving GOOD food until late. We've all grown up (a little), and this is the kind of scene that will be for the grown ups. I imagine it will be dress up and elegant, and then as the night goes, the heels will be kicked off and the dancing will happen until close. I can't wait.

As Mercede's Grille has been such a big part of the community over the years, I asked Ahrablou what she thought of all the changes going on around town these days. "People are getting pushed out," she said. "If we don't support the people and places we love, they'll go away. I've seen more people than ever at The Roosterfish (closing for good next week) ... but what if all of them had been there all along?" A right question to ask. She went on to throw down some more truth, saying, "Venice will always be Venice - you can't touch that, because our roots will always be here. Like any religion (which she believes Venice to be, and I love that), we'll always stand our ground. It's the truth." Yeah.

A few years ago, one of Ahrablou's employees, Guillermo Carmona-Perez, was murdered after work. It was awful, but the way the entire community came together to support his family in an outpouring of support that still brings tears to Ahrablou's eyes. "We all need each other when things fall apart. Grasp yourselves and your neighbors close, because you're going to need each other at some point." So true, and I think a big reason why "Community" is always the main reason people state that they love the most about our Venice. Those are the people that really get it.

Ahrablou walks the beach and does the surf check every morning with her little daughter, Tallah Tiger, and that time is sacred to her. "Anyone who has lived in Venice knows that it is an earned blessing." An earned blessing. I think that's a great way to think of it ... and all the more reason to protect and cherish it.

Mercede's Late Night Supper Club is going to be yet another thing to love about Venice, and yet another thing to make it special. Start thinking about your outfit, maybe tuck a flower behind your ear. and let's kick up our heels together at our own little slice of Havana right here in Venice!

Mercede's Late Night Supper Club
14 Washington Boulevard
Venice
Mercedesgrille.com
10pm - 1 am, Thursday through Sunday

Sunday Get It Done Day

What a great Sunday we just threw down. It was one of those days that was so nice out and so great feeling, that you just had to cram in as much good fun as you possibly could. After perfect coffee in the bright sunshine at The French Market, it was on to perfect Bloodies at very dark interior of The Townhouse. It was far too nice out to stay inside (though it was very tempting, George), so we blinked our way back out into the ideal beach day.

The water is so warm right now (almost tropical, I swear. You people that don't swim in the ocean because it's too cold, it's bliss right now, and one of the great pleasures of living near the coast. Go!) that we got right in - and stayed in. The only reason good enough to get out was that the ice cream guy was pushing his cart down the sand, and that hard work needs to be rewarded. And a Bomb Pop must be had to officially commence Summertime.

After that sheer delight, we dried off in the sun for a little while and then pedaled over to Mercede's Grille, where they were celebrating their Sweet 16th Anniversary with a proper Jamaican-themed party.

Cesario Montano was spinning all the very best reggae, and all the drinks that began with an "M" were half price. Moscow Mules, Margaritas, and Mojitos went down smoothly, and were the perfect accompaniment to the all jerk menu (the flavor, not the clientele). Yum.

The divine Miss M (Mercede Ahrablou) was the stunning hostess, and made the rounds of the place, accepting congratulations for keeping this end of Washington Boulevard so much fun for all these years.

The staff was in full rasta mode, sporting the knit hats with rasta dreads attached, and having a blast as they attended to the packed house of revelers.

I could have wiled away the entire afternoon and evening there, but we had a Devo show to get to!

The Wiltern was packed with the Devo faithful, and the old punk jams from the band's basement years were a special treat for the fans, many of whom (more Venice on the east side!) dressed the part.

I could have packed even more in, as this is that time of the year when there is always too much fun going on to do it all. Very good problems to have.

I hope your Sunday was awesome too ... and that the rest of our Summer Sundays keep topping themselves. Go!