CP NEWS: LA Speakeasies

[ddm-news]

Los Angeles is all about the hidden spots.

My friends are deep in the artist community here. There are several very successful artists downtown, and clustered around them are several galleries, and an entire scene of hidden events.

The best artist secret hideout is this art gallery called . The Gallery was originally a Chinese speakeasy back in the day.

There is a mailing list they maintain, of the "in crowd." Each week, a secret password gets sent out, and its always something like "tom's birthday." You can add your name to the mailing list 100 times, but one never seems to get e-mailed the actual password. We rely on Dale, our regular downtown expert. I feel like after 6 years of throwing warehouse bangers I should be on the list. That just goes to show no matter how cool you are, a pretty woman can still find more hidden places than you.

When you go to the building, it's in the heart of downtown LA. You park, go to the back, and for all the world it looks like a deserted private art gallery. You say the password, and get through the door. There's maybe 2 people, wandering the white walled gallery, looking at some radical pieces of post modern art.

Then, you turn the corner, and something straight out of a movie greets your eyes.

There is a staircase. Normally, the staircase leads up to a second floor. That's its normal function. But tonight, it's in secret hideout mode. By a crazy series of levers and wires, the entire staircase is raised up in the air, revealing a hidden staircase down. The sound of jazz music greets you, as you descend the staircase. A strange smell sweeps up at you- cigarette smoke. Since the law was passed, you never small cigarettes in bars in LA.

How many countless people have gathered at this cavernous hideout? Illegal Chinese poker games, Drinks and dancing throughout the roaring 20's... and now yourself, discovering this gem of a space, far from the authorities prying eyes.

Several dim rooms, a Hooka in the corner, and at the far end of the room--the bar. Cute hipster girls sling drinks out of some coolers, a puppy sleeps behind the counter. Through a rough brick archway, a live band plays a funky beat, with the horn belting out the melody.

I am hanging out with the LA DECOM team. We've just finished our first meeting for the 06 decom, coming up October 14th. It is the official Burning Man regional event. We're closing down several streets in downtown LA, and usually draw about 5,000 people. We do it playa style. Theme camps come in, deck out the street with art, sound systems, wild performance art, and show the locals how to really party. I’m in charge of organizing all the performance stages.

Right as I'm on my second drink, deep in a philosophical conversation about where Burner events are headed, a fight breaks out. Ahhh yes, it's a wild night at the speakeasy as glasses go flying.

Security grabs the guy, and start dragging the drunkard out. He puts up a little fight, but gets wrestled to the ground quickly. They slap the hand cuffs on him. I'm actually impressed by the security- no punches are thrown, only judo holds. Very professional for this joint.

Off he goes, the music starts back up, and laughter once again fills the air.

I feel like an extra in the space cantina bar scene from Star Wars. The only thing missing is Han Solo flipping the bartender some coin to clean up the mess.

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