The Cahuenga Corridor has been the home of the Elevated Group World Headquarters (our office), for about 4 years now, and other than Popeye’s and a few hole in the wall shops, it’s a pretty dull area.In the midst of this recession I have watched the transformation of the streets I travel daily.Far from complete Cahuenga is beginning to become a staple in Hollywood.Already home to Ritual and Sugar, new clubs like Ecco and Citizen Smith are attracting a lot of attention.With the mystery of a few incomplete projects still masked by there boarded windows, there is a lot to look forward to.With a Pinkberry around the corner on Hollywood and Kitchen 24 supplying food non stop, the Caheunga Corridor is on the come up yet most impressive addition to the area is not Big Wangs, but Space 1520.
Seemingly overnight, I watched an empty building turn into a entirely unique shopping area.I remember driving by a large empty building, that could be view from both Cahuenga and Ivar, a dull grey with a for sale sign, that existed my entire time working in Hollywood.I always thought if I had millions I could do something fresh with the space.Sure enough some one beat me to it, and Space1520 is now home to an Urban Outfitters, Alife, Snack Bar and an Art Gallery.Some pretty fresh stuff in there, you might want to leave your wallet in the car.
The week ahead…Thanksgiving…
While I enjoy the fact that holidays allow time for me to spend with my family, I especially like the fact that I can get ahead or catch up by doing some work while everyone else is taking time to relax. This year Thanksgiving Week couldn’t start off any better, than with champagne toasts and some sexy burlesque dancing. Monday night Elle Bon Claire will bless Hollywood with a show at Hush Lounge adding some spice to a short week.
Before we all partake in digesting Turkey Day favorites like stuffing, mac & cheese, and and the variety of pies, we must party to celebrate a day off, so Wednesday Ritual Supper Club will be home to our Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration.
Since Black Friday provides an opportunity for people to rush out and spend money they don’t have, we bring you the Recession Special at Element, with an open bar, and some other treats. All in all it promises to be a good week, Be Thankful.
Movie Premier: Haunted House of Chronic
“Puff puff pass Craig” (c) Smokey. While I am drug free, i always get a laugh out of movies with comedic stoners and even my pops played one in “Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke.” Tuesday The Haunted House of Chronic will premier The Bridge including a happy hour and a post party. In the spirit of Friday and Harold & Kumar, this movie promises to be be quite funny.
VIP Reception 6:30pm | Movie 8pm | After Movie Reception 9:30pm
Southern Cali Live…
In 2006, Nas became a musical generations Ebenezer Scrooge when he declared, “Hip Hop is dead”.And with ring-tone artist breaking records and making millions, it’s a tough case to argue against. Thankfully for you residents of Southern Cali it’s been resurrected, along with R&B who was on a deathbed of its own.
Check out the list below for dates and take a trip through Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul and Funk – Past, Present and Future– just in times for the holidays. Visit Tickemaster for more information regarding tickets and showtimes.
Johnny Gill, Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant | Greek Theater | 11.9
Method Man/Redman and Guests | HoB – Sunset | 11.11
Lupe Fiasco | Club Nokia | 11.12
Q-Tip w/ Special Guests | HoB – Sunset | 11.15
Usher | Club Nokia | 11.19
Maze ft. Frankie Beverly| Riverside Municipal Auditorium | 11.21
Ludacris | Claremont Colleges | 11.22
Shwazy | Roxy Theater | 11.24
Eric Benet | HoB – Sunset | 11.26
Nas | Club Nokia | 11.26
Bell Biv Devoe | HoB – Sunset | 11.28
The Temptations | Gibson Amphitheater | 11.28
Bone Thugs N Harmony | Club Nokia | 11.30
Jeffrey Osborne | Grove of Anaheim | 12.3
Wu Tang Clan | HoB – Sunset | 12.4
Meshell Ndegeocello/The Coup | HoB – Sunset | 12.8
Anthony Hamilton | Hob – Anaheim | 12.11
Murs | El Rey Theater | 12.11
Keith Sweat, Guy, Toni Tony Tone | Gibson Amphitheater | 12.20
George Clinton and Parliament| Club Nokia | 1.2
The 2008 Presidential Election has been one of the most historic and interesting campaigns I have seen or read about. With new social networks and media outlets, we have seen the new age campaigning develop right before our eyes.
Over at the Elevated Group we have been working on our Paint the White House Black project, and in the spirit of newspaper, magazine, celebrity and political endorsements I felt it necessary to go on record and officially endorse BARACK OBAMA for the next President of the United States. Being that our project revolves around the Limited Edition T-Shirt and Blog, I wanted to give my rating on the Top 10 Obama T-shirts, from both major and boutique brands. Check out the list below and let me know what you think.
Though I am a firm believer that it is “tricking” whether you got it or not, this post isn’t about that. It is that time of year where you can dress up and act up, and Hollywood Weirdos can mix in with the rest of the world. I have my costumes lined up for the weekend and though i wont be tricking or treating, i will be hitting a few parties.
We will be kicking off Halloween a day early with a special costume party celebrating the birthday’s of Jackie Long and Jennifer Freeman. On the 31st, Mood Night Club will be the location for all of the Halloween night debauchery and unless you plan on staying in the house and re-enacting the Thriller video all night, hit the streets early, cause Hollywood will surely be a circus.
Recognizing the technological and internet driven times we live in, The Ritz recently hosted a live Bloggers only preview of the residences and of course your boy Blog-E (E-Nuff.Info coming soon, pause) held it down for the Elevated Crew with G. Vitte. With a full model home that will make Tony Stark hate, premium open bar and a 5-course buffet dinner catered by a man who shall remain nameless, there was no room for me to complain.
Despite the fact that the housing market has sent the global economy to hell, somebody has already bought more than a QUARTER BILLION worth of the 224 residences. This was the only number mentioned – I suppose individual home prices are on a “Need to Know” basis.
My guess however, is not cheap with its top-of-the-line high-end features and appointments plus the buildings amenities such as the private heated rooftop pool, state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, 24-hour concierge, valet parking and how could one forget – views of the mountains, the ocean, and the city! Not to mention the fact that residents also get advanced and VIP access to L.A. Live events and venues and that you would be living 27+ stories atop a 4 and 5 star hotel and small city.
So in the spirit of promoting the Elevated mantra of “Hustle Hard. Eat Well. Live Elevated,” be sure to send an invite to your house warming. Move-in is slated to begin around January 2010.
Case of the Monday’s???
While most of the world dreads Mondays, I happen to enjoy the start of a fresh week. Monday Night Football and a hot party can really set things off right. This Monday, the JL Boys (Jerry Lorenzo & Javier Laval) will be celebrating both of their birthdays at one of Hollywood’s hottest venues, Area. Knowing these guys, I am sure of a few things, capacity will be reached early and there will be a large flock of “birds” in attendance. DJ Vice will be on the tables as a special guest, and there will be plenty of flashing lights so dress to be seen.
Friday Night…Downtown LA…(venue change)
While the site is elevatedla.com most events we share are based in Hollywood and surrounding areas, but I finally have the opportunity to share something that is going down this Friday in Downtown LA.While we see the construction and hear about a new Downtown movement, I can finally saw I have seen it for my self.Last week at a live-blogging event at the Ritz Residences and this week at Versus Night Club for a walk thru for Friday’s event.I must say that I am impressed and look forward to some alternative avenues for entertainment once Downtown is complete.
Versus Nigh Club, is located inside the old Los Angeles Stock Exchange Building and is very fresh.A unique venue, different and much larger than the Hollywood standard, but my observations where with the lights on, and in most situations things look better with the lights are off, so when the doors open Friday night, I look forward to the experience.
A double event, beginning at 9pm, LRG will show off its fall threads along with a few other brands, with music by DJ Irie and hosted by Travis Mccoy from Gym Class Heroes.If you are familiar with the Afro Pick above then you know what the second part of the night will be.?uestlove of the Roots will deejay and host a voter registration party, preparing California for it’s registration deadline October 20th.Look out forPaint The White House Black during the event,I hear there might be a few surprises throughout the night.Hit up Kenya at kchaney@rkentertainmentgroup.com for the guest list, and holler if you see me at Versus.
One of my biggest problems with this SoCal relocation is the lack of good ‘ole fashion dirty south music. The songs you hear in the club before the radio or video. The songs you hear in the strip club before the club. The heavy hitting bass lines that you feel in your chest (pause), that make cats riding with factory turn it up like they got beat in their trunks.
Enter the “Aint I” remix by Yung L.A. ft Young Dro and T.I., a song that I will personally lobby to get played in Hollywood. With my cultural connections to home fading like McCain in the polls, this video was the highlight of my week – depressing I know.
It aint ground breaking Hip-Hop…Yung Leland Austin (despite the Mohawk, Yung L.A. indeed has no affiliation with Los Angeles) raps about what he has and what he does. Young Dro raps about what he has, what he does, and who is on the song. T.I. raps about what he has, what he does, who he is, where he is, where he’s going and community service.
AND IT KNOCKS!
With Clifford’s “Countdown to Lockdown” already begun, be on the lookout for Yung L.A. to fill the PSC/Grand Hustle void that Young Dro has had trouble with.
