Sam Smith Concert at the Greek Theatre LA

For Jimmy's birthday I bought him Sam Smith tickets.  I remembered at Coachella Jimmy was so excited when Sam Smith when he came on during the Disclosure set as a guest.  I could recall his smile and energy as we pushed our way closer to the stage. 

When I learned that Sam Smith was coming to LA I hunted for tickets and only lucked out when Sam Smith released a second day.  I was day dreaming about keeping it a secret until we were in front of the venue.  A couple of weeks before the date, Jimmy asked me if I wanted to go to the concert because our friend had two extra tickets.  Well fuck.  The jig was up and I told him I got him tickets for his birthday.  So much for it being a surprise. 

We didn't take many pictures.  My iPhone 4S is terrible in low light, but the only important picture is the one of us.  Everything else I was able to snag off instagram.  Thank you hashtag and geotags!  The credit for these pictures are in the file name.

If only we were this close!  But Jimmy and I got pretty good seats.  Better seats than what our friends were offering.  Heehee.

Though I suppose no seat in the house is that terrible.  The Greek is a great outdoor venue.  Go LA!  Though there were these two really drunk older ladies.  One fell over when she tried to grab her phone when she dropped it in the row in front of her.  "Do you need help?" responded the tween in front of her.  Hilarious. 

Sam Smith had everyone pull out their cellphones to light up the theater.  Pretty magical.

I took this video. So sweet. Sam Smith announced that aside from Stevie Wonder he prefers female diva singers. Which is why he did that cover of Whitney Houston. He's amazing live - lots of chills.  Here is a longer version.

Afterward we enjoyed a slice of Strawberry Pie at House of Pies in Los Feliz until Prime Time for Lyft was over.  Happy Birthday Jimmy.

Robyn + Royksopp

We checked out the Robyn and Royksopp concert at the Hollywood Bowl and made an evening out of it.  We had tons of amazing food and consumed it in hidden picnic area 7 towards the top.  We feasted.  Unfortunately our boxed wine + 2 bottles was not enough and we were dry 1/3 in.  But no worries.  It was still an awesome show!

The Hollywood Bowl venue is one of a kind. I just wish it was connected to public transit. Though there have been many times were we've been lucky enough to park at the right spot for quickest exit. For now tandem parking and shuttle buses parked in street islands will have to do!

September Concerts and Performances

Andrew invited me to Live Arts Exchange (LAX) which a show case of contemporary home-grown performance emerging out of Los Angeles.

According to the website, these "innovative artists and independent companies in LA, creates social events that encourage cross-genre hangouts, and provides opportunity for peer to peer critique."

I was in awe at the entire experience which was very intimately held at the Bootleg Theater down the street from my house.  I was sitting at ground level.. the dancers could have kicked my face if they wanted too.

We didn't expect the performance to be so visual, I only had my iPhone to capture this and I'm a bit sad that we were late to the event.  The piece above was so sensual, the guy and girl had some much chemistry my breath was taken away.  There were moments when I couldn't believe that these people were human.  They were so elegant, passionate... beautiful.  Wow.

In September I also saw the XX at the Hollywood bowl.  The visual effects were so bright that I had to wear sunglasses like an idiot to enjoy the show.  The XX reminds me of my days riding the bus when my car was totaled.  The music is mellow and I has a calming effect that helped me clear my mind while I rushed to the next stop.

There is an annual industry event that I have fond memories of back in the day when I started working in LA.   These memories included over drinking and being regretfully social.  Regretful because I couldn't remember who I talked to.. if only business cards all had faces on them... and a record of the conversation.  This event at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip is a Battle of the Bands.... I took note of a cute pianist who I later found at the bar and purchased him a drink on the company tab.  I was networking... he could be a potential client.  He was grateful since he works in web design and never gets treated out.

Afterward, we took our car to Thai Patio where my coworker bowed to his Thai dessert and my other coworkers slow danced in the aisle.  I can't take these people anywhere.

The Space Between Us - janet Echelman photo by Mike Ryan

I also checked out Santa Monica GLOW which was terrible.  Too many people and a lot of wandering - everyone looked lost and disappointed.  The pieces were so far a part from each other that I was too tired to really enjoy them when I finally arrived.  Good try West Side.

Gaga Loves you for being Freaky (not bitchy)

Went to the Lady Gaga concert and I should have dressed up, but there was NO TIME!  Instead some drugged up fans gave me their sunglasses on a stick.  Good enough.  Gaga so talented and very entertaining.  I enjoy it when she has rough sex with the grand piano.

Concert was pretty good.  -insert concert photos here-.  I'm actually not really into concerts.  I'd rather listen to the studio version of the songs and skip when I'm tired of the song.  Plus I get tired of standing and being smashed by 'tweens.  I'd probably enjoy a recording of the concert more.

My team is all women now and I... I have a lot to say about that, but will refrain as to not appear so sexist, and summarize by saying that I appreciate a little dichotomy in my work place. But these Gaga Monster fingers describe the situation the best... please retract your claws.

We made friends with the hotdog man. 10 please!
Speaking of food, I added some notes about Korean Burgers and Vietnamese Banh Cuon on my previous entry.