Reyner Banham Loves LA: The Lowdown on Downtown tour August 28, 2011

LAVA's August wild weekend packs Downtown Los Angeles with unique cultural programs

WHAT: From Friday, August 26 through Sunday, August 28, , members of LAVA (The Los Angeles Visionaries Association) present a series of eclectic cultural happenings: Al Guerrero's once-a-year Richard Ramirez - Night Stalker walking tour, Esotouric's revealing "Lowdown on Downtown" historic bus and walking tour, a rare presentation of Ross Lipman's of "The Book of Paradise Has No Author" (as part of "Inquiry Towards the Practice of Secular Magic") and LAVA's 18th monthly Sunday Salon featuring a preview of Al Guerrero's Night Stalker tour and musical performances from The Ukulady and Ruthann Friedman.
COST: LAVA's Sunday Salon is always free, other events ticketed at $10-$58 (details below)
LOCATION: Various (details below). LAVA's Sunday Salon always happens at Clifton's Cafeteria, 648 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014.
MORE INFO: http://lavatransforms.org and the individual links below

LOS ANGELES- Have you heard about LAVA? The Los Angeles Visionaries Association is a creative consortium of artists, musicians, writers, storytellers and filmmakers who since February 2010 have come together on the last Sunday of the month for a free cultural lunch Salon at Clifton's Cafeteria, in addition to sharing their far-flung activities on a community calendar.

Created by Richard Schave and Kim Cooper—the busy married couple who lead historical bus tours under the Esotouric flag ("The Real Black Dahlia," "Raymond Chandler's L.A."), successfully campaigned to save the endangered 76 Balls, Charles Bukowski's house and L.A.'s Public Libraries, put the Downtown Art Walk into a non-profit, and most recently assembled a collective of the region's best independent tour guides at www.7DaysinLA.com -- LAVA is fast establishing itself as one of the city's most intriguing arts collectives, with a calendar packed with compelling, offbeat urban events and a growing list of notable Visionary contributors.

And during the last weekend in August, the LAVA calendar shines with a series of fascinating events reflecting the group's eclectic diversity, with something to delight and inspire anybody looking for a memorable outing. The events play out in this order...

EVENT #1: Friday, August 26, 8:30pm-11pm (repeats Saturday, August 27) – LAVA Visionary Ross Lipman presents "The Book of Paradise Has No Author" as part of "Inquiry Towards the Practice of Secular Magic" (presented by Los Angeles Filmforum and the Disembodied Theater Corporation at piXel (+) freQuency (931 E Pico Blvd. STE 202 Los Angeles, CA 90021, $10)
INFO/RESERVATIONS: http://lavatransforms.org/inquiry826

ABOUT INQUIRY TOWARDS THE PRACTICE OF SECULAR MAGIC: Secular magic is the alchemical act of transmuting everyday life into fiction, and vice versa. The traveling, continually evolving Inquiry examines actions both State-sanctioned and autonomous, and includes live cinema performances, archival documents, films, artworks, and artifacts. EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVE: strange objects, questionable events, and unknown histories in a bewildering tapestry of transfigured reality! This is a BYOS event: Bring Your Own Seating! There are some chairs and sofas, but not enough. Plenty of floor space, so small folding chairs, cushions and blankets encouraged. Floor is hard so bring something comfortable. The proceedings include: Ross Lipman's THE BOOK OF PARADISE HAS NO AUTHOR, a live documentary on the Cave People of the Philippines; Marcy Saude’s illustrated lecture on George Van Tassel, inventor of the Integratron; Stephen Berkman’s authentic contemporary Ambrotypes; Luke's embryonic brains as nightmare; Liz Goetz's "astronomically correct" cut-out star quilt; Anjali Sundaram's reseach on the legendary Daughter of Kong; Nina Hoechtl’s video installation on the Emperor and Empress of Mexico, Maximilian and Carlota,
and their strange relationship to the comedian Cantinflas; Inna-Marie Strazhnik’s medical illustrations and astounding prosthetic eye; and live music and sounds by Eric Potter

EVENT #2: Saturday, August 27, 11am-3pm - Esotouric presents twice-a-year "Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles: The Lowdown on Downtown" bus and walking tour (departs from Cafe Metropol, 923 E. 3rd. Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013, $58)
INFO/RESERVATIONS: http://esotouric.com/lowdown

ABOUT THE LOWDOWN ON DOWNTOWN: Join your host, Esotouric's Richard Schave, the founding director of the Downtown LA Art Walk non-profit, on a tour that reveals the secret history, and the fascinating future, of this most beguiling LA neighborhood. This is a tour about the populated, vibrant mid-20th Century Downtown Los Angeles you've only heard about, and about the 21st Century Downtown which will rise again with a richness of heritage and quality of life that leaves natives and visitors gaping in disbelief. This is a tour about Downtown's invisible neighborhoods and great public spaces which managed to escape the wrecking ball. This is a tour about how gentrification sprung up on the city's meanest streets, with all the conflicts that go along with a major socio-economic shift in a small community. This is a tour about the real Los Angeles, the city even natives don't know.

Get on the bus for the real Lowdown on Downtown, as no one but Esotouric's Richard Schave can reveal it. Our tour begins in the corporate public spaces of Bunker Hill and Pershing Square, each the result of deliberate social engineering (the razing of old Bunker Hill which displaced 9,000 residents; the elimination of positive public space in Pershing Square to thwart public address and gatherings). We segue to the underappreciated yet extremely successful public spaces of the Historic Core and then to the emerging live/work community of The Old Bank District, where developer Tom Gilmore’s gentrification and the popular monthly Art Walk are bringing life to spaces which have been dead for decades. The tour concludes in the DIY loft spaces of the Arts District for a reception at an artist's gallery.

Having studied under architecture critic Reyner Banham in the mid-1980s, tour host Richard Schave has taken it upon himself to correct his teacher’s gross oversight of downtown Los Angeles, relegated to a dismissive coda in his seminal Los Angeles guidebook Los Angeles: A Study of Four Ecologies.. Richard and his wife Kim Cooper work extensively with the history and lost cultures of downtown in their bus tours, in their work for Art Walk, on blogs including On Bunker Hill and 1947project, and through public lectures on the subject.

This tour has a significant walking component, down the stairs along Angels Flight, around Pershing Square, through several other pedestrian locations. It is broken up, but please be advised to be ready to stretch your legs. Locations on the tour include: Angels Flight, Grand Central Market, Mercantile Arcade Building, Bloom's General Store and a visit to artist Dave Hollen's studio.

EVENT #3: Sunday, August 28, 12-2pm - LAVA's free monthly Sunday Salon features musical performances from '60s pop legend Ruthann Friedman and "human muppet" The Ukulady, and local historian Al Guerrero on the social history of the 1984-85 Night Stalker murder spree (upstairs at Clifton's Cafeteria, 648 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, free)
SALON INFO: http://lavatransforms.org/salon811

ABOUT THE AUGUST LAVA'S SUNDAY SALON: On the last Sunday of each month, LAVA welcomes interested individuals to gather on the third floor of the historic Clifton's Cafeteria in Downtown Los Angeles (noon-2pm), for a loosely structured conversational Salon featuring short presentations and opportunities to meet and connect with one another. If you're interested in joining LAVA as a creative contributor or an attendee, we recommend Salon attendance as an introduction to this growing community. We also recommend the shortbread.

Special program at the August 28 Salon:

LAVA Visionary and Salon favorite THE UKULADY & The Evil Sandwiches return to L.A. after a triumphant and adventure-filled residency in Barra De Navidad Mexico! Dubbed "the Love Child of Pee Wee Herman and Cyndi Lauper," The Ukulady will share songs and stories of Mexico, L.A. and their cultural similarities and differences, plus interactive crafting and photo-ops with the Unicorndog, The Evil Sandwich & Dr. Steve Chicken!

LAVA Visionary RUTHANN FRIEDMAN wrote the early bubble-pop anthem "Windy" for The Association while crashed out on Crosby’s couch, swung with Zappa’s crew, and she almost got that Jefferson Airplane vocalist slot before bitch goddess Grace slunk in. Ruthann’s 1970 LP Constant Companion is a recording of sublime beauty and abstract folky ruminations which should’ve sent ol’ Joni running to Essra Mohawk and Judee Sill for consolation (and inspiration!) — but sadly recognition was a long time in coming. Friedman’s lone 45, "Carry On (Glittering Dancer)" is another bit of genius, fleshed out by captivating Van Dyke Parks arrangements a la Smile or Song Cycle. At the Sunday Salon, Ruthann will sing reflections of her life growing up in Los Angeles in the fifties and sixties, and let you in on intimate personal stories that have a universal appeal. Accompanied by her own guitar and the bass playing of David Jenkins, she bridges the gap between generations.

Local artist and historian AL GUERRERO is the LAVA Visionary behind the "Richard Ramirez - Night Stalker Walking Tour." For the Sunday Salon, he will be conducting a short presentation and discussion on this bloody chapter of L.A. crime history. Attendees will experience a chilling narrative of the fear and terror that gripped the Los Angeles area during the fearful, hot summer 1985, during the Night Stalker’s wave of terror. Al will share first-hand accounts and reveal little known facts and gruesome details of the case, including details about the Night Stalker's haunts in the downtown area surrounding the Salon. Immediately following the Sunday Salon, Al Guerroro's "Richard Ramirez - Night Stalker Walking Tour" will depart from Clifton's Cafeteria--advance reservations suggested—this will sell out.

EVENT #4: Sunday, August 28, 2:15pm-6:15pm– LAVA Visionary Al Guerrero hosts "Richard Ramirez - Night Stalker walking tour" (departs from Clifton's Cafeteria, 648 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, $20/ advance reservations suggested)
INFO/RESERVATIONS: http://lavatransforms.org/nightstalker2011

ABOUT RICHARD RAMIREZ – NIGHT STALKER WALKING TOUR: On August 30th 1985, Richard Ramirez, the satanic serial killer and rapist named "The Night Stalker," was chased down, beaten and captured by an angry mob in East Los Angeles, California. His bloody rampage came to an end on that August morning as angry blows crashed down upon his head to the cries of "Es El! El Maton!" ("It's HIM! The Killer!"). Bloodied and dazed, Ramirez begged for the mercy he never granted his victims, and ironically, he thanked God and the arriving rookie Deputy Sheriff for saving his life. On this tour we will retrace Ramirez's last fateful steps leading to his arrest and capture. We will follow the chronicles of his crimes within the living backdrop of the actual streets, stores and neighborhoods that once bore the shadows of "The Night Stalker." We will walk the path of his final run and meet the unassuming heroes who ultimately lifted the bloody veil of horror from a terrified, sleepless city in that sweltering summer, the hottest summer L.A. had experienced in 100 years.

Tour guide Al Guerrero says "This tour’s journey actually began 26 years ago. During the Hellishly hot summer of 1985, when nightfall brought only sleepless fear, bloody nightmares, cold sweat, and doors and windows locked tight, Richard Ramirez, “The Night Stalker,” became a part of my psyche on many levels. Ramirez and I were born within two years of each other, and raised within a few blocks of each other in El Paso, Texas. Decades later, his path of death would cross my very own East Los Angeles neighborhood. We feared his shadow lurking on our streets, as mere minutes away, he prowled and killed in the neighboring cities of Monterey Park and Whittier. Richard Ramirez was the reason my parents installed security windows on our home. I often, unknowingly, surely crossed paths with Ramirez as we both frequented the same downtown L.A. locations within the very same time period. His capture within a few miles of my home involved friends I’ve known for most of my life. My family and the rest of the city of L.A. experienced "The Night Stalker’s" terror during that blistering summer in 1985, and it seems that I have been formulating this tour ever since. In 2010, on the 25th anniversary of Richard Ramirez’ capture, the time had come to stir the demons of the Night Stalker’s satanic legacy once more…"

After the overwhelming response to last year’s sold-out 25th Anniversary Night Stalker Tour, and having completed work this year as creative consultant for a U.K. documentary based on the life of Richard Ramirez, Al Guerrero will re-embark on a 2011 tour narrative based on extensive research and interviews with the principal players of "The Night Stalker" case, including the late author Philip Carlo, Homicide detective Gil Carrillo, indirect communication with Ramirez himself, and surprising new revelations from the residents of East L.A.'s Hubbard Street who were responsible for the killer's capture.

Tour guests will be chilled by the shadow of “The Night Stalker” as we explore one of the most horrifying and terror filled chapters in Los Angeles crime lore. For more info, visit http://nightstalkertour.blogspot.com/

Prior to the tour, Al Guerrero will give a short LAVA Salon presentation on "The Night Stalker" case and the experience of living through L.A.’s “summer of fear.” Following the presentation, the tour will embark from Clifton’s Cafeteria after the 2 p.m. conclusion of LAVA Salon. This event was a complete sell-out last year, so reservations are strongly recommended. Also, guests are advised as to the graphic nature of some portions of the tour.

ABOUT LAVA: Through participation in LAVA, a select group of creative professionals come together to promote cultural programming that speaks to the urban experience while promoting positive public space. LAVA's creative partners share a love for L.A. and unique ideas for exploring it in their work. Formed by social historians RICHARD SCHAVE and KIM COOPER -- proprietors of Esotouric bus adventures and the 1947project time travel blog series (including On Bunker Hill and In SRO Land) -- LAVA brings together L.A.'s most visionary promoters, artists, writers and thinkers. The first crop of Visionaries in the growing curated community includes cultural chronicler ADRIENNE CREW, artist and Eastside historian AL GUERRERO, Cacophony Society co-founder AL RIDENOUR, avant garde fashion maven A. LAURA BRODY, poet/publisher ALEIDA RODRIGUEZ, back-to-nature pioneer ALICIA BAY LAUREL, filmmaker ALLISON ANDERS, writer/curator ALLON SCHOENER, designer/mom of Chicken Boy AMY INOUYE, custom tours maven ANNE BLOCK, documentarian/radio producer ANTHEA RAYMOND, pop culture historian BECKY EBENKAMP, ethnomusicologist BETO GONZALEZ, puppeteer BOB BAKER, tile historian BRIAN KAISER, producer/promoter CHRISTIAN VOLTAIRE MEOLI, cultural events programmer CHRISTINA GALANTE, musician COUNT SMOKULA, performance artist CRIMEBO THE CLOWN, writer/Libros Schmibros proprietor DAVID KIPEN, sculptor DONALD GIALANELLA, forensic scientist/educator DONALD JOHNSON, author/educator DOROTHY RANDALL GRAY, artist ELENA MARY SIFF, documentarian ELIJAH DRENNER, conversation curator ERIC VOLLMER, social connector EVONNE HEYNING, musician/performance artist FEATHERBEARD, photographer GARY LEONARD, pop critic/outsider artist GENE SCULATTI, musician/artist GEORGE EARTH, songsmith HARVEY SID FISHER, theater director HOLLY WITHAM, musician/writer IAN WHITCOMB, food blogger JAVIER CABRAL, urban explorer (Ranger) JENNY PRICE, filmmaker JEREMY KASTEN, musician JIMI CABEZA DE VACA, social historian JOAN RENNER, writer/artist JOE OESTERLE, writer JOHN BUNTIN, filmmaker JON ALLOWAY, documentarian JOHN DULLAGHAN, Musso & Frank co-owner JORDAN JONES, performance artist JULES ROCHIELLE, curator JULIE RICO, "Kristin's List" cultural chronicler KRISTIN BEDFORD, songstress/prognosticator MADAME PAMITA, esoteric scholar MAJA D'AOUST, author/broadcaster MANNY PACHECO, performer McCRISTOL HARRIS, visual artist MELVIN HALE, journalist MICHAEL LINDER, photographic archivist MICHAEL RISNER, President of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes MIGUEL ANGEL CORZO, poet/dancer MONA JEAN CEDAR, architectural historian NATHAN MARSAK, writer NEAL POLLOCK, theater director NICHOLAS HOSKING, L.A. Historic Theater Foundation rep NICK MATONAK, music producer NO'A WINTER LAZERUS, musician OCTAVIUS, writer /photographer /musician PAUL K, peace activist PAUL NUGENT of the Aetherius Society, 3-D photography expert RAY 3D ZONE, historic ghost seeker RICHARD CARRADINE, artist/musician RICH POLYSORBATE 60, filmmaker/preservationist ROSS LIPMAN, singer-songwriter RUTHANN FRIEDMAN, ghost hunter SARAH TROOP, social networking mistress SHAWNA DAWSON, painter/gallerist SUSAN DOBAY, artist/writer/activist SUSANNA DAKIN, Warhol star and writer TERE TEREBA, sculptor TOM WALKER, musical entertainer THE UKULADY, and hat designer YASMIN DIXON.

Applications from prospective LAVA members are being taken at http://lavatransforms.org/apply

To learn more about LAVA, please visit http://www.lavatransforms.org

Official Website: http://www.esotouric.com