LOS ANGELES (May 2022) – Spring is in full bloom in Los Angeles! As global visitors continue planning trips to the City of Angels there’s no better time to experience the countless new restaurants, attractions and trends sprouting in the city. Spring’s new life and revitalization is apparent throughout the region with an abundance of brand-new properties like Short Stories opening their doors, museums like the Natural History Museum celebrating the wonders of nature and beloved spots like The Bourbon Roomback in bloom after closing due to COVID.
HOTELS
Trends: There’s a new hotel product near The Grove, offering visitors to L.A. a walkable base to explore one of our most popular neighborhoods on foot. Plus, spring packages offer new ways for an L.A. escape.
RECENTLY OPENED
Short Stories (Mid-Wilshire)
April
Short Stories is a new 66-room hotel, restaurant and bar featuringcontemporary guest rooms, a full-service destination restaurant, outdoorcourtyard, pool oasis and event space. Conceived by L.A.-based hotelier Leo Grifka, Short Stories is a new hospitality concept offering personalized service while honoring the history of its 1960s building. The heart and soul of the space is its communal living room, the Short Stories Restaurant, consisting of the hotel’s Courtyard lounge, pool area and several private spaces serving new age Pan-American cuisine in a warm and inviting space with touches of Old World charm. Just across the street from the Original Farmers Market and The Grove and a short walk from LACMA and the Academy Museum, Short Stories lies in aprime location of L.A.’s thriving arts and culture scene.
PACKAGES AND OFFERS
Hotel Figueroa’s 2022 Featured Artist (South Park)
March
With a proud history of showcasing the works of local independent female creators, the nearly century-old Hotel Figueroa celebrated Women’s History Month by welcoming Los Angeles-based visual artist Ruthanna Hopper as the hotel’s 2022 Featured Artist. In homage to both its feminist roots and ongoing support of the arts, the hotel showcases the work of L.A.’s most compelling female artists and culture-makers through its Featured Artist Series Exhibit. Showcasing a fully immersive art experience during her year-long residency, Hopper’s exhibition, The Emergence (running through February 2023), displays her works for the first-time ever in Los Angeles. The year- round exhibit located in Hotel Figueroa’s Artist Alley will feature between 16 – 20 original works from Hopper, with select pieces available for purchase.
Downtown L.A. Proper Packages (Downtown L.A.)
March
Downtown L.A. Proper welcomes spring with the launch of new, limited-time offers including:
· Spring Forward: Kick off the season with a Proper getaway. Enjoy 10% off the best available rate, $30 daily dining credit towards breakfast or lunch in Proper’s restaurants and an upgradedview room based on availability. Eligible for stays until May 31.
· Proper Wellness Retreat: Add balance to your life with a Proper Wellness Retreat. Enjoy a welcome wellness amenity, hiking map of Griffith Park, $100 dining credit per stay, a consultation at the nearby Aesop store and an autographed cookbook by Suzanne Goin. When your stay includes Saturday night, also enjoy yoga and a farmer’s market excursion with a Proper Chef on Sunday morning. Eligible for stays until September 30. properhotel.com/downtown-la/offers/
Loews Hollywood Spring Escape Package (Hollywood)
March
Located in the heart of Hollywood, Loews is offering a Spring Escape package giving guests a special look into what the Hollywood neighborhood has to offer including Gelato Festival’s award-winning flavors, tickets to the TCL Chinese Theatre and complimentary valet parking. Guests will also enjoy the hotel’s rooftop pool with sweeping views of the Hollywood sign and surrounding neighborhood, just steps away from iconic attractions such as the Walk of Fame, Hollywood & Highland and the Dolby Theatre. The package is available for stays through June 30, 2022.
The Shay Travel Well Package (Culver City)
April
The Shay launched a special new package for wellness-oriented travelers. Book a minimum 2 night stay and soak in some Southern California rays on their rooftop pool deck with a priority chaise lounge reservation for an ample dose of Vitamin D. Enjoy a personal training session/health assessment in their state of the art fitness center with a local private training team, and relax and revive with one 60-minute signature massage at milk + honey and 15% off a YogaSix drop-in class. Offer eligible for stays until December 31.
DINING
Trends: Downtown L.A. is seeing a number of new dining spots pop up across the neighborhood, from casual concepts like Bike Shed Moto Co. to sophisticated dining at Asterid and a concept with a cause atThe Art Room.
RECENTLY OPENED
Camphor (Downtown L.A.)
February
Helmed by Co-Executive Chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George, this new modern French bistro in the Arts District creates a unique flavor identity with nods to the duo’s South Asian background and classical French training. Designed to be a neighborhood restaurant, the space is bright and elevated with an industrial modern aesthetic featuring blue velvet booths, marble tabletops and plenty of brass accents for a tasteful dining environment. Camphor presents a menu of shareable small plates, hearty entrees and classic cocktails. Highlights include Baby Shrimp with ‘gunpowder,’ Dungeness Crab Barbajuan and Marzipan with Meyer Lemon ice with whimsically re-imaged cocktails such as theProvence Martini, Saint-Germain and Opera.
Abernethy’s Re-Opening (Downtown L.A.)
February
Located at The Music Center, Abernethy’s welcomed back diners with its emerging chefs showcase including curated menus by chefs Ryan Costanza (Freedman’s, Post & Beam) and Geter Atienza. Abernethy’s is a unique culinary incubator, hand selecting Angeleno chefs who share a unique narrative and flavor. Selected by the culinary committee including the likes of Susan Feniger, Niki Nakayama and Phil Rosenthal, Costanza will present a a Mediterranean Island menu while Atienza serves up ModernFilipino. Offerings include Catalan Lobster, Sea Urchin Carbonara and Whole Grilled Maitake.
De Buena Planta (Silverlake)
March
A plant-based Mexican concept from the team behind The Butcher’s Daughter, De Buena Planta began as a pandemic pop-up in a parking lot and now has a permanent brick-and-mortar home in Silver Lake. Inspired by the beachside alfresco bars of Todos Santos and Sayulita, De Buena Planta is a lush tropical paradise that will transport you from the city to the beach with its expansive 5,000 square foot garden. Focusing on plant-based versions of Mexican street food, the 100% gluten-free and vegetarian dishes highlight the best seasonal produce from local farms. The predominantly tequila and mezcal-based cocktails are playful, fun and market-driven. De Buena Planta is a “clean party” where the tacos are filled with vegetables, the margaritas are made with organic cold-pressed lime and the wine list features natural varietals from Valle de Guadalupe.
The Bourbon Room Re-Opening (Hollywood)
March
After two years or rebuilding and rebranding, The Bourbon Room is now open once more as one of Hollywood’s hottest live music, entertainment and dining destinations with a lineup of the nation’s best rock n’ roll tribute acts. The 8,000 square-foot venue pays tribute to the Sunset Strip’s music history, overlooking the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame featuring a custom theater, neon lights, swanky chesterfield sofas, a leopard print stage, signs from iconic clubs in Sunset history and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system for the ultimate live music experience. The menu features upscale comfort and bar food as well as a large selection of craft cocktails and wines, with frequent celebrity sightings including the likes of Ariana Grande, Snoop Dogg, Lance Bass and more. bourbonroomhollywood.com/
Ronnie’s Kitchen + Cocktails (Hollywood)
March
This new Hollywood watering hole by Chef Ronnie Muñoz is a brick-and-mortar extension of his acclaimed pandemic project Ronnie’s Kickin’ Chicken food truck. Located in the heart of Hollywood, Ronnie’s is the latest addition to the area’s resurging dining scene. American chain restaurant meets sports bar, Ronnie’s serves a nostalgic menu of gastropub classics including a “Flowering” Onion, Fried Chicken Sandwich, Whole Confit Wings and Banana Pudding. The design of Ronnie's was intended to evoke a new age gastropub feel with burgundy leather banquettes, oak tables, brick archways and agrand 20-foot bar, as well as an 18-seat outdoor patio.
Leaning into the local pub aesthetic and purpose, Ronnie's also houses ten TV's lining theperimeter of the restaurant, inviting neighbors to catch the latest game over a cold drink and hot bite. yelp.com/biz/ronnies-kitchen-and-cocktails-los-angeles?osq=Ronnies+Kitchen
Polanco (Downtown L.A.)
March
Popular Orange County chef Daniel Godinez comes to Los Angeles with a new outpost of his upscale dinner spot Polanco Mexican Steakhouse in the former Preux & Proper space. The highly visible triangular building has been remodeled with Godinez’s familiar flare including lots of cocktails, moody lighting and dishes served on planks of wood. The menu ranges from guacamole and ceviche to surf and turf platters and bone-in tomahawk ribeyes offered across the two-story space.
Asterid (Downtown L.A.)
March
The newest restaurant from award-winning Chef Ray Garcia, Asterid serves California-inspired cuisine in a sophisticated dining, bar and lounge setting located in front of The Music Center. Asterid’s space balances contemporary sensibility with touches of warmth and familiarity, featuring an illuminated statement bar, expansive wraparound outdoor patio and modern dining room featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Perfect for a pre-show meal or drinks after work, Asterid’s menu features local, hyper-seasonalingredients for a familial dining
experience, vibrant flavors and lively dishes. Highlights from the opening menu include Sunchoke Rösti, Risotto and Maitake Mushrooms.
Northridge Eats (San Fernando Valley)
March
This new food hall focuses entirely on Asian restaurants, housing four fast-casual dining spots. Hainan chicken specialist Maxwell Chicken Rice is offering its signature boiled chicken along with fried chicken, garlic noodles and bone broth, while Akafuji Sushi serves nigiri, hand rolls and more. Mee Dee Thai Kitchen, which also has a location in Historic South-Central, sells boba, curries, stir-fried noodles, classic Thai street food and new, inventive spins such as green-curry fried chicken sliders and Tom Yum fries. Regional chain and ramen-ya Kotsu Ramen & Gyoza offers 12-hour-simmered tonkotsu, rice bowls, karaage, vegan gyoza, meat dumplings and seaweed salad. northridgeeats.com/
MAGARI (Hollywood)
April
Tokyo Italian restaurant MAGARI is introduced to the West Coast with its first location in Hollywood led by restaurateur Jeremy Umland, Michelin-recognized Yoshiyuki Okuno, executive chef Enrico Merendino and James Beard Award winner Tony Messina. Designed by Cass Calder Smith, the space is infused with Japanese and Italian influences including a paper lantern-inspired light fixture that spans the interior and striking wall tiles from the Italian design movement. MAGARI’s menu has the nostalgic comfort of Italian food with the precision and quality of Japanese cooking, with highlights including Dry Aged Sea Bream and Yuzu Tagliatelle. Their robust beverage program also includes a selection of Italian wines, Japanese beers and classic cocktails with a MAGARI twist. magarirestaurant.com/
Chick Chick Chicken (Universal City)
April
Chick Chick Chicken is an all-new casual dining experience now open at Universal CityWalk. With a variety of hand breaded chicken dishes, the family-friendly spot is perfect fuel for a day at the theme park. The restaurant combines a colorful presentation with a nostalgic feeling that highlights exciting, yet familiar flavors. From traditional flavors to the hottest Nashville hot, Chick Chick Chicken serves up a unique sandwich experience. universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/citywalk/chick-chick-chicken
n/soto (Mid-City)
April
n/soto, the upscale izakaya-inspired Japanese restaurant from n/naka’s Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama opened to the public in April. Helmed by Executive Chef Yoji Tajmia with beverages managed by Jason Lee, n/soto will offer a rotating selection of dishes reflecting the seasons of California meant to be shared with family and friends. The restaurant features both indoor (tables, booths, bar) and outdoor (patio) seating with valet parking while the decor invites you to relax and enjoy a fun evening sharinglaughs, food and drinks with loved ones.
Button Mash (Echo Park)
April
After two years in limbo due to COVID-19, arcade bar Button Mash returned in April. The popular spot reopens with a new culinary partner, Tacos 1986, to lead the bar’s menu and fuel Button Mash’s arcade gamers. Now with skeeball and beer pong, this late-night spot comes just in time for social summernights.
Bike Shed Moto Co. (Arts District)
April
Two years after its announcement, Bike Shed Moto Co. opened its doors in the Arts District in April. Based out of London, this versatile space includes a community hangout area, membership club, restaurant, evening lounge and daytime space for coffee and a full English breakfast. Retail options also abound in the 30,000 sq. ft. warehouse with independent vendors to get a haircut or tattoo. Bike Shed Moto Co. looks just how it sounds with plenty of exposed beams, poured cement, flashy artwork, rare bikes and vintage charm celebrating motorcycle culture. bikeshedmoto.com/
Causita (Silver Lake)
April
Named after Peruvian slang for “best friends,”Causita brings the storied tradition of Japanese and Peruvian (“Nikkei Peruvian”) cuisine to Silver Lake. Helmed by celebrated chef Ricardo Zarate, the dynamic menu marries the bright vibrant flavors of Peru with the umami and refined culinary styles of Japan. The beverage program has a selection of layered and playful craft cocktails, with a wine list featuring beautifully cultivated bio-dynamic wines from Europe and a spotlight on special selections fromLatin America.
kodō (Arts District)
April
At kodō, which loosely translates to "heart beats" in Japanese, executive chef Yoya Takahashi envisioned adining
atmosphere that echoes the rhythm of a heartbeat, ushering in a new vibrant cadence for the neighborhood. Located inside forthcoming hotel concept rykn, a landmarked building in Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District, kodō is a new wave izakaya highlighting Takahashi’s collective memories from his younger days in Kyoto, Japan. kodo.la
rykn café (Arts District)
April
rykn cafe, an all-day cafe located in the lobby of rykn, will open simultaneously with kodō. It will offer tea, coffee, and wine along with a petite menu throughout the day including pastries and bar snacks at night. “Otsumami” bar snacks, afternoon teas and lunch sets at rykn cafe will be available Wednesday-Sunday.
NEW OFFERINGS
Playa Provisions New Happy Hour and Cocktail Menu (Playa del Rey)
February
Co-owned and operated by Celebrity Chef and “Top Chef” winner Brooke Williamson, Playa Provisions is bringing back their happy hour menu for 2022 offered weekdays from 5-6pm in Dockside, the restaurant’s sit-down, seafood-focused spot, and 6-7pm in Grain, a hidden whiskey bar in the back of PlayaProvisions. Located steps away from the Pacific Ocean, Playa Provisions is the perfect happy hour spot to enjoy an early evening cocktail as you take in the California sunshine and listen to the waves crashing against the beach. The restaurants also launched a new seasonal cocktail menu featuring springtime beverages like the May Queen, Disco Elysium and Birds of Paradise.
Weekend Brunch and New Seasonal Cocktails at A.O.C. (Brentwood and West Hollywood)
February
Favmed chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne announced the launch of weekend brunch at their Brentwood location beginning February 26. The distinctive A.O.C. style is reflected in the brunch menu featuring Moroccan Chopped Chicken Salad, Dungeness Crab Omelette and Vanilla Bean Brioche French Toast. A.O.C. is known for their groundbreaking small plates menu that revolutionized L.A. dining in 2002, adding a wood-burning oven, craft cocktail bar and sustainably grown wine collection over the years at their locations. A.O.C.’s brunch addition will be served from 10am-2pm on Saturdays and Sundays, with lunch service also beginning in March from Wednesdays to Fridays. A.O.C. also debuted a new cocktail menu crafted by head barman Ignacio Murillo featuring specialty drinks like The Cure, Esperia and Green Goddess at their Brentwood and Third Street locations. aocwinebar.com/
New Desserts at LA Cha Cha Chá (Arts District)
March
LA Cha Cha Chá debuted its new dessert menu by pastry chef Ellen Ramos in March, featuring Arrozcon Leche, Flan de Zanahoria and Mazapan. The menu will be served alongside their dinner serviceTuesdays – Sundays from 5
p.m. – 10 p.m.
New Offerings at I|O Rooftop at The Godfrey (Hollywood)
March
Located on the largest rooftop in Hollywood and the Godfrey Hotel, I|O recently launched a lineup of new food offerings available daily for both lunch and dinner, complete with a variety of light bites and entrées that complement the al fresco dining experience. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner service will start at 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. Some of menu additions include the I|O Burger, Crab Cake on Brioche and a Chicken Katsu Slider.
UPCOMING
New Dining Destinations at ROW DTLA (Downtown L.A.)
Spring
ROW DTLA is welcoming several impressive new dining spots this season, including Michelin-star winning Kato’s newest outpost featuring a Taiwanese tasting menu from acclaimed chef Jon Yao. James Beard Award nominee Chris Bianco’s new pizzeria and restaurant is also slated to open at the property this spring, and Always Best Non Dairy Ice Cream, a healthy ice cream venture, is opening up shop with organic honey sweetened flavors like turmeric and dark chocolate pumpkin protein.
ARTS & CULTURE
Trends: Just in time for Earth Day, Los Angeles’ museums are seeing a rise in exhibits about our planet this springtime. The Natural History Museum is welcoming their annual Butterfly Pavilion and a new immersive exhibit about the underwater realm of prehistoric L.A., while the La Brea Tar Pits begins their new multimedia Ice Age Encounters show and Griffith Observatory announces the new Signs of Lifeshow exploring our galaxy and beyond.
RECENTLY OPENED
Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway (Filipinotown)
April
Just in time for AAPI Heritage Month, the Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway was installed and unveiled after nearly two decades of work. The project rises 30 feet high and spans 82 feet across Beverly Boulevard as part of a number of restoration and improvement projects powered by the FilipinoAmerican community. Beginning with a community study on needed improvements and the start of construction in March 2021, the Gateway is finally complete as a historic landmark in the Filipinotown neighborhood.
Natural History Museum’s Butterfly Pavilion (Exposition Park)
March
The Natural History Museum’s seasonal Butterfly Pavilion exhibit is now open featuring hundreds of butterflies, colorful native plants and plenty of natural light with lots of flight space and a variety of restingspots. This beloved exhibition is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with these amazing insects, open to the public until September 5.
Ice Age Encounters at La Brea Tar Pits (Mid-Wilshire)
April
The Ice Age Encounters show at La Brea Tar Pits is back with a one-of-a-kind multimedia performance. Guests are transported back in time and come nearly face-to-face with a moving, roaring, extinct saber-toothed cat. Get ready to dig into the past to uncover the mysteries of Ice Age Los Angeles over 10,000 years ago, only at La Brea Tar Pits. tarpits.org/tar-pits-programs/ice-age-encounters
New Exhibits at LACMA (Mid-Wilshire)
· Barbara Kruger (March-July 17): Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You. is a major exhibition devoted to the work of Barbara Kruger, one of the most significant and visible artists of our time. Spanning four decades, this exhibition is the largest and most comprehensive presentation of Kruger’s work in 20 years spanning her single-channel videos from the 1980s to digital productions of the last two decades, and includes large-scale vinyl room wraps, multichannel video installations and audio soundscapes throughout LACMA’scampus.
· City of Cinema: Paris 1850-1907 (February-July 10): Placing cinema in the context of 19th-century Parisian visual culture, City of Cinema: Paris 1850–1907 explores how film emerged amid a wave of social, political, artistic and technological developments. The exhibition brings together paintings, sculpture, posters, prints, photography and film to reflect the range of artistic experiments that culminated in cinema as a mass medium. Culminating with a purpose-built Salle du Cinema (movie theater), City of Cinema reveals how citizens became spectators, and how film evolved from novel entertainment to the greatest art form of the 20th century.
· Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse at LACMA (April-October): Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse contextualizes the work of the designer within art history andexamines the interdisciplinary impulse that defined McQueen’s career. The first McQueen exhibition on the West Coast, Mind, Mythos, Muse interprets the designer’s work through the lens of inspiration, juxtaposing his designs with non-fashion artworks by makers who drew upon analogous themes and visual references. lacma.org/art/exhibition/lee-alexander-mcqueen
New Exhibits at The Getty Center (Brentwood)
· Imogen Cunningham: A Retrospective (March-June 12): In a career that spanned 70 years, Imogen Cunningham created a large and diverse body of work from portraits to florals to street photographs. In a field dominated by men, she was one of a handful of women who helped to shape early modernist photography in America. This exhibition seeks to acknowledge her stature as equivalent to that of her male peers and to reevaluate her enormous contribution to 20th century photographic history. getty.edu/art/exhibitions/cunningham/index.html
· Flesh and Bones: The Art of Anatomy (February-July 10): For centuries, the structure of the human body was a fundamental concern for both medicine and art. At the intersection of art and science, this exhibition looks at the shared vocabulary of anatomical images and at the different methods used to reveal the body through a wide range of media, from woodcut to neon.getty.edu/research/exhibitions_events/exhibitions/anatomy/
· Powder and Light: Late 19th Century Pastels (March-August 14): In an age of formal experimentation, pastels offered artists a thrilling range of possibilities: an iridescent palette, a diverse array of textures and a more immediate mode of working than oil paints. Late 19th century pastellists achieved a range of effects, from the ethereal to the visceral. Tracing the evolution of pastels from Impressionism to Symbolism, this installation presents works in the Getty collection by Degas, Redon, and others. getty.edu/art/exhibitions/powder_light/
New Exhibits at CAAM (Exposition Park)
· Matthew Thomas: Enlightenment (February-August 7): For over five decades, Matthew Thomas has developed a career as an artist and art professor in Los Angeles and in rural Thailand. Inspired by his practice of the Buddhist religion, his multimedia works are filled with complex patterns that express his progress toward enlightenment and provide a path for others to experience the same. caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2022/matthew-thomas-enlightenment
· Troy Montes-Michie: Rock of Eye (February-September 4): Troy Montes-Michie: Rock of Eye, the artist’s first museum solo exhibition, brings together collages, drawings, sculptures and installations that draw the contours of body and place. It begins with, and departs from, his past assemblages and collages that center magazine images of the Black male body and trace the social history and form of the zoot suit, a garment at the center of the 1943 attacks primarily on Mexican American, African American and Filipino American youth in Los Angeles known as theZoot Suit Riots.
· For Race and Country: Buffalo Soldiers in California (April-October 30): For Race and Country: Buffalo Soldiers in California explores the surprising history surrounding all-Black U.S. Army regiments whose members left powerful traces in the Golden State. Venturing beyond myths, the exhibition confronts the role of Black soldiers in the Army’s history of violence against Native American people, explores historical debates in the Black community over participation in wars and exposes cracks in a society permeated by racism, in which African American soldiers faced the searing conflict between commitment to equality for their people and to the countrythey chose to serve.
UPCOMING
L.A. Underwater Exhibit at the Natural History Museum (Exposition Park)
May 2
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) will present L.A. Underwater: The Prehistoric Sea Beneath Us. Opening May 2, 2022, this multimedia-rich, immersive exhibition explores the underwater realm of prehistoric Los Angeles when much of the L.A. area was submerged beneaththe waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors will view rare fossils from across the L.A. region and encounter huge cinematic elements showcasing sharks the size of school buses, glowing deep sea fish, giant tuskless walruses, a 10-million-year-old whale skull discovered in Lincoln Heights and other awe-inspiring species that roamed ancient L.A. The two-year long exhibition will feature engaging media elements that bring fossils to life and serve as reminders of the ancient ocean that is still shaping L.A. today.
Signs of Life at Griffith Observatory (Griffith Park)
Late May
Signs of Life is a new show coming to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium at Griffith Observatory. This astronomical detective story propels visitors to uncover what it took to put life in the universe, showcasing Earth as the launchpad to Mars, the moons of Jupiter and Saturn and planets beyond our Milky Way Galaxy in a search for answers to the mysteries that captivate our imagination. The search takes guests from the depths of the deepest ocean to the arid surface of Mars, from the interior of a living cell to the evolution of human genius and from the frozen moons of Jupiter to the scalding formation of a newborn planet. griffithobservatory.org/planetarium/signs-of-life/
The Getty Center’s 25th Anniversary (Brentwood and beyond)
May – August
In celebration of their 25th anniversary, the Getty is partnering with organizations across L.A. for free weekend festivals. Each event will feature hands-on art workshops, live music and performances, an immersive digital experience of Getty collections, prizes and giveaways, and photo booths, as well as food for purchase. Events will take place in several communities across the region, including Inglewood,Lincoln Heights, Koreatown, San Gabriel Valley and Crenshaw.
The festivities will also include a concert series, family festival and special audio tour highlighting the site’s history, making this summer the perfect time to visit the iconic Los Angeles landmark. More details to come. getty.edu/news/getty-center-celebrates-25th-anniversary-this-summer/
Upcoming Exhibits at The Broad (Downtown L.A.)
· Takashi Murakami: Stepping on The Tail of A Rainbow (May 21-September 25): Takashi Murakami is one of the most widely recognized artists working today. His body of work traverses fine art, fashion, animation, film and other commercial art. The exhibition, which includes all of Murakami’s works in the Broad collection and key loans, features 18 works created throughout his career and new immersive environments developed in tandem with the artist and his studio, Kaikai Kiki Co. In these works, the artist explores subject matter such as globalization, postwar Japan, pop culture and religious iconography. thebroad.org/art/special-exhibitions/takashi-murakami-stepping-tail-rainbow
· This Is Not America’s Flag (May 21-September 25): This Is Not America’s Flag spotlights the myriad of ways artists explore the symbol of the flag of the United States of America, underscoring its vast, divergent and complex meanings. The exhibit provides a critical discourse on the symbol’s meaning, the complexity and contradictions of contemporary national identity and artists as active citizens. The exhibition was developed conceptually in the summer of 2020 during the groundswell of activism for racial justice, including works that both embrace the flag as the signifier of the nation and its ideals and subvert it to express injustices and inequities woven into the fabric of the U.S., past and present.thebroad.org/art/special-exhibitions/not-americas-flag
Muhammad Ali Experience
June 3
The Muhammad Ali Experience will release its first phase of pre-opening tickets through NFTs, sharing never- before-seen original artwork. These are not only a ticket to the physical upcoming experience, but will also give ticket holders access to the Muhammad Ali experience in the MetaVerse for a digital version of the exhibit. This will allow people from around the world to immerse themselves in Muhammad Ali from wherever they are, marking the exciting countdown to public ticketing opening on June 3. The exhibit is slated to officially open to the public in November.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Trends: L.A.’s biggest entertainment attractions are making some exciting changes, with Universal Studios Hollywood announcing their move toward electric Studio Tour trams and the notable addition of Super Nintendo World next year, as well as the relaunch of Warner Bros. Studio Tour’s belovedClassics Made Here tour.
RECENTLY OPENED
Universal Studios Hollywood Debuts Electric Studio Tour Trams (Universal City)
April
Universal Studios Hollywood debuted four electric trams in its fleet of 21 Studio Tour trams, with an all-new video introduction featuring NBC Today’s Al Roker sharing about the electric tram innovation. The world-famous, behind- the-scenes Studio Tour is a hallmark Universal Studios Hollywood attraction that has taken millions of guests from around the world through authentic movie and television production studios, featuring iconic sets made famous in blockbuster movies for over 55 years. The conversion to electric trams was spearheaded in 2017 by the Universal Studios Hollywood technical services department and represents some of the first-ever and largest battery- powered, off-road, high-torque andlow speed mass people movers in the U.S. Full conversion of the 21 trams
from diesel-hydraulic engines to electric will help reduce carbon emissions as well as improve the guest experience by reducing noise associated with the diesel-hydraulic engine.
Hideaway (Downtown L.A.)
February
Located inside Crypto.com Arena, Hideaway is a new private, invitation-only, VIP luxury hospitality suite with panoramic views of the best shows, concerts and live sports at the venue. Hideaway was conceptualized by entertainment and hospitality entrepreneur Matt Ampolsky, upgrading two existing luxury suites into one grand space with $2 million in renovations. The 660 square foot suite was custom built by Barrett Building Co. and designed by Anthony W Design featuring custom Gucci wallpaper, a water vapor fireplace, modern art sculptures, a bar and DJ booth and state-of-the-art sound system. Booking requests are exclusively available through Granted, already garnering an extensive waitlist.
Winning Time Rogers Park Basketball Court Refurbishment (Inglewood)
March
To celebrate the series premiere of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, HBO partnered with Project Backboard and California artist David Flores to refurbish a local Rogers Park basketball court in Inglewood. The court design was inspired by the glitz and glamour of the 1980s Winning Time era of basketball, and was unveiled at an exclusive event including a dedication ceremony and skills camp led by basketball trainer and show consultant Idan Ravin. Winning Time debuted on March 6, streaming each Sunday on HBO and HBO Max. cityofinglewood.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Rogers-Park-10
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood’s Classics Made Here Tour (Burbank)
April
After a hiatus due to COVID-19, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood’s famous Classics Made Here Tour has resumed ticket sales. This special tour showcases the Golden Age of Hollywood, featuring award-winning titles that shot on the iconic backlot from the early days of the Studio through the 1970’s. Starting with a tribute to the Classics, a specially trained Tour Guide with a love of the Warner Bros. classic film and TV collection will guide you through the Studio Tour themed to iconic classic movies and TV shows.
Paramount Studio Tour Re-Opening (Hollywood)
April
With 110 years of history in Hollywood, Paramount Studio has reopened its doors for tours in April following a hiatus due to COVID-19. The Studio Tour returns with two experience options including the standard 2-hour Studio Tour taking guests through Paramount’s award-winning TV and feature films through locations like the Bronson Gate, New York Street Backlot and the Prop Warehouse. For a more exclusive experience, take the 4.5- hour VIP Tour for access to Paramount’s archives and backlot, an opportunity to meet with experts at the Studio and a private gourmet lunch in a uniqueStudio location.
UPCOMING
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City)
2023
The innovative, immersive and highly-anticipated Super Nintendo World themed land will open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 transporting guests into the world of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. Conceived in partnership with Nintendo and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to generations of fans for over 40 years, the immersive land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of the theme park. Super Nintendo World will feature a groundbreaking ride and interactive areas to be enjoyed by the whole family, as well asthemed shopping and dining experiences. To mark the occasion as the countdown begins to the land’sexciting debut, Universal Studios Hollywood will unveil a takeover of its popular Feature Presentation retail store with Super Nintendo World themed apparel, plush characters and other merchandise.
OUTDOORS & WELLNESS
Doctor2me Hotel House Calls
March
When sickness strikes on vacation, it can be difficult to find convenient care. Doctor2me is here to help with “hotel house calls” to hotels surrounding Universal Studios Hollywood, eliminating the need for theme park visitors and tourists staying in the area to find an urgent care center or emergency room. With reimbursable visits through health insurance and options for both in-person and telehealth appointments, Doctor2me offers pediatricians, OB/GYNs, orthopedists, neurologists and other specialists to fit travelers’ needs for a variety of illnesses including COVID-19, cold & flu, asthma, injuries and more. They can even send for follow-up care such as x-rays, blood work, prescriptions, COVID antibodytreatments and more.
milk + honey (Culver City)
March
New to the Ivy Station development in Culver City, milk + honey’s latest location offers relaxing, luxurious spa treatments and healing therapies including massage, dermaplaning, chemical peels, microneedling, laser skin treatments, waxing, eyelash extensions, fillers and more for the best in beauty and rejuvenation. milkandhoneyspa.com/
TRANSPORTATION &INFRASTRUCTURE
Taylor Yard and the Pedestrian Bridge
March
The Taylor Yard and Pedestrian Bridge, a roughly 400 foot long structure with an 18-foot-wide passageway for cyclists and pedestrians connecting Cypress Park to Elysian Valley across the L.A. River, recently opened to the public in March. The bridge, which was funded by L.A. Metro, is one of the three bicycle and pedestrian bridges that were constructed by the City over the river from 2018 to 2022. The new bridge connects Elysian Valley to Cypress Park via the Taylor Yard site, which is slated for new investments for public open space, habitat restoration and L.A. River access over the next several years. The bridge will link the growing Los Angeles River Bike Path to the future 42-acre Taylor Yard G2 River Park, which has a targeted completion date of 2028. In addition to providing year-round public access tothe river, the bridge will advance Mayor Garcetti’s goal to ensure that at least 65% of Angelenos live within a half mile of a park or open space by 2025. The Bureau of Engineering is leading the design andconstruction of the L.A. River pedestrian, bike and equestrian bridges. The Taylor Yard bridge features abright orange color with a structure intended to evoke classic railway bridges.
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONALAIRPORT (LAX)
Trends: The return of international travel is evident at LAX, with new facilities and technology servicing the latest wave of global arrivals to Los Angeles. This increase in travel is also marked by the addition of new flight routes to L.A.
RECENTLY OPENED
Reimagined Terminals 2/3 Headhouse
March
Nearly 61 years after the original “jet-age” terminals opened at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX),Terminals 2 and 3 have once again been reimagined as state-of-the-art facilities that will soon welcome millions of guests each year. The airport and Delta Air Lines hosted a ribbon cutting on March 29 tocelebrate the first phase of the
$2.3 billion joint investment project ahead of the opening of the new ticket lobby and headhouse for bothterminals.
The new building includes consolidated ticketing lobbies and baggage claim, an expanded security checkpoint and a new Delta Sky Club. The headhouse, which broke ground in 2019, also includes two Terminal Vertical Cores, providing increased passenger circulation and future connections to Automated People Mover stations via elevated pedestrian bridges. Additional elements of the project, including a new Terminal 3 concourse and a post- security connection to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, are scheduled to open in phases between this summer and 2023. The project as a whole is more than 18 months ahead of the original schedule as the airport and Delta Air Lines were able to take advantage ofconstruction efficiencies during the pandemic.
TSA Launches Leading-Edge Passenger Identification Technology at LAXCheckpoints
March
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has introduced new facial recognition technology to verify the identity of guests at some of the airport’s security checkpoints. When entering the TSA screening area, guests may be asked to insert their government-issued photo ID into a next generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) unit, which is equipped with a camera that captures a photo of the guest. The CAT then compares the guest’sfacial features on their photo ID against the facial features from the in-person photo, confirming theiridentity.
TSA currently has the next generation CAT units in place in terminals throughout the airport. CAT plays an important role in travel document verification, as it improves a TSA officer’s ability to authenticate a traveler’s photo identification while also identifying inconsistencies associated with fraudulent travel documents. In its partnership with TSA, LAX has been at the forefront of implementing emerging security technologies with a focus on innovation. In January 2021, TSA announced that LAX was the first airport in the country to be fully outfitted with first-generation CAT units at all of the airport's security screening checkpoints.