Joining with Community to Oppose Wyvernwood Project

Today, as we celebrate the birthday of Cesar Chavez, I joined with Wyvernwood residents to oppose a project that will vastly increase density and do more harm than good to a community that has existed since 1939. Thank you to our friends at ELACC, Healthy Homes Collaborative, Comite de la Esperanza and the residents of Wynvernwood for allowing their voices to be heard today. See press release below.

Huizar Joins Community in Opposing Wyvernwood Project

Councilmember cites importance of protecting and preserving current community, which would be dismantled under the proposed development and increase density nearly four-fold

LOS ANGELES (March 31, 2011) — Councilmember José Huizar joined residents, housing advocates and the Los Angeles Conservancy in opposition Thursday to a $2 billion Boyle Heights’ housing project that would increase density nearly four-fold and dismantle an existing community that has been in place since 1939.

Wyvernwood Garden Apartments is home to more than 6,000 mostly working-class residents. Its open-space design with vast expanses of grass and trees was considered a model when first designed by Architects David J. Witner and Loyall F. Watson and has in fact become a sought-after model in recent years. With many families living in the “community within a community” for generations, the proposed 4,400 unit remodeling project would mean a significant amount of them could end up leaving the only home they have ever known.

“In Boyle Heights, Wyvernwood is a community within a community with its own significant and rich history,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “I cannot support a project that would tear down this proud community one building at a time and replace it with a denser, lesser version of itself. Generations of families would be adversely affected by this community dismantling and today I am joining a vast majority of Wyvernwood residents in opposition to this proposal.”

Currently, Wyvernwood has 1,187 units on approximately 70 acres of land. The current model of 16 units per acre would jump dramatically to 55 units per acre under the proposed redevelopment plan by the developers, the Fifteen Group.

Boyle Heights is already one of the densest areas in the City of Los Angeles.

Also, in attendance Thursday was Linda Dishman, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Conservancy, which opposes the project, noting Wyvernwood’s community-building layout was the first large-scale garden apartment complex in the City, predating others like Park La Brea in the Fairfax District.

“We applaud Councilmember Huizar for supporting the preservation of Wyvernwood,” said Linda Dishman, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Conservancy. “This remarkable site is an irreplaceable part of our history. It has fostered a unique sense of community for generations and it deserves to be preserved for future generations.”

Councilmember Huizar has been considering the project since it was first proposed in 2006 and participated in several meetings with the developer, as well as hosted community forums in order to listen to all perspectives on the proposal.

The proposal is currently undergoing an Environmental Impact Review by the City of Los Angeles’ Planning Department.

To learn more about the effort to save Wyvernwood, including photos and a video history, please visit http://www.laconservancy.org/issues/issues_wyvernwood.php4.

District 14 News - March 25, 2011

Dear Friends:

With the election season behind us, we can now return to our regular distribution of the e-newsletter. Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including City Election Results, El Sereno Vision Workshops, the new TAGRS Graffiti Tracking Program, Ascot Hills Open House and much more.

• City Election Results
• Ascot Hills Phase II Open House
• TAGRS Graffiti Tracking Program
• L.A. Street Car Gets Funded
• El Sereno Vision Workshop
________________________________________

City Election Results

PHOTO

Congratulations to Councilmember Huizar, elected on March 8th to serve another four-year term in District 14 starting on July 2, 2011. Stay tuned for community swearing-in information.

In addition to the election for the CD 14 Seat, there were a number of citywide measures; two of which Councilmember Huizar strongly supporting and helped get on the ballot: Measures H and I. You can see the results below as well as click here for information on all Council seats, L.A.U.S.D. Board of Education Seats and Community College Board seats.

CHARTER AMENDMENT H – Contract Bidder Campaign Contribution Restrictions/Strengthening City’s Campaign Matching Fund Program
YES – Votes: 131,553 (74.98%) / NO – Votes: 43,904 (25.02%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT I – DWP Office of Accountability; Ratepayer Advocate
YES – Votes: 137,581 (77.57%) / NO – Votes: 39,776 (22.43%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT J – DWP Preliminary Budget to City Council; Procedures for Transfers to Reserve Fund
YES – Votes: 143,422 (81.53%) / NO – Votes: 32,486 (18.47%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT L – Public Library Funding Votes Percent
YES – Votes: 113,350 (63.32%) / NO – Votes: 65,669 (36.68)

PROPOSITION M – Taxation of Medical Marijuana Collectives
YES – Votes: 106,654 (59.34%) / NO – 73,074 (40.66%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT N – Campaign Finance Votes Percent
YES – Votes: 119,643 (70.19%) / NO – Votes: 50,820 (29.81%)

PROPOSITION O – Los Angeles Oil Production Tax Votes Percent
YES – Votes: 82,898 (48.93%) / NO – Votes: 86,509 (51.07%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT P – Establishment of Contingency Reserve Fund
YES – Votes: 107,996 (65.91%) / NO – Votes: 55,867 (34.09%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT Q – Employment Provisions
YES – Votes: 102,455 (62.38%) / NO – Votes: 61,784 (37.62%)
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Ascot Hills Open House Celebration – Grand Opening Coming Soon

Councilmember José Huizar joined community members, Rec and Park officials and Wilson High School students for an “Open House” celebration of the much-anticipated Ascot Hills Nature Park Phase II improvements. The improvements, which will be fully completed by March 31st, include full stream restoration, an outdoor amphitheatre, hiking trails and 300 new trees and plants.
Councilmember invites you to join him and Mayor Villaraigosa on Earth Day, Friday, April 22 at 9 a.m. for the Grand Opening of Ascot Hills Nature Park. For more information, please call (323) 226-1646.

Enjoy the slideshow of the Open House event.

________________________________________

TAGRS Graffiti Tracking Program to Focus on Chronic Taggers

Councilmember Huizar joined with Mayor Villaraigosa along with LAPD officials and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich to launch TAGRS, a graffiti tracking program in Hollenbeck, Van Nuys, Harbor and Central LAPD divisions. Councilmember Huizar first introduced legislation to create a City-operated program in 2008 and worked with the Mayor’s office, LAPD and the City’s Information Technology Agency to implement TAGRS. While the program was launch in four divisions, it is designed so that all 21 divisions will have access to it and will be used Citywide. Mayor Villaraigosa provided funding for the program, which will equip the City’s Graffiti Removal teams with smartphones to take pictures of tags, which will then go into the TAGRS database monitored by LAPD. Police will use that evidence to help pursue prosecution and restitution by the City Attorney and District Attorney against the City’s worst taggers and tagging crews.

Here is a slideshow of the program launch. Below is recent media coverage.

• LAPD has a new assault to combat graffiti
• LAPD Releases High Tech Graffiti Program (click on videos)
• Usarán tecnología para atrapar a los que hacen "grafiti"
• LAPD use computers and smartphones to fight graffiti
• Citywide Graffiti Database Launches to Prosecute Perps
• L.A. launches graffiti-tracking program using smart phones
________________________________________

Downtown L.A. Streetcar Receives $8.4 Million– Environmental Study Gets Go-Ahead

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a plan by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) to obligate $8.4 million in funding for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar. The streetcar effort is a public-private partnership project championed by Councilmember Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative. Previous actions obligated $1.6 Million of the $10 million pledged by the agency for the project.

In early March, the City Council voted to allocate $1 million to the project from the Measure R Local Return program. And Councilmember Huizar sits on the Metro Board of Directors, which voted unanimously Thursday to begin an environmental study for the L.A. Streetcar, which also puts the project in position to receive federal funds.

An AECOM report indicates the Streetcar will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending.

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the recent Streetcar press conference.
________________________________________

“Our Downtown” Living Streets Plan Workshop

Sponsored by Councilmember Huizar, the El Sereno community once again met with consultants for a walk along Huntington Drive and a discussion about potential pedestrian plaza sites as part of the on-going El Sereno Our Downtown project.

About 40 people gathered to discuss the pros and cons of each of the potential locations during their evaluation. A few additional locations were proposed based on their proximity to the El Sereno Library, Community Garden, and weekly Farmers’ Market.

For more information on the El Sereno Our Downtown Vision Plan, please call (323) 226-1646.

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Metro Approves Environmental Study Contract for L.A. Streetcar

RELEASE

Contact: Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or Rick.Coca@lacity.org

Today’s action will allow environmental study to begin, which puts Streetcar in line for federal funding

LOS ANGELES (March 24, 2011) – The Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved a $2.26 million plan today to contract with HDR Engineering to conduct the environmental assessment for the Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar.

Metro’s involvement will ensure that review will meet CEQA and also NEPA and federal guidelines. This action will also allow the project to submit for federal funding through the Small Starts program, which is anticipated to cover half of construction costs. The remaining funding for the public-private partnership will be raised through a Community Facilities District, which is anticipated to be voted on by registered voters in the streetcar area next year.

Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar sits on the Board of Directors for Metro and is spearheading the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which aims to revitalize Historic Broadway and return the Streetcar to Downtown Los Angeles.

“Today’s Metro vote will allow us to begin our environmental study, while also putting us in line to receive federal funding,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “We are now one step closer to turning our dream of returning the Streetcar Downtown into a reality.”

The Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar is an approximate $125 million modern circulator system that will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

An AECOM report released last month indicates the Streetcar will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending. These gains are above projections for Downtown without the streetcar, which is good for the entire region.

Tasks to be completed during the environmental study will include documentation of alternative analysis, advanced conceptual engineering and environmental technical studies.

For more information on benefits from the streetcar, visit www.lastreetcar.org/resources. To learn more about the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, visit BringingBackBroadway.com.

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City Council Approve $8.4 Million for Downtown L.A. Streetcar

RELEASE

Contact: Rick Coca

Action completes funding for environmental review and engineering of project, which will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending

LOS ANGELES (March 9, 2011) – The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved last week’s action by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) to obligate $8.4 million in funding for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar.

The streetcar effort is a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and non-profit coalition of property owners, business and civic leaders, L.A. Streetcar Inc. Previous actions obligated $1.6 Million of the $10 million pledged by the agency for the project.

The $8.4 million action approved by City Council on Tuesday comes on the heels of council action two weeks ago to allocate $1 million to the project from Measure R Local Return. The combined actions will provide remaining funding necessary to complete state and federal environmental documentation underway at METRO, as well as complete conceptual, preliminary and final engineering and design for the streetcar.

“These actions will get us through the technical steps necessary to make us ready for shovels to build the Downtown L.A. Streetcar,” said City Councilmember José Huizar. “Thousands of jobs, millions in annual tourism and revenue and an additional billion dollars in development will be a tremendous driver of revitalization that will positively affect our entire city and region. That’s exactly the kind of impact the redevelopment agency can have and should continue to work towards in Los Angeles.”

The approved actions will also allow CRA/LA to contract with L.A. Streetcar Inc. for the establishment of a Community Facilities District, which will allow local registered voters the opportunity to approve a property assessment in order to raise private-sector funding. Private-sector funding is the last piece of the puzzle before federal funding can be sought. A blend of private and public funds is necessary to achieve full funding for construction of the approximate $125 Million streetcar project.

The Downtown L.A. streetcar will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The AECOM Streetcar Economic Impact Study, executive summary, fact sheets, background materials, informational videos, B-roll, streetcar renderings and related materials for review and reference can be accessed at: http://www.golastreetcar.org/press.

# # #

Media Coverage of the TAGRS Graffiti Tracking Program

Below are some updates on the new TAGRS program I helped announce at a press conference in front of Hollenbeck Police Station.

LAPD has a new assault to combat graffiti

LAPD Releases High Tech Graffiti Program (click on videos)

Usarán tecnología para atrapar a los que hacen "grafiti"

LAPD use computers and smartphones to fight graffiti

Citywide Graffiti Database Launches to Prosecute Perps

L.A. launches graffiti-tracking program using smart phones

Happy 100th Birthday Eagle Rock!

I want to thank the students from Eagle Rock Elementary and High School and Dahlia Heights Elementary school and all the community members who came to City Council as we declared today "Eagle Rock Day" in the City of Los Angeles in honor of Eagle Rock's Centennial Celebration. A nice reception with music and performances from the kids followed. Happy 100th Birthday Eagle Rock!

City Launches New Graffiti Tracking Program to Catch Offenders

RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rick Coca

Mayor, City Attorney join LAPD, Public Works and City’s Technology Department to launch four-division program introduced by Councilmember Huizar

LOS ANGELES (March 4, 2011) — City officials announced details of a four-division program today that will allow graffiti removal crews to take photographs of graffiti tags, which will then be uploaded to an LAPD database that will be used to gather evidence for prosecution and restitution.

The new Tracking Automated Graffiti System (TAGRS) database means the City, which spends an estimated $10 million a year on graffiti abatement, will now have the ability to expand the program to all 21 police divisions using a single system.

The program was launched through legislation introduced by Councilmember José Huizar in 2008 and has been a multi-agency effort with significant support from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilmember Huizar, LAPD, the Public Works Department, Information and Technology Agency, the City Attorney, and the District Attorney, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriffs Department.

“This database will help our law enforcement and City partners team up to ID, arrest and prosecute the worst taggers and tagging crews in the City,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “Graffiti is one of the biggest quality-of-life issues our residents face – it is a problem that demands action and working with the Mayor, the LAPD and our City and County partners, I am proud to be part of a solution to combat graffiti and blight in our neighborhoods.”

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa helped secure funding for the TAGRS database system, earmarking $340,000 in federal CDBG funds in last year’s Consolidated Plan.

“TAGRS is an innovative, city-wide anti-graffiti program that gets at the root of the problem—the criminals who tag,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Graffiti breeds crime and devalues property and has no place in our communities. By using smartphones to gather evidence, the LAPD will be able to track graffiti and apprehend the criminals who vandalize our City.”

The new program (building on a pilot at Van Nuys Division), includes Hollenbeck, Van Nuys, Harbor and Central Divisions and will test out a new City of L.A. only TAGRS database.

Previously, in Van Nuys, the City shared Orange County’s system.

Public Works graffiti abatement contractors have been trained to access the system using more than 90 new smartphones that the City purchased for them.

LAPD will use those photographs to gather evidence that will be submitted for prosecution by the Los Angeles County District Attorney when an individual causes more than $1,000 in damages. The Los Angeles City Attorney will pursue misdemeanor cases and financial restitution.

The City’s TAGRS database system became fully operational this week.

# # #

District 14 News - March 4, 2011

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including the City’s new bike plan, the Eagle Rock Centennial Kick-Off, a new playground in Hermon Park, the Ascot Hills Open House, and much, much more.

* Fresco Community Markets Grand Opening
* LA Gets New Bike Plan
* Broadway 100 Kick-Off
* Eagle Rock Centennial Kick-Off
* Ascot Hills Phase II Open House
* Hermon Park Playground Equipment Ribbon-Cutting
* New Reward Ordinance for Law Enforcement
* LA Street Car Gets Funded

Fresco Community Markets

The Hermon Park and surrounding communities were out in force for the grand opening of the new Fresco Community Market. Access to healthy foods has been a priority for Councilmember Huizar since his days on the L.A. School Board and he was there to welcome the new establishment and help cut the official ribbon.

Council Adopts – Mayor Signs Master Bike Plan

After the City Council adopted the City’s Master Bike Plan on Tuesday, Mayor Villaraigosa signed it into law Wednesday on City Hall’s South lawn steps. With hundreds of bike enthusiasts in attendance, Councilmember Huizar joined with the Mayor and bicycle advocates to celebrate the groundbreaking plan, which significantly increases bike lanes throughout the City. Just a couple of weeks ago, Councilmember Huizar helped bring the City’s first bike corral to Highland Park.

Click here for the LADOT Bike Blog. Enjoy the slideshow from the recent bike corral dedication in Highland Park.

“Broadway 100” Centennial Celebration Kicks Off with World Premiere of Theatrefication

Council District 14 and Bringing Back Broadway joined producers Helene Federici and David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets); Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy; Mark Murphy, executive director of REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater); and a lively troupe of artists, dancers, and performers, including opera vocalist Rachel Staples and break dance / krump performers The L.A. Breaker and Xtreme Motion on stage at the historic Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway today to kick off BROADWAY 100.Bringing Back Broadway’s BROADWAY 100 is a multi-event festival of films, art, theatre productions and tours throughout the year to honor the oldest surviving theatre district in Los Angeles, and commemorate important Broadway milestones, including the 100-year anniversaries of the three oldest remaining historic theatres within the Broadway Historic Theatre District. Special performances highlight detailed announcement of a multi-event theatrical, cultural and artistic series in celebration of important Broadway milestones in Downtown Los Angeles’ Broadway Historic Theatre District

Click here for the press release. Enjoy the L.A. Times and Downtown News Stories.

Eagle Rock Centennial Kick Off Celebration

Hosted by the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, Councilmember Huizar congratulated Eagle Rock on their 100 year anniversary and recognized community leaders for their involvement. The day included musical performances, kids and family programs, a historial presentation and a silent auction and reception in the evening. For more information, go to www.eaglerockcentennial.com.

Eagle Rock Day in LA is on Friday, March 4, 2011.

Ascot Hills Open House Celebration

Councilmember José Huizar joined community members and local high school students for the “Open House” celebration of the much-anticipated Ascot Hills Phase II park improvements—which includes full stream restoration, an outdoor amphitheatre, irrigation and fire safety installations, landscaping, hiking trails, and native plantings.

Hermon Park Playground Gets New Playground

Councilmember José Huizar and the Hermon community were out in numbers for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of their new state-of-the-art ADA compliant playground at Hermon Park. Aside from the new playground, the $750,000 Hermon Park improvements include more security lighting throughout the park, and new irrigation.

New Reward Ordinance for Law Enforcement

The City Council voted 11-0 to adopt Councilmember Huizar’s legislation closing a loophole, which left LAPD officers who fall victim to assaults while off-duty and out of City limits without any means to have rewards issued on their behalf. After the vote this week and one more second-reading vote next week, the City of Los Angeles will now be able to issue rewards on behalf of officers who are assaulted or killed, whether officers are attacked while on-duty or off, in or out of City limits. The maximum rewards for assaults on Los Angeles Public Safety officers will also be raised to $100,000.

Council Approves Huizar Motion for $1 Million Allocation to Streetcar

The Downtown L.A. Streetcar, a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and a non-profit L.A. Streetcar Inc., won unanimous City Council support for a $1 million allocation of the City’s Measure R Local Return funding to assist the project through its environmental and engineering phases. The funding will assist Downtown L.A. Streetcar with environmental review and engineering -- Council action comes as recent report states streetcar will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending.

City Launches Councilmember Huizar’s Graffiti Tracking Program

Councilmember Huizar joined with Mayor Villaraigosa Friday, along with LAPD officials and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Friday to launch TAGRS, a graffiti tracking program in Hollenbeck, Van Nuys, Habor and Central LAPD divisions. Huizar first proposed creating a City-operated program in 2008. Mayor Villaraigosa provided funding for the program, which will equip the City’s Graffiti Removal teams with smartphones to take pictures of tags, which will go into the TAGRS database monitored by LAPD. Police will use that evidence to help persue prosecution and restitution against the City’s worst taggers and tagging crews.

CRA Approves $8.4 Million for Downtown L.A. Streetcar

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rick Coca

Action completes funding for environmental review and engineering of the project which will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending

LOS ANGELES (March 3, 2011) – The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) today obligated $8.4 Million in funding for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar, a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and non-profit, L.A. Streetcar Inc. Previous CRA/LA actions obligated $1.6 Million of the $10 Million pledged by the agency for the project.

The $8.4 Million CRA/LA action comes on the heels of Los Angeles City Council’s action last week to allocate $1 Million to the project from Measure R Local Return. The combined actions will provide remaining funding necessary to complete state and federal environmental documentation underway at METRO, as well as complete conceptual, preliminary and final engineering and design for the streetcar.

“The CRA and City actions will get us through the technical steps necessary to make us ready for shovels to build the Downtown L.A. Streetcar,” said City Councilmember José Huizar. “Thousands of jobs, millions in annual tourism and revenue and an additional billion dollars in development will be a tremendous driver of revitalization that will positively affect our entire city and region.”

Today’s actions will also allow CRA/LA to contract with L.A. Streetcar Inc. for the establishment of a Community Facilities District, which will allow local registered voters the opportunity to approve a property assessment in order to raise private-sector funding. Private sector funding is the last piece of the puzzle before federal funding can be sought. A blend of private and public funds is necessary to achieve full funding for construction of the streetcar project.

The Downtown L.A. streetcar will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The AECOM Streetcar Economic Impact Study, executive summary, fact sheets, background materials, informational videos, B-roll, streetcar renderings and related materials for review and reference can be accessed at: http://www.golastreetcar.org/press.

New Reward Ordinance Will Help Protect Those Who Protect Us

The City Council voted 11-0 to adopt my legislation closing a loophole, which left LAPD officers who fall victim to assaults while off-duty and out of City limits without any means to have rewards issued on their behalf. After Wednesday’s vote and one more second-reading vote next week, the City of Los Angeles will now be able to issue rewards on behalf of officers who are assaulted or killed, whether officers are attacked while on-duty or off, in or out of City limits. The maximum rewards for assaults on Los Angeles Public Safety officers will also be raised to $100,000.

I want to thank Councilmember Greig Smith and the Public Safety Committee, the LAPD and the Los Angeles Police Protective League. A special thanks to LAPD Capt. Rigoberto Romero for sharing his story his story about the time some years ago his wife, two young daughters and he were shot at outside of City limits as they entered their home. Their assailants were never caught. Thank goodness Capt. Romero and his family were not struck, despite nine rounds being shot at them.

On behalf of officers like Capt. Romero, we want to make sure should something like that happen again, the City of Los Angeles can and will use every legal tool possible, including rewards, to bring criminals who target our officers to justice.

“Broadway 100” Centennial Celebration Kicks Off With World Premiere of Theatrefication

RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rick Coca

Special performances highlight detailed announcement of a multi-event theatrical, cultural and artistic series in celebration of important Broadway milestones in Downtown Los Angeles’ Broadway Historic Theatre District

LOS ANGELES (March 1, 2011) – Council District 14 and Bringing Back Broadway joined producers Helene Federici and David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets); Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy; Mark Murphy, executive director of REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater); and a lively troupe of artists, dancers, and performers, including opera vocalist Rachel Staples and break dance / krump performers The L.A. Breaker and Xtreme Motion on stage at the historic Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway today to kick off BROADWAY 100.

Bringing Back Broadway’s BROADWAY 100 is a multi-event festival of films, art, theatre productions and tours throughout the year to honor the oldest surviving theatre district in Los Angeles, and commemorate important Broadway milestones, including the 100-year anniversaries of the three oldest remaining historic theatres within the Broadway Historic Theatre District.

The two oldest theatres on Broadway, the Arcade Theatre (originally the Pantages) and its next door neighbor, the Cameo Theatre, recently turned 100, having opened on Sept. 26, 1910 and Oct. 10, 1910, respectively. The Palace Theatre opened on June 26, 1911. The Arcade Theatre was the first of three Pantages vaudeville theatres built in Los Angeles while the Cameo was one of the earliest deluxe film houses built in the city. Incredibly, though not currently used for live entertainment, both still survive and are intact, standing as the oldest surviving monuments to the early days of entertainment in Los Angeles. The third centennial theatre, the Palace Theatre, is periodically open to the public for tours, productions or special events and is used as a film location.

Other important Broadway milestones in 2011 include: the 90th anniversary of the State Theatre which opened on Nov. 12, 1921 at 703 S. Broadway; the 85th anniversary of the Orpheum Theatre, which opened on Feb. 15, 1926 at 842 S. Broadway; and the 80th anniversary of the Los Angeles Theatre, which opened on Jan. 30, 1931 at 615 S. Broadway.

“It is an honor to bring attention to these centennial milestones of history, culture and entertainment born on Broadway.” said Councilmember José Huizar following the event. Huizar leads the Bringing Back Broadway initiative focused on the revitalization of the historic Broadway commercial and entertainment corridor. “The theatres and movie palaces stand as tribute to where we have come from, as we build a bright future for this important and beautiful part of Los Angeles’ legacy, and we are grateful for the partnerships that allow us to bring Broadway 100 to the community.”

March 26, 2011 marks the official kickoff to Broadway 100 with Theatrefication, the world-premiere of an avant-garde celebration of art, music and theatre, featuring two musical theatre productions by Helene Federici and David J at the historic Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway.

From April 2, 2011 - April 3, 2011 Broadway 100 will welcome REDCAT’s Broadway debut at the
Million Dollar Theatre with the U.S. premiere of Tempest: Without a Body by renowned New
Zealand director and choreographer Lemi Ponifasio.

On Thursday June 16, 2011 at 6pm, Broadway 100 will present Broadway at 100 – A History of L.A.’s Iconic Street, a free event at the Los Angeles Theatre which will provide an historical and visual retrospective of the history of Broadway as the birthplace of entertainment in Los Angeles and the former commercial capital of the west.

On Sunday June 26, 2011, the Los Angeles Conservancy’s exciting and expanded 25th annual “Last Remaining Seats” series will offer two screenings of the classic film Sunset Boulevard with a special celebration to commemorate the Palace Theatre’s 100-year birthday happening that very day.

Thursday June 30, 2011 will begin a two weekend run (Thursday through Sunday each week) for
the Lucent Dossier Experience at the Palace Theatre in celebration of the theatre’s 100th birthday. The avant garde troupe has been described as a “high concept, steampunk meets neotribal performance ensemble” and its immersive spectacles as a “post-apocalyptic,” “exotic wonderland.”

Other events, tours and productions will be announced as they are confirmed throughout the year and will be listed at http://www.broadway100.com/.

The kickoff production, Theatrefication (March 26, 2011, Million Dollar Theatre) features an array of talent; dancers to butoh artists, immersive 3D animation, luminescent art, opera, and new concepts in musical theatre. In the first segment of Theatrefication, the world premiere of The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse, David J revisits the ‘Black Dahlia’ song cycle originally composed for the independent feature film, The Devil’s Muse. In this theatrical staging,music works as a framework around which another related story is interwoven; the story of torch singer, Madi Comfort.

This imaginative retelling of the story sheds new light on the historic Hollywood cold case, featuring illusion and a performance by world-renowned butoh artist Vangeline. The production will feature guest vocalists and musicians performing live alongside David J and collaborator Ego Plum (Ebola Music Orchestra).

“The notion of bringing together a cross fertilization of media to create fresh and original juxtapositions is really exciting. Mixing and mashing to create a post-punk culture jam is also observant of the power of ancient myth,” said David J.

Federici’s ET Mostavy, the second segment of Theatrefication, tells a story being broadcast by Eucinda, a character caught in an intergalactic warzone. With costumes created by couture design house, Skingraft, and featuring the talents of opera vocalist Rachel Staples, the world-famous L.A. Breakers and Xtreme Motions (America’s Best Dance Crew: Season 5), this opera plays to a more diverse theatre audience. Trip hop and operatic vocals are sung over a sweeping score with down tempo and break beats, composed by Chris Yanson. The production comes to life with light projections and immersive 3D animation.

Federici is excited to bring the work to Broadway as part of Bringing Back Broadway’s Broadway 100.
“Los Angeles is the next frontier for a new format in musical theatre. The city’s Broadway district is a vessel waiting for content. The infrastructure is here. Artistically, L.A. has all of the ingredients needed to create bold, new experiences in musical theatre,” said Federici.

REDCAT’s Tempest: Without a Body (April 2 – 3, 2011, Million Dollar Theatre) is a ferocious and awe-inspiring reflection on personal liberty and our current world from its ominous beginning to its shattered conclusion. Created by Ponifasio for his company MAU, this visually stunning work entwines formally precise dancing with elements of theater, Polynesian ritual, and social activism.

At the center of this Shakespearean-inflected work is Tame Iti, a Maori activist, who emerges from the midst of an hypnotic vision of heaven and hell to unleash a passionate address on the escalation of state powers and use of unlawful detention. Born in Samoa, where he is a designated High Priest, Ponifasio is a fearless creative force whose distinctive visionary works have been performed at prestigious festivals and venues throughout the world.

The production will mark the first time REDCAT has ventured beyond its own 250-seat theater located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex to stage a production at the glorious historical Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway, making use of the former movie palace’s more than 2,000 seats.

"The grand and historic Million Dollar Theater is a gorgeous setting for the beautiful stagecraft and epic scale of this acclaimed theatrical performance from New Zealand's MAU company, which has thrilled audiences at some of the world's most prestigious festivals, and graced the stages of the grandest opera houses,” said Mark Murphy, executive director of REDCAT.

“We are very happy to contribute to the rich history of the Million Dollar Theater with this internationally renowned performance inspired by Shakespearean themes in the context of contemporary and urgent human rights and environmental issues."

Tempest: Without a Body is funded in part with generous support from Creative New Zealand, and the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts. NDP is supported by lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, with additional funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Community Connections Fund of the MetLife Foundation, and the Boeing Company Charitable Trust.

Broadway at 100 – A History of L.A.’s Iconic Street (June 16, 2011, 6pm, Los Angeles Theatre) is planned as an historical and visual retrospective of the history of Broadway as the birthplace of entertainment in Los Angeles and the former commercial capital of the west. It will include a special presentation of vintage photographs and rarely seen historical footage with discussion of each of Broadway’s theatres. Ed Kelsey of the League of Historic American Theatres will present and moderate. The event is free and open to the public, supported by the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation and Broadway Theatre Group.

Bringing Back Broadway has a long-standing collaboration and partnership with the Los Angeles Conservancy, which launched its own Broadway Initiative in 1999 to help foster the area’s revitalization. The Conservancy has tailor made a special day within its exciting and expanded 25th anniversary “Last Remaining Seats” series (June 26, 2011, Palace Theatre) to join with Broadway 100 in celebration of the birthday of the Palace Theatre. The Conservancy will offer two screenings of the classic film Sunset Boulevard with a special Palace Theatre birthday celebration on the day that marks the historic theatre’s 100th birthday.

"We're thrilled that the centennial coincides with the twenty-fifth season of Last Remaining Seats,"said Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy, referring to the Conservancy's annual series of classic films and live entertainment in historic theatres. "We've held Last Remaining Seats screenings on Broadway every year since 1987, so we can't think of a better place to celebrate this milestone. For such a relatively young city, Los Angeles has a surprising number of century-old buildings, and that number keeps growing."

Beginning June 30, 2011, at the Palace Theatre, Lucent Dossier Experience, the world renowned, interactive performance troupe, will revive the luster and magic of the oldest standing and one of the most regal theaters in the United States, with a two weekend run in celebration of the theatre’s 100th birthday. Lucent Dossier is known for creating mystical other-worldly inter-active environments at Coachella, The Edison, the Grammy's 50th Celebration among other incredible events around the world. The troupe has been described as a "high concept, steampunk meets neotribal performance ensemble" and its immersive spectacles as a "post-apocalyptic," "exotic wonderland". The show will run Thursday through Saturday June 30-July 2 and Thursday through Saturday July 7-9 at the Palace Theatre, 630 S. Broadway.

The Broadway Historic Theatre District features the largest concentration of historic theatres and movie palaces on one street in the nation, most of which date back to the 1920s and 1930s. There are 12 historic theatres along Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles. Each offers a different and important glimpse into the history of Los Angeles, and its primary industry – entertainment.

Vaudeville stages were all the rage when the theatres were built and famous acts such as the Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, Houdini, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Will Rogers, Charlie Chaplin, Eddie Cantor, Lena Horne, George Burns & Gracie Allen, Duke Ellington, Judy Garland and W.C. Fields all performed to the delight of Broadway audiences. Thomas Tally, Sid Grauman, Billy Clune, Oliver Morosco and others vied for the honor of local impresario as the theatres along Broadway become larger and more numerous.

ABOUT BRINGING BACK BROADWAY

Bringing Back Broadway is a public-private partnership initiative led by Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar with Executive Director Jessica Wethington McLean, focused on an ambitious ten-year plan to: revitalize the historic Broadway district between 2nd Street and Olympic Boulevard; activate inactive theatres; re-activate more than a million square feet of vacant commercial space; assist retailers and prevent further retail vacancies; increase parking and transit options to serve Broadway; encourage cultural, entertainment and retail uses on Broadway that will sustain generations; create a sense of place and history through urban planning, design and lighting guidelines and streetscapes; and make the dream of once again riding a streetcar downtown a reality. As a link between the past and the future, the revitalized historic Broadway corridor will ensure that the vibrant, cultural character of Broadway remains, while helping Broadway provide something for everyone, day and night by complementing and connecting new large-scale downtown entertainment and cultural destinations, as well as galleries, restaurants, and cultural activities throughout Downtown.

http://www.bringingbackbroadway.com/
http://www.broadway100.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BringingBackBroadway
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DTLA_Broadway

PRODUCTION & EVENT INFO

http://www.broadway100.com/
Los Angeles Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats: http://www.laconservancy.org/
Theatrefication: www.eventbrite.com/event/1263662649
Tempest: Without A Body: www.redcat.org/event/lemi-ponifasio-mau
Lucent Dossier: http://www.lucentdossier.com/