Eastside Shopper & Diner

All things wood: Spitfire Girl, maker of wood postcards, gifts and other items, plans to open its first retail outlet in Echo Park next month in the former Kohlman Quin space on Sunset Boulevard.

Masa of Echo Park celebrates its 5th anniversary today (Friday, August 28) with cake.

Eagle Rock's Chalet remodels and becomes The Black Boar, an English-style pub with $5 beers.

Tuesday night is fried chicken and lemon bar night at The Park in Echo Park.

Two of L.A. top 10 thrift stores are on the same block in Echo Park.

Now serving brunch: The Reservoir in Silver Lake.

Flaming margarita fans will have more room to light - and drink- up after El Compadre in Echo Park expands the bar and dining room with about 30 more seats.

Image from SpitFireGirl.com

Eastside Shopper & Diner

Echo Park's four-footed consumers will be able to shop for new and used toys, collars and other pet accessories at Blue Collar, which is scheduled to open on Echo Park Avenue this fall. The owners also plan on offering a self-serve dog wash and classes, including seminars on pet CPR.

How do you cook a squash blossom? The Silver Lake chef at Barbrix reveals his secret, fizzy ingredient.

Auntie Em's in Eagle Rock brings the farmer's market to your doorstep with a weekly produce delivery.

More than just veggies: freshly made salsa and hummus too at Highland Park's Figueroa Produce

It's all about the sauces at the Gobi Mongolian BBQ House in Silver Lake.

Hope Gallery closes in Echo Park but is looking for a new location to reopen.

Primera Taza in Boyle Heights holds a grand opening party on Saturday.

Always fresh: Crepe paper flower making class ($50) at the soon to open Home Ec. shop in Silver Lake

From grimy to gourmet: Echo Park Vons celebrates grand re-opening with a 12-hour sale on Saturday.

Image from BlueCollarWorkingDog.com

Eastside Shopper & Diner

Hecho in Massachusetts: A disc of stone, ground organic Mexican chocolate for $3.50 at the new Ca Cao Mexicatessen in Eagle Rock.

Moving online means Juvie in Silver Lake is holding a 50%-off sale on its kids clothing.

A Taste of Echo Park (and three glasses of wine) tonight (August 11) for $20 at CitySip.

Sunday vegan BBQ and beer bust at the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park.

A meaty, Baby Back BBB special with a side of peach and avocado ceviche (really) at The Park in Echo Park.

La Morenita returns to Cypress Park with pan dulce, huaraches and hamburgers. Squid Ink

Out of business: Silver Lake's Andiamo pizza.

The Eagle Rock Target is now open until 11 pm (except Sunday)

Iced hempaccino, anyone? Now serving at the Yoga Lab in Atwater Village.

10 stores offer a 10% discount on kids merchandise to members of the Eastside Kids Club (h/t Los Feliz Ledger)

Susie Hansen and her Latin band plays on after 20 years

If you have attended a free Summer outdoor concert in recent years, there's a good chance the musical line up included the Latin band headed by Mt. Washington resident and violinist Susie Hansen. This summer alone, Hansen's band will perform at more than two dozen concerts at parks, shopping centers and museums in addition to gigs at private clubs and hotels in the Los Angeles area. This Sunday, Hansen and her band mates will be playing close by in Eagle Rock as the her group celebrates 20 years of music making. She started her own group only a few years after her introduction to Latin music as part of a Mambo band. "Boy, it was the best music I ever played and I never really looked back," she said.

After moving to Los Angeles, the former Chicagoan lived briefly in the Hollywood Hills before a musician introduced her to Mt. Washington, where she has lived for 22 years. Two members of her band also live nearby. "I love Mt. Washington," said Hansen, who takes frequent walks through the neighborhood. "A lot of the people I've met walking come to the concerts."

Minimalist music at midnight in Highland Park

Hermon resident and musician Paul Bailey is organizing a midnight performance tonight of composer Terry Riley's "modular improvisatory masterpiece" called "In C" at Juanita's Restaurant in Highland Park. Musicians are still welcome to join in the free performance (see details below). If you are wondering what "modular improvisatory" music or "In C" is all about, it's best just to listen and watch the video of this 2006 performance in Vancouver.

“In C” is shaping up to become this century’s new Messiah (via steve layton at Sequenza 21) — except wedon’t need no stinking Christmas to trot it out and have a go. So why not get into the spirit, and do your bit for communal music-making? To give you a head start, here is a PDF of the score, so you can spend a little time beforehand brushing up on your chops. Bring your friends and a music stand if you can. If you are planning to play please RSVP with your name and instrument at pbeinfo@gmail.com

Thursday, August 6th

10:30pm load-in (ish)
11:30pm reh (10:30 setup/load-in
midnight performance