More Ways to Play in L.A.
By Scott T. Sterling
The National Black MBA Association 32nd Annual Conference & Exposition comes to Los Angeles September 21-25, and the summer Black MBA Magazine includes a number of ways to “play” in L.A. on your trip.
Not registered for Conference? Click here for more information on the NBMBAA Annual Conference.
Read the main article in the summer Black MBA Magazine
Here are more highlights. Have your own L.A. faves? Share with us!
• The city’s transportation hub is Union Station, the “last of the great railway stations” dating back to the late 1930s. The intricate architecture and bold lines have made it a popular location in major motion pictures and TV shows.
• Jewelry shoppers (particularly those looking for engagement rings) swear by the Jewelry District, especially the immensely popular Eli’s Jewelry. It’s a family business that has made their name on quality jewels and settings at surprisingly reasonable prices.
• Enjoy the glorious sights and smells of America’s largest flower district (www.laflowerdistrict.com). Comprised of two large wholesalers and a slew of storefronts, this historical area dates back to the early 1900s.
• The Los Angeles Public Library (AKA the Richard Riordan Central Library) is the third largest in the United States. The robust library is heavy on local history, with an extensive archive of photographs and newspapers dating back to the 1920s.
• Olvera Street is only a couple of blocks south of Philippe’s The Original (http://www.philippes.com/) , one of L.A.’s oldest eateries famous for their claims of having invented the “French Dip” sandwich. This no-frills spot is just as notorious for their homemade hot mustard, which packs a punch closer to wasabi than Grey Poupon.
• Pershing Square (http://www.laparks.org/pershingsquare/) is a clean, quiet (albeit mostly concrete) public park that also doubles as a concert/event space. In the winter months, the manmade pond is converted into an ice-skating rink. In the summer, they play host to Friday Night Flicks, a free movies series screening such popular favorites as “Sunset Boulevard” and “Escape From L.A.” There is also a Metro line stop that can whisk you away to many destinations both near and far.
• Downtown L.A. has become home to some of the most innovative and interesting bars in America over the past few years. Leading the pack is the Edison (http://www.edisondowntown.com), a turn-of-the-century boiler room in the basement of the historic Higgins Building, just across the street from the stately Los Angeles Times Building. This beautifully refurbished room enforces strict dress codes, so you won’t feel out of place in business attire. The J Restaurant and Lounge offers the best of both worlds, with a top-flight menu and a bustling singles scene on weekend nights.
• The University of Southern California is adjacent to downtown L.A., and home to Exposition Park. The public space contains a panorama of cultural facilities, including the Natural History Museum (http://www.nhm.org/), California Science Center, (http://www.californiasciencecenter.org) and California African American Museum (http://www.caamuseum.org/).
• The California African American Museum has a vast permanent collection, with a concentration on how African-American first migrated to the western coast of the United States. The other permanent collection is a sobering meditation on slavery in America. There are always thought provoking and smartly curated traveling exhibits on display as well.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art (http://www.moca.org) is L.A.’s only museum dedicated to contemporary works. Their impressive permanent collection features pieces from such artists as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jackson Pollack and Robert Longo.
• The Museum of Neon Art is easily one of the most interesting art spaces in the city. MONA’s mission is “to encourage learning and curiosity through the preservation, collection and interpretation of neon art.”
• Art lovers will definitely want to experience Gallery Row (http://www.galleryrow.org/), a visual riot of galleries and residences best known as the location of the monthly “Downtown Art Walk” event. This free self-guided and award-winning tour is a giant but walkable showcase for the more than 40 exhibitors in the area.
• Music fans will find a home at 2nd Street Jazz (http://www.2ndstjazz.com/), an intimate live music club that also highlights hip-hop MCs and DJ battles depending on the night. Every last Wednesday, the East L.A. College Latin Jazz Orchestra plays to a boisterous crowd.
It’s really quite amazing that this bustling and vibrant metropolis that less than ten years ago was dormant and desolate. The aggressive revitalization of downtown Los Angeles, despite the financial troubles besetting the state of California, is quite the resounding success story.