Art-Filled Saturday

Amico's Studio

On Saturday afternoon I drove Downtown to visit with artist, David Amico. David and I have known each other since we were teenagers and counselors at the Idyllwild Arts Foundation. Recently, many of us have contacted each other and are getting together for a reunion in October. I've been to many of David's art shows, but hadn't seen his studio. The studio is in the heart of downtown on the top floor of an industrial building. The view is fantastic! We had a short, but fun visit.

David Amico

After the studio visit, I headed up Alameda Street to the HomeGirl Cafe for a late lunch and Stitch 'n Bitch. To my surprise, along with the regulars of our group, Regina and Jenna were there too. It was a fun day. Thank you again, Nancy for treating me to lunch. The corn chowder and roast beef sandwich were divine! The food at the HomeGirl is always outstanding. You must come by one Saturday from 2-5 and join us for Stitch 'n Bitch. There's a big parking lot in back and the HomeGirl is freeway and Metro close.

Jenna & Regina
Roast Beef Sandwich, Corn Chowder

Later that evening, Larry and I drove over to La Luz de Jesus Gallery, located in the Wacko/Soap Plant Shop in East Hollywood. Our friend, Pete Moruzzi, was holding a book-signing and party for his new book, "Havana Before Castro: When Cuba was a Tropical Playground." Wow! What a party! The mojitos were flowing. We saw tons of people from the Modern Committee of the LA Conservancy, people from the music biz and art worlds and more. You can see from the slide show below that I was fascinated with Leslie's new/vintage car, a '55 or '56 "La Femme" Dodge. It's cream and lilac two-tone. Positively gorgeous. This was the first car actually marketed to women. You can read about it here.

After the book signing, many people went to Cuba Libre Restaurant around the corner on Vermont. We opted out and went a little further north on Vermont to the House of Pie for a quieter meal. We always like the House of Pie. They have basic, coffee shop food that you can rely on being decent. When we were almost done with our meal, about 20 people from the book signing came in for dinner. Like I said, it was a party!