THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM’S NEW EXHIBIT CELEBRATES THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HAL ROACH’S “OUR GANG".

THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM’S NEW EXHIBIT  CELEBRATED THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HAL ROACH’S “OUR GANG" JULY  28, 2022.

By Karen Ostlund                                                  

Stanley Livingston (My Three Sons Actor) Maria Carpenter (Daughter of Hal Roach) Sidney Kibrick (Our Gang Actor) Donelle Dadigan (President The Hollywood Museum) Leonard Maltin and Richard Bann at the Hollywood Museum opening day of OUR GANG exhibit.

 The Hollywood Museum announced the opening celebration of its newest exhibit, “OUR GANG”, on Thursday July 28, 2022.
Donelle Dadigan, Founder & President of the Hollywood Museum announced that the museum would be paying tribute to and celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Hal Roach’s “OUR GANG” film shorts. "In addition, the exhibit will solve the mystery/myth about Pete the Pup and the black ring from the “OUR GANG” film shorts.”
                                                                                   

Pete the Pup with the black ring

"Our Gang" was also known as "The Little Rascals" or "Hal Roach's Rascals" was an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. It was created by film producer Hal Roach, also the producer of the Laurel and Hardy films, "Our Gang" shorts were produced from 1922 to 1944, spanning the silent film and early sound film periods of American cinema. Writers on the series of film shorts included Frank Capra, Walter Lantz, Leo McCarey, and Hal Roach himself.
                                                                              

Hal Roach award.

 Hal Roach and original director Robert F. McGowan worked by showing children behaving in a natural way, rather than have them imitate adult acting styles.
The series also broke new ground by portraying white and black children interacting as equals during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation in the United States.
                                                                                     

Alfalfa Switzer

The exhibit features Hal Roach’s Academy Award, Spanky McFarlands costume from the “Our Gang” comedy film short “Doin’ Their Bit”, also costumes from Darla Hood, Alfalfa Switzer, and Jerry Schatz.  Original Our Gang movie posters, countless B&W production stills, and more. 

"This is an exhibit that movie enthusiasts will enjoy, as well as families who have enjoyed “OUR GANG” on film, in television syndication over the years and the “OUR GANG” animated series - which has been part of the fabric of film culture from 1922 thru 2022, entertaining generations of kids and adults of all ages for 100 years,” said Donelle Dadigan (President of the Hollywood Museum).
                                                                                  
The franchise began in 1922 as a silent short subject series produced by the Roach studio and released by Pathé Exchange. Roach changed distributors from Pathé to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1927, and the series entered its most popular period after converting to sound in 1929.
                                                                               

The speakers: Stanley Livingston (My Three Sons Actor) Maria Carpenter (Daughter of Hal Roach) Sidney Kibrick (Our Gang Actor) Donelle Dadigan (President The Hollywood Museum) Leonard Maltin and Richard Bann.

  Production continued at Roach until 1938, when the "Our Gang" production unit was sold to MGM, where production continued until 1944. Across 220 short films and a feature-film spin-off, General Spanky, the "Our Gang" series featured over 41 child actors as regular members of its cast.

As MGM retained the rights to the Our Gang trademark after buying the series, the Roach-produced sound Our Gang films were re-released to theaters and syndicated for television under the title The Little Rascals. Roach's The Little Rascals package, currently owned by CBS Media Ventures, and MGM's Our Gang package, currently owned by Turner Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros., have since remained in syndication. New productions based on the shorts have been made over the years, including a 1994 feature film, The Little Rascals, released by Universal Pictures.TheHollywoodMuseum.com #TheHollywoodMuseum, 1660 N. HIGHLAND AVE, HOLLYWOOD CA.                                            

$588 million Sixth Street Viaduct reopens after 6 Years of closure.

$588 million Sixth Street Viaduct reopens after 6 Years of closure.

By Karen Ostlund   
                                                                           

The community celebration of the opening of the $588 million Sixth Street Viaduct took place Saturday July 9th when the viaduct opened to pedestrians, bikes, musical performances, food trucks and 100 Years of Cars.

                                                                                 

“After more than six years of being closed, we are thrilled to reopen the Sixth Street bridge which will take its place as one of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks connecting the Arts District and Boyle Heights", said Council member Kevin deLeón.
                                                                                   

LA Mayor Garcetti at Sixth Street bridge, before opening.

 “The 6th Street Viaduct isn’t just a connection between our communities – it’s a new landmark that represents beauty, that defines Los Angeles,” said LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. “I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with my fellow Angelenos who have been waiting for this day for six years and are ready to experience the benefits of this historic project.”
                                                                         

HELIX ramp structure, located near the center of the viaduct, was designed with efficiency and connectivity in mind.•
This structure is 790’ long, 12’ wide, and 45’ tall.•The ADA-compliant helical ramp have a connection to both the westbound and eastbound bicycle lanes and sidewalks at the deck level.
Using the ramp structure, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to connect from the ground level at Mission Road into the communities of Boyle Heights and the Arts District.•The helix will also help connect the viaduct to the future 12-acre PARC under the viaduct, which will be located at ground level and include recreation and open spaces, connections to the LA River.

                                                                                      

ARCHES,The design of the new bridge, known as “The Ribbon of Light,” includes 10 pairs of arches, with a 9-degree artistic outward cant.•There are three different arch heights on the new viaduct, ranging between 30 to 60 feet in height and about 300 feet in length.•Each arch required 260 cubic yards of concrete equivalent to 65+ truckloads and took 12-14 hours to pour the concrete.•The team injected liquid nitrogen into the concrete to cool the mix down to ambient temperature and reduce the potential for concreate cracking.•The arches will be lit with color changing LED lights which will light up from the bottom and upwards for different events.

Starting in 2023, the Bureau of Engineering will construct a new 12-acre park underneath the structure that will provide access to the Los Angeles River, public art and recreational programming.
The $40 million park, of which $8.5 million comes from state Prop 68 dollars, will also be home to the Len Hill Arts Plaza, made possible via a donation by the Leonard Hill Foundation.
“This viaduct has been a labor of love and determination for so many of us in the City, our partners and particularly the Bureau of Engineering,” said Gary Lee Moore, City Engineer. “We worked closely with the community to create a multi-modal space that not only creates a new bridge for vehicles, but also brings exciting new walking and biking options with breathtaking views. Our team is very proud to deliver this iconic landmark to Los Angeles for everyone’s enjoyment for generations to come.

"BACK ON THE BLOCK" at Concern Foundation's 47th Anniversary - after 2 years of virtual events.

 "Back on the block" at Concern Foundation's 47th Anniversary - after 2 years of virtual events.
By Karen Ostlund

 
Concern Foundation’s 47th Annual Block Party returned July 9th as BACK ON THE BLOCK at Paramount Studios Hollywood - after two years of virtual events, due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns.                                                             

Concern Foundation's 47th Anniversary at Paramount Studios backlot.

The sold-out event was attended by over 3,500 guests and exceeded previous record and raised $2 million dollars for cancer research. Concern Foundation provides funding to post-doctoral cancer research, focused on cancer genetics, cell biology and immunology for all forms of cancer prevention and treatment.
                                                                            

This year Concern honored entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community leaders Janet Crown and Steve Robinson with the first ever Larry Powell Spirit of Concern Award named after one of the founders of the organization. In 2018, Janet and her husband Steve Robinson opened Brewery X, an independent craft brewery in Anaheim, CA. https://www.concernfoundation.org/honorees2022

                                                                                     

Tom Nolan Band at "Back On The Block", July 9 2022

Paramount’s backlot streets were filled with musical and interactive entertainment on multiple stages featuring the Tom Nolan Band, D’ City Sound & Events, and the Vibrato Grill Jazz stage.

New York Street at Paramount Studios also featured photo studios, lounges, casino style gaming, and spa services provided by the Beauty Bus Foundation.
                                                                                      

(Sponsor CADILLAC in front of the Silent auction) One of the highlights of the evening was the online silent and live auction underwritten by ZACUTO GROUP that featured items and packages including concert and event tickets, restaurants, stay-cations and golf packages. 

                                                                                   

For the 16th year, Concern was honored to celebrate The Best of LA 2022® on Los Angeles magazine’s street, which featured stilt-walkers, cocktail-stations and DJ dancing.  Once again, Los Angeles magazine donated  $25,000 to Concern Foundation. Stilt-walker in-front of Santa Teresa 1796 Rum.

                                                                                  

STK Lil' burgers.

"Back to the block" restaurants featured a great variety of food and beverages for every taste, including Vibrato Grill Jazz, Factor’s Famous Deli, Bar Hayama & the California Sushi Academy, The Drago Group, Porta Via, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs, STK, Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse and plant-based NEXT MEATS.                                                       
                                                                                

Plant-based Japanese NEXT MEATS brisket.

Restaurants joining the Concern for the first time were H&H Brazilian Steakhouse, Gion Beverly Hills, Conservatory West Hollywood, Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, Milagro Tequila, Bé Ù, Little Llama Peruvian Tacos, Deutsch Family and Brontë Bakes.

Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse.

www.concernfoundation.org/block-party

The Broad's two new exhibits, "Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow" and "This Is Not America’s Flag”

 LOS ANGELES, CA (May 29, 2022) By Karen Ostlund
The Broad Museum's two new exhibitions, "Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow" and "This Is Not America’s Flag” are both running now until September 25, 2022.
                                                                              

Artist Takashi Murakami at the Broad Museum.

Murakami’s first monograph exhibition at the Broad museum will feature 18 works, as well as immersive environments developed in tandem with the artist and his studio, Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd.
                                                                                 

On view is the 1999 sculpture DOB in the Strange Forest (Blue DOB),which features Murakami’s iconic anime-inspired character Mr. DOB, one of many figures that the artist has created throughout his career.

                                                                                   

Murakami's Shangri-La Pink painting

Murakami’s exhibition will coincide with the release of a catalogue. published by DelMonico Books, The Broad, and Kaikai Kiki Co - that shows the artist’s practice through the Broad collection and key loans. The catalogue will feature essays by The Broad Curator Ed Schad, Pico Iyer, and a conversation with Murakami. “Artworks in these exhibitions speak to recovery, resistance, and even beauty in the face of deep social and environmental upheaval,” said The Broad Founding Director Joanne Heyler.

                                                                                  

Murakami's sculpture Shangri-La at The Broad

Takashi Murakami’s work reflects within its complex iconography a response to times of crisis connected to postwar Japan or the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
His exhibition will allow museum visitors to experience his artistic universe, with both recent works and ones from earlier in his career, and subject matter such as globalization, postwar Japan, pop culture, and religious iconography. The art-work will feature sculpture, painting, wallpaper, and immersive installations.                                                             

Murakami and Virgil Abloh "Times America Too 2018"

             At the heart of the presentation are two of the artist’s largest paintings, 100 Arhats (2013) and In the Land of the Dead, Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow (2014), 32-feet wide and 82-feet wide.  

                                                                         

"This Is Not America’s Flag" will spotlight the myriad ways of 20 artists exploring the symbol of the flag of the United States of America in history, underscoring its vast, divergent, and complex meanings.

The exhibit is titled after Alfredo Jaar’s iconic 1987 work, "A Logo for America” which provides a critical discourse on the symbol’s meaning, the complexity and contradictions of contemporary national identity.
Over twenty artists are presented in "This Is Not America’s Flag" including Laura Aguilar, Nicole Eisenman, Jeffrey Gibson, Hammons, Jaar, Johns, and Hank Willis Thomas.
The exhibition was launched  in the summer of 2020 during the groundswell of activism for racial justice in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor and was inspired by two works in the Broad collection, Flag (1967) by Jasper Johns and African-American Flag (1990) by David Hammons.

Takashi Murakami’s "Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow" and
"This is Not America’s Flag" on view now through September 25, 2022
The Broad, 211 South Grand Ave, CA, Los Angeles 90012.
www.thebroad.org

Beastly Ball at the LA Zoo, returns June 4th with host Joel McHale and a Betty White Tribute.

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s (GLAZA) Beastly Ball returns in person on Saturday, June 4 2022 at the Los Angeles Zoo with host actor, comedian Joel McHale.  
                                                                            

Host Joel McHale

THE LATE BETTY WHITE WILL BE HONORED WITH A WHITE CARPET RECEPTION, TRIBUTE, AND THE NAMING OF THE BETTY WHITE CONSERVATION HERO AWARD. 

 
By Karen Ostlund
                                                                           

LA ZOO African elephants

This annual celebration brings together celebrities, tastemakers, business leaders, city officials, and Zoo patrons for a wild night of fundraising. Guests of the Beastly Ball will be treated to after-hours access to the Zoo, where they will enjoy sumptuous dishes, sweet treats, and libations provided by Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, Hotville Chicken, La Casita Mexicana, The Federal Bar, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Yakumi, Momed, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, In Good Taste Wines, Lyre’s non-alcoholic and Paquera Mezcal.                                                                       

Pinks Hot Dogs at LA ZOO

“After two years of being virtual, we are so excited to host this event in person, bringing together our loyal partners, sponsors, and friends to celebrate the Zoo’s conservation milestones and Ball honorees,” said GLAZA President Tom Jacobson. “This event is critical to the fulfillment of our mission, providing for GLAZA's ongoing support of the Zoo's work in wildlife conservation both locally and abroad, public education programs, and the latest advancement in animal care and veterinary medicine”.
                                                                                  

Hotville Chicken and Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen

 

Actor Joel McHale returns for a third year as host, his first time emceeing an in-person Ball.
“The last two years, the event was virtual, so it was just me, the crew, the animals at the Zoo and a handful of kibble,” said lifelong wildlife lover McHale. “This year, I’m looking forward to experiencing this epic night with an audience and a couple alpacas. I’m also honored to introduce the Betty White tribute, which will be a touching remembrance of her dedication to animals and the L.A. Zoo”.
                                                                                   

YAKUMI restaurant

 

This year, the Beastly Ball will honor Betty White’s legacy with a moving tribute in the evening’s program and the introduction of the Betty White Conservation Hero Award. White was deeply committed to the Los Angeles Zoo and its animals, serving for over 50 years as a GLAZA Trustee, and as the inaugural Chair of the Los Angeles Zoo commission in 2010.
“Betty’s deep love and passion for animals was infectious,” said Denise M. Verret, CEO & Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo. “She believed in the importance of zoos and our mission of species conservation and used her influence, humor, and generosity to make the world a better place for all living creatures.”                                                     

In Good Taste Wines from California, France and Italy

Guests will experience special animal feedings, keeper talks, and roaming entertainment as the party makes its way to Treetops Terrace for more food, live entertainment, and a virtual graffiti wall where guests can “paint” the canvas.
There will also be a mobile-bidding silent auction with more than 150 unique and one-of-a-kind items including travel, sports, entertainment, and animal adoption packages; artwork; jewelry, clothing, and signed items of Betty White.
                                                                           

Lyre's non-alcoholic mocktails

This legendary event will showcase the enormous impact the Zoo has on local and international conservation and will honor the work of B. Natterson-Horowitz, M.D., a cardiologist and evolutionary biologist, and Kathryn Bowers, an animal behaviorist and science writer, who co-authored the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller Zoobiquity: The Astonishing Connection Between Human and Animal Health.

As a follow up to Zoobiquity, the two studied thousands of wild species searching for evidence of human-like adolescence in other animals and documented their groundbreaking findings in Wildhood: The Astounding Connections Between Human and Animal Adolescents. Dr. Natterson-Horowitz has been a member of the L.A. Zoo Medical Advisory Board for over 20 years and credits the zoo’s veterinary staff with first awakening her to the power of a species-spanning approach to health.   

The 2022 recipient of "Conservation Heroes” is Stephen Badger, former 2x chairman of Mars, Incorporated and great-grandson of Mars' founder, who was central to initiating and driving the company's corporate social and environmental responsibility initiatives to combat climate change. Badger is also a founding investor in Seeds of Change, an organic seed and food company that, for every item sold, plants seeds through school growing programs throughout the U.S, “helping put more plants on plates every day,” according to its mission.  

 The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles' Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Free parking is available. For tickets, sponsorship and information about mobile bidding, visit www.lazoo.org/beastlyball

THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM UNVEILED "SMOKEY & THE BANDIT" EXHIBIT TO CELEBRATE THE FILM'S 45TH ANNIVERSARY.

The 1977 film "SMOKEY & THE BANDIT" celebrated its 45th Anniversary with a new installation at the Hollywood Museum, Wednesday, April 6 2022.

 
     By Karen Ostlund

Watch "Smokey and the Bandit Official Trailer #1 - Burt Reynolds Movie (1977)" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/IzMpOvKxXdM

                                                                          

Actor Michael Mann (Smokey & The Bandit)

(WestHollywoodToday blogspot, April 11 2022) - President and Founder of the world-famous Hollywood Museum  Donelle Dadigan, unveiled the blockbuster installation, SMOKEY & THE BANDIT last Wednesday April 6th.  The film is celebrating its 45th Anniversary, and its exhibit is now open to the public.                                                           

Among speakers: Darby Hilton, Jean Kasem, Donelle Dadigan and Lee Purcell

 
Donelle Dadigan said,  “This exhibit will evoke memories for several generations of fans of the ever-popular “Smokey & The Bandit” movie franchise, every fan will be talking about this exhibit for years to come.”

Dadigan continued “We are beyond excited that fans will be able to see the iconic Bandit Car complete with the signatures of Burt Reynolds and Sally Fields, including special photos and video of Burt reuniting once again with the iconic Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am just before his passing in 2018".  

 "In addition, the exhibit will feature Burt's legendary cowboy hat, jacket, and Sally Field’s wedding veil and all important Coors beer boxes, and more. This exhibit will remind all our visitors of the memorable Americana films from the 70’s & 80’s".

                                                                              

Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am 1977 from Smokey & the Bandit, with car-collector

 

Smokey and the Bandit" is headed back to the theaters, May 29, June 1-2nd 2022, in celebration of its 45th anniversary this summer, as part of the Turner Movie Classic Collection (TMC), reported Fathom Events: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Smokey-and-the-Bandit-45th-Anniversary-presented-by-TCM

The 1977 film is starring Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Sally Field and Jerry Reed. Smokey and  the Bandit delivers outrageous laughs in one of the biggest box-office hits of all time. Bandit (Reynolds), a fun-loving, fast-talking trucker, takes on his craziest haul yet—delivering 400 cases of beer from Texarkana to Atlanta in just 28 hours.

Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Gleason) is eager to teach him some respect for the law. The Bandit (Burt Reynolds) joins forces with good ol' boy, Cledus (Reed) and runaway bride Carrie (Sally Field). It’s a comedy, pedal-to-the-metal action, and some of the wildest car crashes ever filmed.
                                                                                                                           

Karen Ostlund at The Hollywood Museum

Among guests attending at the Hollywood Museum unveiling:  Michael Mann (Smokey & The Bandit), Kathy Kolla, Erin Murphy (Bewitched), Vanessa Angel (Super Babies: Baby Geniuses), Nancy Harding (Cheaper by the Dozen), Kash Hovey, Kate Linder  (Young & The Restless), Darcy Donavan (Secret Agent Digledorf), Ilene Graff (Mr. Belvedere),  Lee Purcell(2x Emmy nominee), Brooklyn Robinson (Hybristophilia), Bryson Robinson (Mani), Conner Dean (9-1-1/CoolCat), Donzaleigh Abernathy (Any Day Now), Elaine Ballace (The Rich and The Ruthless), Geoffrey Mark (Author/ Radio host), Jax Malcom( Conservation Invasion), Ro Brooks (The Have and Have Nots), Tyrone DuBose (Unsung), Vincent DePaul (The Bay), Kassandra Carroll (Memories of Marilyn), Alice Amter (Big Bang Theory), Diana Lansleen (Days of Our Lives),  Rico Anderson (S.W.A.T. & Star Trek), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone), Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Montana Jacobowitz (recording artist), Brenda Mejia (TV host), Kira Reed Lorsch (2X Emmy winner, Rumors) Caryn Richman (Gidget, Brady Bunch Christmas), Alyssa de Boisblanc – (Modern Family/ Netflix's Secrets of Summer), Clementine Lea – (Disney + Earth to Ned) Alexa Reddy, (Callie on L.A. Macabre,  Judy Tenuta (Comedian), Carrie Schroeder (Lifetime, Secrets Exposed), Jared Becker (Sorry for My Loss, 2022).

MUSEUM INFO: www.TheHollywoodMuseum.com Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00pm Facebook.com/TheHollywoodMuseum  #HollywoodMuseum   1660 N. Highland Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028.

Hotel Ziggy's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Sunset Strip

 Hotel Ziggy opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony, April 5th 2022.


By Karen Ostlund       @HotelZiggy  #FreeTheMusic

(WestHollywoodToday blogspot, CA April 7 2022) The new Hotel Ziggy's design at 8462 W. Sunset is influenced by Sunset Strip rock 'n’ roll bands, with a modern culture spin for travelers and locals, to come and hang-out.                                          

April 5 2022. Hotel Ziggy's ribbon cutting ceremony led by West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister and members from West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

                                                                               

Singer Haley Reinhart and saxophonist Scott Page performed in the lobby.

The hotel took over space from Grafton Hotel and is seen as "the last standing rebel on the block", with cocktail lounge, pool and lobby, located next to Mondrian Hotel.
                                                                                     

Hotel Ziggy has the largest saltwater pool in West Hollywood.

"We created Ziggy to provoke stimulating and meaningful conversations with the intent to spark curiosity and playfully challenge perspectives. What better location than the Sunset Strip to celebrate the rebellious spirit of norm-breaking musicians who have changed how we live?" said Jon Bortz, Chief Executive Officer at Pebblebrook Hotels. "Hotel Ziggy is located right down the street from the former sites of two world-famous music destinations: Tower Records and House of Blues. These icons are now gone, but a legacy needs to be remembered. We push boundaries with our hotels, and we certainly did that with Ziggy.”                                  

Hotel-room Hotel Ziggy

Hotel Ziggy invites hotel guests to check in at a sociable and engaging bar lined with hundreds of vinyl albums. A record player behind the front desk fills the communal space with music spanning every progressive genre. A retractable glass garage door partitions one end of the lobby, creating a versatile music venue called "Backbeat," which supports local musicians and invites them to come and share their sound in a new space to rise above the noise.
                                                                            

Me, Karen Ostlund at Hotel Ziggy photo-booth.

Walls and ceilings celebrate musicians of past and present. A collection of memorabilia includes framed legal documents highlighting decades of lawsuits between musicians, producers and streamers with the intent of asking the controversial question, "Who really owns the music?" Hotel Ziggy's goal is to trigger lively conversations and in doing so, connect people. Its position is clear for all to hear: "Free the music!"                                                               

Hotel Ziggy cocktail-menu at the opening.

The award-winning design team of Dawson Design Associates (DDA), characterized the space and design to honor and support the rebellious and independent attitude of musicians' fight to be heard. Powerful street murals wrap the front exterior of the building, the courtyard surrounding the pool, and  main lobby, together expressing the vitality and rebelliousness of the music scene. A mix of modern and vintage furniture sits on top of rustic hardwood floors and worn oriental area rugs, to create a space to chill-out in West Hollywood.

"It was vital that this hotel didn't take itself too seriously," said Andrea Sheehan, founding Principle and Art Director at DDA. "We kept things simple so the art could speak for itself. We stripped away all previous attempts to make this quirky building look modern. Instead, we exposed its blemishes and embraced the awkward structure for what it was – authentic, just like our guests and the musicians we are celebrating."

The "free the music" theme offers guests access to a Shred Shed that includes electric and acoustic guitars, amps, records, record players, Walkmans and backpacks to use, while finding inspiration in LA or sharing creativity with others. All are welcome to borrow, experiment, and share in the "free the music" movement.

 LA's first iconic record store and precursor to the original Tower Records, Licorice Pizza, a casual dining concept named "B-side Pizza" fronts Sunset strip. The pizza joint’s history goes back to mid-century carhops with an old school pick-up window that allows locals to order to-go with concierge service and style. A custom neon-wrapped 9-inch vinyl album solidifies the retro theme.

More info www.hotelziggy.com  @hotelziggy on Instagram and Twitter #FreeTheMusic