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  • Here’s What I Played at Disco Matinee on July 7, 2024

    Pink pen with disco ball on top. (Photo: Liz Ohanesian
    The disco ball spins!

    Disco Matinee hit its first anniversary. We celebrated at the Grand Star, who has kindly hosted us on the first Sundays of the month since July of 2023. The coolest people on the planet were there. One of them is a friend of mine who I’ve known since the days of dialup internet. She brought me the sweet disco ball pen seen in the above photo. You might notice the blur in the photo. That’s because the disco ball spins too! You might also notice that I haven’t done my nails in quite a while. That’s because I don’t care about your Instagram beauty standards dictating that hands should only be seen when they are freshly manicured. 

    Anyhow, here’s what I played. Thanks to everyone who came out and danced with us. 

    Set One:

    Michael Zager Band – Let’s All Chant

    Anita Ward – Ring My Bell (Pontchartrain edit)

    Evelyn “Champagne” King – Shame (Mr. Turner edit)

    Cerrone – Supernature (Ethan Wood edit)

    Kano – It’s a War (Purple Disco Machine, Lorenz Rhode edit)

    Ken Laszlo – Hey Hey Guy

    Telex – Moskow Diskow

    Lime – Babe, We’re Gonna Love Tonight

    Trans X – Living on Video

    Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy

    Marc Almond – Tears Run Rings

    Divine – You Think You’re a Man

    Alaska y Dinarama – A quien le importa

    Stop – Wake Up

    Righeira – Vamos a la Playa

    New Order – Blue Monday

    Prince – Erotic City

    Set two:

    Desireless – Voyage Voyage

    Erasure – Oh L’amour

    My Mine – Hypnotic Tango

    Freeez – I.O.U. 

    Mr. Flagio – Take a Chance

    Yaz – Situation

    Skatt Brothers – Walk the Night

    Pino D’Angio (RIP)– Ma Quale Idea

    Sheila E. – A Love Bizarre

    George Clinton — Atomic Dog

    Zapp – More Bounce to the Ounce

    Tom Tom Club – Genius of Love

    Herb Alpert – Rise (Daz Rise Up edit)

    Bee-Gees- Love You Inside Out (Antton edit)

    Blondie – The Tide Is High

    Jeanette – Por Que Te Vas (David Kust remix)

    Donna Summer – Last Dance

    Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs.

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  • Here’s What I Played at Bigfoot Lodge on July 6, 2024

    Bigfoot Lodge in Los Feliz (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
    Inside Bigfoot Lodge

    I brought two heaving bags of vinyl to play alongside DJ Felix for my pal Malvada’s night at Bigfoot Lodge. Of course, I worried that I didn’t bring enough music and, of course, I brought more than I needed. One of the records that made it onto the turntable, though, was Taleen Kali’s most recent album, Flower of Life. I played “Only Lovers Left Alive,” which is a terrific song that shares a title with one of the best ever vampire flicks. 

    Anyhow, I posted the record in my Instagram story, tagged Taleen and then, very shortly after that, there she was at Bigfoot Lodge. Turns out she was already on her way there when I posted. It was a fun coincidence, but also a good segue into this reminder that you should get Flower of Life. It’s a fantastic album and— I swear this isn’t sponsored content— if you head over to Bandcamp, you can get it on vinyl or cassette or CD or digital. 

    Keep reading for last night’s set list. 

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  • Here’s What I Played at Decadanse x Underground on July 5, 2024

    Photo of full dance floor at Club Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown, Los Angeles on July 5, 2024
    The scene at Grand Star Jazz Club for Decadanse x Underground on July 5, 2024

    Decadanse x Underground was such a great time and I’m happy to have been a part of it. DJs Pierrot and Fifi LaRoux played French pop on vinyl downstairs. Larry G. and I brought the indie vibes upstairs. We switched off on the controllers about every half hour or so. 

    “Amour Ex Machina,” from L’Impratrice’s new album, Pulsar, did pretty well for my first time playing it out. “Digitalism in Cairo,” the Digitalism track that samples “Fire in Cairo” by the Cure, made a reappearance after many years. People probably don’t recall it was a big track back in the ‘00s. 

    Anyhow, I’ll be back at Underground next Friday, July 12, for Siouxsie x Yeah Yeah Yeahs Nite. Tickets are already available on Restless Nites, Dice and Eventbrite. 

    Check out my set list from Decadanse x Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club on July 5, 2024.

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  • Fourth of July in L.A. with Grupo Soñador, DJ Nu-Mark, Tropa Magica and Healing Gems

    Healing Gems live at Gloria Molina Grand Park for the 2024 Fourth of July Block Party (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
    Healing Gems live at Gloria Molina Grand Park for the 2024 Fourth of July Block Party (Pic: Liz O.)

    At 5 p.m. on the Fourth of July, the sun is still beating against Gloria Molina Grand Park. It’s not as hot in downtown Los Angeles as one might expect after hearing the word “heatwave” over and over again on the news. It’s definitely not as hot as the Twilight Zone episode I had just watched, “The Midnight Sun,” which, let me tell you, is not one you want to see right as you’re getting ready to leave your air conditioned bubble on a summer day. Still, it’s sweaty-hot and all-too-sunny in the section of the park across from City Hall on this Thursday afternoon, but Healing Gems is riding a party vibe.  

    For Fourth of July, Grand Park throws a massive, free block party. There’s live music, DJs, rides, games and, for the second year in a row, a drone spectacle that lights up the sky without all the side-effects of fireworks. Once the sun sets, this 12-acre park will be packed, but we haven’t reached that point yet. Right now, a handful of folks have already staked claims on the park’s few shady spots with picnic blankets. A smattering of others brave direct sunlight for space in front of the stage. 

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  • Happening in L.A.: July 4 – July 10, 2024

    Decadence x Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club on Friday, July 5 with DJs Larry G., Liz O. Pierrot and Fife Laroux

    This is going to be a whirlwind of a weekend. I’m playing four gigs in the next seven days and hope to see a few you out at least one of them. Friday night is Decadanse x Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club with Larry G. and me playing all your Underground favorites and Decadanse DJs Pierrot and Fifi LaRoux bring French heat to the dance floor.  Tickets are available through Eventbrite or Dice.

    On Saturday, I’ll be playing records for Malvada’s party at Bigfoot Lodge in Los Feliz with DJ Felix. Sunday is the first anniversary party for Disco Matinee over at Grand Star and Tuesday I’ll be joining David Christian for Dolce Vita’s ‘80s night Splash over at The Mermaid. Details for all those gigs, plus a handful of recommendations for the rest of the week, are listed below. 

    Thursday, July 4

    4th of July Block Party w/Healing Gems, Tropo Magica, Grupo Soñador & more @Gloria Molina Grand Park

    200 N. Grand Ave., DTLA 90012; 4 p.m.; All ages; No cover

    96 Tears w/perksandkisses @ Grand Star Jazz Club

    943 N. Broadway, Chinatown 90012; 9:30 p.m.; 21+; Get tickets

    Subtract on the Pier 9 Year Anniversary @ Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier

    15 39th Place, Long Beach 90803; 1 p.m.; 21+ ; Get tickets

    Dávila 666, Self Improvement, Op-Ed, Space Horse @ The Paramount

    2708 E. Cesar E. Chavez, Boyle Heights 90033; 8 p.m.; All ages; Get tickets

    Friday, July 5

    Decadanse x Underground w/Fifi LaRoux, Larry G., Liz O., PierrotGrand Star Jazz Club

    943 N. Broadway, Chinatown 90012; 9:30 p.m.; 21+; Get tickets

    DJ Malvada Bigfoot Lodge DJ Liz O. DJ Felix

    Saturday, July 6

    DJ Felix, Liz O. @ Bigfoot Lodge

    3172 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz 90039; 10 p.m.; 21+; No cover

    Disco Matinee First Anniversary July 7, 2024 at Grand Star Jazz Club from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. with DJ Liz O. and DJ Jus' B playing disco, funk, dance punk and more.

    Sunday, July 7

    Disco Matinee 1st Anniversary Party w/Liz O. and Jus’ B @ Grand Star Jazz Club

    943 N. Broadway, Chinatown 90012; 3 p.m.; 21+; $5 at the door, RSVP on Instagram or Facebook for free entry before 4 p.m.

    Monday, July 8

    Izzy Outerspace, Essencer, Ter, Voice on Tape @ Genghis Cohen

    740 N. Fairfax, Hollywood 90046; 7 p.m.; 18+; Get tickets

    Splash '80s Night by Dolce Vita with rotating DJs at The Mermaid in Little Tokyo. Tuesday nights at 8 p.m.

    Tuesday, July 9

    Splash w/David Christian, Liz O. @ The Mermaid

    428 E. 2nd St., Little Tokyo 90012; 8 p.m.; 21+; No cover

    Wednesday, July 10

    The Future Is Female: L.A. Filmmaker Screening @ Vidiots

    4884 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7:30 p.m.; Get tickets

    Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs.

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  • Daphne Guinness’ New Album, Sleep, Is Disco Perfection

    Cover of Sleep by Daphne Guinness
    Album cover for Sleep, by Daphne Guinness

    It was before noon on the first day of July when I listened to Sleep, the new album from Daphne Guinness, for the third time that day. I’m not one to play albums on repeat, but this one resonated with me in a particular way. By the third listen, I had already started to memorize a few of the songs, but had yet to decide which ones will end up in my DJ sets.  This album is disco perfection and there are songs suited for nearly every kind of set I might play.

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  • July 1 Is Repair Independence Day

    Phot of electronic junk separation for recycling. Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
    Right to Repair laws aim in part to help curb e-waste that results from devices that have been difficult, if not impossible, to repair. (Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication)

    Today, July 1, is the day that right to repair laws go into effect in California and Minnesota, so the organizations that have been working to make this kind of legislation happen across the U.S. have declared it Repair Independence Day. Since I’m a Californian and have written about the new right to repair law in our fine state, it seemed like a good idea to post about it here. We’ll start with a link to my story from January. 

    “What California’s Right to Repair Law means for fixing home appliances and more” (Southern California News Group, gift link)

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  • Disco Matinee First Anniversary Party Is July 7

    Disco Matinee First Anniversary July 7, 2024 at Grand Star Jazz Club from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. with DJ Liz O. and DJ Jus' B playing disco, funk, dance punk and more.

    Disco Matinee is turning one year old and we’re going to celebrate on Sunday, July 7 at Grand Star Jazz Club from 3 to 7 p.m. To say thank you for your support this past year, there will be no cover before 4 p.m. if you RSVP on Instagram or Facebook* and the cover after 4 p.m. (or if you don’t RSVP) will be $5 for the first anniversary party. 

    Disco Matinee is a monthly, Sunday afternoon party with DJs Liz O. (that’s me) and Jus’ B. We play disco, funk, dance punk and more. If you’re down to dance to everything from Donna Summer to Talking Heads to Mary Jane Girls to Lime, this is the party for you. 

    Grand Star Jazz Club is at 943 N. Broadway in Chinatown’s Central Plaza, right next to the Bruce Lee Statue. Both street and lot parking is available. The venue is also right across Broadway from Metro’s A Line stop in Chinatown. 

    See you on the dance floor on Sunday, July 7. 

    *If you don’t have Facebook or Instagram, just click this link to send us an email with RSVP in the subject line and send us your name. 

  • Zoot Woman, Alex Anwandter, Model Child and More June Music

    Cover art for Get There, the new album from Model Child
    Cover art for Get There, the new album from Model Child

    It’s always a good idea to sign up for band mailing lists. If I hadn’t added my info to Zoot Woman’s mailing list, I wouldn’t have known that the band dropped a new album, Maxidrama, this month. 

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  • Happening in L.A.: June 27 through July 3

    Liquid Sky movie
    Liquid Sky plays at Gardena Cinema on Friday night.

    It’s a good week for movies in L.A. You’ve got two nights of Bruce LaBruce screenings at 2220 Arts + Archives, The Living End (with Gregg Araki in the house) at Academy Museum on Thursday and, one of my personal favorites, Liquid Sky at Gardena Cinema on Friday. 

    Also on Friday, Vidiots is screening Out of the Blue, the 1980 Dennis Hopper starring Linda Manz as a troubled punk rock teen. The movie is the source of the “Kill All Hippies” sample in the Primal Scream song of the same name. And, not to spoil anything, but it has one of the most disturbing endings I’ve ever seen in a movie. You’ve been warned. 

    There are also some worthwhile shows happening on the lower side of the ticket price spectrum, including Hunx & His Punx at Lodge Room next Wednesday night. At the time of writing this, tickets were still available for that show. As always, there are loads of DJ nights happening— certainly more than I’ve been able to keep track of on socials this week— so take some time to check out those if you can too. Keep reading to see what’s happening in L.A. between June 27 and July 3. 

    (And, in case you were wondering, my next gig is Friday, July 5 at Grand Star Jazz Club for Décadanse x Underground. Click on this link for more details.)

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