The Bowie banner outside of the Grand Star on Friday night. (Pic: Liz O.)
My first club gig of 2024 was Underground’s Bowie Nite on January 12. Both floors of the Grand Star Jazz Club were open, so Larry G. played all the David Bowie jams downstairs. That’s also where people were able to get their Bowie makeovers from Miho. Meanwhile, I was upstairs playing all the other Underground jams, or as many as can be squeezed into a four hour set. Thanks to Larry for having me play and for everyone who spent some time on the upstairs dance floor!
You have two chances to catch me in the DJ booth this week. First up is Club Underground’s Bowie Nite this Friday, January 12, at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. Underground is taking over both floors of the Grand Star this week, with Larry G. playing open to close on the main floor and me, Liz O., doing the same on the second floor. Discounted tickets are available now via either Dice and Eventbrite.
The Grand Star is located at 943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles 90012. It’s inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza, right next to the Bruce Lee statue. Both street and lot parking is available in the neighborhood. The venue is also right across Broadway from Metro’s A Line station in Chinatown. Party starts at 9:30 p.m. and it is a 21+ event.
On Tuesday, January 16, you’ll find me at The Mermaid loaded up with Italo disco jams for L.A. Industrial’s weekly party, Dolce Vita. There’s no cover and it’s 21+, so stop by with your pals for some tasty cocktails and a soundtrack filled with tunes by the likes of Fancy, Fun Fun, Ken Laszlo, Sabrina and more.
The Mermaid is located at 428 E. 2nd Street in Little Tokyo. There’s typically loads of free parking available after 9 p.m., which is the same time that Dolce Vita starts. The bar is also a (very) short walk from Metro’s A/E line stop in Little Tokyo.
I probably should take pics, but I don’t, so here’s a screenshot from some video I got during “Tren al Sur.”
It was such a 2023 ending to the year. I was upstairs DJing at Underground’s New Year’s Eve Ball and preparing for the countdown. My stupid iPhone does everything but count down the seconds to midnight. So, I find a website with the time in L.A. down to the seconds. We’ve got 15 minutes to go. I slow things down with “Por Que Te Vas” so people can get their drinks. Keep it mellow with “Tide is High” and “Rock Steady.” We’re about three minutes away from midnight when I work in “E.V.A.,” then one minute, then 30 seconds. Then the website crashes, because, of course that’s what will happen at the end of the year where everything stops working. We got through the countdown regardless, but I’m adding “watch with a second hand” to the list of antiquated things I need to get this year because nothing new works.
First, thanks to all of you who came out to Club Underground on Friday night for Depeche Mode Night and my birthday party. I’m really happy to have been able to have the chance to celebrate at Grand Star Jazz Club with Larry G., Malvada and all of you. (Sorry for not posting the set list, but I accidentally deleted part of it and couldn’t remember much aside from a couple songs.)
I’ll be back at Underground on Sunday December 31, 2023 to celebrate New Year’s Eve with all of you at Grand Star Jazz Club, where both floors of the venue will be open. Early bird tickets are available now on both Eventbrite and Dice at a discount from the price at the door. Plus, last year’s party sold out, so the sooner you snap up your tickets, the better. Head to Underground’s website, or follow Underground on Instagram, for more info when it’s available.
Disco Matinee is back at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Special guest DJ Hoseh (Dublab’s “Version Sounds”) will be joining resident DJs Jus’ B and Liz O. for an afternoon filled with club classics and deep cuts. Party starts and 3 p.m. Your DJs will be dropping disco, funk, freestyle and more heat until 7 in the evening.
RSVP on Facebook, Instagram or by email for $5 entry to Disco Matinee before 4 p.m. Otherwise, the cover is $8 (cash or Venmo) at the door.
The Grand Star is located at 943 N. Broadway, inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza, right next to the Bruce Lee statue. There is both street and lot parking in the neighborhood. The venue is also located across Broadway from Metro’s A line stop in Chinatown.
Subscribe to the Disco Matinee mailing list for updates.
See you on dance floor for Disco Matinee on Sunday, December 3.
I forgot to take pics last night, save for this one of a sign in the stairwell.
I don’t know what I’m most grateful for tonight. Was it the people at Club Underground who danced to the brand new Confidence Man tune? Was it the person who admitted listening to Confidence Man, who released one of my favorite albums of 2022, because of my sets? (BTW, Confidence Man is at the Echoplex on December 2.) Or, was it the trio who listened to my rant about how Chumbawamba were the working class heroes we needed, but we didn’t deserve them and now we’re stuck with capitalist icon Taylor Swift? Maybe it’s all that.
Thanks to everyone who joined Jus’ B, Jen Rock and me at Grand Star Jazz Club on Sunday afternoon for Disco Matinee. It was great to see everyone on the dance floor for a mix of disco classics, freestyle jams and more. I played all-vinyl sets this time. Keep reading to see what was in them.
I have yet to drink my way through the cocktail menu at Golden Dragon in Chinatown. I’ve made enough of a dent in it, though, to tell you that the piña colada, with a kick of coconut in its frothy top, is my favorite. But, the mai tai, Singapore sling and scorpion bowls are all worthy dinner companions as well. Even better, all of the drinks mentioned here, and most of the cocktails on Golden Dragon’s menu, are $8.50*, which is a downright deal for a mixed drink in Los Angeles right now. In fact, it’s lower than what I’ve seen during happy hour at multiple places downtown.
At Philippe’s, you can get a cup of coffee for 46 cents and a donut for $1. (Pic: Liz O.)
I grew up in a family full of staunch Angelenos who love to dispense advice on crucial subjects like rush hour short cuts and where to get a good meal. When it comes to the latter, one of the best pieces of advice I heard from multiple family members was, “Get breakfast at Philippe’s.”
This coming week, I’ll be joining Taleen Kali’s residency at Harvard & Stone for a special DJ set before, after and in between the bands. More info on that below the jump. Plus, I’ve included a handful of other L.A. music events, including clubs, concerts and record fairs that are on my radar for the week. Keep reading and mark your calendars.
