Tag Archives: Grand Star Jazz Club

Happening in L.A.: November 7 through November 13, 2024

This is going to be a very short list because the highs (Halloween, Dodgers winning the World Series) and lows (the election) of the past few weeks have been a lot and I’m still trying to wrap my head around that. 

Regardless, there is one live show that I 100% highly recommend and that’s Cadal at Slipper Clutch tonight. Cadal is a post-punk group from Chile (check out their music on Bandcamp) and they’re only playing two shows in the U.S. Info for tonight is on the list below. 

For the city pop and future funk heads, Shibuya Starlight is back on Friday night at High Tide in Little Tokyo. And if French pop is your thing, check out Décadanse on Saturday night at the Grand Star. 


As far as movie screenings go, I’m really intrigued by The Cathedral of New Emotions, which is playing at Philosophical Research Society on Saturday night. And I’ll always recommend seeing Grave of the Fireflies, but, bring tissues. Lots of tissues. I’m not kidding. There are still tickets available for the 8:40 p.m. show at Alamo Drafthouse on Monday night. 

Keep reading for more of what’s happening in L.A. this weekend and early next week. Also head over to Discover Los Angeles for more nightlife listings. 

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: November 7 through November 13, 2024

Here’s What I Played at Club Underground’s Halloween Party on 10/25/24

Club Underground Halloween Party at Grand Star Jazz Club in Los Angeles on October 25, 2024 (Photo: Liz Ohanesian)
The crowd at Club Underground’s Halloween party on 10/25/24 dancing to Robyn “Dancing on My Own”

It’s hard to describe the energy at Club Underground’s Halloween party last night. It wasn’t just the holiday vibes in the air. Right before the party started, Freddie Freeman hit a grand slam in the 10th inning of the first game of the World Series, a dramatic victory for the Dodgers. And Underground happens to be at the Grand Star in Chinatown, just downhill from Dodger Stadium. So, in addition to the very local regular crowd, where you can safely assume there are plenty of Dodger fans, there were people who came by after the game. Someone in line showed me video he took of the reaction to Freeman’s grand slam in the crowd. There were people screaming and hugging each other, with sprays of beer that looked like rain falling over the scene. It looked wild. 

All that excitement helped set the mood for the night. I’ll write more after this I wrap up this weekend’s DJ gigs (I’m at Slipper Clutch for Dolce Vita tonight and The Mermaid for Splash Sundays tomorrow), but I will say that the costumes were great, the crowd was amazing and the vibe persisted until closing time. The set list is below. Don’t forget to get tickets for next Friday at Club Underground. It’s the release party for The Cure’s new album, Songs of a Lost World, and there are some really awesome giveaways. Click here to pick up your tix now

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Club Underground’s Halloween Party on 10/25/24

Happening in L.A.: Thursday, September 26 – Wednesday, October 2

Oasis Nite at Club Underground with DJ Larry G and DJ Liz O. at Grand Star Jazz Club on Friday, September 27, 2024

Friday, September 27, is Oasis Nite at Club Underground. Both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club will be open, with Larry G. and me (Liz O.) DJing from 9:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tickets are available now, so click on this link to pick up yours. The Grand Star is located at 943 N. Broadway, right next to the Bruce Lee statue in Chinatown’s Central Plaza, and it’s a 21+ venue. 

Then on Sunday, September 29, I’ll be playing Splash at The Mermaid with DJ Vanish. This is an open format night— so, really, anything goes musically— that is from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. Vanish is playing the first half of the night and I’m doing the second. There’s no cover and it’s 21+. The Mermaid is at 428 E. 2nd St. in Little Toyo. 

As for the rest of the weekend and early next week, here are just a few things I’ve noticed happening in L.A. that are under $30 and not sold out. For more options, check out my Get Into the L.A. Groove column for Discover Los Angeles. Click on this link for shows happening this weekend. For events happening the week of September 30, click here

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: Thursday, September 26 – Wednesday, October 2

Here’s What I Played at Club Underground on Friday, September 13

Club Underground Halloween at Grand Star Jazz Club, Friday, October 25, 2024

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 25 because Club Underground’s Halloween party will be taking over both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. Halloween at Underground is always a blast, so you won’t want to miss out on this. 

Last Friday, I played upstairs at Underground from open to close. Check out the set list below. 

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Club Underground on Friday, September 13

Pulp x Underground Nite is September 13 (Plus, My Set List from Last Night)

Pulp x Underground Nite Grand Star Jazz Club Chinatown Los Angeles September 13, 2024

Friday, September 13, is Pulp x Underground Nite at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. Both floors of the venue will be open with Larry G., Jesse B and me (Liz O.) on the controllers. Dance to all your favorite Pulp jams before they play the Palladium and Hollywood Forever, plus, the Underground mix of post-punk, new wave, indie, darkwave, synthpop and more. Tickets are available now via Dice or Eventbrite. The Grand Star is located at 943 N. Broadway in Chinatown’s Central Plaza. Party starts at 9:30 p.m. and it’s 21+.

I played a last minute set at Underground last night from open to close. It was a fun night in spite of the hideous heat wave that struck L.A. this week. Thanks to everyone who came out and hit the dance floor. Set list is below. 

Continue reading Pulp x Underground Nite is September 13 (Plus, My Set List from Last Night)

Friday, August 30 Is Depeche Mode Night at Underground

Flyer for Depeche Mode Night at Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club on Friday, August 30, 2024 with DJs Larry G., Liz O. and Filthy Rich

This Friday, August 30, is Depeche Mode Night at Club Underground. It’s also the birthday of Underground’s founder and resident DJ Larry G., so you know this is going to be a night for the books. Both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club will be open and DJ Filthy Rich and I (Liz O.) will also be dropping heat all night. Be ready to dance to Depeche Mode’s biggest hits, plus album cuts and B-sides, along with your Underground favorites. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite and Dice, so take your pick and get yours now.

Continue reading Friday, August 30 Is Depeche Mode Night at Underground

Happening in L.A.: July 11 – July 17

Yeah Yeah Yeahs x Siouxsie Nite at Club Underground in Los Angeles with DJs Larry G and Liz O. on Friday, July 12, 2024

This Friday, I’m back at Club Underground with Larry G. for Yeah Yeah Yeahs x Siouxsie Nite. Both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club will be open and tickets are available now. Party starts at 9:30 p.m. and it’s 21+. Find the Grand Star at 943 N. Broadway inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza next to the Bruce Lee statue.

Click here for more info on Yeah Yeah Yeahs x Siouxsie Nite at Club Underground. 

As for the rest of the weekend and into next week, your options include Pearl and the Oysters’s free show at Levitt Pavilion on Saturday. Also happening Saturday is Razorcake’s annual chili cook-off at Footsies and Décadanse’s tribute to Francoise Hardy at the Grand Star. On Monday, Ed Harcourt is playing at The Stowaway, which is a very intimate venue. Tuesday night, my favorite Schwarzenegger movie, The Running Man, screens at Vidiots in Eagle Rock. There’s plenty more happening in L.A. too. Check out the list below. 

Continue reading Happening in L.A.: July 11 – July 17

Yeah Yeah Yeahs x Siouxsie Nite at Club Underground Is Friday, July 12

Yeah Yeah Yeahs x Siouxsie Nite at Club Underground in Los Angeles with DJs Larry G and Liz O. on Friday, July 12, 2024

This Friday, July 12, is Yeah Yeah Yeahs x Siouxsie Nite at Club Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. I’ll be back to DJ alongside Larry G. for this special event, where both floors of the venue will be open.

Continue reading Yeah Yeah Yeahs x Siouxsie Nite at Club Underground Is Friday, July 12

Here’s What I Played at Club Underground on Friday, June 14, 2024

Actors In Real Life single cover
Cover of Actors single for “In Real Life.”

I forgot to take pics last night at Underground. It happens. But, it was another fun night on Friday, the memories of which become hazy after playing music for four hours. I do, however, recall that I really like the way Actors latest single, “In Real Life,” sounds with Roxy Music’s song “More Than This.” It makes sense in my head because Actors always sounded less like a “darkwave”  or “postpunk” band to me and more like people who have listened to a lot of Roxy Music, Bowie, Japan and Duran Duran. But, that doesn’t mean that two songs will go well together and I never know for sure until I try it. 

(Just in case you’re wondering, all my sets are improvised, but, when you’ve been DJing since you were 18 and you’re now a far cry from that, you have a good feel for which songs go together and which ones don’t.)

Also new to my set is “Hechizos” by Glass Spells, which you might have heard me play on Dublab last week. If not, you can click on this link to the archive of the show. Glass Spells are from San Diego and are currently on tour, but, unfortunately, don’t have an L.A. date. However, they will be at the Observatory in Santa Ana on July 17. Check Glass Spells’ website for other upcoming tour dates. The other new addition to my set is Boy Harsher’s remix of Chelsea Wolfe’s song “House of Self-Undoing,” which I love. Anyhow, here’s the set list.  

Continue reading Here’s What I Played at Club Underground on Friday, June 14, 2024