From July, 2007: Huell Howser took a visit to Blooms General Store in the Arts District, after the passing of Joel Bloom. Howser's gift was not just finding stories, but connecting with people who understood the stories of their neighborhoods.
The longtime host of KCET series "California's Gold," died last night of natural causes. He was 67.
ADD: My post on Huell at KCET.
KCET has a list of Huell tributes.
Photo: EF / VFAL
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'Never Will Be Mine' (2011) Rye Rye with Robyn / Directed by Tim Nackashi
On the day that has a street fair in Joel Bloom Square, an appropriate Downtown Vid Pick is the recently released video for Rye Rye's hip-hop single “Never Will Be Mine." She and guest, Swedish pop star Robyn, take full advantage of the current street art around Traction, East 3rd, and Hewitt.
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The annual block party that honors an Arts District pioneer––held in the “square” named in his honor––has grown from a neighborhood memorial to a fully loaded art and music festival.
That is not a bad thing. On Saturday, July 23, BloomfestLA will do what Joel Bloom did since he first arrived in Downtown LA in 1986, and until death in July, 2007; loudly showcase the Arts District.
Continue reading "A Sneak Peek at the Band Lineup for Bloomfest LA 2011" »
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The space that once held Bloom's will reopen as a different general store and be named after the Arts District street corner it sits on. Photo by Charlie Wright.
Vivian Um moved to the Arts District neighborhood and fell in love with it so much, she decided to open a small business to make life easier for locals; a small convenience market in what used to be Bloom’s General Store.
She and her partners planned to call it “Little Tokyo Shopette” and use a pink and white candy themed interior.
You can imagine how the natives became restless over that concept.
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A bagpiper warms up for the first Joel Bloom Memorial: July 2007.
Joel Bloom Square is a Downtown street corner named after an Arts District activist––who was also a Vietnam war veteran.
As a member of the Air Force, Joel Bloom documented soldiers' lives on the ground and in the air as a filmmaker. Being a witness of the destruction of villages always stayed with him, he later said to me and others.
Soon after being discharged, Bloom found himself in the pre-named Arts District during the 1980s, a time when the neighborhood was known for experimental art, theater, and music.
He opened a general store to provide services for other artists working and living in converted warehouses. Bloom also joined, formed, and led a number of community groups that enabled the neighborhood to grow into itself.
In December of 2000, Bloom's doctors removed three tumors that were later connected to Agent Orange. He passed away July 13, 2007.
This legacy is well known to locals. Yet, on Memorial Day, it is fitting to recall that it was a war veteran, who after seeing villages destroyed in Southeast Asia, helped build a village alongside the Los Angeles River. In turn, the Arts District and that creative ethos helped establish an identity for Downtown Los Angeles.
All day today, you will hear how vets fought for our freedoms. In the case of Joel Bloom, it can be said he also fought for building an environment that allows creative freedoms.
The work continues:
PARK IDEAS WANTED: The CRA and LADWP are seeking design ideas for the first Arts District Public Park, planned to be built on the La Kretz CleanTech Innovation Campus. The first set of progressive meetings will build on each other to incorporate "the ideas of our amazing community."
Community Meeting Schedule is as follows: Saturday, June 4, 10am at Factory Place Arts Complex (1330 Factory Place, Building A); Thursday, June 9, 6:30pm, at Barker Block (530 S. Hewitt St); Thursday, June 16, 6:30pm SCI-Arc (960 E. Third St) RSVP HERE
BLOOMFEST: The street festival named after Joel Bloom will have an added component this year. In addition to bands, Daniel Lahoda of Lahoda Fine Arts will lead guided street art tours. The street festival will be held Saturday, July 23, from 2pm to 10pm.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOOM: It's May 30, says Downtown Muse.
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VIEW FROM A BREWERY: Conceptual pocket park in Joel Bloom Square with tree ready for holiday lighting as seen from roof of the incoming Angel City Brewery. (vfal)
Hat Tips: Arturo Gonzalez from Councilmember Jose Huizar's office nudged DWP to check the address of the Downtown Arts District Dog Park. What do ya know? There was a dormant waterline and terminal. It has been activiated and thanks to local plumber Greg Robledo, the Arts District pup place will soon have water and a drinking fountain. "All we need is a water meter, run the drain, and we can hook it up," says Robledo, who operates at 418 Molina, steps away from the park. The dog park willl remain open during the mini-dig to run a drain.
Blog Roll Addition: Angel City Brewery is setting up their brew crew in the former Roebling & Sons building at Traction and Alameda. The favored local microbewery will be operating by February 2011, complete with a public tap room and event space. Backstory at blogdowntown.
Roebling Factoid: John A. Roebling’s Sons Co. landmark project is The Brooklyn Bridge and opened their Los Angeles warehouse in 1913. The family business extended to the grandsons and one of them, Washington A. Roebling, II, was lost at sea at the age of 31 as a passenger on the Titanic.
Blog Roll Add 2: Gourmet Pizza eatery Toddy G’s opened in October, next to Tony's, on 7th near Mateo.
Fundraiser: Kujali's Winter Art Auction will auction original African art from the local art markets of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania Saturday, Dec. 4. Proceeds will go to directly to Kujali's launch of first free private boarding school in Mkuranga Tanzania for orphaned teenagers. The silent auction ends at 10pm. There is also will a raffle for a pair of Lakers tickets, plus parking. (Private Loft / 209 S Garey).
Poketo will hold a warehouse sale Dec. 4 from 10am to 2pm with 40% to 75% on tees, tops, jackets and hoodies. "Come for the crazy sale, cupcakes, music" they say. Also on sale, tabletop and giftware, stationary, wallets, handbags, laptop cases, art prints, and home decor. (510 Hewitt St. Space 506 / Cash or CC).
Jazz at Cafe Metropol: Helen Sung Band tonight at 8pm. Kathleen Grace Band Saturday at 8pm.
ARTSHARE will present "The Circle," written by Tina Lifford, at the ArtShare Warehouse Theatre, Saturday, Dec. 4, at 3pm.
PICS AND DRINKS: Cocktail reception for The Factory's 2010 Architectural Photography Show Saturday, Dec. 4, from 3 to 6pm. Show ends December 11.
LAST NOT LEAST: It's the last weekend for "Crimes of the Heart" at East West Players.
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WHICH WAY? The sign for Joel Bloom Square was placed at 3rd and Traction hoping that the triangle would be someday be purchased by the City and made into public space. As seen last Sunday, the portion of Traction Ave in front of Bloom's General Store is a solid backup if current owners want to keep this triangle a parking lot. Dreamers move forward: Citizen LA is offering a competition for anyone to design this portion of the Arts District. While I've recently resisted work for spec because the promised exposure only leads to more work for spec, this one may be interesting to do as a project here. According to the press release, it's open to anyone interested. Details will be found in the August Issue of CitizenLA and a website will be up soon. Links and info will be added when they come, after the jump.
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