Purple and Gold

...are complimentary colors (or well, purple and yellow, but close enough)! Perfect indeed. Green and white, on the other hand... are not.

Enough said.

If you're not one of the lucky people who have tickets to the NBA Finals, and the Lakers are out in Boston...you can catch the game on the massive Staples Center TV screens with thousands of other fans. $15 for adults and $10 for kids 3 to 13. Proceeds go to the Lakers Youth Foundation and the Staples Center Foundation, both of which benefit local kids. It definitely adds to the spirit and excitement to head over to the Staples Center on the Metro with a multitude of purple and gold wearing fans.

GO LAKERS!!

*Take the Metro Blue Line to Pico Station, one block from Staples Center, or the Metro Red Line to 7th Street/Metro Center, just four blocks away.

-ExperienceLA Staff

Bus Seats: A Seattle and LA Comparison

It seems like no matter where I go, ExperienceLA haunts me helps me see the world through a special lens. This past weekend I roamed the area of Seattle, Washington which included experiencing King County public transit. So I could talk about the different things you get to see and the differing, but individually complex/rich histories of places outside of LA's spiffy, sunkissed bubble, but the purpose of this entry is to discuss something that turned my head around while on transit - the seats.

First off - aesthetics! At least on the King County buses I was privvy, the upholestry is this great map design of the area - and I couldn't help but think, that would be interesting to see in LA format. Can you imagine? The huddle of just the distinct cultural areas of Downtown alone, where Chinatown meets El Pueblo and is only steps away from Little Tokyo? Not that there's anything wrong with the artsy, historic seat designs now (inspired by the 1930s and 40s ticket designs) - just that I wonder if I'd feel more on the move if I had that sense of LA space.

Secondly, comfort! While I'm glad for the current chairs - it says a lot about a chair when you can sit comfortably for a 2-hour bus ride from Disneyland to Downtown LA (I've done the route twice - this carless girl had to make it to the an SC football game one time!) - I did like the comfy, cushy ones of Seattle. They reminded me of the kind you can have on the commuter bus.

So I guess the above is merely to say, that the seating was just...different and that's what makes traveling so much fun. Because it's the little nuances that make a place distinct - even seats on a traveling bus.

-Charity Tran, ExperienceLA Web Coordinator

Earth Day in LA

LA is a place known more for its car-friendliness (have you seen the traffic out there?), but that doesn't mean it's lacking in more eco-friendly options (especially as those gas prices rise). So take some time out to learn how to boost the green power in your life. Experience the arts and cultural offerings of LA and save the world in your own way...

• Film - Into Action: Greening the Earth Film & Discussions: Brought to you by the Armory Center for the Arts, City of Pasadena, and Patagonia Pasadena, explore the world in a green way through film and conversation.
  ExperienceLA Go Metro! Tip: Take the Gold Line and get off at Memorial Park station. (April 15th and April 22nd)


• Festival - Wilshire Center Earth Day/Car Free Day: Leave the car at home and head to this festival on Wilshire Blvd. See more than 100 exhibit booths and enjoy the music and speakers on the festival's three stages. Kids will enjoy the children's stage and programs and everyone can enjoy all of the event's food offerings.
  ExperienceLA Go Metro! Tip: Take the Purple Line and get off at Wilshire/Western. (April 22nd)


• Music - Go Metro!: Earth Day Canon Concert: Celebrate Earth Day through song. Head to Union Station in your Metro-friendly way and get access to a concert by eco-friendly rock band Canon. The only way in is with a Metro ticket. Check out this video for more information.
  ExperienceLA Go Metro! Tip: Take the Red Line and get off at Union Station. (April 22nd)


• Festival - Universal Studios Hollywood Eco-Fair: Celebrate earth day with celebrity appearances, over 30 educational displays, and even free parking for hybrids! Jump-start your earth-friendly behavior by supporting the hazardous waste disposal drive.
  ExperienceLA Go Metro! Tip: Take the Red Line and get off at Universal City Station. (April 26th)


• Art - Natura: Mythology, Spirit, Memory: Join these LA artists in their poetic journey reflecting their relationship to the Earth. (April 12th-May 5th)


• Festival - Worldfest: LA's Largest Earth Day Festival: In its 7th year, join this solar-powered celebration of food, music, the environment, and animals.
  ExperienceLA Go Metro! Tip: Take the Orange Line and get off at Woodley Station. (May 10th)

Go Green! Go Metro! Experience LA!

-Charity Tran, ExperienceLA.com Web Coordinator

Ne-Yo at the Wiltern

Sunday night was spent being serenaded by Ne-Yo at the Wiltern. On a whim, my friend and I decided to buy tickets the day of the concert. The venue itself was pretty nice, its neon sign and lit up marquee making it stand out on the corner of Wilshire and Western. Small enough to feel cozy, but big enough to house a lot of people, including fans who joyfully danced away in the aisles. The concert culminated with Ne-Yo singing "Happy Birthday" acapella style to one of the fans while the rest of us sighed in awe from afar.

The Wiltern is easily accessible via the Wilshire/Western stop on the Metro Purple Line.

-Sarah Koo, ExperienceLA Arts/Culture Marketing Assistant

Antonio Banderas Wants You to Go Metro!

Antonio Banderas wants you to Go Metro to the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. Check out the video (courtesy of Metro) to see why you should Go Metro to one of Los Angeles best annual film festivals.



Antonio Banderas quiere que tomes el metro al Festival de Cine latino Internacional de Los Angeles. Mira el video (cortesia de Metro) donde explica la buena razon para tomar el metro a uno de los mejores festivales de Cine de Los Angeles.

Public Displays of Affection... on the Metro!

Actually, I never see that much PDA on the Metro. Hooray!! On the other hand, I do see plenty of people picking away at their noses, making me want to inch away from any metal bar in sight and hone my ability to freely balance in a moving subway car, two inch heels and all (can I call that my special talent?).

There IS, however, an event called Public Displays of Affection, a concert and exhibit brought to you by Global Inheritance, in an effort to "show public transportation in Los Angeles a little love". For a city where a majority of its residents don't even realize a subway exists, I'm all for a little Metro lovin'.

The event features Ladytron, Great Northern, and special guest DJ Taina, as well as TRASHed: Art of Recyling Exhibit. Your ticket, of course, is an incoming subway or bus ticket. Takes place this Thursday, September 27th at Hollywood & Highland, 7:00pm.

-Sarah Koo, ExperienceLA Arts/Culture Marketing Assistant