There may still be some debate about downtown Los Angeles's event worthiness, but the busy slate of stylish events in the area this weekend seems to demonstrate the area's liveliness. The 800-pound gorilla of weekend art events is the official gala on Sunday celebrating the much-anticipated Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. MOCA's Vanessa Gonzalez is busy at work on the event, which will feature a performance by the ubiquitous Kanye West. Marc Jacobs is the evening's honoree. A Saturday-night members opening will feature a cash bar and DJ set beginning at 6 p.m.
Caravents is planning a couple of related events, including the artist's after-party for 150 (of the 800 attending the main event), as well as a dinner for 120—Murakami’s staff and investors—at J Restaurant & Lounge at the same time as the gala. Murakami himself provided an iPod playlist of his favorite tunes to be played at the meal.
"[That we're able to hold these events near the museum] is a fantastic example of the rebirth of downtown L.A. as an event destination. It is only now that we can finally offer artists and arts-based organizations really hip, chic venues for their parties associated with their larger exhibitions and openings," Caraevents chief Cara Kleinhaut said. "In the past, after the big, official gala at one of the museums we would then have to take them into Hollywood to offer a more intimate, vibey setting, or do a total buildout in a loft space. So from an event production perspective, this is an exciting moment in our city."Over at Lacma, the museum's young artist membership group, Muse, will host its annual pre-Halloween costume ball on Saturday night with a late-night viewing of "Dalí: Painting & Film" and "The Arts in Latin America, 1492–1820," along with live music, cocktails, and a costume contest.
And the third annual Los Angeles Fashion Awards take over the Orpheum Theater tonight. E!'s Debbie Matenopoulos will host the show, and style editor Rose Apodaca and Project Runway alum Nick Verreos are among the presenters. Evolutionary Media Group is producing.
Caravents is planning a couple of related events, including the artist's after-party for 150 (of the 800 attending the main event), as well as a dinner for 120—Murakami’s staff and investors—at J Restaurant & Lounge at the same time as the gala. Murakami himself provided an iPod playlist of his favorite tunes to be played at the meal.
"[That we're able to hold these events near the museum] is a fantastic example of the rebirth of downtown L.A. as an event destination. It is only now that we can finally offer artists and arts-based organizations really hip, chic venues for their parties associated with their larger exhibitions and openings," Caraevents chief Cara Kleinhaut said. "In the past, after the big, official gala at one of the museums we would then have to take them into Hollywood to offer a more intimate, vibey setting, or do a total buildout in a loft space. So from an event production perspective, this is an exciting moment in our city."Over at Lacma, the museum's young artist membership group, Muse, will host its annual pre-Halloween costume ball on Saturday night with a late-night viewing of "Dalí: Painting & Film" and "The Arts in Latin America, 1492–1820," along with live music, cocktails, and a costume contest.
And the third annual Los Angeles Fashion Awards take over the Orpheum Theater tonight. E!'s Debbie Matenopoulos will host the show, and style editor Rose Apodaca and Project Runway alum Nick Verreos are among the presenters. Evolutionary Media Group is producing.
