Winner of more Tony Awards® than any theatre outside of Manhattan, the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum re-opens its doors to the public on Sept. 14, 2008 after a yearlong $30 million renovation with the premiere of “The House of Blue Leaves.” The distinctive circular theatre located at the Music Center in Downtown has received a much-needed updating of its technical capabilities and audience amenities. Inside the auditorium, the unique intimacy of the Taper will be retained, with upgrades such as new, more comfortable seats, upholstery, carpeting, and sleek and elegant new railings along the aisles. The acoustics of the theatre will also be improved to allow theatregoers to hear the spoken word better, and a new air conditioning system will provide quieter and more even air distribution. The theatre’s lobby will more than double in size and the lobby bar will be more accommodating. The 1,350 square-foot lower lobby will also offer comfortable, casual seating with two large banquettes, on either end of the lobby, and additional adjacent seating.
www.centertheatregroup.org/theatres/mtf

On July 23 and July 31 from 5 - 9 p.m., the California Science Center in Downtown’s Exposition Park is going to juxt…a…pose. Live naked women will abut female cadavers from the science center’s Body Worlds 3 exhibit.

Event Phone Number: 323.724.3623

Click here to read more about Body Worlds 3.

From loin-clothed men warring it out in front of thousands at the LA Sports Arena in Exposition Park to practically naked porn stars putting on a convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center, June 6-8 is going to be jam-packed! Not to mention, Kobe and the Lakers could very well be playing at STAPLES Center in the NBA Finals.

IT’S PRETTY MUCH AN ORGY OF TALENT!

And what a perfect weekend for Downtown to put on it’s Open House. Branded as the “weekend to discover what living AND playing in all of Downtown LA’s neighborhoods has to offer,” Downtown Open House will truly be racking in the visitor numbers it’s been longing for.

This is the perfect time to stay at a Downtown hotel if you’ve never experienced the region over the course of 24 hours. The Wilshire Grand is offering a $99 rate all weekend.

Downtown LA continues to welcome new residential and commercial projects, as well as a whopping 10,000 new residents within the past four years. The area’s influx of grocery stores and convenience marts is a direct indication of Downtown’s resurgence. In July 2007, the Ralphs grocery store chain marked its return to Downtown after pulling out of the area more than 50 years ago. Categorizing Downtown as one of its “luxury” markets, the company opened one of its 25 upscale “Fresh Fare” Ralphs, with an emphasis on luxury items and specialty products. Also making its Downtown premiere in December 2007 was the 7-Eleven chain, which opened on the ground level of the Mandel Lofts at 7th and Olive streets. The store is Downtown’s first 24-hour convenience mart. A high-end stop in Downtown is the Japanese convenience store, Famima!!. Serving Downtown with to-go sushi and Chinese steamed buns since 2006, the chain recently opened its third Downtown location in the California Plaza.