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May 13, 2012

To the citizens of Venice Beach:

I am writing with the hopes of determining the community’s opinion of the inaugural Venice Beach Surf & Skate Fest held on April 21^st, 2012.

What I saw and heard from the revelers the day of the event was a wonderful outpouring of fun, camaraderie and enjoyment.  I personally feel that the event was a success and met my goals of presenting the local community a day of celebration in regards to our surfing and skating heritage.  But this is just my opinion.  And although I heard a lot of positive feedback on the event, there are some folks who do not share my views.

I like to think that I do my best to address everyone’s concerns when proposing or holding an event in my beloved community of Venice.  I also like to discuss these concerns in private or in a forum where it is beneficial to all parties involved.  But when these concerns are sent directly to the Councilman’s office, the Coastal Commission & the LADOT 2 and 3 weeks after the event is over in attempt to spin a negative image on myself & my productions, it not only puts a bad light on me, but it also hurts my feelings deeply.

If city agencies & the California Coastal Commission only hear these negative comments on the event, it is a pretty good bet that they will not approve a 2^nd Annual Venice Beach Surf & Skate Fest.

I spent almost 1000 hours of time & over $3000 of money out of my pocket to bring this event to the people of Venice.  I am reaching out to the public to get your feedback, negative or positive.  Any ideas of what you would like to see?  Thoughts on what I can improve to make this event better if allowed to be held in 2013?  If you liked it or loved it, please send me your comments, no matter how long or short they may be.

Thank you for continuing to let me have fun with all of you wonderful Bohemians!

Sincerely,

Brady Walker

310-980-7129

brady_walker@hotmail.com

Producer: Carnevale! Venice Beach / Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally / Venice Beach Surf & Skate Fest

Co-producer: Venice Spring Fling / Venice Beach Music Fest

Interviews begin second week in May.

Café Gratitude is seeking to fill all positions at our Venice location on Rose Ave.

The ideal person for this position is someone who:
-LOVES working in the restaurant industry and LOVES being in service
-Has restaurant experience and is great interacting with customers
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For more information and to apply, please go onto our website at www.cafegratitudela.com.

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Our company is a truly unique work environment that provides a foundation and springboard for personal growth.

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Website:  www.cafegratitudela.com

Never say never. Porter is the style your correspondent would pick last if offered, until now. Our beer spotlight shines on the Aloha state, the beer is Maui Brewing Company’s CoCoNut porter. Coconut in beer? That’s what I thought until the first taste. The combination was enticing enough to give a try, needless to say it made a big enough impression to share with our thirsty readers.

Maui brewing company is one of two established breweries from the islands, the other, Kona Brewing (see Venice Ale House feature). Our selection is an unusual pairing indeed.The boundaries of brewing continue to prove the creativity, skill and the art of beer-making is alive and well. The brewery’s tag line, “brewed with aloha”.

Coconut porter is served in a twelve ounce can. The pour is dark, opaque. The head is rich, one to two finger tan head. Very light carbonation. The nose is overwhelmingly chocolate, with hints of coffee. At first the palate is pronounced chocolate (not too sweet, think bittersweet), coffee, malt, hint of spice and a warm toasty coconut rounds out. The finish is slight sweet and slight bitterness. The ABV is 6%, making this average to low alcohol content for porters.

Now to really make the mouth water, the friend that turned me on to this amazingly inventive beer added the decider, coconut porter makes a lights out pairing with a brownie and ice cream (let’s keep it simple, vanilla). Who said beer can’t be sophisticated and come in a can. Dare we say, try making a ice cream porter float, sounds like another great combination.

The Maui Brewing company makes their home in Lahaina. There are six brews offered by the can.
The brewery also operates a brewpub with full kitchen and a list of draught only brews including some more interesting choices (a milk stout and a honey amber). The menu won me over with a 3 beer chili.

My next trip to Hawaii, don’t bother with a menu. http://www.mauibrewingco.com Maui brewing is busy winning beer festivals around the world, the coconut porter claims several: Silver 2010 – U.S. Open Beer Championship, Gold 2010 – L.A. International Commercial Beer Competition, Silver 2010/Gold 2009 – San Diego International Beer Competition, Bronze 2010 – Australian International Beer Competition, Gold 2006 – World Beer Cup.

The beer advocate website rates 90/100 points. For the adventurous and the beer lover, coconut porter is a beer to introduce to your friends and family, they will credit you for sharing such an amazing brew. Next time the same old choices stare back at you from the beer cooler, grab a six pack of paradise in a can.

Click here to read more articles by Josh Black.

The artist goes by “HELLBENT” – he works mostly in the street/environment – and also has a show “A Quilted Life” - currently on view at the gallery.

 

Contact at Jeffrey Solomon at  info@venicebeachwalkingtours.com or find him on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/venicebeachwalkingtours

The Dirty Suits (Blue Eyed Soul / Americana)  http://www.myspace.com/thedirtysuits

Rich Sheldon: (Roots Rock, Jam Band, Reggae, Folk)  http://www.richsheldonmusic.com

Braw.   (Reggae band)    http://www.facebook.com/Brawmusic

Tone Def Punk Rock Karaoke.  http://tonedefkaraoke.com/

Meet Me At The Pub (Reggae / Punk Rock) http://meetmeatthepub.com/

Dre Gipson (Rock / Reggae / Soul) http://www.facebook.com/dregipsonmusic

Hello Echo (Rock / Soul / Zouk) http://www.helloechoband.com/

Hell City Rockers.  (Rock/Punk/Alt Rock)   http://www.facebook.com/HellCityRockers

Fly N Lion (Reggae / Funk / Rock) http://www.myspace.com/flynlionmusic

Costa Nova (Rock n’ Roll) http://costanova.net/CNWP/

Miz Whitton (Juke Joint / Americana) http://www.musicofwhitton.com/

The SpaceShip Martini (Folk / Rock n’ Roll) http://www.myspace.com/thespaceshipmartini

Killing Cassanova (Folk Rock / Bluegrass / Gospel) http://www.myspace.com/killingcassanova

Sister Rogers (Jazz / Bossa Nova) www.sisterrogers.com

Fishbone (Ska / Rock) http://www.fishbone.net/

Terence Leclere (Rock n’ Roll) http://www.terenceleclere.com

Solace and Fury (Folk / Americana)  www.facebook.com/solaceandfury

Chris Jaiden (Acoustic / Rock) http://www.chrisjaiden.com/

Old Man Markley (Bluegrass / Punk) http://www.oldmanmarkley.com/

The Taint (Surf / Pop) http://www.myspace.com/thetaintmusic

Stevie Starlight (Rock / Psychedelic) http://www.myspace.com/steviestarlight

Iron Heel (Rock / Classic Rock) http://www.myspace.com/ironheelmusic

Mather Louth N’ The Radio Noir (Burlesque / Blues) http://www.myspace.com/matherlouth

The Americans (Rockabilly Americana) http://www.facebook.com/theamericansmusic?ref=ts

The Dirges (Irish Punk) http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dirges/68975410938?v=wall

Paul Chesne Band (Rock n’ Roll) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Chesne-Band/18670064457?v=wall

Costa Nova (Rock n’ Roll) http://www.facebook.com/costa.nova?ref=sgm

DID WE MISS YOU?

Let us know! info@venicepaparazzi.com

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Click here for the list of where to go for live music.

Let us know if we missed your live music venue at info@venicepaparazzi.com.

Interview by  V.P. band correspondent Kristen Carlton.

On Saturday, March 3^rd, I went to check out the punk-reggae band, Meet Me at the Pub at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Santa Monica. I sat down with Jeremy Parker, lead singer and song writer, while drummer Mike Sullivan “Sully” and Bassist Jack Carlos finished setting up before the clock stuck ten.

KC: MM@TP HAS SUCH A UNIQUE SOUND. WHAT GENRE OF MUSIC WOULD YOU SAY IT FALLS UNDER?

JP: Our genre falls under California, surf, punk, reggae sort of mix. I’ve grown up listening to these types of music. When I was little, I was a break-dancer, which was a lot of beat boxing, and then got into skating in the 80’s; that was all punk rock. When I got older I got real into the ska scene, which influenced a lot of the reggae. I really like the old Jamaican ska , especially from the early 1960’s.  Now it’s the style we play, some people call it ‘Cali reggae’. They have the Chicago blues and New Orleans jazz; we’ve got our own Cali sound out here.

KC: HOW DID MM@TP ALL BEGIN?

JP: Well, I was in a ska band called Skee Ball when I was going to USC. I was living in La Puente at the time and Jack played in a Mexican band with the guys I’d been living with. We started jamming and then I met Sully and we became friends. Then the next thing you know, were all jamming together. We played our first show at the Malibu Inn. We just happened to pop in and decided we wanted to play, so Sully asked “Oye mate, who’s the band tonight? Well you’ve got one now, we’ll do it for free just give us some beers.” After that, we played there every Monday night for 2 years. That’s kind of how we started. Actually, “Meet me at the Pub live music Monday night” was what we’d put on our flyer, and it just stuck.

KC: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE  MEMORIES WITH MM@TP?

JP: Well I tell you what, my favorite time was when I had my house on Horizon! We’d go back there and jam until 4 or 5 in the morning. The house was built in 1918 and had that good soundproof wood, so we’d shut all the windows and be jamming. The neighbors couldn’t hear anything! The most memorable show though was at Gold Coast 2006. It was a music festival in England that we headlined with 10,000 screaming fanatic people. You know the feeling you get when you end a song and it’s not just a clap but, this incredible roar from the audience? Better then any sex  or drug, it was the best feeling in my life.

KC: WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?

JP: Personally, my dad was a big influence. He was a pastor and did all the music and worship for our church. I’d go to his practices when I was little sit on his lap when he’d play bass. He was an amazing singer! I think I got my pipes from him. Besides that, Sublime was a huge influence on me. When I heard Bradley singing, I was like this is MY music, this was written for me, Ireally related to his music. Jack got a scholarship when he was 11 to go to the LA school of the arts, so he’s classically trained in bass. He’s played in orchestras and stuff. And uh as far as Sully.. Sully, (he turns to sully, who was installing his home made lighting fixtures to one of the spotlights) What are some of your music influences?

SULLY: Music influence? The Specials.

JP: Yeah definitely the Specials and a lot of two-toned ska. I got really influenced by the English ska scene. But really, Jamaican music is one of my favorites. The way I play ska music is really the Jamaican traditionally ska. I’d say my three vocal influences would be Sting, Brad Noel, and Stevie Wonder.

KC: THAT’S AN INTERESTING MIX.

JP: Yeah, and really, where do I stop? Punk rock wise, Bad Religion is one of my favorite bands.  They were a really political band, but they were the first to add melody to punk rock and the first to sing and add harmonies to that kind of music, which I really loved.

KC: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR MOTIVATION AND INFLUENCE?

I mean, what is the source of it, what fuels the fire? I don’t know! I went through a period of off and on bad break ups its always good to talk about that stuff and get it off your chest. I think like any art and anything the song just writes itself. As a song writer the song just comes to me, and if im lucky enough to be around listening for it then the song will present itself to you I really think. You can sit down and try and write and force it, but the best stuff is when you can just play it from start to finish.  Sometimes you can almost play it from start to finish, like you already know it. And you’re stoked if your there to get it. Because if its not you, its going to present itself to someone else.

KC: SO YOU’RE SAYING GOOD MUSIC IS JUST FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE WAITING TO BE PLAYED?

JP: I think so yeah, I think it’s out there in the cosmos of the universe and if you’re lucky to be able to tap into it and translate it. That’s where musical knowledge comes in.  That’s all musical experience. I tried to write political songs, but eh, I like to party too much and have a good time. There two things you don’t talk about at the pub: politics and religion.

KC: WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR RECORDINGS?

(He immediately reaches down to grab me a CD)

JP: This is our newest ‘Tall Can Wednesday’ album. We have two international releases, our Monday Night album and Tall CanWednesday- released in Japan, Europe and the US. You can find us on iTunes. Although, most of our music we give away for free. I’d rather 50,000 people listen to us than 1,000 people buy our music.

KC: ANY UPCOMING GIGS?

Yeah, were playing at the St. Patrick’s day at club Central March 17th and then we’re headlining the Roxy(link) on April 20th with the possibility of a party bus from Venice to Hollywood.

 KC: WHATS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT VENICE?

Well, I’m the first in my family to actually live in Venice. My great grandpa built a lot of Venice when it was first being constructed. If I could put it down to one thing, it would definitely be the lifestyle. It’s for me.

KC: HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE LIFESTYLE IN VENICE?

JP: Well, I surf, I skate, I walk my dog at the beach. The people are cool and you can just be yourself. It’s a happy lifestyle- for me,it fits. You can get into trouble, you can get into art, you know, you can do whatever you want. As an artist and a writer, the creative energy flows in Venice. I think it’s because it’s not your corporate cookie cutter city, its not a stamped out town like the rest of California is becoming. It’s unique- there’s not big corporate chains or track homes. Venetians are a proud people. What’s happening is that people are moving here and they want to partake in our happiness, they see the way we treat each other, its different than around the country. When you come here people are different to each other. This guys a punk this guys a hippie, I see this guy at the pub, and its just like whatever, kick it.

ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT MM@TP

Jeremy received a degree in business from the University of Southern California.

Jack is a classically trained bassist. At 11 years of age, he received a scholarship to the Los Angeles School of the Arts.

Before moving to California, Sully was a semi pro surfer in England.

FOR MORE INFO ON JEREMY PARKER OF MEET ME AT THE PUB: 

Facebook

MeetMeAtThePub

Click here to see more photos of 03.03.12 Meet Me at the Pub show at O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

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