Discover more of Mike’s work via his instagram, and Linktree, and find other relevant links below in the notes.
This is our first “plus-two” interview! In each episode, we ask our interviewees to name someone whom they in turn would choose to ask about the five places that define Los Angeles for them. Artist Laurie Lipton, our episode 8 guest, chose art critic Shana Nys Dambrot as her plus one. To watch or listen to Laurie interview Shana about her five places, check out her interview and episode here. Shana then chose Mike, making this our first plus-two. Stay tuned for Mike’s extraordinary interviewee, who will be our first plus-three.
Show notes and Mike’s Five Places:
1. Cascades park in Monterey park.
2. Beyond Baroque, Venice. Mike also mentions: the LA-founded punk band X, the extraordinary Wanda Coleman, aka “the L.A. Blueswoman”, Scott Wannburg, S.A. Griffin, Tom Waits, Allan Ginsberg, Michael C. Ford, and Jim Morrison.
3. Judy Baca’s Great Wall of Los Angeles, about which Mike has recorded this video: “Whose Story Do We Tell?” Also mentioned: Stefano Block, the graffiti artist formerly known as CISCO, and the bell hooks book All About Love.
4. Los Angeles City Hall. Also mentioned, Phillipe’s restaurant, since 1908!
5. Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Temple in Boyle Heights. East First street. Brooklyn Avenue. Nisei week festival in Little Tokyo.
Honorable mentions:
Suehiro restaurant in Little Tokyo and Robert Vargas mural
Spoon House Japanese Italian restaurant in Gardena – whether you like Japanese Italian-food or not, this Jonathan Gold review is a joy to read.
Whom would you choose to ask about their Five Places? The great Lynell George.
Related Links / Also Mentioned in this episode:
Mike Sonksen’s prose poem: “For Mike Davis”
The Roots’ Illadelph Halflife album for sunset drives.
“Seven Books to Help Understand Judith Baca’s Great Wall of Los Angeles and L.A. Itself”, by Mike Sonksen
Memorial to the Victims of the 1871 Chinese Massacre
Glenn Kaino’s show, Aki’s Market, at the Japanese American Museum
The Hood Historian
Huell Howser, as Mike says “respected human dignity. He let others shine.”
bell hooks’ book All About Love
Marugame Monzo Japanese fusion restaurant
Page Against the Machine bookstore
Julia Cameron and The Artist’s Way
Credits:
Logo design: still room (www.still-room.com)
Animated logo: Bee Murphy (@supadoopabee on Instagram)
Music: Guido Parisi, www.pond5.com
Produced by: Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design
Production team: Emmanuelle Bourlier, Quynh Nguyen
Creator, Executive Producer, and Host: Emmanuelle Bourlier
This podcast was recorded on Chumash and Tongva land.
© 2024 Los Angeles Forum AUD, and FIVE PLACES
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