JTJ: Slow Children Crossing

Hey everyone!  If you’re looking for a fun and FREE way to start your weekend, join me tonight at the Comedy Central Stage at The Hudson Theater for Robotic Chocolate: The ReMix, featuring LA’s hottest sketch comedy troupe, Slow Children Crossing.  How could you pass this show up with an inappropriately amazing name like that?  The talented SCC troupe provides a fast-paced rollercoaster ride of never-ending laughs!  Seriously, folks.  With their assortment of high and low brow, political, satirical, scatological, and musical humor, you’ll find yourself laughing even after you’ve left the show.   Who knows, even you too may appear slow at that point.

If you are the “too soon” type and giggle during sex-ed than this is the show for you.  Reserve your free tickets now at (323) 960-5519!

Click here for more information on the cast and show dates.

Robotic Chocolate: The ReMix
Thursday Sept 22nd  @ 8pm
Comedy Central Stage at The Hudson Theater
6539 Santa Monica Blvd
LA, CA 90038

Tags: Comedy Central Stage, Jen the Jew, Robotic Chocolate: The ReMix, Slow Children Crossing, The Hudson Theater

It’s Closing Time

What happens when one of the guys reenters the dating scene after a long-term relationship break up?  Well it’s survival of the fittest of course and he’s got to learn the new tricks of the trade to stay in the game…

Brett Gursky’s short film, Closing Time, will be screening tomorrow at the HollyShorts Film Festival, an annual festival showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the world.  Yea baby, the world.

I just happen to be in this particular film along with a few other familiar faces, so if you’re free Tuesday from 12-1:30PM, come check it out!  During this block you can also catch some of the other celebrated shorts and if you ask me, this is a real bang for your 10 bucks.

• Stuffer | Nathan Crooker
• Karl Mulberry | Lorne Hiltser
• Butterfly &the Beast | Joe Nardelli
• Xtraction | Marco Santiago 2011
• Jezuz Loves Chaztity | Clarinda Morales
• Closing Time | Brett Gursky
• GOOD MEN | Brian Connors 2011
• Le Jeu Des Soldats | Lorne Hitser
• Le Chapeau | Marie Tang
• Melt | Noemie Lafrance

Click here for tickets and more info on Closing Time!

Tags: Audra Griffis, Ben Savage, Brett Gursky, Closing Time, HollyShorts Film Festival 2011, Jake Avnet, Jenifer Golden, Michael Doneger, Ryan Rottman

JTJ: Walk this Way

Calling all art lovers sans plans for the evening!

Tonight, and the second Thursday of every month, is the free, self-guided, public art phenomenon known as The Downtown Art Walk.   The DAW brings art lovers and community folk together to celebrate the arts in Los Angeles’ ever evolving downtown.   Many of the DAW activities take place in and around the galleries predominantly on Spring and Main streets between 2nd and 9th streets.   However, there is a plethora of other activities should you choose to venture outward.  For the true art aficionados, early arrival to the DAW offers a more relaxed pace throughout the different galleries and art exhibits as many eventual attendees are still leaving work at that time.

When in Rome, or Downtown LA, make like the locals and veer off the art path and visit the surrounding shops, restaurants, and bars for the full downtownee experience.  If you’re feeling frisky and want a more upbeat scene, head over to the Art Walk Lounge for the SoBe “Try Everything Experience,” featuring DIY t-shirt screen-printing, full-sized free samples of SoBe’s 31 flavors, Spin Art by DJ Scratch Academy, Live art by CHASE, free bike valet service and free art walk maps!  Free, free and more free.

The lounge features a different theme each week and is located at located at 529  S. Spring St. and is open from 6-10PM.  The art walk galleries are typically open from 12-9PM during the event, however click here for more information on hours of operation and special exhibits.

Happy day before the weekend!

Tags: Downtown Art Walk, JTJ, SoBe

Save the Children

I write about food trucks and cheap ways to live a lavish life – but what about those that face complete starvation and haven’t even had a chance to taste the things we’ve tasted?  Ever.  This doesn’t have to happen.

Save The Children has launched an emergency aid response in Africa.  Please watch this video, share with friends, family, colleagues, even acquaintances, and download Bob Marley & The Wailer’s single ‘High Tide or Low Tide.’  All download proceeds go to East Africa Fund’s food crisis appeal.

You can help now.  Be a friend.

 

Tags: Bob Marley, Bob Marley & The Wailer, East Africa Fund, High Tide or Low Tide, Save the Children

The Friday Funnies

You know how people ask, “you want to laugh?”

A) Who doesn’t?  Really, when was the last time you heard someone reply, “No, not for me thanks.”  Exactly.  That’s just silly!  And B) there’s a 50-50 chance the person will not laugh at all after having set such high expectations.  But in all seriousness, the important question is…you want to laugh?

Then go see The Change-Up this weekend!  I promise you will laugh more than if you didn’t.  The movie is hysterical, raunchy, and even has a sensitive side if you can believe it.  You know, the grass is always greener until you walk a mile in someone’s shoes on the other side of the fence.  Okay I may have just combined two sayings but you get the idea.  Perfect date movie compromise, or even see it with your girlfriends/buddies.  It’s that good.

Bateman, Reynolds, Mann, and Wilde.  Public urination into a creepy fountain.  Babies.  Hot leading ladies.  Again, Reynolds.  What more could you want?

Can you guess which one is my celebrity crush, a la Ross Gellar and Isabella Rossellini on my all time favorite, Friends?

On another note, check out these “Friendly Foes.”

Happy Friday!

Tags: Eric Landau, Friendly Foes, H&M Communications, Jason Bateman, Jen the Jew, Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde, Ryan Reynolds, The Change-Up

JTJ: Thrifty Thursday

Food trucks, friends, and photography oh my!

Come meet me at Melrose Night, a monthly gathering of the best food trucks, store discounts, and exhibits LA has to offer.  Let’s create our very own buffet and share something from each of the popular food trucks lining Melrose Ave.   I know, total fat kid at heart, but hey – it’s just being economical.  Or so I tell myself.

Then, once we’ve digested our delicious feast, let’s take a stroll and visit the many shops that stay open late offering special in-store promotions.  Leave it to me to sniff out a deal and dine at the same time.

And finally, let’s check out the opening night of Atticus’ Inspiring Photographs collection before heading to a nearby bar to catch up with friends.

Melrose Night takes place the first Thursday of each month, and is located between Ogden and Stanley on Melrose.  Nearest landmark?  My favorite, Urban Outfitters.  Click here for a list of tonight’s participating food trucks and stores, and be sure to check back every month for the latest in Melrose Night promotions.

See you on the street!

Tags: Buttermilk Truck, Cool Haus, Food trucks, FrySmith Truck, Grilled Cheese Truck, Jen the Jew, Komodo Truck, Lobsta Truck, Melrose Night

JTJ: Canon Concerts

It may be very last minute, but if you’re looking for something fun, festive and free tonight, then head over to the Beverly Canon Gardens for Concerts on Canon, featuring a variety of upbeat music from jazz and classic standards to Latin, Folk and Reggae.  Similar to the aforementioned Jazz at LACMA…but under the stars in the heart of Beverly Hills.

Set up camp in the Gardens with a picnic blanket and dining accoutrements, snag one of the first-come first-served seats, or enjoy this magical California venue from one of the surrounding outdoor restaurants, Montage, Bar Bouchon and Bouchon Bistro with full beverage service.  Decisions, decisions…

Dinner reservations are recommended for before or after showtime since this is a happening event amongst locals and not-so-locals.  For a complete list of nearby restaurants, consult the Canon Drive directory.

You’re probably wondering what the catch is to attend a free jazz concert in Beverly Hills.  Zip.  And get this, there’s even free parking under the Gardens with validation from the Information Table.

Concerts on Canon is every Thursday night through August 25, with shows at 6 and 7:15PM.  For the full summer schedule click here.

If jazz is not your bag, but you can’t resist live music, The Damnwells are playing at The Mint tomorrow night for a whopping $10 bucks in advance, or $12 at the door.  Can’t wait!

See you there, or see you at another time.

Tags: Beverly Canon Gardens, Bouchon Bistro, Concerts on Canon, Jazz at LACMA, Jen the Jew, Montage Beverly Hills, The Damnwells, The Mint

JTJ: I See London, I See France

If you are one of the lucky LA-ites that’s out of work or free after 6PM on a Wednesday, then head over to the lavish London West Hollywood where you can socialize, sip, savor and most importantly…SAVE.  That’s a word you don’t hear often in reference to a Hollywood hotel!

The London West Hollywood’s Wednesdays at Sunset is a chic and sophisticated, open-air twist on the traditional happy hour, with gourmet bites, the most special of specialty cocktails and of course, DJ-curated tunes.  This event takes place from 6-8pm through the end of the summer and is the only time outside guests are granted access to the hotel’s exclusive rooftop Pool Deck.

Entry to Wednesdays at Sunset is free, however a reservation is needed.

Panoramic views and personal space.  Love!

Tags: Happy Hour, Hollywood, Jen the Jew, The London West Hollywood, Wednesdays at Sunset

Music Monday

White men may categorically not be able to jump, but a few of them sure can rap…and this one will definitely surprise you.

Check out the first four tracks from Jared Ryan Shaw, and be on the lookout for his music video releasing soon!

It’s okay, you can claim you found him first.  I won’t mind .

Tags: Jared Ryan Shaw, Jenifer Golden, Music Monday

JTJ: Move Over OpenTable

Three words: discount shopping sites.  Thank you economy for giving us unlimited reasons to be online even more than when we first learned of Facebook and Twitter.  It’s unbelievable, a new shopping site pops up daily.  From Groupon to Swirl to Hautelook to Living Social, the list seems to be endless.  It’s starting to feel like these sites are my friends I get so many freaking emails every day.  You can even add the apps to your phone or tablet for even easier access to deals.  I almost want to hold a contest to see who can find something that isn’t sold online yet at all OR at a discounted price.

Any who, I happened to stumble upon a site that I am happy to put my stamp of approval on.  Ready for this?  It’s the discount version of OpenTable!  Savored.com, formerly VillageVines, brings you access to members-only pricing at the most popular restaurants across the US.  A) I love all things exclusive and B) who pays full price for anything at this point?  It’s about time we eat at a discount too, and don’t have to keep up with daily deals that eventually expire or are no longer available online.   Groupon and Bloomspot I’m talking to you (not that I love you any less).  Basically with Savored, you make a reservation for a mere $10 booking fee at one of Savored’s restaurant partners and instantly receive 30% off your entire bill!  No fine print or annoying paper coupons.  You can change or cancel your reservation up to two hours before your reservation AND if the applied discount somehow winds up less than your $10 booking fee, they’ll refund the price of your reservation.   I know!!

Click here to start savoring.

Tags: Coupons, Discount, OpenTable, Savored.com