Greater LA

KCRW’s departing reporter Anna Scott talks about the gains and setbacks in housing and homelessness — after eight years covering the beat.  Zach Galifianakis talks about the nonprofit Comedy Gives Back, reflects on his own Hollywood career, and explains why comedy is tougher than dramatic acting.  To mark Greater LA’s last show, we re-air part of the first-ever episode, in which Steve Chiotakis visits a giant car shredder between the Ports of LA and Long Beach.

When you hear the word “clown,” you probably picture a hacky kid’s entertainer. Well, a group of super-talented LA-based performers are trying to change that. The Broad’s “LA Intersections” is an upcoming festival-style exhibit of the music and spoken word scenes of LA. Punk rocker Keith Morris speaks to the importance of LA music history. Gathering around the table for a meal can ease America’s loneliness crisis, says Natasha Feldman, author of “The Dinner Party Project.”

A convenience store in Skid Row is changing hands from the community-oriented Korean American family that runs it — to a Black-led nonprofit. “Existencia,” a new work by the experimental performance troupe Diavolo, explores the chaos and community that resulted from the 1994 Northridge earthquake. In an era of “hurriquakes,” heat waves, and fires, The Academy Museum screening series “Beware the Elements! Natural Disasters on Film” looks at the real-world implications of disaster films.

Cheri Pann and Gonzalo Duran have transformed their Venice home into The Mosaic Tile House, a living artistic tapestry reflecting their love story. Kate Berlant wants audiences to know that her semi-autobiographical show, “KATE,” is theater, not stand-up. It begins on Jan. 17 at the Pasadena Playhouse. At Regen Projects in Hollywood, Catherine Opie’s exhibition, “harmony is fraught,” features over 60 photographs of LA spanning three decades.

Food journalist Mona Holmes discusses how the LA restaurant scene fared in 2023 and anticipates dining trends for the new year. In response to complaints about customer service and mass transit safety, Metro is hiring hundreds of people to offer warm welcomes and help to passengers. The Autry Museum’s “Reclaiming El Camino” details the hardships Native populations faced under European settlement, and highlights Indigenous resistance.

At an East Hollywood bar, a once-a-month comedy show features four men competing for the heart of a bachelorette, as the host whips out jokes and games. “Renewing the Dream: The Mobility Revolution and the Future of Los Angeles” is a new book about how LA is developing alternatives to getting around by cars.

Last winter’s rains accelerated a slow landslide in Rancho Palos Verdes, leading to cracked homes and trail damage at a popular reserve. What will El Niño do? David Duchovny isn’t just an actor — he’s a musician, director and author. His latest novella, “The Reservoir,” is set in the early days of COVID in NYC. An OC congressional race in the upcoming elections could tip the political scales in the U.S. House of Representatives.

For people experiencing homelessness, it can be tough to stay in touch with friends and family. The nonprofit Miracle Messages aims to make it easier. Las Fotos Project teaches photography to young women and gender expansive youth from communities of color. And they don’t just use phone cameras. Underdog Community Project is a mutual aid group of volunteers and trained veterinarians who help unhoused Angelenos keep their pets happy and healthy.

TransparentSea Farm in Downey produces nearly 1 million shrimp a year. That’s great for some of LA’s top seafood restaurants, but how do the prawns feel?In sleepy Sierra Madre, an uptick in bears has spurred the city to declare the animal a “public safety threat.” But locals and officials aren’t sure how to handle the ursine explosion.You often can’t tell cats what to do, much less put leashes on them and take them on walks. But that’s just what LA Times writer Lila Seidman did, and continues to do.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Hollywood Sign. It’s been at the center of scandals, PR stunts, and more during its time perched up on Mount Lee. In 1978, the Hollywood Sign was in a sad state, so rock legend Alice Cooper spent $27,000 to buy an “O” to honor his friend Groucho Marx. Other celebs followed. Artist Zach Fernandez marked California’s marijuana legalization by turning the Hollywood Sign into “Hollyweed.” It was tough to pull off due to security around the sign.

Year after year, a Fullerton theater sells out a camped-up comedy about Santa Claus on Mars. The stage show is based on a 1964 B-movie. At least 15 productions of “A Christmas Carol” exist in SoCal, and each theater adds a twist to the play. Vendors at DTLA’s Piñata District say people from as far as New York go there to buy supplies like corn husks and nativity scenes for Christmas.

Since 1925, members of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club have been meeting bright and early to sing songs, solve puzzles, and eat ham and eggs. In 2024, a new California law will establish a retirement fund for mixed martial arts fighters. A similar law has been in place for boxers since the early 1980s. U.S. Postal Service mail carrier Lesly Gonzalez works 10-hour days leading up to Christmas. Does the heavy workload dampen her holiday spirit?

An affordable housing developer got $114 million from Gov. Newsom’s Homekey program. Now, with little to show for it, legal and financial problems are mounting.  Federal labor regulators are looking to forcibly reopen six Los Angeles area Starbucks locations, and labor researcher Saba Waheed says it just might happen. For many in the Latino community, the act of making and eating tamales offers a sense of togetherness during the holiday season.

Since October, the robotaxi company Waymo has been offering driverless rides in Los Angeles. Greater LA’s Steve Chotakis tried one out for himself. KCRW also looks at safety concerns of these vehicles, and Waymo’s head of city policy and government affairs shares the company’s future plans.

LA aficionados Patt Morrison and Fritz Coleman discuss where and how Angelenos can experience winter holiday charm despite the temperate weather.  Musician Arturo Sandoval discusses what makes a Christmas song “swing,” his relationship with Dizzy Gillespie, and his December 23 show at Disney Concert Hall.

The Fairfax District’s Diamond Bakery, iconic to generations of Jewish Angelenos, closed this month after 77 years. Its recipes will live on. David Edward Byrd designed some of the most iconic psychedelic concert posters during the 1960s and 70s. “Poster Child” is a new book that looks at his personal journey and many posters. At Lisson Gallery, Hugh Hayden’s new exhibition features strange, surreal sculptures and photographs placed in bathroom stalls. It runs through January 13, 2024.

As people look for eco-friendly solutions to non-recyclable wrapping paper, furoshiki, the Japanese art of wrapping packages in cloth, is becoming more widely adopted. Gifts for loved ones don’t have to be expensive or brand new. Consider buying from your local thrift store, upcycle an imperfect and pre-loved item, or make something by hand. And to further cut down on holiday waste, KCRW offers tips for sustainable decorations and the holiday dinner menu.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s CARE Court, a new mental health program, opened in LA on December 1 to uncertainty, conflicting concerns, and high hopes. This fall, a new major is available at UCLA’s campus: Disability Studies. The aim is to decrease stigma, highlight ableism, and create a more accessible world. After six years in Anaheim, Japanese baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani will play for the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a 10-year, $700 million contract.

A composting program at The Wesley School helps the planet, with an added benefit: teaching kids to be hopeful about participating in climate action. The nonprofit Street Symphony will turn Skid Row into a music festival and community resource fair on December 10 for its Re/Sound Festival. A new exhibition at the Palm Springs Art Museum showcases the work of the trailblazing photographer “Kali,” whose psychedelic prints of SoCal life weren’t appreciated until long after her death.

The one-day Cal State LA faculty strike is the third of four planned statewide this week. Sunset’s bright purple Cafe Tropical, which shut down suddenly last week, was known for its excellent Cuban food and its role as a safe haven for those in recovery. From a zookeeper he met on Twitter to musician Phoebe Bridgers,Brandon Stosuy’s latest book features 115 essays, poems, and stories on sadness and crying.

The San Gabriel Mountains are the largest open public space in Los Angeles, but some of the range’s most popular spots are covered in piles of trash. SoCal is experiencing more droughts, wildfires, and rising sea levels — but UCLA’s Alex Hall believes LA can still be turned into one of the world’s most sustainable megacities by 2050. The OC Hall of Fame’s class of 10 includes a range of artists, athletes, and developers. Some of the inductees’ ties to the county are loose, at best.

In a town like LA that takes its food scene seriously, local chefs say coming together and breaking bread has taken on new meaning as the war in Gaza continues. Musician and photographer Henry Diltz captured rock history magic while hanging out with CSN&Y in the 1960s, and he’s sharing it all in his new photography book.

Want to contribute on Skid Row? Missions need your help, and not just in December. The Mutual Aid LA Network provides a central hub where Angelenos looking to help can find the best volunteer opportunity for them. Paula Poundstone has been making people laugh for over 40 years through her stand-up, writing, and podcasting. The Angeleno is performing in Long Beach this Saturday.

Homeschooling has long been common for religious families and those with aversions to public school, but the pandemic seems to have widened its appeal. A new law asks California schools to incorporate media literacy lessons into English, math, science, and social studies curriculums. Los Angeles-based artist Kelly Akashi reflects on her Japanese American family history during World War II for an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

Vanessa Anderson says grocery stores are “anthropological treasure troves” — which is why she’s trying to visit every single one in LA. Curator Anuradha Vikram talks about AI’s integration into labor and art, what the tech means for creativity, and the implications of widespread data scraping. During the 1980s, ACT UP LA advocated for greater awareness of the AIDS epidemic. Now the organization is collecting 100 testimonies from its former members.

Urban falconer Adam Baz has carved out an interesting career for himself and his four birds of prey in a city with a lot of pigeons and crows to chase.Rob Bisel has earned eight Grammy nominations for engineering, producing, and writing songs for SZA's album “SOS.” He talks about collaborating with the artist.Ownership of the Bolsa Chica Mesa, a six-acre plot of land just north of Huntington Beach, was transferred to native Tongva and Acjachemen tribes after ancient remains were found.

Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest times of year for professional pie bakers. The hours are long and the payoff is big. We’ve all got family holiday traditions. Three KCRW listeners share their favorite unusual Thanksgiving celebrations. This holiday weekend is a perfect time to hike around LA due to cooler temperatures and red-orange autumn foliage. Cris Hazzard, aka The Hiking Guy, shows you where to go.

Honeybees have long been the face of the “Save the Bees” campaign, but according to bee researchers at UC Irvine, they aren’t the only bees who need help. Zach Phillips, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s “Bug Guy,” takes KCRW on a walk around the grounds to get some sights and sounds. UCLA scientists say the way ants build their nests might help humans improve traffic and transportation logistics.

Larry Li was inspired to create “Ask Your Ma About ‘89” after learning a harrowing story about how the Tiananmen Square protests affected his family. Free drinks, female attention, and fabulous parties are some of the upsides for super good-looking men in LA. But that’s not the whole story. Germans founded Anaheim in 1857. Chinese immigrants then built much of the city and developed a bustling Chinatown district. Today, few remnants of Anaheim’s historic Chinatown remain.

By 2035, LADWP plans to provide all power without coal or gas — just hydroelectric, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, and wind. They also vow no harm to low-income ratepayers. One workshop in Downtown LA has been tuning, restringing, and repairing broken instruments for LAUSD students for six decades. It’s among the last of its kind. Jeff Boynton, a Highland Park native and lifelong artist, is a “circuit bender,” making music by toying with the circuitry of old electronic devices, like children’s toys.

Now that both the SAG and WGA strikes are over, how are below-the-line workers in Hollywood faring?  Following big wins for SAG-AFTRA and WGA, members of IATSE — the union representing below-the-line workers — are preparing for their own negotiations. A new exhibit at LACMA is displaying more than 150 creations of textile art and modern abstraction that span over a century.

A book club that started at a Venice library in the 1990s spent almost three decades reading “Finnegans Wake.” Singer Engelbert Humperdinck’s new documentary premieres tonight in Hollywood, focusing on his career spanning more than 70 years. For 17 years, LA Skins Fest has been offering a platform for Indigenous filmmakers from around the world to showcase their stories.

Metro is doubling the number of public bathrooms on train lines from three to six. Despite the urgent need, some commuters are complaining that they require a phone to use. The fire in Tustin’s WWII Navy blimp hangar is still smoldering a week after it ignited. Schools and parks are closed due to asbestos in the ash and smoke. In “Keys to the Kingdom,” an eight-part audio documentary, co-hosts Matt Gourley and Amanda Lund highlight the lives of people who work as theme park characters.

Weeks after the end of cash bail for non-violent and non-serious crimes, reformers and LA Superior Court say the system is working. But the change has its critics. For the past year, researchers at UCLA have been working to understand hate — one of our most complex emotions — by way of neuroscience, sociology, social media, music studies, and more. Comedian Alex Edelman has brought his one-man show, Just For Us, to LA for a limited run. It explores antisemitism, microaggressions, and so much more.

After 118 days, the Screen Actors Guild negotiators have unanimously approved an agreement with the studios. In “If You Would Have Told Me,” John Stamos talks about his Orange County childhood, Hollywood career, and fame's ups and downs.

Since July, the state of Texas has sent nearly 1,000 asylum seekers to Los Angeles by bus. Local faith-based and non-religious groups are welcoming them. In 2016, Highland Park’s Judson Studios took on a years-long effort to create the world’s largest stained glass window. It’s chronicled in the new documentary Holy Frit. You often can’t tell cats what to do, much less put leashes on them and take them on walks. But that’s just what LA Times writer Lila Seidman did, and continues to do.

Almost a year after forming a union, performers at Medieval Times have been unable to win a contract. Such delays are common — new unions can go years without progress. The Florentine Codex contains over 2,500 pages of text and images detailing Nahua civilization from the Indigenous perspective. It’s available digitally thanks to UCLA and the Getty. In Santa Ana, a recall election to oust progressive Jesse Lopez is moving forward, despite being flagged for legal issues and a possible lawsuit from the councilmember should she lose.

One in four cars sold in California is now electric. EV drivers say switching saves money and the planet. Gas drivers are worried about running out of power. John Densmore, known as the Doors’ drummer, is out with a new book called The Doors: Unhinged Jim Morrison’s Legacy Goes on Trial. Amateur perfumers and nature lovers Jack Kelly and Natalie Coffen lead “scent saunters” through Griffith Park and Franklin Canyon Park. Enjoy the wild smells of LA!

Hollywood Forever Cemetery is home to dozens of feral cats, peacocks, turtles, and fowl that provide visitors with an “antidote to death.” Where did they all come from? Rick Castro has been photographing since 1986. A new show at Hollywood Forever Cemetery highlights decades of his queer, fetish, and fashion images. LA bakeries are preparing “pan de muerto,” a traditional Mexican “bread of the dead” that’s eaten to celebrate Día de los Muertos.

Elmer McCurdy had a troubled life and died in a shoot-out. His body got embalmed, became part of a traveling crime museum, then was bought by an amusement ride operator. LA’s Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and urban legend claims that it wouldn’t exist without a twisted 18th-century curse.  Sometimes called the “Pagan version of Halloween,” Samhain is a time to soothe and be soothed by the “unquiet spirits” of ancestors past.

California is investing millions to change the way kids eat at school. Learn how one SoCal program is turning kids on to fresh produce, one watermelon at a time. The Where Has All The (affordable) Housing Gone? exhibit at the Beyond Baroque Gallery in Venice features photography, poetry and a giant map to examine the policies that led to the removal of nearly 1,500 rent-controlled units in the beachside neighborhood. Despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of the “Cannabis Cafe Bill,” West Hollywood lounge PleasureMed is reimagining the way users can experience cannabis, dining, and sex positivity.

Rent-stabilized tenants in LA could see an increase in February as high as 7%. Landlords say it’s necessary to keep up with expenses. The Museum of Latin American Art hosts its annual Día De Los Muertos festival on Oct. 29. This year’s theme, Hecho con Amor, celebrates the diversity of Latin American cuisine. The nonprofit ActiveSGV’s ArroyoFest will shut down six miles of the 110 freeway from Lincoln Heights to South Pasadena for cyclists and pedestrians on October 29.

NewGround promotes relations and dialogue between Jews and Muslims in Los Angeles. The group calls itself “a convener.” running trainings and classes promoting interfaith engagement. LA is in the height of spooky (and spider) season, so the Nature Nexus Institute is holding a “Spooky Critter Crawl” to highlight some of the city’s creepiest residents. An LA start-up is tackling a problem that developed in tandem with the invention of polyester: how to divert clothes from the landfill when you’re done wearing them.

The Actors’ Gang’s new show, “Methusalem,” is directed by Brent Hinkley. He and fellow co-founder Tim Robbins discuss the show and the group’s legacy. Measure J requires LA County to allocate funds to incarceration alternatives and community/youth programs, instead of police. Some community groups say they still haven’t seen the money.

Each week on KCRW’s The Anti-Dread Climate Podcast, hosts Caleigh Wells and Candice Dickens-Russel answer a listener’s environmental question and give advice on how they can help the planet. As SoCal looks to fall and winter, scientist predictions say El Niño weather patterns will bring heavy rains, but climate change is making it tricky to predict. In 1973, Knott’s Berry Farm became the first theme park to transform itself completely for the Halloween season. Since then, many other parks, in SoCal and beyond, have followed its lead.

Spine-tingling thrills, oddities, and costumes. A handful of small businesses in Burbank are keeping things scary beyond Halloween. The three co-directors of the 1980 parody film “Airplane!” recount their careers’ humble origins and the movie’s “endearing” comedy legacy. LA-based engineering and design nonprofit Miyamoto Relief is hosting “The Night of 1000 Drawings,” which raises money for reconstruction in Kyiv.

LAUSD student absences soared during the pandemic. Slowly, in large part due to school attendance counselors’ tireless work, kids are returning to class. Tom Morello, a political activist and Rage Against the Machine guitarist, is partnering with a nonprofit to launch music programs at schools across the country. Alex Da Corte’s solo exhibition, The Daemon, transforms the Matthew Marks Gallery into a 1960s house with a conversation pit and a splash of surrealism.

The Aetna Street Collective came together three years ago to advocate for a tight-knit unhoused community facing harassment and street sweeps. Scribble, a Highland Park-based nonprofit, launched on Oct. 3 to provide affordable therapy, music shows, game nights, tai chi classes, and more. Neighborhoods historically cut off from government-backed home loans continue to suffer the consequences. That includes smaller and less diverse bird populations.

Three women in LA share their reasons to forgo parenting: more freedom, more travel, and more time to focus on their careers and passions. What’s up with the Dodgers? Despite winning 100 games during the regular season, again, the Dodgers’ were eliminated in the first round, again. Along Beach Boulevard, from Rosecrans to Orangethorpe, is Buena Park’s Koreatown, a name that’s only been official for a few weeks.

Unhoused Angelenos in temporary shelters will get priority for many city-funded affordable housing units — under policy shift enacted by Mayor Karen Bass. UCLA Professor Justin Torres’ new novel, Blackouts, is a “socratic dialogue” between an unnamed narrator and a dying man. It’s also a finalist for the National Book Award. Big Bear’s Oktoberfest has been running for 53 years, attracting locals and people from all across SoCal for revelry, beer, and the chicken dance.