– Story by Matt Cohn
~ Photo by Joy Watanabe
There was magic in the air in Downtown last Saturday, and thousands were loving it! Taste of Downtown with KCRW Summer Nights filled Pine Avenue and The Promenade with cool music, warm energy, and the aromas of all kinds of deliciousness from local eateries and drinkeries.
KCRW radio host and DJ Raul Campos, who took over the Pine Avenue Main Stage at 8 PM, offered this view on why his radio station and DTLB have such an excellent synergy: “There has always been a real community for music here. There are great record stores and performance venues. I grew up in Pico Rivera and would come down to Long Beach frequently to perform and visit. It’s always a fun time in Downtown.”
The weather was perfect – hot, but not blazing – when I rolled up at 4 PM and parked my bike with Pedal Movement’s free valet service at Harvey Milk Park. First stop: The Promenade, where DJ Carlos had just begun his set.
~ Photo by Joy Watanabe
Families and friends were playing table soccer, relaxing at tables in the shade, and enjoying the offerings of nearby spots El Viejon, Dog Haus, The Ordinarie, and ISM Brewing. It was a chilled-out, pre-party atmosphere. “I like an eclectic world sound,” said Carlos as he upped the volume on some French funk.
With my appetites whetted for food, bevvies, and music, I proceeded to Pine Avenue, where positive vibes were abundant. I surveyed the rich bounty of culinary possibilities: Empanadas at Panama International Restaurant, Bang Bang Shrimp at Shannon’s, Chana Masala and Garlic Naan at Royal Indian Curry House, and much, much more. I saw a couple walk by with a mini-cheesecake covered in a bright red berry sauce and had to resist the temptation to dive into dessert first!
~ Photo by Matt Cohn
The energy was picking up considerably, thanks to the rich, full sound emanating from the Main Stage. DJ Planet Promote was gently coaxing people into dance mode, playing a clever mashup of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats with some underground hip-hop mixed in.
It was time to dip south of Broadway and visit the Culinary Courtyard at Pine Avenue and Alta Way. En route, my attention was grabbed by Gilbert Tabares, general manager of Ole Tapas Bar & Kitchen, who was standing next to a striking life-size bull and matador. Guests were lining up to trade their Taste Tickets for a plate of Ole’s Seafood Paella. “People love our authentic Spanish food,” said Tabares. “We make everything with love.”
~ Photo by Matt Cohn
I entered the Culinary Courtyard just as a roar erupted from the packed dance floor! DJ A.C. the Coldest was handling business, working the crowd into a frenzy with one merengue hit after another. After dancing so hard, folks sought refreshment at booths from Pasta Mark, ISM Brewing, The Breakfast Bar, The Reef, Shore Doggs, Sura Korean BBQ, and Albert’s Petite Sweets.
I returned to the Main Stage to catch the start of KCRW DJ Nassir Nassirzadeh’s set. As the sun started to drop behind the buildings, the lines for food and drink at the Baby Bros Pizza, Ladie Kakes, Agaves, and Altar Society booths were long and moving fast. The mixologists from Pour Decisions by JME had their hands full at the Tequila Bar; They concocted non-stop Margarita orders with lightning speed.
~ Photo by Matt Cohn
DJ Nassir showed off his beat mixing skills immediately. He had the crowd moving to “Redbone” by Childish Gambino mashed up with Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” which flowed into a deep house remix of “Africa” by Toto. He ended up setting the table perfectly for Raul Campos’ closing set when he played the Dimitri from Paris remix of Sister Sledge’s iconic dance floor banger “Lost in Music.”
“I’m feeling great! The Downtown streets are bubbling,” said Campos just before he ascended the Main Stage steps. “The energy’s starting to really gel. I can’t wait to get up there and play.”
~ Photo by Joy Watanabe
Now it was nightfall. The huge crowd was well fed and ready to dance. Campos opened with groovy selections such as house remixes of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and “Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross. When he asked the crowd if the music was loud enough, they answered with a resounding “Noooo!” Then he asked if they’d like to hear some Latin house, and they yelled “Yeaaahhhh!”
The entire day was a late summer win for DTLB and a taste of more cool things to come!