MISHY TURNER & ERIKA VARELA
Staff Writers
Home to many underground artists, Echo Park has been an inspired epicenter of central Los Angeles for decades. People looking for a little creativity in their lives need only head to the district.
To truly embrace the originality of Echo Park, step out of the traditional world of heart pendants and into the urban chic world of Han Cholo.
Mixing bling with chic, Han Cholo has managed to create a new style of accessories almost too extraordinary to be called jewelry. It should, perhaps, be referred to as “wearable art.”
The store specializes in unisex hand crafted gold and silver jewelry that sport pop imagery like nunchucks, seahorses, brass knuckles, boom boxes, laser blasters and unicorns. The pieces might be on the random side. But, who doesn’t want a unicorn hanging from their neck?
With such ingenuity, it’s no wonder that its line has been seen draped on stars like Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg and splattering the pages of Rolling Stone magazine countless times. Han Cholo seems to have found the urban yet classy look to which attention-grabbing celebrities or flashy non-celebs flock.
Thank Han Cholo for making bling no longer just for rappers and wannabes. So, stop wrapping your teeth with tinfoil and visit this epochal store to get some real ice that’s chic and perfect for statement-making.
After cashing in on the latest trends, take your fashionable self over to The Echo or Echoplex, two local venues in one. Depending on what or whom you are in the mood to see, you can go to the upstairs venue, The Echo, or downstairs to The Echoplex.
The Echo usually features DJs and club nights, such as Hang the DJs (every third Saturday of the month), Club Underground and Check Yo’ Ponytail, which are, “accommodating to different crowds,” said freshman Taylor Caonophy.
The Echoplex, on the other hand, hosts many bands, like mixing genius Girl Talk, who will perform at the Echoplex tomorrow night.
“It’s a pretty intimate spot as far as clubs go,” said freshman Garret McGale of the venues. “There are world class DJs and a much smaller group of people.”
During the day, the unassuming outside of The Echo and Echoplex wouldn’t merit a second glance, but, once 11 p.m. rolls around, a long queue clutching IDs waits eagerly at the door.
While dancing is strongly advised, there is also an outdoor patio for smokers and talkers, if that is more to your liking.
The venues, which are artistic pit stops for many performers, like small or unknown DJs or bands, have also gained a following among well-known artists. Bands seen at The Echo or Echoplex will usually blow up within the year, so if you want to say, “You saw them way back when,” pay the nominal fee, shove your way to the front of the audience and open your ears to exceptional music.
To finish us off, we head over to The Brite Spot for a midnight snack. Don’t expect a revolution for your taste buds at this diner, but rather succumb to the comfort food that your stomach truly desires. The cheese fries with bacon are a greasy crowd pleaser that can be shared family style.
After a concert or dance-a-thon at the Echo, everyone heads over to the Brite Spot to refuel for an after-party hangout or just a comforting fourth meal delight.
Expect to see the same sweaty people who were dancing in the dark club again in brighter lighting.
Open until 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, The Brite Spot is an ultimate après club destination.
With vinyl, sparkly red booths that make your butt sweat, the Brite Spot is a throwback to an older L.A. Grab a sharpie when you go to the bathroom and leave a drawing or sentiment on the walls.
Echo Park will satisfy your alter-ego. Whether you want to be a Gold-chain-wearing rapper or an indie rock hero, go to E.P and be whoever you want.
09-27-2007
