POSTPONED for Now

21 May

BloomfestLA will be postponed this summer, according to a LARABA board report at the April 2013 meeting. The decision was made two months after event producers Edgar Varela and Melissa Richardson Banks shared that they were unable to produce the event this year due to “an increase in projects and clients for our own successful full-time businesses, the impact of local construction on the area’s available parking for a large-scale event, and escalating costs of presenting a free community festival on the streets of Los Angeles.”

LARABA President Joseph Pitruzzelli and Councilmember Jan Perry with BloomfestLA producers Melissa Richardson Banks and Edgar Varela (photo by Rush Varela, 2011)

LARABA President Joseph Pitruzzelli and Councilmember Jan Perry with BloomfestLA producers Melissa Richardson Banks and Edgar Varela (photo by Rush Varela, 2011)

LARABA’s plans include rescheduling BloomfestLA to the fall (October 16 was mentioned  during LARABA’s May 2013 board meeting) and changing the format of the large community festival into a series of decentralized music events hosted by local businesses. For updates on BloomfestLA, visit LARABA’s website. To keep posted on other DTLA events produced by Varela and Richardson Banks, follow @DTLAevents on Twitter or sign up for the Downtown Muse mailing list HERE.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM EVENT PRODUCERS: As Arts District stakeholders, one of our shared professional and personal achievements includes proudly producing the 2011 and 2012 BloomfestLA. We are unable to produce this amazing community event again in 2013 for a variety of reasons, including an increase in projects and clients for our own successful full-time businesses, the impact of local construction on the area’s available parking for a large-scale event, and escalating costs of presenting a free community festival on the streets of Los Angeles. For the past two years, we were in a position to donate our expertise and services that resulted in BloomfestLA becoming such a resounding success. Unfortunately, with heavy hearts, we came to realize that it was not the case for 2013. Happily, we know that our legacy to the community is a solid foundation on which others in the community, including LARABA, can carry forward henceforth this year and in the future.

We are so very grateful to the Arts District community, local business owners, artists, residents, volunteers, vendors, performers, sponsors, event staff and suppliers, media representatives, and countless others for supporting our work to help showcase our beloved neighborhood. Most important, we thank the LARABA board for allowing us to join them for the past two years in making a difference in our neighborhood and for transforming what was formerly a small neighborhood party to a widely anticipated citywide community event. We look forward to helping out in the future as we are able and to perhaps identify other ways in which we might work together to benefit residents and businesses in the Arts District. We also encourage those who wish to stay in touch with us as we launch other local events and projects that benefit the community to sign up for our mailing list by clicking HERE. To keep posted on future DTLA events produced by Varela and Richardson Banks, follow @DTLAevents on Twitter.

~ Edgar Varela and Melissa Richardson Banks

Thanks! See You Next Year!

22 Aug

NOTE: 2013 BLOOMFESTLA IS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!!

Thank You!!

26 Jul

Just a brief note of our sincerest appreciation and thanks to EVERYONE who participated in the 2012 BloomfestLA! As you might imagine, with such a successful FREE community event of its size, we’re busily wrapping up post-event details, but plan to do recaps over the coming weeks. Join our mailing list for our ongoing series of updates.

TWO NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:

  • SAVE THE DATE FOR 2013: Saturday, July 20
  • GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT! Enter the 2012 BloomfestLA Photo Contest sponsored by Downtown News. Submit online through our Flickr Group. Click HERE for details and a link to enter.

It’s Arrived!

20 Jul

  • Follow us on Twitter for breaking news and festival updates (@BloomfestLA). Here’s some important info:

FESTIVAL LAYOUT

2012 BloomfestLA Festival Layout

 

PARKING OPTIONS – prices and locations vary

  • 960 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles 90013 ($5)
  • Mega Toys lot at 2nd St. and Garey St.
  • 400 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • Parking lot across from 940 E. 4th St on Hewitt St. (north of Urth Caffe)

2012 Festival Guides Available!

14 Jul

The 2012 BloomfestLA festival guides have arrived! Pick up your full copy at The Pie Hole, Novel Cafe, and other participating Arts District businesses. Thanks to the Downtown News for inserting the inside four-page spread into its FULL RUN – it’s being distributed into 47,000 copies of their “Best of Downtown” issue starting July 16! We LOVE the DOWNTOWN NEWS — won’t you support local journalism? Visit HERE to find out how you can contribute.

To read our festival guides online, click HERE!

Support the Arts District!

14 Jul

Thanks to the Arts District businesses and organizations who supported this year’s BloomfestLA! Please support their work by choosing to eat, drink, shop, work and play in the Arts District! Here’s just a few of our amazing local independently operated organizations.

Mini-Musement at Mosaic Artspace during BloomfestLA!

14 Jul

DROP IN at Mosaic Artspace during BloomfestLA at 826 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles 90013 to try out a mini-version of Mosaic’s popular Musement series. Driven by inspiration and community, this art-thrashing experience is a series of bi-weekly Thursday night events designed to engage your imagination. Each night is wrapped around different forms of art and no previous experience is required.

Two mini-workshops will take place during BloomfestLA: 3 PM and 5 PM. Advance registration is recommended, but drop-ins are welcome. Visit www.mosaicmusement.org to sign up and for details.

BloomfestLA Stage Line-Ups!

12 Jul

CLICK HERE FOR SET TIMES!

Official Poster Released!

11 Jul

BloomfestLA 2012 on Spotify!

8 Jul

Hey, we created a couple of playlists for you on Spotify! If we’re missing someone, please understand it’s only because the artist is not currently on Spotify! Check out our Music page for the full list of bands and deejays!

TRACTION STAGE
3rd St. at Traction Ave.

BLOOM’S STAGE
Hewitt St. at 4th Pl.