June 3 > Design-n-Dim Sum Bike Tour > Chinatown

It's back! Get ready for our annual Design-n-Dim Sum bike ride with Flying Pigeon on Sunday, June 3rd for another day of studio visits, biking and bao. This year, if it's open, we'll be stopping by Caine's Arcade to play a couple of Caine's handmade arcade games. We'll be meeting at bike shop Flying Pigeon in Highland Park at 11am and will be on the road by 11:30am. Our itinerary for the day:

Meet at 11:00am at Flying Pigeon LA (note NEW address)
3404 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90042

1st Stop (If it's open): Caine's Arcade
3538 N. Mission Rd Boyle Heights, CA 90033

2nd Stop: Artist Zoe Crosher's Studio
970 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012

3rd Stop: Preen Inc.

931 Chung King Rd. Los Angeles, CA  90012

Final Stop: Golden Dragon Restaurant for dim sum

RSVP here.

The logistics:

If you have a bike, please bring it. We have about 15 bikes available for rental from Flying Pigeon, for $15 for the day. Bikes are on a first come, first serve basis via RSVP.

Please bring water and sunscreen. It can get hot out there!

Please bring CASH only for the dim sum. We estimate the cost will be about $20 per person.

RSVP here. We need a headcount to reserve the restaurant so if you need to cancel your reservation, please let us know as soon as possible.

And finally, if you want to join us for part of the day, follow us on twitter. We'll be updating our location throughout the day.

January 24 > Falls Fever > The Falls, Historic Core Downtown

Forget about post-holiday detox. This month, we're heading back downtown to relative newcomer The Falls. Joining us will be owner and designer Michelle Marini, who had previously made her mark on LA nightlife with the Lava Lounge and The Woods.

The Falls' design, shades of amber and orange, is meant to complement the 70s rock spun by DJs. Michelle commissioned Downtown artist MATTEO to design the bar's "waterfall" a video sculpture inside of hundreds of acrylic "ice cubes." Michelle will walk us through the space and explain the design concept, and has kindly offered to create a special cocktail for de LaBbers.

We'll start gathering at 7:30pm, and Michelle will give us the rundown promptly at 8pm. DJs begin spinning at 9pm so stick around and enjoy The Falls' vintage cocktail menu.

Monday, January 24
7:30pm Cocktails
8:00pm Tour with designer-owner Michelle Marini

The Falls
626 S. Spring St., Downtown LA
Between 6th and 7th Streets


View de LaB's Falls Fever in a larger map

May de LaB > In The Fold

In the Fold

Origami Night at Studio 1060
Join us as we use the ancient art of Japanese paper folding to create a three-dimensional wall.

Our friends at Bunch Design, Catherine Garrison Architect, Debi Van Zyl, and Design Garage Inc. in Boyle Heights - all located at Studio 1060 - will teach us how to make a simple module and we'll assemble the wall as the night progresses over drinks, snacks and conversation.

About Bunch: Bunch Design was created in 2008 as a multi-disciplinary design office based in Los Angeles and New York City.

The firm's main objective is to bring together a universe of ideas, people, and objects and to organize them into something meaningful.

Bunch Design practices contemporary design, art and cultural analysis.

Got a question? Email us at hello [at] designeastoflabrea [dot] org.

Date: Thursday, May 7th, 2009
Time: 7:00-10:00pm
Location: 1060 E. Cesar Chavez Ave, LA CA 90033

View Larger Map

There is limited parking in the office lot and the surrounding area is somewhat industrial. Please carpool/bike/use public transit if you can!

March de LaB> Viewing The Varnish Reminder

March is almost upon us, which means we're ready for our next de LaB event!

Los Angeles' history echoes at Cole's, Originator of the French Dip, housed since 1908 in the hollow of the Pacific Electric building, once the nucleus of the Pacific Electric railway network. After a yearlong renovation, Cole's recently reopened, keeping many of the original details, including glass lighting, penny tile floors, historic photos, and the 40-foot mahogany bar.

Restaurant group 213's designer Ricki Kline will be giving us a tour of the restored space, which will include the soon-to-open now open speakeasy The Varnish, in the back room.

Cocktails around 7, tour and presentation will begin around 8:30.
118 E 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA

Get Directions on Google Maps

There should be plenty of street parking available.

Cole's has kindly offered to extend their happy hour specials to de LaB attendees throughout the night. Enjoy "Swell Well" $2 off, $1 off all Drinks/Beer/Wine and $4 Half Dips. Thanks to our friends at 213!

Please drop us a line, leave a comment, or RSVP on our facebook page so we can get a rough estimate of how many people are attending. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

[Image of vintage cash register at The Varnish via Mattatouille]