The Rats are Ratting 💅
August Edition
Welcome to Ratplay, a seriously unserious newsletter about cool things in LA. Mostly east of west. Often irreverent.
I’ve always admired rats. They’re the receivers of a lot of vitriol, but I think not too far under that is a level of respect for their grit, tenacity, and ability to build parallel cities under our feet– icons, really!
In New York, they were dependable subway companions, both human and rat with a greasy slice of $1 pizza in hand/paw. Here in LA, however, despite ranking 3rd place in the country’s coveted “Rattiest city” awards, there’s a more distant relationship between man and rodent, our paths of intersection more scarce.
Perhaps then it made sense when my LA friends and I affectionately embraced the nickname “sewer rats” for each other. It was a nostalgic nod, a soldier’s salute. And honestly–where’s the lie! Scuttling out of the depths 4-5 nights a week, crawling the streets of LA in diabolical fashion–uncanny resemblance, really.
My late-night outings have curbed as a result of personal growth (s/o me!) and veiled threats (s/o my boss!). Nevertheless, the sewer rat spirit persists as my friends and I continue exploring LA's hidden corners, with a touch better judgment.
Enter Ratplay. Let’s talk what’s up in LA this month.
Rat Activity
Events/experiences
Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair
Thursday, 8/10 - Sunday, 8/13 @ 6-10PM
Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (Little Tokyo)
$25 (buy here)
Printed Matter, the world’s largest non-profit supporting artist publications, is back hosting the LA Art Book Fair marking its first appearance since the pandemic. This year focuses on artists’ books from LatAm and Asia-Pacific, while highlighting LA-based artists, community-driven projects, and global interdisciplinary artists. Tickets range from $5-$25, but go Thursday if you can afford it ($25). Think about it like a concert, with performances by acclaimed artists like Salenta The Selecta, Linafornia, and Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra (!!), plus limited edition artwork by Caycedo.
The World is Our Oyster: Queer Night
Sunday, 8/13 @ 3-10PM
Bar Flores (Echo Park)
Free
Bar Flores has taken their queer night into their own hands after Hidden Hearts moved over to De Buena Planta, and honestly this…makes more sense. Flores has become a central queer femme watering hole since its opening 4 years ago, guaranteeing one to two ex run-ins per visit. Expect Tarot readings (b/c gay), live oyster shucking for the deluxe girls, and DJs spinning all day. Maybe pop over to their new sister restaurant Donna’s next door after (pro-tip: they take walk-ins).
Sunday, 8/13 @ 7PM
Tac-tile Mountain (Pasadena)
$75 (buy here)
@Rachel_loaf and @bbybakeshop are ready to teach you the basics of making the traditional Chinese dish Zhong, which is basically a Chinese sticky rice dumpling. Tickets are a bit on the higher end, but includes prepping, assembling, and cooking both savory and sweet Zhong, plus some easter eggs like a wild mushroom filling. You’ll also be able to take some home! Cool date oficionados, this one’s for you.
Sunday, 8/13 @ 5-8PM
Club Tee Gee (Atwater)
FREE (RSVP here)
You’re going to hear me talk about this ad nauseam, so let’s start now: loneliness is at an all time high, people are craving community, and offline experiences are increasing in value. I've noticed a rise in events resembling "speed-dating," but with a focus on creating authentic connections. Enter Field Date.
Described as an "experiential/experimental" dating experience, it’s meant to feel like a hybrid birthday party/game show (lmao), with the goal of creating more social dating experiences. I for one am imagining an American Ninja Warrior obstacle course. For what it’s worth, this does sound less heinous than a 1:1 drink date. Abundance mindset in full force.
Saturday, 8/19 @ 7-11PM
3520 W Washington Blvd (Mid City)
Free
Known Studio, brainchild of designer Selina Che and photographer Katie Walsh, is a conceptual gallery space that hosts art exhibits and pop-ups. The goal: to provide an affordable space for independent artists & creators in LA to showcase their work.
Their launch event features a group of young talent, including photographers, sculptors, and painters, etc., with drinks and food by non-alcoholic culturemongers Ghia and Liquid Death (you’ll still see me topping bottoming an Aperol spritz, but I’m honestly so curious/open to this trend, as is half of LA.) The Known Studio team seems to have their fingers on the pulse, so expect an interesting crowd.
Saturday, 8/19 @ 3PM
Melrose House (Hollywood)
$10 (buy here)
For the best/most consistent LA DJ experience, it’s No Nazar every time. Their diasporic music draws a diverse crowd, bridging gaps in the city's segregation. Expect Afrobeats, Amapiano, Desi, Kuduro, Gqom, Baile Funk, UKG, Grime, Hip-hop, & more from Resident DJs like honcho Bianca Maieli + friends. Don’t miss this.
Thick Thrift’s Plus Size Flea Market
Sunday, 8/20 @ 1-6PM
411 S Hewitt St (Arts District)
$5 (buy here)
Thick girls pull up 🫡 Thick Thrift LA returns with a plus-size flea in DTLA! Find plus-sized vintage, local, reworked, and handmade clothing from 65+ vendors. They’ll have food and drinks for purchase, plus tattoos and tooth gems if you want your white girl grills. Get some $$ off your ticket using code THICKSGIVING.
0nlyB0nes*
Friday, 8/25 & Saturday, 8/26 @ 9:30PM
The Elysian Theatre (Elysian Valley)
$16 (buy here)
First seen at the Elysian’s The Forget About Spaghetti Festival in 2022, Amy Chow is back with a new show titled “0nlyb0nes*”, an “hour long dissociative carbon-negative production following [her] journey in 21st century bone collecting practices that led to awakening the Bone Business Lady from her ancestral slumber”…ok Amy! Yes, this show involves actual chicken bones. Yes this is very strange 😍 BUT AND! A close source tells me this is some of the best performance art they’ve seen in years. $10 to my vegan friends who brave this one ☝️
Subscribe to the Ratplay Google Cal here and get all events on your calendar 😛
Rat Colonies
Communities to join
Join: Black Image Center
Where to go if you want to meet fellow black creatives
WHAT: Black Image Center is a Los Angeles-based collective created to empower Black storytellers and image makers. They provide resources in the form of free film fridges, camera clinics, co-working hours, and even residencies, all focused towards the economic and spiritual empowerment of the Black creative community.
WHERE: The Black Image Center at 3209 La Cienega Ave, Culver City, CA 90232
How to get involved: Starting August 1st, BIC is opening their space for a 3-week co-working space experience. Here are the operating hours:
Week 1: Aug 1-3 (10 AM to 4 PM)
Week 2: Aug 8-10 (12 PM to 6 PM)
Week 3: Aug 15-17 (2 PM to 8 PM)
Bring your laptop to work, or just relax and connect with other black creatives. They have incredible art books, scanners and photo printers to use, and by the grace of God, AC for all you sweaty sewer rats. Pick up a free roll of film while you’re there!
Aristocrats
Interesting neighbors
Meet Mark, founder and baker at Chulito Cakes. Mark’s the sweetest, and all that sugar seeps directly into these lush, floral cakes that distract me even for a moment from the fields of dirt and treacherous cacti we call vegetation here in the city of angels. If you can imagine a field in bloom, and then picture that superimposed on a cake, you get Chulito Cakes. Email him at chulitocakes@gmail.com to order (no DMs clowns!!)
First things first. How’d you get into cake making?
It was kind of random! I’ve always made cakes for friends and family’s birthdays and one day I was just like, let’s see where this goes.
What have been some of your favorite flavor combos to date?
Favorite flavor to date is definitely anything fig leaf. I just love how unexpected the flavor is coming from a leaf and has no similarities to the fruit.
What’s your design philosophy–how do you approach decorating?
It really depends on the way the buttercream is working w me and also what florals I have available that day. Some days are very minimal while others are basically a bouquet.
Best dessert spot in the city?
Jeni’s ice cream is one of my favorites! Also, the pastries at Canyon Coffee are all amazing.
Any creatives you want to shout out?
Rat Records
3 songs, genre-agnostic audio kisses.
If You Like - Alma Negra’s Wisdom of Oz Remix
I loooove a repetitive rhythm to get lost in, and this one’s funky, groovy, and a little far-out.
Big park bbq vibes, big roof down energy, big “I just got my braids done and am frankly unstoppable” energy.
Sing-along (yell-along) afrobeat anthem, no notes!
Okay, that’s it for now–see y’all in September (it’ll be Virgo season and yes I’ll be unbearable). Feel free to send feature suggestions to ratplayla@gmail.com 💋
Go play,
CK
Love the idea of getting your community involved and supporting their community. It’s a great non-stop spot with up to date information.