Still marching to a different drummer

The folk singer and activist is a native Texan, but she has spent the last few years writing songs about her new hometown of L.A. She takes us on a journey exploring the meatier side of L.A., including MacArthur Park and Watts Towers.

Check mate

I used to live in a building that borders the Northwest corner of MacArthur Park, so I am very fond of that area. I loved looking out my window, across Wilshire Boulevard towards the plaza. I have participated in many demonstrations that began around Alvarado and 9th streets, and then we’d march until we got to the park to discuss whatever topic we were protesting against that day.

The real attraction of the park to me is the gathering of homeless people who play competitive games of chess on a daily basis. The guys may be homeless, but it isn’t because of a lack of intelligence; they are as smart as a whip. The group always has a gathering of people watching them play.

Boba fetish

I am totally addicted to the sugary Asian drink called Boba. Like coffee brews, all Bobas are not created equal. The variation on them is quite extraordinary -- some are too sweet, some are too milky and some are not sweet enough.

That is why my favorite place to go for Boba is at Boba Loca on Western Avenue in Koreatown. By far, their Boba is the most consistently made. Every time I am there, I get the perfect drink. Koreatown is also the source of my favorite place to eat in town, the Suzumo Cafe in the Hannam Supermarket on Olympic Boulevard. I really enjoy the seafood salad they make there; it’s so fresh.

Say what?

The Community Self-Determination Institute is creating a renaissance in Watts. Instead of waiting for the government to send them the much-needed funds to secure a successful future for this area of town, the people there have decided to save themselves. They’re taking their poets and gang leaders and creating cultural centers to get them motivated to spend their time on creative and productive endeavors rather than encouraging them to just hang out in the neighborhood without a goal in mind. One of their first projects has been creating the Third Dynasty coffee shop on 103rd Street, which has a very inviting atmosphere.

Dark therapy

L.A. is a lot like love. It will take you just the way you are, but it won’t let you remain the way you came; it changes you, sometimes forever. And because L.A. can change your perspective on things so dramatically, it is a great influence on me when I’m writing songs.

One of my songs, called “Come a Long Way,” is about a drive I took all over the city one day. I jumped on the back of my 920 motorcycle at 5 a.m. and weaved my way in and out of MacArthur Park through San Pedro, then worked my way through Mulholland Drive and Griffith Park and made my last few stops at Rodeo Drive and Eagle Rock.

The drive was therapeutic. Why pay for therapy? L.A. is the best listener of all.

-- Karla S. Blume