A rebirth of cool in Westwood?Remember when...
A rebirth of cool in Westwood?
Remember when Westwood was cool? When it was a destination spot for New Wave kids with asymmetrical ‘dos? Well, Star Management Group and Rande Gerber are trying to make it hip again. Star, which operates such Hollywood hot spots as Ivar, Nacional and Paladar, as well as Westside joints Venice Cantina, Tengu and Lincoln Steakhouse, unveiled its latest venture: Nine Thirty, an upscale restaurant and lounge at the W Hotel in Westwood. Tuesday’s grand opening event attracted the likes of Anthony Kiedis, Chris Noth, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Cindy Crawford and Scarlett Johansson. The hotel event also showcased the redesign of Gerber’s other bar in the hotel, Whisky Blue, which has been restyled to look like a Polynesian hideaway.
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Happy Hour packs punch
Don’t miss Heavy Metal Happy Hour at Dragonfly on Tuesday. The devil-may-care rock outfit reinvents all your favorite metal tunes with bombastic ‘tude and invites a barely clad dance troupe known as the Ladies of Metal to gyrate onstage.... L.A.’s hangout for mod kids, Club Underground, held every Friday at Tempest in West Hollywood, celebrates its fourth anniversary this week with a live performance by the Gun Shys. The club plans to bring live music back on a regular basis.
Two of the most dynamic women in showbiz come to the Key Club on the Strip this Sunday. Legendary performer Nina Hagen headlines and Texas Terri slams you with new songs from her album.... Master of disaster Duane Peters brings his latest group, the Duane Peters Gunfight, to the Troubadour in WeHo on Jan. 30. The legendary skate punk plans to release the group’s debut album on his own Disaster Records in May.... Jamie Foxx celebrated his big Golden Globes win with a night out with pals at Chi on Monday.... We paid our respects to the new Johnny Ramone statue, which was unveiled Friday at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with tributes by Pete Yorn, Rob Zombie, John Frusciante, Eddie Vedder and Nicolas Cage, who told fans: “The way he attacked those chords like he was saying, ‘Stick up for yourself! Respect yourself! Never let yourself down.’ He willed the Ramones to happen, and he changed the face of rock ‘n’ roll forever and created a movement that continues to affect our youth.” ... On Feb. 9, the Dragonfly is inviting the Ramones cover band, the Whoramones, to perform a special set dedicated to Johnny and his bandmates’ legacy.
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-- Heidi Siegmund Cuda