Ode to the District Weekly

I thank them for not having porno ads dominating the back section of their issues, ever, which I know is the standard for most alternative publications. I admire them for being so animated in their storytelling and so committed to giving this city (and often times, the surrounding cities) some color. Like Technicolor color. And, after one full year in business now, it’s safe to say, also, that they’re not some elitist group in town who just write to show off. They have something real to say and they do it so exquisitely with so little—they’re out once a week and, on average, probably have 15 full pages of stories and reports. I like them for many reasons. Congratulations, District Weekly! You’re one year old, and yeah, you’re growing up quite fast. But that’s OK. It’s as if you were born with a hundred brains at a hundred years old. That’s what’s so sexy about you!

Images courtesty of Kristina Coffeen at the District.

A Bright Future: Art Department's Annual Exhibit

From wire to plastic trash bags, or wood, plaster, pencil and paint, art students from various media classes create a vast collection of colorful, fresh art for the Department of Art Annual Foundation Exhibition. Occupying the Gatov, Merlino, Werby and Dutzi Galleries located adjacent to the Fine Art Buildings, these one of a kind student art creations will be on display through April 10. ALL PHOTOS & VIDEO BY BARBARA NAVARRO

Just Rad: CWK Fan, CSULB Student at OC Show Adding to Her Juicy Concert-Going Résumé

Cassie Ann Comley! This girl got way down at the recent Cold War Kids show at the Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa. She wasn't holding back any singing or stomping, and bassist Matt Maust was taking note from his place on stage! I approached Cassie inside the theater where we both were—in the front row!—and after the show, I snapped a few pictures of her. I was so impressed, and then even more excited, to learn that Cassie is a business student at Cal State Long Beach.

Here's something to wow you on Comley's concert-going past: She got eight stitches below her left eye after a Senses Fail concert at the Glasshouse four years ago. She says this was a time "when I went through a hardcore, vegan phase." Later on, in her days of crowd-surfing numerous Thursday shows, she once lost her shoe. Other things she likes to do: go to Coachella just to sweat her tush off by dancing to LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip, for example. "I've seen Bright Eyes in San Diego, and I had pit seats to see The Shins at the Grove," she goes on to brag. "My cousin works for KROQ, so I get around." Oh, just flaunt it aloud some more, Comley. You know you rock!

This is what happens when you love good music, she says, and see the point in going to live shows: It's the perfect way to shake the stress.

But we both also knew another thing long before the show ended: Seeing the Cold War Kids was the perfect way to start our spring break recess!

You can find my review and see more pictures of the Cold War Kids in concert at Orange County's Performing Artscenter at the Daily Forty-Niner website.

Photos by Barbara Navarro