#243: Today we’re talking to pianist, film composer and LAUSD alumnus Kris Bowers. Bowers has composed the scores for films like "Green Book," "King Richard" and "The Color Purple," and streaming series like "Dear White People" and "Bridgerton."

But that LAUSD part of his resume is very relevant to one of his latest projects.

It’s a short documentary that Bowers co-directed (along with Ben Proudfoot) called “The Last Repair Shop." It's all about the technicians who work in a repair shop downtown, fixing and tuning the more than 100,000 instruments the district provides to students, free of charge.

In addition to an Oscar nod, the film has also inspired a $15 million capital campaign — to raise funds for the repair shop and for a student apprenticeship program.

#243: Today we’re talking to pianist, film composer and LAUSD alumnus Kris Bowers. Bowers has composed the scores for films like "Green Book," "King Richard" and "The Color Purple," and streaming series like "Dear White People" and "Bridgerton." But that LAUSD part of his resume is very relevant to one of his latest projects. It’s a short documentary that Bowers co-directed (along with Ben Proudfoot) called “The Last Repair Shop." It's all about the technicians who work in a repair shop downtown, fixing and tuning the more than 100,000 instruments the district provides to students, free of charge. In addition to an Oscar nod, the film has also inspired a $15 million capital campaign — to raise funds for the repair shop and for a student apprenticeship program.

How to L.A. aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way. 

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

How to L.A. aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way. 
Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

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Composer And LAUSD Grad Kris Bowers On His 'Last Repair Shop'

#280: We’re back with our series on How NOT To Be Lonely in LA.

Today we explore the connection between religion…or lack thereof…and loneliness.

For decades, Americans relied on their church, temple or mosque, or other religious institutions, for a sense of built in community. But with more and more people disaffiliating from organized religion in recent decades — particularly since the 90s — we, as a society, haven't really found a replacement for those spaces, and the community and sanctity that comes with them.

Today, producer Megan Botel speaks to USC professor of religion Diane Winston about what has been lost on a personal and community level in the decline of religiosity. She also explores the Pico Union Project, a non-denominational church in L.A. that might offer a solution to some who are looking to find a place to gather with people and share in some sense of spirituality. 

Guests: Diane Winston, professor of media and religion at USC; Craig Taubman, founder and artistic director of the Pico Union Project; Ross Chait, talent booker at the Pico Union Project.

#280: We’re back with our series on How NOT To Be Lonely in LA.
Today we explore the connection between religion…or lack thereof…and loneliness.
For decades, Americans relied on their church, temple or mosque, or other religious institutions, for a sense of built in community. But with more and more people disaffiliating from organized religion in recent decades — particularly since the 90s — we, as a society, haven't really found a replacement for those spaces, and the community and sanctity that comes with them.
Today, producer Megan Botel speaks to USC professor of religion Diane Winston about what has been lost on a personal and community level in the decline of religiosity. She also explores the Pico Union Project, a non-denominational church in L.A. that might offer a solution to some who are looking to find a place to gather with people and share in some sense of spirituality. 
Guests: Diane Winston, professor of media and religion at USC; Craig Taubman, founder and artistic director of the Pico Union Project; Ross Chait, talent booker at the Pico Union Project.

Finding Your 'Church' To Build Community

Photographer Merrick Morton got his start taking portraits of LA street gangs in the 1980s, cementing that world in history when few took the time to document these people's lives. He photographed people on the street, at home and even in prison. 

After decades of taking photos, Morton got his first solo show at  Eastern Projects in LA's Chinatown neighborhood. There's also a new book "Clique: West Coast Portraits from the Hood, 1980-1996" that's available from Hat & Beard Press. 

Photographer Merrick Morton got his start taking portraits of LA street gangs in the 1980s, cementing that world in history when few took the time to document these people's lives. He photographed people on the street, at home and even in prison.  After decades of taking photos, Morton got his first solo show at  Eastern Projects in LA's Chinatown neighborhood. There's also a new book "Clique: West Coast Portraits from the Hood, 1980-1996" that's available from <a href="https://hatandbeard.com/products/dreams-from-the-hood-by-merrick-morton">Hat &amp; Beard Press. </a>

Merrick Morton On Photographing LA Street Gangs

#279: Hey, How to LA listeners! We’re back with another social calendar to talk about the interesting, fun, new happenings in the city.

Guests: Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and Janice Llamoca, an audio producer and host. You might have heard her work on Latino USA, Vice AND she was the host of the amazing LAist Studios podcast Party Crews: The Untold Story. 

Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:
The Hollywood Bowl: check out Maestro of the Movies with John Williams
Pro Tip! Get a shuttle pass and BYOB (wine and beer only)
Theodore Payne Foundation: learn about native plants, take a garden tour, buy some plants, take a workshop!
Check our your neighborhood bars that give the true down home vibe!  

In West Adams (Brian's hood), check out Chulita, Johnnys, Delicious Pizza and Alta 
Gold Room and Bar Flores in Echo Park
Or Bar in WeHo
Hot Dog at El Cid in Silver Lake

#279: Hey, How to LA listeners! We’re back with another social calendar to talk about the interesting, fun, new happenings in the city. Guests: Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and <a href="https://www.janicellamoca.com/">Janice Llamoca</a>, an audio producer and host. You might have heard her work on Latino USA, Vice AND she was the host of the amazing LAist Studios podcast Party Crews: The Untold Story. 
Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:
<ul>
<li>The Hollywood Bowl: check out <a href="https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/2929/2024-07-12/maestro-of-the-movies-john-williams-with-the-la-phil">Maestro of the Movies with John Williams</a>
<ul>
<li>Pro Tip! Get a shuttle pass and BYOB (wine and beer only)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Theodore Payne Foundation: learn about native plants, take a garden tour, buy some plants, <a href="https://theodorepayne.org/learn/classes-workshops/">take a workshop</a>!</li>
<li>Check our your neighborhood bars that give the true down home vibe!  
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">In West Adams (Brian's hood), check out Chulita, Johnnys, Delicious Pizza and Alta </li>
<li aria-level="1">Gold Room and Bar Flores in Echo Park</li>
<li aria-level="1">Or Bar in WeHo</li>
<li aria-level="1">Hot Dog at El Cid in Silver Lake</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Composer And LAUSD Grad Kris Bowers On His 'Last Repair Shop'

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