Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Civic Leadership, Dodger Stadium, Dorothy Chandler, Grace Simons, LA Convention Center, LA Music Center, LA Philharmonic, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Music Center, Recreation and Parks, Uncategorized, urban renewal

Alta Live interview: “Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don’t Know but Should”

In honor of women's history month, Beth Spotswood interviewed me for Alta Live about "Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don't Know but Should." In the interview, I discuss trailblazers Miriam Matthews, Dorothy Chandler, and Grace Simons. You can read Jessica Blough's summary and watch my interview with Beth Spotswood on the Alta website. Are there … Continue reading Alta Live interview: “Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don’t Know but Should”

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, Civic Leadership, Dorothy Chandler, Future of Cities, LA Music Center, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Museums, urban renewal

Channeling Dorothy Chandler: Voices From the Past and the Future of Los Angeles

Dorothy Chandler (1922-1997) was arguably the most powerful woman in Los Angeles during the 1960s - presiding over the city's most elite social circles, and appearing on the cover of Time Magazine in honor of her unprecedented cultural fundraising efforts. Yet, few Angelenos know who she is other than a name on a Music Center building downtown. So why … Continue reading Channeling Dorothy Chandler: Voices From the Past and the Future of Los Angeles

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, Civic Leadership, historic preservation, LA Conservancy, LA Music Center, LA Politics, LA River, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Magazine, Uncategorized, urban renewal

The Impermanence of LA’s Built Environment?

What deserves protection? With every announcement I read about the construction of a new building, new museum, or a park redesign comes my inevitable questions: what was there before? Is there anything worth saving? And how will these new spaces shape L.A. in the 21st century? My latest pondering of these questions has to do with L.A. … Continue reading The Impermanence of LA’s Built Environment?

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, CicLAvia, Civic Leadership, Committee of 25, Future of Cities, LA Music Center, LA Politics, LA River, LACMA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized, urban renewal

Is L.A. Designed to Work?

Outgoing L.A. Deputy Mayor Rick Cole recently remarked that "L.A. is not designed to work." Could he be right? Is L.A. too big for true civic engagement? Or do projects like CicLAvia and the L.A. River Revitalization prove this contention wrong? Before I delve into my opinion regarding this question, let me provide a little context for Cole's remark. … Continue reading Is L.A. Designed to Work?

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. LAPL Central Library, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized

The best photography collection in Los Angeles?

I was doing a little research on L.A.'s cultural history and came across a blog post about Dorothy Chandler's cultural leadership. The highlight? The fantastic photos--all from Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) photo collection. LAPL's Central Library in downtown began collecting photographs prior to World War II, and since then has amassed millions--yes millions--of photographs that emphasize the history … Continue reading The best photography collection in Los Angeles?