March 2012 - The Sunset Strip

Street Beat: Celebs Flock To The Viper For Avril Lavigne’s Abbey Dawn Launch

This month, Canadian pop starlet turned merchandising mogul Avril Lavigne took over The Viper Room to celebrate the launch of her new rock n’ roll inspired Abbey Dawn accessories collection. The “JustFabulous” pink carpet event attracted celebrities, media and crowds of fans and featured an intimate acoustic performance by Lavigne and her band. The performance, which was streamed online, included top ten hits “Girlfriend” and My Happy Ending.”

Notable appearances by fellow fashionistas Taylor Momsen (“Gossip Girl”), Mena Suvari (American Beauty, American Reunion), Lavigne’s ex-hubby Deryck Whibley (Sum 41), and JustFab president Kimora Lee Simmons, made the private event a true Sunset Strip worthy soiree.

Photos courtesy of Genie Sanchez, www.totallylikeduh.com

TheSunsetStrip.com Exclusive Interview: fiN

Tonight, UK buzz band fiN (spelled with a capital “N”) takes the stage at the Viper Room for night one of a two-night West Coast showcase on The Sunset Strip. Backed by multi-platinum powerhouse Muse, the indie-pop quartet are poised to take the States, and the rest of the stagnant rock world, by storm, releasing one 7” single at a time.

Midway through their stateside journey to The Sunset Strip, fiN frontman Luke Joyce sent word from SXSW of the band’s musical conquests, reminisced about “drunken jams” and explained why “life is wasted on the living.”

Be Our Guest: Artists’ Tower Of Protest Closing Reception

You (and you, and you) are invited to attend the closing reception for the "Artists’ Tower of Protest" this Saturday, March 24. The event will take place from 4-6 p.m. at the lot located at Sunset Boulevard and Hilldale Avenue (between 9000 Sunset building and Hustler Hollywood), and will feature a conversation with the artists and curator as well as food trucks.

Paddy’s Day Parties

This Saturday the music and beer will be flowing on The Sunset Strip. And while that may be just like any other Saturday on The Strip, this week the event will have a green tint to it in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you’re Irish or just have the luck o’ the Irish, we’ve got the perfect party for you.

Block Party @ Rock & Reilly’s
Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub is hosting a “green carpet” block party in their back parking lot and patio from noon-10 p.m. featuring a beer garden, five bars, DJs and bands. $10 cover for entrance. www.rnrpub.com

Two-Day St. Patrick’s Day Party @ The Den
The Den will host a party with menu items including corned beef and potatoes, green beer and Irish car bombs. The party kicks off early on Friday night and continues the next day, Saturday, March 17. www.thedenofhollywood.com

LA Marathon Is Taking It To The Streets On Sunday: Get The Road Closure Info

This Sunday, March 18, the City of West Hollywood will welcome runners competing in the Los Angeles Marathon "Stadium to the Sea" course, which begins at Dodgers Stadium and concludes in Santa Monica. An estimated 30,000 runners will be taking it to the streets on the 26.2-mile course that provides a tour of the area’s top iconic landmarks, including The Sunset Strip as runners will pass legendary venues the House of Blues, Viper Room and Whisky A Go-Go.
Runners will enter The Sunset Strip on Sunset Boulevard and Havenhurst Drive, on the city’s east side, and will then head west on Sunset Boulevard before turning left onto San Vicente Boulevard and right onto Santa Monica Boulevard, past the Troubadour, before exiting West Hollywood at Doheny Drive, where they will enter Beverly Hills.

Celebrating The Luck O’ The Irish Year Round at Rock & Reilly’s

While the countdown to St. Patrick’s Day is in full swing, one pub on The Sunset Strip celebrates the Irish daily: Rock & Reilly’s.

GuitarTown 2012 Launches, Featuring Work By Shepard Fairey, Tristan Eaton, DeeKay

Last night, round two of Gibson GuitarTown was unveiled during an invitation-only event at Hornburg's showroom on The Sunset Strip. The new round of guitars features work by renowned local and national artists, including Shepard Fairey, Tristan Eaton and fellow street artists DeeKay, Free Humanity and Smog City. The guitars celebrate a range of musicians who have influenced The Sunset Strip, including Buffalo Springfield, T-Rex, Jane's Addiction, Rage Against The Machine and Van Halen, among others.
The initial nine 10-foot tall art guitars will be on display along The Sunset Strip starting today through November. After their "tour" of The Strip, the guitars will be auctioned for charity. GuitarTown also plans to unveil an additional 15 guitars later this spring.