There are many things I love about living in L.A. The three W’s aside (word to Kendrick), running into friends at events and around the city is one of them. Unlike NYC, it’s rare to run into people you know on the street. I’m reminded of various scenes in Nelson George’s Brooklyn Boheme, where he ran into different people while walking around Forte Greene. With the vastness of the Los Angeles landscape, unless there is an event, we often have to be intentional about seeing each other.
Last Saturday I ended up spending the afternoon with my friend Kenturah Davis. We both attended the artist talk In Conversation: Nina Chanel Abney with Jamillah James and Naima Keith at CAAM. I spotted Kenturah near the back row, a pleasant surprise, her bright red lipstick was hard not to notice. (Kenturah is an amazing artist and L.A. native, you’ll learn more about her another day.) I always expect to see at least one person I know when I attend artists talks. That chance encounter led us through the galleries to see Nina Chanel Abney: Royal Flush and Robert Pruitt: Devotion (again) then to Azla Vegan, an Ethiopian restaurant located in Mercado la Paloma, a wonderful food court where you can find cuisines as diverse as the South Central L.A. community it serves.
Azla Vegan is the brain child of Nesanet and her mother, head chef, Azla. You can read more about their story here. The delicious food is brightly colored and beautiful. As someone flirting with a gluten free lifestyle, it’s nice to have diverse gluten free options. I had the tofu tibs, spicy sweet potato, spicy lentils, and gluten free injera. I wish I was close enough to order Postmates right now, this is making me hungry. Okay, I’m getting side tracked.
As soon as we walked in, Kenturah is met with the bright smile of a young brown skinned man wearing rimmed glasses. They exchange hugs and pleasantries before he introduces himself as Deidrick. His smile is warm. He said “You guys coming to Azla? We just finished.” My attention went to the bright colored tables and remnants of recently devoured food. After saying goodbye Kenturah turned to me and asked “Do you know Deidrick?” The question was in reference to his work. “No. I don’t think so.” I replied. “Did you see Made in L.A.?” I nodded “He did the tapestry work with the men and the fish.” My eyes got big. “I loved that piece! Wow!” She was referring to his piece bitter attendance, drown jubilee, 2018; one of the many pieces that stuck with me after the show. This image below was my favorite of his three works.
opening tombs beneath the heart, 2018 Deidrick Brackens
As we ordered our food I hear a “Heeeey!” behind me. I turn to see a smiling Erin Christovale, assistant curator at The Hammer Museum and one of the minds behind this years Made in L.A. She is also the curator of Black Radical Imagination, a touring film program centering experimental short films made by artists of color, along with Amir George (more of that to come). I met her briefly at an opening at Residency Art Gallery earlier this summer, well, actually, I introduced myself and told her I loved her work. With the crazy crowd around her, I didn’t expect her to remember me. I introduced myself again, she was totally nice and down to earth. As she and Kenturah discussed the talk at CAAM, Nes (Nesanet) walks up. I don’t think I’ve seen her since the last time Kenturah and I went to Azla, last year (I don’t get to this side of town often enough). Everyone knows everyone. Erin got her food to go, Kenturah and I sat with Nes and caught each other up on the past 10 months. Nes is a budding film maker and Kenturah has a show coming up in February. It was beautiful to be surrounded by the warmth of friendship and good energy. People often talk about how fake L.A. can be. Though there is some truth to that (I’m of the argument there are fake people everywhere), there is also a community here. Will it look like it does everywhere else? Nope. You just have to find your people. And a spot like Azla Vegan couldn’t hurt.
Azla Vegan is located at 3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Nes and Azla @azlavegan
Community and connection, you’ll notice, will be a reoccurring theme on this site. I’m understanding that it means something different to everyone. I’m finding mine.
*Fun fact, the cover image on Erin Christovale’s website is artwork by Kenturah Davis.