Coachella 2023: Gabriels impresses and Boygenius joins Muna during Day 1

• April 15, 2023

The sun had just started its descent Friday during day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio when the L.A. group Muna took the stage and turned the Mojave Tent into a joyful dance party for anyone who’s ever had their heart broken.

“This is another break-up song you can shake your ass to,” singer Katie Gavin said after a series of exactly that.

And dance the crowd did as the three women of Muna welcomed the sad, the happy, the lonely, the rejected to celebrate with them.

After playing the group’s next single, “One That Got Away, out Monday, the band shifted back in time to play “I Know a Place,” the first song they ever wrote together “back when we were just three queens in a college dorm room.”

But the response from the crowd to that point was dwarfed when Muna wrapped up its set with “Silk Chiffon” and was joined first by Phoebe Bridgers, and then a verse later by Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, who as a trio perform as Boygenius, which is scheduled to play the fest on Saturday.

Early highlights as the first day of Coachella is underway included a gorgeous set from the neo-soul group Gabriels.

Singer Jacob Lusk arrived last on stage, dressed in a classic tuxedo beneath an ankle-length blue, orange and gold-patterned cape with a crimson lining. With Ari Balouzian on violin and Ryan Hope on synth and keyboards, Lusk delivered a stunning vocal on “Offering,” the group’s recent single. “Love and Hate in a Different Time” and “Taboo” were equally beautiful, the moving qualities of the songs leavened by Lusk’s funny commentary between songs.

The young jazz duo of Domi and J.D. Beck, fresh off a Grammy nomination this year for best new artist, drew an enthusiastic crowd to the Mojave Tent.

Domi played piano facing Beck on drums, their tight chops worthy of the acclaim they’ve received. They expressed their Gen Z humor in self-deprecating comments as older musicians including Mac DeMarco and Thundercat joined them to perform songs from the duo’s album including “Bowling,” the Thundercat-sung song inspired by “The Big Lebowski.”

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The earliest hours of the day typically featured bands that many festival-goers don’t know, though those who do are psyched to see their underground heroes.

Of those, the English jazz-meets-electronic trio The Comet Is Coming drew a decent crowd to the Outdoor Stage, while British singer-songwriter Lava La Rue and the North Ireland-bred post-punk band the Murder Capital had enthusiastic if small crowds inside the Sonora Tent.

The day also saw a set by a true homegrown artist as DannyLux, who grew up just minutes away from the festival grounds, gave his small-yet-mighty crowd a set filled with new hits, old favorites and his band even sported new suits for the occasion. Young fans were screaming the lyrics back to the Chicano artist as he played “el dueno de tu amor” and “Te Falle,” his latest single, which dropped last month.

Before his set, fans took to social media to share images of signage located just outside of the new Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert just off the I-10 Freeway that read “My Last time at Coachella I was picking up trash, now I’m back seeing my son perform this Friday.” DannyLux’s father had the signs created and it was very sweet to see.

A packed crowd inside the Sahara Tent turned up the heat with Dombresky, an electronic and house producer from Miami, as he graced the decks. The set was filled with psychedelic visuals that paired well with the music as fans were jumping and swaying along with the bass blasting from the speakers creating vibrations that could be felt from head to toe.

 More Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival news

Coachella 2023: See photos from Day 1 of the festival 

Coachella 2023: Excited fans strut into Day 1 to catch their favorite acts 

Coachella 2023: Set times and schedule announced — plus a surprise guest

Coachella 2023: Where to go for breakfast, lunch or late-night snacks pre-and post-festival

How Day Club Palm Springs’ poolside parties offer a unique concert experience

Coachella 2023: How to livestream performances from all of the festival stages

Coachella 2023: 5 Southern California artists making their festival debut

Coachella 2023: Weekend Two hasn’t sold out yet. Here’s why that’s good for you

​ Orange County Register 

Pomeranian mix Ollie is a friendly, playful little boy

• April 15, 2023

Breed: Pomeranian mix

Age: 5 years

Sex: Neutered

Size: 10 pounds

Ollie’s story: Ollie is a very sweet boy who loves to give kisses. He also loves carrying his stuffed toy everywhere he goes, including to bed. He does well with other dogs of all sizes. However, he needs to eat separately, as he eats quickly, then wants to eat the other dogs’ food. He takes treats nicely and doesn’t worry if his doggie friends are also getting them. He is working on potty training, but needs some assistance in getting outside on time (a regular schedule really helps). He is getting used to a leash and enjoys short walks that encourage him to succeed. His favorite game is being chased by other dogs. He hasn’t met cats, so whether he would get along with them is unknown, but he doesn’t seem interested in chasing other animals.

Adoption fee: $300

Adoption procedure: Go to K9 Spirit Organization’s website and complete an application. You can also email Stacy at [email protected].

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​ Orange County Register 

Maltese-terrier mix Louie is a sweet little guy, but he’s shy

• April 15, 2023

Breed: Maltese-terrier mix

Age: 5 months

Sex: Neutered male

Size: 5 pounds

Louie’s story: Sweet, shy Louie is a tiny guy. He hasn’t had a lot of human contact during his short life, so he has yet to learn that people can bring love and comfort. Since he loves other dogs, he would do best in a home with another confident dog who can help this adorable little guy come out of his shell.

Adoption fee: $350

Adoption procedure: Fill out Friends of Orange County’s Homeless Pets’ online  application or email [email protected]. The website has other pets in need of homes, too.

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​ Orange County Register 

Grand Prix of Long Beach: Scott Dixon has thrilling first day at the track

• April 15, 2023

LONG BEACH — About an hour and a half before the first NTT IndyCar practice run at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, it was announced that six-time IndyCar series champion Scott Dixon will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America next March in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Dixon then went out and had the second-fastest practice time of 1:06.9649, just behind Pato O’Ward (1:06.6999).

Colton Herta recorded the third-fastest time at 1:06.9808. Marcus Ericsson was fourth at 1:06.9859 and Romain Grosjean was fifth at 1:07.1049.

Immediately afterward, O’Ward did a trackside interview and said the track was “very, very quick.” He was asked if the unusually cool weather for this time of year affected the session.

Typically, it’s in the 70s for this race – sometimes warmer – but it was only 62 degrees when the practice session began at 3 p.m.

“I thought today was beautiful,” said O’Ward, of Team Arrow McLaren. “The track was definitely quicker than what it was last year. There’s not as much rubber down, but the track is fast. … The tires and the engines like the colder temperatures rather than it being really hot.”

There are 27 cars in the mix this year. O’Ward, of Mexico, talked about how qualifying might go Saturday.

“It’s tight, man,” said O’Ward, 23. “I think qualifying is going to be as tight as it’s probably ever been. It puts a lot of emphasis on just the little mistakes you can make.”

Herta won this race in 2021.

“I’m happy with it,” he said of his practice session Friday.

Herta, 23, is from Santa Clarita. After he and Andretti Autosport teammate Kyle Lockwood finished 20th and 15th, respectively, in the season opener at St. Petersburg, the team switched strategists for the two drivers.

Herta’s strategist was his father, Bryan, who is now with Kirkwood.

Kirkwood’s was Scott Harner, who is now with the younger Herta, who said the transition is going smoothly. Herta declared himself “easy to strategize for.”

“I don’t like to be talked to unless it’s really necessary, so it’s a pretty easy transition to make,” he said. “Just give me any info that’s absolutely necessary and that’s it. He’s been solid so far. I don’t have any complaints.”

Dixon won his first series title in 2003 in his second season with Chip Ganassi Racing. He also won in 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2020.

Dixon, of New Zealand, won the Indianapolis 500 in 2008 and won in Long Beach in 2015.

Dixon, 42, was thrilled with the news of his induction.

“Extremely honored,” he said. “I’ve been with this team (Ganassi) for over 20 years and we’ve accomplished a lot together and (have) some tremendous memories.”

Dixon recalled his first series title and admitted he had one small regret.

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“Winning the first championship in 2003 was a bit of a shock to my system,” he said. “The only disappointment I think I had with that was not really soaking it in and enjoying it as much as I really should have.”

Displaying a bit of modesty, Dixon said, “I’ve been extremely lucky. Obviously, a lot of it comes from hard work.”

Rounding out the top 10 practice times Friday: Alex Palou, the 2021 series champion, was sixth at 1:07.1515; two-time race winner (2018-19) Alexander Rossi was seventh at 1:07.1572; Callum Ilott was eighth at 1:07.2467; Felix Rosenqvist was ninth at 1:07.3135; and Christian Lundgaard was 10th at 1:07.3237.

Others notables included defending race champion Josef Newgarden (14th, 1:07.4273), Will Power (15th, 1:07.4420), Graham Rahal (16th, 1:07.4785) and Helio Castroneves (24th, 1:07.9204).

​ Orange County Register 

A look back at some of Southern California’s lost race tracks

• April 15, 2023

With race cars speeding through the streets of Long Beach this weekend, we take a look at some of the long-lost raceways of Southern California.

First in Southern California

Horses, autos and motorcycles would all race at the first Ascot Park when it opened in 1903 in L.A. Its first auto race was held in 1907, and its final one in 1919.

The Legion Ascot Speedway, built in 1924, was closed after the grandstand burned down in 1936. The speedway was near what is now Lincoln Park, a little east of the 5 Freeway and a few blocks north of the 10 Freeway.

The Legion Ascot Speedway was a five-eighths mile, banked dirt oval. The track had a deadly reputation and was nicknamed the “killer track” after 24 people died there in a dozen years. This could be the reason the track is also known as the first to use safety helmets.

Women were banned from racing by AAA in 1909, but some found ways to compete.

The most famous of the four Ascot racetracks was Ascot Park, which opened in 1957.

Ascot Park Speedway near Gardena in 1972. The track held numerous United States Auto Club national tour races and three NASCAR Grand National races. The Turkey Night Grand Prix was held at the track for several decades. It had seating for 7,500. It was built near Carell Speedway, which closed in 1954 for construction of the 91 Freeway.

The track hosted all kinds of races for 33 years, from sprint races to figure 8s. Daredevil Evel Knievel did his first public stunt when he jumped six cars on his motorcycle. In 1967, Knievel made his first national television appearance at Ascot, jumping 15 cars on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports.”

First in the world

By 1910, vehicle speeds were over 80 mph.

The Los Angeles Motordrome in Playa del Rey was an elevated, wooden-board track that opened April 8, 1910. It was not the first racetrack in L.A. but it was the first of its kind in the world. The 1-mile oval could host 12,000 spectators and was designed by velodrome (bicycle track) engineer Jack Prince.

The track was approximately 45 feet wide. It’s estimated to have required more than 2 million square feet of lumber.Sportswriters nicknamed the track “the pie pan.”The track was estimated to have banking of at least 18 degrees (by 1912, Prince had a track in St. Louis with 62-degree banks). The Motordrome was successful for three years and hosted both automobile and motorcycle races.

A fire broke out under the Playa del Rey track in August 1913, and the damage was so bad the owners opted not to rebuild.

The Motordrome was not the only L.A. track to be abandoned due to fire.

Supersizing it

When you think of Beverly Hills, does the image of a race car come to mind? If it were 1920, that might be the case. Prince designed a 1.25-mile wooden track that featured 35-degree turns on a large plot of land where the Beverly Wilshire Hotel is today.

The track could host 50,000-70,000 fans, and the winner of the first race in 1920 averaged 103 mph over 250 miles – faster than the Indianapolis 500 winner that year.

The Beverly Hills Speedway was closed by February 1924 when the land became more valuable for real estate development. The track owners built a new venue in Culver City that opened in December 1924 and lasted until 1927, when its real estate value grew.Just as tracks in Los Angeles gave way to development, so did the ones in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The Riverside International Raceway and the Ontario Motor Speedway sites are occupied by malls, warehouses and homes. The track in Riverside was open from 1957-1989, and the Ontario track opened in 1968 and closed in 1980. Ontario was the first track to host stock cars and open-wheel racing (on oval or road coarse) and have a drag strip. The Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, which opened in 1997, is about 2 miles from the old Ontario Motor Speedway.

Fighting to race

Perris Auto Speedway was built in 1996 and is a half-mile clay oval on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds. There is a campaign called #saveperris since the track and other businesses around it are in a legal battle with the state over a Perris dam construction project.

Stripping it down

Drag racing has its roots in Southern California deserts starting in the 1930s. After World War II it grew in popularity, and the National Hot Rod Association was founded in 1951 by Wally Parks.

Santa Ana Drag Strip, at what is now John Wayne Airport, is recognized by the National Hotrod Racing Association as the nation’s first commercial drag strip.

The drag strip opened June 19, 1950, and operated until June 21, 1959, with races Sundays (except for Mother’s Day) from dawn to dusk.

The strip would charge a fee for entrance, and almost anyone was welcome to compete. Some would come in their personal rides; others would customize cars specifically to race on Sundays.

Sources: Los Angeles Public Library, FirstSuperspeedway.com, The Daily Breeze, El Sereno Historical Society, Dragstriplist.com, NHRA Museum, Speedwayandroadracehistory.com, PerrisAutoSpeedway.com

​ Orange County Register 

Coachella 2023: See photos from Day 1 of the festival

• April 15, 2023

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is underway at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.

Fans lined up early to catch a variety of sets and to take photos with several of the new art installations on site on Friday, April 14. Others hurried to the main Coachella Stage to snag an up-close spot to hopefully see headliner Bad Bunny from the barrier.

These photos capture the early-day scene during the festival, which included sets by acts like Gabriels, Soul Glo, The Comet is Coming, Juliet Mendoza and many more.

The festival continues on Saturday, April 15 with a headlining set by K-pop group Blackpink and on Sunday, April 16, which will be capped with a performance by Long Beach-based singer-songwriter Frank Ocean.

 More Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival news

Coachella 2023: Excited fans strut into Day 1 to catch their favorite acts

Coachella 2023: Set times and schedule announced — plus a surprise guest

Coachella 2023: Where to go for breakfast, lunch or late-night snacks pre-and post-festival

How Day Club Palm Springs’ poolside parties offer a unique concert experience

Desert Gold’s free music event returns to Palm Springs during both Coachella weekends

Coachella 2023: How to livestream performances from all of the festival stages

Coachella 2023: 5 Southern California artists making their festival debut

Coachella 2023: Weekend Two hasn’t sold out yet. Here’s why that’s good for you

​ Orange County Register 

Cubs’ Cody Bellinger, healthier and more confident, embraces return to Los Angeles

• April 15, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― The ending to Cody Bellinger’s Dodgers career was so abrupt, he never got the courtesy of a “hug watch” in the dugout, let alone a proper goodbye from each of his teammates.

The hugs flowed freely for the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player on Friday at Dodger Stadium. Bellinger spent the entire Dodgers’ batting practice embracing former teammates, coaches, executives, broadcasters and cameramen in between rounds on the field before the Dodgers played Bellinger’s Chicago Cubs for the first time in 2023. He was all smiles.

It was a refreshingly new look for Bellinger, 27, who often wore his struggles on his face in 2021 and 2022. Bothered by injuries to his shoulder and foot, Bellinger batted .193 over the two seasons, with 29 home runs in 239 games.

While he still provided superb defense in center field, Bellinger’s struggles at the plate made his departure less than a complete shock. The Dodgers did not tender him a contract after last season, then watched him sign as a free agent with the Cubs for $12.5 million in December. He’s eligible for a $25 million team option after this season, or a $5 million buyout.

Did Bellinger think he would be a Dodger forever?

“At one point for sure, you know?” he said. “Life is not always planned, as we all know as we grow older. God works in mysterious ways. I just try to be in the moment and appreciate what comes next for me.”

It’s early, but there are signs that Bellinger is returning to the form that endeared him to Dodgers fans and made him a fixture in the middle of the lineup. His swings and misses are down. His batting average is up to a modest .238 through Thursday.

That’s still a far cry from the hitter he was in his “prime.” From his age 21-through-23 seasons, Bellinger batted .278 and averaged 37 homers and 96 RBIs per season. In addition to the MVP award, he was the Rookie of the Year in 2017 and NL Championship Series MVP in 2018.

Bellinger also batted .412 in the 2021 NLCS against Atlanta, hitting a critical three-run homer to spur the Dodgers’ come-from-behind win in Game 3. But these moments were the exception to the rule in his later years, befuddling fans and coaches who yearned for more consistency from Bellinger at the plate.

“I think Cody’s got to take some responsibility for it. I think us, as coaches, have to take some responsibility for it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Sometimes maybe a different voice might re-unlock some things in him, because you can’t debate the skill set or the talent.”

Bellinger acknowledged that, on a practical level, the change of scenery has helped.

“I feel really good, I feel really confident,” he said. “Physically, mentally, I feel as solid as I have in a while. It’s exciting.”

Roberts said he saw Bellinger’s confidence waver “a lot” last season.

“I can’t even begin to appreciate what it’s like to be that caliber of player, and then to try to have to realize those expectations on a night-to-night, year-to-year basis,” Roberts said. “I think getting out from under that allowed him to catch his breath a little bit and start over.”

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Bellinger declined to discuss any details about the offseason negotiations that ultimately ended his Dodger career. He said the finality of his time in Los Angeles didn’t resonate until the Dodgers released a tribute video to him on their official social media accounts.

“I got a little emotional watching that video,” he said, “just all the amazing memories you know, and the cool things that I accomplished and we accomplished as a team.”

ALSO

Austin Barnes was behind the plate Friday, and Max Muncy was the backup catcher, as Will Smith was scratched from the lineup due to an illness. Roberts was hopeful but uncertain that Smith would be able to return Saturday. … Smith is hitting .333 with three home runs and 12 RBIs this season. … Miguel Rojas, who has dealt with groin and hamstring injuries in the last week, has been cleared to play every day. He started at shortstop, batting seventh.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Michael Grove, 0-1, 14.73 ERA) vs. Chicago Cubs (RHP Jameson Taillon, 0-2, 7.00 ERA), Saturday, 6:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

​ Orange County Register 

2 men charged in Dodger Stadium attack after Elton John concert

• April 15, 2023

Two men have been charged in connection with the beating of a married couple in their 60s in the Dodger Stadium parking lot after an Elton John concert last November.

Reece Hopkin, 38, and Chad Reeves, 42, were each charged with one felony count of battery with serious bodily injury. Hopkin also faces one felony count of vandalism or destruction of property, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“What started out as a night of entertainment and revelry ended in violence,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.

The attack, caught on video, occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 following a fender bender after the first of John’s three sold-out shows at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles police said.

Gascon said the violence grew from a dispute between a woman and the 64-year-old male victim. Hopkin and Reeves became involved and allegedly began assaulting the man who suffered serious injuries.

Hopkin is accused of grabbing the cellphone of a man who was recording and throwing it on the ground.

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Video in the immediate aftermath of the initial attack shows the man motionless on the ground, still being assaulted — possibly by multiple assailants — even as others attempted to curtail the violence. The man’s wife is seen being pulled by the hair as she attempts to check on her husband.

The man suffered a concussion and a broken ankle, among other injuries, it was reported. The female victim said she was knocked unconscious, along with her husband, who she tried to revive for about 45 seconds, believing he had died, before he finally regained consciousness, it was reported at the time.

​ Orange County Register