Yesterday Evening's Events

Sunday, January 16, 2005, at 10:30AM

By Eric Richardson

I yesterday mentioned my evening itinerary: gallery reception, dinner, and a movie. For once a plan went off exactly the way it was supposed to. It's far too nice outside for me to stay inside all afternoon, but I figured I'd stop by to fill you in on the details before I wandered back out.

Event one was the Carol Surface show at 626 Gallery. I had talked to Carol on Thursday during the Art Walk and told her I would definitely stop by for the reception -- after all the gallery is directly across the street from me. I had seen all the art on Thursday, but it was fun taking Kathy over there to see everything. The reception was taking place both in the ground-floor gallery and in the loft/office on the second floor. It was good to get up there and see what the City Loft units look like.

We left 626 around 7:40pm and walked to the Pershing Square Red Line entrance at 5th and Hill. We waited 5 minutes or so for the train -- which conveniently was the North Hollywood train we needed -- and then rode to Hollywood and Highland, arriving there just a touch after 8. Walking just slightly east on Hollywood Blvd. we made our way to the Pig n' Whistle, which I've been by many times but had never been inside. After having been, I can't believe it took that long. We had no wait to be seated. I had great fish n' chips. Kathy remarked on how good the fish in them was. The menu said "assorted fries," and that's exactly what they were: regular fries, seasoned waffle fries, and Texas fries all served in a little brown bag. Kathy had a chicken soup and then a salad with grilled chicken, and enjoyed both of them. Definitely a place to go back to.

By now we were actually ahead of schedule, since the movie at the Chinese wasn't until 10:10. We got back to the Hollywood and Highland complex at around 9:30, bought our tickets, and then decided to head up to the 4th level and just take in the views. Especially fun from up there was watching the street performers; on the ground you'll generally looking over shoulders, but being four levels above the action made for a great vantage point.

Tiring of that and getting a bit cold, we wandered into the theatre at 9:50 and sat down. The movie -- Coach Carter -- was fine: not necessarily a movie I find compelling, but it was well done. Kathy thought the depiction of inner-city schools was especially acurate.

The movie's a little over two hours, so we got out of there at 12:40am. We walked back to the subway station, waited ten minutes or so for the train, and then made our way back home.

All in all a very good night, though a late one by the end.