First Westwood Live of the school year takes to the streets
By Paul Stremple
Oct. 20, 2011 12:19 a.m.
The first Westwood Live event of the school year will include outdoor music and a new coupon system, with organizers hoping to attract more students and create more of a “block party” atmosphere.
Created by the Westwood Community Council in April, Westwood Live features entertainment, dining and shopping every third Thursday of the month. The goal is to draw business to Westwood Village, said Steve Sann, chair of the Westwood Community Council.
The event debuted to lackluster reviews, however, Sann said.
“We want to do better, we want to make it more vibrant,” Sann said.
Part of that involves moving outdoors ““ previously, too many of the Westwood Live events took place indoors in closed venues, Sann said.
Outdoor festivities, running from 6 to 10 p.m. are intended to make the event more visible.
In addition, organizers collaborated with the Undergraduate Student Association Council to increase student attendance, Sann said. USAC General Representative David Bocarsly was tasked with increasing student participation at Westwood Live and getting the word out about the event.
Bocarsly said that live, outdoor music is one way he hopes to attract students to the event. Five UCLA student groups will play at a stage on Broxton Avenue, including Bruin Harmony and past Spring Sing winners.
After the performances, DJs will play dance music until the event ends.
Organizers also hope to increase attendance with the Westwood Village Farmers Market, which will take place on Broxton Avenue from noon to the start of Westwood Live at 6 p.m. This marks a switch from the market’s usual Wednesday schedule.
“Our original Westwood Farmers Market took place on Thursday, so this is a return to our heritage,” said Stephen Whipple, manager of the Westwood Village Farmers Market.
Westwood Live, as well as the September closure of a separate Thursday Westwood Farmers Market at the Veteran’s Garden, was taken into account for the time change, Whipple said.
Mary Raymond, a third-year psychology and anthropology student, heard about the event through an announcement at her sorority.
“It seems like a fun thing to do on a Thursday night,” Raymond said.
While Raymond plans on attending the event, biology graduate student Tanu Shenoy does not.
The event seemed more geared toward undergraduate students, Shenoy said.
Attendees will be able to purchase a “passport” to the event, a pamphlet with coupons valid at local eateries and different Westwood businesses on the night of the event and for the next month, Bocarsly said. Students receive a discount when they purchase the passport online or at the event.
Previously, most of the restaurants that participated in Westwood Live catered to a more affluent clientele, Sann said.
This year, special deals will also be available at more student-friendly eateries such as Fat Sal’s and Bella Pita.
By using coupons from the passport, the owners will be entered into a raffle at the event, which will give away a Kindle e-reader, Bocarsly said.
