Do you Remember the Atomic & Troy Cafés? The corner of First St. & Alameda in Little Tokyo served as an historic hub for a diverse set of artists and musicians in the 80's and 90's. The Atomic Café, a neighborhood restaurant originally opened by Minoru & Ito Matoba on San Pedro St. in 1946, not only served local mostly Japanese-American customers and US soldiers, but also turned into one of the City's hottest punk rock gathering spots in the early 80's. Bands from LA, across the nation, and even from overseas could be found hanging out & dining with locals after hours. Blondie, the Go-Go's, X, David Byrne, Andy Warhol & David Bowie were among the Café's famous patrons.
After the Atomic closed on Thanksgiving Day in 1989, the artistic energy continued at the Troy Café, which opened next door to the old Atomic just months later in 1990. Another family-owned business, the Troy was a coffee shop opened by Sean Carillo & Bibbe Hansen. Their hope was to create a space where artists could feel at home & share their art with one another and with the community. It definitely accomplished this goal, especially for a wide range of young Chicano artists from across the River who lacked a space to display their talent. Grammy award winning Quetzal had their first show at the Troy Café and multiple Grammy award winner Beck (and son of Bibbe Hansen) also performed at the Troy, which closed in 1995.
The Remember Atomic & Troy Cafés Community Committee would like to invite you to JUKEBOX: Sounds of the Atomic, a celebration of the art, artists, sights & sounds of the Atomic Café and its successors on First & Alameda Streets in Little Tokyo. This uniquely LA arts space will soon be demolished to make way for a new light rail station so join us as we reminisce, reconnect & remember the Atomic & Troy Cafés while the one & only Atomic Nancy spins original 45s from the café's infamous jukebox. WHEN: Saturday February 22, doors 8pm ~ DJ set 9pm WHERE: Señor Fish Restaurant 422 E. First Street, Little Tokyo Find the event on Facebook and RSVP there https://www.facebook.com/events/490618541059508/ **$15 suggested donation ~ ALL AGES
