I went to see the Boombox Creators show in East Hollywood. It was in the Luz de Jesus gallery, located on Hollywood Blvd., tucked away in the back of a wild store called Wacko.
When I stepped inside the front door I was so astonished and mesmerized by the merchandise in Wacko that it took some time before I made it back to the art gallery.
Weird and sometimes kinky things for sale
Near the front is a kinkily curated bookstore. Next aisle back come bobbleheads. Want a SuperWoman bobblehead or a Star Wars Ranger bobblehead or even a Queen Elizabeth II waving at you? They’ve got it. Going further back into the store, I came across their sock display. I have a weakness for colorful and funny socks. They have them and more, including some far-out hand-puppets. Nothing like a Shakespeare boxing hand-puppet for the author on your gift list!
In the far back was the occult section where skulls and bones plus rubber masks could be found alongside stuffed animals.
Sweeney Todd Barber Shop — for real
But there is even more. The shops next to Wacko are equally interesting. Tell me–would you go to a barber shop called ‘Sweeney Todd’? I looked inside and there were men getting haircuts. Brave dudes! And next door to that a store proudly announced that their ‘ugly’ sweaters were in stock.
So even if you don’t need imaginative gift ideas, it’s worth a trek to East Hollywood (near to Barnsdall Park and Los Feliz) to visit this area. There’s a coffee house across the street, too.
