In honor of Eric Garcetti’s offbeat inauguration this Sunday at Grand Park, we’ve compiled a list of the mayor-elect’s craziest quirks and most surprising hobbies.
Unlike his predecessors, Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa, James Hahn and Richard Riordan, Garcetti isn’t planning to hold some fancy-shmancy inauguration ball; instead, he’s hosting a free block party at Grand Park, a location perfect for large crowds and blaring music. Moby, an electronica luminary, will be among the musical performances.
Choosing to move the ceremony to this setting reflects Garcetti’s eccentric charm. He’s a true LA hipster at heart -- eco-warrior, social media connoisseur, yoga guru and even part-time actor. Click through the slideshow to get an inside look at Garcetti’s secret hipster life...
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Just when you thought Garcetti couldn't get any cooler, the mayor came out in support of holding absolutely ratchet raves at the Los Angeles Coliseum for the diehard EDM (Electronic Dance Music) crowd. Though previous mayor Antonio Villaraigosa questioned whether to even allow raves at the enormous venue, Garcetti held a fundraiser at the LA Coliseum, featuring performers Steve Aoki, Will.i.am and other DJ luminaries. Of course, he attended and was seen partying it up next to Aoki himself.
Garcetti's a dabbling actor, taking on LA's cornerstone industry with charm. Appearing on an episode of the Closer, Major Crime and 10-8: Officers on Duty, Garcetti played a town mayor or city councilman in all three (how fitting -- perhaps an early signal of his preferred occupation?)
If Angelenos could elect the next President, Will Ferrell would be a likely candidate. The LA comedy genius endorses Garcetti fully, recording a video segment to support the mayor's campaign in February of this year. Ferrell, though cracking jokes here and there, puts comedy on hold for a minute to discuss Garcetti's strengths. Ferrell says, "Eric will lead this city and represent us on a world stage, both economically and culturally...It's pretty darn cool."
Garcetti gives the word organic a new meaning. Almost a half-acre plot of land at the Garcetti home is dedicated to a bountiful fruit and vegetable garden, where the mayor cultivates his own all-natural produce. He then trades some of his goods with councilperson Bill Rosendahl in exchange for eggs from Rosendahl's chicken coop. Garcetti is interested in starting a coop of his own, telling Papermag, "Chickens are in our near future."
Garcetti lives in Silver Lake, which was ranked number one on Forbes' list of America's Hippest Hipster Neighborhoods. The diverse and offbeat town boasts some of the nation’s best food trucks and farmer’s markets. Silver Lake is home to a rising arts scene and a surplus of avant garde, Modernist architecture (including Garcetti's home, which, on top of being environmentally conscious, is almost entirely made of glass).
Garcetti is a big advocate of Reddit. Recently, he posted on the site asking for ways to improve the future of Los Angeles from the Reddit community. He tweaked the Reddit classic "AMA" -- Ask Me Anything -- and sought input from his constituency. “This time, we’re doing things a little bit differently by focusing the discussion on solutions rather than Q/A,” Garcetti wrote. “I want your ideas about how to create jobs and solve problems in L.A. neighborhoods.”
Like many Angelenos, Garcetti enjoys a little outdoor yoga in sunny Silver Lake Meadow Park. He's been spotted partaking in a number of exercises there, including yoga, plyometrics and even kickboxing.
Garcetti attended LA private school Harvard Westlake, where he was a bit of a nerd, spending many a lunch discussing politics and social issues with then-history teacher Dave Waterhouse.
Garcetti practices what he preaches. Representative of his campaign emphasis on environmental protection, the mayor drives a silver Toyota RAV4-EV. And it's not even his first; He's been driving electric since GM released its leasable EV1 in 1997.
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