American Hotel (The) and Al's Bar Project records

Programming materials 1976-2001

Scope and Content

Programming materials include calendars, phone lists, schedules, procedures, programs, scripts, photographs, and ephemera.

box 1, folder 1

Marc Kreisel bio

Scope and Content

Artist biography for Marc Kreisel, the sole proprietor of Al's Bar who held the master lease to the American Hotel. The folder also contains six G.L. Porter exhibition books given to Kreisel, one of which is number 4 of 26 printed and signed by Porter.

box 1, folder 2-3

Kreisel's calendars 1993, 1995

Scope and Contents

Marc Kreisel's calendars contain names of artists, phone numbers, notes and appointments concerning the American Hotel, Al's Bar, Al's National Theater, and the American Gallery.

box 1, folder 4

Kreisel's telephone book undated

Scope and Content

Marc Kreisel's personal telephone book filled with contact names, phone numbers, and notes.

box 1, folder 5

Kreisel's notebook

Scope and Contents

Notebook contains Marc Kreisel's artist statement, designs for the bar layout, to-do lists, phone numbers, his alternative vision of financial support for The American Hotel and Al's Bar Project which he calls the "Money Pump," and finally, his "Al's Bar Will Never Rest In Peace" tombstone sketches.

box 1, folder 6

Kreisel's artist statement

Scope and Contents

Marc Kreisel's statement is divided into the following sections: Profit vs. Non-Profit, Real Estate/The American Hotel, and Retail Sales/Al's Bar. Within the Al's Bar portion, Kreisel states, "Plunging toilets was not my first choice of careers but if you do a task long enough you become good at it. After 22 years I consider myself an expert."

box 1, folder 7

Functionists High catalogue 1990 May 20-June 17

Scope and Contents

This catalogue documents an American Gallery group exhibition curated by Marc Kreisel and Katy Crowe. This publication features an essay by Peter Plagens and includes biographies of the following artists: Hans Burkhardt, Connor Everts, Claire Falkenstein, James Jarvaise, Ynez Johnston, Matsumi Kanemitsu, Helen Lundeberg, Emerson Woelffer, and June Wayne.

box 27, folder 1

LA Boiler Works Steam Show booklet 1987 July 4

Scope and Contents

This booklet documents a show which was connected to the American Gallery and sponsored by Al's Bar.

box 1, folder 8

American Gallery ephemera

Scope and Contents

One business card for Jett Jackson, a downtown artist who was in three American Gallery group shows between 1989 and 1992.

box 1, folder 9

History of Al's Bar

Biography/History

Rachel Kreisel shares more details about a week long American Hotel party which featured sleepless nights and 5 gallon Arrowhead water jugs full of alcohol, "The party in the hotel was tossed by a guy named Gregory Dimit. It was a one off affair, but well remembered nonetheless."

Kreisel also recalls an infamous bar party, "The Theorectical was maybe 4 or 5 times in the bar by Jack Marquette. Those were pretty rowdy gay guy parties, some ACT UP LA and others, that scared the bejeezus out of the bar manager who had thought, 'Oh, a gay guy party. That'll be nice and sedate.'"

Scope and Contents

Marc Kreisel's handwritten notes and timelines concerning the origins of The American Hotel and Al's Bar Project. According to Marc, "The whole idea of Al's Bar, no matter what the Punks say, and as it turns out The American Hotel as well, was to support an art gallery." This folder includes writing by Rachel Kreisel concerning The American Hotel, Al's Bar, and the American Gallery. Rachel describes Barbara T. Smith's 1980 "Public Spirit" performance, Piercing the Corporate Veil at The American Hotel, the American Gallery's "biggest show" in which Dustin Shuler pinned a 700 pound aircraft to the side of The American Hotel with a twenty foot nail, and raucous parties at the hotel and the bar.

box 1, folder 10

The Al's Bar Handbook

Scope and Contents

Handbook includes chapter headings and contents such as the "Money Pump" for Al's Bar, the American Gallery, and Al's National Theater. Chapter headings are often followed by anecdotes such as the following: "Some times we had as many as 6 people on line at one time. Mostly lesbian chicks since at that time Al's had definitely gone Lesbo."

box 1, folder 11

Al's Bar employee schedule

Scope and Contents

Employee schedule includes hours of operation, standard set times, employee names, assignments, and a bartender contact list.

box 1, folder 12

Al's Bar phone lists

Scope and Contents

Lists include numbers for Marc and Rachel, bookers, bartenders, soundmen, beer vendors, banks, and machines.

box 1, folder 13

Band playlist

Scope and Contents

One blank playlist includes lines for the band name and set list.

box 1, folder 14

SST Records guest list 1994 June 8

Scope and Contents

Guest list for The Leaving Trains show at Al's Bar.

box 1, folder 15

Musician releases 1995 August 27

Scope and Contents

Musician releases for the Live At Al's compilation include band play lists and band sign-in sheets.

box 1, folder 16

Al's Bar calendar masters 1996-2001

Scope and Content

Photocopied calendars document monthly programming and include cut and paste originals.

box 1, folder 17

ZOO TV production booklet 1996 May 6-17

box 1, folder 18-20

Al's Bar movie materials 1999

Scope and Contents

Folders contain a proposal, scripts, notes, invoices, receipts, and correspondence concerning MTV's Ear to the Ground program.

box 1, folder 21

Thorazine performance agreement 1999 August 9

box 1, folder 22

Al's Bar poem 1999 September

Scope and Contents

This piece was written by Mona Jean Cedar, a poet and sign language interpreter who participated in the following performances at Al's Bar: as a poet performing her own work, as a signing character for the X-rated country music band Honk If Yer Horny, and as a signing go-go dancer for punk rock band Touch Candy.

box 2, folder 1

Al's Bar procedures

Scope and Contents

This single handwritten sheet of paper details the bar's opening and closing procedures.

box 2, folder 2

alsradiophone list

Scope and Contents

List includes names of disc jockeys, phone numbers, and names of shows.

box 2, folder 3

A.N.T. programs circa 1987-1990s

Scope and Contents

This folder contains the following Al's National Theater (A.N.T.) programs: Going Down Hard, ...And The Jukebox Never Plays The Song You Want To Hear, Mayhem at Mayfield Mall, Mayhem at Mayfield Mall II "The Dirt on Schmeltzer," Mayhem at Mayfield Mall #3 "Mayor Schmeltzer Goes to Washington," Lenin in Love, All the Mothers/The Reversal and the paste-up program for Emmett Till.

box 2, folder 4-5

Loft Maiden materials 1988

Scope and Content

These folders contain the following materials for Marc Kreisel's two-act musical comedy which was performed at A.N.T.'s open air theater: an annotated script, handwritten notes, programs, press clippings, lyrics, contact sheet, biographies, and correspondence.

box 2, folder 6-12

A.N.T. Traction Ave. project 1991-1994

Scope and Contents

These development folders contain the following A.N.T. materials: Traction Avenue Development Project brochure, Articles of Incorporation, Secretary of State certificates, Board of Directors Minutes, Board resumes, By-Laws, Statement of Purpose, Statement of Activities, and Statement of Fundraising.

box 2, folder 13-15

A.N.T. scripts undated, 1968, 1989, 1992-1994

Scope and Content

These folders include scripts for The Story, Voit Where Prohibited, April 9, 1994, Haunted Cabaret, and Emmett Till. Materials also include Director/Cast Assignments for a 5-Minute Play Festival, two plays by Megan Terry, and a collection of poetry by El Gato Rebelde, Andres Carranza entitled, The Ghost of Criminal Past.

box 2, folder 16-17

A.N.T. photographs circa 1990s

Scope and Contents

Photographs include color stills of the Lenin in Love cast and black and white casting head shots with annotated biographies attached.

box 2, folder 18

A.N.T. ephemera

Scope and Contents

One "Mom on Stage" index card.

box 3, box 4, box 5, box 6

Rolodexes circa 1976-2001

Scope and Contents

Four card indexes which include names, addresses, and telephone numbers.

box 7, folder 1-4

Al's Bar desk calendars 1996-2000

Scope and Contents

Five desk calendars include names, numbers, set times, and band lineups.

Publicity materials 1978-2003

Scope and Content

Publicity materials include press releases, flyers, photographs, advertisements, one sheets, posters, and clippings.

box 8, folder 1-18

Clippings 1978-2003

Biography/History

Marc Kreisel's pen name is I.W. Greenberg or Irene Wint Greenberg. According to Rachel Kreisel, Wint is Marc's maternal grandmother's maiden name and his middle name.

Scope and Contents

Clippings from newspapers and magazines include coverage of events at Al's Bar, Al's National Theater, and the American Gallery.

Folder 4: This folder contains a Los Angeles Times piece on the February 14, 1987 shut down of Al's Bar and arrest of Marc Kreisel after Los Angeles police and fire marshals raided Al's during a Love Tractor show that attracted more than double the bar's capacity.

Folder 6: This folder contains two articles on the temporary installation of Dustin Shuler's "Pinned Butterfly" which involved pinning a Cessna 150 aircraft with a 20 foot steel nail to the facade of The American Hotel, multiple American Gallery clippings, and "Art World, LA" reviews by I.W. Greenberg.

Folder 10: This folder contains Al's National Theater clippings, an A.N.T. flyer for Genet's Deathwatch, and a copy of Al's Newsletter which features the "Ask Al" advice "is not cheap" column.

Folders 14-16: These folders are A.N.T. publicity files for Scenes From the Buried Life, Emmett Till, and The Hemingway/Dos Passos Wars.

box 9, folder 1

Permanent Vacation poster 1980

Scope and Contents

Poster for the Al's Bar Los Angeles premiere of Jim Jarmusch's film.

box 9, folder 2

American Gallery color scans circa 1982

Scope and Contents

This folder contains two color scans, one of which is an image of Dustin Shuler's temporary installation, "Pinned Butterfly," a Cessna 150 aircraft pinned to The American Hotel, a four story brick building, by a 20 foot steel nail.

box 9, folder 3

Behavioral Patterns advertisement 1982 February

Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art (L.A.I.C.A.) journal advertisement for The Behavioral Patterns of Los Angeles Art Dealers show at the American Gallery. The advertisement features a "Brilliantly and beautifully executed!" blurb from critic at large, Irene Wint Greenberg.

A poster for this American Gallery show may be found in Box 10.

Biography/History

According to Marc Kreisel, this was the first American Gallery show. However, Rachel Kreisel recalls the following as the first American Gallery show: "In 1980 there was a performance festival, "Public Spirit" sponsored by a group of five artists called Highland Art Agents where about 60 artists did performance pieces in and around downtown. Five of the works were done at The American Hotel which housed the American Gallery."

box 9, folder 4

The Rough Theatre one sheets undated

Scope and Contents

An excerpt from Peter Brook's The Empty Space accompanies the A.N.T. mission which states, "Al's National Theatre, since its inception has been a popular theatre: ticket prices are low, performances are raw and it is anti-authoritarian."

box 9, folder 5

A.N.T. publicity photos 1987-1990

Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs for playwright Joel Bloom's productions Mayhem at the Mayfield Mall and Showdown in Sonoratown: The Lady Who Stole Hollywood. This folder also contains an A.N.T. contact list and a black and white still from Dennis Hackin's Going Down Hard which was directed by Bloom.

box 9, folder 6

A.N.T. one sheets circa 1992

Scope and Contents

Sheets describe A.N.T. from its inception in 1985 as "a non-profit organization for people who want to do theatre - no matter what!" Sheets also describe the creators of A.N.T., include an information number, and a list of productions.

box 9, folder 7-8

A.N.T. flyers undated

Scope and Contents

These folders contain flyers for the following productions: Mayhem at the Mayfield Mall, Rough Magic, Ballroom Days, Mayhem at the Mayfield Mall #3: Mayor Schmeltzer Goes to Washington, The Lower Depths, and Women Read Bukowski.

box 9, folder 9

A.N.T. press release 1991 November 16-17

Scope and Contents

Two press releases for A.N.T.'s first ever "Public Mural Painting & Hip Hop" event which was held from sunrise until sunset on the street outside the theater.

box 9, folder 10-16

Al's Bar flyers 1996-1999

Scope and Content

Folder 10: Two flyers created by Raymond Pettibon for shows at Big Sail Gallery and Al's Bar.

Folder 11: First edition Live at Al's release flyers for the compilation featuring performances by The Spent Idols, Pop Defect, TVTV$, Touchcandy, Snair, Flourescein, Bottom 12, The Humpers, Lutefisk, Texas Terri, Extra Fancy, 1,000 Mona Lisas, and Mother Tongue.

Folder 12: Flyers feature the following bands: Rocket from the Crypt, Tracy & The Hindenberg Ground Crew, Third Grade Teacher, Lucid Nation, The Murder City Devils, The BellRays, Tadpole, Patsy, Bob Sled, Sluts for Hire, Aztlan Underground, Ollin, The Neptunas, and Tribe 8.

Folder 13: Flyer for The Downtown Art Fair featuring a projection festival at Al's Bar.

Folder 14: Flyer for the Al's Bar 20th Anniversary "miracle" featuring Keith Morris' Midget Hand Job, The Urinals, Mike Watt & The Black Gang, Sylvia Juncosa and an unconfirmed Special Guest. This folder also contains two free drink tickets signed by Al.

Folder 15: Six postcards featuring Al's Bar women's room art by becca and promoting Happy Hour Blues with Jake LaBotz.

Folder 16: Original artwork for flyers featuring Velouria, The Negro Problem, The Vinaigrettes and flyers designed by Dirk Vermin featuring The Hail Marys, The Vermin, The Neptunas, and The Pomeranians. This folder also contains two layouts for V.I.P. Club Passes.

box 9, folder 17

Al's Bar t-shirt art circa 1996

Scope and Contents

Art work includes designs for the following t-shirts: Tip or Die (Brick), Tip or Die (crux), Line Between..., What a Dive pocket T, and Dirk Vermin Fox. This folder also contains a transparency design for The Silverlake Area Militia: Delete, Erase, Undo.

box 9, folder 18-19

Al's Bar press releases 1986 July, 2001 October 4

Scope and Contents

Folder 18: Grasp The Beams: Feel The Strength press release for Steel Erection Month structural renovation.

Folder 19: Press releases for Dedication Ceremony: The Al's Bar Collection at Highways. This release includes Marc Kreisel's purpose for Al's Bar as a support system for the arts which illuminates The Al's Bar Collection as an example of this process. Some of the artists in the collection who displayed work for the exhibition include John Valadez, Paul Dillon, Maura Sheehan, Merwin Belin, Jack Barth, Ron Linden, Monique Safford, and Katy Crowe.

box 10

Posters 1982, 1998, 2000, undated

Scope and Contents

Posters include The Behavioral Patterns Of...at The American Gallery, Halloween Night 1998 at Al's Bar designed by John E. Miner, Terry Allen vs. Himself Grudge Match at Al's Bar, Here Lies Popdefect R.I.P. at Al's Bar, A CD Record Release Party for Third Grade Teacher at Al's Bar, The Hail Marys designed by Toast and John E. Miner, Al's Bar New Year's Eve designed by becca and Rolo Castillo, and an Abraham Lincoln John E. Miner design signed by Miner for an Al's Bar show featuring The Homebillies, The Shakedown, Steer Jockey, and Masher.

Correspondence circa 1981-2004

Scope and Content

Correspondence is arranged chronologically and includes letters, invitations, notes, postcards, electronic mail printouts, facsimiles, mailing lists, press lists, and stationery.

box 11, folder 1

Debbie Drooze letter February 2

Biography/History

According to Rachel Kreisel, Debbie Drooze booked the bar between 1983 and 1986. Drooze also advocated on behalf of the bar to the City's building and safety unit to try to get the capacity changed. Kreisel recounts, "The bar was only allowed 49 people and that made it impossible for the bands or the bar to make a living."

Scope and Contents

Thank you letter addressed to Marc Kreisel for a New Year's Eve show at Al's Bar in which she closes with words from her Jewish granny, "Oy! So why don't you fix the place a'ready!"

box 11, folder 2

The Outlaw Tony West letter undated

Scope and Contents

Letter to Al's Bar in which the Outlaw Tony West from Freak Machine states, "Our friends Maple Street and a growing number of bands have joined our boycott of your club."

box 11, folder 3-5

Young Turks Night invitations 1981 May 7-14

Scope and Contents

Invitations and RSVPs for the last annual Young Turks Night at Al's Bar, also known as The Golden Turkey Awards.

box 11, folder 6

John Clellon Holmes letter 1985 August 1

Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a letter to Michael Lucchisi and Suzanne Averitt.

box 11, folder 7-8

Cultural Affairs correspondence 1990-1992

Scope and Contents

In addition to City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission correspondence concerning a Cultural Grant Contract, these folders include the contract between Al's National Theater and the City as well as amendments signed by Mayor Tom Bradley.

box 11, folder 9

Mary Alvarado letter 1991 February 3

Scope and Contents

Letter from Alvarado, the west coast representative for Stage Two theater company, requesting A.N.T. as a venue for the west coast premiere of La Loma.

box 11, folder 10

City of Los Angeles correspondence 1991 May 6 and October 22

Scope and Contents

This folder contains a letter from Mayor Tom Bradley inviting Al's National Theater to the second Los Angeles seminar on theater and a letter from the Cultural Affairs Department expressing support for A.N.T.'s street art crew Mural Project.

box 11, folder 11

A.N.T. note 1991 August 15

Scope and Contents

A note to Marc from a legal expert concerning the adherence to ethical standards.

box 11, folder 12

A.N.T. fax 1992 Mach 23

Scope and Contents

This facsimile consists of a list of A.N.T. productions.

box 11, folder 13

A.N.T. donor letters 1993-1995

Scope and Contents

Thank you letters addressed to individuals and companies who made donations.

box 11, folder 14

A.N.T. Director letter 1994 December

Scope and Contents

Correspondence of congratulations from A.N.T. Director Marc Kreisel to Joel Newman on winning the Al's National Theater Grant for his film project, This Old Man.

box 11, folder 15

L.A. County Parking letters 1994-1995

Scope and Contents

Correspondence concerning A.N.T. use of L.A. County parking lots.

box 11, folder 16

The Andy Warhol Foundation letter 1994 December 22

Scope and Contents

Correspondence from Program Director Emily Todd to Marc Kreisel concerning his proposal for the Andy Warhol Curatorial Program Grant. Kreisel proposed the Museum of Graffiti Art (MOGA) as a pilot program under the non-profit umbrella of A.N.T.

box 11, folder 17

Office of the City Attorney letters 1994-1995

Scope and Contents

Letters to Kreisel from the Los Angeles City Attorney investigators demanding payment for the removal of "Illegally Posted Signs on Public Property."

box 11, folder 18

Priority Records letter 1996 January 12

Scope and Contents

Correspondence to the Al's Bar booking agent concerning the "up and coming" band, Mention.

box 11, folder 19

Stoughton fax 1997 January 13

Scope and Contents

Facsimile to Marc Kreisel regarding approval of the Live at Al's CD label art work.

box 11, folder 20

Hayden's Ferry Records fax 1997 April 11

Scope and Contents

Facsimile confirming Surf Ballistics "bringing their hard groove funk" to Al's Bar on April 27th.

box 11, folder 21

Rachel Kreisel fax 1997 June-August

Scope and Contents

Al's Bar facsimile and supporting environmental health inspection documentation concerning rodent harborage, cockroaches, peeling paint, missing toilet tank cover, missing soap, toilet paper dispensers, cobweb removal, hole in the ladies room wall near toilet, peeling paint in the men's toilet room, and general cleaning throughout the space.

Biography/History

In a September 7, 2016 email correspondence with Kelly Besser, Rachel Kreisel shares a bit of her backstory which includes meeting The Mister, Marc Kreisel:

"I started in broadcasting, working in radio as an audio engineer. When I started around 1972, it was pretty much unheard of for women to work the technical end of broadcasting which is why when I applied at CBS they gave me a typing test. I first worked at KPFK and was there through the whole SLA/Patty Hearst dust up. Then I moved over to KABC/KLOS where I stayed until 1989. I spun discs with the DJs at KLOS then moved over to talk radio, the last 5 years as Michael Jackson's engineer. I later had a brief stint producing a show for KPPC.

After leaving radio I worked in film for a couple of years as an assistant editor then story analyst. But the work was spotty, so a friend told me about a non-profit, L.A. Shares, that dealt with schools and the art community and was looking for an office manager. The place gave away stuff donated by movie studios and other businesses to other non-profits; paper, office furniture, odds and ends.

So Marc came in one day with his band of merry men from Al's National Theatre looking for props. I took one look at Marc and said, 'If I know one thing, I know this is not the guy for me.' But he was such a happy upbeat guy and everyone looked like they were having so much fun. So I went to work for him. I sat in the hotel office watching the drama of the tenants play out and knowing I had my subject (my Dublin, if you will). Those were the stories I wrote for S.A. Griffin. That also got me a PEN fellowship and a Pushcart nomination.

But I also realized that the whole place had something to say about the intersection of art and business, how this guy navigated the intricacies of the city bureaucracy, kept the place going on no money and still managed to make and believe in art. He was also the only person I'd met who believed that making art in any form was important and if that's what you were driven to do, that's what you should do. What can I say, it was irresistible."

box 11, folder 22

Joel Bloom letter 1998 January 28

Scope and Contents

Letter from Joel A. Bloom, President of the Los Angeles River Artists and Business Association to City Councilman Richard Alatorre concerning the following Arts District issues: improvement of public transit via DASH stops, official Arts District public signage, and the reevaluation of Artist in Residence ordinances.

box 11, folder 23

Al's Inc. fax 1998 March 28

Scope and Contents

Facsimile of Marc Wint Kreisel's selected exhibition history, references, and writings as Irene Greenberg, Critic at Large.

box 11, folder 24

KBA Marketing letter 1998 July 3

Scope and Contents

Correspondence from KBA City Manager Lorin Denker to Marc Kreisel of Al's Bar regarding the enclosure of the third installment for the wall mural.

box 11, folder 25

Postcards 1998 August 27, 2000 January 5, undated

Scope and Contents

Postcards to Toastacia Boyd requesting band bookings at Al's Bar.

box 11, folder 26

Kerry letter circa 1990s

Scope and Contents

Letter and Murder at Millies! comic from Kerry to Sherri.

box 11, folder 27

Mark Goodman fax 1999 September 15

Scope and Contents

Facsimile to Toastacia Boyd regarding Magnet's inability to play Al's Bar on November 3rd or 4th.

box 11, folder 28

KBA faxes 2000 January, July, August

Scope and Content

Facsimiles between KBA Marketing and Marc Kreisel concerning Camel sponsorship of Radio Free Al's DJ Slam and Dance Party on August 22, 2000 with the following DJs: Miss Sugar, Miss Nicobra, Skatemaster Tate, Marcel Dejour, Vinzula, The Scottfather, The Bear, and Bumper.

box 11, folder 29

Marc Kreisel letters 2001 August 16, 20

Scope and Contents

Letters from Kreisel to Michael Meraz of Magnum Properties concerning locking Kreisel out of Al's Bar, destruction of property, harassment, intimidation, threats, the disposal of artwork, and falsehoods about the bar closing which appeared in the Los Angeles Times on August 16, 2001.

box 11, folder 30

Bar theft letter circa 2001

Scope and Contents

Anonymous letter to Marc Kreisel apologizing for taking the door to Al's Bar. The writer states, "When we took it, we really believed that we were saving a little piece of Al's Bar from the wrecking ball."

box 11, folder 31

Re: Peter Plagens recommends 2002 March 26

Scope and Contents

Electronic mail print out from Rosamund to Marc Kreisel with the subject line regarding Peter Plagens recommends.

box 11, folder 32

Whitney Museum letter 2004 January 12

Scope and Contents

Letter to Marc Kreisel from the Whitney Museum of American Art concerning the return of photographs to Kreisel.

box 11, folder 33-34

Al's Bar mailing lists undated

Scope and Contents

Mailing lists include handwritten names, addresses, zip codes, and email addresses of artists and patrons. The lists contained within folder 34 include the heading: "I KNOW YOU'RE DRUNK BUT P PLEASE TRY TO BE E LEGIBLE!"

box 11, folder 35

Al's Bar press lists undated

Scope and Contents

Lists include addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, and names of contacts.

box 11, folder 36

A.N.T. lists undated

Scope and Contents

This folder contains Al's National Theater press lists, call sheets, and a Christmas show list.

box 11, folder 37

American Hotel stationery

Scope and Content

One blank sheet of American Hotel stationery which includes its address.

box 11, folder 38

Al's Bar fax cover letter

Scope and Content

One blank Al's Bar fax cover letter includes the bar's ubiquitous anthropomorphized brick graphic.

box 11, folder 39

Toastacia Boyd stationery

Scope and Content

Blank sheet of stationery personalized for Al's Bar booking agent Toastacia "Toast" Boyd. This folder also contains the cut and paste original used for its creation.

box 12

Al's Bar address stamp

Scope and Contents

One address stamp and two Al's Bar Inc. stamps.

Financial records 1980-2003

Processing Information

Social security numbers were redacted from all financial records, photocopies of these records with redactions were retained in this series, and the originals returned to Marc and Rachel Kreisel.

Scope and Content

Financial records include checking statements, deposit slips, check stubs, wage reports, tax returns, vendor receipts, permits, licenses, and bills.

box 13, box 14, box 15, folder 1-3

Al's Bar checking statements 1989-1990, 1992-1996

Scope and Contents

Box 13: Folder 1 contains a sample of Al's Bar City National Bank deposit tickets and folders 2-7 contain Al's Bar Inc. First Los Angeles Bank checking statements (1989-1990, 1992-1994 May).

Box 14: June 1994-March 1996.

Box 15: April 1996-December 1996.

box 16, box 17, box 15, folder 4-6

Lease Masters checking statements 1993-1996, 2000-2001

Biography/History

According to Rachel Kreisel, Lease Masters is the entity that ran the American Hotel.

Scope and Content

Folders contain First Interstate Bank checking statements and accompanying checks.

Box 15: January 1993-April 1994.

Box 16: June 1994-November 1996.

Box 17: November 1996-December 1996, January 2000-November 2001.

box 19, folder 1-2, box 18

Deposit slips and check stubs 1989-1996, 2001

Scope and Contents

These records document the financial activities of the American Hotel, Al's Bar, and Al's National Theater.

Box 18: 1989-1995.

Box 19: 1995-1996, 2001.

box 19, folder 3-18

American Hotel records 1980-2002

Scope and Contents

Materials include a bound book of American Hotel financial documentation, grant deed, profit and loss statements, tenant lists, legal documents, community development loan paperwork, Small Business Administration disaster assistance application, Traction Avenue Development Project proposal, Al's National Theater checking statements, A.N.T. summary financial report, Al's Bar receipts, and tallies.

box 19, folder 19-20, box 20

Tax documentation 1986-1987, 1989-2003

Scope and Content

Box 19: State Board of Equalization and payroll documents (1997-2001, 2003).

Box 20: U.S. Corporation Income Tax Returns, payroll tax returns, sales and use tax returns, wage reports, State Board of Equalization audit documentation, and Internal Revenue Service documents (1986-1987, 1989-2003).

box 21, folder 1-22

Vendor receipts 1991-2000

box 21, folder 23-36, box 22

Permits, licenses, and bills 1988-2002

Scope and Content

Box 21: 1988-2002.

Box 22: Conditional Use Alcoholic Beverages maps (1987). Folder 2 includes a floor plan for Al's Bar with notes for fire department regulations and renovations (1989).

Memorabilia

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: This series contains both processed and unprocessed audiovisual materials. Audiovisual materials are not currently available for access, unless otherwise noted in a Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note at the file levels. All requests to access processed audiovisual materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Scope and Content

Memorabilia includes photographs, stickers, Live at Al's CDs, the bar's cash can, jukebox records, beer taps, t-shirts, signs, and a microphone.

box 23, folder 1-4

Bar taps

Scope and Contents

Four beer taps removed from the bar represent the following brews: Red Dog, Red Hook ESB, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and Beck's.

box 23, folder 5

Microphone circa 1996

box 24, folder 1

Cash can

Biography/History

According to Rachel Kreisel, this cash can was the workaround from the bar's cash register. The bartenders put all the twenty dollar bills in the can and the rest of the money went into the cash register.

Scope and Contents

This Al's Bar rusty cash can is plastered with stickers which include Popdefect, the Cubs, and Hunger Farm.

box 24, folder 2

Propellor

Biography/History

According to Rachel Kreisel, "The American Gallery had a Christmas show every year for maybe 10 years which showed work from local artists priced at around $100, you know, affordable for the holidays. To the best of Marc's recollection, he bought this piece from one of those shows, but he has no recollection of the artist."

Scope and Contents

This American Gallery art piece is constructed with a propellor, fabric, and some electrical wires.

box 25

Al's Bar t-shirt screens

Scope and Contents

Small screen for Al's Bar "what a dive" and larger screen for Dirk Vermin's "Fox" design.

box 26

Al's Bar t-shirts

Scope and Contents

Box contains twelve t-shirts with various designs.

box 27, folder 2

Al's Bar t-shirt designs

Scope and Contents

Designs for silk screens include Al's Bar "She males available" by X-Ray Designs, Al's Bar what a dive, Al's Bar The Line between Art & Life, and Al's Bar Downtown Tip or Die.

box 28, folder 1-9, box 27, folder 3

Photographs

Scope and Contents

Box 27: One oversize color photograph of the walls inside Al's Bar.

Box 28:Images include a black and white photo of Marc Kreisel by Gary Leonard, Al's Bar staff, Al's Bar DJs, the American Gallery, Jeff Goldblum's sister's exhibition at the American Gallery, an Al's National Theater polaroid of Mayhem at the Mayfield Mall III, The Golden Turkey Awards Polaroids, Al's Bar by Marc Kreisel, The American Hotel, and bands at Al's Bar.

box 29, folder 1, box 28, folder 10-15

Al's Bar CDs 1996

Scope and Contents

Box 28: Three copies of the Live at Al's compilation compact disc, an artist list, CD cover art work, one CD cover, and The True Story of Al's Bar liner notes.

Box 29: One unfolded Live at Al's CD cover without matches.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

BOX 28 CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this box will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. To review these audiovisual materials, you must notify the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk in advance of your visit.

box 28, case 15

Al's Bar What a Dive yrlsc_2305_028_015 undated

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings(1 CD)

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Scope and Contents

Content note: Al's Bar Live CD Compilation

box 28, folder 16

Al's Bar Certificate of Appreciation 1999 March 6

Scope and Contents

Certificate presented by The Alliance to Preserve Los Angeles Downtown Arts District and Action: Space for the Los Angeles Downtown Arts District Urban Design Competition.

box 28, folder 17-20

Stickers

Scope and Contents

These stickers were removed from the walls of Al's Bar.

box 28, folder 21

An Authentic Piece of Al's Bar plaque circa 2001

Scope and Contents

The text along the plaque's border reads, "ThelinebetweenartandlifeThelinebetweenartandlife." The dominant engraved text reads, "An Authentic Piece of Al's Bar Love Al. 1979-2001."

box 28, folder 22

Al's Bar jukebox record art 2004 December 15

Scope and Contents

Design of Big Brother and the Holding Company (1968) "Piece of My Heart" 45 rpm 7-inch single.

box 28, folder 23

Who's a Jew? exhibition cards 1994

Scope and Contents

Cards publicize Marc Kreisel's one person show opening reception at Julie Rico Gallery 2623 Main St. Santa Monica 90405 on Saturday, July 9th from 9-11 pm.

box 28, folder 24-25

VHS tapes 1981, undated

Scope and Contents

One VHS tape is labeled Young Turkeys and the other, Al's Bar. The Young Turkeys VHS is a video that was cut together from all of the tape shot during The Golden Turkey Awards. This folder also contains a DVD of The Young Turkey Awards created by Marc "King" Kreisel and an Al's Bar the Movie Pt. 1 DVD.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Two VHS tapes.

BOX CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this box will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. To review these audiovisual materials, you must notify the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk in advance of your visit.

box 28, case 24

Young Turkeys yrlsc_2305_028_024 1981

Creator: Yanemoto, Norman

Creator: Kreisel, Marc

Creator: Hugo, Joan

Creator: Ottinger, Bee

Physical Description: 1 video recordings(1 VHS; Duration: 0:49:33)

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Scope and Contents

The Young Turkeys VHS is a video cut together from footage shot during The Golden Turkey Awards. Presenters and winners speak; guests are interviewed. Written on a label on the spine of the cassette is, in all caps, "Young Turkeys"; no other markings exist on the tape. On the case is a yellow sticker that reads "MASTER W/O#" followed by a faded number, and below, the logo for and name "Lightning Dubbs"; elsewhere on the case are a couple handwritten strings of numbers.

box 28, case 25

Al's Bar yrlsc_2305_028_025 1981

Creator: Kreisel, Marc

Physical Description: 1 video recordings(1 VHS; Duration: 0:07:54)

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials are available for access. All requests to access digital materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Scope and Contents

The Al's Bar VHS comprises a comedy sketch set inside Al's Bar with multiple characters playing various roles--most notably, a young woman (holding "an MBA from USC, 1999") wandering through the bar looking for "Al's School of Bar Management." Written in white on the front of the cassette is "AL'S BAR"; there are no other markings on the cassette or its case.

box 29, folder 2-3

Young Turkey books 1981

Scope and Contents

Five bound black books filled with color Polaroids that document The Golden Turkey Awards. Two of the books include captions for these photographs.

box 30, box 31

Al's Bar jukebox records

Scope and Contents

These boxes contain singles on vinyl from the Al's Bar jukebox. The bar's jukebox played music from hundreds of artists and bands such as the B-52's, Tony Bennett, Blondie, Marc Bolan, David Bowie, James Brown and The Famous Flames, Johnny Cash, Petula Clark, The Clash, Devo, Shirley Ellis, Marianne Faithfull, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Generation X, Marvin Gaye, Merle Haggard, Jimmy Hendrix, George Jones, Janis Joplin, Chaka Khan, Redd Kross, Peggy Lee, Teena Marie, Meat Puppets, Joni Mitchell, Pop Defect, Prince, The Psychedelic Furs, Queen, Sex Pistols, Dee Dee Sharp, Frank Sinatra, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Patti Smith Group, The Smiths, The Supremes, Talking Heads, Doris Troy, Tina Turner, and X.

These singles are arranged alphabetically by artist.

Box 30: 1000 Mona Lisas -- Loretta Lynn. There is no record in the Carole King "One Fine Day" sleeve.

Box 31: The Manhattan Transfer -- The Zombies.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Two hundred and eighty-eight 45 rpm 7-inch records.

BOXES CONTAIN AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in these boxes will require assessment and possible digitization for safe access. To review these audiovisual materials, you must notify the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk in advance of your visit.

box 32, folder 1

Al's Bar porthole pattern

Scope and Content

One circular piece of wood used as a "pattern" for the nautical porthole in the front door of the bar.

box 32, folder 2

No Graffiti sign

Biography/History

This sign hung with irony behind the bar.

Scope and Contents

This municipal sign includes a red circle around with a slash through the word Graffiti. The text beneath reads "Graffiti is Against the Law" and includes Penal Code 594 text.

box 32, folder 3

Musicians road sign

Scope and Contents

This yellow and black diamond crossing sign features silhouettes of a musician family running hand in hand. The leading member with a beret holds a guitar and a smoke, the next in a skirt with a camera around her neck holds a paintbrush, and finally a kid with pig tails holds a spray can.

Biography/History

This sign hung behind the bar and was designed by John the Minor, also known as John E. Miner. This design was used for the Al's Bar "Twenty Years and Running" t-shirts.

box 33

Tip or Die sign

Scope and Content

This neon sign hung behind the bar and illuminates these words: Tip or Die.