Finding Aid for The American Hotel and Al's Bar Project records LSC.2305
Kelly Besser with assistance from Frank Trotta and Rebecca Bucher and supervision from Megan Hahn Fraser, 2016; machine-readable
finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Online finding aid last updated 2023 August 7.
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Business Number: 310-825-4988
Fax Number: 310-206-1864
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: The American Hotel and Al's Bar Project records
Creator:
Kreisel, Rachel
Creator:
Kreisel, Marc
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.2305
Physical Description:
19.7 linear feet
(14 document boxes, 5 shoe boxes, 5 flat oversize boxes, 3 half document boxes, 2 no compromise boxes, 1 slide box, 1 flat
box, 1 oversize disparate box and 1 map folder)
Date (inclusive): 1976-2004
Date (bulk): 1979-2001
Abstract: The American Hotel and Al's Bar Project was a grassroots creative complex on the corner of Hewitt Street and Traction Avenue
in downtown Los Angeles. Conceptual artist Marc Kreisel designed the project as a work of functional sculpture to circulate
money and creative support back into the community. The collection spans from 1976-2004 and consists of flyers, posters, photographs,
correspondence, scripts, Rolodexes, calendars, theater programs, press releases, financial records, and bar memorabilia such
as the cash can, the jukebox records, the beer taps, t-shirts, signs, and a microphone.
Physical Location: Portions of the collection stored off-site. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. All requests to access
special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Conditions on Access
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Conditions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained
by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue
the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: This collection 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 series and file levels. All requests to access processed audiovisual materials must be made in advance using the
request button located on this page.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], The American Hotel and Al's Bar Project Records (Collection 2305). UCLA Library Special Collections,
Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Marc and Rachel Kreisel, 2015.
Processing Information
Processed by Kelly Besser with assistance from Frank Trotta and Rebecca Bucher and supervision by Megan Hahn Fraser, 2016.
Due to a silverfish infestation, Besser moved the collection to the UCLA Library Conservation Lab at the beginning of June
2016. Library Conservation Head Chela Metzger reported that the materials were frozen at -20 C for over 72 hours, and after
taking them out, absorbent paper was placed in the air space of the bins to help soak up any residual condensation. Under
Metzger's direction, Besser returned to the Library Conservation Lab in July 2016 and vacuumed the materials in the fume hood
to remove transferable dirt, insect frass (feces), and eggs. Upon completion of this conservation work, Besser transferred
the collection from the Library Conservation Lab to Powell 30 for processing.
The Biography/History note was written by Rachel Kreisel. While Besser processed the collection, Kreisel shared additional
history about the records. Electronic mail correspondence between Besser and Kreisel is documented within the collection file.
Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user
interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides
a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive
processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices.
We are committed to providing ethical, inclusive, and anti-racist description of the materials we steward, and to remediating
existing description of our materials that contains language that may be offensive or cause harm. We invite you to submit
feedback about how our collections are described, and how they could be described more accurately, by filling out the form
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Report Problematic Content and Description in UCLA's library collections and archives.
Biography/History
In 1979, conceptual artist Marc Kreisel and three partners closed escrow on a building on the corner of Hewitt Street and
Traction Avenue in downtown L.A. Kreisel envisioned The American Hotel and Al's Bar as elements of a grassroots creative complex;
a work of functional sculpture that was rooted in Joseph Beuys'
Honey Pump. What Kreisel called the "Money Pump" was designed as a means to circulate money and creative support back into the community.
"It was a capitalistic endeavor to support the arts by itself—an alternative to the feds and the state and getting grants."
("Marc: My Words"
L.A. Weekly, July 5, 1985)
The residential hotel upstairs and the bar downstairs would become a self-sustaining entity by and for artists. The hotel
provided cheap housing for artists new to the area. Ten rooms were set aside for the American Gallery which showed works by
local artists. Profits from the bar often went to purchasing art. But it soon became apparent that the art community alone
could not sustain the bar. Kreisel agreed to let two tenants in the hotel book bands. By 1980 a newly energized music scene
was emerging in L.A. Kreisel's laissez faire management philosophy allowed a succession of bookers free reign to showcase
bands that were too unknown to play the larger Hollywood clubs, bands like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Beck, Social Distortion and
Fear built their audiences by playing Al's. "It's nearly impossible to overestimate the importance of the club to unsigned
and risk-taking bands." (Jim Freak,
L.A. Reader, March/April 1999)
Local writers and actors approached Kreisel, and together they established the one non-profit entity of the complex, Al's
National Theatre, which produced dozens of original works. "We had a policy back when I first opened where I would let people
go to their emotional limits," recalled Kreisel. ("The Goal at Al's Bar Is to Circulate Money"
The Reader, October 25, 1989)
The purpose was never gentrification. Kreisel intentionally retained the original uses of the building, i.e. the bar and the
hotel. Al's Bar and the American Hotel were intended, as Christopher Knight once noted, to realize "art as a verb."
Scope and Content
The American Hotel and Al's Bar Project records range in date from 1976-2004. The collection consists of flyers, posters,
photographs, correspondence, scripts, Rolodexes, calendars, theater programs, press releases, financial records, and bar memorabilia
such as the cash can, the jukebox records, the beer taps, t-shirts, signs, and a microphone.
Organization and Arrangement
This collection has been arranged in the following series:
- 1. Programming materials
- 2. Publicity materials
- 3. Correspondence
- 4. Financial records
- 5. Memorabilia
Related Material
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Art, American -- California -- Los Angeles -- 20th century.
Punk culture and art -- United States
Experimental theater.
Alternative rock music -- California -- Los Angeles
Nightclubs -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives
Bars (Drinking establishments) -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives.
Alternative spaces (Arts facilities) -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives
American Hotel and Al's Bar Project -- Archives
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 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.
