Upside Down LA

Barista + Intern Double Feature! Zemeira Walker

Ben and Isaac chat with our newest barista/art intern, Zemeira about coffee nerdery, her hometown of Paradise, CA , and the beauty of art that deals with the unknown. Be sure to say hi to Zemeira in the cafe, or next time you see her at the Community table leading an art project!

Meet the Team: Grant

A new “Meet the Baristas” episode! Ben and Isaac interview Grant — another proud Texan in our “Baristas who happen to be from Texas and work at Upside Down” miniseries.Grant is a true gentleman, a hardcore Swifty who happens to also love Hardcore music and play in a punk band called “Adult Blonde”.
He also works for “Young Life”, a campus organization at UCLA. Their mission is to introduce people to Jesus. Check out more here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5uqP1vMLdjxmpTTpKOuQKL?si=YJMlcf6rS_CtJ4O0sDiM9A

An Artistic Sukkot with Jake and Jeanne Rosen

Sukkot is the Jewish festival of shelters, and it’s this week! We’re celebrating at Upside Down with our new art show: Formless and Void. Jake and Jeanne from our Upside Down team sit down to talk about their favorite Sukkot memories, and their roles in the art gallery.
 

Upside Down celebrates Rosh Hashanah

The Upside Down team talks about all things Rosh Hashanah! Shana Tova! 

UCLA Tips and Tricks: Upside Down's Guide to Being a Bruin

It's the beginning of the UCLA school year again! Isaac, Ben and Amanda talk about their favorite UCLA spots: from nap spots, hidden gems, and hot takes about college life. Listen to hear about the best on-campus food places, who to make friends with, and tips on how to survive college. 

Telling the Persian Jewish Story through Film - Interview with Director Julia Elihu and Writer Ava Lalezarzadeh

Ben and Isaac sit down with Julia and Ava, two Persian Jewish filmmakers who are part of the Upside Down community. Their recent short film "In the Garden of Tulips" is qualified for an Oscar, and was recently screened at Upside Down! They talk the art of filmmaking, and the importance of storytelling for developing cultural awareness and empathy.
 
Learn more about their film at https://www.inthegardenoftulips.com/

Meet the Team: Daine

Let's get to know Daine! (That's not his first name... but it's fine). Possibly our most opinionated barista, full of hot takes. A true Texas boy, a filmmaker, and a gentle soul. We talk dancing, what's the best Kendrick album, and what it means to be an artist.

Meet the Team: Alexa

In this episode, we bring back the Meet the Team series to interview our newest barista, Alexa Babin. Listen to her talk about open water swimming, her favorite drink to order at Upside Down, and college football!
 

A Way to Grieve with Hope: a Reflection on Tisha B’Av

Tisha B’Av is an observance on the Jewish calendar that refers to the date when many disasters have happened to the Jewish people over many centuries, including the destruction of both temples in Jerusalem. The name is the Hebrew date on the calendar, the ninth of the month of Av.
 
As we remember this date and grieve, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what brings us hope in the midst of our own grief. What resources of hope do you look to beyond yourself in times of sorrow?

Hope in the Darkness in a post-October 7th world

Isaac sits down with Jeanne and Amanda to talk about Upside Down's upcoming art commission, "Formless and Void," inspired by the first page of the Torah. They discuss the concepts of light, darkness, and what role art plays in processing the present chaos and increasing division in our world. 
 
For more information, go to upsidedown.com/formless-and-void.