By Erin Weinger, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
It could have been any neighborhood block party in Anytown, USA, complete with good friends, a soft soul soundtrack and a heaping vat of creamy mac and cheese. Only instead of bringing Jell-O molds and town gossip, the guests at last Sunday's Summer Kick-Down party at Undefeated brought shoes — lots and lots of shoes.
The La Brea Avenue shop, ground zero of sneaker culture, held a party/shoe drive benefiting the East Los Angeles Community Youth Center in its parking lot — which was paved over with AstroTurf, picnic tables and a fired-up barbecue. Unworn footwear replaced cost of admission and by dusk, dozens of sneakers dangled from the space's floating telephone lines. Nike, the event sponsor, matched each pair donated, bringing the total to more than 300 pairs of shoes.
"Take a look around us. We're lucky," said artist Alexis Ross, a tall man who smiles to reveal several gleaming gold teeth. "People have shoes to give away." Stylish ones, at that.
Aaron Rose, left, and Keith Wager under a sky of donated shoes at Undefeated’s Summer Kick Down party and shoe drive. The June 30 event benefited the East Los Angeles Community Youth Center.
