BY JOSE MARTINEZ

Los Angeles definitely got its presidential groove on last night as change was ushered in, West Coast style. Yes, the City of Angels welcomed Brotha Barack as our new fearless Commander and Chief as spectators and revelers at the famed Mayan Theatre in downtown LA took a glimpse at the other side of the "mountain top," and let me tell you, we liked what we saw.

Presented by Athena Demos' Wonderland adVentures, the night featured entertainment from The Mutaytor, The Crystal Method, and DJ Motion Potion. "This night is extra special," organizer Demos explained. "All the artists came together to celebrate Barack Obama and his hope for change."

As a sold out audience, decked out in all kinds of "formal" attire celebrated the end of 8 years of Bush, there seemed to be no turning back from the welcomed mayhem.

Things seemed to come together as The Crystal Method, originally scheduled to perform in Costa Rica only to have their show fall through, opted to wave their normal fee in lieu of the night's significance.

And even thought the night was all about Obama and the possibility of actual change for the better for all of us, it's hard not to say the night wasn't all about The Mutaytor after witnessing their spectacular set. Heavy on percussion and rhythm (the band features John Avila of Oingo Boingo fame on bass), The Mutaytor is an 11-piece modern analog and electronic dance orchestra, featuring a 15-member visual team creating a rapid fire succession of futuristic, vaudevillian theatre and choreographed dance acts, coupled with breathtaking feats of aerial performance, giant screen visuals and unique reinterpretations of the circus arts.

Self described "laptop rocker" Atom Smith of The Mutaytor admitted that election night was "bittersweet for some (speaking about California's controversial Proposition 8), but that's not what tonight is about. We're celebrating tonight!"

Mutaytor dancer and aerialist Neal Everett described the night as "just a chance to create a performance about hope and change."

Describing a Mutaytor show as a "blend of energy, music, visual effects, stunts, and kids acting like daredevils," Everett and Company left no doubt that we're not settling for the status quo anymore. In fact, LA natives should make it a point to catch their March 7 show at the Hollywood Palladium with Les Claypool, Saul Williams, and the Yard Dogs.

While DC played it safe with off key performances from Aretha Franklin (she may be a legend but home girl needs to stop singing if she's going to just be the equivalent to nails on a chalk board) and to put-me-to-sleep sets from the likes of Josh Groban, LA got it right and delivered the goods in a decadent and sleazy style that only Hollywood can muster. And thank God for that!

Well-wishers, as part of the global community can share their hopes, wishes, and messages of support to President Barack Obama by signing the guestbook at www.CongratulatePresidentObama.com

[Photo credit: Jose Martinez]