Tour poster: Showtime: How the Lakers Staged Modern LA
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Self-guided podcast audio tour

Los Angeles

Showtime: How the Lakers Staged Modern LA

Pop Culture & Media LandscapesPower, Protest & Civic Spaces
Distance
4.2 km
Duration
125 min
Route
7 stops

Step into 1980s Los Angeles, where real estate magnate Dr. Jerry Buss turned a professional basketball team into the city's defining cultural export. On this walking journey through downtown LA, trace the spatial geography of victory: from the grand bronze monuments of Star Plaza along the historic parade corridors of South…

Hannah Clarke
Your guide Hannah Clarke Pop Culture & Media Landscapes
Audio sample

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into 1980s Los Angeles, where real estate magnate Dr. Jerry Buss turned a professional basketball team into the city's defining cultural export. On this walking journey through downtown LA, trace the spatial geography of victory: from the grand bronze monuments of Star Plaza along the historic parade corridors of South Broadway, past Hollywood's premier movie palaces, and up to the grand steps of City Hall. Discover how Black athletic royalty, Hollywood glamour, working-class street life, and civic ambition merged to transform downtown streets into an unforgettable theatrical stage.

Your in-app experience

This is how the Red Thread app brings your tour to life.

Red Thread guides you through the city's stories that you won't find in any guidebook. Authentically and compellingly told by our experts and locals.

Home
01

Home

Get inspired and choose a story that fits your location and your mood.

Search for tours directly
02

Search for tours directly

Use the map to find tours in your city or at a specific address.

Redeem in the app
03

Redeem in the app

Redeem purchased tours or City Passes in the app using a voucher code or QR code.

Start well prepared
04

Start well prepared

Explore the route, stops, and many additional features for your experience.

Listen where it happened
05

Listen where it happened

Hear the stories where they happened.

Ask your guide
06

Ask your guide

Get extra context, deeper details, or useful tips nearby.

Collect discoveries
07

Collect discoveries

Build your travel passport and explore fascinating insights.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Star Plaza at Crypto.com Arena

The modern pantheon of Los Angeles sports entertainment, featuring bronze monuments to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and key architects of the Showtime era.

1.18 km • 18 min
2

STOP 2

Intersection of South Broadway & Olympic Boulevard

The historic launching point for 1980s championship parades, where massive crowds gathered to initiate downtown victory processions.

Intersection of South Broadway & Olympic Boulevard

Image by David Wilson on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

0.19 km • 3 min
3

STOP 3

The United Theater on Broadway

The 1927 flagship theater of United Artists, serving as an architectural blueprint for how Hollywood staging influenced modern sports presentation.

The United Theater on Broadway

Image by Sony 1992 on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

0.69 km • 11 min
4

STOP 4

Clifton's Republic & Historic Broadway Commercial District

A legendary multi-level dining institution embodying the working-class streetscape where everyday fans gathered during downtown parades.

Clifton's Republic & Historic Broadway Commercial District

Image by Difference engine on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.71 km • 11 min
5

STOP 5

Biddy Mason Memorial Park

A historic sanctuary honoring Bridget 'Biddy' Mason, celebrating early Black landownership and civic leadership in downtown Los Angeles.

0.82 km • 13 min
6

STOP 6

Gloria Molina Grand Park

A 12-acre terraced civic park connecting Bunker Hill to City Hall, designed as a modern gathering space for civic celebration and public life.

Gloria Molina Grand Park

Image by Benoît Prieur on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

0.58 km • 9 min
7

END

Los Angeles City Hall

The monumental 1928 Art Deco seat of municipal government, serving as the official culmination point for championship parades and civic ceremonies.

Los Angeles City Hall

Image by Visitor7 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Sports history enthusiasts, pop culture lovers, architecture buffs, and urban explorers curious about civic storytelling.
  • Best time Morning or early afternoon on weekdays when downtown streets are active yet navigable.
  • Comfortable Footwear You will cover roughly two miles of city sidewalks; cushioned shoes are highly recommended.
  • Sun & Hydration LA sun can be intense even downtown. Carry water and wear sunscreen.
  • Camera Ready Keep your camera handy for historic facade details along Broadway and sculptural monuments at Star Plaza.
  • Safety Alert Stay mindful of urban traffic while crossing major intersections along Broadway and Olympic.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Hannah Clarke
Audio sample
0:000:00

Hannah Clarke

  • Pop Culture & Media Landscapes
  • Southern England

Pop culture scout. Leads to filming locations, music hotspots, and fan cultures – where fiction and reality touch.

Explore Los Angeles at your own pace

Your podcast audio tour through Los Angeles

  • Hear the stories of Los Angeles right where they unfold
  • Explore 7 hand-picked stops across 4.2 km – at your own pace
  • Atmospheric storytelling, carefully researched and always ready in the app
  • Your voucher stays valid for two years; after redemption you have 14 days of access
Now only €5.99 incl. VAT

One-time purchase – no subscription, no ongoing commitments.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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