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Here’s the NoHo News for November 12

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NoHo News: Fix the Valley. THEATER Ain’t Going Anywhere. Thanksgiving is Coming! Playlists. #KeepNoHoArtsy.

Here’s your NoHo arts community update!  We look forward to sharing lots of fun and unique news, events, profiles and updates on what’s happening in the NoHo Arts District.

Every Thursday we send out our NoHo e-News. Do you get it? It takes 30 seconds. Make sure you sign up, it’s FREE. Sign up HERE>>

This issue of NoHo e-News is about what’s going on in North Hollywood and a selection of some theatre shows. But we have a ton of them. Did you know that the NoHo Arts District has the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City? Just check out the NoHo Arts District Theatre Guide>>

Here’s a glimpse at what’s going on in North Hollywood.

Click on the image and to see the online version of our NoHo News…ENJOY NOHO!

 NoHo News: Fix the Valley. THEATER Ain't Going Anywhere.  Thanksgiving is Coming! Playlists. #KeepNoHoArtsy.

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**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

 

Dirty Rice, Chia Seed Pudding + More (3 Quick, Cheap and Amazing Student Friendly Recipes) │Vegan

In today’s episode, we’re whipping up a chocolate chia seed pudding for breakfast (it literally just tastes like chocolate pudding it’s mental), an amazing pea soup, and a spicy but delicious dirty rice.

All cheap, all quick, and all vegan.

Thanksgiving at The Front Yard

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Gobble up a Thanksgiving feast at The Front Yard at The Garland in North Hollywood. The restaurant features an updated layout to maintain social distancing with an expanded patio area for additional outdoor seating. 

The Front Yard at The Garland Thanksgiving 2020 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

On Thursday, November 26 from 12 – 8PM, The Front Yard is offering an elevated take on Thanksgiving favorites featuring entree choices such as:

• Smoked Prime Rib
• Buttermilk Fried Turkey Breast with Stuffing & Gravy
• Grilled Ora King Salmon
• Wild Mushroom, Sweet Squash and Porcini Farro

A choice of three sides, including Horseradish Potato Gratin, Ginger Soy Caramel Haricots Verts, Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes and Chorizo Stuffing will be served family-style and portioned for the table. Dinner also includes a salad option (think: Fall Harvest Mixed Greens or Golden Beet & Fig Salad) and dessert such as Pumpkin Pie with Candied Cranberries and Vanilla Cream. Additional sides or appetizers will also be available. 

The Front Yard at The Garland Thanksgiving 2020 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Tables will be limited to a maximum capacity of six guests and reservations are required, which can be made at thefrontyardla.com. Pricing includes $59/adult and $29 for kids 12 and under.

WHAT:

Thanksgiving dinner at The Front Yard

WHEN:

Thursday, November 26 from 12 – 8 p.m.

PRICE:

$59/adult and $29 for kids 12 and under

SAFETY:

Guests are to call upon arrival and must stay in their vehicle until notified the table is ready. The entire party must also be present, and a mandatory health screening, including a temperature check, will be conducted upon arrival. Lastly, face masks must be worn at all times except when seated.

**Reservations are required. Tables are limited to a maximum capacity of six guests.

The Front Yard at The Garland Thanksgiving 2020 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

The Solo Artist’s Post-Performance Come Down

There’s nothing quite like the extraordinary high you feel when you take that final bow after your solo performance.

Your heart is rapidly beating, your adrenaline is pumping, and it feels as if you are floating above the theatre in a cloud of pride. Afterall, you just gave your blood, sweat and tears to a packed audience of adoring friends, family and fans. Even if your performance was a virtual event with the audience safely at home, your post-performance high is other worldly.

And then there is the next day-

You feel thoroughly and completely exhausted on every single level. You are emotionally, physically and mentally drained. It is likely that you also feel a deep sense of loss or depression.

I call this the post-performance comedown. 

Some solo artists continue to bask in their high for days afterward and their buzz gradually wears off; but more often than not, solo artists confess that after their initial solo show high, they experience an equally intense low.

This can come as a shock to the solo artist and typically they cannot quite put their finger on what is causing the complex feelings they are having.

So, why do many solo artists experience such a severe downturn when they were soaring solo a mere twenty-four hours prior?

While I am not a psychologist, I am a solo artist myself and have led hundreds of solo artists through the solo journey. That said, I have a pretty intimate understanding of the various reasons why solo artists endure this post-show bottom.

Here are a few of the common reasons why-

  • You just got totally naked. Whether or not you literally took your clothes off on that stage or not, you were vulnerable in a way that most people never allow themselves to be. While that is brave beyond measure, we often cannot anticipate how that much honesty all at once will trigger our sense of safety, anonymity, and Now, you are left asking if you over-shared, if what you just did was any good and if anyone liked it, and your mind and emotions are beginning to run amuck.
  • You just worked your ass off. Solo theatre is by far one of the most challenging genres of performance out there. While you might have an amazing Creative Team to support you; at the end of the day, you are still ultimately responsible for the final product. Therefore, it is likely that you rehearsed for hours and hours and hours, recited your lines ad naseum, promoted to the ends of the earth and back, spent money you didn’t have, and stretched yourself to your absolute creative limits to make the most inspiring solo art you could possibly make.
  • You had great expectations. Sometimes, even without knowing it, you may have placed wildly great expectations on yourself, your show, your audience and the outcome of your solo performance. Maybe you thought you would get a much bigger audience turnout than you did. Perhaps you thought you were going to make money and you lost it, or maybe you envisioned being signed by an agent, hired by a casting director, or some equally big break happening in the immediate aftermath of your play that just did not come to
  • You are questioning what is next. For the last several months, maybe even years, you have been eating, breathing, sleeping your solo show, and now it’s over. So, now what? What are the next steps? Will you perform it again? Did you just do all of that work for that one performance? Do you even have the finances and the energy to do it all again?

Those are just a handful of the reasons you might be experiencing a post-show comedown. While none of that is fun to experience, the good news is, you are not alone. You are, in fact, quite normal.

So, how do you do to avoid the post-show comedown?

I am not sure that you can avoid it entirely; however, just being aware that you may suffer some of these symptoms puts you in a much more informed position to practice excellent self care once you step off that stage or sign off of that virtual platform.

Over the nearly twenty years I have worked in this field as both a performer and a Director, I have cultivated a list of things you may consider doing to nurture yourself in the days following your solo show.

*If at all possible, take the day after your show off from work or any other obligation. Allow yourself to sleep, eat, go on a walk in nature and take care of your physical body. 

*Schedule a therapy session, attend a twelve step meeting, have a conversation with a supportive friend or loved one, go to a yoga or meditation class, join a spiritual gathering, or anything else that will provide you with a serene and peaceful environment to feel your feelings and safely process them. 

*Pamper yourself. Treat yourself to something you truly enjoy. Spoil yourself with things that fill your cup. Whether that is a massage, indulging in a delicious meal, or even taking yourself away for the weekend, just know that you deserve it!

*Celebrate this HUGE achievement! Please do not let this moment in your life pass you by as you plan professional next steps or beat yourself up looking back at past performance mistakes. Instead, raise your glass, pat your own back, and truly acknowledge that you just did what most people do not have the courage, commitment or talent to do. Your show made a difference for you and for your audience. 

Not everyone is cut out for the solo journey, but trust that if you are taking the time to read this blog, the chances are good that you are. It may not be easy, but it is well worth it.

So, enjoy the high, endure the low, and then take great care of yourself so you can get back up and do it all again!

Let’s keep LIVE theatre ALIVE! Check out the various solo theatre resources, opportunities and events listed below.

Jessica Lynn Johnson

Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC

SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Tune in and Support the SOARING SOLO SALON on Thursday November 19th @ 7pm (PST)!

soaring solo salon

Award winning Director & Developer, Jessica Lynn Johnson, hosts an evening of brand new solo show excerpts. This enticing program will be livestreaming from the Whitefire Theatre and will safely rotate 6 superb Solo Artists in and out throughout the night. There will be a post show Q&A with all of the artists, hosted by Jessica, on Zoom. This event will be monthly. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE SOARING SOLO SALON. HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE SOARING SOLO SALON.

Start every Hump Day off right with FREE Guided

Meditation and Writing Prompts with “Isolate Meditate Create”!

 

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson EVERY HUMP DAY @ 9AM (PST) on ZOOM for ISOLATE. MEDITATE. CREATE!

This is a 100% free guided meditation & writing prompt experience is designed to keep you healthy, connected and creative EVERY HUMP DAY during STAY AT HOME and who knows, maybe you will even write your one person play with the content you create.

 CLICK HERE TO ATTEND ISOLATE MEDITATE CREATE and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One Person Play Development class ONLINE!

No matter where you are in the creation of your solo show, idea phase, curiosity phase, full draft written, touring the festival and college market,BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST & Founder of Soaring Solo, Jessica Lynn Johnson, will meet you where you are at and take you to the next level! All that is required to attend is a willingness to explore, a pen, and some paper. No previous writing or performance experience necessary, and no need to have written anything to bring to class. Each week Jessica will guide you in exercises to help generate and stage NEW material! So come and meet other creatives in a supportive space for expression and exploration! The class is ongoing and so you may pop in and out as you please as long as you RSVP by clicking here for this FREE ONE PERSON PLAY CLASS.

Watch a slew of sensational solo shows this month!

The best way to CREATE a solo show is to SEE solo shows! Jessica Lynn Johnson has proudly Directed & Developed over 100 solo shows in her solo theatre career and is still going strong! She would absolutely love to have you join her and the rest of the Soaring Solo Community at any of the following upcoming LIVESTREAMING solo shows she has had the honor of creatively collaborating on.

 CLICK HERE FOR A ROSTER OF UPCOMING LIVESTREAMING SOLO SHOWS

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

1 on 1 coaching and consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a Director & Developer for your solo show, but first you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonated with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing

SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

How CBD Oil Helps Your Skin Feel Nourished

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The people’s growing curiosity about CBD has led to many products introduced in the market. Some businesses have thought of many different varieties of products that contain cannabidiol compounds: from capsules down to lip balms and many more, so plenty of consumers have a lot of products to choose according to their liking.

There are some products innovated that are perfect for skincare lovers. CBD has a lot of properties that may help alleviate pain, cure illnesses, etc. There are positive test results with regards to research about the CBD compound.

A Walkthrough CBD

It is not to assume, but some people may have no complete idea about CBD. What is it? To explain CBD or cannabidiol is a compound found in a cannabis plant. It is a non-psychoactive compound that produces a lot of properties that are safe for use externally and internally (read article).

Yes, you may think that cannabis plants can make people high, but fortunately, there are exemptions to it. How? Cannabis Sativa is a family of plants that produces numerous amounts of compounds. While Cannabidiol is the friendlier type of compound, its other sibling that releases a psychoactive compound is called THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Consuming products that have a high level of THC compound may cause a euphoric feeling to its users.

Cannabis Sativa Family

To explain what I stated above, Cannabis Sativa consists of various types of plants. Two of its known plants are marijuana and hemp. Now, what is the difference between both plants?

Although they came from the same family, they differ in the way they are cultivated, grown, and its usage. Both plants contain tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Marijuana is rich in THC compounds rather than CBD compounds. It may be the reason why people who use marijuana undergo extreme feelings: such as aggressiveness, hyperactivity, rage, or it can also be the other way around by being relaxed or experiencing boosted appetites. It depends on the user’s body on how it will react to the compound.

On the other hand, Hemp, or also known as Industrial Hemp is rich in CBD compound rather than THC compounds. Hemp is known to have medicinal properties that could cure a lot of diseases. Thus, Hemp is a legal cannabis plant used to produce various products that are consumed in different ways by many people.

Extracted From Hemp 

The growing market of CBD-based products has helped plenty of people. A lot of businesses like Cheef Botanicals are selling CBD-based products and are thinking more ideas on how to incorporate CBD into other products as well. There is an advantage of purchasing your goods online because of what is happening to the world right now. This way, you will not be exposed to a crowd of people and increase the risk of catching the known virus. Remember to stay safe and observe precautions for the safety of everyone else.

We will focus on skincare products containing CBD oil. Cannabidiol has anti-aging properties for preventing signs of wrinkles and aging developments, anti-inflammatory properties that improve the skin barrier, and antioxidant properties that could help in fastening skin healing. These common skin concerns are dryness, inflammation, free radical damage, breakouts, etc.

Beautiful You

Research shows, although, contains limited information, states that there will be no harm in using products used externally that are infused with CBD oil daily. There are many ways you can do to nourish your skin. You may also visit this website https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2020/12/30/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cbd-skincare/#2dc25b0a3abf to gain more knowledge about CBD oil for our skin. Here is a list of some of the many skin care products you could include in your daily skincare regimen.

  • Bath Bombs– you deserve a relaxing and revitalizing bath after a busy day at work or a stressful week. Dipping your body into a warm tub with a CBD bath bomb will allow you to open your pores and gently absorb cannabidiol deep in your skin.
  • Lip Balm – having dry lips can be painful. Lip balms can help moisturize and relieve chapped and dry cracking lips.
  • CBD Hand Sanitizer – pouring alcohol to disinfect your hands from time to time can cause dryness to your skin. You may now experience a nourishing effect of cannabidiol, and at the same time, kills germs and bacteria in your hands.

You should know that these products are made with natural ingredients, vegan, and contains a full spectrum of CBD oil. These are also lab-tested to ensure that it is safe for use.

The Easiest Countries for Americans to Travel to Right Now

Many of us Americans have re-discovered our own country’s beautiful state and national parks and dynamic sightseeing attractions since March of 2020 when the pandemic struck, and international travel became severely limited.

Some Americans are getting the urge to return to international travel. Research has been showing that air travel is safer than we thought , even during a pandemic. Many countries have opened back up to Americans; however, quite a few of those either require a 2-week quarantine upon arrival and/or a covid-19 test upon arrival or proof that a negative test was taken, in most cases 48-72 hours before your arrival. Some even require monetary deposits or re-testing a few days after arrival. These requirements can be enough to make many people re-think international travel for now; however, there are a few countries that are not requiring a quarantine upon arrival or any type of COVID-19 testing/results.

Before you decide to travel to one of these countries, be sure to evaluate the risks involved and be sure to self-care and consider the health of others by taking necessary safety precautions, investing in good face masks for travel and getting a good travel/health insurance policy. Also be advised that travel guidelines are constantly changing due to the global pandemic, so make sure to monitor your destination’s official tourism website periodically before your trip.

Please also note that most countries do not have the anti-mask sentiment that has become a part of the USA’s political divide. Be ready to adhere to all mask requirements as well as random temperature checks in any country that you may decide to travel to.

Finally, check with the US State Department for information on returning from your visit as there are some restrictions in place, including specific airports you must transit through and quarantine rules in some cases/states.

I’ll try to update this list as we head into 2021 and as a safe and trusted vaccine begins to be available for us.

Here are the current countries (as of November 2020) that Americans can travel to without needing to quarantine or bring/take a COVID-19 test:

Albania

U.S. citizens can enter this southeastern European country without quarantine or a negative coronavirus test . You may be subject to a temperature check upon arrival however. Make note that on your return home, there are restrictions to what countries you can pass through, according to the embassy website.

Visit Albania: Known as Europe’s last unturned stone, Albania boasts some of the best examples of Ottoman architecture in the world, along with supremely clear Mediterranean air and stunningly fabulous beaches.

Visa requirements: U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter the Republic of Albania; U.S. citizens can stay up to one year in this country without a residence permit

Belarus

U.S. citizens can travel to Belarus with limited restrictions. Travelers won’t need a negative coronavirus test prior to arrival but will be subject to health screenings, including temperature checks, at the port of entry. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Belarus website for additional information.

Visit Belarus: Long regarded by travelers as little more than a curiosity, Belarus has suddenly emerged as one of Europe’s ‘it’ destinations. With more than 11,000 lakes and 40% of its territory composed of misty forest, Belarus is a beautiful country to travel to, home to dreamy castles – some of them part of UNESCO – and its capital Minsk, will almost certainly surprise you.

Visa Requirements: U.S. passport holders traveling to Belarus via Minsk International Airport may enter visa-free for up to 30 days

Brazil

Travelers from the U.S. will not need to quarantine or show any type of negative test, unless required by their airline or other travel entity. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Brazil website for more information.

Visit Brazil: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are two of the most visited destinations in the country. Natural attractions in Brazil are The Amazon Jungle, The Amazon River, the many other rainforests of this tropical and subtropical region and the extensive beaches and bays that line the coast.

Visa Requirements: U.S. citizens do not need a visa if they are traveling to Brazil for tourism, business, transit, artistic or sport activities, with no intention of establishing residence

Costa Rica

Travelers from the U.S do not need to quarantine or bring or take a COVID-19 test. However, they will need to provide proof of a medical insurance policy to cover any COVID-19 related medical treatment or quarantine lodging while in Costa Rica.

Visit Costa Rica: The beautiful country, filled with rainforests, beaches, river valleys, and biodiverse wildlife as well as restaurants, bars, and luxe hotels, has always been a prime place to take a vacation or adventure tour.

Visa Requirements: US nationals do not require an entry visa for Costa Rica.

Maldives

Americans do not need to quarantine or bring/take a Covid-19 test. But travelers do need to have a confirmed booking before arrival and submit an online health declaration form within 24 hours before departure

Visit Maldives: This muslim country with over 1,000 islands is one of the most famous and one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world.

Visa Requirements: A no-cost visitor visa valid for 30 days is issued upon arrival.

Mexico

Travel Tulum: The historical ruins with wonderful beaches in Mexico

Americans can travel to Mexico without taking a COVID-19 test prior to traveling. No need to quarantine either. While travel across the land border between the U.S. and Mexico remains limited to essential trips, nonessential travel has resumed via air. Travelers will be subject to health screenings upon arrival and should note there are some cities around the country that have curfews and other health restrictions in place. Learn more about traveling while in Mexico at the embassy website.

Visit Mexico: Palm-fringed beaches, chili-spiced cuisine, steamy jungles, teeming cities, fiesta fireworks, Frida’s angst: Mexico conjures up diverse, vivid dreams. And the reality lives up to them.

Visa Requirements: Mexico stamps the passports of all US tourists at arrival, allowing stays of up to six consecutive months without a visa.

North Macedonia

This southeastern European country makes it easy for American travelers to visit. No one coming from the U.S. is required to take a coronavirus test before arriving, though they may be subject to medical screening at the airport, according to the embassy website.

Visit North Macedonia: Dense with old-world culture, rustic gourmet cuisine, mountain chains, remote villages, and some of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, the country is a synapse connecting traditions on the crossroads between empires — Greek, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman —where the Occident and Orient have long found middle ground.

Visa Requirements: Visas are not required for tourist or business trips of less than 90 days within a six-month period

Turkey

Turkey does not place any restriction on American travelers after they provide health information on a short health form upon arrival .Only passengers exhibiting coronavirus-like symptoms will require further examination and testing. Learn more about travel to Turkey on the embassy website.

Visit Turkey: Turkey offers an abundance of ancient sites and world heritage landmarks, wonderful natural sceneries, and a rich culture. Turkey is renowned for its excellent hospitality.(I just returned from a wonderful Tour of Turkey, being hosted by the folks at Demavend Travel. My experience will be overviewed in my next up-coming blog article).

Visa Requirements: U.S. citizens need an e-visa to enter Turkey. It’s very easy to get one online and print it out before your trip and it costs only about $50 USD.

Cheers,

Jack Witt, MS, CPT
Fitness and Health Coach

“Fix the Valley”

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According to the ASPCA, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized annually in the U.S. The number one solution to pet overpopulation: SPAY AND NEUTER OUR PETS! But how can you “fix” your pet for free in Los Angeles?

The Rescue Train has partnered with Spay4LA and the Central Lutheran Church in Van Nuys to provide free spay/neuter for low-income residents or pet owners experiencing homelessness in the San Fernando Valley. This is an ongoing monthly clinic. Proof of low-income, such as Medi-Cal, WIC, EBT, or Cal-Fresh can qualify and proof of financial loss due to COVID-19, such as a letter from their employer or EDD, is also eligible. To make an appointment, please call or text 818-473-9440.

The Rescue Train has partnered with Spay4LA and the Central Lutheran Church to provide free spay/neuter for low-income residents or pet owners via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

WHEN:

Saturday, November 14

WHERE:

Central Lutheran Church
6425 Tyrone Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91401

RESERVATIONS:

Appointments only! Call or text 818-473-9440

Founder Lisa Young The Rescue Train has partnered with Spay4LA and the Central Lutheran Church to provide free spay/neuter for low-income residents or pet owners via www.nohoartsdistrict.com
The Rescue Train Co-Founder Lisa Young.

Spay & Neuter

One breeding pair of cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 kittens and one breeding pair of dogs and their offspring can produce 96,000 puppies over a seven-year period. That’s a lot of animals needing homes! The Rescue Train is dedicated to spay and neuter; we believe it is the solution to pet overpopulation. We offer referrals to free and low-cost services to pet owners in need and hold mobile spay-and-neuter clinics in the Los Angeles area.

FREE & LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER

If you can’t make this event but live in the City of Los Angeles, you may qualify for a voucher for free or discount pet sterilization. https://www.laanimalservices.com/general-information/spay-neuter/

Make sure to follow The Rescue Train on their socials for up-to-date information on events and maybe your next furbaby.

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube

The Rescue Train has partnered with Spay4LA and the Central Lutheran Church to provide free spay/neuter for low-income residents or pet owners via www.nohoartsdistrict.com 

ABOUT THE RESCUE TRAIN

The Rescue Train was founded in 2004 as a nonprofit, 501(c) 3, no-kill animal welfare organization. Today we are known as one of the most innovative and hard-working groups in Los Angeles run by dedicated volunteers. Through our unique programs and solutions, we’ve helped save thousands of animals’ lives. Our ability to collaborate and form partnerships to achieve our goals sets us ahead of the pack.

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

David Thompson “The Wall” Album Release

Let me just say right off the bat that I love this EP. I love its gorgeous retro 80s synth sounds, the echo, the dissonance, the quirk, the hand claps.

It’s totally Thomas Dolby, A Flock of Seagulls, Ultravox, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode,Yazoo but warmer and definitely more ‘now’.  But it has the kind of craft and soul that they had way back when.  The production in the 80s was so incredible and had so much heart, even with the heavy electronic vibe and all the effects.  This EP has that same kind of heart and honesty.

This guy David Thompson has been around for a while, he’s tried a few musical incarnations.  But stuck, as we all are, in his own Covid bubble he decided to use his time wisely, to make something wonderful. And he did. “The Wall” is four songs of human, heartfelt longing, stories wrought from age old themes, familiar yet fresh.  The songs are deeply authentic and David Thompson sings with the kind of understanding that only comes from the originator, from the songwriter.  He has nuance and spirituality, pathos and passion, and a good deal of drama.

It may have taken David a while to get to this point in his musical career, but it’s always all about the timing for everything, isn’t it?  Things happen as they are supposed to and these songs, some of which have been rattling around in David’s brains since high school, needed to marinate for this exact amount of time.  They are now fully cooked and ready for the world and so is David….Bravo!! Love this EP!!!!!

Favorite track is “The Wall.” It’s all Georgia Moroda and I love, love, love it. Am I stuck in the 80s I wonder? Would it be so bad if I were???

Musician names/instruments: Howe Pearson plays lead guitar on “The Wall” and “Clair,” all other instruments by David.

Websites:

Official Website: https://www.davidthompson.band/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djfthompson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/2Big2Prosecute

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2big2prosecute/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FbPZZU4f8WLnOGdNDeyjl

Bandcamp: https://davidthompsonmusic.bandcamp.com/music

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/2big2prosecute

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy3XsTjH-_4zyqIuIRYNAAg?view_as=subscriber

Director’s Blog – When the Poo Hits the Plan

Covid, the upcoming elections, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and melting glaciers are but a few of the many challenges 2020 has presented to us, me, you, the world.

So, what is an artist to do? Create more, even if it is against one’s better judgement. I co-founded a group of actors, writers and filmmakers, affectionately know as, The Tribe. We basically help each other create, complete and distribute content.

So, one day, I was thinking, “How can we still shoot meaningful work during this time of the pandemic?” I decided to write a series of three films specifically for six actor members of The Tribe. My plan was to shoot these three films with me directing and being the only crew member present. I would have the actors in one location without being in the same room at the same time. I would use all my bag ‘o’ tricks that I have acquired over the years, the actors would perform and interact with each other, but not at the same time. I would use the wizarding world of postproduction to but these images together, thus creating the illusion of both actors acting opposite each other. The actors would arrive make up ready and at different times, so as not to have them exposed to one another and food would be individually wrapped to be eaten by the actor it was assigned to. Once one actor had completed the work, that actor would leave and the other actor, would arrive an hour later to complete the shoot.

I was convinced I was a genius and that I had solved the whole problem about COVID-19 film shoots. That is until one of our actors tested positive for COVID-19. A week earlier, several of the actors from the shoot had gotten together to celebrate my birthday in Malibu on the beach and all of us keeping social distancing. Fortunately, everyone, with the exception of that one actor, tested negative for the virus. It was another scare and a wake up call for me.

I’ll backtrack a little and mention that one of the three films was shot and is in post using my afore mentioned method. It was the lead actor of the second film scheduled that tested positive. I am happy to say that that actor is not very sick and is getting better every day. But my other two films in this terrifying trilogy have been shut down. Why? The answer is less than flattering, but very true. I was being very selfish to want to shoot at this time. I wanted to make art and produce work, because I feel the whole industry has shut down and I missed working. It is true that the studios are back in production, but they are very limited and face the same problem we had. I wanted to work so badly, that I did not think through the possibility of failure and of inadvertently causing harm to others.

As a result, this is my second project that has been shut down because of the pandemic. All of my projects are now in limbo and awaiting the vaccines for us all, or the ever increasing numbers to die down considerably. In the meantime, I have four scripts to either polish, rewrite, submit another draft, or begin the first draft. I also have three films that are in post and aren’t getting any better waiting for some attention from me.

My mistake was in starting something new, every time I hit a setback. I substituted one project for another instead of taking responsibility for all my work and finishing one project before starting a new one. And in terms of how much more of the world is experiencing an upsurge of this virus, it is time for me to finish a lot of projects that are just waiting for my attention. While I wait and to help me refocus on what I already have in hand, I took a trip with a buddy on our motor bikes to the Grand Canyon, to get a little perspective…Be safe folks.

Selfie with the NoHo Sign

Thanks to the fun young artists from L.A. Cultural Exchange for showing us the best place to take a selfie with The NoHo Gateway aka The Ugly Sign.

It’s officially called the NoHo Gateway but it’s also known as the Ugly Sign.  You either like it or you despise it, and there’s very few who are just ambivalent.

Many say the NoHo Arts District is a performing arts district with theatre, dance and music and “…the NoHo Gateway does not represent what we create in the district,” says our anonymous North Hollywood resident. “And why did the artist put those silly figures and, worse, those balloons?” Some use it as a landmark and a meeting place like, “Let’s meet at the ugly sign” or “The theatre is right next to the ugly sign.” There has even been talk to nominate it for the world’s ugliest piece of public art. Another NoHo resident that wishes to remain anonymous says, “That’s fine. We’ll own the fact we have the ugliest piece of art in the world. It’ll be a tourist attraction at least!”

To be fair, there are people who seem to like it stating it’s colorful and fun. We’ve posted it to NoHo’s Instagram as a poll and there are no accurate polling results. One day it’s overwhelming HATE IT! and others it’s LOVE IT!  We’ve only met a handful of neighborhood folks who are indifferent, who shrug their shoulders and say, “It’s already up what can we do?” No matter what your opinion, it’s here to stay. So let’s take advantage of it.

A group of young artist exchange students from L.A. Cultural Exchange went to NoHo to take some photos, a dance class, and grab a bite to eat. They decided to take a selfie with the NoHo Gateway. So here’s the best spot to take it from.

L.A. Cultural Exchange young artist exchange students
L.A.Cultural Exchange young artists exchange students (L-R) Ines, Carmen, Zuzana, Sophie. Photo by Eric Halmes. 

Here’s how to take a selfie with the NoHo Gateway aka Ugly Sign.

  1. Go to 4872 Lankershim Blvd.
  2. Stand on the east side of the street.
  3. Make sure to stand on the south side of the sign. Why? This should have the word NoHo show up properly in your camera. The other side will show oHoN – NoHo reversed. See explanation below.

About the NoHo Gateway

The Gateway project was funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA), which was dismantled by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011.

The NoHo Gateway was created in by Los Angeles artist Peter Shire who was chosen by a panel of community representatives and CRA staff. His design is supposed to reflect the arts district with characters constructing sets, operating cameras, and designing costumes for the entertainment industry. Other design elements are musical notes, balloons attached to a fence, and imagery connected to the area’s residential community and airport. The name “NoHo” is centered on the piece, which used to be illuminated at night. But there were many complaints of the light bothering the neighbors. When you pass through going north and you look in your rearview mirror you will see NoHo spelled properly. However, if you look at the sign from the north side facing south it says oHoN. It’s inverted so it will show up properly from your car’s mirror. CRA funded Shire with $290,000 to make his sign with $500,000 more granted for construction and installation. The NoHo Gateway was completed in 2009.

Follow their L.A. adventures.

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict. 

 

Here’s the NoHo News for November 5

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NoHo News: Hang in There. THEATER Ain’t Going Anywhere. Playlists. #KeepNoHoArtsy.

Here’s your NoHo arts community update!  We look forward to sharing lots of fun and unique news, events, profiles and updates on what’s happening in the NoHo Arts District.

Every Thursday we send out our NoHo e-News. Do you get it? It takes 30 seconds. Make sure you sign up, it’s FREE. Sign up HERE>>

This issue of NoHo e-News is about what’s going on in North Hollywood and a selection of some theatre shows. But we have a ton of them. Did you know that the NoHo Arts District has the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City? Just check out the NoHo Arts District Theatre Guide>>

Here’s a glimpse at what’s going on in North Hollywood.

Click on the image and to see the online version of our NoHo News…ENJOY NOHO!

 NoHo News: Hang in There. THEATER Ain't Going Anywhere. Playlists. #KeepNoHoArtsy via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Follow NoHo News with Bloglovin

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

 

Avocado Pizza, Alfredo + More (3 Quick, Cheap and Amazing Student Friendly Recipes) │Vegan

Avocado pizza is better than you can imagine. 

And, check out this easy but delicious Alfredo!  Subscribe for more tasty, vegan, and cheap recipes. 

Nutritional information and ingredient list will be found in the last episode of the series where I go in depth on the ingredients, so make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss that episode!

Tips for Women Who Are Living in the Sandwich Generation

At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses or the financial challenges of young adulthood while at the same time looking after the needs of your aging parents.

Squeezed in the middle, you’re in the “sandwich generation” — a group loosely defined as people in their 40s to 60s who are “sandwiched” between caring for children and aging parents.

The fact is, women are the ones who most often step into the caregiving role.* As more women have children later in life and more parents live longer lives, the ranks of the sandwich generation are likely to grow in the years ahead. If you find yourself sandwiched between caregiving demands, here are some strategies to navigate this life phase.

Setting priorities

The day-to-day demands of caring for both an aging parent and children can put a tremendous strain — both emotional and financial — on the primary caregiver. This is especially true when adult siblings or family members don’t agree on the best course of action for elder care, don’t pitch in to do their share, or don’t contribute enough financially to the cost of that care.

The first thing to do is get yourself in the proper mindset. This life phase could last one or two years, or it could last many more. In any case, try to treat this stage as a marathon and pace yourself; you don’t want to start sprinting right out of the gate and burn out too soon.

Encourage open communication with your family to figure out ways to share the financial, emotional, and time burdens. Hold regular meetings to discuss issues, set priorities, and delegate tasks. Women are often conditioned to believe they have to “do it all,” but there is no reason why adult siblings (if you have any) can’t share at least some of the workload.

It’s important for caregivers to get their own financial house in order. Ironically, at the very time you need to do this, the demands of caregiving may cause you to lose income because you have to step back at work — through reduced hours, unpaid time off, or turning down a promotion. Here are some tips to get your finances on track:

  • Establish a budget and stick to it. Having a realistic budget can help you balance your income and expenses and keep your finances on track.
  • Invest in your own future by putting as much as you can into your retirement plan, and avoid raiding it to pay for your parent’s care or your child’s college education.
  • Don’t quit your job before exploring other arrangements. If you need more time at home than vacation or personal days can provide, ask your employer if you can telecommute, flex your hours, reduce your hours temporarily, or take unpaid leave. Another option is to enroll your parent in an adult day-care program or hire a home health aide to fill the gaps. Some employers offer elder-care resource locators or other caregiving support as an employee benefit, so make sure to check. Permanently leaving your job should be a last resort — time out of the workforce will reduce not only your earnings but possibly your Social Security benefit at retirement as well.

Caring for your parents

Talk to your parents about their financial resources. Do they have retirement income? Long-term care insurance? Do they own their home? Learn the whereabouts of all their documents and accounts, as well as the financial professionals and friends they rely on for advice and support.

Much depends on whether your parent is living with you or out of town. If your parent lives a distance away, you’ll have to monitor his or her welfare from afar — a challenging task. Though caregiving can be a major stress on anyone, distance can magnify it — daily phone calls or video chats might not be enough, and traveling to your parent’s home can be expensive and difficult to manage with your work and family responsibilities.

If your parent’s needs are great enough, you may want to consider hiring a geriatric care manager, who can help oversee your parent’s care and direct you to the right community resources, and/or a home health aide, who can check in on your parent during the week. Here are some things you should do:

  • Take inventory of your parent’s assets and consolidate his or her financial accounts.
  • Get a current list of the medicines your parent takes and the doctors he or she sees.
  • Have your parent establish a durable power of attorney and health-care directive, which gives you legal authority to handle financial and health-care decisions if your parent becomes incapacitated. And make sure your parent has a will.
  • Consider consulting a tax professional to see if you might be entitled to potential tax benefits as a result of your caregiving; for example, you might be able to claim your parent as a dependent.
  • If your parent’s needs are great enough, you might need to go a step further and explore assisted-living options or nursing homes.

Eventually, you might decide that your parent needs to move in with you. In that case, here are some suggestions to make that transition:

  • Talk with your parent in advance about both of your expectations and concerns.
  • If possible, set up a separate room and phone for your parent for some space and privacy.
  • Research local programs to see what resources are offered for seniors; for example, the senior center may offer social gatherings or adult day care that can give you a much needed break.
  • Ask and expect adult siblings to help out. Siblings who may live far away and can’t help out physically on a regular basis, for example, can make a financial contribution that can help you hire assistance. They can also research assisted-living or nursing home options. Don’t try to do everything yourself.
  • Keep the lines of communication open, which can go a long way to the smooth running of your multigenerational family.

Meeting the needs of your children

Your children may be feeling the effect of your situation more than you think, especially if they are teenagers. At a time when they still need your patience and attention, you may be preoccupied with your parent’s care, meeting your work deadlines, and juggling your financial obligations. Here are some things to keep in mind as you try to balance your family’s needs:

  • Explain what changes may come about as you begin caring for your parent. Talk honestly about the pros and cons of having a grandparent in the house, and be sympathetic and supportive of your children (and your spouse) as they try to adjust. Ask them to take responsibility for certain chores, but don’t expect them to be the main caregivers.
  • Discuss college plans. Encourage realistic expectations about the college they may be able to attend. Your kids may have to settle for less than they wanted, or at least get a job to help meet costs.
  • Teach your kids how to spend wisely and set financial priorities.
  • Try to build in some special time with your children doing an activity they enjoy.
  • If you have “boomerang children” who’ve returned home, make sure to share your expectations with them, too. Expect help with chores (above and beyond their own laundry and meal prep), occasional simple caregiving, and a financial contribution to monthly household expenses.

Considering your needs

This stage of your life could last many years, or just a few. Try to pace yourself so you can make it for the long haul. As much as you can, try to get adequate sleep, eat nutritiously, and exercise — all things that will increase your ability to cope. Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself when you need it, whether it’s a couple of hours holed up with a book or out to the movies, or a longer weekend getaway. When you put your own needs first occasionally and look after yourself, you’ll be in a better position to care for those around you.

*Alzheimer’s Association report, 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

The day-to-day demands of caring for an aging parent and children can put a tremendous strain — both emotional and financial — on the primary caregiver. Be sure to set priorities and encourage open communication with your entire family to figure out ways to share the burdens.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association report, 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women.

10 Ways The Groom Can Help With Wedding Planning

Keep these groom responsibilities close to your heart, if you will like to discover how to be a supportive groom during the wedding planning process.

Although wedding planning and everything involved with it seem to fall to the bride to be, there are certain ways a groom can get involved to play his own part. Every good thing requires balance, and both sides chipping in would definitely ensure that everything gets done well and in record time. So, if you are a groom unsure about your groom responsibilities, allow us show you a few helpful suggestions.

While your bride might not need your help for the most part, she would feel much better if you put in the effort. From something as little as purchasing a bridal box subscription, to picking up her dress or helping choose the venue, there is no end to the list of things that you can do. Here is a guide or a groom’s wedding checklist you can complete, to show your ever-loving support during the wedding planning.

  1. Bridal Boxes

Bridal boxes can be a delight as well as a savior for any bride to be planning her wedding. Asides from providing wedding planning essentials, bridal box subscriptions follow a bride’s journey step by step from engagement until the wedding. The miss to mrs bridal box, in particular, is comprehensive and detailed enough to predict and provide a bride’s needs from essentials to luxurious items that help ease the stress of the planning process. Any groom who can get a wedding subscription box for his bride, would have succeeded in fulfilling up to 50% of his groom wedding planning checklist. So, start early, and start by getting a miss to mrs bride subscription box.  

  1. Budget

Finances are crucial when planning a wedding, and top on our groom’s guide to wedding duties, is to assist with the budget. The decision on how much should be spent, how much is available, and the allocation of funds should be decided well before all the planning begins.

  1. Venue

The venue is one other crucial part in the wedding planning that should be decided together. Therefore, one of the groom’s responsibility for the wedding should be assisting the bride in choosing the venue, and going along to see suggested locations.

  1. Guest List

Another aspect on groom duties for a wedding involves the building of the guest list. While the bride to be would have a list from her side of the family, the groom should have his too. On this both parties would need to collaborate and decide on whom to invite and whom to leave out, together.

  1. Non-Wedding Tasks

While your bride to be is busy with a flurry of activities, a good addition to the list of groom wedding planning duties, would be non-wedding related tasks. Even though women are known as excellent multi-taskers, a number of daily chores on the bride’s part, could be neglected due to the wedding planning. And so, assisting with things like dinner, the laundry, overall cleaning and other such tasks would be a huge help.  

  1. Source the Right Sound Equipment

There are some things that men are generally better at than women. And, if you are one of those guys who is good with sound equipment, then this should be on you. Take on the task of sourcing the right sound equipment and negotiating with the DJ, singer or entertainment person.

  1. Manage the Setting Up of the Bar

Another aspect where you can play to your strengths is in choosing the wine and beers and the general setup of the wedding bar. If there’s any one thing on our list of things for groom to do on wedding day, it is for him and his guys to ensure that the bar runs smoothly.

  1. Follow Up on RSVPs

Following up on the RSVPs can be stressful and also takes a lot of time. This is something else that you can add to your groom to do list, that would be really helpful to the bride. It is one task that is easily overlooked or forgotten, but is crucial to the planning of the wedding.

  1. Listen

With so much going on from communicating with vendors to decorating, finding the right dress and so on. Your bride to be will have a lot on her mind. One of the things you can do to help at this point in time, would be just to listen. Be the person that she can rant to and pour out her heart to.

  1. Be There

Whatever it might be, whether they need a drive to the shop, she needs a second opinion on something or some advice, make yourself available. Don’t be hard to reach at a time like this.

There is no limit on groom responsibilities during wedding planning. But if you need a few pointers, then this guide will be a good place to start.

 

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Kate heads the Wedding Forward content department. She’s an expert on wedding showers, honeymoon plans, destination weddings, photography, videos, and themes. Give her a wedding vision and she will give you a perfect wedding plan from her fingertips. She also has her unique articles on the site. She is a health and fitness enthusiast, and she’s crazy about photography!

Sustainable Ways to Fill Your Kitchen and Pantry

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Being an environmentally responsible person is an integral part of living a good life.

Not only is it helping you understand how to be more respectful of nature, but it can also help you realize that some of your consumer choices may have been unnecessary this whole time.

In particular, food choices are a terrible culprit of this. The reason is that food is so mass-produced these days with packaging and other products that it’s purely wasteful. Here are some ways to be more sustainable, but still keep your kitchen and pantry well-stocked.

Stock your storage room for the long term.

Having a storage room is a great way to help improve your sustainable food choices. The meal kits and prep advice at Basic Food Prepper show how you can have a long-term stocked pantry that can be helpful in emergencies and for everyday life. Having a good selection of non-perishables, instead of constantly going out to buy things, helps reduce carbon emissions, even just by reducing your drive time to the store.

Purchase locally sourced food.

Being able to stimulate the local economy and help put money in the pockets of local merchants and farmers is a great way to get excellent vegetables, meats, baked goods, and fruits, but it also reduces the carbon footprint of your food. Instead of it traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to your table, it’s easily available within a 50 to 100-mile range, which is essential for the environment.

Opt for less plastic packaging.

Many food producers are starting to understand the importance of biodegradable packaging. Finding products that don’t use paraffin wax or plastic is a good way to stock up your kitchen or pantry, without worrying about senseless waste. Even certain beer companies are switching to biodegradable six-pack rings for their products—another small, but important step to take for an environmentally conscious household.

Buy what you need first.

This may sound like it contradicts the first piece of advice, but it actually doesn’t. While you should only buy what you need and will use first, a pantry is okay because the foods last a long time and can remain there. Things like vegetables and fruits, or dairy products and meats, can all go bad very quickly, so purchasing a bunch at once and not using them results in excess waste. If you know you need them, buy them, but try to avoid the want of filling the fridge just for the sake of it.

Compost your scraps.

This is less of a way to fill the kitchen and pantry, and more of a way to effectively clear it when you’re done. If you don’t already have a green bin for composting, you should consider getting one. This can help promote healthy soil growth for your own garden or be thrown out in the appropriate dumping ground.

Turning your kitchen into a more eco-friendly space is really easy. By making better product and lifestyle choices, you can help do your part in facilitating a better future for everyone and still enjoy a well-stocked home.

Paul Maged “Culture War” LP Release

This is not the first time I’ve reviewed Paul Maged’s music. Last year his single “The Resistance” was on general release, which I absolutely loved.

He’s a master of the protest song and political rhetoric.  A deeply committed musician with songs drawn from the struggles he is a witness to all around him, as well as those within himself.

“Culture War” is definitely a rock album, full of charged and rousing, swelling melodies and inspirational lyrics.  The songs are delivered with passion, they are heartfelt and big and booming.  It’s Billy Joel meets Green Day. High energy, intense, melodic and purposeful.  Big arrangements, driving drums, arcing guitars, rich productions.  It’s a big sound.

These are real songs, beautifully constructed, traditionally structured, with bridges, and choruses and anthemic hooks.  They are sweaty and pounding, the drums at the center and the guitars growling along.  Paul Maged is a musical poet at heart, a man on a mission to spread his particular understanding of the world, good and bad.

He also has a really fantastic voice.  It’s all rock, richly emotional, full, dramatic.  He‘d be great in a rock musical, in fact I’d like to see him try!  I love this album.  Right now we really need strong voices with something important to say in creative and melodic ways.  Paul is exactly that. A rock poet with an urgency that is exciting and powerful and honest.  Love it!!

Favorite song, “Simplicity.”

Websites:

Official Website: https://paulmaged.com/home

Twitter: https://twitter.com/themagedman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulmagedmusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3OQeVQ1gXzZP9y2nrD69yM

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/paulmaged

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGKzErkYDEHoCaJ6uNBLbKg

Corona Diaries #6: Eat, Poop, Trash.

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Let’s try not to build a plastic island. 

This is part six of our Corona Diaries series on tips, tricks, hacks and whatever we want that makes our lives a bit bearable during Corona Virus. If you have any tips, drop us a line.

I tried going plastic free pre-COVID19. It was impossible. Yeah, it’s a gross shame. During Rona, it’s even more difficult. So I thought, what is important and accessible? I have tried (so many) products and have narrowed it down to my favorites that are now on auto send.

Corona Diaries #6: Eat, Poop, Trash. NO PLASTIC PART 1.

ZIPLOC IS BANNED

I used to steal my dad’s Ziploc bags because, well, I was being cheap. Plus, I felt guilty buying all that disposable plastic. I bought resuable ones, which I love! Every once in a while it’s convenient to have a zip bag to hold things. After 20 years, my dad switched to compostable bags!  Yes, I still steal them. It’s a tradition.

But I still bought reusable bags of varying sizes and simply throw them in the dishwasher. No matter how long you leave that apple in their it gets clean. 

TRASH BAGS

Think about it. All the trash we throw away just sits and bakes in the bags we use, never decomposing because it’s stuck in a plastic bag that will outlive cockroaches. One way to help is with a compostable trash bag. It has to be biodegradable and compostable. Those green washing companies that say, made from plants, means nothing and often can’t be recycled. Or the worst green washing is when they say their bags are recyclable. Like you’re really going to take the trash out, wash the bag and find a company that will recycle the bags? No! The ones that are trying are those that say their bags are made from recycled plastic. That’s a help but it’s not enough. Compostable bags are the only solution. I love these. 

DOG POOP

I have two huge dogs which means huge poops. I’m a good neighbor and pick up my dogs’ big gifts. But I go through a lot of bags. So like with plastic trash bags, plastic dog poop bags will just sit and bake the dog poop, never decomposing. That’s gross. But if you think about it, compostable bags holding poop can decompose into a rich compost. Yum! Unni is my favorite brand because their “corn and plant starch-based bags fully decompose when placed in a compost environment, leaving only water, humus and CO2 to feed a new generation of plants!” They come in a cardboard box too. Just don’t leave them out in the sun like I did or they won’t be easy to open. They need be stored in a cool dark place. That’s easy enough!

Corona Diaries #6: Eat, Poop, Trash. NO PLASTIC PART 1 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

PEOPLE POOP

First of all, we have to start with the insanity of people buying up all the toilet paper. I thought, “Do these people normally steal the toilet paper from their jobs and that’s why they’re buying it up? Do they think Rona will give them bladder or, worse, intestinal issues?” I wasn’t too worried as I have a bidet. But bidet users use toilet paper too. I”ve tried whatever I could get my hands on and bamboo was the one that saved the day and turned out to be better than Charmin. This is one of my favorites. 

**Disclaimer – no one is sponsoring this post. I just love all these eco-friendly products because they actually work. The links are Amazon affiliate links.

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.  

Corona Diaries #5: At the Fridge Again

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We need laughter in our lives even more now that we’re in Coroni-ville in the Corona-economy in the state of Coronus. Laughter is best when it’s relatable. And then it’s even better when it’s put to music.  Thanks, KD French. 

#GiveMeSnacks

Have a joyful, snack-song-filled week.

Or you can follow KD French here:


**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

Corona Diaries #4 Beach Savings

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“I save a penny therefore I am a saver.”

This is part four of our Corona Diaries series on tips, tricks, hacks and whatever we want that makes our lives a bit bearable during Corona Virus. If you have any tips, drop us a line.

We all say we are not good at saving money. But that’s not true. It just has to become a habit. It’s all about small steps, steps to make positive changes. We need all the positive changes we can get during this shut down. A must read is James Clear’s “Atomic Habits.”  If you only read one book this month, make it this one.

But a habit has to be fun! It has to be automatic. It has to show results. You have to change your mindset and say “I am a saver.” So how does savings become fun, automatic and show results? I use Qapital.

Qapital is a silly fun app where you create saving goals and savings rules to fund your savings goals.

Corona Diaries #4 Beach Savings Qapital Banking via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Savings? Rules? Wait, it really is fun. But why have an app when you can just save money yourself? Well, have you already started a savings goal? Have you stuck with your savings plan? Probably not. The app helps. You don’t have to think. It does it for you. Savings becomes automatic. Savings becomes fun. Saving helps you build habits.

Download the Qapital app and get $25 in your account>>

So let’s get started. Think about what you want to save for. I’ve made two goals: emergency fund and vacation.

EMERGENCY FUND FUN

The emergency fund has been pounded into my head from that annoying famous man on Youtube who likes to yell at you about baby steps. Even if you can’t stand him, having an emergency fund is a must. But how do you start funding it? However the heck you want!

Qapital lets you create rules to help fund your goal. So for my emergency fund goal, I have five rules. But you can have as many as you like, as many as your budget will allow:

  1. Round ups. I round up to the nearest dollar on all purchases. (A penny saved is a penny earned, said Benjamin Franklin.)
  2. 10k steps. I pay myself $2 when I walk 10,000 steps. This has become a habit. I am a walker. 
  3. 20K steps. I pay myself $20 when I walk 20,000 steps. (it’s actually made me walk around the block before midnight to meet this goal.)
  4. 52-week rule. You can start anytime. Week 1 I pay myself $1, week 2, $2, week 3, $3, etc. By the end of the year you will have $1,378.
  5. Starbucks $5. Yep, I pay myself $5 when I go to Starbucks.

The rules are endless. Use the app to help you save but also to help you develop habits – I am a walker. I am a saver.

LA BELLA VACANZA

The second savings goal is for my vacation. I’m not playing with this. I’m going to be on a Sicilian island for a month. How am I going to pay for it? Well…

I have the help from the free applet IFTTT.  It is the free way to get all your apps and devices talking to each other. It makes your life much more efficient. But it also helps you save a ton of money. I hooked up my Qapital app to IFTTT. There are many fun rules you can add. But I only have one BIGLY rule attached to my vacation goal.

Every time the person in the White House tweets I pay myself $1. The dude does not stop tweeting.

(I may be on that Sicilian island for two months at this rate.)

So how do you free up money to save? It takes some crying, hair pulling and real talk. But you can do it. Here are our Corona Diary posts that will help you!

BUDGET  |  SAVINGS  

Remember, tell yourself, “I am a saver!” Make saving automatic. Make saving fun. Make saving easy. Make saving a habit.

See you on the beach! Well, next summer at least.


**Disclaimer – Qapital is not sponsoring this post. I just love it and have used it for years now. You get $25 if you sign up with the link in this post. Qapital has been a game changer and an easy way to save. Use whatever works for you to start saving for your goals. Happy savings!

The Whitefire Theatre Black Voices Streamfest Presents “Forgetting, Not Forgotten”

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The Whitefire Theatre Black Voices Streamfest Presents “Forgetting, not Forgotten”

Written and performed by Petal D’Avril
Directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson
November 6th, 7pm. The Whitefire Theatre Online

Tickets>>

I was lucky enough to be able to see Petal D’Avril perform in her beautifully written and inspiring show last year during Solofest and The Whitefire Theatre. This year she has become a part of the rather wonderful and extraordinary Black Voices Streamfest hosted by the lovely folks at the Whitefire. Helping a little to fill the chasm created by the hundreds of dark theatres in our city.

“Forgetting, Not Forgotten” is a wonderful solo show. Like the best very best of the genre, its story reaches into your chest and grabs you unapologetically by the heart. It shocks you, it teaches you, it reminds you that our world, good and bad, is happening all around us all of the time. Lessons learned, hearts broken, disasters averted…or not. People changing and fading and crying out for help and loving one another. It’s a purposeful play and performed with all the heart and soul that Petal seems to have. It’s authentic, brave and ultimately uplifting, even though it’s a tough subject. Losing a home and losing a mother.

I’m so happy that she is performing this piece at the Whitefire again, where it began as part of the solo workshops run by the brilliant Jessica Lynn Johnson who also directs this. We need art more than ever and this is truly, deeply art. Bravo Petal!!

Here is a link to my review of “Forgetting Not Forgotten”>

Since we have already reviewed the play we thought we’d ask Petal a little about herself and how she found this show within her.

Why was this an important story for you to tell and why in a play?

This story is important for me to tell because I could not believe it was actually happening. There are three important factors that challenged me. I did not have any concept of Alzheimer’s and the effect it has on families. How gentrification is set up to be a wrecking ball and destroys in order to rebuild. Lastly the most important challenge was finding love especially within oneself. This is why it led me to write “Forgetting, Not Forgotten.” I needed to understand, place blame, address my anger and speak up. Initially, in the midst of our journey I was already writing about another performer’s life story, but our journey is what I needed to face mentally, physically and spiritually. I’ve found solace in theatre and it has always served as a space of artistic freedom for me. Which is why the story ended up in a play form.

How did you decide to pursue acting?

Funny story, I was at Cal State Dominguez hills majoring in English and communications when I decided to dip my toe in theatre. When I decided to actually pursue it neither of my parents thought it was a good idea. As I became more involved in theatre I changed majors and told no one.

How has creating this work helped you in your career and your life?

Creating “Forgetting, Not Forgotten” started as a healing process through writing. The journey we went on forever changed our lives and I needed to encapsulate the moments that lead us there. It wasn’t until later I worked up momentum to perform it. I would say it has helped me to face a lot of things about life and myself. The strength in telling your story becomes more powerful than the story and I’m grateful I experienced that.

As for my career, I learned so much about life choices, lifestyles and life habits, that we are in full control of yet are so disconnected from. I had my own epiphany of understanding that we all are going through our stories and finding our power to overcome. I wanted to be a part of contributing to the healing. Within you is a journey I embarked upon after I started performing “Forgetting, Not Forgotten.” This experience has led me down a path of having to go within self to reveal an inner awareness to my connection to nature. I took my awakening experience and my esthetic background and encompassed the deep healing nature provides in developing Within You body oil. This has integrated both healing and strength into my artistry and career.

Would you recommend solo work and do you have any tips for those who are interested in creating their own shows?

I do recommend solo work. I’ve been so inspired by solo performers. I believe it is one of the most challenging, and humbling experiences I’ve encountered in theatre. I first met my director, Jessica Lynn Johnson, at her free writing workshop. This ignited a writing experience that truly helped me to find my voice. For anyone interested in creating their solo shows I would say do it, the community around solo theatre is encouraging and uplifting.

Have you found your voice?

I have found a voice within me that allows me to connect to my higher self.

“Forgetting, Not Forgotten” is online on November 6th at 7pm, here is the ticket link. https://whitefire.yapsody.com/event/index/601166/forgetting-not-forgotten

If you would like to follow Petal and the show please find her links below:

Instagram  |  Facebook

NoHoArtsDistrict.comNoHoArtsDistrict.com loves theatre and the arts and is proud to do what we can to sustain, support and spread the word in any way we can.

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

Corona Diaries #3 – Saving Your Pennies

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Corona Diaries #3: “A penny saved Is a penny earned.” – Benjamin Franklin

This is part three of our Corona Diaries series on tips, tricks, hacks and whatever we want that makes our lives a bit bearable during Corona Virus (said in our best Cardi B voice). If you have any tips, drop us a line or leave a comment.

It’s easier to cut things from your budget (read budget post) than make more money, especially in the Corona-economy. Now’s the time to re-evaluate what you need, want and use. This may change but it’s like you are Mari Kondo-ing your wallet, therefore a major part of your life.

We have to find any fun we can during these weird times. So now that we made a budget, we needed to make saving fun. So some friends and I did a no spend day. Success! That one was easy because we’re stuck at home. Then we got a little gutsier and did a no spend week. Success! Then came the gutsiest of all – a no spend month. Success! How to do a no spend day/week/month? Again, do your budget and do not deviate from it, meaning do not spend money on anything that is not already accounted for in your budget.

It actually became fun to do my monthly budget and find ways to save. It’s all about small steps, steps to clean things up during this downtime. Small steps has also translated into other areas after I read James Clear’s “Atomic Habits.” 

Sneaky Subscriptions

It’s quite scary, grueling and shocking to go through subscriptions and findg out you’ve been paying for something for months and hadn’t realized it. Why did I need Spotify and iTunes subscriptions? I got rid of both and suffer through the Spotify ads. I got rid of my microgreens subscription because I went on YouTube and learned to grown my own. More Corona-garden posts coming.

Savings: $39.97

Where’s My Phone?

Some of my favorite money folks are Mr. Money Mustache. His simple post on not spending a ton of money on cell phone service was a bit of a shock, like, “I need my phone, dude.” Well how much of the “unlimited” data do I actually use monthly? Since I’m at home and on wi-fi, very little. But I wasn’t trying to be rash. I looked at my usage over the year and I never went over 3GB, even when Spectrum was acting crazy and I had to use my hot spot. I switched to a prepaid account for $25 a month and 5GB of data, which would be plenty. The bill went from $70 to $25. And really, there is no difference.

Savings: $45

TV Schmeevee

I cut the cable cord a few years ago but the TV viewing bills were adding up. I looked at what I actually watch and it was only Netflix and Prime Video, which comes with Amazon Prime. So I got rid of Hulu, Starz and HBO. In the future, if I want to binge a show, I’ll add whatever channel for a month or so. It’s not worth it to pay for something I’m not watching. I did add the free version of the HOLA VPN to watch international shows. Any VPN that’s free would work. Free is good!

Savings: $35.97

A Frugal Book Worm Grows in NoHo

I love to read but I have a pile of actual books I haven’t read. Plus, I have more than 15 books in my Kindle account! So I put a hold on my $30 book budget until I read all the books in my possession. I also severed ties, maybe temporarily, from Kindle Unlimited. Their Prime Reading may be useful, as it comes with the Amazon Prime subscription. I’m trying that out now as I’ve finished all the hard copy and Kindle books. I also got Library e-Card. This is great! You can read magazines, download music, watch films, and, of course, check out books. I’ve used this the most and actually have found new authors, which I will buy their books now that I’ve read and “tried out” their work. I also signed up for BookBub, a site where you get daily deals on books (some free too!) based on the types of books you like to read.

I will add the book line item back into my budget but at a different amount after I’ve measured how much I read using Prime Reading, the Library e-Card and deals on BookBub.

Savings: $39.99

pexels @cottonbro 3943742 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Moving and Grooving and Moving My Money

So next was active stuff. I got rid of my gym because, well, we can’t go and I never went. Instead I am trying out different fitness class apps to see if there’s a one that has everything.

Savings: $46

What’s sad is my monthly dance class and hot yoga budget was deleted but that will be added as soon as we can act like civilized humans and open our facilities again. I will not count this in my monthly savings or delete this from my budget. I’ve put the money aside and will take more dance and yoga classes with the extra money to help our local studios. Here’s our dance studio list.  

Don’t Hide Your Cash Under Your Mattress

So what am I doing with my savings? I’ve add to my emergency fund first. Then I automatically transfer money to my M1 Finance retirement account, which is easy. The last is the fun Robinhood app where I can invest in fractional shares, which is the chance to invest a few dollars for a stock that costs a lot more. So if you’re new to investing, M1 and Robinhood are big helps.

Have you done your budget? How have you used your monthly savings?

Stay safe, wear a mask and help #keepnohoartsy.

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

Open-Door Playhouse a Theatre Podcast Presents “Beethoven and the Misfortune Cookies”

Thank goodness for the amazing and creative people of the Open-Door Playhouse Podcast.  Saving us from our theatre wasteland, wandering alone, yearning for a play….any play!!

They are giving us just that, a play.  Each month, several plays in fact, as podcasts, ranging from 30 to 60 mins and full of remarkable stories told by fantastic actors eager to do so.  I love the tenacity of theatre, the nerve of it, the art of creating something soul stirring out of nothing and now, more than ever, we need this. We deserve this.  We are eternally grateful for this.

“Beethoven and the Misfortune Cookie” is based on the true story of Kabin Thomas, a music appreciation professor at the University of Arkansa who was fired, after 10 years of much loved and much lauded work, for profanity and for displaying a picture of a lynching in his class during a lecture on Billy Holiday.

He was wildly popular, with long waiting lists and staggering student popularity. He was fired for being too popular. He became too big, too excellent, too easy a target for those so much less than him, I think.  It broke his heart.

It’s not hard to believe really.  How many of us have suffered the same fate? Jealousy, greed, self loathing can and often does, tempt the fate of those among us who harbor those feelings.  Those who are in a position of power too, will sometimes use it to find satisfaction in the destruction of others, since I suppose they cannot find satisfaction in any other way.  So this is the story of that.  The utterness of an act of cruelty constructed from a lie and used to end something wonderful and unique.  And how Mr Thomas became who he is now and conquered it.

We follow his life, from his passion for Beethoven, music, his incredible understanding of it and love for teaching, his family, his “how,” and his “why.”  The firing, his adventures in Hollywood, his spiral into depression, his fears, always going back to his lectures and his point of no return – the lecture that got him fired.

People are shits aren’t they? 

Not everyone obviously, but enough.  We see this more and more just lately.  These terrible people coming out of the shadows, unrelenting and remorseless.

Only art it seems can save us. Art is the ‘why’ of it all in the end. It is what keeps us whole, brings us together and separates us from the ghouls who yearn to destroy it…because they can’t understand it.  These are glorious podcasted plays, “Beethoven and the misfortune Cookies” being one of almost 20 of the podcast homepage.  Gorgeous love letters to us all. Beautifully produced, effortlessly performed and highly entertaining.

Each month there will be more and more, all clamoring for our attention and our gratitude.  They are free, although there is a button to donate…one which you should use…and they will all remain up once premiered.

I love radio, podcasts, spoken word and audio books, so I am totally enraptured by Open-Door Playhouse. 

Imagine being able to keep original new plays like this brilliant “Beethoven” in our pockets.  Able to click ‘play’ when we can, when we like or when we desperately need to hear a voice sharing their story, their drama, their worlds. We are all so bereft of live theatre and performance. It’s a tough existence for us all and this makes it a little less tough for a little while.  Just knowing the Open-Door Playhouse exists in this disparate world makes me feel better. Bravo!!

In the months to come  Open-Door Playhouse will showcase humorous, thoughtful and surprising 10-minute shorts and one-act playhs that showcase insightful and new perspectives of the world.

If you are interested in submitting a play for production you can find that information on the website as well.

https://www.opendoorplayhouse.org

Written Joni Ravenna

Directed Devereau Chumra

Featuring Amir Abdullah

Corona Diaries #2 – Budget

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Corona Diaries #2 Where, Oh Where, Has All My Money Gone? Oh Where, Oh Where Could It Be?

We are continuing our series on tips, tricks, hacks and whatever we want that makes our lives a bit bearable during Corona Virus. As we continue in the abyss of the unknown, we need all the help we can get from each other. If you have any tips, drop us a line or comment below.

So, you’re bored in the house and you realize your money is slowly syphoning from some mysterious source, which, in my case, was, not is, Amazon and Instacart. Hello, $33 flour. What do you do? Watch 553 YouTube videos of old men yelling at you to make a budget and stop spending. I tuned them out and reached out to a friend who works with numbers. She helped me figure out a stupid simple budget format that works for me. It really doesn’t have to be complicated. But be warned, it will be shocking. Suck it up. You’ll be grateful and proud of yourself in the end.

STEP 1 – Write. It. ALL. Down. Repeat.

Making the first step is hard, and you will be shocked, mortified, angry and shocked all over. Do it. It can be in Excel (if you’re snazzy like that), Word, in a cute notebook, on a piece of paper, etc. You need to do this grueling part. Use whatever style of budget you feel most comfortable with. But remember keep it simple. It took me three days to complete this step. I closed the computer in frustration because I couldn’t believe all the stupid stuff I bought. Again, $33 for flour?!

TIP: Go through your iTunes subscriptions because you will almost always find something you didn’t know you subscribed to. Also, go through your credit card/debit card statements. Capital One Venture has a yearly summary of expenses function that gives you a helpful overview of your spending.

STEP 2 – You Can’t Always Get What You Want Categories

Go through the mess and put things into categories: MUSTS and WANTS. That’s harder than it seems. Do you really need both Spotify and iTunes?  This step helps you evaluate your priorities. Priorities will change. This does not have to be set in stone. The point of this step is to clean house – your financial and mental house.

NOTE: Keep track of what you get rid of and the costs. More on this in another post.

STEP 3 – CONTROL, MODIFY, DELETE

This part feels surprisingly good. You’ve got things prioritized in categories and now you modify how much you spend or you delete the item completely. I got rid of both Spotify and iTunes and suffer through Spotify ads and have fallen in love again with my iTunes library. In a few months you may want to add iTunes back to your budget if it brings value to your life.

STEP 4 – HABIT and TRACK

The simple budget is constantly in flux. You need to look at it monthly and make it a habit. You’ve also got to look at it so you can plan. Is it Mother’s Day, your best friend’s birthday, you have to register for classes, or your car registration is due? Put it in the month’s budget.

Download MINT. There are other helpful apps but this one I had already sitting in my phone collecting dust. (I secretly love it) You upload your budget and it tracks your spending. “Hello, you’ve gone over your Instacart budget.” It’s a passive aggressive way to reign in your splurges and a way to reevaluate your budget. You may need to add more to your books budget or more to your wine budget. Or you may be like, “Yeah, I’m going to use my library card instead so I can continue buying my favorite Syrah.” Whatever is right for you.

Just make a budget. Know where your money is going. Don’t worry. It’ll all be great.

What are some of your Corona Virus take aways? Do you have any tips you’d like to share that have made your time in quarantine a bit more manageable? Let us know!

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

Corona Diaries #1 “Can You Spare a Square?”

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Bored (insert any adjective) in the house, in the house bored, or not. We’ve all been up in our Covid-19 quarantine feelings from boredom, fear, stress, anger, resentment, and sometimes all of them all at once. But we have to somehow try and find the positive in this awful situation.

As we enter a second wave, we need all the help we can get from each other. This is a fun series on tips, tricks, hacks and whatever we want that makes our lives a bit bearable during Corona Virus (said in our best Cardi B voice). If you have any tips, drop us a line to be featured.

We’d asked some of our team “How has Rona positively impacted your life?” We got the Zoom chat silence and weird looks. But think about it. What things have you found out, done, tried, bought, experimented with, etc., that have been a positive during the lockdown? Things that you’ll take with you once we can resume our lives? We’re starting with our editor Lisa and the most obvious and infuriating at the beginning of the pandemic.

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First of all, we have to start with the insanity of people buying up all the toilet paper. I thought, “Do these people normally steal the toilet paper from their jobs and that’s why they’re buying it up? Do they think Rona will give them bladder or, worse, intestinal issues?” 

I wasn’t too worried as I have a bidet.  The question is: “Why don’t more US households have them?” But I bought a simple and inexpensive handheld sprayer style “bidet” for the guest bathroom. This one is easy to attach to the water hose at the bottom of your toilet. There’s a clip you hook onto the tank to attach the actual bidet sprayer. It took 10 minutes. Really. The only downside is it sprays cold water. But it was $19.99, so we won’t cry. There are other bidet sprayers to choose from but this is the Corona-economy. You do your math.

This hand-held bidet has been a game changer and I’ve converted more Los Angelenos into bidet users. I feel my time on lockdown has served a noble purpose.

All kidding aside, bidet users use toilet paper too. A bidet is just to clean up messy things. So when my toilet paper supply was running low I went online to buy some. I went to my old staple, Scott. Ha! Nothing. Then I thought I’d try I Don’t Give A Crap from one of my favorite Eco Minimalist Youtubers ShelBizleee. This is recycled toilet paper. All sold out. So on page 13 or so I found bamboo toilet paper that would arrive in a few days. I’d never tried bamboo tp before but these are trying and somewhat desperate times. The result? I’ll never not buy my bamboo toilet paper. It’s uber soft but strong. I got a case of the allergies and blew my nose with it since I couldn’t find tissue. No red irritated nose either. It’s not made from trees and it’s made from a sustainable source. But the best part is you need only a few squares!

 

Try all the bamboo toilet paper until you find the one you like best!  

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What are some of your Corona Virus take aways? Do you have any tips you’d like to share that have made your time in quarantine a bit more manageable? Let us know!

Remember to stay safe, sane, creative, kind and wear your mask.

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

Being a Filmmaker During a Pandemic.

On hiatus indefinitely – but still present.

I’m a filmmaker.  My husband is an actor.  So things have been pretty quiet for him and his career for the past few months, as you can imagine, as well as mine.  He’s been writing a lot and we have tried to do a bit of filming, but after a couple of close calls with covid and crew and friends, we have officially decided to cease any work that involves being around people,  for now.  At least until we are all vaccinated, which seems like it might happen by this time next year.

It’s a shock.  Honestly there are people having to make far more serious decisions than “I guess we can’t shoot now” – far, far more serious. Life and death decisions. Shall I pay the rent or eat decisions, shall I move back in with my parents, sell something or can I live in my car decisions.

So our quandary seems small. But then we all have more than that in our heads right now, don’t we.  I worry constantly about the creative industries.  Not writers, or painters, or anything solitary so much. Although those artists need to make money and there is far less of that about.

No, I worry for the arts that need people. People to perform, or construct, or light or fill the air with music, or act in or sing or produce or sit in seats they paid for. I worry about the millions of people that live that way and do so at a perilous cost single every day anyway, without the threat of a pandemic.   I worry what will survive, what theatres, what record labels, what acting schools, what prop shops, or equipment houses, or actors.  Most of the creative people I know who have additional jobs to cover the periods when they don’t work have also lost those jobs. So we are all deep in the shit, as we say in England.  This phrase seems so fitting lately.

So what can we do?

I suppose that depends on so many things. I’m writing. But I have to admit that this has also thrown me so far for a loop that I find it hard to.  It’s difficult to focus on scripts or production when not only is the prospect of filming far, far in the future.  Now that we are all trying to basically stay alive, so that even when we can film somehow. Should we?

I know there are things being made, my husband is auditioning, online of course.  But these are big budget projects, with the money to follow all the rules and fly to Iceland or wherever.  I had an opportunity to help on a little short film that someone I know was trying to get done, having already postponed it several times because of covid.  I had to say no.  In the end the project has been moth balled.  I wasn’t the only participant not relishing the risk apparently.

We have to measure the odds at this point. The odds of getting sick, the odds of putting those we love at risk, just for the – and trust me this is true -now mostly joyless few hours on a stressful set.  It doesn’t seem like much of a choice to me right now.

I know this is supposed to be an article on filmmaking, but I want to write from my heart, with honesty.  We are going through a painful, difficult time when even with a room full of equipment, many stories ready to tell and the willing hands to help us tell them…we are frozen.  We don’t really even have November 3rd to look forward to, since we won’t know that day probably and even if we think we do, there will be lawsuits and stand offs and drama and guns.  I’m as jumpy as a pea in a frying pan quite frankly.

I think we need to be very kind to ourselves.  Lower our lofty expectations and allow our minds to wander as they need to through this mess.  Beating ourselves up for not getting more done creatively is pretty pointless. But we also need to actually support our choice to stop the endless shuffling of projects and shoot dates and calendars.  The world is on hold. There is a reason for it all and acceptance is the first step in basic survival right now. There will be time again for all of this. Time for planning and goals and work.  But right now we have to let go of all that, and letting go is, of course, not a trait I am bounteous in.

As a means of encouragement there is a project that I found worth checking out.  HBO and filmmaker Joanna Johnson managed to create something out of this chaos, early on in the pandemic, before we all lost the plot a bit.  Below is a very good article in the LA Times about it and you should check it out on HBO. “Love in the Time of Corona” is a series of films shot using almost ridiculously careful separation of human contact. But the results are pretty great.  Parameters, however they occur, can force creative beauty and make us so purposeful that the energy buzzes and blossoms.

Perhaps soon we will all blossom again, in the mean time be kind, be careful and be hopeful.

Here’s a link to an LA Times article about “Love in the Time of Corona”, the HBO series filmed this year.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-08-21/love-in-the-time-of-corona-freeform

Photo credit:

Joanna Johnson, executive producer, and Marco Fargnoli, director of photography,” on the set of “Love in the Time of Corona.” (Freeform)

Music Production 101: How to Record Your First Song from Home

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You have a talent for singing and you already wrote or got a song that you want to launch? You can do it!

The digital progress revolutionized the music industry. Nowadays, you don’t have to get an agent, go to a studio, and pay a big-shot producer to launch your work. People create successful music in their basements, garages, and bedrooms. All they need is a lot of talent and some technology to aid the process. 

As for the distribution, you can always rely on free online services. Maybe your first song won’t go viral, but hey: you still have that chance. 

It sounds easy because it is! We’ll guide you through a few simple steps on how to record your first song from home. 

  • Get the Needed Equipment

If you want to produce high-quality music from your home, a basic computer won’t do the trick. Yes; a powerful machine is good enough, but you’ll need additional equipment to record the track. Otherwise, you’ll listen to the recording and wonder: “why isn’t my microphone working on my Mac?” The built-in microphone on your laptop may work, but you need a better one for music production. 

In addition to a good computer, you need a few other elements in your starter setup:

  • High-quality microphone
  • Headphones
  • Top-notch sound card (audio interface)
  • Digital Audio Workstation (DAW – software for music recording, editing and mixing)

If you have no idea what equipment to get and how to set it up, there’s a lot of research to do. You can talk to a musician friend who’s familiar with the process, or you can gather online resources to figure out what to get. 

  • Start the Process

Most musicians wait until they have a clear plan for their song before they start recording. They finalized the lyrics and melody, and they have an idea of how the beat and overall production will sound like. 

You don’t have to be such a perfectionist. Songwriting, recording, and production can occur at the same time. Don’t feel shy to record several versions of the song to find the best sound. Since you’re doing this in your home, you’re not wasting anyone’s time so you should feel free to experiment.  

Record all ideas on structural parts and harmonies that occur to you while you play around with the song’s foundation. Save one day of the week for analyzing the work you’ve accumulated. Write notes on your favorite experiments and think about developing them further. 

  • Work on the Rhythm Section First

Once you’re done with the previous stage, you’ll have a good idea of how you want the final product to turn out. Now, it’s time to record the drums/bass. All other instruments will follow the rhythm set by this foundation, so it makes sense to record it first. 

  • Progress with the Harmonies and Vocals

It’s time to build a chord structure on the basis that you already have. This means adding harmonies through guitar, horns, synths, piano, and any other instrument you plan to include. Most songs need a combination of instruments for a complex melody, but they still have a dominant one. Decide what the dominant instrument will be, and record it first. 

Then, you’ll be ready for the vocals. The rule still stands: record the dominant lead first, and you’ll proceed with the background vocals.

You’ll be left with the small nuances, such as piano and percussion fills. Those are the details that most musicians record last.  

  • Last Step: Mastering

At this point, you might consider hiring a mastering engineer, who will take your track and bring it as close to perfection as possible. That will cost you a bit more than $50 per track, depending on the professional you choose. 

But if you want this to be a 100% DIY project, you can do the polishing to improve the quality.        

It’s Not Easy, But You Can Do It!

This is not a process that you’ll complete in a day or two. A single song requires a lot of time, dedication, and patience. Recording and arranging require some skill as well. 

When you get the basic equipment, you only need to start experimenting. You’ll be getting better by the day. When you have the final version of a decent track, you’ll know it. You’ll be ready to share it with the world!                         

Vipid “Memories” Album Release

Boy do we need music like this right now, more than ever before. Beautiful waves of complex yet breathlessly evocative soundscapes and rhythms. 

Human, fluid, echoing and full of nuance, “Memories” is a perfect title for this collection.

I could actually feel the memories flow.  Allowing myself to close my eyes and safely recall.  So much of everything lately has been harrowing and full of betrayal.  This music, created by the multi talented Jared Simmons, as Vipid, brings us solace.  It’s moving, provocative but in a nice way. Nothing challenging, only centering and gently engaging.  All instrumental, giving us the space to create our own stories and to see our own reflection in these gorgeous tracks.

I love instrumental electronic music. This reminds me a lot of Georgio Moroder, aka “Electric Dreams” and Vangelis.  How they both create a landscape and an intimate delicate connection between the listener and their sound.  This has that same organic mechanism. Using the pulse of the digital and the circuit to not just mimic life but remind us that life actually is digital, chemical and electric.

“Memories” a gorgeous reprieve from our present trauma, it might even help us heal, as we spin though our collective chaos.  I love this album. Its sweetness caught me totally off guard and eased my mind as it tickled my heart…utterly beautiful!!

A local artist too! Jared Simmons is Burbank based and his name is almost mine!

Official Website: vipidband.com

Facebook: facebook.com/vipidband

Twitter: twitter.com/vipidband

Instagram: instagram.com/vipidband

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1wBjOcSCbNTm95I9blrXyq

Bandcamp: vipidband.bandcamp.com

Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/vipidband

Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2r7c–wagjBsEKQQ280IGQ

Musician: Jared Simmons (all instruments)

Producer: Jared Simmons (mixing), Count (Grammy nominated mix/master engineer, mixing and mastering)

6 Tips for Independent Filmmakers Just Getting Started

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Creating a film is not an easy task. It requires skill, dedication, creativity and innovation to imagine what a movie should look like and then bring that idea to life. Once completed, though, it’s an exciting feeling of accomplishment.

Independent filmmakers around the world continue to produce high-quality productions that grab the attention of millions of viewers. If your dream is to be one of those filmmakers, we have six tips to help you get started in the independent film world.

Spend More Time Perfecting the Script

As an independent filmmaker, you don’t have the same budget that a high-end Hollywood production has. Even if the script isn’t anything spectacular in those films, they can turn the movie into an award winner through special effects and the cast.

Unfortunately, you likely don’t have the same budget. So, how can you make your film just as good with less money? By focusing on your script. Draw the viewers in by telling a story in a way that keeps everyone hooked until the end.

Get Creative With the Poster

Each film has a poster used for advertisement. Allow yourself to get creative with your advertising by using graphic design online software to make your edits. Many online options are free to use or cost very little money. You can create an award-winning poster on a small budget.

Be Realistic With Your Filming Approach

The budget for independent films is typically tight, which means you don’t have a lot of time to spare. Because of this, you must be realistic with your filming approach. The longer you rent equipment and have to pay staff, the more expensive your film gets. Focus on a filming technique that you’re comfortable with to get the job done.

Create an Itinerary

The last thing you need is for your two-week project to take two months because there wasn’t a concrete filming plan. Before you begin production, create an itinerary of the filming days. Clearly state what needs to get done at what time of day and who is involved in those scenes. Doing this will help keep the whole crew organized and on task and avoid going months past your due date.

Take Multiple Shots

Don’t be afraid to take multiple shots of the same thing. The last thing you need is to find out in editing that the shot you thought was perfect, there was something in the background that shouldn’t be there. Then, you need to gather everyone again to repeat the scene.

Instead, do multiple takes. When it comes time to editing, you’ll be thankful that you did.

Stay Focused on the Project

If there’s anything to take away as a beginner filmmaker, it’s to stay 100 percent focused on the project at hand. Getting distracted by other tasks, going out for drinks at the end of the day, or taking time off in the middle of shooting will only cause you to fall behind.

It’s in the best interest of the film for you, the filmmaker, to stay in the right mindset the entire time. As tempting as it is to celebrate the end of a long day, wait until you’ve wrapped up all of the filmings for the celebrations to begin.

Creating independent films isn’t always easy, but it can be very rewarding. Stay focused, dedicated and organized, and you’ll be on the right path to creating a successful film.

Here’s the NoHo News for October 29

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NoHo News: Halloween Is Here “TORTURED SOULS THRESHOLD.” Dancers Vote! Al Fresco Fridays. THEATER Ain’t Going Anywhere. artHYPE Gallery Opening. #KeepNoHoArtsy.

Here’s your NoHo arts community update!  We look forward to sharing lots of fun and unique news, events, profiles and updates on what’s happening in the NoHo Arts District.

Every Thursday we send out our NoHo e-News. Do you get it? It takes 30 seconds. Make sure you sign up, it’s FREE. Sign up HERE>>

This issue of NoHo e-News is about what’s going on in North Hollywood and a selection of some theatre shows. But we have a ton of them. Did you know that the NoHo Arts District has the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City? Just check out the NoHo Arts District Theatre Guide>>

Here’s a glimpse at what’s going on in North Hollywood.

Click on the image and to see the online version of our NoHo News…ENJOY NOHO!

NoHo News: TORTURED SOULS THRESHOLD. Dancers Vote! Al Fresco Fridays. THEATER Ain't Going Anywhere. artHYPE Gallery Opening.  #KeepNoHoArtsy. via www.nohoartsdistrict.com 

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**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.

 

Reviews – Rebecca; The Trial of the Chicago 7

There are those who might take issue with the new version of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, thinking perhaps that why should someone bother, given the existence of Alfred Hitchcock’s Academy Award-winning 1940 adaptation.

Well, I don’t have the same reverence for that film as others have, and on any given day there are at least ten other Hitchcock films I’d rather see. (You didn’t ask me, but they are: Shadow of A Doubt, North by Northwest, Vertigo, Notorious, Strangers on a Train, Rear Window, Psycho, The Birds, Frenzy, The 39 Steps, Sabotage–and there are others besides.) Having said that, this new Rebecca, starring Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas, with a script by Jane Goldman, Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse and direction by Ben Wheatley does have a few things going for it.

For one, this 2020 Rebecca (Netflix) is able to be a little more faithful to the original novel in certain respects. If you don’t know the plot, it involves an unnamed lady’s companion (the narrator is unnamed in the book and the film) who becomes the bride of brooding well-to-do widower Maxim de Winter, whose wife Rebecca perished a year earlier—and tries to overcome the huge shadow cast by Rebecca, the rigidities of England’s class barriers, and her own awkwardness and naiveté (not to mention the machinations of head housekeeper Mrs. Danvers). And because it is 2020, the film is a bit freer (as in no need to worry about the censors) to include certain aspects of Rebecca’s character, her actual fate, as well as certain heretofore unspoken elements of certain relationships.

The question is, have the filmmakers brought anything new and worthwhile to the table. In terms of the new and worthwhile, I would day Kristin Scott Thomas brings many carefully crafted shadings to the steely, malevolent Mrs. Danvers, so that when a certain plot twist occurs, one can understand somewhat how it has been allowed to happen. (Although why she continues to be “on the payroll” throughout the story is a problem no one has been able to surmount.) The two leads are attractive and sincere—albeit in roles that demand a little more.  Hammer’s Maxim de Winter is closer in age to James’ bride/narrator—and a little less intimidating because of it; James is appealing and tries to make her character’s transition from doormat to “detective” plausible—but the wheels of the plot contrive against that. In addition, the film is lovely to look at (opulence certainly photographs better now!) but this works against an atmosphere of menace and suppressed feelings. So…if you’re asking is this remake worth your while—well, it won’t kill you, but there are other ways to spend your time.

Much more entertaining (and relevant) is Aaron Sorkin’s new Netflix film, The Trial of the Chicago 7. Some of you might remember the anti-Vietnam War protests and the riots that ensued at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago—or you may have read or seen news footage about it, and the subsequent trial of seven key (well, one or two not-so-key) figures for conspiracy and inciting riots. While there have been other adaptations of note, this one has some particularly fine performances and is quite adroit at integrating humor and modern day parallels into its skillfully constructed screenplay.

While some of the outlandish aspects of the trial may stretch credulity (as in one defendant’s being gagged and chained, another choosing to mimic the judge’s garb and demeanor) one may be assured (or disturbed) that many of these things happened. The defendants (including Abbie Hoffman and Tom Hayden—and for a short time Black Panther leader Bobby Seale) seem to have taken a page from the 1940s “Hollywood Ten” playbook in overtly challenging the authority of the judge and the system (with citations of contempt to follow), while their rumpled defense attorney William Kunstler, along with Leonard Weinglass, try (in vain) to argue that their clients did not instigate the riot (point of order: Ramsey Clark, Attorney General under President Lyndon Johnson had investigated and found the police instigated the riots; after the change in the White House to President Nixon, the new Attorney General chose to discount those findings and pursue criminal charges.) Needless to say, hard-liner Judge Hoffman (well-played by Frank Langella, especially when he takes pains to disassociate himself from defendant Johnson) is distinctly not amused, either with the defendants or with their stance (and definitely not with their hair).

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is well-done in so many ways. The narrative skillfully blends the trial with key flashbacks and behind-the-scenes discussions/recriminations. The performances are exceptional: Sacha Baron Cohen is amusing and persuasive as Hoffman, while Eddie Redmayne makes for a convincingly passionate and conflicted Hayden. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is excellent as a very volatile Bobby Seale, angered at being “lumped in’ with the Seven and antagonizing the Judge in the process. Michael Keaton has some excellent scenes as Ramsey Clark (making one wistful for the times when being an Attorney General didn’t represent partisan politics), while Mark Rylance makes Kunstler into a harried, haggard, but inveterate and outspoken defender of truth. And of course, Sorkin does a masterful job of showing how the trial and protests have a special meaning in light of the sorry state of our current events (the fact that one of Seales’ defenders, Fred Hampton, was shot during a police raid while the trial was proceeding also has a painful relevance.) Where Sorkin muffs it is in the Capra-esque finale that serves to muffle the impact of the proceedings at the time (and the miscarriage of justice it was known to have become). In any case, it is a film well worth your time—and it is an especially good time to see it.