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City of Los Angeles Senior Meals Program

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From the office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian

Dear Friend:

One of the distressing offshoots of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the rapid rise in food insecurity, particularly among isolated seniors. Throughout the city, there are thousands of seniors who are living alone, with no one to assist them with meals, who cannot leave home because they are at highest risk from the virus. That situation is even more heartbreaking when those seniors have limited financial resources, and thus often don’t know where their next meal is coming from, or if it’s coming at all. In response, countless nonprofit organizations and their volunteers have redoubled their work to feed those in need, and their efforts have made an enormous difference and inspired us all.

Still, there is a growing unmet need for meals. To meet that demand, I have been working closely for several weeks with Mayor Garcetti and the office of Governor Gavin Newsom to develop a new senior meals program that we announced this week. This program is the City’s most ambitious effort to address the issue of food insecurity among our seniors during this unprecedented challenging time, and it will provide tens of thousands of prepared meals to seniors who are not otherwise participating in existing meal delivery programs.

Another important aspect of this program is that the meals are being provided by local restaurants and banquet facilities that have been economically devastated by the Safer at Home requirements, so we will be putting people back to work while we are feeding vulnerable seniors

I will be coordinating the City Council’s support and implementation of this citywide program, along with my colleague Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson. We are guided to a large degree by the incredible work that all of our colleagues have been doing in their own districts to meet this need. On Wednesday we jointly introduced a motion to add $25 million to fund the program through its initial period (almost all of which will be reimbursed to the city through federal and state emergency funding sources).

All seniors who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply online at coronavirus.lacity.org/seniormeals.

(For restaurants who would like to participate in the program, please click here>> )

During the pandemic and its aftermath, we need to ensure that all of our isolated seniors have access to healthy meals. This program is an important step in meeting that goal and, at the same time, helping the city’s economy to begin to recover.

Very Truly Yours,
Paul Krekorian
Los Angeles City Councilmember, Second District

**** 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. 

 

A Director’s Blog “Connections”

It seems to me that the whole industry of filmmaking, in this town at least, is about the connections we have with colleagues, competitors, and the eventual audiences.

As of this writing, a lot of states are starting to open up, in a limited way, shops, beauty care business and even some cafes and restaurants. Despite the numbers of infected and deaths and repeated warnings from healthcare officials that this is only the end of the beginning of this pandemic, we as a people, are ready to go back to normalcy. I for one, who is naturally a throw caution to the wind kind of guy, am hesitant to run right out and start casting sessions, planning the next shoot, and location scouting, find myself cautious and guarded.

Don’t get me wrong, I am ready to work, but this was true before the pandemic of 2020. We as artists are always ready to work. We work even when we haven’t been hired I love that about us. We love our work so much and feel the pangs of expressing our art, that we do it mostly for free. I have been crating during the “stay-at-home rule, except for when you need food, medicine, solo exercising, or experience stir craziness. As I mentioned in my last blog, I am still writing the scripts to my project, “Ten Films/Ten Countries: A Cinematic Journey” that I started in January of this year. The planning, the phone calls, and the contacts are all still in the mix, but above it, is the shroud of uncertainty. I can’t move forward on this project until all of my collaborators are healthy, confidant about moving forward and are feeling safe. Honestly, there is only so much I can do alone.

The bright side of staying put is the overwhelming number of Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook postings of creative projects. Even the networks have gotten in on the act. And as much as I am enjoying the work and being inspired by the tenacity of my fellow artists, I can’t help to think that even though limitations imbue creative expressions, is this going to be enough. Will we be satisfied with our single cameras mostly pointing at just ourselves with the only result being this prophylactic connection with each other? I really don’t know. But like the great ones before us said, this too shall pass.

Connection with another human being is essential to most of our existence. Movies theatres are populated by strangers who have arrived in a darkened room with seats that are separated by an armrest with a cup holder, who are all there for the same purpose. We are mostly diverse strangers choosing to experience an event, a story, a visual and auditory adventure that transports us to another place and time with some recognizable actors on a giant screen, together. I make films in hope that I can connect with someone I have never met and may never meet on a one to one basis to show them a little bit of who I am. I need the audience, I am the audience. What will happen once the sirens of caution stop screaming? Once again, I don’t know.

I will continue to create and express myself for myself, but I do it all in the name of hope and reassurance that one day soon, my work and the world of so many more can be seen, heard, enjoyed, appreciated, moved, cause discomfort, pull out emotions from deep within us in a theatre full of strangers, a film set full of friends and family members, and obtain that connection we have sorely missed these last forty plus days. Until then my friend, I look forward to or post-pandemic reconnection in the celebration of art.

Head Fake “EP2″ EP Release

These days we are all very introspectiv. It’s compulsory really.  Stuck at home, marinating in our individual history, our life, our family, our memories and our record collections.

Head Fake’s “EP2” is a perfectly timed collection of songs seemingly specifically crafted for our own individual and intensely emotional retrospective longing.

The band was formed by a collection of veteran artists and producers with a passion for New Wave and the heavenly music of the 80s.  This is Head Fake’s second EP and it’s a gorgeously anecdotal jaunt down their collective musical memory lanes.

Each song is a story.  Some of love, some of longing, some of heartache and regret, but all with a final poignant twist of hopefulness. My musical soul is of the 80s.  I educated myself in the sticky aisles of HMV, spending hours and hours leafing through the records, searching for whatever John Peel recommended, or something new.  These songs take me right back to that time…Pet Shop Boys, Human League, Psychedelic Furs, O.M.D. Tears for Fears.

It’s evocative, subtly complex, beautifully engineered…all warm and real and aching.  Spiraling guitars and crunching drums, deep keys, the occasional cello and meaningful, heartfelt lyrics about things that really matter. Like peace and love and family and finding your way home on a cold late night.  I absolutely LOVE this record.  In disparate times like these we look to our artists.  We need them to be truthful and bold and for their music to embrace us and remind us that we are alright, that our stories matter and that we must revel in the glory of our lives.

Thank you Head Fake.  This EP has made a tough time less so and made me dust off a few albums from the very best of times and heal a little…bravo boys!!!!

Listen to the band’s new quarantine song “There’s Not Enough Prozac in the World”: https://soundcloud.com/neurodisc-records/theres-not-enough-prozac-in-the-world-a-head-fake-project

Watch official music videos:

Song for Daughters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPyXmEFpvKw

I’m Found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6PZ4Jh3GHc

For more information:

Website: https://headfakemusic.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/headfakemusic

Instagram: @headfakemusic

Mohamed Assani “Wayfinder” Album Release

Polynesians refer to Wayfinders as the ‘astronauts of our ancestors’. And this collection of exquisitely crafted songs created by Mohamed Assani unfolds like a journey through an ocean of experiences.

Laid out for us with the grace of an artist.  But don’t be fooled, these songs aren’t what you might expect from a sitar wielding musician. They are bold and extravagant, a twist of cultures and peppered with drama…kind of like a James Bond theme, but on a sitar.

Mohamed Assani, a multi award-winning and much celebrated musician is based in BC, Canada and recorded these tracks in the wee hours, in remote studios hidden amongst the forest and wilderness of the Canadian interior.  You can almost hear the wolves howling and the cougars growling.

It’s a gorgeous album. A revelation to those of us who don’t usually listen to sitar music.  It’s epically written, with influences from every part of the globe.  It’s heartfelt and authentic and deeply emotional.  But modern and accessible and exceedingly, if very gently, powerful.

With tracks with names such as “Awakening,” Serendipity” and “Lullaby for Guli,” this music is clearly a deeply felt conversation for Assani.  There’s a longing in the music.  It sounds like memory and dreams and imaginings.  It’s a vivid water color of an album.  So monumentally visual and sensual…it gets in your head…in a really, really good way.

Even if you have never wandered into the “world music” section of the musical arena or, perhaps because of that, you should give this beautiful and innovative record a listen. I guarantee you will be happily surprised. After all, the sitar sings notes our western ears aren’t at all accustomed to, which is exactly what we all need isn’t it?

Official Website: www.mohamedassani.com

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

Twitter: @sitarandtabla

Instagram: @mohamedassanisitar

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/mohamedassani

Photos: All photos credit to

Kristine Cofsky Photography (https://www.theportraitsessionsphotography.com/, Instagram: @theportraitsessions,Facebook: www.facebook.com/theportraitsessions)

Buying a Car

Maybe you’ve always pictured yourself driving a shiny red convertible.

Or perhaps you’ve had a recent addition to the family and you’re looking for the practicality of a minivan. Whatever the reason, you’re in the market for a new car. Here are some tips to help make the car-buying process a bit easier.

Choosing a car

As you try to decide what type of car you want to buy, consider the following:

  • If you already have a car, what do you like and dislike about it?
  • Do you want a lot of passenger space?
  • Do you want two doors or four?
  • Do you prefer a standard or an automatic transmission?
  • How much does prestige matter?
  • What about better fuel economy?
  • Is your heart set on purchasing a new car, or are you willing to settle for a well-maintained used one?
  • How much can you afford to spend?

You’ll also want to keep in mind such factors as resale value, maintenance, and insurance costs. It may be helpful to consult one of the many car-buying guides to help you choose a vehicle and give you information on pricing, reliability, and safety. Many are available on-line.

Once you have narrowed down your choices, you’ll want to visit some dealerships and take those cars for a test-drive. When you get behind the wheel, ask yourself:

  • Is there plenty of legroom and headroom?
  • Is it easy to load passengers and cargo?
  • Is the seat comfortable?
  • Is the control panel visible and accessible?
  • Is there enough trunk space?
  • Does the car ride smoothly?
  • Does the car have good acceleration and handling?

Determining your target price

Once you’ve settled on a car model, you should do some research on the invoice price, including the cost of any options that you want. That way, you can negotiate the price based on the approximate cost of the vehicle to the dealer, rather than try to bargain down from the sticker price. Keep in mind that the dealer’s cost is often less than the invoice price because of factory-to-dealer incentives. That’s why a good target price is approximately 3 percent above the invoice price, although this will vary depending on the car model.

Going to the dealership

Armed with your target price, you should be ready to begin shopping around for the best purchase price. Try to visit more than one dealership, since prices vary. At the dealership, you’ll want to be sure to negotiate, keeping in mind the following tips:

  • Don’t set your sights on just one car model. Many manufacturers offer similar models, and one may be much more affordable than another.
  • If you’re trading in your old car, don’t discuss the trade-in price until you have established a purchase price for the new car. You don’t want to negate a good purchase deal by accepting far less than your trade-in vehicle is worth.
  • If the dealer isn’t willing to give you a deal that you’re happy with, don’t hesitate to take your business elsewhere.
  • If you want to avoid negotiating over price, you may want to consider a dealer with a no-haggle policy.

Closing the deal

After you and the dealer have settled on a purchase price, you may need to sign some preliminary paperwork and give the dealer a deposit. If you need a loan to purchase the car, you’ll also need to obtain financing. If you don’t mind making financing arrangements ahead of time, many banks, credit unions, and auto clubs offer favorable interest rates on car loans.

At the dealership, you have a couple of financing options. First, you’ll want to ask about special financing programs available through the car manufacturer. These are usually the best deals, offering low interest rates. Unfortunately, though, qualifying for these programs can be hard because special restrictions often apply (e.g., large down payment, limited payment terms).

You can also apply for a traditional car loan through the dealer, who makes additional money by arranging on-the-spot financing. But don’t assume you’re getting the best deal available. The interest rate on dealer-sponsored loans is usually higher than the interest rate that you would receive on your own.

Around this time, the dealer will try to sell you extras such as an extended warranty, service contract, or rustproofing. Watch out–these extras are expensive and often overpriced. If you’re interested in purchasing them, be sure to negotiate a favorable price, or look into buying them elsewhere.

The dealer can also help you arrange proper insurance coverage of your car and make sure that the registration and plates are in order, or you can choose to do this yourself. In either case, once all the paperwork is signed, the dealer will hand you the keys, and the car will be yours!

The information in this newsletter is not intended as tax, legal, investment, or retirement advice or recommendations, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2018 Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.

NoHo Online Acting Class Guide

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As the old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons”… you have to adapt, improvise and create to survive. This resilience is the NoHo Arts District way. For 20 years this one-square mile section of North Hollywood has maintained its desiganation as the performing arts district of Los Angeles. So when we get dealt a heavy hand like COVID19, we find a creative solution. For our acting classes it’s no different. They’ve gone online for the time being. So we’ve created a list for our readers.

Remember, they may cancel our in-person acting classes but they will not take our acting classes away.

Shari Shaw Studios

The NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide during COVID19 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

All Levels of Audition and Script Analysis Comedy/Drama
Join us like our stars have…
Eric Winter
Derek Theler
Roselyn Sanchez
Lisa Vidal
Chester Rushing
Danielle Macdonald..so may more
Online classes include current material and using the shari shaw studio method to breaking down your comedy and drama and creating a three-dimensional life of the character. You work three times per class and it’s interactive the whole time. So much fun, laughs and connection!

STAY CALM AND JOIN US ONLINE!

Actors Workout Studio

NoHo Online Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartsdistrict.com 

Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Classes, On-Camera Class.
Come and study at one of the longest-running acting schools in L.A. Keep your instrument in-tune during the current safer-at-home orders. Fran and his staff of teachers are committed to providing fun and effective way of learning via online classes. We are even offering a deep discount on our classes through the end of May. We have a great new Foundation class for beginners.

Ronnie Marmo

NoHo Online Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

STOP F*CKING ACTING
Actors from coast to coast over the years have asked Ronnie Marmo to teach a weekly acting class. The unfortunate reply was always the same: “Because, I don’t stay in one city long enough.” Thanks to Zoom, Ronnie Marmo will now finally be able to teach a weekly acting workshop for you to join no matter where you are in the world! Ronnie has decided that he will teach this weekly workshop as a fundraiser for Theatre 68 during the COVID-19 crisis.  He has lovingly named the class, “STOP F*CKING ACTING”. He would love to invite you to join us for a FREE Open House on May 13th @ 3pm LA time (classes start May 20th and are first come first serve). For a sneak peek of some of Ronnie Marmo’s background and expertise as a director, actor, writer and producer check out this video of select scenes. RSVP your spot now @ ronniemarmoworkshop@theatre68.com

Young Actors Studio

NoHo Online Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Script Work for New Media (ages 9 and above)
Acting Technique Kids (ages 9 and above)
New Works Lab (Teens)
2020 July Program Technique/Voiceover Work/On-Camera/Improvisation and a Virtual Production

We are thrilled to be offering some virtual classes! Our virtual classes are designed to be a place of encouragement, support, and community for young artists. We have created tons of exciting, fun, and creative exercises that really engage with students on the digital platform.

Grok Acting Studio

The NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide during COVID19 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Acting Technique / Scene Study
Actors work on liberating their talents and passion through exercises, monologues and character work to eliminate any inhibitions, blocks, insecurities and self consciousness. The classes focus on eradicating bad habits and “acting” and allow the actor to experience the character for truthful work. The actor will free any emotional and expressive blocks to deepen their work.

The Victory Theatre’s Gobetti/Ormeny Acting Studio

NoHo Online Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartdistrict.com


All levels of Scene Study, includes Preparation Technique.

The Lyndon Technique

The NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide during COVID19 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Online Booking Class
Amy Lyndon personally hand picks scenes specifically designed to improve skills and stretch each of her students. The scenes are sent via email up to two days before each class and each student individually prepares his or her scene as if it were a real audition using “The 15 Guideline Map to Booking Technique.” The goal is to BOOK IT ON THE FIRST TAKE. Feedback is based solely on the technique. If a student has an audition they can send the scene to us in advance for approval.

Self Tape Critique Class
Watch and learn as celebrity booking coach Amy Lyndon critiques self tapes during this live class. Send a self tape – one scene up to two minutes long – that you have previously submitted to an audition for feedback as to what you might be missing in order to BOOK THE JOB. 

The Clyde Bernardy Acting Studio

NoHo Online Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Audition Technique / Script Analysis
Believe it or not, we are not a studio for ‘actors’…actors complain about the auditions they’re getting, or not getting, who their agent is, or isn’t. Actors complain. But artists…artists, we LOVE. Artists want to grow and push. Artists are willing to be uncomfortable and TRY, and BE, and sometime FAIL. Artists are willing to risk because they must. Artists do because they LOVE. So to be a true ARTIST, let’s remind ourselves that we must know our CRAFT inside and out.That is the type of studio we are. It’s what we will continue to grow to be…a community of artists who know their craft. Even in these darker times. We are here, and we will continue to be as long as you are. Let’s use this time to get stronger, better, and brighter as artists! Let’s keep that spark!

Intentional Acting by Loren E. Chadima

The NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide during COVID19 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Live Online Group and Private Classes for Actors of All Ages: 8 – 13 Years, Teens and Adults
Hollywood casting will be up and running again. Not if — but when! Award-winning acting coach and director, Loren E. Chadima has developed these online classes to make sure you’re ready on day one. Let’s use this downtime to keep your acting muscles strong and your instincts sharp, so you stay connected to your passion and on top of your game. We focus on script breakdown, character development, comedy and yes – even on-camera techniques.

Richard Lawson Studios

NoHo Online Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Online Classes and Workshops Mission:
• Inspire artists and professionals to aspire to greatness and empower them to pursue their dreams
• Provide the motivation to clearly define their goals and dreams
• Offer training and tools to fully actualize their aspirations
• Transcend limitations and borders to distribute their products in a variety of mediums and deliver their message to anyone, anywhere

Youth Acting Biz

NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Youth Acting Biz
Youth Acting Biz has acting classes for kids, tweens and teens. Our classes focus on improv and various acting techniques. We work on scripts from commercials, tv and film.

You have seen/heard our students on Nickelodeon, Disney, Cartoon Network, CBS, etc. and on National Commercials.

We have an industry day at the end of the session, where students are taught by a professional in casting, agency, management or development.

The Biz Studio
Introducing, The Biz Studio, classes for Adults in stand up and acting.  

Actors Ave

NoHo Online Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

On Camera Technique
Our class curriculum entails improv, accents, cold reads, slates, commercials, and theatrical scenes for tv and film. Each actor is on camera multiple times during class, and all work is watched at the end of class. The style of our class prepares you for auditioning, booking, and working on set.

Our teacher, Michael Petrone has booked over 80 national commercial spots, multiple co-stars/guest stars/series regulars. He’s also directed national commercials, reality shows, tv pilots, and films. He is currently still a working actor and director who has recently launched a new podcast, “The Insiderz” for actors where he is sharing all his knowledge for actors to utilize and be successful in the business. Also on the podcast are experienced casting directors Megan and Chuck Foley. 

Gray Studios LA

NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

All classes are online! 

Diane Christiansen Coaching

The NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide during COVID19 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Zoom Classes for Ages 6 to Adult.
Award-winning classes that set a standard of training that is critical in our industry for the last 28 years!! All ages 6 to adult and all levels welcome at deeply discounted prices! Our actors WORK!!! 

Zoom classes run in 6-week sessions given by Master Coach and On Set Coach for Disney and Nickelodeon, Diane Christiansen and renowned feature film on set coach, Tess Christiansen.

Clay Banks Studio International

The NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide during COVID19 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

All CBSI classes are in session! online, on Zoom! and, now…you can join us from anywhere in the world! 
You haven’t done a zoom class with CBSI yet, let’s get going! The detailed work being done in these classes is exceptional, we really dig deep and our intricate process at CBSI makes us focus in on script analysis, emotional intimacy and camera techniques like no other studio, our acting operations are done with a laser, like Michael Caine says. The work the actor’s are doing online is pretty sensational! So, right now… for all of you, your friends and fellow actor buddies… we’re offering FREE AUDITS. Jump in and get ready to listen to our inspirational acting coach veteran and backstage industry expert Clay Banks, get motivated, learn and grow! Now, get ready to have a creatively new and exciting Corona Acting Class experience with CBSI! 

Melissa Skoff Acting Workshop

Melissa Skoff Acting Workshop

One hour private Skype classes taught by veteran casting director & coach, Melissa Skoff.
Fine tune your audition and on-set skills by learning to go to the heart of the character and the core of the scene without much time to prepare! Get ready now–there will be lots of roles to cast when we go back to work! Melissa has helped some of today’s biggest stars and working actors realize their dream.

Lauren Patrice Nadler Studios

The NoHo Online Acting Class Guide

Now offering ONLINE CLASSES!
Give yourself (or your client) the advantage of powerful, masterful training, and build career momentum. Lauren’s online classes, just like her live classes, are always potent and powerful!

Lauren’s teachings cross all barriers. She will always find the truth whether in person or online, but this new format gives her the opportunity to “zoom” in, up close and personal, with a heightened focus on finding your truth, environment, and script analysis.

Until we are all back in live, become a part of the excitement. Use this extra time to your advantage and invest in your career.

LA Connection Comedy Theatre

The NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide during COVID19 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Online improv classes and performance.
Four consecutive classes once a week for 90 minutes each. Limit 11 actors per class with instructor. Cost $95. Classes will be teaching improv games geared towards Television and the internet. The 4th class will be a show performance of the games learned and posted on YouTube or an internet site for students to view, download for their acting reel and tell your family and friends to watch worldwide. We have kids, teens and adult classes on various days and nights of the week to fit folks schedule and improv background.

And for a special treat.

Wizards’ Playhouse

The NoHo ONLINE Acting Class Guide during COVID19 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Online Magic Lessons for All Ages
Learn how to do magic with cards and everyday objects.
30 minute, 1hour, 90 minute, one-on-one sessions and groups. 


**** 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 May 7

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NoHo News: Sidewalk Singers. Shop Local. Acting Classes Go Online. NoHo Restaurants. Some Music. Save NoHo Theatres.


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: Sidewalk Singers. Shop Local. Acting Classes Go Online. NoHo Restaurants. Some Music. Save NoHo Theatres.

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.

 

And Now the Darkness: a Film Noir Sampler

Perhaps you’re laughed out by now (especially after reading my “No Time for Comedy” article last week—insert smiley face here).

For me, after movie comedy, my next preferred genre consists of films in the NOIR family. Now of course, if NOIR were a family, it would be a dysfunctional one at that, filled with such disparate types as the wrong man, the vengeful man, the desperate man, the ex-con, the escaped con, the fatalistic man, the femme fatale, the hardboiled private eye, the greedy gangland boss (or financier), the corrupt cop, the innocent female (who represents the “hero’s” shot at redemption), the cackling coot on the sidelines, the naïve, all-too-trusting individual, the poor slob who has “early, untimely death” written all over his forehead and many others If they gathered for dinner, there would be recriminations and accusations a-plenty—along with plenty of snappy dialogue. Perhaps one might even contribute a voiceover (a specialty in NOIR which doesn’t seem to work nearly as well anywhere else) so that an uninvited guest can decipher the relationships and twists and turns of the conversations. And of course there would be the low-key lighting that lends itself to black-and-white—should you want to get a picture.

Since I would want you to conserve your funds (perhaps for the bottle of booze that you’ll want by your side while enjoying your noir feature), many of these films are available for free on YouTube – including ones you might not expect. Here is a very subjective list of some excellent films in the NOIR family that will envelop you in the darkness—gladly—should you desire to.

If you’re a Dan Duryea fan (and who isn’t), there are many Duryea noir classics that can be found on YouTube (many of them also on Amazon Prime—which is free if you’re a Prime member—but there is a yearly fee for that). You can start with The Woman in the Window and Scarlet Street, two seminal noirs co-starring Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett (both directed by Fritz Lang). Each has got the trusting soul (Robinson) at the mercy of others who might take advantage (Bennett, Duryea). Both have good dialogue, some good plot twists and satisfying payoffs (including the controversial wrap-up for Woman in the Window). There are some lesser Duryeas that are worth looking at (Larceny, Johnny Stool Pigeon.  But if you’re a Duryea fan, you can’t go wrong with his performance as the slimy private eye in Manhandled (he’s great, the rest is OK) and more importantly Black Angel, starring Duryea as a lovelorn pianist who tries to help a young woman clear her condemned husband. Heartbreaking, powerful—and proof that there was more to Duryea than people originally thought. (And by the way (shameless plug coming) my favorably reviewed book (from Film Comment and Sight and Sound) Dan Duryea: Heel with a Heart is out in paperback this September. End of shameless plug.

John Garfield fans can find two NOIR classics on YouTube. Body and Soul is here in a good print, and it’s one of Garfield’s most popular films and he is in top form as the boxer caught up in a corrupt business. For my money though, the essential Garfield film is Michael Curtiz’s The Breaking Point and it’s also currently on YouTube (with foreign subtitles, but try to overlook them). Garfield’s Harry Morgan, a fishing boat skipper trying to make ends meet, entering into some shady dealings, and espousing Hemingway’s famous “A man alone ain’t got no chance” It’s also a film that Garfield had a good deal of creative input on, especially as to the shaping of Morgan’s character. Underappreciated at the time, The Breaking Point is a superb film and essential NOIR viewing.

Richard Conte is also well-represented here. You can see the charismatic Conte charming, cruel and sadistic in The Big Combo opposite Cornel Wilde’s determined, plodding, and occasionally hapless detective. The Blue Gardenia, minor but still entertaining Fritz Lang, is also here (albeit under a foreign name—look for Azul in the title). However, you can also find New York Confidential, one of those 1950s crime expose films, and Conte is in good form as a hit man with divided loyalties, alongside Broderick Crawford as crime chief Lupo, burdened with a rebellious daughter (Anne Bancroft), a crumbling empire, and bad digestion. 

Finally, here are two of my favorite corrupt cop films – both films in which a cop takes advantage of his position to murder some poor criminal slob who happens to be carrying a big wad of dough. In Shield for Murder, brutal cop Edmund O’Brien will stop at nothing to achieve the American Dream via a middle-class home in suburbia, while Pushover has Fred MacMurray (ten years past Double Indemnity) falling for gangster’s moll Kim Novak and plotting to relieve said gangster of the ill-gotten gains from a bank job. It’s a film that should be better known—so see it.

Content Marketing Strategies to Help Your Painting Business Thrive

Content marketing is a balance between art and science. A logical, strategic approach is necessary for success, as is having the right combinations of words and imagery to create an emotional response.

Fortunately for painters, the creativity is already there— it’s just figuring out how to put it all together to make the business thrive. Here are some effective content marketing strategies for painting businesses.

Identify Your Ideal Customer

Before you delve into how to reach your customers, you need to consider who you’re trying to reach. For artistic businesses, it’s hard to see beyond the creative process and consider who will connect with your work. However, if you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you’ll likely identify some overarching customer characteristics.

Consider the various aspects of their life. Your customer will be someone who has the disposable income to purchase your art. Depending on your style, your art might be more attractive to certain genders or age groups. Identifying these various pieces will help you craft your messaging to ensure that the initial reaction to your work converts into a sale.

Create an Engaging Landing Page

Having a well-designed website is a given for building a thriving painting business. However, if you really want to stand apart, you need a stellar landing page.

Landing pages often act as the first impression for your business. Your landing page should be impactful and immediate. Rather than encouraging visitors to your site to scroll, give them a clear call-to-action and navigation that funnels them to a sales page. 

Successful painting businesses, such as Instapainting, execute this strategy exceptionally well. The page is simple and to the point, offering a direct route to the sales page. This directness indicates what’s expected of the customer. While there are details about FAQs regarding shipping and pricing as you scroll onward, this approach prevents getting lost in the noise and gets right to the good stuff.

Create an actionable landing page with SEO keywords that speak both to Google and your customers.

Use Local SEO

While digital marketing and online sales are huge for creative businesses, many painting businesses thrive by being omnipresent. Thus, local SEO is essential for success in a content marketing strategy. By adding this to your priority list, you can ensure that your content reaches people in your area.

Claim your Google My Business profile and ensure that it’s up to date with your information. You’ll also want to ensure that local information is conveyed clearly on your site and social media pages.

When crafting content, use location-driven wording. It might seem pretentious to call yourself the “best painting business in New Jersey,” but doing so will help you rise to the top of the Google SERP.

Use Visually-Driven Social Media Marketing

Whether you have an artistic painting business or paint rooms for a living, you have the benefit of owning a visually-driven business. This is a blessing in the social media era, where photos have more of an impact than words. While other businesses struggle to find the right imagery, visual stimulation is your business. 

When it comes to connecting visually, Instagram is a fantastic platform for building a marketing strategy around. Focus on getting high-quality photos of your work and pairing them with artistic and locally-driven hashtags. Instagram has also introduced shoppable posts and vanity links for high-follower accounts. Focusing on growth and creating a streamlined sales process is a fantastic way to create an effective painting business content marketing strategy. 

Create Content with Sharing in Mind

As previously mentioned, having a visually-charged business is a blessing in content marketing. Everything you post should have an underlying goal to be created with sharing in mind. This will be one of the most effective ways to expand your audience and generate leads.

Consider mixing photos and videos. Take your audience behind the scenes and show them how you work. Content marketing is a form of storytelling, and when it comes to art, everyone wants to know your story. Talk about how you got started, where you find your inspiration or tips and tricks that will engage your audience.

Your painting business can be a success with the right content marketing strategy in place. Choose a few focal points to start, set actionable goals, and work on implementing your new content strategy.

Here’s the NoHo News for April 30

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NoHo News: Acting Classes Go Online. NoHo Restaurants. Some Music.S ave NoHo Theatres.

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: Acting Classes Go Online. NoHo Restaurants. Some Music.S ave NoHo Theatres.  

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.

 

Deja Vu, a Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

A band can practice a song and learn the chords, but unless there is a type of synchronicity that brings a band to a place where they are jamming and locked into a mode where they are all on the same wave length, it just won’t create the same spark.

Deja Vu, a tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, is such a band. If in doubt take a listen to their rendition of “Ohio” and then tell LA Music Scene how much they remind you of the original act doing “Ohio.”

Founded by Jim Wootten, Deja Vu has a very capable assemblage of fine musicians that very concisely emulate the original members of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. The intricate harmonies that are their trademark are beautifully reproduced as well as the musical arrangements that replicate the “dueling” guitar work between Stills and Young. Deja Vu was conceived in 2015. Wootten plays the keyboard and sings the Nash vocals.

Deja Vu is not Wootten’s first trip down the tribute band route though and some of you might recognize his name as belonging to the musician that plays John Paul Jones in the best Led Zeppelin tribute band Led Zepagain. All the remaining members of Led Zeppelin and Jason Bonham have come to see this band perform their legendary songs that Hint at another realm beyond the veil. Led Zepagain have been on “World’s Greatest Bands” on AXS TV more than once and have garnered critical acclaim. Wootten joined Led Zepagain in 2001 and the rest is history.

Other tribute bands that Wootten has played with are: Heart Of Gold which is a Neil Young tribute act, Taylor Made Tapestry which is a tribute to Carole King and James Taylor and In The Long Run which is an Eagles tribute band. Wootten’s performances in each act fits comfortably like a well worn pair of favorite slippers. His performances appear easy and yet well played with attention to his characters’ trademark traits.

Although Wootten’s favorite venue is the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, he has played at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theater with Led Zepagain, The Long Run and Taylor Made Tapestry. The most recent performance was last November 5th with Taylor Made Tapestry. This gig also would have been his father’s 98th birthday.

Wootten’s father was Red Wootten who was a talented bass player in big bands such as Benny Goodman and Woody Herman. He also was Ol’ Blue Eyes himself Frank Sinatra’s Bass player. Although Jim Wootten plays bass in most of his bands, his focus is more Rock oriented while his father was more given to playing Jazz and Country music. But, there are subtle similarities in their stylings.

Jim Wootten began playing at age 12, but didn’t play in a band until age 16. His first tribute band was called Revolver and was a Beatles’ tribute band. He learned to play the piano and guitar so he could adequately play Paul McCartney. Learning to play piano and guitar would eventually lead him to Led Zepagain and the role of John Paul Jones.

As to why Wootten likes to play in tribute bands he states, “I love playing in tribute bands because of the challenge to replicate the original recordings exactly how they are performed on a record. That expectation doesn’t necessarily exist in a regular cover band.” LA Music Scene believes that expectation is why he is considered by many to be a leader in his chosen field…tribute bands. According to Wootten, playing in The Long Run, we are guessing that this applies to all his tribute bands, “the most challenging part of playing in The Long Run is keeping the harmonies tight and blended. Frequent vocal rehearsals are a necessity.”

As to how he’s been spending his Coronavirus downtime, Wootten tells us that he mainly is learning new material for the various tribute bands that he is in and keeping up with social media posts to keep the bands present online during this time of inactivity. This worked for Wootten as it was a video post of “Ohio” on Deja Vu’s Instagram account That made us stop and say wait a minute. A seminole song by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young that bursts with the energy that made them great.

Also keeping busy during the Coronavirus quarantine is LA Music Scene favorite Julian Shah-Taylor who has figured out a way to keep present on the internet by having a livestream show via Facebook. Shah-Taylor’s David Bowie tribute act The Band That Fell To Earth: A David Bowie Odyssey is featured on Saturdays. This next show is #5 for him and seems to be doing very well. The next show will be a “Bowie Electronic Dance Party” and is set to begin at 4pm. This electric homage to the #electricduke is sure to tickle your dance bone so listen and cut loose like LA MusicScene always does when attending one of his shows.

The show comes to you live from Tardis Studio, Altadena, CA. Shah-Taylor has recently dropped The Singularity moniker for his soon to be released single “Living In A Dream.” The single is slated for a May 25th release on Spotify and your other digital platforms. “Living In A Dream” is an unencumbered tune that flows nicely and reminds us of a fun romp into the 80’s dance tunes.

Shah-Taylor was recently signed by Metal Maven Vicky Hamilton’s record label Dark Spark Music. Hamilton describes “Living In A dream” as a modern Psychedelic, New Wave, Electro Rocker. Kind of like Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is In The Heart” where they get all psychedelic and has a cool beat me thinks.

https://promo.theorchard.com/YFsaftNRze9PBGR3abTc

How I’m Coping

We all know what’s going on with the world today and with that, we experience and cope differently. 

I’m one who goes every day.  Like many, my free time is spent running daily errands.  Marketing, banking, post office, etc., along with occasional walk.  But today, all that has come to a screeching halt.  What are we to do? 

Well, I for one have taken much more to social media for communication.  I still text, email and actually talk on the phone.  But that only goes so far for me.  And I can only watch so much tv or even read.

I’m completing projects around the house which is what satisfies me for now.  I’ve found the time to work on the little things.  Here’s what I’m doing.

  1. Moved art and accessory pillows around the living room. Gives the room a new feeling. 
  2. Cleaned out my closet. I donated clothes and shoes I no longer wore.  The extra room allowed me to really organize it.  I organize by shirt style and then color.  Same with my pants.
  3. I finally added that third coat of paint in my guest bathroom. Looks so much better.
  4. I did spring cleaning. Washed down walls, cleaned baseboards, organized under the bathroom vanities, added new drawer liners and cleaned chandeliers. Did some touch up painting on trim and baseboards.

I’m sure there’s more to do, but this is enough for now.  As I opened with, we all cope differently.  This list is what makes me happy and gets me through this time at home.  If it doesn’t work for you, that’s OK.  We all find our own way.  Just stay safe and be healthy.

Enjoy!

Free Movies to Help Theater Employees

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A Night at the Movies to help support the movie theater employees during COVID-19.

Arclight Cinemas, Will Rogers Pioneers Assistance Fund, have partnered o to celebrate their love for cinema and to support the people who make our theaters so extraordinary.

The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation is an organization dedicated to helping workers throughout the motion picture industry. The foundation is currently providing financial assistance to theater employees furloughed by the COVID-19 crisis.

You can help by making a donation Lionsgate YouTube Channel: . 

Free movies will livestream on Fridays at 6:00pm PT/9:00pm ET

Lionsgate YouTube Channel:

Live website: Lionsgate.live

Fandango’s Movieclips YouTube Page

May 1 – “La La Land”

Free Movies to Help Theater Employees via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

May 8 – “John Wick” (age registration required)

Free Movies to Help Theater Employees 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.

Who Says It’s No Time for Comedy?

I’m thinking that unless you’re an essential worker, you’ve been home a number of weeks.

I’m also guessing you’ve made a meal out of Netflix, bingeing on this show or that show, and in my previous article, I did sing the praises of this streaming service. (I did leave out certain shows that I’ve caught up with since, including The Stranger, Safe, Collateral, and Unorthodox—all limited-run series of eight episodes or less, and all worthwhile). However, for this entry in the “Be Your Own Programmer” series, I suggest you look unto You…as in YouTube.

Many people might consider YouTube to be a place for goofy clips, videos from aspiring web stars (or by now, established web celebrities—or a place to see the latest “cat” video. If you’re a movie fan though, and especially a classic movie fan without access to TCM or a streaming service that costs money, YouTube contains a wealth of options. In this piece, I’d like to share some suggestions in the realm of movie comedy, since there are many opportunities to re-acquaint yourself with a classic, or introduce yourself to that classic (or unsung film) that has escaped your radar.

For instance, if you’re a Bob Hope fan as I am (and I’m talking 40s and 50s Hope to be certain—not the threadbare, tired fare of the 1960s), there is so much to choose from. A few Hope/Crosby/Lamour “Road” films are there for free including Road to Rio (next to Road to Utopia, my favorite “Road” movie—it’s also on YouTube but you have to pay to rent Utopia) and Road to Bali (not their best, but very enjoyable). You can also enjoy Hope’s private-eye spoof My Favorite Brunette (a pristine print), Nothing But the Truth (with Paulette Goddard),and the swashbuckling send-up Monsieur Beaucaire.  The holiday staple The Lemon Drop Kid is also available, as well as two relatively lesser-known Hope vehicles: The Great Lover (grainy print but prime Hope, co-starring Rhonda Fleming), and That Certain Feeling, co-starring Eva Marie Saint and George Sanders. This one has yet to be released on DVD, which is a shame since it has Hope playing…well, himself, but with a little more dimension and a more character-driven story. Worth seeing.

Perhaps you’re fond of Jerry Lewis? You can choose between the Jerry Lewis of Dean (Martin) and Jerry or the Jerry Lewis that struck out on his own (perhaps a poor turn of phrase). If you like Dean and Jerry (there are hints in these films of the fine comedian Martin would become), you can see That’s My Boy, You’re Never Too Young, and their final teaming, the underrated Hollywood or Bust. If you need your Jerry solo, Rock a Bye, Baby, The Sad Sack (co-starring Peter Lorre), Visit to a Small Planet all have their charms. (I also discovered a more recent Lewis opus filmed in France: The Defective Detective—only see it if you need to see how he squandered the good will he earned after King of Comedy.)

If you desire your comedy to have a tad more sophistication, it’s hard to go wrong with Cary Grant (well, you can—just try Kiss Them for Me), and several of his classic comedies (and even comic thrillers) are here, in good prints and free of charge. His Girl Friday is here in a pristine print, as are two of his other collaborations with Howard Hawks, I Was a Male War Bride and Monkey Business (no Marx Brothers, but Marilyn Monroe and Ginger Rogers). You can also catch the peerless Charade with Audrey Hepburn and Walter Matthau as well as Indiscreet, re-teaming with Ingrid Bergman in a sublime romantic comedy of manners.

And since I’m a Jack Lemmon fan, I do want to draw your attention to two movies that may have slipped your attention. How to Murder Your Wife , co-starring Terry-Thomas and Virna Lisi has plenty of laughs (though it might be considered “politically incorrect” these days. Also—spoiler alert—no wives are actually murdered in this film) The real gem is The April Fools, a wistful, charming pairing with Catherine Deneuve that also has fine supporting turns by Peter Lawford, Myrna Loy and Charles Boyer.

I haven’t mentioned the Marx Brothers, because aside from the entertaining (but minor) A Night in Casablanca, there aren’t any full-length Marx Brothers classics. You can though see Groucho, Chico and Harpo in assorted classic clips, either together or separately. There is also a fine documentary, The Unknown Marx Brothers, that is well worth seeing. because, Goodness knows, there is enough to be concerned and even depressed over, (especially if you watch the news on a semi-regular basis), but I do hope that some of these choices can help bring a smile, and even a chuckle (or two).

8 Tips To Create Your Own Instagram Mask

As one of the most popular social media platforms, Instagram attracts billions of users from all over the world to post all types of content every day and promote their business or personal achievements.

The versatility and quality of content are of paramount importance for the number of followers and their engagement with your posts.

There are simple ways to get Instagram followers; one of those ways is to buy a certain number from an online agency. Nevertheless, your dedication and creativity will always be your primary weapons as they allow you to offer uniqueness and build authenticity as a brand feature.

Nowadays, Instagram masks are a popular feature that people mainly use in their Stories. Funny, viral, and engaging, covers allow us to advertise our brand and raise interest in our future projects simply by giving the people something to have fun with. If you’re thinking about creating a mask that will help your brand growth, here are eight simple tips that should get you on the right track.

Get the right software

The advent of Augmented Reality gave birth to a series of simple software tools that we can use to create all sorts of interesting digital content that interacts with real-life objects. One of the most popular options is SparkAR Studio is a specialized piece of software built by Facebook developers that allows regular users to create their own mask design seamlessly.

SparkAR Studio is free and easy to install, equipped with all the necessary tools to create your own mask. You can download the installation app from Facebook; all you need is an active account.

Learn from the best

It’s not easy designing your own mask, especially if you didn’t have any previous experience with this type of content. Therefore, it’s best if you take some time and see how the professionals are creating their design. This way, you can learn some nice tricks that later will allow you to develop unique Instagram masks that people would be happy to use in their posts.

Numerous YouTube videos show how to use a piece of software best, overcome design issues, and a series of other tips and tricks you’d otherwise need to figure out on your own. Estefannie Explains It All recently uploaded an amazing video that shows how to make a mask in 10 minutes. It’s a short clip that’s focused on basic steps, which makes it perfect for users without a tech background.

Plan your design carefully

If you’re promoting a business, you should understand that simply making a mask out of your brand logo won’t be quite enough because people aren’t eager to put your insignia on their face, unless it’s a world-known logo. Try to come up with a design solution that reflects your brand culture, goals, or otherwise could be associated with your company identity.

Since statistics show that younger demographics mainly use Instagram stories, create a survey, and find out what the young generation finds interesting about your business. This could be a great source of ideas for design because you’ll know in which direction you need to go.

Use your products for inspiration

Let’s say you’re selling custom sunglasses, and you want to use masks to increase your sales, which is an amazing business plan. You can use product images and create masks that will allow your followers to try on your products and share their photos or videos with friends.

This applies to any type of product or service; it takes just a bit of imagination and knowing your audience.

Test before you publish

You don’t want to create a mask that doesn’t work properly because people will avoid it, no matter how fascinating your design could be. Test your design with friends or coworkers to see if there are any issues with different ethnicities, shapes, sizes, or movements.

You want to publish a fully functioning mask that will work great anywhere and anytime, no matter who’s using it. Many masks look great in the daylight, but in a dark environment simply make no sense.

Follow the guidelines

Before your mask could be made available for users, it needs to be verified, which is a process that could take a few days. SparkAR Studio will upload your content as soon as it checks that your mask design is not breaking any of their parameters.

The guidelines are mainly focused on preventing people from publishing offensive or inappropriate content, which means you’ll probably have all of your masks published just as long as you’re not trying to promote violence, pornography, or hate.

Leverage holidays seasons and special events

If you take on mask design as a regular marketing strategy, you should keep in mind national holidays as well as globally celebrated events. Statistics show that people used masks in their Stories during the Christmas period and Valentine Day’s in much higher volume than regular filters or non-filtered images and videos.

The same goes for popular sports events like the FIFA World Cup, NFL Super Bowl, or Olympics.

Check out the competition

When in pursuit of fresh ideas, we should always check out what our more successful competitors are doing. See which types of masks are best received among the audience to generate your creative ideas and produce a mask that your followers would be interested in. However, no matter how appealing it might seem, don’t just copy/paste other people’s ideas; provide your own take on competitors’ solution.

Conclusion

Thanks to advanced software solutions, we don’t need to be design experts to create amazing Instagram masks. However, the tips we provided should let you in on some of the most important elements of the mask development process. Us these pieces of advice to create engaging and interesting content that will both amuse your followers and promote your brand, allowing you to reach more people and expand your market influence. 

Here’s the NoHo News for April 23

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NoHo News: Shop4Seniors. It’s a Dance-a-thon! Save NoHo Theatres. Restaurants. Some Music. Call for Online Classes.

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: Shop4Seniors. It's a Dance-a-thon! Save NoHo Theatres. Restaurants. Some Music. Call for Online Classes.

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.

 

Shop4Seniors

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The NoHo Motto should really be: “NoHo is only as great as its people.”

Meet Mary Jerejian. She works with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, is an online master’s student at Cal State University, Northridge, and she interns in Councilman Krekorian’s NoHo Arts District office.

Mary launched Shop4Seniors, a grocery shopping service for seniors during COVID-19. She noticed a need after visiting her grandparents in North Hollywood and hearing their fears on the virus.

Seniors give Mary their contact information, where they typically shop and their shopping list. Then Mary or one of her volunteers shop for the groceries and deliver them directly to the senior.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-lUCMDnCXu/

How can people volunteer?

People are able to volunteer by sending me an email at maryjerejian2@gmail.com with their name, reimbursement options for purchasing groceries, and the areas they are willing to deliver to.

What are some safety precautions for volunteers?

In regards to safety precautions, I want to make sure that we are still following the recommended precautions given by the healthcare organizations. Volunteers are required to wear masks, and leave the groceries at the door. If the senior is reimbursing with cash or check, they will leave it by the door or in a mailbox when the volunteer lets them know that they have arrived.

What do seniors need the most? Seniors who contact Shop4Seniors have varied items on their grocery lists. Many of them have health concerns so we need to make sure the grocery lists are specific for the volunteers to get the right items.

Shop4Seniors via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

How can seniors sign up?

Seniors can sign up by emailing me with their name, address, and grocery list! From there, I will set them up with a volunteer.

Anything you’d like to highlight?

Additions: this is a great way for the younger population to connect with our elderly populations! It builds community despite the circumstances.

CONTACT

EMAIL MARY>>

FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM 

**** 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. 

 

Tips for Preventing Sleep Deprivation

Do you feel that you get enough sleep every night?

Or, do you feel fatigued throughout the day, always turning to caffeine to keep you going?

If you aren’t getting at least seven hours of sleep each night, then you might be sleep deprived. This means that you aren’t getting adequate sleep and your body is suffering the consequences as a result.

Sleep deprivation is dangerous because it affects your cognition and performance, which is problematic in a situation like driving. Unfortunately, of all U.S. workers, a third sleep for less than seven hours each night.

With so many sleep-deprived workers, public roads and working environments are unsafe. The answer to this is combating sleep deprivation, which begins with getting more sleep of higher quality.

We’ll go over a few good techniques for staving off sleep deprivation below.

Develop a Sleep Routine

One of the most effective things you can do is to develop a sleep routine.

This means going to bed at roughly the same time each night and having a sequence of actions you take before sleeping.

For example, you might choose to sleep at 10 PM each night. At 9 PM, you have a cup of sleepy tea.

30 minutes later, you brush your teeth and wash your face. Before falling asleep, you read a chapter from a good book.

If this is something that you do each night, then it becomes a sleep routine. This is beneficial because your body will become familiar with this routine and expect it.

After making it a habit, your sleep routine will adjust your body’s internal clock to be tired when you typically go to bed. This will make it easier for you to get adequate rest when you do go to sleep.

Another advantage of a sleep routine is that going to bed will feel natural. If you’re someone who doesn’t feel tired and struggles to force yourself to sleep, then sleeping can be difficult.

On the other hand, making it habitual requires less thought and mental effort. You’ll go through your routine without questioning it, becoming naturally sleepy by the end of it.

Avoid Naps

You should also make a point to avoid naps during the day.

This may seem counterintuitive as you may use naps to compensate for lost sleep. While naps can be useful, they often do more harm than good.

When you take a nap, it’s usually in the middle of the day. This means that you get a burst of energy midday, which will make you less tired come night time.

As a result, you’ll have a tougher time falling asleep at night. This will lead to you staying up later, which will perpetuate the cycle of getting poor sleep and feeling like you need a nap to get through the day.

The other dangers of napping include oversleeping and feeling groggy afterward. You might not hear your alarm and sleep longer than you should.

If you do wake up, it might not align with your sleep cycle. Instead, you may wake during the middle of one and feel tired. 

Napping is more of a bandaid fix and it does not address the core issue. Continuing to nap will push you further away from getting a genuinely good night of rest.

No Alcohol and Caffeine at Night

Another important tip is to refrain from alcohol and caffeine at night.

Caffeine is excellent for keeping you awake, but this is problematic when it lingers into the night. You need to be conscious of when you’re consuming it so that it doesn’t affect you at night.

One of the most tempting times for caffeine is the early afternoon. This is when you might want a nap or a cup of coffee most, but caving in can affect your sleep at bedtime.

Try to stay away from caffeine for a minimum of four hours before sleeping, preferably closer to eight just to be safe.

Then there’s the issue of alcohol. As you may be aware, drinking alcohol can affect your quality of sleep. It often leads to poor and disrupted sleep, leaving you feeling unrested when you awake.

You aren’t likely to drink during the day, but it’s important to not drink too close to the time that you sleep. You should stop drinking at least three hours before sleeping to not impact your sleep quality.

As tempting as it may be, stick to non-carbonated, non-caffeinated, and non-alcoholic beverages like water and juice later in the day to help you fall asleep.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is another good cure for sleep deprivation.

Exercise is often linked to better energy levels, but it’s also useful for tiring yourself out. The timing of your workout is important here because you want to be in bed when you start to run out of energy.

Your best option is to work out earlier in the day to get an early burst of endorphins. These are hormones that are useful for several things, relaxation being one of them. Working out will inevitably cause you to feel exhausted later in the day.

You want to avoid exercising close to bedtime because this can have the same effect as drinking caffeine before bed. You don’t want to feel energized late at night, which working out will do.

Exercising has countless benefits and better sleep is one that you’ll appreciate.

Prioritize Sleep

As a final consideration, you should be prioritizing sleep.

You can hear that something matters repeatedly, but it won’t sink in until you understand the gravity of the situation. In other words, you need to understand why sleep matters.

When you understand why you need to sleep, you’ll realize how important it is. Sleeping is essential for healing your body, keeping you healthy, optimizing performance, and countless other benefits.

This is important because understanding why something matters makes you know why you need to do it. As a result, you’ll feel more incentive to get enough sleep each night.

Make your bedroom a perfect and comfortable space for sleeping. With a cozy and inviting sleeping environment, you’ll feel excited about getting your nightly rest instead of dreading it.

Closing Thoughts

Sleep deprivation plagues millions of people across the globe and it can be a difficult issue to address. It’s easy to become sleep deprived as sleep gets neglected in favor of tending to obligations that you have.

Despite this, you need to focus on getting as much sleep as possible. A few tactics for fighting off sleep deprivation include developing a sleep routine, avoiding naps, refraining from caffeine and alcohol at night, regular exercise, and prioritizing sleep.

While you may have a busy schedule, fitting in a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night will do you a world of wonders. It’ll make you feel much better and you’ll be far more effective at tackling everything on your agenda.

Did COVID-19 Bring Digital Transformation? Here Are the Ways to Go Faster

Digital Transformation was a strategy that quite a few sectors of the tertiary sector had been exploiting even before the onset of COVID – 19.

However, for quite a few others, the makeshift change after the revelation of the pandemic causing virus has turned to an active approach to digital transformation. Let us explore some of the areas which have faced the most compelling transformation in the face of this situation.

Automation and computers

For the first time all over the world, a large section of the workforce has discovered the idea of work from home, which was not appreciated earlier. Kiara, who offers online assignment help Perth services, says that in the wake of global lockdown, everyone from teachers to engineers, along with a wide section of employees from the service sector, are operating from their homes. It is possible by making use of telecommunication capabilities in novel ways. The current scenario has also spiked the users’ need for automation resources, making them available to their peers even in this time of isolation.

Edibles and minimarket commodities

For people who had to step out to buy their groceries, the same is now making its way right at their doorstep. In these perilous times, when stepping out is a problem, the digital space has stepped up to ensure that people have no lack of supply for essential commodities. The success of these ventures can be clearly manifested by the ‘sold out’ warnings on most commodities at the online stores from time to time. 

Digital Conducts

With a complete lockdown on all types of public gatherings and shows, the big players have shifted their entertainment budget to digital modes. Although it might be too early to say if people may actually like this type of content, it is the most promising avenue for the world audience so far. The intent for the same has been made hugely popular through social media networks across all platforms. Lily, who offers online python homework help is a huge lover of OTT platforms. She says that today we have a variety of digital platforms and devices to make this possible, even if we had not given them a thought before now. 

Cloud Computing

Imagine the kind of hurdles we would be facing if there were no cloud computing sources available to us today. Collaboration at a large scale has been made possible through cloud computing, and while it was not explicitly used by co-workers until a few days back, it is the full swinging tool we are using with much appreciation today. 

How to undergo a digital transformation?

It is plausibly one of the most vital questions for companies today! Call it the need of the hour, here are some tips to help you get started.

  1. Reengineer your business goals by keeping them focused on customer satisfaction. Robin, who offers the best affiliate marketing training online, says that at this point, you need your customers to stick with you, so the goal should be to offer solutions that make things easier for them.
  2. Enhance the chain of command to gather everyone on board with the re-engineered objective. Everyone must work with cohesiveness to get things done.
  3. Support your employees during this digital transformation stage by helping them embrace the benefits of this change.
  4. Get the leaders of the organization to motivate those below them and drive the change which the company needs to achieve.
  5. Streamline a digital strategy that must be integrated with all the processes within the company. You should craft a suitable strategy to make the digital transformation in an effective and efficient manner.
  6. Roxy, who offers write my essay for me online services, says that in the digital medium privacy and security is important. So, at all times, you should keep your focus on privacy, security, and ethics to ensure that no data is compromised at any stage.
  7. Craft suitable strategies for the evolution of products and services, right from sourcing raw materials to converting them and delivery channels.
  8. Choose a pervasive approach to digitization that covers all aspects and processes of the business and not just a few of them.
  9. At the end, design effective ways to draw customer feedback and suggestions while ensuring that they are satisfied as much as possible through the process of digital transformation.

Like any business reengineering process, digital transformation is an ongoing cycle, which must continue, adapting to changes in the dynamic business environment. Instead of scaling down your business operations during the ongoing COVID situation, you can leverage digital transformation as a means to overcome the competition.

It’s a 24-HOUR mL MOVE-A-THON!

***

What makes NoHo great? The people. It’s always the people.

We’re top fans of Movement Lifestyle aka mL. We’re fans of the entire team; from the Evaristo brother founders who created the studio vibe, the rich lineup of uber talented choreographers, the Gentle Ladies who take care of our summer dancers, the loving, helpful staff and all the dancers from everywhere on the planet who’ve found a home at mL. Their Instagram BIO says it all:

“Movement Lifestyle is a creative dance space/training facility where industry and community connect. Feel Good, Move Well.”

They’ve just celebrated 10 years of being an integral member of the NoHo Arts District. We’re proud to have mL in the district and want to make sure they remain the studio that creates the moves and the movers we love so much. So get ready to move and tune in to their “24-HOUR mL MOVE-A-THON” so we can help #keepmLmoving!

“24-HOUR mL MOVE-A-THON”
Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, April 26

This is a 24-hour livestream with classes by teachers all over the world featuring:

Ray Basa
Shay Latukolan
Andye J
King Charles
Johnny ‘JBlaze’ Erasme
Caetlyn Watson
Haeni Kim
Shaun Evaristo
… and more!

Join the MOVE-A-THON>>

Follow @movement.lifestyle on Instagram for more updates.

#keepmLmoving

**** 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. It’s a “24-HOUR mL MOVE-A-THON” at NoHo’s flagship dance studio Movement Lifestyle via the official NoHo Arts District Guide; www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Surviving COVID 19 Effects as an Artist or Musician

These are trying times, particularly to those who work in the entertainment industry, who have lost their jobs or at the verge of losing it due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Musicians make most of their income from live performances, and when there are strict measures to control the spread of the disease, live shows have been affected. It’s time to take advantage of the situation and apply some essential tips to remain relevant.

Marketing your Music during the Pandemic

For the small-time artists, there are people ready to buy music for their work, and you can advertise through the NoHo art district to get paid for tune creations. You also need to join online network groups to get your name and music out there. Create a social editorial calendar on https://www.shopify.com/retail/merchandise-marketing-calendar, to show off your launching plans and create momentum. Manage your social media and start-up new channels. Use Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube to develop excellent and engaging music content for your target audience. Remain active, respond to tags, answer questions, and participate in discussions.

Come up with creative video content; you can include music lessons; behind the scene footages, amusing quarantine videos and performances to impress your fans. Provide live streaming performances and try to reach out to a broader audience, and you can also sell your albums online through the live sessions. You may also need to perfect on your pitch, to get people more interested, present your music in a manner that shows confidence and expertise. Get physical, stage some mini-productions online to give people a hint of your performances and attract their interest. You can reach out to your past fans and ask them for referrals, also embrace email marketing to remind your clients of new hits or upcoming online events.

Ways to Support Artists and Musicians During Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus has brought the global concert business to a standstill, resulting in unprecedented levels of financial anxiety to event organizers and artists. We need to support them by buying their music through online sites since the physical supply chain has been disrupted. Treat yourself to that vinyl or t-shirt that you have always wanted, especially from independent artists, by making purchases directly from their websites. Also, go ahead and stream their music to compensate for the canceled tours. Other musicians are turning to platforms such as Facebook and YouTube to perform virtually, although they can’t get as much financial income as compared to a live performance, tune in and support them. If you had already bought a ticket to attend an event that you were looking forward to, don’t ask for an immediate refund. Some artists may be holding onto that to survive; thus, consider it as a saved gig for the future.

Conclusion

The unprecedented global crisis has pushed musicians to adopt new ways of relating to their audience to create liveliness. As artists use online strategies to keep their brand name relevant, participants will develop new sets of expectations based on aesthetic appeal.

Why you should consider doing walking holidays in the future

When you hear the word ‘holiday’ your mind may immediately leap to lounging by a pool or beach.

However, there is something to be said for a walking holiday. Whether you want to wander along the coast or discover some of Britain’s finest forests, a walking holiday offers you a new way of having an adventure. 

Discover New Places 

There are some places that you can only discover by foot. A walking holiday is a perfect time for you to immerse yourself in nature. You have all the time in the world to walk and take in the scenery around you. You’ll be amazed at some of the sights merely a couple of hours away from where you live. Ely to London King’s Cross, for instance, are worlds apart despite the short journey. Where would you like to explore locally?

Solo or Group

Perhaps you want to take in all the sights for yourself and truly be at one with nature. Or maybe you want to bring some friends or family along to make it an experience to share together. That’s the brilliance of a walking holiday, it’s the kind of getaway that lends itself to either solo or group travel. You can mold the experience to your exact liking.

Healthy Getaway 

A walking holiday is easily one of the most healthy holidays out there. You’re going to be active most of the time. The UK offers some of the most beautiful long-distance walks in the world. Whether you’re just starting out as a beginner, or want to take on a challenge you can find a route that will work for you. Plus, you can start of with a fairly easy distance, and then slowly but surely start going on more difficult tracks. You’ll be amazed by how much walking can help your fitness levels. 

Eco-Friendly 

Not only can a walking holiday benefit your health, but also the planet. By stepping out with a walking holiday, you’re cutting down your carbon footprint. Did you know that taking a long-haul flight can produce more C02 emissions than some citizens, in some countries, produce in a single year? Make sure while you’re walking to do your bit to help your surrounding environment, too. Don’t litter and respect any campfire rules that may be in place on the route.

A walking holiday could just be the kind of break you’re looking for. Have you got any good suggestions for spots to check out?

Debunking some myths of what dogs need and want in a walk.

Let’s keep talking about the walk.

Last blog I wrote in-depth about how the walk can and should become a job for your dog. As valuable as that might have sounded to some, there are still often some thoughts that creep in making us owners feel bad about not letting our dog explore more. I understand that so I wanted to debunk some myths behind those ideas.

If you were on the fence reading the last blog, here are some questions that might your mind and I’m hoping to really dive into them for you in the same way I would with a client, candidly and hopefully clearly.

Common comments/questions:

1). Doesn’t my dog need to experience the world like a dog and sniff around?
2). I want my dog to feel free and happy in their own neighborhood.
3). My dog is resisting a structured walk and I don’t want him to be unhappy.
4). This is the time my dog gets to check things out and it’s cruel to take that natural instinct away.

Now I know some of those examples are similar, but I wanted to give you a rough idea of what questions I regularly answer. I’m going to start by working backwards. 4). This is the time my dog gets to check things out and it’s cruel to take that natural instinct away.

Your dog getting to check things out should be reward based. The more things in your dog’s life that is reward based, the calmer and more balance you will see from your dog. It’s similar with people. We need to earn things or we get pretty messed up in the head not having any impulse control or boundaries. Hopefully, I can just leave that statement as is and move on.

Of course, I want dogs to sniff and explore, but if that isn’t earned and there isn’t a relationship between the two of us, the dog will often take that freedom to a point of it being dangerous. Dangerous seems like a dramatic word, but I mean it and have countless examples of that happening to people regularly. A very relatable one is bolting out the front door excitedly. Dogs, just like humans, need boundaries to work within, to test, prod, push, learn from and earn something out of. If they don’t have that, the frustration and confusion that comes with a lack of direction and always looking for the next thing to smell can show itself in a multitude of ways…even just crazy excitement with no self-awareness. They will blow through a front door, bolt TOWARDS a noise that startles them, jump on the elderly neighbor, etc.

My dogs get more freedom in the city than most dogs. The main reason why is the structured walk and the accountability I apply during that structured walk, which has enabled me to have the relationship to teach a structured recall (come command) when I need it and a relationship where they look to me for direction regularly. That way they are off leash a lot. The other is genetics. This plays a HUGE part in how hard it is to train your dog. They may not have the nerves to handle a bus, a dog barking at them and sirens in the same walk OR a dog out in the country with no distractions to work off of except one seemingly random bunny that takes off and you have the highest prey drive dog around. These are difficult daily scenarios for dogs and you can get very far with training, but not magically make them perfect. They are still animals. My point is many things factor in, which leads me to my next point…the exception.

Of course, I have met the exception to this rule more than a few times. Here are two quick examples. One was a little terrier. He pulled his owner around, sniffed where he wanted, resisted when his owner wanted to move on for a second, but then always followed. This dog had low prey drive (unusual genetics for a terrier) didn’t bark at dogs, but didn’t want to say hi to everyone either and had a nagging mild pulling motion on the leash. At home they did agility and that would really focus him and they had fun with that. Other than agility and only being allowed on the couch with permission, those were his only jobs and boundaries. He was great, no real issues. Much of that is genetics and that is a great life for him and the family. Second example was a lazy retriever mix I met. There was some mild barking at the front door at people, sounds, bird shadows, etc. Super easy to work through and their walk was a lazy dog that gradually went from bush to bush. He didn’t pull really and he calmly greeted people. He would have made a great therapy dog. Other than some play during the day and his lazy walk with a little more structure I added because of the indoor barking, this dog didn’t need any other job than that. I’m not rigid in my believe on the structured walk. I know their are 2-3 exceptions out there, haha. I just try to help the vast majority of people that don’t have those dogs.

Continuing our working backwards theme…

3). Your dog is resisting and you don’t want him to be unhappy.
Boy I’ve heard that a lot. I can easily argue your dog is unhappy because you haven’t taught him how to deal with stimuli and so he is struggling to listen. Also, it could be a really difficult/excited/overwhelmed dog. But out of those reasons, the biggest one is your dog just isn’t used to you telling him what to do and kind of doesn’t believe you if it’s something new you are doing. It takes time and consistency. None of us like change and dogs will resist change in many ways, some of those ways are even violent. I just see that as an opportunity to work further on relationship because clearly that is what is needed in many cases, however I do know there are some really difficult dogs to train to walk nicely on leash and you may need one on one professional guidance.

2). I want my dog to feel free and happy in their own neighborhood.
A dog doing whatever they want when they want is not happiness and often results in out of control behavior or is only happy until a challenge is presented to them. Then they loose their mind with adrenaline that causes prey drive, fight or flight, hyper levels of excitement and you have no control. It could be something simple like your dog not wanting to leave the dog bakery (yes that is a thing) and they lay down refusing to get up. It could be a dog that terrorizes the critters in the neighborhood. They pull you around potty-ing where they want and chasing cats and squirrels into trees, worrying the other animals intensely. They jump on people constantly and can’t seem to calm down. Those dogs are giving into every impulse and are spinning themselves out of control and that may look like happiness, but it’s not? My friends dog that got lost forever in the woods chasing a deer was pretty happy during the chase I imagine…but at what cost? We never knew what happened to him. I’d say teaching a calmer and more disciplined walk would help you connect with your dog rather then letting your dog just react to the world and terrorize others doing so. Happy or not, the structured walk would become the new “norm” and then your dog would earn permission to be free again with new and improved listening skills that don’t endanger them and others.

1). Doesn’t my dog need to experience the world and be a dog by sniffing?
Short answer is preferably, yes. I’d love that, but only when they are ready to handle the challenges that come with it and can both be structured and free. That is based around your influence with them in the difficult moments. Dogs that have the most freedom anywhere are usually the most well trained dogs. I’ll never forget a trip into the mountains we took. The dogs were swimming and were joined by a rambunctious 5 year old golden retriever with a huge collar and antenna. It was a GPS. No owners were in sight. We eventually heard yelling and a dog completely ignoring the yelling. We yelled back that we had their dog (we assumed). They were nice people and pretty stressed out. They said that is how it always is with him so they put him on a GPS so they could find him because he often ran off, but they felt bad if he didn’t get his freedom. That is a very stressful way to live. They asked me some questions about my dogs and I hope they sought more training (because they had already tried some), but that dog was rarely on leash because he was so hard to walk and cooped up a lot because he ran off. That seems like a stressful life for owner and dog, one that doesn’t suit my idea of having a dog. 3 months of hardcore structure and I know that wonderful golden retriever would be the best version of himself and very reliable off leash. The trick is the owners doing the work and structure and not feeling bad about it. It can be hard, I know, but totally worth it.

So unless you are my neighbor with the elderly miniature pincher that casually walks on a flexi leash and doesn’t bother anyone and doesn’t pull too hard (assuming he is well enough behaved at home), hopefully, some of these things make sense to you or you can better understand a different point of view. Maybe it will even encourage you to do some youtube research online on loose leash walking, the structured walk and take a class or 3-5 on walking your dog in a structured way. Take care,

Joe Mantegna and Ronnie Marmo on KTTV

***

Here’s the interview!

Tune in to KTTV Channel 11 and My 13 on Sunday, April 19 as Joe Mantegna and Ronnie Marmo talk about how to #SaveNoHoTheatres.

 Save NoHo Theatres Joe Mantegna and Ronnie Marmo on KTTV Fox News In Depth

 

The NoHo Arts District Launches “Save NoHo Theatres from COVID19” Go Fund Me Campaign

Eighteen of the 22 live, professional theatres in the NoHo Arts District will close within two months because of Covid19. It will not only harm the theatres but the NoHo Arts District as a whole. To avoid closure of 18 theatres in Los Angeles’ performing arts district, www.nohoartsdistrict.com has created a “Save NoHo Theatres from COVID19” Go Fund Me campaign to help pay for 60 days of 18 theatres’ rent. (www.gofundme.com/savenohotheatres) The NoHo Arts District is just one-square mile and it has the second largest concentration of theatres in the United States. 

 

All the NoHo theatres survive month to month in order to create their shows because they’re not government supported and cannot sustain even a short-term shut down.  Without shows, classes, rentals and ticket sales theatres can’t survive. This has an effect on the entire community because without the theatre patrons, actors and crew, restaurants, bars, apartments and other local businesses lose revenue. Without NoHo theatres, there will be no NoHo Arts District. “Why did residents and businesses move into the area? Because it’s an arts district,” says Nancy Bianconi, publisher of www.nohoartsdisrict.com. “If 18 out of 22 theatres close, this area will have to be called North Hollywood again. Theatres have a huge economic impact on restaurants, bars, apartments, hotels, other creative industries, local businesses, etc.”

Did you know? 

  1. NoHo has 22 theatres in one square mile.
  2. NoHo had the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City.
  3. NoHo theatres present more than 500 shows per year, including world premieres.
  4. NoHo has 35 acting classes held any given night.
  5. More than 20,000 people enjoy NoHo’s shows throughout the year.
  6. NoHo theatres are an economic multiplier for local restaurants, bars, local businesses, etc.  Theatre goers spend on average of extra $32 above the theatre ticket price for dinner, drinks and retail purchases. 

In the 90s, it was the theatres who helped rebuild the blighted and crime-ridden North Hollywood neighborhood that we now call NoHo. Theatres were the impetus for the creation of the NoHo Arts District and attracted other theatres and creative industry folks as well as new developments, restaurants, bars, apartments and hotels. 

“As one of the founders of the NoHo Theatre District, I have witnessed the most incredible blossoming of the entire neighborhood,” said Ed Gaynes, owner of three NoHo theatres. “When a few of us began opening theatres in the many empty storefronts, the area was a wasteland. No foot traffic, no shops, practically no restaurants even. The theatres attracted the people, the crowds flowing into our theatres attracted the restaurants, art galleries and shops. Ultimately, it all attracted the flood of new residents who poured into the district.”

THE BOTTOM LINE 
The goal of raising $108,194 will pay 60 days of theatre rent for participating theatres. This will allow theatres to survive into the summer when the productions and audiences return, and NoHo’s entertainment and nightlife scene will be booming again.

WHERE CONTRIBUTIONS GO:

  1. ACME Comedy Theatre
  2. ACME Comedy Club
  3. Actors Workout Studio
  4. Actors Workout Theater B
  5. Avery Schreiber Playhouse
  6. Brick House Theatre
  7. Group Rep Theatre Main Stage
  8. Group Rep Theatre Upstairs
  9. Loft Ensemble Mainstage
  10. Loft Ensemble Sawyer’s Playhouse
  11. Secret Rose Theatre
  12. Theatre 68 Flex
  13. Theatre 68 Main Stage
  14. The Sherry
  15. TU Studio
  16. Whitmore Lindley Theater Center Theatre #1
  17. Whitmore Lindley Theater Center Theatre #2
  18. ZJU Theater

ABOUT THE NOHO ARTS DISTRICT
The NoHo Arts District is one of Los Angeles’ eclectic and walkable neighborhoods – an enclave of all things artistic. This one-square-mile performing arts community is filled with 20+ live, professional theaters, which is the highest concentration outside of New York City. NoHo is also the hip hop dance capital with studios and choreographers that create the moves we see on TV and in film and all over Instagram.  NoHo makes a lot of music and boasts the largest amount of recording studios west of the Mississippi with musicians from all genres having recorded in the district.  NoHo was the first neighborhood in the Valley, it has become a METRO hub, and attracts new talent, creative businesses and visitors alike. Visit to www.nohoartsdistrict.com.

Submit Your Online Class Info

***

Are you doing online classes during the Corona Virus closures?

Even if you are not a member of www.nohoartsdistrict.com, we want to help keep our district thriving and let our 340,000 monthly visitors, 30,000 social media followers and 10,000 email subscribers know that you may be closed but you’re still delivering or are open for take out.

DEADLINE: 5PM, Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

Here’s what we are going to do – all free!

  1. We will post the  list on the front page of www.nohoartsdistrict.com

  2. We will share the list out list on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

  3. We will include the list in our weekly email blast 

A word of encouragement. 

We are the NoHo Arts District – a one-square mile community with 20 theatres, six dance studios, countless recording studios and creative businesses. We haven’t fought to maintain North Hollywood as an arts district for the last 20 years without having resilience. We all are supposed to work hand in hand to keep our neighborhood the eclectic, creative performing arts destination that attracted you in the first place. Together we can help #KeepNoHoArtsy.

 – Nancy, Lisa and Sam
The family run www.nohoartsdistrict.com team 

Please fill out our form so we can help get the word out!

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My Corona Virus Commentary

As this is a blog on actor’s advice, I thought I’d pass this letter on to my acting colleagues. 

Someone anonymous sent this to me and I thought it was very well said. So I thank the author (whoever you are) and wish to pass this on to my readers.

I don’t know if you agree, but something invisible came and put everything in its place.

Suddenly the gasoline went down, pollution went down, people started to have more time – so much time that they do not know what to do with it – parents are spending time with their kids as a family, work is no longer a priority, or traveling or social life either.

Suddenly we silently see within ourselves and understand the value of the words “solidarity”, “love”, “strength”, “empathy” and “faith”.

In an instant, we realized that we are all in the same boat; rich and poor. That the supermarket shelves are empty and the hospitals are full.

New cars and old cars also stand in the garages, simply because nobody can get out.

Empty streets, less pollution, clean air, the land also breathes.

The human returns to his origins, realizing that with or without money, the important thing is to survive.

Today, health is the main thing, even in spite of wanting to have or possessing.

It took 6 days for the universe to establish the social equality that was said to be impossible.

Fear invaded everyone.

At least this happened to realize the vulnerability of the human being.

Nature is forcing us to clean up the mess made by ourselves.

Our overthrown gods:

-Money

-Sports

-Fame

-Politics

What the coronavirus is teaching us:

-Our best refuge: HOME

– Our best company: FAMILY

– Our real time: TODAY

– Nature’s call: STOP US

– Its message: WAIT, RESPECT

We are not kings; we do not have the power of controlling everything.

We are part of a whole, fragile, brittle and vulnerable something. Part of a whole something that we wanted to dominate & today is telling us:

Stop, breathe, respect.

Go back to the basics, to the essentials, that the peace of your soul guides you towards what you are: A CREATION.

I wish you the best during this time.

Take care

Fran Montano

How to live a healthy and happy life

We are often asked if it is possible to summarize good health behaviors and heathy life style to a few simple and easy to remember rules.

There are plenty of methods you can follow, each has his or her own life style. In this article, I have listed some of the best behaviors that helped me lead a healthy and happy life style.

Plant proteins for energy

Plant proteins are essential nutrients for good health. Once consumed, they are cut into blocks by our body, blocks that are essential for the proper functioning of our muscles, our blood and our cells. Although for us proteins often rhyme with meat, fish and eggs, they are also found in certain plants such as soybeans, seitan or even quinoa.

Complex carbohydrates are fun

Carbohydrates are one of the most important energy suppliers to the body, along with fats and proteins. Converted into glucose (sugar) by the body, they will provide energy to your brain and muscles and consequently help you adopt a productive life style. There are 2 types: slow or complex carbohydrates and fast or simple carbohydrates.

Complex carbohydrates have a certain advantage because they are digested more slowly and arrive less quickly in your blood, which lowers your sugar level. Do not hesitate to add brown rice, pasta, sweet potatoes, quinoa or fruit to your dishes!

Fibers, the best friends of your gut

Good digestion is very important for losing weight. The better you digest, the faster your nutrients are absorbed by your body. What you eat therefore determines how your stomach and intestines will behave. This is why we must favor fibers for better digestion! Vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and whole grains will be your best allies.

Minerals and vitamins are our friends for life

For a healthy life style and a funky diet, nothing is better than minerals, essential for many functions of the body. In addition to providing you with energy, they will give you not only a better memory but also a radiant appearance: shiny hair, strong nails and beautiful skin. They also protect you from disease and infection and help you heal faster!

Goodbye filthy food

In other words, throw away anything that is not good for you. Cut out junk food, refined sugars and processed foods if you want to have a healthy life style and lose weight.

Sweat and move.

Half an hour of sport several times a week is enough to stay in shape. Alternate with a walk, an hour of swimming pool or any activity that gets you moving. The most important thing is to do what you love! if you force yourself, you will not succeed and quickly give up.

Sleep is Important

Going to bed early should not be considered a punishment: the next day, you will be rewarded! In addition to being in good shape, you will have digested better, and lost more weight. We keep repeating, sleep is essential, which is why you need to get enough sleep. It is a mandatory thing you should add to your life style

10 Classic Hollywood Films on Netflix 2020

With so much going on around the world, most people are experiencing cabin fever.

There’s just something about knowing it’s mandatory to stay put that makes people restless. One of the best ways to overcome this is by going through old movies. It’s no secret – the quality and content of movies has changed over time, but taking a step back in time to see a classic usually results in big smiles.

Netflix has a ton of classic Hollywood movies on deck to help pass the time away. No matter what part of the world, having a VPN that works with Netflix unlocks the key to hours and hours of classic hits that are a part of history. So, what makes a great movie?

Great movies has good to great characters. Of course, these are the main reasons why people watch. They want someone to smile for; get mad at; have sympathy for; and someone you can cheer on. The characters are also relatable. If the audience doesn’t connect with the characters, chances are the film won’t be viewed as one to watch.

Additionally, the plot needs to be simple enough to “get it” while keeping viewers engaged. The overall theme is key. What do you want your viewers to take with them? What do you want them to remember? It’s the little details that count. From the most minute to the glaringly obvious, in a good movie, nothing is left out. Finally, there’s the ending. If the ending isn’t good, it can throw the entire movie off. It should wrap up the beginning and middle to make it all make sense.

Celebrating the classics

We’ve gone over what makes a great movie, but there’s just something about a classic that makes you warm inside. Classics are always popular, no matter what time period they are featured in. No matter how many times someone sees them, there’s always something new to see. They are a part of the fiber of society from the past and in the future.

Here are 10 classics that continue to stand the test of time:

  • Once Upon a Time in the West

For many, westerns never go out of style. This 1968 blockbuster featured Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, Lionel Stander and Claudia Cardinale. It’s a great film about a mysterious stranger who partners with a notorious desperado to protect a new widow from an assassin. It contains all the action, suspense and violence western movie lovers will ever need.

  • Dirty Harry

Never heard of Dirty Harry? Oh the shame! This award-winning 1971 action crime thriller stars none other than Clint Eastwood. Following the story of San Francisco police inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan as he tracks down the Scorpio Killer who kidnaps innocent victims, leaving ransom notes at the scene.

  • Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark

Harrison Ford’s been acting for a long time but really got his big break in the Academy Award winning Indiana Jones franchise. The first installment was in 1981, where Indiana Jones is joined by Paul Freeman and Karen Allen to find the Ark of the Covenant before Nazis can get to it and obtain its powers, which holds the key to human existence.

  • Purple Rain

Gone but never forgotten. This Oscar-winning 1984 semi-autobiographical film features Prince Rogers Nelson and his life as a musician who escapes his crazy home life and an abusive situation through his playing days at the First Avenue nightclub. The movie covers romance, a rival singer, and his turmoil with his band as he starts gaining popularity. Other notables include Apollonia Kotero and Morris Day.

  • She’s Gotta Have It

Noted director Spike Lee struck gold with this award-winning breakout film in 1986 as it follows Nola Darling and her promiscuity with three different men. All three men want her to commit, and she’s fine with being happy and free. The story is told from her point of view, the views of her partners and other friends. An interesting rom-com that is seriously sexy. Interestingly enough, Spike Lee came back in 2017, turning the movie into a TV series with two seasons.

  • My Girl

This award-winning 1991 film is a feel-good, come into your own as you’re growing up movie that captured the hearts of viewers all over the world. Full of big names like Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky, this story shines a light on the issues pre-teens go through and their journey into maturity.

  • Jerry McGuire

“Show me the money!” That’s one of the most famous lines of this 1996 Academy Award winning movie. The story of a sports agent who has a moment of truth after realizing he has it all, he writes a mission statement that gets him in hot water. Once he realizes no one is supporting him, he sets off on his own with one client and a co-worker he ends up marrying. It’s a startling picture of being true to yourself, the hardships that occur when starting your own business, and the beauty of making it through. Starring big names such as Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Rene Zellweger, Regina King, Kelly Preston and more.

  • Spy Kids

There’s nothing better than a great classic kids movie. The 2001 Spy Kids movie fits the bill. Based on two secret agents with the assignment of getting rid of each other, they fall in love instead, get married and start raising their family. Enjoying retirement, they are called back to help save the world. Unfortunately, they end up disappearing and they have to be rescued by their kids. A quirky and funny movie with stars Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Alexa PenaVega, Teri Hatcher, Cheech Marin and others, this is sure to keep the laughs and smiles going.

  • Groundhog Day

Bill Murray set the silver screen on fire in this 1993 film about a weather man who was initially sent to cover a story on the groundhog. He wakes up repeating Groundhog Day every day while he searches for a way to break the spell. Hilariously funny, the premise is that this guy will have the worst day of his life over and over.

  • National Treasure

2004 was a great year because it’s the year National Treasure hit the big screen. Based on the character Benjamin Franklin Gates learning about a treasure from his grandfather, he sets out on a quest to find it. Interestingly enough, his colleague Ian has plans of stealing the Declaration of Independence. Ben has to steal the Declaration while working with the curator of the archives Abigail to find the clues and rescue the national treasure. Featuring Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Jon Voight, Christopher Plummer and a wonderful supporting cast.

Netflix offers the best in classic movies to encourage people from all over the world to find out more on these classic movies. Having a VPN to ensure there won’t be any issues with watching from wherever they are can make the difference.

What does a VPN do?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network acts as a buffer between the user and the internet to hide their activities no matter where they are. For countries that have certain restrictions, using a VPN will help alleviate the censorship. In the case of Netflix, there are different versions of the platform based on the location. Imagine being in a different country but watching the movies on Netflix US. It is entirely possible with no interference.

The beauty of using the VPN is that it can also be used on mobile devices. This means that even on a mobile device, the transmission of the streams will be protected when watching. The user is basically anonymous on every network so their identity can’t be traced. This comes in handy in the event hackers are trying to get into a user’s computer or mobile device.

Netflix has a lot to offer with a different catalog of movies and shows in every country that allows their services. Netflix is consistently putting up classic movies for the audience to enjoy. When there’s nothing else to do but watch TV, having the ability to connect with the past can be comforting. By using Netflix to watch the classics, a user can go on a classics world tour, enjoying movies from each and every culture.

While these are just 10 classic movies, there are quite a few that will help pass the time away. Any additional information on the movies can be found on IMDB, which details all the information on the movie, any awards won, the actors in the movie and the director. It’s a great time to learn something new and study the way movies used to be done. With today’s new technology, movies are sharper, with sound effects that are out of this world. It’s always good to look back and remember where things came from, and to see the promise in those actors who have gone on to bigger and better movies.

The Most Popular Kitchen Design Styles

In the house, how the kitchen plays an important role is known by all.

If you are looking at the things then you can see that there is now a great demand among the people to go for the modular kitchens. The real reason for that all is said to be it makes the kitchen look beautiful and nice. It too puts a positive impression on the guests and family members who visit your kitchen on various occasions. So, to give them all things in advance you always need a good day for you all and for that you can always go to designing things in a good way.

 Is It Good To Design A Kitchen?

A kitchen is a place where almost all things are made inside it. starting from foods to storing foods and as well as most of the time one spends is in the kitchen. So, it is important that you make things  good for all, you must redesign the kitchen in a better way.  There are various things that you can go for and you can get the things done in a great way. If you want to explore the different design ideas then you can go for the modular kitchen designs catalogue. Here are some kitchen design styles:

1.   L-shape layout

If you take a look at this design, then you can know that it is one of the best commonly used kitchen layouts for you all.  There are many instances where the kitchen is small and for that you can go for this design without any issue. When you go for these kinds of designs in the kitchen, you can see that the design is such that it makes the room look more spacious than before. For all that reason,  you can go for the  L-shape layout design and come with a maximum storage facility.

2.   Straight layout

In this kind of layout, you can see that here you will not find any kind of triangle type structure. All the workflow that you will get here goes in a straight line and for that it is best for all kinds of kitchens.  When you design these kinds of designs, you can see that you will get maximum space for yourself in the kitchen. As there is more space, it is best for you to move inside the kitchen in a better way. You can get some additional designs for it by going for the latest kitchen design .   

3.   U-Shaped layout

There are some houses, which have got large rooms like halls. In the same manner, there is a kitchen, which has a large space in it. So, if you have got a large kitchen space and you want to utilize them all in a good way, then you can go for the U-shaped kitchen layout. It is the best design that you can go for and it too works in the most efficient manner in the work triangle. Apart from that all, it provides ample storage space for you all too along with additional spaces. These spaces come in the form of drawers, cabinets and counter space too. If you want to go through various designs which are having, then you can ask for the modular kitchen design.

4.    Galley layout

The most efficient way of making a kitchen look spacious and good for use is by going for galley layout.   If you have got a big kitchen, then this layout is the best one for you all. You can divide the kitchen into two sections which are wet and dry workspaces.  Apart from these things, you too will get plenty of counter space for all appliances as well as it helps in maximizing all the storage as well.  If you want to look for some more designs under this layout then you can easily find plenty of them. To find some other designs, you need to look at a modular kitchen design catalogue.

5.    Island layout

The next kind of design that you can go for is the island layout. In this kind of layout, you can see that it comes with a combination of either straight line or L-shape kitchen model. When you make the design work, you can see that it makes an island-like structure in there and it comes with many advantages as well. These advantages include storage spaces and working space too.  With all these things in store for you all,  you can always go for the extra space to keep a dining table or to use for some extra work too.

Conclusion

So, these are the top 5 design layouts that you can go for. But inside that, you can get a lot of other designs as well and for that, you can go for modular kitchen

10 Great Museums of the World to Visit Virtually

The global crisis of 2020 has shifted a lot of our habits, created many new normals and is redefining things we traditionally accepted as more physical in nature, like exploring and discovering.

So, keeping with “looking on the bright side” of things, you can now virtually visit all the great museums of the world for free. Many of them have enhanced and updated their websites to allow us to explore and discover our world heritage art and culture and learn about the history surrounding them from our computers, pads and phones. So how about some bragging rights of visiting all the great museums of the world all in one day? You can and that will impress everyone! Most of them have a variety of online galleries, audio tours, virtual visiting (the actual rooms and halls of the physical building), digital resources, YouTube channel videos, blogs, social media engagement and more.

So, just pretend you have a front of the line pass which gets you into all the museums for free. Better yet, pretend they’ve opened up the great museums of the world just for you privately, there will be no crowds to deal with and no waiting in lines to go to the bathroom or to get a snack!

Here’s my list of 10 great museums of the world to visit virtually. For some, you may need to choose to translate to English, which is usually located on the top right of your screen/website page.

The British Museum London, England

https://www.britishmuseum.org/   Its permanent collection of some eight million works is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence, having been widely sourced during the era of the British Empire. Famous for the Rosetta Stone and the Cat Mummies.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 


By Arad – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2105925

https://www.metmuseum.org/  It’s the largest art museum in the United States. With 6,953,927 visitors to its three locations in 2018, it was the third most visited art museum in the world. Famous for its extensive number of gorgeous European art from the 13th to the 19th centuries.

The Louvre Museum, Paris France

https://www.louvre.fr/ It’s the world’s largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris, France. Famous for the Mona Lisa and Venus of Milo. Note: They haven’t done a great job making a virtual visit easy and user friendly. But, basically from the home page, at the top click on “Tours and Activities” and then “Course to Print” and then you’ll see 32 courses, or virtual categories that you can go into and explore.

Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

https://www.hermitagemuseum.org The second-largest art museum in the world, it was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky. I’m enjoying their 5-hour professionally shot iPhone video tour here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xweWJSPmYLM&feature=youtu.be

The most famous of the buildings is the Winter Palace, designed by Bartolommeo Rastrelli, and which was the residence the Russian emperors until 1917.

The Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain 

https://www.museodelprado.es/ Widely considered to have one of the world’s finest collections of European art dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection. The numerous works by Francisco Goya, the single most extensively represented artist, the best-known work on display at the museum is Las Meninas by Velázquez.

The Acropolis Museum, Athens Greece 

https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/  Archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece.

The Vatican Museums, Italy

Their website isn’t very user friendly for virtual tours, but here’s a recent piece from Forbes.com that will streamline your virtual visit: “The Vatican Museum offers a variety of virtual tours, including one devoted to the Sistine Chapel— The lavishly frescoed Raphael’s Rooms are another must- see. And since this troubled year coincides with the blockbuster Raphael exhibit at the Scuderie del Quirinale marking the 500th anniversary of the artist’s death (it is now closed because of the health crisis), make sure to take in the online version of the show.”

The Uffizi Gallery, Italy  

https://www.uffizi.it/gli-uffizi  – A prominent art museum located adjacent to the Piazza della Signoria in the Historic Centre of Florence in the region of Tuscany, Italy. Best known for the Madonna Enthroned with Child and Angels and Adoration of the Magi.

The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC  

https://www.si.edu/  The world’s biggest museum and research facility, with 19 museums and galleries, as well as theNational Zoological Park . Best known as a guide to the most fascinating aspects of our world. The museum collection contains more than 150 million objects, works of art and specimens altogether.

Pergamon Museum, Germany  

https://www.smb.museum/museen-und-einrichtungen/pergamonmuseum/home.html  The most popular museum in Berlin and Is famous for housing art treasures such as the Pergamon Altar and the Babylonian Ishtar Gate.

Cheers,

Jack Witt, MS, CPT
Fitness and Health Coach

“Get Fit with Witt”

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