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The Great Russian Nutcracker Is Almost Here!

Lisa Bianconi
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The Great Russian Nutcracker will be at the The Soraya (Valley Performing Arts Center) for one performance on Wednesday, December 19!

Get tickets at www.nutcracker.com/buy-tickets

The dove is a multicultural symbol of purity and peace and is embraced by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is also the central theme of and exclusive to the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, a Christmas spectacular that bridges the gap between cultures so that all may coexist in a Land of Peace and Harmony.

The Dove of Peace brings a fresh variation to the rich, Christmas Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker tradition enjoyed by families for decades and infuses the holiday gift of peace and harmony into the original fairy tale.

Moscow Ballet American producer Akiva Talmi described the Dove of Peace act of the Great Russian Nutcracker as “a peace offering between countries in the midst of conflict.”

The Great Russian Nutcracker via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

“The biggest peace advocacy ballet tour ever, the show features the acrobatic dove duet unique to Moscow Ballet,” Talmi noted. “The “Dove of Peace” role was inspired by Bolshoi Ballet Principal danseur Stanislov Vlasov, https://www.nutcracker.com/about-mb/great-russian-nutcrackerwho was choreographer/balletmaster of Moscow Ballet’s inaugural 1993 Great Russian Nutcracker, along with partner Lilia Sabitova, who was honored as People’s Artist of Russia.”

The “Dove of Peace” leads heroine Masha and her Nutcracker Prince into the Land of Peace and Harmony (traditionally known as the Land of Sweets). The two-person Dove of Peace premiered in 2012 on the 20th Anniversary Tour of the Great Russian Nutcracker and was debuted by Moscow Ballet’s acclaimed danseur Sergey Chumakov and ballerina Elena Petrichenko, both of whom continue to tour with the company.

In keeping with the theme of peace, the Great Russian Nutcracker features in the performance 12-foot-tall puppets that are depicted in the Land of Peace and Harmony and represent classical Russian culture and myth while incorporating other cultures as well. In the ballet, Spanish, Arabian, Russian and French couples demonstrate the great dances and spirit of the country’s heritages and are accompanied by the puppets that are symbolic of that country’s unique attributes. The Spaniard bull represents the gift of daring; the Arabian elephant brings the gift of wisdom; playing the proud, Russian bear bestows strength; and the French unicorn imparts imagination.

The Great Russian Nutcracker via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

The Moscow Ballet’s successful “Dance with Us” program brings to children across the United States and Canada the opportunity to perform alongside world-class danseurs and ballerinas by auditioning them for parts in the Great Russian Nutcracker. Each year nearly 9,000 children audition for parts as snowflakes, mice, snow maidens and party children. These children symbolize purity and unity and become ambassadors of peace who reach beyond conflict and bring the ideal of peace among people of different cultures.

“These children carry the torch of peace,” Talmi said. “Nine thousand children from 130 cities across the United States and Canada performing to 300,000 patrons presenting 200 shows join the Moscow Ballet’s Dove of Peace tour in a quest for peace. The arts can make a difference.”

The Great Russian Nutcracker via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

New Horizons, another well received community engagement initiative for children of all ages, is an educational program that immerses children in the Russian culture and teaches them the meaning behind the Great Russian Nutcracker through the instruction of dance steps, the Russian language and a crafts session during which participants create origami Doves of Peace. The classes are conducted by a Moscow Ballet ballerina and reach a multitude of children in community organization such as the Girls Scouts, museums and schools.

In addition to “Dance with Us” enabling young dancers to perform with gifted professionals, the Musical Wunderkind program gives music students the opportunity to provide musical accompaniment while a principal dancer performs on stage.

Moscow Ballet – annually tours North America performing acclaimed ballets the Great Russian Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella and more. Known for presenting award-winning ballerinas and danseurs, from Lilia Sabitova in 1994 to Honored Artist of Russia Tatiana Predenia in 2002 to Andrey Batalov, former Principal Danseur with the Mariinsky Theatre in 2017, the company performs nearly 200 engagements annually across Canada and the United States’ in the finest performing arts venues. In the Musical Wunderkind program, young musicians get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play their instrument on stage in world-class performances as they accompany a Russian principal dancer. Many Moscow Ballet performances have a fund-raising component for organizations such as hospitals, children’s museums and more.

Wednesday, December 19 only
www.nutcracker.com

“Expansive… transcendent music… the Russian style is elegantly generous, and so the experience is never meager,” Alastair Macaulay, Chief Dance Critic, NY Times

The Great Russian Nutcracker 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.

A Trip to Egypt – Nothing Compares

Jack Witt
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A Trip to Egypt – Nothing Compares

Incredible – Spectacular – Fascinating – Mysterious –  UN FRICKIN’ BELIEVABLE!

When you visit Egypt, these are the words that bounce around in your head and that you hear a lot in conversation among travel friends that are with you. Recently, a group of about 12 of us from the USA traveled to Egypt on a trip that was filled with wonder and amazement.

On our first day, we did a walking tour of Cairo and visited the Citadel area, home to Egypt’s rulers for almost 700 years, then went to several beautiful Muslim mosques, Christian churches, and yes even Jewish synagogues! Cairo has a harmonious multi-faith atmosphere about it. With spectacular views over the city, we also ate lunch on top of the Cairo Tower, then took a ramble through Cairo’s large medieval bazaar and marketplace.

The next day, with much anticipation, we explored the only surviving member of the original 7 ancient wonders of the world! The pyramids at Giza are beyond imagination. Nearly 2.3 million blocks of stone, each weighing approximately 2 tons, comprise the great pyramid.  When you stand next to the first row of stones at the base you really get a sense of the enormous scale of these structures. Like me, you might not comprehend how the ancient Egyptians could have built these – you might justify it by thinking that indeed ancient aliens came to earth and constructed them – you might even ask your expert Egyptologist guide if ancient aliens built them (oh yep I did). Well our expert Egyptologist guide Randa was very patient and thorough in her explanation of debunking the ancient alien theory and explained to us how they have uncovered ancient records on papyrus of daily activities of the ancient Egyptian workers, who were normal people, with job titles and descriptions, and even reasons for not being able to go to work on certain days such as feeling ill, or family in town visiting etc. All very normal human stuff like we go through today in our jobs and in our lives. (I’m not saying however that we humans are the only life out there in the universe.)

The great sphinx at Giza is near the pyramids and you can’t help to wonder all the events and history it has laid witness to over the millennia.  If you get a chance, go to the evening light and sound show at the great pyramids / sphinx site, it’s an hour show featuring state-of-the-art-lasers, dramatic music and voice-over actors depicting scenes of the history of the pyramids and the ancient peoples.  While a little campy at times (the Egyptian actor Omar Sharif is the lead narrator using a very Shakespearean British accent), it sets the mood for a kind of spiritual embrace of Egypt and its rich history.

The next day, after a short 1-hour flight on Egypt Air from Cairo down south to Aswan we embarked on a 4-night Nile River cruise up to Luxor. Many of the best-preserved ancient temples and tombs are located in this part of Egypt.

Experiencing Luxor, Karnak and The Valley of the Kings and Queens is ideal on a river cruise since so many of these ancient sites are located just off the banks of the Nile River. The ancient Egyptians prized and venerated the Nile. It was their umbilical cord. The sunsets and sunrises are magnificent as you sail along, and a peaceful feeling exudes from the banks of the Nile. It’s very relaxing as you watch local life and villages go by as you sail along. One evening we had a special party on the ship where we all dressed in traditional Galibaya outfits and danced. It was quite touristy, but we had a lot of fun with a belly dancer and a whirling dervish perform for us.

Walking through some of the 2,000 plus year-old ancient temples along the banks of the river Nile is indeed like walking through time. It almost transforms you back through history.  Every temple was unique and was dedicated to a god or goddess (or sometimes to multiple gods/goddesses) and he and/or she was worshipped there by the temple priests and the pharaoh.

The ancient Egyptians believed that life on earth was only part of an eternal journey which ended, not in death, but in everlasting joy in the afterlife. In the Valley of the Kings and Queens, a literal necropolis (“city of the dead”) we got to descend into some of the pharaohs’ incredible burial tombs, which were the gateway to their afterlife; and see the colorful and decorated walls and ceilings, some in vivid colors that have lasted thousands of years. (Most of the treasures inside the tombs, and the mummies of the pharaohs themselves are housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to see up close, so don’t miss going to that museum when in Cairo. (Allow at least 2 hours.)  However; the mummy of King Tut has been left in his tomb at the Valley of the Kings (no pictures allowed of him though, and the hundreds of items found in his tomb are housed up in the Egyptian museum in Cairo to behold.)

After our main tour of Egypt’s ancient landmarks and sites, it was time for most of us to slow our pace down a little and head to a resort on the fabled Red Sea of Egypt. The Red Sea is a paradise of warm, clear waters that make it one of the top diving and snorkeling destinations in the world. We went to the beach resort area of El Gouna in greater Hurghada for a few days of snorkeling, riding in a submarine and pampering spa services. It was the perfect way to end our very full itinerary in Egypt.

Feeling refreshed and revived, we headed back to Cairo for our international flights back home. We had some time to visit with some of my old Egyptian friends at the new Heliopolis Sporting Club in Shorouk City. The activities of this world class club include water polo, swimming, diving, squash, tennis, soccer, handball, basketball and volleyball. And much more! It was a very impressive complex indeed.

In fellowship we ate a nice dinner together at the club and celebrated the end of a marvelous tour of Egypt and me seeing my local friends for the first time in about 25 years. As we were getting ready to slice a beautiful cake made for our group with a picture of all of us at the pyramids on top, I couldn’t help but to remember one of the main reasons that I organize these worldwide group adventures with Active World Journeys: cross-cultural immersion and understanding. When you travel a lot, you realize that most people everywhere in the world are warm and friendly, and their countries are safer to travel to than you might have thought. We sometimes get scared by the media into thinking otherwise. I live in Los Angeles, I didn’t feel any less safe anywhere in Egypt than I do here where I live in America. It’s a lesson to not let politicians and the fear-based media intimidate us from traveling and experiencing the world and other cultures and expanding our horizons. There’s so much mutual human heritage and culturally rich and diverse sites to discover and explore out there. It’s our world, all of ours together, and as the good people and travelers of our world; in solidarity, we are at the front lines to help bridge that gap between fear & xenophobia and acceptance and openness between countries and all people of this beautiful planet Earth.

Whoever you are, wherever you live now, I’ll buy you a drink in the afterlife!

To learn more about future tours of Egypt departing from the USA that you can be a part of, please email me at jack@activeworldjourneys.com

Cheers,

Jack Witt, MS, CPT
Fitness and Health Coach
Individuals / Groups / Corporate
310.562.5629 Cell / 818.760.3891 Main
Twitter / Instagram /LinkedIn / YouTube 
Save the Date! New Year’s Eve in Havana,Cuba  Click here for details 

Meditation Classes Come to NoHo!

nohoarts
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At One Fitness offers Mindful Meditation classes starting in January.

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The lovely Robin Hart, who owns and runs At One Fitness in NoHo, had a bit of an epiphany recently. Since founding her gym, and over the past six years, Robin has become more and more interested in the healing power of meditation. At One Fitness offers, martial arts, strength training, personal training and yoga, so it seemed to her a natural next step to incorporate the knowledge and training she has accumulated in meditation into a new six-week class. Robin came to meditation for herself through struggle with anxiety and depression and since that difficult time she has used meditation as a tool to help manage her busy life. As a professional dancer for more than 20 years, life and work has taken its toll and she has recently had double hip surgery. Learning about meditation helped her through her own physical and mental healing journey and she wants to share her discoveries with us all.

“Working out our minds is as important as working out our bodies,” Robin told me.

The mindfulness meditation that Robin has studied isn’t about switching off – it’s about switching on our minds. When our minds become more aware they become more focused and more able to help us to not only cope with everyday life but to excel at it! Our minds are also the source of healing for our bodies, and as we develop our ability to treat ourselves more kindly, we can utilize those new found skills in every aspect of our lives.

 At One Fitness Meditation Classes via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

The course Robin is offering runs every Sunday night over six weeks and will teach you all the basics of Mindful Meditation and help you develop a home practice based on following the teachings of Jack Kornfield, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Trudy Goodman, Insight LA and many others pioneers in the mediation field.  

Robin hopes that through her six-week course participants can learn each step of mediation from the basics of breathing to learning how to focus our power purposefully and positively. With these valuable and life-long abilities, participants can apply what they learn every single day.

It’s easy to read about a thing rather than to do it. Aren’t we all guilty of that from time to time? But to take some moments from our day to really heal ourselves, to focus our minds and to become more ‘us’, that would be a revelation…and a one a long time coming.

Meditation is, at its root, a reminder that we are all imperfectly perfect. We are all in need of kindness and forgiveness, especially from ourselves. Mindfulness can help us be better -better humans, better parents, better partners, a better individual to make a better whole. The world is hard enough. I for one am thoroughly looking forward to beginning this class in January and finding myself again.

The classes begin on Sunday, January 6th, 5pm – 6pm. The cost will be $150. Space is limited so please call now to sign up!

At One Fitness
11116 Weddington St.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Phone: (818) 980-6688
5am – 10pm Mon thru Fri 7am – 5pm Sat
8am – 5pm Sun
http://www.atonefitness.com

At One Fitness is dedicated to providing a friendly, supportive and professional environment to help you reach your fitness goals in both body and mind! All fitness levels are welcome!

At One Fitness Meditation Classes via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

At One Fitness is a state-of-the-art facility with top-of-the-line cardio, strength and martial arts training equipment. Additionally, there is a full-size boxing ring, a 1300-sq. ft. aerobic room with a sprung hardwood floor, outdoor training area, fitness and martial arts classes, showers and towel service, free parking, and more. All trainers are certified and of the highest quality. At One Fitness is a friendly community atmosphere, providing all of your fitness needs “At One” location. At One Fitness offers an annual free fitness day open to the community to try the wide variety of their classes. The next free event will be in February 2019 celebrating their 10-year anniversary!

Robin Hart, Founder and Owner of At One Fitness:

Robin, a Hollywood native, has been in the dance and fitness world for over 20 years. Professionally trained in New York and L. A., Robin performed in many dance companies, videos and commercials. Robin is now a personal trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, American Council of Exercise, Resistance Specialist, Senior Fitness Assoc., and Nutrition Management, as well as a specialty in fibromyalgia and pre/post natal care. She has been featured in the Daily News, KTLA news, and Shape Magazine! Robin recently graduated from Insight LA Facilitator Training program in Mindfulness Meditation and looks forward to offering meditation classes at At One Fitness!

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

The Montalbán: Shades of Water

Raleigh Barrett Gallina
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The Montalbán: Shades of Water

Authors often write about topics that most directly concern them – be it a person, location, or zeitgeist that grips them. Lately, authors gravitate towards the environment, and increasingly in dystopian novel form.

Art in all forms has begun to ruminate on environmental resources, and this rumination includes water at the forefront of thought. This makes sense – water is key to life in many ways. We need to consume water, but we also use water for hygienic and recreational purposes.

Bladerunner 2049 (for those of the film persuasion) or Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series (for those of the nerd persuasion) feature air showers in lieu of water. Showers with air, because in these futuristic societies water has become a resource only for the rich when not for consumption (and surely then, even at a premium).

Shades of Water is The Montalbán’s meditation on water: a needed and present resource for life (and livelihood).

Shades of Water is a group show that honors water as omnipresent and essential to modern society. Not in a foreboding or reprimanding way, but vis a vis depictions of water in our everyday lives.

In particular, Daggi Wallace’s work caught my eye. Wallace has a beautiful hand and finished product (at an incredibly reasonable price I might add). Wallace also achieves classic social portraiture but with a 21st-century subject.

Shades of Water is being exhibited at The Montalbán from November 16, 2018 to January 31, 2019.

This group show is curated by Baha H Danesh, and partners with an annual Toy Drive benefiting MEND Poverty. While this exhibition is enjoyable and thoughtful, it’s made even more special since it benefits a volunteer organization with a holistic approach to ending poverty.

Where:

The Montalbán

1615 Vine St.

Los Angeles, CA 90028

When:

November 16, 2018 – January 31, 2019

Cost:

$10

Featured Artists:

Amabelle Aguiluz, Artist

Barbara A. Thomasonn

Chenhung Chen

Daggi Wallace

Erica Halpern

Eric Minh Swenson

Felís Stella

Joan Scheibel

Joelle Cooperrider

Karen Hochman Brown

Kellie Thomas-Walker Artist

Kristine Schomaker

Margaret Hyde

Rebecca Laws

Scott Froschauer

Students of Birmingham Community Charter High School

Susan Poms Amorde

Winston M. Secrest

The World Premiere of “A CAROL CHRISTMAS”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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The Group Rep In association with Cooper Sinclair and Allen Hollis presents the world premiere of “A Carol Christmas.” 

“A CAROL CHRISTMAS”

Book by Doug Haverty
Music and Lyrics by Bruce Kimmel
Directed by Bruce Kimmel

The Group Rep holiday 2018 offering is an exciting new musical version of a beloved Dickens’ classic.  There is a holiday twist with the world premiere of “A CAROL CHRISTMAS,” with book by Doug Haverty, and direction, music and lyrics by Bruce Kimmel.  We have 17 new songs, with Marley, Cratchit, Tiny Tim all here (just in female form, and names like Blythe, Carol and Trina) celebrating the true meaning of Christmas and theholiday season.

GR ACC CelineBautista MomokaKato EllieBirdwell ChihiroKato AndrewGrigorian Photo KarenStaitman
Celine Bautista Momoka Kato Ellie Birdwell Chihiro Kato Andrew Grigorian Photo Karen Staitman

We are set in today’s America, Pennsylvania to be exact.  Carol (Hartley Powers) runs a hugely successful company, and because she has lost her holiday spirit and compassion over the years, she can’t understand why her staff wants to go home to their families to celebrate.  After all, it’s only Christmas Eve, and she expects them to work, work, work.  Everyone leaves for their holiday, and Carol remains in the office to be visited by echoes of her past.  Joelle (Janet Wood), her departed business partner, Odette (Debi Tinsley) a regression therapist, Karina (Janet Wood) a Russian sShaman, and Mabel (Debi Tinsley), who all remind Carol of how her life used to be.  Boyfriend Blake (John Schroeder) wants his relationship with Carol to return to how it used to be, too.  Enter Trina (Peyton Kirkner), our present day Tiny Tim and daughter to Blythe (Savannah Schoenecker) who works for Carol. Trina suffers from a heart condition, and treatment has been limited.  But Trina finds joy and positivity in everything, bringing the holiday spirit back to its core.

GR ACC SavannahSchoenecker PeytonKirkner Photo KarenStaitman
Savannah Schoenecker Peyton Kirkner Photo Karen Staitman

Well, you know how this story goes.  After all, it is a Christmas classic.  BUT, this is a fun, fun, fun winner of a production with a magical twist on a classic.  Add to that… truly amazing music, vocals and performances by all the cast, with emphasis on Hartley Powers, Peyton Kirkner, Janet Wood and Debi Tinsley.  Doug Haverty’s book/story and Bruce Kimmel’s direction lead this cast to excellence.  Plus, who doesn’t like Christmas carols by the cutest carolers ever.

I have to put in my favorite…the song, “This Christmas.”  Cute, funny, and memorable.  

It’s Christmas and Hanukkah all wrapped into one, with a red and white yarmulke.  Cute as the “Dickens.”  (I couldn’t resist the pun.)

Winner, winner, Christmas dinner…as they say. 

The Group Rep has another hit.  The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate but with “A CAROL CHRISTMAS.”  It will leave you with a smile on your face, and your toes tapping.  Bring your Christmas/Holiday spirit and enjoy.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

Cast:  Monica Allan, Ben Anderson, Emily Barnett, Ryan J. Duncan, Kevin Hoffman, Peyton Kirkner, Lola Paja, Lloyd Pedersen, Catarina Pereira, Hartley Powers, Savannah Schoenecker, John Schroeder, Debi Tinsley, Harley Walker, and Janet Wood. Special Guest Young Performers include Celine June Bautista, Ellie Birdwell, Andrew Grigorian, Chihiro Kato and Momoka Kato.

Book By:  Doug Haverty

Music and Lyrics: Bruce Kimmel

Director:  Bruce Kimmel

Producers for the Group Rep: Kevin Hoffman and Gina Yates

Orchestrations and Musical Direction:  Richard Allen

Choreography: Kay Cole

Set Design:  Tesshi Nakagawa

Lighting Design:  Sabrina Beattie

Costume Design:  Morgan Gannes

Sound Design:  Austin Quan

Sound Mixing:  Ivan Irvani

Sound Supervisor:  John Ledley

Stager Manager:  Sophie Lamzik

Assistant Director:  Catarina Pereira

Videography:  Doug Engalla

Production Photography:  Karen Staitman

Public Relations:  Nora Feldman

Social Media:  Drina Krieger

Graphic Design:  Art and Soul

Lonny Chapman Theatre

10900 Burbank Blvd

North Hollywood, CA 91601

Buy Tickets: 
www.thegrouprep.com or (818) 763-5990
General Admission: $25.  Seniors/Students with ID: $20.  Groups 10+: $15.
90 minutes, no intermission

Runs: 
November 16 through December 30, 2018
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm;  Sundays at 2:00 pm
No Show Friday, November 23rd
 Additional matinee Saturday November 24th at 2:00 pm
Talk-backs November 25th and December 9th
Family Friendly/Appropriate for ages 5 and up

www.facebook.com/thegrouprep

www.twitter.com/thegrouprep

www.instagram.com/thegroupreptheatre

How To Use Christmas To Teach Kids About Money

NoHo - North Hollywood
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Christmas in itself is fun, but add children into the equation and it amplifies the excitement and festivities even more!

However, it can also add additional financial stress and problems during the lead up to the day and the months that follow. This ultimately can cause parents to take out small loans, which are in place for financial emergencies only.

With the true meaning behind Christmas being lost, why not opt for spending less this festive period and teach your children about money and the significance of Christmas. After all, you don’t need to splash the cash to enjoy the magic with your family.

Setting Budgets  

With your partner, decide the budget that you are going to set this Christmas and how much you are going to spend on your immediate family. When you have this discussion, involve the children so they can listen to a model conversation and example regarding how budgets work in a real life scenario. This is a great way for them to come to grips with how finite money is and begin to understand the importance of how and where it is spent.

Of course you want to spend a lot on your family, however you should remember that this holiday is about spending time with those you love, and so one gift is truly plenty.

Write A List

It can difficult to know how far you need to go with gift giving; your colleagues, your neighbour, your children’s teacher(s), where does the line stop? Of course it would be lovely to be able to give everyone a little something, however when you have children this isn’t always possible.

Therefore, it is a great idea to make a list of who you are going to send a gift to this Christmas and most importantly, stick to it! This is when you can get your children involved; because they can help you write the list and allocate a realistic price to each person as to how much you want to spend on them.

The trick is to not go over these set prices and impulsively buy, which can be very difficult! The lesson of generosity on a sensible scale is a very beneficial for your children to learn.

Make Gifts At Home 

If money is particularly tight in the run up to the 25th then why not create home-made gifts with your children. Not only is it a fun activity to do as a family which adds a sentimental touch to gifts, but it also demonstrates a way to cut down on spending to your children.

Decide the gifts you are going to make with your children and who is going to receive them, then go altogether to the arts and crafts shop and encourage them to choose products with a low price tag on them.

 

Give To Charity   

If you want to truly enhance and encourage the importance of giving opposed to how to cut down on funds over the festive period, then what better way to achieve this than by giving to charity.

Explain to the children that some people don’t have much money for Christmas, or a roof to sleep under this cold winter. Once you and your children have discussed which charity you want to give to and the how the money is going to benefit those you are contributing to, either involve your children in the giving of the money, or get them to assist you in choosing a gift to give to those with greater needs.

Taking your children to choose a gift and pay for it with their own money will boost the delight of giving for them. What’s more, if they can be involved in the presentation of the gift, they will experience the pleasure of the very grateful reaction from the recipient of the gift.

Ultimately, this will result in your children learning about compassion and to be grateful with what they have, and to understand further about why you should be particular when it comes to spending money.

There is no better time to teach your children about the importance of Christmas and giving than it is now. Get the children involved gradually with the festive finances, so they can learn at least one lesson from it. Hopefully, these tips will give you some ways in which to do this. Merry Christmas!

“A Carol Christmas” Comes to The Group Rep

Lisa Bianconi
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The Group Rep presents “A Carol Christmas” – a new musical version of the immortal Charles Dickens classic set in America today, book by Doug Haverty, music/lyrics by Bruce Kimmel, directed by Bruce Kimmel, orchestrations by Richard Allen, choreography by Kay Cole, and produced by Gina Yates and Kevin Hoffman.

We love a classic tale. But we love it more when you flip that classic tale to create a new outlook on the story.

In the Group Rep’s version of “A Carol Christmas,” instead of a man named Scrooge we have a woman named Carol, the successful, demanding host of a home-shopping show who cares nothing for Christmas and wants her staff to work right through the holidays. Seventeen new songs and all of the characters you know and love – Marley, Cratchit, Fred and Tiny Tim are women in this fun, charming and touching family friendly, new musical.

We asked the the creator of the book, Doug Haverty, more about the show.

What made you “modernize” the original “A Christmas Carol?”

In 2009, the Group Rep did a newer musical version of “A Christmas Carol” (under the direction of then Artistic Director, Ernest Figueroa). It was unusual, poetic with lots of additional Dickensian prose culled from other essays. The ghosts were large theatrical puppets. I played Bob Cratchit and it was so gratifying to tell this story during the holidays and especially in a year when we were still dealing with the financial downfall. Our show was healing to audiences at that point in time. So, I thought I would try to make a new musical version and make it contemporary. While it’s wonderful escapism to go back to jolly old England and watch Scrooge in despicable action, there’s definitely a separation. We think, “Oh, there’s no one that extreme nowadays.” And that got me thinking. Are there people out there who would never consider themselves a “Scrooge,” and I think that maybe there are.

Many people have said that Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has the perfect plot. You have a major character who just wants to be left alone and then has an epiphany and realizes the life he’s missing and that there’s great joy in generosity. We all love a major change in a character and there’s wonderful satisfaction in knowing the story and seeing him gradually learn and change. We’ve tried to follow this plot carefully with (hopefully) just a few new curves to let it have its own flavor.


“A Carol Christmas” at the Group Rep Hartley Powers Debi Tinsley. Photo Karen Staitman.

Why did you switch genders?

Many of my plays have female protagonists, so I thought it would be fun to explore that. I know there are adaptations where Scrooge has been turned into a woman. But I wanted to go a step further; I’ve taken all the major characters from the short story and made them women. And our Scrooge, Carol, does not see herself as a penny-pincher. She is just a driven, successful female entrepreneur who has been forced to be stingy with her time. And she ultimately learns (by visiting the past, looking deeper into the present and looking ahead) that she can be even more successful if she immerses herself into the lives of the people working for her and to enjoy life and its simple pleasures.

Our Carol/Scrooge does not hate Christmas, per se, she doesn’t like the slow down and apathy that accompanies the holidays. People start being less productive because of “the holidays.” In her I Want song, she suggests that Christmas come every four years (like Olympics and elections) so they’d be more special. I’m hoping that people today will actually identify with her.

Where did you find your “Carol?”

That’s an interesting question. The Group Rep is a membership company and we try to cast our shows from within the membership. Bruce conducted a series of musical theatre workshops at the theater and worked with the Group Rep members. We have written the role of Carol to be ageless, so we could have gone any number of directions. My daughter, Hartley, recently joined Group Rep (and played Hermia in last year’s Marc Singer-directed production of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”). I hoped that she’d be able to play a part in this play — there are lots of women’s roles. And when we began casting, director Bruce Kimmel said to me that he thought Hartley was our strongest choice for Carol. So, my daughter is Carol.

Has there ever been “A Christmas Carol” musical?

There are many adaptations of the story; over 30 films, many musicals and even an opera. Some of my favorites are the animated version with Mr. Magoo as Scrooge and the Albert Finney film version called “Scrooge.”

Tell me about other musicals you have done?

I have written several musicals, most notably “Inside Out,” which started out in 1989 at the Group Rep and wound up Off Broadway at The Cherry Lane and then was produced around the U.S. and in Canada and Europe. It just opened last month in Belgrade, translated into Serbian. Other musicals at Group Rep include: “Love Again,” The Ghost of Gershwin.” Additionally, I was commissioned to write two musicals for Santa Barbara’s Access Theatre: “The Legend of the Crystal Waters” (a musical fantasy), “Flavia and the Dream Maker” (a musical biography of Flavia Weed, the painter/poet), and commissioned by EvenSong for “A Different Coat of Armor” (a musical about Saint Francis of Assissi). One of my favorites is an modern adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost” called “iGhost.” I have collaborated with some amazing composers and lyricists including: Adryan Russ, Wayland Pickard, Shelly Markham, Mark Henderson, Bob Garrett, John Reynolds, David M. Strauss and, of course, Bruce Kimmel.

What’s director/composer Bruce Kimmel’s background?

Bruce has an extensive background in musical theatre, having written and directed many musicals as well as produced hundreds of original cast recordings and solo albums. As a songwriter, his song, “Simply” won a MAC Award for Best Song of the Year.


“A Carol Christmas” at the Group Rep Lloyd Pedersen and cast. Photo Karen Staitman.

What is the most difficult thing in adapting a story to a musical?

Condensing is the hardest part because the source material is so rich. So, we have to squeeze a lot of information into songs and scenes. This particular story is especially challenging because everyone knows it so well. So, even though we’ve set it today and in America, we’ve tried to hit all the same plot points. In the original, Scrooge goes back to his Christmas past and remembers his love for a girl named Belle. We do the same thing, only our Carol goes back in time and remembers her Blake, but in our story, he is still in her life and romantically interested in her. So, we have another story arc we’ve added. And one of my favorite things about the source story is Tiny Tim and how he melts Scrooge’s heart. In our version, Tim is Trina and we’ve made her story a little more prominent.

Is there a message to your musical?

The message here is similar to the original. But in setting it in the present, we’re hoping the message is more aimed at today’s world where being an aggressive entrepreneur is admirable. This is like watching a story we all know and love and seeing it dressed up in new surroundings. I hope people find it refreshing. There’s so much negativity out in the world, I wanted to offer something affirming, charming, comfortable and moving.

I hope that people leave the theater with renewed hope and refreshed and look at their own lives and appreciate what they have and ask themselves if there’s anything they could do to improve the lives of people around them. Change is refreshing and the joy contagious.

Is the musical casted from Group Repertory Theatre Company?

Most of the parts are cast from the membership. I wrote this show with this company in mind and we certainly could have cast it entirely from our membership. But some members were not available either due to holiday plans or previous engagements. We don’t have any children as members, and we have a quintet of carolers who are all children, so we had open calls for that as well as some of the other roles.


“A Carol Christmas” at the Group Rep. Celine Bautista, Momoka Kato, Ellie Birdwell, Chihiro Kato, Andrew Grigorian. Photo by Karen Staitman.

DATES

November 16 – December 30, 2018

Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.
There is an additional Saturday matinee on the Saturday, November 24th at 2pm.
There is no show on Friday, November 23rd (Black Friday).

The Group Rep
10900 Burbank Blvd. NoHo Arts District 91601
818-763-5990

www.thegrouprep.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.

Reviews: Widows; Boy Erased; Bohemian Rhapsody

Mike Peros
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Reviews: Widows; Boy Erased; Bohemian Rhapsody

Steve McQueen’s Widows starts with some tender canoodling between Viola Davis and spouse Liam Neeson, intercut with a heist that goes very, very wrong.

As a result, the grieving widow Davis must repay the $2 million that had been stolen from the ruthless crime boss Bryan Tyree Henry, as he could really use that money to fund his campaign for alderman against Colin Farrell, son of entrenched political fixture Robert Duvall. Luckily, her late husband left her a book containing the plans for one last robbery. So what’s a widow to do…well, if you’ve got intelligence, grit, and determination, you gather the other widows (Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Carrie Coon) for one big score—enough to pay back the “boss’ with more than enough left to split among the rest.

There’s plenty going on in Widows, as the screenplay by McQueen and Gillian Flynn (based on a teleplay by Lynda La Plante) uses the imminent election (in Chicago) and power struggle spurred by racial divisions (with no clear candidate to root for) as the backdrop for a heist drama in which women are taking on roles usually reserved for men (which could be used to their advantage, as Davis astutely points out). Make no mistake—this is no jaunty caper like the Ocean’s Eleven movies but a drama of women driven by desperation and the need to stay alive. Each widow has her own tale of woe, from Elizabeth Debicki, still reeling from wounds inflicted by her now-deceased husband and her very much alive mother (Jackie Weaver), while Michelle Rodriguez has lost her business thanks to her husband’s gambling. The only widow who doesn’t want in is Carrie Coon, and she has her reasons (luckily for the ladies and the movie, hairdresser Cynthia Erivo is able to fill in). The performances from Davis, Erivo, Debicki and Rodriguez are all solid and sympathetic, and there is a fiery turn from Duvall, as well as a chilling performance from Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) as the crime boss’s brother—and lethal enforcer. There are a few twists in the plotting, including one you may spot in advance, and some unexplored elements in the wake of the climax. Still, while it’s not perfect, Widows is generally gripping and well-acted all the way.

Boy Erased

The beautifully acted, affecting drama Boy Erased dramatizes the true story of a college freshman who is forced to undergo gay conversion therapy at the request of his devoutly religious parents. Joel Edgerton’s film stars Lucas Hedges as the conflicted son of Baptist preacher Russell Crowe and devoted wife Nicole Kidman. When we first meet Hedges, he is about to enter the facility, with concerned mother Kidman forced to keep her distance while the therapist (Edgerton) informs his charges that their sexuality is a sin brought on by poor parenting. In flashbacks, we see that while Hedges has been maneuvered into an abortive heterosexual relationship, he discovers his true feelings are for members of his own sex. His parents, at a loss over how to respond, consult “older, wiser men” for counsel, leading to what is, for all concerned, an unfortunate decision. Boy Erased is distinguished not necessarily by the scenes at the center—it becomes clear that the defining feature of the center is its ability to inflict real emotional harm. Rather, the strength of the film lies in the conflict and interaction between Hedges and his well-meaning but narrow-minded parents.  As much as he says he loves Hedges, Crowe only will accept him on his own terms, using the tenets of religious faith as his sole support—thus ignoring the anguish and needs of his son. Meanwhile, Kidman nicely displays her character’s moral awakening in the face of Crowe’s intransigence, while Hedges believably conveys both the character’s confusion and growing assurance. Boy Erased shows that the road to acceptance and tolerance can be a difficult one, but it is is worth the journey.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody is the entertaining, poignant, and ultimately rousing story of the rise of the rock band Queen—and the ascent of its lead singer (and provocateur) Freddie Mercury—followed by Mercury’s descent into drugs, bad behavior, ill-advised sexual escapades, culminating in both his being diagnosed with AIDs, and being offered an opportunity to salvage both his career and Queen’s with a performance at Live Aid. Bryan Singer’s film, with a screenplay by Anthony McCarten, is not necessarily a factual one—and it does follow the standard trajectory of the rise and fall biopic. However, Bohemian Rhapsody benefits from an Oscar-worthy performance from Rami Malek as Mercury—rebellious, hungry, driven, mercurial (yeah, I know), conveying the musician’s contradictory compulsions to succeed, to love—and to fight with and alienate those he needs the most. One telling vignette has Mercury trying to return to Queen after an unsatisfactory experience with musicians who “gave him what he wants.” The interactions among the band members feel genuine, the songs and the snippets well done, and the concert at Live Aid is cathartic, wringing every emotion out of the viewer, bolstered by excellent camera work and well-timed reaction shots. It will make you want to revisit your Queen catalog—or begin to build one.

The Ultimate Holiday Giveaway—Buy a New Home, Get a New Car

Lisa Bianconi
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The Ultimate Holiday Giveaway is now in full swing at Gallery in Valley Village. 

For a limited time, purchase a new, architectural single-family home and get a new 2019 MINI Cooper 2-door hardtop. 

gallery valley village

Built by WCH Communities, Gallery is a collection of 16, small lot homes located in desirable Valley Village. These spacious, well-appointed, 3-story homes are at the pinnacle of urban living. The homes are structurally-independent with no shared walls and range in size from approximately 1,652 square feet up to 1,837 square feet of living space with 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and an attached two-car garage.

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, Gallery is an opportunity to own a brand new single-family home for under $900,000 that requires very little maintenance. Designer-selected finishes include European Oak plank flooring, Quartz countertops, a gourmet kitchen with GE Profile ™ stainless steel appliances and designer fixtures. Gallery is located just a few blocks and minutes from cafés, restaurants, and the neighborhood Gelson’s Market. It’s only a 3-minute walk to Marie et Cie, the neighborhood café, and 14 minutes to the local Starbucks. Valley Village Park is just an 8-minute walk and offers walking paths, picnic areas and a play area. Gallery’s prime Valley Village location is minutes from Universal City, NoHo and Burbank, and offers easy access to the Metrolink Orange and Red Lines at the North Hollywood and Universal City/Studio City Stations. Gallery is well-located to the 101, 134 and 405 freeways. 

Gallery follows Studio 10 in Hollywood, The Hampshire in Los Feliz, Panorama in Hollywood and Strata in Eagle Rock. In growing numbers, LA residents are embracing the eco-friendly lifestyle of small footprint homes, where modern convenience and social responsibility embrace without compromise. Gallery is designed by LA architect, Modative, whose innovative designs of small lot subdivisions are a pacesetter for modern housing solutions. Gallery is exclusively represented by Marc Tahler and Ken Zietz of Rodeo Realty.

It’s the season for giving, so don’t miss The Ultimate Holiday Giveaway now happening at Gallery in Valley Village. Gallery is priced from $889,000 and located at 11594 West Riverside Drive in Valley Village, 91602. To learn more about Gallery, visit www.galleryvalleyvillage.com. For information about WCH Communities, LP visit www.wchcommunities.com.

Gallery via nohoartsdistrict.com

Our Wait is Over. NoHo Now Has a Boutique Hotel

Lisa Bianconi
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When I came to the NoHo Arts District in 1999, even way back then the City, community leaders and arts groups were talking about the need for a trendy, modern hotel in NoHo.

Well, we finally got what we asked for. Hotel Lexen opened earlier this year and is an exquisitely decorated, contemporary hotel. The Lexen’s artistic style, complete with murals, wall tapestries and beautifully shaped custom furniture reflects bold and vivid colors in every design element.

The Hotel Lexen opens in the NoHo Arts District via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

When I toured the hotel, I looked at several rooms all of which were uniquely decorated. They didn’t look like your typical hotel room at all. Hotel Lexen’s patio lounge and bar is a great size with a beautiful view of NoHo Park and plenty of seating – perfect for book signings, movie premieres, theatre parties or any event you can imagine. They also have a state-of-the-art gym. Recently, I had friends stay at the hotel and they found the service to be professional and warm, and they loved their room overlooking our NoHo Park. They couldn’t believe how reasonably priced this beautiful hotel was. 

The Hotel Lexen opens in the NoHo Arts District via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

We asked the owners what made them choose the NoHo Arts District to build the Hotel Lexen. They said they looked at property in many different areas of the Valley but when they came to the NoHo Arts District they knew this was where they wanted to be. They loved NoHo’s artistic ambiance and how quickly it is becoming a cultural tourist attraction and entertainment destination.

The Hotel Lexen is NoHo’s neighborhood hotel – a great place for your friends, business associates or to even have a fun weekend escape for yourself.

Welcome to NoHo!

Hotel Lexen
5268 North Tujunga Ave,
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 821-3680

lexennoho@gmail.com

https://www.lexennoho.com

https://www.facebook.com/LexenNoho

**** 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.

Exercises you can do at home – Personal Fantasy – #3

Fran Montano
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Exercises you can do at home – Personal Fantasy – #3

This is part three of my blog from the last few months. 

I get asked frequently about acting exercises that an actor can do at home. Maybe you’re in between classes, you want to do some extra work, or you just want to explore and stretch yourself in the privacy of your home without being watched and judged.  Or maybe you’re curious and want to see and experience what actors do and try an exercise or two.  Doing these exercises is a good way to work on specifics, details, activity of doing, and imagination. Here is a third exercise that you can do on your own. Take your time and discover your way.

Exercises at Home #3 – PERSONAL FANTASY 

ONE PERSON

This is another exercise in imagination and imaginary circumstances.

In this exercise, you are in your dwelling, alone.  

There are two types of this exercise:

The Personal Fantasy Exercise and the Character Fantasy Exercise.  Today I’ll talk about the Personal Fantasy.

PERSONAL FANTASY

You are having a fantasy, alone in your apartment, you are yourself.  You are pretending to be someone else, living vicariously, or doing something.  The entire time you are yourself, knowing you are doing this.

Examples of having a personal fantasy:

Pretending to prepare your Oscar Speech

Being a rock star

A ballerina dancer

Having a passionate conversation with someone in your head

Rehearsing a scene or monologue

Preparing for a job interview

Pretending to be the opposite sex.

Use whatever props you need, and dress accordingly.   This is also called The Private Moment Exercise. In effect, you’re having a personal intimate moment with yourself, having a fantasy.

Remember, in this exercise you are playing yourself, pretending to be in this situation, you are always aware that you are yourself in this kind of fantasy.  Later I’ll talk about the Character Fantasy, where you play a character. There is a difference between the two.

Keep your imagination alive!  I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you  have.”  Maya Angelou.

The Goldwyn Experiment “Avenue B”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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The Goldwyn Experiment “Avenue B”

This is an interesting mix of an album and morphs in unexpected ways as you listen to it. Part rock, part rap, part Broadway musical, part something dark and in between…all heart.

The prologue track really sets it all up giving us a taste of what’s to come, each track as different as the last.  Think a glam rock Chili Peppers with a little Led Zeppelin and a twist of early Queen for good measure.

This is a performance album, full of big drums, loud guitars and intros to vocals and rap tracks about a young man’s well-travelled life.  The vocals are catchy, and the hooks strong and beautifully produced.  A lot of thought has gone into this album, which feels as concept as is possible in this age of live tracks looped drums and EPs.

Avenue B has a great retro 80s feel. Lots of jazz keys, deep baselines, vibrant high-end guitar battles, and some solid bluesy undertones.  It’s ambitious, complicated and often operatic…in a very cool way.  It’s worth several listenings, the tracks layer and layer and transform as they spiral around ever expanding themes.  They must have had a ball making this.  There are moments you can hear the shear unadulterated bliss of the band and it’s easy to imagine them in the studio, heads bobbing.

If you like rock with a heavy helping of harmonious storytelling you will love “Avenue B” by The Goldwyn Experiment.

Musicians

Goldwyn Thandrayen : Vocals, Guitars, Keys

Art Hirahara – Piano, Keys

Evan Gregor – Upright Bass

Kenny Grohowski – Drums

Featured Vocals/Rapper on Sad Boy Summer Tyler Guest and Tommy Atomic DiRocco Guest Vocals – Wilson Li

https://www.thegoldwynexperiment.com

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Paul Gauguin Cruises

Lisa Bianconi
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Cruise Guys of Beverly Hills and Palm Springs is thrilled to offer a very unique opportunity to cruise to the most beautiful destination in the world in the South Pacific.

Thanksgiving is upon us and we’re eager to share this deal with you! Inspire gratitude with a winter escape to perfectly tropical French Polynesia. You’ll be thankful when you save up to $3,000 per person. That’s on top of our 50% off brochure fares plus included round-trip airfare from Los Angeles. This is an all-inclusive cruise experience.

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, is pleased to announce that it won the “Best Tahiti and French Polynesia Cruise Line” in the 2018 AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards. This is the second consecutive year Paul Gauguin Cruises has won this award.

Paul Gauguin Cruise via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

“Paul Gauguin Cruises sails year round in French Polynesia, and we are thrilled to receive this special award that celebrates our extraordinary voyages in this destination from AFAR magazine,” said Diane Moore, President, Paul Gauguin Cruises. “It is a testament to our talented team, which delivers exceptional service and experiences to our guests every day.”

Paul Gauguin Cruises, along with CRUISE GUYS is offering savings of up to $3,000* per person off select luxury voyages aboard The Gauguin when booked with CRUISE GUYS, while their Special Offer lasts. Roundtrip airfare between Los Angeles and Papeete, Tahiti, is also included. On board, guests will enjoy the highest standards of luxury, quality, and all-inclusive value sailing to South Pacific destinations that are the cruise line’s specialty. Plus, if you book during their special sale or on select dates, you will receive additional benefits.

How have cruises changed in the last 10 years?
Cruising is now well established as one of the most service-intensive sectors in the world, with ever more incredible state-of-the-art vessels being built each year. ‘Pampered in luxury” accurately describes the cruise experience.
• Greater focus on friends & family and family travel • Increase in river cruises in Europe and Southeast Asia
• Exotic locales and itineraries
• Although new ships are being built, Cruise lines are also focusing more on improving their existing fleets with major refurbishments, better use of existing on-board spaces, telecommunications upgrades and renewed focus on humanity’s age-old love affair with the sea, translating into more outdoor spaces on ships and expanded uses of deck space. Cruise lines are bringing more and more brand names on-board and updating their menus for the realities of 21st-century dining.
• The cruise lines welcome the diversity, too, mostly because it means more people in the world are cruising.

Paul Gauguin Cruise via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Is there an art component to the cruise?
• Many Cruise Lines provide enriching experiences that key into the destinations they are visiting. The Paul Gauguin features expert lecturers on each voyage, and special guests on select sailings conducting presentations on topics ranging from the arts or history of the South Pacific to conservation, culture, marine life and the wonders of coral reefs. Each cruise offer a troupe of Tahitian entertainers for the passengers to enjoy and immerse themselves.

What’s the itinerary?
Paul Gauguin Cruises offers 7- to 14-night voyages in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific year round.

Tahiti & The Society Islands (7-nights) or Society Islands & Tahiti Iti (7-nights) or 14 nights:
Exploring the best of the south Pacific, with stops in Huahine, Bora Bora, and the private islet of Motu Mohana, Moorea, or Little Tahiti Iti, with ancient petroglyphs and marae (temples), and pocket of authentic Polynesian culture.

Describe the room and ship’s amenities.
On The Gauguin, nearly 70% of the luxurious suites and staterooms offer balconies. Dining experiences include L’Etoile, which showcases an array of culinary creations expertly prepared each evening. The ship’s other two dining venues, La Veranda and Le Grill, serve breakfast and lunch. At night, signature dishes designed by French celebrity chef Jean-Pierre Vigato are offered in La Veranda, and Polynesian specialties are served poolside at Le Grill.

A luxurious spa, fitness center, watersports marina, and expansive outdoor decks with chaise lounges and a pool are also available aboard The Gauguin.

Paul Gauguin Cruise via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Why the ship is unique and its benefits?
One of the highlights of each sailing is exclusive access to Motu Mahana, the cruise line’s private islet off the coast of Taha’a where guests can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, Polynesian activities, a full-service bar, a floating lagoon bar, and a delicious barbecue. In Bora Bora, guests can enjoy complimentary access to a private, white-sand beach with beach volleyball, sunbathing, snorkeling, paddle-boarding, and refreshments.

Why a Tahiti Cruise on The Paul Gauguin – This cruise is ALL-INCLUSIVE?
The Paul Gauguin is the highest-rated, award-winning and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific. This is an ALL-INCLUSIVE Cruise experience. This means, once you pay for your cruise, there are no hidden expenses. Everything is included: Airfare, your accommodations (your hotel on the water), all of your sumptuous food onboard (prepared by the world’s most talented and award-winning chefs), in your choice of onboard restaurant venues, and 24-hour room service. Onboard entertainment: live music throughout the day and evening, along with presentations onboard for enrichment, as well as Polynesian performers while in port. All gratuities are included, as well as complimentary beverage service, including select wines and spirits, beers, soft drinks and bottled water throughout the ship. Watersports: including complimentary kayaking and paddle-boarding from the ship’s marina or on destination beaches.

What is the deadline?
Paul Gauguin Cruises, along with CRUISE GUYS is offering a unique savings up to $3,000* per person off the already discount 50% off brochures fares, on most of the luxury voyages aboard The Gauguin. The pricing is based on Stateroom or Suite Category and based per person, double occupancy. Plus, if booked during their Special Incentive Sale, receive added bonus’ through Cruise Guys.

Deposits are due with your reservation (10% per person), with the final payment due 95 days prior to your departure. Dawdlers beware: this offer ends soon!

To reserve your Paul Gauguin Cruise and receive the Special Discount Pricing you must contact the PG Specialist:

Two Week Sale from Paul Gauguin Cruises on Vimeo.

CRUISE GUYS BEVERLY HILLS & PALM SPRINGS

Call: (310) 652-7222 or Email: Sandra.CruiseGuys@gmail.com

*Must mention Promo Code “NHAD” (NoHo Arts District) to receive the additional Special Bonus Shipboard Credit Offer! Must reserve through CRUISE GUYS TRAVEL.

**** 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.

LUC “Glow”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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LUC “Glow”

Kari Kimmel and Joe Corcoran are two very, very successful musicians.

They have written songs for The Backstreet Boys, Ke$ha and Demi Lovato, and Kari has sung on three platinum and five gold soundtracks.  Joe has earned two platinum records for his work as an engineer, mixer and musician and a number one international hit with Lenka’s “The Show.”  So these guys are the real deal.

Their own work already feels iconic. It has that deep, rare, exquisite musicality that only exists in what we have to have as the soundtrack to our lives.  It is spiraling, enigmatic, stylish, full of energy and shiny like Japan.  It’s Blondie meets The Ting Tings meets David Bowie.  It’s music for space exploration, driving fast to escape your doom, it’s Bonny and Clyde blow up the moon music.

Speaking of David Bowie, Joe Corcoran produced Chris Hadfield’s “A Space Oddity” which Bowie called “the most poignant version of the song ever created.”  Which is something else isn’t it?  Speaking of icons, Ringo Starr had Kari sing with him on the 2014 Grammys, as well as the CBS 50th Anniversary Beatles Tribute.  Impressed?

That’s all amazing of course, but how is their own music?  Well, I’d have to say it’s bloody brilliant…gorgeous guitars, sometimes dirty, beautiful bashing beats and sublime mind blowing vocals all incredibly produced like it’s the beat of your own heart. Can you tell I like it yet?

Actually I have been playing this EP all day. I can’t wait to get in my car later and drive around with it on. Am I sad?  Probably.   But this music is so good you can’t really do anything else when you listen to it.  It demands your attention, it’s powerful and driving and mesmerizing. Check out their video:

LUC’s “Glow” is music for the new world, the world we dream about, the world we wish we lived in and the world we must make to save us all. I swear I am not exaggerating… I never do that…

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Weather McNabb “Cubicle Zombie”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Weather McNabb “Cubicle Zombie”

“Cubicle Zombie” is the new EP from the artistic mind of Weather McNabb and is a splendid example of when sardonic wit meets playful storyteller meets compelling vocals.

With influences from Alainis Morrisette to Annie Lennox to Garbage, the songs seem to tell a sordid tale.  

Anti-establishment in a glorious Matrix-like rejection of society with full-blown, war-like calls to arms.  Thoughtful inspiring layers of vocals and insistent beats blended with orchestral piano and theatrical operatic arrangements.

Weather’s vocals remind me a little of Alison Moyet. But then I’m an 80s baby and love all that glam electronica with drum machines and dark stylized lyrics…painting pictures with smoke and black and red…gorgeous!

I salute McNabb for her unabashed reminiscing and her anecdotal songs awash with the trappings of our modern life.  Her beautiful use of electronic drums, heaving, swaying keys and jingly guitar riffs poignantly punctuate every song…love the vocal effects too.

Nostalgia abounds and overall this EP is a very pleasant walk down memory lane a la Ultravox and Human League, with a good big wallop of intravenous modern regret, anger and betrayal.  Loved it!

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J’Moris “Extra” EP

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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J’Moris “Extra” EP

J’Moris’s “Extra” EP has an excellent retro 90s feel, but the cracking mix of the newness of trap electronic beats and a heavy bass brings it right up to date.

You can hear the R & B influence in the lyrics and the vocal style. There’s a lot of slow, heartfelt intimacy in the words and the stories he tells.

J’Moris hails from Fort Worth, Texas where he grew up during the crack epidemic and his music is a reflection of his struggle to survive and a glorious means to escape from the seeming inevitability of his circumstance.  His is a hard-fought battle and one that resonates with so many of his generation and beyond.  Perhaps this is why his story and his voice is so powerful and important, or perhaps his poetry would have found an audience regardless of its beginnings.

Either way, J’Morris has a lot to say and he does it with a voice that feels as real as his story and southern drawl, round and full. He sings hard and leans in, unafraid to say what he means in a way that entertains as much as it informs.

You can hear the influences of 90s gansta rap of course, the grind, the beats. Biggie comes to mind, but there’s a newer polish to this, a hopeful quality that makes it lighter somehow.  This is a man moving forward, aware of his history and proud of where he belongs but still looking to the future, being bold and adventurous and inspired.  Loved it!

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Eric Anders and Mark O’Bitz “Matterbloomlight”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Eric Anders and Mark O’Bitz “Matterbloomlight”

These two California-based singer-songwriters have worked together for more than 16 years.

Recording together, performing together and finding their own very special sound together.  What they have created here is a beautiful blend of atmospheric, warmly acoustic and howling, pining slide guitar with Eric Anders haunting vocals filling the space with longing and melancholy…in the best possible way.

This track will be included in the upcoming album “American Bardo,” released sometime in 2020 and recorded in their hometown of Pasadena. Pasadena seems to complement their mood and magic somehow.  This song is gentle, meandering but still holds on to the urgency of the message, with echoes of REM and Moby.  It’s the kind of song you play when you want to remember, when you are driving the long way home, or when you are leaving something far, far behind.

Eric and Mark are careful, thoughtful musicians, crafting every single moment of the song, holding on to long phrases, expanding on the reverb and tumbling in the spaces between the notes.  They create an epic sound, a sound that fills your mind, spilling out in warm, cinematic, vibrations.

“Matterbloomlight” is an ode to George Saunders’ exquisite novel, “Lincoln In The Bardo,” the Mann Booker Prize-winning novel about Abraham Lincoln and the death of his young son Willie.  Both Eric and Mark have their own young families and I can only image that they were as moved as the rest of us by this story of such a man and his profound grief.  Whatever the beginnings of the song or their purpose for writing it, what they are have created is powerful and mournful and forgiving and brilliant…loved it.

https://www.andersobitz.com

https://www.facebook.com/ericandersmusic/

Lucinda Belle “I’ll Be Loving You”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Lucinda Belle “I’ll Be Loving You”

With the charm and gentle humor of The Ink Spots and the dulcet tones of Etta James, Lucinda Belle is a thoroughly unique and timeless talent.

A goddess of the harp and song, she began her career as a child prodigy, a classical harpist in the U.K.’s National Children’s Orchestra.  She has worked with the likes of Annie Lenox, Natalie Cole and the Pet Shop Boys, quite an eclectic mix to be sure.  But then sweet musical surprise seems to be her resting pulse.

This song is a beautiful cinematic homage to smoke-filled clubs, too-tight dresses and swinging blues bands filling dance floors with a wild mix of music lovers to the wee small hours.  Recorded live at London’s Toe Rag Studio with their 8 track, 50s recording studio, no digital nonsense, giving it a rarefied, joyous bounce and a shine as authentic as Lucinda.  It feels real, it feels fresh, it feels reverential but not stogy.  This is no rehash of some take on an old song, no.  “I’ll Be Loving You” has the simplicity of Vera Lynn singing to our hearts and the sweet, warm tones of Sam Cook singing from his soul.

Lucinda Belle is a true artist.  Her song “Going Nowhere” was nominated for an Oscar in 2015 for the film “For No Good Reason” with Johnny Depp and she has performed with the Punch Drunk Theatre Company.  She shows no desire to limit herself or curtail her boundaries – and for that we should be grateful!

“I’ll Be Loving You” is her first release from her second album, “Think Big: Like Me.”  Having conquered the U.K., this album is a nod to the iconic American songbook and this single a perfect opening act.

This rather gorgeous video perfectly captures her playful nature and lets the glorious music speak for itself.

Personally, I can’t wait for the album…

www.lucindabelle.com

www.lucindabelle.live

Facebook  |  Instagram

Tips on investing locally

NoHo - North Hollywood
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If you’re an investor looking for opportunities to get the most out of your money, then investing locally can be a great choice.

It gives you a better opportunity to scrutinize the businesses that you’re putting money into; it makes it easier for you to support interconnected businesses, building up strong supply and distribution chains; it strengthens the local economy, which can benefit multiple companies in your portfolio; and it can also have a social impact on the area where you live. By increasing employment options and customer choice and attracting customers who bring money into the neighborhood from elsewhere, you can increase local confidence and pride, making it a better place to be. 

Allies in local investment

When you’re planning to invest locally, it’s worth finding out what programs exist at a town hall or state level with which you can connect. In some cases, there may also be federal programs. These can include tax relief for investment in certain sectors or in businesses based in particular locations. They may also involve partnerships whereby government invests a certain amount proportionate to what you invest, which helps you by increasing the value of your stock. Small business owners are often naïve about the help that’s out there, and you can enhance their prospects after buying in by helping them connect with free training schemes or subsidies for things such as computer equipment or renewable energy. 

Connect with business owners

Whenever you’re investing in a business, one of the first things you should do is interview its senior personnel. This is much simpler to arrange when you’re living nearby. You may also be able to take advantage of your local connections to find out about them from people who know them or have worked with them before, helping you to get a better idea of their drive and capabilities. Many towns and cities run networking events for local business leaders. These can provide you with a great opportunity for scoping out new potential investment opportunities. They can also let you identify individual talent. Some investors specialize in headhunting capable people from struggling businesses and placing them in promising ones. 

Get to know a LION

LIONs – Local Investment Opportunities Networks – are organizations that set up regular monthly meetings between investors and business leaders. You don’t need to commit to anything, but they can be a great way to explore potential investment partnerships, getting other people to put their money into the same businesses as you in order to generate the capital that will take them to the next level, with benefits for all. Unlike traditional Angel meetings, LION meetings also allow amateur investors to participate, so there’s a wider potential investment pool. 

Develop a local investment fund

Hooking up with other investors can help you establish local investment funds. This will enable you to get your own or your company’s name and branding on it, generating positive publicity for you even when you don’t have sufficient funds free to be actively involved. A fund like this also provides an ongoing local resource, benefiting not only the companies that you’ve invested in directly but also companies that provide resources or services they need. While it could theoretically increase competition, the reality is that usually, when more money flows into businesses in a particular area, everybody gains. 

Promote your local area

One way to increase wider investment is, of course, to talk up your local area. This also has the effect of boosting the confidence of the people running the businesses in which you’ve invested. You can discuss ways of doing this with your local tourism authority or you can make it a feature of your ongoing approach to marketing, mentioning it on your website, in interviews and so forth. Linking your branding to your locality and to the businesses that you’re involved with helps to attract custom by boosting the associated sense of importance and professionalism. 

Learn how to manage your investments

When you’re investing significant amounts of money, it can be difficult to keep up with everything yourself, especially if they’re spread across lots of different companies or you also have direct business interests to consider. Traditionally, investment management – otherwise the natural solution – hasn’t worked very well for those who like to keep a local focus because most of those in the industry want clients to spread across different areas, and often they have connections with particular companies into which they want you to put your money. This isn’t universally the case, however. Creative Planning profiles each individual investor separately and tailors its services to fit. 

Get smart about giving

Charitable giving helps many companies and individuals manage their tax obligations. When you’re investing locally, you can do this and improve on your investments at the same time simply by donating to charities that support local businesses. Even if you don’t gain directly, you’ll benefit from the boost to the local economy.

Local investing is a way to give back to your community and improve your own situation at the same time. What’s not to love?

Whitefire Theatre

NoHo - North Hollywood
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0
Whitefire Theatre

SEATS: 84 Seats expands to 90

Address:  13500 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, Ca 91423

Contact:  Bryan Rasmussen 818-687-8559

Square footage of stage area:



“In a Booth at Chasen’s – The Real Life Romance of Ronald and Nancy Reagan”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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1

John C. Kerklotz, American Happenings, Ron Dante, Ceil & Al Kasha and Cornwell Worthington, II Present: 

“In a Booth at Chasen’s – The Real Life Romance of Ronald and Nancy Reagan”

I walked into El Portal Theatre and was immediately amazed to see an original booth from the now long gone Hollywood Landmark, Chasen’s restaurant.  

That was the beginning of my magical journey back in time to 1949’s classic Hollywood, California.  

reagans booth

Nancy Davis had a blind date with Ronald Reagan at Chasen’s restaurant and from that moment this sweet and now legendary story unfolded.  Sam Bennett has written a realistic and very entertaining story that gives us a beautiful glimpse into the Reagan’s two-year courtship.  They had challenges similar to most relationships but they also had to deal with the gossipy tabloid press and rampant rumors of communism in the industry.  Theirs is a true love story over which people have marveled for more than six decades.  This play does an excellent job of wondering how a blind date changed history.   

Nancy Davis was played wonderfully by Kelley Corner who played Nancy as a strong woman within the 50s restraints. Her comedic timing was great with a beautiful operetta voice.

Brent Schindele played Ronald Reagan.  He was bigger than life, a true triple threat. He can sing, dance and act – a top theatre performer!

These two performers really held their own, it’s a two-person piece and a big musical so only experienced and talented performers could do it justice…and they truly did.

reagan

“In a Booth at Chasen’s” is seamlessly directed by Kay Cole who clearly knows how to direct and choreograph a musical.  There is some great film footage of the 1940s, 50s and 60s as a backdrop which really added so much to the performance and was a superb addition.  Music and lyrics by two-time Academy Award winner and Tony nominee, Al Kasha and Phil Swann, a former songwriter and producer for DreamWorks, took the play one step closer to a Broadway debut. The music and the lyrics gave us a true flavor of the times and carried the storyline very well.

I had a great time, my toes were tapping and the songs still zing in my head! The musicians were wonderful and took me right back to my childhood.  I love a good musical and “A Booth at Chasen’s” has all the best elements of a Broadway show.

Running from November 11 through November 25

Book by Sam Bennett

Music and Lyrics by Al Kasha and Phill Swann

Directed by Kay Cole

The El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood CA. 91601

Cast:

Nancy – Kelley Dorney

Ron – Brent Schindele

Musicians:

Jonathan Tessero, Jake Anthony, Kim Richmond, Karen Zelazo, Joe Martone, Shane Harry, Stephen Charpie.

Tickets are available at www.InABoothAtChasens.com and by calling 818-508-4200.  

Now playing thru November 25.  Performances:  Thurs Nov 15 at 3p and 8p; Nov 16 at 8p; Sat, Nov 17 at 3p and 8p; Sun, Nov 18 at 3p and 7p; Wed, Nov 21 at 3p and 8p; Fri, Nov 23 at 8p; Sat, Nov 24 at 3p and 8p; Sun, Nov 25 at 3p and 7p

Solofest 2019: Call for Submissions

Lisa Bianconi
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Great things can happen when given the space and encouragement to create. The Whitefire Theatre has given artists this platform since 2012 with their annual Solofest.

If you have a solo show, you can submit it for consideration for Solofest 2019. Deadline for submissions is December 1, 2018.

Our NoHo motto is unofficially: “NoHo is only as great as its people.” In this case we applaud the many dedicated writers, actors, producers, directors and tech folks who create and produce the annual Solofest at Whitefire Theatre.  We chatted with Bryan Rasmussen who began Solofest back in 2012.

What is Solofest?

Solofest is a festival of one person shows, or solo theatre, that is a celebration of the solo journey, not a competition. We do a completely different show every day during January February and the first part of March going on for seven years now.

It’s grown into the largest solo theatre festival on the West Coast. This year will be doing 60 shows in 70 days!

Call for submissions for solo plays at Whitefire Theatre's Solofest 2019 via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

When and why did you start Solofest?

I began Solofest in 2012 as a tribute to the solo process. I wanted to have a situation where it wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg for a performer to mount and produce their own show. We figured out a way so that the cost of the festival comes out of the box office instead of the performers own checkbook. Also each show is custom designed on the day of their performance so they’re not performing on someone else’s set or with someone else’s lighting. So were able to create their entire look and production in one day. We also only do one show a day instead of back to back performances in one day. So everyone has a good chunk of time to tech and prep their show.

We support solo artists like no other.

What type of shows are you looking for?

We are looking for all types of solo theater. But we do need to have it ready and written and approximately 60 to 80 minutes in length.

What suggestions do you have for solo show performers?

My suggestions come through doing the festival and prepping to mount your solo piece. It’s a great way to learn how to promote your own work as we all need to do as actors. It’s the most difficult thing an actor will ever have to do and so once you’re able to achieve this goal you’ll be able to do anything and everything!

Do you have any success stories? Or any interesting stories to share?

We have many success stories from the Solofest. “Billie: backstage with lady day” with Synthia Hardy has run for almost 10 years and closes every Solofest as a tribute to that journey. Another success story is Rudy Ramos in “Geronimo”. After he premiered it here at the Whitefire he went on to tour it through the south west and across the country. He then landed one of the leads in the TV series “Yellowstone” with Kevin Costner. We are so very proud of him and the show. The Solofest has launched over 250 solo shows since its inception!

The Whitefire Theatre is a pioneer in solo production and has produced over 1000 solo shows in the last 14 years.

Is there something you’d like to highlight?

The solo genre I think now is the purest form of storytelling in theater. It used to be considered more of a vanity type of expression. But now it’s become a very respected and honored achievement and theatrical undertaking.

**** 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.

City of Sound Performs at The Federal NoHo

Lisa Bianconi
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4

Meet City of Sound, a three-piece indie alternative rock band gearing up to release their debut full-length album, “Silent Empire.” The first offering from the 13-track album is “Odyssey” which boasts the bands trademark anthemic sound built on earworm melodies arrangements and hooks.

 

Come out to hear new music from City of Sound’s upcoming debut album at the Federal NoHo on Thursday, November 29.

“Our specific sound was always the vision,” says Jordan Wright (vocals/piano). “I had wanted to create something that makes people feel epic and punches them right in the face with hope. Luckily, I found two people who wanted to be a part of the same thing.”

City of Sound will perform new music from their upcoming debut album at the Federal NoHo on Thursday, November 29 via the official NoHo Arts District Guide; www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Rounding out the City of Sound trio is Andrew Leigh on guitar and Lacey Nova on Violin; creating a unique flavor of arena-sized alternative rock music that’s ever present with their epic lead single, “Odyssey.” Wright notes, “it’s the first song on the album and it introduces the journey we want our album to take people through. The journey of reflection.”

“Silent Empire is crafted with that theme of reflection in mind and written around a central character, Empire, and her journey to become something greater. “The song “Odyssey” is the beginning of that journey,” says Wright—the band’s primary songwriter, producer and arranger. “It begins with her world destroyed, left with nothing, but with everything to become. Left with nothing she makes the choice to take the journey she has long resisted. It’s something that is central to our message of love over fear.”

Being released in three parts, “Silent Empire” takes the listener on a journey through the character Empire, inspired by Wright’s personal experience. Part one dives into the deconstruction of who we are and the honest acceptance of our created insecurities. Part two explores the reconstruction of who we truly are. Then, in part three, what we do after we’ve gone through that process.

Building a loyal following not only in Los Angeles with recent sold-out shows, the band is also captivating audiences along both the west and east coasts. When asked what he hopes a fan might feel after a City of Sound show, Wright would feel like the job was completed if he overheard a fan saying, “I’m ready to kick ass and beat the shit out of life in the most beautiful way.”

…and that’s the mission of City of Sound; to inspire fans to take action and reach for their dreams in the same way they are, one catchy melody at a time.

Why did you choose The Federal?

“For some reason, we just haven’t played a venue in our own backyard of NoHo and a promoter we did our first show with (Kelly Mcgarry who’s the best promoter in LA) messaged me that they’d be in our neighborhood and wanted to see if we would be interested in headlining while we’re recording our album. It was an offer we couldn’t pass up. The Federal is where I spent my first new years with my wife, it’s a place I’ve taken every friend who’s visited me, and it’s a place that pretty much sums up the Arts District as a whole. To make it more simple, we love it.”

City of Sound will perform new music from their upcoming debut album at the Federal NoHo on Thursday, November 29 via the official NoHo Arts District Guide; www.nohoartsdistrict.com

In terms of music, what would you like to see more of in NoHo?

“I’d love to see bigger bands make an effort to get out to NoHo, the parks are huge and can absolutely hold a large crowd. I think NoHo gets disregarded sometimes by people in LA and they’re completely missing out on some of the most raw and purposed art that’s being created in this city.”

Is there something you’d like to highlight?

“We’re just excited to play at home. This is where we all met, this is where we chose to stay. Just can’t wait to get the neighborhood out, play our hearts out and create some beautiful chaos in a place we hold so dear to us.”

For more information on CITY OF SOUND, visit:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY

City of Sound at the Federal NoHo via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

WHEN:

Thursday, November 29, 2018
9:50 PM – 11:00 PM PST

WHERE:

The Federal NoHo
5303 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

TICKETS>>

**** 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.

“Anatomy of a Hug”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Collaborative Artists Ensemble Presents “Anatomy of a Hug” at The Sherry Theatre

Written by Kat Ramsburg. Directed by Steve Jarrard.

Running November 9 through December 2, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm.

The Sherry Theatre, 11052 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, 91601

This is a play about trust.  Trust in ourselves, trust in strangers, trust in the inevitability of change and in those who call themselves “family.” 

AnatomyPress1 copy 2
Kathy Bell Denton (l.) and Meg Wallace.

We all have trust issues and we all know how they can take their toll on our relationships and on our connection to everything in the world.  If we have no trust then we live in grayness and aloneness and will remain cut off from any real possibilities in life.

Amelia, the central character, has trust issues, and this is hardly surprising when you consider that she has lived in care for most of her life.  Her mother, Sonia, went to prison for killing her father in a manic depressive attempt to kill all three of them.  Sonia changed her mind at the last minute, couldn’t stop her accelerating the car from crashing and then unintentionally crashed the car in such a way as to only kill her husband, sparing herself and a very young Amelia.  Amelia adored her father and chose to cut herself out of her mother’s life completely, that is until her mother was awarded compassionate leave from prison because of a terminal illness and could only be released to a family member and the only family she had was Amelia.

AnatomyPress2 copy
Meg Wallace and Jo Sung.

So this is where we meet them both, as well as Sonia’s caseworker Iris and a very sweet and well-intentioned co-worker of Amelia’s, Ben who has a severe crush on Amelia…much to her astonishment.

Amelia has buried herself in her work selling child-aid memberships over the phone and in her rapturous love of television.  The make-believe worlds of TV gave her families and friendships she never could have had in the real world…and the distance they provided from reality kept her safe and free of the heartbreak of people.

Amelia and Sonia are as far apart as two people could be living in one small apartment and, while Sonia tries her best to connect and to heal them, Amelia resists.  This is a sad and moving play, although there are many, many funny moments and it is beautifully and a poignantly acted, each actor giving thoughtful, nuanced and deeply heart wrenching performances.  How difficult it is for us to talk to each other though?  Why does it often take something as drastic as impending death to get us to really see each other, to truly connect, to find our humanity and to forgive?

AnatomyPress6 copy 2
Leslie Thurston (l.), Kathy Bell Denton, Meg Wallace

“The Anatomy of a Hug” goes some way to answer these universal questions perhaps,  but mostly it is an intricately wrought portrait of a lonely woman so destroyed by one terrible moment in her life and its heartbreaking consequences that she insulates herself from everything that could indeed make her whole.  It is quietly brilliant and powerfully true.  Bravo!

Cast:

Kathy Bell Denton, Jo Sung, Leslie Thurston and Meg Wallace.

http://www.collaborativeartistsensemble.com/index2.html

Theatre West Presents “The Italian in Me”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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0

“The Italian in Me” written and performed by Dina Morrone.

I’m a big fan of one-woman shows and I have been privileged enough to see quite a few of them over the years at various solo theatre events and festivals.  “The Italian in Me” by Dina Morrone has to be one of my absolute favorites though!

Almost painfully and certainly hilariously biographical, “The Italian in Me” follows its author from Canada to Rome as she searches for her place as an Italian Canadian actress.   When Dina announces to her incredulous Italian grandmother her intentions of moving to Rome and becoming a famous actress she is met with the completely understandable response of, “Let me find you a husband.”  Fortunately, Dina resists the obviously tempting offer and flies to Rome anyway to pursue her love of acting and pasta.

After several months of mostly nothing, except praying at every church to every saint, she lands a few dodgy meetings with a few very dodgy producers, directors and agents…surprise, surprise.  Eventually, she meets the maestro Frederico Fellini who advises her to just be herself, hires her for his new TV show and promptly passes away.  But at least she now knows she is on the right track if Fellini wants you then bugger everyone else, right?

After a few years of terrible Italian television shows, she returns to the American continent and lands a brilliant role on Broadway…in a play about Fellini because she finally followed Fellini’s advice…she just took her own sweet time.

“The Italian in Me” is a wonderfully written play about an extraordinary life.  Dina guides us through these comical, pivotal moments with the grace and the gusto of her truly incredible talent.  She struts, she wiggles, she emotes and she cavorts.  Her strength and her belief in herself always propelling her onward and upward…if not occasionally sideways.

This is a woman who has lived her life well, even when in doubt.  This is a woman who embraces her Italian roots, her blonde locks and her Canadian accent, and succeeds because of them.  She is a force of nature, a “forza della natura.”  And she makes me want to move to Rome and zip around the streets on a Vespa drinking cappuccino. 

I highly recommend “The Italian in Me.”  Dina Morrone is a gift from above, a brilliant comic talent with echos of Lucille Ball and Gina Lollobrigida with a touch of Tracey Ullman. I absolutely loved “The Italian in Me.” Bravo! 

Morrison 14, New Homes in the NoHo Arts District

Lisa Bianconi
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0

Increasing numbers of LA residents seek the earth-friendly and low-maintenance lifestyle of ‘small footprint’ homes, where modern convenience and social responsibility embrace without compromise.

WCH Communities, LP is pleased to present Morrison 14, a new collection of modern homes that are far ahead of the curve.

Morrison 14 Grand Opening via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Situated in the heart of the NoHo Arts District, the spacious residences combine style and energy efficiency with an unparalleled level of urban access. The homes are structurally independent with no shared walls, providing a more complete form of ownership than condominiums with low monthly fees. Unique floor plans, designed by innovative LA architects Modative, provide 2 or 3 bedrooms, up to 3.5 bathrooms, and living area ranging from 1,530 to 1,805 square feet. The impressive list of finishes include European Oak plank flooring, exquisite tile work, designer fixtures and a GE appliance suite. Each home has an attached two-car garage and private roof deck, the perfect spot to relax and entertain against a backdrop of colorful sunsets and gorgeous views.

Morrison 14 Grand Opening via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

The NoHo Arts District has grown into one of LA’s best urban villages, humming with outdoor cafes, stylish boutiques and a renown live theater district. Main thoroughfares Lankershim and Vineland intersect with sunny tree-lined side streets, offering an eclectic array of restaurants, nightlife, cinemas, galleries and more. Owners at Morrison 14 have so much at their fingertips, and are seamlessly integrated into a lively scene happening right outside their door. Coffee, restaurants, bars, boutiques and services are nearby. There’s a neighborhood Ralphs market and a Whole Foods 365 coming soon just blocks away. Weekends offer the Saturday Farmers Market, and for quality time outdoors there are nearby parks and the Chandler Bikeway. For commuters, Morrison 14 is dream come true, just a few short blocks from the Metro Red Line. Access is easy to nearby Glendale, Burbank, Studio City and Universal Studios; local freeways make it easy to reach Hollywood and Downtown LA.

Morrison 14 Grand Opening via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Increasing numbers of LA residents seek the earth-friendly and low-maintenance lifestyle of ‘small footprint’ homes, where modern convenience and social responsibility embrace without compromise. WCH Communities, LP is at the vanguard of this movement, and has previously developed successful small lot communities, including Strata in Eagle Rock, Panorama in Hollywood, The Hampshire in Los Feliz, and Gallery in Valley Village, among others. For sales management at Morrison 14 they have partnered with Tracy Do and her team at Compass, leaders in the marketing of small lot homes. “We have sold hundreds of homes in LA,” says Tracy. “And none have been quite like these. This transit-oriented development represents the future of homeownership in our city, with stunning modern design and easy access to everything including mass transit. Interest is already running high, and we know that Morrison 14 will be a huge success.”

 Morrison 14 is priced from $899,000 and is located at 11037 Morrison Street, Los Angeles 91601. To learn more visit www.morrison14.com. For information about WCH Communities, LP visit www.wchcommunities.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.

Graham Bonnet @ The Viper Room

Caroline McElroy
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Graham Bonnet @ The Viper Room

When my fitness friend and fellow NoHo Arts District writer Jack Witt asked me to accompany him on a recent trek to The Viper Room to see one of his favorite performers, Graham Bonnet, it was a no-brainer…yes, of course.

Bonnet and his band were slated to perform ALCATRAZZ’s album “No Parole From Rock N’ Roll” in its entirety to celebrate the 35th anniversary of its release. The gig also featured the talents of special guests Electric Hounds and Descent of Talking Shadows. The Electric Hounds reminded me of my son Joey’s band Skin Flick and The Descent of Talking Shadows really sounded like a mixture of Slip Knot meets Soundgarden.

I likened the experience to eating an artichoke with its many layers and after eating the tough layers to the softer inner layer known as the heart, which, in this case is Bonnet’s show. Indeed, it does take time to get to the heart of the matter…Graham Bonnet.

For the uninitiated, “No Parole From Rock N’ Roll” is a large chunk of Heavy Metal history and carries the DNA from the formidable Heavy Metal bands Rainbow, MSG and Impelliterri. Bonnet’s roots go back to a band that called itself The Marbles.

Bonnet delivered a Heavy Metal feast of tunes from his expansive career as well as the album “No Parole From Rock N’ Roll,” which included one of my all-time favorites “Since You’ve Been Gone,” recorded while with Rainbow in 1979. It also appears on his new album “Meanwhile Back In The Garage,” which is receiving positive reviews by Bonnet’s fans as well as music critics. I must confess to thinking that “Man on the Silver Mountain” was Ronnie James Dio when I first heard it, but of course, it was Bonnet booming that piece of Heavy Metal history.

Bonnet is by far one of the best Heavy Metal singers that can still belt out his hits from 1979 to the present in such a way as to believe you are in a time warp to 1979 and beyond. After The Viper Room show I had a chance to interview Bonnet about his career and grabbed it. Below are the results of the interview with what I can only describe as a Heavy Metal Rock God. I am honored that he allowed me this opportunity.

When queried about the 35th anniversary of “No Parole From Rock N’ Roll” and how it feels to be refocusing on this period of Heavy Metal history Bonnet allowed that ”It’s nice to revisit songs that to me still stand up to the test of time, and it’s great that this first ALCATRAZZ album seems to have taken on a new life.”

Most everyone knows that Bonnet discovered Yngwie Malmstein, that “No Parole From Rock N’ Roll” was the launching pad for his career and we wondered if Bonnet ever touches base with Malmstein these days. Bonnet answered, “No, I haven’t spoken to him for 10 or 11 years.” Many years ago Malmstein was on a tour with Black N’ Blue and Saxon and I did catch his talents and in retrospect, it can be attributed to being mentored by Bonnet.

The major thing that struck me during the show at The Viper Room was how clear and strong Bonnet’s voice was as one never knows how that is going to hold up during a live performance with no breaks in between songs. The urge to ask him what were some of his challenges he’s had with his voice overtook me, “I was told by a voice doctor that my vocal chords at my age (70) are still those of a younger man, much to my surprise as I have thrashed the Hell out of them over the years.”

Every-time one turns around there are at least 100 new acts trying to burst onto the scene and be the next “big” thing. It’s hard to reach that lofty goal and we wondered what a seasoned veteran of the music scene had to say about doing it, “Don’t do it! LOL!!!! It’s a hard road these days and an over saturation of very very good bands which makes the competition tough and hard to be different from what is already out there.”

The Viper Room is set to be closing pretty soon and we could not resist asking Bonnet how it felt to be one of the last acts to be playing there. “It was a great gig. I have never played there and it turned out to be one of the better shows of the tour, as a Hollywood audience can be a hard crowd to please as they have “seen it all.” However, they were very appreciative.”

Yep, that can sure be said of those of us that grew up on The Strip. We are jaded for sure and I was just pointing that out to comedian Earl Skakel at super manager and now record company founder Vicky Hamilton’s launch party this week for her new label Dark Spark Music.

Having been around the Heavy Metal scene for a few decades, we wondered if Bonnet had any great stories of playing The Strip back in the day. Much to our surprise, Bonnet had this to say, “Never played it back in the day. We did the bigger venues with Rainbow so it’s hard to compare and such a long time ago.” I should have asked myself that question as I have lots of stories to tell. LOL

Bonnet’s new album “Meanwhile Back In The Garage” is being critically acclaimed and is being enthusiastically received by fans so we thought it would be nice to know how making this album differed from some of Bonnet’s other solo albums. “I took the same approach to these songs as I did with Rainbow, MSG, ALCATRAZZ and Impellitteri…always reporting on real-life lyrically as opposed to fantasy stuff. The “thinking man’s Heavy Metal” if you will.” Cool answer Graham.

Lastly, we asked Bonnet what his favorite part of touring was as opposed to asking him how he ate while on tour which some people would expect me to ask given a column I wrote in October 2016 on Christy Buss and one’s diet while on the road. To be sure, Bonnet’s answer brought a bit of moisture to my eyes and I so fell in love with him over his simple answer, “The time on stage.”

“tHis Is Very IMPORTANT” – A One Woman Show

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Binge Fringe Festival of Free Theatre presents: “tHis Is Very IMPORTANT,” a one-woman show at Santa Monica Playhouse.

Written and performed by Rahvaunia

Directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson

The AIDS epidemic has been somewhat off our radar recently.  Like anything that gets less coverage, particularly in health care, what we don’t pay attention to does not go away.

The new cases are up, especially in women.  In the US, a woman is diagnosed every 35 minutes, which is staggering when you consider that it’s been 30 plus years since HIV/AIDS first became an epidemic.

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This play is a clever and moving commentary on not only the rising statistics but also the wide variety of victims.  Rahvaunia has taken three stories from three very different women and dramatized them for the stage.  She has deftly and with vivid grace brought these stories to her audience to educate, illuminate and define what HIV means in so many peoples lives.

A one women show with three different female voices about a subject as serious as this could be stodgy, it could be overly serious or hard to watch.  But “tHis Is Very IMPORTANT” is none of those things.  The stories are insightfully chosen, an ER Nurse infected by a patient, a social influencer in denial and an “every woman” hoping to find love inspite of it all.  These stories are curated by a narrator full of the lightness of her being and guiding us through the darkness of what is probable to the light of possibility.

No one likes to be preached to.  None of us are eager to be faced with the frailty of illness or the sureness of death, but this artful play, so bold in its subject and so quiet in its conclusions, makes us look it in the eye, which is where we need to be.

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Rahvaunia writes these women well, beautifully in fact.  She performs them even better, drawing from them the steel she needs to talk about HIV in terms that we have to face.  That is it’s present in all our lives and affecting us still, killing us still.  HIV is nothing if it is not a grim grip on our future and not just here, but worldwide, leaving orphans ill-equipped to face a future in a world still turning away from a terrible plague on all our houses.

I hope you get the chance to see Rahvaunia and her wonderful and “important” play.  She will captivate you with her talent for storytelling and memorable, real characters as she imparts vital information anecdotally without wagging one solitary finger. I highly recommend it.  Bravo!

https://www.thisisveryimportantshow.com 

Geometric Design is More Than You Might Think

Christopher Porikos
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Geometric Design is More Than You Might Think

For years, many of us have associated geometric design motifs with a contemporary or modern aesthetic.

We’ve seen it used repeatedly in 60’s and 70’s fashion design, accessories and home design.  But it is actually used in traditional design as well.  It can be seen in just about every room of the house using fabrics, flooring, wallpaper, paint and tile.

For instance, the black and white flooring in many entry halls of stately homes. It’s been installed on a grid and even on the diagonal using a 12×12 tile.  This is definitely something you’ll see in a traditional home rather than something a bit more contemporary.

What about hard wood flooring laid in a herringbone pattern?  Or even in a chevron pattern? Or even parquet flooring?  All of these designs transcend the basic definition of each design style and if done correctly, look beautiful.

Let’s take a look at the kitchen for a moment. Backsplash tiles installed with an Arabesque or Moroccan motif?  Or what about the ever popular subway tile?  It can be installed in a grid pattern or staggered and even a herringbone pattern.

However you choose to design or whatever style you use, just remember to enjoy.

NoHo News: NoHo Happy Hour. Thanksgiving at the Farmers Market. Theatre!

Lisa Bianconi
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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: NoHo Happy Hour. Thanksgiving at the Farmers Market. Theatre!

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

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