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What is the NoHo BID?

Lisa Bianconi
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 One of our sayings here in the NoHo Arts District is: “NoHo is only as great as its people.” Meet the NoHo BID, they help keep our NoHo arts community clean and safe.

Do you ever wonder why NoHo streets are clean without much graffiti, why you feel safe walking the streets or how NoHo feels like a real community?

Meet the NoHo BID, they help keep our NoHo arts community clean and safe

I can tell you why – the NOHO Business Improvement District. The NoHo BID works hard to ensure you can feel that way, but they just don’t brag about it. I think it is time they are recognized for their services.

The NOHO BID or Business Improvement District, is a special assessment district that provides cleaning and maintenance, security and marketing for the NoHo Arts District. It began operations in 2007. These services are funded by assessments paid by property owners in the NoHo Arts District.

Let me introduce you to Aaron Aulenta, the Managing Director who oversees the day to day operations and administration of the NOHO BID. We asked Aaron what he feels is the BID’s greatest achievements. “The BID has played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for new businesses coming to NoHo and keeping existing businesses satisfied with the area. That means keeping the district clean, safe and continuously marketing the area said Aaron.

Captain Lambert oversees the BID Safety Ambassador team (the people with yellow shirts on bikes). Ambassadors are the “Boots on the Ground” handling an array of problems from directing traffic during an car accident to giving out directions to tourists to moving along an over aggressive panhandler to calling an ambulance for someone in need and this is only a few things Ambassadors do to improve the quality of life in NoHo for businesses, locals and visitors. In 2017, Ambassadors made contact with 1,131 transients/homeless individuals, assisted 141 people for public assistance, not to mention the 6,393 contacts with merchants for a variety of reasons. Lets put a face on these stats.

Two Ambassadors found a man extremely nervous screaming for “Tristen” which turned out to be his eight year old son who was missing for the past four hours. Ambassadors called the police and together ambassadors/police combed the streets of NoHo for the boy and eventually found him and brought him back to his very grateful Dad.

An Ambassador heard a cat crying from under a hood of a car. He went to the nearby dance studio and the owner of the car was taking a class and immediately came out to unlock the car. The Ambassador and a few firefighters who by accident stopped to assist the ambassador used their water extinguisher to get the cat out. The best part of the story was the owner of that car adopted the kitten.

Also, when you see people with a cleaning cart picking up trash in 90 degree weather, you know that is the BID. Now lets talk about a “CLEAN” NoHo. The best way to show what the BID accomplishes is to show you the 2017 year-end statistics. In 2017, the Clean Team removed 1,229 graffiti tags, 1,930 bulky items, 249 were mattresses, and picked upt 113 lbs of trash. I can’t imagine what NOHO would look like with this amount of trash on its streets.

Last but not least, the BID has worked with nohoartsdistrict.com since their inception on a variety of marketing projects from coordinating events, creating the district brand (logo/street pole banners, promotional videos) and my favorite project, the NOHO card and app which has successfully ran for 10 years.

Make sure you download the NoHo Card app for discounts from your local businesses. It makes it easier to enjoy NoHo even more.

So now that you know what the NOHO BID does, next time you see an Ambassador or Cleaning crew, please give them a smile or simple thank you.

**** 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.

Burt…A Homeless Odyssey @ Theatre 68

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Theatre 68 Festival Presents: “Burt…A Homeless Odyssey,” running February 10 through March 31

Written by Sam Henry Kass

Directed by Ronnie Marmo

Making its world premiere at the lovely Theatre 68, “Burt…A Homeless Odyssey” is an homage to all those misunderstood and underappreciated souls who yearn for the freedom to create.

The play begins with Burt, an increasingly stifled and artistically suppressed poet, coming clean with his wife about his misbegotten lyrical leanings.  She reacts badly and Burt chooses the streets rather than give up his calling.

Once officially homeless Burt, bounces from one disaster to another, causing havoc and spontaneous suicide and various other wild reactions to his heartfelt rhymes.  In ever-increasing confusion and deepening guilt, Burt spirals downward through arrests, brutality and despair all the while scribbling profound verse in his tattered notebook.

It sounds sad and it is in parts, but mostly it’s uproariously funny. 

BURT Nima Jafari Hansford Prince Ed Dyer via www.nohoartsdistrict.com
Nima Jafari, Hansford Prince, Ed Dyer

The characters Burt encounters are bizarre and comical but also staggeringly familiar and true.  These are the people of our world, in all their vulgarity and ridiculousness.  They squirm and gesticulate their way around our hero’s tale, all the while mocking him relentlessly, while he, who at first seemed the most contemptible of all becomes ironically the most precious.  Burt is the antithesis of this cold and savage world created by Sam Henry Kass (“Lusting After Pepino’s Wife,” “The Search for One-Eyed Jimmy”).  His passion to understand and to share that understanding putting him in peril and in torment.  But without this tortuous world there would be no poet and no poetry to save it.  Is that enough meaning for Burt? 

You’ll have to go and see this spectacular play to find out!!  “Burt…A Homeless Odyssey” is dirty and powerful, thrilling and repellent, touching and meaningful.  It’s a bit like a bad date that turns into a bank robbery…and then you end up falling in love.

It doesn’t always work out well, this kind of heated, reckless humor, full of overt pain and paranoia. But when it does, it doe, and this play knocks it out of the park.

Everyone is brilliant.  This play requires actors with stamina and guts, but also with an ability to play difficult, prickly people with humor and grace.  All these wonderful actors are all to a fault pretty perfect for this play.  The role of the poet Burt is played with particular wide-eyed wonder and heartbreak by the splendid Ed Dyer who never seems to miss a beat even as those around him try to break him.

Ronnie Marmo’s fearless direction sets the stage with a dangerous energy as well as a kind of tender, vivid humanity.  We are all on the edge of our seats.

I highly recommend “Burt…A Homeless Odyssey.”  It’s part of the Theatre 68 Festival and if you have a soul and yearn for some New York piss and vinegar, then run, don’t walk to get your tickets…it’s a short run.

BURT Ed Dyer, Raffi Mauro via www.nohoartsdistrict.com
Ed Dyer, Raffi Mauro

Times and Tickets

http://theatre68.com

Running February 10 through March 31. Main stage with performances on Saturday and Sunday at 7pm.

No performances on: Feb 18th, March 18th

Theatre 68, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601

CAST INCLUDES

Ed Dyer “Burt,” Laura Lee Botsacos “Sadie”, Jenny Nwene “Lorna”, Chris Kelly “Cop 1 / Mime / Barron Trump”, Thomas F. Evans “Cop #2”, George Russo “Lawyer”, Raf Mauro “Rabbi”, Toni Perrotta “Volunteer”, Nima Jafari “Immigration Officer”, Hansford Prince “Homeless Guy”, Drew Hinckley “Actor”, Hope Bello LaRoux “Young Woman”, Kelly Mullis “Society Woman / Melania Trump”, Joseph Covino “Isaac”

Written by Sam Henry Kass

Directed by Ronnie Marmo

Assistant Director: Hope Bello LaRoux

Co-producers: Ronnie Marmo, Katy Jacoby, Veniese Razo

Technical Director: Peter Osterwei

The Top 5 Company Cars According To Hollywood’s Best Movies

NoHo - North Hollywood
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The Top 5 Company Cars According To Hollywood’s Best Movies

Hiring a company car is unlikely to leave you with a Ferrari or a Porsche, but that doesn’t mean that your company car has to be boring. Ensuring that your car is efficient, yet comfortable and professional for any long drives is imperative for any business, as you are ultimately representing the company. While Audi’s, BMWs, and Honda vehicles tend to be the cars which are most opted for when it comes to company vehicles, Hollywood takes a different approach. Here, we’re taking a look at the top company cars – Hollywood style.

Only Fools and Horses Supervan

If you’re looking to get rich quick, then we wouldn’t advise taking the same avenues as Derek and Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses. However, their company car is certainly an iconic vehicle, as Trotters Independent Trading Co. raced around in the bright yellow Reliant Regal Supervan. Their questionable schemes were often produced from the back of their van, and while these often ended in their deals backfiring (which is not unsurprising as they often dabbled in the black-market), these Peckham boys really did love their company car.

 Ghostbusters Cadillac Miller Meteor Ecto-1

There’s probably never going to be a more iconic company car than the Cadillac Miller Meteor Ecto-1 featured in Ghostbusters. This ‘high tech’ ghost busting machine transported the team to each and every destination, and carried plenty of ghost exterminating gadgets and gizmos. With their proton packs in tow, the ghostbusters would pile into this car and on came the theme tune! With plenty of excitement and adventure, who wouldn’t want to turn up to work in this incredible vehicle?

James Bond Aston Martin DBS

If you’re suave and swanky, and you want to be the next James Bond, then perhaps it’s time to convince your company to provide you with an Aston Martin DBS as opposed to the Renault Clio they were considering. While this is highly unlikely, unless you’re a high net-worth individual, we can all dream, right? The Aston Martin DBS was first given to 007 on his first assignment in Casino Royale, and with plenty of incredible spy additions such as a poison analysis kit and a defibrillator (just in case), the Aston Martin DBS is often the dream car of many businessmen and women alike.

Batmobile Tumbler

The more extravagant of us however, may turn away from the Aston Martin DBS, and instead look in awe one of Batman’s most phenomenal machines – the Batmobile Tumbler. First featuring in the Dark Knight film, the prototype armoured tank which was originally designed as a bridging vehicle for the military, is certainly a show-stopper. With plenty of weapons, and the ability to boost so fast the vehicle was able to ‘jump’ without a ramp, this vehicle really is one of the best company cars Hollywood ever produced. We’re not entirely certain that you’d be able to cruise NoHo in this vehicle without attracting the attention of the police, but it’d certainly be worth the experience.

The A Team GMC Vandura

Have you ever wanted to be a part of the A-Team? Well you may be able to purchase a Chevrolet GMC Vandura to truly replicate the experience (although this vehicle is probably best suited to those in construction or trade). The A Team GMC Vandura is iconic, and regularly carried the team through the Los Angeles underground on their action-packed missions. With plenty of these vehicles up for grabs, your dream may be able to become a reality – but perhaps not quite suitable for a company car.

My Calico Soul – Solofest 2018

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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The Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest Presents: “My Calico Soul”

Written and performed by Steve Brock

Steve Brock opens up his solo fest with a lovely song into a smooth segue, “We all have labels. I am singer/songwriter, actor, autistic and bisexual.”

He begins to speak about gender fluidity and educates the audience with his gentle voice and says “I can’t believe you’re paying me to overshare,” with perfect humorous timing.

He paints a portrait of his tormented childhood, acting out his own traumatic story of male rape. His performance of this terrible act lingers like important poetry.  According to Steve, male rape is significantly under-reported, more even than that of female rape. Each of his songs helps to move his story along, his original songs are delightful and apropos.  In a lovely touch, Mr. Brock takes you by the hand and tells you he’s a hugger, asking for a hug from the audience.

This show is riveting because of the level of detail and the nuanced, vivid images telling the story that no one knew of rape, his feelings and his survival, no doubt through his excellent music.

Let’s hope that we’re in for more of these brave stories of #METOO by men.

Solofest Presents: “Hidden”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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“Hidden” @ Whitefire Solofest written and performed by Heather L. Herington

There’s a doctor in the house!

Heather L. Herington, hailing from Canada, is a retired homeopathic/naturopathic doctor specializing in PTSD, amongst other things.  An upper-middle-class child of the 60s, she shares that era with, “In those days having sex was like shaking hands.”

Her husband, Avi N. Gross, provides the musical direction, playing the piano to the stories she tells.  Playing subtly, not overpoweringly, but very effectively.  

The show opens with a musical number bringing Heather’s energy to the audience.  She creates different characters, Shame (Southern drawl); Nature (Bubbly); Temper (French-Canadian) and this reviewer’s favorite Babushka (Russian chain smoker)  You feel that each inhabits her so realistically. Heather shares overdosing on acid and being raped in a cabin, addressing the irony of helping people with trauma yet not facing her own.

This is a thoughtful, provocative and insightful telling of the search for community.  Avi’s songs are crisp, funny, precise and impeccably timed.  She eventually reveals her savior character, Annie (Irish).  Although we are unclear if she is a real person or a character,  Annie certainly is the much-needed mother figure in Heather’s life. The play ends as it begins, with a song.  Everyone is encouraged to sing along with Heather, the best jewel: – “Shout, #MeToo.”  “Pick yourself up, Let it shine. Take your power back.”

This doctor’s prescription is song, “it unites everyone.”  According to Heather, the key to healing is “community” and that’s what she creates in this lovely offering at Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest.

 

Street Artists: TEACHR and WRDSMTH

Caroline McElroy
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Street Artists: TEACHR and WRDSMTH

January was a month full of news and adventures and it was really hard to keep them limited to just a few highlights of the month.

Some of the occurrences were a validation of my “Six Degrees of Separation” theory regarding the music scene loop in L.A.

I made the trek to an art show opening reception at Angel City Brewery in Downtown Los Angles Art District in order to see work by two of my favoritestreet artists: TEACHR and WRDSMTH. Lucky for NoHo Arts District’s LA Music Scene, their pieces were about and inspired by music. Not just any music, but rap music. Granted, rap music is not within LA Music Scene’s realm of music maveness, but none the less I can tell you what I liked and what is good.

The good news is that both TEACHR and WRDSMTH chose music that I can get behind.

TEACHR chose to represent Biggie Smalls in the piece that he had on exhibit and acknowledged him as a major influence during his early years as an artist and found solace in the music and lyrics. Upon further exploration of Biggie’s music, it isn’t hard to get why TEACHR found inspiration in him. Biggie’s brand of rap is a double-edged sword in a manner of speaking, as he has music that ranges from smooth as silk to edgy, all of which translates into a cool street-smart and hood -wise sound.

“I grew up listening to rock n’ roll and struggling with depression and fitting in. Doing art became my therapy, and I realized the music I was listening to wasn’t helping so I started listening to rap. Biggie was one of the first rappers whose music really helped me stay up,” TEACHR wrote on a dedication that rests next to his tribute piece which features a head shot of “Biggie” wearing a crown. For those that do not know who Biggie is, perhaps a few of his songs will help to give you a reference: “Notorious Thugs,” “Who Shot Ya?”, “Mo Problems,” “Nasty Girl” which is a collaborative effort with the likes of Usher and Pharrell and “Hypnotize” with P. Diddy collaboration. Other tributes that TEACHR has done include notables such as Bob Dylan, Prince and Tom Petty, which can be viewed on his Instagram account @teachr1.

TEACHR has his eye on the future as big things are coming his way in June. TEACHR’s wife, writer and director Daniela Amavia, is set to film a movie in Berlin, Brussels and Cologne. The working title of the film is “Get Lost” and TEACHR plans on accompanying Amavia for the shoot. Biggie’s music is on the short list for the soundtrack.

The piece that WRDSMTH has on display is titled “Lose Yourself,” which features a typewriter with a red spill and “Mom’s Spaghetti” on it. This piece is a collaborative effort with ALEXINC and is a tribute to the well-known rapper Eminem or as I like to call him “Slim Shady.” In researching this one, I discovered that a major put down in the film “8 Mile” during a “rap-off,” and is the ending to the film, is calling someone a “Vanilla Ice.” Vanilla Ice is mostly known for his David Bowie opening “Under Pressure” rip off titled “Ice Ice Baby.” “Lose Yourself” is from the Eminem film “8 Mile.”

WRDSMTH said that he likes to inspire others to dream bigger and also confessed that he never expected his work to take off the way it did.

WRDSMTH’s work can be seen on a commercial for Ford Escape in the background on a brick wall which states: “Aspire to Inspire others and the universe will take notice.” WRDSMTH stated that “It was accidental and never expected it to take off. It encapsulates what this whole thing is about.” LA Music Scene feels that having a piece featured on a commercial allows for much more exposure than having a piece on a TV show because the commercial is going to run over and over in a short span of time while a TV show will run once and then later on down the road it might be rerun. WRDSMTH’s work can be viewed on his Instagram account @WRDSMTH.

There is a newcomer to the street art scene that has chosen wheat paste as the medium to express his creativity and was very interested in what TEACHR had to say about technique. His tag is “Decisions and Review.” He had put up a wheatpaste on the Traction Street side of Angel City Brewery that could be seen on my way out. He is an enterprising entrepreneur when it comes to supporting his art and is planning an art show on the streets of New York for the future. His Instagram is @decisionsandreview.

Dead Meadow

I decided to attend this year’s Night On Broadway with my friend and fellow walker Jack Witt and went to see the bands that were playing at “The Orpheum” as Dead Meadow were headlining and I really wanted to see them play live. There was a stellar line-up of other bands on the bill that really delivered the goods and totally surprised this music lover. Keeping in mind that I used to run and book a nightclub in the past, it can be said that it is not always easy to have a bill of all stellar bands. The majority of the bands in this line up were great. Frankie and The Witch Fingers,  JJUU JJUU and of course Dead Meadow kept the night interesting and were quite impressive for their psychedelic genre. In fact, JJUU JJUU has a sound and jamming style that plunged me back to my psychedelic days of dancing to such jams. This band is really turned onto and tuned into the psychedelic sounds from the tripping days of Timothy Leary with an interesting light show that harkens back to the light shows that I used to enjoy and a particular one from an Iron Butterfly concert.

YouTuber Daniel Kirby was kind enough to tell me more about JJUU JJUU and their involvement in a music festival staged at Joshua Tree, CA yearly. JJUU JJUU confirmed that they founded, organize and book the famous music and art festival known as Desert Daze. The October 2017 line-up of Desert Daze included the talents of Iggy Pop and Palm Desert residents Eagles of Death Metal known for their being caught in an ISIS attack at the Bataclan nightclub in Paris, France where they were performing. LA Music Scene wrote a story about EODM in Paris when it occurred.

In 2018 it will be the ninth anniversary for the Desert Daze Festival. JJUU JJUU exemplifies my contention of a six degrees of separation of people in the local music scene as I found out that their 2017 festival was a collaborative effort with Spaceland Presents which sponsors the Rock N’ Roll Flea Market at the Regent Theater in Skid Row near Main Street and 5th Street AKA The Nickel and promotes shows at The Echo and the Echoplex. Small world, small loop.

JJUU JJUU are slated to tour with Primus and Mastodon May 6, 2018 to July 7, 2018 which includes a gig at the Greek Theater on July 5, 2018.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better for January, on the 29th the Arctic Monkeys announced a tour in Europe and an appearance at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware June 14-17. Other notable acts slated for this festival are Eminem, Portugal, The Man, Foster The People, Lil Wayne and The Killers. This USA appearance and European tour are the first live dates since 2014 when they were touring in support of the album “AM” which was recorded in the desert and is when they put in an appearance at Pappy and Harriet’s.

As if the news couldn’t be better, the Arctic Monkeys also announced that there will be a new body of work which is slated for a release later this year. Congrats to these Sheffield, England musicians for getting it together and treating the world to Alex Turner’s sexy voice and their excellent musicianship which is showcased on their hit song “Do I Really Wanna Know.” Itgets plenty of play on my iPod. I don’t know if one can wear out a download on an iPod, but we should be finding out soon.

Chemo Barbie: My Lady Bits’ Journey through Breast Cancer

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Whitefire Theatre Solofest Presents: Chemo Barbie: My Lady Bits’ Journey through Breast Cancer

This is multi-award-winning solo show and with good reason, I can tell you.  It’s funny, inventive, emotional, perceptive, warm, engaging and riveting…and it’s also about cancer. 

We have all been touched by cancer.  I can say this without doubt of contradiction because there is not one person in my life that hasn’t lost someone, nearly lost someone or survived their own cancer.  So this topic is about as relevant and leveling as any I can think of. 

Heather Keller is a recent survivor of breast cancer.   Throughout her journey, she took copious amounts of notes, kept a journal, wrote a blog and filmed some of the more significant treatment moments as if anyone thing she went through was any less significant than any other.

She shares everything with us…and I mean everything.  The pain, the stress, the indignation, the rows with her husband, the depression and self-doubt, and the strength she found in herself and others.  It’s quite a story, as you can imagine.  But Heather has managed to find the humor in the hardship, the affirmation of the adversity and the triumph of the tragedy.  She’s a warrior woman!

How can we understand her pain, truly, if we have not been there ourselves? 

Statistically, far too many of us have of course, and we can only hope that brave and talented people such as Heather can share their own stories in such a way that guides us through the darkness and reminds us that we are all the same…all full of fear as well as love.

Heather shows us video clips from her struggle as she shares her journey.  They are both hilarious and painfully true.  We watch her friends support her, her husband fight for her and her mother…well, mother her.  That she can stand on a stage so soon after her illness and reach out is stunning.  She is an artist and she has found comfort in her art and in her ability to use it to heal…astonishing.

She plays many roles on stage, mimicking those around her who love her and she does so with love as well as quite a bit of observational humor and ironic wit.  It seems odd to recommend a show about such a serious subject, but I do urge you to see it if you get the chance.  Heather is a revelation.  Sweet, beautiful, comic and full of the wonder of her world and those who helped her.  She turns what was so hard for her and her friends and family into a lesson for us all in resilience and sheer strength of will.  She refused to lose herself in cancer.  Choosing instead to laugh in the face of doom, to flip off fear and to show us all how to be afraid and win anyway.

In short, it’s Inspiring, it’s hilarious and you would be crazy not to see it…

Find out if it’s on near you: https://twitter.com/chemobarbieshow

Written and performed by Heather Keller

Directed and Developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson

How to throw a Superb & Boisterous Party

NoHo - North Hollywood
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How to throw a Superb & Boisterous Party

If you are planning to throw a party, there are some things that you should keep in mind. For any party, planning and organizing it is the most hectic and tricky part. As we know, any party is actually a way to gather our loved ones, family members or friends to spend some quality time together and we want everyone to reminiscence on the event positively.

Here are a few points that we must keep in our mind while planning any event:

First Impression is Last Impression:

For any event, the entrance is the most important part as it’s the first thing our guests will be noticing and it’s the most prominent feature for organizing any great party. So, we can go from using the traditional flower arches to balloons and flyers for a day-time gathering; but for any night gatherings, the options are numerous. You can light the entrance and pathways with decorating lights and lanterns. There are numerous styles from which you can choose –– you can even go for a decorating-lights tunnel with wooden floor to a pathway lit by lanterns.

A Warm Welcome:

Another great trick to make your guests happy is to welcome them yourself on the entrance. It gives them a doors-always-open kind of impression and they will feel honored. Another trick is that you should introduce your guests to each other so you don’t have to babysit anyone.

Selecting the Right Time:

Every party has its own moment and environment; be it a breakfast, lunch, tea-time or dinner party. Usually the ideal time for throwing any party depends on the audience for which it is to be thrown. For instance: if we are planning a casual family get-together, we can gather everyone for a brunch or a luncheon.  For birthdays, evenings are usually preferred which can be early to late depending on the age groups. To add extra color and fun to your parties check this video.

The Right Place: 

Choice of venue for any party is limitless; it depends on your taste, the type of party, and your imagination to choose from the oddest of places to the fanciest restaurants. For instance, if we are throwing a birthday party; the ideal venue could be your backyard, a gaming zone, or an amusement park as we can arrange fun activities for the kids. For slumber parties, again we can try something new and innovative for  kids. Consider arranging some sort of camping experience for them in your backyard by adding bonfire and scary story-telling or try out a completely warmer indoor experience by throwing it in your basement or living room. You can also plan a movie night for them, and for this you can always check out these entertaining reviews to see what’s  more appropriate and trending for kids these days, so their overall slumber partying experience can be more entertaining. Birthday parties, family get-togethers, brunches can be arranged splendidly outdoors. But for the parties that we want to be remembered forever like our pre-wedding Bachelor’s party or some extravagant Bridal shower, you can take a little step further like arranging your party at a farmhouse, or resort or a beach house. These exotic venues will make your guests wonder what more have you got stored up your sleeves. If you want to go the extra mile, you can always enhance the partying experience by hiring a party bus; this will create a thrilling and boisterous experience.

NoHo News: LOVE is in the NoHo Air. Love for Theatre. Love for Art. Love for Music.

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: LOVE is in the NoHo Air. Love for Theatre. Love for Art. Love for Music.

Follow NoHo News with Bloglovin

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

Benefits of Music Education

NoHo - North Hollywood
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Benefits of Music Education

Most people love music, whether they listen to it, sing along with it, or play an instrument. However, because of many local school budget restraints, music education is getting cut from some school programs.

For school boards that have to make a decision on which programs to cut, choosing between sports and music programs is a very difficult decision.

In a perfect world, they wouldn’t have to make this decision. Both programs are essential in helping children develop into better adults and they actually share some common advantages.

Both music and sports programs help students develop certain positive character traits like teamwork, personal responsibility, and self-discipline.

But because these programs are sometimes considered to be less important than core academic subjects, many times the school board decides to cut music education. 

It is actually not true that music is less important than math, science, or history. Music enriches students’ lives and is such an important component of education.

Language and Reasoning Skills

Studies have shown that music training helps develop the left side of the brain that involves processing language.

Language competence is tied to social competence and musical experience helps children in their capacity to be verbally competent.

Music training can actually wire a child’s brain in specific ways and helps enhance the natural abilities of how children decode sounds and words after birth.

Having good language and reasoning skills not only makes children more successful while in school, it also will help them after they graduate to find a better job in their chosen industry.

Improved Test Scores

Many studies have been conducted over the years to see the effects of music education on how children perform on tests in school.

Overall, these studies have found that those involved with high-quality music education programs generally perform better on tests than those students who do not participate in such programs.

More specifically, some studies have shown higher scores on reading and spelling tests, as well as standardized tests like the SAT, for children given musical training while in school.

Emotional Development

Studying music enables students to try something new, like learning to play an instrument. It also helps them develop confidence as they learn and boosts their self-esteem.

For example, students who are belong to their school’s chorus or play in the band, work together towards a common goal. It helps them collaborate with others for the benefit of all. This kind of joint effort is critical to the development of self-esteem and learning to be a team player. Being a team player is advantageous as an adult in the working world.

Improved Academic Skills

Music and math are actually related. By understanding music beats, rhymes, and scales, children are learning how to create fractions, divide, and recognize patterns. Music often offers repetition in a fun way.

Studying musical era timelines like baroque, classical and romantic, also teaches students about other important aspects of those times. It can be a complement to history classes. Music ties into other regular academic programs.

Relieves Stress

Being a kid can be difficult at times, with peer pressure, parental pressure to get good grades, or self-imposed pressure for those students who have high aspirations for themselves.

Music is a great stress-reliever for all of us. Some students find immersing themselves in playing an instrument or singing in a chorus to be relaxing and a great escape from other stress in the classroom.

Preparation for the Future

Believe it or not, giving children a musical education can help prepare them for their future in the workforce. How many adult music professionals got their start in their early childhood? Many popular singers started out in the Mickey Mouse Club.

Exposure to music can carry into your adult life. You might develop a love for music and decide you want to learn how to play the guitar. Acoustic guitars can be an excellent place to start. Visit the website of Collings guitar dealers to find out about the right instrument for you or a loved one. Many guitar dealers will help you find the right guitar lessons too.

Learn Discipline

Learning anything new is not easy. If you want to be good at what you do, you will need a lot of dedication and practice. This is especially true for children.

Music education requires discipline and teaches students that they will need to put in time and effort to get what they want out of life.

Levante “Pezzo di me”

Lisa Bianconi
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Levante “Pezzo di me”

We’re listening to Levante’s “Pezzo di me,” featuring Max Gazzè, from her third and latest album, “Nel caos di stanze stupefacenti.” 

(It can be a fitting song for Valentine’s Day.)

We first heard la bellissima/the super beautiful Italian songstress Levante croon on the J-Ax and Fedez (you’ll thank us later for this one, wink wink) track “Assenzio.”

We chose “Pezzo di me” because the intro hooked us and then each verse revealed a funny surprise… a relatable treat. The song puts us in a good mood, like what a carefree summer song would because the melody is fun, bouncy and catchy. But Levante’s voice has layers and she is not a one-trick pop pony. Her voice opens up the words and puts them on a musical plate for you to savor. Trust us, listen to our other favorites “Abbi cura di te” (“Abbi cura di te) and “Alfonso”  (“Manuale Distruzione”) to get a taste of Levante.

At first we think it’s going to be a story of unrequited love lost because of the title “Pezzo di me,” which from the direct English translation is “Piece of me.” So you’d expect it to be all dramatic, like a piece of my soul was ripped from me when you left. Ha! But no! Levante is a trickster…

Levante pulls a Morrissey – a catchy song with great vocals but with lyrics that go against the sweet beat.

Sorry. But we naturally, without thinking, sang the chorus “Tu sei un pezzo di merda.” But our gut reaction was right. “Pezzo di me***” is actually the polite/PG 13 version of “pezzo di merda.” Translation: “piece of shit.”

How do we know? As the song progresses you hear the sarcasm and realize it’s not a sappy love song and she’s indeed telling her lover he’s a pezzo di merda.

“Un giorno qualunque mi ricorderò di dimenticarti dentro a un cestino. Tu sei un pezzo di me***  //  One day I will remember to forget you in the trash. You are a piece of shit.”

Levante’s beautifully shot video pulls it all together and brings the sarcastic play on words to life.

Pezzo di me by Levante on VEVO.

In our humble opinion, the whole point of music is to move us. The language really doesn’t matter. We should feel and enjoy the melodies, harmonies and rhythms as they tell us a story. And, hopefully, you’ll learn some new words in another language.

Italian words to take away from this post:

la bellissima – adjective: The really super beautiful (female).
Tu sei un pezzo di me: You are a piece of me.
Tu sei un pezzo di merda: You are a piece of shit. (More useful we think.)

Keep making music that makes us move.

TIKI NO Gives Valentine’s Day a Tropical Kiss

Lisa Bianconi
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 So how does Tiki No give Valentine’s Day a tropical kiss? 

With $7 drink specials, sweets in martini glasses, and love themed Karaoke! Wednesday, February 14th, 2018

Tiki No presents an evening of tropical love for couples, friends, and those single and ready to mingle. The Tiki Gods do not discriminate.

Beginning when Tiki No opens at 5:00pm, two Valentine’s Day drinks specials will available for $7: the Jamaican Crush and Love Bites. The Jamaican Crush is whirlwind of Cruzan Coconut, 151, pPineapple and orange. Love Bites is concocted with Bayou Rum (Spiced and Silver) pineapple, orange, cranberry and lime. These two drinks will be running all evening, but from 5-7PM it is also Tiki No’s Happy Hour. The two specials will be joined by $7 Lychee Luaus, Pina Coladas, Eastern Sours and other specialty drinks. Well drinks are $6, and PBR can be had for $3 (in case you are attempting to woo a financially strapped hipster).

Tiki No has decided to add to the sweetness with complimentary martini glasses filled with chocolate and sweets. Once you’ve had plenty of rum and chocolate, the evening will take a turn to the karaoke. Tiki No has karaoke every Sunday and Wednesday, and the Wednesday, February 14th session will take on a theme of love songs to sing your heart out to.

WHEN:

Wednesday, February 14th from 5PM-2AM

WHERE:

Tiki No
657 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91602

(818) 766-0116

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be6ge1yFRWX/?taken-by=tikinobar

**** 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.

Culture Clash Premieres SAPO

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Culture Clash Premieres “SAPO,”  based on Aristophanes’ “The Frogs” at The Getty Villa

Culture Clash is a California classic.  A group of actors driven by a collective ethos of truth, comedy and the retelling of ancient yet extremely relevant stories of power, broken societies, poetry and desperation.  All told with a hilariously satirical edge and a nod to our own present American chaos.

This “SAPO” play is based on Aristophanes’ “The Frogs,” written when Athens was crumbling under the strain of war – decades long, it’s politics in flames and culture and opinion more polarized than ever before – seem familiar?  In the original play, a god, Dionysus, and his slave Xavier, travel to the underworld to retrieve a long-dead poet to bring peace to the world.  So not much has changed in a couple of thousand years. What poet can we awaken?

sapo 1

Dionysus, along with his trusty ‘cholo’ slave Xavier, hook up with a hippy Frisco band and their coked up manager heading to “HELL A” for a meet up with a big ‘producer.’  The band is played by the phenomenal Buyepongo, L.A.’s premier hybridizers of latin/jazz/hip-hop/funk, a well raucous orchestra.

Together they journey in the “tour bus to hell.”  This journey gives many an excuse to skewer, to lament, to torment and to proselytize.  Mostly at the thoroughly justified expense of the current administration – brilliant!

The center of this tale, perhaps the reason for its existence in its present form, is a man and his young daughter camping out on the beach.  What at first seems like a weekend excursion is quickly revealed to be their current situation and, although the father tries his best to protect his daughter from the perils of their plight, she is far too smart to be fooled and far too brilliant to be lost between the cracks of the tragic “Dreamers” debacle.

sapo 2

This is a complicated play, full of twists and turns and unresolved issues and broken promises.  It quite brilliantly and poetically shows us, through the lens of all our crazy realities, how real the dangers are.  The danger of deportation, the danger of exploitation, the danger of death and, for those of us in the safety of our seats, the very real danger for us to lose our souls if we should choose to do nothing but watch it all unfurl.

There’s a lot going on, but it’s far from overwhelming. It’s inspired.  There are some truly brilliant comical moments, if you are an NPR fan, as am I. You will roar with laughter over a Michael Silverblatt Book Worm extravaganza…perfection!  Through the wonderful performances, the heartfelt and exquisite writing and the raw power of the talent on the stage, “SAPO” left me quite breathless with delight.  It also left me deeply touched, moved and hopeful, in spite of what seems to be stacked odds.  There are so many of us that are motivated by what is going on in our world, indeed in our very city, to do something.  To speak out, to create, to shout out and to give thanks to people like “SAPO” and their fierce and talented group of players who make us proud and give us strength and inspiration and hope.  Bravo!!!

I highly recommend that you see this truly exceptional play.  The beautiful surroundings of The Getty Villa are perfectly in keeping with the artistry on stage. 

It isn’t a long run, February 18th is the final night, so don’t hang about!!!  Get your tickets here:

http://www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/villa_premiere_presentation.html

Written by Culture Clash

Directed by Sean San Jose

Running from Friday, February 2, 9, 16, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 3, 10, 17, 2018 at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 4, 11, 18, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

PERFORMERS (alphabetically)

Vaneza Mari Calderón

John Fleck

Seth Milwood

Edgar Modesto

Richard Montoya

Elise Rodriguez

Michael Roth

Ric Salinas

Sean San Jose

Maryjane Santamaria

Andrea Sweeney

Buyepongo as El Sapo:

Edgar Modesto

Randy Modesto

Jorge Vallejo

Angel Hernandez

Eduardo Valencia

Company

Lighting Design – Richard Montoya

Scenic Design – Tanya Orellana

Sound Design – Ric Salinas

Costume Design – Benita Elliott

Projection Design – Yee Eun Nam

Musical Director – Michael Roth

Stage Manager – Giselle Vega

Smart tips to spice men’s winter styling.

NoHo - North Hollywood
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Do you want your styling this winter to keep you smart and fully functional? If you do, here are smart ideas to achieve that.

Smart Ideas to Spice Up Men’s Fashion this Winter

Proper male styling is mandatory irrespective of the season of the year you are in. As winter enters its fourth week, our fashion experts at scooby do my essay have compiled these smart ideas that will help you to remain fashionably relevant during this chilly season. Read on to spice up your fashion instinct this season.

Go for Classic and Timeless Outfits

Winter is a unique season, and hence, you need to approach your styling in the same manner. One of the ways of doing so is going for items that have a trans-season sense of fashion. This way, you will not kill yourself trying to ape everyone you see around. Therefore, select clothes with base colors without excess patterns or styling that is limited to a given season of the year. The reason is that styles change often, and hence, they keep you running to catch up with the latest trends in town. To keep yourself safe, you need to choose your wardrobe carefully and prudently to allow you use your outfits longer without feeling outdated.

Go Beyond the Essentials

This winters season, you have to go beyond the basics of styling. It is also great to enhance your “fashionability” by emphasizing on accessories. For instance, pay particular attention to items such as belts and watches. Also, you should pay attention to excellent hats that will help you navigate the cold of this season effectively. For instance, a great hat is a perfect tool for framing your face and keeping your head warm. With such an accessory, you will preserve most of your body heat since the head is one of the leading parts of your body that allow heat to escape during this season. However, you should be careful to wear hats that fit your occasion. For instance, if you need to get something that keep you looking cool and feeling warm in the office, you will need to avoid a baseball cap. 

Go for What Works Best for You

Even though styling this season will attract the attention and opinions of other people, it is necessary to remember you are not wearing to impress people. Primarily, you should put yourself at the center of your fashion decisions and wear items that suit your personal styling needs and preferences. It is okay to borrow from others but you should only do so if the borrowed “leaf” finds a proper fitting and footing in your personal fashion equation. It is prudent to consult your styling advisor over what works best for you rather than “consulting” every guy you see on the street on screen.

Bring Out the Wool

With the winter-bound to be here for the next two and a half months, you should bring out the wool. The reason is that it will give you the highest levels of warmth this cold season. You need to recall those woollen sweaters and overcoats to keep you fashionable and warm.

Keeping smart and warm in winter is not a special science that only a few geeks can master. With the tips we have shared in this post, you too can get your name on the list of “fashion-abiding” men this winter.

Foods to avoid during winter.

NoHo - North Hollywood
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With the cold season here with us, you need to avoid some foods until summer. Here are some of the meals you should skip.

Never Touch These Foods Until Winter is Over

Winter comes with its own challenges and demands you need to comply with until spring sets in. One of the things to pay attention to and adjust is your diet. In this post, our essay writing service pundits will walk you through some of the foods to avoid until the cold months are over. Keep on reading to discover what they are and why you should send them parking for now.

Asparagus

According to culinary experts, fresh asparagus is one of the foods you should avoid every winter. Instead, go for anything with a dark green color such as kale and escarole.

Corn on the Cob

If you are not a Floridan, avoid taking corn on the cob this season because in Florida, corn starts coming in late January. This means that the corn you find on your supermarket shelves in February is not as fresh as the refrigerator may make you believe. Therefore, avoid it since you will only be helping the supermarket to clear stale stock since some of them are as old as the previous season. To avoid taking stale corn, just avoid it during these winter months.

Fresh Peas

Who likes spending their money on tasteless and hardened foods that add little value to their body? Therefore, keep off these peas during winter for the following reasons. First, all the fresh peas in the supermarket this season are not tender and their taste is not at its best because fresh and sweet-tasting green peas are available during spring. During winter months, the cold weather makes them starchier and reduces their sweetness.

Tomatoes

Do you love fresh and sweet-tasting potatoes in your diet? Then you should keep off the ones available during winter because during cold months, their texture becomes mushier and their juice content considerably lower. Also, their taste is not as sweet as you would find it during other months of the year. If you want to enjoy your potatoes, it is necessary to wait until late summer when you can access the best quality. In summer, you will find them in their juicy and softest form.

Fried Foods

Another food you need to avoid during winter is heavily fried food. During these chilly months, you should relegate them to snacking. Also, it is necessary to take them in small quantities to avoid their adverse effects on your health because these foods contain trans fat. Also, they add up to your overall calorie consumption while adding no food value. They only expose you to possible risks such as hypertension and obesity. Lastly, these foods are very good at causing stomach upsets during these cold months, and hence, the need to avoid them.

Coffee

Lastly, you should avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks because they dehydrate the body.

Winter requires you to adjust your diet by avoiding some foods. We hope the list we have shared in this post will help you in making sound diet decisions this winter.

What qualities should I have as an event organizer?

NoHo - North Hollywood
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What qualities should I have as an event organizer?

Mainly you have to have many good contacts, both to be your customers and to be able to collaborate. So, start now to cultivate networking and do not forget that being sociable is an essential skill in this sector, as well as having an excellent communication skills that will help you to reconcile all the parties involved.

Of course, another basic skill is that you have the capacity to work and organize, the success of the event you organize will depend on it. The future will guarantee you having a professional, effective and discreet behavior, which will help you to make a name in the sector little by little.

Finding yourself in situations of stress, working against the clock, dealing with work, personal and organizational problems are examples of what you will find in your day to day, so having temperance and self-control will be of great help.

On a smile in the mouth you will have the satisfied customer. Remember that everyone wants to work with kind and positive people. There is no doubt that you must be creative. Your goal is to satisfy the attendees of the event so be original and leave your personal mark on each act you organize. Also do not forget that you must be good at resolving conflicts, have negotiation skills and devote a lot of attention to detail.

What to study to be an event organizer?

Training is very important when it comes to positioning yourself in the sector, so you must take a course in event organization, either online or in person that allows you to enter the labor market, either leading your own initiative or working for someone else.

Ideally, you will receive the most specific and complete training that, without a doubt, you will obtain in the university studying the Degree in Protocol and organization of events.

Once finished, that or another degree, it is a good idea to complete it with other more specific studies depending on the sector in which you want to work. Keep in mind that in the world of event organization, specialization is highly valued. Here are some suggestions:

– International Master in Event Management
– Wedding Planner
– Master in Marketing, Communication and Organization of Fashion Events
– MBA in protocol, production and organization of events
– Master Business Protocol, Official Protocol and Organization of Events
– International Master in Management and Organization of Events, Protocol, Ceremonial and Institutional Relations

What if I set up my own event management company?

The most direct way to get far is to start by becoming the collaborator of a well-placed professional to learn from. This way you will have the experience and the practical bases necessary to make the jump to become the person in charge of your own company of organization of events. You must consider everything including your production budget and if you lack the money, getting unsecured loans for bad credit is a good option.

A Crazy Thing Happened on My Way Out @ Whitefire Theatre

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Whitefire Theatre Solofest 2018 Presents: “A Crazy Thing Happened on My Way Out”

Adrian Eli is quite a guy.  As his one-man show unfolds we discover that behind his sweet, handsome, smiling face is a man still coming to terms with himself. 

There is pain, of course, he is an actor after all, but there is also a fascinating depth of understanding of his fellow man that is probably the reason why he hid his true self for so long. 

We follow Adrain’s life as he charmingly recounts it.  From a child through confused teen and even more confused adult.  He grapples with many truths.  His career choice, his fear of letting his family down, the temporary loss of his sister and his growing realization that he is gay.  As a latin boy in Texas, who loves to dance born into a family who turned their back on his gay sister, it’s easy to understand his reluctance to face his truth.  But his ability to love and not blame, to respect even those he totally disagrees with is what seems to have given him the strength to find himself. 

Adrian is a born storyteller, and a regular of the Moth Story Slam, a first place winner in fact, so it’s no surprise that his one-man play is pretty fantastic. 

How he can maintain the pace for over an hour is beyond me.  Hilarious, touching, entertaining and a little wild at times, Adrian’s “A Crazy Thing Happened on my Way Out” is as good as a one man show gets.  He has created a place of safety and love and sprinkled it with hilarious anecdotes and truisms galore.  The audience were literally roaring with laughter from the moment he began.  There’s a very special kind of honesty that oozes from him, kind, open and a bit naughty, you feel as if you have known him all your life and that very important kind of trust that an audience must have with a performer is forged instantly he begins, and more so as he reveals himself to us.  Adrian is the kind of person I wouldn’t mind being stuck in an elevator with, which is really saying something, I hate elevators.  He’s a true original.  Free from the specters of boring and glib, he flamencos through his complicated life with a grace and a laugh and an effervescent and inspiring love for it all, no matter how rough or how sad or how hard it becomes.

The world needs Adrian Eli.  And you need to seek him out whenever he performs.  I am thrilled that I was able to see this show, I’m still smiling because of it in fact!  Bravo!!

Written and Starring Adrian Eli

Directed and Developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson

SoloFest #METOO @ Whitefire Theatre

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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“#METOO” at  @ Whitefire Theatre Solofest

At the risk of sounding cliche, I had the privilege of reviewing yet another solo festival at the Whitefire Theatre, currently the largest SoloFest on the west coast.

This was a one-woman show, “#METOO,” starring Star Stone, and directed and developed by Jessica Lynne Johnson. Cue the klieg lights! A star, or should, I say a Star Stone is born! With a minimalist set and clad in black leotard and leggings, Star starts with a childhood memory of sexuality and performs candid vignettes of her struggle with identity, healthy sexuality, taboos, etc. She masterfully interlaces each with different characters such as: “Rebel-punzel and Cody-dependent.” One character after another with brilliant dialogue and media presentation amplifying each vignette. With the mark of a great actor, she inhabits each of the 25 characters, giving each its own posture and dialect and morphing into them seamlessly. Star also gives a “real” sense of what a woman is without relying on cliches with a ‘no-holds barred” energy, never needing to be vulgar just: honest.

Although the audience was mostly women, there were a few men lucky enough to witness this amazing show.

It feels like witnessing a phD level thesis, far beyond entertainment entering the realms of a brilliant TED talk: explaining the societal implications of sexual consent for women and men. She injects just the right amount of humor weaved through the trauma transcending any foray into victimhood. Her journey seeks self-realization through experiences, including cuddle parties, yoga, meet up groups all the way obliterating any taboos. She doesn’t resort to demonizing men, rather she addresses the cultural shift, the revolution/movement, #METOO now present. She gets the zeitgeist! At the Q & A following the show she said, “…all that happened in real and in life,” adding that she wishes to create a show for teens and hopefully Broadway.

This fantastic creation is made for Broadway, do not miss this rising star named appropriately, Star Stone!

marshallARTS Family Series Family Series Presents: The Enchanted Nightingale

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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The Garry Marshall Theatre, marshallARTS Family Series Presents: “The Enchanted Nightingale”  through  March 18

Loosely based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this lovely play, written by Lori Marshall and Joseph Leo Bwarie, pays homage to the original but somehow manages to spin a new, fresh and surprisingly modern “golden” tale. 

The play takes place in ancient China at the court of the young Emperor Li who, since his parents’ untimely death, has collected rare and beautiful objects, gifts brought to him from the far corners of the earth, which he keeps locked away from the world in a large golden cage.

Because of his reclusive and somewhat spoiled existence, he relies on his court to keep him up to date with the world and also entertained.  His General Mi, Mrs Wu, the gardener and Chef Zu do their best to keep him out of trouble but a day arrives when they just can’t seem to keep him happy.  They regale him with the story of an enchanted nightingale in a far away land and, once the Emperor hears the tale, he becomes  ‘enchanted’ by the idea of it and demands to have it for his collection.  He sends a reluctant General Mi on a quest to find it and the story unfolds.

This play is a delightful version of this classic story.  Full of fun and beautiful dance and music, it’s also sweet and moving, and ultimately about love, forgiveness and redemption.  All excellent lessons for the little ones, and also their parents!

I must admit to brushing away a few tears myself…and I’m not ashamed!

“The Enchanted Nightingale” is wonderfully presented, the actors are funny, talented and the characters thoughtfully drawn and warmly wrought.  All the actors are brilliant, absolutely charming in fact.  The stage is perfection and the entire production exquisite.  There were plenty of kids in the audience when I was there and they all seemed totally transfixed.   There’s just enough interaction for them to feel a part of the play, but not too much to slow down the action.

It’s very sensitive to the Chinese culture, through the casting as well as the set, music and themes.  It’s really a wonderful way to bring kids into this fantastic space at The Garry Marshall Theater.  Theater should be a part of every kid’s life, I wish there were more productions of this brilliance in L.A.  Thank goodness The Garry Marshall Theatre has chosen to focus on bringing theatre to our youngest humans because they can learn so much from seeing these classic plays, especially when they are so beautifully presented.

I highly recommend “The Enchanted Nightingale” at the Garry Marshall Theatre. Bring your kids, bring your grandkids, bring your friends’ kids!  But most of all bring the little kid inside yourself…and be “enchanted.”

The Garry Marshall Theatre, 4252 W Riverside Dr., Burbank, 91505

January 12 – March 18, Saturdays and Sundays at 11AM, select 7PM Friday performance

https://www.garrymarshalltheatre.org/marshallarts-family-series/

Written by Fran De Leon and Lori Marshall based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen

Directed by Fran De Leon

Cast

Emperor Li – Marc Fajardo

Mrs Wu – Karen Huie

Major Mi – Ravi Kapoor

Chef Zu/Jade – Jully Lee

Female understudy – Melody But

Make Understudy –  Kawika Aguilar

Production Staff

Rebecca Raines – Production Stage Manager, Master Electrician

Benjamin Warren – Master Carpenter

Jim Niedzialkowski – Crew/Light Board Operator

Meghan Ims – Assistant Costume Designer

Ellen M. Schulze – Puppet Designer

Film Review – The Shape of Water; Lady Bird; The Greatest Showman; The Commuter

Mike Peros
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Film Review – The Shape of Water; Lady Bird; The Greatest Showman; The Commuter

Film Review – The Shape of Water; Lady Bird; The Greatest Showman; The Commuter

Now that the Oscar nominees have been announced, here are a few thoughts on some contenders (as well as one that did not get as much love) still on display at your local bijou:

Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water (co-written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor) is a strikingly lensed, beautifully structured fable akin to Amelie meets Creature from the Black Lagoon crossed with a bit of Starman. By now, most know the premise: In a government laboratory circa the early 60s, lonely, mute cleaner Sally Hawkins (her best friends are Richard Jenkins as a gay struggling artist Octavia Spencer as a sympathetic co-worker—all three are up for acting Oscars) discovers she is able to communicate with the lab’s latest acquisition: a Gill-Man reputed to be a god where he is originally from.  Naturally the question comes up as to what to do with this creature: a relentless Michael Shannon wants to cut him up and study him, while scientist (with secrets) Michael Stuhlbarg very good–and in everything nowadays) wants to study the creature and perhaps put him to use (as in the Space Race). There is so much that works about The Shape of Water, from its lilting Alexandre Desplat score in keeping with the film’s sense of wonder, to the fine performances—Shannon didn’t get a nod but his vengeful, implacable official is a standout–to the finely crafted screenplay and direction, which provides some insight into the time period without bludgeoning you with the “significance.”. The film falters a little near the end, as it makes some choices that perhaps are a little too facile. Otherwise, The Shape of Water is a fairly captivating concoction and a worthy Oscar nominee. (Is it worthy of thirteen nominations? I’ll leave that to you.)

Lady Bird

Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird is getting all kinds of critical love for her screenplay and direction, as well as the sterling performances of its cast. Saorise Ronan is a senior in a Catholic high school in Sacramento, circa 2002, and she faces most of the situations one might expect a senior would encounter: college pressures; friends, loyal and otherwise; budding romances; betrayals big and small; shifting family dynamics, particularly her contentious relationship with her mother (the superb Laurie Metcalf). Lady Bird is fairly observant and amusing, with some genuinely poignant moments, courtesy of Metcalf, Ronan, and Tracy Letts (as ‘Lady Bird’s’ supportive but troubled father). However, in terms of high school angst, last year’s superior The Edge of Seventeen covered much of the same emotional terrain (though it was sadly neglected come nomination time) with a tad more humor and heart (if anyone happens to be curious about checking it out).

The Greatest Showman and The Commuter

In terms of pure entertainment (without the Oscars benediction), it would be hard to go wrong with either The Greatest Showman or The Commuter. Both showcase fine performers (Hugh Jackman and Liam Neeson, respectively) doing what they do best (at least currently): Hugh Jackman’s P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman is given plenty of opportunity to display his irrepressible energy, as well as his singing and acting chops; in short, he’s a dynamo playing a dynamic impresario (with the occasional moment for regret and rumination) in this  romanticized version (by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon) of Barnum’s emergence as a showman extraordinaire. Jackman is given plenty of support by an infectious, tuneful score and an engaging cast led by Zac Efron as his younger partner, Zendaya as the object of Efron’s affections, a luminous Michele Williams as Barnum’s patient, supportive wife, and the members of Barnum’s troupe, especially Keala Settle as one tough bearded lady. While this won’t win awards (except maybe Best Song), The Greatest Showman is satisfying, rousing entertainment. And this is also true of The Commuter, starring Liam Neeson as a newly unemployed family man who encounters all sorts of challenges and possible conspiracies on his commute from Manhattan to Cold Spring, courtesy of a personable, enigmatic (and seemingly omnipresent) Vera Farmiga. The set-up is intriguing, the action fairly believable (given Neeson’s age—which he constantly refers to), and it all builds to a (literally) smashing finish. Like The Greatest Showman, accuracy is not its strong suit, but The Commuter is gripping entertainment all the same.

Happy 17th Birthday, Theatre 68! (they celebrate by giving us a gift, a play festival!)

Lisa Bianconi
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Theatre 68 Celebrates Their 17th Anniversary with a Theatre 68 Festival of Six Plays February 8 – March 31…a gift for us!

In celebration of their 17th year in Los Angeles, Ronnie Marmo and Theatre 68 are proud to present A Theatre 68 Festival of great works.

Both the Theatre 68 Mainstage and the Flex theatre will be utilized for the festival, which will feature acclaimed works by Tennessee Williams, Sam Henry Kass, as well as several world premieres. The Festival will open February 8th, 2018. Theatre 68 strongly believes in fostering artists, helping them grow to their maximum potential. It is Artistic Director, Ronnie Marmo’s belief that all artists should be able to work on their dream projects. With this festival, he is giving his company members the artistic freedom to do just that. 

WHEN:

February 8 – March 31

WHERE:

5112 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

TICKETS>>

We asked Theatre 68 artistic director Ronnie Marmo about the idea to do a theatre festival to celebrate their anniversary.

Why a theatre festival to celebrate Theatre 68’s 17-year anniversary?

At Theatre 68, we strongly believe in fostering artists, helping them grow to their maximum potential. It is my belief that all artists should be able to work on their dream projects. With this festival, I hope to give my company members the artistic freedom to perform, write or direct without the worry of breaking the bank. I have been running my show “I Am Not A Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce” directed by Joe Mantegna, for nine months now. It’s still going with sold out performances through March. Because of that, I wanted to make sure I shared the stage with my company. Through a series of obstacles and guidelines we have settled on these six shows. Thank you for supporting our members, we hope to see you there!

Why did you choose the works of Tennessee Williams, Sam Henry Kass?

I’ve been a fan of both playwrights for a long time. My guidelines for the festival were: Pick your dream project and propose them to me. When they brought “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” to me, I thought it would be wonderful to produce for the company. As far as Sam goes, early in my career I did “Lusting After Pipino’s Wife,” and I fell in love with his writing. And just last year, I was blessed enough to do the 25th anniversary revival production. I love Sam and his writing. His words have found a home here at Theatre 68.

How did you choose the other world premiere works?

Both the other plays are written by company members who I wanted to nurture and foster their writing. They both presented parts of there projects over a period of time, and then finally when they were completed, they pitched them to me and I thought it was a great idea to include them in the festival. Nothing makes me happier than giving members of our company an opportunity to premiere their work.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Theatre 68 is now in it’s second year in our new home after taking over Antaeus’ space. We are so proud to be in the middle of the NoHo theatre community.

We will be running two shows a night, officially breaking in our two theatres at the same time! It’s so wonderful to have our building a buzz!

Seventeen years has gone by in a blink…here’s to another 17 years for Theatre 68!

Theatre 68 Celebrates Their 17th Anniversary with a Theatre 68 Festival of Six Plays February 8 - March 31...a gift for us! via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Written by: Tennessee Williams
Directed by: Kenneth James Billington
Assistant Director/Producer/Stage Manager: Skyler Patton
Producer: Ciarra Siller
Costume Designer: MJ Scott
Sound Designer/Assistant Costume Designer: Caitlin Cardile

CAST
Ciarra Siller (Maggie), Dennis Hadley (Brick), Charles Hoyes (Big Daddy), Katie Zeiner (Big Mama), Caitlin Cardile (Mae), Skyler Patton (Mae u/s), AJ Brody (Gooper), Kyle Gundlach (Gooper u/s), Jarrod Robbins (Reverend Tooker), and Alan E. Ramos (Doc Baugh)

SYNOPSIS
In Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the dysfunctional but wealthy Pollitt family gathers to celebrate aging patriarch, Big Daddy’s, birthday. Lurking under every practiced interaction between the Pollitts is an ulterior motive. Under every smile, a challenge. And under every statement, the specter of mendacity. For the Pollitts, the truth is as hazy as the late summer sun in Mississippi, and sometimes the only way to find it is to journey through the lies.

VENUE: Theatre 68 – Mainstage – February 8th through March 30th, 2018
Performances on Thursday and Friday at 7pm. 2-hours 30 minutes running time with intermission

Theatre 68 Celebrates Their 17th Anniversary with a Theatre 68 Festival of Six Plays February 8 - March 31...a gift for us! via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Trust

Written by: Steven Dietz
Directed by: William Kircher
Assistant Director: Veniese Razo
Co-producers: Heidi Rhodes and Liz Izzo
Technical Direction by: AJ Relland

CAST
Zach Cowan (Cody Brown), Swen Temmel (Cody Brown), Heidi Rhodes (Leah), Elizabeth Izzo (Becca) Caroline O’Brian (Gretchen), Caroline Henry (Holly), Paul Mcgee (Roy)
– Zach Cowan as Cody Brown Feb 8th – March 2th
– Swen Temmel as Cody Brown March 8th – March 30th

SYNOPSIS
Trust is a full-length comedy by Steven Dietz. It’s a contemporary play that combines love, lust and lying.

This is a contemporary dramatic comedy set against a backdrop of the rock music scene. In a world ruled by love, lust and lying, a spiral unwinds. Cody is a rising star musician. Becca is his fiancèe. Gretchen is a dressmaker, fitting Becca for her wedding dress. Leah is a rock star past her prime who Cody meets while on the road. Roy is a public radio announcer smitten with the young bohemian, Holly. As the lives and loves of these people continue to intersect, attraction gives way to seduction, and secrecy holds sway over truth. Becca and Cody’s marriage-to-be grows as rocky as Roy increases his hilariously futile attempts to charm Holly. Gretchen and Leah’s past is unearthed, brought on by Gretchen’s attraction to Becca. As the final concert of Cody’s tour concludes, new bonds have been formed, old wounds remain; friends looking for answers, lovers looking for that elusive word: trust.

VENUE: Theatre 68 – Flex Theatre – February 8th through March 31st, 2018
Performances on Thursday and Friday at 7pm. 90 minute running time.

Theatre 68 Celebrates Their 17th Anniversary with a Theatre 68 Festival of Six Plays February 8 - March 31...a gift for us! via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Requiem

A World Premiere

Written by: Carlos Javier Castillo
Directed by: Hector Negrete
Co-producers: Isabel Wagner and Carlos J. Castillo

CAST
Peter Osterweil, Rebecca Ciocca, Devin Denman, Courtney Beaver, Aj Retland, Veniese Razo, Carlos J Castillo

SYNOPSIS
REQUIEM Is the story of a man who has lost his faith in society. Troubled by his past, his current job and relationship. He struggles to fit in and subsequently looks to a firearm for answers. A comedic snapshot of an American workforce and their plight to exist in the nightmare.

VENUE: Theatre 68 – Flex Theatre – February 9th through March 31st, 2018
Performances on Friday and Saturday at 10pm. 60 minute running time.

Theatre 68 Celebrates Their 17th Anniversary with a Theatre 68 Festival of Six Plays February 8 - March 31...a gift for us! via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Jack Stevenson, A Decent Man

Written by: Johnny Cannizzaro
Directed by: Lee Aronsohn
Co-Producers: Paulie McGee and Johnny Cannizzaro

CAST
Johnny Cannizzaro, Lionel Medina Jr, Sara Pauley, Alexis Brandt, Danielle Baker, Mariel Martinez, Emily Craig, John Scott, Becky Ciccoa, Stephen Cohen

SYNOPSIS
Jack Stevenson, A Decent Man centers around the exploits of a sex crazed sociopath, who after marrying into wealth, deceitfully attempts to maintain a highfalutin lifestyle while continuing to carry on his sexual indiscretions.

VENUE: Theatre 68 – Mainstage
Performances on Friday at 11pm and Saturday at 10pm.

Theatre 68 Celebrates Their 17th Anniversary with a Theatre 68 Festival of Six Plays February 8 - March 31...a gift for us! via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Burt…A Homeless Odyssey

A World Premiere

Written by Sam Henry Kass
Directed by Ronnie Marmo
Assistant Director: Hope Bello LaRoux
Co-producers: Ronnie Marmo, Katy Jacoby, Veniese Razo
Technical Director: Peter Osterweil

CAST INCLUDES
Ed Dyer “Burt”, Laura Lee Botsacos “Sadie”, Jenny Nwene “Lorna”, Chris Kelly “Cop 1 / Mime / Barron Trump”, Thomas F. Evans “Cop #2”, George Russo “Lawyer”, Raf Mauro “Rabbi”, Toni Perrotta “Volunteer”, Nima Jafari “Immigration Officer”, Hansford Prince “Homeless Guy”, Drew Hinckley “Actor”, Hope Bello LaRoux “Young Woman”, Kelly Mullis “Society Woman / Melania Trump”, Joseph Covino “Isaac”

SYNOPSIS
This show pays homage to people who aren’t recognized. The creative souls, artists and street-people. The lost and forgotten we pass-by on the street and don’t give a second glance. But guess what? In this play, we are going to stop and listen to them.

Theatre 68 – Mainstage with performances on Saturday and Sunday at 7pm.
No performances on: Feb 18th, March 18th.

Theatre 68 Celebrates Their 17th Anniversary with a Theatre 68 Festival of Six Plays February 8 - March 31...a gift for us! via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Extremities

Written by: William Mastrosimone
Directed by: Jenny Nwene

SYNOPSIS
Marjorie, is attacked in her home by Raul, but manages to turn the tables on him, tying him up in her fireplace. Her roommates come home to discover the attacker bound with cords, belts and other household items.

When Terry and Patricia, Majorie’s roommates, come home, they are shocked and begin discussing how to handle the situation: call the police or take matters into their own hands? The incredibly gripping drama portrays the act of rape and its aftermath as the victim turns the tables on her attacker, reaching a climax of fever pitch suspense.

CAST
Virginia Novello
David Hardy
Marissa Fennell
Caroline Dingwall

VENUE: Theatre 68 – Flex Theatre – February 9th through March 31st, 2018
Performances on Saturday and Sunday at 7pm. 90 minutes running time.

NoHo News: Juice Parlor to the Rescue! Whitefire SOLOFEST. Yacht Rock. Culture Clash @ Getty Villa. Theatre Is On In NoHo.

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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: Juice Parlor to the Rescue! Whitefire SOLOFEST. Yacht Rock. Culture Clash @ Getty Villa. Theatre Is On In NoHo.

Follow NoHo News with Bloglovin

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

NoHo News: Juice Parlor to the Rescue! Whitefire SOLOFEST. Yacht Rock. Culture Clash @ Getty Villa. Theatre Is On In NoHo.

Lisa Bianconi
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0

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: Juice Parlor to the Rescue! Whitefire SOLOFEST. Yacht Rock. Culture Clash @ Getty Villa. Theatre Is On In NoHo.

Follow NoHo News with Bloglovin

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

Solofest: “This Isn’t Helping”

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest presents: “This Isn’t Helping” Written and Performed by Jude Treder-Wolff

You know when people say “this is better than therapy,” and you smile indulgently but don’t really believe them? Well, this warm, funny, perceptively brilliant show might just actually be ”better than therapy.” 

Although the writer and performer, Jude Treder-Wolff, who is a licensed arts therapist for real, might not agree.

Jude takes us on a journey through her life, well at least through the moments that seem to have really changed her.  On that journey we discover some of the people who have influenced her, helped her, loved her and given her a lot of truly hilarious material.

I’ve always thought that being a therapist must be a really, really hard job, especially being my therapist. But Jude made me look at that role from a totally new perspective.  It’s so clear from this extraordinary show that her commitment to her life of helping and supporting those in the most dire moments of their life has been for her a precious gift and in many ways the making of her.

As she shares her stories and what she has learned along the way, we are treated to moments of such deep bliss and also such profound sadness that we cannot help but see our selves in them.  As an emergency therapist for the responders on 9/11 Jude has  had to the face horror and the heartbreak along with those she cared for.  Through their trauma, she experienced her own and learned to find her way through it with grace, humor and love.

The show is also peppered with some wonderful original songs, sung beautifully by Jude, and written by her and Wells Hanley.  They are a sublime mixture of clever, poignant and hilarious and really encapsulate Jude’s personality perfectly.

Jude is a New Yorker and has performed this show and versions of it for many years in the Big Apple, too much success and many awards. And after this performance I can see why! 

She has the kind of ironic humor that I love, and an ability to share herself with an audience that is rare and important.  She must be an amazing therapist.

“This isn’t Helping” is a voyage of mutual discovery, by Jude and the audience.  What she shares and how she shares it is what makes this show so special.  One woman on stage for over an hour talking about “feelings” this isn’t!  This is one woman on stage for over an hour being real and speaking, or sometimes singing, her truth and discovering the things we all search for – Why are we here? What do we need and how can we be better?

It’s uplifting, profound and ultimately very, very funny. I highly recommend that you spend a little time with Jude Treder-Wolff – The doctor is in!!

http://www.judetreder-wolff.com

 

The Group Rep Theatre Presents: The Chinese Wall (Die Chinesische Mauer)

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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The Group Rep Theatre Presents “The Chinese Wall” (Die Chinesische Mauer) through March 11. Written by Max Frisch, translated by James L. Rosenberg

Political satire is a bit of an American tradition.  I’m English, so I’m all for it, and it’s certainly a daily occurrence in the UK. But the Americans have a certain flair for it, a passion if you will. 

L MarkAtha photoByDougEngalla
Mark Atha 

“The Chinese Wall” is not written by an American though. Max Frisch is actually Swiss, which is odd when you consider how “neutral” the Swiss pride themselves on being.  It was written in 1946, safely after the war of course, and is basically about the horrible flaws of fascism, although the protagonist is a Chinese Emperor and his surreal empire is populated with a considerable number of historical figures…and not the good ones either.  Napoleon, Pontius Pilot and Christopher Columbus, to name a few.  All these characters are controversial of course and all of them consider themselves badly treated by history.  They wander about, amusingly spouting off about the injustice of being misunderstood.  Meanwhile, the Emperor has built a wall, a big, beautiful wall, to keep out the Barbarians and impress the rest of the world with its largeness. He holds a grand ball to celebrate and the stage is set. 

L to R Patrick Skelton Kevin HoffmanJr
L to R Patrick Skelton Kevin Hoffman Jr

Of course, there is a lot more going on, a daughter who won’t marry, her scorned lover determined to overthrow the evil empire and start an evil empire of his own, and a quizzical narrator who falls for the daughter and leads us through this maze of a play.

The cast members are great, all thoroughly enjoying their strange and illuminating meanderings.  The set is beautifully handled, all multi-media video and cleverly manipulated staging.  This really is a director’s piece, and director Larry Eisenberg performs the miracle of making this all make sense and maybe even change a few minds about our current political crises!

L to R Mark Atha Savannah Schoenecker Patrick Skelton
L to R Mark Atha Savannah Schoenecker Patrick Skelton

The Group Rep has cleverly replaced the Chinese Emperor with a wildly funny version of Trump, much to the audience’s delight.  And his vileness and slithery platitudes propel the play into the orbit of delightful ridiculousness.  In short, it’s a bit on the brilliant side of hilarious. 

But be warned, this play takes no prisoners, political or otherwise, so leave your faintness of heart at home. 

If you enjoy late night satire and bold, brazen, yet artful farce, then this is right up your outraged alley!

I highly recommend “The Chinese Wall.”  Bring on the revolution!

lL to R Patrick Skelton Savannah Schoenecker
lL to R Patrick Skelton Savannah Schoenecker

Running from January 26 through March 11

Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sunday matinees at 2PM

Ages 18+.  Some nudity and adult content.

https://thegrouprep.com

The cast features the talents of:

Linda Alznauer, Brent Anthony, Mark Atha, Todd Andrew Ball, Cynthia Bryant, Cheryl Crosland, Michaela Delaney Guthrie, Kevin Hoffman Jr., Cynthia Howe, David Joseph Keller, John Ledley, Hisato Masuyama-Ball, Nick Paonessa, Hersha Parady, Savannah Schoenecker, Steve Shaw, Patrick Skelton, Caroline Stella, Gina Yates, and Sarah Zuk.

The Production and Design Team includes:

Michele Bernath (Choreographer), Chris Winfield (Set Design), Tor Brown (Lighting Design), Angela M. Eads (Costume Design), Steve Shaw (Sound Design), and Christian Ackerman (Video Projections). Todd Andrew Ball (Assistant Director), Hersha Parady (2nd Assistant Director), Ted Ryan (Production Stage Manager), Kathleen Delaney (Prop Mistress), Doug Haverty (Graphic Design), Judi Lewin (Makeup/Hair/Wig), and Doug Engalla (Production Photography & Videography).

Magic 8 Ball – My Life With Asperger’s

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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SOLOFEST – “Magic 8 Ball – My Life With Asperger’s” @ Whitefire Theatre

George Steeves’ terrific one-man show “Magic 8 Ball – My Life With Asperger’s” details the struggles and tribulations of a sincere, likeable, talented and very motivated young singer/ actor challenged with Asperger’s Syndrome.  

This original and inspiring 60-minute solo show inspired by Whoopi Goldberg and her hit one-woman show from the 1980s  has won several awards already and it’s easy to see why. It’s truly original, honest, heartbreaking and funny. 

“Magic 8 Ball I- My Life With Asperger’s” is about winning and losing,  facing one’s demons and making the most of what you have no matter what your challenges are.

George Steeves is a brave, multi-talented performer and a great storyteller with a passion for performing and a wonderful singing voice. It’s too bad American Idol didn’t give him a chance even though he auditioned three times in three different cities –  talk about being motivated!   

I highly recommend seeing this inspiring solo show and checking out George Steeves’ music on iTunes.   

Recommended for audiences 13 and over.  

Written and performed by George Steeves

Produced and directed by Crystal and Penni Wilson

Developed by George Steeves and Marianne Davis Rago

The Museum of Jurassic Technology

Raleigh Barrett Gallina
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The Museum of Jurassic Technology

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is a curious, almost alien museum.

The self-proclaimed intent of the museum is twofold: 1) to provide a specialized repository of documentation and artifact for the academic community, and 2) to provide visitors with “a hands-on experience of ‘life in the Jurassic (I have to admit, folks, that the latter is never explained, even with consultation of other online sources that reference the Museum of Jurassic Technology).”

On a personal level, the Museum of Jurassic Technology resembles a collection of both bizarre and useful technological advancements that have perpetuated humanity and transgressed the boundaries of nation-states. The museum collection itself approximates an extraterrestrial collection of human behaviors and curiosities. The collection’s items are both fascinating and loosely familiar in the recesses of shared human knowledge.

The interior of the museum is eerie and dimly lit, as you wind your way through the various collections, you encounter various exhibitions.

The Telling of the Bees – Belief, Knowledge, and Hypersymbolic Cognition is an exhibition where beliefs of “old wives tales” span human practice across time and distance throughout human history. For example, you will find an art piece dedicated to the belief that a duck’s breath placed in the mouth can cure one of illness, or that a polished glass rod wards off disease and negativity.

Sublimation, lithophanes, phantograms, and stereoscopy techniques accompany entomology, ethnology, astronomy, ontology, anthropology, and history throughout the exhibitions. Objectively-odd and untraditional art forms have been aided by the technology on display at the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Micro sculptures and paintings are on display alongside practices of tobacco smoking and devices used for smoking across the ages.

An exhibition of trailer parks around the world features peoples individual possessions hoarded in the trailer parks, and descriptors of what led people to hoard these possessions.

A map shows where trailer parks are most concentrated throughout the world. First and second source documents proclaim the once held belief that when the apocalypse was to come – trailer parks were best equipped to survive the fallout. You can see how strange these beliefs and life accounts would be to an alien visiting Earth (since they’re even strange and foreign to visitors).

An unsettling rattle of bells welcomes you into one of the rooms as a big wheel hanging from the ceiling was created to mimic Renaissance polyphony and secular baroque music, while mirroring human feeling.

Religion, citations of scripture and erroneous attributions of phenomena can be found throughout the accounts and artifacts of the museum. Letters to Mt. Wilson are one such account of combined technology and a Creator talk.

Upstairs, portraits of Soviet space dogs guide visitors to the Borzoi Kabiner Theater, which plays 30-45 minute films.

Adjacent to the Borzoi Kabiner Theater is a series of stagnant and moving guides for the creation of Cats Cradles.

The Cat’s Cradle exhibition also outlines early 1900 heteronormative urban legends surrounding men and boys who create Cat’s Cradles. If you’re looking to pick up a new hobby, this exhibition also provides ample examples of how to make various Cat’s Cradles in the likeness of various animals and sceneries.

Past the Borzoi Kabiner Theater is a well lit and charming Victorian Tea Room that transports you back in time – complete with an attendant offering tea and cookies.

It’s in the Tea Room where you can climb a short staircase to the Columbarium. The Columbarium is a magical rooftop garden with cooing mourning doves. Mind you, the mourning doves are both alive and dead – at the back of the Columbarium is what appears to be urns with the ashes of former dove inhabitants of the garden.

The brilliance of the Museum of Jurassic Technology is the feeling of human history being at an arms-length, which is done through the collection of weird urban legends, old-timey holistic cures, traditional realms of academic intrigue, and the overarching obstruction of religion.

I’d like to extend the dual purpose of the Museum of Jurassic Technology into a third purpose.

1) to provide a specialized repository of documentation and artefact for the academic community, and

2) to provide visitors with “a hands-on experience of ‘life in the Jurassic, and

3) to represent the minutia and failures of individuals and academia as a reminder that, “A planet is a cradle of mind, but one cannot live in a cradle forever.”

*photography is not permitted inside the Museum of Jurassic Technology – all photos in this article were garnered from public photos available online

Museum:        The Museum of Jurassic Technology

Where:           9341 Venice Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90032

When:             Permanent collection on display with rotating, borrowed collections

Hours:            Thursday 2pm – 8pm

Friday – Sunday 12pm-6pm

Cost:               $8 Adults

$5 Children 13-21, Students, Teachers, individuals 60+, Unemployed persons, disabled persons

$1.50 active service personnel in uniform

TALKING WITH ANGELS: Budapest, 1943

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Whitefire SOLOFEST “TALKING WITH ANGELS: Budapest, 1943” theatre review. 

Duse Studio production brings to Whitefire Theatre’s SoloFest  a true story based on Hungarian documents transcribed by Gitta Mallasz, adapted and performed by Shelly Mitchell, “TALKING WITH ANGELS: Budapest, 1943.”

“Talking with Angels” takes place during the Hungarian Nazi-occupation over a perilous 17-month period. 

At this time, a small group would meet weekly each Friday afternoon.  The group was comprised of four friends: Lili Strauss, Joseph Kreutzer, Hanna Dallos, and main character Gitta Mallasz, who transcribed and narrates the story.

The group, Jewish with the exception of Gitta, were not individually nor collectively religious, making what transpired in their weekly meeting not attributable to any religious sect or belief. Hanna received channeled messages from four distinct personalities who provided counsel and comfort.  The group documented their profound shared spiritual experience which is important legacy for those who would follow.

Memories of the holocaust tightly squeeze our soul, wringing it dry, limp and solemn.   There are many stories of the genocide of over eleven million people, each unique, each of value.  “Talking With Angels” is not a remembrance of the brutality of evil, it is a tribute to the spiritual stamina brought forth so powerfully that, Gitta, a young woman, was able to save the lives of over 100 women and children from death at the hands of the Nazi’s.

Shelly Mitchell’s performance, much like her character Hanna, appears to channel a cast.  Shelly compels the audience to travel through dimensions and time.  Shelly at once is Hanna, channeling a soft-spoken angel, then with a twist of a wrist, and a gaze manifests as an older, straight-talking Gitta all done with the lightness of steam.  Shelly is gracefully everywhere and everyone, voice, body and passion breathe life into the story.  Shelly Mitchell is a true master of her craft.

Shelly Mitchell’s adaptation combines messages from the angels with the history of the Holocaust in a manner that is enlightening, drawing parallel to an angel’s message and the choices that drove their paths.

“Talking with Angels” is a must-see for current times.  Remember the strength of those who have gone before and the power of the oppressed against tyranny.

“Talking with Angels” is a theatrical experience not to miss.

North Hollywood Dog Park Makeover

Lisa Bianconi
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Here’s an update from Councilman Paul Krekorian on the Off-Leash Dog Park improvements made possible by Beneful.

Thanks, Beneful for helping to improve North Hollywood’s Whitnall Dog Park!

Dear Friend:

Last fall, my office joined forces with dozens of community members to help North Hollywood’s Whitnall Off-Leash Dog Park win the Beneful Dream Dog Park competition. Together we succeeded due to a strong, united social media push by many North Hollywood residents, dog park users and my office.

See our www.nohoartsdistrict.com campaign to make Whitnall the Benefl dog park improvement finalist! 

As the winning park, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks received $20,000 from Beneful to improve the park. Whitnall is widely used by dog owners in the area but lacks basic amenities like shade structures, ADA compliant access gates and adequate seating. So, in order to really transform Whitnall into a place the community can better use and enjoy, I matched the prize money with $20,000 in additional funding from my own office budget, creating a grand total of $40,000 earmarked for park improvements. That announcement happened at a community ceremony in early December 2016.

Though we had hoped to break ground on this project sooner, things were complicated due of the presence of high voltage power lines both above and below the Whitnall Off-Leash Dog Park. These power lines raise very real safety concerns and trigger multiple layers of federal and state restrictions governing construction at the park. Because of where the park is located and out of concern for the safety of park users and their pets, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has required the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) to adhere strictly to all the rules governing improvements on land underneath, and containing active high voltage power transmission lines.

We have an overall design that reflects the community’s needs and consensus wishes, based on input from calls, emails and the community meeting that took place in May. Below is a snapshot of the important upgrades that will happen over the course of the next few weeks:
For the small dog area, RAP will install an ADA compliant gated vestibule entry on concrete paving, a decomposed granite pathway with recycled plastic edge material and a concrete pad with a fiberglass shade pergola over a concrete bench.
• For the big dog area, RAP will install a new concrete access approach, an ADA compliant gated vestibule entry on concrete paving, a decomposed granite pathway with recycled plastic edge material and a concrete pad with a fiberglass shade pergola over a concrete bench.
• The above list of upgrades exceeds the $40,000 in funding we secured for park improvements through Beneful and my office, and it contains nearly every improvement that the community and I have called for. Because these upgrades will greatly enhance the park, I have worked with RAP to ensure they can secure the money to make them.

I hope this gives you an idea about the challenges we’ve encountered and the work that’s been done to make the Whitnall Off-Lease Dog Park a better place for dog owners and pets. Although it wasn’t always quick or easy, we are moving forward and will have a much-improved dog park soon.

If you have questions or comments about the dog park or anything else in Council District 2, please contact me: paul.krekorian@lacity.org.

Very truly yours,
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, District 2

**** 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 Juice Parlor Giveaway – Stick to Your Resolutions!

Lisa Bianconi
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Our pals at The Juice Parlor are here to help you stick to your healthy 2018 new year’s resolutions.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYHCyJJldhP/?taken-by=thejuiceparlor

It’s that time of the month where we start to waiver, falter, lose sight of the big picture and just fail to keep our eye on the prize. It’s the new year’s resolution fail time. We prefer new year’s plans as opposed to resolutions. But whatever your word for it, let us help you stick to making 2018 a clean, healthy (and yummy) year with a $40 gift certificate to NoHo’s own The Juice Parlor. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BclBke6HJ_Z/?taken-by=thejuiceparlor

The Juice Parlor is one of our team’s favorite places for yummy juices, smoothies, shots, bowls and now delish toasts.

Our review pretty much sums up our love for this NoHo staple: “Everything is very fresh and organic and locally sourced of course, and they blend all the drinks and even the shots to order. You can watch them as they work, it’s a little dance of deliciousness, with baskets of fruits and vegetables and dashes of potions in bottles and sprinkles of spices…quite fascinating.” Sam Ronceros, NoHo resident and reviewer

And you need to stop by even more to see their Prince tribute mural. See why we love them?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXJWdslFyab/?taken-by=thejuiceparlor

Drop your info below for a chance at a $40 gift certificate to try some of The Juice Parlor’s delish delights. (Drawing, February 8!)

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The Juice Parlor
5658 Cahuenga Blvd.
North Hollywood, 91601

818-465-5933

http://thejuiceparlor.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/thejuiceparlor/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Thejuiceparlor/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thejuiceparlor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejuiceparlor

**** 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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The NoHo Arts District is a one-square-mile community in North Hollywood that is home to live, professional theatres, dance studios, art galleries, public art, music recording venues, acting and art workshops, international dining options, clothing and specialty shops, and businesses that create a myriad of art forms. NoHo is "Where the Arts Are Made." - "NoHoArtsDistrict.com"

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