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Get Out; Post-Oscar Reflections

Mike Peros
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Get Out; Post-Oscar Reflections

Get Out; Post-Oscar Reflections

Get Out is a tremendously entertaining, smart, funny, incisive, and scary comic horror film that works in every way. 

This is not to say it’s a horror spoof, though it was written and directed by Jordan Peele (of television’s Key and Peele). Rather it is a beautifully structured, observant, and mordant take on how the racial divide hasn’t quite been bridged yet, as Allison Williams (she of Girls and Peter Pan fame) brings her black boyfriend Daniel Kaluuya home to meet her liberal parents (Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener) at their sprawling estate.  While Kaluuya is assured by Williams that everything will be fine, it gradually becomes clear that the weekend won’t be the cakewalk that Williams has envisioned.  I don’t want to reveal too much since I enjoyed Get Out only knowing the bare bones of the premise.  However, the film succeeds in keeping you (like its protagonist) a little off-balance. There are scenes and characters throughout that keep the viewer on edge, and some moments that make you jump (almost literally).  We become invested in Kaluuya’s plight (he gives an excellent performance), as well as the efforts of his TSA agent best friend (the hilarious Lil Rel Howery) to assist him out of what becomes a deep hole.  And there are so many moments: the sprinting handyman; a bowl of cereal, eaten in a very creepy manner; an extreme close-up of an outwardly smiling face…that provide more than their fair share of chills while leading to a bloody, but satisfying resolution.  I think you’ll enjoy Get Out—it’s the most fun I’ve had in a theatre in a while.

And some post-Oscar reflections… 

Sometimes I wish the Oscars would go back to the old system of five nominated movies, instead of the current system of increasing the number to a maximum of ten.  Yes it was a good year for films, but there were a few nominated for Best Picture that one can take issue with (my choices are Arrival, Lion, Fences, and La La Land) and then ask, if these films are up for the Award, why not add one of these (and here my choices would be Indignation and Sully) to make it an even ten?  

Yes, the show dragged, but it was also entertaining, thanks to a good job by host Jimmy Kimmel, who managed to be both irreverent and respectful depending on the circumstances; he also was more visible than recent Oscar hosts, and his bits generally worked (although the “tourists’ visit” did go on a little too long). One of Kimmel’s best lines came when he quipped that Viola Davis’ acceptance speech would be nominated for an Emmy. (People may disagree but I found her acceptance speech a little too calculated and overtly theatrical.) 

Finally caught up with Lion and Fences. Both are good films, but they have their flaws.  With Fences, one might have hoped that actor/director Denzel Washington would have done some editing, particularly on some of the long monologues that could easily have been trimmed—and perhaps incorporate more reaction shots.  Actor Denzel does a decent job, but he is much too alert and vigorous a presence be a completely convincing Troy, especially in the latter sections; the standouts are really August Wilson perennial Stephen Henderson as Troy’s patient, wise best friend Bono, and Jovan Adepo and Russell Hornsby as Troy’s two sons (albeit from different mothers).  As for Lion, the first half is superb, set in an underdeveloped small town in India and depicting the young Saroo’s (Sunny Puwar—where’s his nomination?) relationship with his mother and brother, his terror at being separated from his family, his struggles to remain alive in an unforgiving and perhaps predatory landscape—and finally the hope of happiness after his adoption by a loving Tasmanian couple (Nicole Kidman and David Wenham).  The second half is a bit of a letdown, depicting the older Saroo’s (Dev Patel) internal conflict between fidelity to his new family and seeking out his birth family.  Even after he becomes acquainted with “Google Earth,” the proceedings turn into a slog.  Yet there is no denying the emotional force of the last section (believe me, I tried, but it’s as effective the second time you see it). 

And the Best Picture goes to…by now most of the world has heard about the events and has either found someone to blame or has not particularly cared.  My theory as to why Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway went ahead and read the wrong winner (La La Land) is pretty simple.  Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway came out in their Sunday best, sans any kind of eyewear, so when the wrong envelope was opened (Come on, Price-Waterhouse!), Beatty looked at it, sensed there was something awry and showed it to Dunaway (who was by now “busting his chops”), who proceeded to read the part she was able to see. Of course, could Beatty have done something else?  Definitely, but it all certainly made for a memorable and quite unexpected ending. 

Til’ Death Do Us Part…You First!

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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“Til’ Death Do Us Part…You First!” at The Whitefire Theatre

One person shows are notoriously difficult to pull off, I can serve as a reluctant witness to several stinkers. So I am always a little wary when one comes up and I tend to brace for disaster. 

However, I was more than a little relieved by “Til’ Death Do Us Part…You First!”  Peter Fogel, clearly a talented stand-up comic, has put together a show about the pain of being single and made it funny – very funny, as the packed opening night crowd can attest. 

A 50s-something man, never married, no kids, gives us an overview of his life while he ponders on how to handle his latest breakup. 

Mr Fogel takes us on a tour of his past relationships, mistakes, regrets and self-discovery, all leading to the realization that he has actually found real love and needs to fight to keep it. 

The twist, and there should always be a twist, is that Fogel is visited by a disembodied voice, guiding him through his mishaps and leading him, sometimes begrudgingly, toward happiness.  That voice is the voice of God or, more accurately, Morgan Freeman.  It’s so interesting how Mr Freeman can lend so much authenticity, proving the existence of God in just a few minutes of dialogue, after thousands of years of doubt.

The play is set on Valentine’s Day, and we can all relate to that particularly stressful day, a minefield of potential mistakes and relationship ruin. Mr Fogel has made the kind of screw up that we all fall foul to at one time or another…and his girlfriend dumps him. During the play, intermingled skillfully with Fogel’s amusing monologues, we are treated to film footage of certain relevant moments with his girlfriend, filling in the gaps so to speak.   

Mr Fogel certainly seems at home in front of an audience, playfully improvising with the occasional murmurs of agreement to whatever point he was making.  He entertains us with anecdotes and characters that hold particular importance in his story, skillfully bringing them to life with his obvious gift for mimicry. 

The whole mix has the effect of Mr Fogel successfully navigating us through his tumultuous relationships, both recent and not so while revisiting them for his own clear purpose…to stop being an idiot.  So we go on this ride together, not just spectators but companions.  It adds a lovely intimacy and by the end of the play we are all rooting for him and wishing him well. 

If you enjoy laughing at your own misadventures, tortuous dates and disastrous relationships, or those of others, then “Til’ Death Do Us Part…You First!” is probably right up your alley!

There were quite a few times when I recognized myself in Mr Fogels painful moments that’s for sure.

I highly recommend “Til’ Death Do Us Part…You First!” at The Whitefire Theatre. Keep an eye out for this terrific one-man show, Mr Fogel performs it regularly. 

Visit: “Til’ Death Do Us Part…You First!”

Written by Peter J. Fogel

Directed by Matt Silva

 

Must-Have Tools to Comply with Financial Regulations

NoHo - North Hollywood
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Must-Have Tools to Comply with Financial Regulations

The number of financial regulations that a large percentage of businesses must now comply with is substantial and growing. And the penalties for non-compliance range from fines and restrictions, to a damaged reputation and diminished consumer confidence. That is why compliance is such an urgent priority, even for SMEs.

The frustrating and ongoing challenge is that these regulations are byzantine in their complexity and demanding in their requirements for compliance. Simply meeting the minimum standards requires a huge investment of time and labor. And even with this effort, it is easy for oversights and misunderstandings to cause unexpected repercussions.

There are a number of “solutions” on the market claiming to simply and standardize the burden of compliance. But many are limited in their scope and misleading about their true value. If your enterprise is struggling with today’s financial regulations and worried about tomorrow’s, these are the tools you must have in place to reliably ensure compliance.

A Common Platform for All Data

The sweep and scope of financial regulations affects a huge portion of the average company’s data. That makes effective data management both a priority and a difficulty. It is easy and common for data to get lost, overlooked, misunderstood, or left unsecured, all breaches that can lead directly to non-compliance. By relying on a common platform for all data, companies can break down data silos and drag data out of dark corners so that none of it slips past regulatory scrutiny.

A Simplified Process for Auditing and Reporting

Proving compliance requires enterprises to conduct comprehensive audits and produce detailed reports. This is a huge undertaking in the best circumstances, and it becomes much harder when data is scattered throughout disconnected locations. Tools that make it both easy and reliable for auditors to find the exact information they need eliminates a lot of delays and mistakes. Those same tools should also be flexible enough to enable compliance managers to create detailed reports according to the exact requirements of regulators.

A Means to Control Access

A significant part of compliance is ensuring that only authorized parties have access to sensitive financial information. It does not take a large pool of data for this to become a major challenge. And considering how aggressively cyber criminals have targeted this data, access controls become more important than ever. Companies that implement a tool like financial ERP are able to give form and function to their data that is a huge asset for the purposes of compliance. But this same tool also allows decision-makers to segregate and secure sensitive data as comprehensively as regulators require.

A System that Leverages Automation

Complying with financial regulations is an absolute requirement, but is also an unproductive pursuit. All the time and energy that professionals spend on compiling, auditing, and reporting is time that could be spent on projects that generate growth. Ideally, any tool designed to aid with compliance would also automate as much of the process as possible. With minimum input it would identify relevant data, compile it in one location, and output reports that meet the strict standards of regulators. It would still be necessary to provide oversight, but otherwise professionals could focus their time and energy on boosting the fortunes of the company rather than just preserving the status quo.

It is shortsighted to believe that compliance will get any easier moving forward, regardless of how markets are performing or who is at the helm of the regulatory agencies. What is certain, however, is that the amount of financial data that the vast majority of companies now track, store, and distribute internally will grow exponentially. Tools to aid with compliance may be considered a convenience now, but will be soon be an absolute necessity. 

NoHo News: Ballet is Back, 30 Days of Sweat, NoHo is a Theatre Town

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 March 2 2017 www.nohoartsdistrict.com

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

Cannibals Alone

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Cannibals Alone

 

An interesting evening was spent observing a new play by Theater Unleashed in NoHo. It is Cannibals Alone, written by Seph DeFerie and directed by Julia Plostnieks.

 
It is a story about revenge, anger and frustration that harbors unrealized hopes and dreams. Taking place in a lone cabin far into the woods, two women try to work out their new lives hidden from the government and other people. Naturally with this theme, it is dark and alluring at the same time.
 
The audience is small as is the seating at this venue. However, everyone seemed captivated by the performances of the four cast members. What would I do? What would you do if everything you have known is turned upside down because of some unforeseen illness that encourages people to turn on each other? It reminds me of the recent zombie craze of television shows like The Walking Dead. But this is more; more out there, more radical. Here, the government takes these ‘ill’ individuals to depots, where they are kept like prisoners so as not to infect others. They are forever labeled depots and must be avoided and ostracized. The state sanctioned teams of loyal patrons called medics have a duty to hunt or kill the depots escaping from their compounds. After all, the healthy ones, the good ones, must be kept safe.
 
That is where Mags (Heather Lynn Smith), and Rae (Courtney Sara Bell), enter the picture. They are self-imposed rebels in direct opposition to the new order of the governmental tyranny policy. They hunt and kill the unfortunate ones. Hidden for over four years, trusting no one, they must figure out a way not to go batty themselves. Mags is cool and collected, Rae is angry, paranoid and erratic. She is the unknown and the loose cannon that evokes her strong positions in a very loud voice. She continually moves around the cabin ranting about disloyalty and trust. The truth is that they probably cannot trust each other or anyone. Maybe one of them will turn the other in, or worse, become infected with this unknown sickness. We just don’t know what will happen as we watch a few outsiders grace their doorsteps. On one occasion an escapee comes for help, a young woman named Callie, wonderfully played by Margaret Glaccum. They treat her half-way normal after violently vetting her by tying her up and burning a few fingers. If she passes the test, and is not secretly part of the government killing squad, then they decide she can sit and stay for a while. However, she really is an outsider to their pact and Mags and Rae decide to pursue their own form of justice and revenge.
 
Rae is the ticking time bomb of this pair. She feels put upon by the new rules and regulations of this new society. Her goal is simple and painful. Her beloved brother is dead because of the ‘depots’, but we are never told how or why this happened. Mags just wants to move on and be normal again. She is bored of the lifestyle, the hiding, the anger, and of Rae. Playing ancient board games such as Monopoly and Clue night after night is crazy making and Mags wants out. However, her loyalty to her childhood friend turns out to be her undoing in this often disconnected tale.
 
Some of the parts of this story seem implausible. Hidden in a house that is far from others in the forest and off the grid, they are somehow still connected to the internet. They say they are honorable in helping the infected escapees find a pathway out to Canada; but until the last 15 minutes of the play we didn’t understand why they would help those so hated. Could there have been another way to seek their revenge as punishment for an idolized dead sibling? It appears Mags and Rae may be punishing the wrong party. Still at 90 minutes without a break, it moved well.
 
The acting is good, especially by Margaret Glaccum as the scared and frightened young woman who only wants to be free and find her husband. She showed the most range in her Callie character. She was able to bring a humanity and reality to this person that the others did not possess. Courtney Sara Bell played her part well as the really crazy one; however, it was not clear if this was the character or if this is her interpretation of Rae. The storyline has flaws; however, the overall production was well done. It is good to see a female-driven play that highlights women’s comraderie and strength. I am not sure it would have the same impact with an all-male cast. Especially notable was the set design by Ann Hurd who also played a character named Val, sister of Callie. It worked comfortably with the movement of the characters and set the appropriate dark tone. It did feel as if the audience was actually in that hideaway cabin with the two main actors.
 
Jean Schderi Crafts is the artistic director of this production along with Gregory Crafts as the managing director. For remaining tickets, contact www.theatreunleashed.org. The Belfry Stage, 11031 Camarillo St. North Hollywood, CA 91602. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2/9 through 3/4/2017.
 

Meet Colin Fung, the man behind Tamashii Ramen House NoHo

Lisa Bianconi
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Colin Fung, entrepreneur and restaurateur, wants you to experience the finest dining in NoHo.

OK, so I’m not too handy with using chopsticks, but, give me a fork and spoon and I can handle just about anything.

Ahh… Sushi and noodles and Thai ice tea… I was stuffed by the end of the lunch hour and pleasantly satiated. Sitting down with Mr. Fung, I soon learned he not only loves cooking, but loves sharing his knowledge with the NoHo community. With a total of four Japanese restaurants to him name, Tamashii Ramen House, he has become a star force in defining what ‘the very fine eatery’ is.

Waide Riddle- So, where exactly are your four restaurants, Colin?
Colin Fung- NoHo, Sherman Oaks, Burbank and Pasadena.

WR- And what does Tamashii mean? Can you break it down?
CF- In English translation, the word ta-ma-shi-i means ‘soul.’ And Ramen is ‘noodle.’

Tamashii Ramen House Spicy Miso www.nohoartsdistrict.com

WR- Where were you educated?
CF- Hong Kong.

WR- Now, how did you get from Hong Kong… to… NoHo?
CF- I was born in Macau near Hong Kong. I moved to Hong Kong when I was eleven or twelve years old for middle school. After middle school, I decided to do something else, so I went to Australia for six months for English course. After six months of the English course and working in a restaurant part time, I enjoyed it, because I got free food! (we both laugh at this remark) I had to figure out what I wanted to do… I went into hotel management and was going to school for my diploma. Part time work for some pocket money. After I graduated, I went back to Hong Kong and worked at a hotel as a captain. From Captain to Assistant Restaurant Manager to Restaurant Manager… I found my way… eventually moving to a private club… opened my own restaurant. That’s it… My sister had been living in California for a long time. She called me one day and said, ‘You want to come to America?’ So, I submitted my application form… it takes a long time. Up to twelve years of more… I thought, let’s do it! I wasn’t in a huge rush to come here, but time is tight. I started planning what I was going to do. I had to sell my house, get my visa’s. My daughter is autistic… so I also had to think of her and the best possible care for her. So, my wife and I decided to give up Hong Kong and give it a try. We got here in June 2011… One day I was driving through Sherman Oaks and saw a coffee shop that had closed. I called the agent and after three months of construction and improvements, I opened up. I’m always looking at restaurants and considering the possibilities. It was never my intention to open a restaurant in Pasadena, but a friend of mine called me and he had no experience on how to run this business, he talked to me wanting me to take over, so… I took it over.

WR- What is the trend (in food) you see in your industry?
CF- I think now, people are looking for healthy food. But, for me, a restaurant operator, food must have more transparency. People want to know the ingredients. I explain everything on the menu. What’s inside the dishes. Have an open kitchen. I think the future, more simple and healthy food… Also, the ‘tip system,’ I think it will change in the future… slowly. If I open a fifth restaurant, there will be no tip system. It will be a restaurant with a cashier, place your order, I will call you to pick up your order. The reason? Because of economic resources.

Tamashii Ramen House NoHo Octopus Ball www.nohoartsdistrict.com

WR- Now, let’s get to the fun questions…
CF- OK.

WR- What is your favorite book?
CF- All and everything related to my business. Everything food. Cookbooks. When I was in Hong Kong, I read lots of books about cigars. Cheese. Sakai, the Japanese wine. Because I was a food manager, I had to have this knowledge to explain to clientele.

WR- Do you smoke cigars?
CF- No. Not now. After I had my child, no. But, when I was in the restaurant, yes. Most of the restaurant people do.

WR- What is your favorite movie?
CF- I’m not the kind of guy that’s crazy for a movie… I’m more of a guy that likes an old song…

WR- That leads right into my next question! Do you have a favorite song?
CF- I love the Bee Gees. I have a disc in my car.

WR- Who doesn’t like the Bee Gees?! Oh my God! We can remember when they first premiered their music.
CF- Our age! (We are both laughing at this time!) And, we can remember when our favorite singer’s album would be released… but, now, it’s too convenient. You can get it anywhere. You could appreciate the album, then. You could touch it. And now it’s too easy to share your opinion about how you like a song or not.

WR- Well, Colin, I am more than stuffed! Your restaurant is wonderful and I thank you so much for giving me the time to get to know you better. You’re one of the reasons NoHo Arts District is charming and booming.
CF- Thank you.

—

COLIN FUNG is a fascinating man. He is personable, passionate and excited to tell his clientele about all-things food and the culinary arts. To find out more: www.tamashiiramen.com. “Eat it, feel it & share it!”

Tamashii Ramen House
11024 Magnolia Blvd.
NoHo 91601
818.980.2388

**** 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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Profile on NoHo’s Dennis Gersten of T.U. Studios

Lisa Bianconi
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Meet Dennis Gersten of T.U. Studios

The NoHo Arts District dot Com team always says:

“NoHo is only as great as its people.”

This is true for Dennis Gersten of T.U. Studios who has been a strong theatre advocate and a shaper of what our arts community is today.

Profile on NoHo’s Dennis Gersten of T.U. Studios www.nohoartsdistrict.com

When and what made you start a theatre in NoHo? What was the district like then?

We created T.U. Studios in the fall of 1995. My wife and I had bought our house in the Valley one year before this, so NoHo was a convenient location that was already becoming a center for the Arts. Our not-for-profit corporation, Theatre Unlimited, was established in 1993; and we produced three shows in Hollywood before moving to NoHo. The District covered a larger area then than it does today. There were twenty-some theaters in the Valley Theatre League – most were within the NoHo hub. Redevelopment had not hit us yet, so rents were affordable. We staged many shows in those first few years.

Since the growth of NoHo, what changes do you like and dislike?

The kind of growth that occurred has not been kind to the artist. The District received little more than lip service from those whose assistance was needed to grow and protect an Arts community. Developers had the resources to push their projects forward, and so, as in other cities, gentrification drove some theaters out of business. We were forced to let our acting company go and become a theater rental facility, if we were to remain and meet the rising monthly expenses. After our first landlord sold the building, our rent doubled. Our neighbor, the wonderful Iliad Bookstore, moved out of the District because their rent tripled.

What is the hardest thing about managing a small theatre?

Whether producing or renting out space, small Theatre is not a place for making money. It is for the expression of the higher self.

Tell us about your career as an actor. What advice would you give to an emerging actor?

After receiving an MFA from CalArts, I got involved in the theatre community in L.A. It has been consuming. There has been some film and TV work, but it’s what I do on stage that matters most to me. This past year I was in two productions at the Odyssey Theater that were very rewarding to work on – “Tempest Redux” and “The Hairy Ape.” I’ve just begun work on “Macbeth,” which is looking like another wild ride. I am also directing quite a bit.

I don’t give advice about “the business.” As for acting, I tell my students that it’s all about practice, discipline, and experiencing the world as an artist: look to art, music, dance, writing, nature, science, religion, politics; and look for the beauty in all of it. You will need to know, feel, and experience much if you hope to have depth in your work. It can’t be faked.

Profile on NoHo’s Dennis Gersten of T.U. Studios www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Tell about your theatre. Can anyone rent your theatre? How do they inquire about renting the theatre?

Theatre Unlimited Studios is available for productions, classes, workshops, auditions, film shoots, rehearsals, and meetings. We have a 55-seat Theater with lights and sound, a raised stage, wing, dressing room, lobby, two restrooms; and a 460-sq.-ft. Studio with carpeting, risers, and skylight. T.U. Studios is located at 10943 Camarillo Street in the NoHo Arts District, close to the 101, 170, and 134 freeeways. You’ll find us one storefront east of the intersection of Lankershim Blvd., Vineland Ave., and Camarillo St. We have ample parking in our lot and surrounding streets. For rates and availability, please contact DENNIS at: gersten-fergwells@sbcglobal.net or 818-205-1680. 

**** 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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Lusting After Pipino’s Wife

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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“Lusting After Pipino’s Wife” at Theatre 68 in the NoHo Arts District extends to April 19!

It’s New York in the 80s. A couple of pals, one a restaurant owner, the other a shoe salesman, spend their free time sitting around, sipping whisky and talking about women…. It could be cliche but “Lusting After Pipino’s Wife” is far, far from that.  The play stuns with wonderfully quirky and clever dialogue, the kind of conversations you can usually only overhear waiting in line somewhere and then later repeat with incredulity as “you couldn’t write this stuff.” 

Pipinos Wife 0051
Cast (L-R): Katy Jacoby and Alexis Brandt

Vinnie is a restaurant owner and self-proclaimed guru of love, whose daily puzzle is why female rejection is so often his companion and Patsy, his friend and yes that is his given name, cluelessly wonders why following Vinnie’s advice never seems to work out for him. 

It also follows the angst of Rita and Lorraine, roommates and confidants.  Rita is actually dating Patsy, much to Lorraine’s disdain, and although Rita seems happy, Lorraine continues to undermine her relationship while she careens from one weird sexual encounter to another, all the while hurdling towards mental breakdown…while still being manically hilarious. 

“Lusting After Pipino’s Wife” is a highly regarded and long-running, Off Broadway show. A sunnier Mamet, a wry and rapid take on the distance between the sexes and the panic of feeling alone. 

This is a play about relationships, the search for them, the fear of them and ultimately the destruction of them.  Vinnie handles rejection like a toddler, Patsy is a romantic trapped in a doofus.  Rita is looking for fulfilment through love, which is always a mistake, and Lorraine is struggling with her sexual identity…literally all over the place. 

Pipinos Wife 1149
Cast (L-R):  Danny Cistone & Alexis Brandt

The scenes are short, relentless vignettes of wry one-liners and comical situations in search of life-changing solutions.  The dialogue is riddled with the kind of phrases that seem so familiar because this play has been pinched from a million times…believe me.

The performances are all superb and just about the best I have seen in a very long time in NoHo. 

Theatre 68’s new digs give them a bigger and brighter stage to do what they have always done so well…entertain with heart and humor and more than a little twisted love for the crazy in all of us. 

Oh, and the music is fantastic. I am an 80s girl so my toes were tapping and my hips were wiggling in my seat…from Michael Jackson to Madonna and Springsteen and beyond, classics that pulled me right back to that time in my life when everyone was looking for love and we all just wanted to have fun.

I highly recommend “Lusting After Pipino’s Wife.”  

Theatre 68
5112 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, 91601

TICKETS>>

Written by Sam Henry Kass

Produced and Directed by Ronnie Marmo

Assistant Director, Vena Tolomanoska

Set Design by Danny Cistone

Lighting Design by Aaron Craig

 

The Brilliant Cast 

Vinnie – Ronnie Marmo

Patsy – Danny Cistone

Lorraine – Katy Jacoby

Rita – Alexis Brandt

Saving Animals – One Bite at a Time

nohoarts
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Saving Animals – One Bite at a Time

Over the years, hundreds of people have asked what they can do to help animals. 

Many people are sad because they don’t have money to donate to organizations that help animals, their living situation does not allow them to have an animal or they can’t for health reasons, etc.  Leave it up to PETA to find a great way to help all types of animals on this earth.  I recently made a donation to PETA and they sent me the “One-Stop Reference Guide to Going Vegan.”  Here are a few facts that I found surprising and motivating to going vegan.

Health Benefits of Being Vegan

– Unclog your arteries.

– Average vegan has a cholesterol level of 133 – which is 77 points lower than the average meat-eater’s. 

Protect Your Brain

– Research shows that people who avoid “bad fats” – the kind found in meat, eggs and especially dairy foods – cut their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by about two thirds. 

Fight Cancer With Plants

– Research shows that vegans are about 40 percent less likely to get cancer than meat-eaters. 

Slim Down by Going Vegan

– On average, vegans weigh 8 percent less that meat-eaters and they are nine times less likely to be obese. 

Prevent and Even Reverse Diabetes

– Research even shows that diabetics who eat low-fat vegan foods are able to stop taking medications – or at least take  fewer of them – to manage the disease. 

You’ll Save Animals

– A vegan saves more than 100 animals a year – by not eating them. 

You’ll Save Money at the Grocery Store

– Some of the most versatile vegan foods – including beans, rice, vegetables, tofu and pasta – cost relatively little compared to animal-based foods. 

Pollution

– Researchers from the university of California Riverside calculate that cooking just one charbroiled burger causes as much pollution as driving an 18 wheeler for 143 miles. 

There are more than 20 billion animals killed for food in the U.S. each year.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 5 million members and supporters.  PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: in the food industry, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry. We also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of rodents, birds, and other animals who are often considered “pests” as well as cruelty to domesticated animals.  

Visit Peta.org….there are so many ways you can save animals.

 

Homeless Count North Hollywood

NoHo - North Hollywood
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Homeless Count Los Angeles

Last month, Mid-Town North Hollywood Neighborhood Council board members joined the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) for its annual homeless count.

Thanks to teamwork and spreading the word, the neighborhood council recruited around 40 volunteers to count individuals who are experiencing homelessness in the San Fernando Valley. This year, the council’s very own Bob Peppermuller served as the Site Coordinator for the evening. Peppermuller is the homeless representative on the neighborhood council.

“Mid-Town North Hollywood NC [Neighborhood Council] helped the count by volunteering, furnishing refreshments and suggesting to LAHSA that they used our meeting place for a deployment site when LAHSA was looking for a location in North Hollywood. Around 40 volunteers showed up for the count by census tracts in the North Hollywood area roughly between the 170 and Burbank City line and Vanowen to Ventura Blvd. This deployment was coordinated by Los Angeles Family Housing, a homeless service provider on Lankershim, north of Saticoy,” said Peppermuller.

Volunteers played a key role in the count. While some served as counters and navigators, others took on the role of data validator and driver, all of which contributed to the success of the night.

What is the Los Angeles Homeless Count?

Every January, LAHSA counts individuals experiencing homelessness throughout Los Angeles County. The data collected is used to bring community resources and to support the fight to end homelessness in LA. For more information on how you can volunteer next year, or to learn more about the homeless count results, visit www.mtnhnc.org or visit https://www.lahsa.org/homeless-count/.

The Princess and The Frog

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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The Princess and the Frog playing at Theatre West

There are many art forms where children can participate and learn, but theatre has a particularly magical effect on them. 

Not just by watching, but by taking part themselves, they can learn so many skills and life lessons.  They learn empathy and understanding, they can practice listening, paying attention, sitting still and being patient and courteous and they can build their own sense of compassion and fairness as well as learning wonder and power of storytelling.

Theatre can be such a magical place for all of us, but especially for a child.  It’s a place where they can learn to love art and to truly understand the power it can have to change they way we all connect to each other.  It’s a safe and inclusive place for us all, and children are no acceptation. 

But it’s also a lot of fun and the folks at Storybook Theatre at Theatre West certainly know how to bring smiles and laughter to a theatre full of kids of every age, even mine! 

The Princess and the Frog is a well-known and well-loved story.  A Prince is turned into a frog by a fairy for being too vain and self-important, his only cure the kiss of a princess.  A simple story, but in the hands of Storybook Theatre it’s transformed into an hour of wonderful songs and hilarious antics, and many, many excuses to bring the kids up on stage to help out…which they couldn’t get enough off! 

The sets are colorful and imaginative and the cast full of enthusiasm and passion and they blend the children’s audience participation with the story so beautifully, interweaving their suggestions, encouraging them and engaging them beautifully. 

It was so lovely to watch their little faces all aglow, to hear them calling out and gasping and giggling…so completely enchanted, were they. 

The actors really were all excellent and gave their absolute utmost to the roles, which is vital, children can see through a half-baked performance a mile off, but there’s none of that here!  I was so engaged and entertained myself that I couldn’t stop smiling! Once a kid, always a kid I suppose! 

This is a wonderful way to spend some precious time with your kids. it’s not too long for them, there are complimentary cookies and juice at the intermission in the lobby and at the end of the performance, the entire cast can be found outside, sitting patiently for photo’s, autographs and cuddles, which the kids seem to particularly enjoy! 

I thoroughly recommend The Frog and The Princes at Theatre West,  3333 Cahuenga Blvd, LA 90068 

The Princess and The Frog runs every Saturday at 1 pm now until July 8th.

www.theatrewest.org

The Princess and The Frog

Written by Lloyd J. Swartz & Hope Juber

Music & Lyrics by Laurence & Hope Juber

Director/ Choreographer:  David P. Johnson

Produced by Lloyd J. Schwartz & Barbara Mallory

Stage Managers: David P. Johnson & Ernie McDaniel

Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd, LA 90068

Every Saturday at 1 pm now until July 8th. 

CAST

Hyacinth – Constance Jewell Lopez

Understudy – Kristen Towers- Rowles

Prince/Frog – Andrew Villareal

Understudy – Edward Gallogly

Princess – (Shared) – Katie Kitani and Deanna Gandy

King – Anthony Gruppuso

Understudy – John Gallogly

ART DIRECTORS GUILD to Exhibit JAROSLAV GEBR’s Artwork

NoHo - North Hollywood
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ART DIRECTORS GUILD to Exhibit JAROSLAV GEBR’s Artwork

ART DIRECTORS GUILD’S GALLERY 800 PRESENTS

“A TRIBUTE TO JAROSLAV GEBR”

HONORING THE LEGENDARY MOTION PICTURE ARTIST IN EXHIBIT

RUNNING JANUARY 14 – MARCH 4, 2017

Jaroslav ‘Jerry’ Gebr, the legendary Scenic Artist behind some of Hollywood’s greatest films, will be honored by the Art Directors Guild’s Gallery 800 (ADG, IATSE Local 800) in a special exhibit entitled “A Tribute to Jaroslav Gebr.”

The exhibit opens with a hosted reception on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and runs through March 4, 2017.

Gebr’s paintings appeared in such films as My Fair Lady, Camelot and The Sound Of Music and he’s best known for his full-scale reproduction of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel for The Shoes Of The Fisherman. The exhibit will showcase numerous pieces of his original artwork.

A proud member of the Art Directors Guild since 1972, Gebr was head of the Scenic Arts Department at Universal Studios and worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Alfred Hitchcock and Vincente Minnelli.

Jaroslav was a prodigy from a small village outside of Prague. He escaped Communist-occupied Czechoslovakia in 1949 and despite the horrors of World War II, studied at art academies in Prague, Munich and Florence. His journey took him from painting portraits and frescoes in Bogota, Columbia to murals, portraits and visual effects in Hollywood.

His paintings also appeared in films such as Xanadu, Scarface, Batman, Star Trek and The Princess Diaries, and he created the title cards for The Sting and Dune. His television work includes The Wild Wild West, Murder She Wrote, Amazing Stories, Columbo, 24 and most notably the pilot episode of Rod Serling’s Night Gallery.

Gallery 800 Future Exhibits Include (subject to change):

• Draw (Mar. 18, 2017 – June 3, 2017)
• The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop (June 17, 2017 – Aug. 5, 2017)
• Little Bonfires (Aug. 19, 2017 – Oct. 7, 2017)
• Art Unites 11 (Oct. 21, 2017 – Dec. 9, 2017)

Gallery 800, located in the heart of the Noho Arts District, showcases Guild members’ personal art in a series of shows throughout the year. These talented artists are leading art department professionals, who, through a combination of observation, passion and imagination, bring the writer’s words and the director’s vision to life in television and film. When not working as integral creative members of the entertainment community, they contribute to the fine art scene with their personal artwork. Since Gallery 800 opened its doors in March 2009, more than 600 ADG members have shown their artwork in the ongoing exhibitions.

Representing Gallery 800 are Curator Abra Brayman and ADG Awards and Events Manager Debbie Patton. Gallery 800 (located at 5108 Lankershim Blvd. at the Historic Lankershim Arts Center in the heart of North Hollywood) is open Thursday – Friday: 12:00 – 8:00 pm; Saturday 2:00 – 8:00 pm; Sundays 12:00 – 6:00pm. For questions about the gallery or artwork, contact (818) 763-8052 or gallery800@gmail.com.

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ABOUT THE ART DIRECTORS GUILD:
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents 2,500 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers, Art Directors, Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; Set Designers and Model Makers; and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, the ADG’s ongoing activities include a Film Society, an annual Awards Banquet, a creative/technology community (5D: The Future of Immersive Design), a bimonthly craft magazine (Perspective); and extensive technology-training programs, figure drawing and other creative workshops and year-round Gallery 800 art exhibitions. The Guild’s Online Directory/Website Resource is at www.adg.org. Connect with the Art Directors Guild and #Gallery800 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Guild’s Online Directory/Website Resource is at www.adg.org. Connect with the Art Directors Guild and #Gallery800 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It’s Getting Hot…Welcome White Heat Yoga to NoHo

Lisa Bianconi
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Don’t be afraid to sweat it out at NoHo’s White Heat Yoga

It seems some folks are afraid to sweat and are super fans of, well, fans.

What ever happened to the days of sweating freely without 553 fans blowing your hard-earned sweat cold? Well, that’s all about to change with White Heat Yoga. They’re a yoga studio that is hot, literally. Let’s give them a big, warm (excuse the pun) NoHo WELCOME.

White Heat Yoga is a boutique heated yoga studio located in the heart of the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood. Offering hot yoga classes accessible for a wide variety of practices for those just beginning to advanced. Whether you’re looking for a high intensity cardio work out or a slower paced meditative practice, White Heat Yoga is the studio for you.

So don’t be afraid to get sweaty and loose. White Heat Yoga is joining the neighborhood with a fun giveaway – a 30-day membership to the lucky winner. So drop your info below.

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Meet Jordan Severs, the owner of White Heat Yoga NoHo. Jordan has been a practitioner of yoga since 2006 and did her first 200-hour teacher training in the summer of 2007 and began teaching that fall. The following year she took on another teacher training to be able to effectively teach in the heat through Yoga Tribe in Huntington Beach. Her classes are a combination of traditional yoga poses and dynamic movement. Interweaving classes with moments of high intensity and dialing it back at just the right time to ease students into a state of calm and serenity by the end of class.

We all could use some more serenity in our lives. We asked Jordan some questions about White Heat Yoga and, well, heated yoga.

Don’t be afraid to sweat it out at NoHo’s White Heat Yoga www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Why is heated yoga a health benefit?

Some of the benefits of hot yoga are increased endurance and flexibility as well as detoxifying the body and providing a sense of deep relaxation.

Sweating is a natural part of exercise and helps purge the body of toxins.

Are there any Do’s and Don’ts for heated yoga?

✭ Do drink plenty of water before your class
✭ Do arrive early to register for class and get acclimated to the temperature
✭ Don’t use strong smelling odors such as perfume
✭ Don’t eat right before you take a class

Why did you choose the NoHo Arts District for White Heat Yoga?

I chose the NoHo Art’s district because it is such a flourishing neighborhood and there is so much in the area. It feels like a real community where people know one another and that is something really special in a city like Los Angeles.

And the name, is there a story behind that?

The definition of White Heat is an intense state of passion or activity and that really resonated with me. I came to yoga over a decade ago with my own personal struggles and through my practice and teaching I have grown and been fortunate enough to share my experience and strength with others.

What’s your advice to a novice yogi?

I recommend to anyone who wants to begin a yoga practice, or any practice for that matter, to leave your expectations of what you think this may be or how you may want it to change your body, and allow yourself to fully experience your practice from a place of compassion and understanding. It’s not about the depth or how flexible one is but rather the experience that is important.

Don’t be afraid to sweat it out at NoHo’s White Heat Yoga www.nohoartsdistrict.com

White Heat Yoga
11049 Magnolia Blvd. Ste 500
North Hollywood, CA 91601

(818) 856-1660

Website | Facebook | Instagram

See you in the studio. Namaste.

**** 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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Welcome Back Aspen Santa Fe Ballet!

Lisa Bianconi
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Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Continues Three-Year Residency at VPAC World Premiere Commission 

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) celebrates the second year of its three-year residency at Valley Performing Arts Center with a program of new works that celebrates the company’s commitment to creating new contemporary dance on Friday, March 3 at 8:00pm. ASFB will unveil the world premiere of Eudaemonia (2017) by renowned-choreographer Cherice Barton as well as perform Little mortal jump (2016) by ASFB favorite Alejandro Cerrudo created for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Sleepless (2004) from Jiří Kylián, Artistic Director of Nederlands Dans Theater to music of Dirk Haubrich, based on Mozart.

ASFB was founded over 20 years ago by Executive Director Jean-Philippe Malaty and Artistic Director, Tom Mossbrucker.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet returns to Valley Performing Arts Center via www.nohoartsdistrict.com

“This second year of our three year residency with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is especially significant as it marks the world premiere of Cherice Barton’s new work, which VPAC co-commissioned.” said Thor Steingraber, Executive Director of VPAC. “We are proud to tap a Los Angeles-based choreographer for this commission, especially one as versatile as Cherice. Her choreography is perfectly suited to the dancers, their technical excellence as well as their personalities. The piece has a nod to Hollywood in it too. In addition, we are also presenting works from world-renowned choreographer Jiří Kylián, as well as Alejandro Cerrudo, whose breathtaking piece, Silent Ghost, was in our program last year. This is an outstanding trio of 21st century dance makers.”

Cherice Barton explains the inspiration behind her return to ballet; “This work is very personal to me. Happiness is simple, but the way in which we seek it is complicated.’” Barton continues, “The greeks define eudaimonism as a moral philosophy which seems to encompass exactly the truth in what I am seeking (as a person and as an artist). Eudaemonia is the epitome of a well-lived life and something to strive for – a virtuous, spiritual and personally successful life. ”

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The sound design for Eudaemonia, by Jeremy Jurin (Barton’s husband) consists of singers like Jimmy Durante, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis delivering gems of the American songbook like “Make Someone Happy” and “(Smile) When Your Heart is Breaking).” In addition, Jurin has mixed in vocal fragments from his own family, musing on the importance of this seemingly simple subject.

Cherice Barton is the oldest of the three Barton sisters, all successful artists. In addition to choreographing for the stage, she also is a commercial and concert choreographer. Barton’s performance career has spanned over twenty years in over thirty countries across six continents. In 2015, she choreographed Katy Perry’s critically acclaimed appearance at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the 57th Grammy Awards. As a choreographer and creative consultant, Barton has a unique eye for transforming dance into inspired, emotional work, from the stage to the screen.

Barton recently joined the creative team of America’s Got Talent as Choreography Associate following choreographing Disney’s Strange Magic, by Lucasfilm Animation/ILM and released by Touchstone Pictures in January of 2015. She choreographed Wearing Lorca’s Bowtie, at the off-Broadway Duke on 42nd Street, and was on the original creative team of the Julie Taymor Broadway Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark.

This multi-year residency by a major performing arts company furthers the mission of Valley Performing Arts Center to become the cultural hub of the San Fernando Valley. Long-term relationships between artists and audiences are crucial to the success of emerging arts institutions and the communities they serve. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, one of the nation’s most important contemporary ballet companies, is the first company to embark on a residency at VPAC. ASFB is presently enjoying worldwide renowned with a recent debut at Teatro La Fenice, the historic opera house in Venice, Italy, and will open the season at Jacobs Pillow, one of the most important dance festivals in the world.

WHEN:

Friday, March 3 at 8:00pm

WHERE:

Valley Performing Arts Center
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330

Tickets:

Prices: Start at $33
In Person: VPAC Ticket Office, located in the VPAC Courtyard
By Phone: (818) 677-3000
Online>> 

About Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

ASFB was founded over 20 years ago by Executive Director Jean-Philippe Malaty and Artistic Director, Tom Mossbrucker, both former dancers at The Joffrey Ballet. Described by the New York Times as “A breath of fresh air,” Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company stands out as a model of what a small ballet company should be with its “musicality, athleticism, and technique-conscious delivery.”

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s repertoire, ranges from accessible to sophisticated, resonating with energy and eclecticism. A house-style emerges across this diverse dance menu, layering American athleticism on a base of European refinement. The company’s identity is tethered to its repertoire, which speaks a complex language, challenges audiences, and advances the art form.

The company’s pioneering spirit arises from a dual set of home cities: Aspen, nestled in the Rocky Mountains, and Santa Fe, gracing the Southwestern plateau. Shaping the cultural landscape of these communities – and influencing the dance field at large – is a contemporary ballet company now two decades old.

About Cherice Barton, Choreographer: Eudaemonia

Cherice Barton choreographed Katy Perry’s critically acclaimed appearance at the 57th Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Staples Center. As a choreographer and a creative consultant, Barton has a unique eye for transforming dance into inspired, emotional and visually stunning work, from the stage to the screen. Cherice recently joined the creative team of America’s Got Talent as Choreography Associate following her work with George Lucas, choreographing Disney’s Strange Magic, by Lucasfilm Animation/ILM and released by Touchstone Pictures in 2015. She choreographed the Off Broadway production, Wearing Lorca’s Bowtie, at the Duke on 42nd Street and is proud to have been on the original creative team of Julie Taylor’s epic Broadway show, Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark. Cherice and her sister Charissa recently founded Barton Movement, a creative production company under the umbrella of which we created Axis Connect, an emerging professional program for aspiring dancers. Prior to Barton’s return to NYC from Las Vegas, she was the resident choreographer and casting evaluator for Franco Dragone’s cirque aquatic spectacle, Le Reve, at the Wynn Resort Hotel and Casino.

Barton has collaborated on projects with American Ballet Theater, the Grammy Awards, Disney, Lucasfilm, Aszure Barton & Artists, Ballet British Columbia, Dragone Entertainment Group, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and the Chutzpah! Festival. She has worked with George Lucas, Katy Perry, Julie Taymor, Franco Dragone, Mia Michaels, Vincent Paterson, Aszure Barton, Danny Ezralow, Serge Denancourt, Giuliano Peparini, John Carrafa, and Crystal Pite. She has lectured and conduct master classes at the Juilliard School, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Pace University, Marymount Manhattan College, Suny Purchase College, Barnard College at Columbia University, Adelphi University, and The Banff Center School of Fine Arts.

Cherice Barton’s performance career has spanned 20 years in over 30 countries across six continents. The eldest of the three Barton sisters, all successful artists, she is keeping the crazy Barton tradition alive as a creative force of her own.

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About Alejandro Cerrudo, Choreographer: Little mortal jump

Born in Madrid, Spain and trained at the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Madrid. His professional career began in 1998 and includes work with Victor Ullate Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater 2. Cerrudo joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in 2005, was named Choreographic Fellow in 2008, and became the company’s first Resident Choreographer in 2009. Thirteen works choreographed to date for Hubbard Street include collaborations with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Nederlands Dans Theater. These pieces and additional commissions are in repertory at companies around the U.S. as well as in Australia, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands; touring engagements have brought his work still further abroad, to audiences in Algeria, Canada, Morocco and Spain. In March 2012, Pacific Northwest Ballet invited Cerrudo to choreograph his first work for the company, Memory Glow, upon receiving the Joyce Theater Foundation’s second Rudolf Nureyev Prize for New Dance. Additional honors include an award from the Boomerang Fund for Artists (2011), and a Prince Prize for Commissioning Original Work from the Prince Charitable Trusts (2012) for his acclaimed, first evening-length work, One Thousand Pieces. Cerrudo is one of four choreographers invited by New York City Ballet principal Wendy Whelan to create and perform original duets for “Restless Creature,” and he was recently announced the 2014 USA Donnelley Fellow by United States Artists.

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About Jiří Kylián, Choreographer: Sleepless

The world-renowned choreographer Jiří Kylián (Czechoslovakia, 1947) has been artistic director and house choreographer with Nederlands Dans Theater for more than thirty years. After the creation of three ballets for NDT (Viewers, Stoolgame and La Cathédrale Engloutie), Kylián became the company’s artistic director in 1975 together with Hans Knill. During the 1978 Charleston Festival in the United States Kylián put NDT on the international map with Sinfonietta (Leoš Janácek). That year he and Carel Birnie founded NDT 2, meant to offer young dancers the opportunity to develop their skills and talents. In 1991 he initiated NDT 3; a company that created opportunities for ‘older’ dancers. NDT stood out as the first company worldwide that showed the three dimensions of a dancer´s life. After an extraordinary record of service Kylián handed over the artistic leadership in 1999, but remained associated to the company as a house choreographer until 2009.

Since his last piece Mémoires d’Oubliettes for NDT in 2009 Kylián’s creative focus has shifted to more small scale projects. Besides 75 choreographies for NDT he created various other pieces for companies worldwide such as the Stuttgart Ballet, the Paris Opéra, the Munich Bayerisches Staatsballett and the Tokyo Ballet. Kylián received many prestigious, international awards and honors, such as Officer of the Royal Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau, honorary doctorate of the Juilliard School in New York and the Honorary Medal from the President of the Czech Republic. Nowadays, Kylián’s masterpieces are being performed by numerous companies and schools worldwide.

**** 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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NoHo News: Cocktail Hideaway and Weekend of Theatre

Lisa Bianconi
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Here’s your NoHo arts community update!

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

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

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

Here’s a glimpse at what’s going on in North Hollywood. Click on the image and to see the online version of our NoHo News…ENJOY NOHO!

NoHo News: Cocktail Hideaway and Weekend of Theatre www.nohoartsdistrict.com

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

 

Awesome world destinations to go if you travel alone

NoHo - North Hollywood
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Awesome world destinations to go if you travel alone

Looking to travel the world on your own,  but still unsure where to go – or where to even start?  In this article,  we’ll discuss the top picks for the best countries to travel presently solo and have an awesome time while you’re at it. 

Australia.  The diversity of Australia is incredible.  It has beaches, hiking trails, the outback, busy cities,  awesome culture, and so much more.  A solo traveller would typically take around 8012 weeks to explore most of the iconic parts of the country and get the feel Aussie experience.  Start in Sydney and slowly make your way up the Eastern coast.  You can stop at beach towns before ending at the Great Barrier Reef. Fly back to Melbourne and experience the city’s  diversity.  Don’t forget to include a trip to Sydney’s Opera House and go on a Great Ocean Road trip. 

We’ve no doubt you have heard about the vast, unforgiving wilderness of Australia as well as the exotic, deadly animals roaming the land. As part of precaution before going  (same with all destinations here), it’s vital to bring a  travel protection plan with you. You never know what surprises are hiding beneath the next marshland  – but that’s  where the fun is, right  – the thrill of not knowing. 

Vietnam.  Especially tempting  to first-time travellers with a  budget in mind.  Thailand is warmly known as the land of smiles, and you won’t help but enjoy your time here.  Make sure to start your journey in the bustling city of Bangkok, which boasts as one of South East Asia’s most thriving cities.  From here, you can explore the country at great length and leave no island unvisited. 

Netherlands.  The land of liberal thought,  nature, and culture  – the Dutch way of living a fulfilled life.  For the traveling  nomad, there’s  no better destination  to visit to remove stress and think for yourself. 

Nepal.  Nepal isn’t just one of the cheapest countries you can visit as a solo traveller, it also has some of the most surreal hiking trails anywhere in the world.  Take your time and travel slowly throughout Nepal  –  there are  thousands of things to see, experience, do and explore. 

Portugal.  This fascinating country is an affordable destination if you’re looking for a place to start your adventure soloing.  Lisbon is amazing, but locals will tell you to venture either North or South if you really want a taste of authentic Portugal. 

Egypt.  If you want an exotic solo getaway, then this is it.  Egyptians have been commonly referred to as one of the friendliest people in the Middle East.  Previous difficulties in the country have made some travellers reluctant to visit, but most parts of the country are safe from such issues,  primarily Cairo.  Don’t let the media deter you from enjoying one of the most beautiful countries in the world to experience. 

End Note

If it’s your first time travelling overseas alone,  it’s vital to protect yourself from the numerous travel-related mishaps that could happen:  delayed/cancelled flights,  natural disaster,  medical emergency,  lost baggage/passport, etc.  This can be easily managed through a reliable Chubb travel insurance Singapore, which provides comprehensive security for yourself and your dependents.  You’ll enjoy your lone wanderings  more when you have peace of mind knowing that you’re protected.

Low Budget Film – High Expectations

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Low Budget Film – High Expectations

Low Budget Film – High Expectations

Making a film, whatever the budget, when you put aside story and actors and location and just about everything else, surely has to be about what an audience ends up actually seeing…doesn’t it?

What I mean is that the ‘look’ of the film, the way the camera interprets the vision of the director. This must be, in my opinion, of paramount importance. When we make films with little money and much faith, what we shoot on and how we shoot it becomes all the more vital.

These days, of course, we can shoot on our phones, although that really depends on the kind of story you want to tell. But how we ‘paint’ our picture is where the artistry lies and even with limited funds, or none at all, we can still find ways to conjure our vision and create our world on screen. Otherwise, what’s the point of doing it?

So how do we do that? Well, first we decide on what we want to convey and then we do everything we can to stay true to that idea. We take our time, we stubbornly refuse to compromise and we always stay true to the tone of the film.

It’s so easy to become distracted, to listen to well-intended advice, and then, defeated, take it. Getting lost in the process is something that can happen to any director, at any stage of their career. Take a moment and think of some of your favorites who failed you.

Some films are purposefully light on style, or at least the absence of presumed effort becomes the style, as nothing is ever as innocent as it might seem…see French cinema.

But sometimes I like a film where the style is so poetic that I can barely breathe. Where every frame seems intended to break my heart, ruin my life or make me forget my name. Is this an impossible task for filmmakers without the budgets for Janusz Kaminski or Emmanuel Lubezki? Well, they had to start somewhere, and I’m a great believer in the artist in all of us. So I think that if you truly want to achieve beauty in every frame, you will, even if it takes you a month to shoot a scene.

For us low-budget filmmakers, what we lack in money we can almost entirely make up for in time. We just need to insist that we deserve brilliance, as much as, or perhaps more than, anyone else…whatever keeps you at it really.

You need to study. There are hundreds of videos on YouTube about lighting, framing and focus. You need to watch the films you love, and even some that you don’t, with a scholarly eye. Take notes, be conscious of technique and steal everything else! Everyone does, it’s called “homage.”

I’ve seen so many well-executed and thoroughly produced films, especially low-budget ones, that miss their mark, not because of bad performances, lack of enthusiasm or really anything particularly specific. But there is something missing. Something lacking…an artist’s soul.

Of course, if you want to make the next “Power Rangers” then go for it, but there could be artistry to even that if your passion is embedded in every frame.

Who am I to judge!? But I feel so strongly that the longer I am alive and the more I see, that what I see, how I see it and what it does to my very being is more important than anything else really.

It’s not even about perfection. Because perfection is usually boring. No, it’s about having a reason so strong that when you are on set with everyone standing around you, waiting for you to say “action,” that you hold for a moment and really give it the significance that it deserves. Move the chair a little to the right, dim the light just one stop more, change the actors lipstick shade, have them lean more to the left, change the lens, raise the tripod, add a slide to the shot, stop everything to whisper something revelatory in an actors ear. Pay attention, whatever it takes for you to do it, to make the difference between art and meeh, pay attention.

You can make a film in a day, and I have, many of them. You can make something truly wonderful in a day too, but at a certain point you can also move on, change your approach and take a year to make something else, something more, maybe better, definitely different, but, most importantly, something that stops your breath.

There’s a 24-Hour (film) Bug Going Around

Lisa Bianconi
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 Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre proudly presents the Twenty-Four Hour Bug film festival.

 

What can you do in 24 hours?

Twenty-Four Hour Bug film festival participants will have 24 hours to write, produce and finish their film, which will subsequently be screened at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre on February 27th. You can choose any 24-hour time period before then to make your film.

The films can be any genre, any style. There are no content restrictions or technical requirements – we’re focusing more on ideas than technical prowess! They can be any length, though for scheduling purposes we recommend keeping them under 10 minutes. Preferably, your film will be made with zero budget, though you will not be disqualified if you incur minor expenses!

Submission is free, however we will be collecting donations at the screening event and strongly encourage you to give generously to support the theatre’s continued hard work. 100% of proceeds go to Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre.

Send an e-mail to 24hourbug@gmail.com in order to sign up and receive further information.

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre
4850 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

**** 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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How to Shine Up a Pair of Dress Shoes in Only a Minute

NoHo - North Hollywood
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How to Shine Up a Pair of Dress Shoes in Only a Minute

Imagine this common situation: you’re going out for the night and you got everything ready. You put on your best clothes, you do your thing and then it’s time to slip into your dress shoes. You take them out only to find they aren’t shiny! While a traditional shoe shine might add an extra 15 minutes to your routine, there’s another method to shine up a pair of dress shoes – and this one only takes a minute!

The secret to quick shine up

The key to shining up your dress shoes lies in the equipment. Swap those old brushes and sponges to a basic horsehair brush. That’s a soft bristled brush and you can find them from shoe retailers and online. The La Cordonniere Anglaise brush is a good choice – it’s affordable and the bristles are extremely soft to ensure you don’t damage even your priciest of shoes. It also comes in different shapes to suit all sorts of dress shoes.

You then need to find a good shoe polish. Wax is definitely the best for the job. The key is to ensure you always use a polish that matches the colour of your shoes. You can usually find a good shoe sine from your favourite show retailer.

Remember that wax is generally just for adding shine. If you also need to add a bit more colour to any worn out spots, you want to opt for shoe cream instead of the wax. This can take longer to apply than the wax, so be mindful of it.

Finally, you need a soft rag of some sorts. Don’t spend money on finding one – just look to your wardrobe and pick an old T-shirt or a pillowcase. It’s perfect for this purpose and you’re putting those old items no one ever uses into a good use.

The technique

Now that you have the equipment sorted out, it’s time to learn the right technique. You should start by applying the wax on your shoes with the old T-shirt (other rag you’re using). Simply lay out a small layer of the wax all over the shoe.

Once you have an even layer of the polish, you can start brushing with the horsehair brush. You can do it in sweeping motion, with the action, helping to remove any dust and dirt that might be stuck to the shoes. Once the shoe looks clean, you can finish the shining up with the rag.

To do this, wrap the T-shirt or rag tightly with your fingers and apply more polish to the shoes. In order to get the shiny effect, you should apply the polish with small, circular motions. If your shoes have been relatively well kept, you probably need to apply only one more layer of the polish.

Allow the polish to dry just for a few seconds and then use the horsehair brush to remove the remaining polish. This will give the shoes a lovely shiny finish and a puffy look.

All in all, the above technique shouldn’t take longer than a minute from start to finish. Just like with most things in life, practice makes perfect with this technique. As you use it, you’ll start cutting the time spent without sacrificing the quality of the shine.

The tips to keep in mind

When you are shining up a pair of shoes, there are few essential tips to keep in mind. These tips are crucial whether you are using this quick technique or the traditional method.

First, you need to remember to use only a tiny amount of polish. It can be tempting to add a big splash of it, but this won’t add to the shine and could actually be the reason your shoe polishing operation takes forever. The right amount of polish is the size of your little finger (depending on the size of the shoe a bit too, naturally).

Protect your area with another old T-shirt or a newspaper. You also shouldn’t start polishing up the shoes once you are already in your fancy clothes. You don’t want to end up with a polished dress in this occasion.

If you want extra shine and you have a bit more time, dampen the shoe before adding the second layer of polish. You can use a bit of water or – wait for it – your actual spit! Don’t be put off by the spit, as it can actually add a lot of shine to your shoes. Dampen the shoe in the same circular motion together with an extra layer of polish.

Now that you know how to polish your shoes without it taking forever, you can check out various popular retailers for a pair that matches your style. You can find discounts at Footasylum.com for a number of designer brands and make shopping for shoes as effortless as polishing them with the above tricks in mind.

The above tips and strategies can help you skip a routine that typically takes around 15 minutes. Instead of having to panic before your big date or an important business meeting, you can just take your essential shoe kit and get sorted in less than a minute.

Acting Advice – Assess yourself

Fran Montano
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Acting Advice – Assess yourself

Acting Advice – Assess yourself

If you’ve been following my blogs over the years, you know that in the beginning of the year I speak about the business of being an actor.

It’s February already. Do you realize the year is more than 1/10th over?  How are you doing?  Are you following your plan?  Do you have one?   I can’t tell you enough how important this is for actors. If you didn’t do this on your own already, I put together some questions and tasks that might assist in your process. 

Take some time and give attention to your goals, career, and the business of acting.

  1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS – Review 2016
    1. What did you do this past year that you feel complete about?
    2. Jobs, experiences, list your accomplishments. 
  1. GOALS – Make a list of goals that you would like to achieve this year.

Examples –

          To get/change an agent

          To get a manager

          To book x# of costars/guest stars

          Create a great reel for yourself

          Write a screenplay

          Perform on stage

          Create or collaborate on a Web show 

Make a list of the things that you want to happen to move you to your next level.  For some, you might not have absolute control over. Make your list so you have direction, intention, and a vision that you can focus towards. Make as many as you want, be reasonable, yet stretch yourself. 

  1. ACTIONS – Make a list of things/tasks/actions that you can do over the next 6 months.  These are things that you do have absolute control over. Things you can be doing on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. This is a good time to examine your discipline, your habits,  your strengths, weaknesses, blocks, fears, – places that you might be avoiding.  Where are you putting your attention?

Examples –

Interview 5 photographers – and shoot new headshots

Read a play a week, – looking for material to showcase/produce.

Write x# pages per day/per week on your screenplay or play.

Send out 10 headshots/emails per day/week to agents/casting people

Make 5 or x# of business calls per day.

Spend x minutes/hours per day/week on casting sites submitting yourself.

Call 5 – 10 agents a day

Join an acting class; get involved in an acting community

Find a scene/ scene partner and shoot your reel.

Produce a play for you to act/ direct/write.

Produce a showcase.

Produce your own you tube video show.

Submit online every day.

Create or collaborate a web series

Your Acting Lifestyle

  1. What is your routine, ritual, actions that you do on a daily/weekly basis?

Examples –

          Class weekly – more

          Other Acting workouts

          Check for auditions daily 

  1. What do you do outside of acting that keeps you in the zone?

Examples –

          Yoga,

          Meditation

          Write in journal

          Support groups

          Volunteer         

  1. What are you doing on your own to promote yourself and keep yourself inspired as an artist?

Examples –

          Theatre company, writing group, stand up, music, other creative outlets. 

Be creative, look outside the box. Choose things that feed you and nurture your creative talent, as well as make forward progress in your career. With all the talented people I’ve worked with over the years, structure and discipline are the most important element that people leave out. Don’t create too many distractions. You need to plan, make a business plan, with goals and actions that you can take, evaluate and adjust. Be accountable to yourself and invest with energy, time, talent, and drive. Take care.

Romeo and Juliet

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Archway Theatre presents Romeo and Juliet

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Steven Sabel

Presented by Archway Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601

February 18 – March 19 – Friday and Saturday at 8PM, Saturday matinee at 2PM 

Well, what can one possibly say about “Romeo and Juliet” that hasn’t already been said a hundred or more times? 

A tragic, and beautiful story of petty jealousies, raging teenage hormones and the ridiculousness of small town, small mindedness and clear illustration of what heat and isolation can do to the otherwise sane. 

Who needs enemies when you have family? 

So it is always the details to me that really make this play.  We all know the language, the cues, the tangle of torment and timing that lead to the ultimate ‘break up’ scene.  But how do we really ‘feel’ it.  The answer of course is in the relationships.  Not just between Romeo and Juliet, but between every other character in the play.  The leads may have the meat of it, but many of the other characters, typically for Shakespeare, have some of the best lines…”A curse on both your houses.” 

We need to truly connect with these people.  We need to believe in this society, these two families and their feud.  We need to understand that to them, the stakes are high, the passion understandable and the hate deep. 

The Archway actors fully commit to the drama of this play.  The ups, the downs, the humor, the twisted turns of fate and the sense of unhinged and impending doom.  All this while believing totally in every word they say. They are all quite brilliant. 

And as for the lovesick couple?  It’s a tough task really, after all these many hundreds of years and many, many thousands of renditions of two such iconic and much reinvented characters.  But I have to say that Will Holbrook and Kei’la Ryan are delightful. 

The chemistry is magical between them, and their tender youth certainly belies a depth of artistry and a fierceness of emotion of actors many times their age and experience.  Their kisses actually had me blushing a few times, so seemingly lost in each other did they become.

Every actor was wonderful, as they always seem to be at Archway, and thoroughly enjoying the privilege of performing so perfect and well loved a play as Romeo and Juliet. 

I particularly enjoyed the antics of Mercutio and Benvolio, (Banks Boutte and Drew Petriello).  They reveled in their time on stage and entertained us splendidly. 

The staging is simple and effective, leaving the performances ample room and the actors the perfect setting for this stunning play.  The mark of any performance of any well-known play, particularly when you already know so well the ending, is whether it can actually hold the audience, really take us on a ride still.  This production surely did. It held us to the last and the tragidy was just as sweet as ever…bravo! 

I highly recommend “Romeo and Juliet” at Archway Theater.  Go along and fall in love and despair all over again!! 

http://www.archwayla.com 

Archway Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601

February 18 – March 19 – Friday and Saturday at 8PM, Saturday matinee at 2PM 

CAST

Romeo – Will Holbrook

Juliet – Kei’la Ryan

Friar Laurence – Erie Castro

Lord Capulet – John Eddings

Lady Capulet – Hillary Weintraub

Nurse – Melissa Virgo

Mercutio – Banks Boutte

Benvolio – Drew Petriello

Tybalt – Taylor Marr

Paris – Adam David Green

Price Escalus – Richard Conolly

Lord Montague – Irwin Moskowitz

Petra – Katie Ghidossi

Watch/Apothocary/Friar John – Jason DeWitt

The 17th Annual Starlight Serenade Benefit is Almost Here

Lisa Bianconi
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Hands4Hope LA Presents the 17th Annual Starlight Serenade Benefit Concert (Formerly Starlight Jazz Serenade) – Yearly Fundraiser Benefits Free Programs for Underserved Youth in North Hollywood

The 17th Annual Starlight Serenade Benefit Concert will showcase another outstanding line up of incredible award winning musicians and entertainers. The event takes place on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8:00pm at the Harmony Gold Theater, in the Heart of Hollywood, sponsored by Payne Pest Management, Gerald Greene, ABCOFLASH, The Federal Bar, U.S. Bank and Phillips Graduate Institute. The event will benefit the North Hollywood based Hands4Hope LA free after school and single parent programs.

The Annual Starlight Serenade Benefit Concert is a musical extravaganza that strikes a chord in the community to encourage participation and contribution. This fundraising concert gathers music lovers, professional musicians, and celebrities together to celebrate and support the academic, athletic, artistic, and social enrichment programs provided by Hands4Hope LA for at-risk youth.

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This year’s event will be a star-studded affair hosted by Pat Prescott of KTWV 94.7 The Wave and will feature Sinbad, Paul Jackson, Jr., Jessy J, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez and Paige Bryan! Our musical director for this event is the First Lady of Smooth Jazz, Gail Jhonson.

Seating is limited so book your tickets today! The event is open to the general public. Available admission tickets include: VIP $75 and general admission $50. VIP tickets will include access to a pre-concert delicious VIP Reception hosted by The Federal Bar, with Pat Prescott and various artists from the evening’s line-up.

“For 17 years the Annual Starlight Serenade Benefit Concert has brought top smooth jazz artists to our North Hollywood community to perform alongside the youth in our program. The funds raised from sponsorships, tickets, program ads, silent auction proceeds, donations and more at this event have represented a large portion of our budget each year. Thank you to all who have participated in any way. To become a sponsor, place an ad or purchase tickets for this event please call us at (818)763-4673 or visit our website www.hands4hopela.org.”

Hands4Hope LA Presents the 17th Annual Starlight Serenade Benefit Concert www.nohoartsdistrict.com

WHEN:

Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8:00pm

WHERE:

Harmony Gold Theater
7655 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90046

TICKETS>>

For general questions, please contact Hands4Hope LA at 818-763-HOPE (4673) or via email: lfloyd@hands4hopela.org. Tickets are available online at the Hands Hope LA website: www.hands4hopela.org.

Thank you for giving the children of North Hollywood a chance at a successful future!

**** 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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Storm Weather Tips

Lisa Bianconi
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Here are some tips from the office of Councilman Paul Krekorian on how to stay safe during the anticipated big storm.

Dear Friend:

Tonight, the San Fernando Valley, along with the rest of Los Angeles, is set to get hit with what could be the largest storm system of the year. As our public safety officials diligently track the storms, please take the necessary steps to prepare for severe weather conditions over the next 48 hours. It’s not too late to get prepared.

Stay Informed

After four years of drought and wildfires, LA’s landscape is incapable of absorbing large amounts of rain, yet we are facing two to four inches of rain between tonight and Saturday. There is a high potential for flooding and mudslides in vulnerable areas. To help you get ready for all the wet weather, visit emergency.lacity.org/wetweather. The site has important information and tools on how to prepare your home for the storms.

You can also stay ahead of severe weather conditions by signing up for NotifyLA, a regional alert system that sends emergency alerts through SMS text, voice message and email. The LAPD non-emergency information line is (877) 275-5273. For all life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Prevent Flooding and Clear Your Drains

Take a look around your home and ensure that all drains, gutters and downspouts are clean and functioning properly. This is especially important for flat-roofed buildings. Keep pipes, troughs and culverts free of debris. Closely examine windows, skylights and doors that may benefit from caulking or weather stripping. Inspect your attic for “leaks” of sunlight, or signs of previous water damage that may indicate where repairs are needed.

Make sure you have household supplies, like a bucket, mop, towel and tarp to minimize damage from a sudden leak or storm water seepage.

Report Storm Damage

Call 3-1-1 or use the MyLA311 app to report any street damage caused by severe weather. To report a fallen tree, call the Bureau of Street Services at (800) 996-2489.

Please remember to stay away from power lines, dangling wire or anyone or anything in contact with it. Always assume that a downed line is still energized. If you experience a power outage, or see a downed power line or electrical wire, immediately call the LA Dept. of Water and Power at (800) 342-5397. LADWP has technicians ready to assist 24/7.

To report a blocked storm drain or catch basin, call the Bureau of Sanitationat (800) 773-2489. The Customer Care Center will remain open 24/7 to receive customer requests.

You can also always contact me at paul.krekorian@lacity.org or at (818) 755-7676. Please stay safe and dry this weekend!

Very Truly Yours,
Paul Krekorian
Councilmember, 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.

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Kids & Money: Important Lessons Start Early in Life

Lillian Appleby
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Kids & Money: Important Lessons Start Early in Life

Kids & Money: Important Lessons Start Early in Life

Today many affluent families are concerned about the potentially adverse effect of wealth on younger generations. As a result, the goals that many high-net-worth parents and grandparents have set for their children or grandchildren reflect core values, an honest work ethic, and a desire to give back to the greater community.

Walking the Talk

The skills and knowledge needed to help children achieve these goals should be developed early in life and continue well into adulthood. The following strategies can assist older family members in becoming positive financial role models for children.

Start early — Parents can start talking to children about money at as young as age three. Between four and five, you can explain the importance of good spending habits, and by age six or seven, you can help children open a bank savings account. By the time children reach their mid-teens, they should start seeking after-school and summer employment.

Support education — Personal finance education helps instill such pragmatic money management skills as setting a budget, balancing a checkbook, understanding the role of debit/credit cards, and developing strategies for funding college. Encourage your child’s school to offer personal finance as an elective “life skills” course, send your teen to a community college/adult education class, or tap the many educational resources available online.

Lead by example — Your children will learn the most valuable lessons about money from examples you set. A few simple rules: Enjoy the fruits of your labor — but don’t go overboard. Set a healthy example regarding credit card use. Pay your bills on time. Save and review your savings plan on a regular basis. Above all, be consistent.

Use incentives — To ensure that important life goals remain at the forefront of your children’s — and likely heirs’ — priorities throughout their lifetimes, incorporate the use of incentives in your estate plan. What exactly is an incentive trust? It is an estate planning tool designed to reward desired behaviors or impose appropriate penalties for undesirable behaviors. It also provides a way to address the needs of beneficiaries who require special assistance. Common themes guiding incentive trusts are education, moral and family values, and business/vocational choices, as well as charitable and religious interests.

Encourage philanthropy — Affluent families often use philanthropy to convey the message that their success has been the result of hard work and good fortune, and that success comes with the responsibility to give something back. If you want to ensure future generations of volunteers and donors, you must model for children various ways to give of their time, their talents, and their money. Once children understand the scope of their contributions, philanthropy often becomes a real and meaningful part of their lives.

If you are interested in developing a legacy plan that incorporates some of the ideas mentioned here, consider seeking the guidance of a financial and estate planning professional. Together you can create a plan that instills financial responsibility in children for generations to come.

This communication is not intended to be tax or legal advice and should not be treated as such. Each individual’s situation is different. You should contact your tax/legal professional to discuss your personal situation.

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The Top 5 Multivitamins for Women of 2017 & The Best Protein Powders

NoHo - North Hollywood
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The Top 5 Multivitamins for Women of 2017 & The Best Protein Powders

Multivitamins for women are nutritional supplements in the form of capsules or tablets that provide women with essential and nonessential nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

They are intended to supplement with a healthy diet and lifestyle, filling in the nutritional gaps.

Multivitamin supplements specifically for women include the vitamins and minerals needed for everyone, along with extra ingredients specifically added to support the female body, such as iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 and B6.

Below is a list of the best multivitamin supplements for women on the market, according to price, product quality, and customer reviews. Part two of this guide breaks down what exactly goes into a women’s multivitamin supplement and how it works.

read more…

http://healthranks.org/multivitamins-for-women/

Protein is a no-brainer.

Not just for athletes, but for people who just wanna live healthy lives. Even starting your day with 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes after waking up has been well-documented to keep you lean.

Pick a protein that matches your goals.

Looking for a great pre or post workout shake? Or an all-around effective protein? Try whey isolate or whey concentrate.

Looking for a pre-bedtime protein or meal replacement? Try casein or a protein blend.

Not just for athletes, but for people who just want to live healthy lives. Even starting your day with 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes after waking up has been well-documented to keep you lean.

Full expert review:

Whenever I step foot into a gym these days, I always see people religiously downing protein shakes.

Protein supplements are so ingrained in gym culture that it’s difficult to justify ending a workout without one. True story.

The short story? Protein powders work. So let’s strip the hype, science and nebulous terminology that surrounds protein powder.

If anything, read this so you can stunt on hulky “gym guy” at your local Golds Gym.

read more…

https://healthtrends.com/protein-powder

Family Only

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Family Only playing at Theatre West

Driven by fine performances and all too embarrassingly familiar family dynamics, “Family Only” playing at Theatre West, is a very real and a very clever take on a family party…without the fun. 

It all takes place in Will and Nicky’s backyard.  They invite their family over to celebrate their new home, their first home in fact, only to be told in no uncertain terms by Will’s father Walter that they are showing off.  Walter, on his third marriage, is an unsuccessful salesman, always looking for the next get rich quick scheme and Will’s relationship with him is what really sets the tone for the entire play. 

Add Will’s half sister Andrea, a divorcee with an out-of-control eigh year old, no job, and no desire to get one, a grandmother who’s fed up with being the family bank, Walter’s wife Brenda who’s determined to make the best of everything, and the long suffering Nicky who’s met her limit of sweetness, and you have all the makings of a classic family comedy. 

Riley Rae Baker (l.), Anne Leyden, Sheila Shaw
Riley Rae Baker (l.), Anne Leyden, Sheila Shaw

Theatre West is always the best source for new plays in the area, and “Family Only” is another world premiere from them.  The writer Darryl Vinyard has created some wonderful characters, and this group of actors rather spectacularly seem to have made them their own. 

The director Arden Teresa Lewis has managed to take a play that could have been set in a living room but transported us to the back patio of a California house, complete with pool and sliding doors and slightly worn siding, creating such a totally relatable space for us Southern Californians that I have felt I could reach into the cooler and grab a beer. 

Family strife is a theme that is played with a lot, so it’s always interesting to me when I see a play that brings something new to it.  “Family Only” does just that.  Without fuss, without contrivance, and without drama really. it just feels so real. Maybe that says more about my family than I would like to admit!! 

The performances were up to Theatre West’s very high standards of course, and I particularly enjoyed how well they fit together.  You really had a sense of who they were, and who they wanted to be seen to be.   This family seemed real, dysfunctional, messy, loud and broken, but beautifully real.  Together, the cast, writer and director have perfectly created a truly believable and memorable family, warts, baggage and all. 

If you have a family, or even just a couple of relatives that you just can never seem to please let alone impress or make proud, this play will hit a nerve, or more probably a funny bone. 

I highly recommend “Family Only” at Theatre West.

The play runs from February 10th through March 19th. 

https://theatrewest.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0IG0000012MaIfMAK

 

Written by Darryl Vinyard

Directed by Arden Teresa Lewis

Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd, CA90068

theatrewest.org

 

Cast

Riley Rae Baker • Roger Kent Cruz • Frank Gangarossa •  Anne Leyden • Sheila Shaw • Dianne Travis 

Production Crew

Directed by Arden Teresa Lewis

Produced by Benjamin Scuglia

Set design by Jeff G. Rack

Lighting design by Yancey Dunham

Costume design by Arden Teresa Lewis

Sound design by Paolo Greco

Stage manager: Leesa Freed

Production photography by Garry Michael Kluger

Publicist: Phil Sokoloff

Assistant stage manager: Victoria Baker

Theatre West Executive Director: John Gallogly

NoHo News: Craft Beer, Cocktail Hideaway, NoHo Theatre District

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: Craft Beer, Cocktail Hideaway, NoHo Theatre District www.nohoartsdistrict.com

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

 

Shhhh…NoHo’s Got a New Cocktail Hideaway

Lisa Bianconi
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The Federal Bar Quietly Opens New Cocktail Hideaway “The Salon”

“The Salon” Spotlights Craft Cocktails & Master Mixology

Well, they had us with “Cocktail Hideaway”… During the holidays, The Federal Bar slyly launched its new cocktail hideaway “The Salon,” located upstairs. With very limited operating hours, this new venue has since maintained its “under the radar” status.

“The Salon” menu is the brainchild of one of Los Angeles’ most respected bartenders, Damian Windsor. The concept, four years in the making, is based on Windsor’s specific interest in fine craft cocktails with a focus on the classics. Windsor, whose resume includes The Roger Room, Warwick and Clifton’s Cafeteria, was attracted to The Federal Bar’s space and the growing interest for handcrafted cocktails in the Valley. He created a focused, two-sided cocktail menu that includes both classics and signature variations. The menu also features an appropriate glassware icon pictured next to each cocktail description, which comes in handy in identifying them on the bar.

The Federal Bar Quietly Opens New Cocktail Hideaway “The Salon” www.nohoartsdistrict.com
Tequila Por Mi Amante

The bar’s most popular drinks include the Horse’s Neck, an apple version of a mule with Laird’s applejack, ginger beer, Angostura bitters and citrus oil; Tequila Por Mi Amante featuring Pueblo Viejo tequila blanco with Chaberyzette (strawberry vermouth) and a pickled watermelon skewer; and Suissesse, an old New Orleans-style cocktail that combines absinthe, crème de menthe, cream, egg white, grated almond and mint. If you’re looking for an alternative to the alternative type of beverage, “The Salon” also offers beer and a selection of wines. While “The Salon” has no set food menu, it offers complimentary snacks, which vary, and can include nuts and specialty made popcorn.

“The Salon” features velour wallpaper and brick walls; lounge seating in a library with red velvet drapes; a baby grand piano; Edison lighting and a wall counter with stools; and a wood bar that adjoins an island bar. Windsor elaborates, “The space is comfortable, warm and features dark colors without being drab. It feels familiar and welcoming, and it’s kind of like a living room and kind of like a bar at the same time.”

The Federal Bar Quietly Opens New Cocktail Hideaway “The Salon” www.nohoartsdistrict.com

The Federal Bar is delighted with the addition of the new spot. General Manager Steve Simon explains, “The Salon represents the next step in the continuing evolution of The Federal Bar. We always want our guests to wonder what we might do next. The Salon offers our guests world class drinks in a setting that is accessible to all our guests, even those who consider themselves novices when it comes to craft cocktails. This particular room has evolved as well. It started off as a green room for talent, then as a private dining room, then as a lounge, and now we’re pleased to announce its latest incarnation as The Salon.”

“The Salon” is located upstairs at The Federal Bar at 5303 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601; (818) 980-2555. Call ahead to make sure “The Salon” is open, since performances in the adjacent showroom sometimes take priority. Guests can generally count on cocktails Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 8 p.m. until late hours.

**** 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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FOR PIANO AND HARPO

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Falcon Theatre presents a Laugh Then Think, Inc. production of For Piano and Harpo      

 

FOR PIANO AND HARPO

Written by and Starring Dan Castellaneta

Directed by Stefan Novinski

Oscar Levant, the quick witted, often times sarcastic pianist, actor and composer wakes up in the psychiatric ward of Mt Sinai Hospital after a night of drugs and partying.  The drugs and the partying are not new to Oscar, but this time it has gone too far when paranoia, numerous phobias and neuroses push him to attack his wife, June.  This is the world premiere of FOR PIANO AND HARPO at the Falcon Theatre.

Oscar was an extremely talented composer, leaving school at a young age, moving to New York with his mother, and studying under some of the most renowned composers of the era.  His movie career included “Rhapsody in Blue” in 1945 (George Gershwin’s biography), “The Barkleys of Broadway” in 1949, and “An American in Paris” in 1951 with Gene Kelly.  Amazing.

for piano and harpo falcon
JD Cullum, Deb Lacusta, Jonathan Stark, Dan Castellaneta, and Gail Matthius   Photo by Sasha A Venola

Dan Castellaneta as Oscar Levant, has written a piece of theatre which grabs his audience both with comedy, as well as the tragic life that many times besets brilliance and genius.  He cleverly moves between eras of his youth and family issues, his friendship to loyal friend Harpo Marx (The Marx Brothers) played by the extremely talented JD Cullum, relationships with Hollywood celebrities, and his stay in the psych ward where he comes to terms with his illness.  Numerous friends of his become a part of his journey, Jack Paar, Fanny Brice, Dorothy Parker, to name only a few. 

Stefan Novinski’s direction keeps us moving through each part of Oscar’s life effortlessly, back and forth, forth and back to give us the full spectrum of what must have been joyful and painful all in the same breath.  The excellent cast is right there along side Dan Castellaneta and JD Cullum. Playing multiple parts are Deb Lacusta as June and Barbara, Gail Matthius as Shirley, Fanny Brice, and Oscar’s mother, Phil Proctor as Sidney, Butler, and Oscar’s father, and Jonathan Stark as Jack Paar, Dr. Greenleigh and George Gershwin.  Let’s add to all this wonderful music from pianist, David O, and harpist Jillian Risigari-Gai.

FOR PIANO AND HARPO is moving, touching and thought-provoking, giving us a look into the life of a genius.  A MUST SEE, and a wonderful evening of theatre.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Cast:  Dan Castellaneta, JD Cullum, Deb Lacusta, Gail Matthius, Phil Proctor, and Jonathan Stark

Director:  Stefan Novinski

Music Supervisor:  David O

Pianist:  David O

Harpist:  Jillian Risigari-Gai

Scenic Designer:  Stephen Gifford

Costume Designer:  Kate Bergh

Lighting Designer:  Jean-Yves Tessier

Sound Designer:  Drew Dalzell

Props Master:  Mallory Birkrem

Stage Manager:  Leia Crawford

Production Supervisor:  Lee Costello

Falcon Theatre

4252 Riverside Dr

Burbank, CA 91505

Tickets:  818-955-8101    or    www.falcontheatre.com

Performances:            
February 1 through March 5, 2017
Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm;  Sunday at 4pm

Box Office Hours: 
Tues – Fri, 12-6pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-4pm

Tickets: 
$30 – $45

Jane the Baptist

Raleigh Barrett Gallina
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Jane the Baptist

Jane the Baptist

I was surprised to find parking on the West Side. I didn’t need a permit, and I just had to move my car by Wednesday at 8am. I checked my email and followed the secret directions to a dark but tidy alley. Normally on a Friday night, my list of escapades wouldn’t include traipsing down a dark alley, but this alley led to Five Car Garage, a contemporary art gallery by appointment only.

Five Car Garage is just that – a garage of a beach-adjacent home, housing art and not cars (which is objectively a better use of a car garage). Emma Gray established this contemporary art gallery in 2013 in order to provide a project space for a small group of artists whom Emma mentors and advises.

Jesse Fleming is a Los Angeles based artist who is counted among an emerging group interested in the confluence of Media Art and Mindfulness. Fleming plays with perceived divisions between entities (self and other), and focuses on the exploration of consciousness.

Jane the Baptist is a transcendental voyage through the frothy, electric belly of Los Angeles County car washes. Car washes?

Yes, car washes. While the subject may be (intentionally) mundane, the art certainly is not. Jane the Baptist is an endless film of brightly colored car washes sewn together, so that upon exiting one car wash, you immediately find yourself in another. Methodical and systematic, Fleming’s technique is intentional and captivating. The radiant colors, music, and pace of the voyage through the car washes is mesmerizing, even to the most sober.

Naturally, I made jokes about Fleming taking friends’ cars for the recording stage of the project, since one car would be squeaky clean x 20. However, it’s the endless ‘clean cycle’ and lack of emergence from any of the car washes that’s so spellbinding. When I walked away, I recognized that the most gratifying portion of the exhibition became the most frustrating. Strewn on the ground on the lounge cushions were people as hypnotized as I was, but as soon as I left the drywall-enclosed garage (for this exhibition only) I realized that there wasn’t a satisfying ending to the film. Judging by the religious underpinnings of the exhibition’s name, perhaps this is a larger commentary on divisions between people and religious ideologies: no matter how clean you are, there is no promised land despite your external (or internal state). 

Exhibition:    
Jesse Fleming’s Jane the Baptist

Where:          
FIVE CAR GARAGE

Address:        
By appointment only
310.497.6895                       

info@emmagrayhq.com
[Hours: By appointment only]

Artist:            
Jesse Fleming

 

 

 

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