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Art Unites Turns 10!

Lisa Bianconi
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A Tribute to the IATSE LOCALS 800, 44, 729 and 706

 

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 – 6:00 pm. For questions about the gallery or artwork, contact (818) 763-8052 or gallery800@gmail.com.

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.

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

Who will love you unconditionally?

nohoarts
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Animal Shelters/Pet Adoption San Fernando Valley

Are You Loved Unconditionally?

For some people, the holidays are filled with joy and love. For others, the holidays bring loneliness and feeling of loss and hopelessness. They wonder will they ever find “Mr or Ms Right.” Statistics show that even if you find that special one, you have a 60% chance of divorce. Also, you may not always feel warmth and love from your “Mr/Ms Right.” Do you want someone who will love you whether you or fat or too thin, didn’t take that shower or lose your job? Don’t you want someone who will love you unconditionally? I have the solution and it is not a dating service. It is an animal shelter where you can adopt a dog of any size or breed that will love you unconditionally.

Don’t continue barking up the wrong tree (excuse the pun). Your four-legged love is waiting for you.

Best Friends Animal Shelter

15321 Brand Blvd, Mission Hills, CA 91345
(818) 643-3989
http://la.bestfriends.org

Designer Dog Rescue

Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 455-3594
https://designerdogrescue.com

East Valley Animal Shelter

14409 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA 91405
(888) 452-7381
http://www.laanimalservices.com/shelters/

West Valley Animal Shelter

20655 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311
(888) 452-7381
http://www.laanimalservices.com/shelter-search/west-valley/

Saving Little Strays Rescue

24965 Pico Canyon Rd, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(818) 635-1782
http://www.adoptapet.com/savinglittlestrays/

Precious Paws

18034 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316
(818) 773-3336
http://preciouspaws.org

Cats Inc

PO Box 1843, Burbank, CA 91507
(818) 341-8936
http://catsatthestudios.com

If you are not sure if you want a “forever” relationship, FOSTER!

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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.

NoHo News: How Wild are you? Holiday Happy Hour, Christmas Show Guide, GOOOD Thursdays, Caroling Truck

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: How Wild are you? Holiday Happy Hour, Christmas Show Guide, GOOOD Thursdays, Christmas Caroling Truck, Pizza, Operation Santa,Trees

Follow NoHo News with Bloglovin

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

 

The Orphan Who Saved Christmas

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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 The Orphan Who Saved Christmas at Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center – 11006 Magnolia Blvd. in  NoHo Arts District

The Orphan really does save Christmas!!

More like a children’s show for adults “The Orphan Who Saved Christmas” is a holiday delight for audiences 16 and over.  

Kris (played with sincere perfection by Hayes Dunlap) was raised in an underfunded orphanage with Portia (played by the elegant Erica J. Green), a very rich woman with whom Kris became close growing up; although she was adopted and he wasn’t. 

Portia is married to Achmed (played by the Zany David Doman), an international conman who is attempting to swindle her fortune. 

Kris and his girlfriend Gwen (played by happy home-maker Kassie Johnston) invite their flamboyant, yet not-quite-out-of-the-closet friend, Stephan (played by the over-the-top timing of Preston Bailey) to their home for drinks and carolling. Stephan brings his ‘friend’ Dom (played by the dry-witted Jacob Tittl) who doesn’t mind pretending for the love of his life. 

When Kris decides not to go caroling due to his loathing of Christmas, he is visited by a rude elf named Bingo who brings the news that Santa is sick and attempts to convince Kris to deliver the packages with one stipulation.

From there we meet the ghosts of the Past, Present and Future (played by the Ensemble) who help Kris realize what Christmas is about. 

In the end: The orphan saves Christmas as the title suggests with some help from his friends.  

With tummy giggle surprises and a guest appearance by a perverted old woman, this show will have you laughing from beginning to end. Alcoholic drinks are allowed in the theatre and certainly encouraged as it will take the shyness out of a quiet laugher. 

Written by the cast as a Defiance Theatre Company Holiday Writing Program

Directed by Paul Storiale

This is the final weekend to see the show. 

http://nohoartsdistrict.com/theatre/whitmore-lindley-theatre-center/758-the-orphan-who-saved-christmas

Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center

11006 Magnolia Blvd

NoHo ArtsDistrict 

DefianceTheatreCompany.com

The Magical Christmas Caroling Truck Pulls into NoHo

Lisa Bianconi
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It’s Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas – The Magical Christmas Caroling Truck Is Almost Here!

If you live in North Hollywood, you probably already know about the Magical Christmas Caroling Truck. If you don’t, now is the time to get to know this NoHo/Toluca Lake tradition. Every year since 1984 on Christmas Eve, the 62-foot tractor-trailer, adorned with magnificent Christmas scenes and thousands of sparkling lights, spreads Yuletide cheer in the neighboring east Valley communities. More than 200 singers and dancers, accompanied by a 20,000-watt sound system, serenade local residents with Christmas carols.

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Once the Magical Christmas Caroling Truck is in NoHo or your neighborhood, you can tune into the music at FM 88.3 and listen in. If you live in the route area, come out on Christmas Eve and join in. If you don’t live on the route, print out the map of approximate locations and times, pack up the family in the car, find us and join in. It is very easy to find The Caroling Truck, just roll down your car window and listen!

magical christmastruck santagals

Follow them on Twitter @CarolingTruck  and Facebook for updates!

Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24
5:00 PM to 11:00 PM rain or shine.
(see route map) http://www.christmascaroling.org/map.htm

Magical Christmas Caroling Truck Route Map www.nohoartsdistrict.com

http://www.christmascaroling.org/

The Magical Christmas Caroling Truck tradition was born Christmas Eve 1984 after a recording session, when 12 of the musicians and engineers were inspired to decorate an old dump truck with some twinkle lights and go Christmas caroling. Equipped with their drums, bass, keyboard, a few microphones and a lot of holiday spirit, they caroled the entire evening. The response from the 10-mile route was overwhelming and every Christmas Eve since, the carolers and the Truck have made their appearance in the same neighborhoods.

Donations – The Magical Christmas Truck is supported by all the people involved and the local community thru a local non-profit organization and all funds are directly used for the event expenses. Donations are even accepted from most of all the carolers and applied directly towards the costs of the event. Each year the event has just about covered its expenses, thanks to the generous donations from those who support it. In the past they have had donations of lumber to build the float, Christmas lights, Christmas hats, small teddy bears to give away, cookies to give away, speakers, generators, sound systems, radios, musicians, and on and on.

magical christmastruck long

We think their description from their Facebook page sums up all the fun.

“Our carols range from “Silent Night” to rock ‘n roll versions of classic Christmas carols! Residents along the nine-mile route host friends and family at their homes in anticipation of the truck and Christmas Spirit that the truck brings. Characters such as Frosty the Snowman and Santa’s Little Helpers walk around in the crowd and hand out candy canes, wishing people a “Merry Christmas.” The holiday season is a great opportunity for us to touch the lives of people from every walk of life. We choose to spend this evening together to be a door of hope and blessing to those who may need encouragement, and to bring as much joy as we can to the community.”

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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.

Holiday Happy Hour at Tiki No

Lisa Bianconi
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A “locals appreciation night” at Tiki No with a Holiday Happy Hour on Thursday, December 22.

At the southern margins of the Arts District on a fairly nondescript block of Lankershim Bl. with a stereo shop across the road sits Tiki No, North Hollywood’s living ode to Tiki culture.

Formally launched in 2009, the transition from an existing dive bar called Match actually started a year earlier. The addition of the fireplace and patio was done along with extensive work by designer “Bob the Bamboo.” Hand carved totems, bamboo cabanas with thatched roofs set the scene for a Tiki oasis. Owners Jeffrey Best and Kenneth Jones painstakingly scoured for Tiki masks, statues, illuminated blowfish and travel trunks that double as shelving behind the bar. Kenneth himself torched the burnt panel walls on the patio. The bar keeps evolving: the latest additions are two giant Tiki god cutouts, castoffs left at the bar, which Jones is currently bedazzling for outdoor display.

Tiki No Holiday Happy Hour www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Tiki No balances true old-school—featuring authentically re-created cocktails from the dawn and golden age of the Tiki movement—alongside contemporary creations from the mind of proprietor Simon Jones, a blunt-talking Brit who has had a relationship with owners Best and Jones going back 20 years. Simon has built and been a part of Beauty Bar Hollywood, Star Shoes, Vineyard and Skinny’s Lounge North Hollywood. When offered a chance to be part of Tiki No, he says, “I jumped, to bring Tiki No to forefront of the culture and respecting those two fine men that bought this slice of happiness to North Hollywood.” Among his many qualifications, Jones relates, “I have an extensive Hawaiian shirt collection and antique bar equipment.”

The menu—curated by mixologists Damian Windsor and Jason Bran—is a living history of the exotic tropical drink. While it’s not surprising that legendary Trader Vic’s is responsible for two of the cocktails in Tiki No’s canon—the Mai Tai and the Eastern Sour—and that Don the Beachcomber gave them two—The Navy Grog and the Zombie—other drinks come from as far away from the South Pacific as Egypt (The Suffering Bastard), Malaysia (The Jungle Bird), and, well, Benihana New York City (The Happy Buddha). Tiki No’s modern signature cocktails include the Coconut Mojito (coconut run, coconut water, mint, and lime); the Lychee Luau (gold rum, silver rum, lychee liqueur, Pineapple, lemon and falernum); and the Toasted Marshmallow, (overproofed rum, “fluffed” vodka, Licor 43, falernum, apple, lemon and cinnamon).

Tiki No Holiday Happy Hour www.nohoartsdistrict.com

“I have always been a Tiki fan,” Jones explains. “I love the kitsch, passion and attention to detail in the cocktails. I was also Lucky enough to live opposite The Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach for several years– where the Chief Lapa Lapa was created.”

While Tiki itself/himself is a wellspring of Polynesian faith and culture (Tiki is the Maori’s Adam and a godlike representation in other cultures), leave it to Los Angeles to distill Tiki into the colorful, kitschy, fun and booze-soaked bar concept it is today. While tropical drinks precede it, many credit Texas transplant Donn Beach (né Ernest Raymond Beaumont-Gantt) and his Don the Beachcomber on McCadden Place in Hollywood as the first Tiki bar in the 1930’s. WWII servicemen returning from the Pacific theatre found the South Seas theme reassuring, familiar and fun, and voila! Tiki bars caught on, and after a dip in popularity in the 70’s and 80’s, have enjoyed a resurgence in recent decades. Jimmy Buffet fans—parrotheads—have adopted tiki as their own, substituting tiki pregames for tailgating at Jimmy Buffet shows. North Hollywood claims both of the Valley’s only Tiki bars, the other of course being the Tonga Hut.

Tiki also loves the holidays. Musically, the swingin’ lounge musical concepts, which bring us everything from Leon Redbone’s holiday album to “Christmas Island” (recorded by everyone from Bing Crosby to the Andrews Sisters and the title of Tiki master Jimmy Buffet’s holiday album) to “Baby it’s Cold Outside” by Dean Martin. There’s also a genre that’s come out of it called “trop rock,” of which Buffet must be the most visible exponent.

Please join Tiki No for a special “locals appreciation night”Holiday Happy Hour, featuring complimentary specialty holiday cocktails by Beverage Director Simon Jones. 

WHEN:

December 22 starting from 9-10PM

WHAT:

Featuring open bar 9-10PM for NoHo Arts readers (bring a copy of this story with you] and a drawing on site for a comp bar tab all night for two lucky guests. The drawing is available to anyone who likes or posts on Tiki No’s Instagram page #tikinobar between now and December 21!

Facebook Invite>>

WHERE:

4657 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91602

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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.  

Save Intimate Theatre: L.A.’s PRO-99 community calls for new referendum

Lisa Bianconi
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L.A.’s PRO-99 community calls for new referendum as Actors’ Equity 99-Seat Theatre Plan comes to an end

Members of L.A.’s “PRO-99” theater community continue to gather signatures to demand a new referendum on Actors’ Equity’s 99-Seat Theater Plan, which is scheduled to end today.

Despite an overwhelming “No” vote by over 66% of the Los Angeles membership on a referendum put before it last April, the union moved forward to eliminate the existing plan which has been in effect since 1989.

To date, over 1,100 signatures have been gathered from supporters in Los Angles and around the country.

To view a list of signatories, go to http://ilove99.org/2016/07/24/letter-pro99-members-aea/. The text of the petition is as follows:

Letter to AEA in Support of PRO99’s Call for a New Referendum:

We, the undersigned, are dedicated to the survival and growth of Intimate Theatre in Los Angeles. We are actors, stage managers, playwrights, designers, directors, producers and hyphenates of all of the above. We are also audience members, neighborhood restaurants and bars, and local businesses that benefit from the thriving L.A. Intimate Theatre landscape. We are committed to preserving, protecting and promoting theatres of 99-seats or less, not only in Los Angeles but throughout the United States, while defending Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) members’ rights, privileges and protections when they perform in such venues.

Currently, LA’s 99-seat theatres are under unparalleled threat. With arts funding in decline, and at 1/10 of what New York City garners, we are also now faced with an assault from AEA, which seeks to raze the LA intimate theater landscape.

We are PRO99. We are dedicated to ensuring that this does not happen.

A lawsuit by AEA members and producers, on behalf of the Intimate Theatre community, has been filed against Equity.* Pro99 supports this effort and is actively engaging the community in the court of public opinion, and by reaching out to people in all walks of life affected by theatres of 99-seat or less.

Additionally, we support AEA members and Intimate Theatres nationwide that would also benefit from a 99-seat plan that would allow them to incubate and develop new works to eventually go to contract, under vital union protections. We believe these protections and opportunities should be more readily available nationwide, and should certainly be protected, not rolled back, here in Los Angeles.

AEA has put forth a concerted effort to silence us. Our voices are not included in any official union communications, and what communications are issued by AEA are not only one-sided, but filled with misinformation, half-truths, untruths and outright distortions. We will continue to correct the record and put forth our own positive story.

We will also continue to enlist the community in the fight. Plaintiff and Review Committee member Gary Grossman has issued a challenge to AEA President Kate Shindle to make public AEA’s plan for 99-seat theatre [due to go into effect December 14, 2016], and we will make a new proposal public . We support Grossman’s proposal to have a side by side referendum that will allow LA’s union actors to choose between AEA’s plan and our own.

Our community is united. We will prevail.

*The lawsuit has been dismissed by a federal judge, but Plaintiff’s are currently exploring an appeal.

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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.

Obstacles to Avoid on the Road to Investment Growth

Lillian Appleby
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Obstacles to Avoid on the Road to Investment Growth

Obstacles to Avoid on the Road to Investment Growth

You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to choosing investments for your retirement savings. Make too many wrong turns, however, and you may not achieve your long-range financial goals. Here are some common roadblocks to avoid.


The Poor-Diversification Block

You’re free to choose from the range of investment options your plan offers, but concentrating too much of your retirement money in one investment type may not be wise. Some investments do much better than others — at times no one can predict. By investing in a well-thought-out mix of investments, you’ll give yourself an opportunity to take advantage of whichever asset type happens to be thriving at a particular time.

Choosing a mix of different investments (diversification) is also a proven strategy for managing investment risk.1 When one type of investment is down, another may be up or holding steady, adding stability to the overall value of your account.

When planning your investment mix, remember the differences in growth potential of the various asset classes. For instance, the historical returns of investments such as money market funds are often close to the rate of inflation and may be too low to deliver the long-term growth you need.2 On the other hand, if you have a heavy concentration of potentially high-earning stocks and the market performs poorly, you risk losing a lot of the value of your account, at least temporarily.3

The Quick-Escape Block

Expect the stock market to decline at times. It’s inevitable — only the timing is uncertain. When stock prices drop, don’t automatically veer off course by moving your stock investments to bonds or another asset class that may be doing better at the time.4 Instead, it may be prudent to “stay the course” so that you’ll be in a better position to benefit from potential future growth down the road.

The Spend-the-Future Block

If you change jobs, you’ll have the option of cashing out your retirement account. You may be tempted to take the money and spend it, especially if the amount isn’t very large. But, if you spend your retirement money, making up for it later may be very difficult.

The chart below shows just how costly spending a retirement nest egg can be. A much better strategy: Roll over your retirement money into an individual retirement account (IRA), into your new employer’s tax-deferred retirement plan, if allowed, or leave it in your current plan, if allowed. You’ll likely still be able to choose how your retirement money is invested. And you’ll keep it working for you until you’re certainly going to need it — after you retire.

The “Cost” of Withdrawing $25,000

Retirement Account Balance at Age 30 Amount Withdrawn at Age 30 When Changing Jobs Balance at Age 65
Employee A $25,000 $0 $512,786
Employee B $25,000 $25,000 $225,132
Cost of Early Withdrawal $287,654

Assumes: $125 monthly contributions and 7% average annual investment returns between ages 30 and age 65. Withdrawals are subject to income taxes at then-current rates and a possible 10% additional federal tax if withdrawn prior to age 59½. The chart does not reflect these costs. This is a hypothetical example. Your investment return and contributions will vary.

Source: DST Systems, Inc.

1There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not assure against market risk.

2An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

3Investing in stocks involves risks, including loss of principal.

4Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and are subject to availability and change in price.

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LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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NoHo Theatre Review of Troubadour Theater Company’s Little Drummer Bowie at the Falcon Theatre

Falcon Theatre Presents TROUBADOUR THEATER COMPANY’S           

LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE

Directed by Matt Walker and Joseph Leo Bwarie

The Troubies have brought Ziggy Stardust home to the Falcon Theatre.   The Troubadour Theater Company, or “Troubies” have once again brought us a winner.  Funny storytelling, amazing David Bowie musical numbers’, voices and dancing, and most importantly truly gifted actors make LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE a hit, and the show to see this Holiday season.

LittleDrummerBowie Press Photo 5

The LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE, or Ziggy for short (Joseph Leo Bwarie), has lost his family in the desert, and his trusty companions, Babaa (Katie Kitani) and Samson (Cloie Wyatt Taylor) are by his side to get him through. You see, Ziggy is behind in his taxes, and must find a way to get his debt paid.  He is convinced to use his singing talent as a way to rid himself of his debt, becoming a huge success in the desert.  A shyster convinces Ziggy he can “make him a star,” proclaiming to the masses gathered, “Ladies and Gentlemen of Jerusalem, Ziggy is here to entertain you!”  To add to the excitement, there is word in the desert that a “new king” is to be born, and people are gathering to welcome him.

I’m going to leave the story here.  It just wouldn’t be fair for me to completely spill the beans.  LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE is such a great show that you MUST go quickly to the Falcon Theatre before the tickets are sold out.  I can’t stress enough how incredibly funny and clever it is.  The amazingly talented Rick Batalla as Joseph (wait until you see the gold jumpsuit), along with the incredibly funny Beth Kennedy as Ali, Lisa Valenzuela as Mary, Riccardo Berdini as Ben Haramed, Niles Rivers as Jamaal and Katie DeShan as Nadhiyah all totally “bring it.”  We can’t forget Matt Walker as “The Voice from Above”, or the brilliant live band.  Love the Sax.

LittleDrummerBowie Press Photo 6

Expert Direction by Matt Walker, founder of the Troubies, with colorful, creative costumes, makeup, wigs, scenic design, and lighting, all paramount to the success of this show, and would have made David Bowie proud.             

During this holiday, we all love stories of family, rising above our obstacles, and of course Love.  Or in Bowie speak, “Modern Love.”  LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE is a thoroughly entertaining evening, filled with comedy, joy, and packed full of Bowie music, and a remarkable group of performers in the Troubadour Theater Company.

I am sending you all my best wishes for a joyful Holiday.  Enjoy every moment, but more importantly, enjoy each other and be KIND to one another.  This world needs kindness.  Onward, upward, outward and forward to 2017.  See you next year for another great year of live theatre.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Cast:  Rick Batalla, Riccardo Berdini, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Katie DeShan, Beth Kennedy, Katie Kitani, Niles Rivers, Cloie Wyatt Taylor, Lisa Valenzuela

The Band:  Eric Heinly, Kevin McCourt, BJ Johnson, Mike Abraham, Kirsten Edkins, Ashley Jarmack

Director:  Matt Walker and Joseph Leo Bwarie

Scenic Design:  Christopher Scott Murillo

Costume Design:  Sharon McGunigle

Lighting Design:  JM Montecalvo

Sound Design:  Daniel Taylor

Wig Design:  Bobbie Zlotnik

Makeup Design:  John Stapleton

Properties:  Lily Bartenstein

Associate Lighting Designer:  Skylar Johnson

Casting:  Sandi Logan, CSA

Production Stage Manager:  Corey Womack

Musical Director & Arrangements:  Eric Heinly

Choreographer:  Jordana Toback

Associate Choreographer:  Anna Aimee White

The Falcon Theatre

4252 Riverside Dr

Burbank, CA 91505

Ticket Reservations:  818-955-8101   or   www.falcontheatre.com

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

Performances:  Previews from Nov 30th with Opening Night Dec 9th

And continuing through Jan 15th, 2017

Wednesday – Friday at 8pm

Saturday at 4pm and 8pm

Sunday at 4pm and 7pm

PLUS Select Tuesdays

Additional Performance Added: Sunday Jan 15th at 7pm

Priced from $30 – $45

Annual Holiday Show 2016

NoHo - North Hollywood
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Annual Holiday Show 2016

Join the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council and the North Hollywood Recs. & Parks at the co-sponsored Holiday Show 2016. Bring your grinning faces, wear your holiday sweaters, and help serve laughter, cheer, food and fun for the children and families living in the North Hollywood area. And yes, even the big guy in the red suit will be there.

When: Saturday, December 17, 2016
Time: 12:00pm to 4:00om
Where: North Hollywood Recreation Center
11430 Chandler Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601

More About the Holiday Show
The Holiday Show is one of the most joyous events the neighborhood council co-sponsors every year. The staff at the NoHo Recs. & Parks spend hours upon hours transforming the recreation center into a holiday wonderland. By now several thousand children and their whole families have enjoyed receiving gifts, food, beverage, free books, ceramics, and entertainment. From past Holiday Shows, entertainment has included: Local Ballet Schools, Aztec Dancers, Hip Hop Dancers, Pre-K Holiday Singers from a local school, Marshal Arts, Big Band Orchestra and a whole lot more. Don’t miss out sharing your holiday spirit. Email adriabrodie.district4rep@gmail.com for more information about volunteering or visit our website at http://www.mtnhnc.org.

Christmas 2016; A Home for the Holidays

Christopher Porikos
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Christmas 2016; A Home for the Holidays

Christmas 2016; A Home for the Holidays

Every year it seems to get a bit harder to decorate with something more creative.

We use wreaths, stockings, garland and lights around the house.  Each piece is taken out of its box and paper that we so carefully wrapped from the previous year.  Why do we do this.? It’s as if we need to make each new year bigger and better than before.  But what’s wrong with our traditional decorations?  I say, nothing.  I use the same decorations I’ve had for years. The only thing that changes is the way they are used and displayed.  Here are some ways I decorate for the holidays.

  1. When I use a wreath for the front door, I buy a fresh one. I decorate it with small ornaments, bells and ribbon.  If I’m having guests for dinner or an open house, I’ll purchase a second one and use as a centerpiece with an electric candle in the middle.
  2. My guest bath gets some decorating as well.  I’ll change out the towels; either paper or cotton/linen with a holiday theme.  I’ll add a bowl of Christmas scented potpourri and/or a small tree on the counter.
  3. I like to add stockings to my mantle every year.  If I’m having guests staying with me, I’ll add stockings for them as well.  I like to add fun, personal things they’ll enjoy.  Be creative with this one and have fun.
  4. I like to add garland to my staircase each year.  I wrap it around the railing and decorate it ornaments, bells, ribbons and candy canes.   I’ll finish the end with a really big fancy bow.

Whatever your decorating traditions are, just remember to have fun with your family and friends when putting things around the house.

Tis the season!

Holiday of Lights – A Cabaret Celebration of Music by Michael Antin

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Holiday of Lights – A Cabaret Celebration of Music by Michael Antin at

Write Act Repertory presents the holiday production of Holiday of Lights – A Cabaret Celebration of Music by Michael Antin. 

It is the newest presentation of local composers from the critically acclaimed and award-winning theatre company, Write Act Repertory.

I always enjoy good cabaret but I was apprehensive due to not knowing Michael Antin’s work. Michael was the narrator for the evening, providing the audience with introductions to four musicals which he was the writer, composer and lyricist – Butterfly, Sophia, Renewal and Pillars of New York. All four of these musicals were fully produced in Los Angeles and in New York by John Lant in association with Write Act Repertory. Michael was a tax lawyer for 45 years and when he retired, he returned to his first passion of music and theatre….Thank goodness!

Michael had a comedic style and described aspects of his four musicals, which gave meaning and emotion to the song selection. Michael truly set the scene brilliantly for the lovely performances by Dana Shaw and David Michael Trevino. They sang 20 different songs that covered a wide range of styles from Jazz to Broadway. Their vocals were top notch and it was oblivious they were seasoned performers of musical theatre and cabaret. I particularly enjoyed Dana Shaw singing “This Girl Knows How to be a Star” and David Michael Trevino’s “Shes a Bitch.” The duets were outstanding.

Larry Klein was on the drums and, excuse the pun, but never missed a beat. On piano was David Kamenir who seamlessly directed the cabaret for a most enjoyable night of entertainment.

The audience even got to sing the chorus of a robust beer drinking song!

Only two performances left …December 11, 2016 and closing Sunday December 18, 2016. Don’t miss this cabaret celebration!

DATES AND TIMES:
Friday December 16 & Sunday December 18 all performances @ 7:30 PM The Box Office opens 25 minutes prior to performance with a reception and concession area.
LOCATION:
Write Act Rep is located at 10950 Peach Grove Street (1 block north of Camarillo and Vineland cross streets) in our new NoHo Arts District home.
TICKET PRICES:
General Admission: $20 with refreshments / Discounted Rate $15 Seniors, Students with ID, Groups 6+ purchased at the door / Online Sales & Credit Card Tix Only – www.brownpapertickets.com 
INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS:
Reservations visit http://brownpapertickets.com
Info at www.facebook.com/writeactrepertory  / www.writeactreptheatre.org 

Meet You at the Road Theatre This Season

Lisa Bianconi
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The Road Theatre Turns 26!

As we close out 2016, we look back on the year and what we are thankful for, and we look forward to what 2017 will bring us. We are thankful our growing family of theatres here in the NoHo Arts District (and throughout L.A.). When you see a show in NoHo or throughout L.A., you are supporting the hard work, talent and creativity of the 99-seat theatre community. 

The NoHo Arts District dot com team will always say: “NoHo is only as great as its people.” And we proudly include The Road Theatre in this group of fabulous NoHo folks. Since 1991, The Road has been brought world, West Coast, and L.A. premieres to the intimate stage. With 25 years of showcasing hundreds of new works, they have countless reasons to celebrate…and countless awards.

Awards include:
• 5 Stage Raw Recommended/Top 10 Productions
• 9 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards
• 15 Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards
• 11 L.A. Weekly Awards
• 39 Back Stage West Garland Critics Citations Awards
• 6 Robby Awards
• 67 Valley Theatre League Artistic Director Achievement Awards
• 17 “Critic’s Choice” – Los Angeles Times
• 24 “Pick of the Week/Recommended/Go” – L.A. Weekly
• 19 “Critic’s Pick” – Back Stage West

“With the nation ever more fractured in an election year, we chose to present a selection of plays that explore the notion of identity: who we are alone, and who we are together. To that end, the Road was extremely proud and grateful to be given the rights to Edward Albee’s The Play About the Baby, granted by the playwright himself before his passing in September. Coming up this season, this excursion into identity examines violence and race in Bruce Graham’s White Man on the Bus, the experience of immigrants in the U.S. in Jeff Augustin’s gorgeous Little Children Dream of God, and a return to family identity in the wildly funny and moving The Lyons, by Nicky Silver. Our goal is to entertain, to illuminate, to open the door to real dialogue about how our society finds itself 25 years after the Road first opened its doors.” – Artistic Directors Taylor Gilbert and Sam Anderson

Join the Road for their 2016-17 Season!  Here’s a preview of what’s coming to the Road stage.

White Guy on the Bus Road Theatre www.nohoartsdistrict.comLos Angeles Premiere

WHITE GUY ON THE BUS

By Bruce Graham
Directed by Stewart J. Zully
January 27 – March 18
At The Road on Magnolia
Ray, a white financial manager from an affluent neighborhood, has a loving wife and liberal family. Shatique is a black nursing student and single mom from the rough side of town. As they ride the same bus to the same gritty prison every week, they seem to be getting to know each other – until Ray reveals his shocking true purpose for taking these weekly rides. As the ties between Ray and Shatique spin into a complex web of moral ambiguity, revenge, and racial biases, they reach a stunning conclusion in this West Coast Premiere of the play the New York Times calls “a frank stare-down at racial perceptions today…an unsettling study in cultural disaffection that is likely to spark discussions afterward.”

West Coast Premiere

Little Children Road Theatre www.nohoartsdistrict.comLITTLE CHILDREN DREAM OF GOD

By Jeff Augustin
Directed by Andre Barron
February 24 – April 15
At The Road on Magnolia
Having braved a perilous journey to escape a violent husband and a volatile political climate in her native Haiti, Sula is determined to find a better life in America for her unborn sun. She drifts ashore in Miami on an old rubber tire, eleven months pregnant and desperate not to give birth at sea. For a time she finds shelter in a ramshackle apartment building that houses a lively group of refugees, misfits, and people in need. But when Sula’s husband comes hunting her and the baby, Sula realizes she must banish the demons of her past to create a brighter future.

The Lyons Road Theatre www.nohoartsdistrict.comLos Angeles Premiere

THE LYONS

By Nicky Silver
Directed by Scott Alan Smith
May 12 – July 1
At The Road on Lankershim
In this scathingly funny look at a family in crisis, the Lyons family is falling apart just when they need to pull together. Rita Lyons, in a heroic effort to keep the family united while her husband, Ben, is dying of cancer, has called their grown children together to say good-bye around his hospital bed. In the ensuing maelstrom of kvetching, guilt-giving, and recriminations, they discover that despite being a family, each of them is utterly isolated. Afraid of closeness and afraid of solitude, the Lyons are unexpectedly propelled into foreign territory- human connection.

In addition to a full season of shows, The Road does a Monday Night Reading Series called The WORD. They will also produce another Off-Road Workshop Series in Spring 2017, which is a new developmental workshop wing of the company that uses off-night theater space to explore and develop new plays. It gives writers, actors and directors space and time to develop works-in-progress, with audience for feedback to then continue developing their pieces toward full production. Then this summer they’ll host the 8th Annual Summer Playwrights Festival.

Artistic Directors Taylor Gilbert and Sam Anderson on the importance of the festival to the theatre, “The Road’s Summer Playwrights Festival offers a wonderfully compressed period of new works and voices from established and emerging playwrights brought to life by the Road ensemble and guest artists who interact in lively discussions with our audiences, different live bands each evening, great food and drink and a tremendous sense of community between artists and theatregoers. An unforgettable event.”

Congratulations, Road Theatre! Here’s to another 25 great years!

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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.  

NoHo Poets! Are you the next L.A. Poet Laureate?

Lisa Bianconi
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Do you have what it takes to be L.A.’s next Poet Laureate?

Los Angeles is in search of its next master poet to lead the Poet Laureate Program and bring greater literary vibrancy to the city.

The Poet Laureate Program, which is managed as a partnership between the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Los Angeles Public Library, was established in August 2012. The City of Los Angeles Poet Laureate is selected through an open-call process. Just as the National Poet Laureate works from within the Library of Congress, the L.A. Poet Laureate will work within the Los Angeles Public Library to serve as an official ambassador of the city’s vibrant creative scene, promoting L.A.’s rich literary community and celebrating the written word.

To learn more about the program, eligibility, the selection process and how to apply, visit the LAPL website:

DEADLINE:

Friday, December 16 by 11:59PM

SUBMISSION:

All application materials must be submitted electronically through Slide Room: www.culturela.slideroom.com/#/login

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about the application process contact the DCA Grants Office at dca.grants@lacity.org or call (213) 202-5566.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The City seeks to name one Poet Laureate to serve as an official ambassador of LA’s vibrant creative scene, promoting the City’s rich literary community and celebrating the written word.

The objectives of the Poetry LA and Poet Laureate Opportunities are to:

✭ Enhance the presence and appreciation of poetry and the literary arts in Los Angeles;
✭ Create a focal point for the expression of Los Angeles culture through the literary arts;
✭ Raise awareness of the power of literature, poetry, and the spoken word;
✭ Inspire an emerging generation of critical thinkers, writers, storytellers, and literary artists;
✭ Bring the literary arts to people in Los Angeles who have limited access to poetry or have few opportunities for exposure to expressive writing;
✭ Encourage both the reading and writing of literature; and
✭ Create a new body of literary works that commemorate the diversity and vibrancy of the LA region.

2Luis AlivioOpenMic Bell Jan2016

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is pleased to announce the continuation of the City of Los Angeles Poet Laureate Program, which is managed as a partnership between the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). Just as the National Poet Laureate works from within the Library of Congress, the City of Los Angeles Poet Laureate will work within the Los Angeles Public Library.

The Poet Laureate Program was established in August of 2012. Luis J. Rodriguez  has served one two-year term as LA’s Poet Laureate between September 2014 and October 2016. His poetry book, My Nature is Hunger, won the 2005 Paterson Book Award. His 1993 memoir Always Running, La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A., with close to half a million copies sold, became one of L.A.’s most checked out in libraries—and one of the most stolen. He has a dozen other books in poetry, children’s literature, fiction, and nonfiction. He is also founding editor of the small press, Tia Chucha Press, now in its 25th year, and co-founder of Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural and Bookstore in the San Fernando Valley. His latest book is It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions, and Healing, a finalist for the 2012 National Book Critics Circle Award.

The City of Los Angeles Poet Laureate is selected through an open-call process. Nominations and direct proposals are welcome to connect the City with master poets who wish to be considered for the honor. Nominations will be researched and proposals reviewed by an expert panel, so that one candidate can be appointed by the Mayor in January 2017.

The Mayor’s Office’s guiding principles require an open nomination/application process with stated eligibility criteria, judging, and performance expectations to engender inclusiveness, transparency, and fairness.

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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.  

Review of Bare Naked Angels

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Bare Naked Angels, a Toys for Tots benefit at Actors Workout Studio in the NoHo Arts District

Bare Naked Angels – What can I say about this unique and always touching show at The Actors Workout Theatre. 

For the ninth year in a row, this very special presentation of the work and the lives of the current group of actors in development at Actors Worksout Studio presents its Christmas event. 

This is autobiographical storytelling.  The actors all take a story from their lives, some dramatic, some poignant and some strange, but all fiercely honest, and they weave them all together, the one picking up from the last in a seamless, intricate pattern of truth. 

Loosely themed around the holidays, these fascinating glimpses into some very private and warmly comical moments remind us all how closely linked we really are, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.  

The masterful intertwining of these tales lies in the very careful hands of Stacy Ann Raposa, and what a brilliant job she has done.  Managing to meld some of the most important moments in these actors’ lives together without minimizing or pandering to the obvious or the stratagem of the plot is quite a feat I can tell you and very, very deftly done. 

The actors themselves are all eager and breathless and perfectly in tune with both each other and their own very real and deep sense of urgency to share their most precious and most defining parts of themselves with us. And they do it quite beautifully. 

Not perfect, not flawless, but honest and quiet, and with the openness of a group therapy session and the fluidity of your very favorite poem…the one you know by heart and whisper to yourself when you need some urgent centering. 

It’s such a strange thing really, to share intimate and life-changing pieces of your life with complete strangers.  So used to doing just that, safe in the anonymity of the inter-web, that it becomes all the more astonishing when witnessed in the flesh, so to speak. 

This process of self-examination and developing a story to perform takes four months of work, and the actors, some well experienced and some not, must make very real bonds with each other on their journey.  You can certainly see that as they perform together.  They are all on stage with each other the entire show, sitting around as if in a storytelling circle, supporting, emboldening, smiling and sometimes even crying as their stories, woven together so gently, careen from humor to tragedy and back again. 

I always enjoy the work produced at the Actors Workout Studio, but I think these Christmas events must be my favorite of all.  Witnessing these brave souls sharing, trusting and growing right before our eyes is a joy. We all need some joy don’t we, especially at this time of year?

Also, all the profits from the ticket sales go to Toys For Tots, which is spectacular! 

There are just four more performance of this little gem of a production, so don’t dawdle!! 

I highly recommend ‘Bare Naked Angels’ at The Actors Workout Theatre. 4735 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 91602

December 9 – December 18

Friday and Saturday at 8PM, Sunday at 7PM 

http://www.actorsworkout.com

Manchester by the Sea; The Edge of Seventeen; Rules Don’t Apply

Mike Peros
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Manchester by the Sea; The Edge of Seventeen; Rules Don’t Apply

Reviews of Manchester by the Sea; The Edge of Seventeen; Rules Don’t Apply 

Manchester by the Sea and The Edge of Seventeen contain some of the best acting and several of the more moving, emotionally true moments you are likely to see in films this year.

Manchester’s Casey Affleck’s Lee and Edge of Seventeen’s Hailee Steinfeld’s Nadine each have suffered devastating losses, and their respective difficulties in coping make them arresting (if occasionally irritating and self-destructive) central figures.

At the outset of Manchester by the Sea, Casey Affleck’s Lee (a put-upon handyman for some apartment buildings) travels to his hometown of Manchester upon receiving word that his beloved older brother Joe (Kyle Chandler, seen in flashbacks in a warm performance) has died—and soon after discovers that Joe has made Lee guardian of his nephew Patrick (an excellent Lucas Hedges). Lee’s reluctance to take on this responsibility, coupled with his need to leave Manchester (thus uprooting an understandably rebellious Patrick), is but one element of writer-director Kenneth Lonergan’s well-crafted, incisive screenplay  

To reveal more would be unfair, but suffice it to say that the sullen, withdrawn, volatile Lee has his reasons to leave Manchester. Most of the movie consists of Lee trying to handle his new unwanted responsibilities and social interactions (Lee has no capacity for small talk) and his own haunting memories. Casey Affleck’s searing portrayal of a guilt-ridden lost soul at odds with himself and others produces many powerful moments, especially in his scenes with Hedges and Michelle Williams (as Lee’s ex-wife).  Williams and Affleck’s final, beautifully acted scene together is but one example of why this film rings so true—the major characters, led by Affleck’s Award-worthy Lee, don’t undergo some magical catharsis—they are simply continuing to cope day-to-day, as best they can, and they still have far to go.

The Edge of Seventeen has been referred to as reminiscent of John Hughes’ films of the 1980s, but I think that’s damning it with faint praise, since first-time writer-director Kelly Fremon-Craig’s The Edge of Seventeen is superior to Hughes’ best work and certainly one of the better films of this year.  After an intriguing opening in which depressed, alienated teenager Nadine Franklin (Hailee Steinfeld) announces to her history teacher (Woody Harrelson) that she plans to kill herself (in a really big way, she says),  we find out what got her to this critical juncture.  Flashbacks reveal a younger Nadine as lonely, bullied girl living in the shadow of her older brother Darian, who has everything Nadine lacks: self-confidence, good looks, and friends.  While Nadine is close to her father, the mother clearly favors Darian. The seven-year-old Nadine finally finds one true friend in Krista (Haley-Sue Richardson)—but the friendship is sorely tested in high school when Krista and Darian find they share their own emotional kinship, which sends the already fragile Nadine into an emotional tailspin.

There is a lot that works about The Edge of Seventeen, especially in how it doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of teenage relationships, especially the feeling of abandonment, whether it comes from with friends, siblings or parents.  Nor does it flinch from illustrating Nadine’s brittle tone, harsher edges and willful, self-sabotaging behavior, especially her role in turning the family into a war zone and her misguided desire to “hang out” with the rugged, good-looking student who works at Petco. In Haille Steinfeld’s very capable hands (her best work since True Grit), though contentment is within reach (too early to say happiness), especially in her budding relationship with her awkward but endearing classmate Erwin (Hayden Szeto), she cannot come to terms with what she views as huge betrayals and her self-imposed isolation (like Manchester’s Lee, she feels cut off from her peers).  The scenario also skillfully introduces another lifeline with Nadine’s seemingly jaded but patient and likable teacher (a terrific Woody Harrelson) who tries—in his own way—to help Nadine through her difficulties.   While there is the possibility that these characters might become “types,” all of emerge as recognizably human, as in Kyra Sedgwick as Nadine’s concerned mother, Blake Jenner’s seemingly self-possessed Darian, and Haley Lu Richardson’s Krista, who doesn’t want to be forced to choose between losing her boyfriend—or her best friend.  There is enough angst to go around, but also a lot of welcome humor, courtesy of the results of Nadine’s unwillingness to follow social conventions.  While The Edge of Seventeen (more than Manchester) does try to resolve many of the protagonist’s issues by the final credits, it does so with some understated but emotionally wrenching scenes, so that if the film has a hopeful finish, it feels honest and well-deserved.

Warren Beatty makes for an eccentric, paranoid, and even occasionally charming Howard Hughes in his new film Rules Don’t Apply, which Beatty directed and co-wrote (with Bo Goldman).  However, it was a long time in the making and is probably not scoring a box office bullseye (there has been The Aviator in the interim, plus Beatty hasn’t made a film since the neglected Town and Country).  Nevertheless, it is an entertaining film set in 1950s Hollywood (among other locales), filled with period flavor (lushly photographed by Caleb Deschanel, a fairly charming love story at its center (capably performed by Lily Collins and Alden Ehrenreich), and a number of notable turns by Alec Baldwin, Annette Bening (Mrs. Beatty), and especially Matthew Broderick as Hughes’ long-suffering, right-hand man. It’s well worth seeing if it’s still playing.

Finally, if you’re a classic movie buff (or know someone who is), it would be hard to find a better present than my new biography, Dan Duryea – Heel with a Heart, out now from University Press of Mississippi.  It’s about the life of the underappreciated actor who was known for his villainous roles, (The Little Foxes, Criss Cross, The Woman in the Window) while simultaneously cultivating an off-screen image as a nice guy and family man—and why the public preferred to think of him as the “bad “guy.”  Dan Duryea – Heel with a Heart can easily be purchased from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  You won’t be sorry you did.  

NoHo News: Christmas Show Guide, GOOOD Thursdays, Pizza, Operation Santa,Trees

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!

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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.

 

Meet one of the Loesers of Santasia

Lisa Bianconi
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INTERVIEW with SANTASIA’S Writer/Director/Actor Shaun Loeser now playing at the Whitefire Theatre through December 25

SANTASIA – A HOLIDAY COMEDY is now playing at the Whitefire Theatre through December 25. “SANTASIA – A Holiday Comedy” created by Shaun Loeser and Brandon Loeser, directed by Shaun Loeser, choreographed by Tania L. Pearson-Loeser, with musical direction by Stacey Quinealty is celebrating its 17th year.

Read  the NoHoArtsDistrict.Com REVIEW>>

SANTASIA has been a Critics Pick for the past 16 Years in L.A. and will, for the second time, run Off-Broadway at NYC’s St. Luke’s Theatre. This hilarious, laugh out loud annual holiday romp and cult hit is the perfect blend of Yuletide snark and sentiment, has been compared to “The Carol Burnett Show,” “The Kids in the Hall,” “In Living Color,” “Saturday Night Live” and the likes of Vaudeville. This multi-media holiday special has it all including classic Rankin and Bass claymation inspired movies, musical parodies, and heartfelt holiday moments.

Read the Santasia theatre review>>

Shaun Loeser Santasia www.nohoartsdistrict.com

When and how did you first get involved with theatre?

I was in second grade at St. Anne’s Catholic School when I played ‘First Elf’ in our Christmas Play – – an elf who didn’t believe in the commercialization of Christmas.

While in Culinary School in Chicago, I started training and performing at the original Improv Olympic Conservatory. I studied improvisation with Del Close, who was formerly the director of Second City before starting ImprovOlympic who also taught the likes of Bill Murray, John Candy, John Belushi and Jim Belushi. My improv team coach was Amy Poehler, who would later star on “Saturday Night Live” and “Parks and Recreation.” Under the direction of Del Close, we developed a popular main stage show “My Life in Improv”. Over the years, I continued to perform on various House Teams and other main stage shows at IO.

Del’s direction and story-telling technique is the foundation of how Santasia was created. The story-telling we did was always grounded in truth. “Truth in Comedy” is what Del taught me, and there’s nothing’s funnier than real life.

What was the genesis for what is now SANTASIA?

Well, on July 1, 2000, our dad lost a hard-fought battle with cancer. He actually had the disease 3 different times. Dad always made Christmas the best time of year for us kids.

So when the holidays started approaching my brother, Brandon, and I agreed instead of grieving Christmas time…let’s make fun of it. That’s what our dad would have wanted anyway. Our dad was a joker and the funniest guy we ever knew. Plus, I thought it was going to be cheaper than seeing a shrink…16 years later, it turns out I was wrong.

The show has been going strong for 17 holiday seasons – – to what do you attribute the success of the show?

It’s the connection the audience makes with the material and the characters – – because all of the sketches are true stories. Everyone can relate to so many of the scenes. It takes the audience back to those special, innocent moments in our lives…when Christmas time was just simple.

Santasia www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Is it the same show each year, or do you add new skits to the piece?

Many of the skits have become cult classics that our audiences DEMAND to see again and again, but we still do change 30 to 40 percent of the show. Santasia is about tradition, and like “It’s A Charlie Brown Christmas” it’s refreshing to see just the way we remembered seeing it the last time we watched it. However, that being said, we also shamelessly parody a movie or show we deem should be made fun of. Also, I purposely direct and do not write current jokes into the sketches…so the audience can be transported back to their childhood. And that’s the magic…telling our stories reminds them of their own “favorite Christmas memories.”

This year you took SANTASIA – A Holiday Comedy to New York City for an Off-Broadway run at St. Luke’s Theatre. How did that come about? How did it go playing in both NYC and LA at the same time?

Santasia played at the Whitmore-Lindley for 3 years…I believe 2002 through 2005 and that’s when we met the theatre owner Ed Gaynes. Ed seemed to like us and started to mentor us about producing. Most of the time, he just told me to charge more money for the show. Ed also really liked my wife Tania’s choreography…In fact he liked Tania’s work so much he hired her in 2004, to choreograph Alice in Wonderland Off-Broadway. That’s when and where Tania and I got engaged…but that’s another story.

In 2005, Ed bought St. Luke’s Theatre in NYC and I said,“ Let’s take Santasia to NY!!!” Ed laughed and said, “I hope you have a lot of rich uncles.”

Cut to 10 years later 2015, Ed writes on Facebook “I’m coming to LA who wants to pitch me a show!” I half-joked again and wrote…Santasia! Ed wrote back and said “I know Santasia. Let’s have lunch.” So Tania, my brother Brandon and I met Ed at the Magnolia Grill and hashed out this crazy idea of taking Santasia to NYC! Ed convinced us that it could be done. So the journey to NYC began.

We thought if we crowd funded we might get enough money to get this off the ground. So we started an Indieagogo campaign and raised enough funds to get us to NY. Thanks to the love, support, and generosity of our loyal fans it happened!

And playing New York City has been a dream come true. The shows went well last year, although it was a bit crazy. We performed in NYC – Tuesday nights and Wednesday matinees, then flew back to LA and performed Santasia on the weekends… for 6 weeks! It was fun, I just never knew what time it was or what day it was! Word of mouth spread in NYC, and it looks Santasia is now a hit on both coasts!

This year we have eight shows scheduled playing Tuesdays and Wednesdays, December 13 through December 18, 2016 at St. Luke’s Theatre in Manhattan. For tickets and more information about the New York shows please visit www.santasia.com.

Is there anything else you might want us to know or you want to share about SANTASIA?

Santasia is a gift we received from our dad, and every year it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of someone’s holiday tradition. It is truly very humbling. It really is remarkable that out of our pain we can create so much happiness…and that’s a great gift and lesson that our dad, Bill Loeser, taught his silly sons!

Warning: Santasia is based upon true life stories we just make sure we keep the fun in dysfunction!

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SANTASIA – A HOLIDAY COMEDY December 2 – December 25, 2016

Loser Kids Productions presents SANTASIA – A HOLIDAY COMEDY, Critics Pick for 16 Years! and Ovation Nominated Production, is a laugh out loud, hilarious annual holiday romp and cult hit, is the perfect blend of Yuletide snark and sentiment; compared to the Kids in the Hall, the Carol Burnett Show and the likes of Vaudeville. Los Angeles shows available Dec. 2 – Dec. 25, 2016. Please check the website for show times and tickets. Advance Tix online $27. At the door $40. www.santasia.com. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91423. PG 13.

Shaun Loeser (Producer, Director, Actor, Co-Writer) Most recently Shaun has been shoved in a mattress by Lady Gaga, kicked in the face by Will Ferrell and thrown down 50 stairs by David Koechner, all for no reason. Hailing from Chicago, Shaun trained with legendary improv guru Del Close. As a professional actor and stuntman, he has appeared in: American Horror Story: Hotel, Conan, Step Brothers, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NCIS LA, True Blood, General Hospital, CSI, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Comebacks, Numbers, GCB, iCarly, Pair of Kings, My Name is Earl, The Sarah Silverman Program, Kambakkht Ishq and other stuff. IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2227970/

 Follow NoHo News with Bloglovin

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

HoHo NoHo! The 2016 Holiday Show Guide

Lisa Bianconi
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The 2016 NoHo Holiday Fun Guide!

We do holiday shows in the NoHo Arts District! If you’re not in the holiday spirit, you should definitely check out one or all of the shows we’ve put together in this handy, Christmas Show quick list. If you have guests visiting, a show is a nice treat or gift. It’ll also give your guests a little taste of theatre in the NoHo Arts District and you can dazzle them with your knowledge: NoHo has 20 theatres – the highest concentration of theatres outside of NYC.

Have a happy holiday season! The NoHo Arts District dot Com Team

The 2016 NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

The Orphan Who Saved Christmas

In The Orphan Who Saved Christmas, we meet Kris Kringle, who was mysteriously dropped down a chimney as a baby on Christmas Day. He’s recently married and his wife is obsessed with Christmas, although he doesn’t share the same passion. But when he sends her out caroling, he is visited by several ghosts (including an evil elf) who show him just how wondrous the holiday can be. Gather together a group of friends and have a merry evening at the theater with this holiday play intended for adults. More>>

A Christmas Carol at Road Theatre on the 2016 NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The most popular work of England’s most popular novelist, and an indelible part of Christmas folklore. This 90-minute staged-reading is adapted purely from the Dickensian text, and includes traditional Christmas music, delightfully haunting spirits, and a brilliant cast of actors from the acclaimed Road Theatre Company. Come experience this beautiful story of redemption that must be heard at least once every holiday season!

FREE – NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – BRING THE FAMILY!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 17th at 7pm
SUNDAY DECEMBER 18th at 2pm

HoHo NoHo! The 2016 Holiday Show Guide

A Rough Night at the North Pole

The Group Rep presents Craig Alpaugh’s A Rough Night at the North Pole, directed by Robert Axelrod, a fast-paced holiday comedy about an unhappy little girl’s misguided plot which sends Santa Claus to jail and almost ruins Christmas for everyone.

Saturday, December 17 at 2:00 pm. Lonny Chapman Theatre. More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

SANTASIA – A Holiday Comedy

SANTASIA has been a Critics Pick for the past 16 Years in L.A. and will, for the second time, run Off-Broadway at NYC’s St. Luke’s Theatre. This hilarious, laugh out loud annual holiday romp and cult hit is the perfect blend of Yuletide snark and sentiment, has been compared to “The Carol Burnett Show,” “The Kids in the Hall,” “In Living Color,” “Saturday Night Live” and the likes of Vaudeville. This multi-media holiday special has it all including classic Rankin and Bass claymation inspired movies, musical parodies, and heartfelt holiday moments. More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

A Very Die Hard Christmas

By Josh Carson High above the city of L.A., a team of terrorists has seized a building, taken hostages, and declared war. One man has managed to escape. An off-duty cop hiding somewhere inside. He’s alone, tired…and he doesn’t like Christmas. Come see a stage version of the holiday classic, complete with action, humor, Professor Snape taking people hostage, singing, dancing, the guy from ‘Family Matters,’ guns, puppets, explosions, the EPA guy from ‘Ghostbusters’ getting punched in the face, and Christmas miracles and familiar holiday friends galore. Maybe even an appearance by the legend himself, Santa Claus! Yippee Ki-Yay, Father Christmas! More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play

“Look daddy, teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

One of the most beloved and treasured films of all time, nothing reflects the joy, soul and celebration of the holiday season more than Frank Capra’s sentimental classic “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Theatre Unleashed is pleased to bring back this heart-warming tale to the stage with It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play for the Stage. The show, an L.A. holiday must-see in its fifth year, takes place at KAWL, a struggling 1940s radio station that good-hearted owner Michael Anderson is barely keeping alive. He calls on some old friends (with big personalities) and some less-than-professional station employees to offer up the touching masterpiece in what might sadly be the station’s last live show. But it is the holidays, a time when miracles can happen…More>>

xNoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Bare Naked Angels: Holiday Edition

A Toys For Tots Benefit. From Creator and Director Stacy Ann Raposa comes the ninth installment of Bare Naked Angels! Bare Naked Angels is an eclectic group of artists dedicated to storytelling on stage in a way that moves, touches and inspires our audience. Actors are guided through a four month process of self-discovery where they learn to write their own autobiographical piece. Culminating in a final performance, all pieces are merged together to create a unique evening of theatre. Solo Performance with a twist! More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Telenovela Christmas Carol

A classic cast of melodramatic Spanish soap opera characters find themselves living out one of the greatest classic stories of all time when Archway Theatre welcomes Force of Nature Productions original world premiere of “Telenovela Christmas Carol.” Charles Dickens’ immortal tale is twisted into a hilarious, over-the-top and passionate story about finding the holiday spirit, as the patriarch of a tequila empire is taught the true meaning of Christmas through the help of three outlandish ghosts. “Telenovela Christmas Carol” contains all of the passionate confrontations and melodramatic encounters of a telenovela series, paired with the endearing moments of a classic Scrooge story. More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Blood Alley Christmas

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group proudly presents their All-New Holiday-Horror-Theater Spectacular in the great Grand Guignol, Theatre of Cruelty and Butoh-Traditions, centering around the memoirs of a forgotten street-alley haunted by the longing, beauty and unspeakable events of its Christmas-past; a cursed place of no mercy, inhabited by a hundred-year accumulation of apparitions, phantasms and sub-breeds that desperately await their next victim!

Directed by Zombie Joe. Featuring: Jason Britt, Emily Charouhas, Trevor Fisch, Libertad Hultgren, Makoa Kawabata, Jared Liebenau, Alina Maris, Amanda McKenna, Elif Savas, Kevin Van Cott, Matthew Vorce and Debra Wilson. More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

A Nice Family Christmas

The Group Rep presents the world premiere comedy A Nice Family Christmas written by Phil Olson, directed by Doug Engalla, produced by Alyson York. It’s Christmas Eve in Minnesota. A young newspaper reporter, on the brink of being fired, has been assigned a last chance story about a typical family Christmas — his family. He goes home to his recently widowed mother, his crazy uncle, and eccentric grandmother as well as battling siblings and neurotic spouses with no shortage of juicy secrets and family squabbles. More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Little Drummer Bowie

A Musical Parody of Biblical Proportions This holiday season, journey to a far away land where a new king is on the rise and a drummer with a dilemma is asking, “Is There Life On Mars?” The award-winning Troubadour Theater Company boldly reimagines the classic story of the drummer boy like never before, playfully spoofing the mystique and melodies of glam rock icon, David Bowie. This laugh-out-loud musical parody finds our “Heroes” in a heartwarming tale of family, forgiveness and “Changes,” resulting in the ultimate discovery for all seasons: “Modern Love” lives inside. More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Holiday of Lights – A Cabaret Celebration of Music by Michael Antin

Holiday of Lights – A Cabaret Celebration of Music by Michael Antin is the newest presentation of local composers from the critically acclaimed and award winning theatre company, Write Act Repertory. Award winning composer Michael Antin, with a little help from his friends David Michael Trevino and Dana Shaw with David Kaminer, will entertain and please you with new songs on a magical trip to the Great White Way, including a new holiday melody. More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Toluca Lake Christmas Trees – A 70 Year Tradition!

The Toluca Lake Christmas Trees lot in the North Hollywood/NoHo area prides itself on its holiday Christmas trees. Family owned by the Toluca Lake Flower Shop, they have been serving the community for 70 years. The Toluca Lake Christmas Trees offers a myriad of beautiful trees such as Noble Firs, Grand Firs and Douglas Firs; even living Christmas trees such as Living Nordman Fir, and Colorado Spruce trees. More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Operation: SANTA

HhhoooohhhooooNoooooHooooo Get ready NoHo. Operation: SANTA in North Hollywood Needs YOU!

Since 1998, hundreds of local North Hollywood children from economically disadvantaged families have their “Christmas wish list” come true. Originally started by the late Michael Higby of the North Hollywood Jaycees, the spirit of Operation: SANTA continues on with the help of volunteers and support of the local community.

So how can YOU join in the Operation: SANTA fun? EASY! More>>

NoHo Christmas Show Guide www.nohoartsdistrict.com

‘Tis the season to be jolly, not disappointed

I’m stunned. I’m not referring to the election results, the Cubs winning the world series, or the fact that my mother is turning 90; I’m blown away that it’s December, the end of 2016 and the rapid speed at which life is taking place. I swear the last thing I remember was prepping for that shoot in June in …oh wait, was that June? More>>

No holiday weight gain this year! www.nohoartsdistrict.com

To Gain Weight or Not to Gain Weight?

The average American gains eight pounds over the holiday season. Follow these SIX STEPS to eliminate your chances of being a statistic. More>>

Happy Holidays!

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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.  

Get Fit with Walking Vacations – THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Jack Witt
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Get Fit with Walking Vacations – THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Walking Vacations –  THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGOWalking is fundamentally what our bodies were designed to do.

And, walking has all kinds of great health benefits like reducing chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, strengthening bones and muscles, and improving mood and balance.

And did you know that one of the most trending and in demand vacations now are actually  “walking vacations”? This offers travelers a way to experience cultures and locations and landmarks up-close and personal, all while staying active and perhaps even losing weight during their vacation! (Imagine that concept!)

If you Google “walking vacations” you get almost 3 million results. Many of the walking vacations also include tastings for foodies and wine and beer lovers, and leave time for traditional sightseeing and cultural immersion.

One of the most popular walking vacations over the past few years is a series of ancient pilgrimage paths across Europe, mainly in Spain, called THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO. They’ve been around for hundreds and hundreds of years, all eventually sort of joining up and leading to Santiago, Spain where the tomb of St. James is located. (This became a popular alternative pilgrimage in the medieval times because during the Crusades people no longer had safe route access to Jerusalem in the Holy Land, so then the Camino de Santiago became the thing to do.)

Each year now since then, thousands of travelers make the pilgrimage on one of the Camino paths for spiritual or religious reasons, and/or for simply a way to walk through beautiful countryside and experience the unique small villages and towns in Spain along the way. There are numerous roman roads and bridges, churches, cathedrals, quaint restaurants and wine cellars to captivate the traveler walking along the Camino.

Many of the Camino trails in their entirety are hundreds of miles long. While some pilgrims do choose to complete the entire Camino (sometimes taking as much as 40 days), most travelers will opt to experience a section of the trail for bragging rights as part of their 1 or 2 week walking vacation. Most of the Camino De Santiago is flat without too much strenuous elevation gain.

New friendships are always forged along the Camino de Santiago as travelers and pilgrims from all over the world come to walk this legendary and epic trail each year. Some walk in small groups (organized or self-guided tours), others choose to walk alone as a form of healing and/or for a deeper personal experience.

And now for my shameless plug! I’ll be hosting a 9 – Day Walking and Tasting Adventure on the Camino De Santiago in Spain, June 27-July 6, 2017. We’ll be on the most popular trail called the “French Way”, which takes us through Spain’s Basque Country and World Class Wine Region. All the info is on my HiketheHolyLand.com site here 

* If you are interested in joining us in Spain for this hand-crafted tour, I’ve organized a presentation and Q&A evening at Vino Tapas and Wine Restaurant in Encino on Sunday, January 8th at 5p. Please RSVP to me at Jack@GetfitwithWitt.com or call 310.562.5629.

And as they happily say in Spain; “Hola Buen Camino” !

Cheers,

Jack Witt, MS, CPT
Fitness and Health Coach

“Get Fit with Witt”

Individuals / Groups / Corporate
310.562.5629 Cell / 818.760.3891 Main

Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn / YouTube 

* Save the Date!  June 27-July 6, 2017  Spain Walking and Tasting Tour on the Camino De Santiago

Operation: SANTA

Lisa Bianconi
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HhhoooohhhooooNoooooHooooo

Get ready NoHo. Operation: SANTA in North Hollywood Needs YOU!


Since 1998, hundreds of local North Hollywood children from economically disadvantaged families have their “Christmas wish list” come true. Originally started by the late Michael Higby  of the North Hollywood Jaycees, the spirit of Operation: SANTA continues on with the help of volunteers and support of the local community.

So how can YOU join in the Operation: SANTA fun? EASY!

1. Donate A Toy

You can donate an unwrapped toy on Saturday, December 17 from 9AM-12PM. Gifts are generally for grade school ages (5-12).
The box drop-off locations in NoHo Arts District is at our pals at:

NoHo Farmers Market
5255 Bakman Ave. (Bakman and Weddington)
North Hollywood, CA 91601

You can also donate a toy using Amazon.com. Contact the Operation Santa head elf Wendie >>  

2. Volunteering

Are you interested in volunteering?

The more helper elves, the merrier, so pass this along to friends and family as well! The volunteers dates this year are:

Gift wrapping, toy bagging and party decorating at LAVC Fireside Room December 21st, 22nd, 23rd from 3-6PM
 

Volunteer Location:
LA Valley College
5800 Fulton Avenue
Valley Glen, CA

Operation: SANTA. Location: NOHO. www.nohoartsdistrict.com

3. Sponsor a Family

For anybody who would like to sponsor a family, this is the information: Small family (1 child): $50 – $70 Medium family (2-3 children): $100 – $150 Large family(3+ children): $150+ We would like ALL sponsors to have the gifts wrapped, labeled by family member (including parents, if you choose to purchase something for them).

4. Make A Donation

If you want to avoid the malls, you can always give a monetary donation for Operation Santa through their partners at L.A. Valley College.

Please note: Anybody who prefers to make monetary donations will receive a tax write-off: Go to the http://www.lavcfoundation.org/ and click “Give Online Now” b) Scroll down to “Other Designation” and enter your donation amount c) Under “Additional Instruction”, type “Operation Santa” d) Click “Calculate Total”, followed by the “Donate” button

If you have questions on volunteering, sponsoring a family or any other way you or your company can help Operation: Santa, please contact volunteer Wendie Wilson Email | 323.304.0530

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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.

Santasia – A Holiday Comedy

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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Santasia – A Holiday Comedy

Once again I was delighted with the over-the-top Christmas romp of Santasia – Holiday Comedy, now showing at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks.

If it’s wintertime, it’s Santasia time. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience that will delight and dissuade any holiday negativity out there. Always a hit here in Southern California, it is now a hit Off-Broadway as well. It is a chorus of six men romping around the stage in various Christmas/holiday themed stories that will have you laughing, tearing and excited to be there. 

Santasia is not a silly little production about Santa, the holidays or religion. It is a very well-staged show that draws us into the ridiculousness of our overzealous need to celebrate a time of the year that many find overwhelming. This production is cleverly written and performed by men in elf and Santa suits. 

The show opens with a very enticing twist which puts you immediately into the mood of the evening. A very jolly Santa comes out and hands out special ‘gifts’ to random audience members. It’s a great touch and a wonderful precursor of what is to unfold. The stage is a delightful combination of wonderfully decorated Christmas scenes. In one area is the façade of a gingerbread house, complete with all the obligatory lights it can bear. At the other end is a warm and cozy chair positioned in front of a raging fire; just the right spot for the sentimental stories each actor tells us of their childhood holiday memories. Decorated trees, falling snow and a plastic penguin are all included on this well-packed stage. Then there is the cast. Not just any guys, but a cast that can act, sing and dance. Please include a lot of humor as well; they are masters at having the audience roaring with laughter. Enjoy and savor every moment as we settle in with a full plate of Christmas cheer for all. 

L R Lon Gowan2c Richard Lee Warren2c Brandon Loeser2c Rusty Locke2c Andrew J. Hillis2c Shaun Loeser photo Michael Duisenberg

We are entertained by creative and imaginative animation shorts or fake commercials made by the cast cleverly projected above the stage. It is a great way to distract us during stage and costume changes. Of course, it is all within keeping the Christmassy theme of the times, very funny and very fresh. 

The music for this show was one of the strongest elements and definitely set the tone for the whole production by Stacey Quinealty, the musical director. Most of the songs were taken from old holiday favorites from yesteryear such as; “Santa Baby” (1953), “Let it Snow” (1959) and “Sleigh Ride” (1948). Most of the audience was not around when these songs were written and it doesn’t really matter. They have been drilled into our collective holiday consciousness. I must also include the song; “I Hope I Get It” (1975), as a perfect match for a small child begging and pleading with the man in the big red suit to deliver a bike to him on that special day. Between the slow motion of a snow fight to the mimicking of the play Hamilton, my favorite is still the full Monty strip to Randy Newman’s,”You can Keep Your Hat On.”  Perfectly timed, it is a laugh out loud riot to see and experience grown men dress like Santa’s elves gyrating around the stage and stripping down to this song. I think this one should have been the finale. Actually, there wasn’t one part of this show that I did not find entertaining and engaging. That is why I try to come each season they are in town. 

In terms of the acting, dancing and singing, the entire cast was wonderful. Looking over the combined talent and experience of all of them is quite remarkable. Everyone has appeared in television, internet shows, and some films in a multitude of roles. Brothers Shaun and Brandon Loeser are a hoot. After all these shows, I can only assume that they know each step and word flawlessly. Both are great talents as they engage with the audience as if all of this was fresh and new. As brothers that produce and direct such a happy show, they must be elated at the popularity of this massive undertaking. The lighting director Wynn Zucchero knows his stuff as well as the dance choreographer, Tania Pearson-Loeser. What a talented crew and family. A production is always a community effort and the entire cast of actors must also be acknowledged for their winning contribution. Lon Gowan, a very versatile actor, Darren Mangler, has a great voice, Tony Nunes, a sharp eye for slapstick, and Jim O’Brien, who is just a funny dude. Hanging out with this group would be a blast! 

SantasiaLogo300x300

Please don’t miss Santasia this time at the wonderful Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. It will chase away any holiday blues and make the winter doldrums go anyway. No heavy religious overtones here, but rather a statement about everything we love and despise at this time of year. Happily, this is a wonderful escape from this unpredictable year. No wonder this theatre keeps this show coming back. 

Santasia – A Holiday Comedy plays Fridays through Sunday, including Thursday the 22nd of December. December 2nd through December 25, 2016. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

www. Santasia.com or 818-990-2324.

 

The 2016 NoHo Fringe Awards!

Lisa Bianconi
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The 2016 NoHo Fringe Awards Nominees Are In! The celebration ceremony will be at The Federal Bar North Hollywood on Monday, December 12.

WHAT:

2016 NoHo Fringe Awards
To celebrate the NoHo Fringe season, the holidays, and another great year of theatre in the NoHo Arts District and neighboring Valley neighborhoods!

WHEN:

Monday, December 12
Dinner & drinks starting at 7pm

WHERE:

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

TICKETS:

NoHoFringe.bpt.me
$6 (or $10 at the door, cash only, if seats available)

The 2016 NOMINEES:

Best Stage Play – Comedy

Anthology of Horrors
Anything Serious
One Woman Gone Wrong
WestFest 2016

Best Stage Play – Drama

A Slight Ache
A Time To Kill
Ghost Sonata
Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror
The Dream Factory
The Play About The Baby
WestFest 2016

Best Original Play

Anything Serious
Anthology of Horrors
One Woman Gone Wrong
The Dream Factory

Best One-Person Show – Comedy

Buyer & Cellar
Sawed in Half

Best One-Person Show – Drama

Abducted in the Heartland
Orwellian
The Horla

Best Halloween Season Comedy

A Drinking Game: Young Frankenstein
Anthology of Horrors
Fright Night: The Return of Freddy (Willard)
Urban Death Tour of Terror

Best Halloween Season Drama

Ghost Sonata
Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror
The Horla
Urban Death Tour of Terror

Best Musical

Hairspray
Urinetown: The Musical
Weed Shop The Musical

Best Storytelling/Stage Reading Show

A Drinking Game: Young Frankenstein
Orwellian

Best Stage Adaptation of a Movie

A Drinking Game: Young Frankenstein
Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror

Best Improv Comedy Ensemble

Duchess Riot
Party House Comedy
The Captains of Industry

Best Sketch Comedy Show

Fright Night: The Return of Freddy (Willard)
Pineapple-Shaped Lamps
The NoHo Comedy Show

Best Director – Comedy

Maria Burton – One Woman Gone Wrong
Victoria Larimore – Sawed in Half
Joe Lorenzo – Anything Serious
Dimitri Toscas – Buyer & Cellar

Best Director – Drama

Andre Barron – The Play About The Baby
Debra De Liso – Abducted in the Heartland
Kevin Dobson – A Slight Ache
Ronnie Marmo – A Time To Kill
Tyler Seiple – The Dream Factory

Best Director – One-Person Show

Pamela Cedar – Orwellian
Debra De Liso – Abducted in the Heartland
Victoria Larimore – Sawed in Half
Andy McQuade – The Horla
Dimitri Toscas – Buyer & Cellar

Best Director – Musical

Kari Hayter – Urinetown: The Musical
Madelyne Heyman – Weed Shop The Musical
Wendy Rosoff – Hairspray

Best Director – Halloween Season Comedy

Kacey Layne Spivey – Anthology of Horrors
Zombie Joe & Jana Wimer – Urban Death Tour of Terror

Best Director – Halloween Season Drama

Andy McQuade – The Horla
William Reilly – Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror
Steven Sable – Ghost Sonata
Zombie Joe & Jana Wimer – Urban Death Tour of Terror

Best Costume Design

A Slight Ache
A Time To Kill
Buyer & Cellar
Ghost Sonata
Hairspray
Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror
The Play About The Baby
Urinetown: The Musical
Weed Shop The Musical

Best Set Design

Anything Serious
A Slight Ache
A Time To Kill
Buyer & Cellar
Hairspray
Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror
The Play About The Baby
Urban Death Tour of Terror
Urinetown: The Musical
Weed Shop The Musical

Best Lighting Design

Anthology of Horrors
A Slight Ache
A Time To Kill
Buyer & Cellar
Ghost Sonata
Hairspray
Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror
The Play About The Baby
Urinetown: The Musical
Weed Shop The Musical

Best Sound Design

Anthology of Horrors
A Slight Ache
A Time To Kill
Buyer & Cellar
Hairspray
Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror
The Play About The Baby
Urinetown: The Musical
Weed Shop The Musical

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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.  

 

A Telenovela Christmas Carol

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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A Telenovela Christmas Carol at the Archway Theatre

Written by Adam Neubauer & Sebastian Munoz
Directed by Sebastian Munoz

A lighthearted twist on the Dicken’s classic, “A Telenovela Christmas Carol” follows the story of Pedro Azucar, the owner of a Tequila distillery, a miserly, miserable fellow. 

After we are introduced to a spectacular array of over the top and dizzyingly interconnected characters in Pedro’s life, Pedro falls asleep.  Drunk and alone at his office late at night, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future all pay their respects…and each one is just as entertaining a trip as the last.

TCC pics22

“A Christmas Carol” is such a staple part of our seasonal entertainment, and something I look forward to all year, if I’m honest.  So I was a little nervous that this particular ‘twist’ on such a beloved story might be a terrible disaster. But in the capable and ridiculously talented hands of Sebastian Munoz, how could anything be?

From the caroling Mexican chorus entertaining us while we waited for the show to begin to the beautifully colorful set and the wonderful eclectic costumes, each detail was given every attention and finesse.  If you have ever actually watched a telenovela you will understand how crucial it is to walk that fine line between passion and ridiculous, drama and debauchery, truth and pure, unadulterated, campy chaos. It’s certainly an art form and Mr Munoz and his hilarious cast manage that fine line with skill and style.

TCC pics14

The Archway Theatre is a great setting for any play, I am always amazed at how they push the envelope, and “A Telenovela Christmas Carol” is another successful experiment in substance and style.  Every actor is totally committed and all seem to be having tremendous fun with their colossal characters, and the enjoyment is infectious.  The whole audience was laughing and whooping and cheering, and what more could any company hope for!?

If you are looking for some fun and a good reason to restock your tequila, then bring your Christmassy ‘spirit’ down to The Archway Theatre Friday and Saturday night at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm from December 2nd to December 18.

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

http://www.fonproductions.com

CAST

Sebastian Munoz, Adam Neubauer, Redtha Deason, Brain Felsen, Leah Wasylik, Jessica Weiner, Gloria Gavan, Bianca Flores, Adam Shows, Jennifer Novak Chun, Anne Wescott, Nicole Craig, Mona Park

The Garland: #2 TOP HOTELS IN LOS ANGELES

Lisa Bianconi
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The NoHo Arts District dot com team always says: “North Hollywood is only as great as its people.” And we proudly include The Garland in this group of fabulous folks. But we need to give them a big Congratulations!

The Garland was recognized as the #2 Top Hotels in Los Angeles in the 29th annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards with a score of 92.70. (That’s an A!)

condenast thegarland

“To be recognized in the Readers’ Choice Awards for the second year in a row and now as number two among so many iconic and respected hotel brands in the city is an incredible honor,” said General Manager Scott Mills.

“When we decided to lead The Garland through a multi-million dollar renovation in 2013, our goal was to continue my mother, Beverly Garland’s legacy while establishing the property as a landmark in Los Angeles,” said Owner James Crank. “I am forever humbled and grateful for this accolade from Condé Nast Traveler and our team’s continued dedication, hard work and commitment to excellent service and creating lasting memories for our guests.”

More than 300,000 readers – nearly twice as many as last year — cast votes for 7,394 hotels, 606 cities, 500 cruise ships, and 236 islands, in an average survey time of 8.4 minutes. The result? The 1,402 best travel experiences in the world.

Did you know? The Garland was built in 1972 by Fillmore Crank for his wife, well-known Hollywood actress, Beverly Garland, The Garland has a colorful history and strong presence in the North Hollywood community. In the second generation of family management, James Crank took over the helm in 1999. Today, Mr. Crank has brought together top talent in the hospitality industry to continue the success of the revered hotel, which was recognized among the “Top 15 Hotels in Los Angeles” in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards. The Garland boasts 257 renovated guest rooms, including 14 suites, updated public spaces, the addition of a brand new outdoor garden/wedding venue – Beverly Park, and a completely redesigned neighborhood dining destination, The Front Yard. Located just minutes from many of Hollywood’s most popular destinations, including Universal Studios, Universal CityWalk, Hollywood, The Hollywood Walk of Fame and Warner Bros Studios, the hotel is ideal for families, couples and business travelers alike. For more information on the award-winning hotel, please visit www.thegarland.com.

noho arts district

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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.

It’s a Wonderful Life, The Radio Play

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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0

It’s a Wonderful Life, The Radio Play

It’s a Wonderful Life, The Radio Play at Theatre Unleashed through December 18.

Adapted by Jim Martyka
Directed by Jenn Scuderi Crafts 

Well, what would the holiday season be without an old faithful like “It’s a Wonderful Life.” 

Theatre Unleashed, the classics with a twist experts, ensure that our season is complete with this venerable version of the beautiful short story written by Philip Van Doren Stern which Frank Capra made famous in his film adaptation in 1945 starring James Stewart as George Bailey. 

The play opens on the set of a radio station in the 1940s.  It’s minutes before their radio performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the stakes are very high.  The station manager, in a last-ditch attempt to save the ailing station from ruin, has booked a couple of movie stars to play George and Mary. But at the last minute he discovers they won’t be coming.  In desperation, he takes on the role of George himself and gives the role of Mary to his long-suffering girlfriend.  The rest of the roles are shared amongst several regular actors at the station and a couple of new faces, one of whom seems to be a homeless man. 

The set up for the radio play performance is brilliantly choreographed by this lively company.  Lots of rushing around, actors arriving, singers rehearsing and tempers tested. Those of us who work in the arts know all to well how frequently last-minute changes and various other disasters can occur.  So the very believable mixture of panic, playfulness and “it’ll be alright on the night” sit very well indeed.  The story itself is of course so well known and so iconic that it’s somehow quite surprising how fresh and relevant it feels as the fantastic actors at Theatre Unleashed perform the play.  The themes are, as they ever are with excellent writing, timely, real and totally relatable.  But it’s the second story, the story of the radio station and everyone working together to make something special happen that really takes center stage, so to speak.  

IAWL 1

The actors are all utterly compelling and endearing, they struggle with the sound effects, the pressure of the night and their own various hangups and all with smiles and warmth and a very real sense of family.  Every cast member was perfection, all heartachingly committed and perfectly in-sync with each other.  I have to say I was smiling so much my face ached.

What we all need this Christmas, perhaps more than ever, is to be reminded of our humanity, our generosity and our faith in our fellow humans. 

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is surely one of the best examples of that… 

Theatre unleashed in their lovely ‘Belfry’ home in NoHo never disappoint.  They are always ready to innovate and experiment, they never shy away from the avant-garde or the interesting, while still maintaining a brilliant sense of the classic and the familiar. 

“It’s a Wonderful Life, The Radio Play” at Theatre Unleashed is a heavenly and unmissable Christmas charmer.  I highly recommend it, bring your friends and family along, just to be reminded what’s truly important.

The show runs from November 30th through December 18th Wednesday,

Friday at 8PM and Sunday at 2PM

https://www.artful.ly/theatre-unleashed 

CAST

Spencer Cantrell, Courtney Sara Bell, Margaret Glaccum, Steve Peterson, Sammi Lappin, Lee Pollero, Andy Justus, Jennifer Ashe, Graydon Schlichter, Carey Matthews, Ariana Weiss, Molly Moran, Caroline Sharp. 

PRODUCTION CREW

Beth Scorzato – Stage Manager

Tony Gonzalez – Music

Gregory Crafts – Light Design

Ann Hurd – Scenic Design

In The Balance

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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In The Balance

If you are interested in a play about five people inhabiting a haunted house in Big Sur overlooking the ocean, run, don’t walk, to the Collaborative Artists Ensemble production of A. David Redish’s West Coast Premiere of “In The Balance” running at Studio/Stage on North Western Avenue in Los Angeles through December 11th.

This is the story of a college professor, his overly sensitive wife and their new baby.

IntheBalancePress4
Peter Nikkos (l.), Meg Wallace, Travis Stevens, Benjamin Hoekstra, Brian Graves, Laura Gudino

When they are visited by an old college friend and his young girlfriend from Mexico City, reality begins to crumble and morals, ethics, and values are lost to trivial jealousies and haunted mysteries without a soul.

Redish’s language is crisp, startling and electric.

From A to Z, the play itself is an exercise in intensity, sexuality, and lunacy.

This is not so much a play as a Greek psycho drama of epic and alien proportions that even at the end leaves a lot of plates hanging in the air and we, the audience, wondering exactly what it is that we have just seen.

Redish seems to revel in the psychologically obstructive, personally challenging and universally accepted, but individually rejected, mental, emotional and spiritual forays into this Garden of Eden of insanity and madness.

Every moment licks the ocean of fear and doubt and sparks violent waterfalls breaking into darkest rivers.

It is not enough to call this play a drama.

The distinguished McKnight University Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota whose books include “The Mind Within the Brain”and “Beyond The Cognitive Map” and earlier plays include “Beth” and “Kalypso” allows us an acute and sharp look at two dysfunctional couples and their coping techniques that in the end leave you almost as unbalanced and unhinged as they are.

Steve Jarrard’s direction allows the actors the chance to flex their muscles.

Jarrard knows when to let his talented quartet gallop, trot, and walk.

His even-handed and fair style of direction proves a great success here as he knows when to step in and when not to.

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Brian Graves, Meg Wallace

The company’s managing director has directed many of the ensemble’s productions dating back eight years and eighteen productio;ns (“City of Dreadful Night,” “The Square Root of Wonderful,” “Lost Generation,” “A Strange Disappearance of Bees,” “Through A Glass Darkly”).

Here Jarrard assembles a wonderfully gifted cast that understands and comprehends the steep cliffs, pointed jetties and bloody valleys of Redish’s words.

Stand-outs include:

Laura Gudino (Alicia) gives a courageous and convincing turn that puts her Mexican roots on the map as an emerging actress in the City of Angels. Daunting, daring, and dynamic, this is a characterization not to be missed. It brings the Second Act into focus and allows us the chance to witness a strong actress and character.

Peter Nikkos (Kostya) almost runs away with the play with a portrayal both parts naturalistic and sensitive. The Greek-born and Chicago-trained actor brings a welcome fluidity and strength to the proceedings that highlight his spontaneity, generosity and artistic risk-taking. The veteran screen actor uses the same talented chops in this his debut Ensemble performance as he does in countless film and television projects.

But it is Meg Wallace (Cass) who steals the show. The Ensemble founding member and longtime actress gives perhaps her most commanding and dominant portrayal yet as the wife opposite Brain Graves’ college professor Matt.

The veteran stage and screen actress brings a vulnerability and sexuality to her work here reminiscent of Carol Baker in her heyday (“Baby Doll,” “The Carpetbaggers”).

Wallace’s tenderness and charm are especially apparent in Act Two as her character’s split personality (Cass/Diane) comes to the fore and Wallace’s God-given acting instinct takes over,

We are transported to a world of love and longing, gingerbread and ginger spice and ice cream and cheesecake where everything seems pretty, innocent and substantive, but nothing really is.

The New York-trained thespian and Marymount Manhattan College student has a deeply and wonderfully elastic quality.

It matters little what direction she is pulled on stage, Wallace always comes back in one piece.

The Los Angeles based actress has yet to give a bad performance in any production that this critic has seen her in.

Hopefully we will see her treading the boards of the Southland again very soon.

It is a treat Los Angeles theatre lovers should give themselves for as long as they can.

Furthering the message of the play are Jason Ryan Lovett’s lighting design and Michele Prudente and Jarrard’s sound design.

All in all, “In The Balance,” which had its World Premiere in Denver, succeeds because of its originality, not despite it.

This modern day struggle between good and evil, insanity and sanity and love and hate shows us what it is to be human and the circular and curved path we take to embrace our full power and humility.

The haunting of the house here appears secondary to the ruling hand the baby has over both Matt and Cass and the straight path it chooses to take without turning back.

In Redish’s universe, no one is in his or her comfort zone. Therefore, everyone is busy taking bold risks and often succeeding.,

The play, which has a ten minute intermission and really picks up steam in the Second Act, is written and directed bravely and begs many questions, foremost among them, if the world is round, why are so many of us taking straight paths to our goals and dreams?

This production proves that not only all is well at the Ensemble, but that it has grown into one of the most artistically capable and productive companies in the city.

This is a fearless bunch of renegades unafraid of space or time.

If space is curved, this group of writers, directors, actors and theatre artists has decided to go home.

And as Redish seems to be saying, that is the fastest way to “turn around and face (whatever) it (is). Because you can’t run.”

Everyone here is standing still in front of the mirror.

With eyes wide open.

By Radomir Vojtech Luza
Theatre Critic

Showtimes:
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m.
The performance on Saturday, December 10 will be at 2 p.m. instead of at 8 p.m.
Admission: $20
Information/Reservations: (323) 860-6569 |  Tickets>>
Where: Studio/Stage, 520 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004

NoHo News: BIG Holiday issue!

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!

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

 

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The Kongos, The Solution and Nutty Nomads

Caroline McElroy
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The Kongos, The Solution and Nutty Nomads

The Kongos, The Solution and Nutty Nomads

I decided to attend the Wiltern Theater’s KONGOS show recently and I am very pleased that the ticket that I had bought did not go to waste.

For those that read my column, a few stories ago you know what I am talking about. The show was a fine example of a more mature and sophisticated KONGOS which is what is supposed to happen when a band goes out on the road.

KONGOS members are a band of brothers that hail from Arizona and are the scions of South African singer/songwriter John T. Kongos who is best known for his 1971 Top 10 hit single “He’s Gonna Step On You Again.” Other hits by Kongos include “Tokoloshe Man” and “I Love Mary.”

Kongos had these boys learning music before they could speak from what I’ve heard and they cut their eye teeth on musical instruments. Their mother Shelley is also a gifted artist and considered rock royalty.

KONGOS members are: Johnny who plays accordion, keyboards and aids in the group’s vocals; Jesse who is a beast on the drums, keeps the beat with all percussion and some vocals; Daniel who slaps the guitar in ways that remind me of Jimi Hendrix with his innovativeness and adds to the vocals; Dylan who plays bass guitar, lap slide guitar and a major part of the vocals.

Hate to admit that when I first saw that accordion come out, my mind immediately went to Lawrence Welk and I thought OMG. Happy to say that Johnny put that stereo type out of my faulty thinking completely and has really added an extra flavor to their music which has been dubbed a “novelty” aspect which pulled the sound together in “Come With Me Now.” This very forceful song has been certified platinum and has been used by Universal Studios on a commercial for their theme parks. This song rocks a lot harder live than on their album.

The KONGOS brothers cite their father as the biggest influence on their music and who can blame them.

This tour is the first time that there was a budget for production and the budget was spent with an awesome lighting technique, flashes of strong visuals and music that hits the stomach hard. “Take It From Me” blasted a lion’s head in the light show and the video of this song featured the brothers with large heads. “Take it From Me” is a number one song and is a cut off of their new album “Egomaniac.”

Be advised that KONGOS, and not The Kongos, are not a toe-tapping band. Wear your dancing shoes when experiencing this ensemble as once the music begins you cannot stop moving.

The most impressive encore tune that KONGOS performed was a New Wave hit by New Order titled “How Does It Feel,” which was tossed out there from left field. I wasn’t expecting that, but hey these guys surprised me with a BEATLE tune as well.

All of the brothers are trained piano players that grew up in London, England, South Africa and now Arizona in the US who categorize their music as “alternative.”

I was particularly happy to see that Dylan is still performing in his bare feet and he still likes to jump up and down. If I ever get a chance to interview them live, my first question would be for Dylan and why he performs in his bare feet.

When I went to the Roxy to catch another view of The Solutions doing their thing, I met up with sisters and ladies about the K-POP scene, the NUTTY NOMADS. These ladies know their K-POP and Korean Indie music better than anyone that I’ve met thus far.

Want to know what’s going on in the K-POP realm? Follow these sisters on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter and keep tabs on what’s up in the realm of Korean entertainment.

The NUTTY NOMADS are blood sisters Daniella and Christine whose education prepped them for bigger and better things to come.

Daniela attended film school at Savannah College of Art & Design and her first job in the business was at NBC Universal Studios in the post production as a coordinator for their TV department.

Christina studied communication at the University of South Carolina at Chapel Hill which is what she is…an awesome communicator. She’s also served as a production assistant on various TV shows such as “Outlaws” and “Switched At Birth.”

Their attorney father first got them hooked as young girls on J-POP because he would go to Japan and bring back music for them to enjoy. Their best memory is of “Kinky Kids.”

This dynamic duo first made NUTTY NOMADS a reality in 2011 and went legit 2013 with an LLC status. They’ve even hosted their own TV show for KCON TV on MNET America. They hosted a slot titled “Hello Pop” for one year as “field correspondents.”

NUTTY NOMADS are serious about their calling and when they set out to do a segment it is with three suitcases full of equipment…three cameras, lights and mics. Their segments may now be viewed on YouTube or on their website at nutty nomads.com. They have 174 videos logged in there.

Their fandom doesn’t end with K-POP and Korean Indie, it also encompasses the realm of K-Drama. For this duo K-Drama wasn’t the gateway drug to K-POP. They began watching it after their tastes were firmly ensconced in K-POP and Korean Indie.

Their favorite K-Drama series as of now are: “Coffee Prince,” “Boys Over Flowers” and a J-Drama that morphed into a K-Drama “Scarlet Heart.” They do enjoy the Flower Boy series “Jealousy Incarnate” and “Cinderella and “The Fair Knight.”

For all of their interest in Korean entertainment, the NUTTY NOMADS have not been to Korea as yet, but is in their future plans.

Currently this duo recommends “YB” as the ones to pay attention to. They believe that “YB” are a Korean version of “Aerosmith” and add that they play in Los Angeles a lot at local venues such as the Whiskey A Go Go. “YB” have also played at SXSW in 2012.

Their mother had planned their close births so that the girls would be friends. More than friends, these ladies compliment each other’s work which is an organic blend of their talents. For example, one will write and film and the other will edit.

NUTTY NOMADS would like to hear from you so start following them and get into the K-POP groove.

Congrats to 75-year-old bard Bob Dylan for his Nobel Literature Prize for lifetime achievement. This award is well earned for his thought provoking lyrics from his career and not for any one piece.

Dylan’s influence upon the literary world can be witnessed on college campuses as there are classes that deal solely with the works of Dylan.

I’ve read that he does not plan on attending the ceremony, no judgement here as I’ll never see the likes of a $900,000 prize for my work so who am I to say.

Lankershim…A GREAT STREET

Lisa Bianconi
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Yes, Lankershim is a GREAT STREET.

Mayor Eric Garcetti launched the Great Streets Initiative to help re-imagine neighborhood centers, one main street at a time. Lankershim Blvd. was chosen! The Lankershim Blvd corridor between Magnolia and Vanowen will receive improvements to enhance economic vitality, safety and quality of life. Learn about the project and give the Great Streets team m your input by visiting the community pop up demo lab on December 3!

WHAT:

Community Pop-up

WHEN:

Saturday, December 3
10AM-2PM

WHERE:

Lankershim Blvd. between Weddington and magnolia

The Great Streets Community Pop-up on Lankershim Blvd. www.nohoartsdistrict.com

DETAILS:

They will activate the street with art, music, food and family friendly activities, and they’ll give attendees a chance to try out new ways of using the street, including temporary protected bike lanes and parklets.

What other demos will there be? The main goal of the pop-up is to give people a chance to experience and discuss potential street designs and concepts. The feedback you share at the event will guide the Great Streets Initiative, the Office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian and city departments in shaping a plan for short-term improvements and a long-term vision. Tell them what you want to see on Lankershim Blvd.!

Take the survey>>

Attendees will have a chance to enter a free raffle with prizes including an Amazon Echo Dot, t-shirts, gift cards, reusable bags, and other items donated by participating partners and merchants. Our friends at L.A. County Bike Coalition are doing a “Tour of North Hollywood” ride.

ARTISTS PROVIDED BY NOHO ARTWALK
• Artisans: Chantrese Janae and Xanthia Pink 
• Face Painter: Lizbeth Ramirez 

PERFORMERS PROVIDED BY EMX LOS ANGELES

• DJ: DJ Xoda
• Vocalist: Ella Knox
• Live-Audio Producer: Stop Plate Techtonics

The Great Streets Initiative answered some of our questions about Lankershim Blvd.

Have you identified any potential projects for Lankershim? (we understand they will have to be approved.)

Great Streets and the Office of Councilmember Krekorian are focusing on two key opportunities in the near term. First, when LADWP finishes its construction on Lankershim in 2017, we will have an opportunity to redesign the street to better support safety, connectivity and the local economy in NoHo.

Second, the City has secured about $3M in funding for “green streets” improvements on Lankershim Boulevard that would feature trees, landscaping and elements to capture stormwater runoff and store it underground for future use.

We want to hear from our community on how to support Lankershim as a vital transportation corridor, as well as an economic and cultural hub for North Hollywood.

The pop-up on December 3rd is an opportunity to start exploring and discussing some of these potential designs.

The Great Streets Community Pop-up on Lankershim Blvd. www.nohoartsdistrict.com

 

The event says a protected bike lane demo. Is this a potential project?

Improving bike connections is one option during this design process, but it’s important that community members let us know their priorities and concerns. Any street project needs the support of the community to succeed.

What would the next steps be?

The City will collect all the feedback received through our online survey, outreach events and the pop-up, and use that to inform the next round of streetscape improvements concepts.

We plan to host another community open house and public meeting in February to share the community input and present suggested improvements that would be implemented as part of restoring the street after LADWP’s construction is finished.

See you on the street…Lankershim Blvd…The GREAT STREET!

**** 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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