53.5 F
Los Angeles

NoHo Tours | Advertising | NoHo Card | Contact Us | Business Concierge

Home Blog Page 236

NoHo’s a Character…in a book

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

“OOPS. A DEAD BODY”

It is not often that North Hollywood is a “character” in a novel. Today, we are interviewing Patricia Bowman-Stein, author of “OOPS A DEAD BODY.”

oops a dead body, north hollywood book


Give us a synopsis on “OOPS A DEAD BODY.”
Maribelle Rosen, a Jewish grandmother and friends, Kate Flannery and Annie Fitzsimmons, also grandma’s but Irish Catholics, discover a murder. This debut cozy mystery based on a true incident that happened to the author and friends, contains a wee bit of Irish wisdom and a little Yiddish humor to soften the threats, peace and safety of their beloved North Hollywood. The very neighborhood where they and loved ones have lived for years. The ladies run amok when a second homicide also occurs. Their friend, Harry Barry has his own masculine theories and interferes. More lady friends enter the fray with their differing opinions and fashion savvy. Jimmy Choo Shoes and luncheon dates take on more importance than cleaning up the streets. Amid the chaos, Maribelle Rosen vows to find the killer against everyone’s advice, including Detective O’Malley’s. Abandoned and threatened, she birddogs the suspect and gets into trouble. This yenta grandmother won’t quit. Even when she’s called to babysit her granddaughter, she tells her son she can’t because “she’s visiting a neighbor” but neglects to mention, “A neighbor beginning rigor mortis.”

Tell us a little about You.
I live in North Hollywood and am married to Miklos Gyulai. I am a retired Film and Television Script Supervisor and Equity Union Theatre Stage Manager after first beginning as a professional ballet dancer. I have worked as a reporter on Lundberg’s Inweek, (based in North Hollywood) an oil industry weekly, for several years and was a writer and stage manager for Women In News for Cable TV L.A. hosted by Attorney Gloria Allred. My first short story The Long Goodbye was published 2005, in the book, A Flash of Red, Spider Thief Publishing, Canada. The book sold in the U.S., Canada and U.K. My most fun writing was winning the Alaska Airlines Jingle Contest presented by the L.A. Times. I enjoyed driving Sunset Boulevard seeing my ads on billboards and magazines at newsstands carrying the print copy.

WHAT GAVE YOU THE INSPIRATION TO WRITE THIS STORY?
I wanted to write about where I live and while I was thinking of a plot; one of us grandmothers actually found a dead body that week.

What can we expect in the future from you?
I’m working on Book Two of the Oops Series entitled “OOPS THE MERMAID TURNED DEADLY based on a seafaring tail/tale & NoHo” and would like to write a serious expose of California’s Oil Industry in the 1950’s based on corruption, sex, violence and murder.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE ASPIRING WRITERS?
Write what you know. Write what you love. Write everyday and never give up.

WHERE CAN ONE READ YOUR BOOK?
in print and ebook for the Nook www.barnesandnoble.com (U.S. and U.K.)

in print and ebook for the Kindle www.amazon.com (book is selling in English in 11 countries.

http://www.patricia-bowman-stein.com/

oops a dead body noho arts district

If you’re a local North Hollywood resident either by home or business and do something good for the neighborhood or promote the NoHo Arts District in a unique way, we want to know! Please email nancy@nohoartsdistrict.com with details. We want to feature YOU!

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

Review of Color Me Home

Caroline McElroy
-
0

Have you ever wondered to yourself, “Self, what would a jazz infused classic Disney song with elements of pop music sound like?” Of course you’ve wondered this! The answer to your query is in the sounds of the pop-folk duo Rachel Lindley & Madison Johnson who play under the moniker Color Me Home. They are Republic of Pie’s featured musicians who can be heard playing every Sunday at NOHO’s hip coffee spot at 4:00 p.m.

Color Me Home’s music is a subtle brand of nymph-like quirky, sweet, & folky pop music. Their gentle voices, accompanied solely by Madison’s keyboard, are the perfect complement to a hot cup of joe on a Sunday in NOHO.

Color Me Home begins with a short & sweet introduction before opening with a soft & wispy vocal interpretation of Peggy Lee’s Disney classic “He’s A Tramp.” They follow this breathy performance with “Taste” from their CD entitled “Over The Moon.”

Their trademark seamless harmonies carry the audience through their songs. Rachel and Madison’s vocals synchronize into one voice creating a singular, near haunting, sound.

From that point on Color Me Home plays a musical ping-pong of original music & cover songs. They go on to perform a cover of The Beatles “She Loves You,” followed by the heartbreak song “Down With Me” penned by Rachel.

Their influence of the jazz-era & Disney classics continue on with Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll” backed by “Cruella De Vil.” “Cruella De Vil” is a welcomed cover song which explores both the duo’s humor & their definitive classic Disney film sound.

Madison’s original uptempo song “Freely” sounds like it could play during the chase sequence of a vintage animated film. “Freely” is a playful tune which brings forth images of old-school cartoons.

They slow it down to cover another great influence–Stevie Wonder. There cover of Wonder’s “Lately” is given the Color Me Home treatment. Rather than taking on the challenge of tackling a Stevie Wonder song by doing it exactly as he would, Rachel & Madison add their own special whimsy. “Lately” is placed perfectly in the set list & they leave you wanting to hear more Stevie Wonder covers by the duo.

The set ends with “Everyone Wants to Be a Cat” from The Aristocrats and “Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book. The group is working on their video for “Chase” and will continue to perform at The Republic of Pie on Sundays & they have performances lined up at Left Coast Wine Bar in Glendale.

Their CD, “Over the Moon” is available for purchase now.

Republic of Pie is located at: 11118 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 & the group’s website is: colormehomemusic.com where their music can be purchased.

Business of being an actor

Fran Montano
-
0
Business of being an actor

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to do a self-assessment; to review, make plans, and set goals. In my classes at the Actors Workout Studio, we spend time in January and February working on goals and actions, and discussing the actor’s business model. Painfully, a lot of actors don’t want to discuss the ugliness of business, just the beauty of making art. Some students even avoid my business classes altogether, and return when we get back to learning the craft.

These students may not want to deal with business, but the truth is, as an actor, you are a business. Like it or not, you are a self-employed entrepreneur. You are selling a product (yourself), and you have to have a business plan, marketing strategy, budget, and staff (which might just be you for now). Then you must execute your plan, and sell it.

Actors tend to avoid this conversation, relying on excuses like “I am an artist,” or “If I wanted to go into business then I would have gone into my family’s business.” They prefer to pursue their dream by studying their art, taking classes, maybe doing a play once in a while, sending out headshots and postcards, and bitterly wondering why nothing is happening.

A tragedy I continually see, after having coached thousands of actors for nearly 30 years, is when a trained, professional, talented actor, a true artist, simply gets no work. They may become great classroom actors, they might do some theater once in a while, but they have no real career of which to speak. The other side of that coin (a sad thing to witness) is when mediocre, careless actors find great success. They may not be as talented, dedicated, or give inspired performances, but still they get work. Because they work the business. It almost seems unfair to the non-working passionate artists, who helplessly watch lesser artists succeed while they remain unemployed, turning into bitter, frustrated actors.

actors2

Acting is a business, and much of an actors’ job consists of looking for work, networking, and setting up the next job, interview, or audition. Here’s a stark fact: 90% of actors are unemployed 90% of the time! But that 10% can make it all worthwhile, and can change the tide of an actor’s career.

Consider this: If you were a trained engineer and looking for a job, you would write your resume, solicit companies, look at want ads and job listings, and put yourself out there for hire. If you are well qualified and have some experience, you may go out on 10 to 12 interviews, and then you might land a job. Once you do, you’re set for a few years, if it all works out. Your employer also goes through this process once every few years looking for new job candidates. But things are different for actors.

actors

In our business, you might go out on 10 -12 job interviews (auditions for us) in a month . Say you land an audition, book a job, and work a day or two. Then what? You know. You’re back to step one, doing it all over again. Simply put, you are in the constant business of seeking employment. The good news is the employers (casting directors) are also constantly looking to hire for their next project, so if you don’t get that job, you have an opportunity to move on to another, and not wait two or three years until the next position opens up, in the example of the engineer.
My point is that you are constantly looking for work, and casting directors are constantly hiring, so you need to adhere to a plan, a structure, and discipline.

Here’s a short version of what we do in our January classes. In class we go into a lot more detail, discussing energy, karma, consciousness, personal issues, special needs, step by step procedures, and blocks. But with this condensed version, you’ll still get the idea and be able to create your own plan of action.

GOALS – Start with a list of goals; at least five to seven major things you’d like to accomplish or achieve. Define your goals. Make them realistic and achievable, yet don’t forget to dream and stretch your imagination too. It’s important to set goals that are challenging but still reachable.

One mistake actors make is that they don’t set goals that are realistic to their current situations. Some set goals that are too simple, and others that are too big and complicated. With goals that are too lofty and unmanageable, you risk burning out and becoming discouraged, so the task of setting your goals should be well thought out and taken seriously. I define goals as achievements with clear results, meaning at the end of the time period for a stated goal there is an absolute yes or no as far as achievement is concerned.

Here’s an example: for our purposes: “getting in shape” is not a strong goal. It’s too vague, and the result is not definable. A better one would be, “to weigh 170 pounds with 5 percent body fat by July 15th.” That goal is measureable, and the outcome is absolute. It’s the same with acting goals. “To audition more” is not a strong choice, but “10 auditions in the next 2 months” is measureable, with an absolute yes or no to mark in the achievement column.

Remember, you don’t have absolute control over a goal’s success. Your goal may be to get 10 auditions, or to book a recurring role on a television series, but realistically you don’t have complete control over making those things happen. That’s where the next step comes in.

ACTION LIST – Once you have your list of goals, make a list of actions that you can take on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to help achieve those goals. Setting up an action list helps you keep track of making things happen that you do have control over. Let’s say your goal is to get a commercial agent. Many actors send out headshots, maybe make a few calls, and wait. They’ll send out a mass mailing, and pray for one to hit. 

Make an action list. Research the agencies that are open to submissions from actors at your experience level. That research should include a phone call to find out whom to contact and to send your materials. Then select 10 agencies to pursue, and don’t stop until you get an absolute yes or no from every one of them. Follow up at least three times until you get an interview or until they say no.

If they say “We’ll let you know if we are interested,” then schedule to call/contact them at least three more times to follow up. Figure out creative ways to stay in contact with them, to avoid being too pushy. If after three tries and a specific amount of time, you still get the same “We’ll let you know” line, consider it a no and move on. Then, go to the next 10 agencies on your list.
Do your research. Make a checklist, record the contact person, and create a relationship with them. Don’t take a “no” personally either. Just like the engineer in the above example, there might not be any openings for your type. That can change, and often does. Once you have your action lists in order, the next step is to get a partner.

ACOUNTANTABILITY PARTNER – We often feel alone on our creative journey of self-employment, but be assured, your fellow actors face the same situation. Find a partner and set a time to talk on the phone every day for just five minutes (two and a half minutes each). During this call you should tell your partner what you are going to do that day to further your career, and report on the results of the previous day.

Keep the call limited to five minutes in order to stay on purpose. Keep personal calls separate. This call must be a regular appointment; set the time and keep it. If you can’t commit to a five-minute call each day for your career, then you have even bigger problems, hence the next step.

DEMONS – Make a list of your demons. Write down all the things that are you consider your issues, things that get in your way. We all have them: dark sides, negative thoughts and actions that tend to disempower, or cause us to fail. Many are feelings of low self-worth, often stemming from family of origin issues. Making the unconscious conscious is a good and productive idea, so list your fears, your issues, and your blocks. Write them all down and take a good look. Read them out loud, and be honest with yourself. 

We are actors: sensitive, feeling souls, connected to the human experience, both good and not so good. So get to it. List your “fear of failure,” “fear of success,” “I’m too fat,” or “not good looking enough,” “I really don’t have any talent,” “I’m lazy,” “I avoid confrontation,” “I can’t handle rejection,” and so on. Be fearless and thorough.

Once you’ve completed these steps, then get to work. Put your list of goals on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror; place your action list on your desk or wherever you do business; and as far as your demons list, take it outside and burn it! That’s what I said. Make it a ritual and burn that list, let those demons go. The burning ritual helps you to take responsibility, own your truth, and help you keep your sense of humor. Good luck, and may this process move you fast forward in your career this year.

Fran Montano – Acting Coach – The Actors Workout Studio

actors3

The Actors Workout Studio has been located in the NoHo Arts District for more than 25 years. Known for its professional school and outstanding productions, it is the vision of Emmy Award-winning acting coach and actor, Fran Montano. Actors Workout Studio also serves as a “home base” for talented actors on the rise. Email Fran at fran@actorsworkout.com. Visit www.actorsworkout.com or call 818-766-2171 for an interview and free class audit.

The Actors Workout Studio, 4735 Lankershim Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91602

Music – Hoffs and Sweet’s Take on the 1980s

nohoarts
-
0

MG 6102 photo credit Drew Reynolds resized

It’s as if Paul McCartney recorded “Wild Horses.”

On “Under Covers Vol. 3” (Shout! Factory), Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs perform “Our Lips Are Sealed,” the 1981, top 20 hit for the Los Angeles-based, all-female band the Go-Go’s. Back in the 1980s, Hoffs was lead singer for the Bangles, another Los Angeles-based, all-female band.

I don’t know that the Bangles and the Go-Go’s were legitimate rivals any more than were the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but I can’t imagine McCartney covering a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards or the Stones from 1964 forward performing a Beatles’ number.

Still, Hoffs must have known that the cover of “Our Lips Are Sealed” would attract special attention. She stretches her voice to the cracking point on each up-tempo verse as if she’s representing her sister Bangles in a fictional battle of the bands. While her extra effort and Sweet’s always-faithful guitar work fall just short of the Go-Go’s original, you won’t disappoint your guests at a 1980s-themed party by insisting that the DJ play this version.

Like presidential elections, a new “Under the Cover” CD comes around every four years. The first, in 2005, featured songs from the 1960s; the second, in 2009, moved the project into the 1970s. Late last year, Hoffs and Sweet released their versions of 14 songs from the 1980s.

Chatty comments from “Susie and Sid,” delivered in the third person, explain the reasons for each selection on Volume 3 in the liner notes. For example, there is this cute note about “Girls Talk”:

“Sid just wants to hear it;

Susie just wants to hear it;

Don’t we all just want to hear girls talk?”

Susie and Sid’s choices will please the listener who likes to think that the best of the 1980s represents a continuation of the best of the 1960s, the Beatles, the Byrds, and Bob Dylan in particular. None of the so-called hair bands—Poison, Guns’N’Roses, Judas Priest—made the cut, even though they were a huge part of the Sunset Strip music scene. I understand the decision, on musical and production grounds, but wouldn’t it have been intriguing to hear Hoffs sing the Poison ballad “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”?

There is also nothing from the Big Three of Eighties male African American artists: Michael Jackson, Rick James, and Prince. The omission is more of a surprise; in 1986, after all, the Bangles had a #2 hit n the U.S. with Prince’s “Manic Monday.”

MG 6381 v2 resized photo credit Drew Reynolds

 

Popularity was also a factor in the selection process; there are no covers of obscure songs. R.E.M.’s “Sitting Still” is on the CD, along with “Kid” by the Pretenders, “Free Fallin” by Tom Petty, “Save it for Later” (the English Beat), and XTC’s “Towers of London.” One song I didn’t know, “The Bulrushes” by the Bongos, features a hard-charging two-chord riff that reminded me of the Seeds’ “Pushin’ Too Hard” from 1966.

On this volume, and the two previous ones, Hoffs and Sweet are not prone to musical adventurism or radical reinterpretations. You won’t come away from these tracks thinking, “How did they do that?” or if you’re not happy with the result, “Why did they do it like that?”

Some of the versions in this collection sound more clean and clear than do the originals. For example, the cover of “They Don’t Know,” the late Kirsty MacColl’s wonderful single, which actually came out in Britain in 1979, enabled me to finally figure out all of the lyrics.

Same for the Hoffs/Sweet take on Roxy Music’s “More than This”; the singer allots the words plenty of room to be heard, while Bryan Ferry’s crooning makes certain phrases in the original difficult to decipher. Cover bands needing to quickly learn the lyrics and guitar parts of selected ’80s’ hits would be well advised to purchase this set.

As a political junkie, I look forward to another presidential election every four years. As a fan of excellent rock songs covered by skilled, name musicians, I look forward to another “Under the Covers” volume every four years. I’m preparing for the release of volume 4, the 1990s, in 2017.

MBK Homes Debuts Vineland Metro, The Only New Home Community Available In North Hollywood

NoHo - North Hollywood
-
0

Tour the model home at the grand opening event Saturday, February 8 and enjoy complimentary lunch from the Grilled Cheese Truck

MBK-Vineland Metro-nohoarts Banner 650x280 1.22.14

MBK Homes, the builder ranked #1 by homebuyers for purchase and first-year customer service experience through the Eliant survey systems, will debut Vineland Metro, a unique collection of 27 two-story detached residences located in the heart of North Hollywood, at its grand opening event on Saturday, February 8 from 10am to 5pm. Be one of the first to tour the fully furnished new model residence and enjoy complimentary food by Southern California’s popular Grilled Cheese Truck between 12pm and 2pm.

shutterstock 120250897

Situated on 1.3 acres at 6552 North Vineland Avenue, Vineland Metro is the only new for sale product available in the desirable area, which is central to major employment centers and adjacent to the famed NoHo Arts District eateries, shops, and entertainment venues. The high-density community features a unique combination of Spanish and cottage-style architecture that evoke a feeling of suburban living, while delivering the benefits of an urban locale. Prices are anticipated to start in the mid $400,000s.

“With all that North Hollywood has to offer, we are excited for the grand opening of Vineland Metro and the opportunity to provide a completely new type of housing option to this area,” said Rick Fletcher, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at MBK Homes. “Considering the premium price to rent, home ownership at Vineland Metro is a feasible option for people currently living in or looking to relocate to the North Hollywood area.”

shutterstock 157503038

Open Floor Plans and Private Outdoor Space

The two-story residences will offer three floor plan options ranging in size from approximately 1,594 to 1,920 square feet with up to five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Two-car attached garages include interior drywall finishes, sectional roll-up doors and an option for an electric vehicle charging station. Each home also has its own private outdoor area. Standard interior features include stainless steel kitchen appliances, granite countertops, interior laundry with gas hook-ups, walk-in closets (master suites), dual-glazed vinyl windows with energy saving glass, energy efficient tankless water heaters, USB charging stations (kitchen), flat panel TV connect (living room), and advanced wiring for high-speed Internet connection.

Central Location To Work and Play

Residents living at Vineland Metro will enjoy close proximity to top shopping, dining, arts and entertainment destinations including the adjacent NoHo Arts District, Griffith Observatory & The Autry, The Grove, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Vineland Metro is conveniently located near major employment centers including more than a dozen entertainment studios. The community is less than two miles to the North Hollywood Metro Station; within three miles of the Hollywood Freeway (SR 170), the Ventura Freeway (SR 134), and Interstate 5; and less than a mile to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank.

“It’s been an enjoyable process working with the City of Los Angeles to bring Vineland Metro to life,” said Fletcher. “We hope it is the first of many new infill communities to come as the neighborhood continues to evolve and grow.”

Learn More

For additional information, email vinelandmetro@mbk.com or visit the company’s website at www.mbkhomes.com/vinelandmetro.

Facebook>>

Crime Reduction in NoHo

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

North Hollywood SLO Catalano Gives Us the Year-End Crime Stats for North Hollywood.

LAPD noho statisticsThe year-end statistics are in and North Hollywood had another year with a reduction in crime. It wasn’t much of a reduction but when you look at where we were six months ago, it’s great news. We finished the end of the year with 0.22 percent reduction in crime for the division as of the first week in January. North Hollywood division is approximately 22 square miles with a population of approximately 204,000 people, per the last census numbers. It’s an area that still continues to grow.

The NOHO Arts area is in the center of the division where the majority of growth has taken place since the inception of the Red Line in 2000. My basic car covers the Arts Area and includes the Red Line Subway, Orange Line Busway and all the high density housing surrounding the very popular transit hub for the San Fernando Valley. Now add the numerous restaurants, bars, theaters, shops, schools and parks as you travel the area.

The Lankershim corridor between Burbank Blvd. and Camarillo St. is the heart of the arts area. Hidden throughout some of the side streets are multi – housing units, recording studios, dance studios, galleries and more.

New additions and older staples like the El Portal continue to attract a lot of people to the area. Big Wangs sports bar and The Federal provide some great food and drinks. The 24 hour fitness membership seems to be growing monthly. Not long ago, 60 thousand people were working out monthly. I know today’s statistics are even higher. The Art Institute of CA has about 1800 students in attendance. Some students are residing in the area rental apartments for housing, while many others commute daily.

We have a population in the arts area of about 54 thousand people, but we need to consider the number of people who commute to the area for all the arts and entertainment that North Hollywood has to offer. The Red Line Subway alone transports approximately 34K people daily in and out of the area alone.

People who lived here for years, still continue to discover new attractions. Tucked away behind a tall fence between a multi story building and a commercial property is likely another recording or dance studio. I still find new things and I have been driving up and down these streets since 1997.

Most people would think that the area crime statistics increased as quickly as the growth of NOHO Arts area. The fact is we have been reducing crime in NOHO now many years. Even with the tremendous growth of the area, the number of police officers have remained about the same.

There are so many obstacles against us recently, including a recession, high unemployment, a crash of the housing market and recent issues like early release from prison for overcrowding. With that said, the next question should be, how could a division that continues to grow have had these crime reduction numbers.

I believe first and foremost it is the dedication and hard work of the men and woman of the LAPD. The department motto on every police car states ” to protect and to serve.” However, the unofficial motto heard for a very long time is ” doing more with less.” With that said, I see my peers working very hard everyday for a minimum of 10- 12 hours, protecting the streets and the people of this community.

The reduction in crime is clearly a team effort. The North Hollywood Division has incredible support system from the diverse residential and business community. Our success as a division could not be possible without this support. This is clearly seen with the numerous active neighborhood watch groups and the large number of people involved with us throughout the year.

In addition to the police and community support, the NOHO Arts area is lucky to have a very active BID. The business improvement district is a big part of the team effort that has assisted us with keeping the “Arts” community safe and clean. The NOHO BID has safety ambassadors that conduct foot beats and patrol the arts area on bikes. We have a great working relationship with the BID and meet with them regularly.

The safety ambassadors even attend our weekly “crime” meetings at the police station to stay up to date of what’s going on in the community. Having the safety ambassadors is almost the same as having additional officers patrolling the streets. While they are not sworn personnel for the police, they along with the private security officers, are additional eyes and ears in the community and, no doubt, another reason why our crime rate is where it is today.

In 2014, the North Hollywood Division officers we will continue to work hard with another crime reduction goal for the end of this year. With your continued help and support, this will hopefully be a very attainable and realistic goal.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at 32740@lapd.lacity.org.

John Catalano
15SLO39
North Hollywood Division – LAPD.

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

NoHo News –What’s going on in NoHo?

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

What are you going to do in NoHo this weekend?

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 OTHER 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 the 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…ENJOY NOHO! 
 

NoHo News First NoHo News of 2014 2014-01-23 07-59-42

Meet Michael McDowell of the L.A. Tourism & Convention Board

NoHo - North Hollywood
-
0

Tourism with a Side of Culture
An Article on Michael McDowell of the L.A. Tourism & Convention Board

Michael McDowell - 315

image007

For the uninitiated Angeleno, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board may seem like just another glorified events calendar. But such a fallacy would not only cost those unfortunate individuals knowledge of hidden gems like the 2014 dineLA’s Restaurant Week, where through Jan 31st, patrons can dine at over 300 of Los Angeles’ premier restaurants via a selection of affordably set priced, predetermined lunch and dinner menus- but they would also be ignorant to the estimated 17 billion dollars tourism is directly responsible for contributing to the Los Angeles economy.

And with California’s “wall of debt” allegedly peeking even higher than the 28 billion it was previously thought to be, according to numerous reports by state appointed research institutes, every visitor that the City of Los Angeles recruits through the innovative efforts of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board only generates more businesses, which leads to increased job growth. And with L.A. having had more visitors in 2013 than any other time in history, clocking in at 42.2 million- I’d say the Tourism & Convention Board has more than made good on its efforts.

“What’s the secret to their success?” you might ask. Well, for starters, and most importantly- they employ knowledgeable and passionate leaders like Vice President of Arts & Culture and Affinity Groups Michael McDowell. “I’m always looking for something new and different that our cultural institutions are offering that we can present and promote,” he says during our interview. “I always tell people when attracting visitors, I never have to answer the question, ‘Why L.A.?’ I just have to answer the question, ‘Why now and why come back often?’”

As the appointed administrator over arts & culture and the affinity groups, Michael’s main focus is to come up with strategies to promote the cultural aspects and institutions that L.A. has to offer, and he’s got to do it in a way that connects with African Americans, Latinos, Asian Pacific Islanders and the LGBT community, which make up the affinity groups. “We’ll highlight holidays and observances, anniversaries and spotlights of certain cultural organizations,” he says. “For example, this year was the 100th anniversary of the Natural History Museum; next year is the 50th anniversary of the music center. The year after that is the 50th anniversary of LACMA. So we look at new things that are coming on board like the new Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences museum that will open in 2017, and we keep a rolling calendar of what we call tent polls of major cultural things that are happening.”

They also take advantage of the some 400 media outlets that visit Los Angeles every year, according to Michael’s estimations, which are always looking for the next new, hot thing to highlight. And contrary to the myths about Los Angeles being vapid and fame-obsessed, the cultural events that are promoted are starting to more and more outweigh the attention paid to the beaches and Rodeo Drive.

“When a cultural traveler is choosing a destination, we believe they look for three things: something emotional, aesthetically or intellectually rewarding, something they can’t find in their own hometown, and something unique and authentic to the destination,” he says. “And since we know that about half of all visitors attend some kind of cultural event while they are here in L.A., and about 20% of our visitors specifically choose their trip to L.A. for a cultural activity- part of my job and the job of my company is to constantly raise the awareness, appreciation and demand for that kind of cultural experience.”

One cultural experience that Michael is committed to everyone having, visitors and residents alike, is that of the theater. And while Los Angeles is home to many famed venues like The Wiltern, The Pantages Theare and The Greek Theatre to name a few, it is also home to a variety of smaller, more intimate black box theatres as well, creating a unique cultural experience in itself. “We like to promote the NoHo Arts District and some of the other neighborhoods that provide that intimate theater experience, which we think is something unique to Los Angeles,” he says. “And while many cities have small, black box theaters, I would argue that no other city has the combination of as many venues as we have- around 300 at last count- but also the enormous talent that populates those venues because we don’t do a lot of Community Theater here. These are professional actors, designers and directors. So the aesthetical, quality experience is superior to what you would find in other places just because L.A. is such a magnet for amazing talent.”

And the theatre experience is something that the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention board heavily promotes to residents as well because of the impact live theatre has on its audience, and also because of the 50% of visitors who get their information on what to do here from people who actually live here. “So if we can drive more Angelenos to The Road Theatre or to LACMA, or to some of the other lesser know attractions throughout the city, the next time they’re talking to a friend who’s coming to town, they might say, ‘Hey, you have to see this fabulous little theater or museum I’ve discovered,’ and it will help boost attendance,” Michael notes.

Yes, it’s these types of cultural experiences that elevate the reputation of our city so much so that other noted organizations internationally are taking notice. In 2009, for example, the Guadalajara International Book Fair, where thousands of writers, publishers, literary agents, librarians, translators and distributors attend every year, chose L.A. to be their guest of honor as a way of honoring the artistic and literary presence Los Angeles contributes to the world. And while the Los Angeles Convention and Tourism board certainly plays a critical role in the achievement of such accomplishments, the people of Los Angeles are the true catalysts.

“When I first started this job, if you went to Barnes and Noble and looked at the L.A. tour books- on the cover you would have a palm tree or the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or the Beverly Hills sign and maybe Venice Beach,” he comments. “Now, if you go and look at those same books, on the cover you have The Getty Center, or the Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. And it’s my contention that those guidebooks are no longer leading readers, they’re following.”

Now, with a decade behind him at the L.A. Tourism and Convention Board, Michael’s passion for promoting the artistic and cultural aspects of Los Angeles has only deepened, but it didn’t start there. Having studied lighting and set design in college at the University of Virginia, Michael has been in an ongoing love affair with the arts since before ever moving to Los Angeles. “I had been very actively involved in the theater community on the East Coast,” he recalls. “And then, like many people who train as artists, I got involved in some of the ancillary things like journalism. But most of my career has been somehow related to the arts or higher education, or higher education and the arts, which often go hand and hand.”

In 2000, Michael combined the two quite nicely in his role as Associate Vice President of Public Affairs at CalArts, where he focused on executing marketing and audience development strategies for the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT). And it was during his tenure at CalArts, in fact, where his relationship with the L.A. Tourism and Convention Board first began while working together on a project in 2004. The Tourism Board approached Michael requesting to work jointly with the CalArts School of Film/Video on a series of short films, highlighting 25 different cultural institutions in Los Angeles. And shortly after, the Tourism Board decided to create a position specifically focusing on art and culture.

“They created the position and offered it to me. And I had always worked in non-profits, and the L.A. Tourism and Convention Board is a non-profit, but it definitely has a serious business side to it,” he says. “And I had always liked to travel, and I liked tourism. And it seemed like an interesting opportunity to step outside of my reputation and work for an institution promoting a city I love in an area I love, arts and culture, in an industry that is vitally important to the welfare of Los Angeles.”

Today, the tourism industry in Los Angeles continues to thrive, and the future looks even brighter than the present, with L.A. Tourism and Convention Board offices and representatives in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Korea, Australia and China all working to promote Los Angeles’ cultural and artistic aspects internationally. There are already three more museums set to unveil in L.A. by 2015, as well as the extension of the Metro Purple Line subway system- connecting the Westside to the city’s rail transit system. And Michael is independently working with the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, a non-profit that works jointly with the U.S Department of State, to bring emerging leaders from around the world to Los Angeles to create a collaboration between the Los Angeles region and the rest of the world. And these are only portions of an entire system aiding in achieving the hefty objectives set by Michael McDowell and his team.

“Our stated goal is to grow our visitation to 50 million visitors by 2020,” he explains. “And part of that will be through our promotional efforts, and a lot of that will require some infrastructure. Right now, we don’t have enough hotels to accommodate 50 million visitors, so there’s some development that has to occur. But, obviously, if 42 million visitors can pump 17 billion dollars into our economy, than 50 million will take us to 20 billion dollars. And that’s more jobs and more economic output for our city.”

Yes, the L.A. Tourism and Convention Board is the premier marketing institution, responsible for selling the City of Los Angeles to visitors and residents alike. But with dynamic leaders like Michael McDowell working diligently on their behalf- devoted to everyone experiencing the cultural and artistic features of the city- their impact has surpassed their mission. And this intrinsic organization has inadvertently become an advocate in the well-being and enlightenment of everyone who’s been to Los Angeles, and all of those who are one their way.
For more information on the L.A. Tourism and Convention Board, please visit http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/.

 

Have you crossed the Blakeslee and Magnolia crosswalk?

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

We will soon feel safer crossing this NoHo crosswalk

Well you know you’re a North Hollywood local if you’ve almost gotten run over at the infamous crosswalk of fear at Magnolia and Blakeslee. This intersection has caused problems and scares over the years and it is time we make it safer.

Blakeslee and Magnolia crosswalk www.nohoartsdistrict.com

We are thankful that our Councilman Paul Krekorian drafted a city council motion to install a Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB) on Magnolia. These are flashing lights that The Department of Transportation is piloting throughout the city to accompany cross walk signage an ultimately increase safety. According to Councilman Krekorian’s motion, this intersection is key to enhancing the walkability of the NoHo Arts District.

Krekorian Motion Blakeslee Cross Walk www.nohoartsdistrict.com

 

This is great news since METRO L.A.’s The Source “Car-Free and Car-Lite in LA: where to live” article rated NoHo Arts District #3. The list is based on a neighborhood’s access to transit, pedestrian-friendliness and bike access (using scores from (walkscore.com), local amenities and connectivity to other neighborhoods.

Make sure to follow CD2 News for news from Councilman Krekorian.

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.

Health Matters in 2014

Jack Witt
-
0

wellness

I recently got a chance to live stream into the Clinton Foundation’s annual “Health Matters” conference in La Quinta, CA and it was very informative and thought provoking. The conference focuses on healthcare and wellness in the USA. I’ve put together a brief overview of the day’s panel discussions to share with you so that you may see where we are at with wellness in America and what direction things are going in.

Former President Bill Clinton acted as moderator and panelists included executives from General Electric, The PGA, Humana, NantHealth, Joslin Diabetes Center and more.

* President Clinton started off by reinterating that chronic diseases account for about 70% of healthcare costs, and that 70% of chronic diseases can be cured and/or prevented by lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise. One very good statistic he pointed out is that food producers are selling slightly fewer calories per capita in the USA now, which I suppose is a good thing for overweight and obesity epidemics.

* The discussion then turned into what is preventing progress in health in the USA. It was suggested by the panel that it’s the fee-for-service model that our healthcare system is built on. We need to stop paying for procedures and pay for healthy people’s outcomes. If we did that, access to shared medical records would be optimized and that would be a giant leap forward for wellness.

* Humana’s CEO talked about how loneliness is a real health problem these days and loneliness has doubled in adults since the 1980’s. Perhaps the Internet is making people more isolated, morose and paranoid. I’ve heard there seems to be an inverse relationship between time spent on Facebook and people being unhappy. Social isolation actually impairs immune function and increases inflamation which causes disease.

* Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong of NantHealth made a major announcement at the conference. He said that it is now possible to detect cancers cells from the blood. They can now measure the protein from cancer cells and compare it to normal cells and determine what’s driving the cancer. NantHealth, big business and the unions will be rolling out a nationwide human genome project over the next few years.

* Dr. Travis stork from the show “The Doctors” talked about how drugs stimulate our rewards system and that more people are dying from prescription drug abuse than heroine and cocaine. He mentioned how mental illness is still a stigma in the USA and physicians need to ask patients more about anxiety and depression during regular visits. An unbelievable statistic he pointed out was that the USA has 5% of the worlds population, but we use 75% of the world’s medication. And he noted that 71% of people obtain drugs from a friend or a relative.

* The day ended with talk about how zip codes determine quality of life and longevity of life more than genetics. Things like community and schools really matter and access to quality foods. The term “food deserts” was used quite a lot to talk about zip codes that don’t have much access to quality food choices available. (Here in NoHo we have the weekly farmers market, tons of fitness centers and dance studios, and a variety of restuarants that serve healthy dishes, so I believe 91601 is paving the way as a healthy community model!)
Cheers,

Jack Witt, MS, CPT
Fitness and Health Coach
“Get Fit with Witt”
Individuals / Groups / Corporate
310.562.5629 Cell / 818.760.3891 Main
www.getfitwithWitt.com
https://twitter.com/GetfitwithWitt

New e-Books “Tight, Tone, and Trim” and “Cut, Cool, and Confident”
available at https://www.amazon.com/author/jackwitt

Interior Design – 2014 Color of the Year…Radiant Orchid!

Christopher Porikos
-
0

This shade of purple is full of passion, pop and pizzazz! Orchid is a color rich and bright; it evokes radiance, health and happiness and even adds energy. Its various tones can range from a grayish purple to a purplish-pink to a reddish purple. It works well with the many shades of gray, black, white and ivory. It adds softness to room’s full glass and mirrored pieces. You can add this color to any room. A splash of color with pillows, rugs, throws will let you infuse this tone with out over powering or feeling too heavy. But if you’re feeling a little brave, why not add this color to a feature wall, rugs, bedding or even a chair. Any way you choose to add this color, rest assured you won’t be sorry.

Pantones selection process…

About the PANTONE Color of the Year

The Color of the Year selection is a very thoughtful process. To arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.

For more than a decade, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD

NoHo - North Hollywood
-
0

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD

Written by Scott Carter
Directed by Matt August

OPENS FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
AT THE NOHO ARTS CENTER IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD!

Lock three great men in a room and God knows what will happen…

The multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE), Independent Shakespeare Co. and Efficiency Studios announced today an extraordinary array of talk-back guest speakers following select performances of the world premiere play, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD, written by Scott Carter (Executive Producer/Writer – “Real Time with Bill Maher”) and directed by Matt August. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD will begin previews on Saturday, January 11 at 8pm; will open on Friday, January 17 at 8pm and run for six weeks through Sunday, February 23, 2014 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy find themselves locked in a room together, and life, art, religion and politics get vigorously debated as if their souls depend on it. Because they do. This provocative and funny world premiere play is a fascinating insight into the spiritual lives of three of the greatest minds that ever lived. And, if these great men get second thoughts about their lives, what hope have the rest of us?

A World Premiere Play! Jan-Feb 2014 at the NoHo Arts Center!

THE TALK BACK SCHEDULE:

January 24: Director Matt August.

January 30: Playwright Kemp Powers (Rogue Machine Theatre’s “A Night In Miami”).

January 31: Producer and NoHo Arts Center co-owner Kevin Bailey.

 

February 2: Reza Aslan (“Zealot”) with Rainn Wilson (“The Office,” “Six Feet Under,”) and the co-founder of Soul Pancake website.

February 7: Producer and NoHo Arts Center co-owner Kevin Bailey.

February 9: Reverend Canon Henry Atkins. (Former Dartmouth Chaplain and Civil Rights veteran.)

February 13: Sri Lanka-native Soraya Deen, co-founder of Peace Works and Peace Moms & host of satellite TV’s “Conversations at the Peacetable.”

February 14: Producer and NoHo Arts Center co-owner Kevin Bailey.

February 16: Dr. Dale Bruner. Taught New Testament Theology at Whitworth College in Spokane, WA from 1975-1997. Author of exhaustive commentaries on the gospels of Mathew and John.

February 21: Producer and NoHo Arts Center co-owner Kevin Bailey.

February 22-23: Clay Jenkinson. Rhodes scholar, humanities professor and host of public radio’s “The Thomas Jefferson Hour.”

 

Written by Scott Carter
Directed by Matt August

Opens: Friday, January 17 at 8pm;

Runs: Friday, January 17 – Sunday, February 23, 2014

Performances are Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm;
Sundays at 3pm

NOHO ARTS CENTER
11136 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood, CA 91601

Tickets: $35.00
Previews, Students and Seniors – $25.00
Group rates available

For Tickets and Groups, please call 818-508-7101 Extension 6 or visit www.nohoace.com

For further information on the play, please visit http://www.jdtproject.com/

The Northridge Earthquake, 20 years later.

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

Twenty Years Later, Are We Prepared?

It was 20 years ago today (January 17, 1994, at 4:30AM) that our San Fernando Valley was devastated by the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Ask around and folks in North Hollywood and the rest of the 818 will immediately tell you stories of this horrific day. The magnitude 6.7 quake caused $20 million in damage and affected the lives of millions. But out of that disaster we found strength and rebuilt.

Daily News Northridge Earthquake 
 photo credit: Daily News via http://ffffound.com

Our Councilman Paul Krekorian’s office sums up the Northridge Earthquake disaster:

“According to the Southern California Earthquake Center, the 10 to 20 seconds of strong shaking from the quake resulted in the damage of 114,000 buildings, the crumbling and closure of major freeway infrastructures, deaths of nearly 60 people, while 22,000 were left homeless and the lives of millions in the city were disrupted.

The road to recovery was long and hard-felt but mitigation efforts following the Northridge Earthquake initiated an increase in the level of geological hazard mapping, the development of new building code standards, seismic retrofitting of older structures to meet revised seismic codes, as well as improved emergency preparedness.”

In memory of the precious lives lost and the damage done to our Valley neighborhoods, we like to take this time to get informed and get prepared. Earthquakes can happen anytime. Learn more about how to prepare at readyla.org. Below are some emergency preparedness tips they suggest. Visit their website to learn how to make your earthquake/emergency kit.

✭ Contact your local emergency management team to learn about your community’s warning signals and how you should respond to them.
✭ Store all emergency contact numbers (fire, police, ambulance, etc.) in a place that all family members know
✭ Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number
✭ Enroll in First Aid and CPR classes.
✭ Pick two places to meet for emergencies: right outside you home in case of something such as a fire, and outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
✭ Make sure every family member knows the phone number of your out-of-neighborhood meeting place.
✭ Ask an out-of-state friend or relative to be your family contact…know the phone number
✭ Organize your important documents in a place that is easily accessible.
✭ Inventory and, ideally, videotape your valuables.
✭ Install smoke detectors on each level of the home and hallways near bedrooms. Check them each month and replace batteries when necessary
✭ Keep a fire extinguisher in your home and show everyone how to use it.
✭ Replace stored water every three months and stored foods every six months.

Let’s take today to remember the disaster and how we rebuilt. But most importantly, let’s take this 20th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake to get prepared.

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

Blastoff Comics Celebrates one- and two-year anniversary!

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

Love the fact that NoHo has its very own comic book store. Thanks for a year of fun in North Hollywood, Blastoff Comics!

Blastoff Comics www.nohoartsdistrict.com North Hollywood

Our team always says: “The neighborhood is only as fantastic as its people.” So when we come across a group that is doing what they do and doing it well, we jump at the chance to give them snaps and claps. Blastoff Comics came to the NoHo Arts District and opened up shop last year. To celebrate, they’re having a shindig on Saturday, January 18. Let’s wish them a happy anniversary and many more to come.

What: Join North Hollywood’s Blastoff Comics for their anniversary celebration. HARLAN ELLISON, PAUL CHADWICK AND KEN STEACY SIGNING 7 AGAINST CHAOS!

When: Saturday, January 18 Noon – 3PM

Where: 5118 Lankershim Blvd, NoHo Arts District

Blastoff Comics anniversary www.nohoartsdistrict.com

How has your year in NoHo been?
Actually, it’s been a little over a year in NoHo, but two years since the launch of our website. What made us a bit unique was that we went from an Internet store to a brick-and-mortar location when so many other retailers are doing the opposite. And we couldn’t have picked a better spot for our business!

The North Hollywood community has been so welcoming to us and we’ve quickly become a fixture in the neighborhood as well as something of a landmark on Lankershim Blvd. As far as customers are concerned, the phrase I hear the most every week is, “I just moved into the neighborhood and I was glad to see a comic-book store right by my house!”

What’s really surprising is how many kids there are coming into the shop. Families are moving into the area because of the growth and affordability. So now we’ve got different generations and genders all mingling together within our four walls. For a retailer, there’s nothing better.

What do you like about being in the North Hollywood neighborhood?
NoHo is becoming more and more like Brooklyn. You can do everything all within a certain radius without even getting into your car. We’ve got supermarkets, restaurants, banks, gyms, playhouses, movie theaters and a metro that acts as a vein from downtown to deeper into the valley.

Now all we need is more family retail! But with all of the housing development going on, I think we’ll see more and more moving in within the next year or two.

And bike lanes. Oh please, give us some bike lanes…

What are you going to do to celebrate your anniversary?
We’ve got the legendary Harlan Ellison appearing for a signing on Saturday, January 18th from 12-3pm! Harlan is one of the most celebrated and prolific science fiction/fantasy authors of the last century and almost never makes personal appearances nowadays. It’s a very rare opportunity to meet him in person and get his work hand-signed.

Describe for us HARLAN ELLISON, PAUL CHADWICK AND KEN STEACY…for the comic novice
Harlan Ellison has been called “one of the great living American short story writers” by the Washington Post; and the Los Angeles Times said, “It’s long past time for Harlan Ellison to be awarded the title: 20th Century Lewis Carroll.” Harlan is an essayist, screenwriter, and journalist; above all, Harlan is a writer. Harlan has written an original hardcover graphic novel titled 7 Against Chaos, with art by Paul Chadwick and Ken Steacy. We’ll have copies that can only be signed by all three creators within that 12-3pm window.

Paul is most famous for his groundbreaking comic book series Concrete and Ken, a talented writer and artist, had his artistic hand in many of the most important comic book stories of the 1970s and 80s. Describe for us their novel 7 AGAINST CHAOS.
It’s “Seven Samurai” in space. What more can you ask from a graphic novel by three of our industry’s most famous luminaries?!

What should patrons expect from Blastoff Comics in 2014?
We’ve got huge plans for the coming year.

Our first published graphic novel titled Elizabeth’s Canvas will be released through IDW Publishing in 2014 with all proceeds going to an organization devoted to art therapy for cancer patients and their families. With writing and art from Mark Waid, Gregg Hurwitz, Scott Tipton, Chris Ryall, Sara Pichelli, Elena Casagrande, David Messina, Todd Harris and more, this should really shake things up.

We’re doing a weekly web series focusing on many different vintage collectibles. We’ll focus on their history and role in our vintage world. All of this is currently available on our Web site and our YouTube channel and new episodes are going up regularly.

And of course, the backbone of our business has always been our charitable work. Along with continuing our practice of donating a portion of our profits to a different charity every month, we’re working on a major project that will see us building a children’s library inside of a series of 1,000 square foot shipping containers and sending them to Africa.

Amazingly, there’s more! So keep an eye out for announcements on our Web site, our twitter feed and our Facebook page.

Any spoilers you can give for what’s coming up in the comic world?
The beauty of our comic world is that the Internet is exploding with pop culture information on an hourly basis. Everyone wants to get in on the comic-book explosion, which means we have new content to explore every hour on the hour!

Get to know Blastoff Comics!

www.blastoffcomics.com

Facebook

Twitter: @BlastoffComics

Harlan’s site: http://harlanellison.com/home.htm

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

Movie Reviews – Philomena; Saving Mr. Banks; Nebraska; All is Lost

Mike Peros
-
0

Since it’s the dead of winter and many studios are in a holding mode on major new releases (as in holding on to these releases until such time as most of America can get to them—or become weary of the December releases), here are some pretty good films you may have missed—and are definitely worth catching:

philo

Philomena, based on a true story, is not the light-hearted fluff one might think after viewing the trailer; rather it is an occasionally amusing, fairly serious look at faith and forgiveness. Philomena is an older English woman who has decided to try to find the son she was forced to give up for adoption fifty years earlier at the behest of the convent in Roscrea, Ireland (where she labored as a laundry woman, cast off by her own parents). This attracts the attention of fallen journalist Martin Sixsmith, who hopes this “human interest” tale will revive his faltering career. Their evolving relationship, amidst some surprising, even jolting developments, results in some genuinely funny moments as well as some extremely moving scenes. Judi Dench is superb as Philomena, making plausible the character’s indignation at the church and her capacity to show forgiveness; Steve Coogan (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Pope) as Martin beautifully complements Philomena’s faith with his own iconoclasm laced with concern for his newfound friend.

The enjoyable Saving Mr. Banks is also based on real-life events, in this case the story of how Walt Disney, aided and abetted by the marvelous songwriting Sherman brothers, went about convincing the notoriously prickly Pamela Travers that her beloved character Mary Poppins was in good hands—even with the addition of music, Dick Van Dyke, and , heaven forbid–animation. As long as the movie sticks to the scenes of Travers (a wonderful Emma Thompson) sparring with Disney (a charming and persuasive Tom Hanks) or warming to the Shermans, as well as her driver (Paul Giammatti, underused), the movie is on solid ground. Where it goes a bit astray is in the flashbacks to Travers’ youth; while Colin Farrell does a credible job as Travers’ irresponsible, alcoholic father, these scenes take up too much time, and become a bit redundant. While the movie may not be totally factual, it is reasonably entertaining, and the last scene does reflect to a degree, Miss Travers’ ambivalence about the finished product at the time. The movie is well worth seeing—it may even tempt you to dig out your Mary Poppins soundtrack.

Alexander Payne’s dusty black-and-white road trip movie Nebraska showcases a terrific, grizzled Bruce Dern as Woody Grant, a stubborn old coot determined to claim his quite probably fictitious million-dollar sweepstakes prize (as in those Publishers Clearing House awards). He is reluctantly aided by his concerned son (a lovely portrayal by Will Forte), who offers to drive the old man from Montana to Nebraska in the hopes of getting some quality time with his distant, irascible father. Along the way, they encounter some old friends and relatives, with Woody’s perceived imminent wealth proving a catalyst to the simmering resentments a lifetime can produce. June Squibb is very funny as Woody’s long-suffering, extremely blunt wife, and Stacy Keach provides notable support as Woody’s old friend turned nemesis.

All is Lost may be somewhat lost in limited release at the cinemas, but if you can find it, it’s well worth seeing. Robert Redford holds the screen throughout (solo, sans dialogue, minus an opening voiceover and a well-placed cuss word) as a sailing man who is struck by some bad luck in the form of a shipping container in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Redford’s efforts to save himself and his boat in spite of oncoming storms, dwindling supplies, and some faulty choices, make for one compelling survival saga.

 

15 Truths About Being a Professional Dancer

NoHo - North Hollywood
-
0

Last week my friend, Mr. Dolce, who is a language arts teacher at Van Buren Middle School in Albuquerque, NM told me about a list he had found on the web that some of his students were discussing in a round table type format. He read the list, called 16 Harsh Truths that Make Us Stronger, to me over the phone and I immediately knew I wanted to see it for myself. The original list was written by Marc and Angel (of Marc and Angel Hack Life). As a ballet teacher I felt inspired by their list to write  15 truths about being a professional dancer. Some are adapted from Marc and Angel’s list and some come from my own experiences. If you haven’t looked at Marc and Angel’s site, I highly recommend it. They have many inspiring posts.

1. Dance is hard. – No dancer ever became successful riding on their natural born talents only. Dancers are artists and athletes. The world of dance today is akin to an extreme sport. Natural ability and talent will only get us so far. Dancers must work hard and persevere. Dancers give years of their lives plus their sweat, tears and sometimes blood to have the honor and pleasure of performing on stage

2. You won’t always get what you want. – We don’t always get the role we wanted, go on pointe when we want, get the job we want, hear the compliments we want, make the money we want, see companies run the way we want, etc, etc. This teaches us humility and respect for the process, the art form and the masters we have chosen to teach us. The faster we accept this, the faster we can get on with being brilliant. We’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but we can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.

3. There’s a lot you don’t know. – There is always more a dancer can learn. Even our least favorite teachers, choreographers and directors can teach us something. The minute we think we know it all, we stop being a valuable asset.

4. There may not be a tomorrow. – A dancer never knows when their dance career will suddenly vanish… a company folds, career ending injury, car accident, death…Dance every day as if it is the final performance. Don’t save the joy of dance for the stage. Infuse even your routine classroom exercises with passion!

5. There’s a lot you can’t control. – You can’t control who hires you, who fires you, who likes your work, who doesn’t, the politics of being in a company. Don’t waste your talent and energy worrying about things you can’t control. Focus on honing your craft, being the best dancer you can be. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude.

6. Information is not true knowledge. – Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task a hundred times, go to 1000 classes, but unless we get out there and perform we will only have a philosophical understanding of dance. Find opportunities to get on stage. You must experience performance firsthand to call yourself a professional dancer.

7. If you want to be successful, prove you are valuable. – The fastest way out of a job is to prove to your employer they don’t need you. Instead, be indispensable. Show up early, know your material, be prepared, keep your opinions to yourself unless they are solicited and above all be willing to work hard.

8. Someone else will always have more than you/be better than you. – Whether its jobs or money or roles or trophies, it does not matter. Rather than get caught up in the drama about what others are doing around you, focus on the things you are good at, the things you need to work on and the things that make you happiest as a dancer.

9. You can’t change the past. – Everyone has a past. Everyone has made mistakes, and everyone has glorious moments they want to savor. “Would you keep a chive in your tooth just because you enjoyed last night’s potato?” Boston Common TV Series. Dance is an art form that forces us to concentrate on the present. To be a master at dance we have be in the moment; the minute the mind wanders, injuries happen. If they do, see #12.

10. The only person who can make you happy is you. – Dancing in and of itself cannot make us happy. The root of our happiness comes from our relationship with ourselves, not from how much money we make, what part we were given, what company we dance for, or how many competitions we won. Sure these things can have effects on our mood, but in the long run it’s who we are on the inside that makes us happy.

11. There will always be people who don’t like you. – Dancers are on public display when they perform and especially in this internet world, critics abound. You can’t be everything to everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who thinks differently. So concentrate on doing what you know in your heart is right. What others think and say about you isn’t all that important. What is important is how you feel about yourself.

12. Sometimes you will fail. – Sometimes, despite our best efforts, following the best advice, being in the right place at the right time, we still fail. Failure is a part of life. Failure can be the catalyst to some of our greatest growth and learning experiences. If we never failed, we would never value our successes. Be willing to fail. When it happens to you (because it will happen to you), embrace the lesson that comes with the failure.

13. Sometimes you will have to work for free. – Every professional dancer has at one time or another had to work without pay. If you are asked to work for free, be sure that you are really ok with it. There are many good reasons to work for free, and there are just as many reasons not to work for free. Ask yourself if the cause is worthy, if the experience is worth it, if it will bring you joy. Go into the situation fully aware of the financial agreement and don’t expect a hand out later.

14. Repetition is good. Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result is insane. – If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. If you keep doing the bare minimum of required classes, don’t complain to your teacher when you don’t move up to the next level. If you only give the bare minimum in your company, be happy staying in the corps. If you want to grow beyond your comfort zone, you must push yourself beyond your self imposed limitations.

15. You will never feel 100% ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Dancers have to be willing to take risks. From letting go of the ballet barre to balance, to moving around the world to dance with a new company, from trusting a new partner to trying a new form of dance, dancers must have a flexible mind and attitude as well as body. The greatest opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means you won’t feel totally comfortable or ready for it.

See original blog

 

The Valley is home to art and it’s getting a lot more.

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

“The Valley is upon an arts revolution, join the cause.”

11:11 a creative collectiveThe NoHo Arts District dot com team remembers hearing (and sometimes still does) people say, “I don’t go to the Valley!” Well that is changing, especially with the NoHo Arts District being home to more than 20 live, professional theatres, the highest concentration outside of NYC. NoHo is in the Valley but it’s a fun place to visit, work and live with a ton of things to do. The fun or creativity doesn’t stop in NoHo. We got the chance to chat with the folks who run 11:11 A Creative Collective, which is a San Fernando Valley Art Collective. They’ve been doing a lot of fun art projects in the entire Valley like pop-up galleries, art walks, murals and more. They helped put up our NoHo Mural. So when we hear those people say “We don’t go to the Valley!” we turn around and ask them, “Why not!?” So NoHo, meet the folks at 11:11 A Creative Collective and get involved with making more art in the 818.

(HISTORY)
11:11 A Creative Collective was formed in 2009 with mission of creating an active and cohesive art scene within the San Fernando Valley (SFV). We realized how often we were driving over the hill, in all directions, to experience art, go to gallery openings, to find a network of other artists to collaborate and build a community with. We soon decided that with a population of about 2 million people, the Valley and the residents deserved to be able to participate in this activity here at home. The Valley isn’t the suburbs anymore and it is up to us Valley-ians to create the type of community we’d like to live in.

(PROJETCS)
11:11 ACC has created a number of projects in the 818, including a string of pop up gallery shows turning empty storefronts, rented rooms and community centers into one night galleries, spanning from Canoga Park to North Hollywood. From 2010-2013 11:11 ACC created and hosted the Canoga Park Art Walk- Third Thursdays in collaboration with the Canoga Park Improvement Association, where over 300 artists, crafters, musicians, live artists and graffiti artists displayed their wares for the public, transforming the streets of downtown Canoga Park into a celebration of its local creative community with an attendance of over 3,000 people each month.

11:11 a creative collective

In 2011, 11:11 ACC teamed up with Westfield Topanga for a weekend long indoor art walk which included over 60 exhibiting SFV artists showing over 350 pieces of artwork spanning the main corridor of the newly renovated Westfield Topanga mall. With the SFV being synonymous with the Mall culture, 11:11 ACC’s goal was to expose this mall culture, were most things are mass produced and piled in, to one-of-a-kind artwork created by Valley locals.

11:11 ACC has participated in a number of community events including art shows and workshops and local SFV businesses, Milestone celebrations and festivals with neighborhood councils and business improvement districts and partnerships with stakeholders and business owners which have pushed the arts into the forefront of local activities.

11:11 a creative collective

in 2013, 11:11 ACC started the Fill in the _____ project partnering with a number of SFV and beyond public artists including Muralist Levi Ponce. The Fill In The Blank Project was created in conjunction with Los Angeles’ newly passed mural ordinance to coat the San Fernando Valley with public art. 11:11 ACC has facilitated 4 murals since the passing of the Mural ordinance, with a number of upcoming murals in the planning stages including the continuing of the NoHo Mural Project and a Music Inspired mural on one of the oldest music venues in the SFV.

(NAME)
In our search for a name that would encompass what we stand and strive for, we came across “11:11” and it resonated with the collective definition of our endeavors. Ones and Elevens are understood to be the number of enlightenment. “All is numbers” according to Pythagoras. In numerology, 11:11 represents idealism, visionary goals, intuition, revelation, artistic and inventive genius. Furthermore, 11:11 is also considered to be a doorway to the inner self and the subconscious. As artists and art lovers, we know that the subconscious can provide us with chock full of material for creativity and self-expression. This, we believe is an essential part of the creative process.

Although there are many spiritual meanings and interpretations of what 11:11 means, we also related to the simple notion that 11:11 is considered to be a lucky number. Some believe that if one spontaneously sees 11:11 on a clock (or in any other form) a wish can be made and there is a greater chance of it coming true. Our wish was and continues to be the creation of a thriving and cohesive art community in the San Fernando Valley.

(FUTURE)
We will continue the fill in the ____ project.

11:11 has partnered with the SFV based Valley Print Studio, a newly formed Fine Art print studio with the mission to serve community education and professional art-production, through the arts of print and paper-making. Together we will be hosting weekly and monthly classes and workshops classified under the “Educate & Create” Series of 11:11’s programming. 11:11 will also be hosting a number of gallery openings in 2014 focusing on local emerging artists as well as bridging the gap between the los Angeles art scene and the valley.

11:11 a creative collective

(GETTING INVOLVED)
If you’re an artist, simply show with us. Attend our events and support our cause to create a thriving art community in the Valley. Bring your friends to our workshops, participate in our various ‘art nights’, sign our mailing list to stay up to date with all our events. We support all art forms, be it visual, musical, written, sewn, crafted, danced, etc. and offer many opportunities to display your talent within our events.

If you’re an art lover or simply believe in the transformative power of the arts, come on out to our shows- introduce yourself! The Valley is upon an arts revolution, join the cause.

You can also donate to us (even though this is a 100% passion-run organization, there are many expenses that we could use some help with- and it will eve be a tax write off for you!) If you are a SFV stakeholder and would like to find a way to make the arts a center point of your business or community, let us know!

Find 11.11 ACC

Web: www.1111acc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/1111acc

Instagram: @1111acc

Twitter: @1111_acc

PRESS  |  VIDEO

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

Very Independent Filmmaking – Getting started, again…

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
-
0

A story should have a beginning, a middle and an end… but not necessarily in that order.
– Jean-Luc Godard

Well, thats one way of looking at it, but before the story there is the idea, and a beginning.

sam-jan
The Doll and The Mad Dog, 52 films/52 weeks, Aug 2011

We all know how difficult it is to get things done, we can have the best laid plans, but the executing of them separates the dreamers from the doers, although, I do think the best artists are an interesting mixture of both.

Getting from “I’ve got a great idea for a movie,” to sending out invitations for your premiere can be a long, long road. But you have to start somewhere.

So for the beginning of a new year, lets go back to the beginning of making a film.

My number one rule for starting the creating process is, drum role please…

Write it down.

That means any of it, or all of it. Even if it’s just the very clever title you thought up during a holiday season of debauchery, you can always tweak it later, but if you think it’s brilliant then it will at least inspire you to continue. Even if it embarrasses your friends, appalls your family and could potential loose you your job…it’s all good…

If you don’t write it down, and if you are anything like me, it will evaporate from your mind like split ice cream on an LA sidewalk. Very sad.

I actually have a pad and pen by my bed for those blindingly brilliant, middle of the night epiphanies, and there are many I can tell you. Just because they are all about as life changing as an epic poem written after too many bottles of wine, they are still worth turning on the light and getting out from beneath your lovely warm covers for, even if they do make you blush a bit in the morning.

You never know where and when an idea will strike, and getting familiar with the voice recording app on your phone is well worth the effort too. I can’t tell you how many times I have thought of something brilliant, or at least something I thought was brilliant, not written it down, and completely forgotten it within the hour. Very frustrating and very probably a sign of early Altzheimers, but thats something for another conversation…

I once read about some famous rock band, who’s name escapes me, probably because I didnt write it down at the time, and because of the Altzheimers thing, who kept a file full of lines of lyrics, random words and phrases, and often referred to them when writing songs. It may not seem as romantic as ‘imagine’ written on a napkin in as long as it takes to sing it, but it’s a lot more reliable than napkins and keeping a database of your momentary lapses into brilliance can be a valuable resource when stuck on a scene.

So I write everything down.

Lines of dialogue, clever things I occasionally say, very occasionally. Character names, job titles, even titles of films I have no clear plot idea for yet. Its all worth putting somewhere and checking that resource out from time to time.

I also keep track of actors I like, as I find that helps me when I’m imagining characters, or writing dialogue, especially the handsome ones. “If I can see the characters, it helps me form their personalities,” I reassure my husband. I also make connections in my mind while writing characters with people I actually know, not usually as handsome, but I do find that using real people as characters in your story can be a brilliant way of keeping them real. Just don’t ever tell your sister in law that she makes a perfect serial killer, it might make thanksgiving a little awkward…trust me.

The biggest plus about writing down your ideas is that it’s an actual beginning, and beginning can be the hardest part of all.

Once you have begun, then comes the second hardest part of all of course, which is keeping on going…

I have a million excuses, a trillion other things I have to do and a gazillion distraction every day to keep me from writing, or what I laughingly refer to as ‘my job.’ Actually, it’s not just me that laughs at that reference…

But in the end the only reason you are not working at your story/script/rewrite etc is you.

You are your worst enemy, sorry about that, no one else to conveniently blame.

I now completely understand, after working at this for a few years, why some very lucky writers isolate themselves for months on end to work.

I often wish I had a place somewhere, a boring office, with no one to talk to, no water cooler to hang about by, no internet even, so I could actually work undistracted.

But that is very much a pipe dream I’m afraid, because however well hidden you think you are, the outside world will always find you, and you, more importantly, will always find you, with creative and ingenious ways to prevent yourself from doing what you are supposed to be doing, which is working on your brilliant idea.

So you just have to develop some self discipline, again, my apologies.

Believe me it hurts me just as much as it hurts you.

You have to create space for yourself basically. It can be an actual space, a work area, room, corner of a room away from anyone else in your immediate vicinity. I have several, none of which I end up using very much, as they all seem be be too close to something, TV, front door, fridge. I usually end up working in bed, as it’s the least visited area of the house, no pun intended – thanks.

But wherever your ‘place’ is, you must also have time to work.

We are all busy, with jobs and family and life in general, but if you truly want to get this idea any further than your head, you must allocate some serious time to it.

I am horrible at this, I am always working in my head and can never seem to find time to get things out of there, to somewhere more useful, like my computer, or even someone else’s head. Although there always seems to be time for food, laundry, washing up and running kids around.

Funny that!

But I have made a New Years resolution to be better at my work. No, really I have!

I have set up my favourite work area, for the umpteenth time, cleared it and re-cleared and, and yet again, re-cleared it, in preparation for my great new work ethic.

I purchased pens and containers and a new file cabinet, mostly to facilitate the clearing process. I have rearranged the room, installed much needed replacement ink cartridges in the printer and removed and re-removed extraneous objects from my desk. I have even selected a new cushion for my chair, since whining about how uncomfortable my chair is does not, oddly enough, contribute to my work flow…

Excellent.

And as I sit here working, on my couch with my legs up on the coffee table, possibly causing further injury to my lower back, I feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Now for just five minutes of solitaire….

But seriously folks, find your best time of day.

Mine is usually the morning, which is odd because I have never been a morning person. But lately, as I’ve grown ridiculously older, I have discovered that I an no longer sleep till noon on the holidays, the dogs bark, the cats play and the chicken chatter. And my mind is a buzz with ideas and film plots and calls to return. But I feel drawn more and more to the writing, thankfully.
Perhaps it’s the not so sudden realisation that my time is fleeting and that everyone can really, sort of, take care of themselves, at least for a while, so that my only real obstacle to my feature screenplay is my rapidly increasing, and well rounded self.

I think we all run out of excuses in the end, even me perhaps, who is the queen of excuses, according to popular opinion. Although that opinion is not so popular with me of course.
I’ll make you a deal then.

If I get on with it, then so will you!

Together, and with a bit of self discipline, we can knock out our dream film scripts, short or long, in record time, have a few workshops with friends and get to casting before we can say,
“All you need to make a movie is a girl and a gun.”
― Jean-Luc Godard

Although my caveat to the above quote would be “and a cup of tea and and couple of nice Garibaldi’s.”

But what ever gets your juices flowing!

Ride METRO, Yes. BUTT, Don’t Go Topless, Go PANTLESS.

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

Dare to Bare?

Ride METRO, Yes. BUTT, Don’t Go Topless, Go PANTLESS.

 no pants la metro ride
 Photo by The Steel Shark. No Pants Metro Ride 2013.

We’re going to see a lot of bums on the North Hollywood METRO this Sunday, January 12 thanks to the insanely fun folks at GuerilLA. No, not the bums with a bottle of ripple pushing a shopping cart, but folks with no pants. It’s that time of year NoHo, No Pants Metro Ride. Why? Why not? Dare to bare!

WHAT: 6th Annual No Pants Metro Ride
WHEN: Sunday, January 12th, 2014 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
WHERE: LA Metro System
BRING: $5 for a Metro Day Pass on your TAP card ($6 if you need to purchase a TAP card and the Day Pass), pants you can easily remove, something in which to keep them.

“REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:
1) Willing to take pants off on subway
2) Able to keep a straight face about it”

Must we say? Please note, you must wear underwear.

noho metro signThis year, the pantless stops are below but here’s the NoHo stop info:

* North Hollywood METRO Redline Station
Your ride captain is Agent Honkey
Meet at the red Metro North Hollywood sign along the east side of Lankershim.
Departure time from NoHo is 1:37PM SHARP, so give yourself enough time to purchase your ticket/day pass and head to the train.
Don’t be late and miss the fun.

Get more details here>>

Other Pantless Stops
* Sierra Madre Vila station on the Gold Line in Pasadena
* Atlantic station on the Gold Line in East Los Angeles
* Wilshire/Western station on the Purple Line in Koreatown
* Culver City station on the Expo Line in Culver City

Check out some pixs from last year’s No Pants L.A. from our pals at the LAist>>

The Metro ride is put on by the fab folks at GuerilLA,. So Who is GuerilLA? GuerilLA is the nation’s premier guerilla theatre group based in Los Angeles. We “alter reality” to surprise the unsuspecting with scenes and events that are a bit “off” from the things they expect.

Here’s the Facebook invite>>

Twitter>>

http://www.gueril-la.com

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.

Film as a Weapon of Mass Instruction. International Youth Media Summit

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

“It Takes A Village to Raise a Child” is such a simple yet powerful statement that means “It takes us all to do something for the common good.”

International Youth Summit www.nohoartsdistrict.comThe NoHo Arts District dot com team is always proud to highlight the work of our local schools, especially their arts departments and even more so when it has to do with global issues. Please get to know the International Youth Media Summit, a group from a Valley school (Go Cavs!) using film to combat global issues. They need our help so let’s show them “It takes the Valley to raise some funds.”

The Teen International Media Exchange of Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda will launch their online crowd-funding campaign for scholarships that will enable 100 youth from 40 countries to participate in their annual International Youth Media Summit. Young people from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bosnia, Iran, Israel, Kosovo, Liberia, Palestine, Serbia, and a dozen other countries have already applied to participate but will be unable to attend without financial support. See how you can help, it’s simple, fast and worth it>>

On July 14, young people ages 14 through 24 will arrive on the campus of Soka University in Aliso Viejo, the Summit’s host, to engage in dialogue, seminars and the making of short films about seven urgent social issues: violence, poverty, discrimination, women’s rights, the environment, health and youth empowerment. In the two weeks they are together, the teen delegates will:

• Explore the 7 Summit Issues with dynamic leaders who are making a difference in non-profits and NGO’s around the world.
• Train with Professionals in the Hollywood Filmmaking Industry.
• Create powerful public service announcements inspired by the 7 Summit Issues.
• Develop individual resolutions of action to present to the United Nations and to their own governments.
• Create study guides to accompany completed PSAs for use in their home countries by teachers, workshop leaders, and themselves.
• Learn to work with a variety of people from many diverse cultures, religions, and economic and social backgrounds.
• Learn how to organize international teen media exchange projects and find partners from other countries
• View film projects created by delegates and Summit partners.
• Visit Southern California cultural landmarks.
• Celebrate their vision of a united world with art, music, dance and food from other cultures

International Youth Summit www.nohoartsdistrict.com

The NoHo Arts District dot Com team appreciates who the art of film is interwoven in the Summit’s activities and is used as a tool. We think their description describes it nicely.

“Then our WARRIORS will create WEAPONS OF MASS INSTRUCTION: 7 short films accompanied by study guides to be used in classrooms and workshops around the globe. Together they will devote over 21,000 hours to these joint projects, creating a model of collaboration across cultures for the sake of the future.”

{youtube}sKL3RqdpBJs{/youtube}

WHY THIS MOBILIZATION IS SO IMPORTANT

Poverty: 21,000 children die each day due to poverty.
Health: 2 million children under 15 are living with HIV.
Environment: In twelve years, an estimated 1.8 billion people will live in areas plagued by water scarcity.
Discrimination: Homosexuality remains a criminal offense in more than 70 countries and homophobic-based crimes are on the rise worldwide.
Youth and Women: 72 million children of primary school age in the developing world were not in school in 2005; 57 per cent of them were girls.
Violence: Over 300,000 children under the age of 18 are serving against their will as child soldiers around the world.

The short films created by the young Summit teams will be screened at the Closing Ceremony, which will be held on July 26, 2014 at the new Soka Performing Arts Center.

So how can we help. There are so many ways, large, small and everything in between. It doesn’t take much, just the willingness to help. See how best you can help them>>

This yearly event was born in 2006 out of the passion of two Cleveland High Media Academy teachers and their commitment to infuse young people with the confidence and skills to shape their own future and influence the world they will inherit, using film and media. In the years since, the Summit has been held in Australia and in Serbia. In the summer of 2014 – for the first time in 8 years – it will be held once again in Southern California, the place of its birth.

Visit them at www.iyms-usa.org or on Facebook>>

International Youth Summit www.nohoartsdistrict.com

 

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

New!! The Pets District

NoHo - North Hollywood
-
0

Everything You Need To Know For Your Pet in the NoHo Arts District

pet3

As many of us know, NoHo is one of Los Angeles’ most pet-friendly areas. The Arts District specifically caters to our furry friends, as the majority of businesses have outdoor sections to accommodate them. On any given day, you can be guaranteed to see people carrying out their regular business with their dogs on leashes, (or you might even see Beatrice, who walks her cat).

Tessa (my Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier pup) and I took our time to scope out the best places in the arts district to go to relax together, and we are happy to report that there are plenty of fantastic pet-friendly spots! We narrowed down our favorites to places with temperature-controlled outdoor seating (shading or heat lamps), good eats, coffee, wifi and a great view for people watching or pet playing. Since Tessa is still fairly young and her “Jack-Chi” personality makes her somewhat shy and anxious, it was important to find mellow areas in order for her to get comfortable. Still, our list works for all pet personalities. We hope to see you at one of our favorite locations!

Tessa’s Favorites:

Whitnall Off-Leash Dog Park

pet1

Three acres of off-leash freedom! This park is open daily from dawn to dusk, and is super local so that your dog can visit regularly. The park is completely gated with a secure entrance to avoid run-aways. It’s also separated by large breed and small breed so that each has their own space, and everyone is playing with other dogs their own size. Park goers abide by the common courtesies, and you will likely see your neighbors or make new friends.

North Hollywood Park

pet2

This park is a vast, open space that is always busy and popular. You’ll see NoHo-ers jogging, playing and relaxing all day and night. Some of the trained pets hang out without their leashes, but Tessa remains on hers at this location because the park is not gated. We both love all the action at this park, but what piques my interest the most is the locality – it’s on Magnolia, walking distance from some of my favorite eateries which I have listed below.

My Favorites:

Republic of Pie
Wifi, Chai Tea, prime location, and plenty of shade are just some of the many reasons why ROP is my fave. After a hard day of playing at the park, ROP provides tasty beverages to cool down, and sometimes live music.

Bow and Truss
Perfect place to bring new friends you’ve met at the park to have lunch with! The outdoor lounge seating is chic and comfortable, and the menu is absolutely delicious! Tessa had the steak. The wifi and outdoor live music are bonuses. When she’s ready to relax after the park and I deserve a cocktail, Bow and Truss is my first choice.

EAT
Pretty much self-explanatory…EAT here. The breakfast is sure to start your day off right. The seating is mostly outdoors and wraps around the back of the building. Shading is excellent, and the temperature is always perfect. If your pet is the anxious type, the secluded area towards the back is much more suitable for enjoying a meal or coffee.

Where are your favorites? Post a photo to Instagram with hashtag #PetsDistrict to highlight the local areas you and your pet frequent. I’ll be sure to pay a visit and share our reviews! And, don’t forget to say “Hi” if you see us!

#PetsDistrict

The First NoHo News of 2014!

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

It’s the first NoHo News of 2014!

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 OTHER 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 the 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…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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

Music – Beatles vs. Stones

nohoarts
-
0

beatles

Midway through his new book “Beatles vs. Stones,” (Simon and Schuster) author John McMillian takes a short break from pages and pages of interview excerpts and second-hand anecdotes, some of which learned rock and roll fans will have read before, to refresh his analysis:

“The rivalry between the Beatles and the Stones, however, was not just about who had the more appealing lifestyle or the greater freedom of movement. It was also increasingly about talent, craft, and influence.” At this point in the text, which, aside from a few deviations, is chronological, it’s the late summer of 1965, and the Beatles are about to go into the studio to record “Rubber Soul,” the album that seduced resistant folkies, graduate students, and people born before 1935. Fewer than two years later, when the Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” intellectuals in America and Europe were not only enthusiastic fans but were claiming the group for their own.

Not so for the Rolling Stones, whose vulgar image and, more important, awkward and derivative attempt at psychedelic rock—the album “Their Satanic Majesties Request,” which came out six months after Sgt. Pepper—turned off much of this crowd. Score one for the Beatles.

On the other hand, did the Beatles record enough strong material to challenge the claim of London Records, the Rolling Stones’ label through the 1960s, that its clients were “The World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band”? Much as I like “Back in the U.S.S.R,” “Paperback Writer,” “Get Back,” and “Glass Onion,” I prefer “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Connection,” and “Under My Thumb.” Score one for the Rolling Stones.

But awarding points is not McMillian’s aim with “Beatles vs. Stones,” despite a cover that cleverly mimics the classic poster for a boxing match. After all, we don’t need to read a word of the text to know the Beatles sold many more records than the Stones did and wielded much greater cultural influence. In that sense, “Beatles vs. Elvis Presley” would be a more intriguing matchup.
In a few weeks, the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” will be celebrated with various high-profile tributes, most of them no doubt playing on the theme that the world was never the same again. Meanwhile, it’s safe to assume that the 50th anniversary of the Stones’ American debut, which took place a few months later in 1964 at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, will not be the subject of such extensive treatment in the media.

rolling

An assistant professor of history at Georgia State University and author of a previous book on the rise of alternative media in the 1960s, McMillian seems to have read everything available on his well-documented subjects, including interviews and profiles in the underground press. Many of the details will be familiar to fans of the era, but some will not, including that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards attended the Beatles’ famous concert at Shea Stadium in August 1965 and that John Lennon and Paul McCartney provided high harmonies on the Stones’ 1967 single “We Love You.”
The book’s anecdote-rich 232 pages fly by with the speed of “Dizzy Miss Lizzy.” The author clearly relished the opportunity—who wouldn’t?—to write about the Beatles and the Stones in one complete volume. I’m surprised no one thought of it before.

Yet McMillian writes more in the spirit of community than competition. Weren’t we lucky, he suggests, to have had both the Beatles and the Stones? Wasn’t the presence of both groups, their extraordinary bodies of work, one of the main reasons the 1960s were so special? How else to regard a “short” decade framed by “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in February 1964 and “Gimme Shelter” in December 1969, which was jam packed with brilliant songs and artists, none more important than those two English groups and an American named Dylan?

“Beatles vs. Stones” opens with a fascinating anecdote, previously related, about a party held in the summer of 1968 at a club in London for Mick Jagger’s 25th birthday. The honoree had arranged to have an early pressing of his band’s new album, “Beggar’s Banquet,” played for the guests. As the crowd was grooving to “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Stray Cat Blues,” and other great songs, in strolled Paul McCartney, another invitee, carrying an advance copy of his group’s latest single—“Hey Jude” (A side) and “Revolution” (B side).

At the time, only the Beatles and a few of their closest associates had heard either song. McCartney asked the DJ to replace the Stones album with the Beatles single. In those days, (and today, too), no one turned down Paul McCartney. For the rest of the night, the lucky guests listened to the new, unreleased single by the Beatles over and over again.

Though McMillian recounts that Jagger felt upstaged (again) by the Beatles, the author sees the incident differently from the birthday boy. “Somehow, the young men who made up the Beatles and the Stones managed not only to find each other, but to burnish their talents collectively,” he writes. “Both groups melded and alchemized into huge creative forces that were substantially greater than the sum of their collective parts. They came of age during one of the most fertile and exciting periods in the history of popular music, and they exerted a commanding presence.”
Does this mean, however, that the title of McMillian’s book is a tease, or to be more charitable, ironic? Not entirely. The author cites a few examples, including the aforementioned anecdote of the Beatles reminding the Stones which group reigned over the Anglo-American rock scene.

He balances these instances of Beatle entitlement with snide remarks from the other side, principally from Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Though the “rivalry” between the two bands was largely a media creation, there were moments of genuine discord.

McMillian has organized his book into six chapters covering politics, image, America, business affairs, creativity and culture, including drugs, fashion, and sex. On that last topic, the author, citing various accounts, notes that through the mid-60s, the members of the Beatles likely had many more sexual encounters with female fans than did members of the Rolling Stones, though one band appeared wholesome, wore suits, and smiled, while the other dressed down and scowled. In rock and roll, as in politics, image and reality are not always aligned.

The different outfits were one of the reasons, the author notes, some hippies and radicals regarded the Stones as more legitimate cultural and political revolutionaries than the Beatles. Even after his group broke up in 1970, this unfavorable comparison continued to bother John Lennon, who would gladly put up his sexual exploits, drug use, and leftist politics against anyone’s. Perhaps he took some satisfaction when English punk rockers in the 1970s dismissed both bands as irrelevant, over-hyped, geezers.

Other than being two highly successful English rock and roll groups, there were not many obvious points of intersection between the Beatles and Stones. One of these is the song “I Wanna Be Your Man,” which the Beatles wrote for the Stones and also recorded themselves, Ringo Starr on vocals. Aside from bootleg, radio, or concert recordings, “I Wanna Be Your Man” and cover versions of the Barrett Strong number “Money” are the only instances I recall when the Beatles and Stones recorded the same song in studio. McMillian calls the Stones’ version of the Lennon/McCartney composition “almost indisputably superior” to the Beatles’ recording, primarily due to Brian Jones’ slide guitar.

Though the word “almost” sits awkwardly in that assessment, McMillian has a case. Readers will want to play both versions back to back and reach their own conclusions.
The other close tie between the groups is the business manager Allen Klein, who started with the Stones and later represented the Beatles. McMillian spends almost an entire chapter showing that Klein was an equal opportunity offender, screwing both groups out of potentially millions of dollars. Because the Stones’ had earlier, firsthand knowledge of Klein’s shady ways, McMillian suggests Jagger in particular could have warned Lennon away from this guy.

Instead, the Stones’ singer encouraged the move, which the author implies may have been a deliberate act of sabotage. If true, the story adds to Jagger’s unsavory reputation for being a master manipulator— of the media, the rock audience, and, apparently, the Beatles.

By his title and text, McMillian implies that artistic competition was critical to the brilliance of ‘60s’ rock. It’s a valid point and not only in reference to the Beatles and the Stones. Long articles if not short books could be written about Eric Clapton vs. Jimi Hendrix, Motown vs. Stax, and Bob Dylan vs. the world. Such is the allure of a period in pop music history that has no equivalent.

Every Artist Insured – don’t be confused about healthcare reform

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

Every Artist Insured: Finding affordable health insurance – Covered CA

L.A. Stage Alliance www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Many people are a bit confused about the new health reform and what it means to them. Well, North Hollywood, our friends at L.A. STAGE Alliance have partnered with the Actors Fund, Dance Resource Center and Covered California to offer a FREE community workshop on Monday, January 13 at 7PM to help artists navigate the changes and benefits to you and your health. This event is open to everyone in the visual and performing arts. Guests are also welcome. So please make sure you RSVP to this free event as space is limited.

The workshop will:

1.) Walk you through your Covered California options and requirements

2.) Provide important information relevant to freelancers and the self-employed

3.) Help you find affordable health insurance with the help of tax credits and federal subsidies

4.) Answer all your burning questions!

“We’re thrilled to partner with Actors Fund, DRC and Covered California to ensure that artists in our community know the latest about health insurance. With so much confusion out there on the topic of healthcare and insurance requirements, this workshop is designed to empower artists to better understand the new system and new rules.” – Terence McFarland, CEO LA STAGE Alliance

WHEN: Monday, January 13 @ 7 PM

COST: FREE

WHERE: Space is located at 4200 Chevy Chase Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90039

RSVP>>

QUESTIONS? Email Crystal at cdiaz@lastagealliance.com.


L.A. Stage Alliance NoHo Arts District

About L.A. STAGE Alliance
LA STAGE Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization empowering artists and engaging audiences since 1975, is dedicated to building awareness, appreciation and support for the performing arts in Greater Los Angeles strengthening the sector through audience engagement, community building, collaborative marketing, professional development and advocacy.

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

We are advocates for the film The Advocate

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

We’re an advocates for talent plus hard work. Meet the person behind The Advocate

The NoHo Arts District dot Com is fortunate to get to see a lot of incredible shows, movies and exhibits where we meet some brilliant people. We recently went to see The Advocate at the Hungarian Film Festival at Laemmle’s in North Hollywood. There we got to meet Tamas Harangi, the director, screenwriter and one of the film’s producers. The background on how the film was made is one for the movies. But his story leading up to the making of The Advocate is an interesting one that really should be a book turned movie one day. Any talented writers up for the task?

So NoHo, let’s meet Tamas Harangi and let’s start from the beginning.

The Advocate www.nohoartsdistrict.com

What’s your background?
TH: I grew up in a small town in Hungary and I started making short films there while I was in high school. This was still when Super-8 film was the highest tech I could get ahold of, but in retrospect, that was an awesome format to work with despite its limitations. After high school, I moved to California to study at the Film and TV Department of De Anza College.

Where did you get the idea for the story of The Advocate?
TH: I love the thriller genre and I’ve always had a fascination with courtroom dramas. Having grown up in a country that was still communist at the time, the American legal and political system and the whole concept of “innocent until proven guilty” was very exotic to me when I first moved here. During my studies at De Anza, I started to really understand what film noir was about–the dark side of the American dream–so all my stories tend to revolve around that.

Why did you think it was something the public would like to see? (We saw it and loved it!)
TH: I think people enjoy a good mystery because there’s an overall draw in each of us to get to the truth if we see it hidden, and to see justice being served, as we understand it. To me this is evidenced by the public’s fascination with wall-to-wall coverage of cases like Jody Areas, to cite a recent example. With The Advocate I wanted to see behind the spectacle that is the legal chess game that needs to take place in a courtroom, and dissect the process and mindset of the attorneys who take on these kinds of cases.

{youtube}AQOb4Bigygc{/youtube}

What was your role in the film?
TH: I wrote and directed it and was one of the three producers along with Matthew Temple and Sachin Mehta, who’s also our lead actor.

How did you get your funding?
TH: We went the somewhat conventional way, doing a business plan and searching for equity investors outside the film industry. Crowd-funding became a big thing in the indie world right around the time, but I’m actually happy we went the old-fashioned way as crowd funding seems to have its own pitfalls.

How did you get your distribution deal?
TH: The movie first screened at the Durango Independent Film Fest and got the Jury and Audience award for Best Narrative Feature so that helped start getting the word out. Then we were in the Dances With Films Festival in LA, and that’s where we finalized our deal with Osiris Entertainment for US distribution.

What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers?
TH: I would say write a lot, then write some more, then do some short films to learn the craft and just keep going because there is a lot of trial and error involved. Everyone’s path to success is different, but based on what I saw from my favorite directors, making an indie feature is probably the best way to prove your talent down the line. But before you can do that, just keep writing because becoming a good writer will give you the biggest advantage as a filmmaker.

TRAILER: http://youtu.be/AQOb4Bigygc

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F76L0C4

WEBSITE: http://www.theadvocatemovie.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/TheAdvocateMovie

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

NoHo’s Got e-Waste

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

What? NoHo’s Got e-Waste? Yes, and do do you!

So North Hollywood, we need to do some e-cleaning. Are you ready to gather up your e-waste? On Saturday, January 11 at the NoHo Farmers Market you can drop off all your e-waste. Well, what exactly is e-waste?

ewaste noho farmers market www.nohoartsdistrict.com

E-waste stands forelectronics. That is any device that plugs into an electrical socket or that takes batteries to run, including:

-Batteries
-Miscellaneous Cables/Wires
-Cell phones
-Copiers
-Computers/Laptops
-Electronic gaming devices/Toys
-Fax Machines/Printers
-MP3 Players
– Stereos
-VCR’s/DVRs
– And more!

The EMA- Electronic Music Alliance – will host the very first E*Waste Drive of 2014 on January 11 at the North Hollywood’s Farmers Market. Proceeds from the drive will benefit EMA to help fund our other programs and a portion will also go back to the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council, the NoHo Farmer’s Market and NoHo Now.

“As The Electronic Music Alliance we encourage our community to be the “‘ of Change.’ We believe active participation is what our communities thrive on. Therefore, we like to create opportunities for our community to give back and celebrate those who already are. We challenge our community to give back at least once a year to their larger communities. Whether it be by participating in volunteer activities or donating their time and talents to a charity fundraiser. “

WHEN: Saturday, January 11. 10AM-3PM

WHERE: NoHo Farmers Market.
5200 Bakman Ave. (between Chandler and Magnolia)
North Hollywood, CA 91601

FACEBOOK E-VITE>>

Start collecting, NoHo!

ewaste noho arts district

**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

Health – 5 Steps to Tighten, Tone, and Trim your Body

Jack Witt
-
0

lose-belly-fat

There’s no better time than now to focus on your health and fitness goals. Follow these 5 steps and you are on your way to the 3 T’s: Tighten, Tone, and Trim. 

Step One: Eat Breakfast. People who have breakfast increase their metabolism by as much as 20%. Oatmeal is the best with soluble fiber that helps control hunger and cravings.. If you just don’t feel hungry in the morning, try a banana.

Step Two: 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise followed by 30 minutes of cardio, at least 3 times per week. The reason you’ll want to include resistance and weight bearing exercise is that the lean muscle you are building will increase your metabolism. The reason you’ll want to do your cardio AFTER your resistance training is that is takes your body about 20 minutes to switch from using it’s carbohydrate stores for energy to it’s fat stores. So cardio away all the fat at the end of your workout.

Step Three: Meal Frequency. The longer you go between meals the slower your metabolism gets. The slower your metabolism gets the more body fat gets stored. Make sure to eat something healthy every 3-4 hours to keep your body a calorie-burning machine.

Step Four: Portion Control. Americans eat 100 pounds more food each year than we did 25 years ago. A fun eyeball method for portions is associating Meat with the size of a “deck of cards”, Breads, Cereals, Rice, Pasta with the “size of your fist”, Vegetables a “light bulb”, and Fruit with a “tennis ball”.

Step Five: Get enough sleep and minimize harmful stress. People who overstress and don’t get enough sleep have lower levels of testosterone and higher cortisol levels, which can lead to weight gain. Don’t avoid stress altogether, but avoid needless worry and frustration. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Cheers,

Jack Witt, MS, CPT
Fitness and Health Coach
“Get Fit with Witt”
Individuals / Groups / Corporate
310.562.5629 Cell / 818.760.3891 Main
www.getfitwithWitt.com
https://twitter.com/GetfitwithWitt

New e-Books “Tight, Tone, and Trim” and “Cut, Cool, and Confident”
available at https://www.amazon.com/author/jackwitt

Music Tips: How to Distribute Music

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

How to Distribute Music and Get Your Group Noticed

Whether you’re in a band yourself, or are a music educator working with a group of students to form a tight musical ensemble, at some point you are going to start thinking about making that first album. Creating an album has many advantages. For the band member, it is a chance to get your band out there and connect with new fans. For the music educator, it is an opportunity to present students and parents with the results of a semester’s worth of hard work, as well as a chance to help fund your own music program and increase future opportunities.

Either way, you probably have the same questions:

  • How do you record good music without a professional studio?
  • How do you distribute your music?
  • How do you get your group’s music into the hands of the people who need to hear it?


how to distribute music

The Recording Process

Modern technology hasn’t quite made the professional recording studio obsolete, but it has given new artists the opportunity to record professional-quality albums in their own bedroom, garage, or classroom. Often, all it takes is a set of high-quality microphones; the rest of the equipment is already there, built into your laptop or tablet computer.
 

To get the recording you want, first prepare your space. Some classrooms, for example, have excellent acoustics and echoes. Others require a bit of manipulation to prevent your sound from bouncing straight into walls. Hanging blankets over the walls and windows, as well as turning off any air conditioning units, fans, and buzzing overhead lights, is often all it takes to turn an average room into a makeshift recording space.

For microphones: the Shure MS-57 is still the best bang you can get for your buck, so get one with a USB output and run it directly into your Garageband or Pro Tools program. If you’re a solo vocalist, you are going to want to sing directly into the mic; if you are recording an ensemble, suspending microphones over your group helps to capture the entire range of sound.


For more information about improving your recording process, read this list of tips from the University of Wisconsin. You’ll learn about different types of microphones, how to set levels, and other details that will take your recording from amateur to professional.

How to Distribute Music

Once you have your album recorded, mixed, and mastered — yes, those last two are important, and you can usually get someone in your city to handle the mixing and mastering for a small fee, unless you’d like to take the time to learn how to do this process yourself — you are ready to start distributing. 

It is possible to simply burn CDs from your home laptop, but that isn’t how music is distributed these days. People want digital downloads that sync directly to their laptops and phones. That means you need to distribute your music through a service that will get your tracks onto Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and other sources where people listen to and purchase music.

You also need to think about profits. After all, people don’t start wondering how to distribute music without also considering how they’re going to get paid. Whether you’re a new band just starting out or a school music teacher hoping to raise money to get new show choir costumes, you need to distribute your music in such a way that you keep the maximum revenue. As music distribution service TuneCore notes: you want to keep 100% of the profits. Don’t distribute your music anywhere that doesn’t give you that basic right.

The music distribution process is relatively easy; simply sign up with a distribution service, upload your audio files and the respective title/credits information, add cover art, and you’re done.

music tips www.nohoartsdistrict.com

How to Get your Music to Your Fans

So now you’ve signed up with a music distribution service, and your album is available for sale on Amazon, iTunes, and other locations. How do you get people to listen to it? 

It’s at this point that you have to switch from being a musician to being a publicist. If you’re a music educator, you need to make sure that every parent knows that the school’s band is now on iTunes.  If you’re an individual artist, you need to develop a mailing list of potential fans and use that list to let them know about the new album.

You also need to include a call to action. Let your fans and supporters know that this album helps to fund new show choir uniforms or helps your band go on its first tour. When people know that they are supporting you, as well as your music, they are more likely to take that next step and help your musical dreams grow.

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.

How NoHo theatre gives back

Lisa Bianconi
-
0

The Group Rep Gives Back

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially for the Group Repertory Theatre Company, which for more than three decades has provided holiday cheer for children in need.

group rep

In the beginning, a merry band of 10 actors, directors, writers and producers, with Santa in tow, would visit various group foster homes, play games with the kids there, put on a show, and bring a gift for each child. The event has grown over the years, as the holiday tradition continued and the need grew, the Group Rep moved the Kids Holiday Party to their theatre. Today, many company members serve as volunteers and performers, the show is more sophisticated, and a hot lunch is served up by the company.

Longtime GRT members Irene Chapman and Janet Wood organized this year’s event. The planning and fundraising for the event begins as early August. This year, in addition to contributions from GRT members’ family and friends, employees of the Turner Entertainment Network Original Programming Group, the Rotary Club of North Hollywood, as well as Marina Haroutunian, Christine Holmes and Hilary Wagner have made the Holiday Kids Party their charity for toy donations.

group rep

“As the date approaches,” past Board President Janet Wood explained, “The company members wrap the gifts and decorate the theater from stem to stern. On the day of the event, the Helper elves (our company members) come in holiday costumes to extend the holiday spirit and host the day. For many of these children, this is their first experience of live theater. These children live in foster care facilities (not individual foster care homes) and most will stay there until they are 18 years old. We have been able to watch some of these kids grow up and help the little ones in their group. All in all, it is a terrific, heartwarming day!”

The groups of children’s charities change each year; most are foster group homes, but in years past, it has also included a group of children battling cancer. This year, guest organizations included group homes Hathaway/Sycamores, Hillsides, Penny Lane and Vista Del Mar.

“Each year always brings added precious memorable moments,” said event co-chair, Irene Chapman. “A couple of years ago the ‘We Can’ cancer group took part in the event, and there was one five-year-old boy who was sheer joy to behold. Even though his condition was tenuous, he participated well in all that we presented and with great enthusiasm. His gentle and humble demeanor affected us all. It stirs and warms the heart.”

Everyone’s experience with the kids exceeds any gift they could possibly imagine; except for one former member, Alan.

Starting in 1995, Alan served as Santa Claus for several years in the annual kids show. Although his involvement in the company had waned, Alan was asked again to perform as Santa at the 2002 Kids Holiday Party. After the show, Santa gives out gifts to all of the kids. As Alan aka ‘Santa’ made his exit, he felt his Santa pants falling down and he turned around to find this little child, tugging at Santa’s pants to get his attention. Natalie (not her real name) looked up and said, “Santa, thank you for the greatest Christmas I have ever had.”

group rep

Alan shared the story about the little girl with his fiancée. She said, “That’s a nice story. Maybe we could look into foster care or adoption after we‘re married.”

“We married in February 2003 and around May 2003 we started the discussion again about foster/adoption. We took a five-week training class for foster parents at a local adoption agency; these used to be called orphanages. During a break in one of the sessions, I was looking out of the classroom window when, across my sight line ran Natalie. I had no idea she was at this foster agency. I called my wife over to the window and said “there’s that girl that I told you about.”

We spoke to the class trainer and inquired about Natalie and if she was available for foster care or adoption. The trainer made an inquiry on our behalf, and we found that Natalie was on track to be reunited with her parents and was not a viable candidate. We got busy with our careers, and put foster care and adoption on the backburner. In May of 2005, two years later, we received a phone call from the trainer asking if we were still interested in fostering a child. We decided we were. My wife and I began to meet with Natalie and her staff at the foster agency,” continued Alan. “We started slow by taking her out to lunch, then dinner then a movie, then a play. Soon it was overnights and after about three months she came to live with us for good.”

Late in the process, just before Natalie came to live with Alan and his wife, they learned that she had a younger brother. He spent time with them on weekends and then came to live with them as well. Eventually, both Natalie and her brother were adopted and the family was complete.

In December 2010, the Group Rep called and asked Alan to play Santa again. He had lost a significant amount of weight in the ensuing years, but he donned the costume and did so again at this year’s Kids Holiday Party.

Most, if not all of the theatre members and volunteers, knew nothing of this story until a couple of years ago, when they met Alan’s kids at the 2010 Kids Holiday Party. When Alan told them the story, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. And, to paraphrase what Janet Wood said earlier, “All in all, it was a terrific, heartwarming day!”

**** 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, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.  

Interior Design – French inspired design; what is it and how can I get it?

Christopher Porikos
-
0

French design can encompass a number of things. It has toile fabrics in many colors and designs, the iconic fleur de lis pattern, matelasse and chinoiserie. It also has roosters in the kitchen paired with beautiful checked and floral fabrics along side heavy weathered tables anchored with rush-seated chairs. It can mix something very sophisticated in a room full of rustic antiques creating a space that is elegant, charming and relaxed.

Fabrics used in French design can be a simple pattern colored in black and white or almost every color in the rainbow. There are no set colors used in the design scheme. Farmhouse kitchens can be dressed in vibrant yellows, reds, blues, greens, etc. Hammered wrought iron chandeliers floating over a rustic trestle table for ten married with painted chairs topped with a beautiful floral seat cushion are at home in any kitchen.

Adding a chinoiserie piece to any room will not only spark conversation, but will invite another layer to your design aesthetic. Chinoiserie, by definition is French for Chinese-esque and describes European styled pieces with Chinese artistic influences. While these pieces may typically come with a hefty price tag, there are less expensive pieces out there.

Overstuffed armchairs covered in beautiful damasks or rich chenille’s, plaids; checks and florals will add style, comfort and flair to any living room, den or bedroom. Add a throw and a great decorative pillow to finish it off and you’ve created a cozy space to relax.

No matter your color palette, you can infuse a bit of French design in any room.

1...235236237...252Page 236 of 252

ABOUT US

The NoHo Arts District is a one-square-mile community in North Hollywood that is home to more than 20 live, professional theatres, dance studios, art galleries, public art, music recording venues, acting and art workshops, international dining options, clothing and specialty shops, and businesses that create a myriad of art forms. NoHo is "Where the Arts Are Made." - "NoHoArtsDistrict.com"

FOLLOW US

© NoHo Communications Group 2024