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EXCLUSIVE: Listen to Johnny Booth’s New Song “Passages”

Caroline McElroy
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We fell head over heels for Johnny Booth when they put out their 2012 album Connections. You’ve heard their track “Ink And Sky” featuring Tommy Rogers of BTBAM, right? That album gave us so many chills that we put it as one of our favorite records of the year. The downside: it left us jonesin’ for more.

After two years of stalking their every move, Johnny Booth are back with a new release — this time with an EP called The Bronze Age. It comes out this Saturday through Hotfoot Records, and we’re thrilled to premiere a brand new song from it titled ”Passages.”

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Dont forget — they’ll be doing an EP release show in Long Island, NY on February 15th at the Amityville Music Hall. And from all of us here on the West Coast, we have our fingers crossed for some SoCal shows.

Enjoy.

photo by Craig Jay

This article was written by Ryan Minic from www.Ryansrockshow.com. This is a great site to keep you updated on bands that are on the forefront of exciting things. The site offers a more organic perspective than what you’d find in other blogs and introduces you to new music that captures the spirit of the times.

Movie Review – Non-Stop; Three days to Kill; Some Unsolicited Musings about the Oscars

Mike Peros
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non-stop-movie-

Liam Neeson reunites with Unknown director Jaume Collet-Serra in Non-Stop, yet another movie destined never to be coming to an in-flight theater near you. Neeson is an alcoholic air marshal going through a rather rough patch: his daughter has died of cancer, his wife has divorced him and if that’s not enough–he has been receiving text messages while on a nonstop flight from New York to London, that passengers will begin to die every twenty minutes, unless a hefty sum ($150 million) is transferred to an off-shore bank account. He has to cope with any number of potential suspects (as in a planeload of passengers who resemble loud, obnoxious castoffs from the 1970 classic Airport), as well as off-camera superiors who think he’s lost his edge and his reason, and a suspicious, if not downright contentious flight crew.

The first hour of Non-Stop is actually pretty tense, with some interesting twists and developments, and the viewer is also kept wondering why Julianne Moore is in the picture (Support for her beleaguered seatmate? Attractive yet evil mastermind?—if you believe in guilt by casting. Caring, sensitive, secretive red herring?). Neeson brings conviction to the somewhat far-fetched, if intriguing proceedings; in his recent spate of action-driven films (save the megabudget Clash of the Titans opuses), you never sense a great actor is slumming. He handles the action scenes with verve and intensity, he agonizes eloquently, and there is one supremely funny moment (borne of his character’s discomfort) where he makes certain guarantees to the put-upon passengers. If the last half-hour lets bceomes regrettably conventional (as big secrets are revealed), Neeson, as well as Moore and Michelle Dockery (from Downton Abbey), manage to more than sustain audience interest.

Another aging action hero takes center stage in Three days to Kill; this time it’s Kevin Costner as a CIA operative (more like a legalized assassin) who, in the wake of a botched operation wants nothing more than to retire from service and make up for lost time with his estranged family, (wife Connie Neilsen but more importantly, teenage daughter (Hailee Steinfeld). However, ther may not be too much time, as he is suffering from terminal brain cancer and given a few months to live. Enter Amber Heard as an enigmatic, capable, and quite attractive superior who promises Costner access to an experimental drug that may just prolong his life—if he’ll do just one last job.

This drug does have its side effects, and at times, the movie reminded me of John Wayne in El Dorado, as the Wayne character in that film is incapacitated at the most inopportune moments (as in during a showdown), as Costner’s character is throughout. Like Non-Stop, Three Hours to Kill, really shouldn’t work—but it does, thanks mainly to its still formidable, if aging star. Costner, who could be a little bland and humorless in his younger roles, is never less than convincing as a seasoned, fatigued professional who comes face to face with his own mortality–while trying to overcome the perils of fatherhood. There are several moments when his worlds collide, as in an amusing scene where he convinces a reluctant hostage to provide a tomato sauce recipe for his unwitting daughter (via cell phone) and his scenes with the bad guy’s (referred to as the Albino) limo driver, who also happens to be a family man. As I say, none of it is plausible, but Three Hours to Kill is always engaging and never less than entertaining.

Some Oscar thoughts (or hindsight is always 20-20)

Just because Leo and Marty join forces to come up with another lengthy epic doesn’t mean it has to be nominated for Best Picture. I generally liked The Wolf of Wall Street, but it was too long by at least one hour and tended to belabor the obvious.

Bill Murray showed a lot of class with his acknowledgement of Harold Ramis and Ramis’ impressive comedic oeuvre.

No matter what innovations the show makes, it still manages to clock in at well over three hours. Case in point: I love Over the Rainbow, but was it really necessary?

I liked Ellen DeGeneres’ opening monologue, and some of the other jokes, but the pizza bit did go on a little too long.

If I were Idina Menzel, I’d thank my lucky stars for John Travolta. Everyone now knows her name, and they should, for she’s immensely talented on stage and film, and nothing less than gracious in person.

Those folks in the orchestra didn’t really cut off too many of the early acceptance speeches, then came back with a vengeance, only to lay low for select others. Don’t know what this proves, but I thought I’d mention it. By the way, it was fitting for Cate Blanchett to finally mention Woody Allen (during her protracted speech) after avoiding his name during the last few award shows.

Jack Witt’s Book Helps Beat Man Boobs, Muffin Tops, Beer Bellies and More

Lisa Bianconi
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Jack Witt’s Tight Tone and Trim and Cut, Cool and Confident

Jack Witt health and fitness expert www.nohoartsdistrict.comThe NoHo Arts District dot com team should frame this phrase: “What Makes NoHo Special Is The People.” We are happy to share the successes of our local North Hollywood folks and would like to give a big round of applause to NoHo’s own health and fitness expert and personal trainer Jack Witt on the launch of his new books. Jack’s new paperback book for women, “Tight, Tone, and Trim” and for men, “Cut, Cool, and Confident,” make getting in shape and healthy eating easy, simple and fun. The books include numerous illustrations, demonstrations and humorous anecdotes while targeting those pesky problem areas like “Cankles,” “Muffin Tops,” “Beer Belly” and “Man Boobs.”

What made you decide to do books?
After 10 years working as a personal fitness coach, with people of all ages, shapes, and sizes, I really wanted to get everything I’ve learned and all of the elements and techniques that helped a lot of my clients succesfully reach their goals, into an easy to follow, simple and fun book.

Tell us what are the books about?
They are kind of funny, as well as being chock full of great motivational tips, ways of thinking, and specific exercises; and the covers and illustrations are sort of mid century retro looking. I incorporated all the common problem areas on the human body that my clients would ask me about over the years like “Cankles,” “Thunder Thighs,” “Beer Belly” and “Man Boobs.”

Was it difficult doing the books on your own?
It was a real learning experience being an indie author and self publishing on Amazon.com. Luckily, I had some other indie authors that coached me and pointed me in the right direction along the way, including Leslie LeMon, author of the DisneyLand Book of Secrets on Amazon.com. I’m really happy with how my debut books turned out, and the girl who did all the illustrations, Kaitlin Howell, was just amazing to work with.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do their own books?
Start broad with your ideas and just get them out of your head on to paper. Let it all flow naturally. Then you can start crafting your story and ideas into more specific sections/chapters and piece it together with continuity. Most importantly though, have fun with it. It will probably take a little longer than you think to get the book finalized and up for sale, but stay focused and positive, and the day you hit the “publish” button you’ll feel terrific and accomplished.

Why should someone buy your book when there are quite a few fitness books on the market?
Great question! I always say that health and fitness shouldn’t be rocket science and too serious, so these books are really easy to follow, humerous, and have lots and lots of illustrations to show you how to do exercises correctly with step-by-step instructions. They are kind of like having me as your very own personal fitness trainer 24/7. Ha ha, I’m right there with you on every page!

 Jack Witt Tight Tone Trim - NoHo Arts District  Jack Witt Cut, Cool, and Confident, www.nohoartsdistrict.com 

Can you give us some latest tips on fitness?
It’s not really new research, but recently I’ve been reminding my clients that one pound of weight loss equals 3,500 calories. So a pound of weight loss per week would equal 500 calories per day (3,500 divided by 7 days per week = 500). Start looking at how you can shave off 500 calories per day, either by exercising longer to expend 500 caloires, or by eating better to intake 500 calories less, or a combination of 250 calories each, which is a great choice.

How to purchase your books?
Just go to my Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/author/jackwitt and you’re just a couple clicks away from having a fitness book that will really make a positive impact on your lifestyle.

Follow Jack on Twitter @GetFitWithWitt

**** 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 – Caffeine Infused Slimming Tank Tops-Silly Trend or Effective

Jack Witt
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 Caffeine Tank Top

Recently my friend Cherie Higgins asked me about a clothing product she saw for sale infused with green coffee and brown algae to “rev up the body’s fat metabolism while creating a slimmer appearance”. ( And apparently the active ingredients withstand up to 20 machine washings.)

So you gotta ask yourself; “is this a silly idea, or can it actually work to reduce fat, and am I willing to smell like a barista all day just to lose a little more fat off my body?!”

In my humble opinion, the idea of wearing clothing laced with caffeine to stimulate fat breakdown sounds a little too good to be true, sort of maybe a passing trend or fad without much research to support its claims of “1 inch off the hips” etc.

Yes it’s true that caffeine can help mobilize fats from the fat tissues and increase your metabolism. Some studies have shown that caffeine can in fact increase metabolic rate by 3% – 11%. However, it’s much less in older and heavier people, and it’s important to note that people become tolerant of caffeine’s effects over time.

Moderate doses of caffeine are considered 200 – 300 milligrams per day, or about 2 -4 cups. Anything more than that and a person can get a whole bunch of side effects such as:

– Nervousness
– Stomach Upset
– Fast Heartbeat
– Muscle Tremors
– Insomnia

My guess is that you probably already get a moderate dose of caffeine with your consumption of coffee or tea each day and you really don’t need extra caffeine from your clothing adding to that. After all, insomnia (lack of sleep) causes weight gain, stomach upset leads to less effective workouts, and nervousness may lead to stress and de-motivation.

So keep the caffeine in your cup and leave it off of your clothes. With regular workouts, including resistance/weight bearing exercise, basic food management practices, proper sleep at night, and reduced stress; your metabolism will be optimized and safely burning off as much fat as it can.

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 paperback books “Tight, Tone, and Trim” and “Cut, Cool, and Confident”
available at https://www.amazon.com/author/jackwitt

What are the benefits of buying a NEW home in NoHo?

Lisa Bianconi
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Homeownership and The Top Three Benefits of Buying New

If you’re currently in the market for a home, there are several reasons why new is better than resale. Here are the top three:

1. Greater Energy Efficiency

New homes are built in a way that not only provide savings on a homeowner’s utility bills, but also have a less harmful effect on the environment.

With a focus on reducing energy consumption, all new homes built today are required to meet the energy standards of the California State Energy Commission and Title 24, a state approved energy code for all new construction. What this means for homebuyers is cost savings (of varying degrees) on water and energy bills.

While the environmental engineering on homes isn’t something that most people think about, it can have a huge impact on homeowners’ pocketbooks in both the short- and long-run. It’s also something that a lot of existing resale homes can’t compete with (unless they were to undergo major renovations). Some of these features include AC condensers, insulation within walls and attic space, meters that exceed codes, fan wattage, and furnace coils that are rated for energy efficiency and environmentally friendly refrigerant.

Some of the more easily recognized energy efficient cost-saving features are Energy Star rated appliances, dual-glazed windows with energy saving glass to keep cool air inside and the sun’s heat out in the summer, tankless water heaters, low-flow shower heads and low-flush toilets – things that usually come standard in a new home, but would cost thousands in upgrades on an older one.

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2. Less Maintenance & Hassle

Buying a new home means new everything – roof, paint, walls, floors, plumbing, windows, appliances and more. This means less time and money spent on maintenance when compared to a resale home that has been through years of wear and tear. Knowing what you are getting in your home allows you to eliminate any concerns about what may or may not have been done with construction or maintenance in the past.

For example, the majority of California homebuilder MBK Homes’ communities feature best-in-class materials such as high-end Stego Wrap Moisture barriers and rain gutters, which reduces the possibility moisture damage under floors and in walls. Additionally, concrete tile roofs come with at 25-35 year life expectancy. Spending less time and money on the upkeep of your home allows you to spend more on the things you and your family want to, whether it be on vacations, furniture, hobbies or other activities.

3. More Customization

New homes also provide homeowners with the ability to customize their space. Not only do new home communities generally have several floor plans to select from, but buyers almost always have the ability to select their own flooring, cabinets, countertops and paint. They have the ability to really make the home their own.

MBK Homes, for example, offers unique designer selected P3 flooring packages at each of its communities that provide buyers with cost savings and a customized look and feel. Each of the three flooring packages offered – preferred, premium and premier – can be applied to any of the residence floor plans and is available in a variety of color choices.

In many Southern California cities, the main challenge to owning new is the high demand and lack of inventory available. Fortunately, there are new infill communities such at Vineland Metro in North Hollywood that is providing a new type of housing option.

Located at 6552 North Vineland Avenue in North Hollywood (on the corner of Vineland and Kittridge), Vineland Metro by MBK Homes is the only new for sale product available in the area, which is central to major employment centers and adjacent to the NoHo Arts District eateries, shops, and entertainment venues. The community features 27 two-story detached Spanish and cottage-style homes with private outdoor areas and up to five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Starting in the mid- $400,000s, the homes are an attractive option for people currently living in or looking to relocate to the North Hollywood area. Sales began at the community last month and continue to remain strong, confirming the demand for new housing in the area.

The Vineland Metro sales center and model home is open daily. Stop in to talk with a new home consultant or visit www.MBKHomes.com/VinelandMetro for more information before the homes are gone.

Vineland Metro homes North Hollywood

**** 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.  

Independent Filmmaking – More of what not to do!

Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes”
Oscar Wilde

You said it Oscar!

sam
On location, Lancaster, CA, Cold, early and miles from anywhere, having the time of my life…

Since there are rather a lot of mistakes to make, and while I feel from time to time that I have made more of them than most humans on this earth, I thought I would continue along the oddly popular theme of my failures, just for a little while longer…

So let us see what other mishaps and disasters I have unique and invaluable experience in and go from there shall we!

My number one mistake made while making a film, or doing anything else for that matter is:

trying to not make a mistake….

Yes, you read me right!

Making mistakes is how we learn, whether we are toddlers taking our first steps or filmmakers making our first film…it all good!

If you are in too much of a panic and so worried that you will do the wrong thing or make the wrong choices you will undoubtably make even more mistakes than you would without all the stress.
But you will make mistakes, everyone does.

Even the most seasoned of filmmakers screws up, repeatedly, just read their biographies, but that should inspire you!

It should also be something that you build into your productions schedule, its always a good idea to figure in some ‘cock up time, ’ as we say in England.

Expect and accept that you will do something wrong, or some disaster or another will befall you.

Accept it and move on….and learn from it!

Once you get over yourself and assume that what can go wrong sometimes does, then you can move on to the next potential pitfall.

Rushing it…

Easily done, especially when you are all inspired and stuff!

But if you rush it you will definitely regret it. This is something important and it deserves the consideration and the planning and the rewrites and the workshopping and the additional rewrites. It is true that some things are done best off the cuff, in mad passionate creative fervor, and with little to no preparation. But making a film is not one of them.

Especially a film made with hardly any money where everything you put on screen counts more than ever.

So please don’t be afraid of waiting until you have everything you need and want and the time is right, the cast is right and the location is right.

All this preparation will pay off on the day of filming and most especially in the editing room, where you will congratulate yourself time and time again for being a ‘cautious Nancy’ and for ignoring all that told you to just go out and “shoot the damn thing.”

And finally, the mistake all filmmakers make, whether they be students, novices or the most experienced on the planet, being overly cautious and therefore boring.

Imagine the world out there, the world we have to work with. Full of wonder, stories, drama and amazing possibilities. Then remember the last student film or short film you saw. Everyone thinks that the story is the most important part of filmmaking, and they would be right, of course it is.

But its also incredibly important to tell the story well, and interestingly and with vision and drama and style and a certain amount of risk.

Not to mention the effect all of that has on the production value of your film. Take yourself out into the world around you and film your story there. Don’t worry about permits or insurance or getting in the way. You are an artist for heavens sake, your supposed to get in the way!

One of the biggest mistakes I see made over and over again is to limit yourself by the locations you choose. Never ever stay home and film your friends in your apartment and think that is enough. Go out at night and film from your car window on the freeway, on a bridge, up a tree, on the beach, on top of a building. Anything you can think of that makes your story more compelling and more astonishing. If it doesn’t work out then you can chalk it up to one of your mistakes to learn from, but try…

You will find, I can promise you, that this expansion of your storytelling horizons will not only add depth, pathos, style and daring to your film, but it will inspire the crew, the cast and most definitely you, the director, to expect more from yourself, and therefore more from your audience.

And as a member of your audience I can tell you most assuredly that I respond particularly well to someone with high expectations of me, in fact, I am sick of filmmakers having low expectations of their audience and therefore themselves.

Film is art and art is revolution, and although some revolutions I am sure started in someones apartment, they didn’t stay there very long, they went out into the world and showed themselves, and changed it.

Expect that of yourself, after all, whats the worst that can happen?

We are all used to disappointment, but real failure is not to try at all.

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child?

nohoarts
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Yes, it takes all of us to raise a child.

North Hollywood LAPD officer Catalano and East Valley High

Like many people, I don’t like to watch the news since most events being reported are sad and depressing. Well, nohoartsdistrict.com is reporting on a story that shows the “goodness” of humans right here in the NoHo Arts District. The story starts out with a kind and caring gesture by North Hollywood Police Division’s Senior Lead Officer John Catalano. Elijah and his mother Angelica enrolled one month ago in East Valley High School. They had been homeless and now are living in a small hotel room where there is one communal stove for 200 people. “Cooking a healthy meal for my son is difficult but I am thankful I have a roof over my head and a good school that Elijah calls his second home,” said Angelica.

I asked Angelica how she got into this bad situation when she had a Master’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati and a 10-year work history in TV and film on the east coast. She told me that she had an oral agreement from a cable station that she had the job and that she only had to move to Los Angeles. She and Elijah came to Los Angeles only to find the job was gone and that her life savings was depleted after looking for a job for three months. Fortunately, East Valley High has a team of professionals who truly care about their students and saw that this family needed help. School Principal Carrie Allen who treats all 800 students like they were her own stepped in. She told LAPD North Hollywood Division’s Lead Officer John Catalano about Elijah and his mom’s plight. Officer Catalano saw one thing that needed to be taken care of immediately. Elijah had on tennis shoes that were ripped so bad he was almost walking bare footed. Elijah told Officer Catalano that his mom was trying to find him shoes but she couldn’t find his size 15 plus they were very expensive. Officer Catalano on his time off ran to seven stores and finally got Elijah two pairs of tennis shoes. Officer Catalano didn’t want any fanfare about doing this wonderful deed because it came from the heart.

officer Catalano, lapd north hollywood division

Elijah is only 14 years old but wise for his years. “We have been through a rough time but I know we are going to be okay because we now have people who care about us said Elijah.” This positive attitude comes from his mom. The first thing she said to me was that she was thankful for all the help she has received and now wants to give back to someone less fortunate than her.

Captain Whittingham of our North Hollywood Police Station told me that the station had “adopted” East Valley High and are committed to assisting students and families in a variety of ways. Elijah has enrolled in LAPD’s Cadet program and once again can dream about being an inventor when he grows up!

Elijah and Angelica still need a permanent home. I hope I can write another story about the good samaritan that found them that home! For any type of assistance for this family, please contact Carrie Allen, East Valley High Principal at 818 753-4400.

**** 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.  

It’s Let’s Take a Nap Day!

Lisa Bianconi
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national napping day

Well, it isn’t actually a holiday but more of an observance that the NoHo Arts District dot Com Team likes to observe. We think it couldn’t come at a better time, after Daylight Savings/Sleep Stealing/You Stole My Hour Time. So Monday (3/10) we say “Happy Napping Day, North Hollywood!”

Founded by Boston University professor William Anthony and his wife Camille in 1999, Napping Day is the unofficial holiday set aside to help people adjust to Daylight Saving Time and to highlight the health and productivity benefits of napping.

They have written two widely acclaimed books, The Art of Napping and The Art of Napping at Work,  which explain their findings on the value of a nice nap.

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According to the power nap couple, napping helps in the following ways:

1. Napping improves mood – makes you feel better 
2. Napping improves performance – makes you more productive
3. Napping is no cost – no expensive clothes or equipment needed
4. Napping is no sweat – no shower needed
5. Napping is self prescribed – no doctor’s orders needed
6. Napping is non-fattening – you cannot eat while napping
7. Napping is a non-invasive procedure – no one does anything to you
8. Napping has no dangerous side effects – unless you are driving

“We chose this particular Monday because Americans are more ‘nap-ready’ than usual after losing an hour of sleep to daylight savings time,” William Anthony said in the Boston University news release announcing the holiday.

When we are forced to “spring forward,” we lose that precious hour so it’s much easier than normal to nap. We can all relate to that 3:30 mid-afternoon blah, especially after a bad night’s sleep with one less hour on the clock. Since most of us are at work, we must settle for the power nap, a 20 to 30 minute snooze. It’s just a quickie to rejuvenate your mind and body. 

Remember Seinfeld’s George Costanza made a bed under his desk? Well, here are some other ways to nap at work:

  • Try a bathroom stall (take off your shoes so they won’t know who is in the stall)
  • Inventory/stock room is usually not frequented much.
  • Duck in the office of an employee out sick
  • Take the “stairs” is something most people don’t do…bring something comfortable to sit on. 

In Bangladesh and Indian Bengal it is called bhat-ghum, literally meaning “rice-sleep.” Spaniards take their infamous siestas and Germans enjoy ein Schläfchen.
In China and Taiwan it is called wujiao. Most Chinese schools have a half-hour nap programmed straight after lunch. And best of all, Japanese businesses have created “Nap Rooms” for their employees. 

So Los Angelenos join the rest of the world in celebrating the art of the nap! Close your office door, roll up your jacket and take a snooze under your desk.

If your boss asks you what you’re doing. It’s simple, ask: “Didn’t you know it’s National Napping Day?”

Happy Napping!

 

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

Beyond the Martini: “Picking up the Pieces” workshop

Lisa Bianconi
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We here at nohoartsdistrict.com are always thrilled when we hear about new events, classes and things that really set our neighborhood apart. Well, it all boils down to the people making these things happen. We have been fans of The Sherry Theatre since it opened in NoHo and appreciate all the creativity that comes from this black box theatre space. We got the chance to chat with Katherine Boecher about a unique workshop she’s created. It’s highly focused on the actor and on a particular scenario. Her Beyond the Martini: “Picking up the Pieces workshop will be held on March 19 and April 16. So North Hollywood, meet Katherine.

What is Beyond the Martini: “Picking up the Pieces” workshop all about?
It’s a workshop to help actors to effectively respond, re-engage and re-energize after emotionally draining roles. One of the greatest obstacles working actors will deal with in their career is the fallout from being emotionally involved in heavy material. This three-hour workshop tackles the difficult problem we as actors have of taking our work home with us. Faced with the inability to release the work, our relationships and our lives suffer. Too many actors have been bound by this dilemma. We explore how that affects our personal and professional lives, and investigates how we can face it head on, making it work for us, with the greater goal of service to our art and our communities.

katherine boecherWhat will an actor expect to take from the workshop?
The actor will learn to:
• Take control of the storyline, incorporating your unique experience to grow both personally and professionally.
• Make your support systems an integral part of your experience, deepening your relationships both on and off set
• Evolve as an artist, dramatically increasing your audience.

We will present applicable strategies that will equip working actors to transform their post job experience from exhaustion, feat, anger and confusion into exciting, organic, and resilient service to their team, their families, their work and their communities.

WHEN: March 19 7-10PM and April 16 7-10PM
WHERE: The Sherry Theatre 11052 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601
REGISTER: www.makinmoviesman.com/class.html

www.katherineboecher.com | Twitter @mizzboecher

Why did you decide to create What is Beyond the Martini: “Picking up the Pieces” workshop?
Actors are accustomed to taking work home with them. Stars from Kevin Bacon to Heath Ledger have been quoted discussing this exact issue. It’s a problem we all face from time to time. One particular year I played several battered women in a row, on shows ranging from The Closer to Perception to Heroes to Past Life. After hours and hours on set, in that headspace, take after take of crying real tears in a hostage situation, or screaming as I was dragged down the hall by my neck, my emotional health began to suffer. I found myself dealing with anxiety and depression that I couldn’t seem to shake. My work life was going great, but at home I was a wreck. I couldn’t figure out why. It took me over a year and quite a bit of money in therapy to pinpoint the issue. I was loading in all of these imaginary memories, imaginary circumstances into my body, and playing them out on screen, but I wasn’t doing the work to unload them after the work was over. I wasn’t healing. It was out of my own work to return to a healthy place and develop a technique for myself to be able to rebound after doing the work I love to do in a way that would get me back to enjoying my family and my new baby as quickly as possible, that I realized I might be able to help other actors as well, to be of service to other actors dealing with the same issue.

“Anyone who gets nightmares from Fox’s creepy thriller The Following isn’t alone. The two stars say it happens to them, too. Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy both said Monday they take work home with them sometimes.” -AP Mobile

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How are you involved in the NoHo Arts District?
I’ve been a part of The Sherry Theater since its inception. My husband Lukas is the managing director of the theater, and we were planning our wedding while we were building the Sherry theater, converting it from a derelict store front into the beautiful theater it is, with Scott Haze and a close knit group of our artist friends. I shared the stage while acting in the first play we ever opened at the Sherry Theater, DEVILS NIGHT, written, directed, and starring Scott Haze. We even had our engagement dinner inside that theater! Most recently I’ve partnered with actress and fellow Sherry Theater member Ciera Parrack for her Nights Of Soul, reading my poetry to some wonderful audiences. I also assist with management of the theater. We have a great community here in North Hollywood that has continued to grow as our little theater has.

I’m a grateful alumna of Playhouse West right here in North Hollywood, as well as Warner Loughlin in Hollywood.

Katherine BoecherA little more about Katherine

“Most recently I had the incredible opportunity of working with Joaquin Phoenix for Spike Jonze on the film HER, out now in theaters. Unfortunately all of my characters storyline was taken out in post production, but I am keeping the experience with me! – Katherine Boecher

Katherine Boecher, (also known as “Pippi”), made her feature film debut in Shonda Rhimes’ CROSSROADS (2002), and has been drawing accolades for her work in television and film ever since, cementing her reputation as a multi-talented, up-and-coming young actress. She starred opposite Jackie Chan in the Lionsgate comedy THE SPY NEXT DOOR, (which grossed over $50 million worldwide). Katherine’s other major title film credits include director Michael Bay’s power-packed, action film BAD BOYS 2, as well as a memorable role opposite Winona Ryder, Wes Bentley and Ray Romano in the independent film THE LAST WORD (Official Sundance Film Festival Selection).

On television, the versatile actress is best known for her recurring guest star role on the CW’s SUPERNATURAL (as the demon Lilith), and she has toured the globe speaking to fans of the popular series. Katherine has also guest starred on Emmy winning shows like MAD MEN and THE CLOSER, as well as CSI:NY and PERCEPTION (TNT). Born in Beaumont, Texas, and raised in Kansas, Katherine began her career as a model at age 14, signing with the exclusive FORD modeling agency in New York, and at only 5’6″, becoming the shortest model to sign with the top agency. Katherine has traveled around the world extensively as an international model, walking the runways and living abroad in Milan, Paris, London and Tokyo. She has appeared in Italian Vogue, Harpers Bazaar,and Elle, among many other publications.

Wanting to explore more of her creative talents, Katherine first moved to Los Angeles in 2002, quickly booking her a television commercial and shortly thereafter a series regular role on the television pilot, TRASH, for Warner Brothers. When she is not working in front of the camera, Katherine spends her time on the other side of the camera for Makin Movies Man!, a production company she founded in 2013 with her husband, actor Lukas Behnken. Katherine and Lukas live in Pasadena with a lively bunch of animals and the light of their lives, a 10 month old son that Katherine gave birth to naturally at their home. Katherine spends her extra time working as an activist for recovery, ending domestic violence, and promoting natural birth and attachment parenting.

**** 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.  

What are your NoHo plans this weekend?

Lisa Bianconi
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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! 
 

 

**** 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.

It’s time to learn about wine, NoHo.

Lisa Bianconi
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It’s wine time, North Hollywood. Don’t be afraid. You’ll be in the hands of the Wine Goddess

Does this sound like you or someone you know?  “I like wine. I know nothing much about wine. I want to learn more about wine.”  When part of the NoHo Arts District dot come team felt this same way on a recent trip to Napa Valley, we went to the Goddess for help, the Goddess of Wine. Now’s your chance to get some wine knowledge but in a fun, hands-on way, by tasting wine. Join Denise Lowe, the Goddess of Wine, on Sunday, March 16 for what we like to call wine school.

the goddess of wine noho arts districtHow did you become a wine aficionado?
I always liked wine – even before I was old enough to drink it legally (ahem…) – but I had a life-changing experience when a friend brought me a bottle of Rufino Riserva Chianti Classico back in the early 80’s. That was a $10 wine at a time when people were drinking jug wines – Carlo Rossi, Cribari, Riunite – so it was a heckuva gift. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted, and went exceptionally well with the spaghetti and meat sauce I made for dinner. That was the beginning. Several years later, my husband and I fell in love with a Merlot from Clos du Val in Napa; we went searching for the winery, found lots of other wines, wineries and friendly folks who loved to talk about and share their wines, and that set us on our path.

What tips do you have for wine novices to learn more about wine?
Keep tasting! It’s really the best way to learn. The more you taste, the more your palate remembers what you tasted, what you liked or disliked. And find a wine store in your area where the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. The big stores like Bevmo are OK for quick stops, but if you really want to learn, your best bet is to develop a relationship with a local wine purveyor. They can introduce you to wines that you might not find on your own.

What can we expect from your Wine 101 class?
Fun! The whole idea of Wine 101 is for students to realize that there’s no mystery to wine tasting. Students will learn how to look at, smell and taste wine; they’ll learn how wine is made, the many regions of the world where grapes are grown, and we’ll throw in some history and personal experiences.

WHAT: Wine 101
WHEN: Sunday, March, 16 at 12PM
WHERE: Luna Vine Wine Bar 3206 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank
TICKETS>>

In terms of wine etiquette, what are some dos and don’ts while tasting wine?
Be open. Taste everything, but don’t drink everything. That’s what dump buckets are for. You don’t want to get drunk. Besides it being bad form, it fatigues your palate and you can’t taste effectively. And then you fall down, and it’s embarrassing…

What are your favorite places to taste wine?
I love, love, love the Central Coast of California, from Malibu to Paso Robles. You read that right – Malibu is one of the newest AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in California – and there are great wines coming out of there. Personally, I’m really passionate about the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. It’s really close to visit for a day or two of wining, the winemakers are friendly and the wines are extraordinary.

Do you have a top 5 list of your favorite wines?
I have to limit it to 5!? That’s a tough one. Here is a list of 5 wineries within 1 to 2 hours’ drive from the Valley, and whose wines I keep in my cellar:

Shai Cellars – Buellton – No tasting room, but on the wine list at several great restaurants, including the Tam O’Shanter here in LA. Big, beautiful Rhone varietals from the Happy Canyon and Ballard Canyon AVAs in Santa Ynez. Buy direct from the website: www.shaicellars.com

Four Brix – Ventura – Great tasting room in an industrial park. Most of the grapes are sourced from Paso Robles. Winemaker and owner, Gary Stewart, is extremely knowledgeable and happy to talk about winemaking. www.fourbrixwine.com

Cantara Cellars – Camarillo – Mike and Chris Brown have a lovely tasting room, also in an industrial park, and most of their grapes are sourced from their family estates in Lodi. Cute dogs, too. www.cantaracellars.com

Tercero Wines – Los Olivos – Winemaker Larry Shaffer is passionate about Rhone varietals, and I’m especially fond of his delicate white wines as well as his full-bodied reds. www.tercerowines.com

Clos Pepe Estate – Lompoc – Winemaker, vineyard manager, and all-around Renaissance man, Wes Hagen, makes some of the best Pinot Noirs from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. He also makes killer, and very affordable, Syrah under the Axis Mundi label. www.clospepe.com

Find the Goddess of Wine here:

www.goddessofwine.com | Twitter: @goddessofvino | Facebook: Goddess of Wine  |  goddess@goddessofwine.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.  

“Dancing From The Ghetto” (Part 2)

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Dancin Program

Well…..Well…..Well…..Here we are again! In my last installment I took you on a trip from the beginning of my career until my unleashing in Hollywood. Let’s just get right to it….shall we????

The year 1988 – I was now on the “A-List” of dancers and I didn’t even have a clue. The ride became fast and furious very quickly. I was determined to get a chance to dance on “FAME” but no cookie. There was someone similar to my type on the show but my first gig with Ms. Debbie Allen was at Le Sporting Club Du Monte Carlo with her act. It was my first time to that fantastic city and got to meet the Prince of Monaco.

For the next couple of years, I was bouncing between Ms. Allen, Michael Peters and Lester Wilson, each claiming that I was “their dancer.” Mind you, I belonged to no one but myself. They both kept me on a serious schedule of TV shows and live appearances including: The Debbie Allen Special, The 1st Annual Movie Awards (Peters), The 63rd, 64th & 65th Academy Awards (Allen), Comic Relief (Lester Wilson), The Essence Awards (Peters), Sammy Davis Jr. 60th Anniversary Tribute (Allen), The Las Vegas Hilton with Bill Cosby & Phylicia Rashad (Peters), Welcome Home America USO 50th (Allen), Jackson Family Honors (Peters), The Emmy Awards (Lester Wilson) Black Filmmakers Hall Of Fame (Peters)……..you get the point lol…….

I must take a moment to give a shout out to all the amazing teachers who kept my engine running and my chassis well tuned: Jackie Sleight, Joe Bennett, Doug Caldwell and Claude Thompson. I also taught some classes at a few studios: Du Pree Dance Academy, Studio A and Alley Kat. Let me not foget to mention that I was till traveling to Japan to teach, perform and choreograph with Broadway Dance Center Tokyo, choreographing numerous club shows, TV shows, commercials, music videos and Live concerts. The money was STUPID and creative juices were flowing!
Then came movie time……once again, the schedule became frantic. I was blessed with the opportunities to dance in such films as: Polly 1 & 2 for Disney (Debbie Allen), Sister Act 2 with Whoopi Goldberg (Michael Peters), What’s Love Got To Do With It with Angela Bassett Michael Peters), Death Becomes Her with Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis (Brad Jeffries), Hot Shots with Charlie Sheen (Lester Wilson), The Five Heartbeats (Michael Peters) and my 1st featured role as “Teddy The MC” in the CBS TV Movie “Stompin’ At The Savoy” starring Mario Van Peebles, Lyn Whitfield, Vanessa Williams, Jasmine Guy, Darnell Williams, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Dawnn Lewis.

I was in heaven….a huge leap out of the dance corp onto the big screen. I had gone back to my roots as and Actor. The phone began ringing off the hook after I appeared in The Hollywood Reporter, Backstage Magazine and Daily Variety. The most major call came from Casting Diva Robbie Reed. She was looking for an actor to portray Jermaine Jackson in The Jacksons TV Movie “An American Dream.” Ms. Reed called me to audition numerous times and I could not pull myself together to go in.

Now most actors would jump at the chance but for some reason, I was thrown into a dismal state of being. Looking back, I now realize that I had a serious case, “Fear Of Success.” I digress to say that I came from humble beginnings and my Life in the entertainment industry was already fulfilled, due to the fact that I was doing what I loved, earning a very healthy living, traveling, working with the best individuals in every field of my art and I was still in my 20’s. The fame of it all was not appealing and scared me because I was witness to what happened to fellow Artists once bitten.

After my brief hibernation period, I emerged with a vengeance! Once again, Momma Debbie Allen was there to uplift and support me. She requested that I join her during the final season of “A Different World” as her assistant, principal stand-in and featured guest star in a few episodes. This opportunity afforded me the chance to sharpen my tool kit in many areas simultaneously. I took her shot notations, help her set-up shots and was a featured singer/actor on camera. It doesn’t get any better than that. I learned everything they never teach you in school and I am forever indebted to Ms. Allen. I love her dearly.

I must mention that in the midst of all this activity, started to panic and think about my future after Dance, even though the end was nowhere near insight, I thought hahaha……so I enrolled at Sound Masters Audio/Video Institute in North Hollywood and became a certified Sound Engineer in 1994. Wouldn’t you know that on the night of my graduation, we had the major Northridge earthquake. It was a sign that I was truly coming out but to where and what, was left to be desired!

In 1996, after a few more trips to Japan, more TV shows and dance concerts, I got the old “Broadway Itch” again. In December, I packed my bags and headed for NYC after receiving a call from Mercedes Ellington about a new musical “Play On” (based on Twelfth Night) that she was choreographing for Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. That was all I needed to know! By this point, I am still in my prime at the age of 33 and so ready. It was so exciting to work with Director Sheldon Epps, Musical Director Luther Henderson and Associate Choreographer Louis Johnson. The cast was stellar: Carl Anderson, Tonya Pinkins, Andre DeShields, Larry Marshall, Yvette cason, Cheryl Freeman and Lawrence Hamilton, to name a few.

During previews, I received a call from the producer of a touring company of “The Wiz.” He was looking for a choreographer and was recommended to me. OH MY GOD!!!!! Before he could offer me the job, I was in rehearsal in the day and performing at night. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Now….get a load of the cast of “The Wiz” – Peabo Bryson (Wiz), Ce Ce Peniston (Glinda), Tony Terry (Tin Man) and Diva Grace Jones (Evilene)….I almost pissed my pants! They all were so amazing to me and very supportive, especially Grace.

On the first tour stop, Philadelphia, I would take the train down for rehearsal and rub back to perform each night. This went on for about a week or so. The show opened to mixed reviews but it was an awesome experience. It came time for my final payment but for some reason the Producer refused to pay me. The show was at intermission, Grace and the cast rallied around me in support and told the Producer that if I did not receive my money, the cast would not continue the performance. My mouth dropped and I went numb. I never felt such love but they all knew how hard and tirelessly I worked to make them feel comfortable and look their absolute best on stage. Eventually, I was paid and the show went on. After the show Grace offered me a ride back to NYC in her limo.

What a time and fun ride we had, cocktails were flowing and we bonded like you wouldn’t believe. Note: She had just finished the show, jumped into the limo in full stage beat (make-up) and we made a food stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. Of course, she wanted to come inside with me hahaha. You should have seen the entire place come to a stand still. Here is Diva Icon, Grace Jones, in Evilene make-up, tight leggings, heels, huge ring in her nose and demanding service…..PRICELESS!!!!!

OK…back to “Play On”…..we are in previews, show is going well, I was in performance one night, friends in the audience, low and behold, there is a major set malfunction, I am riding onto the stage on unit, 2 twirling towers start to leave the stage as I enter, they do not clear in time, sets crash and I am caught between and 100lb piece of wood falls on me. I can definitely say that ‘I was a show stopper.’ Not funny! Needless to say, I was out of the show before opening night….DAMN! Before I could heal, the show closed and I went into a major depression.

In 1999, after tons of therapy, I heard they were hiring for “Fosse” on Broadway but there would be a cattle call. I was number 101. People and myself were amazed that I recovered so well and so fast. I was asked to join the touring company which I refused. They later called and said that a slot in NYC became available and asked my interest. Before they could ask….I was in rehearsal replacing Sergio Trujillo featured as Mr. Bojangles….NIRVANA! Also joining the cast was my dear friend Stephanie Pope, as the Star, and Keith “Tyce” Di Orio as Bojangles Spirit.

Ann Reinking actually put me into the show and gave me her blessing. While I was over the moon , the experience was not the most enjoyable or memorable , due to a few circumstances. I needed constant therapy to maintain such a rough schedule and challenging performance, I felt a sense of dis-ease with a few cast members and Broadway was changing into a numbers game….it was losing that Family feeling so I began to change inside and out, lost respect for the work and myself which led to an early termination by mutual decision. So what did I do, took my show on the road and headed for Japan to Star in my own Fosse revue produced by K-Broadway Tokyo.

I was able to offer employment to a few good friends, Garry Q. Lewis (Choreographer/Performer) and Terry Mathis (Hair Stylist). While sitting by the pool one day, I was surprised by a visit from my friends Sharon Ferrol and Choreographer Keith Young who happened to be in Tokyo with Baby Face. We had a ball and the show went well.

After returning to New York, a few days later, the “911 Incident” happened. I actually watched as the second plane plowed into the second tower. I felt as if I was watching a Steven Spielberg movie.

I worked on various other small stage productions, low budget films and began working with DJ’s singing dance music. While walking down the streets of NYC during the Winter of 2001, I heard “Hey Lacy, we been looking for you,” it was friend and Choreographer Ken Roberson. He told me to call Director Charles Randolph Wright immediately regarding a new musical workshop being created using the Gamble & Huff music catalogue . Well, after a few workshops over a year, the role of a lifetime was built on me to Star in “Me and Mrs. Jones” as Calvin The DJ starring Lou Rawls, Darlene Love, Nita Whittaker, Nika Noni Rose, Andrew Wright and Orfeh as my Co-Star at the Prince Theatre in Philadelphia. Can you say “winning” LOL

However, a few days shy of opening night, I ruptured a vocal chord and was put on vocal rest. I had no understudy which meant the show had to shut down. I was in a catatonic state. This had never happened to me in my entire career. I was replaced without consideration, sent home and spiraled into a deep, dark depressive state for over a month. I would not leave the bed or my room and would not eat much. My Mom was very nervous and concerned so she booked a cruise ship gig and took my sister and I away. I sailed into a New Year and new chapter.

I must say that it did some good but when I returned, I got wind that “Me and Mrs. Jones” was starting up again without me. That did it! I truly had a nervous breakdown then. My friends Sharon Ferrol and Keith Young called me and said, “Lacy get over here to LA, we have a spare room for you.” I took the offer which was the best thing I could have ever done. Leaving New York lifted fifty (50) pounds of my shoulders. My voice came back without surgery and no severe damage. How do you spell GOD!

Within days I was feeling myself and once again, the phone rings. This time, it was casting director Peter Wise offering me the male singers cover position in a new musical starring Chaka Khan set for Las Vegas at the Venetian Hotel directed by Billy Porter, choreographed by A.C. Ciulla and musical direction by Stephen Oremus. Would you believe…..I Said NO!!!!! hahaha He kept calling and I kept refusing. I had low self esteem, was in a state of confusion and thought my career was over. But….after offering me Assistant Director/Choreographer and a significant paycheck, I finally said YES!

That was the inception of my company, Uncle Earl Productions now Uncle Earl Enterprises. It was the 1st major step in taking back control of my destiny, my career and my Life! I could go on and on about the rest of my career but that is irrelevant, at this point. The whole purpose of sharing my journey was to enlighten and educate, if only one individual who may need inspiration, about how I survived the roller coaster ride of this business through adversity from the beginning to this very day. Each day I awake, I feel blessed and highly favored for the valleys and the hills.
I am now on the path of nurturing and sharing my gifts with up and coming talent and pay homage to those who graced the stages of the world before me. I would not change one moment, there are no accidents or coincidences. Everything that happens in your Life is relevant to your growth: mentally, emotionally and physically.

I welcome you all to discover The Ultimate Underground Experience, my global music, arts and education multi-media project. It encompasses theater, film, music, video and production. It is a safe haven for total artistic and creative expression. The aim is to bridge the gaps between Humanity using Arts & Education as tools.

I want to thank Nancy Bianconi and the Noho Arts Commission for allowing me to express myself on such an amazing platform. I welcome any and all inquiries for partnerships and/or investment options. 

Lacy Darryl Phillips aka Uncle Earl is currently Producer/Host/DJ of “The Ultimate Underground Experience” Radio Show and TV project broadcast every Monday, Thursday and Saturday 9am & 9pm at www.KLEDLive.com (91.1 FM) sponsored by www.MusicXray.com . He also serves as Media/Marketing Director at www.WorldDanceAwards.com produced by Allen Walls and Carey Ysais.

For more information, please go to: 

www.ultimateunderground.com 
http://www.youtube.com/user/earlhitz012210
https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-UNDERGROUND-EXPERIENCE-RADIO-SHOW-ULTIMATE-UNDERGROUND-TV-PROJECT/104694422912265
https://twitter.com/theuncleearl
 http://www.linkedin.com/in/lacydarrylphillips
http://www.reverbnation.com/TheUncleEarl
https://soundcloud.com/underground-hitzhttp://www.musicxray.com/profiles/841
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ultimate-underground-podcast/id466386433?mt=2
 https://plus.google.com/+LacyPhillips

Pet District – From Coast to Coast: Why Your Pet Thanks You For Choosing California

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My entire past week was spent experiencing the many different cultures and environments during a cross country road trip from Virginia to California. What I discovered, (or should I say confirmed), is that we are the best pet owners in the nation! First, let me acknowledge that I’m perfectly aware how impossible it is for me not to be biased on the subject since I was born and raised here. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, hooray Californians! We are the BEST! Not only do we live the good life, our pets do too! They’re the most exotic, talented, happy and loyal pets I’ve seen, and it only took a handful of states to compare to for me to realize it. 

Dogs on the East Coast don’t get to play outside

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Outdoor activities are generally avoided in cold weather states. While stopped in Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas, I could count the number of people I saw walking their dogs on one hand! The few I did see out with their pets were heavily bundled up, and their pets looked more cold than happy. Since there were so few other people outside, I wonder how often dogs get to play and interact with other dogs. Somehow, the dogs on the east coast look pale compared to west coast dogs, and their personalities seemed less excitable. The east coast lost a few more points when I noticed that businesses were significantly less pet friendly than California’s. So, not only were people not out walking, biking or skating to run errands with their pets, their pets weren’t welcomed even if the owners had brought them!

Everything is bigger in Texas…except for the dogs

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I was expecting to see some of the most exotic large breed dogs during my visit through Texas. I imagined they’d be running free through the many off-leash parks. Instead, I saw that most people had designer breeds that could fit in your purse! Confused, I did the research to find that the most popular breeds in the state are actually larger breeds, but in the common areas like Dallas and Fort Worth, the cutesy small types are the dogs most commonly out and about with their owners. Texas is by far a much better state as far as pet friendliness and respect. It’s the first state I passed through with a monument dedicated to military working dogs – bonus!

Avoid the desert at all costs!

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Okay, it’s actually not that serious. As I got closer to home, I realized pet life got better in quality. New Mexico and Arizona are unique weather states for pets, but they make do! Although I still did not see many owners out with their pets as often as I do in California, I did notice there were many more than the previous states. My biggest concern of them all was how much Scottsdale and Tempe Arizona reminded me of Cancun during spring break. Humans need their fun, too, but the huge party life made me wonder who was taking care of all the pets! It seems both cities are large attractions geared towards young party people and less toward families and their pets. But who knows, maybe there was an area where they let the dogs out.

CALIFORNIA FOR THE WIN!

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We’ve got everything. Your pet might not know it, but it’s very lucky that its owner lives in a state considered being one of the top pet friendly vacation spots in the world! I’m almost certain California takes the cake on number of businesses that are pet friendly. In addition to that, there are pet hotels, celebrity pet grooming services available to everyone, designer pet shops, annual dog surfing competitions, acting and photography opportunities (only in Hollywood!), and endless more outrageous places and events for our pets! Veterinarians make house visits, and restaurants know to have outdoor seating. No need for bulky harnesses and sweaters here, our pets enjoy the sunshine year round! Hands down, California pets and owners are the best! Bravo!

Join the NoHo Kickball Team

Lisa Bianconi
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We got adult kickball leagues right here in North Hollywood.

North Hollywood Kickball www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Kickball is a fun childhood sport that brings back a lot of memories for many of us. Some may have the dreaded memory of being picked last while others replay their glory days of being a fifth grade kickball star. Whatever your memory, you have the chance to show those kids you can play kickball now that you’re an adult or to relive the days of kickball stardom. Either way, North Hollywood has a team for you. So NoHo, meet Michael Winfield, a Community Coordinator for WAKA® Kickball and get playing. 

Why did you start a kickball league in NoHo?
Well, though I didn’t start the league, WAKA’s CA Studio, I have played in every season since it began back in 2005. Of the 3,500 plus players that have been in the league in those 8-9 years, only four of us have played in every season.

Originally I played with the Awesome Helicopter Ninjas and the North Hollywood Hoodlums. The Ninjas (and the league) was started by one of my best friends. Though I didn’t know him when it first kicked off. It was the perfect team for me. I wouldn’t say I was obsessed with ninjas. But I was obsessed with ninjas. I have the tattoo’s to prove it. It was a prefect fit.

What’s the NoHo Team name? Do you have a sponsor? Do you need a sponsor?
I’ve been playing on AKT (A Kickball Team) since 2009. Most teams in the league don’t have sponsors (though we’d love one!) since a single season of play (8 weeks plus playoffs) isn’t that expensive in the long run. However some teams in the league, like Sofa King Good, play in bigger kickball tournaments (like WAKA’s Founder’s Cup Kickball Championship in Las Vegas) and do get sponsorships from time to time. At this point I think we practically sponsor Bud Light. We’d love to get some of that money back…

NoHo kickball league, play kickball in north hollywood www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Which team do you love to beat?
No team in particular, though Sofa King Good stands out as the best in the league and we’d love to come away with a victory from them at some point…

Oh! Last season a team openly mocked us by changing their name to A-Gray-T. The intent was tongue-in-cheek but their impersonation was pretty poor. Making fun of us is one thing, but at least have the dignity to do it right! We enjoyed beating them last season 8-3.

How does someone sign up to play? Do you have to do that dreaded picking process where the last one picked sucks?
You can sign up for this league at www.kickball.com/castudio as well as many others in Los Angeles through kickball.com. You can sign up as a Free Agent and be placed on a team by the league rep (me!) or you can sign up with a small group of friends and be placed together. If you have enough people, you can start your own team!

The old schoolyard style of being picked last doesn’t exist in WAKA kickball.

Where and at what time do you practice?
IF we practice, you mean. 🙂 Our team, and our teammates, have been playing a long time and we’ve got this kickball thing down. The game isn’t that complex, its just playing it .AKT is mostly a bunch of cagey vets that are infused with a ton of new blood energy. We’ve practiced from time to time, but it’s easier to do some sort of AKTivity like bowling or BBQ’s.

North Hollywood kickball league, www.nohoartsdistrict.com

So when you kick everyone’s butt and win all your games, what’s next? Is there a championship?
Each league has it’s own championship, though our team hasn’t made it that far, we’ve gotten tripped-up in the Semi-Finals for far too many seasons! That’s not to say that players on this team haven’t won the Studio Championship (the Cup of Incredible Incredibleness) before. I’m a three time winner, as is my captain, his wife and quite a few others.

What other events do y’all do?
Aside from kickball? Kickball.

WAKA, aside from offering kickball, also has a Foam Dodgeball league that plays in Hollywood. But for the most part, our players play in this league and many, many other WAKA leagues in L.A. There are quite a few leagues in the Valley (Star, Sun, Valley, etc.) and a ton over the hill (Hollywood, Tinseltown, Celebrity, Silverlake). L.A. is a great place for kickball, given the right time of year you can play every night of the week with a ton of different teams.

How can we go watch a game? Do you have cheerleaders?
All of our games for Studio are played at the North Hollywood Rec Center on Monday nights from 7 pm till 10 pm. Each team usually plays one game a night, but we have four games going at a time at 7 and 8:30. As for cheerleaders…well, that’s an AKT staple. Many of the Sharkettes on our team have pom-poms and dance during the game (in between plate appearances and playing the field).

Why is there a link to a bar on the site?
Each season (and most WAKA leagues) have a relationship with a local bar where all the players from all the teams go after the games to socialize, enjoy discounts on food and drink and to play various social games. We even have a season long social challenge separate from the kickball games that keep the action going well into the night. Tuesday mornings can be rough!

Our league bar is The King’s Head in Studio City. They’ve been very great to us over the last couple of seasons. It’s been one of my favorite bars we’ve been to in all the years I’ve been playing.

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So? What are you waiting for? Start playing kickball!

**** 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.

Disability doesn’t matter. He still “runs” the L.A. Marathon

Lisa Bianconi
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Actor with Disability and Member of the Senior Community Runs LA MARATHON to Help the Group Rep

Just short of his 66th birthday, Henry Holden, an actor with a disability, will run the LA MARATHON on March 9th. In doing so, he will help raise funds to support his theatre company, the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, which is facing a frivolous lawsuit that could drain their operating funds. Henry’s also racing to see if he can improve his time of twenty years ago – when he was in his mid-40’s and first participated.

Since then, Henry has had open-heart surgery to repair a mitral-valve. Recently he was checked out to make sure all was a go, and he got a big thumbs-up from his cardiologist.

 Henry Holden The Group Rep www.nohoartsdistrict.com
 Donation for the Henry Holden LA Marathon can be made at
 https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/store/254/donate/22716

When asked about the challenge for someone with a disability (due to polio) he replied, “All my life I have taken on physical challenges. From the time I was eight and initially struggled to go sledding with friends to now – – I have excelled in scuba diving, horseback riding, skiing (both water and winter) flying a small engine plane, and gliding. It is those physical accomplishments that have spurred me on in my pursuit of becoming a professional actor.”

For the past few months, Henry has been has been working out in his racing chair on the NoHo Bike Path at Chandler and Vineland. With the gracious help from the owner and employees at H&S Bicycles on Victory Blvd., he is assisted with the rigors of unloading the racing chair from the van and the positioning of his body on the racing chair.

When Henry started training, he was clocking 40 – 50 minutes for the 6 miles round-trip on the path. This past Sunday, he increased his workout to 2 hours and 20 minutes and did 23 miles. “I feel prepared for the 26.2 miles. Twenty years ago, I used a wheel-chair and my time was 4 hours and 25 minutes. The speedier racing chair should help better the time and hopefully have me cross the finish line somewhere under the 3 hour mark.”

Having been an active member of the Group Rep for more than 3 years, Holden takes pride in having acted in main stage productions, as well as having produced and written for evenings of one-act plays called Putting on Your Shorts. Henry is donating his Marathon pledges to help defray the costs of a discrimination lawsuit regarding Ladies Night being instigated by two male audience members.

“GRT has been my family and has afforded me the opportunity to grow as an actor and as a playwright. In addition, the Lonny Chapman Theatre which houses the 40 year-old established theatre company the Group Rep, is one of a few theatres that is accessible to people with disabilities. I don’t want that taken away from me.”

Holden is asking people to donate $1 for each mile of the LA Marathon rounding out the donation to $26. Donations of any amount will be graciously accepted.

On a personal basis, it will give Henry Holden satisfaction to not only complete the Marathon but also educate the public as to what people with disabilities are capable of.

To make a much needed donation to the Group Rep for Henry Holden’s LA Marathon challenge please visit www.thegrouprep.com or call (818) 763-5990.

A direct donation for the Henry Holden LA Marathon can be made at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/store/254/donate/22716.

Information about Henry Holden can be found at henryholden.com.

Henry Holden The Group Rep 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.  

The Red Brick Road (Theatre Company) Leads to NoHo

Lisa Bianconi
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The Red Brick Road Theatre Company Makes NoHo Its Home

Red Brick Road Theatre nohoartsdistrict.comThe NoHo Arts District has been called the NoHo Theatre District, and for good reason. This one-square mile section of North Hollywood is home to 20+ theatres, the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City. So simply put, we do theatre in NoHo. The neighborhood is thrilled when a theatre company chooses to make NoHo its home. So North Hollywood, let’s welcome our newest theatre company to the district: The Red Brick Road Theatre Company!

Why did you decide to make the NoHo Arts District your home?
The NoHo Arts District has been our home for over five years now. We were originally at the original Avery Schreiber Playhouse on Magnolia. When we heard that it was going to be no longer we had to search for a new home around NoHo. We chose the JET Studios for the great atmosphere and the collaborative nature of the spaces available. NoHo Arts district is a great place for small independent theatre artists, actors and producers.

Tell us a bit about your company and why you do what you do?
The Red Brick Road theatre company encourages the development of new works by emerging playwrights both local and abroad through world, west coast premieres and an annual summer playwright’s festival. We strive to draw new theatre audiences by selecting material for mainstage productions that features a diverse ensemble as well as highlight and challenge cultural ideals. We also try to provide existing theatre attendees with thought-provoking and high caliber events with an attention to production value.

The Red Brick Road theatre company is an official non-profit 501(c)3 company. We were formed in 2007 by a group of 5 strong-willed, dedicated actors and theatre artists. The company has grown to a group of over 20 talented, hard working actors, producers, writers, designers, and directors.

Why did you choose “How I learned to Drive” as your first play in your new permanent home?
The company members have wanted to do How I Learned to Drive for a few years now. When we realized we had to move and find a new home, we knew this was a great piece to premiere in our new space. We knew that it would challenge our actors, designers and directors as well as our audience members. We chose this Pulitzer Prize winning play because it is a compelling, relevant story about extreme family relationships and the vulnerability of them, told in a creative and dynamic way. We always want you (an audience) to leave our shows being effected by what you are experiencing or have experienced, leave with a sense of confidence that a Red Brick Road show is of high quality for a small professional theatre.

Red Brick Road Theatre www.nohoartsdistrict.com

What shows can we look forward to see from you all?
For our current 2014 season, we have two more shows in development. In June, we have our Shorts 3: Los Angeles Playwrights Festival (June 19-June 22nd) for new emerging writers. In September, we will be producing Down the Road by Lee Blessing (September 19th-October 25th). In August, we will announce our 2015 season. We look forward to expanding our company and look down the road to even new great and inspirational work.

To audition for the company or contact us, email The Red Brick Road at info@theredbrickroad.org. Visit us at theredbrickroad.org

Follow us on Facebook at The Red Brick Road Theatre Company | Twitter @theredbrickroad

Come see us and follow us down the Red Brick Road! We are doing the type of work and theatre that you will love.

**** 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.  

L.A. Weekly Shows NoHo Love

Lisa Bianconi
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There are so many things happening in NoHo and our one-square-mile arts district is growing. This section of North Hollywood has been called the NoHo Theatre District because we have more than 20 theatres, the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City. North Hollywwod has also been called the NoHo Dance District, for the amount of studios and the dancers it attracts, nationwide and worldwide. Our Millennium Dance Complex just opened up studios in Tokyo, Salt Lake City and Pittsburgh. We just had artist Wiley Wallace paint our first NoHo Mural  and famed muralist Levi Ponce just recently completed the second NoHo Mural.  We are proud of our community. If you are an individual, group or business doing something positive in NoHo, we want to hear and share!

The L.A. Weekly recently interviewed us to chat about what makes North Hollywood a great place to be. Make sure to follow @OfficialNoHo on Twitter for up-to-date news on what’s going on in NoHo.

Get to know the neighborhood!Thanks, L.A. Weekly for the love!

Click image for full article!

LA Weekly NoHo Article

 

Read the full story here>>

**** 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 – Take a Tuscan Turn

Christopher Porikos
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Many years ago the home building industry introduced these rather large homes that seemed to never end. These homes weren’t your stately Beverly Hills mansions, but new sub divisions with sizes ranging from four to over six thousand square feet.

In keeping with the trend, furniture manufacturers started designing and creating furniture to fit in these homes. One design style that seemed to fit well was Tuscan. Oversized pottery, ceramic plates, tapestries, artwork and upholstered pieces seemed just right. Bringing in the Italian countryside worked perfectly in these Spanish, Mediterranean and even California Classis designs. Even though this style might seem a bit passé, there is still a place in classic design for this feel.

Tuscan design is warm, inviting and even uplifting. Who doesn’t like to bring the outside in? Tangerine, sage green, mustard yellow and even red, just to name a few, are colors, which will allow you to infuse the Tuscan feel in any home. Warm walnut woods, rich and rustic in color, twisted wrought iron tables and accent pieces, are a few key elements along with sumptuous sofas and chairs you can sink into at the end of the day that create this feel.

This style can actually be achieved in any size space. Oversized pieces aren’t always needed as many might be designing smaller spaces. As with any style, using a few key pieces can create the feel. If your current home allows you to keep the main pieces, then adding accents will do just fine. Change the decorative pillows, add an area rug or even try new lamps. Using rich chenille’s for pillows and throws, and pottery like bases for lamps are all in keeping with Tuscan design. Any accent piece, which appears to be rustic, country or even weathered, should work well. Put together correctly, and you’ll be able to enjoy your home for years to come.

Who remembers the Reseda Theatre?

Lisa Bianconi
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Who remembers what Reseda was like?

Are there any Valley folks out there who remember going shopping and skating or going to the movies or seeing live music on Sherman Way? I’m sure there are many stories about Reseda and Sherman Way back in the day. There were efforts to restore parts of the community that went stale and left one of our Valley neighborhoods in shambles. So we went to THE Reseda advocate, Spike Dolomite, to find out what‘s going on and with the Reseda Theatre in particular. Afterall, NoHo Arts District is home to 20+ theatres and naturally the team here would like to see any type of theater restored and filled with art.

“The old Reseda Theatre is the only remaining landmark of the days when Reseda was a thriving business and music hub of the San Fernando Valley,” says Spike. “It’s condemned now, just sitting there. We want Reseda back, and saving the theatre would be the ultimate symbol of Reseda’s resurrection.”

So Spike has put together a petition to help show support for the theatre’s restoration. 

If you would like to see the Reseda Theatre restored, sign the petition>>

Petition Background
I am one of many artists, arts activists, entrepreneurs and civic leaders who wants to see Reseda go from being a blighted community, abandoned by the CRA (California Redevelopment Agency) to the arts and cultural center of the Valley. We are already taking steps to attract people to Reseda through the arts and would like to see the old Reseda Theatre restored as a community theatre to be used for live shows, community gatherings, and various other productions. Save this condemned theatre and ask the City of Los Angeles to restore it and give it back to Reseda!”

Restore the Reseda Theatre 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.

Meet Layon Gray – NoHo-NYC-NoHo

Lisa Bianconi
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Layon Gray returns to the NoHo Arts District for a new play – “Searching for Willie Lynch”

One of the NoHo Arts District dot com team’s favorite things to do is to highlight the success of our arts district and that always means the fabulous folks who live and work in North Hollywood. We’ve known Layon Gray for years now and have seen his success grow as he brings award-winning plays to folks in NoHo, Los Angeles, New York City and all around the U.S. and globe. Layon is in NoHo for a reading of his new play “Searching for Willie Lynch,” based on the infamous Willie Lynch letter, on Friday, February 28 at The Avery Schreiber Playhouse. So North Hollywood, meet Layon Gray, and Layon, welcome back to NoHo.

Layon Gray www.nohoartsdistrict.com

When did you start writing and producing plays?
I wrote my first play in 1994 in Louisiana while I was in college. It was actually on a dare. A friend of mine was in a band – they had written a song and wanted to write a play centered around the song. He said if I could do it he would pay me $1000. This was amazing. I was a starving college student so I took the deal. I just had to figure out how to write a play. Lol. So I went to the Library checked out a book on writing plays, studied the format and wrote it. The play sold out people laughed, cried, and truly enjoyed it. Even though I thought it sucked. Lol. But I was hooked from then on. I begin to read more plays, study the art form of writing, yet staying true to my style of writing.

Which one of your plays debuted in NoHo?
Almost All of them. Lol. The Hollywood Dream was my first at the Two Roads Theatre in 2001, Meet Me At The Oak at the Whitmore Lindley in 2003, Soldiers Don’t Cry at the Avery Schreiber Theatre in 2004, Diary Of A Catholic School Dropout in 2005, The Girls Of Summer in 2006 at the Whitmore Lindley, Black Angels Over Tuskegee at the Whitmore Lindley in 2008. Most all of them have won several ADA Awards. NOHO has been a wonderful place for me to workshop all my plays. The support I receive from the community has always been incredible. Most all the shows sell-out every night. It’s beautiful to be appreciated like that.

Tell us a bit about your New York play success.
Wow! It all started in NOHO. In 2010 we took a chance and raised almost 30k for a two-week run of the play Black Angels Over Tuskegee in NYC. We hustled, hit the NYC streets with gorilla marketing and that run has now turned into four years and counting! The play has become an international hit performing in St Thomas Virgins Islands, Bermuda, and British Columbia. It continues to tour the country to sell out arenas while its NYC cast continues to rock out the big apple. Broadway is so close for the production. I’m having so much fun. I feel very blessed.

Black Angels Over Tuskegee Layon Gray www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Tell us more about the reading for “Searching for Willie Lynch” in NoHo?
The Willie Lynch letter has always been something I wanted to learn more about. The letter is a short speech given by a slave owner, in which he tells other slave masters that he has discovered the “secret” to controlling black slaves by setting them against one another. Some people believe it is to be true, some don’t. However I thought the subject was fascinating. Being from Louisiana I’m very familiar with voo doo, spirits and folk lore so I thought that what would be a great idea to mesh all those elements together along with the Willie Lynch Letter way of thinking and create a play. Out of that “Searching For Willie Lynch” was born. The premise of the play: On the bank of the James River in the colony of Virginia in 1712, a slave owner named Willie Lynch allegedly read a letter to teach his methods to slave owners on how to keep black people divided for 300 years. The play centers around three families in 2008, 1965 and 1925 that have lived in the same house over the years and how a door could be a portal to the past and a celebration to the future.

The play performed at the National Black Theatre festival in 2013 to rave reviews. I took risks with this show that I haven’t taken with any other I have written and it payed it off. Audiences loved the surprises. I wanted to do a reading of one of my shows in NOHO for Black History month and this show was a no brainer. A POWERFUL cast has been selected to bring this incredible work to life: Demetrius Van Grosse, Antonio D. Charity, Gilbert Glenn Brown, Christopher Carrington, Kinnik Sky, David Wendell Boykins, Ben Cain, Daebreon Albert.

WHEN: Friday, February 28 at 7:30PM
WHERE: Avery Schreiber Playhouse
4934 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA. 91601
Seating is VERY limited.
RSVP: We are asking people to RSVP to Dorothyspellman@gmail.com
 

Searching for Willie Lynch www.nohoartsdistrict.com

 

What advice would you give to young playwrights?
I would say to create your own path to success. There are many roads that can lead you to that pot of gold. Be a trendsetter. My own roads are being built everyday. Have fun in the journey. Continue to work 6 or more hours a day on your passion. Stay in the fight and continue to strive to be the best and put out the best work you can. Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech in 1910. There is an excerpt from it that inspires me every day. I would like to share it with you. It’s called THE MAN IN THE ARENA:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

www.LayonGray.com |  www.BlackAngelsOverTuskegee.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.  

Talk to ABC, not your TV, NoHo.

Lisa Bianconi
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KABC7 Comes to North Hollywood

ABC7 North Hollywood townhall www.nohoartsdistrict.com

Hey, NoHo! Do you talk back to your TV? Do you wish you could tell the media what’s on your mind? Well, now’s your chance. ABC7 is coming to the NoHo Arts District! North Hollywood’s Hands for Hope will host an ABC7 Listens “Town Hall Meeting” on Tuesday, February 25 from 6 – 8PM.

hands for hopeWHERE: Hands for Hope
First Baptist Church of North Hollywood
11210 Otsego St.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

WHEN: Tuesday, February 25 from 6 – 8PM

RSVP NOW >> meeting@abc7.com or (818) 863-7238

WHY: ABC7’s News, Planning and Public Affairs departments will be at the First Baptist Church of North Hollywood to meet with community leaders and residents. It’s their goal to hear from us about local issues and stories that affect the NoHo Arts District. Information will also be available on how to access the station for news stories, promoting non-profit events and job opportunities.

Let’s show some NoHo Pride. RSVP NOW

**** 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.

Women-owned exercise studios thrive in NoHo

Lisa Bianconi
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The NoHo Arts District is a wonderful place to get your creative soul in motion. It draws together artists from many walks of life, theater, film, and the physical disciplines are all found here. Therefore, it is not too surprising that so many great and varied exercise studios are located here as well. Also, not too surprising is how many of these are women owned and managed. Trying a class at one of the following studios in NoHo would be a worthy goal for anyone. To highlight a few in the area, read about what Muay Thai School U.S.A/AtOneFitness, Sandy Campy Fitness, and Atomic Pilates have to offer everyone.

At One Fitness NoHo Arts DistrictThe Muay Thai School U.S.A./ At One Fitness gym is owned and managed primarily by Robin Hart who has a dance and personal fitness background. Finding Muay Thai, the self defense art of Thailand years ago, she vowed to bring this national sport to others in her own venue. Muay Thai is not just about specialized movements, it is about a philosophy of getting to know and respect yourself and others. It works the entire body involving a cardio workout with strategic maneuver’s for a very practical self defense system.

Opened for 5 years, Robin stresses that coming to At One Fitness or the Muay Thai School encompasses many opportunities to engage in her wide variety of classes. Her most popular is a fusion of exercises called ‘All In One”, along with all the Muay Thai workouts. Classes are for everyone, and she has students from five to seventy-five attending. At One Fitness also has Yoga, Zumba, dance, and recently they held a meditation workshop. Robin is always looking for something valuable to offer her students. Her beliefs are very clear; to create a space that everyone can come and feel a sense of community, a second home to learn, grow and share.

AtOneFitness & Muay Thai School U.S.A
11116 Weddington St.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
muaythaischoolusa.com or atonefitness.com

Sandy Campy Fitness NoHo Arts DistrictA hidden gem upstairs from World Gym on Lankershim Blvd is Sandy Campy Fitness. This is one of the most fun and comprehensive exercise studios in the NoHo Arts District. Sandy Campanella is owner and instructor at SCFitness, which opened its doors almost 3 years ago. Sandy is a former dancer, athletic instructor, and Cal Arts graduate in dance. It is a resounding success thanks to her leadership and philosophy. Classes although varied, are rooted in dance theory that encourages clients to try to maximize their potential. This is one of the reasons that this place is special. Sandy is proud to give clients a diverse selection of workouts to help push the boundaries of the body. She insists that this is when you truly see results.

SC Fitness offers a variety of classes to see real body improvement and changes. Catering to all levels of fitness and ages, everyone seems to really enjoy the classes. One of the most popular is Body Sculpt; a combo of weights and bands, balls and movements, to target the larger muscle groups. Zumba, the dance cardio workout always draws a fun and lively crowd. Thanks to Sandy’s leadership, each instructor puts their own spin on the classes to ensure everyone gets what they need. In fact, attention to detail and attention to each student is what sets these classes apart from other exercise classes and studios. In the future, Sandy hopes to expand her studio space and bring in more top instructors.

Sandy Campy Fitness
5101 Lankershim Blvd. 2nd Floor
North Hollywood, CA  91601 (Full Disclosure, I have taken classes at SCFitness)
sandycampyfitness.com

Atomic Pilates NoHo Arts DistrictWhen visiting Atomic Pilates on Lankershim Boulevard, don’t be surprised at the warmth and energy of its two delightful owners, Rebecca Brady and Mika Eshetu. They met in a Pilates training class a few years ago and it was destiny for the both of them. Fast forward to their combined efforts and Atomic Pilates opened in North Hollywood 1 ½ years ago. Classes at this studio are offered 7 days a week and are limited in size to ensure personalized service for each client. Unlike many other Pilates studios in the neighborhood, they offer both mat and reformer classes with a focus on a more progressive twist to the traditional Joseph Pilates model. Stressing that anyone can take Pilates they have all ages from youngsters to seniors in their classes.

Why open up in NoHo? Rebecca and Mika love the area. “It has a strong sense of community”, commented Mika, “and clients like the convenience of being able to exercise close to home where they can walk to our studio”. Rebecca also stresses the joy at seeing the growth of the neighborhood. The addition of new restaurants, new theaters, and the comfort level of hanging out in the area helps all businesses. They both feel the ‘small town in a big city’ atmosphere here in NoHo arts district. They would not consider going anywhere else.

Atomic Pilates is a studio that offers something for everyone, from beginner to advanced level. The owners want everyone to partake in the strength and beauty of Pilates exercise. Accessibility and quality classes are what this place is all about. The new location is next to the Tiki Lounge on Lankershim Boulevard.

Atomic Pilates
4655 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91602
Atomicpilates.com

NoHo is well known for its wonderful theater’s and restaurant’s. Hopefully, in the near future, it will also be known for its growing population of superior exercise businesses. Pilates, Zumba, spinning, Muay Thai, it’s all here. The data is still unclear if women owned business will get you into the gym more often. However, these women and their studios are definitely at the top of their game and the classes are hard to resist. They offer more than stretches, jumps, and sweat. They want everyone who pass through their doors to feel a sense of community that can only be found in the wonderful not-so-hidden area we all know as the NoHo Arts District. See you there!

**** 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 – How to Create a Fitness Support Network

Jack Witt
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support network

Creating a network of support and throwing the message out to the Universe every single day that you are adopting a healthier lifestyle is the key to progressing into the true you. I’m not talking New Year’s Eve, early-January-type resolutions of, “I’m going to get in shape this year,” when a few weeks into February all of your health and fitness goals are forgotten. I’m talking true commitment, a whatever-it-takes type of attitude, “This is do or die.”

Find family members, and co-workers and friends with whom you can talk to, Facebook, text, tweet, Google Talk, instant message, or Skype (I’m trying to sound tech-savvy here folks) with about what you are doing for your health each day. We all need support and encouragement when getting out of our comfort zone and trying to make positive changes. So use your sphere of influence and your connections to keep you motivated and focused.

You have to throw it out to the Universe each day that you are going to do, or have done, something positive for your body and mind during your transition. No matter how big or small, just keep throwing it out there and throwing it out there. We all know the story of “The Secret” – the Universe will provide back to you; it will supply you with somebody or something that will come into your life to propel and catapult you even further into good fitness, health and wellness. Whatever it turns out to be, embrace it and go with it. You are going to be a different person!

You know, being unhealthy and out of tune with your mind and body is sort of like the flip side of having an addiction problem. People who have addictions will lie, cheat, deceive and steal to keep their habit alive. It’s usually not until they have some type of spiritual awakening, or commit to a lifestyle change program, treatment or therapy, that they finally overcome the problem.

Similarly, people who want to take charge of their health and fitness have to treat that process with the same sense of urgency and respect as those trying to shake an addiction. It’s a sort of parallel universe; you are actually addicted to non-action, procrastination, fear and neglect of your mind, body, and spirit. I’m coining a new term for this: “Unhealthy-o-holic.” So if you can hire a life coach, personal trainer, or professional therapist, do it and do it now!

( This article is an excerpt from Jack’s newly released paperback book(s) for women “Tight, Tone, and Trim” and for men “Cut, Cool, and Confident”, available at https://www.amazon.com/author/jackwitt . Stay tuned for more information on Jack’s debut books, including an exclusive nohoartsdistrict.com interview with the indie-author, coming soon.)

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 paperback books “Tight, Tone, and Trim” and “Cut, Cool, and Confident”
available at https://www.amazon.com/author/jackwitt

14TH ANNUAL STARLIGHT JAZZ SERENADE

NoHo - North Hollywood
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Hands for Hope
PRESENTS THE
14TH ANNUAL STARLIGHT JAZZ SERENADE
YEARLY FUNDRAISER BENEFITS PROGRAMS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH

hand4hope-14th

The 14th Annual Starlight Jazz Serenade will showcase another outstanding line up of incredible award winning jazz musicians and entertainers. The event takes place on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 8:00pm at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Sponsored by Budget Car Rental, Daniel’s Jewelers, U.S. Bank and Phillips Graduate Institute. The event will benefit the North Hollywood based Hands for Hope’s free after school and single parent programs.

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

Past performers include: Norman Brown, Michael Lington, Patrice Rushen, TC Carson, Peter White, Gail Jhonson, George Duke, Karen Briggs, Blake Aaron, Brian Culbertson, Boney James, Euge Groove, Dwayne “Smitty” Smith, Dave Koz, Kevin Toney, ForeCast, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber and many more. This year’s event will be a star-studded affair hosted by Pat Prescott of KTWV 94.7 The Wave.

Seating is limited, so book your tickets today! The event is open to the general public. Available admission tickets include: Ring of Honor ($100), VIP ($75), and general admission ($50). Ring of Honor and VIP tickets will include access to a pre-concert delicious VIP Reception with Pat Prescott and various artists from the evening’s line-up. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is located at 5220 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91602.

For general questions or to obtain group/student rates, please contact 818-763-HOPE (4673) or jazz@hands4hope.org      Tickets are available online at http://www.hands4hope.org/starlight-jazz-serenade  Early Bird Discount Tickets are available for a limited time.

Thank you for giving our children a chance at a successful future.

What are you doing in NoHo this weekend?

Lisa Bianconi
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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! 
 

**** 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 – Alan Parsons

nohoarts
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Alan new shot copy

By titling its new release “Fragile,” the Alan Parsons Project has developed a partial solution to the problem that confronts still-active classic rock performers: how to remain relevant. That single word is quite fitting for the modern age, which has added to the history of the world cyber-terrorism, climate change, widespread government surveillance of personal phone calls and e-mails, and predator drones.

Without naming any specific threats, the lyrics of “Fragile” evoke our daily unease, asking what seems to be a higher power to help us understand “how fragile we are.” No answer is forthcoming.

The contemporary message is backed by a sound that is not far removed from what the APP committed to record at the time of its breakthrough in the second half of the 1970s. The song opens with two lovely, sustained keyboard notes followed by the soft strum of chords on an acoustic guitar.

Alan Grey Jacket Pointing copy 

To this soothing introduction, “Fragile” adds the signature sound of big drums and powerful electric guitar.

The listener is now on the familiar turf of the standard rock ballad, circa 1977. Thankfully, the APP eschews the bombast and histrionics that made many of these efforts from other bands sound utterly ridiculous.

P. J. Olsson’s moving and sincere vocals provide “Fragile” with an unexpected emotional depth. Clocking in at just under four minutes, much shorter than many of the group’s familiar hits, “Fragile” ranks with the best of the Alan Parsons Project from its golden period of 1977–1987.

Along with “Fragile,” the group has just released a 2-CD live set, on the MFP label, which was recorded in Stuttgart, Germany, last year. Students of the Project will know that it never performed live during the years the group had all those hits. That’s the way it goes when you rotate musicians from album to album.

Not until the 1990s, when it performed for an appreciative audience at a gig in Hamburg, the same city that meant so much to the Beatles some 30 years earlier, did the bandleader himself decide that touring wasn’t so bad after all.

Since then, he and his various “groups” have played venues around the globe. A CD/DVD was released several years ago of a concert the band gave in Madrid in 2004.

The newest effort, “Live Span,” features 22 songs, a mixture of chart hits and familiar tracks. We are reminded with “Live Span” that Parsons began his career as an audio engineer, working on “Abbey Road,” “Let it Be,” and “Dark Side of the Moon,” among others. Whether slow ballads, mid-tempo rock, or art-funk, the sound is uncluttered and warm.

The entire collection reminded me of sitting in an outdoor amphitheater, hearing live music on a cool, mid-summer Southern California night. I’ve never been to Stuttgart, but perhaps it’s possible to experience something similar there.

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For new and longtime fans, “Live Span” is the ideal introduction and reintroduction to the virtues of the Alan Parsons Project. At the very least, the versions of “I Robot,” “I Wouldn’t Want to be Like You,” “Psychobabble,” and the rest compare favorably to the originals.

On “Live Span,” this latest version of the group comes across as energetic, engaged, and even joyful. The group performs as if the Alan Parsons Project’s best days lie ahead. Some old soldiers don’t die or fade away but simply continue on as if nothing has changed.

 

Black History Month from a local’s perspective

Lisa Bianconi
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It’s Black History Month

It’s a celebration! Parades, Bands, Music, Food, Dance, Art, Speeches! Media will communicate the “What’s happenings” – “Where to Gos”, along with 15 second flashes of historical facts on the contribution made by African Americans. It’s February, and that means, it’s Black History Month! Yay!

There was a time when polite society referred to those with African ancestry as Negroes or Colored people. Black was not politically correct, it was often considered an insult second perhaps too, dare I say it, the “N” word.

During this time of polite society many dark pigmented Americans bathed themselves in shame. Education, housing, and employment restrictions contributed to oppressive stress and self-doubt. Uncomfortable with attention being drawn by stereotypes they struggled to hold their heads high in the face of percepts of inferiority. For upward moving Blacks, decorum was in, and everything else, well, was not being a credit to the race.

Negro children were told that in order to succeed they must not only persevere but be better than their white contemporaries. Good enough was not enough. I was one of those children.

My father’s a well-educated man prided himself on being a “first”. The first Negro in his class, first Negro hired at an all-white company, first to move into all white neighborhoods…. You get the picture. My mother, could “pass”, a colloquialism for someone who physically appears white. Our home had all the trappings of a respectable Negro family.

I too, was often a “first”. First Colored girl at school, the first Negro some school mates had ever seen.

At seven I learned to be both offended and ashamed of my color. I was in second grade; the lesson de jour was Abraham Lincoln’s freeing of slaves. When a student asked; “What’s a slave?” Our teacher, pointed me out, informing the class that my family had been slaves.

I skipped home after school eager to share with my mother the news. I was the only kid in class who had slaves in their family. My news was not as well received as I expected. My mother’s body stiffened, her eyes steely cold, then like a metronome she asked: What did your teacher say?

Mom told me in no uncertain terms that it was insulting to be associated with slaves. Apparently slaves were considered inferior, ignorant, low class, lazy and stupid. A scathing letter was sent by mother to the teacher for her slight. Yikes!!

Subsequently, I fell in line with the thinking that I, by color, was considered less-than. I attempted to prove my worth and distanced myself from stereotypical behaviors. In a further effort for acceptance, I told school friends that my mother was white, and had she not married my father I would be white too. I was angry at my father for being black.

That was a time when communities were ill equipped to address racial disparity; provide education surrounding the ignorance of prejudice or have an open forum to share the accomplishments and history of Black Americans.

A time came when positive images of Black people were at the forefront of America. The civil rights movement contributed to uplifting black imagery! Young people like me found encouragement from learning of the struggle, successes history and strength of those black men and women who came before me. This provided me with the self-confidence that has helped me focus on benefiting others rather than how my black skin may hold me back.

Today Black History Month exists. All Americans share in some of the best and worst of our country’s history and culture. We celebrate America, as she continues to progress.

This is a good time. It’s Black History month, Yay!

Dianne WilliamsDIANNE WILLIAMS – Playwright, performer, singer and activist is the author of The Rise and Fall of My Breasts, making its New York debut in the Spring of 2015.

A native of Massachusetts, Dianne currently lives in Southern California, where she has made substantial contributions and volunteers time and effort on behalf of humanitarian, social service and charitable causes and organizations.

As a writer she has produced; a novel, short stories and written numerous articles. Also a theatre critic Dianne provides insightful reviews for NoHo Arts District.

Dianne was a contract singer with Soul Unlimited. She toured as a solo artist performing with her own band throughout Southern California and Asia.

As an actress she used her multiple talents performing in dramas and musical theatre.

“I am grateful for every day that I am able to be of benefit to mankind, and it is an honour to participate in the creative world.”

**** 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.  

The Man Behind Great Acting – A Profile on Director Don Eitner

NoHo - North Hollywood
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It’s been noted that one of the main things all people who live to be 100 years old have in common is that they each wake up every morning and do something they love, without fail. Well, if this is true, than the immovable Don Eitner is well on his way.

At 79 years old, after having served our country in the Air Force, starred in over 80 television shows, including MASH, Dallas and Dynasty as well as several feature films, directed countless stage productions, and owned and operated his own theater company for 12 years in Hollywood, Don is once again in service to others in the form of teaching.

“In the last year and a half, I’ve been approached by the Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts, and they wanted me to develop a strong acting program because their curriculum focus was mainly dance and musical theater,” he says during our interview. “So I have begun now to train their young dancers in the technique of acting.” He teaches a class three times a week, his students ranging from eight to sixteen years old, where they work on monologues and small scenes in addition to the dance classes and annual performances that Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts is famous for. And having spent six years in the 90’s serving as the theater arts director for the Southern California Musical Theatre Association’s summer program for youth prior, Don is certainly no novice when it comes to empowering leadership.

“Teaching the young people’s theater program for the music center was very similar to what I’m doing now,” he says. “When you’re teaching, you begin to see the individuality in each student- and you look for what I call their ‘blessings,’ and how they respond because they’re all different. So each time, I see new things and I take advantage of that in helping them to develop those strengths.”

A major strength of Don’s teaching style is his ability to illuminate the basic approach to breaking down character and analyzing scripts -giving his students the very basic questions and exercises in order to bring forth an understanding and personal connection to the material. “And they’re young, so they don’t have a lot of life experience,” he notes. “And so much of what makes great actors is their ability to bring in their life experiences. So they’re green, but they’re not damaged; we work slowly and specifically. And I sometimes share what’s in my manual Symbols-Enriching Personalization for the Actor; although, that manual is for a little older level.”

One of his greatest contributions, Symbols-Enriching Personalization for the Actor, which he co-wrote with his former student Jayne Taini, is a result of years of dedication to his craft, dating back to the early 60’s when Don first began teaching and directing at the Melrose Theatre in Hollywood.

Madly In Love

In 1964, Paul Kent, best known for playing Lieutenant Commander Beach in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, founded the Melrose Theatre, with Don as one of the founding members. At that time, Tom Troupe was adapting Nikolai Gogol’s short story Diary of a Madman into a solo play, and he asked Don to direct, marking his debut as a director. “Tom Troupe is my favorite actor of all time,” Don shares. “I admire him so much because he looks for the specifics and personal connection, and his brilliance comes from being a great detective.” Don hit the ground running, directing over 22 productions for the Melrose Theatre, two of which were made into feature films: Diary of a Madman, an Atlanta Film Festival best film winner, and The Three of Him for the CBS Repertory Workshop. But it was his staged version of Diary of a Madman that really proved to be the catalyst for his co-authored book. “Paul Baker, the Artistic Director for the Dallas Theatre Center, had seen Diary of a Madman, and he liked it so much that he called me to direct The Lion in Winter there,” he remembers. “And Tom Troupe & Carole Cook had been invited to guest star because we were all friends, and Carole had worked with Paul Baker before, so there was a connection.”

The Lion in Winter, written in 1966 by James Goldman, follows the personal and political struggles between Henry II of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, their three sons: Richard, Geoffrey and John, and their Christmas Court guests during Christmas in 1183. Don went to Dallas to cast the play, and once assembled, spent a considerable amount of time doing table reads. “I’m an explorer. I like to ask questions and not necessarily find the answers right away, but to keep asking questions,” he admits. “So that was the process I brought in. And Carole and Tom understood, but the rest of the actors were all giving me their audition performances. And I said, ‘Stop acting, you’ve all already got the part.’ And believe it or not, they couldn’t do it.”

In The Lion in Winter, one of the key elements at play is the race between brothers Richard, Geoffrey and John for the throne, so there is a large power struggle that the actors had to strategically maneuver through. And being intuitive to his actor’s strong suits and needs, Don set up the rehearsal process almost like a game of chess. “I set up a floor diagram,” he recalls, “and I told the actors that as they moved towards power or away from power, towards their mother or towards their father, they had to move onto the grid, their scripts in their hands.” He then put the throne in the middle of the stage, which is where they were trying to get to. So as they gained or lost power, every character in the play moved towards or away from the throne. And that was the beginning of the development of his theory on symbols that enrich personalization. His next step was sending them home to find personal objects that related to the strengths and weaknesses of their characters.

“The character of John is the youngest of the children and not the brightest,” Don shares. “And he’s the least likely to make it to the throne; although, in reality, he did make it to the throne and became King John. So the actor brought in this cap from when he was a boy, saying that it made him feel like a child. So whenever he felt like he was being attacked, he’d put that cap on. Eventually, I had them all put their props away, and the actor playing John developed a haircut that was appropriate for the time. And when he felt that he was being attacked or a loss of strength, he would automatically brush his hair. So it sounds bizarre, but that so personally connected the actor to that particular part of his character. And that’s how Symbols-Enriching Personalization for the Actor came to be.”

The Lion in Winter went on to be a huge success, and Don took his newfound technique with him upon his departure back to the Melrose Theatre, where his then student Jayne Taini became a huge advocate of the practice. “So we decided we’d write this book about symbols,” he says. “But most importantly, we talk a lot about the basic approach to the technique of acting.”

On and Onward

Yes, Don had made quite a name for himself, performing and directing countless productions at the Melrose Theatre for the better part of a decade, but in 1974, he began to get antsy. “I came to a point where I felt that the actors coming to town were not fully equipped,” he admits. “They were playing their personalities because that’s what they saw on television. So I felt that the Melrose was doing great work and actors were learning technique, but they weren’t complete. There was no voice, no diction, there wasn’t a focus on the classic or the Alexander Technique or any of the things you need to become a complete instrument.” So Don left the Melrose Theatre and went off on his own. It took him a good year, but he eventually converted the Hollywood Mortuary into his very own American Theatre Arts (ATA) Conservatory Theatre, complete with two stages, 7 classrooms and a generous amount of office space. He then brought in 14 of the best teachers. And together, they produced over 50 plays, including Abe Polsky’s Devour the Snow as well as the premiere of Donald L Coburn’s The Gin Game, directed by Kip Niven. The Gin Game went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1978 after its debut on Broadway, starring Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy and directed by Mike Nichols.

“And we did that for almost 12 years,” he says. “And it was a wonderfully golden time, and it was made successful because of all the ensemble work, which is what I was really striving for and wanted to experience for myself as well as for everyone else.” And it’s this concern for his peers that has kept Don in the conversation for all these years, consistently waking up every day and doing what he loves, a disposition that’s consistently shown up since his days as a Del Rey Player back at Loyola Marymount University.

Ever Present

A San Marino, California native, Don discovered his love and talent for acting while studying economics at Loyola Marymount. “I never thought of myself as an actor, I did it because it was fun,” he shares. “Loyola Marymount University had an extracurricular organization call the Del Rey Players, and we worked in a tiny little 50-seat theater- and all through my four years, I kept on doing plays. And I saw a lot of quality work in that club, and I had a great time doing it, and I eventually became president of the club.”

It was during Don’s junior year of college that he performed in a play that an agent named Howard Montgomery witnessed, and promptly signed Don as a result. Shortly after, Montgomery sent Don out on an audition for a pilot. “I went to the interview, and when I walked in, there were hundreds of actors, and I got really nervous,” he says. “And I read with an actor named Tom Pittman. Tom had a very promising career, but he was killed in a car accident. He and I read together, and I was so nervous, I thought I was going to leave fingerprints all over my script from my hands sweating so much. But I got a call back for that next Saturday.”

It was during that call back that Don’s life changed after he landed the role of Don Townsend in the 1956 TV series West Point. “We shot the pilot, I got into the Screen Actors Guild, which cost me $165, and I was on my way.”

Today, after more than 30 years as a professional actor, Don is finally getting back into yet another daily practice that he cherishes: sketching. “I’ve become a sketch artist for portraits, which I’ve done for years as a hobby, and in recent years, I’ve gone back to class and studied with a great teacher,” he says. “And now I do portraits, which keeps me focused.” And theater-goers needn’t worry because when the opportunity strikes, Don is more than prepared to direct for the stage, having recently directed A Moon for the Misbegotten by Eugene O’Neill for the Antaeus Theatre, and Mariette Hartley’s award winning one-woman show If You Get to Bethlehem You’ve Gone Too Far.
Yes, Don Eitner is the personification of immovable. And with a career spanning a lifetime, and a tireless hunger to keep learning and doing what he loves on a daily basis, without fail, he’s sure to keep us entertained and engrossed for many more years to come.

“I truly believe that God has given me gifts. I don’t always recognize them, but he points me to where he wants me to go. And I truly believe that I have been directed to do this work with the blessings that I’ve been given. Beyond that point, I’ve had wonderful teachers, and I truly try to give as much as I can because they’re all blessings and I have a blessed life.”

For more information on Don’s acting course at the Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts, please visit: http://www.vonderhaarcenter.com/ .

NoHo Staying Fit With Dance

Lisa Bianconi
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So how are you staying fit in 2014?

It’s a brand new, beautiful year, which means resolutions have been made for a better 2014. And if you’re like most of us, staying fit is likely #1 on your list.

Getting in shape (and staying that way) is one of the most popular resolutions to make. And, funny enough, it’s also one of the easiest to break. The fact is, there are so many exercise options that it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.

So – where to start?

At the NoHo Senior Arts Colony, an apartment community for adults age 62+ in North Hollywood, we’re taking our “stay fit” resolution to a whole new level with something we already love: the art of dance.

Dancing has so many benefits: it’s fun, it’s beautiful, and it’s a fantastic workout for both your body and mind.

“The art of dance really means something different to everyone,” says Maureen Kellen-Taylor, C.O.O. of EngAGE, the nonprofit organization that runs all the programming at the NoHo Senior Arts Colony Apartments. “It’s an individualized way to express your emotions and enjoy yourself.”

Dancing is also an excellent way to get your heart rate up, get rid of extra body fat, and build lean muscle and build strong bones.

“We have so many residents here who have just begun taking dance classes, and they find dance incredibly beneficial for their minds and bodies,” says Kellen-Taylor (who loves to dance herself).

NoHo Senior Arts

Choosing a dance class is an important first step. Many local community centers and dance studios offer a variety of classes to choose from.

To select the right one, our advice is to be gentle with yourself. If you haven’t danced since you were a kid, start off slowly by trying a beginner ballet or ballroom dance class.

“Sometimes people try to jump into a new dance class and expect that it will be easy from the start,” notes Kellen-Taylor. “The fact is, the art of dance is an exciting challenge, and it will take some perseverance in the beginning.”

We recommend trying a class at least three times before you hang up your dancing shoes. Once you get really comfortable with beginner classes, we bet you’ll be tempted to branch out and try a more complicated dance like Salsa, Tango or Jazz.

In these classes, you’ll not only stay fit physically, but you’ll also be sharpening your memory and coordination skills.

“Studies show that memorizing dance sequences is a great way to boost brain power,” notes Kellen-Taylor.

Plus, dance class is the perfect place to remain social and to meet people. If you’re shy, invite a friend to a class with you. We guarantee you’ll share many laughs and create great memories that will last for years to come.

So have fun with it, and get out and dance your way to fitness in 2014!

(And as always, be sure to consult your doctor before starting any exercise regimen.)

Apartments at NoHo Senior Arts Colony are now available for lease. The community is for adults age 62+ and features one-and two bedroom apartments. Art and social programs such as the dance classes referenced above are available free of charge to our residents. Whether you are an artist or simply take pleasure in the creativity of life, visit www.nohoseniorartscolony.com or call 855-391-4766.

**** 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.  

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