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High Stakes, Hollywood Style: LA’s Gambling Scene Of Today

Los Angeles is a city of reinvention. From late-night taco trucks and rooftop lounges to red-carpet premieres and art pop-ups in abandoned warehouses, the City of Angels hums with energy pretty much 24/7. 

Exploring Virtual Reality’s Impact on Different Industries: From Gaming to Art

Virtual Reality (VR) has taken the world by storm, with its promise of immersion appealing to a wide variety of consumers. This innovative technology transcends the realm of modern advancements, making for a unique experience in various fields, the most common being gaming. 

From Concept to Click: The Role of Art and Design in User-Centered Websites

Modern web domains have become increasingly digital affairs that foreground clarity, responsiveness and relevance. In 2024, first impressions were 94% influenced by design, with almost 75% of users trusting a visually appealing website. As online interactions become gradually more sophisticated, the visual and structural elements of websites hold meaningful influence. 

Fritz Coleman’s Unassisted Residency LIVE!

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Fritz Coleman, the much loved, longtime KNBC weatherman’s hilariously titled new self-written solo show, “Unassisted Residency LIVE!”, Is having its own ‘residency’ of sorts at the iconic El Portal Theatre in NoHo for the next few months. 

Meet Casting Director Sharon Bialy

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Meet casting director Sharon Bialy! The Interviews are a series from The Television Academy Foundation that gives pearls of wisdom from entertainment industry trendsetters and legends.

Arts and Culture: The Profound Influence of Casino Games on Popular Culture

The world of casino games produces an inescapable pull that reaches further than standard casino boundaries. Casino games generate a sequence of sounds that includes the mechanical Rhythm of roulette wheels together with the mesmerizing movement of cards and the specific musical tones of slot machine operation. 

The L.A. County Arts Internship Program

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – The L.A. County Arts Internship Program is here! The L.A. County Department of Arts & Culture has a paid arts internship program for qualified college students.

Gambling Meets Creativity: How LA’s Art Scene Influences Casino Game Design

Los Angeles thrives on artistic energy. From its street art to its vibrant gallery culture, creativity buzzes through the city. Surprisingly, this influence extends beyond traditional spaces, reaching industries like casino game design. The dynamic relationship between LA’s art world and the gaming industry shows how aesthetics and storytelling transform gambling into an immersive experience.

Managing Debt After a Disaster 

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Tune in with the Entertainment Community Fund to get information on how to manage debt in the aftermath of the L.A. fires on Tuesday, April 29 at 3PM.

The Longer My Mother is Dead the More I Like Her

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of  Deborah Unger’s The Longer My Mother is Dead the More I Like Her the Whitefire Theatre SOLOFEST. 

The Dark Dark Ride Ride: Datneyland

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre is proud to present Dark Dark Ride Ride: Datneyland, a gleefully twisted, adults-only, horror parody experience that takes you on The Most Disturbing Joyride of Your Life!

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group
Address: 4850 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Telephone: 818-202-4120
Website: http://www.zombiejoes.com

Dates & Times:
April 25 – May 4
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Rides launch every 15 minutes from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM

Buckle in, brave souls!

Climb into a two-seater “Doom Buggie” and journey through an unhinged, live-action satire of the world’s most beloved theme park empire (you know the one… but we’re legally not saying it). Each twisted corner of the ride reveals a new and demented scene featuring sinister princesses, deranged mascots, and parody magic gone horrifically wrong.

Forget the happiest place on Earth—this is the most cursed place on stage. Dark Dark Ride Ride: Datneyland is where fairy tales go to DIE 🙂

The Team

Directed by Charlotte Cocker and produced by Zombie Joe, this immersive horror-comedy brings guests face-to-face with characters that feel eerily familiar—but with a deliciously dark twist.

The Dark Dark Ride Ride: Datneyland Cast

The cast features powerhouse performances from Charlotte Cocker, Dantrell McClain, Elissa Croslin, Jennie Tuliao, Joshua Han, and Michael Medina.

FYI

🚨For Ages 18+ only.  This ride is creepy, raunchy, contains nudity, and NOT for the faint of heart. Riders may get wet – as well as experience dark themes, adult content, and close-up encounters. Mandatory waivers/releases to be signed, prior to boarding your own “Doom Buggie.”

🎟️  ($35 per Doom Buggie; Seats up to 2 Riders)

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More About Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group
To see what shows are playing, check out our theatre guide>>

Alto Knights, Holland, (and Julie Benko at the Catalina Club!)

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Here are this month’s movie and TV reviews of Alto Knights, Holland, (and Julie Benko at the Catalina Club!).

Harmony at Animal Tracks: A Musical Journey with Juliana Sloan

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Meet Juliana Sloan, a volunteer at Animal Tracks sanctuary who sings to the animals.

Maestro Pianist Marina Grozdanovic

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Award-winning maestro pianist Marina Grozdanovic takes us on a musical journey to Paris with immersive imagery at The Athena Foundation for the Arts Spring 2025 concert on Sunday, May 18.

Barrymore

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Barrymore, a play by William Luce, starring Vito D’Ambrosio, directed by Bryan Rasmussen, and returning to Whitefire Theatre Solofest 2025 on May 10. 

Sacramento: A Slow Burn of Inspiration Just Hours from LA

Let’s be honest, living in LA is wild. If you’re into art, you’ve probably been to the big galleries, the packed openings, maybe even a rooftop party with a DJ spinning next to some neon sculpture. It’s cool, sure. But sometimes, it all starts to feel like one big performance. The traffic, the constant buzz, the rush to get noticed. Even creativity starts to feel like a competition.

NoHo News April 10

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This is the weekly NoHo News – your North Hollywood arts community update!  We look forward to sharing lots of fun and unique news, events, profiles and updates on what’s happening in the NoHo Arts District neighborhood and beyond.

Jane Eyre

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of  A Noise Within’s Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Brontë, adapted by Elizabeth Williamson and directed by Geoff Elliott.

Aristotle/Alexander

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of  Company of Angels, Combined Artform and Legacy LA’s Aristotle/Alexander, written and directed by two-time Ovation Award winner Alex Lyras.

Council Approves Adrin Nazarian Motion on L.A. Film Production

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – By a unanimous vote of the entire 15-member body, the City Council voted unanimously today to approve a motion by Councilmember Adrin Nazarian (District 2) designed to keep film, television and commercial production in Los Angeles.

Two Spectacular Magic Shows, One Unforgettable Venue

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Get ready for a magical experience like no other—two amazing magic shows (four unforgettable performances) at the historic United Theater on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles!

The Ammara•Prosseda Piano Duo

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts music review of The Ammara•Prosseda Piano Duo at The Athena Foundation for the Arts concert series.

Meet Dima Otvertchenko

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Meet North Hollywood photographer and all-around creative human Dima Otvertchenko of Blue Hour Valley, who focuses his lens on the 818. Our NoHo Artist Feature is a way to highlight the visual artists who call NoHo home. And to say THANK YOU!

Can the historic North Hollywood Arts District make a comeback?

As North Hollywood’s historic El Portal Theatre prepares for its 100th anniversary celebration this fall, visitors might be surprised to learn that the surrounding NoHo Arts District is in decline.

Meal Prep vs. Leftovers: Finding What Works Best for Your Lifestyle

Eating healthily and maintaining a consistent diet can be a significant challenge. Between work, family responsibilities, and finding time for self-care, it can be tough to also ensure you’re eating balanced meals every day. If you find yourself struggling to fit in time to cook, you’re not alone. Many people are turning towards meal prepping or easier yet, repurposing leftovers to afford some respite from this daily routine. But how do you decide which is better? Here, we’ll compare ‘meal prep vs leftovers’ to help you determine what works best for your lifestyle.

Tuesdays with Morrie

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – CASA 0101 Theater Founding Artistic Director Josefina López and Executive Director Emmanuel Deleage present TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, based on the book by Mitch Albom, directed by Miguel Angel Delgado, and running April 18 – May 11.

Casa 0101
Address: 2102 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: (323) 263-7684
Website: https://casa0101.org/

Dates & Times:
April 18 – May 11
Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM
Sundays at 3PM
Buy Tickets Here

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, starring Vance Valencia as Morrie Schwartz and Gilbert Reynoso as Mitch Albom, is presented as part of CASA 0101 Theater’s 25th anniversary season!

About TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE 

Based on the breakout The New York Times bestseller, this autobiographical story is about an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and his former college professor.  Sixteen years later, Mitch learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a class on the meaning of life.

Miguel Angel Delgado, director, said, “I first read the book TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE when I was in middle school.  The book had a profound impact on me at that time, and still does to this day, with its poignant message of caring and focusing positively on your own life even under the most dire circumstances.  In the play, the character of Morrie Schwartz has an upbeat, cheerful and inspiring outlook on life even though he is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.  There are many life lessons to be learned from this play.”

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at Casa 0101 Theatre
The Cast of TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE

Vance Valencia (Morrie Schwartz) (of Boyle Heights, CA) is a local actor known for his work in dozens of film and television productions but most notably for his supporting roles the Robert Zemeckis film Contact and the Bruce Willis action film, Die Hard 2.  Recent network television spots include Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and a recent spot on John Mulaney’s Everybody’s Live on Netflix.  He is also no stranger to the Los Angeles theatre scene having performed major roles at such venues as the Los Angeles Theatre Center, Hudson Theatre, Attic Theatre, Nosotros, Met Theatre, The Starlight Theatre, LA Actors Theatre and Taper2.  But Valencia is more than an actor, he is also an educator, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cal State Los Angeles and over the years has taught middle school Humanities in the Public, Private and Charter school sectors and teaches acting at CASA 0101 Theater.

A Boyle Heights native and product of local schools – including Roosevelt High School – it is here where his love of theatre began and here where he continues to share his passion for the classics with young people who need exposure to the arts the most.  Valencia is always proud to point out that the community park located catty-corner to CASA 0101 Theater is dedicated in his father’s name, longtime community leader and activist, Ross H. Valencia.  He has returned to CASA 0101 Theater where has enjoyed critical and popular success in the title roles of Willy Loman in the highly successful production of Death of a Salesman, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and in the subsequent drama, Mariela in the Desert by Karen Zacarías.

Gilbert Reynoso (Mitch Albom) (of Alhambra, CA) is making his debut at CASA 0101 Theater in this production.   Reynoso found his way into theatre while stumbling into an introductory acting course at Pasadena City College (PCC).  “I think you could do this” was the advice given by Professor Daniel Chodos, for Reynoso to go on and cut his teeth at PCC, performing in over 20 productions.  Most plays, including:  In The Next Room, The Marriage of Bette and Boo and Noises Off, were guided under the direction of Duke Stroud and Whitney Rydbeck, both being his cherished mentors.  Since then, Reynoso has gone on to play in local theatre, and has set forth into Film and Television productions, such as SXSW Jury Award winner Pennies From Heaven directed by Sandy Honig.

The TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Production Team

Josefina López (of Boyle Heights, CA), Founding Artistic Director, CASA 0101 Theater; Emmanuel Deleage (of Silver Lake, CA), Producer and Executive Director, CASA 0101 Theater; Miguel Angel Delgado (of South Gate, CA) Director and CASA 0101 Theater Technical Director; Gabrielle Maldonado (of Lakewood, CA) Music Composer; César Retana-Holguín (of Northridge, CA) Scenic Designer; Alejandro Parra (of Burbank, CA) Lighting Designer; Alejandro Lechuga (of Los Angeles, CA) Costume Designer; Joaquín Madrid Larrañaga (of Lincoln Heights, CA) Stage Manager; Angelica Ornelas (of North Hollywood, CA) Assistant Stage Manager and Props Manager; Lorena M. Ortega (of Huntington Beach, CA) Production Coordinator and CASA 0101 Theater Director of Outreach and Productions; Mark Kraus (of Los Angeles, CA), CASA 0101 Theater Development Director; Itzel Ocampo (of Alhambra, CA) Social Media Manager and CASA 0101 Theater Marketing and Operations Manager; Gabriela López de Dennis, Soap Studio Inc. (of Los Angeles, CA) Artwork and Program; Jorge Villanueva (of Boyle Heights, CA) Facilities Manager; Oscar Basulto (of Boyle Heights, CA) Box Office Manager; Al Aguilar (of Los Angeles, CA) Production Assistant; Francis Gacad (of Anaheim, CA) Production Photographer and Steve Moyer Public Relations (of Los Angeles, CA), Press Representative.

CASA 0101 Theater is supported in part by:  Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, National Latinx Theater Initiative, The Herb Alpert Foundation, Perenchio Foundation, The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the State of California and U.S. Bank.

Art Exhibit

Don’t miss ABSTRACT TO CONCRETE:  BARRIO EXPRESSIONS, a FREE art exhibit examining the relations between abstract and concrete contemporary Barrio art, will be available to be viewed in the Jean Deleage Art Gallery, located in the lobby of CASA 0101 Theater during the run of TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE.  Curated by Jimmy Centeno, the exhibit will feature the work of five artists, including: Fernando Barragán, Jimmy Centeno, Pedro Rios Martinez, Carlos Rojas and Richard Valdes.  The exhibit can be viewed prior to the performances, and during art gallery hours, which are Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Director

Miguel Angel Delgado (Director/CASA 0101 Technical Director) (of South Gate, CA) is making his directing debut at CASA 0101 Theater with this production.  Delgado is a versatile theatre artist with experience as an actor, director, playwright and scenic designer with a passion for Technical Theatre.  Delgado has worked with several renowned theatre and film companies, including Pasadena Playhouse, Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures where he has worked in a range of productions from contemporary dramas, to classic works and musicals.

As a director, he focuses on creating dynamic, emotionally resonant experiences, often blending traditional and innovative approaches to bring fresh perspectives to both new and established plays.  In addition to his stage work, Delgado is dedicated to fostering inclusive and diverse creative spaces, believing strongly in the transformative power of theatre.  Now as CASA 0101 Theater’s Technical Director he has worked on numerous projects such as Queen of the Rumba, Shrek Jr. – The Musical and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, to name a few.  Delgado is also the owner of Elerys Productions, where he focuses on high-end production, having worked with the likes of Sons of Anarchy, Mayans, Sabrina Carpenter, John Legend, and Rosalía.

About CASA 0101 Theater

CASA 0101 Theater, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded 25 years ago by Founding Artistic Director, Josefina López, author of Real Women Have Curves, in 2000 to fulfill her vision of bringing art and live theater programs to Boyle Heights. From its humble beginnings in a former bridal shop, CASA 0101 Theater has established itself as a leading arts venue for Los Angeles’ East Side, currently offering year-round theatrical productions and classes in dramatic writing and acting for youth and adults. CASA 0101 Theater is dedicated to providing vital arts, cultural, and educations programs in theatre, digital filmmaking, art and dance – to Boyle Heights, thereby nurturing the future storytellers of Los Angeles.  CASA 0101 is named such, as casa means house of home in Spanish. Zeroes and ones are the binary language computers use to operate. CASA 0101 Theater was founded at the dawn of the digital age, when digital cameras started appearing and movie making became accessible to more people. Early on Josefina López taught digital video classes.  Though the organization subsequently focused its energies on theatre and not digital filmmaking, the name stuck. A documentary film about CASA 0101 Theater is currently in the works by filmmakers Michael and Moni Vargas of Friends of Love. To learn more about the documentary, please visit www.casa0101.org  or www.friendswelove.com

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More About Casa 0101
To see what shows are playing, check out our theatre guide>>

In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Dance On Productions has announced the West Coast premiere of Tennessee Williams’ In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel, directed by Jack Heller, running April 9-May 18 at Hudson Backstage Theatre.

Hudson Theatre
6359 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone:  (323) 856-4249

Dates & Times:
April 9-May 18
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm
Sunday at 3pm
Buy Tickets Here

About In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel

Written in 1968, this rarely seen play was first staged off-Broadway in 1969. It shines an undeniable light on the chasm between spiritual ambition and carnal need. The central characters, a debilitated painter and his lonely, desperate wife, express their anguish through plaintive notes of poetry recalling Tennessee Williams at his very best. Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission.

In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel Cast

The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Paul Coates, Remington Hoffman, Susan Priver, and Rene Rivera.

In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel
The Team

Set design is by Joel Daavid, lighting and sound design are by Matthew Richter, costume design is by Shon LeBlanc and graphic design is by Sharon March. Brian Foyster serves as producer for Dance On Productions.

Jack Heller most recently directed A Slight Ache by Harold Pinter and A Streetcar Named Desire at the Odyssey Theatre. He has staged 60 productions throughout the US and Canada and was a founder and director of the Laurelgrove Theatre Company. As an actor: One by One and Luv on Broadway (also National Company), four productions of Tennessee in the Summer, Dr. Galley by Conrad Bromberg, and The Lost Plays of Tennessee Williams. Film: Queen of the Lot, Just 45 Minutes from Broadway, and Into the Sun. He is a lifetime member and in the Directing Unit of The Actors Studio.

Paul Coates – Theatre, NY/Off-Broadway: Soup in the Second Act, The Bad and the Horrible, Desire!, The High Life. Los Angeles: Nicholas Nickleby, As You Like It, Duck D’Amour, Titanic, The Kentucky Cycle, Hobson’s Choice, Round and Round the Garden, The Collection, Desire!, Beautifully Broken Things. Film: Alone Time and My Secretary.

Remington Hoffman – Theatre: Fat Pig, Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Television: Tyler Perry’s Zatima (BET+), Days of Our Lives (Peacock), The Rookie, Marvel’s Agents of Shield, Westworld, Animal Kingdom, Station 19. He directed the critically acclaimed short film A Walk in West LA and he is a creator/producer of the documentary series Talkin’ Success.

Susan Priver – Theatre: A Streetcar Named Desire, Harold Pinter’s A Slight Ache, Kingdom of Earth, Separate Tables, Engaging Shaw, A Clean Brush, The Guardsman, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Lover, The Great Sebastians, Ceasar and Cleopatra, Idiot’s Delight, Twentieth Century, Four Dogs and a Bone, Savage in Limbo, American Dream, Reunion, Fool for Love, People in the Wind, Incident at the Standish Arms, Detective Story, God of Vengence, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, among others.TV and film: Dororthea, Kemper, Unspeakable, Beyond the Wall of Sleep, Night Caller, Lucky Louie, Serving Up Richard AKA/The Guest Room, What’s Up, Scarlet?, My Brother Jack, Mafioso, Good, Miss Dixie High, Bad Detectives, Louis by the Sea, The Game of Life.

Rene Rivera – LA theatre: Inherit the Wind, The King of the Desert, Salome, Two Fisted Love. NY theatre: Hamlet, In the Jungle of the Cities, Henry IV, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, As You Like It, Salome. Regional: The Merchant of Venice, Boleros for the Disenchanted, True West, Hamlet, The House of Blue Leaves, Twelfth Night. Film: Plea, Dog, Beneath, Wilde Salome, Game of Life, Disturbia, Bordertown, Lords of Dogtown, Break a Leg, The United States of Leland, Deadly Little Secrets, The Salton Sea, It Could Happen to You, Carlito’s Way, Light Sleeper. TV: 911, Grey’s Anatomy, Agent X, The Mentalist, Prison Break, Monk, NYPD Blue, The X-Files, Law & Order, Miami Vice. Graduate of the Juilliard School and member of The Actors Studio.

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To see what shows are playing, check out our theatre guide>>

LA Dances Graham100

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – On April 26, The Soraya presents LA Dances Graham100, showcasing nearly a century of pieces by the Martha Graham Dance Company (MGDC). The program features dynamic Los Angeles-based dancers from Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at USC, CSU Northridge, L.A. County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), and three soloists from MGDC. The seven-piece program covers a singular arc of MGDC history from 1932 to two anticipated 2025 world premiere Lamentation Variations pieces. The performance is part of The Soraya’s inaugural LA Seen festival, a monthlong series of programs dedicated to the performing arts in Los Angeles.

Intellectual Mind Candy

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre article about the solo show Intellectual Mind Candy, written and performed by Jovian Deadees, and directed by Charlene Ward, heading to the Whitefire Theatre Solofest 2025 on Sunday, April 13.