Community theatre is derided but not always deservedly so. The theatre group associated with Monrovia High School tackles big plays and does them quite nicely. Most importantly its a community effort supported by MUSD and gives kids and young adults in the area a chance to spread their wings, experiment and grow.
The play plot is well known. Young girl goes to New York looking for a rich husband instead of love. The part of Milly is played by Marjory Zuk who not only sings well, but dances well to bring the character to life. Theres a large pool of local talent to round out the cast and make for a lively evening.
This is going to be an awesomely fun evening. Sierra Madre Playhouse and Vroman's Books in Hasting Ranch have teamed up to bring the cast and crew from their soon to open "Always…Patsy Cline" production down the hill for a listening party. Listen to such classics as Crazy, Walking After Midnight, and I Fall To Pieces.
Learn about the singing techniques Patsy used to evoke the heartbreak and longing that have made her songs country and pop classics. Presented in tandem with the production of Always… Patsy Cline at The Sierra Madre Playhouse, playing July 31 – September 12, 2015.
I know this shopping center well. Parking is always tight and you can idle forever waiting for a spot to open. I'd suggest if you are mass transit enabled take the Gold Line to the Sierra Madre Station and walk the 4 blocks east to Vroman's or grab an ARTS shuttle or Foothill Transit 187 "murder bus" to the center. Much easier and less stressful than dealing with tight parking.
Deets: The Patsy Cline Listening Party will take place at Vroman's Hastings Ranch store at 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 on Friday, July 17, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Free event. MAP HERE.
I knew about Tower Records long before I moved here. Sunset and Horn. My bestest buddy from college lived just up the hill on Horn from there. Every trip to visit Los Angeles included at trip to Tower Records to soak up the vibe and pick up the lastest and greatest tunes. And star sightings. Lots of them back in the 80s. Even after I moved here and was living in Canoga Park I still made it there often. As I look at my collection of tapes and CD's and odd bits of vinyl each brings back a memory of a trip there.
The Grammy Museum at L.A Live has a documentary on the rise and fall of Tower Records that will show March 25, 2015. Tickets are on sale now . Reel to Reel: All Things Must Pass promises to be a joyous trip down memory lane. The old store may have been killed by the MP3 pirates, but its memories will live on.
What is L.A. Auto Show press days without a manufacturer party or two? My absolute favorite is the Hyundai party. Again this year at the Hotel Figueroa a few blocks from the show itself.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Yes, they were our live entertainment. Nearly shat myself when they were announced to be our entertainment for the evening. Tons of fun, she hasn't lost her edge. Totally fun night.
Nearly 4 years ago the island country of Haiti was devastated with an earthquake. International aid helped, but they have a long way towards rebuilding. Their education system took a huge hit and is in need of contnued help. Taste of Haiti comes to Los Angeles as a fund raiser to continue rebuilding their schools and stuff.
Taste of Haiti is a celebration of all things Haitian and will take place on a rooftop in DTLA on Wilshire. Food, Dance, and Music to celebrate their culture and share with those of us who can help with the cause. High light of the event is food by Chef Jacques Laventure.
This isn't free, tickets range in price from $20 to $100 with perks commensurate with your tax deductible donation. Ticket purchase and more about the L.A. Event here. More on the total Taste of Haiti Here.
What's the Xylovan? Its an amazing community music machine. Its about a personal expression shared with all. It first made its appearance at Burning Man a few years back. Its since made appearrances at the decompressions at Joshua Tree and here in L.A. Its fun.
It needs our help for the family that owns the Xylovan to make some much needed repairs and push it to the next level. Whats that…a roving ball room repleat with LED lights and such.
To Help you can contribute to them HERE at Indiegogo where they have a crowd sourcing campain in place. And its not all fun and games, there are prizes, tokens of appreciation for donors based on your level of donation.
To celebrate Walt Disney Concert Hall's 10th Anniversary, the LA Phil is making $10 tickets available for select concerts. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Box Office. (there is a per-ticket fee for all online sales). Two ticket limit per household.
American Sabor opens on Saturday Nov 16th at Cal State University LA with a huge open house. Its an exhibit on loan to CSULA until February 6 2014. The Exhibit is here are part of a grant from Ford Motor Company. The exhibit left me speechless. Yes, I knew some of the famous names, but I never knew until touring this exhibit the depth that Latin Music, its flavor or sabor has influenced all of American Music.