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Los Angeles @ Nite | LA live with cool Miss Kastle
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July 19th, 2010
Welcome to summer in California! I found some perfect ways to break in the long, sunny days with some of my retro-lovin’ friends, starting with the Wet Set Social Pinup Pool Party. Channeling our best Marilyn Monroe in “Some Like It Hot,” us girls in our retro romper swimsuits, red lipstick and heels gathered poolside at the ever-charming Sportsmen’s Lodge. I think we left a few visitors wondering what decade it was, but they didn’t seem to mind one bit!
I’ve been exploring a few of Los Angeles’ beautiful historic bars lately and drinks really do taste better when you’re in a gorgeous setting such as Moroccan-inspired Figueroa Hotel downtown, where I felt like I stepped into a scene from “Casablanca” as we explored the opulent setting of this gem that opened in 1925. A couple of weeks later, I was beachside at the penthouse bar of the Shangri-La Hotel, where the deck overlooks the ocean, and the sleek interior has stood the test of time since 1939.
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At night, there’s really no other place to be on Sundays than Maxwell DeMille’s Cicada Club, in the heart of Art Deco elegance in the historic Oviatt Building. Scenesters who love the ‘20s and ‘30s come dressed in their best vintage for some sophisticated dining or ballroom dance. Mr. DeMille is always the 'host with the most,' stepping up to a classic microphone to introduce some of the best big bands in town. They also have special occasion theme nights such Maxwell’s Annual 39th Birthday Party (wink, wink) and their 1940s Oscar Party, where some patrons came dressed as nominees from that year’s movies. It sure must be hard to dance when you’re dressed like the Wicked Witch of the West, but that’s all part of the fun!
There’s no place like home,
K.
February 18th, 2010
There are a lot of people doing good things in our fair city of Los Angeles, and I’d like to focus this report on a few of them.
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I stumbled across a postcard for an interesting group called the Artists for Animals Initiative-- a group of pet-loving activists who are building an organization to grant money to struggling artists who can’t afford vet bills when their pet gets sick or injured. LA was built on artists who come here to make Tinsel Town what it is by achieving fame and fortune, but in the meantime, they are usually struggling to even make rent. There’s no reason why their animal companions should suffer (or to my horror put in shelters or euthanized) because they get sick. And yes, there is pet insurance, but even that has cap, and anyone who’s ever taken a pet to the vet knows how expensive those bills are!
The Animal Care for Artists Initiative is working to achieve non-profit status, but in the meantime, you can still donate or volunteer to help by visiting their website: www.animalcareforartists.org
I’ve been hanging around a lot of people who are passionate about preserving LA’s retro landmarks lately. I have to say, I find it shameful that developers want to tear down every bit of character this city has to flip property and make a fast buck. I recently learned that a number of LA’s beautiful old theatres are on the chopping block. The one in most urgent need of saving is the Regency Fairfax, whose owner is ready to sell, gut, and turn into condos! Why the hell does this city need so many condos – most of them no average person can afford? And why do developers go after beautiful historic buildings when there are PLENTY of hideous buildings all over town that I would love to see torn down?! The only way for Los Angeles to save its character is for those who have character to speak up, get active, and save these gorgeous landmarks. Here are some groups you can get involved with. They are in desperate need of your help:
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And there was a little change to a Hollywood icon lately. The famous Hollywood sign got a week-long makeover to read “Save the Peak” by a group who is trying to raise funds to purchase the land around the sign to keep it from being used to build luxury homes –again more overpriced housing we don’t need! Can you imagine ruining this view and destroying the land around it? This section of land, adjacent to Griffith Park, is one of the few scrapes of green space we have left to go hiking and enjoy our fabulous sunny weather. Now some developer wants to build on it for only the rich who can afford it. But YOU can do something to preserve this area and keep the beloved icon you see today. Make a donation to Save the Peak – it’s tax deductible! But please hurry… they only have until April 14th to raise $12.5 million! Go to: www.savehollywoodland.org
January 15, 2010
It’s the New Year and it came so fast and furious I barely had time to ponder the end of 2009. I know a lot of people are saying good riddance to a year of mass unemployment and recession depression. I managed to hang in there and still get out a bit. I spent the last few months of the year seeing a couple of my idols and loading up on inspiration.
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First stop, the Women’s Conference in Long Beach put on by California First Lady Maria Shriver where I met “Sex and the City” author Candice Bushnell. In an conversation with celebrity interviewer Mario Lopez, this gutsy fashionista told how she really did live the Carrie Bradshaw lifestyle, partying on the streets of New York, coming home a the crack of dawn, penning her tales until she hit on success. When I approached her at the book-signing booth and posed the question, “What’s on your bucket list that you want to do before you die?” she confidently said, “I don’t make those lists anymore, I just want to spend my days writing books.” We all should have such a good life!
In my undying quest to turn the world more green, I went to see Al Gore speak at the Book Soup event at the Saban Theatre. Al was looking good, lost a little weight and has become quite a funny and engaging speaker. He was promoting his new book “Our Choice” which basically explains how we have all the resources (free ones mind you: wind, sun) to solve the climate crisis, we just have to do it, and that means getting the politicians to pass the laws to make it happen. I jotted down some of his great words of wisdom that night:
We have enough tools and resources to solve several climate crisis –the good news is, we only have to solve ONE.
We have a moral obligation to our ourselves and the generations that come after us.
It’s not a political issue, it’s a moral issue, and an ethical issue, and in my mind a spiritual issue.
If we do not take the responsibility, then what is means to be a human is that we cannot transcend and rise to a cause.
People are saying we need a giant scavenger device to pull all the C02 from the air and sequester it into the ground. Um, we have that device – it’s called a TREE!
It’s important to change the light bulbs and the windows, it’s a lot more important to change the laws and policies. You have to get involved!
We have everything we need to solve the climate crisis except political will – and THAT’s a renewable resource!
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Lastly, I got my green on at the Opportunity Green Conference, where I was totally taken with Annie Leonard and her story behind The Story of Stuff. If you haven’t seen this viral video of what our material consumption is doing to the world, watch it now. It’s a funny cartoon with a powerful message. Most importantly Annie is one hilarious intellectual who spoke how she was basically ignored for years before she took a Social Change Training program and then hooked up with Free Range Studios and a viral video was born. I was totally taken with her humor and honesty and look forward to more videos the partnership is producing such as, the Story of Electronics and the most recent Story of Cap and Trade.
We all gotta shop sometime but try to do it responsibly,
K.
October 1, 2009
I needed a little rockabilly fix so I spent a Sunday evening with the tough billies hanging at the Hollywood Showdown. It was the 1950s gone punk as this crowd who made for good people watching with their vintage greaser duds, girls with flower pins and Rosie the Riveter updo’s and boys with slick pomps and Mohawks. While psychobilly ruled most of the lineup, it was Levi Dexter that I was there to see. This British rockabilly has been shakin’ his hips since the Rockats days and now a couple of decades later, he was still lookin’ good in a gold lame outfit and crooning is heart out. Go cat go!
I got an enjoyable lesson in Art Deco design when went to a lecture on Cedric Gibbons Lecture at the Egyptian Theatre. As one of the most influential art production directors in American film, Gibbons led the MGM art department from 1924 -1956 and put the Art of Art Deco into movie settings. He also created the look of the Oscar! The lecture was followed by a screening of “Grand Hotel” where we could see some of Gibbons beautiful sets come to life. Simply gorgeous!
Join in the celebration of the Egyptian’s 87th anniversary on Oct. 18 with Karl Dane: A Biography & Filmography featuring an overview of Dane's dramatic life and career. Show up between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. for cake, a toast of wine, and a book signing with Laura Peterson Balogh!
Here’s a blast from the past,
K.
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September 7, 2009
Hot summer days are meant for hot rod shows so I ventured down to Be Boppin’ in the Park in Burbank to check out some of the slick rides set up in the quaint Magnolia Park area. It still looks a bit like the ‘50s around there – which adds to its charm and easy parking (love that!). Pristine rides, sportin’ flames and shiny chrome, sat like eye candy up and down the street and the rockabilly sounds of the Hot Rod Trio drew me down to the end of the strip to check out their beats amongst the food and shop vendors. I stopped by the new artisan gift boutique Mindfulnest, and popped in a couple of vintage shops along the way. Just as I was about to leave I stumbled upon Jay Leno, known for his own classic car collection, kick-starting a vintage motorcycle much to the delight of a crowd that circled around him! As soon as I pulled my camera out, he put on his helmet. Drat! You can still check out the photos of the whole event HERE.
Now there are three things girls always like: cosmetics, cocktails and cupcakes, so when that was the theme of a book launch for a new chick lit novel called The Cocktail Hours, you know the place was jumping with fem energy! Taking place at Benefit Cosmetics boutique on Third Street, I sampled the testers of lotions and colors while sipping on a ruv-colored martini, Some sat in the makeover chairs, others socialized and stood in line to meet author Margaret Rose Lester as she signed copies of her tale of a girl reaching for her star in Hollywood. We were all stars at this party! Check out the photos HERE.
Now if there are two eras I love it’s the sinful elegance of the cabaret ‘30s and the flamboyant color of the ‘80s, so when I heard of a band that combines the influences of both, I had to see what that’s about! The Lost Fingers play ‘80s songs in a ‘30s jazz style with a sense of humor as sweet as a chardonnay. I went to see this Canadian trio in the loungey Hotel Café, the perfect red lit setting for such a set. And trust me, you ain’t heard nothin’ until you’ve heard AC/DC done with two jangly guitars and a stand up bass! Find out more about the band HERE.
Pump up the jams,
K.
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August 25, 2009
Every girl loves rockin’ a new look and I got inspired recently at an event at the Egyptian Theatre that put the spotlight on the origin of Art Deco and how it manifested in fashion and film. With a lecture given by Louise Coffey-Webb, Chair of the Fashion Design Department at Woodbury University -- who proved to be an entertaining speaker – the event mixed a historical lesson defining the Art Deco period between 1925-1935 with classic film clips including rare footage of Erté dressing Lucille LeSueur (who later became known as Joan Crawford!)
I love this between the wars era, clearly a time of contrast, as tensions where high and sinful seduction cut loose with memorable icons such as Marlene Dietrich and Mae West leaving an indelible mark. It was a time when women began to show some independence and modernism and fashion showed the kind of creativity, glamour and grace clearly missing in this age of baggy clothes and flip-flops. (Yuk!) Now they knew how to work a look and some attitude!
And I had some good hearty laughs at “Spamalot” at the Ahmanson Theatre. I’ve been a fan of Monty Python since I was a kid and have fond memories of reciting all the lines of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” with my brother, much to my parent’s annoyance. So it was a blast to see this theatrical musical version with the now famous scenes of King Arthur in his quest for the grail as he comes across the Knights who say “Ni,” the bunny with “nasty, sharp, pointy teeth,” and the lewd French guard who “farts in your general direction.” I’m always a sucker for a good merchandise table and this one didn’t disappoint with a toy cow catapult, clapping horse-trot coconuts, and stuffed killer bunnies. If you’re a Monty Python fan, get on your imaginary horse and trot down to Spamalot. It’s not to be missed!
As King Arthur says,
Always look on the bright side of life,
Kastle
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Friday May 15th, 2009
Life happens. And this Cool Grrrl has been busy being a school grrrl lately as I’ve been working toward a marketing communications degree over the past few months. In this frightening economy, you gotta keep your skills sharp and stay employable. I’ve been lucky enough to keep working through all this recession mess and I’ve also been out having a little fun. So let me catch you up on it all.
I went to witness the unique art of improv comedy theatre with Jane Austen Unscripted at Theatre Asylum on Santa Monica Blvd., located in a bustling district of small theatres – great for those who love live stage productions. Performed by the Impro Theatre troupe, this twist on improvisational acting, and Ms. Austen’s turn of a phrase, took its audience back to the Regency period when women were expected to wait for an appropriate suitor to marry them into a life of household-running and child bearing. Thus, the ladies in waiting could make for some hilarity as they try to win the affections of any eligible man that comes along. This group of actors did a great job of speaking in the English tongue of the time and being quick-witted in playing out scenes that I'm sure would have had Ms. Austen herself laughing out loud. Catch them when they attempt Tennessee Williams Unscripted through April.
Speaking of all things English, I had the opportunity to travel to England where I found it to be much chillier and RAINIER than sunny California but I didn’t let the raindrops dampen my enthusiasm for seeing the sights. First, a day of shopping in London where I did some serious damage on my credit card along Oxford Street in the West End. I picked up some uniquely English fashions at TopShop and felt oh so groovy along Carnaby Street. The next day we we're off to the countryside to stay at a cozy B+B in Sussex where I borrowed the owner’s wellie boots (because why would I have my own living in LA?) to go exploring the fields and footpaths that led to a 1000-year-old church which was a beautiful relic that still holds services for the locals. Next, we spent time at the Shoreham by the Sea and in the small town of Styning where we found a charming teahouse to have traditional cream tea. YUM! Then we were off to explore Arundel Castle, a breath-taking, gorgeously preserved, fairy-tale style castle that still serves as the residences of the family of the Duke of Norfolk. Next we spent time in Norwich known for its large outdoor market where I bought a pin-striped fedora. Then we puddle-hopped through a rainstorm to reach the majestic Norwich Cathedral, a landmark built in the late 11th century. We took a day trip to stroll along Holkham Beach, a sprawling untouched coastline famously seen in the final scene of the Oscar-winning film, “Shakespeare in Love.” See some of the sights of England on my Flickr Page.
I offered up my help for the good of green by volunteering at the 2nd Annual Opportunity Green Conference. A slew of environmentally-minded innovators converged for the two-day event that took place at UCLA' Covel Commons. While ushering these movers and shakers to their appropriately named "green room" backstage, I had the chance to rub elbows with green-enlightened execs and catch a bit of impressive presentations from Nike, green super-star company Patagonia (Read my article on Patagonia on Yahoo! Green) and Grist Magazine. The conference was packed for the full weekend of seminars and breakout sessions, proving that being green is becoming the new way of life - and it’s about time!
I caught a favorite band of my youth, the Alarm in a rollicking concert at the Music Box Theatre. While singer Mike Peters may be the only original member, he put together a hell of band with members of Stiff Little Fingers and Generation X. Promoting his latest album “Guerilla Tactics,” Peters still packs a punk punch though you’d think he would have softened and gone all introspective after battling cancer – twice! You’d never know by looking at him and his voice was stronger than ever. Soaring, inspiring, rocking, the Alarm hasn’t missed a beat since they originally made their stand. By the way, be sure to check out Peter’s “Love, Hope, Strength” a true rock ‘n’ roll cancer awareness foundation – to keep all good rockers “marching on!"
I discovered the joy of tea when I spent an afternoon at Dr. Tea's in W. Hollywood. We got a chance to sit down at the tea bar with Dr. Tea himself, Mark Ukra, for a formal 2-hour tea tasting that taught us all about the differences between, black, green, and white teas. Here's your crash course: all teas come from the same plant, they are just processed differently. Black tea has the most caffeine and least antioxidants, white tea has the least caffeine and most antioxidants and green tea is somewhere in the middle. There is also Pu-erh and herbal rooibos. But what makes Dr. Tea's teas so special is that he offers new ways to drink tea from blending special flavors, to creating meat rubs to cook with, or popping tea into a blender with ice for a fros-tea sensation! Swing by Dr. Tea's and discover the possibility-teas. You'll never want to go back to coffee! Tea tasting sessions are by special request.
I've always loved vintage fashion from the '40s to the '60s and I recently discovered a shop downtown called ReVamp that specializes in making new clothes from vintage designs. Plus, they have a full calendar or events. I attended a fashion show featuring their master tailoring from darling, flirty dresses to glorious gowns and wedding dresses cut in the style of the 1920s-1950s. The commentary also taught me a lot about the history and evolution of fashion. I went back a few weeks later for one their how-to-get-the-look workshops and for three hours I practiced the makeup and hairstyles of the 1940s. I summarize it this way: it’s all about light eyeshadow, heavy mascara and red lipstick, victory rolls and pin curls. After I was done, I looked in the mirror and barely recognized myself. I felt like an air bomber pin-up! Let’s go swing!
While I may have missed the Germs heydey in Los Angeles, being a hardcore punk I knew very well who they were and always wondered what the star power mystique was behind singer Darby Crash. The film “What We Do is Secret” gave me a chance to see what I had missed.This biopic, based on the true rise and fall of the band and Darby's suicide overdose, paints a suitably rough-edged look at the Hollywood scene in the late '70s and the band’s riot-inducing shows. It also makes no attempt to closet Darby's sexual preferences even though if he had been open about it in the punk scene back then he probably would have gotten his ass kicked, especially in the SoCal hardcore days that wasn’t as liberal as it looked.
I was lucky enough to attend a screening at the Nuart Theatre with co-writer/director Rodger Grossman who shared all the trials and tribulations in getting this movie made and funded. I have to say he found a gem of an actor in Shane West as Darby as well as more excellent casting with Bijou Philips as Lorna Doom and Rick Gonzalez as Pat Smear. Though I had to laugh at some of the portrayals of my old scenester pals drummer Don Bolles and KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, both captured the goofiness and eccentricities beautifully.
Back to the books,
K.
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