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Archive for October, 2009

THAT’S LIFE – Either Way You Lose

Surviving your 20’s and 30’s in any city is bound to be an experience.

Surviving these as a girl in Los Angeles definitely alters that experience. Men (from boys to Senior Citizens) all seem to consider us fair game regardless of whether we are single or not.

Some of them come up to us bearing gifts such as the moon, the stars, bright lights, clever one liners (well clever in their own heads), or sometimes just a PBR. In attempts to get our attention, some of them bump into us, then apologize profusely and then try to engage is in a conversation (sometimes that can go completely wrong …careful if you bump into us while we’re holding a glass of red wine and that’s white we’re wearing, Mr.). Others ask a question they obviously know the answer to (i.e. what’s the name of this band? Really? Hmmm… I’m pretty sure that drummer is your brother/roommate/etc.). Then there are those that resort to insulting us to engage us in a round of witty back and forths.

Actually, we girls do know how hard it is to walk up to strangers, and even more so a stranger that you might be interested in and put yourself in the line of fire. (more…)


Amanda Jones’ October Playlist

Pixies – Doolittle

So this band, just a quaint little 4 piece, is playing at The Hollywood Palladium on November 5th. I WILL BE THERE!!!! I’m so excited, as this is my favorite Pixies album….so when you see the crying hysterical girl at the front of the stage – just wave hello – it’s me.

Jenny Lewis – Album: Acid Tongue
Over the years, I’ve grown to be especially fond of this woman. This last album of hers is really beautiful. It reminds me of the folk music I used to listen to when I was a kid.

The whole album is solid but my favorite tracks are:

“The Next Messiah”– which clocks in at 8minutes, 45seconds – and normally I would say this is way too long for one song, but it’s really fantastic.

“Acid Tongue”- the title track is a great song as well. I especially love that Chris Robinson sings back up vocals on both of the above tracks and anytime I even faintly hear that mans voice I’m happy.
Also, “Carpetbaggers” is so much fun – AND – Elvis Costello duets on this track with her. Have I mentioned I love him as well?

Definitely listen to this album…I love it and so does my daughter who is 2 – she claps at the end of her “favorite” songs.

White Rabbits It’s Frightening.
I love this album. A friend of mine gave it to me – and I’m so glad they did.

The opening track is fantastic – “Percussion Gun”. It sort of set the mood for the entire album which is really really good. I also really like, Midnight and I.

This band is playing at The El Rey on November 2nd…and I will most definitely be there!!!

David GrayDraw the Line
This is one of my favorite singers and this is his new album. I could tell you about how much I love this album but I won’t bore you. I don’t know anyone else that’s quite as fond of him as I am. I love all of the songs on it – but especially- “Harder”
It’s a good album and he is playing at The Orpheum on November 9th. I’ve never seen him live so I purchased one ticket. It’s the first show that I’m going to by myself and I think it’s going to be a blast. It’ll be like it’s just him and I! Xox.

Eels – Hombre Lobo: 12 Songs of Despair
Ok ok…everyone loves this band. I love this band. This album has already been talked about – but I like it so much – it’s in my purse right now. You see I keep carting it from my car, to my house, to my work…it’s that good. Every last song!!!


Notes from Vivace’s October Playlist

The Belleville Outfit – “Caroline”

The Henry Clay People – “Something in the water”

Aushua - “Tuck (How it Feels Away)”

Happy Hollows - “Tambourine”

Pity Party – “Wanting Want”

The Boxing Lesson - “Dark Side of the Moog

The Health Club – “Fragile”

The New Hotness - “Can You Feel Me”

The New Fidelity – “Right Track”

New Maximum Donkey – “Sting”

Random comments: Saw Happy Hollows at their Spaceland CD release party. It was an awesome set. Pity Party also played with them. They’re a two piece band. The New Hotness has these awesome riffs. Six of these ten bands I saw at Spaceland. Yes, I’ve spent a lot of time at Spaceland recently.


Classify THIS!

The death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1750 was a solemn occasion indeed. It would have to have been–it’s hard to imagine anything more solemn than a German funeral. Germany, and certainly all of Europe, mourned the passing of one of the greatest paragons of artistic achievement they–and, assuredly, the world–had ever known. Bach’s entire enormous family was there, including his wife Anna Magdalena and their twenty children, most of whom were probably half-occupied composing trio sonatas in their heads, hoping to remember all the counterpoint by the time they got home to write it down. His eldest son Wilhelm Friedemann Bach stood off to the side, sneaking snootfuls of whiskey from a hidden flask, musing to himself that he was REALLY going to have a hard time living up to his father’s reputation now that the old man was dead. The pallbearers lowered the casket with unparalleled Teutonic solemnity into the grave.

And then, as they threw the first shovelful of dirt on top of the casket, the sky lit with fireworks! A trumpet fanfare sounded! Banners dropped from the eaves of every building in town, bearing in gaudy colors the message “Welcome to the Classical Era!

Well, no. That’s probably not how it went at all. This idea of imposing labels onto artistic epochs is something that doesn’t happen until long after the epochs have passed, but this contrived practice is one that’s always fascinated me. Why do we have such a huge desire to categorize things? And who makes up the names? And why has this process spiraled out of all control since the 20th century?

It’s fitting, I think, that historians should mark the year of Bach’s death as the end of the Baroque era. He was probably the most important creative figure working in that period–and I feel pretty safe in asserting that, since I think he was probably just about the most important creative figure working in ANY period. (more…)


LOS ANGELES FASHION WEEKEND

by Siria Contreras

6This past weekend fashion lines within Los Angeles competed for our time and attention. In particular Saturday night

Unfortunately, I had to make the decision to miss the Elmer Ave secret fashion show downtown (you can read about it here), but was able to make it to the Division E, Raw-7, Tavik Swimwear, and Urban Republic show for a little while before grudgingly having to leave to attend another event I had previously committed to. These lines were all part of the The Gallery LA produced Los Angeles Fashion Weekend, where they showed off their Spring and Summer 2010 Collections

Although there are those that are quick to write off the LA Fashion Scene, at times forgetting how much really goes on daily in the busy lives of those who keep this industry alive, it was nice to see that all of those present did not share that attitude. They all filled the courtyard playing catch up and enjoying drinks from the open bar sponsored by Skybar (hosted by Marani Vodka, Asahi Beer, 1921 Tequila, Steaz Organic Energy Drinks, Smart Water and IZZE soda) while waiting for the fashion show to get underway.

Some of the Brand Equity Showroom team were seen sporting their Division E designer client’s designs (as well as Signature Collection footwear from Sponsor Report Shoes), giving a sneak preview of what was to come later during the actual show.

A noticeable and welcome change from the typical fashion show scene at the Sunset Gower Studios was that a lot of the general public and sceney fashionista mainstays were excluded, opting for a guestlist comprised of mainly buyers, designers, agents, and media.

The Gallery LA owner/producer Mikey Koffman had this to say, “People talk incessantly about the recession and the need to cut back, but the reality is that now, more than ever, local designers need to get involved to prove their worth to buyers, media and consumers across the world.”

This statement definitely set the tone for the evening, as this show had an underlying theme of “getting down to business.”

Here are a few shots from the show (I apologize for the poor quality, you can find additional much better photos here). Click on Images to enlarge. Hair by Elle Hoppenstedt and the Aveda Planet Salon team.

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Here are some better photos:
all photos courtesy of Launchpad PR

Los Angeles Fashion Weekend

Saturday October 17, 2009

(click on images to enlarge)


CUT AND REEL PRESENTS: REEL Classics – Chick Flicks

Cut and Reel celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month** and Domestic Violence Awareness Month*** with a tribute to Women in Film.

This week Cut and Reel presents REEL CLASSICS: Chick Flicks

Cut and Reel Live! hosts Maureen Shampine and Jennifer Haren give you their top 20 chick flicks of all time.

Maureen’s 11 From Heaven

1. Auntie Mame
2. Sunset Boulevard
3. Mildred Pierce
4. The Philadelphia Story
5. His Girl Friday
6. The Trouble with Angels
7. How to Marry a Millionaire
8. Pillow Talk
9. Dirty Dancing
10. Pretty Woman
11. Steel Magnolias

Jennifer Haren’s Divine 9

1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
2. Thelma & Louise
3. Pretty Woman
4. His Girl Friday
5. Sunset Boulevard
6. Pretty in Pink
7. Sixteen Candles
8. Pride and Prejudice
9. Franco Zefferelli’s Romeo & Juliet

**Join Cut and Reel Live! host Maureen Shampine on Oct 25th as she walks for the cure at City of Hope. Maureen’s team, The Pink Goo’s, is headed by Jenny Dragoo who is walking to support the cause that helps the 1 in 8 women stricken with breast cancer–like her mother and grandmother–in their time of need.

For information on joining Maureen and Jenny, or donating to the cause please visit:

http://nationalevents.cityofhope.org/goto/JennyDragoo

***Help stop the crippling mental, emotional, and physical effects of domestic abuse—join inspirational survivor, Trish Steele, help victims of domestic violence. Visit: www.safepassagehome.org to see how you can help a woman reclaim her life—mind, body, and spirit—after surviving domestic violence.