John Williams Live At The Hollywood Bowl!

Composer John Williams is known as the "Maestro of the Movies", so it was fitting that he conducted the L.A. Philharmonic in a celebration of film music for three nights at the Hollywood Bowl this Labor Day weekend. Williams has been nominated 50 (!) times for the Academy Award and his compositions for such classic films as all of the Star Wars films, E.T., Jaws ... are some of the most iconic scores of all time.

It was a perfect night out as the audience filed into the Bowl with their picnics ... and it appeared as though nearly everyone in the crowd was carrying a light-up light saber with which to conduct from their seats. Some took it even further, showing up in full Jedi costume, letting you know what they were really there for.

The first half of the program was to be conducted by David Newman, of the illustrious Newman film composing clan. He came out to conduct the Star Spangled Banner, and I can report that I believe all of us stood up for it - and even felt a bit choked up over it (at least I did). From there it was a pure celebration of cinema, specifically a salute to films from Paramount Pictures. As the orchestra began the suite from Forrest Gump, a montage played on the big screen above, serving as a reminder of everything that we love about the movies. Classic clips were met with laughter, sighs of recognition, and if you were the charming little boy sharing my box, constant oohs and ahhs over the wonder of it all. It was seriously great. We got a suite from Sunset Boulevard with the overly campy clips from that black and white gem, the theme from Sabrina, North By Northwest, and one Newman said he was sure we'd recognize, that turned out to be themes from The Godfather, that everyone ate up. As you watched the screen, you really forgot that you were listening to a live orchestra playing, so perfectly synched were they with the clips. It's real impressive.

Newman is a good storyteller as well, and explained how music for film  is truly an art form, as you try to help tell the story with music vertically, while the visual is horizontal, and that it really is a collaboration with the film itself. It was interesting, but more than anything it made me want to see every one of the films shown all over again. Newman had nothing but the highest praise for John Williams, and spoke to what an honor it was to share the stage with him, before launching into his final piece for the night, the opening sequence from Star Trek: Into Darkness, with the scenes from the film playing above. I'd never seen that show, and this made me want to. I was happy to realize that I'm starting to know the faces of various orchestra members, which makes me happy. These people have made their careers at something that most of us dropped after high school, and I'm endlessly impressed with each of them. As they took their bows, Newman shouted, "Bravo to John Williams!", and conceded that stage to him to take over after intermission.

The INSTANT the lights went down again, all of the multi-colored light sabers came out and it was magical (but I can't show you due to the Bowl's very strict photo/video policy. Sorry. Check out Youtube.) It felt exciting ... and it was. A massive ovation spread across the Bowl as Williams strode on to the stage, with the entire place showing their reverence. Williams thanked everyone for being with him at "the Summer home of the L.A. Philharmonic", thanked Newman, and told everyone how Newman's father, Alfred, had given him his first gig as a piano player for his first film, South Pacific, in 1954 - the year the younger Newman was born. Full circle.

Williams and the orchestra kicked things off with the "Flight To Neverland" from Hook, followed by the suite from his latest Spielberg collaboration BFG. Both were met with great applause, but nothing like what was to come. By way of introducing the Star Wars portion of the night, Williams cracked, "Many of you will have seen this film ...", bringing much laughter as these fans had their hearts vividly on their sleeves. The big screen filled with images from the films, and the place just went nuts, as all conducted along with Williams with their giant glow sticks.

All the most memorable pieces were played, from the Jedi anthems to the Imperial March. Williams revealed that on the first film he didn't know there would be others, so initially thought Luke and Leia would end up as lovers - not brother and sister - and composed it as such, with a kind of hot climax. It still worked, obviously. He also shared that he had just signed on to compose the next film in the series, as he had become "smitten" with the character of Rey, and couldn't imagine anyone else creating music for her. "Rey's Theme" is beautiful, and flowed wonderfully into the "Throne Room" and "Finale" pieces. When the last notes of the finale rang out, people lost it. Clapping, whistling, hollering, begging for more. Some members of the orchestra how had light sabers that they waved back, and Williams waved back along in time.

Williams left the stage, only to return for the Harry Potter theme. Then left again and came back for the theme from Superman. Then left again and returned for the theme from E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, which nearly killed everyone with happiness. The crowd would not let Williams go. He left the stage again, and we all thought it would probably be for Jaws when he returned, but he made the international hands together with cheek resting on them sideways symbol for "I'm going to sleep".

We'd already been given so much that that was o.k. The charming little boy sharing our box had made it through the entire show without falling asleep, and when I turned to ask him how he's liked it, he said, "Wasn't it beautiful?!" I could not have agreed more, about the night and about the fact that a young boy had been so moved by music and film - and probably light sabers. I added that I liked his little bow tie, and he said, "I'm fancy on the outside, and awesome on the inside!" ... again, kind of like the night, and orchestral music in general. It feels fancy and proper and grown up, but how it makes you feel on the inside is exactly that word - Awesome.

Thank you to John Williams, David Newman, the L.A. Philharmonic, and the wonderful Hollywood Bowl, for another magical night under - and among - the stars.

*Photo courtesy of John Williams

The End Of Summer In The Endless Summer

Lots of people think there are no seasons here in Southern California, but they're wrong. I can already feel the shift into Autumn, both in the changes of the light and the temperature. There is a new crispness to the air, and a more golden, lower light.

This precious time of Indian Summer, when the tourists leave and the days stay warm for a while longer are just about the best time to live here. It's always poignant to face the end of another Summer, even in a place where it at least looks like Summer all of the time. I come from Minnesota, so I know the weight of Autumn approaching, and Winter looming. I came across this quote from Yoko Ono, and thought it was pretty perfect for now ...

Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance. 

Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence. 

Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance. 

Yes. And all of them are great in their own ways. Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone, as we all create new end of Summer memories - with exuberance!

Amazing Skin By Ashly - Now At Equinox!

When I thought about how I'd like to spend my birthday this year, and how I'd like to do something nice for myself to celebrate, the first thing I thought of was a facial by Ashly Macall Smith. Amazing Skin By Ashly is no hyperbole - it's an exact description of how your face looks when she's done with you - Amazing!

I've been haunted by Ashly's facials since 2010, when I had my last one by her at the Tree House in Venice. I can't believe it's been six years (!) but it was well worth the wait. It had been so long because the Tree House is sadly long gone from Abbot Kinney, so I wasn't sure where Ashly was working, and then I heard she moved to Nebraska. Then I recently heard she moved back, so when it was time to pamper myself for another hard-earned year well lived, I was tracking her down.

Ashly is now working out of the Equinox Spa in Santa Monica, so you pass by all the workout people and head upstairs to the 4th floor. Ashly was coming down the steps as I was going up and we had a happy reunion hug there, before she showed me to the steam room. I had a nice long steam, reflecting on my year, and getting myself all good and steamy ahead of my relaxation time.

One of the best parts of a facial by Ashly is her soothing manner. Her gentle voice and touch accompanies each step of the process, and you're very aware of the TLC you're receiving. I always just let her be the judge of what my face needs, because she's a professional and she knows best. This time around she could tell that I've been at the beach probably too much, and that called for the works. I got the aromatherapy facial with some extra-great extras, like the Cranberry Brightening Mask (that felt like a cool jelly mask of chill), some microdermabrasion to get rid of the old sun damaged stuff, and then a wonderful finale of a Vitamin C serum by Skinceuticals that Ashly says is the very best product on the market. And that I really needed it. I was just thinking it smelled strangely like hot dogs, when Ashly said, "It kind of smells like hot dogs, or soy sauce." Which it does, but when everyone was remarking on how much I was glowing that evening - it was well worth it.

As were the extractions. That part of a facial is always a little brutal, and I always feel like I'm going to emerge like a man with bits of Kleenex all over his face from shaving nicks, but I don't. I always look a million times better than when I went in, and as Ashly says, it really is the  most important and main part of a facial. "It's all about the extractions ... Preparing for them and then closing them." Now I get it. They're not even that bad when someone as lovely and gentle as Ashly is performing them, and I even kind of dig it, in a slightly masochistic way.

There is always some lovely massage to go along with it, and I found myself in almost a trance as Ashly rubbed my neck and arms while one of the magic potions on my face soaked in. We caught up on life a bit, and she told me that there is also a new venture in the works, called Washly! They're elbow-length washcloth gloves for washing your face at night. You know how the water always goes up your forearms and isn't that comfortable when you wash your face? Solved. Plus they're kind of hot and fancy - and made from recovered textiles (in California!) to boot! I can't wait to get a pair, and we'll all be able to on her website shortly.

When Ashly was finished working her magic, I got up and looked in the mirror and was pretty sure I had time traveled. Ashley reversed the clocks of time on my birthday! I can't recommend her services enough, and am fully honest when I say multiple people told me that night that I was glowing, and I don't think it was just from the birthday buzz. Thank you, Ashly dear!

**You can see what I mean on any Tuesday-Friday, from 9 am to 9 pm. You can make your appointment with Ashly Macall Smith at #562-900-5416, and you too will understand why I was obsessed with getting back to her facial table since 2010. (Now we just need to work on getting her back in Venice!)


***Washly photo by Maurice Will Photography

Made In Venice - In Theaters Now!

The theatrical premiere of the wonderful documentary Made In Venice was held last night at the (newly refurbished and slick) Laemmle in Santa Monica, and it was awesome. The audience was almost entirely Venetian and friends, as evidenced by the hoots and hollers throughout the film. Made In Venice tells the story of the struggle to get the Venice Skatepark built, and the history of modern skateboarding where it was invented.

When the Skatepark finally opened in October of 2009, it was a massive accomplishment, and a huge celebration ... but the struggle to keep it a world class venue continues. The maintenance and upkeep of the Park is handled almost entirely by Dogtown legend, Jesse Martinez, who with his band of friends has kept the park clean every single day since it opened. For free. With no help from the City of Los Angeles, that does nothing but benefit from the tourism this excellent facility brings. It's downright criminal, and now, even worse than I thought.

I'd already seen the film at a cast and crew screening last month, and it's just downright great. The fight to get the Park built is extra moving, and there are laugh out loud moments throughout as you get to know all the people that made this dream come true. There was a Q &A after the film, with the ever-reluctant to be in the spotlight Martinez. You see how hard he works in the film - every day - and then we find out after the film that Martinez could now be arrested for doing all of the hard work that he isn't paid for, because the Venice Skate Foundation has lost their "Right Of Entry" permit, which gives them the legal right to be there. Yes, even though Martinez performs the unbelievably hard work of keeping the Skatepark clean, the City of L.A. continues to give him harder obstacles than any he could ever skateboard on. It's not right.

As it stands now, Martinez is keeping it clean every morning anyway. He's no longer that interested in a job from the City, he just wants his ROE back so he can do his (unpaid) job without the hassle. Councilman Mike Bonin is no Bill Rosendahl when it comes to the Skatepark, as Martinez explained that his calls routinely go unanswered for weeks, if they're returned at all. If it were left up to the City, it would take a month to get a tag removed by the one guy servicing all the parks in all of Los Angeles, and up to a YEAR to get a tile replaced. Martinez and Company are not having that, and as a young lady says to open the film, "There's a lot of places that people don't fight for what they believe in - we don't stand for that here." So, they take matters into their own hands. As usual.

There was a righteous indignation that you could feel from everyone in the audience. Like, this is wrong and what are WE going to do about it?! "Venice has a way of somehow providing," said Martinez when asked what we could do for him. He said he'll continue cleaning the Skatepark for another 8 years or so (!), and then it's time for the kids of the neighborhood to take over. As they should. The City needs to realize that this gem that attracts people from around the world should be handled and kept up by the very people that made it happen, who know what's best for it. Until then, we can donate via the donation button on the Made In Venice movie page. We can purchase merchandise (cool shirts and hats!) of which all proceeds go to Martinez. We can keep talking about it, and demanding better for our incredible Venice Skatepark and the equally incredible people that made it happen, and continue to make it the superhot attraction that it is.

Moderator Dan Levy from Juice Magazine closed the event by saying that we all need to continue to fight for Jesse, for the Right Of Entry, and always, The Skatepark itself. Martinez thanked everyone for their support, and the crowd filed out to attend the after-party at Danny's Deli ("If you don't know where that is, you don't need to go!" - Victor Blue). Please go see this fantastic tribute to Venice and its people while it's in its limited theater release. The Venice Skatepark is a source of great pride in our Community, and Made In Venice lays it all out just exactly why.

The fight continues ... and we have their back. Thank you to ALL involved - always.

*Go fast! It's only at the Laemmle in Santa Monica until August 31st!

Kiss The Ground

I know it sounds a bit precious to talk about how grateful you are, but I just really am. I spent the majority of my birthday yesterday just walking around feeling super dang grateful for every good thing in my life. I had a tangible awareness of it all day ... like seeing someone in a wheelchair and being so happy I can walk. Like talking to someone suffering from allergies and being so happy I can breathe great. Like hearing someone bicker with their spouse and feeling so lucky that I get to do whatever I want with whomever I want, whenever I want. Like seeing the news and thanking my lucky stars that I'm not digging loved ones out of rubble. Like seeing a homeless man with a sign asking for food on my way to eating a delicious birthday meal ... It was like my antennae were all the way out and picking up on only the good.

Then I went by the very great big garden in front of Beyond Baroque and saw this hand-painted sign planted there ...

Kiss The Ground. And that's exactly what I felt like doing. And then I kissed the sky ...

Thank you! For real.

A Golden State Of Mind

I stopped in to Golden State on Lincoln the other day to see what was new, and what was new (to me) was an awesome mural out in the back garden by bumblebeelovesyou. It's playful and fun, with all the freedom and joy of childhood, and I love it.

Just as my heart was bursting over that, I went inside and saw this Steinbeck quote on the wall, one of my favorites.

Today is my birthday, and this is pretty much exactly how I feel as I look forward to a new year of adventures and growth, with nothing but gratitude for all of the good of this past year. Sincerely.

Come on down to Hinano's tonight (after 8!) and clink a glass with me, won't you? Cheers and heartfelt thank you's to each of you who brighten my every day!

Maureen Cotter At Beyond Baroque - A Night Of Stories From Venice's Deviant Diva

I finally got the chance to see Venice legend Maureen Cotter's one woman show at Beyond Baroque on Saturday night, and now I know why it's such an eagerly anticipated event each year. This was Cotter's 12th Annual show, and the "Deviant Diva" was in fine form for her dozenth solo gig.

I was told to arrive early to enjoy the pre-party in the backyard of Beyond Baroque, and by the time I got there the party was in full swing. Packed with Venetians, all clearly thrilled to be there, especially me. Everyone told me - after expressing disbelief that this was my first Mo Show - that I was in for a treat. Past tales have been told about Cotter's time as a prison guard, a marijuana advocate, an out and proud lesbian, and a longtime member of the Venice Community.  This night's program was to feature stories from her childhood in Massachusetts ... where it all began.

Everyone was in fine spirits, as they enjoyed the spirits being poured by Head Bartender (and Cotter BFF), Karen Rosenhoover, and her excellent staff of Barrettes. People were PARTYING - all the better to laugh along once the show began. All the seats were reserved, and the spillover audience members enjoyed the show out back, where the party continued.

There was food, along with the drink, and it all had the vibe of a big family picnic. After catching up with all the friends in the crowd (this is a very OG event, with several attendees having lived in Venice for decades), it was time to file inside and be regaled with adventures from the life of one of our town's most interesting characters.

Suzy Williams, Brad Kay, Sam Clay, and Eric Ahlberg entertained the crowd with a song about "Maureen Cotter" to kick things off, and remained side-stage throughout the program to interject sound effects and musical asides to give it all those extra flourishes.

Cotter is a first-rate raconteuse, and her ribald, unflinching memories held the room transfixed - and in stitches - from the first word to the last. When Cotter was introduced (after we were instructed that we could indeed drink in the auditorium), the applause was so thunderous that Cotter said, "Don't make me cry, thank you all so much for coming to my 12th show at Beyond Baroque!" - and it was on. "My life is based on a true story ...", Cotter began, and took us back to 1943 Lawrence, MA, where she was born at - no coincidence - at 4:20 a.m. Seriously.  "I believe in pre-destination", adding that being born at that time and being held by Nurse Betty With The Big Breasts in hospital were the factors that set her off in her life as a "Stoner Lesbian". Also, her time stuck behind bars in her crib directly led to her time working in prisons - of course.

Slides accentuated the stories to fine comic effect, as when Cotter told the story about being obsessed with Santa - and then seeing the photo of her finally meeting the Man. Classic. As were the recollections of being chased by the 19 redheaded Scott kids that lived in the neighborhood and terrorized everyone. Every town has their bully kids, but these ones took the cake, probably because there were so many of them! Cotter and her brother, Jackie, were friends and companions as kids, and he got her to go along with a lot of his capers, like the one that got them into their first big trouble.

Third grade was time to start smoking cigarettes, according to Jackie, and he got young Mo to join him on a trip to Bill's Market, where their Mother had a credit account. They acted very casual, telling Bill that it was fine with their Mom to get a carton of smokes and a gallon of chocolate ice cream. This would absolutely CEMENT their status as being cool with the other kids! The ruse was a success, and Jackie and Mo set out to round up all the other kids who wanted to be bad - "And you all know who you are!"

They all met up under the school bleachers, and each new kid that arrived got a pack of cigarettes and a spoon for ice cream. Cotter had a cig in each hand, feeling the new glow of cool and praise being showered on them by the other kids. Until the Fire Department came to investigate all the smoke coming from under the bleachers. Buzz kill. Their Mother made real sure that Cotter and brother Jackie got a job picking "fucking tomatoes" until they had all the money paid back to Bill's Market. "And that began my career as a liar and a thief."

There was a brief intermission to get refills and laugh some more outside, before returning to our seats to hear about Cotter's idea for an app that helps one find the G Spot, "Because men hate asking for directions ... I'd call it Pokemyspotmanandgo". The cheers of approval most likely reinforced this as a good business idea for Cotter. "That's why I love tonight, you're laughing with me, not at me! Right?" Cotter was most certainly correct there.

That Cotter was entertaining a whole big crows with the stories and adventures of her very interesting life is in and of itself a big deal for a young girl who was told that she could be a secretary, a wife, or a nun. That is, until a little girl she knew asked her, "Didn't you tell them that you were too gay for those choices?" Out of the mouths of babes ...

After the aforementioned (and hilarious) story about her friendship with Santa, it was over already, leaving everyone wanting more. Cotter closed by saying, "Be good to others, what's wrong with that?" Exactly nothing is wrong with that, and we all sang along to "Do You Believe In Magic?" as we filed out to continue the party out back.

Suzy Williams and The Nicknamers played for us, as the beer and wine continued to flow. All of us just felt lucky to be there, I think, on a night that celebrated the life and times of one of our most fascinating elder stateswomen, Maureen Cotter.

We had the run of the joint until midnight, so people sang and danced under the stars until the fun was all gone. As people said their reluctant goodbyes, it was actually fine, because the spirit of Venice is alive and well. And we knew that we'd be doing it again next year.

Thank you to Maureen Cotter for sharing your extraordinary life with us all, and to everyone who helps her to make it happen each year. You're all Venice treasures.