Coolin' with the Luckman Jazz Orchestra

There are few things I find more relaxing than listening to jazz. There's just something about the sound that simply soothes the soul.  Last Saturday, I attended the Luckman Jazz Orchestra's tribute concert to Mr. Hank Mobley at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex - a perfect venue for a jazz concert. It's small and intimate, the way jazz should be experienced in my opinion. As soon as the music started, I could feel all my cares and worries of the week melt away. The rhythm of the bass made my toes tap as if they had a mind of their own. The swingin' percussions and swayin' horns had me dancing in my seat. Me, along with many others in the audience, whose heads you could see bobbing side to side and up and down with the music.

Remaining #Cirque Truck appearances

Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Hoping to see IRIS or OVO by Cirque du Soleil, but think you can't because tickets are too expensive? Pish posh! Visit the #Cirque Truck to get exclusive ticket discounts, win Cirque du Soleil prizes and much more. Check out these upcoming appearances:

3 days, 3 adventures: Montebello, Downtown & Long Beach

Last weekend our family hosted some friends who dropped in for a visit on their way up north to Tahoe. This wasn't their first time in L.A., so they were itching to see something new. Past trips included Hollywood, the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica and Venice beaches, Beverly Hills, the Getty and the Original Farmer's Market.

We decided our daughter would be the factor in determining some interesting sites to take them. Finding family-friendly things to do in L.A. has become one of our favorite challenges, as we're always delighted with our discoveries and generally pleased with our experiences.

Our itinerary for the long weekend: a picnic and visit to the Montebello Barnyard Zoo at Grant Rea Park in Montebello; breakfast Downtown and a stroll through Little Tokyo; and a day in Long Beach at the harbor and Aquarium of the Pacific.

A day off in Los Angeles

A view from Stough Canyon

Last week, my husband surprised me and my daughter by taking a partial day off to unplug and spend some time with his family. With nearly a full day and an entire city in front of us, the possibilities were overwhelming. Should we go to the beach? Take a drive up the coast? Go to the zoo? Sure, we've had plenty of days off for holidays or vacation - not to mention the weekends - but having an unplanned day off is extra special. It's like finding more time, which I think we can all appreciate!

A 2012 Wish for Metro Late Night Trains

My first Metro Rail trip for 2012 happened sometime after 1:30AM on January 1st.

Yes.  1:30AM.

To help us all end 2011 and begin 2012 safely, Metro offered free bus and rail line services December 31, 2011 at 9PM to January 1, 2012 at 2AM.  To make it all the better, Metro offered Metro Rail Lines and Orange Line busway service to operate 24 hours for 2012.

Party hearty and smartly: free Metro rides and AAA Tipsy Tow service for New Year's Eve weekend

Many of us already have our plans made for celebrating the New Year. Some of us are still deciding - and if you happen to be in this category, might we suggest visiting the ExperienceLA.com calendar for some ideas :)

Whatever your plans are, if you and your roommates are drawing straws to see who will be the sober this year, or if you simply haven't had time to think about finding a designated driver, fear not! Metro and AAA have provided some wonderful solutions for this coming weekend of merriment in Los Angeles.

Looking Back on 2011 and Running Forward to 2012

As the end of the year approaches, we look back on 2011 as documented in ExperienceLA.com's blog. 

We began the year with a great honor - being named by Arts Media Contacts as an Art Blog of the Year for 2010. 

But it was also a year of endings.  We said good-bye to the Wilshire Grand Hotel and the Mulholland Dr. Bridge began its demolition and reconstruction project - which means we also survived round 1 of Carmageddon.