Anime Expo 2011 Cosplay Contest Winners

Thanks to everyone who sent in their photos for our cosplay contest for 4-day passes to Anime Expo 2011. 

We enjoyed reviewing all of them - and a big Omedetou! ("Congratulations!") to the winners (in no particular order):

Summer Ideas: LBD - A Free Must-See Exhibition to Match Your Must-Have Outfit

The Little Black Dress (LBD) is a dress with a reputation for versatility, fitting in its multiple forms just about any reputation and attitude.  It can be high-end style or elegantly simple.  It can highlight an accessory or require none.  A free petite exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries reflects on this versatility while paying homage to the 50th anniversary of Breakfast at Tiffany's where Audrey Hepburn gave this dress new meaning.

Summer Ideas: Meet Shrek

Los Angeles is a town of famous faces and you'd probably have no difficulty spotting this latest celebrity that will be rolling into town for his musical appearance at the Pantages Theatre.  But to make sure you keep on schedule and mark this on your calendar, we'd figure we'd give you the scoop!  After all, it's not every day you can meet an ogre of such celebrity.

Anime Expo comes July 1-4 to L.A. Convention Center

Get in on the action at this year's Anime Expo 2011, now in its 20th year! Only 1 week away, AX is North America's largest anime and manga convention. Don't miss out on the best 4 days of the whole year.

Cirque du Soleil takes over Kodak Theatre

Cirque du Soleil celebrated its 27th anniversary this past Thursday at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Scores of journalists were invited to a sneak peak of Cirque's most recent creation, IRIS, A Journey Through The World Of Cinema. The ExperienceLA team was present to capture all the excitement and see why IRIS could be the next major attraction in Los Angeles.

The show, which opens September 25th and previews starting July 21st, is expected to bring in waves of spectators from around the world as it begins its residency at the iconic Kodak Theatre. During the press conference Cirque's president and CEO Daniel Lamarre reminisced about the first time his company performed at the Kodak and unexpectedly received a standing ovation during the Academy Awards ceremony.

Within the preview was a truly spectacular aerial performance. Twin dancers left the audience in awe as they soared over us, holding only each others arms while spinning in midair. While such acrobatics are expected of Cirque du Soleil, IRIS tells a new story of the history of cinema staged appropriately in the heart of America's film industry.

Another funtastic scene was that of an airborne fight between policemen and gangsters. Danny Elfman's score added to its 1920's feel with growling trumpets and mambo percussion. The set was designed to look like the tops of buildings in what could be historic downtown Los Angeles, hiding the trampolines used to catapult the performers high in the air.

Leaving us with a nostalgia for 1920's decadence and a craving for more, IRIS is sure to be a hit among diverse audiences when it hits early this fall.

Written by Marlon Fuentes for ExperienceLA

jazzcatlbc@gmail.com

#CirqueDayLA at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena until 6PM

With Cirque du Soleil Day more than half over, Pasadena's Paseo Colorado features an interactive photo experience with A Little Scene, and live music and prizes from Hot 92.3 FM.

Westfield Mall Century City celebrates Cirque du Soleil Day

Diners on the Westfield Mall dining plaza in Century City today were treated to some music and free goodies, as the city joined in celebration of Cirque du Soleil Day in Los Angeles. "A Little Scene" provided a fun, interactive twist to the standard photobooth. Guests could record themselves in front of a video camera for a few seconds and have that video turned into a personal flip book branded with Cirque du Soleil's "IRIS" as a keepsake.

Cirque du Soleil Day Kicks Off #CirqueDayLA

Cirque du Soleil Day has officially kicked off in Los Angeles with the first event taking place at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Hollywood with Manny from KIIS FM broadcasting live.

Enjoy a cup of coffee from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at home. Between June 16 and July 3, purchase the CBTL Single Serve Beverage System at www.cbtl.com and receive 15% off when you enter the discount code "IRIS15" at check out. The promotion is all part of the city-wide celebration for Cirque du Soleil's "IRIS, A Journey Through The World Of Cinema" at the Kodak Theatre.

ExperienceLA will be at the press conference later this morning with some sneak previews and photos so be on the look out! For a complete list of today's events and special offers, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirquedayla.


-Julie

Win Tickets to Anime Expo 2011! Enter ExperienceLA's 2nd Annual Cosplay Contest!

Anime Expo returns to Downtown LA this summer and we are bringing back our cosplay contest! Think you have the perfect cosplay outfit to win one of our *five* categories (and a four-day pass to Anime Expo)?! See the details after the jump for our categories, how to enter, and the contest deadline!

Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken Restaurants to Promote IRIS on Cirque du Soleil Day LA

Thursday, June 16, 2011, is Cirque du Soleil Day in LA, and you can celebrate at Susan Feniger's STREET and the Border Grill restaurants in Santa Monica and Downtown Los Angeles that are co-owned with Mary Sue Milliken. Each of them are creating a special Cirque-themed menu that help to celebrate the upcoming opening of IRIS, A Journey Through The World of Cinema at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The picture above was taken at an LA Central Library ALOUD book panel almost five years ago, and it is our copy of a heavily used cookbook that these two Top Chef Master competitors published back in 1989 celebrating the cooking of City Cafe that opened in 1981 and City Restaurant that opened in 1985. Thus, its been 30 years of the Two Hot Tamales in Los Angeles.

Cirque du Soleil Day in L.A.: IRIS from Cirque du Soleil® takes over Los Angeles #CirqueDayLA

This Thursday, June 16 will be known as Cirque du Soleil Day in Los Angeles in celebration of the 27th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil® and the upcoming debut of IRIS, A Journey Through The World Of Cinema™ opening at the Kodak Theatre.

Festivities will take place across Los Angeles in Hollywood, Pasadena, Century City, and Santa Monica, and there will be something for just about everyone. In addition to the FREE (!!!) live events, residents and visitors can participate on Twitter and Foursquare using the #CirqueDayLA hashtag and be entered into a sweepstake for a chance to win IRIS related prizes.

Sunday 6/12: Meet LA Galaxy Players

Are you a LA Galaxy fan?  You might want to head out to the adidas store on the Third Street Promenade this weekend! 

LAWineFest VIP After-Party Discount

Looking for something to do after Saturday's LA Wine Festival this weekend? There's a VIP after-party from 6:30-8:30 on June 11th and we just received word of a discount!

Looking Back at the Musicians of Stagecoach 2011

I love Stagecoach, one of the nation's premiere country music festivals and have been going since inception. Stagecoach like its sister festival Coachella (in which 2012 tickets just went on sale with two weekends to choose from) occurs out in Indio at the Empire Polo Grounds. Stagecoach has always provided a look at past, present, and future in its artist lineup. Take this year's 2011 women performers over the weekend of April 30 and May 1 of Wanda Jackson (below), Carrie Underwood (below), and Joanna Smith (lead photo).

Opinion: Being an Angeleno

It's a question I've muddled in my mind from time-to-time: what exactly does it mean to be an Angeleno?

I can tell you a few things I've learned and it's about what it isn't more than what it is:

L.A. Film Fest 2011

Ahhh! Summer is in the air, and we here at XLA couldn't be more excited! With the change of season comes a slew of festivals to look forward to, as was previewed in a recent issue of our ExperienceLA newsletter.

One of those festivals, opening on June 16th, is the world-class Los Angeles Film Festival presented by the L.A. Times. 2011 marks the 17th year of the festival, which will showcase over 200 features, shorts and music videos representing more than 30 countries. The L.A. Film Fest will return once again to Downtown, with most events taking place at L.A. Live

Win Tickets to The Method Gun at Kirk Douglas Theatre

We have a new ticket giveaway added on ExperienceLA.com and we don't want you to miss it! Enter to win one (1) pair of tickets to The Method Gun on June 14th at 8pm.