Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Hammer Museum: Jonathan Gold and Bret Easton Ellis

Last week I attended a Hammer Museum conversation between Jonathan Gold and Bret Easton Ellis.  Of course, my first reaction when hearing about this event was "how do these two fit?"  After all, one is a writer known for his culinary tastes and shedding light on the eclectic options for the Los Angeles palate.  The other, also a writer, is known for the dark comedy of his novels, the twisted ethos of his characters, and Los Angeles as a setting for a number of his works.  Perhaps in the vein of Los Angeles' arts and cultural pairings, these two writers made no sense whatsoever while making perfect sense at the same time...which is exactly why I had such a great time. 

This Week's Newsletter: Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at ExperienceLA.com!

If you  have nothing to do or planned for your Thanksgiving Holiday be sure to check out ExperienceLA for Thanksgiving themed events and much more!

Check out this week's issue that highlights our latest blog posts:
  • Discount! Cyber Monday Comes to Dance at the Music Center
  • Chinatown LA Turkey Dinners.
Find out about these events and more in this week's newsletter!

-ExperienceLA Staff

Monday, November 22, 2010

Discount! Cyber Monday Comes to Dance at the Music Center

After the family frenzy,
After ruining your diet on pie,
After fighting the crowds in the mall,
Shop for the ultimate escape…
without leaving the comfort of your chair!

The BIGGEST savings of the 10/11 dance season are only one click away!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

This Week's Newsletter: Holiday Giveaways and Events (Ready, Set, Celebrate!)

Don't miss this week's issue - Ready, Set, Celebrate! Kick off the holiday season with musical events, beuatiful lightings and spectacular celebrations!
  • Enter our Photo Contest and win a 4-Pack to LA Phil presents Holiday Sing-Along
  • Win Tickets to "Inspecting Carol"
  • Enjoy a wonderful performance of classic holiday tunes in Plaid Tidings: A Special Holiday Edition.
  • No holiday season is complete without a retelling of Dickens’ beloved "A Christmas Carol," witness an enchanting musical adaptation as Buena Park Youth Theatre presents "Scrooge, The Musical".
  • A cherished hotel tradition, bring your family down to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Biltmore Hotel.
  • Witness as the past becomes the present among the beautiful glow of Victorian homes in the annual Holiday Lamplight Celebration.
  • Blog Highlight: A Cirque du Soliel show to call our own: Tickets to "IRIS" go on sale and  the "Awesome" Book Release Party
Find out about these events and more in this week's newsletter!

-ExperienceLA Staff

Chinatown LA Turkey Dinners

ChinatownLA Turkey Carving
I never realized that getting an already prepared turkey to go from Chinatown Los Angeles was a Thanksgiving tradition for many people in the Los Angeles area. I used to joke with George Yu, the Executive Director of the Chinatown business improvement district, that one of the funniest parts of the holiday movie, A Christmas Story, was when the dog ate the turkey and the family went out to the local Chinese restaurant for the celebration meal. But in the movie, they are the only ones in the restaurant, but from what George says, going to ChinatownLA for turkey is quite a holiday event.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Last Minute Giveaway: Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts Lindberg and Bartók

Win a pair of tickets to ESA-PEKKA SALONEN conducts Lindberg and Bartók!

HOW TO ENTER (Three Options):
  1. Comment on this entry...
  2. Comment on this post on Facebook...
  3. @reply us on Twitter (hashtag: #xlasalonen)...
...with why we should pick you! Whatever fits your social media fancy and saavy. A winner will be contacted end of day today - Wednesday, November 17th!

Ticket Giveaway Details
Tickets valid for Saturday, November 20th (8:00pm) at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Event Details
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN conducts Lindberg and Bartók

For his much-anticipated return, beloved Conductor Laureate Salonen leads a major premiere for chorus and orchestra by his friend Magnus Lindberg. Completing the program is Bartók's enthralling psychological drama.

Artists:
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Anne Sofie von Otter, (Judith), mezzo-soprano
Sir Willard White, (Bluebeard), bass-baritone
Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, music director

Program:
Lindberg: Graffiti (U.S. premiere)
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle

Event Details:
Walt Disney Concert Hall
November 19-21, 2010
11/19-20 8:00pm, 11/21 2:00pm

Additional Info:
For tickets and information, visit LAPhil.com

-ExperienceLA Staff

For more great events visit, ExperienceLA.com!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Cirque du Soleil show to call our own: Tickets to "IRIS" go on sale

Hey Oscar, meet your new roommate! The Kodak Theatre's new resident, the long-awaited, dedicated L.A. Cirque du Soleil show arrives summer of 2011. Though "IRIS - A Journey Through the World of Cinema" debuts next year, eager fans will have a chance to purchase tickets in advance this coming Monday, November 22. Just in time for the holidays...

“Favorite Family Memory” Holiday Photo Contest

ExperienceLA is looking for photos of your very best family holiday moments!  Look through your photos of holidays past and reminisce about the "Good Ol' Days" - then pick one for our photo contest!  The winning photo will be featured on ExperienceLA's blog, newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. The winning photographer will receive a 4-pack of tickets to the LA Phil presents Holiday Sing-Along on December 18th at 11:30am at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

"Awesome" book release party

Last week, co-blogger Charity tipped me off about a children's book release party that took place Saturday evening at Family Books in the West Hollywood area. The party was to celebrate a new book by author Dallas Clayton called, "An Awesome Book of Thanks."

As a first-time expecting mother, I thought it sounded like fun and probably good practice (I anticipate attending many of these sort of events and activities when our little one arrives). I grabbed a gal-pal (who was less than enthusiastic about spending her Saturday evening with a bunch of kids at a book reading), and treated her to some dinner at Canter's before making our way over.

This Week's Newsletter: Many Thanks

Don't miss this week's issue - Many Thanks. Enjoy this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday by coming out to these family-friendly events.
  • Use your artistic skills to make a unique, yet one of a kind tree at the Create a Family Tree Tapestry for the Holidays event.
  • From Mozart to Star Wars! And from Beethoven to Fiddler on the Roof, enjoy a FREE Thanksgiving Concert performed by one of the nation's finest young peoples symphonies, the Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra.
  • Win tickets to LA Phil Presents Midori in Recital & Premiere Screenings with Filmmakers in Attendance.  
  • Win a Downtown Staycation courtesy of the Wilshire Grand with tickets to a California Science Center IMAX film!
Find out about these events and more in this week's newsletter!

-ExperienceLA Staff

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Weekend Wednesdays: Art, Music, Theatre, and Activity!

We know it's only Wednesday and you're probably stuck at work, school, or home thinking "What am I going to be doing this weekend?" Have no fear, ExperienceLA has these great weekend events for you!

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Rooted in history: Los Angeles Heritage Portal

"Progress" and "change" are often associated with Los Angeles. Many pop-culture trends are set here, from fashion, to health and lifestyle philosophies, to entertainment and so on. Living in Los Angeles, we see change on a daily basis as new homes, buildings and commercial properties go up in all parts of the City and County. Not to mention the fast-paced world in which we now live in makes yesterday seem like a distant memory.

Friday, November 05, 2010

The Week Ahead: Kid-Friendly Events (11/7-11/13)

Got nothing to do next week? ExperienceLA has the answers for you! Take a look at these Kid-Friendly Events that we've suggested during the week of November 7th-13th.  Can't make it next week?  Some of our suggested events have other dates until next month!


What: The SONY Media Arts Program: Computer Animation Classes for Children
When: Every Wednesday and Saturday from 4PM-7PM *This event ends on December 18, 2010
Where: Frida Kahlo Theatre

What: Annie
When: Starts November 5, *This event ends on December 11, 2010 
Where: Westchester Playhouse



What: LA Craft Experience
When: Every second Saturday of the Month *This event ends on December 10, 2011
Where: Chinatown's Central Plaza




What: Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival
When: November 13, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Santa Monica City Library: Martin Luther King Auditorium





-ExperienceLA Staff

This Week's Newsletter: Celebrate

Don't miss this week's issue - Celebrate! Come on down and let the good times roll by checking out these great Festive Events.
  • Experience an evening of traditional celtic dance, music and food through the 25th Annual Samhain Fleadh Cheoil - Celtic New Year Celebration.
  • The 6th annual Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival is filled with more than 100 short films from around the world made for children and teens!
  • Win Tickets to: Randy Newman's Harps and Angels  
Find out about these events and more in this week's newsletter!

-ExperienceLA Staff

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Come and Join Volunteer Day at L.A. Elementary!

Members Project from TakePart and American Express is teaming up with the HandsOn Network to engage volunteers to help improve the Los Angeles Elementary school. Volunteers will brighten the exterior cafeteria area and school breeze ways with much-needed fresh coats of paint and bright murals based on the "Small Steps to Big Change" theme.