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!

Celadine at the Colony Theatre in Burbank

(Photo by Michael Lamont: Giselle Wolf, Will Barker and Holly Hawkins in the West Coast Premiere of "Celadine" at the Colony Theatre.)

I was fortunate, on Valentine's Day, to have a husband who was interested in going to the theatre without having to drag him kicking and screaming. We attended a performance of the West Coast premiere of Charles Evered's "Celadine" at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. First of all, I didn't even know there was a theatre next to the Burbank mall. Secondly, I was impressed at how charming and intimate the theatre was. Certainly a change from some of our past theatre experiences at larger venues such as the Ahmanson or Pantages.

Artistic Director Barbara Beckley welcomed the audience and spoke briefly before the show of the wonderful support the community has provided. The Colony Theatre celebrates is 35th anniversary season. Looking around the audience, I speculated that many of the long-time supporters were among the crowd. There was a feeling of pride that this theatre has been able to entertain audiences for so many years.

"Celadine" is a story that takes place in 17th century London. It tells of a woman playwright, Celadine, who may be considered ahead of her time and gets entangled in espionage and a case of treason. While the story itself begged for a little more tension and drama, it had its moments of comedy (warning: mature content that might make you blush and giggle) and emotion. The cast members offer strong and entertaining performances. So much so that when it was over, I hardly noticed that two hours had passed by.

Evered's desire to create a role that allowed a female actor to go beyond being an "ingenue" or a "matron," and Giselle Wolf's performance as Celadine, are both refreshing and appreciated.

Overall, we were pleased with our experience at the Colony Theatre, and we're looking forward to their next production of "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris."


-Julie

They're back - Gin Blossoms perform at the Starlight Bowl

The Gin Blossoms are one of the few pop rock bands in very recent history who've managed to get the formula right for creating good, enduring music. Though their sound can be identified from the 90s, their songs still air on the radio today, and will most likely persist as time goes on.

For those who've waited ever so patiently for the band to return with a new album and hit the road, we're pleased to inform you they're back! With their catchy melodies, upbeat tempos and relatable lyrics, the Gin Blossoms take to the stage on Sunday, August 16 at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank.

A quick listen to their newest single, "Learning the Hard Way" and fans will not be disappointed. The band sounds as if they've not missed a beat since taking a break from the music scene several years ago. While they will most likely cover songs from their newest album, Major Lodge Victory, fans may expect to hear an old favorite or two as well.

Pack a picnic and a blanket, head over to the Starlight Bowl this Sunday evening, and indulge in a little fun pop music as the sun draws the evening to a close. this will Sting will kick the evening off at 6:30 PM. For more information, visit our website at ExperienceLA.com.