So maybe the crush of humanity in front of the Kodak Theater is not your idea of a good time. You can still scratch that Oscar itch by heading down to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (919 South Grand Avenue) for the 19th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition.
Every year, FIDM exhibits actual costumes from some of the top films of the year. Young Victoria, The King's Speech, True Grit, Burlesque, Avatar, Inception, The Temptest, Shelter Island and Narnia all have contributed costumes this year.
The Exhibition runs until April 30 (with a brief closure from April 22-25 for FIDM's Spring Break.) Hours are 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 pm. Tuesdays - Saturdays. Admission is Free.
Parking is available underneath the FIDM building at 9th St. just before Grand Ave. (this is an independent parking garage and the rate is $5 per day, validation is not available). Additional parking is available at surrounding parking lots and parking meters (rates are $3–$8per day).
http://www.fidmmuseum.org/current-exhibitions.html
213-623-5821
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Cheap & Cheerful Oscar Viewing - Hollywood
First off, an apology, as this post is a bit of a tease. Dope that I am, I thought getting a bleacher spot was akin to getting a spot on the Rose Parade route. Not even close!
On a pre-determined date in mid-September and running for only one week, fans from around the world may apply online for the random drawing for two of the 700 available seats on the Academy Awards red carpet at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center.
And did you know, everyone seated in the bleachers is invited to watch the Academy Awards telecast at a nearby location after the arrivals are complete? Pretty great!
To participate in the random drawing, an individual must complete an application form in its entirety. Applicants may register for themselves and one guest.The form can only be submitted online. Those selected in the random drawing are notified in late September. Understandably, additional information is required for security purposes prior to final approval. Eligible attendees receive a confirmation letter in early January. Time-consuming, but free!
So it ain't happening this year, but now you know. And you have the link to the official site.
http://www.oscars.org/bleachers
If you are not hung up about seeing everyone arrive, the whole Hollywood and Highland are will be alive with crowds of people. Happy St. Oscars!
On a pre-determined date in mid-September and running for only one week, fans from around the world may apply online for the random drawing for two of the 700 available seats on the Academy Awards red carpet at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center.
And did you know, everyone seated in the bleachers is invited to watch the Academy Awards telecast at a nearby location after the arrivals are complete? Pretty great!
To participate in the random drawing, an individual must complete an application form in its entirety. Applicants may register for themselves and one guest.The form can only be submitted online. Those selected in the random drawing are notified in late September. Understandably, additional information is required for security purposes prior to final approval. Eligible attendees receive a confirmation letter in early January. Time-consuming, but free!
So it ain't happening this year, but now you know. And you have the link to the official site.
http://www.oscars.org/bleachers
If you are not hung up about seeing everyone arrive, the whole Hollywood and Highland are will be alive with crowds of people. Happy St. Oscars!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Cheap & Cheerful Winter Day Trip --Mt.Baldy
As someone who grew up on the east coast and midwest, I do not miss long, gray winters. However living in Los Angeles, you can have winter on demand.
Just about an hour east of Downtown LA is the Mt. Baldy recreation area.(6700 Mt Baldy Road) Very simple directions: Head east on the 210 to Claremont/Upland. Exit either on Baseline or Mountain Avenue and head north to the mountains. Both roads feed into Mt. Baldy Road. When you pass Mt Baldy Village, you have about 3 more miles of incline till you are where the snow really collects. This is where lots of people park to go sledding.
Pack a picnic or bring BBQ stuff. When I was there over President's Day, many of the park barbeque pits were going. It was really fun, like a summer picnic in the park-except everyone is in snow gear. Don't feel like cooking? The Mt Baldy Lodge in Mt Baldy Village is a moderately-priced, family style restaurant with the usual burger-chili-salads type offerings. A game of pool is $1.00.
You need to purchase a recreation day pass-$5.00 per vehicle. If you can't find a station or ranger, they will find you and leave a ticket and envelope on your car to send your $5.00 in when you get home.
At the end of Mt Baldy Road is the parking lot for the ski lift to Mt Baldy Ski Resort.They have skiing, snowboarding and a tubing park...all for various fees. Check out the website for specifics. I have been up to the ski/tubing area and found it easy to get around and everything priced at the going rates. What you don't have are the crushing crowds you find at Mt. High and Snow Summit. (of course going early in the day really helps)
But if you just want a change of scene, to play around in the , lunch, sled some more and come home for dinner, Mt Baldy cannot be beat. With a big storm coming Friday, this weekend could be a great time to go!
BE SURE TO FUEL UP before you go as there are NO gas stations on the mountain. And check the website to see if chains are required the day you plan to go.
http://reservations.mtbaldy.com/mtbaldy/002/index.php
(909) 982-0800
Just about an hour east of Downtown LA is the Mt. Baldy recreation area.(6700 Mt Baldy Road) Very simple directions: Head east on the 210 to Claremont/Upland. Exit either on Baseline or Mountain Avenue and head north to the mountains. Both roads feed into Mt. Baldy Road. When you pass Mt Baldy Village, you have about 3 more miles of incline till you are where the snow really collects. This is where lots of people park to go sledding.
Pack a picnic or bring BBQ stuff. When I was there over President's Day, many of the park barbeque pits were going. It was really fun, like a summer picnic in the park-except everyone is in snow gear. Don't feel like cooking? The Mt Baldy Lodge in Mt Baldy Village is a moderately-priced, family style restaurant with the usual burger-chili-salads type offerings. A game of pool is $1.00.
You need to purchase a recreation day pass-$5.00 per vehicle. If you can't find a station or ranger, they will find you and leave a ticket and envelope on your car to send your $5.00 in when you get home.
At the end of Mt Baldy Road is the parking lot for the ski lift to Mt Baldy Ski Resort.They have skiing, snowboarding and a tubing park...all for various fees. Check out the website for specifics. I have been up to the ski/tubing area and found it easy to get around and everything priced at the going rates. What you don't have are the crushing crowds you find at Mt. High and Snow Summit. (of course going early in the day really helps)
But if you just want a change of scene, to play around in the , lunch, sled some more and come home for dinner, Mt Baldy cannot be beat. With a big storm coming Friday, this weekend could be a great time to go!
BE SURE TO FUEL UP before you go as there are NO gas stations on the mountain. And check the website to see if chains are required the day you plan to go.
http://reservations.mtbaldy.com/mtbaldy/002/index.php
(909) 982-0800
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Cheap & Cheerful Laughs - West Hollywood
Need a laugh? The Groundlings(7307 Melrose Ave) is the top comedy training ground in Hollywood and home to some of the best improvisation and comedy sketches around. Check out Thursday's 10 p.m. Long Form Improv or as they bill it: One Stopwatch, 2 guys, 9 Scenes.
Best $5.00 you'll ever spend.
Plenty of street parking, but read the signs (ALL the signs -- West Hollywood is notorious for 2-4 signs detailing the parking rules of a particular street)before you walk away from your car.
As funny as the shows are they are very strict about one thing - No Late Seating, so be early for a change!
For tickets, please call the box office to RSVP.
(323) 934-4747
boxoffice@groundlings.com
$5.00 cash at the door only
http://www.groundlings.com/shows/show-details.aspx?showID=116
Best $5.00 you'll ever spend.
Plenty of street parking, but read the signs (ALL the signs -- West Hollywood is notorious for 2-4 signs detailing the parking rules of a particular street)before you walk away from your car.
As funny as the shows are they are very strict about one thing - No Late Seating, so be early for a change!
For tickets, please call the box office to RSVP.
(323) 934-4747
boxoffice@groundlings.com
$5.00 cash at the door only
http://www.groundlings.com/shows/show-details.aspx?showID=116
Friday, February 11, 2011
Cheap & Cheerful Valentine's Day -Greater LA
Hey we love a challenge. Cheap ideas for Valentines Day..tricky..Valentines Day on a Monday..trickier still with many of our favorite, nice but inexpensive places closed, but not impossible. Love will find a way.
One Strategy, start early Celebrate Valentines Day Eve on a Classical note - The Bing Theater at LACMA (5905 Wilshire Blvd.) has free/no reservation required chamber music concerts every Sunday at 6p.m. This Sunday The UCLA Virtuosi perform Zeisll:Suite for String Quartet, and Brahms:String Sextet in B-flat major, Opus 18. So when they ask at the office "what are you doing for Valentines," you can respond, "Not sure what's in store for tonight, but last night we..." That will shut them up.
http://www.lacma.org/programs/sundayslive.aspx
Ah Tennis, the game in which Love means nothing. Wherever you are in LA, public tennis courts about. There are two types of public tennis courts: Open Play which are free and available on a first come first serve basis; and Reservation / Pay Tennis where hourly fees apply per court and reservations are required. Please call (213) 625-1010 for Pay Tennis registration and reservations. For general information call (323) 644-3536. Lighted courts are open from 7am to 10pm. Unlighted courts are open from dawn to dusk. Your serve, darling!
.http://www.ci.la.ca.us/rap/dos/sports/tennis.htm
.
Chill out in Santa Monica. You've been meaning to check out ICE in Santa Monica (1324 5th St)...well get on it! The rink closes after Feb 15--so why not a valentine's skate date? The rink is open noon until 10pm on Monday. Admission and skate rental is $10.00 per person. Plenty of metered street parking and hot chocolate available for purchase rink side SWEET!
http://www.downtownsm.com/about/icerink.html
Open November 5, through February 15, 2011
How about a romantic night at the movies? It doesn't have to be a bank breaking exercise if you go to the Century 8 in North Hollywood (12827 Victory Blvd.) which offers first run movies for Matinee prices and free parking. Only $9.50 for Adult evening tickets, or $5.00 for the first show of the day if you don't have to work Monday. Think of the possibilities at the concession stand.
http://www.fandango.com/century8_aacel/theaterpage
Century 8
(818) 508-1943
Take advantage of this weirdly warm weather by catching an amazing sunset at Santa Monica Pier. (200 Santa Monica Pier) Mondays are less crowded than the weekend. Parking is $6.00 to $8.00. The Pier has a range of dining options. People save up for years to witness a California Sunset, you only have to drive across town!
http://www.santamonicapier.org/
Happy Valentine's Day!
One Strategy, start early Celebrate Valentines Day Eve on a Classical note - The Bing Theater at LACMA (5905 Wilshire Blvd.) has free/no reservation required chamber music concerts every Sunday at 6p.m. This Sunday The UCLA Virtuosi perform Zeisll:Suite for String Quartet, and Brahms:String Sextet in B-flat major, Opus 18. So when they ask at the office "what are you doing for Valentines," you can respond, "Not sure what's in store for tonight, but last night we..." That will shut them up.
http://www.lacma.org/programs/sundayslive.aspx
Ah Tennis, the game in which Love means nothing. Wherever you are in LA, public tennis courts about. There are two types of public tennis courts: Open Play which are free and available on a first come first serve basis; and Reservation / Pay Tennis where hourly fees apply per court and reservations are required. Please call (213) 625-1010 for Pay Tennis registration and reservations. For general information call (323) 644-3536. Lighted courts are open from 7am to 10pm. Unlighted courts are open from dawn to dusk. Your serve, darling!
.http://www.ci.la.ca.us/rap/dos/sports/tennis.htm
.
Chill out in Santa Monica. You've been meaning to check out ICE in Santa Monica (1324 5th St)...well get on it! The rink closes after Feb 15--so why not a valentine's skate date? The rink is open noon until 10pm on Monday. Admission and skate rental is $10.00 per person. Plenty of metered street parking and hot chocolate available for purchase rink side SWEET!
http://www.downtownsm.com/about/icerink.html
Open November 5, through February 15, 2011
How about a romantic night at the movies? It doesn't have to be a bank breaking exercise if you go to the Century 8 in North Hollywood (12827 Victory Blvd.) which offers first run movies for Matinee prices and free parking. Only $9.50 for Adult evening tickets, or $5.00 for the first show of the day if you don't have to work Monday. Think of the possibilities at the concession stand.
http://www.fandango.com/century8_aacel/theaterpage
Century 8
(818) 508-1943
Take advantage of this weirdly warm weather by catching an amazing sunset at Santa Monica Pier. (200 Santa Monica Pier) Mondays are less crowded than the weekend. Parking is $6.00 to $8.00. The Pier has a range of dining options. People save up for years to witness a California Sunset, you only have to drive across town!
http://www.santamonicapier.org/
Happy Valentine's Day!
Cheap & Cheerful Valentine's Day Flowers
Only if you have been able to avoid browsing the internet, watching TV,listening to the radio and reading the paper can you lay claim to the statement you are unaware that Monday is Valentine's Day.
Whereas jewelry is out of reach for many and candy is not always welcomed, unless your valentine has serious allergies, you really can't go wrong with flowers.
The Los Angeles Flower District (700 block of Wall Street) is the motherlode for growers, shippers and wholesalers. Mere mortals are also welcome to purchase, but it's an EARLY call. Non trade hours are Mon.,Wed, Fri 8am - 12 noon, Tues., Thurs and Saturday . 6am - noon. Admission is $2.00 per person Monday -Friday. $1 on Saturdays.
There are two ample parking structures available. The American Florist Exchange lot can be entered from the west side of San Julian Street, between 7th and 8th streets. The Southern California Flower Market parking lot entrance is located on the east side of Maple Avenue between 7th and 8th street.
http://www.laflowerdistrict.com/index.asp
If a trip downtown is just not going to happen, try Flowers Wholesale
(8032 Santa Monica Boulevard - just east of Crescent Heights and Santa Monica) they have a solid selection, will arrange your choices into a nice arrangement--and for $15- 20, you can arrive a champ. But get over there early! This is a really busy time for them.
(323) 656-3077
West Hollywood not an option, my other suggestion is Trader Joe's stores. They consistently have a variety of healthy cut flowers with arrangement running for $5.00 - $15.00. For that price you can buy two, undo the raffia, rearrange the two bunches into one, discarding the filler you don't like and creating a one of kind arrangement.
They also have cards.
http://www.traderjoes.com/
Okay Romeo and Juliet -- get on it!
Whereas jewelry is out of reach for many and candy is not always welcomed, unless your valentine has serious allergies, you really can't go wrong with flowers.
The Los Angeles Flower District (700 block of Wall Street) is the motherlode for growers, shippers and wholesalers. Mere mortals are also welcome to purchase, but it's an EARLY call. Non trade hours are Mon.,Wed, Fri 8am - 12 noon, Tues., Thurs and Saturday . 6am - noon. Admission is $2.00 per person Monday -Friday. $1 on Saturdays.
There are two ample parking structures available. The American Florist Exchange lot can be entered from the west side of San Julian Street, between 7th and 8th streets. The Southern California Flower Market parking lot entrance is located on the east side of Maple Avenue between 7th and 8th street.
http://www.laflowerdistrict.com/index.asp
If a trip downtown is just not going to happen, try Flowers Wholesale
(8032 Santa Monica Boulevard - just east of Crescent Heights and Santa Monica) they have a solid selection, will arrange your choices into a nice arrangement--and for $15- 20, you can arrive a champ. But get over there early! This is a really busy time for them.
(323) 656-3077
West Hollywood not an option, my other suggestion is Trader Joe's stores. They consistently have a variety of healthy cut flowers with arrangement running for $5.00 - $15.00. For that price you can buy two, undo the raffia, rearrange the two bunches into one, discarding the filler you don't like and creating a one of kind arrangement.
They also have cards.
http://www.traderjoes.com/
Okay Romeo and Juliet -- get on it!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Cheap & Cheerful Slice of Old California - Laverne
Whether you are an Angeleno or tourist, picking oranges in early winter is something everyone should experience. Laverne Heritage Foundation's (5001 Via De Mansion La Verne) "Spring Squeeze"is part time travel, part day in the country.
Where the hell is Laverne? East of Arcadia, West of Rancho Cucamonga and south of the 210, Laverne is about 33 miles east of Los Angeles proper.
Through mid March, the public is invited to pick their own oranges from one of the last working Orange groves in the Laverne Area. Both picking poles and bags are provided. While you are there, take in the Weber House. Built in the 1880's it is one of the oldest structures in the area.
Orange Picking takes place Saturdays from 9:00am to 3:OOp.m.. Cost is $5.00 per person.
(909)593-2862
http://www.laverneheritage.org/Spring-Squeeze.html
Where the hell is Laverne? East of Arcadia, West of Rancho Cucamonga and south of the 210, Laverne is about 33 miles east of Los Angeles proper.
Through mid March, the public is invited to pick their own oranges from one of the last working Orange groves in the Laverne Area. Both picking poles and bags are provided. While you are there, take in the Weber House. Built in the 1880's it is one of the oldest structures in the area.
Orange Picking takes place Saturdays from 9:00am to 3:OOp.m.. Cost is $5.00 per person.
(909)593-2862
http://www.laverneheritage.org/Spring-Squeeze.html
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Cheap & Cheerful Lunar Festival - Chinatown
One of the many things I like about living in Los Angeles is that with so many cultures, there is always something to celebrate.
This weekend is one of my all time favorites: the Golden Dragon Parade and Lunar New Year Festival (Broadway and Cesar Chavez) --or Chinese New Year. The Parade is on Saturday starting at 1:00pm But there are food vendors, carnival rides, and just the fun that is Chinatown. It's supposed to be sunny and 77-78 degrees both Saturday and Sunday so you HAVE to Check it out!
Parking is easier if you arrive early. Metered street parking is limited in Chinatown due to the parade, but Chinatown parking lots are mercifully less expensive than the rest of downtown. You could also park by Olvera Street and walk over. Bring $15.00 for parking (and load up the car with friends) and I can pretty much guarantee will will have change from that.
Happy 4079!
http://discoverlosangeles.com/event.html?event_id=252797
This weekend is one of my all time favorites: the Golden Dragon Parade and Lunar New Year Festival (Broadway and Cesar Chavez) --or Chinese New Year. The Parade is on Saturday starting at 1:00pm But there are food vendors, carnival rides, and just the fun that is Chinatown. It's supposed to be sunny and 77-78 degrees both Saturday and Sunday so you HAVE to Check it out!
Parking is easier if you arrive early. Metered street parking is limited in Chinatown due to the parade, but Chinatown parking lots are mercifully less expensive than the rest of downtown. You could also park by Olvera Street and walk over. Bring $15.00 for parking (and load up the car with friends) and I can pretty much guarantee will will have change from that.
Happy 4079!
http://discoverlosangeles.com/event.html?event_id=252797
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
