Budget Diva

Voxy Ladies and BookPals kick off back to school the right way at 3pm on Sunday August 19th at Griffith Park, CA with a charity potluck mixer celebration of fun, food, VO fellowship, and an opportunity to GIVE BACK! Event will take place at the Crystal Springs Picnic area of Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California 90027. For free entrance to the event, bring a donation of school supplies or children's books to be donated to BookPals and distributed to under-resourced students in the LA Public Schools. Please RSVP to the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/247398065363540/     EVENT DETAILS: WHAT: BACK TO SCHOOL CHARITY EVENT with the VOXY LADIES and BOOKPALS WHERE: 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California 90027 WHEN:  Sunday August 19th, 3pm-6pm ENTRANCE: FREE!  Bring a donation of unused school supplies or books to be distributed to under-resourced kids in the Los Angeles area though BookPALS. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/247398065363540/ ABOUT VOXY LADIES The Voxy Ladies are the original hand picked, selective collective of professional female voice artists representing every genre, sound & niche in the industry.  www.VoxyLadies.com ABOUT BOOK PALS BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) is a national program administered by the nonprofit Screen Actors Guild Foundation. BookPALS help children learn to LOVE books by bringing the talents of ...

Mark DeCarlo visits the island of Maui and invites you to join in on all the fun. As heard on Mad Dog's radio show in Palm Springs: The Maui Prince, Hawaii -Filled with enchantment and romance, this Hawaiian paradise will find its way into your hearts without emptying your pockets. Rated one of the top hotels of the island, the Maui Prince is now offering amazing rates for all their rooms, including ocean front rooms. Their amenities range from spa to complimentary valet to wi-fi in your room, should you need it. Take advantage of their Special Packages or let them take the worry away from planning a wedding! That's right, lucky divas! They also have wedding packages, complete with every detail, including the fabulous backdrop of Black Rock and red sunsets. *** Email us at diva@travelingdiva.com for more info and special rates not advertised on their website! and..... shhhhhh... the secret to their free upgrades!!!!!! diva@travelingdiva.com

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo Even a three-year old understands the concept of saving old things for the future. Michelle Christine, my toddler granddaughter looked around our house one day at the children’s table and chairs and toys she knew had been her daddy’s. “You saved this for me, “ she stated, not asked. She knew. I pounced on her thought and told her there were people we didn’t even know who had saved things for us in big buildings called museums. Would she like to go see them? She said, yes, and so our museum adventures began ten years ago. With my second granddaughter, Serritella Dainelle, I was late starting. She is six years old and last Sunday we went to the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, Santa Ana, CA. The facility is having great success with its China exhibits  - China’s Enduring Legacy - Warriors, Tombs and Temples; and Ancient Arts of China, but we were there to see the memorial to Christopher Columbus and the small gallery of oil paintings tucked upstairs in an out of the way location. You are not likely to find Columbus’ bust as it is secreted deep in a courtyard near the entrance, but set back so it is ...

Who would say no to dining Chicago style with Arlene & Joe Mantegna? This diva found herself amongst a herd of Bears, Chicago Bears that is, in the valley's only authentic Chicago style restaurant. Taste Chicago offers a culinary gateway to the Windy City and a great alternative to hum-drum LA food. "Fugetabout"calories, tofu, or fat free anything when you go through the doors at Taste Chicago. You'll be overwhelmed by the smell of Chicago pizza. My favorite.. sausage..yum! The pizza, as advertised, is truly ' a meal in itself.' You may want to ask the server to cut it in half or quarters and share with your group, that way they are forced to order something different to share with you. ;) Try the meatballs, with that delicious red sauce, and of course the famous beef 'sangwich.' Thin sliced of authentically seasoned roast beef, served on a bakery fresh Italian roll with your choice of sweet green peppers or hot giardiniera. Ahhh.. slice of heaven... For the more adventurous type, the Taste Chicago hot dog is not your ordinary wiener. This all beef Vienna sausage comes with an array of mustard, celery salt, relish, pickles, onions, tomatoes, and peppers.. just no ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo, copyright, 2011 Nothing says summer like an outdoor concert. There are plenty of these around OC in public parks and other such venues. Unfortunately, sometimes these involve parking hassles to distant grassy areas – if there is room – with long walks back to the performing areas. If you are one who desires a little bit more upscale ambience, here’s the spot for you. I recently enjoyed an evening at the posh Balboa Bay Club and am anxious to return for more relaxation along side the fabulous marina. The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, at Newport Beach Harbor, provides the perfect constellation of beautiful setting, fine entertainment and tasty foods. The Club is located at 1221West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. www.balboabayclub.com; 949-646-5000. The BBC is hosting three concerts this month that offer up summer fun at its finest. “The Four Freshman - Live Concert“ Friday, August 12, 6:30 p.m.; “Surfin’ Safari.- The UltimateTribute to the Beach Boys!” Friday, August 19, 6:30 p.m; “Mariachi Sol de Mexico” Friday, August 26, 6:30 p.m Tickets for these concerts are $25, each performance (non-refundable). BBC’s Burger Bash BBQ will be available for purchase at the “Freshman… and “Surfin’” concerts. See below for the menu and prices on foods. “Mariachi…” concert will have available the ...

With the economy being what it is today, we all need a cheap laugh.  Included is a list of LA's comedy open mics, for both amateurs and pros come try out their new material.  Feel like a laugh?  Check out these great venues at great low prices: MONDAY HAHA CAFÉ COMEDY CLUB 5010 Lankershim Blvd  North Hollywood, CA 91610 (818) 508-4995 Sign up: 5:00 pm   Show: 6:00 pm Cost: $5 COMEDY STORE 8433 W Sunset Blvd  Los Angeles, CA 90069 (323) 656-6225 Sign up: 6-6:30 pm  Show: 7:00 pm KULTURAS BOOKS (2ND Monday) 1700 Ocean Park Blvd  Santa Monica, CA (310) 450-8707 Sign up: 6:00 pm  Show: 7:30 pm Notes: Music & comedy open mic CAFÉ MUSE 6547 Santa Monica Blvd  Hollywood, CA 90038 (323) 464-6873 Sign up: 7:00 pm  Show: 7:30 pm Notes: Comedy & poetry RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL 9015 W Sunset Blvd  West Hollywood, CA 90189 (310) 278-4232 Sign up: 8:00 pm  Show: 8:30 pm Cost: $2 Notes: Comedy & music open mic SKINNY'S LOUNGE 4923 Lankershim Blvd  North Hollywood, CA 91601 (818) 763-6581 Sign up: 8:00 pm  Show: 8:15 pm Notes: Mostly booked show. Drawing for 2 open mic spots GROUND ZERO COFFEE HOUSE 615 Child's Way  Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 821-1484 Sign up: 9:00 pm (USC students)  Sign up: 9:20 pm (general public) Show: 9:30 pm Notes: Music, comedy & poetry open mic LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd  Van Nuys, CA 91405 (818) 997-3818 Sign ...

For those of you who missed it, Pacifico Beer is now on tap at many locations across the US and we had a sneak taste at their party this past week.  Check out the photos below from Capsule Labs Vinyl Record Pressing Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Photos shot on GoPro HD Cam. [gallery]

Get ready Silverlake! You're up on the silver screen! Sunset Junction, A Personal Musical, a film by Director Jesus M. Rodriguez (Director of Sundance favorite "Lucy & Ricky", “Solitude” ), will host an invite-only screening on Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA. Screening to be followed by Q&A with Director Jesus M. Rodriguez, moderated by Sweet Home Alabama writer, C. Jay Cox. After Party at Pig ‘N Whistle next door. Soundtrack features local and acclaimed artists Helen Stellar, Fool’s Gold, Los Amigos Invisibles, Floating Action, Maleco Collective, Useless Keys, Popvert, Jail Weddings, Lemon Sun, Aurah, Thomas Greene, Zachary Ross, David Mazzarri, and Jesus Florido.  “Sunset Junction is not a musical about “making it.”  It is a story about Silver Lake neighbors with a passion for music and dance. As they struggle to find their way, barriers will break down. Friendships will form.  Our characters will realize that while they are waiting for their careers to take off, their real lives are moving forward. With stylized visuals, a local, cutting-edge soundtrack and amazing dance numbers, Jesus Rodriguez brings you Silver Lake as you’ve never seen it before…” Hope to see you all there!  I'll be ...

Live performance by Carmen Perez with Rolly Devore and Byron Gore In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the 2nd Annual Inpeloto Art Show Raising Awareness for Healthy Existence: Mind, Body and Soul, featuring artist Carmen Perez ("He's Not That Into You", “Nip/Tuck”) will take place at Suture Gallery this Friday, May 13, from 7:00PM to 11:00PM. Food and champagne available during art show and live performance by Carmen Perez along with musicians Rolly Devore and Byron Gore.  There will be a silent auction and donations are welcome. Proceeds to benefit American Mental Health Foundation.   WHAT: 2nd Annual Inpeloto Art Show and Raising Awareness for Healthy Existence: Mind, Body and Soul featuring Carmen Perez   WHERE: Suture Gallery 655 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA   WHEN: 7pm – 11pm   ENTRANCE: Open to the public and free to all ages #

by Angela Rocco DeCarlo - copyright 2011   Friends from Chicago were visiting and we were giving them the Huntington Beach, CA tour... lunch at Duke's on the beach downtown while gawking at the wetsuited-surfer dudes, who to Midwesterners, are exotic indeed. They can't quite believe that surfing can be, and is, for talented people, a profession. Celebrating with old friends from back home is always special. That's the time when a plain red plastic cup won't do for your wine toast. It's fine for the beach, but otherwise something more refined is required. As we checked out the various gift shops around the beach area we came upon one store which had a collection of hand painted wine glasses that offered a surprise. There are several brands that produce these custom items. There amid the flip flop and ladies' shoe glass designs was a tulip wine glass featuring a fantasy Chicago Cubs marquee, city skyline and sailboats on Lake Michigan - all capturing the fun of a Chicago summer. Obviously, no one is going to memorialize a Chicago winter - that's for sure. Travelers love to take home treats from vacation destinations to remind them of happy times. It isn't often one in on a California ...