Budget Diva

For divas looking for a luxurious place to have some drinks and chat up a great looking bartender... Firenze Osteria is definitely it!  Alongside Lankershim, one of the busiest streets in the valley, Firenze could go unnoticed if not for the line of great looking singles going in and out of the place. As I sipped my fabulous full bodied red, I hear from the delicious bartender that Firenze has one of the best happy hours in LA every Thursday night from 5-7pm.  They offer 6 flights of wine for $6, and you'll get to hear about the wines from a rep from the winery. The atmosphere is lux-comfy-smooth, and perfect for misbehavior.  Next Thursday night I'll be passing by to taste all the reds. Tip: Firenze's valet parking attendant is extremely nice.  Be sure to tip accordingly and your car will always be very well taken care of. See you Thursday!

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo copyright, 2010 The 1980 Chicago poster I’ve displayed in my home since relocating to Southern California in 1987, shows the city as a child’s crayon coloring exercise. Blue Lake Michigan and green parks are in the forefront while the rest of the US recedes to the Pacific. New York and the Atlantic are seen beyond Asia giving the artwork a vitality which amuses and refreshes, just as the real city does for visitors. First-time guests are astounded by Chicago’s breath-taking lakefront, stretching for miles, awash in sailboats, marinas, pristine parks dotted with notable sculptures, fountains, all anchored by world-class museums set like glittering jewels into the vast parks. That’s the view from atop the Hancock Building…something not to be missed. It offers a superlative shoreline vista. The sunlight bouncing off the lake, enhanced by the tens of acres of open spaces, gives the public buildings a fairytale feel, as though someone sketched them in watercolors. The openness of the lakefront owes a debt to Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. He designed among many projects,  the lakefront parks, skyscrapers and the Chicago Columbian Exposition, 1893. Taking his cue from Baron Georges Haussmann, 19th century city planner of the old Roman city of ...

J Squared Pr, Summerwood Winery, and the Los Angeles Arts Association present a unique one-nightonly gala show, featuring emerging and established artists in Mixed Media Pyrography, 3-D Household Art, and Literary Fiction to celebrate inspiration and the creative process. On SEPTEMBER 17, 2010 from 7:00-10:00 PM at THE FIX GALLERY, 1728 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015, national bestselling author Elizabeth Rosner joins emerging artists Ryan McCann, Denise Niziri, and Sage Gracie in an exciting mixed media adventure that will push the boundaries of your imagination. The event features a free all night open viewing of the art, an 8:30 pm Q&A with the artists and Peter Mays of the Los Angeles Arts Association, and a special raffle of an original piece of work designed by the three artists collectively for this event, plus many giveaways for all guests, including six free copies of Elizabeth Rosner’s new novel Blue Nude for the first six guests that bring a piece of artwork inspired by the title of the book. To round out a night of exciting imagery and conversation, featured event sponsor Summerwood Winery of Paso Robles will pour complimentary tastings of their premium wines. Eclectic foods will be available for ...

To celebrate the paperback publication of Susan Shapiro's debut novel Speed Shrinking, you can "speed date" with actual mental health professionals during the month your regular therapist is away. SPEED-SHRINKING is exactly what it sounds like, speed dating with mental health professionals.  Feel like having a drink and resolving an issue at the same time?  These events are geared to help you do just that.  From sex therapists to relationship experts, Speed-Shrinking, created by Susan Shapiro, your $15 cover includes one(1) drink ticket and proceeds go to 826LA, leaving you feeling twice as good about yourself...  well worth the price of admission. Whether you need a new shrink, quick tune-up or some replacement tough love, this line up of nine brilliant gurus will be on hand to meet, greet, and help you get over all your success blocks - and it's for charity!  Books are available at the event through Book Soup. In Susan Shapiro’s laugh-out-loud funny fictional debut Speed Shrinking, Manhattan self-help author Julia Goodman thinks she’s got her addictive personality under control. Then her beloved psychoanalyst moves away at the same time her husband takes off to L.A. and her best friend gets married and moves to Ohio. Navigating her insurance ...

Montréal’s 28th edition of the Just For Laughs Festival presented by Videotron in association with Loto-Québec kicks off on July 6 and runs through July 17, 2010, followed by an Urban Arts street fair from July 17 to July 25 complete with parades of twins (some 1,000 pairs), triplets and multiple birth children from around the world! The laughs will be on tap 24/7 with a program where the spectacular meets the emotional. The largest humor festival in the world, the Just For Laughs Festival features scores of stand-up comedy events, concerts, plays, skits, street theatre, parades and more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Headliners include John Leguizamo, Latin King of comedy and Emmy-award winning actor, who’ll present his new, uncensored one-man show, “Klass Klown”. Not to be missed are Cheech & Chong, the world’s favorite stoners who are back for a night of smokin’ hot comedy, hosting their own Videotron Just For Laughs Gala, Then there’s Pamela Anderson, the most downloaded woman in the world, who’ll host an hilariously high-concept evening with her Dancing with the Stars partner Damian Whitewood.  For tickets, call 514-845-4069. The free Urban Arts program that follows the Festival is quirkiness at its best – chockablock ...

Legendary guitar hero Michael Landau will debut at the infamous Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz, CA on Sunday, June 20th, 2010 with his amazing psychedelic-blues-jazz-cosmic band “The Michael Landau Group,” along with soulful blues-rockers The Kirk Fletcher Band for a special afternoon Father’s Day performance. "I live for those live moments when the sound and emotion becomes this monstrous force bigger than the individual musicians, it becomes a unique creation and feel, exciting and calming at the same time, difficult to describe but I'm addicted to it," Landau describes about playing live with his group. Landau has recorded on over 700 records with everyone from Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, BB King, James Taylor to Joni Mitchell; and been known to wear many hats as a songwriter, producer, and engineer in addition to his enormous guitar credits since the early 80’s. Landau’s supergroup includes jazz artists Gary Novak on drums and Travis Carlton on bass. Landau will also perform as a featured guest in The Kirk Fletcher Band, with a special jam session to conclude the show. This amazing co-bill of jazz, blues and rock all in one afternoon is not to be missed! Moe’s Alley is located at 1535 Commercial Way, ...

Featuring performances by Mark DeCarlo with the band Old Blues Eyes, surprise A-list musicians and comedians, and FREE BAR TAB for the night’s winning Band-E-Okee table Kick start your summer with FIRST FRIDAYS, the new, live, monthly comedy and music variety show starting June 4th, 2010 @ 9:00PM at the fabulous LIFE on Wilshire featuring the band Old Blues Eyes lead by Mark DeCarlo.  Entrance is free, food is scrumptious, and drinking is encouraged. Giveaways include FREE BAR TAB for the night’s winning Band-E-Okee table. LIFE on Wilshire is located at 1521 N. Vine St. Hollywood, CA.  For more info visit the Facebook Page: OLD BLUES EYES & www.OldBluesEyes.com WHO: Presented by Mark DeCarlo and Life on Wilshire WHAT: FIRST FRIDAYS at Life on Wilshire: Hollywood’s premiere comedy & music show featuring Mark DeCarlo and the band Old Blues Eyes with established A-List performers providing Hollywood with a unique show every First Friday of every month. WHEN: Friday June 4th, 2010 at 9:30PM (and continuing EVERY FIRST FRIDAY of every month (7/2, 8/6 etc.) WHERE: LIFE on Wilshire  6311 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (323) 651-5433 TICKETS:              FREE ENTRANCE ABOUT THE ARTISTS MARK DECARLO & OLD BLUES EYES (www.markdecarlo.com) When “Studs” ...

Grab your divalicious girlfriends and shake off the cold with a little help from Shecky’s! At Girls Night Out, you’ll experience the newest warm weather fashion trends, delicious cocktails, plus sensational spring beauty treatments. Throw in our fabulous goodie bags, chock full of freebies, and we guarantee you’ll have a spring in your step in no time! What? Shecky's is an online and event destination for what’s cool and undiscovered in FASHION, BEAUTY and FUN with the girls. From emerging designers to great beauty discoveries, delicious cocktails to free giveaways— Shecky's offers a wonderland for girls to SHOP, SAMPLE & SCORE the world of things girls love. How? Shecky's partners with 1200+ cool companies a year to bring women the latest and greatest in fashion, beauty, entertainment, and more in unique web and event experiences that can be shared with friends. Why? Because once in a while, women need a place to escape, where we can indulge, pamper ourselves and have some quality girl time—without the boys! What’s Shecky’s Mission? To spoil girls with fashion, beauty, fun and the best girlfriend group experiences. Shop Fabulous LA! Date: Wed.-Thu., May 19th-20th, 2010 Time: 5pm-10pm Place: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium 1855 Main St. (Pico Blvd. & Colorado Ave.) TO PURCHASE TICKETS PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: http://girlsnightout.sheckys.com/?rf=LA_TravelingDiva and choose "Socialista" ...

Los Angeles is full of precious events.  A social diva's job is to get invited to the right ones.  Our criteria varies, but always includes an element of fun, uniqueness and desirability. This week's event: EdenLA, vino, furniture, and apparently.. a clown. EdenLA and Los Angeles Magazine have announced an exclusive event Thursday, May 13 at 6:30pm with a night of tapas, wine and furniture!  They are certain you'll find them to be an amazing resource to clients of discerning tastes.  Designers, architects and real estate professionals, amongst the area's leading voices and VIPs will mingle surrounded by comfy furnishings and luxurious fabrics. Those lucky enough to get invited can be seen and heard at: edenla 11600 San Vicente Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90049 Phone: 310-820-8109 Email: edenla@edenla.com See you there!  I'll be the one by the clown.

The Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, Italian Consulate General Hon. Nicola Faganello and the  Italian American Museum of Los Angeles are holding a reception for Los Angeles’s Little Italy, the much anticipated new book from Historian Marianna Gatto. Thursday, May 13, 2010 6:30 PM Istituto Italiano di Culturl 1023 Hilgard Avenue  Los Angeles, CA 90024 Gatto, curator of History and Education for a department of the City of Los Angeles and key proponent of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, will make an interactive presentation followed by a book signing and reception. There is no cost to attend. About Los Angeles’s Little Italy: While Los Angeles possesses the nation’s fifth-largest Italian population today, little is known about its Italian history, which has been examined by only a handful of authors over the past 70 years. In Los Angeles’s Little Italy, author Marianna Gatto chronicles the city’s vibrant Italian enclave during the 100-year period following the arrival of the first Italian pioneer in 1827. The extensively researched text includes dozens of never-before published photographs and eyewitness testimony of the early Italian community. For more information: http://www.losangeleslittleitaly.com/2010/05/reception-for-the-author-of-los-angeles-little-italy.html Content borrowed from www.losangeleslittleitaly.com