Diva-Colored Glasses

What is Matta Napkin? It's a daily drawing on a stolen napkin. My plan is to put a new one up on my blog every day for a year.  It might sound easy, but I'm putting my health in danger by eating so much fast food in order to get the proper canvases to create. Also, I dare you to buy nothing at a  Del Taco but then try to grab a stack of napkins... they will go over the counter to stop you. I truly am an American hero/visionary.   How did the idea come about? I was watching a new-ish mom demand that a Subway Sandwich Artist give her free meat samples so her little boy could taste it before ordering. If the child didn't like the meat, he'd spit it out on the counter. If he liked the meat he'd spit it out on the counter, accompanied by an approving grunt. It was the most wonderful thing I've ever witnessed... and I've seen puppies born. So I felt I  had to document the event by drawing it on a napkin to share it with the world. Unfortunately, that napkin was destroyed in a Mr. Pibb accident in my truck. Since then I've been drawing ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo,copyright, 2011 Blithe Spirit, the 1941 Noel Coward comedy, playing at the intimate Costa Mesa Playhouse until September 25, allows theater-goers the opportunity to enjoy good talent, brilliant dialog, all amid some zany antics designed to conjure back to life the dear departed. The three-hour production is directed by David Anthony Blair. Coward's play opened in 1941 London during the worst of the German bombings: The Blitz - of Britain during World War II. So it might be easy to see how a creative exercise onstage, of retrieving loved ones from the grave, would resonate at that time in history. However, the play has enjoyed long life, with many revivals, during the past 70 years. It's most recent incarnation on Broadway was in 2009 with Angela Lansbury in the key role of Madame Arcati, the eccentric medium, who accidentally conjures a dead wife, much to the chagrin of the current, alive wife. The Costa Mesa specter hits the right notes of comedy and British sophistication without creeping anyone to pieces.  The seven-member cast of this well-staged production is fortunate to be well-clothed and placed onto a nicely designed set, as they handle the required British accents with success. Author Coward ...

SCARLET STONE is a new multidisciplinary and collaborative music/dance/video work told in the language of dance-theatre to be performed in San Diego and Los Angeles. This epic piece is based on the last work of Siavash Kasrai, Moher-ye Sorkh (Scarlet Stone) which re-tells the most famous tragedy of Iranian mythology, namely Rostam and Sohrab. The production uses the modern rendition of Ferdowsi’s ancient mythology to portray the current struggle of the people of Iran, especially those of the youth and women, in their brave quest for freedom and democracy.  The goal is to make this project directly relevant to the current political and social climate of Iran and the Middle East in general.  Scarlet Stone emphasizes the value of wisdom over infatuation and brings to our attention the need for all Iranians to take responsibility for the cultural, social, and political development of the country in the past 60 years. UCSD’s professor, director/composer- Shahrokh Yadegari in collaboration with French-Iranian choreographer/dancer Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam (also starring as Sohrab) have gathered some of the best performing talents of the Iranian diaspora to include Afshin Mofid- former NY ballet star (as Rostam), Ida Saki- young rising star dancer (Gordafarid -Sohrab’s lover), Miriam Peretz- Bay Area-based ...

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 ...

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 ...

Exhibition Titled Perspective in Motion is Featured on the Huffington Post and Showcases Hockney-inspired Photo Collages and Paintings Highlighting The Artist’s Love of Vivid Color and Form Altered by Light Artist Christopher Jules White explores the intersections of vivid color, light and form in PERSPECTIVE IN MOTION, a collection of photo collages and paintings on display at the Gregory Way Gallery in Beverly Hills. The exhibition of the Texas native’s work opens with a special reception at the Gallery on Saturday, March 26 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and runs through April 30, 2011.   “I use images and colors instead of words when I express myself because both have different capacities than words do,” says White. “I am affected by light which alters color and form and allows me to see something in an individual way. This is what I paint—the very individual thing that I see because of the effect of the light. And capturing that individuality is the essence, I think, of what painting is.”   The exhibition is featured on The Huffington Post, with the Post’s Rajeev Goyal  saying this about the artist’s work: “White's bold photo collages of California, Japan, Switzerland and Alabama are Hockneyesque but very much his ...

There are many places outside of LA that serve as great options for a getaway.  Few are the ones you’d also consider living in.  Claremont is that city.   Away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, you’ll find a thriving city with the charm of a small town. How to get there: The eastern-most city in Los Angeles County, Claremont is 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles along Interstate 10. It’s a destination quite unlike any other in Southern California: A hidden gem within the sprawling, urbanscape of the L.A. basin.  From LA: Take the 134 to the 210 exit North Towne Avenue South. Ontario International Airport (ONT) - 10 miles  Los Angeles - 40 miles   STAY:   Hotel Casa 425 is just what it claims to be: a home away from home. Located on the town square, within steps of fine restaurants, cafes, boutiques, art galleries and the prestigious Claremont Colleges, Casa 425 is a sophisticated boutique hotel with spacious rooms with clean lines and understated art.  Most of the rooms of this stylish boutique hotel open onto a tranquil courtyard in the heart of historic Claremont Village, and within walking distance of all the nightlife.  This diva recommends you ...