Music Diva

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo Thanksgiving conjures multitudes of memories and impressions in our minds of stupendous family meals.  There is the enduring image of going to grandma’s house where she spent all day in the kitchen cooking up homemade ravioli and other special holiday dishes - a feast for her eager family.  While the adults snuggled around the dining room table, the kiddies caused a ruckus in the kitchen. These days I’m no longer the young mother with small children, but the grandmother, who has never made homemade ravioli. The shame of it haunts me – but only for a little while. Times change. This year I engineered our Thanksgiving dinner, but did not cook it, as we dined in comfort and charm at the splendid Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, California. I’m sure my mother never enjoyed such luxury back in Chicago. The BBC provided the ideal venue for an elegant family Thanksgiving dinner, serenely soothing with tinkling piano in the background, and I knew every song being played, including the lyrics. It wasn’t just recorded noise…it was authentic music. The four-course menu offered several choices ($75 adults; $37 children) – and all were declared “delicious.”  Though I am the only ...

It's that time of the year again... summer is gone and the slow, steady cold winds of winter start to creep up. Angelenos need a break from the everyday. Away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, you'll find a thriving city with the charm of a small town in which to relax. Claremont, once again, a diva's getaway. From LA: Take the 134 to the 210 exit North Towne Avenue South. Ontario International Airport (ONT) - 10 miles; Los Angeles - 40 miles 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. This diva recommends you grab a drink at the hip lounge or a complimentary green apple on your way out.   Another great alternative is the Doubletree Hotel Claremont. DIVA's TIP: All Doubletree Hotels offer a warm cookie at check-in. If you are nice, you can get more than one.... :) Want to float off into winter? Try Essentials Day Spa & Salon at the Doubletree ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...