Not-so-Vanilla Diva

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 ...

Being on the set is a passion for Klisans, who’s worked with many of the greats, including well-known music video director, Pablo Croce, Rosalyn Sanchez, Alejandro Fernández, Franco de Vita and famous latin band Maná. In “HABANA EVA,” Klisans is the Producer for the Venezuelan release, slated for July 2010.  Being an active member of the organization “Venezolanos en Hollywood,” Klisans was recommended earlier this year to launch the release of the film, directed by fellow Venezuelan, Fina Torres, who in 1985 won the Cote d’Or prize at the Festival de Cannes for her first feature, “Oriana.” This Cuban-Venezuelan co-production was shot in Havana and features brilliant performances from Prakriti Maduro y Juan Carlos Garcia. Klisans also worked on film projects directly related to incomparable Orchestra Conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. Through that experience, she has been fortunate enough to surround herself with the likes of Helen Hunt, Andy García and Edgar Ramírez. All of Klisans’ experiences throughout her years in Los Angeles are focused on film and television projects intended for Venezuelan audiences. Klisans proves once again that although far from home, Venezuela is always in her heart.

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, ...