The 411 Diva

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 ...

Featuring acclaimed comedians Ludo Vika, Katy Franco, Jackie Dollar, Shayla Rivera, Tere Joyce, Jeffrey Peterson and Ruben Rabasa.   Kick start your weekend with Ludo’s Funny Burlesque, yet another fabulous show from vivacious comedian Ludo Vika, a one time only event on March 4th at 10 PM at M Bar in Hollywood!  Ludo puts a sexy spin on stand-up comedy by giving her talented comic friends a touch of Burlesque and providing the audience with an hour and a half of firecracker entertainment.  Comedy by acclaimed comedians Ludo Vika, Katy Franco, Jackie Dollar, Shayla Rivera, Tere Joyce, Jeffrey Peterson, and Ruben Rabasa.  Music and Burlesque dance by: Roxanne Ferrara, Jacquelyn Kennedy, and Enicole Smith. Surprise guests and prizes including Cancun vacations and giveaways by Goddess Fitness! Burlesque clothing for performers provided by Dewberries.  Tickets are $15 at the door.  The two-drink minimum will get you in the mood for a little burlesque and a lot of laughs!  The party continues at El Floridita for more drinking and dancing!  M Bar Restaurant & Lounge is located at 1253 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90038, right next to El Floridita.  For more info please call 323-856-0036 or find Ludo’s Funny Burlesque on Facebook ...

dTaste of Playa is an annual culinary event in Playa del Carmen that celebrates the creativity and cultural influences of chefs throughout the Riviera Maya. The event promotes the unique culinary perspectives of local chefs, highlights new event venues and coordinates the efforts of local businesses and municipal governments. In 2009, Taste of Playa captured the attention of national and international media and showed the spirit of multi-cultural cooperation that defines the modern Riviera Maya. International culinary festivals are held throughout the world, with each host city highlighting the chefs, restaurants and retail food outlets that define the culture of the area. Playa del Carmen is renowned for its diversity, its international influences, its culinary expertise and its Caribbean lifestyle. The restaurants and food industry have played a major part in the development and definition of the Riviera Maya. This event provides local businesses with an opportunity to showcase the expertise of their talented chefs. Originally named Xaman-Ha (waters of the north) by the ancient Maya, modern day Playa del Carmen is the heart of the Riviera Maya. Located on the coast 40 miles (60 kms.) south of Cancun, Playa, as it is now commonly known, is the perfect base of operations ...

I'm not sure about the rest of my divas, but there was a time when I was NOT the most popular girl in school...  and that time was junior high.  With acne, a heavy Cuban accent added on to my limited English vocabulary, hand-me-down clothes and an afro.. (yes, an afro) I ran to the school bus every afternoon wen that bell rang, only to be confronted with more laughter and snickering... But if Nia Vardalos made it through, so can the rest of us. Take a look at the video message from this fabulous artist to all of you who are still going through it.  Good luck and hang in there!  It gets better.. really, it does. It Gets Better: Nia Vardalos and Rob Riggle “Growing up is hard. None of us ever really feel like we fit in. Most of us are scared. But no one is more scared than the kid who gets picked on every day. Bullies are scared too. That’s why they pick on the kids they think won’t fight back. Let’s talk about it and make schools a safer place for everyone.” -Nia Inspired by Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" Project, Nia Vardalos and Rob ...

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 ...

Hosted by Iconic WGN Radio Personality Steve Cochran, WGN-TV’s Mike Toomey, Patti Vasquez and Travel Channel’s Mark DeCarlo The all-ages charity event features FREE BBQ, Live Blues Bands, Comedy Acts, Golf, Cooking Demonstrations and More! Johnsonville Sausage invites you to celebrate this Father’s Day, Sunday June 20th, 2010 at Poppa-Palooza, a one-of-a-kind, all ages music and comedy festival featuring Chicago’s greatest personalities, musicians and comedians at America’s Historic Roundhouse in Aurora, IL. The phenomenal line-up includes legendary WGN radio personality Steve Cochran, WGN-TV’s Mike Toomey, with popular Chicago  comedian Patty Vasquez, and Travel Channel’s Mark DeCarlo alongside the band Old Blues Eyes. Doors open at 5pm and festival continues until 11pm. America’s Historic Roundhouse is located at 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children under 12. All tickets include two (2) FREE Johnsonville Brats and all Dads will receive a FREE raffle ticket. Tickets can be purchased by calling 630-264-2739 or visiting www.rh34.com . Poppa-Palooza will include a fun-filled afternoon of golf contests, incredible raffle prices, live music & comedy, cooking demonstrations, competitions, a live auction and surprise guests. This event is geared to gives Dad's a day off while helping to raise money for what ...

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.

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