The 411 Diva

“Odd was hilarious!” said Mindy Vargas, as she walked out the door near Sunset & Vine, vowing to be back in 2 weeks.  She was talking about the new music/variety show "Odd Wednesdays" taking up residence at Ivan Kane's Cafe Was every odd numbered Wednesday night. Cafe Was is the latest jewel in Kane's crown - the bold impresario behind the LA and Vegas incarnations of the retro-burlesque "40 Deuce."  His new place, a 'Bohemian Bistro' in Hollywood at Sunset & Vine has been open 15 months and is hitting its stride just as the weather turns warmer and people are venturing out of their homes.  With live entertainment, including burlesque Thursday through Sunday, Kane was open to something different while expanding his entertainment to Wednesdays. And that's what he got. TV host Mark DeCarlo, best known from the dating show Studs and more recently, "Taste of America," a comedic food show on the Travel Channel, was back home in LA and itching to do another live show.  "TV's Mark Walberg and I used to host a variety show at the Atlas Suppler club, adjacent to the Wiltern Theater a few years ago. It was a combination of comedy, improv, variety acts ...

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo Pierre –Auguste Renoir Exhibit Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) February 14 – May 9,2010 Pierre – Auguste Renoir,(1841 – 1919) the French Impressionist painter known for his luminescent female nudes, was a towering figure in the art world along with other Impressionist greats such as Monet and Cezanne. This ticketed LACMA Renoir exhibit; February 14 – May 9, 2010 – illuminates Renoir’s later works as a postimpressionist whose influence on modern painters, such as Picasso, has received lesser discussion. This exhibit, which opened this past fall at the Grand Palais, Paris, is the first to focus on the mature works of Renoir, in his last years. The exhibit moves on to the Philadelphia Museum of Art June 17. The show brings together about 80 of his paintings, drawings and sculptures from collections in Europe, the United States and Japan. In addition, works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisee, Aristide Maillol and Pierre Bonnard demonstrate Renoir’s often overlooked influence on their art. A startling echo can be seen in Picasso’s female figures after viewing Renoir’s nudes painted in his 20th century career. Many years ago a friend and I took our seven young sons – ages 3 to 12 - to see ...

Mark DeCarlo and Ivan Kane present ODD WEDNESDAYS, a new, live, bi-monthly comedy and music variety show premiering March 17, 2010 @ 8PM at Café Was. ODD WEDNESDAYS features an amazing lineup of talented bands, singer-songwriters, and comedians coming together for the newest comedy & music showcase in Hollywood. The March 17 St. Patrick’s Day premiere will feature the house band Old Blues Eyes with singer-songwriters, and comedians performing in this talent-packed Jam Session / Open Mic. The night’s top acts will win cool prizes and a spot to perform along side all-star comedians and musicians on the LAST ODD WEDNESDAY, March 31st. Performer sign-ups are at 8:00 PM. JAM NIGHT runs from 9-11 PM. There is NO COVER CHARGE. Ivan Kane’s CAFÉ WAS is located at 1521 N. Vine St. Hollywood, CA. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=347583032466 . WHO: Presented by Mark DeCarlo and Ivan Kane’s CAFE WAS WHAT: ODD WEDNESDAYS, the newest comedy & music premiere showcase WHEN: Beginning St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 2010, (and continuing EVERY ODD WEDNESDAY of every month (3/31, 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, 5/19 etc.)  Doors @ 8 PM Show @ 9 PM WHERE: Ivan Kane's CAFÉ WAS 1521 N. Vine St. Hollywood, CA (323)466-5400 TICKETS:   No Cover Charge – Free – ...

By Alegre Ramos * You are pregnant…congratulations!  Like all moms, I’m sure you want to do everything possible to make sure that your baby is healthy, and going green during your pregnancy is a great way to ensure this.  Here are 6 green living tips that will make a big difference in your life and your pregnancy.  As of the writing of this article, I myself am almost 5-months pregnant and I feel great.  Hopefully my tips will help you feel great too and help ensure that your baby is as healthy and happy as possible! Eat green! You should be eating green both literally and figuratively.  Get as many organic, whole foods into your diet as possible (whole foods mean foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.)  Try and cut out any calories that are not filled with nutrients as they will not nourish the baby but WILL lead to excess weight gain.  Eating healthy is probably the single most important thing you ...

By Alegre Ramos Most people can quote the 3Rs: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, however, since becoming a mantra of the green movement twenty-plus years ago, much has been lost in their meaning.  In addition to being updated, the 3R’s needed to be expanded in order to make them more relevant to our modern life.  What follows is the Green and Greener 6R’s for green living in the modern day.  The most important thing to keep is mind is that the R’s, both the original version and ours, are hierarchical in their structure, meaning R1, reduce, has the MOST beneficial impact on the planet, and R6 has the “least.” R1: REDUCE: which means reduce use of raw materials and energy by reducing consumption. This is the step that has the most opportunity for reducing your footprint on the planet. In some ways it is the easiest step since it requires no action; however, it does require a mind shift when it comes to shopping. A good way to start on your path to reduced consumption is to give yourself a “consumer time-out” when you find something that you like but don't need. Don't buy the item right away. Instead, go home and give yourself ...