Music ~ Dudamel and Lang Lang

Why would you miss two of the most exciting musicians in the world performing Tchaikovsky’s romantic piano concerto #1! It’s hot outside, head indoors and enjoy the gorgeous Walt Disney Concert Hall, try Bar Ama or teeny tiny wine bar Mignon, pre or the post show.

www.laphil.com/tickets/dudamel-and-lang-lang/2013-05-03

www.mignonla.com/

Fela! ~ Ahmanson Theatre

Fela! the fantastic musical about legendary Nigerian singer Fela Kuti is back in town and you should go! The story of the musical dynamo who took on governmental oppression is an exciting evening in the theatre!  I saw it last year and would happily see it again.

www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/2013/Fela/

www.bar-ama.com/

Art ~ Brewery Art Walk

Twice annually the historic Brewery Art Complex opens its very interesting doors to us, the general public. If you love art and artists, this event combines the two nicely.  Just wandering around the Brewery is interesting, couple it with gallery going and you have a must do this weekend. Did I mention it is free? parking too!

Roland Reiss

breweryartwalk.com

 More Events this weekend for You!

Friday Night Jazz At LACMA

Fela At The Music Center

Dance ~ Alvin Ailey At the Music Center

This weekend don’t miss the chance to see one of our most exciting dance Companies perform their eclectic  repertoire, including the classic Ailey ballet work, Revelations. How often can you see great dance paired with music covering the spectrum from Dean Martin to Mozart!

www.musiccenter.org/about/our-programs/glorya-kaufman-dance/1213-season/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/

Art ~ OVERDRIVE

L.A. Constructs The Future 1940-1990

It’s time to Go West! The Getty Museum is home to a groundbreaking exhibition exploring our creative capital with its diverse urban landscape that has been influenced by visionary planners excited by the vibrant laboratory of design that we call home. The Getty is open late on Saturday, so why not stay for dinner at the Restaurant with its wonderful views of the Santa Monica mountains!

www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/overdrive/index.html

Music ~ Pictures At The Exhibition ~ Disney Concert Hall

This sounds like a show not to be missed! Revel in the sounds of Mussorgy’s powerful musical paintings as well as the husband and wife team of conductor David Robertson and Orli Shaham performing a new piano concerto. A unique evening and a great excuse to head downtown. Have you tried Bar Ama yet?

www.laphil.com/

www.bar-ama.com/

Food & Wine ~ Camille’s Kitchen + Sliver Lake Wine Food & Wine Pairing

From Camille’s Kitchen

This Sunday don’t miss this to chance to enjoy the amazing food of Camille’s Kitchen paired with the perfect accompanying wines from Silver Lake Wine. Camille is one of my favorite chefs and her food is not to be missed!  Imagine the pairing of goat cheese, with carmalized onion & honey paired with Parigot & Richard Cremant du Bourgogne Rose! This is just a tiny teaser of the wonderful menu & wine offerings.  Make a reservation now for this tasteful event!

silverlakewine.com/index.html

camilleskitchen.com/ 

Music ~ Le Salon de Musique 

Conversation, Champagne, Cuisine! how can you miss when you pair those three things with the most renowned Chamber Orchestra in in Los Angeles.  If you’ve never been to this intimate salon this Sunday you must go. Enjoy the sounds of Ravel’s piano trio and Debussy’s Cello Sonata followed by Champagne & buffet from Patina. 

www.lesalondemusiques.com/

Have I got a mayor for YOU! This Tuesday March 5th is a very exciting day for Angelenos who care about their great city. This Tuesday you can go to the polls and vote for a candidate who has a proven record as a successful City Councilman for the 11th district, a record that can be extended to the whole of this great city if Eric Garcetti is elected mayor.  I have met Eric and I can assure you he is smart, funny, warm, did I mention smart? As in Rhodes Scholar smart! He has a true vision and love for the city of his birth.   As a City Councilman Eric was responsible for spearheading the rebirth of Hollywood, he also understands that Hollywood filming should stay in LA and will create a business climate that welcomes it. Eric is a family man who has increased parks in his district and after school programs. The LA Times has endorsed Eric and although there are two women in the race, he has been endorsed by NOW.  Most impressively Eric was elected four times by his peers to be President of the City Council from 2006 to 2012. This is a clear demonstration that Eric can work with all kinds of people.

House party for Eric!

We were pleased to open our home so friends and colleagues could meet Eric. It was a wonderful evening.  Everyone who met him was impressed with the man, the candidate and hopefully our next mayor.  VOTE!

www.ericgarcetti.com/

Cuisine ~ Dinner By Mark Peel ~ At This Is NOT A Pop Up ~ Feb 21st- 24th!

Lucky people of LA who have had nothing to eat that was memorable since Oct 31st, things are looking up!  Chef Peel has designed the most exciting menu for his four evenings at This Is Not A Pop Up. LA girl has been given a sneak peak for her readers!  I would go just to taste his Creme Fraiche and Armagnac ice cream.   Do make a reservation as soon as possible as it will fill up, this is a great opportunity to spend the evening with Chef Peel’s amazing food!

Look how cute Mark is with Julia Child! ( she would go if she could)

thisisnotapopup.com/tinap.html

Art ~ LA Art Show 2013

This weekend head to the convention center to take in a show that promises an eclectic collection of art in four distinct settings for your viewing enjoyment: Modern & Contemporary, Historic & Traditional, Vintage posters and a fine print fair. Something for every art lover! If you can’t find somewhere to eat before or after the show downtown you haven’t been paying attention!

www.laartshow.com/

Music ~ Mozart & Beethoven At The Walt Disney Concert Hall

A downtown pattern for your fabulous weekend emerges! Don’t miss Beethoven’s iconic 5th symphony and pianist extraordinaire Emanuel Ax performing Mozart’s piano concerto No. 25. Need a bite post show? try Alma, Spice Table, Le Ka, or Parish. It takes fortitude to eat your way through all the restaurants downtown, I am confident you can do it!

://www.laphil.com/tickets/morlot-conducts-beethoven/2013-01-25

Best Bakery ~ Proof

Atwater Village has hit the bakery jackpot! There are some very fine bakery goods being made everyday at Proof, but go early as the goodies disappear quickly. Favorites are the gougeres, the morning bun, and the granola. They’ve recently added small sandwiches that appear at 12 on perfect ficelle rolls, every day is a different variety, all our delicious.

Best Casual Lunch Spot Pasadena ~ The Market On Holly Street

At last Pasadena has a casual market place designed to be the place you drop by and grab a salad at the communal table, when you’ve finished take home the best rice crispy treat you’ve ever tasted. Pick up one of Jim’s famous Cheese ball’s for your next soiree.

Best Casual Lunch Spot LA ~ Sycamore Kitchen

If you find yourself Mid City do pop in Sycamore Kitchen and partake in their delicious salads, sandwiches and baked goods. I love their house made potato chips!

Best Place to have a Carved Sandwich ~ Tam O’ Shanter

The Carving Bar at the Tam O’ Shanter on Los Feliz Blvd has no peer when it comes to the finest carved Prime Rib, Turkey, and Brisket. Always open, with a friendly carver and sides of potato salad and cole slaw included. The Tam has been serving for 90 years! enough said.

Best Bookstore ~ Vroman’s

My criteria for a great bookstore? A day can easily be passed within its confines and Vroman’s in Pasadena continues to fill that bill. Two stories of every book imaginable, a coffee house, friendly help and gift wrapping. What more could you ask for? Yes, it’s independent.

Best Vintage Shop ~ SquaresVille

I know there are scads of vintage shops in LA and I’ve been to most of them. Some like The Way We Wore, are beautifully curated, expensive and if you are looking for a stunning frock for an event it’s a great place to go. But for low priced vintage, Squaresville in Los Feliz rarely disappoints. It’s well organized, always has new (old) merchandise and prices are reasonable.

Best Resale Shop ~ Ampersand

Yes, of course LA is replete with resale shops but it’s hard to beat the intimate atmosphere and eclectic fashion offerings of Ampersand on Larchmont. You’ll find dresses, shoes and a vast selection of fun evening bags.  The owner Laura provides a warm welcome while you pick up a great find.

Best Butcher ~ McCall’s Meat & Fish Co.

McCalls Meat and Fish Co.in Los Feliz is a gem. The kind of neighborhood butcher that has all but disappeared from our streets.  At McCall’s you can discuss your recipe and get cooking advice from the staff.  The fish is wild caught, the meat is natural and they’ve just added cheeses and other goodies that make it a one stop shop for your dining needs!

Happy 2013 To All My Wonderful Readers!

I look forward to finding the best of LA in 2013 for you!

Music ~ Holiday Organ Spectacular At Walt Disney Concert Hall

Don’t you love that gorgeous organ sitting front and center at the Concert Hall? Imagine a show devoted to that majestic instrument, paired with Soprano Lisa Christine Thelen and you have a can’t miss evening. Dinner before or after is a must! I have a few new places on my radar.  One of them Le Ka, I’ll be checking out this weekend, of course I’ll report back to you!

www.laphil.com/tickets/holiday-organ-spectacular/2012-12-14