Japan - happy birthday trip

For my birthday this spring I traveled to Japan to see the cherry blossoms.  They bloomed one week earlier this year due to changes in the weather patterns but I still enjoyed what remained of the delicate foliage.  This is a collage of my first day in Tokyo.   In a city of 18 million people, this was as tranquil as it was going to get.

Chagall: Flight of fantasy for the Stage

This current exhibit at the Los Angeles County Art Museum encompasses Marc Chagall's costumes and set designs from three ballets and one opera.  Punctuating the walls are paintings, studies for various characters & back-drops and outlines for costume designs.  The rooms are filled with the intoxicating sounds from the accompanying orchestras.  Documentary footage of original performances are also included.   This charming and lyrical show is available for viewing until January 07, 2018.

Ready for my close-up

Interrupted only by a short burst of rain, this was a magical night at Cinespia.  The landmarkHollywood Forever Cemetery back-drop provides an unusual space for showcasing the best of cinema.  Sunday was no exception with the viewing of "Sunset Blvd" on the mausoleum wall coincidently adjacent to the spot where Cecile B DeMille is buried.  The scheduled film has pre-show DJs, themed photo booths and plenty of space for picnicking.

Maven of Modernism

Maven of Modernism: Galka Scheyer in California which delves into the life of enterprising dealer, Galka Scheyer is available for viewing through September 25th at the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena.  She was responsible for the phenomenon the "Blue Four" - Lyonel Feininger, Alexei Jawlensky, Paul Klee and Vasily Kandinsky.  She single-handedly cultivated good taste for their brand of European modernism.  The exhibit presents exceptional examples from her personal collection.  Cheers to good taste!

Drawing by Beatrice Wood

Official Ugly Sweater Day

Merry Christmas!  This day will be dedicated to relaxing with friends, watching a little television and wearing an ugly sweater!

People's Climate March

More than 300,000 protesters turned out last Sunday to turn up the heat on world leaders to recognize climate change.  the 2-mile People's Climate march began at 86th Street and continued down Sixth Avenue for 6 hours.  New York was one of 2,646 climate-change events in 156 countries.  They pushed a variety of cause from anti-fracking to opposition to the Keystone pipeline.  How poignant that I watched the march from the corner of the block which is home to the International Center for Photography boasting an exhibit of Sebastiao Salgado's latest masterpiece, Genesis - Earth Eternal.

LACMA Explores Expressionism in German and France

Van Gogh to Kandinsky, June 8 to September 14, 2014
The museum explores the exchange between French and German artists who were inspired by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Paul Cezanne.  Suggested viewing time is 75 minutes; this patron found that this was hard to do.  I will have to go back.  There is a wonderful addition,an audio tour, available with the LACMA app on your smart phone.  So remember to bring your ear buds with you so that you can listen to the editors privately.  And don't forget the reading glasses if you're into reading the descriptions.

Travel Facts Going to the Dogs

Catering to clients used to mean pampering them; but for a growing number of hotels, it means pampering their pets.  More than 60% of North American Hotels allow dogs and some do so much more, such as canine spa sessions, homemade treats and dog walkers.

Travel Facts

The 2013 Portrait of American Travelers by MMGY and the Harrison Group found that the number of women within the segment of travelers with income of $250,000 or more accounts for 54%, compared to 42% of travelers in 2010.  The number of affluent travelers has also increased to 6% of the total leisure travel market, from 4% in 2010.  Travelers in this segment are expected to spend $10,585 in leisure travel next year, up 8.4% from the past 12 months.  Italy, France and England are the top target destinations for this segment.

Happy Spring!

Today was the perfect day in Southern California.  The white roses bushes are in bloom across the city.  Simple hedges like these provide even the most humble apartment building some welcome flowers.

Thought for the Day

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." - Nelson Mandela

The Dress That Started a Liberation

Within the 20,000 square foot gallery at the former May Co. department store, the "Journey of a Dress" showcases the 40 year interpretation of the iconic wrap dress.  Along with the t-shirt and blue jeans, the wrap dress had its now cultural impact when it debuted in the 70's.  Through April 1st, this exhibit's spectacular canvas of geometric designs, floral and pop are wrapped on an army of mannequins and wallpapered floor to ceiling.  Her motto, "Feel Like a Woman Wear a Dress."  Touche'.

Homer's Epic Poem at The Broad Stage

In new contemporary telling of the great Greek poem, An Iliad, performed at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, is a one-man show that captures the grief and glory of the Battle of Troy.  It's relevance to the modern world is made powerfully clear.  Condensed to its essence, the epic parallels our contemporary life.  Located at 1310 11th Street, parking is free.  Continues through February 2nd.

Happy Opposite Day

LA Blast

It's a blast!  Dancing that is.  Our instructor's motto: "Just keep moving and having fun."  Every Saturday at Arthur Murray, Beverly Hills, 10:00 AM.

three of us posing (middle - that's me)