This Saturday, Pick of the Week is the Opening Reception for Stephan Canthal and Mark Hobley at Lurie Gallery!

Pick of the week is this Saturday, the opening reception for artists, Stephan Canthal and Mark Hobley at the Lurie Gallery/The Art District. Both artists are incredibly talented.

I am especially excited about Stephan Canthal’s The "America Dream" series, which is mixed media on wood, as well as Urban Landscape images on aluminum. See below, under Saturday Events for more info on the artists.

Add to that, the fact it’s happening at one of my favorite party places and you got a pretty cool Pick of the Week. It all takes place at Lurie Gallery/LA Art District which is the gallery right in front of deyermond art + books, located at 2801 Main Street.

They always have fabulous gatherings…so this is sure to be a fun one. This event runs from 6:00 pm to 10:00 and as always there will refreshments and spirits. (310) 450-4400; http://www.luriegallery.com/; www.deyermondbooks.com

Now for the rest of the week….

Wednesday, August 24^th

If you are downtown…or close to it….and feel like a groovin’ lunch, head to Nola’s for their new lunchtime music scene. From noon till 3:00 pm, you can catch singer/songwriter Jodi Siegel perform her bluesy originals and incredible slide guitar. She will be playing with Bill Lynch, another talented performer.  http://www.jodisiegel.com/

 

 

Nola’s offers New Orleans inspired food and is located at 734 East 3^rd St. in downtown LA, 90013. 213 680-3003. http://www.nolasla.com/

Then at night, in Santa Monica…..Public Works Improvisational Theatre presents a Voice In the Well Production “Fools Delight.” Tonight’s event, pays homage to the Firesign Theater and Wise Fools everywhere!

Featuring: Anne Brace, Thessaly Lerner, Christina Linhardt, Smokey Miles,Tuba Heatherton, DJ Carlile, Kaitlin Ferrell, Doug Spitz, Magdalena Ciecierska, Brian Knudson & William H Bassett and special guest Phil Proctor, of the Firesign Theater.

Produced & Hosted By Eric Vollmer & The Voice In The Well, this event starts at 7:30 pm and takes place at Warszawa (Attic),1414 Lincoln Blvd  in Santa Monica , 90401.There is a charge at the door for $7.00, but give what you can, no one will be turned away. (310) 227-0877; www.publicworksimprov.com

 

 

 

Thursday, August 25^th

Don’t forget, tonight is the second to last show of the Santa Monica Free Concerts on the Pier.

Bring a blanket and hang on the beach...but be sure to get up on the Pier to check out all the action. Why not get there early and learn to tango? Ooh la la!

This evening’s performance is entitled, Tango on the Timbers (w/dance floor): Milongatron, will start at 7:00 pm but get there early as the tango lessons start at 6 pm.



See more info on upcoming events page. http://www.ktrpromo.com/p/upcoming-events.html

Also in Santa Monica, “Living” by Lynne Leveten presents a special evening with renowned artist, Ed Moses. This legendary painter has been a prominent figure in the Los Angeles art scene for almost 60 years and will be speaking about his work, career and his new book.

 

 

Acclaimed photographer, Curt Gunther’s never before seen Beatle photographs will also be on display. These extraordinary images were recently found after Gunther’s death by his son, Steven Gunther, also a successful photographer.

Be aware, there is a $20 charge at the door, but a portion of the proceeds will go to the Unatti Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 that provides opportunities for underprivileged and orphaned children in Nepal. http://unattifoundation.org/

Refreshments, wine and appetizers will be served.

The event starts at 7:00 pm, and runs till 10:00 pm. Living by Lynne is located at 1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403; http://livingbylynne.com/

Well it’s the last FREE concert at the Culver City Music Festival. If you haven’t been, shows are held in the Culver City Hall Courtyard. Access to the courtyard begins at 4:30pm. Parking is free underneath City Hall.

For more info, check out the Upcoming events page. http://www.ktrpromo.com/p/upcoming-events.html  

 

 

Jazz Bakery Movable Feast presents the last concert in the series, a jazz quartet. Living Conguero legend, Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band. The music runs from 7:00pm-9:00pm.

 

Friday August 26^th

If you want to hang by the beach and enjoy the last bit of summer, plan to have dinner at  Figtree’s Café. They also have a wonderful happy hour and will have some great live music tonight at 5:00 pm. Tonight’s show features Beatle tunes from Fefe. Show goes till 7:00 pm.

Figtree’s Café is known for their healthy delicious food, located right on the Venice boardwalk at 429 Ocean Front Walk Venice, at Paloma Ave, two blocks south of Rose. Figtree’s has been voted the best restaurant on the boardwalk since 1978. Figtree’s also has FREE delivery. 310 392-4937; www.figtreescafe.com;

In Santa Monica, South, on Wilshire presents a fun night with local DJ Jacque from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. It’s always a fun night with tasty drink specials and a yummy happy hour! Starting at 4:00 pm and runs till 7:00 pm. Get there early to partake of the specials.  South also offers $3 beer, ($10.00 pitchers) and $5 wells.

South is located at 3001 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403. (310) 828-9988; http://southsantamonica.com/.

Or if you are up to an art event in the Miracle Mile area Steve Turner Contemporary presents Wet Paint 3 Artist Talk: Sergio Bromberg. Enjoy an artist talk held from 8:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Steve Turner Contemporary is located at 6026 Wilshire Blvd, just east of Fairfax, 90036, 323 931-3721; http://steveturnercontemporary.com

What about downtown….you may ask??

If you have not been, get downtown to “Grand Performances.” it’s a Free event that happens in Downtown L.A.’s California Plaza. Grand Performances’ offers wonderful performers, all established singers, dancers and musicians in this free performing arts summer series.

Today at noon, you can catch Chicano Batman (see photo) and later in the evening at 8:00 pm. There is a tribute to renowned music producer Quincy Jones entitled. “From the Roots to the Fruits: A Tribute to Quicy Jones.

Affectionately known as "Q," Jones has influenced almost every popular musical style for over 50 years with music heard in jazz clubs, film, television and the world's largest concert venues.

Drummer Ndugu Chancler and pianist Patrice Rushen have shared much of Q’s musical journey – joined by Alphonso Johnson, David T. Walker, and others, they will celebrate the music of this famed composer, musician, conductor, arranger, record, concert and television producer's rich legacy that ranges from bebop to hip hop. Show starts at 8:00 pm.  California Plaza is located at 300-350 S. Grand Avenue, 90071. http://grandperformances.org/

Saturday, August 27^th

Pick of the Week…..in Santa Monica, Lurie Gallery/The Art District presents Stephan Canthal (see image) and Mark Hobley. I happen to know Stephan personally and his work is incredible

Technology is a key component in the work of Stephan Canthal. His signature iconographic images of industrial Los Angeles are suggestive of his architectural background and trained eye for structure, space, and substrate. With his fresh, imaginative approach to photography, Canthal began to experiment with unconventional photographic mediums. He wanted to merge traditional photography and modern art, breaking old rules through original composition and cutting-edge presentation.

For his new series, "American Dreams", he pushes the photographic envelope yet again. This time using wood as his canvas, Canthal creates a photo transfer process on top of painted or stained wood.  merging iconic images of LA, with text and other imagery. This series, "American Dreams", explores the idea of what The American Dream used to stand for and what it has evolved into. www.canthal.com

Artist, Mark Hobley, also will be showing his mixed media on wood. Hobley is a wonderful artist as well.  http://www.markhobley.com/

It all takes place at Lurie Gallery/LA Art District which is the gallery right in from of deyermond art + books, located at 2801 Main Street. They always have fabulous parties…so this is sure to be a fun one.

This event runs from 6:00 pm to 10:00 and as always there will refreshments and spirits. (310) 450-4400; http://www.luriegallery.com/; www.deyermondbooks.com

If you feel like laughing and are looking for a good time, stop by Maureen Cotter's 7th annual one woman show at Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd. in Venice.  . Doors open at 7pm for pre-show party. Show starts at 8pm. Party after till midnight. Indoor/outdoor seating on first come bases. This woman puts on a great show!

The show will be projected on the Venice Fire Department wall for those sitting outside by the bar. This year's theme is humor. $10 admission at the door. Get there early as this is a sell out event every year.

Now if you are near the Silverlake area, check out SnPGallery. Curated by Greg Cohen, this solo show features artist, Dani Vinokurov. Her collages include embroidery and weaving techniques alongside minuscule ink drawings, paper cuts, and watercolor washes to create environments that not only gesture towards natural landscapes, but also reveal the luscious world of historic and ethnic textile design. The opening reception runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. SnPGallery is located in Atwater Village at 3015 Glendale Blvd., 90039; http://snpgallery.com/

And there is one more for  Grand Performances, which is a free outdoor concert series in it’s 25^th year located at California Plaza in Downtown LA. Tonight’s show features A Night at the Phillips Music Company. This imagined evening of musical history, set in the landmark Phillips Music Co store, will feature an all-star line-up of musicians, writers, and Boyle Heights locals, along with video, rare photos and spoken word tributes.

Reflecting the rich tapestry of Jewish, Japanese and Mexican immigrants who shared the trials of assimilation into mainstream Angeleno culture, the Phillips family invites you to join us as we celebrate the neighborhood and the Phillips Music Company's East L.A. democratic ideal. California Plaza is located at 300-350 S. Grand Avenue, 90071. http://grandperformances.org/

 

Sunday August 28^th

  

 
How bout a FREE BRA and some ice cream?…..Say What?  No kidding. Bras are expensive!!! So many women find it hard to choose the correct bra, well there will be a team of professional bra fitters lined up, ready to help you find a cup that fits you just fine - and you'll get a perfect fitting bra for free!  Girls come get your free bra, boys….enjoy the view! There will be women everywhere!!!


While you wait for your fitting, enjoy low fat ice cream cups. As a special thank you, you'll also get a sassy swag bag filled with lots of fun goodies—like cool coupons and samples of new SKINNY COW Chocolate Candy. The event takes place at the Pacific Design Center, located 8687 Melrose Ave, in West Hollywood, 90069.

The City of Santa Monica presents Free Jazz on the Lawn at City Hall from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. I love this event. It’s a lovely short but sweet series, which happens each year in August. Violinist Terry Lesa, performs with her all star rhythm section play a eclectic mix of blues, bebop, swing, Middle Eastern, this woman does it all.

 

Santa Monica City Hall is located at 1685 Main Street. There’s free parking after 4:00 pm in the Civic Auditorium Parking lot and a complimentary bike valet will be available in the parking lot north of City Hall. Cool! For more information: 310-458-8350. http://arts.smgov.net/jazz_on_the_lawn_2011.htm;

  

Till Friday…..see ya at the Weekend update…..always more to come!