MADONNA ENDORSES "A WISH CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE"
If you are one to heed the calling of celebrity endorsement, resisting the urge to make purchases lest your favorite talk show host or super pop megastar encourages you to do so, wait no more to buy Gahl Sasson and Steve Weinstein's A WISH CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Madonna has posted a blurb on her blog advocating the book to all. I tend to be indifferent to such endorsement usually, even the deluge of celebrity patronage, peer pressuring me to stock up on ProActiv, could not sway me to buy it. BUT, being neither a mystic nor one to practice Kabbalah, I read this book when Steve Weinstein first introduced me to it, and I found it to be not only helpful but to realign my perspective on many things.
Boston You're My Home...
We flew in over Minot’s Ledge . I smiled, nodded my head as we passed over it and said “ I Love You Too.” What a great welcome it was to see the Harbor this way, in the glow of the eastern morning light. Quickly I rifled through my purse to find my camera as I knew this meant we’d soon be over Hull and it’s a rare occasion that I can take a snapshot of the peninsula from the air. As we passed Boston Light, the windmill was in view and over the great wingspan of the plane I snapped a misty morning shot of the tranquil islands, of the Harbor and my home. In an hour I’d be at the other vantage point; walking the seawall, perhaps, watching the planes descend to the west, disappearing just beneath the Boston skyline.
The weekend was a flash to me, a blink, the flicker of an old film or one of those flip books from cracker jacks (back when there were cool prizes), that some how lifted me up and twirled me back down in Los Angeles in one breath. Good to be home albeit for a short time.
Goodbye Retrograde. HELLO LEMONADE!
July 10th marks the official end of Mercury's doomful descent. I'm told by those in the know that this is the sole (solar?) cause of the electrical short-circuits, technology issues, break up via text message(s), various family medical emergencies and several other undesirable circumstances and annoyances that have plagued me and others over the last month. Whether true or gibberish, it's a convenient explanation and I am happy to wave a dismissive farewell to those that have / that which has marred my usually sunny demeanor. It's not to say this last month has been a total wash. I've had more than my fair share of fun and success and have enjoyed watching others have / do the same. But the end of all things retrograde couldn't fall on a more appropriate day since July 10th also ushers MARK RONSON'S NEW ALBUM 'VERSION' to US shelves, eh, iPods and THE KLAXONS take over of the El Rey Theater. So I suppose the moral of the story is, screw summer solstice, it's so passe. Celebrate the demise of this maelstrom of misfortune instead and getchasome good music! Oh yes, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF MILLER. :-)
Independence Day Los Angeles to Boston.
As the intense heat of the Los Angeles summer day yielded to the cooling desert night, an orb of prismatic light encircled the sun in front of me far beyond the fingertips of my outstretched arms. This serene bubble melted into a magenta sky before giving way to an effervescent night of pyrotechnics and good cheer. The skies beyond the freeway showcased eruptions of color from every pier and inland park. The boom of explosions lingered in the air until the next bursts of light and just as quickly fizzled to darkness like the sparklers in the hands of the children below.
Thousands of miles away familiar festivities of impromptu Frisbee games, grape fights, laughter, barbeques and Yankee Doodle sing-a-longs filled Boston's shoreline, suppressed only by the oohs and aahs, like orchestrated inhales and exhales, from the boats resting on the Charles and crowds along its banks as the fireworks of the Esplanade punctuated the 1812 and The Pops conceded to the most magnificent tantrum of sound and light displayed over the Harbor. An outburst of applause and nasal pitch boat horns screaming in unison marked the beginning of the battle of the Locks and the end of the Independence Day celebrations.
LA Magazine Pick for July: Glen Wexler's "The Secret Life of Cows" Exhibition
In July's "See. Hear. Do. Your Guide To L.A." section of LA Magazine, which hit stands today, Gia Lauren Gittleson picks Glen Wexler's "The Secret Life of Cows" exhibition at Track 16 Gallery as one of the top events to see next month (pg. 210). The Exhibition opens Saturday, July, 7th at 7pm. Admission is free.
“THE SECRET LIFE OF COWS” PHOTOGRAPHS BY GLEN WEXLER
OPENING RECEPTION JULY 7, 2007 7pm-10pm
Exhibition runs July 7-August 4, 2007
TRACK 16 GALLERY
Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Avenue, Bldg C-1
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-264-4678
For more information, please visit our websites:
Tonight: METAPHYSICS, MYSTICISM AND MUD: AMERICAN STORIES FROM THE DEEP SOUTH
It's hot. What better way to cool down than with a thick meaty slice of watermelon and good art.
Tonight The Lowe Gallery in Santa Monica Presents the Opening reception for METAPHYSICS, MYSTICISM AND MUD: AMERICAN STORIES FROM THE DEEP SOUTH: AN EXHIBITION FEATURING ARTISTS ANDREW SAFTEL & KE FRANCES.
(KE FRANCIS DEBRIS: HOUSE AND TRAILER (15/20), 1989 LINOCUT 18 x 15 inches)
In addition to the amazing artwork, the American-South themed reception will feature daisy-duke clad dancers, soulful hip-hop, and Southern cuisine as well as fresh watermelon and bushels from the latest crops…all served with a mess of southern hospitality.
(ANDREW SAFTEL:WATER OVER THE BRIDGE, 2007 ACRYLIC & MIXED MEDIA ON PANEL 36 x 72 inches)
The Opening Reception is tonight Friday, June 15th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The exhibition continues through July 12, 2007 during regular gallery hours. LOWE GALLERY is located at 2034 Broadway St., Santa Monica, CA 90404. The gallery is open to the public on Tuesday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(POLLY COOK:CITY ANGEL (DON'T PASS ME BY), 2007 CERAMIC TILE ON WOOD 46 x 23 inches)
Under the ownership and direction of Bill Lowe, The Lowe Gallery represents artists who share powerful and eloquent visions supported by a highly advanced mastery of their media. For additional information on the gallery, the public should visit www.lowegallery.com, or call 310-449-0184.
London Calling. Get LICC'd. International Arts Competition
My Dearest Artist Friends (of all disciplines):
Do this. I have close friends involved in the vision of LICC (they also do FOCUS ON AIDS, The Lucie Awards and several other amazing arts events). LICC is a new International Arts Competition. Check out the Jury, drum up the submission fee and just do this!!
This year's categories include:
Advertising,Architectural Design,Audio/Music,Design,Digital,Environmental Design,Fashion,Graphic Design,Illustration,Installation,Interior Design,NetArt,Painting,Performance,Photography,Sculpture,Textile,Video and Film,Web,Design,Writing,Other. EARLY SUBMISSION (read: cheaper submission rates) ENDS JUNE 15 LICC.US
xo
Paula
It Worked? That's Nuts!!
This is by far one of the coolest "grassroots" efforts I've come across recently. The people have spoken and they are nuts for Jericho!! Please excuse this bad pun, and all bad puns that follow in this blog; it's just too easy. Upon hearing the sad news that Jericho was canceled, fans took matters into their own hands. Rather than stalking CBS Brass outside the studio and throwing rotten eggs and tomatoes, fans launched an outrageously brilliant online campaign with nutsonline.com to inundate them with bags of nuts until they agreed to bring the show back on air. 40,000 bags of nuts later, CBS President Nina Tassler posted a note on the CBS JERICHO home page announcing the show has been renewed for 7 more episodes.
Read James Hibberd's article on TVWEEK.COM
Launching soon... impeachment by nuts. Jimmy Carter's down.
Let me just get it out of my system:
"they have them by the nuts"
"I can't believe that worked. That's Nuts!"
Jericho Back On Air. CBS Executive Overhead Yelling "Aw, Nuts!"
"That's a nutty way to save a show"
SXSWorld Magazine
If anyone happens to have a copy of SXSWorld Magazine, please proceed directly to page 26. I submitted an edited excerpt from my post-sxsw blog and they published it! Yeah! Go team. xop
That'll Teach Him
Winner for Worst Venus vs. Mars Invention goes to.... The Boyfriend Pillow...hahahahaha. The article appeared on BBC.CO.UK in 2004 and has just resurfaced thanks to an email forward. My favorite part of the article is Ms. Suzuki's explanation of its ancillary benefits:
Ms Suzuki, who is separated from her husband, says the pillow has other advantages.
"It keeps holding me all the way through. I think this is great because this does not betray me," she told AP.
So ladies, forget about getting a lame old cat or poorly trained pup to satiate your pangs of love lost and skip bedding that hunky landscaper you've longed for all these years; when hubby dumps you for that hot new intern in the office, run don't walk to a man pillow outlet near you. Now with calming lavendar aromatherapy.
Hollywood's Hellfire
Hollywood's an amazing town, but it can be hell on a person too. Never more true and literal than in Griffith Park Tuesday night. My friend Carsten Steinhausen took this shot of the inferno from his rooftop deck.
OSLO To Be Featured On THE UNIT Season Finale
As Friday winds down what can only be described as an "Awesome" week, we've just learned that the CBS hit series The UNIT will feature OSLO's "Rhyme or Reason" on Tuesday night's season finale!! "Rhyme or Reason" is from Oslo's forthcoming (and much buzzed about) album "The Rise And Fall of Love And Hate." You can add "Rhyme or Reason" to your Profile or buy downloads from Oslo's self titled debut HERE.
11:14 to Screen Friday May 4th at Nuart Theatre
Then, tomorrow, the Nuart is screening 11:14 at Midnight.
Writer/Director Greg Marcks, Rachael Leigh Cook and Shawn Hatosy will be on hand for a Q & A.
The film stars: Hilary Swank, Rachael Leigh Cook, Patrick Swayze, Barbara Hershey, Clark Gregg, Ben Foster, Colin Hanks, Henry Thomas, Shawn Hatosy, Stark Sands, Blake Heron, Jason Segel, Rick Gomez...
Here's the note I got from Greg:
The Landmark Theatre chain is considering adding "11:14" to its NATIONAL midnight movie screening series, along with such cult favorites as Fight Club, The Big Lebowski, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show! To test audience excitement to see the
film in a theater, the NuArt Theatre in West L.A. is having a special midnight screening of 11:14 on FRIDAY, MAY 4th.
After the screening [Greg] will do a Q&A with special guest stars RACHAEL LEIGH COOK and SHAWN HATOSY.
BUY ADVANCE TICKETS ONLINE at Moviefone
Please spread the word to all your friends to come out and support the film! If we sell out this screening, people across the U.S.A. may finally have the chance to see "11:14" on the big screen!
The Nuart Theatre is located at 11272 Santa Monica Boulevard , West Los Angeles , CA 90025 (just west of the 405). DIRECTIONS
For further information call the theatre at
310-281-8223
Douglas Menuez Tonight
Between Coachella and the various other events I've attended over the last few weeks, I've had plenty to blog about but no time to do it. So, I'll cut to the chase and do a retrospective of the last several weeks later...
The Met goes to the Movies --Onegin
I had the pleasure of accompanying some friends to the opera today--not in the traditional sense, mind you, but as part of an encore performance of The Metropolitan Opera's HD Screening Series. It's a brilliant and convenient way to enjoy the opera, considering I do not live near Lincoln Center.
When I recall going to the Opera (I attended a production of Carmen several years ago), I envision a sea of black velvet and chiffon with gold accents and a number of gallant gestures as the attendees socialize before taking their seats, the audience becoming a performance unto itself. But today I, en route to Tchaikovsky's Onegin, layered a comfortable cotton shirt with a khaki jacket and jeans, the braided belt at my hips serving as my only gold accessory. I ordered popcorn, junior mints, bunch-a-crunch and a coke (I was sharing, there were four of us). We sat down in the sold out theater amidst a predominantly, but not entirely, aged crowd just as the "curtain" went up.
It was the most beautiful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Not only were the performances so incredibly engaging (understatement) and the music exquisitely conducted by Valery Gergiev, but the story of Eugene Onegin (Dmitri Hvorostovsky) is one which all who have had their quick cut by the complexities born of the revelries of love, can most certainly relate. If not for this wonderful series, I likely never would have experienced the intensity of Lenski's (Ramón Vargas) anguish at the sight of Olga, his childhood love, engaging flirtatiously with the aristocratic suitor. Nor would I have shared in the virtuous Tatiana's (Renée Fleming) euphoria and ultimate devastation by the love of the magniloquent and dismissive Eugene Onegin (who some years later returns to discover his love for her. But their time has passed. Though the love remains, unrequited). There are some stories that are seemingly timeless.
On my way to the theater I bought a dress from Mango MNG (which was featured in the LA Times) and on my way out I picked up a pair of linen shorts from j. Crew in prep for Coachella. I don't believe I would have had the ability to do that at the Met.
There are more performances coming up.The Next Met Screening is April 28th: Puccini's Il Trittico.
OSLO at CLUB MOSCOW HOLLYWOOD TONIGHT 11P
LA / SF Band OSLO live at CLUB MOSCOW Tonight (Cherokee @ Hollywood) 11pm!! Be there.
Buy OSLO downloads and customizable ringtones (you pick which part of a song you want as your ringtone) at Music.com.
Wicked Awesome Cows
The good guys over at WICKED AWESOME FILMS have just posted a viral video for Glen Wexler's new book THE SECRET LIFE OF COWS.
Though the short film (read: really funny mock ad for Glen's book) features spontaneously combusting bovine, we assure you no cows were harmed in the making of THIS VIDEO
SXSW--oBLOGatory Post Fest Recount
"This room is non-smoking, right?" I meekly inquire in a voice barely audible. The receptionist looks back at me, distracted and hesitating, "yes." I don't believe her. As I walk down the hall to room 106, slip the key card into the door, and step into the nicotine soaked air of my smoke-free room, I mentally wave a white flag and recall the tea bar I saw on my way in. Even the peppermint can't soothe away the days of beer, salsa and salted meats from my tender throat. Each swallow shreds and grates, summoning flashbacks of the previous nights, of me, enthusiastically shouting over crowds and bands and singing every word to every song before wooooing both the bands performance and my own.
The misadventures of my delayed arrival feel like weeks ago but still sting a bit nonetheless. I walked away from the Hilton, wounded by bad timing and with bags in tow to Emo's Jr. to see The Ponys; damned to let the annoyances of my travels further interfere with my evening. Now after midnight, my luggage served as my badge and I immediately sent texts alerting my friends of my whereabouts and continued on with the boys of OSLO to the Blender Bar for Albert Hammond, Jr., then... and so on before retiring back to the band house for a morning nap. Unlike last year, I didn't plan out every moment of my day and night, nor race from showcase to showcase. I simply happened upon many great performances and people, sharing moments with friends old and new, running into many serendipitously. SxSW is great that way.
MUSIC.COM had a successful adventure with the launch of the music download and ringtone store, a great day party and a warm reception from artists at the convention center. All four of OSLO's performances went well, Waves (Upstairs) particularly. The night sky was warm and open to us, and the room full and driven, with the band invigorating the audience and audience reciprocating the energy. Saturday's shows seemed to resonate with me better than any of the other nights, Kings of Leon at Stubb's standing out most among them.
The HEEB party was fun (HEEB parties always are), as were the SPIN and FILTER sponsored events. BLENDER House was nice, once we passed the pretense of the door shenanigans. Each night saw the beginning of the next day. Upon word the Maxim party was shutdown, an impromptu gathering with Music.com, Oslo, YOUTH GROUP, and several of our friends who had also found themselves at the Driskill, punctuated the pleasantries of the day by enabling conversation among us all. Seeing the live shows is what we were here for, but the opportunity to actually converse with, rather than shout over, those you were partying with, was an unexpected treat.
Today, with most everyone gone, the few of us lingering aimlessly wondered 6th street before inevitably retiring home for naps and comfort or to enjoy time alone. To end my adventure, I grabbed dinner and a drink at Chuy's with Arrica Rose, a Dot, and some Los Angeles ex-pats before leisurely strolling through the beautiful night back to the band house to pack up my things. The river was black and silent beneath my feet and the last bit of spontaneity in me wished I would cannonball the stillness of the water and that of the town. It's an amazing transition how quickly Austin returns to itself only hours after the chaos. There was a lull to the day today that left me sleepy and content and ready for home.
Cows, Hootenanny and OSLO, Oh My!
The question eliciting the shortest response this week would be "What ISN'T happening right now?" So much brewing...
GLEN WEXLER is currently featured on APPLE.COM's Start Page highlighting his new book The SECRET LIFE OF COWS. 
We hand delivered a 6' print of an image from the book, featuring a cow in a trebuchet about to be launched over a castle wall, to the Grail Theatre at the Wynn Las Vegas. The print will hang in the main hallway amidst the Monty Python artwork for the duration of Spamalot!!
MUSIC.COM, who you'll see in every peticab you get into at SxSW this week, will release their Artist-controlled music download / mobile download and customizable ringtone store Thursday (March 15). It rules, and makes it possible for the ARTISTS to get the most money for their music sales! 
MUSIC.COM has a booth at the convention center where bands will be performing and are sponsoring the High Wire Hootenanny day party Thursday at Habana Calle 6 from 12-5p.
OSLO, who just played an amazing show at The Viper Room in Los Angeles Monday, has new tracks posted to their MySpace and is down at SxSW (isn't everyone??) playing several shows this week:
Mar 15 2007 9:00P Waterloo Icehouse
Mar 16 2007 3:15P Music.com @Convention Center
Mar 17 2007 3:00P Dirty Dog Bar
Mar 17 2007 11:45P Waves (upstairs)/Texas Rock Fest
The album cover for Oslo's forthcoming release "The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate," shot by Glen Wexler is nearly complete.
Here's a fun wrap pic of a very disheveled me, Photographer Glen Wexler, "the talent" and Vu Ong from the set (shot by Carsten Steinhausen):
Reports from Austin soon...
OSLO Posts New Songs to MySpace
OSLO has posted 2 new songs off their forthcoming album "The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate," to their MySpace site!!! With the new album in the can and renowned photographer GLEN WEXLER shooting the album cover, "The Rise and Fall of Love and Hate" should garner a lot of attention lyrically, musically and visually!
Before embarking on their journey to Austin, TX for Texas RockFest and SXSW next week, Oslo will play BLAKES in Berkeley, CA on March 9 and the VIPER ROOM in Los Angeles on March 12th (10pm) as part of Indie 103's Presents.