THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM UNVEILED "SMOKEY & THE BANDIT" EXHIBIT TO CELEBRATE THE FILM'S 45TH ANNIVERSARY.

The 1977 film "SMOKEY & THE BANDIT" celebrated its 45th Anniversary with a new installation at the Hollywood Museum, Wednesday, April 6 2022.

 
     By Karen Ostlund

Watch "Smokey and the Bandit Official Trailer #1 - Burt Reynolds Movie (1977)" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/IzMpOvKxXdM

                                                                          

Actor Michael Mann (Smokey & The Bandit)

(WestHollywoodToday blogspot, April 11 2022) - President and Founder of the world-famous Hollywood Museum  Donelle Dadigan, unveiled the blockbuster installation, SMOKEY & THE BANDIT last Wednesday April 6th.  The film is celebrating its 45th Anniversary, and its exhibit is now open to the public.                                                           

Among speakers: Darby Hilton, Jean Kasem, Donelle Dadigan and Lee Purcell

 
Donelle Dadigan said,  “This exhibit will evoke memories for several generations of fans of the ever-popular “Smokey & The Bandit” movie franchise, every fan will be talking about this exhibit for years to come.”

Dadigan continued “We are beyond excited that fans will be able to see the iconic Bandit Car complete with the signatures of Burt Reynolds and Sally Fields, including special photos and video of Burt reuniting once again with the iconic Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am just before his passing in 2018".  

 "In addition, the exhibit will feature Burt's legendary cowboy hat, jacket, and Sally Field’s wedding veil and all important Coors beer boxes, and more. This exhibit will remind all our visitors of the memorable Americana films from the 70’s & 80’s".

                                                                              

Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am 1977 from Smokey & the Bandit, with car-collector

 

Smokey and the Bandit" is headed back to the theaters, May 29, June 1-2nd 2022, in celebration of its 45th anniversary this summer, as part of the Turner Movie Classic Collection (TMC), reported Fathom Events: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Smokey-and-the-Bandit-45th-Anniversary-presented-by-TCM

The 1977 film is starring Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Sally Field and Jerry Reed. Smokey and  the Bandit delivers outrageous laughs in one of the biggest box-office hits of all time. Bandit (Reynolds), a fun-loving, fast-talking trucker, takes on his craziest haul yet—delivering 400 cases of beer from Texarkana to Atlanta in just 28 hours.

Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Gleason) is eager to teach him some respect for the law. The Bandit (Burt Reynolds) joins forces with good ol' boy, Cledus (Reed) and runaway bride Carrie (Sally Field). It’s a comedy, pedal-to-the-metal action, and some of the wildest car crashes ever filmed.
                                                                                                                           

Karen Ostlund at The Hollywood Museum

Among guests attending at the Hollywood Museum unveiling:  Michael Mann (Smokey & The Bandit), Kathy Kolla, Erin Murphy (Bewitched), Vanessa Angel (Super Babies: Baby Geniuses), Nancy Harding (Cheaper by the Dozen), Kash Hovey, Kate Linder  (Young & The Restless), Darcy Donavan (Secret Agent Digledorf), Ilene Graff (Mr. Belvedere),  Lee Purcell(2x Emmy nominee), Brooklyn Robinson (Hybristophilia), Bryson Robinson (Mani), Conner Dean (9-1-1/CoolCat), Donzaleigh Abernathy (Any Day Now), Elaine Ballace (The Rich and The Ruthless), Geoffrey Mark (Author/ Radio host), Jax Malcom( Conservation Invasion), Ro Brooks (The Have and Have Nots), Tyrone DuBose (Unsung), Vincent DePaul (The Bay), Kassandra Carroll (Memories of Marilyn), Alice Amter (Big Bang Theory), Diana Lansleen (Days of Our Lives),  Rico Anderson (S.W.A.T. & Star Trek), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone), Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Montana Jacobowitz (recording artist), Brenda Mejia (TV host), Kira Reed Lorsch (2X Emmy winner, Rumors) Caryn Richman (Gidget, Brady Bunch Christmas), Alyssa de Boisblanc – (Modern Family/ Netflix's Secrets of Summer), Clementine Lea – (Disney + Earth to Ned) Alexa Reddy, (Callie on L.A. Macabre,  Judy Tenuta (Comedian), Carrie Schroeder (Lifetime, Secrets Exposed), Jared Becker (Sorry for My Loss, 2022).

MUSEUM INFO: www.TheHollywoodMuseum.com Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00pm Facebook.com/TheHollywoodMuseum  #HollywoodMuseum   1660 N. Highland Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028.

Hotel Ziggy's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Sunset Strip

 Hotel Ziggy opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony, April 5th 2022.


By Karen Ostlund       @HotelZiggy  #FreeTheMusic

(WestHollywoodToday blogspot, CA April 7 2022) The new Hotel Ziggy's design at 8462 W. Sunset is influenced by Sunset Strip rock 'n’ roll bands, with a modern culture spin for travelers and locals, to come and hang-out.                                          

April 5 2022. Hotel Ziggy's ribbon cutting ceremony led by West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister and members from West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

                                                                               

Singer Haley Reinhart and saxophonist Scott Page performed in the lobby.

The hotel took over space from Grafton Hotel and is seen as "the last standing rebel on the block", with cocktail lounge, pool and lobby, located next to Mondrian Hotel.
                                                                                     

Hotel Ziggy has the largest saltwater pool in West Hollywood.

"We created Ziggy to provoke stimulating and meaningful conversations with the intent to spark curiosity and playfully challenge perspectives. What better location than the Sunset Strip to celebrate the rebellious spirit of norm-breaking musicians who have changed how we live?" said Jon Bortz, Chief Executive Officer at Pebblebrook Hotels. "Hotel Ziggy is located right down the street from the former sites of two world-famous music destinations: Tower Records and House of Blues. These icons are now gone, but a legacy needs to be remembered. We push boundaries with our hotels, and we certainly did that with Ziggy.”                                  

Hotel-room Hotel Ziggy

Hotel Ziggy invites hotel guests to check in at a sociable and engaging bar lined with hundreds of vinyl albums. A record player behind the front desk fills the communal space with music spanning every progressive genre. A retractable glass garage door partitions one end of the lobby, creating a versatile music venue called "Backbeat," which supports local musicians and invites them to come and share their sound in a new space to rise above the noise.
                                                                            

Me, Karen Ostlund at Hotel Ziggy photo-booth.

Walls and ceilings celebrate musicians of past and present. A collection of memorabilia includes framed legal documents highlighting decades of lawsuits between musicians, producers and streamers with the intent of asking the controversial question, "Who really owns the music?" Hotel Ziggy's goal is to trigger lively conversations and in doing so, connect people. Its position is clear for all to hear: "Free the music!"                                                               

Hotel Ziggy cocktail-menu at the opening.

The award-winning design team of Dawson Design Associates (DDA), characterized the space and design to honor and support the rebellious and independent attitude of musicians' fight to be heard. Powerful street murals wrap the front exterior of the building, the courtyard surrounding the pool, and  main lobby, together expressing the vitality and rebelliousness of the music scene. A mix of modern and vintage furniture sits on top of rustic hardwood floors and worn oriental area rugs, to create a space to chill-out in West Hollywood.

"It was vital that this hotel didn't take itself too seriously," said Andrea Sheehan, founding Principle and Art Director at DDA. "We kept things simple so the art could speak for itself. We stripped away all previous attempts to make this quirky building look modern. Instead, we exposed its blemishes and embraced the awkward structure for what it was – authentic, just like our guests and the musicians we are celebrating."

The "free the music" theme offers guests access to a Shred Shed that includes electric and acoustic guitars, amps, records, record players, Walkmans and backpacks to use, while finding inspiration in LA or sharing creativity with others. All are welcome to borrow, experiment, and share in the "free the music" movement.

 LA's first iconic record store and precursor to the original Tower Records, Licorice Pizza, a casual dining concept named "B-side Pizza" fronts Sunset strip. The pizza joint’s history goes back to mid-century carhops with an old school pick-up window that allows locals to order to-go with concierge service and style. A custom neon-wrapped 9-inch vinyl album solidifies the retro theme.

More info www.hotelziggy.com  @hotelziggy on Instagram and Twitter #FreeTheMusic