“ABBOTT & COSTELLO” exhibit opening at the Hollywood Museum.

 “ABBOTT & COSTELLO” exhibit celebration at the Hollywood Museum.

(WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com Hollywood, CA July 21 2023) By Karen Ostlund

                                                                         

Kat and Karen Kramer, Marki Costelli, Donelle Dadigan,Micheal Costello, (GettyImages)

                                                                                

Abbott and Costello comedy duo.

The Hollywood Museum was thrilled to announce the opening celebration of its newest exhibit, “ABBOTT& COSTELLO”, on July 21, 2023.   
Donelle Dadigan, founder & president of the Hollywood Museum announced that the museum would be paying tribute to and celebrating one of the greatest comedy duos in cinematic history, Budd Abbott and Lou Costello “ABBOTT & COSTELLO”.
                                                                                   

Abbott and Costello costumes.

Abbott and Costello started making movies together in 1940 in the comedy feature film “One Night in The Tropics”, in total they made 38 movies together, and hosted a television variety series and appeared on radio in their career as one of the most iconic comedy duos in film history. They were the highest paid entertainers in the world during the Second World War.  In 1942 they were voted the top box office stars in the U.S.
 
 During the War Bond efforts ABBOTT & COSTELLO were responsible for bringing in an amazing $85 million dollars in sales of War Bonds for the United States.
                                                                             

Abbott and Costello photographs from their lives.

 The exhibit features original costumes, scripts, merchandise from Abbott & Costello films, photos from the collection of Chris Costello, daughter of Lou Costello.These include scripts, Budd & Lou’s costumes from Abbott & Costello in Lost in Alaska, Naughty Nineties, The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap, Abbott & Costello go to Mars, many original photographs, 1948 radio broadcast scripts, continuity scripts from the films It Ain’t Hay and Little Giant and original collectibles.
 
"This is an exhibit that movie enthusiasts will certainly enjoy, and will evoke fond memories of when we first saw “ABBOTT & COSTELLO” on film, and television and heard them on radio. 

 "ABBOTT & COSTELLO are a part of the fabric of film culture from 1940 thru today, entertaining generations of kids and adults of all ages more than 83 years,” said Donelle Dadigan.

                                                                                 

Abbott an Costello vinyl records.

Abbott and Costello were an American comedy duo composed of comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, whose work in radio, film, and television made them the most popular comedy team of the 1940s and 1950s, and the highest-paid entertainers in the world during the Second World War.        Their patter routine "Who's on First?" is considered one of the greatest comedy routines of all time, a version of which appears in their 1945 film "The Naughty Nineties". TheHollywoodMuseum.com

Recap of Concern Foundation's 48th Annual Block Party 2023 Fundraiser.

 Recap of Concern Foundation's 48th Annual Block Party 2023 Fundraiser.

(WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com Hollywood, CA July 12 2023) Photos by Karen Ostlund

#concernfoundation #teamconcern #concernblockparty

The theme for Concern Foundation's 48th annual block party fundraiser 2023 was THE LAND BEFORE TIME: THE EXTINCTION OF CANCER, which took place at Paramount Studios Backlot,  July 8 2023 in Hollywood, CA.
                                                                            

The Concern Foundation 2023 honored the Kallick Family with the Lifetime of Giving Award.

                                                                                    

A special check of $50.000.was presented by The Concern Foundation to Cedars Sinai Cancer, U-Grow Program  for their groundbreaking work focused on conquering cancer.

                                                                                 

Concern Foundation Block party 2023.

"Concern Foundation is proud to honor these exceptional people for their passion, commitment to philanthropy and involvement in the community,” said Derek Alpert, president of Concern Foundation. “They truly exemplify what Concern Foundation represents to the cancer community, locally and around the world. We recognize the most inspiring people in our community at our Block Party and we provide funding to only the best cancer research scientists that are making a difference in conquering cancer”.
                                                                                

The Paramount studios back-lot streets offered plenty of musical and interactive entertainment, all on multiple stages. The Tom Nolan Band (photo above) took the main stage, as well as D’ City Sound & Events on the Yabba Dabba DJ Stage. These performances were presented by the Hirsch Family Foundation and the Vibrato “Grotto” Grill Jazz stage.
In addition, guests enjoyed photo studios, lounges, casino style gaming, DJ dancing, and beauty services provided by the Beauty Bus Foundation.

                                                                                

H & H Brazilian Steakhouse.

One of the highlights of the evening was the online silent and live auctions sponsored by ZACUTO GROUP. The auction featured items and packages including one-of-a-kind opportunities, as concert and event tickets, restaurants, stay-cations and golf packages.
                                                                                 

NIKU NASHI vegan sushi.

                                                                  
Concern Foundation 2023 fundraiser  honored to celebrate The Best of LA 2023® on Los Angeles magazine’s street for the 17th year. Los Angeles magazine once again made a financial contribution to Concern to help their mission.
                                                                                

The Highlight Room plant-based chicken tostada.

                                                                                   

Emporium Thai, veggies and tofu.

Food vendors included: Vibrato Grill Jazz, The Grill on the Alley, Factor’s Famous Deli, A.O.C., Fogo de Chao, SITK- Someone’s In The Kitchen, Dulan’s Soul Food, Nobu Malibu, STK, Porta Via, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, H & H, Brazilian Steakhouse, Milagro Tequila, EMPRESS 1908 Gin, Deutsch Family, The Highlight Room, Emporium Thai, NIKU NASHI vegan sushi and Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs, just to name a few. Newcomers, who joined Concern for the first time were: Calajo Catering, Brique LA, The Breakfast Club, The Hideaway, Leona’s Sushi House, The Village and Firefly.
                                                                              

EMPRESS 1908 Gin.

Concern Foundation’s mission is to conquer cancer by providing essential funds to support the early critical stages of discovery. Since its inception in 1968, Concern has raised funds and awarded  over 750 cancer scientists around the world.                      

STK burgers.

Concern has pioneered the advancement of cancer immunology—the study of the relationship between the immune system and  cancer—a field that is now widely acknowledged to hold the most potential for discovering treatments and prevention for cancer.
With 90-95% of net proceeds going directly to research, Concern Foundation has made significant strides toward bridging a major gap in research funding by focusing its grants on young, innovative researchers with breakthrough ideas.
 http://concernfoundation.org

Jose`Iturbi Foundation celebrated a new 16 CD Set of 20th Century Classics at the Hollywood Bowl.

 (WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com, July 8 2023) Photos by Karen Ostlund

#JoseIturbiFoundation #HollywoodBowl #LAPhilharmonic #TheHollywoodMuseum

The José Iturbi Foundation (JIF)  sponsored the "Jose Iturbi Night” with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl, July 6th 2023. Gustavo Dudamel conducted a special concert featuring FALLA “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” which was performed by Jose Iturbi at the Hollywood Bowl in the 1960’s.
                                                                                 

Donelle Dadigan, president and founder of Jose`Iturbi Foundation (JIF) said “It is a great honor for the Jose`Iturbi Foundation to sponsor this 20th Century International Classics concert at the Hollywood Bowl”.
Among the classic pieces that was performed were Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite” and “FALLA “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” that was performed by Jose` Iturbi, to a sold-out crowd at the Hollywood Bowl more than 63 years ago.

“The Jose` Iturbi Foundation’s mission is to popularize classical music to all generations, especially young people - one note at a time.   The Foundation enjoys presenting blockbuster concerts with international superstars of classical music, and forums for young artists in the making to audiences around the world including children at-risk and under-served communities,” said Donelle Dadigan.
                                                                               

Among supporters of The José Iturbi Foundation who attended as special guests  included: Ruta Lee (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers/Funny Face), Ann Jillian (Its A Living/Recording Artist), Charles Fox (Grammy and multi Emmy winning Composer), George Chakiris (Academy Award winner/West Side Story), Anson Williams (Happy Days), Rex Smith (TV and Broadway star/Recording Artist), Lee Purcell (2x Emmy nominated Actress), Dee Dee Sorvino (The Ride, Emmy winner), Roslyn Kind (Recording Artist), Michael Feinstein (Grammy Nominated Ambassador of the Songbook of the 20TH Century), Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Melissa Manchester (Award winning Songwriter & Singer),Leonard Maltin (Film Historian),Kevin Spirtas (Days of our Lives,After Forever), Ilene Graff (Grammy Nominee, Mr. Belvedere), Ben Lanzarone (Award winning Composer, Producer),Alan Rich (Award Winning Composer), Fiona Ma (California State Treasurer), Maria Elena Durazo (California State Senator) and Eva Bitar.

                                                                                       

Eva Bitar and Rita Lee.

This year, 2023, the Jose` Iturbi Foundation is celebrating a brand-new book and 16 CD Set: "From Hollywood To The World The Rediscovered Recordings by Pianist & Conductor Jose`Iturbi". The CD Set was produced by Donelle Dadigan and Michael Feinstein.
This special project is being submitted for Grammy Nominations in the following Categories: Best Historical Album, Best Album Notes, Recording Package, Box/Special/Limited Edition Package.

Donelle Dadigan, said about of the project “José Iturbi was one of the greatest concert pianists and conductors of the 20th century.
The proof is contained in this special collection of the complete RCA Victor recordings made by José himself and by his sister, the concert pianist Amparo Iturbi. It is an important contribution toward the preservation and restoration of their original masters, bringing them to listeners worldwide, both now and for generations to come. The set captures José Iturbi’s historic and compelling performances in state-of-the-art remastering, and includes a one-of-a-kind picture book packed with information, nostalgic photographs and helpful captions highlighting José and Amparo Iturbi’s lives and careers, including their sold-out concerts, the MGM musicals. – and in some cases never-before-heard recordings”

                                                                                

Maestro Gustavo Dudamel conducted the LA Philharmonic Orchestra in MUSSORGSKY (Arr.Rimsky-Korsakov) “Night on Bald Mountain”, FALLA “Nights in the Gardens of Spain”, RAVEL “Mother Goose Suite”, DUKAS “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”