Dave Stewart's New Photo Exhibition "Jumpin' Jack Flash & The Suicide Blonde"

West Hollywood, CA (West Hollywood Today) 7/16/2013

By Karen Ostlund

Left, Dave Stewart with friends at the opening.

Eurythmics'  Dave Stewart opened a new photo exhibition “Jumpin' Jack Flash & The Suicide Blonde”,  last Saturday at Sunset Marquis Gallery (Morrison Hotel Gallery), located at 1200 Alta Loma Road in West Hollywood.

This exhibition is open to the public and features Stewart's iconic photographs of Damien Hirst, Demi Moore, Carla Bruni, Björk, Mick Jagger, Sinead O'Connor, Orianthi, Joss Stone and more, including new and unseen photographs.

Dave Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work beside Annie Lennox in Eurythmics, one of the most successful pop-rock duos of all time.
 



Right, Dave Stewart with actor Elliott Gould
and singer Linda Perry

Beyond his creative work in the music industry, Stewart is also a known as a author, director, filmmaker and photographer. His career spans three decades and over 100 million album sales.

Behind the scenes, Dave has produced albums and co-written songs with Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger, Bono, Joss Stone, Bryan Ferry, Gwen Stefani, Tom Petty, Diamian Marley and more, earning numerous Golden Globe and Grammy Awards along the way.

 Stewart said, “I’ve always been obsessed with visual imagery since I was a child. These portraits were mostly taken in my apartment, I don’t know how or why these shoots came together – usually it was just part of a continuing conversation or a spur of the moment thing.



Stewart continued: I’m always taking photos or filming stuff for no reason, other than to document what is going on around me. It’s a kind of re-assurance to myself that these things did actually happen.”

Dave Stewart & Annie Lennox backstage 1986-87
Photo: davestewart.com

“Dave Stewart is one of the more creative musicians/artist/photographers working today. He continues to produce mind blowing things at a very fast pace. He is always doing something – sound, video, photography, film and music. He is a creative powerhouse to watch when it comes to his photography and we are very pleased to present him in this exhibit,” said gallery co-owner and iconic photographer Timothy White.

Trixon, lead of 70's rockband Sirius Trixon & The Motor City Bad Boys
in front of Dave's photo of Orianthi

The story behind Eurythmics: Stewart and Lennox were both previously in the band The Tourists (originally known as The Catch), who split in 1980,  and Eurythmics were formed that year.

The duo released their first album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little fanfare, but went on to achieve global success with their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), released in 1983.

 The title track was a worldwide hit, topping the chart in various countries including the US.






Kat Kramer (actress) in front of Dave's photo of Demi Moore
dressed as a man.

The duo went on to release a string of hit singles and albums before they split in 1990. By this time, Stewart had already embarked on a parallel music career and was also a sought-after record producer, while Lennox began a solo recording career in 1992 with her debut album Diva.

Stewart moved to France and immediately after the split, and released an album with his new band The Spiritual Cowboys. A second album followed in 1991. Both albums were Gold in France.

  

Left, Dave with photographer Henry Diltz, best known for
his photographs of The Doors 1969-70

After almost a decade apart, Eurythmics reformed in the late 1990s to record their ninth album, Peace which was released in late 1999. They reunited again in 2005 to release the single "I've Got a Life", as part of a new Eurythmics
compilation album, Ultimate Collection, released to coincide with Eurythmics' 25th anniversary.
Morrison Hotel's founding photographer Henry Diltz was also present at the opening, best known for his photographs from last year’s  exhibition “The Doors, 1969-70”
   www.morrisonhotelgallery.com

 

Left, Bjork - In Space and Sinead O'Connor - Kiss Me I'm Irish

 

Dave's photos of Mick Jagger - Jumpin' Jack Flash and
Bjork - Enjoy Cock

 

 

 

Sypher Art Studios & Labyrinth Ball Celebrated 16 Years at LA's Park Plaza



Tea Room Performances

Los Angeles, CA (West Hollywood Today) 7/11/2013

Photos & story by Karen Ostlund

Shawn Strider, producer of Labyrinth Masquerade

Sypher Arts Studios presented the 16th annual Labyrinth Masquerade Ball last weekend, July 5-6^th which is a lavish event with breathtaking costumes, elaborate sets, giant puppets and stunning entertainment.

This “Gothic Victorian & steam punk masquerade” – is one of the few classical events open to who has dreamed of a surrealistic fantasy fading into a single night of dance and revelry.

 Music and visuals heighten your senses as the night shields the Goblin Court and the chambers surrounding it.

Emily Arnstein, Lead Choreographer (center)

 

Each year, Sypher Arts Studios host this legendary masquerade to completely submerge patrons in a special night of art, music, dance, and live stage performances in the Royal Court of Sypher.

Labyrinth Masquerade Ball was celebrating their 16^th year at The Legendary Park Plaza (607 South Park View St.) downtown LA.
 

Costumes or formal wear with masks was a must to enter.

Attendees take the dress-code very seriously, but they have a whole year to figure out what to wear for the next ball. Some even prefer to rent their fantasy costume.


Connelly & Bowie in the 1986 cult movie Labyrinth

The idea behind Labyrinth’s two days yearly masquerade is the 1986 British-American fantasy film “Labyrinth” directed by Jim Henson and produced by George Lucas. The film is based upon conceptual designs by Brian Froud.

The leading  film stars are David Bowie as Jareth, and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah.

The plot revolves around Sarah's quest to reach the center of an enormous otherworldly maze to rescue her infant brother Toby, who has been kidnapped by Jareth, the Goblin King.


 

 With the exception of Bowie and Connelly, most of the significant characters in the film are played by puppets produced by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.


Victorian Chorus

The Labyrinth of Jareth is a Masquerade Ball based on Venetian tradition, Celtic faerie and goblin lore, and stories of fantasy and wonder. Lost within the borders of chaos and light, nobles dance among the Fae while goblins wait with hungry eyes in the wings of their court.

"Take a waltz with the devil" at the Clockwork Ballroom

 Some of the most amazing fantasy artists, costumers and special effects crews participate in bringing a diverse host of creatures and mythologies alive each year.

This year 2013 at Labyrinth of Jareth XVI, Clockwork Couture presented the Royal Evening Tea Service with waltz in the Clockwork Ballroom.

The Clockwork Ballroom also offered live acts by the Wessex Consort; the Aetherlight Orchestra, Heart of Gold, Iqaat and a special performance from famous Baritone Stephen Swanson.

 

For many “The Royal Evening Tea Ballroom” is a chance to sit down and unwind gears and enjoy a     “steam punk menu” offered by the Royal Kitchens. On the menu you find; 

Tea Room

Victorian Steam Punk Tea Sandwiches:  Victorian Cucumber; Sourdough bread, with lemon and chive cream cheese.  Sypher Teas: Prince Sypher's Grey; Zesty and Vibrant w/strong black teas, and Smokey Lap sang. Desserts: Opera Cakes; White and Yellow Cakes with Berries and Butter cream. Victorian Cucumber; Sourdough bread, with lemon and chive cream cheese.

 

The Royal Court
SYPHER ART STUDIOS & their performers were last weekend’s host with the motto: “Dance and dream amongst the Court of Faerie and the darker edge of goblin realms”. www.labyrinthmasquerade.com
      

CosPlay Piano

Attendees take the outfit seriously

 

 

 

Simmons & Stanley Launched Rockstar Worthy Brunch

Redondo Beach, CA (West Hollywood Today)  7/3/2013

By Karen Ostlund

Rock & Brews PCH in Redondo Beach launched last Friday a brunch menu and announced that they are now open at 11:30 a.m. daily, with plenty of open air dining.

KISS members Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley with Michael Zislis
at the opening April 2012

 

Rock & Brews was co-founded by restaurateur Michael Zislis and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano along with rock icons Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the rock group KISS.

The first Rock & Brews opened with great success and become a popular hangout near LAX in the beach community of El Segundo, California in April of 2012.



left, Jon Mesko and Michael Zislis

Restaurateur Michael Zislis told guests he was ready to go to Hawaii on vacation with family after last Friday  brunch launch. He continued:

“There will be a total of seven restaurants opened by the end of the year including Rock & Brews Los Cabos, opened in March 2013; Rock & Brews PCH (on Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach) opened in April 2012; Rock & Brews LAX (in the Delta Airlines Terminal) and Rock & Brews Maui,  which is to open this September. Rock & Brews Agoura Hills, CA and Rock & Brews Prairie fire, in Kansas City, MO are also planned to open later this year”. 

The Yellow Submarine traditional Italian cold cut sandwich with New Orleans flair with capicola, mortadella, genoa salami, provolone and mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo, mustard.

 

 Signature items on the menu include the Fireball Burger, Rockin Hot Chicken Wings and rock & roll-inspired dishes such as the “Strawberry Fields” Salad, “Slowhand” Pulled Pork Sandwich, and “Margheritaville  & Bill Graham BBQ Chicken Pizza along with 61 craft beers on tap with full bar.


Purple Rain chocolate filled French donuts drizzled with a raspberry sauce and served with a side of whipped cream of dipping.



Bill Graham BBQ Chicken fire-grilled chicken breast, bbq sauce, red onion, fresh cilantro with mozzarella &

 

gouda cheese.

 

                           
                                                                                                                                                                          “Since our opening in May for dinner, Brews PCH has been embraced by the community
welcoming capacity crowds including families, parties, couples, individuals and groups of all kinds.” said Rock & Brews PCH local partner Jon Mesko.



Rockin Hot Chicken Wings and Strawberry Fields salad.

Rock & Brews PCH is located at 6300 Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 www.rockandbrews.com/pch

 

LA Wine Festival returns to Raleigh Studios June 8-9th

Hollywood CA (West Hollywood Today) 5/29/2013

The Southland’s signature celebration of wine, beer, spirits and food  returns  to Hollywood June 8-9th, and will be benefitting homegrown charity Food Forward .

By Karen Ostlund

8th Annual LAWineFest is back to Hollywood’s Historic Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave. for two days; Saturday, June 8th, 2-6 p.m. and Sunday, June 9th, 12-5 p.m.

 

In 1915, the studio operated as “Famous Players Fiction Studio”s, with a Mary Pickford production as one of the first features to be filmed on the lot. This was during the silent era, and the owner had already vision to build one of the world's first soundstage, complete with a glass top, so light could enter without disrupting sound recording.

 

 

Among the 500 wines and 37 wineries, breweries, distilleries featured are Allied Importers, Rosenthal Estate Winery, Jada Vineyard, Ventura Country Winery, Wilson Creek, Vibrant Rioja, Cielo Malibu Estate, ZAP – Zinfandel, Karl Strauss, K & L Wines and Phantom Rivers Winery.

 

 

 LAWineFest was founded in 2005 by renowned wine personality Dr. Joel M. Fisher, and is L.A.’s largest and longest-running wine-tasting event, with the goal of making wine and also to support the homegrown charity Food Forward.

 

Dr. Fisher is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, The Circle of Wine Writers (UK), and the International Federation of Wine and Spirits Writers. Awarded a Wine Enthusiast Media Scholarship for 2005 at the Culinary Institute of America, he is the author of the Wine Work Book, now in its 6th edition.

Celebrity Chefs Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose and Chang Sivilay of the Mandarin Hotel West Hollywood and Asia de Cuba will be presenting interactive cooking demos on the Wolf Range, one of the event’s premiere sponsors.

 

 

 

This year’s event will also showcase award-winning wines from 13 countries, pouring craft brews and mixing up artisan cocktails, interactive cooking demos, wine tasting seminars, food trucks and early-entrance VIP tickets. All tickets include all wine you can drink, but excludes the food and seminars.

 

LA Wine Fest 2013 Seminars are:

Saturday, June 8  at 2:45pm: Discovering Spain’s Rioja; $15  |  3:45pm: Artisinal Cheese & Wine Pairing Adventures with Barrie Lynn, The Cheese Impresario; $35   4:45pm: Walking in Their Shoes: a panel discussion with California winemakers and winery owners, $15.

Sunday, June 9 - 1pm: Wine & Cheese - A Good Combo? Hosted by Terry & Wally August of Fancifull Fine Food & Baskets, $35  |  2pm: Discovering Spain’s Rioja, $15  |  3pm: Artisanal Cheese & Wine Pairing Adventures, $35 

Stella Artois Beer Garden will offer several brew varieties on tap for all guests to enjoy.

 

Food Trucks & Restaurants include Lobsta Truck, Heirloom, Tainamite, Green Truck, Slammin’ Sliders, Hot’s Kitchen, The Surfer Taco, Sweet Arleen’s Cupcake & Bread Puddings. Plates start at $2.

Street parking (metered on Saturday) and paid parking is available at Paramount Studios lots on Bronson and Van Ness.

VIP Tickets are available on Saturday, June 8 only; $30,  upgrade includes early admission at 1pm, access to the VIP Garden featuring exclusive tastings and VIP gift bag. For more info visit: www.lawinefest.com

ticket info :www.lawinefest2013.eventbrite.com/#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAWineFest | Twitter: https://twitter.com/LAWineFest 

 

 

 

 

Pink's Hot Dogs Launched Charles "Roger Rabbit" Fleischer Hot Dog

Hollywood CA (West Hollywood Today) 05/25/2013
By Karen Ostlund
COMEDIAN, FILM STAR & THE VOICE OF ROGER RABBIT CHARLES FLEISCHER
HONORED BY PINK'S HOT DOGS WITH A CHARLES"ROGER RABBIT" FLEISCHER HOT DOG.
 “This is not a Roger Rabbit hot dog for one day – it will stay on the Pink's fixed menu” said Pink’s owners Gloria & Beverly Pink last Tuesday,  during the noon launch at 709 North La Brea.



Left, filmstar Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer and comedian Stephen Kramer

California comedian, film star and the voice of Roger Rabbit Charles Fleischer, was honored in Hollywood as WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. Fleischer was  honored by the legendary PINK'S HOT DOGS  and its owners Gloria and Beverly Pink.

Fleischer is  best known as the voices of Roger Rabbit, Benny The Cab, Greasy

and Psycho in Disney and Amblin Entertainment's 1988 live action/animated hybrid murder

mystery noir film Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

The Charles "ROGER RABBIT" Fleischer hot dog is Pink’s all beef 9 inches stretch dog with cheese, onions, tomatoes,relish, and lettuce – and it is considered healthy.

Pink's is the ultimate family hot dog stand and known for its variety of hot dogs and hamburger.  It is actually a Hollywood love story, starting with Paul & Betty Pink selling hot dogs from a cart on a neighborhood street corner at La Brea & Melrose in 1939. Angelenos fell in love with the tasty chili dogs and friendly service, and 74 years later, Pink's has become a Hollywood landmark and internationally famous, now operated by Paul & Betty’s family , Richard, Gloria, and Beverly. There is always a line outside to buy a special made hot dog. The Pink family has now expanded to ten locations including Southern California, Las Vegas, and Ohio.


Pink's owners Gloria and Beverly Pink with Charles Fleischer

Charles Fleischer kicked off his World Comedy Tour in celebration of Roger Rabbit 25th anniversary at flapper comedy club in Burbank on May 23rd the same day Roger Rabbit came  out on Bluray for the first time.

Britweek Celebrated British TV Series "Downton Abbey" for a Cause

Santa Monica CA (West Hollywood Today) 04/08/2013 Photos & story by Karen Ostlund
Britweek celebrated British Drama TV Series “Downton Abbey” with a 1920’s vintage party, to honor executive producer and Gareth Neame and actress Laura Carmichael.

Executive producer Gareth Neame and actress Laura Carmichael

 

Last Friday May 3rd an exclusive Downton Abbey Vintage Party was dedicated to executive producer, Gareth Neame and cast members. It was held at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica.
Downton Abbey is a British period drama television series created by Julian Fellowes and co-produced by Carnival Films and Masterpiece.

Food-tasting by FIG Restaurant

The series first aired on ITV in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2010 and on PBS in the United States on 9 January 2011 as part of the Masterpiece Classic anthology.

The series, set in the Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey, tells the story of the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era — with great events in the history having an effect on their lives, and on the British social hierarchy.

Such events include news of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in the first series; the outbreak of World War I, the Spanish influenza pandemic, and the Marconi scandal in the second series; and the Interwar period and the formation of the Irish Free State in the third series.

Richard Halpern & his band

Vivien Sheriff gowns - pieces of old fashion elegance

Guests were encouraged to dress in their best vintage attire to celebrate Downton Abbey and Britweek 2013, while listening to 1920s music from Richard Halpern & his band and live tap dance performances.

Richard Halpern & his band and live tap dance performances.

Pre-prohibition cocktails were served using No.3 London Dry Gin, The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch, The King's Ginger Liqueur and Fever Tree.
Wine was provided by Fotinos Brothers Winery and food by FIG Restaurant from Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.

Two special vintage photo booths were on display to capture the evening, one from Boots, and one with the vintage car, Jaguar 1936 and next year’s Jaguar F-Type 2014. (photo above)


Three vignettes installations with models from Artist International welcomed guests freeze posing to create effect as they showcased the Vivien Sheriff pieces and beautifully capture the essence and elegance of the Downton Abbey era and set an Art Deco mood to the festivities.
Vivien Sheriff, milliner to Royalty & the stars, is also representing the best of British vintage-inspired headwear of timeless glamour of the days of the Silver Screen.



The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch

Proceeds from the event were benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters.
They are the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network.
Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country.

Center, designer Sue Wong dressed in long black dress and right, actor John Savage with friends.

Downton Abbey has won numerous awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries,  Television Film and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries.

Highclere Castle in Hampshire was used for exterior shots of Downton Abbey and most of the interior filming. The kitchen and servants' quarters and working areas and several "upstairs" bedrooms were constructed and filmed at Ealing Studios.