The Grammy Museum's exhibit "The Roxy: 50 Years on the Sunset Strip" until January 7 2024.

 (WestHollywoodToday.blogspot CA September 18 2023)
By Karen Ostlund
The Roxy Theater is turning 50 this month and the Grammy Museum is getting in on the celebration with a new exhibition, "The Roxy: 50 Years on the Sunset Strip", which opened on September 17 and running through January 7, 2024.
                                                                              

 Lou Adler, the legendary co-owner of The Roxy, attended the opening to present a short documentary and participate in a panel discussion featuring curator Jason Emmons, Cisco Adler (musician, songwriter, producer), Paul Tollett (president/CEO of Goldenvoice and co-founder of the Coachella Music and Arts Festival), Allison Hagendorf (music journalist, media personality, Steve Appleford (LA Times music journalist) and Julie Pilat (award-winning music, media and digital entertainment executive).

This collection of live recordings spans back to the earliest days of The Roxy, which was co-founded in 1973 by Adler and live music pioneer Elmer Valentine; largely credited with putting the Sunset Strip on the map after opening the Whisky A Go-Go and the Rainbow Bar & Grill, in addition to The Roxy.
The exhibit features over 60 photographs that illustrate why the Roxy has been and continues to be, a Los Angeles music institution.
The exhibition is curated by the Grammy Museum’s Chief Curator and VP of Curatorial Affairs Jasen Emmons.
                                                                                 

Jason Emmons and Lou Adler.

Emmons’ relationship with Adler started  this year when Adler brought up the idea of a Roxy 50th anniversary exhibit to Emmons, who for the first six weeks of conversations was under the impression Adler would be providing the materials for the exhibition.
 "I realized, my job was going to be a lot more difficult than I thought, because in 1973, no cameras were allowed for general public ticket holders inside The Roxy”.

Emmons got the photographs with help of his network of photographers, cultivated during his time at the Museum of Pop Culture.

“It was much more challenging than I expected,” Emmons confessed. “You hear about these legendary shows at The Roxy. Now you’ve got to find somebody who went to those shows and took a great photograph of it. There aren’t many photographs of those shows.”

Emmons managed to collect photos from a wide range of performers, as well as unforgettable backstage shots including one of Nils Lofgren guzzling two bottles of liquor at the same time, and one of a young-looking Bruce Springsteen — so young you have to check twice to make sure it’s actually him.

“That’s a Kevin Goff photograph of the Springsteen show,” Emmons explained of the image snapped in 1975. “He said no one was allowed to bring a camera in. He snuck his in under his jacket.“It’s like detective work,” he continued.
                                                                             
The Roxy: 50 Years on the Sunset Strip is arranged chronologically with a decided emphasis on the first decade. Opening night has its own section, beginning with images of Adler with the Sunset Strip’s “rock ‘n’ roll village” power players: Bill Graham, Roxy Chuck Landis, Mario Maglieri, Elmer Valentine and David Geffen.

There is a cross-section of images from the first show, which was headlined by Neil Young and the Santa Monica Flyers on September 20, 1973. These include Young driving to the venue to backstage, soundcheck and even a fan with a sign saying she needs tickets. To top it off, there is a once-in-a-lifetime photo of Elton John arriving and shaking hands with Geffen.

The photographs from the 70s and 80s include Patti Smith, the Go-Go’s, the Runaways, the Stray Cats, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Marley and Prince in zebra print underwear. Also collected are more candid shots of John Lennon and May Pang, Mick and Bianca Jagger, Robert de Niro and floor-to-ceiling contact sheet of Bob Dylan and Ronee Blakely.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was another Lou Adler production which was staged at The Roxy for almost a year within a few months of the venue’s opening, has its own section of photographs. 

  Lou Adler launched The Rocky Horror Show in the US, to an opening night audience that included Jack Nicholson, Cher, Mick Jagger and John Lennon. It has also played a pivotal role in the careers of comedians like Cheech & Chong, Paul Reubens and Richard Pryor. 

                                                                                     

left, Bill Graham, Lou Adler, Chuck Landis, Elliot Roberts and David Geffen.

Collected in a glass case is memorabilia in the form of a show program,  mask, press release, ticket and more. There is even a photo opp with Tim Curry as the larger-than-life Dr. Frank N. Furter taking up an entire wall, where your head would be firmly positioned in his crotch.

Almost as famous as The Roxy is Adler’s private club on the second floor, "On the Rox". The images from this super-exclusive, tiny space club are of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Janet Jackson letting loose. Also from "On the Rox" is its white piano whose ivories have been tickled by everyone from David Foster, who served as the piano player for The Rocky Horror Picture Show to John Lennon.

In the 20-minute documentary short film, Adler tells his own rock ‘n’ roll stories, about and related to The Roxy.
Adler, whose resume includes producing multi-platinum albums as well as films; managing iconic musical acts; winning Grammys; not to mention being a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee — hasn’t shared all of these tales.
Now 89 years of age, it’s great to hear these stories straight from the source. It’s even more entertaining to hear anecdotes from his sons, as well as Cheech Marin and Foster.

In September 1973, the club was co-founded by Adler and Valentine, with music industry legends Elliot Roberts, David Geffen, Bill Graham and Peter Asher participating as investors and/or consultants.

The Roxy hosted many of the biggest names in music at early stages of their careers over the past 50 years and continues to be a career defining moment for emerging talents.
Upcoming shows: TheRoxyTurns50.com

The Academy Museum's "John Waters: Pope of Trash” exhibit & films on view thru August 4, 2024.

The Academy Museum's "John Waters: Pope of Trash” exhibit and films on view September 17 thru August 4, 2024
Photos by Karen Ostlund
(WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com, CA, Los Angeles - September 16 2023)  

#AcademyMuseum  #PopeOfTrash
                                                                                

Opening "Pope Of Trash" speakers: Director of Academy Museum Jacqueline Stewart, Co-curator Jenny He, filmmaker John Waters, Co-curator Dara Jaffe and CEO of Academy Museum  Bill Kramer.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures latest exhibit "John Waters: Pope of Trash" is the first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the artist’s contributions to cinema. It opens on September 17, 2023 thru August 4 2024.. It’s exploring Walter's themes and unmatched movie-making approach. 

The exhibition traces the grotesque, daring, deliberately tacky, hilarious, and salacious elements that recur throughout Waters’s sixty-year career of film-making and reveals how his movies have redefined independent cinema.
FILM SCREENING SERIES:
John Waters: Pope of Trash will be accompanied by a retrospective film screening series from September 17 to October 28, 2023, programmed by Interim director of film programs K.J. Relth-Miller. On the exhibition’s opening day, the museum will present the ultra-rare silent screening of Waters’s third film, Eat Your Makeup (1968), about women who are forced to model to the point of death, with  live commentary from Waters at 3pm. This rarely screened short, which first premiered in Baltimore’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church in 1968, was shot on 16mm with a Bell & Howell camera on view in the exhibition and was recently restored by the Academy Film Archive. That evening at 7:30pm, the museum will also present a 35mm screening of Serial Mom (1994), preceded by a conversation with Waters and Peaches Christ.

Additional screenings include Multiple Maniacs (Sept. 21), Pink Flamingos (Sept. 23), Female Trouble (Sept. 28), Polyester (Sept. 29), Hairspray (Oct. 5), Desperate Living (Oct. 20), double feature screenings of Pecker and Cry-Baby (Oct. 26), and double feature screenings of Cecil B. Demented with A Dirty Shame (Oct. 28). For information about these programs and tickets, visit AcademyMuseum.org
                                                                                   

Costumes from movie HAIRSPRAY 1988.

John Waters: Pope of Trash is organized by exhibitions curator Jenny He and associate curator Dara Jaffe, with the support of research assistant Emily Rauber Rodriguez and former curatorial assistant Esme Douglas. It will be the museum’s third large-scale temporary exhibition, following Hayao Miyazaki (2021–22) and Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898–1971 (2022–23) in the museum’s 11,000-square-foot Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery.
                                                                               

Divine's dress and Fishpaw's cart in the Polyester movie 1981.

On view through August 4, 2024, John Waters: Pope of Trash journeys through Waters’s complete filmography, from his do-it-yourself independent beginnings to his rebellious Hollywood productions, including four shorts and twelve feature films. Collaborating closely with Waters—anointed the “Pope of Trash” by author William S. Burroughs—as well as members of his casts and crews, the co-curators selected more than 400 works for the exhibition, many of which have never been displayed publicly.

Director and President of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Jacqueline Stewart said, “I offer my deep gratitude to John for trusting our museum with the formidable endeavor of telling the story of his vast film career. As the subject of numerous exhibitions on his visual art and photography, John is accustomed to the process of exhibition making. For John Waters: Pope of Trash, he has uniquely plumbed decades of remembrances and searched high and low—literally attics and basements— for the works seen in this exhibition”.

“Known for pushing the boundaries of ‘good taste,’ Waters has created a canon of high shock-value, high-entertainment movies that have cemented his position as one of the most revered independent auteurs in the history of American movies,” said Academy Museum exhibitions curator Jenny He and associate curator Dara Jaffe. “Waters’s subversive audacity is matched only by his loving treatment of his characters. His cinematic worlds, consistently set in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland—are absent of mean spirit, which could account for his current phase of respectability, garnered despite decades of gleefully making ‘trash films'.
                                                                                 

Cry-Baby’s leather jackets worn by Johnny Depp.

"Pope Of Trash" Exhibit Highlights:
Visitors enter the exhibition through an introductory gallery featuring an abstracted chapel setting that winks at several aspects of Waters’s personal history and film-making. The gallery explores the filmmaker’s early life and works includes Hag in a Black Leather Jacket (1964)—Waters’s first film, an 8mm short made when he was 17 years old—as well as Roman Candles (1967). These films, in addition to Eat Your Makeup (1968), Mondo Trasho (1969) and The Diane Linkletter Story (1970), have been restored by the Academy Film Archive for the exhibition with film materials on loan from the Museum of Modern Art, New York, for the latter three.
                                                                               

Movie posters from Pope Of Trash exhibit.

Individual feature films—Mondo Trasho, Multiple Maniacs (1970), Pink Flamingos (1972), Female Trouble (1974), Desperate Living (1977), Polyester (1981), Hairspray (1988), Cry-Baby (1990), Serial Mom (1994), Pecker (1998), Cecil B. Demented (2000), and A Dirty Shame (2004)—are explored in depth through works such as handwritten scripts, set decoration, costumes, props, production design, posters, correspondence, scrapbooks, photographs, and film clips. 

At the center of the exhibition is an experiential gallery highlighting the recurrence of music and dance throughout Waters’s films. The exhibition concludes with a gallery dedicated to Waters’s cult status, featuring fan art and other nods to the filmmaker’s career.
                                                                                

John Water's cover of L’Uomo Vogue, NY Film festival poster and Saint Laurent fall campaign.

Highlights of never-before-exhibited objects on view include original handwritten scripts (on legal pads) from early films such as Multiple Maniacs and Pink Flamingos; eyeglasses from Pink Flamingos worn by Mink Stole as Connie Marble, which the Academy Museum has recently acquired and conserved; the electric chair from Female Trouble; Grizelda Brown’s tutu costume from Desperate Living worn by Jean Hill; scratch ’n’ sniff “Odorama” cards used for Polyester ’s theatrical gimmick; the exploding wig worn by Debbie Harry as Velma Von Tussle and Tracy Turnblad’s roach dress worn by Ricki Lake in Hairspray; Cry-Baby’s guitar and leather jackets worn by Johnny Depp and Jonathan Benya as Cry-Baby and Snare-Drum, respectively; the prop lamb leg weaponized by Beverly Sutphin (Kathleen Turner) in Serial Mom;the camera used by the titular character played by Edward Furlong in Pecker; the skeleton costume worn by Maggie Gyllenhaal as Raven in Cecil B. Demented; and a gas can prop used by Johnny Knoxville’s Ray Ray in A Dirty Shame.

Objects on view are from Waters’s personal collection; the John Waters Archive housed in the Ogden and Mary Louise Reid Cinema Archives at the Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies at Wesleyan University; the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library; the Academy Film Archive; the Vincent Peranio Archive housed in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University; and the Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, University of South Carolina Libraries. Private lenders, among them Waters’s cast, crew, and supporters, include Bob Adams, Jonathan Benya, Noah Brodie and Divine Official Enterprises, David Davenport, Tony Gardner, Jeffrey Pratt Gordon, Traci Lords, Gene Mendez, Pat Moran and Charles K. Yeaton, Deborah Rausch, Scott Rutherford, Ted Sarandos, Emily Sienicki, Mink Stole, Rachel Talalay, and Brook H. Yeaton.
                                                                             

GLEN PUPPET from Pope of Trash exhibit.

As part of John Waters: Pope of Trash, the museum presents an interactive augmented reality experience in which visitors can style themselves as John Waters or a character from his films. Using a set of selfie face filters, guests will transform themselves into some of Waters’s most iconic characters, including Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray and Divine (living under the alias of Babs Johnson) in Pink Flamingos. Access the filters https://www.academymuseum.org/en/johnwatersar

Adjacent to John Waters: Pope of Trash, in the Warner Bros. Gallery, the Academy Museum presents "Outside the Mainstream", an installation that pays homage to the work of other radically independent filmmakers—such as Kenneth Anger, Jack Smith, Andy Warhol, Gregg Araki, and Todd Haynes—who operate beyond the pale of mainstream cinema. Drawing from a vast list of non-conformists, this exhibition focuses on examples from the American avant-garde, underground film, and New Queer Cinema, movements that were supported by forward-thinking film journalists including Jonas Mekas and B. Ruby Rich.

"Outside the Mainstream" installation is organized by curator Jenny He, with the support of curatorial assistant Manouchka Kelly Labouba. AcademyMuseum.org

L.A. Times FoodBowl Reveals Chefs and Restaurants for September 2023.

 L.A. Times FoodBowl Reveals Chefs and Restaurants for September 2023.

Photos by Karen Ostlund   #LAFOODBOWL  #LATimes

 (WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com HOLLYWOOD CA – September 3, 2023)

                                                                          

LA Times Foodbowl Nightmarket at Paramount Studios.

The L.A.Times has announced the full lineup for LAFoodBowl and its annual celebration showcasing Southern California’s food scene, presented by City National Bank.

Throughout September, LAFood Bowl, presented by City National Bank, will host food celebrations across the city, featuring dozens of restaurants and top culinary talent, including Marcus Samuelsson, Stephanie Izard,  Aarti Sequeira, Tiffani Thiessen, Jon Yao, Bricia Lopez, Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn, Gilberto Cetina, Jenee Kim and Malcolm Lee .
                                                                           

HOLBOX yellowtale ceviche and FARMHOUSE shortrib w/polenta

September 13 at 7pm LA Food Bowl will present a special dinner in celebration of the "Restaurant of the Year", Holbox, chosen by LATimes restaurant critic Bill Addison. Hosted by LATimes Food general manager Laurie Ochoa and Holbox chef Gilberto Cetina. The intimate dinner will feature curated dishes highlighting Holbox’s Yucatan-style seafood specialities, including passed appetizers and welcome drinks followed by a five-course tasting menu.

This year’s roster will feature a launch party at the Aster on Sept. 6, dining events honoring The LATimes’ Restaurant of the Year, Holbox, and Gold Award honoree, Park’s BBQ. The Night Market, a food and drink festival will take place at the Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot Sept. 22, 23 and 24, plus the return of the "Outstanding in the Field" dinner series. 

Lunasia Dim Sum House dumplings.

Festivities will include the following:
LA Food Bowl Launch Party at the Lemon Grove on the Aster rooftop, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Singapore Airlines, the festival’s opening night event at the Aster social club will feature all-inclusive food and drinks with tastings from local and international guest chefs, including Malcom Lee (Candlenut, Singapore), Keith Corbin (Alta Adams), Jon Yao (Kato), Stephanie Izard (Girl & the Goat, Cabra), Courtney Kaplan and Charles Namba (Ototo, Tsubaki), Margarita and Walter Manzke (Bicyclette Bistro), and Marcel Vigneron (The Aster’s Lemon Grove), plus bites from Levain Bakery of New York City and local favorite Lunasia Dim Sum House.


September 12 at 6pm: In honor of this year’s "Gold Award honoree", Park’s BBQ, selected by The Times Food editorial team, LA Food Bowl will present a ceremony and dinner hosted by LA Times Food General Manager Laurie Ochoa and chef Jenee Kim. The event will feature passed appetizers and drinks as well as a family-style Korean barbecue dinner highlighting Park’s BBQ’s most iconic dishes.

 
Three-day Night Market at Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot, Sept. 22, 23 & 24: 

L.A. Times Food Bowl’s Night Market will return to the Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot for a three-day outdoor food and drink festival, featuring  unlimited tastings from more than 120 restaurants per session, live cooking demonstrations from world-renowned chefs and culinary personalities, DJs and more.The themed events include:
                                                                              

Broad Street Oyster Co.

“Fiesta Friday,” Sept. 22 at 8 p.m.
The all-inclusive celebration of L.A.’s Latin American flavors will feature restaurants, cocktails and more from Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond, with cooking demonstrations from Bricia Lopez (Guelaguetza) and Danny Trejo (Trejo’s Tacos). VIP tickets are available for purchase and include early event entry, plus drive-on parking and access to an exclusive lounge.
Friday's event is strictly for ages 21 and up. Participating restaurants include: A’s BBQ, Alfalfa, Anajak Thai, Awan, Bake Some Noise, Belles Beach House, Blue Plate Oysterette, Bridgetown Roti, Broad Street Oyster Co., By-You Dogg, Caviar Kaspia, Chichén Itzá, Coucou, Dino's Famous Chicken, Dulanville Food Truck, East Side Cheesecakes, El Barrio Cantina, El Ruso, Evil Cooks, Farmhouse Kitchen, Fishing with Dynamite, Ggiata, Guelaguetza, Heavy Handed, Holbox, I Love Micheladas, Ilé Bistro, Kogi BBQ, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, LA Cha Cha Chá, La Sorted's Pizza, Love Hour, Love.Life, Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Maple Block Chicken, Mini Kabob, Mírate, Moto Ramen, Nossa Caipirinha Bar,  Paradise Dynasty, Park's BBQ, Puesto, Ronan, Soulmate, Tacos 1986, Tallula's, Villa’s Tacos and Wanderlust Creamery.

                                                                                

STK Steakhouse, beef burgers.

“Saturday Night Flavor,” Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
Spotlighting global cuisine that reflects quintessential L.A., Saturday will feature cooking demonstrations from Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn (Le Du, Bangkok), Justin Pichetrungsi (Anajak Thai), Ahmad Alzahabi (The Golden Balance), Nick DiGiovanni (YouTube, “MasterChef”) and Food Network’s Aarti Sequeira (“Unwind: A Devotional Cookbook for the Harried and Hungry).
 Participating restaurants include: 626 Hospitality Group, Amiga Amore, Awan, Bake Some Noise, Blue Plate Oysterette, Botanica, Broad Street Oyster Co., By-You Dogg, Cabra, Camphor, Caviar Kaspia, Chao Krung Thai & Tuk Tuk Thai, Chimmelier, Dino's Famous Chicken, Dulanville Food Truck, East Side Cheesecakes, El Ruso, Evil Cooks, Farmhouse Kitchen, Genghis Cohen, Girl & the Goat, Hamasaku, Holbox, Holy Basil, Ilé Bistro, Intercrew LA, Kato, Kinn, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, Le Coupé,  Loreto, Love.Life, Lunetta, Luv2eat Thai Bistro,  n/soto, Open Market, Osteria Mamma, Paradise Dynasty, Poncho's Tlayudas, Salt & Straw, Sichuan Impression, Stella, Stellar Pizza, STK Steakhouse, Sunday Gravy, Tacos 1986, The Brothers Sushi, Villa’s Tacos and Xuntos.

                                                                                 

The BrothersSushi LA

                                                                                   

JITLADA restaurant.

“Backlot Brunch,” Sept. 24 at 12 p.m.
Sunday’s brunch event will turn the backlot into an afternoon block party for all ages, featuring barbecue, burgers and cooking demonstrations from Tiffani Thiessen (“Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers”), Timothy Hollingsworth (Otium) and Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster, Hav & Mar).
Participating restaurants include: Alfalfa, Awan, Bake Some Noise, Bridgetown Roti, Brique French Toastery, Broad Street Oyster Co., By-You Dogg, Caviar Kaspia, De La Nonna, Di Di, Ditroit Taqueria, Dulanville Food Truck, El Ruso, Farmhouse Kitchen, Goodboybob Coffee Roasters, Guzzu Bento-ya, Happy Ice,  Heritage Barbecue, Holey Grail Donuts, Ilé Bistro, Jitlada,  L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele,  La Sorted's Pizza, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar, Love.Life, Mírate, Mo's House of Axe, Moo's Craft Barbecue, Mozza Restaurant Group, Ospi, Jame, Jemma, Jemma di Mare, Paderia Bakehouse, Paloma Venice, Pasjoli, Pop's Bagels, Prime Pizza, Ray’s BBQ, Rocco's Deli Italiano, Saltie Girl, Slab, Stellar Pizza, Tacos 1986, The Brothers Sushi, Tulsi Indian Eatery, Turok's Cheesecake and West & Co.
Outstanding in the Field Dinner Series, Sept. 8 & 16: Food Bowl and Outstanding in the Field will host dinner experiences in benefit of the L.A. Regional Food Bank. Each event will feature multi-course meals from local chefs while exploring a different element of Southern California’s storied past. The series will take place at iconic locations in Los Angeles and the Central Coast, including the Malibu Pier (Sept. 8) and Coleman Family Farms in Carpinteria (Sept. 16).

For all tickets and additional information, visit lafoodbowl.com #LAfoodbowl   

Season 2 "EATING PLANTS” premiered at Studio in Beverly Hills.

 By Karen Ostlund  #EatingPlantsTV    #SecondNatureFilms
(WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com, HOLLYWOOD CA, August. 29, 2023)

Season 2 EATING PLANTS premiered at Studio in Beverly Hills, 407 Maple drive, August 28 2023.

The most significant culinary trend in the world returned to EatingPlants.tv for Season 2 of the popular docu-series EATING PLANTS from Kate Clere and Mick McIntyre, best known from the award-winning documentary Kangaroo: A Love-Hate Story.
                                                                                

Series creator Kate Clere, executive producer Jim Greenbaum and series creator McIntyre.

"We wanted to offer meat and plant eaters alike tips on flavors, textures, and tastes and offer a new range of recipes that will add protein and nutrients to plant-based meals. The series will help educate people around this delicious new culinary trend; how to cook, shop, snack, and pack great healthy food in lunchboxes," said co-creator Clere.

The series co-creator McIntryre added, "Many people recognize the need to switch to a more plant-based diet for their health and the planet." In the series, Dr. Neal Barnard of The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine states, "The health benefits of a plant-based diet include reversing diabetes, lowering cholesterol, and reducing heart disease." The recent UN Climate report identifies adopting more plant-based diets "as a major opportunity for mitigating and adapting to climate change."

The new season features six new 30 minutes episodes from Mexico, Sweden, Thailand, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, that travel the world exploring the benefits, best food, products, restaurants, influencers, and experts in the plant-based movement.
                                                                             

Plantbased guide to produce plant-based chicken and beef.

 Today many fast-food chains and restaurants are offering plant-based alternatives on their menus and spend colossal advertising and marketing dollars to attract consumers

 2nd Season EATING PLANTS TRAILER: https://youtu.be/h_uU6xkIGRA

This series offers practical tips and health benefits of a vegan diet. A colorful travelog of recipes and cooking skills to inspire viewers around the globe to put plant-based food options on their tables. The hosts engage with international experts to create plant-based alternatives that are changing the shape of food and the food industry. The series is packed with ideas from doctors, athletes, influencers, and chefs leading the movement, who effect change in cooking, health, and the planet.
                                                                             

Amber Martinez and Kathy Kola at Studio Beverly Hills.

The SEASON 2 showcases: MEXICO (hosted by actor Sofia Sisniega-recently starring in the Netflix series "Thursday Night Widows" (Las Viudas de los Jueves) and the Amazon Original comedy "Crazy for Change" (Locas por el Cambio); SWEDEN (hosted by cover model, Cajsa Wessberg- (recently featured in Vogue, Elle, AMICA, Garnier and L'Officiel); NEW ZEALAND (hosted by actor Sonam Hoani recently featured in "Shortland Strett-TVNZ", "Mr. Corman" on AppleTV; THAILAND (hosted by actor model influencer Richie Kul with campaigns for Swatch, Chevrolet, Nivea, GQ, Men's Health, Out, Cosmopolitan, FHM and acclaimed Vietnamese film Pearls of the Far East; CANADA (hosted by Amy Symington, a nutrition professor, author, researcher and plant-based chef at George Brown College; and a second AUSTRALIAN episode hosted by actor, producer, environmental activist "Martin Dingle Wall”.

The multiple-season series captures the rapid growth of the plant-based industry with a predicted value of over $162 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Bloomberg Intelligence. A big percentage of consumers of plant-based chicken and beef are actually meat-eaters.

 Kate Clere and Mick McIntyre from Second Nature Films are best known for their global phenomenon documentary Kangaroo: A love-hate story - an inside look at the mass destruction of Kangaroos that prompted a parliamentary inquiry in New South Wales and launched a movement of its own. The critically acclaimed multiple award-winning films received rave reviews, including VARIETY -"Has the potential to help bring kangaroo welfare and management into much sharper focus in Australia and internationally." The NEW YORK TIMES "The filmmakers are determined to sound a wake-up siren, and they blast it here with extra strength," and "Shocking and Revealing," by BBC LONDON.

Season 1 was  distributed by TVF 7International, leading the world in documentary and factual entertainment distribution, and available worldwide on multiple platforms and formats.

EatingPlants.tv  https://www.secondnaturefilms.com.au/

17th Annual WHITE LIGHT WHITE NIGHT Fundraiser "Walk With Sally".

 17th Annual WHITE LIGHT WHITE NIGHT Gala to Support Walk With Sally's Fundraiser.
   Photos by Karen Ostlund            #WalkWithSally

(WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com) El Segundo, CA — August 21, 2023

                                                                                  

Jaguar F Type at Walk With Sally's fundraiser.

The 17th annual WHITE LIGHT WHITE NIGHT gala, Walk With Sally's flagship fundraising event, illuminated the night on Saturday, August 19th, 2023, at CAMPUS 2100 in El Segundo in California.

 The event marked a celebration of community, compassion, and the organization's commitment to children and families impacted by cancer.
WalkWithSally.org was founded in 2004 by Nicolas Arquette with its mission to help the burden of cancer for children and families, which is guided by the vision of new CEO Tash Brooks.
                                                                                   

Walk With Sally's Silent auction.

The organization has expanded its programs and services to provide support.
Walk With Sally's commitment to its mission is helped by dedicated staff, a diverse board of executive directors, and volunteers.
 
WHITE LIGHT WHITE NIGHT, Walk With Sally's largest annual fundraiser, serves as a platform to directly support the organization's mentor ship, mental health support, art therapy, and financial empowerment programs. The gala brought together over 700 attendees and over 100 dedicated volunteers in a night of unity and shared purpose.
                                                                                

Lobster & Beer: Coastal

WHITE LIGHT WHITE NIGHT offered attendees an experience that symbolizing the power of unity and healing, which is highlighted by the color white.
The gala showcased 17 local restaurants, for guests to enjoy in culinary delights that exemplify the best of Los Angeles' gastronomic scene.
                                                                                    

Ready Fit Go restaurant.

Among participating restaurants included Bettolino Kitchen, BOA, BuzzRock Brewing, Clarity Lounge, Eddie V’s, Hook & Plow, Japonica, Jimmy John’s, lil’Vegerie, Lobster & Beer: Coastal, Madison Brown, Nomad, Porterhouse Bourbon & Bones, Quality Seafood, ReadyFitGo, and Sushi Roku.       This culinary collaboration gave guests the opportunity to experience a diverse range of flavors,  enhanced by the evening's vibrant atmosphere.
                                                                             

Nomad Eatery.

The evening's program was hosted by the charismatic Travis Van Winkle, who introduced the organization's new CEO, Tash Brooks. CHOURA productions partnered with Walk With Sally to orchestrate a seamlessly executed event, demonstrating the collaborative spirit at the heart of the  charity's mission.
                                                                              

Marching drum-line at White Light White Night.

The WHITE LIGHT WHITE NIGHT gala was graced by the presence of a marching drumline, captivating the audience with their electrifying performance. The highlight of the evening was a captivating live performance by the local band "IDENTITY THEFT," which brought the audience to their feet.                                                              

Local tribute band "IDENTITY THEFT.

 The event celebrated the significant contributions of two individuals who embody the organization's values, recognizing their exceptional dedication and positive influence.
The "Youth of the Year award" was presented to Heather Jenkins, while the "Mentor of the Year award" was  given Jenn Nguyen.
The gala also featured renowned Muralist Miriam Hellmann, whose vibrant creations added an artistic touch to the event. Auctioneer Letitia Frye skillfully led the live auction, engaging attendees to raise support for Walk With Sally's vital initiatives.
                                                                              

Walk with Sally's concert seating after dark.

The 17th annual WHITE LIGHT WHITE NIGHT gala was made possible through the generous support of official sponsors including Jaguar Land Rover South Bay, Don Julio, Chevron, Tito’s Vodka,Roseade, Stella Artois,  Kendall Law, Choura Events, Cal Private, Cross Country Mortgage, Community West Bank, Banc of California, St. Clair Law, Buying Time, Anheuser Busch, and Madison Brown.
                                                                                  

Karen Ostlund reporting in South Bay.

Pollack Films "Fields Of Gold” premiered at Fine Arts theater in Beverly Hills.

 Pollack Films "Fields Of Gold” premiered at Fine Arts theater in Beverly Hills.

The True Story of One Man’s Rise from Barefoot Farmer to Sports Pioneer and Industrialist who built a Billion-Dollar Empire: A.E. Staley.

 #PollackFilms  #FieldsofGold  #SpencerFilms
(WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com, Beverly Hills, CA August 19 2023)  

Photos by Karen Ostlund
                                                                             

August 18 2023, Pollack Films premiered  the inspirational documentary film "Fields of Gold" at the Fine Arts theater in Beverly Hills. Trailer: https://youtu.be/HtGB0jQ4n2U
The film will have a Decatur, Illinois premiere on September 16 at 7:00 p.m. CT at the Lincoln Square Theater, followed by a limited theatrical run.

The film is written and directed by Regional Emmy Award-winner Julie Staley of Spencer Films and narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor Peter Coyote.
This documentary chronicles the incredible journey of Augustus Eugene Staley, born in 1867, from barefoot farmer to the founder and leader of an agricultural empire. The film features Mr. Staley's ownership of turn-of-twentieth-century baseball and football teams called the Decatur Staleys. The Decatur Staleys football squad led by George Halas, Charles "Chic" Harley, and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman played in Chicago in 1921 and then became the Chicago Bears in 1922.
                                                                                 

Mark Staley and Julie Staley.

The film is produced by Michael Pollack, who has recently inked a five-picture financing deal out of Europe and is currently negotiating a four-picture deal out of New York; "Pollack Films is a production company dedicated to creating compelling and impactful films.
"We aim to inspire and entertain audiences while shedding light on extraordinary individuals and their contributions to society," said Michael Pollack, CEO of Pollack Films.

Executive produced by Mark Staley, and the late Grant Staley, both great-grandsons of A.E. Staley, this film is an important family legacy project. In addition, the movie is of monumental importance to the Decatur, Illinois, community. It is supported by The Herald & Review newspaper and The Staley Museum.
                                                                              

(Right) Arthur Allan Seidelman.

Executive producer Arthur Allan Seidelman supervised this post-production. His awards in the past included, two Emmys, the Peabody, the Humanitas, the Western Heritage, several Christophers, and numerous film festival awards. He also recently received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Whittier College, his alma mater. Mr. Seidelman leading the post-production team was instrumental in crafting “Fields of Gold,” guiding the film to shine bright.

The film is executive produced by Lauren McGill and George Veras. Mr. Veras is a 10-time Emmy Award-winning producer and former COO and executive producer at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.                                                          

"Fields of Gold" brings the audience along on the captivating journey of A.E. Staley, a man with a 3rd-grade education who defied all odds to become a pioneering figure in both the agricultural industry and the world of professional sports. The documentary vividly portrays Staley's unwavering commitment to his employees, his customers, and his community. Throughout his career, Staley demonstrated selflessness and compassion, going above and beyond to take care of his workers during a time when social support systems were lacking.

"What impressed me the most about Gene Staley's story was that despite the hardships he faced to build his manufacturing business in Decatur, Illinois, in the early 1900s, he cared more about people than money," said Pollack. "This man went through a lot, lost it all, rolled the dice, and lost again, but he always took care of people. He was selfless. This is what made Staley a success”.

The film also explores Staley's philanthropic endeavors, from providing sick leave and vacation time to his employees, to personally delivering food during times of hardship. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the Great Depression, Staley's steadfast determination and vision enabled him to navigate through adversity and emerge as a visionary leader.

At a time when the U.S. Congress had voted against a bill for paid sick leave and vacation time, Staley's company was one of the few that provided those paid benefits and a death benefit for its employees.

During the Great Depression (1929-1938), though his company struggled, Staley reduced employees' hours by 33% without cutting their pay. Moreover, he expanded the workforce by 200 employees, resulting in a substantial $1 million increase in the company's payroll—a staggering figure by today's standards. "He protected the entire community during this treacherous economy. Staley's emphasis on employee safety was a top priority that he emphasized every day from the Staley Manufacturing Company plant's first day of operation,” said Pollack.

"One of Gene's most ambitious endeavors was the fellowship club which he created for both employee benefits at work and personal social time," said writer and director Julie Staley, and also a Producer on the project."The fellowship club gave workers a sense of community and family, eventually leading Gene to create athletic teams. The most notable being a football team the Decatur Staleys, led by George Halas, which later became the Chicago Bears."

"Fields of Gold" seamlessly blends historical documentation with engaging storytelling elements to provide viewers with a comprehensive and immersive experience. Through meticulous editing techniques, including incorporating movement in still photographs and using stock footage and reenactment footage, the film transports audiences to the era in which Staley lived and worked, creating a visually captivating narrative.
 Staley's achievements in both the agricultural and sporting realms, will leave a lasting impact on viewers of "Fields of Gold" and contribute to a deeper understanding of his transformative journey, leadership, and the enduring power of titans like Augustus Eugene Staley.

About Pollack Films:
Pollack Films produces entertainment that makes a difference. We share stories that touch the hearts and minds of a broad audience, amplify the voices of creatives and reflect our diverse world. Our rich legacy of storytelling includes extensive experience in film and television production, creating content with dynamic impact and striving to be a shining beacon for change.

About Spencer Films:
Spencer Films creates award-winning film and television projects that bring the new and old together through exceptional stories that combine history and current events.

Associate Producers of “Fields of Gold” included: Laura Richter, Jean-François Cavelier, and Ghizlane Morlot.

The Untold Story of Aladdin Sane album cover.

ART & MUSIC. The Untold Story of  Aladdin Sane album cover model.
Based on a true story by meeting the talents in the 70s.
By Karen Ostlund   (WestHollywoodToday.blogspot.com August 1st 2023)                                    Updated MAY 12 2024. 

#AladdinSane  #ZiggyStardust  #DavidBowie  #Hammersmith  #MoonageDaydream

David Bowie's album cover Aladdin Sane celebrated 50 years this year 2023 with its photography collection, from early days of Ziggy Stardust.
                                                                          

Aladdin Sane poster.

A sudden time solar-change took place August 4 1973 (moon entered Scorpio) and moved back the year of on all daily newspapers to August 4 1969 (moon in Aries), which resulted people started to believe it past 7 years since Marilyn Monroe died. The same solar-gas also moved the ink on Marilyn Monroe's death on all newspapers from 1963 to 1962.
The ink went back 4 years on all daily newspapers, but it was only 2 years lost, because of an earlier time-change in the 60s.
The famous murder of Sharon Tate, took place a few days after solar-change, August 9 1969. The murder was caused by the Manson Clan, who thought they saw a fake pregnancy on Tate's stomach.

Due to the drastic time-change, some recording artists got forgotten and changed name. One of them was rock'n roll artist Hammersmith touring in 1973 before time-change, featured in a live concert video of "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”.
                                                                               

(photo) This concert video shows Hammersmith as the name of the artist, Odeon as the name of the venue, but the board outside the venue says "From 8pm we're working together with David Bowie”.
In this case, David Bowie was the composer and pianist David Bowie Medley, who was the father of David Bowie Jr, who later released the album LOW. URL: https://youtu.be/kcEEey418PA

                                                                       

Diamond Dogs album cover.

Swedish recording labels still have files from the 70s of Mike LeGarcon as Hammersmith and Marten B.Owie as Bowie. LeGarcon changed name to Goldstar in 1972, which name came from his son's last name Orstar.
Hammersmith released  "Diamond Dogs" titled "Hammer" before 1970, but the illustration of dogs on the album cover were then piglets. In July 1973 (before time-change), David Bowie Jr. released LOW. The album LOW was earlier titled "Gaylord".  There was also an artist named DAVID LOW, forgotten from this time-era.                                   

Album LOW, David Bowie.

Both albums, HAMMER and GAYLORD were forgotten, when time went back to 1969.
In 1974 (after time-change), both albums were re-released, 5 months apart, but only in Sweden.
In other countries, the album LOW was released in 1977.
In Sweden 1974, people were asking, if Bowie with album "Diamond Dogs" and David Bowie with the album LOW, was the same artist?
Who was Bowie?
Ben Van Den Bowie was the poster model featured on the cover of "Aladdin Sane" album in 1973.
He was well-known for his likeness to David Jones (as Ziggy Stardust) but taller, living in Amsterdam as a fashion-model. He celebrated his 24th birthday, 29 December 1978. 

In August 1978 someone put a pen on Ben's Netherlands passport, to change his last name Bowie to Bushe. He was then traveling on Mykonos Island in Greece.

Ben lived then with guitarist and artistic-director Tony Loren who was 17 years senior, and used Ben's image on posters as Ziggy Stardust for the Aladdin Sane album cover. It was common in the 70s to use a model on the album cover.
Tony Loren lived earlier at Hillpark drive in Los Angeles together with RCR artists, which gate had an old apartheid sign, part of a controversy.


In 1971 (after time-change) a theatrical actor came up in press as author John Merrick, acting in the play "Elephant man”.
John had the identical face of David Bowie, so everyone assumed, it must be Bowie. The actor suffered a paralyzed leg and a slight speech problem, caused by the earlier time-change. His handicap was used as part of the play "Elephant man".
The year of the 1971 video "Elephant man" was later moved forward on the internet. URL  https://youtu.be/cPithDmHrd0
In 1972 David Bowie Jr. (Morten B. Owie) started to work as a banker named Owie, in Sweden and UK, to recover.                                                                           

The studio album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust" June 1972.

                                                                             

In June 1972 Stockholm, Hotel Reisen (after time-change) guitarist Tony Loren presented singer David Jones to take over artist name "Ziggy Stardust", for the release of the studio album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust". The 1972 press conference had a poster in the background of David Bowie Jr. in a profile head-shot.
The name "Ziggy Stardust" was the name of a song from the Hammersmith album released in 1969, RCR record label. Singer HAMMERSMITH changed his stage-name after this 1972 press conference to GOLDSTAR, which name came from his son's last name ORSTAR.
Singer Ziggy Stardust and singer Goldstar were often compared as two parallel artists in Swedish press in 1977.

                                                                                 

Photo of David Jones as "Ziggy Stardust" and guitarist Tony Loren, filming in Sweden.

                                                                                   

In 1983, the Hammersmith album changed name to the LIVE Motion Picture album "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” printed as recorded, July 3rd 1973.  The cover photo was still of Mike LeGarcon as Hammersmith, but the credits on the back of the album were changed. Act 1 URL https://youtu.be/gIjUcp1ier4     

 

 

 

Until 1973, Hammersmith worked with guitarist Mick Ronson in music videos, who also was a painter and photographer.
Ronson signed his artwork RoZ, because his last name was Ro Zi Zadeh in a UAE passport, (United Arab Emirates)
Three decades later, RoZ work was mixed with work from photographer Rock.
In 1976, photographer Mick Rock was a well-known video director for Rapport2 news in Stockholm, who filmed the royal Swedish wedding, using his own Slavic name as credit.
Mick Rock passed away in November 2021.
At that time he referred himself as Michael David Rock, born 1948 in Hammersmith.
Did photographer Mick Rock know, that some of his photos were featuring artist Hammersmith?
Sure.

The reason people from the 70s recording industry were traveling to work in Sweden, was because Sweden was the first country in the world with a free internet server, when the domain was only a long number.
The first free Swedish internet server still exists. Many companies websites in LA were switched over to this server before Covid-19, to control outgoing emails and moving banners.

Singer Mike LeGarcon (Hammersmith) and model Ben Van Den Bowie/Bushe live today in LA area as unknown.

The video of the "Hammersmith" album was most likely made in 1973, because he was born 1940.
Tony Loren was presented in 70s Sweden,  as a the relative to Mike LeGarcon's son Steffen David Michael Orstar, born September 17 1960.
The name Steffen was a title in French, and he started to work with Rod Stewart in 1980, and got problem with former caretakers, living on his property assets.
There were only two people registered at Swedish IRS (Skatteverket) in 1977 with the last name LeGarcon (translated The Boy in French) and one person registered with the last name Orstar. TV Academy in North Hollywood, also has a member named Michael Orstar.

                                                           

(Poster image of David Bowie)
Producer Brett Morgen's documentary "Moonage Daydream" has filmclips of David Bowie Medley in black/white and his son David Bowie Jr. in color.
The video of the song "Moonage Daydream" was performed by Hammersmith (renamed David Bowie in this video) and guitarist Ronson (Ro Zi Zadeh).Song composed by David Bowie Medley: https://youtu.be/5g6--QoPsDM