LA Opera’s La Traviata Premieres This Weekend – Don’t Miss Rachel Willis-Sorenson

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Bob Lee

Rachel Willis-Sorenson in the LA Opera production of La Traviata. Photo by Cory Weaver for the LA Opera, used with permission.

This weekend sees the LA premiere of a new production of Verdi’s classic opera La Traviata. The miraculous Rachel Willis-Sorenson, who knocked us out at last fall’s Otello, returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion take on the role of Violetta de Valery, with Liparit Avetisvan as Alfredo Germont.

While this piece is never far from an LA audience, Shawna Lucey’s direction promises a spectacular new look. The orchestra will be under the direction of James Conlon, who proved again at Otello, he does Verdi real purdy. (Louis Lohraseb will conduct the April 18 performance.)

Into the den of twisted fate we go, LA, and in these inflationary times, we can all use a poetically rendered warning to avoid too much consumption.

La Traviata at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, April 6 through 26. Tickets, $63-399, available at the LA Opera Website. 

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The Eleventh Annual Pasadena International Film Festival Returns to the NoHo 7

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Monique A. LeBleu

Photo courtesy of the Pasadena International Film Festival.

The eleventh edition of the Pasadena International Film Festival (PIFF) returns to the NoHo Arts District, presenting more than 130 films from 10 countries during its eight-day run at Laemmle NoHo 7 theater, Thursday, April 4, 2024, through Thursday, April 11, 2024.

The Opening Night Party is Thursday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m., at the Brews Brothers in North Hollywood, and the speakeasy-style venue, Der Wolf Restobar in Old Pasadena, will once again host the Great Gatsby Gala & Award Ceremony following the festival’s full week of events on April 11, 2024. To fit the theme, 1920’s attire is suggested and black-tie is optional.

Currently, an All Access Pass provides entry to the Opening Night Party, admittance to all screenings with guaranteed and priority seating for the entire festival, the Q&As, and panels, access to the Passholders Lounge at the Brews Brothers NoHo, a PIFF “made to order” commemorative T-Shirt, and a ticket to the Great Gatsby Gala & Award Ceremony. Individual tickets are also available, as well as tickets to the Gala. Continue reading →

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Movies Till Dawn: Worldly Matters, Pt. 1

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Paul Gaita

* indicates that this title is also available to rent, buy or stream on various platforms. Please note that streaming options may differ from these home video presentations in terms of visuals, supplemental features, etc.

“Special Silencers” (1982 (?), Mondo Macabro) Career Indonesian heel W.D. Mochtar is again up to no good in this delirious Indonesia action/horror hybrid. Here, Mochtar’s ends are relatively modest (take over a small village), but the means by which he chooses to accomplish it are, to put it mildly, outlandish: he dispatches the current village headman (Darussalam) with tiny red pills – the “special silencers” of the title – which, when consumed, cause a full-grown tree to erupt from the victim’s body, with the expected showers of gore. Indonesian action star Barry Prima and one-time off-screen spouse Eva Arnaz are the high-kicking heroes who oppose him. Cult movie-minded viewers looking for a deeper, weirder flex are advised to explore Indonesian exploitation titles like “Special Silencers” and others carried by Mondo Macabro; their unique cinematic space – a world where black magic co-exists with dudes in feather cuts and flare jeans, where stinky shoes are a lethal weapon, and where the threadbare and the exotic combine to create something wholly alien and familiar at the same time – provides the sort of intoxicating disorientation available from only the most outre movie experiences. Mondo’s Blu-ray for “Special Silencers” – the first ever legal Western video release – features both the Indonesian theatrical cut and a longer version with deleted scenes culled from a Dutch VHS source; commentary by Filipino exploitation expert Andrew Leavold and a 25-minute featurette on Indonesian fantasy/horror films rounds out this mind-expanding disc. Continue reading →

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How to Get a Legendary Italian Sandwich Free on Friday, March 29

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Karin E. Baker

Image courtesy of All’Antico Vinaio.

All’Antico Vinaio has been praised as “the home of the world’s best sandwiches” by no less an authority than Saveur. Started in Florence, Italy in 1991, All’Antico Vinaio has earned accolades by locals and tourists alike for its superior merging of high-quality ingredients with freshly baked Tuscan bread.

After a huge success with its three New York City locations, All’Antico Vinaio is now focusing on bringing its panini to Los Angeles. All’Antico Vinaio will preview its second location in LA, this one in Koreatown, on Friday, March 29, and is celebrating by giving out 1,000 sandwiches to the first thousand people in line!

Starting at noon, you can get a sandwich of your choosing at the new location at 6th Street and Western Avenue. You’re also welcome to purchase a second sandwich while you’re there.

You’ll find celebrated sandwiches constructed from authentic Tuscan ingredients, from Pecorino to truffles, with options such as the La Schiacciata del Boss, made with Prosciutto Toscano, Pecorino Toscano and truffle cream; and La Summer, made with Prosciutto Toscano, mozzarella, tomato and basil.

Continue reading →

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watt’s picture of the week – tuesday, march 26, 2024

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Mike Watt

back on sunday raul morales, tom watson and myself started recording the next missingmen album at casa hanzo in my pedro town w/peetzo on the knobs. “static” is its name and also the title of the first tune, written special for me by john devries – we played it live for the first time ever tonight at the ‘dine.

photo by mike watt

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mike watt’s hoot page

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Masters of Taste Returns to the Rose Bowl on April 7

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Karin E. Baker

Photo courtesy of Masters of Taste.

Regarded by many as one of LA’s best food events, Masters of Taste returns to the field at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl on Sunday, April 7. 

Attend Masters of Taste and you’ll help raise major funds for Union Station Homeless Services as you stroll along the iconic stadium’s 50-yard line savoring food, drinks, and sweets from over 100 of LA’s best creators of culinary and beverage experiences. 

Now celebrating its 7th year, Masters of Taste has already raised nearly $3 million to help homeless people find housing and dignity. The event offers food from dozens of culinary masters and restaurants. This year’s participants include Pez Coastal Kitchen, Saucy Chick Goat Mafia, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Santa Monica Seafood, Pez Cantina, Yuca’s, Casa Cordoba, Rice Balls of Fire, Cerda Vega Tacos, Celestino’s Ristorante, Yardbird, Lunasia, Alexander’s Steakhouse, and many more.

Sip exquisitely crafted cocktails, along with wine, sake, and beer, from the likes of The Raymond 1886, Mezcal 33, Knox & Dobson, CRU Winery, Native Son, Empress 1908, Arts District Brewing Company, Hitching Post, Que Padre, Sake High, Dulce Vida Tequila, Sake Akagisan, and more. You’ll also find plenty of non-alcoholic choices from PH Alkaline Water, Sunright Tea Studio, Koe Kombucha, and more.

Continue reading →

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Movies Till Dawn: Family Movie Night

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Paul Gaita

* indicates that the film is also available to rent, purchase, or stream from various platforms. Please note that streaming versions may differ from these home video releases.

“Immediate Family” (2024, Magnolia Pictures) * As with director Denny Tedesco’s previous documentary film “The Wrecking Crew” (about the eponymous and ubiquitous group ’60s studio musicians, which included his dad, guitarist Tommy Tedesco), “Immediate Family’ seeks to shine a light on hard-working sidemen who contributed key elements to some of the biggest rock and pop songs of the 20th century. The focus here is on a quartet of players – guitarists Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Postell, bassist Leland Sklar, and drummer Russ Kunkel, all of whom are currently on tour as The Immediate Family – who backed the likes of James Taylor, Carole King, Don Henley, Linda Ronstadt and others during the 1970s and 1980s. Much of the film focuses on anecdotes from the quartet about their work on hits and praise from the major players, though the most intriguing elements come when they discuss the almost Zen quality required for studio/sidemen to blend into the artist’s particular vision (though Kortchmar suggests that he was less willing to simply play along), and in scenes where they recreate their contributions to some of the era’s biggest hits, proving that they were far more than hired guns.

Continue reading →

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watt’s picture of the week – monday, march 18, 2024

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Mike Watt

two new murals in my pedro town, west side of pacific avenue just south of second street.

photo by mike watt

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mike watt’s hoot page

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Beat Recommends: Rozz Williams Tribute at Hollywood Forever Cemetery This Friday

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Bob Lee

Fans of Christian Death, Shadow Project and all manner of dark, pounding music are referred to this rare performance at the most appropriate venue of all time for a Rozz Williams tribute. Those fortunate souls in attendance at this event will get to see a screening of Williams and Nico B’s rarely seen film “PIG” while raising funds for a documentary about Williams which is currently in production. The live music performances promise to be truly hair-raising, with appearances by Only Theater Of Pain veteran members Rikk Agnew and James McGearty in their new band Symbolism; CD singer and Williams collaborator Gitane Demone presenting the live premiere of her new work with keyboardist Paul Roessler, The New Young Kings Of Midnight; and Shadow Project’s Eva O., who rarely performs the songs she made with Williams but will do so for this performance. VIP ticket holders can get a guided tour of the Rozz Memorial area at the cemetery from Nico B himself, and meet the band members at soundcheck…if they dare.

Get up and get your grandma outta here? That could take some doing if this is where she ended up. You may need to sit and make love to yourself instead.

The Rozz Williams Tribute takes place at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Friday, March 15. Tickets, $40, available at the venue website. 

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Beat Recommends – Voivod, Prong, Hirax at the Fonda This Sunday

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Bob Lee

Montreal’s Voivod are one of the most singular creations under the banner of metal. Born during the early 80s thrash explosion, they quickly evolved into a frighteningly capable outfit with blatant progressive rock tendencies and a lead singer who didn’t rely on banshee screams nor guttural grumbling. How prog are they? They write concept albums about psychic entities. The drummer, Away, is the primary conceptualist and visual artist, and the guitarist who developed their distinctive sound, RIP dear Piggy, developed his approach to chording by attempting to learn Keith Emerson’s insane keyboard parts. Last time I saw them, with newer members Chewy and Rocky on board, they shook the foundations. They have new music that lives up to the old stuff, as well as a towering repertoire from which to select their set list. It’s been some years since they did a proper headlining show at a good venue here, it’s not to be missed. Continue reading →

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