by Joshua J. Pinkay | Jun 29, 2019
The official start of the solstice was less than a week ago and the term summer is more than just a season these days! It’s also used as a synonym to describe a mood. A good playlist can make those longer days and shorter nights seem like moments of bliss, and one of the songs that should be added to the soundtrack of 2019 is rising country/pop crossover songstress Julia Rizik’s newest single, Love Myself.
It immediately draws you in with a heavy downbeat and sultry vocals from the young maven that hails from the state of Arizona and now resides in Los Angeles. Rizik wrote the song to appeal across the board for all genders, races, and religions and it’s about empowerment and accepting the skin you are in. The catchy hook will have you busting out impromptu concerts whether you are riding down the coast with the top down in a car full of friends or a solo concert in the shower trying to avoid soap from getting into your eyes!
“My songwriting is inspired by all sorts of things. I play both guitar and piano and mostly write songs about experiences that I am going through in my personal life. I was bullied a lot and music was the one thing that got me through.I want listeners to know that this music comes from a really personal space, and I hope that they relate to it and connect with it as much as I do,” shared Rizik.
While this is her first pop single, Julia Rizik is no stranger to the world of music. She has appeared on the festival circuit at such events as Country Thunder and Stagecoach in the last year. Her first independent country single “Medicine” (2017) which she co-wrote and co-produced got noticed by Spotify and made their New Music Nashville Playlist. Country music is where she got her start, but she is ready to trade in her boots for stilettos and kick the door of popular music in.
“I transitioned into pop music very organically. It was not a forced transition at all. I started producing my own music about six to seven months ago, and the sounds I wanted to hear when I was creating these tracks were pop. On my new song, Love Myself, my fans can expect a lot more confidence and security in my lyrics. I have written a lot of songs about heartbreak, but on this track, I wanted to send listeners a message of hope and self-love,” shared Rizik, who plans to release a full pop EP of the same name later this Summer.
If those tracks are anything like Love Myself, than we can’t wait to fall in love with this new pop princess on the rise.
by Joshua J. Pinkay | Jun 21, 2019
Cleo Mediterraneo has officially reopened in the heart of Hollywood and we couldn’t be more excited for such an addition to the famed Hollywood and Vine intersection. This is Cleo’s second location in Los Angeles with the first being on 3rd Street and Beverly.
Cleo’s signature Mediterranean mezze style menu offers a beautiful selection of fine dishes with an emphasis on fresh seafood-focused meals. The menu is complete with a full raw bar of the best selection of seafood favorites allowing for a diner curated experience for its patrons. The decor and architecture adds a resonating essence of luxury in rich velvet and jewel tone colors, lush tapestries and statement fixtures that combine to create an iconic Mediterranean ambiance. This is a true sbe staple that fits in perfectly with the rest of their fine establishments.
Cleo Mediterraneo is open Nightly from 5:00pm – 11:00pm and is located at 1717 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. This location is also available for events and catering. Reservations and Inquiries can be made Here.
by Randy Dunbar | Jun 20, 2019
The Fahey/Klein Gallery is pleased to present Young Men & Still Lifes by German photographer, Herbert List — The first exhibition of his legendary homoerotic male nudes in Los Angeles in over 25 years. List’s playful but austere, classically arranged compositions taken in Italy and Greece have become an indelible influence in modern and contemporary photography. Diary-like images of friends and still lives with found objects gave birth to a style that half a century later would influence fashion or lifestyle photography of masters like Bruce Weber or Herb Ritts.
Herbert List (1903 -1975) was born into a prosperous Hamburg merchant family and began an apprenticeship at a Heidelberg coffee dealer in 1921 while studying literature and art history at Heidelberg University. During travels for the coffee business between 1924-28, the young List began to take photographs, almost without any pretensions to art.
In 1930, though, his artistic leanings and connections to the European avant-garde brought him together with the American photographer Andreas Feininger, who introduced his new friend to the Rolleiflex, a more sophisticated camera that allowed a deliberate composition of images. Under the dual influence of the surrealist movement on the one hand, and of Bauhaus artists on the other, List photographed still life and his friends, developing his style. He has described his images as “composed visions where [my] arrangements try to capture the magical essence inhabiting and animating the world of appearances.”
After leaving Germany in 1936 in response to the danger of Nazi police attention to his openly gay lifestyle and his Jewish heritage, he turned his hobby into a profession. Working in Paris and London, he met George Hoyningen-Huene, who referred him to “Harper’s Bazaar”. Dissatisfied with the challenges of fashion photography and hired models, List instead focused on composing still lifes. The images produced there would later be compared to the paintings of Max Ernst and Giorgio de Chirico, and paved the way for List’s role as the most prominent photographer of the Fotografia Metafisica style.
Greece became List’s primary interest from 1937 to 1939. After his first visit to the antique temples, sculptures and landscapes, his first solo show opened in Paris in the summer of 1937. Publications in Life, Photographie, Verve and Harper’s Bazaar followed, and List began work on his first book, Licht über Hellas, which wasn’t published until 1953.
Working in Athens, List hoped to escape the war but was forced by invading troops to return to Germany in 1941. Because of his Jewish background, he was forbidden to publish or work officially in Germany. Several works, stored in a hotel in Paris, have been lost. In 1944 List was deployed by the German Wehrmacht to Norway where he served as a map archivist.
In 1951, List met Robert Capa, who convinced him to work as a contributor to Magnum. He turned his interest towards Italy from 1950 to 1961, photographing everything from street scenes to contemplative photo-essays, from architectural views to portraits of international artists living in Italy. He discovered the 35mm camera and the telephoto lens in 1953. His work became more spontaneous and was influenced by his Magnum colleague Henri Cartier-Bresson and the Italian Neo-Realism film movement.
Herbert List, Young Men & Still Lifes
June 27 through August 31, 2019
Opening Reception
May 27, 7 – 9pm
148 North La Brea Avenue
90036
by Dennis Richardson | Jun 13, 2019
It’s dad’s time of year for celebration, and Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and Viceroy Santa Monica are doing big things to give dads in Southern California the VIP treatment they deserve this year. As usual, both Viceroy’s are proving optional experiences, and you’re bound to choose one your dad or father-like figure will appreciate.
Golf and Whiskey?
Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills has dads covered with two of their favorite things this Father’s Day weekend. LA golf-meets-culture brand Malbon will be bringing their urban focused apparel and accessories designed for the stylish creative-minded set to the property at a special pop-up from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. both Saturday, June 15th and Sunday, June 16th. The pop-up will allow guests a chance to explore the brand’s latest capsule collection focused on the love that fathers and their children share for the game of golf. Expect anything from hats, tops and outerwear to such unique accessories as silk scarves, ball markers, scotch glasses and cigar cases for dads seeking the finer things in life.
Concurrently, at the hotel’s restaurant Avec Nous, Chef Nicholas Loncar has created a special take on “steak frites” which he’ll be serving for guests to enjoy on Father’s Day itself from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. His iteration involves
Pecanwood Smoked Bacon Wrapped South Texas Antelope Chop with
Woodinville Barrel Aged Maple Syrup and will be accompanied by
Chipotle Sweet Potato Tots at a price point of $25. Since what refined dad doesn’t enjoy sipping on some whisky from time to time, Avec Nous will also be offering a specialty
Woodinville Apricot Sour for the day. Both the steak frites and apricot sour will be served in addition to the restaurant’s regular offerings. Avec Nous at Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is located at 9291 Burton Way. Reservations can be made
here.
Burgers and Bourbon?
Meanwhile, at Viceroy’s coastal property in Santa Monica, Cast Chef Sean Piccarreto is offering up a $24 Build Your Own Burger giving dads a chance to customize their half pound patties with with such unique options as mac ‘n cheese, grilled pineapple, Fritos, harissa hummus, burrata and fried egg. He’s also running other dad-friendly specials including Carnitas Sliders with Tomatillo Jam ($12) and Baby Back Ribs with Peach BBQ Sauce, Yucca Fries and House Tangy Slaw ($24). To round out the day, Viceroy Santa Monica is also providing a Whiskeys to Know About Flight with three one ounce pours priced at $30. Featured whiskeys include Willet Pot Still Small Batch Bourbon, Burning Chair Bourbon and Angels Envy Rye. The special offerings will be available on Sunday, June 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with the property’s brunch and all-day lounge offerings. Cast at Viceroy Santa Monica is located at 1819 Ocean Avenue. Reservations can be made here. Whatever your choice, make it a Father’s Day to remember for both you and dad.
by Niki Smart | Jun 10, 2019
Kick Off the Summer Season with OC Parks
Enjoy free live music and movies June 14-28
WHAT:
The County of Orange and OC Parks are pleased to present the annual OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series, with events kicking off in June. Enjoy summer nights at your favorite regional parks with free concerts and movie screenings in a family-friendly atmosphere. June films include Zootopia, Grease, and Thor, and concerts feature Hard Day’s Night and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
All events will include free parking with food and drink available for purchase. Sunset Cinema events will offer free pre-movie entertainment for the whole family. Dates and times vary per series; for more information about summer-long events visit ocparks.com.
WHEN:
OC Parks Sunset Cinema June Dates
- Fridays June 14, 21, 28 from 6 –10 p.m.
OC Parks Summer Concert Series June Dates
- Thursdays June 20, 27 from 5 – 8 p.m.
WHERE:
OC Parks Sunset Cinema Film Series
- Carbon Canyon Regional Park
o Location: 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823
o Date: Friday, June 14
o Movie: Zootopia (2016, PG)
o Date: Friday, June 21
o Movie: Grease (1978, PG)
o Location: 3300 State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92835
o Date: Friday, June 28
o Movie: Thor (2011, PG-13)
OC Parks Summer Concert Series
o Location: 3300 State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92835
o Date: Thursday, June 20
o Concert: Hard Day’s Night and Greasy Spoons
o Date: Thursday, June 27
o Concert: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Kris Bradley
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources.
http://www.ocparks.com
by Dennis Richardson | Jun 7, 2019
Temperatures across SoCal are heating up, and we all know what that means! Summer is here! And to celebrate, sixth + mill is partnering with Tito’s Vodka to bring you their Second Sundays series, happening on the 2nd Sunday of every month until September!
WHO
sixth + mill and Tito’s Vodka is hosting Second Sundays on Sixth Kickoff Pool Party
WHAT
Second Sundays on Sixth is the only public pool party in LA’s famed Arts District. Tickets are $40 a person, and include food, beverage, and pool admission. Tickets can be purchased here.
A variety of Tito’s cocktails will be served as well as, beer, mimosas, and delicious spiked lemon Italian ices. The party will also have a fun DJ spinning tunes, lawn games, and a curated selfie wall. Guests are encouraged to bring their own towels and use a ride share service.
WHEN
Every second Sunday through September:
- Sunday, June 9th
- Sunday, July 14th
- Sunday, August 11th
- Sunday, September 8th
WHERE
1335 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
The pool is located behind the restaurant, and guests can enter through the restaurant.
About sixth + mill
sixth+mill pizzeria and bar is a casual-dining restaurant from Chef Angelo Auriana & Restaurateur Matteo Ferdinandi. The restaurant joins the widely successful Brera Ristorante and The Factory Kitchen, offering a dining destination celebrating the regions of Southern Italy. The neighborhood pizzeria features hand-crafted pizzas and hard durum wheat pastas, and a selection of shared small plates and dishes inspired by Chef Angelo’s childhood memories. Chef Angelo draws upon a few recipes from his father’s home cooking, such as the Pizza alla Montanara, a fried dough topped with a rich tomato sauce and scamorza cheese, traditionally served during special family gatherings. The Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, a hearty dish from Campania, is a deep, simmering dish of garlic-infused potato gnocchi with a bright tomato sauce, topped with bubbling mozzarella and fresh basil. Chef Angelo has imported a Mario Acunto Neopolitan-style wood-fired oven encased with refractory bricks, allowing a thermal source of heat to provide consistency throughout the baking process for pizzas and pastas al forno. A traditional Italian spiral mixer slow mixes the dough allowing for a better fermentation process that develops a lighter dough and signature flavor. Those elements, paired with sixth+mill’s signature natural yeast starter and a mix of flours creates pizza that is slightly crispy on the outside, soft and tender inside, light and highly digestible. Imported ingredients including cheeses, cured meats, and olive oil from the mountainous terrain of Molise, coupled with local produce, enhance the authenticity and freshness of each dish. Beverage Director /Sommelier Francine Diamond-Ferdinandi presents an approachable, easy to navigate wine and beer list. The cocktail list includes the San Gennaro: Bols Genever, Carpano and a splash of soda and a vibrant red Malafemmena or “bad woman” cocktail, named after the famous Italian song, made with tomato juice, spices and vodka.
by 66foxx1999 | Jun 5, 2019
Left: Leon Hendrix, Jimmy Hendrix’s younger brother and Randy Hanson
Legendary writer/photographer Belissa Cohen goes psychedelic to experience L.A.’s hidden gem of an “immersive art park,” Downtown L.A.’s Wisdome
If you haven’t yet been to downtown L.A.’s Wisdome, we suggest putting it on your nightlife bucket list, and maybe stock up on your favorite psychedelics beforehand.
Called an “immersive art park,” this enormous 35,000 sqare foot space houses a collection of five huge interconnecting domes, one of which hosts nearly continuous showings of a 360 degree short film called Samskara by innovative experimental artist Android Jones. The other domes host other immersive art installations, live music events in 10.1 surround sound, and are surrounded by a commodius grassy outdoor area for hanging out on glorious summer nights with bars, ethnic food and drink purveyors, and trinket vendors selling wares of a vaguely spiritual nature — it’s the whole enchilada in one place, with enchiladas. It’s both comfortable and hella trippy!
We experienced the Wisdome when Randy Hanson, who is considered arguably the best of the Jimi Hendrix tribute performers among those in the know about such things, did the first of his spot-on two-night performances in the largest of the Wisdomes, while psychedelic art in the form of constantly morphing mandala images were projected on the walls and ceiling of the dome, and many audience members took in the multimedia show from reclining seats. Like them, we found ourselves gazing ceiling-ward during the show, mesmerized, as the images changed organically, all the while absorbed in the expertly executed music.Randy, who is in demand all over the world for his Jimi Hendrix realness, and is, like Jimi, a Seattle native, played and sang all the hits note for note, from “Foxy Lady” to “Purple Haze” to the Bob Dylan-penned “All Along the Watchtower,” on what just so happened to be Dylan’s birthday.
As happens in L.A., we found ourselves Ubering to the Wisdome with the famous-adjacent: Leon Hendrix, Jimi’s younger brother and an edgy blues musician in his own right, who sang with Randy and his band very appropriately on “Castles Made of Sand,” a song Jimi had penned back in the day about his family’s dysfunction. Leon’s own show the very next weekend at The Mint in West L.A. was a sold out success.
The world-renowned Randy Hanson brings his Jimi extravaganza back to the Wisdome at the end of June. For all of us who missed Jimi’s legendary L.A. performance at the Hollywood Bowl in 1968, we now have a second chance to Be Experienced!
