Moonlight Forest Weaves Magic Spell

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Moonlight Forest, the Los Angeles County Arboretum’s holiday lights display, is a special and beautiful experience.

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The highly unique use of lush, lit-up fabric “lanterns,” created by artisans from the Sichuan province in China, is truly magical.

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From a distance, the glowing works resemble 3-D stained glass. Some are animatronic like a paddling sea turtle or pandas in a bamboo grove riding a see-saw; all are vividly colored, positioned in a way that makes each of the exhibitions three distinct areas just separate enough to create a true sense of wonder.

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The areas are roughly circular, comprising a nature area with animal figures, a children’s area with whimsical pieces such as happy carrots and smiling quarter moons, and an area devoted to Chinese culture.

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Arguably, the standout is an enormous red and good dragon, its undulating curves reflecting in the lake it is positioned over, seeming to hover on the air, suspended from a dock above the inky water.

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There are many impressive works, including a giant pagoda; a candy-themed tunnel; glowing green plant arches with hovering bees after nectar; a sea-life tunnel with floating fish.

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A replica of the terra-cotta army, found in Xi’an, China is dazzling.

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Up close, it’s astonishing to realize that these vivid works are shaped from illuminated fabric.

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From magenta blossoms to an arch shaped like an octopus, this is a stunning show that is more than just holiday lights – it’s also culturally resonant and offers a look at a delicate art form writ large.

 

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Moonlight Forest runs through January 6. Don’t miss! Tickets at: www.moonlightforest.eventbrite.com

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  • Genie Davis; Photos: Jack Burke

 

Beach Party Time for the Holidays and Any Time

Posted on by Diversions LA

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It might be chilly in Hollywood, Calif., but you can party on the beach in balmy Hollywood, Fla. And you can party in style.

If you’re planning an affordable destination wedding venue, an anniversary, a big birthday bash, or a celebration of any kind – post Art Basel, perhaps? – at Broward Banquet Hall, you’ll find exactly what you need for on-the-beach fun only 20 minutes away from Fort Lauderdale International Airport.

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Located in Hollywood Beach, this banquet hall in Florida has everything you need to create the event you want. Wedding ceremony on the sand, reception party just steps away. Special occasions of any kind go down beautifully at this venue, positioned right on the beach where those warm sea breezes beckon. The hall is a part of the Hollywood Beach Resort Hotel, which means visitors can enjoy a 30% discount on rooms and suites at the hotel, too, for all guests of the party who book the hall.

 

 

 

We loved the fact that the venue takes care of just about every detail – except booking your flight to Florida. Once you’ve done that, then get ready to have a blissfully easy experience. Wedding events are a specialty, from hosting a shower to a large-scale rehearsal dinner, to ceremony and reception. Host, bartender, waitress, security: it’s all taken care of. Photography and videography services can be provided too, if you’d like to document the occasion professionally.  Special dining requests? Outside catering is allowed.

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The carefree planning style the hall offers is matched by its truly luxurious accommodations. A large dance floor includes disco and laser lights; there are projector tables and a 60″ flat screen if you’d like to – show a film – Facebook photos – art images – or take a sweet walk down memory lane. The music sounds great, and you’ll be dancing all night long.

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There’s a comfortable outdoor seating area, smoking area, and a VIP room for the most special guests. To create an elegant vibe all around, the spot also has a red carpet, ropes, and stanchions.

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As relaxed and easy as the staff makes setting up and running an event, there’s plenty of upscale style at the venue that belies the value. Exceptional customizing of lighting in the color of your choice, a bridal dressing room, photography room, and expert table set-up add to the experience: it’s pro all the way, with unpretentious, helpful, and experienced service.

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No matter what kind of event you’re planning – baby shower, bar mitzvah, spring break party, or special birthday, the celebration may be yours, but the space is Broward Banquet Hall all the way. Expansive in size, with superior customer service and those soft white sands right outside the door, this Hollywood Beach spot is close to the airport, the blue Atlantic —  and will end up being close to your heart.  It’s a high recommend for celebratory fun.

 

 

Night at the Rendon Stories: Photo Essay

Posted on by Diversions LA

Lit up and glowing, film project transformed the shell of the Rendon Hotel into a living, breathing entity, teaming with life. Listen to the opera unfold from a balcony, step inside the 22 activated rooms for a look at drag queens, psychics, a wanna-be boxer, practicing violinist, chatty mother, strung out couple, man and his parrot, and so much more. An exciting mix of life, an urban dream, a low-rent, long-term hotel space spilling stories from it’s seams. Enjoy our Night at the Rendon.

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Step inside the speakeasy and hoist a few.

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Creators director Ralph Ziman and creative director Maria Greenshields-Ziman with the ultimate production coordinator, Cindy Schwartzstein from Cartwheel Art.

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An operatic opening hit the high notes.

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Artists, writers, dancers, singers, performers of all kinds find a temporary home.

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Fighters, lovers, family, friends…

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Psychic predicts; a murderer is investigated.

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Next door, things are tranquil among friends…

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…as voyeur/attendees wait their turn to see inside.

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  • Genie Davis; PHOTOS by Jack Burke

Carolee Rainey Tells Listeners to Feel Fearless.

Posted on by Diversions LA
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With powerful melody and strong, anthemic voice, Carolee Rainey’s Feel Fearless EP offers a positive and life-affirming message. Exuberant and joyful, Rainey gives folk rock a jubilant spin.

 

Evoking comparisons with Stevie Nicks and Ricki Lee Jones, Rainey is nothing if not uplifting. The songs on her potent debut mini-album reflect inspirational and empowering messages lyrically, while the music is solid, strongly singable, and will delightfully lodge in listeners internal musical repertoire for a long time.

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Philosophically, Rainey says she views life as a journey – “get on the train and ride with me…got a lot of room for my new audience…you on board?” She asks that listeners tune in to her songs because “they’ve got life, wisdom and lightness even if they can get rather lonely and dark. What can you do? We all live in our private villages.”

All the same, Rainey, who has worked as a visual artist as well as a singer-songwriter and exhilarating performer, knows how to connect her audience and with it. Take in the gypsy-like joy in “Mystic Rose,” or the spiritual bliss in “Listen to the River,” and any personal inclination toward isolation will dissolve in the infectious pleasure that Rainey clearly takes in her work. The latter tune, inspired by a location in Big Sur, Calif. that has captivated the artist, has a definite LA-vibe. The now East Coast-based musician says “My heart may be in winter, but my soul is in the sun,” a sentiment that comes through vibrantly in this cut. Her song “Feel” is equally emotional, cutting to the quick of both loss and joy.
The mini-album’s first single, “Deal with the Devil” is the most rock-like tune; but the over-riding theme of the record is simply to create work that is both positive and thoughtful while being musically fun.
Tight backing musicians create compulsively listenable support to Rainey, including Doug Yowell, Richard Hammond, Thad DeBrock, and Clifford Carter on acoustic piano and keys.
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Rainey says she was inspired to cut her record while attending a Rickie Lee Jones concert. Working as a painter, she found that “virtually one day, I just didn’t have the calling to wake up and create from a blank canvas…it was a transformation that was filled with angst about what my next creative endeavor would be…” until she attended the concert. She found Jones’ performance galvanizing, and immediately began to write her own songs. “It was the next stop on the train for me,” she says.
Get on board with Rainey’s “tracks” and see where her journey takes you. The EP drops the end of April. Follow Rainey on Facebook for the latest release news. Check out her sound and look on YouTube.
– Genie Davis; photos via Carolee Rainey music