I've been to Do Something Blue three times now (since it's only a once-a-month dance) but I've…read moreloved it each time. The only problem is that I always have to leave earlier than I want to because I live farther away from here than from almost any other dance venue I go to. DSB generally has more traditional blues music (not super traditional, as I understand it, but certainly not fusion). Usually I'm more of a fan of fusion myself, but somehow I generally find myself liking the music they play here, whoever the DJ is. The people here are also great. Usually it takes me a while to start feeling connected at a new location, but my first time here, I was already making new friends who I look forward to seeing each month now (if I don't see them at LindyGroove or another dance venue first). There's also a free lesson before the social dancing starts, in case you're new to blues dancing, or want to solidify some of the more foundational concepts of the dance. For these lessons they try to get some of the well-known blues teachers from the area. This past Friday, the lesson was led by Tim O'Neill, a blues instructor who teaches around the world! If you're in L.A. on the last Friday of the month, come check it out! I'll see you there!

Cover: $8 Lesson: 8:30pm…read moreDancing: 10:00pm - 2:30am! Remember, it's just a dance. This is an amazing event. Blues dancing is somewhat inspired by swing, but it is slow, and sexy. Anyone can blues dance, it's really all about the music, and what it tells your body to do. It's about a connection between you and your partner, and it is about two people sharing the same space, and truly becoming one fluid entity. If you like to dance and have never tried blues dancing, I highly recommend coming here for the lesson. Blues dancing is very slow, very close, and very sensual. You have to be comfortable with yourself, with other people, and with your body in order to enjoy this dance. I suggest bringing a date if you are not willing to be up close and personal with a stranger. The lessons are always unique, and the teachers are fantastic (different every time). If you don't know what blues dancing is, you should come to the lesson. If you are a swing dancer and you've never tried blues, you should come to the lesson. If you are one of the world's most experienced blues dancers, you should still probably come to the lesson (or consider teaching one). No two people dance blues in the same way. If it is your birthday this month, sign up at the web site and you can get in for free (but you have to do it by 11pm on Wednesday before the dance) some videos of blues dancers: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=520627305937149692&q=blues+dance http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5202395314986753602&q=blues+dancing http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2930266575907376504&q=blues+dancing http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1661364896790069779&q=blues+dance&ei=we0PSOfCFZHk4AKL982zBA

I have been to Paris, once, but that still counts. I climbed the Eiffel tower at night with the…read morelights glowing. I have seen the Mona Lisa and was impacted by her smile that seemed to move on its own. And ever since then I have loved Parisian culture because, after that trip, I understood that the city of lights producses so much to love and adore. It is the city that empowered Quasimoto to find his inner beauty. It is the city that had a rat control a human via its hair. It is the city that gifted the world with croissant and funny mustaches. It is the city that gave us french cheese, a queen who let others eat cake, and the guillotine because, I mean, what would a Tale of Two cities be without a guillotine. In short, I can can for gay Paree. Thus, it was only natural to attend a Bastille Day celebration to pay homage to the city of lights and butter. This celebration, I can describe as a capsule celebration. Meaning that the day did not have parades or avenue closures in its name. All the celebration was centered in this courtyard. If one has not attended the plaza, then imagine a micro Hollywood bowl. Meaning that if the Hollywood Bowl was a cupcake, this place would be a tic-tac, not a gum drop. But still, with the festivities of Bastille lighting the spot, it became a firework on display. This might seem obvious but I really enjoyed sitting on the courtyards steps and hearing french music from the stage. And I did not just like the music because it heard good, but also what it produce amongst some of the attendants-- a light-hearted frivolity that could only be expressed in melody and jaunty step. The singers explained that they were about to sing a classic french song. One that paid homage to its famous avenue: Champs-Élysées. As they were hearing words that I could barely recognized, a woman behind me started to sing as well. I turned back, we made eye contact and for a second she serenated me with the words Champs-Élysées. I felt her love for her land in her words. For a micro-second that lasted french minutes, I was back in the land of french cheese and pastries. The note she carried in her song were the tickets I needed to see Paris, even briefly again. I also saw the dancers. Not paid ones. Regular people dancing in front of the stage. I saw a man and a woman dance care free amongst many. He twirled her. She followed. It was melody in movement. Their joyful moves were mine as well. I experienced love for the French countryside through their dance. I guess national pride is contagious. The singers also played a song in English but with a French Accent. L is for the way you look tonight. It was a great afternoon. I also have no power to resist buying stuff at festivals. So I bought some french breads and a charcuterrie board. Me and my friend had it later as a snack, and it was the morsels that make Paris great. This review was tied to Bastille day. But I incldued a picture of all the different concerts. If you want a suggestion, grab a picnic lunch from very nearby Grand Central Market and experience your own music choice amonst DTLA buildings. Remember that moment is someone else dream.

It isn't summer in LA until you catch one of the free concerts put on by the city. Grand…read morePerformances is one of those spaces and year after year, they have a solid lineup of talented artists, musicians and DJs. Located at the California Plaza, the space is in the courtyard where this is a huge outdoor stage, state-of-the-art sound and light equipment and an area for seating. The shows has drawn such huge crowds that they have added seats, and a special section for members and donors. This time around, they have added a beer garden upstairs and covered communal tables. No matter where you sit, you will be able to hear the music. Bring portable seating and your picnic basket (or support local businesses that stay open during these events. 2026 and parking is now $10 CASH or $18 with a card that you pay upon leaving. This is an LA tradition everyone should at least try once!

I had a wonderful evening at The Ice House! The comics were very humorous and the atmosphere was…read moreeasy-going.

My first time at this comedy club and we had a great time! I…read moredidn't realize they served food here too so we actually had dinner before our show. Ended up ordering a drink and a dessert each to meet the 2 item minimum. We got the cheesecake the and dessert nachos and both were excellent. As for drinks, I ended up getting a spicy margarita mocktail and my partner got a regular margarita. Our drinks took forever to arrive, and when it did, I realized that my mocktail had alcohol in it. Since the drink was kinda sweet, you dont really taste the alcohol at first, but I started getting the Asian flush so there was definitely alcohol in it. Not a big deal for me since I dont mind the alcohol, but I'd imagine this could be serious for people who are avoiding alcohol (Allergies, pregnancy etc). Other than that, the venue is great. Intimate vibes, great setting, clean establishment, good AC :P Will return again!

Jazz, people-watching, and a full-on summer vibe…read more First time at Jazz at LACMA, and somehow I really thought getting there at 5 for a 6 p.m. start was gonna put me ahead. Parking? Still annoying. I got lucky and found a lot with one space left, but $20 for parking definitely deserves a mention because paying for parking is always a little painful. Even getting there an hour early, it was already extremely crowded. I was very glad I brought lawn chairs, a blanket, and snacks because while they do have food trucks, the food options felt pretty limited for the amount of people there. By the time I got settled, I was pretty far from the actual music. I could hear it just fine, but actually seeing the performers was another story. The vibe Now that part was absolutely worth it. Being outside on a summer night, listening to great music, surrounded by families, couples, friends, and beautifully dressed people just enjoying themselves... it really was such a vibe. Some people had full picnic setups with blankets, tables, food, wine, charcuterie, the whole thing. It was so cute seeing couples posted up, having their little summer night. And me? I was perfectly happy people-watching because I love an art crowd anyway, and adding jazz culture to it just made it even better. The style, the energy, the atmosphere... just a really lovely way to spend a night. Final thoughts If you go, come prepared. Bring chairs, bring snacks, and definitely expect a crowd. It may not be the best setup if your goal is actually seeing the performers up close, but if you're there for the music, the people, and the overall experience, it's absolutely worth it. First time definitely won't be my last. Such a good summer night.

I will be here off and on every Friday night this summer. It's too fun! But you have to come…read moreearly. Otherwise it's Jae's to find a place to sit.

Jazz = good. Mary b = should not drink. Apologies…read more I found a great street spot on Baldwin on a beautiful Sunday in Arcadia. Peacocks? Yes, beautiful exotic birds are walking down Baldwin Ave. eying the mall. It is not your imagination! I learned upon inquiry that these beautiful birds belong to the city and are given free reign to come and go as they please. -Neat. I enjoyed the Latin jazz that was my entrance to the park at 3 PM. The horn section had their act together and Latin percussion is... always awesome. I bought tickets (no cash taken at the booths) to spend on my lovely friends for treating me to this amazing concert. With discriminant eyes I perused the refreshments. Soul food? at a jazz fest? No brainer right? I sampled and shared barbecue rib platters with dirty rice and coleslaw. It was Kansas City style so the sauce was ridiculous good eating. I grabbed the first round of pomegranate margaritas for the girls and started the fire. A table was easy to come by so the we parked it, noshed, gossiped, giggled and listened to the aphrodisiac that live music is. The weather was perfect and the grass was the greenest right where were I was sitting. The air was electric where musicians mingled among us after an exit of stage right. Who put this lovely Riesling in my hand? Mary B! Everybody knows that you have no inhibitions to lose! Catching a buzz at a cool concert can only lead to mad trouble and will almost certainly lead to wild debauchery. This is why I love espresso! My favorite kind of jazz is dry, tricky and messy like the wind. I am immensely fond of the classic Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Cole Porter. Many of he acts commissioned by this festival, while phenomenally talented, were more of the "smooth jazz" variety made known to us by the likes of Kenny G. etc. Polished, refined and a little slick for my taste but there is something to learn and be heard at every concert and this one one was no exception. Each sound wave is one to be treated uniquely. The choir made a key change a cappella at approximately 8 PM. SWEET. *This is very tricky and requires an obscene amount of talent. the Soprano sax player's performance was perfect but he was "schooled" by the gospel singer's solo at approximately 9 PM. I danced in the aisles, sat on the steps and soaked up the energy. I may have been even flirtier that my usual flirty self. Forgive. Inspired, I hit the *record* button in my studio in the middle of the night with confidence that my skills to pay the bills were "all that". I hit playback at 6 AM this morning. It was anything but "all that"! Mary b should not be hitting the drink! Well done by all involved in organizing the seamless event at a stunning location. Mad props to all and the many hands that made it happen. Thanks for taking me with you Valerie! (OMG I love that girl!) Next year, no Riesling for Mary b so that she may take away a more inspired take ;-)

Stve W. and I attended the redwhite+bluezz Pasadena Jazz Fest on Saturday, August 28th courtesy of…read moreYelp. Getting there at 12:30 PM allowed us to gain great parking near the entrance at the steep price of $18. Later we found out you could park at Santa Anita Park for $12 and then take a free tram to the event. I had never been to the LA Arboretum before nor a jazz festival of this size outside of Orange County, so I found this event (because I generally love to go and see live music) and the location to be a treat. The Arboretum includes rolling hills, expansive lawn areas, fountains, trees, a few benches and a gang of roaming peacocks. I wasn't all that hungry so I drank lemonade, but Steven enjoyed a Greek beef gyro wrap from Neomeze and a diet coke. They were also selling assorted beer, wine and a ton of stuff I couldn't eat made with butter or milk like cobbler and garlic fries. It sounded good, but not for me. The set-up for the festival was great and it wasn't as busy as I thought it could have been. There were two stages, one main and a side stage which alternated between playing and set-up and they did a good job with the sound system. Surprisingly, the talent on the side stage was outstanding. I really enjoyed The Delgado Brothers second set which sounded a lot like Steve Windwood and G Mack & The Polyester Players which highlighted their two vocalists and three piece horn section. Right out of the gate they were getting the crowd on their feet and dancing the electric slide in front of the stage to Kool & The Gang's "Hollywood Swinging". There were also the obligatory vendors selling clothes, jewelry, things for house and home and then we found LA Weekly. They were giving away various ipod clings, summer event guides, copies of LA Weekly (of course) and these square packets of sunscreen that happened to be about the same size as condoms. While the concert was going on, I spotted a reporter for the Pasadena Star-News and he interviewed Steve and I about the festival. They only used what we said as general comments though about the high prices. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15928601?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews.com-www.pasadenastarnews.com Oi vey. If it wasn't for the ants, the weather that was too cold for me and the fact that we were told we could not go back and forth to get gear from the car, we could have stayed until the very end... We did get to see Everlast do a few songs though before I just couldn't take the cold and the dew anymore and called it a day after being there for something like 6 and a half hours. All in all, it was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon/evening.

Wonderful quaint venue! Saw Boney James here. No bad seat in the whole place. Very intimate…read moreatmosphere Bar seating or table seating with a price. Definitely going back for more wonderful evenings of jazz,

Jazz is for all. Jazz is for everyone. Jazz is for the people--but apparently only for a nice, high…read morepremium. This is the MO at Blue Note. They should call it Blue Greed, or perhaps, Blue Avarice. I came here with my partner for the first time this past weekend to see the great Alex Isley perform her first set at 7 PM on Sunday. She was wonderful, as always, and her band was great (although the instruments were mixed far too loudly and frequently drowned out her voice). Unfortunately, the performance was the only thing that made the evening worthwhile. The overall experience does not come remotely close to the value Blue Note believes it provides. There is little to no transparency about ticket types or what you actually get for them (guess again if you think you're getting your own table). The seating is horrendous: cramped, shoulder-to-shoulder communal tables meant for toddlers at Thanksgiving, often without even a direct line of sight to the stage. You have to practically turn yourself sideways--or completely around--to watch the artist you paid to see. And good luck getting to the bathroom. The food and beverage are subpar and cost the price of your kidney. Service is abysmal. And the crumpled, dirty table signage demanding a $20 minimum is downright cheap and tacky. Look, I get it. It's Hollywood. It's LA. It's the Blue Note. You're paying for the brand, the reputation, and the ability to draw artists you know and love. But that is precisely the problem: this place seems to have forgotten that the people buying those tickets are guests, not revenue streams. Blue Note doesn't seem to care about your comfort, your engagement, or your experience with the artist or the music you paid to see. It feels like a money-grab establishment trading almost entirely on its name and reputation--and knowing that people will continue to come regardless. Will this review move the needle? Probably not. And they know it. They're the Blue Note. They're too big to fail. And that's the saddest part. I damn well know I will never come here again. The price simply does not meet the value. Jazz deserves better. So do the people paying for it.

AMAZING! Local theater with top Broadway talent! We had the best time and will go sure be back!read more

The talent, care and passion that goes into the productions and growth of the Altadena Music…read moreTheater group is very impressive. While I wasn't able to see their first season/start with a production of Hair in Summer of 2022, I have instantly become a fan during this 2023 kick-off with a brilliant performance of Cabaret. From start to finish the lighting, sound, quality, directing and amazing cast and equally amazing live band (to back them up the entire show as well as entertain the audience with their skill) was one show I shan't forget. Cruz St James regaling us all with a beautiful opening number and leading great numbers such as Two Ladies, Money and If You Could See Her really elevates the word outstanding. Emily Lopez as thee Sally Bowles was terrific and her performance of the ballad of all ballads was moving very unique. Michael Thomas Grant as Clifford Bradshaw, fun, and quirky. Ursula Gueringer (Fraulein Schneider) and Craig Wright (Heir Schultz) really moved me. The Kit Kat Gals and Guys were all great especially my friend who turned me onto this show Avery Bass who sailored, kicked, flipped, moved, and often had some great one-liners. It was really cool to see the entire cast moving set pieces in and out and working together in sync not just like performers, but like a family. Absolutely hope to support more productions down the line and make the journey to their mainstage at the local Altadena Amphitheater. Q Tip: They do offer concessions and it's reasonable-ish, $40 for a bottle of wine, $10 for a glass, $5 for most snacks and other refreshments. They also seem to be great at getting local vendors to pair up with them but it's TBD show to show. Outside food is permitted and non-alcoholic beverages.

A friend invited me to CineVita for Teen Beat Live and I honestly had no idea what I was getting…read moremyself into. We parked in PS3 garage just around the corner from CineVita. There's a lot of development still happening in the area so the area around CineVita looked kind of rough but there was a dirt path lined with some trees to get to the venue which literally faces SoFi Stadium. I can't imagine how congested it would be if you had tickets to a show and there was also something going on a SoFi. Picnic area/bar/food stations were outside the venue. Concession stand and bar was also inside the venue. The queuing to get scanned in didn't make sense to me and felt like it took way longer than it should and it was not even that busy yet. They have mobile ordering at the table so I ordered a slice of Pepperoni pizza. I've seen comments saying the food isn't good, but it's more or less the same quality food at a movie theater or at the stadium. It was expensive and fine for what it was, but I fully expected that. One thing I'll say is the wine selection was pretty good and so was the liquor selection. Clearly they could tell that the audience attending CineVita was not your typical sporting event beer drinking crowd. Show was supposed to start at 7:30pm supposedly but didn't really start until 8pm. There was a quick intro speech highlighting the venue itself which is a Spiegel tent. Thought it was a pretty well made temporary structure. Seating for the shared tables was very crammed. So much that even the servers had trouble passing by which seemed not great in case of an emergency. Given the larger size of Americans, don't think these small tables should have more than 4 max at a table for the most optimal experience. There were 8 of us crammed at my table and it was a pretty uncomfortable experience. Fortunately I was in an aisle so was able to spill over into the aisle a bit, but I felt bad for the couple that was at the front of our table and on the other side who was wedged between people from two other tables. Nobody wants to be that close to each other! Performances for Teen Beat Live definitely were nostalgic for me as someone born in the 80s. Lots of great classic 80s songs were performed throughout the show and seeing this is LA, the performers were excellent! I definitely was dancing in my seat the entire time! Restroom facilities are a fancy porta potty that are very tight inside. Knowing the venue was a portable tent, I thought they had the nicest quality of porta potties at least. Overall a great experience. I hope they take guest feedback about seating and the overall flow getting into the venue into account and work out the kinks as I definitely think the concept itself has potential.

What a beautiful spot in a beautiful "tent"! The location would only be better if parking were…read moreeasier. But once you're there, the fountain of the sofi and the red carpet, make you feel special as you enter. The vibe is 80s cheesy fun and the crowd ate it up! The singers and dancers did an incredible job and deserved the standing ovation they received. The theme itself was fun but I think they can do more with a story. It felt very Vegas or cruise ship, instead of clever and quirky LA immersive plays. Drinks and food are pretty pricy but they sell off the pizzas for $10 at the end of the evening (which I appreciate).