Monday's Roaming at LACMA, Ed Ruscha: "Standard"

An exhibit of Ed Ruscha's works is on the top floor of the Broad building including the above works "Standard" which is the name of the show.  Ed Ruscha was born in in 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska but has lived much of his life in Southern California....now Culver City.  He is associated with the Pop art movement and worked in painting, printmaking, drawing, photography and film..  Some of the other works on display are of the Hollywood sign, lay outs of streets in L.A. and two films....one "Miracle" about the transformation of an auto mechanic while working on a 1965 Mustang.  The other movie is about a man eating Premium saltine crackers.
Like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, his artistic training started in commercial art.  This explains his interest in words that became the subject of his paintings of words or phrases...."Standard."

"The Book of Mormon" at the Pantages Theater

Colleen and I attended the production of "The Book of Mormon" at the amazing Pantages Theater on Sunday night.

It is always wonderful to be in the Pantages Theater...it is a show unto itself.  Built by Alexander Pantages in 1930...it was the last of the vaudeville show houses built just at the beginning of the Great Depression.  The Art Deco House, designed by B. Marcus Priteca, has been used as a theater and now as a home for great Broadway musical productions.  Howard Hughes bought it in 1949 as a part of his RKO movie theater group and moved his personal offices to the building's second floor.  From 1949 to 1959, the theater hosted the Academy Awards Ceremonies.

"The Book of Mormon" is a wild and fun musical about the lives of young men sent to Africa on their two year mission at age 19.  There is great energy in the bizarre happenings and performances of the young talented cast.

CicLAvia in LA on Sunday

Over 7 miles of streets leading into downtown LA were closed for 5 hours on Sunday for the twice a year CicLAvia event.  Over 100,000 people were in the streets on bicycles, skate boards and roller blades.  Colleen and I parked near Staples Center and road up Fig. over 7th and up Spring to City Hall.  We stopped at Louie's for lunch a great Italian modern restaurant and bakery on 7th.  Twas a KICK! It was a celebration of people, city and our community.  The next one is in April.  Get Ready!

The Midnight Mission Band played on Spring Street....great music!

Music at Grand Park across from City Hall

An interesting character keeping time to the music at the bar at Louie's

Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov at Zocolo Friday eve.

Gavin Newsom, our 44 year old Lt. Governor, was at Zocolo Public Square Friday night interviewed by Conan Nolan.  The event was held at Grand Park between City Hall,and the Music Center.  Newsom is the former mayor of San Francisco.  He was raised in San Francisco and graduated from Santa Clara University, a noted Jesuit college.  He started and runs the PlumpJack Wine Shop which has grown to numerous sites and over 700 employees in the restaurants, cafes and wine shops.  Although he sold his share of the S.F. business when he became mayor in 2004, he maintained his ownership in the companies outside San Francisco.

Newsom talked about Proposition 30 and his concerns that there will be $250 Million in CSU and UC budget cuts if it doesn't pass.  He agrees with Eli Broad that we need to overhaul the tax code...taxing services not just products.  However, right now we need the revenue from Proposition 30.  He is concerned that Proposition 38 , Molly Munger's funding for schools, will pass and this would not help the general budget.  He said that Education needs reform also.  For example, with the technology now available, it makes more sense to have the lectures viewed on line and that homework be done in groups in class rooms. Teaching online is the future.  UCLA is leading the way.  M.I.T. offers all courses online.

He also talked about the two California's:  Coastal and In Land.  For example, Imperial County has 29% unemployment.  San Bernardino and other cities in land are bankrupt.  He says that California needs an aggressive economic plan to promote California around the work and in this country as a great place to do business.  Other states are doing this.  He said that California's growth is stagnant, 1.3% down from 3.6% in 1980.

He also talked about how cities can get more done because they are less partisan.  He sited his "Care Not Cash" program for the homeless in S.F.  This moved many street people into shelters and housing.  Also the city Health care program for all city citizens.

He said we had the "Greatest Generation" who created and built and that now we have the "Grasshopper Generation" who ate up all the resources....leaving little remaining.  "We need an entrepreneur generation that builds resources again."  Yes, he is frustrated by the limited role of Lt. Governor and would like to be let loose to promote California's economy.  Conan Nolan said that governors want their Lt. Govs to act like "Sheltie Dogs" be loyal and in the back ground.  Newsom said that we would like to run for governor if Jerry Brown chooses not to seek a second term.  His role model is Bobby Kennedy who reached out to poor minorities.

Friday lunch at Tomayo's

Friend Bonnie and I returned to Tomayo's on East Olympic for great food, art, and service in this historic building. The setting is a piece of art surrounded by art.

Beethoven, Dudamel, and LA Phil at Disney on Thursday

It was a great night at the Disney Hall attending my first concert of the new season.  Gustavo Dudamel conducted the LA Phil in two works by Beethoven.  The first was the Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major. Op.15.  Norwegian, Leif Ove Andsnes, was the pianist and together with the orchestra they made beautiful music.  The 42 year old Andsnes has been described by The New York Times as "a pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight."  He so delighted the audience that he was called on to play an encore.

The second piece was Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op.55, "Eroica".  This was written in 1802 originally in admiration of Napoleon as "the savior of Europe."  Beethoven became disenchanted when Napoleon declared himself emperor so he changed the name to the "Eroica."

Dudamel was at his best leading the LA Phil without sheet music.  He jumped, lunged, and directed all the sections of the orchestra with feeling and exuberance.  The audience gave him and the Phil a standing ovation with shouts of "Bravo."  It was great to be back to the Disney, with Dudamel and this great orchestra.

Del Mar Beach Sculptures

Saturday lunch at beautiful Jakes Restaurant on the beach in Del Mar with Colleen, Penny, and Tom. Great food and amazing views of people playing on the playa.