FEB 1: FINANCIALLY HUNG’S SECOND ANNUAL GAME DAY AT THE WORLD FAMOUS PLAYBOY MANSION; EVENT BENEFITS CALIFORNIA POLICE YOUTH CHARITIES

Featured Event Listing - TLR Event of the Week
Posted by Don Rose

Admit it. You've always wanted to spend a day at the Playboy Mansion. To surround yourself with Playmates and Hollywood celebrities while enjoying great food and drinks, plus A-list entertainment -- and all for a very worthy cause. Well now is your chance! And you get to do it on the biggest sports day of the year: Super Bowl Sunday. Yes, on February 1, 2009 you can join Hollywood’s hottest celebrities, professional athletes and Playboy Playmates along with hosts Brande Roderick (Playboy Playmate and Baywatch Babe) and over 20 Playmates to celebrate the Game Day while supporting the California Police Youth Charities.

The day long festivities will be held at the world famous PLAYBOY MANSION. This remarkable and interactive event will entertain guests with a performance by Bret Michaels of Poison and Rock of Love and Strawberry Blonde, entertainment provided by Girlicious, special guest DJ, Playboy’s 50th Anniversary Playmate Colleen Shannon, performance art by David Garibaldi, 20 painted models with your favorite football teams, photo ops with Playboy Bunnies, swimming in the world famous grotto and pool, professional massages throughout the day, open bar, Game Day style food, hand rolled Cuban cigars, dancing and networking.

Financially Hung is in the business of professional social networking. Striving to help business professionals meet qualified contacts and achieve their goals in an exciting and stimulating environment. “We provide our members with an online community to network outside of the normal business day” says founder Brande Roderick. Members are extended invitations to the most posh and lavish events. Financially Hung members experience life the way every rock star, movie star, pro-ball player and VIP lives.

Expected celebrities to attend: Brande Roderick, Bret Michaels, Traci Bingham, Angelica Bridges, Glen Cadrez, Colleen Shannon, Girlicious, Strawberry Blonde, Alfonso Ribeiro, Brandon Molale, Cole Hauser, Eddie Steeples, Elizabeth Berkley, George Gray, Grant Show, Pauly Shore, Rick Fox, Robin Bain, Tera Patrick and many more.

California Police Youth Charities builds relationships between the law enforcement community and California youth. They strive to provide opportunities for youth through various resources throughout the state of California. Creating scholarships and funding various youth activities in each of California’s counties shall accomplish this. It is their goal to keep California’s youth involved in productive activities run by positive role models.

Event hours are from 2:00 pm – 10:30 pm. Early arrival is strongly suggested! VIP Cabanas are available for $25,000, VIP Tables available for $10,000, General Tickets available for $1,500. For additional information please visit www.GameDayatthePlayboyMansion.com. (Promo Code: CEG).

JAN 31: Edwardian Ball Descends on Downtown LA for the First Time at Tower Theater

Posted by Don Rose

Paradox Media, Vau de Vire and Cirque Berzerk presents The Edwardian Ball - Los Angeles on Saturday, January 31, 2009. A splendid San Francisco tradition flies south for the winter, presenting an elegant, turn of the century celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus arts, DJs, ballroom dance, fashion, technology, and of course, the art and stories of Edward Gorey.

Held in the historic Tower Theater, and hosted by LA's own big top phenomenon Cirque Berzerk in partnership with Edwardian Ball co-creators Rosin Coven and Vau de Vire Society, the night promises an unforgettable blend of audience and performance with humor, darkness, and style. Also featuring Helios Jive, DJ Xian (LADEAD), Jill Tracy, Miz Margo, Dark Garden Corsetry, and many special guests.

Tower Theater is located at 802 S. Broadway, downtown Los Angeles, CA 90014.

Doors open and show begins at 8:00pm, and all ages are welcome.

Costumed attire is requested!

General admission tickets cost $25, and a limited amount of $75 VIP tickets are available that include reserved balcony seating and hosted absinthe bar, courtesy of Obsello Absinthe (21+ only). Tickets can be purchased at Necromance (7208 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323-931-2997).

For more information and online tickets, please visit www.edwardianball.com.
For more information on the venue call 213-629-2939 or visit www.towertheaterla.com.

Since 1999 The Edwardian Ball has steadily grown from an underground club phenomenon into a full-fledged festival of arts and culture, focusing on the esteemed works of the late, great author/illustrator Edward Gorey. Now, with the blessings of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust, this one-night-only Los Angeles event of everything under the midnight sun reaches across cultural boundaries to include audiences of all ages and backgrounds, where literary fans are as welcome as goth club goers, where the high flying trapeze and steam-powered machines create the backdrop for elegantly dressed ballgoers waltzing their way into the antique portrait studio. Event producer/founder, Justin Katz, muses, “No one city can contain this celebration where the old-world meets the world-to-be with an unforgettable tip of the top hat, curtsey, and a splash of absinthe poured over a silver spoon… So we’re thrilled to bring the Ball to LA.” For almost a decade, The Edwardian Ball has been featuring Gorey tales brought to life on stage.

A truly prodigious and original artist, Edward St. John Gorey (1925-2000), gave to the world over one hundred works, including The Gashlycrumb Tinies, The Doubtful Guest and The Wuggly Ump; prize-winning set and costume designs for innumerable theater productions from Cape Cod to Broadway; a remarkable number of illustrations in publications such as The New Yorker and The New York Times, and in books by a wide array of authors from Charles Dickens to Edward Lear, Samuel Beckett, John Updike, Virginia Woolf, H.G. Wells, Florence Heide and many others. His well-known animated credits for the PBS Mystery series have introduced him to millions of television viewers. Gorey's masterful pen and ink illustrations and his ironic, offbeat humor have brought him critical acclaim and an avid following throughout the world (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Gorey).

Heralding dozens of various performers, Cirque Berzerk has been performing since 2005. Spearheaded by husband and wife team Kevin Bourque and Suzanne Bernel, Cirque Berzerk is a tight-knit family of performers who have banded together to put their unique spin on the face of contemporary circus theater. Complete with their own big top tent (and still buzzing from their sold-out, multi-weekend “Beneath” shows at the Los Angeles State Historic Park in summer 2008), they have performed for various types of events and clients including Carmen Elektra’s New Year’s Eve Bash at Paramount Studios, Best Buy, PlayStation3 Computer Entertainment System and a host of private shows at locations ranging from nightclubs to the Ritz Carlton. The troupe’s signature style blends hardcore circus choreography with the glamorous themes of cabaret and vaudeville. Stunts include aerial performance, contortion, various stunts involving fire and incredible stilt action. More information on Cirque Berzerk is found at http://www.cirqueberzerk.com/.

A hidden gem in downtown LA's Broadway movie palace district, The Tower Theater was the first theater designed by renowned architect S. Charles Lee. The Tower opened in 1927 as the first movie palace in downtown LA wired for sound films, and was the sneak preview location for the Warner Brothers' classic, The Jazz Singer (1927). The theater's opulent exterior and interior feature French Renaissance motifs with lavish Spanish, Romanesque and Moorish influences. Popular with film industry location scouts but rarely used for live events, the venue owners saw how special this production was and on January 31st so will enthralled audience members.

JAN 22-25: ART LA RETURNS TO SANTA MONICA AT NEW LARGER VENUE: BARKAR HANGAR

Featured Event Listing - posted by Don Rose

ART LA, the New Los Angeles International Contemporary Art Fair, takes place this year at the Barkar Hangar, located within the Santa Monica Airport complex. A preview reception takes place January 22, 2009, to benefit MOCA (the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles). Then, regular hours run January 23 - 25. The fair presents a select roster of 60 top international and Los Angeles based galleries representing an informed cross-section of today's contemporary art trends and directions.

The exhibiting galleries at ART LA are an even balance of established blue chip and emerging galleries, all presenting the most progressive, international art work being produced today. Half of the exhibitors hail from the immediate Los Angeles area, and half are from the United States and abroad.

The fair is designed to spotlight the Los Angeles art scene and its prominence within current international artistic trends. The fair brings influential international galleries and their artists work for the interested art patron and collector alike to enjoy. The finest examples of contemporary art work will be available for view and sale.

The weekend of ART LA 2009 has been expanded to include a full auxiliary programming series. Special exhibitions, performances, conversations and premiere film screenings will be staged at the Barker Hangar and throughout the city during the run of the fair.

The official Art LA 2009 website can be found here:
http://www.artfairsinc.com/artla/2009/index.html

Public Fair Dates and Hours

Friday, January 23, 11am-7pm
Saturday, January 24, 11am-7pm
Sunday, January 25, 11am-6pm
1-day pass $15
3-day pass $25
Tickets are available for purchase at the box office during the run of the fair.
Advanced tickets may be purchased on-line.

Buy Tickets

Opening Night

Thursday, January 22
6:30-10:30pm
The ART LA 2009 opening night reception benefits the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA). For additional Opening Night Reception infomation call 213.633.5361 or email mwilson@moca.org.

Buy Opening Benefit Tickets

SUNDAY JOY: BEAR RIDES HORSE (PHOTO OF THE WEEK)

A metaphor for us all. If two species can get along, why can't one?

FILM REVIEW: "JOE DICK" - DELIGHTFUL DEBUT COMEDY FROM STAR/DIRECTOR GREG LINDSAY; COULD BE NEXT BEN STILLER

by Don Rose

Joe Dick is a daring, delightfully funny first feature from actor/star/director Greg Lindsay, who is not afraid to blend multiple comedic styles to achieve his goal: delivering the most funny from each scene. The chemistry between Lindsay and his Owen-Wilson-esque co-star is near perfect, and there are two sequences in the film that had me laughing so hard I was crying. An impressive debut from a rising talent all should keep their eyes on.

Look for Joe Dick to be released to the general public soon. Greg could just be the next Ben Stiller. Seriously. Funny: it's Greg's middle name. Not surprising, given his Second City pedigree. A name to watch in 2009 and beyond.

EVENT REPORT: ECO GIFT FESTIVAL 2008 (BEST BET FOR 2009)

Posted by Don Rose

Once again, the Eco Gift Festival was held mid-December at the Santa Monica Civic and was a huge success. Over 9800 attendees soaked up the sights and sounds, partaking in organic culinary delights, learning about green products, buying ecofriendly gifts, and meeting like-minded caring eco-individuals. Tommy Rosen and Eco Gift LLC presented the groundbreaking event, offering consumers one-stop shopping with over 150+ leading green companies presenting innovative green gifts, plus an Organic Food Court, Children's Stage, live music and a Speaker Series with leading Eco-Preneurs and Visionaries.

Many celebs came by and/or performed during the weekend of the fest, including Jackson Browne, Lisa Ling, Arianna Huffington, Daphne Zuniga, Val Kilmer, Stephen Collins, Faye Grant and more. Jackson appeared unexpectedly to perform with Tom Freund. Lisa is building an eco-friendly, solar-paneled home and attended to check out new alternative products to enhance an eco-living lifestyle.

Speakers included: Arianna Huffington (Founder-Huffington Post), Michael Brune (Executive Director-Rainforest Action Network), Josh Tickell (award-winning filmmaker "Fuel"), Shallom Berkman (Founder-Urth Caffe), Blake Mycoskie (Founder, Tom's Shoes), Eco-designer Linda Loudermilk, Tom Szaky (Co-Founder TerraCycle), Susan Olsen, aka Cindy Brady on the Children's stage. John Marshall Roberts ("Igniting Inspiration, A Persuasion Manual for Visionaries") Mallika Chopra "The Power of Intent to Affect Global Wellness" plus more.
Musical performances included: Tom Freund, Chris Pierce, Jillian Speer and The Luminaries.

Some of the many wonderful vendors Included:

- Tom’s Shoes - Toms shoes was born in 2006. The concept being simple: You buy a pair of shoes from Toms- they donate a pair to a child in need. In November, 2007, Tom's Shoes hand placed 50,000 pair of shoes on children in South Africa.

- Terracycle – Tom Szaky, Founder, coined the term “Upcycling.” Takes garbage and “upcycles it” into products.

- Cool Planet Jewelry – Founder Jerry Cope has created a line of Jewelry (Recycled Silver,
Gold and Platinum) and gives 100% of his profits to stopglobalwarming.org.

- Solio – Solar Powered Chargers that power your handheld devices and computers.

- To-Go Ware - Ever go to a deli and need a plastic fork, knife spoon? To-Go Ware founder has stylish and beautiful bamboo flatware that you take with you wherever you go. NEVER USE PLASTIC AGAIN!

- Lucky Earth Waterless Carwash – Just like it sounds. Wash your car without water. The LA Report especially loves this product and concept.

- New Leaf Paper – Saving trees with every sheet.

- Linda Loudermilk – Eco Fashion Pioneer with a significant brand awareness.

- Mr. Ellie Pooh – Paper Products made out of Elephant Poop in order to protect the
endangered Elephant Population.

And, by the way, the Festival was a 'zero waste' event, meaning they truly practice what they preach. 10% of the profits from the show will be donated to select Los Angeles charities, including GLOBAL GREEN USA.

The LA Report gives the Eco Gift Festival a Best Bet rating (in other words, don't miss it when it returns in December 2009!).

JAN 9-10: GBK TO HOST ARTFUL GIFT SUITE HONORING 2009 GOLDEN GLOBES AWARD NOMINEES AND PRESENTERS

Featured Event - Posted by Don Rose

Famed GBK Gift Suite to Benefit Actor Isiah Washington’s Gondobay Manga Foundation; Homeless Not Toothless; Educating Young Minds; Hollywood Note Foundation

Los Angeles (December 29, 2008) - - GBK (www.gbkproductions.com), the luxury lifestyle gift suites and special events company, will honor the 2009 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters with its 4th Annual GBK Golden Globes Suite on January 9 & 10, 2009 at the 9900 Club (9900 S. Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills) from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm daily. GBK, the recipient of BizBash’s 2006 Award for Emmy’s “Best Gift Bag,” will once again offer invited guests an opportunity to experience an artful array of products, services and beauty treatments, and the Nominees and Presenters will be able to walk away with more than $50,000 in gifted luxury items, travel and beauty packages. Gavin B. Keilly, Owner and CEO of GBK, states, “We are looking forward to not only honoring the 2009 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters, but also we’re very excited to introduce them to our benefiting charities and the brands taking part of our Suite. It’s a ‘win-win’ for all involved.”

To honor their continued commitment to charitable giving, GBK will donate 20% of its profits from this year’s suite to four specially chosen charities: Actor/Activist Isiah Washington’s Gondobay Manga Foundation; Homeless Not Toothless; Educating Young Minds & Hollywood Note Foundation. Additionally, each charity will be given a GBK celebrity gift bag from this year’s Golden Globes Suite (valued at over $35,000) so they’ll be able to auction off the bag at future fundraisers to garner more awareness and funds for their individual causes.

Situated right around the block from the Beverly Hilton Hotel where the Golden Globes Awards will be telecast, GBK’s Gift Suite at the 9900 Club will be a convenient place for presenters and nominees to visit. Celebrities invited guests will have the opportunity feast upon artful pleasures meant to enhance the mind, body and soul, and they’ll take home GBK’s exclusive gift bag filled with one-of-a-kind artwork, health and beauty procedures, trendy fashions and accessories, trips and much, much more.

Some of this year’s fantastic highlights include the opportunity to be gifted with pieces from some of the most amazing artists in the world including JEFF OWEN METAL SCULTPURES; and JROK DESIGN which will be doing 'Exclusive Custom Collages' where the personalized aspect of the artwork will represent the celebrities own, style, flavor, influence…in essence, the greatest work of art of all because you dreamed it (valued at $25,000). Other outstanding products and services include: attending ROCK N ROLL FANTASY CAMP (valued at over $8,000) where the camp allows you to move from spectator to the stage; sharing the limelight with rock n roll royalty including Duff McKagan (Guns n Roses/Velvet Revolver), Bruce Kulick (KISS), and other legends; Getting DNA TSTING thru DNA ANCESTRY so Nominees & Presenters can know their own, personal heritage; receiving a gift certificate to the only 5 star and new DAKOTA MOUNTAIN LODGE HOTEL in Park City, Utah (over $3000 for 3 Night Stay); Receiving a year’s worth of medical facials, botox, restalyn and other services from BEVERLY HILLS PLASTIC SURGERY Inc.

Other great products include high end rose gold necklaces and rings from renown Israeli Jewelry Designer DAVID TISHIBI; eco-friendly kids toys and furniture from JENNY BECS TOY STORE, DX HANDBAGS, SHARE BUDS patented ear phones that allows two people to listen to the same MP3 player at the same time; HOPE JEANS, a clothing line for kids and dogs, ORIGINAL BELLY WORKS, YOGA PRO, VEEMA NUTRITION COMPANY, EARRING-AID, SURE FOOT CUSTOM SKIBOOTS (Valued at over $900.00), and one-of-a-kind salt lamps from ROCK OUR WORLD. Lastly, guests will also be pampered with on-site beauty treatments and beauty products such as hair extensions from HAIRLOCS (valued at over $3,000); MISTURA BEAUTY makeovers, REVITIALASH eye lash conditioner; METROPOLIS high end curling and flat irons; and other surprises…

GBK, formerly GBK Productions, is a luxury lifestyle gifting and special events company, specializing in entertainment marketing integration. Formed in 2000 by Gavin B. Keilly, the company’s Founder and CEO, GBK consists of five divisions: GBK Celebrity Gifting Suites; GBK Giftbags; GBK Events; GBK Weddings; and GBK Charitable Consulting. Widely known in the entertainment industry for bringing that little extra something into the Gifting Suites environment, GBK offers it’s clients a full range of marketing services. For more information on Gavin B. Keilly or GBK, please go to gbkproductions.com.

For More Information on THE GONDOBAY MANGA FOUNDATION , go to www.gondobaymangafoundation.org.

For More Information on HOMELESS NOT TOOTHLESS, go to homelessnottoothless.org.

For More Information on EDUCATING YOUNG MINDS, go to educatingyoungminds.org.

For More Information on HOLLYWOOD NOTE FOUNDATION, go to hollywoodnotefoundation.org.

JAN 20: "ART OF CHANGE" OBAMA INAUGURATION PARTY AT THE MAYAN

Featured Event - Posted by Don Rose

Tuesday January 20, 2009 is a day that will make history.
Here in LA, that night should prove to be historic, too.

While D.C. will certainly be "Change Central" as we welcome a new President into office, we in Los Angeles have a great way to celebrate as well. It's an event called "Art of Change" -- the West Coast Presidential Inaugural Ball featuring The Mutaytor.

The Art of Change Inaugural Ball – Los Angeles celebrates a new spirit in our government. The producers of the Ball purposely kept ticket prices low (only $10!) to encourage an inclusive celebration.

Here is the official press release, with more info:

"Art of Change Inaugural Ball – Los Angeles” Featuring The Mutaytor at The Mayan, Presented by Wonderland adVentures - Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The “Art of Change Inaugural Ball – Los Angeles” brings artists and creative thinkers from all communities together to celebrate the swearing in of President Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The revelry will take place in Downtown LA at the beautiful Mayan featuring The Mutaytor as well as DJ Motion Potion, DJ Wolfie, a surprise special guest performer TBA, and others. Creative formal attire is encouraged! Located at 1038 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015, to learn more about the venue please call 213-746-4674 or visit http://www.clubmayan.com.

Doors open at 7:00pm and guests 21-years old or older are welcome. Tickets cost $10 and an advance purchase is highly recommended as the event is expected to sell out the Mayan’s 1,500-person capacity. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit http://www.wonderlandadventuresinc.com.

The time-line for the evening is as follows:-
7:00pm – Doors open, tunes provided by SF's DJ Motion Potion (www.motionpotion.com), dine on healthy, organic fare catered by Carbon Grill (separate cost), a farmers market favorite-
8:00pm – Rebroadcast of President Obama’s Inauguration Speech in HD on six BIG SCREENS. DJ Motion Potion spins until 9:30pm-
9:30pm – The Mutaytor (http://mutaytor.com) takes the stage for their celebratory theatrical extravaganza, hot off the heals of their San Francisco New Year’s Eve show (with Thievery Corporation and Bassnectar) with extra special musical and visual surprises to salute our new President-
10:30pm – An "Extra Special Guest Artist" takes the stage and rocks out until we cant stand up anymore (around midnight)-
12midnight – DJ Wolfie (www.djwolfie.com) brings it home for those who want to party into the wee hours (wrap up by 2:00am)

Visuals for the evening will be provided by VJ Victorious (www.myspace.com/evictor) from Visual Symphony (as seen at Coachella), who will be doing a commemorative audio/visual display unveiled for the first time at the Art of Change Inaugural Ball. Lighting designer extraordinaire Dan Reed, is on board to light the show for the evening. Reed lit the Democratic National Convention when Obama and Senator Joe Biden accepted their party’s nomination in Denver, as well as Obama’s acceptance speech on November 4th in Chicago. Reed has also worked in key theatrical lighting positions on the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys and so much more.

At the outset of our 43rd President’s term, he may well be labeled ‘The Artist’s President.’ As the author of two best-selling books – Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama uniquely appreciates the role and value of creative expression. Observing that our nation’s creativity has filled the world’s libraries, museums, recital halls, movie houses, and marketplaces with works of genius, he agrees that the arts embody the American spirit of self-definition.During Obama’s and Biden’s campaign they ran on a platform in support of the arts and pledge to:- Reinvest in Arts Education- Expand Public/Private Partnerships Between Schools and Arts Organizations- Create an Artist Corps- Publicly Champion the Importance of Arts Education- Support Increased Funding for the NEA- Promote Cultural Diplomacy- Provide Health Care to Artists- Ensure Tax Fairness for Artists

The "Art of Change Inaugural Ball – Los Angeles" celebrates this new spirit in our government. The producers of the Ball purposely kept ticket prices low ($10) to encourage an inclusive celebration.

The Mutaytor is part hip-grinding techno-retro-funk, part audience-interactive post-modern circus. The act takes drastically advanced elements of the Grateful Dead, Parliament-Funkadelic, the Crystal Method, Louis Prima and Blue Man Group and throws them directly at the audience as riotous surreal entertainment notable for "turning Civilians into Rockstars." The sound is tight, the show manic, the vibe all-inclusively friendly. They are on stage, above the audience, IN the crowd. There's nothing like the Mutaytor in show business today and they'll probably have to spin off parts of itself in order to have any competition in the future.Motion Potion aka Robbie Kowal is one of the Bay Area's hardest working, most innovative, and versatile DJs. Alternately called the DJ for people who hate DJs (SF Weekly) and the "Swiss Army DJ," he seems to have something for everyone. Funk impresario, mashup enthusiast, and live collaborator with such bands as Parliament-Funkadelic, the Mutaytor and Galactic, his career has been defined by an attempt to break down genre and scene barriers, playing every conceivable kind of music in the course of a night, a set, or a seven-minute mash-up. His own mix CD's range wider than most label's catalogs; live mixes that range from underground hip hop to electronic breaks to world fusion to rare southern rock. Legends such as Isaac Hayes, Dr John, and Maceo Parker have all called upon “Mopo” to open their shows and rock their set-breaks.DJ Wolfie headlines parties from coast to coast, both in mainstream venues and the underground circuit. In 2008 he played at Coachella Music Festival on the bill with Prince and Roger Waters, at The Optimus Alive festival in Portugal with Rage Against the Machine, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young, and at The All Points West Festival in New York with Radiohead, Underworld, and Jack Johnson. His music features a broad range of funky tunes with ass shaking beats. He throws some of the wildest invitation-only events in Los Angeles, regularly packing in 1000 or more people to artistically fueled musical extravaganzas.

Recap: The Mayan is the location for the Art of Change event.
Downtown - 1038 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015
http://www.clubmayan.com/ 213-746-4674 $10 21+.
Some event highlights:
- Re-screening Obama's Inauguration Speech on the BIG SCREEN
- Healthy food from Carbon Grill (a farmers market favorite)
- SF's DJ Motion Potion (http://www.motionpotion.com/),
VJ Victorious from Visual Symphony
(as seen at Coachella -http://www.eyepscience.com/),
The Mutaytor (http://mutaytor.com/),
DJ Wolfie (http://www.djwolfie.com/) and an
"Extra Special Guest DJ".
Tickets:
http://inaugural.beticketing.com/