Southern California Guide

A major coup by San Francisco’s  de Young Museum has resulted in the extraordinary exhibition of Picasso masterpieces directly from the Musee National Picasso in Paris.  The exhibit encompasses many of the most important art movements of the 20th century which Picasso was a part of including Expressionism, Cubism, Classicism and Surrealism. Pablo Picasso’s vastly […]

Both written and performed by multi-talented Tom Dugan, Nazi Hunter — Simon Wiesenthal is not a story of revenge but one of justice.  In the intimate setting of Theatre 40  in Beverly Hills, Simon Weisenthal came to life, portraying his last day in his office in Vienna  before retiring.  Wiesenthal,  an Austrian Jewish Holocaust survivor […]

Five very talented actresses, well chosen not only for their voices but also their persona, make the story, Having It All,  that much more believable.   The scene is the waiting room at JFK airport where five strangers from various walks of life initially trapped together due to delay after delay, become intimate friends.  A […]

The ten enormously talented and versatile men and women of Diavolo  had members of the audience holding our collective breath as we viewed their unique performance at the 2011 season opening of The Broad Stage.  The show combines  ballet, modern dance, gymnastics, martial arts and acrobatics enhanced by a dramatic musical score. Founded in Los […]

On Armistice Day in 1924, Alma de Bretteville Spreckels donated The Legion of Honor to the people of San Francisco honoring the Californians who died during World War I.  The massive complex houses a variety of  paintings, prints, porcelains, illustrated books and sculptures in a beautiful setting overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and a  few […]

With the emerging awareness of healthy  diets, many of us are taking things a step further, investigating hair and cosmetic products.  Quite by accident, I discovered the salon of my dreams.  My dear friend invited me to accompany her to an art exhibit in Silverlake, an artsy Los Angeles community, held, of all places, in […]

Known as one of California’s most picturesque and charming cities, the coastal community of Santa Barbara boasts a gorgeous climate, pristine beaches, marina, cultural venues, shopping and fine dining.  A pleasant drive to the nearby wine country gives visitors an opportunity to taste some of California’s fine wines from its more than 50 wineries and […]

Raul Esparza, Brooke Shields and a cast of more than 30 other shining stars lit up the stage of the Los Angeles Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre in the world premiere of Leap of Faith.  Adding to the glamor, members of the audience included the gorgeous Vanessa Williams, talented Ben Vereen and a host of other […]

On October 1, an incarnation of  Winston Churchill appeared on the stage of the intimate Whitmore/Lindley Theatre in North Hollywood.  The exceptional performance given by Edmund L. Shaff  made members of the audience feel that we were peering in to Churchill’s secret bunker beneath Whitehall in London as he pondered aloud  his 55 year career […]

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA) new Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition, designed by Renzo Piano, opens the weekend of October 2-3.  On that Saturday and Sunday, the public is invited to a Free Community Weekend.  The stunning 45,000 square foot Pavilion, situated just north of the Broad Contemporary Museum, is the largest […]

Convenient as a travel accessory or everyday use, this simple concept makes a lot of sense.  Instead of stuffing wallets with  phone cards, discount cards, bonus cards, loyalty cards and  gift cards , The Card Cache provides a simple remedy.  A small locked cable decorated with attractive charms and tabbed dividers provide the basics.  Just […]

Every seat in the casual, intimate Celebration Theatre in Hollywood was filled to capacity for the opening night (July 16) of the Los Angeles premiere of a new musical, “title of show.”  Fresh from Broadway, this unique musical is a show about making a musical created by and for people who love musicals, and the […]

One of my favorite summer outings is enjoying theatrical entertainment in the rustic Will Geer Theatre Botanicum in Topanga.  Over the weekend I viewed a fascinating play about the famous opera diva Maria Callas in Master Class which I enjoyed at the Los Angeles Music Center more than a decade ago.  This was more a […]