Friday, February 25, 2011

Lots Happening in the City of Angels.... Have a Great Oscar Weekend..... photos & coverage by Harrison Held (:

Stefanie Powers and Harrison Held
Stefanie Powers
Stefanie Powers and Jeff Mantor
Last nite beautiful "Hart to Hart" actress/animal activist Stefanie Powers had a book signing for her new memoir "One from the Hart" at Larry Edmonds bookstore  in Hollywood.  Judging from Stefanie's very interesting and eloquent talk before the signing the book sounds like it'll be  a great read.  This is one classy and intelligent lady who has had a very colorful life and career.  Stefanie never intended to write a book and she shared that the deaths of her mother and her lover William Holden were the 2 most pivotal parts of her life and that she wanted to clear up misconceptions about what Mr. Holden was really like and matters related to his passing.  See http://www.larryedmunds.com/  to purchase a signed copy!

SATURDAY:  As Oscar countdown continues ardent movie fans may want to check out the 2 remaining  symposiums held in the  Samuel Goldwyn Theater at  A.M.P.A.S. headquarters, 8949 Wilshire Boulevard  in Beverly Hills.  I'm told that standby lines will begin an hour before each event.   The Foreign Language Film Symposium will be moderated by Mark Johnson and starts at 10 a.m. and the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Symposium  starts at 2:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Leonard Engelman.   See  http://www.oscar.org/ .  Due to the forecast of rainy and cold weather getting in should be easier than usual.  Wear a warm coat and bring an umbrealla if you plan on going and don't have a ticket yet!

At 3pm Saturday classical music lovers will enjoy a FREE concert downtown at the Central Library, 630 W. 5th Street in the Mark Taper Auditorium courtesy of members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic! Sounds good to me!

FYI: Fuel Music is hosting their anual free Oscar viewing party this Sunday in a new location this year, the East West Lounge at 8851 Santa Monica Boulevard.   I've gone to them before on the westside and they are fun.   See http://www.fuelmusicandsound.com/  for more info and have a great Oscar Weekend!  The very cool Cinefamily on Fairfax is hosting an awards watching party and fundraiser with a suggested donation of $15 for general admission, $60 for a 2 person couch or $90 for a 3 person couch.  It's a great place...  Email bret@cinefamily.org for more nfo.  Great programming and events year round. 
Also, the groovy DownTown Independent at 251 S. Main opens it's doors at 3pm for their free Oscar Viewing Party. They're planning a beer drinking event where "every time Oscar hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway say something cutesie
everyone takes a swig". Their website is www.downtownindepedent.com - a roof top
party follows I was told.
Just a reminder....   Today at 6:00 pm a special  birthday tribute will be held in memory of the late great George Harrison at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  George's star is located in front of the Capitol Records building  at 1759 N. Vine Street.   Once again wear a warm coat and bring an umbrella and be ready to hum some Beatles tunes :) :) :)

Stefanie Powers and her friend Casting Director Marvin Paige
SUPER CARS AND SUPER VENUES.......   The very cool Petersen  Autombile Museum at Wilshire and Fairfax is holding an open house Monday March 7th from 6pm to 9pm.  I'm told there will be refreshments so get in the fast lane and rsvp by this Monday  February 28 to  specialevents@petersen.org  or call 323 964 6348.

"Rock of Ages" continues to rock on at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood....   "Avenue Q" premieres Tuesday March 1 -  see http://wwcw.broadwayla.org/  for details Enjoy!


PS. Before Oscar festivities begin there's a loosely structured conversational parlor  downtown from a creative group called LAVA FLOWS - which stands for Los Angeles Visionaries Association.  Flavor Pill says "LAVA gathers creative people in search of a different experience of life in Los Angeles".  The group was formed by social historians Kim Cooper and Richard Schave with the goal of sharing visions for making a better city.  The salon will be held at the historical Clifton's Cafeteria at 646 S. Broadway (free street parking cuz it's Sunday).  Guests will be The Ukulady with her band The Evil Sandwiches (!) and documentary film maker John Dullaghan who will speak about the influence that downtown Los Angeles had on author/poet Charles Bukowski's work.  The salon events are  from 2pm - 4pm and are very enjoyable.  http://www.lavatransforms.org/

Also on Tuesday March 1st Joan Rivers presents "Joan Rivers - The Lecture - My First 135 Years in Show Business and Counting" as the Valley Performing Arts Center -  http://www.valleyperformingartscenter.com/ . Her documentary "Joan Rivers, A Piece of Work" is a great revealing film about  this funny talented very human workaholic and worth watching.
PS. Joan is also performing at the La Mirada Theater on March 11th...  www.LaMiradaTheatre.com






































Thursday, February 24, 2011

Black History Month, Perky Ideas Presents, Halle Berry Rejoins Garry Marshall's NYE...

Tomorrow nite as part of Black History Month the Expo Center/Ahmanson Senior Center is hosting a free screening of "Remember The Titans"  from 7-9pm at 3990 Bill Roberson Lane one street east of Vermont and Martin Luther King Blvd.  Free and open to all members of the public. Enjoy!

Last nite I had the pleasure of attending a series of  entertaining short films presented by Perky Ideas at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.  Comedian Dannon Green served as Master of Ceremonies and was funny. Perky Ideas is the brainchild of talented African American film maker, actress, teacher, writer Thea-Marie Perkins.  The performers in all the films were very good.  My favorite of the shorts was "Shakespeare ABC's It's Easy As 123".   I definitely recommend it.  Great performers and well produced with great music. 

A judge ordered that Halle Berry could travel with her daughter Nahla to New York so she is now part of Garry Marshall's new film "New Year's Eve",  again.  Katherine Heigl was cast when Halle pulled out.  Now Halle is going to play the smaller  part of a nurse.  As always I'm sure she'll be great.  Hopefully Halle and ex bf  Gabriel Aubry will settle their differences way before it's new years 2012!   Her Q&A a few months ago after the screening of her latest film "Frankie & Alice" was fascinating.  She's such a great actress. "People never want me in their movies" she said. "I have to fight for  everything I get".  She credits her manager Vincent Cirrincione who she's been with since she started acting for her success. "He thinks I can do anything". I agree. She got a standing O when she walked on stage and another one when she left.

Tomorrow nite it's "Eye on Black"  a salute to directors Robert Townsend, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Tim Story.  Film veteran Melvin Van Peebles will be receiving a lifetime achievement award at the California African American Museum by USC.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

The American Dream: Healthy, Happy, Slim 'N Trim..... How Was Your Weekend? Let Me Know...

Email me at Heldhm33@yahoo.com  or post a comment below.  Thanks(:  I'm finally back on my maintenance diet(:   It feels good.  I'm enjoying a variety of food and watching the portion sizes.  I lost 40 lbs during 04/05 and kept  about 30 of it off for several years(:  Occasionally I'd gain a few extra pounds  but I had the will power to watch my eating habits and calories. When I started my diet I was also very challenged by a very painful lower back problem. I credit Madonna's chiropractor Dr. Shelley Bosten of Santa Monica for my full recovery. She's Great! Last fall while mourning the loss of a beloved friend I just felt like eating more - there's a reason why they call it comfort foods:(  I didn't eat unconsciously, I kept track of every single calories like I have been for years. Now I'm ready to shed the extra weight. Wish me luck! When it comes to dieting you have to make up your mind you really want to do it - otherwise it won't stick. Anyone out there want to share a dieting story?  I think the key is portion control and staying active.  What do you think? 

Thursday, February 17, 2011

"The Fighter" Photographer Danielle Levitt's Pride of Lowell Opening...


Andrew Lachman enjoys the photography with Kat Kramer (:
Oscar Nominated Director David O. Russell hired photographer Danielle Levitt to shoot photos on location in Lowell, Massachusetts when he was filming "The Fighter".  Last nite Interview Magazine, Hugo Bass & Deleon Tequila  debuted  Ms. Levitt's  great "Pride of Lowell"  exhibit  of photographs and short films inspired by the Academy Award Nominated film at Known Gallery, 441 N. Fairfax to a very enthustiastic crowd....   Those present with Ms. Levitt  and David O. Russell include Moby, Brian Grazer, Brad Grey, Cassandra Huysentruyt,  Jack McGee, Constance Zimmerman, David LaChappelle,  Kat Kramer,  Karen Sharpe Kramer, Mary Kay Place, Jenelle Riley,  Tom and Ashley Arnold, Drew Kuhse,  Daniel Romer, Wayne Jobson,  Mark Mothersbaugh, David Hoberman, Shany Ellenberg, Danika Thompson, Adam Lazar-White and many others...  Beautiful exhibit is curated by Naheed Sumjee.  I arrived later in the evening after spending the day with artist actress Diana Levitt  -  no relationship I was told to Danielle Levitt although both are talented -  we were on a trip to Solvang..... Also on the trip was Elliot Kozak who was Bob Hope's agent for 35 years...  talk about it being a small world!   I want to do a piece on Bob Hope when I develop my news tv series on Hollywood Icons and Legends...   Several talk shows I hosted and produced about Hollywood Icons were played over and over on Time Warner Cable a few years ago and are now online at http://www.harrisonheldstarmedia.com/  in the video section(:   The future shows will be more produced and developed and include film clips, news clips and interview clips about the famous subjects(:
Very top photo: Dannielle Levitt and Kat Kramer
Below: HH, KK and Daniel Romer (photo by Danika Thompson)

Harrison Held, Kat Kramer and Daniel Romer









Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Happy Birthday Matt Groening, A Fun "Anti Valentine's Party" and Jane Fonda Appearance Sells Out LACMA..... Photos and Coverage by Harrison Held(:

Jenn Laskey and Guest
Jane Fonda and Kenneth Turan converse at LACMA(:

Today is Simpsons creator Matt Groening's birthday....   Many Happy Returns!  Matt is seen on the left sketching and autographing for fans right after he received the prestigious Winsor McKay Award at the 38th Annual Annie Awards recently.



Leah Rose, Aiden Parr and Jana Barroga at the Anti-Valentine's party
The evening after Valentine's a very cool event took place at The Mark on Pico,  an "Anti Valentine's" Party.  To the left and at the top are a few photos from the party.  Thanks to promoter Jen Laskey for everything(:






Screen legend and humanitarian Jane Fonda recently made a terrific sold out  appearance at LACMA   where they are screening a retrospective called "Bright Star: Jane Fonda on Film" .  The evening was hosted by lead film critic Kenneth Turan of the Los AngelesTimes and was a great success. Check out Jane's  blog at  http://www.janefonda.com/ .   This is one smart, beautiful busy and talented  lady!

Check out the new Luke Chuech exhibit at Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City - he's awesome(:

Monday, February 14, 2011

Pasadena Playhouse's "Dangerous Beauty" Highly Recommended!

Gregory Harrison and Guest
Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone.....   Enjoy, have fun, love and be loved.  Speaking of romance, specifically the ups and downs of  passionate romance...   Last nite I attended the terrific opening night of the Pasadena Playhouse's stellar saucy new musical production  "Dangerous Beauty" featuring a talented cast of 20 directed by Tony Award Nominee ("Next Fall") Sheryl Kaller.  This highly entertaining musical production is based on the acclaimed Marshall Herskovitz directed dramatic film of 1998 and the 1992 book "The Honest Courtesan  by USC professor Margaret F. Rosenthal and  stars Jenny Powers, James Snyder, Laila Robins, Bryce Ryness, Michael Rupert, Megan McGinnis, John Antony and Morgan Weed.  Strong vocal and acting peformances are in abundance as well as top notch production values.  I highly recommend it!  "Dangerous Beauty"  tells the tumultuous tale of Veronica Franco wonderfully played by Jenny Powers (what a beauty! what a voice!) and her star crossed relationship with Marco played by the talented James Snyder (an amazing  singer!).  Powers portrays a  16th century courtesan-poet who launched a hundred ships into battle, challenged kings and clergy and fought for truth even when her own life was at stake.   The show's creators effectively blend Renasisance with rock 'n roll  in the production which is based on a true story.
Red carpet arrivals included film director Marshall Herskovitz,  Rufus Sewell and Jacqueline Bisset (who both starred in the movie version), Gregory Harrison, Mellisa Manchester, Doris Roberts, Swoozie Kurts, Shaun Cassidy, Patrick Cassidy, the play's director Sheryl Kaller, producer Susan Dietz, writer Jeannine Dominy, choreographer Benoit-Swan Pouffer,  Ivan Hernandez, Kate Linder,  Wedil David, David Marshall Grant, Jason Alexander, French Stewart, Loretta Devine, Matthew Lillard, Angela Bassett, Courtenay B. Vance, Luke McFarlane,  Peter Gallagher, Patricia Wettig, Ken Olin, Doreen Alderman and Lisa Schneiderman. 

The high spirited after party  was held in the Playhouse Courtyard with great munchies from Pasadena's Luggage Room Pizzeria and  Venice's Hama Sushi  - nice tie in with the musical as it takes place in Venice Italy  and with Venice Magazine hosting the soiree.  Photos will be posted soon.  For information please check out http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/ or http://www.dangerousbeautythemusical.com/  - the production runs til March 6th.   Check out host Anthony  Smiljkovich's coverage on youtube for local CCN - Crown City News.