sha in LA

dead can dance & elephants can party

The end of last week was filled with all sorts of pre-Halloween parties. So much so that I've perfected the art of applying the Los Muertos make-up in like 5 minutes flat.

It all started obviously on Wednesday night with the ritual make-up test run. The hardest part to master was the teeth. But I got it right on my second go around so that wasn't too bad. Thursday night was the annual Lindygroove Halloween bash. I took no pictures that night because I was too busy catching up with friends that I haven't seen since August and dancing.

Friday night was the much anticipated Swing Pit Halloween Extravaganza. Seeing as how I missed the festivities last year and am still bummed about that nothing was keeping me away this year. Mike & Tip really know how to throw a party. The night was a complete blast and I even decided to do a comp...they needed follows and I figured it was my good deed for the night. My other good deed was bringing the mega huge bottle of Stoli and Cranberry juice and suplying 10 of my closest friends with beverages. People laughed at the size of the bottle but I couldn't resist the deal at Albersons. Trust me, it was definitely worth it. Pictures of just a few of the great costumes can be found here.

On Saturday night my theatre company had a party. More great costumes and a really entertaining Halloween show for the guests followed by dancing and an amazing palm reader. Pictures can be found here.

Tomorrow night, Halloween proper, is yet another swing dance event at Paladino's in Reseda which is scary in it's own right. Theme: Prom Night of the Living Dead. Guess what my costume will be...

It's odd how both swing dancers and theatre people both have a penchant for creating great costumes. It must be the performer in them that gets the creaitve juices flowing. This has been one of the best Halloween years in a few for me. Very excited to be back as last years costume was a complete disaster. One wonders what I will think of for next year...usually I already have ideas brewing but nothing yet. Hmmmmm.....

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the dead part 2

Not bad for after 2 hours of dancing and sweating.

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halloween make-up test run

My teeth are crooked, then again...I'm dead.

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Elephant Graveyard

As if you don't already have like 87 things to do "Halloween-wise" this coming Saturday night.

Where will I be? Why at the theatre, of course. 7 Redneck Cheerleaders came to an end this past weekend, after an amazing 3 month run. So it only seems fitting that I transition out of show phase with one last hurrah...at least until the end of November. Yes, 3 whole weekends off!

But I digress. Come support live theatre on Saturday night. See a spooky show written by some of the finest Elephants around, participate in a 50/50 raffle, get your palm read, get your groove on, eat, drink and be merry...and participate in a costume contest. Trust me when I say that the theatre kids go all out as Halloween was practically made for theatre geeks like me.

We do like a good dress up party, don't we.

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observe this

Sunday was a sneak preview day for FOTO members to have a look at the newly constructed and recently renovated digs of Griffith Observatory.

Eric, Phil and I started the day with an insanely fantastic breakfast at Square One Dining. Afterwards we had about 30 minutes to kill before boarding the shuttle to the Observatory so we went exlporing at the old zoo in Griffith Park. The remains of the zoo prior to the one in existence today still stands and are currently used as BBQ pits and picnic areas.

At 11:30 we boarded the shuttle and approximately one hour later we arrived at the Observatory. Kidding. It was more like 45 minutes. OK, maybe I exaggerate a bit much but the bus we were on did have some difficulty accelerating up hills and the Observatory is located on top of a big hill, that's all I'm sayin'.

Of course once we got to the top all of that bus business gave way to sheer excitement at the fact that we were actually there...on the Observatory grounds. The building seemed to smile at us as we walked closer, happy to have visitors back.

We were guided to the right side of the building and greeted with an enthusiastic docent who gave us a brief intro on the renovation and what we were going to see. Then she let us loose to explore. We headed down the stairs and into the building. To the right the cafe, to the left the gift shop, straight ahead the new exhibit space. We grabbed a water at the cafe ($1.62) and checked out the gift shop (be sure to look at the floor) before heading inside to the new exhibit area; a split level space that focuses on space and the planets that occupy it. Once done, we followed a curved wall around and up to the original bulding entering from the rear, near the Planetarium and into the rotunda. The Hugo Ballin murals were jaw-dropping. After a quick breeze through the East and West Halls we went outside and took in the view. Although it was overcast the day was still beautiful To be there, along the front wall and looking out over the vast city, we realized how much we actually missed the building and how extremely excited we are to finally get it back.

Zoo and Observatory pics here.

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the multi-tasker

Seen driving northbound on Rossmore last Saturday morning. They offer a full car detail and "Le-go Ed-vice", it's a one stop shop. Need I say more?

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sale, ball, play

On Saturday I wil be pulled in many diffiernt directions.

First up is at the crack of dawn, setting up for the Yard Sale.

Then I meet my relatives at USC for the noontime football game.

And at dusk, 7 Redneck Cheerleaders. Did I fail to mention that it's been extended again? MAke sure to read the fine print on the postcard.

Sunday morning is the sacred ritual of football.

Then finally, Sunday afternoon, I rest.

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15 "yard sale" signs and 12 arrows later....

If you're in the vicinity of 12th and Keniston on Saturday, trust me, you'll know it.

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Yard Sale to benefit the Elephant Theatre Company

Shannon has mad photoshop skillz. (click to biggify)

This coming Saturday my theatre company, The Elephant Theatre, is holding a multi-family Yard Sale. All proceeds go toward our upcoming 2006-2007 season: the return of 24 Hour Theatre, an Elephants' Graveyard Halloween Show, 365 Days/365 Plays by Susan Lori Parks, the Los Angeles Premiere of In Arabia We'd All Be Kings by Steven Adly Guirgus, the ever popular and all new Love Bites vol. 5 & the World Premiere of One Fell Swoop by Bob Litz.

The Yard Sale is located at 1202 Keniston Ave, the corner of Keniston & 12th.

We will have tons of great stuff for sale: electronics, bed frames, sporting equipment, clothing, tchotchke (great Scrabble word, huh?)

Please feel free to pass the word on this and/or stop by and BUY!!!!

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