Paso Robles’ Serial Wines Expands with Flavor and Filmmaking as ‘Official Wine’ at The San Diego International Film Festival
SERIAL WINES, PASO ROBLES FURTHER EXPANDS WITH TWO NEW BLENDS
Serial Wines, within the John Anthony Wine & Spirits portfolio, introduces two new wines in this series of winesshowcasing the exciting and fast-growing Paso Robles AVA: NEW Serial White Blend and NEW Serial Red Blend.
This extension of the Serial Wines collection comes days following the company’s announcement of expansion plans under the new name of John Anthony Wine & Spirits by Founder and CEO, John Anthony Truchard.
Paso Robles’ Serial Wines
The two new blends join Serial Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon already in distribution, plus a series of exclusive, AVA-designate and single-vineyard, direct-to-consumer offerings The new blends have been crafted to showcase the incredible biodiversity from Paso Robles—America’s favorite wine region (source: USAToday 2023).
“Creating Serial, a series of wines from the Paso Robles AVA,
has been a very exciting journey since our inaugural release in 2017.
This region has earned its place on the world-class wine stage with outstanding quality and value and we’ve seen demand sky rocket,”
John Anthony Truchard
Founder and CEO
John Anthony Wine & Spirits
“Adding new Serial White Blend and Serial Red Blend to Serial Cabernet really leans into the diverse terroir that Paso has to offer with unique, interesting, and unexpected blends that have exceptional depth and complexity. Exploring and investing in this fast-growing wine region has been rewarding and it was wonderful to see the reception to these wines at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen—some of the world’s most discerning wine lovers.”
The new 2023 Serial White Blend…is lively, lush, and layered
The new 2023 Serial White Blend, Paso Robles is lively, lush, and layered featuring Chardonnay supported by Viognier, Clairette Blanche, and Albariño.
Refreshingly acidic with a richness that lingers, this White Blend offers round flavors of lemon meringue, white peach, ripe pear, and marmalade, accented with a touch of marzipan on the finish. Gratifyingly complex and balanced, this wine was aged on neutral French oak with a kiss of lightly-toasted Acacia.
2021 Serial Red Blend…melds power with elegance for depth and richness
The Bordeaux-Rhône style 2021 Serial Red Blend is a dynamite blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Grenache that melds power with elegance for depth and richness. Aged in a blend of French and American oak, this wine boasts explosive flavors of raspberry, strawberry crumble, and vanilla with notes of cedar and fresh leather on a sumptuous finish.
“Serial Wines are made in partnership
with several, small Paso Robles growers across Districts and sub-AVAs that I’ve known, or met through friends of friends
from when I first started my career here,”
Jeff Kandarian
Executive Winemaker
John Anthony Wine & Spirits
“The Serial Tasting Lounge opened in 2022 with multiple District and Vineyard-Designates and it’s become a destination to enjoy the diversity of this winegrowing region right in the heart of downtown Paso Robles. For the new Serial White Blend and Serial Red Blend, we sourced multiple varietals from several growers across the region, as well as our own estate. These new wines will be available nationally, so for those who have yet to visit here, they are an exceptional way to experience Paso’s stunning terroir.”
Paso Robles’ Serial Wines as ‘Official Wine’ at The San Diego International Film Festival
Debuted at the 2024 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen last week, the two new blends have unique, original-art labels in contrast to the sleek, matte-black label on Serial Cabernet Sauvignon. The complex and evocative artwork on the new blends reflects the nuances and detail of these wines.
The Serial White Blend label depicts a young woman partially shrouded in fog with breaking clouds, alluding to Paso’s cooler microclimates where the grapes were sourced.
Gracing the Serial Red Blend, a Royal Stag stands stalwart in the pouring rain, symbolizing the regality of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape that anchors this blend and the fertility of the vineyards from which grapes were sourced.
Official Wine Sponsor of The San Diego International Film Festival
Alongside the expansion of the Serial Wines collection, the brand also announces a new partnership with The San Diego International Film Festival as Official Wine Sponsor. Celebrating over 20 years as a premier event on the international film festival circuit, the festival will take place October 16th to 20th, 2024, with pre-festival Film Insider Series events June through August, hosting over 10,000 discerning film lovers in Balboa Park and La Jolla.
“The Serial brand has a lot of layers—from Executive Winemaker Jeff Kandarian’s deep knowledge from his early career in the Paso Robles AVA, to the artistry of the wines showcasing tiny vineyards, and the complexity and versatility of the wines themselves,” said Sarah Montague, Chief Marketing Officer, John Anthony Wine & Spirits.
“So as we looked for a platform that shared Serial’s values of curiosity, discovery, community, and sensory storytelling, film festivals emerged as a perfect fit. We are honored to pour our wines for San Diego International Film Festival goers, celebrate the power of film with every pour, and amplify the enjoyment of every story told with these exceptional wines. ”
To celebrate this exciting partnership, Serial Wines and San Diego International Film Festival are hosting a thrilling opportunity for wine and film aficionados to enter for a chance to win a trip to the October festival. One lucky winner could win a round-trip airfare for two to San Diego, hotel accommodations, and two four-day passes to the San Diego International Film Festival.
Wine lovers can find more details, including rules and how to enter, at https://www.serialwines.com/sdfilmfest.
For more information about Serial’s series of outstanding Paso Robles wines and how to stock them please visit SerialWines.com/Trade.
Experience the Serial Tasting Lounge in downtown Paso Robles or meet us at The San Diego International Film Festival, and learn about other upcoming events at SerialWines.com.
Follow @SerialWines on Facebook and Instagram for Paso Robles wine news from Serial and more chances to win.
About Serial Wines
Serial Wines is a series of wines sourced from across the diverse Paso Robles AVA and its 11 Districts, conceived in 2015 by Vintner, John Anthony Truchard and produced by Executive Winemaker, Jeff Kandarian—who started his career in Paso Robles and has a deep understanding of its terroir.
Working with like-minded, meticulous winegrowers, the Serial Wines collection includes: varietal-specific, nuanced blends, AVA-designate, and single-vineyard releases which express the best of the region.
Part of the John Anthony Wine & Spirits portfolio, Serial Cabernet Sauvignon and NEW Serial White Blend and Serial Red Blend are available at fine wine retailers. An extended selection of limited releases can be purchased online through the winery at SerialWines.com and at the stunning Serial Wines Tasting Lounge within the Historic Odd Fellows Building, downtown Paso Robles—named USA Today‘s 10Best new wineries in 2022.
About The San Diego International Film Festival
The San Diego International Film Festival is the region’s premier film event and one of the leading stops on the independent festival circuit. The Festival offers a totally unique film experience; including world premieres, never before seen studio releases and the best in independent filmmaking.
About John Anthony Wine & Spirits
John Anthony Wine & Spirits, established by Founder and CEO John Anthony Truchard includes John Anthony Vineyards, Serial Wines, Weather Wines, and JaM Cellars. John Anthony Vineyards produces exclusive wines created from small vineyard sites in Oak Knoll District, Carneros, Calistoga and Coombsville regions, all available in the winery’s downtown Napa Tasting Lounge.
Serial Wines is a curated collection of wines from Paso Robles and beyond—lush, and vibrant, sourced from exceptional vineyards in this exciting wine region. Weather Wines is a collection of Burgundian varietal wines grown in their most-perfect microclimates and highlighting the dynamic relationship between vines, terroir, and the elements.
JaM Cellars was founded in 2009 in response to the downturn in the economy and experienced triple-digit growth in its early years by offering wines made in the tradition of great California winemaking at accessible sub $20 price points.
Today, Butter Chardonnay from JaM Cellars is the #2 selling Chardonnay above $13 in the U.S. (source: Nielsen scan data 2024).
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Award-Winning Horror Hit “Soul Trader” Screens in LA for Calabasas Film Fest Sept 21, Susan Dynner, Shauna Grace in-person
Award-Winning Horror Hit “Soul Trader” Screens in Los Angeles Calabasas Film Fest Sept 21 1pm.
Award-winning short film The Soul Trader returns to Los Angeles to be screened as part of Calabasas Film Fest on Saturday September 21 at 1pm.
The Soul Trader is a 12 minute short proof of concept for a feature or series directed by Susan Dynner (Brick, Punk’s Not Dead, Code Blue: A Love Story) and starring Shauna Grace (Real Housewives…, Vanderpump Rules), Shane West (A Walk to Remember, ER, The Dirty South), Donna Mills (Knots Landing, Nope, Origin).
The story follows Coral Chase (Shauna Grace), an occult hitwoman who has the power to steal life-extending souls, which she then sells to vain, wealthy elites like Erica Claessen (Donna Mills), who clings to the crumbs of youth. She’s flanked by stoic bodyguard Damien (Shane West), who ultimately emerges from the shadows as her rival when she’s about to carry out a money-spinning hit at a target’s home and realizes she’s not the only one with murder in mind.
“We’re excited that the audience is falling in love with this story and
a strong female lead.
I want to keep sharing this story with audiences everywhere”
Director / Producer Susan Dynner
The short film launched at the Cannes Film Festival’s American Pavilion in May and has been gaining momentum ever since.
It won its first award just weeks later at the Manhattan Film Festival in NYC. Then more acclaim at Rock The Shorts in Beverly Hills and DC Shorts in Washington, DC, one of the country’s largest short film festivals.
Now it’s set to screen at many more festivals on the West Coast, East Coast and across the globe.
“I’m proud this project is inspiring so many women.
We meet people after every screening, women who are excited by the Coral characters.
Playing the role of Coral, working with our cast and crew has been incredible.
But the biggest thanks is the reaction from the audience.
Getting to meet people who are excited and inspired by the story and characters.”
Actress / Executive Producer Shauna Grace
Meanwhile the filmmaking duo Susan Dynner and Shauna Grace are busy taking meetings toward their next step.
What is their next step?
“This was always meant as a proof of concept short film to become a feature film or TV series.
With the sold-out screenings and awards, it just confirms our feeling that this story is so much bigger than a short.”
Susan Dynner
Actress Shauna Grace has been receiving strong reviews, comparing her on screen presence to other heroines including Charlize Theron and Scarlett Johansson.
Dynner’s experience as a studio development executive for visionaries such as Richard Donner and Wolfgang Peterson shines through. Also, her producing work on Sundance hit “Brick” and festival darling “Punks Not Dead” shows her ability to bring production value on a range of budgets.
Both Dynner and Grace will attend their Calabasas Film Festival screening on Saturday September 21 at 1pm and be available afterwards to discussion.
The Soul Trader is directed and produced by Dynner, written by newcomer Mike Underwood, photographed by Matthias Schubert (The Door Man, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Shelter in Solitude), produced by Lauren Bancroft (The Making of Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, Wild Bitch, Bite Size Halloween), edited by David Hopper (God Bless America, In Between Songs, Rust Creek), and executive produced by Shauna Grace, with music composed by Jeff Russo (Fargo, Ripley, Star Trek: Discovery).
See The Soul Trader at Calabasas Film Festival on Saturday September 21, 2024 at 1pm. Tix available here: https://calabasasfilmfestival.com/session/shorts-program/
Los Angeles Halloween Event List 2024 :Freakiest, Scariest, Tastiest (Updated)
Los Angeles’ Freakiest, Scariest, Tastiest, Halloween Event List 2024 (Updated)
Our guide to Halloween 2024 in Los Angeles has you covered with the best treats, the most inspiring costumes and the best neighborhoods for fun, frights and memorable nights.
Los Angeles Halloween: Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights
8 Terrifying Haunted Houses
From cinematic greats and crazed cult favorites to the park’s original abominations, enter mind ripping haunted houses inspired by the biggest names in horror.
Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse
Terrifying Blumhouse characters have taken over the Terror Tram. Face the murderous android M3GAN. The Grabber. And more.
4 Sinister Scare Zones
Take on four sinister scare zones, each with a different terrifying theme.
Luchadores Monstruosos
¡Ojo! You’re about to get caught in the middle of a Lucha Libre horror film as two luchadores battle masked monsters.
Murder of Crowz
You’ve foolishly ventured into a massive crow’s nest. Now the fearsome flock will descend upon you and peck your bones clean.
Chainsaw Punkz
Get revved up for your night of terror as soon as you enter. Chainsaw-wielding punk rockers with masks and mohawks will close in on you.
Skull Lordz
All hail the royal court of the undead, where gothic kings and queens reign. Beware! Cross into their spectral kingdom at your own peril.
Explore the Gore Your Way
Grab your tickets to the terror. Enhance the horror with an R.I.P. Tour or admission that includes express access. Or, maximize your fear by staying near the screams with a Hotel & Ticket Package.
Buy your tix today:
https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us/tickets
Los Angeles Halloween: Delusion
Story takes place in the mid 20th Century, centering around the brilliant psychologist Dr. Frederick Lowell and you, his cohort of unusual patients.
An epic and haunting adventure awaits those willing to play their part in Delusion’s latest interactive play. You will play the role of Dr. Frederick Lowell’s most prized patients, found sleepwalking on the grounds of the Red Castle. Yet this time, when you awake, your memory has faded and Dr. Lowell is nowhere to be found.
PLAY YOUR PART EXPERIENCE
Head to the VIP lounge for your private bar where you might stumble upon a few hidden surprises and performers.
Then venture beyond the veil of the show and prepare to showcase your mad talents. A quick costume change into mental asylum garb and off you go, awaiting actual patrons of the play as they move through a deranged scene that features you!
Buy tix to Delusion here:
https://enterdelusion.com/buy-tickets/
West Hollywood Halloween Carnival
West Hollywood loves Halloween, and the City of West Hollywood is thrilled that Halloween is back with Halloween Carnaval 2024!
The City’s incomparable Halloween Carnaval is one of the most unique Halloween gatherings in the world.
Halloween Carnaval is free to attend and will take place on Thursday, October 31, 2024 on a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between N. Doheny Drive and N. La Cienega Boulevard.
Staged on Santa Monica Boulevard/Historic Route 66, Halloween Carnaval will feature a stage at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and N. San Vicente Boulevard with a live DJ set, food trucks and thousands of wildly dressed Halloween revelers for a one-of-a-kind experience.
There will also be Halloween celebrations at businesses, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues throughout the City!
The City invites Halloween Carnaval-goers to get into the spirit and show off costumes by uploading photos to social media sites with the hashtag #wehohalloween.
Halloween at Cinespia
For its October 2024 lineup, presented by Amazon MGM Studios, the LA-based organization announced screenings of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Trick ‘r Treat, Coraline and Suspiria, leading up to Halloween.
Cinespia will also host a special Halloween night screening of director Dario Argento‘s horror classic Suspiria on Oct. 31 at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles.
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Nosferatu
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Nosferatu
Halloween Organ, Film & Music: Nosferatu
Thu / Oct 31, 2024 – 8:00PM
Silent film specialist Clark Wilson returns for Walt Disney Concert Hall’s annual Halloween concert, performing a chilling, original organ score to the 1922 Nosferatu—one of the most influential works in cinema and the horror genre—live to picture.
Tix here: https://www.laphil.com/events/performances/3006/2024-10-31/halloween-organ-film-music-nosferatu
David Gilmour at the Hollywood Bowl
Tix here: https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/3507/2024-10-30/david-gilmour
Knox Dobson RTD Wins Double Gold Medal, Old Fashioned Wins Gold At 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Knox Dobson ’s Superior Ready-to-Drink Improved Whiskey Cocktail Wins Prestigious Double Gold Medal & Old Fashioned Wins Gold At 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Knox & Dobson, a new collection of superior ready-to-drink cocktails, proudly announces that their Improved Whiskey Cocktail has been awarded the prestigious Double Gold Medal and their Old Fashioned Cocktail has won a Gold Medal in the Ready-to-Drink category at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the oldest and largest competition of its kind. Receiving a high-tier medal at SFWSC is a testament to exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
This year’s competition featured nearly 5,000 entries, judged by experienced and knowledgeable spirits critics through a blind tasting process, ensuring impartiality and integrity.
Knox & Dobson’s new collection of premium ready-to-drink bottled cocktails is designed to be shared with friends, making it easy to simply Open, Pour, and Enjoy!
The collection was meticulously curated with an uncompromising commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and taste by Knox & Dobson Founder & President Rob Levy (Former Owner, The Raymond 1886) and Creative Director Peter Lloyd Jones (The Raymond 1886, Everson Royce Bar, Proof Media Mix).
The lineup includes a gin Martini, classic Old Fashioned, Improved Whiskey Cocktail with Maraska Maraschino Liqueur, Rye Manhattan, and Moscow Mule.
Each cocktail features the highest quality ingredients such as hand-selected barrel-aged whiskey, distilled gin, natural cane sugar, and authentic Angostura Bitters.
“Our mission was to create a collection of cocktails that were equal in taste and quality to those freshly crafted by a skilled bartender. Peter Lloyd Jones was the best choice, and I can’t imagine working with anyone better,”
Rob Levy
Knox & Dobson Founder & President
“Pete’s experience at 1886 Bar at The Raymond and Everson Royce Bar, combined with his passion and creativity, make him the perfect partner at Knox & Dobson.”
Levy’s upbringing in Skokie, Illinois, at Knox Avenue and Dobson Street, is where he spent most of his adolescence in the ‘60s and ‘70s, hanging out “on the corner” with neighborhood kids who remain lifelong friends. Knox & Dobson is as much an elevated on-the-go handcrafted beverage experience as it is a distillation of hometown pride and a love of bringing people together.
The Knox & Dobson Improved Whiskey Cocktail (35.42% ABV), which was awarded this year’s Double Gold Medal, is made with straight aged rye whiskey, Maraska Maraschino Liqueur, and Angostura bitters. This cocktail features a spiced flavor profile combined with American oak, citrus, and bright and deep cherry notes, making it a whiskey cocktail meant to be sipped and savored.
The Knox & Dobson Old Fashioned (38% ABV), which was awarded the Gold Medal, consists of straight aged bourbon, natural cane sugar, orange oil, and Angostura Bitters. Enjoy the taste of aged bourbon with bright citrus flavors, bitters, raw cinnamon, clove, and American oak.
Knox & Dobson’s new collection of superior bottled cocktails are best served chilled or over ice. Each 200-milliliter bottle features two servings, perfect for sharing, so simply Open, Pour, and Enjoy!
Knox & Dobson is available for delivery Nationwide.
Visit Knox & Dobson to order your new favorite bottled cocktails today.
To see the full list of locations to purchase directly, please visit Knox & Dobson’s Stockists page.
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Beverly Hills’ The Wallis Names Manuel Prieto Director of Education
Beverly Hills’ The Wallis Names Manuel Prieto Director of Education, an innovative leader and tireless champion of equitable arts education.
Manuel “Manny” Prieto, an innovative leader and tireless champion of equitable arts education, has been named Director of Education of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, announced Executive Director and CEO Rachel Fine.
Manny Prieto oversees for The Wallis
Prieto, a resident of Los Angeles who assumes the post on September 1, 2022, will oversee the strategic planning and operations of The Wallis’ highly regarded GRoW @ The Wallis education and outreach programs, which serve a broad and diverse sector of the community.
He will collaborate with Fine and the organization’s artistic staff and Board of Directors to ensure the education department programs and initiatives align with the mission, vision, and core values of The Wallis.
Manny Prieto’s passion for music and art
A committed and enthusiastic advocate for the arts, Prieto most recently served as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Music and Art School (LAMusArt), a non-profit arts education institution in East Los Angeles with a 77-year history of making arts education a tangible reality for thousands of underserved youth in the community.
In that role, he has worked to recontextualize and combat the often outdated standards of fine and performing arts so that a new, diverse, and more modern cohort of students can experience the enrichment that creativity offers.
Prieto succeeds Mark Slavkin, The Wallis’ first Director of Education, who led the department for and retired after seven years, building a successful and admired program emulated by other institutions.
“Manny Prieto is a dedicated arts education pioneer and advocate,” says Fine.
“A visionary and community-focused trailblazer,
he is dedicated to ensuring arts education and outreach programs remain indispensable in our complicated and evolving world.
On behalf of The Wallis’ Board of Directors and staff, we welcome Manny enthusiastically to our senior management team. Under his strategic guidance, The Wallis will continue to prioritize its education department to serve the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles communities with forward-thinking educational programs that reflect the rich cultural diversity and needs of our great cities.”
“I am tremendously excited to join The Wallis as Director of Education,” says Prieto. “The Wallis is unwavering in its commitment to providing opportunities for audiences of all abilities, ages, and interests so they never stop learning and engaging in the performing arts – a guiding tenet of my life’s work thus far. The arts are where we create community, heal our divides, discover and embrace our visions, voices, and power to be creative agents of change, and foster a safe space to thrive. In my new capacity with The Wallis, I look forward to applying my expertise and belief in the power of the arts to facilitate an environment that encourages the community to think like artists and experience collective success as creative people.”
About Manny Prieto
During Prieto’s eight-year tenure with LAMusArt, he helped make the arts — and their benefits –a day-to-day experience for young students in East Los Angeles. He effectively strengthened the organization’s infrastructure by broadening board involvement, expanding program offerings and scholarship opportunities, upgrading working conditions and renovating work spaces, adopting a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, doubling the organization’s budget to over $1 million, creating an organization-wide curriculum framework, and implementing community building among staff and faculty. Prieto is proud of the organization’s mission and is also proud to reinvest in the East LA community as a means to bring forth its vibrant creative potential. When Prieto took the position of Executive Director, at a mere 25 years old, he had a vision for LAMusArt as a hub for accessible and safe collaboration, expression, and instruction so that students could see viable examples of what the arts can bring to their lives. His vision didn’t come without risks – he expanded free programming, pushed students toward challenging repertoire, and invited audience members to explore art forms unfamiliar to them. During his tenure, the community experienced considerable growth and transformation.
Prior to joining LAMusArt, Prieto worked in the education department at Center Theatre Group (CTG) coordinating accessibility programs at the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Kirk Douglas Theatre and implemented bilingual curriculum for their education department initiative “The Shop: Theatre In Your Everyday Life.” He has worked as an educator at CTG and P.S. Arts, among other Los Angeles institutions, leading discourse on pedagogical strategy, artistic curricula, and theatrical design. As a designer, Prieto has worked on productions for E! Network, CTG, Pasadena Playhouse, Cornerstone Theatre, El Teatro Campesino, 24th Street Theater, and LATC.
Prieto earned a B.F.A. from the University of Southern California in Theater Design and a M.A. in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University. He was co-chair of the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Council, a member of the steering committee of the Latinx Theatre Alliance-LA and a former LACDAC internship program participant and peer mentor. He brings his background and perspective as a student of design and an arts educator to his role as a leader and works for the communities he himself recognizes from childhood – communities with abundant artistic potential and very few resources. He has remained an authentic and steadfast captain through many evolutions and challenges in the arts landscape, never losing sight of a greater sense of purpose.
About the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts:
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is a dynamic cultural hub and community resource where local, national and international artists share their artistry with ever-expanding audiences. The campus, located in the heart of Beverly Hills, CA, is committed to robust and distinctive presentations and education programs curated with both creativity and social impact in mind. Distinguished by its eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles and its location in the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis has produced and presented more than 350 theater, dance, music, film, cabaret, conversation, and family entertainment programs since its doors opened in October 2013. Hailed as “au courant” (LaLa Magazine), The Wallis was lauded by Culture Vulture, which proclaims, “If you love expecting the unexpected in the performing arts, you have to love The Wallis.” Its programming has been nominated for 79 Ovation Awards and nine L.A. Drama Critic’s Circle Awards. The campus itself, a breathtaking 70,000-square-foot facility, celebrating the classic and the modern, has garnered six architectural awards. Designed by acclaimed architect Zoltan E. Pali (SPF:architects), the restored building features the original 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places), which serves as the theater’s dramatic yet welcoming lobby, and includes the contemporary 500-seat, state-of-the-art Bram Goldsmith Theater; the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater; an inviting open-air plaza for family, community and other performances; and GRoW @ The Wallis: A Space for Arts Education, where learning opportunities for all ages and backgrounds abound. Together, these elements embrace the city’s history and its future, creating a performing arts destination for L.A.-area visitors and residents alike. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is led by Chairman of the Board Michael Nemeroff and Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Rachel Fine.
For more information about The Wallis, please visit: TheWallis.org.
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Shania Twain ‘Queen Of Me’ at LA’s Hollywood Bowl Summer 2023
Shania Twain ‘Queen Of Me’ tour will Ride to LA’s Hollywood Bowl Summer 2023
Gearing up for another monumental chapter, five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning legend and the best-selling female artist in country music history Shania Twain will release her new album, Queen of Me, on February 3, 2023.
It notably stands out as her sixth original full-length offering, first record since 2017, and official debut for her new label partner Republic Nashville, a division of Republic Records.
Shania Twain ‘Queen Of Me’ tours adds Washington DC June 27 date at Columbia’s Merriweather Post Pavilion
On November 14th at 3pm PT/6pm ET, Shania will join celebrated TV personality Nancy O’Dell for TalkShopLive where fans can hear stories around the making of Queen of Me and pre-order special autographed editions of the album and special box sets. Link HERE.
To celebrate this next era in style, she will also embark on a global 49-date Queen of Me Tour, produced by Live Nation.
The tour marks the first time fans around the world will get to see the queen in all of her glory in nearly five years, following a highly successful Vegas residency run.
Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Breland, Robyn Ottolini, Priscilla Block, and Mickey Guyton will be joining Shania on select dates throughout the tour.
The Queen of Me Tour kicks off on Friday, April 28th at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA and makes stops across North America and Europe in Vancouver, Denver, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, London, Dublin and more before wrapping up on September 26th at Utilita Arena in Birmingham, UK.
“Let’s go girls..”, the Queen has returned.
TICKETS: Tickets go on sale starting Friday, November 4th at 10am local at LiveNation.com.
PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the North American leg of the Queen of Me Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, November 1st at 10am local time until Thursday, November 3rd at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.
Additionally, Shania and Live Nation have announced that $1 of every ticket purchased to Shania’s “Queen Of Me” Tour will be donated to SKC. Established in 2010 by Shania Twain, SKC provides services that promote positive change in children’s lives in times of crises and economic hardship. SKC provides children with one-on-one consultations, academic support and group activities, as well as nutritious snacks and meal programs where needed, all while in the safe, confidence-building environment that is the Shania Kids Can Clubhouse. These children are learning the skills to cope with and overcome family hardships which, in turn improves their ability to succeed in school. For more information about Shania Kids Can, please visit: www.shaniakidscan.com
ALBUM: Pre-order/Pre-save Queen of Me—HERE.
She excitedly heralds the highly anticipated album with a new song entitled “Last Day of Summer.” Listen to “Last Day of Summer”—HERE. The track unfolds as a nostalgic and cinematic anthem set in the final moments of everyone’s favorite season. Delicate guitar melts into a steady beat and big screen-worthy strings as she nostalgically recalls, “The last time we were together the first thing I remember every time September comes.”
Shania will make it feel like summer forever, like only she can…
SHANIA TWAIN ‘QUEEN OF ME’ 2023 TOUR DATES
4/28 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena ^
4/29 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena ^
5/02 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena ^
5/03 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena ^
5/05 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place ^
5/06 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place ^
5/09 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome ^
5/10 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome ^
5/12 Saskatoon, SK SaskTel Centre ^
5/14 Winnipeg, MB Canada Life Centre ^
5/16 Madison, WI Kohl Center #
5/17 St Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center #
5/19 Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena #
5/21 Denver, CO Ball Arena #
5/24 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre #
5/26 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre #
5/28 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl #
5/30 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion #
5/31 Greater Palm Springs, CA Acrisure Arena #
6/03 Tulsa, OK BOK Center +
6/04 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre STL +
6/07 Nashville, TN GEODIS Park +>
6/09 Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion +
6/12 Halifax, NS Scotiabank Centre ~
6/14 Moncton, NB Avenir Centre ~
6/17 Quebec City, QC Videotron Centre ~
6/18 Montreal, QC Bell Centre ~
6/20 Hamilton, ON FirstOntario Centre ^
6/21 London, ON Budweiser Gardens ^
6/23 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage ^
6/24 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage ^
6/27 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion &
6/28 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion &
6/30 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center &
7/01 Tinley Park, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre &
7/06 Ottawa, ON Ottawa Bluesfest *
7/08 Syracuse, NY St Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview +
7/09 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center +
7/11 New York, NY Madison Square Garden +
7/13 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake +
7/15 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center +
7/19 Kansas City, MO T-Mobile Center =
7/21 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion =
7/22 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion =
9/16 London, UK The O2
9/19 Dublin, IRE 3Arena
9/22 Glasgow, UK OVO Hydro
9/25 Manchester, UK AO Arena
9/26 Birmingham, UK Utilita Arena Birmingham
* Non-Live Nation Date
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Performance and Spirit: ‘Lovers and Other Strangers’ at Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio Fri-Sat nights only thru Feb 2024
Performance and Spirit Stand out with “Lovers and Other Strangers” at Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio.“Lovers and Other Strangers” runs at Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio Fri-Sat nights only through February 2024. The Taylor Acting Studio is an indie theater that hosts actors workshops, classes and shows at 2401 W. Magnolia Blvd in Burbank, CA.
Cast attends Grand Opening of play “Lovers and Other Strangers” at The Taylor Studio, Los Angeles, CA, February 17th, 2024
Starring cast of Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio
For those unaware of “indie theater”, it’s a typical “black box” theater. What it lacks in production budget, it makes up for in spirit and talent. It’s a place where you discover hidden gems. And tonight, we found several.
Singer Vanessa Bejine attends Grand Opening of play “Lovers and Other Strangers” at The Taylor Studio, Los Angeles, CA, February 17th, 2024
Publicist / comedian Christine Peake at Opening Weekend of “Lovers and Other Strangers” at Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio
The concern was how well would a risque 1970s sex comedy play in LA’s woke 2024.
Let’s find out…
Lovers and Other Strangers at Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio
I didn’t walk into the show thinking of it as a “Girls Night Out”, but tonight it definitely played in that direction. The packed theater was 70% women, who laughed, giggled and gasped throughout.
Charly Taylor, Bradley Holzer, “Lovers and Other Strangers” at Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio
Scene 1: Brenda & Jerry
Starring Charly Taylor, Bradley Holzer
What if your best and worst date was the same date? Holzer’s “Jerry” tries to make his date night a little sexier while Taylor’s Brenda terrorizes him with naive or not-so-much wishy-washy responses.
Taylor’s Brenda is electric as she walks on stage against Holzer’s kinetic energy. It’s a high energy, flirty scene that stays fresh thanks to the performer’s chemistry.
Painfully relatable. Hilarious. And it sets the tone for the night. Laughing. Squirming. Following these characters through a maze of love, romance, disgust, bitterness.
Phillip Latini, Elizabeth Kyokwijuka
Scene 2: Hal & Cathay
Starring Phillip Latini, Elizabeth Kyokwijuka
Do you love dialogue? Phillip Latini and Elizabeth Kyokwijuka clearly love their dialogue and are having so much fun.
Like a tennis match where they volley their bleeding hearts (and heartache) back and forth. Heartbreak, swing, betrayal, swing, jealousy, embrace. Then repeat. Latini offers a sneering performance demanding Kyokwijuka’s intensity and delicious she delivers. Great scene!
Art Santoro and Eugenia Kuzmina at Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio
Scene 3: Johnny & Wilma
Starring Art Santoro and Eugenia Kuzmina
If you’ve seen Kuzmina’s work on the big screen before you know how easily she holds her stage presence.
Tonight Kuzmina’s “Wilma” steals the scene in the first few moments with a quiet confidence and a misbehaving perfume bottle. Then like a cat and mouse game, she taunts, teases and plays Santoro’s Johnny until he can’t take it anymore. He’s a mountain of a guy who’s gentle until he’s not. When Santoro fires back it becomes a chess match. Physically, emotionally, psychologically. Tossing and turning – the more they fight, the more their chemistry builds and what does that say about love?
Charly Taylor and Nathaniel Wyatt
Scene 4: Susan & Mike
Starring Charly Taylor and Nathaniel Wyatt
In tonight’s opening scene, Taylor is electric. Now she visits us again. In this scene she shows another side – calmly keeping pace while Wyatt takes the spotlight burning through his dialogue. He bares his soul with vulnerability, angst, anger, desperation.
Nathaniel Wyatt has leading man relatability. Think Tom Hanks in 1984’s massive hit “Splash”. If he and Charly Taylor aren’t pitching themselves (Hanks and Darryl Hannah, respectively) to the studios for a remake, the movie-loving world is missing out.
Sergio Lopez, Jordan Whitney
Scene 5: Bea, Frank, Rickie & Joan
Starring Eugenia Kuzmina, Sergio Lanza, Sergio Lopez, Jordan Whitney.
Throughout the night we’ve seen couples wrestling with every quirk and detail of relationships, healthy and not. Here we see two married couples, one older, one younger – and how both couples are dealing with all of romance’s issues.
Sergio Lopez should win acclaim for his performance in this scene. In a room full of bombastic characters, your eyes keep going back to him as he makes the subtlest of feelings quake the entire theater.
Sergio Lanza brings heart to the room and a baseline to Lopez’s reactions. Lopez and Lanza should work together more often. As Lanza’s internal boiling builds, he fills the room with emotion that all of the actors play off in the second half of the scene. The ensemble harmony is so flavorful and fun.
Cue Jordan Whitney’s entrance who brings sunshine on a cloudy day. Moments later, she informs Kuzmina’s performance in one of the highlights of the evening.
Eugenia Kuzmina reveals herself as a character actress
Eugenia Kuzmina reveals herself as a character actress. You know her best from several turns in Hollywood blockbusters, most notably gangsters and spies in big-budget Guy Ritchie movies.
But tonight she’s having a blast playing against type. She’s moody and vulnerable. Playing a lowly housewife with a lifetime of regrets. A woman in the audience goes from sobbing to full-on guffawing within seconds thanks to Kuzmina’s heartbreaking monologue in the second half of the scene.
One specific beat is so raw, honest, yet bitterly funny. Kuzmina captures the mood.
It’s the perfect scene to end the show on.
Eugenia Kuzmina
Indie Theater at Burbank’s Taylor Acting Studio is a fun date night
Why is indie theater important? Because in a town like LA, you can be sure these guys aren’t doing it for the money or the fame. They’re performing for you tonight because they love it.
Director Jennifer Taylor from Taylor Acting Studio
Years ago, I was sitting in a black box theater and after the show I noticed an Oscar-winning filmmaker getting up from his seat in the back row. On the walk out, I nudged him about why he was there. He replied, “Eh, I had a tough week. Got me cynical. These kids helped remind me that I love storytelling.”
Joe Winger at the premiere weekend
If you love storytelling, give indie theater a try. Pick a restaurant within walking distance. Make it as date night.
