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Vidiots Foundation Set June 1 Re-Opening at Historic Eagle Theater in Los Angeles

Vidiots Foundation Set June 1 Re-Opening at Historic Eagle Theater in Los Angeles.

Vidiots, the beloved Los Angeles video store and non-profit film organization, has completed renovations on its new home, the historic Eagle Theatre in L.A.’s beautiful Eagle Rock neighborhood, and will open June 1, 2023.

Sneak preview events for Vidiots’ “Founding Members” and supporters will be held in May.

“We’re overjoyed

to finally see our dream of bringing Vidiots back to Los Angeles,”

said Vidiots founders Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber

“We could not have accomplished this incredible feat without the loyal and steadfast support of a community truly devoted to cinema and creating a space for new generations to be inspired and enlightened by the arts, and where they can fall in love with film as we have.”

Bringing the much-loved community movie house back to its original purpose, and restoring public access to its treasured 50,000-title physical media library, Vidiots’ new home, located at 4884 Eagle Rock Boulevard, will include a 271-seat, state-of-the-art movie theater (35mm, 16mm, and digital projection), a beer and wine bar with concessions and a light menu, a flexible micro-cinema and community space, and of course, the legendary video store.

The almost-11,000 square-foot venue will provide flexibility for various screenings, special events, workshops, and community gatherings.

Vidiots will operate seven-days-a week, producing a full calendar of affordable repertory titles, new independents, hard-to-find gems, beloved classics, special events with partners, all-ages programming, and year-round education and preservation initiatives reflective of its mission.

Community and programming partnerships are being planned with A Bunch of Savages, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, IFC Films and Shudder, KCRW, Lionsgate, Monkeypaw Productions, MUBI, Outfest, rePROFilm, UCLA Film & Television Archive, and Women in Film, among many others. Vidiots’ line-up of opening months’ screenings and events will be shared in the coming weeks.

“There are not enough words to describe our gratitude

for the incredible community that’s rallied around us for so many years,

making the dream of our reopening a reality,” said

Executive Director Maggie Mackay.

“We’re counting the seconds until we can welcome all of L.A. and beyond back to the video store and the beautiful Eagle Theatre. In our corner of Northeast L.A., film will once again thrive as the social, communal, inspiring, life-changing art form it has been for over 100 years.”

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization since 2012, Vidiots remains hard at work to reach its capital campaign goal to open and operate the newly restored Eagle Theatre. The organization’s groundbreaking relaunch would not be possible without the support of Vidiots’ Founding Members, Corporate Sponsors, Annual Members, donors at all levels, and Vidiots’ earliest supporters Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures and Dr. Leonard Lipman. Vidiots invites individual and corporate Founding Members to join the organization until Vidiots’ public opening in June. Founding Member levels start at $5,000.

Vidiots Founding Members include Miguel and Justine Arteta, Katie Aselton and Mark Duplass, Ike Barinholtz, Lake Bell, Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder, Jen and Jay Duplass, Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Charlie Day, Jerrika Hinton, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Elijah Wood, Karina Longworth and Rian Johnson, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Max Minghella, Nate Moore, Morgan Neville, Ify Nwadiwe, Patton Oswalt, Amy Pascal, Aubrey Plaza, Paul Scheer and June Diane Raphael, Noah Segan and Alison Bennett, Sharon Van Etten, Jessica Williams, and Alex Winter, among many more.

Corporate Founding Members and Sponsors include A24, Abramorama, Alamo Drafthouse, All Facts, Chifa 國偉, Cinetic Media, Criterion Collection, Facet, Final Draft, GKIDS, IFC Films and Shudder, Kindman & Co., Letterboxd, Level Forward, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, Monkeypaw Productions, MUBI, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Paramount Pictures, Pascal Pictures, Pipeline Media Group, Shout! Factory, Sony Pictures, Superbloom, UTA, Utopia Media, Vinegar Syndrome, Ways & Means, Writers Guild of America West, and ZEISS, among others. Foundation support comes from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and National Association of Theater Owners California/Nevada. Gracious in-kind donors include Dolby, Dunn-Edwards, Fever Content, Fireclay Tile, Gumball Poodle, QSC, Stone Source, Thunderwing Studio, and Jason Reitman, who provided a 35mm projection system.

The Vidiots Board of Directors is Vidiots Founders Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber, Vidiots Board Chair Mary Rohlich (Head of TV and Film, Purple Pebble Pictures), Vidiots Executive Director Maggie Mackay, Vidiots Treasurer Susan Garbett (General Manager, Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return), Vidiots Secretary Claudia Puig (President, Los Angeles Film Critics Association), Norma Manzanares (Film & TV Marketing Executive), Lela Meadow-Conner (Creative Producer/Founder, mamafilm), Rachel O’Connor (President of Film and Television, Pascal Pictures), and Naomi Ramsey (Experiential Marketing Consultant).

Jeffrey Birkmeyer and his company Analog, a multifaceted real estate and construction company, is Vidiots’ development partner and contractor. David Wick of Wick Architecture and Design, and Andrew Lindley of LAND Design Studio are Vidiots’ architecture and design partners. Film, D-Cinema, and event space projection and sound consulting, design, and installation are led by Paul D. Smith, Jr. of D-MATION INC. Hubbub Manufacturing, a San Francisco-based advertising agency, has assisted Vidiots with fundraising efforts and social media creative.

About Vidiots and the Eagle Theatre:

A one-of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema, Vidiots is dedicated to inspiring human interaction around film through communal theatrical presentations and preserving, growing, and providing access to its diverse DVD, BluRay, and rare VHS collection, showcasing the work of emerging, master, and underrepresented artists, and producing unique and affordable film events, and vital education programs.

A brick-and-mortar film space founded by women, Vidiots was opened as an alternative video store in 1985 by L.A. natives Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber. For 32 years, Vidiots served its devoted community via an iconic Santa Monica storefront. In the wake of rising costs, Vidiots shuttered in 2017. With the generous and unwavering support of major donor Annapurna Pictures, which went on to umbrella the organization for two years, Vidiots was able to store its collection and devise an extensive plan for sustainable relaunch.

Vidiots’ new home originally opened in May, 1929 as the Yosemite Theatre. The Yosemite operated as an independent movie house under that banner until 1940, when it became the Eagle Theatre. Aside from a short stint in the 1970s as a Pussycat Theater (California’s infamous adult cinema chain), the Eagle served audiences as a beloved neighborhood movie house until 2000, when it was repurposed as a church. Vidiots Foundation became proud stewards of the theater in September, 2019. Vidiots has remodeled and rehabilitated the Eagle as a public cinema, video store, and community space, opening June, 2023.

Vidiots Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts to Vidiots are tax deductible as allowed by law. To learn more and support visit vidiotsfoundation.org. Follow @vidiots on Instagram and Twitter, and @vidiotsvideo on Facebook for updates!

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LA Loves “Taste of a Kiss” with World’s #1 limoncello Pallini

“Taste of a Kiss” World’s #1 limoncello Pallini Celebrates 150 Years

Pallini Limoncello, the world’s #1 limoncello, proudly announces the launch of its new global campaign, “Taste of a Kiss.” Timed to coincide with the brand’s 150th anniversary, this sensory-led campaign invites consumers to rediscover the magic of limoncello – crafted with passion, kissed by the Amalfi sun, created for both timeless enjoyment and modern mixology.

"Taste of a Kiss" World's #1 limoncello Pallini

The campaign’s creative centerpiece, “What Does a Kiss Taste Like,” will run throughout 2025 and will be brought to life through digital storytelling, influencer collaborations, and curated lifestyle content that celebrates Italian passion and flavor.

Pallini, founded in 1875, remains a proudly family-owned company and is now led by CEO Micaela Pallini, a fifth-generation member of the founding family. With more than 15 years at the company, she previously served as Director and Head of Production. Micaela, who holds a Doctoral Degree in Chemistry, is the first woman to lead the company and is honored to guide Pallini through this historic milestone.

“This campaign is a love letter to our Italian roots,”

Micaela Pallini

“It reflects everything Pallini stands for – joy, beauty, togetherness, and timeless taste. Sharing our 150th anniversary as the world’s leading limoncello is both humbling and exhilarating.” The campaign was developed by Luther DSGN, a rising Rome-based agency known for its creative expertise in lifestyle branding, visual storytelling, and experiential design.

At the heart of the campaign is the Pallini Spritz—now among the top three spritz-style cocktails served in the U.S. Elegant, light, and refreshingly simple (3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Pallini, 1 part water, served over ice in a large wine glass), the cocktail is quickly becoming a seasonal favorite across bars, rooftops, and at-home occasions. Pallini is supporting this momentum with retail cross-merchandising initiatives, encouraging consumers to bring the spritz ritual home.

Pallini Limoncello is distributed across the U.S. by Lucas Bols, the Dutch spirits company known for nurturing heritage cocktail brands. “Pallini is a rare brand that blends craftsmanship, legacy, and modern appeal,” said Brett Dunne, Managing Director, USA and Canada, The Lucas Bols Company. “We’re excited to help expand its reach across the U.S., bringing the spirit of the Amalfi Coast to American consumers and bartenders.”

Pallini Limoncello is available nationwide in fine wine and spirits retailers, as well as leading bars and restaurants across the U.S.

Sports beverage LA needs, but with a kick: Vodkade the Ultimate Canned Vodka Cocktail

Tastes like a sports beverage , but with a kick: Vodkade the Ultimate Canned Vodka Cocktail

There’s a new contender in the adult beverage game, and it’s already claiming victory. Meet Vodkade, the first-of-its-kind, hand-crafted, canned vodka cocktail made for those who don’t just play — they play to win at fun.

Born from the idea of creating a cocktail that tastes like a sports beverage — but with a kick — it’s the ultimate fusion of refreshment and bold flavor. Made with a proprietary recipe using crisp, high-quality vodka and natural fruit flavors, delivering a smooth, invigorating taste experience that keeps your competitive spirit sharp and your social game even sharper.

Popularity of Cocktail in a Can

Canned cocktails have surged in popularity due to their convenience, quality, and evolving consumer preferences.

As more people seek premium, bar-quality drinks without the hassle of mixing, canned cocktails offer a ready-to-drink solution that’s portable, consistent, and often crafted with real spirits and natural ingredients. Their sleek packaging suits outdoor events, beach days, and casual gatherings—no bartending skills needed.

Additionally, the rise of health-conscious drinking has led to options with lower sugar, fewer calories, and clean labels. With innovative flavors and better branding, canned cocktails meet the modern demand for ease, taste, and lifestyle alignment—all in a pop-top can.

Whether you’re rallying on the court, soaking up the sun, or locked in a heated game night, this canned cocktail is here to match your energy.

Vodkade is available in four fan-favorite flavors:Fruit Punch, Lemon-Lime, Orange, and Berry Cherry

Available in four fan-favorite flavors (Fruit Punch, Lemon-Lime, Orange, and Berry Cherry), each sip brings a cool wave of nostalgia with a grown-up twist. Sold in a convenient four-pack and the Victory Pack, an eight-pack variety featuring two cans of each flavor.

Vodka in a can?

Vodka is ideal for canned cocktails because of its clean, neutral flavor, which makes it incredibly versatile and mixable.

It acts as a blank canvas, allowing other ingredients—like fruit juices, herbs, or sparkling mixers—to shine without clashing. This neutrality also ensures a smooth, consistent taste across a wide range of flavor profiles, from citrusy spritzes to bold berry blends.

Vodka’s light body and high mixability appeal to a broad audience, making it a go-to base for refreshing, easy-to-enjoy drinks. Plus, it’s shelf-stable and blends well with carbonated elements, making it perfect for the convenience and portability of a can.

Now available at liquor stores and major retailers across the Midwest in IllinoisMissouri, and Iowa, with plans to expand into other United States markets in summer 2025.

Currently distributed across MissouriIllinois, and Iowa by distribution partners including Grey Eagle Distributors, Krey Distributing Company, H.W. Herrell Distributing Company, Lohr Distributing Company, Donnewald Distributing Company, Doll Distributing, Kabrick Distributing, and Fahr Distributing.

Learn more at www.vodkade.com or on socials at @Vodkade_cocktails on Instagram and @Vodkade on Facebook.

About Vodkade
Vodkade is a canned cocktail beverage made with a proprietary blend of vodka and natural fruit flavors.

Designed for those who live to play and play to win, Vodkade combines the bold refreshment of a sports drink with a kick.

Vodkade is distributed across MissouriIllinois, and Iowa by distribution partners including Grey Eagle Distributors, Krey Distributing Company, H.W. Herrell Distributing Company, Lohr Distributing Company, Donnewald Distributing Company, Doll Distributing, Kabrick Distributing, and Fahr Distributing.

It’s crafted for champions of good times everywhere. More information can be found at www.vodkade.com.

Vodkade encourages fun seekers to drink responsibly.

City of Angels Food Wine: A World-Class Culinary Celebration at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles Featuring 36 All-Star Chefs, Coming July 2025

City of Angels Food Wine: A World-Class Culinary Celebration at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles Featuring 36 All-Star Chefs, Coming July 2025

Southern California is poised for a landmark moment as Event Founder Shelby Russell and Culinary Host & Partner Neal Fraser proudly present L.A.’s newest world-class culinary festival, the inaugural City of Angels Food & Wine featuring an exceptional lineup of 36 Best Chefs taking place at the historic Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles!

Franklin Becker, Photo Credit:  Courtesy of City of Angels Food & Wine

Franklin Becker, Photo Credit:  Courtesy of City of Angels Food & Wine

Opening Night on Friday, July 25, 2025

Grand Tasting on Saturday, July 26, 2025

Set in Downtown L.A., home to some of the country’s most innovative dining experiences, a spectacular two-night strolling festival with Opening Night on Friday, July 25, 2025, and the Grand Tasting on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

Each evening will bring together the industry’s top tastemakers and 1,000 culinary and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 18 Top Chefs and restaurants, spectacular wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages, live entertainment, and much more.

Chef Lindsay Autry; Courtesy of City of Angels Food & Wine

Chef Lindsay Autry; Courtesy of City of Angels Food & Wine

City of Angels Food & Wine will take place at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles, a vibrant, diverse culinary hub renowned for its cutting-edge cuisine and cultural richness.

Housed in a magnificently restored 19th-century cathedral, Vibiana is one of the city’s most iconic event venues, blending historic grandeur with modern sophistication.

As one of the nation’s most dynamic food destinations, Downtown Los Angeles offers the perfect backdrop for Southern California’s premier world-class culinary festival, where innovation, tradition, and flavor converge in an unforgettable celebration.

Chef Jonathon Sawyer

Chef Jonathon Sawyer; Courtesy of City of Angels Food & Wine

City Of Angels Chefs, Courtesy of City of Angels Food & Wine

The inaugural City of Angels Food & Wine will feature an extraordinary lineup of 36 of the Best Chefs representing Los Angeles, Anaheim, Pasadena, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Chicago, Palm Beach, New York, and Mexico. This exemplary event promises to be a spectacular showcase of culinary excellence.

All-Star Chef Lineup includes:

Event Host Chef Neal Fraser: Redbird, Vibiana – Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Chef Vartan Abgaryan: Momed – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Govind Armstrong: Post & Beam, The Lobster, 8 oz. Burger BarLos Angeles, CA

Chef Lindsay Autry: HoneybellePalm Beach, FL

Chef Franklin Becker: Point SevenNew York, NY

Chef Giberto Cetina: Holbox, Chichen ItzaLos Angeles, CA

Chef Josiah Citrin: Mélisse, Citrin, Charcoal Venice, Dear John’s, Openair, Augie’s on MainLos Angeles, CA

Chef Tolu Eros: ILE LALos Angeles, CA

Chef Ben Ford: Ford’s Filling Station, Galerie – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Jeffray Gardner: Marsatta Chocolate – Old Town Torrance, CA
Chef Joel Hammond: Uchi West HollywoodLos Angeles, CA

Chef Katianna Hong & Chef John Hong: YangbanLos Angeles, CA

Chef Jessica Koslow: SqirlLos Angeles, CA

Chef Vivian Ku: Pine & Crane, JoyLos Angeles, CA

Chef Donnie Masterton: The Restaurant @ Sollano 16San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Lord Maynard Llera: Kuya LordLos Angeles, CA

Chef Raphael Lunetta: LunettaLos Angeles, CA

Chef Sergio Ortego: BontanicaLos Angeles, CA

Chef Dylan Patel: avecChicago, IL

Chef Michael Reed: Poppy & Seed, Poppy + RoseAnaheim, Los Angeles, CA

Chef Andreas Roller: Jonathan ClubLos Angeles, CA

Chef Steve Samson: Rossoblu, Superfine – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Jonathon Sawyer: KindlingChicago, IL

Chef Warren Schwartz: Magpies Softserve – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Shannon Swindle: Funke, Felix TrattoriaLos Angeles, CA

Chef Jimmy Shaw: Loteria Grill – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Kris Tominaga: ManuelaLos Angeles, CA

Chef Bret Thompson: Pez Coastal KitchenPasadena, CA

Chef Niki Vahle & Anna Sonenshein: Little FishLos Angeles, CA

Chef Marcel Vigneron: Lemon GroveLos Angeles, CA

City of Angeles Food Wine

This year’s City of Angels Food & Wine event beneficiary is St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, whose mission is to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors and other vulnerable residents across Los Angeles, regardless of age, illness, disability, race, religion, or ability to pay. St. Vincent Meals on Wheelsdelivers over 100,000 meals each month to seniors at risk of hunger and stands on the front lines for the homebound and vulnerable throughout L.A. County, especially during emergencies like the recent Los Angeles wildfires, providing nutritious meals, shelf-stable food, wellness checks, and even pet food. More than 250,000 seniors in Los Angeles face food insecurity, and many of them are isolated and homebound. For these individuals, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels is a lifeline.

This year’s Partners include Delta Air Lines as the official Airline, Chef Works as the official Hospitality Apparel, IceBulb as the official Ice Supplier, Waterboy as the official Hydration, and Vibiana as the official Event Venue.

Ticket Information: The Inaugural City of Angels Food & Wine will take place on Friday, July 25th, 2025, and Saturday, July 26th, 2025, and this is a 21+ event. A DELTA VIP Early Entry Pass will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Regular Admission will be from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Tickets are on sale starting Wednesday, May 14, 2025. For more information on the City of Angels Food & Wine, please visit www.CityofAngelsFW.com.

 Transportation and Parking: Guests are strongly encouraged to utilize professional car services, such as Lyft, as alcoholic beverages will be served at the event. Self-parking is conveniently available in a Joe’s Parking Structure across the street from Vibiana.

Follow City of Angels Food & Wine for the latest updates on:

Facebook:  @cityofangelsfoodandwine

Instagram:  @cityofangels_foodandwine

City of Angels Food & Wine

Vibiana

214 Main St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

www.CityofAngelsFW.com

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