Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles - Summer of Staycation 5

Most reality television is toxic to your brain. Real music and performers will make you healthy and engaged in real communities. Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles has 50 count them 50 summer events so what are you waiting for?

Consider this your invitation to bus a move out of the house. This is the New MacArthur Park. Not only can you breathe but you can dance, rock your body and enjoy free music five nights a week.


Depending on where you live you could hop on the Red Line, get off at MacArthur Park Station, pop in the 99 Cents Only Store for picnic items and hippity hop over to the Pavilion. There may or may not be vendors on the street selling fruit, roasted corn or other items.

I cannot say yes but I won't say no. If you see LAPD approaching said vendors the answer is no.

Coming up this week:

• July 15 - La Charanga Cubana - you know there will be dancing on the grass and hands swinging from side to side.
• July 16 - West African Highlife Band - another opportunity to bust some arterial grease out of your body and sling it Afro Old Skool style.
  
• July 17 - Locos por Juana - a little Reggie, some Ska and a dash of Hip-Hop. All this and some bacon wrapped jalapeno scented hot dogs someplace in the vicinity.
• July 18 - Jim Lauderdale - for those of the Country music and Bluegrass persuasion come on out and get your twang on with pride.
  

Shows start at 7:30p.m. but check the schedule just in case something changes. Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park is located at the intersection of West 6th Street and S. Park View Street.

Old Pasadena Film Festival - Summer of Staycation 4.1

Tonight is a great night for an outdoor movie or two. As part of the Old Pasadena Film Festival tonight the screenings are gems.

At 8:00pm it is the silent film Daddy Long-Legs at One Colorado Courtyard, 41 Hugus Alley.

This is the tale of orphans IMDB gives info on the film as a comedy/drama starring Miss Mary Pickford.

According to the website the Malibu Coast Chamber Orchestra will be performing the soundtrack of the recently restored silent film live.

Then at 9:00pm – move a degree closer to Kevin Bacon in Footloose, this is showing on the rooftop of the Schoolhouse Parking Garage, 33 E. Green Street.

Yes, I suspect that there will be some toe tapping, sneaker wearing and blue jeans a spooning as we travel back to a time when the beat was banned and the feet stood still.

What, you never heard of Footloose? Tsk, tsk. Let me help you out a bit. This is Kenny Loggins singing the title track and scenes from the movie, Footloose:



Should be a hoot and there are a bunch of places to grab grub. Enjoy! To keep up on events in Old Town Pasadena check the Calendar of Events.

Fly the Friendly Skies on the Finally Friday Freakout

I can hear the old commercial in my head. A promise to adventure and new destinations. When I do research on a trip I do check out what other people say about an airline. Years before this video was conceived there was anger at airlines customer service and the handling of consumer complaints.

United? Damn, it was scary bad about them. Not good and not going to get better anytime soon. I don't fly United Airlines. Wait a minute, check out the video first if you haven't seen it.

This is David Carroll and the Sons of Maxwell taking a positive and funny licking stick to United Airlines in United Breaks Guitar



Back? Ok. Now cruise on over Consumer Reports or any of the other places about airline complaints. Then hit up online consumer reaction before this video. The video isn't about the baggage manglers, er handlers. It was the corporate and front line failure of anyone at United to honor what was put down in print as a recourse.

It wasn't like he didn't try to comply with ridiculous rules it was the rules kept shifting like quick sand. It isn't really just about United. It is your cable company, your HMO or the repair company that shows up three days after they said they would and still jack up the repair.

United has a systemic customer relation problem that they refused to address. So after a year flows by and the video comes out they now apologize and want to use it as a training video?

Dave, just say no man. Please release Part 2 cuz they still don't get it. Don't take no stinking vouchers. United had their time, now it is yours. Go for it and make Canada proud with a few Yanks standing in humble adoration.

While we are waiting for that second dose of medicine, I'd like to remind folks of a mythical airline that was more than willing to give "service." All aboard for Air Fosse. From the movie All That Jazz this is the intro to the Take Off With Us segment.



Those of you about to head out on your airline of choice I strongly suggest you bring your Zi6, The Flip or your still digital camera of choice. We can freak out baggage handlers from coast to coast without a word. An image or recording will do.

Solidarity!

Sling That Swing Dance at the Paseo - Summer of Staycation 4

The Cha Cha need you at the Paseo Saturday night starting July 11th into August. Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association is taking up the slack cuz the city can't afford it this year; they are continuing the Swing Dance series with Live Bands.

It really is a lot of fun and the music is jumping. Bring your dancing shoes or your tennies around 6:30 or so for a free starter lesson and then prepare make with serious hoofing from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

For more info you want to glide on over to the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association.

Odeum Guitar Duo at Norton Simon - Summer of Staycation 3

What are you doing June 10th? This isn't totally free but not a wallet buster. If you haven't been in the Norton Simon or you only recognize the logo from the Rose Parade you owe yourself and a friend a visit.

Seriously, $8 bucks you get art and music. With the other $11 you can head into old town Pasadena and buy some Gelato, Pinkberry or the refreshment of your choice.

And if you have to bring your car parking is free if you actually go into the museum. It will be towed if you don't. Metro gets a little erratic at night but if you know to work the 180/181 buses you won't have a problem.

For the price of admission to the museum you not only witness fabulous works of art but between 7 and 8 p.m. you get to hear guitar music from the 17th and 18th centuries. Human performed and amplified music and not a computer in sight.

For more information check out the Norton Simon where you can find out about upcoming events, podcasts and videos.

In My World of Fantasy on the Finally Friday Freakout

I was truly blessed to grow up in a musically open and abundant time. You couldn't really roll up and be a half-ass performer and expect to stay too long. We had so much talent there wasn't room for everybody. Well, that and radio payola, protecting regional turfs and other shenanigans had a huge effect on who broke through to the big time.

This is another musical group of siblings that should have been promoted and nurtured to prominence. The 5 Stairsteps were vocally exquisite, musically lyrical and they were successful but I think got caught between the transitional shift between R&B/Soul and what would be known as Funk.

There were hits recordings but they are most known for Ooh Child. Some would try to classify them as one hit wonders. Not so, not true and pure bunkum. Here is my proof:



In hindsight, it might have been a good thing that they didn't have monster fame. There seems to be a hell of price to pay if you have that constricting kind of attention. I mention no names and I ain't looking for trouble.

Just saying life balance is a wonderful thing to achieve and don't underestimate the joy of peace.

And just as things are heating up financially in California, both fiscally and temperature wise it will be more of a struggle to remember the deep breaths of staying focused and calm.

There will be turbulence but things are going to get easier if we collectively work together to transform what is to what is can be. Easier said than done. A thought for Monday. In the meantime, crank up the box and make with the singing Ooh Child.



Peace and safety on the Fourth of July.

Twilight Dance at Santa Monica Pier - Summer of Staycation 2

Dance, dance and dance some more! Turn off the DTV and go do it for yourself without judgment or national humiliation. The Santa Monica Pier has a Twilight Dance Series from now until September 3rd. This is the 25th year and the hipulation will commence with the Playing for Change band.

Am I psychic or what? Yowser and pass the Ginger Beer. Yes, some of those folks. And if they can get that Belgium brother over here I might book a hotel room to see him.

Cuz there is no way I'm gonna get home from Santa Monica after 11pm without added to my life experiences. Yes, take Metro if you can but ladies, this is time you need to hook up a ride if you live more than a half hour's walking distance from the pier.

No fooling. Last trains leave at 11:30pm, buses if they are running are on a hour or hour and a half schedule and catching a taxi home might equal the cost of the hotel room.

So, barring a thunderstorm, quake, fire or somebody doing something supremely stupid check it out, dance it out and you know, enjoy life while the clock is ticking.