I’mmmmmm back! Our photographer Lorraine Devon Wilke reflects LA’s coastal wonderful in “Pier and Pink Sky”. Theatre Maven, Laura Foti Cohen, has a theatre recommendation, Fashion Stylist, Felicia Arlin, has an exciting Style Story and our Poetess, Lady Penelope, regals us with a clever sonnet. Aren’t we lucky to have these talented Tomatoes as LA Life Contributors?! You bet! And I give you the skinny on the Lotus Fest, Summer-tini Time, Heart of LA Tour, Zoo Friday Nights, the Getty’s Wonderful Things, Rising Japan Music Fest and Twilight Garden Strolls. Go forth, Tomatoes, and enjoy summer.

Pier and Pink Sky: The Story Behind the Cover Photo

With each newsletter I’m always taken a bit back by how each of Lorraine Devon Wilke’s  photos and stories delight me.  And, of course, I had the same reaction with “Pier and Pink Sky”. I love the photo and the story is magical, surprising and full of tidbits that will make you proud to be an Angeleno. And be sure to check out Lorraine Devon Wilke’s marvelous photos on her webpage, Gals.

When you live in a “beach town” like Los Angeles (a quaint way of saying, “a world class metropolis on the beautiful coast of the Pacific Ocean”), there is no shortage of eye-catching images that define the city’s role as a coastal wonderland. Yes, we have the stunning skyscrapers of Downtown and Century City, our arty eastside enclaves of museums and galleries; the many hillside neighborhoods of enduring charm, and a riotous variety of colorful, eclectic streets and districts. But the beach — ah, the beach! —has a unique and iconic draw. Every oceanfront up and down the coast of Los Angeles and surrounds has its own style and flavor, but they’re all meccas for locals and visitors looking to surf, sail, picnic with family, walk in the fog, cycle the strand, or just wander down one of the many piers that dot the coastline. This particular one, captured in a photograph titled, “Pier & Pink Sky,” is the Manhattan Beach Pier. With its Roundhouse Aquarium, Volleyball Walk of Fame, and excellent spots for fishing or watching the surfers below, it’s a favorite location all year round. It’s also a California Historical Landmark; built between 1917-1920, it’s the oldest concrete pier on the west coast and certainly one of the most charming!

Theatre Buzz : Garden of Alla at Theatre West through July 23

LA is all abuzz about the play, Garden of Alla, currently running at Theatre West. Our fab LA Life Theatre Maven Laura Foti Cohen shares her articulate and insightful review with us this week.  Hint… Hint…you just might want to make a reservation ASAP, Ladies! GET THE DETAILS.

LA Style Stories

Like our LA Life Fashion Stylist, Felicia Arlin, I’ve never been good at math.  Though her Style Story, 1+1=3, this week might not seem to add up at first glance it surely does when it comes to fashion.  With a little creative thinking and a silver and gold combo on very basic garments, you’ve got effortless styling and 3 amazing looks. There is always so much to learn from Felicia. Remember, Tomatoes, I only highlight a snippet of Felicia’s amazing cur8edme posts so be sure to follow her on Instagram. GET THE DETAILS.

Sonnets from Suburbia

Our LA Life Poetess Lady Penelope, AKA actress/author Penny Peyser, continues this week to explain modern life through Shakespearean verse. In this week’s episode her sonnet objects to the name “Chicken Caesar” and she explains why in the only way Lady Penelope can. And don’t forget to order a copy of Penny Peyser’s (Lady Penelope) brilliant newly released book, “Sonnets from Suburbia: More Candles Than Cake”.  WATCH THE VIDEO.

July 15 & 16. Lotus Festival

Echo Park Lake, an historic natural haven with its expansive lotus flower beds, wild geese and swans, and lush foliage, is the perfect location for “The Lotus Festival.” An event that gives you an incredible experience celebrating the meaning of life and spreading hope, peace and dreams. In their 42^nd year,  they celebrate the beautiful country of Indonesia with rice paper lanterns, lotus lanterns, a plethora of great food, live entertainment, a dragon boat races and plenty more, Tomatoes.

The Vesak, also known as the Waisak, is the most important Buddhist religious event in Indonesia. The Lights of Dreams Lantern Event is the festivals adaptation of Indonesia’s Buddhist Festival and features beautiful rice paper lanterns symbolizing hope for a brighter future, while lotus lanterns represent rebirth, purity and life. The Lotus Festival helps in promoting understanding and cooperation between different cultures. The Festival is a program of the nonprofit organization, Los Angeles Lotus Festival, Inc., in collaboration with the Recreation and Parks, Dept. of the City of Los Angeles promoting the arts and cultures of the Asian Pacific Region.

July 19. Summer-tini Time

Downtown Culver City, one of LA’s best kept secrets, has another great “Third Wednesday” event coming up because summer is the perfect time to enjoy Summer-tini Time. Explore everything the Culver City Downtown main street has to offer, including FREE themed cocktail samples (virgin options, too) at local hotspots. That’s your cue, Tomatoes.

Take a lovely summer evening stroll and wind down after a busy day with live, outdoor music, food & drink specials.  It’s a wonderful chance for Tomatoes to explore this area’s rich history with one-of-a-kind restaurants, boutiques, bars, theatres and galleries.  What’s not to like?

July 22, 29, August 5. Connecting the Heart of LA

There’s a new tour from the esteemed LA Conservancy is offering a new tour that highlights the famed landscape architect Lawrence Halprin. The Lawrence Halprin: Connecting the Heart of LA Tour gives you an in-person walking tour of Halprin’s Los Angeles Open Space Network that fosters art, community and a connection with nature. Book a space on this tour ASAP, Tomatoes, because it will sell out fast.

Lawrence Halprin was one of the most influential landscape architects of the latter twentieth century. He brought nature into urban spaces in unprecedented ways. The tour focuses on the four Halprin designs that make up the Los Angeles Open Space Network. The Network was an ambitious plan to connect downtown Los Angeles through the use of open landscapes, and is made up of Wells Fargo Center, Bunker Hill Steps, Maguire Gardens, and Grand Hope Park. Halprin created each landscape to be unique and each one of them impacts how Angelenos live and move about the city.

Through August 18.  Zoo Friday Nights

Lions and tigers and music, oh my! Come see what your favorite animals are getting up to during the twilight hours at the LA Zoo’s all-ages Zoo Friday Nights. Guests can explore nearly the entire Zoo while enjoying music, diverse entertainment, interactive education stations, family dance parties, and more. It’s all the fun without the sun and it is proudly presented by L.A. Care Health Plan. If you don’t know about this vitally important non-profit, read on.

The L.A. Care Health Plan provides health coverage for the most vulnerable and low-income communities and residents of Los Angeles County and supports the safety net required to achieve that purpose.  L.A. Care also engages with the community and works in partnership with others to elevate health care for all Angelenos. L.A. Care Health Plan and their mission and the execution of it is a blessing to this city.

Through August 20. Wonderful Things

Journey into the fantastical worlds created by internationally acclaimed fashion photographer Tim Walker.  The Getty’s exhibition, Tim Walker Wonderful Things, pays tribute to Walker’s distinctive contribution to image-making while also highlighting the work of his creative collaborators.  Immerse yourself, Ladies, in Tim Walker’s imaginative realms.  It should be absolutely fantabulous!

Walker selected an array of “wonderful things,” the art and design objects that served as inspiration for the series of nine photo shoots at the heart of this exhibition. In the same spirit, the Getty Museum invited Walker to explore its collection and embark on a tenth photo session. Photographs inspired by the two paintings Walker chose are on view at the Getty for the first time. Wow!

Rising Japan Music Festival

Experience the magic of the best Japanese music, food, culture, drinks and fun at the Rising Japan Music Festival. And I can’t forget to mention the delish Sake tastings.  RJM is the ultimate Japanese music festival experience and a sumptuous sensory experience for two incredible days in Long Beach, Tomatoes.

The Rising Japan Music Festival is an outdoor live music concert event showcasing artists dedicated to Japanese music and celebrating and promoting the enjoyment of Japanese music, culture, and food.  It sure does sound like a wonderful all-sensory experience.

July 23, Aug 4, 13, 20. Twilight Garden Strolls

I’ve always found evenings in LA gardens to be magical and nothing could be more magical and relaxing than a Twilight Garden Stroll at the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens.  Who knows what wonders you will happen upon in the evening there, Tomatoes.

You’ll also be able to enjoy refreshments and snacks from Red Car coffee shop and 1919 café and shop the Huntington Store after hours.  And, boy oh boy, that is some jaw dropping store!  Remember, Gals, advance reservations are required.