LA LIFE: Tours, Mildred’s Garden, Slow Food, Film Fashion, My Orchid
Colorful poppies are popping open as another sign spring is here. Ain’t it grand that the “LA Conservancy Tours” are back with in-person tours?!! The stunning “UCLA Mildred Mathias Botanical Garden” has remained closed but, (cue the “Happy Dance”), the garden just reopened. Yippee! Film & fashion historian, Kimberly Truhler, is virtually back with her fab annual event, “Fashion in Film”. And talented women are behind the play “Slow Food” that just started streaming and it is full of laughs. And if you missed “My Miracle Orchid Story” yesterday, you can read it here.
Starting May 1. LA Conservancy Walking Tours Return
Reservations are open and you want to jump on booking your place for an in person socially distanced tour ASAP. You will be so happy to spend your Saturday(s) rediscovering L.A.’s history through its iconic architectural landscape! I promise, Tomatoes.
Capacity is limited to five attendees (plus one docent) so that is why I’m saying book now and reservations are required. So hop to it! No walk-ups allowed. There are five different and incredible walking tour options offered to enjoy, Tomatoes, with the Art Deco, Historic Downtown, Modern Skyline, Past Meets Present and the Union Station Tours. That should cover all of DTLA!
UCLA Mildred Mathias Botanical Garden
The gorgeous UCLA Mildred Mathias Botanical Garden just finally reopened. Yay! Wildflowers, Puya and the Leucospermum are blooming. Butterflies are emerging. Spring is here and Mildred’s Garden is ready to share it all with you, Tomatoes.
What a joy the Garden is welcoming us all back with safety protocols in place. The UCLA Mildred Mathias Botanical Garden is a “living museum” and a 7-acre public garden on the UCLA campus, with approximately 5000 species in 225 families, including many tropical and subtropical plants. It is considered one of the most important botanical collections in the US.
And who is Mildred E. Mathias and why is she worthy of our esteem. Well, Mildred was an extraordinary “herbarium botanist” (google it) and a definitive trail blazer. In 1947, Mildred started working at UCLA and in 1956, Mildred was appointed director of the garden and remained so until 1974. But she didn’t stop there. The list of her awesome achievements and awards is as long as an arm and she left an incredible legacy. Her contributions to the UCLA Botanical Garden and to the world of horticulture were honored in 1979 by giving this special garden her name. What an inspirational gal, Tomatoes.
May 5. Fashion in Film TCMFF 2021
Kimberly Truhler, founder of GlamAmor and film fashion historian invites you to her popular annual event, “Fashion in Film” with a virtual version coming to you from LA. Tomatoes might not be able to attend in person, but you can still travel back in time with the beautiful stills from the movies accompanied by a conversation about film history, costume and fashion designers, and backstories of the stars.
The May 5 presentation will include films from the 1930s to 1970s that are featured in the virtual TMC Film Festival Lineup which includes “The Thin Man (1934)”, “The Maltese Falcon (1941”, “Bullitt (1968)”, “Love Story (1970)” and more. Costume Design is integral to plot lines and character development and leading ladies of the eras were close with their costume designers, so the presentation will give you insights into the leading ladies lives and the evolution of their fashion style. Might I recommend a fab ensemble and a cocktail to go along with the presentation, Tomatoes?
Through May 16. Slow Food
The International City Theatre’s upcoming streaming presentation of “Slow Food” – written by Tomato Wendy MacLeod and featuring Tomato Meredith Thomas has a unique, fun quality to it. And wonder of wonders the story is about a healthy 23-year marriage, Tomatoes.
How refreshing is that?! In “Slow Food”, a vacationing couple celebrate their anniversary at a Greek restaurant in Palm Springs — but will the marriage survive the service? As a wacky waiter insinuates his way into their meal — and their lives — the couple examine their past and their future together.
According to International City Theatre artistic director Caryn Desai, “We all need to laugh, now more than ever. Of course, there’s no substitute for live, human communication and connection. But, in the meantime, we must find ways to keep connected and engaged until we can once again come together safely.”
ICT is a nonprofit professional resident theatre company in the city of Long Beach that has been serving the community since 1985. Business and Community leaders serve on the Board of Directors and ICT’s productions and programs reach more than 30,000 people a year. They also form partnerships with community members to bring their diverse community together, to introduce students to live theatre, and to raise funds for college. Not only that, but ICT conducts 5 productions per season, 6 educational programs per year and has a senior outreach program. What a marvelous Theatre, Tomatoes!
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The Three Tomatoes LA Life editor, Debbie Zipp is your friendly guide to the best of everything in LA with a tomato style perspective. Debbie is an actor, producer, and writer. She is best known for her recurring role as Donna on the CBS series "Murder She Wrote" starring Angela Lansbury. She has had many other TV and stage roles and has starred in over 300 national TV commercials. As head of In The Trenches Productions, Debbie produced, directed, acted in many short films for her company. Her book, The Aspiring Actor's Handbook: What Seasoned Actors Wish They Had Known was recently published.
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