Year of the Tiger

Revisiting Chinatown in Los Angeles always evokes childhood memories. For me, it is forever a mix of theater and mystery, as I performed on stage many years at a church celebration and, then, was told "not to call attention to myself," when we took our out-of-town guests there.

Yesterday, was wonderful sharing the 111th Annual Golden Dragon Parade with my art-loving neighbor, Elissa. We were "ooing" and "aaing" throughout the day in our quest for the perfect tea, when finding Japanese paper wallets, as we bought hand-made bags from Katmandu, when exploring an import shop that has been there for more than 150 years, as we admired contemporary hand-wrought table ware, and when seeing the magnificent parade dragons.

And, did I mention the fabulous food? The Empress Pavilion's dim sum was so much fun, choosing from the carts that didn't stop coming. Then, after the parade, waiting on the street for however long it took with other devoted diners at Daikokuya, in Little Tokyo.

Did I mention that our day was so full that we didn't even make our planned visit to the Geffen and the Museum of Contemporary Art? According to our local art reviewer the exhibitions are the best in Los Angeles this year. That will be another glorious day...

The Last Station

The world's most read author, Leo Tolstoy, made a new will leaving his work and property to the Russian people...and...boy...it sure made his wife mad! Actor, Helen Mirren played that wife, secretary, muse and mother of his thirteen children to the hilt. The paparazzi of the time didn't run out of subject matter with her around.

Eating Around Town

It took only a few spoons full of the undistinguished soup at Red Seven to know that the decor was the best part of this restaurant. My friends and I did have a grand time finding the art at Art Los Angeles Contemporary at the Pacific Design Center.

The Renoir exhibit was enhanced, however, by the scrumptious food at the Marie Callendar's restaurant on Wilshire. Ordering family style, we were almost stabbing each other with our forks.

Renoir in the 20th Century

The paintings and sculpture of Pierre-Auguste Renoir at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art represent art made during the last 20 years of his life. Though, for me, he never needed to make anything after the masterwork called "Luncheon of the Boating Party." That painting took my breath away when I saw it in Washington, D. C., years ago.

My friend, Chris treated me to a preview of this exhibition which began in Paris and will travel only to Philadelphia.

Mercedes Matter

American artist, Mercedes Matter's, exhibition at Pepperdine University's, Weisman Gallery, surprised me with it's quality. Though uneven, Mrs. Matter's work is a study in American art from the New York School. The art reflects the influences of being in New York City when the world's contemporary art life was centered there. The exhibition continues through April 4, 2010.