"Young Frankenstein" the musical

Opening night of Mel Brook's musical at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood was a red carpet affair. The zany, vaudevillian, and naughty show (prepare for fifth grade level humor) was brilliantly performed. "Young Frankenstein" opened to mixed critical reviews on Broadway. This is not high art...or, is it when being done at this level of perfection?

National Dance Day

The newly-created National Dance Day is this coming Saturday, July 31, 2010. If you are in the Los Angeles area and want to participate, learn this dance. There are many sites, locally. Two that might be of interest are The Music Center on Grand from 10 until 12 noon, or the boardwalk between Venice and Santa Monica Beach from 1 until 3 pm. Hope to see you there, dancers!

This great dance was choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon D'uomo, just for this event.

Great Summer Read

I just finished reading Isabel Allende's, "Daughter of Fortune." Another coming to America story, told from a different perspective, I was constantly reminded of other stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Lisa See. It is a great tale of young love, obsession, and freedom of spirit, as the young heroine travels from Chile to California in the midst of the gold rush.

Beach Fun

Lots of beach fun today...warmer waters...triple digit temperatures inland...but, be careful of the riptides!

Harbor Cruise

After many soupy days in a row, Wednesday turned out to be a perfect day for our cruise around the harbor at Marina Del Rey. We were the guest of our colleague in the Malibu Woman's Club and had lunch at the yacht club. I got a turn at being skipper of "Cheers," but, only for a quick photo op.

Luncheon at the House of Lords

Our friend shared memories of a recent luncheon with her family at the House of Lords. We were all so interested to hear that the delicious food was matched by the setting. During the lunch, they wandered out to the terraces to see the water traffic on the Thames. Later in the day, some went via the underground to Nottinghill for a picnic in a park.

Drai's Hollywood

Oh, to be young again! Swim, dance, eat, drink..., all at the same glamorous place. The new Drai's Hollywood, located around and near the pool at the W HOLLYWOOD hotel, has it all.

W HOLLYWOOD Hotel

Being at the brand-new W HOLLYWOOD hotel for drinks and dinner before theater was like being in New York City. No, better! It is located across the street from the Pantages Theater and over a metro station. It was fabulous...the ambiance, the food, the celebrities (yes, I spotted a few), the adventurous taste, were all exciting. I even avoided a fist fight on the street...very exciting!

"In the Heights"

Last night I saw "In the Heights" and was reminded that I never tire of coming-to-America stories. Adding the theme of "living the dream," made this Tony-award winning musical so energized that the full house was, at times, roaring with their love of the show. It was exciting being in the same audience with them.

Incredibly, the starring actor also wrote the book and lyrics. One of the Associate Producers of the show was from the same Washington Heights area. His high school was the same attended by Alan Greenspan, who was a classmate of Henry Kissinger. Today's alumni hero is the L.A. Dodger, Manny Rameriz. Art reflecting life!

Malibu's Farmer's Market is Back

Oh, what a beautiful day! It started with photographing and selecting fresh fruits and vegetables at the newly-re-established farmer's market. By late afternoon we were with friends at a magical chamber music performance. The musical soirees are part of a series by world-class musicians. The venue was the home of some of the musicians and their children, designed by an architect from the noted Wright family, just for this purpose. In case the talents of the musicians were in question, the awards dotted around the home, including an Academy Award, belied that.

The Help

"The Help" should have been entitled "Help"! It is a heartbreaking story placed in the author's home town, Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 1960s. The author moved away after writing this expose...no wonder.

"South Pacific" in Los Angeles

We were in our third row center seats at the Ahmanson Theater when it opened in Los Angeles. Not a single theatrical moment was overlooked in this Rogers and Hammerstein's revival. The talent and joy was not wasted on us. It will play until July 17, 2010.

After the show we fought the crowds of sports fans there to see the Celtics play the Lakers. But we were determined to have drinks and appetizers at the newly-finished WP24 (standing for Wolfgang Puck 24th floor) in the Ritz Carlton Hotel. It is in the "L.A. Live" area, and, was it ever.

I won!

I'm stoked! After swimming two races in the California State Senior Games, I won two medals. A gold medal in the 25 yard backstroke was won in the novice division. The bronze medal in the 50 meter backstroke advanced division qualifies me to swim for California at the National Senior Olympics in Houston, Texas, in June of 2011. I'm going!

Dick took this photo before I won the second medal. Don't you think I should seek sponsorship from Mabelline waterproof mascara?

California State Senior Games

Tomorrow is the big day. I am swimming the backstroke in the 50m and the 25yd races. Since last September I have been swimming one half mile every day, practicing to win another gold medal. Wish me luck.