“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Words from another Libra. I completely agree with her statement.
It’s October, my month which means I’m going to be living with a big hooray hoorah and to the fullest. I started my celebration by going to the Edison, Downtown L.A. (http://www.edisondowntown.com/) What a magnificent place! It’s like nothing else I’ve ever seen or been to. I was in awe and couldn’t stop walking around touching things, marveling at the vintage artifacts and furniture wondering where they were found. And how the machinery in the generator room was used and built. Even some of the drinking glasses are old. Some are reproductions. On one wall, I saw a film with Sean Connery as James Bond, double 07. On another, Clara Bow starred in “The It Girl.” I was transported to another era.
Built as the first private power plant it has original architectural and mechanical artifacts. I also saw a tunnel and realized while I sipped my French 75 (a first for me, okay as a summer drink but not as luscious as a Kir Royale) that even when the country was forced to go dry, underneath Downtown Los Angeles the party never stopped.
I’ve heard stories of tunnels being used by police to transport prisoners, bank security to move large sums of cash safely, and both coroners and mobsters to store bodies.
But in this basement speakeasy, invention and imagination are alive and well. While I walked to acquaint myself with the surroundings out of the blue I was asked to dance. What fun I had.
There were professional dancers that give you a taste of being at a legendary nightclub from yesteryear.
If you haven’t been to Edison, I suggest you go… it’s a unique place that has to be experienced.
Last night’s opening of the LA Phil season had a depth of sound that was evident from the very first notes, the sweet entrancing of a long-ago, idyllic “Knoxville” summer. The text comes from James Agee’s novel “A Death in the Family.” A boy dreams. Summer sounds of a barking dog and streetcar enchant. Lazy memories of warm-day picnics and warm-night quilts on the grass and blue notes supply poignancy.
Julia Bullock was the soprano. She is a compelling dramatic singer, although her diction could be clearer.
The L.A. Phil commissioned a piece for the program in an effort to include former L.A. Phil Music Director André Previn in the centenary celebrations. Previn died in February, having just begun the score. So Dudamel substituted the largest of Previn’s recent orchestral works, and the night ended with Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.”
Dudamel is so likable he exudes generosity and vitality and gives credit to the orchestra.
During intermission, my eye caught this juxtaposition and I asked my companion to snap a photo of me. What do you think? It makes me think of Hitchcock.
I may not be a fan of DTLA, because of the grunge and grime but it’s got so many magical architectural spots to photograph. I think I just gave myself a creative idea.
The post The heat is on appeared first on Do Write .
