BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...

A dinner at Valerie Foster Hoffman's is never just a dinner....

Lovely Valerie greets Carol Soucek King...

Oh my, so many tasty bits....Everything's better with bacon...right?

Love the caviar topping....

There was also an amazing cheese treat but I was too overwhelmed to photograph it!
With drinks in hand we were serenaded on the lovely patio by virtuoso Michael Lozano!





Did you ever?

No....never...Nobody does it better.  Josie, Valerie's amazing chef prepared the most amazing dinner for us with perfect popovers, artichokes and the most amazing beef dish but then you know it's all about dessert!

Time to settle in and chat....

Lissi Kaplan, artiste extraordinaire and creator of the Peninsula's Living Room tea service had hubby Doug take this photo...next to her is Vanya, Valerie's wonderful sister...dear Amy with me next to delightful Carol!

Love this of the two sisters....

Oh my, a private tour of Center Theatre Groups Costume Shop and Prop Warehouse!

It was such great fun and especially interesting to see and touch the costumes that are good to go for the upcoming 'The Art Couple'.

Sooooo much stuff....

The prop Warehouse is in a separate building and is loaded...I mean loaded with props!

Including this.....

I got home in time to celebrate Dr. Keith's birthday at Casa Nostra Ristorante...

Thank you beautiful Mary, it was great fun!

On to LACMA...but first...a delicious lunch at Ray's!

It was a wonderful field trip for the Landscape class and we learned a lot from 'The Art of Qiu Ying', an exhibit worth seeing.

Sooooo cute!

Everyone has to take a photo of the 'Lampposts'! Hi Amy!

I Saw 'By Day and By Night', Paris in the Belle Epoque at the Norton Simon ...twice..

With friends from Chicago who winter in Newport Beach and they absolutely loved it!

So love the Center Theatre Group events...



But first, a bite at Abernethy's....

Crab & Avocado toast....soooo good!

Time to watch the finalists in the 'August Wilson Monologue Competition'.

They were marvelous....

Quite an informative lunch with Kimberly Valentine from the LA Phil at Celestino's Ristorante.  Thank you Kimberly!

Nothing is more interesting and delightful than watching the 'Spotlight' Master Classes.
I really appreciate the parking pass.

The Artists Entrance at the Music Center...

Next you're greeted by the guards to make sure you're on the list and not wanted anywhere...



Jeri Gaile, awesome Director of the Spotlight Program takes a group photo of the acting finalists with Master Class teacher Andi Chapman.

Food anyone?




Just time to get to the Norton Simon for the special 'Night in Focus'...Everything Paris and the third trip to see "By Day, By Night; Paris in the Belle Époque'.

Chatting with Emily Talbot, Chief Curator of the exhibit about her informative 'Spotlight Talk'.

It was great fun because there were so many areas where visitors could have a 'hands on' experience!





I'll leave you with this.....

LET'S TALK ABOUT ART

...and how absolutely wonderful it is to just play.  To not be concerned about outcome but just delight in the process, enjoying the adventure.  Of course, if we can remember the brain needs to build a large file, muscle memory, then we can be patient.  I've painted Peonies a certain way for years and in Saturdays class in the studio decided to just play and everyone loved it.  We all expressed on paper what our hearts wanted to say.



Thank you dear Kc for the two absolutely delicious fruit tarts that disappeared way too quickly!

I loved the birthday candle!

Earlier in the month we worked on Wisteria and found a new way of expressing it as well.  Know the rules....then throw them out!  Picasso would be proud!

The Magnolia's are blooming now and so sublime they're inspirational.  Perfect subject for the class at the Huntington and especially because we had Sakura Poster White.

The second Wednesday of each month is devoted to studying Eastern Landscape in the studio.  It's fascinating to see the world in a completely different light, learning about centuries old ways of expressing nature.  I'm so proud of Tony and always love seeing his work completed and framed.  Bravo!

LA Opera's production of La Traviata was sublime.  True art in so many forms, Art Deco set design by Marta Domingo, flapper costumes and of course the amazing singers.  Soprano Adela Zaharia was magnificent asVioletta.



Great fun seeing Valerie at The Spotlight Awards at Disney Hall.
In the garden for treats and cocktails pre performance.

The Spotlight is a scholarship program empowering students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance.  Categories are in acting, ballet, classical and non classical instrumental, voice, jazz and non classical dance and voice.



After the performances and awards, supporters were treated to a wonderful dinner.

Parvin has elevated the art of dining.

Dinner at Tom Backer's, bon vivant man about town and knower of all things art related with Maggie.  Here they are with Don Bachardy's portrait of Tom.

Followed by a business lunch with publisher Benjamin Darling from Laughing Elephant...Subject?  My next book!

Happy Days by Samuel Beckett at the Mark Taper  was not so happy so no more will be said except that Diane Wiest was amazing.

Marsha Ramos, former Burbank mayor,  is my template for doing good and I honestly don't know how on earth she can be involved with as many organizations as she is and all with aplomb.  It was delightful seeing her and Councilman and former mayor, amazing Bob Frutos, at the opening party for SKINBLVD an all inclusive beauty spa.


One could say this is also an art form.

Stephanie you could not be cuter.  I'll take a Selfie with you any day!

It's special fun going to LACMA after it closes.

Dinner first at Roy's and then a special lecture by Insoo Chu on 'The Faces of Korea Calligraphy'.

This was in conjunction with the current exhibition 'Beyond Line:  The Art of Korean Writing'.



If you're even remotely interested in modern art, you'll be enthralled by John Seed's first hand account in his latest book 'My Art World' available on Amazon.

This may not be art but it sure is adorable.

May you always find joy!