Hollywood Bowl; ‘A Case for Love;’ Getty House reception

| July 27, 2023 | 0 Comments

THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL welcomed about 17,000 people on each of three nights for composer John Williams concerts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Gustavo Dudamel. Photo by Sondi Sepenuk

The 2023 Hollywood Bowl season is underway, and many locals have been enjoying “summer under the stars.” In early July, there were thousands of glowing lightsabers as Los Angeles showed up to enjoy conductors Gustavo Dudamel and John Williams leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a three-day celebration of Williams’ music. The sold-out July 9 crowd was thrilled to hear many of 91-year-old Williams’ most iconic selections, including pieces from “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List,” “E.T.” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The evening commenced with Dudamel conducting. Then Williams walked onto the stage to the thunderous applause of fanboys and fangirls (including me) who cheered the maestro and all that he has contributed to some of Hollywood’s most popular films of all time. For an encore, Dudamel and Williams sparred onstage to “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars,” with their very own lightsabers (that occasionally doubled as batons to conduct the orchestra), thrilling the crowd that roared in approval.

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Lots of neighbors headed to the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills to preview a new film, “A Case for Love” on July 10. Hancock Park resident Carl Anderson has been talking for nearly two years about the production that he and other volunteers now have seen to the finish. The film shows how the practice of unselfish love has, in the words of Episcopalian bishop Michael Curry, “the power to transform each of us, those around us, and by extension, the world.” Locals seen in the packed theater included Neil and Vicky Martin and Jenny and Bill Fain, and all agreed that the film’s depiction of unselfish love, something rooted in ancient texts of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith traditions, resonated with them in this film created in response to the growing divisiveness in society. Learn more at: gracebasedfilms.org.

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AMBASSADOR Linda Thomas-Greenfield was introduced by Mayor Karen Bass and spoke to about 300 Getty House guests.

MAYOR KAREN BASS welcomes consular guests and others to the shade of a tent on the Getty House tennis court.

More than 300 guests of Mayor Karen Bass and the Getty House Foundation gathered in the back yard of Windsor Square’s Getty House for a reception in honor of the Los Angeles Consular Corps on July 19. The open tent provided shade for the warm evening that featured master of ceremonies business leader Stephen Chung introducing the Mayor who then introduced her good friend, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. The latter is the Representative of the United States to the United Nations and is serving this month as the president of the Security Council.

A career diplomat with 35 years of service, Thomas-Greenfield served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2013 to 2017. While in Los Angeles, she delivered keynote remarks welcoming new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony. See:

tinyurl.com/3zz4buyf.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS of marriage, in the front row (left to right): Nancy Bolger, Rebecca Morellato, Tani Doering, Lynn Doering, Suzette Cardin, Katie Doering, Joe Braun, Loyce Braun, Nona Friedman. Back row (left to right): Ed Cardin, host Bruce Doering, Tom Bolger, Kathy Dracup, Tom Doering, Brad Haehnel, Eric Puestow, Alan Wolovitch and Kay Baker.

A private room at Angelini Osteria, filled with friends, family and neighbors on July 8, was the scene of a 50th anniversary party organized by Bruce Doering of Ridgewood-Wilton to surprise his wife Lynn. The Doering Family has lived in Ridgewood-Wilton since 1986.

A highlight of the dinner was Bruce Doering regaling the guests with a 15-minute synopsis of the couple’s courtship and elopement.

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The Wilshire Ebell Theatre was the location of a July 24 memorial sendoff to Brookside native, celebrated magician and Hollywood TV writer and producer Milt Larsen, who died in May at age 92. He was the co-founder of Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle. Members of the Larsen family have been performing magic continuously since the mid ’20s.

In 1942, Milt’s parents purchased their Brookside home, Brookledge. Built in 1933, the property includes, behind the main house, a small theater that became an informal gathering place for the top echelon of the magic community — prior to the opening of The Magic Castle in 1963. It was from this Brookside family home that Larsen walked four blocks to Los Angeles High School, graduating in 1949.

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EBELL OPEN HOUSE visitors last year arrived through the front door into the club’s beautiful two-story-high lounge.
Photo by Aya Mac Photography

The Ebell of Los Angeles will open its doors to the public on Sun., Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free tours and to share information about the historic building, upcoming programs and membership. At this Community Open House, visitors are invited to explore the main clubhouse, courtyard garden and Ebell Theatre and to learn about the various programs and charitable endeavors undertaken by the group. 743 S. Lucerne Blvd., 323-931-1277. tinyurl.com/mupdhyhk.

And now you’re in the Larchmont know!

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Category: Entertainment

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